It's getting to feel a lot like Christmas...

One of the fun things about being an author is writing a Christmas romance in the middle of the summer. I don't have a new one out this year - right now I'm knee deep in snow in a book that's going to come out in July. :)

Happily, Mills and Boon have been having a re-release fest with my books in the last few months and here are some of my backlist Christmas stories that are now available -

All She Wants for Christmas

In which Maddy, on a break from Christmas, ends up sharing a deserted island with a man she's convinced is conning her Godmother out of her life's savings.

Mistletoe and the Lost Stiletto

In which Lucy Bright, on the run from her fake fiance, discovers that Santa isn't always wearing a red coat.

Christmas Angel for the Billionaire and it's "Changing Places" twin Her Desert Dream

in which the nation's beloved Lady Rose changes places with her "lookalike", supermarket checkout girl, Lydia.

  A Surprise Christmas Proposal

in which employment challenged Sophie gets a job as a dog walker and changes the lives of everyone she meets.

What is your favourite ever Christmas romance? Share it with us in the comments below - leave a little taster quote and a link if you have one. I'm not sure what Blogger will make of that, but I'll check the spam and make sure they're not held up there for long.

Backlist Books Fest!

Harlequin are continuing their re-release of my backlist with three new books in July and August.

In the UK they've started using pretty new covers to give the books a fresh new look and I'm absolutely delighted with what they've done with The Three Year Itch and All She Wants for Christmas  Don't be fooled by the title, which marketing changed from Trouble in Paradise when a December slot opened up. This book is set on a Caribbean island made for two and has nothing to with Christmas. At all.

In the US, Harlequin have taken the opposite tack and are using the original covers and Dating Her Boss happily is one of my favourite covers. A real classic.

Interestingly, catching up on these books, I've realised how much the Romance line has changed since I started writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon.

The heroes in these books are much more like Presents/Modern heroes - alpha, arrogant, tortured men.

For me, the men changed when I began writing scenes from their point of view. My first dual vp book was Eloping With Emmy (which is, incidentally available at the moemnt as an ebook for 99c) in which the hero took the lead vp role and we saw him falling in love - and knowing that it was all going to end in tears

WINNERS!

HERE COME THE GROOMS -

Desere
Mik
Kelly

ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS

Debby

Thank you to everyone who entered the Grooms contest - it was lovely to hear from all of you.  Do drop by our blogs when you have a moment since we all give away books on a fairly regular basis - not necessarily our own!

It's been a while since I featured my backlist eBooks (with a paper book giveaways, so watch out for those as soon as I've wrestled the present book - working title ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS - into shape and delivered it.)

And thanks to Anne and Kate for being such great pals as well as such terrific writers.


Books are on the way to Desere, Mik  and Kelly - just need snail mail addies from Debby.

A VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT...

 

To celebrate all that's romantic, I have a copy of one of my earlier books, just reprinted as a Large Print Library Edition by Linford Romance to give away.

 

In ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS Maddy takes a much needed holiday -she's been working hard setting up her own business - in the sun with her Dad.  Escaping the Christmas mayhem.

 

Things do not go to plan.  First a besotted bloke with a ring burning a hole in his pocket turns up. No!

Then her godmother arrives with a gigolo in tow.

Then she gets stranded on a desert island with the gigolo.  Fake snow and tinsel is beginning to look appealing...

Tell me your best (or worst) Valentine's Day and I'll draw a winner on Tuesday.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May 2009 bring you everything your heart desires.

Health, happiness and peace.

May the words flow without ceasing, the reviews all be five star and the covers make you weep with joy.

And very special congratulations to

HARLEQUIN

who this year celebrate their

DIAMOND JUBILEE!

I'm delighted to be part of the celebrations and you can sign up to

HARLEQUIN CELEBRATES

where you'll be able to download books, including

The Bride's Baby

for free all year.

The fireworks are also to celebrate the re-issue
in large print of

HIS LITTLE GIRL

It was my first ever RITA-nominated book.

At £8.99 it's a little expensive to buy (although with the way the pound is at the moment, not as expensive as it might have been!) but will be available worldwide in libraries, so do ask for it if you haven't read it.

Also available in January

REUNITED: MARRIAGE IN A MILLION

will be published in Germany in an anthology with Lynne Graham, Lucy Monroe and Cara Colter. More details here

And there's a French reprint of

ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS

in an anthology with Sara Craven and Charlotte Maclay.

