Planning a Wedding? Tricky Table Plans? You need Sam Birch!

I'm lucky enough to have the lovely Sam Birch guesting here today. I can well remember that when I got married one of the trickiest decisions was just who to sit on the top table, and what to do with all the ex's who hated each other! I asked Sam to give us some hints and tips on just what I should have done, and you can find her brilliant advice below. I just wish she'd been around all those years ago when I was in a state of panic!

The High-Street Bride's Guide

Brides-to-be, this one’s for you!

You can say your vows in a catwalk gown so beautiful it reduces your mum to tears (and not because she paid for it).

You can style a reception so stunning your guests won’t believe you didn’t hire an A-list planner.

And you can sprinkle the day with personal touches that make everyone feel like you gave them special attention before they even got there. Without spending a house deposit on it. Honest.

Samantha Birch has written for GLAMOUR, Brides, You & Your Wedding and Cosmopolitan Bride. She knows a thing or two about planning a wedding on a budget, how much you can expect to pay for everything and where to go to get it for less. And she’s put it all down here.

Buy Link: Amazon 

Your Table Plan Trauma: Solved

It’s keeping you up at night, but it doesn’t have to be a disaster. Samantha Birch, author of The High-Street Bride’s Guide, talks you through all things table-plan.

Dun-dun-duuuun! Hear that? It’s the sound every couple hears just before they sit down to do the—whisper it—table plan. Look away! Cover any nearby children’s eyes! Scream in a suitably blood-curdling manner! Oh the horror, the horror of having to decide who’s going to be lumbered with boring Uncle Albert, how in the heck you’re going to seat your recently-broken-up couple friends and just what in the wide world you’re supposed to do about your evil-eyes-and-snide-comments-at-every-turn divorced mum and dad!

But there is a way! Trust me! Put down that cushion and peel your hands away from your eyes. There will be no rage-induced pushing-over of tables, no face-in-the-cake falling asleep at old Al’s latest ‘anecdote’ and no friends running out in floods of tears in the middle of the speeches. Why? Because I’ve got it. I’ve got the solution to your seating plan problems. And no, it’s not closing your eyes and pulling the names out of a hat…

Divorced Parents

Don’t do it. The top table. Just don’t do it. Why would you put yourself through that? Yes, it’s tradition, but if Mum and Dad can’t be in the same room as each other without the passive-aggressive remarks/flames behind the eyes/gazing-over-each-other’s-heads-I-can’t-SEE-you act kicking in, why would you put them at the focus of the room, with just you and your new-husband (yay!) between them?

Instead, come over all US of A and go for a ‘sweetheart’ table; that’s a little one just for you and your groom that means plenty of hard-to-come-by just-the-two-of-you time during the wedding breakfast. Or, opt for the increasingly common bride-and-groom-and-bridesmaids-and-best-men set-up; we couldn’t fit all ours on the one table so we had a few with us and a few heading up other tables around the room.

The parents? Give them each a table to host, at opposite sides of the room, but still towards the front so they can be equidistant from you. Fill their seats with happy, supportive family types who won’t be easily swayed into don’t-you-just-hate-your-dad’s-tie-type conversations. Impossible? Seat them with roughly half family, and half strangers. They’re less likely to air their dirty laundry in front of unknown quantities, and if you pick the right people they can keep the chatter firmly on lighter topics.

Tip: The same tactic works for feuding or recently broken-up good friends; just split the friendship group down the middle and give them half each. Alternatively, if one person holds up their hands and admits that they’ve done wrong, see if they wouldn’t mind taking a smaller cut of their pals just for the wedding breakfast. The injured party might need a bit more emotional support, and it’ll feel like a small victory at a tough time.

The Most Boring Man Alive

We’ve all got one. Nobody’s quite sure how, but nothing has ever happened to him. His idea of a ripping yarn is an in-depth assessment of the colour of something that just emerged from some orifice or other, and he responds to your hilarious tales of derring-do with a blank stare, and a blink.

First up: seat him between someone who’s very patient, and someone who never seems to shut up. If he gets chatting, the patient person on his left will kindly humour him; if he strikes up a conversation with the person on his right, he won’t get chance to say anything that puts other people off their pudding.

Second manoeuvre: make sure his table has plenty of games on the go. The ‘Who Am I’ game is cheap and simple—all people need is a pen and a slip of Rizla they can lick and stick to their forehead—or there are plenty of fun quiz-in-a-box-type things that keep the conversation answer-focused.

