Independent Releases for November

Talli Roland CONSTRUCT A COUPLE
ebook
£1.49
Is any relationship strong enough to survive a string of secrets?
www.talliroland.com

Mary Nichols THE DANBURY SCANDALS
ebook 
£2.17
When Maryanne Paynter is ten, her beloved mother dies and she is taken by her great uncle to live with the Reverend Mr Cudlipp at Beckford. Her life is unexceptional until, a little before her twenty-first birthday, Viscount Danbury takes her to Castle Cedars, the country estate of the Duke of Wiltshire where she is taken to see the Dowager Duchess. It is the beginning of a new and bewildering life, not made easier by old scandals and the occasional reappearance of the intriguing man she met in the wood, who seems to have a string of pseudonyms and disguises. There is mystery and danger, a proposal and more scandal and Maryanne, in the thick of it, does not know whom to trust. 
www.marynichols.co.uk

Susan Palmquist HOW TO WRITE A ROMANCE NOVEL
ebook
13th November
$4.99
Do you have an idea for a romance story but don’t know where to start? How To Write A Romance Novel will show you how to get ideas, shape them into a story that’s unique, and guide you on steps to creating memorable characters. It also covers two crucial aspects of the genre, emotion and sexual tension. Whether you want to write for Mills and Boon/Harlequin or pen more erotic stories like Fifty Shades of Grey, How To Write a Romance will get you started and help get you published.

http://susanpalmquist.com/how-to-writing-books/

Victoria Connelly Postcard from Venice and Other Stories
ebook
11 November
£1.59
The third collection of short stories by the author of A Weekend with Mr Darcy and The Runaway Actress.
www.victoriaconnelly.com

Liz Fielding A STRANGER'S KISS

eBook

7 November 2012

£2.55 (launch price 77p)

When Tara Lambert appeals for help from a stranger, it's an "out of the frying pan" moment and things go downhill from there when she encounters him for the second time.

http://lizfielding.blogspot.com

The RNA Winter Party Pictures

As always it was a glamourous evening in the IMEC Library...

(where possible I have named people and the their fabulous shoes....eyesight and names badges sometimes fail)

Judy Astley, John Astley and Brigid Coady

Fiona Harper

Lesley Cookman's shoes

Freda Lightfoot, Alison Morton and Myra Kersner

Freda's and Alison's shoes

Nikki Goodman and Sue Moorcroft's shoes

Mandy Baggot, Catherine Miller and Sue Fortin

Liz Fenwick's shoes

Carole Matthews and Charlotte Betts

Liz Gill, Anthea Kenyon, Anne Bennett

Eileen Ramsay's shoes

Tony Mulliken of Midas PR and Isobel Dixon of Blake Friedmann Literary Agency

Isobels's shoes

Gillen Green of Ebury, Emily Yau, Hannah Robinson

Alison Morton and Talli Roland

Rowan Coleman, Lizzy Kramer of David Highman and Carole Matthews

Debbie White, Celia Anderson, and Christine Stovell

Add caption

Val Loh and Vivienne Bass

Anthea Kenyon, Mary DeLazlo and Pia Christina Courtenay

Henri Gyland's boots

Pia Christina Courtenay's shoes

The library 

Kim Young's and Gillian Green's shoes

Jenny Barden's amazing tights and shoes

Liz Fenwick, Carole Blake of Blake Friedmann, Pia Christina Courtenay and Alison Morton

Gwyneth Williams

Rowan Coleman's Thoughts on Her First RNA Conference

Tamsyn Murray, Rowan Coleman and Cally Taylor

There are many reason why, after being a member of the RNA for ten years, the 2012 summer conference was my very first, and it has absolutely nothing to do with having recently had twin baby boys and needing some sleep. It’s a little bit that I’m quite shy about joining in, and that after spending a lot of time locked up in my office writing a novel and conversing mainly with under threes, when people do let me out in public I talk far too much and far too loudly without stopping to take a breath (some of you may have noticed that…).

However, after spending a weekend in Penrith I really do wonder why it’s taken me so long to go. What a wonderful time I had!

