Meet Our New LoveCat!
There's a new LoveCat on the prowl! We're absolutely thrilled to announce that lovely Helen Lacey is joining us. So today we're having a party and you're all invited to celebrate with us! And we're giving away a prize pack of LoveCat books to one of our commenters!
So come on in, grab a glass of cyber-champers, pull up a comfy chair and read the scoop on Helen!
We sent Helen a list of probing questions just for fun!
Helen, over to you!
Favourite animal
I’m a horse girl! The first book I wrote when I was seven years old was about a horse – and they still turn up in my books. In my January release, Made For Marriage, my heroine is a horse riding instructor, so I’m never really far from writing about what I love. I got my first horse when I was twelve and they have been a part of my life ever since. Now days, my DH and I own eight horses of varying sizes and ages and I love the time I spend with them every afternoon. It’s my down time away from the computer, where I get to relax and be outside. But I adore dogs too! As well as the horses I have three dogs, three birds and a house cow named Ginger.
Favourite mythical animal
Pegasus! When I was a kid I had dreams of riding amongst the clouds. Although I do own an 18hh Thoroughbred called Zeb, so my head does get fairly high up when I ride him.
Your own Catwalk candidate
This is Barney – my two year old Dogue De Bordeaux (Remember Turner and Hooch?) He’s 70kgs and adorable. He has juicy jowls and a big smile and loves riding in the car.First category book you read
There were two category books. I was twelve years old when I read Rosalind Brett’s Winds Of Enchantment and Robyn Donald’s Bride At Whangatapu. I read them in the same day and got swept away. When I was done I knew that I wanted to write romance. I can’t tell you what a thrill it was actually meeting Robyn many years later.
Last great category book you read
I recently read When One Night Isn’t Enough by Wendy S Marcus and it was fabulous.
Something we wouldn't know about you?
I’m a Trekkie. I’ve watched the latest Star Trek movie 11 times. And I think Jean Luc Picard is one of the sexiest heroes ever.
Helen's debut book, Made For marriage, is a Harlequin Special Edition and is out in January 2012
So today we're asking, what animal do you relate to most?
And to celebrate Helen joining us on the blog, we've got a book prize pack for one of our commentors!
LoveCats Book pack includes...
Michelle Douglas - The Secretary's SecretAnna Hackett - One Night with the Wolf - ebook
Nikki Logan - Maybe Baby omnibus with Nikki, Michelle Douglas & Melissa James
Sharon Archer - The Man Behind The Badge
Emily May - Beauty and the Scarred Hero
Rachel Bailey - Return of the Secret Heir
Sue Mackay - Surgeon in a Wedding Dress
Zana Bell's - Risk Worth Taking, in a duo with Her Best Friend's Wedding by Abby Gaines
Leah Ashton - Mills and Boon Loves anthology (via The Book Depository)
Robyn Grady - Fearless Maverick & Millonaire Playboy, Maverick Heiress
Natalie Anderson - Dating and Other Dangers
Hello Helen,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your upcoming debut release. I didn't have any pets growing up so I don't have much experience with animals, but I did have a couple of fish(betas.) I guess I'm more of a cat person.
Oh that doggie! 70KG! lordy that's a whole lotta dog. Wonder if Barney wants a play date with my dog Bingo?
ReplyDeleteCongrats Helen on your debut novel, can't wait to read it.
Jane B
Hi Helen,
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you at one of my favourite haunts!
Congratulations on the upcoming release of Made For Marriage!
Hi Jane - thanks for dropping by. I like cats too. Am badgering hubby for a Ragdoll cat atm. Cheers :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jane B - yes he's a big boy. And a big softie too. Barney and Bingo? Sounds like a Disney movie :)
ReplyDeleteHi Helen!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out! So glad you enjoyed When One Night Isn't Enough! Congratulations on your upcoming book! And the best part is....I can get Special Edition in the U.S.!!! Can't wait to read it!
Yay, Helen, welcome to the LoveCats -- we're delighted you've joined us here on the hearthrug! Champagne, everyone?
ReplyDeleteZeb is 18hh?!# Oh, and you have 8 (!) horses? Am soooo jealous. A horse is all I ever wanted when I was a girl. :-) That said, Barney is gorgeous, and the DH and I are getting seriously dog clucky (we're thinking a Leonberger or two may soon have to grace our household). I did have some lovely (and mischievous) cats when I was growing. Ooh, it's too hard to choose just one animal. I love them all. :-)
Hi Nas - great to see you here. And thank you for the congrat's. Am certainly looking forward to doing my blog tour with you in January.
