Manga Comic in English

New covers are always great - and it's fascinating to see how the particular art departments in different countries have interpreted the way my hero and heroine look.

 Amongst those, the Manga editions are extra special - totally unique. I recently received two of the Japanese into Manga into English Manga comic editions and the way the hero's hair is shown is often unexpected. 



 After the purple hair for the Twelve Month Mistress, my Sicilian hero  in The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge  does not have a straggly pony tail - and my Greek shipping tycoon newly 'back from the dead' in The Good Greek Wife doesn't sport a bouffant grey/white/black streaked hair do! But they're interesting. 






And it's great to see old books like No Holding Back coming out, revived and revamped in these new formats

A little something Extra

I've had enquiries about some  of the titles of mine that are in the  great big Harlequin Sale at the moment - Until October 25th
.
These are titles that people are realising they missed  out on when they came out. They didn't see them on the shelves, they said?  Where were these books on sale?

And even more so  - what are Presents EXTRA???

Oh dear - this is something that I thought had gone away. It's an idea that was brought up  to get more Presents novels of the shelves back in 2009-2012.   That was when there were two issues of Presents titles each month - and the  4 other Presents Extra titles later in the month.

All  it did was confuse people.  Especially as some of the books were from the Riva/Modern Extra/  line  were included.  And some of the confusion went on to my titles issued then.

So it looks to me as if  some of my readers missed out on finding books they wanted to read.  These books are now in the big sale as ebooks - but they're nder the 'Presents Extra' label.

Still confusing people.

So I'm going to share the details of these titles in case you are one of the readers who want to catch up with the books I've written that they haven't read.

These are the titles I'm talking about:

KEPT FOR HER BABY

Wanted: wife and Mother...
Staring at the granite-handsome features of Italian billionaire Ricardo Emiliani, Lucy knows she's made a mistake coming back to their palatial Lake Garda home. But she'll do anything for her baby son—even return to the husband who never loved her...
Ricardo branded his wife a gold-digger, however, tiny Marco needs his mother so he will keep Lucy captive on his private island until she proves herself a worthy wife—in every sense...

 THE KONSTANTOS MARRIAGE DEMAND 

The Greek's ruthless reunion.
Sadie Carteret and Nikos Konstantos were once blissfully in love. They planned the wedding of the

year, and their union would create a powerful dynasty.
But business and pleasure should never be mixed. Nikos was accused of scheming for Sadie's money and title, and was systematically destroyed by her family. The wedding was cancelled, the relationship in tatters.
Now the ruthless billionaire has built himself back up from scratch. He will clear his name and demand what was rightfully his...
Sadie must love, honour and...obey....

The Konstantos Marriage Demand was a Romantic Times  March 2010 Top Pick  and awarded Romantic Times Best Presents Extra 2010!

THE GOOD GREEK WIFE 

The return of the proud Greek husband...
He was declared missing at sea — but now notorious Zarek Michaelis is back and ready to take control! First he'll see to his business, and then to his wayward wife...
For two years Penny has struggled to come to terms with Zarek's disappearance. But enough is enough. It's time to move on… Her proud Greek husband is still as darkly handsome as ever, and the attraction between them is just as potent. But Penny can't trust Zarek's motives — does he just want her body and the fortune he left behind…or to try again?




THE PROUD WIFE  

Her husband wants her back!
Marina thought her dreams had come true when her husband placed a wedding band on her finger. But their marriage was not the fairytale she'd hoped for, and eventually Marina walked away, her heart broken.
But two years on Pietro DInzeo no longer haunts Marina's dreams. She knows the time has come to move on, and even a summons to join him in Sicily won't deter her However, with his wife stand
ing before him, about to sign on the dotted line of their divorce papers, Pietro wonders why he ever let her go?





THE RETURN OF THE STRANGER 

Standing high on the windswept moors, the lone figure of Heath Montanha vows vengeance on the woman who destroyed the last fragments of his heart...
Lady Katherine Charlton has never forgotten the stablehand with dangerous fists and a troubled heart from her childhood. Now the rebel is back, his powerful anger concealed under a polished and commanding veneer.
When ten years of scandal and secrets are unleashed, with a passionate, furious kiss, Heath's deepest, darkest wish crystallises...
Revenge -- and Kat -- will be his!









