A Day For Romance

Happy Valentine's Day!

Have you ever wondered how St Valentine's Day came about? Here are a few things I discovered.

The Victorians considered it bad luck if a Valentine's card was signed.

In Medieval times, young maidens would consume an array of strange foods in the hope of seeing their future love.

Wearing your heart on your sleeve is an expression believed to have originated in Medieval times when young men and women would wear a name, selected from a bowl, on their sleeve for a week for all to see.

King Henry VII declared February 14th the holiday of St Valentine in 1537

Chocolate became synonymous with St Valentines' Day when Physicians of 1800's suggested it would calm pining for lost love. The first box of Valentine chocolates was produced in the late 1800's.

Why a red rose? It was the favourite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of Love.

Do you have any fun facts you can add? 

Pinterest - My Guilty Pleasure

I’m currently beginning work on a new book and what better excuse is there for whiling away time looking at inspirational pictures! Each time I start brainstorming a new book idea I create a new board on Pinterest for the story. I usually keep it secret for a while – just until I have settled on the hero and heroine and their story.

I’m a visual writer. I need images to stimulate my imagination and set my creativity free. Well, that’s my excuse for adorning my writing room wall with photographs of hot men, sometimes in varying degrees of undress. Above my desk I have a board I use to display some of the images I have selected for my work in progress which means I can sit there looking at the photographs and slip into their world.

My Pinterest Board for Xavier and Tilly's story, New Year at the Boss's Bidding

Since I seriously began writing romance, I have always looked for images that stir the imagination and often find just flicking through a magazine can trigger an idea. If I’m not ready to explore that idea I will write it down in my notebook and revisit it one day.

My Pinterest Board for Zafir and Destiny's story, The Sheikh's Last Mistress

Images are also useful when you hit one of those walls they call writers’ block. I find that if I spend a bit of time on Pinterest, even if I’m just looking and not pinning, something pops up that helps to open up my mind and get me back on the right side of the wall and writing.

I also have personal boards there too. Places I’d love to go and Things that make me smile are perfect for wasting time filling a few spare moments. So if you haven’t already done so, give it a go!

You can view my Pinterest account here.

Happy Pinning!

Poppy's Corner - Introducing Poppy

Today I’m introducing my adorably cute writing companion.

Hi, I’m Poppy and I’m almost twelve weeks old and I arrived at the Thomas house two weeks before Christmas and have been settling into my new role as writing companion. I’ve even been given the perfect pedigree name by the breeder, Mafleurdean Love Heart.

This is me a few weeks ago sleeping on the floor of the writing room, whilst Rachael wrote. But little did she know then, I was lulling her into a false sense of security. I’m a puppy and I am not going to just sit quietly beside her whilst she taps away on her keyboard – unless I’m really tired.

I like nothing better than to drag her out into the garden when it’s raining on a false mission and when the family put up what they called the Christmas tree, things really got interesting. I managed to pinch a decoration and run off with it and this game of chase around the house was really fun. Then when they were all sitting quietly, I chewed the lights, which I discovered was a bad thing, because they could have been on, but hey, it caused mayhem and that’s my aim for the next six months at least!

So stop by again and find out what mayhem I managed to make.

Love

Poppy

xx

New Year Reading

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful time over Christmas and the New Year. This year it's been a little bit more exciting as my fifth book has been released and it's set against the backdrop of a snowy New Year's Eve in England.

As it turned out, I was actually writing the New Year's Eve scene this time last year, although recent wet and windy weather here in Wales wasn't nearly as inspiring as last winter's cold and snowy weather.

I was also really excited to be told that this book is available as an audio download and you can find it here. I also have a Goodreads giveaway running for a signed copy.

On New Year's Eve I had a delivery of author copies
of my books from Australia and Holland and to
round it all off, the North American cover of my next
book, The Sheikh's Last Mistress, which will be
available in May 2016.

So, after all that excitement, I had better get back to writing!

