Twas the Night Before Christmas...

It's Christmas Eve and I'm sure, like me usually on this frenetic day, you will be up to your elbows in Christmas preparations. However, please take some friendly advice and make sure that you make plenty of time for yourself over Christmas, especially if you are the host.

You see, the trouble with hosting is that you are so concerned with making sure that your guests are having a good time that you run yourself ragged seeing to their every need. One thing I have learned after years and years of hosting is to do as much in advance as you possibly can. Christmas Eve is always a cooking day for me. I precook everything that I can- Yorkshire puddings, desserts- and prep everything else including the vegetables. That way, I get to sit down with a glass of bubbles on Christmas day and join in the fun which I am denied in the kitchen.

This year though, I had to be super organised. All my pre-cooking, present buying and decorating happened weeks ago. You see, with impeccable timing, as you read this I will be on a plane coming home from my Christmas present from Mr H, a lovely trip to Barbados. I land at Heathrow at 7.30am tomorrow and once I get home my lovely son and daughter will hopefully have started making Christmas dinner in my stead. I can't wait! This is the first Christmas in twenty-one years I haven't had to completely host and I hope its the first of many now that my children are adults.

I hope yours is filled with family and friends too...

Happy Holidays!

Virginia Heath's Christmas Regency Romantic Comedy His Mistletoe Wager is out now!

His Mistletoe Wager is out now

 

When Beauty Meets the Beast

The second instalment of my Wild Warriners series comes out in a few days, this story belongs to the second eldest, Jamie Warriner, the gruff and wounded former soldier. A Warriner to Rescue Her was positive joy to write because I already knew Jamie pretty well from the first book. In fact, as soon as I wrote the words The End on A Warriner to Protect Her, I started this straight after and from the outset it just flowed.

Initially, I had lofty plans to write a story filled with intrigue, using Jamie’s background as a highly skilled officer in covert recognisance. However, as so often happens in my odd head, my characters led me on a completely different path. Instead of going off on an adventure away from home, Jamie stays put. He’s still tortured by his demons, scared of the latent, dangerous violence within him and believes that his life is over after accepting the damage to his leg and broken mind will never heal. While feeling a little bit sorry for himself, he meets the woman of his dreams under quite unusual circumstances.

‘Hello!’ A slightly panicked woman’s voice came from above. ‘Is somebody there?’

‘Hello?’ He hadn’t been expecting to address the sky. The sun pierced Jamie’s eyes to such an extent he could not see a thing except blinding yellow light. The woman’s exact location remained a mystery. Unless she was an angel sent to fetch him and drag him off to heaven, which he sincerely doubted. They had had their chance and failed miserably and if he was bound for anywhere it was probably hell. ‘I can’t see you!’

‘I am in the tree… I wonder if you would be so good as to assist me, sir. I appear to be stuck.’

Surreal words, again unexpected. How did a woman come to be stuck in an apple tree? Jamie did his best to shield the worst of the glare with his hand and squinted through the tangled branches. Two wiggling feet dangled nearly six feet above his head. They were encased in half-boots and were attached to a very shapely pair of female legs, clad in fine silk stockings which were held up with rather saucy pink garters. His eyes widened at the garters. From this perspective they appeared to be completely festooned with flowers. Above them, about an inch or two of creamy thigh was also on display. The rest of the woman was hidden by leaves.

From then on, Cassie Reeves- the effervescent vicar’s daughter with secrets of her own- brings some much-needed chaos and purpose to Jamie’s life. Cassie writes children’s stories involving her horse Orange Blossom, and against his better judgement, Jamie gets dragged into illustrating them. They are an unlikely pair- think Beatrix Potter meeting the Incredible Hulk- but they are made for each other.

Perfect soulmates.

Something everyone else works out very quickly. Everyone else accept for Jamie, of course…

You can read a sneak peak of the first chapter HERE

Carole Mortimer: Regency Romances

Happy (slightly early) Valentine’s Day, Everyone.

