So, where’s that dinner? I’m waiting, but my patience is wearing thin here …
(He should try the publishing industry, eh? 
)
The Mountie and his tracker ….
This beauty had a light golden coat on his shoulders and back, and was totally oblivious to my passing by — looks like that time of year again, when the only thing the bruins are worried about is obsessively chowing their way up to hibernation weight.
For those who have asked how close these wild animals are to passers by, I walked around the trail from where I shot the above photo, and tried to take another shot (shown below) for perspective. See the guy riding by on his bike? He didn’t notice the bear at all. Neither did the golfers putting away on the green to the left of the biker. I shot the above pic a little further ahead and to the right of that cyclist — and the bear is the brown blot hidden behind greenery in the depression to the right. Make sense?
And just to see how often we walk past these foraging beasts, perhaps not even noticing they are there – if you look real close at the pic below, you can see the ear and part of the back of the head of a fairly large black bear munching berries in a patch about two arms lengths off the trail …. can you spot him? Makes one think twice before scrambling through the brambles search of berries, eh?
In this last pic (below), you can just see the very black, rounded tip of his ear.
Well, I figure he was hanging his wings out like that because he was hot — it was over 90 F. And even hotter after my run. Temps are climbing again today … and the old brain is cooking while my imagination is supposed to be in the middle of an Alaskan snowstorm. Go figure. I seem to be writing the Congo and Sahara books in mid winter, and the ‘cold books’ in mid summer.
That would be me — a wilderness geek. Or would that be freak? I mean, I really *do* carry a ruler with me when I go running. Just in case, you know? I might run across a good print, or something. Like these perfect Black Bear paw marks above. Then I might want to size and document them. And of course, for that I need my camera …
My equivalent of a pocket protector would probably be the small ziplock bags that protect the bear banger cartridge I carry with me. I live in irrational fear that it will get wet and fizzle when I finally aim it at the jowls of a hungry cougar. Either that, or detonate prematurely in my pack. (Can just see the headlines)
I also carry an MP3. And dog spray. Think I need to lighten up some? Seriously, I’d have a much better run if I did. But then … I’d miss capturing prints like those.
It’s all the fault of MANHUNTER, I tell you — I should never have started the tracking research needed for that book. It set me down an interesting path … and I think I might have missed my calling. Then again … I can always put my growing body of tracking skills into stalking editors. See? I really *should* have gone to Thrillerfest … I could have put in some practice!!!
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 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
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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!
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HEART OF A MERCENARY EARNS CATA AWARD
I am honored to have been awarded a 2006 CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award for THE HEART OF A MERCENARY.
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SULTAN is NRCA finalist
A SULTAN’S RANSOM has been named a National Readers Choice Award finalist in the long contemporary category.
