How I nearly met Colin Firth

Some of you know I've had a rather hectic time of it lately with my day job. We have been very fortunate to be listed for some big awards for our work. This has meant a couple of flying visits to London. This week it was to the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel for the Guardian/Observer ethical awards. So, last night duly poshed up in my new maxi dress I toddled off to London to meet one of my colleagues for the big event. Colin and his wife Olivia are on the judging panel along with other luminaries like Ben Fogle, Deborah Mearden etc and in the other categories for the awards we knew Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearneley Whittingstall were shortlisted. Vogue also sponsors an award and we knew lots of the 'beautiful people' would also be present. Colin presented an award last year so we had our fingers crossed we might be lucky. Sadly we didn't win our category but we did get to meet some lovely people and it gave us the chance to promote our work - which for us was the whole reason we went. Colin wasn't there but his wife, Olivia was. She looked very lovely in a pale lime green maxi dress patterned with scarlet poppies and the cutest handbag I've seen in ages - like a little red shiny box the size of a coffee mug. Because she came and stood right next to me I can also tell you she smells very lovely. We did get to stand right by Ben Fogle who looked very dapper in his suit - including a waistcoat - which must have been hot as everyone else was melting in there. We were also privilegdged to hear Katy Tunstall sing live right in front of us and she too had been mingling with us riff-raff at the start. Fashions were amazing - I loved the lady with the leather handbag styled to look like a chicken, the man in smart suit with thick crepe soled shoes patterned in bright white stars and the lady with the Navy silk shoes covered in bright green polka dots.The gentlemen in dinner suit jackets and brightly coloured board shorts were also very striking. We were in London for less than 3 hours before we had to catch the train back but a very interesting evening.

What a week!

Thanks to everyone who came along to the on line launch event on Facebook for Passionate Harvest. It was fabulous to see so many of you there. There will be some more opportunities to win copies soon for those of you who haven't bought your copy yet. The day job is keeping me out of mischief too as we're hugely busy. On Wednesday our team went to the National Trust's inaugural Octavia Hill awards at St Martin-in-the-fields in London. We were second in our category out of over 300 entrants. Thank you again to everyone who voted for us. In the few hours before our train back we slipped into the National Gallery to ogle some pictures. I got a postcard of the one chap - a Monsieur de Norvins painted by Ingres in 1811. At first glance he reminded me of Mr collins from Pride and Prejudice but there was something about his eyes. He had the eyes of a man who has seen too much and is trying to hold on to his humanity and inner self. I must look him up and find out more about him.THIS IS HIM if you want to take a peep. We ambled past the House of Commons through the Bangaladesh demo, paused to watch a Bollywood movie being filmed in Trafalgar square and sat by the Thames for a while to cool off before heading home. This week is equally mad - it's exam season for the belles. Mocks, GCSE's (early!) and A levels. Tomorrow if you're near Brownhills library at 2pmish then Phillipa Ashley and I are reprising our I love Lucy act with a talk about books, publishing, life and anything you might want to ask us. Wednesday is mega exciting - it's another trip to London for another awards event for the day job. I now possess a blue maxi dress for the event which makes me look like a galleon in full sale. Youngest belle refused to let me buy the purple one because she said it made me look like Barney the dinosaur. The reasons for the excitement - 1) it's in a posh place with very posh people. 2) Vogue, the Guardian and the Observer are involved and 3) There is a possibility that Colin Firth may even be there. I promise I'll tell you all about it when we get back!

Passionate Harvest is out!

Passionate Harvest is officially out today. It kind of snuck out early yesterday while I wasn't looking so some of you lucky people snaffled a copy early! Passionate Harvest is slightly different to some of my other books. Most of you know me for writing romantic comedy, Janet Evanovich style humerous suspense or for my clean read stories. Passionate Harvest has a slightly different feel. It's a little more literary womens fiction, sexier and emotional. Hopefully it still has the same touches of humour and warmth that many of you have told me you enjoy when you read one of my books. I really love this story. I enjoyed writing it. It was one of those rare stories that just flew out of my fingertips and onto the page. I really, really hope you'll get the same pleasure from reading it. You can get a copy from: AMAZON.COM AMAZON UK SMASHWORDS ALL Romance E books I want to say a special thank you to my critique partner Kimberley Mennozzi who is an absolute rock and a wonderful author in her own right. And to the Coffee Crew, Phillipa Ashley and Elizabeth Hanbury who give me so much support. Passionate Harvest wouldn't exist without you. Big Love to Julia at E-Scape Press too for the gorgeous cover and being so enthusiastic about the story!

Passionate Harvest - releasing May 21st

I'm getting quite excited now about the upcoming release for Passionate Harvest on May 21st. (A week today! eek!)To whet your appetites here's a little sneaky excerpt! Dominic paused on the step of Maggie’s house for a moment before pushing the bell. He’d lain awake half the night trying to work out all the different options for the future of the vineyard in his head. Despite sacrificing his sleep, he still had no answers. Whichever way he looked at it, whether Lucy decided to stay and work for a year or, if she decided to abandon her inheritance, the outcome couldn’t be good. He scarcely had time to lift his finger from the bell push when the door opened. “I’m all set.” Lucy lifted her lightly tanned arm to show him her sweater and bag. “Are you wearing flat shoes?” A flash of dismay crossed her face. “These are the best I’ve got with me. Obviously I only packed a few things.” She raised one leg to display a slender foot encased in a denim blue canvas wedge heeled shoe. “You’ll have to be careful when we walk beside the vines. The ground is uneven.” He opened the passenger door of the car for her. Lucy might have very pretty feet but he could only hope she wouldn’t twist her ankle in a rabbit hole in her impractical shoes. “Did Nick tell you anything about the vineyard?” He glanced at her. The morning sun streamed in through the side window lighting up her honey blonde hair like a halo. “He talked about it quite a lot. How many bottles he expected to get, about the shop and the craft place he had planned in the barn.” He heard her sigh, “I can’t believe he left me his shares though. It was a longstanding joke of his that he’d leave me a drink in his will, but this is crazy.” She shook her head as if still unable to take it all in. “He never mentioned his intentions to you?” Nick certainly hadn’t said anything to him. Dominic hadn’t liked to ask too much even when he could see Nick’s health was failing. He’d tried to bring the conversation round to it a couple of times but Nick would simply clap his hand onto Dom’s shoulder. ‘All taken care of. Nothing to worry about, I promise.’ He risked another peep at her as the traffic slowed. Her eyes were downcast and she worried the skin of her bottom lip between her teeth. “No, never.” She shook her head again and her hair shimmered in the sunshine like molten gold. (C)Nell Dixon 2012

Being busy

My appologies for being absent for so long. Somehow I ended up copyediting four books all at once and I have a tight deadline for another short piece. The eldest belle has now passed her driving test and with all three of the belles sitting various exams and tests, rehearsing for plays and dance shows, running business (eldest)and the plumber being here ripping out our aged ensuite bathroom it's been a tad hectic. I promise I'll make it up to you all soon. In the meantime - hoist by my own petard and proving what a big fibber I am, go HERE to visit my writing friend Liz Fenwick's blog to discover my resolution for this year (and you can see how crap I am at keeping it)

Passionate Harvest

Here's the fabulous cover for Passionate Harvest, my upcoming release from E-Scape Press. I love this cover it has just the right feel for the story which is warm, passionate with a more women's fiction feel than some of my other stories. (For those of you who like my clean reads please be aware that this title isn't! :) My next clean reads title will be A New Bay Wedding out in June with Astraea Press.) Passionate Harvest will be releasing MAY 21st!

