A Harry Winston Visual Treat

Just a little glamour for your Sunday afternoon, lovelies. I’m down to 11 days to go before book launch, and here are a couple of videos I think you’ll enjoy, all inspired by the fabulous Harry Winston. The first, because it’s a fascinating glimpse into another world. The second, because it’s just plain gorgeous. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_bqInCnvZw] [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_yeXTF8COY]… Read the rest

Casting Call for A Beautiful Heist

As far as I can tell, virtually all writers do this–fantasize about which actors and actresses would be cast in the movie version of their books. This exercise is equal parts creative-juice-stimulator (helps to visualize an actual person when writing scenes), motivator to help push you forward (sigh…someday when I’m attending the premiere…), and pure fun. So…who would play the main roles in A Beautiful Heist?… Read the rest

A Burglar’s Toolkit

Let’s say you’re fed up with your job. You’ve had it with the corporate world; the rat race can shove it. It’s time for a career change. But what path to choose? Well, have you ever considered becoming a professional thief? You have to admit, there are perks: no 9-to-5, no yucky office politics, and no boring cubicle. Your office changes day to day, in fact–sometimes it’s an art museum, sometimes a swanky gala. … Read the rest

Top 10 Kickass Female Protagonists

Books and movies are full of ass-kicking male heroes (James Bond, Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher…I could go on…) and I love them, I do, but what about the women? The damsel-in-distress type has her own charms, of course, but how about some of the ladies who take a rather more active approach to saving her own hide?  The heroine of my novel A Beautiful Heist is a regular girl next door–a little bit Bridget Jones, a little bit Carrie Bradshaw–but she also has a serious tough side to her, and can kick some major butt when she needs to.… Read the rest

Famous Diamonds Of The World

There’s something about diamonds that has held people spellbound for centuries. Personally, I think some of that fascination comes from a diamond’s inherent paradox: that something so gorgeous and decorative could also be incredibly durable and hard. That something so sparkly and glamorous was hewn from the earth itself. Little wonder the most spectacular specimens, the rarest and finest diamonds, have attracted nothing but mystery, death, and intrigue.… Read the rest

18 Days To Go: Quote Sunday

This month is really moving along! 18 days to go before book launch, I can hardly believe it. So last Sunday I simply posted a quote for my countdown post, and this week I think I’ll do the same. This time, it’s one of mine. (Well, my protagonist’s, technically.) … Read the rest

The Jewels In The Great Gatsby

This weekend I’m going to see The Great Gatsby. I don’t care if I can’t get a sitter. The kids will be fine for a couple of hours, right? See, I am a big Baz Luhrmann fan (ever since Moulin Rouge, which rocked my world). And, although I didn’t start out loving Leonardo DiCaprio in his earlier years, I have grown to be an ardent admirer of his work.… Read the rest

A Beautiful Heist On Pinterest

I started playing around on Pinterest about a year ago and, like many people, immediately fell down the rabbit hole. Pinterest is even more habit-forming than movie popcorn and peanut M&Ms. (Yes, together. Have you tried? Ridiculous.) One of my fellow bloggers at YMC coined the hashtag #pintervention and sometimes, I seriously think that might be warranted. But today, I am giving this little addiction free rein!… Read the rest

22 Days To Go: The Wonderful World of Faberge

The heroine of my novel is a professional jewel thief, and her target is a long-lost Faberge Egg. While writing the book I did tons of research on these spectacular masterpieces of the jeweler’s art. Today, I thought you might like to come along as I open a page into the storybook world of opulent Imperial Russia. The most famous eggs produced by the House of Faberge were the large jeweled eggs created for Alexander III and Nicholas II of Russia, between the years of 1885 and 1997.… Read the rest

Recipe Box: Maple Glazed Salmon

The heroine of my first book is a very busy gal–she mostly survives on takeout sushi and Thai food–but when she does have a little time to make something for herself, she needs it fast, tasty, and healthy. After all, scaling buildings and jumping from trains takes an AWFUL lot of energy. The story is mostly set in Seattle, and here in the Pacific Northwest salmon reigns supreme.… Read the rest