Babies and romance

Remember this cover?

Well, this month all the books in Harlequin Romance are baby focussed and it got me thinking...are babies romantic in fiction?

To check out my thoughts, visit the Harlequin Romance Authors blog today.

Bonjour! Und auf Wiedersehen

INHERITED: BABY is out in both France and Germany this month.

This was my Melbourne Cup book, with horse-strapper Maya Edison doing it tough as a single mum when along comes the dashing Riley Bourke to lend a helping hand.

I can translate the French cover pretty easily: A Baby for Riley.

I'm not even going to try the German one!

And they're off!

Today is the running of the Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a nation.

Over one hundred thousand will flock to Flemington racecourse, frocked and suited up, to socialise and have a flutter or two.

The Spring Racing Carnival has become a huge social event in Melbourne, so much so it inspired a book around this time 2 years ago: INHERITED: BABY, featuring my horse strapper heroine and set at Flemington. If you haven't read it, check it out (enter the comp on my website and you can win your choice of a book from my backlist!)

Speaking of babies, can you believe my bub is 6 months old now?
Time has flown.
There is so much to love about him...
-his gorgeous sweet milky smell
-his loud chuckles when I snuggle my nose into his neck
-his loud chattering...even in the middle of the night!
-his good morning smile
-his hands reaching up to explore my face
-his screwed up expression when tasting food for the first time yesterday
-his wide-eyed amazement when his brother does something new

I could go on...and on...and on...
Being a mum is the greatest gift in the world. :)

Writing-wise, started editing COURTING CUPID last night. Very nice surprise to find I'm 69 pages in and the book is a lot tighter than I anticipated. Looks like all my research on characterisation paid off! Will blog about it towards end of the week.

I'm a Cataromance finalist again!

Thanks to Trish Wylie, I've just discovered I'm a Cataromance Reviewers' Choice finalist again! With more than 1 book in more than 1 category!! Woo hoo!!!

INHERITED: BABY is up for Best Harlequin Romance and FOUND: HIS FAMILY has been nominated twice, once for Best Silhouette Romance and Best Mills and Boon.

I'm thrilled!

Here's a list of all the finalists in those 2 categories. (Some huge names, with many of my buddies in there. Yay!)

BEST HARLEQUIN ROMANCE

Her Christmas Wedding Wish Judy Christenberry Harlequin Romance November 1, 2006
Inherited: Baby Nicola Marsh Mills & Boon December 1, 2006
Project: Parenthood Trish Wylie Harlequin Romance November 1, 2006
Long Lost Father Melissa James Harlequin Romance October 1, 2006
Wanted: Outback Wife Ally Blake Harlequin Romance October 1, 2006
The Sheikh's Guarded Heart Liz Fielding Mills and Boon September 1, 2006

BEST SILHOUETTE ROMANCE

How To Marry a Billionaire Ally Blake Silhouette Romance November 1, 2006
Blind-Date Marriage Fiona Harper Silhouette Romance December 1, 2006
Rescued by Mr. Right Shirley Jump Silhouette Romance October 1, 2006
The Rancher Takes a Wife Judy Christenberry Silhouette Romance September 1, 2006
Found: His Family Nicola Marsh Silhouette Romance October 1, 2006
The Cinderella Factor Sophie Weston Silhouette Romance September 1, 2006
Nanny and the Beast Donna Clayton Silhouette Romance August 1, 2006
Her Millionaire Boss Jennie Adams Mills & Boon October 1, 2006
Here With Me Holly Jacobs Silhouette Romance July 1, 2006
One Man and a Baby Susan Meier Silhouette Romance July 1, 2006
The Bride's Best Man Judy Christenberry Silhouette Romance July 1, 2006

Phew, a tough field or what!

(And a special mention goes to my buddy Fiona Lowe, who has triple finalled in the Best Medical category with her first 3 books! )