Dec 6, 2013

The anticipation is KILLING me!

I'm full of anticipation for my latest release on Monday. I'm excited because this is my first book for a whole new imprint, anxious because I'm wondering how my existing readers will like this different direction, and head-over-heels delighted that this book is finally about to be let out into the big wide world.

Want a peek? Here's the cover and blurb.





A wife he needs. The woman he desires.

Cy Hathaway needs a wife, fast, to win custody of his son, Jonty. He returns home to discover the childhood sweetheart he once left behind has become a vibrant, beautiful woman. Even though wanting to sweep her off her feet wasn’t part of the plan…

For Ellie, Cy’s sudden reappearance awakens a flood of memories—and resentments for the way he’d abandoned her all those years ago. But she has a life now, a career. She can’t simply drop everything and get hitched, even if the sight of him still makes her heart race.

But after Ellie meets his little boy, she can’t refuse. Certain she has a grip on her old feelings for Cy, she agrees to marry her first love until he gains custody. But when did helping out a friend become something with the capacity to hijack her heart?



This feeling like I'm holding my breath, watching the clock as the big day draws near, reminds me of another time in my life when the big day couldn't come quick enough...

We always went to my Grandparents farm for Christmas. Tradition was inherent in everything we did, from the way we hung the Christmas lights to the time we were allowed up on Christmas morning.

We have a rule for my four kids that they can't come in to us before 6 on Christmas morning, but many a time we've been worn down by the pleading looks and the loud whispers about what Santa might have brought them. Anticipation seems to be contagious!

So, what are you looking forward to this holiday season?




15 comments:

  1. Barbara

    I do love the sound of this one :) congrats on the release and for me I also love Christmas and the anticipation I so love seeing the looks on the faces of my 6 grnadchildren when they all arrive Christmas morning and see the tree with lots of presents and I am also looking forward to having 10 days off work over Christmas can't wait

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Helen, I'm sure you're going to love those 10 days off over Christmas! Tonight we've had an early Christmas dinner with my parents as they can't be with us on Christmas Day and the anticipation of the tree arriving, the decorations being put on, and then the dinner goodies was wonderful. Have a very happy Christmas.

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  2. Barbara, congratulations on the imminent release of 'Last Chance Proposal'. How exciting! I hope you don't turn blue holding your breath in the meantime. You made me smile remembering so many times as a child when I just couldn't wait for certain things - like holidays or Santa's arrival. This Christmas I'm really looking forward to having a family Christmas meal with all the trimmings (not just the food but the family traditions). With elderly parents they become more precious. I'm also looking forward to at least a day or two of reading books in the aftermath - yay! New books at Christmas is such a treat.

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    1. Thanks so much for the congrats, Annie. That's what I love so much about Christmas now—having my children old enough to really enjoy it and having my parents with us o pass on the traditions. I hope you get lots of books for Christmas!

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  3. The book sounds great, Barbara!

    We also couldn't go downstairs before a certain time on Christmas morning. I remember all 5 of us sitting on the stairs and daring each other to go down to the last step and peer into the living room to see if Santa had come. LOL

    Marcy Shuler

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    1. I remember the exact same thing, Marcy! My parents ended up putting us outside in a caravan so we couldn't jeopardise their secret santa missions, and to stop us getting up too early.

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  4. For any youngster Christmas morning has to be the most exciting time. I remember waking and immediately looking for the stocking. First meal of the day - before six - orange, banana, and chocolate. Oh, and more chocolate. Then I'd go harass mum and dad until they obliged by getting up and gathering around the tree to give out the goodies. Nowadays I'm happy with great food, wine and chocolate and family and close friends to share it all with. Nothing much has changed really.

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    1. I know you'll be having an extra special Christmas with your little man this year, Sue. It'll be unforgettable. I bet you're looking forward to passing down some traditions.

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  5. Congrats on the new release, Barb. Sounds fantastic!!!

    I'm looking forward to eating piles of prawns, chunks of cheesecake, copious glasses champagne (well, not that much), heaps of ham and stacks of salad, as there are no calories on Christmas Day!

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    1. Prawns and cheesecake!? Two of my most favourite things in the world. It's so funny how calories work like that, Jen, and so convenient!

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  6. Barb, I'm a bit of an anticipation junkie. I *love* the buildup and the planning as much as the actual event ... and I think that is true of book releases as much as special days. (Love the sound of your newest, BTW -- marriages of convenience are one of my favourite tropes!)

    This holiday season I'm looking forward to hosting an engagement party for our eldest son. They announced the engagement back in May but then were holidaying and changing jobs and the party is a bit delayed. It's three days after Christmas and will be like a second Big Day!

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    1. Oh, congrats on the engagement party, Bron! How exciting. And of course you'll have all the anticipation of a wedding in your very near future! Wishing you a happy Christmas and fabulous 2014.

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  7. Super-duper congrats on your new release, Barb -- it sounds fab!

    I'm most looking forward to sitting on my front veranda in the early evening and enjoying the slow pace for a few days...and then perhaps a beachy holiday later in the summer. Oh, how times have changed.;-) I too remember the impossible to contain excitement of Christmas Eve -- my childish self is no doubt shaking its head. :-)

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    1. Thanks for the congrats, Michelle. What with school breakups and Christmas parties and the like, I'm anticipating the beautiful slowness of those Christmas days too. Have a wonderful Christmas and happy new year.

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  8. I'm very lucky because I've already read Last Chance Proposal, and I can say that readers are in for a treat. :)

    I'm looking forward to a trip away with family. I can't wait!

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