Sometimes I think the coolest part of being an author is getting to meet so many other authors–and one of my favorite writers around is Candice Hern. I simply adore her books and the best part is, she’s a very smart lady, with a love of history that I admire, and best of all, she’s become a good friend. And she let’s me hunt through her Regency closets of prints periodically when I need to dress a heroine. I mean, what is better than a great friend with an excellent closet— who shares?

Being someone who believes heartily in … Read more »

I suppose my promise the other day to blog yesterday about being an idiot came true, since I totally spaced blogging yesterday. But what I really wanted to talk about was that I am in The Complete Idiot’s Guide to The Ultimate Reader List. Have you seen this book yet? It is totally cool and a great way to find new authors.

Written by some wonderful librarians, they’ve compiled their best recommendations into one fun volume. You’ll go through the book, if you are like me, saying to yourself: “Oh, yeah, LOVE that book. And that one. OOOOh and … Read more »

When you write a series, or in my case have two ongoing series, this is the email that arrives in your inbox just about daily. Questions about characters you never expected would incite readers–take poor dead Orlando Danvers from Once Tempted or Kit from One Night of Passion for example. Then there are the characters who you just know, from the moment they step on the page are going to be interesting, going to make a great hero or heroine. Even if you don’t know all their secrets . . . yet.

Rockhurst, from His Mistress by Morning is just … Read more »

What is wrong with this picture?

Why does this dog look so sad? So alert? So ready to spring into action on a warm summer day?

Because he hasn’t received his copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows yet. I’d venture to guess this is what the 2 million Amazon customers looked like on Saturday as they awaited the UPS driver to arrive with their copy of Harry Potter.

I know I spent the day pacing the floor, glancing out the window at the least bit of rumble of traffic on my otherwise quiet street. Oh, yes, I could … Read more »

As I was packing to go to the beach–you know getting the important stuff in order–what books to read, what knitting project to take along–when I remembered that I’d unearthed an old copy of Arabella by Georgette Heyer while I was moving my office. I probably snagged it off eBay and had tucked it away for the right chance. So into the bag it went. It might have been published over 50 years ago, but I find Georgette Heyer’s stories a delightful change of pace.

I came to discover Georgette Heyer only about 7-8 years ago. I know. A shameful … Read more »

Here is the great thing about a healthy TBR. When you need a book, there is always one nearby. I finally got a chance to settle in and read this over the weekend. I’ve had it for ages and glanced at it often, not having the time to commit because it is so long. But the DH was out of town, I was sick, my mom (bless her heart!) took the oldest of the little heroes, left me with the one that doesn’t chatter and has suddenly taken to playing quietly by himself, and I settled into a comfortable chair … Read more »

My friend Christina had this tag on her blog for a song that always makes us happy whenever we hear it. And because happiness should always be shared, I tag anyone else who wants to play!

These are the rules:

1. Post about the one song that makes your heart sing, and uplifts your spirit every time you hear it. If you can provide a link to lyrics and/or audio that would be fabulous. But, it’s not essential, so don’t worry about it if you can’t.

2. Include a track back to this post.

So what is my song? I … Read more »

Right now I am starting a new book.  I have the go ahead from the Powers in New York, and I’m itching to start writing again.  I haven’t written a word since the first part of April when I turned my last book in–well other than the proposal for the next one and the blog entries here and on my other blog, Knit the Stash.  Oh, and the content for my new website.  So perhaps I have been writing, just not on a book. 

But anyhoo, I thought I would share the process with you and if you are … Read more »

When I sat down to write this first post for my new blog, I realized beginning a blog is much like beginning a book.  You sort of sit there and try to think of something brilliant to open with, something to dazzle the reader, then you realize that probably won’t happen right out of the chute.  So you start writing anyway.  That’s when you know you are a writer.  When you grant yourself the hall pass to write something less than brilliant and just get on with the story.  Because if you sat and waited for inspiration, that “Aha!” moment, … Read more »