12 Point Guide Workshop

The final Point #12 of the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance is now up at the Pink Heart Society Aspiring Authors' Forum. 


This is the one that deals with the way romance novels are expected to end - The Believable Happy Ending - with the emphasis on that word 'Believable' so we're nearly at the end of this workshop.

 Before we finish completely, I will answer any questions anyone has - from any of the points or discussions in the workshop and then I will be setting Charlie the Maine Coon to pick a winner of a copy of the 12 Point Guide from amongst the writers who have joined in.

  Happy International Cat Day from Charlie and Ruby - who say Isn't it #International Cat Dat every day?

  Join the Pink  Heart Society Aspiring Authors forum for information and discussion on writing

That's where I'm running the 12 Point Guide Workshop  to mark the publication of the revised and updated edition of the 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance    (An Emerald Guide)  - now available on Amazon   as  both a print book and ebook form.

Also on  Amazon.com

Remember to look for those words: An Emerald Guide to guarantee you have the most recent and up to date edition - other have not been brought up to date,  even if they have the same cover.

Today's topic is FOCUS - tomorrow we'll be looking at SENSUALITY

PS To the last post

Wow! I was just checking the Amazon.com page for a link to the 12 Point Guide and I find this - already! A lovely little orange sticker as a bestseller!

 I should point out though - that the Amazon page says the book is 180 pages - er - no - I have a copy right here and it's a nice, substantial book of 274 pages- much better value for money.

 Thank you to everyone who has already stirred up interest in this new edition.

(Re)publishing news

I love the RNA Conference but so many late nights, so much talking, leaves me needing to catch up. 

Add into that mixture the fact that the BM and I had a wedding anniversary to celebrate, then meeting with friends in Harrogate and I just about think I've completed the washing/packing/unpacking/washing/packing/unpacking/washing cycle. At least I have had no trouble getting the clothes dry in this heat!

So now it's a new week and I have some exciting news - as people realised from the bookstall at RNA - and thanks to the interest of a new publisher Straightforward Publishing/Emerald Guides I can now announce the publication of a new edition of the 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance.

 I've taken the opportunity to revise and update this and distribution should be more efficient too.  It's now available on Amazon.co.uk
and   
Amazon.com  

Also  The Book  Depository  


Looking at the Amazon pages for this, it seems the news has already leaked out - but I plan some extra publicity events, and perhaps some giveaways - an internet workshop too - so watch this space. I'm just glad to enjoy the special moment of a the parcel delivery and have the new edition in my hands.

Authors for Nepal

Just  23 hours left to place a bid on the Authors for Nepal auction - with so many wonderful lots of signed books, critiques etc available.

My lot of  signed copies of
The Alcolar Family  3 in 1 collection
A Question of Honour
Olivero's Outrageous Proposal

and
12  Point Guide to Writing Romance

is to be found here

Happy Eclipse Day

As I write this, here in the UK the eclipse of the sun is just beginning.  Luckily the sky was clear and bright and the sun vivid in the sky when I woke up so  the growing silence and a slight lessening of that brilliance is  already creeping over the world outside. And the birds are growing quieter too, after singing a wild dawn chorus earlier.

I remember that when there last was an eclipse of the sun,  I was up early because I was writing and I really wanted to get my book finished before the eclipse happened. I managed it -  just!  That book was the one that ended up being titled  Rafael’s Love-Child.

Yesterday I had a delivery of a box of books  - always a happy event  - but this one was something slightly different. For some time  now, since I  revised and put out the new Kindle ebook edition of  the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance,  I've had people write and ask about a new paperback edition.  Yes, they say, the Kindle version is cheap and easy to get hold of  but  an actual  print copy is something  else.   You can mark it up, scribble in the margins, go to town with a highlighter to show the Important bits for you. And you can easily flip  back and forth to find what you need.

So, by popular request, I’ve  organised a new and updated  paperback edition of the 12 Point Guide  - and this is out now.  Please note, there isn't new material in  this book. It’s brought up to date with the names  and existence of some of the lines, etc by  changing names or removing the  details of the lines altogether but that’s all.   Oh, and I've managed to make sure that this new edition  is  a bit cheaper than the last edition –  so it’s  £9.99 instead of £10.99 – and it should be available more easily in America.   The details are up on  Amazon UK  and Amazon.com. Hopefully B&N  and others will follow. And if it’s on the Book Depository it will be delivered free.  

