Upcoming Appearances

Today I'm over at Long & Short Reviews for an interview. What? March? And still doing promo? Yes, well, I try. I'll also be at Long & Short's Yahoo Group throughout tomorrow to chat with everyone. There will be prizes, so make sure you stop by!

In April I'll be leading a very useful online workshop called "The Tiny Art of Elevator Pitches: How to Craft Them & How to Use Them" via Elements of RWA. This is my favorite course to teach because I get to play with the intricate words puzzles that are elevator pitches--essentially, your book in 35 words or less. You don't have to be a member of RWA to sign up.

I will also be presenting a workshop at Chicago North's Spring Fling Conference. The workshop is "Beyond Research: Stronger POV & Effective Use of Detail." I don't have a definite time for the workshop, but the conference itself runs April 23-24 in Deerfield, IL (north Chicago suburb).

I'll be attending the Romantic Times Booklover's Convention in Columbus, OH, April 27-May 1. My panel "Looking for Something Different?"--with Zoe Archer, Blythe Gifford, Jade Lee, Sherry Thomas, and Kensington editor Megan Records--will look at writing, selling and promoting unusual historicals.

In addition to participating in the signing on Saturday at RT, I'll be co-hosting the Midnight Mad Hatter Historical Tea Party on Wednesday, April 28 at midnight (although technically that's Thursday, isn't it?). Here's the write-up:

You never know who you may meet, or what prize you may get when you attend the Midnight Mad Hatters Historical Tea Party! The night wanes, but the reveling goes on! It's loaded with merriment, laughter and fun! Wear your best hat, and please don't you be late! For you don't want to miss this very important date!

My co-hosts are Victoria Alexander, Renee Bernard, Emily Bryan, Kristina Cook, Genella deGrey, Charlotte Featherstone, Heather Graham, Sally MacKenzie, Donna MacMeans, Amanda McIntyre, and Sharon Page. Oh, you wouldn't believe how much stuff we've assembled to give away!

I hope to see some fans there!

Now Playing

Frolicking, really, in my head...

That's Sophia Myles and a very hot, very young Ralph Fiennes as Greta and Oliver in PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION. Germanic enough for you??

Followed by The Divine Mr. Lewis and Ramola Garai as Charlie and Dorothy in my next (currently nebulous) WWII romance. The working title is PEOPLE WILL SAY WE'RE IN LOVE, after the song from Oklahoma. The musical versions are generally pretty cheesy--as performed here by Hugh Jackman and Josefina Gabrielle in 1999--but I love Kate Smith version, which was a big hit for her in 1943.

Jazz Baby!

One of my critique partners, Lorelie Brown, is celebrating her debut today. I'm so proud of her and this marvelous book, JAZZ BABY, set in 1920s New York. I'm wishing her many sales and many future successes!

Of all the juice joints he had to bust, this one had to be hers...

In the world of illegal speakeasies, Kate Kirkland has her life running smoother than a Model T. Maybe moving the family bar into the basement wasn't the best choice for her alcoholic brother, but Kate's making them a living--until a local gangster tries to expand his territory. Right into her bar.

Luckily Micah Trent, her handsome and too-suave bootlegger, is ready and willing to offer her a helping hand. If Kate can bring herself to accept it. Since sharing one sensual dance to seal their deal, she can’t ignore the delectably wicked way he makes her feel.

Micah is keeping secrets of his own. He’s a Prohibition Agent, sworn to shut down the gin mills and distilleries that keep illegal booze flowing. Kate's speakeasy is next on his list--right after he uses her as bait to catch the gangster hunting her.

But even if Micah and Kate can maneuver their way through the gangsters' dangerous underworld, will their love survive the trial by fire?

My Monday is Discombobulated

Ilsa slept in until nearly 9:00 this morning. She and Juliette had a late night on Saturday, and then she went to a birthday party yesterday afternoon at a hellish place called Monkey Joe's. It's like Chuck E. Cheese but with bouncy castles instead of games or rides. So everywhere there were children intent on kicking one another in the face as they jumped and slid and climbed. I left Ilsa in the care of the birthday boy's mom because I couldn't stand two hours of watching my child be nearly brained at every turn. Out of sight, out of mind. It's better that way.

So after heading to the grocery store, I returned to pick her up. Her face was bright red--not from any injury, but from full-on physical exercise. She was drenched in sweat. I don't remember Ilsa ever planning that hard. To say that she was wiped out would be an understatement. Normally when she gets tired, she becomes fruity and slaphappy. Last night she didn't have the energy, and apparently she needed a few extra hours sleep to recover today.

I'm glad she doesn't have school. Montessori and KUSD have the day off. I don't know why. So I have Ilsa and Ella here with me today. This will force me to get some cleaning and research done. Then tomorrow I have to get on writing my proposal for PORTRAIT, consisting of writing and polishing the first three chapters and the synopsis. I have 2 1/2 chapters and the synopsis written, but they need a serious revision. That's due March 15, which is suddenly around the corner. Once my editor approves it, the completed MS will be due November 1.

Good thing the Olympics are over. I feel like I have a life back! Work in the evenings can resume! I will keep up with "Survivor," "America's Best Dance Crew" (why must Americans be hatin' on my Québécois homies?), and "Caprica," now that it's finally picked up steam. I've also been watching "SYTYCD AU," which--although it's fallen down on the promise of the initial Top 20 reveal--remains entertaining. The best I've seen of the competition shows, however, hasn't come from the young dancers.

Instead it was this performance by Anya and Pasha of US3. They've joined ballroom choreographer extraordinaire Jason Gilkison's cast of Burn the Floor, the repertoire of which includes the amazing rumba, shown below. Gilkison is known for his innovative ballroom chorey, especially seamless transitions into surprising lifts and tricks. In the hands of seasoned dancers and long-time partners--Anya and Pasha have been dancing together for twelve years--it just comes alive. I love to see how much success they've earned after less than three years in the public eye.



To indulge in a happy flashback, here's their audition for SYTYCD. The look of pure naughty joy on Dan Karaty's face is worth another watch! Oh, and this is a ballroom fusion routine they did last year for some show called Superstars of Dance. It's got cha-cha, rumba, samba, and basically sex.