Lucky 7 meme

Have been tagged by my lovely friend Kate Hardy on a meme. Rules: go to p77 of your current work, 7th line down, and paste the next 7 sentences. Then tag 7 others.
Hmm, well Radio Gaga isn't edited so this may be dodgy but here goes!

I could only hope that once Fred and Merv had witnessed my horrific mass slaughter of innocent veg they would change their minds. I arranged to come back later in the week armed with a trowel and wellies and said goodbye to Fred.
I reckoned there was time for me to grab a coffee and a bacon butty to go from the corner café before I reported in to the radio station for the next stop on the ‘Let's Torture Chloe Campaign’.
The café was packed when I arrived. It seemed to be the favourite haunt of every construction worker within a ten mile radius. I hunkered into my fleece and tacked on to the end of the queue.
“Hello Chloe, I didn’t expect to see you here.” I turned to find Ben standing behind me looking far too good for a cold, damp spring morning.

Not sure who to tag as I think lots of people may have done this already - so if you haven't and you're reading this then consider yourself tagged!

Sunshine and showers

Luckily we had more sun than rain on our few days break to Devon. Now I'm home I'm frantically trying to catch up. Hopefully I'll put some pics up later when eldest belle downloads them from the camera. We had a lovely time doing not very much. We went to Exeterand made some new friends at Marldon and also the lovely owner of Fables bookshop in St MaryChurch.
I came back to the wonderful news of a new contract with Astraea Press for A New Bay Wedding - this will be the fifth book in the short and sweet collection of Cornish stories. A New Bay Wedding follows Noah's sister Emma's story. Noah and Posy were the stars of Easter Holiday. It's a very romantic story and who can resist a wedding?
It should be out around June.
Here's the blurb!
Emma has been busy organizing her older brother’s lovelife but now Noah plans to turn the tables on his meddlesome match-making sister. But is Ian the best man for this very particular bridesmaid?
Hopefully, Passionate Harvest - my nonsweet book - will be releasing next month from E-Scape Press. Edits are due through anytime and I can't wait to see the cover and share it with you.

Guest Blogger - Elizabeth Hanbury

A warm welcome to my friend and fellow Coffee Crew member - Elizabeth Hanbury. Liz has a fabulous new book out that's flying up the Amazon charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Which is no surprise to me or to Phillipa Ashley, our other coffee crew member as we were lucky enough to read it ahead of it's release.
If you love regency romance then run, don't walk, and grab your copy now.
Here's the blurb!
What happens when a rebel meets a runaway?

He’s not looking for love...

Confirmed bachelor Theo Cavanagh is dashing and free-spirited. Not for him a career in the clergy, the military or politics - he’s more interested in wine and horses. But when Theo happens upon a pretty but thoroughly exasperating young fugitive, he soon finds himself caught up in her adventures, and in a passion that can’t be denied.

She has to search her heart...

Unconventional Sophie Devereux is more comfortable climbing trees than the social ladder. An audacious escape from scheming relatives is only the start of Sophie’s mission to achieve a long-held dream, but Sophie carries a secret that inspires hatred, envy and greed. She can’t outrun the danger that stalks her, or her powerful response to Theo which leaves Sophie shaken to the core and questioning her deepest, most enduring desire.

Get your copy at Amazon UK
Amazon.com

Sweet Saturday Sample

I haven't done this before so thought I'd get it done early in case I do it wrong!
Here's my sweet Saturday sample - it's from Easter Holiday - my latest release.

Noah spotted Posy’s bright pink tent later that afternoon as he walked to the campsite office. He shook his head with disbelief at the garish canvas nestled against the verdant green of the hedgerow. He strode into the camp reception.
“I see your newest arrival managed to get her tent set up then.” Noah grinned at his sister.
Emma peeked through the window and then smiled back at him. “Posy’s never been camping before.”
“I know, she told me that when I was hauling her out of the back field.”
His sister raised her eyebrows. “She was very grateful.” A dimple appeared in her cheek. “And of course she is very pretty.”
“I didn’t pay any attention. I was too busy wondering what kind of person comes camping in heels.”
Emma laughed. “The kind who’s coming out for a drink with us tonight.”
Noah glared at his sister.
“Don’t look at me like that! She asked where she could get a nice meal that didn’t cost the earth, so I said we were going to the pub later and did she want to come with us.” Emma busied herself tidying up a stack of papers on the desk.
“I hope this isn’t one of your attempts at matchmaking,” he warned. His sister was fond of introducing girls into his life. Now most of her friends were settled or married, she’d started looking further afield for potential sisters-in-law.
She pursed her lips, never a good sign.
(C) Nell Dixon 2012
Other New Bay titles include: Making Waves, September Song and A Cornish Christmas
Available Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Amazon. UK

Release Day!

Cornish farmer, Noah Penwarren is sworn off city girls, especially deceitful ones. Posy Carmichael is a city girl through and through. When romantic sparks start to fly will Posy’s secret end their Easter romance before it’s even begun?
Out Today - Published by Astraea Press and available from all good e-tailers!
Amazon US
Amazon UK
NOOK

Here’s an excerpt!
Posy flinched as she eased the car forward into the rut she’d been trying to avoid. Behind her, the tent poles and pegs clattered and rattled as she jolted along to the gap in the boundary. She placed the car in reverse and backed into the entrance of the field ready to turn around.
The rear wheels skidded on the muddy grass. Posy changed into first gear and hoped she would manage to get out ahead of the tractor she could hear approaching down the narrow track. To her dismay the wheels of the car spun around as she revved the engine, failing to gain any purchase on the soft ground.
“Noooooo.” She moaned and gave the accelerator a last desperate nudge. A fine spray of mud shot from the back of the car to coat the back bumper and window.
The blue nose of a tractor chugged into view and stopped in front of her. Posy sucked in a breath. The way her day was headed she’d probably get told off now for trespassing. She lowered the window as the driver of the tractor dismounted from his cab and came over to her.
“I take it you’re stuck?” The man bent so his head was level with her window.
“I was trying to turn round.” Posy had a glimpse of dark blue eyes and a rugged jaw before the owner of the tractor stood leaving her with a view of green farm overalls.
“I’ll pull you out with the tractor.” His voice sounded resigned as if he were used to tugging stranded motorists from the entrance to his fields every day of the week.
Posy opened the car door and went to get out. Her shoe sank in the soft earth, with a soft, squelching sound.
“Do you want me to help?” She wobbled on one leg trying to extricate her foot from the sticky gloop.
“You’re fine. Just stay in the car and put it in neutral with the handbrake off when I tell you.”
She slipped back into her seat and tried to scrape the mud from her shoe onto the car mat. The previously unsmiling lines of his mouth had now softened into the hint of a grin as he began to attach the rope to the front of her car. Clearly, he found her encounter with the mud amusing. If she hadn’t felt so mortified at being stupid enough to get both lost and stuck Posy might have considered her rescuer attractive.
© Nell Dixon 2012

Easter Holiday releasing Thursday 22nd March!

Cornish farmer, Noah Penwarren is sworn off city girls, especially deceitful ones. Posy Carmichael is a city girl through and through. When romantic sparks start to fly will Posy’s secret end their Easter romance before it’s even begun?

