WTF??! And my NEW Obsession

Whoa. I last posted in June. That's insane.

INSANE.

Of course, my entire summer has just been that.

A 10,000 km round trip road trip, weddings, revisions, edits, fresh writing and WHOA ...yeah the summer has escaped me.

I also discovered a new obsession over the summer.

Downton Abbey.

I curse my best friend for having Apple TV and hooking me when I visited her.

Now as I wait for Season 3 to unfold I've been haunting Fan Fiction and too scared to write my own. LOL!

I think I like Downton Abbey because it reminds me of my 2011 release BENTLEY GAL which is set in England in the 1920's with remnants of the Great War haunting the characters still.

So here's one of my favourite excerpts:


The lanterns lit the garden and strains of music drifted from the marquee while couples danced in the moonlight. The air was thick, the heat cloying as George walked along the edge of the makeshift dance floor. He watched as men continuously blotted their faces with monogrammed hankies. George ignored the batting of eyelashes and twitters behind flapping fans as he passed a group of eligible ladies.

Instead, he remained totally focused on Davina Wentworth, who seemed to be avoiding him.
When he first laid eyes on her, George had been overcome with an overwhelming sense of having seen her before. He felt he knew her. Those emerald eyes were so familiar, as if they had studied him already.

Of course, it was ridiculous. He had never met Davina before in his life. But Heatherton had one thing right, she was a beautiful woman—tall, thin and graceful, with ruby-red lips and bobbed, golden-blonde hair rippling in perfect waves.

One of the most delightful creatures he had ever laid eyes on. He sipped his glass of champagne, watching while she danced with her fiancé, Sinjun. They looked good together, but there was an air of awkwardness between them. Though George seriously doubted Sinjun was aware of it. She looked bored, almost anxious—whereas Sinjun was obviously enraptured.

He made a living reading people and from his short time observing Davina, he knew she didn’t love her fiancé—at least not in a romantic sense.

Why was she marrying him?

Of course, it was foolish question to ponder. The answer was obvious.

Money.

Yet her sister Dorothea had married for love, eloping with Bertie Brooks before he went to fight in France. It had, apparently, caused quite a scandal.

“Such a shame, such a waste.”

George cringed inwardly when Rufus appeared at his side. “Heatherton.”

“What I wouldn’t give to be in Sinjun’s shoes right now. Only I wouldn’t be patient with the ice queen.”

George nodded curtly to Heatherton and walked away. The dance ended and Sinjun led Davina off the dance floor.

Her eyes flew open in surprise when he stopped in front of them, bowing. “Sinjun, I was hoping to have a dance with your enchanting fiancée, if you don’t mind?”

Sinjun beamed. “Of course not. Darling?”

Davina’s painted red lips opened, and it seemed as if she was trying to think of an excuse to get out of it, but couldn’t.

“Yes…of course.”

Sinjun nodded. George took Davina’s hand, leading her onto the dance floor. Her hand shook slightly when he spun around, pulling her tight against him. Her wrist rested lightly on his shoulder. He trailed his hand down her back. Under his fingertips, small goose bumps rose on the surface of her bare flesh. Her skin was soft. His blood heated, knowing he was having some kind of effect on her, just as much as she was having on him.

“Where are you summering, Mr. Dyson?”

“Just George, Miss Wentworth.”

A blush tinged her cheek. “I really don’t know you well enough to address you with such familiarity.”
He chuckled. “Oh, pshaw, everyone is informal around here. What do they call you bright, young people…bohemians?”

“I can assure you, I am not a bohemian.”

“Just call me George.”

“Very well, and I suppose since Sinjun is so fond of you, then you can address me as Davina.”

“Oh, I aim to, darling.”

“Davina, I’ll accept. Darling, I won’t.”

Good, she has some spunk after all.

Have you seen Downton Abbey? Are you a fan? If so whose your favourite couple? Mine is Edith & Anthony Strallan, but then I've always been partial to underdogs and emotional "retards" as the actor portraying him put it.

Release Day & Gorillas!

Bentley Gal is out today! WOOT!

I'm really excited it's here. If you like the roaring 20's, car racing and some romance then you'll want to read Bentley Gal. I had a blast writing it.

To celebrate it's release I'm blogging over at Shiloh Walker's today about the story behind the story, which is gorillas.

I'm giving away a ebook copy of Bentley Gal & a little stuffed gorilla! :) He's so cute. So comment over at Shiloh's for a chance to win!

