Two days before Christmas

My gosh, it's two days before Christmas and I'm scrambling to get everything done. Today we will shop for the newest member of our family, Anaheim. We are looking for a Santa present. Of course it will have to be something she can use later on (she will be 6 weeks old on Christmas day). Then we will assemble the Young family cookbook, new recipes of the year. We started this last year and we plan to add ten recipes each year. Most, if not all, of the recipes will be weight watcher recipes since ww became a major part of my life this year. This is such a wonderful time of the year. To everyone out there in cyberspace, don't stress, learn to relax and don't worry about what you can't get done. Everything will fall into place. The most important part of Christmas is family. If you can be with those you love most, you are indeed fortunate.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Emotion in writing

A fellow writer and friend asked about writing emotion. How does one go about writing emotion. When the point of view is one of another woman, I close my eyes and try to envision the scene. I feel everything the character is feeling and then I write. Many times I will layer and relayer as the scene develops and I better understand what my character is feeling at the moment. The author must consider everything that came before the scene and everything that will follow. What the character does in the scene that is being written will effect the character's actions later in the story. And the emotions within the scene must be consistent with that character.

It is harder for me to write emotions when the scene is in the male point of view. I make sure the scene is critiqued and when I'm doubtful, I ask advice from both male and females. The basics, however are the same.

How do you write a emotion. Leave a comment. And don't forget to scroll down a ways and sign my guest book for a copy of The Wager yet to be released by Awe-struck.

Looking for a book cover

Wow, I'm still looking for a cover for The Wager. And I'm still wondering if they will let me approve the cover. The publishing house is a new experience for me. It has the same name, Awe-struck, but it is managed differently. I don't really feel part of a family. I'm just another book. I don't feel as if anyone really cares about me as an author and a person. I miss the old Awe-struck. But maybe I just don't like change. Perhaps this is better. Only time will tell.

This feels very strange!

I have a day at home to finish the last 50 pages of The Wager. For those of you who are wondering, this is legit, due to an appointment time that was out of my control. So here I am, putting off the inevitable. But I will be so happy to send this back to my editor and hopefully I won't get it back again. Perhaps I have fixed all the problems that were created when I change the year it was set in at least three times, maybe more. I went from Indians to pirates. The 1200's, to the 1700's, to the regency period. So get to work Chris and finish this for the third time. Perhaps when this is done I will have the energy to finish the third book. Ravyn's story.

Will the edits ever end?

At this moment, as I reread The Wager for what seems the millionth time, I wonder if this book will ever be published. We are well past the pub date (November 28th) and I've yet to see the new cover. Will I have approval of the cover? I wonder about that too. So as I start the morning, I plan on rereading 100 pages today and then perhaps I will be able to finish it (again) and send the revised story back to my editor.

After that I will think positive thoughts but I doubt if I will be surprised to get it back for a third time. I must have all 327 pages memorized by now. No, think positive Chris. Think positive. T h i n k p o s i t i v e !!!!!

New Cover

The Wager will have a new cover. It seems the powers above and beyond my control don't like the cover. So, after accepting the cover you have seen they have decided it just isn't good enough. I will post the new cover as soon as it is availabel.

4 cups for Allura

Matilda at Coffee Time Romance gives Allura 4 cups:

Check out the entire review: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Allura.html

I really enjoyed this book by Christine Young. It has mystery, humor and, whew, steamy love scenes! An awesome group of characters make this read very entertaining, from the tough as nails Allura to her meddlesome younger sister, Aiden. There is never a dull moment throughout this book and you will surely not be disappointed. I can only hope that some of my favorites get a story of their own. Well done Ms. Young.
MatildaReviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Guest Book

I'm celebrating the release of The Wager in November as an ebook. Sign the guest book and win a ecopy of The Wager.

The Wager

Finally finished the edits for The Wager--sequel to Allura. This is Amorica's story. She is the second oldest of 12 young women. Amorica falls in love with a dashing, irresitable rogue. A second son he has earned his fortune on his own terms. Meet Damian and Amorica. This novel is set in 1816. The tale begins in England and ends in America. The Wager goes on sale at Awe-struck the end of November. Stay tuned for contests.

Edits for The Wager

This weekend I'm working on the final edits for The Wager. Hope to get them finished by Saturday night and move on to other things. I've covers to do and other work to read through and edit. The Wager will be published by Awe-struck the end of November. It is Amorica's story and the second in a series of 12 cousins. I probably won't finish these for another few years. Crazy but I started these when my youngest daughter was in junior high. And she is graduating this year from college. Work and projects such as starting my own publishing house got in the way. Sometimes I wonder why I don't have enough energy to do everything I want to do. I guess, like Abby on NCIS, I just need more caffene. The third book in the series is Ravyn's. It is half way finished--maybe this summer.

