Six degrees of separation...

Actually, that title is not right. I'm not talking about separation in this blog, but connections.

One of my lovely "Team Liz" members who received an ARC of The Sheikh's Unsuitable Bride had spotted a number of characters who had appeared in other books. She wrote and asked me if one of the other characters had also had a book of her own. She didn't, but the fact that she was "real" enough to give the feeling that might have was very pleasing. It meant that even though she appeared briefly, in a phone call, she had a three-dimensional quality that I hope to give to even the walk-on parts.

I love revisitng my characters and all my sheikhs are linked, either through family or close ties.

Sheikh Fayad and his lovely Princess Violet, who play an important part of this story, first appeared in Chosen as the Sheikh's Wife (with a guest appearance from my very first sheikh, Prince Hassan - His Desert Rose). I needed a country where the exiled Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ansari could make his home and where better than Ramal Hamrah? Fayad is his cousin. The fort had been his maternal grandmother's home. Perfect.

Sheikh Zahir gets a passing mention. He first appeared in The Sheikh's Guarded Heart, then got his own story in The Sheikh's Unsuitable Bride.

His unsuitable bride was Diana, who worked for Sadie, (first appearance in The Baby Plan) who is the step-daughter of Amanda Garland (first appearnace Dating Her Boss), who also makes an appearance in The Sheikh's Convenient Princess.  Are you still with me? :)

When you have created the world's finest staff agency, why would you need to invent another one?

Amanda is one of those very useful women who will put in appearance whenever I need her. Her brother was the hero of Dating Her Boss; she was a bit edgy, very self-contained and I couldn't resist blowing her world apart in The Baby Plan.

Another character who gets a mention in The Sheikh's Convenient Princess is Jude Radcliffe, who met and married the adorable Talie in The Temp and the Tycoon (reported in the Daily Telegraph as one of the most downloaded books on Amazon UK when it was first published). That's the retro cover Mills and Boon used when they reprinted it for their 100th anniversary.

Are there any characters in my books that you wish had a story of their own? There are one or two who I think deserve a story of their own but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

In other news, I'm expanding Team Liz. The duties are not onerous. You have to be signed up to my newsletter (there's a link on the sidebar), "like" my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter. More importantly you have to love my books because you will receive an advance copy, in return for which you will be asked to leave a honest review on Goodreads and Amazon. If you hate it, I'd rather you emailed me and told me what bothered you - actually that goes for everyone. I will be putting an invitation on my newsletter in February with details of how to come on board.

There will be another new Liz Fielding Harlequin Romance/Cherish, Her Pregnancy Bombshell, in June 2017. And one other book this year. Maybe a short story if I can keep sufficiently focussed and everything runs smoothly at Fielding Towers.

Here are the links for The Sheikh's Convenient Princess.

Harlequin

Ibooks  Barnes & Noble

Kobo
 Amazon US
Amazon UK

The Sheikh's Temporary Princess?

The good news is that my latest book is now going through the long procedure that starts after I've finished it and my editor has said "Yes!"

Copy-editing (to catch the boring stuff like typing errors, spelling mistakes, whether I got into a muddle with my time-line and that my heroine's eyes didn't change colour half way through. (None of that happened!)

It's still without a title, although in my head it will always be The Sheikh's Temporary Princess. I'll let you know what the combined might of editorial, marketing and the tealady decide when they've made up their mind.

The publication date - so far - is February 2017 which seems a very long time to wait here's link to my Pinterest page where I gathered loads of lovely inspirational pictures of jewellery, clothes, shaded courtyards and of course my hero.

Meanwhile, allow me to introduce Sheikh Ibraham al-Ansari (Bram to those who know him), former downhill race ski champion, superb horseman - the disgraced and disinherited heir to the throne of Umm al-Basr.

He's in a jam. (Make that another jam.)  He's got a temporary PA from the fabulous Garland Agency  - the uber efficient Ruby Dance - but what he really needs is a temporary wife.

"Garland Girls" have a legendary status, but will this "Girl" live up to the billing and save him from an arranged marriage?

Serial Liz Fielding fans will remember that Amanda Garland first appeared in her brother's story, Dating Her Boss and I thought she was so interesting that I wrote her own story. It's told in the The Baby Plan.

Oh, and her step-daughter, Sadie Redford, runs the car hire company that gave things a helping hand in the Sheikh's Unsuitable Bride. Which reminds me. Sadie really deserves her own happy ending.

