Friday Guest: Jennifer Ross

Thanks for joining me today, Jenn! (She's my favorite Canadian--any question I have, she'll answer, which is so cool because I have a lot of them!)

I fully admit to tempting you with this bit of Canadian lore, but what made you decide to write an American Civil War story?

Well the most compelling reason to start was that my beloved ScanVics were doing it (plus this one really persistent ScanVic wouldn't leave me alone :) ) That was what got me looking into the history. After that, the story itself compelled me to tell it, because I found it a fascinating look at my country's birth through the ashes of your country's conflict.

You're so passionate about Canadian history, is this a pasttime? How did this love develop?

This is an incredibly long story, but it involves me going to vote and being told I couldn't due to my religion. Say, what? First of all, nothing makes you appreciate the ability to vote like not being able to vote. I wasn't about to take this! So, I had to research. And in spite of not actually knowing how to research, I believe I found the smoking gun. The one that makes me right and the government wrong. Not being a millionaire, I can't afford the court costs to fight this (plus this was for a school board and my kids are long since out of school so I have no standing). But I thought it was so interesting that nobody else (apparently) has ever discovered this discrepancy, I wondered what else was in our history that people, like me, didn't know.

Tell us a little about the story--rabbits? I love it!

The story involves a St. Albans raider of the Confederacy who escapes being arrested by the 'Canadian' (we weren't a country then) authorities when the raiders travelled into Canada. He meets up with a woman and her son while trying to get back to Montreal to help his comrades escape. Needing a cover to prevent being arrested himself, he joins up with her for the journey. The rabbit just popped out of the hole and into the story all by himself, but I love him for it.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Yes, yes there is. I have complained previously everywhere that rabbits haven't left me alone since the day I submitted the story to our editor Allison. But I haven't told you about Colton. Colton is the name of my hero, and I named him that because I originally was going with "Colton and the Colonial" as the title, and I wanted a 'C' name. I have no idea where it came from other than it is good with Colonial. I have never met a Colton in my life, I don't know of an actor or singer with that name, etc. Except, now I do his payroll in my day job.

Haha, Jenn that's so cool. Isn't it amazing how things like that happen?! Thanks for joining me today.

Thursday Progress

First, just got a review for Kiss of Scandal, my 1855 Russian-set historical. Long & Short Reviews gave it 4 stars:

Fast paced, ‘Kiss of Scandal’ is a combination of romance, history, and political thriller...The life and love of Katia is the heart and soul of the story. She is a young woman determined to get some control of her own fate. We understand her doubts about her current probable fate, yet cannot help but feel that fortune has landed her in a better situation than she realizes...Try something a little different; Kiss of Scandal is well-worth reading. Read the whole review here.

I'm THRILLED with my progress on this novel. Like jumping up and down thrilled. I've revised the chapter breakdown once or twice (eight or nine) times, but with every tweak I know better where I'm going and what I want each scene and chapter to accomplish.

I'm averaging 1500-2000 words a night. Which, after 8 hours of work, is pretty darn impressive. I've divided my chapters into roughly 2000 words apiece, so about 1 chapter a night. So far, since Sunday that means I've done 4 (.5 but I work odd hours on Wednesdays and write only when I can squeeze it in).

Please ignore the dance of joy, it looks silly and is embarassing but forward motion! YIPPEE!

How's it going with your stories? And yes, I consider breaking down a scene to its most intimate parts progress. Any advacement is good advancemet! Even if it's scrapping a scene and plotting another. Cause sometimes no...those words don't make sense.

Wednesday Review: Northern Roses and Southern Belles

I admit to having a small part in the making of this story. A very small part. Jennifer Ross is Canadian and when asked to write a story for the American Civil War scoffed. Until a little research dug up the history on the St. Albans Raid where the Confederates escaped into Canada.


And so this wonderful gem of a story was born. I take no credit for the writing of the story or for the plot, only for proposing the vague concept. The rest is all Jenn's.

The Colonial and the Cottontail

Beside the unusual locale of the story, this was a beautiful story about hope. Becca embraces that hope for the future for she and her young son. Cole, one of the Confederate fugitives, hopes for a Confederate States of America. Until he meets Becca. It's then his lies catch up with him and he realizes what he truly wants.

Personally, I'm hoping Jenn agrees to write a War of 1812 story with me. I think her Canadian perspective will make a wonderful mirror to the Burining of Washington story I want to tell. Alas, she has her own projects she's doing. Maybe one day.

Tuesday Comings & Goings

Victoriana:

Monday: Denise Eagan's weekly Victorian Slang Blog
Tuesday: Cheryl Pierson
Wednesday: I'll be over there talking about sexy Russians and Victorians and giving away a copy of Kiss of Scandal.
Thursday: Emy Naso's works
Friday: Caroline Clemmons
Saturday: Cat Linder
Sunday: Clover Autrey

Dark Desires of the Druids II: Sex and Subterfuge

The second in my Victorian Druids series. Looking back, there are things I'd change and add to the story, but at the time, well, I don't know why I didn't add/change them in the first place. Hindsight and all.


