Leaving New York Harbor

It's been fifty-nine years since I've been to New York or seen the harbor. On July 4th, 1955, my mother, father, brother and I sailed in on a ship from Stephenville, Newfoundland where we'd been at Harmon Air Force Base for the past two years. I was impressed with the site of the Statue of Liberty, but somehow I missed seeing Ellis Island (or have forgotten). The facility closed in November of 1954. As we sailed past these landmarks I remarked to my husband I wished we'd planned to stay in the area for a few days so we could tour Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. We both love history and both landmarks have impacted our history in such a major way.

In 1955, our car was damaged aboard the ship, and being a holiday weekend, we had to spend several days in New York getting it repaired. We stayed at the Henry Hudson Hotel. Our room was on the 19th floor--way too high up for this ten-year-old girl. The hotel wasn't airconditioned and there were no screens on the windows. A half piece of glass did tilt up and out from the base, but it didn't reassure me. I'd been going through a sleep-walking phase and was terrified I'd walk in my sleep and jump out the window. My fretting upset my mother and interrupted her sleep.

The Henry Hudson Hotel is still there, a very fashionable one now. The picture to the left is from an old postcard http://www.lileks.com/NYC/postcards/Hotels/hudson.html

My memories of New York, other than my fear of sleep-walking, are of visiting the Empire State Building and eating at an automat--something I'd never seen or heard of.

Here is our first view of Carnival Triumph as we pulled up to the dock for boarding and a picture of the Intrepid taken from the Denali Deck where we had lunch.

We were so tired our first day, we were in bed and asleep by 10:00 PM. Saturday was spend at sea where I played the slots, visited the shops, and we sat on our balcony and read. We loved the motion of the boat. As a matter-of-fact, I miss it here on land.

As after every trip, now there is laundry to do, and chores to catch up on, not to mention all the emails to answer. Our little dog Molly was so thrilled to see us she ran around in circles. She stayed with our son. He said she was depressed and moped around the entire time.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Tomorrow I'll post pictures of St. John.

Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment. Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda

http://www.lindalaroque.com/

Cruising New England and Canada

We spent a miserable night in Austin. It was humid and we couldn’t get the ac in the hotel to keep us cool. We finally asked for a fan and had the thermostat set on 67. Neither of us slept very well and were up at 3:00 hoping the hotel van driver would arrive on time so we could get the airport in time for our 5:45 am flight.

We arrived in NY at 11:45 and arrived at Carnival’s place of departure around 1:00. We got into our cabin at 3:00. The boat left the dock at 5:00. It was interesting to sail past The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Unfortunately I forgot to bring the USB cord that connects my camera to my computer so I can’t load any pictures until we get home.

Last night we slept like a log. The sway of the ship rocked us to sleep. As I sit here typing I’m swaying side to side. Thank goodness neither one of us are prone to sea sickness. Tomorrow we’ll be in St. John’s.

Today I lost a little money playing slots in the casino but had a great time. There was a jewelry and purse sale but I didn’t need either. Larry spent most of the day on our balcony reading on his Palm and grooving on the waves. It is cool enough for a jacket now.

This may be my only post this week as though the ship has wireless, it cost $24.00 an hour. Can you believe it? I don’t even know who won the Golden Heart’s and Rita’s. I’m going to bite the bullet right now and spend an hour catching up.

Hope your week is great!

Linda

Guests Angelica Hart and Zi on Writer's Block

Please welcome Angelica Hart and Zi, a writing team with loads of wit and wisdom. I look forward to their upcoming release Killer Dolls available in September from Champagne Books.
Thank you for joining us today, Angelica and Zi.

Readers, please leave Angelica and Zi a comment or question to be entered in my monthly drawing.

WRITER'S BLOCK?

Writer's block. We define that as time set aside to write. A definition quite different than most. We think our optimistic approach works.

We have been interested in writers' points of view for what seems to be forever. We both have learned that the common denominator that writers share about writing is, one must write and write as often as they can, for though practice we grow.

