Fighter pilots are hot! Well mannered, too!

Poor Zach, his hands are going to turn blue, or he may be putting a lot of pressure on his lungs hanging like that.

I, too, loose interest in history around 1895. Could care less what happened after that.

Now you know Connor can't leave her there. He's not that cold hearted. Stressed out, but not coldhearted.

You can do the senate hearing with your eyes closed. Take a deep breath, let it out, and remember who you are standing up for.

Will your Arthur book still be in the works? You know I will read your books regardless. I love your writing and always will.

Hugs!

I'm constantly amazed at the number of different stories authors can have rattling around in their heads at the same time! Buthappy you're working on Connor :)

You'll do fantastic at the hearing. And it's such a wonderful bill anyway that I can't even imagine anyone voting against it (although I'm sure some doofus will- there's always at least one!)

A little off-topic, but I thought I read somewhere (your blog??) that the Kenleigh/Blakewell series was meant to be a quintet. So, okay, Ruadrhi's story, right? And who else? Bethie's little Isabelle? This has stumped me forever!

Hi, Debbie,

Yes, fighter pilots are SO hot. Egads!

Zach isn't hanging by his wrists — yet. He's chained by his wrists to a wall with enough length on the chain to sit and lie down. But the cell is full of spiders and scorpions, and he is blindfolded and substantially hurt.

Yeah, the modern world is distinctly lacking in romance.

Yeah, Connor might have to help Mary somehow.

Thanks for your faith in me. There's a distinct protocol that I know nothing about: how to answer, when to speak.

I want to write Arthur, too. I need three of me writing books. Or I need to do it full-time.

Hugs to you, too!

Hi, Lori — Yes, we're all a bit crazy, aren't we? It's like having multiple personalities or something.

I'd like to think that everyone will support this, but these days parties vote against things just because the other party is presenting it. And there will surely be some folks who say, "These women don't want to be shackled? Well, they shouldn't have landed themselves in prison!" I find that response to be shockingly lacking in compassion, but then some people ARE lacking in compassion.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's an easy process. Thanks!

Hi, Wendy — I had intended to write Ruahdrí's story and Emma Rose's story — Alec and Cassie's youngest daughter. But what a great idea! Isabelle's story.

I still need to write the epilogue for RIDE THE FIRE, don't I?


OK, everyone, here's the quote of the night:

"It's like having an egg beater stuck up your butt with a wild man on the crank — it'll get you out of the water fast."
—A retired Navy SEAL describing what it's like to have a hand grenade go off nearby in the water...

Made me laugh, as horrible as it must be to experience.

AH! Emma Rose, of course! Well, I can't wait to read books about both of those girls. (Pamela Clare rolls her eyes, adds "Isabelle Kenleigh" to the bottom of her to-do list)... ;)

Wendy, you make me laugh.

All I know is that I really need to get that clone! :-)

I think Isabelle is a great idea. But they have other kids, you know, starting with a boy who looks like his father (minus the scars, of course).

OMG!! Happy dance!! Woo hoo!! More historicals!! Heck, just more books!!! Yippie!! Connor's story, and more?!! OMG, this is just too good to be true. I LOVE your new publisher!!! And I so agree about the time period and regions. It's not all about 1820 England. I am so f'n thrilled!!

I just started SURRENDER, takes a bit getting used to after the I-Team gang, but really liking the brothers MacKinnon so far.

Ooh, how I wish you went ahead with your original idea to make Gabe a MacKinnon! Then I could be thinking as I read that somewhere down the line Iain or Morgan will have an uber-sexy many times great-grandson that acts every bit the warrior. Rangers across generations. That would've been SO cool. Rossiter is good, too ;-)

I am preemptively declaring that I NEED Connor's story, too. Do we need to send a petition to your publisher or something?! The historical market is so saturated with Euro-centric (totally non-realistic, more often than not) crap, uhm, books.

If you write about a Duke, I think I'm gonna puke. I channeled my inner-5 year old for that rhyme, lol. OK, back to serious, I trust your writing & your code of writing ethics. I know you will not put out anything you don't fully support.

Saw the Rox score on Sportscenter and figured you were happy. Enjoy the wkend!

Hey, KarLynP — So you DID hear me. :-)

I don't know for sure that they'll want Connor's story, at least not right away. They may want one of the other historicals first. Who knows? But I am drafting an overview of his story for them and hoping they'll pick it.

I do miss those MacKinnon Brothers.

Hi, Scorpio — Yes, there's a pretty big difference between my contemporary voice and my historical voice. Hopefully, the switch won't throw you too much. Iain can be a bit of a jerk sometimes — I guess Gabe could, too, huh? — but I'd like a jerk just like him in my life. :-)

If I write a duke, I'm going to puke!

I love that rhyme! How many dukes were there, anyway? Two? Four? Surely not 18,000. A duke on every block, at every card table and in every brothel. London was overflowing with dukes in that 10-year period, you know.

