Maggie Pill Mysteries

I had two events this week, a Career Day presentation at a high school about seventy miles away and a book signing over a hundred miles from home. A winter storm hit Michigan that seems to be endless, stretching from Wednesday through Sunday with blizzardy winds and plenty of snow to blow around. I was about to cancel the school visit when hubby informed me they'd canceled school for the day. Though I'd prepped for the visit with handouts and candy and funny little anecdotes, all I felt was relief. Last night after watching the weather forecast, I canceled the book signing as well, which meant de-reserving a hotel room I might still have to pay for (I hate that.) I was supposed to join three author friends, and we'd made it a party with Santa hats and the silly billing, "Four Women of Death." I love the folks at Horizon Books in Traverse City, so I hate wasting their time and energy. Still, I was relieved once I'd made the calls and arranged to stay home. ...

JoBe Cerny & Maggie Pill Leaving Mackinac Island--yes, it did snow! Saturday I traveled to Mackinac Island to sign at Grand Hotel. It was cool, so I have to tell you about it. The weekend was a celebration of the movie Somewhere in Time . Each year the hotel hosts the event, and actors who were in the movie return to the place it was filmed and meet their fans. How does Maggie Pill fit in to a celebration of a Christopher Reeve/Jane Seymour film? Maybe not so much, BUT-- My audio book producer, JoBe Cerny, was in the movie all those years ago. Now he owns his own studio in Chicago and does voiceovers (He's the Pillsbury Doughboy) as well as a lot of other creative things, including writing mysteries. He decided that since he'd be on the Island and I was so close, I should come up for the day and sign with him. Niece Samantha and I started early and caught the ferry then took a horse-drawn carriage to Grand Hotel. (For those unfamiliar with Mackinac Island, no ...