Advent Calendar Day 13

First of all - when I announced some winners, I think I forgot  one - the winner of  The Devil and Miss  Jones was Julie M  so I need your postal address Julie.

Today's prize - and today's question  then -  today's prize is one of those golden oldies - one for the collectors  out there!

I actually have a copy of only my second book published - and this one dates right back from  1986! It's practically antique.

Game of Hazard was only my second novel  - and it was the first to go into paperback. The first to go to America. The sharp-eyed amongst you will  note that  it is also published as a Harlequin Romance!  So this is a real historical document and if you are trying to collect up all my titles - as I know some of you are - this is a great chance to win one.

You can't trust me," Nick said softly.
The words rang in Erin's head. Why was she acting like a ministering angel to this man who had broken into her home, slept in her bed - all without any explanation?
Until the storm that kept them isolated and snowbound ceased, there was nothing she could do about the intimacy of their situation.

It was dangerous. She should be afraid. Yet Nick had become so much a part of her life that she couldn't imagine how it had felt not to know him . . .

Obvioously because this is an old book that I've found, it's not in immaculate condition - but it is in very good condition.

And the question ?  Hmmm - well as I'm thinking about older things - what is the oldest Christmas Decoration you have?
Is it for the tree? 
Or a table centrepiece?
Or something you put on your mantlepiece?

I have a little felt Angel  and a Father Christmas that I made myself years ago, when my son was only 3  - so these are ones that we have always had on the tree since then. I also made them together with my Mother in law, who sadly is no longer with us. This will be only our second Christmas without her, so putting these little figures on the tree will be a chance to remember her.

Do you have a special decoration that reminds you of someone in your life?

You might have noticed that today we have  a different picker of the winner - and that is Flora. She is the older of our two cats, so she is appropriate for this prize!  (and she's sitting in front of the screen right now, pointing out that it shgouldn't just be Charlie who gets all the treats and chances to pick!)

Life!

Hmmm - who was it - Kaelee's uncle who used to end his paragraphs in letters with Life!!
I think I'm going to have to adopt that habit.
LIFE!

I was away for a couple of days - it wasn't supposed to take so long and I'd hoped to be back and continuing witht the Advent Calendar before now  but - Life!

OK, life and freezing fog and a journey home that took much longer than we expected.  We had a great time though - a wonderful visit to the Airedale Writers' Circle and their Christmas Party  - thank you to everyone who made us so welcome . And specially to  our dear friend  and crime writer Lesley Horton  who with her husband gave us such lovely hospitality  - Oh, and the cats who welcomed us to and helped to make up for the fact that we didn't have Flora and Charlie to cuddle.

So - back to this calendar.
First of all  - I have to name the winners from the last giveaway - I has said 3 winners, but as I've missed a couple of days again and  as I love this chance to give something to two people - the winners of the books and those who  are the givers who get to see them smile - I'm going to send copiues to all the people who nominated their friends or family -
So -
Julie M
Joye
Manisha
Yadkny
Eli
Desere
SiNn

Please email me with an address to send the book too - also please tell me the name of the person I should sign it for. Some of you have named  your winner, but others have just said 'my mum' or 'my friend'. The point of this gift is that it is for  the other person and I want to sign it for them.

I only have 3 copies of the book I mentioned - One Night in Madrid - but I do have some other trilogies - Mistress Material where my book is The Married Mistress and Mistresses Shackled with Rubies where my title is Her Secret Bridegroom. So your chosen winner will received one of other of these.

Other winners from past posts  - the delay in getting hjome has meant a delay in getting prizes in the post but I will be doing that just as soon as  I can.

And I'll put up a new Advent Calendar post just as soon as I can.

Advent Calendar - catch up. Day something . . . .

OK, so I know I have missed some days on the calendar but really that just couldn't be helped.   Hope things will ease up now

But in any case - I'll use this post as a sort of catch up- and put in some extra books.   I ran a giveaway like this last year and it went really well  so I'm trying again.  This is hopefully a giveaway in the true spirit of Christmas - and I hope there's plenty of that around right now.

So I have three copies of the three  in one collection One Night in Madrid to give away. This collection has  my book  Spanish Billionaire,  Innocent Wife  in it.

Two years ago, Alannah left Raul without one word of regret. Now chance has thrown them together once more, and the proud Spanish aristocrat will see that Alannah pays for her mistake.
He had wanted Alannah Redfern the first moment he saw her. Her unique combination of purity and passion intrigued, then intoxicated him. And Raul Marcín was a man used to getting everything he wanted.
Now, Raul knows that Alannah is no longer a naive girl. Until their one night of passion proves that she is still an innocent. Raul will do whatever it takes to keep her at his mercy.


