Couting down the Days of 2012

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas.  Ours was  very quiet, very peaceful - thankfully - just what we needed - and with warmth, family and friends - what more do yo need?

I know what people think I need - books! I have  received so many books as gifts that I will be reading all year! It's a good thing that I did some much-needed catching up on reducing my TBR pile before the big day because  since Christmas Day, the to be read pile has grown again and I think it's even larger than before.  Luckily some of the books I was give are very short or quick and easy to read - Simon's Cat cartoons for one - so I have managed to deal with a couple of those.

And notebooks - I received some gorgeous notebooks . . .now I wonder what I'll be writing in those in 2012!

Anyway, 2012 is coming to a close and 2013 looms on the horizon - but before we step out into the brand new year, there are some things that need tidying up from  2012.  The Advent Calendar for one.

There are some give aways to  announce and send out - some prizes that haven't been collected -  and there are some  little extras to finish.

So -  the winner of one of my oldest books - First Man  - was Maria

Prizes not claimed;

The Konstantos Marriage Demand  was won by  N'digo_anjel

Chey wins a copy of  The Good Greek Wife.

Debby G who won Mediterranean Tycoons -

Please claim your books, ladies or they will go back into the box for next time.

And there are some books here that I have brought out of the storage boxes but I don't want to have to go and put them back in  so  I got Flora on the job of picking  and  the result was:

Desere  - The Return of the Stranger

Mary Preston  - Kept for Her Baby

Kaelee   and Rita -  you win  your choice of my back list

Please contact me with your postal addresses  using the link below.

I'll hope to get organised now  - and I'll wish you all a very very happy New Year, hoping that 2013 will be a gentle year for everyone - with love and  warmth and happiness.

See you then!

 

 

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas to all my friends and readers.

I hope you have a truly happy day with warmth, love and joy surrounding you.

Are you a Kate Walker collector? I know some of you are trying to collect up all my titles written over the years - so how are you doing?

How many books do you have in your Kate Walker collections right now? What books are you missing - which ones are you hunting for?

Do you have special titles that you just  can't  find - or a book that you read years ago and would love to know  which one it was - and maybe have a chance to find  it again?

For the penultimate Advent calendar give away I've hunted out some of the older titles in my book  boxes.

 A couple of days ago, I  gave away an elderly copy of  Game of Hazard   to one collector  but I know there are a few more of you out there  - so  if you let me know what special title you are hunting for, I might just have it.

I know I have  some from very early on in my publishing career -  1986 - 1991  - 1994  (one was never published in America!)

And some more recent but not easy to find . . .  a couple of titles from 2006  and there might be more, I need to check through the boxes!

Anyway  - there are some of these golden oldies to give away - if you're looking for them.

So you know what to do - post a message in the comments, telling me what books you're hunting for and  why - or the past books you'd most love to read  - and I'll see what I can do.

If you want some inspiration - or a reminder of what titles are in my past! - check out my Backlist Titles page here and you'll see everything listed.

Let me know what is the oldest Kate Walker title you already own

And let me know Vintage Kate Walker's you'd most like to find.

Advent Calendar Day 22

It's raining - again!

I just opened the door to let in the cats after their early morning dash outside and they were SO happy to be let back in. They are soaked to the skin and Charlie is leaving wet footprints wherever he goes.  He was also so hungry, so he's happy  and more than ready to pick a winner for the latest giveaway.

So he has picked a name - and the name he has picked is Chey.

Chey wins a copy of  The Good Greek Wife.

Chey please send me your postal address and I'll get your prize in the mail to you.

Today's  giveaway is to win a copy of The Greek Tycoon's Unwilling Wife. This book came out in 2007

He thought she was his mistress . . .
Recuperating on his private Greek island after a car crash, Andreas Petrakos had no memory of the previous year. The last thing he remembered was his passionate affair with beautiful Rebecca Ainsworth.
. . . when actually she was his wife!

Becca returned to the island because Andreas had asked for her. But she had to hide the truth from him. So what would happen when he recalled throwing Becca out - on their wedding day - for a reason only he knew?

And today's question is - well, I think it's time we looked at  some special treats coming up seeing as Christmas is nearly here. So  I'd like you to tell me about what you're lookiung forward to eating and drinking over the holidays.

Yes, I know there's the traditional Christmas dinner -  but what else do you have as as real treat while you're relaxing and enjoying yourselves  over Christmas?

Do you love mince pies - and  do you have them cold or warm? With cream ?  Ice cream?
Egg nog or perhaps some mulled wine?
Are you like my  DH who loves nuts  and actually enjoys cracking them and picking them out of the shells himself?  (I love nuts  - but I prefer it when someone else  has done the work!)
Do you buy in lots of chocolates and sweet things - or do you prefer the savouries like crisps,  cheeses,  spicy things?

