Allison's Musings

At it again

2012-01-26T16:52:00.000-08:00

Since the last post, I've been back in the hospital.
Did the bronc thing, but this time I got to go home
with a pic line and 12 days of at-home IV anitbiotics.
At first, I thought, I can't do this, but it was
not difficult at all. No goof-ups, no problems,
no drippers, no clogged tubes. Only one time did
I forget to flush the line and I remembered
before the meds started to flow.

Which just goes to show, if you make up your
mind, you really can do just about anything.

Better now and ready to get on with the taxes.
Stories germinating like crazy and I can hardly
wait to get back to the keyboard to tell more
tales. It should be soon. I have about all the
tax info together. A little bit yet to arrive.
With any luck the PO won't lose anything and
I will escape with no lengthy phone calls to
get the info I need.

Then back to the book. Oh and do I have a
goodie ready to go.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"A Matter of Passion" a short story,
available from Champagne Books

TAX TIME

2012-01-10T15:59:00.000-08:00

That time of year again. All I want to do is write
but there are records and receipts to be organized,
spread sheets prepared, data amassed. Not much fun,
but I've been doing it for years.

You'd think by now, I would have found an easy way to
handle this stuff, but it seems to get more
complicated every year.

Lucky for me, my dad worked for the IRS years ago,
and spent much time in instructing his kids in
filing your information. Great instructor and
probably one of the most honest men I've ever
known. What a shame there are not more just
like him.

As he always said, you gotta pay your taxes.
So, I'll be busy for the next week or two.
Sigh!

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"A Matter of Passion" a short story
from www.ChampagneBooks.com

Internet Frustration

2012-01-07T17:46:00.000-08:00

I can not believe it, but my internet has been kicking up
big time. We switched to ATT and nothing but trouble this evening.

One of these days I'll become a geek - I hope.

In the meantime I'm working on two books, a contemporary and a
medieval romance.

I had trouble with both original plots; I'm a plotter and it just
didn't work. But, as usual, while I was trying to go to sleep
the trouble solved itself. My contemporary heroine was involved
in the wrong profession.

Same trouble with the medieval. My hero was in the wrong
situation. Now he is where he should be, (grinning!) and my
heroine now is what she should be.

I can hardly wait to get back to the books.

Allison
Three reads available!
Two from Champagne Books
"Windsong" a medieval romance and "A Matter of Passion" a short story
One from Red Rose Publishing "A Christmas Story" another short story
www.AllisonKnight.com for more information

Come meet a fabulous author

2011-12-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today Linda LaRoque is visiting. Her books are getting rave reviews.
She's also awarding prizes and possibly a new Kindle to one lucky
commentor, so meet Linda.

Born in Ice

This futuristic romantic suspense story grew from a dream, one of a woman frozen in a block of ice and found by fishermen from an undersea world. She’s taken to their home and with the help of advanced medical technology, she recovers. In time she learns she must learn to fit into their social system, one different from what she’s known.

Blurb:
Pulled from an icy grave…into a world of doubt and danger.

Frozen in ice for seventy-five years, Zana Forrester suffers the agony of rebirth to learn her son is dead, and her daughter's whereabouts is unknown. The year is 2155. A man's soothing voice and gray eyes haunt her drug induced dreams. When she recovers, she meets their owner and finds her heart in danger. But, a relationship isn’t a consideration; she must find her daughter.

Brock Callahan is drawn to the beautiful woman taken aboard his salvage ship. He's determined she'll be his wife and a mother to his young daughter, but he vows not to love her. All the women he’s loved died. While Zana searches for her daughter, Brock must protect Zana from the evil that threatens.

My editor for Champagne Books has graciously given permission for me to post the Prologue and Chapter One of Born in Ice, so for 10 days I’ll be sharing another installment.

Chapter One – installment 6

“Shit,” growled Brock. Probably that damned rogue Rafael. Not that
the Cuban was the only pirate to roam these waters, but this particular one
took excessive joy in stealing from him. Brock didn’t doubt for a minute that Rafael would shoot him in the back without an ounce of remorse. Rafael’s hatred, a festering sore, grew worse each time they met on the water. The man blamed him for taking Marta from him and for her death.
One day Brock would have to kill his nemesis. Today might be the
day.

His well-seasoned crew scrambled to battle stations. Arms were
manned, ready for word from him. Pepe had one tow chain attached and
dragged the additional one Brock tossed over to add extra security.
Brock yelled into the intercom. “Prepare to cast off.”

Shots zinged overhead sending shards of ice into the air. Brock’s
men returned fire as Pepe dodged, stumbled, and went down to his knees.
Brock’s heart jumped into his throat. Damn, not the boy.

He jumped across the small expanse of water. The berg wobbled
threatening to toss him into the icy sea. He braced to maintain his footing,
and then grabbed Pepe by the seat of his suit and the scruff of his neck. Two crewmen stood at the rail ready to catch the nearly unconscious young man.

With a heave, he tossed him to the waiting crew members.
An explosion burst on the port side sending water thirty feet into the
air, rocking the craft and the ice floe. He almost pitched head first into the water. Damn, that was too close. Pushing off from the ice, he made the jump across to the craft. “Cast off. Put a hole in the motherfucker, Digger.”

Thirty seconds later, the shell hit the pirate vessel. It burst into a ball
of fire. Brock didn’t find pleasure in killing, but if Retriever was overtaken, he doubted Rafael or any other buccaneer would spare their lives. Hell, pirating was a dangerous profession.

Brock picked up the intercom mike. “All speed ahead, Luke. Get us
out of here.”

“Aye-aye, sir,” boomed from the exterior speakers.

The engines roared to life as Luke accelerated. Brock gripped the rail
to brace himself as they shot forward. Three crafts were in pursuit.
Within seconds, Retriever had pulled ahead and was out of the line
of fire of the pirates. His superior craft had no difficulty out distancing their attackers. The buccaneer’s outdated weapons couldn’t compare to what his craft carried, but he wasn’t taking any chances. Retriever was his pride and joy. He thanked his lucky stars his father had the foresight to purchase the salvage ship with his grandfather’s ill-gotten gains. The Callahans had once been pirates, but no more.

Buy the book from Champagne Books here
or from Amazon here

Tomorrow I’ll be on Holly Hunt’s blog at http://rhythempoets.wordpress.com with installment 7.

Please leave a comment today to be entered into a drawing for an ecopy of A Way Back, my time travel set in the 1930s oil fields of Texas. Your name will also be entered in the GRAND PRIZE drawing for my blog tour—a KINDLE. A name will be draw at the end of my tour on December 16th.

I also have a release contest going. Sign up for my newsletter by emailing me at linda@lindalaroque.com with Born in Ice in the subject line. Your name will be added to the drawing for this rhinestone frog pin.For each of my releases I try to find a piece of jewelry significant to the story. After reading Born in Ice you’ll understand why I chose this frog.

Thank you, Allison, for having me here today, and thank you readers for stopping by. Good luck in all the give-a-ways!

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda LaRoque is a Texas girl, but the first time she got on a horse, it tossed her in the road dislocating her right shoulder. Forty years passed before she got on another, but it was older, slower, and she was wiser. Plus, her students looked on and it was important to save face.

A retired teacher who loves West Texas, its flora and fauna, and its people, Linda’s stories paint pictures of life, love, and learning set against the raw landscape of ranches and rural communities in Texas and the Midwest. She is a member of RWA, her local chapter of HOTRWA, NTRWA and Texas Mountain Trail Writers.

Linda
www.lindalaroque.com
http://www.lindalaroqueauthor.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tinyman#!/linda.laroque
http://twitter.com/#!/LindaLaRoque

A Christmas party and blogging for Christmas

2011-12-08T13:55:00.000-08:00

First, I must invite you to our Christmas party We're
meeting at Coffee Time Romance and More chat room on
Dec 13 at 9 pm EST. There will be prizes. If you've
never attended one of our parties, you don't know what
you are missing. A lot of hooping and hollering!

There'll be gifts (prizes) if the CEO can keep everyone
in line.

On December 23rd at 2 pm EST, I'll be blogging about
Christmas memories at the Long and Short Reviews "Stuff You
Stocking With Books Blog". Again, lots of giveaways, so
stop by.

Be sure and visit my web site for other chat events, times and blog days.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
"A Matter of Passion" available from Champagne Books.

2011-12-02T11:28:00.001-08:00

Not too sure I like this new Blogger. Something else to get use to.

I now have a "Fire" from Amazon. I really like this Christmas present.
I gave one to my husband and he gave one to me. So we both now are
reading together in the evening. He loves it because it is backlight. I
love it 'cause I have the availability to change the background to a
softer white. Looks just like pages of a book, but I can increase the font
if I need to, but another thing to get use to.

And they wanted to get me a new cell phone. Mine alone makes calls.
Pictures are terrible, but I never could take a decent picture and I refuse
to text. So my phone make calls, that it! I don't need somthing else to
get use to.

Allison
http://www.allisonknight.com/
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
'A Matter of Passion' Coming in December from Champagne Books

Free books

2011-11-28T14:01:00.000-08:00

Books, books,and more books! December first, all day, the authors of Champagne Imprints- That's romance, erotica, scfi, fantasy, (you name it we have it,) are chatting at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bethwylde/ Many of the authors attending will be giving away thier books, either trade paperbacks or digital books. My contribution is a pdf of BATTLESONG.

So mark your calendars and come visit. However, you must join the group to participate.

My bad

2011-11-13T08:40:00.000-08:00

Here I am blogging for everyone else and neglecting
my own blog. Darn, I keep saying I'm going to do
better, but I don't. I've invited some people to
join me, so you won't have to listen to me all of the
time at least for the next month.

I've also spent a lot of time with my web designer,
preparing a better web site. She did a fabulous job.
Take a look.

Of course, I've also been busy with edits and copy
edits for Windsong which is out now and A Matter of
Passion, a short story being released in December.

I also wrote a short short for Red Rose Publishing
for their 12 Days of Christmas. It's not as if I haven't
been writing. Just not here.

I don't make New Years Resolutions, Maybe I should! Do a
better job on my own blog.

Enough for now.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Windsong available now in digital format
from Champagne Books.
Coming in December from Champagne,
A Matter of Passion

Learning to Tweet

2011-10-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

I spent almost two hours on a loop last night, learning
how to tweet. The social media revolution, at times,
stuns an old person. Remember, I grew up when a
voice at the other end of the telephone receiver ask
what number you wanted. On top of that, chances
were very good, you would be sharing your phone line
with at least one other family, commonly called a party line.

It was great fun to pick up the phone, tell the operator
to hold all our calls, (which she did) because my sister and
I wanted to play on the phone. (We had one phone upstairs
and one down stairs, because our mother was bed ridden at the
time) And boy, did our father have a fit when he found out.

Not only that, if you were on a party line there was a chance
someone on the line would be listening in on your conversations,
sometimes just to find out the latest gossip.

Not much different today, when you can go to Twitter, Facebook,
or any number of Yahoo groups and find out all kinds of things to
gossip about.

I'm not against the new social media sites. Nope, it's just a bit
taxing to try to learn the new hows and whys.

So, look for me on Twitter. My handle is historicalAllie.
You don't have to wonder where I got that, do you?

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Waiting breathlessly for the release of the
third 'song' book WINDSONG from Champagne Books

Networking!

2011-10-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday was Arts Festival day. Along with the Arts, a local
bookstore included a Book Festival. I got to meet and greet
some readers, talk to people (which I love to do) and visit
with friends.

But, the most important part of anything like this is getting
to meet and talk to people. It's called networking. No author,
no matter how brilliant, can know as much as possible. Some of
us are always anxious to meet people who know a great deal more
about something than we do. I got to meet several people
Saturday who fall into that class.

And believe me, as I discover a need for the kind of information
they can offer, I'll ask for help. I'm not shy about saying loudly,
I don't know anything about that. I guess I'm from the old
school. I learned a long time ago, you can't bluff your way
through something if your knowledge is limited. It's always
best to say, "I don't know anything about that!"

Thanks everyone, who offered to give much needed advise as I
continue to write the historical tales of romance I love to
read.

Allison
Heart-warming Romance with a Senual Touch
www.AllisonKnight.com
WINDSONG coming in November from
Champagne Books

Waiting for Galleys

2011-10-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

Windsong is finished.

Horray! Edited returned, cover
avaiable, so we wait for the Galleys.

Have you noticed all the mistakes in the print books you
buy lately? I have. Words missing, mispelled, or the wrong
tense. If you notice anything in one of my books, PLEASE
let me know. I intend to read very carefully every word
in the Galleys.

Most people don't know that the author has one final look
at the book before it goes to the printer to become either
a digital or a print book. And I do know when you have
written every word, and read it over and over dozens of
times, you tend to skip over the words. Mistake!

So, I'm waiting patiently....

Well kinda!

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sansual Touch
Windsong - release date November 2011
by Champagne Books

IT'S HERE!

2011-09-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

I just got the cover for "WINDSONG". My covers get better
and better. And this one is a real winner. This is the
third Medieval Romance in the 'song' series and is the
second brother's tale. There are five brothers in all
and if you look closely, you will see all five men on
the cover of this book.

Better and Better!

WINDSONG coming in November 2011

Allison

What's been happening!

2011-09-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

September 12th An interview with Ann Lory on her blog.

September 16th Blogging about the problems we had fostering kittens at
Long and Short Reviews (the guest blog).

September 18th Bragging about my favorite football team with Sephanie Burkhart -
and why it had to be Alabama.

September 22nd An interview with Janet Walters.

From now until the first of the year, the bloggers on The Writers
Vineyard blog are having a contest. Free books
and lots of fun. I'll be offering a free book in October.
Visit "The Vineayard" for more information. I
blog for "The Vineyard" every fourth Tuesday.

October 7th - 9th Fairhope, Al hold its 29th Festival
of Arts. Fairhope was originally founded as an arts
community and we have lot of artists, artisians and
authors from Fairhope. Here are just a few who have
lived in Fairhope or close enough to call the town
their home.

W.E.B. Griffin, Rick Bragg, Upston Sinclair,
Jimmy Buffett, C. Terry Cline, Fannie Flagg,
Sidney Thompson, just to name a few.

On October 8th from noon until five, I'll be with
other authors in downtown Fairhope to celebrate
the first ever Grand Festival of Books. We'll be
greeting readers and signing books.

If you can visit look for the Page and Palette
Book Store tents.

And remember, "WINDSONG" the third in the 'song'
series will be released November 7th, first in
digital format then several months later in print.
Get your copy from Champagne Books or the Amazon
for your Kindle format.

Allison
"Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

Ideas, ideas, ideas

2011-08-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

It fascinates me and probably always will, but ideas for stories
come from the most interesting places. A trip to the grocery,
a comment from a doctor, an article in a magazine.

I've started another book, this one a contemporary, about a
woman who is hurt and suffers a brain injury. I never heard
of Post-Traumatic Amnesia, but a comment by a doctor started
the ball rolling on this one.

After I finish the edits to Windsong, I'll go back to my poor
woman, who can't remember incidents that happened two years
before the accident. Hummmmm I wonder when or if she'll ever
remember. I'll just have to wait and see. That's part of the
fun of writing. You have a general idea, and it grows and grows
until your have the plot, or at least a partial plot. Then, as
the story developes, your characters will help the plot along.
Can you tell I love what I do?

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Watch for Windsong, the third 'song' book
Coming in November from Champagne Books.

Savvy Authors Summer Symposium

2011-08-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

If you write - anything, you might be interested in this.

Some of you may not be aware that in August, starting on the 24th, Savvy Authors is holding an online conference (summer symposium) on writing for four days. It's not expensive and the workshops planned are extensive. I'll be there presenting a workshop on the "History of Publishing, Where We've Been, Where We're Going". But if you go to the web site and look at all the offerings, I think you will be astounded. I know I was.

What a great way to go to a conference without having to travel and spend big bucks for a hotel and transportation, as well as the expensive conference fees. Let's face it, I'm big on looking at the cost of things. Retirement does have that effect.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
'Heart-warming Romance With A Sensual Touch'
And watch for Windsong, coming in November from Champagne Books.

