Very high pines grow here about

They really don’t make maps like they used to. I love this one from 1751 of New Providence Island in the Bahamas. As well as the aforementioned pines – were they really so much higher than ordinary pines? – there’s the cautionary ‘This part of the country is little known’. For an island that’s about twenty-one miles long and seven wide, it seems to lack something of a spirit of adventure.

I’m also not at all sure what’s happening to the ship in the top left-hand corner. Is it blowing up? On fire? Or simply firing its guns? Regardless, I think every map would be better for a little more random illustration and commentary.

1751 map of New Providence Island, the Bahamas.

The reason I’ve been thinking about New Providence is because that’s where part of A Star to Sail By is set. I’m thrilled to report that MM Bookworm Reviews has given the book a lovely 4.5 star review: “I really liked this book as I didn’t know what would happen next…I would definitely recommend this for readers who love historic adventure romance on the high seas.”

The book’s available for pre-order at Amazon. And if you’re not already familiar with MM Bookworm Reviews, it’s a site to bookmark – as well as reviews, it has a comprehensive listing of forthcoming m/m releases organised by month, and a handy reminder of each day’s releases.

Now back to persuading myself not to draw exploding ships on my ipad screen when I have my maps app open…

RT Magazine review and a mystery (possibly) solved

RT Magazine has given Blowing Off Steam a great 4.5 star review:

“…Watching these two fall in love is the best thing that’s happened to UK railroads since Thomas the Tank Engine.”

The review has cleared up something that’s been puzzling me, which is precisely where my desire to write about trains originated from.  Several people have asked and until now I’ve had no idea.  But I forgot about Thomas.

Ah, Thomas the Tank Engine.  I remember pestering my dad at an airshow until he gave in and bought a ticket for us all to ride the motorised Thomas that was zipping up and down the runways.  Of course it broke down at the furthest point from anywhere and we had to walk about a mile in the blazing midday sun.  I was not overly popular with the rest of my family.

Later, when I was a rock and roll chick (hey, it was the eighties.  Everyone listened to Bon Jovi and Metallica and had big hair) I still loved Thomas – the leather jacket I wore to countless gigs at the Marquee club sported a James the Red Engine pin.  It’s even possible that I had a brief foray into writing fanfiction for Thomas.  Don’t tell me no one else sees the unresolved sexual tension between Thomas and that cheeky little chappie Percy.

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Blowing Off Steam is released next week, and Samhain is currently offering it at a 30% discount.

Blowing Off Steam blog tour dates

The Blowing Off Steam blog tour is getting closer (it starts 25th May, with the book released 26th May), and I can’t wait any longer to share the wonderful artwork that Will at Pride Promotions has produced for the tour. I’m really excited about the tour, and very grateful to Will for his hard work and to all the bloggers who are so generously hosting me.

While I’m sharing things, Blowing Off Steam has been named one of the best books of the month at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words, where it’s received a phenomenal review which includes a bonus video of steam trains. Sam would be in heaven watching it! I’m thrilled the reviewer enjoyed the book so much, as well as Syneca’s lovely cover.

I think that sending books out into the world is a little how it must be packing one’s child off to school. You’ve done everything you can to make sure it’s properly dressed, well-mannered, and has its lunch, but nothing can stop the worry that people won’t like it. I mean, nobody is liked by everyone, and the same holds true for books, but when you’ve grown fond of characters, you hope other people will enjoy being around them too. On my first day at ‘big school’, I firmly informed my mother that if I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be going back. She agreed, presumably so she didn’t have to drag a tantrumming daughter through the school gates. I’m thankful I did enjoy it, because I’m not sure what she’d have done otherwise. And I think I have it tough trying to corral fictional characters!

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The loneliness of the trainspotter

My train boys are very close to being finished, at long last. I’m relieved about this for more than the obvious reasons – I’ve discovered the whole myth about trainspotters being one of the most reviled groups in society isn’t just a myth. People really don’t want to discuss the different braking systems of steam locomotives over lunch, it seems. I find this perplexing. I’m obviously going to have to find a more socially acceptable research subject for my next book.

Meanwhile, Riding the Whirlwind has received a terrific 5 star review from Carly at The Romance Reviews – “A stunningly emotional and highly entertaining read” – and Shifting Sands has received a wonderful 10 Pots of Gold review from Tracy Gee at Rainbow Gold Reviews -“ The storyline is gripping, the plot is interesting and brilliantly written.”  

