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 ELEVEN

11th December

Okay, guys, Zahir is trying to do the honourable thing, Diana is lying low and Sadie is under siege so you're just going to have to put up with me today. Or you could take a peek at the Harlequin Romance Authors Blog where there's a Spotlight on Lucy Gordon. But not, of course, before you've checked out the Advent Calendar.

First, you'll want to know the winner of Day Nine, AND MOTHER MAKES THREE. The book went to Cryna, in Calgary. Congratulations, Cryna, the book is on its way.


Behind the door today is THE ORDINARY PRINCESS.

I'm always being asked where I get my ideas from and mostly it's a bit of this and bit of that. But with this one there's no doubt. Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck -- ROMAN HOLIDAY.

Of course there's a twist. In this story it's the heroine who's telling the prince he needs a break from royal duties. Of course she has An Ulterior Motive. You just know it's all going to end in tears.

For a chance to win the book and find out what happens, send me an email at liz @lizfielding.com with Day Eleven in the subject line, your name and address in the body of the text and oh, the name of the other actor in Roman Holiday, Gregory Peck's partner in deception.

See you tomorrow!

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 NINE

9th December

Ack, it’s the weekend and there’s no one around but me to tell you what happening today! (The picture is a clue to the whereabouts of the missing Diana, btw!)

It’ll have to be brief, I’m still working on a book that is turning out to be the biggest “pineapple” in the world. Two chapters to go and not an ending in sight…

Anyway, the winner of the book behind the 7th December door in the Advent Calendar, A NANNY FOR KEEPS, is Joanne from Lincoln. The book is on it’s way, Joanne. I do hope you enjoy it.

Today the book behind the door is AND MOTHER MAKES THREE. This has a special place in my heart as it was the first of my books to be released retail in the US. Until then they'd only be available to subscribers to the Book Club. And it received a Gold Medal review from Romantic Times. Pretty much perfect, in fact.

I was inspired to write this by something my mother said when she was godmother to a little girl called Lisa. She already had older sisters called Linda and Lesley and my mother shook her head and said "That'll cause trouble when they're older..." All those Miss L .... Of course in those days mail came through the letterbox -- as it still did when I wrote the book.

For a chance to win this book just send me an email at liz @lizfielding.com, with Day Nine in the subject line and your name and address in the body. No question today -- it's Sunday, the day of rest -- but if you haven't already received the first chapter of Diana's story, just say, and I'll send you that as a little taster.

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR BOOK EVENT

DAY EIGHT

8th December

Hi, I'm Sadie Redford, Diana's boss. Diana can't be here today so I've posted this picture one of the kids drew of her driving the minibus.

She actually likes driving the minibus. Enjoys the kids on the school run, even if they are a bit of handful. Loves taking families to the airport and waving them off on their holidays.

That is probably a good thing...

In the meantime, I can tell you that Liz has drawn a winner for Day 6 of the Advent Calendar Competition and Sue, in Canada, has won the copy of INSTANT FIRE. It's the edition with the hot purple cover and it'll be on it way just as soon as the cellotape turns up.

So, what now? I open this door here? Oh, right!

A POINT OF PRIDE. So what's that all about? On the back is says that Casey O'Connor and Gil Blake had a thing going a while back, but he was just chalking up the boss's daughter, as what? A bet? And now he's back and in charge. That sounds like trouble.

When I was sixteen I tried throwing myself at one my dad's drivers -- well, I was pretty miserable at the time and as a way of getting at your dad, it can't be beat. Can you believe it, the wretched man said no? He was hot, too. That was a low point...

Anyway, enough of that. Here's the deal. To win this copy of A POINT OF PRIDE, send an email to liz @lizfielding.com, with Day Eight in the subject line, your name and address in the body of mail and the title of Liz's retro edition reprint (with the cover style exactly like A Point of Pride) being published as part of Mills & Boon 100th Anniversary in 2008. It's on her blog.

Oh, and for those of you who don't just read, but have writing ambitions of your own, Liz has also asked me to post a notice about another great competition, being run by Harlequin Presents. Here it is!

INSTANT SEDUCTION

A brand new writing competition from the world’s best-selling romance series is about to hit the blogosphere!

It’s an exciting time for Harlequin Presents: from January 2008, there will be 12 of our intensely passionate romances available every month. And with this increase of titles comes a great opportunity for aspiring authors – we will be looking to buy more books for publication!