And thanks for having faith in me! No, I won't write something just to be commercially appealing. I have to FEEL the story to want to write it. Otherwise, I think I'd develop terminal writer's block.

You enjoy the weekend, too!

Hey Pamela!

So yeah, I'm not a big fan of history 1895 and before. But I do love late 1800s-WWII, or ancient(like Egyptian, Greek, Roman, English)

No, Zack!! I can't believe he's being tortured right now and about to be cut in pieces. I hope Natalie rescues him soon.

And Connor, ah Connor, how I've missed you. Please tell him I've missed him. It's been too long. And I hope, no erase that, I know that he wouldn't leave poor Mary like that. He's too kind. I hope the best for you Connor, you deserve love too. I can't wait to read your story.

Have an awesome day Pamela!!

-ronna ;D

Sounds like Connor is about to follow in big brother's footsteps and risk everything for a lass. He's likely to have a very angry warrior on his trail. Of course, I know that whatever book comes next, it'll be great. And we'll all celebrate with you when your bill passes - yes, it is YOURS.

P.S. My captcha word is 'flort' - lol!

LMAO at the retired Navy Seal's comment. That would do it for me. Actually, I wouldn't be a Seal, because I don't like being in water I can't see the bottom.

Er, my cousin is a fighter pilot. He flies F18 Hornets for the Navy. I do not find him hot, although I've been assured by many, many friends that he is. LOL. I still call him by his childhood nickname and have to resist tugging on his ears every time I see him. *G* Must be a big sister/cousin thing I have going on.

And, Connor is still having his little trist here in my kitchen...er on my computer. LOL. I think there's more to the short than what I've sent you PC. :-) Connor is a doll.

I am another one hanging for Connor's story and there is no way he will leave her there.

I have just finished reading Extreme Exposure and WOW awesome fantastic what more can I say other than I will be ordering the rest of the I Team books asap can't wait to read them

Have Fun
Helen

Oh, poor Zach!! You know, if Natalie can't make it to untie him.....I'm available! ;)

Diane W.

PS. Love Connor!! And no, he's not going to leave that girl....he'll find a way to take her with him.

Hi Pamela ooooooooooooooooooo I can't wait to hear more about the possible books! I love love love Scottish novels as you know but I also love the other ideas! I really like Colonial American novels as well its such a shame there isn't more of a market so that you could just write whatever you wanted to in whatever setting. Girl I would read your book if you wrote about a midge in a swamp though cause yes you are that good! ;)

I'm a history buff myself I love reading about all sorts of settings and I find them MUCH more fascinating to read about that the modern settings for the most part. I really wish the period during the Civil War was done more as well I love that era and it was so pivital to the way the US is today but you don't see many books in that time period it's a shame.

LOVEDDDDD the teaser of Conner now you can't leave us hanging there too long! *beg* (can't wait to see more on Zach and Natalie too!

You go girl big hugs!!!!

Hi, Ronna — So we're historical opposites. You take up where I leave off. :-)

I will pass your greeting along to Connor. I had a great time spending the weekend with him rummaging around in my brain.

Yes, poor Zach! He went to meet with an INTERPOL agent, who gave him a beer as they talked through an operation they were working on together... And the next thing he knows he wakes up in the clutches of a cartel. Lots of questions he can't answer, and so on.

He's been chained up for six days, tortured for six days, and is hoping his body will give out before his mind gives in.

Fortunately, his miracle is about to arrive. But she's a prisoner, too, and they don't want to torture her. They want to have a little fun with her — and then kill her.

I write such cheerful stories, don't I? That's what world I've seen as a reporter, so that's what ends up in my books.

Hi, Jennie — Funny capture word! We should play a game where you make up a definition of what your word is and the most convincing one wins something. LOL!

Yes, there may be an angry warrior after them. And then there are explanations to Wentworth. And then there's the matter of this lass who, according to Shawnee custom, is now his wife... What's a Ranger to do?

Hey, Ronlyn — I am dying to read more of Connor's tryst. Get to it! LOL!

Glad you're not hot for your cousin. Can I have him?


Hi, Helen — Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts about EXTREME EXPOSURE. I'm delighted you enjoyed the book. That's wonderful to hear.

I hope you don't have to wait too long for Connor. The wait isn't easy for me, either.

And you're probably right about him. As jaded as he is after four years of war, he probably won't leave her to her fate.

Hi, Diane — If Natalie can't hack it or doesn't want Zach in all his half-naked, tied-up and wounded glory, I will call you. 1-800-SAVE-ZACH.

You guys have already figured out the plot with Connor. ;-)


Hi, Jenn — So good to see you!

You make me laugh! A midge in a swamp? OK, well, that was my NEXT book. LOL!