THE DEVIL AND MISS JONES
Martha Jones has never taken a risk in her whole life. Until the day she runs out on her wedding and succumbs to the magnetism of a man she has only just met! A man she knows only as Diablo.
Lone wolf Carlos Ortega won't promise Miss Jones more than one searing-hot night. Yet Carlos is shocked by Martha's sweet innocence. This runaway bride is a virgin, and it seems the repercussions of their sizzling encounter could last forever . . .



OK - so those are the books - but as I'm celebrating my 65th title - Indebted to Moreno -   I'm going to run a flash giveaway of these 'missing' books -   I have one copy of each book to give away and when they're gone they're gone!

But you're going to have to be quick!

You have just 24 hours to enter . .. . but then if you don't win the books will still be in the $1.99 sale!

Details coming up  . . .

International giveaway

So - I  promised anyone who might read my books in a language other than English, that I'd have a special treat for them  - and here you are -
it's an International  Translations Giveaway

I've had a lot of deliveries of  foreign translations of my books and  before I send any to the language library I support, I thought I'd ask if there are any readers out there who'd like to win a giveaway of  the titles I have available.

It's quite simple - all you have to do is to email me  and let me know which book in which language you'd like to win.
A few simple conditions - 
1. One book only per person
2. Books on a first come first served basis. Once they;re gone, they're gone
3. Please  give me one title and a second choice in case I've run out of copies of the book yo

u first selected. Of course if there's just one book in one language then I'm afraid once they're gone, they're gone.

The books you can choose from are:
 1. Italian translations 
Olivero's Outrageous Proposal - Un Intrigante Proposta
The Good Greek Wife  in Scintilla Greca   -  4 in 1 with Sarah Morgan Caitlin Crews Abby Green
The Konstantos Marriage Demand   in Matrimonio Greco   4 in 1 with Diana Hamilton, Margaret Mayo, Helen Bianchin

2. Thailand:
Olivero's Outrageous Proposal

3. Poland
Bound By Blackmail (by Kate Walkerova!)  Spanelskanhra

4. Holland
Olivero's Outrageous Proposal  - Perfect Wraak?

5 German
The Temptation Game in  3 in 1 Traummanner with Julia James  and Catherine George
Cordero's Forced Bride in 3 in 1 Mittelmeertraume  - with  Susan Napier and Melanie Milburne

6. French
A Question of Honour - Pour L'honneur du Cheikh

7. Japanese - MANGA editions  of
Kept For Her Baby
Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Wife


THIS OFFER ENDS MONDAY MARCH 14th!

Cover reveal

I've been waiting for ages to see what the cover of my  June book A Question of Honour  would be like. Over the years I've had some  great covers - and some not so great!   I was sent the cover of the USA Presents cover a month or so again    and I liked that  - it  has the atmosphere of the story - and the characters  (Karim and Clementina)  have the right colouring (not always the case!)

But I was waiting to see what the UK/M&B Modern cover was like. I found it last night on Amazon - and I have to say that I'm thrilled - I love it.  Again  Karim and Clementina look just right - but  this one has  more impact I think. More of the  right atmosphere - more  emotion.

It would make me want to pick this book off the shelves  anyway. I think it's a winner.

What do you think?  So- do you prefer  A Question of Honor (USA)? Or A Question of Honour (UK) ?

My lovely web designer Heather has been busy updating my web site  - so you can find more details about A Question of Honour/Honor - and read an excerpt on its  special page here 

Oh , and while I'm talking about covers, I also just got the cover for the 3 in 1 collection  Eligible Greeks: Sizzling Affairs  - which contains  a reprint of my  2010 book The Good Greek Wife. 

This one is out  on May 1st 2014.

Advent Calendar Day 3 & Winner Day 2

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

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

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

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

So  - yesterday's prize goes to:

SHROPSHIRE LASS

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

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

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

rol! First he'll see to his business, and then to his wayward wife...
For two years Penny has struggled to come to terms with Zarek's disappearance. But enough is enough. It's time to move on… Her proud Greek husband is still as darkly handsome as ever, and the attraction between them is just as potent. But Penny can't trust Zarek's motives — does he just want her body and the fortune he left behind…or to try again? 


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

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

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

Advent Calendar Day 22

It's raining - again!

I just opened the door to let in the cats after their early morning dash outside and they were SO happy to be let back in. They are soaked to the skin and Charlie is leaving wet footprints wherever he goes.  He was also so hungry, so he's happy  and more than ready to pick a winner for the latest giveaway.

So he has picked a name - and the name he has picked is Chey.

