Tote Bag of Books Presents Special Sabrina Philips

Today's author is new Presents writer, Sabrina Philips who has donated copies of her second book The Desert King's Bejewelled Bride which is a July release in the UK to the tote bag.

First of all I’d like to say a huge thank you to Kate for inviting me to join this Presents party – what a treat!

When Kate emailed me to ask if I’d like to write a short blog in celebration of the line, it was probably just as well she specified the length, because quite frankly I could go on for several thousand words about how much I love the alpha heroes, feisty heroines, exotic destinations, emotional roller-coaster plots and heart swelling happy-ever-afters that define the line I’ve always loved to read, and which I’m now lucky enough to write for. Oh, who am I kidding, I could go on for several hundred thousand words.

But given that she did, I’ve decided to be restrained and celebrate just one element of Presents, and since the signed book that I’ve donated to Kate’s fabulous bundle of prizes is my brand new release, The Desert King’s Bejewelled Bride, I thought I’d spend a few minutes waxing lyrical about sheikhs (I know, what a hardship!)

Of course Presents stories are by no means the only books which feature sheikh heroes, but for me, there’s no other place they fit quite so well. They immediately demand an exotic location, they’re rich, they’re royal, and their passionate intensity epitomises the Presents promise. In short, a sheikh is the ultimate alpha male. However, as pointed out in Kate’s great alpha blog earlier in the year, there’s more to being alpha than that. It also means having noble principles, integrity and a natural ability to lead – well for me, a sheikh epitomises those qualities above all. He commands his desert kingdom with a fierce loyalty to his people, to his ancestors before him and to the unforgiving landscape itself. And what I find so appealing is the knowledge that when the heroine ‘tames’ him, that unshakeable loyalty and passion will be directed at her forever.

Whilst sheikhs are often criticised for being too repressive and domineering when it comes to women (lately I’ve come to the conclusion that they’re a bit like marmite - you either love them or hate them), I adore them precisely those elements of his character promise such a juicy story. A sheikh hero requires a heroine daring enough to challenge his views, and there is nothing so delicious as watching him – a man usually so in control and rigid in his way of thinking – being forced to question himself because of the uncontrollable feelings he has for this one woman. Although every heroine forces her hero to re-evaluate his view of the world, sheikh heroes have to undergo such a massive internal shift in order to win the woman they love, that for me it gives that love added depth.

I don’t know whether it’s for this reason, or whether it’s because when I wrote this story I was on the verge of being a bride myself, (or because when I sent it to my editor she uttered those magical words ‘no revisions’ - certain never to be repeated!), but I have to confess, The Desert King’s Bejewelled Bride has been my favourite story to write so far. And just in case you’re the wrong side of the marmite argument, it also features a glamorous modelling assignment, an erotic fruit scene, a spontaneous game of tennis, a royal visit to a dazzling French island and an ancient law which changes everything….

The Desert King’s Bejewelled Bride is out in the UK now, and will be released as part of a delectable Presents Extra mini-series this August.

My question for Kate’s contest is: What is the name of the Presents Extra mini-series The Desert King’s Bejewelled Bride will be part of?

Hint: Visit my web site and check out the books page!

Christmas Stocking Stuffed with Books 6 - Sabrina Philips

I' ve finally managed to sit down at my desk and write this blog after a hectic day posting yet more parcels - if you're expecting a prize from me, it's on its way! - getting the car serviced - washing sheets - the exciting and glamorous life of a romance novelist! So now I can finally talk to you about another of the books in the Christmas Stocking.


I'm really happy to be able to introduce my readers to the final author who has donated her book to the Christmas Stocking Stuffed with Books. As everyone knows, this year has been the 100th birthday of Harlequin Mills and Boon and to reach that amazing milestone - and go on into the future, they need new and up and coming writers for all the lines. This year, several new authors have been signed to write for Presents and you'll be seeing their books coming out in 2009.

The first of these is my guest author today and she is brand-new Presents author Sabrina Philips. Sabrina has her very first book, Valenti's One-Month Mistress out in the UK in February 2009 and then it will be published in America in Presents in March.

But Sabrina has very kindly given me two signed copies of her first release so that I can offer them to you as part of the prize in this special Christmas Contest. This is your chance to be one of the first to read this special book by the newest Modern/Presents author. Sabrina also has her second book already bought and scheduled and that will be out in July in the UK.

