Christmas Stocking Stuffed with Books 5 - Joanna Maitland

So are you ready for Christmas?

No - me neither. Over on the Pink Heart Blog I vowed that this year would be the year I was not still wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve. Well, I still have time to manage that I suppose. I have all the presents anyway. And everything that needs to be posted overseas has gone in the mail. The next lot will be the UK packages some of which are still sitting on the dresser in my hall. The Post Office are already sick of the sight of me and my bundles of parcels.

Of course, the one thing that hasn't been posted yet is the prize from the Christmas Stocking stuffed with books. That's because the contest is still open - but only until the weekend. So get your entries in this week if you want to be in with a chance to win this great prize.

Today's Christmas Stocking author is Joanna Maitland. And the book she has kindly donated is her fabulous Historical Romance His Cavalry Lady. His Cavalry Lady is the first book in The Aikenhead Honours trilogy that tells the story of three gentlemen spies and the women who complicate their lives. Having read the first part, I'm really looking forward to parts two and three and - er - four. (Joanna explains the trilogy in four parts in a moment)

Here are the details of the books in the series:

The Aikenhead Honours
Three gentlemen spies: bound by duty,
undone by women!

The stories of three of England’s most eligible bachelors:
Dominic, Leo, and Jack,
code-named Ace, King, Knave

Together they are
The Aikenhead Honours
A government-sponsored spying ring,
they risk their lives, and hearts,
to keep Regency England safe!

Follow these three brothers on a dazzling journey
through Europe and beyond, as they
serve their country and meet their brides,
in often very surprising circumstances!

Meet the ‘Ace’, Dominic Aikenhead, Duke of Calder
in
His Cavalry Lady
travelling through England and to the vast expanses of Russia
(published UK September 2008, US/Canada March 2009)

Meet the ‘King’ and renowned rake, Lord Leo Aikenhead
in
His Reluctant Mistress
among the intrigues of the Congress of Vienna and beyond
(published US/Canada April 2009, UK June 2009)

Meet the ‘Knave’ and incorrigible playboy, Lord Jack Aikenhead
in
His Forbidden Liaison
braving the dangers of France after Napoleon’s return
(published US/Canada May 2009, UK July 2009)

Obvioulsy, the winner of the Christmas Stocking Contest will win the UK edition because that's the one that's already published, but I've included the USA covers that Joanna sent me because they're great covers - and so that American readers know what to look out for in March and April. For UK readers, the second part of the trilogy will be out in June 2009.

And here's what Joanna has to say about writing this series:

I’m now in the process of writing the fourth part of The Aikenhead Honours Trilogy. Yes, a trilogy in four parts!!

There are actually four members of the Aikenhead Honours spying band: the fourth is Ben Dexter, code-named ‘Ten’, and best friend of Lord Jack Aikenhead. He had to be left behind in Lyons, wounded, during Jack’s book, so it was only fair that I should tell the story of the dangers he met and how he dealt with them. He had help, of course, from a daring French royalist girl who risked her life for him and earned his undying gratitude. And more…

I had such fun writing the trilogy, and following these gorgeous heroes all over Europe, that I was delighted to have an excuse to keep writing about them. Ben’s story will be published as a e-book in Harlequin’s Undone series in the middle of 2009.

I've told you about nearly all the books in the Christmas Stocking, but I still have one special book to tell you about next. Come back tomorrow for the details on this book - the very first novel by one of Harlequin Presents brand new authors. Sabrina Phillips.

And don't forget that the Twelve Days of Christmas Contest is still running over on My Tote Bag so check out that and see if you can win a signed copy of one of my backlist books.

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.

12 Point Guide 2 - More winners!

I have more winners! Some of my wonderful guests have picked t names from the people who have commented and they have let me know who has won their prize - so - fanfare and trumpets - here are the lucky winners:

Trish Morey's winner is "Alissa who said in response to Natasha's q - "I like hearing about the trips author's have planned and how this influences their upcoming books". Will keep that in mind for my own website updates in light of upcoming trip later this year!"