ReplyDeleteHi Helen,
ReplyDeleteHmm... animal relate to most... with a headcold fuzzing my thoughts today it would have to be something a little dopey. My step-dad had a boxer (Bear) who would snuffle and drool a fair bit and was super well-trained and gentle. Maybe him today.
Can't wait to see made for Marriage on the shelves.
=)
Hey Helen, so thrilled you're a LOVECAT. My fav animal is cat, and I had a real terror of a feral kitten I rescued a few decades ago. We called him Spike because he looked (and acted) like a punk cat.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the LoveCats, Helen -- it's marvellous having you join us!!!
ReplyDeleteOf all your pets, the one I'm most envious of is the cow. I'd LOVE to have a cow. (Actually, I'd like three -- a Jersey, a black one, and a red-brown one.)
I can't wait to read Made For Marriage. Fab cover!
P.S. I'm a trekkie too. I agree with you about Jean Luc!
Helen, I fell in love with Dogue De Bordeaux after watching Turner and Hooch, although all that drool...
ReplyDeleteI *love* dogs and think our schnoodle has the best life: food, walks and love all with a look from big brown eyes. He's certainly got us around his furry paw.
new and glad i stumble on this blog on twitter
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you hear and OMG can I MARRY Barney? LOL
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you're at LoveCats. That Barney is amazing! 70 Kgs is enormous, but he looks like he'd be a great friend. All the best with the release of Made For Marriage. I love the cover!
ReplyDeleteHey, everybody, great to see the party's in full swing! I'm here with another bottle of cyber-bubbly - the only sort I can over-indulge in without a hangover! So let me pass out the glasses and propose a welcome toast!
ReplyDeleteHere's looking at you, Helen!! We're absolutely rapt to have you join us here at the LoveCats!
Yikes on your 18hh Zeb - that's a loooong way down! It was far enough from the 14.3hh of my little mare!
:)
Sharon
Jane and Jane B and Nas (waving)! It's fab to have you here to celebrate with us! Have a glass of hangover-free cyber-bubbles!
ReplyDelete:)
Sharon
Wendy and Bec and Louise! (pressing cyber glasses into your hands as I type) thank you for popping in to help us welcome Helen!
ReplyDelete:)
Sharon
Waving to Barney-fans, Anita and Rachael and Laura! Isn't he just the most awesome dog - he looks like a big softie!
ReplyDelete:)
Sharon
blackrose, how cool you found us through Twitter! Have some cyber-nibblies and a glass of cyber-bubbles and make yourself at home!
ReplyDelete:)
Sharon
Hi Wendy - thanks for stopping by. And you already know how much I loved One Night Isn't Enough.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle - it's great to be here! I love Leonberger's! They are an awesome breed of dog. I've owned Great Danes in the past - but now I have Barney, I'm a Bordeaux girl. And my horse Zeb is a certainly a big boy (There's no shame in using a ladder to get up!) :)
ReplyDeleteHi Bec (AKA great cp and contest queen) Thanks for stopping by. My brother used to breed Boxer's - they are very lovable dogs. Hope your cold gets better soon :)))
ReplyDeleteHelen, YEAH on becoming the newest LOVECAT! With all those animals you own, how could you not be a LOVECAT.
ReplyDeleteHere's my bottle of cyber bubbles for the party!!
My family, for years, have told me I'm a frog. They say I walk like a frog and swim like a frog (I think fish, but hey, I can't see myself). I've always had frogs croaking around my houses too, so there might be something in it! I'd prefer unicorn, myself :)
Can't wait for your book, Helen. It's a gorgeous cover.
Happy LoveCats party.
Cath
Hi Louise - thanks so much for stopping by. I know you love cat's - but I know you have a spot in your heart for my dogs too :)Especially Missy-Moo.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily and thank you for thw welcome.
ReplyDeleteCows are amazing creatures. We saved Ginger from the slaughterhouse when she accidently got mixed up with a load of beef cattle, after her elderly owner had been moved to a retirement home. All of the woman's cattle were sold - including Ginger, her house cow. She is the sweetest girl, old and slow and loves cuddles.
Glad you like my first cover too.
Good to see another Trekkie on the loop.:)
Hi Anita! Yeah, the drool is something you have to get used to. We have towels strategically placed around the house. But when he shakes his head, watch out!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by :)
Hi blackroze37 - thankyou for stopping by. Glad you found us.
