Darlene's Digest

I'm not spending the entire time at year's end uploading pictures of cats and dachshunds to my Facebook page , I'm also writing, though slowly. I'm making progress on [working title] The Hot Pirate's Secret Baby aka The Pirate's Governess. I'm about about 73,000 words along, with a goal of 100,000 words. It helps that I have a "nanny program" on my computer that throws me off the internet for an hour or two. I was much more productive when I didn't have constant access to email, Twitter , Facebook and Goodreads. It's too easy to get stymied while writing, tell myself I'll check my email and get back to it, and then another hour goes by while I look at stupid internet memes. So there will be a book in 2013, and it'll have a hot pirate, and if you want a clue as to who the pirate is, read Castaway Dreams . Even if you don't want a clue, read Castaway Dreams , and thanks for your support.

The Emperor's Conspiracy by Michelle Diener My rating: 4 of 5 stars Interesting Regency story with engaging characters. I can see where the author might be planning sequels, and there's room for more mysteries in the future featuring secondary characters and the return of the primary characters. The only reason I didn't shelve this on the "Romance" shelf is because the ending doesn't ensure a HEA, but there's certainly that possibility. View all my reviews

Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey My rating: 4 of 5 stars I thought I was over any love for urban fantasy, but this novel brought me back. Carey's story set in a small town on Lake Michigan is reminiscent of the Sookie Stackhouse books, but incorporates a new pantheon of mythological beings, a nice change from the usual suspects. A few of the lines made me laugh out loud, and I love that the vampires' hangout is nicknamed "Twilight Manor". I'm looking forward to more of Daisy's adventures as agent of the Norse goddess Hel, and there were enough good-looking guys introduced in this book to ensure her future will be interesting for her and for paranormal romance readers. View all my reviews

He popped it into his mouth and swallowed. “You sure do have a way with squirrels, darlin’. That was mighty tasty." -- Smuggler's Bride See those lovely flowers up top? They're from my patio garden in January a few years back. As usual this year, I couldn't wait until the weather cooled off so I could fill my North Florida patio with colorful dianthus, pansies, violas and snapdragons. I spent a Sunday afternoon lovingly filling my containers, making sure they all had enough sunshine and water, and I spent a few days admiring them from my porch as I'd eat lunch. Then one afternoon I took my lunch outside, as usual, and noticed something was off. My garden looked bare. Oh sure, the rose bushes were still there, and the gardenia bushes were nice and full, but there wasn't any color anymore. When I went out to investigate, all my flowers had been chewed down to the soil. I know it's not deer--our yard is fenced. I know it's not birds, the flower pla...

The Duchess War by Courtney Milan My rating: 4 of 5 stars *Sigh* I couldn't put it down. My laundry's piling up, the dishwasher's not filled, the dog's hopping up and down with her little legs crossed--everything came to a screeching halt once I started reading The Duchess War. The characters are so well fleshed out, the story is so rich, the dialogue so spectacular, it's going to be hard to wait for the next "Brothers Sinister" novel. Well played (again), Ms. Milan. View all my reviews

A question for readers: Do you like it when characters from previous novels have cameos in the next book? I was deep into writing [working title] The Hot Pirate's Secret Baby when all of a sudden Daphne and Alexander were across the street. Here's the very raw output from this morning's session, uncorrected. You'll see it's somewhat disjointed and has notes in it--that's how it looks before I get to the third or fourth re-write. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't yet read Castaway Dreams , you may wish to avert your eyes. [working title] THE HOT PIRATE'S SECRET BABY aka THE PIRATE'S GOVERNESS             They were nearly to their lodgings when a light voice rang out, “Look, it’s Captain St. Armand! Yoo-hoo, Captain!”             Lydia looked up and spied a lady across the street from them with a scowling gentleman tugging at her arm. She ignored him and continued waving.    ...