The old saying goes that first impressions are lasting impressions – and when it comes to reading a Harlequin Presents, that certainly holds true. If the first chapter doesn’t immediately grip the reader with its pace, passion and intensity, then she won’t continue to turn the pages.

So Presents is inviting unpublished writers to show us how they can grab the attention of our readership with first chapters that really sizzle. The INSTANT SEDUCTION competition offers prizes that are chances of a lifetime for the lucky winner and runners-up:
*First prize – win yourself an editor for a year!
*Two runners-up will be given editorial critiques of their first chapter entries and also a personal telephone consultation about their writing!

Visit the Iheartpresents.com blogsite for full details of the competition – and the chance to prepare for publication with an exclusive series of writing tutorials prepared by the editorial team at Harlequin Presents, including advice on First Chapters, How to Write a Synopsis, Loving the Alpha Male and Generating Emotional Conflict.

Entries for the competition will be accepted as on-line submissions only from 1st January until 14th February 2008.

Entries should comprise of the first chapter and a synopsis of a previously unpublished/unsubmitted novel aimed at Harlequin Presents.

Address for entries: instantseduction@hmb.co.uk

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY SEVEN

7th December

You all think Sheikh Zahir is hot...

You are so right. He’s hotter than bird’s eye chillies. And funny, too. And oceans deep. And last night… Well, last night I realised that I’ve got to stop this right now. Whatever this is.

Best chauffeur uniform. Hat on straight. No more talking. Or anything else. I might be the nearest thing to Cinderella that Sheikh Zahir has ever met, but there are no fairy godmothers going to fix this one for me. I’m a mother. I have responsibilities. It’s making a life for Freddy that’s important and I need this job.

Right. So where was I?

Day Five. You all got Sophie Harrington as the heroine of A SURPRISE CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL and congratulations go to Therese, whose name came out of the hat. Your prize, THE BEST MAN & THE BRIDESMAID is on its way to you in Australia, Therese; have fun with the ducky Daisy and the totally gorgeous Robert.

And now it’s time to open the door to Day Seven. Here we go and it’s -- A NANNY FOR KEEPS.

Ah, now, this book is a good old-fashioned fairy story. Jacqui Moore is on the run from the job she loves. She can’t bear the thought of getting close to another child only to lose that love in the space of a heartbeat. But she’s conned into doing one last “universal aunt” run for her friend's nanny agency, delivering Maisie to her grandma on her way to the airport.

The child is a total princess, the grandmother is not there and, having climbed the big nasty hill in her precious, but aged, “Beetle”, Jacqui finds herself faced with the magnificent, scarred (and scary) local giant, Harry Talbot.

Here’s a little quote from the front of the book:

“He was beautiful. Lean to the bone, hard , sculptured, his was the kind of body artists used for their life classes.

“Which made the scars lacerating his back, scars which he hadn’t moved quickly enough to hide from her, all the more terrible.

“Without thinking, she reached out as if to touch him, take the pain into her own body.”

Mmmm… Liz said, “Jack & the Beanstalk”. I’m thinking maybe “Beauty & the Beast”.

For a chance to win the book and make up your own mind about that, email Liz at liz @lizfielding.com with Day Seven in the subject line, your name and address in the body and the answer to today’s question, which is: Which fellow "Harlequin Romance" author designed and maintains Liz's website? You'll find the answer here.

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 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 ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY FOUR

4th December

HIS RUNAWAY BRIDE

Lovely Snookie said my face was fine – she’s so sweet! -- but my mother always says that we should never overdo a good thing! She’s a flower arranger, by the way and works incredibly hard, especially since my Dad had a stroke.

He’s doing fine now and is great with Freddy – picking him up from school when I’m working -- and I’m having to rely on him a lot this week while I’m driving Sheikh Zahir all over the place. Nine to five it’s not! I’m parked up outside his hotel right now, waiting to take him to some fancy reception this evening.

I wonder if I’ve got time to get a sandwich…

But back to business. No one got the answer to the Day Two question right. (It was Berkshire, btw, and the answer was in the front of the books, guys!) Karen, in Reading , won A STRANGER’S KISS from Day Two and it’s in the post right now. Enjoy, Karen. And when you get to the bit with the pearls I can tell you, in confidence, that Liz based them on the pearl earrings her best beloved bought her when their little girl was born -- also in Bahrain. (That's the same little girl who will be wearing them when she gets married in a few months time!)