Classic Office Romance

It's publication day for the ebook version of a classic office romance I wrote a while back. I loved this book -  in which a very down to earth, very ordinary girl, captures the heart of the very broken Max Fleming.

Max made a brief appearance in Amanda's story - his sister - The Baby Plan,  when she fell in love with Dan a year later.

And because some characters just live on, when I wrote The Sheikh's Unsuitable Bride, Dan and his daughter Sadie were on hand to prime the romance pump!

I just love it when that happens!

An Ordinary Girl and a Sheikh

It's always a pleasure to see a book getting a second outing, especially when it's in such good company - a treble treat with Barbara McMahon and Nicola Marsh

THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE was my 50th Mills and Boon romance and we had an enormous amount of fun when it was published. I left its heroine, Diana, in charge of the year-long party and to introduce the guests who dropped by to make it so special. She was convinced that the only reason most of them came was to ogle the photograph of Zahir, her sheikh and I've had to prise it out of her "treasure" box for this blog because, this September it's being reissued as a 3-in-1 By Request (there will be a eBook version, too).

Here's a taster.

A precious Venetian snow globe has been smashed and Diana takes the sheikh shopping for a replacement. He anticipated Harrods but time is short and she opts for ToysRUs:

‘The Princess and the Frog, Metcalfe?’ he asked, holding out the globe for an explanation.


He had beautiful hands. Not pampered or soft. There was an old scar running across his knuckles and although his fingers were long, thin even, it was the slenderness of tensile steel.


‘I am not familiar with this fairytale,’ he said.


‘I’m surprised you know any of them,’ she said, forcing herself to focus on the globe. It contained a scene in which a girl, wearing a small crown, and a frog were sitting on the edge of a well.


‘Disney has reached Ramal Hamrah.’


‘Has it?’ Of course it had. ‘Oh, right. Well, I suppose this must be one he decided to give a miss.’ She thought about it. ‘Actually, he was probably right. I’d stick with one of the others,’ she advised.


‘But this girl is a princess. Ameerah will like that.’


Just like the assistant, who’d faded away with no more than an envious glance in her direction, Diana recognised the imperative. He didn’t need words to issue an order. He could do it with a look from those dark eyes.


‘It’s not good,’ she warned him. ‘Cinderella is, admittedly, a bit wet, but at least she’s kind. And while Snow White is not exactly a female role model...’


‘I don’t have all day,’ he warned.


‘No, sir.’ She took the globe, gave it a little shake to start the snow storm. ‘Okay, this is how it goes. Spoilt princess drops her precious golden ball in the well. The frog offers her a deal. If she takes him home with her, lets him eat from her plate, sleep on her pillow, kisses him goodnight...’ She hesitated as, distracted by the sensuous curve of his lower lip, she lost the thread of the story.


‘He’s a talking frog?’


She shrugged. ‘It’s a fairy tale. If you want reality you’re in the wrong place.’


He acknowledged the point with the slightest movement of his head. Then, ‘Kisses him goodnight,’ he prompted,



‘Mmmm. If she promises all that,’ she said, ‘he’ll fetch her golden ball from the bottom of the well.’


‘A gentleman frog would have done it without strings attached.’


‘A girl with any gumption would have got it herself.’


‘You would have climbed down the well, Metcalfe?’


‘I wouldn’t have kissed the damn frog!’


'You disapprove?’


‘There’s no such thing as a free golden ball,’ she said.


‘No, indeed.’ He did something with his eyes and without warning, beneath the dark red uniform Diana suddenly felt very warm.


‘Anyway,’ she said, quickly, running a finger under her collar to let in some cool air. ‘She, um, agrees. Actually, she’d have promised him the moon -- she loved that ball – and the ungentlemanly frog dives into the well, gets the ball and hands it over at which point the princess shows her gratitude by legging it.’


‘Legging it?’


‘Has it away on her toes. Scarpers. Runs back to the palace without him.’


He laid one of those beautiful hands against his heart. ‘I’m shocked.’


She’d been quite wrong about the irony. He “got” it, all right. He might not be laughing on the outside, but his eyes gleamed with amusement.


‘I imagine the frog doesn’t take that lying down?’


‘As you said. The frog is no gentleman. He hops all the way to the palace, rats on the princess to the King who tells her that a princess must always keep her word.’


‘A princess shouldn’t have to be told.’


‘It might surprise you to know that holds good for common folk, too.’ Then, ‘She isn’t happy about it, but she doesn’t have much choice, so she lets him eat off her plate, but then she flounces off to bed without him.’


