Fever Cure launch day – the story behind the book

July 12, 2011

Today’s the day! Fever Cure is published by Samhain worldwide. Am I excited? What do you think?!

Everyone who leaves a comment on the blog this week or subscribes to my newsletter will have the chance to win a PDF of Fever Cure, or one of my other books. So please say hi! You can also read an extract of the book HERE.

All this week, I’ll be talking about the book and inviting guest writers to nominate their heroic fictional and real-life doctors. That’s because the book features The Honourable Doctor Tom Carew and a young teacher called Keira Grayson. Their physical attraction is instant, but both of them have very good reasons why taking the relationship further, let alone falling in love, would be disastrous.

I don’t mind admitting that Fever Cure is a steamy, sexy read. It’s probably my ‘hottest’ book so far – there’s a lot of humour in it, of course, but I also hope it will make you cry. 🙂

I got the idea for Fever Cure a long, long time ago before I ever wanted to be a writer. When I was an undergraduate at Oxford, I was in the library one day sitting opposite a medical student. My friend told me that he was The Honourable X X and the son of an earl. I was fresh from my very ordinary Midlands comprehensive, a working class girl, overwhelmed by the world of dreaming spires, Harry Potter-esque college, dons and my fellow students, most of whom seemed incredibly confident and totally at home.

I found it fascinating that such a privileged young man wanted to be a doctor when he probably had no need to work at all. Of course, I’m older now – and (I hope) have more insight and experience into the world – though I sometimes wonder!

But the image of the serious aristocratic young man surrounded by medical textbooks didn’t leave me. Since then, I’ve met quite a few young doctors -to-be, who are friends of my daughter and I interviewed an experienced GP who works for an international medical charity. They’ve been kind enough to help me with Fever Cure and one of my other novels, It Should Have Been Me

If you’ve already read ISHBM, you’ll notice that Fever Cure also features Carrie and another medic, Dr Matt Landor – a friend of Dr Tom Carew. If you haven’t read it yet, the book is released in the USA as ‘Carrie Goes off the Map’ in December.

But today is all about Fever Cure – which you can get from all good online retailers, worldwide.

Thanks for reading – come and join the party!

PS Tomorrow I welcome guest poster, RITA winning author Liz Fielding to talk about her heroic doctor. I’ll also be blogging about my call story for the book and how the Coffee Crew inspired me to get it finished and published.

Comments

1. On July 12th, 2011 at 5:17 am
   Rachel Lyndhurst Says:
   

   I’m going to buy it today!!! But not yet, as I have work to do and I KNOW what will happen – the work won’t get done because I’ll be devouring Fever Cure. I am so looking forward to my treat later though. Good luck with the launch!!

2. On July 12th, 2011 at 5:45 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Oh er… hope FC can live up to the anticipation, Rachel. 🙂

3. On July 12th, 2011 at 5:48 am
   bccmee Says:
   

   I would LOVE to win a copy. Hurrah and congratulations on the launch of Fever Cure! 🙂

4. On July 12th, 2011 at 5:50 am
   Maureen Says:
   

   Congratulations Phillipa on the release of Fever Cure! What a great cover it has.

5. On July 12th, 2011 at 5:50 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Noted, BCCmee. I’m offering three copies so there’s a good chance. I’ll write all names on a slip of paper and get Ms Bennet to randomly select one on Sunday.

6. On July 12th, 2011 at 5:50 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Thanks, Maureen. They are a very sexy couple 🙂

7. On July 12th, 2011 at 6:16 am
   Kate Says:
   

   Sounds like it is going to be a great read. Good luck with the launch x

8. On July 12th, 2011 at 6:24 am
   Rosy Thornton Says:
   

   Best of luck with the launch, and with the book!

9. On July 12th, 2011 at 7:13 am
   Elle Amberley Says:
   

   Goodness, I feel the fever already:)
   Looking forward to reading your new novel, very exciting!
   I posted your link on my FB account, best wishes and much success!
   Elle

10. On July 12th, 2011 at 7:17 am
    Gayle Lin Says:
    

    I can feel your excitement and it makes an old woman feel good. I congratulate you on your accomplishments.
    This sounds like a lovely story, especially since I once dated some medical students, back in the Stone Age. Good memories.

11. On July 12th, 2011 at 7:50 am
    kelly Says:
    

    Congratulations on your new release.

