Bringing in the new...

We’re having a mellow New Year’s Eve curled up in front of the fire here (alas, we’re still recovering from the flu,) but it’s warm, cosy, and really rather romantic! Purrrr... ;-) We’re also taking stock of what's happened in 2005, and what's ahead in 2006.

A few days ago I thought about resolutions, and I was perplexed to find they are pretty much the same old same old. Oh dear! LOL That’s no good! Then I had a great tip from a friend: make a note of the changes 2005 brought into your life and it will reinforce your belief in the power of change.

2005 brought lots of firsts for me. I’m now a full time writer, a goal I worked towards for years. I saw my name on book covers (Secrets Volume 12 being the first.) I had THE CALL from a New York publisher, and I signed with literary agent Roberta Brown. These are just the biggest ones, and they are bigger than I can even comprehend at this point! I've got some terrific, supportive author friends that I've made on my journey, and I’m very happy with where I’m at, going into 2006. But I still want to grow and change, and knowing things like this can happen has reinforced my belief in the power of change. So…next year I will be more focused about my working hours, so I don’t end up working into the nights, and I will have proper weekends while still achieving my writing goals. Do you think I can make it happen? :-)

If you’re an author, aspiring or published, you’ll find some terrific food for thought over at Alison Kent's blog and at Sylvia Day's blog. I appreciated you sharing those thoughts ~ thanks, Ladies!

A Happy New Year to you all. May 2006 bring everything you wish for.

The Alcatraz shirt has arrived!

For all those who commented or mailed me about the Alcatraz shirt, you'll be glad to hear that it has arrived safely from its distant land origins! And very eye-catching it is too. LOL The Man of the House is grinning madly over it as I type, hehehe.

Hi ho, hi ho…

I’ve been a busy bee here. I’m glad to say I managed to keep doing a little word count each day on my current project throughout the holidays. If I don’t connect with my writing I get out of the swing very easily and it’s sooooo hard to get back in. Even a paragraph or some notes helps. So what have I been up to? I’ve been plotting out two new novellas I’ll be slotting into the timetable for 2006. I’m also pressing ahead with the novella outstanding for December, AGAINST THE GRAIN.

AGAINST THE GRAIN is a speculative fiction futuristic, set in a society where homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuality is seen as a throwback to ancient times. My story follows two couples that break free from their society because they have fallen in love with members of the opposite gender. This was originally a short story called “Delfidian” which some of my readers may remember from the SEXTOPIA anthology (a Circlet Press book edited by Cecilia Tan.) It was my way of looking at the controversy over gay and lesbian marriages, turning it on its head to shed new light. It always fascinated me and I’m enjoying playing the story out to its full potential.

In other news, there's a new review for the STIRRING UP A STORM anthology! Many of my readers know this was a big moment for me in 2005, having a short story published in an anthology with writers like Margaret Atwood and Lauren Henderson (faint!) Click here to read the review.

Hope you’re all well and looking forward to the ongoing festivities of the New Year weekend!

Merry Christmas!

Hope you're all having a wonderful holiday! Click the link for some Chrismas kitty cat smiles!

DOUBLE DARE cover blurb!

Shortly after we got home from York, this draft blurb for my forthcoming Berkley HEAT novel, DOUBLE DARE, arrived from my editor. How excited was I? VERY!! It's only draft and may be subject to change, but I LOVE it!

Double Dare
You have to be daring to experience the ultimate pleasure...


A woman uninhibited.

Beautiful investment advisor Abby Douglas has played with a lot of men, and that's just the way she wants it. No commitments. No regrets. And no games-until she meets a dangerously sexy stranger in the elevator of her office building. Suddenly she's taking on a new identity, pretending to be a receptionist, and finally giving herself up to the kind of raw fantasies no upright businesswoman should ever consider-unless of course, she found a man strong enough to make her.

A secret unzipped.

Club owner Zac Bordino is stunned to find that the hot number who gave him such a sweet reception isn't what she says. In fact, she's actually the brains behind his company's investments-and she's not even aware of it. Now Zac isn't sure what to tell Abby first-his growing feelings for her, or their secret connection. Either way, from sweltering nights in London to sizzling rendezvous in Paris, from plush offices to pulse-pounding nightclubs, Zac may have found an insatiably perfect match-in business and in pleasure...

