5 stars Genre: YA rom-com *Available Oct. 4, 2022 The Christmas Clash Such a cute story! I relished the setting of the suburban mall, and the vivid descriptions brought back such good memories. Peter and Chloe complement each other well. I loved diving into their different personalities—and getting to virtually enjoy the cuisines of their family restaurants. The holiday atmosphere added a special touch to the story, making it an even cozier feel-good rom-com. Find more of … [Read more...]
At the Grocery Store
July 9, 2022 Leave a Comment
I like grocery shopping. Really, I do. I cherish it even more now than I did before. Having used grocery pick-up services back in 2020, I appreciate the chance to actually hold produce in my hands. Maybe food selecting is also enjoyable for me because it reminds me of past times with my mom. I’d tag along with her, pick fruit from the bin and maybe even weigh them on those nifty silver scales. If I was really good and well-behaved, I’d get a treat from the bakery (usually a roll). Or Tic … [Read more...]
The Great Unboxing
June 29, 2022 2 Comments
This festivity happens (hopefully) once a year—or maybe more if you’re lucky. It’s the celebration known as The Great Unboxing. Authors finally get to hold their literary lovelies in their hands, right before it reaches the rest of the public. Almost every writer I know does an unboxing video on this occasion. Check out my Instagram reel for the unboxing of Death by Bubble Tea (out July 5). There are a few things that I’ve learned along the way about receiving and unboxing author copies. … [Read more...]
FAB Long Beach
May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment
This past Saturday, Long Beach held its first-ever FAB (Festival of AAPI Books) Long Beach event! I happily and heartily participated in it. Thank you, Long Beach Public Library and Bel Canto Books!! May has a special place in my heart because this month (AANHPI Heritage Month) is when I first discovered I could be a mystery writer. I stumbled onto Dale Furutani's samurai series at the library because of a special book display and realized that an Asian American could be a strong protagonist … [Read more...]
To Swag or Not to Swag?
March 15, 2022 2 Comments
It’s conference season time! As an author, a lot my time is spent in solitary creation. There comes a few points every year where I actually get to go out and meet folks, including readers. This happens at book festivals, and to a smaller extent, at bookstores. Fan conventions, though, are a different beast entirely. These gatherings invite readers to mingle with their favorite authors. They’ve been on pause (or virtual) for the last few years, so I’m excited to see them up and running … [Read more...]
Bookstore Fail
February 23, 2022 Leave a Comment
My most recent trip to the bookstore was a bit of a bust. The fun thing about being a published author is the chance to hop into a bookshop and see your books on the shelf. Usually, my MO is to browse the online catalog (if there’s one) to make sure my books are actually carried in the store. This time, I winged it. I was already running errands and would be in the area anyway. I went up to the info desk and asked if they had any of my books in the store. Nope. A little zing of … [Read more...]
Flash Sale for Pre-Orders
January 27, 2022 Leave a Comment
Sales! Who doesn’t love a good sale? When I was a kid, I squirreled away my allowance. I didn’t like to tap into my savings…unless it was for a book. There was something magical about walking into a bookstore and seeing shelves of new books arrive on a daily basis. I couldn’t buy all the books, of course, but at least I could be around them. The worst was when a book I wanted to get was not on the shelf. How could that be? Usually, they had run out of copies. Luckily, there’s such a … [Read more...]
The Magic of Indie Bookstores
November 15, 2021 2 Comments
I recently did a joint book signing with Ellen Byron at an indie bookstore, Mystery Ink. They have a new location which faces a main street in Huntington Beach. I hope a lot of customers spot the store and drop by. It’s a cozy space with great books for readers—and, of course, signed copies from local authors. Indie bookstores, I believe, are magical. The first bookshop I ever visited carried children’s books, and the owner was delightful. I was a kid on the hunt for something enticing … [Read more...]
Fun Facts About Mailings
October 4, 2021 2 Comments
One area of expertise that I didn’t realize I needed to bone up on as a writer was the mail system. I already had an appreciation for the United States Postal Service. As a kid, it was exciting to watch the red flag (we had a classic mailbox) go up and down as mail was delivered and received. I loved finding deliveries in the box of postcards, letters—really anything that people sent us. As an author, I dived into the topic of mailings when I needed to send out my novels. Books are often … [Read more...]
Detective Starter Pack Sweepstakes
September 17, 2021 Leave a Comment
Ever dream of becoming a detective? This is the giveaway for you then! Not only do you get a murder mystery game, but you have the chance to win four upcoming Berkley mysteries. Who's participating? Jennifer Hawkins, Olivia Blacke, me, and Jenn McKinlay (see our respective books above) Want to learn a fun fact about each of our novels? Check out today's post on Chicks on the Case! Interested in entering? (From now until 9/25) Detective Starter Pack Sweepstakes Link … [Read more...]
