If you’re making the rounds to your favorite blogs today, chances are you’ve already encountered the name Patry Francis because I’m only one of 300—yes 300—authors and bloggers who are out there today plugging the paperback release of Patry’s debut novel, The Liar’s Diary.

It all started several months ago when Patry revealed on her popular blog that she was battling an aggressive form of cancer. Knowing that she wouldn’t have the strength to get out there and promote her paperback release her friends, spearheaded by Susan Henderson and others, rallied together asking bloggers to conduct a ‘cyber tour’ to get the word out about Patry’s book.

Having met Patry last year at the Backspace Conference, I didn’t think twice about signing up. Apparently 299 others felt the same way. To learn more about Patry, I highly recommend her blog and while you’re there, take a moment to check out her website and her book trailer.

I wish Patry a full and speedy recovery.  In addition to sending out prayers, another wonderful way to support Patry would be to buy a copy or two of her novel. I assure you, you won’t be sorry. Luckily for her fans and those who will be discovering her writing for the first time, Patry is a courageous fighter and we can all look forward to many more novels from her in the future.

“The new questions and revelations just keep coming…Readers will be heartily rewarded.”—Ladies’ Home Journal


When new music teacher Ali Mather enters Jeanne Cross’s quiet suburban life, she brings a jolt of energy that Jeanne never expected.   Ali has a magnetic personality and looks to match, drawing attention from all quarters.  Nonetheless, Jeanne and Ali develop a friendship based on their mutual vulnerabilities THE LIAR’S DIARY is the story of Ali and Jeanne’s friendship, and the secrets they both keep.

Jeanne’s secrets are kept to herself; like her son’s poor report card and husband’s lack of interest in their marriage.  Ali’s secrets are kept in her diary, which holds the key to something dark: her fear that someone has been entering her house when she is not at home.  While their secrets bring Jeanne and Ali together, it is this secret that will drive them apart.  Jeanne finds herself torn between her family and her dear friend in order to protect the people she loves.

A chilling tour of troubled minds, THE LIAR’S DIARY questions just how far you’ll go for your family and what dark truths you’d be willing to admit—even to yourself.

Patry Francis is a three-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize whose work has appeared in the Tampa Review, Colorado Review, Ontario Review, and the American Poetry Review. She is also the author of the popular blogs, simplywait.blogspot.com and waitresspoems.blogspot.com. This is her first novel.  Please visit her website at www.patryfrancis.com.

“Twists and turns but never lets go.”—Jacquelyn Mitchard, bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean

“A quirky, well-written and well-constructed mystery with an edge.”—Publishers Weekly

“Outright chilling.”—New York Daily News

“Genuinely creepy…The unlikely friendship between a small-town school secretary and a flamboyant teacher proves deadly in this psychological murder mystery.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A twisting ride full of dangerous curves and jaw-dropping surprises.  This is one of my favorite reads of the year!”—Tess Gerristen, bestselling author of The Mephisto Club

“Francis draws and tense and moody picture of the perfect home and family being peeled back secret by secret…Four Stars.”—Romantic Times

Before I introduce my special guest blogger, I want to say a big thanks to all the members of the Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit for touring me and Every Crooked Pot on their blogs--thanks ladies! 

Also, I need to take this opportunity to turn you all onto an author whose work I recently discovered: Jonathan Santlofer. I just finished The Killing Art and really could not put this one down. Anyone who appreciates art and suspense with twists and turns galore will love this book--so enjoy.

Okay and now for today's special guest blogger...

For those of you who have been following this blog, you may recall that I met with a rather remarkable young woman over the summer. Amber is not your typical high school student. At sixteen, this young dynamo is already a book reviewer, an aspiring filmmaker and a lovely person, to boot. I was so impressed with her that I asked her to come visit and guest blog. So take a look and you'll see why I think Amber is so special and why I know she has a tremendous future ahead of her!

 
Here's Amber... 

As an active member in my school's Human Rights' Club, I was absolutely thrilled to hear that I would have the chance to hear John Prendergast speak at a Facing History and Ourselves event at Northwestern University. For those of you who haven't heard of John, he is a human rights activist who used to work for the Clinton administration and now works with the Enough Project, speaking out against the genocide in Darfur. He has spent an extensive amount of time in Africa, has worked with celebrities including Don Cheadle and George Clooney, and has basically dedicated his life to bring the people of Africa the peace and happiness they deserve.
 
