SOME NEWS...


The 50th Year is certainly starting in a blaze of excitement.




THE SECRET LIFE OF LADY GABRIELLA, having been shortlisted by Romantic Times as Best Harlequin Romance of 2007 and won a Catanetwork Reviewers' Choice Award, has now been shortlisted for the

ROMANCE PRIZE

and the Betty Neels' Rose Bowl which is awarded annually by the Romantic Novelists' Association.

This is such a thrill and even better, one of my dearest writing chums is also on the list, but I'll leave her to make her own announcement. The winner will be announced at the RNA's Award Lunch at the Royal Garden Court Hotel in London on 4th February.

You'll find the full list of finalists here on Thursday afternoon.



... A WINNER...

The winner of Annie West's book, The Greek Tycoon's Unexpected Wife, is Michelle L (deseng). Annie is on holiday at the moment, Michelle, so if you'd like to email me with "Annie West winner" in the subject line and your name and street address, I'll pass it on to her as soon as she's home.


...AND MY SECOND GUEST, MELISSA JAMES

My guest this week, Sydney-born author, Melissa James, believes that “A life lived in fear, is a life half-lived...” a tenet she lives by. As a novelist, however, she can leave the risks to her characters and just dream about flying, scuba diving and abseiling down cliffs, much to the relief of her family!

Her warm, wonderfully entertaining books are fan favourites, her Harlequin Romance, HER OUTBACK KNIGHT, winning a Reviewers Choice Award.

But here's Melissa to tell you about herself and her latest book A MOTHER IN A MILLION...

When I began writing for Mills & Boon, I was lucky enough to be told to write about whatever topic I wanted, within limits, of course. So when I saw a show about the long-term effects of missing persons on their families, I got the germ of an idea for this story, pitched it to my editor, who to my surprise, loved it.

This is a story about a single dad trying to raise three kids, two troubled, while trying to find his runaway wife, and a woman who can't have a family of her own, longing for just that. A love story that seems impossible for so long because of one child's promise to his missing mother...

Jennifer's trapped in past grief, and then trapped by a love that can't happen, until she's set free by the one person she doesn't expect. Noah's in desperate need of a mother for his damaged, suffering kids, and when he meets Jennifer, he knows he's found the perfect mother - a mother in a million - but Jennifer can't be his...and when he's finally set free, she still can't be his.

And here's the excerpt...

He dragged in a breath before he made the confession, took the biggest personal risk of his life. "Then I saw you, and even from a distance, I knew I was in trouble."

The soft, glowing eyes turned back to him at last. She took in his face, slowly, every part of it. Her lips were already parted; her chest heaved with every breath. "I’ve never been the ‘in trouble’ kind of woman."

He smiled, a little. "Who’s playing games now?" He moved closer to her, until the warm current of wanting grew to heat, fuelling their bodies.

She bit her lip over a grin: the kind of warm, sensuous curving of lips that told a man exactly what he needed to know. "This kind of game is…" Her tongue ran over her lips again, her gaze glued to his mouth. Her hand half-lifted, waiting in the middle of that hot, swirling current.

"Yeah," he breathed, lifting his hand, twining his fingers through hers. "It is."

"I can’t do this if you’re still married in your heart," she whispered.

He’d expected that. For answer he reached back with his free hand, and passed her the papers he’d signed. "I had to tell you before I sent them. It’s for me, not you," he said quietly. "Meeting you made me see the truth. I can’t hang onto something that’s no more than a memory. Part of me will always love her…but she’s gone. I can’t keep living a half-life for Tim’s sake, for my in-laws. Living a lie doesn’t help anyone. It doesn’t keep her alive, except in their minds."

She read the divorce papers, and closed her eyes as she let them fall. "This is why you bought the kids the presents."

He nodded.

She gave a little sigh. "Everything about us seems to have irony in there somehow. Is there a message in that?"

He leaned closer to her, and captured her other hand. "There’s no timetable, Jennifer. There’s no right time or way. It’s happening, no matter what we do. We either ignore it and regret it later, or we take what we both want, and accept the consequences."

She looked at him, her eyes shimmering, uncertain. She wet her lips as she gazed at his face. He’d never felt so strong, so glad to be a man in his life as now, when Jennifer looked at him with all that longing.

"I want the consequences, Jennifer," he murmured huskily. "I want you. I want you."

"Noah." Her voice cracked; her eyes drifted closed, and she fell into him. "Don’t make me wait any more."

Jennifer had waited for him. Though he’d known it from the first night, he’d treasure the words until his dying breath.

Tender and a touch clumsy in first-kiss anxiety, they bumped each other’s noses. He opened his eyes, drew back a little and smiled at her. Jennifer laughed, low and soft and throaty: a rich, sensuous laugh, and he knew she’d laugh just like that when they made love.

He unlaced their hands and twined his fingers through her loose plait. "Come here," he said huskily, drawing her against him.

For the first time in half a lifetime, the sense of fatality filling him was beautiful. He knew this would be the kiss of his life.