Chey wins a copy of  The Good Greek Wife.

Chey please send me your postal address and I'll get your prize in the mail to you.

Today's  giveaway is to win a copy of The Greek Tycoon's Unwilling Wife. This book came out in 2007

He thought she was his mistress . . .
Recuperating on his private Greek island after a car crash, Andreas Petrakos had no memory of the previous year. The last thing he remembered was his passionate affair with beautiful Rebecca Ainsworth.
. . . when actually she was his wife!

Becca returned to the island because Andreas had asked for her. But she had to hide the truth from him. So what would happen when he recalled throwing Becca out - on their wedding day - for a reason only he knew?

And today's question is - well, I think it's time we looked at  some special treats coming up seeing as Christmas is nearly here. So  I'd like you to tell me about what you're lookiung forward to eating and drinking over the holidays.

Yes, I know there's the traditional Christmas dinner -  but what else do you have as as real treat while you're relaxing and enjoying yourselves  over Christmas?

Do you love mince pies - and  do you have them cold or warm? With cream ?  Ice cream?
Egg nog or perhaps some mulled wine?
Are you like my  DH who loves nuts  and actually enjoys cracking them and picking them out of the shells himself?  (I love nuts  - but I prefer it when someone else  has done the work!)
Do you buy in lots of chocolates and sweet things - or do you prefer the savouries like crisps,  cheeses,  spicy things?

I have to admit that I don't enjoy the dried fruit mixtures that are so much a tradion  at this time of year - so I don't have a single mince pie, Christmas cake - or even a Christmas pudding  - in the house.  But I do have homemade shaortbread and oaty cookies  made with golden syrup.   There will be cheesy biscuits too - and lots of different cheeses  with chutney and pickles. Those are always part of  our  meal on Christmas Eve - lots of variety and taste, but little cooking!

Oh and of c ourse there ios a bag of special treats for the cats - tasty dinners and some bags  of catnip to drive them crazy with delight in front of the fire!

So tell me the special treats in food or drink that you enjoy and your name will go into the prize draw for the giveaway book.

And now I must go and get dressed - and DH and I will be heading out for our traditional Saturday morning  - it might be nearly Christmas but  we still have a large coffee and the cryptic crossword puzzle  waiting for us.  WE've completed it every week  for 5 months now - we can't let it beat us before Christmas!

Advent Calendar Day 20

Charlie was easy to get in today - it's been pouring with rain from the moment I woke at 5am to the sounds of the rain  pounding down on the roof till now when the evenining has  closed in  - and the rain is still lashing down.
So Charlie  came in  fast when I called him for his teatime - and for  a chance to pick a winner.

And that winner is yadkny who wins a copy of Claimed by The Sicilian.

Yadkny - you know the drill - send me your postal address  via the link below and I'll put the book in the mail to you.

Today's book  was part of the mini series based on the ancient Greek myths

 The Good Greek Wife? was published in  2010  and was losely inspired by the story  of   Odysseus. A man who goes missing for years and whose wife waits at home, never knowing if he is coming back or not.

The return of the proud Greek husband...
He was declared missing at sea — but now notorious Zarek Michaelis is back and ready to take control! First he'll see to his business, and then to his wayward wife...
For two years Penny has struggled to come to terms with Zarek's disappearance. But enough is enough. It's time to move on…Her proud Greek husband is still as darkly handsome as ever, and the attraction between them is just as potent. But Penny can't trust Zarek's motives — does he just want her body and the fortune he left behind…or to try again?

You can win a copy of this title by joining in and answering  today's question -

Well, seeing as the hero of this story, Zareki Michaelis, went missing when he was travelling away from home - today;s question is  about travelling - or staying right where you are.

This coming weekend will be the most busy time on the roads, trains and planes as people travel to visit and stay with family or friends. So what about you?

Last week the babe Magnet and I went to visit friends in Yorkshire and we stayed  with them for a while.  I've just spent today sharing an early Christmas lunch with some other friends who live nearby.   For Christmas Day itself  we will be staying at home, apart from a short walk round to The Offspring's house to wish him and his fiancée a Happy Christmas.

Will you be getting into the car or on to a plane  and travelling to a different part of the country - or maybe even a different country  - to share your  Christmas with family or friends?

Or will you be staying safe and warm  in you own home?

Or perhpas  you have family travelling to visit you and spend the holidays in your home?

You know the drill - let me know what you'll be doing and you'll be in with a chance of winning  the story of my wandering Greek hero  and what happened when he found his way home.