Viola! We write almost every day. Why? The afore statement suggests we have been spirited by the thoughts of those writers who have come before us. Not quite the complete truth. First off, we find writing fun. We both try to wordsmith in such a way we can tease another's imagination. If we succeed, we feel proud. Secondly, we write because we love the purposeful nature and utter magic the use of this medium can provide. Thirdly, we write to grow for we are both humble in the simple fact that we are learning engines everyday trudging down the tracks of authorship.

Without question, we want to improve. Yes, we have things we love to share. Of course, we have stories within us that need telling. But the thoughts and stories require we honor them with the best we can write. So, we write. We write. We re-write. And then write again.

Our most recent manuscript is virtually completed. We've included the follow excerpt.

****

“I like her, too,” said Longar, taking in the eclectic look of her. He pulled out his perusing yard stick to measure her against known iconic female traits. Men's frame of reference for the most part would be that which they liked and appreciated. Her personality was genuine, and made anyone feel comfortable with her honesty. She was far from genteel being more a free-spirit. Recently Rich had been dating women who many of his friends would have referred to as hoity-toity or highfalutin. She was earthy and he liked that. Her forthrightness disarming. Her lips bespoke pleasure not from their utterance but from the possibility of their touch. The swish of her derriere was a feast for his eyes and a treat for a famished imagination. Its sway and shake, fetching. He recalled the mystery in the mirror of her eyes perceiving a misery set deep behind their beauty though their lash, brow and color bemused perfection. Her smile easily dismantled any resistance yet was smoldering. Her breasts spoke of shenanigans, the kind that lustful adolescent talked with friends about under the bridge. Oh yes, he did like her. She pulled the ripcord labeled something special and his parachute of what ifs opened and he floated beneath it, wondering.

*****

The character Rich Longar is a fire investigator and is trying to solve what appears to be terroristic arson. His investigation is complicated by Lauren Pike an eclectic woman who has smitten him. Of course... of course... they have trials and tribulations and complex situations but don't you just love that feel of the soul when you sense another touches that place inside of you that says you're attracted to them. If we communicated that in our writing we have done our job.

Thank you for letting us write for you.

Angelica Hart and Zi
Killer Dolls ~ September 2009
Snake Dance ~ February 2010
Champagne Books

Guest Candace Morehouse

I'm pleased to welcome Candace Morehouse as my guest blogger today. She'll be sharing a little about herself and her latest novel. Please welcome Candace and leave her a comment. Remember, all commenter's names will be added to my monthly ebook drawing.

Here's a little about Candace.

Candace Morehouse enjoys writing romance that spans more than just time with her historical and contemporary novels. With two historical romances published, a contemporary romance coming out in October, and a romantic suspense she co-authored with Michael Davis releasing in January, 2010, her novels span many different places and times.

Originally from Wisconsin, Candace moved to New Mexico when she was entering her teens and it is there where her creative talent was honed. A country girl at heart, she currently enjoys living with her husband in the White Mountains of northern Arizona with Colby Jack, a purebred mutt, and Yogi, a Welsh Corgi. Her son is both webmaster and IT tech for her various pursuits as he attends ASU.

Here are a few questions for you, Candace.

Q: From where did you get the idea for your latest release?
A: I love the Edwardian era and enjoyed watching Upstairs, Downstairs when it aired on PBS. Plus, I love a good mystery. I took the two elements and combined them. Suspicion of Love was begun, and outlined, a good 15 years ago. I found that old manuscript about a year and a half ago, rewrote the first completed part, and then finished the rest.

Q: What do you like best about this book?
A: Suspicion of Love was a very fun book to write. I absolutely love researching, immersing myself in another era. I think it did that pretty well – maybe too well. Some people do not like reading the authentic dialogue with a more formal manner of speaking. But when I was writing it, I WAS Jacqueline, the heroine, and I think that shows.

