June was a crazy-busy month, and I’m looking forward to a little chillin’ time in July before THE DEBS gets launched in late August.  I had a blast doing the St. Louis County Library’s annual Suspense Night on June 5 (if only every event was like that one!) and it was a pleasure presenting at the Heartland Writers Conference in Cape Girardeau on June 7.  After finishing up revisions and line-edits on LOVE, LIES, AND TEXAS DIPS (the second DEBS novel hitting bookstores in June of 2009), getting away from my computer was just what I needed.  Thanks to all who came out to listen, buy books or just say “hi.”

Ed and I had a lot of fun doing the Komen Race for the Cure again on June 21, and I’ve got pictures on the LowDown page to share with y’all.  I felt great this year compared with last year, when I was just two months out of radiation therapy and could barely keep up with Ed, Shelly and Jerry.  This time, I was revved up like the Energizer Bunny and cruised through the 3.1 mile course without a hitch.  I’m already looking forward to being part of Team Library in 2009!

AWESOME NEWS:  I’ve re-signed with Random House to do two more DEBS books!  It’s been so much fun writing about Laura, Mac, Ginger and Jo Lynn that I’m thrilled at the prospect of telling more tales of their tumultuous path toward deb-dom.  Yippee-ki-yay!

More on THE DEBS’ front:  I’ll be yakking about the new series with the Book Club Queen as I help Queenie D launch her YA Book Club.  So check it out!  In fact, Queenie D has inspired me to update my own Book Club page to include a list of YA titles.  If you have any favorites to recommend, please email and spill.

In the meantime, I’m working with my publicists to cook up more amazing treats to kick-off the release of THE DEBS on August 26.  I’ve already mentioned the sweepstakes co-sponsored by Random House and Lilly Pulitzer, plus Lilly P has designed a pretty pink and green fabric to dress up lipstick holders that’ll be given away on college campuses across the U.S.  Check out the fab video for THE DEBS below! And turn up the sound...the music rocks!
 
Have a fabulous July, hopefully without any more bad storms, brush fires, heat waves or floods!

THE DEBS Book Trailer