Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Party In the Lair

by Donna MacMeans

I believe the liquor cabinet has been replenished. The cabana boys have rested up. So you know what that means….PARTY IN THE LAIR!!

Today we’re celebrating the release of The Trouble with Moonlight. Romantic Times Book Reviews called it “ingenious, humorous and intoxicating. Cleverly blending the paranormal with the sensual and suspense with a passionate love story…” Affaire de Coeur said it “grabs the reader from the onset and takes her on an unforgettable ride.”

But I’ll let you decide for yourself. I’d originally invited Lucinda Havershaw and James Locke to come chat with us, but they refused, saying something about the new moon and protecting identities. So I flew to the island in mid-May and found Locke sitting alone on the beach. The sun had set, the full moon reflected in the gentle ebbing waves.

“I presume you’re Locke? James Locke?”

He smiled, but it was more for acknowledgment, not for pleasure. I had the sense that he was assessing me, judging my background by my attire, formulating my history by my stance. Although we stood an arm’s length away, I felt at a greater distance, as if he was hidden behind a barrier of his making. This would be a very short interview I feared, but then, what else could I expect from a notorious spy.

“I had hoped Lusinda would be here as well,” I said, gazing about.

“Do you think she’s not?” One corner of his lips twitched in a slight smile. He took a deep breath. “Can you smell that?”

“The ocean?” I asked, perplexed. That’s when I saw the footsteps forming in the sand in a straight path heading directly toward us. “Dear heavens, she’s…she’s invisible.”

“She’s Nevidimi.” Locke’s whole demeanor had changed. He relaxed and a genuine smile bloomed on his face. He raised his voice. “And a bit of a thief.”

“I am not!” An indignant woman’s voice proclaimed. I squinted my eyes as if to bring into focus what wasn’t there.

“I recover items and return them to their proper owner. I do not steal. I’m not a thief.”

Locke unsuccessfully tried to hide his laughter. His shoulder jerked as if the recipient of a playful pat.

“What’s Nevidimi?” I asked. “Are there more people like you?”

Locke scowled. “It’s Russian, you know. Lusinda’s mother is the only decent thing that has come from that foul country. Nevidimi is an abbreviation of the word for invisible.”

“We’re extremely rare,” Lusinda offered. “I honestly don’t know if others exist. We learned it’s in our best interest to conceal our talents. Otherwise there are those who would hunt us down, chase us with pitch folks as devils and demons.”

“Can you control this? Turn invisible whenever you wish to disappear?”

“I wish it were so.” I heard a longing in her voice, as if this marvelous talent was more curse than blessing. “It only happens when I’m touched by moonlight – like tonight.”

“But your clothes--" I tried not to stare, but it was difficult avoiding nothing --"how is it that they’re invisible?”

“They’re not.” Locke answered. His wide appreciative grin was not directed toward me but to the direction of the voice.

“I had a great uncle who achieved a certain notoriety by riding fully dressed about the countryside when the moon was full. Of course his head wasn’t visible so the townspeople assumed he didn’t have one.”

“The Headless Horseman,” I said in sudden comprehension.

“He enjoyed it, but it set the villagers in a bit of a panic.”

“So if your clothes aren’t invisible,” I said, following the logic. “That means you’re --”

“Naked,” Locke said, his arm raised and lowered as if he were stroking something to his side.

My face heated with the thought that I was intruding on an intimate moment, even though I couldn’t see anything. I averted my gaze to the sky and noticed a large cloud approaching the moon, inspiring another question.

“Must the moon be full?” I asked. “What about clouds? What if you go inside?”

“All of those things affect my ability to be unseen,” Lusinda replied. “I can achieve invisibility with a partial moon, but then a cloud might interfere with my ability to maintain that condition.”

“Which means….?”

“I phase-in, become visible. First, I resemble a ghost, a vapor, if you will. Then, I begin to glow, it’s –”

“Intoxicating,” Locke said in awe.

I suppose it made sense. It certainly explained why they insisted doing the interview during a full moon and the need to protect Lusinda’s identity. “So you only go out on nights with a full moon?”

“Espionage does not wait on the phases of the moon,” Locke groused. I felt I had stumbled on a sore point. “There are inherent risks.”

”But you’ve never encountered those risks in a crowded Victorian ballroom,” Lusinda countered, her irritation evident. “I have.”

“There are rewards,” he said in a low, seductive voice. “I understand there’s something called a hot tub in the cave that sounds most intriguing. The candles are lit. A private feast awaits…”

His arm crooked at the elbow as he headed for the cave entrance. He disappeared inside but I remained on the beach, nurturing a margarita and wondering what it would be like to be visible one moment and invisible the next. The moon climbed higher in its zenith. The waves broke on a protective reef and thus met the shore in a gentle lulling wash of foam. Suddenly, a bright luminous light from deep inside the cave interrupted my quiet contemplation. It lasted a moment and than slowly dimmed. I almost dashed to the mouth of the cave to inquire that all was well, but the muffled sounds emanating from the cave suggested my presence would not be appreciated. Her words brought a smile to my lips . . . then I begin to glow…

Invisibility can be most revealing…

Which brings me back here. I have a copy of The Education of Mrs. Brimley for a commenter. Would you like to have Lusinda’s talent? If so, what would you do with it?
What other power would you like to have? Do you like paranormal mixed in with historical? Talk to me, and let’s refill those glasses.