Natasha Oakley herself chose Mulberry for her helpful comment " Thinking about author's websites, most of what I would say has already been covered, but I feel for me the main thing is to get a sense of the person behind the books. It needs to offer a lot more than the covers and blurbs (we can get these from the M&B or Harlequin sites), more personal information and snippets about writing the book."

Michelle Reid chose Robynl as her winner.

Joanna Maitland chose Maureen

And India Grey chose Jennybrat (actually, she didn't chose - it was India's daughhter who did the picking, so you have her to thank, Jenny!)

Finally - Trish Wylie chose Virginia

And if you entered Susan Stephens contest - she'll be announcing the winner on her web site later today.

So - winners please email me with your postal addresses and I'll send your details on to the wonderful author who has donated your prize. Congratulations all!

And the special news that I had to hold back on yesterday until the authors themselves had announced it comes from the Romantic Time Awards , announced at their Convention in Pittsburgh:

Liz Fielding was awarded a Career Achievement Award for Love & Laughter in romantic fiction.This award is self-explanatory. It’s not for just one book, but for a body of work.

Trish Wylie won Best Harlequin Romance with Rescued, Mother-To-Be

Natasha Oakley won Best Harlequin Presents with The Tycoon's Princess Bride

and Holly Jacobs won Best Everlasting Love with The House on Briar Hill Road

Once again congratulations, ladies - I have such talented friends. (and generous ones too as they've all offered prizes)

And tomorrow I have some of that news I've been promising do come back for that.

12 Point Guide 2 Launch Party 5

Well, the party is starting to wind down now, but there's still a few bottles of champagne left and some tasty nibbles if you're hungry. And I have a final set of guests to introduce to you let them chat - and offer prizes.

There are an extra few guests today because the party eneds this weekend - and I will be busy tomorrow so these wonderful authors will keep you entertained till Monday - and you'll have plenty of time to comment because there are plenty of prizes on offer.

The great thing about the guests who have joined us at the party, and the writers who have contributed the From the Writers' Desks section of the 12PGTWR2 are from so many of the successful lines published by Harlequin and Mills & Boon. And today's authors are no exception.

First, here's one of the great Historical Romance authors - Joanna Maitland :

Joanna says:
Kate Walker has written a really accessible guide to the craft of writing romantic fiction which I always recommend. Can't wait to see the new, improved version. I'm sure it will do exactly what it says on the tin.

Joanna's next book out is published in September and it's part of The Aikenhead Honours trilogy. Three gentlemen spies: bound by duty, undone by women!Book 1 is His Cavalry Lady

Joanna's Prize -She can't offer His Cavalry Lady as there are no copies available yet. But she is offering a copy of one of her other books - like Bride of the Solway that I've shown here.

Joanna blogs on the Regency Authors' blog that you can find here

My next guest needs no introduction . She's the brilliant Presents author, Michelle Reid.

Michelle was so keen to join us that she posted her quote in the comments section a few days ago, but I've rescued it and now I can post it here:

Huge congrats on the 2nd Edition Kate! Yet another must-have to join my well used first edition. So - so useful even for an oldy like me!

Michelle's next book out is coming in May in both UK and USA - the title is The Markonos Bride. She's offering a signed copy of this book to her winner, chosen from the comments over the weekend.

She's having her web site revamped so watch out for the new look coming soon - you can find it here


Next is another of the talented new Presents authors - India Grey.

India says:

Hurrah for the launch of the fantastic all-new 12 Point Guide! For me, discovering this book was like being on a really arduous, lonely journey and suddenly finding not only a road map, but an excessively knowledgeable, infinitely kind and sympathetic guide who was willing to hold my hand along the way. Anyone setting off on the road to publication-- don't even think of leaving home without it!

India's next book is out in August and it's so new that I don't even have a cover for it yet. The title is: Mistress: Hired for the Billionaire's Pleasure .

