Busy, busy, busy

I've been proof-reading my forthcoming A Knight's Enchantment. I've been finishing and editing my fourth Kensington 'knight' novel. I've been proof-reading Asphodel, a futuristic short story that is to appear in the forthcoming Cupid Diaries, out for Valentine's at Classic Romance Revival.

Now the proofs are done and I'm allowing my fourth 'knight' to rest before a final read through, after which I will send it to Kensington. So I have some time to unwind a little....

Here are ten things I do to relax:

1. Spend more time with those I love.
2. Read other writers, especially other genres.
3. Clean my house and cook - cakes, pasties, all the 'fun' things I don't feel I have time to make when I'm driving for deadlines.
4. Listen to music.
5. Go for walks, especially in woodland.
6. See and chat to my friends: coffees, lunches, the whole 'girlie' thing.
7. Weed the garden.
8. Grab a massage.
9. Have long baths.
10. Watch TV.

How do you unwind?

The Romance of far-away places

Many writers I know write about their own local areas and places. I love to write about far-away places. The pull and lure of the unknown always intrigues me. So I either write about the past - a different kind of far-off place where manners, customs, fashions are all different, like my medieval and ancient world books - or I write about distant lands.

I love Yorkshire as a place to live. It's where most of my family are. I love the landscape and the people. Yet, in my writing, I find I am most excited by the glamour of the different. For me, the grass over the other side of the fence really is greener!

Having studied European history, I tend to be drawn to the lands of the classical Greeks and Romans. The light and dry heat of Greece always amazes me and the wild-flowers and ruins and the fiercely passionate people all inspire me. Italy is a country I love for its culture, food, mix of ancient and modern and sense of family. Both places to me seem ripe for romance and adventure: their men folk are often impossibly handsome and open and engaging. Very appealing!

I wrote about the Greek island of Rhodes in my sweet romance, A Secret Treasure and about Italy and especially Italian bread and sweets in my newly published Holiday in Bologna. This Christmas we had panettone as a cake, with soft mascarpone cheese. Delicious!

'Bronze Lightning' wins award

A bit more good news to end the year!

My Bronze Lightning has won the main prize in Red Roses for Authors Christmas Awards.

Solstice: a ghost story for Christmas

Last year I ran a ghost story at about this time, so I thought I'd do it again this Christmas. Since the inspiration came from one of Joseph Farquharson's dramatic snow scenes, I've accompanied it with one here. Prepare to be scared....


SOLSTICE

Ann pressed her chapped knuckles deeper into her old duffel coat. She was muddle-headed tonight, her head full of nonsense. Of course she was worried: who would not be? She must endure her hopes and - yes - her fears, endure this blistering cold. Brought up to lonely country self-reliance, Ann had learned early not to complain.

The vicar might have something to say if he knew she came back here at this time every year. He might have tried to stop her, if he'd known what she planned to do tonight.

Best to hurry, or she'd miss the boy.

Ann knew it was her child, her son by David. Peter had his father's loping walk, her own skill with animals. He might have been a shepherd like herself.

Come midwinter, he would appear on this stretch of Carter's Track. To send a child, his own son, to such a lonely place with only sheep for company! And David, always so careful....

The full story is free to read at Author's Den. Last year's ghost story, The Beach, is here.

...And here's another cover: 'Holiday in Bologna'

Well, good things come in threes, so here's the cover for Holiday in Bologna, my sweet romance novella coming from Bookstrand in the spring.

I suggested a garden, and just look at all those roses!

Update: Bookstrand are listing this now for December 22nd, so it will be available for Christmas.

AudioLark cover for 'A Secret Treasure'

This must be a week for lovely covers. Here's the one AudioLark have given to the audio version of A Secret Treasure - really warm and atmospheric!

Further details are here at AudioLark.