Toni Anderson

Jim Hare made the blog again...

2012-01-27T14:48:00.003-06:00

Under better circumstances than last time :)

The Nature of Things

Excuse my absence, I'm sick.

Guest blogging...

2012-01-19T12:01:00.000-06:00

I'm waxing lyrical about why I like writing romance at my good friend Clare London's blog today. Come over and wish her a happy birthday (she's taken the whole month in celebration :))

Frosty :)

2012-01-17T21:01:00.000-06:00

It's too cold to do much more than hunker down and write with the fire blazing in the hearth. Unfortunately the dog still needs walking and the kids still need to go to school, so we wrap up in our many layers and trek out into the Manitoban winter.
Whatever the temperature, the first two minutes never feel that bad. Often the sun is kissing the horizon and the sky is blushing pink. Our breath puffs in the icy air. Feet crunch in the granulated snow. Our street is quiet and there are fresh tracks from all the nocturnal creatures who somehow survive without the joys of central heating and Baffin boots.
By the time we get to school (a mile later) my cheeks are glowing, icicles drip from my hair, the dog is dancing to keep warm, and my son trots happily (generally) into school.
We've had an easy winter so far but now it's starting to bite. All I can really say is 'roll on summer.'

Trying this out. Free Print Copy. What do you have to lose?

2012-01-10T06:39:00.000-06:00

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Sea of Suspicion

by Toni Anderson

Giveaway ends January 16, 2012.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

I'm on the Cover of...

2012-01-09T09:16:00.002-06:00

Suspense Magazine and interviewed inside about my new release EDGE OF SURVIVAL. How cool is that? Thanks to Susan May for the fabulous interview.

Love this: A Thousand Years

2012-01-04T18:42:00.002-06:00

2012-01-01T07:56:00.007-06:00

Happy New Year!

Looking forward to 2012.

New Year Resolutions?

1) Find a way to write faster. I think it can be done. Working on ways to better focus this year.

2) Use internet time more wisely. It's great to connect but sometimes it's better to write.

3) Work out more. It's time.

4) Be the best wife and mother I can be when I've finished my writing each day.

All these resolutions connect to the goal of being a healthy, productive writer who can (please god, finally) contribute financially to the household.

Hogmanay

2011-12-31T11:56:00.000-06:00

Need I say more? Stay safe this Hogmanay!

Last Year's Writing Goals

2011-12-28T08:16:00.021-06:00

Wow. I can't believe how fast this year went. I'm just looking at my goals to see what I achieved and what I didn't in 2011. Setting achievable goals is an important.

1) Submit more Harlequin Intrigue proposals. Write and polish another HI ready to submit when I hear about TO CATCH A SPIDER.

Tick.

In fact I wrote two more full Intrigues (plus 3 partials) and even submitted all the fulls. Unfortunately none of them were accepted. However, I'm thinking of self publishing these puppies. They're not like my current releases with Carina or TWRP. They're 55K words as opposed to 80K but I like them. Still pondering their fate.

2) Finish Snow Leopard book. (Renamed GHOST OF THE MOUNTAIN)

Tick.

Underline that tick and highlight the little bugger.

I've submitted the story to several agents. What I'm hearing back is that RS is a hard sell right now, and the book is close to mainstream thriller rather than the standard Romantic Suspense--but there is still romance at the heart of the story. I know this makes it hard to place in the market.

I am a huge RS fan. Massive. Huge. Ginormous. One of the reasons I think RS has flattened out is because editors in the big publishing houses are shying away from anything that isn't...well, the stereotypical RS that readers have read a thousand times before. Or not. I mean, what do I know?

3) Sell Icebreaker.

Tick. Sold to Carina Press and renamed EDGE OF SURVIVAL (15% of my royalties are going to diabetes research. if you don't know why, read the book. Please :)).

4) Write Bamfield book.

Cross.

My only real failure of the year, although I just started working on this in mid December. Going to try and finish the partial by mid January. It's two murder mysteries entwined, but 30 years apart. I could do with a good working title but Bamfield (the location) is all I can come up with, LOL.

***

All in all--not bad. I'm off to figure out next year's goals now. Obviously the first one is the Bamfield partial. Do you set goals? Did you achieve them?

My Swag

2011-12-27T14:06:00.001-06:00

A new address book (Tom Thomson is one of my favourite artists), an organizer calendar with 3 list pads, an awesome bike basket (at first I thought it was waste paper basket and I confess I was a little disappointed). Two pairs of trousers (one have to go back but good job DH :)), socks, Clinique moisturizer (OMG, it was like not having kids again :)), Cadbury's chocolate biscuits, smellies and lotions, new duvet covers, gorgeous hand painted dishes from Poland, chocolates, and SEAL OF MY DREAMS (with a story my one of my favorite authors and best friends, Loreth Anne White).

I know I received other stuff but everything was rolled up into one wonderful day of gifts and food and great company I forget. We had dessert with the in-laws in Warsaw via Skype which was pretty cool.
Did you have fun?
Tomorrow I brave the mall to exchange the trousers. Pray for me. :)

Merry Christmas Everyone

2011-12-25T09:22:00.005-06:00

Look at the Flowers my Mom and Dad Sent

2011-12-24T11:51:00.001-06:00

I tried to call them to thank them yesterday only to find out the phones didn't work. Today the phones work but are crackly. It sounds like I'm in the 1940s. As my son asked if there were Viking raids when I was a little girl I guess I'm progressing :)

Merry Christmas to everyone.

Hoping you have a safe and happy time.

Just Arrived...

2011-12-22T13:07:00.000-06:00

Quick Catch Up

2011-12-21T10:31:00.000-06:00

I've been trying to write a real post for about 2 weeks now.
Between the usual Christmas preparations, the car needing to go see the doctor (tomorrow) with the possibility of a terminal condition (& therefore car hunting), discovering mice, hosting a mince pie and sherry party for the neighbors, getting hit by a manuscript rejection, querying agents with another manuscript, DH's birthday, getting a head cold, taking kids to dentist, dog to vets, piano recitals, and trying to write/research/plot ...I haven't got there yet :) Neither have I sent out many Christmas cards, or written a Christmas letter/newsletter, or wrapped gifts.
I am the only one totally swamped this year?
I had grand plans. I even wrote notes on a couple of blogs about character development and writing heroes who really needed redemption. Hasn't happened yet. LOL. How are you doing?

Race Against the Tide

2011-12-20T09:14:00.001-06:00

Sweet Doggy Video :)

2011-12-19T08:15:00.000-06:00

From, take a bow, my sister-in-law, Jan :)

Christmas Excitement

2011-12-16T07:56:00.001-06:00

I'm on two blogs today--I know, I'm like a bus, right? Anyway, going live first is a feature on the Harlequin Blog talking about my digital-to-print experience with Carina Press.
Next up you can win an ebook copy of that very same book, SEA OF SUSPICION, by checking out BOOKIN' IT REVIEW'S Christmas Book Bash which goes live at 10 am CST. I'm talking about things I'm grateful for.
How can you resist?

Doggerversary

2011-12-12T09:55:00.000-06:00

One year ago today we brought Holly into our lives. She's come a long way since then. Wonderful girl. (Son's photo :))

SEA OF SUSPICION in print TODAY!

2011-12-09T16:43:00.000-06:00

Looking for a Christmas gift? The print edition of Sea of Suspicion has just gone live on the Harlequin website... SEA OF SUSPICION.

"Set along the coast of Scotland, Sea of Suspicion is a riveting story of suspense and the depths and heights of human character." THE ROMANCE REVIEWS

Mini Christmas on my desk

2011-12-07T07:36:00.000-06:00

Me and Ted know how to party :)

Creepy Gingerbread House.

2011-12-06T09:35:00.000-06:00

I love the giant snowmen :)

Guest blogging

2011-12-02T07:54:00.001-06:00

Today I'm a guest blogging with the absolutely brilliant and tremendously talented British crime writer Shirley Wells. I don't remember what I wrote LOL. I will check it out too :) (Oh yes, it's a good one :) and short :))

This Week's Movies

2011-12-01T08:12:00.001-06:00

Which was bloody awful.

And...

which was wonderful, deep, dark and lovely

Guest blogging

2011-11-30T06:58:00.000-06:00

At Ruth A. Casie's blog today. And in her blog header are 2 of my favourite places. Can you tell where?

USA Today

2011-11-29T11:59:00.001-06:00

It's not everyday you get reviewed on USA Today so here's a huge thanks! Here's the whole review :) Link

Plus, I also got a fabulous 5 Star review from Maldivian Book Reviewer's (Link)

And, announcing winners from my contest with Leah Braemel. Kathy Ivan wins a backlist title from Leah, and Kari wins an ebook copy of SEA OF SUSPICION. Congratulations!

Guest blogging

2011-11-28T12:35:00.002-06:00

At the lovely Debra Kayn's blog :) mainly about how not funny I am :)

Snowed Again...

2011-11-26T08:38:00.000-06:00

Books I've read since I loaned DH my ereader

2011-11-25T09:42:00.000-06:00

There's another one that I forget right now. Not sure when I'll get it back because DH is reading...

I can't complain :)

Living with type-2 diabetes

2011-11-23T08:01:00.000-06:00

Today I'd like to welcome fellow Carina Press author and all-round lovely lady, Leah Braemel, and her husband, Gizmo Guy, to my blog to talk about life with type-2 diabetes. I'm on her blog discussing why I decided to donate some of my royalties to diabetes research. It's good stuff :)
Leah is also generously donating an ebook from her backlist to one lucky commentator.

Q. When did you discover you (your husband) had type-2 diabetes?

Gizmo Guy: It was 2 years ago - I went into the docs with the flu - doc did a blood test and had called us back before we even got home.

Leah: It's almost 2 years to the day; as GG says, he had come down with H1N1. I knew he was feeling really bad when he agreed to see the doctor, something he hated. I knew something bad was up when the doctor phoned us back so quickly. He told me, very briefly, that my husband had diabetes, no hedging "might be", just straight out, "he has diabetes", and proceeded to give me a few short directions like "no sugar in his diet at all" and "bring him back in when he's done the flu." Then I had to break the news to GG and our sons, no fun task, especially since the boys have to be aware that it may be in their future too.

Q. How did this change your life?

GG: In my case it was a bit of a wake-up call. Gave me the incentive to straighten up my act. Get my weight under control and finally start to eat correctly. I have always been a walker but this pushed me - I usually put in 5 kilometers a day now - sometimes more.

The biggest finding was that sugar is in everything - carbs break down into sugar in your system, you have to be aware of everything you put into your mouth.

I didn't want to be someone who just took a pill and let medicine control my life.