Here we are at Day Four already and behind the door today is … HIS RUNAWAY BRIDE.

On the back of the book it says that Willow and Mike can’t decide who’s most relieved when each jilts the other at the altar. I bet that caused a bit of a stir. The bride not turning up is one thing, but the groom doing a runner, too... Eek.

I wonder what happened to all that food. Sorry, sorry, but I’m starving… And I wonder why they ran? I mean they must have been in love if it got as far as a cathedral wedding. Those things take a bit of organising -- my mother does flowers for those things and she could tell you a tale or two. But weddings can be very stressful. At least so I’ve heard.

Anyway, if you want a chance to find out what happens next, send an email to liz @lizfielding.com (no gaps) with Day Four in the subject line, your name and address in the body of the text and the answer to today's question which is: What is the title of Liz's first book? You’ll find the answer on her website -- and while you’re there you can check out my first encounter with Sheikh Zahir. That oops, golly, wotsit moment.

See you tomorrow!

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.

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

DAY TWO

2nd December

First, Liz has asked me to give you some news. Kathleen, in Florida, won the BRIDES FOR CHRISTMAS competition, lucky thing. Congratulations, Kathleen, the book will be in the post today.

My own news is a bit mixed. I've been shopping. With a sheikh. Which had it's moments. But here's the thing. I should have taken him to Harrods. Or Hamleys. Or Aspreys, but you know what parking is like in London and he was short of time so I took him to one of those massive out-of-town stores.

I have to tell you the man has clearly never experienced self-service before. But then he didn't have to. One smile from Sheikh Zahir and that busty blonde at the information desk was falling over herself...

Pathetic.

Anyway, enough of my troubles. I've opened Day Two on the Advent Calendar and found A STRANGER'S KISS.

It was Liz's fourth book. The heroine, Tara, is whisked off to Bahrain by Adam Blackmore on a business trip and she gets in all kinds of trouble, too.

But then she was in trouble the minute she flung herself at him in a restaurant and pretended he was her boyfriend.

Good grief...

Anyway, for a chance to win this book, email Liz at liz @lizfielding.com with Day Two in the subject line, and your name and address in the body with the answer to the following question.

Where was Liz born?

THE GREAT ADVENT CALENDAR BOOK EVENT - DAY ONE

Okay, Liz, is deep in deadline so I'm helping out here. It's actually easier now that I've got this amazing limo job because there's a lot more hanging around -- I'm doing this while I'm having tea at the Embassy -- and anyway, I've got to do something to keep my mind off Sheikh Zahir. He's my Very Important Person. If I get this right...

If.

I'm trying to be good and not let Sadie down, but he hadn't even got in the car before I was in trouble. You know that breakfast cereal that goes Snap, Crackle & Pop? Well this was more Golly, Oops & ... And the word I'm not allowed to say.

Anyway, enough about me. I'm opening the first door of the Advent Calendar...

DECEMBER 1ST

THE BRIDESMAID'S REWARD is behind the door in Day One of the Liz Fielding Advent Calendar.

It's going to take a miracle for Dodie to lose two dress sizes in time for her sister's wedding, especially given her major weakness. .......

She soon discovers another weakness, though, her live-in personal trainer, Brad Morgan, a man determined to prove to Dodie that the ultimate reward is finding a man who loves her just as she is. (Ignore the picture on the cover -- she never gets thin!)

This book was short-listed for the RNA Romance Prize a few years ago and proved something of a fan favourite. To win your own signed copy you're going to have to fill in that blank up there. Email me at liz @lizfielding.com -- I'll chose the winner at lunchtime on the 2nd (Liz is on UK time) -- Day One in the subject line and with what you think is Dodie's weakness, along with your name and snail mail address in the body. It helps get the prizes out quickly if she doesn't have to wait for a reply (especially with the way her email has been lately).

And don't forget -- there'll book another book tomorrow.

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM DIANA METCALFE

Gosh, that makes me sound like the Queen, doesn't it?

Hi, you don't know me -- yet. Liz has plans to change all that, but right now I'm a chauffeur -- well, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. It's my ambition to be a chauffeur -- to be entrusted with a limousine, drive VIPs to fancy parties. Earn enough dosh to buy my own taxi cab.
Right now I get to the drive the minibus. Do the school run. Run groups to the airport. Take the girls out on their hen nights.

I enjoy it but, trust me, glamorous it's not.

