EVERY HIDDEN FEAR Publication and Pre-Order Contest Winners

Every Hidden Fear published Wednesday to some very enthusiastic reviews. The Richmond Time-Dispatch called Skeet “one of the most fascinating characters in the genre,” and book blogger Kevin R. Tipple said, “Cherokee heritage and the often very painful legacy of secrets have long been hallmarks of this excellent series.  They are present in great detail here in this complex and multilayered novel. “ and “Every Hidden Fear by Linda Rodriguez is deeply nuanced and rich in details.” Library Journal called Every Hidden Fear “engrossing.” Lesa Holstine, acclaimed librarian-book blogger, says, "Linda Rodriguez' Skeet Bannion mysteries have become ‘must-reads’.” She also says, “Rodriguez excels at developing characters that stand out.”

Grand prize shawl almost finished

Last night, my youngest son drew names from a bowl to determine the winners of the three major prizes in my pre-order contest. The grand prize, a one-of-a-kind handknit, partially handspun shawl made of baby alpaca, cashmere, merino, and silk, was won by Sue Knabe. The two second prizes of character-naming rights in the next Skeet Bannion book go to Gloria Alden and Deborah Shouse. Everyone who entered will also receive a signed bookplate. Send me your mailing addresses at lindalynetterodriguez@gmail.com, and I will send them out to you. (There will be a several week delay on the shawl because I need to finish the edging and wet-block it. Since it is lace, it needs to be washed and stretched and pinned out to dry so that the lovely lace patterns become visible.)

Hurray for the winners! And for everyone who entered the contest! Thank you all very much! I hope you’ll enjoy your copies of Every Hidden Fear.

 
REPLIES TO COMMENTS:

Reine, I will post a photo of the shawl when it's finished before I give it to Sue. I hope your book will come soon! I'm sending out emails today to all entrants so they can email me their mailing addresses so I can send out the signed bookplates. xoxoxo

4th Poem for National Poetry Month

 

KNITTING IN TIME OF CRISIS

Since we invaded Afghanistan and Iraq,

I’ve been knitting

a lot, some might say compulsively

if they were unkind.

I prefer to avoid the unkind. They are

so often aggressive, and after all,

I’m just knitting.

Simple garter-stitch scarves

of loopy, fluffy novelty yarns, long enough

to wind again and again around the neck

or tie behind the back.

Sweaters with intricate Fair Isle

patterns in parliaments of colors.

Heavy afghans of hand-spun wool

with cables twisting and winding into paths

across a snowy map.

The last time I was so knitting-obsessed,

I was trying to quit

a dangerous habit, needed

to keep my hands occupied. Now I knit

socks on tiny wooden spears, soft armor

to keep the feet of sons and nephews dry and warm.

In my sleep, I pull one loop through another

to the soft click of long bamboo sticks,

creating a whole fabric

from one long, tangled thread.

Published in Heart’s Migrations (Tia Chucha Press, 2009)

Don't forget my pre-order contest for Every Hidden Fear (pub date May 6th) with its grand prize of a one-of-a-kind, handknit, multicolored, luxury fiber, lace shawl and two second prizes of character-naming rights in the next Skeet Bannion novel!