Orgasmic York

Forgot the camera, but had a lovely time! York is one of the prettiest cities in England, and with all the Christmas lights and festive cheer along the cobbled streets, it was doubly so. The buskers and performance artists were joined by carol singers, and we even saw a Caribbean steel drummer in a Santa outfit!

Whenever we visit one of our nearby cities, we stop by Borders and Waterstones book shops to visit the romance and erotic book sections. It's always special for me seeing the anthologies I’m in, and the many novels by my author friends. Borders in York is huge! This was the first time I’d visited the shelves since DOUBLE DARE, my first single title book, was taken by Berkley HEAT. I had a rush of mixed emotions, excitement and a little teary too, knowing that my dream of being on those shelves with a single title book of my own would come true late next year.

We didn’t do too much shopping ~ I'm still recovering from flu ~ but couldn’t resist the books. This time around I picked up Alison Tyler’s STICKY FINGERS, which has been on my TBR list for ages. Looking forward to getting 'stuck' in soon. I also got my wall planner for next year, so I’m all ready to start blocking off time for my next projects. Exciting! We had a delicious celebratory meal and then visited one of York’s most well known real ale pubs, The Maltings ~ highly recommended! On the way home the next morning the sky was clear and blue, and the weather crisp. It’s only 30 miles or so but it’s a lovely stretch of countryside. From the train we saw a pheasant running across the fields when our train slowed outside the village of Micklefield.

Ooh, I’d better explain the subject line… or I could leave you guessing… hehehe. ;-) Our hotel was on the riverbank and the view from our window across the River Ouse was of the Café Orgasmic. Much amusement was had, when we caught sight of it.

From New York to old York

My new editor at Berkley ~ Kate Seaver ~ said she might be editing DOUBLE DARE this week. Exciting stuff! Working with a new editor is a bit like travelling into a new land. It has all the excitement of unknown possibilities, edged with nervousness about what to expect and the underlying fear of making a complete twit of oneself...

I’m trying to sense the vibes coming across the pond from New York, to gauge her reactions ;-) I already know she likes the book; she’s read the whole MS and said she loved it, (phew!!!) so this next part is about me perfecting it, as well as learning and growing as a writer. I honestly enjoy the challenge of responding to edits, ever since my first editing experience ~ which was at the hands of British fantasy writer, Storm Constantine ~ and it’s rare that I’ve had a negative experience. Being edited is like a team effort; the book/story becomes a shared project. The editor wants our work to shine. They have that wider perspective that enables them to pinpoint what we have missed and help us towards a stronger book. Yes, I am excited to be working with Kate!

I won't be blogging again for a couple of days. We’re off the beautiful city of York tomorrow. It’s always a lovely spot to visit, but at this time of year, with the Christmas lights, it will be magical. This trip is to celebrate and remember my signing with Berkley. There will be pampering, shopping, fun, dining out and raising of liquid cheer. Woohoo! See you all on Friday!

New Model Army and SECRETS volume 15

No, it didn't really take me this long to recover ;-) Writing was going well yesterday so I kept at it.

The New Model Army gig was superb. They played for two hours to a packed house, a mixture of songs from the new album (Carnival) and from across the years, with Yorkshire favourites Poison Street, Green and Grey, and Purity getting huge singalongs. For the next two weeks the songs will be in my head ~ stereo or not.

Because I was doing this blog, I thought about the fact that I’ve never actually been to a New Model Army gig where they gave less than a terrific performance. I had a little ponder about it. I think it's actually because they are a very grounded band. They play with honesty and energy. They love playing live; they love interacting with the audience. They have neither affectations nor pretences; they just basically love music and the vibe that comes off a crowd who love it too. It’s difficult to get it wrong with that kind of approach…

A great night was had by all, although I nearly froze to death getting home. It’s COLD in Yorkshire! They warned us we were about to have a really cold winter, and it certainly is.

In other news, now that SECRETS volume 15 is out and about across the globe, the reviews are coming in thick and fast. Here is one of my favourite comments about my novella, FALLING FOR TROUBLE, from Fallen Angel reviews:

This was a refreshing story. Being written by an Englishwoman and taking place in Europe, this story had an entirely different feel than the others in this anthology. Oliver was great, a Pierce Brosnan kind of agent, yummy to the nth degree. Sonia really rolled with the punches throughout the story. I was impressed with how well she dealt with a truly crazy situation. This was a very well written story and I will look for more by this author.