‘She learns her lesson hard, this princess. Does the frog quit?’


‘What do you think?’


‘I think she’s going to be sharing her pillow with the frog.’


‘Right. It takes him hours to hop all the way up the stairs, find her room, but he gets there in the end and once more reminds her of her promise. Finally, accepting that she’s beaten, the princess puts him on her pillow and even forces herself to kiss him goodnight.’


‘I can relate to this frog, but can this story have a happy ending?’


‘That rather depends on your point of view. When the princess wakes up next morning the frog has turned into a handsome prince.’


His brows rose a fraction. ‘That might take a bit of explaining.’

Diana, whose view of the scene had been fixed in childhood by a picture book image of said handsome prince, fully clothed in princely trappings, standing beside the princess’s bed as she woke, suddenly saw a very different reality and, quite stupidly, blushed.


‘Yes, well,’ she said, quickly, ‘it’s that whole wicked-witch-cursing-the-handsome-prince thing. The princess had to have her arm twisted to breaking point, but she did what was needed to break the spell. Da-da-de-da,’ she sang to the wedding march. ‘And they all lived happily ever after.’


‘You mean that now he’s not a warty frog, but her equal, she marries him?’


‘I did warn you. The girl is as shallow as an August puddle. It’s why the prince married her that beats me.’


‘Maybe the King didn’t buy the “spell” story and produced a shot-gun?’ he offered.


‘It’s a nice theory, but the fact is that in fairy stories the girl always gets the prince. It’s that love-at-first-sight, happy-ever-after thing.’

Here's what a few people said about it when it was first published.

...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


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

Oh, and on the subject of eBooks - did you know that you can have your Kindle editions signed? It's taking me a while to get all my books on Kindlegraph - for some reason it won't let me do the American editions - but there are a few titles I can sign for you. Just click on Kindlegraph

And if you're in the UK, I'll be BBC Radio Wales on Monday morning - Jamie and Louise - at about 11 o'clock, talking about NEW VOICES.

THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE

Liz, who is apparently busy sorting out some other guy's life, has asked me to drop by and tell you that the story of how Diana and I became the luckiest people alive -- her 50th book, don't forget -- is now sold out at Mills & Boon's website.

There may be a few copies left in the shops -- but only until Friday when the February books will be on display. Diana urges you not to miss out, she doesn't want you paying outrageous postage charges to get it from Amazon!

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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As the bells ring out, the fireworks explode worldwide, to welcome in the New Year, may I wish you all health, happiness and the fulfilment of all your dreams.

Thank you all for your friendship, kindness and support in the year we're leaving behind. It's a joy to wake up each morning to read my email, check my blog, chat to readers and writers -- published or not -- whose lives intersect with mine through the pages of books and in this amazing world of cyberspace.


As you know, this is something of a Red Letter year for me. Not just the publication of my 50th book in January, with THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE, but then in April, my 50th "Harlequin Romance" with THE BRIDE'S BABY.

To help me celebrate fifty friends, writers all, will be "guest blogging" throughout the year, telling us about their own books, giving away signed copies, starting next week.

Let the celebrations begin!

RING IN THE NEW...

I’m sitting here in a deliciously stripey grey and pink sweater, wearing my new slippers, sipping tea from my special new mug that says “Liz is the Biz” from my dd and just thrilled at the fact that January will see the publication of two of my titles in the UK. Not just THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE, helping to launch Mills & Boon's 100th Anniversary year, but also a reprint of the Billionaire Takes a Bride in BRIDE FOR A BILLIONAIRE. A lovely seasonal gift from my publisher.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, too and found the gifts you were hoping for underneath the tree this year.

There will be a little extra for Gail, who won the signed copy of THE SHEIKH’S GUARDED HEART and Candy, who won THE SHEIKH’S UNSUITABLE BRIDE. I’ve just braved the chill to go and put the last of the prizes in the postbox – I hope they’ll all arrive early in the New Year.

But the fun doesn’t end there. Throughout 2008 guest bloggers will be dropping in to help me celebrate my 50th book. They’ll be telling us about their books and offering prizes, too, so make a note to visit every week if you don't want to miss out on some fabulous books.

But before that can happen we have to make our New Year resolutions.