It also has
The Spaniard's Defiant Virgin by Jennie Lucas
and
The Spanish Duke's Virgin Bride by Chantelle Shaw.

And the question? Well this is where the Christmas spirit comes in. Today is not to win a book for yourself but to nominate someone  who you think needs a specail Christmas present this year.
Someone who has had a tough year
Someone who you want to say thank you toi
Someone who might not have so many gifts this time
Someone you want to see smile . . .

In the comments section please nominate the person to whom yo'd like to give this extra present and I'll send a copy of this book to the three winners Charlie picks when I get back to my desk.

Please  play fair on this - choose someone you want to give the book to. And please if you nominated and won last year don't ask for the same person over again.

What I'm hoping for is to make 3 lucky people smile - both because they have won a book - and because they have a generous friend/family member who nominated them for the prize.  This worked so well last year - I hope it works again!

Missing in Action

Dear everyone - and specially kaelee (thank you so much for your kind enquiry)

As you've probably noticed, the Advent Calendar  went off the air . . .

What can I say  except that sometimes real life intervenes  and however much I might have wanted to, I couldn't carry on with the every day giveaway I had planned/hoped for.   Things got thoroughly knocked off course but I'd like to hope they are back on the straight and narrow now.

Tomorrow and Wednesday are busy days when I have to be away from my desk but I'll hope to catch up  soon
In the meantime, while I collect my thoughts - lets look at a few winners. Already winners up to now: -
Martha who won Bedded By The Greek Billionaire
Gladys and Manisha who won The Sicilian's Red Hot Revenge
Your prizes have gone in the mail to you

Debby G who won Mediterranean Tycoons - please send a postal address
Eli Yanti - you won Just the Three of Us  - please also send a postal address - a link to my email is at the bottom of the page

The winner of Cordero's Forced Bride is SiNn  - can I have your address please?

Pink Heart Society winner - bn100  - you won a copy of  The Return of the Stranger - again please send me  details of your postal address.

That brings me up to date I think.

I'll have to carry on the Advent Calendar from today now - so I'll post up another blog about that and today's question  as soon as I've pu this one up.

Thanks for your patience.

Advent Calendar Day 7

Just to remind you that as today is the first Friday of the month, my post is over on the Pink Heart Society blog today.

So that's where you'll find me today - and where there are the details of day 7 of the Advent Calendar giveaway and the prize book on offer.

See you there!

Advent Calenday Day 6

I'll be out and about  a lot today  so this is a quick posting to give you the next question so you can get your answers in while I'm away from my desk.

Oh - and that reminds me - I just need to say that I'm delighted to see so many of you joining in the Advent Calendar giveaway and posting comments   for each blog.  I have enjoyed reading them all - but there are so many of you that I really don't have time to respond to each on individually. I wish I could, but like everyone else I'm rushing around, getting organised,  doing 101 jobs . . .

So please forgive me if I don't answer every post you leave. I am loving reading them and learning more about  you - but if I was to answer each and everyone then I'd have no time for anything else.  And Charlie is enjoying the number of cat treats that come his way with all your names as he picks the winners - so keep them coming!

Yesterday I talked about personal preparations for Christmas -  I hope some of you will get a chance to have some pampering or at least a small treat as you prepare.   And that started me thinking about what you'll be weraring for the big day. 

I know the magazines and the papers are full of  party dresses and glitter and glam -  but I'm not talking about those sort of things. What do you wear for Christmas Day?

Are you someone who likes to get dressed up, glam dress, hair done, full makeup?
Or do you prefer to go for comfort - jeans? A loose top  - perhaps even an elastic waistband? (One has to think of all that  Christmas dinner!)
Or perhaps you're someone who loves to have the fun factor?   Do you like special  Christmas jumpers with festive designs on them? Reindeers, holly - Santa?

When The Offspring was young I used to go for the fun thing - I had a jumper that was covered in Penguins one year and that was cute.

These days I got for something that's comfortable - but smarter than my usual working at home scruffy sweats!  So I have velvet trousers and a top with some  beaded decorations on it.  When it comes to the evening - when we have our Christmas dinner  visitors joining us then I'll opt for something a bit more glammed up -I have one silky blouse, but if I see something really nice when I'm out and about that will be a good excuse to treat myself.

So what about you? What do you think you'll be wearing on Christmas day?
Or what's your fantasy for glamour?

Today's giveway prize is the book the Babe Magnet picked out of the pile I have ready to give away - and he's chosen a golden oldie -  Cordero's Forced Bride. This was first published in 2009.

