Barbara Fradkin and Mary Jane Maffini will be signing their latest titles, This Thing of Darkness and Law and Disorder, at Prime Crime Books in Ottawa, Saturday, December 19, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Law and Disorder by Mary Jane Maffini has been given the full snazzy book trailer treatment

Savvy holiday shoppers flocked to the Badminton & Racquet Club in Toronto on Saturday, but sports equipment was the last thing on their minds. Mayhem and murder topped the "naughty or nice" lists and no one went away disappointed.

Resplendent in festive greenery, crimson accents and twinkling chandeliers, the third floor library was a perfect setting for the combined launch of Mary Jane Maffini's' exciting new Camilla MacPhee Mystery "Law & Disorder" and Joan Boswell's sinister Hollis Grant Mystery "Cut to the Chase." Guests enjoyed a delightful afternoon of readings, signing and schmoozing - proof positive that crime is alive and well and living in your nearest bookstore.

"Christmas shopping made simple - buy Canadian ... Authors, that is."
by author Lorie Steiner

OTTAWA Tuesday, November 10th 7 – 9 p.m.
Book launch!
Library and Archives Canada - Sunken Lobby
395 Wellington Street, Ottawa

Joan Boswell will be launching her newest Hollis Grant mystery Cut to the Chase and Mary Jane Maffini willl be launching Law & Disorder the latest Camilla MacPhee book. Join us for readings, signings, schmoozing, music and, of course, good things to eat, mainly chocolate. For information call Prime Crime at 613-238-3583. Be there!

OTTAWA November 14th
Capital Crime Writers 20th Anniversary Mystery Writer Event!
Capital Crime Writers, in partnership with the Ottawa Public Library, is hosting a mystery writer and mystery reader event on Saturday, November 14, 2009, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe Street as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations. Mary Jane Maffini be on two panels and around throughout the day. She'll be moderating the panel Would I lie to You? From 10:00 to 10:30 with well known fibbers Brenda Chapman;Vicki Cameron;C.B. (Chris) Forrest and Therese Greenwood.


Mary Jane will also be on the panel You talking about me? The advantages and dangers of modelling characters on yourself, friends and family. Panel runs from 1:15 – 1:45. Implications are endless. The other authors are Therese Greenwood, Alex Brett, Brenda Chapman and R.J. (Robin) Harlick.





Local celebrities will read from works by Ottawa mystery writers, including Rick Mofina,Barbara Fradkin and Mary Jane Maffini. A morning workshop on the process of re-writing will be led by Melanie Fogel while author panels and activities take place in the main auditorium.

Admission is free, and there will be plenty of door prizes as well as free morning coffee and a free lunch for all in attendance. Books will be available for purchase from Prime Crime Books with author signings throughout the day. Space is limited so registration is reccommended by e-mailing secretary@capitalcrimewriters.com

For additional information contact Michael Murphy, Ottawa Public Library, at 613.580.2424, ext. 32115 or michael.murphy@biblioottawalibrary.ca



OTTAWA Thursday, November 19 7 – 9 p.m.
An evening of the mysterious!
Ottawa Public Library, Centennial Branch, 3870 Richmond Road.

Join Mary Jane Maffini and fellow writers Joan Boswell, Barbara Fradkin, R.J. Robin Harlick for an evening of mysterious conversation about our hot off the presses books. That will be Law & Disorder in my case. Books will be for sale by Prime Crime Mystery bookstore. Aside from that, this is a free event!


TORONTO Dec 5th 1 – 3 pm Double book launch! Just in time for Christmas, Mary Jane Maffini and Joan Boswell will have a Toronto launch for Joan’s new Hollis Grant book, Cut to the Chase, and Maffini's latest, Law & Disorder, at the Toronto Badminton and Racquet Club, 25 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto. Book readings, refreshments and books for sale and signing. Don’t miss out! Email Mary Jane Maffini

R.J. Harlick, author of the Meg Harris mystery series
Just released! ARCTIC BLUE DEATH
www.rjharlick.ca
"...one of the best new voices in the mystery business" Ottawa Citizen

Quebec and Maritime Book Tour

This coming Sunday, Oct. 25, R.J. Harlick and Vicki Delany will be starting out on their 10 day Quebec and Maritime tour. They have an exciting mix of events planned, from library readings, University panels to book store signings. If you live near by they would love to see you.

