Rainy

At the moment the weather matches my mood. Enforced idleness doesn't suit me but I'm limited as to how much physically I can do. I've applied for some jobs as I feel that maybe now would be a good time to consider a change of direction. This is exciting and scary at the same time as I'm the main wage earner.
The belles seem to like having me home and love that they can bring friends round instead of having to arrange everything around my work, so every cloud has a silver lining I suppose.
I've almost finished the first chapter of Animal Instincts, I'm still fiddling with it as for me the first chapter is vital and if I don't get it exactly right then I struggle with the rest of the book.

Busy...

My hip is sore today as I did quite a bit of driving yesterday. I'm still waiting for treatment, something else I need to chase up next week.
My new editor got in touch on Friday so I should be recieving edits for Blue Remembered Heels soon - eek! The good news is that she loves the story. I had been a bit concerned as I'd sold it unfinished and worried that they might not have liked the ending.
Still no news from M&B.

Friday Fun 13

The Black Country is famous for it's canals or 'cuts' as they are known. As in'weer ave yow bin?'
'I've bin fishin fer Jack Bannocks in the cut.'
Translated as 'Where have you been?'
'I've been fishing for small fish in the canal.'
Canals were a vital transport system when the Black Country got it's name. They were used for shifting coal, iron, clay, bricks and any other number of goods around the area. Birmingham has more canals than Venice.
The Black Country is very hilly and many great engineering projects were built so that the narrowboats (barges) with their cargoes could move around.
This involved the building of the locks. Locks are used almost like rooms to adjust the levels of the water so the boat can move from one part of the canal to another. The picture is of the Nine locks, which isn't far from me.

Coffee and caves

I had a lovely morning yesterday with my very good writing friend, Allison Littlehales. We were just catching up on projects and nattering but it was so good just to talk about writing.
Animal Instincts is shaping up, it always takes me a while to get the first chapter exactly how I want and it's important as the character traits you see there are the ones that show throughout the book. Clodagh, my new heroine is very different from Abbey, my heroine in Blue Remembered Heels.
Clodagh is a slob, loves animals and isn't terribly good with people. Her step-sister Immi is self absorbed, vain and doesn't like animals. They both are going to have quite a journey. Clodagh's hero, Jack is just about to make his first appearance so it's going to get interesting lol.
By now you're probably wondering about the cave bit of the post title. Well, as you know the Friday fun post included a link to the live webcam in the haunted Singing Cavern.
This piece was in the paper yesterday :-
'There have been 500 hits an hour with people logging on from Canada, Australia and the USA.'
So if you visited from here, thank you! Remember if you see anything spooky if you press the button on the site the trust gets a copy of the image and will analyse it.
heres the link again if you missed it first time around.
Spooky cave

Shameless boasting!

Phillipa alerted me to this!
Blue Remembered Heels now has a blurb up on Amazon - here it is!

A devilishly good debut for LBD from our fantastic new author, RNA Romance Prize Winner 2007, Nell Dixon! Life is sweet for con-woman Abbey Gifford until, one ordinary Wednesday afternoon, she's struck by lightning. They told her she might have some bizarre side effects, but nothing could have prepared Abbey for the fact that, since that fateful day, she can never tell lies again! Truthfulness is a big drawback for a con-woman, especially when suddenly she's being followed by the suspiciously gorgeous detective Mike Flynn. If only Abbey could stop blurting out secrets every time he asks her a question! And if only Mike knew the real reason Abbey spends her life tricking other people out of their money!

I am so excited and it sums the story up so well - ok so I love being called fantastic too - a girl has to get something in stock ready for the next attack of the crows.

Cleaning is bad for you.

Yes, I'm still cleaning and clearing. I found a drawer full of my diaries last night, one for every year going back to 1983. Wow! It was like a journey back in time - sadly some years were much to painful to look at and I wondered why I kept them. I still can't bring myself to throw them away which seems crazy.
The other sad part was looking back I realise my weight is unaltered since 2003 - put some on, lost a little - sigh. Guess I'd better keep up with weightwatchers in the hope that this might be the one that works. I'm also three and a half stones heavier now than I was back in 1983.
The overall effect of this is very depressing. I know now why I don't have these mass clearouts very often. 1} I don't usually have time and 2} It makes me miserable. Why do I never find good stuff - like money?
In better news though I've started writing Animal Instincts. I know I'll chop and change the opening a bit but I quite like what I have so far. My aim is to finish the first chapter this week and I might write a short story too.

Losing what's left of my mind

I've been attempting to clear out my office this week. I had some stupid idea that seeing as I had this really nice office I should actually clear the crap out of it and start using it. In the course of my clearing I found two full manuscripts, both completed - in longhand - in my writing. I don't remember writing either of them!! I have no clue when I wrote them except I'm assuming they must have been done sometime after the eldest belle was born, before I had computer access.
They are both very 'Presents' in tone but I really cannot recall doing either of them. Does this mean I've gone completely bonkers?
Sadly, I don't think either of them are usable - the passage of time hasn't been kind to them and I hope my writing has improved since then. I'd love to find my first epic - a sci-fi sensual romance - which I think owed much to the fabulous Andre Norton.

Blue Remembered Heels

I was on Amazon UK earlier today and almost fell out of my seat in surprise - Blue Remembered Heels is listed for preorder with a release date of June 12th 2008! OMG it's real! I am so so thrilled and excited.
Unfortunately I had to keep my squeals of excitement down as Mr Nell is on nights but the fish looked suitably impressed as I shimmied past their tank.

Friday Fun 12

There is a lot of interest it seems in the spookier aspects of the Black Country so here is a Friday Fun with a difference. Dudley is famous for many things but one of them is the Singing Cavern, a vast limestone cave which you reach by Narrow boat. It is reputed to be haunted.
Why not take a peep for yourself?
HERE

Reading for Pleasure

I'm looking forward to hearing the radio four programme on Mills and Boon this morning. It'll be interesting to see if they drag out the old tired cliches or if they actually talk about what the books mean to the people that read them.
M&B books cop for a lot of flack, usually from people who haven't read one or from the pseudo-intellectuals who find it somehow demeaning to read romance.
I make no apologies for my love of M&B. I read for PLEASURE - hello? does any one remember that? I'm reading them because I love a happy ever after, because I want a well-crafted story that makes me smile, makes me cry, transports me from whatever grey spot my day holds to somewhere sunnier and happier.
I don't read M&B to improve my mind - although I've learned a huge amount about other cultures, places, languages, history and of course, about relationships, from them.
I read them because when I lost my first five pregnancies, went through hours of painful medical treatment, years of fertility treatments, and the trauma of numerous surgeries they were my rock. They made me feel better, happier, they took my mind away from my worries.
If you haven't read a M&B then pick one out today. There's something for everyone, from the steamier Blazes, medical romances, alpha heroed Presents and true to life romances. Surprise yourself - read for pleasure.

Moving on up

My middle belle goes to the eldest belle's high school tonight for the official look around. She's very excited about that. Youngest is also coming as she is only a year behind so her turn will roll around faster than I like to think. Although Boo will probably end up at the same school as her big sister we wanted her to have the same opportunity to compare that our eldest had.
La has already informed us that she wants to go somewhere else - sigh. Maybe she'll change her mind, she may have to.
I just hope they won't be disappointed - High School Musical has a lot to answer for.

Writing wise I now have a very rough synopsis for Animal Instincts and a growing file for another project. Thursday, I'm meeting Allison for coffee - yay!

Summer's end

I packed up the younger belle's gingham school dresses and they've gone off today in pinafores and ties. It's a bit sad as my middle belle is looking around senior schools ready for her move up to high school in September. Then my youngest will only have one year left at the small village school where we've spent so many years treking back and forth.
The leaves here are beginning to turn, especially on my wisteria, and the squirrel is playing hide and seek in the corkscrew hazel tree on my front lawn.
I'm still waiting for my orthopoedic appointment but the rest is helping my hip, especially not driving much.

