Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Holiday Season Down Under



Merry Christmas!


The holiday season is a special time of year for everyone in New Zealand. It’s the start of our summer, and the beginning of the school holiday period. Schools are closed from mid-December through to the beginning of February, and most families go away to the beach or camping or hiking. It’s a real family time.

This year I intend to go up to my new house in the Hawke's Bay. The house isn’t quite finished in terms of the landscaping, but the inside is complete. The pool is being dug and inset into the ground as I write this. So I'm hoping that by the time I get up there, around Christmas Day, I'll be able to relax and escape the heat of the day by taking a dip in my finished pool. Currently it is around 30c in Napier, but as we are by the coast there is a lovely sea breeze keeping the temperature bearable.

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to work during the holiday on completing some books. Yip, loads of writing for me. I've got two books to finish by the end of March 2013, Invitation to Passion and The Nanny Trap. I have just signed a three book deal with the lovely Sue Grimshaw at Random House Loveswept. The first book, A Kiss of Lies, will be released in January 2014. I have to have the second book, A Touch of Marriage, to Sue by August next year and I haven't started it! As you can see, it’s going to be a very busy first half of the year for me in 2013.

Looking back on 2012, it has been one of my most productive years yet, and I absolutely love the busy journey. I've managed to release five books in 2012. The last book, The Reluctant Bride, will be released on 17 December 2012 with Entangled Publishing, in their Indulgence line. This book is special because it's my first contemporary romance. I'm a little bit nervous about how my readers will take me moving into the contemporary romance area,  as well is continuing to write my historical romances. Being able to write across two genres is very exciting. It should ensure I never get bored of writing historical romances.

It's exciting to have a Christmas release, even though the book is not a Christmas story. Speaking of Christmas stories, I'd love to know if you've read any recent Christmas story. I've just finished my friend Anne Campbell’s, The Winter Wife, a fabulous Regency Christmas novella, $1.99 on Amazon ebook.

Whatever you’re doing for Christmas, I hope you're relaxing with friends and family. I know, if you’re like me, you'll squeeze in the time to read lots and lots of books. There are so many great stories out there. We authors always talk about how self-publishing is fabulous for us, but it’s also been awesome for readers. You have so much choice and at such great prices. I challenge anyone to say they can’t find something affordable to read!

I hope you have a safe and Merry Christmas and may the New Year bring exciting new projects, good health, happy times and prosperity to all.

Thank you to everyone who follows the Romancing the Genre blog. I look forward to blogging with you in 2013. Be safe.

5 comments:

Judith Ashley said...

Bron,
Your productivity is a true testament to your writing goals and success! I'm inspired to get back to work. I've spent a couple of weeks working on cleaning up and cleaning out my office taking piles to recycling and donation and reorganizing. It's been a labor of love and gratitude even when I toss something I've hung on to for many years. Time to make room for something new - like being published!

I love reading your posts and Margaret's so I can understand another part of the world. Living where I do with 4 seasons and winter being cold, rainy, and sometimes snowy - thinking of spending Winter on Holiday, at the beach on the sand in the sun (here in Oregon we love the beach in winter but bundle up against the cold winds and biting sand).

Looking forward to sharing 2013 with you!

Denise Covey said...

When I told an American blogging friend about our Christmas school holidays she thought it quite bizarre. As a teacher, I love the idea as it's far too hot in Oz to attend school over Dec/Jan.
I, too, will be writing furiously every chance I get.
Congratulations on the sheer number of books you published in 2012. Inspirational.

Unknown said...

Wow your new home is beautiful! I love the lines and all the windows. Have a lovely and productive holiday.

Paty Jager said...

Bron, You have been a busy writer! It's fun to hear how you are the opposite of us. Enjoy your pool and beach house as you tap out those books! And Merry Christmas to you too!

Bron said...

Thanks ladies. I hope I can be just as productive in 2013! It is hard to do.

The summer holidays here in NZ make the American's laugh as it's winter for them.

My house has loads of windows becasue it looks out of vineyards to the sea beyond. The view is amazing.

See you all in 2013! Merry Christmas.