40 for 40 - Susan Stephens

I remember the very first time I saw - Susan Stephens. It was at an RNA Awards lunch and I spotted a new face amongst the authors on the Mills & Boon tables.  And elegantly groomed head of reddish hair, sparkling eyes and a wide smile. I didn't actually meet her then, but once met she could never be forgotten - her warm and bubbly personality makes that impossible.

Susan has her own very special - and very fast/Presents style  - romantic story about how she met her handsome husband in Malta. If you haven't read it, you can find it here.    It reminds me of the way that when I met the Babe Magnet he went home and told his family that he's met the girl he was going to marry-  he didn't tell me for another couple of months though! Anyway, Susan and her  husband are still together.  Which just shows that love at first sight - or almost first sight - is not just for Presents romance stories.

Welcome Susan, I'm so happy to have you sharing this special celebration.




The best thing about writing is reaching out and meeting people. The wonderful friends I've made have been a highlight of my writing career. I first 'met' Kate Walker through Kate's books and became a fan long before I was published.

It's always a thrill to meet a favourite author, and when you discover that the author in question is just as much fun as her books, and a great supporter of all those connected with the romance industry, it's a huge bonus. Having sat in on one of Kate's popular workshops, I can vouch for the fact that Kate is not only a wonderful storyteller, but an inspiring teacher. By the time you leave one of Kate's classes I can assure you that your determination to write, and write well, will have been increased tenfold.

And then there's Steve, Kate's husband, one of the friendliest people you could ever hope to meet. An unflagging supporter of all Kate does, as well as being a talented non-fiction writer and poet, Steve handles rooms full of women with aplomb at all the many romance conferences Kate attends, which undoubtedly accounts for his nickname, the Babe Magnet!

Though forty years ago FORTY YEARS AGO??? Steve only had eyes for one woman, as he does to this day, so I hope Steve will allow me to quote him on this occasion, as he raises his glass, and says - for at least the fortieth time... 'Kiss Me Kate!'


HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to two of the nicest people I know!
Susan Stephens

My question:

What is the most outstanding/unusual/crazy outfit you ever saw/wore at a wedding? Except for the bride, who always looks gorgeous!

I have a signed copy of the first book in my Skavanga Diamond series, Diamond In The Desert for the best answer


Coming later this year on ebook only: Ma Oo, The Hunter Kyane The Warrior Badaree The Sorceress and the start of the Celestina series for Harlequin-E Books 1 and 2 Celestina And The Sultan Celestina Warrior Queen www.xandraking.net January 2014 Book 2 in The Skavanga Diamonds series ebook and print HARLEQUIN The Flaw In His Diamond www.susanstephens.net

Tote Bag of Books Presents Special - Susan Stephens

Today's Presents author is Susan Stephens who has contributed copies of two of her books to the tote bag so you could win either Housekeep at His Beck and Call or Desert King, Pregnant Mistress.

As Susan's current book out is Sheikh Boss, Hot Desert Nights, today she's blogging about her love of writing these exotic sheikh stories:

My love of writing sheikh books was prompted at an early age by an ad on TV. I think it was for yumy, chocolate covered Turkish delight, but for some reason the ad featured a sheikh and a tent with billowing sides and a truckload of silken cushions. The Sheikh in his flowing robes rode a wild Arabian stallion and had a brooding look in his eyes, which I interpreted as many secrets in his heart.

Well, that was me hooked. More than anything I love to take my romances behind the silken veil to discover the fantasy desert and the fantasy lover waiting for me there.
Tall, dark and handsome is just a starting point- these days he has has to be ultra-smart to cope with my feisty heroines who turn up on his tent-step- Plus, he not only has to fulfil all my wildest dreams- he has to exceed them.

Sheikh Boss, Hot Desert Nights, the book I am thrilled to know will be released on the 60th Anniversary of Harlequin romance, grew out of this passion and follows the story of a real Sheikh al Bad Boy, Sheikh Rafik al Rafar of A'Qaban.

Raffa- as he likes to be known- is a younger sheikh for me- an alpha in the making, if you will. I gave him a worthy heroine, Casey Michaels, a sassy young business woman who won't take Heat from anyone. Combustible? Explosive, I'd say. I hope you enjoy!

And before I go- What's your favourite fantasy?

There is a marvellous prize at the end of this season's celebrations, so don't be shy- share your dreams today.