Tip: The same thing works for those relatives you didn’t realise were so offensive. Y’know, the ones your mum just revealed have some pretty non-PC views. Yesterday. After you sent them an invite. Don’t seat them near people whose buttons they’ll push, or the objects of their so-not-cool perspectives, and flank them with pre-warned seriously-laid-back people who won’t be easily rankled.

Single People

The obvious answer is don’t surround them with smug married couples, but table numbers don’t always work out as clean-cut as all that. If you’re stuck with one or two singletons between four long-term loved-up-types, the trick is to mix up the seating so the pairs are on the same table, but they aren’t sitting next to each other.

Think school classroom: boy, girl, boy, girl works best if you don’t want Wife 1 and Wife 2, who already know each other through Hubbies A and B, to end up just ignoring The Single Girl. And bring on those games again: leave instructions that split the table down the middle into two teams, so there’s no last-one-picked embarrassment.

In the mood for a spot of match-making? Go for a Singles table if you’re having circles, and plot your own carefully constructed game of Confessions, where the questions come on cards pre-written by you. Judge the level your table is at, and be careful not to actually embarrass anyone; the aim of the game is to get people to show off their good side without, y’know, actually showing off. Leave instructions for the most confident character to host, getting everyone to read out the question you’ve left in their place, even if they don’t know who ‘Lucy’ or ‘Martin’ is.

Here’s the lowdown: Your maid of honour loves a guy who’s good with kids? Plant a question at someone else’s seat—‘Adam, what went wrong when you babysat Millie?’—that lets your friend tell all about the time his niece ended up with Nutella in her hair. The best man’s after someone adventurous? Get someone sitting near him to ask Christina about that time she went backpacking in Nepal and got stuck halfway up a mountain. The trick here is not to give the question to the actual person you think will fancy the answerer: for one thing, it’s too eye-rollingly obvious; for another, it’s too high-pressure! Do it right, though and their attraction will seem utterly organic…

Rectangular tables? Okay, so the game’s not likely to fly—too difficult to stretch across and hear each other—but it’s not as goldfish-bowl if you want to just take the hit and sit a potential couple opposite one another.

Tip: Those rectangle tables are also a good way to seat somebody who’s shy: put couples you know will talk to each other on either side, and sit them opposite someone super-nice or talkative; whatever they’ll find the least frightening! In a circular-table situation, your best bet is to surround them with people they’ve known a while or sit them with you and your groom, and keep them out of games that bring on the blushes! Not an option? Nominate someone who’s not too intense to sit next to them and gently guide some softly-softly safe conversation.

Meet the author - 

So far I’m the author of one book: The High-Street Bride’s Guide. I’ve written about dresses, bridesmaids and cake toppers for Brides and You & Your Wedding, and regularly contribute to the likes of GLAMOUR and Love Baking – often while eating cake in my pyjamas. I live with my husband in a chaotically untidy flat in Letchworth, which I pretend is an artfully unkempt writer’s loft in St. Albans.

Join Sam and find out more -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-High-Street-Brides-Guide/503367949687522
Twitter (me): @SamBirchWriter

Twitter (the book): @HighStreetBride

Cover Reveal and Giveaway! 'Anonymous' by Dani-Lyn Alexander

I'm delighted to have fellow HarperImpulse author, Dani-Lyn Alexander here today - revealing her gorgeous new cover!

The cover and title are enough to intrigue me, but if you need to know more...

Blurb:

What happens when an online date is not what it seems?

After Ali's heart is broken, she decides to try Anonymous, a new dating website where you can retain complete anonymity while you search for your soul mate. When she discovers Joe, she thinks she may have at least found a new friend and decides to put her past behind her and move on.

Several death threats and an attempt on her life force her back into contact with her soon-to-be ex, Mark, who is the lead detective on the case. The tension builds between them while Ali struggles to get over Mark, and Mark races to find the maniac who's trying to kill her.

When Ali meets up with her online flame, she finds he's anything but the friend she imagined…

RELEASE DATE is April 17th, but you can pre-order now from Amazon, and be one of the first to get your hands on a copy! 

