Yes, I'm working on another book, a stand-alone suspense set in Bisbee, Arizona, an interesting little town close to the Mexican border. Here's a short story synopsis:

"Staff Sgt. Jace Merrick has two short-term goals: Join the Army Counter-Intelligence Unit, and kill his wife.
 
When his bleeding-heart wife, Abby Merrick, volunteers at Hope House, a group that supplies stash sites in the Arizona desert for illegals border crossers, Jace hatches a scheme to make her murder look like a coyote smuggling operation gone wrong.
 
But before he can carry out his plans, Abby is shot—and he's the prime suspect.
 
Rumor Vargas is determined to find her friend's killer, but Deputy Sheriff Cooper "Coop" Jones warns her to keep her amateur nose out of his investigation. She's a sexy, persistent diversion, and she dredges up memories he'd rather forget, of his own murdered wife.  
 
Rumor appreciates the Sheriff's inquiring mind, and she's curious about his battle-weary eyes. But when his inquiry turns to her kid brother as a possible suspect, Rumor has reasons beyond attraction to keep Coop close.
 
The Sheriff suspects Alberto Vargas has Cartel ties, and this looks like the Sinaloan gang's work.
 
Rumor severed ties with her brother several years ago when he began to work for the Cartel. But could he also be a killer?
 
To complicate matters, Jace's lover, Kendra has her own motives for murder.  
 
The further Coop digs into the case, the less the facts add up on any of the suspects.
 
Someone else has a grudge against Jace Merrick. A life and death grudge. And it's time for pay back."

If you read my first novel, Song of the Ancients, you may recognize Rumor Vargas. She was Samantha's friend and business partner. This time, Rumor gets the top billing. You'll learn about her childhood in Mexico, as well as what she's been up to since she left Samantha in Sedona. Here's a photo of Rumor as I picture her in my writer's head:

I hope to complete Crescent Moon Crossing by June. Stay tuned right here for more news on the cover reveal, release date and promotions, as well as an opportunity to sign up as an ADVANCE reader and get a free book.

Then, I'm traveling to the United Kingdom to visit London, Scotland and Wales. I'll be conducting first-hand research of the power sites for the second book of my Ancient Magic series, when we re-join Samantha and Nicholas at the Council of Elders meeting in London next year.

Thank you so much for your support and patience. I appreciate you even more for sticking with me throughout my health challenges in 2016. My recovery is complete, and I am so stinkin' happy to be back to writing again!
Blessed Be.

It's my birthday tomorrow, and a rather momentous one, so I'm going to celebrate it with a special ritual, shared here.
 
I came across this ritual through pure synchronicity. A month ago, I participated in a book swap online. Send a book to the name you are given, put your name at the top of the list and share it on Facebook. One of those chain friends' things that never work—except this time it did. I was pleasantly deluged with books, including one from a woman named Juliette A. She shared one of her favorites, Grandmother Time, written by Z. Budapest. It was autographed for Juliette by the author in 1993!
 
Thank you so much Juliette. I am sharing Ms. Budapest's A Birthday Celebration, because, as she so eloquently says in her preface, "A life without celebration is only half lived."
 
A Birthday Celebration
 
Invite the friends you really want to be with. Old friends, good friends and family.
Get everything together as usual—decorations, cake and candles—but don't follow the usual procedure, because in wishcraft, blowing out the candles on your cake is blowing away your good luck!
 
Instead, arrange as many candles as you have lived years in this life, but put them on a tray separate from your cake. Take the time to make candle holders of aluminum foil for each candle.
 
 Then sit your guests down, sing "Happy Birthday," and serve the cake. But when you would ordinarily blow out the candles, light them instead.
 
As you light the first one, give thanks to your mom, who gave you the opportunity to come through the veil between life and death and become you. She is the origin of your universe. The second candle, and all the rest, you light one by one in honor of yourself. Tell a little story of your life, and let your guests react, laugh and cheer for you. Reveal about three good stories this party—save some for next time.
 
When you recall an event worthy of special attention, stop and offer a toast. In other words, celebrate during your story telling.
After you've finished lighting all the candles, let them burn down naturally. In the glow of your candle light, may you be awed by your own endurance and beauty!
 
Happy Birthday to all of my readers and friends. I hope you will treat yourself to this ritual on your own birthday. Thank you Juliette for the gift book. I will treasure it. And thank you Z. Budapest for sharing your life in writing it.
Blessed Be!