January is often challenging for me. The manuscript of my next Chloe Ellefson mystery is due to the publisher by month's end.  Needless to say, I'm hard at work!

Once Chloe 9 is in the hands of my Midnight Ink editor, I'll start sharing with you  details   about the new book, due out this fall.  (I'll also begin working on what I hope will become Chloe 10.)

Given those milestones, it seems like an appropriate time to celebrate and reflect back on the existing Chloe mysteries!

I'll be exploring, discussing, and holding a giveaway about one Chloe book per month, in the order they were released, beginning this January with Old World Murder.

I'll write about how the series developed over time, including how Chloe and Roelke have evolved individually and as a couple. I invite you to join those conversations.

And in a first, Mr. Ernst will join my blog to share interesting tidbits, historical things that don't appear in the books, that  he uncovered while helping me research the stories.   

Details about the giveaways and articles will be posted on my Facebook Author page and Sites And Stories blog. Join the fun!

I'm a Pinterest newbie, and grateful for all the help from my wonderful assistant Laurie. Please let me know your thoughts!

L ots of images are up, but it's still a work in progress. 

Many times each year I have the privilege of being invited to speak about my books at festivals, conferences, and libraries. As an author I treasure these opportunities to meet readers. 

 

A few times a year I'm able to set aside a block of days to do something different -- lead a 'hands on' small group workshop to share some of what I've learned about the craft of writing. 

One of these takes place March 2-4, 2018. Check it out.

 

Exploring Your Heritage:  A Writing Sampler Weekend

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum,  Decorah, IA

  

"Have you and Mr. Ernst always worked together?"

I began writing long before I married Scott back in 1995, the year my first book was published.  While he has always been incredibly supportive of my writing career, I pursued it on my own for the next fifteen years, with as many published books.

Then Scott left his career in sales and marketing, planning to  ret ire. Instead he went to work with me! 

Mr. Ernst has now been managing our business -- and household -- for eight years, making it possible for me to focus on writing the twenty-one books published since then, and one that's on the way. 

Our full-time gig (and then some) has been an adventure. Sometimes we've butted heads, but overall it has been a joy. And we wouldn't have it any other way!