With my warmest wishes to you and yours
Susan

Susan's Scavenger Hunt Question is:

What is the family name of the two sheikh brothers in the duo of which Sheikh Boss, Desert Nights is the first book?

You can find the answer on Susan's website

Friends and Books

I had a wonderful evening yesterday. Meeting up with lovely Susan Stephens and her personal handsome Alpha Male, enjoying a meal and sharing a bottle of wine - and talking books,editors, writing, markets, books . . . It was great. Thank you Susan - we must do it again soon.

And then on to the poetry event in Borders where the Magnet had a great time too. He was so involved in chatting to everyone, talking about poetry and enjoying himself that they had to be asked to leave as the shop was closing! He was also delighted to see how many of his books the shop had on display.

And while I was there I spotted that the newest Mills & Boon titles had been delivered and were on display so of course I had to go and make my selection. And for the very first time I saw the 3 in 1 collection Sold to The Sheikh where my 2006 book At The Sheikh's Command is reprinted together with other novels by Miranda Lee and Emma Darcy.

I thought that the original cover of this book was great when it came out 3 years ago, but this new collection cover is just fabulous when see in print for the first time.

What I did at the Conference - a San Francisco photo diary

So if a picture speaks a thousand words - here's a whole book full of what I got up to at the RWA Conference in San Francisco -


On our first morning there - very early on a grey morning! - we went to Alcatraz island so that the BM could do his research of the trip.

We shared the trip with the fabulous Sue Stephens and her beautiful daughters. Sue orgainsed the tickets for us so all we had to do was to turn up. Thanks so much Sue! Even if it did mean getting out of bed for a 7.30 start!

The next day official registration started and I started to meet up with more of my fellow authors. Here's Susan Stephens again and Irish Presents author, Abby Green

I also got to meet lovely Lee Hyat for the very first time - though we had known each other and have been in contact through emails for over 8 year! Lee runs the brilliant Author Sound Relations and has been so helpful to me with publicity and running my contests in America.

Later that day lovely Jane Porter hosted a special afternoon tea for her fellow Presents authors. Here's Sandra Marton with one of our newest published authors - Jennie Lucas

And here's a group photo of all the authors at the tea. This pic was taken by the waiter. Left to right - Sandra Marton, Susan Stephens, Carole Mortimer, Jacqueline Baird, Abby Green. Me

in front - Jane Porter, Jennie Lucas, Sharon Kendrick and Trish Morey.

That afternoon was the Literacy Signing in the ballroom - the pic on the left is just a tiny bit of the queue of readers ready to buy signed books and on the right I'm at the signing with fellow northern Brit, erotic romance author Saskia Walker who was sitting next to me. The whole event raised thousands of dollars for literacy charities.

After the signing Sandra Marton hosted her traditional authors' pizza party in her room where we all ate pizza, drank wine and talked and talked and talked.

Thursday started with a Focus Group to discuss Harlequin's marketing and new ideas after which we all grabbed taxis and headed out to Tal y Tara for tea with the Mills and Boon Editors.

Here are - left to right Jennie Lucas, Abby Green (behind) Trish Wylie Senior Editor Linda Fildew (standing) and seated editor Lucy Gilmour.

I spent the afternoon with two of my favourite Presents authors, brilliant Sandra Marton and fabulous Aussie Trish Morey. (One of the very best reasons for going to RWA is because I get a chance to meet up with friends from the other side of the world.) Here's a pic of Trish at the Lit Signing.

And one of Sandra enjoying the sunshie in Union Square - while we - you guessed it - talked and talked about writing and books and heroes . . . .
Sandra was given an award for her 75th book at this conference - congratulations again Sandra!

Thursday night is the traditional eHarlequin Pajama Party and here's the gang at the event.

At the party prizes are given for best PJs and I actually won Most Resplendent Pajamas (My thanks have to go to t

he Babe Magnet who bought the beautiful silk gown I'm wearing)

And here I am with two of my very favourite people - Danica aka Dream one of the hosts on eHarlequin and Anna Louise Lucia who was of course sporting her first sale ribbon at this conference.

Friday I managed to spend some time with my lovely friend Holly Jacobs while we discussed the differences of the English language as used in the UK and America and so Holly started the great 'knackered debate' that you can see here.

In the evening it was the big Harlequin Party and here I am at the event with two special friends from the Struggling Writers on eHarlequin - Christyne and Trish (Congratulations on that sale Christyne!)