I love Valentine’s Day. Even after all these years of being together, my husband and I always send each other a card. And somehow, each year, we manage to find that perfect one that says exactly how we feel about each other. Peter is my soul-mate, I am his. I truly hope that you have all found that in your own life too.

This month I thought I would talk about my Regency Romances, most especially my new series, Regency Unlaced. I’ve been a fan of the Regency since reading my first Georgette Heyer novel when I was 11 – what can I say, I was a precocious child! My very favorite Heyer novel is Regency Buck, and I tend to reread it once a year. Because of my love for reading books set in the Regency period, 1811-1820, in 2009 I decided I would like to write books in that period, as well as my contemporaries. I’ve now written 25 Regencies for Harlequin. And November 2015 saw the publication of The Duke’s Mistress, the 1^st novella in my very own Regency Unlaced series.

An Author’s note: the novellas in the Regency Unlaced series are much hotter, and the language more explicit, than in my previous Regency novels. (I believe the “Unlaced” part in the title of this series speaks for itself!)

This above note is on the blurb to all the novellas in this series, because they really are steaming hot, and the use of language is applicable to the period too.

To my great joy, The Duke’s Mistress has been wonderfully received by readers – thank you so much for your emails and reviews, I really appreciate them. January 29^th saw the publication of the 2^nd novella in the series, Claimed by the Marquis (Regency Unlaced 2) and this has been just as warmly received. The 3^rd novella, Taken by the Earl, is now available for pre-order, and will be published April 2^nd.

There are links at the bottom of the blog to all three Regency Unlaced novellas.

So what’s coming up next, you’re probably wondering. Well at least 5 more Regencies before the end of 2016, the start of a new contemporary series, title Knight Security, and an anthology with 4 other great authors, coming out very soon. I will also be writing a Presents trilogy for Harlequin this year, due to be published 2017.

Somewhere in there I will also be spending time with my wonderful husband and family – oh, and sleeping occasionally too, I hope!

Have a great February,

Carole x     

The Duke’s Mistress (Regency Unlaced 1)

Claimed by the Marquis (Regency Unlaced 2) 

Taken by the Earl (Regency Unlaced 3)

Website: www.carolemortimer.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CaroleMortimerAuthor

Email: contact@carolemortimer.co.uk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@carole_mortimer

Newsletter: www.epurl/2rfzz

            

So Long, Farewell!

by Anna Campbell

I've put up a picture of my first historical romance CLAIMING THE COURTESAN here because not long after Avon accepted me as one of their authors back in 2006, lovely Lee Hyat who runs this blog asked me to be a contributor to Tote Bags 'n' Blogs. It was the first time anyone had asked me to blog - in fact, back in 2006, even blogging itself had a lovely new shine.

Fast forward to over eight years later. It's 2014 and after many happy years of being a dedicated contributor every month to this wonderful blog, I'm moving on to new pastures.

Next year holds a lot of changes for me. Hopefully a new house in a new city.  A long trip to the U.K. Some new stories (always new stories in the life of a writer!). And a cutting down of some of my commitments outside my writing.So sadly after my many years here, I'm hanging up my tote bag!

We've talked about so many interesting things over my years here at Tote Bags. All my new releases and the inspirations behind them, life in Australia, other books I've read and enjoyed, travel, silly daily stuff like my love affair with a new appliance or a new piece of office equipment (my scanner still occupies a niche in my heart, you'll be glad to know!).

Thank you to everyone who has read my columns over the years and thank you especially to those wonderful people who have taken the time and trouble to leave me a comment. I've so enjoyed our conversations over my time here.

I love how the blogoverse has allowed me to find so much stimulation, discover so many likeminded people and also make so many friends. You've enriched my life immeasurably so please take a bow.

I'd also like to offer my deep gratitude to Lee, firstly for inviting me onto the blog (such a thrill for a new author!) and also for letting me meander through whatever my current preoccupations were over the last eight years. I hope one day, Lee, you and I can meet face to face and I can say thank you in person.

