This is it, my friends. The series title and tagline for my new series set in the Black Hills. I’m very happy with it, and I’ll tell you why.

#1 - It fits. In fact, it’s perfect because a small town suddenly finds the spotlight of notoriety shined firmly its way.

#2 - it’s clever and fresh and fun — especially the life/art thing. Makes you stop and think. This can be a very good thing when you’re trying to attract new readers.

And #3 — it’s done.

I have been agonizing over this for a week. My brain hurts from the effort. Really. I didn’t know there was a difference between a headache and a sore brain. There is. And it was humbling to discover just how bad I am at this series naming thing. I tossed out 10 ideas that fell way short of the mark, so my editor very gently asked me to try again.

The next 10 included my family’s favorite: Black Hills Confidential. Snappy, interesting, got a ring to it, right? There are those who still favor it, but I’m not one of them. I think it had a bit of a dark overtone, and you know me — I don’t write dark. I write light, bright, positive — that’s were the spotlight comes in.

So, there you are — the first to know.

Thank you, Megan, Victoria and Wanda, for your individual and collective brilliance. Have a wonderful holiday weekend — you deserve it!

Deb