Oh, and this edition has the great new cover – so that’s  the new one, like the Kindle.

As I’ve always said, this book is to help everyone who’s keen to learn about writing romance  but who can’t manage to get to one of my  workshops  here in the UK.  Which, reminds  me, I’ll have some more details about the workshops coming up  for the rest of the year. After the fabulous time I had at the Focus on Writing Romance Writing Retreat I enjoyed  last weekend, I’m really looking forward to those – Coming up,  Wales (Fishguard) Cirencester,  Derbyshire . . .  And some of those are already at least half booked up!

But for now I’m going to watch the eclipse – but without looking straight at it!

Ruby's progress

People have been asking how Ruby is doing  -it's a while since I posted anything about her  (and Charlie).   So - to rectify that.

Ruby has been growing steadily and  healthily. She is now a  beautiful and sturdy  8 month old queen. (9 months  next Wednesday. She has  the Babe Magnet totally under her little white paw - and big brother Charlie is far more smitten with her than he will admit.   They play pouncing  and chasing games together, either up and down the stairs or round the garden. But she has the advantage of him there as she is a brilliant climber of tress and  she can scramble up high,. leaving him well behind.

She is also the home supervisor, checking on everything from washing to mopping the floor - or the  efficiency of the shower.  She loves to go into it and study the water drops after the shower has been used.

She has also realised that a writer needs  a little companionship when working on a book or anything else that involves using the computer and keyboard. So she has taken up the traditional cat's position on my desk - between keyboard and computer screen.  Like this


In this she is following in the paws of many cats before her - like the wonderful Sir Sidney ACOSB  (A Cat of Superior Breeding)

Sir Sid ACOSB

And the beautiful Flora . Both sadly missed.

Flora Flooziebelle

And if you want to compare her size with  big brother Charlie - well, as you can see he  still is and always be her BIG brother, no matter how much she grows.

On other matters  -  thanks to my lovey and efficient web designer Heather Reed, my web site has been updated with  all the details about the new Kindle edition of the 12 Point Guide - and the upcoming events/writing courses over the next few month.

Busy . . . .

Busy day today -

Last words  added to latest book so Alyse and Dario can have their happy ending.

Organised cat sitters for Charlie and Ruby

Last minute preparations for  the weekend course I'm teaching for Relax and Write  at Weetwood Hall  this weekend.

Just got out the Ideas Box to see if there's anything I can take along to make things extra interesting  and fun..
. .  Hmm, it seems to be full of post-it notes! They tend  to get used for the Advanced Course in  Fishguard - but you never know . . .

I've been asked to make sure that everyone
a   Relaxes
b Writes
c Eats the food provided
d. Discusses writing
e Has a good time

and one or two   people have mentioned
f.  a little wine!

I think I'm prepared for everything
SO looking forward to meeting up with everyone .

It's great to know that this course is full - the courses are kept small deliberately to make sure they're relaxed and  informal - but there are other courses and a Focus Retreat coming up in September and October.  Check out my Events Page  ( the Retreat still isn't up there - my apologies  but it will be just as soon as I get back from this one!) and Relax and Write's web site  for more details.

Oh - and I forgot to mention that if you missed the original publication of  A Good Greek Wife? it's now republished in the   Eligible Greeks - Sizzling Affairs  3 in 1 Collection .

I also realised that I haven't yet  put up the details about the Kindle edition of the 12 Point Guide  on the Writers Page of my site either . . . something else to go on the  To Do List. .  .

But first I'm going to enjoy myself  with Relax and Write.   Hope everyone else has a great weekend.

New Writers - Meet Christy McKellen

You'll remember that at Fishguard this year we had something special to celebrate - when Rachael Thomas  had her first book accepted.   Rachael had had the ambition to be my13th in 2013 - that means, that of the people I know I have helped to be published after they've been to one of my courses, read and worked with the 12 Point Guide, she hoped to be the 13th  in 2013.  Unfortunately it was a little later that Racahel got her first acceptance (but she was the 14th in 2014!)  Someone else got in on that 13th place - brand new Modern Temptation author Christy McKellen.  I asked Christy if she'd come on my blog and talk to you about her first book - and that journey to publication .

So here she is today - please welcome Christy -

My journey to publication — Christy McKellen

Where to begin?

