Danger Looms

 

DANGER LOOMS  is finally all together and ready for the August 25, release.  I am not so ready.   I have to update my website and do what I can to get the word out.

At the moment my thoughts are elsewhere.  I noticed that our cat's pupils are not the same.  At first, I thought it was just a difference in the light hitting them, but when it continued for a couple of days, I looked online.  There is a name for it that I can't remember at the moment and is a symptom of something else and it was advised to take her to the vet.  The world has changed since all we had to do was show up during office hours to be seen that day.  Now, we had to make an appointment and wait several days.  

I can tell that she isn't her usual self and my stomach is in a knot of worry.  There is always a helpless feeling when a pet isn't well.  The best we have been able to do is give her cuddles when she wants them.  I am hoping that I am over worrying and that after the vet visit, I will feel a sense of relief that she is going to be okay.  But in the meantime, it has taken over my  thoughts.

Her name is Kona, but she has always been called Kitten.  She is the first cat that I have know as an actual kitten.  She was a gift to Jakey's mom from one of her students.  They couldn't keep her because they found out they were allergic.  She joined a cat household of Spyderman and Buttercup.  She was there when Jakey came home from the hospital and has always been part of his backdrop--first at their house and then around seven years ago when all the cats moved here.  The other two always had health issues, but Kitten seemed blessed with no problems other than not wanting me to cut her claws.  

And now she is the only one left.  I have gone through all kinds of cat and dog ailments.  It is always so hard.  I am sure I will better after the vet visit--whatever the news.  Not knowing is the hardest.

Over the years we have had 13 dogs and cats who have come to live here in numerous ways.  When they're not well never gets easy to deal with.  Fingers crossed, it's good news.

Success of Sorts

I did it! I finally turned in the revised draft of K-9 Property Justice, the second book in my K-9 Crime Solvers series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. But as I noted, it’s a success of sorts since, though I addressed the concerns my editor had, hopefully well, I didn’t find a way to shorten the revised manuscript yet. Hopefully, as she reads it, she’ll have some ideas that I can utilize to shorten it. 

But meanwhile, I’ll be starting to write the third book in the series. Plus, I hope to see my editor soon, since I’m planning a trip to New York in the not too distant future.

 I’ve got some additional ideas for what to work on after this series. It’ll be fun to discuss them—and also just to see that editor. I’ve been with her for quite a while, and I really look forward to seeing her. And we might also be joined by someone else important in my career. 

Meanwhile, it was National Spoil Your Dog Day earlier this week. Of course we did something extra to spoil them that day—but we’re always spoiling them!

The Big Change

 

It is the last hurrah before everything changes next week when Jakey goes back to school.  I am looking forward to more structured days.  I think he is too.

I'm starting the week off with a Zoom appearance on the FB group Cozies, Conversations and More.  Just in time I'll have the cover of DANGER LOOMS to show off and announce it's on pre-sale.  Doing thing on Zoom is great.  No travel.  There is just dealing with computer stuff to make sure it works.  It's funny how easy its gotten to talk to a screen. 

Looking back, the summer (at least measured by Jakey's vacation )  seems to have gone by fast.  It's not terribly hot, but there is more humidity than usual which makes it uncomfortable.  I am glad to see the Halloween stuff taking over the Costco aisles as it's a reminder that this soupy weather won't last forever.

It's also a reminder that I have to start on the next Crochet and Crumpet book which takes place around Halloween.  I'll keep working on Molly's next adventure until the end of the month and then put it aside for awhile.

Meanwhile, I have to say the relaxing crochet I'm going to put in the book is working for me.   I don't even mind having to unravel when  I find a mistake since it is all about the relaxing quality of the crochet. 

Yet Another Month

 Happy August, everyone! 

This year is going fast—as they all do these days. 

And my writing? Not so fast, but I’m still making progress, as I always do. I’ve been working on my current stories, both the edits on the current one and plotting for the next book in the series. 

My mind doesn’t always focus on them, though. I’m a writer. I’m always plotting. And in addition to what I’m actually working on, I’m coming up with ideas for the next thing I’d like to write—as I generally do. 

It’s pretty warm here in LA, at least in the afternoon. But I still try to keep my house’s front door open when I can so my pups can go out on the patio up to the decorative wire gate and watch the world, or at least other dogs, go by. And my computer is in a place where I can watch them too.