Allison Leotta is a former federal sex crimes prosecutor. That brings to mind a stereotypical image of a hardened woman, more male than female, tough enough to toe it with the big boys, and able to stomp down on the revulsion most of us would feel when confronted […]
One of the world’s most beautiful sights is the wild pony swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague every July. It sets the heart thrumming in a universally spiritual moment that brings about 50,000 people* to the tiny island nestled in the waters between Maryland and Virginia. Who knew […]
Millions of people were stunned last week to discover the amazing singing group, Forte, had only met a few days before their TV audition on America’s Got Talent. Up until then, they’d only met online. It may seem odd to most people that you could form friendships or […]
I started crying today. No, not a little tear, or a bit of moisture in my eyes. I confess, it was out and out sobbing. What calamity in my life could have induced this? The film 1776. For those of you unfamiliar with the movie, it’s a musical […]
I don’t know if you’ve been watching America’s Got Talent recently. For me, some of these talent shows are a hit or miss affair. I want to watch them, get involved in the stories and talent of the participants, root for my favorites, but life gets in the […]
I dare you. Go ahead and read the excerpt of Marcia Talley’s book, Last Refuge, and see if you can resist buying it and reading it to the end. I know I couldn’t, but then again, I love Marcia Talley — both in print and in person. I’m […]
After being in bed, sick with bronchitis, I finally have been catching up on some new movie releases. While they range from literary to sci fi to feel good, I wanted to share my favorites with you. The Great Gatsby Can I tell you how much I love this film? […]
The United Emirate’s Embassy in Washington, D.C. is spectacular. I was invited to a reception in honor of the Zayed Foundation Energy Grant winners. Please click on the “Covert Exploits” tab up top or here to see the photos of the reception and the inside of the UAE […]
My other blog, Kiss and Thrill, and I are actively involved in trying to raise money for diabetes this month — a few of you may have seen this post elsewhere, but it is so important, I hope you don’t mind me reposting it here. Lena Diaz’s story […]
My dear friend, Cecily, wrote this lovely piece about what makes it spring. With the weather here in the DC area having gone from summer temperatures, to snow, to light jacket weather, to frost this morning, I really needed a refresher on how to spot it. Thanks, Cecily, […]
Diana: I discovered Veronica Hughes’ blog, completely by accident and was immediately hooked. Not only is she a fantastic writer, she lets us peek into a part of the world normally closed to outsiders. Her posts are usually humorous, but one day she posted an angst-filled story about how […]
Boston. The city’s name used to conjure up such happy images. Following the 1776 patriotic trail as a child. An extended weekend as teenager with my mother – buying craft stamps at Faneuil Hall that are still in the original plastic packaging, too precious in memory for me […]
Bestselling author, Brad Meltzer, sat down with Diana Belchase on the night his newest novel, The Fifth Assassin released at Politics and Prose bookstore in Washington, DC. Find out how Brad came up with the idea for a Presidential serial assassin, the scoop on his TV show, Decoded, and how he […]
The other day, I got to do something I never do. My dear friend came into town and we took one of those double decker bus tours. (Click here to see photos better) You know how it is, you live in a tourist place like D.C., and you […]
I must admit it, I’m addicted to old movies. There is something wonderful about the clear black and white images, the language, and the “America is a great nation” plots that hooks me every time. Lately, my favorite has become The Farmer’s Daughter. The plot is simple (SPOILER alert): […]
Next week marks a pivotal change for Italians as they decide between responsible fiscal policy and livable taxation. Bestselling author, journalist, commentator, and TV personality, Beppe Severgnini took a few minutes to speak with me about their upcoming elections. He is a media phenomenon who has crossed the […]
Living in the DC area provides a ton of opportunities to get insider information on the way things work in our capital city. But, how could I do these fab things and not take my readers along, too? Here are some photos of my exploits in Washington, DC. […]
It’s been a while since the Golden Heart Nominations for 2012 were announced, so, you might well ask, where have you been all this time? Was something fishy going on? Were you off on another covert assignment? Here are the possibilities: Diana was: a. Sitting around eating bonbons? […]
OMG! I Won!!! I still cannot believe it. I actually won the 2011 Golden Heart for my novel, Spy in the Mirror. Wow. The impact it’s already had on my career is amazing. Agents, editors, and booksellers literally pressed their business cards into my hand as I exited […]
