March 13, 2008

RENEGADE FROM THE AIR

RENEGADE photo-tour:  A bird’s-eye view of Squamish in summer. This is the town where Luke and Jessica stop for a welcome bite of breakfast after surviving the police roadblock. They, however, are here in winter, when the mountains lie under thick snow and it all looks vastly different. To the left of the image, snaking through the greenery along the water into the distance, you can see the Sea to Sky highway on which they fled from Vancouver. The city of Vancouver itself lies hidden from view just beyond that horizon, further down the Howe Sound.

My Path today: A sunny 45 min aerobic walk. Breathless Those are the Blackcomb ski runs you can see above, viewed over the River of Golden dreams which is now hosting majestic trumpeter swans.

My Music: Just the song of spring. And yes, it is spring. In spite of the snow. Along with the swans and returning honk of Canada geese, small bright yellow candles of Skunk Cabbage are piercing through the melting detritus in the swampland. It’s a first food for bears emerging from hibernation. Any day now.

March 12, 2008

ON THE RUN IN WHISTLER

RENEGADE photo-tour: Another shot of my home town, Whistler — the place Jessica and Luke take a short and risky detour while on the run from the Triad. Above is the path I ran myself today. And below is the Upper Village shot earlier in the season. There really was a photo shop in the same spot the book describes (in the Upper Village), but it has since moved. It was to the right of those orange pylons in the photo. And behind the white cloud in the backdrop hides the Whistler Mountain ski hills.

My Path today: The Rainbow trail above, until it got too smooshy and my toes too wet and frostbitten. 40 mins run/walk.

My Music: You Can Get If You Really Want It - Desmond Dekker.

March 11, 2008

REACHING A TURNING POINT

RENEGADE photo-tour: This is Whistler Village, where Luke and Jessica go to develop the film the Triad is prepared to kill for. It’s a side trip Luke never intended taking, and it marks a key turning point in the HEART OF A RENEGADE.

It’s also my home

***

As an aside, I’ve been inspired by  Cole to lace up the old running shoes again, and aim for another marathon in the Fall. And I couldn’t feel happier for the decision. I met Cole through my books, my blog, her blog, and the blogs of others, and have come to consider her my friend (Hope you don’t object, Nicole!). And recently I have been infected by the energy and way she has tackled some things in life, and once again am reminded how setting — and achieving – physical goals can help everything else — including writing — fit into place.

It gives you control, it gives you power, it makes you feel strong, and everything else seems to hum back into harmony. I know, it sounds sappy. But believe me, it works. And I sure missed not having the bookend of a Fall marathon last year.
I felt lost.

I meandered into winter, not as sharply focused. I worked hard. I got my books done. But something was missing. Some verve. Some spring in my step.

But I’m back! I didn’t train last year because of a problem knee — but if it plays up again, I will walk that marathon. With poles  if I can. And as fast as I can :). Already my days have fresh focus. And there’s that feeling of laughter in my step. Thanks, Cole. And happy running ……

My Path: 40 minutes run/walk. Round Whistler Golf Course. Cold with flecks of snow. Air heavy and beautiful.

March 10, 2008

THE RENEGADE AND THE MERC

RENEGADE photo-tour: While beautiful, the Sea to Sky highway that snakes up from Vancouver to Whistler can be deadly to drive. This is the road Luke and Jessica must navigate in their snowy night flight from the city. And above is a scene I shot while driving it this winter.

And in other book news — I was delighted to learn this past weekend SEDUCING THE MERCENARY has won the 2007 Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Silhouette Romantic Suspense!

March 7, 2008

PHOTO TOUR CONTINUES

RENEGADE photo-tour: A factory in rural China, one very much like the factory/warehouse Jessica was held captive and tortured after she was kidnapped from the Shanghai business district. It’s an experience that comes back to haunt her, setting her on the run for her life in the Pacific Northwest.

March 6, 2008

RENEGADE WINNERS

RENEGADE photo-tour: Above is a daylight aerial view of where Luke and Jessica guide their Zodiac in between that tug on the left, and the bigger boat on the right (a floating restaurant) on a black and frigid February night. They have just fled the Triad in Gastown, crossed the Burrard Inlet, and made for the safety of Vancouver’s North Shore.

Luke inches the Zodiac towards that dock (above)……. Coming up on the inside of the row of tugs (below) to dock near the Seabus Terminus where Luke removes his disguise, and they blend into the crowd of late-night passengers coming over from the city (the skyline of which can be seen across the water).

The WINNERS of a signed copy of RENEGADE are Tami, and Cheryl S. Please send me your snail addies and I will pop a signed copy into the mail ASAP. Thank you to all who entered!