Susan Stephens' Writing Diary

Yes, it's true (I never argue with my dogs) Cindy Jarvis from Australia has won my competition to celebrate the successful No 1# launch of The Sheikh's Captive Bride, which is in-store from tomorrow in the US

Congratulations, Cindy! Your prize will be winging its way to you tomorrow.

Enjoy what remains of your weekend- I think Cindy is already in bed! I'm guessing she's a few hours ahead of us here in the UK

Happy bedtime reading everyone!
Susan

Apparently.

That's what happens when you give up your weekend fun and frolics to go shopping at the sales with the man of the house.

There I was, all flushed with triumph after my adventures with 'Steam Clean Val'' (Hi Val')...
[known as steam clean, because V not only cleans her kitchen, she steam cleans it with a special bug-zapping machine... I come from the school of thought that believes a little grime only adds to the flavour of my cooking...]

And yes, V does eat here, in fact she's just asked when I'm having my next party...

However, I digress...Val and I, as I have already reported, were highly successful at the sales and returned home in triumph with bags filled with genuine half-priced goods (know that cos' previously bought some of the shirts in different colours full price)

With a nose for a bargain, dh insisted I accompany him to said sales so he could have a go too...

Sadly [:))] the men's stuff was rubbish and he ended up paying full price- under my guidance natch'- for, it has to be said, some pretty nice stuff.

Was he grateful for me putting on my 'personal shopper' hat for the day?

Not a bit of it!

'You're 'opeless!' he declared, stomping off ahead of me to the sleek silver toad-machine.

Ah, well... the fellas can't have it all their own way, can they girls?!

Don't forget to tune in later today to hear who won this week's competition to celebrate the successful launch of The Sheikh's Captive Bride
Fin has picked a winner... but you can still enter the competition for the Murano glass heart from Venice, which will be drawn end of August.
All you have to do for that one is tell me the answer to this question: who is Sheikh Kahlil's most trusted advisor?
Don't forget to head your mail Summer Competition, and then put your name, snail mail address and answer to the question in the body of the mail.

Good luck everyone!

Back tonight (UK time) to tell you the name of this week's winner.

Love to all, and happy reading everyone

Susan

# posted by : 10:39:00 0 comments

Well, I'm on target... just, to send off my 'Venice' ms on time!

To do this- and to recapture 'le weekend', plus see the occasional friend, I am at my desk for 6.30 am and knock off around 5 when dh returns from 'hunter gathering', or whatever it is these men do all day!

Takes so much more time checking than it does writing... because I have the book written (in my head, at least) in the space of a day or so... then it all comes pouring out onto the page... then I have to start organising and honing and allowing my characters voices to speak out clearly above the babble of ideas competing for my attention.

Oh, how I love it... I love losing myself in their world... (they have so much fun!)

I still have the ending to write- a bit like my hairdresser, who always leaves the bit around my face (arguably the most important part, as I like it to cover as much of my face as possible these days) to last.
This isn't a hard and fast rule; sometimes, I write the ending first... it just depends which scenes are playing out in my head most vividly.

And Fin has perked up, which is the best news I've had all day. She's slept for most of the day beneath my desk, and just eaten a small meal.

Son, who is in Oz with the LFG has phoned to tell us about the fabulous diving off Fitzroy island... there's someone else who's having fun- but not too much of it, because apparently you have to book centuries in advance to get a double bed where he's staying- or you end up in bunk beds...

I keep finding myself looking at my watch and wondering what all my chums are up to in Reno... I know tonight is the night of the big Harlequin party- which is always a fabulous event. I have the invitation propped up on my window sill... but I'm betting I'm a little too late to catch a flight to Reno and make it in time for the fun!

And today (because I'm editing this on Saturday morning), is Rita day- Good luck everyone! And thank you all for writing those wonderful stories that set us dreaming.

Back tomorrow with more news from the writing cave!

Don't forget to enter those competitions!!
Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

Apart from those building in the sky, my old doggy is not feeling too well right now. She's find our usual yomp through the countryside too much and I have had to find a shorter route, or by the time we reach the village street we've slowed to a crawl.

This morning I found she had been sick in the night, and at the moment she is sitting beneath my desk not wanting to move- even when I get up to make a cup of tea, which is a bad sign.

I shall see how she gets on as the day progresses... don't want to call the vet in too soon as she is almost fourteen and I'm not sure I'd want to hear what he has to say. She isn't in any pain- not panting etc, so I'm going to hold on and hope...

On a brighter note, rose early yesterday so I could work before meeting 'Steam Clean Val' for one of our infrequent, but hugely enjoyable lunches. Had a laugh, as we always do, and hit the sales... successfully, I'm pleased to say.

Today it's back to tidying up 'Venice' before submitting it to my ed' on the 8th August.

Here's a reminder to enter the weekly competition... I'll draw the winner on Sunday and the goodies will be despatched on Monday... You don't have to do anything to enter but send your name and snail mail address and head the mail The Sheikh's Captive Bride That way we can raise a cheer together for that naughty sheikh remaining at 1# on Barnes & Nobles Harlequin Presents list of bestsellers!

For those of you who would like to enter my competition to win a dainty Murano glass heart... that competition finishes end August (and you can enter both!!!) Just head your mail, Summer Competition. I need to know who Kahlil considers to be his most trusted advisor for that one!! Same again- name and snail mail address.

I also seem to have a g'zillion copies of my books in Korean for some reason- so if you'd like one, don't be shy... just write and ask and my lovely helpers will send one off to you!

