For all you bartenders (and barflies) out there, Laurel has developed a tasty new drink that we call a TNT. It’s very simple, and very good.

Use a lemon, and don’t be shy. We use a quarter of a lemon, cut in half and muddled in the glass, so you have juice, pulp and peel.

Now, think gin and tonic, then forget the gin and use tequila instead.

Top with ice and tonic water, or diet tonic water for a healthier, lower calorie drink.

This has become one of our favorite drinks. It’s lighter and more refreshing than a margarita and shows off the taste of even sipping tequila. For my money, it makes a margarita seem like a Slurpee.

Cheers. Bottoms up. Or, as they say in China, Gambei.

Speaking of China, I’m nearly finished with my latest book, a novella that’s the first in the new series, “The Inspector Kwong Mysteries.” It’s called “The Quartz,” and features some of the most popular characters from “Hong Kong Blues.”

Of course, Chief Inspector Lawrence Kwong is still wearing his tweeds and carrying his silver-tipped cane. Matson Tai is back, but it’s ten years later, so he’s 21 now and just graduated from university with degrees in Law and Criminology. He’s six feet tall and has become the more active partner for Kwong when he can get the ladies to stop chasing him.

This time around, they’re going face-to-face against some very powerful adversaries who lead them to Beijing and The Forbidden City.

When it’s finished, which should be by the end of July, I’ll post an excerpt, and if any of you is interested in the manuscript, I’ll happily share it with you in exchange for high praise and/or constructive criticism.