Work is busy, home is busy, and I've nearly finished writing Loving Rowan.

I got the ending finished during lunchtime today, and there's still a few bits to go back over, but I'm really close to getting in a state to send to the editor.

Another Chance is off for reformatting in a couple of days too, and so once I get that back, I'll be uploading and getting it pushed out to reader's devices.

The cover reveal for Loving Rowan is coming up on the 18th of July. If you are a blogger, then please contact me for details on how to be included in this!

I think that's all that's going on for the moment, though I do have two more projects lined up and once I get Loving Rowan off to the editor, and Another Chance republished with the new formatting, I'll be working on one of them as part of Camp NaNoWriMo this month.

Life is crazy!

I am sick. Horrible, winter cold sick. I can barely keep my eyes open, fighting the urge to go to sleep and have been like that for the last few days. I haven't been this ill for a long time.

BUT, I am still awake because right at this moment Another Chance is the number  one contemporary romance title on iBooks UK and number fourteen overall. This is so crazy, and exciting!

While I am working on the next book, I also thought that winter would be a good opportunity to go through my back catalogue, and tidy up anything that was missed back when I pressed the publish button. It would be a quiet time of year with not being able to go out and about with the bad weather, I thought, and I know that prior to Taking Chances, there was space for improvement. Though, I'm finding that sometimes, it doesn't matter how many pairs of eyes you have on something, little things still slip through.

It really doesn't seem so quiet right now. The beauty of e-books however, is that it's easy to fix those little things that bug us. I have a much stronger team of people helping me now than I did even six months ago, and going forward things will be even better!

When I started my self-publishing journey, I had no idea how amazing it would be. Eighteen months in, I have had the bitter disappointment of failure, the highs of success, and found some truly wonderful, caring, kind people along the way. I have been truly blessed.

And now, I'm going back to sleep. :)

Before I forget to post it here, Another Chance is currently on special at Amazon, B&N and iBooks for 99c.

It's featured on the iBooks Australia and New Zealand stores as part of a "home grown romance" promo!

http://bit.ly/1ik1uhs

In a week my baby turns three. It has been an awesome three years. I seem to be raising a strong, independent young lady. Sometimes it is a struggle at her age, but if she stays that way as she grows up, I will be so proud of her.

It was her birth that inspired me to write Charlotte's birth scene in Another Chance. I have told this story on the old blog before, but with my daughter's birthday coming up, it seemed a good idea to retell it.

I was hospitalised with high blood pressure, and they decided to monitor me overnight and go ahead with an induction in the morning. My husband went home for the night to get some sleep about ten o'clock and I tried to get some sleep.

I'd been getting the odd twinge during the evening, and it hadn't amounted to anything regular. About midnight, it started intensifying, but at about 12.20am I was in a lot of pain. When the midwife checked me, my baby was ready.

It was like one of those crazy scenes in the movies. I was in the assessment unit, but hospital policy was that you're supposed to be in a delivery room, so off I went.

The doors between the different areas were pushed open by the bed with a crash. It was like being in a TV show. Mostly what I remember is screaming at the midwife for them to call my husband. He never stood a chance of getting there in time.

After I moved from one bed to another (no mean feat when you're labouring and wanting desperately to push) I was given the go ahead to push.

Two pushes later, my daughter emerged. My memories of that are pretty fuzzy, but I do remember saying it was too fast and I as pretty sure I was in shock from the speed of it all.

We nicknamed her "pocket rocket" to start with. To this day she does everything with such insane energy, she just never stops.

I love her with all my heart, and I just want all her wishes to come true.

Happy Birthday, Megan. You are amazing. Love, Mummy.

I know I keep saying thank you to everyone, but I really mean it. From the bottom of my heart.

The reaction to Another Chance has been overwhelming, and I have said over and over again how grateful I am. Because I am.

I wrote Cassie's story for me, and it means a lot to me. If other people enjoy it, then I'm glad it's found a home in their hearts.

Today, Another Chance passed 5000 sales. That is huge and I never expected at this stage to hit a figure like that with one book.

So thank you yet again. I'll be working hard on Lauren's story now, and am going to work out the title and release date soon. I want to do her justice too; she has her own set of issues and her own happy ending to find.

Today I made a big change to the website. I wanted a clean, crisp look and the redesign leaves room for more content. Hopefully it's more tidy. :)

I hope everyone has had a good new year. Another Chance stayed at number one on iTunes Australia until this morning, and right now is still in the top three.

The last few days have been amazing, and I'm working on the follow up now. Lauren is a complex character, and I'm loving getting into her head.