I have had my blood-sugar level under control, with the help of metformin, but diabetes wasn't quite done with me. I started feeling loss of sensation in my toes - I noticed when i stepped into a hot tub and couldn't feel the heat. It has spread into the lower half of both feet, and is starting to affect my balance.

And as I am a 55 year young male - I don't know if it's age or the diabetes, but I don't seem to have the strength and endurance I had. I am tired all the time.

Leah: I should mention that GG has been a vegetarian all his life. Even though being a life-long vegetarian also meant his cholesterol levels were enviably low, he ended up not only on metformin but on a cholesterol medicine as they try to bring diabetics' cholesterol levels way down. While above he says he needed to get his weight under control, he was only 5 pounds above the recommended limit for his age and height. He cut back so much that he ended up dropping 30 pounds until he was below the limit--he had no fat on him anywhere, and was starting to look skeletal. (He's leveled off now, and is comfortably back in the middle.) Changes for me and the rest of the family? Since he's vegetarian, mainly it meant getting creative to cut out the carbs and find good ways to provide him protein. Our holiday celebrations, especially Christmas, have had to be adjusted -- I usually spent every weekend in December baking all sorts of goodies, but now I feel I can't as it would just be cruel to put out the cookies and candies that he once loved but dare not eat any more. And considering that now we have to worry about the circulation/nerve damage in GG's feet and where that might one day lead, and the fear going into his now yearly optometry tests since diabetes also affects the eyes, every cough, sneeze, ache and pain he has now makes me worry about him that much more.

Q. What's the most common misconception about the condition?

GG: I would guess it is that basically you can have Type 2 and really feel nothing. Before I got the flu, before the diagnosis, I felt fine. Frequent urination was about the only symptom - and i have always had what i think to be a small bladder. So there is no excuse for getting in for that annual checkup.

Leah: the biggest misconception for me is probably that only overweight people get diabetes. As I said above, GG was only about 5 pounds above his recommended weight at the time of his diagnosis. Another misconception I see, is that people think they won't get diabetes if they turn vegetarian. Obviously, that's not true (though it's better for your cholesterol levels.)

Q. What would you give up to find a cure?

GG: I would love there to be a cure - the twice daily medication is not that much a hardship, but between the cholesterol medication and the disease you wonder what the (&(*& its doing to your system.

Leah: I'd give up writing if it meant finding a cure to keep him around longer and make his life easier. He's a vibrant man with a wry sense of humor who has always been able to make me laugh, has been supportive of all my endeavors, and I love him. I want him around, and feeling good, for a very long time.

Okay--not crying. I would make such a terrible nurse. Thank you SO much for sharing this with us today. There are so many misconceptions about this disease I really hope they find a cure soon.

I'm donating 15% of the royalties from EDGE OF SURVIVAL to diabetes research. It's had some great reviews so it's hopefully a pretty good read too.

Guest blogging and Excerpt

2011-11-22T08:50:00.004-06:00

I had a great day yesterday and more blogs today at Book of Secrets with a STORM WARNING giveaway and the Carina Press blog this afternoon.

EDGE OF SURVIVAL came out in audiobook format too on Audible and iTunes.

And here's a previously unreleased excerpt...

A whiskey jack burst out of the nearby forest in a scream of feathers as Daniel stood back and closed the door. He squinted, trying to penetrate the dense spruce, but saw nothing except thickening shadow. He walked around the machine, doing a quick visual on the outer skin of the aircraft and climbed in. Checked the doors were closed. Then he started her up. Throttle closed, all switches in pre-start position. Battery on. He felt exposed, vulnerable sitting out here on the landing site. But they weren’t in a war zone, just a small mining community where a woman had been brutally slain.

Check fuel load.

He’d refueled on the way over, which was why he’d been delayed. All good. Boost pumps, check fuel pressure. The routine settled him. He lived to fly. He pressed the start button. The temperature rose as he opened the throttle. And while he was waiting, he radioed the closest RCMP detail on the emergency channel.

“Nain RCMP, this is Bell Foxtrot Delta Charlie Tango, over.”

“Foxtrot Delta Charlie Tango, Nain RCMP, over.”

“Nain RCMP, Delta Charlie Tango. There is a dead woman in the bathroom stalls of Bear’s Bar, Frenchmans Bight. Over.”

The comms crackled with urgent static. “Charlie Tango. Repeat, over.”

“Charlie Tango. I’m reporting a dead body at Bear’s Bar, Frenchmans Bight. Acknowledge, over.” He turned on the generator and the navigational instruments spooled up.

“What is your position, Charlie Tango? Over.” The dispatcher was Tina something. He frowned, but couldn’t remember her surname. She was kablunângajuit—half white, half Inuit. Nice girl, married to a local trader named Ollie.

Daniel brought the engines up to operating speed. “Charlie Tango, I’m currently five miles northwest of Frenchmans Bight. The woman who discovered the body went into shock at the scene and I’m flying her to the Imaviaq to be checked out. Over.”

“Charlie Tango. Roger that.”

The Doc cocked her head to one side to look at him, her face half-hidden by the bill of that cap. She’d caught him bending the truth and didn’t approve.

He did a thorough visual check of the uncontrolled airspace before taking off. He didn’t announce his intentions because he didn’t want the RCMP to catch him in a lie. He rose into the air, exhilaration punching his gut as he flew. There was nothing like flying. Nothing else had ever satisfied this one corner of his soul.

He flew fast and low over valleys strewn with massive boulders and ribboned with silver streams. It was beautiful land. Unspoiled. Untouched. Almost uninhabited. The irony that the mining operation would change all that wasn’t lost on him and he told himself not to care.

The radio squawked. “Foxtrot Delta Charlie Tango, Nain RCMP. We’ll need to interview you and the woman who found the body as soon as possible. Over.”

Daniel keyed the radio. “Charlie Tango. Roger that. The lady’s name is Dr. Cameran Young. We’re both quartered on the Imaviaq and will await your instruction. Over and out.” He snapped off the radio.

The ship was a retired coastguard icebreaker, refitted as a research vessel. It was prime accommodation for bush work. He looked at the Doc and she gave him a wobbly smile.

“Thanks for getting me out of there,” she said.

Her eyes shone and dimples made a brief appearance. Despite the utter lack of makeup and the lingering trace of shock, she was beautiful.

Shit.

He gave her his trademark grin. “Anyway, we’re the only ones we know who didn’t murder Sylvie Watson.”

Her brows slid together, a tiny crinkle denting her forehead, no doubt recalling Sylvie’s blood-soaked corpse. Then she opened her mouth as though she was going to say something but changed her mind.

“What?” he asked impatiently, knowing he wasn’t going to like what she had to say, but unable to keep his mouth shut.

EDGE OF SURVIVAL released today

2011-11-21T07:41:00.000-06:00

Yay! Today is finally release day for EDGE OF SURVIVAL available from Carina Press, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Barnes & Noble. I am donating 15% of the royalties from this book to diabetes research.

Some Reviews for EDGE OF SURVIVAL …

"... more substance than one would expect from a romantic thriller." ~Library Journal Reviews.
5 Hearts: "Edge of Survival is so good on so many levels, you'll like this book no matter what you usually read." ~Sizzling Hot Book Reviews.
4 Stars: "Ms Anderson’s talent with words immerses you in the exciting and entertaining story she is telling." ~Obsession With Books.
5 Bookies: "Whoever thinks a story concerning a woman who does fish research would be boring hasn’t read Edge of Survival!" ~Book Lovers Inc.

I'm also blogging at Manic Readers, Not Your Usual Suspects, and Novel Thoughts today. Also at Just Romantic Suspense where you can win a digital copy of SEA OF SUSPICION. Please stop by and visit.

Goodreads

2011-11-19T08:33:00.000-06:00

I'm at Ask An Author on Goodreads this weekend. No idea what to expect :)
Here's the link if you want to ask me something... link

Diabetes...from the perspective of a researcher

2011-11-18T08:32:00.000-06:00

First, I should perhaps explain how we met. Way back in 1989 I started my Ph.D. in the Gatty Marine Lab at St. Andrews University. In addition to the Gatty, there were Bute people, Harold Mitchell people, and various huts and cabins attached to the different buildings and outposts. Ian was in an annex, down a side-street, working with a bunch of ~~drunks~~ experts looking at such delights as the effect of nitric oxide on mammalian physiology (I'm going from memory and the memory is going :). So, you could say we met professionally but the truth is biologists always meet in the pub. So, we met over copious amounts of alcohol, some incredibly crazy friends including my hubby, who was the barman at our local.

Since those halcyon days, Ian has moved on to become 'Professor' Ian Megson. Head of Department of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Science, UHI (University of the Highlands & islands, Scotland). So when I decided to do a few posts on diabetes I figured who else should I ask about the disease. Here's what Professor Megson had to say.

Diabetes is a common, debilitating and growing disease that has a major impact on patients’ wellbeing and life expectancy. A key feature of diabetes is unusually high levels of sugar in the blood which, if left untreated, has a highly damaging impact on blood vessel and nerve function, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, foot ulcers, loss of sensation and pain. Currently ~6.5% of the world’s population (~285 million people) has diabetes, but this number is expected to grow dramatically, with the incidence in some countries expected to reach ~30% by 2025. Healthcare costs are difficult to assess worldwide because of the enormous differences between access to healthcare in different regions; in the US alone, the overall cost of the disease was estimated at ~$175 bn in 2007.

There are two major forms of diabetes, type-1 and type-2. Although the two types share the key feature of high blood glucose, and sufferers are at risk of the same consequences, the underlying cause of the two forms could hardly be more different. Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease whereby the body’s own defence mechanism destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone (insulin) that usually keeps blood sugar at normal levels. The disease is rapid in onset and often happens in childhood. The destruction of these vital cells is irreversible and the only treatment is daily injections of insulin to compensate for the inability of the body to produce its own. Whilst the incidence of type-1 diabetes is relatively low (~0.5% of the population), its early onset means that sufferers have to live with the disease for the vast majority of their life, with massive implications in terms of their wellbeing and the associated healthcare costs. We still know little about what causes this disease: a range of genetic and environmental factors have been implicated, but the low inheritance rate of the disease from parent to child and the documented cases of only one of a pair of identical twins being affected, suggests that genes alone cannot account for the disease incidence.

In the early stages of type-2 diabetes, insulin production is not affected; instead, the hormone simply fails to have the expected effect on the downstream mechanisms that usually cause uptake of sugar from the blood. Type-2 diabetes is much more common than type-1 and usually strikes later in life. Unlike type-1 diabetes, the incidence of type-2 diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate, primarily on account of the well-documented link with obesity. Whilst there is a clear genetic component to type-2 diabetes, it is the link to obesity that has led to its recognition as a “lifestyle disease” and certainly weight loss is often one of the primary targets with respect to treatment. Disease progression is much slower compared to type-1 diabetes, with an array of drug therapies available. Loss of insulin production is a feature of the most advanced cases, leading to a requirement for daily insulin injections.

