Mom's side: Turned out of the Highlands after the failed 1714 counter coup, fled to Ulster, got a land grant in the Adirondacks a/k/a the bleeding edge of the frontier. Dad's side: Northern English (Lancashire?,) moved steadily westward into the deep South in the 19th century

Tell me your pet's name with a GIF (The cat was actually named after the Texas ranger, but this version feels a little bit more on point.)

Tell me your pet's name in a GIF

We kicked a tyrant out once; I don't see why we can't do it again

The problem is, ice thinks every immigrant is a criminal.

Among the most interesting recent crime and thriller releases are works by Gilly Macmillan, Maxim Jakubowski, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Phillip Margolin, Christina Koning, and Thomas Dann. therapsheet.blogspot.com/2025/11/revu...

That time in 2014 when Jeff Cohen paid us a visit - accompanied by the elusive E.J. Copperman....very fun event! The book he is holding up is an all time fave of mine.

Show me how your 2025 went

I got visited by three ghosts last night, who were all experts in English grammar.

auntagathas.com/aa/best-of-2... Our reviewers - Margaret Agnew, Cathy Akers-Jordan, Vicki Kondelik and Carla Schantz have spoken! Here are their picks for favorite reads of 2025.

Do you remember when people could be refused health insurance because they had cancer as children? Pepperidge Farm remembers

When the worst person you know...

We had a festive group of readers at the Book House at Stuyvesant Plaza last night. I know what it takes to get ME out of the house when it's cold and dark, so I'm grateful folks are showing up for my tour dates!

Looks like my book tour travel luck has run out at O'Hare - one hour or more taxi time and I didn't grab myself a desperately-needed cup of tea in my rush to make my connection😭

The book tour for AT MIDNIGHT COMES THE CRY! Not coming to your town? You can order signed books from any of these bookstores. Remember, books make great 🎄🕎🎂gifts...

Do you think it's OTT if I get a tattoo of the glowing NYTimes review of my upcoming book? I'm thinking maybe a sleeve.

This is definitely the first time "update will" is on my to-do list before heading out on book tour.

Critic and book blogger Dru Ann Love reviews AT MIDNIGHT COMES THE CRY today. Then, on November 20th, she'll be hosting me on Dru's Book Musings with A Day in the Life of the Rev Clare Fergusson. drusbookmusing.com/my-musing-at...

It's What We're Writing Week at Jungle Red Writers and I'm busy with emails, schedules and to-do lists, getting ready for my book launch on November 18th! www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/11/what...

Feeling a little better about my chances of surviving the robot apocalypse

Jenn McKinlay's WITCHES OF DUBIOUS ORIGIN! "[This] magically delicious contemporary cozy fantasy will appeal to fans of The Librarians, as well as anyone who loves witchcraft, mystery, romance, compelling quests and fascinating adventures.” Library Journal ⭐ www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/10/witc...

I love this series!

I have Marketplace on the radio and as soon as they started with the "da-dong" theme music all four dogs went absolutely crazy. Guess they're alarmed about the economy.

Closing out my week at Jungle Red Writers as usual with a wonderful post by our own Celia Wakefield. She's reminiscing and recommending cookbooks, books about cooks, and shares the BEST tomato soup recipe ever. www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/10/cook...

Sonny boy, I, a cool Trek girl, belonged to my high school "Starship" and was writing fanfic when you were in diapers. Women aren't avoiding Star Trek fandom, they're avoiding YOU.

It's easier than ever to be a no-show, thanks to vague invites, last minute texting, and the general cultural sense that we all, like Greta Garbo, "vant to be lefft alone!" On Jungle Red Writers we talk about whether we're go-ers or ghosters. How about you? www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/10/to-g...

Today at Jungle Red Writers: I get to ask about every rando thing that crosses my mind. For instance: where do folks store those giant skeletons? Why don't we get free glasses at gas stations any more? And who else is sick of hearing about AI? www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/10/eigh...

