Today is Arbor Day and while I don't often honor it as I should, yesterday an event took place at my home that reminded me of the important role trees play in our lives. As you can see by the photograph, the maple tree in my front yard was cut down. It was around sixty years old and was ailing. For the past ten years freelance tree trimmers rang my doorbell offering to do the job. I kept putting them off as I loved that tree. It provided shade in hot summer months, beautiful orange and yellow leaves in the fall and breathtaking views in the snow.
     Finally, this spring after discovering that the trunk was rotted and hollow inside and that during a windstorm it could fall and either injure a passerby or do serious damage to my house, I made the decision: I had to let go.
During this time of Covid-19 when death seems to be all around us, cutting down a tree seems insignificant. But to me the death of any living thing is no small thing. And this Arbor Day it seems fitting that I pay tribute to the Sugar Maple that stood silently for over half a century giving enjoyment not only to me and previous owners of my house, but to those who happened to pass by admiring its beauty. As I watched it being cut down, it was my fond hope that the tree's wood would find new life as flooring or cabinets in someone's home. If that's the case, then I am comforted in the realization that my tree is being enjoyed by another family. Goodbye Sugar Maple. I miss you.

I'm happy to announce that after over two years of researching, writing, critiques and rewriting, my latest novel, "Reilly's Dilemma," has been released. You can get a little taste by reading the first chapter under the "Novels" tab. To pique your interest, following is an overview of the plot and Reilly Caruthers, the main character:

A chainsaw artist. A money manager. A Native American. Set in the Pacific Northwest, when their worlds intersect, one is betrayed, another rejected—and all of their lives are at risk.
   Reilly Caruthers, a budding investment manager has moved to Washington State to be close to her new love interest, chainsaw artist Gabe Prescott and his little girl, Maddie. All is going well and Gabe is planning to pop the question when Reilly discovers a client laundering money through her investment management firm. Her efforts to drop them are met with threats on her life. She concludes that she has no choice but to disappear, so she heads north, thinking she might slip into Canada from Port Angeles. Her car breaks down in the Olympic National Forest in the middle of the night, and she is discovered by Isaiah Dawson, a member of the Makah Indian Tribe. That's when things get even more complicated. 

"Reilly's Dilemma" is available in paperback through this website (see the "Order Form" tab or on Amazon. It is also published as an e-book for Kindle which may be obtained through Amazon as well.

​I hope you like my latest offering. Be sure to leave your comments and reviews on Amazon or here - or both! I look forward to hearing from you.

In early November 2019, I did something I never thought I would do in a million years: I went to France with one of my five sisters. I had never been to Europe before. In fact, my passport was ten years old and had never been stamped. Truthfully, after we signed up for a week long cruise on a Viking River Longboat from Paris to Normandy, I begin to have misgivings. What if I lost my passport and was stranded in a country where I could not speak the language? What if my sister and I got separated and I couldn't find her? Would I have to leave her there? What if one or both of us got sick? What if, upon returning, we couldn't get back in the U.S. and were trapped in the airport (wasn't there a movie about a guy who that happened to?)? What if? What if? And on and on.

It was twelve months of anxiety during which I subscribed to Babbel to learn some basic French; bought clothes and especially shoes I hoped would be appropriate for cool fall weather and lots of walking.

Finally the day arrived. At O'Hare we boarded a flight bound for Paris.  It departed three hours late, making for an uncomfortable start to the overnight journey. The following day a Viking representative met us at Charles DeGaulle Airport and drove us to a Paris suburb where we boarded the longboat. From that point forward, the trip was amazing beyond my ability to describe it.

We saw the iconic Eiffel Tower along with the Louvre, Arch de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral. From there we sailed down the Seine River stopping to see Vincent Van Gogh's room where he painted; visited Rouen and the very spot where my patron saint, Joan of Arc, was burned at the stake; went inside a castle that dates back to the twelfth century; toured Napoleon's summer palace; bought souvenirs at an outdoor market where I was able to communicate with a vendor using my limited French; and paid our respects to the soldiers on Omaha Beach who lost their lives helping to liberate France. A special ceremony was held in which a French caretaker of the memorial thanked America on behalf of the French people. There wasn't a dry eye in the group.

I realize I have gone on much too long and may be trying your patience. My real message is: if you have an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone - do it. You never know what amazing experiences await you. Be sure to click on the photo tab and check out a few more pictures from my trip.

My friend, author, Michael McCarty, invited me to be interviewed for his October blog. Here's an excerpt:

MICHAEL McCARTY: Why did you decide to become a novelist in the first place?

JOAN MAUCH: As a lifelong lover of reading, from an early age I wanted to write a novel but when I first sat down (under a tree by Lake Michigan) to write, after the first page, I ran out of words and discovered there was more to it than I thought. Years went by, life intervened and I put that desire on the back burner. Finally, after retiring, I had some free time and my desire to write a novel resurfaced along with the realization that I didn’t know the first thing about novel writing. At the time I was living on Chicago’s North Shore and found out about a fiction-writing class in which I promptly enrolled. The rest is as they say, history.

MIKE: Your book “Halifax” is set in both Florida and Canada. Was there any particular reason for going from extreme hot to extreme cold locations?

JOAN: Before even thinking about writing the novel, I had gone to Nova Scotia on vacation and visited all the locations mentioned in the book. When I came up with the idea for the novel, and the protagonist was going to flee, I thought Halifax would be the perfect place for her go. Like me, I assumed most of my readers had heard of Halifax but were unfamiliar with where it was or what it was like, so, in my mind at least, the setting added an element of interest to the novel. By the way, when we were there, which was in the fall, the weather in Nova Scotia was similar to autumn weather here, which is to say, delightful.

