RELEASE DAY!

It's always a special day when a book finally leaves the nest and passes into the hands of readers. I know that those of you who are members of the Readers Service clubs in both the US and the UK are way ahead of me here (I get my copies about the same time as you do!), but from today A WEDDING AT LEOPARD TREE LODGE will be available to buy online from Mills & Boon and eHarlequin and also to download.

The eBook revolution has been really good news for Mills & Boon in the UK. The Daily Mail has been reporting - a story picked up by news media everywhere - that there has been a boom in sales fired by young women who adore the books but are intimidated by the sneering attitude so often encountered by the genre. One young women on Twitter was so embarrassed by the attitude of the sales clerk at her book store recently that she now does all her buying online.

Great sales technique, guys. You don't like what I read? Bite me...

But enough with that. Today is for celebrating. And here's the story. Josie Fowler, who first graced the pages of THE BRIDE'S BABY (still available for a free download to your computer or eBook if you missed it at Try Harlequin) is now a partner in SDS Events, although things aren't that great. Everyone still wants Sylvie, but she's on maternity leave and when the celebrity wedding of the year starts to go off the rails and the bride sacks snooty wedding designer, Serafina March, Josie gets her chance.

The world's most famous footballer and his lovely bride have chosen the idyllic Leopard Tree Lodge as the setting for their wedding ceremony. Set beside the Chobe river in Botswana, it is game viewing paradise. And while you're not getting acquainted with the wildlife, there is every luxury to make your vacation special.

All the arrangements have been made. Josie's job is simply to ensure that everything runs without a hitch.

Pause here for hollow laughter.

Hitch number one comes in the shape of Gideon McGrath.

He's the guest occupying the bridal suite and he isn't moving any time soon. Not for want of trying. He doesn't want to be there. His back has other plans.

There's also the difficulty of having more guests than beds due a bust up between the best man and the chief bridesmaid. And then there's the small matter of the... But why am I telling you all this? You don't want me spoiling all the fun. And of course there is an excerpt on my newly updated website along with a picture of that troublemaker Gideon McGrath and of course, Josie.

Just to add to my whoop-de-do mood, here's what Romantic Times had to say about the book.

A WEDDING AT LEOPARD TREE LODGE (4.5) A gorgeous setting, a sigh-worthy hero and a unique heroine who matches him quip for quip add up to a superb read.

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Oh, and while you're online buying the book, if you haven't already bought it you might want to try Jessica Hart's Oh So Sensible Secretary (written in the first person and just the most perfect romance)

And finally, don't forget to vote here for the Authors Blog Awards 2010!

AUTHORS BLOG AWARDS 2010


Golly! I've been nominated for the Authors Blog Awards 2010. I have to tell you that I'm seriously excited about that. You can join in and vote here. And it there's a blog you'd like to nominate, there are prizes to be won here


It's especially lovely since I know I've been a bit lax on the blogging front lately. A heavy deadline left me in "lying down in a darkened room" mode. And now, of course, there are revisions to deald with. Nothing hideously heavy, but still requiring intense concentration. But the "elf" now has wings. And a title. I'm not entirely sure about MISTLETOE & THE LOST STILETTO - it's so far from my cherished Santa's Secret Elf that I'm taking time to get used to it. But by the time it's pub'd in October/November, I know I'll be with it.


Finally, just an excuse to post the gorgeous cover again, the BRIDES OF BELLA LUCIA - SECRETS REVEALED, is on sale about now retail, so look out for it because it is really, really pretty!

TIME FOR SPRING

Well, golly. I have been, as they say, in the deadline cave for the last few weeks battling with the Elf, who has now been despatched to the editorial desk to give someone else a bad time.

What is it with some books? You start out with this light, bright, bubbly idea that is -- obviously -- going to write itself. And five months later you crawl back into the light, blinking and brain dead and promising yourself you will never, ever, do that again.

But now I look up I discover that it's very nearly spring, at least on the calendar. I'm afraid, though, that the long, hard winter has taken it's toll. There is, as yet, not a single daffodil showing a yellow bud this high up. And worse. My Australian bottle brush plant -- one of the first things I planted in this garden and a joy for the last fifteen years, is dead. A myrtle, in a very sheltered spot, is also looking very shaky, although a scrap on the bark shows green so a hard cut back and it may recover. The primroses are a shadow of their former self and even the grass - the bane of my life - is still looking snow flattened and very sad.

But the Christmas roses are finally lifting their lovely heads (in late March!) and I know that as soon as the temperature rises stuff will revive. I guess we've just all got so used to mild winters that this one has hit us with such a shock force.

So, anyway. My weekend is basically chasing the dust bunnies around, catching up with paperwork and reading. I treated myself to an eBook edition of Anne Gracie's THE STOLEN BRIDE a few weeks ago and I now have time to read it. What a joy. Delightful characters, wonderful writing and fabulous hero.

On the publishing front, this month sees the re-release of The Brides of Bella Lucia "SECRETS REVEALED" with its blissfully pretty cover, so do look out for that - four books for £5.97 post free anywhere in the world from The Book Depository

The first four books in the series, "UNEXPECTED PROPOSALS" was published last month but is still available.

WINNERS...

The lines are closed, the names have been drawn and the winners of the annual HERE COME THE GROOMS contest are Alison, Dena and Mary. Copies of LOVES ME, LOVES ME NOT are on the way to you via The Book Depository even as I type.


Online, THE BEAUMONT BRIDES trilogy moves into the last act, with Melanie's story beginning this week. You'll find Chapter One here


This month sees a reprint of my second book, A POINT OF PRIDE. It's a large print library edition - love those LPs! - so do ask at your local library. (The British Library classification is - delightfully - "Construction Wokers - Fiction".)

Most regions stock LPs even when they don't buy other editions, so they should be available wherever you are in the UK - and overseas, too. And supporting your local library is really important.

And I just love that cover.

BABY PICS...

As promised, here are pictures of the new addition to the family.

CORA ROSE

was born on 5th February, after keeping her mummy waiting for 12 days past her due date.

She weighed in at 7lb 6ozs, with a mop of dark hair and green eyes like her daddy.

She also had a wrestler's nose after a close
encounter with a pair of forceps and we had
a lovely time cuddling her (and hugging her Mum)
when she was just a few days old.

Here she is at two weeks and
as you can see, she's already putting on weight and looking ready to
take on the world.

So who does she take after?

Well, take a look below at her
mummy.








And yes, the thin young female half my age and with the dark hair (and not a hint of Clairol) is me!

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PS We'll be anouncing the winners of the HERE COME THE GROOMS comp shortly, so don't go away!