Life is almost back to normal

2011-08-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

The kittens have been adopted! They are gone, gone to
good homes and I no longer have to crawl around on the
floor to clean out the cage, nor chase them around the
living room to get them back into the cage. (The
biggest dog crate we could buy.)

In the meantime, great news! WINDSONG, the third of the
"song" books is scheduled for release in November - of this
year! Next is LOVESONG and the plot ideas are building
fast. A short story will be released in December. This
one takes place on the Mississippi River, a short
romantic read, just plain fun to write and I hope fun
to read.

And if you need something else that's quick to read,
with a lot of good book ideas, take a look at the
e-zine magazine from a writing friend. You'll need
Adobe and the tiny URL will take you to the download site.
There's a short story there for a quick read. Enjoy!
"COCKTAILS Fiction and Gossip Magazine"

I'm busy with edits, so I have to run.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
WINDSONG coming in November from Champagne Books

ROCHELLE WEBER AND KATIE MCGOWAN VISIT TODAY

2011-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today we have another visitor. Katie McGowan is from Rochelle Weber's book ROCK CRAZY. She came to visit and tell us a bit about herself!

FROM ROCK CRAZY

Q: Who are you? What book are you in?

A: My name is Katie McGowan, and I’m in Rochelle Weber’s book, Rock Crazy. It’s the second book in her “Moon Rock” series.

Q: What's your story/back-story? Why would someone come up with a story about YOU?

A: I have severe bi-polar disorder. I rapid-cycle and it’s bad enough that I sometimes even hallucinate. In fact, it started when I was in high school and my dad and brothers thought I was schizophrenic. But none of the pyche meds for schizo worked on me and I finally got a doc who got it right. They put me on lithium and that worked until I had liver probs, so they put me on “safer” drugs, but they didn’t work and over the last twenty years I’ve gone through just about every combination of meds there is, but I still go off on people. My husband, Scott, wants me to go up to the Moon to have a chip implanted in my brain they say will actually cure the disease, but there was a woman there the last time I was on the locked ward and she was like a zombie. She got one of those chips and something went wrong and it fried her brain. I’m scared. Everyone thinks I’m being paranoid, but it IS brain surgery!

Q: What are some of your good traits?

A: I try to be honest and nice to people.

Q: What are some of your bad qualities?

A: Definitely my temper and my spending habits. They’re part of my bi-polar disorder, but even now people tell me I should “count to ten,” or “put myself on a budget.” They can’t hear The Voice telling me to quit screaming or swearing, or my dead mother yelling at me when I’m going off, or telling me I don’t deserve what I just bought. Sometimes I wish I could take a vacation from them, but even with the meds, I still go off and they always find me.

Q: One of the most important questions of the day: What's it like to kiss your hero?

A: I don’t really have a hero. I used to love kissing my husband, Scott. It was warm and tender and sweet and safe. But he brought me up here to this God-forsaken rock, the Moon because he’s doing nuclear safety at the reactor up here while it’s shut down for maintenance. He told me he didn’t trust me alone Earthside. I had to either come up here with him or go live with my oldest brother, James. Then, we got up here and I went off on Scott. I gave him a black eye, and he dumped me. He said he couldn’t take my mood swings anymore, so he terminated our marriage contract, and I got evicted from the executive suite in the barracks, and I had to find a job. If Jake Johnsrud hadn’t hired me to work in his restaurant and smoothed things over with the barracks manager to get me a room there, I’d be sleeping in a corridor somewhere her in Rockton.

To make matters worse, I was sick all the time. I thought I was space-sick, but I’m pregnant. Scott says he wants me back, but how can I trust him? And the doc says I have to go off my meds until the baby’s born. And my boss’ wife says I can’t keep my baby unless I have the surgery, but the doc says I can’t have that until after the baby’s born. So, I guess this pregnancy is gonna be a long, rocky road. Yeah, pun intended.

Q: That’s all the questions we have for you tonight, Katie. Thank you for speaking to us.

A: You’re welcome. You can read my whole story in October at MuseItUp Publishing, Inc.

Editor’s Note: You can buy Rock Crazy in October at Museitup Publishing

Meet Linda Rettstatt

2011-07-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Fine Line Between Women’s Fiction and Romance
(what I’ve learned about my writing in four years)

On July 1 of this year, I celebrated the fourth anniversary of my first book publication. I knew when I sat down to write my first novel, And the Truth Will Set You Free, that I wanted to write women’s fiction. I had read everything by Elizabeth Berg, and I was captivated by the way she is able to create characters who are so real you want to sit down and have coffee with them. Likewise, their life conflicts are real and the characters have to dig deep to resolve those conflicts. I’ve also been strongly influenced by the work of Kris Radish who, in my estimation, can express the way women think better than any author out there.

Shortly after writing that first novel, I started an online critique group. My first members were both writers in romance sub-genres. As I critiqued their work and continued writing my own, I discovered that I enjoyed adding the elements of romance to my books. I finally had to admit it: I’m a romantic at heart. I like happy endings. Let’s face it, life presents enough of the not-so-happy variety. I began reading romance authors like Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Sherryl Woods. Although I’ve been accused of writing ‘perfect men’. Well, it is fiction.

I have nine novels published to date and three have finaled for EPIC e-Book Awards. All of my stories contain some element of love or romance. A few cross over into mainstream romance. let me share a scene from Next Time, I’m Gonna Dance. This book takes on the serious subject of breast cancer. But in talking with women who have been affected by this disease, self-image and romantic relationships can become issues.

In this scene, Emmie gets her friend, Polly, to teach her to dance. Both women are bald because, when Emmie lost her hair, Emmie’s four best friends had their heads shaved as a sign of solidarity and support. Sonny is a friend who has been in love with Emmie since high school

Excerpt:

That evening Emmie pushed and Polly pulled on the kitchen table to move it out of the way. Polly set the CD player on the counter and went through Emmie’s collection of music. “Did you stop listening to music in the eighties?”

“I happen to like the music of the eighties. I think I’d make a great disco queen.”

Polly shook her head. “I don’t know about this. I mean, someone has to lead and someone has to follow, and I’m used to following. I think we need a man for this.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. We’ll do fine without a man. You just have to think in opposites to lead. Even I know that.”

“Oh, yeah, that’ll be easy. I’m not sure I can think and dance at the same time. Okay, here goes. Let’s start out with something slow.”

Polly turned on the music and held up her arms for Emmie to step into them. They fumbled to establish posture until Polly switched her arms around to the lead position. There they were, two nearly bald women, stumbling around the kitchen, with Emmie either stepping on Polly’s feet or turning the wrong way.

As they passed the window, Emmie saw headlights flash in the driveway. She stopped and looked out the door at the red pickup truck. “Oh, my God, it’s Sonny. What’s he doing here at this time of night?”

“Relax. It’s only eight o’clock, and you look fine. Here, let me get your wig.” Polly grabbed the wig and flopped it onto Emmie’s head, slightly askew. She straightened the scarf she had wrapped around her own head.

When Sonny knocked at the door, Emmie opened it, breathless.

He stepped inside and looked at the table pushed to the wall and the open floor space. “Hi. What’s going on here?” he asked, his head cocked slightly to one side, and his eyes fixed on Emmie’s head.

“Dance class,” Polly said, waving her hand in front of her face to cool off.

“What brings you by, Sonny?” Emmie asked, straightening the wig.

“I was on my way home from work. A customer gave me two bottles of this wine, so I thought I’d drop one off for you.”

“You have impeccable timing. We’re planning a celebration, and the wine will be put to good use. What are you doing a week from Saturday?” Polly asked.

“Nothing I know of. What are we celebrating?”

Emmie smiled broadly. “I have one more chemo treatment, and then I’m done. After a few weeks of radiation treatments, I can start back on the road to recovery. Oh, yes, and Wes filed divorce papers. See, all the bad things are coming to an end at once.”

Sonny stammered, “That’s…that’s great news, Em—all of it—I guess.”

“Sonny, do you know how to dance?” Polly asked.

“Sure. Why?”

“And you know how to lead, I presume?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Good. I’m going to have a drink. Here are some CDs. Pick a song and teach this one how to follow,” she said as she pointed at Emmie. “My feet can’t take anymore. Good luck.” With that, Polly made a gin and tonic and retreated to the living room.

Sonny hit the play button on the CD player and a waltz came on. He went to Emmie, bowed deeply and extended his hand. “May I have this dance?”

She laughed and accepted his hand, letting him pull her into dance position. He was sure easier to follow than Polly had been. Emmie managed to step on his feet a few times, but soon got the hang of it as he gracefully waltzed her around the kitchen.

She was breathing hard when the music stopped.

“Are you okay? Do you need to sit for a minute?” he asked.

“No. I’ve done nothing but sit and rest for weeks now. This is fun. Teach me another one.”

Grinning broadly, he changed the CD and a slow dance came on. He took her in his arms, telling her to look at him and let her feet follow.

She tried, but stumbled over his feet. Laughing, he lifted her and placed her feet on top of his.

“Hey, dancing is so much easier than I thought. Why’d I wait so long?”

“You just need the right partner.”

Next Time I’m Gonna Dance finaled for a 2011 EPIC e-Book Award and is available at Champagne Books and on Amazon for Kindle.

Excerpts and reviews of all of my books can be found on my website at www.lindarettstatt.com Also, please visit my blog at http://www.onewomanswrite.blogspot.com

Linda Rettstatt is a multi-published author of women’s fiction and mainstream romance novels. She is published with Class Act Books, Champagne Books, and Wings ePress. Three of her novels have finaled for EPIC e-Book Awards, and she was recently nominated for Author of the Year 2010 at Champagne Books. She is a displaced Yankee from Pennsylvania currently residing in Southaven, Mississippi.

An author's shinning moment

2011-07-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

Some have asked me what value there is in writing Romance.

There was one shining moment in my early career which gives purpose to what I do.

I'm a retired school teacher but for nearly thirty years I taught school. When I started writing I was teaching Home Economics in the high school. At the time, I was forty something (No woman tells her true age.) I was definitely seen as the grandmotherly type.

One afternoon, as I hurried to the workroom for something, (I don't remember what) one of my male students, a senior, stopped me in the hall. He wanted to know if he could talk to me. He wanted to talk about my novel. By this time, I got a bit defensive if anyone said they wanted to talk about MY book because in my conservative district a romance author teaching Home Ec was frowned on by some parents.

He indicated he wished to have his say someplace private, not in the hallway, so we went to a corner of the library. I assured him we would talk, and I figured, "Oh boy, here it comes again! Another - shame on you, or how could you, or my parents..." I'd heard it all before.

However, once we gained a quiet corner, he hung his head and admitted that my book was the first book he'd ever read. I remember asking if he liked it and all he did was nod.

A couple of years later I ran into that same student in a local bookstore, his arms full of hardbacks, best selling novels and nonfiction books. I got an accusing look and he quiped, "Look what you've done to me. Now I spend all my extra money on books."

If my books convince one young person reading is worthwhile, then my work has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Watch for my December short story, "A Matter of Passion"
from Champagne Books

My life is a bit chaotic

2011-07-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

I'll begin at the beginning. (grinning) All stories
begin at the beginning.

Last Saturday, my husband went out to the garden shed
at the edge of our property to feed our resident
outside cats and sundry other animals who come to be
fed. He spotted a gray and a yellow tail. Kittens!
When our son arrived to check on us,(he stops by
after work) we told him about the kittens and he
went out to check and came back for a flashlight.

Four, he said. And the shed was no place for them.
So, early Sundy morning he caught all four and brought
them inside to us. I put them in our second bathroom.
The intent was to take them to our vet on Monday morning.

When we got to the vet, his assistant came running out
of the office. They couldn't take them; they already
had kittens running out of their ears. I wasn't about
to take them to the local shelter for they would be
killed. So we found out we needed a big, and I do mean
big, dog cage, cat food, liter box and a place close
to us to tame them.

So I now have four adorable kittens in a cage in my
living room. Which wouldn't be too bad but the other
three adults cats, our cats, are having fits. I have
home for two and hopefully will find homes for the
other two. I'd better find homes for the other two.
My adult cats will not tolerate kittens.

Allison
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch.

And information about my WIP (work in process)
and my short Story scheduled for a December
release tomorrow.

The joys of having children

2011-06-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

The gang just left - or part of it. Too bad they
couldn't all be here. One is in school and one
is much too far away.

I'm referring to our kids. Our two sons, one who
lives close and one 5 hours away, were both here
for the last several days. Our granddaughters,
again one close to us and another 6 hours away
were here as well along with a young fellow who
does look like he may join the family by marrying
one of our granddaughters.

They sat in the living room, everyone being
teased by the partiarch, as they watched old
movies. Well, movies made in the 70's and 80's.
There was no way with all the laughter and the
general chaos I could do any writing. I've
tried when they've all descended in the past
and it just doesn't work. So, I either join in
the fun, or if I can't stand to see that movie,
or see it again, (aren't DVD's great - HA!) I
read. But would I trade the chaos for anything?

A resounding 'NO'! The kids had a great time,
my husband had a great time, and although my
ears still hurt - they are a loud bunch - I
love having them all here.

As the saying goes - a great time was had by all!
Now, back to the computer and Windsong.

Allison
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
www.AllisonKnight.com

News flash! BIG SALE

2011-05-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

In honor of Victoria Day (it's a Canadian/Brit/Aussie thing) Our
publisher is having a terrific sale.

50% (Yep -50%) off all ebooks.

Mention the code vicday50. The sale goes to May 24th.

Champagne Books

Here's your chance to grab some of the best books being
marketed today. (Mine as well)

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

TODAY MEET AUTHOR HOLLY HUNT

2011-05-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Holly's books are a very different cup of tea from
the historical romance I write, but is great fun
to meet authors who write in genres different from
mine.

So, please welcome Holly Hunt.

The Devil was never a fun person. After attempting to seize power from God, he was assigned to the Pit of Flames and painted black as night by humanity. The Prince of Darkness has been causing havoc, torment, disease and disaster for the hell of it for thousands of years.

But what if that's not how it went down?

Lucifer Morningstar (please, for the love of Tartarus, don't call him "The Devil") lives in New York City, a place infested with a gang called the Hellraisers. Tormented by the death of his wife Sera at the hands of God, he takes little care and pleasure in his favourite activities—cooking and reading fantasy books—let alone bothering to save (or tempt) humanity from themselves.

Clarissa Avario is a woman on the wrong side of both lines. A former Hellraiser now on their hit list, she's beyond the protection of both the corrupt police force of New York City and the Hellraiser leader she used to love.

When Lucifer saves Clarissa from those same Hellraisers, a spark of romance blossoms. Despite repeated warnings from her cat Aspen, Clarissa falls in love with Lucifer. And if there's one thing that can topple God's careful and logical running of the universe (brought to you by Heaven Inc.), it's love. Love is unpredictable.

Love is tragic.

Love is power.

To prevent the loss of Her throne, God must fight back against Lucifer and Clarissa. But how do you defeat the purest of loves, let alone Lucifer Morningstar?

A bit about Holly:

Born in 1990, Holly Hunt's exposure to reading started at birth with the likes of Stephen King and Dean Koontz, her mother’s favourite authors. At the age of 15, Holly began to experiment with her writing. Her first serious novel was almost 180,000 words long and followed the exploits of a half-breed Fire Elemental through 5,000 years of the world’s history. Since then, Holly has completed over a dozen books, ranging from werewolves taking over Canada to disease-ridden vampires saving the world from insane yetis and Bunyips.

Visit Holly's Blog --- RHYTHEM POETS

More on May Day

2011-05-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

On the first of May I mentioned I would have more to say on
May Day. But as usual, life got in the way. However,
I used some of the information I learned in Battlesong,
the second medieval romance and I want to share.