That's it for today... hope to have better new of Fin tomorrow.

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

What have I been doing today? (other than ranting about my problem with out ever increasing mink population)

Well, I chimed in early this morning, which allowed me to touch base with Cindy from Australia (before my fab' helpers took ever the e-mails- huge hugs to them).

Hi to everyone in OZ... Do you know I have my absolute favourite cousin there? (And not just favourite cos' she's my only cuz) Betty Garbutt 'G'day, Betty...!'
And I still haven't visited Australia yet...
Longing to speak at your conference, and will surely persuade my 'organisers' that there is a space in my diary soon!!!!!!!!!!
My son's there right now with the LFG (lovely French girlfriend to those of you who don't know my lingo yet)He phoned me 3 times on the 1st day alone to tell me how thrilled he is, and how utterly fantastic Oz is!

BTW Hi! Everyone in France... just got my 1st French release out your way, 'Coup de Foudre Imprevu', which the LFG tells me means, 'Unexpected Love At First Sight'! Which just about sums up The Greek's Seven-Day Seduction, from which it is translated-

Thank you to everyone who has helped me to celebrate The Sheikh's Captive Bride making 1# on Barnes & Noble top ten best selling Harlequin Presents books... I'll announce the first prize winner on Sunday, and then we'll run another week before the next prize is announced. (Don't forget to head your mail The Sheikh's Captive Bride!)

Don't forget to enter my contest for the Murano glass heart I brought back from Venice for you... that contest ends end of August 2005. (Head your mail Summer Contest) [I just decided that right now... my helpers will probably tell me I got it wrong!--- but just make it clear which contest you want to enter... *you can enter both*, and don't forget to give your name and snail mail address, then I won't get in trouble!]

OK, so you've been patient, and now you want to know what I've been doing all day!
Or not!!
But here it comes anyway... I've been sorting out my chapters.

OK, Susan, what do you mean?

I write like a crazy woman... Surprised, anyone?
But who wants to read a 60 page chapter? Not me, anyway!
Sooooo I sat down today and thought... when would I like to take a break in this story?
OK, so we're talking about a book that pretty much mirrors my own life-changing experience when my eldest was taken critically ill with an asthma attack at the age of 18 months in Venice... so the answer to that particular question has to be - I don't want to take a break until I find out how it all ends up...

But, I have to concede that a 60 page chapter might not go down too well with my readers... who occasionally want to have a tinkle, or make a cup of tea, or let the dog out... Hi, Cindy!

So, I spent the day finding breaks I thought you would like... hope you all agree when my book set in Venice (no title yet) is released some time in 2006/7!

Meanwhile, my love to all... I really appreciate all the interest and support you give me, so please keep those mails coming (it gets very lonely in the writing cave!)

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

and my contempt, from those misguided folk who liberated mink into our countryside to decimate our local wildlife, to the government agency who sent me their...
'Rural Development Service Technical Advice Note 02'

You can tell before I start to vent my spleen, from the title of this piece of rubbish alone, I am pretty damn furious.

OK, now let me see, what do they advise me to do...?

First suggestion: Flush out with 2 dogs (not my dogs, thank you very much!)... providing the wild mammal is shot as soon as possible after is is flushed from cover...

After you, Mr/Mrs/Ms Jobsworthy. Oh, and who is going to hold the dogs back, or prevent the mink from attacking them?

Second suggestion: Trap them.

OK then, how many traps should I set, since the same leaflet also tells me mink set up several dens?
And when I catch one, what then... Oh, no, wait a minute, there's a suggestion for that too... I shoot it (helpless, and at close range- perfect, why didn't I as an animal lover think of that one)

Perhaps I could use two bricks to cave its head in?

Or perhaps I could apply, as the leaflet suggests to DEFRA- the grand-sounding Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs... except the woman sounded like a scared rabbit, and the man I spoke too passed me on to another wildlife 'expert'

Excuse me, but we have people to get rid of ants, wasps and rats... they come round to your house and do a very good job.
What about mink?

And if there's anyone out there responsible for freeing minks, or thinks that it is right to do so- come and hear how quiet it is in my part of the countryside sometime, then perhaps you'll understand what you've done.

Rant over.

If you want to know what I think should be done... let those who set the mink free be responsible for catching them and transporting them back to their country of origin where the mink can live happily with natural predators to keep a lid on their population.
Perhaps the equally nauseating 'farms' where these creatures are penned up can stump up some of the cash to make this possible...

Now you know why I'm a writer- I always was a dreamer.


Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

PS And on an entirely lighter note... don't forget to enter my weekly competition to celebrate the 1# position on Barnes & Noble Harlequin Presents top ten for The Sheikh's Captive Bride

And don't forget the competition to win the Murano glass heart from Venice is open until the end of August!!!

Good luck everyone!
Love Susan

pps Love to all my wonderful friends in Reno at the Romantic Writers of America national conference, which starts today. You don't know how much I wish I could be there with you all!
Have a wonderful time, everyone!
Susan

Hot on the heels of my fabulous Cataromance award for The Spanish Billionaire's Mistress I was told yesterday by the office that The Sheikh's Captive Bride hit the number one spot pre-release (August 1st) on Barnes & Noble Harlequin Presents top twenty list!

So excited have decided to have some fun!

Do we like fun here on the Susan Stephens web site?

YOU BETCHA!!!!

