A little celebration.....

I'm having a little celebration this week....it's five years ago today that I got the call from my agent to say that Harlequin wanted to buy my book. It was a long road to publication....eighteen rejections over twenty three years, but that day I forgot about how hard it had been. I'd sold my book!

As I finish writing my tenth contracted book for Harlequin Special Edition, I think about how lucky I have been and the wonderful author friends I've made along the way, and how blessed I've been to have connected with readers all over the world.

 
I've also been fortunate to be part of the new LoveCats Box Set called Hot Christmas Nights. Seven authors, seven brand new novellas. Available for Pre-order here....

 

 

There are many milestones in our lives - birthdays, weddings, anniversaries...and for an author, selling that first book and/or seeing that first book on the shelf.

 

Are there any milestones you like to celebrate? Do you have a big birthday coming up? An anniversary?

Leave a comment and I will draw one winner to receive any book from my backlist (Including my January 2016 release Three Reasons To Wed)

 

Happy reading!

 

 



Where Do You Find Your Inspiration?

I've long been a fan of inspirational quotes, especially the ones that make me want to be a better version of myself. Still, I guess that's a lot of what inspirational quotes are about, right?


I think Johann Wolfgang von Goethe had the right idea when he said:

~~Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.


Says it all, really. And this one, also from von Goethe, which I feel really speaks to core values and being true to those in whatever you do. :

~~Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.



Some others that I love:

~~A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the brance but on its own wings. Always believe in yourself. -- Unknown

~~One day your heart will stop beating, and none of your fears will matter. What will matter is how you lived. -- Henri Junttila

~~Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength. -- Corrie Ten Boom

~~You can't live a positive life with a negative mind. -- Unknown


And perhaps more pertinent to the tragedy that bombards us in the news every day:

~~Do not let the behaviour of others destroy your inner peace. -- Dalai Lama


What about you? Do you have a favourite quote or verse
that drives you through the day? Or maybe you have a bunch of them? C'mon and share the inspiration!

BOXSET COVER REVEAL!

We're very excited to be able to share our adorable cover for the Hot Christmas Nights LoveCats BoxSet...

Drum roll, please.....

Isn't it gorgeous?

And here is the sparkly Boxset 3D version.....

We are also delighted to announce that the boxset is now live on AMAZON for pre-orders (out December 1st) and a snip at 99c (actually, it's currently showing at 71cents...that's for 7 brand new stories, folks!!)

Here's a reminder of the all the festive yummy goodness...guaranteed to make your Christmas very happy indeed:

Hot Christmas Nights (A LoveCats DownUnder box set) contains seven brand new holiday stories from award-winning, best-selling and rising star Australian and New Zealand authors. Whether you want to get caught in a summer storm, find a second chance at love or fall for your best friend—there’s a story here for you.
The stories in this box set range from sweet to sexy, and they’re all emotionally satisfying reads with a happy ever after.

All She Wants For Christmas by USA Today Best Seller, Rachel Bailey 
For Maddy to get the divorce she wants, she needs to confront her reclusive husband at his island home. But once she's there and secrets are revealed, will Maddy find that what she really wants for Christmas is something else entirely?

Christmas Wishes, New Year Kisses by Michelle Douglas 
For small town veterinarian Josh Halliday, fantasizing about his best friend is one thing. Falling in love with her is quite another…

Baby, It's Hot Outside by RITA nominee, Louisa George 
When rugged cop Daniel Wade agrees to help organize his friend's Christmas wedding it brings him face-to-face with the bridesmaid, his estranged wife. Emma is determined that divorce is on the cards, but sometimes all it takes is another chance to get things right...

Her Christmas Cowboy by Helen Lacey 
For city-girl Elyse Prescott, returning to her home town of Denary means one thing – facing every reason why she left….including Brett McCrane. Now Elyse has to make a choice - to go back to the city and her old life...or take a chance on love.

Sleigh Bells In The Sand by Stefanie London
American Neve Ritter has traveled all the way to Australia to avoid her family for the holidays. But her plans did not include accidentally breaking into the house of a hunky lawyer who’s looking for a little solitude of his own. When a summer storm traps them together, Neve realizes that maybe Santa has been listening to her wishes all along.

Millionaire Under The Mistletoe by Kandy Shepherd 
London-based chef Carly de Luca and Sydney millionaire Dylan Burke broke each other’s hearts four years ago—but old feelings reignite when she makes a surprise visit home for Christmas. Can Carly and Dylan let go of past hurts and take a second chance on love?

Her Small Town Christmas Wish by Jennifer St George 
When superstar songbird Giselle Harrington is forced to return her hometown, she’s faced with a house full of terrifying childhood memories. Jake Carlton has never forgot his teenage sweetheart and now that she’s back, he’s determined to have a second chance to convince her to stay.

