Sunday News!

Yes, I was not supposed to be here. I’ll tell you all about it after we congratulate Glenda who won Susanna Fraser’s book, Freedom to Love!

Now for the boat drama. While we were in the Gulf Stream coming up from the Keys, we started taking on water. Not a thing you want to have happen. I made a quick call. We sailed overnight and put into a boat yard that morning. The problem was fixed, as well as several other items that we had not gotten done.

We were at the boat yard for a week and were fortunate to meet some other cruising couples who have become friends. Alicianna and I both went to groomers.

I bought some much needed prescription sunglasses, and green bags to help keep fresh vegetables longer, as well as a new bilge pump. Part of the reason we had so much water in the boat was that it had stopped working. Unfortunately, we missed our weather window. So we’re in Ft. Lauderdale until late Tuesday or Wednesday morning. If anyone wants to stop by, just let me know.

Here are some pictures of our anchorage in the Las Olas mooring field.

I also got to make a quick stop at the Elbo Room. I hadn’t been there since around 1974.

In the meantime, I have been writing the last book in The Marriage Game series. To say it’s been slow going, would be putting it mildly. I wrote a few scenes out of order. One of which I got to, the other I’m still slogging my way towards.

The book doesn’t have a name yet. I’ve been playing with Miss Featherton’s Christmas Marquis. If you have any ideas, I will submit them to my editor, and if he picks it, you’ll get a copy of the book.

I had to give my editor an idea of what Damon, Marquis of Hawksworth looks like.

As well as Miss Featherton.

The premise of the book is that after experiencing two betrayals and heartbreak, Meg has decided to marry a man she cannot fall in love with. Damon, however, has other ideas. Here is an unedited excerpt.

Damon swallowed his frustration. “Have you never even considered being the Marchioness of Hawksworth, and future Duchess of Somerset?”

Her head jerked up. Her eyes resembling a startled dear. “Marry you?”

“Why not.” He captured her lips, and this time she opened her mouth, allowing him to plunder. A few moments later, he grinned. “We at least have passion. I’ll wait for you to fall in love with me.”

“Fall in love?” Her jaw dropped, but she quickly recovered. “Are you telling me that you love me?”

“Yes, but I must admit that I have sworn not to marry unless the lady loves me in return.”

Once more she attempted to break loose, but apparently settled for glaring at him. “You cannot be serious.”

On Thursday Christi Caldwell will be back visiting, and on Friday Miranda Neville is here. Please make sure to stop by and welcome them. Also, be patient if you get stuck in moderation. If the wind and sea gods are good, I will be underway and on my sat phone wifi. Not the speediest of things.

What have you all been up to?

Ella

 

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Happy New Year!!

I know I’m a bit early, but this will be my last post of the year, and probably for a couple of weeks into 2015. I have my guest author posts already pre-programmed to post, so please stop by, comment, and make them feel welcome.

Before I go any further, let’s congratulate to Glenda for winning a copy of Louisa Cornell’s book  and to Bonnie for winning a copy of Callie Hutton’s book!!

There will be a massive giveaway on New Year’s Eve as well.

Hubby and I have come to an arrangement allowing me the time I need to write. The last book of The Marriage Game series is finally coming together. Kensington is putting the other books on sale in January. The information will be on Facebook and Twitter.

Now for my sailing update. It took us three and a half days to sail from Dinner Key in Coconut Grove to Key West. The first full day here, we went ashore, had lunch, and toured the town. Unfortunately, when we returned, our boat was attached to someone’s barge. The story we got was that the anchor dragged, and it was in danger of hitting another boat a half a mile away. I was immediately suspicious. The barge and a sign were in the way and would have gotten Silver Penny long before it had a chance to go anyplace else. Also, our anchor is a 55 lb Rocha, and we had over 100 feet of chain deployed. What that means to you non-sailors, is that it was highly unlikely that the boat dragged anchor for any distance, and it certainly wasn’t on a smooth walkabout.  Long story short, the guy wanted $2000 then reduced it to $200 when he found out my husband knew people at the Special Forces Scuba School here. It was a scam pure and simple. We didn’t pay him, but it put a damper on our time here.

However, we are determined to spend a couple of days enjoying Key West. Our thirty-first anniversary is on Tuesday, and we will spend New Years with sailing friends, some new, some old. How are you going to spend New Year’s Eve?

Here are pictures from the past week.

Leaving Miami

 

 

Rodriguez Key Anchorage

 

Key West

I hope your Christmas was joyful, and I wish you peace, love, and prosperity in 2015.

 

Ella

 

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Sunday News!

Wow has this week gone quickly. Let’s begin with the winner of Sheri Cobb South’s book. Congratulations to Emm!!

A bit shout out and congratulations as well to everyone who entered Eileen Dreyer’s 12 Days of Temptation giveaway, and to Louise Risser who won my book and the grand prize winner Janie McGaugh!! Congratulations everyone and happy reading!!

Kensington is going to have a battle of the heroes for Valentine’s Day. I have to pick one hero to enter. The choices are Marcus from The Seduction of Lady Phoebe, Rutherford from The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh, Robert from The Temptation of Lady Serena, Huntley from Desiring Lady Caro, Will from Enticing Miss Eugénie Villaret, or Georges from Madeleine’s Christmas wish. So far on Facebook, the voting has been in favor of Marcus. So I really need your votes. Who do you think has the best chance of winning?