109 comments:

Jennifer Y. said...

WOOHOO!!! Another party! Still not sure I have recovered from the last one.

Jennifer Y. said...

Oh, and I got so excited seeing the cabana boys and cocktails that I forgot to answer the question...

Hmm...not so sure I'd want her ability. I think it would get me in trouble...LOL.

I wouldn't mind the ability to heal though...myself and others...and teleportation could be fun too. Both of those would be useful.

And yes, I do enjoy paranormal mixed in with historical...the ones I have read have been quite enjoyable.

Jennifer Y. said...

UGH! And I was so distracted by the cabana boys with invisible clothing (at least that is their story) that I forgot to say congrats on the new release! I have been looking forward to this one for a while.

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Jennifer, you were so distracted with everything else distracting you, you forgot to notice YOU GOT THE CHOOK! Your bookshelves are no longer safe!

Anna Campbell said...

James and Lusinda, welcome to the lair. Donna, thank you for inviting your eccentric friends to our party! Wow, this book sounds great. Donna, how did you get the idea for a book about an invisible girl? I love your imagination!

By the way, huge congratulations on the release and also on the glowing (ahem!) reviews!

Donna MacMeans said...

LOL Anna on the GLOWING reviews *g*. I remember exactly when I came up with the idea for Moonlight. My dh and I had just been to the movies to see My Super Ex-girlfiend. I remember thinking superpowers seemed to be really hot. There's that Heroes TV show, Fantastic Four movie... of course all the this was presented as contemporary. What if I did something similar with an historical? Moonlight was born.

Donna MacMeans said...

Jennifer y - congrats on the GR. He knows his way around your collection if I recall.

Yes - another party! June is a hot month in the lair. Perhaps the new moon wasn't as much of a factor in James & Lusinda's absence as Jeanne still swinging from the chandelier. *g*

Amy Andrews said...

WoW Donna. Congrats on the wonderful reviews and intruiging premise.

I don't think I'd like a super power except for maybe the ability to control my weight - not sure that counts though.

Anna Campbell said...

By the way, I'd love to be able to fly! Oh, minus any jetlag, that is.

Jane said...

Congrats, Donna. I love release parties. Being invisible would be cool, but I'm not so sure about he naked part. I would want my special powers to be telekinesis and teleportation. I haven't read many historical paranormals, but I do enjoy them. The ones I read were by Jennifer St. Giles and Jocelyn Kelley. I'm going to need a refill soon. Can I have another Cosmo?

Minna said...

Teleporting... That's the talent I'd like to have.

Christine Wells said...

Donna, what a great post! I chuckled through your 'interview'. The Trouble with Moonlight sounds like a wonderful romp and I LOVE the sound of James Locke. Congrats on another fab release and on the sterling reviews.

Hmm, a secret power. How about a very high metabolism?LOL Teleporting would be fantastic. Then I could visit y'all whenever I wanted. And like Fo said, minus the jetlag, please!

Helen said...

Congrats Jennifer have fun with him

Fantastic interview with Lusinda and James, Donna I am so looking forward to this book it should arrive on my doorstep any day now we have a long weekend this weekend and I want to read it (and Jeanne's)

I am not sure I would like to be invisible I would love to be able to twitch my nose like Samantha and get the housework done so as I had more time to read.
As yet I haven't read any paranormal mixed with historical but I am sure I would love them anything historical I love.
Huge congrats on the reviews Donna and keep your fingers crossed for me that it arrives very soon so as I can read it.
Another fantastic party in the lair the Cabana Boys have been working hard this month and obviously enjoying themselves as we are.

Have Fun
Helen

Keira Soleore said...

Very, very nice excerpt.

Would you like to have Lucinda’s talent? If so, what would you do with it? What other power would you like to have?

An invisibility spell? Oh yes!! I'd love to acquire that power.

I'd love the ability to levitate and fly (like Superman).

Then I would quickly visit my friends and give giant big hugs to all whom I'm sending cyber hugs right now.


w00t! to Jennifer on grabbing the GR.

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Congrats on the GR Jennifer, I hope he doesn't have any commando left over from p226.
I like a little paranormal mixed with historical. I can't wait to read this book!
I don't think I would want to be invisible, especially if I had no control over it. I feel invisible sometimes now. I would like to be able to blink my way from place to place, that would be a cool talent.

Deb Marlowe said...

Hooray! Congrats Donna--it sounds fabulous! Can't wait to pick it up.

Super power? I'd like the ability to finish this danged book TODAY!