Q: Tell me a bit about your background and what prompted you to write a book.
A: Ever since I was just knee-high to a grasshopper I wanted to write. My first book was written and illustrated by me at the age of 7 and entitled Mr. Fathead Goes to the Moon. Sadly, it did not make the best seller list! I’ve always loved to read, though. I was never a popular kid in school and reading books took me out of reality to experience another time and place. I’ve always loved reading romance books since I was teen, so that is why it is the genre I like to write.

Q: Which of the characters you’ve written is your favorite and why?
A: Samantha from Full Throttle (my first contemporary romance) is nearest and dearest to my heart. She is based quite a bit on me. I created her after my experience co-owning a motorcycle dynamometer business testing and performance tuning Harleys. Samantha is feisty, intelligent, and not afraid to get her hands dirty – the perfect woman for ex-motorcycle racer and playboy Linc Montgomery. Full Throttle will be released October 1st at Champagne Books.

Q: How do you get yourself into the mood to write? Any special rituals/habits?
A: When I was writing Suspicion of Love, I rented DVDs of Upstairs, Downstairs from the library as well as the very earliest motion picture recordings by Thomas Edison (which were fascinating, BTW). Watching those, along with listening to classical music and bringing up pictures of old London on the Internet, helped me get into character and figure out what Jacqueline and Stephen were going to do next.

Q: Are you a plotter (laying out all the plot points ahead of time) or a pantster (plotting by the seat of your pants)?
A: Pantster, for the most part. I have a general outline before I begin to write, but often my characters inform me of changes they want made along the way!

Q: The most important question: chocolate or vanilla?
A: I will probably get kicked out of the sisterhood for saying this, but I’m vanilla all the way.

Vanilla? That is different. The only time I prefer vanilla over chocolate is if it's homemade ice cream, but, to each his own.

Thank you for being my guest today, Candace. I look forward to reading Suspicion of Love and I'll be watching for your joint venture with Michael Davis -- your romantic suspense due out in January 2010.

Candace Morehouse "Writing romance that spans more than just time"
My romance novels available at http://www.champagnebooks.com/
http://www.candacemorehouse.com/

Thanks for stopping by today. Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda
Linda LaRoque ~Western Romance with a Twist in Time~ A Law of Her Own, Desires of the Heart, My Heart Will Find Yours, Flames on the Sky10-9, Forever Faithful, Investment of the Heart, When the Ocotillo Bloom
www.lindalaroque.com/ http://wwww.lindalaroqueauthor.blogspot.com/

A New Review for My Heart Will Find Yours

I'm so pleased to share this review from Long and Short Romance Reviews for my time travel My Heart Will Find Yours.

My Heart Will Find Yours by Linda LaRoque
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Time Travel, Action/Adventure, Historical, Western
Length: Full (310 pages)
Heat: Sensual
Rating: 5 BooksReviewed by Water Lily


Here is a comment from the review.

"I loved the bi-play between Royce and Texanna. They have definite chemistry even though Texanna wishes they didn’t. She risks everything to save Royce and his (and Pearl’s) son, but doesn’t mean to stay in 1880. She doesn’t mean to fall in love with Pearl’s husband.

Linda LaRoque’s characters are extremely likeable, multilayered, and faith-filled. The way she plays the past and the present off each other, using one to change the other, makes this story truly unique. My Heart Will Find Yours is fast paced and compelling. I read it in one sitting.

I will definitely be watching for Flames in the Sky, Book Two in LaRoque’s Turquoise Legacy series."

You can read the full review at Long and Short Romance Reviews.

My Heart Will Find Yours is available at The Wild Rose Press, Fictionwise, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.com.

Flames on the Sky, Book Two of the Turquoise Legacy, will be out October 23, 2009.

