Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Advent Calendar Giveaway Day 8

Oh I'm so glad I asked that question about food yesterday - the answers made for such great reading. My mouth was watering by the time I'd read through them all. I wished I had more than one book to give away because there were so many great responses. But I am running low on copies of The Italian's Forced Bride so I've left it up to Sid again.


But I have to say that along with all the traditional foods, Nas's Fijian 'lovo', Alicia's Caribbean food - is 'Black Christmas Cake' like the UK fruit cake or something else? - Oh and Valerie's Bunte Teller all stood out.

So I'm going to see whose entry Sid is most interested in . . .
And the answer is - Alicia - so obviously Sid fancies Trinidadian food too!


Alicia please email me kate AT kate-walker.com with your postal address

I'll just add an apology here if I don't get to actually answer each and ever comment posted for this contest - there's a lot of you (and I'm very glad to see you all) but it is the run-up to Christmas and as Kaelee commented I am very very busy. So I don't always get time to answer everything.

But I know I need to answer a question Nicolette asked about introducing my new kitten to all the other cats.


She said:My oldie, Tamsin, (13) and Magic (4) are getting fed-up of new boy, Joey (2). As a boy, even though he's been neutered, he keeps trying to dominate them and attacking them. They're not friends and live in separate areas of the house. I so wanted them all to get on and i don't want to get rid of Joey just so I can have a harmonious kitty home again. Any ideas?


I have to say, Nicolette that the hardest job I had was introducing Sid into the family - he was an 18 month old stray and a full male when he arrived so the other cats (all males but now neutered) weren't happy at all. It took time and patience and a lot of hissing and spitting but eventually they did settle down.


It's a little late now perhaps but one of the things I always do when introducing a new cat (I did it with Charlie) is what they call cross-stroking. You get a cloth - an old piece of towelling or a duster or something and you stroke one cat with it, then another, then another, always using the same cloth. Do this a few times and each time somehting of each cat's scent is transferred to the other cats' fur. Then when they meet up they can scent themselves on each other. It works specially if you can get strokes on their 'cheeks' by their mouths and noses - the bits they rub upagainst things when the are happy - marking with happy pheremones. That means that each cat then smells of other cats' happiness!


You could try this. And they will settle down - but you'll have to wait and be patient and just let them get on with hissing and spitting at each other. Cats soon work out an order about who's boss. There is also a spray/diffuser called Feliway that contains those phermones and can help in adjustments like this.
Good luck! But please don't get rid of Joey - they'll all settle in time. How long have you had him?

OK - on to today's giveaway. It's another 3 in 1 - and this time it's a golden oldie!





Her Greek Tycoon came out in 2003 but the novel of mine that is included in this collection is even older than that. Constantine's Revenge came out in 2000 - and it's a book I still get emails about ten years later. So may readers seem to have loved this one and it keeps getting reprinted over and over again.

So if you want a chance to win this classic Kate Walker, today's your chance.

His plan was to make her his mistress. . .

When Constantine Kiriazis reappeared after two years, Grace thought that he'd finally forgiven her for her lack of trust in him - and for cancelling their wedding. Certainly, Constantine's desire for had not waned. But neither had his desire for revenge . . .

He fully intended to seduce Grace, but vowed she'd only ever be his mistress - never his wife. It was only when she melted in his arms that Constantine began to wonder just who was exacting the revenge and who was paying the price?


Today's question? Let's leave Christmas alone for a while and think about books and romance.

Constantine's Revenge features my very first ever Greek hero. Maybe that's why it's so successful. So what about you - do you love Greek heroes? Or maybe you prefer Spaniard, Italian's like the hero of yesterday's giveaway? Or a fine, stiff-lipped English man? A charming Irishman?

Tell me about the heroes you love - and the ones you've never seen and would love to see featuring in a romance. You never know, you may inspire me!


And don't forget that 2 chances to win a copy of the new edition of 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance close this Friday 10th December
So if you're interested in being in with a chance then check out Simon Whaley's blog and Sally Quilford's. (Note - Sorry, but I think these are probably only able to post their prizes out in the UK. But I hope there will be some chances to win in America/Canada soon)

17 comments:

Nicolette said...

Hey, Kate. Thanks for answering my kitty dilemma! Such a great idea about the cloth! I've never heard of that tactic before and I will certainly try it. I've got loads of cloth remnants in my sewing box, but there's a piece of brown fur in there which was a cut-off from a teddy bear my daughter made once, so i think I'll use that, because they'll all want to rub their faces over it! Would a bit of the old cat nip on it help too, do you think?
BTW, I would never have got rid of Joey (or Joey Tribbiani, we call him, when he's naughty!), I was just getting desperate. Poor Magic was just so frightened and Tamsin with her old bones and arthritis couldn't stand the sneak attics and floor-pinning that Joey was doing.
Will let you know how the cloth thing works.
(We've had Joey since he was 8 weeks old and he's now 2 yrs.)

