Baby on board

Last month I attended the Romance Writers of America national conference in San Diego, California. What a fabulous conference in a wonderful city! I loved every minute of it—well worth the long journey from Australia.

Another reason I enjoyed it so much was that my latest book for Harlequin Romance had just been released, The Bridesmaid’s Baby Bump. Book signings are an important part of the conference and it was nice to have a brand new book to sign.

At the Harlequin signing, Romance Writers of America conference in San Diego

 I learned during the two signings I took part in that people were intrigued by the title and liked the fact there was obviously a pregnancy in the book. I’ve always been partial to “secret baby” and “surprise pregnancy” themes in romance novels so it’s no surprise I enjoyed writing this particular story. The pregnancy becomes a huge source of conflict for my heroine Eliza and hero Jake—as well as a great source of joy. However I’ve been careful to ensure that it doesn’t overshadow the growing relationship of Eliza and Jake as they fall in love. The baby is the icing on the cake, so to speak!

This looks rather like I imagine my heroine Eliza would look - contemplating the changes to her life that come with a surprise pregnancy!

 What about you? Do you like a pregnancy in a romance novel? What about a baby? I’d love to read your thoughts!

I’ve got two signed paperback copies of The Bridesmaid’s Baby Bump to give away. Make a comment if you’d like to be in the draw. Please include your email address.

Kandy Shepherd is an award-winning author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She lives on a small farm in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia, with her family and a menagerie of four-legged friends.

Visit Kandy at her website

www.kandyshepherd.com

Connect with Kandy on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest

Crown Prince’s Chosen Bride - Kandy Shepherd

I’m a sucker for books and movies about princes and princesses—particularly when a hero or heroine is incognito royalty. Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck is one of my very favorite movies. Though its ending is bittersweet for a romance lover, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I’d always had a yen to write such a story myself and had the chance with  Crown Prince’s Chosen Bride—my March 2016 release for Harlequin Romance.

I’m sharing the cover here for the first time—I think is beautifully romantic!

Here's the blurb:

The people's princess! 

Chef Gemma Harper is on a dating break, so the last thing she needs is gorgeous stranger Tristan tempting her into a fling…especially when he's revealed as the crown prince of Montavia! 

Gemma knows forever isn't possible with duty-bound Tristan, but swept off her feet by this charismatic prince, she's determined to make every moment count. And when Tristan throws out the royal rule book, a happy-ever-after could be within Gemma's grasp…if only she's brave enough to say "I do!"

Australia seems a long way away from royalty and castles and centuries of European tradition, doesn’t it? In fact, Sydney might be the last place you’d think of for a prince and a commoner to meet and fall in love. Truth is, Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, met lovely Aussie, Mary Donaldson, on a night out with friends in Sydney. One day Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, will be queen...

So I felt it was quite believable in Crown Prince’s Chosen Bride for gorgeous Crown Prince Tristan, to be incognito on vacation in Sydney when he meets party planner and chef Gemma Harper (whom readers first met as one of the Party Queens in the first book in the Sydney Brides mini-series, my November 2014 release Gift-Wrapped in Her Wedding Dress).

Tristan is enchanted by her, and Gemma, despite all resolve, falls for him. But everything is stacked against these two—protocol, custom and Gemma’s own fears. It seems the meeting between prince and party planner can only lead to heartbreak...

I’m very taken with the idea that it just takes love to turn an ordinary life into a fairy tale. Gemma and Tristan have to navigate some twists and turns in their journey to their fairy-tale happy-ever-after.

Do you enjoy a royal hero or heroine? I’ve mentioned Roman Holiday as a favorite movie—any movies or books you’ve enjoyed? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Make a comment if you’d like to be in the draw for a advance paperback copy of Crown Prince’s Chosen Bride. Please include your email address if you want to be in the draw.

Crown Prince’s Chosen Bride will be released on March 1, 2016 and is available for pre-order now.

Kandy Shepherd is an award-winning author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She lives on a small farm in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia, with her family and a menagerie of four-legged friends.

Visit Kandy at her website

www.kandyshepherd.com

Connect with Kandy on Facebook and Twitter