And here's the wonderful Jayne who manages so much of what goes on on the eHarlequin Community message boards.

Finally, to round of a fantastic visit to San Francisco we spent a day in the lovely company of special friends Anne McAllister and her husband The Prof. Both the Prof and the Babe Magnet seem to save up all their talking until they get together so they talked and Anne and I talked - on cable cars, over lunch at Fisherman's Wharf, or - as pictured here - at the Top of the Mark where we could see all of the city spread out below us.

And if you want to know what else the Babe Magnet got up to in San Francisco . . . well - all I can say is watch out for the Pink Heart Society Blog next monday August 18th!

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!

12 Point Guide Launch party 3

My party post got delayed yesterday - I was too busy having fun!

The Babe Magnet had a signing in Borders for several of his Grim and Gruesome books (Yorkshire Murderous Women/Yorkshire Hangmen/ Hauntings in Yorkshire - do you see why we had to go to - well, Yorkshire for this?). So I went along and because a special friend - the lovely Susan Stephens who also writes for Modern/Presents - lives close by, we arranged to meet up. The Magnet and I went back to Susan's gorgeous home and had lunch with her and her totally charming Alpha Male husband, her beautiful younger daughter and the sweetnatured hound Her Royal Bettyship.



Thank you Susan! We had a fantastic time. So much so that we all forgot to take photos. Susan herself will be dropping into this party later on.



We were having so much fun and eating wonderful food that I forgot all about the time and about blogs and such like - so when I got home I had no energy left to post the next party post, never mind answer the Q&A - but I'll make up for that today because we have four more very special guests who have come to help me celebrate the launch of 12PGTWR2.


Today I have a real selection of guests who help to show just how much range there is in the romance writing worls. Each one of them is successful in their own line - some in more than one.
And each opf them has offered their own personal advice and tips on writing in 12PGTWR2

First up is Kate Hardy - aka Scary Kate.

Kate says:

Congratulations, Kate, on the second edition of a book which was already superb the first time round. It's one of the very few 'how to write' books I will recommend, because it's practical and down-to-earth and most definitely not scary!

Scary Kate of course has lots of books coming up - in Medicals there's The Doctor's Royal Love Child (UK April release) and in Presents Extra there's In Bed With Her Italian Boss (US April release - aka Breakfast at Giovanni's, which won the RNA Romance Prize 2008).

You can read more about these books on Scary's website

Kate's Prize:
Kate's offering a signed copy of The Doctor's Royal Love Child and she will pick her winner at random from posters of comments - so you know what to do!





Now a party wouldn't be much success without some handsome men around so here's Gill Sanderson (and it you didn't already know this - Gill is a distinguished gentleman with a moustache) who writes for Medical Romance,



Gill says:


I'm glad there's another copy of Kate Walker's Guide to Writing Romance coming out - I might have written 45 books for HMB, but I still find the Guide useful and interesting. It's also one of the most borrowed of my books. My present, much-thumbed, copy is now decidedly tatty. I need a new one!

(There's a new copy on its way to you, Gill - just as oon as I get my hands on them!)


Gill's next Medical title is Nurse Bride, Bayside Wedding coming out in May. It's one of the Penhally Bay series.

Now here's a very special friend who has her own reason for celebrating today. It's Julie Cohen's birthday (so go and wish her a happy birthday when you leave here!)

Happy Birthday from me, Julie love!
Julie says:

Before I was published, I was lucky enough to attend Kate's seminars and to get her advice on a book I was writing. She gave me two pieces of advice I will never forget, and which took my writing to another level. That book she helped me with went on to become my first published novel with Harlequin Mills & Boon. Since then, I've taught a course alongside Kate, and that was just as much a learning experience as a teaching one. Kate's a natural teacher and when she talks about writing you can see her listeners' eyes light up with sudden insight.


I've got a well-thumbed copy of the 12-Point Guide on my bookcase, with all my precious writing books, and I refer to it often. I still use Kate's character questionnaire every time I start a story. And I recommend her book to aspiring and experienced romance writers alike. It's easily one of the top titles out there about writing romance, and about writing category romance in particular. Im glad there's another edition so that I'll be able to recommend it more easily!

New books Julie has coming up:

For US readers, I've got a Harlequin Presents Extra out this month, Mistress in Private. It's about...well, let's cut to the chase, shall we? It's about hot sex with a male model. Yeee-haw!