There is no cure for type-1 diabetes; the best hopes in the future are the so-called “artificial pancreas”, which monitors blood glucose levels and delivers the necessary insulin dose via an insulin pump, and regeneration of fully functional insulin-producing cells using stem cell technology. In the UK, it is estimated that investment into diabetes research is only ~0.5% of the cost of diabetes healthcare. (Prof. Ian Megson)

Did you see those figures? Treatment estimated around $175 billion back in 2007, rapidly expanding epidemic (30% of population by 2025? That's almost 1 in 3 people, and given type-2 is more common in older people probably 1/2 of the older adult population). Research input in UK ~0.5% of the cost of treatment. Does this seem crazy to anyone but me?

Thanks, Ian, for your brilliant summary :) I will hide the dodgy photos :)

This is why I'm donating a measly 15% of my royalties from EDGE OF SURVIVAL out Monday :) to diabetes research. I don't have diabetes. So far, my family does not have diabetes. But, it's such a terrible condition to have to deal with AND it's an economic disaster (yeah, another one). I'm hoping tomorrow holds a cure for both types of the disease.

My Adventures in Labrador (5)

2011-11-17T08:56:00.008-06:00

As promised, serialized into bite-sized chunks, my summer adventure in Labrador, 1997...this is just as I remember it, but I don’t have any notes so it’s possible other people have other stories. This is mine and I’m sticking to it.

Helicopter pilots. It’s no secret I love helicopters and therefore, by association, I love their pilots. This might be why my hero, Daniel Fox was a helicopter pilot. The one day I did not love helicopter pilots was when we had this pilot we didn’t know. He had a beard and never smiled. I’d heard he really missed his family. So, depressed chopper pilot heading straight for a cliff. Straight for. I said my goodbyes before we swooped up and over. The really funny thing about this introverted guy was toward the end of the project when things quieted down, he started taking us out more and more. Because he didn’t have anywhere else to go he’d build a fire and chat away to us as we waded through the freezing depths of a Labrador river in September. We even let him and the other pilots fish for us. We were the prime group to go out with :)

Side note: the great thing about these low temperatures is the fact fish can’t swim so fast (think Q10s). Anyway, you could dip net 4-5 kg fish out of the water at that time of the year. It was brilliant. But cold.

The other pilots were a blast and I really enjoyed getting to know them. I got free rides, samples of Labradorite, invited to secret parties and card games and had a lot of fun. I did creep into one of the pilot’s bedrooms when he was asleep. It was Matt and I wasn’t by myself (sounds dodgy but wasn't). We reset his alarm in the vague hopes we wouldn’t have to get up at 5 AM, but unfortunately he always seemed to know. Sigh. I am not a 5 AM person.

That's a round-up of some of my adventures. I hope you read and enjoy EDGE OF SURVIVAL. I had fun revisiting such a wonderful place and sharing it with you guys.

I'm donating 15% of my royalties to diabetes research.

Available for pre-order from Carina Press, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Barnes & Noble.

Read an excerpt here

Having a Child with Type-1 Diabetes, and alert dogs.

2011-11-16T09:07:00.004-06:00

Back in July 2008 I wrote the following as part of blog (here is the whole post)

And one of the saddest things I've been doing is researching diabetes. I'm reading a fantastic book called 'Cheating Destiny' by James Hirsch. Well written, informative and emotive. I have to admit to being in the dumb majority who assume diabetes is almost cured with insulin whereas now I realize it is only managed. I hadn't even realized type-1 was an autoimmune disease until I read this book. The book outlines research advances and frustrations, gives insights into the medical industry, looks at scientists as individuals, and outlines where funding policies gets in the way of doing actual research. It also talks about people living with the disease--adults and children--and their strengths and personal demons. I can't imagine what parents go through when they first learn about the disease, to take on all the information in one big swallow, while dealing with the reality of glucose monitoring and insulin injections (and whose kid likes needles?) and calculating every little thing their child eats, and weighing it against how active the kids are being and trying to balance that with the changing needs of a growing body. Throw in childhood illness, school, puberty. The pressures must be enormous.

Just thought I'd mention it.

The rates of diabetes (1 & 2) are skyrocketing. Information and support and high-fives for a job well done should be the norm. Don't contribute to the myth that the patients themselves are to blame for getting the disease. Type-2 has contributing factors, but again, information, support and encouragement are needed to help people control this disease. And let's work for a cure.

This knowledge has always stuck with me and that's why I'm donating 15% of my royalties from the sale of EDGE OF SURVIVAL to diabetes research. I thought I'd invite a few people onto my blog this month who live with this devastating disease. Capri Smith is a mystery writer and her daughter was six when she was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes. I asked her some questions about how this changed her life.

***

1) Five years ago your 6-year-old daughter was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes. Can you describe the emotions you went through during that first month? Did you have any idea how hard it was going to be?

The only contact I had with diabetes was type 2. In all of my studying, even getting an MS from the Medical College of Virginia, I never read about type 1. They are two very different diseases. I wish they would stop calling it Type 1 and start calling in Pancreatic Autoimmune Disease. I knew there was something wrong. I woke up one day and knew Kitty was going to die. That maternal instinct saved her life. I remember standing at the nurses desk. They wanted our pediatrician to give us the diagnosis. I was on the phone speaking with her and my body wanted to collapse. A nurse stood next to me. Not touching me but I felt that she was giving me support, mentally holding me up, holding me together. Bless her.

There was an insane amount of information. I had to learn to give shots and I (used to) faint at the sight of a needle.

The hospital did everything wrong and to save Kitty, we ended up taking her home and trying to get her stable there. It was a nightmare.

Kitty didn't respond properly to the insulin and at one point the doctor thought I might be causing the problems (munchausen by proxy??). They sent a nurse to our house to observe my care giving. She said I did everything to the letter and STILL Kitty was having these horrible seizures. They were terrifying.

2) Most of us struggle to raise children. Parenthood isn't easy and we (or is it just me?) don't always handle it the way we should. We make mistakes. Figure it out as we go and hope we get another chance to deal with the situation better. How much harder is it when one of your children develops a life threatening condition?

Triage. I had to put my efforts into life saving. I had two teens - it was their drama time, and here Kitty was usurping their stage. That was hard. I tried to put us all in therapy, and it made everything worse. Until we got Teddy Bear, I'm sorry but I didn't have the energy for boyfriend problems. All of my focus was on keeping my daughter alive. Everything else was secondary. Though I will say that I burned myself almost completely out trying to maintain "normal" and be there equally for all of my family. Friends had to go by the wayside. I had no more energy.

3) Can you describe the impact this has had on your other kids?

Emotionally too hard for me to answer. So I'll pass.

4) I know from reading your blog that your daughter has been close to death several times. How do you cope with the emotional mincer that must put you through?

Well, I shook myself down to a size 0. Though I don't think this is a beneficial diet plan. I kept my focus on making things better. I measured success in very small increments. Again life before Teddy Bear and after are night and day. Before Teddy Bear, I honestly didn't know how I would get through a day. It felt like I was swimming in the ocean towards safety, but there was no visible land. For all I knew I could be swimming in the wrong direction. My family was depending on me, and I just kept kicking my legs and struggling forward.

5) Sleep is very important to me--I need 7 hours a night to function. Can you describe your sleep patterns?

When Kitty's blood is doing well I sleep from 11-8 and wake up to go check her every 2-3 hours. Once I'm up and dealing with blood issues - doing math to calculate an insulin dosage or getting her juice for a low - I can't go back to sleep. I have to wait to make sure her blood sugar came up and is staying up, or her blood sugar came down properly and doesn't go too low. This is about an hour and a half process. So once there's an issue, I can pretty much kiss that night's sleep good-bye. That's the majority of nights. If Kitty is sick, I need to check her every hour. If I fall asleep, Teddy usually gets me up.

There are times when I just can't leave the house because I am too sleep deprived to drive anywhere. It can make me cranky and sickly. It's seriously impacting my health.

6) I did a little research into medical alert dogs for my heroine in EDGE OF SURVIVAL and she discusses getting one with the hero after she has a hypoglycemic episode. Can you tell us about the impact your dog has had on your life? I'm curious how this works. Does he spend all his time with Kitty? Does he slump around the house like an average pooch and spring to attention when her sugar levels get out of whack? I assume he sleeps with her? I see you talk about a certain line of labs from the UK (Wild Rose) being renowned for their blood sugar nose. Are there other strains or is it just this line of dogs? Is their a breeding program because it seems to me the demand would far outweigh the availability.

Our dog, Teddy bear, changed our life radically. Kitty went from have 2 or 3 seizures a week to having NONE in 3 1/2 years. Since Teddy, Kitty has not had ketones (causing ketoacidosis a life-threatening occurance caused by high blood sugars) and has not been hospitalized. Amazing. Life is more complicated using a dog. We attract a lot of attention - some friendly some not so much. Some welcome some not so much. Disney was a night-mare. No, I don't want to explain my dog to EVERYONE. We've had police called on us, and so forth. It's like having a three year old with you all the time. Kitty has always home schooled - like her brother and two sisters. So Teddy doesn't go to a school with her. He does go to everything else. He sleeps in her bed and "calls" us at night if he senses a problem.

Other breeds of hunting dogs work. I prefer our British lab because he comes from a clean healthy line of intentional selective breeding. We want our dog to have a long healthy life with few psychological issues. These dogs have fabulous noses, great drive, are small enough for public access, soft mouths, excellent temperaments... there's a lot that goes into having a useful service dog.

Demand far outways availability. Diabetes Alert Dogs are pretty new. We are considered pioneers. Wild Rose developed their program after they heard what these dogs could do. They are a fabulous organization. And they are overwhelmed with applications.

Thank you SO much, Capri, for sharing your story with us. You are a real inspiration. Read more about Capri's incredible journey and the amazing impact her diabetes alert dog has had on her family's life (on her blog).

My Adventures in Labrador (4): Call me Goldilocks

2011-11-15T08:55:00.003-06:00

Anyway, the next day...

a bear (probably the same bear) comes ambling along the valley again. We’d just packed up our gear and I’d been given bear bangers to help protect us in the wild. We stood on the rocks by the falls (just like Cam does in the book, but unlike Cam...) I start loading the bear banger which is like a cap gun that shoots fireworks and I get this screech in my ear. “There’s a bear!”

I’m like, duh. But the person actually meant there was another bear.
When we’d climbed onto the rock, another bear had popped out of the bushes beneath us (probably attracted by our stink of clove oil and fish slime). I get on the radio and, by chance, turned my head to look upriver and there is another ‘nother bear.