Winners -and more chances to win

 The winners of the One Night in Madrid giveaway are Summer and Caroline  so please send me your postal addresses and I'll get your copies of the book in the mail to you.

  And just to remind you that there are more chances to win over on My Tote Bag   where Lee Hyat is giving away copies of books from my backlist - this month the books on offer areThe Good Greek Wife? and The Antonakos Marriage!
This contest is of course to celebrate the publication of The Proud Wife which is out in Presents Extra right now - if you can find a copy, because people are telling me it's selling so well they're having to hunt to find a copy.

. . . . and talking of backlist books

Firstly I want to wish a truly Happy Birthday to my dear friend and fellow Modern/Presents author  Michelle Reid.    Have a wonderful day Michelle!

And backlist books - Each month,  with the help of lovely Lee Hyat on My Tote Bag , I'm currently running a series of contests to  mark the publication of The Proud Wife  - so that you can win copies of some of my backlist books. The prize for the April contest has just been sent out so there is a new contest running for May.
This month, the prizes are:  A copy of The Good Greek Wife? and The Antonakos Marriage.

Just answer this simple question:
Which 3 of Kate's books are reprinted in the collection Claimed by The Sicilian?

Hint: You can find the answer  on my web site!

Contest Deadline: May 31st, '11.

 
For entry details visit My Tote Bag - where Lee has lots of other great contests running every month so you might win in those too.

Good Luck!

A Classic Story

 No, I'm not claiming 'classic' status for one of my books   but I did say that I would tell you a bit more about The Return of The Stranger which  is the  book I just had accepted before Christmas and which will be my next new title after The Proud Wife in March.

Like The Good Greek Wife? this book is part of a four book mini series that I was specially asked to contribute to  but this time, instead of being  rewokrings of Greek Myths, this  is a set or reworking and Modernising classic lov e stories from  English Literature.

You may remember that a while back - in September -  I asked  if  you had favourite bok of romantic fiction when the M&B editors were discussing their favvourite reads.  In that coollection the obvious contenders - Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre ,Wuthering Heights were all mentioned. And these are the Classics that will be included in this new mini series. 

The whole series is titled The Powerful and The Pure - When Beauty tames the brooding Beast!



You'll probably have seen the first book in the series out in the shops if you are in the UK - Sharon Kendrick's The Forbidden Innocent  (Jane Eyre)  was publkished in January. Coming up  are  Pride and Prejudice  and Emma  (by- I think Cathy Williams and Kate Hewitt) and then my book The Return of The Stranger which is a reworking of Wuthering Heights.

If you remember my comment back in September when I was talking about the greats of romantic fiction you'll remember that I said  this:

And I have to admit to putting my vote in for - from this list - Jane Eyre, Devil's Cub, These Old Shades . . .Not Wuthering Heights? I can hear the questions already. I love WH as a novel - But for me it's is not a love story - passion, possession - yes - but love?? There is a love story in the second half - young Cathy and Hareton but most people don't think of that. The book is the story of Cathy and Heathcliff - but for me it's not a love story.


So  - have I managed to turn it into a love story?  Make it a romance? It took some doing. I tried to keep the essential elements of the original story but take the wild, strong-willed  Cathy and the dark, brooding dangerous Heathcliff  and  let them learn about love so as to give them give them the  happy ending  Emily Bronte’s  original story could never have had.  I hope I've succeeded for a book that has been so  impoirtant to me personally throughout my life.   You'll be able to decide for yourselves when The Return of the Stranger comes out in September this year.

And I'll talk a bit more about writing it then

But before that there will be  The Proud Wife and as February is coming up , It will soon bee time for the now traditional Here Come the Grooms contest that I shall be running again with my lovely friends and fabulous writers Anne McAllister and Liz Fielding  - so look out for that.

January Sales and other shopping

If you live in America, did you miss getting your hands on a copy of  The Good Greek Wife? 

If you did then here's your chance  to grab a copy in the eHarlequin January sale  - at 40%  off! I just noticed that over on the eHarlequin web site The Good Greek Wife - and  lots of other books are currently on offer at the great sale price of $2.85   - if I lived in America I'd be tempted myself!

The return of the proud Greek husband...



He was declared missing at sea – but now notorious Zarek Michaelis is back and ready to take control! First he’ll see to his business, and then to his wayward wife...


