2008 Reader & Writers Get-Together
June 6-7, 2008
Cincinnati, Ohio
Ah, yes. There are few things more satisfying than catching up with old friends and making new ones, and we were privileged to do both in Cincinnati this past weekend at Lori Foster's Readers & Writers Get-Together. This was the fourth year of the event and the first time we were able to attend. And, oh boy, are we ever glad we went! With 275+ attendees, a ginormous batch of Tony's Famous Baklava, sweaty Greek Dancing with pals Kathy Andrico and Aleka Nakis, face-to-face meetings with PW Beyond Her Blog Barbara Vey and Joyce Ann, catching up with longtime buds Lori Foster, Elizabeth Bevarly, Becky Barker, Tony Blake, Barbara Smith, JC Wilder, Patty Harrison, Pat Rouse, Wendi, and Paige and Eric Cuccaro, as well as Joni, Bad Barb and Tee...
::gasp:: ::pant:: I'm out of breath just remembering all the friendly faces and warm laughs!
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Get-Together hostess with the mostess, Lori Foster, Beyond Her Book Blog mistress Barbara Vey, and Kathy Andrico of Kathy's Review Corner
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We met Jeffery Marks at the Books by the Banks fair last year. It was great to catch up with him!
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Pat Walker and Patty Harrison make a Tony pita!
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We always have a blast catching up with Paige and Eric Cuccaro. (Check out their page for great shots of Italy and of other authors' offices.)
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Don't you just wanna pinch Elizabeth Bevarly's cheeks?
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All attending conference authors...well, except for us. As usual, we were late. lol
For those we didn't get pictures of (okay, I'm still using the storage disc that came with the camera, which means I have zero capacity), I think we got you on video. Prob there? Well, our new laptop runs with Vista and Vista isn't compatible with our four-year-old Sony Digital 8. Grrrr... If I didn't hate Gates before now...well, let's leave it at that or I might boot up next time to find the laptop's been completely fried.
Make sure you check out out Barbara Vey's Beyond Her Book Blog for our first ever podcast (yikes! No, I haven't watched the sucker yet, and I'm not going to. I was sweating up a storm after Greek dancing, and Tony had just wolfed down a piece of baklava and swears his mouth was sealed with honey - lol!) , and for her great entries on all three days of the event, and Michelle Buonfiglio's B(u)y Her Book Blog for her take on the get together which includes some great numbers on amounts raised for charity.
We can't recommend this conference enough. Mark your calendars now for June 5-7, 2009. Here's to seeing y'all again next year!
We love our fellow writer members of the Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America; and getting a chance to bring in our favorite dishes (Tony's Famous Baklava in our case), just kick back, open the doors to the public, and enjoy the company of fellow readers and aspiring writers looking to perhaps take that next step, is a recipe for a great time!
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Rita Shake, Denise Lynn, Kat, Connie, Jennie and Barb.
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Local best-selling children's author Denise Fleming (right), stops by with her daughter, Indigo (left). That's Elizabeth Vaughan in the middle.
Ah, yes. Isn't it nice when you can just kick back and enjoy the company of friends? No agenda to maintain, no minutes to record, only the companionship of those of like mind. Of course, our outgoing president Barb Horvath made one last sweeping gesture by giving us all thoughtful gifts (Tony and I both have our handmade fairy chains clipped to our keyrings). What a wonderful way to celebrate the Season.
Happy Holidays!
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Tony playing catch up while Barb Nagel considers me.
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MVRWA charter member and all around talented author and dear friend Denise Lynn.
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Jennie showing the book that Barb Horvath made up for members of the board.
Here's wishing everyone a warm and cheery Holiday Season,
and a fantasically successful 2008!
Writers on the River 2007 Ellis Center - Monroe, Michigan
Sunday, 11/11/07
We adore this event. It not only gives us a chance to catch up with old friends, but to make new ones. An added benefit is that it's close to home! Our warm thanks to event organizer Bernie Smith, her skilled posse and the Monroe Friends of the Library for another day chock full of great memories!
