A trip into the dark side.

I wrote my first serious novel, Abigail Cottage, way back in my twenties, when computers were unheard of and electric typewriters were highly prized lol It was so dark, with characters that you love to hate and hate to love, is bordered on the macabre side lol The trouble is, I have never been able to recreate the atmosphere of that book. Maybe because there was no happy endings in my life at the time, who knows.

I believe our emotions are reflected back at us in our writing. Today my novels are romances or comedies. My life is in balance and that reflects back into my characters. But the problem is, Abigail cottage needs a sequel, so how do I get back into that dark imagination?

I often think what on earth rattles around in authors heads when they write horrors? I can hardly bear to watch films like that never mind read books. What dark place, if there is one, do they imagine for themselves, to create these wonderful, but scary characters? I’d like to delve into the mind of a horror writer, but to be frank; I’m worried what I would find lol

Anyway, I digress. Abigail Cottage is about a demon who desperately wants to live a mortal life, but he can’t. His sins, when he was alive, have caught up with him in death and made him a hideous wreck of a creature. He can transform into the handsome man he was, but it’s hard to pretend that you are something you are not all of the time, and throughout the story his disguise begins to slip.

W Which brings me to this thought. How many of us try to be who we are not? For example, we put up with people treating us badly, so we do not upset the proverbial apple card so to speak, we bite back harsh words, because we know if they burst forth, the problem will escalate. BUT, doesn’t this just bottle up the emotions we feel? Instead of releasing the pressure valve, are we not instead building up pressure for it to explode?

Do you think it is better thing to speak your mind, regardless of the consequences?
Abigail Cottage is a minefield of different emotions. The bitter feeling of betrayal, the unrequited love, the pain that love brings with it, all encapsulated in a dark world that is desperately seeking the light.

Welcome to G.A. Hauser

Morning everyone. Spotlighted today is award-winning author G.A. Hauser, who was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA and attended university in New York City. She moved to Seattle, Washington where she worked as a patrol officer with the Seattle Police Department. In early 2000 G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England where she began her writing in earnest and published her first book, In the Shadow of Alexander. Now a full-time writer, G.A. has written over sixty novels, including several best-sellers of gay fiction and is an Honorary Board Member of Gay American Heroes for her support of the foundation.
For more information on other books by G.A., visit the author at her official website.
G.A. has won awards from All Romance eBooks for Best Author 2009, Best Novel 2008, Mile High, and Best Author 2008, Best Novel 2007, Secrets and Misdemeanors, Best Author 2007.



Because my blog is not rated I can only spotlight this fabbo book. It really is a good steamy read. Here is a blurb.

Cowboy’ Charlie Mosby worked on a horse ranch in Heber, Utah. He loved his work, the owners of the ranch, and his co-workers; wranglers who helped tourists with guided horse tours and trail riding all year round.But after a chance meeting with a handsome gay man who had helped Charlie change a flat tire on Interstate 80 a month ago, Charlie was beginning to wonder about his sexuality. And if that wasn’t confusing enough, strange things were happening on the ranch.Satanic worship? A strange cult ritual? Whatever it was, it wasn’t good for the owners or the horses on it.One night Charlie stumbles upon Roman Burk in the woods, naked, bleeding and shivering in the cold. What Charlie never imagined was who -or what- Roman was. Even though the handsome stranger seemed to vanish at times and reappear as if by magic, Charlie was infatuated by this man.Roman was fearful of revealing his secret. Most of all to a cowboy who was spending more time hunting him, than loving him.In this shape-shifting story of sexual bonding and discovery, can both Charlie and Roman find what they’re looking for? It’s a question of honor; one that has been up for debate since the first time man set his eyes on this formidable predator. It’s about the mutual respect of Wolves and Men.

