Hi Shane. Yes, his characters and the Golden Retriever got to me. I was so fascinated with Koontz's awesome charaterization that I decided to start writing again. I'm glad I did. So if I ever get my novel published, Koontz is to thanks ;)

Glad you popped in!

Ooh! Somebody else who loves Dean Koontz's Watchers. One of my favorite novels ever.

Oh, I've always wanted a boxer! But Hrothgar was at the pound the day we went, and he's a charmer. There are so many cats on Crimespace--More dogs, I say!

Hi Laura! Congrats on your newest book release! I'm not a published novelist YET-- but would love my thriller LEAVE A WHISPER on Balletine Books label! I love your lab-- I have a Boxer, Roxxie that I should put up here.

Hi, Jannie. Thanks for adding me! My daughter and I love to watch Monk, but we're also addicted to Psych--seemed dorky at first, but we were charmed. Nice to meet you! And so nice to hear a ya'll. *sigh* Sounds like home. (Louisville)

Hi -
Thanks for the warm welcome. The pooch on the cover is not mine, but is actually from England! We've been given permission to use her photo and have devoted a page of the book to Irish Wolfhound rescue groups. (My dog, Clio, is more than a tad miffed that she's not the star of the book.)
I too love Tony Shalhoub and Monk. As you note, it's the ability to use humor to support the storyline that is so impressive. And with just a slightly awkward segue :-) I will point out that "Murder Off the Books" has a story to "die for," characters you'll love, and as Kathryn Wall says, "humor sparkles on every page." I think you'll like it.

I too have a mystery in the freezer. I like the bones of it - and it taught me a lot about plotting, dialogue, character development. Maybe it will sell someday.

Thanks again for the welcome - Evelyn (please visit my web site, www.evelyndavid.com for a sneak peek of the book)

Hi Troy, well the hat certainly suits The Earl, and fits his neck of our woods. I mean, have you ever met a man from FW that didn't have a Stetson? He does well for a transplant, huh?

BTW- when I come to a meeting, don't tell anyone I have a Longhorn decal on my car (I plan to park away and walk-hehe) I surely don't want to alienate anyone on my first visit!

Look forward to meeting you ;)

Hi Jannie,
I'll look forward to seeing you at the conference and hope you can make some of the Brazos Writers meetings. Personally, I get more out of the meeting-after-the-meeting on the patio at Ozona, but that's just me. I won't hold it against you that you think of Earl as king. C'mon, that hat?

Earl, I can now say I know who Mark Troy is! (apologies to Mark) I feel so stupid knowing his name, but going blank. I'm a member of Brazos Writers Group but joined when I was in Colorado helping my mom, and just recently came back to Texas. So I haven't been to a meeting to put the faces to names. I'm going to try to make it to their mini-con in May. Boy, do I feel dumb...argh!

Yeah, it's funny that lil' ol' school has the biggest lil' ol' campus in the US ;) I've heard that name before, but can't put a face to it. Funny thing is, I lived in East Texas many years and have family in Austin, and am a Longhorn fan with a decal on my car. NOT good in Aggie country! And you should see the riff when I carry my cell into the retail store for repairs! I have a Hook em' Horns wallpaper and I think Aggie students work in there part time-- I'm the orange lady. ;) (not maroon)

Awww, Jannie, now you went and done it. You made me blush, something I haven't done since Mary Beth Thompkins smiled at me in fifth grade. You've also made a friend for life. ;-) By the way, since you're in the College Station area, maybe you know my good buddy Mark Troy. He works at an obscure little school there called Texas A&M.

Oh Earl, this is such and honor! It amazes me that of anyone who could have posted an answer, it is you who did. You are considered the king of all mystery authors in our SMFS. (as you probably know be reading the list posts) My gransdson lives in Ft. Worth, his mom and dad in Austin. I live in Bryan/College Station, but plan to move back to Longview in East Texas. I love the piney woods there and miss them. 'Miss the small town life, too. It's so wonderful to "meet" you and if we could shake hands, I'd dare use the old cliche, "I'll never wash this hand again!" --Respectfully, (and in awe) Jannie

Hi, Jannie. Chatter is when someone like me posts a message here to say something like you and I have some things in common. We both belong to SMFS, we both have written mystery books featuring a psychic, and we both live in Central Texas (Fort Worth for me.) So there you have it: chatter. Nice to meet you.