The "may pole" was used about the time of my novel.
It consisted of a large log, trimmed of branches, and
bark, lugged into the village, because by the 13th century
villages were growing all over England. The log, now an
official pole, was set in the village square.

Next it was decorated with ribbons and flowers. Dancing,
singing, eating and drinking took place in the square,
all around this May pole. On this day the girls of the
village were allowed to sing and beg for coin. The flowers
were blooming, new ale was ready, spring was in the air.
It was a time for celebration.

Next we'll look at the religious celebrations and what May
Day means to some people today.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

MEET ANOTHER AUTHOR!

2011-05-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

Allison Knight is on my blog today sharing her story of how she became a writer. So I thought it would be fun to share my experience on her blog. I wish I could say I always knew I’d be a writer and that I’d won an essay contest, but my career didn’t begin that way. The area in which I excelled in elementary school was art. Several of my colored chalk drawings were entered into a contest. I didn’t win anything, but it was an honor to be selected to participate.

Even though I loved to draw, I spent hours reading. Art was forgotten and interest didn’t resurface until the 1970s when my children were small. I took oil painting lessons for several years and turned out a number of pictures but nothing spectacular. During high school, college, and the thirty years I worked as a public school teacher, I read. In college I read The Agony and Ecstasy and other literary works. In the 1970s I read the John Jakes series, everything of Barbara Michaels, Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, and Anya Seton I could get my hands on. It wasn’t until the late 1970s and early 1980s I discovered the romances of Rosemary Rogers and Kathleen Woodiwess and from then on romances became a large part of my reading material.

Today, I read a little of everything—suspense, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, mainstream—but romance is still at the top of the list. My husband and I both enjoy reading eBooks, Larry on his cell phone and I use both my Nook and my cell phone. No, I don’t believe paper books will become obsolete nor would I want them to. I love to see my own books in print.

Now, about how I came to be a writer. Back in 1990 I’d just finished reading a romance and commented to my husband, “I think I could write a romance novel.” He said, “Well, why don’t you.”

Seventeen years and about seven rewrites and many classes later, my first novel, When the Ocotillo Bloom, came out with Wings Press. Champagne Books re-released it in 2009. Since then I’ve had five additional releases and two short story releases. In December 2011 my futuristic romantic suspense, Born in Ice, will be released by Champagne Books. Another short time travel story, A Marshal of Her Own, a sequel to A Law of Her Own will be out from The Wild Rose Press sometime soon.
At present I’m working on a romantic suspense that takes place along Route 66 in New Mexico and the third short time travel story to follow A Marshal of Her Own.
My latest work, A Way Back, from Champagne Books is a time travel set in the 1930s oil fields of Texas.

Here is a short blurb.
In the 1930s oil fields of Texas, a woman from the future finds new purpose as she helps a banker rebuild his financial empire.

Amber Mathis, a Wall Street investment banker, returns to her office after burying her mother. Distraught, tired of the rat race, she's determined to make a career change. In the elevator she falls and rises to find herself in a vintage lift. The date is February 25, 1930, and a man stands on the window ledge in her office ready to jump.

Wellman Hathaway, owner and CEO of Hathaway Bank in New York struggles to pay his depositors half their losses. A woman claiming to be from the future appears in his office and involves him in a scheme that forces them into marriage. With Amber's knowledge of the financial history of the 1930s, they travel to the oil fields of Texas to recoup Wellman's funds.

Two people from different centuries are thrown together to survive a difficult time. Will they find more than A Way Back to prosperity?

Thank you all for stopping by today. I’d love for you to leave a comment for me and one for Allison on my blog at Linda Laroque Author I give away an eBook every month to one lucky commenter.
Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda

Linda LaRoque is a retired teacher who loves Texas, it's flora and fauna, and its people. Her contemporary and historical time travel stories paint pictures of life, love, and learning set against the raw landscape of ranches and rural communities in Texas and the Midwest. You can visit Linda on her website at Linda Laroque

May Day

2011-05-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

This week I'm going to address the customs of May Day
secular, religious and political, where they come from
and later this month, I'll look at how Mayday became a
distress signal and some of the other distress signals
used. (Of course, more history - so I'm grinning.)

Since I'm into history, let me relay a bit of the
early history of May Day.

This holiday goes way back to the time of the early residents
of England, the Druids. The first of May was the first half
of the year, or the feast of Beltane. It was a sign of the
beginning of the growing season, crops were coming up, flowers
were blooming, so a new fire was started in the middle of the
village and the cattle was forced to run threw the flames.
Couple would dash through the smoke to insure prosperity.

This was the second most important holiday in their calendar
year.

More tomorrow.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
http://TheWritersVineyard.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

Some information from the past - Long past

2011-04-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

As I work on the next 'Song' book, Heartsong, the
first, Battlesong, the second, now Windsong, I've
had to do a lot a research into life in the middle
ages.

We have little information about daily life,
although we can guess that without our electric
conveniences life was tough. A couple of misconceptions
need to be mentioned. Some of the castles had glass
windows. They were little, expensive and the glass was
wavy but they did have them. Also the walls of a castle
were often painted or whitewashed, so they weren't the
dark, drab places often depicted.

We do have some knowledge of their entertainment, again
from the tapestries, and certain celebrations were
passed down from generation to generation until today,
but we can only guess how much has changed over the
centuries.

You can get an idea of how that might happen if you
ever played the game of telephone with your friends,
where one person whispers something to one other and
it's then passed around a group, until everyone has
heard something. Of course, it's never the same as
what has first whispered.

I'll be sharing more fascinating information from the
past over the next couple of weeks, so visit often.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

A fan club!

2011-04-23T09:04:00.001-07:00

I feel like I might have finally made it.

I have a fan club started in Athens, Alabama.
Come on over and take a look.

Allison's Fan Club

Is it alright to brag a bit?

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

A New Review

2011-04-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

Nothing pleases an author more than to find out
someone else really enjoyed your book. And when
they are willing to say so as a professional
reviewer, it's an even bigger thrill.

Long and Short Reviews gave my Novella, 'Roses
for my Lady' a great review. But what is more
important is that the reviewer got exactly what
this story was. It's a short, old fashioned
Love Story. It's what I was aiming for when
I wrote and then revised it. Short, cute,
plain entertainment.

You can go here to read the review. Long And Short Reviews

Allison
www.AllsonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

Chatting fun

2011-04-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday of this week, Champagne Books held
their Yearly Awards night. I won the honor of
Book of the Year two years ago. This year I
wasn't up for any awards, but boy were there
some good books nominated.

But what went with the awards was a Chat session
to end all chat sessions. The authors at
Champagne Books are one big happy, and at times,
hysterical, family. That night was no exception.
And with any growing family, we are developing
a closeness that's going to be the envy of the
industry.

So watch for an announcement next year during
the first part of the month of April for the
Awards date. Then come. Anyone can come and I
can guarantee an hour of great fun. Believe it
or not, not all the authors write romance. We
have some great sciene fiction, paranormal,
adventure and ordinary fiction. And, to get
a list of some great winning books, visit
Champagne Books web site

Allison
Allison Knight
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

Spring's Here

2011-04-11T14:15:00.000-07:00

Finally, it looks like Spring has really arrived.

How do I know?

Well, a trip to the local Lowe's and the outside is
a sea of plants and flowers. On top of that about
this time of year, I get the urge to get my hands
dirty.

This is the only time of the year when this urge
strikes. Ordinarily I'm happy with a couple of
indoor plants, hanging high so the cats can't eat
them. (Oh Yeh! My cats like indoor plants -- a lot,
especially african violets.) That's a tale for another
time.

But, even in the south, we look forward to spring
and warm weather, before it gets too hot.(grinning)
Never satisfied come to mind.

Anyway, I caved again and bought flowers for outside.
And a pepper plant. I tried tomatoes last year, but
our birds are real fond of tomatoes. Ever watch a
mocking bird demolishing a nearly ripe tomatoe you
grew. It's disheartening. So, this year, one lone
pepper plant. We'll see how it goes, and yes, I did
get my hands dirty. A little bit. At least enough to
satisfy for this year.

As ever,

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

Good Heavens - nothing since February

2011-03-25T10:36:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I've been missing. Nope, not
missing, just sick. Flu in capital letters.
I have also been busy writing for other author's
blogs. For example, if the sun is shining where
you are, and you are getting warm, or if you
are freezing cold and want to think about warm
weather, nope! Hot weather, then I invite you
to visit Long and Short Reviews, the guest author
where I talk about summer, clothing, and what it was
like in the south a hundred and fifty or so years
ago.

Happy reading.

Boy am I happy live now.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

A fascinating blog

2011-02-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine has started a blog. Because I'm into
history, I am really enjoying her work. Because this
is Presidents' month in the US, she is writing about
the different presidents. I didn't know it, but
Washington, our first president, made his money making
booze. (grinning)

If I've sparked an interest, pay her a visit. I guarantee
if you like history, you'll learn something.

Here's the link. Rita Bay

Release Day Tomorrow

2011-02-06T12:15:00.000-08:00

I don't care how many books you write, release day is
always a big event. Tomorrow is the day -- again. But
the thrill never stops.

Champagne Books releases "Roses for my Lady" tomorrow,
and it's just as exciting for me as the release of
my first book.

Like I said the thrill never goes away. On top of that,
I got my first review for Roses! And it too was super.
So a double great day.

Now I have to get going on the next 'song' book, or
there will be no more release days for me.

Signing off, so I can write the next scene.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Roses for my Lady available TOMORROW
at Champagne Books

Looking at a Story honestly

2011-01-30T09:21:00.000-08:00

I'm in the middle of my next WIP. But I had to stop writing.
I knew something was wrong, so I ran through the whole first
six chapters and discovered there was way too much in Chapter
three. I was rambling. The story wasn't going anywhere.
I brought in a character that served no purpose what so ever.
Bad, Bad, Bad!

Every character has to have a role, even if they only show up
in one scene. My character did nothing for the story, adding
nothing and took the tale no place. The character had to go!

As I read I realized that whole chapter needed a trimming,
big time. There was too much of nothing. Which leads me to
my point. If you write, even the simplist letter, ask yourself
what is the point, what am I trying to say. Describing a situation,
then stick to the situation. Writing about conflict, then take
out those unnecessary things. Stay with the subject.

Okay, it's not easy, but then what in life really is easy?
If you have an answer, let me know. Basically, I think we are
all just a wee bit lazy and looking for the easy way. I'll
admit I do, but after reflection, I deligently reread my chapters
and I'm now a happy camper. Back to "Windsong" without the extras.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Waiting for "Roses For My Lady"
coming the 7th of February
from Champagne Books.

Meet A Science Fiction Author

2011-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

WHY SCI-FI?

Who doesn’t want to be transported into another world, another universe…

Okay, but that’s not strictly why I like to write science fiction since the same could be said for any book you read. You run the risk of falling head first into the world created by the writer, whether it’s a mushy romance, a grisly detective tale, or a way-out-there fantasy with the ever-popular vampires and witches. Every single book you read takes you someplace else other than where you are. And yes, even the dull boring ones, cause you imagine being someplace else rather than having to read the book.

But why did I choose science fiction? Not quite sure, but I do love the genre. Maybe because I have a fascination with wanting to know what the future would be like. It didn’t help that the TV shows and movies that had me riveted were the likes of Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers, and well, you get the idea. Maybe I’m an inherent geek. Scratch that, I am a closet geek who surrounds herself with all sorts of techie stuff. That being said, science fiction doesn’t necessarily have to be set in the future, or on a different planet, universe, dimension…it could be happening in the here and now. Throw in some choice tech words and cool gadgets, and there you go. These days, there’s all sorts of sub-genres in sci-fi, from hard core sci-fi to space opera to science fiction romance.

When I set out to write my book, The Lancaster Rule, I knew I wanted to write a story so engaging with adventure and excitement and unforgettable characters that live in a world that was believable enough to be real. And I knew I didn’t want it be in the present time, if I wanted to go wild with making up stuff. That was the fun part…just making things up and telling extremely tall tales. After all, it’s the future, it hasn’t happened yet, it hasn’t been invented yet, anything can happen!

When I put together the skeleton of the Lancaster story, I knew I’d created something that needed a little more playtime with, more explanation, more details. I knew that if I wrote a trilogy, I could somehow fully capture the story in its entirety. Hence the sequel, The Master Key was born, and then the final story, The Eternal Knot. And with each book, I could introduce another small element of the future as, well, I see it. Drop a little bit here, tuck it in there so it looks like part of everyday life.

After completing the trilogy, I had more ideas bubbling around in the back burner. I sketched out a rough outline and decided to try a more ‘contemporary’ novel. You know, one based in the present time with a little murder, some mystery, and a little romance (gotta have the love, right?) It wasn’t working. But I did try, then hit the delete button and started from scratch, this time flinging it back into the future that I’d already created. After all, the world there had already been built and I knew it so well.

Perhaps I can attempt a non-sci-fi book in the future. Perhaps… But for now, I’ll stick to the world I created, in the future as I see it, filled with all sorts of interesting and exciting characters as they go through life.

For more information on me, visit
My blog/website: The Lancaster Rule

Or become a fan of my: Facebook pages

Or

Follow me on Twitter: TKToppin

Meet T.K. Toppin!

2011-01-17T08:17:00.000-08:00

I mentioned I would be introducing you to T.K. Toppin, a new Science Fiction author who write with a touch of Romance. Here she is:

DRUM ROLL....

A Nominee for Champagne Books coveted "Novel of the Year" award.

Be sure to visit tomorrow when she blogs about why she decided to write Science Fiction

T.K. Toppin

I was born, raised, and live in Barbados and I can’t quite picture living anywhere else in this world.

My growing up years were all about loathing going to school, running wild on the beach, listening to far-fetched stories my brother created out of his imagination, watching TV, reading, and day-dreaming. You could say I was born to be a creative person, since I never quite ended up doing what I’d studied to be, which was management-level courses for the hospitality industry. I ended up being a graphic artist.

For twenty odd years, my life was all about creating ads, designing logos, and doing the odd calligraphy work. To think I used to love it that I lived and breathed it. I had such determined energy and hunger for the field I’d chosen to dedicate the rest of my life to. Can’t say the same thing now, since I groan to work each morning, bitching and griping about this that and the other. It’s a good thing I no longer have to drive to work. Can you imagine! Working for yourself has some perks, after all. But, to be honest, I’d rather be reclining and reproducing onto paper the unforgettable worlds I create in my head.

Maybe I’d always meant to write, after all, I used to write and scribble random thoughts and half-hearted stories throughout my childhood and adult life. (We won’t mention my fascination with pens, paper, and paints, etc). When I finally decided to just shut up and write, and write something good, I was truly amazed at how quickly the words just fell out of me. What I thought was impossible, became possible. And I haven’t been able to stop writing since then.

I’ve completed my first book, The Lancaster Rule, the first in a trilogy. Its sequel The Master Key is due out in July 2011, and the final book, The Eternal Knot is this close to being submitted. I’m also writing two other books, got another in the back of my mind, and well, who knows what else I can cook up. To top it off, this month, my publisher Champagne Books nominated my book for Novel of the Year 2010. I feel truly lucky.For more information on me, visit
My blog/website: The Lancaster Rule

Or become a fan of my: Facebook pages

Or

Follow me on Twitter: TKToppin

TAX TIME

2011-01-11T08:52:00.000-08:00

As a small business owner, and yes, I work at my
writing full time and own my business, I don't really
like January much. It means 'tax time'.

I'm really very lucky, though. My father worked years
for the Internal Revenue (Known today by some as the
infernal revenue). I also worked for a tax preparation
company and did taxes myself for a time.

I learned from my father two very important points.
I'll pass them along with the hope that it might help
someone.

First, records are essential. I keep copious records. I
have sheets detailing every cent I spend on my business,
but I also have every receipt to back up those expenditures.
I have things catalogued, receipts numbered and saved and the
lists of all those receipts backed up on my computer - in
two places. You only have to have a serious crash once to
learn to back thing up more than once. So records are the key.

