Rest in peace, fly free, Major John Philip Beswetherick. We know you’re up there navigating your Tiger Moth somewhere through that sky. We shall miss you. Mr. B.
J.P. Beswetherick — 1926-2008. British war orphan, dear father, airforce pilot, good friend, respected pharmacist, the best darn braai vleis (BBQ) chef out there … and so very much more … we shall raise a beer –or whiskey – in your honor. Mr. B.
The Inukshuk I found in my forest today.
For those who might ask, Inuksuit were originally directional markers left by the Inuit of the Canadian Arctic as they traveled across the barren tundra — a vast landscape where permafrost leaves few natural landmarks. The carefully-balanced stones have different meanings, and are a language of navigation with roots deep in the Inuit culture. The markers also signify safety, hope and friendship. They say that someone has walked this way, that you are not alone.
The inukshuk concept has been embraced by local hikers in these hills and woods, a form of impromptu art … a strange urge people seem to have, to pick stones up from the moss, feel their heft, and temperature and shape … to balance them carefully in often very complex ways. To tell someone they were here.
The sculptures stand for a day or so, then they are gone.
And to come across one in the silent, dripping forest feels somehow …. magical. Like a story.
A little yellow spot, one prop, heading straight on over Green Lake …
And thar she goes …. only the sky her limit.
A perfect lift-off coming on top of today’s adrenaline-releasing run. My new idea for Silhouette Romantic Suspense achieved lift-off today as well. Now to see if those wings hold ….
Just needs a puff of breath 
Do you ever find yourself looking for symbols? I went into my woods today. They were dark and still and dripping from rain, and there was nary a soul. But about half an hour into my run, I came across a baby snowshoe hare. His feet were humongous in comparison to his little brown body, and they were still stark white — luminous — the remains of his winter coat. Big lucky rabbit feet.
He scuttled into the moss and undergrowth as I clattered down the path, then he stilled. I stopped to watch him, and slowly he hopped back out onto the trail where he sat and watched me back. Big eyes. Real close. Then, very slowly, he hopped off — somewhat ungainly on those large paws. I think he shall be my totem for this year. My lucky little trickster hare, young and full of bounce and promise. He just better stay away from them coyotes.
Is that a .22 in your hand, KJ, or are you just happy to be researching?
To me, one of the best things about being a writer is that it gives you license to be interested in just about anything. And more often than not, people are happy to help … to share the little idiosyncracies of their professions or fields of interest.
Another good thing about the Writing Life? Friends. Fellow writers who ‘get’ you like no one else can. Like KJ Howe above. Who else but a fellow writer of suspense would drop everything and fly out west to muck around in the B.C. bush and play with guns and knives? And who better to rehash the rather interesting trip with?
Thanks Kim, for slumming it with me. Shan’t forget this one 
“So, this is a compass, ladies … and this is how you use it not to get lost …”
Honestly, I’m not sure I’m any the wiser. Navigation is a complex art. But at least I will now know how to mantrack my prints back to where I started
And I did learn how to use sticks and the sun to find north.
Welcome to my slice of life in B.C.’s wild and wet coast mountains. This ’running commentary’ is less about writing than it is a small window – often visual — into the life of a romance writer, on the run.
I hope to get to know my readers this way, and I hope you get to know me … just a little better.
From Romantic Times BOOKreview
After Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer Gabe Caruso can’t save his fiancee from a sadistic serial killer, he has trouble dealing with the guilt. His only consolation is that he put the man in jail. Cutting himself off, Gabe takes a post in Black Arrow Falls, a small town in the Yukon. There, he meets tracker Silver Karvonen, a woman with secrets of her own. Both are stunned to feel the pull of attraction. Then the killer escapes, and Gabe knows that trouble is on the way. Loreth Anne White serves up some creepy chills in Manhunter (4), as a serial killer wages both psychological and physical warfare. This compelling tale, part of the Wild Country series, features two emotionally scarred people who discover that being together makes them stronger.
—Sandra Garcia-Myers
From The Romance Reader:
“THE HEART OF A RENEGADE is a skillfully crafted novel, packed with complex characters involved in a well-used plot line; however, it is innovatively done. Loreth Anne White’s pacing is superb, maintaining ever mounting intensity as the story plays out. This story is rich with detail, and a plot that could be expanded to a 450 page hardcover. That said, it does not feel as if it were condensed but evolves in the expected manner only to twist and turn a bit adding interest and suspense. The dynamics between Jessica and Luke are extraordinarily well handled.
White is a very gifted author and whose future novels will be sought out by this reviewer.”
–Thea Davis
A TOP PICK from Romantic Times BOOKreview for THE HEART OF A RENEGADE
“Luke Stone is just like a stone. After his pregnant wife is murdered, he closes up emotionally, until his employer asks him to protect Jessica Chan, who’s a target of the Chinese Triad Dragons for attempting to expose their atrocities. Luke doesn’t want to be responsible for anyone, and he’s surprised to find a kindred spirit in Jessica. When they’re on the run with only each other to lean on, their emotional barriers crumble. The Heart of a Renegade (4.5) is an action ride full of thrills and surprises and a love story that will make your heart beat faster.
Loreth Anne White has expanded her Shadow Soldiers series, and intriguing and dynamic characters continue to make it compelling.
—Sandra Garcia-Myers
And a five-star review from CataRomance.com:
From the instance THE HEART OF A RENEGADE starts, one will take an indrawn breath and continue to gasp until the explosive ending. The danger is believably suspenseful with heart-pounding threats, and how they are carried out is terrifying realistic. Just when one thinks all is going smoothly for the hero and heroine, more peril crops up and they must once again fight for their lives.
Luke and Jessica are one of the most endearing couples about whom I have had the pleasure to read, and their compelling story profoundly touched me. Whether they are fleeing from the enemy or expressing exactly how they feel on a subject, their actions are authentic and make them seem very true-to-life. Ms. White had me caring for this couple and what the future holds for them, causing numerous tension-filled moments during the story. THE HEART OF A RENEGADE masterfully evokes images and feelings to create an enthralling plus emotional story which never disappoints.
–Amelia Richard
SEDUCING THE MERCENRY earns Cata award
I am thrilled to learn SEDUCING THE MERCENARY has been named a CataRomance Reviewers Choice award winner for 2007. Thank you to the Cata team!