Excerpt: The Wager -- coming in November 2009

"You cannot mean to go with Damian--without a chaperone?" Ravyn spoke as she paced the confines of Amorica’s room.

"It has been two weeks since I saw him." Amorica protested while she leaned on the windowsill, peering down at the gardens below, then farther to the rose garden where she was sure she had lost her heart to the rogue.

"And that is a better reason not to go. You cannot mean to fall right into his plans whenever he crooks a little finger. Your reputation will be ruined," Christel said.

"I do not care a fig for my reputation. He is the perfect gentleman, too perfect at times. He would never-" she stopped, remembering the greenhouse--his kisses--the way he touched her and the way her heart had raced.

Ravyn stood, feet apart, hands on hips. "All the more reason to stay away from him. What of the wager? You will not win if you give into him so easily. What would your father say?"

"He would not be pleased. No respecting lady would ride off for an afternoon picnic with a man--alone."

"It is morning." Ravyn reminded Amorica. "And if I read your mind correctly, it is for the entire day, this outing of yours."

"What is the difference? A day or half a day?"

"Probably nothing. It is just--I fear for your heart."

"The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and I don’t believe there is a cloud in the sky. I will have a fine ride and a nice picnic, and I will be home before dark."

"You cannot be sure he does not have some nefarious motive in mind."

"And I was afraid to say anything of this to Christel. I knew she would object but I didn’t think you would. Damian is neither dangerous or nefarious."

"Well." Ravyn blew a strand of loose hair from her face. "I didn’t think you would lose all common sense where that man came into play. What are you thinking?"

"I am thinking that I might never see him again. I am thinking that I deserve to have a ride on a fine day. I am thinking he is up to something, and I mean to find out what it is. He is secretive."

Excerpt from The Wager: Coming November 2009

"It’s a godsend, I say," Aric Lakeland told Damian. "I am heartily glad the girl’s servant showed her hand. We must know who is loyal. Who we can trust."

"There is no proof," Damian cautioned. "I would know more before I condemn the old woman. She seemed sincere."

"She must have had a bone to pick with someone. We do not know her history or what harm has been done her family by the English."

"Perhaps it is not the English she seeks to harm. Perhaps she means to implicate the girls in her scheme and discredit them," Aric tossed out.

A shudder ran down Damian’s spine. He had thought along those lines more than once. The girls would have to be protected.

How would he protect Amorica from himself? He had stayed away from her, tried to put her from his mind. But now he was about to return to court.

They would meet.

He would have to see her. If he did not appear smitten, Dicky and Richy would question his motives.

His choices were limited.

A costume ball...

The Duchess would guard her charges. Did she have their best interest at heart? He prayed she did.

If Maddie was loyal to the girls, could she be trusted to keep his secrets too? She offered her loyalty, pretended to understand his cause. Maddie had inferred that she might have a new asylum for the political refugees. A safe haven.

Damian’s heart sped. Different scenarios to this raced through his mind.

"Do not trust her and do not let down your guard. We cannot know her mind," Aric cautioned.

"I will heed your warning."

"You must do more than that. You must watch your back," Aric said.

Excerpt from The Wager

Damian stepped back, shocked by the intrusive thrust of Maddie’s words and the implications they inspired if she had seen the list of names.

With his hand on his hip, he looked away. Then he turned to Maddie, smoothing his frock coat and picking at imaginary flecks of dirt. "I don’t understand. I’m not about anything." With a huge yawn, he looked away. "I am what you see." He held his arms out for the insightful lady to inspect him, praying all the while she would not be able to see inside his heart--praying she would not see behind the powdered wig and the ostentatious bow in his hair.

Maddie approached him, finger stabbing his chest, her expression too determined to give him peace of mind.

"Do not lie to me, young man. I’ve seen you sneaking about in the dead of the night, and I’ve listened to what you and your young friends have to say to each other."

"Maddie," he said, this time his hands raised defensively into the air. "Maddie, Maddie."

"Don’t you Maddie me. I’m not talking about you shamelessly cavorting with Lord Dickens and Rathen. I’m talking about that man you call Ryder and the other one, Aric. Those fellows are different--dangerous. They are more like you. And the three of you are about something. I won‘t let you embroil my young charges in your mischief. I will have the truth."

