Advent Calendar Giveaway Day 15

I'm so busy today so this is a real dash in and out. Phone call with my editor - Kate's Corner over on We Write Romance (need to think of something to blog about!) and the annual big, Open House over on eHarlequin.

And a bit (lot of ) work too. But at least the great thing about going to all these 'events' is that I don't have to worry about getting dressed up and I can wear the same thing to all of them and no one will notice!

As always, ask a question about books and there's a lot of response. Milly - I have to agree, I love a good ghost story. One of my TV highlights over christmas will be a remaking of Whistle and I'll Come to You. I'm looking forward to that.

Today's winner is Valerie!

Valerie, I'm sure you know the drill but just in case you need a reminder - email me here and send me your postal address.
Oh and this is a point to say that I've had some email problems this past nweek so if you have emailed me with your address and aren't sure if you got through then please try again. Ros,your book went out in the mail yesterday - Dena and Alicia. I still need somewhere to send your prizes.

Today's book giveaway is The Antomakos Marriage (2006)

The wedding ultimatum!
An ageing tycoon is blackmailing Skye Marston into marriage. But she’ll have one night of freedom first. One night of passion, with a man she’ll never meet again – even if he’s the man she could have loved…

Theo Antonakos, darkly irresistible and a tycoon in his own right, isn’t used to rejection. He’s furious when his passionate partner slips away without a word. And he’s still furious when he arrives on his father’s private Greek island to meet his stepmother-to-be – only to find that they already know each other, in the most intimate way…

Theo wants Skye back in his bed…as his wife!

Voted Best M&B Modern Romance of 2005 by CataRomance.

And today's question - seeing as so much is going on today - is - parties - do you love them or hate them? Do you have a family party or a work 'do' or would you prefer to stay at home and - read? We used to have a big party every Christmas with lots of friends - including the Offspring's friends - but now he has a home of his own we've had rather quieter Christmases and this year has been so hectic I'll be glad to curl up in a chair with a book and a kitten. Though we are meeting up with friends on Christmas Day itself - snow permitting!

But what about you?

And don't forget - over on eHarlequin it's Open House all day with lots of authors and readers waiting to chat and maybe some prizes too - and soon I'll be posting a blog over on Kate's Corner. Just need to think of a topic!

Open House and Longlist

Today is the annual eHarlequin Open House where all day long authors and readers can get together, talk about books, share cyber goodies and maybe win a prize or two. So why don't you join us all over there?

And over on the RNA website the longlist for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2010 has been announced.

Here's a list of the contenders:

The Very Thought of You, Rosie Alison

Passion, Louise Bagshawe

Beachcombing, Maggie Dana

Fairytale of New York, Miranda Dickinson

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts, Lucy Dillon

A Single to Rome, Sarah Duncan

A Mother's Hope, Katie Flynn

A Glimpse at Happiness, Jean Fullerton

10 Reasons Not to Fall in Love, Linda Green

Marriage and Other Games, Veronica Henry

The Glass Painter's Daughter, Rachel Hore

It's the Little Things, Erica James

I Heart New York, Lindsey Kelk

The Heart of the Night, Judith Lennox

The Italian Matchmaker, Santa Montefiore

The Summer House, Mary Nichols

One Thing Led to Another, Katy Regan

The Last Song, Nicholas Sparks

Last Christmas, Julia Williams

The Hidden Dance, Susan Wooldridge

I'll admit that the effect this list has on me is to make me realise how much I wish I could have a 'reading time token' from Santa this year - preferably LOTS of them!

What about you?

Christmas Stocking Stuffed with Books 2 - Ellen Hartman

The second author who has generously donated a book to the Christmas Stocking Stuffed With Books this year is a new friend I made at RWA in San Francisco. We actually met when we were both wearing our nightclothes!

This was at the traditional eHarlequin Pajama Party that is one of the most fun parties held at RWA each year. Everyone - authors, eHarlequin hosties and even Harlequin editors and management turn up in their nightwear. It's impossible not to have fun when everyone's in PJs. I always make a lot of friends there.

And this time I met Ellen Hartman. We had a lot of fun that first evening playing word games with adjectives. I met Ellen several times after that - and I know I took her photograph because I'd already asked her to join in the Christmas Stocking contest. I did take her photograph - honest - but I can't find it anywhere - it has rather spookily vanished. So I'm lucky that Ellen sent me this 'official' photo that I can use.

Ellen writes for SuperRomance - and you have to want to read books by someone whose web site declares : Love is no joke. But it sure is funny.

(And having spent a couple of great evenings in Ellen's company, I know she has a wonderful sense of humour)

The book that Ellen has donated to the Christmas Stocking has a wonderful, intriguing title and a summary that just makes you want to grab the book and start reading.

His Secret Past

One Night Changed His Life Forever

Mason Star spent his teens living the fast life on the road with his band. Tragedy struck one rainy night when his tour bus crashed and a young fan was killed. Fifteen years later, Mason is struggling with his own teenage son who wants to quit high school and with the local zoning board that wants to take his home.

Anna Walsh may be able to save his bacon but she just might ruin his life in the process.

Here's Ellen's latest news about what's coming up for her in 2009

Here is my 2009 news:Fifteen years ago, JT McNulty's pregnant girlfriend turned down his marriage proposal and his parents kicked him out of the house. When he comes home for his mother's funeral, he comes face to face with his past. Find out what happens in "The Boyfriend's Back," coming in May 2009.

In December 2009, it's JT's brother, Charlie's turn. Charlie McNulty grew up in the messy shadow thrown by his parents' chaotic marriage. He vowed he would live a rational life, safely defined by logical choices. What happens when he finds himself falling for a single mom with a troubled child and a tendency toward public drama?

There's a little bit more news - when Ellen wrote me this summary, she didn't know that her second book, Wanted Man is going to be her first UK publication and it's out in January. So if you live in the UK look out for that one.

Here's a short summary of Wanted Man:

A mystery author. A single mom.

Nathan Delaney is on the lam and needs to stay hidden. Rhian MacGregor has had her fill of love and then some.
When two people trying to stay out of love can't help falling into love, how will they ever make it work?


Liberal doses of homemade cupcakes, basketball lessons, rock and roll, and romance, of course!
Throw in an evil talk show host, a Pepto Bismol pink house, two best friends, and one eight-year-old boy. Rhian and Nathan's lives will never be the same

If you want to know more about Ellen and her books, check out her website here

These days I mostly catch up with Ellen by email or on eHarlequin - and that reminds me that I have to tell you that tomorrow, December 11th is the date for the annual eHarlequin Open House. Every year dozens of Harlequin authors visit the eHarlequin web site and chat with readers as part of the Christmas celebrations - many of them give away prizes as well. This year, there will be over 100 authors visiting and chatting - you can check out the guest list here.

The Open House is on all day long so why not come and join us? I hope I'll see you there.

EHarlequin Posting Party

Oops

I nearly forgot - over on eHarlequin they are holding the annual Christmas Open House today

Lots of your favourite authors (around 100 the last I heard) all chatting or joining in the Post Party - and there will be prizes and giveaways on offer too.

So why not join us and celebrate ?