November 10, 2008

Sequels

Don’t you just love books that revisit characters you’ve met in previous books? I do, but I’ve only written one book that has an actual sequel. That was A Warrior’s Taking, and its sequel was Temptation of the Warrior.

When I wrote the first of these books, I didn’t really have the actual story of the sequel formulated in my mind. Well, I knew who the hero was going to be, and the task he had to accomplish. Other than that, there was nothing really solid. But I had to be careful not to contradict anything that occurred in the first book. That was a challenge!

I often write novels with characters that spin off into new books. My January release from Avon - Wild - has one of those characters.

The hero of Wild is Anthony Maddox, Earl of Sutton, and he has two old friends who appear in the book. One of them is the happily married father of four (not a good character for a spin-off :). The other is Hugh Christie, Earl of Newbury. When I wrote Wild, I gave Hugh a vague backstory  - he’s a widower - but that information was meant to illustrate something about Anthony. It wasn’t really supposed to bring up a lot of questions about Hugh.

But guess what? Hugh is the hero of my October 2009 book from Avon, Taken by the Laird. Now I have to explain what happened to his wife, and incorporate her into the conflicts of his story. Which is actually a lot of fun to do.

The point is - whether it’s an actual sequel or just a spin-off from a previous book, an author must deal with the realities of that earlier book. Since I made Hugh a widower in Wild, his character has to be consistent with that in Taken by the Laird. Which I am happy to say, is coming along very nicely - that is, if  you like dark and brooding lairds of ancient Scottish castles, and runaway brides who break into said castles to take shelter from winter storms. Sound delicious? I hope so! 

Tell me - what were your favorite sequels or spin-off characters? I’m going to do a drawing from everyone who responds, and send the winner copies of my two Warrior books!

November 8, 2008

What dog would you choose for the First Family?

On Tuesday you cast your vote for the candidates of your choice, making your opinions known. I want you now to make your feeling known on another important topic–what dog breed do you think should be First Dog?

“Sasha and Malia,” Obama said in his victory speech at Chicago’s Grant Park, “I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.”

There has been a wide variety of dogs who have called 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home over the years.

The Bush family had an English springer spaniel and two Scottish Terriers.

In addition to Socks, the cat, The Clintons had a chocolate lab “Buddy.”

Millie the springer spaniel’s canine view of life in the White House — as “told to” then-First Lady Barbara Bush — became a best-seller that outsold the memoirs of President George H.W. Bush.

This brings us to the new first family.

I have a blue heeler but I couldn’t recommend that breed for the White House.

(This isn’t a picture of mine….although my dog looks very similiar)

It has been my experience that Australian cattle dogs need a lot of room to run. And they like to herd. So if Barack Obama picked this breed for his daughters, little Sasha and Malia might just find their new pet nipping at their heels as they run across the White House lawn.

My suggestion would be to get a shih tzu.

Our Ernie is an extremely good dog. He loves children and people. Likes to play but is also content sitting next to you. You can keep the hair short or let it grow long and put it up in barrettes or ribbons.

So, if it were up to me, I would choose a shih tzu for Malia and Sasha.

What about you? What breed of dog would you like to nominate for First Dog??

November 7, 2008

Chef Jeff

Recently USF and I have been watching a show called “The Chef Jeff Project.” It’s on The Food Network, so maybe you’ve seen it. Chef Jeff is Jeff Henderson. He was in prison for 10 years for selling drugs. Then he got out and worked his way up to celebrity chef. Now he’s helping at-risk youth on his show.

I’m a teacher, and I thought watching his biography would be a good way to introduce the biography unit. My students were actually surprised that biographies could be about living people. As part of the unit, I had the librarian order Chef Jeff’s new book, Chef Jeff Cooks.

I have to admit this was a little selfish on my part because I wanted to read it and try some of the recipes. So last night I finally got a chance. I made risotto with sweet potatoes.

I thought the whole thing would take maybe 30 minutes. I didn’t have to cut much, and I basically just had to heat everything up. USF and I were hungry, so I started cooking at 5:30. Well, it took a little longer than 30 minutes. I think we finally ate at 7.

