Many thanks to Sheila, High Priestess, for allowing me to make a guest appearance.

When I wrote THE BLACK WIDOW AGENCY, (Oct. 1, Midnight Ink Books), I was pleasantly surprised to receive some nice reviews. Publisher's Weekly called it a "sharp series debut" which sent me floating towards the ceiling. I was quickly brought down to Earth from my review-induced high when Kirkus Reviews dubbed my book...a "bitch-a-thon."

THE BLACK WIDOW AGENCY is about four smart female characters of all ages, sizes and backgrounds, some of whom are in relationships with nice guys, who turn the tables on some not-so-good guys. Four smart, funny female characters who are mothers, daughters, cyber wizards, ex-cops, chefs, chocolate lovers and hot flash sufferers, choose to help another woman after she loses custody of her daughter. That's a bitch-a-thon?

Authors have to be pretty thick skinned to be in this business in the first place and face the torrent of rejection that is bound to come their way. Rarely do you hear of a first-time author sending out a manuscript only to immediately receive a contract. This is, afterall, a business like any other with bottom lines and profit margins and markets that control the ebb and flow of what will or will not get published. I get all that. What I don't get and what I took issue with, was the unprofessional way this bomb was dropped. Had the Kirkus reviewer said, "faulty characters" or "disjointed plot," I would sit back, take my lickings, seek solace in my friends or a bottle of cabarnet and just shrug it off. My offense appears to be having written about strong women who try to right wrongs for other women, particularly when they are the victims of sexual harrassment. Shame on me...

I could have sat back and kept my debut author mouth shut for fear I was committing professional suicide right out of the gate, but the more I thought about it, the angrier I got that I'm expected to be professional while others aren't. So I blogged about it on the Midnight Ink Author's Blog. I decided to put my money where my big mouth is and take a stand by turning this around to become a fundraiser. I've teamed up with Womenade, a nationwide grassroots organization that helps neighbors in need without the rigamarole of a log of red tape. I've pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds of each copy of THE BLACK WIDOW AGENCY sold between Oct. 1, 2007 and Oct. 1, 2008. Lemons to lemonade, women to womenade.

I'll try and keep you posted on the progress of The Bitch-a-Thon or you can check for updates on my website.