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Tony poses with Katie, Jane and Darlene.
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Fellow mystery and romance authors Susan Goodwill (her first book Brigadoom is to die for!) and Gail Martin, who just returned from a trip to Greece and has recorded her photographic memories on her blog. Click on her name to check 'em out!
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Marvelous Heidi McCraw arranged previous events but has returned to nursing. We're glad she came out for a visit!
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Another new friend and author Paul D. Harrington and his lovely wife.
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I know Jane blinked, but I just had to include this pic. Look at that smile!
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Bernie was so busy keeping everything running smoothly, we didn't get a chance to get a new pic of her. So this one is from last year with Katie.
Thanks for the great time, guys! We hope to see you again next year.
Books by the Banks Duke Energy Center
Cincinnati, Ohio
Saturday, November 3, 2007
This inaugural event was sponsored by Cincinnati and Hamilton County's Public Library, UC's library, cet, Borders and The Mercantile Library and by all accounts was a raging success. We sincerely hope they decide to go annual.
We'd like to thank everyone involved for including us and making our day a memorable one: Forge's publicist Alexis Saarela, librarian Susanne Wells, our "helper" Lisa, our table neighbor and fellow panelist Jeffery Marks, moderator extraordinaire Laura Pulfer, and everyone who came out...
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Longtime bud Rosemary Laurey sat with Dianne Castell, Lori Foster, and LuAnn McLane.
There's just something about librarians... Could be our shared love of books, or the tremendous role they've played and continue to play in helping shape our career; whatever the reason, we leap at the chance to spend a bit of time with them. And we're grateful to everyone involved in inviting us to this year's OLC, including Lori Hensley, director of events, and Nieca Nowels of the Westerville Library, our in person contact. What a delightful day!
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Gary Branson, Director of the London Public Library, is not only one of our favorite librarians, but all time favorite people!
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I can't believe this is the only shot we have of yummy Nieca Nowels of the Westerville Public Library. Unbelievable! She's only like the cutest thing ever.
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Hunh. Do you think Tony likes being behind the podium? Too cute!
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Here's Chrystal Carr Jeter of the Cleveland Library. Styling!
Where's next year's party?
Writers Live Weymouth Country Club
Medina, Ohio
Okay, Kym Lucas, manager of the Buckeye Library branch of the Medina County Library told us that this event is well attended...but we had no idea that it was this well attended. Good thing Tony backed down on bringing baklava. He would have been making it for a week in order to give everyone a piece!
Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you to Kym and the Medina library gang for having us, and to everyone who came out. We had a blast!
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The Weymouth Hall was absolutely gorgeous!
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Here's our table from left to right: Sylvia, Kathie, Kym's mom Helen, Kym, Tony, moi, and Tom.
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That's Barbara Berry, the owner of Booksmith Educational Resources to the left, and Carolyn, former owner of the same to the right.
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Judy, whom we met at Foul Play bookstore last year.
Stately Raven Grand
Opening Celebration
Saturday, September 22, 2007
We've easily made hundreds of appearances, addressed dozens upon dozens of groups, but helping owner Mike Cole celebrate the opening of the Stately Raven Bookstore ranks up there as one of our most unique experiences to date. Within an hour's drive? Plan an outing that includes a stop at the Stately Raven. You won't regret it! The impeccably renovated onetime, gothic style Lutheran Church, decorated throughout with Toledo artist Beth Covert's many murals, is an exquisite gem. Click here and here for more information on the store. Click here for more info on Beth.
I can't wait to see what they have planned for Halloween!
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A real woodburning fireplace will be a fantastic winter's retreat.
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Mike talking to fellow writer Sally Wright.
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Ask for a tour from one of the employees or even from Mike himself. You won't regret it!
We look forward to many furture visits to the Stately Raven...
