"The heart has reasons that reason cannot know."~Pascal

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"The heart has reasons that reason cannot know."~Pascal

I shared this post at Sherry Gloag's super blog The Heart Of Romance and feel it's worthy of being reposted here for those of you who missed it. Plus, I've updated some of the info about recent writing projects. The question I'm exploring is why I write what I do, specifically why I write across romance genres.

Many authors wisely choose a genre and stick with it. Most master a specific time period, such as the Regency romance world, and set up camp there. Not me. Like a restless spirit, I wander about visiting various places, even time travel to land in some of them. I recently finished a straight historical romance, my first set in England. Talk about research! Set at the explosion of the French Revolution, I researched the entire revolution, various aspects of life in Georgian England, and as the heroine sails across the channel, I delved into seafaring vessels and terminology.

Fortunately my mother has read the brilliant Master and Commander series twice and was also a help. Throw in more research into Dover and Cornwall, smuggling…took me months to write this and it's only 25,000 words. Entitled Into the Lion's Heart , you'll be hearing more about this story soon. Word is my editor loves it and will be getting back with me asap to get the publication process underway. I think we're shooting for May.

Meanwhile, I'm at work on a light paranormal time travel set in my stomping ground, the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the next in my 'Somewhere' series. The story begins in the old family homeplace outside of historic Staunton Virginia, a lovely Georgina home circa 1816. I've chosen 1968 as my jumping off point, having a lot of nostalgia about that time. This would be a Vintage romance except for the ghostly time travel element back to World War One and the year 1918. Yep, more research. But again, a great deal of nostalgia because the grandfather I never personally knew fought in many of the significant battles in France, including the famous or infamous battle of Belleau Wood. Both these stories have elements in common–old homes and ventures into the past–but they are quite different and require vastly different research.

Writing would be far easier if I'd stay put, but not, I expect, as much fun. So I write both historical, with varying time periods and settings, and light paranormal romance, generally with a time travel or ghost in the fantasy meld.I follow where my heart leads as new stories beckon.

In Daughter of the Wind, I even ventured into the shape shifting realm with a bearwalking Shawnee warrior. Depending upon whom you consult among the Shawnee, they may not consider this to be 'fantasy' but an actual ability some of their people possess, or used to in ages past.

Daughter of the Wind also has a magical moonstone necklace which I wish I could have kept, but the novel sucked that prize in and won't let me have it back. Bummer. But I have all the wonderful memories to keep with me always.

Light paranormal romance Somewhere My Lass was a departure for me in that I also wove kewl sci-fi stuff into this Scottish time travel. My paranormals require the same research I'd do for a historical because there are other time periods to explore, and then the added contemplation involved in otherworldly elements, so they are not easy, but enjoyable in a challenging way. I admit to gleaning inspiration from some of the movies I've seen, and a few stories I've read, but I do have an occasional original thought, more than I'm sometimes given credit for.

To further explore my latest light paranormal release, here's the blurb and excerpt from Somewhere My Lass.

Blurb:

Neil MacKenzie's well ordered life turns to chaos when Mora Campbell shows up claiming he's her fiance from 1602 Scotland. Her avowal that she was chased to the future by clan chieftain, Red MacDonald, is utter nonsense, and Neil must convince her that she is just addled from a blow to her head–or so he believes until the MacDonald himself shows up wanting blood.

Mora knows the Neil of the future is truly her beloved Niall who disappeared from the past. Although her kinsmen believe he's dead, and she is now destined to marry Niall's brother, she's convinced that if she and Neil return to the past, all will be right. The only problem is how to get back to 1602 before it's too late.
The balance of the present and future are in peril if she marries another, and the Neil of the present will cease to exist. An ancient relic and a few good friends in the future help pave the way back to the past, but will Mora and Neil be too late to save a love that began centuries before?

Excerpt:

"You are a beauty." His words were a hoarse whisper.

The rise and fall of her chest betrayed a deep inhalation of breath. A flicker of reproach lit her eyes.

"I dinna think ye took heed of me at all."

He winced at the well-deserved jab. "About before, I'm sorry I left you so suddenly. But there's no earthly way I could fail to notice you. I'd have to be deaf, dumb, and blind and even then…"

The tension in her face eased and then the hurt returned. "Oh, aye? How could ye forget all ye knew?"

He remained as he was, threading that wealth of hair through his fingers. Again, the rational part of him argued, "Is it possible you're imagining you knew me before?"

She balked, a mutinous glint in her eyes. "Nae."

He slid his hand to the finely crafted silver chain at her throat and coaxed the coverlets further down.

A slight gasp escaped her lips. He muted any outward response to the thrill running through him.

The scooped neckline of her nightgown revealed the tops of white breasts sprinkled with freckles. Above this heart-hammering sight hung the crucifix. "I gave this to you?" he managed to ask without betraying the swell of emotion surging inside him.