Things I’ve been learning

Since I last blogged, a couple of months ago, I’ve been on a bit of a learning curve. A month before Christmas, a slight on and off ache in my back, became an insistent scream. I rested up, did all the things that generally worked for me and… nothing did. So, with a book to finish and Christmas to organise, I did what any responsible person would do. I panicked.

And, of course, the book was finished (due mainly to a great deal of support and patience from the Eds), and Christmas happened (much as it does every year). And my back still hurt.

As they always do, friends stepped in. After meeting up for tea, Kate (Hardy) and Annie (O’Neil) practically broke the internet with a blizzard of supportive emails. I embarked on yet another mission to find out exactly what the problem was, and found myself prodded, scanned and asked to stand on one leg rather a lot. And then the verdict came back. I didn’t have a bad back at all. I wasn’t slowing down due to an accumulation of birthdays, or stiffening up because of hours spent typing. It’s all due to an old injury to my hip.

Because this had been going on for years, there were quite a few other things, which had developed so slowly that I simply hadn’t noticed them. I was genuinely surprised to find that I can’t walk in a straight line (despite being stone cold sober 🙂 ) Little things, which happen over time to many people, but hearing them all in the space of five minutes was a bit of a shock to the system.

The good news is that it can all be fixed. It’ll take a while, but that’s okay, because the hope is that I won’t just be back to normal, I’ll be a lot better than normal. So I’m looking forward to being able to do a Wonder Woman twirl by next Christmas!

And what have I learned? The first lesson is thankfulness – I’m so lucky that medical expertise and science has done its best for me, and that all this is reversible. I’ve learned, yet again, to be grateful for the support of family and friends. I’ve learned how much I love writing (and in the pursuit of that, that not all office chairs are the same…). And I’ve learned that sometimes the best thing it’s possible to do, is just to stop. Look again at what you’ve been told, and what you thought you knew. Learn.

Is there something you’ve learned lately? I have a feeling that we never really run out of things to learn, and that comes as something of a relief to me 🙂 Or perhaps, like me, you have something to be thankful for. I’d love to hear about it!

Advertisements

Maple Island (Excerpt)

I’m posting an excerpt today from my latest release, Resisting her English Doc.  As this is the second book, of a four book series, I’ve chosen two short passages from the middle of the book, which mentions the heroes and heroines from the three other books in the Maple Island quartet.

So – just to set the scene – everyone on Maple Island has gathered together for the Fright Night, in the Library, which has been organised by Pamela Vandenberg, the librarian, and Fleur Miller, the heroine of my book.  She’s taken Dr Rick Fleming and his daughter Ellie along, and they get a chance to rub shoulders with Alex and Maggie (Annie O’Neil’s hero and heroine, from Book 1), Rafael and Summer (Karin Baine’s hero and heroine, from Book 3) and Cody (Susan Carlisle’s hero from Book 4).  Annie, Karin and Susan all chose their characters’ costumes for the event.

We also meet Salty Harrington – who was the hero of the hour when he helped save two children from a stranded ferry.  He’s the Clinic’s most awkward patient, and his story runs through all four of the books.

Next week we’ll be blogging again about Maple Island, so please drop in again, to have a chance to win one or more of the books in this four book series!  But in the meantime, please meet the Maple Island cast and crew.

 

Salty Harrington was parked in one corner in his wheelchair, in charge of storytelling, and Ellie had run off to join the circle of children around him. A cocked hat, an eye patch and a wicked-looking cutlass were all that Salty needed to look exactly like a pirate. Fleur had left Rick’s side, to speak with a mummy who he guessed was Pamela, although it was difficult to tell under all those bandages. A taller mummy, who arrived with drinks for them both, and pressed his bandaged mouth against Pamela’s bandaged cheek, must be her husband.

The clinic staff were out in force, along with a few of the patients. Summer Ryan, the daycare assistant, was dressed as a white witch, complete with a basket of fragrant herbs. And the new spinal surgeon, Dr. Rafael Valdez, wore an immaculate dark suit and top hat, his face painted to resemble a skull, with intricate traceries of black and red on his cheeks and forehead. His little daughter Gracie was clinging to his hand, dressed as a fairy princess. Rick smiled. If Ellie was anything to go by, three-year-old girls rarely wanted to dress as anything else.

