We don't live in a vacuum nor can we write in one. So I want to begin this blog by thanking some pretty amazing people in my life. Some are family, all are friends, and each has made an impact on my life. Rick, Jessica, Tracy, Mari (R), Mari (L), Sonya, Mike, Kim, Erika, Jack, Joylene, and of course, Cait. You've kept me grounded, offered your shoulder, made me laugh when I needed it most, and always kept me focused and on task ... more times than you know. Thank you!

It's been a while since I've posted anything to this blog--March 11. Although I belong to more author groups and blogs than I should, this one is mine and I've promised myself to keep it current and to use it as a place to showcase my work as well as the many great people I've met along the way.

So, what's been going on since my last post?

On March 12, I launched my website: http://www.martastephens-author.com/. To date, the site has received over 16,000 hits from more than 30 countries. In it you'll find an excerpt of my debut crime/mystery, SILENCED CRY, reviews, reader comments, a detective's life from Sam Harper's point of view (the main character), and a guest map for you to sign.

Between March 12 and April 22, I was busy putting together a promotional campaign for SILENCED CRY.

On April 23, SILENCED CRY was released and Sam Harper was introduced to crime/mystery enthusiast world wide. You can find it online at all the Amazons, B&N, Books-a-Million, an Powells to name a few.

On June 19, I participated in my first book signing at our local B&N. It was so successful, the manager invited me back for a holiday signing. Please check the events page on my website for full details.

I've joined amazing author groups in the past few months. I plan to add links to those sites in a day or two. And now, I'm a week away from my August VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR. Special thanks to the authors and site owners who have sponsored me on this tour. They are:

Phil Harris (Internet Voice Radio), Joyce Tremel (Working Stiffs Blogspot), Kaycee Conners (Live Journal, Writing Space & Word Press Blog), Marilyn Meredith (Marilyn Meredith Blogspot), Authors by Design--Chat, and Jeff Mariotte (Jeff Mariotte Typepad Weblog) and Dawn Dowdle (Mystery Lovers Corner).