And second, be honest. If you spend something for personal
use, you can't, honesty, claim it for business. As much as
I hate to say it, what is taxable, has to be taxed. I don't
like to pay taxes, but it's part of living where I do. So,
I will figure what I have to pay, pay that and but not a
cent more.

So my writing has been paused while a gather records and
prepare to figure out what I legally owe our government. That
will require another couple of days when I get forms from a
number of companies. Then I can once again get back
to my first love (well, my DH is my first love so my second
love) writing. In the meantime, I'm delighted to take time
out of tax preparation, and promote my new book.

Visit Champagne Books to find out more.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch"

Two interesting bits

2011-01-10T09:35:00.001-08:00

Soon I'll be posting a blog from an author friend.
We've agreed to share blogs, so you don't have to
listen to (read) me all the time. So, that's the first
bit. I'll post her blog's URL on the 18th, when I will
visit her. When she's ready to post here, she'll post
my blog address on her blog. So I think you will find
her work fascinating. Be sure to check back often to
see when she'll post.

The second bit is almost important. I'm a great believer
in the digital market. All but one of my children and my
husband reads books on the Kindle. I have a Sony, and one
of my granddaughters has a Nook. This week, I take each
day to lead you through my adventures into digital
publishing on Novel Spot.

You'll need to register to make a comment but you can
read about my experiences by going to:

Novel Spot - Behind the Scenes

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
watch for Roses For My Lady available
from Champagne Books in February

Christmas mess

2011-01-06T17:19:00.000-08:00

Whew! Finally, I can take a deep breath.
I usually make cookies and candy about
two weeks before Christmas. We make up
plates of goodies for friends and delivery
them a day or two before Christmas.

However, this year as I made cookies,
I discovered that after the first sheet
or two of each kind, the next sheets
appeared to have been baked too fast.
By the time I had four different kinds
baked, with the same result, I decided
something was wrong. I used my oven
thermometer to check the temperature.

Okay, so I'm a little slow.

Oh, Yikes! Once I turned on the oven it just kept
heating. So the batches of cookies not quite right
were baked at 450 or more degrees, when they should
have been baked at 375. On top of that, the family
was coming for Christmas and I had a big ham in the
refrig to bake. Fixing the oven the week before
Christmas was not going to happen. (The parts would
take from six to eight weeks to arrive, if they
could figure out what was wrong.)
What do you do?

You go buy a stove, that's what you do.

Right after Christmas, the galley for
"Roses For My Lady" arrived. Between football
games I worked on the galley. The cover is here and
the book will be available in digital format on the
7th of February. I think my covers get better and better!

What do you think?

Happy Reading!

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Roses For My Lady"
Available in February from Champagne Books

The Joys and Tribulations of Research

2010-11-28T14:13:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered what kind of trees grew in England
in the 13th century? Well, I have.

Have you ever wondered what Christ Church college looked like
in the 16th century? Well, I did.

What about chickens, or cows, or pigs? Did they raise them
in England in the 18th century?

And more important, where on earth do you find the answers?

I used to spend hours in a local library, or have the librarian
at the school where I taught hunting for old books with a page or
two of necessary information. I often went to the library
downtown, where you could copy a page or two on the copy machine
for a dime a page, with a hand full of coins. Hours and hours
were spent hunting for one or two facts needed to confirm
what I suspected.

Thanks be to Technology. Today, I type in a question, or key words
on my computer and wait for the selected search site to find the
answer. I don't always get the answer I want and I need to search
some more, but the need for a pocket full of dimes no longer exists.
I don't have to use a copy machine because I can print the page or
two right from my desk. And the time difference is unbelievable.

Today, I thank the stars there are so many sources available with
the information I need. I also don't use just one source for facts.
If I can't verify the information with several sites, I won't use it.

Example - I needed the answer to the question of what trees grew in a
certain region of England during the time of Edward the first. I
found four sites that discussed the forests of England from the
11th century on. I wanted to know if pine trees grew in my area.
Nope! Beech, poplar, walnut, even maple (which surprised me) but
no evergreens.

If you have a need to do extensive research, be grateful you don't
have to spend the hours I did, searching for tidbit of info.
After all, in my books, the way it was during the time my hero
and heroine lived needs to be correct or as close to the time
period as I can find.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch

The approaching holidays

2010-11-22T12:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, Thanksgiving is around the corner for those of us in the US,
and Canada has already celebrated their day of Thanks! This is a
great time to reflect on what we have. There are lots of the
additions to our household that were never dreamed of years ago.

People give little thought to the grocery store today, but I
remember Mom calling in an order and the food was brought to
the house. You also ran up a bill at the grocers settling the
account on payday. Today, you can buy milk from the grocer.
We used to get ours from the farm and later it was delivered
in glass bottles with lots of cream on the top. Packaged frozen
foods did not exist, and you got butter and eggs from the local
farmer. Margarine looked like lard, white. There was a small
bubble of yellow dye in the middle which you broke and mixed
with the white stuff.

Of course, radio was your entertainment, or card games and family
sing-alongs. A trip to the library meant you had a book to read.
You didn't have many books because they were expensive. So, no
TV, no computers, no internet, and no internet or computer games.
Your telephone was usually a party line and the operator would
ask you what number you wanted when you picked up the phone. If
you lived in a small town, you ask the operator to connect you to
so-and-so. And you didn't use the phone during a storm. Lightning
traveled over the wires and into the house.

Thanksgiving meant you bought a live turket from a farmer, or if
you had a farm you raised them yourselves. Before Thanksgiving,
you killed it and dressed it. Cranberry sauce meant fruits, nuts
and whole cranberries chopped up and let me tell you, those
suckers are hard to chop.

The family gathered together for Thanksgiving, but that was no problem
because everyone lived only a few miles apart. Of course, not everyone
had a car, so the family would see everyone made it to the table by a
pickup and deliver system. But that worked because gasoline was only
15 - 25 cents a gallon and you didn't have to drive a distance to
collect the family members.

No microwave to cook the food, so every burner on the stove was either
on or lit, depending if you had electricity or gas. You hoped the cream
you whipped for the pies didn't turn to butter because cool whip wasn't
invented yet and of course the minced meat pie did contain meat.

I'm so glad I live today, but I clearly remember what it was like. Yep,
I'm delighted with the additions to our household we have today.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch"

Holiday time

2010-11-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

The holidays are closing in fast. I'm not doing much this
year, for I have a lot of catching up to do. My "Windsong"
the next medieval is beginning, paper work needs to be
cleared up before the end of the year and we have a lot of
family coming for the Christmas holidays, so I will have
to bake cookies and make candy.

Or the next couple of weeks, I'll post some of my favorite
Christmas cookie/candy recipes on line. In the mean time
I'm busy blogging about writing for other sites.
Tomorrow I'll be talking about researching foods for
my medieval romances at Long and Short Reviews.

My web page needs updating and there are several loops I
intend to join the first of the year. Wow, a lot to do.
Then there's facebook, and I still haven't had time to
figure out how to use twitter. I'll get there, just not
this week. Sigh!

I'm going to have to follow my own advice and set up a
'written schedule' or I'm going to get so far behind,
I catch up with me going.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch"

It's finally over

2010-10-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

A month between posts, but as usual - I do have an excuse.
DH (see Sept. post) is recovery nicely. He can walk now, so
I consider the knee replacement a success.

I only wish I could say the same about my London fire and
plague book. I love the characters, I love the time period, but
the story just doesn't work. It's not a nice feeling to write
a hundred thousand words, force yourself to finish and know
that what you written is no good.

So what do you do? I tried to resurrect the book. I rewrote
and attempted to add more detail. Adding detail didn't work.
The story is just not there. The heroine and the hero don't
like each other and there was nothing I could do to make
them change their minds.

Okay, so that sounds a bit weird, and it probably is, but unless
you write, you can't understand how a book character can
almost become real for the author. You know you are a
writer when a character in your book does something that
surprises you. I've had it happen time and again. It's how
I know I'm a fiction writer. It a strange experience, but
something that goes along with imagination, I suspect.

I'm now well into the next 'song' book. Battlesong was
released in August. If you want more information about this
series, first HEARTSONG, next BATTLESONG, and now
WINDSONG, visit my web page to read an excerpt.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch"

Playing Nursemaid

2010-09-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

For several years now, we have all been trying to get
my DH (Darling Husband) to have his right knee repaired.
Years ago, when the kids were younger and we were boating,
we stopped to eat, threw in the anchor, had lunch, the kids
swam, and it was time to leave. My DH was trying to pull
the anchor in, I was at the wheel. He yelled go, I throttled
back a bit too much and he went down, right knee on a
brass chock, a big one; it was a big boat.

Since then he has endured a lot of pain and was getting
to the place where he couldn't walk. Nearly all of our older
friends and relatives have had replacements and done very
well. So he finally relented, had the surgery and I get to play
nursemaid.

Oh, boy! I didn't know what I was in for. My nice kinda
organized life is not the same. Trips to therapy, running
around to make sure nothing's in the way of the walker,
trying to get what he needs where he needs it. Whew!

He has never had a stint in the hospital for any length
of time, nor been this confined...

And I'm not that good a nurse. (grinning) Well I taught
school. I never did much nursing. Fortunately for my kids,
they were very healthy.

Despite my poor attempts at playing the nurse, he's progressing
well. What wonderful things they can do today. He'll be up
and around, and in only a matter of a couple of weeks, new knee
and all. Then maybe I can get some writing done.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
'Heart-warming Romance With A Sensual Touch'
"Battlesong" now available from Champagne Books

Time on the 'net'

2010-08-21T14:01:00.001-07:00

I've spent a lot of time on the 'net' this month, and writing for the net.
I've been asked to do a number of articles and blogs with the publication
of my latest book, and although I love doing them, I'm having a hard
time finding time to write.

I took time out this week to sort and straighten the stacks of papers,
hard copies of things I wanted to save when I stumbled across a list
of goals I'd made for myself months ago. I'm ashamed to admit I
haven't met most of those goals.

Oh, I can offer all kinds of excuses, but the truth is I'd forgotten to
remind myself what I intended to get accomplished this month.
I did revise the web page. I have done the promoting I needed to
do, but writing... Will, that took a back seat.

What have I done to improve the situation? Easy. I posted those goals
on my desk, beside my computer. Each time I turn the computer on
or off, I'll see those goals. What is the old saying....

Out of sight, out of mind! I guess for me it applies.

Allison
Battlesong now available from Champagne Books

Promotion Time

2010-08-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

Part of the fun, if you can call it that, of being an author
is promotion. Unless you are really big and the publisher
knows they will sell thousands of your books, you must
do a lot of the promoting yourself.

So for the past month, I've been lining up different blogs,
talking to people about interviews, doing articles for
various sites, so I get a chance to get my name out there.

Why? Because there are now so many writers on the net,
some who are brilliant, or even a few who can barely string
one sentence to the next, that you have to wade through the
throng. You can't stand and yell fire on the internet. Nor is
there much of a stage for you to perform by yourself. Nope,
you have to share the spotlight with thousands of other
authors. You do everything you can to stand out from the
group.

There are a lot of novelists who think because a big NY house
bought their book, they can sit back and wait for the money
to roll in. It doesn't happen that way.

You have to let people know what you've written, where to buy
it, what genre it's in and what it's about. Even if you write for
a big NY house. Thank the lord for the net. It does make promotion
easier. But a lot less time consuming? Not a chance.

If you are interested in what I'm doing and where I'm visiting,
visit my web page and take a look at the news and events page.
www.AllisonKnight.com

It should explain a lot.

Now, back to writing the next Great American Romance. (grinning)

Allison
"Battlesong" available from Champagne Books
www.champagnebooks.com
Coming in February a short novelette - "Roses for My Lady_

This business of e-readers

2010-07-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

My old Sony reader died. It took forever to load, and
then I wasn't certain the font could be changed. Like
all of the electronic products, life is only about three
years and this was at least that old. I bought it when
the Sony first went on sale.

I was in the process of buying some e-books and I really
didn't want to wait to have a reader shipped to me, so
I spent some time on the internet to see if any local
stores stocked e-readers.

Low and behold, Target had the Sony, and they also carried
the Kindle. Unfortunately, the Kindles were all sold out,
which tells me e-readers are gaining in popularity, even
if major bookstores and publishers don't want to admit it.

I bought the new Sony, with the touch screen and went home
to plug it in and before supper time, it was charged up
and ready to go. No wonder Amazon announced they had
sold more e-books than hard cover books by almost 2-1
in the first quarter of this year.

I guess I'm at the right place at the right time. My books
are available now for the Amazon Kindle, and can be downloaded
from many of the book seller sites that sell e-books. The
ease of loading a book to the reader, the speed of download,
and the ability to read that book right away is just wonderful.
On top of that, I can change the font to large so I can read
with ease. I really do love this.

Allison Knight
"Battlesong" available in August
from Champagne books.

And yes, it's an e-book.

IT'S HERE - ABOUT BATTLESONG

2010-07-05T09:24:00.001-07:00

Let me introduce Arthur from
"Heartsong". This is Rhianna's
younger brother and this is his
story.

This is what happens when you write
a book and fall in love with the
characters. You can't let them go.
You don't begin to write a series,
but the characters become so alive
to you that you have to tell the
stories of those who people the book.

And so it is with the family from
"Heartsong." I simple can't stop
thinking about them and what
their lives were like back in the 13th century and
the problems they faced. Arthur made such an impression
that his story appeared out of the blue, just as
Rhianna in "Heartsong" appeared from a song.

The third brother appears in both "Heartsong" and "Battlesong"
but he has to wait for his story because the second brother
must have his story told. I'm working on this one next.
It's called "Windsong", and I'm afraid brother number two
has really had a hard time. He's out for revenge. So
"Windsong" is a tale of revenge. Of course, with all romances
does he get his revenge, or is he captured by the lady who
becomes the instrument of his vengeance?

I know how it ends, but I'm not telling.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Battlesong" Available in August
from Champagne Books

June Jubliee

2010-06-01T17:49:00.001-07:00

Coffee Time Romance is having a Jubilee all through
the month of June. I have my own forum where I talk
about goals, books and characters. If you'd like
to comment or visit, feel free. On the 25th of the
month, I'm having my own author's spotlight. Since I
love to bake, I'll be sharing a couple of favorite
recipes, some of them my own.

Also, since I love to knit, I'll try to explain the
difference between the Dutch method of knitting
and the German method. Most people don't know
there's a difference, not in the product or the way
the yarn goes together, but the way it gets that way.

If you're intrigued, I hope you'll joy me.

Allison Knight
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance With A Sensual Touch
Watch for "Battlesong" coming in August

My excuse this time

2010-05-31T17:32:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging lately. Simply reason. I had to
clean the house so we could party for our 50th wedding
anniversary. Party over, now I'm married for 50 years
to the same guy. I've said it before! No wonder I write
historical romance.

I've also completely revised a short novel about a
misplaced valentine. Yep, another historical, but
this one is short only about 25,000 words. Sounds
like a lot, but it's a quick read and it will be
out in February.

At the moment I'm waiting for the edits for "Battlesong".
It's a sequel to "Heartsong". I revisit the characters
from the first book, but they are not central to the
story. This one stands alone as will the next one, "Windsong".
This is what happens to an author when you can't let go
of your characters.

There is one more plotted. It's called "Lovesong". Then I'll
be on to something else. Lots of idea, just not enough time.

Allison
"Battlesong" coming in August
"Roses for My Lady" in February
from Champagne Books

Ever wonder if writing for the digital market if for you?

2010-04-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

On May 3rd for two weeks I'm going to be teaching a class
on the digital market. If you are an author and wonder if
e-publishing is for you, you might want to consider taking
the class. I'm joining a prestigious group of authors who have
taught for this writing university and am honored that they
asked me to particiapate with my knowledge of the digital
market.

If you are interested REGISTER now for registration is closed
after May 1st and the class is limited.

With seventeen books, some for a big NY house, some for the
digital market, and after a lot of research, which I'll share,
the information I provide should help you make a decision
best suited to your writing goals.

