Once again, I���ve been remiss in postinghere. To be honest, until last week, I didn���t have a lot to blog about. WhereThe Guilty Hide is still with my publisher as is Helpless. 

I���ve made great progress on the secondDetective Honeywell Mystery, as yet untitled. Beginning next week, I���m goingback into Book Jail to finish the first draft, hopefully before my developmentaledits on Helpless come back from my editor. 

So I���ve been busy writing. Except forlast week. 

I mentioned back in June that DeathBy Equine had been named a finalist for the 2021 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award.Last week, Thursday, November 3, was the cocktail reception at Castleton LyonsFarm for the award presentation.

Most of a writer���s life is taken up bythe stuff I just shared. Drafting a new book, editing another, waiting to hearfrom publishers. Getting nice reviews is often what keeps us plugging onward.And PLOTTING onward. To be nominated or named a finalist is nothing short of adream. 

My husband joined me on my road tripfrom our Pennsylvania home, through West Virginia to Lexington, Kentucky. It���sbeen a while since we traveled that far by car, and we had a blast.

My fellow finalists (Dawn LeFevre andJennifer Morrison) and I took part in a book signing at the Lexington Joseph-Bethand got to know each other a bit. They���re terrific and so are their books. Iwas 100% convinced one of them was the winner. No doubt in my mind. 

Later that afternoon, Hubby and I gotspiffed up and headed to Castleton Lyons. The cocktail reception was held in aroom above their historic Stallion Barn, which, Hubby pointed out, is nicerthan our house. I got to pet Gio Ponti���s nose and inhale the horsey smells, whichis perfume to my nose. 

By the time everyone arrived, there hadto be a hundred people in that room. There was a huge check, but no name on it.The three crystal trophies sat on a dresser behind it. 

Each of us had a gorgeous poster, whichHubby wanted to steal. We didn���t have to. They gave them to each of us. 

After a lot of schmoozing and drinking(in my case, ginger ale to calm my stomach), each of us was called up to thepodium to talk about our books. Thanks to alphabetical order, I got to gofirst, which was good. I was able to relax and listen to Dawn���s and Jennifer���samazing talks.

Besides, I figured I was done for the evening.

Then Dr. Tony Ryan���s son, Shane, took themic to name the winner. Hubby and I were in the very rear of the room because Iknew the name being called wouldn���t be mine. 

Except��� 

Shane said, ���And the winner is���Death By������ 

At which point, I think I blacked outfor a second. Hubby thought he was going to have to catch me. But I gathered mywits, threw my phone at him, and said, ���Take pictures!��� and made my way to thepodium once again to make an acceptance speech I had never rehearsed. 

Okay, it was a variation of the fiveacceptance speeches I���ve never had a chance to make during the Agatha Awardbanquets. 

Now, a week later, I still can���t quitebelieve it. I have that big check with my name on it leaning against a wallhere in my office. The poster is in the living room along with the crystal trophy,a replica of the round tower, whichDr. Ryan had constructed of field stone at Castleton Lyons, to honor a similar structureat the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary, Ireland. I keep looking at thesetreasures to remind myself, yes, that night really did happen. 

I am nowan ���award-winning author.��� 

Oh, and on my way out of the awardceremony, I stopped to again pet Gio Ponti���s nose. He definitely brought me luck!