Weather Events

 

Photo Credit: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/resources/teachable-moment/nasas-eyes-on-extreme-weather/

JENN McKINLAY: When it comes to the weather or weather events, Arizonans are somewhat smug. It gets a little hot here (ha!) and we do have occasional catastrophic wildfires but by and large, we don't have seasons of horror like PA and NY's blizzards or coastal FL's hurricanes, or CA's mudslides, wildfires, or earthquakes. I love you, Cali, but you can be rather dramatic.

But here's the problem with that smugness. What we do have in AZ is the haboob. What's a haboob? So glad you asked. Here's the video from my front yard of last week's drama.

A haboob is essentially a dust storm on steroids and is characterized by a massive, thick wall of dust that forms from the strong winds spreading out from a collapsing thunderstorm. Seriously, when it hits it feels apocalyptic. Mercifully, they don't generally last that long and the rain the follows washes the dirt away. Also, it keeps us Arizonans humble.

Now it's your turn, Reds and Readers, what major weather events happen where you live? Is there any event that you will avoid at all costs? 

For me, it's tornados. No, thank you!

Going Through Something

 JENN McKINLAY: I don't want to say I'm having a full on midlife crisis, but I'm clearly going through something. Potentially, it's an empty nest thing, although the dudes have been out of the house for 3+ years. But I think it's more that after prioritizing the health and well-being of my people for the past twenty-five years, it's my turn. I want to do what I want to do just for me and no one else.

Let's examine. First, I started running 5Ks. Me, the person who only runs if a scary looking clown wielding a knife is chasing them.

 Second, I got a nose stud. Never planned it. Thought they were cool but I could take it or leave it. Next thing I know, I had a big old bloody Mary and I was at the piercing pagoda getting a diamond shot into my nostril.

And, most recently, I got a tattoo. Was it planned? No. Did it hurt? No. Truthfully the nose stud hurt WAY more. Do I regret it? Not a bit. If you read my newsletter, you know the how and why of the tattoo, but I'll share a few fun facts here.

Hub and I arrived at Hotel Kabuki in Japantown, where we were meeting our friends. Our room wasn’t ready so it was a cocktail for me and a mocktail for the Hub at the lobby bar while we waited.

One of the bar’s specialty drinks was a paper crane, which seemed appropriate as the Nihonmachi Street Fair was also happening just outside the hotel. Hub and I wandered around the lobby, getting our bearings when what should we stumble upon but a pop up tattoo event happening by Studio Kazoku. And what did they have on their list of available tattoos? A paper crane. It felt like fate. We decided these would make awesome Mr. and Mrs. tattoos. Why? I don't know. It's not like I was operating with a plan!

Now here’s the back story that you don’t know. WAAAAAAAY back when my first mystery SPRINKLE WITH MURDER was published (2010), I told the Hub that if I ever hit the NYT Bestseller’s list, I’d get a tattoo. It was a joke — I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD HAPPEN!!! —but it did. Needless to say, I stalled as I had no idea what to get. 

Years passed, I hit the NYT’s list thirteen more times and still no ink. But here I was in San Francisco on an awesome vacation with the Hub, who is seriously my best friend, and the paper cranes just felt right. A little research (librarian!) and I discovered that origami cranes (orizuru) hold deep symbolic meaning, especially in relation to marriage. The crane (tsuru) is revered as a mythical creature believed to live for 1,000 years, symbolizing longevity and good fortune. Needless to say, we went for it.

During our tattooing, our friends texted us to ask if we’d arrived in town. I texted back that we were at the hotel, getting tattoos. The three dots wavered for a little bit and then our friend texted back “Like real ones?” LOL! Oh, yes, they’re real.

So, in conclusion, the past year has been interesting. I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do next -- purple hair? Paddle boarding? I'll keep you posted.

So, how about you, Reds and Readers, did you ever find yourself "going through something"? Any tattoos, piercings, hair color, etc. to report? Or is there anything you think you might do when the wild mood strikes? 

The Evolution of a Book Cover

 JENN McKINLAY: I may or may not get into trouble for sharing the evolution of my most recent book cover. Maybe I should ask first but I long ago discovered it's easier to get forgiveness than permission.

So, my upcoming 2026 romcom THE SUMMER SHARE just had its big cover reveal. It came out great I'm thrilled, but how did we get there?

