Hill Towns of Tuscany

Early September 2015: 

How could I possibly write stories about places I know nothing about?

Volterra

Lucca

I’m also drifting off-topic from the Gentlemen of Worth. I have to admit since I’m not actively writing, my mind is putting together or adding elements to a story I’ve already started years ago

I

Vatican City

Late August 2015: 

  There’s lots of history here . . . 

             and I’m starting to get ideas…

Can you Imagine?

Early August 2015:

After leaving London, Daughter and I 

flew to Rome where we started our tour.

Did you ever wonder what those people during the Regency time see when they went on their Grand Tour?

Back to this Summer …

Late July 2015:    I flew to New York City from London to attend this year’s Romance Writers of America Conference. I attended the Literary Signing, met a bunch of very cool Montlake authors, and got to visit with my sister-writers.

Marina Adair, Carolyn Hughey, Carolyn Brown

Gentlemen of Worth series US Kindle Monthly Deal!

$1.99 US Marketplace from October 1 to October 31!

London

Early July 2015: I’m going to live in London for the next two months. It’s an experience I never thought I’d have. I’m here to visit with my daughter and lend support while she interns for the summer. I’ll be cooking her dinner and washing her clothes while she works her long hours.

I will also allocate time for sightseeing and researching future books. I will also be finishing up the final book for my Gentlemen of Worth series, Freddie’s story.

Summer Preview 2015

June 2015: Daughter has PASSED her final exams and that means we’re traveling abroad. What has she chosen for us to see? The cities of . . . 

and

and

Author Copies!

May 2015: It  never  gets old.

2015 RWA National Conference

March 2015: I’m making plans to attend Romance Writers of America National Conference in New York City – July 22 to July 25, 2015

I will be attending the “Readers for Life” Literacy Signing Wednesday, 

July 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the New York Marriott Marquis

The event is open to the public and free of charge to attend. I have brought some nice giveaways for those who come to meet me.

A Busy Summer

April 2015: Not only will I be attending the RWA conference in New York City this July, I’ll be flying in from London where I will be spending the summer with my daughter.

I know I will have a difficult time staying focused on writing Freddie’s book when London is beyond my front door, inviting me to play!

I have promised myself that I would make time for both. I will choose a few walking tours from London Walks and perhaps some day trips as well.

Montlake Celebrates An Elaborate Hoax

Gentlemen of Worth series . . . Kindle books 1-4

$1.99 US Marketplace  until July 10, 2015

An Elaborate Hoax

February 2015: 

Gentlemen of Worth - Book 5  

Penny’s Story: An Elaborate Hoax will be released June 2^nd 2015!

Montlake Romance has sponsored a US GoodReads Giveaway

. . . and I added an Australia, Canada, Germany, and UK Giveaway!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

An Elaborate Hoax

by Shirley Marks

Giveaway ends June 15, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to Win

Back to London, Back to the US

January 2015 :  A picture of a side trip we took to visit some family friends in Hampshire.

The New Year is here and it’s time to go home. We need to get over our jet-lag, get the bills paid, and get back to work. I know the edits for Penny’s book are waiting for me.

 There’s good news . . . the release date for An Elaborate Hoax is June 2, 2015!

To Devon for our Christmas Stay

Christmas 2014: We take the train to Bovey Castle. It was amazing!

Fred the Owl greeted us at the Reception Desk

The Public Rooms: 

The Cathedral Room

the Study

The Adam Room

The view!!!

It was AWESOME

A Week in Bath

December 17-22, 2014: We tour the Bath area and take in the local sights.

"Taking the Waters"  

The Assembly Rooms

. . . they were having a "do" that night

Roman Baths

Have Afternoon Tea at the Georgian Tea Room

Visit my favorite bank: NatWest with the Robert Adam ceiling!

The Fashion Museum

The Jane Austen Center

The Holbourne Museum 

. . .  it's just across the street

We walked to . . .

Camden Crescent

Landsdown Crescent

Somerset Place

. . . and the Royal Crescent

I LOVED BATH!!!

Bath . . . 4 Sydney Place

December 16, 2014: It’s Jane Austen’s birthday!  

Where else would one spend her birthday than in her old house in Bath?

Bath Boutique Stays owns the property and has four separate apartments for rent. 

It’s a dream come true to spend time there.

I was told by the manager that two other authors were in residence, their names: Jane and Cassandra. No fooling. I had to introduce myself to Jane Odiwe and Cassandra Grafton. They only stayed for a few nights to attend some Jane Austen birthday celebrations.

Leaving for London

Mid-December 2014: I'm going to spend my second Christmas in the UK. This is going to be great. My final Gentlemen of Worth book takes place during December/January and I'm hoping this will really inspire me!

Hubby and I will spend a few nights at the St. Pancras Hotel to get over our jet lag. Yes, it IS awesome.

Home Again . . . again

Mid-November  2014: Now to unpack and pack again. I’ll be off to the UK for Christmas and New Years.  We have SUCH plans!

Bath    

Devon   

London    

It’s Vacation Time!

Nov 2014: I’m off to Maui   

The writing continues!

Home Again

October 2014: Penny’s book is “in production” and I get to work on Freddie’s Story. 

What IS that young, handsome devil up to?