The world, so it seems to me, is all about juggling. And women are supposed to be wonderful at multi-tasking. Just how far can that go? Not all that well–I find myself despising the old commercial for perfume, I believe, in which the "Enjoli" woman fried the bacon, served it, and never let the guy forget he was a man.

Well, bull on that, I say! Any and all help deeply appreciated in my world!

This summer has been all about work, family, and travel. I need to work to keep us all going, and travel is part of that, but I'm about to watch my youngest graduate from college (this was my last summer with her) and my third lives in Connecticut, so it's all about scrambling to actually work, travel to promote that work and continue to learn, and finding a way to be part of the lives of the children I brought into the world.

That said, we had some terrific times! It was Con-ville, really, starting in April with the Booklover's Convention, May with Book Expo of the Americas, then the American Library Association, Romance Writers of America, Thrillerfest, and lastly, Necon. Necon included a wonderful stay at the Lizzie Borden bed and breakfast–so much fun with a group of friends/writers! On to the Worcester area for family and friends, and then to Salem, Mass for more research and bonding and it was all great.

Now home, and scurrying to get ready for my own extravaganza, Writers for New Orleans. This is something we do every Labor Day, and it's a benefit, no money is made–it's actually lost in the bundles!–but I'm still delighted to do it every year because New Orleans is truly a great American City with so much history you could learn something new on a daily basis. Not to mention it offers an amazing aquarium, some of the world's finest music, architecture to die for, and people ready to fight the elements and the world for the wonder of their home. Please check outwritersforneworleans.com!

Books! Out this summer, Phantom Evil, Heart of Evil, Sacred Evil, and The Evil Inside. Yes, it's the summer of Evil! Also coming up in 2011–An Angel for Christmas, and Bride of the Night, the first is hopefully a feel good novel about the holiday season mingled with the truth of the era–we're all dysfunctional! Bride of the Night is a sequel to Night of the Wolves and Night of the Vampires, and hopefully, lots of Civil War truth and vampire fun and . . . evil!

Next year, the "Krewe of Hunters" realize that there's too much happening in the extreme for one paranormal FBI unit to handle. And so, when the FBI realizes that the bodies that have been discovered seem to fit a pattern–and that the last woman disappeared from the Alamo Plaza while apparently talking with a ghost–a new crew must be formed. 2011 takes the criminal/paranormal team to Texas, on to Los Angeles where a Film Noir murderer seems to be on hand, up to Chicago where shenanigans are going on with ghost ships, and over to Philly where a Revolutionary "beast" seems to have returned. Also! I'm pleased to say that "The Keepers" will be making a return, this time in La-la Land–Hollywood, California. Seriously, where besides New Orleans could the truly different go unnoticed? Lots of fun working with Harley Jane Kozak and Alexandra Sokoloff, and then yes, the Keepers get Christmas, too, and Beth Ciotta will be on that one!

For now . . . .

Please check out writersforneworleans.com. We offer editors, agents, writers, workshops, and amazing parties. We'd love to have you join us!