Summer is racing by and it’s time for a mid-summer break. I’ve been in la-la land with my son being out of school and I’m not sure even what day it is – and I’m so late in posting news! So here’s a mish-mosh for ya.
I was thrilled to receive a glowing review from The Midwest Book Review for Joshua and the Lightning Road that hails it as “A heart-pounding thrill ride full of unexpected twists and turns from start to finish.” See the full Midwest Book Review.
I also planned a family vacation in San Francisco, California, around my book signing at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference the last week in June.
And WOW what an amazing time our San Francisco trip was!
I will never forget biking over the Golden Gate Bridge…
…or seeing the great redwood trees…
…or driving down the winding Pacific Coast on Route 1…
…or visiting Alcatraz. Put them on your bucket lists now if you haven’t already done so!
San Francisco is unlike any other city I’ve been in. The architecture. The weather that can change three times a day. The culture. The FOOD! The diversity.
And THE FOG. It rolls in like a mysterious beast that slinks its way through the Golden Gate Bridge and rolls up and over the mountains. It sucks away the world and returns it on its own time. I was so fascinated by it that buy provigil it’s becoming a character in my new fantasy book!
I truly did leave my heart in San Francisco and can’t wait to go back!
And to sign at the ALA Conference was amazing! Although getting there was a bit tricky as the city was one big colorful festivity with the Pride Parade going on the same day.
I got to meet some author friends there like Selene Castrovilla with her award-winning book Melt. And had a co-signing with fellow Month9Books author, Scott Craven, who writes zombies for middle graders.
This week I’m thrilled to be returning to my hometown of Albany, New York for a book signing and celebration at The Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza at 7pm on Friday, July 31st. Folks local to Albany, come out early for a scavenger hunt, goodies, and giveaways – and of course, books! My real Joshua will also be there for me to embarrass him. Hope to see you there. Please invite your friends!
I’m gearing up for school visits now and if you’re a teacher, parent, or student who would like for me to come visit your school I’d love to! I live in Southeastern, Pennsylvania, but can travel anywhere in the U.S. See my assembly flyer and contact me for more information.
HAPPY SUMMER ALL!

These pictures are breathtaking! I love San Fran and visited some of the very same place you did, my friend. Love it! And the ALA Conference too! That’s awesome! So excited for you.
Mina, thanks for stopping by and so nice to see you here! All I can think about is how to get back to San Fran – or at least rent a place there for the summer. Maybe we need a group of us writers to get a place together for a retreat :). The ALA was AMAZING and so many wonderful authors and books there. I enjoyed it even more then NYC’s BookExpo.
San Francisco is one of my favorite places- for all the reasons you mentioned. 🙂 The fog is fascinating (and the weather there in general)- so I love that you are going to make it a character in your next book. Smart thinking! Glad you had such a great trip- the pictures are beautiful. The ALA signing sounds awesome! Yeah!!
Hope you are having a happy August!
Stephanie, thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed the photos! I sure have enjoyed your Paris ones this summer too! I haven’t been there in years and would love to go back. Happy rest-of-the-summer to you 🙂