Friday, May 30, 2008

You can never have too many books

I'm addicted to books.
This is a well known fact.

Sadly, my neighbours are moving to the other side of the country, and while I'll miss our brunches, dinners and movie nights, the upside is...they needed to get rid of books. Brand new books. By fabulous authors I haven't tried. Plus a few I haven't read by Dan Brown and Danielle Steele.

And the best bit? 13 hardback Trixie Belden books!!!
I was addicted to this series as a teenager and teared up when I got my hands on these again.
Can't wait to read them all.

Now, if only I could find a spare hour or ten I might be able to make a start...

Thursday, May 22, 2008

A good cause

Yeah, Zac here again.

Nic still isn't feeling too good so she asked me to stop by and remind you all about BRENDA NOVAK'S auction to raise funds for juvenile diabetes, which ends May 31st.

The array of items to bid on is staggering. Go check it out.
Nic's blown away someone has bid $210 on her critique. Wow, is the pressure on her or what? :)

Get well soon, sweetheart.
(See, I've changed tack. I'm trying to soften her up now, so she'll give me another chance with Lana. Reckon I've got a shot at it?)

Friday, May 02, 2008

Breaking news!!

Just had some lovely news.
My Harlequin Romance PRINCESS AUSTRALIA has finalled in the Golden Quill for Best Traditional Romance 2008.
Yay!
Last year was the 'year of the comp' for me. I decided to enter 6 of them and was lucky to final in 4. This year, I've only entered in a few so it's nice to final in one of them. :)
In other news, I think I mentioned I've signed up for Margie Lawson's "Deep Editing" on line course this month?
Well, she's posted the first lecture and it's amazing stuff!
If you're interested in doing the course, you can still register.
What with finishing THE DATING DILEMMA, doing the synopsis for my next Modern Heat (and getting both off to my lovely ed by the end of next week if possible!), the online course and co-hosting over at CataUni, my writing days (well, nights actually) are full.
So much for winding down this weekend ;)

COVER TO COVER: When the SOLD sign goes up!

We now have the final instalment in the Cover to Cover series, where I mapped out the process of writing a Harlequin Romance novel from beginning to end.

And yes, a big 'woo-hoo' as WISH UPON A VALENTINE has sold!
My 17th book and every bit as exciting as my first. :)
It's such a mix of feelings when the sold sign goes up on a book: relief (I can still do this), exaltation (yes! another sale!) planning (what can I spend the advance on? Oh, that's right, school fees) but mostly, satisfaction. A huge amount of satisfiction that another of my babies will see the light of day on a book shelf in a store near you.
I'm especially proud of this book because I think it's a turning point for me.
I really, really invested a lot of time into these characters, into their emotions, into making them come alive and I think it has paid off. It was the first time ever I teared up while writing, and I made my editor cry, twice!
I can't wait for you to meet Camryn and Blane too. Probably around April or May next year. Will let you know as soon as I do.
If you like your heroes seriously gorgeous, laid-back and totally lovable, Blane is the man for you. Little wonder Cam gave him a second chance...I love reunion stories :)