Since this is Renee's blog, and she is an author, I will tie books into this post by recommending that you purchase (or at least read) John's book, co-written with Don Cheadle, entitled Not on Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond. It is very powerfully written, and contains a lot of John and Don's personal experiences. After reading it, I promise that you will be moved to action.
 
At the Northwestern event, I had the honor of speaking to John with a small group of students prior to his speech, and ask him questions about his experiences. While I was at first a little intimidated by this opportunity, John is such a genuine and down-to-earth guy, and he immediately put everyone at ease. He would talk about his life with such a passion for his work, but he also cracked jokes and was able to put a smile on our faces.
 
Speaking with John taught me a lot about how to be a more effective activist and inspired me even more than before to make a difference in the world. John is really a rolemodel for the kind of life that I think we all want to live, a life that can impact many people in a very positive way.
 
So, if I have inspired you to do something to make the world a better place, here are some ideas that I encourage you to take part in:
 
Learn about what is happening in Darfur, so you can better understand what it is you are fighting for.
Sign the petition to all prospective 2008 presidential candidates, asking them to do their part in helping to stop the genocide.

Call your senator and ask him/her to support the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act.

Join an organization dedicated to ending genocide in Darfur. I recommend Ask the Candidates , Save Darfur, and if you are a student, see if there is a STAND chapter at your school.

Divest your money from companies that are economically supporting the genocide in Darfur.

Attend an event, like the Dream for Darfur torch relays that are happening all across the country.

Above all, never forget that you can definitely make a difference - and embrace every opportunity you have to help make somebody else's life better, whether it's in your community or the world.

Thank you to Renee, for this opportunity! I am honored to be a guest blogger.

Amber

 
 

Hello out there--this is going to be short and sweet because I'm running around like a crazy woman trying to pack up for the Midwest Literary Festival.  It's quite an impressive line up of authors, including Sean Chercover, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Martin Cruz Smith, Gina Frangello, Karen Abbott, Megan McCafferty, Chef Rocco and those girls who wrote The Nanny Diaries and on and on the list goes.

But really the one person I'm most excited about is Jackie Mason! He'll be there promoting his new book, Schmucks! Schmucks! How can you not love that!!  I realize I'm dating myself here, but I remember seeing Jackie Mason at the Fountainebleau  in Miami Beach when I was about twelve. And yeah, you may question what a twelve year old was doing at the Fountainebleau listening to Jackie Mason but ah, if you've read Every Crooked Pot, then it'll all make sense! 

 Okay friends, I'm off to finish packing. I'm sure I'll have tales from the book festival to share when I return so check back soon!

Just wanted to let you know that Ally Carter's new novel
Cross my Heart and Hope to Spy is in bookstores now!
Run, don't walk! 

I'm off to the GLBA trade show this weekend and when I get back, I have to make way for Pig Pen. Pig Pen is a dear friend who takes sloppiness to whole new level.  Really, with Pig Pen, it's an art form. I'm still recovering from her last visit and have since made all necessary home repairs to the damage that was done during her stay.

I've decided that on this visit, I will be prepared for Pig Pen's arrival.  That means I will remove all glass shelving in my bathroom, which went crashing to the floor during her last stay. I will store all breakables and valuables. I will hide things like my deodorant or else she'll use it (and sorry Pig Pen, but I don't share roll-ons!) I will cancel my cleaning guy (yes, I have a cleaning guy--Mark--and he's fabulous) while she's here because he'll never find the floor!

Now I'm not a complete neat freak but anyone who's been in my place knows it only looks like this when Pig Pen's in town:

And that doesn't begin to capture it.  Since Pig Pen is on her way back to Chicago and back to the Shady Rest/ PondaRosen I'm having a thought... Let's have a little contest and see if you can guess Pig Pen's identity.  Here's clue #1... Pig Pen is a New York Times Bestselling Author. 

Whoever guesses Pig Pen's identity will receive some fabulous prize which I've yet to think up, but I will--so no worries.

Check back for more clues and more photos of Pig Pen in action!  Also, check back next week for my interview with author, Judy Larson!