I don’t blame Chef Jeff. I’m just not a very good cook. The recipe came out pretty well, but who wants to cook for 90 minutes? I was exhausted at the end of it! That’s the problem with The Food Network. They make all that cooking look so fast and easy. I think I’ll stick to writing. It’s not easy, but I don’t have to stand in front of a hot stove either.

So who’s your favorite chef?

November 6, 2008

Please Welcome Sara Bennett!

HER SECRET LOVER, my latest book, is in the shops. As usual, I have that tingle of excitement, that sense of accomplishment mixed with trepidation. Will everyone like it? Will people buy it? The usual questions writers ask themselves when a book comes out. But this time my feelings are mixed with sadness, because this is the final book in a series. Next year I begin a new series. I’ll miss the characters I’ve come to know so well; they seem like old friends. Although I imagined them and created them they now live in their own world independent of me—well anyway that’s how it feels.

I’ve been through this before. When I first began writing for Avon, I wrote four medieval historicals, and they are all linked. The first book was The Lily and the Sword, and told the story of Radulf and Lily. I grew so fond of this couple that they made appearances in all the other books—I just couldn’t let them go.

But, eventually, I moved on. I wrote a trilogy called The Greentree Sisters, which revolved around the three daughters of Aphrodite, an infamous courtesan. Aphrodite’s own story of rags to riches, of loss and eventually happiness, was woven throughout the three books, and her daughters married and had children and with each book the family grew.

I came to love Aphrodite’s family so much that I couldn’t let them go, and I began another series, linked to the trilogy, which I called The Aphrodite’s Club series. There were two books in this series, A Seduction in Scarlet, and my newest book, Her Secret Lover. They both contain Aphrodite, who does what she does best, gives my characters the benefit of her experience in love and life and helps them toward their own happy endings.

I’m going to miss Aphrodite and her family and friends, but once again it’s time to move on. I have a new series to think about, and this one is called The Husband Hunters Club series! Sounds intriguing? I hope so. This will be a five book series, telling the stories of five young ladies who decide to hunt the husbands of their hearts rather than accept the men their families consider “suitable”.

But I already know what’s going to happen. I’ll grow so fond of my characters I won’t want to let them go. Or then again, maybe I’ll return to Radulf and Lily, and write about their children. Or there are always Aphrodite’s granddaughters. Then again, there is the one book I’ve written that isn’t part of a series—Beloved Highlander set in 18th century Scotland. Maybe it’s time to give that poor lonely book some friends.

Which characters have you read that you fell in love with and just didn’t want to let go?

November 5, 2008

Today’s winner …

Is Jane! Jane email me at emilybmckay at gmail.com and I’ll get your address to mail off your prize.

Also, back in October I promised a special prize for anyone who entered all three of my contests. The prize is a book of your choice from my backlist. So if you did, email me at the above address and I’ll double check it against the archives. And be sure to tell me which book you’d like. You can find information about all my books on my website. Thanks for playing!

November 4, 2008

Go Vote!

I didn’t intend to blog on election day. (I was going to blog about zombie geisha transvestites, but that will have to wait.) I picked this date about a month ago and didn’t give it another thought. But since it is election day, I feel obliged to encourage you to vote if you haven’t already. ‘Cause let’s face it, regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, this is a big election and our government should hear all our voices.

To encourage you to vote, I’ve got a fun give away. So once you’ve voted (or now, if you voted already) reply here and tell us about it. No, not who you voted for, but something about the experience (where it was, how long the line was, anything!). One of the people who responds will win fabulous prizes.

In case you’re wondering, these are all the free books I got at RWA that I’m not going to read. So I thought I’d share. There’s also the cool tote and a mouse pad. A great reward for doing the right thing. Or something to lift your spirits if you guy doesn’t win.

November 3, 2008

Lolcat Monday

Before 48 hour election antics commence…some crazy cats for your viewing pleasure.

see more crazy cat pics

see more crazy cat pics

see more crazy cat pics

see more crazy cat pics

see more crazy cat pics

see more crazy cat pics

see more crazy cat pics

see more crazy cat pics

November 1, 2008

You’ll Never Believe This Name….

I was listening to the radio the other day and they were talking about odd names for town and for people. I reached my destination before they started giving some of these names but I thought it might be fun to share some names from the states we live in.