I’m not sure that mine ever change. All I need to do is bring them out each year, brush them off and make the same pledge to

• lose a little weight (only this time keep it off).
• be a little more focussed on my writing – put work before

email play.
• make time to write something a little different; articles, short stories, tackle the big book. All muscles need exercise, even the writing muscles.
• do something new. Learn to tap dance, perhaps? When I was a little girl I yearned for a pair of red tap shoes with big bows. It would certainly get some unused muscles moving!
• take a trip in a hot air balloon.

Actually I did manage to write more this year. Three books and a novella. About half a book short of what I planned, half a book short of what I should have managed, but better than the last couple of years.

I did lose some weight – but it’s all crept back on in the last few months. Deadlines are not kind to the waistline and I do have a real dislike of exercise. It always seems to me a little like housework. You do it today and then you have to do it again tomorrow. There’s just no end…

So what resolutions did you keep this year? How will you challenge yourself?

Whatever they are, I wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year in which at least one dream comes true.

Iechyd da!

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY TWENTY-FIVE

DECEMBER 25th

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


A very merry Christmas to everyone on this special day; I'm delighted to share a moment of the day with you.

Diana and Zahir also asked me to send their best wishes. They hope to drop by next month to help me celebrate 50 books, but for now they need a little time on their own.

So many of you wrote and told me what your own special Christmas gifts would be, from the simplicity of sleep -- I think we can all sympathise with that one! -- to the most touching one, the relief from pain for a loved one. I hope you are all granted your heart's desires.
One of you, Lois, does have THE SECRET LIFE OF LADY GABRIELLA to look forward to. It'll be in the post straight after the holiday, Lois.

So, what is behind the door for this very special last day on our calendar. Well, of course it has to be Diana and Zahir's story. THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE.

For a chance to win this book just send me an email to liz @lizfielding.com with Day Twnety Five in the subject line and your name and address in the body of the mail. I'll draw the winner on the 27th, since I imagine you'll all be just a little preoccupied today. I'll tell you then who won The Sheikh's Guarded Heart and The Sheikh's Unsuitable Bride.

My turn to wish you all the very merriest Christmas. And someone else to do the clearing up.

Thanks for spending December with me.

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY TWENTY-FOUR

DECEMBER 24TH

"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house..."

Actually I saw a mouse the other day. It nipped up on to the stoop, bold as brass, and helped itself to a snack from the crumbs left out for the half-tame robin that visits every day. He should look out for the neighbourhood cat who's also started dropping by looking for tasty snacks!

Catching up with the news, Elsje in South Africa won THE BABY PLAN. I posted a load of books yesterday to winners not just for the Advent Calendar giveaway, but for Kate Walker's Christmas Stocking, too. I hope they all arrive safely.

Behind the door today is THE SHEIKH'S GUARDED HEART. A grieving man, a desperate woman saved from certain death, and a beautiful garden. Lucy owes her life to Sheikh Hanif and sets about healing his heart, as he has healed her body.

And Hanif's young cousin, Sheikh Zahir, makes his first appearance, too. This is the moment when his feet are set on the path that will eventually take him to London and his meeting with Diana Metcalfe, a highly unsuitable bride for a sheikh...

For a chance to read this story, email me at liz @lizfielding.com with Day Twenty-Four in the subject line and your name and address in the body. And tell me the most memorable Christmas gift you ever received.

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY TWENTY-ONE

DECEMBER 21st


I've spent today wrestling with the internet, which seems intent on swallowing up the photographs and copy for my website update which will go online a little early this month because my webmistress is off on her holidays. Frustrating. Infuriating. At this rate I'll be short several handfuls of hair.

Let's hope the last lot managed to break through the cyber-space barrier.

The answer to the question on Day Nineteen was 25 years old -- lucky thing Jan added, and I have to say I agree. Old enough to be in control. Still young enough to enjoy it. :) You all got it right -- of course you did -- and Joy in Arizona won the copy of HIS DESERT ROSE.

Today, behind the door, is a copy of the winne of the RNA Romance Prize -- and Betty Neels Rosebowl pictured right, A FAMILY OF HIS OWN.


Some books just title themselves, The Bridesmaid's Reward, The Bachelor's Baby, The Best Man & the Bridesmaid. Some seem to defy you to find them a title that will say to the reader "pick me"...

A FAMILY OF HIS OWN came into the latter category. Editorial -- and it took the entire office -- finally came up with The Family He Deserves; I threw a rare authorial tantrum and they had another think! It won the RNA Prize, RT Best Harlequin Romance and was shortlisted for a RITA. It's the story of a haunted man and a young woman who is ready to pay forward the kindness she's received, even at the risk of her own heart. Oh, and there's gardening, too.