For two years Penny has struggled to come to terms with Zarek’s disappearance. But enough is enough. It’s time to move on… Her proud Greek husband is still as darkly handsome as ever, and the attraction between them is just as potent. But Penny can’t trust Zarek’s motives – does he just want her body and the fortune he left behind…or to try again?


This is the book that's sold out in the UK over on the M&B site - but I think there are still some copies around on Amazon or the Book Depository  (it's on sale there too - not 40% but still a reduced price)

And talking of shopping - I was out in the January sales at the weekend where I bought - or so I thought - a cuddly soft toy  that you can warm in the microwave to keep you cosy at night for the small daughter of a friend who is having a brithday today (Happy Birthday Kelsey!) .  I also bought 2 pairs of leggings.
When I reached home and checked the receipts it turns out that what I actually bought was  a 'lying hottie' and some 'casual bottoms'.

Which just gave me the perfect example for the point I was trying to make in an interview - that one of the things I have most needed to make sure of during my 25 years of writing  - is that my writing/my language stays contemporary and  doesn't date and age me and my  books.

So as I get back to work  on what I think my be my 60th title (need to check on that!)  that's something I need to keep in mind.   Can't help thinkikng though that theres a story in that 'lying hottie'!

Thank  you all for your comments about possible writing  posts - I will hope to get to them as soon as I can. But for now -
Jane -  you asked for notes on Conflict. Where were you last year when  I did a whole series on it?  Put Conflict into  the search  box on this blog and you should get  loads of  posts that might help.  Around July/August last year.

Advent Calendar Giveaway Day 12

So today we get halfway through these Advent Calendar giveaways. And so perhaps we can now start singing 'The 12 Days of Christmas'? But I'm never really sure whether the 12 days are before or after Christmas. Does anyone know?

Anyway, the winner of yesterday's 'antique' Kate Walker is: KAELEE

Kaelee please let me have your postal address -email kate @ kate-walker.com (don't forget that - hyphen)

A bit of news - I have (with the help of the fabulous Heather from We Write Romance ) updated and 'tweaked' my web site in celebratory colours ready for the holiday season. It has some of the new books coming up and a special Christmas graphic as my 'card' to my readers. The new Presents Extra cover for my 2011 title The Proud Wife is now up - but I still don't have the UK cover of this one. Just as soon as I do have it, I'll post it to share with you all.

Today's Advent Calendar giveaway - well yesterday we went back in time with The Golden Thief, so today let's come right up to date with my latest novel - the one published most recently in October this year. And that's The Good Greek Wife.

The return of the proud Greek husband...

He was declared missing at sea – but now notorious Zarek Michaelis is back and ready to take control! First he’ll see to his business, and then to his wayward wife...

For two years Penny has struggled to come to terms with Zarek’s disappearance. But enough is enough. It’s time to move on… Her proud Greek husband is still as darkly handsome as ever, and the attraction between them is just as potent. But Penny can’t trust Zarek’s motives – does he just want her body and the fortune he left behind…or to try again?

If you're in the UK, and you didn't get a copy of this when it came out, you might want to try and grab this prize - The Good Greek Wife sold out on the Mills & Boon site so it's not easy to find now. It is still around in America on Amazon or eHarlequin.



So to be in with a chance, answer today's question - and as I've already mentioned The Twelve Days of Christmas, let's think about music and songs at this time of year. What sort of music do you like to listen to as you decorate the house or do the Christmas baking?

Are you a traditionalist who loves the purety of Silent Night? Or perhaps you like something more lively and fun - Jingle Bells? What about that old favourite - are you dreaming of a White Christmas?



Tell me your favourite Christmas music and you'll have your name put before Sid the Cat with a cat treat on top. And the one he eats first will win the copy of The Good Greek Wife.

Another contest!

As I may have mentioned, The Good Greek Wife? was a special project that my editor asked me to write for a mini-series based on the Greek Myths.

The Good Greek Wife? is now released in Presents Extra in the second half of this mini-series which in America is labelled The Greek Tycoons - legends are made of men like these.

I've had some enquiries about these books, wanting to know which other titles are included in this special mini-series. So I thought I'd let you know what the other three books are:

Released in June were:

The Power of The Legendary Greek by Catherine George

and

The Greek Tycoon's Achilles Heel by Lucy Gordon (now guess which myth that is based on!)

and this month (October - ie this week)

The Good Greek Wife? by Kate Walker

and

Powerful Greek, Housekeeper Wife by Robyn Donald

To mark the publication of The Good Greek Wife? I'm running a contest with Lee Hyat of Authorsound Relations through her special Newswire service to win copies of each of the books in the mini series. I have 3 sets of all four books to give away - if you answer the simple question I've asked, then you'll be in with a chance.