Taken in payment into his bed!
Alexa Montague is mortified. She's had to call off her sister's wedding, and now the ruthless, arrogant groom, Santos Cordero, is demanding that shy, ugly duckling Alexa, takes Natalie's place!
The Montagues have stolen his money and his convenient bride, so Santos will enjoy taking Alexa instead. For Santos does not - cannot - love. But his body burns for Alexa as it has for no other woman before. He'll keep her captive in his bed until she's begging to be his . . .

Don't forget to post your answers in the comments section and I'll get Charlie on the job of picking a winner.

Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month so my post - and the next question will be over on the Pink  Heart Society blog and you'll need to post your answers over there.  I'll put up a reminder here tomorrow in case you forget.

Advent Calenday Day 5

I've been busy today - doing what I call 'maintenance'  - or  sometimes I call it the Forth Bridge project. ( For those of you who  don't know that reference,  the huge Forth Bridge  is so big that people say if they started to repaint it, they'd barely get to the end before they had to begin again.)

It's just  fate that means a lot of my annual/biannual  checks have fallen in the past week or so. Last week was the dentist, today's was the eye test  - but I have to admit I'm glad that I've got them out of the way now - and  even better to know that  nothing has changed - so no expenses for new lenses/frames. That pleased me a lot.

Now I can concentrate on the nicer, pampering side of preparing for the festive season.  I have a hair appointment booked - and today, seeing as there isn't going to be the cost of new glasses, I decided to treat myself to a manicure and pedicure just before the big day.  If we're not careful, the build up to Christmas can be all about planning, preparing, organising, wrapping . . . .  And let's face it, often the women are the ones doing most of it.  (Though I have to say that my son  is amazingly good at buying gifts -I'm impressed.)

So today's question is all about you - do you have a  preparty/pre Christmas bit of pampering that you enjoy?
Or one that you just  dream of?
Would your fantasy be a full day spa package (OK - we can dream - we'd need the time off to achieve it!)
Or do you  choose something nice to wear and go with that. (Don't go into details on the 'something nice to wear' - that's for tomorrow's question!)

And today's give away prize -

Yesterday's giveaway was an older book - so let's come up to date.

Today I'm giving away a copy of my latest title - The Devil and Miss Jones . This was out in March 2012.

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 . . .

Let me know what your  'pampering' is - even if it's just a mug of hot chocolate or a glass of wine while you're writing the Christmas cards!  And I'll  send someone a little extra treat in a signed copy of this book.

Oh - and the winner of Advent Calendar Day 4 is Eli Yanti
Eli please email me with your postal address so I can send your prize on to you.

Winners and Advent Calendar Day 4

It's raining - which right now is a good thing. 

It means that at last Charlie has come in from being outside in the garden – he’s soaked to the skin, he’s brought us the ‘gift’ of a mouse  (which I’ve asked him to leave on the doorstep as I’m not in the mood of mouse for tea!) –  but at last he’s home and inside. And that means that I can get him to pick some winners at last!

So – the winner of Day 1 is Debby  - Debby wins a copy of the 3 in 1 collection Mediterranean Tycoons

Day 2  - which I’ve already announced – was Martha who won Bedded By The  Green Billionaire

Day 3  -  obviously being out in the rain and chasing that mouse has made Charlie feel very hungry – before I could blink he had snaffled two  crunchies and I couldn’t decide which one was first – but I’m also running a special draw with extra  prizes for members of my Newsletter list  and one of those winners  is  on my Newsletter list so there are two winners for Day 3 and they are:
Manisha

And

Gladys

Who both win a copy of The Sicilian’s Red Hot Revenge.  (Manisha, I’m sorry – I can’t offer any help on the title of the book you are looking for but if I find out anything I’ll let you know.)

Would all winners please email  me -  there is a contact link at the bottom of the page -  send me your postal address and I’ll get the prize in the mail just as soon as I can.

Today’s book in in another three in one collection. When I was talking about  the older books of mine that have been selling afresh as ebooks, one of those was the  2001 title His Miracle Baby.   I don’t think this is in print anywhere right now – so the print versions of it in this collection is  a bit of a collector’s piece! It’s in a By Request Collection – Just the Three  of Us.

Why  had Ellie left him?

Morgan didn't know. It was obvious she'd still been blissfully in love with him. She'd even agreed with his edict that they never have children. Then she'd disappeared.

When Morgan found her . . .

To his absolute shock, she had with here the most adorable baby girl that he'd ever seen. His heart twisted inside him. Had Ellie found another man to give her what he never could - or was this baby Morgan's very own miracle?

And today’s question -  well, I had thought of offering a Christmas story as part of this giveaway, but I  don’t have a copy of any of my Christmas set novels. (There aren’t many of them – The Christmas Baby’s Gift and Fiancée By Mistake.)  But I would like to know  what you think about  Christmas themed books.

