Life has been busy here at Chez Mullins. First of all, my family and I have moved all the way across the country to the other side of the world--aka California. This East coast gal is having to make some adjustments here in the land of milk and honey, as it's definitely different than the land of the Big Apple!

First of all, where is the pizza? I've lived in the shadow of NYC my whole life, so I have been inundated with the best pizza on the planet ever since I was old enough to chew. But it just doesn't exist in Cali--not the stuff I am used to. And it's more expensive! My favorite pizza so far is a frozen one from Trader Joe's. Closest thing I have been able to find, and only $3.99.

Chinese cuisine--east coast style--is hard to find as well. Back home, chow mein was a bunch of vegetables (onions and celery mostly) in a sauce with either chicken or shrimp, served over rice with crunchy noodles. I thought this was gospel in the book of Chinese cooking. But out here in California, chow mein is a combination of the above vegetables mixed up with lo mein type noodles--no sauce. Delicious, but not chow mein as I know it. And duck sauce? Totally different animal as well.

But there are a lot of good things about California. For every pizza joint on the east coast, there is a taqueria on the west. Spectacular Mexican cuisine abounds here. There's also Disneyland and Hollywood and the ocean only minutes away. Best of all, my house has central air!

Most importantly, there is no snow here! Having battled through some of those blizzards that left two feet of snow on the roads (and still being expected to go to work), I can't say I'm sad about the weather. People are all very nice here, and I really believe it's because of the nice weather. If you don't have to battle with Mother Nature, I guess it puts you in a better mood. Everyone is always very active, off doing this or that because the weather is always awesome. You can actually plan outdoor events here and not have to figure out a Plan B for rain.

I've got my new office mostly set up. All my books are on the shelves and my computer is up and running. I'll be putting that computer to good use, since I recently signed a new contract with Avon Books for another historical, which is expected to be out sometime in 2009. In the meantime, my new book, THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING, is due out in stores in February 2008. This is the Scottish curse book I talked about in my last update. The plot actually came to me in a dream, so I am excited to see it in print. In other news, TWO WEEKS WITH A STRANGER is going to be translated into Italian. Molto bene!

Well, I am about to go into Deep Deadline Mode for the new historical, so here's hoping that all of you have a safe and wonderful holiday season. I'll check back with all of you after the new year when I can take a break from the book...just don't tell my editor I'm slacking! *G*

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