But I could also go along with the other ladies--I'll take teleportation that automatically increases my metabolism, please!

Be good to the GR,Jennifer!

Caren Crane said...

Congrats, Jennifer, on nabbing the GR!

Donna, I have been waiting for this book FOREVER (at least it seems that way). I can't wait to read it!

I would love to be able to run at lightning speed. That way, instead of rolling in three minutes late for everything, I could actually be on time! Wait...no, I would probably get cocky about being able to do that and dawdle more than ever.

I can't think of a power I couldn't corrupt, somehow. Character flaw! *g*

Caren Crane said...

Amy, I want the ability to control my weight, too!! I never thought of that as a super power, but now that you mention it...

Caren Crane said...

Jane, fear not. We have Cosmos on tap! *g*

Deb Marlowe, I hadn't thought about combining powers. Hey, my running at lightning speed would have the side effect of burning loads of calories. That would do it!

Donna MacMeans said...

Amy - Kudos to you on conjuring up the power to lose weight - I need that one!! Resisting ice cream is proving impossible for me this spring and my waistline - or lack of one - shows it. Doesn't help that all the clothes seem to be designed for skinny stick women with fat wallets.

I'm putting your power on my wish list.

Donna MacMeans said...

Anna - I thought about using flying as a superpower. I really did. But I wanted to use the Victorian time period and figured that would be rough with all those clothes. With her caged crinolines, poor Lusinda would look like the Hindenburg coming in for a landing *g*. So I passed on that one.

Donna MacMeans said...

Jane - Love the cosmos.(Hey cabana boy!!!). I blame Sex in the City for this current addiction. I never used to drink martinis and then tried a Cosmo as a result of that series. Loved them - but wow - what a punch they pack! My favorite martini place puts bits of dry ice in the section where the glass meets the stem. It makes the martini bubble like hot lava - all steaming and popping, but ice cold. Love it.

Donna MacMeans said...

Minna & Christine - Teleporting, won't that be great! Though, I'm not sure about the molecules scrambling bit. I'm afraid every since that Star Trek episode where there transporter malfunctioned and people ended up reassembled and deformed, I've eased back from tELEporting. Remember THE FLY? ugh!

On the other hand, with gas prices as high as they are...might be worth the risk...

Donna MacMeans said...

Helen - pass over some of that nose twitching ability.

In lieu of not having that particular talent, I've opted for simply not doing housework LOL. Of course, no one gets in past my front porch and the dust bunnies are now objects d'art - but it beats doing the housework *g*.

Buffie said...

Hey . . . Ho . . . Hey . . . Ho . . . party in the lair!!! Ahem, sorry, someone mentioned party and I went into my pre-kids party mode. LOL!

Donna I am so excited about this book. I can't wait to get my copy and devour it. It's gonna be great!

Hmm, there are so many things I would love to have the ability to do. I don't think I could pick just one. Of course losing those extra 15 pounds by just thinking it would be fabulous!!!!

Donna MacMeans said...

Kiera - I thought about superman and Susan Storm and all those superheroes in constructing the book. The one thing I didn't want was to enable my heroine to control the power. What fun is that? And FUN had to be a key component of the book. Superman would be boring without kryptonite.

Donna MacMeans said...

Diana - Interesting that you say you feel invisible sometimes. I think we all do really. When I googled Invisible, looking for neat facts or pics to use in blogs, I discovered most of the references for invisible were used in that context - women as being invisible in the workforce, children as the invisible victims of poverty. Even Hillary used the term "invisible" in her speech last night (but I forget the context). So perhaps this is a super ability that we are can relate to a bit.

Donna MacMeans said...

Deb -

Pass me some of that superpower!! (I'm assuming you mean finish writing the book - not reading the book *g*). We seem to be facing similar struggles. I'm definitely putting that power on my super wish list.

Donna MacMeans said...

Caren - I'm with you. I'm always late. I think it's because I hate to leave my comfortable "here" for the unknown "there".

Anyway, I wish us both the power to alter time. That way you could go whereever you need to go, whenever it worked for you and just alter time to suit their schedule. Hmmm...I like that. THe Nevidemi might have some time altering cousins.

pjpuppymom said...

Good Morning Banditas!

I picked up my copy of The Trouble With Moonlight yesterday. :) I was going to save it for my week at the beach but, after reading that delicious interview, I seriously doubt I'll last that long! I've been buying all these great books and I'll have them all read before we leave for the coast. lol!

I'd love to be able to teleport, especially with the rising cost of gas. I'm grinning just thinking of all the great places I could go and the fabulous people I could finally hug in person!

pjpuppymom said...

Congrats on nabbing the GR, Jennifer!

Beth Andrews said...

Congrats on the release of The Trouble With Moonlight, Donna! I can't wait to read it *g* Do you have any special plans (other than this fabulous party) to celebrate your latest release?

