Hi, Pat. Sometime we've got to do downtown to the Seattle Police Museum this Spring! Haven't seen you for sometime. Feel free to call me anytime (except Saturday nights after 9PM when I'm watching the newest ScyFy movie). Looking forward to watching "Snakes On A Sub" tonight. (God knows why as I hate snakes....). Dawn

Oh, lady, I got "adventurous" all right! Free tequila and frisky Cozumel men are a BAD combo!
We got together later with the travel agent who pulled together the trip and pitched the idea of a mystery cruise. I came up with the title: Murder On the High Seas: A Cruise To Die For.
I heard today that the travel agent can pull it together by next fall. 7 days sailing the Mexican Riviera, leaving from Los Angeles, Carnival Splendour seems the probable choice, rates are approx. $350 inside cabin, $550 balcony.
You can see what we're talking about at
http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_splendor/default.aspx?shipCode=SL
http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/destination/Mexico/itinerariesMR.aspx?subRegionCode=MR&sort=3
I'm suppose to get together with my cohorts in crime and come up with panels and programs so we know how many meeting rooms to reserve. Any ideas?
Is this too soon for anyone to plan? There wouldn't be any extra fees for the conference but we're going to try to negotiate with the ship to sell books. And there wouldn't be any silly rule about who's an author. In fact, I'd love to see small press publishers show up and show their wares!
Sunny Frazier
http://www.sunnyfrazier.com

Happy New Year Pat, and thanks for your continued support for my work.

Very best regards to a very gracious lady.

Brian

Hi, Pat. How was the trip? Please give me a call about the track. I guess they've changed the rules about going to the back stretch since I've been back there.

Yes, indeed, Pat. I hope you're having a great time down there in Antigua. Definitely we have to go to the races after your return. And, I want to hear how your trip went too. We'll have plenty to talk about in-between losing our money on the horses. (Just kidding about the losing. I play to win!) And we still haven't visited the Police Museum in Seattle yet.

Hi, Pat. How come we ain't friends yet? Ha.ha. Just sent you an invite. I just returned from two weeks in Egypt. Like to tell you how it went. Hope you enjoyed your time in Antigua. I am eager to read your new mystery novel regarding this country when it comes out.

Hi Patricia,
Yes, we love our little dog, and I can never get over other people's cruelty to such lovely animals. I hope you feel inclines to get a copy of Glastonbury. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

god to hear from you.

Best regards

Brian

I understand the frustration--and the competition. I think stick-to-it-tive-itis is the key. Somehow, somewhere, I think the dwindling number of traditional big name publishers are going to fizzle--or not have as much clout. It used to be there were the Big Five. They are all conglomerates now. I've read--don't know how accurate the info--that some of the publishers are losing money with the big advances to big name/quick spotlight celebraties, but then the sales volume just isn't there. We'll see:-)

Pat

Thanks for the positive feedback. Sales are slow because print reviewers won't give me a chance. Unknown author, unknown publisher, mass market paperback—three strikes against me . . . not to mention the controversy. Yet, I plug along.

Just saying Hi from another Pacific Northwest writer. I'm very fond of Ross and John and Lew Archer too. Named my son Travis after Travis McGee long before the name was popular.

Hi Pat,

Thanks for the comment. We've just added yet another little rescue dog, Penny to our family two days ago. She's another unwanted and abandoned little girl in need of a loving home. I hope the video gives you a good feel for the novel and maybe entices you to get yourself a copy of a work I must say i'm quite proud of. Keep an eye out for a contest beginning on March 1st for the chance to win an advance copy of my next release 'Glastonbury' as well.

All good wishes

Brian

Thanks for adding me Patricia, good to know you. Have a great Christmas and New Year.

Brian

Hi Patricia,

Thanks for seeking me out here on Crimespace. Happy Holidays!

Thanks, Patricia.

Glad to be your friend!

Hello Patricia. Here's to new found friendship. Cheers!

Thanks for reading my update, Patricia. And I will keep you posted on her reactions. It's a bit strange basing a character on a regular person ... but she knows full well that I just took the idea of a young, sharp, outdoorsy female hunting guide and would never begin to assume it was actually her ! Cheers, Mak

Thanks for the add, Patricia - lovely to meet you on here!

:))

A
xxx

Pat, how did your research trip to Antigua go? Or are you still there? I hope you're not working too hard!

Update on my Antigua trip. It went well--how could a person say otherwise? Fun thing going up to the Caribbean Stonehenge, although little of that left right now. I've been asking and asking to go up with our Antiguan friend. He acts as my kind of "minder" while I'm on the island. The megaliths are on Green Castle Hill, bout 600 ft. high, vertical grade of 35-40 degrees in places. And it's all above a stoney masonry factory carving out the limestone and volcanic rock to make fences around expensive resorts and compounds. So, they often are blasting. At any rate, one of the villages, Bonehead (true name) led the way, Wayne and I followed. Made it about 7/8's of the way, wind gusting about 35 knots and I had to stop. Guys went up and took pictures for me. The way down was harder, and I had this idiotic picture in my head of a debutante, hands outstretched on either side to a "gallant" escort walking her down the steps into the ballroom. The guys did hold my hands, but I was sweating, slipping, sliding, and they were, too. All, in all, it was not a pretty site. And then we had to cross paths, through a kind of pasture, with a bull who didn't look too happy to see this sweating, redfaced lady encroaching on his turf. Then had an interesting session with trying to get a diabetic testing kit that I ordered for the retired Leeward Island Police Force commissioner. He couldn't afford one, so I had my son Stateside buy and FedEx on to my attention. (Things have a way of not getting to people in the small villages dotting Antigua). Finally ransomed the diabetic kit from customs and got it to my friend, who also is vetting my manuscript. Let me tell you, power in developing countries is with the individual holding the rubber stamp--seal of approval. Never have any doubt to that. Had to have five sets of papers rubber stamp to get that testing kit "free at last."

Truly, I had a marvelous time, a learning one, and I'd sure do it all over again.

Tan and Happy,

BTW, I was asked to come back in November as Antigua has started an annual Literary Festival for Caribbean authors. This WIP plus my story published on Amazon Shorts, "Antiguan Memories," makes me eligible, I guess. If anyone has the time, please check out the story. It costs 49 cents from Amazon. And, I desperately need some reviews on it--write me off list, if you'd like a copy to peruse. The story is speculative fiction: Set in the 1930s with a disillusioned Anglican priest, a mute Antiguan young man, and the spirit of a murdered slave girl--who all are seeking release from their captive states.

Many thanks.

Pat


Pat

Thanks Pat. let me know how it works out for you,
Rick