Holding her flush against him, he hovered just over her mouth, waiting, teasing, loving the impatient little moan coming from her, the way her hands threaded through his hair and drew him down to the blanket so he was half-lying on her.

She moaned again and moved against him. "Noah," she whispered, aching with wanting. She wanted him so badly she was shivering.

Then her mouth covered his, tender and hungry; and rightness filled his soul at the same moment his body’s insistent beat took over everything and shut down every other sense.

The responses of her warm, generous body filled him with her sweetness and urgency. She kissed him gently, but when he took it deeper, she went with him; her hands were threading through his hair, fingers trailing down to his neck. The tiny, whisper-soft sighs between each kiss held a half-plea. "More, Noah…more…"

More was fine with him. Right now he never wanted to stop.

I have a signed copy of A MOTHER IN A MILLION to give away. Writers are always being asked "Where do you get your ideas from?" Well writers have their own version of that question. What would you most like to read in a storyline?

Oh, oh, oh... I want to read this book now! Thanks so much, for sharing that with us, Melissa. And great question. Enquiring minds want to know what you'd rush and buy!

In the meantime, if you can't wait to read A MOTHER IN A MILLION, it's available at eHarlequin and Mills & Boon (links oppposite) and at Amazon, US

It's also available as an eBook.

CATCHING UP...

Before I do anything else I want to thank Annie West for being such an amazing guest. Thank you for being so generous with your time in discussing all aspects of writing, Annie. And thanks to all of you for making her so welcome.

Annie is going to choose the winner of THE GREEK TYCOON'S UNEXPECTED WIFE sometime in the next couple of days and I'll announce it on Thursday when our next guest, Harlequin Romance author Melissa James drops by to party.

Those those of you who miss out, the book is available in May and you can reserve a copy at Amazon

I've had a busy few days guest blogging myself over at the Pink Heart Society and My Tote Bag, but we've managed to finish the decorating. The hall, looking much lighter with its new wallpaper, is now back to normal and fully functioning, although I still have to decide what to do with the two bookshelves we decided it could without. And I've had my reading glasses fixed (dropped them, stood on them, bent them out of shape). I need the hypo-allergnic frames and wearing my old ones brought out spectacle shaped patched of eczema. One day back in the new ones and I'm nearly back to normal. Magic.

Today I have to start a new book, a time of excitement, terror (off all the plots in all the world did I choose the right one?) and, well, yes fun. meanwhile, I've just had the artwork for the cover of my next book, THE BRIDE'S BABY, my 50th "Harlequin Romance" and couldn't wait to share it with you. If you wondered why I needed a whole year to celebrate, the fact is that I have a double 50 -- 50th book and 50th HR!

See you all on Thursday when you'll have a chance to win Melissa's latest book, A MOTHER IN A MILLION!

CELEBRATING 50 BOOKS!

Today the dh asked me if I ever thought, when my first romance was published, whether I'd ever be at this point in my career, celebrating the publication of THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE -- Book # 50. The answer was that I was just so thrilled to have my first book accepted, I couldn't possibly have imagined anything more exciting.

That's probably still true, actually, but there is something about a nice round number like 50 that demands a party so I thought I'd invite my friends to come and join in the cyber fun!

Each week during 2008 -- on Thursday (except for a couple of important dates when I'll post them a little earlier -- I'll tell you) -- one of my much admir'd authors will drop by to share the fun, and since all parties need games, offer a signed book for one lucky reader.

Today I have great pleasure in welcoming Presents/Modern author, Annie West. Annie, who has recently been nominated by Romantic Time for Best Presents of 2007, hails from Australia's east coast and once received a marriage offer which included a herd of camels!

Here's Annie...

Liz, thanks so much for inviting me to help you celebrate your career success so far – 50 books! From where I sit that’s almost unbelievable. Almost – because I and so many of my romance reader/writer friends have been enjoying your stories for a long time now. Congratulations on this landmark achievement!

I’m thrilled to start 2008 with the release of THE GREEK TYCOON'S UNEXPECTED WIFE, and to talk about it here.

This book emerged from a title that popped into my head one day: The Unwanted Wife. Once I had those 3 words I knew I wanted to write the story even though I didn’t know what it was about! For about 6 months as I worked on other projects I wondered why this particular wife was unwanted. I even became desperate enough to ask friends! They humoured me, supplying all sorts of reasonable explanations but none were quite right. Then, finally the story came to me and I became completely absorbed.

I enjoyed so many aspects of this story. A Greek island setting that made me long for another Aegean visit. A strong couple who were perfect for each other, if only they could overcome their differences. A good dose of melodrama (hey, I write for Modern/Presents), deep emotion, gorgeous gems and a situation that kept hero and hero in sizzling suspense. All I had to do was write it! Easier said than done.

Stavros is a powerful, obstinate man, used to getting things his own way. I took great delight in putting him in a situation where all his careful plans are destroyed, as well as his assumptions about Tessa. Poor Tessa doesn’t realise the trouble she’s unleashing when she arrives at his villa to return his ancestral ring.