All being well, Easter Holiday will be releasing on Thursday!
You can read it as a standalone or why not read Making Waves, September Song and A Cornish Christmas to get to know the people of New Bay before the release!

Something for the weekend?

I can't believe another week has gone by so quickly! This weekend is our 'getting ready for the caravanning season' weekend. We're going off for a couple of days to Broadway in the Cotswolds. The house and fish sitters are in place and the van is sort of packed. So if I'm not around for a day or so that's why. The pic is of one of the last times we stayed there - amazing hot air balloons really close to us - very nice to sit and watch. Hoping it will be dry and not too cold. It's Mother's Day on Sunday here in the UK. The last Mother's day I had in the caravan - it snowed!
Writing-wise, A New Bay wedding, which I'm hoping will be this summer's new short and sweet story, is almost done. Just one and a bit chapters left to go. Then I may be working on a new project which I'm squeezing in with some friends before I carry on with the rest of my scheduled writing.
Thank you to everyone who leaves me nice comments about my books on my Facebook pages. It's much appreciated. If you have time to leave a Nook or Amazon review that would also be fab or a click on the like button on the book page on Amazon.

Friday again? So soon?

Snoopy always makes me smile. It's been another busy week, mainly with the belles and their assorted events. Exam results, dance shows, descisions about colleges etc. My day job is busy too. We're expanding our project and there is a lot to get done on top of our already frenetic workload. Thankfully we've a fantastic team. Writing wise I'm anticipating two lots of edits shortly and hopefully my new covers. I've seen the one for Easter Holiday but don't have the final version yet. It looks great though and will fit right in with my other Cornish covers. I'm halfway through writing the fifth book in the New Bay set - this one is a summer book and has a wedding at it's centre! Once that's done I'll edit Radio Gaga - my single title and get it polished and fit for people to read.

Coming soon!

Phew, it's been a busy week. I've been sorting out contracts and organising release dates with my publishers. Here's the schedule so far for 2012

Easter Holiday - out this month with Astraea Press. This is the fourth book in the Cornish New Bay collection.

Passionate Harvest - out end of March, start April with E-Scape Press. This is the vineyard book. It's not a clean or sweet read :)

A New Bay Wedding - This is pencilled in as I haven't finished writing it yet (Blush) but all being well this will be the fifth Cornish book out in June from Astraea Press.

Be My Hero - This is available as an audiobook from Audiolark right now but is releasing again as an ebook from Astraea Press in September. This is one of the Mayer series - linked to Dangerous to Know which is already out.

The Cinderella Substitute -Again currently out as audiobook only and will be releasing again as an e book in November - this is linked to Dangerous to Know and Be My Hero.

Hopefully if I get busy there will be more releases to come this year but for now there are some oldies, some newies and I promise there are goodies in that lot!
Happy Reading!

Monday, Monday

I can't believe it's almost the end of February. This year is scooting by faster than ever. The snowdrops are out in my garden and the tree pollen is stirring so for the next few weeks I'll be taking hayfever meds. Once the cherry blossom is off the trees I'll be fine again but until then I'll be feeling sorry for myself and sneezing my head off.
Writing wise I'm having a fab start to the year with the sale of Easter Holiday and Passionate Harvest - there are two more sales hopefully in the pipeline too to satisfy those of you who've been asking about my remaining two out of print novellas. Radio Gaga is done - finally and is sitting for a while before I do my big read through, adit and polish. I'm working on another short and sweet for my Cornish series and I still have my Jane Austenish project and an idea I want for my next single title. Plus I'd like to write the story of Dominic's brother, Jake from Passionate Harvest.
So many stories in my head and so little time to write!

Guest Blogger - Judy Jarvie

I'm thrilled to be hosting Judy Jarvie - Judy is a former fellow Moonlit author and a good friend. Hopefully we'll be able to meet up again this summer at the RNA's conference. And, now that E-Scape Press have accepted my book - Passionate Harvest - Coming soon! We once again are sharing a publisher - yay!
Even better than that this weekend you can read Judy's fabulous book, Nanny Behaving Badly, completely FREE!
So grab it while you can!

Here's Judy to tell you more about it.
Why you might like it? It’s set in wintertime Edinburgh in a coffee bar where the chemistry's hotter than the beverages. It has a rally driving hero Lyle who’s a delicious dark brooding mocha choc delight. And a nut brittle heroine, Maddie who somehow always manages to get into trouble. A recipe for fun and sparks.


Maddie Adams hopes for a smooth ride in her new temporary coffee shop job so she doesn’t mean to make the worst impression possible with the handsome café owner, Lyle Sutherland. His suggestion that she becomes his son’s replacement nanny shocks them both. When attraction and passion are unleashed between boss and sassy super nanny, Lyle’s secrets and a shock pregnancy challenge old wounds.
You can download it free here AMAZON UK or HERE AMAZON>COM
To find out more about Judy and to get her other books why not visit her At her website Look out for her blog site and friend her on facebook!
Happy Reading!

Astraea's Birthday Treat

Astraea are celebrating their first birthday by giving a different book away every day this month. Today it's your chance to grab a free copy of Cue Me In. Go HERE and get your free code! Did I mention it was free?
This is my Bridget Jones meets Scooby Doo kind of story and is a fun spooky tale. Happy Reading!

Passionate Harvest!

I got some great news yesterday, my short novel, Passionate Harvest has been acquired by E-Scape Press and will be out as an e book in a couple of months time. This one is too smexy for my lovely sweet publisher and I wanted to make sure it went to a good home :)
I wrote the story last summer and the characters just had a mind of their own when it came to their story.
Here's the blurb!
Nursery nurse Lucy Morgan, unexpectedly inherits half a Somerset vineyard with conditions and a co-owner attached.
Unwilling co-owner Dominic LeFevre, doesn't want or need a new business partner, especially one who knows nothing about wine.
With Lucy having left behind her old life, and love in Tenerife, she has twelve months to convince Dominic that she's exactly what both he, and the business, need.

Here's how I pictured my hero - Dominic - there was something about the eyes.

Still in the mood for romance?

Meet my guest Sherry Gloag and read about her fabulous new novella - His Chosen Bride
Prince Henri Gasquet is happy to let his father, the king, choose his bride for him until he meets Monica Latimer.
Monica Latimer is not prepared to risk letting any man close enough to learn about her Gift. A gift that normally has men running for the hills when they find out about it.
Excerpt

She lost track of time until the flames caught her attention once more. They flickered from orange to gold, to silver, to white.
A flurry of snowflakes masked the flames and for a second Monica watched the most beautiful, pristine snow-scene she’d ever seen. Her lips curved in longing. How she’d love to get a toboggan and slide down that slope. She knew where it was, and had done just that many times in her childhood, first with her parents and then, in clandestine manner, with her brother. Sneaking an old tin tray from the back of her mother’s walk-in pantry, she’d then grabbed Billy’s hand and they’d rushed out the back gate, heading for the lakeside track that led up into the hills.
Darkness, dense and thick with grief dropped over the scene. Startled and disconcerted by the strength of emotion emanating from the vision Monica shifted to her knees, ready to stand, when a voice, a deep male voice, sharp with fear called out her name.
“Monica!”
She knew she’d never heard the voice before, and yet—it was as familiar to her as the image she saw in her mirror each morning.
“Help me, Monica.”
Desperate for more clues, she searched the darkness within the flames until it sputtered and faded. With a curse she jumped up and ran for the phone. With her outstretched hand hovering over it she halted and let her hand drop to her side once more. What could she say? What would the police or rescue team think of her if she called them and told them she’d seen a vision of a man in distress?
They’d laugh in her face and classify her as a lunatic. Well, maybe not. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d contacted them with positive information but something—an instinctive gut reaction told her what she’d seen this time hadn’t happened yet.
His Chosen Bride is available from Amazon B&N, Astraea Press and all other good e-tailers!