12. On July 12th, 2011 at 8:01 am
    Nora Says:
    

    Really looking forward to this, Phillipa and would LOVE to win a copy. I’ll definitely be looking up FV and ISHBM when I’m over in the UK.

    Congratulations on the launch and love the cover!

13. On July 12th, 2011 at 8:10 am
    Shannon J. Says:
    

    Congrats on release day!!! Would love to win a copy!!

14. On July 12th, 2011 at 8:12 am
    Julie Witt Says:
    

    Congratulations on the book launch! I know it will be a great book because all your books are great books!! And no, I’m not just sucking up, I really do like them 🙂 lol

15. On July 12th, 2011 at 8:47 am
    Nina Says:
    

    Oh I love that cover! Many congratulations on the release of Fever Cure! I hope that it flys off the website. Perfect holiday reading.
    Have a wonderful launch day.
    Best, Nina x

16. On July 12th, 2011 at 8:47 am
    Maria D. Says:
    

    Congratulations on release day Phillipa! I’m really looking forward to reading this story.

17. On July 12th, 2011 at 9:03 am
    Sherri W. Says:
    

    Just adding my congratulations on your release day! FC looks like another great read from you. Can’t wait to read it.

18. On July 12th, 2011 at 9:19 am
    Mandy Baggot Says:
    

    Congratulations on your release day!! It sounds just like my sort of book! I hope it goes really well and you enjoy your special day!

    Mandy x

19. On July 12th, 2011 at 10:59 am
    Loretta Wheeler Says:
    

    Congratulations on your latest release!:) I’m sure your feet won’t touch ground for several days:)

    Lo

20. On July 12th, 2011 at 11:02 am
    Phillipa Says:
    

    Kate & Rosy – thanks. 🙂

    Elle – yes, I came up with the title before I even wrote the book. there’s astory behind it which I might share but it’s a bit bizarre.

    Gayle – hi – sadly, I never dated the Earl’s son myself. 😉

    Kelly, Nora, Shannon and Julie – thanks for taking time to visit the blog. I hope you enjoy the book and good luck in the prize draw.

    Nina – thanks for liking the cover. It is sexy!

    Maria, Sandie and Mandy – I’m having a great day, thanks. Hoep you enjoy the story. 🙂

21. On July 12th, 2011 at 11:02 am
    Phillipa Says:
    

    Hi Loretta – yes, feet off the ground by several yards right now!

22. On July 12th, 2011 at 11:18 am
    Kath Says:
    

    Happy P-Day to you!! I’m getting my copy today but I hope your day is a fever of fizz. x

23. On July 12th, 2011 at 11:23 am
    Felicia Says:
    

    Found it on my Kindle this morning and can’t wait to start reading. I’m looking forward to the appearance of my favorite Dr Matt! Best of luck!

24. On July 12th, 2011 at 11:26 am
    Ann Garczynski Says:
    

    I can’t wait to read Fever Cure on my Kindle!

25. On July 12th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
    Anitra Lynn McLeod Says:
    

    Happy launch day! Here’s wishing you tons of sales! 🙂

26. On July 12th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
    Phillipa Says:
    

    Kath – a fever of fizz. I like that a lot.

    Felicia – Matt appears briefly but very happily but I know you will *adore* Tom. He’s more aloof on the surface, not as laid back as Matt but my, oh, my, when he lets his hair down…

    Ann – hope you love it.:)

    Anitra – hello, fellow Samhain author. Lovely to see you here.

    Ann

27. On July 12th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
    Hilary Says:
    

    Congratulations! I’m afraid I have no willpower, and have devoured Fever Cure already! It sure did brighten my day – hope you’re enjoying your launch day, too. I raised a smile at your story of where the idea started – you know that you and I took similar route to Oxford (difference in my case is which side of the Midlands, and – erm – *cough cough* years earlier). I too was a bit stunned when I found that the boyfriend of the fresher I was supposed to be ‘looking after’ in my 2nd year was a Viscount …. . I stopped looking after her from that point, reckoning she could well look after herself!

28. On July 12th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
    Fedora Says:
    

    Happy release day, Phillipa! How exciting to be celebrating Fever Cure at last!

29. On July 12th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
    Agenoria Says:
    

    I’m fairly new to ebooks, but I managed to download FC today. Then 11 year old discovered that Minecraft had been updated! I hope I’ll get a chance to start reading it later…

    Whilst out walking today, I thought about dishy doctors and all I could think of was Martin Freeman as Dr Watson in Sherlock. (I know he’s neither tall, nor dark, but I like him!) So I’ll be interested to read what your guest bloggers have to say.