Liz, bless her, has promised to put what she calls a "little sizzle" into my life. I've told her not to bother. Really. I can't cope with sizzle right now. What I do want is "sparkle". To be more precise, a sparkly pink taxi cab of my own. Maybe, one day, a whole fleet of sparkly pink taxi cabs...

Anyway, while she's working on that, I'm here to tell you what she's got lined up for December on her blog.

The Liz Fielding Advent Calendar.

I always loved Advent Calendars when I was a kid and Freddy -- my little boy -- loves them too. He bounces out of bed each morning in December to open the door, see the picture -- his grandad bought him one with chocolate in it last year, which made the bouncing even more ... well, bouncy.

Liz's version, you'll be glad to discover, has daily treats, too. Fat-free treats.

Behind the door, each day from the 1st to 25th December, Liz's Advent Calendar will contain a signed book for one lucky reader. That's twenty-five books!

We had a fabulous time looking through the boxes that she stores in the loft of the Snap & Scribble (think Heidi at Grandpa's) this morning. She got quite moist-eyed at some titles. Hugged one or two close, the way you do favourite soft toys when you open a cupboard door and see them cooched up, forgotten. Occasionally she got a bit tight-lipped, muttering something about there being nothing like arty experiments to kill a book stone dead. I didn't ask...

The first one out of the box was A Stranger's Kiss. She hated the brown, she said. And then there was Baby On Loan -- that one was in a Mother's Day gift pack in the UK -- with a bar of soap.

There were some books with grey and white striped covers that I'd never seen before. And there were the ones that were like half a heart. It seems booksellers were supposed to display them to make a complete heart. As if they didn't have better things to do.

There were even yellow covers like this one.

Oh, it's an office romance. I love those!

There were loads of Australian covers, too, which, apart from some really old ones, were all blue. But I think I liked the American covers best. They have so much more impact.

Anyway, what's going to happen is this. Each day there'll be a different book behind the door and all you have to do is turn up and take part in whatever is happening for a chance to win the book of the day. Signed of course. With one of Liz's special "Celebrating 50 Books" bookmarks.

Uh-oh... Got to dash. The boss is in a flap about some emergency...

Put the date in your diary, okay? 1st December. I'll try and drop by to remind you --

Okay, Sadie! I'm coming...

AND THE WINNER IS...

Thanks to everyone for the input last week on your favourite kind of stories. It's fascinating to hear what makes a reader pick up a book -- even more interesting to know what turns them off! I've had the best belowed draw a winner of THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE at random from his best panama hat and the name that came is Nathalie.

Congratulations, Nathalie. Drop me a line at liz @ lizfielding.com (no gaps) with your full name and street address and I'll get it in the post to you.

There's still time to join the newsletter group at yahoo and send in an entry for my one spare copy of BRIDES FOR CHRISTMAS. Just click on the icon opposite, then read my last newsletter and you'll know what to do.

There were a dozen things I wanted to blog about. The fact that the primroses are going crazy in the wood -- April guys, you've supposed to be spring flowers. That I've just had a great review for REUNITED: MARRIAGE IN A MILLION from Likes Books, and they are seriously hard to impress. That the sheikh novella I wrote in the summer will be called CHOSEN AS THE SHEIKH'S WIFE and will be available in July as part of the Mills & Boon 100th Anniversary celebrations -- more about that later.

The problem is that I need to put every waking moment into the current book at the moment. I've missed my deadline, a first, and it's still nowhere near The End. Bitten off more than I can chew with this one...

Reading: The Outcast by Sadie Jones

FREE BOOK MONDAY ON DANICA'S BLOG

Danica, or Dream as some of us know her, is giving away a copy of Reunited: Marriage in Million on her blog this week, bless her. She also has some interesting stuff to say about the writer's journey. Worth checking out.

SCARY TUESDAY

As for me, having woken up a cold sweat after a really nasty nightmare, only to discover that the stairs light had gone out so that it was totally dark, I now have to go and visit Bill, my lovely dental surgeon. He hails from New York, but has lived here in Wales for a v. long time.

One of my wisdom teeth is showing its age and needs a little attention. With a drill. Whimper...

Meanwhile the wip is still creeping along. Manda is now on terra firma -- I left that poor woman hanging around by her fingertips for far too long but she really needs to stop giving Jago such a hard time.

