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Welcome to the new Me.

My new website, that is. I’ve updated practically everything, and in addition started this blog, which allows me to comment on books, news, politics, journalism, war, life, relationships, funny cat videos—in short, anything that interests or amuses me, or might tickle your fancy as my cherished readers. Because if you’re going to take a minute from your busy day to read my alleged wit and wisdom, I owe you a great little piece of writing in return. And so I shall, to the limits of my heart and intellect, both of which are badly shopworn these days, but still sincere.

Isn’t this a beautiful site redesign? I love it. (And yes, that’s Chicago in the big picture on the Home Page. My toddlin’ town.) But, I can’t take credit other than being the author for which the site was created. That tip o’ the cap goes to AuthorBytes, which specializes in author and book sites. Steve Bennett, owner and chief bottle washer, does a magnificent job putting these sites together, and makes me look far more classy and vital than we all know I really am. (Psst, don’t tell Steve I said anything nice about him, or he’ll raise his %^$#@ rates. It’s our secret, right?) So, enjoy his work, and if you’re in the market for a website, check him out at www.authorbytes.com. No, he didn’t pay me to say that—I just mean it sincerely. Tell him I said “hey” if you do contact him.

The blog will be the spoon that stirs the digital drink, because it allows me to comment on events on a moment’s notice. Not that I will necessarily—despite what TV talking heads will tell you, some events need to play out before one can give any kind of decent interpretation—but if there’s news that might interest you as my readers, it’ll be nice to have the instant-update capability. Plus, there’s a way for you to comment back on my comments, through the blog. Just supply your name and e-mail, and say whatever you want. Keep it clean, though. This is a website fun for the whole family! And I don’t mean the Manson family . . .

I will continue on Facebook and Twitter, of course. But I added this blog because not everyone in the universe is on social media. I know, gasp, right? But, it’s true.

My books are still my books, and each book cover will click directly to a story synopsis; the authors and critics who praised it; how you can purchase it through Kindle, Nook, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million and independent bookstores; and the first chapter of each book, so you can see if you like the writing. They are, in order, debut to latest, Blown Away, Cut to the Bone and Torn Apart, all from the fine folks at Kensington Publishing in New York, the home of American publishing.

The debut, Blown Away, made me a No. 1 bestseller this year on Kindle—the entire Kindle Store, not just mystery, not just fiction, but the whole dang thing, which is why I stuck that cool little Kindle star on my Home Page—and was a Barnes & Noble print bestseller when it was published. It also won RT Book Reviews’ Best First Mystery award for the entire country. Torn Apart, my latest, was a book of the year at Suspense Magazine and shortlisted for the international Thriller Award for Best Novel. All are available in print and e-books.

If you want to see how I got started—at age 7, when I got my first typewriter from Mom and Dad in the guise of Santa Claus—check out my Bio and the accompanying Q&A. There’s even a cute picture of me pointing to the typewriter.

Curious where I’ll appear live and in person? Check out Events. Want to get on my newsletter mailing list? Click on Newsletter and sign up. Want to e-mail me directly rather than say anything on the blog? Go to Contact. As for the rest of the site, just relax, pick through at your leisure, and enjoy.

And thanks, as always, for reading this, and my books. I really appreciate it.