Downtown Spring Fling

On May 7th, Mike Davis and I shared a booth at the "Downtown Spring Fling" Arts & Crafts Show in Rocky Mount, Virginia. Mike arrived around 8:00 a.m. to begin setting up. I joined him at 8:15. Mike and I had shared a speaking event at the Franklin County Library in Rocky Mount once, so I knew we'd have fun. Plus, he's a nice guy.

Mike (above) is the author of 12 novels--romantic suspense
and science fiction.

Because of concern about being set up on pavement with a blazing sun overhead, friend Amy Thomas loaned me her tent/canopy. Then the weather forecast the night before said the high temperature at noon would be 60 degrees, so Mike and I decided not to take the canopy. Bad idea. We nearly fried. But we survived and had a great time.

That's me wearing hubby Ron's red North Carolina State
baseball cap. At one point I had TWO caps on with one bill facing
forward, one facing backwards. The sun was HOT!

Mary Wray, owner of "The Artisan Center along the Crooked Road" and organizer of the Spring Fling, took excellent care of the vendors (around 30, I think) who were selling their wares, provided a clean bathroom indoors for us, helped with anything we needed. Mike and I met some nice, interesting people and sold some books.

Several painters, photographers, pottery creators, woodworkers, jewelry makers, and other artisans had items on display and for sale. I bought two pairs of earrings from wood turner friend Hugh Key.

Usually when I speak to groups or do book signings, I bring my stuffed black Labrador retriever King. Don't worry, he was never a real, honest-to-goodness live dog. He's stuffed like a child's teddy bear. I bring King to events because both my novels have a real "King" in them. Children love King, enjoy patting his head, rubbing his back, climbing on him. Most other dogs like him, although they always give him the sniff test. Asa, a German Shepherd at this event, accepted King immediately.

King

If there's another "Downtown Spring Fling" next year, you should go. But if you can't, know that The Artisan Center has most of the vendors' works throughout the year. And there's lots of other stuff to do in Rocky Mount.

At 3:00, Mike and I loaded up our vehicles and left--hot, tired, and happy.

Book Signing at Franklin County Library

Tuesday, November 16, I left the house at 1:15 for a 3:00-5:00 book signing at the Franklin County Library in Rocky Mount. Usually this drive takes about 45 minutes, but I had planned to stop by the Westlake Library and say a quick hello to author Fred First, who was speaking there at 2:00. That didn't happen. I dropped off the garbage, stopped at the post office to mail a letter, and then encountered fog. Even though it was daylight, many patches were thick. I slowed, afraid I might not see deer crossing the road or cars without lights. When I passed Westlake Library my watch read 2:05, too late to stop. I reached Rocky Mount only five minutes early.


I like the Franklin County Library. From where I sat I could see the front and rear entrances. I chatted with library patrons, some who already owned one or both of my books and wanted to tell me how much they enjoyed reading them. Others knew some of the same folks I knew. A 10-year-old boy wanted my autograph, even though he wasn't old enough to read either of my novels.

Traffic through the library was heavy. Fifteen to twenty computers on the first floor stayed busy the entire time I was there. My guess is that the five computers on the second floor were equally busy. I was impressed. The librarians tried their best to answer any and all questions library patrons asked. I hope Rocky Mount and Franklin County realize what an important treasure their library is.

I left promptly at 5:00, hoping to get home before dark. Not. I drove home in rain and thick, pea-soup fog. Some vehicles had no lights on. In some areas I struggled to stay in my lane. Even in the fog, blinding oncoming lights seemed to make the center line and edge-of-road line disappear. I prayed. It was 6:30 when I walked in my house.

Hottest Book at the Lake

What do you get when you take a shiny glass paper weight, set it on a stack of paper handouts, and place a few copies of my novel Secrets at Sweetwater Cove beside it?

You get ~ drumroll here, please ~

THE HOTTEST BOOK AT SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE!

Yep, you guessed it. My book caught fire! If not for the sensitive nose of fellow authors Carl Baker (retired Colonel in the New York State Police and the Virginia State Police, retired Deputy Secretary for Public Safety in Virginia, as well as retired Chief of Police for Chesterfield County, VA), and animal communicator Karen Wrigley, my book, possibly the entire table, would have gone up in flames!