Buy Link: Amazon 

Bio:

Dani-Lyn Alexander lives on Long Island with her husband, three kids and three dogs. She loves spending time with her family, at the beach, the playground, or just about anywhere. In her spare time, which is rare, she enjoys reading and shopping—especially in book stores. Some of her favorite things include; Bernese Mountain Dogs, musicals, bubble baths and soft blankets. She’s an incurable insomniac and has an addiction to chocolate.

Where to find Dani-Lyn:

Website:  http://www.danilynalexander.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/danilynalexander

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/DaniLynAlexande

And don't miss out your chance to enter the giveaway! Just click on the link below -

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet the Author behind the stories - Lori Connelly and her cowboys!

Today I'm lucky enough to have Lori Connelly, the author of 'The Lawman of Silver Creek' here. If you want to find out a bit more about the book, and the author, read on! (Just the mention of cowboys is enough to catch my interest!)

Blurb:

As sheriff of Silver Creek County, Matthew Marson’s job is to look after his town. But when he fails to protect the most important person in his life, Claire, from an attack, Matt feels as though he will never be able to forgive himself.

Her husband-to-be’s newly found overprotectiveness drives the headstrong Claire from his arms. She can’t see a future with a man who won’t allow her to follow her dreams.

In a small town where everybody knows your name and your business, it’s impossible for the pair to stay apart, especially as Claire finds that she can’t completely turn her back on the lawman that she loves.

I've known Lori since I signed up with HarperImpulse last year, but I must admit I don't know an awful lot about her (authors tend to talk more about their characters than themselves!). So, this is my chance to find out more.

Okay, here we go with some quick fire questions…

1.      Have you ever been out with a cowboy, like your hero, Matt?!   No, I’ve never been out with a cowboy.  So, what made you pick that as his career? My grandma had tons of Zane Grey books that I read when visiting her.  Cowboys seemed larger than life in his stories and so now seem to me one of the best heroes.

2.      Can you tell us a bit more about Oregon and why you use it as the setting for your books?  I’m a lifetime Oregonian, born and raised.  I love living here and honestly wouldn’t want to leave.  My state has it all: ocean beaches, mountains, rivers, lakes, and even desert areas.  For hiking, fishing, camping and rock hounding my home has countless places to enjoy.   I grew up in a town that was ‘at the end of the Oregon Trail’, have often visited the Pioneer Womans Grave and stood in the ruts that still exist for the wagon trains that came west.  With such a rich environment of history, I felt my Men of Fir Mountain stories had to set in Oregon.

3.      If you had a choice where would you choose to live, and why?   If I could I would live on some acreage miles from the nearest town.  I would have my very own Hobbit Hole House to live in, have a huge aquaponic garden system and a miniature highland cow.  As to why?  I don’t have a definite answer beyond those are the things that occupy my dreams.  Someday I hope a dream or two becomes reality.

4.      What comes first when you write a story?   Usually a snapshot of a scene pops into my mind after I see or read something that sparks my imagination, an article, a photo, people in a waiting room, etc. and then I build around it. 

5.      Can you name five characteristics we’re likely to find in your heroes and/or heroines? Stubbornness,  intelligent, caring, willingness to sacrifice, faithful

6.      Do you ever wish you’d been born in the nineteenth century, or do you love the present day? I think it would be fun to visit the past but I like indoor plumbing, dishwashers, my laptop, internet and my cell phone too much to give them up. Technology makes the distance between my eldest, my grandbaby and I bearable. 

7.      What’s your idea of a perfect day?   A perfect day for me would be early summer weather, warm enough to play in the water but not so hot you can’t walk around in the sunshine, sleeping in, everyone in a peaceful mood, a lazy day just absorbing nature with my family.

9.      If you weren’t a writer, what would be your next choice of career? I would work for a non profit organization, helping others. 

 And before you run off, can you share a little excerpt?

Excerpt –  Fall 1891 Fir Mountain, Oregon

Energy crackled in the air. Wind howled, and thunder roared, loud and intense. Clouds obscured the sky, darkening the midday hour, as rain streamed from the heavens.

 “You shouldn't be here.”

 Claire McConkey smiled in response to his gruff, inhospitable greeting and moved closer. “Why?”

 Lightening streaked across the dull greyness above, illuminating her finely boned, heart shaped face. Dark brown hair blackened by water clung in tangles. The sight tugged at his deep need to protect her, but he fought it off with cold, hard reason. Another man might think the petite woman who stood only chest high before him, slender to the point that a stiff wind might blow her away, needed coddled. Her delicate appearance misled many. Sheriff Matthew Marston knew better.

