Yesterday, my day-in-the-life story began as a tragedy with no brekkie and—far worse for a working writer—NO CAFFEINE!

It’s no mystery that medical tests require sacrifices beyond those we’re willing to require of our characters. So far, I have never asked Saffi to go a day without coffee. I don’t think my readers would ever forgive me.

It was a bit unnerving when the day shifted from tragedy to sci-fi. The setting? A sterile room with warnings about radioactive substances. If you read science fiction you probably won’t be surprised that before long robots showed up, intent on finding out what makes this writer tick.

After the ordeal ended, much like Saffi, I needed a walk. I headed to a local park with trails that followed a rushing creek. That’s when the story went straight up slapstick. I got drenched by sprinklers, tripped and went sprawling.

I dragged myself to my feet only to discover that I had turned into a shredded-bark covered creature somewhat reminiscent of one Saffi encounters in her next adventure: Death in the Haunted Wood (due out in October). The scene was klutzy enough for Saffi, and will perhaps clue readers in to why she’s so prone to mishaps. She’s also inclined to be slightly rattled but carry on. So am I. I had a mile to walk before I headed home to nurse my self-inflicted wounds. The forest was cool and inviting. The creek ran clear over a rumble of rocks. The rest of my walk was pratfall-free and by the time I returned to my car I had plucked almost all of the splinters from my “Read Books, Be Kind, Stay Weird” T-shirt.

Little did I know that something cozy mystery fans truly love was about to appear on my RV doorstep, courtesy of a man dressed in UPS brown. That’s right! Yummy treats!

Brownies? From my publisher? Saffi’s editor has never sent her brownies. (Hmmm. Maybe she should.)

Thank you Storm Publishing for the most luscious brownies I have ever eaten… after being injected with radioactive isotopes, scanned by robots, and covered sneakers to neckline in wood splinters!

Saffi and I are beyond grateful for your support.