View her lost of novels here.
The G.A. Hauser Collection
Single Titles
Unnecessary Roughness
Hot Rod
Of Wolves and Men
The Order of Wolves
My Best Friend’s Boyfriend
Mr. Right
The Diamond Stud
The Hard Way
Games Men Play
Born to Please
Got Men?
Heart of Steele
All Man
Julian
Black Leather Phoenix
London, Bloody, London
In The Dark and What Should Never Be, Erotic Short
Stories
Mark and Sharon (formally titled A Question of Sex)
A Man’s Best Friend
It Takes a Man
The Physician and the Actor
For Love and Money
The Kiss
Naked Dragon
Secrets and Misdemeanors
Capital Games
Giving Up the Ghost
To Have and To Hostage
Love you, Loveday
The Boy Next Door
When Adam Met Jack
Exposure
The Vampire and the Man-eater
Murphy's Hero
Mark Antonious deMontford
Prince of Servitude
Calling Dr Love
The Rape of St. Peter
The Wedding Planner
Going Deep
Double Trouble
Pirates
Miller's Tale
Vampire Nights
Teacher's Pet
In the Shadow of Alexander
The Rise and Fall of the Sacred Band of Thebes

The Action Series
Acting Naughty
Playing Dirty
Getting it in the End
Behaving Badly
Dripping Hot
Packing Heat
Being Screwed
Something Sexy
Going Wild

Men in Motion Series
Mile High
Cruising
Driving Hard
Leather Boys

Heroes Series
Man to Man
Two In Two Out
Top Men
Writing as Amanda Winters. Here are some of her books.

Sister Moonshine
Nothing Like Romance
Silent Reign
Butterfly Suicide
Mutley’s Crew



Here is where you can find her.
MySpace:
FaceBook:
GA Hauser’s Blog;
Book Trailer

Welcome to Martin Sharlow

Good Morning Everyone.

I would like to say I have a man in my boudoir today, unfortunately it is just business lol I am happy to have as a guest Martin Sharlow the author of Shades of Blood.

As usual, the best comment wins one of my fabbo gifts.

Hi Martin. Thanks for popping in today. Lets get right down to the interrogation
...um...I mean interview lol Can you tell us who inspires you to write?

Morning Margaret. Thanks for having me here today. I have a need to create. It's really hard to define, and it can take shape or form in different ways. When I was younger, I use to role-play and build worlds for me and my friends to entertain ourselves in. When I was a teenager, I used to build imaginary worlds in my mind that I would populate and participate in as I did chores, worked, or just explore as I fell asleep that night. So I think I've always felt the need to create. When I started reading in my late teens, I discovered other worlds that people created through writing. I have to say that just spoke to me in a way that was similar to what I used to do when I was younger.

As to who inspires me to write? I would say that Robert Jordan was my first really big inspiration. He got me started writing fantasy. Amanda Hocking inspired me to write paranormal romance, specifically stories about vampires being the good guys, not the monsters that I grew up with in the movies.

Well this is a blog that LOVES paranormal romances, so you are already a hit with me lol What’s next on your writing agenda?

That's kind of hard to say. I have a whole slew of books, at least for story ideas written down. In fact I swear I come up with a new story multiple times a day. Usually I don't write them down and pretty forget them, unless of course one of them catches my eye. I have a half written novella that I intend to finish over the next week or two, and I'm supposed to start to actually physically write book 3 of my Fallen series. I've been working out the kinks in that, so now all I have to do is write it and edit it. So those are most likely my next two works.

Oh my god, you are busy. Okay, just for fun, how about you pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.

Wow that's a hard one. I think the most interesting character is probably Sarah. As to my favorite…my readers probably won't believe me, but I'd have to say Melissa. I mean, after all, the story is about her, or at least her perspective. What I think is probably the best thing about her is watching her grow. In book 1, Melissa starts out as a naïve, sheltered young adult who's just starting out in her life. She's not very sure of herself, but sure enough to be out on her own. Some people don't like her, because they think she's too whiny. I think she's just the way she should be, since she comes from a sheltered life and finds herself thrust into a world that can't be real. I personally thinks she holds up pretty well.

I rather like the concept of seeing a character grown like that. Do you have any advice for new writers just staring out.

I think the best thing I can say to them is to know your audience. You need to know who you're writing for if you're expecting to have an audience for your work. I think as writers we get lost in our story without ever considering who we're actually writing for. That's fine and dandy when you're just writing for yourself and not for anyone else. But if you intend to have others read it, especially if you intend to make a career of it, then you need to know who your audience is. That, and seriously consider what your cover is going to look like. I find it strange that authors who create their own covers, or pay for one, treat them like their babies, the same way they protect and guard their stories. You have to be very subjective about your covers, and in fact you need to be willing to change them as necessary. You don't want your cover to look like it's a spy novel when it's about vampires. Unless of course it's about spies that are vampires.

Your book sounds like the sort of thing I'd like to read. Before you leave us please tell us where can your followers can find you.

