Dear Linda - re: The Battle Lord Saga

Dear Linda (or is it really Gail?),

First, I just read your 7 rules for Romance books and I agree with every one. These days there are very few Romance authors whose works I read and even some of them have "jumped the shark." I notice this most often happens when they are picked up by the large publishing companies and/or when their books begin to first be offered in hard back.

I am re-reading the Battle Lord saga to get ready for #4 (cannot wait; will it be Feb. or March?), and there is one thing that always bothered me: the fates of Atty's mother and little sister. I know that Atty's life has been one crisis after another, but there was been no closure on this issue. Will it ever be addressed? I am not trying to act like an editor, I just want to know.

Have a great day. Hold to your convictions regarding your rules; we appreciate your committment.
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Hi!

It's really Linda. Gail is my middle name and Smith is my maiden name, hence my choice of pseudonym when I write horror.

It looks like Battle Lord #4 will be later this year. Oh, and just to let you know, there will also be a book 5 (already outlined). ;) My external hard drive is at Geek Squad where I hope they can rescue my current WIPs. In the meantime, I've done no writing since Sept. :( My school's demands on my time and energy are becoming impossible to keep up with, and I come home after 9 and 10-hour days totally drained and brain dead. :( But the good news is I've been trying to come up ways to get back into the swing, and I think they're working! :D

As for Atty's mom and sister...hehehehehe. ;) Trust me, I haven't forgotten that loose thread (although I've had people argue with me that life isn't always tied up so neatly at the end.) Well, this is my book, and I don't leave such threads behind. 

Thank you for your correspondence. You're such a day-brightener!

SHARK!

The Hotel Door Lock

This is sheer genius. Instead of messing with a deadbolt or chain, or even a slide lock to lock yourself inside your hotel room, pull the knob in! This kind of door lock is already being utilized in Europe. I hope it makes it over in the U.S. soon.

If You Have a Passion for Shoes...

You have to check out these whimsical creations by Robert Tabor. I don't know if they're actually wearable, but I'd like to give the Radio Flyers a try.

What if Smurfs Were Real?

The Smurf is actually the result of a symbiotic relationship between two organisms. We believe that Smurfs put their  'embryos' in the button of a developing mushroom. From a  distance, Smurfs seem like they are wearing a hat and pants but as you can see this is a fallacy. The fungus provides camouflage and protective epidermal layers for the creature, while the creature provides nutrients and mobility for the spreading of spores.

Smurfs are believed to be a hunter gatherer society. As you can see, this little guy is returning from a successful venture. It is generally difficult to spot a Smurf; they are very apprehensive and cunning. Sadly though, it is rumored that they are hunted for their medicinal properties. It's hard to determine but it is thought that there are not many colonies of Smurf left.

(Original post here.)

The Continents

And while we're at it, how about the continents on an apple?

Helen Henderson is my Guest Author Tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio

Helen Henderson will be my guest author tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio.  She will be reading from her fantasy romance novel Windmaster, from Champagne Books.

Show time is 11 pm est/ 10 pm ct/ 8 pm pt

Don't miss it!

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Windmaster is a romance-filled, action-packed fantasy described by one reader as a fascinating story that will keep you up all night turning the pages. Revenge set Ellspeth, captain of Sea Falcon, on the path to her destiny, but prophecy controlled the journey. Despite his insolent attitude, she is attracted to the dark-haired dockworker she hires to help unload the vessel's cargo. When the supposed dockhand reveals he is Lord Dal, the last member of the Council of Wizards, and her passenger, Ellspeth breaks a cardinal rule--fraternizing with the paying customers. Bringing him back from near-death releases Ellspeth's latent powers and threatens her captaincy. For to have magic she must give up the sea.

Dal has his own reasons for Ellspeth to embrace her powers. In accordance with an ancient prophecy, Dal allows Ellspeth to be handfasted to him without her knowledge or consent. However, the prophecy doesn't state whether she will return his love. A likelihood threatened as the deception is unveiled and Dal is captured and stripped of his powers by fanatical clerics bent on ridding the world of magic and those who wield it.

Trapped within the Oracle's Temple and marked for sacrifice, Ellspeth must choose between her own survival, saving the future of magic... or love.