ReplyDeleteHuge congratulations on your debut release, Helen. Growing up, the only pets I had were birds - zebra finches!
ReplyDeleteHi Helen
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Lovecats. We have a lot of fun here. Barney is just gorgeous. my favourite animal is the dog, most breeds. Not sure I'm about to say I relate to them, I can think of some people who'd have rude comments to make if I did.
Sue MacKay
Hey Helen
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Lovecats Downunder - will be great having you chattering here along with everyone else!
Congrats on your debut book - wow all so exciting.
Love your 18 hand horse - he must be just gorgeous! I can see how you can imagine he has wings...
Who knew - a trekkie at heart!!!
Looking forward to reading your book in January.
Bye 4 now
Tina
Welcome Helen!! As you know I love horses too, and even if I didn't know you I'd buy your book based on that cover. Fab!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have you here :)
Hey Rach! Thanks for stopping by. Barney IS just marryable LOL I have two others, a Staffyx and Tenterfield Terrier - it's fun at feeding time at my house!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura - thanks for your nice words about my cover. And yes, Barney is delightful. Great to see you here!
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon - thanoyou for organising my welcome party. It's great to be a LoveCat!
ReplyDeleteAnd Zeb is huge, yes, but the laziest horse on the planet :) I have pictures of some of my horses on my website in the gallery section if anyone wants to see horse piccy's :)
Thanks for having me!!
Welcome to the LoveCats, Helen. Great to have a Special Edition author on board, too. Such a great line.
ReplyDeleteI am loving bunnies at the mo, given we have two of them. They are just so gorgeous and cute and lovely to watch, and pretty maintenance free.
Hi Cath! Great to see you here. Frogs???? I love frogs (Not toads)I don't think you walk like a frog though :)Glad you like my cover!
ReplyDeleteHi Coleen, thank you for stopping by. I like birds too. I have a cockatiel called Curly who talks. Thanks for visiting :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sue and thankyou for the welcome. There is something special about dogs. I read somewhere that they are the only animal who love their master more than themselves.
ReplyDeleteHey Catherine - I bet it's just that your family are envious of your prowess in water! Mind you I think frogs are awfully cute so I wouldn't mind swimming like one!
ReplyDeleteColeen, Zebra finches are beautiful - what unusual pets!
lovely to have you drop in for Helen's party!!
:)
Sharon
Hi Tina - thanks for stopping by today. Great to see you here. And Trekkie's are everywhere :)
ReplyDeleteWaving to Tina and Jo! Have some of this cyber bubbly and make yourselves comfortable!
ReplyDelete:)
Sharon
Hi Leah - always good to chat to another horsey girl. And yes, the cover fairy was good to me for my first book. Thanks for the welcome.
ReplyDeleteHelen, it's a pleasure!
ReplyDeleteI moseyed on over to meet Zeb - he's a very handsome boy. Would you call him a liver chestnut? He doesn't seem to have the pale muzzle that a dark brown might have... or black mane of a bay... but maybe it's just the lighting and, of course, I can't see the rest of him to see if he has black legs.
:)
Sharon
Another dedicated Jean-Luc fan waving here from Northland. So great to have you join us, Helen.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo - thankyou for stopping by. And bunnies are just lovely. Good for cuddles :)
ReplyDeleteHi again Sharon - Zeb is actually black, but he goes a chocolate colour in winter with his whoolly coat, which is when that piccy was taken, so he does look a liver colour. I have a mare, Angel, who is liver and her mane goes flaxen in summer. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Zana - it's great to be here. Trekkie's lurk everywhere :)
ReplyDeleteHi Helen ~ I love your cover. Congratulations on joining the Love Cats and on your upcoming release.
ReplyDeleteI never had a pet when I was growing up. The boy next door shared his dog with my brother and me. I love dogs.
However I'm a cat person. Shortly after I got married a little black cat moved in with us. We have cats number five and number seven living with us right now. Dash #7 is our latest adopted cat and he weighs about 20 pounds(about 8 kgs). He puts legs to sleep on a regular basis. Barney must be able to do it just by looking at you.
Helen, WELCOME, WELCOME!! So good to have you joining us!!
ReplyDeleteWhat animal do I relate to the most? I'd have to say dogs, partly because I've spent so much time with them, but I've adored them since I was a kid. Though I've never met an animal I haven't liked - they're all amazing (even though I don't want to see some spiders and snakes up close!).
Love your Barney!
Definitely dogs, for their loyalty and affection.
