50th party blog guest - Nicola Cornick

Nicola Cornick is another author I’ve known for so long that I can’t actually remember if we met first through the RNA or at an M&B party. She’s a historical author, so we talk a lot about history. And dogs (did you know she’s a guide dog puppy walker? See pic below of Nicola with the gorgeous Rochester). And cookery (I can indulge in the joy of historical recipes with Nicola). And she was kind enough to let me grill her about her trip to Spitzberg when I was writing my Northern Lights book, Temporary Boss, Permanent Mistress (she really earned that dedication, I can tell you! … and my editor should probably start worrying about what I’m going to sneak into a future book). I normally share a house or flat with her and Sarah Morgan at RNA conferences, which involves drinking very civilised cups of tea (oh, OK, so wine is sometimes involved) and talking and laughing until very late. Her books are total autobuys for me, and what I love (apart from her gorgeous heroes, and heroines you’d want to be friends with) is that I always learn something new from them (eg about the London Beer Flood of 1814 in Mistress by Midnight).

Over to Nicola:

It's such a huge pleasure to be here to join in the celebrations for Kate's 50th book! The blog party has been going on for a while now and I have been enjoying reading all the posts and seeing all these wonderful authors paying tribute to Kate's success. 50 books is a landmark and a great achievement as well as an inspiration to authors like me who still have a little way to go to their 50th. So all hail Kate and her amazing writing!

I've known Kate quite a while and she has been a wonderful friend and colleague to me. We've had so much fun at those RNA conferences! We share a love of history. I have quite a few of her 50 books on my keeper shelf as well but here are three that I particularly love:

The Italian GP's Bride for its utterly gorgeous hot hero; I adore him! Sold to the Highest Bidder because I love historic houses (as well as hot heroes!) and Temporary Boss, Permanent Mistress because Kate and I had such a fun time talking about ice hotels and the Northern Lights and all the other magical elements that make the setting of that story so very special.

Congratulations, Kate, and I look forward to adding many more of your books to my shelves!


To celebrate Kate's phenomenal blog party I'm giving away a copy of my latest UK release, Desired, and a copy of my latest US release, Forbidden, both of which are out this month. In Desired, society widow Tess Darent makes a convenient match with a man she thinks has no wish to consummate their marriage only to discover that they share a very inconvenient attraction. Forbidden is a rags-to-riches Cinderella story in which maidservant Margery Mallon discovers that she is the richest heiress in the country. If you would like to enter, just comment below and tell me what forbidden treats you like indulging in (I'm talking chocolates and wine here rather than anything else!)

You can find out more about Nicola and her books at her website www.nicolacornick.co.uk or her blog: www.nicolacornick.co.uk/blog; chat to her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nicola.cornick and follow her on Twitter: @NicolaCornick