Monday Meandering - January 19th

First Meander

We had SO much fun at Disneyland last week. The weather was wonderful. Since Christmas is over, can we have April now? But I'm exhausted. I'm glad today's a holiday for me.

My daughter, oldest granddaughter, and me. Oh, and Minnie.

Second Meander

A couple of items about Torn Canvas, Safe Harbors #2.

First item--new cover.

It's important to pay attention. I've noticed a few comments that the old cover for TC made it seem like a steamy story. Expectation is huge when you're trying to decide on a book to buy. It made me wonder if perhaps my target audience--people looking for a clean read--might not be picking it up because of the cover.

I posed the question in two "clean read" groups and a third one with a broader readership. The overwhelming response was that the old cover with a guy wearing an open shirt implied steam. And the vast majority said they would not pick up the book because of the cover--though my discussion about the book made it sound like something they'd like to read.

So, I went to work with my cover designer and this is the new cover. I've also tweaked the cover copy to give less emphasis on the romance since it's not really a romance. It's really a tale of redemption.


Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Up-and-coming talk show host Olivia Howard wants an interview. She, like the rest of the press, expects a hero, but Jori knows the truth. His beauty masks a beast. 

In seclusion and evading the press, Jori struggles to make a new life as an artist. But he can’t hide from himself; more than his face is damaged. How can Jori possibly make amends for all that he’s broken? When Olivia finally tracks him down, he must decide if he can trust her. Could this unlikely woman be a key to freeing his heart and healing the beast?

Second item about Torn Canvas.

The audiobook is in production! I've approved the first two chapters and am loving how the narrator is doing. *sigh*


Third Meander

A Season of Change, Safe Harbors 2.5. is getting close to its release date. It's time to share the gorgeous cover and a bit about the story.

It’s a time of change for Jori Virtanen. The former playboy model is about to be married. He juggles wedding arrangements, a bachelor party, and plans for keeping the ceremony secret from the press. 

But Jori has another problem. He has to figure out how to tell one of his best friends, Marc North, that his girlfriend may not be what she appears.