Thursday, November 17, 2011

Seeing Where the Road Leads

Today I have a guest.  Welcome, Catherine Gayle!


They say there are two types of writers out there: plotters and pantsers. If you’re new to these terms, a panters is one who writes “by the seat of their pants.”

I started out my writing life as a pantser. That didn’t last long. I finished two manuscripts that way, but spent two to three times as long revising and rewriting and revising again as I did writing in the first place. Doing it for two 100,000 word manuscripts was enough to convince me to try another path.

After that, I decided there had to be a better way. I researched plotting methods, tried several, and found what worked for me. At that point, I knew I’d never go back. After all, I could finish a manuscript without needing to spend months on end reworking it into something that made sense.

Yet a few months ago, I found myself picking up a new project and writing without a clue where it would take me. I tried to plot it, but it didn’t work. No matter what I did, nothing would come together until I started writing a scene and the characters dictated where it would go.

It worked. But that was just a novella. I’m not sure I’m ready to give up the reins like that again on something full length. But yesterday, I started writing something new again, and yet again, I have no clue where I’m headed. I guess I’ll have to wait and see where this road leads me.

The novella I did successfully write as a pantser recently is called An Unintended Journey. It’s part of the Regency Christmas Summons anthology, found in A Summons From the Castle.

Blurb:

What once was lost…

Abby Goddard’s life is going along just swimmingly, apart from the disappearance of her life’s love—Wesley Cavendish, a man well above her station. Just before Christmas, Grandmama dies after revealing the identity of Abby’s grandfather. The Duke of Danby, no less. Now the entire family will travel to Yorkshire to confront Danby, hoping to gain a dowry for Abby. But then Wesley reemerges, sparking a hope Abby thought long destroyed.

Now is found…

Shall the prodigal son’s sole inheritance be an unsightly gash? Wesley Cavendish aspires to the political realm, despite his father’s near-murderous opposition…not to mention his opposition to Abby Goddard. But since Father died, will the new Earl of Fordingham rescind Father’s disgraceful allegations? Fordingham thwarts Wesley at every turn, threatening marriage to a prominent Tory family—which precludes Abby—to put an end to Wesley’s Whig involvement…unless Wesley can find a loophole.

Excerpt:

The thwarting of her exodus left Abby trembling again. She took two full breaths and briefly pressed her eyes closed to fight down her sorrow before turning again. This time, her eyes passed over the baron, then traveled to Lady Pritchard, and finally settled on their guests.

Her breath caught.

Mr. Daniel Pritchard, the baron’s eldest son and heir, had come home from his recent travels—but he wasn’t the man who left Abby with a tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach, and a knot the size of Mount Olympus in her throat, and her toes curling within her half-boots from the desperate need to run as fast as she could and not look back.

No, such a reaction could only be due to one man’s presence.

Mr. Wesley Cavendish, the Earl of Fordingham’s wayward brother, stood before the hearth, looking like an ancient Roman warrior ready to race his chariot through the Coliseum—only a warrior oddly stuffed into modern fashions, with his dark, slightly curling hair falling down over his cravat. His straight nose and black-as-midnight eyes were just as she’d always remembered them. He regarded her so intensely she felt as though she’d sprouted six scaly heads and started singing opera from each of them whilst in the nude.

Have you ever taken off on a path you swore you’d never again travel, and had it turn out okay? Every commenter who leaves an email address will be entered in the prize extravaganza outlined at www.catherinegayle.com/news.html, where you could win a Kindle or one of many other prizes.


Catherine Gayle

Friday, October 28, 2011

A Danby Regency Christmas Summons Prize Extravaganza


Presented by: Lilia Birney, Christi Caldwell, Phyllis Campbell, Jane Charles, Aileen Fish, Catherine Gayle, Samantha Grace, Suzie Grant, Julie Johnstone, Olivia Kelly, Jerrica Knight-Catania, and Ava Stone, in honor of the release of our Regency Christmas Anthology, consisting of A Summons from Yorkshire, A Summons from the Duke, A Summons from the Castle, and A Summons from His Grace.

