Darlene's Digest

Image via Wikipedia I haven't been blogging much lately 'cause I've been on the road.  And I'm writing.  Lots and lots of writing.    Just because I'm at the pool doesn't mean I'm not a serious writer.  Ignore those empty mojito glasses around my feet.

Thinking about ereaders? Now's a good time to get that ereader you've been wanting.  You can take plenty of books on vacation withough taking up room in your luggage, and Amazon and Barnes and Noble are in a price war .  And don't forget, Darlene Marshall novels are the perfect summer getaway read!

Image via Wikipedia My Kindle numbers took a jump this morning!  I love you all for buying my books, and if you were here, I'd give you chocolates.

Started writing the last chapter of Castaway Dreams today.  That's a good feeling.

Image via Wikipedia "She remembered well the boisterous celebration in the city’s streets when news arrived that the Shannon had defeated the Chesapeake . After a string of Royal Navy defeats at the hands of the Americans—the Americans , of all upstart nations!— Captain Broke’s victory put wind back in the sails of the despondent English."-- The Bride and the Buccaneer From The Royal Navy Sail and Steam Yahoo group:  "HMS Shannon captures USS Chesapeake - 1813 Tuesday June 1, 2010 Location: Just outside Boston Harbor Notes: HMS Shannon (38), under Capt. Philip Broke, defeats and captures the USS Chesapeake (36) commanded by Capt. James Lawrence. In a battle lasting only 13 minutes, Capt. Lawrence was killed in action. His last command to his crew was "Don't give up the ship!". They were, however, unable to honour the order, and were forced to surrender". We had the last laugh.  We're still here.

I'm finally getting some substantial writing done after a month mostly absent from the keyboard.  Castaway Dreams is chugging toward its conclusion within a chapter or two, and I'm feeling good about how it's going.  It helps that I have much of the climactic scene and dialogue already written, and I'll be able to drop it into the framework of the story. Now I have to stop thinking about the next book and stay focused on this one.  It's an occupational hazard that I hear about from other writers.  The work you're doing doesn't feel as exciting as the work you'll do next. But this happens with every novel I've written, so I'm used to it by now and know there's only one cure--finish this book before I start the next one.  Otherwise, I'll have a file drawer full of unfinished manuscripts, which wouldn't help anyone.

My dachshund gives this exhibit two paws up: Melbourne Museum: WhatsOn Display Page

Image via Wikipedia I had an eye exam today and it took longer than usual because the doc and I were discussing a research question I had. I'd asked him at one point about giving my heroine an interesting vision problem, but ended up not using it in my novel. However, he was enthused at the concept and was very forthcoming with information and ideas. I find that generally when I ask people for research help in their particular areas they're excited to help. No one says, "Euuuwww...I don't want to help write one of those books!" (My math teacher son did refuse to look at my sex & geometry scene, which I fully understood, but he was kind enough to put me in touch with another math teacher who was most helpful.) People like to be called on to discuss their areas of interest. The MDs, RNs, EMTs and other medical professionals who've read scenes in Castaway Dreams were all great and as my manuscript nears the finish line I owe them all a debt. I feel b...

"Julia blinked away the sudden moisture in her eyes. 'Oh, Mama, I wanted to be more like you. Bold and adventurous, not afraid of anything!' Christine set her cup down with a click and stared at her daughter. 'My dear child, there is so much I am afraid of! Every mother has constant fears for her children's safety, and their happiness! But you were the daughter I dreamed of. You sparkled and shone. I would watch you at parties with all your friends, filling your dance card and laughing, and I was so proud of you and so happy for you. I did not want you to be like me when I was young, sitting on the sidelines watching the other girls have fun!' --Smuggler's Bride Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers who worry and fret, and are proud and happy too.

I was offline for the past 10 days or so and it's amazing in hindsight how soothing that can be. It's not that I don't love all of you bunches and bunches, but sometimes not being connected all of the time to the world outside is a good thing. I had more time to think, to be with my family, to let my mind go down other avenues. On the other hand, it's also good to be back and to pick up the threads of my normal life. Today's been a catch-up day, but tomorrow I expect to be back at work writing.

Just a quick note to say I'll be offline for about a week or so, catch y'all later.

Image by Yupa1 via Flickr Kindle's coming to Target ! Just like peanut butter and chocolate, and fine wine with a good cheese (must be lunchtime with all these food similes), two of my favorite things are coming together. Target stores are going to be selling Kindles in the near future. It's starting with stores in Minneapolis ('natch) and South Florida (Yay!). This makes me happy as a Kindle author, and as someone who's been a loyal Target (or as my pretentious friends say, "Tar- zhey ") fan for many, many years. Related articles by Zemanta Target to begin selling Kindle (news.cnet.com)

Image via Wikipedia Back from visiting the family in Minnesota. I want to thank the North Star state for having excellent and warmer than average weather while I was there, especially after I warned my Florida native husband it could snow in April in Minneapolis. He was not excited by this news. While I was gone my yard man planted the orange tree I bought. When I went out to check on it today and give it a drink, it was covered in fragrant flowers! I'm so looking forward to eating fresh oranges from my own tree next year. Didn't get much writing done while dealing with family business, but I did tweak a couple of scenes to my satisfaction. Tomorrow it will be back to my regular schedule, and I'm looking forward to finishing this first draft soon.

"Johnson’s Books might not be the first stop a sailor made in Portsmouth–the brothels likely had a better claim to that distinction–but it was popular among the officers and seamen who could read. A good book, like music or games, helped to make the voyages pass more easily. She’d seen men who were seamed and scarred by flying shot and timber caress a book of poetry in anticipation of long nights and little to do." --The Bride and the Buccaneer I sent some books off yesterday to Operation Paperback , an organization where volunteers mail gently used books to soldiers serving overseas. I was sorry I couldn't send more. There were quite a few requests for military histories and biographies, but I'm still holding on to all my research books so I couldn't send those. I could fill a request for paranormal romances, and I'm thinking I need to catch up on my suspense reading so I can send those paperbacks along. I still find books that end up on my keeper shel...

I know I haven't posted much lately--life interferes. I'll try to blog on something weighty and substantial soon--and I'm not talking about my love for dark chocolate.

I'm blogging on life, birthdays and ziplining at the HEA Cafe today. Check it out!

If you missed me on "Conner Calling" this past Friday you can still listen to the show, online, here . I love the Internet!

The DA BWAHA is still going on and people are voting, well, passionately for their favorite romance books and authors. I'm no longer in the brackets, but you can still play along and win acclaim and prizes.

No Pink Plume for Me Ah well. Like my Gators, I was eliminated early on. I won't be winning the coveted pink plume in the DA BWAHA, but I can say "Wait 'til next year!" And the radio show went very well. We had quite a few callers on "Conner Calling" and I think we could easily have gone another hour. It was great fun, and I look forward to returning on a future show.

PLAYING FOR THE PINK PLUME! The Bride & the Buccaneer is in this morning's round of the DA BWAHA ! My Gators didn't make it, but maybe my book will if you vote for me! Voting in this round closes at noon EDT. Thank you for your support!