Yes, this is me, and don’t let the curls and the cheerful smile fool you. Truth is, I’m a diesel-driving double-clutching Jersey girl who spends too much time fixing boats and trucks, sailing, writing and not behaving according to expectations, and I’ll be the first to admit I have an evil, twisted mind. I live in northeast New Jersey with my husband, three dogs and assorted cats. Growing up aboard boats, I’ve sailed the region’s waters single-handed since childhood, and done a little of everything from boat restorations and repairs to managing a boatyard and working in commercial marine transportation. My work has been published in Boating on the Hudson, Offshore Magazine and DIY Boat Owner Magazine. I divide my time between working on Annabel Lee, my 32′ trawler, and writing, where I tend to find humor in the strangest, and often darkest places. My first novel, Last Exit In New Jersey, is currently available, and the sequel, No Wake Zone, will be released May 22, 2012. I’m currently at work on the third book in the series: Evacuation Route.
Q. Why am I smiling?
Scituate Harbor, Massachusetts, November 11, 2007.
When I woke that morning it was 26 degrees outside, and, with no heater aboard, not much warmer in the cabin. The day before, we crossed the bay in 14 foot seas. I spent more time than I’d care to admit examining the swim platform. Half our food stayed behind in the car, the water in the holding tank tastes kind of funky and the cabin looks like a bomb went off.
A. I’m having fun! (And clearly insane.)
The ‘muttly’ crew – Moxy and Rex, ready to roll.
Annabel Lee – 1977 Cheoy Lee 32′ Trawler
Built in Hong Kong by Cheoy Lee Shipyards, she cruises contently at a sedate 7 knots through hell or high water, burning a mere one gallon an hour, and her 80hp Lehman diesel will run just fine on biodiesel. She draws 4.5′, weighs in just under 20,000 lbs., holds 360 gallons of fuel, 200 of water, and carries full electronics. Aboard, there are V bunks forward, a head with shower, full galley with 4 burner propane stove/oven, fridge, pressurized hot & cold running water and LOTS of teak.
Myra Lee – Annabel Lee’s predecessor, a 1978 Marshall Sanderling. A truly charming catboat and a delight to sail. She’s moored just south of our docks these days.
Kat-Cat, one of our former ferals, has much to laugh at these days.
C E, I just completed LAST EXIT and thoroughly enjoyed it. Your characters are unique, intriguing, and compelling. I look forward to the publication of NO WAKE ZONE and the continuation of the seres.
A great fan of the salvage business. gordon
Gordon, thanks so much! I always love hearing from readers, and comments like yours make my day! I’m working away on No Wake Zone and things are coming together wonderfully, and yes, I plan to continue the series from there as well. I’ll have all the details here on my blog (as well as lots of messy boat restoration details, but those aren’t fiction!) as the release date approaches.
Best regards, C.E.
CE – I love Last Exit in NJ – I am from NJ and that made it all the more interesting. I can’t wait until No Wake comes out – please hurry
Nancy
Nancy, it’s great to know my fellow Garden State residents enjoy my story! And yes, No Wake Zone is moving along; I’m writing full-time these days and I’ll be updating the blog with updates for the release date and other news. Thanks! C.E.
Loved Last Exit in NJ …cant wait for the second book….is it fall yet?
I grew up in Hasbrouck Heights NJ and spent summers down the shore …loved every bit of being a Jersey Girl and every bit of this book. I hated that I finished it. Keep up the good work !!