I have to admit that I don't enjoy the dried fruit mixtures that are so much a tradion  at this time of year - so I don't have a single mince pie, Christmas cake - or even a Christmas pudding  - in the house.  But I do have homemade shaortbread and oaty cookies  made with golden syrup.   There will be cheesy biscuits too - and lots of different cheeses  with chutney and pickles. Those are always part of  our  meal on Christmas Eve - lots of variety and taste, but little cooking!

Oh and of c ourse there ios a bag of special treats for the cats - tasty dinners and some bags  of catnip to drive them crazy with delight in front of the fire!

So tell me the special treats in food or drink that you enjoy and your name will go into the prize draw for the giveaway book.

And now I must go and get dressed - and DH and I will be heading out for our traditional Saturday morning  - it might be nearly Christmas but  we still have a large coffee and the cryptic crossword puzzle  waiting for us.  WE've completed it every week  for 5 months now - we can't let it beat us before Christmas!

Advent Calendar Day 20

Charlie was easy to get in today - it's been pouring with rain from the moment I woke at 5am to the sounds of the rain  pounding down on the roof till now when the evenining has  closed in  - and the rain is still lashing down.
So Charlie  came in  fast when I called him for his teatime - and for  a chance to pick a winner.

And that winner is yadkny who wins a copy of Claimed by The Sicilian.

Yadkny - you know the drill - send me your postal address  via the link below and I'll put the book in the mail to you.

Today's book  was part of the mini series based on the ancient Greek myths

 The Good Greek Wife? was published in  2010  and was losely inspired by the story  of   Odysseus. A man who goes missing for years and whose wife waits at home, never knowing if he is coming back or not.

The return of the proud Greek husband...
He was declared missing at sea — but now notorious Zarek Michaelis is back and ready to take control! First he'll see to his business, and then to his wayward wife...
For two years Penny has struggled to come to terms with Zarek's disappearance. But enough is enough. It's time to move on…Her proud Greek husband is still as darkly handsome as ever, and the attraction between them is just as potent. But Penny can't trust Zarek's motives — does he just want her body and the fortune he left behind…or to try again?

You can win a copy of this title by joining in and answering  today's question -

Well, seeing as the hero of this story, Zareki Michaelis, went missing when he was travelling away from home - today;s question is  about travelling - or staying right where you are.

This coming weekend will be the most busy time on the roads, trains and planes as people travel to visit and stay with family or friends. So what about you?

Last week the babe Magnet and I went to visit friends in Yorkshire and we stayed  with them for a while.  I've just spent today sharing an early Christmas lunch with some other friends who live nearby.   For Christmas Day itself  we will be staying at home, apart from a short walk round to The Offspring's house to wish him and his fiancée a Happy Christmas.

Will you be getting into the car or on to a plane  and travelling to a different part of the country - or maybe even a different country  - to share your  Christmas with family or friends?

Or will you be staying safe and warm  in you own home?

Or perhpas  you have family travelling to visit you and spend the holidays in your home?

You know the drill - let me know what you'll be doing and you'll be in with a chance of winning  the story of my wandering Greek hero  and what happened when he found his way home.

Advent Calendar - Catching up again!

Well, that was something I didn't need. Just whehn I thought I was catching  up with the  Advent Calendar, I came to post a new blog and - no internet access!!
Great  - so I've been sitting here, waiting, frustrated - hoping to be able to post  - and not been able to log on. At last, things seem to be sorted,  and I'm able to post again. Let's hope it lasts.

Ok  - so - winners -

Charlie has picked  two names  who will win their choice of books -  and they are:

Marcy who wins  Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife
and
Catherine who wins Kept for Her Baby

Marcy and Catherine please email me (see the link  at the bottom of the page) and send me your postal address and I'll get your prize in the post to you.
I'll be doing another post with your choice of my backlist as a prize  in a couple of days - but there will be a different question.

And today's choice? 
Well today has another 3 in 1 collection on offer as a prize, but  this time, all three books in the collection are my titles - The whole collection is called
Claimed By The Sicilian

And the books in it are:

Sicilian Husband Blackmailed Bride

The Sicilian’s Red-Hot Revenge

The Sicilian’s Wife

And the question -

I spent this weekend writing cards as well as wrapping presents - so when you pick Christmas cards, do you  like to  buy traditional  ones - with a Christmas scene, ths stable and the manger  or perhaps the 3 kings?

Candles Robins and Holly and things like that?

Modern bright colours?

Funny cards - with cartoons on?  ( I just received a great card with Simon's Cat on it - if you like cats and haven't seen some of these videos you will enjoy them"!)

Or gold and glittery images?
Personally I buy a variety and choose ones that I think will suit the person I'm sending it to. But I do always buy cards from charities so that I hope I can help a little bit as well.