Valentine's Day Treat 3

Patricia Kiyono's Aegean Intrigue
Someone has been stealing priceless Greek artifacts and it's Alex Leonidis' job to uncover the thief. His prime suspect is beautiful archaeological graduate student, Francie Vasileiou. His plan is to join in an archaeological dig and catch her in the act. All he has to do is keep his mind on his job, and not on the way his lovely suspect warms his heart. He's learned the hard way not to trust fragile-looking women who seem to need his help.

Francie wants to get her PhD and become an archaeologist, like her famous father. The sudden invitation to participate in a dig on the beautiful Greek island of Paros is a wonderful opportunity. She has no time for distractions like Alex, the handsome Project Director. Experience has taught her to stay clear of handsome, charismatic Greek men.

On the shores of the Aegean Sea, Alex and Francie work together, searching for treasures from Greece's past. While pursuing their goals, they discover some of the truths they had believed to be carved in stone may have been flawed.
Available from: Astraea Press Amazon and B&N

Valentines Day Treat 2

Minna has a secret. Her father, ex-dragon jockey Wynn Westerfield, will forever hold a grudge against wizards. Because it was a wizard who caused his career-ending accident, Minna struggles to hide her incredible magical powers from him...and from the world.

Evan Valentine has attended a prestigious magical academy on scholarship, although he's managed to conceal that fact from everyone. He's on the fast track to success with his apprenticeship to wizard Thaddeus Bartholomew, and Evan's carefully constructed life doesn't include a certain beautiful girl whose powers rival his own.

Although Minna and Evan don't realize it yet, their destinies have been intertwined for years. When a threat arises, Minna and Evan must travel to another reality to retrieve a dangerous magical artifact. Can Minna and Evan learn to work together, despite their mutual mistrust? Or will their explosive romantic attraction lead to disaster?

Minna & The Valentine is available at:Amazon and B&N as well as other fine online bookstores.

Valentine's Day treats

Astraea is not only giving away a free book every day this month to celebrate it's birthday but also has some fabulously romantic reads for Valentine's Day like THE KEY TO LOVE – Meg Mims!

Artist Jennette Jacobson clashes with a handsome visitor at a gallery show. He claims that artwork is just “more junk to dust.” Ouch. When she finds a small metal object on the floor, she uses it later in a new collage.

Her world soon crumbles with family problems and a friend’s betrayal. And wouldn’t you know that the same hunky guy claims he lost an important key the night of the show! When Steve Harmon offers to buy Jenn’s work, she refuses to sell. He’ll just trash it to free his precious key... Or is it possible that key will unlock her future happiness?

Available from Astraea Press B&N
and of course Amazon

Treat yourself to a lovely romantic read!

Things I just don't get

Okay, maybe with an impending birthday it's my age but there are an increasing number of things that I just don't 'get'.
One of them was featured in my morning paper today.
Hair extensions - There were these horrendous pictures showing the damaged scalps of various women who had actually ponied up good money to do this to themselves. I mean what is the logic behind it? Think about this...
Hair extensions are human hair - from someone elses head (ugh, shudder) The main supply is from temples in Asia where the hair is sold. This hair is then glued or heat sealed onto your own hair - often using latex based materials (hello Toxins) or fastened with tiny metal clips. The process of putting it in and out damages the hair folicles causing scalp trauma and people develop bald spots from where clumps of hair are tugged out due to the weight of the extensions (Scalp traction)
Bits of someone elses hair shed constantly.
How is any of this attractive? Can imagine a bloke running his hands through his girlfriends hair and it either coming away or ehe's encountering glue, metal, hair spray etc. Romantic? No.
So is it me? Actually, don't answer that, I'm not going to be rushing to my hairdresser for these anytime soon.

Six below freezing

That was definitely what Poppy, my little car, said the temp was this morning as I drove eldest to get her train to college. It makes me so thankful I live in an age of central heating and indoor plumbing.
Exciting news! Astraea press have acquired Easter Holiday - this is my new short and sweet novella set in the fictional town of New Bay, Cornwall. It'll release mid to end March and gives you the chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones in the form of Posy and Noah. It's Astraea's birthday too this month - check my sidebar for a link to their blog - they are giving away a different book every day for the whole of February. Perfect if you like delicious clean reads.
There is a wonderful view from my window this morning across the fields, everything is white and stiff with frost and the sky is that translucent blue tinged with pink gold. The little Welsh rough cob ponies look a bit miserable by the side of the pond, all huddled together around the hay bales. I'm trying to get some feeling back in my feet before I venture out again for more groceries. Yet again there is nothing in the house to eat! Teenagers -grr.

Fabby Friday!

Brief Encounters is now just 99p on AMAZON for a short time. So if you haven't got a copy of our collection of short stories, two by me, two from Phillipa Ashley and two from Elizabeth Hanbury, then go get a copy! It's also available as a paperback - the perfect birthday, valentines or mothers day gift.
The other reason it's a fabby Friday is Elizabeth Hanbury, my friend and fellow coffee crew member has sold her book, A Bright Particular Star to Astraea Press. Four publishers wanted to buy and having read the book I can understand why. It's a gorgeous regency romp with a delicious hero and a minx of a heroine. Astraea Press recently had a NYT bestseller with another regency author so have a strong name for selecting beautifully fabulous regency tales for their list. A Bright Particular Star will be out in May and I can't wait!

January blues

It's that time of year when everyone gets the blues. Bills are in, money is short. All the work that didn't get done in December hits your desk and it's cold. But, on the upside, the days are getting lighter, snowdrops are open in my garden, PLR (Thats a small sum of money paid by govt to compensate for library loaning) has been announced and the holiday brochures are out.
I'm planning to crack on with Radio Gaga to get this last 10k done - I always procrastinate at the end of a single title. Then, I need to polish and submit my Easter short. I got a nice surprise to find A Cornish Christmas in Amazon's top 100 Romance short stories yesterday which was a real boost. I love writing the fun short novella's and I'm so pleased people seem to be enjoying them.
My Mum got a kindle for Christmas which means that because she can adjust the font she can now read all my books that weren't available to her before. She called last night to tell me she'd read Renovation, Renovation, Renovation. Gulp! Luckily for me she loved it and said she'd read some bits out to my dad and they'd been laughing out loud at some of the lines.(In a good way)

Writing

I thought I'd better give you all an update on where I am with my writing since New Year! I've almost half a brand new short and sweet story done which I hope will be right for Astraea Press. It's another New Bay set story so a couple of previous characters step in and out of the pages but the focus is on the outskirts of the town on a farm. It has a very lovely farmer called Noah and a city girl turned reluctant camper called Posy. Poor Noah is being tugged in all directions thanks to his matchmaking sister, Emma.
I've just 10kish left to go on Radio Gaga so that should be wrapped up in the next six weeks. Nice timing as Renovation, Renovation, Renovation gets closer to making it's print debut at the beginning of March.
I've managed to fit a bit of reading in too! Quite an achievement when I'm helping eldest belle revise for her A2 exams.