About a year out from publication, my publisher always asks what I want on the cover. Given that this is a story about two people who inherit a cottage in the Outer Banks only to discover when they get there that it's a shared inheritance, I knew right away I wanted a cottage on the cover, a beach, our heroine, our hero, and the heroine's Great Dane named Dude, or "El Duderino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing" -- bonus points if you can name the movie that quote comes from!

Being ever helpful, I sent my publisher a mock up (with notes) of what I thought the cover could look like.

There was some debate about changing the cover from my previous  romcom styles (see my website for examples). It's the old debate about whether or not "cartoon" covers were out of fashion, etc. Given that I write comedy, I feel like a cartoon cover is a good heads up about what you're going to get but what do I know?

A couple of months passed and I received three options for the new cover. Wow!

How great are these? I sent them to everyone I know (the Reds can testify this is true) and asked for help with choosing. I mean, they're all amazing. I felt like I was tasked with the impossible. The colors on book one dazzled, the blue water on book two was so inviting, and the cottage with the couple sitting on the title was ridiculously charming. After several weeks of debate, my editor and I picked our favorite elements from the covers and sent our thoughts back to the art department. And this is what they came back with: Perfection!

PRE ORDER NOW (May 2026)

You can see the final is vastly different than the mock up I sent in and yet it captures the vibe I was hoping for. This is why I'm a writer and not a cover artist. 

So, what do you think, Readers? Did the art department do right by me? There is no wrong answer here as art is purely subjective.

More about the book:

When two misfits discover they’ve inherited the same beach house, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways, in this hilarious and heartfelt rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading.

Free-spirited travel influencer Hannah Spencer has spent five years touring the country in her vintage van. An unexpected inheritance from her Pops brings Hannah to Cape Split, North Carolina, where she learns she’s the new owner of a worse-for-wear seaside beach house. Or, rather, fifty percent of one. Turns out Simon O’Malley inherited the other half from his Gramps.

As Simon and Hannah spend the summer tag-teaming repairs on the crumbling cottage, they discover the house was once home to a timeless love story. Soon, they begin to wonder if the house’s romantic past may be a good omen for their future together. But there’s one problem—Simon is set on selling the property at the end of the summer.

Hannah thought one summer at the Split would be enough, except it isn’t like any place she’s ever been, and Simon isn’t like any man she’s ever known—and she’s thinking about putting down some roots. She just needs Simon to see their budding relationship and this newfound community the same way or their first summer share might also be their last.

National Wildlife Day!!!

JENN McKINLAY: One of the takeaways of my childhood was that my parents were nature lovers. We lived on several acres of land on the Housatonic River in northwestern Connecticut and most of my childhood memories are from time spent outdoors. 

Hiking, boating, fishing, gardening, picnicking, camping--we did all of that and more. I think a deep love of nature is one of the best gifts my parents ever gave me. When I'm outside and I hear the birds singing, smell the scent of the creosote after a rain, or just touch grass (as the kids say), I'm at peace. 

I hope I was successful in passing on my love of the outdoors to my sons. Given that they spend many of their weekends fishing, hiking, running, or rock climbing, I think I did.

So, today, I want to talk about National Wildlife Day. Every year on September 4th, this day invites us to pause and reflect on the incredible diversity of life that shares our planet. From the smallest pollinators to the largest mammals, wildlife plays a vital role in keeping ecosystems balanced and thriving. This day is not only about celebrating the beauty of nature but also about raising awareness of the urgent need to protect it.

Wildlife provides us with so much more than breathtaking scenery, although Mother Nature does a heck of job with that, too. Bees pollinate the crops that feed us, wetlands filter the water we drink, and predators help regulate populations keeping the balance. Yet, despite their importance, many species are at risk due to habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and illegal poaching. According to conservation groups, thousands of species face extinction in the coming decades if stronger protections are not put in place.

National Wildlife Day is a reminder that protecting animals is a task we can all take part in. Simple actions make a difference. Planting native flowers in your yard creates food and shelter for pollinators. Reducing single-use plastics helps keep oceans safe for sea turtles and seabirds. Even small choices, like supporting eco-friendly brands or visiting accredited wildlife sanctuaries, can have a positive impact.