I'm not abandoning social media. I'll still be blogging a couple of times a month with the Romance Bandits and I update my website (www.annacampbell.info) at the beginning of each month with latest news. And of course I'll still be active on Facebook and on Twitter so I'd love to see you there if you don't already follow me.

So given I'm looking backwards and forwards in the spirit of yesterday, today and tomorrow, I thought I'd put up the cover for A SCOUNDREL BY MOONLIGHT, my next Sons of Sin book which is out at the end of April 2015. And also the cover for my current release, my Christmas novella, HER CHRISTMAS EARL (only 99 cents), which hit the shelves 21st October.

I wish you all a very happy festive season and the best in 2015. With lots of happiness, health and great books! 

Goodbye and good luck! Here's a red rose from my garden for luck - and for romance!

Introducing Her Christmas Earl!

by Anna Campbell

It's that time of year again!

The time of year when we writers go all misty-eyed and sentimental and jolly and start penning Christmas romances.

This is the third year in a row that I've done a Christmas novella. My first was THE WINTER WIFE which was a reunion story set on the snowy Yorkshire Moors. My second was "His Christmas Cinderella" which was an ultra-romantic addition to the free anthology A GROSVENOR SQUARE CHRISTMAS.

This year I'm writing a marriage of convenience story featuring a rake ripe for redemption and the straight-talking unfashionable woman he finds himself married to as a result of bad luck and scandal (except as in all good romances, the bad luck is actually very good luck in disguise).

Here's the blurb for HER CHRISTMAS EARL: A REGENCY NOVELLA:

No good deed goes unpunished…

To save her hen-witted sister from scandal, Philippa Sanders ventures into a rake's bedroom - and into his power. Now her reputation hangs by a thread and only a hurried marriage can rescue her. Is the Earl of Erskine the heartless libertine the world believes? Or will Philippa discover unexpected honor in a man notorious for his wild ways?

Blair Hume, the dissolute Earl of Erskine, has had his eye on the intriguing Miss Sanders since he arrived at this deadly dull house party. Now a reckless act delivers this beguiling woman into his hands as a delightful Christmas gift. Does fate offer him a fleeting Yuletide diversion? Or will this Christmas Eve encounter spark a passion to last a lifetime? 

You can read an excerpt of HER CHRISTMAS EARL on my website here: http://annacampbell.info/xmasearl.html

And all at only 99 cents! 

You can buy HER CHRISTMAS EARL from:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Her-Christmas-Earl-Regency-Novella-ebook/dp/B00OQY2X06/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1413942208&sr=1-1&keywords=her+christmas+earl

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/486725

There's something lovely about writing a Christmas romance. It's a time of hope and family and love and generosity, and all of those qualities feed into a feel-good love story. I really enjoyed meeting clever, direct Philippa Sanders and her dashing, handsome, disreputable Christmas Earl, Blair Hume. I hope you feel the same! 

So are you a fan of romances set around Christmas time? Any favorites?

The Truth - and the Duke - Is Out There!

by Anna Campbell

I'm so excited! It's exactly a year since I had a full-length new release and now, after that long wait, WHAT A DUKE DARES has hit the shelves.

This is book three of the Sons of Sin series (previous books are SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED and A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS, with the novella DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES squeezed in between). A character who has intrigued me from the start is Camden Rothermere, Duke of Sedgemoor. Cam is the guy who always keeps his head in a crisis and who always hands out great advice. As a reader, I love seeing Mr. Cool, Calm and Collected tumble into chaos when he falls in love - and that's just what happens to Cam. I can tell you that particular character arc is fun to write too!

Cam's heroine in Duke is his childhood friend Penelope Thorne, a headstrong and passionate woman who leads Cam on a merry dance before they get their happy ending. Pen was fun to write too. I love stories about unrequited love, and Pen's got a really rotten case of the malady for Cam.


