Some years are just busy. Then there was this one. I'm still not sure what was different. More speaking engagements and signing opportunities, perhaps. (Picture me waving to new friends I had the pleasure of meeting along the way.) Trips to see our four children, scattered from Chicago to Asheville. The new granddaughter who lives too far away. Pesky surgery for my husband. Two overseas trips.

Or maybe it was all that writing? Two books that are always longer than I plan. Research. The daily realities of a minister's wife. Whatever the reasons, the website was sadly neglected. I hope that will change, and quickly.

So here are the highlights, condensed to make it bearable. Touching Stars, book four of the Shenandoah Album series from Mira Books, came out in July. My publisher sent me to three wonderful quilt shows to sign copies of the series. I enjoyed Chicago, Paducah, and Houston, particularly Houston where I had the ultimate pleasure of signing with Sandra Dallas AND Billie Lauder. Sandra's a friend plus a talented author, and Billie's my quilting idol.

In November, Beware False Profits made its debut for Berkley Prime Crime. Profits is book three of my Ministry is Murder series. Aggie Sloan-Wilcox closed another case, and I had the joy of sharing her story. Aggie's fan club is growing. The Wall Street Journal called the series "charming." Thanks WSJ. That's what I was hoping for.

In May I visited Turkey with a varied group of religious leaders and academics from the Washington DC area, led by the "Rumi Forum," an organization devoted to interfaith cooperation. This experience was eye opening and memorable, to say the least. We followed that with another trip to Italy in July, this time with lots of our family, to celebrate my husband's birthday. Another trip I will never forget.

So what's up now? Well, Touching Stars (my working title was Lone Star, but changed before publication) will be out in paperback on July 1. And Sister's Choice, book five of the Shenandoah Album series, will be published in hardcover on July 1, as well. I'll be touring in Virginia in late June, and hope to meet more of you along the way. Dates will be posted in my Railroad Station.

The next Ministry is Murder book, A Lie for a Lie, comes out next February, but I promise it will be worth the wait.

And what am I working on now? My next book for Mira won't be another Shenandoah Album story. Instead it's a "stand alone" novel, with the working title, Happiness Key. I'll give you a hint. It takes place in Florida, where I grew up. And I'm very much looking forward to writing it.

There's so much more to tell you about, but I'll save that for the next letter. Meantime, it's spring. Sneak outside and breathe that refreshing, pollen laden air. Go for a walk. Smell the lilacs. Watch the squirrels rediscover nuts they hid last fall. Adopt a lost puppy (I did) or feed the birds as they raise their new young. Plant a tree or a rose bush. Rejoice in every scrap of good news that comes your way. I hope the season makes you smile.

Emilie