Waking up to a two hour delay, not because of snow but ice. It's 29 degrees out there. Now I know that you in the midwest and northeast probably would think this is warm. But this is the Willamette Valley. And for us, it's darn cold. There are accidents all over the valley. But this school delay give me time to blog and to write this morning. Of course I still have two finals to write but I can always put that off until the weekend.

My heroine is going out of character and it's going to baffle the hero. Of course she is protecting her heart. He of course thinks she has turned into a monster--a monster he cannot live without. And he doesn't know how much she loves him. He also doesn't know how much he loves her. They will have to go down a dark, winding road to figure all this out. It will be a great adventure. What trials and tribulations will they encounter? Will the mam kidnap our heroine? Will the brothers make it to Baltimore?

Stay tuned.

Christine

I'm waking up to a beautiful sunny day--no rain. My weather contest is coming to an end and I'll be looking for the most romantic city in the world. My personal favorite in Paris but I love New York. Every city seems to take on a personality all its own. And I suppose the ones with the most pazazz (is that how you spell that word?) Is the one that will make the biggest impact on a soul. There are so many places I haven't been. I want to see everything, well maybe not everything. The last time my family had Chinese food and fortune cookies I had a great fortune. It read: Your feet will touch on many countries. I plan on making that fortune come true. I guess I've been blessed with good fortune cookies. I'll never forget that one summer at an RWA meeting/dinner at a Chinese restaurant my fortune read: Your greatest dream will come true. A month later I sold my first manuscript. So I'm always looking for the right fortune cookie.

I've got to get going on the word challange. I have a goal of 3000 words today. My hero and heroine are in a very compromising position. She is about to give up her virginity to the hero. But will she stop and bargain with him? She is only a servant in his home and being a finacially smart young woman, she knows she has to look after her retirement interests. Will she give in to the notion of romance and romantic love and make a devil's bargain she might come to regret?

Stay tuned: for the continuing saga of an Uncommon Thief

Christine

It has been one week since the challenge to write 1000 words a day went out in my RWA group. It has definitely been a challenge and I wrote a little over 7000 words last week. Now I'm starting over. Thank you Alice for issuing the challenge. I'm confident now that I will finish this book before summer gets here. Wow! I didn't think I could do it.

My contest is still on for January. I'm looking at one more week and then I'll have my daughter draw for the winner. The weather all over the country has been crazy. Just a little north of here near Portland Oregon there was a tornado that caused lots of damage and thankfully no deaths. Now you folks in the midwest would probably scoff at this tiny tornado but it scared the #@^%$# out of all of us in the Willamette Valley. We just don't have severe weather like that. The last tornado in the area was in 1972.

Christine

The 1000 words a day is a challenge. I managed 600 words today even though I worked all day and coached my swim team. I was proud of myself. I got home, ate dinner, watched my one soap then wrote. My goal was to write 500 words. So I will have to do that tomorrow too. It's a good feeling to make your goals and will be an even better feeling to finish this book ahead of schedule. Bravo to Alice who put forth the challenge and the rest of my chapter for accepting.

It's easy for me to write bad guys. And right now I'm in a scene with a very bad, bad lady. Or perhaps she not really a "lady" The bad guys are always fun because you don't have to be PC. You can have them act and do anything you want them to do. Right now the very bad lady is sipping wine, smoking a cheroot and plotting the murder of the hero. Will she order the murder? If she does will the hero outsmart her?

Christine

One day down, 30 to go. I managed almost 3000 words yesterday and I'm quite satisfied. I will edit and then write some more today. I realized that I was close to half way on this book. My original goal was to finish by the end of summer. However, with this challenge and ongoing encouragement, I might finish in March.

Still no luck with my webiste. I worked so hard on it and now not to see it up and running is discouraging and frustrating.

Looking forward to getting back to school. I discovered I missed them. I really do have some wonderful classes this year. Two weeks and they will have semester finals. It's about this time the freshman discover that they really will have to repeat the classes if they fail, and if they don't have the credits they won't graduate. I always see a huge turn around with the kids. Suddenly they start turning in their work.

Still thinking about possible romantic cities? I am. But I'm running out of pictures. My travels really haven't taken me very far. Perhaps Edinburg though would be a romantic city, with the castle guarding the town.

I accepted Alice's challenge of 1000 words a day. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it, but at least I will make sure I write every day. I've finished Highland Song and now need only to do edits. I am working on An Uncommon Thief which was renamed in my October contest.