On October 9, 2010, six authors participated in The General Store's annual Fall Festival Day. Tables were set up outside for us and all the other vendors.

Left to right: Libby Bondurant, Gailya Keller, me, Carl Baker, Karen Wrigley. Not seated at our table was Sandy Volles, pictured below.

Authors who were present and the titles of their books are: Libby Bondurant, Grazing Along the Crooked Road; Gailya Keller, The Secrets of Smiley's Woods; Sally Roseveare, Secrets at Spawning Run and Secrets at Sweetwater Cove; Carl Baker, To Defend Against All Enemies; Karen Wrigley, Beyond Woofs and Whinnies; Sandy Volles, Grandma's Two Cents.

Deltaville Book Club

Deltaville, a charming town on the Chesapeake Bay, is the sailboat capital of Virginia. The seafood there is some of the best I've ever eaten, and the little shops in Deltaville and the surrounding small towns are unique. So you can imagine how tickled I was when several months ago Keaton Garber invited me to speak to the Deltaville Book Club on September 14th.

Some of the ladies on the Kelly House sun porch. I'm wearing the white jacket.
Photo by Martha Stokes

The meeting was held in the Kelly House, a restored 1840's Virginia planter's home. Furnished with period antiques, the house is lovely. Around 20 delightful ladies came to hear me. Southern hospitality was everywhere, and a lavish spread of goodies covered the dining room table. The centerpiece, created by Keaton and inspired by my first novel "Secrets at Spawning Run," surprised me.


If you've read "Secrets at Spawning Run," you will recognize the black Labrador retriever, King, complete with red collar, sitting on the dock. On my book cover, King is on the dock. Look carefully and you will see the Jack Russell terrier, Little Guy, tied to a tree, an overturned red boat with anchor and rope attached to a man lying in the water, a water bird, and a jeep and police cars. All of these things are in the book! It must have taken Keaton days to come up with all the figures. One of the ladies who had not yet read the book kept turning the boat back up and putting the man back in it because she didn't want him to drown!

I had fun, met some nice ladies, sold some books, and had the opportunity to spend a few days in Deltaville again. If you're looking for a nice place to visit, you won't want to miss Deltaville.

Speaking at Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library

Friends of the Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library invited me to speak at the library on the evening of June 17th. Friend and fellow Lake Writer Phyllis Conrad gave me a fantastic introduction, an intro that made writing Secrets at Spawning Run and Secrets at Sweetwater Cove even more worthwhile. Phyllis has promised to do the same for my third novel, now in progress.

Photo courtesy of Charlie Walker

I talked about where ideas come from, the importance of research, keeping time lines straight, publishing, and the actual writing process. This was a good audience. They laughed, asked lots of questions, gave me intriguing ideas, and encouraged me to keep writing mysteries that take

Photo courtesy of Ron Roseveare

place at Smith Mountain Lake. I chatted with old friends, made new ones. I enjoyed myself tremendously. I continue to be amazed at the folks who come to listen to me. And I so appreciate them.

Upper End Again

Upper End Again Consignment on the Bedford County side of Hales's Ford Bridge is on my list of must-visit-often spots at Smith Mountain Lake. Owner Evelena Mullens, a certified interior decorator, has packed the shop with useful, unique, and collectible items while maintaining the atmosphere of a cozy boutique.

I found a wicker cabinet that now resides on my bathroom wall and holds rolls of toilet paper and other necessities such as pencil and paper to record any worthwhile thoughts while I'm, uh, brushing my teeth.

All shelves in my house are jammed with books; once-empty spaces under the beds are crammed with boxes of them. So you can understand why I squealed like an excited pig when I spied a book table at Upper End Again. I don't know who gave it up, but I'm so glad they did. The top book even has a drawer. The table now resides next to my recliner.


Besides being an interesting lady, Evelena is a good business woman. After all, she invited Karen Wrigley and me to speak and sign books on March 20th! We had so much fun and sold books, too. And I got locked in the bathroom! I banged and banged on the door, yelled for Karen and Evelena. Nothing. And then I started laughing as I pictured how the obituary would read. Finally, I got smart and started yelling for Cody, Evelena's Great Dane who was in the shop. Sure enough, Cody brought Marichen to the door. Hallelujah! I was saved.

