It's been an eventful week and a half here in Alabama. First, my friend Beverly Barton died. And then we got slammed with severe weather that has left over 200 dead and wiped out entire towns. I can't even begin to comprehend the extent of the damage. Though my house is fine, and all my family and friends are fine too, I had no power for 4 days. I lost all the contents of my refrigerator — not a big deal in the scheme of things. In the days immediately after the power went out, we had no cell phone service. That came back slowly.

The morning after the tornadoes, our local grocery store was one of only a very small number to open. It was crowded with people getting the kind of food they could eat for days without power. Fortunately, I have a camp stove (actually a Korean stove that uses butane) and was able to heat food. Gasoline was an issue too. Without power, the pumps don't work, so there was panic over gas. We had one car that was full. The other needed gas (lesson learned: always fill up when they say severe weather is coming).

But we've made it through, our power is on again, and life seems somewhat normal in Chez Harris. And yet it isn't really. We are lucky enough to be in the 30% that have power right now. Most of Madison County still does not. Hubby went to work today only to have to come home again because there's no power.

Minor, minor inconveniences when there are people who have lost everything. If you want to help, you can donate to organizations like the Red Cross. Text 90999 and $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill. Or just go and donate online, or get the address for where to send a check.

Finally, though it's surreal to say this, I also have to let you, my readers, know that if you've been wanting to read Prince Voronov's Virgin, you can order it now through eHarlequin. It's available a month early in both print and ebook.

I hope you are safe and well in your corner of the world. Best to you all!