Chugging along

Eldest, middle and youngest
It's too early in the New year for me to think about the usual goals for the year. I never attempt my getting fitter, maintaining/losing weight until the middle of the month. That gives time for the goodies to go and life to settle down. This year is extra slow as my eldest belle will be 18 on Wednesday!
I can't quite believe the years have gone by so swiftly. She arrived by C section on a cold January day - overdue and breech, her hips stuck firmly in my pelvis so her hips were dislocated. She spent the first six months of her life encased in double nappies and a huge plastic casing to hold her joints in place.
It certainly surprised the vicar at her christening when I handed her over and instead of a squishly little baby he encountered the huge plastic splint. People were very weird when I was out with her too - one woman followed me all around the supermarket one day and threatened me with social services as eldest had been crying and the woman could see the splint. I swear she took my car reg as I pulled away.
Now she's all grown up, learning to drive, taking her A levels and planning her university course.
Happy Birthday, eldest!

Guest Blogger - Julie Day

I'm thrilled to be kicking off the New Year by introducing my lovely friend, Julie Day, author of young adult book The Railway Angel. Julie is a fellow RNA member and writes romance and young adult. She kindly agreed to be interviewed and to tell us a bit about her new book.
Julie, how did you become a novelist?
I became a novelist following recurring dreams in the night. This dream stayed in my mind during the day, and I realised the only way to get it out of my head was to write it down. Once I started writing, that was it. Ideas and more ideas came. That was over 10 years ago now.
Tell us what The Railway Angel is about?
The Railway Angel is about fifteen-year-old Lizzie, who becomes an angel after dying suddenly following a dare that goes wrong. She is sent back to Earth for a test, to stop another teenager from self-destructing and ending up like her. Along the way she finds she has magical powers, as well as the school she now belongs to. It is now free from Smashwords.
What inspired this story?
I think what inspired me to write it was reading lots of stories in the papers recently about teenagers and young adults doing silly things like running on tracks and doing other stupid stunts. I thought what would happen if they became guardian angels to other teenagers like them.
Any advice for aspiring writers?
My advice to aspiring writers is to keep persevering. You will find your own voice and what you like writing and when you do, you will find it easier to write those stories. Also, look out for different opportunities to get your work out there.
What do you have planned next?
I am working on the second angel story, which is Danny's story. He briefly appeared in Lizzie's story. I am also planning a series of adult romance ebooks with a touch of magic, both for a digital publisher and as an indie author. You can see what I like writing about, can't you? Magic.

Thanks Julie, the book sounds brilliant!
The Railway Angel
After a game of dare at a train station goes tragically wrong, fifteen year-old Lizzie Hammond becomes a lost angel, until she is tested and sent back to Earth to stop a teenager from risking their life on railway tracks, with persuasion and newly discovered magical powers. Passing her test, Lizzie now becomes a ‘Guardian Angel.”
Available from Amazon UK also Amazon US, Smashwords and other e-tailers. The perfect gift for a teen in your life!

End of Year round-up.

Happy New Year to all my friends and readers. Thank you for your support during 2011. I wish all of you a wonderful 2012 filled with good things.
2011 was a bit up and down for me, as it was for many people. The first part of the year held the usual uncertainty over my day job - but worse than it had ever been before. This year still looks rocky in some respects but hopeful which is as good as it gets for most people at the moment I think in the current economic climate.
Family wise, it had the highs of my eldest getting the results she needed from her AS levels to continue at college and to find a career she really wants. My middle belle took part in her first big play and coped brilliantly and my youngest belle continues to be her entertaining beautiful self. Mr Nell's health issues stayed in remission and although my arthritis is getting worse I staved off the hip replacement for another year.
Writing wise it's been a real roller coaster. Since parting amicably from my agent and making the decision to go it alone for a while saleswise I've had my best ever year in books placed. 5 books went to my wonderful new specialist sweet publisher - Astraea press - these included some of my older out of print stories as well as my new novella - A Cornish Christmas. E-Scape with a Book published the anthology of short stories that I wrote with my Coffee Crew friends - Phillipa Ashley and Elizabeth Hanbury. 2 books were taken by a large print publisher. Animal Instincts sold to a German book club and I secured a 2 book contract with Myrmidon for my single title books. Renovation, Renovation, Renovation is out digitally and in paperback March 5th whilst I've almost completed the first draft of Radio Gaga which is book 2.
Next year? Who knows - I have a completed category length story out there and I'm working on some more shorts for Astraea as well as a Jane Austen inspired project which may or may not work. I'm planning some workshops and some online classes. Check my website regularly for details or join my Yahoo group to take part.
Thank you all for everything this year. I'm very blessed in having great family and wonderful friends.
Happy New year!

Sale!

My sweet reads with Astraea are all on offer for the holidays at 86p if you're in the UK and 99c if you're in the US - available at B&N and Amazon!
Snap them up for later!
Cue Me In - a fun ghost story for dark nights.
Dangerous to Know - A longer romantic suspense read set in the Lake District
Making Waves
September Song and A Cornish Christmas are my three New Bay stories - all stand alone reads set in Cornwall

The gift of Christmas

I've now officially broken up from the day job for a week or so. Time to rescue the house - having three teenagers at home whilst I'm at work is not a good thing. The fridge has now been filled (again), the freezer is stuffed with goodies and the pantry is a danger zone thanks to the shelves groaning with treats ready for family and friends.
For many people life is not so kind, my next job today is to send my charity donations for Christmas. I have some causes I support all year round - my local hospice, the RNLI, and the air ambulance are my main ones but at Christmas I always try to give extra money where I can. The real message of Christmas isn't the gifts or the food and parties but in the true wealth of life, family, friends and the thankfulness for the bounty we've recieved all year. The joy of Christmas lies in sharing with others especially with those who may be struggling.
I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and hope that the season is filled with blessings for you and yours.

Christmas is coming

And today is Mr Nell's birthday!

The new shiny

Sign up here for my shiny new yahoo group. My newsletter system had grown way too big for my mail server so I decided to invite everyone over to the new group instead. As well as getting newsletter, subscriber exclusive contests for readers and for writers, there'll be exclusive stories, snippets from work in progress and even some online workshops and book discussions. Hopefully everyone will get to chat and have some fun there.You can also find me on Facebook or if you're on Twitter I'm @NellDixon

Bryan Adams and me

Sigh, what can I say? I've been in a long term relationship with Bryan Adams for over twenty years now. Last night I got to see him again. Just Bryan, me and a few thousand other people. For those of you who are concerned about Mr Nell - it's ok. He understands that if/when Bryan realises that i'm the perfect woman for him, then he'll stand aside. In return I've promised to do the same should Linda Lusardi ever consider Mr Nell.
If you've never been to a Bryan Adams concert then don't go expecting elephants, giant robots, fancy lighting, support acts and costume changes. What you get is Bryan in his black tee shirt and jeans, some guitars and a few other assorted musicians also in black shirts and jeans and that's all he needs. He sang and played for two and a half hours without a break and every song was a hit.
I love that he keeps his private life private, supports many excellent charities quietly without making a huge deal of it, is a talented photographer and just an all round nice person as well as being an incredible rock singer.
I also based a bit of Drew in Crystal Clear on Bryan.

A release from Coffee Crew member - Phillipa Ashley!