Quebec events

Montreal
Sun. Oct. 25, 12:00 pm to 2:00 – Chapters, Pointe-Claire - signing
Knowlton
Sun. Oct. 25, 7:00 pm to 9:00 – Brome Lake Bookstore - talk and signing
Lennoxville
Mon. Oct. 26, 1:00 pm – Champlain College – interview by Jim Napier
Mon. Oct. 26 - 2:30 pm - Bishop's University Bookstore - signing
Mon. Oct. 26, 7:00 pm – Champlain College - workshop

New Brunswick events

Fredericton
Wed. Oct. 28,12:00 pm to 4:00 – Fredericton Chapters – signin
Wed. Oct. 28, 7:00 pm to 9:00 - Westminister Books – talk and signing
Thurs. Oct. 29, 12:00 pm to 1:00 – Fredericton Public Library, main branch – talk
Moncton
Thurs. Oct. 29, 7:00 pm to 9:00 – Dieppe Chapters – book signing
Saint John
Tues. Nov. 3, 12:00pm – 1:30 – Saint John Public Library, West Branch – talk and signing

Nova Scotia events

Halifax
Fri. Oct. 30, 7:00 pm to 9:00 – Mount St. Vincent University – panel discussion and signing
Sat. Oct. 31, 12:00 pm to 2:00 – Bayers Lake Chapters – signing
Sat. Oct. 31, 3:00 pm to 5:00 – Coles, Halifax S.C. – signing
Sun. Nov. 1, 12:00 pm to 2:00 – Mic Mac Chapters – signing
Sun. Nov. 1, 3:00 pm to 5:00 – Indigospirit, Sunnyside Mall - signing

Four RVC authors are attending the world wide mystery conference called Bouchercon, where they sat on a panel which discussed the distinctive Canadian voice in mysteries. They also supplied some Canadian snacks like nanaimo bars, Cape Breton pork pies, arctic berry tea, and chocolate loonies and tooneis. Bouchercon took place in Indianapolis, Indiana this year.

In this photo are RVC authors Vicki Delany, Barbara Fradkin, R. J. Harlick, and Mary Jane Maffini.

Be very afraid: Mary Jane Maffini, Vicki Delany, Barbara Fradkin, R.J. Harlick, and Anthony Bidulka will put a new cultural slant to our country, in the panel O Canada: Crime North of the Border on Thursday, October 15, 4:30 - 5:25 pm at Bouchercon 2009 (The world mystery convention) in Indianapolis. Check http://www.bouchercon2009.com/ for registration information. The authors' books will be available for sale in the Dealers' Room. Signings will follow!


During The Heart of Niagara Reading Series, Mary Jane Maffini will be reading from Death Loves a Messy Desk (Berkley Prime Crime), The Dead Don't Get Out Much and Too Hot to Handle (both RendezVous Crime) at Wednesday, October 21 at 2 pm at Pelham Public Library, 43 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill. 905-892-6443. Tickets: $7.00 The event will be followed by sale of books and signing, schmoozing too.



Mary Jane will read again at October 21, 7:00 pm, this time as part of Public Library Week, at Fort Erie Public Library, Centennial Branch, 136 Gilmore Road, Fort Erie ON 905-871-2546 Tickets are $2.00. Death Loves a Messy Desk (Berkley Prime Crime), The Dead Don't Get Out Much and Too Hot to Handle (both RendezVous Crime) and other titles will be available for sale and signing.



Mary Jane Maffini, Barbara Fradkin, John Moss and Giles Blunt will be reading and entertaining as part of the second annual "Writers Reading" event sponsored by the Westport Arts Council. The event is slotted for Sunday October 25th in at the Westport United Church at the corner of Spring and Church Streets in Westport, Ontario.
From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $20.00 and information from Stillwater Books and Treasures, 17 Church St., Westport, Ontario 613 273-2727. You are promised refreshments and books for sale and signing.

September 11th, Ottawa mystery authors, Brenda Chapman and C.B. Forrest drove to the Lighthouse Bookstore in Shawville, Quebec to read from their latest books. After eating a fine meal in the restaurant attached to the bookshop, Brenda and C.B. read passages from Trail of Secrets and The Weight of Stones. They received a warm welcome and afterwards enjoyed talking with all who came out for the evening.

Brenda Chapman, author of The Trail of Secrets, is out and about!

