Kathie DeNosky: Where Do All Those Stories Come From?

I’m often asked by readers where I get my story ideas.  When I tell them everywhere, I’m not just giving them a nice neat little answer.  I really do get inspiration for my books from everything around me.  For example, in the early days of my writing career, I was watching television with my family and a commercial came on for a gynecology clinic in my area.  That started me thinking.  What if a doctor delivered a baby and then realized that he had just delivered his own son?  Several cups of coffee and a couple of days I had worked out the plot for my third book, HIS BABY SURPRISE.

Another time, I was on the phone for a late night conversation with my good friend and fellow author, Kristi Gold.  When my weather radio came on to announce a tornado warning, we joked about me being blown over the rainbow into the land of Oz.  After a good laugh, I started thinking about the possibilities  and once again my imagination took over.  That moment of humor spawned a three book series based very loosely on The Wizard of Oz.  In my stories, instead of a scarecrow without a brain, my hero was a man without a college education, the cowardly lion was a man who as a teenager had run away from trouble with the law, and the tin man without a heart was a man who had closed off his heart to ever loving again. 

For my newest mini-series, The Good, The Bad and The Texan, it wasn’t something that I saw or joked about that gave me the idea for the six books.  It was something I heard.  I had listened to Tim McGraw’s song, “Real Good Man”, for years and always liked it.  But one day when that song came on the radio one line seemed to reach out and grab me.  The line that inspired the entire six book series was “I can be a real bad boy, but baby I’m a real good man.”  Let’s face it, we all like “bad boys” and we all love the notion that deep down they are good men.  After a little thought, I came up with the idea of six men who finished growing up on the Last Chance Ranch—a home for boys that the foster care system had given up on as lost causes.

No matter if it’s television commercial, a moment of joking around with a good friend or listening to the lyrics of a song, inspiration is all around us.  But I’ve often wondered if the books authors write inspire you in some way.  I once read a book about an overweight heroine and the tips she used to lose her extra weight.  I tried the tips and guess what?  I lost twenty-five pounds.  LOL 

So my question is, have you ever read a book that inspired you to try something you wouldn’t otherwise have thought to do, go somewhere you’ve never been or maybe change yourself in some way?  I’d love to hear how the books you read inspire you and carry over into your everyday lives.  Can’t wait to hear from everyone.

Kathie     

CJ Carmichael: Why Do We Love Montana?

The reality of life on a ranch in Montana is a lot of hard work...so why is this setting so appealing for lovers of romance and family sagas?

I’ve thought about this question a lot. Having grown up on a farm in Saskatchewan I know that country life is easy to idealize—for those who haven’t lived it. But the benefits are undeniable: the beauty of the land, the fortitude of the people, the resilience of the communities.

One of my favorite books about life on a Montana ranch is: “Sketches from the Ranch, A Montana Memoir” by Dan Aadland. Aadland is a combination rancher/poet/philosopher. He’s very down-to-earth as he describes his day to day responsibilities as a modern day “cowboy,” but always with a eye for beauty and truth, such as in this small sample:

“Spring on a Montana ranch is not only calving cows. It is also the crocus, the brave flower that picks its way, sometimes through snow, to decorate the still-brown grass of the dryland hills. It is a small boy with a bouquet of pussy willows in one hand, the other hand thrust into his mother’s palm as they come up from the woods late in the afternoon. It is the return of the meadowlark and the sandhill crane.”

Writers aren’t the only ones who love Montana. Paradise Valley (the setting for my fictional Carrigans of the Circle C) was inspiration, title and solace to John Mayer as he was crafting the music for his new album of the same name.

Many movie stars, famously Robert Redford, own property in Montana and some of the most beautiful movies I’ve seen (A River Runs Through It, The Horse Whisperer) have been filmed here.

If Montana were a song, it might be the Eagle’s, “A Peaceful Easy Feeling.”

It might also be a place to call home, a land where the people are real and true, a place where you can believe in love and forever, and even dare to put them in the same sentence.

If you also love Montana, especially stories with that setting, tell me why and I’ll send you an autographed book from Big Sky Country!

Cheers,

CJ

Sage Carrigan never meant to be the other woman. Unfortunately, bronco rider Dawson O’Dell neglected to mention he was married the night he invited her to his bed after they’d both placed first in their rodeo events. When his wife walked in on them – Sage was deeply hurt and humiliated. After an accident in the ring the next day, Sage decides she’s quitting the rodeo–and cowboys—to become a chocolatier in her hometown ranching community, Marietta, Montana. She’s doing just fine, but then Dawson shows up —five years later, with a little girl in tow. He’s here for the Copper Mountain Rodeo hoping to win big. But he’s also got plans of settling down with his daughter and buying a house—the very same one that Sage has been dreaming about. He says he’s here for her and he’s making lots of promises. But can he keep them?

