Meeting authors is always a privilege, but hosting an author like Sparkle Abbey is just plain FUN! Don't miss tomorrow evening's special event featuring a writing team from Des Moines. Come to the
Central Library Tuesday, November 1 at 6:30 for the launch of their first book,
Desperate Housedogs!
Sparkle Abbey is the the psuedonym of two mystery writers (Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter). Mary Lee and Anita both have written for years. They have traveled to various writing conferences together and have attended dozens of book signings and author events. The pen name is a combination of the names of their rescue pets--Sparkle (Mary Lee's cat) and Abbey (Anita's dog).
I first got to know Mary Lee years ago when she was the president of the Iowa Romance Writers Association. She came to all of our AViD author programs, and she worked in the City of Des Moines Action Center! Mary Lee was always really good about suggesting writers and I know that she "talked up" our author series whenever she travelled to writing conventions. When we brought in authors like Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Janet Evanovich, and Diane Mott Davidson, Mary Lee was always in the audience!
And here is where the patience pays off!
Desperate Housedogs is the first in a series of four books that they are calling their Pampered Pets series--fun, cozy mysteries with a pet therapist main character who solves murders. I spent a good part of the weekend fully immersed in the advance copy. If you love animals and are looking for a light-hearted read, plan to stop by the Central Library tomorrow night. Mary Lee and Anita have invited folks from the Animal Rescue League to stop by, just in case you might be in the market for another pet....and rumor has it that there may even be some dog bone cookies and coffee to share, too!