Still Life with Shapeshifter by Sharon Shinn My rating: 4 of 5 stars A lovely, bittersweet story about ordinary people with ordinary lives--they work at middle class jobs, they worry about paying their bills, they love their families. The difference in their lives is, some of them are shape-shifters. There aren't any villains in this novel. No vampire councils, no wolf packs, just people like Melanie and Brody. Melanie's spent her life protecting her half-sister Ann, a shape-shifter who turns into a white husky. Brody's a free-lance writer (introduced in The Shape of Desire ) working on a book about shifters, and he wants information from Melanie about Ann. Melanie and Brody's relationship grows in a slow, thoughtful fashion that seems quite real, and as Melanie realizes Ann is changing in a way where Melanie won't be able to protect her anymore, Brody and her friends are there for her. I thought I was burned out by paranormal books, but Shinn gives us so...

Hidden Paradise by Janet Mullany My rating: 3 of 5 stars A fun mash-up of erotica, contemporary romance and a classic Regency house party with much goings-on upstairs, downstairs, behind the hedges, in the servants' stairs, just about anywhere that won't frighten the horses. Lou is a recently widowed college instructor and Jane Austen expert. When friends in England invite her to spend a break at their renovated Georgian mansion, she takes them up on the offer. Chris and Peter have turned the property into a completely restored resort where guests will dress, eat, dance and entertain themselves in Regency style. There's a lot of good detail in here for Regency romance fans, and a budding love affair between Lou and the American journalist quickly nicknamed "Mr. Darcy". There's also one of the best three-ways ever, so sweetly and humorously handled that you wish you were there. Hidden Paradise is a fun read and should appeal to Regency fans who don't m...

I participate in a program called Reading Pals where we tutor youngsters in reading. It's a Florida initiative funded by a couple who want to ensure that children are at their proper reading level by third grade, and volunteers give one hour a week working with a youngster identified as being at-risk. The young lady who is my Reading Pal is a delightful child, and quite bright. Each session reminds me of how much I loved introducing my boys to books, and now I get to do it all over again. Yesterday we were reading about dogs and it was her turn to read the book to me. All was going swimmingly until we reached a  page on Guide Dogs. "I can't read that," she said flatly, "that's a bad word." I looked at the word in question and understood her dilemma. "Try sounding it out. It's not what you think it is." "Uh uh, I'm not reading that. It's a bad word and I'm not supposed to say it." I really couldn't argu...

They ate in silence, and after a few minutes Daphne said, “This fish tastes wonderful, Doctor. In fact, I do not recall fish ever tasting this good.” “Now I will wax philosophical, Miss Farnham. Your hard work today gave you an appetite, and that is the finest seasoning. This fish is very fresh, and the onions helped give it extra flavor. I imagine you eat fish in London covered in preparations from some French chef who feels compelled to demonstrate his skill and imagination with the saucepan. Sometimes, though, simple is best.” -- Castaway Dreams I'm pausing in the midst of my Thanksgiving feast preparations to reflect on what truly makes me thankful: Having shelter and running water and electricity, knowing my sons in NYC weren't battered by Hurricane Sandy, having my husband sitting across from me at the Thanksgiving table, being joined by new friends on the holiday and finishing the weekend with old friends. As we enter the season of "Buy! Buy! Buy!...

The WIP, [working title] The Hot Pirate's Secret Baby (though I think it'll end up titled The Pirate's Governess) is now at 66,000 words. Not far enough along, but it's getting there. Today I dashed off an email to the math teacher who assisted me with the notorious geometry scene in Castaway Dreams . It's been so long since I've dealt with eight-year-olds learning the basics of mathematics that I've forgotten in what order certain skills are taught.  While I enjoy almost all the research I do for my novels, I must say that having my math skills refreshed has been an embarrassment and a positive experience. It's amazing what you forget when you don't use it, and having to re-examine the basics of arithmetic has done me a world of good.

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold My rating: 4 of 5 stars I really enjoyed reading Ivan's story, even though I half expected the book to be titled, "Ivan, You Idiot!" That's a good illustration of why newcomers to Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan books shouldn't come to this one cold--it's a reward for people who've watched Ivan's development since he first appeared in The Warrior's Apprentice . Ivan's most definitely a beta hero, often being the straight man for his frenetic cousin Miles Naismith Vorkosigan. Here Ivan gets to be the hero of his own story, and because we're so often in his POV we understand him much better. The love story between Ivan and Tej is also a beta story--two nice people who are surrounded by overachievers, and find what they want is a more restful relationship than Wuthering Heights style passion. What kept me from giving it five stars is I enjoyed the first part of the book more t...