Please, if the winner is out there, email me at achristay@aol.com. I would love to send you your prize. I know you said you gave me your address but I can't find it.

I've received lots of comments on the weather. I hope a few more people enter the contest, but if not I will be drawing for the winner in a couple of weeks. It snowed huge wet flakes this morning. Nothing stuck. And now the sun is shining, lots of wind too.

Not having a lot of luck with publishing my website. And I still have to finish my book trailer for Rebel Heart.

Christine

After spending hours and brack-breaking work the heroine finally rescues the hero. She comes to realize that the hero will never change. Even though she loves him with every breath in her body, he will never be able to return that love. He believes in passion but not love. She is heart broken but stronger. At least she has known a moment of love. She will carry her memories with her and hold onto them in the cold of the highland winters. Will the hero realize his mistake before it's too late? Or will he let his one true love leave him?

As to romantic cities. Could the most romantic city in the worl be London? Coming in February let me know what you think.

Here in the Willamette Valley it's windy and rainy. The snow level is dropping by Monday. Will it reach the valley floor? Hmm...

My new websight hit a major problem yesterday when I tried to publish it. Errors! Oh well, I'll be working on it today and hoping to get it up and running.

And now because of a writing challenge I have to write 1000 words a day. Does the blog count?

Christine

My hero and heroine are getting closer to her home. They've found an Inn to stay the night...but. Isn't there always a but? The heroine's long time friend and suitor finds the dynamic duo and bursts the hero's bubble so to speak. Ah, the trials of young lovers. There is never an easy path and it's my job to fill that path full of as many pitfalls as possible.

I spent yesterday adding links to my websight pages and now I have to finish. The designing (fun) part is over. I hope to publish the websight by the Sunday. Maybe sooner. Have to do this before Winter break is over and back to teaching.

Stay tuned to the continuing saga of Highland Song to be released in September 2008.

Christine

Worked on my websight again. I think it's looking good but I'm going to need some input. All I will work on today will be the links. I was able to use some of my Europe pictures on the sight and that was fun.

I came up with a contest for February when I was looking at my picture of the Eiffle Tower. Tune in February for more details.

My hero and heroine are finishing an idylic tryst at the loch before finishing their treck to the MacPherson castle. The hero is worried about the reaction the heroine's brothers will have about the days together they have spent. His reputation as a lady's man is well known. Will the brothers skewer our hero through? Or will they let him into the family? Will they be expecting a marriage?

Christine

The first day of the new year. How many of you stayed up and watched the new year come in? I didn't. I really am getting old. I almost watched the ball drop in Time Square. I was 5 minutes late. Sigh. On the other side, my 27 year old daughter told me I was welcome at her party. Maybe I'm not so old.

I've started working on a new websight. I worked most of yesterday and finished two pages. I like it. My main objectives are for it to look professional and to work. Some of the pictures I took in Scotland are on it.

I left my hero and heroine contemplting love. Is it just passion or is it something else?

Happy New Year
Christine

Ah, the last day of the old year. For me, it was a productive and fulfilling year. I hope that my readers can say the same and if not, may the new year bring only happiness. My oldest daughter and my son married their long time sweethearts. What joy. My family dealt with two bouts of cancer, one very rare and the other very common. The prognosis is good for both. A long time friend also is dealing with cancer. My prayers go out to her.

My second book in the Highland trilogy is a finalist in the Eppies. The third and last book, Highland Song, will be out in September of 2008. My writing always takes a back seat this time of year to work. But winter break provides extra time for me.

Yesterday, I left my hero and heroine frolicking in a loch. Now I had some reservations about swimming in a Scottish loch. But as I was in Scotland last summer, I know it is possible although chilly. No more chilly though than swimming in the Rogue or Crater Lake, both of which I have done in my life. I didn't want to give them hypothermia.

Best wishes to my readers for the new year.

Christine

As far as writing goes, yesterday was truly productive. My hero and heroine are momentarily out of the jaws of danger. Oh, but is there a different danger lurking close by? Is the heroine in danger of losing her heart to the hero? Or has she already fallen deeply in love? She wants his heart and soul but he can't see past her history. And she knows she can't let him have her heart until she tell him her deepest darkest secret. Will she tell him? If she tells him, will he despise her and blame her? Will he think that all that has happened was her fault? We shall see.

Will the hero discover that she is true and pure of heart? Will he let his own barricades slip enough to see the love in her eyes? Oh, but if both lovers could erase their past, they might find happiness.