When Carrie’s fiancé Huw suddenly calls off their wedding, and she finds out he’s marrying another woman, she’s devastated. Desperate to get away, Carrie jumps at her best friend Rowena’s suggestion of a road trip in her VW camper van. But when Rowena has to pull out and Matt Landor, an old friend of Huw's, ends up filling the breach, she's not so sure. Will fate take the pair on an altogether different journey? (In the UK as It Should Have Been Me)
Another lovely read from Phillipa - if you didn't catch it first time round then grab your copy now!

A Cornish Christmas is out!

A Cornish Christmas is now available from Astraea Press A short and sweet novella without Santa, elves or cute kids but still guaranteed to leave you with a warm Christmassy feeling!

Adam wants Meg to be more than a friend but Meg has her reasons for not wanting to move their relationship on. It takes a stray dog, an emergency at sea and a touch of Christmas to show Meg her true feelings.

And here’s a taster!

The shop was full with people when Meg returned. She left her sandwich and her coat in the staff room and went to help her mother serve the customers. By the time the bell over the door sounded a farewell to the last customer, Meg’s stomach growled.
She hurried into the back room to retrieve her lunch, finally acknowledging the rumbles of complaint from her stomach.
She took a large bite from her brie and cranberry sandwich, chewed and swallowed. “Yum, this is heaven.”
“You know if you made your own sandwiches it would be a lot cheaper,” her mother tutted as she moved around the shop tidying as she went.
“I do make my own most days. Some days though it’s nice to have a treat.” Meg took another bite.
“Did you hear anything about the lifeboat call out?”
Meg licked a crumb of cheese from the corner of her mouth. “Yes, it was two kids in a homemade boat. I met Adam as I was walking back and he told me.”
Her mother paused as she straightened up a basket of shell jewellery. “I’m glad everyone was all right. I assume they were all safe?” she asked, clearly fishing for information.
Meg nodded as she swallowed another morsel of her lunch. “Yes, the kids have gone to the hospital, but they’re fine.”
“Good job Adam was on the boat then.”
“Mum, let’s not have this discussion now. You know how I feel about Adam being on the lifeboat crew.”
Val pursed her lips. “What happened to your dad can’t be undone, love. New Bay men have always gone to sea, that’s how it is. Adam does a vital job for the lifeboat. They need young strong men like him, and his medical know-how is a real bonus to the crew. If he hadn’t been on the boat when they pulled young Brad out of the water a few months back, he wouldn’t be here to tell the tale.”
Meg shivered. In her heart, she knew her mother was right. Brad had been surfing when he’d been caught in an undertow. Without the bravery of her friend Erin’s boyfriend Dan and Adam’s medical skill then Brad would have drowned.
“Dad went to sea because he was a fisherman. It was his living. Adam is deliberately putting himself in danger every time the boat goes out.” Her voice shook as she spoke.
Her father had been drowned when she’d been a teenager. His boat had been caught in a terrible storm a few miles from the safety of the harbour. She’d seen and felt first hand what losing someone you loved to the sea could do.
“And if it weren’t for men like Adam there’d be more folk lost. There’s danger everywhere, Meg. I could have lost your dad to a road accident or cancer.” The lines on her mother’s face softened, and she rested a gentle hand on Meg’s shoulder. “Think about it, Meg, and give Adam a chance.”
© Nell Dixon 2011
For UK readers
For US readers

And why not try Making Waves or September Song also set in the same Cornish village of New Bay?
Astraea Press has lots of lovely Christmas reads - join in the blog hop! Start HERE

Guest Blogger - Juliet Archer

Hi everyone – and thank you very much, Nell, for inviting me! I describe myself as a 19th-century mind in a 21st-century body (actually, some days it’s the other way round) because I’m on a mission to modernise Jane Austen’s six completed novels. So far, I’ve updated Emma and Persuasion as The Importance of Being Emma and Persuade Me, published by Choc Lit.



When did you start writing?

I’ve been writing ever since I was a child, just in different genres and with varying degrees of success! When I was small, it was for my own amusement: I made up stories, or created my own versions of Lorna Hill’s Marjorie books – a precedent for my current exploits with Jane Austen, perhaps? Studying languages and literature at school and university meant lots of reading, and writing about reading! Then I went into the business world and learnt how to produce effective reports and presentations. And shadowing my husband’s MBA for a year at Ashridge Business School has certainly provided material for my novels!

Although I dabbled in poetry ten years ago, I only started writing novels in the mid-2000s with the arrival of internet communities such as C19 and the resulting opportunities for online fanfiction. After a brief flirtation with Gaskells’ North & South (think Richard Armitage!), I turned to Jane Austen for inspiration.



What's your favourite book to read?

Not surprisingly, any of Jane Austen’s novels. They have all the magic ingredients of timeless romantic comedy – brilliant plotting, characters we care passionately about, wit and laugh-out-loud humour. And, for me, her attention to language means that I can read her books over and over again, even though I know them so well.

If I could take only one to a desert island it would have to be Pride & Prejudice, because I think both its hero and the heroine are particularly appealing.



If you could invite some book characters or authors to dinner, who would you choose and why?

What a wonderful idea – a sort of Fantasy Come Dine With Me! I’d invite Jane Austen and Andrew Davies and find out what she thinks of his screenplays of her novels – too raunchy, or forgivable in the context of a modern audience? They’ve both inspired my modernisations and it would be fascinating to understand where they got their ideas from. Since book characters are allowed, I’d like to have Mr Darcy and Captain Wentworth joining in too!


Are you working on anything new?

I’ve just done the last of my launch events for Persuade Me, so I can now settle down to number three in the Darcy & Friends series. Which of Austen’s heroes will I tamper with next? Two down – Mr Knightley and Captain Wentworth – and four left to go. I’m still making up my mind – perhaps I’ll do some in-depth TV and film research!

Persuade Me is available in e book and print for all the Austenesque fans from all the usual places where good books are sold! And here's Juliet's blurb to tempt you some more:
When do you let your heart rule your head?
When it comes to love, Anna Elliot is stuck in the past. No one can compare to Rick Wentworth, the man she gave up ten years ago at the insistence of her disapproving family. What if she’s missed her only chance for real happiness?
Since Anna broke his heart, Rick has moved on – or so he thinks. Out in Australia, he’s worked hard to build a successful career – and a solid wall around his feelings.
The words ‘forgive and forget’ aren’t in Rick's vocabulary. The word ‘regret’ is definitely in Anna’s. So, when they meet again on his book tour of England, it’s an opportunity for closure.
But memories intrude – the pure sensuality of what they once shared, the pain of parting … And she has to deal with another man from her past, while his celebrity status makes him the focus of unwanted attention.
With Anna’s image-obsessed family still ready to interfere and Rick poised to return to Australia, can she persuade him to risk his heart again?
This contemporary re-telling of Jane Austen’s last completed novel is the second book in Juliet Archer’s Darcy & Friends series, offering fresh insights into the hearts and minds of Austen’s irresistible heroes.

Guest Blogger - Jean Joachim

I'm delighted to welcome Jean to the blog today to tell us about herself and her latest release.

1. what inspired you to start writing?
I’ve been writing all my life. As a child I made up stories, sometimes I wrote them down, other times I acted them out with my cousin. My favorite homework assignment in high school was writing a term paper.
When I was in my twenties, I tried my hand at fiction but was not pleased with what I wrote. Laboring under the misapprehension that fiction writers wrote perfect works the first time. So I gave up. I moved toward non-fiction writing which came fairly easy to me. I had seven non-fiction books published before I tried my hand at romance. Now with almost eight romance books out this year, I don’t want to write anything else.


