JANUARY 2012 NEWSLETTER:

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Yes, it's really me FINALLY checking in, so don't faint from the shock!

As all of you know, I promised to be much more attentive last year, to keep up more regularly with my website, and to chat more often with my readers.  However, life does have a way of sabotaging the very best of intentions, and I feel you all deserve an explanation.

In 2009 I moved in with my elderly mother, who was in failing health.  For the next two years I was her fulltime caregiver—and I do mean fulltime.  All my attention was focused on her, which left precious little time for anything else—including my website and my writing.  Mom passed away in late May of 2011.  I was with her for her final journey, and it was very peaceful.

Since then, all my time and efforts have been devoted to sorting through four generations of family belongings, deciding what to keep and what to share, putting the house up for sale, and making plans to move.  Again, my writing and website have suffered—but I'm hoping my readers will understand and forgive my lengthy absence.  Once moved and re-settled, I shall be ready to sit down once again at my Haunted Desk, pick up my pen, and come back to the world (well...my imaginative one, anyway)!

In the meantime, I have great news about my books that I'd like to share with you!

Several months ago, Open Road Media chose eight of my out-of-print titles and published them as e-books.  Lauren (God love her!) put the news out there on the website when I wasn't able to—yes, let's hear a huge round of applause for Lauren!  The books are as follows:   Trick or Treat, Vampire, Fatal Secrets, The Mall, Silent Stalker, Help Wanted, The Locker, and The Drifter.  If you check out the website, you'll find all the information you need for ordering these e-books—and with the purchase of each one, you'll also receive an exclusive biography of me, including some personal photos only available through Open Road.  At least you'll have a good laugh—the photos are pretty hilarious!!!!  J

Now...for all you UNSEEN fans out there!  Beginning January 3rd, Walmart will exclusively carry newly printed copies of THE UNSEEN.  One volume will include books 1 and 2: IT BEGINS and REST IN PEACE; the second volume will include books 3 and 4: BLOOD BROTHERS and SIN AND SALVATION.  I especially love the design of these books—each cover shows half of Lucy's face, and when you hold them side by side, Lucy's face becomes complete.  You can only find THE UNSEEN at Walmart now—and the store will carry them for six months.  I'm very excited about the new look—and for those of you who've been asking where you can buy them—now's your chance!!

In closing, I just want to thank all of you for your patience and continued support.  I know that many of you have become frustrated with my lack of communication (including the "Ask Richie" queries), but hopefully you'll understand now why I've been silent for so long.  I'm so looking forward to getting moved, setting up housekeeping, and getting back to my much-loved and much-missed writing again.

I wish you all the most beautiful and blessed New Year; I hope 2012 brings you luck, joy, and dreams come true.  I couldn't ask for more wonderful readers, and I hope you know how very much you mean to me.  Your comments, letters, love, and loyalty have kept me going through many, many dark days these last two years, and I'm so grateful for each and every one of you.  Quite simply, I couldn't have done it without knowing you were there.

Thanks for everything, and remember--
Always believe in your own special magic!

Love,
Richie