Ruth Ann Nordin's Blog, page 65

A Small Link Between With This Ring I Thee Dread and My Novella In Bride By Design

Okay, so under my pen name, Barbara Joan Russell, I have written a novella titled “Online Proposal” in the Bride by Design anthology I’m doing with Catherine Lynn. ��This will be out in mid-February, in case you’re interested. ��It is a sweet contemporary romance that is loosely based off my real life since I met my husband through a series of emails. ��(We met through AOL Personal Ads. ��I don’t know how many of you remember those, but this was in the 1999 to 2000 time frame).

All that aside, while I was writing “Online Proposal”, I thought I’d take one of the commercials Ryan Jackson came up with in With This Ring I Thee Dread and have some characters discuss in this story. ��This commercial involved a��man who wanted to propose to his girlfriend but was so nervous, he sent a dog with a ring to do it for him. ��Ryan does this once he starts to understand what women find romantic.

Below is the scene where he is forming the idea for the commercial:

A thought came to Ryan out of nowhere but he quickly developed it before it slipped his mind. What if there was a friendly, cuddly dog in front of [a woman] and that dog was carrying a small box around his collar? In that box could be an engagement ring with a proposal. Women had a hard time resisting cute animals. Perhaps the man who intended to propose had thought up a million ways to pop the question. Too nervous to go to her in person to ask it, he got his dog to do it for him. She could be wearing a white dress. It would be symbolic of a wedding. Women found weddings romantic since it was the joining of two people who loved each other and the dog would be cute and funny. He wrote his thoughts down on the paper before he lost his creative edge.

Since one of the characters in “Online Proposal” is an actress who was in this particular commercial, I thought I’d include the mention of it in one of the scenes in my story. ��Here is the part in “Online Proposal” where the women attending a bridal shower talk about the commercial:

The combined bridal showers were nice. The women who came out seemed like people Colleen would like to know. At the moment, Dot was telling them about her roles in several commercials.

���My favorite commercial was the one for an engagement ring,��� Dot told the group. ���It combined jewelry and romance, and it had a cute little story with it.���

���I saw that one,��� one of the young women, probably about twenty, said. ���There was a dog wearing a tux who brought you the ring.���

���Right,��� Dot replied, seeming pleased that the woman had seen it. ���The boyfriend was too bashful to do it himself.���

���I liked it because of the dog,��� Millie said.

The group chuckled, and Colleen looked over at Sadie again, wondering if her friend agreed that this bridal shower was more about Dot than it was about either of them. Sadie rolled her eyes. Holding back a giggle, Colleen turned her attention back to Dot.

���The dog was adorable,��� Dot agreed. ���It took forty-two takes for it to bring me the ring, though.���

***

Anyway, I thought some of you might enjoy knowing there’s a small part of “Online Proposal” that was inspired from a book I’ve done in the past. :D

Books, Email List, A Facebook Party, and Upcoming Videos

I got a lot of exciting stuff going on, and since it’s all running through my mind, I’m probably going to make a very long post. ��I’ll try not to get bogged down with too much description.

Next weekend I have two books coming out, and both are due out on the same day: Valentine’s Day. ��:D ��

This is book 2 in the Marriage by Deceit Series. ��Remember Lady Seyton who was helping Regina (in book 1–The Earl’s Secret Bargain) secure a betrothal? ��She was at the very end of book 1 and announced she had agreed to help a gentleman find a wife. ��Well, this is that story.

This is a sweet contemporary romance anthology. ��There is no sex at all in these books, and I’d even go so far as to say the rating is PG. ��Very tame, like A Bride for Tom. ��Since it is clean, I used the pen name Barbara Joan Russell. ��This is being published with Parchment & Plume.

My novella is Online Proposal which features a hero and heroine who met online. (I have a post or two I scheduled about this novella that will go up this week).