By this time I’m on the radio, talking to our pilot, Matt, and Matt is laughing his ass off. Worse, he’s refueling and laughing his ass off. I heard later everyone was asking who the English chick was with all the bears :) With no immediate help on the way I aim and fire the banger at the closest bear (bear number 2). What no one had told me was I wasn’t supposed to shoot at the bear. This firework went straight between the poor guy’s ears and he took off like a rocket. My memories of the rest of that event are pretty sketchy.

I used a similar event in EDGE OF SURVIVAL and it’s probably my favourite scene. That’s the closest I’ve ever gotten to bears in the wild; it was close enough.

There’s another storyline in the book I extrapolated from a real event. I think the real event was both funnier and more tragic, because people lost their jobs.

I was back in Waterloo but they needed me to tag still more fish toward the end of that summer. It was late August, maybe even September. Anyway I requested my buddy Rick come with me because he was a hell of a fisherman and we worked well together. I think the thing about being in extreme environments you need people who not only use their initiative but respect you and you respect them. I was hardly the epitome of nerdy biologist and not everyone took me seriously. Rick was great. He was also about to get married and needed the cash. We understood each other :)

Side note: the guy who was the company's lead environmentalist actually hired divers to go into the pool below the falls and check my fish weren’t dead at the bottom. I knew they weren’t but it was nice to see the evidence on video.

Anyway, back to my story. The girl doing most of the tracking found evidence of poaching. Part of the agreement for developing this area was preserving the natural environment in its pristine state. You weren’t allowed to take the char out of the river unless you were first nations or...me :) For the record, I never tasted arctic char and I worked on about 150 fish. Even the carcasses of animals we sacrificed had to be incinerated. It was a shame but I totally understood the reasoning so I was doubly pissed when we found someone was just taking what they wanted out of the river. The miners weren’t too bright about their crimes. They actually caught fish with telemetry devices inside them, put them in plastic bags, labeled with their names and put them in the freezer. (What did they think the wire was coming out of the side of the fish, I wonder?) Not smart. That should have been the end of it, however...

As I said, Rick was getting married, I wanted to get home to my beloved. We’d spent to day on the river and we’d finished our tagging, but weren’t supposed to fly out for a few days and the weather was deteriorating. Well, dammit if there wasn’t a small flight Brian (logistics) could get us out on late that afternoon. Rick and I got back to the boat to be told we could leave--immediately. We ran around our cabins throwing our stuff into our bags. I had a wader in my hand luggage :). The trouble was we were on the same flight as the miners who’d been fired for poaching. Rick was unfortunately wearing a Fisheries and Wildlife ball cap, and one hulking guy turned and asked him if he was a biologist. Rick (I knew he was smart), said “No, man, I’m a geologist.”

“What about her?” asked the hulk. Glaring at me, who was gaping stupidly at him because I couldn’t hear what he was saying above the engine noise.

“She’s a geologist too.”

I smiled gormlessly, no acting involved. Rick elbowed me in the ribs, and told me not to mention fish or anything else to do with the EIA because he was genuinely worried about being dangled from the aircraft at 20,000 feet. I’m pretty sure his soon-to-be wife wouldn’t have approved either. Somehow we ended up in a minibus with these guys, getting a ride from the harbor (float-plane) to the airport in Goose Bay. I sat on some guy’s lap and I’m pretty sure made him feel better about getting fired. Rick and I ran onto the commercial flight, running through the airport, wader sticking out of my backpack. I sank 2 gin and tonics. Not a good idea.
I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and alcohol enters the bloodstream faster at altitude. By the time I got to Newfoundland I was plastered and as sick as I’ve ever been in my life. I bunked in Brian’s room (the man who’d sent us into danger who was still on the ship) and called my beloved the next day with a shaky, “I’m not feeling too good.”

Good thing I married an Irishman. My joyful return turned into a murmured, “I’m going to bed,” the moment I got in the door.

I'm donating 15% of my royalties from EOS to diabetes research.

Available for pre-order from Carina Press, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Barnes & Noble.

Guest Author: Ruth A. Casie

2011-11-14T08:36:00.011-06:00

Ruth A. Casie

Title: Knight of Runes

ISBN: 978-14268-9258-5

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date: November 14, 2011

Genre: Historical Fantasy time-travel

Ruth’s web site: www.ruthacasie.com

Ruth’s blog: ruthacasie.blogspot.com

Ruth’s Twitter: Twitter.com/RuthACasie

1. Who are you and what do you write?

I’m Ruth A. Casie a seasoned professional with over twenty-five years of writing experience but not necessarily in writing romances. No, I’ve been writing communication and marketing documents for a large corporation. Over the past two years, encouraged by my friends and family, I gave way to my inner muse, let my creative juices flow, and began writing a series of historical time travel romance novels.

2. What’s your favourite place in the world to visit?

There are several places I truly enjoying visiting. I’ve enjoyed England ever since my first visit. I love the country side, castles, and cities. I’m steeped in history and my characters feel at home.

My favorite state-side place to visit is the Maine coast. I’m invigorated by the power of the ocean, and the rugged rock coast. There’s a bench under a big shade tree right at the water’s edge on Pemaquid Point – I could sit there all day.

3. Where do you write?

With our children grown and on their own I’ve conveniently taken over one of their rooms and turned it into a library. I’m surrounded by my resource materials and to-be-read piles. It’s a quiet cozy room that’s comfortable and all mine.

4. How long have you been published or is this your first sale?

Knight of Runes is my first book. I hope the first of many.

5. How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for over twenty-five years, but not romance. However, for years I’ve had people and voices racing around in my head. Sometimes, after I’ve read the last page of a book, I find it hard to put the book down. I want more. If there isn’t a sequel, I’d think one up. I don’t know when it began, maybe in high school or was it that creative writing class in college, I started to create characters and stories of my own, all still in my head mind you. The story played out in my ‘down time’ or when I relaxed at the end of the day. I kept my private world a secret from everyone.

Fast forward to 2009, my friend told me she was writing a romance novel. Dare I tell her my secret? Imaginary friends at my age! Would she think I was crazy? Would she think I was like James Thurber’s Walter Mitty with a romantic twist, spinning romantic daydreams? When I finally got up the nerve to tell her my big secret she burst with excitement. She was a daydreamer too. As I met other writers I found I was not so unique. Many have their muses (ah, so that’s what the voices are) sitting by their shoulder or at their keyboard when they write.

6. What comes first—characters or the plot?

I start with a basic story idea and then develop my characters. I consider myself a plotzer. I write out their goals, motivations and conflicts. I do a rough outline of the story to make certain I know where key points should go, more of a direction rather than a hard and fast roadmap. Sometimes the side trips I take are really worth it and my characters actually amaze me with how they develop the story. Then there are other times when they tell me there isn’t any way they would say or do what I’ve written. They can be like unruly children.

7. Who’s your favourite hero?

I must be a mercurial person. My favorite hero is the one I’m reading about at the time. But they all have something in common. They are all men who must surmount their own fears in order to help/save someone or something that they feel is more important than they are.

8. Who’s on your auto-buy list for authors?

I have a diversified list: Elizabeth Peters – she writes Egyptian adventure stories centered on Lady Amelia Peabody. Clive Cussler – he writes adventure stories centered on Dirk Pit. Diana Gabaldon – I love Clare and Jamie, besides, it’s a time travel. Jude Deveraux – anything historic. Eliza Knight – she writes historicals too.

9. Time travel? What attracted you to writing a story with time travel elements?

The challenges of different attitudes across the centuries intrigued me. What skills would my heroine need? How would she interact with people? Would she be accepted? How would she deal with leadership? What skills would she need to acquire. Arik has his challenges in dealing with a woman who has very different attitudes about her place in his society. How would he deal with her? Working on these issues and bringing them out in a realistic way was both challenging and gratifying.

10. Do you write to music? Do you make soundtracks for you stories? If so, what was on the soundtrack for your latest release?

I’m less likely to write with music playing but I do use it to see something through my character’s eyes. I made a playlist of my heroine’s favorite songs. It’s as eclectic as she is and includes Santana, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli, Linkin Park, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake to name a few.

11. What’s your biggest dream?

My biggest author dream is to be a best-selling author and keynote speaker at the RWA conference. If I thought romance had a chance at the Pulitzers, I would dream that too!

12. If you were a millionaire would you still write?

Yes, I love the creative process. For me, writing is painting with words. Being a millionaire would just give me more time to so it.

13. Cat or dog person?

Definitely a dog person. I loved our Westie, McDuff. He was a great companion and playmate for the kids. I always threatened to get him a playmate, McBeth.

About Knight of Runes

It’s the 21st century and time travel is still a Wellsian fantasy but not for Rebeka Tyler.

Rebeka is a renowned renaissance scholar at the prestigious Kensington University in upstate New York. She’s awarded an inheritance that includes an English manor but more importantly it includes an unknown private library with documents dating back hundreds of years, a researchers dream. She goes off to England to claim her inheritance.

While on an impromptu tour of Avebury, she takes a misstep at the standing stones, and finds herself in the same place but tossed back into the 17th century. When Lord Arik, a druid knight, finds Rebeka wandering his lands without protection, he swears to keep her safe. But Rebeka can take care of herself. When Arik sees her clash with a group of attackers using a strange fighting style he is intrigued.

Rebeka is desparate to return to her time. She poses as a scholar sent by the king to help find out what’s killing Arik’s land to get access to the library. But as she decodes the ancient runes that are the key to solving his mystery and sending her home, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic and powerful Arik.

As Arik and Rebeka fall in love, someone in Arik’s household schemes to keep them apart and a dark druid with a grudge prepares his revenge. To defeat him, Arik and Rebeka must combine their skills. Soon Rebeka will have to decide whether to return to the future or trust Arik with the secret of her time travel and her heart.

Win a free copy of Knight of Runes

Win a free copy of Knight of Runes (epub or pdf format) by leaving a comment with your email address on Ruth’s blog at www.RuthACasie.blogspot.com One person will be randomly selected on November 20.

Author Bio

Ruth A Casie is a seasoned professional with over twenty-five years of writing experience but not necessarily writing romances. No, she’s been writing communication and marketing documents for a large corporation. Over the past years, encouraged by her friends and family, she gave way to her inner muse, let her creative juices flow, and began writing a series of historical time travel romance novels.

When not writing you can find her home in Teaneck, New Jersey, reading, cooking, doing Sudoku and counted cross stitch. Together with her husband Paul, they enjoy ballroom dancing and, with New York City close by, going to the theater. Ruth and Paul have three grown children and two grandchildren. They all thrive on spending time together. It’s certainly a lively dinner table and they wouldn’t change it for the world.

