Aug 12, 2015

Welcome Party for Kandy Shepherd!

We have such exciting news -- we have a new LoveCat joining the pride! Drum roll please...and party streamers at the ready, as we welcome the wonderful Kandy Shepherd to the LoveCats DownUnder!

As you can imagine there has been much purring and tail-wagging here. And we love to share the fun so we have THREE prize packs of books to give away, including a pack from the wonderful folk at M&B Australia! But first, let's get to know Kandy a little better.


We adore hearing about animals here at the LoveCats so we’d love to know if anyone with fur, feathers or scales shares your life? If so, tell us a bit about them.
 
You know I’ve always liked the LoveCats, because I love cats. I know the name refers more to loving category romance—fortunately I also love both reading and writing category too. So I was both honoured and delighted when you invited me to join the group.

Back to those cats. I was born in Sri Lanka (back when it was Ceylon) to expat parents and then lived in India. One of my earliest memories was of desperately wanting a cat and being forbidden to touch the street cats because in those days rabies was rife.

Can you imagine my joy when we settled in Sydney I was finally allowed to have a cat of my own? I’ve had at least one cat in my life ever since. The current number is four.

The two glamour pusses are Alfie and Ivy, who came to us as little strays who’d been mistreated while living rough in a McDonald’s car park. They spent the first week with us under the bed emitting comically fierce kitten hisses and snarls. Two years later they still have some trust issues but are much-loved members of the family.

Tabitha is our 15-year old who is a Devon Rex hybrid. She turned out a dud as a Devon Rex but a delightful and loving family pet. We got her from an ad on a notice board in the tea room of a magazine company where I worked.

One dark and stormy night our beautiful Cindy appeared on the veranda of our little farm in the Blue Mountains winding her way around our legs and desperately hungry.  We reckon she’d been dumped in the nearby bush and been living wild. She still prefers to be outside and we call her our “dog cat” because whenever we go for a walk she has to come too, even miles into the bush.

A fortune teller once told me that in every one of my “former lives” I was surrounded by animals. I am in this life, too. We also have horses, miniature cattle (as pets) and chickens. I might leave them for another post! 


Even though you're now a Cat, if you could be any mythological creature, which one would you choose to be, and why?

Researching mythical creatures, I found many of them too ugly and fierce for me to want to spend time in their shoes—or claws or fangs. Pegasus the winged horse is my choice as I’d love to be able to fly.

Can you remember the first category romance you read? Is there a book (romance or otherwise) that made you want to become a writer?

I was such a voracious reader as a child I read thousands of books—including my grandmother’s “little books”—Mills & Boon and Women’s Weekly Library. All English of course. Pressed for authors I’d say Anne Mather and Charlotte Lamb—the racier their books the better! My mother introduced me to Georgette Heyer and that’s when I got hooked on romance—though I’ve never written a historical.

Of the books you’ve read so far this year, what’s been your favourite category romance?

Damaso Claims His Heir by fellow LoveCat, Annie West—what a passionate, engrossing read! 

Now... What's something we wouldn't know about you?

Way back when I did a parachute jump from a small open plane—I had to climb out onto the strut and wheel and jump. It was the scariest, most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done. 

What’s the book on your to-be-read pile that you’re most looking forward to reading?

I’ve brought back a ton of books from the Romance Writers of America national convention in New York. I just looked at the pile and randomly grabbed—out came A Bride for the Runaway Groom by my Fellow Harlequin Romance author, Scarlet Wilson.

Thanks for chatting, Kandy! And welcome aboard. I know we're all looking forward to getting to know you better. And now for some party fun: the prize giveaways!

Prize Pack #1

A pack of assorted Harlequin Mills & Boon titles, donated by Mills & Boon Australia. Thank you M&B Australia!

