Thursday, August 16, 2007
Summer Sale at Mills and Boon Online!
Mills and Boon Online are having a summer sale, offering a number of books at really prices. Anne Herries's A Wealthy Gentleman, Louise Allen's Not Quite A Lady and Michelle Styles's Sold and Seduced are all in the sale for 99p. As M&B does flat rate shipping to the UK and North America, now is your chance to stock up.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Petticoats and Pistols
Some of the Harlequin Western writers have joined forced with other western writers (both historical and contemporary) to create a blog and website dedicated to all things western --Petticoats and Pistols.
It looks great and is certain to whet your appetite for those marvellous Western historicals that these ladies do so well. Go and take a look. You will be glad you did.
It looks great and is certain to whet your appetite for those marvellous Western historicals that these ladies do so well. Go and take a look. You will be glad you did.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
An Interview with Carol Townend
Carol Townend was born and brought up in Yorkshire, in the north of England, and went to a convent boarding school at Whitby on the East coast. Before global warming got going, winters on 
the East coast could be harsh, with blizzards blowing snow into huge drifts. The roads would become impassable and sometimes the school would be cut off for days. Carol has fond memories of these times, when she would tuck herself into a window seat and grab a book from the school library.
Carol is not sure which of the Sisters was responsible for stocking the school library, but the shelves were not simply filled with copies of Bede’s History of the English Church and People or The Confessions of St Augustine. Several of the Angélique and Rogue Herries books somehow found their way in. It is a bit of a mystery how they got there and Carol will admit that they were not exactly on public view, being hidden behind The Synod of Whitby, but whoever put them there, she would like to thank them. They sparked a lifelong interest in historical romance and sagas.
Of course, Carol’s reading tastes have altered somewhat since those convent school days, but fiction always comes first, contemporary as well as historical. The picture above is Carol researching at Les Chateaux de Lastours in Southern France.
And this one is the Moat at Larressingle Bastide Town, in Gascony - 13th Centry.
Here is one of some 13th-15th Century beamed arcades in Mirepoix, France.
the East coast could be harsh, with blizzards blowing snow into huge drifts. The roads would become impassable and sometimes the school would be cut off for days. Carol has fond memories of these times, when she would tuck herself into a window seat and grab a book from the school library.Carol is not sure which of the Sisters was responsible for stocking the school library, but the shelves were not simply filled with copies of Bede’s History of the English Church and People or The Confessions of St Augustine. Several of the Angélique and Rogue Herries books somehow found their way in. It is a bit of a mystery how they got there and Carol will admit that they were not exactly on public view, being hidden behind The Synod of Whitby, but whoever put them there, she would like to thank them. They sparked a lifelong interest in historical romance and sagas.
Of course, Carol’s reading tastes have altered somewhat since those convent school days, but fiction always comes first, contemporary as well as historical. The picture above is Carol researching at Les Chateaux de Lastours in Southern France.
And this one is the Moat at Larressingle Bastide Town, in Gascony - 13th Centry.What attracts you to your time period?
My favourite period is medieval, but I love history generally. The ways that other generations lived is endlessly fascinating, but who can resist the idea of a chivalrous knight? And don’t forget the buildings; there are hundreds of gorgeous medieval castles all over Europe, just waiting to be visited. And the cathedrals! Two favourites are Chartres with its magnificent elongated stone statues and other-wordly stained glass. And Durham - there’s something about the solidity of those chunky Norman pillars, deeply carved with chevrons and acanthus leaves - Durham Cathedral, it gets to me every time…
My husband and I have just come back from a research trip to France. We stayed just south of Carcassonne for a week and I had a wonderful time dragging the poor man uphill and down dale to see dozens of Cathar Castles. I am hoping to use the material to inspire a novel or two. We did have something of a glitch on the technology front as the camera broke and we didn’t realise until we got home. We took it to our local camera shop and they said that the data on the card was unreadable and that we had lost ALL our photographs. Disaster. But, no. Luckily my brother is a professional photographer and he did something magic involving a ritzy new rescue programme and most of the pictures were saved.