In celebration of our release on November 1, we’re hosting a six-week-long prize extravaganza. Follow us on Twitter, like or friend us on Facebook, visit our websites, and look for announcements of ways to enter. Any time one or more of us blogs about the Regency Christmas Anthology, comment and leave your email address for an entry in the drawing. If one of us hosts a Twitter contest, follow the rules outlined on Twitter for your chance to enter.

What can you win?
·         1 $79 Kindle from Amazon
·         1 of 3 $50 gift cards (2 from Amazon, 1 from Barnes and Noble)
·         1 of 3 $25 gift cards (2 from Amazon, 1 from Barnes and Noble)
·         1 complete set of Catherine Gayle’s LORD ROTHEBY’S INFLUENCE series
·         1 complete set of Ava Stone’s SCANDALOUS series
·         1 of 2 copies of Jerrica Knight-Catania’s THE ROBBER BRIDE
·         1 copy of Suzie Grant’s FOR THE SAKE OF SIN
·         1 copy of Suzie Grant’s THE DEVIL’S DAUGHTER
·         1 copy of Suzie Grant’s WRONG KIND OF PARADISE
·         1 complete set of Jane Charles’s ONCE UPON A TIME trilogy
·         1 copy of Jane Charles’s TO WALK IN THE SUN
·         1 copy of Aileen Fish’s THE MISTLETOE MISHAP
·         1 copy of Aileen Fish’s THE CHRISTMAS DRAGON SCHEME
·         1 copy of Phyllis Campbell’s SPANISH EYES
·         1 copy of Phyllis Campbell’s QUEEN OF HEARTS

Entries will be accepted and collected from November 1 through December 15, prizes will be drawn on December 15, during a live chat event at the

Anyone who already follows this blog and leaves a comment between November 1st and December 15th will automatically be entered in the drawing, as will anyone who becomes a follower of this blog between November 1st and December 15th (as long as I have an e-mail address so we can find you if your name is drawn)

Lilia Birney: Twitter, Blog
Christi Caldwell: Facebook, Twitter, Website
Phyllis Campbell: Facebook, Twitter, Blog
Jane Charles: Facebook, Twitter, Blog
Aileen Fish: Facebook, Twitter, Website
Catherine Gayle: Facebook, Twitter, Website
Samantha Grace: Facebook, Twitter, Website
Suzie Grant: Facebook, Twitter, Website
Julie Johnstone: Facebook, Twitter, Blog
Olivia Kelly:  Facebook, Twitter, Website
Jerrica Knight-Catania: Facebook, Twitter, Website
Ava Stone: Facebook, Twitter, Website

Monday, October 10, 2011

Handfasted (To Love a Governess Regency Novella)


Katrina Clark had two goals.  To secure a position as a governess and discover the secrets of what happened between a man and woman before settling into spinsterhood. 

Lord Timothy Strotham wanted nothing more than to purchase the contents of the Clark’s Book Shop and Lending Library and be on his way. He did not count on getting the deceased owner’s daughter as part of the bargain.

Handfasted to preserve her reputation, they set out for a three day journey.  Will Katrina learn all the secrets before she arrives at her destination or will Timothy be able to deny his own desires and leave Katrina as pure and innocent as he found her?

Monday, October 3, 2011

Regency Christmas Summons - A Christmas Anthology - Coming Soon

 The Duke of Danby has summoned all of his wayward grandchildren home for the holidays! 12 short stories about the Whitton cousins.

Available November 1st on the virtual bookshelves of Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.


Compromised for Christmas by Jane Charles

Lady Elizabeth craved excitement and adventure. Unwilling to endure further boring Seasons, she convinces her uncle, who has lived a more adventurous life than anyone else she knew, to let her work for him.  A few short years later Elizabeth was established in Tuileries Castle, a servant in Napoleon’s court known as Lisette Renard.

John Phillip Trent has been working for the Home Office and in the stables of Tuileries as Jean Pierre Bouvier for the past two years. His only English contact being Lisette Renard, a lovely blond lass, who he desired but kept at a professional arm’s length.

When Lisette receives a summons to return home for Christmas, John learns that she is none other than the granddaughter of the Duke of Danby and she had named Jean Pierre as her husband, and the reason her grandfather believes she lives in France.  Their cover is compromised with the same letter and the two find themselves escaping the palace and France, knowing they could very well never see each other once in England.  