Cody in front of an Elvis on Velvet painting.

Elvis is for sale. Cody is priceless.

Make it a point to stop by Upper End Again Consignment located at 16483 Moneta Rd. Suite A, Moneta, VA 24121 (Hales Ford Center). Store hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10-6 and Sunday 12-4.

Another Book Signing

This seems to be the season when life starts breaking out of the winter doldrums. I've seen more bluebirds, plants that slept all winter are peeping up through the soil, and book signings and appearances are increasing. Last Saturday (March 6) Karen Wrigley, Becky Mushko, Barbara Roberts, and I signed books at The General Store in Moneta.

Becky, Me, and Barbara

I liked where owners Rita and Vickie put us. We had lots of room for our stuff, and plenty of space for fellow book lovers to stop and chat with us and to purchase our books. The staff also kept us supplied with delicious coffee, mini-quiches, and small chocolate eclairs.

Me, Karen, and Barbara

The week before this book signing, Vickie and Rita were at market. You really should stop by and see all the neat things they brought back with them.

On March 20 from 11:00 to 2:00, Karen Wrigley and I will be at Upper End Again Consignment in Moneta for readings and to sign books. Stop by if you can.

Signing Books in Lynchburg

My most recent book signing was at Givens Books & Little Dickens in Lynchburg, VA, on Saturday, November 28th. I had so much fun! One of the great things about book signings is that old friends often drop by for a book and to chat. At this signing, lots of good friends came. We chatted, laughed, even cried a little. And they bought books.

Photo by Martin Tolhoek

Until we moved to the lake in 2000, I did most of my shopping in Lynchburg. Most of my friends lived in Lynchburg. We attended church in Forest, which butts up to Lynchburg. I don't get there as often now. I told my husband later that signing at Givens was like going home.

Photo by Martin Tolhoek
Author Jeri Watts, Me, and friend Kay Tolhoek

Meeting and signing with other authors is also a plus, and on the 28th, I met and signed with Dr. Jeri H. Watts, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Learning at Lynchburg College. She was delightful, and I hope to see her again.

Photo by Lisa Roseveare
Grandson Matthew, Granddaughters Emily & Nicole
And yes, I see the bunny ears.

Givens Books & Little Dickens, located at 2236 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, is a family-owned store and is a favorite place for me to purchase birthday and Christmas gifts for my grandchildren. Not only is the store packed with books, there are educational toys, fun toys, teaching supplies, and a coffeehouse and cafe. The staff is polite and helpful. In my opinion, this would be the perfect book store for Becky Mushko's book Ferradiddledumday which will be coming out in January. You can read more about Givens Books & Little Dickens at www.givensbooks.com.

Photo by Martin Tolhoek

Seven Virginia Authors

Seven Virginia authors gathered at The General Store in Moneta to sign books on November 21st. We talked, laughed, examined and traded books, and enjoyed chatting with folks who dropped by to shop and buy our books. Owners Vicki and Rita and their fine staff provided us with coffee, juice, and delicious goodies. I bought something, of course. Seldom do I leave that shop without a purchase in my hands.

Two of the authors were ladies I had never met. I liked them instantly, and I'm looking forward to reading their books. B. (Barbara) R. Roberts lives in Lynchburg, and has published a children's book entitled "What A Christmas!" I'm sure my grandchildren will enjoy it. Barbara sent me the picture below which was taken by Susan Dittler. Debra Cheehy from Northern Virginia has written "I Like Dogs," which, in my opinion, is a must-read for any family thinking about getting a dog.

Back Row, L to R: Bob VandeLinde, Sally Roseveare, Barbara Roberts, Curtis Nester, Rodney Franklin
Front Row, L to R: Debra Cheehy
Photo by Susan Dittler

If you've never shopped at The General Store, stop in, grab a cup of hot coffee, and browse awhile. You'll find just about something for everybody on your gift list. And if you sew, don't miss the fabrics and sewing notions downstairs.