Big Announcement!

I can't wait another second! Yesterday I signed a contract with Black Lyon Publishing for my World War II historical romance, Love Among the Ruins. Not only is this a new publisher for me (and I have heard nothing but wonderful things about BLP), but this is my baby. Love Among the Ruins, which takes place in beautiful Italy, was my first romance manuscript that I started when I was sixteen. I finished the first draft at the tail end of 2004 and I've done countless revisions and edits since.

There's a rumor going around that a writer can never sell that first manuscript. Let this be a lesson to everyone that if you love the story enough, if you're willing to put it through its paces, make the neccessary cuts, and never back down from your baby then it is absolutely possible! For the longest time on my blog, the heading held the image of Edward Burne-Jones' Love Among the Ruins painting (pictured here). Deep down, it represented that first manuscript and I'm so happy a publisher as wonderful as BLP is giving it the launch pad it deserves.

More details will be posted as they come in, but I just had to share the good news and thank Black Lyon Publishing for making me so happy :)

Love Among the Ruins

I stumbled across the painting above in my 12th grade literature textbook. I was immediately captivated by it. Under it, the caption read Love Among the Ruins by Edward Burne-Jones. I'd already begun writing my first novel, a historical set in Italy during World War II, but I'd struggled to find a fitting title. This painting gave me the inspiration I needed. Love Among the Ruins became my first completed romance novel. Since I have studied Burne-Jones's work. He is one of my favorite painters, and Love Among the Ruins is my favorite painting. Every time I look at it I see my first characters, Charles and Lucille, and I smile because this image brings them to life for me!

"I mean by a picture a beautiful romantic dream of something that never was, never will be—in a light better than ever shone—in a
land that no one can define or remember, only desire—and the forms divinely beautiful…"

~ Sir Edward Burne-Jones ~