Research

People always ask "What are you writing now?" It's a good question, I guess, but it often puts me in a tight spot. Because really, how can you sum up a plot, characters and the ending I'm usually still working on in my mind in the course of a conversation? I suppose I could but really, the listener would probably be sorry they'd asked!

The truth is that although I am rarely without a work in progress, most times I'm elbow-deep in research. Research? Yes, research. You see, before I can write a story or book set in some exotic location, I need to research that spot. And before I can write about any of the interesting bits and pieces that constitute a person's character and interests, I have to research. Because although I may have a character who para-sails, I don't para-sail and I most certainly don't intend to give it a go, either--not even for the sake of writing. So I research. Same goes for so many other aspects of life that we take for granted...how to change a tire, what temperature does a pizza oven need to keep to cook a perfect pizza?, the difference between cement and concrete, where to go in San Antonio for some good music.... The list goes on and on and the answer is always research.

Oh, and what am I researching now? My current work in progress takes place during the Civil War. It has to do with the Underground Railroad and the time just before the Battle of Gettysburg. So that's what I've been learning about. Fortunately, these topics interest me so, for me, research is fun.

Until next time.

Hidden Prospects

A while ago this story was released at The Wild Rose Press. It's a story that I had a great time writing. Alaska intrigues me, with its herds of elk, snow-capped mountains and cowboys. So let's say that writing this little story was a real pleasure!

A blurb:
A week in the Alaskan wilderness photographing wildlife sounds like just what Megan needs. Her boyfriend’s left her and her apartment seems empty; some time away can only be a good thing. Right? When she meets Stetson Walker and things begin to heat up with the handsome cowboy, Megan wonders if the wilds of Alaska are as harmless as she’d imagined them to be. She’s certainly learning that the men are many things—but tame isn’t one of them.

It's available now at The Wild Rose Press. If you get a chance to read it, I hope you enjoy it. It just may make you hanker for a glimpse at the Alaskan wilderness, too.

Morrigan's Cross

I'm often asked what I'm reading. Since that's a question that I'm always curious about, too, I decided to share from time to time a bit about whatever book I'm currently reading. I think most writers love to read. I mean, it's a love of language, words and expression that often leads one to write, isn't it?

Oh, so what am I reading these days? I've just begun Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts. Vampires, sorcery, magic, a quest to save the world and romance...just my kind of book. I'm only a few chapters into it but I am already lost in the world she's created and I'm loving every minute of it.

So what are you reading?

Until next time.

New Look

Updating the blog...

A lot of people ask where they can read my stories or buy my books, especially the cookbooks. Since I am still procrastinating regarding an author website, I thought I'd post the links here so they'd be easily accessible to everyone who's interested. Every site I've posted a link to in the "Find My Books!" section is easily navigated and I know no one will have trouble finding what they want. Thanks so much for your interest, and thanks a heap for purchasing, too. I very much appreciate the interest and support as well as the business.

Eventually I'll post links to past stories, articles and such but for now, this is a start. And honestly, I'm on blog overload!

Until next time.

Petticoat Pledges available!

Woo hoo!

I just checked and Petticoat Pledges is available from The Wild Rose Press! Release day is always so exciting!

A cover!

Getting a cover for something you've written is always a thrill. This one, for the Valentine's Day story I wrote for The Wild Rose Press, came last night.

Isnt' it pretty? I love the petticoat in the corner, and of course I love the patriotic colors on the American Rose line of covers.

No release date yet, but I'll be sure to let you all know when I've got one!

Until next time.

Petticoat Pledges

Good news! Yesterday I was offered a contract from The Wild Rose Press for a short story I wrote called Petticoat Pledges. It is for their American Rose line, so it's a Civil War story set in Mississippi in 1864.

An excerpt? Sure, I can give you an excerpt. In fact, I just happen to have one right here...

For most, word of the war was one of the main reasons they went on living. That and the snippets of communication from their loved ones on the battlefields, brought by any means available to their work-worn hands and love-starved hearts.

“Ours was such a fast promise, a spur-of-the-moment pledge the morning they were leaving. Why, as a group of men walked by, Henry called out to me. It was just as casual as if he’d asked me to dance with him at the Harvest Ball. ‘Love me while I’m gone, won’t you, Bettie?’ It was a request that I’ll hear always. Even in my sleep his sweet voice comes to me.” The words were nearly whispered now, as she recalled the crispness of the morning they were first uttered.

Petticoat Pledges is a Valentine's Day story so it'll be available by February 14th. As I said, it's all good.

Hope your day is a happy one. Until next time.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

A New Year

Happy New Year!

If you're like most people you may have made New Year's resolutions. Yes, promises to yourself and family and friends that are made with high expectations yet broken with as easily as the smoke rings so many vow to stop making. Perhaps you've already broken your resolutions and are waiting for next December to re-make them. Don't despair. Most people break their resolutions. I think that the important thing is making them, thinking that the next year will be better, brighter, bigger somehow. Although if you consider it that way you have to wonder why more people aren't simply satisfied with their lives as they are, why they feel the need for bigger and better? Hmm... That seems to be a subject for a different blog, I think.

I've heard from a number of people that I haven't been keeping my blog faithfully enough, that I haven't made enough entries. I've listened to the complaints and have taken them to heart. So one of my resolutions involves spending more time here, with all of you. Let's hope I don't break that one. I don't intend to, but then we all know about intentions, don't we? Something about paving a way...

In any event, I'm going to try and spend more time blogging. Notice I didn't say I'd be the best blogger on the planet. I said I'd try.Because, in the end, that's the best any of us can do. We can try and be better.

Happy New Year!