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Thursday, October 23, 2008

Celebrating


As you probably know, this year is a very important year for Mills & Boon. 2008 marks the centenary of the date when Gerald Mills & Charles Boon established their publishing company in 1908, with a capital of just £1000. All through the year there have been events and parties, exhibitions and celebrations to mark this special event. And on a personal note I've been travelling here there and everywhere in the UK to take part in as many of these special events as I could.




Last week I was in Guildford, as part of the Guildford Book Festival, to mark the 100th Birthday yet again. In the afternoon I ran a workshop on writing romance - to mark the second edition of the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance - and then in the evening I was on a panel to talk about writing romance and Mills & Boon's 100th birthday all ove again. I shared the evening with fellow M&B author Gill Sanderson who writes Medicals, romantic novelist Katie Fforde and romantic comedy writer Matt Dunn. We had a wonderful time talking about writing, sharing our enjoyment of romantic fiction, and asking 'what's wrong with a happy ending anyway?' )Answer from the audience- nothing!)



But the event was also very special for me because I was celebrating something rather lovely of my own. For the past week or so, I've been doing the Snoopy dance of joy and smiling a lot.
Because I discovered on the Romantic Times web site that not only have they give my new novel, Bedded By The Greek Billionaire 4.5 stars but they have also made it one of their Top Picks for November.



I am so thrilled by this. In fact I've achieved a long-held ambition. A l-o-n-g held ambition.
I've had some good reviews from RT, generally pretty respectable. And The Twelve Month Mistress was short-listed for Best Presents in 2005 but I've never achieved that elusive Top Pick for the month.



Now I've finally manged it and Bedded By The Greek Billionaire had a wonderful review as well. The reviews aren't up on the RT site yet, but my lovely friend Holly Jacobs (who got 4.5 stars herself with her fabulous Same Time Next Summer in August ) subscribes to the magazine and she was able to find the review and send it on to me so I can share it with you. (Thanks Hall!)

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


Great isn't it? Thank you RT - and Sandra Garcia Myers.


And then to cap it all, I found that over on We Write Romance they loved this book too. On that site too they've chosen this book as the Spotlighted Review - and given it 4 stars out of a possible 4.


And another review to lift my heart and make me smile all over again:


Looking for that book that can make your heart bump up to your throat with emotion...and stay there throughout the entire book? Well, then look no farther. Kate Walker's Bedded by the Greek Billionaire is just that emotional thrill ride you've been looking for in your next read. . . .


Jessica and Angelos' story is one full of emotional twists and turns. And though Jessica is not as emotionally mature as I would have liked, Angelos more than makes up for it. The two together are wonderful. This book was truly inspiring. It shows that as a teen we often make mistakes that can hurt others, but there are second chances in life that make it possible to make up for those mistakes. I would definitely recommend this book, but I would warn you not to start it unless you can stay up all night finishing it!


Times like this, when you realise that a book you've written has really succeeded and you;ve touched the hearts of readers and reviewers are what an author lives for. It means that the long hours spent on your own, creating imaginary worlds, imaginary characters, have all been worthwhile. And achieving a long held ambtion like getting a Top Pick just makes it all the more special.



So that's why I'm celebrating this week - and when I celebrate I like to share with my readers. At the workshop, I had some special Mills & Boon Centenary goodies to give out and I still have a few of them left. So I have two sets of special Centenary Goody giveaways to share. All you have to do is to tell me what you're celebrating - let's make this Good News week - and I'll get Sid the Cat to pick two names out of the comments and they'll win the special prizes.



I'll add in a copy of my own special Centenary publication, The Duke's Secret Wife which is part of the Centenary Collection this year.


Because good news is worth celebrating.

31 comments:

Estella said...

My husband and I celebrated out 19th anniversary on the 21st.

Nathalie said...

Not much to celebrate now... I am finishing college this year :)

Helen said...

Huge congratulations Kate
I have read so many wonderful Mills and Boon books over the years they are always a great read.

I will be celebrating in probably about 7 weeks two of my daughters are having babies and they are both due on Dec 13th both are having boys and I am over the moon with joy two more granchildren who could want more.

Have Fun
Helen

Unknown said...

