A little celebration
My book is done! 
Now I’m going to take the next week and wrap up revisions and line edits, then send it off to Merry old England for my editor’s feedback. But it feels so good to have the book finished. 
I thought it would be 360 pages, but as luck would have it, I ended up with 376. I’ve written about 20 pages in the last 3 days. That’s typical for me. Once I have it all laid out and ready to go, I can blast my way to the end. The downside is, the ending is never where I think it’ll be. On my other book, Wedded to the Enemy, I thought I only had 10 pages to write and I ended up writing 26 that day (because I swore I’d finish it). Today’s total was 10 pages. Thank goodness for weekends and chocolate doughnuts. Always inspiring.
And speaking of inspiring, this photo of Christian Bale seems pretty close to Patrick. He’s not perfect, but he has that rugged look I was going for. I don’t like pretty boys for heroes. For me, I want gritty, a man who has seen the rougher side of life.
Now that the book is done (except for pesky revisions), I get to treat myself by doing some reading for fun. I adore reading and it’s crazy because now I feel guilty if I spend a few minutes reading instead of writing. I’m enjoying my friend Jan Kenny’s western romance One Real Cowboy right now. Jan is one of the nicest people I know, and it was wonderful celebrating her first sale last year when I met her in Atlanta. Her book is funny, sexy, and just a great read.
Another book I finished recently was Liberty by Kimberly Iverson. It’s about a female gladiator and the Roman nobleman who falls in love with her. I enjoyed it very much, and I eat up Roman-era stories like M&Ms.
When you read historical romance, what’s your favorite time period? Do you have more than one? For me, it’s medievals, American-set Victorians, westerns, and a select few Regencies. I burned out on some of the Regency stories, and it takes a really good author (e.g. Julia Quinn) to reinvent them for me. 
Michelle posted in Writing @ 9:36 pm | Viewed 2581 times
mary beth Says:
I love all time periods as long as the author can make me feel like I’m there. If an author writes a historical novel but it feels contemporary, I’m outa there. I loved yours.
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Woo Hoo on finishing the book, Michelle!
I love the Regency era, the Victorian (British) era, the Medieval time period both English and Scottish.
Holly Says:
Congrats!!!! So tickled for you finishing up your book! Chocolate time!!!
I like a lot of historicals. I’ve never really thought about which time periods though. I just read Stacey Kayne’s western historical Bride of Shadow Canyon and loved it. I’m trying to get into Louise Allen’s A Most Unconventional Courtship, but seems a bit slow going in and a bit confusing, but it could be that I’m trying to read it with hubby blaring the tv, the kids squealing and playing and banging on stuff while I’m reading it. LOL I need QUIET time! LOL
I’m just not getting lost in this one the way I usually do with most others, but we’ll see.
Melissa Says:
Yay on getting your book done! How many does this make now?
I actually haven’t read a historical romance in quite some time, but I do favor the Georgian Era and the Regency.
Melissa Mc Says:
Congrats, Michelle! Wonderful on finishing. I’m eying a June 1 deadline right now. I gotta get busy.
I prefer medievals myself.
Heidi Dahlquist Says:
Yeah!
Congrats on finishing the book. I’m working on edits today…..1/2 way through. ARGH. Im excited to read your next book, and of course get them signed!
Michelle Says:
Thanks, Mary Beth!
Holly–I can’t read very well around the kids. I think locking myself in the bathroom is the only way, when they’re still conscious. But a girl has to do what a girl has to do…
Thanks Melissa Mc., Heidi, and Bonnie!
Melissa–this is my 3rd book for Harlequin, and my 4th overall. My agent is currently sending out book #4. We’ll see if we can find a home for Wedded to the Enemy
Kelly Says:
You know, there are few things I like better than flipping to someone’s blog and seeing a picture of Christian Bale. Just makes my day!
As for time periods - I wish there were more good westerns out there. But I really can’t say I have a favorite. I love them all!
Suzanne Says:
Congrats, Michelle! Enjoy your reading break!
Rene Says:
Congrats on getting the book done, what a relief.
As for eras, my favorite is Colonial America. Not a real popular era with editors and the ones I’ve read lately were disappointing. I like Georgian England, again, another tough find and the ones I have read have been disappointing unless they were historicals rather than historical romance. I’d like to see Federalist American. Shirlee Busbee wrote these back in the ’80’s and I loved them.
Jenine Sparks Says:
Hi,
I met you and bought your book at Greenbrier Mall yesterday.
I finished reading it at 2:00 this morning, which my husband did not appreciate, but I couldn’t put it down.
I can’t believe this is only your first book.
I’ll keep an eye out for the next one!
Jenine