It was that simple. Men who two days earlier would have run each other through or blown each other to pieces, now were up on deck toasting each other’s countries with carefully rationed grog. -- Sea Change When the wars are over, and the veterans return home, they want to pick up the pieces of their lives or begin new ones building on the training and experience they received from their time in the armed forces. Today's the day I say thank you to my brothers, my father, and all the veterans I know who've served, past and present. I want to give a shout-out also to those who serve now, especially Jessica Scott , career US Army officer, chief hamster wrangler, and a damn fine romance author. If you're not reading her novels, you're missing out.

“I am not sure I should have to always do what you tell me to do, or not to do, Dr. Murray. I know you are a natural philosopher and learned, but in America they let men vote equally, the stupid ones as well as the clever. Not that I am stupid, I am just not as learned as you are. While we are here on this island, just the two of us, we should be voting as equals, don't you think?” He looked at her in astonishment, setting down the gourd. “I am amazed, Miss Farnham, that a properly brought-up Englishwoman would take the riff-raff in America as her model for appropriate behavior. No, this is not a situation calling for some anarchic form of democracy. Your vote is not equal to mine." --Castaway Dreams Don't listen to Alexander! If you're one of those riff-raffish Americans, exercise your rights and vote today! Your vote counts as much as a natural philosopher's or a fashionable lady's vote. Be a part of the democratic process--it's your ri...

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman My rating: 4 of 5 stars A beautiful story, and a difficult one, of good people who sometimes make bad choices, and the consequences of their actions. It's not an easy read and pulls at the reader's emotions. The metaphor of the lighthouse illuminating the dark and offering safety at a cost of loneliness and isolation is well used, and the details are fittingly relevant. View all my reviews

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell My rating: 4 of 5 stars I liked Cloud Atlas very much. The layering and intertwined tales left me awash with admiration for the author, and I'm sure this novel will be discussed for years to come. In the end, I couldn't give it five stars because I felt the resolution was too nebulous. Bringing it back to the beginning made a point about corruption and consequences, but I've been a science fiction reader for too long not to expect more. Nonetheless, it's an excellent and engrossing novel and well deserving of the praise it's received. View all my reviews

I was at the farmers market yesterday, and it was overflowing with ripe, orange persimmons. Persimmons played a role in Smuggler's Bride , as kidnapped heiress Julia Delarue cooked her way into the good graces of smuggler Rand Washburn:  “I have to hunt and fish to keep food on the table,” Rand said. “I can’t be spendin’ all day doin’ women’s work!” “If it is women’s work, it is not work this woman ever did. At the estate where I lived there were laundresses who did the cleaning for the entire household. I can cook better than you can, but it seems to me that if you have experience doing laundry, then you can continue to do a better job than I would. Not to mention that if I am spending all my time doing laundry I won’t have time to make the pork pie I was planning for dinner. With persimmon cake for dessert.” There was something wrong with this logic, Rand knew it, but he couldn’t come up with a good argument. It became even harder to th...

Mr. and Mrs. Madison's War: America's First Couple and the Second War of Independence by Hugh Howard My rating: 4 of 5 stars Excellent portrait of Washington's first "power couple", the Madisons. Dolly gets her due as a woman who helped shape Washington society, and a model for what First Ladies became in later years--partners who helped their husbands navigate the rocky politics of the nation's capitol and made a positive impression on the American people, and foreign dignitaries and world leaders as well. It's especially relevant during this anniversary of the War of 1812, and the description of the British invasion and burning of the capitol was extremely detailed and informative. View all my reviews

