Nikki Stern's Blog

I receive requests for this original short story every year at this time. I happily comply. The all-purpose table had been cleared of dinner dishes and now held four pumpkins, two knives, six magic markers, and several squat orange candles. Claire had switched off the harsh overhead fluorescent and dragged two lamps in from the [...]

“Where are you? I’m standing in front of your door, ringing the bell.” “I don’t see you, Hannah,” I replied. Did you turn left on Sawyer Rd? I’m the third house on the left. White house with blue shutters and a pot of pansies out front. The address is 655. It’s on the post box. [...]

“Where are you? I’m standing in front of your door, ringing the bell.” “I don’t see you, Hannah,” I replied. Did you turn left on Sawyer Rd? I’m the third house on the left. White house with blue shutters and a pot of pansies out front. The address is 655. It’s on the post box. [...]

These are unsettling times. Not the first time some of us have experienced unsettling times, mind you. But if age grants us a certain perspective, it also grants those of us who are older a feeling of vulnerability. Amidst all the talk of moving to another country or even another state, the reality is, we [...]

Well. March went out like a lion and so far, April hasn’t changed her stripes. Rain and wind have kept me mostly inside with my bored dog. Low evening temperatures have stopped buds in their tracks like deer caught in the headlights. The weather hasn’t helped my mood. Neither has the long (by my standards) [...]

Welcome to February, which I have declared as my new beginning. It’s a logical decision, given that the amaryllis has finally bloomed and I’ve finally begun to walk. The flowers were a gift from dear but distant friends during a challenging period following ankle replacement. Throughout December, the bulbs stayed stubbornly stubby as I railed [...]

Just in time for gift-giving! Special limited offer on all four books, signed, and bound into a set. Cost is $48.00 plus shipping. This offer is only available by emailing nikki@nikkistern.com.

  His name was John, aka Jack Frost. He would become the first victim in a multi-state killing spree that put law enforcement on high alert, involved multiple agencies, and placed Sam Tate in the center of the most dangerous case of her career. Frost never had a clue. On his last day on earth, [...]

The winter is warm—dare I say too warm—but the lack of light still wearies. Moderation is hard to practice and resolve hard to come by these days. The space between alone and lonely gets smaller. Icons pass, and while I can persuade myself a relatively quiet and healthy life will keep me mobile and vertical, [...]

The holidays aren’t what they used to be, at least not for me. Although I have a remarkable collection of friends, I am alone for all or a good portion of nearly every holiday I can think of and a few I can’t. Not like the family gatherings that took place during the season. I [...]