Here's a bit more about Valenti's One-Month Mistress

Blackmailed!
Faye Matteson cannot believe the nerve of Dante Valenti! The arrogant Italian expects her to become his mistress in exchange for his help with her failing business.

Defiant!
She fell for him when she was just an innocent – but he took her virginity and left her heartbroken. She’d sworn, Never again!

Taken!
But no one should ever underestimate the power of Dante Valenti’s sensuality. If he wants her, he will have her.

And here's a special message to you all from Sabrina herself.

My next book, 'The Desert King's Bejewelled Bride' is out in the UK in July. (I haven't got a US date yet). I love all Presents men but I think Sheikhs have to be my favourite to read, so it was an absolute joy to write my own - and a non-nonsense heroine to match! I am currently working on my third book about a drop-dead gorgeous French Prince called Leon and a feisty, red-haired art-restorer called Cally. They both appear as secondary characters in 'The Desert King's Bejewelled Bride', and I am really enjoying giving them a story of their own. Hopefully they'll have their happy ever after and be winging their way to my editor's desk in January. That, of course, is if I find time to put fingers to keyboard inbetween all the card-writing, present-buying and festive cooking!

And now the season to be jolly is upon us again, I can't help thinking back to Christmas last year. We have a tradition in our family that when making the Christmas puddings we have to stir them three times and make a wish, and I optimistically wished that I would be published before the year was out (for three years running as a child I wished I could find the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, and to be honest, the prospect seemed just as elusive!) So for me to be going in to 2009 with one book in print and the second on the way is literally a dream come true. I really couldn't ask for a better Christmas present! Although I still wouldn't say no to a pot of gold..... ;)

You can find out more about Sabrina and her books on her web site here.

Back - I think . . .

OK, so life just got away from me for a while then. Thank you to the friends who wrote to enquire if I was OK. I've finally (well, I hope it it's finally) managed to crawl out from under most things - though you should see the pile of paper on my desk! And I'm not going to mention the 'To Do' list that is longer than my arm! - But now I'm back - and I hope that this time I'm staying.

The good news is that my editor loved the tweaked Italian - Ricardo, remember him? She's accepted and bought the book so now Ricardo's story becomes Kept for Her Baby and will be published in September next year. Sighs of relief all round and now it's on to the next project . .

But an acceptance is always worth celebrating so this one made me feel like the smiling face that seemed to appear night sky in the pictures that were published in the newspapers yesterday. Did you see those? Where the new moon and the planets aligned to create this 'smilling' image? They looked wonderful and after the horrible news reports we've had lately really felt like a lovely good omen - I certainly hope so.

So now it's December and we're heading for Christmas and celebrations so I need to tell you about my contests - as always there will be the Christmas Stocking Stuffed With Books as a prize . and I'll get the details of that up on my web site just as soon as I can.





In the meantime, here's a sneak peek at what's coming up in this year's stocking.





There's a book missing from this line-up because brand-new, just-published Presents author, Sabrina Philips has promised me copies of her first ever title Valenti's One-Month Mistress which is coming out in February. Sabrina doesn't have her paperback copies of this book yet, it's so brand new, but she will be sending copies just as soon as she gets them. So if you want to be in with a chance to win this great selection of books, check back soon.
I'll get all the details and the questions you need to answer to win up on my web site just as soon as I can. And then I'll be back to tell you about all these wonderful books.

So long as life doesn't swamp me again. But I'm determined to take that smiling new moon as an omen that it won't.

At last - the RNA!

I'm not at all sure what happened to the last week. There was the journey back from Chichester in some appalling road conditions, there was the interview with Jen, there was catching up to do . . .lots of catching up. There were proofs to correct . . .

And then there was in internet lock out. I just could not get into my email or my web browser - so frustrating!

So now I'm back at last and it's a week since I was in Chichester and lots of other people have posted blog reports on the RNA Conference - check out Kate Hardy and Liz Fenwick for some great reports - and I'm running fast to go nowhere - so I'm just going to post a sort of mini photo-diary of the event so you can see people and get some flavour of it all from the pictures >

So here goes . . .