Foreword by USA Today Bestselling author Amy Andrews

Here's that pre-order link again:  AMAZON

We're all very much looking forward to spending Christmas with our noses in lots of Christmas stories...what are you looking forward to?

Sunday Smooch with Stefanie London

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!

Today we have a smooch from  Stefanie London but first 


... the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is Pam Swain.


Can you please contact annie (at) annie-west (dot) com to receive your copy of 'RAFE'S REDEMPTION'.


And now for today's Sunday Smooch from Stefanie London's latest Harlequin Blaze release, A Dangerously Sexy Christmas. 

Assignment: A Hot Holiday Affair! 

Aspiring jewelry designer Rose Lawson doesn’t want a bodyguard. Especially the hot, muscle-y one her father hires after a break-in at the jewelry shop where she works. It’s only when her home is also ransacked that Rose realizes the sexy (but infuriating) bodyguard might come in handy…especially on a cold winter’s night.

Max Ridgeway is a former Aussie cop who’s got something to prove in New York. He’s convinced that someone dangerous is behind the robberies and that Rose needs protection. His protection. But what’s even more dangerous is the sexy tension between them—because a hot little fling could compromise their lives…and his heart.


Set up: Given that this is a Harlequin/Mills & Boon Blaze book, it's on the spicy side! I had a hard time finding a scene that would be safe for public viewing ;)

Here, Rose has decided that she wants to deal with the tension between her and her very sexy, Aussie bodyguard, Max. And when Rose wants something, she always gets it...

“It’s my job to ensure your safety. That’s it.”

“You’re not on the clock now.” Her other hand found its way to his thigh.

God, he was so hard. His c*** strained against the zipper of his jeans, creating a solid ridge beneath the denim. If she brushed her hand just a little higher…

It had been so long since he’d had sex…months. Since he’d walked away from his job, his family and his fiancée, women had been few and far between. A one-night stand every so often, one fling that had lasted a week. No emotional involvement, no commitment, no expectations.

That was all he could fit into his life. Hell, it was all he could fit into his mind.

“Let’s distract ourselves.” She pressed her lips to his jaw.

Need ran through him, lighting up his body like a Christmas tree. “Rose,” he growled.

Her hands went straight to the knotted belt of her robe. The fabric parted to reveal paradise. Pale skin stretched out in sloping curves, the rise and fall of her breasts giving way to a smooth stomach, rounded hips and slender legs.

A scrap of pale lace covered her breasts, but did nothing to hide their beauty. Her nipples pressed through the fabric and he fought the urge to take one into his mouth.

“We need to deal with this sexual tension. It’s going to get in the way if we don’t.”

“What tension?” Had he been that obvious?

“I see the way you’ve been looking at me, Max.” She pushed up and straddled him. “You want me.”

Her thighs pinned him down, and it was all he could do not to buck up against her. She draped her arms over the back of the couch on either side of his head, her breasts inches from his mouth.

“I’m supposed to be working.” He tilted his face up to hers.

She lowered down and the heat of her made him groan, the anguished sound echoing in the quiet hotel room. She had him.

“Tell me you don’t want this.” She rolled her hips gently against his, increasing the pressure just enough to make spots dance in his vision. “I can feel that you want it.”

He knew it was wrong; it was totally against company policy to sleep with the client.

She’s not the client. What his bosses don’t know won’t hurt them…

“I want you, Max.” Her eyes were wide, blackened with arousal.

At the sound of his name on her lips his control shattered like glass against concrete. “I’m still not going to read you that bedtime story.”

“I can read on my own.” She reached for the hem of his T-shirt and tugged upward. “Or maybe I can read to you.”

Find Stefanie's books on:

Amazon US | Aus | UK | CA

Kobo & iTunes

A DANGEROUSLY SEXY CHRISTMAS  is the first book in a new series for Harlequin Blaze. 

To go into the draw to win a signed copy of the book, answer this question: 

What's your favourite holiday tradition? Doesn't have to be Christmas, if you don't celebrate it - I love hearing about all holidays!

Watch Out Hips ...

Here Comes the Chocolate.

It's started. The time of year when we make lots of yummy food and over-indulge eating it. Chocolate always features, as can cream and berries and other delicious treats I try to avoid most of the year. It seems there are lots of opportunities with Christmas celebrations happening with just about every group, club or work place.
On Wednesday it was my turn to make supper for the patchwork group I belong to. Since it's nearly Christmas I trotted out my recipe for Brownie that's well known around these parts, and it went down a treat. I did have to leave some at home for my man. Apparently it wasn't right that I should it all to the meeting.

So if you're a fan of Brownie here's my recipe. Best eaten when slightly warm as the middle is nice and gooey, but just as good any time.