For UK readers, my Little Black Dress book One Night Stand is on the shelves. It's the story of Eleanor Connor, an erotic comedy writer who gets pregnant by mistake after a one night stand with a stranger, and enlists her best friend and neighbour, serial-shagger and pastry chef Hugh, to search for the father.

You can find out more about both these books over on Julie's web site

Julie's Prize

I've got a copy of ONE NIGHT STAND to send to the most inspirational or amusing answer to the following question:

Julie's Question
What was the best (or worst) piece of advice you've ever received? I'll choose a winner from the comments.

Oh, and those two pieces of advice Kate gave me, which I'll never forget--one about emotional punch, and one about character motivation? They're both in the book, so you'll have to read it, if you haven't already, and see.

Finally we have New Zealand author Yvonne Lindsay who followed my advice to be brave - and now her courage has made her a very succesful author for the Desire line.

Here's Yvonne:

I keep my much-highlighted, well-thumbed, post-it-noted copy of Kate’s first edition of the 12-Point Guide nearby at all times. As well as being packed full of sound and logical advice, it’s a great reference to trigger off a new tangent in your work or even just to give you a judicious kick in the rear when your writing isn’t going quite as well as you want it to. Congratulations, Kate, on launching a second edition of this most excellent writing aid. Really, it’s like having you at my side while I work, and who couldn’t benefit from that?

Yvonne Lindsay’s next release is due out in the NA market in June 2008. Jealousy and a Jewelled Proposition is book 6 in the fabulous Diamonds Down Under Continuity and is available for pre-order now through Amazon.

You can find out more about this book on Yvonne's web site.

Yvonne's prize:

She's giving away a copy of my February 2008 release, TYCOON’S VALENTINE VENDETTA.

And Yvonne will pick her winner from everyone who posts.
Oh - and if you choose to answer Julie's question, then all those posts will be included in the draw for the other prizes as well as Julie's - so get posting!

And I haven't forgotten about the Writers' Q&A - I've just had no time. But I promise there will be more answers just as soon as I can manage them!

Guest Blogging and a photo PS

Today being the 12th February, it's the day I'm over on Lee Hyat's Tote Bags 'N' Blogs for my 12 Points on the 12th blog about writing. Today I'm talking about adding layers to conflicts - so if you're still waiting to send in your entry to the Presents Instant Seduction contest, you still have time - just - to go along and learn more about writing Conflict.

I'm also announcing the big news - well, big news for me - about my book - The 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance. (well - it's great news for me! If you've been looking for a copy, it might not be quite so great for you.)

I heard from my publisher last week and this book is now officially SOLD OUT. He shipped the very last copies from the wharehouse and there are none left. There might be some around on Amazon.com or B&N .com - but not many!

But if you want a chance to win a copy of this book, Lee actually has not one but two copies of it to offer as a prize in a contest and she'll be setting that up on My Tote Bag very soon - so look out for that or for the details here on my blog too.


And that photo PS - when I posted the pictures of the Mills & Boon Centenary Party, as I was using the photos from my camera, I didn't have one with me on it. But just the afternoon the lovely Susan Stephens has sent me a photo that was taken with her camera on that special night and she's kindly sent it on to me. So thank you so much for that Susan!


If I remember rightly, the photo was taken by Donna Hayes, CEO of Harlequin - thank you too, Donna.

So - Left to Right - Michelle Styles, Liz Fielding (without a handsome butler for once!), the glamorous Susan Stephens herself and me.

Great Big Blog Party - More Winners

I'm back to annonce more winners - this time from Lesley Cookman and Susan Stephens . . .

So - Lesley first - here's her message . . .

I've picked Ruth, as she mentioned two detectiveswho are secondary characters in Elizabeth George's books, andyou'd have to be very familiar with the genre to know that.

Congratulations Ruth!

And Susan Stephns put this message on the comments section - so in case you haven;t spotted it -



Lois, you're the winner today, so huge congratulations. Could you send your snail mail details, please?susan@susanstephens.netThank you!Thank you all so much for dropping by Susanxx

Congratulations Lois as well.

Ladies you each win signed books - Lesley's Murder in Steeple Martin and Susan's current Presents - One-Night Baby. I hope you enjoy your prizes.

