Wisconsin ROCKS and Now I'm Off to Florida!

I LOVED my time in Wisconsin - I was taken to a creepy cemetery where I heard some great ghost stories (I traveled from Madison to Manitowoc) that might make their way into my new book. At one point I totally spooked the principal from Wilson Junior High when a reading specialist named Marcia Morgan (she is a new BFF!) took us to a tombstone statue that supposedly looked like a demon at night. Even though it was only beginning to turn to dusk I could see how strange the face looked above the grave, and imagined how enhanced it would have looked if viewed in the dark by way of a flashlight, which was, according to Marcia, the only proper way to view the face. It was simply fantastic! Upon my return I spoke in Colorado, which was followed by a family reunion here in Elizabeth where the whole clan gathered to celebrate Easter and baby Katelin's first birthday. My ADORABLE grand baby Katelin brought the flu along with her and passed it to everyone. The family is currently falling one by one, including my daughter Kristin, my son-in-law DJ, my son Danny, my husband Ron, and now I'm feeling a bit yucky as well. Must stay strong for my trip to Orlando, which begins this Sunday! (Please send good non-flu thoughts my way!) Anyway, while I am still upright I wanted to share a wonderful email I received from Dr. Judy Lasher, who thought I nailed Kyle's psychological problems to the tee. Here's what she had to say:

I am new to your website so I did not know about your friend, and, I am deeply sorry. However, those wounds change us and motivate us in numerous ways. It is interesting that you never stop asking the “why” question when you have acknowledged the mind of the (Axis II) personality disordered person has the absence of conscience. But, in reality…we ask why because it was too close to home. We can understand the dynamics of certain personalities but it just flies out the window when it directly touches us.

Dr. Lasher is exactly right, not only about the kind of mind that would allow a murderer to kill, but the endless 'why' questions we who have lost loved ones ask ourselves. You'll see these issues hit head-on in The Dying Breath. I'm so pumped for that book to come out! Also, it's been interesting writing Dragonfly Eyes, since I use my friend Savannah's name and I picture what she would think from the other side. One thing facing death makes you remember, and that is to enjoy every day we are given! One thing that makes me happy is hearing from YOU! This email just arrived while I was writing this post:

Hi.....My name is Micera, and I am 17 years old...

I just finished your book, The Christopher Killer, and the moment I picked it up at my school library, I just had to read it....What attracted me to this book was that I love forensics, and I always wanted to be something that involves the dead...Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down!!!.....It only took me two days to read it, and I'm looking forward to your other books....

Thank you for creating this fabulous book, and I'm sure your other books is a great success...

I am your biggest fan!!!!! And I am so excited to get my hands on the next book I read of yours...

God bless, and keep writing.

When you all take a moment to write me or another author, remember that you are spreading some serious joy! Thanks so much, keep smiling, send on the good thoughts and ghost stories, and I'll see you in the Sunshine State!