Can you believe we are officially into summer? Is it just me, or do we seem to be running through the seasons faster and faster each year?
Speaking of speed, I’m happy to say that I’m off and running (but not rum running) on Breton Bay Booze, Book 5 in my Heart of St. Mary’s County series.
This book on bootlegging during Prohibition is so much fun. I had no idea what a hotbed of illicit activity sleepy little St. Mary’s County was.
Working on this book has been great fun, even though I have been very strictly disciplining myself in my writing methods.
You see, how I typically plan a book is with great enthusiasm and optimism. I come up with great characters. Brilliant plot lines! Extraordinary twists!
Except that I get bored about midway through the planning stage and decide, “Eh, I’ve planned enough. Let’s get to the juicy part: writing the book.”
Which is where I frequently fall down and bruise myself. Because I prematurely jump into writing the book, I end up meandering around, mostly into corners, out of which I must write myself. By not thoroughly planning, books can take me much longer to write.
I determined that this time, no writing until all my background material was complete. Thus, I have come up with a complete plot and a cast of 17 characters. Here are a few of them:
Jack Beckwith—an unintentional bootlegger.
Pearl Knott—his accomplice, who is too flirty for her own good.
Mollie Maddox—a store clerk who adores Jack, but is none too fond of Pearl.
Sammy Thompson—a U.S. Coast Guard captain determined to find bootleggers along the waterways…even if he must use unorthodox means to find them.
Felix Thompson—a federal Prohibition agent and Sammy’s father, who is serious about his role in smashing illegal stills. Tries unsuccessfully to keep his son out of trouble.
Louise Norris—switchboard operator and town busybody. Relishes her role in warning locals on still-smashing activities. But is she too nosy for someone’s comfort?
I look forward to bringing you the opening scene next month. The book releases on July 20, 2027.
Book Signing Calendar
For those who signed up for Cruise with an Author at St. Clements Island Museum:
I’m so sorry that the museum had to cancel on us last minute for this event. But when the captain says the river will be too rough, it’s a good idea to pay attention! The museum is working to schedule a new date, but it might not be until next year.
June 13, 2026. **NEW**
St. Mary’s Crab Festival
11am-7pm
St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds
42455 Fairgrounds Rd.
Leonardtown, Maryland
Signing my Heart of St. Mary’s County series and Spirals of Treason. Join me at this landmark county event, now in its 40th year.
November 28, 2026
11am-1pm
Cecil’s Country Store
20853 Indian Bridge Road
Callaway, Maryland
Signing The Madness of Moll Dyer and other books during Small Business Saturday.
December 11-13, 2026
Charles County Kris Kringle Market
Charles County Fairgrounds
8440 Fairgrounds Road
La Plata, Maryland
Signing books in The Heart of St. Mary’s County series and others. Signed books make great Christmas gifts!