So, let's share the thrill of all this by having a 'giveaway' each week until the end of August 2005, when of course, I will be announcing the winner of the dainty Murano glass heart I brought back for you from Venice... (enter that competition separately, please/see details on my web site home page, and please head your entry by mail for the Murano heart, Summer Competition)

All you have to do to enter the new and completely separate weekly competition is to mail me, giving your name and snail mail address. Head the mail for the weekly competition, The Sheikh's Captive Bride, and I'll make sure that Finlay picks out one name each week. That person will receive an exciting package through the post!
That's one pack of goodies per week starting from today... Get mailing, girls!

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it, I know, I know, I know, I know, I want you! Want you! (to write in) (extra goodies for anyone who can name the song!)

Love to you all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Couldn't post yesterday as pigged out on pleasure, which left me with barely enough strength to lie on my back and mewl like a contented kitten.

Fortunately, as dh was present, this pleasure took the form of mouth-smearing, taste-sensational chocolate coated profiteroles.

Spotting a giant-sized portion available on the menu for 'Those Who Dared' he ordered this behemoth of the pudding world for me.

I took it bravely, thinking of you dear friends as I tucked in...

Imagine if you will an over-sized soup bowl filled with around half a pint of cream upon which sat a profiterole mountain... perhaps 20 crispy golden globes stuffed with sweetened cream and then drizzled with hot chocolate sauce.

I battled bravely and scoffed the lot- well, perhaps I left one or two, but I was sure to scrape the chocolate off.

Any more trials by chocolate you would like me to undertake on your behalf? Just let me know and I'll be happy to oblige!

Love and happy reading everyone!
Susan

Have a long sex scene to finish today. I find this the hardest part of any book to write, even though my ed' is kind enough to tell me I write 'great sex'!
I find it hard in the sense that the story is put in suspension for the duration of the scene-though that is not to say that changes may take place between the characters and their perception of each other.

Had fun with it yesterday- was really getting in to it (so to speak), when suddenly realised (continuity-wise) that the hero still had his trousers on!

Poor fellow!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy reading!
Susan

Woke up this morning to the best of surprises... Cataromance has awarded their prestigious Reviewer's Award
to The Spanish Billionaire's Mistress
I am particularly thrilled, as I was blown away by the raw Flamenco I saw performed in the mountains of Spain, and wanted to write a book that captured something of that atmosphere.

We all know that no book arrives on the shelves without the eagle eye of an editor .... especially me, noted for my massive outpourings!! And one of the very best eds worked on this book with me, even though she was actually in Japan at the time! So my thanks, and a massive round of applause please, to, Kate Paice
Yey!!!!!

And a million thanks to Cata, who do such a marvellous job bringing authors and readers together.

Thank you everyone! I am totally utterly absolutely thrilled!!!!!!!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

There I was, standing by the stream thinking how lucky I was to have this stretch of water attracting so much wonderful wildlife to my door, when I saw it... swimming lazily down the stream it had adopted, and then, to add insult to far too much injury, slipping inside the den lately inhabited by Mrs Moorhen and her family. No wonder I haven't seen the family Moorhen for a while... and no wonder the ducklings were decimated before our very eyes... We have a Mink.

Not a native of these shores as I'm sure you're aware- or at least they didn't used to be until some misguided folk released them to do murder in the countryside.

Now, I'm the last person to advocate caging animals- I am deeply averse to circus, zoo, and any other manipulation of the wonderful creatures with whom we share this planet- But, who the hell thought of releasing mink into the wild here in the UK without giving a thought to the 'rights' of our own wildlife?

I imagine in their natural habitat there are predators who control the mink population, but here there is little to stop them breeding and taking over.
I know one thing for sure, there will be no more ducklings, moorhen, yellow wagtails or any other lovely creatures here in my stretch of stream until our resident psychopath moves on.
And when it does, what then?

Had a lovely call from my ed', which wasn't too good for her, battling the flu as she was... Exciting times on the horizon, if I ever get through all the work.
Ah, well, I'm certainly not complaining!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

Round of applause please...

Have been especially brave...

Have allowed two viewings on the cottage today...

The first was a rather dreamy lady 'of a certain age' who floated around making me feel like a rather uncoordinated heiffer... Well I am in writing garb, which ain't pretty...
What a shame I don't have a video link from my office then you could all have a good laugh.
Suffice it to say that I work in what looks to any remotely normal human being like a huge tip, wearing my baggiest comfiest clothes- hair awry, spectacles perched low on my nose so I can see over them if I have to read something. Make-up? Don't be silly!

Anyway, she didn't take fright, which is a good sign.

Only bit I got badly wrong was spraying dh's aftershave round the house to try and get rid of the doggy smell (I suddenly decided there was a distinct pong)
Sprayed too much and we spent the first ten minutes of the viewing coughing and struggling to breathe... Why do men wear such disgusting chemical guff? And on their skin!!! Are they mad? Answers by owl-post only...

The second couple were divine... and I'm quite worried, because I didn't get any negative vibes at all from the spirits of the cottage- quite the contrary. I feel they looked at this couple and found them to be a distinct improvement on my good self. But as they have a massive house to sell, we shall see...

Well, work-wise, I'm in 'filling in' mode, which means I'm getting very close to the end of this book. I write in a kind of shorthand- fast. And then I have to go back and put in those details you are entitled to know, but which still reside inside my head.

Ed' mailed to say she has flu' which is so grim for her, and seems particularly unfair in midsummer... and so I mailed back to remind her to take her vitamin C.
But she is to ring me tomorrow... Wonder what that's about? Shall fret now until I know... Sure it's to say that my 'extra' book doesn't fit any of their lists- It's rather heavy on the humour, I think, and... Oh, well, no point worrying about it- what will be will be.

