March is my birthday month. The whole month. Yep, I claim all 31 days, not just the one! And thanks for all the good wishes — I’m feelin’ ’em!

I’m also feeling a little mad. Not angry. But, well, crazed. The next book in my Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries is due to my editor April 15. It doesn’t have a name yet, but she assures me that’s not a problem. Feel free to take a crack: Murder at the First Annual Food Lovers’ Film Festival. Must involve a bad food-related pun.

In fact, I’m calling 2014 “deadline year.” Spiced to Death, first in my Seattle Spice Shop Mysteries, went in January 5 — for publication March 3, 2015. (And yes, extra reason to celebrate the next birthday month!)

In early May, I’ll be going to Malice Domestic, the mystery convention celebrating the traditional mystery. Death al Dente is nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Cross your fingers and rub your lucky stars, as my sleuth, Erin Murphy, would do.

Speaking of Erin, her second appearance, Crime Rib, launches July 1.  When a chef is killed at the annual Steak Grill-Off, Erin must investigate — to keep the village of Jewel Bay from going up in smoke.

Meanwhile, my second Seattle Spice Shop Mystery, tentatively titled Thyme to Kill, is due September 15.

It’s a fun kind of madness.  Worth celebrating. I hope you’ll join me.

Leslie

Leslie Budewitz is the author of the national best-selling Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries and the award-winning reference for writers, Books, Crooks & Counselors.