The writings of Heather Lynn Rigaud

Welcome to Austen Nights, the home of author Heather Lynn Rigaud. Heather's writing is focused on updating the classic works of Jane Austen, taking these classic characters where they've never gone before. She welcomes you to enjoy 'Sweet Austen days and Hot Austen nights!'

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Exciting News: I am Number Five!






Publishers Weekly has just released it's list of Top Books of 2011 and guess what's #5 in the Romance catagory? You guessed it!





ME! I am so proud and delighted! What a list! Mary Balogh, Geralyn Dawson! If you don't recognize the names these are very famous, very important, very successful Romance writers. And I'm on the short list with them! Woo-hoo!

I have to admit I am currently very motivated to work on my next book.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Back to Work!

I know, it's been awhile. Truth is, I took a little break after my delightful (but exhausting) Blog Tour for Fitzwilliam Darcy Rock Star. It's been an amazing thing- publishing my first book. I've met so many wonderful people and have been so thrilled and touched by all the great reviews readers have writen and shared.

I feel it's an excellent time to be a writer-the online community is so supportive and informative. I feel truly blessed.

But, it's time to get to it, so the first order of the day is blogging. I wanted to mention that I recently discovered the Stephanie Plum books. (I know, I know, I just hadn't gotten too them) So far I've read 4 (not in order) and have really enjoyed them. And I realized that the characters in those book can be used to perfectly describe my cats.

"Honey, I am the police."
Hobbes is Morelli. He's protective, he's always where you can find him, he's a lover. He'll fight and hunt all day and all night, frequently getting beat up in the process. He's got that 'I'm a cop' thing down, even to the cop eyes.











"Babe."
CowCat is Ranger. While he's the same size and shape as Hobbes, he's totally different in personality. CowCat is never where you expect him to be. He drifts in and out at any random moment. He has several other homes, and he doesn't seem to want to settle down in any of them. He's also more threatening than Hobbes, but less violent: CowCat will whap at people who annoy him, but I've never seen him hunt or even get into a serious fight. (Wreasling with Hobbes doesn't count)



"Hunh"

And then, there's Miss Irene, who makes a good Lula, other than her size. (She's tiny) She's very fancy looking, she talks (a lot) and when push comes to shove, she's a complete whimp. But she wants to be in the middle of the action and has something to say about everything. (She's a bit dopey too) Plus, her attack of choice is sitting on people.

So, that's my life in a fun, short, picture-filled page. I hope you're all doing well, and will comment to tell me what literary characters your pets resemble.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

T- 5 Days!

Well, ready or not here we go! Fitzwilliam Darcy Rock Star is launching in less than a week.

The good news is my blog tour is going well. I'm so looking forward to being on Austenprose tomorrow with Laurel Ann. And I've been getting more blogs asking to interview/review me. It's wonderful and exciting and terrifing all at once.

The not good news is Irene really had her way with me. I lost power on Sunday morning and just got it back today. (Wednesday) I still don't have cable/phone/internet and won't until September 9th. Thank goodness for Starbucks and smartphones. It's not pretty, but I'm coping.

My first blog review came in at Hanging with Bells. 3.5 out of 5 bells, which is pretty good. Of course, I love my story and want everyone else to love it, but I'll take what I can get.

That's all I can think of right now. I hope you'll all join me at Austenprose tomorrow!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

So close!

I have to say I'm going a little nuts with the waiting for FDRS to come out. Just under 2 weeks now. Luckily, I have a huge amount of writing for my blog tour to do. It keeps me busy.

I hope you will visit my blog tour stops and leave comments for me. So far, the most popular question has been "Why Rockstars?"

Here are the blog dates:


1st – Austenprose
2nd—Book Girl of Mur-y-Castel 
5th—Royal Reviews
6th—Urban Girl Reader
7th—Melissa’s Book Picks
 8th—Mary Jacobs
9th—Austenesque Reviews
 10th—Arleigh Johnson
 12th—One Literature Nut
 14th—Luxury Reading
15th—Vampire Kiss
16th—Drey’s  Library
20th—Pam van Hylckama Vlieg
21st—FRESH FICTION
21st--Diary of an Eccentric
22nd—Sosaloha
23rd—Hanging with Bells
26th—Reviews by Molly
28th—Love Romance Passion
29th—Savvy Verse & Wit

Yeah, I'm going to be doing a lot of writing. :D It should keep me from googling my book obsessively, right?

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Slurry Meets Jane Austen

WELCOME to all our friends taking part in Austenesque Extravaganza! I've been enjoying all the fun and I hope you have too. Here's my offering:



Slurry Meets Jane Austen


From MTV News, I'm Kurt Loder.

As the release of their new biography, Fitzwilliam Darcy Rock Star draws near, MTV News has asked the members of Long Borne Suffering and Slurry to give their opinions on the work which inspired it- Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. We wanted to know how they see themselves compared to the characters in the original work. Lets check out what they had to say.