Prize Pack #2 

The Billionaire’s Passionate Revenge (eBook) – Jennifer St George
Tempted by Her Italian Surgeon (print) – Louisa George
Reunited…in Paris (print) – Sue Mackay
The Sinner’s Marriage of Redemption (print) – Annie West
Bidding on her Boss (print) – Rachel Bailey
From Paradise To…Pregnant (print) – Kandy Shepherd
The CEO’s Baby Surprise (print) – Helen Lacey
The Wife He Couldn’t Forget (print) –Yvonne Lindsay
The Bouquet List (ebook) – Barbara DeLeo
The Tycoon’s Stowaway (print) – Stefanie London
The Millionaire and the Maid (print) – Michelle Douglas
Retro Harlequin-inspired Notebook – Amy Andrews
$5 Amazon gift card – Sharon Archer
K/Candy! – Bronwyn Jameson 


Prize Pack#3

 The Sinner’s Marriage of Redemption (print) – Annie West
The Billionaire’s Passionate Revenge (eBook) – Jennifer St George
Bidding on her Boss (print) – Rachel Bailey
Reunited…in Paris (print) – Sue Mackay
Tempted by Her Italian Surgeon (print) – Louisa George
Hired by the Brooding Billionaire (print) – Kandy Shepherd
The CEO’s Baby Surprise (print) – Helen Lacey
The Wife He Couldn’t Forget (print) –Yvonne Lindsay
It Happened One Night Shift (print) – Amy Andrews
The Tycoon’s Stowaway (print) – Stefanie London
The Bouquet List (ebook) – Barbara DeLeo
Cat bookmark – Michelle Douglas
$5 Amazon gift card – Sharon Archer
K/Candy! – Bronwyn Jameson


 Now aren't they some awfully nice prizes! All you have to do to go into the draw to win one of these gorgeous prize packs is to leave a comment welcoming Kandy...and if you were so inclined you could share your favourite party tip with us or tell us what your favourite book has been so far this year.   

ABBA is in the stereo system (with Elvis lined up for when Rachel Bailey joins us), and I'm passing around the catnip treats. To get the party underway I'm popping the cork on a bottle of bubbles -- who'd like a glass? :-)
 

110 comments:

  1. Welcome Kandy, it's so lovely to have you as part of the fabulous group here :) And it was great to meet you in person--albeit briefly!! I love the stories about how your cats came into your life, sadly cats are a big no-no in our house thanks to my husbands allergies but I'm hoping we can get a dog one day when we settle into a proper house instead of an apartment :)

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    1. Shame on Mr London's kitty allergies, Stef. We have a lot of native wildlife around our house, so keeping cats doesn't seem like a good idea. But, like you, I'm hoping a puppy or two features in my future. :-)

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    2. Thanks for the welcome Stefanie. It was so nice to catch up with you, even if so briefly. I was hoping for some makeup tips!
      The funny thing is about me and cats - I was wildly allergic to them when I was younger and on constant antihistamines. Thank heaven I grew out of the allergy!

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  2. Woohoo Hello Kandy

    YAY it is great to see you here I do love your stories,

    I love seeing pictures of your furbaies sadly at the moment we don't have a cat but we do have a big white dog named Casper :) I am all for dancing with great music and catching up with everyone at parties :) oh and there have been so many good books I have read this year so far the list would go on and on LOL and a lot of them have been stories by the lovely LoveCats.

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. We're so happy Kandy has joined us, Helen!

      You love dancing! Yay -- you and me, on the dance floor now, boogying to Dancing Queen. :-) (And we'll put a little Rod Stewart on later -- a couple of nice ballads to cool us all down)

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    2. Hi lovely Helen! Thank you for that big welcome. I love dancing too - even though my daughter says I embarrass myself by dancing "oldie" style!

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  3. Hey there, Kandy! It's fabulous "seeing" you here! This is one AWESOME group!
    My party tip is to make your party a potluck and not care what food everyone brings (but they also bring their own lawn chairs and BYOB). We host a party every summer and between 20 and 75 people show up (from over 150 invited). If we were to, let's say, barbecue for all those people, we wouldn't know how many buns to buy and then we'd have the problem of freezing leftovers (and buns don't last long in the freezer). Who has room in their deep freeze for all that meat - before OR after the party?
    No matter how many people we invite and request them to RSVP, there are always those who don't tell you they are coming and do, and those who say they are coming and don't. It's infuriating if you are planning on food for a specific number of people. However, if they each bring enough for their family (and a little more usually), then there is always enough to eat - and they can share the leftovers when they leave!
    I make sure I provide plenty of meatballs, chili, and sliced deli meats (to "cover" our own growing family and a few single people who might not bring something), as the majority of people bring salads and desserts (although I usually keep an extra dessert in the house just in case). Men especially gravitate to the meats - and we often have young men who eat like crazy.
    Last year we had three pots of meatballs - and all were eaten up. Another year we had three Caesar salads - and, again, all were eaten up. You never know what will be here, and it just doesn't matter. We play road hockey in our double-wide driveway, croquet, ladder ball, and washer toss in the backyard, then enjoy all the food set out in the carport. The food is the icing on the cake, so to speak.