Toledo Greek Fest
September 7 & 8th, 2007
This is one event we spend all year looking forward to. It's more than the live music and the food, it's a time to catch up with those we haven't seen since the last festival -- or perhaps longer -- and reconnect with the reason why Greek-American is tagged onto Tony's name. To be in the company of others who are neither strictly Greek, or solely American, but a combination of both, making them marvelously unique.
While we've always loved to be regular, gate-paying attendees, we're even happier to contribute to the festival and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral by offering our books for sale with a percentage of the proceeds going to the parish. And we hope to expand our participation next year.
Our heartfelt thanks to Joyce Anagnos-Hambou, the Greek Culture Chair, her mom Avi, and everyone else involved with the fest. While we didn't get photos of everyone, we hope you enjoy the ones featured below:
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Stop it, already! Yeesh, how quickly they grow up, huh? Here Natasa Christides and her older sister Christiana show the wonderful young women they're turning into.
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George Theodorou, Andreas Petros, Tony, Demetra Theodorou and Maria Petros smile for the camera in the middle of catching up.
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Pete Theodorou and his lovely Liz share a toast with us.
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Joyce Anagnos was in charge of the Greek Culture booth again this year.
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Frixos Stylianides takes a break from the kitchen and from running his Coney Island restaurant to chat for a minute.
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Christiana fresh from pariticpating in the demostration dance in full costume.
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Tony, Cindy, Cindy's son and Gus stop for a visit.
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Tony and Tim enjoy Christos Kamilaris' company briefly before Chris returns to his restaurant Georgio's.
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Sensational Simone is George and Demetra's daughter. What a koukla, huh?
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Avgi Anagnos! Dawn has taught Greek for more years than she count.
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Tim, Tony and Tasos with Tasos' girlfriend.
Mark your calendars for next year! September 5-7th, 2008.
The view from Smila in 2004.
The forests on the mountains across the way have burned to ash.
Click here to view Maria Menounos' personal report on the fire in Greece.
8/27/2007 - Greece Forest Fires: We've been on the phone constantly with family (Tony's brother, sister-in-law, niece and her family including two young children were down vacationing in their Smila country house -- niece and fam evacuated early Sunday morning, brother and sil still there) in the exact area near Olympia where the fires have been raging since Friday. At one point we were all terrified the family (and other extended family members in neighboring towns) were blocked in, the electric and water were off, and there was a time when we couldn't get through to them on the phone either.
Thankfully, it looks like the fire has finally passed them, but it's still raging in the area.
Home insurance is virtually unheard of in Greece, so abandoning houses to fire means losing everything. I don't think the image of so many trying to battle back monstrous walls of flames with garden hoses will ever leave me.
Please visit http://www.redcross.gr for developing information, and click here to donate now.
Thanks so very much to all those who've written and called. Please keep Greece in your thoughts and prayers.
Schlachter Family Reunion 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Ah, yes. The Greeks and the Germans go way back, don't they? And today they came together again in my darlin' Greek Tony and my German family the Schlachters. Tony's baklava went great with the sauerkraut and bratwurst. ;>
I can't tell you how great it was to see faces I'd grown up with, as well as many new ones added to the family since last we met. Hope you enjoy the photo album. I did more catching up than picture taking, but I have more on video.
Click here to view a clip.
(I'm new at streaming, so bear with me as I experiment. For some reason, the 1-minute piece plays over and again.)
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Uncle Bud, my brother Carl, Jr., and my aunt Ruth.
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Cousins Christy and Ronnie. Christy and I used to pretend we were twins when we were younger. Of course, I don't think we have a prayer of getting away with it now. She's as gorgeous as ever.
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Aunt Linda to the left, with Christy's dh Bill.
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Cousin Jennifer's family, dh Jeff, and sons Joel and Justin (that's Justin's friend next to him).