Do you love them – at this time of years?  Would you look out specially for Christmas themed books?
Or have you had enough of the whole Christmas thing by the time you get a chance to sit down and relax? Would you rather read anything BUT a Christmas story?

I’d be interested to know if your decision is influenced by where you live – if you’re in the UK etc would you rather not read about any more cold, snow, ice?   Or if you’re somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere would you  find that makes you  feel more ‘Christmassy’  

Do you have  any favourite Christmas titles?  A favourite Christmas romance – or any other story – that you love to read over and over?
Post your answers in the comments  section and you can be in with a chance to win.

His Miracle Baby is available  on Kindle and as an ebook on the Harlequin and Mills & Boon web sites.

Advent Calendar Day 3

I've set myself a problem with getting Charlie to pick the Advent Calendar winners - he's a much younger cat than dear Sid was so he's  out and about a lot more! I managed to get him to pick a winner for the Tote Bags 'n' Blogs prize - the winner was Martha Lawson -    and then he decided that he wanted to go out roaming while there was still some daylight and before it got too cold.  So I'll have to get him back on the job of picking a winner when he comes in for supper.

In the meantime, I want to post up today's question.

Over on Tote Bags, I was talking a bout buying and sharing ebooks - and that was on my mind because I've  been  watching how my ebooks - old and new - are selling since some were re-issued as Harlequin Treasury and M&B Vintage.  It has been interesting to see which of the older books have been bought  since they came out in this format. Amazon show a listing of the bestselling M&B books  and for the past few weeks I've been thrilled to have three books on this list  for almost a month - in spite of the fact that they were all originally published some years ago.

It's made me wonder what sparks off a new interest in an older book - word of mouth? Or some new  readers who have just found my books and want to pick up old ones?   Or readers who read these books when they originally came out  and lost their print copies so now they';re collecting ebook versions to reread. I know that's why I've been buying some of the M&B Vintage classics. 

You can see all the titles of mine that have been reissued as Vintage/Treasury titles in the great banner that Heather has made for the head of this page -  nut there are a couple of other 'oldies' that have been appearing in the Bestseller charts. The top runner for weeks now has been The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge, This is a really special book for me as it was my 50th title published. It came out back in 2007. 

The other books that have had a renewed interest in them have been  a mixed bunch - Kept For Her Baby (2009) has been appearing on the list for the past 4 weeks or so - and  now it's been joined by His Miracle Baby (2001). It makes me wonder if someone is wanting to read some older stories with babies in them. I know so many people have written to me to say that thnis are real heart tugging stories so perhaps that's it?

And then of the Vintage titles, the most popular is The Groom's Revenge  (1997)  and The Unexpected Child (also 1997)  - there's another 'baby book'.

So that set me wondering - what golden oldies would you want to pick up if you were buying |Treasury/Vintage titles?  What older books do you remember that you'd love to go back and reread, to see if they were as good as the way you remember them the first time?

You don't have to name any of my books - but I'd love to know if there are any  you'd like to find.

Today's Advent Calendar prize is one of those  bestselling, second time around books - that very special 50th title of mine - The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge.(Vito's story)
 
They shared one night of passionate lovemaking. Then in the cold light of day, her secret tore them apart. Now Vito has come back – and he’s determined to have his revenge.
Emily Lawton never expected to see him again. But Vito Corsentino has tracked her down and he wants Emily. This time he’ll take her and he’ll be the one to leave when it’s over.
But Emily has one last secret for Vito . . . She’s having his baby and if he finds out, he’ll want more than revenge!

When only seduction will settle old scores.
Part One of The Sicilian Brothers series is Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride - Guido's story
Don't forget - answers in the comments section and I'll get Charlie on to picking a winner  tomorrow.

Oh yes - and if any of you are real collectors and looking for  some real golden oldies to add to your collection - I have some of those on offer in this Advent Calendar including some  that I think are now totally out of print - keep wathcing thnis space! And I hope you'll join in the rest of the contests as you do.

Advent Calendar Day 2 - on Tote Bags 'n' Blogs

Have you joined in the Advent Calendar giveaway yet? Yesterday's first day is still open for comments - at least until I find Charlie and get him to pick a winner!  So you still have a little time to post a comment.

And then there's today's Day 2 posting with another chance to win a book as an extra Christmas gift from me -  but thta's posted somewhere else.

Today is the first Sunday of the month so that means that I'm over on Tote Bags N Blogs with my regular post there.  It also means that today's Advent Calendar givewaway is over on Tote Bags as well.

The prize giveaway today is the 2008 book Bedded By The Greek Billionaire -

Taken for passion. . . or ruthless retribution?