2. What's your favourite book to read?
I still love Pride and Prejudice. I think it’s one of the best books ever written and the characters are so vivid and real. Sigh, who can’t fall in love with Mr. Darcy again and again.

3. If you could invite some book characters or authors to dinner, who would you choose and why?
It’s a toss-up between Jane Austen and Sinclair Lewis. I love Sinclair Lewis’ books and have read everything he wrote that is in print. He captured the American sensibility in ways other authors didn’t and his characters seem so real to me. He was a brilliant writer.

4. Are you working on anything new?
I have two holiday novellas in the works and I’m down to the wire on these! The first one finishes up at Thanksgiving and it’s called, “The Marriage List”. It’s a sensual contemporary romance that came to me some time ago. It’s a short, easy read and it’s with my editor now. The second is “Champagne for Christmas”, a sensual contemporary romance that started at a Tuesday Tale and has grown into its own novella. I’m working on that fast and furiously right now, racing to finish it in time for Christmas as the story finishes up at Christmas time. Both the holiday stories will be for sale for $.99.

Tell us about the book of Danny.

Barely surviving the Iraq War and his tragic childhood, sexy sharpshooter, Captain Danny Maine becomes a professor at Kensington State University.

Haunted by nightmares of the deaths of members of his squad and his brother, Danny is desperate to create a normal life in the sleepy town of Willow Falls. He doesn’t expect to find love behind the first door he knocks on until he meets lovely Eliza Baines, a dean at the university. Is true love with one woman possible for the damaged man Danny has become or is it just out of reach, only an illusion created by his passion and desire? Driven to find love, stability and recovery, Danny faces down demons from his past to save those he loves on his journey to a new life. Is violence still his only protection or can he rise above his deadly past?

It sounds great! You can find out more about Jean and her books at her WEBSITE Her books are available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all good e-tailers.

A Cornish Christmas

Here is the cover for the third of my New Bay set stories - A Cornish Christmas. This one is the story of Adam and Meg, for those of you who like to catch up with some of the people from Making Waves and September Song there are some familiar faces. It's a short and sweet novella, perfect to get you in the Christmas spirit but without cute kids, elves or Santa although there is a rather sweet dog!Releasing soon from Astraea Press.

SAVE A TURKEY: GOBBLE A BOOK BLOG HOP TOUR (NOV 14-21)

Hi and welcome to all the blog hop visitors!
1) HAVE FUN!!!

2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, November 14, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, November 21, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
Winners will be drawn and posted November 22nd! ***

4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS & BOOK PAGES! EXPERIENCE A NEW DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR & BOOK PAGE IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW THEM SOME LOVE!

6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!***Authors & Book Pages have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***
Autumn is one of my favourite times of year, falling leaves, crisp wintery air, Halloween, and here, in the UK, Bonfire Night. Three years ago I was lucky enough to spend some Autumn days in Philadelphia in the US.
Here we saw the bounty of food in the stores celebrating harvest.
The famous Reading market not to mention the Liberty bell and to see the historic importance of the city. All this helped me to see why my lovely US friends and readers celebrated Thanksgiving in such style.

To help with the celebrations leave a comment below telling me how you plan to celebrate Autumn or Thanksgiving to win a PDF copy of September Song, my Autumn set e book from Astraea Press.To get you in the mood here's a short excerpt:
September Song – A Cornish set short and sweet story available now from http://astraeapress.com and all good e-tailors including http://www.amazon.com/September-Song-ebook/dp/B005LHJH8I/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Erin came to New Bay on her year out, keen to experience life in a vibrant seaside town famous for its surf and surfers. She doesn’t expect to be left with a very expensive spare ticket to the hottest concert in town.

Her boss, Kelly’s solution is to recruit Dan to take the ticket and escort Erin to the concert. But why would Erin want to go on an enforced date with the geekiest guy in New Bay? And why doesn’t ex-champion surfer, Dan surf anymore?

Fancy an excerpt?

“Here, let me help you.” Dan held her jacket out.
The sensitive skin of her neck tingled as he straightened out her collar for
her.
“Thanks. It was a great concert, wasn’t it?” She bit her bottom lip
uncertainly. His eyes met hers, deep, dark pools in the light of the stadium. For a
brief wonderful moment, she thought he was about to kiss her, but then he
moved away along the row of seats.
“Yeah, it was really good. We’d better get to the car.”
Her spirits plummeted as she followed him to the top of the steps to
descend to the exit. It looked as if she’d misjudged his intentions. He waited for
her to make it through the throng to his side.
“Do you want anything else to eat or drink before we go?” he asked.
She shook her head as a group of people rushed past her, throwing her
off balance. She lurched against Dan as he placed his hand on her arm to steady
her. For a sweet all-¬‐ too-¬‐ brief second, her head rested against the broad plain of
his chest, and she heard the wild tattoo of his heartbeat.
“Time we got out of here, I think,” he said.
Her pulse raced as he held her hand all the way along the path to the car.
His fingers warmed her cold flesh and she enjoyed the feeling of closeness, the
intimacy of his fingers interlaced with hers. Her heart pitter-¬‐ patted in time with
their footsteps on the paved surface, the butterflies in her stomach dancing like
the moths in the beams from the lights that lined the path. They halted at the side
of his car and he drew her closer to him.
“It’s been a lovely night,” she murmured.
He dipped his head and his lips claimed hers. His arms were around her,
pulling her gently towards him. She quivered with pleasure as her hips bumped
against his, her body pressed against his lean firm length. Her tongue explored
his mouth and she revelled in the sweet heat of his lips against hers.

‘This is another great book by Nell Dixon. The book can easily be read in one sitting and is a nice romantic tale. A recommended read for all romantic fans.’ Books4U
© Nell Dixon 2011
http://www.nelldixon.com
Romance with Heart
Hop to another tour blog

Writing

I'm trying to get back into my writing now Renovation, Renovation, Renovation is out there in ebook world before I have to start thinking about the launch in March for the paperback version. The second book for Myrmidon is about Chloe Lark, who having not been much good at anything else, wants to be famous. She really wanted to be a Blue Peter presenter but was allergic to sticky back plastic. I have just under a third to write and have been a bit stalled. Then I realised while I was on holiday that it was because a) I needed a new working title and b) I had an important secondary character missing. Hopefully I've now rectified both of these and with any luck I'll be back in my stride by the end of this week. I really want to finish before Christmas.
I also want to get on with my 'secret' Jane Austen inspired project. I'm doing that for fun and I'm not sure it'll go anywhere but I like it.

Catching up

I've had a busy few weeks lately with the release of Renovation, Renovation, Renovation and Cue Me In, going to the Festival of Romance and accompanying my eldest daughter to look at various colleges and universities all around the country. Thankfully she know knows what course she would like to do and which her dream college would be. Fingers crossed she gets an offer - her application is going in this week.
The day job is busier than ever so that is taking up more of my time.
I still have my fingers crossed for the pieces I have out on submission and I'm gearing up to dive back into the two books I have on the go already. I've also written another childrens story - Edward, the owl who lost his hoot. That may end up going into my little niece's Christmas stocking as she loved Bertie, The Christmas Beetle which was the story I wrote for her last year.
Coming up I have a literary dinner event on Friday with some fellow writers to raise money for another charity and then on the 17th it's the RNA winter party. The Coffee Crew will be hitting the town to pahtay! Maltloaf and vino on the train again. Can't wait.