Here's the blurb:

A reputation at risk

 

What woman in her right mind would say no to marrying the dashing Duke of Sedgemoor? Miss Penelope Thorne, that's who. She's known Camden Rothermere since they were children - and she also knows she'd bring nothing but scandal to his name.

Cam can hardly believe Penelope turned down his proposal. But if she wants to run off to the Continent and set the rumor mill ablaze, he can't stop her. Then her brother's dying request sends him to bring home the one woman he thought he'd finally gotten over.

The only way they'll both get back to London without their reputations in tatters is to pretend they're married during the journey. That means kissing like they mean it and even sharing a bed - until it becomes hard to tell where the game ends and true desire begins...

 

Reviews so far have been wonderful. RT Book Reviews gave Duke a Top Pick, 4.5 stars, a Knight in Shining Silver (K.I.S.S.) awad and called it "an extraordinary read." Publishers Weekly commented on the "romantic fireworks" and a starred review in Booklist said, "With its superbly nuanced characters, impeccably crafted historical setting, and graceful writing shot through with scintillating wit, Campbell's latest lusciously sensual, flawlessly written historical Regency, part of the Sons of Sin series (A Rake's Midnight Kiss, 2013), will have romance readers sighing happily with satisfaction."

 

You can read an excerpt here: http://annacampbell.info/dukedares.html

 

Duke is available in print and digital everywhere good books are sold, including: 

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/What-Duke-Dares-Anna-Campbell/dp/1455557900/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1387328558&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=what+a+duke+dares

 

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-a-duke-dares-anna-campbell/1117543455?ean=9781455557905

 

The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/What-Duke-Dares-Anna-Campbell/9781455557905

 

Booktopia;  http://www.booktopia.com.au/what-a-duke-dares-anna-campbell/prod9780732295141.html

Penelope Thorne, the heroine of WHAT A DUKE DARES, suffers from a major crush on her girlhood hero Camden Rothermere. Did you have a crush when you were growing up? Was it someone real or someone fictional like a movie star or a rock singer?

Melinda Hammond : Pseudonyms and split personalities

Okay, I'm going to come clean.  I am more than one person. That is, I write under different names, but does this mean I have different personas inside, each fighting for supremacy?  I suppose it might do, a bit, but you'd have to ask my friends about that!

When I started writing I thought Melinda Hammond was a great name – glamorous, romantic but dignified enough for an author of, ahem, Historical Novels.  Then as I progressed my writing style developed and I found myself writing historical romances that were in the vein of Heyer's Regencies, light-hearted fun but stopping at the bedroom door. Novels like  DANCE FOR A DIAMOND, which I have just published as an e-book.  It is a comedy of manners set in the Regency, which would these days be called a "sweet" romance. I also wrote a couple of dual time stories (Moonshadows and Casting Samson) set partly in the present and partly in the past and I am currently working on an historical series. So Melinda Hammond writes both historical novels and Regency Romances, quite different types of books.

Then, to complicate things,  I began to write for Harlequin Historicals and I wanted the stories to be a bit hotter, a bit more passionate, so I chose another name: Sarah Mallory.  Of course the sensuality rating does depend on the context of the story, but all my Sarah Mallory books definitely have scenes inside the bedroom (or on the moors, or in a carriage, or over a desk, etc etc). I think Sarah Mallory is now a "brand" name for the kind of sensual romantic historicals that I write for Harlequin.

So which is the real me?  Well, it depends on the story I am currently writing. I love a good adventure romance but I also like the comedy of manners scenario. The main thing for both is that the history in the stories is very important for me, whether it is a sizzling Regency as Sarah Mallory or a Georgian mystery as Melinda Hammond. So I am always a serious historical novelist, even if I do have my lighter moments!

And what about you? Do you prefer the sexy romance or the sweeter kind, or are you like me and enjoy a wide range of stories, as long as they are well written and entertaining.  And what about author names, do you think it helps for writers to choose different names for different genres? I'd love to know, so please leave a comment.