Ruth is a Trustee and on the Executive Board of Shelter Our Sister (SOS) in New Jersey. SOS is Bergen County’s only shelter for victims of domestic violence. She frequently speaks at various functions around Bergen County on behalf of the Shelter.

To learn more about Ruth and her writing and browse her list of “extras” for readers and writers, visit her at her web site www.RuthACasie.com You can also follow her on her blog at http://www.RuthACasie.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for being with me today, Ruth!

Red Moon Road

2011-11-13T10:11:00.000-06:00

We went to see these guys last night with friends. Fabulous group.

Never Forget

2011-11-11T08:07:00.003-06:00

I'm also blogging at Killer Chicks today. Wonderfully ironic don't you think?

Also still at Margie Lawson's Grad blog for one more day... link

We have many veterans in our family. I'm very grateful for the job they did to keep us safe. Thank you, and others like you, for you service and sacrifice.

Also..added later because my brain woke up slow this morning,

An anthology written by some of mu favourite writers from which ALL the proceeds are going to the Veterans Research Corporation a non-profit foundation supporting veterans medical research.

One of the authors is not only a dear friend of mine, she also writes the best stories. I'm talking the BEST. I can only say that about things I really believe in. If you haven't read Loreth Annne White's books, you are denying yourself some huge reading pleasure. I'm off to order it from Amazon.

Late post due to technical difficulties :)

2011-11-10T13:32:00.002-06:00

I'm delighted to be on Margie Lawson's Grad blog today, having my work dissected :) It's fascinating.

Margie teaches various different writing courses and is a wonderful instructor. Check out her lectures after you read my blog.

My Adventures in Labrador (3)

2011-11-09T08:51:00.005-06:00

Talking of bears do you want to hear my Goldilocks story?

Remember what I said about needing to pee? Well, I survived about 6 weeks working in the bush every day before I was finally overcome by the need to go. Six weeks, baby. Six weeks of long working days—Amazing Race—no problem.

It was a gorgeous sunny day. There were about five or six of us all working brilliantly together, getting the job done. We were right next to Reid Brook falls and just along the valley there were these giant man-sized boulders. There’s a saying in Labrador—for the first six days God made the world, on the seventh, he threw rocks at Labrador. So I decided to pop along the valley a bit and peel off my rubber waders and use the facilities nature provided. My biggest worry as I pulled down my pants was one of the pilots would fly over. Instead, as I looked up, this huge densely black, immense creature just ambled its way along, about thirty feet away from my bare butt. We formed a nice triangle, the bear, me, and everyone else. I heard banging and shouting—my buddies, Rick especially, yelling my name. Very calmly I pulled up my trousers and walked calmly (yes I wanted to run screaming, but I didn't) back to the others. Someone got on the radio and a pilot came over in one of those enormous choppers they used in ‘Nam. Anyway, the bear was terrified and ran away, straight up an almost vertical scree slope as fast as a racehorse on the flat. That was the biggest demonstration of power I have ever seen of any animal in the wild.

No way was I ever peeing in the bush again.

My heroine has diabetes and I'm donating 15% of my royalties to diabetes research.

Available for pre-order from Carina Press, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Barnes & Noble.

Read an excerpt here

can you see my fish?

Guest blogging

2011-11-07T08:04:00.002-06:00

At Attacking the Page today :) Come join me :)

Today I'm on the Goddess Fish Blog

2011-11-06T08:50:00.000-06:00

Goddess Fish blog

My Adventures in Labrador (2)

2011-11-04T08:55:00.012-05:00

As promised, serialized into bite-sized chunks, my summer adventure in Labrador, 1997...this is just as I remember it,but I don’t have any notes so it’s possible other people have other stories. This is mine and I’m sticking to it.

For the first week or so my boss and I did most of the hard graft. We had to tag over 100 fish and at first we couldn’t catch any (just like in the book :)). Our main problem was we were just premature. The fish hadn’t started running yet. Arctic char are anadromous. Like salmon, they breed in freshwater rivers, then they stay in the river over winter and swim out in the spring when the ice breaks up. They feed for a few weeks in the sea and then they return to the river to spawn (OK, that’s the simplified version, I’ll leave it there). I remember one very beautiful day when me and my boss were in the high reaches of the Ikadlivik Brook—totally out of radio contact—setting gill nets, using hook and lines and even doing a few seines.

After a few hours we watched this chopper fly over, carrying what looked like an oil drum.

“They’re removing a problem bear,” said my boss.

Cool—until the helicopter flew back over, minus the bear, five minutes later.

This happened several times but 45 km (the distance back to the camp) simply wasn’t far enough. Black bears can have a home range of 45 km that they patrol every day. Anyway, thankfully the bears didn’t bother us on that particular occasion.

Wolf Track

Fresh Bear Track

Side note: At a certain time each summer, above the waterfalls at the head of this river, one of the world’s greatest natural migrations occurs. The George River caribou herd which once numbered almost a million animals, is now struggling at less than 100,000 individuals. They range from between 3,000-6,000 km on their annual search for food (I’m not a caribou scientist, this is just web info).

In EDGE OF SURVIVAL Daniel Fox, the hero, picks up the heroine (Cameran Young) and takes her to see this amazing phenomenon. In my adventures, no one picked me up, but everyone took great pleasure in describing the spectacle when we were all eating dinner. Thanks guys. Appreciate that once in a lifetime experience.

Can you see the bear?

As I’m talking about animals and dinner, I should tell you this little story. There were a group of biologists sent to survey a puffin colony on one of the small islands off the coast. The puffin numbers were way down and people wanted to know why. Matt, the pilot (he was 23 back then), dropped off two guys, intending to leave them there and pick them up at the end of the day. Thankfully Matt did a quick circle of the island and immediately picked the guys back up. There were three polar bears munching on puffins and if Matt hadn’t picked up the team, they’d probably have been eaten. It was an easy answer to a population crisis.

One of the things I think about looking back, is my absolute naivety. I mean I had people with me, but we could have encountered a polar bear. It wasn’t totally out of the realms. I guess I got lucky :)

My heroine has diabetes and I'm donating 15% of my royalties to diabetes research.

Available for pre-order from Carina Press, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Barnes & Noble.

Read an excerpt here

One of My Favourite Hangouts...

2011-11-03T09:21:00.000-05:00

St Andrews Cathedral

2011-11-02T07:42:00.000-05:00

I love this picture :)

My Adventures in Labrador (1)

2011-11-01T08:52:00.037-05:00

As promised, serialized into bite-sized chunks, my summer adventure in Labrador, 1997... This is as I remember it, but I don’t have any notes so it’s possible other people have other versions. This is mine and I’m sticking to it.

You might know that the migration study that Cameran Young undertakes in Edge of Survival is actually based on a study I did when I was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Waterloo, Ontario.

I thought you might be curious as to what events actually took place and what I made up. Trust me, none of the romance stuff happened—I’d just got engaged and wore my emerald with pride.

But I’m not saying I didn’t have offers... :)

My misadventures started before I even arrived at my destination. After several flights I spent the night in Happy Valley—Goose Bay, and mosquitoes feasted on my feet, which shouldn’t be a problem except I was allergic and swelled up so badly I couldn’t get my boots on. Picture me hobbling through the airport, carrying my shoes as I head deep into the Canadian bush.

Side note: I actually made the trip several times that summer and my favourite time was when we took the floatplane. That was so cool. Cam’s description at the start of the book is spot on. The fuselage stinks of avgas and seats are ripped out to accommodate luggage. There are no facilities. AT ALL. For a woman who needs to pee as often as I need to pee, this was a problem. It’s also the reason DH thinks I’d be no good in the AMAZING RACE. I beg to differ, but that’s the joy of marriage—we get to agree to disagree. Anyway, I crossed my legs and thought of England. A few hours later, when we landed I was amused to see the windscreen wipers beating like fury across the glass. I’d never thought of that, never imagined they’d need wipers to see through the spray.

We landed in Nain and then got a helicopter ride to the bay where the Sir John Franklin (now a renamed, fully dedicated arctic research vessel but then was just being leased by the consulting company), was moored in a secluded, sheltered bay. Frenchmans Bight is completely fictional—really, I made it up. There was a bigger mining camp beyond Nain but I only went there once and it was a freaky experience. I do not turn heads. I’m not drop-dead gorgeous. I’m totally fine with who and what I am and how I look. However, I stepped into the canteen with a couple of my smelly fishy buddies and I could feel the male eyes on me every step of the way. It was like I suddenly had an X on my back and it was a XX—as in FEMALE! J I have never been so self conscious in my life and I’ve worked in plenty of male dominated environments. I like men. Some of my best friends are men, hell, I even married one. But this was different. It was like being the star in a porn flick and they were just waiting for me to take off my clothes.

When I arrived I got to share a cabin with a really nice girl, a redhead. Although the numbers changed slightly over the summer there was a maximum of maybe 4 women onboard at any one time (none of the porn-flick feeling I had in the camp, mind). We’d get up about 5 and grab a fantastic breakfast and packed lunch (I loved the chef) and we’d head up to the lounge to wait for when we’d get helicoptered to our sampling site for the day.

Side note: I thought I was oh so popular with the pilots. Generally someone would ask who the pilots wanted to take and they’d almost always say, “I’ll take Toni and...” I used to glow because I’d never been so popular before. After a short time I figured it out. Helicopter pilots are constantly trying to keep the weight down and, standing at a rugged 5’1”, they figured I was one of the lightest loads (in terms of people) :) Also one of the women (not on my team) weighed about 300 lbs, and it’s hard to get a good visual past someone that big. Anyway, I blocked it out. They liked me. I was popular LOL.

We’d get ferried out to our site every morning, catch fish, tag fish, take a few samples and release fish. My expertise was the surgical implantation of telemetry devices but it doesn’t mean I can catch the suckers. Thankfully I had a couple of brilliant fishermen with me. Rick, especially, was fantastic.

That's the end of the first installment. I'll post the next one next week.
The Labrador Inuit called this place Nunatsiavut: Our beautiful land. You can see why.

My heroine has diabetes and I'm donating 15% of my royalties to diabetes research.

Available for pre-order from Carina Press, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Barnes & Noble.

Read an excerpt here

Tomorrow

2011-10-31T09:39:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I'm starting My Adventures in Labrador series. Just five blog posts about some of the stuff I did up there. I hope it whets your appetite for a Romantic Suspense adventure set up in the great white north. Any day I'm not blogging in November I'll be posting a pretty picture, because I like pretty pictures. Wow, it really is all about me. LOL.

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland.

Another Favourite Photo

2011-10-29T12:39:00.000-05:00

Collecting fish from rock-pools on Vancouver Island.

Developing the Split Personality.