You know the drill - just post a message in the comments section  and I'll get Kate's Cat aka Charlie on the job of picking a winner.

Now I just hope I still have an internet connection to post this!

 

Advent Calendar Day 17

Hang on !  I could have sworn that there were 2 days in the weekend - in that case, I blinked and I missed one!  I was  so occupied with wrapping and packing  parcels and writing cards  . . .
All parcels have gone in the mail today and that means that I have at least caught up with posting out prizes - and so I need to get Flora on the job of picking some more winners.
Yes, Flora  is the winner  picker today - Charlie is out  dealing with his latest 'toy '  - a dead magpie . Yuck.
 So his big sister Flora is the cat indoors at the moment - and we don;t want Charlie back in until he's finished playing with black and white feathers.

So Flora has picked these winners -
The winner of the Golden Oldie Game of Hazard is Laney
The winner of  The Konstantos Marriage Demand  is N'digo_anjel
And the winner of Kept For Her Baby over on We Write Romance is  Catherine McT
. .  . And Tracy - Flora was so pleased to be picking treats that she grabbed 2 before I could breathe.

So would Laney
N'digo_anjel 
Catherine McT and
Tracy
 all please email me - use the link at the bottom of  the page - and send me would postal addresses. Thanks!

Today - well today I have two days to catch up on, Sunday and  Monday

 - so today I'm going to have 2 winners who can each pick their choice of books from my backlist -

The Devil and Miss Jones
The Return of the Stranger
The Good Greek Wife?
The Proud Wife
Kept For Her Baby
The Antonakos Marriage Demand
Bedded By The Greek Billionaire
The Greek Tycoon's Unwilling Wife
Spanish Billionaire Innocent Wife
Cordero's Forced Bride
Sicilian Husband, BlackmailedBride
The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge

And today's question . . .   one question but Charlie will pick two prizes (if he's stopped playing with magpie feathers)


Because I'm interested -   you can let me know which of these books you'd like to win  and why?
What's your choice?
Or if you've read some of these which is your favourite?

I'd love to know

Advent Calendar Day 15

Today's the 15th December which means that it's the day I have my regular blog post over on We Write Romance where I have my usual Kate's Corner.

So that's where you'll find me today - and where you'll find the question for today's Advent Calendar giveaway.

Today's  book that I'm giving away is the 2009 title Kept for Her  Baby.

Wanted: wife and Mother...
Staring at the granite-handsome features of Italian billionaire Ricardo Emiliani, Lucy knows she's made a mistake coming back to their palatial Lake Garda home. But she'll do anything for her baby son—even return to the husband who never loved her...

Ricardo branded his wife a gold-digger, however, tiny Marco needs his mother so he will keep Lucy captive on his private island until she proves herself a worthy wife—in every sense...



To be in with a chance to win this book you need to go over the WWR and answer the question in the comments there. (If you have any problems, then just come back here and post an answer. I'll be checking both blogs anyway.)

Advent Calendar Day 14

Well that was another busy day - are there any other sorts of days in the run up to Christmas?  Today was  a day I had to be out and about, shopping for groceries,

buying cat food – very important in the opinion of Charlie and Flora.  Cat treats are all very well when they are picking the prize-winners for this giveaway, but  they need real food as well!  Luckily their food  cupboard is well stocked now.   The bitter freeze that was making things very slippery over the past couple of days has melted and we are back with rain,  rain and more rain so it was a very soggy set of shopping expeditions.  I’m glad to be back home, with a warm fire and  now I plan to wrap some gifts and get them ready for the mail.

Amongst the packages going to the post office tomorrow will  be the prizes that I have announced so far. So, hopefully most of these will reach people before Christmas – I hope so anyway.

I’m still waiting for Charlie to come in to pick the winner of the copy of Game of Hazard.  (He spent most of the afternoon staring at the rain with a ‘you must be joking!’ look on his face when I opened the door for him to go out. But now the downpour has eased a little so he has gone out roaming for a while. I’ll get him on to picking  a winner when he comes back in.

So today’s question – well,  the fact that I have these packages to wrap and get in the mail made me wonder about how you all do this. Are you someone who loves to wrap parcels, create mini works of art with bows and glitter and specially colour co-ordinated ribbons and decorations?

Or are you someone who just puts a basic wrapping paper on the parcel and that’s that?

Or perhaps you’re one of these clever and original people who do fancy wrapping with pretty material or even ecologically sound wrapping in news.

Personally,  I love the idea  of really pretty parcels,  beautifully wrapped and decorated. I always start out with lots of great intentions  - and plenty of pretty paper etc. But somehow the enthusiasm never lasts quite long enough and even when I plan to get ahead and do things is good time, I always seem to be rushing to wrap the last of the gifts on Christmas Eve so that the parcels are barely finished before they’re being ripped open.