Over the holiday break I had set a goal to post something new everyday. I missed yesterday. So if I post twice today does that make up for missing one day? Maybe, maybe not. Instead of blogging which I had put off until the evening, I watched Oregon State beat Maryland in the Emerald bowl.

I'm still looking for entries in my weather contest. So, send me news of the weather in your part of the country. It's not riaining yet but there is a low fog.

Last night I left my hero trying to blow up a rock bridge so the mercenaries couldn't get across. I know there were explosives in the 18th century, I'm just not sure how he could do this. And I suppose it will have to stop raining bcause the powder will have to be dry. Or not?

Will the hero blow up the bridge or will the mercenaries get across? Stay tuned to the continuing saga of Highland Song.

Christine Young

Because of a high school swim meet and several hours to convert meter times to yard times then post on the high school web sight, Lainie is still hanging by her fingernails on a slippery wet ledge. Will she plunge to the raging river below and make the hero rescue her or will he pull her to safety? Will the horrid English soldiers catch up to them and kidnap Lainie taking her to the English general who has put a bounty on her head?

I'm hope I'll find out tomorrow. Since I write by the second flashing by and not by a very clearly plotted outline sometimes I don't know what is going to happen until it all plays out. I suspect the characters will take over and decide for me.

So, do your characters decide what is going to happen or do you?

Christine

Well, there is a snow advisory and there is still a thin layer of snow on the ground. But enough of the weather. It's time to start writing. My characters are struggling in wet weather, cliffs and raging rivers. Will they survive? The worst of the worst English soldiers are chasing them up the ravine. And Lainie is exhausted past exhaustion if that is possible. Oh, but we know the heroine and the hero must survive but what treacherous times will they have to surmount before they can find true happiness? Tune in later for all the details.

Highland Song will be out in ebook in September 2008.

The next pressing issue for me and my family for the new year is good health. I've always been an exercise fanatic. Even walking the Portland marathon a year and a half ago. So I was surprised to discover my cholesterol was high. Now I'm looking for good cholesterol free recipes and even going as far as turning vegetarian. Any good vegie recipes out there to share?

Christine

For those of you who have snow, snow and more snow, this won't mean anything. But the snow started to fall here about an hour ago and it is actually sticking. Other than the years my family and I spent Christmas in Bend, this is my first white Christmas. I'm in awe. It's sticking to the trees and the deck and the road. I did not believe that I would ever see a white Christmas in the Willamette Valley.

Merry Christmas to all.
Christine

It's so much fun looking at weather from other parts of the country. I was surprised at the response. My contests usually generate one entry so this was fun. It's still raining here in Oregon and the idea that the Willamette Valley would get snow for Christmas would generate a miracle. It's different hearing the news from real people and listening to the weather news on TV. I was wondering what the weather was like in Scotland. My family spent a week on Loch Rannoch last summer. If anyone out there knows what the weather is doing in the Highlands, please post.

Christmas eve day 2007. What a wonderful and joyous time. Happy holiday to everyone.

Christine

Well, it's the second day of winter break. I'm hoping to get lots of writing done as well as finish my christmas shopping. I'm going to announce a new contest to end in January. I'm asking that everyone give a comment about the weather in their part of the country. I will put all entries into a hat and draw the winner from that.

It's rainy here in Salem, Oregon. Not too cold but yesterday it was really nasty. I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you out there.

I plan on finishing a new book trailer. I've made one for both my Highland books. Now I'm working on one for Rebel Heart. A futuristic romance.

Look for Highland Magic an Eppie finalist at Amazon and at Awe-struck.

Christine

Since Friday I've been sifting through news about the eppies. I can't believe I'm really a finalist. It is such an honor to be recognized for all my efforts as well as seeing my name listed with such great writers. To all who have taken the time out of their busy Christmas schedules to congratulate me and the other awe-struck authors, I thank you. And to all the other finalists, congratulations. Highland Magic was such fun to write and my trip to Scotland this summer was an added bonus. Now I'm looking forward to editing the thrid book in the highland trilogy, Highland Song.

Barbara, I apologize for taking so long with this. Please contact me with your address via this email: achristay@aol.com. I will send you your prizes. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Chris

Look for a new contest coming in November.

Congratulations Barbara! You are the winner of "Name That Dog" contest. I haven't decided if I will use one of your titles, but I do like An Uncomon Thief. It seems to work for both the main character as well as the dog. Please let me know where to send you the prize of doggy treats and a book.

