Bedded by Arrangement

... I got my copies of the UK version in the mail yesterday! (Big excited SQUEAL!!!)
I was going to take a piccie and put it up for you but hubby has had to go away unexpectedly and a s he's the only one who knows where the camera cord thingummy is... well... maybe in a couple of days. The cover isn't yet up on Amazon or M&B so I can't even nab the pic from there - but let me tellya, its cute. Very cute. Ok. He's very cute. (Cue another SQUEAL!!!)

And Jake is one hell of a cute guy. He's a lot of fun. And as for my Emma, its about time she had some fun!

Roll on November when its in the shops! Altho... I might have to have a competition for one of these brand new copies shortly so stay tuned!

Finally...

Brock and I are getting on... actually, he's morphed into Blake... and his woman (to be) has had a name change too ... and I'm happy with them (for now!)
The new laptop is heaven - the mobility is wonderful and I've discovered the joys of writing in bed... I'm usually awake between 6-7am but hubby gets up and does the brekky thing with the kids while I 'lie-in' and gear up for the day ahead (and dream some more about my characters). Now that time can be 1000 words if I concentrate! Or maybe just 100 - hey, its such a nice way to start the day... I feel like I've achieved something before I even get downstairs! And it keeps me in the story from the night before... YIPPEEEE.....

Happy Birthday 'lil Pink Dancing Guy

He's one year old already! And there's just so much fun to be had over there - go on, check it out. I have to admit I laughed over the H-I-A-T post from Anne McAllister on both PHS and her own blog. I wasn't at the RWNZ conference of 2004 (I started writing in 2005) but I do remember that article from that journalist from Christchurch (see Kate Walker's blog also for reference) (*cringe* - and yes, he's still here, and yes my hubby works at that paper and no, its not him!!!!! TG!!!!! Not all men in Christchurch are like that - honest!). Actually there was a fabulous letter to the editor (not written by me - I wish I had), setting him right on some things a few days later.

Anyway, I'm posting this early because I don't tend to get to the computer until later in the evening so this is for all the early birds to catch.

My pressie for the lil fella...








...pink fluffy dice to hang from the rear vision mirror of the Cadillac Julie gave you. (Or you can hang them on the pink landrover from Anna Lucia).
- 'cos we all know it's vital to accessorise and love is a game of chance after all!
;)

Super support star!

I don't have much news I'm afraid. Been busy revising Rhys - as usual I get a fabulous idea for a new book when in the midst of revisions. I'm not sure what it is, but the brain gets kickstarted or something. So I've started a new notebook for those two characters who've been having a right doozy of an argument and I have most of it penned. Looking forward to writing the rest of it sometime!

My husband is the most supportive person in the world. Last week he ordered me a laptop so I can be more mobile and make the most of the very few minutes of daylight when I might be able to get some work done. Last night he spent the evening configuring it for me - ie loading the Neil Diamond CD I always end up listening to at some point in book contruction, and deciding on the background and screensaver. What a star!!!

In case you missed it...

A dark, cavernous place

ok, two min blog time before I get stuck into the revisions for Rhys. Time to really knuckle down - although right now all I really want to do is go to bed! But I have a glass of delicious red wine beside me and have already eaten half a block of kingsize Crunch chocolate... I should be right for another hour at least huh?
One thing I HAVE managed to achieve today is my tax return - AT LAST! I had an extension and of course have left it to the last minute to complete anyway.
Still, done now. And next year I'm planning on hiring an accountant and just sending her all the receipts to sort out!
Meanwhile, pop on over to Nalini's blog to see more pics from the NZ Conference and also head to the Pink Heart Society for more birthday fun.

Right. one minute to eight - the Rhys anthem is playing - oh yes, time to enter the cave...

The celebration...

- people there!!!








- including blokes!!!








- a queue even!!!




The booksigning was a lot of fun. It started just before 11 and there were quite a few people waiting already! AND there were even people I didn't know!!! ;)
Very exciting and I'm so thrilled so many made the effort to come along and say hi. I met a few aspiring writers as well and hopefully they'll come along to our local Romance Writer meetings - that would be awesome.
My cousins flew in from WELLINGTON as a surprise - they just appeared at the front of the queue!!! How cool is that???!!! AND our dear friend Peppy was down from HAMILTON to be there!!!!!
We sold out of books in just over half an hour but I stayed till the end as more people still came and left with their bookmarks. The two other stockists in the mall across the way sold out too so it was marvellous. We had slightly more books than the bookstore usually has in for signings and we could have done with more! So it was fantastic.
A huge thanks to my friends and fellow kindy Mums and to the family who run our local fish & chip shop (and cook our friday night dinner!) - it was so nice to have such warm and friendly support.
And now, of course, its back to the keyboard. I have to knock Rhys into shape pronto and get onto Brock.
The party's over - but boy, it was a blast.



- hell, whose are those kids larking on the seat next to mine? Where's the responsible adult watching them???!!!

Borders Riccarton, 11am-1pm

... I'll be there. Its my first (and last, and only ever!) signing. I figured if I was ever going to do it, what better place than my home town, with my family and friends happy to support me. Basically it originated as a focus for stopping for a week or so and celebrating what's gone on in the past year. 'Cos to be honest, we haven't done that yet - its pretty much been survivial (it's like that the first year with twins, let alone everything else). So, I'll be there - with some books and my stylee magnetic bookmarks and a big grin (and shaking knees under the table cos its a bit scary even though I know my mates are going to be there for me).

So a big thanks to all my family and friends without whom I could never have gotten through this year and lived to tell the tale - let alone a few others and still be smiling!!!

Thanks SO much.

I might even post piccies of it after :)

Pavarotti

... when I was 17 I had the marvellous good fortune (thanks Mum) to see Pavarotti when he toured Australia.
Such great talent. He brought such pleasure to millions - and introduced opera to millions more. I loved him.
Here he is singing my favourite tenor aria - E lucevan le stelle - from Puccini's Tosca, my favourite opera.

So. Sitting and thinking of you tonight Maestro. And giving thanks for your life and work.

On the news tonight...

...well the current affairs show that screens straight after the news...
there'll be a segment on me and the writing with the kids thing. You can view it here:

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tvone_minisite_index_skin/tvone_close_up_group

It is streamed on the internet and then is archived so you can watch it anytime...
I haven't seen it but my husband tells me the short features a bit where the reporter is asking about the love scenes and I'm... blushing... and ... giggling.

Oh dear.

Hugh Jackman Day!!!!

Over at the Pink Heart Society (which is celebrating its FIRST BIRTHDAY - YAY!), it's the event of the year... the Hugh Jackman Blog Tour.
He is the ultimate hero for the Romance Writer.
And my offering... IS THE BEST!!!

Tomorrow's Fish & Chip Wrapper...

... otherwise known as today's newspaper, has a wee feature on me - *blushing now*.
It's a bit scary having all that out there but people seem to think its a nice uplifting tale and I hope you might enjoy it too! You can find it here.

KatyR - Mr Man Candy below is Rhys to me (and yes, Rhys is back in the building with instructions to be beaten into shape) but apparently his real name is Jensen Ackles. Honestly I have no idea who he is or where he springs from - I just 'borrowed' him from Kate Hardy!