30. On July 12th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
    Gabrielle J. Says:
    

    This book sounds intriguing and I always like finding out about new authors.

31. On July 12th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
    Phillipa Says:
    

    Hilary – does a viscount trump an honourable? I think so because the viscount is the heir and the hon the spare. Thank you for reading FC: you may be the first!

    fedora and Gabrielle – thank you for the good wishes and welcome to the blog.

    Agenoria – you’re a step ahead of me because I don’t get my Kindle until my birthday later this month. Thanks for downloading it. 🙂

32. On July 12th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
    Phillipa Says:
    

    Ps agenori. I *Loved* MF’s performance in Sherlock. He was just so ‘human’ yet sexy and understated – a real hero and the perfect foil to Sherlock himself.

33. On July 12th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
    Stevie Carroll Says:
    

    Happy Release Day!

    Now you’ve got me trying to decide on my favourite fictional doctor…

34. On July 12th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
    Emma Says:
    

    Congratulations Phillipa on the release of Fever Cure!This sounds like a great book.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the giveaway.

35. On July 12th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
    Agenoria Says:
    

    Phillipa – I haven’t got a Kindle either. I downloaded FC into “Kindle for PC” which is a free program available from amazon. But 11 year old is playing Minecraft on that PC at the moment! (Bit off topic, but we have four, sometimes five, computers here, of assorted ages and operating systems.)

36. On July 12th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
    Ju Dimello Says:
    

    Wow, I can see the palpable excitement in the air!!! Congrats on your release !!

    Thanks for the fab giveaway…Read the excerpt, and me wants more!!!!

    judimello AT gmail DOT com

37. On July 12th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
    SarahM Says:
    

    Congrats on your new release! It sounds like a fun, sexy read 🙂

    smaccall AT comcast.net

38. On July 12th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
    Shel Says:
    

    Congrats on the new release and new publisher 🙂

39. On July 12th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
    Phillipa Says:
    

    Ju, Sarah and Shell – great to welcome you to the blog and thanks for the comments and good wishes.

40. On July 12th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
    Alyssa Says:
    

    Looking forward to your book though I will probably wait till it comes out in print since it don’t own an e-reader.

41. On July 12th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
    Phillipa Says:
    

    Alyssa – Thanks for visiting – and there will be a print ed early in 2012. I will always love print and I don’t have a Kindle yet too until my birthday.

42. On July 13th, 2011 at 5:58 am
    Maggie Says:
    

    Hi Phillipa :! (waves across ether),

    Fever Cure!!!!!!! How can I dance across the page? This is going to be my reward to myself when I’ve finished the wedding cake I’m making. Wedding is on 30th so it’s all action stations at the mo. But come the 31st I shall indulge in the Hon. Dr Tom. You know why I’m so excited about this, it has been a long time in the gestation!!!
    Love, M xx

43. On July 13th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
    Julia Says:
    

    Done and dusted! I love using English expressions just never sure I am using them correctly! Anyhoodle, I read FC and loved it! I wanted to read it slowly and savor it. Instead, I raced through it and inhaled it like oxygen because it was so good!

    I’d love to win a copy of one of your books! I don’t think I have read them ALL.

44. On July 13th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
    Phillipa Says:
    

    Julia – done and dusted is the perfect expression! And thank you for the comment: I think you’re one of the very first to read it. I might have to use it in my blog post later today, if that’s okay? 🙂

45. On July 13th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
    Julianne Says:
    

    Read Fever Cure in record time yesterday! I loved it! I think I have a crush on Dr. Tom.;) Thank you so much! Please keep your stories coming.

46. On July 13th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
    Phillipa Says:
    

    Oh Julianne, thanks so much for posting. It makes me want tocarry on writing. 🙂

    maggie – there’s a ppb in early 2012 to warm the cockles of your heart.

47. On July 13th, 2011 at 11:20 pm
    Jodes Says:
    

    Just finished reading! I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I was unable to put it down. Now I have to actually do some work!

    I really love your writing, I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read so far 🙂 The timing was perfect, as I’ve only had my Kindle a little over a month.

48. On July 14th, 2011 at 4:07 am
    Phillipa Says:
    

    Thanks Jodes. Glad FC was one of your Kindle debut books.