2011-10-28T11:03:00.001-05:00

Next month will herald the beginning of a lot of promo for my upcoming release. Doing promo is a bit like developing a split personality. Most writers are introverts by nature who hate banging their own drum. That's why we need readers, not just to buy the books but to tell people about them. It's one thing for me to say I write a good story (I mean, even writing that makes me cringe), it's completely different for someone who isn't related by blood or marriage to go online and take the time to write a review or send me an email. Thanks to everyone who does.

The other reason promo makes writers develop split personalities is we're already working on the next story. I've written 3 complete novels since I finished EDGE OF SURVIVAL. I've been in ten different character's heads, lived in Montana, South Dakota, Minneapolis, Hereford and the Wakhan Vally, plus visited London, and sailed the English Channel.That doesn't include the partials I've written for other story ideas, the edits on another (I'd forgotten about a NYC story), and the characters floating in the ether of my mind.

Sometimes it takes me a moment to click back into the story that's about to be published. I do LOVE this story BTW. Possibly my favorite hero/heroine combination ever.

OK--gotta edit. I love my job!

A favourite photo from last year

2011-10-23T17:25:00.001-05:00

Struggling to get everything done. Writing a million blogs (believe it or not :)) for my upcoming release and stretched so thin I feel like a supermodel. This was my screensaver today and had to share. Me and a bald eagle eying each other on the Pacific coast.

Today's tune

2011-10-19T13:02:00.000-05:00

Guest Author: W. Soliman

2011-10-17T07:11:00.017-05:00

Today I want to welcome a good friend and fellow NYUS blogger to my blog.

Who are you and what do you write?

That’s a complicated question! Here goes. I’m a Brit but it’s a long time since I lived in England. Nowadays I call Andorra home but also spend a chuck on the year in Florida. I write historical and contemporary romance under my own name but my other self, W. Soliman, writes gritty marine crime mysteries.

What’s your favourite place in the world to visit?

Some years ago my husband sold his business in England. The negotiations were long and arduous. At the same time I was selling our house in Spain and we seldom saw each other. When the wheeling and dealing came to an end Andre said we deserved a decent holiday. The Maldives, The Seychelles—the world was literally my oyster. So I chose Ireland! I’ve always wanted to go and wasn’t disappointed. The people were friendly and welcoming, the scenery spectacular and, guess what, it didn’t rain. Not once!

Where do you write?

Wherever I happen to be. All I need is my laptop, an internet connection and my whacky imagination.

How long have you been published or is this your first sale?

I was lucky enough to get my first full length novel published, which was in 2006. Unfinished Business is my tenth published novel – the first as W. Soliman.

How long have you been writing?

Well, I wrote my first novel at age 15, (and I’m not telling you how long ago that is, so don’t bother asking!). I guess that proves the desire has always been there but I only got serious about it eight years ago.

What comes first—characters or the plot?

I get a vague idea for a book, the characters come alive and we’re off and running. They’re in charge and frequently surprise me.

Who’s your favourite hero?

That’s a tough one. I like strong, resourceful men who don’t necessarily conform. Well, I think most women secretly like a bad boy, wouldn’t you agree? Sean Connery as James Bond is right up there. So too is Sean Bean in his uniform as Richard Sharpe.

Who’s on your auto-buy list for authors?

What, apart from some of my fellow Carina authors, do you mean? People such as yourself, Maureen Miller, Shirley Wells, Marie Force to name but a few. Well, I devour everything that Sandra Brown writes. If I’m in the mood for a regency then Eloisa James is a must. And I adore the sarcastic wit of Nelson deMille. Eclectic tastes, I think it’s safe it say.

What’s your biggest dream?

That’s easy. To hit the NY Times Bestseller list!

Cat or dog person?

Another easy question—just ask my husband. Jake, our rescued mutt, is my joy and my life. Andre says that if I had to choose between him and the dog, he knows it would be no contest!

The Hunter Files

Unfinished Business

Where is Jasmine Webb?

Charlie Hunter retired from the force at 40 to relax, work on his boat and go fishing with his son on weekends, not become an amateur sleuth. But he can’t say no to Kara Webb when she seeks his help in tracking down her sister, missing for 15 years.

The disappearance of teenaged Jasmine Webb was one of the first cases Charlie worked on after being made a detective. He’s never forgotten it or his suspicions, even after the girl’s parents told police they’d heard from her and the file on Jasmine was closed.

When Charlie’s son is threatened, finding Jasmine becomes even more important—it’s no longer just about closure, it’s about protecting his family. Which makes the constant dead ends all the more frustrating. Until Charlie realizes that the question they should be asking isn’t where Jasmine is, but who has she become…

Unfinished Business by W. Soliman available now from Carina Press.com or Amazon.com. $5.49

Pop over to my website at http://www.wsoliman.com where you can read the entire first chapter and enter a contest offering you the opportunity to win a copy of the book.

Alternatively, go to my Facebook author page at http://on.fb.me/qfenW1 click Like, leave a message containing the words Unfinished Business and you could win a copy that way.

Thanks for having me here, Toni. It’s been a blast.

W. Soliman.

Thank YOU, Wendy :)

Switching heroes

2011-10-12T10:47:00.000-05:00

It's a hard life :)

My kids latest obsession...

2011-10-11T08:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-10-09T11:50:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's already here, but Happy Thanksgiving. We're celebrating tomorrow with a big meal (cooked by someone else--double yay! :) I have so much to be thankful for.
Another important thing happening today in Winnipeg? The first Jets game. Go Jets Go!

Know what a kindlegraph is?

2011-10-06T08:06:00.000-05:00

Check it out here on NOT YOUR USUAL SUSPECTS.

EDGE OF SURVIVAL cover & As We Were Saying interview

2011-10-03T07:55:00.004-05:00

Today I'm flattered to be interviewed by the Greater Fort Worth Writers on As We Were Saying. Leave a comment and you might win a copy of STORM WARNING.
And now I can finally reveal the cover for my next release, check it out below.

EDGE OF SURVIVAL (November 21st, 2011, from Carina Press)

Foreword by Brenda Novak

Dr. Cameran Young knew her assignment wouldn't be easy. As lead biologist on the Environment Impact Assessment team, her findings would determine the future of a large mining project in the northern Canadian bush. She expected rough conditions and hostile miners—but she didn't expect to find a dead body her first day on the job.

Former SAS Sergeant Daniel Fox forged a career as a helicopter pilot, working as far from the rest of the human race as possible. The thrill of flying makes his civilian life bearable, and he lives by his mantra: don't get involved. But when he's charged with transporting the biologist to her research vessel, he can't help but get involved in the murder investigation—and with Cameran, who awakens emotions he's desperate to suppress.

In the harsh and rugged wilderness, Daniel and Cameran must battle their intense and growing attraction while keeping ahead of a killer who will stop at nothing to silence her…

My heroine has diabetes and I'm donating 15% of my royalties to diabetes research.

Ta da!

2011-10-01T17:09:00.000-05:00

The nightmare condensed!

Confused?

2011-09-30T07:46:00.000-05:00

Holly seems to be trying to hatch her newest toy??? It's not gonna work :)

Interviewed by a Reader.

2011-09-28T11:25:00.000-05:00

Being interviewed on Doris's blog today. Come say 'Hi' and check out her amazing photography.

New Sport: Extreme Gardening

2011-09-25T10:14:00.000-05:00

Taking 4 potentially dangerous trees down this weekend. Very sad. Very naked back yard. Better go help chomp (and yes, I mean chomp :)).

2011-09-23T08:44:00.000-05:00

I'm blogging on NOT YOUR USUAL SUSPECTS today. All about naming characters.

The Last Crop?

2011-09-22T10:16:00.001-05:00

Glad I didn't misspell the title of this post :) I pulled these babies off the vine this morning, despite a frost last night. I have lots of green tomatoes left on the vine and I think we're going to make chutney again. I also have lots of leeks in the ground. Anyone know when I should pull these? They've been in since the ground defrosted and are still teeny weenie. Leek experts needed!

Fall=Busy Life=Good

2011-09-21T09:20:00.001-05:00

In some ways I hate this time of year. It's so busy, there is so much to do after the unstructured (although equally productive) summer. Now we have soccer, indoor soccer, piano, swimming, school events, school, and occasionally an adult social life (not that kind of adult social life), and things just get crazy.
Then there's the weather, the inching toward winter thing (which is slightly doom inspiring, but never as bad as I fear). And at least this year it is a slow inching, as opposed to waking up one morning with naked trees, then waking up the next with a layer of snow on the ground and a city-full of people thinking 'how do I drive on this stuff again?'

And writing-wise? I am waiting on two full manuscript submissions and I'm working on my Snow Leopard manuscript which doesn't even have a proper name. I'd initially called it GHOST OF THE MOUNTAIN but then saw that because this is a term used for snow leopards there are several famous books already called GOTM and as the leopards aren't the true focus of the story, family betrayal is, I don't think it'll fly.
I have great plans to pull out and dust off another 3 older manuscripts and polish some more partials aimed toward Harlequin Intrigue all before Christmas. That seems reasonable, right? Big grin.
Then there's a lot of up coming promo to sort out for my new release in November. EDGE OF SURVIVAL (and I have a cover but not permission to share it yet :).
Also--this is one of those BIG alsos--I'm compiling a photobook of our sabbatical in France/UK/Canada. I've done France, England, About 2/3 of Scotland and we're up to about 130 pages worth. This thing is morphing into one of those projects that never ends. It's going to be beautiful but Gah! My aim is to get it done for Christmas. This is the last picture I uploaded--Dumgoyne.

Wish me luck. And send cookies...

Not the best weekend...

2011-09-19T13:03:00.000-05:00

Most of you have seen this on FB. Needless to say, it didn't make for a great end to 'date night'.

King Creosote.

2011-09-17T08:19:00.001-05:00

Oh my gawd. Do you want to see where STORM WARNING is set? Check out the video for 'Coast on By' by King Creosote. How had I never heard of these guys before? Awesome.

Guest Author: Sandra Orchard

2011-09-16T07:22:00.001-05:00

Today I want to welcome a lovely lady I met at the Writers' Police Academy this time last year...Sandra writes inspirational romantic suspense stories and her first book has just been released...

Who are you and what do you write? My name is Sandra Orchard and I write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line.

What’s your favourite place in the world to visit? At the moment, my new grandbaby’s home.

Where do you write? I have an office devoted to writing filled with my favourite novels and writing craft book and lots of table space for spreading out notes.

How long have you been published or is this your first sale? This is my first sale!

How long have you been writing? I started writing my first novel in the Fall of 2004.

What comes first—characters or the plot? Usually plot, but the second and third books in my Undercover Cops series star characters from the first so it’s a little of both.

