One Month To Go…

It seems like I only just launched my first novel…and now it’s almost time for my second one to be released! I’m about a month away from sending A MAGNIFICENT CRIME (Agency of Burglary & Theft #2) out into the world. The official release date is June 5, 2014. Just in time for summer beach reading, yes? I’ve been busy getting organized for my virtual book tour (a.k.a. … Read the rest

A Magnificent Crime on Pinterest

I don’t keep it much of a secret how deeply I love Pinterest. One of my favorite ways to use Pinterest, as an author, is to create a board for each of my books. Recently I’ve been tweaking the board for my next novel, A Magnificent Crime (the sequel to A Beautiful Heist). Basically, it’s a collection of various images that convey the feel and the flavor of the book…plus a few itty-bitty hints about the setting and the story.… Read the rest

Recipe Box: Chili Con Carne (with a sweet little secret)

I’ve been making chili for years with a secret ingredient: a touch of chocolate. I was initially inspired to make it this way after seeing the movie Chocolat many years ago–you know, when Vianne adds a pinch of hot chili pepper to her hot chocolate recipe? There’s something about the combination of chocolate and chili that just…works. So, here’s my recipe. … Read the rest

The Journey of Motherhood (in GIFs)

Over on my YMC blog this week, I posted a piece called The Journey Of Motherhood. It’s a story told in GIFs (you know, those little looping video snippets?). And I have to tell you, I had a total blast putting it together. Giggled my way through the making of it, in fact. I’m hoping it can bring a similar smile to your face.… Read the rest

How To Revise In Layers

Some writers can fire off a beautiful first draft. It seems to spring forth from their brains, and fingers, fully formed and gorgeous. Me? Not so much. My first drafts are a mess. They’re chaos. They’re borderline illiterate in places. Half the time I’m making little notes and comments to myself, about stuff I want to remember for a given scene, or emotions I want to express at a particular spot.… Read the rest

Book Club Kit: A Beautiful Heist

I just sent the final copyedits for my latest book back to my editor, so I find myself with a little breathing room again. What to do? Ooh, I know… I’ve been wanting to create a book club kit for A BEAUTIFUL HEIST for a while. But I thought–why not go beyond merely providing discussion questions? Let’s take this up a notch.… Read the rest

Hack Your Body Clock: How To Become A Morning Person

I haven’t always been a morning person. But when various factors collided (specifically, getting a book contract to produce three novels in three years, coupled with the fact that quitting my day job was not an option…mostly because my children had grown rather accustomed to eating food on a regular basis) I had to come up with a new plan.… Read the rest

Recipe Box: 3 Easy Winter Cocktails

I grew up in Ontario but moved to the west coast ten years ago. Winter for me here in British Columbia, well…let’s face it: it’s not really winter. Still, I like the excuse to indulge in a cozy winter cocktail or two. In my books, my heroine is a cocktail lover, big-time. Me, I usually prefer wine, but I do like to mix it up from time to time (whoops–see what I did there?).… Read the rest

2013 Rewind

Reviewing the highlights of my year has become an annual tradition for me (like many of you), so here goes. When I think back on 2013, this is what stands out for me: My first novel was published! *happy dance* I finished writing my second novel. (And it’s all set for release in June 2014.) I had the privilege of spending another year blogging for Erica Ehm’s fabulous Yummy Mummy Club.… Read the rest

7 Gifts For Bookish Types

What to give the booklover in your life? Well, books, obviously. But what if you’re not entirely sure of their reading tastes, or which books they’ve already read? Well, how about one of these book-inspired gifts? (Clicking on the image will take you to the buy link.) 1. Jane Austen Scarf Gorgeous words printed on luxurious fabric. What’s not to love?… Read the rest