I'm at several places, here let me give you a couple of links.
Website
Twitter
Blog

Okay, a tease question. If you could be anyone you like, who would you be?
Superman. No competition at all. I'm sure there's a lot of other good characters out there, and I can think of a few, but how can you compete with flying, super strength, perfect health, invulnerability, and of course immortality. Not to mention all the other things he can do. So I have to go with him hands down.

Well, you can fly by here anytimes Martin. Good luck with your books.

Winners

It was really hard this year to pick a winning comment, but three literally jumped out at me after I read and re-read them. The gifts will help them tremendously.
Thank you for stopping by.

The winners are:

Karen Michelle Nutt - Purse

Alison - Angel Crystals.

Darlene - Meditation CD..I need you to email me though as I can't find you anywhere lol

PS. I really think you all deserve something.

Thanks for participating.

Closed

Blogfess has now ended. I will announce the lucky winners Monday 18th July.

Thank you to all those who particiapted.

Welcome to Martin Sharlow

Good Morning Everyone.

I would like to say I have a man in my boudoir today, unfortunately it is just business lol I am happy to have as a guest Martin Sharlow the author of Shades of Blood.

As usual, the best comment wins one of my fabbo gifts.

Hi Martin. Thanks for popping in today. Lets get right down to the interrogation
...um...I mean interview lol Can you tell us who inspires you to write?

Morning Margaret. Thanks for having me here today. I have a need to create. It's really hard to define, and it can take shape or form in different ways. When I was younger, I use to role-play and build worlds for me and my friends to entertain ourselves in. When I was a teenager, I used to build imaginary worlds in my mind that I would populate and participate in as I did chores, worked, or just explore as I fell asleep that night. So I think I've always felt the need to create. When I started reading in my late teens, I discovered other worlds that people created through writing. I have to say that just spoke to me in a way that was similar to what I used to do when I was younger.

As to who inspires me to write? I would say that Robert Jordan was my first really big inspiration. He got me started writing fantasy. Amanda Hocking inspired me to write paranormal romance, specifically stories about vampires being the good guys, not the monsters that I grew up with in the movies.

Well this is a blog that LOVES paranirmal romances, so you are already a hit with me lol What’s next on your writing agenda?

That's kind of hard to say. I have a whole slew of books, at least for story ideas written down. In fact I swear I come up with a new story multiple times a day. Usually I don't write them down and pretty forget them, unless of course one of them catches my eye. I have a half written novella that I intend to finish over the next week or two, and I'm supposed to start to actually physically write book 3 of my Fallen series. I've been working out the kinks in that, so now all I have to do is write it and edit it. So those are most likely my next two works.

Oh my god, you are busy. Okay, just for fun, how about you pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.

Wow that's a hard one. I think the most interesting character is probably Sarah. As to my favorite…my readers probably won't believe me, but I'd have to say Melissa. I mean, after all, the story is about her, or at least her perspective. What I think is probably the best thing about her is watching her grow. In book 1, Melissa starts out as a naïve, sheltered young adult who's just starting out in her life. She's not very sure of herself, but sure enough to be out on her own. Some people don't like her, because they think she's too whiny. I think she's just the way she should be, since she comes from a sheltered life and finds herself thrust into a world that can't be real. I personally thinks she holds up pretty well.

I rather like the concept of seeing a character grown like that. Do you have any advice for new writers just staring out.

I think the best thing I can say to them is to know your audience. You need to know who you're writing for if you're expecting to have an audience for your work. I think as writers we get lost in our story without ever considering who we're actually writing for. That's fine and dandy when you're just writing for yourself and not for anyone else. But if you intend to have others read it, especially if you intend to make a career of it, then you need to know who your audience is. That, and seriously consider what your cover is going to look like. I find it strange that authors who create their own covers, or pay for one, treat them like their babies, the same way they protect and guard their stories. You have to be very subjective about your covers, and in fact you need to be willing to change them as necessary. You don't want your cover to look like it's a spy novel when it's about vampires. Unless of course it's about spies that are vampires.

Your book sounds like the sort of thing I'd like to read. Before you leave us please tell us where can your followers can find you.

I'm at several places, here let me give you a couple of links.
Website
Twitter
Blog

Okay, a tease question. If you could be anyone you like, who would you be?
Superman. No competition at all. I'm sure there's a lot of other good characters out there, and I can think of a few, but how can you compete with flying, super strength, perfect health, invulnerability, and of course immortality. Not to mention all the other things he can do. So I have to go with him hands down.