Great Big Blog Party 38 - Susan Stephens

Some years ago - I can't quite remember exactly - but I suspect it must have been in 2002 - I went to the RNA Awards lunch at the Savoy with my friend Michelle Reid. As always, I was seated on one of the HMB tables. I say 'one of' because there are usually 3 or more of these. As I'd got there only just in time, I didn't have much of a chance to chat before lunch was served - and I had a brand new editor to meet and talk to. So although I'd heard that there was a brand new Modern/Presents author who had just been signed and who had also attended the lunch, I didn't get a chance to meet her either then or at the end of the lunch. I got caught talking to someone else and before I knew it, I looked around and she'd gone.

The only impression I had of her was of beautiful red-gold hair and an elegant back. Because one of the words I always associate with Susan Stephens who is today's Guest Blogger is elegant.

She'll refute it, of course - that's Susan. Over on her Writing Diary, she's been worrying about the clothes she'll need to wear to the Big French Wedding that's coming up. But believe me, she has no need to worry at all. Every time I've seen Susan, even in jeans and trainers, she always looks wonderful, and as I've seen the shoes she'll be wearing (shoes I might just be able to get one toe into) I know that even in Paris she will be nothing less than the perfectly glamorous mother of the very handsome groom.

But that's Susan - the lovely lady that I did finally manage to meet at an Mills & Boon Author lunch - and so was able to congratulate her on the acceptance and publication of her first novel in 2003. We held each other's hands at the RWA Conference in New York and I also learned much more about her - like the fact that not only is she beautiful and glamorous and a talented writer, she was also a professional singer ( to someone who can't hold a note this is really something) and - what really impressed my son - she used to work as a presenter on Play School and met Jemima, Big Ted, Humpty and all the rest (you have to have had an English childhood some 20 years ago to understand ; O) )

I just checked this info with Susan and she says that she is:Proud of my association with these British icons: Royal College of Music/BBC Northern Singers and BBC Playschool (let's not mention my affair with Big Ted)/ D'Oyly Carte Opera Company/ Mills & Boon

And I'd just like to say that I'm proud to have Susan as a friend. I can't quite believe it's only 4 years or so since we met. In that time she's come to be a special part of my life - a warm, welcoming and fiercely loyal friend . (You know exactly what I'm thinking of there , Susan). She gives wonderful parties (see pic below of L to R Indioa Gray, Me, Susan and Amanda Ashby at one of them) with her lovely husband as host. She has a fabulous family, and she has a warm, open heart that extends to lost and abandoned animals as well as humans.

Anyone who read her diarywhen she lost her beloved dog Finn (who I was lucky enough to meet) and then fought to care for two very sick rescue animals (losing one but nursing Her Royal Betship back to strong good health) will know that this is someone who is able to handle the tough stuff as well as the fun.

(And a picture of Her Royal Betship will appease the Canine corner who complain about too many cats on this blog)

But being with Susan is always fun - and I'm so glad that she gave up singing professionally and took up writing so that I cold have her fun and friendship in my life.

So here's Susan Stephens (aka Glamorous Mother of the Groom)

Congratulations to my good friend Kate Walker on the publication of her 50th wonderful book for Harlequin Mills & Boon!

Kate is an inspiration to all of us, not just for her thrilling romances, but for her generosity and kindness in support of writers both published and non-published.

But more than this, I'd like to say there are some people who make you feel warm inside when you see them, and that Kate is one of these people. From the moment I 'met the authors' in London at the first of our annual gatherings that I attended Kate went out of her way to make me feel 'at home'. And then later at a conference in New York I met Kate's husband, Steve, who is as warm and funny as he is a genuinely caring and talented man- Steve's poems rival any I've heard for wit and wisdom.

Of course, Kate is also a great animal lover like myself, and we have shared some of the best and some of the worst moments where our pets are concerned. When I lost one of my two rescue dogs Kate was right there, consoling me with the thought that if we didn't at least try no animal would ever be rescued, and that two weeks of love are better than none.

Before I was published I would always look for Kate's books- and guess what? Nothing has changed! Kate knows I'm waiting in breathless anticipation for her 100th title, and indeed every book in between.

We love you Kate, and I'd just like to say that you deserve every moment of your success.

Susanxx


GIVEAWAY:
Susan has a signed copy of her current Presents title One-Night Baby to giveaway to some lucky person who answers this

GIVEAWAY QUESTION:
I fell in love with Rome all over again when I travelled to the Eternal City on a research trip for One-Night Baby. What is your favourite city and why?