 Matt stepped out on the covered porch of his family’s log cabin. She didn’t yield ground. Their bodies brushed, and awareness flared. He closed the door behind him to keep her out of his refuge, sidestepping to put some space between them.

 “Go home,” he ordered bluntly, his tone firm.

 As always, eyes the same rich color as her hair mesmerized him. Claire never veiled emotion. When laughter sparkled in the depths of her eyes, her delight was infectious. If angered, one look would scorch whoever had earned her ill humor. He’d never had to guess what she was feeling, until now. His weight shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other. Her gaze shone with an intensity that unsettled him.

 “But I’m soaked, chilled through. Won’t you ask me in?”

 “No,” He was certain she was up to something, playing with him. Her soft request only hardened his resolve.  

 An eyebrow arched at his swift denial. “You’d let me catch my death walking in the storm?”

His eyes narrowed. Matt studied Claire for a long moment, jaw clenched, suspicion high. Mere weeks had passed since the woman who’d held his heart from the time she’d worn ponytails and he chased frogs had rejected him. She’d inflicted a wound that festered, refusing to heal. The memory haunted his quiet moments.  He couldn’t understand how she could kiss him with soul searing passion one minute and then with her next breath calmly tell him that their wedding was off.

 ***

Buy links – 

The Lawman of Silver Creek :    All Romance ebooks   Amazon      Barnes & Noble     Itunes   Kobo

The Outlaw of Cedar Ridge:  Amazon Kobo   Barnes & Noble All Romance ebooks Itunes

Lori is also the co-author of

Loving Winter Nights, Love Romance (free ebook)

A Witch by Chance (free pdf book, downloadable from my website or blog)

Thanks for stopping by Lori! 

If you want to find out more, please do visit Lori's website, check out the Written Fireside stories, or follow her tweets - she's a lovely person!

Where can your readers find you? My links: Harper Impulse Website  My Blog  FacebookTwitter   Pinterest  Goodreads  Wattpad  Written Fireside   Google Plus  Amazon Author Page

About Lori  - I was born and still live in Oregon. Despite being a good student, my teachers complained about my tendency to daydream. The tales dancing through my imagination were frequently far more entertaining than real life. As far back as I can remember I made up stories, to calm my sister after a nightmare, entertain myself in boring classes and write in countless notebooks, many never again to see the light of day. I earned a BS from Eastern Oregon State College and married my best friend almost twenty years ago. I’ve three brilliant, handsome sons, one amazing daughter-in-law, a beautiful granddaughter and two spoiled dogs. When not writing I love to read, hike, camp, rock hound, and take long walks with my husband just after it rains.

Yay!! I've nabbed Jane Linfoot on release day. Want to know How to Win a Guy in 10 Dates?

I’ve known Jane for quite a while now on Facebook, and I’ve just been dying to see this story hit the e-shelves. I couldn’t resist pre-ordering it as soon as it was available – I loved the cover, title and blurb! Here it is, if you haven’t already seen it –

Book blurb – How to Win a Guy in 10 Dates 

The 10 Date Challenge

Day 1: Take one loaded commitment-phobe explosives expert, embarking on the impossible–a challenge to have ten dates with one woman.

Day 5: Add in a fiercely independent and feisty burlesque teacher who has sworn off men.

Day 10: She’s so not his type and he’s so not in her life-plan. But the heat is sizzling and the attraction is explosive. And they’re fighting it all the way….

I’m really pleased she agreed to pop by on her release day and answer some questions.

So Jane, if you’re ready, here’s my How to Find Out More about Jane Linfoot in 10 Questions…

1. Have you ever been out with an explosives expert (like the hero)? If not, what made you pick that as his career?  Hi Susie, great to be here, thanks so much for having me, and from the look of this first question we’re going to have fun! I haven’t ever been out with an explosives expert - but I did have a next door neighbour who was one. He used to tell some brilliant stories about working in the quarry just along the lane from where we lived. I used this as the setting for the start of the book – I used to walk the dog in the field where Millie’s accident takes place. I loved the thought of a hero who had an unusual job, and fireworks and big bangs tied in perfectly with the ideas I had bouncing round my head about explosive attraction.

