This week I would like to introduce you to Miranda Neville, a wonderful historical romance writer and one of the six fabulous authors who have pooled their collective knowledge and talents over at the brand new site The Ballroom Blog. She’s stopped by here at my humble blog to offer her Five Things and show off her wonderful new book–which I am going to tuck into my bag for my upcoming vacation!

1. Favorite indulgence: Leonidas white chocolate truffles and Veuve Cliquot Champagne. Please send me the thin gene so that I can afford to eat the first, and … Read more »

As I wrote last Saturday, I made a plea to my fans over on Facebook that the well had gone dry on what to talk about over here on my blog, and they in turn offered up a bucket load of questions. Here is what I have plucked out today from this treasure quest of “I want to knows.”

Today’s questions are courtesy of: Erica Lynn Thrasher and Janelle Wilbanks.

Erica asked:

Do you find that you have time for social life when a deadline is approaching?

A social life? What exactly is that? To be honest, I’ve taken … Read more »

…And I am going to answer them. You may, or may not know, but I asked my wonderful and enthusiastic Facebook friends if they had a question or questions for me, what would they be? Bless their hearts, they flooded me with a tide of questions for me to answer on my blog.

Quite frankly, I was sitting down to blog and getting a bit stumped. It could be that I am nearing my deadline, so I am just a bit focused, ahem, elsewhere. Happily, these questions have certainly refreshed the blog well, and I will probably use them … Read more »

This Thursday brings us the two-fer special via women’s fiction author, Megan Crane, who, when she whips off her trade book exterior, transforms into the wonderful and sexy, Harlequin Presents author, Caitlin Crews. I so want a secret identity. Will work on that while you get to learn Five Things about Megan Crane/Caitlin Crews:

1) Favorite indulgence: Anything and everything chocolate. The darkest and most sinful chocolate, please. From modest chocolate bars you can buy in the supermarket to over-the-top truffle creations or molten chocolate desserts in restaurants. I love it all!

2) The last book you read: I read … Read more »

I had planned this blog to have a bunch of pictures of all my favorite things: the flowers in my yard, a big bowl of Rainier cherries, the beach near my house–all the stuff that makes summer so much fun. Excerpt there is one problem this year.

Summer has yet to arrive in Seattle.

Here was the view from my windshield on Saturday as I sat and waited for the ferry on my way to Hood Canal:

Believe it or not, there is a ferry boat arriving at the end of the dock, but it was nearly impossible to see … Read more »

I was struck with a huge case of cover envy the other day when I saw Robyn DeHart’s e-novella release, Her Gentleman Thief. It is just stunning and sexy and all about the romance, which I adore in a cover.

So I asked Robyn, who I met several years ago, to drop by because: a) I like her; b) she writes great books; and c) I knew I shouldn’t be the only gaping in envy at this cover. Or alone in reading the story. So with my usual flourish and a wave, Five Things about Robyn DeHart:

1) Favorite … Read more »

I may lose my knitting mojo during the summer, but for some reason, I crank through the reading pile. Coincidence? I think not.

But this summer I’ve got a dilemma. I am in the process of finishing up a book which means . . . I tend to avoid reading historical romances for a bit. I just like to keep my head focused on my story and not have someone else’s words invading the process. So I am diving into my stash and reading all over the place. Here is what is on my list or currently being devoured:

The … Read more »

Somewhere in the last few weeks, I’ve lost my knitting mojo. This has not happened to me in years. Like probably lots of years. But I haven’t picked up my needles for a week and I can’t seem to find the mojo to get motivated to finish the projects I have patiently waiting for me.

I would be worried if this hadn’t happened before. It used to be that I would knit from September to about the end of May and then pack it all up, garden, play and enjoy the long summer days that are a Seattle staple. I … Read more »

I am fascinated by all the authors who are writing e-reads, like Lavinia Kent, who is releasing The Real Duchesses of London novellas, so I asked her to drop by and share five things about herself you and I might not know. That and I liked her book trailer. So without further ado, Five Things About Lavinia Kent:

1) Favorite dessert
: Really good Key Lime Pie.

2) Most played song on my iPod

: It varies enough that I can’t answer.

3) Secret passion (hobby, collections, sport, thrill seeking): Reality TV. I love it, particularly Bravo’s Real Housewives. It … Read more »

I will be entirely honest: I tend to choose my RWA conference attendance by virtue of where the conference is taking place. San Francisco? Oh, yeah. Orlando? Not so much. No offense to Orlando, but here is the real deciding factor: what is there to see and do in the host city that is just outside the hotel door and doesn’t require a rental car. And in NYC, there is everything.

As evidenced from the view of hectic Times Square from my hotel room:

Amazing huh? And I love this HUGE billboard. This poor fellow was trapped out there all … Read more »