Before going I was a little alarmed by the kit that conference experts told me I should take, especially by Liz Fenwick’s twitter musings on whether or not to take wellies. I worried that I might be going to some sort of romance boot camp, and that there might be marching and maybe enforced group hugs. Well, I needn’t have worried, there were plenty of group hugs, but none of them enforced, and as lovely Miranda Dickinson said, what incredible value the conference brings. Not only a weekend away, with lovely people but the sheer volume of knowledge, expertise and experience concentrated in one place, is worth its weight in gold. Highlights were many, but my favourite were Talli Roland’s clever and incisive talk on online marketing, Tamsyn Murray, bringing me up to date on ‘going all the way’ in YA, Jenny Barden’s fascinating talk on researching historical romance, Kate Harrison’s pertinent discussion on the future of women’s fiction, and Julie Cohen turning a whole room of grown women into weeping wrecks in just over four minutes, with her Pixar presentation. And also the wonderful inspirational energy I got from an audience (and a very glamorous vending machine coffee in the rain) with the amazing Carole Mathews. Everyone I spoke to was so friendly and welcoming, but I especially enjoyed chatting to Freda Lightfoot and Nell Dixon who were so generous with their knowledge and insight.

It’s an incredible feat of organisation, and I am in awe by the fantastic job that Jan Jones did, I still owe her a very large glass of wine for putting up with me and all my questions with unfailing good grace (sorry I didn’t find you at the right time, Jan). Over all I came back from Penrith feeling like part of a family, which of course I’ve been a member of for a long time, but now I know exactly how wonderful it is. And next time I shall endeavour to do better with my shoes, as the ones I took this time were all together too sensible. 

Rowan's latest book...

'You are a remarkable woman and you deserve all the happiness, contentment and love in the world. I, for one, know that I have never met anyone quite like you.'

When Rose Pritchard turns up on the doorstep of a Cumbrian B&B it is her last resort. She and her seven-year-old daughter Maddie have left everything behind. And they have come to the village of Millthwaite in search of the person who once offered Rose hope.

Almost immediately Rose wonders if she's made a terrible mistake - if she's chasing a dream - but she knows in her heart that she cannot go back. She's been given a second chance - at life, and love - but will she have the courage to take it?

Out 27 September 2012

About Rowan...

Rowan Coleman grew up in Hertfordshire longing to be a writer despite battling with dyslexia. After graduating from university she worked in bookselling and publishing for seven years before winning Company Magazine Young Writer of the Year in 2001. Her first novel 'Growing Up Twice' was published in 2002.

Rowan has gone on to write twelve novels for adults including the international bestsellers 'The Accidental Mother, The Baby Group' and 'The Accidental Wife' and eight novels for children and teens, including the paranormal adventure novels Nearly Departed and Immortal Remains under the name Rook Hastings. Her books are published around the world in several different languages and her latest book 'Dearest Rose' is out in September 2012. She now lives in Hertfordshire with her husband, and four children and is working on her next novel. 

Rowan will be teaching at the Faber Academy Get It Written

June Independent Releases

Anita Burgh OVERTURES

e-book. Kindle

£2.58

The worlds of opera and pop collide when sibling rivalry takes over.

http://www.anitaburgh.com

http://www.anitaburgh.blogspot.com

Talli Roland CONSTRUCT A COUPLE

ebook

£1.49

Is any relationship strong enough to survive a string of secrets?

www.talliroland.com

Lindsay Townsend THE ENGLISH DAUGHTER

ebook

£2.99

Corfu is a sunny, charming Greek island, but for Val Baker it is dark with secrets.

http://www.lindsaytownsend.net

Fenella J Miller THE DUKE'S REFORM

e-book

£1.01

Can Alexander, The Duke of Rochester, prove he's a changed man and win back his bride?

