For buying my books this weekend. Hope you will enjoy them. Even though we sat at our sales table three days straight (meaning we didn’t go to any of the panels or other fun things) we really enjoyed our weekend at Armadillocon (Austin, TX). Had fun. Felt welcomed. And sold enough of my books to make us happy.
The picture above was what I used as the cover of my very first book The Cowboy’s Baby. (Changed it later on).
Hello Armadillocon!
I didn’t realize I’d given out the link to my not so interesting blog instead of my book website Rix Cafe Texican until this morning . Roxanne and I are looking forward to meeting you all tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. Armadillocon is a fun convention. We’ve been vendors selling my books for about ten years (or maybe less).I write entertaining novels and short stories.
This year we are bringing at least one copy of everything I have ever published.
The Cowboy’s Baby and The Cowboy’s Baby Goes to Heaven are PG rated romance novels about a miniature longhorn bull. The Cimarron Bride and The Safari Bride are women’s adventure romance novels and are not PG. Brown and Browner are light mystery novels set in San Antonio. Talking to the Dead Guys and Tea With A Dead Gal are light mysteries set in Lockhart written about our dog Boo Radley.
The Goodall Mutiny and The Goodall Manifest and The Goodall Marauders are space opera and almost my favorites. A Resurrection of Starlings take that spot. Took me twenty years to write and is a Western horror novel set on stalled train near Palestine, Texas that just might have Jack the Ripper on board.
I’ll stop right here. I think I have twenty different books to offer. Come see us in the dealer’s room.
Time has always been too short. You likely never get to do all you want to do. And the older you get the quicker time passes.
What’s this I’m yammering about? Books. Reading books. I have so many books I want to re-read (you notice I didn’t say read?) that I’ve made myself a rule.
IF I’M NOT EJOYING THE BOOK, I’M NOT CONTINUING TO READ IT.
So, back in my own private library shelves (I really should sell them or give them away but I won’t) go Truman Capote’s BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S and Ken Follett”s CODE ZERO.
I’m re-reading THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy. (And I so wish I had written them!) And I’m still reading Gai-Jin. And getting ready to read one of Sherry Thomas’s romance novels.
I have never believed in writer’s block. And I don’t now, even if I’m showing symptoms of it. It’s laziness on my part (I’d rather read right now). I’m stuck writing on Chapter 6 of my WIP with about 15 more chapters to go. I may be down to a one book a year author. If that.
On another subject, Draft2Digital is almost finished publishing 19 of my novels in e-book. Romance, mystery, science fiction, horror, short stories, even one western. Check it out.
Got sick. Better now. Took a short walk for exercise this morning. Ate a lunch I hope to never eat again (instant heartburn). Bagel and cream cheese and Coca-Cola plus See’s chocolate (frozen) for dinner. Bet I gain a pound over that. Most of the way through one of Lindsay Buroker’s exciting series.
It’s very hot in Texas this week.
I’m making good progress on my new mystery novel, but can do better. (The same goes for my exercise routine).
Went out to the movies, saw IF. Very ambitious storytelling. Was totally impressed. Visits to the Snake Farm and later in the week to Natural Caverns Wildlife Drive-through Park were fun. I’m re-reading Sherry Thomas’s 7th Sherlock Holmes novel waiting on the 8th to come out. Am still reading Gai-Jin, the twenty pound hardback I wish was on my Kindle instead.
And just found that Chris Pine is going to be at one of the San Antonio comic-cons this summer. Have to think about it. Do I want to see this other version of Captain Kirk after seeing William Shatner at least three times already?
Forgotten Bones, the mystery novel by Vivian Barz is one of the latest books I’ve finished reading. It was so good that I eventually stayed up all night while on vacation to finish it. Highly recommended, except for the first salacious chapter that almost made me discard the book.
Took mystery writer Patrick Kelly out to lunch (Terry Black’s BBQ). He’s an author to watch. All of his books are very good.
Binge watched Season 2 of The Mandalorian, binge watched Season 1 of The Amazing Race. Watched The Kentucky Derby (after watching the movie Secretariat). And am working on my mystery novel again.
Photo is of me at our Derby Party.
This week I’m reading several books.
I’m re-reading Gai-Jin by James Clavell, a ten-pound hardback that I remember not at all. Re-reading the first book in The Expanse series of science fiction writer James S.A. Corey Leviathan Wakes that I pretty much remember. Still reading (and reading it out loud to my cat) the fantasy novel Mystic by Jason Denzel. And have finished reading Patrick Kelly’s newest mystery novel Murder At Dawn (This one I couldn’t put down.)
After what was likely a six-month vacation from writing, I’m working on the end of Chapter 4 of my new mystery novel.
Re-read Becalmed by Kristine Katherine Rusch. Very disturbing story. Also re-read His Mysterious Lady by G.G. Vandagriff. Needed something light and pleasant and her Regency Romances usually are.
I’m revamping some or all of my book blurbs. Below is my first.
It doesn’t matter what you are or who you are. It doesn’t matter what you think or what your intentions are.
It only matters what you do.
Oh, really?
So, you’d let Attila the Hun pet sit your precious Fluffy the kitten just because he wasn’t known for abusing cats? Or hire Jack the Ripper to mow your lawn?
The middle aged owner and editor of the weekly newspaper called The Watermelon Pump has lived most of her working life believing that doing counts more than being, but having a sociopathic teenage boy on her staff as a small town newspaper reporter was making her rethink that stance.
At least he was only writing the engagement announcements and wedding stories. Couldn’t get in much trouble there. Right?
Luling, Texas is a small town known primarily for its watermelons (and one great barbecue joint.) Plus, a river runs through it. The only paper in town is run by local teenagers looking for an easy credit in journalism they can apply to college later. And one curmudgeonly middle aged woman who keeps a pet chicken in her office.
And maybe a budding serial killer.
Sometime sweet, maybe more bittersweet than not. Funny. And short. Easy to read, and short.
I’m reading an unexpectedly intriguing fantasy novel this week—Mystic by Jason Denzel. I found it in our back room library and haven’t a clue where it came from. Likely a free book from one of the science fiction and fantasy conventions we’ve attended over the years.
I’m also re-reading Kristine Katherine Rusch’s novel Maelstrom. Finished it. Very close to being boring.
Last weekend was the Cult Classic horror convention in Bastrop, Texas. The remaining cast of the movie Porky’s were there to be admired. Lots of people were there on Saturday. It’s one of the most entertaining book-selling opportunities we go to. Always fun. Nice people, too.
Just canceled our planned trip to Houston next week. Flooding anticipated, decided to play it safe.
And I’m still not writing!