On Saturday, September 19th, Brenda Chapman will be joining Vicki Cameron
and Violette Malan to sell books at the Lindhurst Turkey Fair
between nine a.m. and three p.m. For more details, see www.turkeyfair.ca.

On Saturday, October 24, from 12:00-1:30 p.m., Brenda Chapman and C.B.
Forrest, the author of The Weight of Stones, a mystery from RendezVous Crime, will be signing their books at Shirley Leishman bookstore, Westgate Mall, Ottawa.

C. B. Forrest reads & signs in Shawville

C. B. Forrest will be reading and signing from his novel, The Weight of Stones, on
Friday, September 11, 7 pm, at the Lighthouse Bookstore, 349 Main Street, Shawville.

Mary Jane Maffini hosts a crime night at the Peterborough library

Join Mary Jane Maffini for an evening of mystery readings and book signings, as she talks about her life of crime and takes readers behind the scenes of her three cozy mystery series. She'll read brief selections from Lament for a Lounge Lizard: A Fiona Silk Mystery (RendezVous Press); Death Loves a Messy Desk: A Charlotte Adams Mystery (Berkley Prime Crime); and The Dead Don't Get Out Much: A Camilla MacPhee Mystery (RendezVous Press).

Thursday, September 24, 7:30 pm, Peterborough Public Library Auditorium, 345 Aylmer Street N., Peterborough.

Vicki Delany, the author of Gold Digger, and Chris Forrest, the author of The Weight of Stones, recently shared the spotlight at an evening event at Toronto's only mystery and crime bookstore, that wonderful Sleuth of Baker Street.

Interviews by three RendezVous Crime authors, R.J. Harlick, Barbara Fradkin and Mary Jane Maffini, have been featured on Janet Randolf's popular Mystery Readers blog. They are part of a series of interviews conducted by American mystery author David Cole on Cool Canadian Crime. Please click on the author to see the interview - R.J. Harlick, Barbara Fradkin, Mary Jane Maffini.

Over the weekend (July 17-19) Rendez-Vous Crime authors Mary Jane Maffini and Mel Bradshaw were featured at the Books by the Bay festival in Callander-North Bay, Ontario. Intermittent rain forced the relocation of events that were to have taken place on the shores of Lake Nipissing. Spirits were not dampened, however. Local artists used coloured sails and balloons to create a beach atmosphere in the Callander Community Centre, where Mary Jane and Mel read and talked to an appreciative audience Saturday afternoon. Gulliver's Quality Books & Toys ensured there were enough books for the crime writers to sign, and more than forty volunteers made the event run smoothly.

Vicki Delany will be guest blogging all week at On Wings of Murder, talking about the life of a mystery writer.

You can check out the blog HERE.

Bloody Words 2009 was held in Ottawa this year for the second time in its history. This national/international fan and author conference had about 250 registered and many more stopped by for free author readings. Brenda Chapman was in charge of publicity and got great coverage from local media. She is pictured on a panel discussing favourite sleuths, with moderator Sue Pike and from left to right, C.B. Forrest, Brenda, J.D. Carpenter and Barbara Fradkin.

Last Friday evening (June 12), patrons of Books & Company in Picton, Ontario turned out to hear and meet two RendezVous Crime authors in that bookstore's upper-level events room. Following a gracious introduction by proprietor David Sweet, Mel Bradshaw read from Victim Impact and Vicki Delany from Gold Digger. Among the topics covered in the lively Q & A was the difference between mystery and thriller.

On Wed, June 17, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Library and Archives Canada, in the Sunken Lobby, 395 Wellington St. Ottawa, ON ...

Two deadly dames, one messy desk, and a few dance-hall girls – all just par for the course at a double book launch featuring MARY JANE MAFFINI’s Death Loves a Messy Desk: A Charlotte Adams Mystery (Berkley Prime Crime) and VICKI DELANY’s Gold Digger: A Klondike Mystery (RENDEZVOUS CRIME).

Vicki Delany will be at Indigo Spirit, First Canadian Place, May 21, at noon, signing her newest novel, Gold Digger: A Klondike Mystery.