My favourite period is medieval, but I love history generally. The ways that other generations lived is endlessly fascinating, but who can resist the idea of a chivalrous knight? And don’t forget the buildings; there are hundreds of gorgeous medieval castles all over Europe, just waiting to be visited. And the cathedrals! Two favourites are Chartres with its magnificent elongated stone statues and other-wordly stained glass. And Durham - there’s something about the solidity of those chunky Norman pillars, deeply carved with chevrons and acanthus leaves - Durham Cathedral, it gets to me every time…
My husband and I have just come back from a research trip to France. We stayed just south of Carcassonne for a week and I had a wonderful time dragging the poor man uphill and down dale to see dozens of Cathar Castles. I am hoping to use the material to inspire a novel or two. We did have something of a glitch on the technology front as the camera broke and we didn’t realise until we got home. We took it to our local camera shop and they said that the data on the card was unreadable and that we had lost ALL our photographs. Disaster. But, no. Luckily my brother is a professional photographer and he did something magic involving a ritzy new rescue programme and most of the pictures were saved.
Here is one of some 13th-15th Century beamed arcades in Mirepoix, France.Writers often use photos of movie or tv stars for inspiration, who has been the inspiration for some of your heroes?
Sometimes a face jumps out of a magazine, and I know that, given the right costume, it could be the face of my hero or heroine. Generally though, it’s better if I don’t know too much about my ‘model’, so I can get to hear the developing character in the story. For my current work in progress I am using a cropped picture from an advertise
ment which only shows part of the hero’s face. That way he keeps his mystery. I like a bit of mystery in a man!
At other times, objects can help. If I get stuck, one of the best ways of becoming unstuck is to pay a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington. It is chock-full of design ideas, and the images often strike a chord. Once I was getting nowhere with a novel and simply staring at a pattern made of Italian mosaics told me how to finish it. Another time a visit to the Cast Court to look at effigies of Medieval Kings and Queens did the trick. Or was it the carving on that vast Renaissance door…? The British Museum is also helpful in this way, but art galleries work equally well. It is probably something to do with giving your brain new images to work with. Who knows? I certainly enjoy the visits!
Sometimes a face jumps out of a magazine, and I know that, given the right costume, it could be the face of my hero or heroine. Generally though, it’s better if I don’t know too much about my ‘model’, so I can get to hear the developing character in the story. For my current work in progress I am using a cropped picture from an advertise
ment which only shows part of the hero’s face. That way he keeps his mystery. I like a bit of mystery in a man!At other times, objects can help. If I get stuck, one of the best ways of becoming unstuck is to pay a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington. It is chock-full of design ideas, and the images often strike a chord. Once I was getting nowhere with a novel and simply staring at a pattern made of Italian mosaics told me how to finish it. Another time a visit to the Cast Court to look at effigies of Medieval Kings and Queens did the trick. Or was it the carving on that vast Renaissance door…? The British Museum is also helpful in this way, but art galleries work equally well. It is probably something to do with giving your brain new images to work with. Who knows? I certainly enjoy the visits!
Above is another of the rescued research pictures. It is a view of the lists from the ramparts in Carcassonne, France.
What is the worst thing about being a writer?
The risk of putting on weight due to too much sitting at a desk. Not getting out enough. That’s why research trips are so necessary! The picture of the cloisters shows where monks could exercise in between singing the offices or illuminating manuscripts.
It is the Abbaye de St. Hilaire, in France.
What is the biggest challenge you face when you are writing a book? The beginning, the middle or the end?
When I first thought about this question it seemed that teasing out one particular plot-line from all the other potential plot-lines was the biggest challenge. It’s not easy finding an idea which will have the power to keep you going for 250 pages or so. Which would imply that beginnings are most challenging. Then I remembered that I ALWAYS get stuck in the middle. Everything drags. The narrative drive seems to have lost its force and the characters’ motivations have become muddled. Middles are hard. (That’s usually when I am to be found haunting the corridors of the Victoria and Albert Museum!) And then again, sometimes the endings just won’t work out. You read through and wonder why you chose that particular story to tell, which is another way of saying that letting go can be hard!
