Hi friends,

I’m going to be quick here (or as quick as I can be) because we’re living tomorrow for vacation.  For most people vacation means taking it easy and not working, but when you’re a mom, it often doesn’t quite happen that way. So for me, there is currently packing, laundry, shopping, more packing, and extensive planning. Did I mention the packing? Then I kick things off with an 8 hour drive through the night, complete with pulling a trailer. Whooo-hoo! If you’re thinking this sounds crazy, you’re not wrong.

But it’s worth it, at least for me. Once we get there and get set up, then fun begins. Parties, shopping, taking classes, watching battles and visiting friends become the order of the day and it’s all good.

If it seems like I’m being a little vague, and possibly a bit evasive, it’s probably because I am. My vacation is also the setting for my next book, and sharing it cuts a little close to the bone for comfort. As many of you know (but many don’t) I’m going on a two week trip to the Middle Ages.

For many years, my family and friends have been going to the Pennsic Wars, a medieval recreation event that takes place every August in Western Pennsylvania. It sounds weird, and it is, but over 10,000 people attend every year and camp and fight and cook and generally have a great time. Pennsic is also the setting of my next book, Longbourn & Pemberley Go To War, which is a modern day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Now, while L&PgtW will be my second published work, it is actually the first book I wrote. Thus, I’ve been editing and updating it, and that is where vacation comes in. It’s going to be time for me to observe my surroundings with fresh eyes. Of course, I’m writing fiction, not a travel log, so anything that doesn’t work for me, I can and will change. But I do like to stay as true to my inspirations as possible, due to that whole ‘inspiration’ thing. So, while I’ll be shopping and taking classes and going to parties, I’ll also be taking notes and recording my thoughts. All for the purposes of making my book better and more enjoyable for you. Isn’t that nice of me?

In the meantime, I’ve still got a mountain of packing to do. So, I’m going to leave you for now and I’ll have more information when I post again next month.

Heather Lynn Rigaud is the author of Fitzwilliam Darcy Rock Star.