It's southern California. November. Therefore, it's 90 degrees and we're surrounded by brushfires. Maybe the first was started by accident. Or more likely, a clueless driver flicked a glowing butt from his car into the hot Santa Ana currents. Once more a freeway hillside starts to smolder, some sick SOB gets the idea to make his own headlines, and before you know it, pillars of smoke ca be seen in all directions of the compass.
On such a day, I travel over 100 miles to Thousand Oaks to continue by book tour. The northern San Fernando Valley has evacuated over 10,000 people (I try hard to avoid them on my drive home). There's a fire in Corona in the Inland Empire and OC isn't doing so well either. But no matter. I'm on the road and smoke blankets the 101 as I join the parade of slow-moving cars through the southern part of the valley.
I am heading toward Mysteries to Die For, another mystery indie bookshop. Only the night before I was at my local Barnes & Noble in Temecula. A lot of folks I knew 
came by to get books and I even hand sold a few by standing in front of my table and handing out bookmarks with a, "Do you like mysteries?" (Hurry, hurry! Step right up and visit the amazing bald-faced author!) Hey. Somebody's gotta do it. They were very gracious at BN and even asked me back in February which I was glad to accept.
They were also very gracious at Mysteries to Die For, where I gave a presentation and read a bit from the book. We sold a few and had a good time, as usual. Everybody loves my props!
Tomorrow I will be at the Orange County Sisters in Crime---barring any fires that might block me!
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