It Happened One Night...

I'm delighted to introduce Phillipa Ashley's latest book - It Happened One Night, published in ebook format by Piatkus Entice on June 6.

Here's the blurb -

Sophie McBride has been in love with Adam Templar for as long as she can remember. Talented, brilliant and sexy, he shines like the sun over the tiny Lakeland village where she's grown up. Now, at eighteen, she has her own big ideas and what's more, Adam is home from university and has finally noticed her . . . really noticed her. When he asks her to a party, she dares to hope that all her dreams can come true, but what happens that night sets off a chain of events that bring heartbreak for Sophie - and lead to Adam leaving Langmere under the darkest of clouds.

Ten years later, no one is more shocked than Sophie to find him back in the village. Now an up-and-coming film director, he's returned to make a drama about a notorious local poet and brought his glamorous cast, crew - and girlfriend - with him. As the on-screen drama plays out, can Sophie and Adam lay the past to rest or will history repeat itself?

Here's an excerpt -

21 year old Adam Templar has finally made 18 year old Sophie McBride’s young life complete and asked her to spend the night with him at his younger sister’s birthday party – where he’s supposed to be in charge…

                                                                                                                 

Adam emerged from the en suite, hurriedly buttoning up his Levis, “I have to go downstairs and make sure no one’s been killed in the past half-hour,” he said, shrugging on his T-shirt. “You stay here.”

“What, in bed?” asked Sophie, knowing exactly what he meant but wanting to hear him say it because it turned her on.

 “Yes, in bed. Where else? You don’t think I’m wasting the fruits of the Bell’s condom machine, do you?” He sat down on the bed next to her, tilting her chin up in the cradle of his fingers. “This is going to sound crazy but I want you to know something. I didn’t just get you up here for a shag. I mean, of course I got you up here for a shag but I also want you know that this has meant more to me than a one-night stand.” He smiled and she held her breath. “Or even a two-shag stand. The truth is I’d like to see you again over what’s left of the summer.”

And then what? She wanted him to carry on. What would happen after the summer? She wanted so much more than a one-night stand too, no matter how much she’d convinced herself that having sex with him would be enough. Over the past few hours, hopes and expectations had somehow stolen into the room, no matter how hard she’d tried to keep them out.

“I’d like to see you too,” she said, marveling at how calm she sounded, while wanting to explode with happiness.

“Good. That’s great but . . . the thing is that, in a few months, we’ll both have to go away and it’s going to be bloody miserable and I don’t know how to fix that.”

She waited for him to carry on, hoping that he’d suddenly come up with some way to “fix it” and say they could carry on seeing each other once they were at university. She hoped he would say that he would drive up to her uni from Oxford every Friday or that she could come down on the train to his college. That he’d like her to meet his friends and wander the ivy-clad quads with his arm around her and that afterwards they could make love in his rooms all night, but he stayed silent and pushed back her wayward hair from her face in a way that Sophie should have found tender but instead found disappointing. She realised that he probably wasn’t going to offer to do any of those things – not tonight anyway but maybe, she thought, he might at the end of summer when they knew each other better.

“Then don’t worry. Let’s empty the machine at the pub and have a good time,” Sophie said brightly, hoping it was what he wanted to hear.

As if to remind them both, there were loud shrieks from outside in the garden.

 “You’re right of course. We should just enjoy now, but we both know it’s not going to be that simple.”

He smiled. She wasn’t sure if he was relieved or not, but he seemed happier.

The music ramped up a notch and the floor of the room felt as if it was throbbing. The shrieks and screeches grew in volume. It sounded as if the whole of Langmere was out in the garden, which was probably almost true.

“Adam!” A girl’s voice screamed through the door.

‘For God’s sake. What now?’

There was hammering on the door. “Adam! Open the door!”

“Wait a minute!”

The door flew open and Tarnyah dashed into the room. Sophie dived under the sheets as Adam swore loudly. “Get out!”

Before Sophie had time to expect the girl to giggle or point or shriek in embarrassment at finding her and Adam half naked, Tarnyah started shouting. “They’re in the lake. They’re in the lake. Come quick.” 

For more information check out Phillipa's website

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BLOG PARTY DAY 5

Welcome to day 5 of my party and the last of my very special guests.


I have a whole shelf of Kate Hardy's books. Romantic, emotional, she can always touch the heart strings and make you cry.  She's a hugging friend, one I'm always thrilled to see at a conference, or author lunch.


And she's another of those authors who has won the RNA Romance Prize.  There are only six in the shortlist each year, so it is a very special peer group award.


She'll tell you herself about her latest book: -

The idea for ITALIAN DOCTOR, NO STRINGS ATTACHED came to me when we visited Capri and took the chairlift up to Monte Solaro, the highest point of the island. It was like standing on the edge of the world, and I thought, what a fantastic place to propose to someone... but who and why and when? 