Wondering what Salty was filling the children’s heads with, he wandered over. Ellie was sitting cross-legged on the floor with a dozen others, drinking in the story.

“Are there trolls on the ship, Uncle Salty?” One of two identically dressed trolls, with pointed hats and patchwork jerkins over colored leggings and boots, piped up.

“Every ship has trolls, little ’un.Two trolls together is especially lucky.” The two little girls squealed with delight, and Rick saw Cody’s head turn at the sound of his daughters’ voices. It seemed that Cody’s imagination had been exhausted by finding costumes for his girls, and he’d come in a surgical mask and gown, looking exactly the same as he did most days at the clinic.

“No doctors in fancy weskits, though…” Rick jumped as Salty singled him out for comment and grinned, moving away. Clearly Salty had had his fill of doctors today.

Fleur was still talking to Pamela and Rick made his way over to the drinks table, accepting a fizzing purple concoction from a red-haired Bigfoot in a leather jacket. Tonight was going to be an interesting night.

*****

“Where’s Pamela?” Rick looked around.

“She was dreadfully nervous about this evening and ended up downing one too many of those purple cocktails. Her husband’s taken her off for a lie-down in the family pyramid.”

“She needn’t have worried. Tonight was amazing.” The library looked even spookier now that it was empty. Long, dark shadows, one of which seemed to be moving…

“Hey, you two. Take it home…” Fleur called out laughingly, and when Rick focused more carefully, he could make out two figures. Zombie superheroes, the tallest of whom had his cloak wrapped around the smaller one’s shoulders, were busy smudging each other’s face paint.

“Fabulous party, Fleur. Goodnight.” Maggie’s voice emanated from the smaller zombie, as she led Alex from the shadows. Rick and Alex exchanged a gruff “See you at work” and Fleur closed the library doors behind them.

“I’ll just check there’s no one else here and lock up.” Fleur flipped on the overhead lights, and suddenly the artistry of the decorations became apparent. Floating cobwebs, a few torn and painted sheets and cleverly placed lighting were all that she’d needed to turn the library into a place of shadows.

January New Releases

Happy New Year to all our lovely readers! We hope your break was restful and that you’re ready for a whole new year of fabulous medical romances.

6 bright and sparkly books for January AND a discount code to use on the Harlequin website for today, Jan 4th. Did you know you can buy digital copies direct from the Harlequin website as well as print? (If you click on the image below it will take you directly to the medical romance page!)

A Nurse to Heal His Heart by Louisa George

She makes him feel alive again

But can he heal her heart too?

Single dad GP Joe Thompson’s priorities are his daughter and his patients. It might’ve earned him a brooding reputation, but since losing his wife romance has been off-limits…until he meets locum nurse Rose McIntyre! Her warm smile and live-for-the-moment attitude soothe a pain Joe believed would never fade. But can Joe stop Rose running from her own secrets…and find comfort in his arms?

Resisting Her English Doc by Annie Claydon (Single Dad Docs)

Running from her past…

Towards a future together?

In this Single Dad Docs story, recovering from career-ending injuries, dancer Fleur Miller is impatient to get off Maple Island. But handsome new arrival, English doctor Rick Fleming seems determined to push her buttons! The island Fleur once called home now only holds painful memories, but her intense connection with single dad Rick soon challenges Fleur to reimagine life on the island — with a family of her own.

Tempted By Her Single Dad Boss by Annie O’Neil (Single Dad Docs)

Her off-limits boss…

Is worth breaking the rules for!

In this Single Dad Docs story, physiotherapist Maggie Green’s instant attraction to her buttoned-up new boss Dr. Alex Kirkland might be against the rules, but since becoming an amputee she’s determined to live life to the fullest—including embarking on a fling! As their chemistry intensifies, Alex and his adorable son’s acceptance of Maggie for who she is makes her long for something she never thought possible: a family.

