Happy Labor Day!

Since it's Monday, even though it's a holiday, it's Cindy's blog day. I thought about writing it ahead to post today, but, well, that didn't happen. So here I am on a sunny holiday morning (barely) writing my blog.

So on Labor Day, it's all about the workers, right? As far as characters' professions in my writing, I've never had to struggle. Often that's the most obvious thing about the character, and the first thing to come to me when the characters are germinating in my mind. That's never been more true than with the Hadrian family from The Gaslight Chronicles. Even when all the kids were introduced in Steam and Sorcery, it was immediately apparent what each of them would grow up to be--particularly Wink, the engineer. You'll get to read Wink's story in October in Moonlight and Mechanicals, but the character I want to talk about now has been one of the break-out stars of the series.

Meet George, George is Wink's beloved clockwork mastiff, her loyal friend, protector and pet. George is more than just a robot, and even Wink, who built him, can't explain why George seems, sometimes, almost human. I was horribly disappointed that George hasn't yet made a cover appearance, so I asked my publisher if I could have an artist do an image of my version of George. Here's what steampunk author and artist John R. White has designed. Isn't he lovely?

So here are the rules. I can make up items to giveaway with George's likeness, but I cannot sell them, as Harlequin owns the merchandising rights. Right now I'm taking suggestions as to what items you'd like to see. Postcards? Magnets? T-shirts? (The bigger items would be very limited as contest prizes, etc.) Someone has suggested George have his own Fan Page on Facebook. What do you think?

I also need to mention Find the Book: a fantastic contest going on from Sept. 3-23 on the Romance Books '4' Us site. Check it out--you can win a $50.00 gift card and other great prizes.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled festivities. Here's a fabulous song by the Dropkick Murphy's to kick your Labor Day off right.

As afar as my own work goes, last week was a busy one. I finished the partial for a new project and sent it off to my agent and I completed the first round of edits for Cards & Caravans. Up this week? A novella for a potential new publisher. More on that as it unfolds, I promise. :-)

Today I'm also at the Carina Press blog for their "You Tell Us" feature. Please stop by and let the authors know what you'd like to read! Tomorrow I'll be on Naughty Author Chicks and Friday, the fabulous Jean Hart Stewart will be here on my blog. Have a wonderful week!