stained glass and IHP

Current work: still en vacances (but really working on outlines/a bit of nonfic)
Listening to: Kathryn Williams
Reading: Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Ain’t She Sweet? (enjoyed this one, too)

The glass course on Saturday was really absorbing. First of all, we learned how to cut glass. Straight lines were sort of OK (I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler) – score, lift and pull up and it breaks along the score line. Curves… the teacher told us we needed to move like a skater and listen for the difference in tone. Ha. Can’t skate and can’t hear. Found that part a little tricky. (As she put it, I kept sliding off...)


Anyway, then we made our panels. We had lots of coloured glass to play with (I wussed out and used mine without cutting any of it) and make our picture. I found two half-moon shapes, and an idea bloomed in my head. (Sort of inspired by book research.) Then we had to solder the lead on our frames, glue the pieces in place, and then cement it in.

Doing the actual design and the soldering were thoroughly enjoyable. Kind of a glass collage. Getting the cement smooth, however, was a little trickier. Getting the cement off the back of the glass (smeary rather than lumps so it was easier to remove when dry) without pulling any of the cement away in between was even trickier (or just needed someone with a little more patience than I have).

But it was a good afternoon and I’d definitely do it again.

Oh, and the result? (Bear in mind that I am not artistic. Words I can do, sewing and photography I can bluff, but am too clumsy and untalented to do anything else.)


DH’s verdict: ‘I can see that’s a moon, but what’s the rest of it?’ Sigh. It’s meant to be lavender fields in moonlight with the sea beyond. (The pic hasn’t come out that well – the purple glass at the bottom is a bit brighter and that white one is streaked with pink.) The kids were nice about it, though. (Listening to them was like hearing myself praise them when they were really little - concentrating on what they did well.) Has given me much food for thought on the Venice book, and I’m very glad I did it.

Plan for today: dentist. New dentist, as mine has moved practices to be nearer home after maternity leave. I’m being brave and staying put because it’s more convenient for the kids. My old dentist was utterly wonderful and very kind, and more to the point she never once hurt me. I’m trying to convince myself that my new dentist will be just as nice. I have to be brave in front of the kids as I don’t want them to think that going to the dentist is torture. I’m very, very fidgety this morning, though, and trying not to look at the clock. Hence working on nonfic.

And IHP? I’m blogging at I Heart Presents today (US time, so that’ll be this evening in UK time and tomorrow in Aus) about Playboy Boss, Pregnancy of Passion, and where I get my ideas. Nice pics of a certain dog and some seals, so do go over and say hello…

blogging elsewhere today…

Current work: en vacances (but making notes about Provence)
Listening to: don’t ask – son has decided he likes 80s pop. It’s this Rickrolling thing. Arrgh!
Reading: Kimberley Cates, The Perfect Match (enjoying this, especially the dog)

I’m over at eHarlequin today, talking about decluttering on the Medical Authors’ eharl blog. There’s a chance to win a copy of Playboy Boss, Pregnancy of Passion, so do go over and leave a comment.

Yesterday, took the kids ten-pin bowling – was fun, and I was immensely surprised to get two strikes with my first two balls. Needless to say, it went rapidly downhill from there (and I was very grateful that we had the bumper bars up). But, hey, it doesn’t matter who wins (or loses), as long as you all enjoy it.

Plan for today: into town as son has some things he wants, then possibly baking with daughter. And ice cream making.

Tomorrow, I have my glass course and I am SO looking forward to it. Have a nice weekend!

catching up a bit

Current work: en vacances (but thinking about outlines)

Listening to: too early for anyone else to be up yet

Reading: next on TBR (am a tad lurgified so not up to reading)

First off, belated calendar pic for the month.