What about you?

Today’s give away is a signed copy of  The Konstantos Marriage Demand

The Greek's ruthless reunion.

Sadie Carteret and Nikos Konstantos were once blissfully in love. They planned the wedding of the year, and their union would create a powerful dynasty.

But business and pleasure should never be mixed. Nikos was accused of scheming for Sadie's money and title, and was systematically destroyed by her family. The wedding was cancelled, the relationship in tatters.

Now the ruthless billionaire has built himself back up from scratch. He will clear his name and demand what was rightfully his...

Sadie must love, honour and...obey....

The Konstantos Marriage Demand was awarded Romantic Times Best Presents Extra 2010.

Tomorrow is the 15th of December, so my blog post  - and the Advent Calendar  - will be over on We Write Romance  in my Kate's Corner.  See you there!

 

Advent Calendar Day 13

First of all - when I announced some winners, I think I forgot  one - the winner of  The Devil and Miss  Jones was Julie M  so I need your postal address Julie.

Today's prize - and today's question  then -  today's prize is one of those golden oldies - one for the collectors  out there!

I actually have a copy of only my second book published - and this one dates right back from  1986! It's practically antique.

Game of Hazard was only my second novel  - and it was the first to go into paperback. The first to go to America. The sharp-eyed amongst you will  note that  it is also published as a Harlequin Romance!  So this is a real historical document and if you are trying to collect up all my titles - as I know some of you are - this is a great chance to win one.

You can't trust me," Nick said softly.
The words rang in Erin's head. Why was she acting like a ministering angel to this man who had broken into her home, slept in her bed - all without any explanation?
Until the storm that kept them isolated and snowbound ceased, there was nothing she could do about the intimacy of their situation.

It was dangerous. She should be afraid. Yet Nick had become so much a part of her life that she couldn't imagine how it had felt not to know him . . .

Obvioously because this is an old book that I've found, it's not in immaculate condition - but it is in very good condition.

And the question ?  Hmmm - well as I'm thinking about older things - what is the oldest Christmas Decoration you have?
Is it for the tree? 
Or a table centrepiece?
Or something you put on your mantlepiece?

I have a little felt Angel  and a Father Christmas that I made myself years ago, when my son was only 3  - so these are ones that we have always had on the tree since then. I also made them together with my Mother in law, who sadly is no longer with us. This will be only our second Christmas without her, so putting these little figures on the tree will be a chance to remember her.

Do you have a special decoration that reminds you of someone in your life?

You might have noticed that today we have  a different picker of the winner - and that is Flora. She is the older of our two cats, so she is appropriate for this prize!  (and she's sitting in front of the screen right now, pointing out that it shgouldn't just be Charlie who gets all the treats and chances to pick!)

Life!

Hmmm - who was it - Kaelee's uncle who used to end his paragraphs in letters with Life!!
I think I'm going to have to adopt that habit.
LIFE!

I was away for a couple of days - it wasn't supposed to take so long and I'd hoped to be back and continuing witht the Advent Calendar before now  but - Life!

OK, life and freezing fog and a journey home that took much longer than we expected.  We had a great time though - a wonderful visit to the Airedale Writers' Circle and their Christmas Party  - thank you to everyone who made us so welcome . And specially to  our dear friend  and crime writer Lesley Horton  who with her husband gave us such lovely hospitality  - Oh, and the cats who welcomed us to and helped to make up for the fact that we didn't have Flora and Charlie to cuddle.

So - back to this calendar.
First of all  - I have to name the winners from the last giveaway - I has said 3 winners, but as I've missed a couple of days again and  as I love this chance to give something to two people - the winners of the books and those who  are the givers who get to see them smile - I'm going to send copiues to all the people who nominated their friends or family -
So -
Julie M
Joye
Manisha
Yadkny
Eli
Desere
SiNn

Please email me with an address to send the book too - also please tell me the name of the person I should sign it for. Some of you have named  your winner, but others have just said 'my mum' or 'my friend'. The point of this gift is that it is for  the other person and I want to sign it for them.

I only have 3 copies of the book I mentioned - One Night in Madrid - but I do have some other trilogies - Mistress Material where my book is The Married Mistress and Mistresses Shackled with Rubies where my title is Her Secret Bridegroom. So your chosen winner will received one of other of these.

Other winners from past posts  - the delay in getting hjome has meant a delay in getting prizes in the post but I will be doing that just as soon as  I can.

And I'll put up a new Advent Calendar post just as soon as I can.

Advent Calendar - catch up. Day something . . . .