Well, you can fly by here anytimes Martin. Good luck with your books.

BlogFest 2011

Blogfest has arrived!!!!!

So many prizes to be one it will boggle your mind. On my blog today I am giving away

A beautiful purse

Two beautiful crystals attuned to the angels

A Meditation CD made by myself that can only be bought exclusivly from my site.

How do you win these prizes. Its open to every country, just follow the blog and comment on this question.

If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?

If you are feeling crazy and want to enter all the giveaways on the BlogFest 2011 list, here are the next five giveaways. Hurry, this ends today at 12am (GMT)

At Home With Books

Aubut Family

Under The Covers

Whirlwind of suprises

Obsession with Books

Get your running shoes on. Good Luck!!!

Welcome Chloe JonPaul

It's is a bit miserable outside today, but the fire is crackling nicely in the grate and we have fresh coffee, so all is good. My guest today is Chloe JonPaul. What a lovely lady she is. Here is a bit about her.


Chloe Jon Paul, M.Ed., is a retired educator and writer of several published articles and a previous book entitled "What Happens Next: A Family Guide to Nursing Home Visits" and More...

Her many achievements since the age of 55 include:
Title of Ms. Maryland Senior America 2003

Recipient of the Fulbright Fellowship Seminars Abroad award to South Africa, 1996
• Volunteer internship during the 2005 Maryland legislative session as a Legacy Leadership Institute graduate
• Lead facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project in prison and community workshops on conflict resolution for ten years
• State representative for the National Family Caregivers Association's caregiver community action network 2006-2008
• Advisory board member: MD, Health care Commission and the Interagency Commission for Aging Services: Maryland Dept. of Aging
• Hospice and homeless shelter volunteer
• Coordinator for the Good Samaritan Project at her church
• World traveler - all 7 continents



I am so please have the star of the book with us today. Do sit down, Deidre and have a cup of tea while we talk about your interesting life.

Now you seem to be a feisty young woman with a history of political and teacher union activism you seem to want to leave behind you. Can you tell me why?

Thank you for inviting me, Margaret. Yes, my life had been full of political and teacher union activism. I marched in anti-war protests during the Vietnam fiasco, and worked on countless committees fighting for teachers’ rights all my professional life.

So what exactly happened to change you in Blevins, Maine?

Well, the first thing that happened was the school-redistricting plan that had been announced. It looked like my school was being dumped on and that special interest groups were being served. I went to the School Board meeting and asked some pertinent questions about it. The next morning the headline in the local paper read: TEACHER CHARGES THAT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS SERVED IN RE-DISTRICTING PLAN FOR SCHOOLS. You can imagine what happened after that! I was literally dragged into a fight I had hoped to avoid. Anyone who reads this novel will discover how that happened.

Mark sounds like the type of man I’d like to meet. If I’m not being too nosy, how did your relationship with him develop?

Mark…ah, yes! I really thought he didn’t like me at all but in late October, I had forgotten to order heating oil. The temperature was already in the mid-30s and I didn’t know how to use the wood stove so by Monday, I had a miserable cold.
Mark took one look at me, asking why I had come to school and I explained what had happened. He offered to come and show me how to work the damper handle on the stove.
He came…and we wound up talking for hours. There’s more I could say but I’ll leave it up to the readers to find out what happened to me less than a month later as I was waiting for the elevator in the lobby of the Holiday Inn where I was attending a Leadership Conference for the Maine teachers Association in Portland.


Now there is also a bit of subterfuge around Stu Martel, another teacher. Tell me about the dark secret he shares with you?

Stu… how I wish I could have done more to help him. I was the only one he ever confided in…I don’t know why. He was a closet gay and surely you must know how the AIDS epidemic mounted in the mid-80s. Whoever reads this book will find out how I convince him to be tested and there is a hilarious scene that reveals what happens when the two of us spend the night together in a motel.
I only wish I has picked up on what Stu was really trying to say in what turned out to be his final telephone message to me.

Okay, let lighten this now. Three quick questions from our readers.

What’s your Favorite color? Yellow
Favorite drink? Chardonnay wine
Secret vice? Secret Vice? I have plenty of vices but none of them are secret. For one thing, I guess I smoke too much.


