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!


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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, March 30, 2010

Naked Edge odds and ends

Gabe climbing

No, Man-Titty Monday has not been extended. Today is Tuesday, and so today we set the man-chest aside and get on with other things, important things, things of consequence.

I've had readers ask me if I have any specific images in mind when I write. Most often they're referring to characters when they ask that question. And I do try to piece together images that evoke my characters, particularly the heroes.

The image above is a favorite of mine. I love it. The model isn't really rock climbing, but if you squint your eyes and turn your head sideways, all you see is his nicely haired chest, his muscular arms and his six-pack, and you don't care what he's doing. So that's a nice image of Gabe when his feet slipped when Kat found him climbing at Mesa Butte.

But I also collect images of objects: Reece's Sphinx, Julian’s SIG, Marc’s Glock. I had lots of photos of the Capitol when writing Extreme Exposure, gang graffiti when I wrote Hard Evidence and a black Jag when I wrote Unlawful Contact.

I had to look at bridal catalogues when writing Heaven Can't Wait to see what kind of gowns Lissy might have chosen. So the Vera Wang (or Very Wang as Will calls it), the Badgley Mishka, and the others were real gowns I saw in magazines. For that story, I also bought a Scrabble board and played Sex Scrabble myself to map out their moves and the points Lissy and Will earned. (Wait... If I play Sex Scrabble by myself, is that Masturbation Scrabble?)

I didn’t collect a lot of images for Naked Edge, in part because it was derived heavily from things I’ve seen and done. No hogaans. Been in plenty. I didn’t need to look at a sweat lodge because I can go sit and pray in one every other Saturday. I didn't need photos of buttes because we have one right here... And climbing — I grew up stepping over coils of rope and nylon cords hung with pitons and carabiners and crams. In our house it was normal to see people hanging from door jams and doing fingertip pull-ups. One day when he was bored, my brother went outside and climbed his chimney. (No, I'm not kidding you, and this was after he was a grownup.) So no climbing photos were necessary.

Kat's wedding ring

I did keep a photo of Naked Edge, the climbing route, handy. I watched some hardcore free soloing and skiing videos. And I did search the 'Net for photos of their wedding rings as if I myself were shopping for them.

Kat’s is above — an antique white gold setting of turquoise and diamonds. I had this to look at as I wrote the end of the story.

Gabe's ring, below, is the signature style of a local jeweler, who makes rings to match a number of mountain ranges.

Gabe's wedding ring


The mountain range inset into this ring is the one I see every day of my life. It’s very recognizable to anyone from Boulder. It's the backdrop against which our little town is set. Pretty cool, I think.

This last photo is just a fun extra. It's the couple from the book trailer in a slightly more erotic pose than the ones Jenn and I chose. I thought it was really sexy, so I just kept it.

And Kat and Gabe lived happily ever after and were very often naked.

Thanks to those of you who hopped over to read the I-Team hero interview that I had promised you. Cecile and Jenn were great to put all that together. I had a lot of fun with it. And just to be clear, Marc isn’t really wearing an edible licorice thong purchased for him by Julian. They’re close, but not that kind of close.

For those of you who didn't go to Cecile's blog yesterday, I'm sure the post is still up. And Julian had news: Tessa is pregnant. We’ll hear more about that in Natalie and Zach’s book. I finished the synopsis over the weekend, and I now need to write a sample chapter or two, and then the proposal will be done. At that point, I’ll just keep writing. I hope to fly through it, so that it will be out a year from now.

So is anyone working on I-Team slash? Maybe I should host a contest and put the winners on my blog and/or Web site.

Coming soon:
—An interview with a true Colorado powder hound, together with videos he made of himself and his buddies skiing
—Updates on the shackling bill
—I-Team trivia
—And Fiction Friday — readers share their current reads and recommendations

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

14 comments:

Debbie H said...

The rings are beautiful and very personal. I read the interview, I was laughing my head off listening to them in my head.

The photo of Kat and Gabe is very sexy! I can imagine them like that quite often.

Hugs!

Kara C said...

Thanks for sharing those images. Always interesting to see what an author does to better bring a story to life. BTW, added some songs you mentioned as characters' songs to my iPod. Apparently, at least one has both an explicit and clean version. So didn't pay attention. We were listening to it in the car, and let's just say, my friend's mouth dropped open and, for just a moment, my teenager thought I was a very cool mom. LOL
Have a great day.

Hi, Debbie — I'm glad the interview made you laugh. The guys are pretty funny, even unintentionally at times.