Giveaway: one person leaving a comment will receive a copy of either the hardback version of Dance for a Diamond, or my latest Sarah Mallory novel – At the Highwayman's Pleasure, so do, please make sure you let me know which you would prefer! 

***Melinda's winner is Petite!  Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing details!***

A Seasonal Gift for You!

by Anna Campbell 

It's the time of year when for many of us, thoughts turn to gift giving! 

Way back at the beginning of 2013, wonderful historical romance writer Shana Galen contacted me about being part of a Christmas anthology with her, Kate Noble and Vanessa Kelly. I hadn't met Kate, but I knew and loved Vanessa and Shana (Shana was one of the very first Avon authors I met at my first RWA) both in person and as writers. 

Of course I said yes. This was a chance to hang out with some great authors. Even better, all of us were committed to putting the book up for FREE as a thank you to our readers. 

Much toing and froing ensued, although the girls were all such a pleasure to work with, it was all USEFUL toing and froing. We all wrote longish short stories so readers get great value for their zero expenditure (each story is more than 10,000 words). 

And voila, I introduce to you A GROSVENOR SQUARE CHRISTMAS: FOUR HOLIDAY SHORT STORIES, available free from your e-tailer! 

Here's the blurb:

Four breathtakingly romantic tales of a Regency Christmas from four bestselling romance authors.

Down through the years, enchantment touches a tall gray house in Grosvenor Square. The legend of Lady Winterson's Christmas ball promises true love and happiness to one lucky couple. Who will feel the magic this winter?

1803 - The Seduction of a Duchess by Shana Galen

Rowena Harcourt, the Duchess of Valere, never forgot the handsome footman who helped her escape the French Revolution. For fourteen years, Gabriel Lamarque has loved Rowena-now at Lady Winterson's Christmas ball, has fate finally delivered a chance to win her hand?

1818 - One Kiss for Christmas by Vanessa Kelly

Nigel Dash is London's most reliable gentleman, a reputation he never minded until he fell in love with beautiful Amelia Easton. Unfortunately, Amelia sees Nigel as a dependable friend, not a dashing suitor. At Lady Winterson's famous Christmas ball, Nigel vows to change Amelia's mind-by sweeping her off her feet.

1825 - His Christmas Cinderella by Anna Campbell 

At the season's most glittering ball, a girl who has never dared to dream of forever after discovers a Christmas miracle.

1830 - The Last First Kiss by Kate Noble

Susannah Westforth has always loved Sebastian Beckett - but he's only ever seen her as a friend.  When Sebastian takes his Grand Tour, Susannah transforms herself into a woman he'll notice. Now Sebastian is back, just in time for Lady Winterson's Christmas ball - but the last thing he expects to see is his little Susie, all grown up...

You're invited to join the whirling dance at Lady Winterson's sparkling Christmas ball, where miracles happen and true love shines forever. How can you resist?

I thought the idea of this glamorous Christmas ball was so romantic, that I went hyper romantic in my retelling of Cinderella. There's an ugly stepmother and one stepsister and a very charming fairy godmother. Or perhaps two if we count Lady Winterson as a person who facilitates the romance between humble but beautiful Campion Parnell and the magnificent Earl of Ravenglass.

You can read an excerpt from "His Christmas Cinderella" on my website here: http://annacampbell.info/xmascinderella.html

You can read an excerpt from Shana's "The Seduction of a Duchess" here: http://www.shanagalen.com/seduction-of-a-duchess1.php

You can read an excerpt from Vanessa's "One Kiss for Christmas" here: http://www.vanessakellyauthor.com/books/one-kiss-for-christmas/one-kiss-for-christmas-excerpt/

You can read an excerpt from Kate's "The Last First Kiss" here: http://katenoble.com/books/grosvenor.php

At this time of year, I love a short story or a novella. We're all so busy so it's an easy way for me to get my dollop of delicious romance without going totally off the rails! I hope you'll all download A GROSVENOR SQUARE CHRISTMAS and that our stories will give you a smile.