I'd love some of the powers already mentioned, especially the ability to keep off extra weight *g*

I don't think I'd want to the ability to turn invisible. Or fly (bugs in the teeth - yuck) or read people's minds.

But I wouldn't mind a few useful powers - such as the ability to write an emotional scene while the husband is working with power tools, the son is banging on his drums, the older daughter is singing into her microphone and the youngest daughter is practicing piano.

Oh, or how about the ability to put in a straight hem in a knit dress without losing my mind (or tossing the sewing machine out the window) because the stupid thread kept fraying, breaking and/or looping? That would've been very useful last night ;-)

Dina said...

Congrats Donna on your release!!!

I love paranormal & historical, so if they are together, WOW, what a great mix.

Off to work now, enjoy the party!!!!

Terri Osburn said...

Another party! Whoohoo!!! And another Bandita-tastic book. Double Whoot!

I've pretty much been invisible all my life so no thanks on that one. Yeah, I'm that person people meet four times and still don't have any idea they've met me.

That weight control thing sounds really good. I'll take that one. How about the ability to remove all calories from chocolate but retain the taste?

I'm not a paranormal girl but this book sounds so different, I can't wait to read it. I have NEVER seen a story like this. So unique. And who doesn't want a Regency version of Bond? Hubba Hubba...

doglady said...

Good morning, Banditas! Trust this group to have a party that wraps around overnight well into the morning!

CONGRATULATIONS DONNA! CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS BOOK!!

I love the whole idea of it. So to answer your question "Yes, I love historicals with a touch of the paranormal!" And this book sounds so magical. I loved your interview.

Super power? Hmmm. I wouldn't mind being invisible sometimes, especially when management comes looking for me to up my workload. Weight control would be a dream power! I am on a diet so my gorgeous evening gown (thanks Mom) fits me to a T on Golden Heart night.

The ability to stretch time would be a good one too. There just don't seem to be enough hours in the day!

Jennifer, I am not surprised the GR ran back to your loving arms after spending a day with p226!

Trish Milburn said...

Donna, I'm heading out to do errands today, and I plan to pick up a copy of Moonlight. It sounds wonderful.

Yes, I'd like to be able to make myself invisible, but I'd like to be able to control it.

Trish Milburn said...

Oh, teleportation would be great. You could go on vacation anywhere at the drop of a hat.

And I love the mixture of historical and paranormal. Colleen Gleason and Libba Bray are two other authors who come to mind who mix the two well.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Donna!! I picked up my copy last night! Last one on the shelf, too. Ya'll better run out and get your copy before they're all gone!! :-)

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

I did NOT swing from the chandelier! Just the cabana boys. Grins. Of course, I did do a lot of whooping and hollering as I slid down Bandita Hill. I think I'm going to have to do some yardwork back there as penance because we tore up the grass. Blame Demetrius and the embossing on his shield. (He sure can holler when the speed gets up though!)

Grins.

Jennifer, congrats on the GR. BTW, P226, when you check in later, tell us what kind of manuvers you had him on. *shudder*

DONNA!! You fab-o Bandita you! Congrats on the release of Moonlight. I'm DYING, I tell you, simply dying to get my hands on this book. I've been to B&N twice to try and get it. Called them they said they had it...they lied like rugs.

As to superpowers, I like that super-metabolism one. Oh, yeah. And levetating things. That would be a font for much mischief. Teleporting, excellent idea with gas at $4.

Great interview with Locke and Lusinda, Donna. And LOL on the dust bunnies being Objet's d'art. I'm using that line. (I have dust mammoths, not bunnies, btw)

Esri Rose said...

D'oh! I just bought Education of Miss Brimley through Amazon, but for some reason, I thought this one wasn't coming out until later. Guess I'll hit my local bookstore.

Big congrats, Donna! I've already started Education, and love it!

jo robertson said...

Wonderful post, Donna! I love how you explained the premise without revealing the whole story. My copy of TTWM came yesterday from Amazon and I can't wait to read it. Seems like I've been waiting forever!

Congrats on the rooster, Jennifer! You're having one continuous party, gal!

I love the paranormal -- just a tad -- mixed with historical. I think our ancestors were much more open to the possibilities of supernatural elements.

Don't want a paranormal gift, but I would like to be able to write faster LOL!

Donna MacMeans said...

Beth - I'm under deadline for the Mrs. Brimley sequel, so my only celebration was lifting a spoon on my DQ chocolate blizzard with snickers pieces. (Did I mention the need for superpower weight loss?)

Wow - Your house rocks - literally! May I suggest sound eliminating earphones? LOL - you know what they say -- there will come a time when you'll miss all the noise. I haven't received that stage yet. Must have had enough noise with the kids little to last a liftetime.

M. said...

I would like to have the power to foresee when the next episode of teething will begin so I can powernap ahead of time, and have baby advil and anbesol (teething analgesic) locked and loaded for the middle of the night. Srsly.

Christie Kelley said...

Congrats, Donna!!! I can't wait to read it.

Donna MacMeans said...