Lady Susan by Jane Austen My rating: 3 of 5 stars I enjoyed it very much right up until the end, where it looks like Miss Austen lost steam and ran out of ink.  Far be it from me to criticize Jane Austen, but I can see why Lady Susan is not one of her more popular or oft-read offerings. Also, the titular protagonist is so very unlike other Austen women who feature in their own books: Lady Susan is an adulteress, manipulative, a terrible mother and snarky and sneaky. On the other hand, her letters (the novel is told in an epistolary fashion) to her BFF Amelia are funny and reveal a woman quite capable of leaving great upheaval wherever she goes. I believe this book will best be enjoyed by Regency and Austen fans who want to get a contemporary look at what was involved with matchmaking and daily life amongst the gentry. View all my reviews

            “This is what we will work on now, Mattie.  I want you to practice with your slate, and be sure to write your numbers with a clear hand.”             “That’s right, sprat,” said Turnbull.  “If you’re dividing up the booty and your shipmates think you’re cheating or holding back you could find yourself on the wrong end of a blade.”             Mattie’s eyes widened at the hidden dangers of multiplication, and Lydia hoped the twinge behind her own eye would not develop into a full blown headache.  When she’d contemplated being a governess she’d never considered pirates and their economic systems as part of her teaching methodology.                Turnbull and Nash were looking at her expectantly.          ...

Kitty Steals the Show by Carrie Vaughn My rating: 3 of 5 stars Fans of the Kitty the Werewolf series will want to read this latest installment as Vaughn moves the story overseas to London, and continues exploring the growth of Kitty as a leader, not just among wolves, but in the entire paranormal community. I'm looking forward to the next installment as the arc appears to be moving toward a rousing conclusion. View all my reviews

The World Science Fiction Convention (Chicon 7, Chicago, IL) is winding down for another year. I've been tapped for a couple of jobs next year at LoneStarCon 3 , and I'm really looking forward to attending since I missed the last San Antonio Worldcon. I had a good time at Chicon7, seeing old friends, making some new ones, and attending panels and program items. My own panel, "Beyond the First Two Pages" gave me some new ideas on how to stay on-task for my next novel, and how to make it better.  The other panelists were great about sharing their expertise and helping folks realize that finishing your book is far more vital than making sure you've got the best first two pages in publishing. The Hugo Awards ceremony was standing-room only, and Toastmaster John Scalzi was an excellent choice. Entertaining, witty, capable--I suspect Mr. Scalzi will be asked to serve as Toastmaster again at future Worldcons. We didn't see much of Chicago, though my husband did...

It's here, it's on sale, it's 15% off.  Can't beat that with a stick! Head over to Fictionwise  to get a copy of Castaway Dreams at a great price.

I'm off this week to attend Chicon 7 , the World Science Fiction Convention in Chicago. I'm moderating a panel on Friday at noon: Beyond the First Two Pages We’ve all heard how important it is to hook a reader’s attention quickly. But let’s say you’ve already done that. Your story’s opening dramatic, ingenious, and free of typos. Your first two pages have been polished to near oblivion. Now what? Darlene Marshall (M), Pat Rothfuss, John Berlyne, Nick Mamatas, Carol Berg There will also be signed copies of Castaway Dreams available in the Dealers Room, at Old Earth Books. Beyond that, I'm looking forward to attending program items, checking out the Art Show, meeting with friends and, of course, watching the Hugo Awards. If you spot me at Chicon 7, be sure to say hi!

The next afternoon Captain Fletcher told Mr. Bryant to muster the crew and Charley joined them, standing apart from the ranks of seamen. When they were all assembled, he looked out over the assortment of Yankee privateers and their British doctor and said, "Men, I have news from home." He waited for the murmurs to die down. "I received correspondence on St. Martin that I wish to share with you. Last August, while we were at sea fighting for the rights of sailors and free Americans, the British burned our nation's capitol, Washington City." Now the mutters from the men were angry as they shifted their feet and looked at one another. The Americans had burned York in Canada, and Great Britain might be justified in saying it's tit for tat to burn the Americans' capitol, but Charley just scratched her ear and wisely refrained from pointing that out. Plus, Captain Fletcher was still speaking. "But take heart, men, just as your countrymen did! Ameri...