Kate, you should be thrilled by your "Top Pick" for Bedded by the Greek Billionaire", it's a wonderful story, had me holding my breath at times; loved Angelos! Congratulations and I'll bet you're glad to be home.....unpacking, laundry, etc?????

Pat Cochran said...

Things about which I am currently
excited:
1. I woke up this morning!
2. Our youngest daughter graduated
from college this summer!
3. After a round of illness, my
grandchildren are all feeling well!
4. I am maintaining a good handle
on my weight loss and I feel good!
P.S. Congratulations on your "Top
Pick!"

Pat Cochran

Cheryl said...

Congratulations on your Top Pick! We just celebrated my dad's birthday this past weekend and my son's 13th Birthday is less than 2 weeks away.

Cheryl S.

Jane said...

Congrats on achieving Top Pick. We're going to celebrate my niece and nephew's birthday at the end of the month.

Dina said...

Hi Kate,

I'm hoping to celebrate a new job, waiting for the final step to be done. Keep all of your fingers crossed for me. ;)

Pam P said...

Congrats on the Top Pick, Kate, goo reason to celebrate!

Not really anything to celebrate right now, next month will be my sister's birthday and Thanksgiving.

Unknown said...

i am celebrating my daughters 10th birthday on Saturday. So if you all get up and the world has stopped that is probably why. lol

Gina said...

l am celebrating my nephew 5th bitthday this weekm

Avi J said...

l am celebrating getting my first car

Anonymous said...

l am excited over my nephew who was born yesterday.

Mau J said...

I am elated over my first credit card l just got it today.

Dina said...

I am celebrating getting a bonus from work

LJ said...

I got a puppy this week a retriever.

Avi J said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Avi J said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Avi J said...

l am happy over graduating from university

Unknown said...

I am excited over my sister getting married. I am her maid of honour.

EllenToo said...

Congratulations on the Top Pick and 4.5 stars.
I'm celebrating being alive.

Unknown said...

I am celebrating that gas is down to $2.45 Woo Hoo!!!!

Dina said...

wow, there are 2 of us Dina's. :)

Dont'see the same spelling vey much.

CrystalGB said...

We are celebrating my nephew's birthday tomorrow.

Maureen said...

We are celebrating that our kitten had his stitches out after having surgery from eating part of a brillo pad and plastic scrub pad. He had to have one of those plastic cones on his head and we are so glad he's better

Michele L. said...

I am grateful that my mom now has a wonderful live-in companion that can cook and speak English! The last one we had, a lithunian lady, was a terrible cook and could barely speak English. My mom couldn't even hold a conversation with her.

Also, I am glad it's Friday! Hurray! The fall here is so beautiful!

Have a wonderful day everyone!
Michele L.

Michele L. said...

Woohoo Kate! I forgot to congratulate you on your top pick! That is AWESOME! You must be on cloud nine!

I have always enjoyed your books and am not surprised that your book garnered the top pick award! You are an amazing writer!

Congratulations again!
Michele L.

traveler said...

Congratulations Kate! Wonderful news!
Both my sons bought homes this summer and we celebrate our 38th anniversary.

anne said...

Great! Congratulations Kate. fabulous to hear this.
My son's wedding was a lovely celebration.

Kate Walker said...

Thank you to everyone who has commented . After a difficult couple of days I'm really glad to have so much good news to celebrate

Sid has picked some winners - and I have to say I agree with him

So the winners are:

Helen - a new baby is such a wonderful thing to celebrate and two new babies coming is twice as lovely. My congratulations to your daughters.


Michelle L - I smiled when I read your post - it's so good to think of your mother having someone to help her and keep her company. And thank you so much for the compliments.


I found that I had more goodies than I thought so - as Sid then grabbed the next treat very fast - I'm going to add Pat Cochran in to the prize winners as well. I so agree with your first reason, Pat (I felt much the same about your comment Ellen!)

Anyway, will Helen, Michelle and Pat please email me kateAT kate-walker.com with your postal addresses and I'll get the prizes on their way to you

Kate

felinewyvern said...

Mills & Boon = 100 years
Me = 50 years
Also known as I am celebrating my 50th birthday next month (less than 2 weeks to go)then my husband and I celebrate 32 years of marriage the following week.