There is such a thing as conference fatigue. I had a fabulous time this past weekend with 900 or so other friends checking out Bouchercon 2020. Though I didn't get to travel to the state capital and frolic in Sacramento, I still got to attend the event virtually. The highlights of the event were: Pre-taped videos: High-quality video interviews with amazing people like Walter Mosley, Anne Perry, Catriona McPherson, and the past presidents of Sisters in CrimeLive presentations: Unique … [Read more...]
Bouchercon, Here I Come!
October 12, 2020 Leave a Comment
I was excited to attend my first Bouchercon, a huge conference for mystery lovers, this year. It would've been held in my state (Sacramento, CA) this upcoming weekend. Thankfully, it didn't get canceled. Like many other conventions, though, it's turned virtual. Now I can be there from the comfort of my own home. Not only do I get a chance to listen to great authors, but I'm actually on a panel! I'll be on the Our Furry Friends panel on Friday, Oct. 16th at 3pm with Lane Stone, Jackie Layton, … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Chocolate Dobash Cake
October 9, 2020 Leave a Comment
Chocolate dobash cake: moist cake with thick frosting I got this at a local Hawaiian bakery as a treat. My friend has been raving about dobash cake for a while, so I'm glad I finally tried it out. This is definitely a winner. The cake itself is moist and fluffy, reminding me of chiffon cake. Despite the thick layer of frosting, it's not overly sweet and has a pudding-like texture. Maybe, like my friend, I should get a dobash cake every year for my birthday... Fun fact: The dobash … [Read more...]
Food for Your Mind
September 25, 2020 Leave a Comment
"A refreshing change is in your future." I'm changing up my blog! Since I'm now regularly writing on two group blogs, Chicks on the Case & Writers Who Kill, I've decided to direct readers to those places whenever I do a post there. Today, I'm on Chicks on the Case talking about changes in my reading habits. Find out more here: https://chicksonthecase.com/2020/09/25/changing-my-reading-habits … [Read more...]
ARCs, Glorious ARCs
September 14, 2020 Leave a Comment
There's something really beautiful about being one of the first. It's a privilege and an honor. This is especially true for getting to read someone's book baby. It does take an extremely long time to write and then publish something. Although 2020 has been an absolute wild ride of a year, there have been silver linings. Advance reading copies, or ARCs, has been a delight for me this year. I've been able to read fabulous work from both established and new authors. In the above photo, … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Hummus
September 4, 2020 Leave a Comment
One of the favorite things that I whipped up during lockdown was hummus. I usually purchase a tub of it from the grocery store. There's something artistic about creating customized spices for the dip, though. I also like to add in special garnishes like toasted sesame seeds, parsley, or even green onions. Here's a quick recipe: 1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed) 1/4 c olive oil 1/4 c cold water 2 garlic cloves 2 lemons, juiced 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp … [Read more...]
MurderCon
August 17, 2020 2 Comments
"Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes." --fortune cookie saying MurderCon is an annual training event put on by the Writers’ Police Academy, and 2020 marks the 12th anniversary of the conference. Workshops taught by experts, combined with hands-on learning, are the draw of this special event for writers. I’ve heard about this conference for years, but because of the expenses involved (travel + lodging + fee), I had constantly put off attending it. Due to the pandemic, … [Read more...]