Hugs to you, too!

Hi, Kara — Too funny! What song was that? I'm sure I have the explicit version.

Maybe I should list the full play list for this book. I haven't done that yet, have I?

Ronlyn said...

gorgeous images.
I was picturing a darker terquoise for Kat's ring...I like the "real" thing better. :-)
that last image! *quack!*

Kara C said...

Pamela,
It was, I think, It's Been a While. And, yes, you should post that list. I love music and knowing what songs authors connect to their books is always interesting.

Hi, Ronlyn — Funny! I just can't describe stuff like this in my book without have an example to "ground" it in my mind.

Hi, Kara — YES! That's the ultimate Gabe song. Also "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak. See if this perhaps fits Gabe's personality in terms of his need for Kat:

"The world was on fire and no one could save me but you/
Strange what desire will make foolish people do/
I never dreamed that I’d need somebody like you/
I never dreamed that I’d love somebody like you/
No, I don’t want to fall in love/
With you."


I'll get the playlist up soon, both here and on my Web site.

Scorpio M. said...

I can never get enough of NE. The rings are so pretty & unique, very fitting for Kat & Gabe.

I actually like the initial pic you had of "Gabe" the most. From your Feb 27 post. That's exactly how I pictured Gabe in my mind's eye sans earring. So gorgeous *sigh*

Ok, one word: manberries.

I had to bite my inner cheek to keep from LOL on the subway this am. I am really liking Marc so far, oh oh, Gabe might be in trouble.

I hope you're enjoying a nice cup of joe somewhere. I don't know how you do all you do and keep up with blogging & FB & Goodreads...phew, I'm tired just thinking about it!!

Amanda said...

What a beautiful ring!!

And the photo is awesome!! I love it!!

Sorry I haven't been by in a while was trying to avoid the temptation of reading spoilers, I'm still waiting on my copy of Naked Edge but hoping to have it soon!

Thank you for sharing!

Kara C said...

Hey Pamela,
Another song for the iPod..and the words ARE perfect for Gabe!

Scorpio,
Are you reading Marc's book now? I think I remember that book. LOL (Most folks know, he is my FAVE of the guys.) I have no doubt you will love him, uh, it. The book. :)

Scorpio M. said...

Hi Kara,

I am reading Marc's book! Sophie just kneed him in the manberries, lol. Yeah, I kinda heard you were the Captain of Team Marc, I'm beginning to see why :-)

I'm gonna be fair and read all the books before choosing a fave but I have a softspot for Gabe cause he was my first.

Hi, Scorpio — Aw, thanks! I really wanted the rings to be special, not something typical, in part because they felt unique to me. I always search out something for my H/h that seems to fit them.

I like that pic of Gabe, too. We can say that's him. That's fine with me. :-)

I love the word manberries! I learned it from the powder hound who's going to come talk to all of you. He was writing an article for me about mountain biking and talked about how the seat was really "hard on the manberries." I fell in love with the word and told him I would use it. He (Isaac is his name) knows it's in the story.

Then I read a review where someone quit reading the book because of that word. All I could do was laugh.

I drink a lot of coffee, and I don't watch TV and I have very little spare time. I was at work all day today but I got a lot done.

As for choosing a favorite, I think you're going about it in the right way. I'll be interested to see what happens after you meet Julian Darcangelo.

Hi, Amanda — I can't wait for you to get your book! I'm glad you like the rings and the photo. I hope you get the book soon!

Hey, Capt. Kara — I thought you'd agree. And LOL @ "him, it, the book."

oklanannie said...

I love "Wicked Game" and today's blog was a good reminder -- it's now on my ipod! And YES -- the song is a perfect fit for Gabe's relationship with Kat.

It will be fun to hear the music that will inspire Zach and Natalie's book!

Before I forget, is that what they refer to as the "Front Range" on Gabe's ring? Very masculine and appropriate for our mountain climbing super hero! You got the personal touch for each of their rings just perfect.

I'm beginning to depend on those glorious guy pictures on your blog each morning! It's a wonderful beginning to each day!

Mary G said...

Hi All
The rings were just as I pictured Pamela. So beautiful. Scorpio, I solved my Gabe vs. Marc dilemma.
Naked Edge is a magical book with the Native customs & lore. It's too hard to compare them. Besides after the interview at Cecile's I'm in love with all of them. I think Gabe's commando habit is giving Julian "with the sexy name" a run for his money.

Jane said...

It's great that you collect these images because I like to see how they compare to those in mind as I'm reading the story.

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