Who’s your favourite hero? I know you mean from a book or movie, but I’ve got to say that it’s my husband. The first time I rode my daughter’s new horse was bareback, and the horse was not impressed. She bucked once and again, and on the third buck, my feet cleared her withers and I was sailing through the air. My sweet hubby caught me before I hit the ground like the cowboy heroes romance readers swoon over. No kidding.

What’s your biggest dream? Well, it was to be traditionally published. I guess now it’s time to dream even bigger.

If you were a millionaire would you still write? Yeah, I think I would. I enjoy the creative process, especially brainstorming ideas with my writers’ group. And it’s such an amazingly sweet feeling when the pieces of the story suddenly start fitting into place as the story unfolds.

Cat or dog person? Definitely a dog person. Never mind that she ate the remote control as a pup, we still adore our sweet husky.

Excerpt: from the middle of the first scene when the hero sees the heroine for the first time:

Rick kneaded the muscles in the back of his neck. Here to nail Laud for the arson murder of two—maybe more—people, Rick couldn’t afford to have an innocent get in his way. And that’s exactly what would happen if this new PR person acted on Laud’s suggestion. She’d become the face and voice of this project, and far too enticing a target for their saboteur.

A beat-up green Impala crested the hill beyond the site.

“Here she comes now,” Laud said, motioning toward the car.

Rick’s heart slammed into his aching ribs. He’d know that car—and its driver—anywhere. Ginny Bryson. The one person who could blow his cover wide open.

She may not know what he really was, but she knew he was no construction foreman. Rick braced his hand on the nearest stud and razored a breath into his lungs. His ex-girlfriend couldn’t have picked a worse time to careen back into his life. How was he supposed to keep her safe, this time?

She parked next to Laud’s BMW, and the instant her sleek legs dropped into view below the driver’s door, Rick’s mouth went dry. The sight of her roused memories he’d been trying to forget for fifteen long months.

The wind tousled her hair and reflexively, his fingers curled. He could almost feel the silky caress of her blond tresses. In those moments when he let her take over his thoughts, he could still breathe in her lavender scent and hear the sweet ring of her laughter.

Laud tiptoed through the mud to greet his niece, and then led her across strips of plywood toward the building.

Instinctively, Rick limped into the shadows, because the second Ginny looked past his new mustache and bristly hair, and recognized him, she’d rat him out to her Uncle Emile. The uncle she’d claimed to never see.

Rick glanced skyward and prayed for a miracle.

A lone backhoe loomed on the horizon, silhouetted against the steel gray sky, its tires caked in mud. Too bad the machine wasn’t big enough to dig him out of this mess.

The last thing he wanted to do was lie to Ginny. Again

________________________________________________

Learn more about Sandra and her books at...

Blog: http://SandraOrchard.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandraOrchard

Website: www.SandraOrchard.com

My last two weeks in movies

2011-09-12T08:15:00.002-05:00

I have been so busy writing blogs for November's upcoming release (and still have so many to write) that I have neglected my own blog. So apart from getting the kids back to school, doing soccer play-offs, and sorting out the after school stuff for the next 6 months I've been watching some movies. All in the name of research...

Gripping docudrama from a tiny corner of the war in Afghanistan. Such bravery is humbling.

I had to watch this adaptation twice. DD declared Darcy wasn't as good as 'our' Mr Darcy (that would be Colin Firth :)) but on second time through, the movie really grew on me. Trying to squeeze that much story into a movie was a difficult task and the scenery and costumes were gorgeous. I loved the chemistry between Darcy and Elizabeth. Very intense but understated. And talking about squeezing a big story into movie sized bites we rewatched the LOTRs trilogy at DS's insistence.

For my son's birthday we had to rewatch The Goonies (also my hubby's favourite movie).

And, finally, I watched this documentary for research purposes. It's an interesting account of the political situation that created the Taliban, rather than any real information on what life was like under Taliban rule.

Now we have hours and hours of Rugby World Cup 2011 to look forward to. We can legitimately support England, Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Plus, my maiden name is apparently derived from Welsh princes. This house must have a shot at winning, huh? Who's your team?

Guest Author: Anne Marie Becker

2011-09-07T06:09:00.001-05:00

I'm so happy to welcome a wonderful debut author here today...

SERIOUS ABOUT SERIES

I’ve always enjoyed reading books that are created as part of a series. If I’m going to immerse myself in a character’s world, I like to hang out there a while and get to know everyone. And then, of course, I want all those characters I’ve gotten to know to have their happy endings. So when I started putting my own words to paper, I naturally leaned toward writing overarching plots and subplots that would support a series.

On September 5^th, my debut novel, ONLY FEAR, was released unto the world. In this story, an organization that, until now, existed only in my mind comes to life for the first time. SSAM, an acronym that stands for The Society for the Study of the Aberrant Mind, is a group of professionals with various specialties. Its employees have career experience in everything from computer technology to personal security to profiling serial killers. That’s the beauty of a made-up private organization. I can hire anyone I want. And Damian Manchester, the group’s founder, hires only the best. He’s dedicated to removing monsters from society. After all, one of those monsters took his daughter from him years ago. He’s still hunting her killer, and he’ll eventually catch the monster responsible. He’s that dedicated. And I’m that dedicated to the series. I’m looking forward to helping him find justice over the course of the series.

My editor at Carina Press and I have decided to call this series “the Mindhunters.” That my publisher is as interested and invested in my characters’ futures as I am is a wonderful feeling. In ONLY FEAR, Ethan and Maggie find their happy ending. My second book of the series is almost done, and I can’t wait to start on the next one!

Toni, thank you for having me here today. I’m thrilled to be your Carina sister! (You're welcome! Lovely to host you :)

Happy reading & writing, everyone,

Anne Marie

***

BIO:

Anne Marie has always been fascinated by people—inside and out—which led to degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Counseling. As a games hostess at Sea World, tutor, waitress, personal and family counselor, and high school counselor, she has indulged her curiosity through sanctioned professions. Now, as a stay-at-home mom of three young children, her passion for understanding the human race is satisfied by her roles as mother, wife, daughter, sister, and writer. She writes to reclaim her sanity.

Anne Marie’s manuscripts have won several awards, including the 2009 Golden Heart® for Best Romantic Suspense. Her first novel, OnlyFear, is due out September 5, 2011 from Carina Press.

You can connect with her at:

Website: www.AnneMarieBecker.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnneMarieBeckerAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/annemariebecker

Not Your Usual Suspects

2011-09-06T09:16:00.002-05:00

NYUS is having an excerpt party this week, and at around 10 AM today there's a world exclusive :) An excerpt from EDGE OF SURVIVAL (coming November 21st from Carina Press). Comment for the chance to win a stack of ebooks.
Also, this is Romantic Suspense week at Carina Press and 20% off all RS titles including SEA OF SUSPICION and STORM WARNING.
Also also, they're offering a free novella by Marie Force. Awesome.

Assiniboine Park Zoo--Winnipeg

2011-09-02T08:56:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I took the kids to the local zoo. (Pictures below)
Assiniboine Park Zoo is going through major renovations right now and a whole bunch of exhibits are closed. They're building a new polar bear conservation centre (which is appropriate given we're in Manitoba). But they've already accomplished lots of excellent new things. They have new bird of prey displays and a butterfly exhibit (seasonal :)).
We saw the tiger being fed. The pictures aren't too graphic but he is eating a dead bunny. I was surrounded by all these little kids and I kept waiting for the screams when the guts were ripped out. DD couldn't watch after he popped off the bunny's head, so we moved on. I didn't hear any screams later though. Kids are so bloodthirsty :)
The zoo now has a buggy that runs around the place and gives old and young legs the occasional rest.
Usually when I go to the zoo I visit all the animals in my books. But the wolverine (EDGE OF SURVIVAL) was missing and although there was a lonely snow leopard, the Markhor weren't there. And no bears either. Weird. Here is a selection of what we did see...

juvenile bald eagle

Great horned owl

Butterfly garden

The snow leopard was asleep

Look at this guy...

Stellar's sea eagle.

I couldn't resist :)

sleepy red panda

Winnipeg's relationship to Winnie-the-Pooh

Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans

2011-08-31T08:57:00.002-05:00

Look what we found in Sugar Mountain at the Forks. I tried rotten egg flavour and it was gross! No one has volunteered for the vomit flavoured one yet :) DS also found the perfect gift for his friends coming to his birthday party this weekend...

Yum! I bet you'll want to come, right?

Guest Author: Dee Tenorio

2011-08-30T09:04:00.000-05:00

I'm delighted to welcome The wonderful Dee Tenorio to my blog. Yay, Dee!

Who are you and what do you write? Hi, my name is Dee Tenorio. I write paranormal romantic suspense, romantic comedies and erotic contemporaries. (Yeah,that's not ever gonna fit on a nameplate)

What’s your favourite place in the world to visit? My bed. I don't get to see it too often, but when I do, oh how I love it.

Where do you write? Where ever I can fit myself and my laptop or a notebook and pen. This includes my stairs, my bathroom, my closet and occasionally, my shower. :)

How long have you been published or is this your first sale? I've been published since 2006. :)

How long have you been writing? As long as I can remember. Though, sadly, those early stories were really more like soap opera episodes, lol.

What comes first—characters or the plot? It alternates, but usually, the characters. I gotta like these people in order to write them.

Do you write to music? Do you make soundtracks for you stories? If so, what was on the soundtrack for your latest release? I do, actually. Music helps put me in the right place faster. The soundtrack for "Deceiving The Protector" was "Falling Slowly" from the movie "Once", "Use Somebody" by Kings Of Leon & "If I Were A Boy" by The Backbeats. (Yeah, my characters had some angst.)

What’s your biggest dream? To write well enough to support my family. :)

If you were a millionaire would you still write? Absolutely. In fact, I'd probably write more—no more day job! :)

Cat or dog person? Dog. I love cats, but dogs melt my soul. :) Love em, love em, love em. :)

*********************************

Latest Release:

The mate he never wanted may be the woman he can never have...

After a series of murders is discovered along the trail of the Shifter Underground, wolf soldier Jensen Tate is assigned to find and protect a missing stray. But Lia Crawford doesn't seem to want his protection. When she eludes his watch and returns with mysterious injuries, Tate knows she's hiding something. To discover her secrets, he'll have to win her trust...and get closer to the woman he thinks may be his mate.

Lia has reasons to keep her distance. The killer is haunting her steps, determined to claim her. He will come after them both if he sees how drawn she is to Tate, though it becomes increasingly difficult to deny her attraction to him. Protecting Tate is vital – but will her deception cost her his love?

