Sunday, February 09, 2014

photo and an excerpt from Dangerous Masquerade

Lots of fun at the Romance Reader Social at the Pflugerville library yesterday. Here I am in Regency costume.


We were supposed to read excerpts from our books but everyone was having way too much fun without that so....I thought I would post it here. It's from Dangerous Masquerade (Amazon  B&N.com kobo iBooks)



Ransford stared at Rebecca, achingly handsome in his favorite jacket of blue Bath cloth that matched his eyes and pantaloons of biscuit hue. Rebecca wanted to tell him the truth, had meant to tell him the truth, but when she tried to speak no words came out. Instead, she was paralyzed by fear. He was a friend of Lord Templeton and he even knew her stepbrother now. Despite Lady Sarah's assurances that she was safe here, Rebecca could not help feeling that if they knew where she was, Andrew and Lord Templeton might try to snatch her away from here. Later, when it became common knowledge Rebecca was a guest in Lady Sarah's house, it would be harder for them to try to harm her.
To be sure, she might be wrong to be suspicious of Ransford. If she was, Rebecca ought to tell him the truth now, for the longer she waited, the worse it would be. He would not like her masquerade, but it would be better if he heard the story from Rebecca's own lips rather than from someone who would tell him he had been made a fool by her.
It was useless to deny, either, that she wanted to tell him the truth, to trust him and to have him see her as she really was. For what had only been a seed so long as Rebecca was in his house, now became a full grown truth: she was in love with Oliver Ransford. She loved his kindness, his quick intelligence, and much more she could not even put into words. But head must rule her heart and Rebecca did not speak.
Ransford, of course, did not expect her to speak. He went on, gently, "How do you like it here, as my mother's companion? Is she kind to you?"
Rebecca nodded emphatically.
"I'm glad you're happy here," Ransford said.
Even to him the words sounded trite and he rose to his feet, holding out a hand to her. "It is time, I think, that I took you back in to see my mother. She asked me to come and fetch you, you know."
Rebecca rose and gave him her hand, trembling slightly at his touch. She was not prepared for the wellspring of longing that rose in her heart. A longing to be held by this man. A longing to be kissed. She could not break the gaze that bound her eyes to his and it seemed as if he was about to lean forward, perhaps even to kiss her on the lips, when the door to the library opened, breaking the spell.
"Here you both still are," Lady Sarah said mockingly, but the look she bent on them was kind, indeed one might say approving. "Have you had a pleasant conversation together?"
Ransford shot a warning glance at his mother, unable to credit the insensitivity in her choice of words. Rebecca colored, pulled her hand free of Ransford's, and looked at the floor, unable to meet Lady Sarah's eyes.

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

online revisions class

Ordinarily, at this point I'd be offering my Book in a Week class but given the issues that came up with yahoogroups with my last online class and given that I'm using a new site for the class, I felt it wise to begin with a shorter class. 

I think the change will be a good one and things will go smoothly and actually be easier than with yahoogroups. But because it IS a change and an experiment, I am holding the price of the class at what it was the last time I offered it--in 2009.

New online class:


Class: Revisions From the Top Down
Dates: Sunday February 16, 2014 to February 28, 2014
(Note: It is strongly recommended that students reread their manuscripts the weekend prior to class.)
Cost: $30 
Deadline to sign up: February 14, 2014
Format: all lessons and responses by email on a private class email loop

Have you been to a conference? Had a manuscript requested by an agent or editor? Are you just stuck on what to do next to make your novel work? Revisions From the Top Down is the fastest and most effective way I know to revise a manuscript. It's a process that will save you time and give you a new way to look at what you've written.

This two week online class will take you through the process of honing your manuscript to grab an agent or editor's attention and never let go! A critique (if you choose) of your first page is included.

To sign up send an email to aprilkihlstrom@yahoo.com with the title of the class in the header and in the body of the email please put: your name and whether you prefer to pay by check or Paypal. 





Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Romance Reader Social Saturday Feb. 8, 2014

I'm jazzed because this Saturday the Pflugerville Library (just north of Austin, TX) is having a Romance Reader Social and I'll be taking part. These are always fun but this year will feature something new. I'm posting the schedule of events below. Below that I'll post directions to the library. And below that look for the list of authors who will be there!



Directions for the library:

For those of you who have not been to the library before, the address is 1008 W. Pfluger St. You will see the back of the library from 1825/Pecan St. If you're coming from 35, you'll need to turn right on 10th St., then right again on Pfluger St. to get to the entrance. Call the library if you have any trouble.

Diane Kelly:
  • Death, Taxes, and a French Manicure
  • Death, Taxes, and a Skinny No-Whip Latte
  • Death, Taxes, and Extra-Hold Hairspray
  • Death, Taxes, and Peach Sangria
April Kihlstrom:
  • Miss Redmond’s Folly
  • The Scholar’s Daughter
  • The Ambitious Baronet
  • The Wily Wastrel
  • Miss Tibbles Investigates
Molly McAdams:
  • Taking Chances
  • From Ashes
  • Forgiving Lies
  • Stealing Harper
Sasha Summers:
  • For the Love of Hades
  • Medusa, A Love Story
  • Hollywood Ever After
  • Hollywood Homecoming
Kathy Clark:
  • After Midnight
Patrice Sarath:
  • The Unexpected Miss Bennett
  • Gordath Wood
  • Redgold Bridge
  • The Crow God’s Girl



If you live close enough, I hope to see some of you there!