A simple plan, but one that worked all too well given the poor state of the Revenue Marine. The revenue cutters couldn’t begin to cover all of the coast, not when the ships were spread thin with surveying, rescue operations, and winter cruising between Charleston and Key West. Underfunded, understaffed, looked down on by the regular navy, despised by the merchants who paid the tariffs, the Revenue Marine was no one’s darling. Well, except maybe Alexander Hamilton, he’d loved his revenue cutters that brought money into the Treasury, but look what happened to him, Washburn thought. Irritate the wrong people and there you are, worm food. -- Smuggler's Bride When writing histories of the United States, including histories of the War of 1812, one of the most overlooked branches of the US armed forces is the USCG. Here reenactors from the Coast Guard demonstrate their vital role, and what life aboard a Revenue Cutter was like during the war.

...I know I give you a hard time, especially when you screw-up. I mean, really, did you have to forget the name of my second cousin by marriage's daughter when I saw her at the department store?  What is it with you and remembering names, anyway? But today you came through like a champ. There I was, taking my daily walk, and you handed me the plot twist I needed because unlike real life, fiction has to make sense.  I thank you and my WIP thanks you. As a special treat, I'm going to turn off the TV tonight, brew a cup of green tea to give you some extra antioxidants and pick up that copy of A Tale of Two Cities . You deserve a reward.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman My rating: 4 of 5 stars So many of the best books I've read this year are YA novels, and I'm pleased to add Seraphina to the list. The dragons are fascinating, the world building is intense, and the characters come alive on the page. I'm looking forward to the next in this series. View all my reviews

Friday's the last day to enter the Goodreads Giveaway of Castaway Dreams . Enter now, and three winners will be chosen to get a signed copy of the book All About Romance labeled a  "Desert Island Keeper (DIK)"         Goodreads Book Giveaway                                       Castaway Dreams                       by Darlene Marshall                                   Giveaway ends August 17, 2012.                                 See the giveaway details             at Goodreads.                           ...

Castaway Dreams is now in the catalog at the Alachua County (FL) Library District, which means it's available through ILL (Interlibrary Loan). If you have a library card but you haven't used ILL, ask your librarian to show you how you can access books from any library. I find ILL invaluable when I'm doing research, but I also use it to obtain novels my library may not have. Of course, Castaway Dreams , like all my books, is still available in print and ebook so you can have it for your very own. You can read reviews and excerpts at the link.

I paused yesterday in my writing to check some notes, and pulled one of my research books off the shelf. It was Aristocracy and People--Britain, 1815-1865 . When I looked up from my desk, two hours had gone by. You can say what you like about the ease of research via Google and Wikipedia (and I do appreciate having those services at my fingertips), but there's nothing like a good book to get in-depth information for research. Sometimes it's information I don't even realize I needed, or can use, until I'm three or four pages beyond the facts I was checking. I love my job. I get to combine my enjoyment of history with playing with my imaginary friends, like my new buddies, pirate captain Robert St. Armand and governess Lydia Burke: [working title] THE HOT PIRATE'S SECRET BABY             “I am so tired,” she said, looking down at her worn shoes. “Just kill me, or ravish me, or throw me out the window onto the street. I don’t ...

“I am so beautiful, and you are so smart. We will make wonderful children together, querida .” A smile quirked her cool lips as she adjusted her spectacles. “Let us hope they inherit a bit of modesty from me, Mr. Lopez. Why do you say I am smart?” He leaned forward and placed his lips just below her ear, a soft kiss that wouldn’t disarrange the lace or be noticed later. “You are smart because you agreed to marry me. Which makes me not only beautiful, but muy mazaloso ,” he added in Ladino. “An extremely fortunate man. -- Captain Sinister's Lady Today (Thursday night/Friday) is Tu B'Av , " Chag HaAhava " in Hebrew, the Jewish Day of Love.  What?  You didn't know there was a Jewish holiday celebrating romantic love?  There is, and has been since before the Common Era. On Tu B'Av (the 15th day of the month of Av) in ancient Israel, young women would go to the vineyards and dance in white dresses, singing "Young man, consider whom you choose...

