..at Liz Fielding’s site where I’m blogging today. You can also read an extract from Just Say Yes and find out more about the story behind it.
And of course, help Liz celebrate 50 books for Mills & Boon (quite a few of which I have.)
Oh my word, there are some knickers and boxers (organic cotton, probably) in a twist on the Guardian book blog today. Trashionista co-ed, Diane Shipley, has written a very thought provoking piece about chick lit covers being put on inappropriate books. One of the most interesting sections of the article is the mention of Rosy Thornton’s Hearts and Minds…
Among the replies (most but not all taking the opportunity to rubbish the romance and chick lit genre), a publisher has pointed out quite reasonably, that a well chosen cover on a book can lift its sales from ‘about 19 to several thousand.’ Personally, having had a naked man on my first cover (wholly appropriate as the book was about a naked man) and it doing rather nicely, thank you, I have nothing to complain about so far. 
Go and take a look - but warning, blood pressure tablets required!
Update: MTA Some really great comments now…Thebeardedlady, if I know you, please get in touch. I loved your post about superpowers…
On Friday afternoon, I was taken off to London to see Joseph. I’d tried to get tickets for ages in the winter and given up. Mr B managed to get some at the last minute and we saw Lee Mead in the title role just before he went on holiday (With Denise? :))
The show wasn’t what I expected - much more light-hearted, wacky and fun. By the end we were on our feet, clapping and cheering. Lee is a real star and seemed to be enjoying himself so much. The understudy, playing Pharaoh (as Elvis, trust me it works!) almost stole the show.
That was my surprise!
On Friday morning I also had a chat with the ed about her notes for ISHBM - but most of all smiling when she said the hero is ‘absolutely gorgeous’. My agent said he was ‘delicious’ too - could that be the inspiration? Ahem.
Right now I’m taking a little while off to do real work and launch JSY, while trying to suppress any new ideas. I want to think carefully about which story to start next.
On Thursday I’m blogging on Liz Fielding’s site (she has been a real inspiration to me, as you’ll discover) and I’ll be offering a pre-publication copy of Just Say Yes.
But for now, thank you for cheering me up last week. Smudge’s resting place is now marked by a pink hydrangea.
I’m going to end the week on a cheerier note. I’ve got a semi-significant (boo hoo) birthday at the weekend and Mr and Ms B sprung a surprise on me last night. It all happens at 12 noon tomorrow - no idea what but will let you know. Never mind that I am supposed to be working - they made me do it, whatever it is.
Well, after yesterday’s jaunty start to the day, things went rapidly downhill. We found our rabbit, Smudge, very poorly in his run and the upshot was, he had to be put to sleep by the vet. Later we buried him under the holly tree in our garden. Cue, floods of tears from all of us - the vet’s assistant had to give us a box of tissues. Smudge may have been only a rabbit, but he was a much loved pet nonetheless.
We’ve had him about 11 years since my daughter was at primary school. He was a baby rescue rabbit from the RSPCA. Together, me, Mr Bennet, my daughter - but largely my father-in-law - have looked after him. He was not a cuddly rabbit who loved being snuggled but he had a sparky, lively personality. He tended to hold us all in disdain but his favourite activities included eating yoghurt rabbit pips and being let out of his run to race round the garden. He also drew out the contest entries. I’m going to ask my daughter and father in law, Charles, to do that from now on.
Isn’t it horrible when you lose a pet? You get so very attached to them. 
