Blog Archives
Butts Be Gone!
Since my last blog post, I’ve been a bit busy, and loving it. No more Big Fat Holiday Butts, except for the one sitting in this chair, But… let’s not go there.
I’ve been working on the back cover copy for my soon-to-be-released book, Away Over-Yonder. It’s going very well, with a little help from my friends – here’s a shout out to Carissa and Sherry, Love you Gals. I’ll be sharing the book description here with you all in the next few weeks, so stayed tuned. Very exciting.
This will be my third and final book of the my Ellers Family time-travel series: Here & Beyond.
I’ve also been working with my publisher on the cover art for the book. Here’s a shout out to Shari at Llumina Press who has to deal with a scatter brain like me, poor dear, she must be a saint. I want the covers of the three books in the series to have the same look and feel. There aren’t any people on my covers, only places to evoke time, place and feelings. The first book, Return In Time, has the silhouette of a castle at sunset – or is it sunrise? No it must be sunset, those vivid colors only seem to grace our skies when the light is leaving our sight. The second book, Somewhere To Belong, has a castle off in the distance – or is it a simple farm house? No, it’s a castle, but is it home? I hope it evokes the feeling that somewhere off in the distance is a place to belong.
Along with all this I’ve been working on a new book, I’m at about 10,000 words. It’s a good start and I’m excited about the story. The working title is Until We Meet Again. Titles, I have found, are subject to change. I have one book that’s gone through at least half a dozen working titles, and it’s still not out yet, so the title is still subject to change. At this point, I’m thinking; Dreaming In Moonlight. Feel free to tell me what you think.
Well, I think that’s about it. Back cover text, front cover art, new book, lots of fun. Yep, embrace the challenge and life is good.
Oh, before I forget (like I could). I got a sales report for last year for my first two books and I’ve sold over 2,000 copies. I am pleased. Thank you very much for playing in my delightful sandbox with me.
I hope and plan to get back to posting my ABCs of Romance. I’m up to letter H. I’m thinking Honorable Hank or Horny Harry, which shall it be? All so much fun.
Until we meet again… Cheers and Enjoy Always, T
We’re off to a grand start of 2013.
Scottish Highland Games, oh my.
This past week end I attended the Scottish Highland Games at the Alameda fairgrounds in Pleasanton with my good friend, Tresa. Besides having the opportunity to see a lot of good looking men in kilts, I wanted to connect with the MacNicol Clan. I drew on the MacNicol clan for inspiration in my books, Return In Time, Somewhere to Belong and the soon to be released third book of the series, Away Over-Yonder.
Dale Nicoll of Clan MacNicol and Me.
Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, I think it’s only fair to mention that my characters in the From Time to Time series are all completely fictional. I make stuff up. But that really is me with Dale Nicoll of Clan MacNicol. I had a grand time as he told me all about the clan and their homeland on the Isle of Skye.
Dale W. Nicoll telling me about Clan MacNicol.
While I was visiting the Clan MacNicol booth, we were entertained by the Nicolson pipe and drum band. Sharp looking guys, don’t you agree?
Nicholson pipe and drum band.
- Nicholson clan brings out their big drum.
What a treat. After hanging with Clan MacNicol for awhile, Tresa and I wandered around the fair grounds and eventually made our way over to the area with the Scottish highland guards. We met some very pleasant, sharp looking warrior, guards. They were very nice to tell us about the weapons used when the Scottish warriors went into battle. And they took the time to pose for some picture taking. Really nice guys.
Might fine Scottish highland guards.
We also met one of the guards, Michael. In my books, one of the brothers of my MacNicol clan is named Michael. Fairly impressive looking.
Scottish Highland Guard.
Michael with his son, Andrew. Like father, like son. Great guys doing a great job defending mighty Scotland. I felt pretty safe too.
Michael, Andrew with Tresa and Me.
A Scottish highland guard with his wife, Kim and daughter, Kaylyn. Very nice people, past and present.
Highland Guard with wife and daughter, and Me.
I had a grand time. And now I have a lot of great stories to add to my collection. My only regret is that I have to wait another year before the Scottish games return and I can go back to visit with my new found friends. But I’m already looking forward to next September.
Enjoy now and enjoy always, T
Return In Time – with me if you will.
I was over at Ariella Moon’s blog and saw - the most intriguing and brilliantly written classified ad ever!
Safety Not Guaranteed
“WANTED: Someone to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You’ll get paid when we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before.”