DH was off, last week, so we pottered around quite a bit. We did a lot of decluttering (kids have shot up and grown out of their clothes - the wardrobe declutter is always a big one; plus I moved all the books round in my office so they’re in a better order for me. That took an entire day); visited Dad (no comment here out of respect to him, other than that I so wish this was fixable or would be easier on him); and had a lovely day out at the seaside – OK, not so much the seaside as the funfair, as Madam was itching to go. She and DH did the roller coaster and the scary rides, while son and I watched and ate doughnuts. (And I lost weight last week. So no guilt whatsoever.)

And then we went on the big wheel. 70ft up.

The views were stunning but I have to admit to feeling a bit nervous, first time round.

We had four revolutions, and I think it was pretty good value for money. And then afterwards we went and sat on the sand and watched the clouds go by. (Below is said the sand. In the distance we could see Scroby Sands; you'll have to take my word for it, as this one's a bit blurry owing to the angle from which it was taken - 70 feet up through a concave window. But that pale streak below the horizon is indeed sand.)

Thursday was admin, shopping, printing out daughter’s poems (she has commandeered the lappie), going to post office to pick up new headset for computer (I tripped over mine and broke it – arrgh, how do you learn NOT to be clumsy?), and Victoria’s book launch (see yesterday).

At the weekend, DH went to Brands Hatch to see the Superbike grand prix. Not my cuppa tea at all so I was quite happy to pack him off with a pile of goodies and his best friend. The kids and I pottered about and had a chilled-out day.

Oh, and I also discovered that I was #3 on the Waldies chart for two weeks running with Playboy Boss, Pregnancy of Passion – was absolutely thrilled to learn that. Thank you VERY much to the readers who put me there, and I hope you enjoyed Luke and Sara’s story.

Yesterday was the first part of son’s animation course, which he enjoyed; meanwhile daughter and I had breakfast at M&S (yes, I know that's decadent, but sometimes you have to do these things) and tackled the dreaded shop for school uniform and winter clothes. Repeated it for son's bits after his course. So we overdid the walking a bit (21,353 steps).

Had a lovely email conversation yesterday with my agent, who really likes the latest book, and my wonderful ed. The Venice/glass book might move again - I did have a duo sorted out for that, but it might end up being a stand-alone as my ed asked me to make the connection through the heroes rather than the heroine. Plus I've recently worked out a different duo that hits more of the buttons (but needs research). And of course there's my med inspired by Arundel... Anyway, I need to sort outlines.

Plan for today: into town, as son has the final part of his animation course. And also move carpet measuring from tomorrow to next week as I have a scratchy throat; today is going to be a lemsip and latte day to keep me going. I also need to write various blog pieces for people and answer questions - anyone who's waiting, I promise I'm doing it today!

Woo-hoo – in the charts! – and lappie love

Current work: I wish...
Listening to: Diana Krall (am on a jazz/blues piano kick at the moment)
Reading: next on TBR pile but NOT until I’ve finished the book

My current US release – Surrender to the Playboy Sheikh – is in the Waldies top ten series romance bestseller list this week! Thank you very much to the lovely people who put it there, and I hope you enjoy Karim and Lily’s story.

Thank you also to the wonderful Harlequin readers – when I dropped by the eHarl pages on Wednesday to pick up the code for the widgets in my sidebar, I noticed that Playboy Boss, Pregnancy of Passion was at #3 in their bestseller chart. Colour me very happy, and I hope you enjoy Luke and Sara’s story.




And thank you to Marilyn Shoemaker, who’s written a very interesting post on Sheikh lit and included my latest in there.

Bought the laptop yesterday – which will NOT be connected to the internet and will, I hope, improve my productivity because it means that if I work on it I can’t be tempted to flick into email/get sidetracked by research. Also means DH and the kids can use my desktop so they won’t keep moaning that I hog the computer when I’m on a screaming deadline, as I am at the moment. And it has a webcam so son can use it for animation. (When he can get it to work. Daughter says she’s going to write on it. Ha. Bet that doesn’t stop her fleecing me for pretty notebooks.)

The thing is, though, a laptop needs storage. As in a lappie bag. The one in the John Lewis tecchie department was a Samsonite: nice enough, but a little boring/blokey for my taste.

