Romantic Novel of the Year Shortlists

Romantic Novel of the Year 2014 Shortlist announced

Darcey Bussell CBE to present Awards on 17th March

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Darcey Bussell CBE, herself the author of several children’s books, will present the Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA) Awards for 2014.

The winners of the shortlist categories for the Romantic Novel of the Year and the winner of the RoNA Rose Award for shorter fiction will be announced during a glittering ceremony in the Gladstone Library, One Whitehall Place, London SW1 on 17th March.

Once the category winners and RoNA Rose winner have been announced, and elegant star-shaped crystal trophies presented to mark their success, Darcey Bussell will reveal the overall author whose book has won the RNA's most prestigious and coveted award, the Romantic Novel of the Year.  In addition to the crystal trophy, the winner of the Romantic Novel of the Year will also receive a cheque for £5000 (five thousand pounds).

The RoNA Rose Award recognises authors of works of shorter fiction that focus on developing a love affair between the hero and heroine in category/series and magazine serials. Six books are competing for this award and the winner will receive a star shaped crystal trophy plus a cheque for £1000 (one thousand pounds). A silver rose bowl, which is kept for a year, will also be presented. This author does not go forward to contest the overall Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

The five category winners competing for the Romantic Novel of the Year are drawn from 30 finalists' books; six each from the five categories - Contemporary Romantic Novel, Epic Romantic Novel, Historical Romantic Novel, Romantic Comedy Novel and Young Adult Romantic Novel.

The novels submitted this year cover a wide spectrum of topics and subjects and readers can expect anything from a hilarious comedy or a hot, steamy romance to bold, fearless heroines in highly charged dramatic situations.


Each book was read by a panel of three independent readers drawn from a list of approximately 100 volunteers. The readers, who are not members of the RNA, come from a variety of backgrounds and range in age from 20 to 85. All have one thing in common: they are passionate about romantic novels.
Since its inception in 1960 the RNA has set the benchmark in romantic fiction and its President, Katie Fforde commented, "The RNA came into being to encourage good writing of romantic fiction in all of its many forms.
"This year we've seen a record number of books submitted for our Awards, and this clearly demonstrates that romantic fiction plays a big part in the UK book industry. We are exceptionally proud to be part of such a dynamic industry sector and I'd like to thank those publishers who put their authors forward for these awards. We are also extremely proud of the shortlisted authors and congratulate them all."

In previous years winners have included such well known and much loved names as Philippa Gregory, Joanna Trollope, Freya North and Rosamunde Pilcher.

The 2014 RNA Awards will be announced and presented by Darcey Bussell on 17th March in the Reading and Writing Room of the Gladstone Library in London.

The Category Shortlists
Listed in alphabetical order
The Contemporary Romantic Novel category is for mainstream romantic novels set post-1960 and includes genres such as chick lit, paranormal and romantic suspense.
Helen Chandler, Two for Joy, Hodder & Stoughton
Susan Elliot Wright, The Things We Never Said, Simon & Schuster
Veronica Henry, A Night On The Orient Express, Orion
Lisa J Hobman, Bridge Over The Atlantic, 5 Prince Publishing
Lisa Jewell, Before I Met You, Arrow
Pippa Wright, The Foster Husband, Pan

The Epic Romantic Novel category contains serious issues or themes, including gritty, multi-generational stories.
Jessica Blair, The Road Beneath Me, Piatkus
Mary Fitzgerald, The Love Of A Lifetime, Arrow
Emma Fraser, When Dawn Breaks, Sphere
Kate Lord Brown, The Perfume Garden, Atlantic (Corvus)
Jennifer McVeigh, The Fever Tree, Penguin
Lucinda Riley, The Midnight Rose, Pan

The Historical Romantic Novel category is for novels set in a period before 1960.
Charlotte Betts, The Painter's Apprentice, Piatkus
Christina Courtenay, The Gilded Fan, Choc Lit
Liz Harris, A Bargain Struck, Choc Lit
Joanna Hickson, The Agincourt Bride, Harper Collins
Carol McGrath, The Handfasted Wife, Accent Press
Annie Murray, The Women Of Lilac Street, Pan

The Romantic Comedy Novel is for consistently humorous or amusing novels.
Jenny Colgan, Christmas At The Cupcake Café, Little, Brown
Jenny Colgan, The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris, Little, Brown
Margaret James, The Wedding Diary, Choc Lit
Milly Johnson, It's Raining Men, Simon and Schuster
Ali McNamara, Step Back In Time, Little, Brown
Fiona Walker, The Summer Wedding, Sphere

The Young Adult Romantic Novel features protagonists who are teenagers or young adults.
Liz Bankes, Irresistible, Piccadilly Press
Christina Courtney, New England Rocks, Choc Lit
Alex Gutteridge, Last Chance Angel, Templar Publishing.
Imogen Howson, Linked, Quercus
Marie-Louise Jensen, Smuggler's Kiss, Oxford University Press
Beth Reekles, The Kissing Booth, Corgi


RoNA Rose Award - the finalists do not contest the Romantic Novel of the Year Award - recognises the best in category/series and shorter romance that focus on developing a love affair between the hero and heroine.
Louise Allen, Forbidden Jewel of India, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Caroline Anderson, Snowed in with the Billionaire, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Liz Fielding, Anything But Vanilla, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Joanna Fulford, His Lady of Castlemora, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Kate Hardy, Bound by a Baby, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Kate Hardy, Her Real Family Christmas, Harlequin Mills & Boon

 Cover images of all of the above mentioned novels and author pictures can be found one our Activities page – as a photo gallery.
http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/activities/photo_galleries

Congratulations to everyone on these shortlists!

Tote Bags Day

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It's tricky getting into a new routine.  Nearly two weeks ago, I wrote a blog in a rush, thinking that I had almost missed the date for my guest post on Tote Bags 'n' Blogs.