London

Yesterday I took the train to London. I swapped my normal attire of sweats or jeans for something more presentable and went for lunch with friends. The internet is an amazing thing. I first met Biddy, Julie Cohen, Fiona Harper, Anna Louise Lucia, Carol and Donna Alward on line. Some of us met via eharlequin where the Britpack hang out in a virtual pub called the mouse and pen. We then met in real time at RNA conferences and the summer party.
Donna is Canadian and although we've chatted in various forums, swapped emails, celebrated and commiserated with the highs and lows of publishing life, until yesterday we hadn't met.
Biddy, who is a superb organiser, had booked us into a lovely Turkish restaurant where we all probably ate too much judging by our sleepy faces when we finally rolled out of there.
We had a wonderful afternoon and the time went far too quickly. Donna is even lovelier in real life than on line if that's possible, we all played with and were entertained by Julie's gorgeous baby boy who'd joined us for lunch. The funny part - and I know some of you will find this hard to believe - but not a drop of alcohol was consumed by any of us. We all stuck to water and turkish lemonade.
(I suspect the M&B writers amongst us may have consumed their quota the day before at the annual M&B bash)
It was a lovely and memorable day, for the good company, excellent food and Reggie Perrin chairs which made embarressing noises whenever anyone moved. I suspect some of the pictures may make it onto people's blogs.

Friday Fun 11

Photo courtesy of Carl Higgs

This is a view of Askew bridge, not far from my home. The bridge itself is not as a skew as it used to be. In the olde coaching days this was the turnpike road and you can just see the toll house in the photograph (now a private home) This section of the road is reputed to be haunted and many motorists have reported seeing a dark figure in a black cloak running across in front of them. Mr Nell and my eldest belle have also seen this.

Writerly stuff

Last night I had the enormous pleasure of seeing my good friend, Phillipa Ashley at a party for the launch of her new book for Little Black Dress. My eldest daughter came with me as Mr Nell was working and we both had a wonderful time. It was lovely to meet so many people whose names I'd seen on the net, but of course didn't know in person.
Wish you were here looks like a wonderful read so grab your copy as soon as you can. I think some shops may be experiencing delays in getting their supplies as I've had problems finding it in the shops, so go and order a copy so you don't miss out.

The other cool thing I did yesterday, again accompanied by my eldest dd, was to attend a writers workshop. My local writing group had invited the Lethal Ladies, two published crime writers to give a talk at our local library.
It was very interesting to see how similar and how different crime writing and romance writing can be.
I don't think I want to be a crime writer even though some of my books have an element of crime or suspense in them. Crime writers are very dark and serious and listen to serious music while they work.
I listen to Disney Channel and Scooby Doo.
The authors gave a very good talk and eldest and I had a good time.

Friday Fun 10

Today I thought I'd give you a recipe. Bread Pudding also known as Poor Man's pudding is a dish that dates back to the Middle ages. It can be eaten hot with custard or cold on it's own.

225g (8oz) Stale Bread (White works best)
110g (4oz) Currants, Raisins or Sultanas
50g (2oz) Brown Sugar
50g (2oz) Butter
½ tsp Mixed Spice
1 Egg
Milk

Pre-heat oven to 170°C: 325°F: Gas 3
Break bread into small pieces; soak in cold water at least 1 hour
Strain and squeeze out as dry as possible.
Place into a basin and mash with a fork.
Add the dried fruit, sugar, mixed peel and mixed spice, mixing well.
Add the egg and enough milk to enable the mixture to drop easily from a spoon.
Place into a greased baking tin.
Bake for about an hour or until slightly firm to the touch.
When done turn out on to a hot dish.
Turn out dredge with white sugar and serve hot, or allow to cool.

My day

Since a few people have left me nice comments and I've been asked before about my schedule, I thought I'd tell you about my day. Trust me, I really am not some kind of wonderwoman but I am the queen of multi-tasking lol
I get up half an hour or so before the kids, make breakfasts, pack lunches, find uniforms, sign homework books etc. I have my laptop on and read emails, check in my groups and often write this blog while I eat my cereal.
Then, by quarter past eight, I get the kids to school, if it's my turn to do the drop offs. Older one to the high school then the two littles to primary school. If I stop at the primary school I invariably see clients. (I work 9-5ish 5 days a week, some evenings and some Saturday mornings if I have a lot on.)
My typical workday would be doing development checks with under fours in the morning - usually I schedule 8 of those or I'll be out visiting new babies or clients with other problems. Lunch is usually eaten at my computer in the office, ten minutes while I check emails, then afternoon is clinic, followed by more developments or paperwork.
I get home just after five and supervise homework, make tea, do a load of washing, tidy the house. In between all this once I'm home I check my email, groups, etc and gradually switch my brain over to writing. About seven I start to write - my target is anything from 500 words to 2000 words depending what I'm working on. Blue Remembered Heels was a 2k per day target. I also need to get the girls supper and into bed, talk with my teenager about her latest angsts.
So, my day is pretty much like any other working Mom's. I am very disciplined in that when I'm working on a project I set strict but realistic goals and writing is my second job. To me, I treat it the same way I treat my day job - as a professional.
I read, but don't watch much TV, and my family come first but writing is up there with my day job in my priorities. I think the key is I write every day, I set goals, and I plan ahead.
So, blog about your writing day - I'm curious - is yours different to mine?

Hmmm...

You ever have a day when someone thinks they're doing you a favour but really they aren't? Sigh, My colleague is moving caseloads on Oct 1st, so guess who will be doing double duty on the caseloads again?
I'm happy for her because the travelling is awful for her but I think I'd better not put down here how I feel about TPTB and the short notice. I shot my mouth off enough this morning.
Then tonight my laptop managed to somehow disconnect the internet - argh!!!!
But, on the bright side, Blue Remembered Heels is done, polished, up to the wordcount and winging it's way through the ether to my new editor at Little Black Dress. I hope she likes it.
Next job is to polish up my non fiction chapter for the Christian Women's Devotional book and send that off to my other editor.
I have a new file open for Animal Instincts and I plan to spend this week working out the plot. I have a pretty good idea what I want to put but I need to clarify it in my mind and write a synopsis.

Fish

While we were at Chirk earlier this summer we lost our fish. Somehow in the five days we were away they went from being happy healthy goldfish to swimming with angels. We were all really upset. So, we decided we'd get some more once we had finished holidaying and could sort out the tank, check the filters etc etc.
Well, this seems to have morphed into rearranging all my furniture and looking at a bigger tank and buying tropical fish - sigh.
It also means La has set her heart on Sponge Bob square pants pineapple house and all the figures for the new tank. Shaggy wants a turtle ornament with glowing neon eyes and Boo wants luminous green gravel.
Yeah, we're going to have classy fish.
Altogether now - sing along 'he lives in a pineapple under the sea...'

Being Boo

We were having a discussion over dinner. The topic was the new quilt I'd bought for mine and Mr Nell's bed. He insisted our old one was a 4.5 tog and I said it was a 8 tog. The new one is 10.5 which Mr Nell insists will be too hot.
Mr Nell '4.5 is plenty.'
Me 'the old one is higher than that.'
Mr Nell '10.5 is too warm.'
Boo 'I'm 4 foot 6'

Friday Fun 9

I thought I'd tell you about a local Black Country legend who became famous for something that we today would consider quite strange. His name was Joseph Darby and he was born in Netherton. His nickname was Jumping Joe and he was famous for jumping. Yes, jumping. He would jump things from a standing start. He was especially renowned for his ability to jump over a canal. He would do this in two bounds, just letting his feet skim the surface of the water on his second leap. It was a distance of over fifteen feet. An amazing feat for a Victorian man with no athletic training. It's said he made his living from the bets he took regarding his abilities.
He was also someimes referred to as Springheeled Jack.
There is now a statue of him in the centre of Netherton. Unfortunately for poor Joe it shows him in his starting pose, crouched down low with an expression of concentration on his face as he prepares to leap.
So it came as no surprise when the locals discovered some wag had added a toilet for Joe. It was hastily removed but even now Joesy the jumper often gets dressed up. The last time I drove by he was sporting orange waterwings and a swimming cap.

