book clubs

Blog followers of the universe, you’d better sit down… I’ve got some wonderful news to share with you today… Believe it or not, my nonfiction book, THE SECOND MOURNING, has won another book award! I am proud to announce that my book has won Second Place in the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BOOK FESTIVAL, which described my humble tale as “one of the very best nonfiction books of 2015.” The official awards ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 21, and I have been asked to say a few words to the audience! (Imagine me saying a “few” words to anyone?) I don’t know if I’m going to the ceremony or not. I was hoping for some sort of statue or bust to be erected!

In any case, I have been invited to sit at the “Table of Honor,” and I want to sincerely thank all of my blog followers for making this possible. While you didn’t get to vote, your support and encouragement was vital, and I truly adore each and every one of my 24,000 followers. If I could, I’ve give each one of you a big hug!

And speaking of big hugs, I’d like to thank a couple of book clubs for inviting me to speak about THE SECOND MOURNING and one of my mystery novels, DEVIL’S COVE. How do I love thee? (Elizabeth Barrett Browning might ask) Well, I love thee a great deal, and I appreciate your invitations! Last Monday, I had the pleasure of entertaining the famous “Royalty of Round Rock” Book Club, and it was truly an evening to remember. The gala event was hosted by the gorgeous and gracious Ann Dodson and her equally ravishing sidekick, Sally Hooper. (Talk about a dynamic duo!) My “booking agent” was none other than Helena Bomblatus, a/k/a The Princess of Portugal.

Since we were discussing THE SECOND MOURNING, the Round Rock ladies decided to dress in black, as if they too were in mourning! (I also spotted a few black veils and several handkerchiefs!) The menu du jour (in honor of President Garfield’s Ohio roots) included a delicious concoction called “Cincinnati chili.” The food, wine, and company were simply outstanding, and I am most grateful to all who participated in this memorable event. (Even to those who remained fully dressed during my oration.)

A few days earlier, I had the pleasure of chatting with a prominent book club in River Place. This stellar event was hosted by the lovely and talented Susy McIntyre, who certainly knows how to throw a good party. Once again, the dinner and drinks were superb, and even though my voice was allergy-affected, we all had a marvelous evening. I would also like to thank Sally Banta for extending the initial invitation, and Karee Barker for asking so many wise and wonderful questions. Thank you, ladies. (I will return the silverware after the holidays.)

On a humorous note, I see that the Austin Police busted up a meth lab that was operating in a dairy barn. (There are no “sacred cows” in Texas!) When I read the story, I immediately went into “pun overdrive.” For instance….. When the police broke down the barn door, did they yell “Nobody Moo!?” Did the criminals complain that this was “udder nonsense?” Was this the worse thing that “cud” happen? (How many cow jokes does this guy have?) All right, let’s put this routine “out to pasture.”

So, in lieu of “milking” this routine any further, allow me to bid you all a fond farewell. I hope you have a safe and prosperous week, and we shall meet again in the very near future. Until then, happy trails to you….. Love to all,

Doc Yanoff

***P.S. Attached you will find some photographs from the Round Rock Book Club Love & Literature Festival. (I apologize for any nudity I may have missed!)

WHEN I SAY “ENGAGEMENT” I AM REFERRING TO….. Speaking engagements! I have two interesting events scheduled for this coming week. First, I will be regaling an audience of “seasoned citizens” at the Austin Senior Center, which is always fun. Wisdom comes with age. (So do Social Security checks.) On Thursday, I shall be having a delightful brunch with the charming ladies of the River Place Book Club. These wonderful women have invited me to a gourmet feast, followed by a fascinating lecture centered around THE PRESLEY PLOT and my recent foray into the cut-throat world of publishing! The event is being hosted by Claudia Tobias, a truly remarkable woman who donates many long hours to various charitable groups in our community. I think this will be great fun and I am looking forward to a lively discussion. (I know some of these ladies from the River Place Garden Club and they are a smart and worldly group.)

And speaking of smart and lively women….. Leigh Ann Woodward, one of the sweetest and most talented poker players in Texas, recently hosted the 8th Annual Kings & Queens Poker Event at her lovely country estate in Lago Vista last night. I have played in this tournament several times (and done remarkably well, I might add) so I know how much fun it is, and I also know that it attracts some very good poker players. The evening is filled with great drinks, great food, and great company! Unfortunately, I could not play this year, but I am anxious to hear who won. In any case, Leigh Ann should be congratulated for throwing one of the best Christmas-time events of the season!

Since I have been writing about South Africa recently, I think I should mention that we now have 12 new blog followers in that fascinating country! G’day mates! (Australian is as close as I can come!) Rachel (my daughter) and Adam (the son-in-law) recently returned from your beautiful country and they loved it! Of course, being related to me, you might expect one or two (how shall I put this?) “Mishaps.” For instance, when they went to Robben Island to view Nelson Mandela’s jail cell, the guard told them that “Nelson spent 18 years on this island.” Rachel, being a chip off the old block, asked, “Which one, Ricky or David?” Adam wasn’t much better. He told the guard that if Mandela had been Jewish they wouldn’t have kept him in a jail cell. (Jewish people eat “locks.”) And so it went…… Surprisingly, we still have diplomatic relations with South Africa.

AND NOW FOR SOME ELVIS PRESLEY NEWS….. I have some very exciting news for all of my fans and blog followers….. THE PRESLEY PLOT has been chosen to receive a “full book review,” by the international website called AMAZON BOOK CLUBS! This is really great news for me, and once the review is posted, it should attract world-wide attention. The Amazon Book Club selections are seen by millions of readers throughout the world and they are also posted on just about every social website known to man. (or woman) I am very excited about this development and I will keep you posted of my progress. I should get a “first draft” sometime within the next two weeks. Just between you and me, this sort of makes up for losing the Nobel Prize for Literature to that Ecuadorian Llama rancher. (I’d like to “pull the wool” over that guy sometime!) All right, I have to stop being bitter. Just let it go. Keep moving forward. (But come on, a book about Montezuma’s revenge? Really?)

Incidentally, just to keep you in the loop, I will (unless there is breaking news) be posting one blog per week from now on. (No cheering, please.) My writing commitments (the ones I get paid for!) have recently grown experimentally, I mean, exponentially. In short, there are not enough hours in the day! (I think we’re stuck at 24) I for one would vote for a longer day and a shorter night, but that’s just me. In any case, I just don’t have enough time to produce such mind-boggling brilliance twice a week and still play poker. I hope I have not disappointed anyone. You must go on with your lives. Forget about me. (Not entirely, though) We shall still meet each and every Sunday! (One more thing to pray for!)

So….. until next Sunday….. I wish you joy and happiness. (Aren’t those the same things?)

Love to all,

Doc Yanoff

Books By Stephen G. Yanoff

AND THE WINNER IS …..

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT!