Gentle Readers:

Order Today! also available at: Walmart | Target | East Side Story Mysteries and More | Parnassus | Reading Rock

I am on my annual writing retreat in the wilds of Colorado, working on a secret project. Yes, that secret project. I swear I’ll have news for you about it soon. The weather has been far too nice—only a single snowstorm over two weeks. I was hoping for days upon days of blizzard conditions, but alas, it is gloriously sunny. I am forced out of doors into the beautiful spring to walk, hike, photograph the local wildlife and breath the crisp, fresh air. I’m feeling quite rejuvenated, ready to tackle my next Samantha Owens book, WHAT LIES BEHIND, which I’ll start over the weekend.

My 40 Days of Silence was briefly broken by some extremely fabulous news. Catherine Coulter has asked me to write two more Nicholas Drummond books with her! I can’t tell you how excited I am. More Nicholas, more Mike Caine — and not to tease, but THE LOST KEY, which releases September 30, is going to knock your socks off. We have a stunning cover, but I’m not allowed to share yet, but as soon as I can, I will. I’ll be back online after Easter, but I’m telling you, the break has done wonders already, and I have two more weeks to go!

Tours

I’m speaking at the Alabama Library Association at the end of the month, and I have a favor to ask. If you are a librarian, will you email me and tell me what your library’s number one biggest issue is? I’m curious.

I’ll also be signing at the Southern Kentucky BookFest April 26 from 9am ‐ 3pm. Can’t wait to touch base with my Kentucky folk again!

And if you’re in San Antonio or thereabouts, I will be attending RWA this year, and signing at the Literacy for Life event July 23. See my site for more deets.

Get Thee to a Bookstore

I have read a bunch of great books this month — reward books, blurb books. Here’s the list of wonders:

Here’s what else I’m looking forward to this month:

Allison Brennan — NOTORIOUS
Laura Benedict — BLISS HOUSE
Julie Kagawa — THE LOST PRINCE
Julie Kagawa — THE IRON TRAITOR
Sarah Addison Allen — LOST LAKE
Joelle Charbonneau — INDEPENDENT STUDY

And I’m currently reading:

Lauren Oliver — DELIRIUM
Harlan Coben — MISSING YOU

I’ve made a commitment to track all my reading this year, so if you’re on Goodreads, friend me, and follow along. I’m always interested in what you’re reading, too!


Contest

The April contest is live now, and I have such a special treat for you! I’m giving away one of my favorite books by one of my favorite people — a signed hardcover of Erica Spindler’s RITA® Award nominated novel JUSTICE FOR SARA, plus a $10 gift card (winner’s choice of Amazon or Barnes & Noble). Enter here to win.

Also, big congratulations to the winners of the Goodreads Giveaway of the WHEN SHADOWS FALL audiobook from Tantor Audio:

Melissa Miller, Nicollet Z, Raena King, Kyrstin Hardesty and Colleen Estep, I hope you enjoy listening to Joyce Bean! Thanks to everyone for entering, we had quite the turnout.

April Recipe — Spaghetti Carbonara

Quick and easy, Carbonara is a staple in our world. I won’t even try to convince you that this recipe is healthy, but it’s a classic, and it tastes divine. Don’t be afraid of the raw eggs — the pasta flash cooks them. Now, timing is everything with this recipe, so you’ll cook the pasta at the same time as the pancetta to assure the best taste and consistency.

Ingredients

• 1 box Barilla Plus spaghetti
• EVOO
• 1 package diced pancetta
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 eggs
• 1 ½ — 2 cups grated Parmesan/Reggiano/Asiago cheese (I love using the three-cheese shredded blend from the fresh section — the tub, not the bag)
• salt and black pepper to taste

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook spaghetti pasta until al dente. (Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, just in case)
• In a large skillet, cook garlic and pancetta in EVOO until crisp. Cook no higher than medium, as pancetta gets very smoky at high temps.
• When finished, remove and drain onto paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of pancetta oil.
• Drain spaghetti, return to pan. Immediately add pancetta, oil, and beaten eggs.
• Toss to coat and heat through, adding more olive oil or a tablespoon of pasta water if it seems dry or is sticking together. Quickly add cheese, and toss again.
• Add salt and pepper to taste — I prefer quite a bit of pepper in my Carbonara.
• Sprinkle with extra cheese and serve immediately in large bowls!
  Easy peasy, right?

That’s it from me, folks. Have yourself a lovely April, full of showers for May flowers, good books, and lots of chin and ear scritchies (that last inserted by Jameson and Jordan, who are feeling highly neglected because mommy’s lap is full of laptop, and not them!)

xoxo,