TOO LATE FOR ANGELS

A LETTER TO MY READERS

The Christmas Cottage

While others may complain when stores display Christmas items soon after Halloween, I begin counting the days. As the holiday approaches, I'm filled with anticipation for the wonderful music, the food, the gathering of family and friends, the food, the towering tree that fills the house with its fresh, green scent, the food, the lights and festivities, and, of course the joy that comes with the meaning of this special day…and did I mention the food? Therefore I had some reservations about setting a mystery during this season of gladness and peace. Naturally, in a mystery - or in mine at least - someone has to die. Could I bring myself to do away with an unsuspecting character in my favorite time of year?

But of course. (We writers are callous that way!) Actually, I had faced this same dilemma in a pre-Augusta mystery, DEADLY PROMISE, several years ago, so again I found myself immersed in Yuletide preparations and celebrations with characters who have become old friends, only this time the murder takes place in Stone's Throw, S.C., and Augusta Goodnight is there.

Look for the seventh in the series, HARK THE HERALD ANGEL SCREAMED, from St. Martin's Press in the fall of 2008.

For another taste of the season, this time with no murders, Christmas enthusiasts might enjoy THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE, a brief holiday novel published last October by BellaRosa Books about a woman's search for strength and hope during troubled times.

As fall approaches, I find myself looking forward to another favorite time. Who knows? Maybe I'll find a few minutes to reflect on this happy and productive year in which my husband, Gene, and I celebrated a major anniversary on stage during our local production of my play, Bandstand Tales II, followed by a fun-filled week at the beach with all our family.

Now, if only it would RAIN! Augusta, are you listening?

Wishing you, my readers, peace, happiness, and, let's not forget, a measure of adventure every day of the year!