I wrote a tribute to my dad that was published in The Tennessean on Father’s Day. I could not call or visit him, but I believe he somehow knew I was honoring him.

Thanks to the Knoxville Writers Guild for the opportunity to enter the Leslie Garrett Fiction Contest. My story, “A Family Meeting,” won First Place. The Knoxville Writers Guild is an active group who promote writing in many ways, and the contest they sponsor every year in fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and other categories has meant a lot to me through the years!

Author event – May 3, 2:00, at Parnassus Bookstore. Please mark your calendar!

“A vacation in Provence turns deadly. . . . Gobbell’s debut, first in a planned series, combines mystery, informative travelogue and enjoyable characters . . .”  – Kirkus Reviews

“. . . A twisty tale of treachery. Phyllis Gobbell’s debut suspense novel is distinguished by authentic characters and a glorious evocation of Provence.” – Carolyn Hart, author of Don’t Go Home, recipient of Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master Award

” . . .a delight! With Jordan Mayfair, Phyllis has given us a protagonist who will resonate with every woman who’s ever lived with love, loss, and struggle, and managed to triumph over it all. Add in an exquisitely intricate plot, a quirky and appealing supporting cast, and all the flavor of the French countryside, and you’ve got a winner! So uncork a nice Semillon and enjoy this one.”  – Steven Womack, author of By Blood Written, Edgar and Shamus award winner 

Read about the opening of the new library in Bellevue. This was part of The Tennessean article this week:

Grand opening

The grand opening festivities at the new Bellevue branch library at 720 Baugh Road, at 10 a.m. Thursday include a ribbon cutting with Mayor Karl Dean, music, food and children’s activities. There also will be a dedication of the two newest additions to Nashville’s Public Art Collection: “Great Beginnings,” an outdoor sculpture by Beverly Stucker Precious, and “Rise Above,” an indoor piece by Bellevue area resident Brenda Stein that features 90 carved birds soaring through the center of the building.

There will be biscuits from Loveless Cafe and appearances through the day by 10 local authors. Attending the 10:30 a.m. session are Phyllis Gobbell, Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, Alana White, Steven Womack and Tom Wood. The 6 p.m. session will include Tracy Barrett, Chester Campbell, Andrew Maraniss, Jaden Terrell and Lisa Wysocky.

The new Bellevue branch is five times larger than the 30-year-old library it replaces. It will have Monday and Wednesday story times, and has lots of “learn while you play” spaces for little ones as well as the comfy Studio NPL for tweens and teens. It also has 26 public computers (plus laptops and iPads you can check out), vending machines with snacks and coffee and soda, a walking trail, a reading porch, and an interactive Bellevue history wall where you can learn about the area’s geography and history.

The new library is located at 720 Baugh Road in Bellevue, less than a half mile from the old Bellevue Library. Contact the library at 615-862-5854.

Here’s the cover for Pursuit in Provence, the first in the Jordan Mayfair Mystery Series, which will be released by Five Star Publishers in March 2014. Watch for more information as events are scheduled

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I have just signed my contract with Five Star Mysteries, the wonderful publisher who has accepted Pursuit in Provence. The book is a traditional mystery or a cozy if you will, set in the South of France. I am working on the second book in the series set in Ireland. Thanks to Alana White, another Five Star author, for putting in a good word for me with the acquisitions editor, whom I met at Killer Nashville. More about Pursuit in Provence as we get closer to the pub date.