 

 

As you’ve probably guessed, this week has been very busy. I’ve been writing like mad as well as helping Hubby fix stuff on the boat. We had to replace the alternator on the other engine, we have the watermaker almost working, but need a 3-way valve to complete the job, and figured out why we had no hot water in our bathroom!

North Palm Beach was getting really cold, and to top it off I came down with some sort of crude. I’m currently coughing up a lot of congestion. Anyway, we are headed south in search of warmer weather so that we can finish getting the boat ready to go to St. Thomas.

Yesterday we got off to a late start and ended up anchoring out just inside Hillsborough Inlet. For the first hour or so we had friends swimming all around the boat while we were under sail.

 

This morning we left with the intension of stopping in Ft. Lauderdale for a day or two, but when our favorite mooring field was full, we decided to continue on to Key Biscayne.

We’ll be at Dinner Key tonight near Coconut Grove. Let me know if you’re in the area.

What have you all been up to this week?

Ella

 

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Sunday News!

Happy Sunday!

First I want to congratulate Glenda for winning a copy of Gina Danna’s book!!

Writing wise, I have had my nose to the keyboard finishing book # 7 of The Marriage Game. I’m happy to say that Lady Beresford’s Lover will be sent to my editor tomorrow! I also got in the copy edits for A Kiss for Lady Mary (book #6) which will release in May.

Boat wise it’s been an interesting week. We had planned a shakedown cruise to Ft. Lauderdale an almost didn’t get off the dock. Our anchor light needed to be replaced, and no one had it in stock. I finally threatened to put a candle up on top, and Hubby bought a temporary plug in. We were late leaving and only got a few miles down the ICW, but we made it. And it was a good thing too! We learned a great deal about the boat, including that work was needed on both engines. One conked out completely. I will tell you that maneuvering a catamaran on one engine is like dancing with a pig on ice. Not fun! We also learned about power management. One of the must have items for Hubby was an ice maker. Well, he forgot to turn it off one night and ran down the batteries. It took us two days to get them charged again.

The good thing is our solar and wind generators worked like charms. The boat is comfortable, and all the animals did well. We had a slight problem when we went off-shore on our return trip, Maddie (the kitten) and I both got seasick. I also caught a stomach bug. Alicianna, our new puppy seems to know exactly what to do on a boat. We took her on shore once and she discovered grass, had fun playing in it, but was happy to be back on the boat.

Bronwyn Evans was to have been on the blog last Friday, but she had just gotten out of the hospital, so she’ll be visiting this coming Friday.

Here are some pictures.

This is Alicianna his morning. She is really growing!

There is a speed limit on the ICW. We passed this boat anchored out with it’s lights going.

One of the most wonderful parts of living on a boat is this type of view when you wake up at anchor.

With any luck at all, this should be our last week in Melbourne, FL. How has your week been going?

Ella

 

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Sunday News!

Good morning! Changes are afoot! I’ve spent the past several days with Hubby, and his retirement is now very close to happening. Therefore, we went boat hunting and found one that suits both of us and our budget. Not an easy chore as our funds are limited, Hubby is 6’4″ and I’m 5’2″.

Now you might say that if a boat fits him, it would be fine for me. The only hitch is that I dock the boat and have to be able to see from the helm. There are an amazing number of boat makers that design their helms for taller people.

Even when we found the right make, there were some where Hubby couldn’t even get into the head (bathroom for you landlubbers).

Drum rolls please!!

Allow me to introduce you to Silver Penny! She is a Fountain Pajot Belize 43, and we’re just praying that she is still available in three months when we can actually make an offer! We’ll ask for your prayers as well.

here she is underway.The bow (front of the boat)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salon. Galley (kitchen)

 

Cockpit table (back porch)

Me in the cockpit.

Aft (back)

In Enticing Miss Eugénie Villaret, which will release shortly before we can buy our boat, I have the following sailing scene that I thought you might enjoy.

The air was warm, and although he kept track of the sail, Will neglected to watch for obstructions as wind from the mouth of the harbor sped them on their way.

Suddenly, Eugénie barked an order. “Ready to jibe.”

He scrambled to remember what she’d told him that meant when the boat turned away from the wind.

“Ware the boom.”

He ducked but not soon enough to avoid the solid wooden pole. “Damn, that hurt.”

“Are you all right?”

As they passed one of the ships at anchor, a sailor shouted out, “Better get yerself a real seaman, sweetheart.”

“Aye,” another called. “I’ll be happy to oblige ye.”

Will seethed, but Eugénie appeared to ignore the ribald comments coming from the ship.

“Stay still.” Her fingers moved through his hair over the tender spot at the back of his head. “Not too bad, but you’ll have a lump.”

She leaned into him, her soft breasts pressing against his arm. His nose filled with the scent of lemons and warm woman. He stifled a groan. She’d probably think it was from pain and worry even more. God, he liked her touch.

Moving to his front, she tilted his head and gazed into his eyes. “Does it hurt much?”

Not as much as the jeers from the sailors. He could so easily reach out and kiss her. “No. Let’s be on our way.”

“I don’t know what you were thinking.” She released the tiller handle, moving it with one hand while the other tightened the sail. “But when you’re crewing a vessel, there is no time for wool-gathering.”

 

So tell me what you think and how your week went!

 

Ella

 

 

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