Come to think of it, neither the beginning nor the middle nor the end is exactly easy…
What is the worst thing about being a writer?
The risk of putting on weight due to too much sitting at a desk. Not getting out enough. That’s why research trips are so necessary! The picture of the cloisters shows where monks could exercise in between singing the offices or illuminating manuscripts.
It is the Abbaye de St. Hilaire, in France.What is the biggest challenge you face when you are writing a book? The beginning, the middle or the end?
When I first thought about this question it seemed that teasing out one particular plot-line from all the other potential plot-lines was the biggest challenge. It’s not easy finding an idea which will have the power to keep you going for 250 pages or so. Which would imply that beginnings are most challenging. Then I remembered that I ALWAYS get stuck in the middle. Everything drags. The narrative drive seems to have lost its force and the characters’ motivations have become muddled. Middles are hard. (That’s usually when I am to be found haunting the corridors of the Victoria and Albert Museum!) And then again, sometimes the endings just won’t work out. You read through and wonder why you chose that particular story to tell, which is another way of saying that letting go can be hard!
Come to think of it, neither the beginning nor the middle nor the end is exactly easy…
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
HH August Release: Dishonour and Desire by Juliet Langdon
Having run from two previous engagements, Caterina Chester knows that marriage cannot be avoided for much longer. But to be parceled off as part of a wager to clear her family's debts? Sold to society's most disreputable rake? Caterina is outraged at the proposal.Yet Sir Chase Boston, for all his impeccable manners and charm, reveals an undeniably exhilarating wild streak that taunts and teases her. She has kept her passionate nature tightly confined. Now it seems that this most improper husband may be the only man who can free her!
Read the excerpt
Buy
Dishonor and Desire
HH August Release: An Unladylike Offer by Christine Merrill
Miss Esme Canville's brutal father is resolved to marry her off—but she won't submit tamely to his decree. Instead, she'll offer herself to notorious rake Captain St. John Radwell and enjoy all the freedom of a mistress!
St. John is intent on mending his rakish ways. He won't seduce an innocent virgin. But Esme is determined, beautiful and very, very tempting….
St. John is intent on mending his rakish ways. He won't seduce an innocent virgin. But Esme is determined, beautiful and very, very tempting….
Read the excerpt
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An Unladylike Offer
HH August Release: An Unusual Bequest by Mary Nichols
Widowed Lady Charlotte Hobart and her two young daughters have lived comfortably under her father- in-law's roof, but everything changes on his death. The new Lord Hobart fills Easterley Manor with his disreputable friends and treats Charlotte with contempt. With no money, and nowhere to go, she feels suddenly bereft—and not a little frightened.
Viscount Stacey Darton wants to protect Charlotte, and to do that he has to pretend to be as bad as the rest of the unwelcome houseguests. It's obvious to Stacey that this tall, elegant lady is no light-skirt but a true gentlewoman. She is also proud, so whatever he does to help her must be done in secret.
Viscount Stacey Darton wants to protect Charlotte, and to do that he has to pretend to be as bad as the rest of the unwelcome houseguests. It's obvious to Stacey that this tall, elegant lady is no light-skirt but a true gentlewoman. She is also proud, so whatever he does to help her must be done in secret.
Read the excerpt
Buy
An Unusual Bequest
HHAugust release: Whirlwind Baby by Debra Cowan
Jake Ross's life changes in a day when he finds a baby on his doorstep! Then he's thrown into a spin by the quiet beauty who hires on to look after his unexpected delivery.
On the wild Texas frontier, everyone has something to hide—and Emma York is no exception. Jake can see that she has secrets, but the sexy rancher's sure he can take care of her…if he can only find out what she needs protection from!
When her past shows up in Whirlwind, guns blazing, Emma must learn a hard lesson. Can she trust Jake…and trust her own heart?
On the wild Texas frontier, everyone has something to hide—and Emma York is no exception. Jake can see that she has secrets, but the sexy rancher's sure he can take care of her…if he can only find out what she needs protection from!
