Every author is different in how he/she writes a book, but most fall into one of two main categories – either a plotter or a pantster. I’m a pantster, meaning I write by the seat of my pants. Or in my case it’s more precise to say my characters tell a story – in their own sweet time – and I just get it typed up. It’s a tough way to do business because in the real world of publishing, editors want to know what a book will be about long before I’ve written it. There’s a lot of overlap in publishing. For instance, right now DASH OF PERIL is out, BACK TO BUCKHORN, HARD KNOCKS, and NO LIMITS are turned in, and I’ve just gotten started on writing HOLDING STRONG. Busy, busy! There’s plenty of promo to do on DASH OF PERIL. (Yay, thank you!) I just wrapped up page proofs on the other three. At the same time my editor wants a summary of what HOLDING STRONG will be about, along with character descriptions, so they can start conferring on covers. All I can tell her about the plot is that it’ll end happy. ::grin:: I know what…

The application to be an Avon Addict (Group 4!) has just gone live. For those who don’t know, the Avon Addicts program is a “super-reader” program by Avon Romance, and it lasts for approximately six months, during which Avon Addicts get exclusive access to author chats, events, blog tours, books, galleys and more. The application—and more info on the program—can be found here

If I told you you’d love a hero who was frightened of literary societies and muffins, would you believe me? Probably not, but read on, and maybe I can change your mind. For me to enjoy a romance, I have to love the hero. Generally I like one who’s strong, tough, and honorable, a take-charge kind of guy, the kind of guy who relishes trouble, who’s a fighter as well as a lover. But sometimes an unexpected hero simply arrives on the page. The hero in THE WINTER BRIDE, Freddy Monkton-Coombes appeared in the previous book (THE AUTUMN BRIDE—a RITA finalist) as a minor character. He was the hero’s best friend, a sidekick kind of guy. He’s neither tough, or take-charge —he’s a beta-hero, a funny, charming, bad-boy rake. Freddy isn’t even a heroic kind of name. But somehow, I knew he had to be the hero of the next book. Even though he’s horrified by things like literary societies and muffins. Freddy on the literary society Damaris (the heroine) attends: “The horror stories those girls read are enough to make a fellow’s hair stand on end.” Max frowned. “Horror stories? They don’t read horror stories, only entertaining tales of…