Gwen Kirkwood FAIRLYDEN

Ebook

Sandy Logan has promised Mattie’s father he will take care of her. Although she is deaf he loves her and plans to marry her when she is old enough but the laird takes over, promising her to a rapacious neighbour to buy the man’s silence. Sandy and Mattie flee from the glen leaving their possessions. They find refuge in the derelict farm of Fairlyden.

www.gwenkirkwood.co.uk

http://gwenkirkwood.blogspot.com

Gwen Kirkwood MISTRESS OF FAIRLYDEN

ebook

Sarah Fairly is happy at Fairlyden but her husband is ashamed when his eldest son is born with twisted feet. He is bored with farm life and sets up a precarious business, but his partner dies and his attractive widow poses a problem for Sarah, coping with a growing family, financial hardship and a secret she dare not share. She finds herself drawn to Crispin Bradshaw, owner of a Yorkshire woollen mill, whose father has bought the Fairlyden estate.

www.gwenkirkwood.co.uk

http://gwenkirkwood.blogspot.com

Gwen Kirkwood FAMILY AT FAIRLYDEN

ebook

In 1906, Beth Jamieson’s mother dies. She is a loveable child and her father is the main man at Fairlyden. Sarah Fairly treats Beth as part of her family but her daughter, Sadie is viciously jealous. Logan, Sarah’s youngest son, is Beth’s childhood friend. As they grow older love makes the teenagers inseparable, but war is declared and Logan must leave Fairlyden to fight in France. The lovers cannot foresee what lies ahead. No one knows who will inherit Fairlyden.

www.gwenkirkwood.co.uk

http://gwenkirkwood.blogspot.com

Gwen Kirkwood FAIRLYDEN AT WAR

ebook

It is the 1930’s men are desperate for work. Fairlyden has survived due to Logan and Beth. Their daughter, Kirsty, is proud of her father’s achievements but her brother, Luke is afraid of animals and his fear leads to tragedy.

James MacFarlane has spent his formative years learning all he can from Logan but he chooses to live Nithanvale, the Fairly family’s greatest rival. Kirsty feels betrayed. Her own responsibilities are heavy. When war breaks out, evacuees arrive at Fairlyden, and a greedy official tries to deprive her of the farm, but she retains her pride and her sense of humour.

www.gwenkirkwood.co.uk

http://gwenkirkwood.blogspot.com

RNA Conference 2011: Talli Roland Summarises... In Shoes

After a frantic week editing, I couldn't wait to head to the wilds of Wales for a weekend full of food, wine and fun. Oh yes, and fantastic writing advice. My first conference last year in Greenwich was a blast, and I was super keen to get out of the house and drink. (Did I mention I'd been editing?) And if you're looking for drink, there's really no better place than a romantic novelists' convention. Compared to others there (you know who you are!), I'm a lightweight. I can only aspire to such imbibing greatness.

Many have already written fantastic conference posts and since, at heart, I'm basically a very shallow and materialistic individual, I thought I would summarise my conference experience in shoes.

Friday morning, I braved the rain and boarded a train from Paddington to Newport wearing the shoes above. Practical for training, and ideal for puddle-jumping. Although the sky cleared around Bristol, as I zipped under the Severn and emerged in Wales, the heavens opened yet again. No matter -- a nice lunch at a golf course with a friend (who twisted my arm to indulge in a large Pinot) and several failed attempts to convince the waiter to purchase a Kindle, and the weekend was off to a flying start.

Conference shoes must be high-heeled and ultimately quite uncomfortable, and these high heels certainly filled that role. After checking in and getting settled in my dorm, I scurried over to register, slightly anxious I wouldn't see anyone I knew.

I needn't have worried. Instantly I spotted people I recognised from Twitter, Facebook, the last conference... I'd forgotten how lovely and friendly everyone is. It was amazing to see so many friends again and meet people for the first time. I didn't even feel the pain in my feet! Copious amount of wine were downed that night at the bar and the chatter and laughing continued.

With my feet smarting from the night before, I was only too happy to don this pair of relatively low-heeled shoes for Saturday and Sunday. Despite my slight hangover and zombie-like appearance, Saturday passed in a blur of fantastic sessions and speakers. One of the things I love about the RNA is that no matter how successful and experienced authors are, they always take the time to interact with aspiring writers and those just starting out in their publishing career, like me.

Party time! Yes, the time had come to don my lovingly purchased turquoise frock, slide my feet into these killer shoes (in more ways than one) and drink as much wine as I could. It's safe to say a good time was had by all, except my liver, which is still in recovery. The Gala was fabulous and everyone scrubbed up very nicely. I was particularly chuffed to have a lovely late-night conversation with the fabulous and talented Miranda Dickinson and Ruth Saberton, despite the fact that I was practically swaying on my feet and almost slobbered all over them in my delight.

