How has more than another month gone by since I last popped in to say hello?
I’ve not only been busy writing, but I also recently went on a cruise. I sailed on Celebrity Ascent to the Caribbean. What a ship and what an unbelievably relaxing time.
Believe it or not, I was actually pretty busy editing Before the Madness: A Moll Dyer Prequel while on the cruise (you know, in between naps and meals). I’ll give you a sneak preview of that next month.
But there’s a downside to cruising. You come home and there’s no one walking around asking to get a drink or snack for you. There’s no nightly entertainment. No deck chairs facing cool ocean breezes. How is one supposed to cope after a cruise?
Here is Celebrity Ascent, docked in St. Kitts, where Moll Dyer did a 7-year indentured servitude. The ship is only two years old and simply beautiful.
This is Fairview Great House and Gardens, the remnant of an old St. Kitts sugar plantation dating to 1731. It’s a little past Moll’s time on the island, but gave me an idea of what the 17th c. main house in my novel might have looked like. Does it match what you imagined when reading The Madness of Moll Dyer?
I’ve also spent the past month getting my Revolutionary War novel, Spirals of Treason, ready for publication, and—ta-da!—it is now available for pre-order.
Spirals of Treason will release on May 5th and the launch signing will take place at Cecil’s Country Store on May 9th. See details below.
Although not part of my Heart of St. Mary’s County series, I hope you will enjoy this story about a colonial-era wigmaker, whose turbulent life takes her from Boston to New York City…and quite possibly to the noose.
Here’s a little sneak preview:
Mercy thought things could get no worse, but she was wrong. One morning she went downstairs to ask for a bowl of the porridge that typically cooked overnight in the tavern’s main fireplace. She was greeted by Mrs. Morton, who rarely tended to the guests and spent most of her time minding the tavern’s livestock and preparing meals. Mrs. Morton’s expression suggested she preferred to be in the stable yard.
Wiping her hands on her apron before ladling up a dish of the bubbling gruel, Mrs. Morton said, “Miss Allen, might I speak with you?”
They moved together to the table behind the screen, where Mrs. Morton motioned to Mercy to tuck into her hot breakfast. “I’ve been doing our accounts, and you’ve used up the money you gave us when you first came. I’ll need some more on deposit if you’re to continue your stay.”
Mercy blinked. In all her concern over Mattie and employment, it hadn’t occurred to her that she’d overstayed her ten shillings. She put down her wooden spoon and reached into the pocket tied around her waist, pulling out what remained of her Spanish dollar. It had been nicked countless times and was just a fraction of its original size.
Mrs. Morton took the coin, shaking her head. “I’ll weigh it and see how many more nights it buys you.”
With Mrs. Morton gone, Mercy gobbled up the rest of her porridge, fearful that the innkeeper’s wife might take it from her upon returning from measuring the sad, remaining piece of her dollar.
Mrs. Morton returned, even more doleful than before. “I have to be truthful, Miss Allen, I don’t think you can stay here any longer. The most I could do is pack up some cheeses, bread, and a flagon of ale for you to take with you to…wherever it is you will go.”
Mercy’s heart stopped for a second time in her life.
“What about my cart? I can sell it to you.”
“Don’t really need it.”
“Mrs. Morton, please, my friend is missing, and I’m trying to find her. I’ve been searching for employment
and am certain I’ll find it anytime. In fact, maybe you and Mr. Morton need a serving wench or someone to—”
“I’m sorry, but Mr. Morton and I have all the slaves and servants we need. We’ve also dealt with travelers who can’t pay countless times. Their promises usually add up to whispers of air. You seem a decent enough woman, even if you’re traveling without an escort, but I can’t make an exception. If customers can’t pay me, I won’t be able to buy the city’s required number of ale casks, and then the justices will have our license. I’ll ask you to be gone by sundown, so we can let your spot to someone else.” The innkeeper’s wife returned to her duties.
What now?
Want your own copy on release day? The book is available for pre-order at your favorite retailer. Click here for more book info and buy links.
In other project news, I’ll be starting Breton Bay Booze, a novel about moonshine running during Prohibition, in the next couple of weeks. It is book 5 of my Heart of St. Mary’s County series and will release in July 2027.
Book Signing Calendar
May 9, 2026
11am-1pm
Cecil’s Country Store
20853 Indian Bridge Road
Callaway, Maryland
Book launch for Spirals of Treason. Signing this novel and other books. This is the day before Mother’s Day for all of you gift shoppers!
May 16, 2026
Cruise with an Author
St. Clements Island Museum
38370 Point Breeze Road
Coltons Point, Maryland
How fun is this? Join me on a picnic-style dinner cruise around St. Clements Island—during which I will discuss how the island and other local landmarks feature in my Heart of St. Mary’s County series. Book sales and signing to follow.
Buy tickets ($25 + $2.66 fee) here
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!
Other events are in the works. If I haven’t met you before, I’d love to do so at one of my signings. If you’ve been to a previous signing, I hope to see you again!