'I'm sorry if I've come at a bad time. It wasn't my intention.' She tugged at her hand but he kept it in his. 'I'll leave now that you have your property.'

Would she indeed? And no doubt she'd head to the nearest press agency to sell her story.

Not if he had anything to do with it!

'I'm afraid not,' he murmured.

'But I'm not welcome here. That much is obvious.'

He nodded, acknowledging her point. 'True. But do you really think I'm so stupid as to leave you to your own devices?'

She opened her mouth, no doubt to protest. He cut her off with a single, abrupt gesture.

'Enough! I want no more of your pretensions to innocence. You will not leave the estate until I have the whole story from you and we come to some...accommodation about our circumstances.'

'Accommodation?' She shook her head, the very picture of bewilderment.
Her dramatic skills had improved in the last four years, he realised. When they'd first met he'd found her amazingly transparent in her thoughts and emotions. Now look at her: an accomplished liar.

'Of course, an accommodation. The situation requires careful...attention.' His fingers tightened round hers as he smiled.

'You surely don't think I'd have celebrated my betrothal quite so publicly tonight if I'd known I still had a wife?'

Writing about this story has reminded me of the fun I had creating Stavros’ Greek island. What is your favourite ‘exotic’ setting for a story? Maybe a place in one of Liz’s books, or elsewhere. Perhaps even a place you think would be perfect for a romantic story? I’d love to hear. And I’ll give away a signed copy of ‘The Greek Tycoon’s Unexpected Wife’ to one of the readers who provides a comment.

Happy New Year everyone, and happy celebrations, Liz!

Annie

Whew! For a longer excerpt and to find out more about Annie and her books, check out her website

In the meantime you have until Monday morning (US time) to leave your comments and have a chance to win a copy of THE GREEK TYCOON'S UNEXPECTED WIFE.

IT'S HERE!

My 50th book, THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE, hit the UK shelves on Friday.

Next week it will be retail in the US and in February in Australia. Of course it's available online and as an eBook download at Harlequin sites already.

I've had lots of amazing reviews for the book already.

"...oodles of sizzle...Pure magic from beginning to end." 4.5 stars from Romantic Times

"Sublimely entertaining." Romance Readers at Heart

"Fielding writes characters that matter." Coffee Time Romance

and then, yesterday this went online -

"Sparkling, enchanting, feel-good and wonderfully romantic, The Sheikh's Unsuitable Bride is sheer perfection!" at Cataromance

As if all that wasn't enough to makes a writer's head dizzy, this month is a double release in the UK, with the re-release of THE BILLIONAIRE TAKES A BRIDE in a Mills & Boon "By Request" 3-in-1, BRIDE FOR A BILLIONAIRE along with fabulous books by Carol Marinelli and Robyn Donald.

And let's not forget that I'm not the only one celebrating a very special anniversary.

Mills & Boon are celebrating their Centenary this year so keep an eye on their website. Also look out for 24 collectable titles in retro covers at £1.49. My contribution, THE TEMP & TYCOON will be available in June -- you can reserve a copy now at Amazon. The cover is in the sidebar.




So, I hear you asking, what is Liz being doing to celebrate this amazing event. Is she out partying? Having a champagne fuelled booklaunch? Actually, no. I've been burning the midnight oil on a short story over the New Year and now the dh and I are wallpapering the hall.

We thought it would be a piece of cake. The bottom half is oak panelled, we reasoned, so it's only short lengths. Pause for hollow laughter, here .

Day One involved moving all the stuff that seems to gather in the hall. The coat rack, four bookshelves, three tables, an armchair, lamp, clock, mirror, pictures. Then we stripped the walls. And thought we were so smart because it was done and dusted by lunchtime and we even had time to do the weekly shop. Such hubris is always going to be punished...

Day Two is when we discovered the first piece of paper we put up had a mark in it and I remember why I HATE DIY!!!! Nevertheless we didn't kill one another (intentionally or otherwise), and fell asleep in front of the television before crawling to bed every joint complaining. Yesterday I pasted and the dh did the wallpapering. Today it's the tricky bit over the platerack and I'm up the ladder.

Oh, and I have to start a new book on Monday as well doing my best not to think of the two sets of revisions that are now hanging over me.

But I haven't forgotten that GOLDEN celebrations are in order. From next week, friends and colleagues will be dropping by on a regular basis to help me enjoy this special moment. You'll a guest blog each Thursday, with an author chatting about writing, their books and of course giving away a signed copoy. First up on January 10th, will be Presents author, Annie West. I know you'll give her a warm welcome.

By the way, you may have noticed that the US cover for THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE has a special heart cover flash "Special Treat", well Harlequin have put together a special Valentine Day website with free online reads, games, e-cards just for your, so check it out at Harlequin Special Treat

And finally, do take a moment to pop over to the Harlequin Romance Authors blog, which has a Spotlight on Melissa James this month. And Melissa is giving away a copy of her January HR, MOTHER IN A MILLION to one lucky reader.