At the end, perhaps.

I’m Christy McKellen and I write for the KISS/Modern Tempted line for Harlequin Mills & Boon.

It’s quite a thrill to be able to write that, I can tell you. It took me six years of learning craft, reading my genre, writing, submitting, receiving form rejections, picking myself up and dusting myself off, reading, writing, entering competitions, learning more, resubmitting and so on, until I captured the interest of an editor.

I was lucky enough to be offered a two-book contract last July, after submitting a full manuscript on the back of a Twitter pitch I’d entered earlier that year. (You can read my Naked Call story here—yes, I did say naked): I’m currently writing book three for the same line.

Yup, things have moved on fast!

Rewind to the beginning of my journey.

When I first decided to try writing for Mills & Boon I didn’t know another soul who was doing it and had no idea how to go about it (apart from just sitting down and writing of course, but that’s only part of the process, as I soon discovered).

So I plucked up the courage to send an email to the lovely Kate Walker, whose wonderful books I’ve read and loved for years, asking for advice. (Not that she’s at all scary, but I felt a bit shy about contacting her out of the blue J).

Kate very kindly sent me an extremely helpful and encouraging reply back and the advice she gave me was absolute gold dust.

On her suggestion I joined the RNA’s New Writers Scheme,  which, as part of the joining fee, allows you to send in a full length manuscript for critique by an editor or published author.

I also discovered and read, cover to cover, Kate’s wonderful 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance, which is a fantastic resource for aspiring romance authors.

And then I wrote. And wrote. And wrote.

After only having the traditional submitting route available at the beginning of my journey to publication, it’s been fantastic to have had an increasing number of opportunities to get my stories in front of editors over the years. I made sure I entered all the competitions that Mills & Boon ran and even though I didn’t win, or even place in any of them, I met a huge number of other aspiring authors who I’ve had the pleasure of travelling along the long and winding road with.

I’ve made some wonderful online friends that way, including my hugely talented critique partners. For me, having a group of people who were roughly at the same point in the process as I was and happy to swap manuscripts for honest, constructive advice was an absolute boon. Writing in the dark can be a lonely and frustrating business and whenever I received a form rejection with absolutely no feedback I was always a little heartbroken, so having friends to cheer me on was essential.

There were many points when I wondered whether I’d ever get there, but I guess that’s normal. I know now that I wasn’t mentally ready or sufficiently skilled to take on the challenges of working as an author six years ago (marketing, writing multiple manuscripts a year, deadlines!) and in retrospect I’m glad I went through the motions (and emotions) to get where I am today. All the experience—particularly the rejections—have made me a better and more rounded writer (with a much thicker skin).

If you’re on your own road to publication I salute you and wish you the very best of luck. My advice for getting where you want to go is this: Believe in and nurture your voice—it’s what makes you unique—and never, NEVER give up.

B.K. (Before Kids) Christy worked as a Video and Radio Producer in London and Nottingham. After a decade of dealing with nappies, tantrums and endless questions from toddlers, she has come out the other side and moved into the wonderful world of literature. She now spends her time writing flirty, sexy romance with a kick (her dream job!).

Christy loves to hear from readers (and writers!). You can find her at www.christymckellen.com or email her at christy@christymckellen.com

Christy’s debut for the KISS/Modern Tempted line HOLIDAY WITH A STRANGER is available now from all good book retailers.    Barnes & Noble    Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk  iTunes uk

 After three months travelling all Connor Preston wants to do is sink into his own bed. The last thing he expects is to find a stark-naked woman already there…  

Josie Marchpane wasn’t anticipating company either. Connor might be six foot four inches of pure muscle, and boast a disturbingly sexy smile, but a fortnight in the South of France is the one thing standing between Josie and her sanity – and she’s not about to give it up without a fight!Josie plays to win. The problem…? Connor does too. And, with only one bed between them, things are about to get interesting…

Christy’s second book for the same line LESSONS IN RULE-BREAKING will be available from May this year. 

Journalist Jess has always followed the rules when it comes to her career:

1) Never say no! Trying to extract a tell-all interview from bad boy of the art world Xander Heaton might be her own worst nightmare, but she’s just going to have to grin and bear it!

2) Absolutely no flirting on the job—professionalism is key to a journalist’s success. Even if Xander does have her imagining the most unprofessional scenarios….

