1. Tell Me Hello

Last weekend was the debut of the Dangerous Pen Society, a new author fellowship focusing on education, promotion and partnerships. 

Along with Ashley Sergeant Hagen (l) and Lisa Wysocky (c), I offered a Masterclass at Killer Nashville on presenting yourself as a professional author.

Here’s a tip from the class that applies to everyone, not just fellow authors. It's a universal formula for introducing yourself: 

Present,

Past,

Future. 

It’s amazing how this simple framework works for interviews, casual meetups, business meetings, etc. Especially if you're put on the spot, it helps to have this formula in your hip pocket.

For example: (present) I’m a mystery author, best known for the Detective Emilia Cruz police series and the Galliano Club thrillers. (past) Prior to being a full-time writer, I was with the CIA for three decades and personal experiences sometimes thicken the plot. (future) Looking ahead, Barracuda Bay, the new Emilia Cruz mystery, will be out soon. 

Now you try it!

P.S. If you are an author, check out the new Dangerous Pen Society Facebook group here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedangerouspensociety

2. Alas, Boucheron I hardly knew ye . . . 

Instead of enjoying Bouchercon the weekend after Killer Nashville, I am home with covid AND and  an ear infection. If you looked for me at the event, I'm sorry to have missed you. Maybe next year.

#noticed

Black Rifle Coffee is a sponsor of this newsletter, which helps me keep it free for you. If you’re a coffee drinker like myself, consider their subscription service which also makes a great gift! 

Visit Black Rifle Coffee. 

#excerpt

A victory dinner to celebrate the club’s reopening was an occasion for something special. Luca made chicken cutlet sandwiches, teaching Tess how to dredge thinly sliced meat in beaten egg and breadcrumbs and then fry them in garlic-infused olive oil.

When the cutlets were crisp and golden brown, he heaped them on crusty bread with sun-dried tomatoes cured in olive oil. Added peppery arugula lettuce from Medina’s fruit stand, a pinch of freshly chopped garlic, and a squeeze of fresh lemon. 

This passage from the penultimate chapter of REVENGE AT THE GALLIANO CLUB has heroic bartender Luca Lombardo making classic Italian chicken cutlets to celebrate the end of some very bad business. 

Chicken cutlets are an Italian staple and no one makes them better than Michele Di Pietro, the culinary genius behind MangiawithMichele.com. The website (and her newsletter) features fresh takes on Italian classics. Everything on her site looks mouthwatering. Just imagine how your kitchen will smell when you make these recipes. Like love.

And Italy.

Every recipe is prefaced with her friendly introductions (she's just like that IRL, too!) and excellent cooking tips—which is how I learned that extra virgin olive oil will smoke in the oven at high heat. 

To celebrate REVENGE AT THE GALLIANO CLUB  being selected as a Finalist for the Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical at Killer Nashville, with Michele’s permission, here are links to two of her incomparable cutlet recipes: 

Crispy Baked Chicken Cutlets: https://mangiawithmichele.com/baked-chicken-cutlets/ 

And

Pan-fried chicken cutlets recipe: https://mangiawithmichele.com/italian-chicken-cutlets/ 

They are both fantastic and pair well with a good book!

Seriously, Mangiawithmichele.com is currently my favorite foodie site. Subscribe to her newsletter so you never miss a recipe.

DEATH IN THE DUNES by Helen J. Darling

Sandra and Jack Benedict have a fractious marriage. She’s the trophy wife, he’s the uber-wealthy Wall Street tycoon who never met a dollar he couldn’t double. 

We meet them on the brink of divorce, at odds over the amount of her settlement just as they are about to host a shindig at their new(ish) North Carolina beach home (read mansion) on historic Spartina Beach. 

Jack’s sister Willa spearheads the local historic foundation, relying on wealthy donors like him. Willa is quite coldblooded about the pending divorce, too. Less so, Jack’s former business partner who is still friendly with Sandra, the soon-to-be divorcee.

The set up is deliciously good as the party goes on. Alliances are revealed . . . allegiances questioned . . . until Jack is found dead and Sandra is accused of murder.

Enter her old friend Genevieve Jensen, a retired FBI agent.

As she investigates to clear Sandra's name, Genevieve discovers that nothing is as it seems in the small coastal town of Spartina Beach.

The writing is crisp and juicy at the same time. Lots of great characters in various shades of money-dripping gray.

First in the Spartina Beach series with high expectations for many more to come.

Thank you for spending your time with me.

Keep healthy, stay in touch, and happy reading!

 All the best, 

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