Ros said...

I love all heroes, but I have a definite sweet spot for a cool, understated, but very alpha British gentleman.

Julie M said...

I love my heroes to be Scottish. A rugged man and rugged scenery appeals to me.

michelle handyside said...

I definitely have an attraction to a good Greek hero. Maybe its something from the mythological heroes I grew up with in Clash of the Titans and Jason and the Argonauts or the other myths and legends I read, but I personally think they are the ultimate alphas for me. Tall, broad shouldered, strong armed and brooding men who are strong and successful at whatever they do...who could resist?

Laney4 said...

Hi, Kate.

Yes, I love Greek heroes ... and Spaniards ... and Italians ... and Englishmen ... and Irishmen....

I am incorrigible apparently, LOL! I love them all - and then some! As long as the heroes treat the heroines well (although they sometimes don't start out that way), I can dream about any and all of them! Sheiks/sheikhs are popular and can "take me away" as well!

So there you have it: one of the reasons I read so many romances is because they provide great dream material. Shhhhh. Don't tell my husband of almost 30 years....

Kaelee said...

I had to think about this question for a bit. I love all types of heroes both Alpha and Beta and rich and poor. I love reading about heroes from different countries. I think that started when Betty Neels took me to Holland and Essie Summers to New Zealand and others too many to mention. In all my reading I haven't had too many Scandinavian heroes ~ except for Vikings in historical novels. There haven't been many German, Austrian, Portuguese or Swiss heroes and none from Belgium that I can recall. The countries that were behind the Iron Curtain certainly never showed up. I guess geography plays a role in my reading a lot. I know this isn't really answering your question but it's just my thoughts.

Kaelee said...

Just popping back in to say that I like my heroes to be vulnerable in their love for the heroine. They can be strong and dominating but they must have a vulnerable spot that maybe only the heroine can discover.
I need a reason for initial aloofness as well.

I'm on your newsletter list.

Unknown said...

Hello Kate,

I remember when you had that competition and were asking readers for their top 5 Kate Walker books, and one of my top 5was Constantine's Revenge. It was definitely in the top 2 for me.

I love Greek and Italian heros, and Sheikhs as well. But lately I've really been into all the Russian heros that authors are dreaming up these days. I don't know what it is, but they are very sexy! I just know I've been snatching those books up if a Russian hero is involved!

Nas said...

I love reading... so all types of heros are welcome! That said, the very first M&B I read(I don't remember the name and author)had a Greek hero taking a young inexperienced girl from a convent to be a nanny to his motherless son, I must have been twelve or thirteen and I was there with this girl on her journey. It was a roller-coaster ride.

It was before the internet so I learnt Greek romantic words as well! I got hooked...on M&B and on exotic heros with foreign romantic language!

I also wanted to say thanks for writing such a fabulous book for aspiring writers wanting to get published. The information in KATE WALKER'S 12 POINT GUIDE TO WRITING ROMANCE is priceless. It is a very useful tool for writer's. Even published authors have remarked that they bring out this book to read when they get stuck in a scene.

It is a book to be valued and will be used throughout the writing life!

Jane said...

I love British and Scottish heroes, but I also enjoy reading about Italian and Greek heroes. I'm also on your newsletter list.

Summer said...

I love all kinds of heroes, the wider variety of nationalities the better as far as I'm concerned. I like that there are Russians now, it would be great to see some Scandinavians as well.

Anonymous said...

For me it has to be an Italian hero. (Maybe that's because my mum is from Italy which means I have the Latin fever in my veins)!I love the thought of a tall dark sophisticated handsome man who knows what he wants,is confident in what he does and sets out to get the girl of his dreams! Wonderful.
I am on your newsletter list.
Anita B.

Debby said...

I like Greek heroes and I like Spanish heroes. Hmm Italian are not bad either. I think I like them all
debby236@att.net

Denise said...

Hi Kate! I love Greek heroes, Spanish heroes, Italian heroes, and Middle Eastern Sheikhs...yum! =)

Maija said...

If I read a Harlequin, I really prefer those Mediterranean heroes. No matter which country he's from - as long as he's from somewhere there. Well, of course there's nothing from with English gentlemen or Irishmen, but I like Mediterranean men the best. And add an innocent young English woman... my favorite!

Delaney Diamond said...

I love the Greek and Italian heroes. They're so passionate and virile. I especially enjoy when despite their alpha male strength and arrogance, they're made vulnerable by the love they feel for the right woman.

That makes for a very good romance!

Delaney Diamond said...

I love the Greek and Italian heroes. They're so passionate and virile. I especially enjoy when despite their alpha male strength and arrogance, they're made vulnerable by the love they feel for the right woman.

That makes for a very good romance!

 

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