If you want a chance to win a signed copy, then email me at liz @lizfielding.com with Day Twenty One in the subject line, your name and address in the body of the email and the year A FAMILY OF HIS OWN won the RNA prize.

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY NINETEEN

December 19th

Diana and Zahir have a lot to think about so I'm leaving them in peace for a while. But here's another picture of Zahir because we all need something good to look at!

The award I was thinking of for day seventeen, was the RNA Betty Neels Trophy (there's a picture of me with it on my biography page on the website), but you all found a load of other stuff, the CAPA, a couple of RT awards amongst them and they were fine, too. The name out of the hat for GENTLEMEN PREFER ... BRUNETTES was Tammy in Utah and the book is on it's way. I seem to be keeping the post office going single-handedly in my neck of the woods!


Today's book is another sheikh. My first, HIS DESERT ROSE. Prince Hassan al Rashid, a rebel, an outsider, a man who would do anything to keep his country in safe hands. Even if that means kidnapping international journalist Rose Fenton to stop her being used by a corrupt government. But Rose isn't your average woman; she's exactly where she wants to be and Hassan quickly finds his hands full in more ways than one.

If you want a chance to win a copy of HIS DESERT ROSE, sent me an email at liz @lizfielding.com, with Day Nineteen in the subject line, your name and address in the body of the mail and the answer to this question: How old is Sophie Harrington? You'll find the answer in the excerpt link to Bride for Christmas on my website.

And on Wednesday, we're having a post party at eHarlequin with a chance to win copies of Harlequin "Romance" novels. Just click here.

Finally, the long list for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award has just been announced and there are some great names it. Check it out here.

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY THIRTEEN

13th December

In my culture a man marries from the women his family choose for him. Someone who will be the mother of his sons. Who he will respect, honour, insh'Allah grow to love. I have kept my father waiting too long for the grandson he desires. My sisters email me daily with details of the brides my mother believes will be suitable. They have each have their favourites but so far none of them has chestnut curls, green eyes, a smile that would torment a saint....


Oh, good grief, the man is bewitched. Go choose your bride, Zahir. Shula al-Attiyah, educated, smart... Your mother knows what she's doing. By the way, I found a review for The Sheikh's Unsuitable Bride on Romance Readers at Heart, today. They said your story was "sublimely entertaining", doesn't that make you feel good? And your picture is turning up all over the blogs. Your sister is right, by the way, Adina al-Thani does have have lovely hair...

Okay, back to the real world, where we're more interested in who won Day Eleven of the draw. THE ORDINARY PRINCESS is right now on its way to Snookie in Hawaii. Of course we're into the Christmas blockage so who knows when it will arrive. The answer, by the way -- Eddie Albert was Gregory Peck's partner in deception in Roman Holiday.

Today, behind the little door, is THE BILLIONAIRE TAKES A BRIDE. The one with the totally incompetent cat-burglar, a billionaire who can be distracted from seven-denier black stockings by problems in A computer program, a friend who will get you into trouble at the drop of a hat. And dedicated to the eHarlequin Writers Circle and Hamster Auxillary. Hector, aka the Trojan Hamster, was a big hit on the eHarlequin Message Boards.

Want to win this book? Email me at liz @ lizfielding.com with Day Thirteen in the subject line, your name and address in the body of the email and the answer to this question. How many titles have I published that begin with the word "Her"!

I'm on the last scene in the wip. Tomorrow, finished or not, it has to be on my editor's desk.

Confidence is high...

Say it often enough and I might even believe it.

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY TWELVE

12th December


I went swimming first thing this morning in Nadira Creek. At dawn the sea is milky and calm and the sun turns the rocks and mist rose pink. It is so beautiful here, so peaceful. And at night the stars are just as Zahir said they would be. Like diamonds…




Er, I think we'll leave Diana reaching for the stars and get on with today's news.

First up, Jan in Newmarket won the copy of WILD JUSTICE. It's on its way to you right now, Jan.

Actually that's a good thing Diana is on another planet because I wanted to tell you about the Finance Director at my daughter’s company. At some unbelievably early age he drew up a Life Plan. It included being married by the age of 21, having his children young and oh, yes, be a Finance Director by the age of 35. And he's there. (I'm wondering what he plans to do the next thirty-five years -- just for investment purposes you understand!)