Damian stepped back, his heart in his throat. "You mistake me for someone else." He spoke softly. "I suggest you watch them more closely. The girls have far too much time on their hands. They do as they please. I would put an end to that." Damian pulled out a lace handkerchief and delicately touched the corners of his mouth. Now, if you will be so good as to excuse me. And--"he said pointedly--"you should see to your impressionable young charges."

"This is no longer your choice. If I could discover your secrets, anyone could," she told him, bringing her hands to her ample hips, her eyes narrowing to stare accusingly upon him.

"I am exactly what you see," Damian said. "An admitted wastrel. You are a shrewd woman and it seems a determined one, yet you are wrong in this matter."

"Nay, I am not. If you want to see Amorica again--" she began.

He cut her off with a wave of the hand. "Do not think to blackmail me." He grew agitated with Maddie. "It will not go well for you if you try. I have ways to make your life miserable." He could not stop the low growl in the back of his throat.

Excerpt from The Wager

"No lies, no deceit, only truth between us," Damian gazed at the shimmering lake, his mind reeling.

He knew what he wished for was not possible. Everything between them was false.

He sat on a rock near the duck pond, waiting for Amorica. He tossed a small pebble into the water and watched the ripples spread across the surface growing ever wider just as the lies between them grew. Sunlight filtered through the leaves on the trees, playing chase with the ducks and the swans.

He tossed another pebble. His thoughts were a mixture of yearnings long buried which now warred with loyalty to his commitments. Donning the facade of a court dandy had once intrigued him. Now he abhorred each moment.

Amorica--she made him feel again--completed him. She filled an emptiness within his heart. He didn’t understand why, but she did. He could not close his eyes but he would see her. His dreams were filled with images of her.

Yet her presence in his life jeopardized everything he worked for, all he believed. He wondered how much she knew and if he could trust her. She had found the list. Moreover, his excursion into her chamber had told him she had found a way to protect its sanctity. Still she might very well have shown the names to her cousins.

No, he could not take any chances. The gamble was too big and concerned too many people. The lives of his friends were at stake as well as their families. For a while, this mission had made him forget his past. Now, all he could think about was Amorica, and learning to care again.

He tossed another pebble. This ludicrous bet he’d wagered with Dicky and Richy might well be the best thing that happened to him. He would not offer marriage even though the thought of bedding her made his heart race and his mind whirl. She was a lady born. He could not bed her without the sanctity of marriage vows. But he could spend time with her. To preserve the ruse he’d created, he needed to go along with the bet.

He rubbed the back of his neck, wishing he could ease the building tension. The midnight raids an ever-increasing peril to all who participated.

The conquest of Amorica would not be easy. She appeared to be intelligent and stubborn--not easily duped. No, he would not be able to win her compliance with sweet words and subtle seduction. Even though she was innocent in nature, she was smart and would see through any ploy he might conceive. He might never be able to hold her in his arms.

Excerpt from The Wager

Damian’s heart skipped when he realized the list of names had vanished. The list in the wrong hands could mean disaster. To cover his unease and nervousness, he grinned, trying for a lopsided smile.

"What is this?" Dicky asked, bent over at the waist and peering at the floor. He nearly lost his balance, grabbing hold of Richy’s shirt to steady himself.

Damian shifted position and stared at the floor where Dicky was bowed over, diligently watching a tiny insect crawl along the stone.

"It’s a bug," Damian said, sarcasm touching his voice, loathing the situation at hand. All Damian could think of was the list of names and the danger to the people whose names were written upon it if he didn’t find it soon. He raked his mind for clues. He remembered quickly stuffing the paper in a pocket when Dicky rounded the corner.

"A bug," Richy said with disgust and then a crazed kind of curiosity. He sidled over for a closer look, kneeling. Then stooping on all fours, he prodded the bug to make it move.

Dicky sat back on his haunches. "I bet," Dicky began, pinching his nose before pushing off the floor clumsily.

"What?" Richy asked, still staring at the tiny bug. "I’ll bet, too." He sat on the floor, his legs sprawled in front of him, looking around as if he tried to remember what he was about to say. "Damian, old boy, are you with us?"

Damian nodded, his mind focused, his body tense, yet he slumped, pretending to be just as drunk as the other two. His gaze fastened on the alcove intently, praying that what he sought would be found there. All he wanted was for the dandy duo to leave and let him search.

"Aye," he said slowly. "I’m with you."