And I promise - not too much homework!

Story Stew University

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Watch for "Battlesong" coming in
August, the sequel to "Heartsong"
from Champagne Books

In defense of Playtime

2010-04-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

Someone asked me recently what to do when the words stop
coming in the middle of a book. Of course, since I've
been at this for a long time, I had a list of things
the person could do, starting with work on another
book. She gave me a "are you nuts" kind of look until
I explained that I seldom have fewer than three books
going at the same time.

'Why?' she asked.

Simple! I get bored easily. So I skip from one novel to
another, refreshed and ready to work on the different story.
I've given a lot of thought to why I get bored with a
particular story and I think I have the answer.

I'm a plotter. That means before I begin to write I have
done a lot of research and I've detailed the story, usually
with a time line. I take an artist's sketch pad, a big one and
draw a long time in the middle one sheet. Just above the top
of the line I list the story points for the POV character.
The bottom line is for the hero, or the heroine if the hero is
telling the story. The villain goes on the bottom as well.
I'll add secondary characters, depending on their relationship
to the characters, either to the top or bottom of that center
line.

But, unfortunately, or for me, fortunately, I know the whole
story even before it's been written. So, yep, I get bored.
However, with the time line, the character sheets I do before
I begin to write, and all my research notes, I can skip from
one novel to another, without having to reread everything
I've written on the novel I'm about to work on.

However, the title of these thoughts is 'In defense of Playtime'.
When nothing seems to work and the words stop, as they sometimes
do, then I put the computer away, pack up my notes and go play.
That means reading or running over to Biloxi,MS, going out
for a meal, or sitting down to watch a movie.

Usually, after I've had a chance to relax, and have a complete
change, I'm ready to write again. So, yes, I'll will say loud
and clear, there is a time in every author's writing life when
she/he needs to play.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Watch for 'Battlesong' coming in August
from Champagne Books.

You Know You're in Trouble when...

2010-03-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

You know you're in trouble when you go to the hospital and people start saying
"Hi, how are you?" and "Are you back again?"

Dear heavens, I managed to land in the hospital a week and a half apart!
This time I feared I was finished. I had the worst chest pain I've ever
had in my life. I KNEW I was having a heart attack. (Maybe I should stop
watching all the women on TV advertising asprin because they had a
heart attack) I had classic symptoms, and if that's what it feels
like my sympathy to anyone who's had a real attack.

Thank the lord, mine was a severe reaction to medication I was taking
(and had taken several times before) for my persistant lung condition.
Now, yes, I'll stay away from the drug for the rest of my life. Not
going to take that one for any reason...

I've been trying to figure out how to put my experience in another
book, but so far, I've come up blank. It would have to be a contemporary,
and I'm in the middle of historicals.

Well, just another tidbit to store away in my crowded brain to perhaps
use another day. In the meantime, I've got my conference under my belt
I'm ready to apply fingers to keyboard, and finish my 17th century novel.
I'm also playing around with another short story, and I want to visit
an idea I had about New Orleans.

Spring for us meant a trip from cold, gray Michigan to the flowering
south and a week in New Orleans during our Easter break. Oh, such glorious
memories. Today was the kind of day, bright sun, clear skies, flowers
everywhere, that made me think of New Orleans and as usual, characters
starting talking and dancing around in my head. I should be used
to it by now, however, crazy how just the kind of day sets something
like another story, an idea, or characters playing with my mind.
Now I need to make a few notes, so the idea doesn't slip away.
They have before.

Off to find paper and pencil and start scribbling.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Battlesong", the sequel to "Heartsong"
available from Champagne Books In August

Silkens Sands Conference in Pensacola Beach, FL

2010-03-21T13:19:00.000-07:00

Today the conference is over and although I didn't get to attend that much of it, but what I did get to go to was fabulous. If you write romance and want a good conference, this is the one to attend. Excellent workshops, beautiful surroundings, after all it's on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico and the southern ladies are friendly, helpful and organized. The chapter president, Amanda Collins and Conference Chair, Cynthia Eden

I love small conferences. You don't get lost in the shuffle and you get to renew old friendships, and meet new authors. You get to tell some old friends, like Catherine Mann, how much you enjoyed her new book, and you get to meet new authors to look at their work.

Me presenting my workshop

But it isn't just the authors you get to meet. This conference boasted a number of agents and editors from various houses. I got to work with Lindsey Faber from Samhain Publishing Company a digital and print publisher, compare the two and consider where the market is going. We talked about the growing importance of the digital market and had e-readers to demonstrate. Lindsey Faber of Samhain Publishing with Amanda

Over thirty authors particiapted in a Public Booksigning. Here's Fran McNabb, our previous conference chair at the booksigning.

Last but not least I got to meet people I've want to meet for a long, like Barbara Vey who came to see us this year. Barbara blogs at PW about romance and what a gracious lady. I tried to talk her into moving south, but I don't think I convinced her, although she did promise to visit again. She said it was supposed to snow in the north where she lives. We had bright sun, a bit of a breeze, not too warm, but fun anyway. Today is a bit bitter, but the weather is warming. It does that in the south.

The flowers are in bloom, spring is here (I hope) and I'm waiting for the newest crop of strawberries. Nothing like a bowl of Alabama berries, topped with heavy cream. Now, I'm hungry so off to fix something to eat.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Battlesong" the sequel to the award winning
"Heartsong" will be available from Champagne Books
in August!

A New Month and a New Book

2010-02-26T17:33:00.001-08:00

The end of the first week of March will see another book
become available. This is called a short. It's only
20,000 words and that makes it a book of five chapters.
It's a Gothic, a genre I love to write. Again, the
heroine of the story is an orphan and there are two
men veying for her attention.

This time however, I've written a ghost into the
story.

Which of course, begs the question. Do I believe
in ghosts? Yep, I do. The last house we owned had
a ghost. Yes, it did. I can hear the skeptics.
But our ghost, probably a woman, died shortly
after she left the house, a house built for her
by her loving husband.

An accident on the property put her in a wheelchair,
and when the husband discovered he couldn't work and
care for her and the house, he was forced to sell.

However, even though the house had been sold and
she moved out, after she died, I do believe she
came back. It was her house, build for her and
she simply didn't want to leave.

The couple of times we left to travel, she made
her displeasure known by setting off the internal
alarm forcing the local police to visit and discover
nothing was wrong. One day my husband was in the
office working. I distinctly remember doing the
laundry in another part of the house. Suddenly
the alarm went off. No reason that we could find.
We insisted the company who installed the alarm
check their installation. It was perfect.

On another occasion, my daughter, her husband and
their two girls stayed over while we were traveling.
They called to tell us they were leaving the house.
It seems doors banged, cabinets opened and closed and
something jumped on the bed during the night. The
girls were sound asleep in another part of the
house and couldn't have been responsible. Both
daughter and her husband were shaken by the event.

So, yes, I believe in ghosts. However, I didn't
tell the people who bought the house from us about
the spirit who didn't want to leave. I often
wonder if she bothers them as much as she bothered
us. Maybe she found her way to the other side. I
certainly hope so.

Read about my ghost at Red Rose Publishing
www.redrosepublishing.com You'll find it
in the romance under gothic tales. The digital
edition will be available March 5th.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"The Haunting at Hastings Hall" available March 5th.
"Battlesong", the sequel to award winning
"Heartsong" available in August.

Family and fun

2010-02-22T11:06:00.000-08:00

When we were having our family, and visitng my parents,
I remember clearly, Dad taking out the calendar to check
if, even though they were retired, the week was free.
I also remember and just as clearly, my mother saying
"It's so good to see you come, and good to see you
leave!" (We lived about 4 hours away and didn't visit
all the time.)

Until we retired and the children all moved away to
have their own families, I always kinda resented my
mother's words. I mean, gee, here we were visiting,
bringing our kids for them to see, I even did most
of the cooking.

Now, the apple has turned - so to speak. We are
retired, we are busy with our lives, maybe even
with more things planned than when we had to work
each day. Oh, yes, we have to check the calendar.
We have a lot going on, and I now know exactly
what my mother meant.

Yes, it's absolutely wonderful to see the kids and
their kids. It's almost fun and a bit painful to see
their kids doing the same annoying things our own
kids did at that age. But, it is also good, to have
our life back, the funriture back in the right places,
the refrigerator no longer full of blue carbonated
drinks and different kinds of juices.

And, yes, it's great to have someone else do the cooking
but when you have to tell the cook where to find
everything, the skillets, the pans, the mixer, it's
almost easier to do it yourself.

Oh, I can hardly wait for them to come again. They left
for their home yesterday. And I know, after they come
again, I'll be just as glad to see them go home.

Sorry Mother! Now I understand.

Allison

www.AllisonKnight.com
"The Haunting of Hastings Hall" a Gothic short
available from Red Rose Publishing, March 2010

Staying true to History!

2010-02-18T12:32:00.000-08:00

I just spent an hour developing a time line for my current
WIP. I'd met a block with this novel and I couldn't figure
out what was wrong. I went back to the computer, dived
into more research and discovered my problem was time.
I had things happening out of sequence with real history.
I got so carried away with the story, I made a classic
mistake. I got the dates wrong!!!

This romance takes place during the plague and the
fire of London. I have my hero and heroine involved
with court and the king. But where was Charles
and more important, when was he at the places
in the story?

Oh, it's all in the history of England, buried in
one account or another, and the dates mentioned
don't jibe, but if you study the situation carefully,
you can get the approximately time, down to a
month or two, which works for my story line.

But how to fit the pieces of my story into the
actual history of the things taking place.
A good example is the day St. Paul's Cathedral
burned. Actually, it was the third day of the fire,
and that event is important in the story.

The only way I could think to incorporate my
plot ideas with actual fact was to take a big
piece of paper and draw a time line, starting
in 1664 with the beginning of the up surge of
plague in London.

With the details of history written on the line,
all I had to do was fill in my plot points
and my problems were solved. Now, I can get
back to writing the story. Thank goodness!

Allison
www.ALLISONKNIGHT.COM
'Battlesong' sequel to 'Heartsong' avialable in
August '10. Two book of Shadowed Hearts -
'The Haunting of Hastings Hall' Available March 2010

Bubbling with joy!

2010-02-08T14:43:00.001-08:00

I just found out that one of my books

has been nominated as a Best Historical

Romance for 2009. Last year 'Heartsong'

won my publisher's Best Novel of 2008

and now my next book "A Treasure For Sara"

has been nominated for 2009 by a widely read loop

of Romance readers.

Some of the other books also nominated are really superior
books and the authors well known, so, I'm bubbling.

I think now I'll just have to go fix myself a LARGE
Hot Fudge Sundae to celebrate. Okay, I'm a chocoholic.
When things are wonderful I celebrate with chocolate.
When things are bad, I console myself with chocolate.
This calls for a huge dose of Chocolate.

Hot Fudge qualifies.

To see the list go to Love Romances and More and visit
their yahoo loop.

Allison

http://www.allisonknight.com/
Battlesong, the sequel to award winning
Heartsong, available in August.
The Haunting of Hastings Hall, a short Gothic
available in March from Red Rose Publishing

Now we've done it!

2010-01-29T10:55:00.001-08:00

Stretched out under computer is our new kitty. Well, she
isn't really a kitty, and I'm hoping she'll come out and meet
our other two cats today.

Two cats and we've added another? We must have lost our minds.
But no, I don't think so. Reason - our big cat is growing old. (HMMMM)
Reminds me of me. But LS doesn't want to play all that much,
and our little Wally likes to play. Solution. Get another cat.
So Celine is under my desk. She's a cross-eyed, blue eyed part
Siamese about two years old.

If she decides she likes it here, and comes out from under my desk
I'll be putting new pictures up on my web page.

But the way she's hiding, don't look for any pictures for awhile.

In the meantime, I'll just have to work on the next book. This one
is a romance set during the time of the London fire. I started this
book years ago, and I think this heroine may be my favorite.
A red headed vixen who is not at all happy with the thought
of marrying a second time. In fact she really is not pleased
with any man, especially the King of England who named her
second husband.

In a time when disagreeing with the royal could be a time to
lose your head, my Judith does a lot of arguing.

This is definitely a woman after my heart!

Now to coax Celine from under the desk.

Allison

www.AllisonKnight.com
Award winning "Heartsong" available now.
"Battlesong" the sequel will be available in
August. Watch for the short Gothic, "The Haunting of Hastings Hall"
from Red Rose Publishing available in March

Record Keeping

2010-01-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

A new Year - and I've just spent days putting all
the records for 2009 together. Many years ago,
when my husband kept the records, he set a program
up using spread sheets. When I took over, and
under his supervision, I continued with his program.

Why? you asked. Well, my dad worked for the dreadful
organization called the IRS. He was an auditor, back
in the days when the collectors and the auditor worked
in different departments. Dad was probably the most
honest person I've ever known. He couldn't have
cheated or lied to anyone about anything if his life
depended on it. He also made it clear the most
important thing you can do when working with the
IRS, was have records - of everything. If it was a
legit expense and you had the receipt, you could
deduct it.

To this day, I have almost every receipt for every
penny that went into the business, or the household,
for the entire year - and for all the years before.
My only problem is storage, 'cause, although I scan
business receipts, I don't scan household receipts.
So, yeh! I do have a few. (grinning) Boxes and Boxes!

I can only smile thinking about our kids going through
all the receipts when they have to clean up after us.
Oh, I know I don't need to keep anything older than
seven years (great having a father with all the rules
at hand) but I still keep everything for a lot longer
than that. Just think, I can compare prices for
groceries, books, computers supplies dating back
nearly a decade. If I looked - maybe longer!

Allison, now trying to find another box for the
papers from this year so I can get back to writing.

www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch"

The New Year and Resolutions

2009-12-27T08:41:00.000-08:00

Another year, and it's now time for New Year's Resolutions.

Most people don't make it through the first month of
their goals, and after all these years, I think I might
have an idea why. They come up with a list of four or
five (maybe more) different resolutions and all of them
worthwhile (of course). A lot of people will list losing
weight as one of those goals. ( I used to do that!)

They don't seem to succeed. Why?

I discovered a couple of years ago, one important
resolution, well motivated, can be kept. Only one!
That way if you concentrate on keeping just one
your chance of success increases. If you fall off the
band wagon, you can get back on, if it's the only
thing you are concentrating on.

I know of what I speak. At 69 I was fat. Not plump,
but fat... I weighed enough to put me in the obese
catagory. I had trouble breathing, my joints were
falling apart, and in general I was in poor health,
diabetic, high blood pressure, uncomfortable and
frequently at the doctor's office. I was begging
for a stroke or a heart attack at the very least.

I decided I wanted to live longer than I was going
to if I didn't lose some weight.

I made up my mind (this would have been about the
thousandith time I'd decided) to lose weight. How
many inches, or dress size no longer mattered. I
set that as my only goal. The house, the books, nothing
else was as important. I would lose weight.

So everyday I climbed on the bathroom scales, I forced
myself to leave half the food I put on my plate for
both breakfast and lunch. And believe me when I say it
was hard, for I love to eat. For supper, it was salad and
fruit. In between, if I got hungry, I drank tomatoe
juice or V-8 juice, those little cans.

It took two years, but I lost over a hundred pounds.
I don't see the doctor as often, I no longer have
a blood sugar problem and I still weigh myself every
day. Most important, I feel good. If I notice I've
gained a couple of pounds, I'm eating salad at night
for supper, cutting out any of the cookies and candy
I now occasionally indulge in. But, it worked. One
goal set, one goal accomplished. It can be done.

So take a look at your resolutions. Pick one, just one!
The most important. If I did it, at my age, anyone can!

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Battlesong" a sequel to "Heartsong"
her award winning historical romance
from Champagne Books available in August

The best candy recipe in the world

2009-12-24T13:33:00.000-08:00

This is my Toffee recipe. But do not try this unless you have a
good candy thermometer. And you can't make this if you are sitting
under a low pressure system. It affects the way the sugar crystals
form.