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

***Congrats, Emily Baucom, you won! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com***

Rachel Bailey: Wish Upon A Star

Have you ever seen a shooting star? Wished upon one?

I’ve seen one a few times, but each time I’ve been so caught up in moving to see it more clearly, or deciding if it really was a shooting star, I haven’t thought to make a wish. And the ones I’ve seen have been so quick – one second they’re there, leaving a little trail, and the next they’re gone.

Wikipedia tells me that, “Shooting star is a common name for the visible path of a meteoroid as it enters the atmosphere, becoming a meteor.” Which doesn’t sound particularly magical or romantic, does it? But I’m still keen to do a bit of shooting star-watching.

If you’re keen to catch a shooting star, or at least to see one, here’s some advice from NASA – keep an eye out during a meteor shower.

"Usually, the first couple of nights of a meteor shower have light activity," said Yeomans. "Then, the number of meteors can increase dramatically as Earth approaches the densest portion of the stream. After peaking for anywhere from a few hours to a few nights, it decreases back down to a level where you couldn't distinguish it from a normal night's meteor activity.

Good advice – I’m going to keep an eye out for news of a meteor shower, and this time I’ll be ready to make a wish!

Of course, in a book I have a bit more time to think about reactions so in Countering His Claim, when Luke and Della see a shooting star one night from the top deck of a cruise ship, here’s what happened:

He looked up to the stars and a flash of movement caught his attention. Within an instant he was beside Della, one arm around her waist, pointing skywards. “Shooting star.”

“Oh,” she said on a long breath, her gaze following his finger.

The feel of her against him was mesmerizing. Absorbed in the moment, she’d forgotten to be on her guard and allowed her soft curves to meld into his side, her head resting back on his shoulder as she tracked the star’s path.

“Make a wish,” he murmured beside her ear.

A kiss. In this moment, all he wanted was to turn her to face him, to lean down and touch her sweet lips with his. It was wrong, he knew it was wrong, but the blood in his veins thundered and a delicious heat began to rise.

The star faded and the night sky again grew still, the only movement the ship’s steady forward progress and the gentle breeze that danced in Della’s hair. But she didn’t move away. Part of him dared not move and break the spell, but the larger, rebellious part of him—surrounded by the scent of vanilla and woman—risked inclining his head down to hers, and was rewarded when she shivered.

“Like to know what I wished for?” he said, voice low.

Her eyes drifted shut. “You’re not supposed to tell. It won’t come true if you do.”

“Maybe,” he said, his mouth so close to her ear that his lips brushed her lobe as he spoke. “But if you knew what the wish was, perhaps you’d grant it.”

I though asking for a kiss from the person you were madly attracted to was a great use for a wish. J

I’d love to know if you’ve ever seen a shooting star, and if so, have you been clever enough to make a wish? If you haven’t, what would you wish for if you had the chance? I’ve got a copy of Countering His Claim here for one person who leaves a comment.

My website: www.rachelbailey.com

Countering His Claim:

Amazon 

Barnes& Noble 

eHarlequin 

Passion sets sail in USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Bailey's tale of high-stakes inheritance 
Never be distracted by a woman is hotel magnate Luke Marlow's golden rule, especially when the woman just inherited half his late uncle's luxury cruise liner. But ship's doctor Della Walsh is the exception. Her dignified beauty ignites Luke's desire despite his suspicions. Even so, he will gain full control of the ship at all costs. 
For Della, the ship has been a sanctuary. Now she has just three weeks to change Luke's mind and save the ship—until passion comes along and steers them off course….