I pulled up a listing of Nebraska towns and what I found interesting was that even odd names don’t seem so odd when you hear them so much. Take for example Wahoo (see sign above). It was once the home of the Late Night Show with David Letterman (remember when he used to pick a town to be out of?). I almost didn’t include it, but then I realized it was kinda odd.

In Nebraska we also have a town a college friend used to refer to simply as “Beaver”:

One that immediately makes you feel at home:

One that makes you want to cry—Weeping Water
One that gets a lot of letters to be postmarked around Febr 14—Valentine

That’s all I could find that seemed out of the ordinary. I know you have to have towns in your state with names that are even more unusual.

Care to share???

October 31, 2008

It’s a Jaunty Halloween…

What’s your favorite Halloween candy?
SHANA: Milk duds (Halloween or anytime)
DELILAH: Heck, I like it ALL.
ANNE: I’m with Delilah!
MARGO: Anything without coconut.
ROBYN: Margo, you can pass me any of your coconut. Those white peanut butter logs that looked like they have brown stripes from the wrappers or tootsie rolls
KRISTAN: Hershey bar with almonds
NANCY: Snickers – yum!!
CINDY: Forget the coconut…give me anything with chocolate
JAUNTY: Pinenuts covered in chocolate.

What’s your favorite Halloween movie ?
SHANA: LOST BOYS
DELILAH: GHOSTBUSTERS
ANNE: Ooh, The Lost Boys. Good one, Shana. Also love Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
MARGO: The Day the Earth Stood Still (Can hardly wait for the re-make!)
ROBYN: Oh, Shane, I love The Lost Boys! I guess my favorite would probably be Rocky Horror Picture Show or a good slasher flick from the 80’s like the original Friday the 13th
KRISTAN: If by “favorite,” you mean “scared the pants off me so that I couldn’t sleep well for decades, the answer would be “The Exorcist.”
SHIRLEY: Sleepy Hollow — scary *and* funny!
NANCY: I’m a big chicken! I don’t like scary movies. In fact, I can’t even look at the grotesque billboards that advertise a Halloween horror event at a major theme park near us. I guess that’s why I write romance
CINDY: Like Nancy, I’m a big chicken….scary movies, well, they scare me…and give me bad dreams.
JAUNTY: “Freddie Vs. Jaunty Part VII”

What’s your favorite Halloween costume?
SHANA: I liked my angel and my fairy princess costumes.
DELILAH: My shim costume. Half woman, half man. It’s hilarious.
ANNE: Romance writer complete with sweatpants. Scary.
MARGO: I don’t have one! Wahhh!
ROBYN: I like funny costumes, I once dressed two guys I worked with up as Hanz and Franz from Saturday Night Live, it was pretty funny.
KRISTAN: Angel of Death. Why beat around the bush, right? Go right for the big guns.
SHIRLEY: Pirate, of course! My toddler will be dressed as a skeleton.
NANCY: Once, three friends of mine and I went as the Jamaican Bobsled team. We made dreadlock wigs out of yarn and glue and carried Jamaican and Olympic flags and a cardboard sled.
CINDY: This time I’m with Margo….geez I’m starting to sound really boring.
JAUNTY: Casanova. I don’t even have to dress up!

What’s your favorite Halloween tradition?
SHANA: I like carving pumpkins.
DELILAH: Throwing my kids their very own Halloween party for just us before we go trick or treating.
ANNE: Carving!!
MARGO: Putting the candles in the pumpkins, turning on the porch light and waiting.
ROBYN: I love Halloween, I love to decorate, carve pumpkins and I loved Trick-or-Treating as a kid, it’s just a holiday of pure fun.
KRISTAN: Scaring the kids who come to our house. We have a fright hike around our property. If someone’s not crying, I haven’t done my job.
SHIRLEY: Other than the post-holiday sugar-high? Since it was just us two adults living on a street with no kids for so many years, we really don’t have any. I’m looking forward to starting new traditions as our son gets older.
NANCY: Yikes, Kristan! Scaredy cat that I am, I’ll steer clear of your house this time of year! On Halloween afternoon, as we carve pumpkins, we always listen to these ridiculous Halloween CDs with songs like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, The Adams Family, The Twilight Zone. Later, we meet up with friends and take our kids trick or treating. A few days later (after the seeds have had a chance to dry), I toast the pumpkin seeds. My family is rabid for them!
CINDY: When we used to live in town, I loved handing out candy to the kids who came to the door…and carving pumpkins.
JAUNTY: Carving pinecones with Mama and Papa Porcupine