But Catherine Lynn’s novella, Tristan’s Redemption, features a hero who’s given up on the very notion of love. ��Then a stubborn dark-haired spitfire comes into his life. ;)

Really quick, I want to mention two things before I go back to talking about books:

1. ��Catherine and I will be doing a Facebook Party on February 17 to celebrate the release of Bride by Design. ��Here’s the link if you want to check it out!

This will be an all-day party so people in all countries have a chance to win the prizes. ��Some prizes will be available to international winners (ebooks and some jewelry), but there are a couple that will only be available to United States winner (like $25 Amazon gift cards). ��Sorry guys, but last year when I gave a gift card to an international winner, the country wouldn’t honor it because it was in US currency. ��So to be safe, gift cards will not be available to international winners.

I’ve posted��some pictures of the giveaway prizes over on the Facebook Party Page if you want to see some of the gifts we’re offering.

2. ��Below is a form to fill out if you want to be on my email list. ��(If you are already receiving emails from me when I have a new book out, then you are already on this list and will automatically receive what I’m offering below.)

I have already written a 2,000-word prequel for the release of Love Lessons with the Duke and another 2,000-word backstory to go with Bride by Design. ��I am only going to give these short stories to the people on my email list as a way of saying thank you for being on it. ��I’ve been wanting to offer something extra to those of you on it for a while now, but until a week ago, I had no idea what that could be. ��Thanks to an online conference I attended, I got the idea for the 2,000-word story to in line with the book that is being released.

If you haven’t signed up to be on my email list but would like to, here’s the form. (The first name is optional.)

[contact-form]

I do plan to keep making these short stories to go with each new release I have coming out because I think they’re a lot of fun. ��So this will be an ongoing thing I’ll do.

Now, back to the books…

I am currently in Chapter 16 of this book, which means I’m over halfway there. ��I’m still hoping for a March release. ��*fingers crossed* ��But worse comes to worse, it’ll be out in April for sure.

I haven’t made much progress in this one, I’m afraid. ��I’m only in chapter five. �� This might not be out until May if this pace continues.

Stephannie Beman will take this cover and make it look better. But this will be the “look” for the new cover.

Good news. ��I am getting nice progress on this one. ��It’s looking like there should be no problems getting this one out this summer. ��At the moment I’m in chapter four.

I haven’t touched this in over a month. ��Eek, I know. ��But I am 10,000 words into it, and it’ll probably 40,000 words long. ��So I’m not as far off schedule as it sounds since it looks like this might be a June release. ��*fingers crossed*

Now for videos…

I had a lot of fun making the one I did in the last post. ��It took me a good three hours to figure out how to upload it from iMovies to You Tube because it was connected to the wrong You Tube account. ��(I have one for me as the author and one for my family. ��It kept going to my family’s one. ��So I had to save it to my computer then go into my You Tube account and upload it directly.) ��But it worked, so now I know what I’m doing.

So does anyone questions for me? ��It can be something personal, something about my books, something about writing/publishing/promotion, or if you want my opinion on something. ��As long as it’s clean, I’m willing to answer it.

Janet Syas Nitsick and I will be doing some videos together.�� (Janet wrote Bride by Arrangement with me and is writing A Groom’s Promise with me.) ��Some for authors on the Self-Published Authors Helping Other Authors blog and some on this blog. ��We have some ideas that we’re working on. ��But, if there are any questions you have for both of us (even if it’s just for her), feel free to ask.

Writing Historical Romances….How Do You Get Into the Historical Mindset?

I asked for questions you might have, so I could answer them by video. ��One question I got was how to best write��a historical novel. ��In addition to answering this in video, I’ll write out my answer so if you’re unable to play the video, you can read it. ��(The video is 8.5 minutes long. ��In the future, I hope to get the videos to less than 5 minutes.)

When you’re starting out with historical fiction, it can be intimidating because we live in a ��contemporary world where we got so used to modern conveniences, we don’t naturally think “historical”. ��But if your heart is set in writing historical fiction, such as historical romance, don’t let the fear of not being fully authentic to the time period stop you from your dream.

