Happy March --- the month that roared in like a lion with snow and wind. I am ticking off the days until spring and hoping that it arrives right on time. I would like another color besides gray looking in at me from my window, and the trees can use some color, too. I like my world colorful!

It’s been a busy time in comics lately, and I’ve been having several opportunities to geek out. First up: Tomorrow night I’m going to see an advance screening of Watchmen, which opens in theaters on Friday! How long have we all been waiting for this one? It feels like forever, but it’s finally here. Expect a spoiler-free review to be posted on the site next week after I’ve seen it. I confess, I am an über-Watchmen fan, and I am going with Carol, who is reading Watchmen for the first time. It will be interesting to see her take and compare it to mine. One of our goals on the site is to create content that appeals to those who have been reading the format for years, as well as for new readers, and everyone in between. Through it all, we want everyone who reads the site to feel represented and like they have a home on the site.

Monday night I was a presenter at the Books for a Better Life Awards. I always enjoy this evening as we recognize authors who have written books that motivate and change people’s lives. Now having an awards ceremony the night after the Oscars had me in a mindset where I had perfected my “may I have the envelope please” line.

I have decided winter has been long enough and we all need something to smile about. With that in mind, we are hosting a special contest for A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE by Robin Lee Hatcher, which will be available in stores in May. FIFTY readers will have the opportunity to preview the book and comment about it on their favorite blog and/or online retail outlet. Click here for more details. 

Earlier this month, the groundhog, our hopeful harbinger of spring, poked his head out and took a look around after a long winter's nap. As I began prematurely packing away my sweaters and thinking about sandy beaches (okay, maybe sandy beaches are a couple of seasons away, but a gal can daydream, right?), I was abruptly halted by the appearance of the weatherly rodent's shadow, forecasting six more weeks of winter (sigh). With the last few weeks being as cold as they've been, who could blame the groundhog for heading back to bed that fateful February 2nd? Are you feeling the same way? Luckily, I have a bunch of new books to hold us over until spring!