Wednesday 15 December 2010

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....




9 comments:

  1. Gorgeous cover Sharon! I'll look out for it on the shelves. Caroline x

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  2. Excellent photo, Sharon. Love the snow-covered fir...and the scarf!

    There are only 10 days 'til Christmas and I am in a full-tilt Christmas frenzy. Although keeping my holiday spirits up is a bit of a challenge; this morning's temperature was 0 degrees (F). I don't mind the snow - it's festive. It's the bitter cold that seems to sap my good cheer.

    I finished my Christmas gift shopping this morning. My father is no longer able to drive, so I stopped by my parents' home and picked up mom. We finished our shopping together. It was great fun and I felt like a kid again.

    My parents' home will be filled with family and the laughter of young children on Christmas Eve. I'm looking forward to it as I did when I was much younger. That - to me - is the magic of Christmas.

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  3. Delish pic, Sharon!

    And the new book sounds very exciting. I did Jane Eyre for one of the English Lit exams, (can't remember which one!)and the hero had a very dark secret indeed ...

    Have given into Christmas cheer and had a piping hot mince pie with clotted cateream at Chesapeake Mill in Wickham. Trout in the stream, tons of antiques and sweet,warm pastry. Almost as scrummy as you look in that scarf.

    Lots of love,

    Rach.
    XX

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  4. I meant to say 'clotted cream', not cateream! Time to log off an have some mulled wine!

    R
    X

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  5. Christmas preparations Down Under? ... easy - fire up the barbie and crack open some tinnies! (as above)

    And Oprah's going to be the angel on the top of the tree this year.

    J x

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  6. I have been lucky enough to read the book already and thought it was great (though I may be biased!)... Well done, Mumma! And Merry Christmas everyone! xxx

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  7. Thank you, everyone - and Dan - you paint a scene of your Chicago Christmas (could be a good book title!) very well.

    And thanks for the lovely (unbiased, I'm sure!) comments about my book, Celia - who I know has been struck down by some horrible bug.....GET WELL SOON!

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  8. I can't wait to read this one! :) xx

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  9. Hello Darling from your favorite cousins!!! all down here in Dorset having spent New Year together with Janey,loving your website we are so proud of you darling we should all book ourselves on one of your writing courses in Tuscany WOW!! what a "RIOT" that would be!!! We all sat and read your book out loud last night!! ummmmm pretty steamy we thought!!! loving the romance. Happy New Year form us all.xxxxxxxxxx

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