As for the writing 2k a day, I've been doing it. I did fall of the wagon the other night when my bronchitis returned, but so far today I've written 1k. Last Friday I also managed to finish off a WIP. I'll be editing that Sunday before sending to my critique partner for her to tear it apart. >:)

My bronchitis relapse is clearing up so I'm slowing getting back into my exercise routine again. I couldn't finish all of Power 90 Sweat Phase 1 today ...there was 6 minutes left and I started to have problems breathing and felt faint so I stopped, but its baby steps to get back into my routine after months of bronchitis. Blech.

Have a great day everyone!

2011 In Review

This past year has been an interesting one, for lack of a better of year.

I joined two group blogs, Beyond the Veil and Silken Sheets & Seduction.

I had several book releases, including one under my other name A.C. Ruttan which was not a romance at all. Incarnate was a book I had long been looking forward to.

I was able to attend Romanticon 2011 in Akron, Ohio and meet many of the fabulous people at Ellora's Cave, who were my first publisher. Met so many fabulous readers and writers and of course I met the wonderful, charming and handsome Cavemen.

Last year also brought loss. I lost a very dear friend. He was my bf's hubby, he was the godfather to my youngest. He was family. He tragically died after a routine surgery and the summer was shadowed with sorrow. It still hurts 6 months later. However, a piece of him lives on in his beautiful two-year-old boy and his newborn son who was just born a couple of weeks ago.

My husband also lost his grandmother. She died on her 95th birthday. Peacefully and that's all we can ask for.

I'm hoping 2012 is a lot better, in that respect. It's already shaping up well.

My first release of 2012 is Bentley Gal from Ellora's Cave *Blush*.

I also sold a bear-shifter story to Ellora's Cave. He's a Mountie! :) So sometime next year Mounted Release will be coming out.

I have other things in the works I can't really divulge yet, but I'm excited about.

The new year also brings about a trip I've been dying to take for some time. We're driving across country for my sister-in-law's wedding. I'm really looking forward to that. It's also my tenth wedding anniversary, which is hard for me to believe. I still feel like a newlywed some days.

I think 2012 will be a great year. I wish you and yours a safe and Happy New Year.

Whoa

And November escaped me there, but I did get a lot accomplished and off my very full plate.

December is slipping by faster than I care to admit. Heck, where did this entire year go?

I showed a little teaser a couple months ago about a bear shifter, well I'm pleased to announce that book was accepted by my editor at Ellora's Cave. Look for MOUNTED RELEASE in the new year sometime.

Speaking of 2012. My first release of 2012 is January 12, 2012 from Ellora's Cave. It's a Blush book, so spicy romance titled Bentley Gal, which is set in the roaring twenties and deals with a woman race car driver.



I'm very pleased it's releasing.

I also have some other exciting things in the works which I hope to be able to share with you soon.

ALIVE

Yes, I'm still alive.

I got knocked out on my return from Romanticon with bronchitis and sinusitis. On top of that I've been a busy little Canuck author deep in her cave, writing, writing and writing.

I have some cool news to share!

First up, LAIRD'S RETURN by Scottish Victorian Romance was an ARe recommended read!

WOOT!

Here's a little snippet of the AWESOME review by Lady Rhyleigh:

Exciting, arousing and romantic, Laird’s Return had my attention riveted from the beginning.

Second piece of news, I have a date in which INCARNATE will be released in print. It's coming to a bookstore near you on June 5, 2012! Yes, I busy working on it's sequel.

Third piece of news, Laird's Return is available at Chapters. This makes me extremely happy. It's a dream come true to see a book of mine in a local bookstore! Squee!

And finally, BENTLEY GAL has a release date! YAY! Look for my 1920's Blush Romance from Ellora's Cave on January 12, 2012.

New Sale

I am absolutely thrilled I sold a novella to Ellora's Cave under their Blush line. Blush is sensual romance, it was once known as Cerridwen Press. This is my second Blush book. My first was my historical romance Fox's Bride, and this is a historical romance as well, only this one takes place 1919 at the world famous Brookland's race track in England.

Here is the unofficial blurb for BENTLEY GAL:

Superstar of the Brooklands racing circuit, David Garr, makes all the ladies swoon. Too bad he's actually a lady too.

George left the States to escape prohibition and his broken heart. He vowed never to trust a woman again, until he meets his sponsor’s fiancée who captivates him. Though he knows he shouldn’t pursue her, he can’t help himself.

Davina Wentworth should be happy, she has it all—money, a gorgeous fiancé, but ever since her brother’s death the good life is not enough. Dressing as a man and racing under the name David Garr gives her the thrill she needs; until George Dyson becomes her number one rival, both on track and off.

She only ever felt alive behind the wheel of her Bentley, until he crashed through the barriers of her heart.

As soon as I have more info I'll let you know!