Dina - Doesn't it seem like paranormal is popping up in everything? I'm certainly not complaining *g* but everything - contemporaries, historicals, suspense - seems to have a touch of magic.

This week, Publisher's Weekly released an issue dedicated to romance. They interviewed the major romance publishing houses and asked the editor what is your new big seller & who's your hot new author. Of the 19 books mentioned, 12 had some paranormal element - that's 63%. For the most part the non-paranormal books were straight historicals.

Donna MacMeans said...

Buffie - I wish we could lose weight by just thinking really, really hard, LOL! It would be a reward for academic pursuits.
Thanks for joining us for a drink.

PJ - love the teleporting. Might be confusing though with people suddenly popping up with no warning. Can you imagine a teacher trying to teach a school with kids deciding to teleport out (grin) - could be fun!

Donna MacMeans said...

Terrio - LOL, I have the opposite problem. Strangers swear they know me. I have one of those faces that looks familiar everywhere. It also looks approachable, which I really don't mind, but I do get caught up in ...were you ever in Kansas? kind of discussions.

You know, though, that you're never invisible to your kids. They can find you whenever, whereever you try to hide. LOL.

Donna MacMeans said...

Doglady - Congratulations again on being nominated for the Golden Heart. What an incentive for dieting - and then afterward you can blow all your hard work on the fabulous dessert reception after the ceremony (grin).

I love your twist of phrase. A dream power...that one has possibilites as well. Another branch of the Nevidimi is born!

Donna MacMeans said...

Trish - I thought hard the whole issue of control with invisibility. By not having control, any talent/power/gift can become a curse as well as a blessing. Not sure I'd want to live that way in real life, but the lack of control certainly adds interest to a book.

You had invisibility in one of your stories as well. Was it a controlled power? I'm curious.

CrystalGB said...

Congratuations on your new release. I think being invisible would be cool. Slipping in and out of places when no one knows would be fun. If I had a power, I would like to be able to heal people.
I do like paranormal elements in historicals.

Donna MacMeans said...

Kirsten - Could it be that they only ordered one copy? LOL. Glad to hear that they may be flying off the shelves. As you know, the first two weeks are the most important in terms of a book's release. I haven't been able to get out to the local bookstores yet to see if they have it. I'm chained to the computer. LOL

Donna MacMeans said...

Jeanne - I like the levitating power. That could come in handy. I could sit at the computer and check a reference book across the room without leaving my chair.

Glad to see you've recovered from your celebration. Did you do anything special, besides hanging with us, to celebrate your launch?

Donna MacMeans said...

Esri - Hope you like Mrs. Brimley. That was a fun book to write as well. I'm working on a sequel currently.

The Trouble with Moonlight is a totally separate book. I started it after receiving a rejection (my last rejection) for Mrs. Brimley. I figured if no one was interested in that book, I'd write one they couldn't refuse *g* The result was The Trouble with Moonlight.

Donna MacMeans said...

Jo - yes, one of the problems of being such a close knit group as we are, we share these plots & themes long before they're available for public consumption. I can't wait to read Kate's Homicide in Hardcover or Kirsten's & Trish's upcoming young adult releases. AC has been able to share her new cover, but I want to read the book - darn it! It's no wonder I have no fingernails left.

Writing faster would be a gift, wouldn't it? Maybe if I'm really, really good for Christmas maybe?

Donna MacMeans said...

m - You poor dear, those teething episodes are tough. Fortunately, they don't last too terribly long. Grab a copy of The Trouble with Moonlight to read while you're rocking the babe back to sleep. At least the intervals will be interesting *g*.

Thanks Christie - Hope you like it!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

I did NOT swing from the chandelier! Just the cabana boys.

Jeanne, uh, were YOU swinging from the cabana boys? Or they were swinging from the chandelier?

Donna MacMeans said...

crystalgb - healing people would be a cool power, though it might depend on what sacrifices you'd have to make for the gift.

Sacrifices?? Yup - every gift must have consequences. Lusinda understands.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Donna, mucho congratulations on MOONLIGHT! I picked it up at the bookstore yesterday and started reading it last night. I love it so far, m'dear!! But then when you told me about it over lunch last fall, I KNEW I would. :)

Donna MacMeans said...

Suzanne - Well I think it started with the cabana boys, but you know our Jeanne. Our "anything you can do, I can do better" Jeanne (grin). And she generally does!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Oh, and yes, I love paranormal historicals. Amanda Quick has always had those in her stories, Sandy Blair mixed hers in with humor, too, and now your book, Donna. LOVE EM!

As for superpowers...I'd love the power to put my hands on a sick person and heal them completely. OR I'll take the metablolism-weight-control one, too. But then again, maybe I'd like to be like Rogue in X-men and have the ability to absorb others' superpowers for short periods as I need them. Yep, that's the one I want!

Trish Milburn said...

Yes, my heroine could control her invisibility, though it wasn't super easy and had its own quirks. I still hope to sell that book because I really loved it and think it's a good story.