You'll soon be able to read more about this book on India's website which is here

India's prize:

I'm expecting the pink hardbacks of my August release in the next few weeks, so I can offer one of those (as soon as they arrive!) to a randomly picked commenter

The Presents authors are coming in in droves today - here's another, the lovely lady I had lunch with only last week - and that's Susan Stephens

Susan says:

Wishing one of my favourite authors and favourite people all the richly deserved success in the world. Susanxxx

Susan's next book is Desert King, Pregnant Mistress (UK June) (US August)

Susan's Prize:

A signed copy of one of her books

Susan's question:
What is the name of my heroine in Desert King, Pregnant Mistress, and the sheikh she meets in the desert kingdom?

The answer can be found on Susan's website

IMPORTANT:
Send your answer for this question to lee@susanstephens.net

Now here's an author who writes for a couple of lines - and the advice she gives in 12PGTWR2 is for both of them - she's Irish author, Trish Wylie

Trish says:

I can't tell you how proud I was to be a small part of Kate Walker's second edition of the 12 Point Guide, the book that has launched so many writing careers. When we started our Writer's Wednesday at The Pink Heart Society and new authors would tell us their road to publication story - the 12 Point Guide appeared again and again and again. So bravo Kate and here's to the second edition

Trish writes for the Romance line and Modern Heat and her next book is out in the Modern Heat Line in May with the title

Claimed By The Billionaire Bad Boy. For those of you who read Trish's blog, you'll know this as Gabe's book.

Trish is offering a signed copy of one of her books to someone picked from the comments today or tomorrow.

Another guest who writes for another line is Romance author and RITA nominee Natasha Oakley

Here's what Natasha has to say:

When I began writing romance I joined the Romantic Novelists' Association and submitted a manuscript to their 'New Writers' Scheme'. I didn't know it then but my 'mystery reader' was Kate Walker. What I received back was a five page detailed report. More important than that were the ticks throughout my 'book' where I'd written something she liked and the frequent 'cut for pace' note she'd written in the margin where I'd gone off on a tangent. It was a masterclass - and I knew it. Kate also sent me the first edition of the 12-Point Guide to Writing Romance. If writing a Harlequin Mills & Boon is your aim you truly do not need another 'How To' book. I found there were sections which confirmed what I was doing and built my confidence, other sections which saved me years of writing 'near-misses'. Buy it!

Natasha's next book out is Wanted: White Wedding- Harlequin Romance out in May in the UK and NA.

Natasha's Prize:
As a prize I offer The Tycoon's Princess Bride - that's the book she has shortlisted for the RITA

Natasha's question:
I'm currently revamping my website after a year of ignoring it. What features do you particularly like to see? The answer that surprises me most wins the book!'

And the final guest, last maybe but definitely not least is another Trish - this time it's Trish Morey who's come all the way from Australia to help with the celebrations

And Trish says:

Kate, I was never able to recommend a writing how-to with so much assurance it would be valuable, if not a godsend, to writers than the first edition of your 12 Point Guide. I have no doubt the second edition is going to be even more valuable. Thanks for updating such a useful text!

Trish's next book out will be The Italian Boss's Mistress of Revenge - out in August in America, September in UK . Another book that's too new for me to have copy of the cover, so I'm using the cover of the book that Trish is giving away as a prize - The Boss's Christmas Baby, another one you can win just by commenting.

You can find out more about this book and the one Trish has coming up over on her web site.

And that's it - lots of wonderful authors, many of whom have donated great prizes - and all of whom have contributed great advice to that From The Authors' Desks chapter in 12PGTWR2.

A great big THANK YOU to them all for their generosity in both ways.

Now if you want to win one of these prizes you know what you have to do - you just need to drop by the comments section and leave a note.
Except for Susan Stephens question which you answer through the email given

So - get commenting! And you never know your luck!

Great Big Blog Party #50 - Winner

I have another prize winner to announce - this time it's for #50 - Joanna Maitland

Joanna emailed me to say:

Some interesting posts there. Clearly I need to write more books set in Scotland, if the visitors are a representative sample! However, my winner is Nathalie.