Click here for the full review.

New Model Army - live music

Very quick post, we’re off to a gig soon – alternative rockers, New Model Army. I've grown up/old with these guys, and their music plays a big part in my life. They inspire a die hard fan base and tonight promises to be very special, the last gig in the 25th anniversary tour! One of the best live gigs I was ever at was their 20th anniversary gig, where we stood still and in silence, 2,000 of us ~ shoulder to shoulder, chest to back ~ through the first track. Then the guitars started and we let rip, the crowd moved as one and many times my feet weren’t touching the floor. Woohoo!

Will be meeting up with friends too, so it promises to be fun. When I recover, I’ll post ;-) Meanwhile, have some lovely lyrics from one of my favourites...

QUEEN OF MY HEART
(Sullivan/Heaton) 1995

To the Queen of my Heart, from the King of Nowhere
I have watched you arming, and how you wave your sword in the air;
always fighting the shadows as they move behind you,
and the beating wings that hover around you . . .
To the queen of my heart, from the king of nowhere
It's a shallow sky that holds us in; you can reach right out
and touch the edge with just one outstretched hand and feel
the dark come closing in.
And there's nowhere far enough away from here;
the ringing ears and the closing air, and the cities and deserts all beat the same;
the radio waves crackle and phase, the satellites spinning slowly round.
The radar towers search and call
to the Queen of my Heart, from the King of Nowhere . . .
This is the great world calling to the last crusader;
In the rush of the lifeblood coming out of the sunrise . . .
And you're the Queen of my Heart . . . and I'm the King of Nowhere.

Published by Attack Attack Music/Warner Chappell Music Ltd

The Libertine, a review (may contain spoilers)

I’d better admit straight up that I’m a big fan of historicals, books and film. Okay, so I went to see The Libertine. Given that this was about the life of John Wilmot, I wasn’t expecting an easy ride, but – oh boy! Let’s just say I won’t be wishing “the pox” on anyone ever again. :-)

If Johnny Depp doesn’t get some awards for this role, there’s no justice in this world. He gives a blinding performance. What of the film itself, though? Arthouse, which I expected, but at times I ached for the script to be tighter and more focused, which would have made it so much more compelling. It had wonderful supporting actors, especially good to see Johnny Vegas and Jack Davenport cast in parts like this. But I wanted it to be the sort of anarchic historical production that made the BBCs recent Casanova so watchable. That would have suited Wilmot too. There was some humour, don’t get me wrong, but…

I also wished the film had started a little earlier in Wilmot’s life. It starts at the descent. Wilmot was an extraordinary, compelling man, inspiring devotion in those that stood by him as he rotted (inside and out.) We are only given a couple of brief flashes of Wilmot as wit and seducer, a man of intelligence and charm. Brilliant flashes they are (one with Wilmot's wife, where she narrates the moment they met and she lost her heart to him, while he pleasures her in a carriage – ohmy! - and the other when he reconnects with one of his favourite whores.) Notice I don’t mention the scenes with Elizabeth Barry, which weren’t overly strong, IMO, although we might argue they should have been the strongest... We needed to see more of that side of Wilmot, to believe in the ongoing devotion he gets from his closest friends and even Charles II, who couldn’t help giving him one more chance.

Where the filmmaking was outstanding was in depicting a time and place that was honest and not prettified in any way, we experienced the true sordidness of living in that period of our history. If I was ever asked for advice on how to write historicals (laughs away to herself) this is the sort of film I’d force (yes, force!) historical romance authors to sit down and watch. Oh I don’t want historical romances to read like this, nor am I saying most authors would even need it, but for research on a sense of place and time… Whilst a film like Dangerous Liaisons is on my top ten films of forever, there's no beating the honesty of a production like this – kudos!

The film is most noteworthy because it's Depp's most outstanding performance to date. The best film I’ve seen in the last year still remains Man on fire – recommended I think by Sasha. Thanks Sasha! That storyline was not made to attract me, and yet I was stunned by the characterisation of the script and the strength of the acting. It bound me to the characters throughout, leaving me in tears at the end. My all time favourite historical (in case anyone is curious) is this one.



Right on that note – sigh - got to get to work.

