A Day Off...

Yesterday, I turned in the manuscript of my latest Mills & Boon Modern Romance, provisionally entitled Fire and Ice. As my editor is taking a few days well earned rest, today I squeezed in a sneaky day away from the computer. That meant spending some time in the garden. I'd love to say this is a picture of my handiwork, but sadly, it isn't! I also went for a nice long walk, listening out for the cuckoo. No luck - the wind is still a bit chilly for him. I've been trying to walk a minimum of twelve thousand steps per day to counteract the time I spend sat at the keyboard, but it's hard work! I need lots of encouragement, and with the beautiful river Wye 3,500 steps away (a figure burned into my brain), that's one obvious target. Unfortunately, to get there I have to pass the only shop for miles around. It sells chocolate.
Enough said...

Starting All Over Again!

I've just finished the first draft of a new Modern Romance. There are always mixed feelings when I type those two little words 'The End' at the foot of a final page. First there's the little flush of pleasure that comes from inventing a whole world in fifty thousand words. Then there's the tinge of sadness as I face saying goodbye to a hero and heroine that I've been living with night and day, waking and sleeping, for  several months. That's soon replaced by the thought of starting all over again with a new couple. Looking around for inspiration is always an exciting time. It can strike at any time - when I overhear a snatch of conversation, see someone with Alpha potential, or while I'm on the school run. Not that I get much time to daydream. There's the next draft of my current work in progress, tentatively called Fire and Ice, to polish!

Great News!

Photo: Ian Britton

I've just had another Christina Hollis book accepted by Harlequin Mills and Boon! The Weight Of The Crown will be published in the autumn of this year (2011) and it marks a bit of a departure for me. It's set in the beautiful little desert country of Rosara, whose regent, Lysander, is drawn to the one woman in the world who fights his animal attraction. That makes her a challenge Lysander can't resist. Alyssa is already suffering from a broken heart when she arrives to work for Lysander, so she's never going to fall for a man with his reputation. She won't give in, but he won't give up - so something (or someone!) has to change.
The freedom to invent my own country in Rosara was amazing. Much as I loved writing about it, I wouldn't want to live in a desert land. England is such a place of contrasts, my heart will always be here.  At the moment we're creeping out from under the worst winter we've had for years, but the sight of early spring flowers like snowdrops, aconites and witch hazel is a lovely contrast to all the gloom. Just like reading romance!

Here, There and Everywhere...

Happy New Year - how are you getting on with all those resolutions? January can be dark and dreary but I've got lots of things to look forward to this month.  My latest Harlequin Presents Extra Title, The Master of Bella Terra, is released in the US and I'm blogging to celebrate it. 
On Wednesday, January 5th I'll be at http://www.iheartpresents.com 
On Saturday, January 8th I'll be at http://www.pinkheartsociety.blogspot.com
On Sunday, January 9th I'll be posting at http://www.authorsoundrelations.blogspot.com
I'd love you to drop by and maybe post a comment!

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a lovely Christmas break, and that you're now looking forward to a happy, peaceful and productive New Year! 

January 2011 sees my latest book, The Master of Bella Terra, released in the US as a Presents Extra. I'll be blogging this month at IHeartPresents (http://www.iheartpresents.com) on Wednesday, January 5th, at the Pink Heart Society (http://pinkheartsociety.blogspot.com) on Saturday 8th January and Author Sound Relations (http://authorsoundrelations.blogspot.com) on Sunday 9th January, and I'd love you to drop by.

Competition Winners!

Congratulations to Beth and Kelly, who won first and second prizes respectively in my Christmas Competition. I've already emailed you both, separately. Thanks to all who entered!

We've been snowed in for the last week, and everywhere looked so pretty. With the lane impassable to traffic, it's been very quiet. The only sounds have been deer moving through the wood, and squirrels scampering through the branches. Then yesterday it began to thaw, but a penetrating frost overnight turned even the cleared tracks glassy with black ice. Getting to church was a challenge - half a mile down a slippery slope, then a quarter of a mile up a steeper one, but it was worth it to see the second candle lit on the Advent wreath. 

Remember, Remember - My Blogging Schedule

To celebrate the UK launch of The Italian's Blushing Gardener I'm blogging over on http://jauntyquills.com on Friday, 5th November and my monthly slot at http://www.authorsoundrelations.blogspot.com is on Sunday 14th. Then on 17th November I'm being interviewed by the Minxes on http://minxesofromance.blogspot.com. I'd really love you to drop by and post a comment, for the usual bribe of a signed copy!