I am very pleased to announce that Driftwood: Stories from the Margarita Road was named today to the Kirkus Reviews BEST BOOKS OF 2020 list!

Each December, Kirkus Reviews magazine releases its list of the best books of the year. Those works are drawn from across the literary spectrum: fiction, non-fiction, indie, children’s and YA.

Kirkus Reviews is one of the oldest and most respected of the national book review magazines and one of the most selective. Their reviewers are often called “the world’s toughest book critics.” Read more

I’d like to take a moment to pay tribute to one of the great writers of our time: David Cornwell, better known by his pen name, John le Carré.  He died yesterday at the age of 89.

Le Carré was a spy who became a writer. He transformed the genre of espionage thrillers into an examination of the human condition and an indictment of modern geopolitics.

He wrote bravely and truthfully about people of merit struggling against a world of greed and evil. And in doing so, he spoke for everyone. Read more

In pre-pandemic days, Cheri and I would manage to escape to Key West at least once a year. But since that’s not a possibility right now, I’m excited to announce that the next best thing is true. My book, Driftwood: Stories from the Margarita Road is on the shelves at Key West Island Books at 513 Fleming Street!

Owner Suzanne Orchard told me, “I read your book and knew right away it would be a good fit for my bookstore. I ordered copies and have it in both my local section and my best sellers.” Read more

Were you a bit distracted the past few weeks with the election, Halloween, Christmas (yes, it’s not too early) and the like?  I get it.  Life has been a bit crazy for us all.

I had hoped the launch of my book Driftwood: Stories from the Margarita Road would make the national news, with Oprah beating down my door and the New York Times begging to write a review.   Hey, it doesn’t hurt to dream big!  LOL  While those things didn’t happen, I did have a couple of spectacular media events that you may have missed.
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My good friend Peter Coyote (actor, activist, and author) will interview me about my new book, my history of living in Mexico, and the expat experience in a livestream broadcast on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7 pm EST.  My novel Driftwood: Stories from the Margarita Road follows the adventures and challenges of expats living in a small Mexican beach town.

This event is part of the renowned Conversations with Authors series by Book Passage, Read more

I recently took talking about my new book to a whole other level. With the help of an old friend, I went coast to coast with Driftwood: Stories from the Margarita Road.

Michael Wade Cullison and his lovely wife Monica were regular guests (who eventually became friends) at the Luna Blue Hotel and Bar in Mexico when Cheri and I owned the place. Nowadays, Michael’s passion is hosting a syndicated online radio show, “The Trop Rock Hour,” during which he plays tunes by independent tropical (i.e., Jimmy Buffett-style) rock musicians. Read more

Tomorrow my debut novel Driftwood: Stories from the Margarita Road will finally go on sale!   I would be lying if I said I haven’t dreamed about this day for a long time.  Well, it’s finally here.

There was supposed to be a big gathering at a local bookstore with wine, cheese, and special guests…but COVID put a stop to that plan. Instead, Cheri and I are hosting a virtual launch party from our home via Facebook Live tomorrow (Tuesday, October 20, 2020) at 6 pm Pacific (9 pm eastern). Read more

To celebrate the upcoming release of Driftwood: Stories from the Margarita Road, I am giving away six signed copies on November 1 in two different contests!

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It is frustrating to have a Caribbean soul yearning for time on the beach while being stuck at home during this pandemic. And while I can’t make the virus go away, a Margarita Road Film Festival in your own home might help ease the pain.

The Margarita Road is what I call the highway of heart and mind that lets us dream about running away to a new life in the tropics. And since we can’t follow that dream right now, why not sit back and watch pretty people pretend to do that exact thing in the movies?

Here are ten of the films I love for their ability to transport the viewer to paradise, plus a fun bonus. So fill a bowl with popcorn and a glass with rum and settle in for some virtual adventures. Read more