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    1. Oh, potluck sounds like the perfect party tip, Laney! And given the logistics of your annual summer party, I think it's a very wise move. The party sounds like a lot of fun -- I now want to eat chilli and meatballs and Caesar salad and play ladder ball (I have no idea what ladder ball is, but I have no doubt that it'd be oodles of fun ).

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    2. Laney, how lovely to see you here! I love your idea of pot luck for parties - it does take some of the stress out of entertaining and I like to taste other peoples' cooking! I hear you on appetite of young men. I watched in awe at one of out parties when just a few of my daughter's guy friends practically demolished an entire ham.

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  4. I second Laney4's party tip - it's something my immediate family and extended family has done all my life. It works incredibly well - although in my extended family everyone seems to take home leftovers because despite knowing that there are so many of us - we always bring too much.

    Hmmm.... favourite book - I think I'd have to pull book titles out of a hat... there has been so many that I've enjoyed. Since I've already read 56 books of my 75 book target this year, is it any wonder that I can't settle on one?

    Is there any Queen in that playlist?

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    1. And because I'm apparently still half asleep. Welcome to the LoveCats Kandy.

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    2. Queen can definitely make it onto the playlist, Lyn! :-) Anyone who has read 56 books for the year so far can request whatever band and whatever track she wants! Go you. :-)

      I'm loving the potluck tip. In fact, I'm thinking when the weather warms up that a potluck may indeed feature in my future.

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    3. Thank you for the welcome, Lyn. I'm so impressed with how many books you have already read this year! I'm with you, I find it almost impossible to name a favourite book. I read so many and often the one I've read most recently is top of my mind.

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  5. Welcome Kandy - its so nice to have you here and especially lovely to share the ardous flight from New York to Australia with you a couple of weeks ago. Having someone to chat to during stopovers always makes the time fly by!

    Party tip - big bowl of punch always goes down a treat :-)

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    1. Even though it does sound kind of 70's....

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    2. Amy, I so enjoyed having you as a flight companion on that long plane trip home from the Romance Writers of America convention. It made it so much more enjoyable.
      BTW there's nothing wrong with the 70s - they're cool again. My 22 year old daughter is wearing nothing but retro these days - both "inspired by the 70s fashion" and the real deal vintage she buys online.

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    3. Punch! I love punch. And the 70s. :-)

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  6. hi Kandy!
    mythical creature...mermaid.....cause still all woman and can swim and read still when she comes up....lol

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    1. Hi Diana, now why didn't I think of mermaid! She's the perfect mythical creature for a romance reader. And I love swimming!

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    2. Diana, when I was about five I wanted to be mermaid more than anything else in the world. :-)

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  7. btw good music choice...loved abba growing up...from Dancing Queen on When I kissed The Teacher....lol

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    1. I reckon Abba is always a party hit Diana!

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    2. I remember my primary school class breaking out spontaneously into 'When I Kissed the Teacher" to our sixth class teacher -- Mr Malcolm. We loved him...and I'm sure he blushed. ;-)

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  8. oh food for party.... Taco salad...I have to make two batches for every party we are invited to cause they all love it...and for my nephews bday and christmas one just for him as his gifts because he loves it so much and hes 24 gonna be 25 lol

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  9. Woohoo! Welcome, Kandy! It's so fabulous to have you join us! I'm grabbing a glass of cyber bubbles and adding some magical vitamin C because I'm absolutely sure it will help with the winter lurgy I have at the moment!

    So great to learn more about you in this post and like... WOW you've done a parachute jump! I have to ask for the story behind this! Was it a dare? Or something you'd always wanted to do? Have you done more than one... or was one quite enough!

    As for party tips, I like Laney's potluck tip. The only time that went a bit pear-shaped for us was when we were having a Christmas lunch for my hubby's work crew. One of the guys brought a creamy pasta salad - looked lovely but he'd left it sitting on his desk in the sun all morning so it was scarily warm! Having done a couple of years of microbiology, there was no way that was making it to the table for consumption. I put it in an esky and "forgot" to get it out until I could dispose of it after everyone had gone home.

