Guest Blogger: Rochelle Staab

Greetings from a bar stool at the Tiki Hut on a starlit beach near Los Angeles. I’m Liz Cooper, L.A. psychologist and sometimes sleuth, sitting as close as I can get to the bartender mixing Tipsy Tequila Cocoa*. Swathed from my ponytail to my Uggs in layers of white cotton, a wool scarf, jeans, and my old U of I college varsity jacket, my nose is cold, and I’m egg-nogged, gifted, caroled, red-and-greened, and It’s A Wonderful Life’d out. California born, I consider forty degrees at the beach a frostbite alert but beneath the portable heater at the hut, I’m content and surrounded by people I adore.

On Christmas morning, my Dad surprised Mom with tickets for a New Year’s Eve Mexican cruise, meaning for once in my thirty-eight years I can celebrate my New Year’s Eve singing “Auld Lang Syne” somewhere other than the annual party at my parents’ house. I’m planning on a midnight kiss I’ll remember all year.

Undaunted by Dad’s shift in plans, Mom switched gears and gathered a group for a New Year’s Eve-Eve-Eve-Eve party at the Pacific Ocean. The waxing crescent moon above me punctuates the night sky with a lustrous apostrophe. Laughter mixes with the sound of waves lapping to shore. At the end of the bar, mini-cheeseburgers are disappearing fast off bamboo trays. My best friend Robin, looking like a marshmallow in need of toasting, shivers on the stool beside me with her arms crossed over her chest and mittened hands tucked under the armpits of her white puff coat.

Mom, in a full-length, cream-colored woolen cape, passes out paper and pens, asking her guests to circle the bonfire on the sand. “To bid bon voyage to 2011, I want everyone to write down what you’ll leave behind, plus your resolutions for 2012. When you’re done, throw your paper into the bonfire for the universe to look after, and then we’ll toast to the year ahead.”

My fingers sufficiently warmed by a second cup of spiked cocoa, I plop on a blanket near the roaring fire, write and then read my list to Robin. “I’m leaving behind Jarret.” Whoa. Why, after being divorced for three years, is my ex on any list I make? “No, wait. Do-over. I’m leaving behind cellulite. I intend to go to the gym in 2012.”

Robin laughs. “Both lumps are squatters. Once exes and cellulite settle in, they don’t leave. But I think it’ll be easier for you to lose the ex than to ditch the cellulite, Liz. Sorry.”

“I’m motivated.” I smile, glancing toward the hut across the sand. Nick—my reason to be in shape and the focus of my midnight kiss—is at the bar with my brother. “Oh, and I’m leaving behind anything to do with crime, unless—”

“Trust me.” Robin puts up her hands. “Trouble is on my leave-behind list too. What are your resolutions? Aside from keeping Nick busy, of course.”

“Easy. Laugh more. Love more. Give more.” I toss my list into the fire and watch it burn. Yes, I believe 2012 will be a good year. What else could happen?

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Carol, thank you so much for inviting Liz and me to cozy up Under the Tiki Hut today. The start of a new year brings opportunity for new beginnings and do-overs. My goal for 2012 is better time management (can someone sell me extra hours? Please?) To end 2011 in style, I’m giving away a copy of WHO DO, VOODOO? to a lucky commenter. For a chance to win, share one personal goal you’d like to accomplish in 2012. U.S. residents only, please. Good luck everyone, and all the best for a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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*Tipsy Tequila Cocoa

Rochelle Staab, a former award-winning radio programmer and music industry marketing executive, blended her fascination with the supernatural and her love for mystery in WHO DO, VOODOO? the bestselling first novel in her Mind for Murder Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime. BRUJA BROUHAHA, the second novel in the series will be released in August 2012.
www.rochellestaab.com
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