Don't forget to enter my competition, and also remember those foreign edition books if you would like one! I believe there are quite a few Korean editions left- Why they sent me a dozen, I have no idea!!!

Have just rec'd my new promotional magnets, and I absolutely love the design. It's all palm trees, sunshine and blue sea- just what we could do with right now in overcast, chilly England!

That's it for today, so happy reading everyone!
Love
Susan

OK, I'm hyperventilating... just give me a minute to calm down.

I'm thrilled...

No, it's nore than that... I'm ecstatic. The Sheikh's Captive Bride, my US August 1st release even has its cover up in this month's Romantic Times review.

Now, call me unobservant, but I've never seen that before (OK, it never happened to me before, maybe!!!)

You'll have gathered by now that I'm not too hot at the business side of 'the business'. I sort of blunder along getting all these ideas and writing them up as fast as my spindly little fingers will allow... I put exactly the same amount of effort into each book, which as you know can easily require me to put in a score of eighteen hour days. That doesn't matter. The only thing that does matter is that I feel I've done the story justice.

The interesting thing is that with all this equality of effort, some stories chime more with the reader than others, and The Sheikh's Captive Bride is one of these, and it is undoubtedly one of my favourites too.
Why, I don't know, except to say it would be hard to meet two such different people and have them find such blinding passion (except for me and dh, perhaps? Although it has to be said our passion takes a somewhat less athletic form these days to that of Sheikh Kahlil and Lucy's!)

Anyway, off for a cup of tea and a calm down before I return to Venice and the somewhat disturbing prospect of a vulnerable heroine who thinks she's got the measure of a shameless male predator named Luca... Watch out, Nell! All I've got to say is... You can never trust a man who asks you to say 'Aaaaah...'

(Did I tell you he was a doctor?)

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

PS Don't forget to enter my competition for that dainty Murano glass heart I brought back from Venice on my research trip.
And if you want a foreign edition of one of my books, we're offering German, Italian, Greek, and Korean this week! And please please please remember to put which language you require along with your snail mail address.
Sx

The estate agent started me off, ringing up just now to ask if someone could come and view the cottage... I suddenly realised, I don't want to sell. Well, not suddenly... the other day I was playing the piano, which is situated in front of one of our windows overlooking the main street in the village, when a pleasant-looking couple wandered past holding a brochure. Go away, go away!!! I thought uncharitably. The cottage doesn't want you to live here...

Perhaps dh is right about the spirits of the cottage not wanting to let me go?!

Seriously, I do feel quite desperate about it sometimes. But then I am a Scorpio (water sign), and I do have a lovely stream running through my garden... where am I ever going to replicate that?

And also- and I'm sure all of you who have had a house on the market will recognise this... I have had so many 'time-wasters' round. Nosey-parkers who just want to 'take a look'. As this latest would-be trespasser hadn't even put their house on the market (Reminder to self: ask those questions before you agree to anything too readily, Susan) I felt justified in saying, let them at least get an offer on their own house before coming back...

And then I have around sixty pages to go before I finish this month's book, and I have taken the H and h so far apart I'm not sure I can get them back together in time. They've got so much to work out between them yet... Is 60 pages enough?
Ah, well, I suppose love will find a way. (I just hope I can!!)

I feel better already, just writing to you- so love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Sexism in our house? Are you serious?!

All right, I'm hiding my face in shame, because you see...

The fact that dh drives a brand-new-replaced-every-two-years-on-the-dot-prestige-brand-demon-machine in flashy silver is because he is... A Man

The fact that I drive a seven-year-old dumpster that all my kids and several of the neighbours kids have learned to drive in, and minimus once memorably knocked a wall down in, is because I am... A Woman.

Why am I telling you this? Because the blasted cake might have survived if we'd travelled the one and a half hour journey to my son's house in my car- as it was, it didn't make it out of the yard...

With his best Mr Toad face on, and even a parp, parp to warn unsuspecting villagers that the demon machine was about to shoot out of our gates, Mr Toad stamped his foot on the accelerator.

The Cake, which I was prepared to hold lovingly for the entire trip (to keep it safe), ended up in my lap.

Oh, the joys of married life.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone!!
Susan

Always used to admire my mother's facility for writing Pitman's shorthand at breakneck speed. Oh, how I wish they had taught it to me at school... that secret language that very few people understand. I could use it so frequently when I'm in 'thinking' mode, to write down ideas...

However, I digress... What I was really meant to comment on was 'Family shorthand', and we all have it, don't we?

Just made son's birthday cake for his 'surprise' birthday party later tonight... Well, yes, I have to admit the cake's a little wonky, and I did have to flip it over because I broke the top... and all right, if you must know, the cream has oozed out all around the side... But once I showered it with multi-coloured sugar strands and stuck 'sparkler' candles in all over the place it didn't look half bad- or so I thought.

'Mmm, I'm sure it will taste very nice, dear,' said dh.

What he really meant was, 'Tell me I don't have to eat that...'

Last time some contemporaries of my son asked if they could take the remains of my quite obviously bodged, but undeniably 'home made' cake home.

You see, dh, anything's a welcome change from shop bought, even my cockamamie efforts!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Susan

Do you ever get... The Urge?

No, not that... I mean the urge that has to be obeyed?

