Every Woman Dreams…

I am at a stand still with A Touch of Cashemere. I need to “plant” background information, which will affect the story’s ending, but I cannot seem to get past this point. It is very frustrating! I just have to walk away from it for a few days and let the story line work out the “kinks.” On most books this happens, but because this is the third one in the series, I have to keep what happened in the previous two books in mind and anticipate what will happen in books 4 and 5. Everything has to match up. This is one time being a “plotter” would be more beneficial. I think I will just go off and real a few good romances and forget about this book for a week or so. Then it will all be fresh once again.

These are other RITA nominees. Have you read any of them? If so, please comment. Others would love your input.
Historical Romance:
Wicked All Day – Liz Carlyle
With Seduction in Mind – Laura Lee Guhrke
To Beguile a Beast – Elizabeth Hoyt
Make Me Yours – Betina Krahn
Knight of Pleasure – Margaret Mallory
The Lone Texan – Jodi Thomas
Not Quite a Husband – Sherry Thomas
Taming Her Irish Warrior – Michelle Willingham

Regency Romance:
Surrender of a Siren – Tessa Dare
Scandal – Carolyn Jewel
Tempting Fate – Alissa Johnson
A View to a Kiss – Caroline Linden
Revealed – Kate Noble
What Happens in London – Julia Quinn
Lord Braybrook’s Penniless Bride – Elizabeth Rolls

Inspirational Romance:
The Inheritance – Tamera Alexander
A Lady Like Sarah – Margaret Brownley
The Gladiator – Carla Capshaw
Entertaining Angels – Judy Duarte
An Eye for an Eye – Irene Hannon
The Silent Governess – Julie Klassen
Breach of Trust – DiAnn Mills
The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper – Kathleen Y’Barbo

Novel With Strong Romantic Elements:
The Better Part of Darkness – Kelly Gay
Scandal Sheet – Gemma Halliday
Red’s Hot Honky Tonk Bar – Pamela Morsi
The Lost Recipe for Happiness – Barbara O’Neal
Silent on the Moor – Deanna Raybourn
The Accidental Bookseller – Wendy Wax
The Virgin’s Daughters: In the Court of Elizabeth I – Jeane Westin
Lakeshore Christmas – Susan Wiggs

Paranormal Romance:
What Would Jane Austen Do? – Laurie Brown
Kiss of a Demon King – Kresley Cole
Untouchable in Deep Kiss of Winter – Kresley Cole
My Forbidden Desire – Carolyn Jewel
The Fire King – Marjorie M. Liu
For the Earl’s Pleasure – Anne Mallory
Darkness Unknown – Alexis Morgan
Covet – J.R. Ward
Mortal Sins – Eileen Wilks

One of the more challenging aspects of writing historical romance is the amount of research one must do. It is not uncommon to spend 8 – 10 hours researching a fact that in less than a paragraph in the book. However, one must do it.

Recently, I added the element of thoroughbred racing to a novella I was writing. “His American Heartsong” is one to the two novellas included in the volume entitled His. I have always said that if I hit the lottery, I was going to move to Kentucky and raise thoroughbreds. So, finding out about thoroughbreds was time consuming but oh, so exciting.

Did you know that the origins of modern racing go back to the Crusades. Between the 12th and 16th centuries, Arab stallions were imported into England and mated with English mares to breed in speed and endurance.

Professional horse racing sprang to life in the reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714). By 1750, racing’s elite formed the Jockey Club at Newmarket. The Jockey Club still exercises complete control of English racing.

Since 1814, five races for 3-year-olds have been designated as “Classics”: The English Triple Crown, which includes the Epsom Derby, the 2000 Guineas, and the St. Leger Stakes, is open to both male and female horses. The Epsom Oaks and the 1000 Guineas is only for fillies.

Besides writing rules for racing, the Jockey Club designed steps to regulate horse breeding. James Weatherby traced the complete family history (pedigree) of every horse racing in England. In 1791, The Introduction to the General Stud Book was published. By the early 1800s, only horses descended from those listed in the General Stud book could be called “thoroughbreds.”