                                                                  ****

MIKE: If we are unmasking Joan Mauch, what would we find?

JOAN: A person who is somewhat conflicted. I am a very private person who avoids the spotlight and enjoys solitude, but at the same time I love excitement. For example, I went skydiving with my son a few years ago, ran two half-marathons and someday would like to go bungee jumping. On a more normal scale I enjoy hanging out with family and friends.

                                                                   ****

MIKE: Any advise for beginning writers?

JOAN: Writing a novel is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. What I mean by that is, as a young woman I thought I could just sit down and whip off a novel. After all, in college I always got A’s in creative writing courses and was often told I was a good writer and should write a book. Well, as I mentioned above, when I sat down to actually write, I quickly discovered after only a page, I couldn’t think of anything more to say. So, if you’re a new writer just starting out, I would advise you to take a few courses or workshops on novel writing. If that’s not possible, read some books on the topic. Then you need to accept the fact that novel writing is a lifelong pursuit, it is hard work that requires discipline. It’s not a weekend activity to pursue when you’re in the mood or have nothing better to do. Only then will you succeed. I hope this doesn’t discourage any of you who, like me, longed to write a book, but you do need to face the reality of what’s involved.

MIKE: Last words?

JOAN: Yes! Would-be writers who are reading this blog also need to know that most published authors are kind and more than willing to help struggling writers, so don’t be afraid to ask. I have emailed famous authors for their input on various topics and received responses. Authors are human too and most have at one time struggled to get their work published so they know what you are going through.

If you’re a reader, be sure to look up my work on my website at joanmauch.com or on Amazon. And after you read any or all of my novels, please leave comments or reviews. They needn’t be more than a few words. Those are gold for writers at any level and much appreciated!

The link for the complete blog interview is:

https://monstermikeyaauthor.wordpress.com/2018/10/01/unmasking-joan-mauch/

Yes, it's cold out. That's really not news. We're all shivering and eagerly waiting for spring. What better time to catch up on your reading? My novel, "The Waterkeeper's Daughter" has been reissued with a brand new cover. If you've never read it and own a Kindle, now's a great time to order the ebook on Amazon because it's free today. After that it reverts to it's normal price of $2.99.

"The Waterkeeper's Daughter" is the story of what happens when a man seeks revenge for what happened to his family years earlier. The problem is that the targets of his revenge are innocent of any wrongdoing. You can read a sample chapter on Amazon or here under the "Novels" tab. So stay warm, make some hot chocolate and grab a book. Spring will be here in no time!

Over the past month I tried something I've never done before. I participated in a playwriting workshop. Although I've written five novels, I've never attempted to write a play. As it turns out, the two are very different. While a novel allows you to get in the mind of the characters and describe in detail the scene, a play does none of those things. What you see and hear is what you get.
At the end of five weeks, the other playwrights and I each put on scene that we wrote. Mine was titled, "Coffee Break" and featured two local actors who started out talking about trivial things from their lives. Then it took a turn toward a dark concern in which one of them expressed fear that her husband was going to kill her. Considering the fact that I'm a mystery writer, I couldn't resist.

Seeing my work come to life on stage was exhilarating. The next time you have a chance to experience something entirely out of your comfort zone, be sure to do it. You never know where it might lead, or as in my case you may end up meeting new people and having a lot of fun!

Some people might not want the title "certified" next to their name, but in this case I'm thrilled. I was just notified that "Leon's Wall" has been "Underground Certified"
which means it meets Underground Reviews' quality standards and is eligible for reviews. By highlighting the best in indie literature, Underground Book Reviews aims to erase the boundaries between traditional and nontraditional publishing.

Please do me a favor and give "Leon’s Wall" a boost by voting for it on Underground Book Reviews! It will only take a minute and will help boost the book's exposure. Here's the link: https://www.undergroundbookreviews.org/book/leons-wall/

Submissions with at least 5 votes will be displayed on the front page of Underground Book Review's magazine. Thanks, I appreciate your help! I'll keep you posted with the results when they're available.

It's the middle of summer and what better than to spend some quality time reading your favorite novels - new and old?
     Speaking of new: my latest novel, LEON'S WALL, was just released. It's a companion to ESCAPE FROM AMBERGRIS CAYE published last year.
     To refresh your memory, in the earlier work, Izzie, a reporter has gotten herself in a jam, to put it mildly. She's been taken captive by a human trafficker who shipped her to Belize in a steamer trunk. Her photographer, Jackson and his brother, Zac, search for her as all three find their lives in jeopardy. Spoiler alert: The trafficker, Leon Donatello,  is arrested and gives up his crime boss in exchange for witness protection. Thinking he'll be housed in an cool ocean-side town, he's shocked to find himself in Wall, South Dakota, population 850.
     That's where my latest novel, LEON'S WALl, picks up the story. Leon is running a gas station at the edge of Wall, barely making it, when he discovers an Oglala Lakota Sioux teenager living in his car in fear of a Pine Ridge Reservation gang that recruited him and won't take no for an answer. In the meantime, back in Chicago, socialite Tanya Miller suddenly finds herself broke and shunned by former friends. Desperate to regain her former status she makes use of her talent as a crack shot to become a hired assassin for the Mob who want Leon dead.
     Come along on this fun ride. Read either or both novels. If you've never read ESCAPE FROM AMBERGRIS CAYE, now's the perfect time. The ebook for Kindle is on sale for $0.99 thru the end of the day on Monday, July 10th.
     Get a taste of both books by clicking on the "Home" tab at the top of the page and reading excerpts of those and my other novels. To order signed copies of the paperbacks, click on the Order Form tab and follow the instructions. They are also available in both paperback and ebook formats on Amazon and other outlets.

                                      Have a wonderful summer - and happy reading!