"What is it you want to bet, Dicky? Can’t think of anything--"

"The ladies," Dicky said slyly, a bit of whimsy in his tone. "The ladies. If I wasn‘t mistaken, one of them took a fancy to Damian. That sweet little brunette. And I have a fancy for the fairest damsel, Christel."

A wave of nausea swept through Damian. This did not bode well. Despite his sodden state, Dicky had not missed his strange infatuation with Amorica.

Excerpt The Wager coming in November from Awe-struck

Coast of England 1816

"It's a bloody cursed day." Damian Andrews swept the child into his arms and waded through the pounding surf to the beach. He braced himself against the out-going current then sloshed through the crashing waves. Salt spray clung to the wind, stinging his nostrils.

Damian turned. Beneath his ribs, his heart pounded the cadence hard and fast. He swore again as he watched the captain shout orders to his crew. The French brandy that was supposed to have arrived this night would have to wait.

Standing in the longboat, the captain of the ship that brought the refugees held a torch aloft--the only light in the vast darkness. "Hurry, laddie. The tide is changing."

The little girl whimpered.

Damian pulled her close, bent on protecting her at all cost. "It's all right. You will all be together soon." Yet Damian knew this was only the beginning of their long journey. From here, they would flee to the colonies. Religious and political refugees--at times it seemed they came in droves. All were seeking a better life. A life of freedom. "Your mother is coming as well as your baby brother. You will all be safe."

Damian looked to the captain. "The brandy?" he queried.

"On the ship. There is no time now. You must hurry."

The child leaned into Damian, her little face nuzzling his shoulder, her silent sobs gut-wrenching. He pulled her closer, cursing at the elements as well as mankind and wishing he could find a way to shield the tiny child from all harm. He knew the feat to be impossible. The little girl touched a place in his heart and for a moment filled that broken space with light.

Aye, the mother would be with her children, but the father had chosen to follow later. A grievous circumstance. He had learned long ago one could come to regret such rash actions. And he’d also learned one could lose all chance at love in one instant.

Lord, but he’d lost his concentration and in losing that, he could well lose his edge.

No secrets--no lies. The thought haunted him.

The Wager

The Wager, published by Awe-struck books will be out in November. I'm looking forward to the release of the second book in the 12 book series. Amorica, our heroine, is determined not to fall in love. Of course she does the opposite. And to top if off she thinkis she is falling in love with an English dandy who in his dark life is a smuggler. My gosh, but you say a smuggler? Wasn't her mother killed by a smuggler? Does she hate all smugglers? Maybe all but one.

Making Time to write

I am to the point where I have to set my goals much lower than I am used to doing. Time to write? I never thought I would have trouble making time to write. Time to put something on my blog? I have many ideas but I sit and stare at the screen. It's not so much writers block but...I don't know what it is. I have so many thoughts going in so many directions I can't seem to condense them into something to write about. I had intended to put something on each of my blogs each week. I thought I would rotate them--one blog a day. After all, it's summer and I have time to write. So why haven't I?

New Beginnings

The title worked well on the Rouge's Angels blog, and so I thought I would use it again. Aidan has been bouncing around in my head for so long. It seems she wants her story told, but no, I have to wait. She is after all the littlest sister. She has the priviledge of the last story. "What," she says? "When will you write this? In about 6 years, after you retire?" Well that is the way it goes, is it not? I have yet to figure our how to amass enough time to write her story while I work full time. As it is my summers now are devoted to the anthologies for Rogue Phoenix Press. St. Patrick's Day is the theme for the next and well, I have 4.5 pages written. I guess that is a good start. Although my goal was 10 pages a day. I will work harder today. No tennis, no watching Wimbledon. Ah, that won't work. I am on vacation. And so one would think.

Aidan's misadventures continue

Aidan grinned. "He won’t be staying long enough to find fault. No one else has lasted more than a week."

Hunter laughed, instantly liking this young lady. "I am not going away any time soon." His gaze drifted from the fireball of energy to the squinty-eyed Allura.

Allura’s prudish expression had returned. "Well, don’t count on winning my hand, Mr. Hunter Gray. Foolishly, my father believes I keep secrets from him. There is nothing here for you to discover."

Will Aidan win the hand of Blade. Is it love at first sight? Stay tunned for more stunning revelations from the littles sister.

Excerpt from Allura

"Allura!" A red-headed imp, posing unsuccessfully as a young lady danced into the room, her skirts sailing around her legs, her hair flying every which way in wild abandon. "Can you come see the new--" she broke off when she caught sight of Hunter.