As a naïve teenager, Jessica Marshall fell achingly in love with a gorgeous Greek – Angelos Rousakis.
But her clumsy attempt at attracting his attention cost Angelos everything.
Seven years later, Angelos Rousakis is back. Hard and powerful, he intends to claim what is his – and that includes Jessica. However the once innocent girl now pretends that she feels nothing for him. . . which only inflames his passion for her further. . .
As Jessica falls for the sexy billionaire all over again, she cannot be sure - Is he back for passion . . . or retribution?

If you want a chance to win this title, you'll need to answer over on Tote Bags 'n' Blogs - and come back here for Day 3 of the Advent Calendar tomorrow!

Advent Calendar Day 1



It's December 1st and that means that all over the world, wherever Christmas is celebrated, young  children - and not so young - are pinning up their Advent Calendars and opening the first door to see what picture  - or chocolate - lies behind.

 

In past Decembers I've shared this tradition with you - offering a small surprise/giveaway for each day leading up to Christmas . It's been a way of sharing the time of celebration, of  thanking my readers for  sharing the past year with me - and specially for sharing and enjoying my books.  It;s also been a way of getting to know you all better because the way we share is that I ask you a question about yourselves, your lives, your families, the way you celebrate Christmas - or whatever you're celebrating right now if Christmas isn't a special festtival for you.

What you do is you leave me an answer in the comments section - here, or wherever I'm blogging on each day - and I pick a winner of a particular book to give away, Well -  no, I don't pick the winner. In the past that was always Sid the Cat's job. I gave him the names on pieces of paper and with a cat treat on the top of each one. And the first treat that Sid ate, the name of the winner was on that piece of paper.  Sadly dear Sid is no longer with us but he did train up his apprentice in Charlie The Maine Coon (and ccasionally Flora The Floozie). Charlie is well ready to perform this important task - and as you can see from the photo, he's already been practising on his own  Advent Calendar which was given to Sid by his dear Lady Across The Pond Anne McAllister  and has now been passed down to Flora and Charlie in their turn.

So today is December 1st -  the start of the countdown to Christmas and time for the first question .

 

Today's book is  a bumper givewaway - Mediterranean Tycoons is a 3 in 1 volume with books by two other great authors as well as mine:

The De Santis Marriage is by Michelle Reid

and

The Sicilian's Virgin Bride is by Sarah Morgan

 

My book in this collection is  The Greek Tycoon's Unwilling Wife.  This was originally published 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?


So would you like a chance to win a copy of this great collection?
All you have to do is to leave an answer in the comments section -
Today's question - well, I've been talking about Advent Calendars.  What about you?
Do you have an Advent Calendar in your house? For you or just for the children?
What picture/theme/design is it this year?  (The lovely Anne McAllister specialises in great Advent Calendars - she always sends me a Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar to have on my computer. I love it!)
So what does yours look like?  Do you have pictures or chocolates behing the 'doors'
Or perhaps you light an Advent candle or make a Blue Peter Candle Wreath   . . . or do something else entirely?

If you don't have advent, a calendar or anything like that - how do you mark the days leading up to a special celebration?  I'd love to know.

And yes- before anyone asks  -  I will send the prizes anywhere in the world. So back. Leave your answer  - I love getting to know more about my readers. So come and join in. The more the merrier.

Much Needed Catch Up

I knew that I needed to blog  - having neglected to post for some time – but I hadn’t realised just how long it is since I actually posted anything here.  And when my sister in Australia notices that I’ve been  missing in action (sorry Big Sis!) then I know it’s well overdue to write something.

So here I am, trying to catch up  and bring things up to date. What have I been doing since  I last posted?

1.       With the help of the wonderful Heather Reed of We Write Romance, I’ve  finally updated my web site. (Thank you Heather!)  I can’t believe how long it is since that was done. So now there is a complete list of all the recent M&B Vintage/Harlequin  Treasury ebooks that have been issued  - including a special banner that Heather has created -  and they’re all clearly shown.  The new publicity pic is up there too.

2.       On a personal front  there was the dental emergency  - how can a tooth go from ‘fine’ to ‘ouch!’ in what seems like the blink of an eye. Well, that’s what mine did  or so it seemed. So I’ve spent more time than I care to remember sitting in a dentist’s chair, trying to breathe calmly while the old filling was drilled out and a new one put in. Fun – not!

3.       Reading.  One of my resolutions – not new year, obviously, but a determined one all the same – has been to read more as I’d not been getting my hands on as many books as I would have liked.   So I’ve had my nose buried in as many volumes as possible – some good, some not so satisfactory.