Vicki Delany will be at Indigo, Kingston, May 29th at 7:00 PM

Vicki Delany will be The Moonshine Cafe in Oakville, Ontario as part of the Afternoon of Mystery reading programme. The program begins at 2:00 PM, and features six prominent mystery authors reading and discussing writing mysteries. Entertainment will be provided and light meals are available. The venue has a liquor license. For reservations contact the Moonshine Cafe at www.themoonshinecafe.com

Vicki Delany will be reading from Gold Digger: A Klondike Mystery at McNally Robinson, Don Mills, Monday June 1st at 7:00 PM

Vicki Delany will be appearing at the Toronto Reference Library on Tuesday June 2nd at 7:00 PM as part of the 4th annual Look Who's Reading Canadian Mysteries event.

Vicki Delany and Mel Bradshaw will be at Books and Company, Picton, on Friday June 12th at 7:00 PM

Vicki Delany will be launching her new book, Gold Digger, A Klondike Mystery, on Wednesday June 17th at a wine and cheese event at the Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa.


Vicki Delany
author of GOLD DIGGER: A Klondike Mystery. "A lot of fun, a terrific heroine and a great setting." Globe and Mail
VALLEY OF THE LOST and other novels from Poisoned Pen Press
www.vickidelany.com
typem4murder.blogspot.com.

The Weight of Stones by C.B. Forrest

May 13

C.B. Forrest will launch his first RendezVous Crime novel, The Weight of Stones, May 13 at 7 pm at Leishman Books in Ottawa (1309 Carling Ave. / Westgate Mall). The evening will feature a reading, book signing and ... what would a book launch be without wine & cheese. www.cbforrest.com


May 23

C.B. Forrest will sign his new novel, The Weight of Stones, from 2 – 4 pm at the Chapters Kanata (400 Earl Grey Drive). www.cbforrest.com

May 27

First-time RendezVous Crime novelist C.B. Forrest will join mystery maven Vicky Delaney to launch their respective books – The Weight of Stones and Gold Digger – May 27 at 6 pm at Sleuth of Baker Street (1600 Bayview Ave.). A must-attend evening for fans of mystery and crime fiction!

June 11

C.B. Forrest will read from and sign his novel, The Weight of Stones, at 7 pm at Collected Works Bookstore in the beautiful Westboro neighbourhood of Ottawa. Good coffee, good books, good times. www.collectedworks.com/pages/events.htm


August 5

C.B. Forrest will introduce the Maritimes to his new crime novel, The Weight of Stones, with a book launch and reading in the capital of New Brunswick. Westminster Books will host the author August 5 at 7 pm at its charming bookstore at 445 King St. For more information: www.westminsterbooks.com

This evening (April 26), McNally Robinson threw a party to launch its newest bookstore in Don Mills. Parents Holly and Paul McNally as well as their two daughters were on hand to welcome publishers, authors, and even local bookselling rivals. Guests were treated to champagne and hors d'oeuvres from the adjoining Prairie Ink Restaurant. Her voice breaking with pride in the handsome new two-storey emporium, Director of Operations Tori McNally said, "We'd like to be a neighbourhood bookstore for the whole of Toronto." Among the representatives of RendezVous Crime, were--right--Morley Torgov (Murder in A-major) and--left--Mel Bradshaw (Victim Impact).

Vicki Delany will be one of the guest authors at this year's annual
GenreCon conference at the Sarnia Public Library, Saturday APril 25th.
Providing fans and local authors with the opportunity to talk with other
genre fans and authors, GenreCon presents a wide range of panels on
writing, reading and publishing genre fiction, including mystery, horror,
fantasy and science fiction. There will also be book signings and sales.

“GenreCon provides a unique opportunity to talk with and learn from
experienced authors and other fans of genre fiction,” said Jeffrey Beeler,
Reference Librarian. “Our past participants speak highly of their
experiences.”
Vicki will be discussing, and signing, her newest book, Gold Digger: A
Klondike Mystery.

------------

On Tuesday April 28, at 7:00 PM, Vicki Delany will be appearing at the
Picton Public Library, Picton, Ontario, as part of the library's author
series. Vicki will be discussing writing mysteries and signing her newest
book, Gold Digger: A Klondike Mystery

-------------

On Wedensday April 29, at 7:00 PM, Vicki Delany will be appearing at the
Belleville Public Library, Belleveill, Ontario, as part of the library's
author series. Vicki will be discussing writing mysteries and signing
her newest book, Gold Digger: A Klondike Mystery

--------

Vicki Delany will be signing her newest book, Gold Digger: A Klondike
Mystery, at the Festival of Mystery, Oakmont, Pennsylvania. Monday May
4th, 4:00 PM. Tickets to the festival are $7.00. For further
information:
http://www.mysterylovers.com/books/events/20090504festival.php

--------

Vicki Delany will be at Indigo Spirit, First Canadian Place, Toronto,
Thurdsay May 7th at Noon.