Paging Oliver Cromwell. Colonel Cromwell, white courtesy phone.

Today at Jungle Red Writers, my adventures in switching my winter clothing in and my summer wardrobe out. FEATURING! The shaky ladder up to the scary attic! www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/10/the-...

Not gonna lie, this week on Jungle Red Writers is a combination of Dear Diary and my press releases. Today: take a look at my brand new, fully functional website!! www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/10/webm...

One daughter moved into a pet-free apartment, and the other just had a baby, which is why I'm (temporarily) living with four dogs, two cats, and one headache. Join me at Jungle Red Writers for the whole animal-themed disaster movie... www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/10/the-...

It's my week at Jungle Red Writers , and we're talking about our grandmothers. Why? Because I've just become one myself! (Thanks for making it happen, @mainemillennial.bsky.social!) www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/10/its-...

We're setting the planet on fire to reinvent 1-900 numbers

lol they're doing the thing again

I started my 20 page paper on Puritans and Mosaic Law at midnight and walked it across campus at 5am to drop in the professor's mail slot. And LATER I cannibalized it for my law school thesis! No AI needed, just family-sized M&Ms and a six pack of cane sugar Coca Cola.

I'm delighted to be a guest at Writers Who Kill today, talking about my weird authorial superpower: manifesting my plots in the real world... writerswhokill.blogspot.com/2025/10/juli...

Exciting news for everyone who has wondered why they get a Chinese gambling operation when trying to access my web site: I have a new home, thanks to Xuni! Coming soon: www.juliaspencer-fleming.com, with info about signing up for my newsletter, interviews, and upcoming events!

I never want to hear another complaint about how long I take to turn in my novels, @minotaurbooks.bsky.social

All this month! You can download my last Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery for less than a Dunkin Pumpkin Spice* Latte! us.macmillan.com/books/978125... *pumpkin spice not included in ebook

Breaking News: In a surprising turn of events it appears the military has been deployed to Portland, Maine. The White House has released a statement from the President as follows: “What the fuck do you mean there’s two of them? That’s stupid. You’re stupid.”

You haven't preordered your copy of AT MIDNIGHT COMES THE CRY yet? I got you, fam. @barnesandnoble.com has it at 25% off from 9/3 to 9/5 (code PREORDER25.) Yes, the discount is only available to B&N members BUT membership is free and easy! Learn more & sign up here: barnesandnoble.com/membership/

Today on Jungle Red Writers, just in time for your Labor Day dinner/ cook-out/ BBQ, a compilation of British caterer Celia Wakefield's best summer recipes, guaranteed to be easy, elegant and delicious! www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/08/the-...

Today on Jungle Red Writers, we have @maddieday.bsky.social with the WEIRD news story that sparked the 7th Cozy Capers Book Club #mystery, MURDER AT CAPE COSTUMERS, plus an offer to give a copy to three (3!) lucky commentors! #giveaway #book www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/08/how-...

Tim Burchett represents Knoxville

It's What We're Writing Week at Jungle Red Writers and I'm writing To-Do lists, trying to get a handle on all the NON-writing professional work I need to get done before the next book comes out. Spoiler alert: STILL trying to come up with my brand... www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/07/what...

As usual on the last day of my week at Jungle Red Writers, I'm handing the reins over to Celia Wakefield, who shares some delightful stories from her catering days and an amazing gluten-free bread recipe from her friend/catering partner, Charlotte Whatley. www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/07/glut...

Today, we're talking author brands on Jungle Red Writers. For readers, does branding make it easier for you to find new writers to enjoy? For writers, how do you create a brand in today's image-heavy social media environment? www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/07/what...

On this Fourth of July, wouldn't you like to escape into a movie? On Jungle Red Writers, I've got your watch list, including INDEPENDENCE DAY, A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AMERICA, MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON and, of course, the holiday weekend at Amity, NY... www.jungleredwriters.com/2025/07/inde...