Then I hurried to post it, breathing a sigh of relief to know it was done . . .

Only to remember that I  no longer write my blog for Tote Bags on the first Sunday of the month, but on the 12th of each month!

Oh well - so the post was ready early instead of late  - and now it's up on Tote Bags today.

The worrying thing about looking at it again today is that I started that post  with the words: It’s been raining again – hmm, no,  I think that needs a little more emphasis  . . . It’s been raining again.


And well, the truth is that eleven days later - It’s been raining again – It’s been raining again.
I hope that everyone -  my friends, readers and fellow authors who are caught up in the floods and gales  - and some of you- in the snow! - can keep safe, warm and dry until the weather decides that perhaps it's finally time for Spring! 
For now, I'd settle for - not raining.

Pink Hearts Day

Have you got used to the fact that the new year has dawned - and passed - and it's  a months (or more) since that happened . . ? In fact it's now February and the second month of 2014 has arrived!

I have to admit that I've struggled rather to realise that it is even 2014.  I've been so bus and preoccupied that I haven't noticed what days are going by - and how fast.

So that yesterday, when I finally got to the  end of the 'Things To Do List'  and thought |I could relax for a while, I  was rather shocked to realise that it was  the 6th Feb - which meant that the following day was 7th Feb - and the first Friday of the month.

Which,as you'll probably all know,  is the day that I regularly post a blog over on the Pink Hearts Society in my A Date With Kate Column

Cue minor panic - I needed a topic for a blog - and fast . . .

It was then, on a stroke of luck, that an email message appeared in my inbox - and when I opened it, there was  a nice idea for my new blog all ready and waiting.

So  - just squeezing in at the very last minute -  that's where I am today - blogging over on The Pink Hearts Society.

Busy week

Well, I can't quite believe it's been a week since I updated this blog. But then it has been a busy week.
A very busy week. And, well, to be honest, the lovely news about  Rachael Thomas's first book was worth leaving up on its own for a while.

I've been working on a new  project - well, a couple of new projects.  And some new approaches to old ones.
First of all, there has been the working out of the plot of the  latest novel.. And that has involved a fight between two heroes. One, a Spaniard with a severe chip on his shoulder and a brooding resentment about the way that his  father's family have treated him - and the second a Sheikh who first appeared in my new book  A Question  of Honour  but has had a lot of growing up to do since then. They both wanted me to tell their stories and it hasn't been easy to decide which one to work on first. So I've made notes on  one - and started the story of the other . . .  Which one? Well that would be telling. Because I don't know whether I'll be able to continue  with the one I've chosen as the other is still demanding that I find him his heroine and give him his happy ever after . .  . watch this space.

What else? Well, I have the Advanced Romance Writing Course at the end of this month so I've been planning things for that - and looking at new ways of getting ideas across.  Of course, what I find works for this course will probably be used again in one of the other courses I'm teaching - like the ones in Weeton Hall in Leeds. That hasn't yet made it on to my Events page  but it should be detailed there very soon.
Actually, I thought I was going to have to say that the course  in May was already sold out as it filled up fast - almost as soon as it was announced. But I've talked with the organisers and we've decided we can add a few extra places if  anyone wants them.  We're trying to keep the classes small and informal so that people can do exactly as it says on the tine - Relax and Write -  but we can manage that and give a few more people the chance to join us. So booking is still open. Contact Malaga Workshops - Relax and Write  if you're interested.

Oh - and I need to add the details of the second course at Weetwood - coming up in October.  My web site designer is working on the updates right now so hopefully they should be up very soon.

Meanwhile I've  also been busy revising and updating  the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance - this is going to be republished in a new updated format, easily available in EBook form - I'll be announcing all the details soon so watch this space for this too.

Finally - for everyone who's been asking how  Ruby is settling in - well, the truth is that she's been rather unsettling things.  She came  into season  unexpectedly early  and created merry hell as a result. She kept throwing herself at Charlie who really didn't understand what all this fuss and excitement was about and he gave me rather panicked looks as if to say 'Get her off me! I don't know what she' wants!'.  Luckily things have all settled down again now  and the little madam is fast asleep in front of the fire. And you'd never know that she'd  been going round the house yelling at the top of her voice and molesting poor Charlie if he came anywhere near her!  She will have an appointment with the vet just as soon as we can arrange it.

But this is what peace and quiet looks like

Celebrating a new author

Yesterday I was talking about the new courses I will be running this year.(I'll come back to talk about the second one - Leeds - October  later) But anyone who reads this blog regularly will know that one of my favourite places for teaching a writing course  is the one that's coming up at the end of February as it has done for the past few years.

At the very first Fishguard course I ever taught I met a lovely lady who has gone on to be one of my favourite students   and a dear friend.  Rachael Thomas started with the earliest, basic course I ran there and then she joined me on the Advanced Romance Writing Course that I organised to take the basic tuition on to another stage.

Away from the course she worked hard,  writing when she could grab time as well as  caring for her family, helping run the family farm. She  joined the RNA's  New Writers' Scheme, submitted manuscripts and learned from  the critiques - she worked and worked and she didn't give in. Like so many of us - me included - she had rejections that knocked her confidence but she picked herself up and had the courage to keep on going, keep trying.

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Last year she entered the  huge So You Think You Can Write contest   and her story - Behind The Scandalous Facade  was chosen as one of that contests Top Ten - out of the huge number of entries.  She didn't win first place  and the publishing contract  that was part of the prize - but the editor who had read her entry loved it so much that she sent revision suggestions for Rachael to work on, which she did.

And yesterday I heard the very special, wonderful news that another of my students has received The Call.