Strange day

Today was always going to be difficult. My mom went back to liverpool to see her consultant for her one year follow up from the treatment for her retinal cancer. If the tumor hadn't stabilised and become sterile then we knew there would be very little that the Professor would be able to offer in the way of treatment.
Fortunately, the treatment has worked and the tumor has been halted.
Unfortunately, the local hospital which was supposed to provide interim care have stuffed up. Mom has glaucoma and they haven't treated the pressures in her eyes which are now really high. This explains the deterioration in her vision. Her consultant is not happy and has made her an urgent appointment and given her temporary treatment to last unti they see her.
But glaucoma doesn't kill you - so while it's not all good, thank God it wasn't all bad.
I had a long chat with my agent tonight too. I wasn't aware that my deal with Little Black Dress had been reported in the trade papers. Eek!
I'm still polishing, almost at my target word count now and I expect by the time it's been through all the processes and edits it will easily sit in the required range.
I told my agent about my dyscalculia. It's very odd, I've blogged about it and all my family and friends know and understand how it affects my life but it's still very hard when you have to explain to someone who you are working with as a fellow professional that you can't do the things that many people take for granted.
It's not that I'm stupid. Although when I was a child, especially at primary school I often thought I was. I have eleven O levels, I have A levels, and a string of professional qualifications but I can't tie a bow or read a digital clock easily. I struggle to operate a calculator, I can't text, I forget my phone number, I don't know my car registration plate and I lock myself out of my office as it has a number code lock on the door.
So, I can't deal with contracts or accounts on my own. I try, but no matter how hard I try I have to accept that it's something I cannot do. One of my teachers once said, 'Helen can do anything if she puts her mind to it' and for the most part, I can, but not numbers.
So, I swallowed my pride and admitted my difficulty. I'm very lucky to have someone so understanding.

Holiday Snaps

Shaggy at Becky Falls.

La and furry friends.


Me and the belles

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Boo

Exeter Cathedral

I wanted to use my photo's but I can't find the camera lead so I've borrowed these from the cathedral website. This one is simply stunning. The cathedral was founded by the Normans on or near the site of an earlier anglo saxon church. However the majority of the building is in the early decorated period. Hence the fantastic stone work.
It boasts a huge nave with high gothic arches all of which are decorated with highly ornate bosses. You can view them using little trolleys with mirrored tops to save the strain on your neck.
This one was recoloured in 1975 and depicts the murder of Thomas a Beckett. We had a wonderful afternoon looking around the cathedral. I loved the spectacular Elizabethan tombs complete with sixteenth century graffitti. The guides were friendly and helpful and the building is just superb.

Normal service is resumed.

I'm home, with a mountain of washing to do. We've had such a wonderful break, lots of sun, swimming and just lazing around. Well, I say lazing, we did spend one day walking the nature trails around Becky Falls on Dartmoor. Climbing and boulder scrambling so I guess that wasn't very lazy.
Jess has been brilliant and critiqued all my chapters and I'm busy editing and rewriting to make my story stronger. I'm now just 4k short of my original target with seven chapters to polish so looking good to finish in the next few days.
I appologise to anyone who emailed me while I was away. I promise I'll reply. I had some net access while I was gone but it was limited when it came to responding to anyone. The only place I could access the net was the bar - mmm, maybe that wasn't such a disadvantage - but I had to work using the battery and it kept booting me.
I'll be back later with some pictures and details of where we went.

I had a day off!

Shocking, I know especially as I'm on holiday. I've been thinking of what I need to do to Blue Remembered Heels and I need a bit of distance before I start polishing. Jessica is brilliant as usual at seeing things that I miss completely. I have a rough plot now for my next one and a working title - Animal Instincts. So, I'll be roughing out a synopsis soon.
The weather here is sill gorgeous so lots more pool time. Today we went to Buckfastleigh to see otters and butterflies. Tomorrow we plan to go to Exeter, I'm hoping we can go to the cathedral but the girls want to hit the shops.

Ta dah!!!

The first draft of Blue remembered Heels is done! I'm aprox 7k short but as I underwrite, that's what I expected. Next step is polishing and aditing. It's so lovely just to be on holiday and writing without the stress of the day job. It's when i can do something like this that i realise how much my other job saps my creativity and simply tires me out.
The weather here is gorgeous, so we are eating, swimming and pottering around in the sunshine admiring the lovely views and having a great time.

Holiday postcard

Here i am in very sunny Devon and the site we stay at has just got some wifi access! Yay! It's lovely and warm here with bright sunshine. The belles are in the pool and I'm writing up a storm - just one and a half chapters to go before the big adit! I'm hoping to see the firework display on the dart tonight after our barbecue. hope you all have a good weekend.

Phew!

After all the recent excitement perhaps it's as well that we're off to Devon tomorrow for ten days. I have three chapters left to go on Blue Remembered Heels so I shall finish it and start the polish while I'm away. My net access may be limited while I'm gone but if I get chance to post then I will.

Again a huge thank you to everyone who sent flowers (you know who you are!) cards, messages, phone calls. Special things are only special if you can share them with friends and I'm very blessed in my friends.

I have an agent!

As you all know I have dyscalculia and am just a real ditz when it comes legalese type stuff. I get complete brain freeze. Over the last few days I've been doing some hard thinking about my writing and what I should be doing.
As some of you know when I was at the Savoy back in April I was approached by Darley Anderson. Well, I'm delighted and relieved to say that as of tonight I am now represented by the Darley Anderson agency.

The Details

Thanks to everyone who's left comments, emailed me, phoned me and sent notes this weekend. I appreciate each and every one of you. Now I'm slightly more together I'll fill you in on the details.
I've been blogging about Blue Remembered Heels for a while and I think I mentioned I thought it might suit Little Black Dress. At the RNA conference in Leicester, five weeks ago I had the opportunity to pitch to Cat Cobain, the editor for the line. I was the last person in that day and we mainly chatted about books and BRH. Again, I think I blogged about how much I liked her. She took a copy Of my Samhain book, Things To Do and gave me a couple of LBD's to read (one's I hadn't already got)
She also gave me her card and asked me to email her the first three chapters of BRH and the synopsis. She knew the book wasn't finished but liked the premise enough to ask to see the first part.
I sent it off on the Tuesday after the conference and got on with writing. While I was away just over a fortnight ago she got in touch. I came home to two emails asking if she could see more. I wasn't sure what to do as the book still isn't finished. I had my schedule planned for it to be completed by mid to end September.
So, I emailed her back and asked if she wanted to wait til then or if she wanted what I had in a semi-polished rough draft, which was the first ten chapters, just under half of the book.
She asked to see the rough draft if I was okay with it. So I pressed send just over a week ago and kept on writing.
I opened my email at work on Friday as I expected a patient to send me some information and saw Cat's email. At best I'd hoped she might like it enough to say that I could send her the rest when it was done or that if she rejected it she might offer me some direction.
Instead she made the offer for BRH and another book.
Hence my state of total incoherence for the remainder of Friday and much of yesterday. I rang my husband, Mr Nell, from the office and my cp Jessica Raymond, My Mum was out! My colleague said tell Cat yes, you need to reply to the email!
I emailed back, one of the fastest acceptances I think she said she'd ever had. lol

I'm now almost at the end of Chapter 16 with saprox another 4 to write so I'm well on target to finish on schedule. I'm so excited and thrilled that Blue Remembered Heels will be a Little Black Dress book. I have no idea yet when it's likely to appear or if it will keep it's working title. I promise I'll keep you all posted. As for the next book? Well, I have an ideas file with a very rough outline but first it's back to work on BRH.

Sold

I'm stunned and delighted to say I've sold to Little Black Dress.

Friday Fun 8

This is a picture of the world famous Dudley Bug. It's a Trilobite, which lived 417 million years ago when Dudley was a seaside. The Wrens Nest, known locally as The Wrenner, is a famous fossil hunting site where you can see a prehistoric seashore and pick up fossils of long ago corals and shells. (Hammers are banned) so you may not find a bug but you can find loads of other things.

It's oh so quiet

Work has been incredibly quiet today. Very wierd - it usually means I can expect to be snowed under within a few days. It's made a pleasant change though as I actually caught up on a few things I'd been meaning to do for a while.
Writing is still going well. Just six and a half chapters left to go and a big read through and tidy up. That's when I take out my repetions, add in my descriptions, alter the pacing and make the whole thing run more smoothly.
I really love this story and it's great fun to write - if a little complicated.

