Get Your Vision Board Iphone/Ipod App and start moving toward your dreams today! Books by this Author A Crimson Frost Monet held her breath—allowed her hands to fist where they lay in her lap. The sound of the horses charging—of powerful hooves beating upon the ground—of leather straining and armor braced for battle echoed—thundered as a violent storm.   Love Me SHE HAD ALWAYS LOVED HIM…FOREVER IT SEEMED SHE HAD LOVED HIM. YET, WHEN SO MANY OTHERS LOVED HIM, TOO—WHAT HOPE DID SHE HAVE OF OWNING HIS LOVE IN RETURN? Jacey Whittaker couldn’t remember a time when she hadn’t loved Scott Pendleton—the boy next door. She couldn’t remember a time when Scott hadn’t been in her life—in her heart.   Saphyre Snow Descended of a legendary line of strength and beauty, Saphyre Snow had once known happiness as princess of the Kingdom of Graces. Yet, a strange madness had poisoned great minds—a strange fever inviting Lord Death to linger.   The Highwayman of Tanglewood Faris gasped as a gloved hand of a sudden covered her mouth from behind...''Be still. The Highwayman of Tanglewood owns ya now.'' Faris smiled...as he whispered, ''Do not struggle. I'll not harm ya, lass...Come away with me, sweet Faris,'' the highwayman whispered. ''What say ye?''   The Visions of Ransom Lake Youthful beauty, naïve innocence, a romantic imagination thirsting for adventure…an apt description of Vaden Valmont, who would soon find the adventure and mystery she had always longed to experience…in the form of a man.   Unlimited Autoresponders! Unlimited AdTracking! Free 30 Day Trial! http://www.trafficwave.net Feature Articles: The First Step to Manifesting Money... Goal Achieving Strategy - Thinking Prosperity... Build a Better Business - Give Up the Copy-ca... Life Balance: 3 Ways to Bring More Peace and ... 3 Biggest Mistakes With the Laws of Attractio... How to Detox and Balance your Immune System f... Thanksgiving Day and the Secret to Wellbeing... Vegan Handbags: Where Style Meets Compassion... Click here for more >>

Although I'm sure the light-hearted nature of the story, the friendship between the heroine and her 'gal-pals', and of course the romance between Breck McCall and her handsome hero, were the basis for the popularity of the book-- there is one scene in An Old-Fashioned Romance that seems to stand as most favored-- the scene wherein "The Highwayman of Tanglewood" arrives at Marcelli's Italian restaurant for Breck's birthday.

How do you know this is a favorite scene for readers, you ask? Well, there is a simple enough answer to that question-- the receipt of hundreds of e-mails inquiring as to where and/or when the book mentioned in An Old-Fashioned Romance-- that being, The Highwayman of Tanglewood-- might be available!

"Where can I get it? Is it out-of-print? Did you write it? Is it real?"

All of these questions began arriving via e-mail shortly after An Old-Fashioned Romance was released in printed form. I was overwhelmed with inquiries! In truth, I had always planned to write a 'highwayman' story-- but the excitement over the would-be The Highwayman of Tanglewood pressed me to pen as soon as possible!

The original version of The Highwayman of Tanglewood was, I realize now, a simple, loose, rather skeletal version of the story playing out in my head. Approximately 35,000 words in length, The Highwayman of Tanglewood e-book was met with great excitement and delight from readers! Everyone seemed to love it! One dear reader even composed a melody to accompany the lyrics of the song Faris is singing when Lochlan surprises her in his chambers! The 35,000 word e-book version of The Highwayman of Tanglewood seemed to bring closure to all who wondered what the book was like after having seen it quoted in An Old-Fashioned Romance.

Still, to me it was unfinished. I was not anywhere close to being satisfied with the result and wanted to rework the story to more closely resemble what played out in my mind. Behold-- the 88,773 word novel-version of The Highwayman of Tanglewood sitting in your hands at this very moment!

Perhaps the true and complete tale of The Highwayman of Tanglewood -- will illuminate the reasons for its standing as Breck McCall's favorite book in An Old-Fashioned Romance. Furthermore, as an expression of my gratitude to all who encouraged me to write The Highwayman of Tanglewood, I give you this author's note-- the story behind the story, behind the story-- the true inspiration for The Highwayman of Tanglewood:

I have always been intrigued with certain heroic characters-- the swashbuckling type who do not possess any super-powers or other strange anomalies. Any hero in chain mail wielding a sword and fighting for a good cause (especially a woman's virtue and love) holds my attention, and heart captive! (Robin Hood-- how romantic!) Furthermore, ever since I was a youngster, I've adored the idea of highwaymen! A good highwayman, of course-- rogue's who battle tyranny and such. Black attire and a mask, intrigue me as well! Thus, Zorro-- how I have always loved the idea of Zorro! And it was actually my husband (and Zorro, too) who inspired the favored scene in An Old-Fashioned Romance, giving birth to The Highwayman of Tanglewood.

