We are getting so close to the release date for WHERE THE FIRE FALLS, and I’m excited to see the latest story in the Vintage National Parks novels get out into the hands of readers just in time for summer travel. My publisher is offering a special BOGO pre-order deal right now that you’re not … Read More
Upcoming Events
An eBook sale plus another HUGE giveaway!
There is so much exciting book stuff going on right now, that I’m not sure where to start–with the surprise eBook sale of OUT OF THE RUINS *or* the second BookSweeps giveaway with 15+ inspirational historical fiction authors? I know I just came at you a couple of weeks ago with a BookSweeps giveaway, but … Read More
Reading and Writing Challenges for 2017
I’ve spent today thinking about what lies ahead for 2017. Here are a few things on my list: Our oldest will graduate from high school We’ll be sending that same child off to college! Our youngest has ten gazillion dance competitions and performances coming up I have a book deadline . . . . . . and … Read More
Setting Goals for Fall
I don’t know about you, but it’s been a super-busy couple of weeks for me. I’m ready for a book and a hammock. Who else feels that way? Instead, I’m going to do a little organizing and let you know what’s happened this month and what is coming up this fall. Ready? WINNER First off, I need to … Read More
Remembering the 1906 Earthquake: The Shaking Begins
Many people have asked what inspired me to write a novel about the 1906 earthquake. The answer is simple. The stories. I love historical documentaries and when I watched American Experience: The Great San Francisco Earthquake, I was gripped by the stories told by elderly survivors. They’d all been children at the time, but their memories were … Read More
Anniversary Week: Bringing the 1906 Earthquake to Life
Do you remember a day in your life when everything changed? How about a day in our nation’s history? What springs to mind–Pearl Harbor, JFK’s assassination, Septemeber 11? For many San Franciscans, that memorable date was April 18, 1906. The region was rocked by a massive earthquake, touching off an inferno that consumed much of … Read More
Win an Early Copy of Beyond the Ashes!
When I turned in the second book of the Golden Gate Chronicles, the release date seemed like an impossible wait–June 16, 2015. Now it’s only a few months away! Whee! I can’t WAIT for you to read this story. I’m head-over-heels for these characters, and their love story about broke my heart. That might sound … Read More
Behind and Ahead, Part 1
I’m not much for resolutions, but I love to take the first few days of the year to look behind and look ahead. It’s good to look back and count your blessings. It’s also good to look ahead and dream about what might be in store. So, what happened in 2014? I’m only going to hit … Read More
Tell Me: What Makes Great Historical Fiction?
I’m curious . . . what makes a historical novel “great” in your eyes? What features draw you into the story? For some it may be the romantic thread, for others it could be a desire to experience a specific time period. Here are four characteristics of great historical fiction that never fail to hook me. … Read More