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    1. OMG! Am laughing at your pasta salad story, Sharon...and shuddering at the same time.

      Kandy's braver than me -- don't think I'd ever have the gumption to jump out of a plane. Is it something you're contemplating?

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    2. Yep, that salad had staph food poisoning stamped all over it! It's nice to have a memorable party but note for THAT reason!

      Mmmm, I think the jumping out of a plane is something I'd like to have experienced (notice the past tense there) - but I suspect I'd nearly die of fright in the lead up to actually DOING it. ;)

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    3. LOL. It's the landing that worries me. ;-)

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  10. Wow, those are some seriously great prizes! Wahoooo!

    Kandy, so lovely to see you here with the Love Cats. Nice to see one of my favourite people on one of my favourite blogs. Just makes it all...favouroluous!!!!

    As you know, I'm lucky enough to have met your cats. Alfie even sat still for a pat which made me feel very special. I look forward to hearing more about your felines' adventures in your posts here.

    And isn't Annie West's Damaso Claims His Heir brilliant? And how lovely to have a romance set in Brazil. Love it when writers take me far afield!

    Looking forward to seeing many wonderful posts from you here.

    Oh, and hello, all you other lovely Love Cats!

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    1. Thank you Anna, I'm so happy to have joined the pride! Yes, there will be lots of kitty photos shared in future. It was indeed a privilege to be allowed to pat Alfie, it's rare he trusts someone other than us.

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    2. Hiya Anna, it's always fab to have you drop by -- you're one of our favouroluous guests. :-) And as you can tell, we're pretty chuffed that Kandy has joined our ranks.

      Nothing but good times ahead. :-)

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    3. Michelle, as you know, I just loves the Love Cats!

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  11. Hi Sharon, thank you for such a warm welcome!
    The parachute jump? It was something I'd always wanted to do but never thought I would. I was telling a friend and she looked up a jump school and stood over me while I booked a lesson! I trained for several weeks and finally did the jump. It was the most awesome experience. I couldn't wait to get up and do it again. But then the weather was bad for weeks and weeks and I didn't get that chance. I never did it again! But I did do it, and I'm proud of myself. I can tell you, climbing out on that strut and having to fling yourself backwards when the instructor says "jump" is not the easiest thing!

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    1. Kandy, I think you need to be very very careful what you tell that friend! LOL Seriously, though, she must have spotted that you really had a yearning to do this challenging thing and having her cheering you on was enough to get you to do it. Well done you!

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  12. Hi Kandy! Lovely to have you join us and SO lovely to meet you at RWA!

    My party tips? MOJITOS! Just because. MOJITOS!

    And I love to dance, so don't expect a great deal of conversation from me if there's music happening, but I'll be more than happy to shimmy next to you, clap you into the circle and celebrate your moves!! XXX

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    1. OMG! *Rushes off to make mojitos*

      For when the dancing is over, you understand. ;-)

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    2. Hi Louisa, it was so lovely to meet you at RWA in New York. And I was cheering madly for you as a finalist in the RITA!
      I like the idea of being clapped into the circle - much as the LoveCats are doing for me today!

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  13. Congrats on joining the Love Cats, Kandy. I am so jealous that you have four cats. The most I've had at a time is two. My current cat has enough personality for a couple extras though. I love reading books where cats play a part in the story, and loved Sandy Curtis's 'No Cure For Love'. Looking forward to discovering more Love Cat stories in the future.

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    1. Oh, Shelley, we're all suckers here for animals that play a role in a story! Which means I'm loving the sound of Sandy's 'No Cure for Love.'

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    2. Hi Shelley, thank for the welcome. I've loved being a visitor here over the years, and it's lovely to be part of the pride.
      Yes, I'm very grateful for my four beautiful cats. They're all so different in personality too. I'd probably have more if I was allowed...
      I loved Sandy Curtis's suspense stories and have her romance in my TBR pile once I meet my current deadline. I didn't know No Cure for Love had a cat in it! My From Paradise to...Pregnant! has a small walk-on part for a gorgeous tabby called Einstein.

