t's like looking through a lovely photo album, compiling this list of favorites. Two years ago, many of these authors were faraway famous people I'd never hoped to meet. Sisters in Crime? Mystery Writers of America? Romance Writers of America? Cool people. Successful people. People who had made it as authors—but who were from a world where I didn't live. And now, I'm smiling as I make this list. Friends. Colleagues. Now they're not only authors I admire and whose books I devour, but pals who advised me, helped me, stopped me from making mistakes. I'm on the Boards of Sisters In Crime/New England and Mystery Writers of America/ New England Chapter. Come join us. Maybe you'll meet some new friends here, too. And I do hope you'll read their books. And what makes this writing journey even more terrific—there'll be lots more where this came from. Do visit often—I promise new treats all the time. **Do you have a favorite blog you just can't resist? A favorite author who's your latest addiction? Let me know. And because my first love is television reporting, here are some sites you'll want to visit from the TV world... Since my beat is consumer and investigative reporting, I can't resist adding some sites you might need every day. How do you get on the Do Not Call list? Has your new toaster been recalled? Is that lottery check you got in the mail the real thing? Scroll down to DON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN for some answers. WEBSITES Sisters in Crime/New England Mystery Writers of America Mystery Writers of America New England chapter Crime Bake Romance Writers of America Romance Writers of America New England chapter Guppies NBC/Boston AUTHORS Peter Abrahams Jessica Andersen M. T. Anderson (no website! but read this) Jan Brogan Dana Cameron Mary Jane Clark Claire Cook Hallie Ephron Kate Flora Patry Francis Tess Gerritsen Rosemary Harris Jeremiah Healy Roberta Isleib Harley Jane Kozak Marianne Mancusi Becky Motew Jennifer O'Connell Clea Simon Sarah Stromeyer BLOGS Jungle Red Kristin Nelson/Pub Rants Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind Lipstick Chronicles Writers Group Naked Authors Femmes Fatales Murderati Killer Year Cozy Chicks Romancing the Blog The Debutante Ball Diana Peterfreund DON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN For product recalls: Consumer Product Safety Commission For dozens of consumer questions: Consumer Action Website For complaints about cars and information on defects and auto recalls: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Email warnings: The real deal? Or... Urban Legends