Musings About Research, by Debra Denson

I attended high school/college during the late 60s-early 70s, when research depended solely on the quality of the library to which one had access. I passed many hours of my young life in San Diego, at its public and private (university) libraries. My instructors doggedly refused to allow any short cuts such as Cliff Notes, rather they insisted upon authentically documented research. I would look-up articles in a vast tome, fill out a chit of paper and hand it to an aged librarian, who disappeared into the bowels of the library. Then I waited, hoping one of those references would provide that special bit of color for my project. If not, well back to the drawing board, as they say.
My how times have changed! While writing my second novel, set in 1811, I wanted to use an actual playhouse of the era. With the click of a mouse and carefully worded queries (and that’s the crux, wording your question to achieve results) via Google, I discovered the Federal Street Theatre, located in downtown Boston of that time. Further clicks revealed local boarding houses, where it was likely such travelers/tradesmen would be housed. I then retrieved a readable map of historic Boston and was able to pinpoint one of these quaint ‘hotels’ a few blocks from the theatre. Wow, all of that in a matter of minutes (well, maybe nearer to an hour).
During this process I stumbled across a bonus, and the creative writer loves options. Odd as it seems, the Eastern United States was visited by a seismic event in 1811 and 1812 called The New Madrid Earthquake. Centered in Missouri, it was felt as far away as Boston. Although I manipulated the timing a bit (is that called creative license?) this offered the perfect distraction needed to evacuate the theatrical troop safely from the US before the War of 1812 erupted. It also added wonderful color to a romantic tryst between my two major characters! Did the earth move?
I have been an avid reader of historical romances from my early days in high school, having cut my teeth on one of the greats of the genre, Anya Seton. I attribute a great deal of knowledge, a love of English history and perhaps an inspiration to be a writer, from the remarkable detail of her books. I also doff my hat to a more recent inspiration: Patrick O’Brian. My father built sailboats and passed on his passion to me. Although when I began these novels, my knowledge was rudimentarily, by the time I finished the twenty-first book my education included a minutiae of maritime knowledge, including rigging, sails and masts, foods eaten and prepared aboard, weapons: from cannonades to muskets, and the differences between a sloop, a frigate and a xebec, just to name a few. This was entirely unplanned research, but what a fantastic journey!
My upcoming novel Magician’s Spell takes place aboard a 36-gun privateer during the early 1800s. Upon reading further books in the nautical genre by various well-known authors, I began to wonder what would happen if a woman were thrown into this masculine dominated world? Granted, at times gunner’s wives were aboard to look after younger midshipmen, and oft times a captain might travel with his wife, my intention, however, was to introduce a feminine interest who would not be relegated to being a mere passenger. Thus came about Johanna Cornehl, the independent daughter of a Lord Admiral of the Royal Navy. To introduce more explosives into the mix, her father was instrumental in court-martialing the captain of Magician, the ship on which she travels. The relationship arising between Lady Cornehl and Captain “Hal” Monroe provides the primary romantic theme, which develops amid plenty of adventure, including battles at sea, a frolic in the theatre, an imprudent affair, misguided obsessions, and a nasty bastard whose disappointed greed leads to kidnapping and ransom. This villain provides the impetus for a secondary plot exploit involving an American slave who escaped his abuse only to be rediscovered, much to her chagrin, during his quest for vengeance against Hal and Johanna.

There is a lot of juicy intrigue and action to keep readers interested. If you like historical novels with lots of action, I hope this brief peek will encourage you to download Magician’s Spell when it becomes available from Red Rose Publishing.

**Click HERE for Full Post**

FOX & HOUND, available 2/28!!!

Title: Fox & Hound
Author: Amber Leigh Williams
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
ISBN: 1-60435-039-3 (978-1-60435-039-5)
Genre: Mainstream Romantic Adventure

Length: Novel (81,511 words)
Price: $5.99

In the world's most romantic city, fates collide in the most unexpected way and two of the world's most elusive jewel thieves are forever changed by a Louvre heist gone wrong.

After three years in prison, Todd goes after the woman who ruined his life, seeking revenge and the diamond she stole from him. He learns that Celestia doesn't have the diamond either. She was used by her partner, master thief Tito Bandero.

Todd and Celestia form an unlikely partnership to take back what is theirs and redeem themselves. Bandero is planning to steal three of the world's most coveted diamonds, but the ones he wronged—Fox and Hound—plot to take them first.

What Todd and Celestia don't count on? The power of attraction. When the quest grows dangerous, which will they choose: payback or each other?

*Excerpt:

Celestia was leaning over a gold-carved jewelry box when she heard Todd’s voice behind her.

“This place is a museum!” he exclaimed, making her turn swiftly, shock and fire in her eyes.

“What the hell are you doing down here?” she demanded. “You’re supposed to be out.”

“I’ve been out,” he said, stepping forward but stopping when she shined the light in his eyes. He staggered back, holding a hand up to block it. “For the past six hours.”

“What time is it?” she asked, shocked.

He glanced at his watch. “Almost six o’clock.”

“Jesus,” she muttered. “You had to go sneaking around the house, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t think I’d hit the bank.” He stepped over to a diamond-encrusted box. “A guy could really cash in here.”

She crossed the room and slapped a hand over his before he could open the lid. “Don’t touch anything.”

“Oh, come on,” he begged. “Don’t tell me I can’t explore.”

“Forget it,” she snapped, shoving him toward the trapdoor. “Get out!”

He took her wrists before she could push him again and snatched her against him. His arms snaked around her waist before she could take a breath. He held her to him tight as her flashlight clattered to the floor.

She swallowed hard, realizing her lips were tingling. “Let me go.”

“You’re quivering.” He smirked and ran a hand up her spine to cup the nape of her neck.

Chills shuddered down the length of her body. “I’m not.” Her voice shook. She hated it. “What are you doing?” she asked almost fearfully when his lips brushed over her jaw. Her heart pounded hard. She couldn’t suck in a breath. The room was stuffy. Her head clouded. “What are you doing?” she asked again when his face pressed into the side of her neck.

*Available Thursday, February 28th!!!

**Click HERE for Full Post**

Cassie's Sheikh

I have been posting on various websites today, and I took a look at amazon, UK and USA. I was amazed to find Cassie's Sheikh up at the USA site available on Kindle. I knew Wendi was putting her books up a few at a time but didn't really expect mine would be there just yet. I was thrilled to see it with the others, and so available. I am tempted to buy Kindle for myself but am not sure it would work in the UK. It may just be for American sockets as yet, but I am going to ask my IT man about it.

I have also found Cassie's Sheikh on Fictionwise. At the moment it is number ten in the Red Rose Publishing current list. I am not sure whether that means it is selling well or not. I shall have to wait and see. It was certainly nice to see it at amazon.

On the UK amazon they are now listing my Anne Herries and Linda Sole books together. I am not sure if this is a help to sales or not. I wondered what was going on at first, but I see that my mystery series is selling well. I have my fingers crossed for Cassie's Sheikh!

Best wishes to you all, Linda

**Click HERE for Full Post**

FOX & HOUND: Available February 28th

I wanted to share the book trailer I made for Fox & Hound, the steamy romantic adventure and my debut novel available from Red Rose Publishing on February 28th! The trailer and cover for Fox & Hound are up for the Covey Cover Award (Entry #29) and the Covey Trailer Award (Entry #9) this month: http://www.thenewcoveyawards.blogspot.com

I hope everyone enjoys!

**Click HERE for Full Post**