Malice Domestic 30 - Intro, Malice Go Round, New Authors' Breakfast...

Welcome to my first post about the recent Malice Domestic Mystery Convention.  This was #30 for them and all have been held in Bethesda, Maryland.  I had a wonderful time.  I went all by myself this time.  And I was simply immersed in 'traditional' mysteries.  I'm not going to 'talk' quite as much about the way things work.  You can look back through my archive and see my posts from last year's convention.

At 2017's Malice convention, I met and chatted with several authors that had been important to me in past years.  I was able to tell them how much I had enjoyed and appreciated their work.  This year, I set a goal for myself to be 'brave' and seek out, meet, and encourage 'New' authors especially.  And that's what I did.  So, I'm going to be sharing more pictures and maybe less commentary, but....no promises.  Ha!  Some of these are authors that I read about on your blogs when you shared new books with us.  Some I learned about in planning what events I'd attend.  Some I ran across in the restaurant or the Starbucks or seated next to me at a breakfast or panel.  I'm so very happy to tell you about them.  And the explanations I do include will be below the pictures - FYI.  Saddle up and let's go!

I loved the fact that blooms were everywhere in the greater Washington DC area.  It was a little cool, but beautiful with spring blossoms.

The next pictures are from 'Malice Go Round' - 42 authors go from table to table talking about their books.  We get to sit and listen.  As I've learned, writing down the names is mandatory for me because the pace will make your head spin.  Here are Dorothy St. James (L) and Ginger Bolton (R).  Dorothy writes the 'Southern Chocolate Shop' series and Ginger's series is the 'Deputy Donut' books.

Nancy Cole Silverman (L) - more about Nancy on Thursday and Kelly Oliver (R).  Nancy writes the 'Carol Childs' radio reporter books.  Kelly writes about Jessica James, 'Cowgirl Philosopher'.

Loretta Ross (L) and Karen Olson (R) - more about Karen on Thursday.  Loretta's series is the 'Auction Block' mysteries - 3 now.  Karen has written several series, but the latest are the 'Black Hat' mysteries featuring Nicole Jones.  Many of you have enjoyed those books.

J. R. Ripley (L) and Misty Simon (R) - talked a lot with Misty and that report will also be on Thursday.  J.R. has written more than one series, the latest of which are the 'Maggie Miller' books.  Misty was talking about her new series featuring 'Tallie Graver'.  And you've got to see that dress she's wearing.  I'll have photos later.

Bethany Blake (L) and Ellen Byerrum (R).  Bethany writes the 'Lucky Paws Petsitting' series.  Cute, cute covers.  Ellen's 'Crime of Fashion' series has over 10 books and has been around for quite a while.

Victoria Thompson - the 'Gaslight' series now has 21 books!  Well done, Victoria!  She also has new series featuring the 'Counterfeit Lady'.  Again, more about this author on another day.

Nancy Herriman - the 1st 'Bess Ellyott' mystery has just been published featuring an herbalist in Old England and there is also her 'Old San Francisco' series starring a nurse, Celia Davies.

Sybil Johnson - writes the 'Aurora Anderson' mysteries that are set in California and feature a computer programmer who also loves tole painting - very much like the author.  Sybil brought an example for us of her tole painting.  Very nice, right?

C. M. Gleason - author of the 'Lincoln White House' series - historical, of course.  I was very intrigued by the first book - which I happily was able to acquire.  LOL

Susan M. Boyer - this author may have had the best handout ever - a fan that showed all the books in her 'Lowcountry' series starring Liz Talbot, private investigator, South Carolina.  Best handout for women of a 'certain' age - if you know what I mean!  I know several have enjoyed her books.

We are now switching over to the 'New Authors Breakfast'.  There were 21 authors - we sat at a table hosted by someone and munched on lovely things.  The authors talked with Cindy Silberblatt as we listened.  This is L.A. Chandlar (L).  Her first book is The Silver Gun, set in 1930's New York and stars Lane Sanders, personal aide to Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia.  And, yes, I snagged a copy.

The author here is Becky Clark.  Her book, the 1st in a 'Mystery Writer's' series, is Fiction Can Be Murder.  The protagonist is Charlemagne 'Charlee' Russo, mystery writer, who has to solve who killed her agent.  Amazingly, that book found it's way home with me as well.  Do you see a trend?

Aimee Hix was telling us about her new book, What Doesn't Kill You, starring Willa Pennington, PI.  Willa, the protagonist, is a former cop.  Aimee related a story about loving the cover of her book - I agree - and, yes, it came home with me.

This is Kathleen Valenti, who was a nominee for 'Best First Mystery'.  Had to add her here because she's from Bend, Oregon, and was impressed that I knew where that was.  Yes, I do and I've vacationed there.  Her first Maggie O'Malley book is Protocol and the second is 39 Winks - will be published in a couple of weeks.  These are set in the pharmaceutical industry. 

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That's all for today.  Come back tomorrow to hear all about the panels I attended.  And, please, take advantage of the links to check out the authors and their websites.