OK, so I know I have missed some days on the calendar but really that just couldn't be helped.   Hope things will ease up now

But in any case - I'll use this post as a sort of catch up- and put in some extra books.   I ran a giveaway like this last year and it went really well  so I'm trying again.  This is hopefully a giveaway in the true spirit of Christmas - and I hope there's plenty of that around right now.

So I have three copies of the three  in one collection One Night in Madrid to give away. This collection has  my book  Spanish Billionaire,  Innocent Wife  in it.

Two years ago, Alannah left Raul without one word of regret. Now chance has thrown them together once more, and the proud Spanish aristocrat will see that Alannah pays for her mistake.
He had wanted Alannah Redfern the first moment he saw her. Her unique combination of purity and passion intrigued, then intoxicated him. And Raul Marcín was a man used to getting everything he wanted.
Now, Raul knows that Alannah is no longer a naive girl. Until their one night of passion proves that she is still an innocent. Raul will do whatever it takes to keep her at his mercy.


It also has
The Spaniard's Defiant Virgin by Jennie Lucas
and
The Spanish Duke's Virgin Bride by Chantelle Shaw.

And the question? Well this is where the Christmas spirit comes in. Today is not to win a book for yourself but to nominate someone  who you think needs a specail Christmas present this year.
Someone who has had a tough year
Someone who you want to say thank you toi
Someone who might not have so many gifts this time
Someone you want to see smile . . .

In the comments section please nominate the person to whom yo'd like to give this extra present and I'll send a copy of this book to the three winners Charlie picks when I get back to my desk.

Please  play fair on this - choose someone you want to give the book to. And please if you nominated and won last year don't ask for the same person over again.

What I'm hoping for is to make 3 lucky people smile - both because they have won a book - and because they have a generous friend/family member who nominated them for the prize.  This worked so well last year - I hope it works again!

Missing in Action

Dear everyone - and specially kaelee (thank you so much for your kind enquiry)

As you've probably noticed, the Advent Calendar  went off the air . . .

What can I say  except that sometimes real life intervenes  and however much I might have wanted to, I couldn't carry on with the every day giveaway I had planned/hoped for.   Things got thoroughly knocked off course but I'd like to hope they are back on the straight and narrow now.

Tomorrow and Wednesday are busy days when I have to be away from my desk but I'll hope to catch up  soon
In the meantime, while I collect my thoughts - lets look at a few winners. Already winners up to now: -
Martha who won Bedded By The Greek Billionaire
Gladys and Manisha who won The Sicilian's Red Hot Revenge
Your prizes have gone in the mail to you

Debby G who won Mediterranean Tycoons - please send a postal address
Eli Yanti - you won Just the Three of Us  - please also send a postal address - a link to my email is at the bottom of the page

The winner of Cordero's Forced Bride is SiNn  - can I have your address please?

Pink Heart Society winner - bn100  - you won a copy of  The Return of the Stranger - again please send me  details of your postal address.

That brings me up to date I think.

I'll have to carry on the Advent Calendar from today now - so I'll post up another blog about that and today's question  as soon as I've pu this one up.

Thanks for your patience.

Advent Calendar Day 7

Just to remind you that as today is the first Friday of the month, my post is over on the Pink Heart Society blog today.

So that's where you'll find me today - and where there are the details of day 7 of the Advent Calendar giveaway and the prize book on offer.

See you there!

Advent Calenday Day 6

I'll be out and about  a lot today  so this is a quick posting to give you the next question so you can get your answers in while I'm away from my desk.

Oh - and that reminds me - I just need to say that I'm delighted to see so many of you joining in the Advent Calendar giveaway and posting comments   for each blog.  I have enjoyed reading them all - but there are so many of you that I really don't have time to respond to each on individually. I wish I could, but like everyone else I'm rushing around, getting organised,  doing 101 jobs . . .

So please forgive me if I don't answer every post you leave. I am loving reading them and learning more about  you - but if I was to answer each and everyone then I'd have no time for anything else.  And Charlie is enjoying the number of cat treats that come his way with all your names as he picks the winners - so keep them coming!

Yesterday I talked about personal preparations for Christmas -  I hope some of you will get a chance to have some pampering or at least a small treat as you prepare.   And that started me thinking about what you'll be weraring for the big day. 

I know the magazines and the papers are full of  party dresses and glitter and glam -  but I'm not talking about those sort of things. What do you wear for Christmas Day?

Are you someone who likes to get dressed up, glam dress, hair done, full makeup?
Or do you prefer to go for comfort - jeans? A loose top  - perhaps even an elastic waistband? (One has to think of all that  Christmas dinner!)
Or perhaps you're someone who loves to have the fun factor?   Do you like special  Christmas jumpers with festive designs on them? Reindeers, holly - Santa?

When The Offspring was young I used to go for the fun thing - I had a jumper that was covered in Penguins one year and that was cute.

