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I love trying something new, whether it's food, a new author or a new type of writing. Or not so much new, as different. My novella, the Wicked Lady came about because I thought, if I was going to be one of these writery people, I really ought to be able to write a sex scene at least passably well. An erotic romance was born. Ten Ruby Trick (coming soon folks, in January! Fantasy + pirates = win!) came about because I wanted to do something different in fantasy, for me at least. Something non-epic, fast paced and fun, even in the darker parts. And hoo boy, was it fun! I'm so looking forward to writing a follow up. I've got a first draft of something different again � a first -and snarky-person in an alternate world urban fantasy thing. Again faster paced and fun, with a few dark parts. No idea if it'll work.

But for now, I'm working on something different. It's my editor's fault (Hi Deb!). She said something along the lines of 'you've got a good voice for historical, have you thought of trying one?' about a fortnight before I went to Norway for a week. Add in I love Vikings and…my Viking hero popped into my head as I walked around Nothing really new there, is there? Well, kinda. Because this is an historical, and it's not what I've written much of before (bar the Wicked Lady, which was focused almost purely on the erotic romance. Especially the erotic bit *cough*). And the feel is different, and so is the pace. I have to research and add in details that are right for the time. Even if they are a bit yucky. It's unfolding a lot slower this time, though hopefully no less full of tension. The hero is, well the hero is almost the exact opposite of my last one. All of which makes me worry a bit.

But then as my husband reminds me, I worry every damn time. I get to a point where I hate the book every damn time too.

So I'm telling myself the worry is a good thing, oh yes. It means it's probably going all right.

I hope.

Possibly.

But if I don't try something new, how will I get better as a writer? I won't, that's for sure. Trying something new is the mainstay of developing your craft, once you've reached a certain point. Even if it fails, I will have learned something, such as what doesn't work. So I'm going to feel the worry and do it anyway. That doesn't have quite the same ring to it, does it?

So, that day has finally come and my pirate lady is ready and waiting.

Nice girls love a sailor. Naughty girls are quite partial, too.

When a man she thought she loved offered Lady Catherine Harcourt a life wrapped in a velvet bow, she took it. That life wrapped her in velvet chains. Now her status as a respectable widow allows her virginal alter ego, Cecily, to relieve milksop-for-blood dandies of their riches and go back where she belongs. The sea—aboard her pirate ship.

The one knot in her s...

There are lots of horror stories around about publishers and agents. Scam artists, people who mean well but haven't got the know-how or the contacts or the business savvy to do the author justice. So when you get that 'Actually I love this. Contract?' email or phone call, it's worth the time out from running round the room with your t-shirt over your head in a victory lap to step back and see just what you're signing your baby book to.

Here are a few things to think about, with some links to ...

Yes, indeed, the cover for my novella � The Wicked Lady, red hot romance, with added pirates! � is now official, along with the blurb

There she is, my wicked pirate lady, in disguise

And here's the blurb (for which I have to thank the lovely blurb person at Samhain, who took my sow's ear and made a silk purse)

Nice girls love a sailor. Naughty girls are quite partial, too.

When a man she thought she loved offered Lady Catherine Harcourt a life wrapped in a velvet bow, she took it. That life...

I've been busy!

First there was Da Drama with the NHS, or more precisely the psytrickarist who was adamant that not only was Cognitive Behavioural Therapy no good for Bipolar( really? Not what the NHS guidelines say) neither was any sort of therapy, counselling or indeed information. Oh, and it wasn't available anyway. Except that the Bipolar therapy unit was in the room underneath his�.All he ever said was 'Are you sure you wouldn't like some drugs?' No, I would not. I'd like something for t...

..an EPIC award for best Fantasy Romance!

Look at this � ain't it pretty?

*runs round room with t-shirt over head*

Ahem, so I'll calm down now. Ilfayne's Bane has won the EPIC award for best Fantasy Romance. Wohoo! I'm bloody stunned tbh � I was happy to get into the finalists, but I thought I'd come a comfortable third out of three. But there it is, the first damn thing I ever wrote. And it won. Gobsmacked and delighted doesn't quite cover it. Now all I have to do is make sure everything else I...

haha, yes, free stuff indeed. Today is THE day, release day, and to celebrate two e-books will be up for grabs All you have to do is head to the free reads section and read Bringing in The New Year. Then e-mail me at [email protected] the real name of the woman. Winners will be picked at random from the entries at 2pm GMT Thursday 14th Jan.

And watch out for excerpts here too

Welcome to the New Release Monday. This

month, in addition to our typical excerpt week, we're showcasing new releases by several fabulous EM writers.

or click on the banner above.

Genre:

ISBN: 978-1-60504-874-1

Length: Novel

Price: 5.50

Publication Date: January 12, 2010

Cover art by Amanda Kelsey

Break his oath, he loses his soul. Keep it—and he loses his heart.

Oathcursed, Book 2

Devastated crops...

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. Youdon't have to be published to participate–just an writer with an excerpt you'd like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the or click on the banner above.

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He we are again. And as it's almost time for my sequel release � Love Is My Sin coming January 12th! � I thought a passage from Ilfayne's Bane...

Soooo Ilfayne's Bane is out in print today, and Love Is My Sin is up on the coming soon pages. Yay! I even made it onto .

To celebrate, I'm giving away two signed copies of Ilfayne's Bane. To enter, just go to the page for Love Is My Sin, read the excerpt and tell me who is getting married

Entries to [email protected], winner to be picked 5th November