You can pick the book up at most etailers including Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Grosvenor-Square-Christmas-Shana-Galen-ebook/dp/B00FSLF4NO/ref=pd_sim_b_1 and Barnes and Noble: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-grosvenor-square-christmas-vanessa-kelly/1117251695?ean=2940045347853
 

So do you like Christmas stories? Do you have a favorite? Are you planning on reading any Holiday-themed stories this Christmas?

Half-Price Halloween!

by Anna Campbell

No, pumpkins haven't suddenly had a price drop!

To celebrate this special month when things go bump in the night, I've got my Regency Ghost Romance, THESE HAUNTED HEARTS, on special at only 99 cents until witching hour on the 31st October.

So if you're looking for a romantic read with a couple of ghosts involved in the love story, may I humbly recommend THESE HAUNTED HEARTS to your attention?

If you'd like more info, here's a link to the blurb and an excerpt: http://annacampbell.info/hauntedhearts.html

Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/These-Haunted-Hearts-Regency-ebook/dp/B00BSJR0HI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363340949&sr=8-1&keywords=anna+campbell+haunted+hearts

Here's the Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/these-haunted-hearts-anna-campbell/1116890279?ean=2940044507302

Actually Halloween isn't a huge deal here in Australia where I live. In the Dark Ages, when I grew up, it passed completely uncommemorated.

I think part of the reason is that seasonally we're heading into spring so the harvest festival element of Halloween means absolutely nothing down here. As a kid, I remember watching shows like THE BRADY BUNCH and being totally fascinated by the exotic celebrations with pumpkin lanterns and kids going trick or treating.

Because of films and TV, there's a minor celebration now. I've been to a few Halloween parties in my time which have given everyone a good excuse to dress up and be silly. Occasionally the little kids in the neighborhood will do trick or treating. There are some very sad pre-made Halloween costumes in one dusty corner of the grocery store for a couple of weeks in October.

All fairly half-hearted frankly.

I think it would be great fun to be in America and see it done properly. I have a friend who goes to enormous trouble, including building a fake graveyard in her front garden. Her kids love it!

So where do you stand on Halloween? Huzzah or myeh? Any Halloweeny plans for this year? 

I'm away at a writing convention this weekend but I'll get back to answer comments as I can. I'm doing a panel on historical research - now THAT's scary!

Rakes and Rogues and Midnight Kisses, Oh, My!

by Anna Campbell

Wow, I feel like I've had a lot of releases this year!

It's not long since DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES, my e-novella which is 1.5 in the Sons of Sin series (love that 1.5! It's like it's waiting to grow up and become a proper number), hit the digital shelves.

And this month, I'm delighted to introduce my latest effort (and it gets a nice round 2 in the series!), A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS from Grand Central Publishing!

This is the story of rakish (well, he would be with a title like ARMK!) Sir Richard Harmsworth and virginal and scholarly vicar's daughter Genevieve Barrett, a woman with no time for rakes!

Here's the blurb:

It Takes a Lady

 

Brilliant scholar Genevieve Barrett knows how to keep a secret. Her identity as the author of her father's academic articles has always been her greatest deception-until a charming housebreaker tries to steal the mysterious Harmsworth Jewel from her. She doesn't reveal that she recognizes her father's devastatingly handsome new student as the thief himself. For Genevieve, this will be the most seductive secret of all...

To Catch a Thief

 

Sir Richard Harmsworth has been living a lie, maintaining a rakish facade to show society that he doesn't care about his status as a bastard. Yet long haunted by his unknown father's identity, Richard believes the Harmsworth Jewel will confirm his claim as the rightful heir. But when Richard sets out to seduce the bookworm who possesses the stone, he instead falls for its beautiful owner. But even as she steals Richard's heart, Genevieve will be in greater danger than her coveted treasure...

