A Writers' Lunch in Cardiff

Yesterday I traveled to Cardiff to meet with writers from the area. It was a lovely sunny day and a chance to catch up with friends and meet new ones. We dined on Italian food and toasted my new career with Mills and Boon. It was a lovely day!

It was also a chance to thank Liz Fielding, who writes for  Mills and Boon Modern Tempted. Her latest book, For His Eyes Only is available now - and well worth a read.

I first met Liz when she visited my local writing group about eight years ago. Listening to her rekindled my desire to write for Mills and Boon.

For that talk, Liz had brought with her a book which changed everything. That book was Kate Walker's 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance. It is now one of my most read books and is always to hand!

I went home enthused by all that Liz had said and began reading the 12 Point Guide. Imagine my delight when I saw that Kate was teaching romance writing at Writer's Holiday in Fishguard - just a few weeks later. I promptly signed up and the rest as they say, is history!

The 12 Point Guide is now available as an e-book and more information can be found on Kate's blog.

My Main Character

Thank you Judith Arnopp for tagging me in Meeting My Main Character blog hop. You can read Judiths' leading lady here.

What is the name of my main character? Is she real or fictitious?
Georgina Henshaw is the heroine in my debut Harlequin Presents book. She is fictitious, although now, she feels quite real to me! She came to life in my So You Think You Can Write entry last September as a feisty lady, determined to achieve what she wanted.

When and where is the story set?

The story, set in the present day, opens in London as she visits the hero, Santos Ramirez at his London office. This is the first time they have ever met and sparks really fly!

Despite the story starting in London, the majority of the book is set in the glitz of Puerto Banus, Spain. Here Georgina experiences the sunshine and glamours lifestyle of Sanots's home.

What should we know about her?

Georgina has been married and widowed. It was a marriage not based on love, but one which would give both herself and Emma, then still at school, the security that has been absent all through their childhood. Having seen and lost too much as a child, she has no intention of ever falling in love, preferring instead to hide behind a facade of indifference.

What is the main conflict? What messes up her life?

Santos is her main conflict. As far as she is concerned he is standing in the way of her sister's happiness and she will do anything to prevent that. It is also Santos who messes up her life, with his sexy good looks and confident charm she soon finds herself falling for him - something she never wanted to do.

What is Georgina's goal?

Her goal is to ensure Emma has what she has been denying herself. A loving marriage and happy ever after. She will do anything for her younger sister, Emma. All she wants is for her to be happy and to be able to marry the man of her dreams. This is something she herself doesn't believe in after the hardships she's shielded Emma from as they've grown up.

What is the book's title?

The book is called A Deal Before The Altar.

When will the book be out?

A Deal Before The Altar will be published in October 2014.

Soon to introduce their main characters is

Marie Dry

Kate Blackadder

Anne Stenhouse