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The Incorvaia branch on the Family Tree. The family restaurant Inky's celebrates 50 years this month. Click here for the address so you can sample the best damn Italian food in Toledo.
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Jennifer's husband Jeff. (Jen's on the video.)
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Ron bid on and won Joey's special creation, although there wasn't much left of it after all our picking.
Special thanks to Aunt Elsie, Christy and Holly for the fantastic job they did arranging this year's reunion at Carr Park in Temperance. Tom's handling the festivies for next year in Norwalk. Looking forward to it!
Sizzling Summer Greek Recipe
Sofie's Souvlaki with Tzatziki
If you're familiar with our girl Sofie, then you know that one of her favorite foods is souvlaki, the Greek equivalent to the American hamburger. She gets hers from a stand on the corner of Broadway and 30th in Astoria, but you can easily make your own! Here's how...
Tzatziki
1 – 32-ounce container plain yogurt
1 – large English, seedless cucumber, peeled
8 – cloves garlic, peeled and chopped (more or less garlic to taste; we use a whole bulb)
½ to 1 cup – extra virgin olive oil to taste
1 – tablespoon salt (kosher salt preferable but not necessary)
1 – teaspoon vinegar (cider vinegar preferable but any type can be used)
dash of pepper
In medium-sized bowl, grate the peeled cucumber and squeeze excess liquid out by hand. Add remainder of ingredients and stir well and vigorously. Refrigerate an hour or so before using if possible. Stir again before serving. Opa!
Souvlaki (makes 10)
1 – 4 pound cut of pork roast (or lamb or chicken or steak equivalent)
1 – package of 10” bamboo skewers
½ cup of olive oil, juice of ½ lemon, teaspoon Greek or regular oregano
salt and pepper
Trim fat (or not<bg>), cut pork into one-inch squares and then put on skewers (say 5-6 squares per skewer, tightly positioned). Sprinkle on salt and pepper to taste. Grill on med-high for approximately 20-25 minutes until pork is thoroughly cooked, brushing with oil mix and turning frequently.
1 – package regular-sized pita bread (10)
1 – medium-large red onion (white is okay)
1 – bunch of fresh parsley
2 – medium tomatoes
salt and pepper (optional)
Quarter red onion and slice thinly. Chop parsley greens. Add parsley to onion slices in bowl and squeeze together until well mixed and the onions are separated and soft.
Halve the tomatoes and then cut into ¼ inch slices.
Lightly brush pita on both sides with olive oil and warm slightly on grill.
Using paper towels (or foil) to protect your hand and for folding purposes, pick up a pita, put a skewer in the middle and squeeze the pita closed so you can remove the skewer. Next, add a bit of the onion and parsley mixture, a few slices of tomato (I like to add a little salt and pepper at this point) and then tzatziki. Fold the pita over ingredients, wrapping the paper towel to hold it closed. Enjoy! (Add a bowl of tzatziki sauce to the table for those who would like to add more as they go.)
Greek fries: regular french fries sprinkled with sea salt and Greek oregano.
Kali Orexi!
Books & Co
Kettering, Ohio
Tuesday, July 19, 2007
We can't say enough about our visits to this wonderful bookstore. From the friendly warmth of Sharon Kelly Roth and Christina Tomazini, to the cozy environs, we love everything about Books & Co. And we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the great friends -- both new and old -- who never fail to come out! Without further ado...
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Tony snaps a cover pic of me with Sharon to the left and Christina. Yes, that's a batch of Tony's Famous Baklava on the table.
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Marty! Left is longtime friend Marty, whom we hadn't seen for years. To the right is Diane, who was determined to ruin the pic 'cause I made her be in it. For shame! ;>
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Ah, yes. We can't help but respond with a smile when Jenny and her daughter Emily are near.
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Dinner nearby afterward with precious friend and author publicist Patricia Rouse, her friend Sheila, and Sharon (Christina left a little earlier to take her daughter to the midnight showing of the new Harry Potter movie).
Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you, guys. For your warmth, generosity and friendship.
Paperback Outlet Warren, Michigan
Thursday, Jun 28th, 2007
We've been making the trip an hour and half north to visit with our friends at The Paperback Outlet for years now, and thoroughly enjoy ourselves every time. And seeing Bad Barb and Tee and their families doubles our pleasure. Like last year, Tee's daughter Tabitha brought Tony a loaf of homemade banana bread (Yum! I should really ask her permission to share the recipe. It's scrumptious!), and we're ceaselessly shocked by how much she, Nataia and Kadeem have grown in the year since our last visit.
We didn't get to see co-owner Gay this trip as she was recovering from a medical procedure (our thoughts are with you, sweetie!), but all our old friends, and plenty of new ones, came out.
We love you guys!
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Annie McGee holds a plaque showing that The Paperback Outlet is a Romantic Times 2007 Bookseller of the Year nominee. Well-deserved, Annie and Gay! Congrats!
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That's Barb Hicks to the left, Tabitha in the middle, Diane next to her, and Tabitha's mom Tee to the right.
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This is the second year in a row we've enjoyed Diane's company.
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I love candid shots! Here Nataia rests against Aunt Barb's shoulder.
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Chris stops by to have us sign our latest.
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Ah, yes, the goosing pic. Seriously, Tony got a pinch from the woman to his left. From left to right: Moi, Nataia, Kadeem, Tony, Barb, Carol, Tabitha and Tee.
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The Paperback Outlet gang! Left to right: Annie, Marilyn, Linda, moi, Tony, Deanna, Lynn, Mary, Cel and Lisa.
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Yvonne took the previous pic so she wasn't in it. Here we all show off the RT Bookseller of the Year Nominee certificate.
Same time next year, guys? :> ;>
Toledo Barnes & Noble Signing Saturday, June 9th, 2007
We love appearing locally. Aside from being easy on the gas budget, it gives us a chance to catch up with old friends and make new. Our hearty thanks to everyone at Barnes & Noble and Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America and all who came out to help us celebrate the hardcover release of FOUL PLAY, our third SOFIE METROPOLIS title!
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Barnes & Noble Manager Michelle and Justin.
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MVRWA pals Elizabeth Vaughan (Warlord is out now!), Janet Rau and Madame President Barb Horvath.
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Here's Michelle again along with Cindy (hope you have a grand 3rd Anniversary, Cindy!).
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Janet and Liz stop for a quick pose...and to remind Tony that he owes them baklava.<bg>
Special thanks to Cheryl and Joyce Anagnos Hambou for coming out, as well.
It was great to see you guys!
Mystery Lovers Bookshop's Festival of Mystery 2007 Monday, May 7th
Bookshop owners Mary Alice Gorman and Richard Goldman are the perfect couple to...well, they're simply the perfect couple. This was their 13th annual festival and by all accounts it was fabulously successful. This was our second appearance there and we count ourselves lucky to have been included.
We hope you enjoy our photographic memories...
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Fest attendee Lynn wins the best shirt contest, hands down! She made this herself. Check out the detail straight down to the cuffs. A fellow reader through and through.
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Congrats to tablemate Nora Charles aka Nora Wald, who recently tied the knot!
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Crime of Fashion Series Author Ellen Byerrum signed on the other side of us (that's her great dh).
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There's Richard beginning the author interviews on stage.
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Author Donna Andrews talks with Mary Alice.
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Richard interviews author Elaine Viets...rather, Mary Alice speaking on behalf of Elaine. (Our thoughts are with you during your recovery, sweetie.)
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The post-fest pizza party back at the shop.
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Everyone toasting Richard (and Mary Alice in torquoise in the previous shot) for another slammin' event!
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Richard and Mary Alice's daughter holds down the fort. Isn't she gorgeous? Hmm...we didn't have a chance to show her pics of our two available sons...
1 – 32-ounce container plain yogurt