You can read an excerpt here: http://annacampbell.info/rakeskiss.html

As you can probably tell, we're in TO CATCH A THIEF territory. The charming moocher with the hidden agenda and the smart woman who pretty quickly works out that all is not what it seems with this particular lounge lizard.

And as in TO CATCH A THIEF, our detached, outwardly self-serving hero finds himself having to step up to the plate and become a hero in truth when it becomes apparent that there are genuinely dangerous men on the block after the treasure - and the girl!

I had enormous fun writing this story. After the gothic drama of the first Sons of Sin book, SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED, this one is much lighter.

It was so enjoyable watching these two characters fall in love much against their better judgement. It was also fun seeing more of Jonas and Sidonie from ROGUE and the other people who populate the Sons of Sin world, like Camden Rothermere, the Duke of Sedgemoor, a man upon whom I have a huge writerly crush at the moment (occupational hazard, falling in love with our heroes!).

So do you have a favorite rake from a romance novel? The reformed rake is such a stalwart of the Regency genre, but we never seem to get enough of him. Why do you think this particular breed of man is so popular with readers? I've got a signed copy of A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS (ebook or print) for someone who comments today. Good luck!

Is That the Doorbell?

by Anna Campbell

I can hardly believe it's April already.

By the way, thank you to everyone who swung by my March post. I'm so sorry that it was a complete frost because of my ongoing internet/phone troubles. Fingers crossed, they're all sorted out now.

Apologies also to people who tried to click over to buy my latest release THESE HAUNTED HEARTS. We had major conniptions getting this one up and running and of course it had to be when I was completely incommunicado.

The good news is that THESE HAUNTED HEARTS: A REGENCY GHOST ROMANCE is now up and ready to entertain you for a mere $1.99!

Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/These-Haunted-Hearts-Regency-ebook/dp/B00BSJR0HI/ref=la_B002NKV1HQ_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364250162&sr=1-15

You can read the blurb and an excerpt here: http://annacampbell.info/hauntedhearts.html

Perhaps this year has gone by so fast because I've been busy putting the final touches to a couple of projects. Book 2 in the Sons of Sin series is now ready to go so look out for A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS in September. And I've done the editorial revisions on a Sons of Sin novella called DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES which will be out in August. Not to mention getting THH ready for you!

As a result, I was so tied to my computer that I was starting to feel like the horrible hermit of Hermitsville!

But then April arrived and clearly a completely different cycle! This month, I've had a lovely time out and about or at my place with lots of visitors, many of whom are people I only get to see once in a blue moon. Lovely!

The DRIVING MISS DAISY poster is a bit of a ring-in because I went to that in late February but that meant catching up with my ex-boss who flew up from Sydney to see these theatrical legends. Wonderful to see an old friend after years apart and it feels like you only met yesterday.

Such a privilege to see Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones creating magic together. Although I was a little disappointed that he never told her to "Come over to the dark side, Daisy!"

Another lovely thing about visitors is that they often come bringing wonderful gifts. For example, the spectacular lilies at the top of this post. Nothing nicer than the unexpected arrival of an old friend (especially if I've cleaned the house - this particular friend timed it well!) bearing a bunch of flowers.

Another friend arrived from Stanthorpe hauling a car full of freshly picked Delicious apples. These have tasted like heaven and I've been eating them like they're going out of style. In fact, if you were looking at a picture of me right now, I'd look more like a delicious apple than the girl in front of the DMD poster.

Love a good apple!


All these lovely visitors means that I've got back into something I haven't done for ages but which I always really enjoy. Baking!

Such a wonderful stress release to pound that dough. Not to mention the wonderful smells that infiltrate the house when you've got a batch or two of cookies in the oven. Something I love about baking is that unlike writing a book, it's pretty much instant gratification. You mix, you bake, you eat! You can do it in a day!

