Fan Mail

What I’m reading: Red Lotus by Pai Kit Fai

What I’m listening to: The blessed hum of air-con

Making me smile: It’s Friday!!




We all have favourite books! Those stories that immediately draw you in with gripping emotion and characters you feel you know and want so desperately to win out against the odds. The book I’m enjoying at the moment falls into that category, a keeper I will remember for years to come.

Red Lotus traces the adventures, and hardships, of a girl child growing up in rural China at the start of the 20th century. The prose is beyond beautiful, Li X’ia is everything a heroine should be – brave, intelligent – and the author lives in Australia.


I want to tell this writer how much I admire their talent and fell in love with these characters.


But will I?


Admission. I read a lot, however, it’s rare that I contact authors to praise their work. I feel as though I’m intruding on a busy person’s life, or that surely they must know already the worth of their work. And yet, for me, receiving feedback from my readers is one of the most rewarding parts of my job/passion.


When was the last time you wanted to drop a note to an author about a book you loved, or actually looked up their website and took the plunge?

A Gaggle of Romance Writers

by Emily May


Reading: The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer

Listening to: Twinset

Watching: Pride and Prejudice (BBC miniseries)

Making me smile: a visit to Wellington, the most wonderful city in the world!



Conference registrations have just opened for the 2011 Romance Writers of Australia Conference and I've been trying to decide what the collective noun is for romance writers. A pack? A swarm? A gaggle? A clutch? A mob? All in all, I think I like gaggle best -- to me it comes closest to implying all the noise and excitement and energy of a romance writers' conference -- but the word 'gaggle' isn't quite BIG enough, because there's A LOT of noise and excitement and energy at a Romance Writers conference!


The annual Romance Writers of Australia conference is always something to look forward to, but this year's conference is more exciting for me than usual. Not only because it's RWAustralia's 20th conference, but also because ... the LoveCats have put together a panel! It's called The Learning Curve, and we'll be talking about what we've learned about the craft of writing and the business of writing since selling to Harlequin Mills & Boon.

The very first Romance Writers conference I ever went to was back in 2003 on the Gold Coast, when I'd just started writing seriously again. That conference was just The Most Amazing Experience -- the energy, the wealth of information, and the sheer marvellousness of being around so many other people who had the same dream as me was intoxicating. I went there knowing absolutely no one (and rather terrified actually) and utterly clueless about the romance writing industry. I came back filled to the brim with information -- and knowing that one day I would achieve my dream of being published.

I have many wonderful memories of that conference -- and one of them is of listening to a panel of newly published authors talk about their path to publication and what they'd learned since publishing. I did more than listen -- I drank up every word they said!

Last year, when the call for conference proposals went out, I remembered that very first conference and I realised that the LoveCats are in the perfect position to give that panel back to other conference attendees! The upshot was the Learning Curve panel on Saturday afternoon, where seven LoveCats, writing for seven different lines, will talk about what we've learned since selling and answer any questions people may have. I hope those attendees who choose to come to our panel will find it as valuable as the panel I heard way back in 2003!

Those of us taking part in the panel are:

Rachel Bailey (Desire)
Zana Bell (Superromance/MIRA)
Michelle Douglas (Sweet)
Robyn Grady (Desire/Sexy Sensation)
Nikki Logan (Sweet)
Sue McKay (Medical)
Emily May (Historical)

and our super duper moderator is Barbara Jeffcott Geris!






The Learning Curve panel is featured on the Romance Writers of Australia blog tomorrow (March 10th), so come along to find out more about what we have planned for our session -- and also check out the other workshops and sessions on the conference pages on the RWA website. I guarantee you'll want to register once you've seen the line-up!

I'm just as excited about this year's conference as I was about my very first Romance Writers conference in 2003. (And just as terrified, too -- I've never presented anything before. EEK!) I hope I see some of you there!

So tell us ... are you going to any conferences this year, Romance Writers or otherwise? Will we perhaps see you at the 2011 RWA conference in Melbourne??? I hope so!

(And can anyone tell me what the proper collective noun for a loud and enthusiastic group of romance writers is?)

Thirteen...

by Michelle Douglas

Reading: Billionaire on her Doorstep by Ally Blake

Watching: The Fast Show

Listening to: The kookaburras laughing in the trees outside

Making me smile: The cooler weather

Yesterday my niece turned 13. Yes, that's right – 13. As in a 1 and a 3 and a teen. THIRTEEN!

I see my niece all the time but yesterday I looked at her – as in really looked at her and...

...OMG!