(You know what’s coming next, don’t you?)

Radley do lovely workbags (beautifully made and they last for ever) and I’ve been coveting my friend Nell Dixon’s workbag for ages. Sadly, neither John Lewis nor House of Fraser in Norwich had the one I wanted in stock. But I came home to discover a very timely email from Hudson’s Leather Shop giving me 20% off their clearance prices (note, I have been immensely restrained and not bought anything Radley-oriented for myself for almost a year). And guess what was in the sale? Yup, the exact workbag I wanted. Black with a lavender trim. Sale price plus discount meant that it was only a tenner or so dearer than the Samsonite bag. Result: one lovely lappie bag ordered, with no guilt whatsoever. And it seems I got the last one: I feel very, very lucky.

I was dreading having to tackle Vista, having heard nightmare stories, but so far (touch wood) have managed to load Microsoft Office, set up the users, and help everyone to change their settings. Have also copied latest WIPs across. So I’m all set for use, now. As for printing: rather than faff about trying to find the Vista driver online for my elderly printer, am going to copy the file to memory stick and print from the desktop PC.

Plan for today: originally, the idea was to do lots of work and wait in for the delivery of the laptop bag.

But.

It seems Dad’s cataract op yesterday was more complicated than expected (haven't quite got to the bottom of that yet) and there isn’t ANY hospital transport available to take him back for an urgent check-up this morning (which might not be a check-up - might be the other half of the op. As I said, not got to the bottom of this yet), so I’m taking him and one of the carers is coming with me to help get him in and out of the car. The hospital said be there from 8.30 - but I need to do the school run first and can't be in two places at once. Which means he’ll be anxious (the joys of Parkinson's); depending on traffic and how long it takes to get him into the car it's more likely to be 9.30. Without a definite time, we may end up with a long wait in a hot, sticky environment; I foresee lots of trips to the vending machine for cool drinks. Must remember to take pack of straws for Dad.

Very hot and sticky here right now, which is why I'm posting at 5am - woke with a nightmare and it's too humid to go back to sleep. And yes, I know what triggerered the nightmare: worry about Dad's eye. Dreams can useful to me as a writer, but sometimes they go a bit far, and this one was pretty upsetting. Not fair to wake DH and sob all over him, so going to do some work instead: kind of useful, as I've lost three out of five working days this week, so having the revisions done and the next book off my desk before the summer holidays is looking pretty remote.

But, glass half full, Hudson’s sent me the tracking number for my parcel, so I rang the courier yesterday to ask if they could please leave it next door if I’m not back from hospital when they deliver; they were lovely and agreed, so at least I won’t have to drive halfway across the city to pick it up when I get home.

fabulous review

Current work: revisions on MH fairground book
Listening to: Alison Moyet, Voice
Reading: Amy Andrews - Greek Doctor, Cinderella Bride (aka the jellyfish book – the medical stuff in here is really interesting and the hero/heroine’s conflicts are incredibly emotional. I know Amy’s a mate of mine, but she really IS getting better and better with every book. This one’s a great read)

I’m struggling with time right now, with just under three weeks of school left and revisions/a book to write before I go on holiday. (Yeah, yeah. Kate overreacher. Just need to FOCUS. And try to ignore the fact it’s hot and sticky – uuh, give me crisp frosty mornings any day, because I think better…) Weekend was spent working, except during thunderstorms when I wished I'd bought the laptop. (This week...)

So I’ll leave you today with a lovely four-star review from Romantic Times for Playboy Boss, Pregnancy of Passion:

When business tycoon Luke Holloway hires Sara Fleet as his temporary assistant, the only thing he's hoping is that she'll organize his office. Business consumes him, so he has little time for his personal life, and he doesn't like mixing business with pleasure. It doesn't take long before they are breaking all the rules and Sara is bringing color and laughter into his life. It's all fun and games, until Sara tells him she's pregnant. This story features a strong heroine who gains strength from her family and a hero who realizes the importance of love and family before it's too late. Add in their captivating romance and it makes for one great read.