(The answers came a bit later on when a friend told me about a very interesting medical condition, knowing the kind of things that make lightbulbs happen in my head!) ]

I'm thrilled to give away a copy of Italian Doctor, No Strings attached as soon as my author copies come through (any day now). 

To be in with a chance to win Kate's book, just tell her the most romantic place you can think of for a marriage proposal.

Great question, Kate!

And no, Kate, I don't think anyone will be surprised that you'd volunteer to bring Antonio Banderas to the party!

Arriving next is Phillipa Ashley

Phillipa is another of those authors I met online when she was striving to make the break through into publication.  And for those of you who think it's impossible, believe me, I have seen dozens of new authors publishing a pile of books in the twenty years since I made my own break though.

Phillipa was published by Little Black Books - more than that, her first book, Decent Exposure, was made into a movie, 12 Men of Christmas.  And it doesn't get much better than that!

Phillipa has offered a copy of her latest Samhain book, FEVER CURE to one of my guests today.

More  cover envy!

So, what kind of man will bring you out in a fever? Is it going to be Antonio? Or  George Clooney? Daniel? Do you like a man built, or sensitive? (Not saying we can't have both!) Who would you choose as your co-star in a rom-com?


Last but a very long way from least, is Jan Jones

Jan has not only written a handful of books and wonderful serials for magazines - "An Ordinary Gift" starts in Woman's Weekly in the UK next week; a contemporary story about a young woman whose move to Ely awakens an ancient talent should be in the shops from 28 July - but she is a master at arranging the most wonderful conferences for the Romantic Novelists' Association.  We all love her to bits.

I adored her first book STAGE BY STAGE, set in the world of am-dram and with a hero to absolutely die for.

She also writes wonderful Regencies, and she's offering a copy of FAIR DECEPTION to one the my party guests today.

She suggests that the hero is a cross between Orlando Bloom and Robert Redford.  Tricky, but I think this photograph of Orlando does the job!

And we're back to heroes again - what kind of clothes maketh the man for you?


A superfine coat and perfect folded cravat? Cowboy jeans and hat? A pin-striped suit, or just a pair of shorts?  And what turns you off?  Romantic authors everywhere want to know!

MY CLUSTR MAP

Writing is a lonely business. I sit here in the Welsh countryside with only the occasional cow passing the office window while I pound away at the keyboard and, once in a while getting out to have lunch with the far flung authors in the Romantic Novelists' Association Carmarthen group. We did that yesterday. A glorious sunny day, delicious crab salad and great conversation.

Mostly, though, it just me and the clustr map to let me know where my blog visitors are coming from. To remind me that the books don't just disappear into cyber space, but are out there, being read by people all over the world.

All those red dots are a comfort but I've just had an email warning me it's time to archive my red dots and start over with a clean sheet so I took time out to look at where you all are.

Chile? I'm not sure I've had visitors from Chile before -- I'm rather excited by the fact that I seem to be making more of an impression in South America generally. I suspect you all prefer the rather hotter romances, but I have another sheikh on the way for you. And a hot kitchen scene that I'm hoping Phillipa Ashley will add to her "whew" scene in Her Wish List Bridegrrom.

But back to the dots. I notice that there's one on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe right by the Victoria Falls. Ah, memories, memories.

The dh took me there for our first date -- a very long time ago. We flew from Lusaka to Livingstone for the day, looked at the Falls and I stood right where that photograph was taken on the Zambian side of the border. I had long, very dark hair and was thin. :)

We took a trip on the Zambezi, drove through the local game park and checked out a tribal village.

I've had lots of new visitors from India and Pakistan this year following the opening of Mills & Boon's local office on the sub continent -- and more from South East Asia, too, maybe as a result of that.

There are a couple of dots in Israel which may indicate that I've finally had a translation there; it was a sudden rash of dots in Germany that gave me the heads up that I was getting a load of reprints there early this year, as well as a couple of new translations.

And I'm really curious to know who is out there in Kyrgyzstan, Albania and Nepal reading my blog.

WINNERS

The lovely Phillipa Ashley has chosen the winners (yes, winners!) for signed copies of her book Just Say Yes. Unable to choose between Michele L whose husband helped her dismantle a shop fitting for her 250 books and Nathalie from Canada whose mum had written her a poem, she's very generously giving each of them a copy. Congratulations to both of you and thank you all for sharing your wonderful stories.

Nathalie and Michelle, if you'll email me with your snail mail addies, I'll pass them along.

I'VE GOT A wii

Like about a gazillion people who, slumped in front of the TV telling themselves that they should be taking a walk or ... something ... I was totally captivated by the idea of the wii fit. Last week I succumbed. At least to the wii -- buying a wii fit seems a little more complex. Argos are the cheapest, but then it's easy to be cheap if you haven't got any in stock to sell! Meanwhile, I've started working out with the basic. Doing my daily fitness test.