On this National Wildlife Day, let's all take a moment to step outside, listen to the birds, watch the bees at work, or simply breathe in the air that forests provide. Let’s celebrate the wild and commit to protecting it. Because when wildlife thrives, so do we.

As for me, I recycle everything I can, use canvas grocery bags (when I remember to get them out of my car!!!), I try to shop second hand for everything from furniture to clothing so as not to fill up the landfills (plus, thrifting is fun!!!), and I plant lots of pollinator friendly trees. I know there is more to do so -- hit me! What do you do, Reds and Readers, to help the wildlife and save the planet? All suggestions welcome!

City Life

 JENN McKINLAY: I had the luck of traveling to new places this summer. San Francisco and Chicago, to be exact. Now, I'd been to San Francisco before in 2015 to attend the American Library Association's annual conference (as an author not a librarian) and I was lucky enough to have my friend Kate Carlisle with me to show me around. Our days were scheduled around events however so it was more of a do a panel discussion, run outside and catch a cab to go see the Golden Gate Bridge type of trip. 

This time it was just me and Hub, meeting up with some friends to attend the 60th anniversary concert of the Grateful Dead in Golden Gate Park. We left the 110 degrees of Phoenix and thoroughly enjoyed the 60 degree weather of the City by the Bay.

Then, for Hooligan 2's birthday, we went to Chicago to attend UFC 319 at the United Center as the boy is a huge MMA fan. I had never had a chance to see much of Chicago - mostly what I'd seen was from the window of a plane as I landed and took off again during a connection. 

What a fabulous city!!! We loved, loved, loved it. And my people made fun of me because I was completely obsessed with "the bean" aka Cloud Gate. 

Normally, my vacations are spent on the beach either in Puerto Penasco, Mexico or Nova Scotia, Canada or both. So, to attend events in two cities was a real change up for me and I really enjoyed it even though I don't consider myself much of a city person. 

So, now I'm trying to decide what my favorite U.S. city is -- I'm leaving out all of my trips to Europe because then it would just become impossible. 

Boston was my favorite as a teen -- Newbury Street! New York was the top as a college student -- Broadway and Museum Mile! NOLA became my go to when I traveled in my twenties -- Preservation Hall and Cafe Du Monde! (Have fun everyone who is going to Bouchercon, btw!). Then of course, I moved west and discovered San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, and Denver. I've also had amazing trips to Nashville, Savannah, Orlando, and Miami. Shockingly, I have yet to make it to Seattle. So, as I think of all these places and my memories made, I'm trying to pick my favorite and, y'all, I think it might be Chicago. 

I just asked Hub what his favorite city is and he said it's either New York or Los Angeles because he feels like he's in the middle of everything in those two places. Interesting. I felt the same way in Chicago, but I'm not ready to fully commit yet. I still need to see Seattle and I've been very neglectful of the flyover states and need to check out Kansas City, Detroit, Milwaukee, Columbus, Boise, Cleveland, and Indianapolis to name a few. LOL. 

So, how about you, Reds and Readers, what is your favorite city in the United States and why?

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

JENN McKINLAY: Names. They're so interesting, aren't they? Writers spend an awful lot of time thinking about them--character names and setting names. If you write under a pen name, you even get to make up your own name, which brings me to my question for the day. Would I have chosen the name Jennifer if I'd been given a choice? Probably, not (sorry, Mom!). 

Seriously, though the Jennifers owned the 70's and early 80's and you couldn't throw a rock without hitting one of us. There were so many Jennifers in my suburban high school that my squad changed my name to Nnifer just to be sure to get my attention and not that of the twenty-five other Jen, Jenn, Jennie, Jenni, Jenny, Jenifer, and Jennifers who would all answer to any of those variations of our ubiquitous shared monickers.

What would I have chosen? I really don't know. I loved the names Sabrina and Zoanne when I was a kid, which is likely why the heroine in WITCHES OF DUBIOUS ORIGIN is named Zoanne. But now, I'd like something more old fashioned like Eloise or Astrid -- yeah, I don't look like either of those but give me a few years to let the grays come in!

When I worked at the library with a friend named Susie (the Jennies of the 50's), she told me that if she could change her name it would be Tina and she would tattoo it on her chest like one of our younger colleagues had done. She was fascinated by that tattoo. Lots to unbox there, I know, but the point remains that she, too, would have changed her name. 