I think these cherry nut biscuits are just so pretty. Almost too good to eat - which didn't stop my guests from attacking them like starving loons!

And now a couple of photos of some writer friends to end this ode to visitors, expected and unexpected.

Over Easter, I had a lovely night out with a couple of local writers at Tides Restaurant in Caloundra, including zombie maven Kylie Scott. You really must check out SKIN and FLESH. And not just from the meat section of the menu!

I love this photo of Harlequin Presents Queen Annie West who came up to stay for a few days to enjoy the start of autumn here. This was taken at the very nice Moorings Cafe on the front at Golden Beach.

Doesn't she look glam in those sunglasses? She'd forgotten hers so I dug up an old pair to lend her. They look much better on Annie than they ever did on me!

So what nice things have you been up to in April? And do you have a go-to recipe to whip up something when visitors turn up at the door?

Because last month was such a mess, I'm giving away a download of THESE HAUNTED HEARTS: A REGENCY GHOST ROMANCE today to someone who comments today to thank you for your patience!

THE WINTER WIFE Is a-go-go!!!

by Anna Campbell

I'm a sucker for a Christmas romance. Are you?

This month, I'm launching my first Christmas romance, THE WINTER WIFE, as an e-novella (available from all good e-booksellers). 

If you're a devotee of the MAMMOTH anthologies, many things about THE WINTER WIFE may strike you as familiar. It's actually an extended version of my story "Upon a Midnight Clear" which appeared in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF REGENCY ROMANCE in 2010.

UAMC was my first reunion story and the characters haunted me long after I sent it in to the editor. The MAMMOTH books limit stories to no more than 13,000 words and I've always wanted the chance to give Sebastian, Earl of Kinvarra, and Alicia, his headstrong countess, a bit more room to breathe.

Not only that, it struck me fairly quickly that I'd missed an obvious chance to do my longed-for Christmas romance. I mean, come on, the title comes from a Christmas carol and our lovers meet unexpectedly in the middle of a snowstorm in Yorkshire. Transferring the date to Christmas Eve instead of some unspecified night in December seemed a no-brainer - at least in hindsight.

Then suddenly there were opportunities for indie publishing the story in digital format. My chance had finally arrived for a second bite at Sebastian and Alicia's relationship - much as they get on this snowy Christmas Eve! 

So THE WINTER WIFE: A CHRISTMAS NOVELLA was born. Here is the blurb:

Will a chance meeting on Christmas Eve… 

Alicia Sinclair, Countess of Kinvarra,cannot believe that fate has been so cruel as to strand her on the snowy Yorkshire moors with her estranged husband as her only hope of rescue. During their rare encounters,the arrogant earl and his countess act like hostile strangers. Now that Alicia has fallen into Kinvarra’s power, will he seek revenge for her desertion? Or does the dark, passionate man she once adored have entirely different plans for his headstrong wife? 

..deliver a second chance at love? 

Sebastian Sinclair, Earl of Kinvarra, has spent ten wretched years regretting the mistakes he made with his young bride,but after long separation, the barriers between them are insurmountable. Until an unexpected encounter one stormy night makes him wonder if the barriers of mistrust and thwarted desire are so insurmountable after all. When winter weather traps Sebastian and his proud, lovely wife in an isolated inn, could the earl and his headstrong countess have a Christmas miracle in store?

You can read an excerpt of THE WINTER WIFE on my website: http://annacampbell.info/books.html

Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Wife-Christmas-Novella-ebook/dp/B00AFYH7A2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355118660&sr=1-1&keywords=the+winter+wife

Or you can buy it on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/262852

This is my last column here for the year. I want to thank Lee for hosting Tote Bags 'n' Blogs and everyone who swung by to read my pieces and especially to all the lovely people who have left comments. I've thoroughly enjoyed our conversations and I look forward to more next year.

So do you have a favorite Christmas romance? There's a download of THE WINTER WIFE up for grabs to someone who comments today. Good luck and Happy Holidays!