Saturday, February 09, 2008

IT'S BEEN A HUNDRED YEARS...

It was quite a party...

Flaming torches and "flamingoes" on stilts greeted us at the entrance to the Walker Collection in Manchester Square, London on Thursday night.

This wonderful art gallery was the most beautiful setting for Mills & Boon Centenary party, at which editors -- past and present -- guests from Harlequin in the US, and the truly yummy Alan Titchmarsh were present to celebrate this amazing anniversary. Alan made a charming speech in which he said very nice things about Mills & Boon.

Then there were the "Butlers in the Buff"... Not stripped to the waist as they are for less refined parties, but looking for all the world like those sexy guys on the covers of our books. Bow ties pulled loose, shirts unbuttoned. And this one was handing out roses to the authors.




There was an opera singer to serenade us, delicious canapes, chocolate dipped strawberries, ice cream cones -- and after an hour or so, we needed them! -- and Bellinis, pink champagne.

So what did we do?

We talked, of course.






Here is Carol Townend, Donna Hayes (President and Publisher of Harlequin) and Michelle Styles.






Here is Natasha Oakley and Fiona Harper.












Here is one of the very hot "butlers".














Here I am with Jessica Hart.

And here I am with both hands full of more of those gorgeous guys.








Whew! (Pause to fan myself...)







Oh, and before I forget, Jackie won the signed copy of ENGLISH LORD, ORDINARY LADY from Fiona Harper.

And you've still time to enter the HERE COME THE GROOMS competition and win copies of books from Kate Walker, Anne McAllister and my own The Bride's Baby.

HERE COME THE GROOMS...

For full details you'll have to scroll down the page, but here are all three questions again -- you'll find the answers on our websites and if you send all three answers to each of us, you'll have three chances to win all three books.

My addy is liz @ lizfielding.com (no gaps); you'll find contact details of Kate and Anne's blogs.

The books are:

Anne McAllister's ONE NIGHT LOVE CHILD

Flynn's Question: What story did he come to Montana to cover when he met Sara in the first place?

Kate Walker's SPANISH BILLIONAIRE, INNOCENT WIFE

Raul's Question: What are the full names of the hero and heroine of Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife

And my own THE BRIDE'S BABY.

Tom's Question: What colour silk did he become intimately acquainted with?

12 comments:

Jan Jones said...

Sounds wonderful, Liz! Not entirely convinced by the flamingo, mind, but the butlers...

Sorry, drooling is so undignified, isn't it?

Romance, Rumours and Rogues said...

Oh my, Liz...those butlers!!!!

I can see why you were grinning :)

Anonymous said...

You know what strikes me the most? The guys look like they, too, are having a good time. What can be better than that?

Anonymous said...

Oh, Liz, it looks like a wonderful time was had by all. Love the pink flamingo... and fanning my face after seeing those butlers!

Unknown said...

Looks like a fab party and those butlers.........

Liz Fielding said...

Glad you've all enjoyed a peek at the party.

Azteclady, you're right, the guys were terrific fun, and they did join in in the nicest possible way. Clearly "flirting" is part of the job description!

Michelle, there were two flamingoes and once everyone had arrived they came inside and tickled people with their feathers :) How they managed to keep upright on their stils on those marble floors, though...

Michelle Styles said...

It was lovely to see you, Liz at the party.
The great thing was that Liz was the Butler Magnet...these men just kept coming up to her...
A truly iconic party.

Kate Hardy said...

Fab pics, Liz. So wish I'd been there with you!

The flamingoes are amazing. And I have to say there are some lightbulbs pinging here...

Donna Alward said...

Oh my poor heart.

This was just what I needed on a Monday morning! Whew! I wish I could have been. It looks lovely.

Anne McAllister said...

Whew, hot butlers! And much more tasteful with the shirts only slightly unbuttoned and the ties undone. Looks like you had a great time, Liz.

Lynette said...

Thanks for sharing, Liz. No wonder you looked pleased with all those butlers around!

Suzanne Brandyn Author said...

Oh boy, I had to smile, then laugh. Hmm, those butlers OHMYG....... lol

So this is where you get your hero's descriptions from. :)

Suz