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!

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!