An American in Holland

So I've been living with my wife now in Yerseke, Netherlands (Yerseke - ear-se-kuh) for just over a month now and loving it! And wonder of wonders, the government decided I can stay. I'm a legal resident!

Okay, so my dutch is a bit rudimentary and my interactions with the locals is getting better, but my real obstacle is the way things work here.

Like most Americans, I'm dependent upon a 24-hour economy. For example: If I get off work at 9pm and I need milk there is always a Biggs, Walmart, Costco, or something similar that's open. I go in, get my milk, remember I need a pack of new undies for my next trip, decide to get windshield washer fluid, oh, I need a new hammer for a D.IY. project, might as well pick up the latest Melissa Etheridge CD, and I really do want that new movie with whatshername in it. My cart is full, pick up some Tylenol cold and flu stuff since I got the sniffles and I'm off. Easy, right?

My Journey

Life takes funny turns at times. For nearly 24 years I've lived in the same house. For over 30 years I've lived in the same town and never worked further than 20 miles away.

My jobs were always in the realm of public safety. 22 years in the emergency medical field; 17 years as a 9-1-1 dispatcher; 5 years as a firefighter...basically my entire adult life spent trying to save lives and make a difference. I know I did both along the way. I could see the proof in the eyes of those I helped; I could hear the proof in their voices over the phone.

Blogs on Pirarcy by Karin Kallmaker

Karin Kallmaker is the undisputed Queen of Lesbian Romance and she has some great comments regarding piracy of our work on her blog:

http://bit.ly/FanstotheRescue Lesbian Fiction Fans -- to the Rescue?

http://bit.ly/PiratesAvast An Open Letter to Book Pirates

http://bit.ly/MythsofPiracy Mythes of Ye Olde Piracy

20,000 Words!

Yes! Officially 1/3 of the way through Intent On Murder. So very happy that my killer let me in on all the planning and evidence that gets left behind. Not to mention figuring out his/her identity. Whew! Now that's over, it's off to do more creating!

Sisters In Crime

Just put up the link for the Sisters In Crime blog. If you love mystery and you love talking about it, go there and take a look. Lots of our favorite writers post there and it's fun to read.


http://sisters-in-crime-sinc.blogspot.com/

10,182 !!!

Finally hit that 5 digit mark on Intent On Murder!  I'm super excited as this story is coming together. My sister brainstormed with me the other day and she gave me some cool ideas. Verda did the same and now I know where the thing is heading. Hope everyone else likes the ride as much as me!

Intent On Murder

Just really got going on my next book, Intent On Murder. Got out 4,229 words in just about three hours. Wow, nothing feels as good as when your writing gets going.

National League Win!

Finally, our NL All Stars have pulled off their first win in 13 years! So very proud of the Cincinnati line-up especially Phillips and Roland who really kicked it tonight.

So, no writing tonight while watching the mid-summer classic. But it was worth it. ;-)

Reading at True Colors Book Store

I'll be doing my first reading at True Colors Book Store in Minneapolis, MN. I'll be reading from Souls' Rescue and the anthology I edited with Verda Foster, Women In Uniform, Medics and Cops and Soldiers, Oh My!

I'll be joined by Chris Paynter, Lori L. Lake, CP Rowland and Jessie Chandler on August 7, 2010 at 4pm.

If you live in the area, please come and join us! It's going to be a great time!