EPPIE

I'm still debating on whether to go to Colonial Williamsburg for the 2011 EPI-CON conference and awards. The Civil War anthology I'm in, Northern Roses & Southern Belles, is a finalist. All of which is very exciting, but the question is do I want to go down to Williamsburg in March?

Two years ago in May it was beautiful. Warm, a little rain, but perfect for walking around. March I'm not so sure. Must give this more thought I suppose.

Northern Roses and Southern Belles, available from The Wild Rose Press (e-book and print), Barnes & Noble (print only apparently), and Amazon (e-book and print).

In a country torn asunder--from the Canadian border to Texas, from Maryland to Arkansas, from the battlefield of Antietam to the Red River Campaign--brave men and loyal women see their lives turned upside down.

Peril lurks behind every tree and near every homestead, but the hard-fought love of a man and a woman surpasses all.

Six talented writers provide stories of romance and danger centering on Union and Confederate soldiers, spies, blockade runners, renegades, and battlefield nurses during a period of corsets, hoopskirts, and gentlemen callers.

This and That

I'm moving along with a new story, another paranormal. Despite my best intentions on writing that hot historical in WIlliamsburg, this one took over my imagination and my muse. I'm not going to ignore it just cause, so will diligently plot it out and move along with that. Williamsburg and my characters from there can wait. For now at least.

I've received a lovely review on Murder & Magick from Cathie at Caffey's Reads:

I so highly recommend this book that it hasn't left me since I finished it and these scenes keep coming back to me. You will even be able to visualize Harrington Manor as most of the book takes place there and in the surrounding grounds. Thanks for a breath taking story Ms. Roman. This is 5 stars for you!

My short story, Whispers, is in Power Play, today's Book of the Day at Ravenous. Jennifer's Random Romance Reviews had this to say: And intrigue abounds in “Whispers” by Isabel Roman when a senator and Department of Justice attorney engage in a forbidden affair and overhear a murder plot (I was intrigued by this story and wish it had been a bit longer).

And finally, I think (think!) my webiste is up, running, and working! I'm pretty excited, it's taken a long time to get it here between lack of wireless, Dreamweaver issues, and connecting to the remote host issues. oy. But please let me know if anything's not working or linking.

Memorial Day Weekend

I have a lovely 3 days off this weekend. I'm truly sorry for those who don't. Benn there, done that, and yes. It sucks when everyone else is off and BBQ-ing and you're stuck at work.

I'll be busy all weekend, but it's just nice to have a break. Some times recharging is the best thing for you, and this weekend despite everything I need to get done, it'll be nice to sleep in a little and just be.

Next week is the end of May. No, I have no idea where the month or year has gone. I wish I did, so I could better plan my time. And since it is coming up on the half year mark, I'm going to vow to be a better blogger, devote even more of my time to an online presence, fix my *&$%#@ website once and for all. Stupid links don't stay linked to what I link them to.

And finally, to plot and write 3 more stories this year. I crammed in 3 in the first 4 months, and then crashed. Trying to space them out now. :) I'm in the midst of plotting an historical set in (yes you guessed it,) Colonial Williamsburg. And a contemporary paranormal I'm really excited about and my muse seems to love the best.

I hope eveyone has a great weekend, no matter what you're doing! And remember the reason for Memorial Day. It's not just to have off and cook out...

Colonial Williamsburg

I spent 2 days in Colonial Williamsburg and had a fantastic time! I could've spent 2 more days there, actually. I toured either original or exactly restored buildings of the governor's mansion and capitol building, listened to music from the time period played on period instruments, and even took a dancing lesson!

The town had about 1,900 people (no-slaves that is) at its height right before the start of the Revolution. A tiny town considering Philadelphia, New York, and Boston all had between 4-7,000.

Learned how to make wool thread. Or at least took a class on it but mine doesn't look remotely like it's supposed to. But the instructor was really great, very knowledgeable, and extremely patient! Also learned about ceramics and saw really wonderful wood, silver, and iron craftsmanship. If you get the chance to go, you won't be sorry. There are plenty of things for kids, too. Even costume rental! Which I think would be fun if it hadn't been so hot and I could do it for like an hour or so.

Picture 1 is the restored governor's mansion. The original burned down in the 1780s when it was used as an army hospital. Picture 2 is the musicians and their wonderful instruments. And yes, women weren't allowed to play flutes or violins (too unseemly) but that big old base between their legs? Not a problem. Go figure.

Busy, busy, busy!

It's one of my favorite lines from Frosty the Snowman. Yeah, yeah, the Christmas cartoon. Deal. I love it when the evil magician starts jumping up and down like a lunatic and says he's going to be busy, busy, busy!

I have revisions to do for Temptations & Treachery, I just posted my blog on Victorian Literature, I have packing to do for my trip to Colonial Williamsburg, and I 'm meeting with a rep from an alarm company. Plus, work. Can't forget that!

I am tired already. And I haven't even showered yet!

Unusual Historicals

I've been MIA recently. Life's been busy and I was trying to take a break from writing for a couple weeks to recharge my poor brain. Today I'm over at Unusual Historicals for a blog on Colonial America and Education (and Ben Franklin). Wednesday I'm at Slip into Something Victorian for a blog on Victorian literature.

Thursday & Friday I'm in Colonial Williamsburg and I"ll post pictures and fun facts from there.

Vacation Planning

I spent a good chunk of yesterday enjoying the snow. OK not the digging out part but the other parts of it. And if I had anyone to have a snowball fight with, I'd have done that, too. I really do love the snow, just not the cold.

So I also spent yesterday planning a vacation. I'm a fan of the long weekends. Thursday-Sunday or Monday, taking Friday off to enjoy a beach day or going to a friend's house to simply hang out.

In March I'm heading on m yearly visit to Puerto Rico. No, I don't do much there, sun, pool, beach, some Old San Juan, a delicious bakery Kasalta which I probably spelled wrong. There's a rain forest I like to hike through - El Yunque. Mostly it's the view, and I'll post some picts this year to my facebook and website. Yes, I'm sorry...you'll be jealous.

In April I'm going to Disney for a short 4 day weekend, then in May I'm off to Colonial Williamsburg for another 4 day weekend. I haven't been to Williamsburg in years, since I was a teen at least. I can't wait to go!

During this time I plan to recharge, relax, and most definitely do some writing. Where are your favorite vacation places?