In a heavy pan slowly melt 1 cup butter. In this is recipe you don't
want to use margarine. Only butter will do!

Add one cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of corn
syrup (White Karo works best)

Cover and bring to a boil. Remove the cover and insert your candy
thermometer. Lower the heat to low and continue cooking until the
temperature reaches 290 degree F. During cooking, you'll have
to stir once in a while to keep it from sticking or burning.

Once the temperature reaches 290, remove from heat and immediately
add 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans. Pour onto a greased jelly roll
pan, or a cookie sheet with sides. I tilt my pan until the mixture
spreads evenly over the pan. Do not stir or shake the pan back and
forth.

Let cool for 8 - 10 minutes, then sprinkle a cup of chocolate chips
over the surface. Let them melt, then spread over the candy. Sprinkle
more chopped pecans over the chocolate if you want.
(Additional pecans are optional)

Cool for several hours. Break into pieces and try not to eat it all.

I had to make two batches this year. The grown kids and even
friends love this stuff.

Merry Christmas.

Allison Knight
www.AllisonKnight.com
'Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch'
"Battlesong" the sequel to "Heartsong" coming
in August from Champagne Books.

My Favorite Cookie Recipe

2009-12-15T16:24:00.000-08:00

Every year at Christmas time, my whole family insists
I bake those little white cookies and I always comply.

First a bit about these cookies. I got the recipe way
back in the 1950's. I had just started teaching Home
Economics. (Back then we did teach cooking) and
"Betty Crocker" sent a Christmas cookie recipe phamplet
to all the schools who requested it. This recipe was
in the little book. I tried it, my family loved these
and after I married I continued to make them. Now I
have to send them to the children who are no longer
close and I most definitely have to have lots for
the family who visits.

The name is "Petits Gateaux Tailles", or little cakes
cut off. Brought from France to Scotland, the Scots
called them Petticoat Tails. Of course over the years
I've added my own touches.

Mix thoroughly:

1 cup soft butter (don't use margarine)
1 cup sifted confectioners sugar
1/4 cup rum (white or dark doesn't matter)
(If I didn't have rum, I used whiskey or brandy - never scotch)

Sift together and stir in:

2 1/2 cup sifted flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Add:
3/4 finely chopped nuts (either walnuts
or pecans)

Mix with hands. Press into two long smooth rolls about
2 inches in diameter. Warp in wax paper and chill for
several hours. (I make mine the day before and refrigerate
overnight)

Slice into thin slices about 1/8 inch thick. Place a little
apart on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes.
in a preheated 400 degree oven. (They should be firm to the
touch and slightly browned at the edges). When cool shake
gently in a plastic bag of powdered sugar. (about 1 & 1/2 cups)
(Little White Cakes Cut Off)

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch"
'Battlesong' the sequel for 'Heartsong' available
in August 2010

Holiday Traditions and Oh, the food!

2009-12-13T09:58:00.000-08:00

I've posted this in another place, but these are so good, I had to share. I'll post my favorite cookie recipe in a day or two and then my special toffee in another couple of days. Christmas is one time of the year I do a lot of baking and candy making. My whole family asks, 'are you going to make this? - or this? - or what about...' So, I'm off to the kitchen. Cookies today! I won't make the recipe below this year. Not enough people of eat them, and they are best served warm!

History, especially of foods and how they relate to some of our holidays, have always fascinated me. Some of my ancestors came from Holland, so the early
Dutch customs were of special interest. The housewives in New Amsterdam were great bakers. The holidays were times when fabulous spreads of food, especially cakes and pies appeared on their tables. On New Year’s Day neighbors, at least the men, went from house to house, sampling and drinking.

One of the delights the women served sound much like something served in New Orleans. The recipe, with modern ingredients and directions, will follow.

The Dutch often cut these into different shapes, not just the little puffs we know today. One of the favorite ways to fix these was to cut the dough into strips with a little slit in the middle. One end was pulled through the slit and then they were fried. They had a name for the pastries fixed this way - Tangled britches.

Along with a number of cakes, these crullers were beloved and helped provide a
variety on the table. They went well with the tea they served - tea usually laced with rum. I can just see the men standing around a table which was groaning with food, drinking, smoking their pipes and eating Crullers as they wished each other a good “New Year!”

Dutch Crullers.

1/3 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup butter (don’t use margarine)
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 ¾ cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon mace (I’ve been known to cheat and use ½ teaspoon cinnamon)
Fat for frying and Powdered sugar

Cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time beating after each addition. The fluffier the mixture the better the pastry. Add the milk. Sift the flour and spices together and stir into the creamed mixture. Mix well, but don’t beat the mixture to death. Chill for at least an hour. Roll half the dough on a lightly floured board (Roll only in one direction or they’ll be chewy) until you have a sixteen by eight inch rectangle. Cut into two inch squares. A pastry wheel works well. I’ve even used cookie cutters. Repeat with the remaining dough. (Caution - don’t rework the dough if you use cookie cutters.) Fry in deep fat at 375 degrees until golden on both side. (about 1 ½ minutes) Dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm. If you cut these into squares you should have about 5 dozen.

Enjoy, and Happy New Year!

Computers and me

2009-12-04T18:02:00.000-08:00

Here we go again. Over the years I've tried to stay up with tecnology,
but I'm getting awful tired of having to relearn over and over again.
This time I'm complaining about Windows 7. Okay, so I complained
about Vista, and XP and all the rest. Sometimes I want to go
back to just plain DOS.

Of course the young ones today, probably don't even know what DOS
was, but those of us who have been around for a long time know. I
just wonder if anyone else feels my frustration. And it is
frustrating.

Okay, so I'll learn how to use this one, and about the time I get it
down, or almost learned, Windows will come out with 8 or 9 or another
fancy word for the new operating system. But I do believe this time
I'm going to say 'no!' when my kids or my husband says - time to
upgrade.

Nope, this time I'm staying with what I now have that I'm slowing
learning to operate. Of course, I'm also stuck with programs that
don't work with Windows 7. Hmmmm... Well, by the time they catch
up with Windows 7 there will be another operating system, but
like I said, I'm staying with this. I am. I promise.

Allison
'Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch'
Battlesong, the sequel to Heartsong available
from Champagne Books August 2010

The Harlequin Mess!

2009-11-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Harlequin, I believe, is the largest publishers of romance
novels in the world. I'm talking print books now.

Recently, the owners of Harlequin, announced they were going
to encourage those people who were rejected by the editors of
the different Harlequin imprints to submit their work to a
publisher who would require the author to pay for the
privledge of having their work printed. Okay, that's
self-publishing, but Harlequin didn't stop there. No,
they added that the more you pay the better chance you
had of getting distribution, having a cover designed for
you, having your work edited. Next they want a good part of
your profits, as much as 50%. That's not self-publishing! That
called vanity publishing. You are willing to pay anything,
and in any manner to get your name in print!

I hate the idea of paying someone else for my work. I'm not going
to do it. I've worked long and hard to become an author. I took
classes, I wrote, networked, joined critique groups. And, I
listened. I learned. I can only hope I'll be smart enough to
keep on learning, to improve my skill. But I won't pay someone
else to design a cover, edit my book, or offer distribution.
Not if they are going to keep half the profits. I've earned
those, and any writer who has worked at his/her craft, should
resent being asked to share. Pay for the printing, okay. In fact,
I can see a need for companies who are willing to print your
material in book form. Your thesis for example, or your new
theory, or your specialized experiments in a specific area.
But that's where it ends. At least for me.

Okay, a long time between posts!

2009-11-23T13:30:00.001-08:00

And this post will not make some people happy. Sorry about that,
but in this instance, I can't keep silent. Tomorrow I'm going to
tackle another subject that will also offend some people. But,
there are times when you have to say something. Today and tomorrow
are those days for me.

Today, I'm going to talk about the Catholic Church and Abortion.

I'm a Catholic. I went to a couple of Catholic schools, I also
attended a Catholic college. Not only that, but I have relatives
in various positions in the church. I not only learned from my
education, but also from my relatives. And, I'm going to "lay
it on the line" so to speak.

Several years ago, the Pope, who Catholics believe, is the successor
of Christ on earth, spoke out about abortion. He said that the only
way a lay member of the church (as opposed to the clergy) could be
excommunicated (which means you are not a practicing member of the
church until, or unless you realize and admit you are wrong) was to
have, participate in or promote abortions.

Okay, so you have an abortion, that doesn't mean you are no longer a
Catholic. But it does mean, you shouldn't practice being a Catholic,
(receive communion, marry in the church, receive confirmation, along
with the other sacraments which really wouldn't apply - like being
baptized because you would already have been baptized.)

I can't explain why the bishops haven't stepped forward to comment about
all the politicians who promote abortions. I only know what I know to
be true in the church. You really shouldn't try to receive the sacraments
if you are promoting abortions. However, let's face it. That's between
you and God. Personally, I just wouldn't want to get on His bad side.

Tomorrow it will be the Harlequin mess, and I do mean mess!

Watch out for the FLU!

2009-07-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

Oh, boy! This one is a doosy! You guessed it!
I caught the flu. And I wash my hands and have
bottles of hand sanitizers around the house.

Okay, so I got it anyway.

According to the symptoms listed by the CDC,
I had the swine flu, and I sure can see why
they are scared to death. If it will be worse
this fall, I'll be one of the first in line
for the vaccinations.

In the morning, I felt just fine, made telephone
calls, pulled up my e-mails, started on my replies,
then flew to the bathroom. I won't go into the
details but for the next 24 hours I thought
the world might end. The chills and fever are
truly debilitating.

I'm still a bit weak, guess it will take
a day or two to fully recover, but let this
be a warning. This flu is bad. I can only
pray it won't get worse. It sure put a stop
to my getting the sequel to Heartsong
finished. I'm back at it, but slowly.

Going to take a rest now and recover.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
A Treasure For Sara available
now in digital and print.
Heartsong named novel of 2008
Both available from Champagne Books.

My New Toy

2009-07-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

What has this to do with writing a romance, you asked. Okay,
let me explain. I recently heard from several writing friends
that their latest purchase was a netbook. I never heard of a
netbook, so I looked into it. Low and behold, it's a little
computer. Not as capable as a laptop, nothing like a tower,
not a whole lot of memory, but for a writer of Historical
romance (thought I'd forgotten, hey!) this is perfect. I
can do e-mail, do some research on the web, and write.

I downloaded my word processor program, and my dictionary on the
little computer, and away I went. It doesn't have a full keyboard,
but what I needed most were the same keys I use on my big keyboard.
I don't need a lot of number, or most of the function keys, so
this is perfect.

I can download my WIP into a flash drive and copy to my big computer,
where I can print, edit, and all the other things you'd do on
a full-sized computer or laptop. Additionally, because it's wireless,
and light weight, it can go with me. I finished part of a chapter
at the doctor's office, as I waited my usual forty-five minutes.

I ended up in the hospital for several days and the netbook allowed
me to write another chapter between the blood pressure, medicine
and other endless procedures.

Because it's inexpensive, I didn't mind spending the money for
the little thing. If you often have to be away from your
computer, and don't want to lug a heavy laptop around, you
might want to consider a netbook. I'm certainly glad I have
one. I've almost completed my medieval sequel to "Heartsong"
because of my new little toy. Hooray!

As ever,

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" named Best Novel of 2008
"A Treasure For Sara" available now!

Working through Writer's Block

2009-07-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

Ugh! Trying to write and you hit a wall. It happens to
every writer I know. I never thought it would happen to
me, but every once in a while, the words stop. Now, the
question has to be - how to get them started again.

Some of my past methods for combating Writer's Block, have
been to leave the computer, grab another author's book, and
read for a while. That does seem to help. If things don't
improve, I get out another book I'm working on and write
on that one for a bit. But, not suprisingly, sometimes
that fails too. I've grabbed my knitting, or crocheting
and tried that.

As I said UGH!!! That has also failed. Then I heard a friend
talk about making time to write. I decided to try some of
her suggestions. Low and behold, if the number of pages
you've decided to write for the day, are small enough, guess
what? You can do it.

I've set my daily goal for four or five pages. No, that's not
much but before, I always sat at the computer with at least a
chapter, or two or three scenes in mind. That doesn't work for me.

Another suggestion. Stop in the middle of a scene, or even in the
middle of a sentence. Heh! even that works. You go back to the
computer read that sentence fragment and at least for me, the
words start to follow.

So a big thanks to Kelly L. Stone. If you write or even want to write,
and could use some inspiration - like me, take a look at Kelly's web
site. Her workshops are great. Kelly L. Stone

PS. Kelly doesn't even know I'm writing this. I was just so impressed
I had to share.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" named Best Novel of 2008
"A Treasure For Sara" available now
from Champagne Books

Our fourth of July

2009-07-04T07:34:00.000-07:00

For us the fourth will be quiet. I'm gonna fix the traditional
hamburgers and corn on the cob, but because it's so hot, I'll
cook inside.

I truly love summer. It's not my favorite season. I believe spring
would quality there, but summers were always fun. Cook-outs, picnics
boating on Lake Erie, camping trips with the kids. Yep! Summers
were fun.

Now I watch our children doing the kinds of things we did when they
were younger and I realize now even more than then, that traditions
passed down from one generation to another are important ties to
family.

Here in the United States, we have the right and the freedom to pass
on those things we value, like traditions, holidays, family morals.
God help the world if this country can no longer stand on those
things which have made us the country that we are.

Of course, almost all of our citizens come from different countries,
or at least their families did. My sister is our research expert on
countries of origin, so I have to thank my ancestors from England, Wales,
Ireland, Scotland, Spain, and Germany, as far as we know, for giving
up everything they owned to strike out for a land little of them knew
anything about. Thanks to all of them, we live here, work here and
play here. Now, it's time to go to play.

As Ever,

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" named Best Novel of 2008
"A Treasure For Sara" available now
from Champagne Books

Trying to Write

2009-06-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I found out something that makes my hair curl.
Okay, my hair is curly, kinda, now, but this really
made me stand up and take notice. (Well, not exactly)
I discovered I cannot, repeat, cannot write when I'm
under the weather.

I manage with a messed up computer, I could even do
it after surgery, but when I don't feel good, in fact
yucky, I cannot create. I'm almost finished with my sequel
to Heartsong - almost, and I'm at the critical turning
point of the story. I know what happens, I just can't
get it down on paper.

And we've had really hot weather here, which doesn't help.
Today is another extreme "heat alert" day, and we've had
quite a few so far. The problem is, we are close to the
gulf of Mexico and humidity is high, right along with
the heat.

Okay, I'll stop complaining, and try to put something
on paper.

Back to the story. Again! SIGH!

Allison

Allison Knight
"It's All About Romance"
"Heartsong" named Best Novel of the Year
"A Treasure for Sara" available now
Both from Champagne Books www.champagnebooks.com

Feeling guilty and how!

2009-06-09T16:30:00.003-07:00

I can't beleive it! I've been so busy, blogging on
everyone else's blog, I haven't posted to mine. Yuck!
And I have good news, too. A Treasure for Sara is now
available in trade paperback. The sequel to Heartsong
is well on the way, and I've been entertaining kids.

Last month, we celebrated out forty ninth (49th)
anniversary. Wow! that long with my hero. I'm hoping
for quite a few more. Needless to say, next year we'll
have a party. And, yes, I'll be blogging all about
that as the time goes on. In the meantime, I'm busy
writing. My stint as President of our local RWA chapter
took a lot of time, but I'm finished now, so I can write.

Better get back to it. And I'll post more often.
Geeze - May 7th was the last time. Shame on
me.

Allison Knight
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heartsong named best novel of 2009
A Treasure for Sara Available now.

Feeling guilty and how!

2009-06-09T16:30:00.001-07:00

A Terrific Reminder!

2009-05-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I was reminded of something I knew and by sharing this information, I hope I can help someone else. I know it has already helped me.

Deep down in my subconscious, I probably had the information, but I just never had it pointed out so clearly as I did Saturday afternoon. I had the opportunity to listen to a counselor turned author who talked about making time for your writing. And boy, did some of her remarks hit home.

