WE LOVE YOU, PATRY FRANCIS

We need to tell you three things:

1. Patry Francis' paperback version of her wonderful book is out. Right now. The hardback of her 'Liar's Diary' is already getting wild acclaim and rave reviews. And you probably have read it. But even if you have, please buy another copy. And one for a pal. And one for another pal.

2. She'd do the same for you, she really would. She's that wonderful, that caring, that devoted, that honorable, that unique.

3. And now, she's going to survive a bout with a really nasty cancer. She can beat it.

But she can't be on the promo road for the paperback Liar's Diary and be winning the cancer war at the same time. So, as we said. Go buy some books.

In fact, why not buy one for yourself and one for a friend? And if you like it, tell people!
Here are links to THE LIAR'S DIARY at Amazon,https://mail.whdh.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.amazon.com/Liars-Diary-Patry-Francis/dp/0452289157/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8%26s=books%26qid=1201406501%26sr=8-1 You can also buy directly from Penguin to save 15% (after you add the book to your cart, just enter the word PATRY in the coupon code field and click ‘update cart’ to activate the discount). Or go to your favoite bookstore. And ask 'em to sell the heck out of it.

Here's Patry at Crime Bake, before any of us knew her bad news. That's her on the left, smiling like there's nothing wrong. And the rest of us, (Patry, me (Hank Phillippi Ryan) Joe Finder, Kate Flora, Dorothy Cannell and Chuck Hogan) happy to be there, without a clue what was happening to our dear colleague.

After being introduced on line by our mutual pal Amy MacKinnon, I met Patry in person at her first--maybe her first?--reading for Liar's Diary. It was at the wonderful Porter Square books, and she admitted she was terrified. This incredibly talented author, and genius poet, was afraid, she whispered, to speak in front of people. Now you have to imagine, theres a room full of friends and family and fans. And our dear Patry has stage fright. Her loving and wonderfully supportive husband was there to cheer her on. And as it of course turned out, she was terrific.

She told me about her history, and her....well, you should read about it first hand. Not from me. Visit her blog...to be transported into a world where imagination and joy reign. http://www.patryfrancis.com/

But first: click over to Amazon or Penquin and buy the book.

Here are the publisher's words about the Liars Diary:
Answering the question of what is more powerful—family or friendship? this debut novel unforgettably shows how far one woman would go to protect either.

They couldn't be more different, but they form a friendship that will alter both their fates. When Ali Mather blows into town, breaking all the rules and breaking hearts (despite the fact that she is pushing forty), she also makes a mark on an unlikely family. Almost against her will, Jeanne Cross feels drawn to this strangely vibrant woman, a fascination that begins to infect Jeanne’s “perfect” husband as well as their teenaged son.

At the heart of the friendship between Ali and Jeanne are deep-seated emotional needs, vulnerabilities they have each been recording in their diaries. Ali also senses another kind of vulnerability; she believes someone has been entering her house when she is not at home—and not with the usual intentions. What this burglar wants is nothing less than a piece of Ali’s soul.
When a murderer strikes and Jeanne’s son is arrested, we learn that the key to the crime lies in the diaries of two very different women . . . but only one of them is telling the truth. A chilling tour of troubled minds, The Liar’s Diary signals the launch of an immensely talented new novelist who knows just how to keep her readers guessing.

And now, here are Patry's words, straight from her blog: "Though my novel deals with murder, betrayal, and the even more lethal crimes of the heart, the real subjects of THE LIAR'S DIARY are music, love, friendship, self-sacrifice and courage. The darkness is only there for contrast; it's only there to make us realize how bright the light can be. I'm sure that most writers whose work does not flinch from the exploration of evil feel the same."

I hope you've met Patry. If you have, you may not have gotten this far on the blog because you're out buying her book. That's great. If you haven't met her--seek her out the next ime you're at a conference. Tell her you're glad she's well, and writing, and that we missed her while she was in the hospital.

Then get her to autograph the books you bought today.

Get well soon, Patry.

With much love

Hank and Hallie and Rosemary and Roberta and Jan