Book signings are complex things. They can be wonderful or they can be . . . well, very bad. Let me give you an example of the “very bad.” My husband and I drove three hours to a signing. It was at a large chain store in a well-populated area, so you would think it would be a fairly successful event. When we arrived at the store, the manager appeared happy to see me. “I’ve got you set up back here,” she said. She led me through the store to the video section where there was a table and some chairs. She smiled and looked at me expectantly. I smiled, wondering why in the world I’d been placed in the videos. “Great,” I said. “Thanks.” One of the best parts of book signings is meeting and talking with new people. I met three new people that day, including the manager of the store. I pretty much only conversed with one new person, a boy who told me his favorite movie was “Lean on Me.” The other new person was a young man who wandered by and spoke. The manager didn’t really talk with me, other than to ask if I’d…

I’m thrilled to be a part of FreshFiction and to have the opportunity to introduce you to my series, the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mystery Series. The first book in the series is MURDER TAKES THE CAKE. In MURDER TAKES THE CAKE, Daphne Martin returns home to Brea Ridge, Virginia, looking forward to realizing her dream of starting a cake decorating business. But when the meanest gossip in Brea Ridge dies mysteriously, suspicions turn to Daphne. But all Daphne did was deliver a spice cake with cream cheese frosting–and find Yodel’s body. Now Daphne’s got to help solve the murder and clear her good name. Problem is, her hometown is brimming with people who had good reason to kill Yodel, and Daphne’s whole family is among them. MURDER TAKES THE CAKE was published in 2008 but was released on October 16, 2009 in large-print hardcover by Thorndike. BBC Audiobooks in England has also commissioned large-print rights to the book. Click here to read more and learn how to win a copy of DEAD PAN! Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.