Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors

I've just finished one of the most fun writing projects I've ever worked on: six writers collaborated on an anthology of short stories. We are all women who write about Vikings--some of us historical, some of us paranormal--so it makes sense to call our collection TALES OF THE VALKYRIES. Writing can be a very solitary exercise and working with Gina Conkle , Lisa Hendrix , Anna Markland , Emma Prince , and Harper St. George on this project refueled my creativity. Since we finished the anthology, I've written more words per day than I normally do. The anthology is currently free at Barnes & Noble and Kobo . We're still waiting for Amazon to price match, but they say they will do so shortly. Meanwhile, you can claim your Kindle version through our instaFreebie campaign. And then mark your calendar for our super fun Facebook party on Thursday September 15 at 5:30 - 9:10 PM (EDT) . You'll be able to win great giveaways and a grand prize of Amazon gift car...

How to Eat Like a Viking: 3 Things You MUST Know After a trip to Sweden in 1999, Vikings have fascinated me. The first romance novel I wrote was Norse Jewel , a Viking romance. But, the Norse hammers in my head needed balance. So, I wrote Georgian romance set squarely in mid-1700s. Lately, the scales tipped back to hot Viking tales again. That's what brought me to one of my favorite research finds,  An Early Meal . Yeahhhh, the Sagas are full of food and feasting, but this takes you on a gastronomical archaeological journey to seven Scandic sites. The result? Tasty, modern recipes with historical mileage. Hold on! There's more to this adventure than a book report on "What did Vikings eat?" An Early Meal is the result of two Nordic experts' finds, a mix of food and history. Be still my heart! I decided to not only write more Viking romances but to eat like Vikings too. Yes. I'm planning a series of "Eat Like a Viking" blog posts this...

This one's for the history buffs who picture themselves in other times and places. Imagine yourself on Iceland. History is being made and you play a role in it. Who would you be? Read the four profiles and pick which woman you most identify with. The answers to these real Viking women can be found below. A)      You’re a quiet, deep thinker. There’s a quality of stillness about you that draws people in. Because of these characteristics, you fall into a leadership role whether it’s something you want or not. You’re generous and fair…as long as people abide by your rules. If they don’t, watch out! B)       You’re a tad headstrong but smart. When the odds are against you, you regroup and try a different approach. Some might say you’re wily as a fox. Using feminine wiles and your brain is fair game in your opinion. And menial labor? Not top on your list of things to do. C)       You’re gen...

What is World Book Day ? The day honors authors, illustrators, and most of all books and reading. And it's BIG. I'm celebrating my second annual World Book Day giveaway on my website, and you're invited to take part. I'm giving away 12 print books (romance, of course!). You'll find more information at the bottom of this blog. But first... World Book Day is a UNESCO designated holiday observed in more than 100 countries. This year marks the 19th annual celebration of all things books and reading. Some nations hold the holiday in March, while the USA gives its nod on April 23rd. Why shine so much light on books? Because no one should be shut out of their basic right to an education... Because reading changes lives... Because illiteracy exacts a heavy price on the lives it touches... To promote all things reading, I'm hosting my second annual World Book Day giveaway on my blog.  Go to my website ginaco...

Do you remember what you did on this day, March 10th, last year? Or 5 years ago? Maybe 10 years ago? I love looking back in time. Days have a way of slipping one into the other. It's good to hit the pause button and think about the past. Several times a week I send "This day in #history (insert year)..." tweets. They keep things interesting, adding new facets to my perspective.  So here's a countdown on 6 March 10th takes in history (going from recent history to the old, moldy stuff I like). Be warned: I get snarky. #6 March 10, 1998 Eric Clapton releases   Pilgrim , his  first album of regular studio material since 1989. My Father's Eyes (I LOVE this song!) is on the album.  You're welcome. #5 March 10, 1971 the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. The debate began in WWII but the discussion heated up around the Vietnam War. Congress passed the amendment in March and President Nixon signed...

Are you a Downton Abbey fan? With the show in its sixth and final season, we at Sourcebooks are celebrating all the romance and drama with live tweets (and giveaways) every Sunday, 9:00 PM ET. We'd love to tweet with you --- look for #TeamSource . To prepare you, here's a little snark and history a la Downton Abbey style. I first heard about  Downton Abbey  when I was out to dinner with a friend. She asked me, "What's the deal with an entail ?" She knew I wrote historical romance, and her question unleashed my inner history nerd. The tables soon turned. My friend regaled me with lush set descriptions and character sketches. I was hooked. My car somehow found its way to Barnes & Noble where I bought the season one DVD set. I binge-watched it and got all caught up as season two winded down. When season two's DVDs released, my car took me to Barnes & Noble again where I promptly bought the next DVD set. (Like Lay's potato chips, you can...

Don’t you love how those magazine articles titles on supermarket shelves?  There's Shrink Your Thighs NOW!   This cracks me up because my thighs take their sweet time. Or Sex Tips for the Modern Woman   Was it really so different for the ancient woman? How many positions are there? (quick, let me check my Kama Sutra ). And a personal favorite Touches That Lock Down His Love Ask the single ladies about this...I've been married too long. You might be surprised how long ago Viking's had a fascination with sex and romance --- the men and the women. But, they didn't have colorful magazines dispensing advice.  Skalds (storytellers) shared Viking lore in smoky longhouses until one famous 12th century Icelandic chieftain, Snori Sturlson, put those tales on paper. Snori was most interested in history and mythology, but the steamier stuff showed up in his writing.  If Snori Sturlson wrote for Cosmo, he might call this: ...

I've shared my Viking-nerd side in previous posts. If you'll indulge me, I'd like to share a little more in this post and the next. Vikings had their own brand of democracy: one voice, one vote through their annual Thingvellir meeting (also called   Thing or   Althing ).  Independence and rule of law are their hallmarks. But in all Vikingdom, volcanic Iceland bred a fierce style of self-governance. The near-arctic Vikings lived by their own set of rules on remote Iceland.  They never had a king in residence, rather a "Law Giver" or "Law Speaker" led the island who answered to a distant king.* Iceland's democratic spirit was tested in what I call "The Great Vote of 1000."  Discord brewed between two factions --- Christians versus pagans. The surprise? The two groups had lived peacefully most of the time. From early settlement, leaders divided Iceland into four main sections. One person oversaw his or her...

A section of the famous Bayeux Tapestry. October 14th marks the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.  History lists battle after battle, so what's the big deal?  William the Conqueror changed the face of Europe on that fateful day, moving England...the world into a new era.  How  did  William get there? Here's Five Fast Facts: 1. Son of Robert I, Duke of Normandy and Herleva (aka Arlette), William didn't let his illegitimate birth stop him from claiming his birthright. Robert I declared William heir to the Dukedom, a mantle William took after his father's death in 1035. 2. In 1051, William visited Edward the Confessor (then King of England). Childless Edward supposedly named William his heir. A deathbed change-of-heart caused Edward to name Harold Godwinson, son of an Anglo-Saxon nobleman, England's new heir. 3. October 1066, William showed up in Sussex with 7000 men. Edward showed up with 6000. Most agree the battle was fought all day a...