You can find the full details here. But be quick - you only have until October 17th to get an entry in.

My 25th anniversary contest is still open until October 31st though. Entries are coming in nicely and Sid the Cat is realy looking forward to helping me choose 25 winners. He may even have to enlist Flora to help him (though I doubt it). Entry details are on my Contest page.

But please - do answer the questions to enter! Just sending me your name and address isn't going to work. No answers, no entry - and no entry means there won't be a piece of paper with your name and a cat treat on it for Sid to choose from - and you wouldn't want to diasapoint a hungry cat - would you?

Thank you Halifax - and New Voices 2

I had a great time in Halifax for the Calderdale Writers' Roadshow. It was a nostalgic trip as well as a work event and I had a lovely time wandering around the streets of the town that used to be home to me when I was growing up and where I had my first ever married home.

My thanks to the group who came to my workshop, joined in, asked great questions, and generally made the 2 hours slip by so fast I barely realised we'd started.

Also Jayne, Christine and Catherine who booked one to ones - it was great to meet you, to talk writing with you, and I really hope that our discussions helped you see a way forward to creating your own novels in the future. Good Luck!

And Good Luck wishes too to the ten finalists in the New Voices Contest who have worked on their entries with the advice and input of their mentoring teams and have submitted their second chapters which are up on the site now.

Anyone who entered - and even if you didn't but you're interested in the writing process - should go and take a look at how these stories have progressed. Because, as I've said before and I'm sure I'll say again, it's the potential for such progress that the editors saw in them from the start and that now, with their editorial input, is being put into place. Personally I'm finding it fascinating to see what the authors have done to move on from that first chapter, how they've put the editor's comments into their stories, and what the result is as posted on the site.

The voting of course is the subjective part. The bit where you are asked to vote for your favourite - but being honest, I wouldn't know if I was best voting as a reader or as an author or as a trained critiquer. And in the end, it's the editorial opinion that matters most. They are the ones who will be working with the writers - probably many more authors than just the one who is finally declared the winner - in the hope of developing a dynamite book out of the unpolished diamonds that were first submitted.

It's intriguing and enlightening watching the 'work in progress' - something that we rarely get to see from any author, any book. But ultimately the real prize for any of those who have submitted will be to see their name on a book on the bookshop shelves. I really hope that they achieve their dreams.

And talking of books on shelves, today is the actual, official publication date for the Presents EXTRA edition of The Good Greek Wife? in America. But I've been thrilled to see it riding high in the Top Ten on Amazon.com all weekend. Many many thnanks to everyone who's bought a copy to create this great result. As I hope the winners of New Voices and others will discover - this is a thrill that never goes away.

Blogging around

I'm heading for Halifax and the Calderdale Writers' Roadshows today and tomorrow so I've been busy preparing. But there are a couple of blogs around to keep you reading if you like -

The first was supposed to go up today but actually went up a day early over at Romance Bandits so I need to go over there and answer some of the comments. I'm talking about the final celebrations for my 25th year of publication and of course, as it's publication month in America, about my new Presents title The Good Greek Wife?

And then later today, if all goes to plan, I should have my blog up at I heart Presents - and, naturally, I'll be talking about The Good Greek Wife? over there too.

I'll be back on Sunday - and if you're going to be in Halifax please come and say hello.

PS If you want to know more about the Babe Magnet then today's your day - there's a great interview with him over on The Literary Project (Thanks Gemma!)

And another one . . .

I'm giving away books left right and centre at the moment - that's because I'm rounding off the celebrations for my 25th year in publishing - and I'm celebrating the USA publication of The Good Greek Wife? in Presents Extra as from next week. (Or maybe the end of this week as that's sometimes how the shops stock up on the books that come out mid-month.)

So, together with lovely Lee Hyat from My Tote Bag, I'm running a contest over on her web site too - so you can find the details here

I'm thrilled to see that The Good Greek Wife? is already heading up the bestseller list on Amazon.com, even when it's not actually released yet. And I've had some lovely reviews for this book.