These days I got for something that's comfortable - but smarter than my usual working at home scruffy sweats!  So I have velvet trousers and a top with some  beaded decorations on it.  When it comes to the evening - when we have our Christmas dinner  visitors joining us then I'll opt for something a bit more glammed up -I have one silky blouse, but if I see something really nice when I'm out and about that will be a good excuse to treat myself.

So what about you? What do you think you'll be wearing on Christmas day?
Or what's your fantasy for glamour?

Today's giveway prize is the book the Babe Magnet picked out of the pile I have ready to give away - and he's chosen a golden oldie -  Cordero's Forced Bride. This was first published in 2009.

Taken in payment into his bed!
Alexa Montague is mortified. She's had to call off her sister's wedding, and now the ruthless, arrogant groom, Santos Cordero, is demanding that shy, ugly duckling Alexa, takes Natalie's place!
The Montagues have stolen his money and his convenient bride, so Santos will enjoy taking Alexa instead. For Santos does not - cannot - love. But his body burns for Alexa as it has for no other woman before. He'll keep her captive in his bed until she's begging to be his . . .

Don't forget to post your answers in the comments section and I'll get Charlie on the job of picking a winner.

Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month so my post - and the next question will be over on the Pink  Heart Society blog and you'll need to post your answers over there.  I'll put up a reminder here tomorrow in case you forget.

Advent Calenday Day 5

I've been busy today - doing what I call 'maintenance'  - or  sometimes I call it the Forth Bridge project. ( For those of you who  don't know that reference,  the huge Forth Bridge  is so big that people say if they started to repaint it, they'd barely get to the end before they had to begin again.)

It's just  fate that means a lot of my annual/biannual  checks have fallen in the past week or so. Last week was the dentist, today's was the eye test  - but I have to admit I'm glad that I've got them out of the way now - and  even better to know that  nothing has changed - so no expenses for new lenses/frames. That pleased me a lot.

Now I can concentrate on the nicer, pampering side of preparing for the festive season.  I have a hair appointment booked - and today, seeing as there isn't going to be the cost of new glasses, I decided to treat myself to a manicure and pedicure just before the big day.  If we're not careful, the build up to Christmas can be all about planning, preparing, organising, wrapping . . . .  And let's face it, often the women are the ones doing most of it.  (Though I have to say that my son  is amazingly good at buying gifts -I'm impressed.)

So today's question is all about you - do you have a  preparty/pre Christmas bit of pampering that you enjoy?
Or one that you just  dream of?
Would your fantasy be a full day spa package (OK - we can dream - we'd need the time off to achieve it!)
Or do you  choose something nice to wear and go with that. (Don't go into details on the 'something nice to wear' - that's for tomorrow's question!)

And today's give away prize -

Yesterday's giveaway was an older book - so let's come up to date.

Today I'm giving away a copy of my latest title - The Devil and Miss Jones . This was out in March 2012.

Martha Jones has never taken a risk in her whole life. Until the day she runs out on her wedding and succumbs to the magnetism of a man she has only just met! A man she knows only as Diablo.

Lone wolf Carlos Ortega won't promise Miss Jones more than one searing-hot night. Yet Carlos is shocked by Martha's sweet innocence. This runaway bride is a virgin, and it seems the repercussions of their sizzling encounter could last forever . . .

Let me know what your  'pampering' is - even if it's just a mug of hot chocolate or a glass of wine while you're writing the Christmas cards!  And I'll  send someone a little extra treat in a signed copy of this book.

Oh - and the winner of Advent Calendar Day 4 is Eli Yanti
Eli please email me with your postal address so I can send your prize on to you.

Winners and Advent Calendar Day 4

It's raining - which right now is a good thing. 

It means that at last Charlie has come in from being outside in the garden – he’s soaked to the skin, he’s brought us the ‘gift’ of a mouse  (which I’ve asked him to leave on the doorstep as I’m not in the mood of mouse for tea!) –  but at last he’s home and inside. And that means that I can get him to pick some winners at last!

So – the winner of Day 1 is Debby  - Debby wins a copy of the 3 in 1 collection Mediterranean Tycoons

Day 2  - which I’ve already announced – was Martha who won Bedded By The  Green Billionaire

Day 3  -  obviously being out in the rain and chasing that mouse has made Charlie feel very hungry – before I could blink he had snaffled two  crunchies and I couldn’t decide which one was first – but I’m also running a special draw with extra  prizes for members of my Newsletter list  and one of those winners  is  on my Newsletter list so there are two winners for Day 3 and they are:
Manisha

And

Gladys

Who both win a copy of The Sicilian’s Red Hot Revenge.  (Manisha, I’m sorry – I can’t offer any help on the title of the book you are looking for but if I find out anything I’ll let you know.)