Thanks for entering the contest.
Christine Young

New Contest: Name the book

The running title of this book is Pickpocket Dog. For obvious reasons, I cannot keep this as a title for the upcoming regency. And for the life of me, I cannot think of a title. So...I am putting this out to romance readers everywhere. The contest will run until November 1. If I like a title, I will use it and that person will be the winner. If nothing comes in that I like, the winner will be chosen by a random drawing. The winner will receive a collection of dog related gifts and a book.

The picture of my daughter's dog Rogue is the inspiration for this book. He truly does pick pockets. Visitors beware!

Following is an excerpt from the new book.

Pick Pocket Dog

London 1801

Thousands of lamps lit the gardens in a vibrant blaze of radiance. A crash of music from the orchestra filled the air. Women paraded in elegant head-dresses of flowers and feathers and the entire place sparkled as did no other place Jocelyne had ever seen.
She looked at the crowds of people then at her trembling hands. “Oy don’t like this, Mr. Roguers, Oy don’t!” A shadow crossed a full moon and caused a shudder of fear to course down her spine. Chills swept through her.
Jocelyne’s hands were icy and stiff. Her hands were the tools of her trade. And they were useless. She flexed them twice in an effort to loosen them then covered her face with them. She couldn’t do this, not tonight—not when the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she jumped at every little sound.
Nerves stripped raw, Jocelyne and her dog Rogue wandered through the crowds at Vauxhall and then strolled down a walkway called the Dark Walk. The gardens were beautiful this time of year, and she wished she had the time or the opportunity to enjoy the sights. This evening she had a job to do. Picking pockets was something increasingly distasteful. But the alternatives her mam presented her with were worse.
She kneeled beside her dog roughing his ears as she spoke to him. “Now, Mr. Roguers, we’ve got to get two more ‘andkerchiefs or the mam will box my ears, she will. And then she’ll do wot she threatened this morn. You know wot to do.”
Jocelyn glanced up for just a moment. A man with the eyes the color of warm honey looked down at her. She swallowed hard, and her blood raced as if someone had lit an inferno inside her. For as long as she lived Jocelyne would never forget the sudden leap her heart gave the instant her eyes fell upon this man’s hard, handsome face. He wasn’t the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. The lines of his face were too defined and too inflexible to be beautiful. But there was something so imposing, so arresting, about his lean planed face, the high cheekbones and unyielding jaw that Jocelyne was conscious of a shiver of excitement slithering down her spine. She’d never felt such a thing and it was far different than the chills of fear that usually coursed through her. Quickly she looked away, hiding her face and biting her lower lip. She didn’t look up until she was sure the man would be miles away. She didn’t need for him to remember her face or her dog.
Jocelyn wiped her icy yet sweaty palms on her britches and inhaled a deep breath. “Go on Rougers. Oy’ll wait for you in the usual place.”
The dog set out, his little tailed curled behind him prancing through the crowds as if he didn’t have a nefarious scheme on his mind. Jocelyn set out in a different direction. Looking over her shoulder, her uneasiness grew. The little hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, she sensed the danger. If she could have turned around and raced home this night, she would have. But the ultimatum she’d been given that morning when she left the shabby little room where she lived rang inside her head. Her brothers, Mick and Jon, warned her. She was out growing her disguise. If she didn’t want to be someone’s flash-girl she was going to have to get out of the business.
But there was no way out for her.
Despite her brothers’ wishes, she would end up in a flash-house prostituting herself. She didn’t like stealing, and she knew she wouldn’t like the direction her life was going. With each passing day, she was more conscious of the distasteful foulness around her. She was increasingly knowledgeable of the dreadful youth of some of the whores and harlots she had formerly ignored. And she was far more cognizant of what an appalling destiny waited for her. She inhaled again, clenching her fists and resigning herself to make the best of the situation at hand. The future certainly looked bleak for Jocelyne. One moment at a time was all she had.
Without conscience thought, she moved through the crowds accessing each man and knowing that if she wasn’t perfect as soon as her nimble fingers reached inside a pocket, the man would give chase. She bumped against a red-faced portly man who wheezed while he tried to saunter down the lane. She closed her eyes, and inhaled a deep, steadying breath.
“Bloody hell, watch yourself,” he called out to her as he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his brow then stuffed it in a pocket inside his lapel. “It’s incorrigible scamps like you—“
“Oy, always watch myself.” She muttered, interrupting him and moved on eyeing each man and lady. She’d once tried to steal one of those little silk purses that the ladies let dangle from their wrists and was rewarded with a slap on her head with a parasol.
She didn’t look for Rogue. She knew where she’d find him when all was finished tonight. Fireworks lit the sky. All eyes turned upward. She heard the collective sighs and exclamations at the sight.
At that moment Jocelyn found her mark. Her heart leapt with anticipation and fear before she stumbled and fell against a stout older man. It was done with grace and skill. The nimble fingers she slipped inside a pocket was done with precision. With two fingers she deftly pulled out a silk handkerchief, a fat money-clip, and a small pendant which instantly found there way into the pockets of her own coat. Jocelyn was almost on the point of congratulating herself when she heard a harsh voice call out.
“What the devil? The damn dog picked my pocket!” The voice rang out from quite a distance away. She couldn’t help herself, she looked up. Of all men to pick, Rogue had picked the man with the honey brown eyes.
Terror sweeping inside and completely aware of her danger Jocelyn tried to regain her emotional balance. Donning the disguise she’d learned early in life, she grinned saucily in the direction of her pigeon and said “Wot you think the commotion is?”
“I don’t think so,” said a cold voice as another gentleman called for the watch. “Hand over my money clip.”
Danger had always dodged Jocelyn’s steps but this predicament eclipsed anything she’d ever encountered before. Her blood ran cold when a few of the dandies her pidgeon had been standing with formed a circle around them. Reminding herself not to panic and to remain calm no matter how bad it seemed, Jocelyne glanced quickly around to see if Rogue had gotten away. And then she looked for Mick and Jon.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the pair lounging against a curricle. Once they saw her, they would come to her rescue. But neither one of them were looking in her direction. Jocelyne’s heart sank.
The shouts down the lane had given away to the sound of thundering feet as the man with the honey brown eyes and his companions chased after her dog. A huge flash of light from the sky sent the men’s attention upward. The fireworks had begun again. She took that moment of confusion to slip away from the circle. She only needed a short distance and within a second she had running room.
Jocelyn darted through the crowds, her feet as agile and as quick as her fingers. She dodged left then right, slipping between the men and women in front of her then blending into the shadows. She found herself in a part of the gardens she had never been before. A man-made cave gave her a place to hide. Slipping into the natural shadows, she held her breath and waited for the fervor to settle down.
The unexpected appearance of her little dog with a handkerchief hanging from his mouth left her with another surge of uneasiness. For a tense, long moment he stood at the mouth of the little cave. Too late, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him inside.
Suddenly, an iron-fingered hand clamped around her wrist. Before she could utter an exclamation of protest, she found herself hauled from her hiding place. Rouge danced circles around her assailant ramming his pointy little nose at his thighs and barking. The noise brought more spectators.
Her heart pounding madly, Jocelyne made a bold try to brazen her way out of the disastrous situation that had been her nightmare for so long. “Blimey, mister! Oy don’t know wot you’re thinkin’ grabin me like this! Oy ain’t done nothin’ to you.”“Really, I think you know exactly ‘wot’ I’m thinking! Now hand over your dog’s thievery!”