Author: Dee Tenorio

Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense

Heat Level: sensual

Publisher: Carina Press

ISBN: 978-142680-9205-9

Price: 5.99

Word Count: 88k

Release Date: August 15, 2011

Author website address: www.deetenorio.com

Publisher sale page: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/816F2940-CD76-45EA-8453-B77AC7C4D4E4/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=E89FDB62-EDF3-42BB-85AD-0E6CB1EE555E

Excerpt Page: http://www.deetenorio.com/DTPtrailer_excerpt.php#excerpt

"Deceiving The Protector" trailer:

If interested, here is the trailer for the first book--
"Tempting The Enemy" trailer:

Where to find out more about Dee online:

Site: http://www.deetenorio.com

Blog: http://www.deetenorio.com/Blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeTenorio

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dee-Tenorio/112663472089725?v=app_4949752878&ref=sgm

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/deetenorio

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Deeliciousone

Thanks so much for visiting with me, Dee.

You say 'tomato' and I say 'tomato'

2011-08-26T07:32:00.000-05:00

Biggest beefsteak I've ever grown. Just don't make me eat that sucker :) I don't eat tomatoes.

I forgot to put this here. Sorry :)

2011-08-25T14:24:00.000-05:00

EDGE OF SURVIVAL (November 2011)

Foreword by Brenda Novak

Former SAS Sergeant Daniel Fox forged a career as a helicopter pilot, working as far from the rest of the human race as possible. The thrill of flying makes his civilian life bearable, and he lives by his mantra: don't get involved. But when he's charged with transporting the biologist to her research vessel, he can't help but get involved in the murder investigation—and with Cameran, who awakens emotions he's desperate to suppress.

In the harsh and rugged wilderness, Daniel and Cameran must battle their intense and growing attraction while keeping ahead of a killer who will stop at nothing to silence her…

My heroine has diabetes and I'm donating 15% of my royalties to diabetes research.

And I just heard EDGE OF SURVIVAL will be made available as an audio book. Yay! Cover coming soon.

Hecla Island

2011-08-23T08:12:00.003-05:00

For our summer holiday this year we decided to go camping. Well, we didn't so much decide as had no other options. Hecla Provincial Park is one of those little gems. It’s very uncommercial. The luxury resort that opened up a couple of years ago has closed down (the locals claim Mafia involvement and much milking of government funds). So basically all there is on the island is a fantastic campsite, lots of biking/hiking trails, beaches, the lake (full full full), boats, and wildlife. Here’s one thing I bet you didn’t expect us to have in Manitoba.

Yes—pelicans. Thousands of them. Pelicans and Polar bears. It's one of those lovely survival stories we need to hear more about. Hecla also hosts a gathering of bald eagles in the fall before they undertake their annual migration south.

Hecla is an island. Ironically, as soon as they built a causeway everyone left :) It was settled mainly by Icelanders who left Iceland for New Iceland (yes, happily in Manitoba) after one of those wretched volcanic eruptions. There are lots of Vikings in Manitoba.

It is very basic but some of the old buildings (church, school) have been preserved. The original shop is still there and has EVERYTHING. We spent more time in Gull Harbor, which has a restaurant and shop and marina.

And on the way out we visited the marshes. A lot of trails were closed, not sure if that was because of flood or fire risk (irony?). It only rained for one morning and as the tent leaked we got off lucky. Great spot. Lovely holiday.

Have you been anywhere nice?

Guest Author: Shirley Wells

2011-08-22T08:20:00.002-05:00

Today a special treat from one of my favourite authors!! She has a new book out today...

First, a huge thank you to Toni for inviting me to her lovely blog.

For people who don’t know, Toni and I share a publisher in Carina Press. We’re also contributors to Not Your Usual Suspects, the blog where Carina Press mystery and romantic suspense authors tell it how it is.

Although I was published in the UK, the US was an unexplored world to me so you can imagine how thrilled I was when I heard that Carina Press, a new US publisher (so new they hadn’t released a single book!) had accepted my first Dylan Scott mystery, Presumed Dead. When the Carina Press website finally went live, I saw some of the most awesome covers ever. And I mean awesome. The one that really grabbed me? Toni’s Sea of Suspicion. I loved everything about that cover.

When it comes to buying books, I can be very picky. I read a lot of books so I have to be. There are a few auto-buy authors on my list, like Ruth Rendell, Jodi Picoult and Ian Rankin, and I hang out on a lot of book review sites. If I spot a good review from someone whose opinion I respect, I’ll read the blurb and, if possible, read a sample before I buy. With Toni’s Sea of Suspicion, however, I bought it simply because I fell in love with the cover. (Yes, I really can be that shallow.) I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but that’s exactly what I did. I had to read Sea of Suspicion. End of. And wow, I loved that book. I was hooked from the first page.

I thought I’d be disappointed when I finally saw the cover for Presumed Dead, that I’d compare it to Sea of Suspicion and find it lacking. Thankfully, there were no tears or tantrums. I loved it. It was perfect in every tiny detail.

Twelve months on and I waited to see the cover for my second Dylan Scott mystery, Dead Silent. I couldn’t believe it when it arrived in my Inbox. Stunning. I think it suits the mood of the book perfectly.

If you’re curious, this is from the back cover:

Ten months ago, Samantha Hunt set off for work...and was never seen again.

Despite the statistics of cold cases, Dylan Scott wants to believe the young woman's alive—and not just because her father, his client, is desperate to find his missing daughter before he dies of cancer. By all accounts Sam was a lovely girl, devoted to her younger stepsisters, well-liked at her work, in love with her boyfriend.

But as usual not everything is as it seems in sleepy Dawson's Clough. Sam's boyfriend has a violent past. She may have been having an affair with her boss. And Dylan can't shake the feeling that her stepfather is hiding something. Meanwhile, someone is trying to scare Dylan off the case.

Who wanted to silence Sam, and why? The truth turns out to be worse than anyone expected...

What about you? Have you ever judged a book by its cover?

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Multi-published author Shirley Wells was born in the Cotswolds and lived in Cyprus and Orkney before settling in Lancashire, the UK, where the beautiful Pennine Hills provide the inspiration for her popular mystery novels. She and her husband share their home with two dogs, two cats and any other strays who fancy a pampered life. Her latest Dylan Scott mystery, DEAD SILENT, is published by Carina Press. Connect with Shirley via her website, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook.

De Fence Less

2011-08-12T14:27:00.000-05:00

Sunday

Deconstruction begins

Monday--hole digging (no photos of holes)

Tuesday--fence posts

Wednesday--stringers go up

Thursday--boards get screwed into place

Friday--final boards in place

Hang gate

Prime gate

I'll paint gate soon :)

DH is amazing. Happy vacation.

How was your week?

Guest blogging

2011-08-11T08:59:00.002-05:00

At Bonnie R. Paulson's blog today.

Guest Author: Bonnie R. Paulson

2011-08-08T08:53:00.000-05:00

Why I Write and Read Romance…

Romance has many killers, maimers, wounders, torturers. Divorce, death, adultery, addiction, alcoholism, pornography, work, money, the list goes on and on.

No matter which way you look at it, anything that tears apart that happy-ending is death – to romance. And I don’t know about you, but I like a happy ending. I need a happily-ever-after. In this day and age, romance stories seem to be the only constant source of utopic endings on supply which wasn’t always the case.

I started reading romance at the age of 8. Found my mom’s Fabio-covered book folded open to save her spot. It was a Viking one. You know, one where Fabio’s leather covered legs rode the stern of a ship while in his arms he held the woman whose clothes kept falling off. I loved those books. Still love them.

Growing up, I looked for my own “Fabio”. I never really dated anyone because, let’s face it, what 16-year-old boy holds up to a hero written about by an older woman? I wanted the “man” who was going to whisk me off my feet. But they all fell short.

When I met my husband, I expected the sweep me off my feet, fall in love right away, never to have problems, happy ending. But instead I married my best friend who I fight with, yell with, dirt bike ride with, have children with, eat with, cook with, shower with (another story), play with, and do everything in between with. We’ve been married 10 years. Ten. That’s crazy. Especially since I’m only 21. *wink*

We hear all the time, as authors, to write what we know. Well, romance is what I know. The ups, downs, ins and outs. Drama around every corner but love prevailing.

Today at the fridge, I reached for the pickles and hubby pinned me against the wall for a smooch and a half. Hello! Our oldest of 4 kids pointed and laughed and the other 3 ignored us. Normal oddities at my house.

Romance is what I know, in all its guts and glory, with the shrapnel and stitches. I read what I like and write what I love. Nothing better than that.

**SPOILER** When Maggie, in Breathe Again (08/22/2011 Carina Press) finds her happy ending, I wiped the tears away I’d cried along her journey. It’s a romance, so how much did I really spoil? Brodan has a bit of my hubby in him. When you read him, let me know if you like him. I fell hard and so did Maggie.

Breathe Again releases August 22, 2010.

August: Eating my Garden

2011-08-06T07:16:00.000-05:00

CHOOSING YOUR CHARACTERS—OR CHARACTERS CHOOSING YOU.

2011-08-03T11:02:00.000-05:00

I'm guest blogging about my upcoming release EDGE OF SURVIVAL at LONG AND SORT REVIEWS today. Please come keep me company here...link

My Summer...

2011-08-02T08:36:00.000-05:00

Help.

Movies...

2011-08-01T08:39:00.000-05:00

This school vacation I decided to share with the kids the brilliance of Peter Sellers as 'Chief' Inspector Jacques Clouseau.

The first one, A SHOT IN THE DARK, was a little cerebral for them. A bit too 60s. But they loved the rest, A SHOT IN THE DARK, THE RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER, THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN and REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER, We also watched TRAIL OF THE PINK PANTHER but it was irritating and annoying (made with clips after Peter Seller's death). The kids walked around saying, 'Boom? There is a boom?' in heavily accented French. I think their favorite scene was when Clouseau gets on the parallel bars and vaults down the stairs. Also when he destroys the piano.

"That was a priceless Steinway."
"Not anymore..."

The kids also loved Steve Martin as Clouseau. What's not to love?

Then DH and I caught up with BAND OF BROTHERS. After going to Normandy last year we had a much better sense of history than before. A wonderful series. (And Damien Lewis? :) This was too gory for the kids. Too graphic.

Next up on the re-education of the Anderson kids: Charlie Chaplin. I'll let you know how a silent black and white movie goes. I've also ordered a bunch of Jane Austen movies from the library. Not sure how DH will deal with that. Might require another poker night. Man Vs Wild is a staple from the library. My son and I love curling up together and watching Bear Grylls eat spiders.

Obviously we went to see Harry Potter (or Hairy Porter as so many voice-over men call him). It was a great movie, a fine finale. We re-watched the first one yesterday and OMG--they look so young! Time flies when you're having fun :)

What are you watching?