The Surgeon’s One Night to Forever by Ann McIntosh

He’ll settle for nothing less

After years of watching her mother’s gullible heart drive her from one man to the next, Laurel has decided to marry for sensible reasons. She doesn’t believe in fairy tales, knights in shining armour or happy endings.

So, when her ‘safe’ fiancée breaks up with her on the night of their engagement party, she’s surprised to be rescued by her own knight, Reece Harrington. Laurel has always avoided the attraction between her and Reece. He wants way more than Laurel can give—total possession…!

Twins On Her Doorstep by Alison Roberts

A knock at the door…

Will change her life!

After the heartbreak of losing her husband and baby, GP Sophie Bradford donated her eggs hoping to bring happiness to another couple, instead. Then Dr. Finn Connelly arrives on her doorstep with his orphaned nieces — and her biological twin girls! Sophie had vowed never to risk creating another family, but Finn and her adorable little daughters start to melt the ice around her heart…

Their Unexpected Babies by Louisa Heaton

From irresistible attraction…

To ready-made family!

After her best friend agrees to be her surrogate, Dr. Leah Hudson’s dream of being a mom is finally coming true! But throwing caution to the wind for one night with sexy Dr. Ben Willoughby has shocking consequences…Leah’s pregnant! Now, with two babies depending on her, Leah must push her feelings for committed bachelor Ben aside, unless he proves that Leah and the babies can depend on him.

November New Releases!

Six shiny new Medical Romances, for November, including the first two stories from Hope Children’s Hospital!

 A Daddy Sent by Santa, by Susan Carlisle

When a small-town mom…

Falls for a big-city doc…

Nurse Lauren Wilson is used to doctors coming and going in her Oklahoma town — and doesn’t expect prestigious Boston doc Paxton Samuels to be any different. Until they’re snowed in together and their sensual tension reaches boiling point! But knowing Paxton is due to leave after the festive season, can Lauren risk giving him her heart and her little boy a daddy for Christmas?

 

 

Midwife Under the Mistletoe, by Karin Baine

A kiss under the mistletoe…

A family for Christmas?

GP Fraser McColl longs to be part of a loving family, but past experience has taught him he’s better off alone. Only, thrown together with gorgeous yet guarded midwife Iona Munro, to care for two children at Christmas, he’s tempted to believe in miracles… After one passionate night together, can he persuade Iona that they deserve a lifetime of happiness—together?

 

 

 

Firefighter’s Christmas Baby, by Annie Claydon

A festive fling…

With consequences!

Firefighter Ben Matthews is committed to his job above all else since his last relationship ended badly. Until he meets alluring and fiercely independent paramedic Callie Walsh! Their fiery exchanges over the project she’s working on at his fire station, leave Ben unable to deny their chemistry… Then Callie turns up on his doorstep — pregnant! Can some Christmas magic turn their holiday fling into a forever family?

 

 

New Year Wedding for the Crown Prince, by Meredith Webber

Can the charming prince

Claim his gorgeous bride?

When Crown Prince Charles of Livaroche turns up on Dr. Jo Wainright’s Australian doorstep, their two worlds collide. Only while Charles is seeking clues to his past, Jo is determined to forget the heartbreak of hers. Stranded together this Christmas their magical connection becomes hard to ignore… But when Charles proposes, dare Jo reveal the reason that’s standing in her way of becoming his New Year bride?

 

 

One Night, One Unexpected Miracle, by Caroline Anderson

Can one illicit night…

Lead to the love of a lifetime?

In this Hope Children’s Hospital story, senior pediatric surgeon Alice Baxter believes she’ll never conceive. So is stunned to find she’s pregnant after one spontaneous night with colleague Marco Ricci! She might be his buttoned-up boss but their chemistry is off the charts. And when Marco whisks Alice to his family’s Italian castello she discovers he’s determined to claim both his baby…and her heart too!

 

 

Their Newborn Baby Gift, by Alison Roberts

Could an abandoned baby…

…melt the surgeon’s frozen heart?