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  14. Gah, technology hates me today. My earlier post never made it but nevertheless...WELCOME TO THE GANG, Kandy! It's so great to have you join us! I loved reading about your animals, quite the menagerie, and I really look forward to hearing more about them.

    As to a party tip, I guess you can't go wrong with bringing along a nice garlicky cheeseball. We have a family favorite that gets demolished every time I make it, in fact I'm usually instructed to bring along two! 250g cream cheese, 1 dessert spoon each of manuka honey and mayonnaise, a couple of crushed garlic cloves and a cup or so of grated tasty cheese all combined, rolled into a ball and then rolled in sliced almonds. Pop it into the fridge until set and serve with your favorite crackers and wine. Yum!

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    1. Oh, my word, Yvonne -- that cheese ball sounds divine. Am printing that out and saving it. :-)

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  15. Hi Yvonne, thanks for the welcome. It was lovely to see you in New York too. There was quite a LoveCat representation,
    I love the sound of your garlic cheeseball. I suspect that might be the kind of thing that would have me lurking by the buffet table and making an absolute pig of myself.

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  16. Welcome Kandy! The love cats are a wonderful group. My party tip: introduce guests to each other by mentioning something they have in common, not a New thought but it works.

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    1. Hi Laura, thanks for the welcome. That's a great party tip. Sometimes I think I concentrate so much on the food and drinks, I forget about my hostess duty to make sure the guests are getting to meet each other!

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    2. Oh, Laura, that is indeed an excellent tip! Toasting you with a glass of cyber bubbles. :-)

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  17. Hi Kandy! Pam in Janesville California here! I have enjoyed reading about you, especially that you once jumped out of a perfectly good aircraft! :) Nice group here!

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  18. Welcome Kandy. So lovely you have join us here!!!! So nice to learn more about you.

    Wow, you really are a cat person. Those cats are all so lucky to have you.

    Party tip: lots of wine and disco music - always works for me!!

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    1. Hi Jen, thanks for the welcome. I am definitely a certified crazy cat person, and have been since I was tiny! I do dote on my kitties.

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    2. I've seen you dance, Jen -- you'd look great in flares beneath a disco ball!
      :-)

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  19. Kandy, how lovely to have you on board here with all the other lovely authors! Good company all round. And I also love the line you write for, the sweeter tone is so enjoyable. And yes please to having a cat in the house. Unfortunately at the moment we don't, sigh...but I love reading them in stories.

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    1. Hi Malvina, yes this is a lovely group isn't it. I've always liked visiting and it's so nice to be part of the blog. I'm glad you like the "sweeter" books, I certainly love writing for the Romance/Cherish/Forever Romance line.
      Sad you don't have a cat at the moment - but you know what they say: you don't find a cat, they find you!

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    2. And it's extra good company now that you've joined the party, Malvina. :-) I'm jealous of Kandy's cats too -- I hope a cat makes its way into you future sometime soon.

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  20. Hi Kandy....Welcome to LoveCats! So great to have you here and to learn more about you. And you have four cats! Awesome. My party tip.....um.....wine. Just wine. That's all :)

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    1. Hi Helen, thanks for the welcome. It was so nice to spend some time with you in Bundaberg a few months ago. I know you have lots of animals too!

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  21. Welcome, welcome, Kandy! It's so lovely to have you here as a Love Cat! How very appropriate given your love of both category romance and felines!

    I was chuffed you enjoyed my Damaso, by the way, and fascinated to hear about your parachuting experience. Good on you! I've never been that brave.

    As for party tips - I always seem to over cater, but I love the idea of guests feeling a generous welcome. Especially if it may mean leftovers...!

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    1. Annie, as I love leftovers, I'm all for over-catering. That's a tip I think most of us take rather seriously -- especially when it comes to chocolate and wine. ;-)

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  22. Welcome Kandy :) I'm sure you will be a fab addition to the Love Cat team.

    Party tip - I think it's always fun for a dress up theme. It works at RWA conferences and is a real ice breaker when talking with writers you don't know! :)

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    1. Ooh a dress up theme! That's a brilliant party tip, Joanne. :-)

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    2. Hi Joanne, thanks of the welcome.Yes, a dress up theme is always an ice breaker. I'm in awe of some of the fabulous costumes our fellow writers dress up in for the RWA conferences. (You'll see me slinking around in a black dress usually!)

