I love, love, love old magazines, and thanks to a sharp-eyed friend, an 1889 copy of Lippincott’s magazine came home with me. I couldn’t wait to share some of the “finds” inside with you! Life was different back in 1889, of course – yet also so much the same. Outdoor recreation was big, for one … read more
The Courting Buggy Tradition
There’s a short, humorous scene in my soon-to-be-released Time Travel novella that mentions a “courting buggy.” Check it out: Pleased wasn’t the word for how Hiram’s visits struck me. Annoyed was more like it. Hiram had gotten in the habit of “stopping by for a chat” two or three times a week. Sometimes on … read more
A Time Travel Novella: Coming Soon
Ever wanted to travel back in time to the 1880s? If you love history, you’ve probably indulged in the notion. What would it really be like to live back then? Which is what got me thinking about writing a time travel novel, set in Carson Valley in 1885. Here’s a short excerpt from my novella-in-progress, … read more
Sneak Preview: “Captain’s Kidnapped Bride” historical romance
Love sweet historical romance with a dash of magic? Here’s a free sneak preview — as our heroine avoids a forced marriage, but finds herself on a strange ship with a whole new set of problems! (Including a handsome, grouchy captain who didn’t plan on an extra passenger — especially as his cabin-mate!) Read on! … read more
The Magic of Romance Novels
So, what’s the secret that makes Romance novels so attractive to readers? There’s definitely a splash of magic there. Romances are the “queen” of genre fiction, with over $1.4 billion in sales in 2021. They’re also the 800-pound-gorilla of mass market fiction, snatching up nearly a third of its sales. So why has this previously … read more
Romance Tips: Developing Your Characters
Developing Your Romance Characters Too many romance novelists pluck their characters straight from a trope. You’ve undoubtedly met these cardboard-cutouts: the mysterious, grumpy loner with the heart of gold. The sweet-but-spunky small-town girl. The couple from opposite sides of the tracks who fall madly in love after one panty-melting, smoldering eye-lock. … read more