Donna MacMeans said...

Suz - Thanks. I apologize to everyone I've come into contact with since the summer of 2006. I've told everyone the premise of this book - I love it so. Guess now I have to come up with a different tune *g*

Donna MacMeans said...

Suz - You already have that healing power as a nurse (smile). Heaven knows a sick person would be better off in your names than in mine.

I like the Rogue idea as long as we're surrounded by folks with superpowers. I think it might be a rare trait though.

Fedora said...

Woohoo, indeed, Jennifer Y! Congrats on the GR!

And congrats on this new release, Donna!! I want Helen's secret power--instant housework completion! (If only it were so easy!)

I'm not sure I've read any historicals with paranormal mixed in--if this is a glimpse, then I'd have to say yes, I think I'd like it very much!

Donna MacMeans said...

Trish - I have no doubt that you will sell that book. Fingers crossed that invisibility is the cutting edge of a new wave in paranormals.

Donna MacMeans said...

fichen1 - Give Moonlight a shot. The paranormal component is undeniable. I mean it's the basis of the plot and the heroine's conflict - but it's undeniably an historical as well. My plan was for you to read the book and consider if those Nevidimi folks truly are among us - how would you know?

cheryl c said...

Oh, my! "The Trouble with Moonlight" and "The Education of Mrs. Brimley" both sound absolutely wonderful. The invisibility plot is especially intriguing. I do think that I would enjoy the power of invisibility...just not being naked!

Hellie Sinclair said...

*makes note to rush to store after work* I love paranormal with historicals--and even if I didn't, I would read it because I *loved* Mrs. Brimley and I'll read anything you write! Congrats and I can't wait to read it!!

Superpower I wish I had. Time-travel. I wish I could time-travel.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Sorry to be late to the party, but I've been READING TTWM! YES! I found it at my local Borders. They had 4 copies, so the other 3 somehow got turned face out. (AHEM) Like I've said before, Debbie Macomber doesn't need the extra exposure.

Donna, I'm LURVING this book, maybe even more than Mrs. Brimley which is saying a lot, since you know how I feel about Lord Nicholas... But TTWM has a heroine named Lusinda, gotta love that! :-P

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Terrio,
I've felt invisible too many times myself! NO WORRIES! YOU will never be invisible here in the Lair!

Jennifer, CONGRATS on the GR! I'm sure he'll need the R&R after his day with p226.

Teleporting would be a great super-power to have, esp. as much as I love to travel. I like Deb's idea of combining it with super calorie burning to facilitate weight loss. And NO WAY would I do the naked while invisible! If I started to phase-in people would think Moby Dick (the great white whale) had come to life! :-P

Donna MacMeans said...

cheri2628 - but if no one could see you naked...would it bother you as much? I think it would difficult at first, but eventually you'd get used to it.

Mshellion - Thank you so very much for your kind praise. Time Travel? That would be so cool. I can think of a million places I'd like to visit. Of course then you'd have to worry about the whole time travel paradox - not changing anything in the past so it wouldn't change the present, but still - it would be neat!

p226 said...

Hmm... invisibility. You know, it's possible that some among us have experienced all but complete invisibility.

In the right environment, with the right camo, people become darned hard to see. The trick though, is coupling invisibility to movement. Our eyes are strongly, instinctively drawn to movement. To move and remain invisible requires painstaking slowness, and the patience of Job. And you've had your chow, so you get to let the bugs have theirs.

Movement. Yep. That's the hard part.

Regardless, invisibility lets you break the rules. Lets you be in places you should not. Lets you see things you should not see. Lets you hear things you shouldn't hear. Allows you to place yourself into a position of advantage.

Very valuable.

Donna MacMeans said...

AC - I've been waiting for you to comment on that name *g*. You'll note that I spell it a bit differently than yours and if you're reading TTWM than you know why. Both you are both extraordinary heroines in my book.

I lived with Mrs. Brimley soooo long, I don't think I could ever completely abandon Emma and Nicholas, plus I owe them the whole Golden Heart experience. But I really love the concept of Moonlight. Thanks for turning Moonlight face out. (Isn't it cool that I'm shelved next to Debbie Macomber? - I mean it's neat to be shelved at all, but then to be placed by a big name is icing on the cake.)

Pat Cochran said...

Hello, Donna,

Congratulations on the Moonlight
release! Enjoy the party, everyone!

It already sounds like a "swinging"
event! Anna C. and the swinging
cabana boys! I want to hear more
about this, Anna!!

Special powers, hmmmmm. I'd have
to go with healing because it
would also include weight control,
which I struggle with daily!

Congratulations to Jennifer Y. on snagging the GR! BTW, P226, is
the GR in Marine-shape after his
stay with you?

Pat Cochran

Donna MacMeans said...

P226 - LOL, I'm not sure I'd like to be the target when you decide to practice your camo skills. You sound like you'd be too good at it.

