The Dog Days of Summer
Temperature’s rising, there’s no denying.
Too hot to work, too hot to play.
My advice? Crank up your AC or swamp cooler, sit back, and read a book. Then, let me know what you’re reading.
I just finished reading Twist by Colum McCann. An Irish journalist is assigned to write an article about the underwater cables that transmit the world’s information through tiny fiber-optic tubes. The tubes break or are broken, sometimes intentionally and, like relationships, have to be repaired.
I also listened to The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. A famous painter shoots her husband and then never speaks another word. The painter’s refusal to talk casts her into notoriety, boosting the sale of her artwork. While hidden away at a secure forensic unit in North London, Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist, is determined to get her to talk. He works to unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband but it takes him down a twisting path.
I’m not an expert in book promotion and marketing, but I was able to secure a few book signings since the release of Death in the Land of Enchantment. The experience has been uplifting. I’ve met many interesting folks and was reassured that people still read books, go to bookstores and often bring their families or dogs. And, I discovered that people love mysteries and they love New Mexico. Well not everyone. I did meet some sci-fi and fantasy fans but at least they are reading. I have a few signings lined up later in the summer. I’ll let you know when they are scheduled and maybe you can drop by.
I’ve finished the draft of my next novel, The Jumping Water (working title). If you haven’t read Death in the Land of Enchantment yet, spoiler alert: Louise Sanchez retired from the police force and Pascal Ruiz lost his detective position. The Jumping Water takes place in Taos, New Mexico during two momentous time periods — the 2020 pandemic and the summer of 1929, during Mabel Dodge Luhan’s reign as the doyenne of Taos.
While I promote the Death in the Land of Enchantment and look for a publisher for The Jumping Water, I’m tossing around ideas for my next project, but more on that later.
I made Smoked Salmon Tart for brunch a few weeks ago (my sister was visiting). The recipe was featured in New York Times Cooking. I posted a scrumptious photo of the tart on social media and several people asked for the recipe. (If you haven’t already, please investigate [pun intended] my Instagram).