Books and films

Very quick post today. Off to see The Libertine tonight, and I’ve got heaps to do before then. One good thing, checked my dates and found out one short story doesn’t have to be done until mid-January, so whilst I don’t want to delay on my schedule I can spill over into next month with that one if I have to. I’ve got my next big novel banging away inside my head wanting to be let out, (despite the fact it’s something like fourth in the queue to be written,) and that’s on the list for a January start.

A bit of good news – SECRETS Volume 15 has reached British shores and is now shipping from Amazon.co.uk! Yay! The reviews have been great, and sales so far look super good. In the US Amazon ratings the book has been in the top 25 romance anthologies since availability, and in the top 100 romance bestsellers overall for part of the time. Whilst those figures only relate to Amazon sales, it's very encouraging. This volume contains my novella FALLING FOR TROUBLE, along with three other steamy erotic romance stories from Jane Thompson, Cynthia Eden and Leigh Court. Want to know more? Go here.

Write like the wind

Discovered today that when I said I had two short stories and half a novella to complete in December, I was under a complete misapprehension. Horror of horrors! It’s actually THREE shorts and a half a novella. Yikes. Luckily I’m half way done on one of the shorts.

In other news, I asked the Man of the House what he wants for Christmas. He said “a shirt.” If I show you the one he means, you'll get an idea of the sort of man I’m living with. Hehehe…




Back to work for me!

Erotica resources

Still no Christmas shopping done here (that dreaded task starts tomorrow,) but I have crossed quite a few things off my list, one of them being something I’ve been meaning to do for ages. I joined the Circle of Friends at the Erotica Readers and Writers Association. ERA has been an important part of my life for many years. It’s an absolute treasure trove of information and resources for erotica readers, and writers ~ both aspiring and published. ERA also has a very active community if you’re looking for like minds to chat with, and a book review section that will have you making lists of books to buy. If you haven't visited, check it out, and enjoy!



While I'm on the subject of online resources for spicy writing and reading, another great site for authors and readers of erotic material is the Erotic Authors Association. Recently relaunched, this is another fabulous resource to spend some time browsing through. The EAA is a project run by Marilyn Jaye Lewis. As a reader you can browse through the authors of erotica who are listed there, follow the link to their sites and get an idea of their work. There are also book reviews and interviews to be read, as well as featured fiction. If you are an erotic author, why not join? Marilyn is a wonderful lady and at the moment membership is free, so join this fab project and show your support.

Have fun with Google alerts

They say that the most frequently entered search term on Google is people's own names. I was surprised when I first read that information, but now that I know…I’ve joined in the fun! What’s even better is that you can set up a Google alert in your own name, so any time someone posts something about you and it’s picked up on a Google trawl, you get mailed about it. I get quite a few smiles this way. The latest was this one, where I found that a story I subbed for an anthology is being used as a taster in the publisher's press release! What fun! This isn’t the sort of thing I’d ever normally ever see. And what an uber-sexy cover, I must say. ..

Busy day here today, trying to get through stuff as the days count down to Christmas. Still coughing, but managed to get quite a few little bits and pieces done. Next up I’m putting together a webring for the Secrets authors, it’s fun and a new challenge for me, which I love – wish me luck!

Why is Christmas so close..?

Editing done and gone. Phew. The last two weeks have been a bit crazy, what with the unexpected CALL from New York and all that unfolded from that point ~ including getting an agent ~ and having some sort of flu virus throughout. Now, where was I before all this began? Oh yes, I’ve got two short stories and half a novella to complete before the end of the month. Oh dear. Do you think I can cancel Christmas? :-)

In between now and then we’ve got a few days away, a couple of other must-do appointments, all that shopping to do, a gig to go to, people to meet up with, and I’m busting to see Johnny Depp in The Libertine while it’s at the cinema. Something has got to give, but I’m determined it won't be the time away. Or The Libertine. I mean, how can you resist a passionate historical starring Depp with a tagline that reads: “He didn't resist temptation. He pursued it.” Let's face it, who can resist Depp full stop, but especially when he's being long haired and debauched? I hold my hands up. Not me!

In latest book news ~ I notice that THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST NEW EROTICA volume 5 has started shipping from Amazon com The UK version won't be ready just yet, but soon! This volume contains my short story RICHARD’S SECRET, which was originally published in TABOO: FORBIDDEN FANTASIES FOR COUPLES. I was thrilled to bits when editor Maxim Jakubowski selected my short to include. Can’t wait to see it in print.

Here's to a good week.

Still editing...