You know, when I was googling invisibility, I ran across a number of articles from Science journals that said there all huge light-bending technologies about to hit the mainstream that makes just about anything invisible. Movement wouldn't be a problem because one's eyesight would be reflected around the moving object. Cool huh? I can imagine the applications.

Donna MacMeans said...

Hi Pat - So Anna C. was swinging on the chandelier too?? You know this just doesn't surprise me. Pour some alcohol down that girl and you just don't know what will happen. Now we know, it's just a matter of time before Jeanne swings by taunting Joan's Roman hunks. And Cassondra tends to chill a while before she challenges all takes to a duel with rapiers. But Anna C. - she's unpredicable. *G*

Thanks for stopping by, Pat!

Anna Campbell said...

Bwahahahaha! I LOVE a party in the lair and this one is great. And swinging from the chandelier is as close as I get to my flying superpower. And hey, the Gladiators always catch me!

mcrowley41 said...

Donna: It sounds FABULOUS! And so is the cover. Can't wait to read about her problems fading in and out of moonlight naked! LOL

Margaret

Tawny said...

WHOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO Donna!!! Pass me a margarita and a cabana boy, lets party!

I'm so excited for you and love love LOVE the paranormal twist of your story - I can't wait to read it. I'm all for paranormal, and love it when its outside the current dark box so many para's seem to fall in.

Jennifer Y. said...

With her caged crinolines, poor Lusinda would look like the Hindenburg coming in for a landing *g*.

LOL...the image that just gave me has me laughing uncontrollably...of course, it could just be the cocktails I have been drinking since I nabbed the GR.

The GR is hiding under the bed right now...not sure what p226 did to him. *sigh*. Before he went under the bed though he squawked at me because I don't have the latest Bandita books...what a "fowl" mouth that bird has! (Bad one, I know *g*)

M. said...

thanks, donna - a little sympathy goes a long way when three infant molars are coming in at once! but you're right - a title with monlight in it would be appropriate for those sleepless nights *g*

Donna MacMeans said...

Oh No! Now Anna has the boys using a sheet -- or is that someone's toga - to catch her when she falls and flip her right back up. It's flying banditas in the lair again! Look Out!

Donna MacMeans said...

Hi Margaret! Thanks for stopping by. Fingers crossed that B&N will have enough copies at Lori Foster's event this weekend. That will be my first Moonlight signing, and I have a new stamp all ready to go.

Donna MacMeans said...

Tawny - I must admit, I like my paranormal light as well. The dark, beastly, bloody stuff scares the bageezers out of me.

Moonlight shouldn't scare anyone, but it might make you wonder if a change in wind currents made that door close on a moonlit night...or maybe it was something/someone else?

Donna MacMeans said...

what a "fowl" mouth that bird has!

LOL - Jennifer. You've been hanging out too long with Anna C. (As evidence I reference the "glowing" reviews. (very big grin))

Perhaps he's hiding under the bed because he doesn't want to leave & with Olivia Parker joining us tomorrow - there's bound to be some early posters. Should be fun.

Donna MacMeans said...

m - Still chuckling over the moonlight reference. The little one might enjoy Goodnight Moon more though. The Trouble with Moonlight is definitely for Mom. (sizzle, sizzle)

Anna Campbell said...

Olivia's given us a really fun interview. I think the party might just go on for another 24 hours!

pjpuppymom said...

Donna, I started reading TTWM at the doc's office this morning and I am loving it!

Walmart doesn't shelve alphabetically and TTWM was on the bottom shelf when I found it the other day. "Someone" moved the copies to the top shelf. Nora doesn't need all that space either. ;)

Gillian Layne said...

Donna, huge congrats on the release (and the fab cover!)

I love paranormals, light and dark. I sure enjoyed Teresa Medeiros's vamps. :) I know I'll love your disappearing heroine.

J said...

Sounds like a wildly fun read, Donna! I love historicals with or without paranormal elements so long as the author can draw me in. I'd like to be able to teleport so I can travel all over the world on a shoestring. I'm not sure I'd like Lucinda's ability unless I can control it whenever I want and combine it with the teleporting ability.

Susan Sey said...

Hey, Donna! Congrats on the release! Moonlight sounds incredible! I love a little paranormal mixed in with my anything, though I do prefer it as a spice in something else rather than the main dish. (If that makes any sense.)

As for super powers, I don't know. I don't think I'd like to be invisible because I might overhear people talking about me & I don't think I'd care to hear the, um, unvarnished truth. It's not exactly a superpower, but I think it would be cool to be really, really, really smart. Photographic memory, the ability to do monstrous & complex mathematical things in my head, read something once & remember it forever. I'd also like to be a great deal braver than I am. Put those two things together & I'd have to sew myself a cape. :-)

Congrats again on Moonlight, Donna!

Ellory said...

Congrats on the release.

I'm not sure I'd want to be invisible although it could have its uses. There are times I would love to a "fly" on the wall when there are certain conversations going on.

