Advent Calendar Day 12 #ChristmasDecorations

It's Day 12 behind the advent calendar.

Some have put their decorations up at the beginning of the month, but I like to do it around the middle of the month.

This tradition comes from having a real tree, and so it could never go in too early, otherwise it would be bare by the time Christmas arrived. We didn't have the non-dropping needle kind back when I was a kid. But even the Nordmann's go very droopy if in a hot house too long.

I will only get decorations if I can find both the boys names. These particular baubles are my favourites, having Ben and Kieran's name on them.

Now I live in a smaller house where a real tree would not fit, I have a slimline fake Christmas tree. (One day I'll be able to have a real tree again - you can't beat the smell of a real tree as you enter the room. Really does make it feel like Christmas then.)

Last year - my slimline tree!

We could put it up earlier, but because of my son's birthday, too, I like to stick to the same tradition I had as a kid and put them up around the 12th to 16th December. As we have no after school clubs, and the boys really want to help with decorating the tree, we will do it after school Monday. I can't wait! (Although it will cause some stress - maybe I'll pour myself a sherry and it won't seem so bad!)

With only 12 days to go, are you nearly ready for Christmas? Are the cards written, presents wrapped? Or do you still have more to do?





And as I promised some eye-candy, what about this guy helping out?

A little bit of Richard Armitage... as Wendy wouldn't share! 

Advent Calendar Day 11 #WendyLouJones

Behind door 11 is Wendy Lou Jones.

When I asked Wendy if she'd like to come on my blog and share Richard Armitage, her reply was; "Share Richard Armitage? Are you mad?"

I think you'll like who she shares. Take it away, Wendy! 

Christmas Eve is my favourite part of the season. The crib service down the church followed by my meal - honey-glazed gammon with cloves and dauphinoise potatoes, with sprouts and red cabbage on the side. Yum. Then it's something silly on the telly with all the whole family gathered round, sweets and treats laid out on the hearth and a kind of subdued excitement all around. Christmas lights are on, everyone is happy and nobody is spoiled or tired or bored or grumpy, just happy knowing tomorrow is Christmas. before bed, the kids set out the snack for Father Christmas and as they tuck down for the night, their dad reads them the same story. Twas the night before Christmas...

That's the best part of Christmas for me, the calm before the storm; the bit where we are reminded of why we have it and for a little while, all is right.

And who would I choose to keep me warm this Christmas? Chris Evans, my latest hero from my WIP. He's definitely hot and like father Christmas, he can also fly. :-)

The Summer We Loved 

Forgiving yourself can be the hardest task of all.

Dr Peter Florin is the sexy bad boy of St Steven’s hospital. Despite his love ‘em and leave ‘em attitude, every woman still wants him – and nurse Jenny White is no exception. For one night she thought she saw the real Pete, but ever since then he’s kept his distance and so she has kept hers…

Only Pete is a man haunted by a dark childhood and a tragic loss, and as she watches him spiral down into despair, Jenny realises she might be the only one who can drag him back. So she does – at the risk of her own, already bruised and battered heart. For no matter what she tells herself, such a man is surely impossible to change – and even more impossible to resist.

A brand new emotionally gripping love story from Wendy Lou Jones.

Buy links:
http://www.harperimpulseromance.com/books/the-summer-we-loved/

http://wendyloujones.weebly.com/

Advent Calendar - Day 3

Wendy Lou Jones is behind door number 3... 

Wendy is providing some Richard Armitage eye-candy for you. Who doesn't love Richard? He's got to be better than chocolate, right?

Wendy says: 

Richard Armitage (be still my beating heart) sat 'By My Side' throughout the writing of this story, as he was my inspiration for the character, Adam Elliott. The story is set throughout the winter and reaches a peak around Christmas time, so I thought I would share it with you now. Not Richard, though, just the story; let's not jump the gun here. ;-) In fact, to be precise, he sat on my husband's chair, opposite me. Not in the flesh, it's sad to say, although my husband is probably grateful for that, but the picture my husband bought me for Christmas last year. I would talk to it while I was writing and say things like, "You wouldn't do that, actually, would you? What would you do?" 

It's sad, I know, but this is my cross to bear, and I do it so well. :-) So I rootled around on the computer and found a Merry Christmas picture from Adam Elliott and myself. Merry Christmas, everyone.