I had one driving back from town today after buying son's birthday presents (can he really be that big?) (and can he really still want games to play on his super-duper-I-wouldn't-know-how-to-turn-the-bloody-thing-on machine?!

Anyway, looking first to left and then to right I made a speedy detour into the supermarket car park... Walking quickly, head down, trying not to be me, in case I saw anyone I knew, I headed straight for the milk counter. Seizing the biggest bottle of chocolate milk I could find I resisted the urge to stick it up my jumper, hurriedly paid, and left.

Glugged it all down in the car park.... Aaaaah, bliss!
Strange thing is, don't believe I've done that since I was a nipper... and as some of you know- that wasn't yesterday!!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

One of the questions that comes up time and time again in my postbag is: How many words do you write each day?

Now, don't start hyperventilating just yet, because some days I write none, that's a big fat zero, -0-.

Today I started to write at seven-thirty am... Yes, I know, late for me, but the house was a tip that needed attention... and so did my beloved Finlay-dog... and I took my first break at ten o'clock (am)

Just for fun I ran a word count... 1,957 for those of you who are interested, and I hope to do another 2K today. But that's because I'm in to my story ( the one set in Venice, from where as you know I have just returned) and the characters have taken over to the point where I can barely get their thoughts down on paper fast enough.


Remember when I started this book? I couldn't get past page 8 for about 2 weeks?

That's how it goes, and I think you have to accept this as a writer, and don't panic as I used to do... Used to creep about in the middle of the night as some of you will remember, trying to get things right, and only wearing out myself and my thought processes into the bargain.

Don't panic!

That's my message for today.

(By the time I start a new book it will be a different story, I assure you!

And now for a few reminders...

1) That gorgeous dainty ruby-red glass heart from Venice is still waiting for you to win it! The competition is open until September, so make sure you don't miss out. Just send a mail marked, 'Summer Competition' with your name and snail mail address.

2) We are still busy sending out Italian and German translations to those of you who would like a free copy- !Don't forget to tell me which language you prefer! And again, we need your name and snail mail address.

* Next week I believe it's going to be on to Greece and Korea- and for some reason, I seem to have a lot of copies usually distributed from Seoul... so please don't be shy if you live in the Far East, I'm happy to send a copy on to you.

My H and h are nagging for me to get back to then, so, happy reading everyone!

Love to you all,
Susan

Knowing we're all broad minded, I'm passing on this chuckle from a very good friend of mine- Let's just say, if you don't subscribe to the Romantic Times already, why not?Anyway, here's K's story



Subject: Fly by the lake



In the dead of summer a fly was resting on a leaf beside a lake.



The hot, dry fly who said to no one in particular, "Gosh... if I move down

three inches, I will feel the mist from the water and I will be refreshed."



There was a fish in the water thinking, "Gosh... if that fly moves down

three inches, I can eat him."



There was a bear on the shore thinking, "Gosh...if that fly moves down

three inches that fish will jump for the fly... and I will grab him."



It also happened that a hunter was farther up the bank of the lake

preparing to eat a cheese sandwich. "Gosh," he thought, "if that fly moves

down three inches... and that fish leaps for it... that bear will expose

himself and grab for the fish. I'll shoot the bear and have a proper lunch."



You probably think this is enough activity on one bank of a lake, but I can

tell you there's more...A wee mouse by the hunter's foot was thinking,

"Gosh... if that fly moves down three inches...and that fish jumps for

that fly... and that bear grabs for that fish... the dumb hunter will

shoot the bear and drop his cheese sandwich."



A cat lurking in the bushes took in this scene and thought - as was

fashionable to room the banks of this particular lake around lunch time

-

"Gosh... if that fly moves down three inches...and that fish jumps for

that fly... and that bear grabs for that fish and that hunter shoots that

bear...and that mouse makes off with the cheese sandwich...then I can have

mouse for lunch."



The poor fly is finally so hot and so dry that he heads down for the

cooling mist of the water.



The fish swallows the fly...the bear grabs the fish...the hunter shoots the

bear...the mouse grabs the cheese sandwich...the cat jumps for the

mouse...the mouse ducks...the cat falls into the water and drowns.



The moral of the story is: Whenever a fly goes down three inches, some

pussy is in serious danger.




And now for the Ciao!

In fact, Ciao, Italia!

My fairy helpers are already fluttering to the Post Office with padded book bags for those German-speaking readers who have contacted me already, (and I'm told we still have a few German translations left), but now it's time to send some books to Italian-speaking readers...

So, don't be shy, you don't have to buy them, these are a gift from me. Just send your snail mail and name if you want either a German or Italian translation-

Don't forget to mark your mail with the language you require!

Happy reading everyone!
Love from Susan

No Spanish editions at the moment, as I have already dispatched those on request to Harlequin's readers in Argentina... But I have new books coming along the line all the time so am sure to have something for my Spanish readers soon.

However, I do have a number of foreign language copies available, which I am happy to send out on a first come, first served basis.
I apologise in advance to those readers who contact me too late to receive a book, and can only assure you that my wonderful assistants will keep a list of people they send books to, which means you may be lucky next time.

I am going to do this in a structured fashion to try and avoid too much disappointment, which means that I'm going to work my way across my 'bookshelf' of foreign editions, starting with German language books...

Herzlich willkommen zu meinen deutschen lesern! Es is phantastisch dass sie bie uns sind!

Readers who would like to receive a German language book please contact me now... just head your mail 'German language book', and I'll make sure that one is sent out to you post haste!