I love this moment -  sharing the success of someone who has worked so  hard, learned so much, had the courage to pick herself up from rejection and  keep on going, keep on trying -  and now has the wonderful achievement of knowing that her dream has come true. Rachael is the perfect example of how you should never give in because this story, this  manuscript, might just one day be The One.

2014 is a special year for me. In  December it will be 30 years since my own very first book was published.  I remember only too well (even after all these years) how it  felt to wake up the morning after I received  the Call (though in those days it was a letter!) - the way that Rachael is feeling this morning. So I'm delighted to share this special year  with her and her first book ever.

Last year at Fishguard I helped celebrate Rachael's birthday by giving her a cake  in the shape of a book with her name on it - in the hope that one day that cake would become a real book. I'm so happy that this year  we will be able to celebrate her wonderful success.  And I'm so happy to have been able to help just a bit in getting to this special day.

Many many  congratulations Rachael -  I'm so happy for you. Here's to your  first book - I can't wait to read it -  and let's hope it's just  number one  of many for the future in your career as a published romance writer!

New Courses for 2014

I've been asked about the new  writing  courses I said I had coming up  for this year. I've sent all the details to my web site designer so she can post them up on my Events  page -  but as she's rather busy right now,and I'm not sure exactly when these details will be posted, I'll put some news on here as well

So here's the first one - coming up in May.

Relax and Write  - 16 - 18 May 2014

Writing Romantic Fiction  with Kate Walker

Place: Weetwood Hall LEEDS  Yorkshire  

Cost: £240

Romantic Fiction is big business.  This course is intended to provide information and advice for anyone who wants to learn how to write romantic fiction.  It gives an introduction to all the skills needed for success, from initial research to the final submission of the typescript. The courses are informal and fun.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN THE PROGRAMME

•             Creating realistic characters

•             Sustaining pace and conflict

•             Packing emotional punch

•             Writing sex scenes

•             Crafting a satisfactory ending.

If you’re just starting out writing romance, or you've written a manuscript or two but are not yet published and are interested in honing your skills, this course is for you.

Also running on the same weekend :

Creative Writing & the Art of Self-Discovery -  with Stephen Wade

http://www.stephen-wade.com/

For further information contact:  Lois Bird-Maddox ‘Relax & Write’ Course Organiser

E-mail LOISBM@aol.com

 http://www.malagaworkshops.co.uk

Write to: The Secretary, ‘Relax & Write’ 9 (D) Langthorn Close,

Frampton Cotterell, Bristol BS36 2JH.

Book early to guarantee a place.  Book early and pay by installments.

Non-participating partners welcome.

These courses are small and informal. The important words are relax and write.

 I already have bookings for the May course, so if you're interested please contact Lois and let her know so that she can reserve yous a place and you won't miss out.

Getting closer

This is how you play bat the mousie, Ruby . . .

Want to come on one of my writing courses ?

I'm trying to get organised.

The emphasis there is on the word trying. One of these days, I'll turn into Superwoman and have everything under control, everywhere tidy, everything in its right place . ..  but I'm afraid I'm one of those people who work best in 'creative chaos'!   Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

One of the things I'm hoping to get done before the end of the month is to update my web site. It has been sadly neglected in the past year, and I need to get it sorted.   I'll be totally  updating my Events page where I list everything I'm doing like the writing courses I run in  various places through the year.

I have new courses to let you know about - more details on those in my next post - but before I do
  that, I need to  talk about my Advance Romance Writing Course in Fishguard in February .

This course is strictly limited to 15 places available - it has to be limited because it is such an intensive, focused course that it's impossible to manage with any more than this number. Add in the  one to one critiquing sessions and the weekend goes by in a flash,

This year's course has been  sold out  almost since the dates were first announced  last year.

But yesterday I learned of an unexpected cancellation so, for the first time ever, I do  have a single place on this year's course.

It's coming up in February -   Friday 28th February - Sunday 2nd March to be exact.
Where?  Fishguard Bay Hotel  Fishguard  Pembrokeshire
And the cost is just   £229 all  in - that's room, all meals, and the course . . . six workshops sessions and your one to one.


I know it's short notice - but this place has only just become available.  So if you're interested  you can contact me - use the link at the bottom of the page- (kate At kate-walker.com)  or get in touch with Gerry Hobbs of Writers' Holidays who organizes this event  - and you might be able to grab this rare available place.

But  do remember that this is the Advanced  Romance Writing Course. Anyone who attends this course  should have been on  one of my foundation courses - or one run by another writer. And you do need to submit a chapter for assessment. This isn't a one size fits all course, I tailor the workshops to the people attending.  It's focused, intensive - but we also have a lot of fun!

If you're interested contact Writers' Holiday here

If the foundation courses are what you're looking for - more news on that coming up.  And all details will soon be on my Events page (I hope!)

I

Little and Large 2

Someone  - well, several people actually, who saw the previous picture of Charlie and Ruby  on the settee, wondered what the difference in size looked like when they were standing on the floor.

Well, they don't often stand beside each other very much at the moment - if Ruby comes alongside Charlie it's because she wants to bop him on the  ear - or on his tail - so that he will chase her. They spend a lot of time thundering up and down stairs, one chasing after the other.

But they do pause for breath when they get hungry and it's time to eat - so I was able to snatch this photo  while things were quiet the other day.

This is as close as they get together when it's food time!

But you can see the difference!

Ruby has grown a lot since she arrived - but she'll have to go a long way to match Charlie!

Tote Bags 'N' Blogs

So today is January 12th.  How's your New Year so far? Have you settled in to 2014 or is it still all  bright sparkling and new to you?
Have you made resolutions? Kept any of them?

I've spent the last week or so sorting and organizing - oh, and throwing a ball for  a small, scampering kitten to chase  all over the place. I'm relieved to have the Christmas tree down so that she's give up climbing that!  And I'm particularly glad to know that she is no longer going to entice Charlie  to follow her up it!

