Braeden Eats a Lemon

Not shy about expressing his true feelings, here's my sweet grandson Braeden munching on his first lemon.

Senior Stars

I've been having lots of fun making video book trailers for my cozy mysteries.  With my most recent novel--BINGOED--I have been going in a different direction.  BINGOED follows the exploits of amateur sleuth Essie Cobb as she tries to solve the mystery of why one of her fellow residents at the Happy Haven Assisted Living facility collapsed and fell into a coma after winning a dollar at Bingo.  I fashioned Essie on my own Mom, a 90-year-old pistol who also lives in such a facility. 

With my three other video trailers I used graphics and photographs from various free online sites.  However, with BINGOED, I have decided to use my Mom as the star.  Not only that, I've contacted her assisted living facility and asked if I could film their residents during one of their regular Bingo games and I have the go-ahead. 

For now, I have the basic video created.  After I film the residents, I hope to add more footage of real seniors playing Bingo and even one of them on the floor surrounded by horrified onlookers.  Hope to get your feedback on the video so far and any suggestions you might have for how to incorporate real senior citizens into future iterations.

Essie and Dottie!

This month is Assisted Living Month!  In honor of all of the wonderful seniors (like my feisty mother Dorothy--Dottie to her sister), I'm going to give away a copy of my new cozy mystery BINGOED, featuring Essie Cobb, senior sleuth.

As BINGOED takes place in an assisted living facility--Happy Haven--it seems right to honor all of such facilities where so many older people live their lives--and enjoy a good game of BINGO from time to time--just like my Mom does.

If you'd like to win a copy of BINGOED--just leave me a comment at the end of this post with your name and an email address where I can contact you if you win.  If you don't wish to leave a comment, you can email me at:  par2323@aol.com with the same information.  I will conduct the drawing on the last day of this month and announce the winner on October 1.

Until then, best wishes to all the Essies and Dotties at assisted living facilities around the country!

Generous Giveaway!

My generous giveaway for the month of September--write a blog post or online review of ANY of my books, and I will send you a copy of ANY one of my books (your choice of title and mode--print or e-book) for FREE.  This offer is good until September 30, 2011. 

Just contact me in a comment or my email and let me know where to find your blog post or review and which of my four books (SOUNDS OF MURDER, FM FOR MURDER, VOICE MAIL MURDER, or BINGOED) you would like and in what format (print or e-book) and where to send it.

The View From The Ship's Balcony

 

My hubby Milt and I have returned from our Alaskan cruise--with many photographs to share. We had a balcony on our cabin, which was very close to the front of the ship and allowed us absolutely marvelous views of the scenery. Here are some shots!