I love old travel videos. When I was a child, my Mom would order the free pamphlets and–if available–videos of our destinations for family vacations. I would watch the VHS tapes constantly in the weeks leading up to a trip. Often, I would spend a sick day rewatching the videos (and reliving the trips made me feel better).

During the making of Love Overboard, I found a bunch of old-school Alaskan Cruise videos at the library and on Amazon Prime.

My kids love watching these analogs to digital conversion movies with me, especially “Great Cruises.” The movie was filmed in the late 80s (before the Exxon Valdez spill) and I’ve been experiencing a lot of nostalgia while writing and editing.

Some links for your viewing pleasure:

Great Cruises-The Spirit in Alaska

The Great Alaska Cruise

(This isn’t cruise specific, but a spectacular aerial video) Over Alaska

 

 

I’ve grown fond of using hashtags and codenames on Twitter and Instagram for my works in progress. Today, I’m sharing a glimpse behind the writing on #projecthijinksensue AKA Love Overboard.

During the editing process of A Perfect Picture Of Us, I started writing a sequel but kept getting stuck. Working with my amazing editor at The Wild Rose Press, I learned how to strengthen my story-telling. I was in so deep in the first novel, I couldn’t see the story of the second.

At the same time, I learned some devastating health news to a beloved family member. The sequel to A Perfect Picture Of Us became a very dark and sad book. I needed an escape.

I decided to write something fun just for me. I had no restrictions on the length and no expectations of what to do with it when finished. The freedom unblocked me creatively. Last November, I signed the contract for Love Overboard.

The book is shorter and set on a seven-night Alaskan cruise (aka my dream vacation). Caitlyn Moore saved for years to afford the trip, but when she reaches her cabin, she’s greeted by her ex-fiance. In a moment of misunderstanding, she fakes amnesia to stay on the ship. And…hijinks ensue.

I hope the story is a fun “trip” for you, too!

Happy reading!