It’s amazing. I’m going through this 90,000 word book and I’m changing the repeated words (my speciality of errors when writing,) picking up any typos I missed on the other zillion read-throughs, and chopping off the occasional meaningless add-on sentences. I didn't think I’d taken that much out, and then I suddenly noticed the manuscript had gone down by 3 pages! 3 whole pages! Yikes. Soon adds up.

So, yes, another work day here today. I admire writers who can keep it to office hours and treat it as a job with regular boundaries. Alas I couldn't do that in my regular jobs LOL so I’m hopeless with this one, where I am master of my own destiny. It is on my list of things to change in the New Year. I want to regain my weekends and spend at least one whole day per weekend out with the Man of the House. As it is I usually work for a half day on both Saturday and Sunday and then we break free.

We’ve actually booked a few days off, the week after next. Miracle of miracles. We haven’t been away in ages and now we're doubling up and having a couple of days shopping in the beautiful city of York, with an overnighter in a hotel to celebrate my new contract. I can’t wait!

Here’s a super link courtesy of Zaz. If you love Buffy, M/M sexuality, Spike/Angel slash fiction or the fandabidozie Nine Inch Nails, you have to go here and download the viddie for CLOSER LOL. I suppose I’d better add all the usual disclaimers: adult content, explicit images of sexy men, arousing lyrics, etc etc. ;-))

That’s about it for now. It's freezing cold here in the north of England, as I shall now demonstrate by showing you a piccie of our fireguard….

Introducing some other players who might appear on this stage

Taking a quick break from my big and final pre-edit edit. Um, yes that is what I mean. I’ve done the requested revision so I’m on my last trawl through for embarrassing typos and repetitions before the editor gets hold of it and wonders why the heck she bought this idiotic, messy book.

I thought I’d better introduce you to a couple of the names you might find mentioned here. Mark, otherwise known as The Real Life Hero or The Man of The House. Mark is my toy boy (big grin.) In his time off from being a toy boy he is a Customs Officer, so any jokes about rooting through my illegal contraband undies are courtesy of him.

The other creature we share our space with is Big Cat. What kind of a name is that, I hear you ask! She had that name when we adopted her five years ago – actually the same year the Real Life Hero moved in, guess I was in nesting mood that year. Big Cat’s big. That all I’m going to say on the name choice. I have tried to call her by several other much more exotic names like Sheba, and Cleo, both of which suit her, but she stared at me blankly. Big Cat rules. Here she is.




I suspect there will be incriminating photos of both these individuals posted here from time to time. The Man of The House may appear with a variety of hair colours, as is his want. As you can see, Big Cat does a nice line in condescending looks.

Walking out onto an empty stage...

Ooh, this feels a bit like walking out on an empty stage, not being able to make out who's in the audience, if anyone ;-) Well mustn’t forget my lines. What lines? Ha. My close friends will tell you that I'm shy to start with but once I get going, I never stop waffling.

I guess I should begin by saying why I’m here. Why blog? Why now? Its been on my mind for a while and I’ve been chatting on fellow author’s blogs while thinking about it, but I wanted to be sure it was the right time for me to try it out. I felt I’d know when that time was, and I did. I had my first full length single title novel picked up by a New York publishing house last week and I thought – yup, I've got plenty to talk about now!

I’m a British author being published in the United States and I figured it would be fun and exciting to share the various stages and processes of that. You’ll also get day-to-day chat about what I’m up to. I’ll probably comment on books I’m reading, and film – I’m a big movie and comedy fan. I’m also a big music fan, mostly alternative stuff, so there will be references to my latest gig goings or rants on who isn’t doing the album they should, or shouldn't have done the album they did.

Yesterday I spent setting up the blog - it's a lot of fun isn't it? Today I’ve been doing a finetoothed comb through on my novel DOUBLE DARE, which will be going to my editor in New York, Kate Seaver, early next week. I have one revision to do and that's on the list for tomorrow. If you’ve visited my website or you’re on my newsletter group, you'll know that DOUBLE DARE has been bought by BERKLEY PUBLISHING for a new line called HEAT – erotica for women. I'm so excited about this! I’ve been published in short fiction and novella length for some time, and had my first novel epubbed this past summer. This book is the next step. It has been a long, winding path but I've enjoyed every step, more than ever as it unfurls into the next phase. I hope you’ll enjoy it too.