It’s a Maryland weekend for me.  Saturday night I’ll be in Greenbelt, MD for a book signing at Books-A-Million.  I’ll catch the late crowd, from 4 pm to 8 pm.  Come visit me at 6118 Greenbelt Rd.

I have a nice new review on my site written by Fred Apelquist.

Among other things, Fred writes one of my favorite blogs called YETMO (for You’re Entitled To My Opinion) where he comments on our times, social issues and political matters with a keen and objective eye.  I was flattered that he took time out to read and comment on my latest novel, Russian Roulette.

Scroll down past the videos to read Fred’s review, then order your copy of Russian Roulette!

I was featured along with my fellow Acme Authors bloggers on the “Emma Lai Writes” blog.  She invited each of us to post a bio and tell her what makes us feel sexy.  This solicited some amusing answers.

Russian Roulette just received the highest honors in a review on “You Gotta Read Reviews!“  Check it out!

Baltimore Washington International Airport was packed on the day before Independence Day, and that helped me sign a better than average number of books.  Besides, manager Dave keeps me supplied with coffee and pound cake.

Westfield Mall was a good deal less busy on Saturday.  Still I had a good time and signed more than enough books to make it worth the drive.  Sadly the Starbucks there is actually outside the Mall, but we make do.

Also this week, my review of Ann Parker’s “Leaden Skies” appeared in this month’s “The Big Thrill,” the newsletter of the International Thriller Writers.  As I said there, if you think you’ve seen it all in the realm of political intrigue, you’re in for a treat when Parker shows you see how it worked in the 19th Century Wild West.

The 4th of July is a traditional family gathering time.  Whenever families gather inevitably the horror stories come out, and it evolves into a competition as to whose life is most challenging.  After listening for years to how hard it is to be a teenager, to start life after college, to raise kids and to age gracefully –depending on who has the floor – I’ve come to a discomforting realization.

The hardest years in life are those between ten and seventy.

Should writers give their work away on their web sites?  My answer is on my blog ““Another Writer’s Life“

Today’s holiday reminds us all of patriotism and the birth of our nation, but my favorite quote about the holiday may well be these words from Erma Bombeck:

“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness.”

So when the day is winding down, you may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.

I’ll greet Independence Day shoppers at Borders Express in Wheaton Mall.  The mall is at 11160 Viers Mill Road, Wheaton, MD and I’ll be signing books there from 11 am to 3 pm.

This morning I’ll sign my novels at Borders in Baltimore Washington International Airport between 8 am and noon. 

 Tomorrow I’ll greet Independence Day shoppers at Borders Express in Wheaton Mall.  The mall is at 11160 Viers Mill Road, Wheaton, MD and I’ll be signing books there from 11 am to 3 pm.

Readers who are traveling for the holiday should find the perfect flight read in the airport.  Friday morning I’ll be signing my novels at Borders in BaltimoreWashingtonInternationalAirport.  If you’re there between 8 am and noon I can sign a book or two for you.