So, as I mentioned a few days ago, there is a slight change in the way my guest blogs are organised for 2014 - and that means that instead of being on the first Sunday of each month, my post for Toe Bags 'n' Blogs will now be on the 12th of each month.

Which of course is today.

And Tote Bags is here

So that's where my post today is - all about some of the things I am looking forward to so much in 2014.

Settling in

I've had lots of inquiries to see how Ruby is doing and if she's settling in well. The answer is, yes, it's  now really seeming as if she has always been here. She picked me out at the Cats' Protection shelter and she has  pretty obviously felt at home from the moment she arrived.

She has grown so fast - acquiring very long legs so I'm not sure what size she might end up as when she is a fully grown cat.  Nothing like the huge cat that Charlie is, but then he's a Maine Coon so it's in  the breed. At the moment she still looks like a little bit dropped off Charlie - see the photo for  size comparison!

She is slowly winning Charlie over.  From growling and hissing  for two day,s they moved in to tolerating each other from a distance. Now they often touch noses in greeting and  have started to play with each other a little. The only trouble is that size of Charlie's. When he plays chasing and pouncing he is a bit awesome and  there have been some bloodcurdling shrieks from Ruby when she feels overwhelmed.

But she's working on growing to  even out the difference. She had her second set of vaccinations on Tuesday and has put on 0.5 kilo since she arrived. She has also lost the harsh, roughness of her coat and is starting to look really glossy and sleek.  She is also a total charmer - no one can resist her , not even Charlie, even if he does try to play the Alpha Male who is determined to keep his distance!  A perfect feline Modern Romance going on before my eyes!

Mary Wibberley

I had some sad news yesterday. One of my personal favourite romance writers died during the Christmas holidays. Mills and Boon author Mary Wibberley, from Worsley near Manchester,  died at the age of 79 after a short illness.

Mary's first novel, Black Niall, was published in 1973, after which she went on to pen a further 47 romantic fiction novels and was a firm favourite with Mills and Boon fans throughout the years.

She caught the writing bug when she had an article printed in the Manchester Evening News when she was a child, dreaming of being an author as a schoolgirl and continuing to write whilst working part-time and bringing up her two children with her adored  husband Derek.

After seven manuscript rejections she finally got the letter she had been waiting for when she was 38.

As well as Mills and Boon novels, Mary also produced a guide for budding romantic fiction authors, To Writers With Love, and continued to encourage others to tell their own stories, especially at the annual Swanwick Writers' Conference which she attended for more than 40 years.

When I was first trying to write for Harlequin Mills & Boon, Mary’s novels were some of the ones I read with the greatest pleasure.  I loved her alpha male heroes and her spirited heroines.  I still have  my copy of her book Fire and Steel  with the hero Garth Vanner and heroine Arwenna. I must have read this several times over.

I was lucky enough to meet Mary, first at a writers’ day  in Eccles where  I was giving a talk. She was a big lady in all ways, tall, statuesque, warm, approachable and generous.   I remember that she invited all the sp was filled with family and numerous cats and dogs. Later I saw her at the early Author Days and Association  of Mills & Boon Author s meetings. 

eakers back to her house which

Mary’s how to write romance guide – To Writers With Love was  a great help to me when I was learning my craft – it read very much like hearing her talk, as if it was her voice in my ears as I read it. I still have my copy that she signed for me personally and when I heard the sad news of her death I took it out to look through it again.

I plan on rereading Fire and Steel this weekend in memory of her – and I’m going to go through To Writers With Love to remind me of her sound, practical and down to earth advice before I teach my course in Fishguard again in February.   I specially loved the chapter titled Pardon Me, You’re Treading on My Fantasy – a staunch rejection  of anyone who scorned romance novels as rubbish.

To quote:

‘So don’t be apologetic when you become successful and get your first romantic novel in print. What you are writing is escapist fiction and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Fairy Tales have been with us since the beginning of time, Everyone needs fantasy in their lives.’

Well said, Mary!

She opened the introduction to  To Writers With Love   with the words -

When I put down my pen for the last time and go to that Great Writer's Workshop in the Sky, my first task will be to ensure that there are unlimited supplies of paper (narrow feint, no margins, A4 size), my second that there are a few thousand pens (Bic crystal, black, medium point). If there aren't, I'm not staying.

I hope she has all the paper and pens she wants now. 

RIP Mary.

First Friday - Pink Hearts

It's  January 3rd and so it's the first Friday of the month. And , as with 2013, the first Friday of each month is when I post over atThe Pink Heart Society so that's where you'll find me today.

The First Friday Date With Kate will stay the same this year, for the PHS, The other regular guest post I do will be at Tote Bags and Blogs as before - but instead of the first Sunday of each month, that pot will now be on the 12th of every month from now on. So I'll be posting over there on the 12th January - which, now I've checked the calendar, will actually be a Sunday this month. But from then on it will be just whichever day the 12th falls

If you go and read the Pink Heart Blog, you'll see that I'm admitting to not being as organised as I'd like. I deliberately took some time over the Christmas break to stay away from the computer and work-related things  so there's a bit  of catching up to do! (A bit - now there's an understatement!)

I have sent out prizes to everyone who has contacted me  so hopefully the books will reach you just as soon as the mail can manage it.

There is one last winner who hasn't been announced - and that was the winner of the Christmas Eve giveaway - Charlie was too busy playing with Ruby's toys and trying to follow her up the Christmas tree - to be interested in  picking a winner   but now that things have calmed down a but, he has picked

sleepysian
as the winner of a copy of A Throne For The Taking.   Sian please send me your postal address so |I can

send you your prize.

Now I'm going back to my 'To Do' list - maybe by the end of the weekend I'll be a bit more organised - or I'll just have a while new set of To Do Lists to work on.