Anyway, I hope my daughter is taking notes because if we're going to achieve our goals we all need a Life Plan.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, we're at Day Twelve and behind the door today is HER WISH-LIST BRIDEGROOM, in which Juliet Howard, right on the point of achieving her major goal in her own life plan, bang on target, gets tripped up by a meretricious man. (Lying, cheating you name it...) She had every right to be angry, but let's face it, tossing a tray full of champagne over the boss is never going to be a good idea.

Back at square one she’s confronted with her original Life Plan. The one she wrote when she was a teenager. There were the simple things – you have to give yourself plenty of short term stuff to be ticked off and give you the feeling that you’re getting somewhere. There was the achievable. University. A first class degree. The directorship that was within an inch of her grasp. And then there were the goals that were, honestly, just reaching for the stars. Gregor McLeod, the hero of the school yard, had once been at the top of that list. Until he left school, disappeared…

What to know what happens next? Send me an email to liz @lizfielding.com, with Day Twelve in the subject line, your name and address in the body of mail and the name of one other book I've written that begins with the word “Her…”

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY TEN

10th December

I am Zahir al Khalid and Liz has asked me to reassure you that Diana is safe. She is! I swear it!

Look, I know what you're all thinking. That I'm some kind of unresconstructed nineteenth century throwback who's kidnapped Diana and carried her off and installed her as part of my hareem.

Oh, please. That word. Peel your eyebrows off the ceiling...


I'd stay and give you a language lesson, but I don't have time. I'm in London to launch my new airline. Diana and I... Well, I have to go home and choose a suitable bride. As for Diana, she's made it clear that she has her own life. Which is good. I'm happy for her. Really... And she'll be home as soon as all the fuss has died down. On my honour.

Since she's busy Liz has also asked me to draw the winner of the Day Eight question. The answer was The Temp & the Tycoon -- it's right there on the sidebar of the blog, except apparently the picture has disappeared for some unaccountable reason -- and it was Christy, in Utah, whose name I drew from the hat. Congratulations, Christy. Liz will post the book first thing on Monday morning.

Behind Day Ten in this Advent Calendar I have found this book.


WILD JUSTICE, Liz tells me was the first book of three longer books about the Beaumont sisters. There was supposed to be only one, but her publisher liked Fizz's story so much she asked her to write stories about her sisters, too (WILD LADY and WILD FIRE). This, apparently is Liz's last spare copy of all three volumes and she's offering it to you.

She's asked me to set the question and so I'll ask you this. Liz tells me that she has written two previous novels with a sheikh as the hero. I would like you to tell me what they are called.

Please send your answer to liz @lizfielding.com with Day Ten in the subject line and your name and address in the body. And if you'd like to receive the first chapter of my own story, tell Liz and she'll email it to you.

Now, if you will forgive me, I have a press conference to attend.

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY SIX

6th December

Liz insisted that you’re all dying to know what Sheikh Zahir looks like; that I can’t be greedy and keep him to myself.



Actually, what she really said is that you only come here to ogle pictures of good looking men. I can’t believe that’s true. Honestly.

Oh, go on then!

How Liz managed to get a photograph of Sheikh Zahir I have no idea -- and she's not telling -- but if she thinks she’s getting back, she can think again. I’ve got a little memory box where this is going be right at home.

It doesn’t mean anything, of course, but…

But enough with the drooling. I’m here to keep you posted on the latest happenings in the Advent Calendar draw.


Amanda Edmond’s name was drawn as the lucky winner of HIS RUNAWAY BRIDE. She’s living on her own paradise island out in the middle of the Indian Ocean -- I wonder how long the post takes to get there?

Not won yet? Do not worry – there are still twenty days, and twenty books, to go. Plenty of time. And today, behind the little door is INSTANT FIRE.

Oh, whew. Fanning myself here. Did I mention how, back in the days when all the covers were different colours, you could tell just how steamy a book was by the colour?


Well, in the UK, this book had a purple cover. This, I have to tell you, is the book that wasn’t released in Australia because it was too steamy for “Romance”.

Joanne, whose story this is, is a civil engineer. Clay Thackeray is a dangerously good looking entrepreneur and the question Jo needs to ask herself is this. Does he want her for herself? Or is it the attraction that nice parcel of shares her father left her? Somehow, when he’s kissing her, it doesn’t seem to matter, but you know what they say? Marry in haste…

If you want to find out what Clay really wants – and whether he gets it -- then email Liz at liz @lizfielding.com, with Day Six in the subject line, your name and address in the body and the answer to today’s question. What is the name of The Trojan Hamster? The answer’s on her website!

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.