2. Can you tell us a bit more about your time in France?  Ahhh, France. It was such a lovely time. We swapped a Derbyshire cottage for a rural farm in Southern France, intending to get away from it all and live the dream. But one morning hoeing potatoes was enough for us to know we weren’t cut out to be full time farmers. I was lucky enough to be able to set up an architecture practice instead, and a local builder’s merchant down the road worked out that if I did the drawings for people, he could sell the materials for the building projects, so he brought me loads of work. I designed everything from new bungalows for local farmers, through to large country house restorations for wealthy English exiles. But I did miss home, and in the end I wanted the children to have the advantage of growing up in their own culture, so we came back to UK. We still have lots of friends over there, and visit as much as we can.

3. It sounds like you live in a lovely part of the country, if you had a choice where would you choose to settle, there or somewhere else? I love living where I am, but I do enjoy moving too. And I’d love to live in London for a while. Anyone fancy a house swap?

4. What comes first when you write a story?  I have lots of ideas floating around, and the story takes off when I find the perfect combination of characters, setting, themes and title to fuse together. I’d never begin without strong characters though, because for me they are the story.

5. Your heroine, Millie, is a feisty burlesque teacher (I love the sound of her already!), have you ever tried burlesque dancing, or do you know anyone who has?  The closest I’ve come to Burlesque dancing is that I once got a pole dancing lesson for a Mothers’ Day present, but sadly, in the end, the class didn’t run. Probably a good thing, as I’m totally un-athletic – I’ve always wanted to be able to do cartwheels, and I’ve never been able to. My daughter does Burlesque dancing though, and the inspiration for Millie grew from that. It sounds great fun.

6. Can you name five characteristics we’re likely to find in your heroes, and same for heroines?  My heroines tend to be feisty, strong, unusual and sexy, and they always need a good sense of humour to cope with the heroes I throw at them. My heroes have to be hunky, have a great sense of humour, and be ultimately capable of total commitment, even if they’re running scared at the start. They tend to be tortured, and they love great sex, the hotter the better.

7. Do you ever do the gardening in a bikini?! (Sorry, but the scene I read from the book had Millie in a skimpy one, so I had to ask!)  My garden gets pretty over-grown with nettles and brambles – I blame it on over-enthusiastic spreading of horse manure in the days when we had a rescue pony – so if I’m doing serious jungle-busting I’ll do it in shorts and a vest. But if I’m wafting in the garden, and it’s hot enough, I’ll wear a bikini, especially in France. And yes, it’s as skimpy as they come. I do like an all-over line-free tan – but I have to be careful not to scare the postman!

8. What’s your idea of a perfect day?  I like every day to be perfect.

9. Can you tell us anything about your next book?  My next book is already with Harper Impulse, waiting for release. Readers may recognise it as my 2011 SYTYCW entry, Being Bad, but the final title hasn’t been decided yet. It features Shea, who turns up at Brando’s country manor house in a helicopter, having won a TV competition, to try out for the position of his wife. She’s got no intention of being anyone’s wife, she just wants to do some home organising, and grab a chance for a new start. And Brando’s appalled by the whole thing, so the sparks fly.

10. If you weren’t a writer, what would be your next choice of career? Wow, another great question. I’d love to be a jewelry designer, a lingerie designer, or maybe work with animals. Looking after polo ponies sounds like something I’d enjoy. In reality I’d probably fall back on property restoration, because I do enjoy doing that and I have a lot of experience of it.

 And before you run off, can you share a little excerpt?

Excerpt –

Millie jumped as she heard Ed’s voice reverberate through the house. What the heck was he doing rocking up in the middle of the afternoon, and her in her skimpiest bikini?

‘I knocked, but you obviously didn’t hear, so I let myself in.’

And then he was there, sauntering through from the house, talking to her, but not looking at her face. Eyes all over everywhere else. Devouring.

‘Who finishes work at three thirty?’

Not that she wasn’t completely at ease with her body – she was. Just not at ease with the way her skin sizzled under his scrutiny. She rubbed her nose with the back of a gluey hand, playing for time as she worked out her next move. Diving into the house to grab a vest would be preferable.

But how to get past him? He was leaning languidly across the doorway, all tanned brooding strength, eyes sootier than ever behind those amazing lashes,and uncannily silent. She saw his jaw clench imperceptibly, his broad shoulders shift.