4.       Admitting at last that the C word is coming – it’s December tomorrow and that means that Christmas is just around  the corner. And with friends and family in America, Spain, Australia, Japan, presents and parcels need to be  organised, gifts bought, wrapped and sent on their way.  I’ve just put what is (hopefully) the last foreign posting in the Mail.  Which means of course that I’ve bought the gifts and wrapped them before I did that! And there are some other presents ticked off the list for friends and family nearer home- I’m starting to feel   surprisingly organised.

5.       Watching the results and reading the top 3 entries in the So You Think You Can Write Contest – I enjoyed them all –  Congratulations to  all three – Mel, Amber and Jennifer – and extra special congratulations to Jennifer for winning that prized publishing contract. 

6.       Celebrating some very special news when  a dear friend Anna Louise Lucia  and her husband announced that they are adopting a a gorgeous, bouncy, little two year old boy.  That’s the very best sort of news on a cold grey damp November day.

7.       Planning the Advanced Contemporary Romance  Writing Workshop for Fishguard in February2013.  The welcome letters and the reading list have gone out and now I’m planning the final details of the course and waiting for some first chapter submissions so that I can discuss them in the one to ones in February. So looking forward to that. Oh – and if you were hoping to book for Fishguard, but hesitated after I announced that the course was sold out – as a result of an unexpected cancellation, there is now ONE place left on the course for February 15^th 2013.  One place only  - so if  you’d like to grab it – check out the details here and get your booking in.

8.       I’ve also been planning my Christmas celebrations on the blog – with the  Advent Calendar coming up starting on December 1^st (that’s tomorrow isn’t it? Yikes! Must get organised!)  I have a book a day to give away – some old, some new -  and I know that there are some Kate Walker collectors out there who might be interested in a couple  of ‘golden oldies’ I have on offer. All you have to do is to join in,  come and chat, tell me what’s happening in your world  and post a comments to be in with a chance to win -   So look out for that Advent Calendar starting Saturday December 1^st.

And that’s it – I think!  I’m sorry for the absence,  and  glad to be back. With the Advent Calendar giveaway lined up for the next 24 days, I’ll hope to be  much more of a regular blogger for December at least!

 

On Line Read

Mills & Boon free on-line reads:

 

 Wife for Real by Kate Walker - Chapter 8 FINAL CHAPTER

Sold out!

Congratulations to the 3 finalists in the So You think You Can Write contest.  If you haven’t read their entries – check them out on the SYTYCW page.    And look out for more news on other entries that have attracted attention and who may well be contacted by  the editors very soon.

Good luck to everyone  involved – and keep writing! Even if you’re not in this  list – or the longer list of finalists, the only way to reach your dream of being published is to keep writing, keep learning,  keep trying.

Oh – and talking of learning. I have just organised some updates on my web site, one of which was to put the updated details of  my Advanced Contemporary Romance WritingCourse in Fishguard on the Events page but   last night I heard that the final place on in February 2013 has been booked – so this course is now officially sold out.  Sorry to anyone who had hoped to get a place for 2013. But don’t forget – you can still send an email to show your interest and Gerry Hobbs will put your name on the waiting list in case anyone who has booked  drops out between now and February – this will be on a first come, first served basis so get you name in now if you  want to secure any place that comes free.

Finally, if you've missed it until now  -  my free online read, Wife For Real is running on the Mills & Boon web site. This is the story of Alexander Alcolar – the first of the Alcolar Family whose story appeared in the  called surprisingly enough – The Alcolar Family (and yes- Fiona  - they were originally 3 separate titles).   Wife For Real is now at Chapter 6 where the story is about to come to its emotional climax.  

I’ve been reading through this again for the first time in ages and I remember how much I had to pare it down to fit it into the short, serial format of the on-line reads. There was no room for extras, much description or anything but the immediate story. It was a fascinating exercise – getting the emotional impact of the story into just 10,000 words.  Reading it, I’ve been thinking how it could also be used  as a long, detailed plan of a novel, sketching out the emotional journey of the hero and heroine and  then it would be possible to go back and shade in all the details later.

I’m not very much of a planner,  but that way might work for some who need more structure. (Hmm – note to self – look at this from the point of view of  teaching on that Contemporary Romance Writing course. . . .

Tote Bags Blog day

Today's the first Sunday of the month so as usual I've written my usual blog post over on Tote Bags 'N' Blogs.

I'm sharing with you the very self-indulgent week I've had 'filling up the well' of my imagination with lots of great reading.   It's been so much fun - and I've made a large reduction in my TBR pile as  a result!

 What have you been reading lately?  Anything good? I'd love to know. I actually have space on my Kindle/TBR shelves now!

