Will be available from November 17th from http://www.freyasbower.com

Yep, that's the new title for Charlie Darling - coming soon from Freya's Bower. Here's the official blurb - hot off the press

Juliet Darling needs a fresh start. With the end to her disastrous marriage, she hopes that moving to the village of .Chandler.'s Gate—where she landed a job as a practice nurse—will give her and her small son Charlie just such an opportunity. Her ex-husband, however, doesn’t plan on allowing them to escape his clutches quite so easily.....

Dr. Neil Forrest finds his quiet and orderly life disrupted both at work, with the arrival of Juliet and her new ideas about what a practice nurse should do, and at home when the accident-prone Juliet and her son move in to the house next door. Neil has deep-rooted insecurities about life and relationships since the premature death of his wife. The loss has left him clinging to his precious routines in an attempt to protect himself from further pain.....

It takes a very special little boy, an out of control barbecue and a terrible accident before Neil and Juliet can finally get together and Neil can make Juliet his very own darling nurse.....

About the Book....

Amy Edler is a baker – not a wedding planner!

But along with making her best friend’s wedding cake, Amy finds herself planning the wedding – with only her friend’s disapproving big brother to help!.

Gorgeous building entrepreneur Jared Shaw hasn’t made his millions letting other people run the show – so, although he’s normally allergic to weddings, he’s rolled up his sleeves and is helping sweet and sexy Amy with every last detail!

And his last job is to buy the bridesmaid the perfect gift…....

******************************************************************************....

The Romantic Times Magazine gave this first book an impressive 4 star review  - “Complex characters with terrific chemistry a delightful effort from a new author to watch.”

1. As a writer what inspires your stories?

People. My stories are very much character driven and I love to explore how two people can follow a journey and find love. The spark for the characters can come from anywhere, but I often start with the profession or skill of my heroine combined with a setting.

For example. In my first Mills and Boon Romance, ‘Always the Bridesmaid’ the heroine is a baker in North London. In my second book ‘Hired: Sassy Assistant’ released in January next year, she is an artist in an idyllic English country village.

2. Most authors are also avid readers, who do you enjoy reading?

Crime and Romance are my two passions in fiction and I confess to being a total book addict. At the moment I am enjoying a range of romantic comedy books, including Little Black Dress and the latest Mills and Boon Romance titles.

3. What are you working on at the moment?

My third book for the Mills and Boon Romance Line set in London and an Italian Trattoria. With a Chef in a kilt.

4. Do you listen to music as you write, and if so what sort of music do you enjoy?

I always have music playing in the background when I write-but the kind of music depends on what stage of writing I am at. During the story development phase I like mood music and create playlists using popular songs linked to the storyline. But during the writing I prefer classical instrumental – particularly Bach.

5. Are you a planner or a pantser?

Oh definitely a plotter. I am a trained scientist and plotting is a major part of the story development. When I submit a story proposal to my editor at Mills and Boon, she needs to know that there is a compelling story and characters readers will care about, so I always have a clear outline and character profiles.

I feel that I am very much a newbie to the world of fiction writing, and I LOVE story craft techniques and tools.  I need the tools.

Of course during the actual writing process I know that this outline could and probably will change as the characters start taking to me  - but that is the magic!

6. Which character out of all your stories is most like you?

Oh, this is a tricky one. I think that there are elements of my character in all of my heroines. Each has to balance professional control with creative passion and energy

7. Finally, tell us why you feel a reader would enjoy choosing to read your book and where we can it.

If you are looking for a Warm, Witty and Wildly Romantic read, you should pick up “Always the Bridesmaid”.

My goal is to write women’s fiction filled with warmth, hope, love and laughter.

Well, Crystal Clear is on my editors desk and my agent has the partial for A Scattering of Leaves and to distract myself while I wait for their verdicts I've started the next book. This is my fourth contracted book for Little Black Dress and it has the working title of Just Look at me Now and is set in the world of glossy womens magazines. It's different from my last three LBD's as this one is third person and my last three were first person. So far I'm one chapter in so another 29 or so to go!
What's everyone else working on or reading?

