Last week, I had the pleasure of participating in a Utah Book Festival event with Kase Johnstun and Juan Morales. I had never been in a book signing inside a bar, Casot, which very properly advertises as a “wine + work” space.

Indeed, it was so cozy and nice that I can easily imagine all sorts of creative types wining and working there. Even for someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, like me, it was a charming place.

Juan read from his poetry book A handyman’s guide to ends times, Kase talked about his novels Let the Wild Grasses Grow and Cast Away and I discussed Death Comes in Through the Kitchen, my first novel in the Havana Mystery series, and Cuban recipes. Which was very appropriate as the reception at Casot included tapas of croquetas and other Spanish-inspired appetizers.

Visiting The King’s English Bookshop and meeting co-owner Anne Holman was another highlight of the trip.

Nothing like entering a bookstore and smelling the scent of books!

And finally we had dinner at a restaurant called Finca: the most delicious seafood paella, as well as jamón serrano, asparagus, patatas bravas and other yummy appetizers.

I also learned a lot about zombie movies that evening. Who knows? Some day, I may decide to write a zombie book. It’s all quite fascinating.

What else can I say?

Writing books is always very pleasant …and so is promoting them 😊

Next stop…the Miami Book Fair next month, where I will be presenting my most recent novel in English, Last Seen in Havana (Soho Crime, 2024) on Saturday November 23, and the short story collection en español En la Feria del Libro de Miami y otros viajes astrales (El Ateje, 2024) on Sunday November 24…the latter, a result of a previous visit to the Miami Book Fair.

Nos vemos.