We seem to have jumped straight from a non-existent summer to winter here in the UK.

I cried ‘Uncle’ yesterday, lighting the log fire and turning on the Aga. (Now, we’re sweltering- but I will get the temperature right. I will!)

As you can see, the fields around my house are freshly tilled- It was such a relief to have an interlude of fine weather so the farmers could complete the harvest. Tractors were everywhere, working from dawn to dusk while the good weather held.

I admire farmers more than I can say- I still remember the dreadful Foot and Mouth disease that brought so many to their knees, and in fact in my book for the upcoming (2009) 6 Nations Rugby series for Mills & Boon Modern and Presents, The Ruthless Billionaire’s Virgin, features a heroine who comes from a farming family devastated by this tragedy.

On the home front I’m going to see Chloe and Eloise today Yippee! And Wiggy and Rob are running in The Great North Run to support Breast Cancer- so that was an early start putting together a hamper of food for them to take.

Better get cracking on some pudding and snacks for James and Sol, who, with the twinnies to look after, don’t have too much spare time to spend in the kitchen these days!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone!

All my very best to you,

Suexx

Back tomorrow with news, views and rumours from the writing cave.

And meanwhile, a shot of HRB (her Royal Betster) in one of her calmer moods

Sxx

Just a flying visit to say I have a Blog over at Access Romance today:
www.accessromance.com All-A-Blog

There will be chat and a chance for you to suggest what would inspire you to write a book- a winner will be drawn at random with the chance to win a super prize, so get Blogging
See you there!

And, yes, I will find my way there this month! Dreamer!!!

And big hugs to all my e-readers, who are loving Alesaandro, my Italian Prince.
I’m on the brink of treating myself to one of these super gizmos so I can carry dozens of books with me everywhere I go.
Bliss.

Have the best day, everyone, with lots of laughter, good books and good friendship.

All Best from me to you,

Susanxx

Huge thanks to Margaret for sending this photo from the anniversary party- you may see one or two more people you recognise in the background

And thanks to all of you who have taken the trouble to write to me saying how much you enjoyed Housekeeper for Sale. With its emotional theme this book has produced a response similar to One-Night Baby, and I thank you all again.

Anxiety?
Boy, did I shoot up in bed last night!
Heart thundering, I stared around the room, taking a good few moments to realise I was safe.
I’m in the middle of writing a book where the heroine is jolted out of a most relaxed state by her worst fear. She runs- sure that she cannot outrun the danger.
I think I must have written the next chapter while I was asleep- so its off to the keyboard for me now to see if those images will obligingly fall onto the page!

Have a good one, ladies,

All my very best to you,

Susan

Don’t even ask whether I kept up my exercise regime whilst sunbathing by the pool- what do you think?

Plus I had the adorabubbles to stay for the weekend, which meant no sleep, but lots of cuddles. And you just can’t have everything- I’ll settle for Chloe and Eloise

Writing-wise, I just submitted an idea for my next Modern Presents, which will be set in the wilds of the Yorkshire moors followed by the most sophisticated and glamorous part of Rome.

Thinks: Do I feel a repeat visit to the Hotel Russie coming on?

I’m feeling rather mellow at the moment- but missing the sun

Hope you had a good start to your week, ladies.

All best from the writing cave

Susan xx

Who can blame DH, Peter and John (who owns the super yacht for being avid sailors when they have this sort of fab yacht to play with?)

The Command Post

The neighbours

The fittings were beyond belief= I should have taken shots of the luxury bathrooms and the master cabin as well as the spacious guest quarters- not to mention a kitchen, er, sorry, galley, to rival any I’ve seen on land.
Take a look at the leather sofas in the salon…

And as the sun goes down…

Okay, so I like it, and I want one- And as my mother used to say at such times, ‘And I want a giraffe.’
Oh, well, *SIGH*, I don’t want a boat really

Wishing you all the very best of weekends (and a boat- even if, like me, it’s one to sail in the bath )

Sxxx

Have just returned from trip to one of my favourite places.
This is the view from the simple beach cafe on the beach at Sant Tomas in Menorca.
And again…

Menorca is totally unpretentious and quiet, which appeals to me more than all the razz m’ tazz in the world- though I won’t pretend there’s no excitement when we visit- One of our friends allowed me to take some fantastic pics of his totally amazing 48 foot Princess yacht- which is real hero equipment- and I’ll try and get some of those images up for you on my next blog.

And this is the heavenly view from our terrace

Glad to be back in harness feeling refreshed. Hope all is well with you too!

Hugs around the world
Susan

Well done, YOU!!!

And here are a few more party pics as promised…

The Usual Suspects…
Margaret, Me, Liz, and Liz’s husband Utrick

My dear friend, Jan, whom I met on our very first day at the Royal College of Music and we’ve been firm friends ever since- and the glam Lady in Red is none other than Steam Clean Val’ whom I met at the Ladies Barbership choir- and yes, here I go again: we’ve been singing in harmony ever since.

Margaret’s lovely husband, Peter stars in this shot- or, as we have taken to calling him, ‘Snake Hips’ since he took up Latin American ballroom dancing. Peter recently cycled round Lake Geneva- so I won’t be taking him on on the dance floor anytime soon!

And here’s DH with Jane and Lionel, two of our dearest friends- and yes, they are every bit as much fun as they look- plus Jane is not only a crack golfer (Lionel is Captain of his club- so we won’t go there- suffice it to say, his handicap is in single figures of the lowest order) but the most wonderful chef

Oh, why do these wonderful events have to be over so soon

I know- we’ll just have to have another celebration really really soon

Smiling through the rain, ladies,

Suexxx

Alrighty…

We have a fab title for my latest Modern Heat.

Yep, I said HEAT ladies- quite a thrill to be writing my first sheikh for the Modern Heat Line- especially when that Sheikh al Bad-Boy is none other than His Majesty, Rafik al Rafar al Haktari- better known to us as Raffa

Raffa is as hard and hot as hell, and sports not just an earring but a wicked tattoo to go with his wicked stare. *Sigh* I love my job.

And a huge thank you to Marilyn Shoemaker- Hey, Marilyn, I don’t have your e-mail. Please do contact me- you’re such a sweetheart and make all those hours at the screen more than worthwhile.

To give you some idea- I sent 3 ‘final’ versions of my latest manuscript in today with last minute ‘tweaks’ - And I sent the 3rd ‘definitive’ version of said manuscript in after I had been told the book had been acquired and line edits were already in progress.
Bonkers, moi? Maybe, but I want to tell that story the best way I can- Whatever it takes, ladies.

Now, here’s something I want to share with you over the next few days…
Our wedding anniversary was really, really special, and was made all the more wonderful by the people who came to the fabulous Black Horse Inn in Clifton to help us celebrate.

Thank you to Tom and the boys- you were amazing!!!!!!

And, hey what do you think of the cake the kids had made for us- good, huh?!

We’re going to be taking a closer look at my lovely guests over the next few days-
but some we just can’t wait to take a look at-

Yes, Eloise smiles now- most of the time. Chloe’s a little camera shy- but who can blame her for being more interested in grandpa? Also in the pic we have my very glamorous D-I-L, Solene, et moi. More party pics to come.
Meanwhile, huge thanks to Jane and the team at the Black Horse for a truly unsurpassable evening.
As I wrote to Jane, I can’t think of a single thing that could have been improved upon.

And what’s next on the agenda?

The tiny Mediterranean island of Menorca- pics to follow just for you.

Then, it’s a sexy Italian with vengeance on his mind for Modern/Presents line followed by a story for Heat set in one of my fave places to hang out- Monte Carlo.

Oh, yes, bring it on. Loving that Riviera coast- perhaps there should be a sequel to that book- with a repeat research trip. In fact, I think there has to be…

Sorry comments are closed because of those horrid Spammers- but you know you can always contact me directly.

Well, that’s it for today- off to tame a few demons, I think- variety is the spice of life, after all.

Hugs around the world,

Your friend and author,

Suexx

What’s it like at the gym?

What’s *he* like?

Is he fit?

Exhaustingly so, ladies, which is pretty much why I’ve been away from you- that and running two weeks over my deadline.

Paul is extremely fit as befits a fitness trainer- You really think I’d pick a mule?
He’s also young and unspoiled and I intend to see he remains that way- at least during my time with him.

Have pity on him, ladies- he has this crabby old crone to deal with-

Joints? The only joints I know about are the ones you rub with olive oil, season with sea salt and ground black pepper and stick in the oven.

Muscles? I like mine with white wine and garlic, thank you, with perhaps a sprinkle of dill.

Flexibility? Now you’re talking. My plastic shopping card is extremely flexible.

Yes, he’s excellent. Yes, he’s stern. Yes, he’s strong. Yes, he’s persuaded me to do more than I ever thought I could- like Pilates, par example…
Does that answer all the queries I have received by e-mail??

Now, come on, ladies- you know me- honest as the day is long. But he is a seriously good trainer

Have a good one y’hear!
Oh, and someone told me I have a Blog on AR tomorrow www.accessromance.com
See you there?
Here’s hoping I make it!
Start without me if I don’t

Sxxx