Hold Everything!

Well, dear readers, my ARMCHAIR TRAVELERS have voted, and we are changing direction to head west to the Rockies instead of north. Both destinations would have gotten us there, but each have entirely different things to look at. And what a surprise! As the Captain went over the maps for this route, we find we will be reaching the most southern prong of the Rocky Mountains, that stretch all the way down into New Mexico. Not only will we be in the mountains sooner, but we could be chasing down some legends and ghost towns by the weekend. Treasure hunts are underway, and we are anticipating adventure. So, stop by the ARMCHAIR TRAVELERS PORTAL if you get a bit of time.

coming from Harbourlight Books
"The beacon in Christian fiction."

Meanwhile, I'm getting ready to start work on another "Stella Madison Caper," while the first one, HOME BEFORE DARK, will be available July 13... just in time for some light summer reading. Well, maybe not so light. Things like this could happen to anyone, really, and who ever sees them coming? No one does, so, how is a person to cope? Find out next month when Stella makes her first appearance.

Does it feel like summer, yet?

It definitely does around here!

What's The Mystery?

We're off, dear readers, on the second leg of the MYSTERY TOUR, on a trail to the Rocky Mountains. What's the mystery? The answer is in our first ever video log, over at the ARMCHAIR TRAVELERS PORTAL (which you can still sign up for if you would like to travel along). Meanwhile, in honor of GOLD TRAP (my tale of high adventure and divine appointment) we are following a gold trail to some very mysterious places from which I will be bringing back souvenirs for contest winners. 

What kind of contest? Solving mysteries, of course. One for each destination of our journey. First stop, Victor, Colorado, where we will explore some back roads and local legends of lost treasure. Some of which are true, while others aren't. The trick is figuring out which ones. The first that caught my eye is called "The Ten Cent Treasure." If you can track down this legend and tell me whether it is true or false, I'll put your name in the Captain's Hat for the first drawing. You will get a Rocky Mountain Souvenir if you win this one, but more details on that, later.

During the MYSTERY TOUR, I'll be updating this blog on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so, stay tuned. Oh, yes, and anyone who sends out the troops if I get lost will get a reward. 

Do you think this is a good idea, or what?

See you on Monday!

The MYSTERY TOUR continues... aboard the RMS TITANIC

Well, we are off, dear readers...  and by the time you read this, we will be nearly to Queenstown, Ireland. Our last stop to take on passengers before crossing the North Atlantic. Yesterday, was more than eventful. We nearly had a collision right out of the dock, but thank heaven that was avoided. Our cruise director, Tessa, gave a good account of it over on the QUEEN OF THE WAVES, site, and I'm sure you probably even heard about it on the nightly news. Can you believe the TITANIC is still making news?

Why on earth do you think that is?

I have some ideas, but I'm saving my final conclusions until the end of the voyage, because I haven't interviewed even half the people I want to talk to, yet. I'm slipping up to first class, today, to get a look at how the other half lives. I'll let you know what I find out, tomorrow. Meanwhile, there are some fascinating personalities that seem to defy all classes, that I take a closer look at in my column ON THE PROMENADE. After that, I hope you will head over to the QUEEN OF THE WAVES site and do some investigating, yourself. Too many things going on to list, so I hope to see you there. Oh, yes, and if you guess what this "mystery picture" is, I'll put your name in the Captain's hat for a prize. Just put your answer in the comment section, here.

But be careful... you could very well end up in my column...

Go here to read ON THE PROMENADE

The MYSTERY TOUR begins... aboard the RMS TITANIC

Today begins a strange but wonderful glimpse into an event that took place one hundred years ago, dear readers... the historic launch of the RMS TITANIC, from Southampton, on April 10th, 1912. It will be a clearer glimpse than any that has ever been seen, possibly even if you had been there, yourself. Because, as with all such moments in history, one is often caught up in what they can only see and experience through their own personal perspective. What awaits you, now, is an account told from many perspectives, by the passengers, themselves, who -- for the first time -- will be coming together to share little-known facts and remembrances of that fateful voyage. 

And there will be others, too. Those "gentler travelers" who have joined their ranks over the years so that -- above all else -- we will not forget the people who boarded that "ship of dreams," only to meet a different destiny through the portals of disaster. They have something to tell us, if we listen close enough. Something that could effect all of us, if we dare to take the time. It is a virtual voyage brought to you by Janice Hanna Thompson, in honor of her soon to be released novel, QUEEN OF THE WAVES. 

So, come along with me, now, as I report on this fantastic event, every day, for the next five days over at my new TRAVELS WITH LILLY blog.

You may never see things quite the same, again...

Lilly Maytree's MYSTERY TOUR...

The time is fast approaching when the Captain and I will set out on our long-awaited MYSTERY TOUR. In honor of GOLD TRAP (my "book of the year"), we have some very mysterious places lined up to visit. It's a five month long journey that will take us to some of the most amazing spots you can find. We will be traveling by planes, trains, cars, and boats. Mostly boats, as that is the Captain's favorite. Sometimes, we will even be traveling with friends. Because things are so much better when you share.

Along the way, we will be keeping in touch through weekly video logs, and live chats from many unusual locations. And there will be activities and contests, too, all with our "Armchair Travelers" in mind. So, get your ticket and come along with us, dear readers! The festivities start this month, and all you have to do is click on the ticket, above, to sign on. As I always say, when you can't get away, yourself, armchair traveling is the next best thing.

Oh, yes... and don't forget to keep an eye on this blog over the next couple of days, because my first destination is going to be something I've never done before. Heavens, I certainly hope I can handle it. Actually, I have a sort of premonition about the whole thing, and sometimes wonder if I should listen to it, or just go ahead.

What would you do?