She pointed out anyone who has to accomplish a special project that isn’t getting finished, needs to assess the amount of time they spend doing things other than working on that project. She suggested keeping a journal and writing down what you spend time doing. I didn’t have to write anything down…. I knew!

As I thought about my typical day, I realized what I had been doing. Answering e-mail – constantly, running out to the kitchen for a bottle of water, a snack, standing at the refrig deciding what to have for dinner. Oh, a thousand ways to spend unproductive time.

When she talked about nesting jobs together, and planning ahead, I immediately thought about taking my snack and water to my office before I started to work, so I didn’t have to run to the kitchen every little bit. The part I think I liked best was to turn off your browser, so you aren’t tempted to go to your e-mail every little bit. I especially liked that one because I’m constantly checking e-mail.

Then there was her suggestion about setting goals. Okay, so I get remiss in that department too, but I always have an idea of what I want to get accomplished each day. It’s just that lately I’ve really had trouble meeting my goals. As I listened to her explaining what some of the best selling authors did, I realized I was setting my goals in the wrong way. I was planning just for the day. And, she was emphatic about putting everything down on paper, which I had never done.

Today I did just that. I wrote down what I needed to accomplish in the next year. Then, I divided the tasks into how much I’d need to complete each day to reach my goals. And surprise, surprise! It’s doable. Even with the interruptions that come with raising a family and maintaining a home.

So, if you’re like me, and struggling to get accomplished what you think you should be doing, think about looking at the big picture, write it down, and then consider what you have to do each day to reach that goal. I hope you’re as surprised as I was, when I realized I could complete planned projects with just a bit of effort on my part. Some of you may already have figured this out, but it was a revelation to me. So with my yearly and daily plan in hand, I’m willing to bet I’ll have my projects finished before the end of the year.

Allison

www.AllisonKnight.com
"It's All About Romance"
"Heartsong" named Best Novel of the Year
"A Treasure for Sara" available now

The importance of research

2009-04-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Since I write historical romance, one of my big concerns is
getting the facts right. Sometimes that can be a real
problem. I wasn't born two hundred years ago, and I can't really
go back in time, nor do I believe anyone can. But I write
about two hundred years ago, or even earlier.

I'm lucky, because I always liked history. I've mentioned
before how my father and mother both talked about their ancestors.
Of course, some of what they told us was not quite the whole truth
but it did make for a good story.

No, when I want to know about times long ago, I have to depend on what
experts have uncovered. But even that is not always completely true.
I think about all the information I've heard about the American
Indians, and yet, my own family had a real connection to one of the
Iroquois tribes, although I'm not sure which one.

For instance, I didn't know this but the whole nation had a great
respect for the physically disabled. Those afflicted were not destroyed
as some would have you believe. I know this for a fact, because my
(many greats) grandmother was capture by one of the tribes at Ruggles
Station in Ohio. She was born with one half an arm. Her hand was
attached to her elbow, the middle bones never developed. When she
lost most of her family, they were killed in the attack, she and two
brothers were taken captive. Some time later, she and her younger brother
were released in a swap in Detroit. I guess she could only save one
brother. According to her stories, she was treated well, considered
a good omen by the Indians, and released in good condition. She
must have been because she very lived a long and fruitful life, with
many children and grandchildren.

So the whole point I'm trying to make, sometimes, even the experts
get it wrong.

More later.

As Ever,

Allison
"Heartsong" named
Novel Of The Year
"A Treasure For Sara"
available now from Champagne Books

Meet Stacey Coverstone, one of Champagne's new authors.

2009-04-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

Stacey,

Tell me a bit about you and what you write.

I fell in love with cowboys and the West at an early age, so western romance is my favorite genre to write, both contemporary and historical. High Lonesome is my second novel. It’s being released by The Wild Rose Press on April 17, 2009 in both E-book and print formats. My first book, Lucky in Love, is currently available from Asylett Press, and my two historical western romances are being published by Champagne Books in August (Delaney’s Crossing) and December (Outlaw Trail) of this year. I also have two short E-books published.

So tell us tell about one of your characters.

Let me share an "interview" with Carmen, a secondary character in my new contemporary western romance, High Lonesome. I decided she could explain what's happening at the ranch because she's very intuitive and a little nosey. She happily spends all her time in the kitchen, which is the heart of Scott Landry’s ranch house. She has been with the family since Scott was a boy and she knows everything that goes on at the ranch. She sees the interaction between her employer and the beautiful amnesiac, Beth, and she cares deeply for both of them—particularly Scott, who she loves like a son. She wants him to find true love again, but at the same time, she couldn’t bear for his heart to be broken—and falling for an amnesiac might cause that to happen.

Why this story?

I was inspired to write this book set on a southwestern guest ranch after attending a week-long cowgirl camp at a working cattle ranch in New Mexico (I’ve been there twice). I love horses and own three of them, so horses are always in my books because they can bond people; in this case, Scott, Beth and Willow. I’m also enamored by enchanting New Mexico, so the rugged mountains and desert landscape, breathtakingly beautiful and magical, are important components in this story.
I believe in romance and love at first sight, so I wanted to write a story about instant attraction and the deep personal connection that can happen when two people least expect it—and how true love, when it’s meant to be will be—even when the odds are stacked against it.

Here's what Carmen has to say about life on the ranch, Scott, and the situation he's found himself in.

Carmen—may I call you Carmen, or do you prefer Mrs. Rios?

Carmen is fine. I was married once, but it didn’t work out.

So, Carmen, I understand you’re the cook at the High Lonesome. That’s a guest ranch outside of Ghost Rock, New Mexico. Correct?

Si. People come to trail ride horses into the mountains and take in the beautiful scenery. My employer, Scott Landry, owns 7,000 acres here in Red Rock country. He inherited this ranch when his father passed away. I’ve been here for close to 30 years and have watched Mr. Scott grow from a gangly boy into a hardworking, responsible man.

I met him down at the barn when I drove in. He’s one handsome cowboy. (sigh…)

(Carmen laughs). Si. Some of our guests say he looks like that country singer, Keith Urban. A lot of our female guests leave here with crushes on him.

He’s not married?

No. His wife died several years ago.

Oh, that’s sad. She must have been very young.

Si. She was his world.

I also saw a little girl in a pink cowboy hat and boots riding a big black horse in the outdoor arena.

That’s Willow, Mr. Scott’s seven-year old daughter. That one’s seven going on seventeen. (Carmen shakes her head and chuckles). She keeps us in stitches all the time. She’s a little cowgirl who competes in barrel racing.

I understand you have a special guest staying here right now.

Si. (Carmen lowers her voice and whispers). Just the other day, Mr. Scott was driving home from town and came across this pretty young woman on the side of the road. It turns out she’d been attacked and left in the desert. And she has amnesia! Mr. Scott brought her here to the ranch to recuperate while his best friend, the sheriff of Ghost Rock, tries to discover her identity.

Wow! Can this woman remember anything at all about the attack?

No. She can’t even remember her name, so we call her Beth. Willow came up with that. I won’t tell you how. (She laughs again and her bosom jiggles). Beth is the sweetest person, and very pretty, with long dark hair and big green eyes. She has taken to ranch life like a catfish takes to water. She loves the horses, and she and Willow are growing so close. Beth and Mr. Scott are spending a lot of time together, too. (She winks). Yesterday they took a horse ride to the lake. I’m an old lady, but I still have eyes. I can tell they like each other—very much. The trouble is…

What?

Mr. Scott deserves to find true love again. I can see Beth makes him very happy, but there are several complications. Her amnesia is only one problem, and it’s a big one.

What other complications are there?

(Carmen jumps up and turns off the skillet where bacon has been frying). I shouldn’t say. All I know is that Beth has been having flashbacks of a man that frighten her and she sees visions of a little girl. (Carmen makes the sign of the cross). I wonder if she’s married. And…there is someone else…well, I’ve already said enough. I’m not one to gossip.

The kitchen door swings open and a sexy man with sparkling blue eyes and unshaven cheeks strolls into the house. He’s wearing a denim shirt and dusty jeans and boots, a bandanna around his neck, and his hair is blonde and shaggy beneath his cowboy hat.
“Good mornin’, ladies.” He touches the brim of his hat to us and then hangs it on a hook, washes his hands and straddles a stool at the kitchen island.
Carmen hands him his plate and pretends to zip her lip. Seems our interview is over.

Thanks Stacey for sharing Carmen with us. The book sounds wonderful.

You can visit Stacey’s website for more information or to purchase her book.

http://www.staceycoverstone.com

A Note from Allison -

Occasionally, I'll be asking other authors to share some of their characters with us. Stop by often to learn more about some of my writing friends, their books and more about the trials and tribulations of writing romance.

It's been a while! Sorry about that

2009-04-03T04:38:00.001-07:00

Last night was one of the greatest nights in my
writing life.

Why? Because my publisher, Champagne Books, named
last year's release, Heartsong, as their BEST NOVEL
OF THE YEAR.

Every author strives to write a compelling, intriguing
novel the reader can't put down from page one. And
every author likes to know they've achieved that
goal. But seldom do readers step forward to tell
you it was a good, or better yet, a great book.
I was once told, for every one fan letter an author
gets, there are 5000 readers who wanted to
write. Doesn't sound right, by those aren't my
numbers.

Anyway, to keep writing and publishing, an author
needs feedback, and because it doesn't always
come from readers, the very next best thing is to
have your editor panting for your next book, or
awarding you BEST Novel Of The Year.

So... I'm pleased, grateful, astonished, delighted....

You get the picture. And my kids won't believe it.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" Best Novel Of The 2008
Published by Champagne Books
"A Treasure For Sara" Available now.

Writing with weather in Mind

2009-03-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

This morning, I got a picture from our oldest
who lives in the middle of Alabama. His porch,
swing, and car are covered with snow!
Snow - in the deep south. WOW!

My daughter in Texas was practically in tears when
I told her Alabama was going to get inches of
snow. She loves the white stuff. The oldest son
of course isn't that crazy about the condition.

This has been a brutal winter. Even when we lived
in Michigan, the winters weren't this cold - most
of the time. But, here we are on the Gulf, the
temperature will be freezing tonight, the snow
in the middle of Alabama will turn to ice because
it's going to be much colder there. And this is
suppose to be the start of our spring~!

That leads to speculation. Since I write Historicals
I'm intrigued with what the weather was like in
the stories I write. Good old Mother Nature goes
from hot to cold routinely. Most people don't
know that during the era of Henry the Eight, the
River Thames froze over. It had to be dreadfully
cold during those years. If I ever get around to
placing a book during that time period, I think
weather would have to be a very important part
of the story.

HMMMMMMMM...... I wonder. The author's favorite
question - - What if?

Off to think about a book with a lot of cold weather
in it.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" available now
"A Treasure For Sara" released this week!
www.champagnebooks.com

How about learning about other authors and their characters

2009-02-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

Once a week, I invite other authors to interview
a character from one of their own books. It's a
fun away to learn about other authors and their
work. Also it gives an insight into just how their
characters come to life.

If you have a bit of free time, you might want
to jump over to "It's My Time To Talk", at
www.mycharacters.blogspot.com and enjoy meeting
some interesting book characters.

I have a few of my own characters talking as well.

As ever,

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" nominated as best novel of the year!
And "A Treasure For Sara" available from
Champagne Books in March

About Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T18:34:00.000-08:00

I write historical romance, so Valentine's Day
has to have special meaning to me...After all
for me, “It’s All About Romance.”

Want to know what I found?

Many people will be exchanging objects declaring
love and devotion, but it's probably not as new
as you might think.

I find research often leads to some startling facts.
For example, I recently had occasion to check some
facts about Charles, Duke of Orleans. In 1415, he
was stuck in the tower of London following the
battle of Agincourt. Even then February 14th was
recognized as a special feast day for a Saint
Valentine, who was supposedly martyred for
performing outlawed marriages for young Roman
soldiers in the 3rd century. So, on that day and
separated from his beloved wife, Charles sent her
a “valentine” message telling her of his undying love.
It is now in a British museum and recognized as
the first official valentine.

The idea must have spread because Henry V hired
someone to send a “valentine” message of his love
to Catherine of Valois. By the 18th century all
over England, people of all classes were exchanging
little loving remembrances of the day. The settlers
brought the idea with them when they came to
the American continent and in the early 1700’s
people on this side of the Atlantic were exchanging
“valentine” messages.

In the middle of the 1800’s the first printed
valentine card appeared, made from bits of lace
and ribbons. The idea spread and sending a special
note or card to someone you loved was no longer
as expensive, because the cost of postage decreased
considerably.

Today, the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico,
Australia and Canada all celebrate Valentine’s Day.
So if you think all those cards, candy and flowers
are a modern tradition, think again. It all
started with the Duke of Orleans, way back in 1415.

Happy Valentine's Day

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com

"Heartsong" a medieval romance
and nominated for "Novel of the Year"
is available now from Champagne Books

Spring - Maybe

2009-02-08T09:01:00.000-08:00

Okay, part of the country is still reeling from
snow and cold. I've been there. I remember only
too well, the snow fall the week after Easter,
in late April, and the gray slush that followed.
I also remember black ice, and tree limbs littering
the ground, scattered under a sheet of ice.
Nasty, truly nasty.

And that's why we moved south! Now, while the rest
of the country prepares for another round of storms
I'm looking out my window and wondering how soon
the trees will bud.

Spring makes a bit of a problem for writers also.
Here I am, thinking about what I want to plant, where
and how soon, when I should be concentrating on my
next book.

Okay, I'll be good, and stop peering out the window.
I'll knuckle down and pull up the current chapter.
Yes, after just one more peek out the window...

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" nominated as Novel of the Year
"A Treasure For Sara" coming in March

Great News

2009-01-26T14:15:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while, an author's work is
recognized and is it wonderful.

My publisher just notified me that "Heartsong"
has been nominated as novel of the year. I've
been named with four other authors as having
written a book good enough for such a title.
On April first the best of the best will be
named "Book of the Year". I'd love to have
that title, but just to be nominated is a
huge thrill.

Along with the information about the nomination
I also got the cover for my March release, "A
Treasure For Sara". I'll share the cover in a day
or two.

This is one of those times when being an
author is truly exciting. Time to celebrate!

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" nominated by
Champagne Books as novel
of the year.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T15:42:00.000-08:00

December 25th. Wow! For me it means I'm another
year older. Yep, my birthday is Christmas Day.
I was born about this time - many years ago.
(Oh, come on. Women don't tell their ages.)

The cookies were baked, the candy was made,
now everyone is stuffed with goodies and
I have a few moments to myself. Yah!

Also I have some news. My publisher is having
a New Year's eve sale. Buy one, get another
for half price. (I love sales and yes, I'll be
out tomorrow, hunting for bargains.)

The publiher's sale will only last for a few
hours. Here's the information.

As always,

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Watch for "A Treasure
for Sara" coming in March
from Champagne Books

Whining again - this time about time!

2008-12-11T15:40:00.000-08:00

I've decided there aren't enough hours
in a day to get my work done! I'm working
on another book and it's slow. I remember
writing 10 to 12 pages at one sitting, but
I'm doing good to get 6 pages done in about
two hours.

The Christmas holidays are here also, and
that's complicating things a bit. I should
start the Christmas letter I send to family
and friends each year - but I haven't. No
time!

I should start making Christmas cookies, also
something I always do for friends and family.
Haven't done it yet. No time!

I'm working on a new web page, but it's not
finished. Not enough time!

I think you get the picture. I HAVE to get
organized here. Any suggestions???

As always,

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" available from
Champagne Books, Inc.

December is looming!

2008-11-29T09:53:00.001-08:00

Well, here it is, almost the end of the year! December
is a day away, black Friday has come and gone, and
before you know it, the New Year will be upon us.

