Friday afternoon at Borders in Washington Dulles International Airport was another fun time of ups and downs as the store filled up after a landing, then thinned out for a while.  I got to send my novels off to Zimbabwe and Ghana, among other places.  

Saturday I hopped up to Baltimore to read from my story in Maryland Writers Association anthology.  It was an intimate little group at the Roland Park Branch Library, but since I’m a fan of many of the other authors in the book I get a kick out of hearing them read their work.

The big news today is that my web site is finally back on line.  A lot has changed since the last time you saw it, including a featured review from Tina Vicini who I talked to at the Love is Murder mystery convention.  Tina was one of the few people who knew right off the bat that my character was named after the Hannibal who marched over the Alps to attack the Roman Empire.  Not everything works just right yet, but the two most important things are in place.

The most important thing for me is the link in the middle of the page that allows you to e-mail me.  This is how you can send me feedback about my writing, and I will always respond.  You should send your friends to that link so they can ask to receive my newsletter.  That way they’ll always get the latest update on my travels and the progress of my writing.

The most important thing for YOU is the Big Book Giveaway link.  Click that and you will find out how you can get an advance copy of Russian Roulette.  You’ll not only get to read my latest novel before everyone else, but you’ll get it for free!

Happy Easter, albeit a tiny bit late.  We all find meaning in our own way.  For me as a Christian, the resurrection reminds me that we all have the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.

As a writer, I see a broader meaning that everyone can benefit from.  Easter says that yes, you can put truth in a grave, but it won’t stay there.

Today I’m at Borders in WashingtonDullesInternational Airport signing books from 2 pm to 6 pm.

Tomorrow I’ll meet with five other contributors to “New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers” at the Roland Park Branch Library.  We’ll read from our work and sign the book from 2 pm to 3:30 pm.  If that’s your area, come say hi at 5108 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, MD. 

One thing that will make tomorrow a good Friday is that I’ll be greeting Easter weekend travelers at Borders in Washington Dulles International Airport.  I’ll enjoy signing books from 2 pm to 6 pm.  If you’re flying into or out of that airport, look for me in Terminal B.

This week we see the crossover of two powerful religions as Passover starts the day before Good Friday, and I can’t help but think about the commonalities rather than the differences. 

For one thing, we can all enjoy watching Charlton Heston in The 10 Commandments this weekend.  Heston is known more recently for his support of the National Rifle Association and one might think that if the ancient Israelites had owned guns, all the plagues and sea parting might not have been necessary and the Jews might have been able to just fire a few warning shots and head off for Mt. Sinai. 

But the more important message Passover holds for Christians was stated nicely by Rabbi Lazar Brody: “Leavened bread is symbolic of a puffed up ego and intellect. Matzo is the symbol of simple faith. During Passover, we leave the prison of our own intellectual confinement to put our simple trust in God. For some folks, that’s a tough task. Without faith, there’s no freedom and no redemption.”

Likewise, William Penn addressed the importance of suffering very poetically, but not in reference to Passover, but rather to Good Friday: “No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.”

The mysterious Readermouse in Louisiana posted a nice review on Amazon.com about the seminal Hannibal Jones novel, The Troubleshooter.

Readermouse (any relation to Danger Mouse?) read the book via Kindle and gave it five stars. In addition to some kind words about my novel Readermouse put my mind at ease about one thing by assuring me that there were no format problems with the Kindle version. So if you’re a Kindle reader, you can download the entire series (Troubleshooter, Blood and Bone, Collateral Damage, Damaged Goods) without fear.

Tuesday I had the chance to hear some of my Maryland writer friends read their work, and all I had to do was read some of mine.  Eleven of us gathered at the Howard County Central Library to share our stories, poems and essays printed in “New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers.”  The audience clearly enjoyed it, but no more than I.  I’m proud to be in that volume with such talents.

Then over the weekend I had fun at a couple of familiar Borders Express stores.  Saturday it was in Springfield Mall, and after the book signing I had a videographer join me to shoot a promo for my upcoming book, Russian Roulette. 

There were no cameras Sunday when I signed more books at Dulles Town Center Mall but there were lots of new friends checking out my books.  The weather was lovely all weekend so lots of people were Mall walking and that’s a good thing for me.

Today I have an afternoon book signing at the Borders Express in Springfield Mall from 11 am to 3 pm.  Then I’ll shoot a video promo for Russian Roulette in the store, which is at 6725 Springfield Mall, Springfield, VA.

It will be the same stuff on a different day Sunday.  This time I’ll be signing in the Borders Express in Dulles Town Center Mall from noon to 4 pm. So if you miss the other two events, come visit me at 21100 Dulles Town Circle, DullesVA

Saturday I have an afternoon book signing at my hometown store, the Borders Express in Springfield Mall.  I’ll be there from 11 am to 4 pm.  And afterward, can watch me videotape a promo for the next novel, Russian Roulette, which will be out in June.  You Mapquest rangers can find the store at 6725 Springfield Mall, Springfield, VA.

Saturday I have an afternoon book signing at my hometown store, the Borders Express in Springfield Mall.  I’ll be there from 11 am to 4 pm.  And afterward, can watch me videotape a promo for the next novel, Russian Roulette, which will be out in June.  You Mapquest rangers can find the store at 6725 Springfield Mall, Springfield, VA.