I already said thank you on my Facebook page, but I can't express my gratitude enough for those who have bought my books, liked my Facebook page, followed on twitter, visited my website. You're all awesome.

2013 was a huge learning curve, and things will only get better from now on. I've tentatively approached a new editor, as I want to make sure what the readers get is the best I can possibly deliver and at times I have been disappointed at falling short in that regard.

It's a matter of finding the right people to work with, and I know I'm on the right track.

Other than Lauren's story, I still have Loving the Rake to complete. As my NaNoWriMo book, it's completed, but still needs editing and some corrections made. The basic plot will remain the same, and Robert and Eleanor will get their Happy Ever After.

I don't know how likely I am to write any more novellas, I like the longer size book and have an idea of what to do after Lauren's story and Loving the Rake. I'll be sticking to writing what I know, and continuing to try to write about regular people with regular problems.

As I think I've said before, while Another Chance is not autobiographical, I wrote about things that meant something to me. There are scenes in the book that did happen, just not quite in the way that I've written them. I knew people would struggle a bit with the birth scene, but I had a similar experience in a hospital where another friend had the last minute dash to the hospital.

Real life can be so much more interesting than fantasy. I'm not knocking anything else, as I love to get lost in a good story, whatever it's about.

For now, I'll be getting Lauren's story done (I'll be glad when I come up with a name for it) and clearing my backlog. 2014 is quickly shaping up to be as busy as 2013!

I am working on Lauren's story. It's been amazing delving back into these characters, and I can tell you, Mark is an awesome big brother.

Anyway I need some help. I have no idea what to call this book, though it would be nice to make it along the same lines as Another Chance. I've made an initial blurb if it helps, and I'll gladly take suggestions. If I pick your suggestion, I will give you a $10 Amazon Gift Card to say thanks!

---

Lauren and Mark Burrows lost their parents in a car accident one night. Despite their father being the drunk driver, both struggle with the urge to turn to drink. Lauren most of all. When all they have is each other, Lauren feels lost when Mark falls in love with Cassie Warren, and moves out.

Ethan Stone has been alone since his divorce. His ex-wife took him for as much as he could, and he feels empty and alone. He's not looking for love, but Lauren brings him back to life. The question is whether she can fight her demons for the man she loves.

---

This is subject to change, but shouldn't be too different. :)

A couple of days ago, my sales for Another Chance on Apple started going up randomly. I do not know what caused it, but I watched my book climb the top paid list in romance before following its progress on the overall store list in Australia.

Yesterday, as I celebrated my birthday Another Chance claimed the number one spot on the Australian iTunes store.

To say I'm excited is an understatement. For my story about a New Zealand girl, set in New Zealand to be successful in Australia is overwhelming. My Grandmother was Australian, and it's our nearest neighbour so it feels extra special that's where the book is doing well.

I am so very happy, and extremely grateful. A huge thank you to everyone who has purchased my book, it has made this now 40 year old mother very proud.

Another Chance was a real labour of love, a very personal book to me. I also want to give special mention to Sarah at Sprinkles On Top Studios for designing that beautiful cover. It's been a big part of the books success.

On other platforms it's selling well too, and I will end the year on a high. I guess it's time to get back to writing, Lauren is bugging me. ;)

I'm finishing up my Christmas story, but in the meantime here's a little something I wrote. If you've read Another Chance, you'll recognise the scene...

This is unedited and subject to editing but here is part of Lauren's story that I'm working on over Christmas.