One of my loops has a huge discussion on marketing going on. Apart from asking a couple of questions I've kind of stayed out of it as it's become a little heated. I've learned a few things to bear in mind for the future though and that's been helpful. I've had a marketing plan for a while ever since Jessica made me get more organised when I was having a major dither this time last year about where I was going and what I was doing.
I must say it's been quite reassuring to find out I was doing what I was supposed to be doing but still disheartening in other aspects.

Sunny Saturday

Time for a progress update. Two more chapters completed. Two others tidied and edited (thanks Jess) and a third started. Phew! That's on top of the day job, critting for a contest as a favour for a friend and the promo talks I was already committed to.
I did some writing at work on my lunch break. I have a wrist rest I use when I'm there that I got as a freebie sometime ago from one of the medical companies. Well I dutifully typed away for twenty minutes or so and realised my wrists were really itchy. When I looked I had a line of little blisters on the inside of each wrist.
The office was so hot, the glue that held the top to the backing of the rest had oozed and I'm allergic to adhesives so I'd got a reaction.
I've heard of suffering for your art but that was taking it a step too far.

Friday Fun 7

Today's story is a modern one. I dare say you're all squinting at the picture and wondering what on earth it is. Well, from the back of my house I have a good view of Barrow Hill, this is a large mound thought to have been created in the volcanic eruptions in the last iceage. The Barrow overlooks Pensnett - known locally as God's country due to many residents habit of frequently invoking the Lord's name. In the shadow of the barrow is St Mark's church - the Black Country cathedral and on top of the Barrow is a cross.
The cross can be seen from all over the immediate area and is a powerful symbol for it's residents. I love to look out and see it on the hill.
Unfortunately, as with any structure placed on high ground it got struck by lightning. The residents immediately demanded a replacement. Nothing fancy, just the same as they'd always had, a simple cross.
The council decided to commission an artist and he designed the three crosses you see in the photo. As you can imagine there was uproar. No one was going to put those totem poles on their hill. The council were very embarressed and this was made worse when the srtist sadly died before the commission could be installed. They then felt they had to put them up as it was his last commissioned work.
After much negotiation and with great pomp and ceremony the crosses were put up but not on top of the barrow. Instead they stand at the base near St Marks.
The top of the hill has it's cross. Just what the people wanted in the first place. A simple cross.

Tatton Park

We also visited Tatton Park. We went for the afternoon and just visited the gardens, The picture above is of the Japanese garden. There is also a fernery, an african hut and an italian garden. The deer park is also well worth seeing and the girls were thrilled to see so many deer wandering freely in the grounds.
The site we stay on at Chirk, Lady Margaret park is also rich with wildlife. The rabbits are everywhere and aren't in the least bit afraid. We also had a deer come right to the back of our caravan while we were there early in the morning.
Mr Nell and eldest dd are away in the caravan now, they decided to take advantage of the sun and are in Malvern. The littles didn't want to go as they like being spoilt by their grandparents whilst I'm at work.
I've finished another chapter of Blue Remembered Heels and I'm onto the next. I feel like Dory in Nemo except I'm 'Just keep writing, just keep writing.'
I did get a wonderful review yesterday for Be My Hero from Once Upon a Romance.
HERE
Robyn, the reviewer said : Nathalie and Evan are a couple that you root for from page one. As much as they fight their attraction to each other, it simmers beneath the surface at all times. I enjoyed the romance because I found it to be a little more intellectual than most. I enjoyed watching all of the psychology of Natalie and Evan working out their past…and maybe their future. This is a story with a deeper kind of love than just sexual magnetism.

If you like an old-fashioned romance set in modern settings, I think this would be the perfect book for you.

So now you know - I'm intellectual!

Back to my holiday report

We spent another day here, at Bala lake, although I have to say it was windier than this the day we were there. The town of Bala is lovely with nice cafes and shops. We took a picnic and ate it by the water while we watched people taking part in the various water sports.
After lunch we drove through the Snowdonia national park and walked in the mountains before heading back to Chirk.

(Thank you to everyone who stopped by to send me good luck vibes. I'm writing every spare minute to try and get this book finished a little more speedily.)

We interupt this broadcast...

I promise I'll blog more about my holiday tomorrow. When I got home from Chirk and ploughed through the emails in my inbox I found two from Cat Cobain, the editor at Little Black Dress. I think I mentioned I'd sent her the partial of Blue Remembered Heels a few weeks ago - well, guess what! She wanted to see some more. As you know and, so does she, it isn't finished. I asked her if she wanted to see what I had already and warned her it was only a rough draft or if she'd prefer to wait until the end of September beginning of Oct when I anticipated it being completed.
Well, I just pressed send as she asked to see what I had now - meep.
So, I'm head down and writing.

Erddig

We spent our first day here, at Erdigg house. The gardens were really beautiful and hopefully I'll be able to put some pictures up when we finally upload them. The girls had a great time exploring the grounds. The house itself was disappointing. The National Trust do a wonderful job looking after the countryside and gardens but are dreadful when it comes to interiors. They are so child unfriendly compared to English Heritage. They have elderly people placed in each room, some are nice and others aren't who glare at every visitor as if suspecting them of vandolous intentions. It would be so much better if they followed English Heritages example and either let people go around in groups with a guide or had more room in each rom for people to stand and more information for you to look at or read, especially for younger visitors.

Friday Fun 6 (late)

I'm home and here's Friday's post - a bit late. I'll blog about the holiday in the week once we've uploaded some pictures for you all to see. In the meantime I thought I'd talk about the food in the Black Country.
The picture above is faggots and peas. Not the nasty meatballs that the manufacturors make but real faggots made with onions, bread, liver, kidneys and bound together with kell. The peas have to be mushy.
Other well known dishes are gray -paes and bacon. (grey peas and ham)and chawl (potted pigs head)I've helped my grandmother make faggots and chawl many times. Other famous dishes are grorty pudding and bread pudding. I make a mean bread pudding even though I say so myself.
So here are some food words for you
Paes - peas
Taeters - Potatoes
Hummock - a slice as in a hummock of bread.
currans - currants
Mate - meat
suck - sweets

We're off again.

To the borders this time. We're going to be staying at one of my favourite places, Chirk. The site is next to Chirk Castle and it's a beautiful part of the world. I'm not sure if I'll be able to access the net while I'm away so the Friday Fun post might be a bit late going up this week.
I'm glad so many people seem to be enjoying reading snippets about my area. I've had some really lovely emails from all over the place with people telling me about their memories and stays in the Black Country.
I had a lovely surprise this morning too with another fantastic review for A Taste of Summer. This time from Fallen Angel Reviews.
HERE
Five angels!

The reviewer said - Making Waves by Nell Dixon is a most wonderful read. The emotions of the characters really stand out pulling the reader into the storyline. Josh and Cassidy are compassionate and warm who have had bad relationships in the past. The reader shares their sorrows and the way they wish to break any barriers that keep them from finding real love. Ms. Dixon creates a beautifully told read that spins the heart with love in a terrific summer romance that is sweet, romantic and awe-inspiring, don’t miss this one.

And about both stories she said - A Taste of Summer is a pleasant read by two gifted authors that know how to weave a believable story with genuine characters that are hard to forget.

A Taste of Summer is releasing on Fictionwise tomorrow along with the other two books in the set. A Hint of Summer and A Slice of Summer. All three books have wonderful reviews from different sites, so if you want a light, fun read for the beach or by the pool then pick up a copy. I promise you won't be disappointed.

I also had the pleasure on Thursday night of meeting Margaret Calloghan who is the author of the upcoming September release for Moonlit Romance. Marg discovered she wasn't living too far from me so she popped round for a glass of wine and a natter. Her website is under construction but look out for her book in September.

Friday Fun 5

My village of Gornal is famous for two main things. The villages are Upper Gornal, Lower Gornal and Gornal Wood. Gornal men used to be highly sought after by architects as they were skilled bricklayers and the area locally is the home to several brickmakers. The ground around here is very rich in clay and evidence of quarrying can still be readily seen today.
For todays class I thought I'd teach you all a saying or two.

E gid him a right cog-haiver - He hit him with a good punch.
Yow'm like a bibble in a can. - You never shut up.
That wo get the babby a new bonnet - You're not earning enough.