Starting with the wonderful, unflappable, lovely Jan Jones who organised the whole thing and always does such a brilliant job. Here she is starting off the conference with the notices and the 'Celebrations' announcements.

Next the conference proper started with the panel discussing 'What is Romantic Ficiton anyway?' In this picture are, from the left in white is Nicola Cornick, next to her is Kate Harrison, the Sara Craven, Kate Hardy and Anna Jacobs.

Later that evening, in the bar. Here I am with my friend Kate Hardy. Thanks to Mary who tok the picture and actually managed to get one of me with my eyes open - I always seem to have them shut in photos.

Firsts talk Saturday morning - the interesting and wonderfully helpful Shelf Secrets or how to get your books onto the bookshop shelves by thinking like a bookshop owner by Mark Thornton who also ran a fabulous bookstall through the conference with titles by every author there - including the 12 Point Guide 2 which sold out early on.

Mark's bookshop, Mostly Books in Abingdon won the New Bookshop of the Year 2008 award and you can find out more about that - including his blog on the conference here.

Fabulous Katie Fforde introduces An

Audience with the equally lovely and witty Jill Mansell -->

The bar where most of the - um - networking took plpace. In the centre Katie Ff is chatting with the Sunday morning speaker, Jane Wenham-Jones.

The Chapel where most of the talks were held with the beautiful huge windows.

Brand new M&B author Sabrina Philips whose first book Valenti's One-Month Mistress will be out in February 09. Sabrina has also just got married and brought some of her beautiful wedding photos with her. Congratulations on both counts Sabrina!

The Saturday night dinner and Imogen Howson received the Elizabeth Goudge trophy as the author of the best first chapter of
less than 2,000 words - on the theme 'To Have and To Hold'.

Imogen's own blog can be found here.

Anna Louise Lucia looking glamourous at her first conference as a published author. Her first book Run Among Thorns (which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed) was on sale at the conference - and I also managed to persuade her to sign a couple of copies for the Tote Bag of Books contest which is coming up soon. (I also managed to grab copies of Jan Jones' Stage by Stage for that too- and a couplpe of other books from other authors - more soon)




Nell Dixon (in white) and beyond her Fiona Harper who writes for Mills & Boon Romance. Nell's new book for Little Black Dress Blue Remembered Heels was on sale at the conference too and was the first book to sell out. I took this photograph while she was deep in conversation with the babe Magnet - so you can see why he has this nickname at the RNA!

The dining hall for the Saturday evening Conference dinner - you can practically hear the buzz of conversations!

Julie Cohen at the Saturday dinner looking bright and beautiful - the next morning the image was slightly less so after a glass or two of champagne too many as she celebrated the publication of Anna Louise Lucia's first book.





Biddy Coady who won 3rd prize in the Elizabeth Goudge contest - with only a point or so between the top three. Yes Biddy - you can write - now finish that submission for M&B!

Sunday morning - RNA CHairman Catherine Jones (who writes as Kate Lace for Little Black Dress) leads the session on publicity and plans for the RNAs 50th birthday coming up in 2010.

Jane Wenham-Jones entertains the conference on Sunday morning. Regular readers of this blog will remember that Jane is a friend and regular tutor at the wonderful Caerleon Writers' Holiday which I shall have to miss this year (sob!) because I will be in San Francisco.

Julie Cohen showing the chart of themes and events that she used to plot out her lastest Little Black Dress Girl From Mars during her workshop on Pacing. I found this fascinating as Julie's approach was so very different from the way I work - hers is far more analytical in contrast to my more instinctive approach. Which just goes to prove that there is no one 'right' way of working - and we can all learn from looking at different ways of doing things.

The last night of the weekend - most of the delegates had already gone home but some of us stayed over in order to have an early start in the morning. We all crammed into Jan Jones' flat for a drink (or two) before dinner. And I really meant to join them back there after wards too for the quiz but I made the mistake of going to my room for a moment, sat down on the bed - and fell fast asleep. Conferences are like that! Talking and learning and talking some more . . . and som e more . . . and some more - wears you out! In this photo, I'm afraid I don;t know who the lady on the left is but next to her, with the grey hair is Liz Bailey, then Joanna Maitland, Sara Craven and Amanda Grange.