Lisa Bingham's Blog

Yesterday, I finished going through the copyedited version of MAVERICK and sent it back to my editor.  It’s always interesting to me what a copy editor focuses on in a manuscript.  I’ve had some copy editors who want to completely rewrite the book, and I’ve had others who go through the manuscript with a light hand.

With Maverick, I didn’t have too many edits.  This copy editor didn’t like the use of commas between independent clauses, and I’m okay with that.  She caught a couple of places where I needed to clarify and some apostrophe mistakes (oops.)

I’m grateful for copyedits and those who help me polish my work.  Even better, by the time the copyedits come to me, the manuscript has cooled enough that I’m able to find those little nitpicky items that affect the flow of the work or, as in the case of Maverick, I found a whopper of a mistake in description that no one else had noticed.  Yikes!

The next step for MAVERICK is when I get the galleys and I’m able to see what the printed pages of the book will look like.  I can’t wait!  Then, after that, it’s ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies) and finally, the finished novel. (It’s already available for pre-order, if you’d like to check out your favorite online retailers.)

Thanks to everyone who has helped me to get this far!  I have been able to work with some wonderful editors, marketing people, and artists at Berkley for the Taggart Brothers series, and I’m so appreciative of their expertise and professionalism.

The post Maverick Update – Book Three of the Taggart Brothers appeared first on Lisa Bingham.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a giveaway, and since I’m enjoying my Spring Break by writing, I’d like to celebrate by giving one lucky fan a choice of the novel DESPERADO or RENEGADE and some “Taggart swag.”

If you’d like to join in on the fun, go to my Facebook fan page: www.Facebook.com/lisabinghamauthor.  Simply “like”, “share”, or “comment” to enter. The giveaway will run through Sunday, April 10, midnight, MDT.

You can check me out on Facebook any time, or join me on Twitter @lbinghauthor

**Giveaway not affiliated with Facebook in any way.

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Oftentimes, we look back on the past and insist to ourselves that we’ve become much more civilized and “modern” in our views of fashion.  After all, we’re not trying to lead our lives in stays, corsets, hoops, or bustles.  But are we any more practical than our grandmothers and great-grandmothers?

Not so fast…

Check out this great student blog featured on the Met website and see how women are still trying to “attain the unattainable.”  Then, decide…would you wear the corset circa 1876?  The Jean Paul Gaultier evening ensemble from spring/summer 2001?

http://www.metmuseum.org/blogs/teen-blog/2016/questionable-standards

As for me?  Mmm…yes.  And….if I had the body for it, yes.  But I fear I’d probably be the idiot who would catch my heel in all those laces, trip down the stairs, and break my neck.

The post Would You Wear It Wednesday – Met Blog appeared first on Lisa Bingham.

I don’t know how many of you are aware of it, but today is Down Syndrome Awareness Day.  During my many years as a teacher, it has been my pleasure to teach students of all ages and abilities.  But I have to say, that the students I’ve taught who have special physical and developmental needs have a soft spot in my heart.  Sometimes, I wonder how so much sweetness and love can be contained in such fragile little bodies.

That’s why, on their behalf, I’d like to ask a favor.  Somehow, in our American culture, some people have decided that it’s acceptable to use the “R” word in casual conversation–usually as a pejorative comment.  As a teacher, I’ve seen the unkind practice rising among our teenagers in the last year or two.  Please, please…if you have children or work with young people, give them a head’s up that the “R” word is no more acceptable than any other racial or negative slur.  My sweet little friends at school would thank you for your help.

For more information on Down Syndrome Awareness Day, check out #lots of socks on twitter, or go to this link: https://worlddownsyndromeday.org/lots-of-socks

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As many of you know, I spend my days teaching ninth graders, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to see Winter Trimester over and Spring Trimester underway.  Winter Tri is dedicated to teaching my students to write argumentative essays, informational essays, and research papers.  I love encouraging my students to write, but with first drafts, second drafts, final drafts, then revised drafts, I figure I’ve read more than 1500 essays and research papers in 13 weeks.   Yikes!

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m proud of my students.  This year, they have caught on quick and their papers are fantastic!  Their final research papers are probably better than I’ve seen in my career for new writers.  But my eyes are wear– and reading nothing but formal writing puts a dent in my own creative juices.

Thankfully, with a new trimester starting and spring has arrived.  For the next thirteen weeks, I get to teach, among other things, figurative language, poetry, and drama.  Even better, I’ll be teaching Shakespeare (Bill and I are buds).  All that lovely literature helps me to focus a little more on my own creativity in my off hours.  That means, I’ll be the one doing the writing.

So to celebrate, here’s a peek at my new cover for my upcoming novel Maverick, the third book in the Taggart Brothers Series, which will be released November, 2016.  I know, I know!  It’s a long time to wait, and I’m bummed by that too.  But you can preorder Maverick now on Amazon or any of your other favorite retailers.  And I promise to help you pass the time.  I’m overhauling my website and amping up my blog.  In the next few weeks, I’ll host giveaways, post recipes of those dishes mentioned in my books, and offer you an off-beat look at the life of a slightly twisted writer, teacher, farmer’s wife, and hopeless romantic.

So here’s as promised, here’s a peek at Bodey’s cover.  Swoon and enjoy!

Lisa Bingham

The post In Celebration of Spring…A New Cover! appeared first on Lisa Bingham.

