Sunday, June 23, 2019

This is it!


Honestly, I try not to get too hyper about a new book release, but it’s hard not to get a little excited. So, let’s get this out there right away. Wild Woods and Municipal Blondes are both now available, as of today, in paperback and eBook from popular vendors! And this afternoon, paperbacks will be available from me personally, so I can sign and personalize them, at Chandler Reach Vineyards Tasting Room in Woodinville, WA. Here are the details:

Wild Woods paperback and Kindle eBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/195018305X
“My gods, that was incredible. I get it, too. Who he was didn't matter, it never did. It was always about who he became when he came to town and jumped into that river. Damn good mystery.” The Dark Baron

Municipal Blondes paperback and Kindle eBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1950183068
“Great Story and perfect ending. Had me tearing up at the end. Thank You for an excellent read.” Tony Tee

In case you are interested, today also marks the release of Devon Layne’s newest book in “The Transmogrification of Jacob Hopkins” series, Double Time. The erotic do-over is available as an ePub from https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/double-time-devon-layne/1131678783?ean=2940161239995

The Kindle book is available only by sending $5 to www.paypal.me/aroslav. Indicate your email address and the words “Double Time” and I’ll send you the download link.
“Aroslav [Devon Layne] has both the talent and the emotional depth to make each one of the characters a three-dimensional person, complete in all respects; for the perceptive reader, a friend who lives not very far away. In that he is not unique on SOL, but his peers in this respect are not his equals.” Daanj

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You can make any number of assumptions about how I’ve been spending my week! Probably wrong. I got into the Seattle area late in the afternoon on Father’s Day to be taken out to a fantastic dinner at the Flavour Bistro in Duvall. What a delicious meal! I had duck and pork stroganoff. As the host said, “It’s a hug in a bowl!”

I’ve spent a good part of the week doing my normal thing and writing. Jason and I are also pulling things together for a smoker fest tomorrow and will be putting a fifteen-pound brisket on the rack. A few friends and family coming over to help celebrate and to help me plan my upcoming trip around the world. It’s a little early to pack my bags, but we’re going to have fun talking about it.

I had the opportunity to have coffee with one of my readers. Les and I had a good conversation about writing, life, and the metaphysics of psychic phenomena. (I lied about that last one. We didn’t really have time to discuss that after we finished solving the world’s problems.)

Q and I headed off to see the Fremont Solstice Parade yesterday and I thought there would be some interesting pictures to post from it. Unfortunately, after driving around for an hour looking for a place to park, we were two miles away from the nearest intersection with the parade. So, instead of naked bicyclists, we settled for a bag of Dick’s.

Spent some time just driving around places I hadn’t been in several years. Including researching a few of the locations that will appear in my next Deb Riley mystery (currently being rewritten). Wallingford and Ravenna both play a part, as well as Queen Anne.

Last night I had a delightful dinner with my friend, Jeri. We were at Arnie’s in Edmonds where we looked out over the marina and the ferry terminal. The view was great, the food was okay, and the conversation was brilliant. First time I’ve been out like that in a very long time!
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I saw a post this week that reminded me a lot of grade school when kids were prone to respond to a disagreement with a direct verbal attack on the other kid. “Your mother wears army boots.” Something that might be taken as a positive fashion statement today. I thought about how little those mindless insults meant and yet how hurtful they could be. Chagrined, the kid might say, “I didn’t mean nothing by it.”

When I look at our world, I see a lot of terrible things. I also see a lot of good people. And I keep trying to figure out how so many good people can do and say so many terrible things. And all the time, they didn’t mean nothing by it.

Something we forget is that one does not need to intend harm to do harm. If we’ve lost something from our society in the past few years, it’s the ability to be civil. Social media allows us to “express our opinion” without filters. It thereby becomes a vehicle for spreading hatred, discontent, disreputation, and social unrest.

I don’t “say what I think” these days. I can think of very few people whose unfiltered thoughts don’t need to be followed by the words, “I didn’t mean nothing by it.” But surely, to someone, it did mean something.

Happy Solstice (a couple of days ago). Hope your summer season brings joy and light!

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