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year - and that 2014 will give you lots of happy days, joyful times and  love to leave you with truly happy memories.
#And everyone in the UK who is afflicted by the torrential rain, high winds and flooding  - keep safe - and, hopefully - dry!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all my friends, readers and fellow writers - I hope 2014 is truly joyful for you but most of all a year filled with love.

from Kate

 and Charlie

and of course from Ruby

Stocking Filler winners and one last chance to win

Charlie has been busy picking winners for the advent calendar here and on my Newsletter list. It was a hard time fitting in time for him to do this job as there has been so very much to do, and he was a bit harassed by a small black and white kitten who kept wanting to join in - obviously I'm going to have to train her up so that she can pick some winners next year!

Anyway, there are some winners  names to announce  so here we go -

The winners of stocking filler books are:
Carol  - who wins Kept for Her Baby
Maria - who has to decide whether to pick Kept for Her Baby or The Greek Tycoon's  Unwilling Wife!

And Lidia - who hasn't  named a book, but she can let me know about that.

Charlie also picked some winners from my newsletter list -
Andrea  K
Jane K
Sheila F
So tomorrow is Christmas Eve - can you believe it?  How did it get here that fast?
What do you do on Christmas Eve? Is it all bustle and organizing - baking  - wrapping ? Or do you get together with family?  Do you eat a special meal on Christmas Eve ? Or do you end up working on preparations right to the last minute?  I'll be out at 6am making sure I get fresh bread for the holidays.

I have a friend whose family opens their presents on Christmas Eve? Does anyone  else do that? I know the royal family do too - so you'd be in esteemed company!

The giveaway book this time is my most recent title - A Throne For The Taking . . .

A kingdom's safety...
Betrayed by those she loves, Honoria Escalona must now face the only man capable of bringing stability to the Mediterranean kingdom of Mecjoria. A cold, hard man who once called her his friend... Alexei Sarova-the true King of Mecjoria.
In exchange for her happiness
But Alexei's tortuous past has changed him into someone she hardly knows. He blames Ria's family for his bitterness, and his help-when he offers it-comes with a price: he'll take his rightful place as King with Ria as his wife, until she produces a true-blood heir...

Tell me about your Christmas Eve and you'll be in with a chance of winning a copy.

Oh - and  little Ruby says that she loves her new home . . . and  this Christmas stuff  is very exciting  - she's already climbed the Christmas Tree three times . . .
But it's also very very tiring . . .

Back to The Advent Calendar - Stocking filler weekend

Well, what with one thing and another - and Ruby! - the Advent Calendar got totally muddled up and behind itself - but not to  worry.  We can still have a fun weekend   and I can give away some books   before December 25th dawns.

First of all - I have to announce the winner of the last giveaway -  a copy of His Suitable Bride.

That goes to Gladys
And I still have  a copy of The Konstantos Marriage Demand  to go to Charlotte who seems to have missed the announcement.

Now - to get back to the Advent Calendar - Let's have a pot luck weekend.  A stocking stuffer giveaway.

I just read  a magazine article, full of pictures and details of 'stocking  fillers'. Not one of them was under £12!!   Er - not in this house.  The idea for the stocking my family and I make up is that nothing is to cost very much at  all,  but all the gifts are to be fun and perhaps silly - certainly to be enjoyed on Christmas

morning.

In fact, a romance novel is perhaps the perfect sort of stocking filler  for many women I know.

So here's how you get a chance to win an extra (if perhaps a little belated ) gift to go into your stocking this year. (Even if it's too late for the big day,  hopefully it will  provide some enjoyment and relaxation in the new year.

All you have to do is to turn up, say hello  - tell me where you're from  and where you're spending Christmas.
Then you let me know which of these ten  books you'd like to find in your stocking on Christmas morning -  and why

You can choose from
The Return of the Stranger
The Proud Wife

A Good Greek Wife?
The Greek Tycoon's Unwilling Wife
Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife
The Devil and Miss Jones
The Sicilian's Red Hot Revenge
Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride
Bedded by The Greek Billionaire
Kept for Her Baby

If you need any help deciding which one of these you'd like to win - click on the title of each book and the link will take you to the page on my web site where you can read about them.

Or if you have read a particular book and enjoyed it - you can pick a friend you think would love it too and tell me about them.

You can post at any time over the weekend  and hopefully I will have got things back on  track to organise
Charlie to pick  some winners on Monday morning.  It will be pointless to ask Ruby - she hasn't shown any interest in cat treats, much to Charlie's total disgust!

Let me know which books you'd choose.

Where was I? With Ruby

Well, that all went a bit pear-shaped didn't it?  I kept trying to get to my blog, planing on writing something and offering another book in the Advent Calendar, but things kept happening.
The doorbell kept ringing - more visitors

I had to keep going back to the Post Office - more prizes to send out

I had to plan - and work on connecting with the students for my February  Advanced Romance Writing Course at  Fishguard - even at Christmas the preparations for next year don't stop.


And talking about writing courses and teaching - I have  new plans for  the 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance - more soon - watch this space.

Oh - and  Ruby happened.

Ruby - not the 40th wedding celebration -  but she is part of them.  This is Ruby.

Or, rather that was Ruby when I first met her last Sunday - which was when  the organised life started to go  a bit  less organised!

I didn't think I was ready for another cat.  Flora's illness was so upsetting and sad  that the Babe Magnet and I weren't sure  we  could love another creature while we were  still so sad. But that was before The Offspring's Fiancee took me to visit the local Cat's Protection League  rescue where a small black and white bundle of fur threw herself into my arms and made it obvious that she knew I'd come to collect her.  And how could I argue with her when she had settled there and purred. . . and purred. . . and purred. . . .

