Christmas....and a new book!

I love the cover of this book, THE FORBIDDEN INNOCENT - which is out in the UK now.

It's a book which has an interesting little back-story of it's own....

Last year I was lucky enough to be asked to speak at the Cheltenham Literary Festival (weirdly, I have given Nick Clegg a name check, in those faraway days when he was just another Lib-Dem politician who probably thought he'd never set foot in 10 Downing Street.....wouldn't life be peculiar if we could each look into a crystal ball?).

It was at Cheltenham that I had to talk about Jane Eyre (among other great classics) and had to hurriedly read it up beforehand. As a latecomer to the book, I completely fell in love with it - so much so, that when I mentioned this to one of our editors, she suggested I write a modern version for Harlequin Mills & Boon.

A daunting prospect! But what is life without challenge? So, I wrote the story of Ashley and Jack and the isolated and harsh landscape they inhabit. Some things about the story have changed to fit in with the times but I hope that the emotions are the same. A young, innocent girl who falls in love with a tortured man, with secrets he dare not share.....

I'd love to know what you think of it.

(CHEERY CHRISTMAS LOGO!)

And the photo featured below was taken by a pal who demanded I showcase it on my blog!

So here's a snowy fir, to get you in the mood for the festive season.

Are you knee-deep in wrapping paper?

Searching for those hidden presents and wondering where on earth you hid them?

Or have you given into the lure of the mince-pie?

Do tell what Christmas preparations take place in your part of the world.

Maybe you treat it as just another day....