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June 2025 Newsletter
Who was the first person to record himself reading poetry? If you guessed Thomas Edison, you’d be correct. When he invented the phonograph in 1877, he wanted to record books so that the visually impaired could experience the joy of reading. Unfortunately, his recording was only 4 minutes long.
By the 1980s and 1990s, CDs enabled the recording of much longer works. I have fond memories of stopping into Cracker Barrel, having breakfast, and picking up an audiobook that we could return at another Cracker Barrel down the road. What could be better—an awesome breakfast and, for a nominal rental fee, a great story. On a drive to Jacksonville to visit my daughter, I was introduced to Bella and Edward in Twilight, the first book in Stephanie Meyer’s series. The funny thing is, I had no idea the book was about vampires! I realized that somewhere along I-4! Bella and I said “Vampire” at the same time!
Today, with Bluetooth, Apple Play, and Android Auto, your favorite book can be streamed right to your car through your smartphone. And you don’t have to stop the car to change the CD, which always seemed to happen at a pivotal moment! FYI - The average audiobook is 10 hours long—that’s equivalent to an 80,000-word novel.
For me, the narrator can make or break the experience. I recently listened to Murder at Raven’s Edge by Louise Marley. I loved listening to the narrator so much that I immediately downloaded books two and three. I’m hoping for book four, so I can listen to the narrator again. His name is Christopher Bonwell, in case you’re interested.
Where is your favorite time or place to listen to audiobooks? I like to listen to them in my car, especially on road trips. Right now, I’m listening to The Pharaoh’s Tomb by Lyndee Walker and Bruce Robert Coffin, and just finished The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen.
Audiobook Month - National Today Audiobook Appreciation Month | American Association of School Librarians
By the way, four of my books are available in audio: Murder in Mariposa Beach, Mistletoe and Missing Persons, Deception in Mariposa Beach, and Indian Rock.
So far this year, I’ve listened to these audiobooks.
Work in Progress – The Wedding Planner’s Secret
My two favorite words in the English language are—you guessed it—THE END! After a little more polishing, the manuscript will be ready to submit for publication. (It's kind of like sending your kid off to kindergarten - you've done all you can and she's ready to get on the school bus.) I’ve received positive feedback from the beta readers and my editor. As soon as I have a book cover design, newsletter subscribers will be the first to see it. A release in Q4 just in time for the holidays is my goal for this.
Here’s a short blurb: Molly Harrington, owner of Harrington House Bed and Breakfast, finds herself entangled in another murder investigation when a wedding planner is found dead in the garden at a country club event. With a mysterious NDA, a threatening muscle car, and a private investigator posing as an antique dealer, Molly must navigate a web of secrets and suspects before she becomes the next victim.
Who's Who? Molly Harrington is the protagonist, Detective Tony Shannon investigates the case and is her love interest. Rick Owens is Molly's friend and works at the county coroner's office. Cal Rogers is a journalist for the local paper. Chaos ensues!
Here’s an excerpt: Molly sat on a bench and rubbed her aching toes. She hadn’t worn high heels in nearly a year, and her feet protested loudly. From her position, she couldn’t see Brandi’s body because of a rise in the landscape, but Rick and a female forensics tech stood next to the body and appeared deep in discussion. From the corner of her eye, she saw Tony push through the dining room exit and head toward the crime scene, where two forensics techs were positioning the lights they’d just assembled.
He’s found something, Molly thought as she watched Tony stop to talk to the forensic person in charge. Tony pointed upward, and the forensics guy called to the tech with Rick. Tony’s hands were on his hips as he listened. He nodded, spoke, and gestured to the rooftop bar. Over the last three months, she’d learned his tells. Oh yes, there’s something up there.
“Excuse me, are you the woman who found the body?”
Molly turned toward the male voice behind her to find a man she estimated to be in his late twenties, a few years younger than she. He wore black dress slacks, a white button-down shirt, suspenders, and a red, white, and blue bow tie. “Are you talking to me?”