In a world where we can take, save, and send a pictures with a few touches of the finger, it’s hard to remember a time where such tokens were not only rare, but a luxury.

Before the invention of the camera made photographs available to the masses, tiny miniature portraits were commissioned by those wishing a facsimile of a loved-one’s face.

These paintings were often mounted into jewelry and worn next to the heart.

 The detail of the artwork is amazing, and for the most part, the paintings are very flattering.

  Of course, I’m sure if an artist wanted to keep his commission, he would do his best to play up his subject’s attractiveness. If only the same could be said of most DMV photographers.

The post Would You Wear It Wednesday appeared first on Lisa Bingham.

It’s here, it’s here!  Renegade is now available from all major booksellers, and it’s being showered with great reviews–among them, Romantic Times gave Renegade 4 1/2 stars and named it the Hot Pick for January.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this book possible, especially my fans and supporters.  And since Renegade’s release happens to coincide with the twenty-third wedding anniversary for me and my husband, thanks to my own leading man.

The post Happy Release Day for RENEGADE! appeared first on Lisa Bingham.

Happy New Year to one and All!  I don’t know about you, but after the hectic few months leading up to the holidays, I’m feeling a bursting energy for a new year and new beginnings.  Since I was in charge of Thanksgiving for nearly 40 people, I promised myself that I’d take November and December off from writing and concentrate on my family.  But now I’m rip roaring to get back into the swing of things.  My creative juices are flowing and my fingers are itching to write again.

To make the beginning of 2016 even more exciting, I’ll be starting out the year with a new release.  Renegade, the second book in the Taggart Brothers series will be released on January 5th!  This is a really special novel to me and I can’t wait to introduce it to the world, so I’ve decided to lead up to its release with give-aways and special posts–so check back often for your chance to win, excerpts from the book, recipes, and lots of fun facts about me, my writing routines, and Renegade.

If you’d like to preorder Renegade, you can do so from any of your favorite booksellers.

The post Happy New Year and a New Release! appeared first on Lisa Bingham.

GOODY BAG GIVEAWAY IN HONOR OF NEW BOOK LAUNCH!

It’s two weeks until the launching of AFTER THE FALL, the next in my series of Women of War, and I’m so behind on all my social media, that I’ve decided I need to make this book release a special event with special posts and prizes. I have goody bags, and items that I brought back from NYC, so keep checking back each day for your chance to win!

This Saturday, I’ll be having a drawing for one of the promotional goody bags that I assembled to advertise my books during the National NYC Romance Writer’s Convention. These items flew out of the Goody Room. Within 2 days, they were gone–and that was after rationing them. Luckily, I kept a few at home.

If you’d like to enter,  go to www.facebook.com/lisabinghamauthor.   “Like” my author page and send me a PM saying “I like your page!” Winner will be drawn at random from those who have entered by 12:00 Midnight, MDT. That person will be notified by personal message. (This drawing is not affiliated with Facebook in any way.)

I hope you win!

The post Facebook Contest for AFTER THE FALL! Enter now! appeared first on Lisa Bingham.

Only two weeks until the release of AFTER THE FALL,!  I’m so behind on my social media, that I haven’t even officially released the cover art on my website yet.  Yikes!  So to make things up to my wonderful fans, I’m going to be hosting a ton of special posts and giveaways.

But first….drum roll, please.  Here’s the beautiful artwork designed by my team at Diversion Books.

With Into the Storm, Lisa Bingham wove a spellbinding romance set during the Blitz. Now, she turns her eye to the Pacific in a gorgeous WWII tale of courage, fear, and love on an island doomed to fall.

In the dawn of WWII, the Philippines is a haven for those intent on shedding their pasts and reinventing themselves.  Lt. Riley Gilhouley—The Great Gilhouley–keeps the troops well-stocked in contraband even as he seeks the attention of Maj. Rosemary Dodd, a by-the-book officer who leads her nurses with expert care.  John Macklin, an ex-priest and survivor of Nanking, searches for absolution, but finds himself tangling with Glory Bee O’Halloran, a stripper hired to take off just enough clothing to throw the troops into a frenzy.

Mere hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attack the Philippines, intent on creating a toehold in the Pacific.  As Luzon explodes in the chaos of battle, two impossible relationships will be formed, tested, and threatened.

Thrown from the passion of Gilhouley’s arms into the hellacious realities of war, Rosemary begins to question everything she’d once held dear.  Yet, even as their stolen moments together blossom into something more, the hurried retreat and Gilhouley’s secret missions behind enemy lines threaten to end what has only begun.

Trapped, Glory Bee has nowhere to run, putting herself and her secret, unborn child in danger.  All too quickly, the only thing separating her from the advancing enemy is a fallen priest with a haunted past who promises to keep her safe.  But even as the two of them are drawn together in a desperate bid for survival, John knows his growing love for Glory Bee is at odds with his need to strike back at an old enemy.

Set amid the heartbreak of a besieged country and the American forces that wait in vain for help to arrive, this stunning novel blends a meticulous eye for history with limitless heart. Bingham, a master of the genre, has penned a novel that will stand the test of time.

To preorder AFTER THE FALL, click on the “ganxy” link below.

https://ganxy.com/i/105607

The post AFTER THE FALL Soon to be Released! appeared first on Lisa Bingham.