Here's a taster

On We Write Romance Heather R has given it 4 stars out of 4 and says:

Brilliantly written, Kate Walker's The Good Greek Wife? is the perfect twist on the Greek myth of Odysseus. She weaves together the lost-at-sea Greek husband, Zarek Michaellis, his nasty 'step' family, and the ever-faithful wife, Penny, together into one entertaining and hard-to-put-down tale!

Zarek's past makes him driven to succeed in the family business and to make sure he has an heir to run that business should anything happen to him. So when he met and Penny and found they both wanted children, he married her. Only when his step-family start peppering her with a bit of the truth in a twisted way does she start second guessing why Zarek married her. On the eve of his departure to test a new ship, they have words and separate without finding peace. So when Zarek is supposedly killed at sea, Penny finds it hard to let anything about him go—including his company! But after two years of fruitless searching and waiting, she finally succumbs to the incessant needling of her husbands family and decides to move on with her life by having him declared legally dead. And that's when Zarek makes his reappearance!

So don't miss picking up your copy because you'll definitely enjoy seeing how the two lost lovers come back together and fight to reclaim the love they'd only just begun before Zarek was lost.

And Sarah, the reviewer for Romance Junkies says:

Penny Michaelis has not seen her husband, Zarek, in two years. His boat was captured by pirates and he was not seen again. Penny has held out hope but with Zarek's family pressing at her to declare him dead, she finally agrees. After all, it has been two years. If he was alive, he would have made it known. Unfortunately, Penny carries a load of guilt because the last time she saw Zarek, they were fighting bitterly. But before any legal proceedings begin, Zarek steps back into her life in a big way, with no warning whatsoever.

Zarek is not going to let Penny declare him dead and see his company handed over to his deceiving stepbrothers. He had hoped Penny had waited for him but it appears she is ready to move on. Can these two ever make it past two years of hurt, anger, sadness and emptiness to rekindle their marriage?

THE GOOD GREEK WIFE? is definitely high on passion and Greek intensity! The story takes place in a very condensed time but it works well for the shock and awe that comes with seeing Zarek again after assuming he is dead. Kate Walker has these two going at each other with hurt, love and anger from the get-go, but it is in preparation for the true reveal of their feelings. The emotions are so heightened in this story that it adds a lot of intensity and spirit to Zarek's and Penny's reunion. And even with the presence of the evil family in the background, Zarek was able to show Penny that he had more in mind for their reunion than a divorce.

Kate Walker ratchets up love and loss in THE GOOD GREEK WIFE?. It is a story that will put you through your paces. Zarek and Penny both feel they are the injured party in their dispute but at the same time, Kate Walker works reconciliation into the story through natural means. Penny brings him a meal after Zarek's first long day back. They still respond to each other with passion and love. But is it enough to bridge the distance between them? Homer's THE ODYESSY is cleverly worked into the story through names, places, and events but it is all given a very modern twist. Penny has put her life on hold long enough and she is ready to move on, with or without Zarek. Will that be the biggest mistake of her life? You will have to read to find out!

Thank you to both Heather and Sarah for these great reviews. They've really made my week!

I've also had some lovely emails from readers telling me how much they've enjoyed reading The Good Greek Wife? and these have meant such a lot to me. It was a real thrill to find out that this book had sold out on the MIlls & Boon site already and it's even more of a thrill to know that those of you have bought it have enjoyed it so much - that's the best news an author can have

Thank you!

25th Anniversary Contest

This week sees the publication in America of my latest book. The Good Greek Wife? is published in Presents Extra - officially on October 12th but it will start appearing in the shops towards the end of this week. To mark this and to round off the celebrations for my 25th year as a published writer, I’m running a final special, great big contest to thank all my readers for their support and enthusiasm for my books since The Chalk Line was first published in 1984, right through to the sell-out success of The Good Greek Wife? in 2010.

For this contest, I am giving away not one – not ten – not even twenty prizes but 25 special giveaways. One to mark each year I have been published. (Sid the Cat is so looking forward to helping me pick the prizes for this!)

What I have on offer are 25 books from my backlist, each with a special Kate Walker tote bag and special 25th anniversary pen and I’m giving them all away in this special celebratory contest
How can you be in with a chance of one of these prizes?

It’s quite simple. All you have to do is to check out my web site and find the answers to these four easy questions:

1. What is the title of the very first book I ever had published?

2. What are the names of the hero and heroine of my latest title, The Good Greek Wife?

3.What is the title of my award-winning guide to writing romance?

4.Who helps me pick all the winners of the contests I run?

