~from Ami

Take 2 cousins, 1 rental car, mocha latte grandes, no protein, and a 5-hour trip...what do you get?

*The beginnings of a fabulous new YA mystery about cousins written by cousins (you see the theme here...)

*An idea for a coffee-table book filled with photos of the pictures of signs outside churches (Waiting to hear from God? Try KNEE-mail.)

*An in-depth verbal treatise and thorough examination of Family History 1968-present, complete with laughter (we have both perfected the snort-laugh), tears (allergies), and spirited disagreements over pros and cons of the top anti-depressants.

*A guidebook for grain elevators, both used and abandoned, throughout the Kansas countryside.

*Exhorbitant roaming charges on both cell phones which were at the whim of Kansas cell towers- and what of the relatives who never bothered to call back when we got disconnected? Couldn't they tell how much fun we were having? Didn't they want to hear more?

Jill and I headed out to Manhattan, Kansas, for the fabulous Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave (which, I swear, needs the word "Muppet" in there somewhere...). We had High Tea at the Manhattan Country Club, a large stone building atop a hill overlooking acres and acres of trees. Between the Devonshire Cream and the Salmon Mousse Canapes, we met new writers like Bob Avey and Laura Bradford, and shmoozed with veterans like Eve Sandstrom aka Joanna Carl, Susan McBride, and Patricia Sprinkle. Ms. Sprinkle was kind enough to go hot tubbing with us Saturday evening, much to our delight. If you can find her "Thoroughly Southern" series...they are highly recommended!

Our reputation began to proceed us as we introduced ourselves the next day. We met writers in the bathroom, poolside, over sausages and eggs, and under the KSU Wildcat lamps. Some people said, "We know you from the bus," which you might interpret to be a negative comment regarding our shenanigans on the shuttle between the hotel and country club. Absolutely unfounded.

Jill is new to the world of mystery, and she noted how friendly even the famous authors were. Everyone at the GMMC was fabulous! Willing to share information, encourage newbies, and answer questions. The wonderful Susan McBride - chicklit mystery author (The Drop-Out Debutante Mystery Series) moderated my panel. She is a wonderful lady and I have to recommend her series as well.

{The cousins with Susan McBride}

My month and a half marathon of weekend touring is about over. How fitting that I wrapped up the Next of Kin blow-out with Jill, fellow writer, cousin extraordinaire, and true friend. I'm lifting my steaming cup of Manhattan-exclusive Prairie Tea to you, Jill! Thanks for coming with me!