It was very close, and indeed two people had nominated the same hero by another name, so we resorted to the random draw option.

And the lucky winner is Louisa Cornell! Yay, Louisa!! Send me an email with your postal details and Christine will send FORBIDDEN your way

Thanks to everyone for their wonderful suggestions and a huge thank you for Christina for being a stellar guest

September. FORBIDDEN is an Ancient Historical Romance that’s hotter than hot. I’ve always been a bit of a history nut and the Romans just seem to encapsulate the essence of powerful warriors. Christina’s  hero, Maximus, leaps off the page, sword raised, just begging to be taken home He’s gorgeous! I can’t wait to read the whole book… sigh…

Christina, a quick google search reveals there aren’t many Ancient Historical Romances out on the shelves. (I did find a wonderful B&B in the heart of Rome called Ancient Romance as a bonus!) The term sums up your writing perfectly. Can you tell us about the era in which you’ve set Forbidden?

Hi Helene, thank you so much for having me on your blog today and for that absolutely fantastic introduction! I would be delighted to tell you a little about the era in which FORBIDDEN is set.

The year is AD 50. The Romans have occupied Britain for the last seven years, but have their eye on conquering the western peninsula and claiming the rich mineral deposits of Cymru (modern day Wales). The Roman Emperor, Claudius, was also obsessed with eliminating all trace of Druids throughout his Empire which as it happens fitted in with my plot perfectly!

(I love the sound of that B&B in Rome!! I wonder if I could visit and claim it as a tax deduction for research??)

I think you definitely should visit the B&B and there’s no way the taxman could prove it wasn’t research Was history your favourite subject at school? Where did the passion for ancient Rome come from?

I did love history at school, and along with English it was my favourite subject. Although having said that I never got very excited by the Agricultural or Industrial Revolutions! But give me the Tudors, the Plantagenets, Saxons, Vikings and Romans and I was enthralled. Given how much I loved reading historical novels while I was growing up, you’d think I would have gravitated towards writing them a lot sooner than I did (it took me nine years of writing with the aim of publication before I realized!!)

I was born in England, so was lucky enough to visit lots of fabulous historical sites as a child (not that I appreciated them at the time. I could kick myself now!) I’d always been fascinated by the Romans, and remember watching I, Claudius as a very young child and being completed captivated/scandalized by it all!!! But it wasn’t until very recently I decided to try and write a book set in that era and the reason I did was because Maximus and Carys (and the deliciously bad villain, Aeron) literally fell into my head one night and refused to go away!

Concentrating with a head full of gorgeous men must have been very difficult…How much real history drives the direction of your story?

The books in the Forbidden series do incorporate a thread of what I like to call “earth magic” – my Druids believe in thepower of their gods and goddesses and when those deities are crossed then watch out world.  However, when it comes to actual dates and events I tried very hard to stick to known facts.

For instance, the Romans first invaded Cymru in AD 50, so that’s the year I set my book. They faced fierce and ongoing resistance from the local tribes and happily for me this fit my purposes (this continues in Captive, book two in the series). Wales, and especially the Isle of Anglesey situated off the north-west coast, were known Druid strongholds which again was perfect for my plot.

I lived in North Wales for a few months and was captivated by the wild beauty – perfect setting for your stories. I love your Historical Bits and Pieces page on your website. You clearly did a lot of research for your story. How did you approach that? Was it organic or more systematic?

Thank you, Helene! With the research, a lot of it was organic but with things like the hierarchy of the Roman Legions I researched that before I started, just so I had it straight in my own mind, even if little of it made it onto the actual page. I researched the Celtic gods and goddesses and the little we know of the Druid culture. And there’s the thing – we don’t know that much about the Druids because all their knowledge was handed down through oral teachings. So I managed to have a lot of fun there!

Call stories are always inspirational. What was yours?

I’d been writing for nine years before I sold a couple of erotic novelettes to The Wild Rose Press. It was funny, because until then I had never written a short (or an erotic) story, but the combination of a darker premise combined with the erotic element seemed to hit the right note. After I sold my second novelette I decided to push myself by writing a full length erotic romance and just to make things nice and complicated I’d set it during the first century AD – my first historical!

