On the shelves

I'm going on holiday for several days, but before I go, just a reminder that my latest release, HIGHLAND ROGUE, LONDON MISS, is on bookshelves or in ebook form now (see sidebar for links to order).

From the back cover:
Lord of Vice

Quintus MacLachlann is arrogant - unapologetically so. When he's asked to impersonate one half of a married couple to infiltrate Edinburgh society, he relishes the challenge of being "married" to the frustratingly willful yet beautiful Esme.

Lady of Virtue

Esme makes no bones about her fervent dislike of the dishonored rake. He's the last person on earth she can conceive of marrying, sham or otherwise. But being forced to play wife to the handsome-as-sin wastrel brings up very real feelings of desire....

"The talented Moore has penned another exciting Regency. The narrative is rich, the dialogue authentic and the characters entertaining. This is a tale of how opposites attract and passions are stirred." - Romantic Times

Retro Cushions, Part II

I finished all my cushion covers last night. I'm really pleased with them, and especially pleased with the one I made using some of the smaller panels.




Next up: more curtains.

And soon revisions for HIGHLAND HEIRESS, the sequel to HIGHLAND ROGUE, LONDON MISS, which is out now. (And okay, I'm using any excuse to show that gorgeous cover again.)

My Latest Craft Project

I finally took my good ol' Singer "Genie" sewing machine in to be repaired. It's done yeoman's service since I received it as a wedding present from my parents lo, these thirty-plus years ago. However, the bobbin winder broke, so I was hand-winding the bobbins which, believe me, is no treat. I did investigate getting a new machine. The only stitches I use, however, are a straight stitch, zig-zag and the stitch for knits and stretch fabrics, so I didn't need most of the bells and whistles that come with new machines. And the simpler, cheaper versions didn't seem heavy-duty enough to last very long. So I looked, and found, a place that would repair my Genie. It cost about as much as a cheaper new machine, but I'm very happy I did that. I now have a very good, lightweight but substantial, sewing machine that works like buttah. And it's even got a new bulb. (True story: the young lady at the shop said, "And we'll give you a new light bulb." Me: "There's a light?" Yep, it's been burned out so long, I forgot it existed.)

The store that did the repairs also sews quilting fabric. On my first visit, to drop off my machine, I noticed this panel of fabric:



It's by Michael Miller Fabrics, and the pattern is called Transportation. I didn't buy it then, but I kept thinking how neat and retro it was, and I thought it might make cute cushions for the cottage. So when I went back to pick up my machine, I bought the panel.

Then, score! I found cushions for less than $2 each at Ikea and my local fabric store was having a sale and I got wide red twill for about $4 a meter. I thought of going with the blue, but it's not exactly a navy, so went with the red instead.

And voila! I've got cushions! Here is the first one:




Won't this look swell on the child's rocker I found at the antique store?
I'm using the small blocks of vehicles in groups of four, banded by red twill, for one cushion, too.

I just love it when I take a gamble on a project and it turns out great! Mind you, like my writing, I had to make a few revisions before I figured out exactly what to do and what measurements to use. But that's the way I roll.

Library Love!

Like many a writer, I love the library! And so I have to share these videos with you.

First, the Old Spice Guy.

Next, New Spice: Study like a Scholar.

Funny videos about the goodness of libraries make me happy!

Double Standard Much?

The British Open is on, and once again I'm reminded of something that burns my bacon: romance writers are often accused of writing "purple prose," that is, extravagant, overly ornate, over-the-top descriptions. It's not a compliment, and it's one criticism men in particular seem to throw at the genre, especially in reference to the descriptions in love scenes.

Well, let me ask you this, fellas. Why is that sort of language worthy of such eye-rolling condescension when it comes to women's fiction (and romance still is, by and large, written by women for women), but apparently quite okay when it comes to the preamble to major sporting events? You'd think the announcers were about to describe a clash of the gods in the Elysian Fields, not grown men playing a game.

Pictures I should probably send to LOL Cats

The Count at leisure at the cottage in the Land o' Pie and Sloth (and just about giving his owners heart failure).

So what's with all the lawyers?

I'm probably one of the few historical romance authors who has a lot of lawyers for heroes and secondary characters in her books. I had a Restoration solicitor in HIS FORBIDDEN KISS, a barrister (Sir Douglas Drury) in my previous Regency series, a solicitor's sister is the heroine of HIGHLAND ROGUE, LONDON MISS, (although Esme knows as much about the law as her brother and would gladly have been an attorney if she could) and the hero of the sequel, HIGHLAND HEIRESS (out next year) is also a solicitor.

Blame Perry Mason. I used to love that show when I was a kid. And I considered being a lawyer, to the extent that I took the LSAT and applied to one law school (the top one in Ontario). I didn't get in, and really, it was for the best, because I was not terribly disappointed. In fact, I remember watching the other people waiting to take the LSAT and realizing how stressed and tense they were, as if their very lives depended on it. I suppose for some of them, they felt it did - but not for me. I did quite well on the LSAT but alas, although I graduated with distinction, my average wasn't enough. And maybe if I'd participated in debating, as I did in high school, instead of musical theater, it would have a made a difference.

Still and all, when I hear about the loooong hours attorneys put in, and consider what it might have meant in terms of family life, I'm not a whit sorry I didn't get into law school. I suspect it's much more fun to write about lawyers than to be one.

Romantic Times Review - good news and bad news

When it comes to reading reviews of my work, picture me holding the magazine or looking at the computer screen with my hands over my face, fingers slightly open, ready to cringe. Because believe you me, nothing can wreck your day like a bad review.

Fortunately, the Romantic Times reviewer liked HIGHLAND ROGUE, LONDON MISS:

"The talented* Moore has penned another exciting Regency. The narrative is rich, the dialogue authentic and the characters entertaining.**"

* Being called "talented" is a thrill.
** This is just about exactly what I hope a reader feels about my books, so yeah!!!

But then, oh woe! I have taken my hands away from my face only to discover that instead of referring to my hero by his nickname "Quinn," the reviewer has called him "Quint." In her defense, his full name is "Quintus." However, after having given one hero an unfortunate moniker when he was an evil secondary character that we were then both stuck with when I decided he had hero potential (alas, poor Urien, forgive me!) I would never call a hero something that sounds like "Squint."

Nevertheless, four stars is good and the quote is great. AND they included a picture of the beautiful cover, so all in all, I'm far more pleased by the review than upset by the mistake.

Holiday News

Working with dial-up is proving to be an interesting experience. I've learned that the best time to get on the internet is early in the morning, when traffic is lighter. Or I should have my book at hand, so I can read while a site loads.

It's hotter 'n Hades. And muggy. Fortunately, we have air conditioning here, although I try not to use it and keep the thermostat high. But when it's humid, air conditioning is a relief.

We brought the cats with us, and they seem to be adapting. No wars, at least, as the picture below demonstrates.



What is it with some guys and the loudness of their vehicle engines?

And just a reminder that I have a book (with one of my favorite covers ever!) out soon!