-----

Vicki Delany will be at Chapters, Belleville, Ontario, Sunday May 17th at
Noon.

-----------------------

Vicki Delany and Barbara Fradkin will be at Chapters, Kingston, Ontario,
Saturday May 24th at Noon.

Mel Bradshaw will be signing his new crime novel, Victim Impact, at Indigo Richmond Hill, 8705 Yonge St. (north of Hwy. 7) on Saturday, April 4 from noon to two p.m. His previous novels, Death in the Age of Steam and Quarrel with the Foe will also be available for signing.

More photos from the Hawaiian odyssey ...

1. R.J. deep inside the Thurston Lava Tube in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
2.Vicki next to a giant fiddlehead of the unique Hawaii tree fern
3. Mary Jane on the look-out for hump back whales on a whale watching cruise.

The RVP gang is back from Hawaii and had a wonderful time at Left Coast Crime Conference 2009 at the Waikoloa Marriott on the Big Island of Hawaii. Lou Allin, Vicki Delany, R.J. Harlick and Mary Jane Maffini regaled audiences with their Cool Canadian Crime Characters and Cool Canadian Crime Settings. R.J., Mary Jane and Vicki were also honoured to be invited to discuss their books at a local library, the Thelma Parker Memorial Public Library at Waimea, where they each received a real flower lei. That's the three of them with their lei and their very kind hostess, Roberta.

Yesterday (March 21), Indigo Stoney Creek hosted Mel Bradshaw from noon to 4 p.m. for a signing of his crime novels. Victim Impact, a modern story of law and disorder in the Golden Horseshoe, was the featured work. But Mel’s backlist, including the Ellis nominated historical mystery Death in the Age of Steam, sold just as well. At the end of March break, parents seemed ready for some adult entertainment. The combination of bright sun and cool temperatures made for excellent shopping weather, and as always customers’ questions and stories made time fly for the author. Thanks to manager Sandy Kennedy for facilitating this event.

Barbara Fradkin events:

Here are details of the Spring and Summer events already in the works.

April 2 Read's Bookstore Book Club 7:00 pm

Barbara is delighted to be the invited guest of Read's book club in Carleton Place, and she looks forward to a lively discussion. Book clubs are a wonderful way to connect with fellow book lovers to discuss books and get reactions to one's own book. Besides being supportive, welcoming and enthusiastic, they understand the connection between good books and good food!

May 12 Greenboro Public Library Time TBA

Barbara joins other Ladies Killing Circle members for an evening of readings and discussion about Going Out With a Bang. Free admission. Everyone welcome, and bring a friend! Stay tuned for more details.

May 20 Spencerville Book Club 1:30-3:30 pm

As part of National Crime Writing Fortnight, Barbara is the guest of the Spencerville Book Club, which meets in the Spencerville Library for an afternoon of refreshments and book talk about Inspector Green and Canadian mysteries in general. Books will be for sale. Guests welcome!

May 23 Kingston Chapters, Princess St. Store, Time TBA

Continuing the celebration of National Crime Writing Fortnight, Barbara joins other area crime writers for an author event and book signing at the Chapters in Belleville. Stay tuned for more details!

June 5 - 7 Bloody Words Mystery Conference All weekend Barbara joins fellow authors Louise Penny and Denise Mina as Guests of Honour at the 2009 Bloody Words, which is Canada's premiere mystery conference held this year in Ottawa at the Marriott Hotel. Check out the website for details on all the exciting panels, interviews and workshops being offered throughout the weekend.

June 7 Evening with Jewish Authors 7 pm.

The Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation is hosting two evenings with Jewish Authors, and Barbara is honoured to be one of the authors featured at the June 7 event, held in Rm. 156 at the Library and Archives Canada. There will be readings, discussion and a chance to meet the authors during this interesting event. Stay tuned for further details.

Aug. 15 Scene of the Crime 9:00 am. - 7 pm.

Catch the ferry from Kingston to Wolfe Island and enjoy a day in the country with mystery readers and writers, both aspiring and established. Barbara is one of five featured authors who will be doing readings and participating in panel discussions. As the highlight, the iconic author Peter Robinson will receive the Grant Allen Award for his outstanding contribution to Canadian crime writing. Check out the website for more details.