Now this is the amazing fact!!! The pedigree of every single horse thoroughbred can be traced back to to one of three stallions, which are referred to as the “foundation sires.” These stallions are Byerley Turk (foaled c.1679); the Darley Arabian (foaled c.1700), and Godolphin Arabian (foaled c. 1724).

Captain Robert Byerley of the Sixth Dragoon Guards (under King William III of Orange) captured the horse, later known as Byerley Turk, at the siege of Buda in Hungary in 1688.The stallion was Byerley’s war horse during King William’s War (in Ireland 1689). In 1690, the horse won the Silver Bell at Down Royal in Norther Ireland. He was placed to stud at Middridge Grange in Durham and later at Yorkshire.

The British Consul, Thomas Darley, took a liking to bay colt owned by Sheikh Mirza II (in Syria) and purchased the animal for 300 golden sovereigns. However the Sheikh reneged on the arrangements, and Darley was forced to have the horse smuggled out of Smyrna and brought to England in 1704. The animal was placed to stud in 1706 (through 1719).

Edward Coke imported the Godolpin Arabian from France in 1729. It is generally thought that Coke obtained the horse from the Duke of Lorraine. The horse was likely a tribute to France’s king from the Bey of Tunis. Coke brought the animal to Longford Hall in Derbyshire. He was set to stud as early as 1731.

These three horses “were brought to England in late 17th and early 18th centuries and crossed on English and imported mares. While it’s true that all modern Thoroughbreds descend in tail-male line to one of these stallions, upwards of 200 stallions, Arabians, Barbs, Turks, and others, were imported into England and are so noted in the General Stud Book.”

It seems people have been asking me lately for books that they might consider reading. As I read LOTS of historical romance, I have no problem in that area, but I admit to not being as “adept” in recommending other areas, although I have read many of the titles listed below. These are the finalists for the RITA Awards in several categories. Please comment on the ones you recognize.
Contemporary Series Romance:
A Not-So-Perfect Past – Beth Andrews
From the Outside – Helen Brenna
The Snow-Kissed Bride – Linda Goodnight
Single Mom Seeks…-Teresa Hill
Revealed:A Prince & a Pregnancy – Kelly Hunter
The Christmas Love-Child – Jennie Lucas
One-Night Mistress…Convenient Wife- Anne McAllister
Duty, Desire, & the Desert King – Jane Porter
I Still Do – Christie Ridgway

Contemporary Series Romance:Suspense/Adventure:
Mountain Investigation – Jessica Andersen
The Christmas Stranger – Beth Cornelison
The Soldier’s Secret Daughter – Cindy Dees
In Care of Sam Beaudry – Kathleen Eagle
Silent Watch – Elle Kennedy
Cold Case Affair – Loreth Anne White
The Christmas Present – Tracy Wolff

Contemporary Single Title Romance:
Talk Me Down – Victoria Dahl
True Love and Other Disasters – Rachel Gibson
For the Love of Pete – Julia Harper
Too Good to Be True – Kristan Higgins
A Little Light Magic – Joy Nash
Dirty Sexy Knitting – Christie Ridgway
Instant Attraction – Jill Shalvis
Fireside – Susan Wiggs