Look out for more free book offers coming up soon...

Meanwhile, love to all, and happy reading everyone wherever you are in the world!

Susan

What bliss it is to feel moved to Blog, and then to do so by simply turning to the computer at my left-hand side...

Lies, all lies- Yes, it's joy to Blog, but it's joy to skive off work too when my H and h are playing up... They're on their way to a really hot scene, and even I get impatient with them... FOR GOODNESS SAKE, GET ON WITH IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(rapid fanning motion of hands)

Ah, that's better.

And now for the double bliss... have just received my Oz/New Zealand version of The Spanish Billionaire's Mistress - Boy, are you in for a treat! The cover is amazing... they're in a bath... together!

(more rapid fanning motion of hands required)

The candles are lit, and Rico has Zoe's face cupped in his hands, and he's moving in for-
Better let you discover the rest for yourselves!

In two minutes I'm going to super-clean my teeth prior to visiting my dental hygienist- and I'll still be told off!

One of minumus's friends, who has moved to live in the US, has just visited us, and he has suddenly acquired the most fabulous smile. Why can't we get it right here? I'm fed up with having British teeth. Perhaps next year I can get my teeth fixed while I'm over for conference? Does it hurt...? And how long does it take? Let me know, because I'm a baby.

Well, thar's my two minutes up... happy reading everyone!
Love
Susan

Attention was paid in today's Sunday newspapers to the way our new Duchess of Cornwall has been transformed into a veritable fashion icon for 'ladies of a certain age'.

I have to admit to watching this change with a mixture of awe and envy. There was a time when it wasn't easy to like Camilla PB... but I have to admit that I rather did, if only because she seemed to live in the same happy chaos I do myself. There was also the 'no airs and graces/no nonsense' manner, which she still espouses even after her elevation to the Mount Olympus of society.

Oh, if only someone would come along to my 'wardrobe' and throw out all the rubbish- (and I would be naked!)
I need someone to tell me what to wear- what colours suit etc etc... All I ever hear from dh is what doesn't suit me- or horrified exclamations from the children... No one ever suggests what might help to right this horrible state of affairs.
I just want someone to arrive with a clothes rail of gorgeous things- all of which fit perfectly and make me look amazing... OK, then, at least better!

Our duchess looks like a proper duchess, she does (imagine cockney accent- which I can't do any better than you, in all probability- unless you come from Bethnell Green- prize to first reader from BG to contact me!)

On to rage... Bloody four hours... sorry, temperance readers of a nervous disposition- but that's how long it took to get this all-singing, all-dancing, wireless enabled laptop to love the web hub I set it up with... Less Presents, more Tender romance, if you know what I mean!

But guess where I'm writing from now....!! Sitting on the sofa in my sitting room, that's where. And yes, of course I should be off-line on a Sunday evening, but I'm so thrilled I wanted to share!
Which is more than could be said at 3 this afternoon when the whole system went down, and a little sign popped up to say my server couldn't do anything about it until the 20th July. Took me ten minutes of blaspheming before I realised that was the date they could send a man out to fix it for me.

A man?

Pah!

Is there nothing this author can't do?

Yes, can't cut a loaf with a banana

But I digress.

Nothing like a challenge to get me going. But still say, Minimus's much cheaper model does the job just as well...

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Major apologies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have just had it pointed out to me that there isn't an extract from The Sheikh's Captive Bride to be found anywhere, so only readers in the UK can enter my competition!

I'm so sorry everyone, and so grateful to Mandy from Kansas for pointing this out.

My wonderful web mistress, Wendywoo for Artemis Web Design and the equally talented Bekke for Access Romance are rushing to correct my oversight as we speak. So look out on my site as well as on Access Romance for an extract from The Sheikh's Captive Bride, where you will find the answer to the competition question.

I can only apologise again... and to make up for my boob, I'm going to add a whole passle of other goodies in with the parcel for the eventual winner along with that truly gorgeous ruby-red murano glass heart.

Remember, you have until end August (release month in the US for The Sheikh's Captive Bride) to enter the competition.

Gook luck everyone!

My love and apologies again!
Susan

It was with awe and celebration that I woke to the news that the London transport system has snapped back into action.

Gratitude to all those who manage our infra-structure, as well as to those in the caring professions, and to firemen and the police, who are quite magnificent.

Holding hands around the world with my friends in so many countries I send my heartfelt condolences to those in grief and to those in pain, our love and wishes for a speedy recovery.

To those in the shadows, why... Does the slaughter of innocents prove anything other than the fact that cowards and bullies are at work?
To those in the light... You already know that freedom is is the most precious thing we have.

I caught the tail end of a television programme from the US last night, which showed a young widow, living in a shack with her two children, trying to keep their farm and her late husband's hay business going.

The television company built the small family a new house and provided all the things we would all love to own, right down to shiny new vehicles for both private and business use.

But what touched me and showed me that right-minded people will always prevail, was the sight of the farming community where this woman lived ploughing and seeding her fields and donating hay so that she could have a fresh start.
When each good man and woman gave their time, or expertise, or some of their hard-earned produce, they were not only helping to rebuild that woman's life, they were giving both her and her children a future.
How wonderful it is to create, and how meaningless and empty it is to destroy.

Thank God for good people everywhere.

Love to you all

Susan

A few years ago I had the honour of being invited to speak at the Diamond jubilee celebrations of the UK Asthma Society.
I was anxious to do my best, naturally, and all went well until the patron of the society arrived...

