Brightening November by Kate Walker

I usually find November to be one of the most miserable months. The weather has changed from anything that could be described as autumnal and is rapidly turning into winter. The temperatures have dropped, the sun seems to have disappeared from the sky, the clocks have changed so that the nights draw in dark and fast - and it all seems very - well Novemberish.

But this year things have been happening that had brightened up my November so that in many ways it's turning into one of my favourite months so far. For one thing I've just reached the end of the celebrations of 25 years as a published author. I've just rounded off the celebrations by giving away 25 prizes to readers who entered my contest in October. I love sending out prizes so this has been extra-special. Although this year has been fun and I've had a fabulous time celebrating, it has been rather a 'looking back' time and now I'm ready to be looking forward. So when December dawns, I can plan ahead and start finding new things to celebrate for my 26th year.

One of those things will be the publication of the third edition of my award-winning 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance. This means that this book has now sold out twice since it was first published in 2004. I just got my first author copies yesterday and I'm thrilled to have them in my hands.

Another thing I'm celebrating is the fact that the Romantic Times Book Review reviwers' choice awards were announced. And my book The Konstantos Marriage Demand was one of the five novels short-lised as Best Presents Extra 2010. I'm pretty sure that I celebrated on here when The Konstantos Marriage Demand was chosen as an RT Top Pick for March - now I'm celebrating again. I'm in really good company - the other books short-listed are:

WEDDING NIGHT WITH A STRANGER (Aug.)Anna Cleary

RICH, RUTHLESS AND SECRETLY ROYAL (Apr.) Robyn Donald

THE TWELVE NIGHTS OFCHRISTMAS (Nov.) Sarah Morgan

ITALIAN MARRIAGE: IN NAME ONLY (Apr.) Kathryn Ross

THE KONSTANTOS MARRIAGE DEMAND(Mar.)Kate Walker

And now . . . they say that good things come in threes so what's the third one? That's a very special, gorgeous Christmas present that my lovely DH has chosen for me. What? Yes, I do know about it because I had to go and choose it. You see this is the sort of a gift that can't really come as a suprise.

I'll bet you're all wondering what I'm talking about - but I'm afraid you'er going to have to wait just a little while. As soon as I can I'll tell more about this extra special (to me) gift over on my own blog.

But I can tell you that lookig forward to that and all of these little celebrations have really broghtened up my November - and it's still only the 7th .

So as you know I like to share when I'm celebrating, I'm m offering a giveaway copy of my short-listed title The Konstantos Marriage Demand to someone who posts a comment here today. Just let me know which Presents novel you've read you think should be awards Best Presents or Best Presents Extra for 2010.

(Or if you don't read Presents then tell me about some really special present someone gave you - or you gave some one. That will still be the Best Present!)

The Konstantos Marriage Demand is still available on Amazon or eHarlequin, But of course my latest Presents title is The Good Greek Wife? which is out in Harlequin Presents Extra in shops right now or again on Amazon or eHarlequin. This is the book that sold out here on the UK and it's been appearing on all the bestseller charts now it's out in America.

If you want to know more about The Good Greek Wife? you can find out on my web site or my blog where all the most up to date news and contests appear.

And the winner is - Linda Henderson. Linda please email me kate AT kate-walker .com with your postal address and I'll get your book in the post to you