I'm not sure what "power" I'd want. I would love to teleport. :)

Donna MacMeans said...

PJ - Thank you. You know you should really live closer to me so I could thank you personally. Thanks for reshelving. I really appreciate it. Glad you're enjoying Moonlight - it can be tough to put down in a good way.

Donna MacMeans said...

Hi Gillian - The same artist who did The Education of Mrs. Brimley also did The Trouble with Moonlight. I like the cover but technically she should be invisible in that full moon. The first words my editor ever said about moonlight was "I'm not putting an invisible heroine on the cover!" *g* Thanks for stopping by.

Donna MacMeans said...

Jennybrat - Another teleporter. From the popularity of that ability, we'd all be teleporting all over the place. Now you see me, now you --

Donna MacMeans said...

Susan, I can tell you what people are saying behind your back. Something along the lines of ... that girl is so talented, and funny! Did you hear she has two, TWO finalists in the Golden Heart this year? I want to be her. *g*

I understand what you mean by the spice and not the entree. I think of Moonlight as more historical than paranormal, but if it wasn't for Lusinda's talent - this would be a boring story *g*.

Donna MacMeans said...

ann m. - He he he ... fly on the wall is good - but what if you hear something you shouldn't? I'd have such a hard time not chipping in with my two cents. Maybe we should be bees on the wall, so if we don't like what's being said we can sting the bugger.*g*

Another teleporter! You do realize the government would find some means to tax all this teleporting going on. Can't let us have too much fun.

Anna Campbell said...

With all this teleporting going on, I think we're about to solve the energy crisis! I particularly like the idea of teleporting that burns up fat. Now, that's multitasking!!!

Joan said...

Donna, dragging in from the DDJ to say congratulations on TTWM!!!!

Spent $3.25 in gas just to go AROUND the east side of Jefferson county to the B&N when Borders had the NERVE to say it wasn't published yet! Found 3 copies. One is in my hot little hands and the other two? Face out!

I already possess the invisibility power....charge nurse comes up behind staff a)dragging feet b)wasting time c) talking about charge nurse and how she is ALWAYS around.... VBEG

Saralee said...

Oh, Donna! HOORAY! I am so glad "Moonlight" has been released! Ever since I got that "sneak peek" at the first chapter, I've been dying to read the rest.

Just delicious.

http://kriskennedy.net said...

Donna,
Super congratulations on your release!!! I am so excited to get it!

I must say, I did stop reading your fantastic blog, b/c I didn't want ANYTHING given away. LOL Not that I don't trust you . . .

As far as superhero-ish powers, hmmm, does 'To Get My House Clean' count?

Or maybe 'To Keep My House Clean.'

Or . . .

Congratulations!!
Kris

Donna MacMeans said...

Joan - LOL, Borders is the one that generally puts the releases out early. Glad you found it. I owe you a drink in SF. Thanks for "properly" displaying the remaining 2 copies.

Well...just where do you think I got the inspiration for creating someone who could sneak up on someone *g* - hmmm?

Donna MacMeans said...

Hi Saralee - Glad you could stop by the lair. I see you waited till the moon was out (grin) - was there something you wanted to share?

Actually folks - Saralee was the one who suggested putting the story against the backdrop of the Great Game, so it's especially appropriate she join us. Someone grab her a drink!

Donna MacMeans said...

Kris - I don't think I gave anyway anything you wouldn't have learned in the first chapter *g* but it is actually proofread in the book (grin). No pictures, though. Thanks for visiting.

Anonymous said...

UMMM cabana boys. Congrats Donna on the reviews. Becoming invisible would be the talent I'd choose.

Robin Gianakopoulos said...

Donna, I loved Mrs. Brimley and can't wait to get my hands on Moonlight!

Having endured large numbers of teenagers here this evening, I think I'd appreciate being invisible to eavesdrop on what secret things they're giggling about(or maybe I really wouldn't want to know).

Even more, I think I'd like the power to make THEM all suddenly disappear, as I really wanted to go to bed half an hour ago.

Ah, to have the energy of the young. Now, THERE'S a super-power someone needs to tap!

Donna MacMeans said...

Hi Kimmyl - Thanks for the congrats. Yes, I think being invisible would be cool, but it would definitely have it's drawbacks as well. Thanks for visiting.

Donna MacMeans said...

Robin - Did you tell them it was a school night? Er...is it a school night? Or are they out now.

Believe it or not, you lose all track of that sort of stuff when your kids are out of school (Yes that day will come *g*).

I think being able to touch a kid and not only replenish your energy, but zap some of theirs would be a great power, if judiciously used. I think there might be something there!

Thanks for visiting Robin - Now GO TO BED (Grin).

Donna MacMeans said...

And the winner of a signed copy of The Education of Mrs. Brimley is...

m.

Please go to my website at www.DonnaMacMeans.com and send me your contact information so I can send you a copy.

Thanks everyone for helping me celebrate the launch of Moonlight.