We had to wait some days to make sure that no one claimed her. She'd been found wandering alone on the streets -

and as she  was only about 8 weeks old, that was a sad little story, especially when the weather has been so bitterly cold and wet.   So we had to leave her  at the centre (reluctantly because she yelled and yelled in protest when she was put back into the pen) . But no one did claim her and yesterday we went to fetch her and bring her home. She was still yelling! But she stopped as soon as I appeared  and jumped into my arms again - and that was that.
So here we are, with  Christmas just a few days away, the tree only half-decorated (as you can see) and some of the gifts not yet wrapped  . . .

and Here's Ruby!

But she's already wriggled her way into our hearts  - the humans anyway, but Charlie is a little distant as yet. She makes it clear that she thinks she fell asleep and woke up in cat heaven. There is food, and warmth, and lots of fuss (she yells if she doesn't get enough) and she slept curled up between us in the bed last night.

  So now I have  to go out - I know she's going to protest, and she'll probably still be yelling when I come back. But she'll soon get to realise that I do come back and we'll all settle down (even Charlie) into one big family.

Welcome, Ruby!

So that's why I've been otherwise occupied - there will. be more of the Advent Calendar next!

Advent Calendar Day 15

I've been preparing packages for the post - prizes for winners -  so now I need to add two more names to those because my last prize was to give away two copies of The Konstantos Marriage.

It's taken some time to get Charlie in to pick the winners. The weather actually brightened and he was out enjoying the sunshine (cold sunshine - but at least it was bright and dry) and so he didn't want to come indoors at all - not even for cat treats!

Anyway, he's come back in for a short visit and has picked the two winners for me - they are:
Debby
and
Charlotte

Ladies  - you know the drill, please email me with your postal addresses and I'll get your book in the mail to you.

So how are you all doing with your Christmas preparations? I have  a tree. Some crackers. Some stocking to fill and the little gifts to fill them.  Parcels overseas have been sent (apart from prizes!) , cards written and posted - except for the couple of people I forgot!  I lost my  list of names and addresses  - I had it on my computer and a computer blip meant that it was corrupted and so this year I had to start all over again. I know there will still be some one  who  I've not got on the new list - but I'm hoping that if a card arrives from an unlisted sender, I will have some cards left over - and  can add their name to my new list.

What about you?  Are you still writing lists of things to do?  Still got gifts to buy? Cards to send? Or are you like some incredibly organised people and have it all done and dusted now? I have a sister who often buys
Christmas gifts in  July - in the sales! If I did that, then I'd put the presents I'd bought somewhere 'safe' - and forget where I've hidden them.

So tell me about how organised you are so I can be envious - or make me feel happily smug that I'm doing

better than you.

Today's giveaway is  another of those 3 in 1 collections - His Suitable Bride
My book in this collection is  Cordero's Forced Bride-

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 . . .

The other novels in this collection are by Cathy Williams and Abby Green

So post your comments  - let me know how you're doing with your plans and preparations -  or not! And you'll be in with a chance of winning this.

Advent Calendar - day 12

The people in the Post Office are getting used to see me arriving with packages of prizes for the winner  on the Advent Calendar  - or the special draw  for my Newsletter group.  (If you're not on that  and you want to be - see the link to join at the bottom of the page.)  They even recognise the shape of the parcels and when I say ' This is to go to America. . . Australia . . .Indonesia . . . ' they'll add  'and it's  a book?' The advent calendar is getting me noticed!

So today I'm getting some more prizes in the post -  and there's another winner I need to announce - that's the winner of Kept For Her Baby.

And the winner is Yvonne.

Yvonne please email me kate AT kate-walker dot com  with your postal address so that I can get your prize in the mail to you.

So far the Newsletter winners are:
Tonda H from Kentucky
Gemma W  from Norfolk
Flora L from  Baltimore
Jane S
Barbara S from Indiana
One point I need to mention - obviously at this time of year, there is a lot of mailing going on! Cards,  gifts, all over the place, flying to all  parts of the world.   I guarantee that I will put your prize in the mail just as soon as I can and I will package it securely, send it on its way.  After that, it's up to the Royal Mail  or whoever delivers to your part of the world.   I can't guarantee delivery - and I can't guarantee when it will arrive. I hope you all appreciate this.  It's a risk I take when I send parcels all over the world - but  it's one I'm prepared to take as I have friends/readers all over the world too.

Yesterday As well as the parceling the Babe Magnet and I did some major sorting out and cleaning, getting the house  ready for Christmas,. As a result, by the time the evening came we were both  worn out,  So I indulged in  a long, hot soak in the bath, with a vanilla scented candle  burning on the windowsill. I slept wonderfully after that.

So  - today's  question  for you to talk about is this - at this time of year, everyone is so busy - especially women! As mothers, wives, daughters, we all have so much to do, things to prepare, gifts to buy, meal to cook.  We all need a little me  time to help us  keep going.   What little extra treats do you have to keep yourself going -  a cup of tea, a hot bath?  A lie-in in the morning?   Watching a special TV programme?  (I love catching up with the soaps for this!)

I'm sure that for a lot of us, a quiet time with a good book is a special indulgence in the busy days.  So I have 2 copies ( because I might have missed a couple of days on the calendar!)  of  The Konstantos Marriage Demand  to give away this time.

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!

Advent Calendar - and a winner

Things got busier than I expected -  anyone would think it was coming up to Christmas! I just ventured out to  the local shopping mall  and it was hectic! But  I think I'm getting organised now. I have to write some cards though ..  . that's tonight's job.

Thank you for the good news - I was so happy to read it. Mary and Kaelee - new babies are always a wonderful joy and  congratulations to Lois and Charlotte on your successes.  And I know personally  what a wonderful result can come from the operation to remove cataracts. Eli, I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I hope the days that pass will ease your heart.