Renovation, Renovation, Renovation - another fab review!

Thanks to the lovely Nikki, for her review of Renovation, Renovation, Renovation here at Books4U She said, 'A haunting story, about life and death living together in an old run down cottage. Which is well written and the human spirit shines through to create a beautiful story.'

Review for Renovation, Renovation, Renovation!

One More Page reviewed Renovation, Renovation, Renovation! Squee! They said 'Renovation, Renovation, Renovation is a quick read that kept me engrossed and I really enjoyed the originality of the ghostly element to it. The book had the perfect level of spookiness for me and is an ideal Halloween read for chick lit lovers!' How fab is that!

Cue Me In is out!

Cue Me In – A short, sweet and spooky tale is now available from Astraea Press and all good e-tailers!
Fae Heath wants to be on TV, but not just any show. She wants to be on Ghost UK. She intends to win the contest to find the next presenter. Tall, slim and blonde and access to a haunted Welsh Castle on Halloween – how can she fail?

‘There’s the castle.’
Fae braked at Flash’s words and they stared into the darkness at the building before them. Half of the castle was clearly uninhabitable. Fragmented stones stood like jagged broken teeth along the broken battlement. Mist twisted around the surviving tower and range of buildings. A couple of the windows showed yellow light in to the blackness and Fae breathed a sigh of relief. There was someone home.
‘Right, let’s get this show on the road.’ Fae eased the car into the courtyard of the castle. As she cut the engine an eerie baying sound echoed around the stone walls.
‘Wow, a welcome committee.’ Flash leaned forward into the gap between the front seats, his dark head next to Fae’s.
‘I expect living alone up here, miles from anywhere, they keep dogs,’ Izzy snapped as she picked up her bag from the footwell.
Fae swallowed hard. She hoped Rhodri Morgan would be the kind of man who was susceptible to feminine charm. In her mind she’d pictured a stooped, elderly antiquarian who on meeting her would instantly change his mind and grant her free access to film the castle and its secrets.
The baying grew louder when Fae opened the car door. The next thing she knew she was pinned to the side of the Mini by the biggest dog she’d ever seen in her life. A large paw was planted on each side of her shoulders as the dog breathed stale meat-breath in her face.
She twisted her head to the side and saw an archway of light appear on the far side of the courtyard.
‘Help!’
Izzy and Flash remained in the car, round-eyed and open-mouthed with shock.
‘Nice doggy.’
The hound responded with a lick down her face covering her with drool. She heard the sound of footsteps crunching across the yard in the darkness.
‘Down, Fang.’ A firm male voice with a hint of accent came out of the mist. A shape loomed out of the darkness illuminated by a storm lantern. A large man’s shape.
© Nell Dixon 2011

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cue-Me-In-ebook/dp/B005XSEQJU/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1
http://www.amazon.com/Cue-Me-In-ebook/dp/B005XSEQJU/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_2

http://www.nelldixon.com Romance with Heart

Boo!!!

Welcome to everyone visiting for the Spookalicious blog hop! Leave a comment for your chance to win a pdf of Renovation, Renovation, Renovation or Cue Me In.

A fun romantic comedy with a unique twist that kept me hooked from beginning to end -- Gemma Halliday, bestselling author of the High Heel mysteries

Overworked, over budget and just so not over him! Kate would like an engagement ring from Steve but instead he's lumbered them with a thirteenth renovation project, and doing up Myrtle Cottage disturbs a ghost from the English Civil War who has romance troubles of her own. Available from Amazon and as paperback March 5th 2012

Fae Heath wants to be on TV, but not just any show. She wants to be on Ghost UK. She intends to win the contest to find the next presenter. Tall, slim and blonde and access to a haunted Welsh Castle on Halloween – how can she fail? Coming THURSDAY 20th OCTOBER from Astraea Press

Two very different tales for the Autumn and beyond!
Winners drawn October 25th To 'HOP' to another blog on the tour click the link on the right.

Where am I today?

I'm with the lovely Ju GO HERE chatting about romantic fiction and giving away a copy of Renovation, Renovation, Renovation

Guest Blogger - Meg Allison

My guest today is Meg Allison. Meg was a fellow Moonlit Romance author. She writes gorgeous stories filled with warmth and joy. Second Chances was originally published as: Learning to Live; the story has been edited and revised.
Katie Marie Morrison hides behind a flirtatious mask as she serves burgers and peach cobbler at Pops' Dinner. Her bright smile and sarcastic wit hides the devastating knowledge she was just a one-night-stand for the one man she ever loved.

Jeff McAlester, her only lover, returns home for good. But timing is everything and it's Katie who's now ready to leave. Despite their rekindled love, she doesn't want to stay. Can Jeff, the man with bluer-than-blue eyes and highly-charged kisses, help Katie learn to live a little ... the old fashioned way with a white picket fence and Happily Ever After?
©2011 Meg Allison
A Blue Plate Special – Pops’ Girls novel
Amazon.com
Amazon.uk
NOOK
This is a wonderful story, I promise you won't be disappointed if you're looking for something short and sweet.

Talli Roland: Renovation, Ghosts and Boy Bands

Talli Roland: Renovation, Ghosts and Boy Bands: Phew, it's Friday! What a week. I'm thrilled today to have the wonderful Nell Dixon here, talking about her new novel, Renovation, Renovatio...

Romantic Novelists' Association Blog: Interview with Nell Dixon

Romantic Novelists' Association Blog: Interview with Nell Dixon: Nell Dixon is a Black Country author, married to the same man for over twenty-five years. She has three daughters, a tank of tropical fish a...

Renovation, Renovation, Renovation on Tour

Today I'm visiting my lovely talented author friend and fellow romance diva, Kate Pearce. Stop by and say hello and you could win a copy. Go Here!

Whoo hoo! It's out!

FROM UK AMAZON and from AMAZON.COM Nook following later!!!

Pre release party!

Fingers crossed Renovation, Renovation, Renovation will be available in e book tomorrow/Monday. My publisher thinks they've uncovered the cause of the glitch and the powers that be hopefully will get it fixed. So, while we're waiting, meet some of the people in the book.

Hi, I'm Kate, and my doofus very ex-boyfriend, Steve bought this mouldering money pit of a cottage instead of the beautiful barn that he was supposed to have bid for. Needless to say we're no longer together but thanks to the property crash until Myrtle Cottage is sold then I have to stay here - all our money went on this dump.

Hi, I'm Steve, Myrtle Cottage is a great investment, an incredible 15th century cottage in a prime location with acres of land. I can't believe that Kate can't see what a great deal it was or that we broke up over it. Women! I'll never understand them.

I'm Lou, Kate's sister - can you believe those two? If you ask me, and someone should, they're still crazy about one another - when they're not arguing of course. I've got my own problems to worry about though.

There are people in my home, strange shadow people in strange clothes. I am afraid I may be mad or perhaps 'tis a punishment for my sins. (Mary Ann)

Now you've met some of the people - how about a contest? Tell me your ghost experiences and I'll draw some people from the comments for a prize of a download of Renovation, Renovation, Renovation when it releases. Contest will close Tuesday 9am GMT