PS The first person to post in the comments the second thing that Gornal is famous for gets a prize!

Oh so quiet...

The belles finally left for Wales with their grandparents, so it's just me and Mr Nell at home. No Disney channel, no phone calls that aren't for us, food remains in the fridge and there are still biscuits in the tin. It's awful and I hate it.
To celebrate the wild excitement of being childfree Mr Nell and I went out for tea. Then he went to work - he works nights - and I was all alone.
And what did I do to celebrate this unique opportunity of me time? Did I play my music, take a long bath, write? Did I heck.
I washed my cutglass vases and paired socks.
When I did I get so boring?

Still, when I woke up this morning after Mr Nell had come home I found a lovely bunch of flowers in the kitchen sink for me to put in one of my newly washed vases.

Moonlit Romance beach party!

Jessica and I got another great review for A Taste of Summer!

Romance Reviewed

Come to the party!

We’re at the beach. It’s summer, the sun is shining, we have cool drinks and hot surfers. Best of all it’s in cyber space so no sand to make your picnic gritty.
Where’s it at?
http://www.moonlitromance.com and join the readers loop by following the link.

When is it on?
8am til 8pm central on MONDAY JULY 23rd

What can you win?
Great books and one very lucky winner will get the most gorgeous half moon quartz pendant.

Come and hang out with us and get A Taste of Summer, A Hint of Summer and A Slice of Summer with the gang at Moonlit Romance.

Friday Fun 4

Dudley Castle was founded in 1071 and overlooks the town known as the capital of the Black Country. It's haunted by the ghost of the Grey Lady and there are rumours of a secret tunnel leading from the castle to the ruins of the Priory which stands below the hill.
The castle and the towns Station Hotel were investigated by The Most Haunted team.
Today, as the castle is set within the grounds of the zoo, and as Kate Hardy talked in the previous post about some of her local dialects insect names, guess what the topic is?

A black bat is not the flying kind. Here, a black bat is a big beetle.
A doorbug is a woodlouse, possibly because of their habit of creeping under doors.
A Bobhowler is a moth.
Chookie is a chicken - like the Australian chooks.
Flen - is a flea
Oss or Hoss is a horse
A tunky is a fat pig. You might hear - Er's a big as a tunky pig.

Marrying Max got a great review!

Here

Marrying Max got a five heart review from The Romance Studio! It's always great when a reviewer really gets your book and this was one of those reviews!

Making Time

Boo is packed and away now till Thursday. Then on Saturday all three belles are away with their grandparents for a whole week. Ah, the hedonistic pleasures I have planned for that week. Finally doing my tax return, cleaning the house while they aren't here to see me removing outgrown favourites. Defrosting the freezer - sigh.
I finished my med chapter so I clogged up Jessica's inbox with it. Almost done my next chapter now on Blue Remembered Heels, so I'm halfway through - yay!
Eleven weeks now on the revisions and I'm thnking it'll probably be a few more before I hear.
Now to get my post office parcels ready. One critique, one letter to the bank (I hate my bank - I can't use a cashpoint, can't internet bank, can't get cash anymore from a till, can't get to talk to them on the phone so I have to visit the branh if I want money. All the other activities involve pin numbers and I don't have one and can't have one.)
Post my husbands forms which he's had for three months and I've had to remind him constantly about.
I think I'll try and pop in there mid morning after the ebayers have finished unloading their parcels.

Packing

The middle belle is heading off on Monday for a school residential trip. You would think she was leaving for the moon.
Boo - Why can't I take vest tops? How am I going to survive the week without vest tops?
Me - because it says tee shirts, no vest tops.
Boo - Can I take my cream tracksuit?
Me - Cream might not be the best colour for outdoor activities.
Boo - Oh. I don't want to go canoeing. You did tell them I don't do canoes?
Me - I told them you weren't a good swimmer.
Boo - Does it say no glittery things? Can I take lipgloss?
Argh! Can you tell she's my fashion diva?
I'm sure she'll have a great time, she's an experienced camper with brownies but she does love her girly stuff!

Friday Fun 3

Now most of you know about my passion for old buildings. This one is a tithe barn with roosts. It is just across the road from me and is part of a farm that's a listed building. The site on which the farm stands is an ancient heritage site as there has been a manor there since the Norman times. You can still see the medieval field layouts in the ground markings. We suspect our evening pipistrelle bats roost in or near the barn.
So, on todays lesson lol
This involves the words bist and bay. You can clearly see the link with old german. Bist is usually used as meaning are you as in Bist thee gooin ter town? ie are you going to town? How bist thee ma mon? How are you my good man?
Bay is nothing to do with horses. It usually means aren't you or isn't it. eg Yow bay gooin theer am yow? You aren't going there are you?
A classic Black Country statement using this is shown below
That bay a bay bin it?
That's not a bay window is it?
Now you have bin, bay and bist you can start to practice. I'll leave you with another word or werd - bostin' A term of high praise!
More next Friday.

Deep breath...

I sent off my partial via email as instructed last night. Next up is the critiquing I owe various people. I've got that well in hand though so I should have that finished in the next couple of days. I got a fab idea for another book, so I stashed that in my ideas file.
So, after that comes the writing!
Which would be fine except every night this week I have something on at the Belle's schools. Last night was Boo and La's parents evening. Tonight was a meeting for Boo's residential trip and tomorrow is the leavers service. Next week I've Shaggy's prize giving service as she has an award for art this year. There is also the leavers barbeque and Elvis night. (Don't ask!)

Aditing

I'm busy aditing my partial to send to Little Black Dress. I say adit because I'm aware of my tendency to write in a very sparing style. Consequently when I go back over to edit I invariably add things in. I'm almost done, just the end of C3 to tweak and my synopsis to check over and I'll send it on it's way.
Next up is some critiquing for various people and then back to the writing. I've almost got another couple of chapters done on the new med and on Blue Remembered Heels, so I need to get back on my schedule with both of them.
I also need to do my taxes - sigh.

Home from Leicester

I'm back from the conference!
I came home to lots of news, Marrying Max is on Fictionwise!!! Whoo hoo!! So if you've been holding off for a copy run and grab it while it's at the opening discount.
Jessica Raymond and I got another fabulous review for A Taste of Summer. This time from the lovely Robyn at Once upon a romance. You can check out what she said here
Once Upon A Romance
Conference was quieter this year as many of my friends were missing and we had some sad news while we were there. The workshops were great however as usual and as always I learned a lot. I met up with lots of people, some I'd previously only spoken with on line and others were people I hadn't seen for quite a while.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Cat Cobain from Little Black Dress and chatting with her about books generally and of course about Blue Remembered Heels. She remembered me from the Savoy. I think she was being polite when she assured me this was a good thing. lol.
She kindly asked to see Blue Remembered Heels so I'll do another polish and tidy and send it her way this week.

Friday Fun 2

I'm off to the conference later but I thought I'd leave you with some more lessons in 'spaking Black Country' while I was gone. The picture is of the famous Crooked House pub which is five minutes walk from my house. The pub defies the laws of gravity in that you can seemingly watch a penny roll uphill along the bar.

I thought you might like some descriptive phrases.

He's a right lummock - He's a big blundering man.
Stop yer mitherin - Stop worrying.
Goo an wash yer donny's - Go and wash your hands.
He's as jed as a nit - He's as dead as a headlouse.
Put t'wud in the hole - shut the door.
Her culdn't stop a pig in an entry - That woman has bow legs.

There'll be some more next Friday!

Conference preparations

Not Dallas but Leicester. Charlotte has done my nails, (she fitted me in between the end of my day clinics and before my evening one). I have the suitcase with the wonky wheel from out of the loft. Ocado delivered my groceries so I know Mr Nell and the belles won't starve while I'm gone.
I've almost figured out how to explain the plot of Blue Remembered Heels without people thinking I'm a nutcase. I have a box of books to take for Sunday just in case anyone wants to buy one or see what the Moonlit and Samhain print quality is like. (Fantastic - if you haven't seen them before!)
My choice of footwear, which was never vast, is still somewhat curtailed by my broken toe but given the weather I'm tempted to just take wellies.
So if you're going to the RNA conference tomorrow look out for the woman with the wilful suitcase, multitutude of books, dodgy shoes and harrassed expression.
See you there!