Thank you, Sandra Garcia-Myers, for making my day.

Lovely review

Current work: revisions for Med (am struggling with this one!)
Listening to: Beethoven piano sonatas
Reading: next on TBR

Lovely review for Playboy Boss, Pregnancy of Passion from Cataromance.

Millionaire playboy Luke Holloway finds himself getting up close and personal with his new PA in Kate Hardy’s latest enjoyable Modern Heat: Playboy Boss, Pregnancy of Passion!

Luke Holloway doesn’t like clutter. He likes his office to be clean, slick and professional, but when his personal assistant goes on maternity leave, Luke suddenly finds himself faced with a barrage of unsuitable replacements who seem unable to do anything right! Luke cannot go on like this. He’s reached the end of his tether and if he doesn’t find a suitable replacement for his old secretary, he knows that his reputation could be on the line. Luckily, for him, his best friend’s wife, Lily, hands Luke a business card that changes his life forever…

Sara Fleet is not strictly a PA. She’s renowned for her organizational skills, and when she hears of Luke’s quandary, she accepts the challenge fully aware that she’ll soon transform Luke’s office and turn it around. Sara’s organizational prowess impresses Luke – but he’s even more impressed by her gorgeous figure, sharp wit and sexy eyes.

Luke doesn’t do relationships. A messed up childhood has made him wary of both families and commitment. However, the one thing Luke isn’t wary of is sex, and working side by side with his efficient new PA, he cannot help but wish that he and Sara would move away from the boardroom and straight into the bedroom. But Sara has issues of her own. An old boyfriend had treated her abysmally and she had sworn never to get involved with another man ever again. Yet, she cannot help but be bowled over by Luke’s charisma and gorgeous body!

A steamy affair soon ensues and Sara realizes that she’s done the unthinkable and fallen in love with her boss. Luke has made it quite clear that relationships are not – nor ever will be – part of his agenda. However, a future without Sara is one which he cannot bear to think about.

Then Sara discovers she’s pregnant with his baby…

As addictive as ever, Kate Hardy’s latest Modern Heat, Playboy Boss, Pregnancy of Passion, is a spellbinding tale that sizzles with wonderful sexual tension, palpable emotion and tender romance. Featuring a sexy hero and a resourceful heroine, Playboy Boss, Pregnancy of Passion is another keeper by the fantastic award-winning author Kate Hardy!

Thank you, Julie Bonello, for making my day.

May Day

Current work: outlines and plotting; and revisions for Med

Listening to: Madeleine Peyroux

Reading: next on TBR pile

Today is May Day – and, as it's my first post of the month, it's also calendar day.


Bright, sticky heart-shaped candies. My daughter loves these, though I have to admit I prefer Parma Violets. (Hmm. Am I the only person in the world who liked them?)

Had a really good day yesterday.

Firstly, I got a very special book in the post. A copy of my all-time favourite category romance novel, signed by the author (who is also one of my favourite people - she's incredibly talented AND she's a thoroughly nice woman as well, great company, witty and kind). So colour me very, very, VERY happy.

Secondly, I ordered a proper table for my office to replace my desk. Why? Because my desk is really rickety, part of the veneer is peeling (OK, so it serves me right for ordering a cheapie desk from Argos in the first place), plus the design means I have to be a contortionist if I want to reach the plug behind my desk. I much prefer working at a normal table (and I can have access to my plug again and put my lamp on). I was going to ask for my old table back, but son has been using it to paint his Warhammer stuff and it’s not in a good state. John Lewis had a reasonably priced table that’s the same size as my desk, and they’re delivering it next Tuesday afternoon. Yay.

Am also having a bit of a meejafest. Lovely Angi from the Eastern Daily Press rang to ask if she can interview me about the new book. Am also going to be on BBC Radio Norfolk in the middle of the month, on Karen and Graham’s “Ladies who Lunch” slot.