Thunder rumbled to the west and a breeze sprang up, whipping the tree branches. Sophia paused to let the cooler air flow across her. “We have to stop, it’s going to rain.” “We cannot stop yet, Jack, there is still daylight!” “Sophia, I am not going to stand here and get soaked—” His sentence was punctuated with the plop! of a large drop of water at his feet. A moment later one hit Sophia on the nose, and then in the next instant while she looked at Jack, the sky opened and the squall came down in torrents, soaking them where they stood. Sophia turned to run for the less than adequate shelter of their lean-to. Jack grabbed her hand and raised his voice over the pounding of the water falling on them. “Wait!” “Why?” she yelled back, blinking rain out of her eyes. “’Cause it feels good,” he said with a soggy grin. -- The Bride and the Buccaneer I love sitting on the back porch when a storm's coming up. The wind begins to whip around, the temperature drops to tole...

"Miss Farnham, you are the heroine of the day." "I am?" "Do not sound so surprised. The items you packed are wonderfully useful. For example, that lip salve. You can put it on your lips, your nose, your cheekbones and your chin. It will help keep those areas that are most vulnerable to sunlight from being badly burned. And your hat may not be fashionable enough for Mayfair, but it will keep you from sunstroke. Put it on now, please." She did, asking him to hold her mirror while she concentrated on tying her ribbons. Then she followed his instructions, putting rose-tinted salve on her face, though the end result left her in giggles. "I look like a red Indian from America, Doctor!" -- Castaway Dreams It's National Lipstick Day! (Who knew?) Women have been darkening their lips since ancient times to achieve a look of freshness and youth, and stimulate thoughts of mating in males (yeah, as if they needed it). Do you have a "daily...

New Approaches to Popular Romance Fiction by Sarah S. G. Frantz My rating: 5 of 5 stars Excellent study of current and past trends in romance writing. This book should be read by every author who's making a career of romance writing. I didn't agree with 100% of the contributors' conclusions--I think just as sometimes a cigar was just a cigar to Freud, sometimes a romance novel is simply an entertaining read where the author wasn't purposefully (or even unconsciously) inserting words like "glittery" to make a point. Nonetheless, the essays are well-researched and thoughtful, and a valuable contribution to popular studies. The price may put off some readers wishing to access the book. As is so often the case, small academic presses have to charge more than large publishers. However, New Approaches to Popular Romance Fiction is now in the public library system in the US, which means it's accessible through ILL (Inter-Library Loan). View all my reviews ...

I love seeing reviews of my books, even the less than stellar reviews, because it means people are reading my novels. Here's a new review of Castaway Dreams that I really have to share, from All About Romance . You can read the full review at the link: If it sounds like I'm talking about living, breathing people, then I've done my job. That I can envision Daphne and Alexander years into the future, with conversations and arguments, hurts and laughter, is the highest praise I can give. Ms. Marshall's previous book was very good;  Castaway Dreams  is remarkable. -- Jean Wan

I'm reading three books this weekend. The only way I can handle different reads simultaneously is to make sure they're in very different genres: one is essays on the biblical Book of Ruth , one is essays on the romance genre ( New Approaches to Popular Romance Fiction ), one's the latest Nora Roberts . It's going to give my brain a workout. Do you read books simultaneously? Does it make your brain explode, or can you compartmentalize?

I'm the guest blogger today at Heroes and Heartbreakers , and they're giving away signed copies of Castaway Dreams.  Follow the link to check it out!

I need to move the action in [working title] The Hot Pirate's Secret Baby to England, so I've spent the morning reviewing my research notes. One of the books was recipes and now I'm starving for some biscuits, clotted cream, a lovely trifle... *Sigh* My hardboiled egg and healthy veggies for lunch aren't looking very appealing right now. In other news, I began wondering what happens to that secret baby (actually, a 7 or 8 year old child in the book) when she grows up.  Will she remember the piratical ways of her youth and rebel against the constrictions of mid-19th C. England? I shook the Magic 8 Ball and got "Signs point to yes".  More on this as it develops.