Guest blogging

Today at Kate Hardy's party!
http://katehardy.blogspot.com
Come over and help Kate celebrate her 25th M&B book! There's a prize.

First Review for A Taste of Summer

Check it out here! Four coffee cups!
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Atasteofsummer.html

tagged

Tagged by Lis

Here are the rules:
A. Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.
B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. I have premonition dreams. Unfortunately the lottery numbers never seem to feature.

2. I'm a registered nurse, midwife, health visitor and nurse prescriber.

3. I'm a qualified shoe fitter for Start-rite shoes.

4. I'm allergic to glue, wool, tinsel, penicillin, nuts, apples, silver birch and cherry blossom.

5. I still love the Bay City Rollers.

6. I collect Pendelphin rabbits and antique pottery jelly moulds.

7. I'm scared of Doctor Who.

8. I haven't got a middle name and I always wanted one so I called myself Helen Louise for years.

I don't want to tag 8 people because all the people I'd normally tag are currently very busy with things like babies and moving and parties so if you read this and have time then 'tag' your it!

Friday Fun

Okay, since a few of you wanted to know what yampy meant I think the next few Fridays will be devoted to teaching you all Black Country.
The Black Country dialect is one of the oldest in Europe, it is very similar to old german and the english that was spoken in the middle ages. Many scholars have said that if Chaucer were alive today he would have no trouble communicating in the Black Country. The dialect varies a little from village to village with Darby End and my village of Gornal having the strongest dialects.
Many words still end in -en as in gooen meaning going. The A sound is often pronounced as an O. Man becomes Mon for example. So here are some words and phrases to start you off.
Bin - this is not a receptacle for rubbish but instead means been. So you may be asked 'Where have yow bin?' which means 'Where have you been?'
An answer might be 'Ah've bin ter Brummagem' This means 'I've been to Birmingham.'
A good example of old english words that are still used would be the words Midden or miskin. In anglo saxon it meant a dung heap but was often used to mean rubbish heap. Today it means the outside bin or rubbish as in 'Ah threw it on the midden,'
Next Friday I'll post some more about the Black Country and our dialect with some pictures.

Row, row, row your boat...

It's still raining here. The brooks and pools are full to bursting and many of the lanes are flooded. It makes reaching many of my clients interesting to say the least. We're avoiding the fords at the moment.
My good friend Kate Hardy is holding a party on her blog to celebrate her 25th book for Mills and Boon. Kate writes medicals and Modern extras. Call over if you have chance in the next couple of days and help her celebrate. There are prizes!
http://katehardy.bravejournal.com
Eight weeks now on Charlie and the RNA conference is looming nearer. It would be good to hear one way or the other before then as I know Maddie is going to the RWA conference in America just after that.

The infinite nature of time

It never fails to amaze me how elastic time can be. Waiting for an answer on Charlie time seems slow, dragging. I look at my word count for Blue Remembered Heels and all the work I've done in that same period, 21k written, major edits, galley proofs, three books to promote and time has hurtled past me at a scary speed.
Only four weeks until school breaks up for the summer and then once the holidays are over Christmas planning will begin with hardly time to draw breath in between.
Sometimes I wish I could stop the clock, hold the hour for just that beat longer. My children are growing up so quickly. In September my eldest begins her options year, my middle daughter enters her final year at primary school and my baby will be year five.
Where did that time go?

I've been clever - maybe

Downs and ups

I learned today that I'd clearly made it as a romance writer - yes, it's finally happened, I was reviewed by Mrs Giggles. As I don't write the kind of stories she enjoys I was surprised she'd bought a copy of Marrying Max and much less surprised that she didn't enjoy it.
Oh well, such is life. Now if I find my books on an e book pirate site that will be the topmost accolade.
On the up side I visited Romance Junkie's readers for my daily visit and found my cover of Marrying Max up on their front page. Whoo hoo! I was so surprised and excited.
It's still very, very wet here and many of the country lanes I have to travel as part of my work would be impassible if I didn't have Baby. The garden is very green and jungley at the moment with water dripping off my Magnolia and the wisteria. It gives quite a tropical effect.

Just a note

To say I'm blogging at Kate Walker's blog today. Go and help Kate celebrate her 50th book for HMB. I'll be drawing a winner from the comment trail over there on Friday to win a signed print copy of Things To Do.
http://www.kate-walker.blogspot.com
Hope over and tell me which book you've read this year that you'd give an award to.

Rain, rain go away

We still seem to be having crazy weather. Mr Nell had planned to take the caravan and a couple of the belles away this weekend but has had to change his plans due to the rain. This means that my planned weekend of just me and my middle belle, Boo, have had to be altered. We had an exciting weekend of cleaning and girly shopping in mind.
My toe is a very unlovely shade of yellow and black. At least the swelling has diminished but I'm still hopping around.
Blue Remembered Heels is still going well, the more I can get done the better before my pitch at the conference. No news from M&B.

Marrying Max is out today!

Available from http://www.samhainpublishing.com

Winner of the Romance Prize 2007

Mr Right Now meets Ms Forever. Some matches need a lot of work.

Toeing the line

Congratulations to my fabulous cp, Jessica Raymond on the safe arrival of her beautiful baby boy, Charlie, on Saturday!

In other news I think I may have broken my toe. I fell over an empty laundry basket and my fourth toe is now an interesting shade of purple and black. It's also very ouchie when I walk or drive. I'd have gone to A&E but it seemed silly when all they would do is strap it and I'm allergic to tape plus it helps if the toe they strap it to is straight and my toes aren't. I hate my feet!

Marrying Max releases tomorrow from Samhain!!!!!

Happy Father's Day

To all the Dads. Especially to my own dh, Mr Nell. He puts up with life with four females in the house. Permanent bathroom occupancy, jewellery and make-up and shoes all over the place. He waits outside Claire's accessories and Monsoon while the girls disappear on shopping missions and helps ferry them to parties, school and after school activities.
So, Happy Father's Day!!!

Talk to the hand!

It's been that kind of week. I won't bore you with my work woes but just when it seems there's a chink of light in one direction there's a dark pit in the other. I feel as if I'm swimming against a tide. It would be lovely to just tread water for a while but I know if I stop fighting I'll drown.

The weather has been fun here too talking of drowning. Did anyone see the pics of the tornado on the news? That was five miles away from me. Luckily I'd left my temp base and gone back to my other clinic before the storm broke or I might not have made it home. As it was the journey was horrific, lights out, phones dead and two feet of water in places. Thankfully my trusty car, Baby, is a 4X4.

I'm looking forward to the RNA conference in a few weeks time. It will be so lovely to meet up with old friends, make new ones and take part in some great workshops. I have a pitch session booked too with the editor for Little Black Dress - eek! Better write some more of Blue Remembered Heels!

Oh, baby, baby.

Congratulations to Judy Jarvie and her family on the birth of their lovely new baby girl! Esme Kate - gorgeous name - has made her appearance. So, one of the things I was waiting on has arrived! (big grin)
Tonight is weightwatchers again - it'll be interesting to see if I've lost any weight this week. I hope so, I've been very good.
Work is still manic but the end is nigh for my covering the extra work that I've been doing for the past nine months. Yay!!!!!! Just a few more weeks and hopefully I can hand it over.

Tum ti tum ti tum

I'm guest-blogging today on the Samhain blog, looking at Sleepers - those books that take a while to hook you in and Keepers, how many of these turn out to be books you can't bear to part with. For some reason it posted twice on there - argh - I find their blog really hard to use for some reason. I don't think it is really, it's just that I'm crap with anything vaguely technical.
Still waiting on baby news from Judy and medical news from M&B.
This week is really testing my patience gene for some reason - I don't know why. I know that the editors are really busy and it's always a bit crazy at this time of year. I've been trying to keep busy writing Blue Remembered Heels. I can't do any more on my med partials until I know something one way or another. One, I might be repeating an error if they don't buy Charlie and two, my writing time is so limited I can't afford to spend it on a speculative sale when I've other publishers and agents interested in new material. That's why I thought the more I get done on BRH, then if M&B do want Charlie my time will be free then to carry on the meds I have outined and part written depending which story they'd most like to see first.
So I'll carry on trying to distract myself and perfect this patience business.

