Exciting news! My newest novel, Silent Knife, based on the Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library world, is available in a three book gift set for the bargain price of $24.99. ​https://www.anniesfiction.com/products/mistletoe-mysteries

Is it really the middle of July? 

Summer is flying by. Almost every weekend, we're spending at our "ranch," a dry, rocky acreage in the Colorado mountains. 
This weekend, we hosted family for a picnic, flying kites, and riding ATVs. 

When the weather is hot and dry, remember to hydrate. Forgetting to drink water can deplete your energy and mental focus.

​Creativity can run dry, too. This isn't dependent upon weather factors. Your imagination may atrophy if you're dealing with a lot of stress. For other folks, stress sends creativity into hyperdrive. 

I heard many authors stopped writing during the height of COVID-19, round one. I'm part of the group that found social isolation and the world-on-fire liberating. I finished a new novel, and am planning to dive into my next project.

Whatever your creative outlet - writing, painting, sewing, playing a musical instrument, cooking - your energy needs to be recharged. Pay attention to your mental and emotional signals.
If you find yourself stuck, check out these ideas for recharging your creativity. 

I finished the AHMM May/June 2020 issue, and look forward to diving into July/August. A new feature in the magazine, Case Files, is written by former police detective Lee Lofland. The article covered the day-to-day life of police officers, describing uniforms in great detail. As an author, I appreciated these insider tips on the reality of police work. I am certain readers will find the information engaging, too. 

​Lofland describes his experience becoming published in AHMM here.

​For more reviews and links to author websites, check out the Trace Evidence blog here.