Nathalie, you are the lucky winner of a signed copy of Bride of the Solway.

Congratulations Nathalie.

Please email me and let me know your postal address so that I can send it on to Joanna. I hope you enjoyuyour prize.

Great Big Blog Party 50 - Joanna Maitland

Today's Guest Blogger - just a day late (my apologies to Joanna) is another friend I've met through being a member of the RNA. Though it was only an accident of timing that meant I met her first at the Conference rather than later at some M&B event. My first nervous venture to the RNA Conference in 2001 in Cheltenham was made a lot easier and enjoyable by meeting up with M&B Historical novelist Joanna Maitland.

She had just had her first novel - A Penniless Prospect - published in May that year and we shared the new experience of the RNA Conference. And in the years that followed she offered me warm and generous support and friendship during some particualry difficult times in my family life - Thank you for that Joanna! It meant such a lot.

Since then Joanna has become a very important person in the RNA. As their Treasurer she handles all the accounts, balances the books and organises all financial matters with an efficiency and calmness that makes it all lok easy - though I know it isn't, At the same time she has continued her writing career with another five wonderful historical romancesa. Her latest book - Bride of the Solway is out in August and is already on my teetering TBR just waiting for a moment to be able to get to it.

I met Joanna again at the RNA Conference at the beginning of July and we were able to grab a few moments to talk about her latest novel - still in the revisions stage. This book has an unusual premise - one that grabbed my imagination so hard that I've been thinking about it ever since and I just can't wait to read it- Please get those revisions done fast, Joanna! I just have to know how this book works out.

And myabe if I'm lucky I'll be able to persuade Joanna to donate a couple of copies for my Bag of Books Contest (more on that soon) or the Christmas Stocking Stuffed with Books contest - depending on when it comes out.

In the meantime, I'm going to relax with Bride of the Solway. It's been quite a while since I read a Joanna Maitland book and I'm so glad there's a new one in print.

So here's Joanna Maitland

Many congrats to Kate on reaching the 50-book milestone with The Sicilian’s Red-Hot Revenge. I’ve read it -- got my copy signed at the Romantic Novelists’ Association conference -- and it’s a stunner. Your fans will be drooling, Kate. I certainly was.

I was so sorry to have missed Kate’s 50th Book party. Had to go to my husband’s birthday party instead. But I was with you all in spirit.

In my mind’s eye, I visualised Kate dressed head to foot in glowing gold, and gleaming at all the guests with the warm smile that reflects her immensely kind heart.Like many other authors, I was one of those RNA New Writers who was helped by Kate in the early stages and I’ll always be grateful.

I’ve got quite a long way to go before I get to 50 books – another 43 to be precise! – but with friends like Kate to encourage me, I may yet make it before I hit the bath chair!

It’s not a 50th book, but I have a milestone to celebrate, too. After a very long spell of not writing, I’m back in the groove. And discovering all over again just what a joy it is to write historicals. I even have a book out, to prove it.

Bride of the Solway is the first book I’ve set in my native Scotland. The hero, Ross, is running away from a broken heart and is determined to have nothing more to do with women, especially ones who need rescuing. The heroine, Cassie, is running away from much more immediate danger -- her half-brother has offered her a stark choice between being sold off in marriage and being confined to the lunatic asylum for the rest of her life. Perhaps not surprisingly, she doesn't fancy either. So she tries to escape across the Solway Firth to safety in England.

It doesn't quite go according to plan. For either of them.

If you want to know exactly what happens when they first meet, there’s an extract on my website: http://www.joannamaitland.com/books.html

love Joanna

Websitehttp://www.joannamaitland.com

GIVEAWAY QUESTION:

I’m getting more adventurous with settings. My next three books will be set in St Petersburg in Russia, Vienna in Austria, and Lyons and Paris in France. What location would tempt you to read a Regency Historical? And why?

GIVEAWAY PRIZE:

Signed copy of Bride of the Solway, my August 2007 release.