The other book, Dragons and Dreams, is a compilation of three of my stories that first appeared in The Agency of Extraordinary Mates series from Changeling Press. Island Dreamin' is a short and sassy romance takes the fantasy in dreams to another level altogether. At least the dreams of one particular woman. The other two books within the anthology make up a two-book fantasy series that I really enjoyed writing. I can't recall right now what the inspiration was for this one--I have a feeling it was Margaret Riley, owner of Changeling Press, telling me she wanted a story about the island of Chimera, where magic happens. So I wrote the first one, and it was so much fun, and I really wanted to write more about two of the characters who started out as secondary characters and quickly took over the book, that that's where the second one came from. Together they make a really fun, sexy, and very romantic story. Click on the cover for Dragons and Dreams and it will take you to Changeling Press where you'll find links for both ebook and print at all the regular sellers, (though they usually cost less at Changeling Press)
The big news, though, at least in my world, is that Doug and I have moved. it was sort of a spur of the moment decision that we'd been working up to for quite some time, though it felt like it took us forever to sell our house and find the one we found. We moved to town six years ago to be closer to our daughter and the grandkids, who were a lot younger at the time and we wanted to be there to help out with all the coming and going that three busy kids are doing.
We did our best to adjust, but after living in the country for most of our 46 years of marriage, it was beginning to affect us in too many ways to ignore. In my case, writing was almost impossible and I watched my output go from 3 to 6 books and novellas a year to barely finishing one. I developed an ulcer and felt like crap all the time and one night I came home from my evening walk and said to my beloved and understanding spouse, "What do you think about moving?"
All Doug said was, "Where?" Well, the "where" ended up being the beautiful little gold country town of Georgetown, CA. We're just ten miles from Coloma, where gold was discovered in California so many years ago, and our house is fascinating. I swear it was built in installments, from the old miner's cabin in the front yard to the room in the the house made of stone and brick with walls about 18" thick that has got to be at least a hundred years old. We're still researching the history, at least as much as we can. More was added on in 1964, and more again in 1974, and then it was remodeled before we bought it.
It's modern and comfortable, but Doug and I both spend most of our time in the old room because it just feels right in here.
My office is behind that door, but it's such a mess I'm not showing it to a soul! My beat up recliner didn't make the move, so I'm currently working in my grandmother's old rocker here in the family room.
If you've been following me on Facebook, I hope you've seen the Critter Cams I'm posting. I gave Doug a critter camera for his birthday last summer, and we've been getting all sorts of nightly visitors...including a bear! It comes to eat the fallen apples in the orchard, which has been nice as it's doing a great job of cleaning up old fruit. Besides the orchard, there're about four acres of forest that Doug's been working on, clearing out the brush and deadwood. There's a pond in front and he's been pruning back the cattails, too, so the man has been really busy, but he appears to be loving every minute. We both feel as if we're back in the right kind of country.
Susan deals with the issue of child sexual abuse in a sensitive manner that builds the romance and strengthens the ties between a very shy bookseller and a famous musician. Julian and Iris's story is absolutely perfect. In fact, I'm planning to get back to it when I finish my newsletter!
Take care, be well, and I do hope you have time to read a few good books. They really are food for the soul!
Kate