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  23. Hi lovely Annie, so nice to be a LoveCat sister with you!
    Obviously I'm not the only one who thought Damaso was a fabulous story - I see it's up for a RUBY award this year.
    I'm an over-caterer too, but I can't bear the thoughts of guests roaming around looking for something to eat. I have good intentions of following catering guidelines but always add the last minute stuff that ends up as leftovers!

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  24. Hi Kandy. Awesome to see you here. What a party! My most useful party tip would be to ask about food allergies. Not sexy, I know, but the number of times we've been invited to a party, and my Steve forgets to tell people what I don't eat ... then we stand or sit there in a moment of awkwardness as our hosts fall over themselves in embarrassment. It always makes me feel so bad and I'm sure they do too, especially when I spend the rest of the night not eating any of the lovely food they have prepared.

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    1. Ooh, Deanna, that's a very good point! If somebody couldn't eat the food I'd prepared for a party I'd feel horribly embarrassed. Will have to make a point of asking this at all my future parties. One wants everyone to share in the goodies at a party. :-)

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    2. Hi Deanna, thank for coming to my party! You are so right to ask about food allergies. It can be mortifying for a host to find a guest can't eat any of that carefully prepared food. It's difficult to be prepared if you don't know what your guest is sensitive to.

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  25. Hi Kandy :D
    Lovely to see you over here . I think the best tip at times for parties is it just to ask what the host would like. :D I love a good selection at parties, but it seems favourites always get consumed anyway. I get asked to always bring my potato salad = even though my older daughter is not a fan of onions and what not else she loves this dish.

    I have read almost 100 books this year and all of Kandy's book in which I always truly enjoy.

    I follow Kandy on facebook so I always get to enjoy her gorgeous views and the pics of her cats :D

    Thanks for the wonderful giveaway. ! Kandy will fit in your blog just nicely

    Katrina ;d

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    1. Katrina, we're sure Kandy will fit in very nicely here too. :-) Her books are awesome, aren't they? (Wow, I'm still recovering from the fact you've read nearly 100 books so far for the year -- go you!)

      And right! The next time we're having a party, I'll ask you to bring the potato salad. :-)

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    2. Hi lovely Katrina, how nice to see you here! Thanks for calling by. Wow, 100 books, what an achievement. Thank you for the very kind words about my books, I always so appreciate your feedback!
      I have a friend who makes a wonderful potato salad too, and I always ask for it when she says, "What can I bring?" Sounds like your friends know exactly what they're doing when they ask you to bring your special potato salad!

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  26. You were practically a wing walker with your jump. Way too scary for my liking.

    Love your books Kandy!!

    My favourite party tip. Keep it simple & prepare ahead of time.

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    1. Hi Mary, nice to see another familiar name here! That jump was scary, when I look back on it now I think I must have been insane! But I still remember the amazing feeling of exhilaration, it was the closest thing to flying. I wanted to do it again, and I regret I didn't work a little harder to make it happen. Thanks for you kind words about my books!

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    2. She's a much braver woman than me as well, Mary -- much rather stay inside the plane while it's in the air thank you very much! :-)

      Oh, and that's an excellent tip! It takes so much of the stress out of a party. :-)

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  27. Welcome to all our fav stop 'The LoveCats!' Kandy!

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    1. Thank you for the welcome Nas! It's great to be here.

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    2. So lovely of you to drop by, Nas. :-)

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  28. Hi, Kandy: You are a "purr-fect"addition to the lovely LoveCats!!!

    Your "Hired by the Brooding Billionaire" is one of my most recent favorites--thanks to its awesome heroine. I will look forward to reading your posts. I have always loved "category romance", and I even have a large collection of "White Covers" (Presents) from the 60's & 70's that I have found here and there. Still love those books and wonderful writers! I also began my life as a romance reader with Georgette Heyer and Barbara Cartland--what grand ladies!

    Here's a toast and a cheer to books, cats, and other creature comforts!!!

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    1. Hi Virginia, so many favourite people dropping in to say hello! And thank you for you kind words about HIRED BY THE BROODING BILLIONAIRE. I absolutely loved writing Shelley, in fact I think she is my favourite of my heroines with her strength and vulnerability.She made me laugh with some of the things she said. She said them, not me. I just wrote them down!
      Oh I do love those old categories, those authors were brilliant writers.
      What a great toast - books, cats and other creature comforts (including chocolate!)