Thank you to both for taking the time to read and review. As always, I’m absolutely thrilled to learn that people are enjoying these books. 🙂

 

How is it August already?

Where on earth has this year gone?  It probably hasn’t helped that I’ve had my head buried in my work in progress for the last few weeks, as my planned 30k word novella grew into a 65k word novel. All I need is one more clear day of writing and the first draft should be complete. Words that may come back to haunt me, of course.

Anyway, that’s why I’ve been so quiet of late. I have various things planned for August to make up for such a quiet month. I’m participating in the Facebook event which Inner Goddess are running from 14-17 August for lovers of m/m romance. There will be giveaways, and more, from 25 authors. Do come and join in the fun!

Romancing the Book are celebrating their sixth anniversary by running a series of themed weeks, all of which have been lots of fun so far. GLBT week is 11-15 August, and I’m guesting there August 14th.

Then on August 28th, I’m with the wonderful Blogger Girls, with a guest post and giveaway.

And finally, the lovely Chris T. Kat will be a guest here on August 30th to talk about her latest book.

I’ll post links here as each post goes live.

On a slightly different note, Serena Yates has given Riding the Whirlwind a lovely review at Rainbow Book Reviews:

“…exciting, suspenseful, and deeply emotional as the main characters battle it out…”

5 star review for Shifting Sands, and a completely gratuitous shout-out to Captain America

I was thrilled to wake up this morning and find Shifting Sands has received a lovely 5 Star review from Carly-RuralMom at The Romance Reviews.

“Another well written and fast paced adventure, SHIFTING SANDS is the fourth book in Joy Lynn Fielding’s Strength of the Pack series that focuses on the Elk Ridge wolf pack members. Best read in sequence due to recurring characters and a continually developing story line, SHIFTING SANDS is action packed and emotionally engaging. Her Alphas are strong and sensual, an erotic combination that is sure to win every time!”

Now I need to get back to editing Book 5 in the series – I’m aiming to have it ready for submission this week, even though I’m going to have to fit that around going to see The Winter Soldier again. I think this is the last week it’s on at the local cinema and really, there are so many things about it to love, how can I resist?

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A five Sweet Pea review for Shifting Sands

Monday mornings are not exactly my favourite time.  This is not an exaggeration:

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But Monday morning this week is shaping up very nicely indeed, because PizzyGirl over at Mrs Condit & Friends has awarded Shifting Sands five Sweet Peas! She has some lovely things to say about the book and the Strength of the Pack series. And for those who drop by to have a look at what she makes of the book, there’s still the chance to get into the draw for an Amazon certificate. The review and draw can be found here.

Shifting Sands – blog tour, giveaway, and a review

So I have two three stops on the  Shifting Sands blog tour today! There’s still time to enter the draw for an Amazon gift certificate, so do drop by if you have a moment.

The first stop is at MM Good Book Reviews, where the book’s received a lovely review.

“Betrayal, murder attempts, and a chase to the capital all come to death-defying heights in Shifting Sands. There are hot passionate moments, punch in the gut rejections, and a nail-biting run and fight for life and justice.”

The second stop is with the lovely Amanda C Stone, where she has some fascinating questions for me. Vanilla or dark chocolate and lime? You decide. 🙂

Edited to add: Whoops! I’m also being hosted on Book Reviews and More by Kathy – it’s a busy, busy day that Will at Pride Promotions has lined up for me!

Forthcoming blog tour, and 5 stars for Red Moon Rising

To mark the upcoming release of Shifting Sands, I’m going to be embarking on a blog tour arranged by the lovely Will at Pride Promotions. I’ll post more details nearer the time, but a quick heads-up that an Amazon gift certificate will be on offer during the tour!

Having poured boiling water over my foot this morning, I thought that set the tone for the day. I was wrong – I’ve just found out that one of the wonderful crew at The Romance Reviews has rated Red Moon Rising as a Top Pick:

…a fast-paced, well-written and dynamic multi-layered story line…With vividly described settings and well developed supporting characters, this M/M romance is one that captured my heart from start to finish.

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Red Moon Rising – available on Amazon

Red Moon Rising has received a lovely 4.5 Sweet Peas review from PizzyGirl at Mrs Condit & Friends Read Books, coincidentally on the day that it’s released on Amazon.

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“If you are a fan of shifters, I highly recommend this series.”