Would all winners please email  me -  there is a contact link at the bottom of the page -  send me your postal address and I’ll get the prize in the mail just as soon as I can.

Today’s book in in another three in one collection. When I was talking about  the older books of mine that have been selling afresh as ebooks, one of those was the  2001 title His Miracle Baby.   I don’t think this is in print anywhere right now – so the print versions of it in this collection is  a bit of a collector’s piece! It’s in a By Request Collection – Just the Three  of Us.

Why  had Ellie left him?

Morgan didn't know. It was obvious she'd still been blissfully in love with him. She'd even agreed with his edict that they never have children. Then she'd disappeared.

When Morgan found her . . .

To his absolute shock, she had with here the most adorable baby girl that he'd ever seen. His heart twisted inside him. Had Ellie found another man to give her what he never could - or was this baby Morgan's very own miracle?

And today’s question -  well, I had thought of offering a Christmas story as part of this giveaway, but I  don’t have a copy of any of my Christmas set novels. (There aren’t many of them – The Christmas Baby’s Gift and Fiancée By Mistake.)  But I would like to know  what you think about  Christmas themed books.

Do you love them – at this time of years?  Would you look out specially for Christmas themed books?
Or have you had enough of the whole Christmas thing by the time you get a chance to sit down and relax? Would you rather read anything BUT a Christmas story?

I’d be interested to know if your decision is influenced by where you live – if you’re in the UK etc would you rather not read about any more cold, snow, ice?   Or if you’re somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere would you  find that makes you  feel more ‘Christmassy’  

Do you have  any favourite Christmas titles?  A favourite Christmas romance – or any other story – that you love to read over and over?
Post your answers in the comments  section and you can be in with a chance to win.

His Miracle Baby is available  on Kindle and as an ebook on the Harlequin and Mills & Boon web sites.

Advent Calendar Day 3

I've set myself a problem with getting Charlie to pick the Advent Calendar winners - he's a much younger cat than dear Sid was so he's  out and about a lot more! I managed to get him to pick a winner for the Tote Bags 'n' Blogs prize - the winner was Martha Lawson -    and then he decided that he wanted to go out roaming while there was still some daylight and before it got too cold.  So I'll have to get him back on the job of picking a winner when he comes in for supper.

In the meantime, I want to post up today's question.

Over on Tote Bags, I was talking a bout buying and sharing ebooks - and that was on my mind because I've  been  watching how my ebooks - old and new - are selling since some were re-issued as Harlequin Treasury and M&B Vintage.  It has been interesting to see which of the older books have been bought  since they came out in this format. Amazon show a listing of the bestselling M&B books  and for the past few weeks I've been thrilled to have three books on this list  for almost a month - in spite of the fact that they were all originally published some years ago.

It's made me wonder what sparks off a new interest in an older book - word of mouth? Or some new  readers who have just found my books and want to pick up old ones?   Or readers who read these books when they originally came out  and lost their print copies so now they';re collecting ebook versions to reread. I know that's why I've been buying some of the M&B Vintage classics. 

You can see all the titles of mine that have been reissued as Vintage/Treasury titles in the great banner that Heather has made for the head of this page -  nut there are a couple of other 'oldies' that have been appearing in the Bestseller charts. The top runner for weeks now has been The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge, This is a really special book for me as it was my 50th title published. It came out back in 2007. 

The other books that have had a renewed interest in them have been  a mixed bunch - Kept For Her Baby (2009) has been appearing on the list for the past 4 weeks or so - and  now it's been joined by His Miracle Baby (2001). It makes me wonder if someone is wanting to read some older stories with babies in them. I know so many people have written to me to say that thnis are real heart tugging stories so perhaps that's it?

And then of the Vintage titles, the most popular is The Groom's Revenge  (1997)  and The Unexpected Child (also 1997)  - there's another 'baby book'.

So that set me wondering - what golden oldies would you want to pick up if you were buying |Treasury/Vintage titles?  What older books do you remember that you'd love to go back and reread, to see if they were as good as the way you remember them the first time?

You don't have to name any of my books - but I'd love to know if there are any  you'd like to find.

Today's Advent Calendar prize is one of those  bestselling, second time around books - that very special 50th title of mine - The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge.(Vito's story)
 
They shared one night of passionate lovemaking. Then in the cold light of day, her secret tore them apart. Now Vito has come back – and he’s determined to have his revenge.
Emily Lawton never expected to see him again. But Vito Corsentino has tracked her down and he wants Emily. This time he’ll take her and he’ll be the one to leave when it’s over.
But Emily has one last secret for Vito . . . She’s having his baby and if he finds out, he’ll want more than revenge!