Chocolate brownie:
300gm softened butter
2 cups caster sugar
4 eggs
1 teasp vanilla
1 & 1/2 cups flour
1 cup cocoa
1 cup dark chocolate buttons or drops

Cream butter and sugar till pale.
Add eggs one at a time, beating continuously.
Add vanilla.
Fold in flour, cocoa, and chocolate buttons or drops.
Spread in lined shallow baking tin approx. 30 x 20cm.
Bake at 170 degs fan bake for 25-30 mins until just firm.
Enjoy.






And yes, these are my walking shoes. I've been out for my

8 km walk this morning in the hope that will negate the effects on my hips from the piece of brownie I had last night.

Do you have a favourite go to recipe for special occasions? Is it over-indulgence on a plate?

A barrel of laughs...or the butt of the joke?

If asked whether I could love a character who lacked a sense of humour, my first instinct would be to answer with a resounding No! I mean, how on earth could I love someone who couldn’t laugh at life’s absurdities…who couldn’t laugh at themselves? My nose immediately wrinkles in distaste at the thought.

Except…I do actually adore two such characters.

Have you watched the Scandinavian crime series The Bridge? Long story short: the Swedish and Danish police forces have to work together to solve a crime. The head of the Swedish team is Saga. Now, it’s never stated outright that she has Asperger syndrome but, while she’s clearly very intelligent and has brilliant analytical skills, she’s seriously socially inept. She follows rules—and she doesn’t understand when (or why) rules should be broken in the interests of pursuing social harmony. She’s completely literal, outwardly unemotional, and she doesn’t laugh. So why do I like her?

To be brutally honest, I’m not sure I really did for the first couple of episodes…I didn’t start to like her until I got to know her (and we’ve all met people like that, right?). When I did get to know her, though, I came to realise that she’s pretty self-aware. She turns down a promotion because she knows she’s not a good people manager. She doesn’t mean to cause offence, she’s not malicious, but it doesn’t stop her from being seen as some kind of freak by her colleagues. This made me ache for her. Beneath that seeming lack of emotion, she’s really very kind. Also, she’s brilliant at her job. Go Saga!

As for my second example, who remembers Margo from The Good Life (played by Penelope Keith)? She’s Tom and Barbara Good’s snobbish next-door-neighbour. If you recall, the Goods dropped out of the rat race for a simpler and more sustainable way of life—turning their back and front gardens into allotments where they grew a variety of veggies and kept various animals. This whole way of life is a complete anathema to the social-climbing, politically conservative Margo. She’s the butt of many a joke on the show—especially due to her lack of a sense of humour. BUT, out of all four main characters, it is she who shows true heroism of spirit. Whenever her neighbours are in great need, she always comes to the rescue. She might not have a sense of humour, but she has a heart of gold. And I love her.

JD Salinger famously said, “I’m sick of just liking people. I wish to God I could meet someone I could respect.” Maybe he has a point. What about you? Is there a character that you love who lacks a sense of humour or isn’t immediately likable? Harry Potter’s know-it-all Hermione was initially irritating...and if it weren’t for his little grey cells Hercule Poirot’s vanity could make him a ridiculous figure. Any more you can think of to add to my list?


Stop press! If you sign up for Michelle's brand new author newsletter, you'll go into a draw for three of her backlist Christmas romances...and maybe a couple of other Christmassy treats. :-)

Who has time for hobbies?

With life so busy, I find it hard to dedicate time to hobbies. When is there a spare minute in the day to dabble in something that a dictionary defines as ‘an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure’? Sad really. Isn’t life supposed to have some time for pleasure?

Well, I have been forced, well not really forced, but encouraged back into one of my hobbies recently. My parents are downsizing so my mother’s grand piano has come to me.  It is such a beautiful, elegant instrument. I can’t believe it now sits in my sitting room.

Now, I used to play piano quite well. In fact at one point I was tossing up whether to go to university or to the conservatorium of music. However, I attended enough eisteddfods to know I was never going to be good enough to be a world-class concert pianist.  Me being me, if I wasn’t going to do it perfectly, I wasn’t going to do it at all (I have matured a little since then). So, I stopped cold turkey and didn’t play for nearly twenty-five years!

Me playing a Steinway (!!!) at the Bangalow Hall

Then, about a year ago, Mum and I were discussing her move to a smaller home and she said, ‘The grand will be yours.’ Well, I had to deserve the instrument, didn’t I; so back to piano lessons I went.

I completed my grade five exam through Trinity College last Thursday. I believe I did okay. I did muck up a couple of sections in my pieces that I’d never mucked up before which was pretty frustrating, but I’m trying hard not to be too much of a perfectionist and enjoy the process (I read somewhere that that was important).

It’s so nice to be able to play again. Nice to have a hobby that is so vastly different to everything else I do in my day.

Do you have a hobby you love or one you’d love to try but still haven’t had a change to jump into?  I’d love to hear all about it.

Jennifer’s latest book The Billionaire’s Passionate Revenge is currently available on Amazon, iBooks, Kobo and Google Play.