I'm sure her various attendants had the ability to act like normal people... but suddenly they, as well as many of the people around me, were transformed into one of two categories- Stormtroopers, or Uriah Heap (ever so 'umble)

I was rather bemused, said royal having been a typist (much like any one of us), in a previous incarnation. She also seemed rather pleasant and unpretentious from what I had seen of her in the newspapers. Those acting on her behalf were not.

I was quietly minding my own business, running over my speech in my mind, as I like to carry notes for reassurance, but speak 'off the cuff' wherever possible- and heaven knows, where asthma is concerned I've got plenty of 'cuff' to go at! when suddenly a cry went up... 'She's here!!! She's here!!!'

From the strangled announcement I imagined the Wicked Witch of the West, Cruella de Ville, or possibly Medusa herself had turned up.

Not so.

Like a rush of wind, a number of security staff led a parade of 'Hangers' On' (well, what would you call them?) OK, then... sycophants... straight past me- the lead creep thrust out her arm slamming me (in all 'me' finery) against the wall.

Never been swatted before, girls, but I guess there's a first time for everything!

The interesting thing was... behind this line of self-important (calm yourself Susan... breathe deeply like you're always telling your heroine's to do... in for 3, hold for three, out for 3) (that's better) idiots, hurried a rather pleasant looking woman.
How dreadful to be genuinely 'nice', and yet find yourself surrounded by these ghastly social climbers (successful too, they made it right to the top!!); creeps you can't get rid of, because they're part of 'The Firm'.

As I recovered from being swatted my heart went out to the royal. I knew she was just a cog in an unforgiving wheel. Fortunately, and possibly because this woman did know something of the 'real world', she has survived to carve out a happy and successful family life.
Am I going to tell you who she is?
Half the fun is finding that out for yourself, isn't it?

More tomorrow!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!

Susan

Yes, I know it's an odd expression, but its quite common hereabouts and simply means, 'By 'eck, it's early!'
Any clearer? No, I thought not!

Those of you who are techno wizards will no doubt be amused to learn that my early start this morning was in aid of getting my 'all singing, all dancing' frantically expensive, light as a feather new portable to connect to the internet via 'wireless' (accompanying woo woo ghostly type sounds)
Well, bugger me, if you'll pardon the expression- and I'd rather you didn't, if you see what I mean... In spite of my son's minute instructions over the phone, plus one of his super-wires (and why are his a jolly turquoise, while I can only ever find dull office grey in the shops?) I have failed miserably, and now have to wait for son-in-person to sort it out.

Number one, I've had the blasted thing for around a month now... and why do they put the instruction manual on the thing when I need to read it to find out what to do?
Minimus has just bought a much much much cheaper lightweight laptop from a famous fruit company with her birthday money, and not only does hers come with much prettier screen savers (now, I can see that's an essential piece of kit), but an ultra-clear instruction booklet (with pictures) that she can actually pick up and read- not to mention a whole heap of games and 3-D chess.
Jealous, moi? You betcha!

Number Two, why wires, when it's supposed to be wireless and wire-less, pray?
'Think of the wire as an introduction service,' son told me patiently. 'Your laptop cannot meet its wireless partner without first going through the matchmaking wire... Clear, Ninja Carrot?' (his 'pet name' for me- can't imagine how he thought that one up!)

All i have to say on the subject is Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh!

Going for shower and then, whoopee writing bonanza... my heroine actually got her act in gear late yesterday and we finally know where we're going with this book! Yip dip a doodle!!

Am starting to mourn the fact that I won't be in Reno for RWA this year. How can I do this to myself? It is a once a year opportunity to feel the pulse of the industry and meet up with old friends... am I mad?
Well, I think we all know the answer to that, don't we, girls?

Tomorrow I'm going to do a Royalty spot, so look out for it if your tastes run to reading about our oh, so ordinary (not)and eccentric British royalty.

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

OK, what do you want to hear first?
I had a great fourth of July- minimus's 18th birthday, and her junior school reunion, or the fact that I am so far behind with my work I need to be quadruplets to get anywhere near finished with my contracted work by the end of July? (Let's just forget about all those other plans I made to write more books this year, shall we?)

And what the hell am I doing blogging when I should be in the writing cave?

Short break while I hyperventilate-
Make that long long break...

Back to back research trips and family commitments have left me floundering- Plus, I can't seem to say what I want to say with this book... Like I've said before, some books flow so fast from the mind I can hardly get my fingers to move fast enough on the keyboard, whilst others...

Anyway, back to the reunion...
Everyone looked fitter, more tanned, their teeth whiter, their shoes cleaner...
Feeling sorry for yourself, Susan?

OK, let's start again. It was great. Fran, you looked gorgeous as ever... slim, stylish, tanned...

Not feeling sorry for myself, not feeling sorry for myself...

Jane, you're doing what for Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey?
How successful is this woman?!?

But, here comes the best part of all. Minimus loved it, and everyone sang happy birthday to her, which was great.
(and how come the class sweety-pie has shaggy hair and stubble? This is a boy, by the way, before you ask)
All the girls were beautiful, and all the boys unrecognisable. They used to be so cute and tiny, with such angelic faces.

It was a long way to go for half an hour- was it worth it? You bet!
We're talking about a school that is the best in its class in the country- and that's not just in my opinion, every poll taken proves it to be so. All credit to an excellent headmaster.
I, who hated school, have nothing but praise for this one.
Thank you to everyone who works so hard there, from the caretaker and his wife, who keep the place spotless, to the teachers whose unflagging dedication is responsible for moulding the citizens of the future.
Thank you all from a truly grateful parent.