A guy with a habit of getting stuck in doorways. Again.

‘If you’ll excuse me?’ She took one firm step towards him.

He didn’t move. Simply stared. And swallowed.

‘Can I pass please?’ She ignored the banging whack of her heart against her ribs, dragged her eyes away from the unmistakable blue shadow of an erection, forging against the denim of his jeans.

‘Of course.’ His eyes narrowed. Then he went sideways, back still grazing the wall, to make room, and his lips slid into the laziest of smiles. ‘Any time.’

She hauled in a breath, hesitated, hardly trusting herself to pass him so close, hating that her body was betraying her, fizzing with excitement.

She needed to man up. What the heck was happening here? It was only one man, and one doorway she needed to get through. What could be so difficult?

Fixing her eyes firmly on the island unit in the kitchen, she set off.

Easy as. Except just after she’d made it past him, he snagged her. Not hard, not fiercely, hardly at all in fact, just the slightest graze of her forearm, then his fingers gently locking around her wrist.

 Enough to make her heart-beat crash to a standstill, as her legs turned to hot syrup.

She stopped, turned a fraction, and the unbearable scent of him knocked her off her guard. As she rolled her eyes to meet his, she registered smoldering heat in their dark chocolate depths.

And the thought that any moment his mouth was going to come crashing down on hers.

‘Millie......?’ His voice was hoarse, gravelly.

 Frozen as the goose-bumps raced up her arm, nipples like..... ‘What?’

He let her wrist drop, and he cleared his throat. ‘I brought cakes. Any chance you could make some tea? ’

And then there was nothing, except her hand, limp at her side.

As if she’d imagined it, as if it hadn’t happened at all. 

‘Actually I’m just about to go out.’ And then she was in the kitchen, grabbing a t-shirt from a kitchen stool and grappling her way into it.

A gut reaction. There was plenty of time for tea, so why was she pretending there wasn’t? Lashing out because she was disappointed? Or saving herself from looking like a total fool when her over-active imagination made her think he wanted her? Hearing his voice advancing as he came in from the courtyard, she blurted out a hurried excuse.

‘Sorry, I have classes this evening. I need to get ready. I should have said before.’ She shrugged, diffidently. ‘Some other time perhaps?’

‘When are you back?’ His eyes narrowed, more calculating now than smoldering.

Despite the blasts of hot air wafting from the courtyard, she shivered. ‘Nine.’

Suddenly she wasn’t sure she trusted herself to be around him any more. The more infuriating she found him in real life, the more she ached for a piece of him. She hated her body for playing tricks on her. No way could she be interested in any man right now, without de-railing her life-plan. She needed to get a grip on reality, she was a million miles away from ready for another guy. She had her priorities, and more to the point, she had her self-preservation instinct firmly in place. No guy, no matter how much animal magnetism he exuded, would be allowed to distract her and make her drop her guard.

‘Catch you later then!’ He was sauntering towards the door as airily as he had sauntered in. One cheery wave, one disgusting, tummy flipping, laid-back smile, and he was out of her hair. Easy peasy. But something about the set of his jaw made it sound like a threat not a promise.

***

Buy links – Amazon

US     http://amzn.to/175vMNR

UK    http://amzn.to/19axrXZ

Thanks for stopping by Jane, and good luck with How to Win a Guy in 10 Dates, I can’t wait to read it – and find out how she does it!!

Where can your readers find you?

Author Page Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JaneLinfoot2

Personal Page Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/jane.linfoot

Twitter: https://twitter.com/janelinfoot - @janelinfoot

Website: http://www.janelinfoot.co.uk/

Watch out for my Tasty Book Tours 21 Date Blog Review Tour, starting on 9th September! Thanks to the wonderful Lisa Filipe for organising this! http://www.tastybooktours.com/

About Jane  -

I’m Jane Linfoot, and I write fun, flirty fiction, with feisty heroines and a bit of an edge.

I live in a mountain kingdom in Derbyshire, England, where my family and pets are kind enough to ignore the domestic chaos – happily, we’re in walking distance of a supermarket. For me, writing romance is cool because I get to wear pretty shoes instead of wellies. I love hearts, flowers, happy endings, all things vintage, most things french. When I’m not on facebook, and can’t find an excuse for shopping, I’ll be walking, or gardening. On days when I want to be really scared, I ride a tandem.