Saturday, October 1, 2011

His Not So Sensible Miss


Emily Frasier has lived as the ward of Duke Ellings since her father died when she was fifteen. She also knows that soon it will be time to leave his household and make her way on her own.  When she discovers a cottage while visiting her aunt and uncle she knows this is where she wants to live and become a teacher, as her father once was.
Dillon Chambers must find a wife this season in order to please his mother.  If she didn’t have control over something more precious than his freedom and life, he would not have made the promise to marry a lady with high connections at the end of the season.  When he comes across Emily at his cottage and learns she is the ward of a duke, he feels his luck has finally changed. He could please his mother and settle with a lady he would actually want to have as his wife.
When the truth becomes known in London that Emily is only a professor’s daughter, Dillon knows his parents will never approve. Will he risk everything to have her?  Will Emily do the sensible thing or risk her reputation and heart so that Dillon doesn’t destroy all he holds dear?

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Sacked (To Love a Governess Erotic Regency Short)

Sacked is the first in a series of Erotic Regency Shorts entitled To Love a Governess.

Elizabeth Claywell ran away from her uncle when he arranged a marriage with his sixty-year-old friend. She soon finds herself in the position of governess for Lord Jared Fairfield, who inherited five little girls along with the title.  Of all gentlemen she met in London, Lord Fairfield is the only one she has ever desired.

Jared has wanted Elizabeth since he first saw her in London two years ago, but only managed to secure two dances. When he stumbled across her on the street he offered the position of governess to get her into his home.  Now he intends to get her into his bed.

Announcing the Release of His Contrary Bride

His Contrary Bride is the second book in the A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time series

Sabrina Chester has been a servant at Lady Davies Academy for Young Ladies for the past four years.  Until her father’s death, which left her destitute, she had been one of the affluent students.  Sabrina is rescued from her plight by Marius Parker, who finds himself stranded in the last place he wishes to ever be.   Upon learning her identity, Marius is convinced treachery is afoot.  He is acquainted with the uncle and cousin of Lady Sabrina and both are wealthy, affluent gentlemen of society.  Marius couldn’t begin to understand why they had left Sabrina in this state of servitude.  When he discovers that her father hadn’t been a victim of war, but a victim of murder, Marius determines the only way he can keep Sabrina safe is to marry her.  Unfortunately, Sabrina doesn’t necessarily agree that this is the best option.

Announcing the Release of His Impetuous Debutante

His Impetuous Debutant is the first in the A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time series.

Lady Phoebe Johansen embarks upon her first season with two goals in mind – to remain unwed and scandal free in London.  It isn’t that she is against marriage and if her situation were different, she would welcome the opportunity for love and children. It is just not practical.  Unfortunately, her older brother is smothering any chances she has of actually enjoying the season out of fear her impetuous nature will land her in predicaments more ruinous than the physical mishaps she had suffered at home. 

Taylor Qualls, the Earl of Sandlin, is forced once again to face his own obligations this season.   He has a year and a half to find a suitable bride and produce the heir as dictated in his grandfather’s will.  Nobody needs to tell him that Lady Phoebe is the last woman on earth he should marry.  After all, given his own track record with wives and Lady Phoebe’s penchant for mishaps, she wouldn’t survive a month as his bride.


Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords

Thursday, May 19, 2011

To Walk in the Sun

Announcing the Release of To Walk in the Sun on May 20, 2011
Hiding from a dangerous man, Tess Crawford thought The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies would be the perfect place to disappear. Or it would be if the local villagers weren’t on edge because of the vampire in their midst, at least they think he’s a vampire. The fascination with the reclusive viscount disrupts the girls’ studies and Tess fights an unending battle to convince her students that monsters do not exist.

Vincent Latimer, Viscount Atwood, is not a vampire, no matter what the villagers believe. He wishes the book, Wake Not the Dead, had never been written. There is a very good reason he visits his wife’s grave at night, and it has nothing to do with trying to raise her from the dead.

When a storm thrusts Tess into Vincent’s path and destroys the school, both of their pasts collide.

Available at  Amazon.com, BN.com, or Smashwords.com