If you take a look at my reviews, especially of my older books such as An Inconvenient Marriage, you’ll find I didn’t so well when I started out in historical romances. ��But you know what? ��It’s all a learning curve. ��You get better with each book you write. ��You will get a better feel for the time period with each new book. ��And before you know it, when you start a new book, you’ll feel like you’re right there. ��These days when I do historical western romances, I truly do feel like I’m in the middle of that time period. ��I can see, hear, and smell things clearly. ��It took me about four years before I was comfortable writing it, and I started back in 2007.

So I get how intimidating it can be. ��It intimidated me, too, and I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the most historically authentic historical romance writer out there. ��But to be honest, the historical romance time period in genre fiction is wallpaper. ��It’s not the focus of the story.

Always Keep Your Focus on the Main Character

Everything in every scene of every book needs to have at its core the character whose point of view you’re writing for that scene. ��If the character has nothing to do with something in the background, there’s no reason to include it. ��People reading your books will fill in the gaps. ��What is crucial is that you only pay attention to things that the character actually needs in order to advance the plot. ��For example, if the character needs to keep warm��in the winter, mention the box stove in the bedroom. ��There’s no need to go into the type of bed the character’s on, what material the wardrobe is made out of, or what the walls look like. ��Sometimes less is more. ��Trying to cram too much of the setting into the story can pull the reader out of the character’s head. ��And you don’t want that to happen.

Now that I’ve added the disclaimer about keeping the character first, I’m going to offer a couple of tips to help research the time period of your choice.

1. ��Read two or three books in the genre you’re writing, and make sure these books are from big publishing houses.

Why would I suggest this? ��Because big publishing houses will have editors who know what they’re doing. ��If they don’t, they’ll get fired. ��Big publishers have their reputation to protect. ��As much as I love self-publishing, there is no checks and balances on self-published books. ��Some self-published writers have editors. ��Some don’t. ��Some have good editors. ��Some have lousy editors. ��So I think a good rule of thumb is to go with a big publisher’s book. ��Find a topic that interests you, and read the book.

When I started out, I would mark up pages with a pen and earmark the pages. ��In an ereader, you can highlight text and make notes. ��I would specifically look for��items people used back then that is mentioned in the book, like cow chips which could be used to heat up a sod house in the winter time or a kerosene lamp which a character uses to light up the place. ��These are wallpaper items that can be easily tucked into the story.

2. Research.

You can look up information online, in a library, through a show like the History Channel. There are many ways you can find out��when things were invented, and you can browse some blog posts by doing a search for something you’re interested in, like wagon trains.

3.. ��Visit old homes or towns. ��Take a tour if you can.

I have learned so much more from taking a guided tour through historical homes and towns than by researching or reading books. ��For example, when I wrote my Native American Romance Series, which featured the Mandan Indians in North Dakota, I read a couple books written which explained their lifestyle, and there were some pictures and drawings in it. ��But when I took a trip to North Dakota and went to the Bismarck Heritage Center (where someone was kind enough to talk about some of the artifacts they still had from that tribe) and took a guided tour through one of the Mandan villages outside of Mandan, I learned so much more than I did reading the books. ��Seeing the items in person and being in a earthen lodge with what they used and hearing someone explain the typical day just really put me right there in that time period.

Another example was going to the 1880’s Town in South Dakota, where they keep the houses and businesses from that time period in good condition. ��They even��had the furnishings, clothing, and every day items people used (like cookstoves and pots). ��And if you wanted, you could wear a costume from that time period. ��Below, I’ll attach a picture of my four sons who wanted to dress up like boys did back in 1880.

***

But with all of this being said, nothing replaces the physical act of sitting down and writing your book. ��It’ll probably feel awkward at first because you’re not used to writing historical fiction. ��But press through this phase. ��It might take a couple books before you feel comfortable, but you’ll never get there if you don’t start. ��And, if ��you have a good editing team, these people can go a long way in helping you iron out the pesky little details of the time period. ��Here’s my post on polishing up your book with a good editing team.