When her past shows up in Whirlwind, guns blazing, Emma must learn a hard lesson. Can she trust Jake…and trust her own heart?
Read the excerpt
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Whirlwind Baby
HH August Release: A Notorious Woman by Amanda McCabe
Venice belongs to the mysteries of night, to darkness and deep waters. And so does Julietta Bassano. The beautiful perfumer hides her secrets from the light of day, selling rose water and essence of violet to elegant ladies rather than taking her rightful place in society.
Then enters Marc Antonio Velasquez—a fierce sea warrior determined to claim her. Seduced by his powerful masculinity, Julietta begins to let down her defenses.
But in the city of masks, plots spiral and form around Marc and Julietta—plots that will endanger their lives and their growing love….
Then enters Marc Antonio Velasquez—a fierce sea warrior determined to claim her. Seduced by his powerful masculinity, Julietta begins to let down her defenses.
But in the city of masks, plots spiral and form around Marc and Julietta—plots that will endanger their lives and their growing love….
Read the excerpt
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A Notorious Woman
HH August Release: The Novice Bride by Carol Townend
As a novice, Lady Cecily of Fulford's knowledge of men is nonexistent. But when tragic news bids her home immediately, her only means of escape from the convent is to brazenly offer herself to the enemy…as a bride!
With her fate now in the hands of her husband, Sir Adam Wymark, she battles to protect her family. Suspicions and betrayal are rife, yet their convenient marriage offers Cecily much more than comfort in her knight's arms….
With her fate now in the hands of her husband, Sir Adam Wymark, she battles to protect her family. Suspicions and betrayal are rife, yet their convenient marriage offers Cecily much more than comfort in her knight's arms….
Read the excerpt
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The Novice Bride
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Pam Crooks on The Cattle Drive
There are few things that smack of the Old West as much as a cattle drive and all that one entailed--cowboys, drovers, rowdy cowtowns. Remudas of horses and thousands of head of longhorn cattle. Dust and sweat--and fortunes made at the end of the line.
But one lesser known facet of the era is the cattle queen, that rare and intriguing breed of woman who owned her own ranch and herd. A hard life made harder without a man at her side.
I had long wanted to build a story combining those parts of America’s history, and UNTAMED COWBOY was born.
But once I had the plot in mind, my creativity stalled. What did I know about cattle drives--besides almost nothing? So I hit the Internet and found some lovely rare book sites. Along the way, I uncovered some intriguing tidbits of information. I’ll share a few with you:
1. The horns on longhorn cattle had a spread of up to seven feet wide and were strong enough to rip bark off a tree.
2. The average size herd during the peak of the cattle drive era was 3,000 head. It took a remuda of 75 horses and 7 - 10 cowboys to drive the herds. Trail bosses were paid $100/month, the cook $50/month and each cowboy, $30/month. Minimal expenses for herds that when sold netted their owners $100,000 for a trip that took anywhere from several weeks to several months. Do the math. That’s a hefty profit for the time.
3. The usual fare for cowboys was beans, bacon, hard biscuits and strong coffee. Ironically, though they were surrounded by beef, the outfits rarely killed a beef on the trail because only a smart part of the meat could be eaten before it spoiled.
4. In dry country, thirsty cattle could smell water ten miles away.
5. Lightning was the most common cause of death on the trail. During a storm, the cowboys would hide their silver (metal spurs, knives, even six-shooters) to avoid being struck.
For those rare times when beef was available, the camp cook would make his own version of “Sonofabitch Stew.” Here’s one yummy-sounding recipe:
But one lesser known facet of the era is the cattle queen, that rare and intriguing breed of woman who owned her own ranch and herd. A hard life made harder without a man at her side.
I had long wanted to build a story combining those parts of America’s history, and UNTAMED COWBOY was born.