In this Hope Children’s Hospital story, pediatric heart surgeon Ryan Walker knows that shy receptionist and neonatal “baby cuddler” Evie Cooper is off-limits to a jaded playboy like him! But when they discover an abandoned newborn, they must work together to care for her. Ryan will do everything he can to mend baby Grace’s heart—will he lose his own to Evie in the process?

New Toys

It’s difficult to get too excited about most of the purchases I make – even though the manufacturers would probably like me to, I can’t bring myself to feel much emotion over washing up liquid or breakfast cereal.  But the child in me loves a new toy.  And last week I treated myself to two!

My first toy was Writing Socks!  Now most of you will probably be raising an eyebrow over my enthusiasm for socks, but I’m one of those people who hasn’t yet worked out how to separate my feeling of well-being from the state of my feet 🙂  If my toes are cold, I’m cold all over.  If I have blisters, or my feet ache, that’s how the rest of me feels.

So imagine my delight in finding the perfect Writing Socks, just as the first cold of winter is beginning to bite (actually they’re bedsocks, but it would be a waste to use them just at bedtime).  They’re… warm and cosy, not too tight around the ankles, and best of all they’re pink and slightly sparkly.  My toes are happy and so am I!

And the second toy was a New Phone!  Because – okay – a mobile phone’s a very handy and practical thing to have, but in practise it’s the fol-de-rols that mark one model out from another.  My old phone was outdated and struggling to cope with more than a couple of the most useful apps, but the new one has loads of space and some fancy features.  I’ve been playing with the fingerprint reader for two days now, and I’ve already got the feeling that the phone has its own personality and knows who I am.  Before long I’ll be confiding in it, the way I used to confide in my dolls when I was little.

And… it’s blue.  That doesn’t make any difference to its capacity to make phone calls, and at a glance it looks black rather than dark blue.  But it says it’s blue on the box, and that’s what matters, because conversations are somehow so much better on a blue phone.

So right now, I’ve reached the unusual state of being at peace with the consumer world.  Neither of my purchases turned into a nightmare of things not working/fitting the way I thought they might, and in addition to their practical purpose, I have new toys to play with.  And the thing about a new toy is that it doesn’t need to be costly or top-of-the-range.  It just has to have something about it that you like, beyond its practical use.  Like the cheap-as-chips salt and pepper grinders that I bought a couple of years ago.  They’re not much to look at but they never get clogged up, and they’ll grind from very coarse to extremely fine at the twist of a knob.  I might not use the most coarse or fine settings, but I know they’re there 🙂

Is it just me that thinks like this?  Do you assess all of your purchases with a cool head, matching your needs to their capabilities?  Or do you sometimes find yourself lured by a new toy?  And what are the little things that you like about them?

And before I go – another thing that I like much more than is strictly practical, are my new covers.  So here’s the latest!

Four Writers and an Island

Annie O’Neil and I have swapped blog dates, so I’m here today instead of Annie.  So what better time to tell you about a project that we’ve both been involved with, along with Susan Carlisle and Karin Baine.

First though, I’d like to show you my new cover.  Firefighter’s Christmas Baby will be released in November, and it’s a festive fling with consequences!  (As you can see from the cover 🙂 )

But on with the blog.  A little more than a year ago, Susan Carlisle, Annie O’Neil, Karin Baine and I began to plan out a four-book series.  Set on an island, off the coast of Boston, The Maple Island Clinic was to be home to dedicated doctors, nurses and therapists who would be the heroes and heroines of our stories.

But first, we created the island.  It had a name and we gave it a history, too.  The autumn reds of the maple trees which cover the island are visible from the mainland, and early settlers in the area made their way across the water to tap the trees for their syrup.  A small town was founded on the island and one of the wealthier town fathers left his house and collection of books to the people of Maple Island.  Today, the town library is still housed in the building that Ezra Van Den Berg donated, along with his books and papers.

We probably went into far more detail than we really needed to – but we were having such fun!  Ideas came thick and fast from both sides of the Atlantic and we wondered whether we were going to have to make the island a little bigger to accommodate everything.