Nineteen!!!!

Yay! Be My Hero is at 19! My lovely editor i.m'd me last night while I was brainstorming with Lis to tell me. She also said The Cinderella Substitute had re-entered at 103 - wow! Cinderella got to 13 first time around so that's amazing.
Lots of meetings and audits this week - sigh. Hoping to get more writing done. I'm 21k into Blue Remembered Heels now so thats good. No other news to report on Charlie. Marrying Max is out next week as an e book - very excited about that. Remember you have till the 18th if you haven't entered Mine and Jessica Raymond's contest for A Taste of Summer yet. Drop by our websites and enter.
With Jessica and Judy's babies imminent I'm waiting on baby news as well as book news!

I 'heart' fictionwise

The last couple of days have been really busy. I've been on my own at work again and it's tiring covering someone elses work as well as your own. Then I heard that my December release had been put back til January. I know it's only a month but it was a bit disappointing.
No news on Charlie - almost 6 weeks now and my nerves are in shreds.
But then I looked at Fictionwise to see how Be My Hero was faring and it's at 21!!! Yay, holding it's own against some very big names.
Plus, the nicest part, was all the votes from readers were great and good!!!
Now my day seems much brighter.

Be My Hero

Be My Hero is out on Fictionwise! Currently it's at number 35 in the romance chart and yesterday I got a fabulous four cup review from Maura at Coffeetime Romance. You can read the full review here: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Bemyhero.html

She said 'I really enjoyed this story of love lost and found. Tali, especially, is a great character. She survived her heartbreak of years before, and tried to get on with her life. Evan is a less likable character at first, but makes every effort to overcome Tali’s fears. He left without a word six years before damaging Tali’s confidence and really in effect ruining any chance she had of having a child. Her medical condition has progresses to a point where she is going to have a hysterectomy and it cannot be easy to see Evan and his six-year-old daughter, the daughter that they should have had together. The other characters of the story are well written and Polly is especially likeable with her princess fixation. I really enjoyed reading about how this couple overcomes their past to find a happier future.'

This is a story that meant so much to me, I cried as I wrote it and it's dedicated to the very special people at Birmingham Women's Hospital and my consultant Mr Afnan.

Be My Hero is available at fictionwise or at http://www.moonlitromance.com

P.S A special hello and welcome to all the Colin Firth fans who've been stopping by.

In search of Mr. Darcy - part two

Monday's weather was still mixed so we decided to leave Tenby for another day and went to Pembroke instead. Pembroke castle had the knights of Longshanks there wearing armour and staging fights. The sun came out and we had a lovely day.

Then our quest resumed - were the rumours true? We headed to Tenby in the beautiful sunshine to find out.

(Photo's from The Western Telegraph) The house seen above was apparantly used for some interior shots for the film and the other pic is of Cillian Murphy on set. We roamed around Tenby on our search but couldn't find the filming or any proof re: The Colin Firth rumour. There were people who'd seen Sienna Miller and Keira Knightly though.

The males in our party were not very fussed about looking for either of those two ladies and when we couldn't find Colin the females kind of lost interest too, and we abandoned the quest. So, is Colin Firth in the film? I really don't know but it was fun looking for him.

In search of Mr. Darcy - part one

We arrived in Wales to the news that Keira Knightly and Colin Firth were filming a new movie about Dylan Thomas just down the road from where we were staying. Naturally in a party made up of eight females and only two males the vote was quickly decided that we should investigate. The latest rumour had the film crew at Newgale beach - unfortunately the weather on Sunday was atrocious but when the rain lifted for an hour on the evening guess where we headed. Not that we expected to see them but just to see if there was any sign of a film crew around there. We trudged along the sands in the most incredible evening light, shafts of sun radiating through the clouds onto the cliffs and sand. No sign of Mr. Darcy. When it began to sleet we went to the Mariners arms and consoled ourselves with hot chocolate.
Rumours persisted however that the filming was still going on and there were some mentions of Tenby - so guess where we went next?
To be continued

Awards

I just got home from Wales to the news that my good friend, Phillipa Ashley has won the Joan Hessayon New Writers award for her wonderful debut book, Decent Exposure. Jessica Raymond and I had the great pleasure of attending the launch party for Phillipa's book and she, along with Allison Littlehales is one of my coffee and cake writer buddies. There were eleven books up for the award including Jessica's Haunted Hearts, Judy Jarvie's Taking the Leap (A great showing there by Moonlit Romance!) and my other writing friend Anna Lucia's debut book from Medallion press.
I'll blog about my hols tomorrow and my quest for Mr Darcy in Tenby but I couldn't wait to congratulate all the nominees and especially Phillipa!

And we're off!

Wales is beckoning. I always get so excited when I'm going there. I think it must be my Welsh heritage but I always feel as if I'm going home. The Belles are really pleased too as they get to spend time with our friend's daughters. In all the holidays we've taken together there has never been a falling out for more than thirty seconds between any of them. No mean feat for seven girls all different ages.

I gained half a pound btw at weightwatchers but my fingers were so puffy I think it was probably fluid. Sigh - so I still haven't got my stone. The caravan is stocked up with weightwatchers wine and goodies so with three of us following the diet this holiday hopefully we won't gain weight while we're gone.

I just heard back from one of the agents, a very nice letter but she didn't like Blue Remembered Heels. She didn't like the premise that the heroine was a con artist or the lightning strike and felt it was bit too light for the mainstream market. But she likes my work and my writing style and has left the door open for anything else I might have in the future. So, not bad! Onwards and upwards with the Welsh mountains calling me.

Weighty stuff

Yep, tonight is weightwatchers. I'm hoping I'll have lost half a pound so I can mark my stone but somehow I don't feel confident. I've been virtuous so I should have lost but I don't feel as if I have.
My final line edits are done for the e book version of Marrying Max and are back with my editor. I still have yellow highlighting and comma splices dancing around in front of my eyes but I can't wait for June 19th when it'll be out.
Don't forget the contest Jess and I are running for A Taste of Summer - pop by our websites and enter.
Over on My Space I have a new author spotlight posted - go meet Connie Keenan.
Tomorrow is supposed to be my day off so I can pack for the holiday but as I'm still covering the extra caseload I have to go in for a meeting.

Blind as a bat

Yep, that's me. I had my annual eyetest yesterday and I knew my eyes had deteriorated but even my orthoptist was surprised by how much. So, I now need new reading glasses and some for distance/driving. The lady in Boots seemed to have trouble understanding that adult glasses just don't fit me. She was so worried that I should take advantage of the two for one offer she didn't notice that the arms of the glasses were sticking out the back of my head like TV ariels or that the glasses kept sliding off my face where they were too wide.
I finally got to try on the kids glasses and as usual they were a perfect fit. The nice lady was mollified when she realised that the price of two pairs of kid frames and the lenses was about the same as I would have paid for the two for one offer on the designer frames.
A few weeks ago I won the arc of my good friend Amanda's new book - You Had Me At Halo
I've been wanting to read it for ages and this weekend I finally did. The book is just so Amanda and so great! I think it's out in September and you all have to rush and get your copy as soon as it's out. Trust me - it's a really good read.

Lazy Sunday

I wish - today is La's birthday. Miss, now 9 years old, had us all up early to open her presents. She then dragged her Dad off to Merry Hell to spend her money on a DS Lite. We go on holiday Friday with friends so this weekend has been a whirl of cleaning, sorting out stuff, birthday and paperwork.
Blue Remembered Heels is still going really well but I need to do a little research before I can finish my current chapter. The agent emailed me Friday to say she had my package - so more nail-biting. I know it's going to kill me if I don't hear from M&B this week as once we're away my email access will be very limited and I'm one of those few people who doesn't use a mobile phone. I do have one but it's never turned on and only about five people have the number. Oh well, I suppose news keeps - good or bad.
I'm looking forward to my holiday, we're off to Wales to Keeston, which is a small village between Haverfordwest and St Davids. The Belles are really excited as our friends daughters are going too. Yes, this is the girlfest holiday. So beach, shopping, barbecues and castles here we come. Can't wait!