I Finally Finished Battle Royale

I know I started this way back in November, and I was making good progress. ��But then in mid-December I had until mid-January to write a novella to have it ready for my publisher, Parchment & Plume, so it can come out around February 14. ��Reading for fun always gets pushed to the side when I’m under a deadline.

But last night, I finally sat down and finished it.

***Spoilers alert below***

This is my post when I was halfway into it.

The nice thing about this particular story is that a couple of the teens who were forced into the fight to the death (until one survivor remained) beat the system. ��My favorite character was��Shogo Kawada. ��He had survived the game the previous year, and this��gave him an advantage to help out the two main characters (Shuya Nanahara and Noriko Nakagawa) escape. �� The reason Kawada was my favorite was because he was willing to risk everything to help these two. ��I fully expected him to die somehow, and I was right. ��He did. ��But this was one case where the death of my favorite character was satisfying (instead of depressing), and I think it was because it was one of the most noble deaths I’ve ever read about.

His death had meaning. ��He wasn’t one of those sappy “poor me” characters. ��He knew what he was up against and didn’t break. ��He saw everything to the end, and he saw it with class. ��I don’t know how else to explain it than that, but he is probably one of my favorite characters I’ve ever read. ��He gave up himself for the sake of the two characters–so they could have a future.

This is not a warm and fuzzy book. ��There is a happy ending for the two main characters. ��They survive and there’s no doubt they love each other. ��But there is definitely a lot of sorrow and violence to go through to reach this point. ��Our main characters never disappointed me. ��They were good the entire time and acted with dignity. ��They didn’t sacrifice their values to get to the end. ��These were characters you could respect the whole way through.

So yeah, the nature of this book isn’t for those who want a warm and fuzzy read. ��It’s pretty nitty gritty and rough. ��But I can see why this book was so popular in Japan and why it’s been translated into other languages. ��I think despite everything, the message is not to give up, to keep on hoping. This is probably a universal theme we have as humans. ��No matter how bad things get, we like to keep hoping we can somehow make things better by the choices we make, that individual freewill can prevail despite our circumstances.

I’m not sure this all made sense. ��Kids are off of school today due to the weather, and they’re either buzzing around me or trying to unlock a door they locked on purpose (to see if they could unlock it).

Rami, I’m going to start Snake tonight. ��:)

Got the New Cover for Bride by Design and Update on the Video Idea

And it’s better than the other one! ��I was so upset when I found out the other one wouldn’t work because it was beautiful, but this one is even better. ��Now I’m glad we had to go with another cover. ��Anya Kelleye did it, and it’s gorgeous, isn’t it?

Catherine Lynn and I will be doing a Facebook Party for this when it comes out. ��I’ll have more details in the next week or two.

***

In other news, I finally figured out how to record a video off my computer. ��I know, I know. �� This really isn’t complicated. ��But the thing is, I knew where to find the program on my old PC. ��I didn’t know where to find it on the Mac, which is what I use now. ��I opened up iMovie then went to File…Import Media. ��Then FaceTime HD Camera showed up in the left column, and it allowed me to record something. ��I know you can do it in Quick Time Player, too, because I did it last night, but I can’t remember how I got it to record right now.

I should be able to post videos on here soon. ��I’m not as tech savvy as a lot of other people, so this is a huge learning curve for me. ��If you have any other questions you’d like to know about me, my books, writing, publishing, or marketing, feel free to ask. :D

New Cover Coming Soon for Bride by Design, Videos Coming Soon (Hopefully), and Email List Sign Up

New Cover Coming Soon For Bride By Design

First things first, due to unforeseen circumstances, Catherine Lynn and I have to change the cover of our anthology, Bride by Design. ��I know. ��It’s a bummer, but sometimes things happen, and you have to be flexible. ��I’ll post the new cover when it’s done.