Sunday afternoon rolled around far too quickly and I hopped (well, stumbled) on board the train back to reality. A big shout-out to Jan Jones and Roger Sanderson for being organisers extraordinaire, and to all the ladies of the RNA for being so wonderful!

Talli Roland blogs here and tweets here. She is already training her liver for Penrith.

RNA Conference 2011 - Ruth Long Talks About Refilling The Cup

Alison Maynard, Talli Roland, Ruth Long

Yesterday I confessed to my Weight Watcher’s leader that this week wouldn’t be a very good one.

I hung my head and said “I was away at a writers’ conference in Wales” and she smiled, added the extra pounds to my record and asked “Are you a writer?”

A question which always makes me beam with joy.

“Yes. I was at the Romantic Novelists' Association Annual Conference.”

“Good,” she said. “You were refilling the cup.”

The long weekend away (starting with a fairly panicky discovery that the bus stop for the airport coach was no longer the bus stop for the airport coach, running up the road to suspected location of new bus stop, to have the bus driver say calmly “I would have stopped for you”, kindly without adding “mad panicking lady”... ahem...) was a chance to get away without being the person with the full time job who writes in the evening, and away from being wife and mother (much as I adore my family). It was time to be me without being responsible for anyone else at all. For many of us, I think, to have a few days where you can just be a writer, and spend that time in the company of other writers is beyond value.

On Friday morning, following the goodie-bag stuffing circuit, we visited the Roman Legion museum and if there are a large number of Roman Britain set novels next year, it’s not entirely my fault for instigating the trip – the ladies from Mira mentioned Romans too. We had a lovely lunch in the Priory during which the waiters told us (thanks to Kate Johnson’s fantastic t-shirt) that they were delighted to see what a Romantic Novelists looks like. We pointed out there were seven of us. They ran away. It rained and rained but we didn’t care.

There were so many lightbulb moments for me over the weekend I couldn’t hope to account for them all here.

The description workshop, the regency prints, the pitch/angle talk... But above all one of the great things about this conference is the social aspect. No, not just the wine. (Although there was wine). There was also the opportunity to support friends going into pitches, to chat about the voices-in-head phenomenon without people’s eyes glazing over while they reach for the phone to dial 999, and the opportunity to generally hang out and have fun.

There was as mentioned above more than one opportunity to drink wine, laugh a lot, and keep my sci-fi spurs by knowing about the Orgasmatron in Barbarella in the quiz. And to enjoy the bewildered and slightly terrified expression of every one of the male cyclists also staying at Caerleon campus as they walked into the bar and saw us all there. Bless them, they even tried turning up the volume on the TVs so they could hear. Aww...

Lisa Bodenham and Kate Johnson

A few people have mentioned the bar being closed before the gala dinner, but no one has touched on the sheer Night-of-the-Living-Dead-ness of it all when the security staff were back there, trying to turn on the TVs rather than open the bar and we all surged forwards en mass. One of my flatmates (she knows who she is) said “These heels are pretty sharp. I reckon I could batter my way through the metal shutters if necessary”
.

Ah, romance novelists. The newspapers really have no idea. J

So after a few “Oh my God, it’s 4am”‘s in the naughty kitchen, a hangover to rival any I’ve had before, and a four hour wait at an airport, what do I take away from the Conference this year?

The sure and certain knowledge that my cup of inspiration, friendship, celebration and the sheer joy of spending time with other writers is not only refilled, it’s positively brimming over.

R.F. Long always had a thing for fantasy, romance and ancient mysteries. The combination was bound to cause trouble. In university she studied English Literature, History of Religions and Celtic Civilisation, which just compounded the problem. She writes fantasy (The Scroll Thief, Songs of the Wolf) and paranormal romance (Soul Fire) or whatever else the voices tell her to.

Her dark contemporary YA fantasy The Treachery of Beautiful Things will be available from Dial Books for Young Readers in August 2012.

Her website is www.rflong.com and she can be found on Twitter as @RFLong.

She works in a library of rare and unusual books. But they don’t talk to her that often. Or she’s learning to ignore them.