“Yes, Cal Rogers, The Clermont Times. I was told you and another person found the body. Can you verify the identity of the deceased?”
Remembering this guy was one of the journalists who had staked out Harrington House last spring, Molly slipped on her shoe and stood. “You’ll have to talk to the detective. That’s him, that big guy, over there.” She pointed to Tony, who was still conversing with the forensics guy. “The one with the badge and the gun.”
Molly saw the flicker of recognition cross the reporter’s face. She rolled her eyes as she knew what was coming. “Hey, aren’t you the lady who owns the B-and-B where Aubrey Rhodes got killed a few months ago?”
Molly sighed. “Yeah, that’s me.” She turned her back and walked away.
If you want to know what the Wedding Planner’s secret is, you’ll have to read the book. I’ll give you a little hint – it got her killed!
I saw this on Facebook in one of the writerly groups I follow and couldn't resist it. It's so true!
What’s up next? I have an idea for Harrington House book 3 and also for Mariposa book 5, but I’m not sure which direction to take. What do you think? If you have a preference, please let me know, and I’ll randomly select a name from those who respond to receive a prize.
Upcoming Events:
On June 28th, from 10:00 to 2:00, I will have a table at the Brighter Day Book Fair at the Catnip Café, located at 202 S. Collins St. in Plant City. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and say ‘hi.’ This event will feature local authors from the Tampa Bay-St. Petersburg-Sarasota-Manatee areas. I’m not sure of the total number, but the last I heard, there were a lot. Come out and discover your next favorite local author.
From September 3 to 7, I will be attending Bouchercon World Mystery Conference in New Orleans, one of my favorite conferences. Michael Connelly is the guest of honor.
Travel:
Hubby and I were supposed to go on a Viking River Cruise, starting in Prague and ending in Paris. Well, the Universe had other ideas, and we had to cancel the cruise. Thank goodness I had purchased the travel insurance. After submitting a dissertation that included my husband’s medical records, we received the reimbursement. I was sorely disappointed, but it’s essential to trust your instincts and the Universe, and to buy travel insurance. We ended up having to re-pipe our whole house due to a leak under the slab – thank goodness we weren’t sailing along a European River when that happened!
This May, I attended Sleuthfest, my favorite conference, which was held in St. Petersburg. It was a fantastic time; I caught up with old friends, made new ones, and found some new favorite authors. Lisa Unger, from Tampa, was the guest of honor.
This is a photo of the panel discussion on Independent Publishing that I moderated. My co-panelists are L.L. Kirchner, Tara Lush and Gwen Mayo -- photo by L.L. Kirchner
What are your summer vacation plans? I hope you're scheduled something fun!!!
What have you been Reading and Watching?
So far this year, I’ve read 34 books, including the audiobooks mentioned above. Most recently, my book club read Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt and Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March – both of which I enjoyed immensely. I recently finished Michael Connelly’s latest, Nightshade. He introduces a new character, Detective Stilwell. I like him. I also enjoyed Lisa Unger’s The New Couple in 5B and the Five Star Weekend by Elin Hildebrand. To stay updated on what I'm reading, follow me on Instagram at @teresamichael1 and use the hashtag #patioreading.
Have you watched Department Q on Netflix starring Matthew Goode? I loved it! Give it a watch. I also watched The Survivors. It’s an Australian limited series. I watched Season 2 of 1923. The ending was sad. I’m looking forward to the new season of The Diplomat, and I’m curious about the Outlander prequel Blood of My Blood. What are you watching this summer?
I was recently at Epcot - I caught this bee having lunch. I, on the other hand, had a wedge salad and a nice Pinot Gris at La Cellier in Canada
If you have a moment and liked my books, please leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Authors depend on reviews to get the word out about their books. It doesn’t have to be long—just a sentence or two, which is greatly appreciated.
Until Next Time....Have a great summer!
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