***Lory Lee is the winner.  Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com***

PUT UP YOUR DUKES by Jenny Gardiner

I think I owe an apology to my fellow pugilists in boxing class at the gym. My Type A mentality appears to have seeped into the otherwise collegial group and launched a lamentable trend (though I could argue where better for Type A behavior to infiltrate than in an aggressive pursuit like boxing?). It wasn't on purpose. Or I should say it wasn't overtly intentional. Mostly it arose from a purely maternal instinct, if one can have maternal instincts when it comes to hitting something with your fists, even if it is with hot pink gloves. You see, before I got all territorial in boxing, no one ever claimed a bag. People would show up and mill about the room, chatting while wrapping their hands. After warm-up, they'd migrate to a bag, depending on who was in the class. But then I came along. And persuaded my daughter to start boxing too. But she was often late to class, coming right from work, and I wanted to share a bag with her, so I had the brilliant idea to just drop our gloves when I got to class in front of one of the bags, which would indicate that two people would be on that bag. I suppose the fact that the gloves were pink automatically sent the men running to a separate bag. I'm fairly certain the idea of anything but traditional black boxing gloves is anathema to any man worth his salt. Dirty secret: this certainly worked to our advantage, because it's actually harder to punch on a bag with a guy who is pounding the thing with far more power. So pink gloves meant the guys would seek out another bag to reserve. Honestly, I didn't claim the bag in order to be territorial. I just wanted to ensure that she and I could box together. How would I know that people would pick up on the trend and start dropping their gloves first thing on their own bag of choice? For that matter, who knew there even were bags of choice? But now, when the doors open for class, people beeline to the spots where the bags aren't even out yet, at the ready, staking their home for the next 60 minutes, marking their territory, like a good fighter should. So maybe I've done them all a favor. Perhaps I was somehow answering that call of the wild that is deep down in us all, that need to have that fire hydrant with which you can do whatever you damn well please. Damn that reptilian part of my brain! And I'll try not to flinch at the irony of my staking out a bag so that my daughter and I could punch together. Talk about genteel familial bonding! It would probably be wiser to bond over shopping, though that too can become an aggressive pursuit, if a sale is especially good (think Thanksgiving night at WalMart). Now one might argue that this spot-saving thing is rooted in a childhood in which I had to stake my claim or not get it. Growing up with three brothers, well, I'd have been much better off with a nice set of (pink) boxing gloves, frankly. Then I could have put those boys in their place from the get-go, ensuring never having to fend for myself. It's a shame that rears its ugly head in the most unexpected of places. Though it's a little fitting to create a potential battleground in a boxing class full of pugilist wannabes. I can only hope it doesn't come down to fisticuffs to determine primacy on the bag at some point. At least we're armed with the right equipment. For that matter, at least I didn't do this in yoga. Though, come to think of it, attendees can get pretty jabby with the elbows when the yoga doors open, all clamoring to get their mat in just that perfect spot. Maybe I need to bring my hot pink gloves next time I'm in yoga, just in case… I'm just hoping my spot on the bag isn't eclipsed by some young turk who's taken advantage of my absence from the class while I'm away this month. After all, while I've developed a pretty mean right hook in that class, I'd rather not have to actually use it.


  Sleeping with Ward Cleaver

Slim to None

Anywhere But Here

Winging It: A Memoir of Caring for a Vengeful Parrot Who's Determined to Kill Me

Accidentally on Purpose (written as Erin Delany)

Compromising Positions (written as Erin Delany)

I'm Not the Biggest Bitch in this Relationship (I'm a contributor)

And these shorts:
Idol Worship: A Lost Week with the Weirdos and Wannabes at American Idol Auditions

The Gall of It All: And None of the Three F's Rhymes with Duck

Naked Man On Main Street

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 find me on my website

Christina Hollis...My All-Action Hero

My father Ned was an inspiration to many people young and old, so here's a little taster of his life – in more ways than one.

The second of four children, Dad was a star pupil at his local school. He left at fourteen to become apprentice gardener on a private estate, earning just ten shillings (50 pence, or 81 cents) a week. Signing up for World War Two at the age of nineteen, his army career was uneventful until he was involved in protecting the factories of Coventry. On 14th November 1940, a notorious bombardment reduced the city to rubble. In June 1944, Dad was part of the D-Day landings.  All his life, he was a  real “people person” and his experiences abroad meant he brought back loads of great stories. As he worked his way through occupied territory, he developed a love for the Dutch in particular.  The winter of 1944/45 was foul, and all the locals were starving. Despite that, they went out of their way to make Dad and his mates welcome. 

Dad was nearly 73 by the time his last child flew the nest.  That gave him plenty of time to run errands and do odd jobs for those he called "the old folk". Even into his eighties, he said he still only felt middle aged! Dad always had a huge appetite (yet stayed as slim as a whip, grrr...) so when we left home it meant he soon learned to cook because Mum never did that sort of thing. One of his most successful recipes is just right for this season of mist and rain. Here’s "Ned Beeton's Receipt", exactly as he proudly wrote it down for me.  We added the "Beeton" when we found out what a star he was in the kitchen.

By Diekatrin

You'll need:

1lb braising steak, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 tablespoon sunflower oil

1 tablespoon flour

three-quarters of a pint of beef stock (from a cube is fine)

6 oz small onions or shallots, peeled.

8oz potatoes, peeled and cut into large dice.

4oz carrots, sliced

3 sticks celery, chopped

2 tablespoons malt vinegar

1 big teaspoon made mustard

salt & pepper

chopped parsley

Heat the oven to 180˚C/350˚F

Brown the meat in the oil, then sprinkle the flour over the contents of the pan. Cook, stirring, until everything is light brown.

