Romantic Times Magazine

You'll never guess who I met at Biggleswade Library ....

a fellow member of the Armitage Army! (You may remember the Armitage Army is an online gathering of like minds in regard to almost all things regarding sexy British actor Richard Armitage. There is some difference of opinion on which character is the most sexy ...) And there was wonderful lemon drizzle cake and a chance to talk romantic fiction, too. Certainly worth washing my hair for!

Now it really is head down. Somehow in the next two weeks I have to finish this book of mine, celebrate offspring five's 10th birthday and my mother-in-law's 80th. It seems I'm on cake duty. In order to accommodate 80 candles I'm thinking a pyramid of cup cakes .... Oh and I've got to go and see David Tennant in the RSC production of 'Loves Labours' Lost'.



My latest copy of the Romantic Times magazine arrived a few days ago and I've only just got around to reading it. Harlequin 'Romance' obviously has some great books out this November in the UK and NA. There are five 4.5 ratings and one 3. Perfect Christmas stocking presents, wouldn't you say???

Meanwhile, over in Presents, my friend Kate Walker's 'Bedded by a Greek Billionaire' is a Top Pick.

Seven years after he left in disgrace, Angelos Rousakis is back in London. He'd been attracted to Jessica Marshall but knew she was too young. But she wouldn't leave him alone and when her stepfather found them in what seemed to be a compromising position, Jessica placed the blame on him. Now Jessica's stepfather has died and she learns Angelos is now the owner of the estate. When Angelos sees Jessica he expects to feel triumphant but now wonders if his hate isn't masking something else. Kate Walker's Bedded by the Greek Billionaire (4.5) is a delicious melodrama full of dizzying emotions as the reader goes along with the highs and lows as this couple finds each other again.

—Sandra Garcia-Myers

And, if you get the magazine, on page 12 is a great article by another writing friend, Trish Wylie, on why she loves comics. This is the woman, btw, who distracted me today with YouTube clips of Smallville! 'Geek', she says, 'is the new chic!'

And for those of you wondering about my floor ...

It's ... er ... ongoing. (Enter own swear word here!)

New Arrival

I'm an auntie again!

My brother's wife has just given birth to a baby boy - Josiah. That'll mean I get my newborn fix without having to give birth again myself. Lovely!!

Cuddling will have to wait though. Tonight I'm at Biggleswade Library, Bedfordshire, as part of my committment to the UK's National Year of Reading. 7.30pm. Tomorrow afternoon I'll be at Barton Library, Bedfordshire. 2.00pm. It would be lovely if some of you were able to come along and say 'hello'.

Then I really will have to get my head down. October is 'birthday' month in my family and I have to finish this book by the end of the month too. Writing is such an annoying job to have. You are NEVER finished, NEVER satisfied ...

Looking a bit different!

So what do you think of the new decor? Not quite finished yet - I do have a book to write (and so does Ally) but the website transformation is coming along beautifully, don't you think? I reckon I still have a bit of time before January, when 'Cinderella and the Sheikh' is released in NA and UK.

Meanwhile, my floor continues to be a disaster. India Grey's builders have become 'almost family' but I've got to try and lure mine back so they can dig up my kitchen! Long story!! Whilst I'm waiting for someone to do something other than suck in air and shake their head, my furniture is still piled up in the sitting room - although I have managed to position a sofa so it might be sat on about two feet from where the TV is stored - and I'm without a washing machine.

Perfect time to disappear into a fictional world, wouldn't you say? And my deadline is looming. WHY do deadlines always do that?

Procrastination has struck. A momentary lapse and I've bought a Portmeirion teapot. Having been exclusively 'white' for the longest time I appear to have taken a more colourful turn and I'm now nervous about the decision. What do you think? Kind of reminds me of my spirograph pictures back in the seventies ...

And, then, if the teapot is right I really need the teatowels and one of the storage pots ....