Web site of mystery author John J. Lamb

Daniel Ahrens and me. The Clockwork Teddy is dedicated to Danny. He's my best friend, my former street cop partner, and my wife's "brother."

Penny French and John Lamb at the Spring 2008 Teddy Bear Show in Timonium, MD.

Our dear friend Penny French and me at the Spring 2008 Teddy Bear Show in Timonium, MD. Penny is the profiled teddy bear artist in The Clockwork Teddy.

Back in August, my wife Joyce and I attended the 2007 Teddy Bear Artist Invitational (TBAI) in Binghamton, NY. The greatest joy in my life comes from the time we spend together…especially at teddy bear shows. We had a wonderful time at TBAI and this photo was taken at the opening reception.

One of Joyce’s Christmas presents was The Ice King, made by artist Martha Burch. In late January, we learned that this exquisite bear had been named as a finalist for a 2008 Teddy Bear of the Year (TOBY) award.

Visiting with Dolores Austin (the profiled bear artist in The False-Hearted Teddy) at TBAI.

Visiting with Dolores Austin (the profiled bear artist in The False-Hearted Teddy) at the opening reception at TBAI.

Later at the TBAI reception, we exchanged bear hugs with Barbara Burke, the profiled bear artist in The Crafty Teddy.

Seated in a miniature armchair and reading a tiny copy of The False-Hearted Teddy, this sweet bear was a gift from Penny French. It now occupies a place of honor in our library.

Our Golden Horde…from left to right: Dolly, Teddy Bear, Gabriel, and Kristen Noel awaiting peanut butter dog-cookies from Daddy.

My wife Joyce, with our dear friend Frankie Uchimura, at my author event for Echoes at the Mysterious Galaxy Bookshop in San Diego on January 13, 2006. Sadly, Frankie succumbed to cancer a month later, but she'll always be remembered and greatly missed. I'm a better person for having known her and The Mournful Teddy is dedicated to her.