by Linda O. Johnston
Happy Holidays, everyone! We’re right in the middle of the holiday season, and if you’re like me, you’re pretty busy.
For one thing I just finished polishing a draft of the manuscript I’m under my next deadline for: COVERT ALLLIANCE, the Harlequin Romantic Suspense that remained untitled when I wrote my last blog here. It’s not polished enough to send off, but I’ve got it into some friends’ hands for comments so I hope to be able to submit it in just a few weeks. I’ve been asked to send it early if possible, before my February 1 deadline, since it’s now scheduled to be an August 2016 release.
Last month, among the other things I discussed, I mentioned THE BALLAD OF JACK O’DAIR, one of my earliest books. It was published before there were any e-books, and I’ve regained my rights to it. So, yes, it’ll soon be republished in e-format. In fact, it’s available for preorder now on Amazon, and it will be officially available on January 25, 2016. What’s it about? It’s a time-travel romance, in which the heroine, Jessie Jerome, travels back to the Alaskan gold rush because she’d do anything to learn the end of that ballad she’s heard part of in the present–although she didn’t anticipate that she’d travel in time for it. She is amazed to actually meet the handsome, sexy–and, yes–heroic hero of that ballad, Jack O’Dair. She sees some of its verses come true–and worries about what’s going to happen to Jack if the avalanche mentioned in the ballad before the missing ending actually occurs. And in case you’re wondering, yes, there’s a dog in it. Jack owns a heroic wolf-dog, Taku.
When I participated in an online holiday party chat recently, I asked what those chatting with me liked best about the holiday season. And what did everyone say? Yes, it was pretty much unanimous: the fun of being with, and sharing the holidays with, family. Same goes for me, although I’ll have the fun of an extended holiday season, since some family members are visiting in January.
So, I hereby wish for you not only a wonderful holiday season, but a delightful time with your family, too. Enjoy! And, since I don’t know for certain when I’m blogging next, let me also wish you a very Happy New Year! (Yes, it feels early for that… but it won’t for long!)