The Oatmeal is awesome, and here's another reason why:  Created by Oatmeal

Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas My rating: 4 of 5 stars Most romance novels are about courtship ending in marriage, but I'm a huge fan of romance novels about marriages and what makes them work...or not work. This one's a winner. Millie and Fitz have an arranged marriage, not untypical of Edwardian England--her money for his title. Both go into it with eyes wide open. Fitz loves another, and Millie knows it but is willing to take Fitz anyway. This book reminded me of Heyer's A Civil Contract , about a marriage that deepens into love, though Heyer's book never achieved the heights of passion that Thomas brings to her story. In addition, the author does a great job of unfolding the story over time, letting us see how the love develops between two protagonists who marry under stress, but learn to appreciate each other...and then some. View all my reviews

Our Independence Day celebrations start early in Gainesville, Florida with Fanfare & Fireworks on July 3. It's patriotic and goodtimes music at the University of Florida bandshell at Flavet Field (Question for all the new Gators: What famous Floridian is Flavet Field named for? Answer--No one. It's a trick question. After WWII the GI Bill brought a huge influx of married veterans and their families.  Wooden shacks [seriously] were brought in from army bases to house them.  These sweltering roach motels were called "Flavets", for "Florida Vets". There's a certain amount of pride in being able to say "I was a Flavet baby" when you come to UF.) Why the 3rd? The sponsors insist it's because so many folks go to the beach on the 4th. I believe it's because fireworks displays are substantially less expensive on July 3rd. So after a spectacular evening of music, fireworks, excellent weather and a stop at Sweet Dreams Home Made Ice Cre...

“I am not sure I should have to always do what you tell me to do, or not to do, Dr. Murray. I know you are a natural philosopher and learned, but in America they let men vote equally, the stupid ones as well as the clever. Not that I am stupid, I am just not as learned as you are. While we are here on this island, just the two of us, we should be voting as equals, don't you think?” He looked at her in astonishment, setting down the gourd. “I am amazed, Miss Farnham, that a properly brought-up Englishwoman would take the riff-raff in America as her model for appropriate behavior. No, this is not a situation calling for some anarchic form of democracy. Your vote is not equal to mine." -- Castaway Dreams Fie on thee, Dr. Murray!  In America we support the right to vote to elect all sorts of people, even if we sometimes scratch our heads afterward and say, "What were they thinking in the voting booth?" July 4 is Independence Day, a day for all of us in...

It's been a while since I posted my "How to read Darlene Marshall novels" cheat sheet, so I thought I'd run it past y'all again.  All of my books are written so they can be read as stand-alone novels, however you may find it more enjoyable if you combine them so crossover characters are introduced first: Sea Change , then Castaway Dreams . One of the secondary characters in Sea Change is Royal Navy surgeon Alexander Murray, who's the hero of Castaway Dreams . The Bride and the Buccaneer , then Captain Sinister's Lady. The marriage minded Captain Sinister (Morgan Roberts) and his crew are introduced in The Bride and the Buccaneer. Pirate's Price , then Smuggler's Bride . Pirate's Price is set a generation before Smuggler's Bride  and the heroine of Smuggler's Bride   (Julia) is the daughter of the hero and heroine of Pirate's Price . All the books are available in paper and ebook editions at Amber Quill Press  and Amazon , ...

He poled up the creek, away from the juncture with the river. The small tributary narrowed and soon they were both ducking under lowhanging cypress and oak branches. She saw a bull gator sunning itself on the bank, lazily watching them go by and ignoring this midday incursion into its domain. When Rand could pole no further, he tied up the boat and jumped into the shallow water, lifting Julia and following the creek down along a sandy strip. “What is out here? It seems like the middle of nowhere.” “It is,” Rand said, “but that’s what makes it special.” Despite the poling he showed no strain carrying her and since her feet were bare and the ground was rough, she didn’t encourage him to put her down. Besides, she rather enjoyed it, though she’d never tell him so. He walked past the sand into a hammock of live oak sprawled out like a dowager who’d loosened her stays, and emerged on the other side to a pool fringed by sand and boulders on one side, bushes bright with yellow berries and mo...