I was fortunate to be a finalist for the Booksellers Best Award. Those of us present for the winners’ announcements enjoyed a fabulous evening of getting to know other authors and a delicious “spread” of appetizers. Please understand. I never expected to win. I was up against Hannah Howell and Anna Campbell in the long historical category. I was just happy to be in the mix. Hannah Howell was our winner. She and I spent some time on Thursday discussing books (naturally) and skunks (from the original post below).
Which of these nominees have you read?
TRADITIONAL: From the Outside (Helen Brenna); Italian Tycoon, Secret Son (Lucy Gordon); Invitation to the Boss’s Ball (Fiona Harper); Dreaming of Home (Glynna Kaye); CEOs Don’t Cry (Joselyn Vaughn)
SHORT CONTEMPORARY: The Perfect Country & Western Story (Christine Columbus); The Billionaire’s Fake Engagement (Robyn Grady); Having the Billionaire’s Baby (Sandra Hyatt); What Family Means (Geri Krotow); Temporary Doctor, Surprise Father (Lynne Marshall); Twin Temptation (Cara Summers); Christmas Male (Cara Summers)
LONG CONTEMPORARY: Simple Wishes (Lisa Dale); A Kid to the Rescue (Susan Gable); No Hero Like Him (Elaine Grant); Hot Mail (Janice Maynard); A Small Town Reunion (Terry McLaughlin); Simon Says Mommy (Kay Stockham); Caitlyn’s Prize (Linda Warren)
SINGLE TITLE: One Reckless Summer (Toni Blake); According to Jane (Marilyn Brant); Breakfast in Bed (Robyn Kaye); Hot on Her Heels (Susan Mallery); The Lost Hours (Karen White)
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE: Waking the Dead (Kylie Brandt); Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam (Marilee Brothers); Skin Game (Ava Gray); Free Falling (Sandy James)
EROTIC: Riding on Instinct (Jaci Burton); The Satin Sash ( Red Garnier); Rogue’s Run (Lara Santiago); Take Me (Shelli Stevens); Tracy Wolff (Full Exposure)
SHORT HISTORICAL: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Jennifer Ashley); Where the Wind Blows (Caroline Fyffe); Indiscreet (Carolyn Jewel); Knight of Pleasure (Margaret Mallory); Lord Braybrook’s Penniless Bride (Elizabeth Rolls); Wicked Little Game (Christine Wells)
LONG HISTORICAL: Captive of Sin (Anna Campbell); If He’s Wicked (Hannah Howell); If He’s Sinful (Hannah Howell); Darcy’s Temptation (Regina Jeffers)
PARANORMAL/TIME TRAVEL/FUTURISTIC: Ravenous:The Dark Forgotten (Sharon Ashwood); Vanished (Maureen Child); Immortal Bride (Lisa Childs); New Blood (Gail Dayton); Midnight’s Master (Cynthia Eden); Dyad Dreams (Ann Hinnenkamp); The Warrior (Sharon Sala)
INSPIRATIONAL: Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida (Sandra Bricker); Paper Roses (Amanda Cabot); An Eye for an Eye (Irene Hannon); Sunset Beach (Trish Perry); If Tomorrow Never Comes (Marlo Schalesky); Missy Tippens (His Forever Love)
BEST FIRST BOOK: According to Jane (Marilyn Brant); The Satin Sash (Red Garnier); Dyad Dreams (Ann Hinnehkamp); Dreaming of Home (Glynna Kaye)

I just returned from the Romance Writers of America convention in Orlando. It was 4 days of intense workshops. One of my favorites was by 3 of my fellow chapter members from Heart of the Carolina chapter. Claudia Dain began by describing her writing process as being a “pantser.” For those of you unfamiliar with the term, a pantser “writes by the seat of his pants.” He does little planning…the ideas simply happen…sometimes even surprising the pantser himself. Deb Marlowe described herself as a “plotser,” meaning she plans parts of the story but other parts are created much as a pantser would do. Then, Sabrina Jeffries explained her need to be a “plotter.” Sabrina outlines and pinpoints the different parts of the story’s exposition. She also creates a very detailed synopsis before she begins to write. Well, despite my type A personality, I am definitely not a plotter. I usually have key points in the story I wish to make (although those often change). However, getting from point A to point B is a ride I never plan. Which type of writer are you?

After spending several hours  doing yard work (out at 7 A.M. before the heat advisory set in once again in Charlotte), I have been working on a new novella (tentative title “His American Lovesong”). I conceived this piece taking a totally different direction from what it has. Originally, the girl was to be a bit “bungling” – you know, falling in the pond, etc., but it has not come together that way. It probably comes from the fact that I thought it would be funny if the main female character got sprayed by a skunk. The only problem is there are no skunks in England. As this is a Regency romance, my concept changed, and the work has taken on a life of its own. Unfortunately, that happens to me often. I plan one path for the characters, and another one “magically appears.”

It seems that Ulysses Press is considering my “Touch” series. I have finished the first two and am working on the third. The new mystery “The Phantom of Pemberley” should be out within three weeks.  I am anxious for its release. Supposedly, several large orders are expected if we can get it out by that time.

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