I'll be moving away from Colonial America, sadly, but I still hope to get Connor and Lord William (OK, I hear the screaming) and Joseph out there if I can. It totally depends on sales.

The way you feel about the Civil War is how I feel about the French & Indian War. What made us think of ourselves as "Americans" and not British subjects? There used to be lots of Civil War books. Not so much now. Maybe it will come back.

I probably won't have more Connor snippets to share for a very long time -- September at the earliest. Sorry, but I guess I am leaving you hanging. :-D

Oh no, Zach! 6 days? That's terrible! And now, Natalie's a prisoner too. And the men are thinking of having "fun" with her? Zach better rescue her!

Oh well, I trust you Pamela. I'm really glad that all of your heroins(except Bettie) were not sexually harrased(I'm glad it worked out with Bettie and Nicholas at the end). I just really think that rape/sexual harrasment is the worse the thing that could happen to woman. In my opinion, it's not even murder. Because you know, rape deals with womanhood, something very, very, very personal and special. I'm just really disgusted with those rapist that think they could just steal virtues of women. There's just so much more a rape victim has to deal with. Emotional trauma, fear. It's sad.

There's this author, Alice Sebold. I've read her book a few years ago. I think they made it into a movie, The Lovely Bones(which is really good by the way--the book). Anyway I remember when I read it, I was just so sad to what happened to the main character(she was raped then killed). Then I learned later when I was looking at her site, the Alice Sebold was raped when she was 18. I was so amazed how she turned that horrible event of her life, into something she molded into her writing. So she could help fellow victims. It made her stronger. I'm really amazed and admire her for that.

It's sad that that's what you encounter in being a journalist. When I was younger, I've considered being a journalist. I wanted to travel the world and report about amazing events and uncover truths. But I am a very emotional person. I think my values would get away with me if I decided to be a journalist, especially if it covers something that I think with my whole heart is wrong--rape. Besides, my first love is art, so I decided I'd just try help the world some other way.

Ok, I'm ranting now. But I just really wanted you to know that, cause I was reminded by it when you said what/where Natalie is into right now.

Have a nice day Pamela!
I can't wait for your next books

-ronna ;D

Hi, Ronna — I completely agree with you about the awfulness of rape, and I know far more about it personally than I'd like. It's the reason I became a journalist. I'm very emotional about that, too, but when I saw male reporters writing about sexual assault, I realized they just didn't get it. So I started writing an opinion column that focused on rape and other related issues. One thing led to another, and the next think you know I was a reporter.

I've been open as a journalist about the fact that I was sexually assaulted as a child (same age as Bethie — 10). And, yes, something like that leaves a lifelong mark. I think I probably get some sense of relief from "saving" my heroines from being raped because of that.

Not to make you all uncomfortable with this revelation (I've actually mentioned it before), but I do want you to know that I understand exactly how you feel about it, Ronna.

And thanks for sharing your thoughts so eloquently. :-)

Love this snippet of Connor & Mary! What is it about these MacKinnon brothers that makes their dialogue SO sexy?? Must be the genuis of the author! But the thing I don't understand about rape or the threat of rape as a plot device in romance novels is that it seems SO unsexy. Not exciting, not thrilling, but just plain scary and traumatic. How does being saved from a rape make good foreplay? I just don't see it . . .

Yes, please, no more dukes! Since when is entitlement, self-centeredness, and promiscuity considered sexy? I'll never understand the appeal of that formula. Let us hope that some through-the-roof sales of Connor's book will embolden your editor to let you pick the time periods that inspire you most! Because you OWN the French & Indian war.

Hi, JulieMarie — The F&I War is definitely my favorite period of Colonial U.S. history. I lose myself in it and just want to stay there, despite the gore and the violence. So I really do hope Connor's story sells well enough for my editor to want Lord William's and Joseph's stories. (Right now neither are even on the table.)

As for promiscuous, entitled self-important nobility... Yeah, I just don't understand why that's sexy either. A guy who wears gallons of lace and snorts snuff for the thrill of sneezing sort of grosses me out. I prefer the frontier types. :-)

I'm glad you enjoyed the excerpt as well. In this case, I see what you're saying about the threat of rape not being sexy. I think there are probably a range of opinions on that topic. Certainly, sexual threats to the heroine are a staple in romantic fiction. Perhaps I overuse it?

In this case, I'm paying homage to a real-life woman, a true heroine, who endured this situation without Connor to rescue her. :-(

For me, Connor's mission vs. Mary's dire predicament makes an compelling equation to try to balance, a high-stakes problem that can't easily be resolved. Hopefully, in the story it will come across as a serious thing.

I do hear what you're saying, though. I don't deliberately try to include sexual assault or the threat of rape as a plot element in all my stories. I try to be sensitive to what we're really talking about here and not just turn it into titillation.

And thanks for all of your thoughtful comments, JulieMarie. I really appreciate them. :-)