I was cleaning my fountain pens today (I know, I should have been writing more instead) when it occurred to me that I had no idea why I was writing "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party" a gazillion times. Yes, I knew I was writing it to test the ink flow on the Sensa and the Cross, but why that sentence?  Then I remembered it was a famous line I'd first learned, as so many people did, in typing class.  That sentence was used to test one's speed while typing, and it lingers in the back of my mind to this day. Then I wondered if they still teach typing in schools?  I know penmanship seems to have gone the way of the rotary dial telephone, but I would think touch typing is still a useful skill in this keyboard age.  I know it makes my writing faster than if I were looking at my fingers or "hunting and pecking" my way through a manuscript. Incidentally, the pens all appear to be unclogged and ready for action now.  I think I...

            “Again, Papa, throw the knife again!  Hit him in the eye this time!”             Robert paused.             “As entertaining as it is to stab someone from a distance, always remember, Mattie:  If you throw your knife you no longer have a knife you can use, and it could even be used against you. You must have a back-up weapon.  What did I tell you is the first rule of knife-fights?”             “To bring a pistol, Papa.”             “That’s correct. If your opponent brings a knife, you bring pistols, with your own knife as back-up.”             “Yes, Papa.”             “Also,” he added in a pedantic f...

They went up on deck together, David carrying his prayer book. The men were assembled wearing their finest clothing. At the starboard rail a canvas length awaited them, sewn by Sails, weighted to carry its burden to the bottom of the ocean. It was on a trestle, covered with the flag of the United States that fluttered at the edges in the light breeze. The crew was silent as their captain stepped forward, and a hurricane bird soared overhead, far from land but reminding them all that someday, they would return to their homes. Some of them. -- Sea Change   Today is Flag Day in the United States , the day we mark the adoption of our nation's symbol of freedom.  It was immortalized during the War of 1812 200 years ago with Francis Scott Key's poem, now our national anthem.  My flag is flying, as it does on all national holidays.  Long may it wave.

We lost one of the great American writers today, Ray Bradbury .  His work has been read by every American schoolchild, and his writing spread across generations and genres, from Fahrenheit 451 to The Martian Chronicles to "The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit". I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Bradbury at Confederation, the 1986 World Science Fiction Convention in Atlanta.  When people asked me after my years in broadcast and print news which famous person I'd enjoyed interviewing the most, I never hesitated: "Ray Bradbury. Funny, smart, gracious and charming.  Interviewing him was one of the high points of my career." Somewhere in Heaven there's a small town that looks like it was lifted straight out of the cornfields of Illinois, and that's where you'll find Ray Bradbury today.

His glance flicked over her, and he grunted dismissively. “Not much to you.” Sophia drew herself up to her full height. “I have it on good authority I am worth three opossums!” A twitch dented the corner of [the Indian's] mouth and he looked at Jack. “You pay three possums for this?” “At the time it seemed like a good idea,” Jack said, putting down his rifle and brushing off his own clothes. --The Bride and The Buccaneer (winner, FCRW Beacon Award and the subject of a three minute lecture at Harvard University on "How the barter system approximates commodity currency in a market economy.") My elderly dachshund treed a possum last night.  I knew this because around 11 p.m. there was a frantic barking from the backyard, something along the lines of, "OMG! OMG! I caught supper! Quick, mom, bring the rifle!" When I went out to investigate, the dog was at the base of a huge oak, her front paws planted firmly on it, tail wagging furiously as she barked at somet...

Marriage of Mercy by Carla Kelly My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

I just got the idea for my ninth novel.  It will have pirates in the Caribbean.  Can't tell you more yet, because much of it hinges on secondary characters in my WIP (Book Seven, aka "The Hot Pirate's Secret Baby").  More on this as it develops...

"Jacob was an American who signed on with the Magpie after the war, and he called this ' The Liberty Song .'" She hummed for a moment and then began to sing: " Come, join hand in hand, brave Americans all, And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call; No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim, Or stain with dishonor America's name. " Daphne sang two verses and the chorus before she realized Dr. Murray was staring at her, and the only way to describe the expression on his face--there was no way to describe the expression on his face. She'd never seen anything quite like it before. "There are more verses," she said helpfully. "Miss Farnham!" He shook his head and started again. "Miss Farnham, that was the most treasonous piece of trash I have ever heard. Do you know what melody that is? Heart of Oak ! Heart of Oak , Miss Farnham! I implore you, never, ever sing those lyrics around a navy man, for I ...