By My Side – Blurb

Betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend, Lena is left empty; trapped under a weight of guilt and loneliness. Then, at her lowest point and when she needs it most, a mysterious stranger comes into her life with a tale of friendship, family, and finding love in the most unexpected of places…

Katy Heath is definitely not thinking of love when she comes across consultant, Adam Elliott, berating some poor patient on the ward one day. In fact it is Dr Peter Florin who quickly has everyone’s hearts aflutter with his easy smiles and practised charm.

Yet Katy comes to realise that there’s more to Adam than his determination to push everyone away and it’s not long before she finds herself longing to reach out to touch the man within, healing the pain of his past.

As Lena is drawn into Katy’s story, she begins to learn – just as Katy does- that the course of true love never did run smooth.

My Little Bit Of Writing News...

I suppose I should spill the beans, shouldn't I? That email from a (US) publisher whilst on holiday... Remember I teased you about it?

Well, it read that they enjoyed the book (The Wedding Favour) but said as it was, it wouldn't sell in the US market - because I am typically British lol! - but if I was prepared to cut it down to their category romance requirements (50-60k) they would consider it.

I look at this as a positive rejection, (the whole email was very positive actually) and something I am considering. I have my work cut out now! I will work on reducing The Wedding Favour to under 60,000 words, which is only 20,000 to lose. Easy... ha! Not. It's making a decision of what to cut in sub plot terms that is difficult.

The good thing about nowadays is you can 'save as' a file. I will still have the original, so if I don't like it cut to 60,000 words, or find I can't make it work, it won't be the end of the world.

Plus, whilst I'm editing it... you never know I might hear from the other three publishers who want the whole thing. The editor who emailed me was very positive about it all and said it would probably sell as it is to a UK publisher.

An editor said that! I got an email from an actual live editor!

So watch this space. I'm going to keep my options open - just want to get Perfect Isn't An Option sent off to the RNA NWS. I wanted more words for it, but I will send it as it is (with a tidy up first), and not struggle to make it up 70,000 words. I'm hoping any feedback I get might help with increasing the word count and fattening up the plot. That's my theory anyway.

All in all, it was a nice email to receive on holiday, and it boosted my confidence. So far my experience of getting my book 'out there' hasn't been too terrible. As I think all writers do - especially aspiring ones - they fear their writing is crap and no one will like their voice/story. So this is reassuring. Can't quite crack open the champagne yet, but hopefully it's getting closer.

Oh and this is my 300th blog post EVER! So celebratory inspiration is required... (Gosh, almost forgot). Thought we'd have some Richard Armitage!

Advent Calendar: Day 2

Am I going to have enough men for 24 days? I might need some suggestions ...

Anyway, thought I'd do this very quickly before I head off to work. I'm doing some overtime for my sins. Could have done with a day trying to catch up with some writing, as the past few days I've done nothing. How will I ever get The Wedding Favour finished and submitted to publishers? I really want to do it next year as early as possible!

2nd December

Richard Armitage, as John Thornton in North and South - a fantastic brooding hero! I thought this looked rather Christmassy, though it is cotton, not snow, in the picture.

It's My Party ... (1)

And I'll Post What I Want To! 

This Wednesday is my birthday, and so I'm having a birthday week! I've had my hair done today, and I'm meeting a friend after school with the kids. She actually shares the same birthday date as me, so we're likely to have celebratory coffees later.

So, this week on my blog, to celebrate on my blog the 20th anniversary of my 18th birthday, I thought I would  post all things that make me particularly happy. And hopefully they will make you happy, too.

Of course, you know what these 'things' will be! Let's go along the theme of if I could invite anyone to my party... who would I invite?

John Thornton

Number 1 for today, with just finishing North and South, recommended to my by Morton Gray, I think my first 'party' blog post should go to Richard Armitage! His broody, reserved character as John Thornton was giving Colin Firth's Mr Darcy a run for his money.

as John Thornton, again!

Guy of Gisborne

I first met Richard as Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood... And must admit I preferred him over Robin (in the looks department) any day. And well, what woman doesn't like a bit of bad boy... medieval bad boy, too.

Unfortunately, being a writer, or at least trying to be, and having to give up TV, I sadly don't get to watch him in Spooks. Plus, I think my husband would get suspicious with all my sighing and whimpering.

I do tend to go for blonds (you'll see as the week progresses) over darker haired men, but Richard has fantastic blue eyes... and that's my weakness. I also love his nose, for some strange, random reason. Won't even talk about his lips. Makes me go wobbly.

Welcome, Richard, to my party! Make yourself comfortable and help yourself to a glass of bubbly, we're going to be here all week!