News

October 2009

Greetings once again! The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and I just sent my 12th book in to my editor, which I am very happy about—it is always a sweet relief to push that send button on the computer, even if it is accompanied by a certain amount of trepidation!

October sees the release of my Royal House of Karedes book, The Sheikh’s Forbidden Virgin, which has been the #1 Waldenbooks and Eharlequin bestseller! I am blogging about the book on iheartpresents and also about whether we, as readers, need our characters to be consistent all the time!

November sees the release of my Presents Extra, Royal Baby, Forbidden Marriage, which is set in the fictional Scandinavian country of Amarnes. I had great fun researching fjords and Danish food, and you can find some of that on my Extras page, as well as an excerpt and behind-the-scenes exclusives! Also, all month I’ll be posting excerpts on my blog, including the first sentence of each chapter! Every time I post an excerpt, leave a comment to automatically be entered in my contest for a free book from my backlist and everyone who comments over the course of the month will be entered into a final contest to win six gorgeous cupcakes from my favorite bakery, Crumbs. Please see my contest page for more details to win all these goodies!

Finally, there is a romantic short story on my writing page to enjoy!

As always, happy reading,

June 2009

First of all, I have to apologize for not updating my website in… well, too long. My excuse—or one of them, anyway—is that I’ve been busy writing books! And taking care of my 8 month old baby, Anna, and also trying to sleep… okay, so that is three excuses!

I have a lot going on this summer which I’m excited about. First, my novella Italian Boss, Housekeeper Mistress is out in the UK in June as part of An Italian Summer Anthology with Jackie Braun and Rebecca Winters. Then in July I have the UK and US release of my book in the International Billionaires series, The Sheikh’s Love-Child. Also in July, my book in The House of Karedes series, The Sheikh’s Forbidden Virgin, is out in the UK.

I’m also blogging quite a bit this summer… you can read about the behind-the-scenes story of Italian Boss, Housekeeper Mistress at www.harlequinpresents.com and I’ll also be blogging about writing a shorter format at www.iheartpresents.com in early June. In July I’m writing about sheikh heroes and writing for a series at www.iheartpresents.com. Lastly I’m co-sponsoring a contest with Presents author Sabrina Philips to win copies of our July sheikh books as well as some fun desert-themed jewellery and treats. Visit my contest page to check it out!

As always, I have a short story for your enjoyment, which can be found here. Enjoy!

Happy reading,

December 2008

This has been a busy autumn, full of changes and additions! Of course, the most noticeable addition has been the birth of my fourth child (and third daughter), Anna Dorothy, in October. Anna has brought great joy (and fatigue!) to our family. You’d be amazed at what the other children are willing to do to receive one of her drooly smiles!

Four months into our family’s move to New York City, we’re all adjusting tolerably well and even finding pleasant surprises about urban living—like being able to go to the pharmacy at eleven o’clock at night, or dial for Indian food delivery when you just don’t feel like making dinner. And of course Central Park… except when you get lost in the ramble with a screaming two week old… but that’s another story.

2009 starts with a bang writing-wise for me with the January UK release of The Greek Tycoon’s Reluctant Bride. In February The Italian’s Bought Bride will be released in the US, and in July my two sheikh books, The Sheikh’s Forbidden Virgin and The Sheikh’s Love-Child, come out simultaneously. Then there are releases in Spanish, in Holland, and in Germany!

I’ve finally updated my website so there are new details about my current books, including recipes, photos, and behind-the-scenes info. Plus I have a Christmas-themed short story on my Writing Stuff page. Enjoy!

Have a peaceful and joyous Advent season,

September 2008

First of all, I apologize for the summer’s silence on my website. Life has been incredibly busy this summer as we prepared to sell our house, find an apartment, and move to New York City.

We made the big move in the end of July and have been enjoying—and adjusting—to life in the city. Now that autumn is almost here and school is starting, I think we’re all looking forward to settling into a new routine.

I recently finished my seventh book, The Sheikh’s Love-Child, which has a rugby theme and is set in the fictional, rugged kingdom of Biryal. Details and excerpts for this book and my previous sheikh book, The Sheikh’s Forbidden Virgin, which is part of the Royal House of Karedes series, will be on my booklist page next month, when I have more information about release dates and covers!

Right now I’m working on a novella that will be part of a Mills & Boon Italian Summer anthology. It is set on the gorgeous Lake Como, and I hope to have details of this project on the booklist page soon as well.

Meanwhile my third book, Ruthles Boss, Hired Wife, was released in June and July this summer and made it onto the Top 10 of the Waldenbooks Bestseller List, which is always very exciting. My latest book, The Italian’s Bought Bride, is available in the UK right now—look for it on my booklist page.

Also this summer my serial, Down Jasper Lane, has been running in The People’s Friend in the UK, and will finish in September. It will also come out in novel form this spring. And if you live in Australia, look for a short story of mine, Say It With Flowers, in That’s Life! Fast Fiction Special.

Lastly, look for my bittersweet autumn-themed short story, Sweet Fortune, here on the Writing Stuff page.

As always, happy reading,

May 2008

Ah, spring! It’s here at last. The azaleas in our backyard are blooming, and we’ve enjoyed some wonderfully warm and sunny days, although right now it’s cold and rainy!

We’ve also been preparing for a big move to New York City. We’ll be relocating in August, and it will involve quite a lifestyle change from the comfortable suburbs of Connecticut.

Another big change is that I’m expecting our fourth child in October. So lots of exciting things to look forward to!

My sixth book, The Sheikh’s Forbidden Virgin, has just been accepted and I’m about to start on my seventh book, another sheikh story. I’ll be documenting the ups and downs of the creative process on my blog, so stop by often if you like to witness the messy behind-the-scenes process of creating a book.