Will Be Experimenting With Videos

I’m nervous, but excited, about this idea, but I think it’s worth trying out. ��I have a couple ideas in mind. ��One is to do a Facebook Party for an hour and then move on to a live video where people can ask me questions and get answers directly. ��The video will be one way. ��I’ll be the only one on screen, but there will be a chat program on the side of the screen where people can ask me whatever is on their mind. ��Since I am incredibly shy and awkward when I’m doing new things, I have asked Janet Syas Nitsick to join me because she’s experienced with giving presentations. ��(Janet and I live in the same town, so it’s easy for us to get together in the same room to do videos.)

Janet and I are also looking at doing some videos over on Self-Published Authors Helping Other Authors. ��We’d like to start with short segments, and once we get familiar with the chat option, we will start small and work our way up.

In the next month, we’ll be experimenting with a sight I just signed up to do these video presentations. ��I’m looking forward to trying something new. ��It might work or it might not. ��But I’ll never know unless I try.

Email List

If you are currently receiving emails from me via MailChimp when I have a new release out, you are already on my list. ��There’s no need to fill out the form.

If you would like to be notified when I have a new release out, please fill out the form below, and I’ll put the information into MailChimp. ��I find MailChimp is easier to use than manually putting in email addresses or trying to use my address book on Yahoo. ��(Long story short, Yahoo thinks I’m spamming and limits how many I can email at a time. ��MailChimp doesn’t.)

[contact-form]

I’m trying to look for extra things to add to the new release email. ��So far, ideas like a special discount��for a past book to use at Smashwords or doing a scene prior to the start of the new release (that won’t be available on this blog) have come to mind. ��I want to add something special if you’re on my list instead of always putting in a bunch of links.

So if you have other ideas, please let me know. ��I can only use one idea per email because of time restraints. ��I still have to take care of the family. :) ��So this will have to be simple.

I forgot to add, I will only email you when there’s a new release out. ��I don’t believe in spamming anyone.

My “Tips for New Writers” Ebook Is Up On Smashwords

I know this one took me forever to get to with edits. ��Technically, it was ready in December, but I was busy with working on “Online Proposal” for the Bride by Design, the contemporary sweet romance anthology I’m doing with Catherine Lynn. ��Then I was getting back into a writing routine and going back to working on several books at a time.

Once I got that ball rolling, I went to work on the series of posts I did on this blog for helping new writers with the storytelling craft. ��I wanted to put the posts into a book to make it easy to get the information in one place.

This book is short. ��It’s about 10,000 words long.

If you want, you can download the entire book for free over at Smashwords. ��I am going to have it distributed to Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, Oyster, Scribd, Flipkart, and other places Smashwords distributes to. ��I decided not to put it on Amazon because it’s iffy if I could get it to go free over there.

I am in the process of making this a paperback book.

Right now it’s only on Smashwords. ��I don’t know how long it’ll take to get on the other channels.

Click here for the Smashwords link!

Topics include the following:

Starting With An Idea
Picking Your Genre
The Proper Use of Backstory
Point of View
Characters are the Heart of the Story
Your Setting (aka World): The Character is Always Key
When You Get Stuck
If the Scene Doesn���t Add to the Plot, Throw It Out
If You Never Finish a Story
There Is No Perfect Time To Write, So Write Today
Polishing Up Your Book

Wagon Trail Bride: Flash Fiction (A Flashback Scene)

This takes place in a flashback scene Amanda has in the middle of the book. It takes us back to a dark time in her past. I think I just figured out what happened to her, but I have to write more to know for sure.

I redid the cover because I wanted the Pioneer Series to have a new look. ��I think the Pioneer Series will be three books total. ��Book 1 is Richard and Amanda’s story.

Stephannie Beman will take this cover and make it look better. But this will be the “look” for the new cover.

Amanda slowly gained consciousness. She hadn���t expected to. She honestly believed she wasn���t ever going to wake up again. But she had. And the first thing she was aware of was her disappointment. She thought it was finally over, but it wasn���t. She was still alive, and because of that, she still had to deal with the pain.

