Odds and ends – First Day of HH Calendar

Just a post to list some guest blogs and other interesting tidbits:

Carrie Lofty of Unusual Historicals has written a very well-thought out article about what sort of elements authors of unusual historical romances have to consider when targeting their stories for a mass market audience. She’s interviewed editors and agents as well as authors (myself included!) and put together a succinct and comprehensive look into the balancing act of writing unusual settings.Walking the Tightrope by Carrie Lofty

I’m blogging today at the Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood about “Writing with a Cinematic Eye” where I try to describe how I re-think scenes and translate them from a cinematic view to words on the page.

And last, but not least. December is here! It’s the first day of the Harlequin Historical Advent Calendar celebration! Visit Lynna Banning to kick off the event. Each day you participate will enter you in a mini-giveaway for that author as well as the Grand Prize giveaway – a Kindle 3G. (I loves my Kindle. I really, really do.) Come back here on Dec. 4 (Saturday) for my contribution.

Miss a day? Don’t worry. You can go back and still complete the activity for an extra chance to win. 22 days — 22 authors.

Starred review from Publishers Weekly

I had no idea about this until Courtney Milan and the Twitterverse pointed it out to me. I’m stunned, excited, happy!

From Publishers Weekly:
Web Exclusive Butterfly Swords
Jeannie Lin, Harlequin Historical
$5.99 mass market (288p) ISBN 978-0-373-29614-9

Chang Ai Li flees her wedding and her enraged bridegroom in Lin’s exciting debut, an adventure tale set in turbulent 8th-century China. Ai Li, the only daughter in a family of mighty warriors, is trained by her grandmother to fight with light butterfly swords and defend herself and her family’s honor. Ryam is a foreigner trying to get back to his stronghold on the far western edge of the empire. After he helps Ai Li fight off brigands and soldiers, she hires him to help her evade her pursuers and get back to the imperial city. Ryam is uncomfortable when Ai Li calls him honorable, while she is amazed that he listens to what she has to say. Despite being from different cultures and classes, they fall in love. The especially vibrant writing describing the culture, clothes, and countryside saves this from being just another tale of impossible love. (Oct. 1)