It ain't over till the tree comes down

Christmas Day has come and gone, and so has Boxing Day (aka Avoid Malls At All Costs Day). I've cleaned and cooked and cleaned up from one holiday dinner, and had company last night. But it ain't over. Tomorrow, I have my family coming for another Christmas dinner (that's 22 people). So today, there's more cleaning and baking, as well as rearranging of furniture and hand washing of Christmas dishes and silverware.

I would be a lot less tired if the phone hadn't rung at 4:30 a.m. yesterday (wrong number); then I couldn't get back to sleep. Or if one of the cats hadn't done a hairball at 6:30 a.m. this morning, causing me to prowl about the house with a flashlight looking for said hairball.

Which means I'm really going to be the life of the party at the party I'm going to tonight. No wine for me, or somebody's likely to find me sleeping in a corner.....

It's out - I hope!

My latest book, KNAVE'S HONOR should now be on bookstore shelves -- at least, I hope the clerks haven't been too worn out to get it out of the stockroom and onto the shelves! I gather it was out last week in some locales, so thanks to those elves, I must say!

KNAVE'S HONOR is a sequel to my last two medievals for HQN, MY LORD'S DESIRE and THE NOTORIOUS KNIGHT. All three books concern the same family of three sisters. The hero of KNAVE'S HONOR appeared in the first book (MY LORD'S DESIRE) and while Sister Number Three has never actually been seen "in person," she's been mentioned in the other two books.

I also want to note an error in the listing of these books on Amazon.com. They've indicated these books are a continuation of my previous medieval series, Brothers-in-Arms, and they are not.

And finally, I'd like to say a big thank you to Cheryl St. John for mentioning KNAVE'S HONOR on her blog this week. Thanks, Cheryl, decorating guru as well as a heck of an author!

Happy Holidays!

From the Moore Archives of Christmas Past:

Best Wishes for a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year from this little girl who grew up but never stopped playing "pretend."

Reward for all that snow shoveling

Saturday and Sunday, we had the Big Blizzard of '07, which meant a whole lotta snow shoveling. I did some Saturday night, around 10:30 p.m.. I prefer to shovel snow at night, when it's quite and peaceful. Fortunately, there's a street light at the end of our driveway, so visibility is not an issue. We did the rest the next day, and it was three feet high on the sidewalk. My back, she aches!

However, TV Ontario gave me (and Daughter, too) a reward for our efforts. They have obtained the latest BBC productions of Jane Austen adaptations and began showing them last night, starting with Northanger Abbey. These are due to be broadcast by PBS in January.

NA was, in a word, wonderful. I really liked the guy playing Henry Tilney, JJ Feild (rarely do I think of a Jane Austen hero as "cute," but he qualifies -- and that's not a bad thing!) and I especially loved the Gothic imaginings of our heroine. Those parts were a hoot. I did the same sort of thing in one of the prequels to the book I just finished, A LOVER'S KISS. The heroine in KISS ME QUICK is writing a Gothic novel entitled The Castle of Count Korlovsky, and there are excerpts at the start of every chapter. Those were fun to write, so seeing something similar on TV was extra entertaining for me.

I hope the next ones are just as good -- and that I don't have to shovel snow first!

And just another reminder that my next medieval, KNAVE'S HONOR, should be out soon. Copies may already be lurking in the storeroom of your local bookstore.
Lady Elizabeth d'Averette chafes at the restrictions of a noblewoman's life, and her yearning for adventure seems to be coming true when she meets the remarkably handsome Sir Oliver de Leslille. But Sir Oliver is no true knight, and the handsome Irishman has other secrets, too. Soon Lizette finds herself embroiled in a rescue, as well as the chance to stop a treasonous conspiracy and protect her own family from men out to use them for their own evil schemes.

The Irishman who comes to Lizette's aid may be more honorable than many a knight, but he's still an outlaw. When they fulfill their mission to save his brother, her family, and the kingdom, they'll have to part...or will love -- and a clever thief and determined young woman -- find a way?

"Moore's medieval starts on an exciting note and maintains that sensation over the course of the whole book. She's created a great hero and heroine who take on a vile, well-written villain, and the love scenes, even though they're mild, add a great deal to the story."
-- Romantic Times

Read An Excerpt

Three Godfathers

I was supposed to go somewhere today, but the snow's kept me home. So I took some time off and watched a movie I've never seen before, Three Godfathers, starring John Wayne, Harry Carey Jr. and Pedro Armendariz.

How on earth have I missed this movie??? It was wonderful -- made me laugh and cry. (And curse the phone solicitor who interrupted a key scene.) I'm putting it on my DVD wish list.

