I feel it’s time for some author nostalgia and a little proof that dreams do come true…

Allow me to share with you a part of my journey as a writer. When I first began to dream of this career in 1993, I knew I wanted to write a western historical romance because that’s what I loved to read. My first attempt was called Wild Frontier. Not a bad title, but I really didn’t know what I was doing. I plunged forward regardless and stumbled through the book of my heart, knowing nothing about how to construct a novel or what publishers were actually looking for.

I wish I could deliver a Cinderella story here, but as it turned out, the publishers didn’t want what I had written. (Oh, how shocked I was when that first rejection letter arrived!) But now, looking back on it, I understand why. There were a lot of things wrong with that first novel, but I’m grateful for the experience of writing it, and through my mistakes I learned about story structure, pacing, and what makes a marketable story.

With that new knowledge under my belt, I began writing book number two. I was in love with time travel romances at the time, so I decided that’s what I would write. (According to many reputable sources, that’s what publishers were looking for in 1995.) I still recall the hours I spent gobbling up time travels and westerns, trying to learn all I could about those particular sub-genres.

One of my greatest inspirations was a published author named Shelly Thacker. I read all her books, and each one of them confirmed the fact that I was in love with historicals and time travel romances, and I simply HAD to continue on that career path.

Fast forward almost 20 years later, and I am still one of Shelly Thacker’s biggest fans – but now I know her personally through various writer groups and loops. Sometimes when I think about those glorious hours I spent reading her thrilling books in the early days, I have to pinch myself!

So this section of my blog would not be complete without a Shelly Thacker romance novel. (And if you’re reading this blog on April 15, 2014, you’re in luck because this book is discounted to $0.99 until Sunday April 20.) Here’s the description of one of my favorites!

She may never reach her royal wedding if she can’t resist the rugged mercenary assigned to protect her.

Disgraced ex-knight Royce Saint-Michel was banished from his homeland because of an impulsive act that cost him all he held dear. Now, he has the chance to reclaim his birthright–if he agrees to protect a princess on a journey that may prove deadly to them both.

Royce must escort the lovely Princess Ciara across a war-torn land to her royal wedding… and ensure that she arrives untouched. The two set off alone on a treacherous journey through snowy mountain passes, but forbidden desire soon proves even more dangerous than the assassins on their trail. With the fate of two kingdoms hanging in the balance, will Royce and Ciara do as honor and duty demand…or surrender to the longing in their hearts?

This new digital edition includes exclusive bonus content: “The Making of HIS FORBIDDEN TOUCH: The Story Behind the Story.” Happy Reading!