Everyone who nominated a friend to have a book sent to them - they're on the way! They may get tangled up in the Christmas posts but  hopefully they'll reach your friends soon.

Oh yes - and the winner of the good news prize is Lois - so you have won  a copy of Mediterranean Tycoons. I hope that's good news for you.  Lois please send me your postal address so that I can get the book in the mail to you.

Today's prize - appropriately enough with the news of babies etc - is a copy of 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 of winning a copy - well, seeing as I'm going to be writing my cards tonight  - along with the Babe Magnet, beside the fire  with maybe a glass of wine . . .- tell about the cards you send.
Have you written them yet? Or maybe even posted them already?

Go you still send all paper cards? Or have you decided to choose ecards instead?

And what designs do you choose?  Traditional ones, maybe with a Nativity scene or a Christmas Tree -  modern designs  or perhaps you like comedy cards, with  cartoons or silly photos?

We got our first card in the mail - it was a  picture of  a big fat robin. I'm going to have to show this to the robin that comes to the bird-table in my garden - he's only young and a skinny little thing so he needs encouragement  to grow"!

Advent Calendar Day 7 - Good News Day

I have a hectic couple of days coming up - visiting family, appointments, etc  - and that's before I plan on writing the cards and getting the tree out of storage - so I won't be able to post again until Monday - but that's fine  because it gives you all time to leave comments ready for the next  Advent Calendar giveaway.

To catch up with the winners so far -
Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride was won by Shropshire Lass 
The Good Greek Wife  was won by Kerstin
The Duke's Secret Wife  goes to Samantha Hodges and Laney


Yesterday I posted on the Pink Heart Society about sharing  - and giving a book in your name to people you felt deserved one.    I have  five winners from there

 Jo's Daughter, 
 Charlotte, 
Kaelee,
 bn and 
Mary  Preston

And then there were two people who nominated special people in their lives after Charlie had picked the winners -
I'd love to give a book to all of your nominees.  But I'm sure you'll appreciate that my prize stock is limited  - and the postage all over the world can be expensive! (Can be? It is!)

So what I'm going to do is to include this busy weekend in the prize sharing giveaway - which means that  Maria  Perry Mohan and Eli Yanti's friends get a book as well - and then we'll return to the main giveaway on Monday with a single book to win.

So can the givers listed above  - and Eli and Maria  please email me kate AT kate-walker .com and remind me of the book you have chosen. Give me your friend's address - or yours if you want to be the one to give the prize to her - and let me know your nominees names so I can sign it to her if you want.

Maria, and Eli please let me know the name of the book  from the list on the PHS that you would like to give to your friend.

The nominees stories and some of the other messages I've received have made it clear that a  lot of people have had a difficult year in 2013  so I'd like to make t he question  for the giveaway on Monday to hopefully change the tone a little - so here goes-


Can you share some GOOD news with  me? Let me know the nice, the kind, the lovely, joyful things that have happened to you this year. I'd love to hear.   Please post them between now and Monday  - and the winner will receive a copy of the 3 in 1  collection  Mediterranean Tycoons.

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?

 This collection contains  my 2007 novel The Greek Tycoon's Unwilling Wife  as well as stories by Michelle Reid and Sarah Morgan.  So it'll be good news for whoever wins it!

So - share your good news stories.  Here's one to start you off -
Remember  this post     on  the So You Think You Can Write contest?

Well, I'm delighted to say that Tanya  won the first prize in the contest with her manuscript If Only.  Huge congratulations to Tanya and I'll be looking for her  book when it's published as a result of this contest. That's definitely good news for her!
ember

So - let's have some more good news over the weekend.  You have lots of time to post between now and Monday (probably late when  I get a chance to catch up)

And all the winners, please contact me  - use the link at the bottom of the page or the one above, omitting the spaces  etc.

Advent Calendar - Pink Heart Day

Today is the first Friday of the month  so that means it's my Pink Hearts Society columnist day.

I've posted over on the Pink Hearts  blog - and I'm continuing my Advent Calendar count down over there.  Today is a special day - for sharing the Advent Calendar with others and I  hope you'll nominates someone you love who will be in with a chance to win a book.

Charlie is out prowling round the garden, but when he comes in I'll get him to pick the next couple of winners.

Advent Calendar Day 4

It's been a wild  day today.  I know there have been much wilder, fiercer storms all over the world this year - but today's howling wind and flying tree branches, were more than enough for me. I can't say I enjoyed the feeling of having the car been blown towards the centre of the road -  or having flying branches hit the windscreen. It made me think of everyone who has been hit by the ferocious force of nature this year   - and hope there are beginning to pick themselves and their lives back up  a bit now.,

It also worried me for the people in my area - along the Lincolnshire /East Anglia  coastline where they are being hit by a ferocious storm surge, threatened with floods and desalination as the high water time approaches. I hope every manages to stay safe  - and I'd  hope, dry and warm.  Keep inside - and look after yourselves, wherever you are.

That's partly why I;'m a bit late posting this blog today - the other is the reason why I went out and about - I was looking for stocking fillers.  For me, stockings are one of the very best bits of Christmas traditions. I love collecting up small gifts, ones that I know will make my loved ones smile - or, preferably , laugh - and there's little I like more than Christmas morning with everyone curled up on the bed (Charlie the cat included) with mugs of tea (OK - that's not for Charlie!), everyone delving into their stocking and pulling out a small, funny, pretty, interesting gift.  I know my son is grown up and he and his lovely partner have a home of their own now  but - well, no one's  too old to have a Christmas Stocking are they?

So that's today's question - do you still have Christmas stockings - or give them to the 'kids' on Christmas morning?

What sort of things do you put in them?   I know my parents always put an annual in with ours - and the plan was that we were to sit and read the book so as not to wake mother and father too early - it worked sometimes!