When only seduction will settle old scores.
Part One of The Sicilian Brothers series is Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride - Guido's story
Don't forget - answers in the comments section and I'll get Charlie on to picking a winner  tomorrow.

Oh yes - and if any of you are real collectors and looking for  some real golden oldies to add to your collection - I have some of those on offer in this Advent Calendar including some  that I think are now totally out of print - keep wathcing thnis space! And I hope you'll join in the rest of the contests as you do.

Advent Calendar Day 2 - on Tote Bags 'n' Blogs

Have you joined in the Advent Calendar giveaway yet? Yesterday's first day is still open for comments - at least until I find Charlie and get him to pick a winner!  So you still have a little time to post a comment.

And then there's today's Day 2 posting with another chance to win a book as an extra Christmas gift from me -  but thta's posted somewhere else.

Today is the first Sunday of the month so that means that I'm over on Tote Bags N Blogs with my regular post there.  It also means that today's Advent Calendar givewaway is over on Tote Bags as well.

The prize giveaway today is the 2008 book Bedded By The Greek Billionaire -

Taken for passion. . . or ruthless retribution?

As a naïve teenager, Jessica Marshall fell achingly in love with a gorgeous Greek – Angelos Rousakis.
But her clumsy attempt at attracting his attention cost Angelos everything.
Seven years later, Angelos Rousakis is back. Hard and powerful, he intends to claim what is his – and that includes Jessica. However the once innocent girl now pretends that she feels nothing for him. . . which only inflames his passion for her further. . .
As Jessica falls for the sexy billionaire all over again, she cannot be sure - Is he back for passion . . . or retribution?

If you want a chance to win this title, you'll need to answer over on Tote Bags 'n' Blogs - and come back here for Day 3 of the Advent Calendar tomorrow!

Advent Calendar Day 1



It's December 1st and that means that all over the world, wherever Christmas is celebrated, young  children - and not so young - are pinning up their Advent Calendars and opening the first door to see what picture  - or chocolate - lies behind.

 

In past Decembers I've shared this tradition with you - offering a small surprise/giveaway for each day leading up to Christmas . It's been a way of sharing the time of celebration, of  thanking my readers for  sharing the past year with me - and specially for sharing and enjoying my books.  It;s also been a way of getting to know you all better because the way we share is that I ask you a question about yourselves, your lives, your families, the way you celebrate Christmas - or whatever you're celebrating right now if Christmas isn't a special festtival for you.

What you do is you leave me an answer in the comments section - here, or wherever I'm blogging on each day - and I pick a winner of a particular book to give away, Well -  no, I don't pick the winner. In the past that was always Sid the Cat's job. I gave him the names on pieces of paper and with a cat treat on the top of each one. And the first treat that Sid ate, the name of the winner was on that piece of paper.  Sadly dear Sid is no longer with us but he did train up his apprentice in Charlie The Maine Coon (and ccasionally Flora The Floozie). Charlie is well ready to perform this important task - and as you can see from the photo, he's already been practising on his own  Advent Calendar which was given to Sid by his dear Lady Across The Pond Anne McAllister  and has now been passed down to Flora and Charlie in their turn.

So today is December 1st -  the start of the countdown to Christmas and time for the first question .

 

Today's book is  a bumper givewaway - Mediterranean Tycoons is a 3 in 1 volume with books by two other great authors as well as mine:

The De Santis Marriage is by Michelle Reid

and

The Sicilian's Virgin Bride is by Sarah Morgan

 

My book in this collection is  The Greek Tycoon's Unwilling Wife.  This was originally published in  2007

 

 

He thought she was his mistress . . .
Recuperating on his private Greek island after a car crash, Andreas Petrakos had no memory of the previous year. The last thing he remembered was his passionate affair with beautiful Rebecca Ainsworth.
. . . when actually she was his wife!
Becca returned to the island because Andreas had asked for her. But she had to hide the truth from him. So what would happen when he recalled throwing Becca out - on their wedding day - for a reason only he knew?


So would you like a chance to win a copy of this great collection?
All you have to do is to leave an answer in the comments section -
Today's question - well, I've been talking about Advent Calendars.  What about you?
Do you have an Advent Calendar in your house? For you or just for the children?
What picture/theme/design is it this year?  (The lovely Anne McAllister specialises in great Advent Calendars - she always sends me a Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar to have on my computer. I love it!)
So what does yours look like?  Do you have pictures or chocolates behing the 'doors'
Or perhaps you light an Advent candle or make a Blue Peter Candle Wreath   . . . or do something else entirely?

If you don't have advent, a calendar or anything like that - how do you mark the days leading up to a special celebration?  I'd love to know.

And yes- before anyone asks  -  I will send the prizes anywhere in the world. So back. Leave your answer  - I love getting to know more about my readers. So come and join in. The more the merrier.