L. C.'s Ramblings		6-24-09 issue #9
OUR CRUISE BEGINS On May 26, at the Phoenix airport, my husband and I checked in our luggage all the way to Barcelona. We received our tickets to Chicago and to London. Once we’re in London, they said, they’ll give you the last set of tickets. “Okay,” I answered. No problem—or so I thought. Once in London, we explained that we didn’t have the printed tickets. “No problem,” the attendant said. Where had I heard that before? She proceeded to check the computer and sure enough, there we were. She looked at us and smiled. “Our machine is broken so I’ll handwrite the tickets.” She guaranteed us that there would be no problem. Hesitantly, we handed our handwritten tickets to the airline ticket taker. She frowned, but let us in. Whew, the lady was right. No problems. We arrived in Barcelona and followed the signs to claim our luggage. Once in the area, we couldn’t locate the flight we came in. We asked an attendant about it. He told us that we had to claim our luggage at the international area; we were at the local claim area. “And where is that?” I asked. He pointed with his head. “Para aya.” So we went para aya. We walked and walked and still couldn’t locate it. We asked another attendant who gave us specific instructions. We went up the stairs just as we’ve been told and the security stopped us. “This is for international flights only. You can’t come here.” “We’ve just landed from London and we need to pick up our luggage.” “Let’s see those tickets.” We show him our handwritten tickets. He looked at us as though he was ready to throw us in the slammer. “You wrote these yourself. We need the real tickets.” I tried to explain that those were real. He wouldn’t believe me so we headed back to Iberia airline booth and explained our dilemma. “Wrong place,” she said. “You have to go to the main Iberia booth.” “And that’s where?” Para aya. Sigh. Still, we headed para aya. After asking four more people for instructions, we finally found the booth. “Si, we’re Iberia’s main booth, but you need the international one.” “And that’s—?” “Upstairs.” We explained the problem again. “I understand. They’ll take care of you upstairs.” On our way upstairs, we bumped into the attendant who had originally given us specific instructions. He walked us past the security and took us directly to the international luggage area. Bless his heart! By then, there were no suitcases so we were directed to go to Lost and Found which was para aya! By now we were getting the hang of this, so we located Lost and Found, but not our luggage. A quick computer search showed they were still in London. We gave them the name of our motel. They assured it the luggage would be delivered by 8 PM. Rich and I had dinner and we did a bit of sight seeing. We returned to our hotel and no luggage. I called the airport which was less than 10 miles from our motel. The cost of the call came at 6 and half Euros or $9.36. Luggage would be there at 10 AM. We got up, had breakfast, and returned to our room. No luggage. Another 6 and half Euros call later, we were guaranteed it’ll be there by 2 PM. Since I’m an “employee” of Princess Cruise Lines, I had to report in by 3 PM. “No problem,” they said. “But give us your first port-of-call just in case.” Rich and I spent the day touring Las Ramblas, a two or three mile long street lined with museums, stores, eating places, statues, and parks. Great place. We looked down the street and noticed the fascinating architecture. Could Las Ramblas be wider than this single street? We deviated and began to take pictures of this century old buildings. What we didn’t know was that was the Red Light District. The prostitutes came out and were infuriated that we were taking their pictures and not paying them. I ignored them, pointed the camera high, and took the pictures. One lady said a non-lady word and threw her can of Fanta at us, aiming for our feet. I took more pictures and walked back to Las Ramblas and eventually back to our motel. The hotel clerk greeted us with “The luggage is here.” Rich and I did the Happy Dance—oh, okay. I did the Happy Dance. My husband pretended he didn’t know me. The clerk took us to the luggage area and sure enough, there was Rich’s suitcase, but not mine. Another 6 and half Euros call later, they guaranteed it would be delivered to the Ruby Princess before we sailed at 7 PM. Since this was the same day that qualifications for the World Cup was to be determined, the streets were filled with people in painted faces, wearing the soccer uniform, and carrying flags and banners. We absolutely loved it. Eventually we reached the ship. My suitcase still hadn’t arrived. First thing I had to do was report to the Assistant Cruise Director who would inform me when and where, I’d be speaking, and set me up with the ship store as they would be selling my books. When I finished with that, Rich and I had dinner and went back to our room—and my suitcase arrived! Another happy dance. And that was the beginning of our super cruise. Read on for our ghost encounter!			In this issue: Our Cruise Begins Signing schedule Update on Why Casey Had to Die Next Cruise Invitation How to Stop Subscription Reader’s Group Invitation Ghostly Encounter or Camera Dust? Help me! Bell-Shaped Flowers Update What’s next? READER’S GROUP INVITATION If your reading group would like to discuss Why Casey Had to Die, please visit my web-site: htpp://lchayden.com and click on the Readers Guide. Or, if you prefer, contact me lchauthor@yahoo.com. If invited, I’ll make every effort possible to visit your readers’ group. If you encounter problems getting hold of the book, please e-mail me for availability. WHAT’S NEXT? Five-Star plans to release the next Harry Bronson novel, When Death Intervenes, in April 2010. That’s still a long way off, but they’ve already sent me the final proofs so I can give the novel one last read. Here’s some advance comments: Terror anyone?  Suspense to make your skin crawl?  Try When Death Intervenes by talented L. C. Hayden.  An exciting read offering excitement, action, chills and thrills.  Don't miss it! Anne Edwards Mystery and Mayhem When Death Intervenes is a very fast-paced mystery that keeps up the pace down to the very last page. Patricia Reid Mysteries Galore.com Another great read in the series by L.C. Hayden. Gay Toltl Kinman, three-time Agatha Award nominee Be on the lookout for the book’s release in April 2010 and please ask your library to order a copy for you—or request it from your favorite bookstore. Thanks!
