WOW!

Guess what happened to me today???

There was I feeling slightly smug because I've just sold my version of 'El Sodh' - a phrase coined by the wonderful Sophie Weston for a sheikh book that is more than usually tricky to write - when the phone rang.

'The Tycoon's Princess Bride' has finalled for a RITA in the Contemporary Series category. How brilliant is that!

What's more I so nearly didn't enter. Remember the truly horrendous year I've had? Well, during all of that I allowed my RWA membership to lapse without realising. So I had to enter at the non-member rate at the last possible minute.

Besides which, I'd decided not to do competitions this year.

Now I'm busy wondering whether I really *ought* to make the trip to the RWA conference. It's not that I don't want to it's just that it's kinda the wrong side of the States for me. :)

Apparently this kind of good news comes at a cost. There was I ready to celebrate. I'd even decided to stuff the diet when Trish says I've got to blog - and went on saying it.

I discovered long since there's no point fighting.

'The Tycoon's Princess Bride' is book 4 of a fabulous continuity I was asked to write for. The premise was fun:

The Mediterranean island of Niroli has prospered for centuries under the Fierezza men. But now, as the King’s health declines, and his 2 sons have been tragically killed, the crown is in jeopardy. Who will rule?


In practise writing it felt a little like being given a jigsaw puzzle with no picture guide.

My hero - Domenic Vincini, a man scarred inside and out.
My heroine - Isabella Fierezza, beautiful and keen to promote tourism on Niroli.

That was it. And off I went.

Carol Marinelli and I became friends through it. She's a real sweetheart and I borrowed her Luca and loaned her my Isabella.

All eight books of the series are still available.

Book 1: The Future King's Pregnant Mistress - Penny Jordan
Book 2: Surgeon Prince ... Ordinary Wife - Melanie Milburne
Book 3: Bought By the Billionaire Prince - Carol Marinelli
Book 4: The Tycoon's Princess Bride - Natasha Oakley
Book 5: Expecting His Royal Baby - Susan Stephens
Book 6: the Prince's Forbidden Virgin - Robyn Donald
Book 7: Bride By Royal Apointment - Raye Morgan
Book 8: A Royal Bride At The Shiekh's Command - Penny Jordan

UK and North America

Am I allowed to drink wine now???



Fun, isn't it!