This is a very different story than Raven's story. Morgana is a very different character. Stronger, older, more experienced. And Lucien. I have a special place in my writing-heart for him. He's a man who doesn't take no for an answer and one who knows his worth.

Sex & Subterfuge: Philadelphia, America, 1882 Lucien and Morgana's first meeting:

“My parents were murdered not six weeks ago,” he said flatly. “By a magicker.”

The anger left her, replaced by compassion and understanding. “I’m
sorry,” she whispered, her fingers reaching out to squeeze his hand. The show of sympathy startled him, denting the wall of grief he’d built in the weeks since the murder. Since he’d been forced here when he should’ve seen to his duties – and Isadore, his beloved sister – at home.

“We’ve all experienced tragedy,” James said, not unkindly, but with very little of the understanding his cousin showed. Morgana stepped away from him and it felt as if the world went with her. The hand that momentarily held his lay gently on Blackthorne’s arm.

“We’ve had similar problems,” she said in answer to his earlier question. “Certain volatile ingredients have surfaced. Problems with false elixirs and blatant lies of magickal remedies.”

“Any leads on a collector?”

“No,” she said after a short pause. “None.”

Blackthorne stepped between Lucien and Morgana. Raising an eyebrow at the protective gesture, he wondered from whom Blackthorne protected his cousin.
“We’ll be sure to contact you in a timely manner should we learn anything.”

Lucien acknowledged the insult with another quirk of his eyebrow. Morgana stepped around James with an impatient huff.

“James, please host Lord Granville,” she said, her gaze holding his steadily.

“If you insist,” Blackthorne said curtly.

“Thank you, James,” she replied softly, and Lucien had the feeling there was more to that exchange than simple courtesy.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Helston interrupted. The man had been quiet nearly the entire time. Whatever his position in Morgana’s world, she obviously trusted him enough to hear his reason for being here. “I have an appointment, Morgana.” He kissed his hostess’s hand and nodded to Blackthorne, who seemed to like Helston even less than Lucien. Maybe he wasn’t trusted, then, but tolerated. “Lord Granville, a pleasure.”

Without a word, Blackthorne followed Helston out.

“Lord Granville,” Morgana slipped her hand around his arm. “I’ll have my man, Takoda, show you to James’s house in a bit. I’d like to hear more of London.” She smiled up at him, the look in her eyes anything but businesslike. Her scent, lilacs and woman, surrounded him and he wanted to taste her fragrant skin. Was it as silky as it appeared? He’d have bet his steamship that it was.

4.5 Cherries from Whipped Cream Reviews: The characters are all well defined and multi-faceted. I also appreciated the research that must have gone into this book to make everything so true to the time period.


4 Nymphs from Literary Nymphs: Isabel Roman had done a wonderful job of telling this story about how strong the female line was in the American Blackthorne family. The simple fact that Morgana put everyone else before her...told me she had a great concern for others.

4 Stars from Manic Readers: The second installment of the Druids series is just as interesting a read as the first. There is danger, treachery, romance and passion aplenty.


3.5 Tombstones from Bitten By Books: Overall, though, this isn’t a bad continuation of the series. I will definitely continue reading...

Friday Guest: Jeanmarie Hamilton

Welcome Jeanmarie! Another fellow author from Northern Roses and Southern Belles, she's got a lot of wonderful family history, and it's been a treat to learn about this country through her stories about themHer story, Are you Going to the Dance?, is the third in the anthology.

What draws you to the Civil War/post-Civil War era?
Although I've read Civil War romance, I haven't attempted to write one. I'm drawn more to writing about life before and well after the Civil War. I wrote Are You Going to the Dance? because it portrays people in a small Texas community of Alsatian farmers who didn't want to see the country they came to, in order to have a better life, torn apart by war. So they were allowed to form local militia units to protect their town instead of sending men to fight in the war.
What else are you working on?
Right now I'm finishing a contemporary werewolf story that I started writing and put aside while I wrote some novellas. This story, previously titled Moonlight Guardian, takes place in a remote part of the desert, on the border of Mexico near my hometown. It has placed in the finals of contests, and it's dear to my heart because it deals with the preservation of historic land.

What’s your dream story? The one that becomes a New York Times runaway bestseller, the one you hope to one day write?
I don't know what will be the most important story to me after the one I'm writing now. I've written synopses for a regency and a fantasy, and have a contemporary and a couple of western historicals I'm working on. As far as having a dream story, every story I write is important to me, and I hope my readers will enjoy each story and lose themselves in it.

Anything else you’d like to share?


Jeanmarie

Thursday Progress

I'm having a great week. Writing wise at least. Won't talk any other-wise, it's not worth the headache.

It's been hugely busy, sleep has been of the past, but I'm so pleased with what I've accomplished I don't care. I'll crash this weekend, and believe me it'll be a crash.

Editing, writing, rewriting, when it works, it works. I wrote 15,000 words between last week and this week. All words I intend to keep, that work with the story, movie scenes along, and are so very lovely to look at.

I also rearranged my office area after convincing a screenplay writer friend that she needed an office space to focus on the writing at hand. I was so passionate about that, then looked around mine and realized I needed to clutter. ahh, breathing room.

Now if only I could move the wood stove from the living room to the office, I might actually use it in winter!