Kate in California - click on the photo to see more images
Dear Friends and Readers,
I just received the cover for my May anthology, MAIL-ORDER MARRIAGES. I love the artwork, particularly the stagecoach and the setting and how they superimposed the wedding gown, and I loved writing this story about a mail-order bride. It's a situation I find intriguing for the bride - to set out for a destination and a man she's never met. There are a few surprises awaiting Sophie. And even more for her groom.
2009 is a year I lost two very dear friends, both icons in the entertainment industry. New York editor Kate Duffy was a very generous person to work with, as well as a fun-loving friend who loved to laugh. Another person I had the privilege of getting to know was the late and great Blake Snyder, Hollywood screenwriter. He was the author of SAVE THE CAT. Blake was amazing, energetic, and incredibly encouraging to me, personally. I will miss them both.
Thank you for all the great feedback on my latest novel, ALASKAN RENEGADE. It was recently nominated as Best Western of the Year at Love Western Romances!
I'm looking forward to the release of ALASKA BRIDE ON THE RUN coming in July 2010. This will be the last in the Klondike series, then it's off to find a vibrant new location somewhere in the world! I'm also busy brainstorming and outlining an exciting new comedy screenplay.
All the best till next time,
Kate
P.S. If you'd like to see the photos of my research trip to the Yukon and Alaska, scroll below. Enjoy the view! You might also want to check out the top 3 things that surprised me about my travels to the Yukon.
We flew from Toronto to Vancouver to here, the city of Whitehorse in Yukon Territory.
Whitehorse got its name from these rapids (originally much bigger before a dam was built). The rapids looked like galloping white horses.
The Klondike stampeders built temporary rafts to navigate these waters through the mountains between Alaska and Canada, trying to get to Dawson City, Yukon, where the gold was.
The water is turquoise because of the silt run-off from glaciers.
Gold is 19 times the weight of water. I found 5 tiny flakes on the bottom of a pan of gravel after a lot of 'dips and shakes'--the proper way to pan gold.
An original Mountie cabin.
On the road between Yukon and Alaska.
Welcome to beautiful Alaska! This is the border between Alaska and the Yukon, the mountains at the top of the world. Can you smell the fresh air?
There were 5 ships in the harbor in Skagway, Alaska when we visited. That's the top of one ship visible above the train. It's a gorgeous place.
The historical town of Skagway has retained its original buildings--you can still get a bite to eat at the saloon, and browse for T-shirts and jewelry in the shops. Great place for 10,000 cruiseline passengers to spend some time!
Would you like to know what surprised me most on this trip?