Well, my next book for Little Black dress is done and with my agent so she can take a peek before I send it to my lovely editor. So at the moment I'm having a few days rest and tidying up the office beofre working on my speculative book, which my agent is also taking a look at - eep! and then I start my new story - Just Look at me now - which will also be for Little Black Dress.
For those of you who have visited my webste and subscribed to my newsletter - thats going out in the next week - with the usual subscriber only contest!
Also on the website are dates and times of upcoming talks, both online and live so keep checking to see if there's one you fancy coming to. http://www.nelldixon.com

Julie Day lives in SE London and works as a student administrator at Guy’s Hospital.  She has been writing for 18 years and has had published short stories in small press magazines and letters in health and writing magazines.  Rosie and the Sick School is her first children’s book.

Hi Julie, and welcome, please tell everyone about your new book, Rosie and the sick school.

Hi Nell, Here's the back cover blurb,

Why is Rosie being singled out for preferential treatment by some of her teachers?  Why has she suddenly developed strange 'powers' and where did they come form?   She is told it is her 'time' - but time for what?  She is also being tested - but for what?

 

To add to this, a mysterious bug is affecting the school and Rosie seems to be the only one who has any ideas on how to tackle it.  Girls are getting fat and spotty at an alarmingly fast rate and displaying a wide range of symptoms.  Rosie, who is a bit of a health fanatic, puts it down to their bad diet and lack of exercise, but why has it come on so fast?  Together with her friends (and a little help from her mum) she goes about finding the cause of the mysterious sickness and, hopefully, a cure.

 

Read on and find out what this cure might be and remember - you are what you eat!

Wow, sounds like a story with a good message, what made you want to write Rosie and the sick school? 

My passions and experience.  Eg.  Rosie is all about healthy eating, which is what I do and know about.

I know from reading your blog that healthy eating is a subject close to your heart. I know you are also an aspiring romantic novelist and a member of the Romantic Novelist's association - What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

M&B Intrigue.  Nora Roberts’ romantic suspense.  I’ve also started reading LBD books by authors Julie Cohen and someone called Nell Dixon.

Lol, now I'm blushing, you lead a busy life. Are you working on anything else right now?
I'm busy working on a second children’s book all about helping the environment at school.  Also an adult novella about family drama

Lots of authors like to work with background music - do you like to have a playlist while you're working?
No.  I have to work in silence or I feel I can’t concentrate.

So, are you a plotter or a pantser when it comes to your writing?

Planner.  I have a rough idea for story.  Then I write out summary of first three chapters and once I’ve written more then I complete the rest of the summaries.  But for Rosie and the one I’m writing now, as they’re based at a school I work them according to timetables and write a summary of what happens each day, possibly each lesson.  I prefer working that way

That sounds very organised, do you have a favourite character or one who is most like you out of all your stories?
Rosie – I actually based her on what I was like at school.

You must have been a lovely pupil for your teachers to have in class. It's been lovely to chat with you, can you tell the readers here why they should go and buy your book and where they can find it?
It highlights what eating bad food can do to children in the short and long term.  Although it’s a serious topic, which is very topical these days, I have added a lighter touch to it with its magical elements.
You can buy Rosie and The Sick School  at major bookshops such as Waterstones and Borders or at www.amazon.com or www.pegasuspublishers.com (my publishers).

In other news this week I'm thrilled to announce that Freya's Bower are to publish my sweet contempory medical romance novella, Charlie Darling. Freya's Bower are a new to me publisher and I'm really excited to be working with them. Charlie Darling is a book that's very close to my heart and I'm so thrilled it's going to be available to readers. As soon as I know a release date I'll give you all a shout out.

Wow, I went away for ten days over Easter and everything went crazy. So what's new with me? Well, Animal Instincts has been acquired for large print - big yay!!! I got a fab review Look Here! If you live in the West Midlands then tune into radio WM at 11am next Tuesday (28th April) to hear me chatting about blogging on the Joanne Mallin show.
The rough draft of Crystal Clear is now completed and I'm beginning polishing ready to send it to my lovely editor at Little Black Dress and I also got a request from an e publisher for my category length novel, Charlie Darling so please keep your fingers crossed on that one!

Introducing my author for March - Dara England.