She's as tall as I am. We still discuss Anne of Green Gables with great earnestness, but (gulp) she has breasts. She shaves her legs. Most disconcerting of all, she was wearing a dress.

Where on earth is my cute little tomboy niece who loved dagging around in her tracky daks as much as her Auntie Michelle?

However, she is at that real gawky stage where her arms and legs seemed to have outgrown the rest of her body – she's all knees and elbows – and she ducks her head a lot when she thinks she might have said something a bit stupid or inappropriate. I kinda took comfort in those things because I have an awful feeling that next time I look – as in really look – my niece is going to be tall, elegant and confident.

I had a front row seat at her birth (literally – I was holding her mother's foot), I taught her to jump, I introduced her to Anne of Green Gables, and I just know that it's me she's going to turn to for advice about boys. I'm not her only aunt, but I am her only aunt who writes romance and therefore I should know, right?

Wrong!

But I figure there's no harm in being prepared. So... What's the best piece of advice you received about boys (or about anything) when you were a teenager?

Sunday Smooch

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!


Today we have a smooch from One Night with the Wolf, a Nocturne Bites e-novella by Anna Hackett, but first ...


the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is -- Kylie Griffin!


Congratulations, Kylie! Can you please contact Emily at

worldaroundthecorner (at) gmail (dot) com

and she'll send you a signed copy of The Sentinel Mage.

And now for today's Sunday Smooch from Nocturne Bite One Night with the Wolf by Anna Hackett...


Werewolf Jade Thorne needs a man—a young, virile man to give her love and pleasure. As a rare female alpha, she must keep her pack safe by pledging herself in marriage to an aging leader from a rival pack. Until then, she wants to experience the raging passion of a wolf in his prime. She even has an ideal lover at hand: her Second, Christian Tallant.

But Christian is a wolf who will demand to dominate her body, mind and soul. Now Jade must decide if she can afford to submit to his desire—and if one night with the wolf will really be enough....


He growled in her ear. “Tell me what you want.”

Jade stared blindly at the moon partly hidden by the treetops. Her lips parted. What did she want? She wasn’t sure anymore. Not with this man’s hands on her.

His fingers toyed with the next button but didn’t open it. “Say it.”

“Pleasure,” she choked out.

He undid another button. The night air was cool on her skin.

“What else?”

“Desire.” She rubbed against him. “Heat.”

“What do you really want?”

A sob caught in her throat. “You.”

With a muttered curse, his hand slashed down and ripped the remaining buttons from her shirt. He spun her, yanking her hard against his chest.

Rough hands tangled in her hair, angling her face up to his.

Her gaze clashed with liquid golden eyes.

***

Christian called himself all kinds of names and fool wasn’t the worst of them. He would damn himself tonight, but at least for one night, Jade would be his.

“Christian—”

“Don’t talk. You want pleasure, I’ll give it to you.”

She shuddered. Indecision warred on her face. They both knew they shouldn’t do this.

Then her hands ran across his shoulders. “Show me.”

He crushed his lips to hers, thrusting his tongue into the warm welcome of her mouth. He plundered, he tasted and her head dropped back from the onslaught.

Too rough. He reined in his raging desire. He gentled the kiss, made it an exploration. Her tongue mated with his, strokes that made the blood rush to his groin.

Breaking off the kiss, he let his mouth slide down her neck. She smelled so good and the taste of her skin was mind-blowing. Her hands moved to the back of his head, scraping over his short hair.

How many times had he imagined this? Her is his arms, surrendering to his desire?


One Night with the Wolf has just been released and is available for download from eHarlequin and other ebooksellers.

To be in the draw to win a free download of One Night with the Wolf, name a famous werewolf from history, myth or fiction!







Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced -- and a smooch from Friends to Forever by Nikki Logan will be posted!

What ARRC2011 Has to Offer!

Fancy a romantic weekend on the beach? Romance is in the air at Bondi, Australia's most famous beach, where the second Australian Romance Readers Convention will be held at the Swiss Grand Resort and Spa on 25-27 March 2011.

With international bestselling authors Anna Campbell, Nalini Singh and Cindy Gerard headlining, we have over 30 of Australia's favourite romance writers sharing their love of romance.

Delegates will be spoiled for choice with a wide range of panels, and exclusive events such as the 2010 Australian Romance Readers Awards dinner and our silent auction to support those affected by the recent floods in Queensland.

Panels
Ever wondered why we love vampires, werewolves and creatures of the dark? Or why short category romance has endured for 100 years? Regency fans are in for a treat as Anna Campbell and Anne Gracie talk about the appeal of the Regency hero and challenge historical romance stereotypes. Whatever your taste, we have a panel for it.