Good news for Australian readers

One of the books I get enquiries about so often from my Australian readers is A Sicilian Husband.  This is because this novel is part of a duo – the first title being The Sicilian’s Wife.

The first book tells the story of Cesare Santorino and his heroine Megan, and in that story readers met Cesare’s half-brother Gio Cardelli. Gio had adored his wife and had been heart-broken when  she had died tragically and far too young.

So many readers wanted to read Gio’s story – it was published in 2003 here in the UK, 2004 in America. But in Australia, it wasn’t  easy to find as it was published in a multipack of ‘Winter Warmers’ rather than as a separate title.

So if you missed it then, I have good news for you – and it’s great news for me too. Mills & Boon Australia is publishing a special reprint of both  these titles in a double volume  in their Bestsellers Collection which is out this month.

I’m so thrilled  about this for a couple of reasons – on is that A Sicilian Husband is one of my own personal favourites amongst my books. I always loved Gio from the moment I introduced him in Maegan and Cesare’s story. And secondly because it’s a real honour to have  two of my stories  reprinted in the special Bestseller series. It’s something I’ve dreamed of for a long time – and I’m really happy that the books selected are these two titles.

So I hope that if you’re one of my wonderful Australian readers who missed Gio’s story (or perhaps Cesare’s)  the first time around, or perhaps you just want to replace an old/missing edition of these stories you’ll be as glad as I am to see them back again. Or it they’re totally new to you – really hope you enjoy them this time around.

Oh - and I've  just discovered that over on the Mills & Boon website,  my novella Wife For Real is being republished  in their On Line Reads. This is the very first  story in  the series The Alcolar Family.  It isn't  available  in the reprint of the 3 in 1 Collection  - so if you wanted to know how that series began  - and to learn about Alex Alcolar  now's your chance to catch up.

(Wife For Real is included in the ebook collection of The Alcolar Family on Harlequin web site too)

Tomorrow in the first Friday in November which means that I will be blogging over on the Pink Hearts Society  site. I’m posting a second set of thoughts following on  from the So You Think You Can Write Contest  - hope to see you there!

Well I did warn you . . .

Just to say that  after I posted about The Advanced Romance Writing Course in  Fishguard in February,   someone who read the blog  has now booked one of the two remaining  places for Feb 2013.

So there is now only one place left on the course coming up. After that, it's fully booked up.

 If you want to book here's where you'll find the details.

If you don't get  your booking in in time for this space,  you can still leave your name and email and if anyone drops out between now and February, then any spaces will be offered  on a first come first served basis.

So looking forward to seeing everyone  in February.

Thank you and a bit of news

You are all so lovely. Thank you so much for the wonderful compliments on my new publicity photo. I was blushing as I read them - still am, thinking of them.  I'm so glad you approves.

The Babe Magnet says he's not surprised. He picked out that photo from the set of contact prints - some of the others weren't too bad but that was his favourite.  So I'm happy.

This brand new 'official' photo is pretty important to me as it marks a new stage in my writing - I hope. Certainly it marks the acceptance and scheduling of my 61st Modern Romance. Some of you will have spotted that this has been a long time coming, and I was going to blog a  bit about that   but I think I'll leave it for a my next post because I have some other news that  needs to be posted first.

I have been getting organised and planning my next few weeks  and one of the things I really must do - with some urgency  - is to update my web site and reorganise that.

Which means that I need to bring up to date the details of the events  coming up in 2013.  And as the first of these will be the Writers' Weekend at Fishguard in February,  I thought I'd check just what the situation is with booking for this weekend.

The Advanced Romance Writing Course has a strict upper  limit of 15 places  available. It has always been very popular, in fact has usually sold out almost every time - but there are more than three months still before the actual date of the event. (It runs from 15th - 17th February) So I was suprised to find that it is already just about sold out.

There are in fact only two places left on this course  for February 2013.  (And I've already had some interest in one of those places.) So if you are interested in joining us in beautiful Wales next year,  now is the time to thinking about booking so as not to miss out.

I am so looking forward to going back to Fishguard - I love the place, the hotel staff are always so very helpful,  I get to be back with the wonderful Anne and Gerry Hobbs who  as most of you know also run the fabulous Writers' Holiday in Caerleon in July.  The weekend is great value for money - only £219 all in, and if you book online,  you save an extra £10 of that.

There’s nothing extra to pay -  you can even  be collected from Fishguard or Haverfordwest Railway stations and return you there at the close of the event on Sunday afternoon. You’ll have a choice of single, double, or twin roomed, all en-suite accommodation (even taking the trouble to guarantee that you’ll have a room next to your friends), and excellent full board plus (vegetarian choices) hospitality for the duration of your stay. Fully inclusive, the only extra expense will be in the bar during the weekend, or if you wish to purchase a book or souvenir from the Bookroom.

