RNA Conference 2012

Tomorrow I'm heading off to Penrith for the Romantic Novelist's Assoc annual conference. Last year was the first one I'd missed for years. This year I'm giving a workshop on editing - how to tweak, polish and shine your manuscript. My lovely editor at Astraea Press - Kay Springsteen Tate has generously shared some of her material with me and having had a an 'oh my God, what am I doing' moment yesterday, I think I'm now prepared. I love the conference as it gives me chance to catch up with old friends, make new ones, talk writing and drink wine for a whole weekend. What's not to love? The workshops are great and this years programme looks fantastic. Support from other writers is what makes romantic novelist's so special. I can honestly say I have always had nothing but support and help from my fellow authors and it's a pleasure to be in their company. Today I get to meet Phillipa Ashley and Elizabeth Hanbury, my fellow coffee crew members for lunch and a catch up. We have heard the Queen is visiting nearby, hope we're not anywhere she could eavesdrop on our conversations. Mind you, Prince Phillip might enjoy them!

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

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!

Taking time

It's been so nice these last few days not to have to be anywhere for a set time. I've been writing - adding words to all three books and enjoying the process. I've finally got around to making a proper author page for FACEBOOK I suppose now I'll have to behave like a proper author. I've been busy booking some fabby guest bloggers to visit here over the next few months. I met up with Elizabeth Hanbury and Phillipa Ashley my fellow coffee crew authors for one of our working, okay, gossiping lunches. As always it's so inspirational and I always come away fired up and ready to write. Look out for Phillipa's book Wish You were here btw if you're in the US as it's released tomorrow by Sourcebooks. (It's one of my favourite reads of Phillipa's) I've been pottering around the house catching up on laundry, cleaning the insides of the windows - it's not foggy out there, who knew? And generally annoying the belles with requests to tidy up, put things away etc. To make my week even better I'm off soon to one of my favourite places. A tiny town on the Welsh border just for a couple of days. The fish and house sitters are organised so hopefully I can spend a few days in lovely countryside with a notepad and pen adding a few more words to my wips.

Feeling foggy

Well, Spring has apparently been and gone. This morning the house is surrounded by fog - a bit like my brain at the moment. I can't believe it's almost April. This year has been crazy for all kinds of reasons. I've at least one book out this month, Dangerous to Know, you can check out the first chapter on my website HERE and if you want to keep tabs on my news don't forget to sign up for my quarterly newsletters. Next one is due out in a few weeks. Brief Encounters will also be released in a few weeks - six fabby little short stories, two from me, two from Phillipa Ashley and two gorgeous regency tales from Elizabeth Hanbury.
I still can't tell you my big, big, writing news yet though as things still aren't finalised but I promise I will as soon as I can.

A new place for romance

You remember that secret project? The small one I was so excited about? Well, here it is Visit Here

Happy Valentines!