From Here to There Romance

My debut novella, The Blacksmith’s Son, is out into the world. It’s kind of surreal. You work on something so long, and so diligently, and then it’s time to push it out of the nest. Then you hope, and pray, and cross your fingers that it can fly. Humm…sound familiar?

I kind of feel my book is the eagle sitting on the beach in this photo. All alone against the elements. I hope you can fly.

I think everyone can relate on some level to what it’s like to launch a first book. There is a first for everything, and though the second, and third will be wonderful too, it just won’t be the same as the first.

One of the most rewarding things about writing a novel is to read it much later and think, wow, that’s not bad, did I write that? So with that theme in mind I’m going to share a few of my favorite lines and/or parts of the book and tell you why they are my favorite. I don’t want to give too much of the book away, just a few snippets and hope I pique your interest.

She couldn’t be a woman; she must remain hidden from the world as a boy. Her life depended on it.

These lines pretty much encapsulate the theme of most of the book. Ally truly believes her life is in danger (with good reason), therefore being in disguise is an absolute necessity for her survival.

“I’m without clothing, in a room with a stranger. I hardly think I should appreciate my circumstances. Give me back my clothes.” Ally pulled the coverlet higher as though a piece of fabric could put distance between them.

I like this part of the story because it shows Ally’s spunk and moxie.

He was incapable of functioning appropriately in British society again—just look how poorly he’d handled the vulnerable woman in his room.

I love how Quentin is aggravated with himself. He’s a sea captain. He’s commanded entire crews, but when it comes to Ally, he’s frustrated by his attraction to her. He wants to be a proper English gentleman, but he’s finding it difficult. Come on ladies, let’s be honest, we love it when this happens. The man in our life is so head-over-heels for us he can’t function properly. J

Another line that shows Quentin’s level of exasperation is; Now that Quentin knew exactly what lay beneath the baggy trousers and loose fitting shirt, he stood captivated by her, stunned he had ever thought her a boy.

And one more line: The captain looked down and kicked his booted toe in the dirt. “You must think me quite a fool, then. Hoping to rescue you?”

This is another favorite part of the book for me because Quentin is trying unsuccessfully to “rescue” Ally, and Ally insists she doesn’t need rescuing. So when he openly admits this to her, it’s completely endearing to me and I can’t help but love Quentin. He truly is hero worthy.

Winter is here

Winter is really and truly here in the interior of Alaska. I can’t live in denial any longer, I can’t pretend the four letter ‘S’ word isn’t stuck to the ground for a good long time. As much as I don’t want to look at the white stuff, I can’t turn a blind eye either. Time to buck up and accept what is. And honestly, snow is very pretty. The trees would look naked without it.

The official winter season kicked off with the public elementary and high schools cancelling school the past three days due to freezing rain, power outages and generally bad road conditions. My kids are thrilled of course, even when I inform them they will have to stay in school three days longer in the spring, it doesn’t deter their glee.

While on a recent business trip to the east coast, I was asked what do you like most about Alaska. I felt the immediate pressure to come up with a brilliant answer, and since I’d just passed through Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport amongst a pandemonium of bodies, I answered simply, “space.” Not space, as in the Hubble Space Telescope space, but rather, personal space. You never feel crowded in Alaska. Space isn’t a luxury, it’s reality.

I need to remind myself about Alaska’s finer qualities as we begin the four months of the year I hate. Yes, hate is a pretty strong word, but it fits. I make no apologies. I hate Alaska, but I love it too. It’s like the bad boy you can’t help but be attracted to. You know logically, he’s no good for you, you should run the other way. Run fast and never look back, but alas there is something about Alaska that is endearing, and honest, and true, that I’ve never found anywhere else in the world.

We Alaskans have to be a little bit crazy to live up here. I promise you, there is a little bit of the eccentric in each and every one of us. My fellow Alaskan and pal, Boone Brux just released a new book, To Catch her Death and it takes place in Alaska.

Buy Here at Amazon

Buy Here at Barnes & Noble

This book’s first chapter has a scene at a gas station mini-mart. People get gas in these little mini-grocery stores all the time, but what happens in this scene may surprise you. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but let me just say, when I read this scene I laughed so hard and told Boone how this could really happen—I can see it! She actually told me her critique partner, who is a non-Alaskan, said: When I worked nights (at a gas station), that goes against everything we were taught when handling a situation.

Suffice it to say, Situations in Alaska aren’t always handled like they might be handled in the lower forty-eight. That’s all I’ll say. If you want to read more you’ll have to buy the book. J

Tourists constantly compliment Alaskans about how friendly we are. Granted, in general, we’re happier in the summer when most of the tourists are here, but I have to wonder if some of our friendliness isn’t because we have space. We aren’t crowded up in traffic, or aisles in the grocery stores, or lines at the gas station.

Crowds make for a little bit of grouchiness if you ask me (Trust me, I was feeling a little testy at the Atlanta airport). Of course Alaska has road rage like anywhere else, but I have to believe it doesn’t happen near as often up here. So while I could do without the cold months of November, December, January, and February in Alaska, I’ll try to remind myself of the pluses, rather than the minuses, of living in the 49^th state.

One of my ultimate favorite photos. A baby moose. One of the advantages of living in the 49th state. You get to see lots of wildlife.

Inishmore

I think I saw Edward.