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    2. LOL, Virginia, we think Kandy is the "purr-fect" addition too. :-)

      Ooh, I have Hired by the Brooding Billionaire sitting on my tbr pile. Can't wait!

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  30. Just stopping by to say 'Hi' Kandy and let you know how excited I am you're part of this group!

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    1. We're so excited she's joined the LoveCat ranks, Robyn. :-) Thanks for dropping by.

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    2. Hi Robyn, lovely to see you at my party! I'm very excited to be a LoveCat, too!

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  31. I'm so happy to see Kandy here today! I know that in addition to being a wonderful author, she is also a true cat lover. She and I have shared and liked lots of kitty pictures and cartoons on Facebook. Three cheers for Kandy!

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    1. Rah! Rah! Rah!

      That was three cheers in case anyone was wondering. :-)

      Thanks, Connie, we're so glad to have Kandy join us.

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    2. Hi Connie, what an extremely nice welcome! I too, really enjoy our exchanges on Facebook. Cat ladies unite!
      You know over the last couple of Romance Writers of America, I've had the experience of meeting some of my FB friends face-to-face--and they've been every bit as lovely as they are on line. Common interests are a great bond between people I think. It would be nice if we met some day! In the meantime, I'll keep up the kitty posts...

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  32. Welcome Kandy!! Love the ABBA music, I'll take a glass of bubbly!

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    1. Am passing you a glass of bubbly, Cindy...and racing over to turn up the music. ;-)

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    2. ABBA really is hard to beat for party music, isn't it Cindy! My daughter loved the movie Mama Mia (I did too). It introduced a whole new generation to the songs.

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  33. Welcome Kandy!! Love the ABBA music (*happily sings along and dances*).
    I found new for me series this year that I just love - Chrismas, Colorado by Debbie Mason

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    1. ABBA is a big hit among the LoveCats, Tatiana -- so glad you're out here on the dance floor with us. :-)

      And that sounds like a fab recommendation -- off to Amazon to check it out. Thanks!

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    2. Thank you Tatiana for the welcome - and for the book recommendation. I do love a series!

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  34. Yay! I'm thrilled that Kandy has joined the LoveCat pride! Welcome, Kandy!

    And now we've had Michelle's great ABBA songs on for one day, I'm thinking this second day of the party could be the perfect time for the Elvis she has on standby. :)

    *passes around a plate of catnip cookies*

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    1. *takes a catnip cookie and nibbles blissfully as Elvis croons in the background*

      It's so exciting that Kandy has joined us, Rach! Oh, and don't you just love a party? Happy sighs.

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    2. Yay! Let's play some Elvis! Great idea Rachel. I'm taking a catnip cookie - or four - for my kitties!

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  35. Welcome Kandy. Thanks for sending me your book. I will read it soon.

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    1. Hi Tammy, lovely to see you here. I hope you enjoy the book!

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    2. Ooh, Tammy, you have one of Kandy's latest? You lucky duck. :-)

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  36. Welcome Kandy, and yes on the bubbly, please!

    I just rediscovered romances a few months ago and am totally enjoying working my way through the LoveCats. Looking forward to checking out your books! And my favorites this year have been anything by Annie West, especially The Sultan's Harem Bride and The Shiekh's Princess Bride.

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    1. Wonderful that you've rediscovered romances, Grandma Cootie! Am handing you a glass of bubbly and nodding my head in agreement that Annie writes wonderful stories. :-)

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    2. Thank you for the welcome, Grandma Cootie. I'm so glad you've rediscovered reading romance, so much reading pleasure ahead of you! I hope you enjoy reading my books too when you get a chance. I agree, Annie West writes wonderful books! I love her sheiks, too.

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    3. Grandma Cootie, I'm so very pleased you've been enjoying my stories this year! I'm grinning at that feedback. Thank you so much! Here's to lots more romance reading from now on.

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  39. Welcome, Kandy! My favorite book so far this year is You Only Love Twice by Lexi Blake.

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    1. Hi Heather! Ooh, I haven't heard of that one -- must go check it out. Thanks for the recommendation! :-)

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    2. Thanks for the welcome, Heather Strand. I haven't heard of that book, must investigate!

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