FINALLY

Copies of my new sheikh book arrived while I was in London. Breakfast at the Churchill in Portman Square with my editorial team from Richmond was instructive. We talked a lot about popular themes and discussed future books, but I thought it would be fun to throw this one open to my blog visitors. I'm looking for comments on what kind of stories you really love. Is it the sultry sheikh riding out of the desert? The nine-to-five office romance, with love blossoming around the water cooler? Does the word baby in the title make you reach for a book, or bride? Are you a died in the wool Cinderella fan? Will a handsome prince float your boat?

Share your reading desires with me this week and on Sunday I'll put all the comments in a hat and draw one at random to receive a copy of THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE, which won't be available anywhere (unless you're a Reader Service subscriber) until next month.

WHO'S BEEN A CLEVER GIRL THEN?

Ally Blake, fabulous author -- I'm reading Steamy Surrender right now and it's stellar -- and wonderful website designer, has been working on a more personal production this year. To check out the result go to her blog.

All together now ... ahhhhh....







THE "SHEIKH" IS IN ARGENTINA

And hooray! The Sheikh's Guarded Heart has made it to South America --Argentina to be more precise .

You can find it here.

AUTUMN

We're having the most beautiful autumn here in Wales.

We've had a couple of crisp, frosty mornings with bright blue skies, but mostly it's just been unseasonably warm, with bright sunshine and as a result this weekend the best beloved took himself off into the woods in Llanarthne to test his new camera. It works -- here's the result!


LOVE AND LAUGHTER

Meanwhile, in Germany, Cora have published A Surprise Christmas Proposal in their Tiffany series here.

An English excerpt is online at my website, since it's also being republished in the UK in December as BRIDES FOR CHRISTMAS as a "By Request" available online now from the Mills & Boon link opposite).

SIZZLE, SEDUCE, SIMMER


Some Australian authors - familiarly known as the "the Melbourne Mob" -have got together and produced this gallimaufrey of delights as a way to celebrate the joys of eating, writing and the fact that these activities have brought them all together. And Mira, Australia have published it.

It was multi-award winning author Marion Lennox's baby, so you know you're onto a winner from the start. The fabulous Anne Gracie is in the line up, as is Trish Morey and Stephanie Laurens. You'll find more details of the line up, photographs of the launch party (I so-o-o wish I could have been at that one!) and how to buy at Ally Blake's blog.

My copy is already winging it's way from HMB Australia as we speak.

BIRD BY BIRD -- OR WORD BY WORD

I recently read Anne Lamott's wonderfully inspiration book, Bird by Bird. I need it at the moment since Manda and Jago's story is progressing word by word. And all Twyla Tharp's good stuff in The Creative Life about "turning up" for the job, too. Because I'm not. Turning up.

I'm sitting at the keyboard at seven o'clock. I'm here in body, but the mind is playing hookey.

The cold I picked up on the plane home from Italy is just refusing to quit. The doctor says it'll take six weeks and that all you can do is tough it out. But I can't focus and I'm getting mightily sick of waking up with a headache every day, and cough, cough, coughing. The fact that the story is dark and angsty isn't helping, either. I think Manda needs to give Jago another kick. Or maybe he needs to kiss her again (well, he can't kick her back, can he?)

And the guilt at not getting the words done is stopping me from going out and enjoying is spectacular weather we're having. Glorious sun in November. A bright red hot air balloon waltzed down the field at the bottom of the garden yesterday evening, very low -- honestly, you'd think it was August.

I really, really wanted to be up there, skimming the rooftops and forgetting all about the book.

Never mind. The postman brought Nicola Marsh's Purchased for Pleasure, Ally Blake's Steamy Surrender, and Diana Palmer's Winter Roses this week. I'm going to take the day off and, break open the chocolate (it's good for throats, yes?) and recharge the batteries.

ANNE WEALE

Anne Weale, who for fifty years wrote ground breaking romances for Mills & Boon, died on 24 October.

After selling short stories to a woman's magazine while still at school, Anne Weale became a newspaper reporter, the traditional training for a novelist. An enthusiastic traveller, she used authentic foreign backgrounds for her romances -- most famously, Antigua Kiss. She was, however, proudest of her "Longwarden" novels, Flora, All My Worldly Goods and Time & Chance which readers are still discovering in libraries and used book shops.

From 1998-2004, Anne wrote a website review column, Bookworm on the Net, for The Bookseller, the UK's leading book trade press magazine.

Anne was the most entertaining companion and I'll miss sharing breakfast with her at the New Cavendish Club. I'll miss her lively blog. I'll miss her emails. I'll miss her.