There is a winner! PiperLee AKA Becky has won the famous Scottish people contest. She has all the correct answers. Congratulations Becky! She needs to let me know which book she would like a copy of.

Christine

NEW CONTEST

Win an ebook/your choice of one of the Highland books: Highland Honor or Highland Magic or you can pick Rebel Heart, a science fiction.

All you have to do is identify 10 famous Scottish people from the clues. To win be the first person to identify all 10 Scottish people or by October 4th the person who has the most correct answers will be the winner. If there is a tie the winner will be chosen in a random drawing.

Clues:

1. Sang title song and acted in "To Sir With Love" (1966). Born in Glaswcow.

2. Author who is best known for the creation of the book Peter Pan.

3. Discovered more than 200 plant species including common northwest tree. Died from injuries received haven fallen from into wild bull pit in Hawaii. Born in Scone.

4. Last Roman Catholic monarch of Scotland. Was excecuted for treason.

5. A Scotsman who is the patron saint of Ireland is said to have been born in Kirkpatrick near the river Clyde.

6. Crowned King of Scotland in 1306. Defeated the English King Edward II in 1314 at Bannockburn.

7. Pop singer who is known for the theme for the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only" and the top 10 hit "9 to 5". Born in Bellshiell.

8. Infamous pirate and privateer who fought as a privateer to protect Anglo-American trade routes in the West Indies. In 1691 was rewarded by New York City. Born in Greenock, Renfrewshire.

9. Author whose works included "Kidnapped" and "Treasure Island".

10. Born in Dumfriesshire. He joined the navy and spent time in Russia and France during the French Revolution. Most notably he established the U.S. Navy.