Melissa Westemeier

It's that time of year when people start talking about making resolutions, but I don't because I think they suck. Resolved means "firmly determined to do something." A resolution is "a firm decision to do or not do something." Decisions doesn't mean squat in my book. Making a decision is as pointless as making a wish, it's just thoughts and words which are meaningless without action and effort. Decisions don't mean anything actually changes. I'm a woman of ACTION because s

Team Testosterone wrapped up in Christmas spirit My kids are grown up now and as a consequence, Christmas has lost a lot of its magic. No more concerts and programs and activities. No decorating cookies or tree together this year. No awe at beautiful light displays or joyful singing. There's less anticipation. There's less hope. On one hand, this season requires less work and feels calmer. On the other, I'm wistful and a little sad. I guess that's what we do as parents, we en

This will always be my favorite turkey--disguised as Darth Vader to escape slaughter. Hearing my favorite song on the radio when I start my car Finding exactly the right amount of a spice or seasoning (or flour or oil or whatever) in my pantry when I'm in the middle of making a recipe Sleeping through the night and waking up before my alarm, feeling well-rested Waking up without that stupid ache in my right shoulder Reaching something on a tall shelf without needing to find a

I've spent the last few months in revision mode while managing some marketing details for the Nun the Wiser Mysteries. Revisions take a lot of energy, they're a bit like doing a puzzle as you try to slot in the best-shaped scene or line of dialogue to smooth out a manuscript so the entire thing flows nicely and all the readers' questions get answered and any confusion gets laid to rest. Revising a novel means attending to LAYERS of text, including character development, word

Waaaaaaay back in the olden days, I remember bringing home my bag of trick or treat candy and sorting it according to a ranking system of preferences. Circus peanuts, Mike and Ikes, anything with coconut (Mounds and Almond Joy) and licorice got relegated to the NOT TOUCHING IT. Acceptable forms of sugar included SweetTarts (what is it about those cellophane-wrapped rolls of pastel candies?), dots on strips of paper, caramels, candy corn, LifeSavers (especially wild cherry), J

Readers, it's a REAL TREAT to host guest G.P. Gottlieb today! You KNOW anyone writing a book using "Whipped" in their title must be good:...

I don't typically choose a season for setting a book, usually the setting chooses me. In ONE book, Across the River , I deliberately...

My fictional neighborhood, to be clear. I had loads of fun creating this little world in the Nun the Wiser Mysteries, and I'm excited to...

I had no idea when I began writing Old Habits Die Hard that publishers wouldn't touch it unless it was part of a series. Obviously being...

Over the years we've acquired some strange stuff at my house, but hands down, one of our most impressive and storied acquisitions is the big fish hanging on the wall in our back screen porch.

Every time I travel I wind up thinking, "Mel, you gotta make time for more beauty in your life. More art. More nature." My heart and...

Lilacs are blooming which means it's white bass season in Wisconsin. A long, long time ago I worked at a bar on the Wolf River and during...

For graduation I give each of my offspring a trip to the destination of their choice. T and I went to England and Paris the summer before...

Readers, I'm pleased as punch to introduce you to one of the women featured on the panel I'm moderating next week at Malice Domestic --...

It's been a week since Old Habits Die Hard came out, launching the Nun the Wiser Mysteries, and I'm beside myself with joy because...

OLD HABITS DIE HARD It feels like Christmas morning--all the anticipation bubbling for weeks, even months--and it's finally here! You can...

It's starting to hit me--in 15 days the Nun the Wiser Mysteries launches with the release of Old Habits Die Hard . FIFTEEN DAYS! I feel a...

Readers, fellow writer Lois Winston is on the page (and the case!) today...   It’s pretty much a universal truth that cozy readers love...

Advance review copies of Old Habits Die Hard have landed in readers' laps and the early reviews are very encouraging! Behind the scenes...

Ah, the algorithm. The bane of everyone's online existence. They're supposed to guide us to better things but they're as useless as a...