--

    The following morning, she saw just how happy Mark was. She made him a coffee, black with no sugar deliberately as she knew that bugged him. Knowing Cassie had recently left, she entered his room with it, to find him lying in bed with that shit eating grin on his face. “Thought you might be needing this,” she said,
     “Thanks,” he replied, “I don’t feel too bad all things considered.”
     Lauren laughed. “If that’s what screwing someone much younger does to a hangover, I’ll have to keep an eye out for one for me.”
     He grinned. “She’s gorgeous, isn’t she? Just perfect.”
     “She’s a lovely girl, Mark. Is this going to be one of your fly by night stopovers or are you actually going to stick with this one for a while?”
     He took a sip of coffee and pulled a face. “If she’ll have me.”
     Lauren sat on the end of the bed. “I don’t believe it. The eternal bachelor Mark Burrows bowled over by a single mum. Are you sure this is a good idea? What if it blows up in your face, and you hurt her and the kid.”
     “The kid is pretty amazing too. Hell Lauren, I know I’m not perfect, but I would like to give this a go. Cassie deserves a man who will love her and take care of her and I’m pretty sure that’s something I can do.”
     “She’ll need more than pretty sure.”
     “Fine. Very sure. I’ve never wanted anything so much my whole life.”
     “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
     “Lauren, I’ve never felt this way about anyone. Not even when I was in that screwed up relationship with Jess all that time. Cassie makes me feel new, she has this energy for life that’s just so infectious. Working at her place, it just felt like I fit in. She’s normal, Lauren. No crazy drunken bullshit.”
     “I never thought you’d be interested in something other than what you always had.”
     “When I’m with her, I can see the future. Like everything I ever needed is in her. I probably just sound crazy.” He laughed, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
     “You sound like a man in love, big brother.”
     “Maybe I am. She’s just awesome, Lauren. Really sweet, and we got off to a bit of a weird start, but I think we’re on track now.”
     Lauren closed her eyes. As Cassie left, Lauren had put her foot in it, mentioning Mark’s habit of loving and leaving them. She opted not to tell him that.
     “That’s great Mark. I didn’t really get to talk much with her, but she looked nice.”
     “Nice doesn’t cover it. Last night was incredible.”
     “Too much information.”
     He grinned. “I don’t care. I want the world to know I’m crazy about Cassie Warren, and I think she really likes me too.”
     “Then I’m happy for you Mark, and I hope everything works out for you.”
     “You don’t think it will?”
     “Your track record isn’t that great. If you want to turn things around though, I believe in you big brother.”
     “Thanks, Lauren, that means a lot.”
     For the rest of the day he paced the house, annoying Lauren as she continued to clean up after the party.
     “You could help me, you know.”
     “Sorry. I’m just trying to stop myself going to see her.”
     “Well, go and bloody see her then.”
     “I don’t want to crowd her.”
     He met Lauren’s eye, and she saw the frustration on his face. “Mark, if she feels the same way, go and bug the shit out of her. She’ll love it. You don’t want her thinking you’re ignoring her.”
     Mark pulled a face. “I didn’t think of that. Is that what she’ll think?”
     “I don’t know. Either way you are wound so tight, I think you’d explode if I poked you.”
     To demonstrate, she poked him with her index finger. “Ouch,” he said, rubbing the side she had touched.
     Lauren laughed. “Oh for crying out loud Mark. Go and see the poor girl, put yourself out of your misery. Buy her flowers.”
     “Will there be a florist open at this time of day?”
     She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know. If you can’t find one, go to the supermarket. Might be a bit crap, but it’s the thought that counts.”
     Mark’s face finally cracked into a smile.
     “That’s better. Go get her.”
     “Yes boss.”
     “I expect a full report when I get back too. Leave nothing out.”
     He grinned. “I thought you said it was too much information this morning?”
     “Not that kind of report. Dick.”

Now I've got the blog here, I've closed the news page as it just seemed like a duplication. There was just this written here recently, so I'm moving it here!

10th December 2013

It's been a while since I put any updates here, and I thought with the holiday season coming up that I should put something up!

At the moment I'm working on my Christmas story. I thought hard about whether to do one or not, as I've already got a lot on my plate, but I always felt as if the Hot for the Boss books needed something more. I'll be looking at revamping the covers next year, but in the meantime I'll be releasing Christmas with the Boss in the next couple of weeks. There won't be any big buildup or cover release or anything, it's just a one off story that I'll put up when ready.

I've also got my NaNoWriMo book, "Loving The Rake" to finish editing and there's some tidy up on it. I wrote it by the seat of my pants so there are all kinds of things that aren't quite right, and I've taken it down off Smashwords for the meantime while I tidy it up for proper release. I'm thinking about making that one a freebie, just because of the way it was written. November was an insane month as I'd taken on the challenge of NaNoWriMo (writing 50,000 words in 30 days) while still finishing up Another Chance ready for release. I finished Loving The Rake on the last day of the challenge.

Next year is already booked up. Due to reader request, I've worked out a basic plot for a follow up to Another Chance, this time with Lauren's story. Initially it was around her falling in love, and getting her own happy ending, but I realised there is so much more to her story that I wanted to tell. I don't know how long it will be yet, but I'd like to cover from when her parents die, and Mark moves back in to look after her. What I do know is that we'll see her relationships with Mark, Cassie, Sophie, Patrick and Ethan.

There were also some other things that I've promised myself to do. Since I released The Sultan's Bride, I wanted to write a sequel. James, Catherine's son has his own story to be told and again I've worked out what that story will be. Soon, it will be time for the characters to write their story.

I had a lot of feedback about After The Fall and how with it being written in first person, we only get to see Natalie's perspective. What I would also like to do is to do a novella about Alex and his relationship with his father. How that came to be.

Then, there is my folder called story ideas which is growing all the time. All in all, it'll be a busy year for me in 2014!