In these days of uncertainty and conflict, it is so important that we find and celebrate joy wherever and whenever it presents itself. For me, the bloom of the first crocus and the bright burst of yellow daffodils lighten my heart. The pink buds on the flowering trees, and the song of the robins in the yard represent renewal and hope that life, even in the midst of chaos, begins again. Spring reminds me that I am incredibly blessed and to be mindful of those in our world that are living lives that require an inordinate amount of courage and resilience. We must keep them in our thoughts and prayers each time we experience our own moments of gratitude.

Adventures in Reading and Writing

I have completed the manuscript for my next book, Neither Life Nor Death, and rather than employ the services of one specific editor, I have chosen to have the manuscript read and critiqued by other published authors and beta readers who are familiar with my other five novels. Each reader brings with them a particular perspective and focus when reading through the manuscript – some read looking at content, another for grammar and punctuation, another for construction and flow of the story, and another for accuracy of historical content. I am so pleased and grateful for this type of input and critiquing as I work with this group of talented and generous writers and readers.

While they are reading, I am working on completing the interior pages of the book and writing the two Historical Perspectives that accompany each novel. An award-winning author friend, Linda Conroy, will be writing the back-cover blurb and my talented sister, Kathleen Noble, has completed her painting for the cover. I will be revealing this beautiful work of art in next quarter’s newsletter.                                

After a piece of work has been written and edited, there are many pieces that require completion before it can be published, and since I self-publish all of that work is orchestrated by me. I very much enjoy the publishing aspect as I follow my timeline towards a 2026 Fall publication of Neither Life Nor Death. It is the third book in the Drew Davies Railway Mystery series.

Because ideas for the NEXT book are always vying for space in my interior writing world, I have begun researching the history and setting for a book that will take place in Naples, Italy. Drew will again be the main character.

Upcoming Events

-April 16 – 18 – Chanticleer Author’s Conference, Bellingham, WA

-April 18 – I will be teaching a class entitled Writing Across Genres – Village Books, Bellingham, WA

-April 19 – Books by the Bay Bookfair – Village Books, Bellingham, WA

-May 7 – Spring Open House at Refeather Your Nest, Mt. Vernon, WA

A Recipe

For my husband’s birthday, he asked if I would make his favorite foods for him. This included a key lime pie, the recipe which I am sharing below.

Key Lime Pie Recipe     

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:

– One 9” graham cracker pie crust (You can buy it or make your own)

*Baking the crust for 5-10 minutes before filling does make it firmer but is not     necessary

– 3 cups sweetened condensed milk

– 1/2 cup sour cream

– 3/4 cup of key lime juice (use more if you like a tarter taste)

– 1 tbls. grated lime zest

Instructions:

-In medium bowl, combine milk, sour cream, lime juice and zest

-Mix well and pour into the crust

-Bake for 5-8 minutes until tiny bubbles burst on the surface of the pie

  Do NOT bake any longer

-Cool and chill thoroughly before serving

-Garnish with whipped cream and slices of lime

                                                            Bon Appetit!!