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Does Accuracy Matter?

“Good novels can bring readers a visceral sense of times and places unfamiliar to them.” Cress Taylor, Historical Novelist (protagonist,...

Who Wins? Cress and Max's Musical Challenge

Cress listens to classical music. Max tries to avoid music. Although Cress can surprise you with unexpected choices when she needs to...

Writing with Rhythm

The radio comes on with Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending. Warmth fills me as a solo violin sounds the opening notes. After a few...

Virtual Travel

“Elevenses. A favorite from my school days not usually indulged in these days. It’s a family tradition I mostly honor in the breach....

Get 'Em Hot: The Chicago Dog

"With one hand, I grab the hot dog JL shoves under my nose, typing with the other, brushing stray poppy seeds off the keys. I’ve...

Cars, Cars, Cars–Where Does Max's Obsession Come From?

"I come by my mania for machines honestly. My dad was an RAF pilot, but after a couple of bad crashes invalided him out, he’d turned from...

Do You Know The Proclaimers?

UPDATE: April 21, 2021 When I published this blog on Monday, I didn’t realize that it was David Tennant’s birthday. A belated happy...

It’s Raining Cats and Dogs

Monday morning doesn’t start well. “Oww,” I yell, startled as Dorothy attacks Thornfinn across my chest, managing to catch my wrist with...

Meet Max and Cress

Cress sees Max at a book signing. “Excuse me.” A deep British voice stops me mid-rise. The tall man I noticed earlier makes his way over...

Do You Believe in Love at First Sight?

“My cousin, Guy, and I were on our way to the Randolph Hotel to meet our grandmother for tea when this girl ran her bike into me.” I...

Where Are We? Why Settings Matter

This is a picture taken from my front window in Chicago at the beginning of a snowstorm a few weeks ago. I could easily see my characters...

Happy St. Patrick's Day: An Extra Blog Post

St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. So the Irish have a good reason to celebrate. Maybe you do too, even if it's just the chance...

Happy Belated International Bagpipe Day

Better late than never! International Bagpipe Day was March 10. What does this have to do with anything? My own interest in polar...

At First Sight (Global Security Unlimited 1)

In 2013, Max Grant, an emotionally damaged forty-year-old ex-MI6 operative, thinks he is finally ready for his own happily ever after,...

Writing Romance

I didn’t always write romance. When I was a teenager, and much braver than I am now, I wrote poetry. Lots of poetry. Long poems, short...

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