Writing a Cover Quote

One of the nicest things about having spent almost eight years pursuing my dream of being a published writer is the friends I’ve made along the way. From other course attendees to those attending conferences, the list is long. I was also a member of Romance Writers of  Australia’s critique partner scheme and here I met online, three wonderful writers, Kathi, Louise and Joanne.

Earlier this year, Joanne’s first book, Falling For Mr Wrong, was published and I was as excited for her then as I was when my first book hit the shelves. 

Last week, Joanne’s second book was released, but this one was extra special for me as not only did I get to read it ahead of publication, but had the honour of writing a cover quote.

Superstar Alex Jackson steers clear of any emotional involvement after a series of life-changing events turned his life, and heart, inside out and upside down. Broken and deeply scarred, he has sworn to remain single and emotionally aloof to all women. 

Physiotherapist Violet McKenzie, is distrustful of men—famous men being at the top of her list for good reason. She’s learned a thing or two about them and has made a conscious effort to stay as far away as she possibly can. 

Until sexy Alex needs her professional assistance after a stage mishap and she becomes his personal physio. Violet has sworn off love, but when Alex’s hot kisses keep her up at night longing for more, she wonders if she can remain steadfast to her personal promise to never fall for the wrong guy again. 

Can a superstar and an ordinary girl have a happily ever after, or is that only reserved for the songs Alex sings? 

Praise for Joanne Dannon - “A sexy superstar hero who has it all except the love of the right woman and an ordinary working girl whose job propels her into the heart of the hero's glamorous life. Joanne Dannon's wonderfully emotional story will sweep you away.” – Rachael Thomas, Harlequin Presents author. 

So, congratulations Joanne on a very successful writing year and if you want to find out more about Joanne and her books check out her website.

Almost but not quite

I’m finally in December. You see, I didn’t quite hit the target for NaNoWriMo this year, so tried to ignore that fact that December had arrived. It was a case of almost, but not quite.

The same thing happened to me two years ago today. The results of Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write were announced and although I’d made it to the Top 10 of the previous round, I didn’t make it to the final three. Facebook has reminded me this morning of that day and this was the post I made then.

Well I didn't make the Top 3 but I am thrilled to have got so far, to have gained the interest of editors and to have been supported by such wonderful friends. Thank you all. Normal life can now resume!!

It's surreal to think that two years ago today I thought my dream of publication would stay just that - a dream. However my fifth book, New Year at the Boss's Bidding will be on the shelves very soon.

Taking part and having fun is the important part of any race you are in, be it NaNoWriMo, a competition or even a marathon. Not that I have any personal experience of the latter.

Now, of course, it's a new race. Can I do all I need to do before Christmas?

Winter Party and Christmas Fairs

I'm back at my desk after a few days away, where I braved the disruption on the rail network following storm Barney and made my way to London for the RNA's Winter Party. I arrived in London much later than planned, but at least I did arrive in time for the party, which I started in style with a glass of bubbly with fellow Write Romantic Helen Rolfe.

From the party I headed back out of London and to a friends house, where I spent a few days catching up and visiting Christmas Fairs at the local historic houses.

As it poured with rain we arrived at Blenheim Palace where we enjoyed the magnificent building which featured in the new James Bond movie Spectre. It's easy to see how this vast and ostentatious building can lend itself to a movie such as Bond - which is still on my list of things to do!


After that we enjoyed the Craft Fair and indulged in some Christmas shopping as well as plenty of chatting over coffee!


The stalls there ranged from seasonal decorations, to paintings, to clothes and hats. There was of course food, where Christmas cakes and puddings were on display.

From there we made our way to one of my
favourite historical houses, Waddesdon Manor, where we sampled the delights of their Christmas
Fair.

After a wander round the stalls we headed in for coffee and cake and by the time we came out it was dark and the full glory of the Christmas lights were on display, making me want to rush home and decorate the trees on the farm.

By Friday I was back on the train and passing the time by writing and this time the journey went smoothly.