Mano a Mano

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a couple of hours yesterday with Colleen Coble. She and her husband Dave were just finishing up an extended trip where they spent time with family in the Phoenix area, and did some research on Colleen's next book in northern California.

She was in Denver for a writer's conference and asked for someone to pick them up at the airport, take them to their hotel, and have a bite of lunch.

I jumped on that like white on rice, but it didn't dawn on me until later that Colleen could've taken a shuttle like most of the other writers, or a cab, or even a limo. Instead, she sought the opportunity to take the time to share a bit of herself, and fellowship with a fellow writer.

Isn't that cool?

I came away with a couple of insights that I'll share, but one was the idea of always looking to connect. It's not only a very human thing to do, but a very smart marketing move as well.

For some of us, isolation is natural, and maybe even preferred. We write in isolation. But it isn't how we should live our lives when we aren't writing.

When I'm a multi-published and multi-award winning author, I might pass on a limo to spend some time with someone who really, really, really wants to be in my light. (Unless of course, the limo driver also happens to be an aspiring author, and then everything's good.)

It's all better with friends.

Book Review: ABOMINATION by Colleen Coble

A blonde woman is found on the side of the road. She's bleeding, bewildered, and holding a small child--a child she doesn't know.

A man, believing he is righteous in his quest, is killing women who share physical characteristics. Characteristics that are strikingly similar to the woman on the side of the road.

Michigan State Police Captain Nikos "Nick" Andreakos works violent crimes. It's his passion. But one afternoon, when he arrives to pick up his daughter from his estranged wife for a visit, he finds blood instead.

Passion becomes personal.

Coble explodes and extends her craft in this new stand-alone, providing us with a sideline education into geocaching, swans, twisted minds, and Greek and Scandinavian cuisine. Her research into these areas as well as various theological viewpoints create pinpoint detail that rivet.

And to my delight, Abomination brings back characters from Coble's Rock Harbor series I love.

Highly recommended.

It's all better with friends.