Random Stuff

I was thrilled with the recent 4 1/2 star Saucy & Sinful review of Margaret Rowe's Tempting Eden, the book of my heart and my first sale. "Lusciously richly erotic tale" indeed! Thank you, Christine!

I've finally written almost 1/3 of my current Maggie Robinson WIP, working title Lady Anne's Lover, which I am not at all crazy about. (the title, not the story, LOL.) I've set myself up for kind of a big challenge. The hero has one arm, but that's enough for him to lift a glass or seven and bury his troubles in drink, and the heroine is the victim of inappropriate sexual attention from her own father. Oh, and did I mention he is suspected of killing his childhood sweetheart and she is the scandalous Lindsay Lohan of her time? How to get depressed Gareth out of the bottle and skittish Anne comfortably beneath (or on top of) him will require skill I hope I possess. Anne is also a younger heroine than I've written lately–just 19–and makes her appearance in the first London List book. I had not expected to turn her into the star of her own, but she just wouldn't leave me alone.

The setting of the book is along the Welsh border, and our trip this month was enormously helpful to me to picture where Gareth and Anne live and love. Our vacation was everything I could have hoped for and more. My own hero surprised me by inviting our best friends to join us. Seeing them walk up at Logan Internation Airport left me absolutely gobsmacked. We laughed, we ate (too much), we explored Hay-on-Wye (the most wonderful little Welsh town), went to the St. George's Day celebration at Royal Albert Hall and waved our English flags. I picked up fabulous research books in Hay and at the V&A in London which will keep me inspired for some time.

I also bought a few non-tacky royal wedding souvenirs which I'll give away next month. My lovely Kensington editor Megan Records sent me a few ARCs of Improper Gentlemen, so expect a giveaway soon.

There's still time to enter April's contests, too. Click on the link above and on Margaret Rowe's site.

Of the 300 bulbs I planted last fall, most seem to be peeking out under the mulch. The snow is mostly gone except for a few stubborn patches in the woods. Our thoughts are turning to docks and boats and deck furniture (none of which we can afford), but I don't yet have the courage to store my winter sweaters.

So that's my April news. What's new with you?