It’s been ages since my last post, but there’s a good reason. Last October I was approached about writing an Allegra Fairweather novella. I leaped at the opportunity to be included in an anthology to mark the second anniversary of Carina Press in June 2012.

I figured I had plenty of time to write the novella, but life threw me some curved balls. First I received some major edits for a novel, which chewed up four weeks of the time I had to write the novella. Then there was Christmas. Afterwards, it was head down tail up until the novella was complete. I’d barely handed in the first round of edits, when I received the second round of edits for both the novella and the novel. No problem…until I hurt my back and was confined to bed for three days. Yikes! Thank heavens for osteopaths. The second round of edits for both works were handed in on time. Phew!

And that, my friends, is a full and true account of why I haven’t blogged in -ahem – a long time.

Soon I’ll be able to give more details about release dates and titles for both the novel and the novella. It’ll be totally thrilling to have two Allegra Fairweather stories released in 2012.

My favourite moments of 2011:

Professionally:
a) The release of my second book.
b) The acceptance of my third book.
c) A special invitation that I’ll write more about in 2012.
d) Romance Writers of Australia’s conference in Melbourne where I lunched with other Carina Press authors and Angela James.

Personally:
a) A wonderful holiday at Port Macquarie and the Hunter Valley. We got a week of really great weather. Lots of fab food and wine. I had my first pedicure and ended up with bright pink toenails. A few flecks of polish still remain.
b) Seeing Jersey Boys. Great music. Great performances.
c) Reading lots of amazing books. My favourite read of 2011 was Deliriumby Lauren Oliver.

Now it’s time to wish everyone a wonderful 2012 full of amazing experiences.

Happy New Year!

to everyone. We’ll be having a typical Aussie Christmas with prawns and steak on the BBQ, cold salads, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers. Maybe a beer or two as well.

No matter what you celebrate this season, I hope it will be filled with peace, joy and love.

Big hugs,
Janni.

blogged about some more great books I’ve read.

1. The Illusion of Murder by Carol McCleary – a wonderful historical mystery.

2. Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter. I got this as a freebie and didn’t think it would be my kind of thing. I loved it!!! Must get more by this author.

3. Tell Tale by Sam Hayes. This author just gets better and better. Total bliss is knowing I have another of her books in my TBR pile.

It’s been so long since I’ve blogged. I’ve been hard at work on edits for Allegra 3 plus submitting a synopsis for another story. Then I had a holiday. Several days in Port Macquarie followed by a few days in the Hunter Valley one of my favourite places in the world. The Bloke and I had a wonderful relaxing time. We walked, we ate, we tasted wine, we ate, we read, we ate. While The Bloke caught up with a business acquaintance, I visited a day spa for a massage and pedicure. I now have shiny pink toenails.

A restaurant called The Stunned Mullet was highly recommended. Wow! Once of the best meals I’ve ever eaten! I started with the king prawns followed by duck. Those dishes were so good, I had to have a dessert of creme brulee. The whole meal was sooooo good I basically spent the whole night doing that Meg Ryan thing from When Harry Meet Sally. If you’re ever in Port Macquarie you have to try this place. The Bloke claims it serves the best salt and pepper squid he’s ever had.

Tess Gerriten’s  The Mephisto Club was another terrific read by this author. I’m reading her books out of order, but it doesn’t matter. Love ‘em.

Dead Silence by Shirley Wells. This is the second in the Dylan Scott series and even better than the first book. I’m really looking forward to the third installment.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver. Wow! Great story, great characters. And the best part about it? There’s going to be a sequel.

I caught up with the latest Mr & Mrs Darcy mystery, The Intrigue at Highbury by Carrie Bebris. This is a great addition to a great series. The inclusion of Emma Woodhouse Knightley was an absolute treat.

The Fame Factor by Polly Courtney. I love this author’s voice and thoroughly enjoyed this story of the misadventures of a singer.

I’m totally delighted that the third book in the Allegra Fairweather series has been accepted by Carina Press.  No word on publication date yet. Watch this space…

Since completing the third manuscript in the Allegra Fairweather series, I’ve been catching up on my reading. I’ve tried some authors I’d never read before, and revisited some old favourites. Here are a few of the books I’ve loved.

Unspoken by Sam Hayes. Wow, what an amazing thriller! Different and beautifully written. I had the best time reading this. Gotta get more by this author. Now!

Who wouldn’t want to spend A Weekend with Mr Darcy?  This delightful book by Victoria Connelly is set at a Jane Austen conference. Lots of references to Austen and her books plus not one but two romances.  Great fun!

Secrets of the Tudor Court by Darcey Bonnette. Sure it covers tried and true historical ground, but the voice is great and the story just zips along. Thoroughly enjoyable.

More secrets. This time Secret of the Sands by Sara Sheridan. This historical was a little bit different. Set in Arabia in the nineteenth century, it took me on a journey I wasn’t expecting. I had an absolute ball. Can’t wait to get a hold of more of this author’s books .

And now for an old favourite. I love Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey novels and The Dark Enquiry didn’t disappoint. I had such a great time hanging out with Lady J, Brisbane and the rest of their family.

So, dear blog reader, what have you been reading? Anything you can recommend?

I’m exhausted. Duh! But what a way to go. I had the best time. Bob Mayer’s workshop was terrific – so much interesting information. The highlight was the pics of those gorgeous labs.

The Harlequin dinner and lunch with Carina Press were wonderful. So great to meet all those fab people.

I also met some lovely newbies who were attending their very first conference. On ya ladies. Hope you had a ball.

That all sounds so rosy and wonderful, I should probably quit while I’m ahead and ride into the sunset. However, in the interests of total honesty, I’ll go on…

I actually suck at social interaction (let’s not call it intercourse). If there’s something dumb to be said, I’ll say it. If there’s something to trip over, I’ll trip over it. If I smile, there’ll be something green stuck in my teeth.

I suck at talking to editors, which is why I’ve never done a face-to-face pitch. I’ll either clam up or be so effusive they’ll run screaming from the room. Do not – I repeat do not – speak to editors after 4 glasses of champagne.

But…

I’m trying to improve. At the next conference, I aim to say one less dumb thing. I aim to look where I’m going. (Yeah, good luck with that one.) And the thing stuck in my teeth won’t be green,  but a tasteful shade of beige.

This week I’m off to the Romance Writers of Australia’s conference. It’s in Melbourne this year, which is a city I don’t know very well. Let me out of the hotel and I won’t find my way back for weeks. Just as well there won’t be time for me to wander too far. I have a pretty packed schedule of workshops to attend from the published author day to Bob Mayer’s workshop to catching up with old friends and making new ones.

I’m always up for a glass of champagne and the cocktail party never disappoints. This year the party’s theme is 1920′s so I’m packing a pink feather boa and beads. Then there’s the awards dinner – last year two people from my crit group won major awards. 

This is the first time I’ve been invited to the Harlequin dinner and I’m totally blown away. Bet I’ll be so excited I wont’ be able to eat a thing.

Okay, now I’m off to start packing.