3) If resistance proves impossible, remember the golden rule—never kiss and tell!

One night with Xander and she’s broken at least one rule…and discovered it’s much more fun breaking rules than making them!

Thanks for visiting, Christy.  I'm so looking forward to reading your book.

Oh - and PS - Christy mentioned the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance -  look out for big news on that coming   in April.

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

And another one . . .

I really do love it when my teaching pays dividends and  results in  one of my students progressing from beginner to more knowledgeable writer - and then hopefully to published author - or at least well on the way to that status.  I have met so many (a dozen or more I think now)  people who tell me that my classes/courses/workshops - or the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance -  have helped them learn more about writing and the success they  have had as a result.  

I just told you about Rachael, one of my Fishguard students whose  novel - Behind the Scandalous Façade  is in the Top Ten line up for So You Think You can Write   contest - and this weekend I heard from another of the ten semi -finalists. 

Tanya Wright is the author of  If Only - a novel aimed at the  Harlequin Romance line.  I've never actually met Tanya in person, but back in  March I 'met' her on line when I led a forum discussion on writing with emotion on Harlequin's community boards. Tanya joined in that and asked some interesting questions as she was just starting to write a new manuscript.  And now that manuscript  too has placed in the top ten of SYTYCW.

Tanya sent me a lovely message thanking me for my help and  advice and  I was thrilled to know that what I said had helped her so much because her editor mentor had commented on the realistic emotion in her story.

Congratulations Tanya!

Tanya's  not reminded me that the Writing With Emotion discussion can still be found on  the Harlequin web site if you want to have a read - in the Craft Courses Archives -  Delivering Emotional Punch with Kate Walker  if you want to take a look. Hopefully it will help you too.

If you live in the UK I will be posting details of all my new courses/workshops coming up on the Events Page of my website in case you want to come along.

Revising and Editing

I was asked to write a craft post over on Revising and Editing -so that's where my main post is today -  it's about  Originality and Voice - I was asked to write a bit about plagiarism but I think we've done that topic recently!

It's publication day - in America anyway!  A Throne for the Taking is out in Harlequin Presents now  so thank you to everyone who has already been out to buy a copy.  

And perhaps it's time to remind you  that Author, Author! still has the very special offer on the Presents Edition of A Throne For The Taking -  the book normally sells at $4.99 but  Author, Author! has it on special discounted offer for just $3.25. Take a look.

Pink Heart Day

It's the first Friday of the month. As you read this I will be beside the sea in  Bridlington,  talking about writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon to a library writing group. And this ties in with my topic in A Date With Kate over on The Pink Heart Society this month.

With the huge So You Think You Can Write contest launched by Harlequin, I'm looking at possible ways to learn more about your craft - and  maybe make  new friends in the process. It's all about Conferences, Courses, Critiques .. .

I'm also looking for questions on the writing craft that I can answer to help anyone who's entering SYTYCW - and there's a copy of the 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance to someone who asks a great craft question.

So see you there! (When I get back from the seaside.)

Guestblogging and a chance to win

So today, officially, I'm blogging over at Romance Book Paradise.  I say officially because all the time  zones have conspired against me and it's the  morning of December 12th here  - but evening of December 12th the other side of the world.

So I'm heading over there to catch up with everyone who has commented on my post which is about the vexed subject of sagging middles - and I'm not talking about the after effects of the Christmas feasting but  the point in the middle of a book when you know it's s-l-o-w-i-n-g  down and starting to sag

And  as I said, today starts my Countdown To Christmas  when I'm  hoping to find out more about you - and chat with you and there will be some giveaways each day on the 12 Days of Christmas.  Today is the special launch day  and you have a chance to win a signed copy of my 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance.  There will be more giveaways on my blog  from now on.

But first I'm off to Fiji  (I wish I was  really going there and not just virtually)  and Romance Book Paradise  - see you there!

Gifts for Writers

Tuesday?
My last post was on Tuesday?
Where did the week go?

Well - there was shopping, and planning, and wrapping, and writing cards,  and posting . . . . You see, I suddenly realised that it's December  11th - and there's only  14 days left till Christmas.  So I've been  rushing around like a mad thing, trying to knock things of my To Do list.