Now I'm off to use my "bonus" time to do a little work, a little sewing and a little baking, while enjoying the cozy warmth of the new gas fireplace. I may deck the halls a little, too!

Virtue of 1932

This morning I was flipping around the channels on the TV after finishing reading the newspaper, and I happened upon an old movie. I thought maybe the actress was Barbra Stanwyck, so I watched for a while. It wasn't her, but then came a scene that surprised me and got me thinking.

The hero thinks his wife's been up to no good while he's been working nights. She hasn't been fooling around on him, but he's too angry to listen to her explanation -- not that she offers any. She immediately says, after his first accusation, that he won't listen anyway so she won't bother trying to explain.

It occurs to me that this is the sort of thing a lot of readers find frustrating in romance novels. You probably know the old complaint -- if only the couple had a simple conversation, all would be well.

But then she says why she won't explain. She declares that he married her to "save" her and he's just been waiting for her to fail ever since. Essentially, nothing she says will make him believe she hasn't betrayed him because that's what he wants to believe.

Whooo! I was impressed that (a) she gave it right back at him. She wasn't going to grovel or beg him to forgive her when she hadn't done anything wrong. And (b) she realized the "wrong" was all in his mind and nothing she said would make him believe otherwise. Basically, he was never going to trust her.

I think that readers get frustrated by this type of scene if that sort of motivation is missing or unclear. Either the author hasn't bothered to get beyond "I need conflict!" in her thinking of the story, or it's already there but the readers miss it, or isn't as clear as the author thinks it is.

Also, if you've heard editors, agents or other writers talk about layering of plot and character? This is a good example of another layer. With it, the heroine's motive for not explaining is believable and sympathetic. The conflict is deeper, and more personal, more unique to these characters and their backstories. Without it, she looks stubborn or childish -- in a word, shallow.

Alas, I didn't get to see the end of the movie -- had to take out the garbage, leading the glamorous life of a published author as I do. However, I looked it up. The film was called "Virtue" and starred (a very young) Carol Lombard and Pat O'Brien. It was made in 1932 and wow! The Carol Lombard character meets her husband after being released after being charged with solicitation. She wasn't innocent; the judge is, basically, lenient. I didn't expect that sort of plot point from a film made in 1932.

Unintentional funny that dates the movie? The Big Bad's name is Toots.

Read the full synopsis here and I'm hoping I can catch it again sometime -- the whole thing.



Coming soon!

KNAVE'S HONOR

Lady Elizabeth d'Averette chafes at the restrictions of a noblewoman's life, and her yearning for adventure seems to be coming true when she meets the remarkably handsome Sir Oliver de Leslille. But Sir Oliver is no true knight, and the handsome Irishman has other secrets, too. Soon Lizette finds herself embroiled in a rescue, as well as the chance to stop a treasonous conspiracy and protect her own family from men out to use them for their own evil schemes.

The Irishman who comes to Lizette's aid may be more honorable than many a knight, but he's still an outlaw. When they fulfill their mission to save his brother, her family, and the kingdom, they'll have to part...or will love -- and a clever thief and determined young woman -- find a way?

"Moore's medieval starts on an exciting note and maintains that sensation over the course of the whole book. She's created a great hero and heroine who take on a vile, well-written villain, and the love scenes, even though they're mild, add a great deal to the story."
-- Romantic Times

Excerpt

Gifts that last

For the past couple of years, I've been making donations as part of my Christmas gifts to family members. The donations are earmarked for livestock or medical and/or teaching supplies, and there are a variety of price ranges, from stocking stuffers to major structures and materials. This year, I bought pigs, chickens, a mosquito net and vitamin A via Christian Blind Mission International.

And in other happy holiday news, when I checked what I've purchased against the Uber Gift List, I discovered I was almost done the shopping! Yeah! Now if only Road and Track's website would let me order a subscription...

Out this month:
KNAVE'S HONOR
Lady Elizabeth d'Averette chafes at the restrictions of a noblewoman's life, and her yearning for adventure seems to be coming true when she meets the remarkably handsome Sir Oliver de Leslille. But Sir Oliver is no true knight, and the handsome Irishman has other secrets, too. Soon Lizette finds herself embroiled in a rescue, as well as the chance to stop a treasonous conspiracy and protect her own family from men out to use them for their own evil schemes.

The Irishman who comes to Lizette's aid may be more honorable than many a knight, but he's still an outlaw. When they fulfill their mission to save his brother, her family, and the kingdom, they'll have to part...or will love -- and a clever thief and determined young woman -- find a way?