A bevy of RVP authors are getting a chance to escape the snows of winter. Lou Allin, Vicki Delany, R.J. Harlick and Mary Jane Maffini will be heading to Hawaii to attend the 2009 Left Coast Crime Conference on the Big Island, where they will be strutting their stuff under the palm trees of the Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort. They might even attempt a hula dance or two. The conference runs from Mar. 7-12 and is packed with a dynamite program of author panels, Talk Story sessions, plays, movie screenings and of course book signings. And when they aren't talking up their books, they might even get a chance to sneak off to the beach or go on one of the many exciting sightseeing excursions.

On Saturday, March 7 at 11:00 am, VIcki Delany, R.J. Harlick and Mary Jane Maffini have been invited to talk about their latest books at the Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library at the 'Meet Some Cool Canadian Crime Writers' event.

They promise to take lots or pictures, which will be posted when they get back to where winter still reigns.

Last June I had the immense thrill of winning the Best Novel award at the Arthur Ellis yearly banquet for my Victorian historical called TRUMPETS SOUND NO MORE. It had received good reviews--particularly one from Joan Barfoot on the webpage for The London Free Press. What a sensation it is to know your efforts have been recognized and that the research you did has impressed a critical reader like Barfoot, a prize-winning novelist in her own right. My research for TRUMPETS led me to England in the fall of 08 where I walked the streets in London, the same ones charted in my book as the locale for my detective's home, on Cursitor Street, and views of the street where the murder took place. An eery feeling grabbed hold of me as I walked with my camera, shooting doors and entrance ways that had figured so strongly in my plot. There is no doubt one can find remnants of the past so readily in London. So please, if you have read or are planning to read TRUMPETS as your next prize- winning detective novel, take a look at the pictures I have posted. One shows me on Cursitor Street standing in front of Detective Owen Endersby's London address. The other are shots taken on Doughty Street where the fictional murder took place and where, as well, there is one of the houses Charles Dickens lived in during the 1840s. The black bust is of the famous writer himself. I am working on a sequel to TRUMPETS and will soon discuss its publication but be alerted, it will be a dark story of workhouses and London's criminal world during the early years of Queen Victoria's reign.....JON REDFERN

Tues, Feb 24, 11:00 a.m.
Sanibel Island Bookshop, 1571 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel Island/Fort Myers, FL

The six dangerous dames of the LADIES’ KILLING CIRCLE – MARY JANE MAFFINI, BARBARA FRADKIN, LINDA WIKEN, JOAN BOSWELL, VICKI CAMERON, and SUE PIKE – have temporarily abandoned the Ottawa deep-freeze in favour of Florida sun and fun. They’ll be signing copies of their newest mystery anthology, Going Out with a Bang (RENDEZVOUS CRIME), which the Ottawa Citizen calls “an explosive mix” and “an anthology packed with lethal goodies.”

The Ontario Library Association Superconference is on at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and yesterday (January 29), the Organization of Book Publishers of Ontario hosted two Napoleon & Co writers at their booth. OBPO administrator Marg Anne Morrison welcomed Mel Bradshaw at 2 p.m. Mel inscribed and gave out copies of his latest mystery Victim Impact (RendezVous Crime ) while supplies lasted, and was succeeded at 3 p.m. by Laurie Channer who did the same for her debut novel Godblog (Darkstar Fiction). Blowing snow didn't keep school and public librarians from turning out in force, and many stopped by for a chat even after the books were gone.

Rick Blechta will be taking part in a series of food, wines and "mystery" cocktails presented by the LCBO.

Date: Tuesday, February 10th
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Location: LCBO Bayview Village, 2901 Bayview Avenue (at Sheppard), North York, ON
Cost: $35
Space is limited, so you must call the store to reserve your space: 416-222-7658.

The "mystery" cocktail will be invented just for the occasion and inspired by Rick's most recent RVC novel, A Case of You. Rick himself will be discussing and reading from the book during the evening. A free copy of the book will be made available for pickup after your registration.

Because of the food and liquor (and the book), there is a $35 charge for the event.

If you haven't read the novel yet, you should because Rick has been asked to talk about "the story behind the story". He will also be reading from "deleted scenes" and discussing why they were deleted and how the story needed to be modified because of this.

These LCBO Literary Evenings are very enjoyable. Be sure to put this on your literary to-do list.