What about you? Have you got things organised, or are you still trying hard to get everythig done? Bought all your presents - or  are you still  desperately looking for ideas?  Well, if you're  wanting to find something to give to a writer friend - or a would-be writer, I may have a few ideas for you.

A couple of weeks ago,  the very lovely - and very talented (you should see all the prises she won in her exams!)   Riya, daughter   of Nas Dean who so efficiently organised the Big Blog Tour I've just finished,  asked me to guest on her blog Romance Reader .  The Blog Tour was officially over, but I was happy to contribute a guest post - and she came up with a great suggestion for the topic-  Christmas (or any other time) gifts for writers.   That was easy! I just had to think of all the things I'd love to find in my stocking or under the tree this Christmas . . . .
So my suggestions list is posted over on Riya's  blog today - I hope it'll provide some inspiration for you if you're still wondering what to buy for a writer in your life.

Today it's Riya's blog, tomorrow  I'm back visiting Nas at Romance Book Paradise - and  with a post about the craft of writing. There will be a  very special giveaway with this post - one that launches my  special  Countdown to Christmas  12 Days Of Christmas  giveaways on my blog. 

So if you've read the list on Romance Reader's Blog and decided that a copy of the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance is going on your wish list for Santa - then come over to  Romance Book Paradise and chat and see if you can win yourself a signed copy.

See you there!

I amost forgot . . .

Oops, I've only just realised the date! (Yes I am that confuzzled at the moment!)

It's the 6th of December and that means that following on from the Big Blog Tour,  several people asked me to come back and do an extra blog or two with them in the run up to Christmas (and beyond). The first of these was the lovely Michelle Fayard who  won a  copy of the 12 Point Guide way back at the beginning of the tour, then hosted me as a guest blogger a bit later.   She so  appreciated the  12 Point Guide that she asked me to do a special interview with her about the book and how it came to be written and the result is posted over on her blog today.

Lots of hints for writers there too.
And if you're hoping to drop a hint to Santa to put a copy of the 12 Point Guide in your  stocking at Christmas, there is news of another chance to win a copy of this guide coming up soon.

See you there!

And if you're in the UK and either a member or hoping to be a member of the  RNA's New Writers' Scheme - then there's a series of blogs on the scheme and how it works, what writers have got out of it on the RNA blog now.

Big Blog Tour - Round Up and Winner

So    - it took  almost 3 months
There were about 32 posts - 33 if you count this one
It visited blogs in America, Australia, Fiji,  UK, Canada  . . .
There were about 337 different  commentors -  that's new commentors - many of you can back again and again and chatted with me - thank you!
And I gave away over 35 books!

Charlie had plenty of cat treats to snarf down as he picked the names of winners- and even Flora joined in sometimes to help
.
So I think you can count the Big Blog Tour as as great success ( But I'm pretty relieved not to have to think of extra blog posts - and  replies to comments  for a while now.)

And Charlie has just done his last  blog tour duty  - picking  4 extra winners from my Newsletter list  to celebrate coming to the end of the tour - so

Judith  R from Israel
Sarah H  from UK
Gladys from Houston
Tessa B

Are all winners too -  please email me (see bottom of Home Page)  with your postal address and choice of  a backlist title from this list:

The Greek Tycoon’s Unwilling Wife

Bedded By The Greek Billionaire

Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride

The Sicilian’s Red-Hot Revenge

The Good Greek Wife?

Kept for Her Baby

The Konstantos Marriage Demand

Cordero’s Forced Bride

Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife

The Proud Wife




And finally  - the big winner -  picked from the special list or people who stayed with me and 'stalked' me along the blog tour, is most of the places I stopped - or at least as many as they could manage ..  .
And the winner is:
SUSIE MEDWELL

Susie - you win a signed copy of The Return of The Stranger and  your choice of three other backlist books from the list above. Please email me with your choices

Finally a great big thank you to Nas Dean  from Romance Book Paradise whose contacts, enthusiasm and calm efficiency made this all possible. keep an eye on Nas's site for news of other authors who are running blog tours so you can join in and maybe win a book or two. And don't forget that over on my author page    that Nas has set up,  there will be news of other  blog visits I will be making in the future so you can visit them as well. 

THANK  YOU Nas!

And coming up on Romance Book Paradise on December 12th is a chance to win a signed copy of the 12 Point Guide just in time for Christmas  -  so look out for that.

Normal service will now be resumed - except when I see you out and about!