Oh yes, and it’s May, which means I have new books out this month! Um, quite a few of them, it seems...

First up, fiction: Playboy Boss, Pregnancy of Passion is the second in my To Tame a Playboy duo, out in the UK right now. If you like Greek settings, you'll love where Luke takes Sara as a surprise. Oh, yes - and you might need tissues towards the end. And there's this sweet-natured spaniel who is a complete and utter shoe thief. (Yeah. The same one who steals one shoe from everyone in this house and piles them up in his bed. I think he would be a bit cross if he found out I'd nicknamed him Imelda. Byron, I mean, not my hero.) I'm VERY pleased with my cover: this is one cute man.

Then, in the US, we have The Millionaire Boss's Reluctant Mistress. This is actually a reprint - it was actually the first in my Posh Docs series, Her Celebrity Surgeon. And yes, the family surname is Radley. And yes, you all know exactly where I got the name. I will confess this over on I Heart Presents later in the month, among other little secrets...

And I also have new nonfiction on the shelves: Norfolk Miscellany is what it says on the cover. Whether you've lived in Norfolk for many years or just moved to the county, you'll find new and entertaining information about Norfolk within the pages.

Happy May Day - and may the sun shine on you for the holiday weekend.

post-book blues

Current work: Just finished the Modern Heat

Listening to: Radiohead (because it really, really suits my mood – bless you, Thom Yorke, for writing such perfect misery music)
Reading: next on TBR pile

The Norway book is done and dusted… well, so far. It’s on my editor’s desk now. I’ve loved every second of writing it, and I always hate saying goodbye to my characters, so I’m in post-book grump. (Yeah, I know the remedy. Start writing the next one – #39: blimey, that's come round fast – or the nonfic that’s due next month.)

It’s not helped by a couple of personal worries (not blogging about them here), panicking about snow next week (obsessive checking of the BBC weather forecast for here and London, anyone?), and a couple of people being a bit mean to me (unexpected and upsetting – so have learned in future to be polite, smile, and stay very quiet).

But hey. Glass half full. I bought a large box of Lindor balls on the way home and they are chilling nicely in the fridge for me, with a note on them saying: ‘These are Mum’s and she has PMT.’ (Diet buddies, don’t read that line…)

Busy weekend lined up. Which means a mad to-do list. As in:

Today: book taxi for Monday, unearth suitcase, check I have spare tights, defuzz legs, update website, tidy desk, do shopping list for tomorrow (otherwise will come home without stuff).

Tomorrow: into town to sort out last-minute purchases (under-eye concealer being the main one, but blue nail varnish comes a close second – and possibly more tights, depending on results of today’s to-do list), back up all computer files ready to take computer in to tecchy guys on Weds (they’re transferring data and making my new PC ready to run), check I have all necessary phone numbers, deposit cheque, withdraw enough cash to pay taxi on Monday and get me round London, think about which book to take on train.

Sunday: up early to bake for the party, entertain all day, clear up, pack all bar posh clothes which I’ll do on Monday, make sure I have train ticket and awards ticket ready in handbag (mm, need to tidy handbag and check have spare hearing aid batteries with me), charge camera battery and phone battery, make sure all homework done etc, make sure kids have stuff ready to go.

Monday: school run, last-minute checks and probably printing out stuff for work on the train (ooh yes, logic problems magazine – add to shopping list for tomorrow), do last bit of packing. Check that my Male On Monday slot has loaded on the PHS (anyone care to guess who that might be?). Catch taxi, train, tube, visit Hunterian Museum (if it is not snowing), meet best friend, eat lots, sleep badly. The latter is not because Fi’s spare room is uncomfy – far from it. I just don’t sleep well away from DH, sad puppy that I am; and, despite the bravado, I’m as nervous as hell about Tuesday (even though I know I’m not going to have to get up on that stage and speak, so I should just be able to relax).

But, to end on a nice note, here’s the cover for the second in my Modern Heat ‘To Tame a Playboy’ duo. Just lovely.