Five Hearts for Running Scared

Woke up to a lovely email from the equally lovely Jess Dee this morning alerting me to the fact that Running Scared had been reviewed by The Romance Studio.

Here 'tis

It’s a starry night in Sydney Australia when wealthy bachelor and archeologist Mitchell Cartwright meets Julie Marchant, expert gemologist, at a society banquet. The pair fall in lust for the night and go their separate ways in the morning.

To this reader it looks like the author did a lot of research for this novel. Her descriptive writing about gemology, archeology, the post Vietnam War era in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam looks to be very well done. She gives us an up-close look at the people, their lives and the countries Mitch and Julie travel through while trying to escape the country in turmoil. In every stage of their travels each separately or together is helped or hindered by an acquaintance or friend who adds a unique flavor to the story. There’s just enough romance, conflict, intrigue, suspense, information and humor blended together to make this an easy read that‘s hard to put down.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Dee Dailey
July 18, 2008

Farewell Olive

Am sad to report that Olive Reily, the world's oldest blogger died on Saturday. Those of you who've read this blog for a while will know that I've been a fan of Olive's for a long, long time. Her website http://www.allaboutolive.com.au/ is currently melting down, but SMH have a nice article about her, and there is a brief couple of posts up on her alternative blog.

Oh, I need a hug. :(

Secret Intentions

YAY, finally the cover of Secret Intentions, and the blurb. How cool?? The e-version is out 23 September and its up on the Coming Soon pages of the Samhain website already.

Just when you think things can’t get any worse…

Zani’s mission is simple. Go undercover as personal assistant to the loathsome Corbin de Villiers, prove he’s leaking corporate secrets, and leave him to the tender mercies of the fraud squad. Her family name will remain untouched by any hint of scandal, and she can get on with building custom-designed yachts.

Things get complicated when she discovers that Corbin is less loathsome—and far sexier—than she’d ever imagined.

Corbin’s new PA may be easy on the eyes, but she can’t even find the computer’s on button. He has no choice but to fire her; still, she doesn’t take the hint. Everywhere he turns she pops up, keen to divert him from tracking down the person who is out to destroy his company.

It’s crystal clear that she’s up to something. Maybe it’s better to keep her close. For investigative purposes, of course. That she’s temptation with a capital T has got nothing to do with it. Nothing.

Complicated doesn’t even begin to cover it when Zani is kidnapped by the Russian Mafia. Entangled in a rapidly unraveling web of lies, Zani and Corbin must learn the rules of this new game fast…or die.

This title contains graphic descriptions of luxury yachts. Oh, and some hot sex, as well. A moderate amount. You have been warned.

I cannot do it all

It's been with a great deal of consideration that I write this blog entry.

A few weeks ago I was watching Grey's Anatomy, it was the final episode, and the character Dr Miranda Bailey handed over her responsibilities in the hospital clinic to Izzy. When she was asked why she was giving up something she loved so much she said the following...

I have realised that I cannot do it all and have it all at the same time.

These words resonated with me.

I am exhausted.

The reason I am exhausted are that I am trying to do it all and have it all, and I too have finally realised that it is just not possible.

I have enjoyed writing this blog, words cannot describe how much. However, lately I've been struggling, at home, at work, and with my writing. Something has to give and I'm sorry to say that the blog is going to be one of those things.

I'm not closing it down completely, and perhaps when things calm down a bit and I've got my mojo back I'll get back to my old form. However, for the time being I'm planning on a once a week update which will focus on what writing I am doing.

Again, thank you all for reading my blog, you have no idea how much I appreciate you all.

Edits

Well, the edits that were due last Sunday nearly killed me. Sensibly, very sensibly, I was editing when feeling under the weather on Saturday (yes I was hungover - hey it gets my internal editor to shut up and things flow better - yes I am justifying myself). Only late on Saturday I realised I had left the latest edits I'd done on another computer that I couldn't access until Monday and that I had been Editing The Wrong Document all day.

Yes, Karma.

So come Monday I manage to get all the changes into the one document, then come Monday night am doing the last finishing touches. Shut the document, pat self on back, have glass of wine and compose witty email to editor. Go to attach file. CANT FIND IT. Yes, had accidentally saved it in the email temp folder and when I opened the version sitting in Outlook it overwrote EVERYTHING I HAD DONE.

Fuck.

Two hours later it was all back as it should be (and we're talking way past midnight now) and I have never been so glad to see the back of a manuscript ever.