Here's the result. I have the fitness level of an 80-year old. I'm not bad at tennis -- improving with every game. I'm not bad at golf -- I used to play and my swing is still in good shape (at least in the living room version). But I have a real problem with baseball. When I connect I hit it hard, but the whole eye, hand co-ordination thing just goes to pieces -- largely because the eyes are not that great at the best of times. Swing too early. Swing too late. Unless I can crack baseball I fear I'm doomed to be an 80-year-old wii-er for eternity.

And then there's bowling. That's a bit a hit-or-miss... Mostly miss. In an effort to improve my rating I thought I'd have a little game while the dh was doing something else. And I've strained a buttock. No, honestly. Don't laugh. It HURTS! Today I'm going to be 85...

Quick Update...

My website has been updated today and there's a competion for a signed hardback copy of my November paperback, Wedded in a Whirlwind. Check it out here

Also, if you're a member of my Newsletter at Yahoo, could you check that you're not bouncing. It took me three attempts this month to find a winner for a signed book from my backlist whose email didn't boomerang back at me. I'm think of changing the server on this one, so watch for news of that. Okay... Now the important bit...

A SURPRISE GUEST...

A year or two ago, I received an email out of the blue from someone called Phillipa. She wrote to tell me how much she'd enjoyed one of my books and I have to tell you that kind of email is designed to win both heart and mind of this particular author.

She was totally honest. She'd bought my book because she was thinking of writing herself and was checking out the market. This, by the way, is essential market research. You cannot believe how many people who never read a book from one year to the next believe they could write one ... if they had time.

We exchanged a few emails and then, almost before I could blink I had the Big Email. The all dancing, all singing one, where Phillipa told me she'd sold DECENT EXPOSURE to Little Black Dress and I sang and danced with her because the success of a friend is always something to cheer.

I consider her a friend, even though so far we've managed to miss each other at every romance do. We'll get together one of these days and finally have that celebratory glass of bubbly -- tonic water, of course!

Anyway, last week, Phillipa raised her head from the deadline cave to tell me that her latest, Just Say Yes is on sale and so here she is, to tell us all about it.


Phillipa...

I’ve a shameful confession to make. Until around three years ago, I’d never read a romance novel and the thought of writing one had definitely never occurred to me. My mind was changed by watching a wonderfully romantic TV drama called North & South and joining an Internet creative writing group. From that moment I was completely hooked on writing romantic stories and so I decided to ‘have a go at a novel.’

First, I needed to read some - so I headed for my local WH Smith, where I dithered for ages, overwhelmed by the choice. However, I finally plumped for a Mills & Boon novel called Her Wish List Bridegroom by someone called Liz Fielding.

Lucky for me…

I loved it. I couldn’t put it down. After that, I scoured the charity shops and library for vintage Liz and I bought her new ones. I love the feisty heroines, always gutsy, intelligent and fun. I also adore the heroes; very sexy, sometimes sardonic yet always with a great sense of humour.

To have written 50 titles for HMB (and some longer romances, one of which I managed to track down), is a superb achievement. I’ve many favourites of Liz’s now – The Secret Life of Lady Gabriella; A Nanny for Keeps and The Bridesmaid’s Reward to name a few. But I will always love Her Wish List Bridegroom. Gregor McLeod is a gorgeous hero and as for that scene in the hallway with Juliet. Whew. I still want to write one like that.

Again, luckily for me, after much rewriting and with the advice of the RNA New Writers Scheme (plus some uncannily accurate advice from Liz), I got an agent and sold my first novel to Little Black Dress.

Next week, my third LBD romance is published.

Called Just Say Yes, it’s the story of Lucy Gibson who has a good-looking, popular boyfriend Nick Laurentis also happens to be the winner of reality TV show Hot Shot. What’s more, Nick proposes to her live on air.

Sounds totally wonderful? Well, not quite.

Lucy is stunned because, while every girl loves a romantic gesture, she’s just not ready for that kind of commitment. With the press hounding her as the one who callously broke Nick’s heart, Lucy escapes her London flat to seek refuge in an isolated Cornwall cottage. But little does she realise that life down there will be far from uncomplicated!

I got the initial idea from a YouTube video in which an American man proposed to his girlfriend during an advertising break for her favourite TV show. The girlfriend was ecstatic but I started wondering what might have happened if she’d said ‘no’? You see, I’m not sure that grand gestures and public proposals are always as romantic as they sound…

What do you think? What makes a truly romantic – or perhaps - loving gesture? My husband and daughter made me a Think Positive board for my recent birthday. It’s got some pictures of my books, congrats cards and reader reviews on it – for all the times I get the dreaded Crows of Doubt about my writing. That rates pretty highly on the loving gesture scale for me.