Please leave a comment to be entered in my monthly ebook drawing and take a look at my new release contest.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda
Linda LaRoque ~Western Romance with a Twist in Time~ A Law of Her Own, Desires of the Heart, My Heart Will Find Yours, Flames on the Sky10-9, The Wild Rose Press; Forever Faithful, Investment of the Heart, When the Ocotillo Bloom 7-9, Champagne Books.
www.lindalaroque.com/
http://wwww.lindalaroqueauthor.blogspot.com/

Guest Laura Hogg

I'm pleased to have my good friend, Laura Hogg, as guest today.
She and I met on the RWC loop some years ago. Today she'll share
some insight about her writing of Double Vision.

Genre ROMANCE
Sub Genre PARANORMAL
Time Period CONTEMPORARY
Setting LONDON, COLORADO, THE ASTRAL PLANE

Log Lines:

A nightclub singer has troubling visions and an ex-boyfriend who won't let go. A British record producer has strange premonitions about an American woman. Can he get to her in time to prevent a tragedy?

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

DOUBLE VISION IS A MODERN-DAY ROMANCE, SO I DIDN’T DO MY USUAL HISTORICAL RESEARCH HERE. I WAS IN A ROCK BAND FOR YEARS AND COME FROM A MUSICAL FAMILY, SO THE MUSICAL ASPECTS OF THE STORY FLOWED RIGHT OUT. AND THE PARANORMAL CAME NATURALLY TO ME. SO IF I LEARNED ANYTHING FROM THIS PARTICULAR STORY, IT WAS ON THE CRAFT OF WRITING. MY EDITOR SHOWED ME HOW I COULD MAKE MY WORK STRONGER AND MORE EFFECTIVE. SHE HELPED ME WITH MANY THINGS SUCH AS SHOWING VS.TELLING.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

WRITE A LOT, AND READ A LOT-AND NEVER GIVE UP. JOIN CRITIQUE GROUPS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ART AND CRAFT OF WRITING.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I WANTED TO COME UP WITH AN EXOTIC PLACE FOR THIS COUPLE IN “DOUBLE VISION” TO FALL IN LOVE, AND I MANAGED IT BY CROSSING INTO THE PARANORMAL.

Back cover blurb:

Kayla is an American musician betrayed by her fiancé. She is desperately hurt and psychically cries out for help.

The British Justin has disturbing visions of an unknown girl falling to her death. She visits him in his dreams and visions. They fall in love on a plane other than earth and date in another world. He must discover her true identity and becomes a man on a mission to find her and save her.

The problem is, he doesn’t know if he can do this in time to prevent the tragedy he has already foreseen.

Purchase link:
http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/paranormal/romance/double-vision/prod_74.html

A quote from a review at TwoLips Reviews:

"Laura Hogg tells a beautiful love story of two souls who bond across the distance. This is not a sexual story, but one of love which crosses oceans in order to bring two people together. Double Vision is a wonderful story, and very romantic."

A quote from FallenAngel Reviews:

"Ms. Hogg manages to tie together a paranormal gift with people of character, morals, and integrity without having them sacrifice their underlying belief system and faith in God."

A quote from a review from http://sensual.ecataromance.com/index.php?p=284

"Laura Hogg has a unique vision that has transferred itself to paper in this breathtakingly romantic novella. Her characters are passionate and amazingly well thought out. The basic premise of the story is one that is both extremely compelling and fascinating."

paranorml blog: Travel the Ages: http://traveltheages.blogspot.com/

Thank you for stopping by and sharing with us today. Readers, please leave Laura a comment and be entered in July's drawing for an ebook.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda

Winner of June's Ebook

The winner of the June drawing for the ebook of her choice is Celia Yeary.

Congratulations, Celia. Look at the books on my website and let me know which one you'd like and let me know.

Keep those comments coming for next months contest and check out the When the Ocotillo Bloom contest.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Linda
Linda LaRoque ~Western Romance with a Twist in Time~ A Law of Her Own, Desires of the Heart, My Heart Will Find Yours, Flames on the Sky10-9, The Wild Rose Press; Forever Faithful, Investment of the Heart, When the Ocotillo Bloom 7-9, Champagne Books.
www.lindalaroque.com/
www.lindalaroqueauthor.blogspot.com/