Releasing a long breath, she focused in on her surroundings, fully expecting the familiar chill of the early morning on her face or the sound of a rat scampering somewhere near a trashcan nearby. Instead, she was warm. In fact, she couldn���t remember the last time she���d been more comfortable. Someone had tucked a blanket around her and, if she guessed right, put her in a soft bed. Her head rested on a feather pillow. Her boots had been removed, though her clothes were still on.

Part of her wanted to go back to sleep, but another part of her had to find out where she was and who was with her. She forced her eyes open. The room was dim. The only source of light came from a kerosene lamp a few feet away. It took her a moment to focus in on the small table holding the lamp. Next to it was a full glass of water. Beyond the table was a small window, and through the thin curtains, she saw it was night.

Where was she? And, more importantly, who brought her here?

She closed her eyes again to give herself time to wake up. The silence should have probably alarmed her, but she found it soothing. After all the creepy noises in the alley, it was nice not to worry about something���or someone���finding her. Better yet, nothing crawled over her.

With a shiver, she opened her eyes again. This time, her gaze went lower from the window, and she saw someone sitting in a chair in the shadows. She stiffened for a moment but then realized it was Richard Larson and relaxed. She didn���t think she had any fight left in her, but for the instant she thought it might be someone else, the desire to live had sparked through her. She thought for sure the spark was gone forever. But apparently, the will to live was stronger than she imagined.

���What happened to you?��� Richard asked, his voice soft in the still room.

She hadn���t seen him in over a year, and the first thing he said to her had to be the hardest thing to answer. She closed her eyes, thinking he might assume she hadn���t heard him, that she had fallen back asleep.

But she heard footsteps and couldn���t help but open her eyes again. Richard was kneeling in front of her. He seemed to be intent on studying her, and usually such concentration would make her squirm, but she sensed something in his expression that hovered between concern and tenderness.

He reached out, as if to touch her, then changed his mind. After a moment, he said, ���We grew up together. You know me. You knew you could trust me. It wasn���t like I was a stranger. Last night, I found you in an alley, wrapped up in garbage to keep warm.��� He glanced up at the ceiling and shook his head. ���I don���t understand. I���ve been going over our entire lives in my mind, and I can���t think of a single time when I ever made you think you couldn���t come to me if you needed help.��� When his gaze returned to hers, there were tears in his eyes. ���I���d never let you live like that. Why didn���t you ask for help?���

She didn���t know what to tell him. How was she supposed to say she couldn���t take advantage of him? Of course, he���d help her, but that���s who he was. He deserved better. A lot happened since she last saw him. And even now, she didn���t want to think about it. It was why she���d hoped she���d never wake up. Then the nightmare would be over.

���Won���t you tell me something?��� he asked.

She wanted to tell him to take her back to the alley, that she wasn���t worth saving. But by the expression on his face she knew that would hurt him more than anything else she could say. Richard Larson had no idea just how dark people could get. He was all light and laughter. He���d always been that way since they were children. But darkness could block out light and pain made people stop laughing. Even in the small apartment he���d taken her to had shadows that crept up on the light around it.

���I can���t tell you,��� she whispered.

She���d hurt him. She could see it in his eyes. Just one sentence, and she���d managed to strike him without trying. She pulled the blanket over her head so she wouldn���t have to keep looking at him. It was better to pretend he wasn���t there.

He stayed there, by the bed, for the longest time. She was beginning to think he was going to stay there all night, kneeling in front of her, watching her. She held her breath and waited, her heartbeat picking up in dread. Was he going to insist she tell him?

Finally, he rose to his feet and walked away. Relieved, she released her breath, unaware her lungs had begun to hurt from holding it for so long. She didn���t know where he went, nor did she bother to check. It was much better to stay hidden under the blanket and keep silent. The less he knew, the better. One thing she always liked about him was his light, and she���d never do anything to take it away.

Done with the First Draft of Online Proposal!

I am thrilled to announce I just finished my novella under my pen name, Barbara Joan Russell! ��This puts me right on track for its release in February (around the 14th).