Dara England has been writing fantasy for many years but
has only recently begun delving into the world of paranormal romance. 
Her first novel is titled Brought to Life and will be released from
Lyrical Press this March.  (Buy link: http://www.lyricalpress.com/brought_to_life.html )

Dara's short fiction has been featured in
numerous webzines, including Allegory, Art&Prose, and more.  She is a member
of the online writing groups Romance Divas, Fantasy-Writers.org, and Absolute
Write.  She can also be found on Facebook and MySpace. 

Some other fun places youʼll find Dara on the
web:

www.daraenglandauthor.com --Her website (still under
construction)

http://www.lyricalpress.com/brought_to_life.html --Her author page on the Lyrical Press
website.

http://amusedauthors.wordpress.com/ --A blog run by a group of Lyrical
authors. Dara's fabulous new book is called Brought to Life and I had the pleasure of interviewing her about her book:

1. As a writer what inspires your
   stories?....I think reading great fiction is the best way ofinspiring yourself to write it. I can never read a really good book withoutfeeling a twinge of envy, a sense of “why didn’t I think of that?” That’s verymotivating to me.  I also soak up themusic, conversations, and scenery I see around me and some of that goes into mywork.  I think that’s a big part of beinga writer, having an imagination that’s always running, always turning the things your senses take in into a story.....
   

2. Most authors are also avid readers, who do you enjoy reading?I am a very avid reader. My favourite genre toread is fantasy but I read a bit of everything I can get my hands on.Particular favourites of mine are Robin Hobb, Juliet Marillier, and Robert Jordan.  ....
   

3. What are you working on at the moment? I’m currently working on two historical/paranormals.  The first is finished, so I’m just editing and reworking it a little.  It’s a shape shifter novel set in the dark alleys and grand parlours of turn of the century London. The other work is still in its infancy, but it’s a time travel, also set in London during the Victorian era.

4. Do you listen to music as you write, and if so what sort of music do you enjoy? I’ve never been able to listen to music while writing. I know music sets a lot of writers’ creative juices flowing but I’m the sort who has to have absolute silence to concentrate. I do enjoy music when I’m not writing though and I find it another good source of inspiration.  I enjoy a broad range, everything from Metallica to Enya,
   

5. Are you a planner or a pantser? A little of both. I usually have a basic plot in mind--a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Sometimes I’ll even write out a vague outline.  The majority of the work is done in an as-I-get-to-it sort of way though.  I’ve found that if I plan things out with too much detail it destroys the mystery and I lose interest in finishing it.
   

6. Which character out of all your stories is most like you?and probably never will see the light of day. I created her several years ago when I wrote my first full length fantasy novel—the first one I ever finished at any rate. She’s a legendary Robin Hood type figure named Ilan a.k.a. BowFinder. She isn’t much like me on the outside. She’s tough and courageous and I’m not especially either of those. I guess she’s more a picture of what I want to be, the character I would like to morph into if I could step into a fantasy world. Interestingly, she’s a character that never has

7. Finally, tell us why you feel a reader would enjoy choosing to read your book and where we can
   it. I think Brought to Life would appeal to anyone who loved fairytales as a child, anyone who enjoys romance and happily ever afters. I label a lot of my writing as Contemporary Fairytales and that’s how I would describe Brought to Life. Its magic and the impossible being brought into the unlikely setting of modern day America Brought to Life is my first full length published work and it is available through the lovely people at Lyrical Press Inc.  Buy link: http://www.lyricalpress.com/brought_to_life.html
   

Drum roll please.... These are the winners from the release party for Animal Instincts from my other blog http://nelldixonrw.blogspot.com
All the winners need to contact me at helen
@nelldixon. com (minus spaces) and give me your snail mail addys. I'll
be mailing prizes out on Friday.

Winner of a copy of The Honey Trap - donated by author Julie Cohen
Barbara

Winner of copy of Animal Instincts (there were so many entries for this I've picked two)
Bronwyn P
Kate H

Winner of The Farmer Needs a Wife - This is to follow as Janet is travelling at the moment.

Door Prizes - surprise goodies!
Sue M
Jeannie
Adelle L
Julie Day