Wednesday, August 28, 2013

My First Historical Novel

I never intended to write a historical novel. It’s not because I don’t enjoy reading them. I do. I just want to read historically accurate fiction. While it is fine to have a jet flying overhead when watching a Mel Brook’s western, not cool in historical romance. This means if I write one, I want it to be historically accurate.

So why am I jumping into this pool of uncertainty?  I’ve wanted to write a prequel of sorts to The Coulson Series. My initial plan was to take the readers back to the 50s and 60s, to tell the story of a younger Garret and Alexandra. While that period might be teetering on the historical, it is my generation so I don’t think it qualifies.

While plotting my story, I had a nagging desire to take it back farther. This series is actually a family saga – so shouldn’t I go back to Randall Coulson the founder of the town?

The story ended up not being so much about Randall – but more about his wife Mary Ellen Browning, who was born in 1900. It took a surprising twist for me, and will make readers of Lessons and The Senator’s Secret take a complete different look at those books, and the stories told.

This morning I finished the first draft. Still no title; this one hasn’t come to me yet.  Writing involved a fair amount of research. One thing that helped, my main character was a few years younger than my Grandma Hilda, who when she was alive, shared stories and anecdotes with me involving her younger years. There was even a saying she shared with me – one my grandfather told her when they were newlyweds – which I gave to Mary Ellen’s brother.

This story spans almost fifty years, from 1900 to 1949. I found it fascinating how much the world changed during my character’s lifetime. Born just 35 years after the end of the Civil War, in 1949 Mary Ellen’s world was a vast different place than it was when her story began.

There is still work to be done – rewriting, beta readers, editing – oh, and it needs a title and cover.

Wish me luck!

 (Photo: Grandma Hilda and Grandpa George, same time frame as the first part of the story mentioned)



Saturday, August 10, 2013

Sensual Romance Series Book Video


Some people call them book trailers - yet that is a trademarked term, so I call mine a book video. Presenting the new book video for my Sensual Romance Series. Hope you enjoy it!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Sugar Rush hits the Havasu Paper!


Actually - it was in the local newspaper paper almost two weeks ago. I'm just a little late in posting the piece. Thanks to the Havasu News-Herald for their nice article on Sugar Rush that appeared in their July 27th, 2013 edition.













Other news: my cover artist, graphic designer Elizabeth Mackey - just completed book covers for my Sensual Romance Series. Look for the paperback version of all three books in the series - After Sundown, While Snowbound and Sugar Rush in the near future!

Write on!!