Thank you, Delilah, for inviting me to hang out with your readers today!
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. And Jill a dull girl. Along those same lines, a common thread in writerly conversations is the need to step away from our computers/notebooks/scrolls and refill the creative well. Getting out of our chairs is good for our physical health. And getting out of our writing cave benefits our mental health. Plus, it’s nice to feel the sun on our cheeks and breath outdoor air.
I know many of my fellow scribes are introverts and would be perfectly happy to be hermits all day, every day. I go for days seeing only my hubby, and I’m fine with that. But there’s a whole wide world outside my walls and it behoves me to enjoy as much of it as I can while I’m able.
To that end, hubby and I dusted off our bicycles the other day and went for a ride. Not far from our house lies a former railroad that has been converted to a walking/biking rail. Lined with trees, shrubs, and flowers, away from vehicular traffic, and without steep hills, it’s a lovely way to bike into town. Or from one town to the next if you’re feeling energetic. Did I mention no steep hills? Because trains needed fairly level terrain, us middle-aged bicyclists benefit now that the rails are torn up.
(As an aside, I wish we had better train service in this part of the world [NS, Canada] like a lot of other developed nations do.)
Our recent trip, the first of the season, was a brief expedition to check out our machines and to limber disused muscles. We encountered a few other bicyclists and a few walkers, including a couple visiting our fair town from Nottingham, UK! We had a lovely chat on the trail and shared the location of a pair of deer we’d seen.
Here are a few pictures I took along the trail:
The larger of the two deer, along with a herd of cattle who quickly became bored with our presence. The lupines are starting to bloom and I revel in the many shades of blue and purple they display. Finally, one of our neighbours welcomed us home.
After a few hours in the saddle I returned to my writing cave refreshed in body and spirit. And eager for our next outing, which will include a picnic lunch and an ice cream at our destination.
To my fellow writers, what do you do to get away from the story mill and experience the wide world?
And to my fellow readers, if you were presented with an entire day free from obligations, how would you spend your time?
Love & Mayhem
Sybil is happily on the shelf, tending to her sheep. But she fears she’ll depart this life without experiencing physical love, which she suspects is rather enjoyable. When her long-lost fiancé returns from sea, she decides he’s the lucky man who’ll receive her virginity.
Max is eager to return to his sugar plantation and has no intention of remaining long in London. However, he didn’t bargain on a wilful, pretty, exasperating spinster determined to take him to her bed.
He insists on marriage but she wants only his body. Her heart is not part of the deal. Unfortunately, love doesn’t always follow the rules.
Excerpt:
“I see all sorts of advantages to the married state.” He brought her hand to his mouth, kissing each knuckle in turn before kissing her palm. Then he flicked his tongue over the inside of her wrist. She bit back a moan. Who knew the wrist was such a sensitive spot?
She forced her mind back to the task at hand. Which, when you came to think of it, served the other task as well. Namely, getting him to flick his tongue on other sensitive parts of her body. She took a deep breath. “Some enjoy those advantages without the bother of a marriage ceremony.”
Buy links:
Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/non-american-historical-romance/5180-love-and-mayhem.html
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Mayhem-Luanna-Stewart-ebook/dp/B072TQGG3J
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/love-and-mayhem/id1252491353?mt=11
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/love-and-mayhem-1
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-and-mayhem-luanna-stewart/1126952180?ean=2940158555770
About the Author
Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. As soon as she discovered her grandmother’s stash of romance novels, all plots had to lead to a happily-ever-after.
Luanna writes full time, concentrating on sexy romantic suspense, steamy paranormal romance, and spicy historical romance.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Luanna has recently returned to the land of her birth with her dear husband and two spoiled cats. When she’s not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious.
Under her previous pen name of Grace Hood she has two novellas published with The Wild Rose Press.
Social media links:
Website: http://www.luannastewart.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Luanna_Stewart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Luanna.Stewart.nau
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/luannastewart/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14104212.Luanna_Stewart
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/luanna_stewart
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Thank you so much, Delilah, for letting me hang out with you and your lovely readers!
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Beautiful photos, Luanna, and what a lovely day you had. Love and Mayhem is very intriguing. Best of luck with sales.
What would I do with a whole day? I’d spend it as you did, but not on a bicycle, hiking instead, or boating.
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Loved this book, Luanna. A sensuous, lovely love story with wonderful secondary characters and a bit of mystery. to keep the reader guessing. As for your question. Gorgeous day to be outside in Maine – breezy, sunny and low 70s. Sadly my allergies kept me inside all day with air on so I could actually breath without coughing. But I did get a lot of editing done and snuck a minute or two in the sun every now and then (paid for it with coughing, but couldn’t resist). So elliptical, here I come.
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You are so right, Luanna. I’ve been lax in writing for quite some time, but when I was writing daily, I would always take a long walk in the woods when I finished a chapter and come back refreshed to tackle the next one.
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Yes, Pam, a nice walk is so good for stretching the muscles and the brain. Thanks for dropping by!
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Aww, thank you for your kind words, Deb!! I totally hear you on the allergy issue – my nose is constantly itchy. But I put up with it so I can enjoy the sun (with proper sunscreen applied, of course).
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Thank you for dropping by, Susan. I enjoy hiking as well. I think nothing beats a lazy paddle in either a canoe or kayak, particularly if the wind is at your back, hehe.