I’m a romantic at heart so you’ll have to excuse me if I ask you why didn't you ever marry.

I almost married years ago but I broke the engagement two weeks before the wedding. I figured that real love would be something so natural, so powerful, that there would never be any question – and I didn’t want to have to try. Besides I’m not the kind of woman most men feel comfortable with. Like I told Vera, my teacher friend and colleague: “Women like you marry. Women like me have affairs!”

When did you realize that your affair with Mark couldn't continue?

It actually happened one Saturday morning in April. I needed to pick up some cat food and laundry detergent so I went to the local supermarket in Blevins. Readers will find out what happened to me at the checkout counter when I saw Mark and his wife at the far end of the checkout aisles. They seemed to be looking over a shopping list. That’s all I can tell you for now. The final episode between us takes place during the candlelight vigil we teachers held in front of the Murphy Building as we fought for ratification of the contract.

I can’t wait to read how this all ends. It’s been nice to meet you Deidre. Thanks for popping by.

Vera Harriss, Deidre Fletcher, Mark Pettingill, and Stu Martel are elementary school teachers in the fictional town of Blevins, Maine whose secret, private lives change dramatically as you read.
Vera, who is about to retire, vents her anger during a Board of Education meeting with a speech that brings the audience to its feet. Why does Deidre, an exceptional teacher, leave the job she loves to become a corporate trainer down South? Then there is Mark, the perennial job hunter looking for a corporate position with more prestige and pay but then turns down the perfect offer when it finally comes through. Stu, one of the most popular teachers in the school, struggles with a deep, dark secret that he can only share with Deidre. What causes Stu
Vera Harriss, Dee Fletcher, Mark Pettingill, and Stu Martel are eager to share their intriguing secrets and entangled lives with you.

Buy this book here.

Welcome to Katie Salidas

Good Morning everyone. The sun is shining and the day is going to be brillient. WHY?



BECAUSE...just for one day Katie Salidas is flying around on an epic blog tour to promote her new book Pandora's Box. I have to tell you folks, what a fabbo book this is. There will be a lot of giveaways, reviews, interviews and guest posts happening and a chance for everyone to win. We are giving away one grand prize. A signed print copy to a lucky person that leaves a comment on all of Katie's posts for the day. Make sure that you email your username to bkwalkerbooks(at)comcast.net, and let them know you have commented on the entire tour. Please place "Pandora's Box Blitz" in the subject line. ALL OTHER GIVEAWAYS ARE FOR AN E-COPY FROM SMASHWORDS

Katie Salidas is a Super Woman! Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, She can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons. She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, She still finds the time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). She can do all of this and still have time to write.
And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…
Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mother, wife, and author, she does try to do it all, often causing sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing books is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.
You can find katie at her Website

You will be able to meet and greet her here

EXCERPT
After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she’d learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package – a Pandora’s Box.
Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it?
When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted.
Apparently powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas for Boston, with only a slim hope for salvation. Could Lysander’s old journals hold the key? And what if they don’t?
And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being?
Werewolves… Buy it now.



Here is what katie has to say about the supernatural world.