Aspiring writers aren't left out either, with a Publishing Ins and Outs panel.

And due to its amazing popularity at ARRC09, we have two sessions, This One Time and This Other Time, where authors tell us about the crazy side of writing, like what they do in their nonexistent free time, obsessive fans, and the lengths they go to in the name of research.

The hard part is choosing which ones to go to!

Book-signing session
This year, we have more than 30 authors on hand to sign their books for you. This is a fantastic way to get a little face time with your favourite authors and ask a question about their series or your favourite characters. And who doesn't love a signed book?

Awards Dinner

Our awards dinner is a great excuse to dress up and the winners have been voted for by real Australian romance readers. It's just like going to the Oscars, only without the long flight.

Silent Auction

We've all seen the devastation caused by the floods in Queensland and may even know someone who has been affected. We have had an overwhelming number of donations pouring in from generous authors all over the world. With almost 200 items to bid on, including jewellery hand-made by Anne Gracie, canvas prints of photographs taken by Keri Arthur, several ARCs, critiques and of course, signed book bundles. There is even a royal treatment package at the Romantic Times convention in Chicago! The auction has so much on offer and supports such a worthy cause. If you haven't had a chance to browse through the items yet, you can find them here: http://australianromancereaders.wordpress.com/silent-auction/

ARRC2011 also offers something we couldn't fit into the program and that is the charged atmosphere of being surrounded by other romance readers just like you. This is a great opportunity to meet other people who share your interest in romance, discuss your favourite authors, swap recommendations and celebrate the books we love.

To register or find out more, please visit us at http://www.australianromancereaders.com.au/2011.html

Membership of ARRA has its perks. For discounts on entry and books from a number of independent bookshops, a monthly newsletter and access to our online romance reading community, join the Australian Romance Readers Association. With membership currently only $10 a year, you get real bang for your buck. Find out more at http://www.australianromancereaders.com.au/join.html

(Thanks to Helen and Debbie from ARRA for the post about this exciting event! They'll be dropping by during the day to answer your comments and questions.)

The (Post) Spring Clean

by Sharon Archer

Reading: Outside The Ordinary World, Dori Ostermiller

Listening: The Beach Boys

Making me smile: The smell of freshly deodorised carpets!


We’ve had the wettest summer since records began here in Victoria. In fact, nearly half our annual rainfall has come in what would normally be our driest months. There have even been days when we’ve had humidity on a par with the tropics.

With all that dampness, summer warmth and probably the ghosts of much-loved pets, our tatty old carpet has developed an unpleasant mustiness.

Something had to be done!

Carpet and furniture cleaning!

I rifled the Yellow Pages and found the perfect answer – drycleaning! Having experienced carpets after a wet-cleaning process many years ago, the last thing I wanted was to introduce more moisture!

I rang, I quizzed, I booked!

Furniture was moved, carpet that hadn’t seen the light of day for years was exposed, dust bunnies were routed.

And finally, the big day arrived.

The technician was right on time. We walked through the house, discussed electrical connections to be worked around and where the cleaning unit would fit and which items of furniture were to be cleaned.

And then he said the fateful words... “Of course, you’ll have to have somewhere to separate the cushions.”

“Separate the cushions?”

“To dry.”

“Dry?”

“The upholstery will be quite wet, because it’s a different process.”

Yikes. “Okay, then let’s not worry about the furniture. Let’s just do the carpets.”





“You do realise the carpet will be slightly damp?” he said.

“Damp?”

“Yes. Didn’t you ask?” the technician said.

Well, actually, no! It said drycleaning! How was I to know it really meant driercleaning!

I cancelled the job, pouted for a while and then hit the supermarket for carpet deodoriser. So now the carpets have been powdered and vacuumed and pampered. The musty smell has gone so my nose is happy.

And I got to pondering about the chicken-and-egg conundrum of asking the right questions... if you don't know the right information in the first place, how do you know what the right questions are? And if you do know the right information... well, surely you don’t need to ask the question...

What do you think? I’m still scratching my head!

Public Domain Pictures from www.wpclipart.com

Winner, winner: Roman dinner!

The winner of Christina Phillips' giveaway of either FORBIDDEN or CAPTIVE (your choice) is....

**CATSLADY**

Woo hoo!

CatsLady you can contact Christina at:

ChristinapPh @ gmail (dot) com

Many apologies for the typo that meant this email address was incorrect. The correction has been made so the address should now work - just take out the spaces. Christina is standing by to hear from you, CatsLady! Congratulations again! If you have any problems, please leave a note here and we'll contact you.