Gradually stir in the stock. Add all the other ingredients and bring the mixture to the boil, stirring continuously.

Place the stew in a casserole dish, cover it with a lid and cook until the meat is tender, which can be up to two hours.

Garnish with chopped parsley.  

By Man vyi

Dad was a mad-keen gardener, and always enjoyed a good laugh. One year, he grew a monster pumpkin. Carving it in secret in his shed, he had the bright idea of trying it out for size. Guess what? Once he put it on his head, he couldn’t get it off again! The eye-holes weren’t in the right place, so he couldn't see a thing. He had to feel his way out of the shed, and back to the house. Extracting him from his vegetable prison took a very long time, because we were all laughing so much! 

Has any member of your family ever done anything outrageous?

For more recipes and to see a complete list of Christina's published books, visit http://www.christinahollis.com

Georgie Lee: Don’t Be Afraid To Try Something A Little Different

I confess, I didn’t start my writing career with romance. I wanted to be a screenwriter, so I moved to Hollywood, learned the craft of writing screenplays and the film business. However, I fell a little short of seeing my name on the big screen.

As a result, there came a day when I had to admit that perhaps, just maybe, it was time to change course. I still wanted to write, but maybe screenwriting wasn’t the right genre for me. I started examining my interests and thinking about what the next step in my writing career would be. I loved romance. I loved history. Why couldn’t I write a historical romance? I’d read romance for many years, but I was sixteen the last time I thought about actually writing one. Back then, I’d even checked out a library book on how to write romance. What I thought a sixteen year old could bring to a story, I’m not sure, but I give myself kudos for trying. Now, I needed to try again.

It wasn’t easy changing course because, in many ways, it meant starting from the beginning. Thanks to my screenwriting background, I knew a great deal about the craft of writing, but not as it applied to narrative. During the first drafts of my first novel, I struggled with moving characters through scenes, description, and even the proper use of speech tags. I hadn’t discovered RWA yet, so I stumbled through these early, self-taught lessons with the help of some brutally honest critique partners. Once I did discover RWA, I began to learn the business of writing romance and found new ways to hone my skills as a novelist. Like the pursuit of my screenwriting dream, it took time and effort to learn the craft and business, but unlike screenwriting, I began to see success. With each accomplishment, I gained more confidence and the encouragement to keep going. 

Making the change wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I didn’t give up on my dream to write, I just changed it. If you’re thinking of tweaking your dreams, I encourage you to do it. Don’t let fear of the unknown or going back to the beginning stop you. After all, what do you have to lose?

So, how about you? In what ways have you changed course in your careers and goals? I want to hear your stories.

Engagement of Convenience:

Julia Howard longs for the freedom her inheritance will bring her—but with her controlling brother holding the purse strings, she's going to need a most convenient engagement… An encounter in the woods with a dashing stranger couldn't be more timely.
Wounded, his life at sea at an end, Captain James Covington isn't prepared for the dull ache of civilian life. He sees in Julia a fellow adventurous spirit—willing to risk all. Could agreeing to her outrageous proposal help him recapture a reason to live as they face the biggest adventure of all—marriage?

Amazon 

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Hero’s Redemption:

London, 1817

Devon, the Earl of Malton, is a hero for his deeds at the Battle of Waterloo. But he suffers terrible nightmares, and drinks himself to sleep most nights. A habit he vows to break when he awakes one morning to find a woman sharing his bed, no memory of how she got there, and her angry brother at his door.

Cathleen is mortified when her wastrel brother and his greedy wife propose a blackmail scheme involving the earl, but as a penniless war widow she's at their mercy. She goes along with the plan and sneaks into Devon's bed one night, and ends up comforting him through a night terror.

Charmed by her beauty and kindness, Devon determines that rather than pay the blackmail, he will offer his hand in marriage to Cathleen. Although she is deeply attracted to the stoic earl, Cathleen cannot understand why Devon would want to marry her. What she doesn't know is that Devon owes her a debt that can never fully be repaid…

Carina Press

Amazon

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A dedicated history and film buff, Georgie Lee loves combining her passion for Hollywood, history and storytelling through romantic fiction. She began writing professionally at a small TV station in San Diego before moving to Los Angeles to work in the interesting but strange world of the entertainment industry.

Her first novel, Lady’s Wager, and her contemporary novella, Rock ‘n’ Roll Reunion are both available from Ellora’s Cave Blush. Labor Relations, a contemporary romance of Hollywood, and Studio Relations, a love story set in 1935 Hollywood, are currently available from Montlake Romance. Hero’s Redemption, a Regency novella, is now available from Carina Press.  

When not writing, Georgie enjoys reading non-fiction history and watching any movie with a costume and an accent. Please visit  www.georgie-lee.com for more information about Georgie and her novels.