So, how about you, Reds and Readers? What name would you choose if you could have any name you wanted? And has it changed over the years? 

The Nightstand Phone or Not?

JENN McKINLAY: I was soundly scolded the other evening and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Why was I lectured? I’m so glad you asked.

Hub and I do not keep our cell phones in our bedrooms and we do not have a landline. Subsequently, if someone calls late at night, we have to stumble to the kitchen and check to see who it is and why would they be calling after 9 PM?! Seriously, the audacity! As I was complaining about this to a Hooligan, it suddenly turned into a lecture on how I’m old and should keep my phone nearby. (Picture Jenn glowering here). I was assured that this stance was for safety reasons, but it just felt rude to me. 

So, how about it, Reds? Do you keep your cell phone on your nightstand or do you keep it elsewhere to ensure a good night’s sleep?

HALLIE EPHRON: My kids say the same thing, but I’ve got more than a few years on you, Jenn. So I’m just glad they’re looking out for me.  

No land line here, either, and overnight I keep my cell on my night stand with the sound muted. You can designate “emergency callers” and (I think) if they call the phone’s supposed to ring. Or that’s how I think it works. Have not tested it. Yet. And I think it’s sweet and adorable that your son worries about being able to reach you if he’s worried about what you’ve gotten up to.

HANK PHILLIPI RYAN: Totally keep my phone on the nightstand. Cannot imagine not doing that. 

We still do have a landline, since if you call 911 from a cellphone, it does NOT know where you are, but the landline does. (That’s why dispatchers now say “911–Where’s your emergency” instead of “what’s your emergency.”)

Oh, in every way I think it’s important to have the phone nearby.

LUCY BURDETTE: Yes phone on the nightstand, set up as Hallie described. I use it for my bedtime stories–like THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, or lately, listening to a Jenny Colgan book that I’ve already read. That way I don’t have to pay attention too much or worry about what I’ll miss. 

PS we don’t have a landline either

PPS sometimes I do get in trouble by doomscrolling because it’s so convenient, but I lecture myself sternly about that…

RHYS BOWEN: my phone lies charging beside the bed every night and the first thing I do when I wake in the morning is pick it up! I confess to addiction. We still have a land line that John insists on keeping. And if I forget to take off my Apple Watch before bed it shakes me to remind me to get up and move at 3 am 

Lucy, I also listen to Calm bedtime stories when I can’t sleep. 

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Absolutely plugged in on the nightstand! I have to put ointment in my eyes at night so listen to audiobooks to go to sleep. I do not give in to the temptation to doomscroll. I silence the ringer. We do still have a “landline” number, but it’s actually VOIP (internet phone) so I don’t know if it identifies us to 911. I guess I should ask my techie/ex-dispatcher husband.

And, like Rhys, I confess to checking the phone first thing in the morning instead of doing something positive like meditating. In my defense, I usually check the weather and read the blog!

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I’m midway between the yes phone and no phone positions. I do keep my phone on my nightstand (I don’t listen to anything except ambient noise on my Alexa, but I do like to unwind with a few rounds of Ultimate Jewels.) However, I always turn it off, unless I’ve got reason to think one of my kids might need to get in touch with me - for instance, when Virginia is traveling back and forth from Europe. When it’s on, it’s on Do Not Disturb with the select callers feature; as you might imagine, the select callers are my three children.

I used to have it on more frequently, but to be perfectly blunt, all the older relatives I might need to know about in an emergency have already died! My sister and brother might want to tell me about an issue in their families, but they wouldn’t need me in the middle of the night - and honestly, neither do my adult offspring. And I REALLY value my sleep!

We dropped the landline back in, I don’t know, 2010? Out here in the heavily forested countryside, the phone lines would go out as frequently as the electricity. My cell is more reliable, especially since I have a constantly-charged battery pack.

JENN: Maybe it's because I'm a child of the eighties, where we were punted outside and told not to return until we heard my dad whistle but I frequently leave the house without my phone, too. Shocking, I know!!! I just don't feel like I need to be in touch with everyone all the time. Is it just me?

Your turn, Readers! Cell phone on the nightstand, yeah or nay?