Jane Bennet, LBS:  Personally, I felt very close to my namesake. P&P Jane certainly had a different life from mine, but she is a very kind and good natured person. While I may not go riding in carriages, I can certainly relate to the struggle between what you want to do, and what you're supposed to do.

Elizabeth Bennet, LBS: I wanted to knock their heads together. I mean, it was obvious to both Darcy and Lizzy that they were in love at Lambton, but did they do anything about it? Of course not! No, that wouldn't be proper. And what was the deal with Jane waiting and hoping that Bingley would come back? My sister would have had him flat on his back within 10 minutes. (Laughs) She's not afraid to express herself.

Charlotte Lucas LBS:  (Laughing) I end up with Collins? Seriously? (Laughs some more) And he's a minister? Like I can see that. (Richard Fitzwilliam joins in, also laughing) Bwaaaaaakkkkkk! Ba-wak-bock-bock!  That's your chickens, Char. I'm going to remember that next time you give me any grief- it's either me or the chickens! (both laugh so hard they are unable to continue.)

Charles Bingley, Slurry:  Well, it's a famous book, right? And it's very well written. But it's kinda long. Honestly, I didn't finish all of it. But Jane said we end up together, so that's what counts, right?

Caroline Bingley, tour manager: In Jane Austen's day, women were very limited in their opportunities. Making a good match was their career in many cases, as well as setting up their family members of equally good matches. As such, Austen needed villains and I guess my characters was one of them. I can see why the book version of Caroline would be so mercenary- Mr. Darcy was quite a prize, but at the same time, I think she was a very lonely person at heart. 

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Slurry:  Love stories are probably the oldest stories there are, and certainly the theme of two people who don't like each other later falling in love is also very old. But there is something about Austen's work that makes it timeless and endearing. Her characters feel very modern and real. The emotions they express are recognizable in ourselves. And her language is amazing. She precisely expresses what is happening, without ever telling too much or spoon-feeding the reader. 

I've been told I'm a 'Darcy-type', whatever that means, and certainly we share some physical characteristics, as well as our family circumstances. But I see the historical Darcy as being more certain of his place in society. I guess one of the benefits of having such a strict  culture is that everyone would have an established place. Our society is much more mobil, which has its pros and cons, but it does allow for much more freedom of expression. That is something I'm very grateful for.

Question: Do you think the book will be a success? I certainly hope so. Slurry has become something that is much bigger than it's parts, and so far the public has been eager for anything we've produced, so on that note, I feel pretty confident. But in another way, I feel it is already a success: Elizabeth and I are happy together and we're able to follow all our dreams. I can't think of anything more successful than that.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

A War Report

So far, War has been going very well. Our new shower is wonderful and I can't express how nice a hot shower is first thing in the morning. Most of our folks have arrived, with a new lady due today and another couple due tomorrow. The camp is working, with lots of the great food we've become known for.

On Sunday, my husband & I went to the opening ceremony, where all the Kings and Queens gather and declare war. It was hot and the sun's glare was harsh, but it was worth it to see all the armies marching in. It was followed by a tournement in which 10 ledgendary champions fought. Those men were incredibly inspiring. These were men who formed the SCA and made it what it is today. I felt as if I were watching history being made and yes, I cried.

I'm in town today to catch up with the real world and do some work. Book launches wait for no man or war. When I get back to camp, I'm going to support one of my friends as she teaches a new class, and then tonight we're going to be out partying in the bog!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

I'm leaving!

So, every day the release of FDRS gets closer and every day I get a little more freaked. Reviews are starting to come in and I can see I'm going to have to follow Abigail Reynold's advice and NOT READ THEM. They will just make me crazy.

So, luckily I have something to keep me busy- VACATION!!! I'm leaving tomorrow night for 2 weeks of fun and sun. I take the same vacation every year, which might seem boring, but it's actually kinda comforting. Anyone who's read my work knows what it is, but I'm going to not go into it right now, because I plan on blogging about it at Austen Authors.

But I will talk about what I've been doing besides working on FDRS, which is sewing. Due to the fact that I am insane, I go on a vacation that requires handmade clothes. Further proof of my condition is evidenced by the fact that I know only bring my own nuclear family (me, Michel & my 2 sons) but I also bring my sisters and their families. Which makes for a great vacation ... and a lot of sewing.

This year I've made:
8 mens tunics
10 womans tunics
6 pairs of pants
3 hoods
4 cloaks
1 shirt
2 dresses
2 skirts
and 10 baby/child tunics.

Is it any wonder I wasn't online much in this month? The good news is the sewing is over, everything is packed, tonight it gets loaded into the van, and tomorrow we leave!!!

But don't worry- I'm bringing my laptop and will stay in touch- after all, I've got a book coming out in a month.