More details of that one here

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY FIVE

5th December

Okay, I’ve dropped His Excellency at the fabulous Bella Lucia restaurant in Berkeley Square, Mayfair, driven his aide back to the hotel (that man really hates me!) and because I don’t want to think about the beautiful princess who was at the reception, I’ve dropped in here where the nice people are.

And what a bunch of old romantics you are! Amongst the Vigos and Georges and Hughs, a cat, three dogs and someone's mum, the guy that came out on top in the desert island question was -- your own fella. Obviously there was no right answer to this one, so everyone went into the hat (a big wide-brimmed Peruvian job this time -- it's getting colder) and Patricia Woodside’s email was the first out for the copy of ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS. It’s on it’s way to Florida right now, Patricia. Happy Christmas!

Behind the door today is one of those books that Liz clutched to her heart when she took it out of the box. Well, it is a very pretty cover, but there’s a little more to it than that, apparently. THE BEST MAN & THE BRIDESMAID was published in 2000 and, in July 2001 Liz was woken up at some unbelievable hour by her editor calling from New Orleans to tell her that it had won the Romance Writers of America RITA® for Best Traditional Romance. That's it up there.

Actually, she’s got two of these lovely ladies, plus a Betty Neels Rose Bowl. Stick around, I’m telling you confidence that there are copies of her other award winning books hiding behind one of the calendar doors somewhere, but even I don't know which one.

But back to THE BEST MAN & THE BRIDESMAID. This is one of those lovely friends-to-lovers stories… Of course I’ve read it , what do you think I’m going to do with myself while I’m hanging around waiting for delayed flights to arrive? I wouldn't go anywhere without a book, although right now I need to spend more time with my Blue Book -- I've got to get through the Knowledge if I'm ever to be a London cab driver.

Anyway, Daisy has been in love with Robert since she was six years old but knows better than to make a fool of herself over Mr Cool. Now, thought, he’s best man at her brother’s wedding. And she, under the fiercest protest, has been dragged into the action as a stand-in bridesmaid. Don't you just know there's going to be a moment when everything suddenly clicks into place? But obviously not until the last page...

For a chance to win email Liz at liz @ lizfielding.com with Day Five in the subject line, your name and address in the body of the email along with the name of the heroine of her BRIDES FOR CHRISTMAS reprint – A SURPRISE CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL. There’s an excerpt on the website if you need some help.

THE GREAT ADVENTURE CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY THREE

3rd December

I’m sure you’re all sick to death of looking at my face, so here’s a seasonal picture of a snow globe. Not exactly like the one that was shattered in the “oops” moment at the airport, you understand. That one was an antique. Made from Venetian glass. The replacement had something of a "frog prince" feel about it. I was the frog...

Enough. I really don't want to think about it and you're here to see who won the Day One copy of THE BRIDESMAID'S REWARD.

Dodie’s really big turn on was chocolate, as most of you guessed, but someone remembered a really bad moment she had with cheeseburger and Liz thought ice cream was good, too. Actually anything but cabbage soup was the right answer!

Every one of your emails went into the very posh panama hat that Liz’s best-beloved wears when he watches cricket and Estella’s name – lucky girl – was the one that he pulled out. A copy of THE BRIDESMAID’S REWARD is on it’s way to you in the US right now, Estella.

And because several people have asked this, Liz asked me to reassure you all that the draw is open to everyone, no matter where in the world you are!

So on to Day Three and behind the door today, I can reveal the cover of ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS. Very seasonal, or it would be if Maddy wasn't on an escape mission from Christmas. Running her own successful business means that life is hectic enough and all she wants for Christmas is a little peace and quiet. She hadn’t planned on being marooned on a deserted tropical island, though. One with no mod cons. Especially with Hugo Griffin, a man who’s made no secret of the fact that he despises her.

So here’s the question – and there are no wrong answers! Who would you most like to be marooned with in some tropical island paradise this Christmas?

You know what to do. Email Liz at liz @lizfielding.com with Day Three in the subject line, your name and address and your fantasy companion in the body. The winner of Day Two will be posted here tomorrow.

Oh, and in case anyone is the slightest bit interested in my story, THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE is now available online at the Mills & Boon and eHarlequin websites. And here as an eBook.