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

Happy fourth to all my wonderful readers in the US!!!
Surely the fact that my youngest was born on the 4th of July has to be Kismet. My link with the States is forever.
Have a great day everyone!

Survived 18th birthday party without hard hat, and Aunty Kay's 87th without forgetting the strawberries and cream- talking of which...blast this year's Wimbledon winner for being the most outstanding tennis player of his generation, possibly ever (not a single set dropped in his formidable march to the final!!!) By the time he fired the winning shot I was just kissing Aunty Kay goodbye- first time I have missed a Wimbledon final for umpty-umph years. Now if the match had only gone to 5 sets...

Am about to set off for minimus' junior school reunion... What on earth do you wear to look reasonably smart when it's blowing a gale, freezing cold and midsummer? Actually, the couple who just came to take a look round our house had it about right... waterproof jackets and boots.

Managed a couple of sentences in the writing cave this morning... must be the craziest author on record- I can write a word or two while I'm waiting for the kettle to boil- have to, my life is so fractured/cut into so many slices I have to take my chances when I can.

Well, that's it for today- I've decided on longish skirt, high-heeled boots and corduroy bomber jacket. Collar up, scarf on... Summer, yes- but this is England, what can you do?

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

PS
Don't forget to enter my new competition.
All you have to do to be entered in the draw for a dainty ruby-red Murano glass heart from Venice is to mail me with the name of Sheikh Kahlil's most trusted advisor. You'll find the answer in the pages of my latest release, The Sheikh's Captive Bride
As the book isn't available everywhere until August, Finlay-dog will pick a winner some time in September.
Good luck everyone!
Your friend and author,
Susan

PPS!!
Just wanted to say hi! to all my friends in China.
It's so great to have you with us, sharing our chatty, crazy, Susan Stephens, author from Planet-Mad-Hattedness web diary!!
Look out for one of my 2006 releases, The Greek's Bridal Purchase, in which a young Chinese girl helps the hero to rebuild the heroine's shattered life.
Have to run now, back again tomorrow!
Love to all
Susan

Yes, yes, I know I have a deadline end July and fifty pages written only 8 of which I like...

But those back to back parties are fun!

Didn't need a hard hat for the 18th... just went over to neighbours to monitor the boom boom boom from a safe distance.

Was just enough time to ferry those teens who wouldn't fit in anyone's car to the station this morning, then clean up fast, re-stock with food and whizz off to pick up gorgeous Aunty Kay, who was 87 today!!!

Fantastic time all round and the weather was kind.

Tomorrow is a junior school reunion (for parents too) at miminus's old school way back where we used to live- so no writing cave again- just lots and lots and lots of driving.
Suspect I'm going to be burning the midnight oil for the rest of July!

Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan

Following on from yesterday...
Made me smile thinking back to my time on the QE2...

Arrived all starry-eyed fresh from music college (being contracted to sing on board the QE2 was a rather splendid holiday job.)
Was part of a 'troupe' of singer-dancers (no, I can't dance, but more of that another time... and my thighs were huge in comparison to the real dancers sparrow-legs when we donned our fishnets- but that's another story too)
It was all supposed to be directed and choreographed into this slick Broadway-type show, ONLY SADLY, our 'producer' got stoned the minute he arrived on board and stayed in his cabin the whole time. Talk about panic-stations!!!
Somehow we put on a show, or series of shows, between us that had those millionaire passengers fooled (being a mere millionaire was enough in those days- I hope you all notice that inflation has required book titles to show 'Billionaire' these days (wry smile))
Then we hit a gale and just about everyone in the show except me went down with sea-sickness- so I had to entertain the hardy passengers... And believe me, trying to sing 'Feed the Bloody Birds' while you're trying to keep your footing on a sloping deck ain't no fun!

Anyway, that's it for now... don't forget to enter my competition for a chance to win that dainty glass heart, or by jollikins, I'll keep it! It's so cute I'm already planning my next trip to buy another!
Remember, the question is: What is the name of Sheikh Kahlil of Abadan's most trusted advisor? Looking forward to hearing from you
Happy reading everyone, and enjoy your weekend (think of me overrun by hoards of hormonal teens!)
Love
Susan

Or words to that effect!

Yes, I know I've still got to come up with an idea for a competition... and I will, promise. That dainty little red Murano glass heart has to come out of hiding sometime and flaunt itself around... well, maybe your neck!?

Trouble is, after back to back trips not only am I banjaxed, as my favourite DJ might say, but am frantically trying to catch up with my work AND prepare for an influx of hormonal teens this weekend when minimus celebrates her 18th birthday.
Actually, it's on Monday- she's a Yankee Doodle Dandy, born on the fourth of July. (Who could ever forget Mickey Rooney singing the famous song...) And BTW, I also sang that song, togged out in black fishnets and a top hat on the QE2, so there! (And they paid me, mad buggers)

But I digress... Here I go, setting myself a target. Competition by Monday. (Only happy when I've got something to fret about!)

Yes, I really will pace up and down and gnaw my fingernails until I think of something original. Yikes, did I say that? Let's make it easy (ish)

What is the name of Sheikh Kahlil's most trusted advisor in The Sheikh's Captive Mistress?

As always my own trusted friend and advisor, Finlay-dog will pick out the winning entry.

Good luck everyone! Look forward to hearing from you...
Meanwhile, happy reading everyone!
Love Susan