Collect up all the answers and put them in an email

Send the email to me with 25th Anniversary Contest in the subject line
Closing date for this contest is: October 31st 2010
GOOD LUCK!

Blogging around

As it's the first Sunday of the month, I have my regular blog over at Tote Bags 'n' Blogs.

So that's where you'll find me today. I'm talking about why I like autumn - and of course about the publication of The Good Greek Wife? , the Presents EXTRA edition of which is out this week in America.

So why not join me over there and you could win yourself a signed copy of this already best-selling (and sold out!) book

Good news

A special thank you to everyone who commented on my post about the New Voices yesterday. I was really just thinking aloud but I'm thrilled that it touched a chord in so many of you. One of the things I truly believe about this writing business is that any writer who forgets what it felt like to be at the beginning of things, nervous about sending in a submission, and struggling to deal with rejection, is one who risks becoming complacent and complacency risks putting you on the slippery slope to failure - or, worse, selling your readers short.

And yes - as several other published writers also commented ( thank you Michelle and Phillipa) the blood sweat and tears that go into writing very rarely disappear even after one, two, three . . . fifty eight published titles. And much as I sometimes wish they would, there's another part of me that acknowledges that the blood sweat and tears - and the fear of rejection - is what keep me on my toes, hopefully keeps an edge on my writing and stops me from selling short - because I'd hate to disappoint my readers.

And now for the good news.

Every now and then a short search of the internet book stores etc reveals things I don't know are happening - books I didn't know about or, even better, good news I wasn't aware of.

So yesterday's trip around the web sites that sell my books brought an unexpected collection of news for me.

For a start there are some reprints coming up that I had no idea about:

There's

Mediterranean Tycoons: Alpha Collection - with Michelle Reid and Sarah Morgan. That's in February 2011. And your guess is as good as mine about which book is in this collection - but what great company to be in.

Then in May there's:
One Night in Madrid with Jennie Lucas and Diana Hamilton - no idea what book of mine is in this collection but it's obviously one with a Spanish hero. . . or is it one with a Spanish heroine ?

Another book I knew was coming but didn't have a date for yet is the 3rd edition of the 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance- and I now find that that's listed on Amazon too, with a definite date for its publication. It's still at the same price but now it will be published by Aber Publishing, no longer Studymates.

But the biggest and best piece of news was when I went over to the Mills & Boon web site, looking for copies of my July book The Good Greek Wife? so that I could direct a reader who has been hunting for a copy to the site. Imagine my surprise - and delight when I found that the reason she's been having difficulty finding this book is that it's officially sold out and there is now only the ebook version available. I checked with my editor and it's tue - the print editon is totally sold out. That's just made my day.

Obviously it hasn't made my reader's day but it is still around on Amazon and - I think - the Book Depository if you're still hunting for it. And for the American readers it will soon be out - 19 days from now - in Presents EXTRA so you shouldn't have any trouble finding it.

To catch up . . .

A few things that I need to catch up with since I've been away -

1. I was thrilled to discover that the ebook version of The Good Greek Wife? was the #1 bestseller over on eHarlequin.com at the end of the week. Many thanks to everyone who bought a copy to put it there. The print version will of course be available next month,

2. As a result of two people having to back out of the Advanced Course on Romance Writing at Fishguard in February 2011, the course, that was full, now had two places available to anyone who would like to book - if you're quick! (I think someone may plan to book one already) These places are meant for students who have already attended a basic romance writing course that I have taught. ( I need to make it clear that the price of the full weekend is £209 - and the £39 mentioned on my web site is the cost of booking an extra night before or after the course. Full details are to be found here.)

3. I have been asked a couple of times about the short story contest that was run jointly by The Lady Magazine and Mills & Boon - in connection with the National Trust. The results have actually just been announced and the name of winner and her story are published in this week's (Sept 14th I think) The winner was Emma Ward with her story Passions at Polesden Lacey.

4. Also coming up soon - I will be taking part again in the Calderdale Libraries Writers' Roadshow in Halifax Central Library on Saturday 9th October when I'll be running a 2 hour workshop on Writing Romantic Fiction.

5. Also in Calderdale, as part of the Readers' and Writers' Festival, the Babe Magnet and I will be talking about our writing as 'Crime and Passion' at Todmorden Library on 30th October. Full details here.

6. And don't forget that the closing date for first time entries to the New Voices contest is 22nd September - not long to go so if you want to enter, get your chapter in now!