At the sound of her name, Allura’s tension seemed to vanish and a warm smile suddenly spread across her face. "Oh, Aidan!" she cried in a far nicer tone of voice than Hunter had heard from her yet. "You must wait a few moments. Father wants me to stay here."
Aidan laughed, and with another tiny skip she seated herself on a stool beside the fire. Glancing at Hunter, she sent him a friendly smile and said, "Hello, you must be Hunter Gray." She turned to Blade. "And you must be his friend, Blade. What a strange name."

Here is the first glimpse of Aidan, Allura little sister.

Excerpt from Allura

When she closed her eyes, she saw the ad--remembered its words. "To any man who is able to discover my oldest daughter's secret I will grant her hand in marriage. That man will inherit the land, the castle, and the wealth of the McClellans."

No wonder Allura rebelled.

Allura
Author: Christine Young
Publisher: Awe-struck E-BooksRelease Date: May 2009
Blue Ribbon Rating: 5

Eddington, Scotland 1815
Allura McClellan is horrified by her father’s decision to take out an ad in the Times awarding her to the man strong enough and smart enough to win her hand and uncover her secrets. She’s an intelligent young woman who takes great delight in the freedom allotted to her by her father. She’s well aware that marriage would effectively curtail the adventures she’s shared with her sisters and cousins.
Hunter Gray is nothing like the other men who’ve arrived to vie for Allura’s hand in marriage and everything that goes along with it. However, he is the first to refuse to concede defeat and pursue her despite her attempts to disguise her true appearance. It’s her temperament that is of more concern to him than her looks. Hunter has worked all his life with the hope of someday owning his own land. Now that it looks like there’s a very real possibility that everything he’s ever wanted is within reach nothing is going to deter him – including Miss Allura’s disagreeable disposition.

Allura is not at all happy with her father’s dictates and decision to marry her off to the man who can uncover her secrets and prove himself worthy of possessing his land, her hand and the title Laird. What she finds most disturbing is the intensity with which Hunter pursues his goal and goes about ensuring her safety – even from herself. He’s making it impossible for her to pursue her own pleasures and any adventures to the island the girls all love could result in him discovering the secret, thus he’d win her hand in marriage. Despite Allura’s discontent with Hunter’s constant presence she’s attracted to him and soon discovers that his kisses are addicting and while she longs for the freedom she treasures there’s a certain amount of pleasure in knowing he truly cares for her wellbeing. That doesn’t make her any happier about being ‘forced’ into marriage and there’s the little issue that Hunter is rigid and refuses to allow any woman any leeway with him. As if that isn’t enough one of the previous ‘suitors’ has returned and Guy makes Allura’s skin crawl and oozes an evilness that Hunter has dealt with for most of his life.

Christine Young’s ALLURA is a delightful historical novel full of suspense, lovable characters, humor and a budding romance between two characters determined not to fall in love. Allura and Hunter’s stubborn, determined natures allowed for some interesting scenes as they attempted to get one up on each other. As a modern day woman I felt bad for Allura because technically her husband would dictate every aspect of her life and the freedom she loves would be a thing of the past. Hunter is unbending as far as to how he believes a wife should behave but falling in love changes him and his perception of Allura. Hunter and Allura are the main focus of this story but there are secondary characters whom I absolutely adored and would love to revisit in future novels (hint, hint). Especially the youngest sister Aiden and Hunter’s trusted friend Blade. He doesn’t believe in love and she’s determined to do whatever’s necessary to get him to notice her.


By Romance Junkies Reviewer: Chrissy Dionne
Click here to Buy this Book Now!

Allura's first review

Coffee Time Romance has given Allura 4 cups. Coffee Time Romance says: Allura has mystery, humor and, whew, steamy love scenes! An awesome group of characters make this read very entertaining, from the tough as nails Allura to her meddlesome younger sister, Aiden. There is never a dull moment throughout this book and you will surely not be disappointed. I can only hope that some of my favorites get a story of their own. Well done Ms. Young.

Go to Coffee Time Romance for the entire review.

Coming April 10 from Awe-struck

Allura--the oldest of the twelve

Allura means divine counselor. She has blond hair and bluish-silver eyes. She was born an Aries, her colors are red and black. Her flower is a red rose. Her stone is a red jasper. Her interest is philosophy. At her best she is: A leader, open to challenges, a risk taker and persistant. At her worst she is: bossy, unwilling to listen, and opposed to being told what to do.

Allura is the oldest of the twelve and believes she has the responsibility to keep an eye on the other eleven girls.

Allura clashes with Aidan because Allura wants Aidan to make a choice on her future.