Time Traveling With Amanda Carmack

I've been fascinated by the Elizabethan period for a very long time!  Ever since one weekend when I was about seven or eight, staying with my grandmother (who loved old movies), and we caught a TV showing of Anne of the Thousand Days.  That made me run to the library to find anything I could read about Elizabeth I and her time period.  It was such an exciting time of courtly intrigue, the growth of the arts (especially theater and literature—think Shakespeare!), exploration and discovery, magic and alchemy.  All led by an amazing, strong, tempermental, fascinating woman.  Getting to spend time “living” in that period, seeing it through the eyes of my own character, court musician and amateur sleuth Kate Haywood, has been like a dream come true.

When I was in college, my love of all things Elizabethan led me to doing community theater, when I went to an audition for a production of Romeo and Juliet.  For a Valentine's Day fundraiser, we decided to do a dinner-theater R&J.  We had the “brilliant” idea to do some “authentic” Elizabethan recipes (even though none of us could cook!), and eagerly dug into some research books like All the King's Cooks.

I was assigned to make some adorable little pastries called “Maids of Honor.”  Confession—the one time I actually tried to make something more ambitious than pasta or chocolate chip cookies, I almost burned my kitchen down.  I am too easily bored by following recipes, too quickly distracted to keep an eye on the oven.  In fact, I started storing books in the oven when I lived in a tiny apartment, and never had to move them!  But making Elizabethan tarts sounded like fun.  How hard could it be???

It turns out—pretty hard.  The dough got made, but was like concrete and refused to be rolled out.  The filling turned to a gel-like substance, then crystallized.  My cat ate some, and promptly spit it out on the floor.  I ended up going to a bakery, which kindly made me a very pretty approximation!  But now I can look back on it as Important Research.  Much like wearing heavy brocade gowns at Renaissance fairs, or trying to distill Elizabeth perfume (another not-so-good idea, BTW!).  I love immersing myself in Kate Haywood's world of courtly intrigue, danger, and excitement.  But I love coming back to my own world of hot showers and microwave meals, too....

Now it's your turn!!  What's your favorite historical period?  If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?  Do you have any fun cooking adventure stories???  One commenter will win a signed copy of Murder at Hatfield House...

Maids of Honor

1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 c. all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. raspberry jam
1/2 c. chopped nuts (I use pecans)

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat until light. Add sifted flour, salt and baking powder.
Form small balls between hands and put into small cupcake pans. Make a deep hole in center by pushing up around edges.
Mix jam and nuts together; fill tarts. Cover with small piece of dough.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 9-12 minutes, until lightly browned. Top with dusting of confectioner's sugar and/or whipped cream when serving. Yields 15-18 

Amanda Carmack
http://amandacarmack.com

***The winner is Connie! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com***

Shirley Jump: The Billionaire's Matchmaker

The Billionaire’s Matchmaker is not your ordinary anthology.

Let’s face it; for some readers an anthology is simply a collection of novellas.  Unless the collection features one of their favorite authors, they bypass the title in favor of a longer read.  After all, they want a full story for their money.

This mindset was very much on our minds when the four of us decided to write The Billionaire’s Matchmaker.  We knew immediately that we wanted the stories in our anthology to link together, more like a continuing series with reoccurring characters and a common thread.  Originally, the idea of a matchmaking dog started as a joke, but the more we talked about it, the more the dog lovers in us knew we had the perfect idea.

Thus we created Charlie, the matchmaking Jack Russell terrier who invades the town of Chandler Cove and brings romance to four best friends.  Charlie belongs to the Nicholas Bonaparte, or Mr. B as he’s called, the mysterious billionaire who lives on the outskirts of town, but through a series of events, ends up spending time with each of the heroines.  We liken it to a Sisterhood of the Travelling Pooch. 

In many ways The Billionaire’s Matchmaker is more a novel in four parts than an anthology as Charlie’s story stretches throughout.  You have to read from beginning to end to find out what happens to the terrier as well as discover the story behind Mr. B. 

Why didn’t we write a series instead of an anthology?  Simple.  We thought this format fit Charlie better.  The faster pace ensures that Charlie’s antics don’t get tiresome.  Plus, we wanted to give readers a complete read.  We didn’t want to leave them hanging over four separate books to learn Charlie’s happy ending. 

So if you anthologies aren’t normally your thing, we hope you’ll change your mind and try The Billionaire’s Matchmaker.  Like we said, it’s not your ordinary anthology.  Oh, and if you like fun, sexy, emotional stories with happy endings?  You might want to try the book too. 

Happy Reading!

Tell us about your favorite pet and be entered to win a copy of The Billionaire’s Matchmaker!

Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?The Billionaire’s Matchmaker by Shirley Jump, Susan Meier, Jackie Braun and Barbara Wallace is available online through Entangled Publishing as well as through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and iTunes.  

***Traveler is the winner.  Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com***

Uncovering the past by Michelle Styles plus giveaway

 When I had the chance to return to writing Vikings, I jumped at it. Actually I lobbied quite hard for the chance after seeing the first season of Game of Thrones. I was allowed to do my Viking, but then I did another Victorian and The Powers that Be decided to put out the Victorian An Ideal Husband? before the Viking as I was going to be doing Vikings for Harlequin Historical for awhile.
It has been gratifying to see that there is now the Viking televisions series which has been renewed for a second season and in March 2014 the British Museum will be staging the largest Viking exhibition for over 30 years. There is a lot more to the Vikings than rape, pillage and violence. They were the last significant pagan society in mainland Europe. They also fundamentally changed Europe, particularly England. Many of the place names in Yorkshire and East Anglia come from Old Norse rather than from Anglo Saxon or Latin.  It is easy to forget how much of France is settled by Vikings.The Normans, of course were descendants of the Vikings and brought some of their culture with them when they conquered England. Of course, Sicily was conquered by Normans.
When I started writing, I knew I wanted to move away from Viken, Norway where I had set my earlier books. So I started researching and discovered that in 876, Halfdan, the new king of Jorvik and one of three leaders of the Great Heathen Horde settles his men on the captured land.It is why Yorkshire was traditionally divided into ridings as it was Norse way of administration, rather than an Anglo Saxon method.
No one quite knows why he did this. Previously he had been fighting more to the south against Wessex with his brother Guthram. It is quite possible that there was an unspecified disturbance. About this time the kingdon of Northumbria is also divided into Jorvik and the client kingdom of Bernicia which is basically the modern day counties of Durham and Northumberland.  By 878 Halfdan is dead and the kingship of Jorvik is unsettled.
Interestingly further south, Guthram without his older brother's help suddenly has trouble with King Alfred and loses at Edington. It is generally portrayed as a great Anglo Saxon victory (which it was) but how much of it depended on the Vikings' own internal politics is lost to time. It does surprise me that commentators do not remark on the Viking's political reality, preferring to concentrate on the truth as the Anglo Saxon Chroniclers saw it.
What is interesting though is that within a generation or two of settling in a Christian land, the Vikings did give up their pagan ways. You can tell this by the change in burial custom as well as the addition of Christian forenames to Viking surnames.  Also the Christian church made it easy. Many aspects of a traditional English Christmas find their origin in the Viking Jule celebration. The Dark Ages are considered dark because there is little written word. However, the past can be uncovered if one is willing to search for it.

Giveaway

Paying the Viking's Price is published on 1 November in UK, North America as well as Australia and New Zealand.  To have a chance to win a signed copy, please send email the answer to the following question  to constest@michellestyles.co.uk :: What is the first action Brand Bjornson takes in the book? (hint read the excerpt). Please put Totebags contest in the subject line as I do get a lot of spam. I will draw the winner on 22 October.

By the way, the cover model for Paying the Viking's Price is Taylor David. I think he makes a very yummy Viking.

The blurb reads like  this:

ORDERED TO THE VIKING'S BED!

Feared warrior Brand Bjornson has finally got what he's striven for—lands of his own, granted to him by his king. But his new estate, Breckon, holds more than a few surprises—not least the intriguingly beautiful Edith, former Lady of Breckon.

Proud Edith refuses to abandon her lands to the mercy of Viking invaders, and impressed by her courage, Brand agrees she can stay. He has one condition—that she should become his concubine!

Maisey Yates: The Gap in the Year

Hi again everyone!

So, this is the gap in the year when I have...no book out! :) But that doesn’t mean I’m not working.

Sometimes I get asked how many hours a day I write, and I usually respond with: I’m a full time writer. (which means...to me...that strictly speaking I write five days a week from 9-5) However, that’s not entirely true! Because writing the books is only a part of being a published author.

I’ll share with you all a little about my schedule over the past two weeks.

I was working on another Presents (a sheikh! yay!) and trying to get the manuscript to my editor by the first week of October. Then I got revisions for my upcoming Cosmo Red-Hot Read. Not major, but some changes needed to be made.

Yes, when you finish a book and send it in...it’s still not done. ;)

I almost always have revisions for my books. Though I complain to my editor when I get them (she’ll tell you!) I really do consider them an essential part of the process. It’s my opportunity to take her insight and make the book the BEST I can make it.

Then later that same Monday I got revisions from my other publisher for my 3rd Silver Creek book. (Thankfully also not major! But that took up the rest of the week. Poor languishing sheikh book!)