What’s your favorite Halloween memory?
SHANA: Not sure I should
DELILAH: Trick or treating late into the night until people refused to open their door to me.
ANNE: Not a memory, I just love the fun and spirit of Halloween. Such a fun day.
MARGO: Making elaborate costumes for my kids. Julia once went as the Cowardly Lion. Now that was a fabulous costume!
ROBYN: probably Trick-or-Treating with my friends, just walking the neighborhood and then coming home and dumping all that candy on the floor to sort through. I guess I’ve always loved to sort things, I’m such a dork.
KRISTAN: My mom dared my sister and me to walk to the top of a Colonial graveyard in town, and while we were stumbling up through the old markers, she ran around to the back of the hill, hid behind a crypt and waited for us, then jumped out and scared the bejesus out of us. Explains many of my present-day phobias.
SHIRLEY: My military dad, buzz-cut and all, dressed up like Bozo to escort us around the neighborhood. Picture John Wayne in a clown suit, without the make-up…
NANCY: One year, our whole family dressed up as The Wizard of OZ clan. My daughter was Dorothy (complete with red-glitter-covered sneakers), my husband was the Tin Man, my grandma was the Lion, my dad was a Lollypop Kid, my step-mother was the Wicked Witch (only because she’s so wonderful!) and I was the Scarecrow. We carried a small tape player and played We’re Off To See The Wizard over and over as we took our daughter trick or treating around the neighborhood. Our last stop was our next door neighbor to the east – a mature lady of “unpredictable disposition” . When she opened the door, she scowled at us and said, “Well now, aren’t you all a little big for this?” LOL
CINDY: When my daughter was around seven, I let her answer the door on Halloween and a full grown black man who was a mute and dressed sort of like a ghost walked into our house and stood next to her in our living room. He didn’t speak when I asked him (in a rather frantic voice) what he wanted, he pointed to the large bowl of candy Wendy had in her arms. I moved to her side, grabbed a handful of candy bars and dropped them into his pillow case. He left. My husband slept through it all (he’d gone to bed early that night)
JAUNTY: TPing the bears’ cave. Since they hibernate they didn’t see it until Spring. The fun went on and on!

So how about you? What are your Halloween favorites?

October 29, 2008

Which dessert are you?

If all of the desserts listed below were sitting in front of you, which would you choose (sorry you can only pick one).

No peeking…make sure you’ve picked your dessert from the list above before continuing.

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

1. Angel Food Cake– sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm and fuzzy items sometimes you need an ice cream cone at the end of the day. Others perceive you as being childlike and immature at times.

2. Brownies– You are adventurous, love new ideas, and are a champion of underdogs and slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up you whip out with your saber. You are always the oddball with a unique sense of humor and direction. You tend to be loyal.

3. Lemon Meringue– Smooth, has sex appeal and articulate with your hands, you are an excellent after dinner speaker and good teacher. But don’t try to walk and chew gum at the same time. A bit of a diva at times, but you have many friends.

4. Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Icing– Fun loving, sassy, humorous, not very grounded in life, very indecisive and lack motivation. Everyone enjoys being around you, but you are a practical joker. Other should be cautious in making you mad. However, you are a friend for life.

5. Strawberry Shortcake– Romantic, warm and loving. You care about other people, can be counted on in a pinch and expect the same in return. Can be very emotional.

6. Chocolate on Chocolate– Has sex appeal and always ready to give and receive. Very creative, adventurous, ambitious and passionate. You can appear to have a cold exterior but warm on the inside. Not afraid to take a chance. Will not settle for anything in life, love to laugh.

7. Ice Cream– You like sports whether it be baseball, football, basketball or soccer. If you could, you would like to participate, but you enjoy watching sports. You don’t like to give up the remote control. You tend to be self-centered and high maintenance.

8. Carrot Cake– You are a very fun loving person, who likes to laugh. You are fun to be with, people like to hang out with you. You are a very warm hearted person and a little quirky at times. You have many loyal friends.

So come on, play with me today, let me know which dessert you are. And for anyone who’s curious, I am a chocolate on chocolate cake and it’s pretty darn accurate.