What are the origins of vampires? While the word “vampire” is a relatively new term (circa 1800’s), the idea of bloodsucking undead has been around since the dawn of time. Some legends state that simply being buried improperly can cause a human to reanimate as a vampire, Slavic legends for example. Other legends stat that one must have committed a heinous crime to become the undead. There are other legends about animals jumping over a corpse. Some popular ideas that have been adapted to fiction, have vampires as the children of Cain or Lilith. Still more involve demonic spirits and possessions. If we seek far back into mythology you’ll find the Greeks and Romans believed in demonic spirits themselves and in many ways they were the prototype of the common vampire of today.
That hooked me! I love ancient mythology and happened across some very interesting similarities between creatures of the ancient Greek world and the vampires I wanted to create.
The Keres, in fact were dead ringers for what I had in mind. Daughters of Nyx, Greek goddess of the night, these creatures are described as winged female death spirits with an insatiable lust for human blood. Perfect!
According to my research they were also one of the evils released when Pandora opened the fabled box (You’ll find this link in my newest release, Pandora’s Box as well). While they sound fearsome and probably would be, they weren’t exactly evil. They existed in a murky gray area of morality. They were agents of the fates, also known as Death Fates. They did not attack people openly or without reason. They did however; hang around battles waiting for someone to fall. That’s when they swarmed, finishing the poor dying man off, savoring their blood as they sent his soul to Hades. They essentially sped a person’s fate on to its course. If you were going to die, they’d be there to do it and drink your blood at the same time.
I fell in love, not literally of course, with the creature and knew I just had to base my vampire legend off of them somehow.
In the first book, Immortalis Carpe Noctem, Lysander explains to Alyssa the origin of the vampire species. He tells her that the first “vampire” was created by a mating of one of the Keres with a dying man she encountered on the battlefield. The resulting child was immortal, like its mother, and carried the same insatiable bloodlust, but had the features of its father. Being a hybrid and the only one of its kind, Nyx (essentially Grandma) cursed it to the night so that she could keep watch and protect it.
The use of the legend doesn’t stop there however. As the Immortalis series progresses we delve deeper and deeper into the history. In Hunters & Prey, we are reminded of the fact that a human-turn-vampire is not a dead creature, they are “changed” but that change must happen properly. If not done correctly it will create a hideous abomination. In the third book in this series Pandora’s Box, we’ll delve even deeper into the legend’s origins and learn more about the first vampire and what became of it. Along with that, we also learn about other supernatural creatures and how closely they are linked to vampires.
Needless to say I really do love my vampires and the legends they spawned from and I hope you will too. Please enjoy the Immortalis Series!








Buy these books here or here

Internet Bhahhh

Morning folks.
Why is it when I'm excruciatingly busy does the Internet decided to play up and virtually die? What's the problem sent to drive me crazy? Tree's! Yup, you heard me, I said Trees. Evidently one grew up over night and is now blocking my signal to whatever it needs to be able to work. Then, to add insult to injury, the engineer says I have to wait TWO weeks for them to fit a pole to make my receiver higher. Come on, Really? TWO WEEKS! I could get an axe and chop the thing down quicker! Unfortuatly I'd be arrested, but that may not be a deterrant if this keeps on.
For now I am trying to carry on and keep calm when my Internet is slower than a Ferrari running on prune juice!

I was supposed to be on the Fabulous Book Boost site yesterday. I'd waited a month for that slot. But I couldn't even view it, never mind log on and say something. I also have a regular thursday 'Food for thought' blog day with Authors Promoting Authors.


A great site to join if you haven't already.

As I rather like the post thats was on Book Boost, I am putting it here as well. Its an old revamped one. But I'm quite attached to it, so have another read. I'm doing a give away as my latest release Spirit Intervention is a romance with a difference. It has ghosts helping the living. Always a plus in my book of life lol

I have a beautiful Chinese style purse that I will post to the author or reader with the best true life romance story. It's an international contest so it maters not where you hail from.
I await your stories with bated breath.

What is Romance? If I had to define it, I’d say that it's the very essence of life. Without it you will forever miss out on an essential component which makes you whole. It brings identity to your relationship. Distracted and occasionally jaded from the daily grind of life, it's quite possible to forget that your partner ever had feelings. The flame that once seared your veins with passion, filled your heart with bliss, begins to diminish into a pale glow of insignificance. Complacency sets in. The silent and fatal murderer of relationships.

So where does romance come from? Extravagant gestures, flowery words? No, that is just a tiny part of it. Romance comes from the heart. William Shakespeare once wrote, Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind. And therefore is winged Cupid is painted blind. Hence the saying, love is blind.

To hold onto love there has to be romance and that’s why I am a romance writer. You write your own love story with every deed and action you do in your life. My life is full of romance every day because my husband and I put ourselves out to make sure it’s like that.

The most romantic thing he ever did for me was when we were first together. We had been dating a month. My car was clapped out and dead on its wheels and I was struggling to get the children to school on time as it kept breaking down. One morning he posted an envelope through my door and inside was a key and instructions to walk up the road and take the first left. I did as I was told and parked up was a little blue mini, covered in flowers with a huge pink bow on top. It wasn’t brand new, it wasn’t pristine, but it was like a Rolls Royce to me. He had spent all his free time fixing it up (he was a mechanic) just so I would have a car that was safe for me and the children. To top it all off, he had filled the inside with flowers. It mean't I couldn't get in straight away to test drive it, but what the hell. LOL That memory has stayed with me for sixteen years and it never fails to make me smile.


Not all romances are fairytales. Some are bittersweet. I hope yours is always filled with flowers and grace.