But once I had the plot in mind, my creativity stalled. What did I know about cattle drives--besides almost nothing? So I hit the Internet and found some lovely rare book sites. Along the way, I uncovered some intriguing tidbits of information. I’ll share a few with you:
1. The horns on longhorn cattle had a spread of up to seven feet wide and were strong enough to rip bark off a tree.
2. The average size herd during the peak of the cattle drive era was 3,000 head. It took a remuda of 75 horses and 7 - 10 cowboys to drive the herds. Trail bosses were paid $100/month, the cook $50/month and each cowboy, $30/month. Minimal expenses for herds that when sold netted their owners $100,000 for a trip that took anywhere from several weeks to several months. Do the math. That’s a hefty profit for the time.
3. The usual fare for cowboys was beans, bacon, hard biscuits and strong coffee. Ironically, though they were surrounded by beef, the outfits rarely killed a beef on the trail because only a smart part of the meat could be eaten before it spoiled.
4. In dry country, thirsty cattle could smell water ten miles away.
5. Lightning was the most common cause of death on the trail. During a storm, the cowboys would hide their silver (metal spurs, knives, even six-shooters) to avoid being struck.
For those rare times when beef was available, the camp cook would make his own version of “Sonofabitch Stew.” Here’s one yummy-sounding recipe:
2 lbs. lean beef
Half a calf heart
1 ½ pounds calf liver
1 set sweetbreads (thymus gland)
1 set brains
1 set marrow gut
Salt, Pepper
Louisiana hot sauce
Kill off a young steer and cut up beef, liver and heart into 1 inch cubes. Slice the marrow gut into small rings. Place in a Dutch oven or deep casserole. Cover meat with water and simmer 2 - 3 hours.
Add salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste. Take sweetbreads and brains and cut in small pieces. Add to stew. Simmer another hour, never boiling.
I’m writing the sequel to UNTAMED COWBOY now, and it should be out next spring. Stop by my website to learn about my upcoming book, a Christmas anthology, out in October. While you’re there, sign up for my newsletter, too. It’s free!
www.pamcrooks.com/
Half a calf heart
1 ½ pounds calf liver
1 set sweetbreads (thymus gland)
1 set brains
1 set marrow gut
Salt, Pepper
Louisiana hot sauce
Kill off a young steer and cut up beef, liver and heart into 1 inch cubes. Slice the marrow gut into small rings. Place in a Dutch oven or deep casserole. Cover meat with water and simmer 2 - 3 hours.
Add salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste. Take sweetbreads and brains and cut in small pieces. Add to stew. Simmer another hour, never boiling.
I’m writing the sequel to UNTAMED COWBOY now, and it should be out next spring. Stop by my website to learn about my upcoming book, a Christmas anthology, out in October. While you’re there, sign up for my newsletter, too. It’s free!
www.pamcrooks.com/
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Victoria Bylin: A Perfect Cover
The handsome guy on the cover of MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE is Andrew Larsen. Andrew won the Viewers’ Choice Award in the 2005 Mr. Romance reality show aired on the Oxygen Channel.
In real life, Andrew’s a fishing guide in Alaska and Oregon. Judging by the pictures on Kingmefishing.com, he’s caught more than his share of big fish . . . and I do mean big! Take a tour through the photo gallery and you'll see Andrew with a fish almost as tall as he is.
Andrew may be a fisherman by profession, but he’s Rafe LaCroix to me. Of all my covers, this one is my favorite. Andrew is perfect as the bounty hunter who kidnaps Dr. Susanna Leaf. Susanna’s dress is the perfect shade of blue, and the candles capture the romance of a clandestine marriage.
Harlequin recently set out to find everyday men for their covers. An outdoorsman and an entrepreneur, Andrew fills those shoes--make that cowboy boots--perfectly.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
July HHRelease: Untamed Cowboy by Pam Crooks
Carina Lockett is tough—she lives only for her ranch and daughter. So when her girl is kidnapped and the cattle demanded as ransom, Carina stands to lose everything! She needs the best there is to help her, and that's Penn McClure—a mysterious, darkly handsome cowboy….Penn is hell-bent on revenge, and Carina's cattle will lead him to it. As they ride the trail together, they share more than a passion for justice—Penn has made Carina feel like a woman again. But with all that's at stake, can she save her legacy and tame his heart?
Read the excerpt
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