Hi Penny, where'd you work as a journalist? I always seek out new books that are set in L.A. I'll hunt yours down.

I was freelancing from L.A. for quite some time, made several trips to Asia and the work that came out of those got the attention of a guy who owned a business and finance magazine in Hong Kong. He offered me the job and away I went. What was great was that writing for a business and finance magazine gave me good entry into all sorts of places during the time I was there - the economic boom, 1986-97 - and they wanted me to write about pretty much everything. I covered economics, politics, culture, sports, sex, drugs and rock & roll and anything else you can think of. All kinds of good stories came out of it. Excellent fodder for my thriller series.

Thanks for your comment, Penny. I was glad to hear about another recovering protag--will look for your books. And thanks for the info about ITW too. :)
Liz

No, actually, it's easier to write about the place where you live, or at least visit often. I lived in Chicago for 20 years, and wrote the first four books in my series there. I love NM, btw.

Thanks, Penny! Yes, a pox on all the 110-pound women, lol.

Hi Penny,
Thanks for stopping by.

Good luck with your new September books!
Evelyn

Hi, Penny. Sorry it took so long to answer...deadline! LOL ACFW conference is in September in Dallas.... www. acfw.com Fighting the planning because I'm president of ACFW this year and next and it's a LOT of work! Grr. But very fulfilling too!

Ouch on the IRS looking into your conf expenses. My CPA makes me keep DETAILED records. LOL

Hi Penny,
I live in St. John, which isn't too far from Demotte. I have cousins who live there. Nice place.
As for the fun part of writing and all that goes with it, I have to say it's never a chore. I love what I do. EVen the promo, the cons, and the legwork. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Nice to hear from you!

Hi Penny,

Just stopping by to return the favor for your comment on my page. I'll have to check out your book.

I haven't heard about Murder in the Midland. I'm still fighting the planning of the ACFW conference in September.

Hi, Penny....was Margie Lawson at Murder in the Grove?

I LOVE The Red Shoes! And so glad you do as well! Wonder how many have seen it?

I hope you had fun at the convention :) The background on what was going on at the Outer Banks is posted on my website - www.nikkileigh.com/lilah.htm - click on Chapter 1. But, a couple of years ago at the end of December, I was on the ferry from Ocracoke to Hatteras and I was reading an article in the Island Breeze. It was about the CCC work in the 30's and 50's to build the National Seashore. There was also a hurricane in the vicinity at the right time :) I've gotten awesome comments about the atmosphere in the story and there's a good bit of local history woven into the story. I think you would enjoy it :)

NIkki Leigh

Yes, I do know Warren Murphy. We've been on a panel or two over the years. He's tops in my book.

I like your selection of books. As for movies, don't miss "The Departed."

Penny,

Four feet of snow? I had no idea. I thought NM would be blistering hot in the summer and mild in the winter.

Deb

Penny,
Do you miss the east coast? New Mexico looks lovely...but hot. I have a cousin living in Silver City.

Nice to meet you.

Deb

It will be 30 years ago, this July that i hiked those canyons. I remember the clff dwellings not only for their exotic nature, but also because it was a re-supply spot where we got fresh fruit and peanut butter. After two weeks of freeze dried meals, pilot bread and tea, the dwellings brought my teen age tastebuds back to life.

Hi, Penny, I spent a wonderfully frightening month in the Gila Wilderness with Southwest Outward Bound when I was 19. I learned a lot about mole skin, flash floods, rattle snakes, and self-imposed limits. Pine pitch is a time machine. One whiff and I'm back on the trail.

Hi Penny, good to meet you and your books sound great. I went to NM years ago to visit my cousin who lived just outside Albequerque....she had a tree growing up through her house and I thought that was weird. I wasn't thrilled with the flat land throughout texas, Ohklahoma and NM.....we were going to settle down there near her but I guess we were used to the green grass and mountains....

She had a giant pig and I wouldn't let my kids go outside...she carried a rifle to hang clothes because of the snakes. I told her I wasn't that brave and we came back and settled in NC....but of course I had to move to TN where I'm still living.

I loved living in NH and the snow but my dad needed the south because of his health so our whole family moved to be with him....

Will try and read your books one day as I do love mystery and true crime stories....