ReplyDeleteHankts AT internode DOT on DOT net
Hi Kaelee - thank you for stopping by the LoveCats today. So glad you like my cover - I was very happy when they captured the feel of the book so well.
ReplyDeleteI like cats too. Actually, I like most animals. Except snakes. And insects :)
Hi Rachel! It's great to be here.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, dogs are the best (and horses) but I pretty much like all animals. I used to have goats when I was younger - now they are an interesting pet :)
Hi Kaetrin - you right about dogs being loyal and affectionate. It's great to come home and know they are pleased to see us. Thanks for stopping by today.
ReplyDeleteHello Helen,
ReplyDeleteWell firstly can't wait to buy your upcoming book =)
I think I relate most to a butterfly or a cat, they don't seem to have a care in the world and go exploring, which I'd love to do.
I have a cat myself and can't count the number of times we both fall asleep on the sofa together =)
Hi Helen,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your book and joining lovecats!!!! I absolutely adore hanging out here and would look forward to your posts too!!!
Great to know the fun facts about you :) And as to the animal I relate to... umm.. maybe a bird? (technically not an animal in the 4 legged sense), but I love the sense of freedom the bird represents...You know - soaring high and yet grounded enough :) I know I'd love to be that way :) In the sense, I'm in the process of trying to take the positive out of whatever happens around me and keep myself flying :)
Congrats on your up and coming release, sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi AlaineB - I agree about cats seeming carefree. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteHi Ju - thank you for coming along to LoveCats tooday. Keeping soaring!
ReplyDeleteHi Virginia - thank you for your congrat's. Great to have you visiting LoveCats.
ReplyDeleteKaelee and Kaetrin, fab to see you here at the party!
ReplyDeleteKaelee, your Dash sounds like a cat to contend with!
:)
Sharon
Alaine and Ju and Virginia, make yourselves comfy and have a glass of bubbles with us!
ReplyDeleteAlaine, cats are great to snuggle up with, aren't they... well, when THEY are in the mood anyway! LOL
Ju, we love having you hang out here! Feathered, two-footed creatures are just as welcome as furred and with four feet! Keep flying!
:)
Sharon
Hi Helen
ReplyDeleteFirstly must say what a gorgeous cover and I can't wait to lay my hands on a copy. I beat New Year's Eve will be a big milestone for you this year. Hope to read many more best sellers from you.
I am most definitely a cat person and I think the reasons I love them are also why I'd be a cat if I had to choose an animal. They have a certain look that turns humans to mush and gets them out of any type of trouble, they can sleep as much as they want in some very interesting positions at times, they are easily entertained and can groom themselves to look gorgeous at a moments notice plus there always good for a cuddle.
Cheers
Tracey T
Hi Tracey - great to see you here, thank you for stopping by. Hows your new kitten coming along???
ReplyDeleteThankyou for your nice words about my cover.
Hi Helen. Dropping by late to the party to say hi! Looking forward to reading your book when it's out :)
ReplyDeleteI am a definite dog person - adore them and couldn't live without them. They are at my side all day .... and always trying to sneak on the bed at night! After dogs I'd have to pick horses :) We have 2 dogs, 3.5 horses (one is a little mini) and 4 hens, so definitely an animal family!
Soraya
Hi Helen
ReplyDeleteWhoo Hoo congrats on becoming a LoveCat it is a great place to hang out.
I love dogs and cats although we don't have a cat at the moment just a dog called Brandy who has a great personality, but I was followed home from school when I was 6 by and elephant and I kinda have a soft spot for them now LOL it had got away from a circus next to the school.
I look forward to reading your book in January
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Soraya - I have a mini too! Her name is Chloe (or Munchkin) She's the naughtiest horse we have :) Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteHi Helen! An elephant? How awesome is that. Thanks for stopping by LoveCats today. :)
ReplyDeleteLove, Loyalty , A dog's gift to mankind.
ReplyDeleteTracey T and Helen and PetLover! Fab to have you pop in to our welcome party for Helen!
ReplyDeleteHelen what a great story about the baby elephant! I'm still chuckling at the image!
:)
Sharon
I think I am EXTREMELY late for the party.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that fashionably late, Marybelle! Better late than never as the saying goes! Lovely of you to pop in anyway!
ReplyDelete:)
Sharon
Hi Marybelle - great to see you here. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteHelen, the last couple of days have been crazy but I had to drop in say WELCOME TO THE LOVECATS!!!! It's just wonderful to have you here with us. Barney is just adorable!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm very late for the party, but welcome to Lovecats Lacey =)
ReplyDeleteI know you'll love it here.