Here’s a snippet from Just Say Yes: it’s the moment when Lucy’s boyfriend, Nick, decides to make his very public proposal – live on TV!

The clapping and cheering started again as Lucy and Nick carried on kissing. Then softly, Nick broke away. He stood facing her, still holding both her hands and suddenly was serious.

Gerry leapt forward, beaming.

“So, Nick, what do you have to say? What comes next?”

Nick didn’t glance away. His eyes were glued to hers and he was looking so serious that Lucy felt a tiny frisson run up and down her spine.

“What comes next?” he echoed.

He turned briefly to Gerry, his voice quiet. “Gerry, winning Hot Shots is a fantastic opportunity. It’s what I’ve lived and breathed for the past four months. It’s what I’ve always wanted but there’s something missing.”

The breath caught in Lucy’s throat. What something else could there possibly be? Was he going to say he loved her live on television? It darted into her head that she hoped he wouldn’t. Not here. Not in front of everyone.

“Winning Hot Shots means more to me than almost anything else in my life, but there’s someone else who has come to mean even more. That someone is the woman standing in front of me now.”

Gerry and the audience uttered a collective ‘ahh’. Lucy didn’t know where to look. It was flattering, it was …lovely but she so wished Nick had waited to tell her in private. She’d hoped to share this intimate moment together, not with zillions of others. She felt the heat rising to her cheeks.

Then, still holding her right hand in his, Nick sank to his knees. Lucy thought she was going to faint. No. No, he couldn’t. He wouldn’t.

“Lucy…” he murmured, looking up into her eyes.

She shook her head gently. Her legs were about to give way. Maybe that would be best, then they might carry her off, away from the millions of eyes watching, waiting, expecting…

“Lucy Gibson, will you do me the honor…”

Oh Nick.

“The honour of being my wife?”

The studio erupted. ‘Wooo-hooo!”

‘Way to go mate!’

She had to look away. Up and away from Nick’s expectant gaze. A few feet away, Gerry was dancing a jig of delight. Over his shoulder, she could even see a smile tilting the corners of Sir Digby’s jowls. When she glanced down again, Nick was still staring up at her, smiling.

The studio subsided into an eerie silence. Lucy could hear the whirr of air conditioning; she even caught the wail of a siren somewhere in the outside world. The perspiration was trickling down her spine, a lump had formed in her throat, blocking the air and making it hard to breathe.

This was supposed to be the happiest moment of her life. The moment when the best just got even better. Nick had done his bit; he’d delivered what the audience wanted and now it was her turn. A shiver danced its way up her spine. Her hand, in Nick’s was trembling as the seconds ticked by, each like a lifetime.

Nick’s lips moved. He mouthed one word: “Well?”

Her mouth opened but didn’t form words.

“Lucy? Did you hear what I said?”

She nodded slowly.

“And?”

“Come on love! Put the lad out of his misery!” came a shout from the audience.

“Yeah. Get on with it, love. We wanna to get to the pub.”

Everyone laughed.

“Give her a break, she’s in shock. It’s not every day you see a man sign his life away in public,” said Gerry. Even Nick smiled, but the expectation was still there in his eyes.

Lucy felt like a sideshow at the fair or an exhibit at the zoo. She and Nick were performers now and this happy ending, this perfect moment was what everyone was demanding. What everyone needed. Everyone it seemed, except her.

“Lucy?”

“I – I can’t…”

His smile slipped.

“I – I’m sorry. I’m not; I mean I can’t do this. Not like this…”

What could she say when every word she uttered, every tiny expression on her face was being beamed live to millions of viewers? People were sitting on their sofas at home; in the pub; in the Chinese takeaway, at the gym. All watching her. All waiting to see what her answer might be. They wanted that answer to be ‘yes.’ Nick wanted a lifelong commitment. One she knew that she wasn’t ready for, not by a long, long way and not right now. The blood rushed in her ears, her heart pounded, Nick started getting to his feet, his face a mix of anger and anguish.

“I can’t do this…” whispered Lucy through dry lips. “I’m just not ready for this, Nick, I’m so sorry.”

Then she wrenched her hand out of his and fled from the stage.


Out on August 7th, you can also order it from Amazon or from any good bookstore and for all my news and more excerpts from my books, visit my website.

Or for the chance to win a signed copy of Just Say Yes, tell me your idea of a perfect gift – from your partner, children, boss. Anyone...

NEW WRITER AWARD


Phillipa Ashley has won the RNA's David Hessayon New Writer Award with her first book, DECENT EXPOSURE.

Am I thrilled? Do ducks swim?

Is she thrilled? See for yourself at her blog

Briefly, on another subject -- I can't access My Space to do anything other than add friends -- it says something unintelligible about add-ons and then shuts down my browser. So for everyone who left comments there in the last couple of days, THANK YOU!