As stocking fillers are small, lovely little packages, I have a couple of copies of the novella - The Duke's  Secret Wife to give away to someone who comments this time.  The Duke's Secret Wife came out originally in   Society  Weddings (with Sharon Kendrick) in  2002 and then was republished in the Centenary celebrations in 2008.

Isabelle's secret marriage to Don Luis de Silva seems to be over. But the heir to the dukedom of Madriagalo demands that she return to Spain with him and pretend to be his fiancée - and then his wife! What does Luis have to gain from this reunion - except Isabelle?

I don't have a photo of Charlie with his Christmas Stocking - but  I know he won't mind if I share this lovely one of the late, great Dylan (just for you Biddy!)  who obviously knew that Santa Could be expected to come down the chimney!

Keep safe everyone out in the wild winds.

Advent Calendar Day 3 & Winner Day 2

Today's the Post Office day.  The day when I wrap up  the gifts for my friends and family who live too far away for me to be able to visit and deliver their presents in person over the Christmas holidays and then take them down to the Post Office to let the mail service do that for me. .  As I do this I think of the people I love who are in other countries, even the other side of the world, and I wish I could be going with the packages to their doors.

There are dear family members like my beloved eldest sister over in Australia. The Ofspring's gorgeous  Godmother who now lives in Spain. And then there are the friends I would never have met if it wasn't for the internet and email - dear friend Anne McAllister and my lovely web designer - and maintainer - Heather from HR Web Concepts . And Lee Hyat from Author Sound Relations  whose blog at Tote Bags 'n' Blogs I contribute to each month.  

These are the ones I have to get into the post now while there's still time for delivery for the big day.  There will be a few more parcels sent out  where they're going to the UK and there's more time  to spare for them. 

And then of course there will be  all the Advent Calendar giveaway  that will be sent on their way as soon as I get the addresses to send them to.

So  - yesterday's prize goes to:

SHROPSHIRE LASS

She wins a copy of Sicilian Husband,  Blackmailed Bride -  please send  your postal address so I can sent the books on its way - kater AT kate-walker dot com (or use the link at the bottom of the page. ) PLease ask for a receipt so that you know I've received the email

Today's prize is The Good Greek Wife. This book came out in 2010 and was part of a mini seroes based on the Greek Myths.

The return of the proud Greek husband...
He was declared missing at sea — but now notorious Zarek Michaelis is back and ready to take cont

rol! 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? 


To be in with a chance of winning, just leave a comment - answering this question:

Do you have relatives and friends over seas who you need to send packages to? Is there someone who lives so far away (even in the same country - not many places are as compact as the UK!)  that you'll have to rely on the Post Office to act as Santa  for you?

Who would you love to see on Christmas Day (give me a Tardis and I'd bring my sister,  the Godmother , and Anne McA here like a shot - or I'd go to them.) Will you get in touch with them on Dec 25th no matter what?
I know my phone bill is going to be huge over the festive period!

Advent Calendar - Day 2 .

Well, if you visited on Sunday, you'll have been wondering what happened to day 2 of the Advent Calendar -  me too!  I just couldn't find a moment to write a post, choose a book to give away, organise anything.

But that's what it's like at this time of year, isn't it? There are places to go, people to see, presents to buy . . . .  Monday was one of those - places to go, people to see days.  The Babe Magnet's brother lives in Leeds and  Monday was the day planned for a visit to him  - and an early delivery of some Christmas gifts.  So that's what took up the time  and I never managed to write a blog post for the Advent Calendar.

So  because of that I think today's question should be about visiting people at Christmas.

Do you have all your family and friend close at hand so that you  can see them on the day, or close to it (lucky you!) Or do you need to go travelling to make sure you can see people who matter to you at Christmas?

Who is the one special person you really must see, without whom it just wouldn't be Christmas?

Post your answers in the Comments section  and as always I'll get Charlie on the job of picking the name of a winner - as you can see he's getting into the spirit of things and is  more than ready to pick Day 2's winner  ..  .

. .  .and Day 3's  . . . more of that coming up.

Today's prize giveaway is  Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride   a book from 2007
It's Guido's story from the Sicilian Brothers duo -

Possessed by his passion!
Dark, proud and sinfully gorgeous, Guido Corsentino is determined to reclaim his wife. Outwardly, Amber
is perfect and untouchable - but Guido knows the passionate woman inside. One kiss, and he's certain she'll give him whatever he demands . . .
But Guido is also certain of something else: Amber ran away from him once—so she won't be given the opportunity to do so again. He'll protect her from the consequences of her actions . . . in his bed!

PS If  you're on my newsletter mailing list, there are extra chances to win in this year's  Advent Calendar giveaway - so make sure you comment to be in with a chance.

Tote Bags Day & Advent Calendar

As it's the first Sunday in December, today I'm blogging over at Tote Bags 'N'  Blogs. 

Today I'm talking about Advent Calendars - and regular visitors to my blog will know that there's a special reason for that. 

One  Advent Calendar tradition  I’ve always had is  the one that I’ve opened on my blog each year. In the countdown to Christmas I ask visitors to the blog to come along and tell me about their preparations, or  their hopes, their plans for the holiday period over the next 24 days.  Every day I  ask a question – one that’s so easy to answer, and there’s no right or wrong,  you just tell me a bit more about yourselves.  

And every day Charlie the  Maine Coon picks and answer from one of the contributors  and the chosen person wins a signed book  from my backlist – it might be an older title. Sometimes it’s a 3 in 1 anthology where my book has been published along with a couple of others – I don’t quite  know what titles I have in my backlist titles collection these days. I have to go and sort things out  before I can announce what books I’m offering

But today you can be in with a chance to win the first Advent Calendar prize if you go over to Tote Bags 'N' Blogs  and join in.