I have to agree. What fricking great writing. “You’ll get paid when we get back.” Yeah, really, like how much. What’s the going rate for time-travel companions? Couldn’t that also read; IF we get back? And what about the idea that you have to bring your own weapons, but oh, by the way, Safety not guaranteed. If this isn’t a call for a macho, kick-ass, special ops kind of guy, I don’t know what is. Hey, forget the paycheck, baby, I’m here for the adventure. And it’s so reassuring to know the potential employer has done this only once before. Well, at least we know they’re still here to tell the tale and are interested in trying it again.
Okay, so I don’t have a special ops guy to offer up for the job, but allow me to take a moment to introduce my time-traveling friend, Teressa Ellers, an accomplished Relationship Coach.
After finishing her master’s in family counseling, Teressa accepts a primo job as a Relationship Coach at her local university counseling center to help struggling college students maneuver the emotional landscape of romantic relationships. Thankfully, this is before state wide budget cuts forces her out into private practice where the really big bucks are.
Her career path is on track but her personal life has taken a couple of hard hits. Isn’t this always the way? In the past year her father has passed away and she’s dumped her ‘so-called’ boyfriend. He didn’t do family and that was a big ole deal breaker for her.
Now she’s taking a rather whimsical retreat from her life in the hopes of getting away from it all and finding some real adventure on the remote Isle of Skye in Scotland, because Scotland is full of hotties and she’s heard Skye is a magical island full of myth and legends. Did I mention the hot warrior Scottish dudes? Ok, good.
Soon after arriving on Skye she’s swept back to the 13th century by a powerful fairy named Moezell. Yeah, I’m pretty sure any fairy that can sweep a person back in time is pretty darn powerful. Enough said.
This fairy and her half-human/half-fey cousin are in need of a match-maker to secure the happily ever after union between Duncan, the chief of the MacNicol clan, and Janet MacDonald, daughter of his sworn enemy. Ok, maybe not sworn enemy, but not a good friend either. Let’s just say there’s some ‘bad history’ between them and Teressa has her work cut out for her. Teressa, of course, takes the job. It’s the only way she can be assured of being sent back to her own time, and brother (or sister) let me tell you, this little lady has every intention of going back home. Hot dudes are no replacement for hot showers and toilet paper.
But, wouldn’t you know it, she faces a little kink in her plans. Duncan’s younger brother, Rory, has the hots for Teressa and he’s determined to discover if she’s “a mystery to unravel or a woman to be loved.” (his words, not mine! Okay, maybe they are mine.) He’s smitten with this slightly strange woman and is determined to woo her, believing she is the woman of his dreams. (wet dreams, I’m sure, but it’s all good.)
To learn more, find Return In Time at any of the major on-line booksellers – and tell them Rory sent you. He’s a babe.
Enjoy always, T
Deleted Scenes
You know how movie DVDs sometimes add Deleted Scenes as a bonus feature? Well, I was going through some of my older files and I found this deleted scene from Return In Time. It’s just a little glimpse into my favorite fairy, Moezell. And I thought it would be nice to share it with you. Hope you enjoy. . . Always, T
Unseen, Moezell stood there bedazzled, watching Rory’s display of raging grief over the disappearance of Teressa. Such a display of powerful emotion was a wonder to observe. It was impressive, this range of emotions humans were able to experience. To a fairy that could only watch and envy their ability, the depth of Rory’s pain was wondrous. She could readily appreciate his fitful state of mind and she was touched by his magnificent vulnerability. It was easy to understand why so many of the spirit folk had chosen to incarnate into the human world. The experience was amazing, so far removed from the eternal feeling of well-being existing in their world. Granted, there were many painful experiences to encounter in the physical world, but these humans had the one gift the fairies truly envied, the ability to feel both the pleasure and pain of love for one another.
There was very little she could do to help him through his suffering, but she could offer him comfort and hope. And of the two, hope was the greatest gift she could provide. The rest would be up to the soul of Roderick MacNicol to achieve. Moezell stepped through the veil of the unseen and revealed herself to Rory.
Summer Solstice 2012
Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year when we get a few more moments of daylight. The sun rises just a wee bit earlier and sets just a wee bit later. I love the sunshine, and I’m ready for the sun and heat of summer.
I like the idea of more. More daylight, more sun, more assurance that summer is finally here, and more time for romance. It’s all those things we associate with romance; long walks on the beach, moonlight strolls, candlelight, and lots of skin showing as the sweaters come off and the shorts go on. It’s all good.
I also love romance. I love reading about it, writing about it, and experiencing it. I LEA sharing my thoughts and writing with you.
Both of my novels, Return In Time and Somewhere To Belong, use the summer solstice as the magical day when my hero and heroine begin their magical journey through time. “Love, ’tis the strongest magic of them all.”
May you have a truly magical day.
Enjoy always, T