"Moore's medieval starts on an exciting note and maintains that sensation over the course of the whole book. She's created a great hero and heroine who take on a vile, well-written villain, and the love scenes, even though they're mild, add a great deal to the story."
-- Romantic Times

Excerpt

More Happy Holiday News

I just heard from my Esteemed Editor that my latest manuscript, A LOVER'S KISS needs only one minor revision -- I have to shorten a long scene. I kinda thought that might happen, so no nasty surprise there and whoo hooo! Not too difficult (she says, hoping the gods aren't chortling madly over this mortal's foolishness).

This is really good news, because at this time of year, I've got a lot to do. I'm not the greatest delegator in the world, so it's partly my own fault, but there it is.

Which brings me to a real downside of having a book out at the end of December. I have less time to do any PR, and I fear other women (my primary audience) are in the same boat -- too busy to notice my PR efforts. I just hope they're not too busy or tired to buy the book and enjoy it!

Therefore, I have decided that I'm going to put my book cover and blurb at the bottom of every blog post from now until, well, I stop. :-)

Lady Elizabeth d'Averette chafes at the restrictions of a noblewoman's life, and her yearning for adventure seems to be coming true when she meets the remarkably handsome Sir Oliver de Leslille. But Sir Oliver is no true knight, and the handsome Irishman has other secrets, too. Soon Lizette finds herself embroiled in a rescue, as well as the chance to stop a treasonous conspiracy and protect her own family from men out to use them for their own evil schemes.

The Irishman who comes to Lizette's aid may be more honorable than many a knight, but he's still an outlaw. When they fulfill their mission to save his brother, her family, and the kingdom, they'll have to part...or will love -- and a clever thief and determined young woman -- find a way?

"Moore's medieval starts on an exciting note and maintains that sensation over the course of the whole book. She's created a great hero and heroine who take on a vile, well-written villain, and the love scenes, even though they're mild, add a great deal to the story."
-- Romantic Times

Excerpt

'Tis the Season...for Lists!

I've been trying to get some Christmas shopping and planning done, which means it's time for Margaret's Many Lists. What kind of lists? Let me give you a few examples:

1. The Uber Gift List -- this is the list of recipients with suggestions for each. I have three siblings, their spouses and many nieces and nephews. We don't buy for each of them; we draw a name each, and the nieces and nephews become part of the draw when they're sixteen. So that means I now have only a niece and nephew "for sure," plus the draw folks, plus the parents. Then I have the in-laws, but they are much fewer in number, so that part of the list in consistent.

2. I have a list by store, if I hope to get more than one item in a store.

3. I have my kid's list. It's part of the uber list, but also involves lines drawn from one side to the other, so I make sure they each get the same number and I've spent approximately the same amount for each. (In addition to Daughter, I have Son -- but I'm not too sure how he'd feel about me mentioning him in my blog, so I tend to leave him out of it.)

4. I have the Hubby List, which lists the items my husband is responsible for buying.

5. I have the menus for Christmas dinner. This year, I'll be having two -- one for the in-laws on Christmas Day, my side of family on a later date.

6. I have the grocery list for each meal, plus the baking. I like to take homemade cookies, etc. for hostess gifts.

7. This year, I have a list of recipes to try before Christmas, to make sure things will turn out okay for the meals.

8. I have a list of things to do around the house before Christmas (at present, this one is still mostly in my head, but that will change, so I don't forget something).

9. On any given day, I have a list of what I want to do that day.

10. I also list emails to be sent/responded to, that I stick on the computer.

One of these years, I expect I'll be making a list of my lists. But it's the best way I know to keep myself organized. There's also something satisfying about seeing things crossed off and accomplished.

And hey, if it's good enough for Santa, it's good enough for me!

The Measure of a Man

I was, sadly, at a memorial service yesterday for the younger brother of one of my oldest friends. Jeff Vanstone passed away far too young at 47. I've known his sister, Suzanne, since high school.

Suzanne wrote a poem in honor of her brother for the service, and she's kindly given me permission to print it here.

The Measure of a Man

The measure of a man is not only what he achieves in his life
but how he achieves it.
The measure of a man is not only who he loves,
but who loves him.
The measure of a man is not only how he greets family,
but how he greets strangers.
The measure of a man is not only his gentleness
in dealing with his friends,
but his strength in dealing with his enemies.
The measure of a man is not only his joy in living life,
but his bravery in facing death.
My brother Jeffrey was a man who measured up -- a true man.

-- Suzanne Vanstone

If you'd like to use this yourself, or quote part of it, please email me at maggiejmoore@yahoo.com and I'll ask Suzanne for permission.

Wherein I am somewhat baffled

Now that I've finished my manuscript and am in the "waiting to hear from the editor" stage, I've noticed something about the review for my next book, KNAVE'S HONOR, in Romantic times. The first is that that title of the book isn't with the review. There's my name, and the rating and the setting, followed by the quotable bit, and then a brief synopsis. But no title. I guess folks are just supposed to remember from the index, but that strikes me as a tad odd.

