Monday, March 5, 2018



                       Granite Noir Crime Writing Festival
                                       Aberdeen Scotland



I had an amazing time in Aberdeen at the Second Annual Crime Writing Festival. As one of the few Americans in attendance, I had the opportunity to gain perspective on writing from authors and mystery fans from "across the pond."

Among the highlights were interviews with one of the UK's most popular actor/authors, Hugh Fraser. If you are a fan of PBS's Mystery series, you will undoubtedly recognize Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings, Hercule Poirot's straight laced sidekick. Image result for "Harm" by Hugh Fraser
In his first novel, Harm, Fraser's protagonist, lesbian contract killer Rina Walker, is about as far from Captain Hasting as one could imagine. He told an amusing story...

Fraser was at a book fair mingling with fans when he was approached by an elderly lady who was quite thrilled by her opportunity to meet the charming and reserved Captain Hastings.


                                                                  Image result for "Harm" by Hugh Fraser
She purchased copy of Harm, and began reading it as she waited at the bus stop. Fraser and another lady attending the book fair watched the elderly woman through a window. She got to about page three and promptly threw the book into a nearby trash can. The woman watching with Fraser was astonished! Why would she do that? Fraser surmised that the lady reached page three where he used the "C" word. His companion considered. "Well, in that case can I buy two copies?" 😏 I guess there are those 50 Shade types, and the non-50 Shades types!

Another highlight, for me, was the Poison High Tea held at His Majesty's Theater. Here, Dr. Kathryn Harkup, chemist and author of  A is for Arsenic, treated us to plates of warm scones, pastries and dainty sandwiches. Everything on the menu contained ingredients that could...and did... become lethal in the hands of literary Grand Dame Agatha Christie. Dr. Harkup talked about Christie's favorite poisons, describing how she deployed them, and where she found her inspiration.

                                                             Image result for a is for arsenic
Very helpful to me as I pen my next novel in the Ivy Snow Mystery Series "Peril in Paradise!"



Thursday, November 3, 2016

ArtWalk Book Signing Dovecote Ligonier


Booksigning in Ligonier!

Saturday November 12th

10am.- 4pm

Please join me for a signing of my new Ivy Snow Mystery "Death at Heart's Desire."
Plus...
Hostess, Beth Whitlock, will be showcasing her fabulous Holiday/Early Spring Estate Jewelry Collection.
Artistically intriguing all around! 
Hope to see you there!

Dovecote Ligonier
136 Main St, Ligonier


Monday, July 25, 2016

Girls Night Out!

           Girl's Night Out
    The Fairmont Pittsburgh was the scene where local celebrities gathered to celebrate the distinguished "Best Office Pet" award presented by Pittsburgh Magazine as part of their "Best of the Burg" issue. Graciously accepting the award was Edie of the Fairmont, who serves as a tour guide of the Golden Triangle on behalf of the hotel.
   Mystery author, Janet Winters, was on-hand to congratulate & celebrate Edie's success. "She's the perfect pooch" quipped Winters. "She's an ambassadress with style and grace. I taught her everything she knows." Edie said "Woof."                                        
                                                                       

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Death At Heart's Desire

                          Death At Heart's Desire

                            New Ivy Snow Mystery now available at Amazon.com 



Ivy Snow’s days are numbered. That is if Bart Skeleton has his way. He’s been humiliated and incarcerated thanks to his ex-wife, and now he’s hell bent on revenge.

In Death at Heart’s Desire, former Olympic equestrian and magazine publisher, Ivy Snow, strives to fashion a new life for herself and her teenage twins, while bigamous ex-husband, Skeleton, serves hard time.  Former Olympic equestrian and amateur sleuth, Ivy Snow returns after a triumphant success in the thrilling mystery, Murder at Morgan House.
Her peaceful existence is short lived.
  After a daring prison escape that leaves a river of death in it’s wake, Skeleton hatches a diabolical plan to put Ivy in her rightful place...the graveyard. With the help of her psychic young daughter, Jaycee, and dashing paramour, Detective John Garrett, Ivy tries desperately to untangle Bart’s web of destruction before it’s too late.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Baptism day for my beautiful new grandson, Neil Curtis Winters. It was a wonderful day for my son Brian, his wife Jackie, brothers Max and Nash, and godparents Allison Stouffer and Ben Tosh. Our families joined together to celebrate Neil's debut into the Christian community. I just had to brag....

Monday, January 19, 2015


Events List Navigation

January 2015

Literary Magazine Release Party

January 23 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Latrobe Art Center
Meet Westmoreland County’s newest authors as Write Local celebrates the release of its literary magazine, Voices. Enjoy readings by new authors. Enjoy a panel discussion/Q&A with experienced authors including Dominick Domasky, Janet Winters, Joe Walko, and Amy Yanity. Purchase your copy of Write local’s literary magazine. Collect young authors’ signatures. Browse speakers’ books to purchase. Enjoy food available to purchase. For more information, contact Krista Sarraf, event organizer, at writelocal@gmail.com or 724.691.4864. RSVP is not required but encouraged. This event is free…
Free
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