Yes, it has been awhile.  I could say that all the goings on here at Monster Mansion and the daily travails of the real world have made it difficult for me to organize my thoughts, much less type them into a blog, but that would be an excuse.  I promise to do better.

We have a review of Steve Martini’s upcoming novel Shadow Of Power on the main site.  In addition, Mr. Martini was kind enough to grant us an interview, which we have also posted.  I loved the book and it once again proves in my mind that Steve is the current master of courtroom drama and intrigue.

The Rug Rat has written first book.  And although it’s in crayon and pretty much relies on pictures of 3 legged cows, purple suns, and flying pigs to tell the story, it’s a sure best seller in our family.

Today is the official release of Michael Gruber’s The Forgery of Venus. As I’ve noted in previous posts, I’m a real fan of Gruber’s intelligent thrillers and Forgery is no exception.

Lots of going-ons here at the Monster Mansion. Mom took the Rug Rat back east for a week to visit family in Atlanta, so I’m baching it here with the Drama Queen. Nothing like listening to the trials and tribulations of fourteen year old girls and their friends. Heard DQ talking about a slumber party this weekend. We have a home theater, so the kids love to gather here for movie marathons. Not sure I want to take that on without Mom being around, so we’ll see.

I’m working on editing the book. Have had some very favorable preliminary feedback from some individuals in the industry, so I’m really pushing to get the edits done so I can start exploring the exciting world of manuscript submission. Going to try and identify some agents that focus on the thriller/suspense genres. Web site suggestions for this type of research are much appreciated.

Holding off on any fiction reading while I’m working on the book.  I find it tends to make me second guess my own writing when I’m engrossed in someone else’s.

You can find it posted here.

Again, thanks to Michael for taking the time to answer a few questions. I especially enjoyed his advice for aspiring authors.

Nothing new around the Monster Mansion. The Rug Rat is growing up so quickly that he now can not only mark the walls with his crayons, he can also tell you what color he’s used to for each scribble. There’s progress in there somewhere. At least that’s what I keep telling my wife.

Recently picked up and blew through A Simple Plan by Scott Smith. It’s amazing to me that I haven’t read this classic 1993 thriller before now. I think it’s because I saw the Bill Paxton/Billy Bob Thorton movie version first. Strange, but if I read a good book, I can’t wait to see the movie (though I’m usually disappointed), but if I see a good movie, I never seem to follow through and read the book it’s based on.

Recently finished Gruber’s new book The Forgery of Venus.  A full review appears on the main site, but I want to mention it here as well because the book is a really well done literary thriller.  If you liked his previous novel The Book of Air and Shadows or are a fan of the juggernaut that is The DaVinci Code, you’ll really enjoy the “whendunnit” The Forgery of Venus.

Feels like Spring is in the air here in the brown town of Dallas.  Looking forward to enjoying the 30 days of green before the sweltering heat kicks in and turns our lawn into a pale patch of straw.

Went hunting around a used bookstore the other day and picked up a stack of titles.  I’ve never read any of the Sara Paretsky V.I. Warshawski books, so I grabbed a few to get a taste of the series.  Also picked up John Connolly’s The Black Angel which I have already torn through.  Talk about a bizarre but captivating thriller.

Been awhile - sorry - busy with goings ons here at Monster Mansion.

Rugrat is in the terrible twos and enjoying every minute of it.  And he’s well on his way to a career in food sciences as he has figured out how to cram every food group on his plate into one big colorful ball of edible(?) fun.

Received an email from a publicist for NYT best selling author Michael Gruber (one of my personal favorites - check out Tropic Of Night).  I’ve been offered an advance copy of his April release The Forgery Of Venus for review and an opportunity to interview the author.  I look forward to both.

Maybe I’ll ask about the chance for a Jimmy Paz - Butch Karp team-up….