There are courses and places that are much more expensive  - but believe me, we cram a lot into one weekend at Fishguard. I always come home inspired and buzzing with ideas - even if I have no voice left after all the teaching.

Oh yes  - the teaching -   This course is open to previous Fishguard workshop or Caerleon Romance course participants or  those who have been on one of my basic Romance courses or workshops elsewhere. It is not for beginners. Designed especially for Fishguard to move you on, the whole weekend will be concentrated on this workshop - without other distractions. Guests are encouraged to complete work with me prior to the weekend commencement, and everyone will have a short one to one session with me to discuss your writing.  This is in addition to a series of six advanced novel workshop sessions.

So if you’re interested – check out the full details on the Writers’ Holiday website  and get your booking in now , and I’ll hope to see you in February.

For those of you who have already booked, I’m so looking forward to seeing you (again  - for some of you) and I’ll be contacting you all very soon about the  course.

Can’t wait!

Congratulations & Photo

First thing today is to congratulate the Top  28  - the writers who have been chosen to go into the next stage of the So You Think  You Can Write contest.   This is a real achievement for all of you  - so Congratulations! I hope that this success spurs you on to greater things - I'll look forward to seeing the results of the next stage when they are revealed.

If you haven't see the list, then you can find it here.

Good luck to the long list 'winners' - but really, the hard work starts now. It;s one thing to create a first chapter, polish it and submit it and win the attention of the editors/reader voters - quite another to craft it into a full length, fully developed and readable story.   Go for it!

Those who have not been selected - this is not the end. I'm sure that more than the 28 long listers will have been noticed - and I hope that having taken the plunge and written something  you will not give up now. Remember, getting published is a marathon, not a sprint - keep on  keeping on and hopefully there will be many newly published authors from this contest.

Photo - I expect you'll be seeing lots of these all over the web in the last few days - When the authors all met for the annual Association of Mills & Boon lunch, back in September, Harlequin provided a photographer to take photos of everyone there  so a s to provide a new publicity photograph for author pages etc.  We all received our copies of the new photos last week and as I said many authors have been posting them on their web sites, blogs etc.   So if you've always wondered what a favourite author looks like you'll find them around the web.

And if you want to know what  mine looks like - well, here  you are. 

The Babe Magnet likes it, so does The Offspring and even Flora and Charlie think it looks like Mum!

Kate's Corner day

It's October 15th so that means that I'm blogging over on We Write Romance today in my regular Kate's Corner spot.

I'm not doing well in keeping up with my personal blog here but at least I am blogging in my regular 'guest spots' which is something! I keep hoping that at some point life will settle down a bit.

Well I can hope . . .

Good luck to everyone who has entered the So You Think You Can Write Contest - I'm looking forward to seeing the list of the final 28.

Catching up again

Well, that was a busy week.   I'm not quite sure where most of it went -  I was deep in revisions so I  was barely away from my desk.  We had family to visit and I have to judge a writing contest for a  Writers'  Circle . . . Blink and the week was gone.

I did actually blog a couple of times on my usual   monthly dates for other sites but then the internet played up and I didn't post to let everyone know.  So if you want to catch up, then there are posts
 here   on the Pink Heart Society Blog (talking about the So You Think You Can Write contest)
and
here at Tote Bags 'N' Blogs  - talking about my favourite season

I'm back today with some interesting news -  I was talking about older books  and that seems to be the thene of the  month really because I've just discovered that Mills & Boon have brought out some of my older titles in brand new ebooks. This is part of a new initiative to republish  older titles in the  Mills and Boon Vintage series.

At the moment they are publishing  Modern Romances  from the 1990s and there are five of my older books appearing in Kindle editions from today.  I noticed these last week, while I was still busy revising,  and they just had blanks for their covers but today I'm really pleased to see that they have proper covers  with the artwork from the past editions in a new format .

The books now available are :
The Unexpected Child
Hers For  A Night
Flirting With Danger
No Holding Back     (which has one of my favourite openings ever)
The Groom's Revenge.


So if you missed any of these in the past and would like to catch up on some older Kate Walkers  here's your chance.

I'm not sure about being called Vintage - but it's the books not me!

And talking about older books -  special thanks go to Marybelle, Maria and Princess Fiona. I'm sorry I was so busy that I've neglected to answer your comments - I really enjoyed reading about your book collections so  - if you'd like to email me  -  see the link  at the bottom  of the page, I'd like to see if I can add a book to your Kate Walker collection. I don;t have any really old ones but I'll let you know which of my backlist books I do have and you can choose one of them.