2008 was a good year for me, for I did sell two books.
Heartsong came out in August, with the print copy
following in October. Now I'm waiting for the edits
to the book coming in March. However, my writing
has taken a beating. There just never seems to be
enough time. Too many other things have gotten in
the way. (I let too many other things get in the way!)

December for me means the end of several of the
consuming issues I blame for my lack of writing
time. So, I'm making my resolutions early this
year. Back to making lists and sticking with them.
I'm not going to let really unimportant things take
my writing time.

I'm working on three books and have two more ideas
I want to begin work on, so I have to concentrate!
Big Time!

The pros call it "Setting Goals". I call it making
a list. Off to make my first list of things to do.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" available in digital
format and print from
Champagne Books, Inc.

Facing Cold Weather

2008-11-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

I thought I might diverse today. Instead of talking
about cleaning - which I thoroughly dislike - or
my cats, even my writing, I'd talk about cold
weather.

Why, you ask?

Simple, it's snowing in place where I used to
live, so today I'm going to reminisce.

I lived in northern Indiana for a time, and believe
me it snows there. I remember coming home from
teaching, with my own young children in the back
seat of the car, and praying I could make it up the
only hill in town without sliding to the side of
the road like so many of the cars ahead of me. Hard
to remember what it felt like to face four foot snow
drifts, but they were there and the weatherman
has told us we were only going to get flurries.
HA!

I also remember coming home from teaching in
Michigan, because that's what I did for many years,
and again the weatherman said only flurries. We
got out of school at noon, with two feet of snow
on the ground and no sign it was going to stop
snowing. I was met about three miles from home
by the sheriff, who asked if I thought the road was
passible. I told him, yes, at the moment, but
not for long. He closed the road on my say-so!
Still don't understand that one.

Then there was the time we couldn't leave the house
for three days because of the snow - four feet of
the white stuff. We took the kids on a slide to
buy milk at a local store still open because the
owner lived within walking distance of his store.
I think we got the last gallon of milk.

Wow! No wonder we are enjoying the south so much!
I understand it snowed here some twenty years
ago. Boy! That's for me.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" available
from Champagne Books

Changes

2008-11-11T07:06:00.001-08:00

Change seems to be the big word at the moment.
So I decided to make a few changes myself -
kinda like New Year's resolutions.

First, I decided to scrub and wax the kitchen
floor. I've been sticking to it for weeks now.
And I finished yesterday. It took all day, for
I have a BIG kitchen.

Thursday the newest addition to the family,
Wallie, goes to the vet for his surgery. The vet
assures me it's a simple procedure, and not too
painful for the little guy, but necessary
because I don't want a howling, parading male
cat rounding around looking for a mate.

I also decided I'm not going to get stuck in the
kitchen this season making dozens of Christmas
cookies nobody needs, or should eat - me included.
I'll make just two kinds and of course, my usual
toffee. That's all, except maybe a batch of old
fashioned fudge.

Then there's my books. I working deligently on my
WIP and I'm delighted to say, it is coming along
nicely. I'll have it completely rewritten before
Christams - I hope.

And I'm going to change the amount of Christmas
decorations this year. A lot fewer than usual.
I'll keep reminding myself, what goes up must
come down. That should do it.

Yep! Gonna make some changes.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" a medieval romance
now available from Champagne Books
in both digital format and trade paperback.

Wait 'til you hear!

2008-10-27T13:13:00.000-07:00

This is too good not to share! Champagne Books publishes
my recent books. And one of the blogs I write
for, The Writers' Vineyard, is having a holiday promotion.

Here's the information.

Market got you down? Worried about the election in the
US? Concerned about the work involved in the holidays?
Christmas shopping, or spending too much money?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, I have
a suggestion. Take a bit of time for yourself and
come celebrate the holidays with
http://thewritersvineyard.com/

Of course, what would a holiday celebration be
without presents?

Share your favorite holiday memories and enter to
win a gorgeous UK hardcover of Eloisa James' An
Affair Before Christmas.
Do you love holiday shows and movies? Tell us about
them and you could win a copy of A Christmas Wedding
Wager and a copy of either Viking Warrior Unwilling
Wife or A Question of Impropriety from
Michelle Styles.

Did we miss a great book? Perhaps yours? Name your
favorite holiday book (even if it is your own) and
enter to win a prize pack from Barbara Baldwin and
an ecopy of Linda LaRoque's Forever Faithful.

Every day during November and December on
http://thewritersvineyard.com/ an excerpt or original
short story from a favorite author will be shared.
These favorite authors range from New York Times
Bestsellers to brand new, about-to-be-discovered
talents, sharing their tales of romance, science
fiction, mystery, and horror.

And to start things off, Champagne Books is sponsoring a scavenger hunt. Beginning the first of November
and ending of the eleventh of November.

Skip over to www.ChampagneBooks.com for details.

Then join in the fun at http://thewritersvineyard.com/

As ever,

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" available now
from Champagne Books.

Approaching Winter

2008-10-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what the rest of the country might
be like toward the end of October. I used to
speculate, as northern nights turned cold. In
fact, in parts of the north, you designed or
bought a Halloween costune for your kids and
made sure it was big enough to fit over a snowsuit.

We've lived in a lot of places in the US and
fall always meant leaves changing color and
dropping to the earth to be accumulated and
burned. It meant getting out winter coats and
sweaters and remembering to check the coal
or oil for winter heating.

Here in the deep south, things are very different.
You sigh with relief that a hurricane passed you
by this year, you don't need to unpack winter coats
or sweaters because you don't have any, and
most of the homes are electric. A fireplace or
small heater, in case it gets cold, probably in
late December or January is all you need. I'm
told it's been 20 years since it snowed. And I
love it!

We do worry about the plants having enough moisture
in the ground to last the winter so we don't have
to water. There's an occasional thought about
stacking the pile of fire wood, but it's only
a small thought because the pile is tiny, maybe
a dozen quartered logs.

Now you understand why we love living in the south,
since we never did like the cold. Snow at
Christmas was nice, beautiful even, but the ice
and gray slush, the need for two wardrobes, the
expense of heating the house made winter a trial.

Nope! Southern living is definitely for me. Warm
weather, fresh seafood, the blue waters of the gulf
(when they behave) and the friendliness of the
people make this a wonderful place to live.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" available
now from Champagne Books

My Life with the Kitten

2008-10-04T07:05:00.000-07:00

As I said, we have an addition to the family, a
tiny black kitten. Well, that was a month ago.
That kitten is growing up.

And he is developing some very bad habits. I've
lost all my house plants... I had baskets of
large potpourri around the house. Notice, I said
I did. Now the stuff is all over the floors.
Great toys.

I can no longer work contentedly at my computer.
Nope, he wants attention, so he jumps on my lap,
crawls onto the desk, via the keyboard and sits
in front of my monitor. He's big enough now to
block the screen (or most of it!)

But, he's a cute little bugger and I'm not at all sorry
we have him. He'll be great - when he gets a
little older.

Until then, I've discovered if I have to do any
serious writing, I better close my office door.
It's closed now. Or I would never have gotten
this post written.

That's my life with our kitten...

As ever,

Allison
www.allisonknight.com
"Heartsong" available now
from Champagne Books

Hurricane IKE

2008-09-16T08:27:00.001-07:00

I can only offer my sympathy and prayers for those
souls who lost their homes, their businesses, even
their lives in Hurricane Ike. The pictures coming
over the Internet and the news are heartbreaking,
and they remind me again of the destruction on
the Gulf three years ago.

As a kid, I remember tornadoes: the silverware
stuck in a tree, a garage flattened like a pancake,
siding and trees everywhere, the neighbor's roof
in the barnyard of the farmer a mile down. Nothing
good about a tornado.

However, there are a couple of big differences.
For one thing, with a tornado, you have a path,
and it's usually not too wide. You also don't
have the water! I can't imagine coming home to
snakes and alligators in my house, yet that's
what some of these people face.

The only good thing about a hurricane (if there
is one) - you know it's coming and you usually
have time to grab your stuff and, if you're
smart, run.

Again, my thoughts and prayers are with the
victims and their families. Selfishly, I can
hope we don't have another hurricane in the
Gulf for years to come. It's a terrible,
sinking feeling to watch the pressure drop,
the winds accelerate, and know it's heading
for you!

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
www.mycharacters.blogspot.com
"Heartsong" available now from
Champagne Books. www.champagnebooks.com

Adding an Addition to the Family

2008-09-07T10:39:00.000-07:00

It's called stupid! Or better yet - I've lost my
mind.

I love animals. We've had dogs, cats, even a hamster.
Now, we have a big yellow male cat who has celebrated
his 8th birthday, and no, we didn't have a party
for our king cat.

But two weeks ago, our son found a little black
kitten running around in the storage area of the
place where he works. The poor little thing
hadn't had a thing to eat for at least two days.
(except perhaps, a few bugs)

Also being an animal lover like his mother, he
brought the tiny kitten home with him.

Of course, only a couple of months earlier
he'd bought a kitten himself to keep his bigger
cat company. He really couldn't keep the little guy.

So... Big hearted Mama said, "we'll take him!" But
I had forgotten what kittens are all about. This one
wants to play -- all the time. With the big guy, with
the computer keyboard, with my fingers and hands. It's
a miracle I can still type because his play ends up
in a sharp nibble!

Can't wait for him to grow up a bit so he can no longer
climb up my leg to get to the keyboard, stay out from
under the furniture and leave the big cat alone. (I've
had more exercise in the last two weeks, getting up
and down and under things, chasing the little guy out
of place he doesn't belong, then I've had in years.)

Writing? Don't count on it. Things are all about a
kitten at the moment.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Available from Champagne Books
"Heartsong" and coming in March
"A Treasure for Sara"

More computer woos

2008-08-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

I hate to do more complaining, but Bill Gates,
if you're out there, may I ask a question?

Why do we have to keep changing an operating
system that works? Finally, they got all the
kinks out of XP. So what did they do, they
designed a new operating system - Vista. But
I liked XP. And the programs I've had to update
or repurchase. UGH~!

Of course, all this does relates to writing,
because I write on a computer. I really love
the way the computer works, how much eaier
some chores become with a computer. Of
course, that means a lot more work also.
I have to work on the web page. Blogs
need attention, but shopping, writing, doing
financial stuff is all so much easier because
of the case of digital equipment at my feet.

Okay, I love my computer, I don't like the operating
system. I suspect I'm not alone~!

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Available NOW! "Heartsong"
from Champagne Books, Inc.
www.champagnebooks.com

Waiting for a Release

2008-07-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

For an author, especially this author,
waiting for a release is nerve-racking.
It was bad with the first book (for me
that was thirteen books ago) but I figured
the nervousness would decrease with each book.

Wrong!

Waiting for each book has increased the
tension, the suspense, the concern. Will
this book be accepted, what will the reviewers
think, will anyone even buy the book? Lots
of questions, lots of anxiety.

Of course, you guessed it. I'm waiting for
a release. And, yes, I'm nervous. Those
same questions dance around in my head, and
the concern mounts. It's probably worse with
this book, because "Heartsong" is one of my
favorite stories. It's also my first attempt
at a medieval romance. The research that
went into this book was legend. But, did
I get it right? Another question.

Okay, so I wait. The release will come-
and then I'll know. Until then...

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heartsong" to be released in August
from Champagne Books, www.champagnebooks.com

Weather watching

2008-07-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, July is here, and on the coast, that means watching weather. Already we have one Atlantic storm, but lucky for us, the storm doesn't look like a threat. But, the season has just started.

Summer is here with temperatures soaring. That means staying inside and enjoying air conditioning. My thoughts turn to the past. Have you ever thought about the women of a hundred and fifty years ago?

There was no air conditioning, just manually operated fans, and if you were lucky, someone to supply the energy to fan you. Then, of course, there were the clothes. Men were a bit luckier, because, unless a lady was nearby, they could shed some of the clothing. But, not a woman. She wore an undergarment, a chemise, then a corset, laced tight, petticoats and then a dress, usually with a very full skirt, prehaps an overskirt, and long sleeves, at least to the elbow. The fabric was cotton, silk or wool. Can you imagine today, wearing all those clothes in ninty degree weather?

No wonder a fainting bench was present in a number of rooms. At least today we can wear shorts and sleeveless tops and enjoy air conditioning. We can also enjoy a tall glass of lemonade or tea, loaded with automatically made ice cubes, some thing else the citizens of a hundred and fifty years ago did not have.

All I can say is I'm sure glad I'm living in the 21st century.

Allison

www.AllisonKnight.com
watch for "HEARTSONG" coming
from Champagne Books in August.

A lengthy delay

2008-07-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

Ever had everything go wrong in a short amount of time?

Well, my thoughts and comments have been on hold for more than two months. Almost everything went wrong.

My computer kicked the bucket - well, not really. The motherboard got fried. Don't know how but we had this severe electric storm and zap - my computer was gone. And yes it was on a surge protector. Ah, see, they don't always protect!

Of course, I immediately replace the computer - would you believe I
got a Lemon! A bonifide lemon. It even had someone else's password on it, and it was supposed to be new. Yep, I went right out and got another one, got it set up, ALL THE PROGRAMS COPIED! As an author, I have programs - and programs - and more programs!

Computer was working - but I was not. Into the hospital! Too much stress? Who knows. I ended up under the knife. Major surgery.
Then recovery, and more recovery. You get the picture.

Finally, I'm almost back to normal, or for me what is normal...

More in a couple of days when I get back to the world of characters!

Allison

www.AllisonKnight.com
"Heal My Hurting Heart" avaialable now from
Champagne Books, in e-book format or trade paper back.
"Heartsong" coming in August from Champagne Books

A Busy Spring

2008-05-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

Trying hard to get back into the swing of things.

Not easy. First the conference, and now the
family. Three of my four children came to visit.
Lots of cooking, (two teens in the group)and big boys,
my two and my son-in-law, who all like to eat. And
the Texas kids brought their dog, a BIG German Shepard.
She a nice dog, but we only have a three bedroom home.
Our poor little cat was imprisoned in our bedroom.
And he was not a happy kitty.

But the children left for home, taking the dog and
care packages of extra food. (Mother can't let the
kids leave without a handout.) Finally, things are
getting back to normal and I have returned to the
stories in process.

I've outlined another two romances, taken a hard look
at the sequel to Heartsong, and started on the next
chapter of the gothic. Not a bad start in the attempt
to return to my normal writing schedule. There's still
conference pieces to finalize but that too is coming to
a halt, so I can devote my time to my books.

The only problem I have now is trying to decide which
book needs my attention the most. Think I'll spend
time on the gothic. I've a few ideas on how to knock
a few characters off, but I have to decide who's "doing
the dirty". I really don't know who the villain is yet.
Guess the characters will have to tell me, or will it
be the last one standing? Stay tuned while I try to
get them to confess!

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Available from Champagne Books
in August "Heartsong"
Coming in March, a Yukon romp,
"A Treasure for Sara"

Apologies

2008-04-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

Almost a month since I last added any comments to this
blog. But it's been a very busy month. The past weekend,
April 11th through the 13th, and to be honest, nearly
every minutes for the past two months, up to and
including the weekend, was involved with our
Silken Sands Writers Conference in Pensacola, FL.

My heart felt sympathies to all those people who have
ever tried to hold a conference of any kind. This was
a first for me. I had no idea it involved all of the
months of work it took to make it a success, which
it appears to have been.

Of course, I had a tremendous amount of support from
the other writers in our little chapter. On top of
that the Chairperson and her co-chair had done this
once before. So she was knowledgeable and so organized
it almost made me ashamed of myself for my lack
of organization. But, I'm learning.

Now as I put the conference behind me, I can once again
concentrate on writing. Soon, I'll have the edits for
"Heartsong" which is truly the book of my heart! As soon
as I have the cover for that book I'll post it.

I also have books to write, so one set of priorities
have changed, but I will still be busy. And I learned
more from this conference about organization than I
ever thought possible. Now, it's time to practice
what I learned.

More later!

Allison
"Heal My Hurting Heart", Champagne Books
available now. "Heartsong" in August and
"A Treasure for Sara" in March of next year