A Taste of Summer...

is due for release today!
This is a beach read duet - two summery seaside stories ideal for vacation reading or for that lazy afternoon in the shade with a cool drink. It's extra special that my duet partner is Jessica Raymond, my cp. It's a real buzz to see a cover with both our names on the front and to celebrate we're holding a contest!
Drop by our websites http://www.jessica-raymond.com and http://www.nelldixon.com and enter. The prize is great - a summer themed goodie basket with a signed (by me) copy of Fall in Love and a signed by both of us copy of A Taste of Summer. Suncream, beach ball, fudge, a frisbee and a ton of other goodies.
A Taste of Summer will be available from http://www.moonlitromance.com later today.
Here's the blurb:

MAKING WAVES by Nell Dixon
Cassidy Jones needs a holiday and her friend, Tammy’s cottage in New Bay sounds perfect. The beach could heal the bruises from losing her job and her fiancé.
Josh Parker is also looking forward to a much needed break after eighteen months of non-stop work. His friend Tammy’s cottage would be just right for some time alone. Or would it...

ONE SHORE THING by Jessica Raymond
Desperate to escape London, Carrie Vaughan heads for the Cornish coastal town of New Bay.Noah Trevanion needs an assistant in his deli shop. He is delighted when Carrie walks through the door.Soon, their relationship becomes something special. But even in New Bay, where the sun shines and the sea whispers, could Carrie's past catch up with her?

Write on

I'm cracking on with Blue Remembered Heels. Still no news from M&B but I know Maddie is really, really busy so I just try not to think about it. Today I'm mailing a copy of Marrying Max, Things To Do and the partial of Blue Remembered Heels to an agent who requested them by phone last week.
Galleys are proofed for A Taste of Summer which releases on Friday!!!!! Yay!
Galleys are due from Samhain soon for Marrying Max e book version. Then I'm clear of edits till November as Dangerous to Know is a December release.
I've left my medical partials until I hear about Charlie Darling. I've loads of ideas for medicals but it's such a limited market if Charlie doesn't get taken up by M&B, and there are no guarentees, I can't afford to invest time in them. Of course if Charlie does sell then I'll be sooo happy to get going again.

Wet, wet, wet

No, not the group - the weather. We all got pretty soaked today hitching up the caravan to come home from our weekend at the seaside. Luckily the motorway was quiet as there was a lot of surface water and the rain was torrential.
We had a near miss when we were almost home when some moron in an orange car decided to cut us up on the island. Mr Nell thought he'd hit us as the orange car appeared to sport a large dent but Baby appeared undamaged - not that Mr Orangecar moron stopped to see. He pretended he was going to pull over then sped off. The belles were shaken up but are okay now. We stopped off at the policestation and reported him.
We went to Burnham for the weekend as a prebirthday treat for La as she'll be 9 next weekend. We had dinner at La Vela, our favourite restaurant on the Friday night then spent Saturday shopping at Street. I spent some of my romance prize money on a new bag for my laptop. Not just any bag though and I know Kate Hardy will like this - a Radley laptop bag. There's a Tula outlet shop and I have the most gorgeous laptop bag for a bargain price.
La bought a new top, converser shoes in blue polka dots and more Sylvanian family stuff so she was very happy.We had lunch at a nice pub then hit the heady arcades of Burnham to win stuff on the 2p fall machines followed by a barbecue and eurovision party.
How did Serbia win?! The Ukraine was robbed!
The perfect birthday treat weekend as far as La was concerned.

N.B to Ocado

Dear Ocado,
Please can you ensure that we have the cute young driver to deliver our groceries next time? I know this is a strange request but my eldest daughter is wasting valuable lipgloss and hair products only to be disappointed when someone else delivers.
It also means that her enthusiasm to help me put away the groceries diminishes considerably when the driver is not the 'hot' guy.
Yours sincerely, Harrassed mother of three.

Eeeny-meeny-miny-Tag!

I wanted to gloat about the concert but I've been tagged by Meg and Amelia to do this 8 things meme. So, guess what my eight things are gong to be about? hehehehe. Plus I want an excuse to post another pic of Bryan on my blog.

This is my screen saver.

Eight Things about Bryan Adams.

1. Whenever you see him in concert he always gives the impression that he really loves what he does. I've been to a lot of gigs and some just give the impression that they really don't want to be there. Bryan really goes out of his way to make every part of the audience feel as if they are involved in the show.

2. He is a very sexy guy. No, he's not conventionally good looking but the sexiest men often aren't. He's very confident about his music and that in itself is sexy.

3. His music is excellent, he can rock and do the big power soft rock ballards. He writes songs and plays guitar and he's never been afraid to try new styles of music.

4. His voice is just incredible. I don't think there would be a woman at that show who didn't feel that when he sang 'Have you ever really loved a woman' or 'lets make love' that he was singing that just for her and her alone.

5. There aren't any gimmicks. What you see is what you get. One guy in jeans and a plain tee shirt with a few other guys, making music. No flashy lights, costume changes, smoke effects, nothing. Just Bryan for two hours. He used two stages and often strolls out among the audience.

6. He does a lot of work for various groups, Born Free, Friends of the Earth etc. Born Free were there last night collecting and signing people up. He actively campaigns for the causes he believes in and isn't just a 'face' the way some celebrities are.

7. He's a talented photographer. He shot some pics recently for M&S of Bryan Ferry which were used in their ad campaign.

8. He's incredibly honest and straightforward. he was on Chris Evans radio show a while ago doing some stupid quiz thing where the celebs played to win seconds to promote themselves. Chris Eans offered him the chance to cheat when he didn't do too well and he refused saying a few seconds was fine. When he got his few seconds he just said he was playing a gig at wherever it was if anyone fancied coming along. It drove Chris Evans nuts, he couldn't understand why Bryan wasn't plugging an album or the tour or why he simply wouldn't cheat to have more time.

I think I'm supposed to tag someone but I can't remember who I tagged for this before so if you read it and want to play consider yourself tagged!

Guess where I'm going tomorrow?

Oh yes! I'm going to see Bryan in concert. (wipes drool from keyboard) My eldest daughter and Mr Nell are going too. I'm so excited. It's a standing joke that I would leave my dh for Bryan if he came calling. In fairness Mr Nell says he would leave me should Linda Lusadi ever make him a similar offer.

My eldest dd feels we are both deeply embarressing.

Hearts and Flowers

Over the weekend I recieved a huge and very beautiful bouquet. It arrived while we were at Boscobel House so my neighbour took it in for me. I got back to find a card through the door saying it was at Tracey's, who of course had gone out. So I spent the evening wondering who would have sent me flowers - it was mine and Mr Nell's 22nd wedding anniversary on the Friday so I didn't know if it was anything to do with that.
Eventually the mystery was solved - The flowers were from the lovely people at The People's Friend!
They completely fill one of my large crystal vases and are absolutely gorgeous and such a wonderful, wonderful surprise!
Yesterday I saw the sample of the cover for mine and Jessica's upcoming release - A Taste Of Summer and it's gorgeous! I can't wait to share it with you, it looks so lovely and beachy.
I finished my second round edits for Samhain, so now just final edits/proof to go and second/proof edits for Moonlit. I'm hoping to finish another chapter of Blue Remembered Heels today so I can send that to Jessica, then I need to read my devotional chapter entries and get that finished too.

What I did today

Today we visited Boscobel House.

This was the place where Charles II fled to escape Cromwell's troops. It has a descendant of the legendary oak tree where Charles hid while the soldiers searched for him. We had a tour of the house and saw the priest holes where he hid. The gardens and tea rooms are quite lovely and we had a wonderful time.

Catching my breath

Maddie emailed me on Monday to say she has my revisions and will get to them asap. The photographer just left for the Dudley News. They are putting an article in the paper next week. She took the photo in the garden so my wisteria should look very pretty in the background. The rosebowl is still in London at the moment while they sort out the tiny little dink the engraver put in it. I swear it wasn't me!
I'm working on figuring out a schedule for what I need to be writing. I have two med partials started and my single title to work on. I also should have two lots of second round edits due - one from Moonlit and one from Samhain.
A Taste of Summer - the beach read duet will be out later this month - I can't wait to see the cover. Moonlit and By Grace do the most gorgeous covers.
Today is polling day here in the UK for the local council elections - GO VOTE!!