Big Blog Tour - the last stop

Well  it's been  a l-o-n-g tour, - I started way back on September 11th and I feel as if I've been all over the internet in the time since then.  I've had blogs in America, Australia,  Fiji  . . .  I've talked of all sorts of things - reading writing, cats, school days, The Brontes .. . and of course, the book  that was the reason for this  major tour in the first place - the celebration of the publication  of The Return of the Stranger.

I've met lots of great people - readers and writers. I've chatted with  you all through your comments  on the  posts and I've given away books all over the place. I've sent out copies of The Return of the Stranger, backlist titles  and even a couple of copies of The 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance.  And I've made some special friends along the way - people I know I will keep in touch with in the future, and I'll be going back to visit their blogs  either as a reader or a guest blogger if they invite me. (Some of these have already been planned.)

But today is the last stop on this official big blog tour this time around.   After today the tour comes to a halt, apart from the round up party and final giveaway of the main prize which will be on December 1st. So today's last stop is over on Romance University. 

As the name implies, Romance University is a great site  which declares as it's aim: "Dedicated to helping writers establish and advance their careers, introducing readers to a variety of authors, and delving into the ever-inscrutable male mind."  So obviously my post there is with my 'teaching hat' on  - I'm talking about the tight focus and word  count that goes into a category romance  and the need to 'Cut for Pace'.  So maybe I'll see you there.

After today that will be the end of this actual tour - but don't lose sight of the Author Page  that Nas Dean of Romance Book Paradise has set up. Nas has been my help and support  and kept me organised - just - through the whole of this tour. And She has already listed some of the upcoming blogs where I'll be posting in the not too distant future. So if you keep an eye on her listings, you'll know where to find me.

A great big thank you to Nas for keeping me on track over the past months - without her I would never have been able to organise this tour, or to take you to so many fatastic sites.

More on the Blog Tour

Another stop on the Big Blog Tour today - we getting close to the end of the tour now and I've really enjoyed meeting everyone and chatting with them. It's been a challenge to think of topics to write about  along the way, though - specially when some people have wanted craft posts, others have wanted interviews . . .others have wanted just 'any post'!

And Seekerville was SO busy - it took me two days to keep up with all the posts

So today I am over at Fresh Fiction  where I'm giving away a copy of my latest novel - which is of course The Return of the Stranger.  My blog is about the challenge of writing this book.

And that reminds me  - I have some winners to announce so that people can collect their prizes -

Seven Sassy Sisters winner  was   Veronica Scott
Pink Hearts  Society Winner was Kaelee
We Write Romance  winner was Denise
Seekerville -   Jenna V   won a copy of the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance

Winners please email me with your choice from this list of backlist books:

The Greek Tycoon’s Unwilling Wife

Bedded By The Greek Billionaire

Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride

The Sicilian’s Red-Hot Revenge

The Good Greek Wife?

Kept for Her Baby

The Konstantos Marriage Demand

Cordero’s Forced Bride

Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife

The Proud Wife

There bwill be a few more posts coming up this week and with them there will  be chances to win backlist books.

I have winners

Charlie took some finding yesterday!  The sun was shining, he was out in the garden, I had to be out for  most of the morning,  and when  I was in the house he wouldn't come in. Then he got rather excited at the prospect of  eating treats and wanted to snarf them all down in a rush.  But I finally  got him to settle down to the job of picking winners. And the results are:

The Haworth souvenirs -  picked up when I went to talk about The Return of The Stranger  at The Bronte Society Festival of Women's Writing  goes to Theresa N
 - Theresa I have visited Beatrix Potter's home several times and what I love about it is that you can see places in the house and the gardens  that appear in drawings in her books.

And over on the We Write Romance Blog, the winner of the 12 Point Guide  to writing Romance is  Erin K

Theresa  and Erin  will you please email me  your postal addresses (there's an email at the bottom of every page of my web site)   and then |I can  organise getting your prizes in the mail to you.

Everyone else  - thank you for joining in. It seems so many of you want to visit Jane Austen's house - and I must admit that I have never been there. I have however visited her grave in Winchester Cathedral thanks to a guided tour by Sharon Kendrick.

If you didn't win a prize this time - don't forget that the Great Big Blog Tour has plenty of places to visit yet so check out the details on the Author Page and  see where I'll be next.