We wanted a New England style covered bridge for the island.  Orchards and a harbour with fishing boats.  An old town on the East side of the island, facing out to sea, and opulent holiday homes for summer visitors on the West side, facing Boston.  A ferry.  A LIGHTHOUSE!  Why hadn’t we thought of a lighthouse before…?  We took walks along our imaginary High Street, planning out the shops, the Town Hall and the Sheriff’s office.

And then came the people.  There’s a cake war going on in the High Street between the Brady family, whose five red-haired children all help out at Brady’s Bistro and Bakery, and Phoenix Flame Jones and his wife Sage Blossom, who are vegan bakers and the proprietors of Sunbeam Victuals and Delectables.  Theodore Harrington – known to everyone as ‘Old Salty’ is a cantankerous old fisherman who becomes the hero of the hour in the first book of the series – and his story is carried through all four books.  Each of us added new characters and their stories, along with events that are held on the island to brighten up the long, cold winter evenings.

It’s been the most enormous fun and an absolute honour to work on this project, with three of the nicest and most talented women I could ever hope to meet.  Annie, Susan and Karin have a special place in my heart, along with the island that we created together.

Of course, it’s just a backdrop to the serious business of romance!  But sometimes the location of a book catches my imagination in a special way.  Do you have any favourite locations in books you’ve read?

July Releases

No better way to celebrate a new month than 6 new books!

Enjoy 🙂

A Date With Dr Moustakas by Amy Ruttan (Hot Greek Docs)

A date with her former flame…

Brings the past flooding back!

In this Hot Greek Docs story, doctor Naomi thought her ex didn’t want kids. So she’s shocked to find Dr. Christos Moustakas at her new workplace—and he’s now a single dad! Chris has dropped his playboy ways, but he still has a hold on Naomi’s heart. And if she can now reveal their secret loss, it might finally give them another chance…

 

Back In Dr. Xenakis’ Arms by Amalie Berlin (Hot Greek Docs)

She can’t resist the doc from her past!

But do they have a future?

In this Hot Greek Docs story, obstetrician Erianthe Nikolaides is returning home to Mythelios and dreading seeing her sinfully hot ex, Dr. Ares Xenakis! She’s still haunted by the devastating circumstances of their breakup. To truly heal she must share her pain with Ares, but when a scorching kiss reignites their desire, dare Eri risk her heart a second time?

 

From Doctor To Princess by Annie Claydon

He’s her reluctant patient…

But might she soon be his royal fiancée?

Dr. Nell Maitland escaped her unpleasant former boss to become private physician to Dr. Hugo DeLeon—who’s also a crown prince! But doctors make the worst patients—especially when they’re as distractingly handsome as Hugo. When her past catches up with her, Nell must fake an engagement with the prince who makes her heart pound! Might she become his princess for real?

 

Locked Down With The Army Doc by Scarlet Wilson

There’s a crisis in paradise!

But is her heart at risk…?

When Dr. Amber Berkeley met ruggedly handsome Jack at a conference in Hawaii, she never imagined they’d end up locked down together in the middle of a hurricane! Army doc Jack’s take-charge attitude pushes straight-talking Amber’s buttons—until their sparks ignite into a fierce attraction! Amber has a “no doctors” dating rule for good reason, but amid disaster rules are meant to be broken…

 

The Brooding Surgeon’s Baby Bombshell by Susan Carlisle

One night, unexpected consequences…!

But can they be a family?

After sparks fly with Dr. Gabriel Marks at a conference, nurse Zoe Avery’s left with a permanent reminder of their night together. Knowing Gabe doesn’t want kids, Zoe decides she’ll have the baby alone. Then Gabe moves to the same city just as pregnant Zoe needs a temporary home. Gabe comes to her rescue, but can they overcome their hurdles and become a family?

 

The Doctor’s Cinderella by Susanne Hampton

One magical night…could change their lives forever!

After her ex leaves her penniless, nurse Molly Murphy takes an admin job in doctor Ryan’s practice. When Ryan needs a date for a charity ball, Molly finds herself wearing a gorgeous gown and sipping champagne for one sparkling night. But her Prince Charming guards his emotions closely. Dare they trust what’s in their hearts to find their own fairy-tale ending?