Book Releases

Holding On (Colorado High Country #6) —
The Colorado High Country series returns with Conrad and Kenzie's story.

A hero barely holding on…

Harrison Conrad returned to Scarlet Springs from Nepal, the sole survivor of a freak accident on Mt. Everest. Shattered and grieving for his friends, he vows never to climb again and retreats into a bottle of whiskey—until Kenzie Morgan shows up at his door with a tiny puppy asking for his help. He’s the last person in the world she should ask to foster this little furball. He’s barely capable of managing his own life right now, let alone caring for a helpless, adorable, fluffy puppy. But Conrad has always had a thing for Kenzie with her bright smile and sweet curves. One look into her pleading blue eyes, and he can’t say no.

The woman who won’t let him fall…

Kenzie Morgan’s life went to the dogs years ago. A successful search dog trainer and kennel owner, she gets her fill of adventure volunteering for the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team. The only thing missing from her busy life is love. It’s not easy finding Mr. Right in a small mountain town, especially when she’s unwilling to date climbers. She long ago swore never again to fall for a guy who might one day leave her for a rock. When Conrad returns from a climbing trip haunted by the catastrophe that killed his best friend, Kenzie can see he’s hurting and wants to help. She just might have the perfect way to bring him back to the world of the living. But friendship quickly turns into something more—and now she’s risking her heart to heal his.

In ebook and soon in print!


About Me

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I grew up in Colorado at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, then lived in Denmark and traveled throughout Europe before coming back to Colorado. I have two adult sons, whom I cherish. I started my writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor of two different papers. Along the way, my team and I won numerous state and several national awards, including the National Journalism Award for Public Service. In 2011, I was awarded the Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism. Now I write historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense.

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Seductive Musings

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Romance and handcuffs



I spent this weekend hanging with famous romance novelists at the Renaissance Denver Hotel. Gennita Low was there, of course. So was RITA winner Linnea Sinclair. Both gave stirring talks about the life of a romance writer. Jenna (Gennitta) signed my copy of Virtually His, which I had just finished reading and which I enjoyed very much. (Full of baaaad boys — hot bad boys.)

I also spent a lot of time with my agent, Natasha Kern, whom I hadn't seen in person since last year's RWA conference in Atlanta. In the intervening time, she had a terrible accident and broke her neck — an injury she's miraculously recovered from, though she still has some problems. Having had a broken neck myself as a pre-teen, I can sympathize. She and I might be the only agent/author duo both of whom have had broken necks...

The food was delicious — probably the best food of any hotel I've stayed in for a romance conference. Of course, no conference would be complete without time at the bar, so I did that, too.

Friday night, that adorable Badass Warrior Princess, Libby, came down to join me for drinks. Candice, a friend and aspiring writer, also came, as did Michael, a reporter friend of mine from my Glory Days of journalism, and his girlfriend, Cara. It was great seeing them all. I hadn't seen Michael since last year's state journalism awards. We drank and talked. I did too much of both.

On Saturday, I had planned to write all day then meet up with my agent for lunch and then dinner. But I ran into a problem. I. Could. Not. Wake. Up. I slept until 10:30 and had to kick myself in the ass to get myself into the shower in time for lunch. I was so sleepy as we went through the buffet that I couldn't really eat. I guess stepping off the hamster wheel comes with consequences — namely that when you run on empty for so long it catches up with you.



Anyway, the lunch was... lunch, I guess. But Colorado Romance Writers surprised me by giving me a little gold rose pin in honor of my being a RITA finalist. I thought that was cool — an award for maybe almost winning an award.

I went upstairs after that and tried to write, but couldn't get my mind going. Did I mention there were no lattes at this hotel? None. It was either drink coffee (blech) or drink tea. I chose coffee and tea in a desperate bid for a caffeine buzz that never really materialized.

Then my agent and I had dinner, and I pulled out the handcuffs.

I learned last year how to break out of handcuffs as part of my research for Unlawful Contact. It seemed to me that if Marc Hunter, my hero, were going to do this, I should know how to do it, too. I got a pair of police-issue cuffs from a cop friend (one of the two who saved my life that night so long ago), and he gave me some basic instructions, including telling me that I needed a "shim."

Well, as I learned, they don't really sell those in hardware stores. I did try. I walked in with my cuffs and explained that I needed a shim to jam in at a certain place to force the cuffs open. The sales guy stared at me, then showed me some drilling tools that didn't really work. I was forced to innovate and create this shim myself. Then, with the proper tool, I learned how to break out.

I really enjoy doing it and most of the time I do it quickly. But this time I put the right side of the cuffs on upside down so that I couldn't really maneuver the shim properly. I got my left wrist out in about a second, and then struggled with the right. My friend Kally Surbeck, also an author, tried to help but broke my shim.

So there I was in a fine restaurant, my agent watching, with cuffs around my right wrist, a broken shim, and the key somewhere in my hotel room. I had to go through the rest of the dinner with the cuffs dangling from my right wrist. Try picking up a wine glass with any amount of elegance with five pounds of steel dangling from your wrist. (Gennita has a photo of my predicament on her blog.)

All's well that ends well, of course. I got the cuffs off when I went back to my hotel room. But now I am shimless. Alas!

On Sunday, it was back home. I struggled all day with a scene in Unlawful Contact and go nowhere. Since then it's been back to the paper. No writing.

God, I want to finish this book! Does anyone remember what it's about?

6 comments:

Debbie H said...

Glad to hear from you! Wondered where you had gone! I do remember what the book is about and you will get it finished. I think that's wonderful they gave you a rose pin for the nomination. You know you are going to win.

You looked fantastic with handcuffs (just joking) that was such a funny pic! LOL You could have started a new fashion trend, you know.

I mailed my books to you yesterday (Tuesday) first class so you should get them Fri or Sat, I hope. Don't laugh too hard at my turned down pages. I use them for a quick turn on when alone. Thanks for writing them.

Ronlyn said...

Sounds like great fun!! And, for future reference: I have a shim...if you should ever need one again. ;) LOL. I have to giggle at the thought of trying to pick up a wine glass...and not destroy the rest of the table with the lovely "jewelry" hanging from your wrist.
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, you deserve a break! Now, back to work...*I* for one would like you to finish this book too. :)

Debbie H said...

Hey, P.C. have you been getting any of my emails? I know you've been super busy, just want to make sure they are getting through since I have the new computer.

Bo said...

LOL at the art of drinking wine while "half-cuffed". I wonder if the wait staff was thinking "Has she had too much already???" *G*

That's so cool about the rose pin,and if you don't win the RITA,something is rotten in Denmark! *G* (Sorry,I couldn't resist,knowing your past and all)

You have been working so hard lately,no wonder you couldn't get up,you need rest!I'm glad you had fun & that the food was so good.I feel your pain about the lattes,though,that would suck!!!First thing I'm having when the baby is here is a Venti Mocha Frapp with a triple shot.Maybe two.And a big,juicy,rare steak.Yum.

You will finish UC,never fear.It would just be cruel and wrong not to,and your not that cruel,LOL.(((HUGS)))

Chez said...

Gosh, done in by the lack of a good shim. You know I think you should post a piccie of that shim thing. Yup, never know when I might need to know how to get out of a pair of handcuffs.

L said...

HA HA HA You and your handcuffs, PC! I can just imagine the kid at the hardware store. I'm telling you, you need to get some toothbrushes converted and keep them in your purse. You never know when you might need them *G*

I had the best time with you guys! We need to get you out more, missy.

Hope you have a great weekend! Miss you!

XOXOXO

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