The other thing that struck me as odd was the sexuality rating for KNAVE'S HONOR. According to RT, it's "mild," which means "May or may not include lovemaking. No explicit sex."

Okay, I'll admit KNAVE'S HONOR is not the sexiest romance ever. My characters do make love, though, and I don't think it's any mystery that that's what they're doing.

So here's where I'm really baffled. What do they mean by "explicit" sex? I do describe the consummation, albeit in a few paragraphs. Do they mean in great detail? Do they mean with every body part described? No, I don't do that, but there's also the scene where they think they're being watched and since they're supposed to be husband and wife, they fake it. I think that part's kinda explicit.

I'll be interested to see what other reviewers and especially what readers think of KNAVE'S HONOR and the level of sexuality. Maybe readers will appreciate that I write books where the couples tend to have conflicts that prevent them from making love so that activity comes later in the book, rather than having them make love first and then have problems. Or maybe they'll be disappointed because they have certain ideas about what constitutes a historical romance, and lots of hot and heavy sexual activity is one to them.

I develop the physical intimacy in a way what feels true to me, in terms of character, plot and setting, so in KNAVE'S HONOR, that meant not a lot. In the next book (A LOVER'S KISS), however, well...there's more. Different characters, different setting, different plot, different emotional relationship means a different physical relationship.

That variation is something that helps keep writing interesting for me.

Great Surprises

I've had a couple of great surprises lately. The first came when I received my author copies of my January release, KNAVE'S HONOR and discover -- whooo hooo! -- it has a step-back cover!

What's a step-back? That an extra fill color picture inside the book.

Obviously, it's the one without the writing on it. And isn't it lovely? I adore the heroine's dress. The hero looks mighty fine, too. Not quite the way I picture my man Finn, but then, I don't think anyone can exactly capture the vision I have of my heroes in my head. Heck, even I don't see a whole face as much as eyes and, ahem, lips.

The other big surprise came when I decided to go to my local fabric store. Well, that's really a good news/bad news scenerio. The bad news is, the store is closing. The good news? Oh, my gosh, everything was on sale, and I'm talking major discounts. I got some great forest green fabric to make tablecloths for the family Christmas dinner we're hosting this year. Twelve meters for $15 dollars, because it was buy one meter, get three free. Whoo! I have more than enough to make the cats their beds, using a Simplicity pattern that was also on sale.

There was one other hitch -- I had a pattern envelope for shorts for my nephew (he prefers to sleep in flannel shorts), and it's still somewhere in the store. Ditto my list, and a pattern. I discovered I was missing the pattern as they were ringing in the sale. Fortunately, they had another.

All that and a step-back, too! That's what I call a good day!

Done!

I finished A LOVER'S KISS this morning, and sent it off to New York this afternoon.

So, how am I feeling?

I gotta confess, I'm exhausted. My editor asked if I could get it in early, and I did, but I am one tired author. I've been out of the house a grand total of twice in two weeks. The laundry situation is grim. My office is a wreck.

And did I mention I'm exhausted?

The good news is, I think I've done a good job for my man Drury, a character I've been waiting to write about since 2002.

No, I'm not kidding. It's been quite the wait, but I've always wanted to write his story, and I've had a lot of emails over the years from readers who wanted him to get his own story. So yeah! And last night, when the last read-through was going really well (meaning I could actually go two even three pages at a stretch without making a change), I was giddy with joy.

Tomorrow, I'm not planning on doing much of anything. Except laundry.

Working through brrrrrr

So this is the weekend of the big deadline push, right? And my office is in the basement, where it gets a little chilly during the winter.

I wake up this morning and discover that sometime during the night, the furnace has ceased to function. Actually, I think it's the fan. Whatever. It's freezing. Well, 61 degrees, to be precise.

So we, who pay for the upgraded furnace service package, phone first thing. We're talking 7:15 am Sunday morning. The first time they can get here? Tomorrow morning.

"What are we supposed to do in the meantime?" says I. "Freeze?"

The answer, apparently, is yep, pretty much.

But wait! They have a techie phone service. Want to try that? Sure -- although we'll keep the service call on the schedule and cancel if necessary, because I gotta say, if the furnace quits the first really cold day of winter? I want that baby checked.

I get cut off THREE TIMES. The first, maybe human error. The second, I get "Your call cannot be completed." I try for third time lucky and get the same thing. The fourth time I call to say, "You have a serious problem with your system."

Good thing we got the gas fireplaces, because one space heater for an entire house? Ain't gonna cut it. Unfortunately, neither of them are in my office.

So think of me, huddled over the keyboard, scarf thrown artistically around my neck, finishing my manuscript.