I’m also running a contest with Modern Heat author Natalie Anderson to give away copies of my third book, Ruthless Boss, Hired Wife, as well as her latest book, Mistress By Arrangement. There will be more details on my contest page and blog.

My May short story, Blooming, is up—and celebrates new starts in love and in nature. Also, check out my book list page for details on my fifth book, The Greek Tycoon’s Reluctant Bride. There is behind-the-scenes information, as well as recipes and photos for you to enjoy.

Happy reading,

APRIL 2008

There are hints of spring around us now—buds on the trees, new shoots of grass, but alas it is still freezing weather.  At least the sun is shining!

This month is the North American release of my second book, The Greek Tycoon’s Convenient Bride. Romance Readers’ Connection says this about it: ‘Such a great book! Lukas is a perfect alpha male. I loved his charisma, his take-care attitude, and his tenderness. Rhiannon was also great with her insecurity and timid courage. The book read very well, and the attraction between the characters was palpable. A perfect read for the beach.’

Meanwhile you can read my April short story here, a story about marriage and temptation—and still a romance! I also have a short story in The People’s Friend coming out this month.

The last month has been a bit crazy with personal travel and plans to move, and that probably won’t let up anytime soon. But I’m still managing to find a little time to write, which is good as it keeps me sane.

I’m looking forward to warm spring days and attempting to make our garden look halfway or even a third decent, as I’m not the best gardener! But I love being outside—whether it’s gardening, teaching my six year old how to bike without training wheels, or just going for a walk. What are you looking forward to about spring—if it’s almost spring where you are?!

MARCH 2008

Winter is still holding us in its thrall, although today it is raining instead of snowing, which is surprisingly cheering! I’ve been hard at work on my sixth book, The Sheikh’s Forbidden Virgin, which is the fourth book in Harlequin Presents’ new continuity series, The Royal House of Karedes. It’s a great story and I’ve been so privileged to be the one to tell it!

March is the month of the UK release of my second book, The Greek Tycoon’s Convenient Bride, now available on Amazon and through Eharlequin.com. You can visit my booklist page for details, behind the scenes, and an excerpt.

Sanjay was the winner of my March contest, but please keep checking back as I will be hosting another contest for my third book, Ruthless Boss, Hired Wife, due out in the UK in June.

Meanwhile you can check out my links and writing stuff page for the March short story which is a historical romance set in Depression-era rural Ontario, Canada. My parents were born in Ontario and we’ve had a summer cottage in the country [read backwoods!] since I was a child, so it was fun writing about it! It takes place during syruping season, which was also fun to write as my parents make maple syrup every year and I’ve helped them a time or two.

If you live in the UK, I have a short story Triangles in the Women’s Weekly Fiction Special this spring. It’s a bit different than what I usually write—not a romance! But it was a nice change of pace for me and I hope it will be for you.

Happy reading!

FEBRUARY 2008

Greetings from freezing Connecticut! The temperature has dropped alarmingly in the last few days and we’re all huddled inside, going through hot chocolate mix and mini-marshmallows at an amazing rate.

The last month has been a bit of a whirlwind. Not only was it the release month for my first book, THE ITALIAN’S CHOSEN WIFE, but I’ve just completed revisions on my fifth book, THE REBELLIOUS BRIDE, to be released in the UK in January 2009. This book was very emotional to write as it deals with some rather sensitive topics. One of the things I love about writing Presents is the freedom to address topics and issues many other publishers would consider taboo. I’m about to start my sixth book, which will be part of Harlequin Presents’s new continuity series, The Royal House of Karedes. My book takes places in a fictional kingdom in Northern Africa, and has a wounded sheikh as its hero—it should be an exciting  challenge!

We had a tremendous response for our last contest, and Mona Hassan was the lucky winner. Now I’m running a new contest with fellow Presents author Abby Green to win copies of our books, THE GREEK TYCOON’S CONVENIENT BRIDE and BOUGHT FOR THE FRENCHMAN’S PLEASURE, as well as some delicious, authentic baklava, shipped directly to you from a gourmet supplier.

I also have a new short story Hearts and Roses up for this month, just in time for Valentine’s Day! It’s about what can happen, if, like the heroine, you happen to hate Valentine’s Day…

As always, happy reading!

JANUARY 2008

Welcome to 2008! The tree is gone, the ornaments put away, and now four more months of winter here in Connecticut stretch endlessly ahead. But I don’t actually mind... I’m still in the mood for snow days, hot chocolate, and roaring fires. Come mid-February I might feel a little differently...

Still, there are lots of exciting things in the works for January. First of all, many thanks to those who entered my contest co-sponsored with the fabulous authors mentioned in December’s newsletter. We’ll be drawing our prizewinner on January 15, so stay tuned.

I’m blogging all over the web in January; January 7-14 you can find me at Jane Porter’s site, and also on the 14th on Lucy Monroe’s blog. I’ll also be discussing the appeal of international men at The Pink Heart Society on January 17th. 

And to celebrate the release of my first book, The Italian’s Chosen Wife, in the US, as well as the hardcover release of my second book, The Greek Tycoon’s Convenient Bride, I’ll be arranging another contest with both books as prizes, as well as some authentic, gourmet Greek baklava from Baklava.com—baklava features in a rather interesting way in The Greek Tycoon’s Convenient Bride! To enter, check out my contest page or my blog in mid-January; details will be forthcoming!

And finally, as always, there is a short story for your reading pleasure, and this one happens to be one of my favorites. It’s called The Locket, and it’s all about what happens when a woman on the brink of divorce opens an envelope and finds inside a tarnished locket that turns her world upside down… and right side up again. It was published in That’s Life Fast Fiction in Australia a few years ago, and I hope you enjoy it.

Happy reading,

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