Then I spent a few more days working on the Presents. Then the next Monday I got final tweaks on another Harlequin project, finished it, sent it back and then...

Finally got to finish my sheikh!! I sent that in to my editor at the end of last week and then...

I got edits from my other publisher for my 2nd Silver Creek book. This book had already been revised, but in this stage it’s been read over and corrected by the copy editor, with notes for inconsistencies, convoluted sentences, missing words and things that I just plain wrote wrong. (It’s sumbitch, not son bitch, I did not know that!)

Next week, I have to get a start on my second Cosmo Red-Hot Read. And who knows what else might land in my inbox! So that’s just a taste of what all goes into the writing process.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments!

 

A New Kind of Mystery—Fluffy

After more than fifty romances, I'm writing a new series...a mystery series.  I went to a conference yesterday and a group of us were talking about it. Let's face it, my writing is on the sweeter side of things.  Some of my romance is drama, some just sweet romance and some falls on the comedy side of things.  My mysteries fall in that sweet-comedy category.  The Pennwriters decided my funny, sweet mysteries weren't exactly cozy mysteries...they were fluffy.  Yes, I write Fluffy Mysteries.  I'm starting a new trend!

It was a fun day. I mean, any time you get a bunch of writers together there tends to be a lot of fun!  And I found out I write a whole new type of mystery!

So, Holly, what makes a Fluffy Mystery, you ask?

They center around Quincy Mac.  She's the single mother of three who went to Hollywood with stars in her eyes and instead of stardom, she became maid.  In STEAMED; A MAID IN LA MYSTERY she accidentally cleaned...a murder scene.  She needs to find out who dunnit so she doesn't end up in jail for a crime she didn't commit...only cleaned. 

The second book, DUSTED: A MAID IN LA MYSTERY came out in September.  Quincy Mac is at it again.  This time she's got to find out who's been replacing her clients' works of art with forgeries in order to save her business...and she has to survive wearing a pumpkin orange dress to Tiny's wedding!

SPRUCED UP: A Maid in LA Christmas Novella will be out in November.  Quincy's heading home to Erie, PA for Christmas...and her mom has an early present for her.  A third mystery!

I love writing Quincy.  I can identify with her.  She has three boys who eat all the food and rarely pick up after themselves.  She has to deal with a very different family (not that I'm saying my family is different...uh, I might not be saying that but that doesn't mean they're normal!).  She's a good friend.  She's independent and successful.  She has a good sense of humor about life.  I think she's a perfect first heroine for the Fluffy Mystery genre.

So, with Quincy, I've got those Fluffy Mysteries off to a three book start.  They are so much fun to write.  I hope readers enjoy reading them as much!

Oh, I still write heavier books.  My December release, A Valley Ridge Christmas, deals with the topic of homelessness.  And while I think it's a very feel-good story, but it's probably not overly fluffy.  

Happy Columbus Day here in the US and Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends!

Holly

Saranna DeWylde: Caramel Apples, Burning Leaves, and Blankets

I love October. I love that the leaves have started changing, the weather has cooled, and all the things I use in my decor year round are on sale. I just bought the coolest little measuring cup set from World Market that stacks up together to form a jar of "poison." It's sitting on my counter right now. 

This is the time of year that my muse is most alive. During the summer, I wilt and just want to curl up in the air conditioning and do nothing until the weather regains its common sense. 110 degrees? Go home weather, you're drunk. But as soon as the temp drops to the low 70s, I start to perk up and take notice of the world the again. My favorite sensation is to be just a little chilly. 

The fall storms are the best. I live in Kansas, so as you'd imagine, the spring is just a tiny bit insane. We still get rattled around with the fury of hell in the fall, but we're less likely to have tornadoes and it's easier to just enjoy the storm. The energy in the air does something to my creative process and I imagine it's a little bit like Frankenstein and his monster. Yeah, my poor husband has to live with me running around with my hair standing on end (maybe because I haven't brushed it, or the electricity in the air, or both) and I'm running around screaming, "It's alive," when I've finished my latest project. 

I have a blanket collection. Handmade quilts and microplush blankets are a bit of an addiction. I think because I grew up always sleeping with a quilt my grandmother or great-grandmother made. There is definitely a difference in the craftsmanship and even in the way it feels wrapped around you between something you can buy in the store and something that was made just for you.

One of my favorite things to do is curl up with my quilt, a cup of Russian Caravan tea (because it tastes like burning leaves) with the windows open and read or watch some old school horror. 