Anya Kelleye did an excellent job on the cover! :D

As Barbara Joan Russell, I write sweet romances. ��The most that ever happened in this novella was a kiss. ��The storyline just didn’t call more than that. ��This is a cute and fun story with some funny moments. ��It’s something you read when you want a lighthearted and easy read.

The total word count was 34,000, which is about 11 chapters plus an epilogue. ��It’s about the same length as A Husband for Margaret.

In addition to the cover, I also have a description for my novella in the anthology. �� I’ll post Catherine Lynn’s when she has hers done.

Here it is:

Colleen O���Hara���s friend is playing matchmaker. Not only is her friend tossing her a bridal bouquet, but she has the perfect man in mind for her to marry. All she needs is Colleen���s permission to give Mr. Perfect her email address.

And Drake Reed sounds wonderful. So wonderful, in fact, Colleen accepts his online proposal. But before vows are exchanged, she will visit him. Unfortunately, there���s one small snag preventing her from her happy ending. And that snag happens to be someone he used to have a crush on in high school.

Updates On What I’m Doing

Love Lessons With The Duke is Due out February 14

His Convenient Wife went out without any problems, so hopefully, this will be the same.

Bride By Design Might Be Out on February 14, too (This is published under my pen name Barbara Joan Russell)

I don’t have a cover yet for this anthology, but we do have a title for it.  The title is Bride By Design.  The anthology consists of two sweet contemporary romances.

My novella is Online Proposal, and Catherine Lynn’s is Tristan’s Redemption.  Anya Kelleye will be the one designing the cover.  Catherine Lynn and I will publish the anthology with Parchment & Plume.

At the moment, I am about 6,000 words away from finishing the first draft.  I expect it to be about the same length as A Husband for Margaret, which is just over 30,000 words.  I did some trimming today while editing and am currently at 26,300 words.  So this puts me an expected word count of 32,000, which makes this a novella.

I’m hoping to get the first draft done this upcoming week.  Then it’s off to my editing team.  I don’t usually rush these things, but when working on books with other authors, the deadline has to be something that works for both parties.

I need to work on a description for my novella.  Hopefully, I’ll have one up next time I do an “updates” post.

Ruined by the Earl is Now Projected to Late March For Its Release

As long as I can hit the March-April deadline, I’ll be happy.  I found the vows they used in the Regency era and what was and wasn’t done, so I had some fun recently writing the wedding scene.  Needless to say, neither hero nor heroine were willing to make the whole affair go through without misbehaving.  These two are proving to be one of the funnest couples I’ve ever written.  I’m enjoying this one immensely.

A Groom’s Promise

I’m not sure when this will be out.  It’s another co-authored anthology, except it’s historical western.  At the moment I’m still just below 10,000 words.  Due to other projects, I haven’t been able to get to this one.  Plus, it’s probably going to be at least 35,000 words, so it’s not something I can get out really fast.  I have tried to write stories 25,000 words or less, but apparently, it’s not something I naturally do.  If I do novellas, they seem to hover in the 30,000 word range.  If I do a full-length novel, I tend to settle in the 60,000-70,000 word range on average.  There have been a couple times I’ve hit the 50,000 mark instead, but that’s rare.

The Earl’s Stolen Book

Right now I’m hoping to have this book out after A Groom’s Promise comes out.  If that is the case, this will be my 50th romance.  That means I’ll be halfway to my goal of 100 books, which is exciting for me.  I’ll have to have a FB Party to celebrate. :D

This one follows Ruined by the Earl and will conclude the Marriage by Deceit Series.  I already have plans started for a third Regency series, which I’ve already called Marriage by Arrangement.  But I won’t be starting any books in it until at least the end of this year.

I have Royal Hearts, Wagon Trail Bride, and possibly In Royal Pursuit to work on.  I need to finish up the Enchanted Galaxy Series.  I also want to get Richard Larson’s book done.  I think these books might be all I can get out this year.  But we’ll see.  I can get more out before summer because the kids are still in school, leaving me ample free time in the days.