UPDATE ON WHY CASEY HAD TO DIE On February 2009 Harlequin (Worldwide) released the paperback edition of Why Casey Had to Die. Two months later the book was out of print! Woohoo! In April they did another print run. When I returned from the cruise in June, I found out that the book was again out of print. Contact me if you’d like to get a copy of the book.
HOW TO STOP RECEIVING L.C.’S RUMBLINGS If for any reason you want to stop receiving this newsletter, all you need to do is contact me at lchauthor@yahoo.com and put on the subject line, CANCEL SUBSCRIPTION. I will cry a river, refuse to eat for a month, and go sleepless, but I’ll still like you! If, on the other hand, you know someone who would like to start receiving this, let me know and I’ll add them to my list.
SIGNING AND SPEAKING SCHEDULE I’m presenting a set of workshops through the University of Texas at El Paso’s Continuing Education Department. June 30 and July 2: How to Write the Novel in 90 Days July 7: How to Maintain the Interest in Your Story Aug. 4: Everything You Wanted to Know About Publishing But Were Afraid to Ask Sept. 15 and Sept. 17: How to Make Your Writing Sparkle Oct. 12 and Oct. 15: Creating Characters With Character Oct. 24 – Nov. 8: Author-in-Residence at the Panama Canal Cruise in Celebrity’s Infinity. Join me! GHOSTLY ENCOUNTER OR CAMERA DUST? Some argue that orbs are nothing more than dust particles. Others say, “No, way. They’re spirits.” I’d like to believe they’re spirits. Take a look and decide for yourself. But first the facts. Two of the places we visited in Barcelona were the Capella de Santa Agata and the Catedral de Barcelona. As soon as we stepped inside the churches, Rich and I were awed by the beauty and grandeur of these ancient Catholic churches. Like everyone else, Rich and I snapped picture after picture. He stood beside me and pointed at something unique and we both snapped the pictures basically at the same time from the same angel. Then I pointed something out, and we’d snap our pictures. First, I took pictures of the outside the church, then the inside. One picture from the Capella de Santa Agata had an orb. None of the others did. Then I took more pictures at other tourist places, both inside and outside. All are orb free. Next, we went to the Catedral de Barcelona. Same thing happened. The outside pictures are fine, but most of the ones from the inside had the orbs. So, I’m asking you, are they spirits or dust particles? I’d love to hear from you. I’ll put this part of my newsletter on the blog part of my website so you can easily respond. To view the pictures, please visit my website at http://lchayden.com and click on Spirits or Dust? Then go to my blog and leave a comment. I’d appreciate it. Also, if you’d like to view other pictures of our cruise (includes a visit to Virgin Mary’s house in Turkey,) please drop by my other website at http://bookbyhayden.com At the top of the opening page, you’ll see Med Cruise. Click on that.	NEXT CRUISE INVITATION I would absolutely love it if you joined me on the Oct/Nov. 2009 Celebrity Cruise through the Panama Canal. We catch the ship in San Diego on October 24 and disembark in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on November 8. Let me know if you’d like to join me as Celebrity told me they would be willing to discount your cruise—not by much but every bit helps!—so come sail with me! HELP ME! I tried to include the pictures of the orbs and “normal” pictures of the Cathedral and the church in this newsletter, but even though I successfully placed the pictures in this newsletter, they wouldn’t transfer once I e-mailed the newsletter. Does anyone know what I’m doing wrong? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Update on Bell-Shaped Flowers Several of you have e-mailed me wondering about the release date for my young-adult inspirational novel, Bell-Shaped Flowers I’m with you, folks. I too would like to know. My publisher calls me or e-mails me on a regular basis. The message is always the same. “Please don’t give up on us. Your book will be out by the end of this month.” It was originally scheduled to be released in late summer 2008. Ever since then, it’s been, “It’ll be out by the end of this month.” So when will the real release date be? Your guess is as good as mine, but if you ask me to pinpoint it, I’d have to say “By the end of this month.” Oh, sigh.
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HAVE A SUPER DUPER DAY!