Let's not forget the candy. That, of course, is a double-edged sword. Candy corn, pumpkin shaped chocolates, pumpkin flavored everything. I love all the fall foods, best, too. Thick, hearty stews that stick to your ribs and warm your belly. Dishes that roast in the oven all day until tender... The mother of all fall treats for me though is a shiny, fresh caramel apple. I love the sheen of the caramel, the smooth perfection of that sugary jacket wrapped snug around a plump, juicy and hopefully just a bit tart, apple. I think I need one now. 

What about you? What's your favorite time of year and why? One commenter will win a copy of my newest release from Harlequin Nocturne Cravings called Claimed By the Alpha. It's about zombie werewolves, a hijacked passenger train, and a tough as nails gypsy cop heroine. 

www.sarannadewylde.com

www.facebook.com/SarannaDeWylde

www.twitter.com/SarannaDeWylde


***Lori / Beautiful Disaster is the winner!  Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing address!***

Half-Price Halloween!

by Anna Campbell

No, pumpkins haven't suddenly had a price drop!

To celebrate this special month when things go bump in the night, I've got my Regency Ghost Romance, THESE HAUNTED HEARTS, on special at only 99 cents until witching hour on the 31st October.

So if you're looking for a romantic read with a couple of ghosts involved in the love story, may I humbly recommend THESE HAUNTED HEARTS to your attention?

If you'd like more info, here's a link to the blurb and an excerpt: http://annacampbell.info/hauntedhearts.html

Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/These-Haunted-Hearts-Regency-ebook/dp/B00BSJR0HI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363340949&sr=8-1&keywords=anna+campbell+haunted+hearts

Here's the Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/these-haunted-hearts-anna-campbell/1116890279?ean=2940044507302

Actually Halloween isn't a huge deal here in Australia where I live. In the Dark Ages, when I grew up, it passed completely uncommemorated.

I think part of the reason is that seasonally we're heading into spring so the harvest festival element of Halloween means absolutely nothing down here. As a kid, I remember watching shows like THE BRADY BUNCH and being totally fascinated by the exotic celebrations with pumpkin lanterns and kids going trick or treating.

Because of films and TV, there's a minor celebration now. I've been to a few Halloween parties in my time which have given everyone a good excuse to dress up and be silly. Occasionally the little kids in the neighborhood will do trick or treating. There are some very sad pre-made Halloween costumes in one dusty corner of the grocery store for a couple of weeks in October.

All fairly half-hearted frankly.

I think it would be great fun to be in America and see it done properly. I have a friend who goes to enormous trouble, including building a fake graveyard in her front garden. Her kids love it!

So where do you stand on Halloween? Huzzah or myeh? Any Halloweeny plans for this year? 

I'm away at a writing convention this weekend but I'll get back to answer comments as I can. I'm doing a panel on historical research - now THAT's scary!

Unexpected!–Anne McAllister

What’s the saying about life happening while you’re making other plans?  I think that goes double in Montana!

My husband and I just spent 10 days back in Montana.  We get there a lot because there are grandkids there, and we own a house there, and while a good part of our life is still in the midwest, we seem to spend more and more of it in Montana.

I love it. But it does, sometimes, make me stop and blink.

Last Thursday, October 3rd, it snowed. This is not wholly unexpected, just slightly unseasonal.  That is, it would have been if it had been a little snow.  We got a little. My son, working in Laramie and trying to get home, got over a foot on his journey.  A friend, driving from Kansas, ran into over two feet of it in western South Dakota.

And now?

It’s all gone. 

Of course, tree limbs have gone with it, Cattle have died.  Accidents have happened. My cousin, inexperienced in life with snow, slipped on the ice beneath the leaves and wrenched his ankle and knee.

Plans that we made never happened.  Some bad things did.  But some good things did as well. One grandson and his grandpa built a snowman they never expected to build.  My cousin and I, with time on our hands because of his fall, got to spend hours discussing the copies of our grandfather’s diaries that he’d brought to me. 

Kids went sledding.  We had a fire in the fireplace.  Our son got home safely, albeit two days late.  If we’d remembered to pop popcorn, it would have been a snowstorm for the scrapbooks.

It served to remind me that life is at least half unexpected. We might try to figure out all the possible outcomes, but there are some possibilities that never even occur to us to consider. 

I’m starting a new book – a new venture entirely because it’s going to be an ebook.  Not long ago I wouldn’t have even thought about that possibility. It’s a little scary.  And exciting. And, like the unexpected snowstorm, it brings with it a lot of unknowns.  It also brings with it a few knowns – I’m going to be working with talented, creative people. I’m going to learn new tricks.  And I’m going to set it in Montana – and the hero is going to be a cowboy.

Oh, I’ve missed my cowboys!  I doubted that I’d ever got a chance to write them again. And now, here I am.  And here he is! 

Ah, the joys of the unexpected!