This is Vicki Allgaier and me at This is the Place Books in DC on 11/19/2011. Vicki and her husband, Dr. Wayne, (the photographer) have been advisors/beta-readers/cheerleaders on my last four books. Wayne is my medical advisor, and Vicki provides great editing advice, cozy hugs, and rah-rahs as needed. Authors need a lot of those from time to time. Great couple!

I recently welcomed grandchild number six, Desmond Maxwell Lewis, in October, just in time to have his name included in the dedication for "In God Is Our Trust."

Award-winning author and pal, Liz Adair, (Counting the Cost, Cold River) and I were signing books at the 2010 LDStorymakers' Writers' Conference.

This awkward little girl was writing episodes to her favorite TV shows around this period, dreaming of being a big star opposite the likes of Donny Osmond, Davy Jones, and Bobby Sherman. (Do any of you even remember Bobby Sherman?)

My first copy of Dawn's Early Light!

What a feeling!

now get back to work...

A glimpse of Fort McHenry and the scene of the battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the poem that became "The Star Spangled Banner"

Jutting into the Patapsco River, Fort McHenry commanded the entrance to Baltimore. At the eleven o'clock position sits the ravelin, protecting the sally port or fort entrance. Clockwise around the interior are the two enlisted men's barracks, the junior officers' barracks, the powder magazine and the Commanding officer's quarters.

Oh Say Can You See? Book Launch Event - November 6th, 2010

I love this quote by Braden Bell. 'Hope' is the key in this novel.

"We took this photo for Vicki Allgaier whose husband, Wayne, was the medical advisor on this volume. Vicki and Wayne are serving missions in Finland."

This sweet lady was looking at my books on a shelf when I went up to her and said, 'I wrote that book.' I really startled her, but we laughed and talked and she ended up buying every volume! Behind her was another sweet lady who, as it turned out, is the sister of a friend. She introduced her extended family to Free Men and Dreamers long before I met her sister. Great small world story!

My two sleepy, but faithful, grandchildren visit Grandma at the Redwood Avenue store signing.