At the risk of causing my husband to roll his eyes and sigh with exasperation-- I give you the tale of my 33rd birthday, celebrated with a few intimate friends in my favorite Mexican restaurant, Chihuahua's:

Something was amiss-- of this I was certain from the beginning. Rhonda, Tara, Kathy and I were meeting at Chihuahua's Mexican Restaurant to celebrate my turning thirty-three. I noticed the girl's seemed a little unsettled-- especially, Tara. She kept checking her watch and glancing up at the door. In addition, Kathy must've left the table three or four times to "call and check on the kids," and Rhonda's big brown eyes held their familiar "twinkle of mischief," we all know so well. Oh, certainly I knew what was coming-- the sombrero! How many times have we each had to endure, 'the wearing of the sombrero,' as the waiters and waitresses in a restaurant sing, "Happy Birthday," to us? By thirty-three-- a few times, right?

So, there I sat, awaiting my fate-- 'the wearing of the sombrero.' Still, as the minutes ticked, Tara seemed to become quite agitated. Finally, she fairly leapt from her seat and rushed from the room with the excuse that she, too, must "call to check on the kids." Meanwhile, Kathy, Rhonda and I enjoyed conversation and a generous helping of tortilla chips and pico de gallo. Kathy sat grinning-- her rosy cheeks fairly blushing with delight and Rhonda remained a twinkle with mischief. A few minutes lapsed and then it happened-- the waiters and waitresses arrived with the sombrero and there I sat-- mortified with self-consciousness as everyone sang, "Happy Birthday."

Tara returned shortly after 'the wearing of the sombrero,' and I assumed it had been she who had set the waiters, waitresses and sombrero upon me. It was over! Whew! I had endured 'the wearing of the sombrero,' and seemed none-the-worse for wear.

Suddenly, I sensed someone approach me from behind. An entity, attired all in black-- black breeches, black cloak, black shirt, black hat and a rogue's black mask-- whispered something delicious in my ear-- pressed a bouquet of fragrant crimson roses 'gainst my cheek. I turned, gasping with delighted awe as Zorro then gathered me into the powerful strength of his embrace! Holding me firm against the solid contours of his body, the handsome and mysterious rogue then captured my mouth in a moist, driven, passion-fanned kiss. Such the stuff of dreams I had never before known in conscious wakefulness!

As each patron of the restaurant applauded, cheered in chanting, "Zorro! Zorro! Zorro!" . . . my three friends drew the rogue near to them! To be in the company of the dashing rogue Zorro-- it was the making of their evening!

With one last kiss to my tender lips-- he vanished-- hastening from the restaurant with gallant legerdemain and leaving a cheering wave of awe in his heroic wake! Ah! Such a night it was-- the night I first met and kissed he that was, in truth, The Highwayman of Tanglewood!

Now-- it is very necessary that all who read of my romantic and epic encounter with "Zorro," understand that my husband (Kevin) is not one to seek after attention or notice. Tall, dark and handsome, Kevin possesses a unique wit and sense of humor, as well as a sheer naiveté to his magnetism. To dress up as Zorro, race through a crowded restaurant and deliver such a scene-- mortifying! This was the reason for Tara's unsettled appearance-- Kevin was an hour late in appearing as Zorro, having had to draw upon every ounce of courage known to man-kind!

Dressed in the less-than-perfect rental costume (the only one Tara could find in the tiny town of Bellingham, Washington)-- Kevin stood for long moments before the mirror in our master bathroom contemplating his rogue's ride! In fact, he made two phone calls to other men-- acquaintances who might offer support. Both friends encouraged him and he was finally able to make it out to the car and drive to the restaurant. It was there that Tara found him-- sitting in the car-- having been there for over thirty minutes in attempting to find the nerve to run through the crowded restaurant dressed as Zorro.

At long last, Tara was able to convince Kevin to go.

"Is there anyone in there from work?" he asked. (As if Tara would be in any way familiar with Kevin's business associates!)

Tara assured Kevin there was not (As if Tara would be in any way familiar with Kevin's business associates!).

"Just run in, say your line, hand her the flowers and run out!" Tara ordered.

With a heavy sigh and having to muster more courage than it might have taken for him to face the guillotine, Kevin rushed into the restaurant behind Tara.

Upon entering, however, Tara turned, holding up her hands in a gesture to keep Kevin from approaching our table and exclaiming, "Wa-- wa-- wait! They're singing to her now!"

There he stood-- Kevin the Brave-- standing midst a sea of restaurant patrons, waiting for the waiters and waitresses to finish singing, "Happy Birthday," to me. All around him people chanted, "Zorro!" Women sighed with delight, men rolled their eyes wishing they could be so bold and Kevin stood behind Tara dressed as Zorro.

In truth, I know Kevin could best any other man we know at fists, swords or basketball! Yet, to me, this memory stands out as one of the most heroic deeds of his entire life! What did it take for a man who avoids the lime-light, prefers to observe, seeks nothing as far as attention and recognition goes-- what bravery indeed, to dress up as Zorro and race through a restaurant filled with people that may or may not he his work associates? That, my friends, is the mark of a true hero!

Oh, he is rapscallion enough-- owning the stripe of a rascal, the skill and dexterity of any medieval knight and a rogue's own power of flirtation, persuasion and allure. Yet, this one brave deed stands out to me-- in my mind and heart forever-- because I know how challenging it was to perform!

And now, at last, you have the story behind the story-- the true inspiration for The Highwayman of Tanglewood's appearance in An Old-Fashioned Romance-- the true inspiration for The Highwayman of Tanglewood himself!

This article is the Author's Note found in The Highwayman of Tanglewood