It took nine months to finish Forbidden. I sent queries out to twelve agents, and a month to the day I queried my agent she offered representation. I didn’t sleep at all that night!!

Three months later we had a two book deal from Berkley Heat.

What a wonderful story, Christina!!  How have you found the publishing process since then?

Honestly, it’s everything and more than I dreamed about. And even on the bad days, when all I want to do is crawl under a rock and hide, I soon make myself snap out of it. Because really, this is what I’ve been working towards since April 1999 and I’m determined to enjoy every step of the journey as much as I can possibly can.

Where to next?

I’ve just finished a historical romance set in a different century that I’m very excited about.  I have everything crossed that might be the start of a new series. I’ve also written two outlines for two further books in the Forbidden series, and we’re waiting to hear back on them.

Good luck with those submissions, Christina!

And for one lucky visitor, Christina is giving away a copy of FORBIDDEN. Tell us who your favourite Ancient Hero is and go into the running!! Alexander the Great gets my vote:-)

We’ll announce the winner Friday night 3rd September.

Click on the trailer below for details of Christina’s Blog party for the launch of FORBIDDEN – It’s tomorrow on the 1st September so make sure to drop round and join in the fun.

Born in the UK, Christina met her very own hero when she was just fifteen, was married at twenty and went on to have three wonderful children. To get her through her driving test after baby #2 was born, she wrote a couple of romances to keep her mind off reversing round corners. It turned out to be a very good diversionary tactic but unfortunately all she received in the mail were form rejections from Harlequin Mills and Boon (she did pass her driving test though, so there was some method in her madness).

“After moving to Australia in December 1998 she decided to get serious about her writing and joined the eHarlequin community. It was there she hooked up with her fabulous CPs. These girls not only help keep her sane but share her love of gossiping on IM, drooling over hot heroes and wearing glittery tiaras at romance conferences.

Christina is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia, RWA Paranormal Group, RWA Historical Group and RWNZ. She is also a part of the editorial team for the RWA’s monthly newsletter, Hearts Talk.”

www.christinaphillips.com

Mum and Me!

My elderly mum (she’s 88!) is visiting from Brisbane. She was unwell at the start of the year and couldn’t be in Cairns for the launch of Border Watch. I missed having her there as she and Dad were so integral in developing my love of books and writing.

Today we had coffee at Glaskins Gallery. She met Garry Glaskin who, as always, was busy hanging artwork. Karen made us a lovely coffee and cake, and we soaked up the ambience.

Mum probably won’t make it north for the release of my next book either so it was special for me to be able share the afternoon with her.

Christopher's paintings

Garry and Christopher rearranging the latest arrivals

Clovelly Cemetery - Views to Die For

New meaning to 'Hard Stand Storage'

Still Looking for the Party in Coogee...

A Good Haul for Dinner

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/daniel-puts-the-man-in-romance-20100815-1253f.html

The story, by journalist Sacha Molitorisz, complete with some lovely innuendos , gets it right. In the current gloom of the publishing industry, Romance (and all its variations on that theme) are selling better than ever.  Who would have guessed readers may actually appreciate an optimistic ending

The NQ girls at the cocktail party

As always the RWA Conference has provided more lightbulb moments than my brain can absorb right now, but that’s ok because I’ve had a fabulous time! The women who make up RWA – and there were close to 300 of them at the conference – are an amazing, inclusive group of writers who give generously of their time and wisdom.  This year the Australian Romance Readers Association also attended and organised a book signing event. What better way to connect writers with their readers.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the conference such a wonderful success

See you all in Coogee

He came across this site yesterday and it provided me with the most entertainment I’ve ever had on a yachting site.

http://www.australiatrade.com.au/Shipping/Import/Boats.htm

If you’re in any way boating inclined, or  just in need of a good laugh, click on the link You will need to wade through a bit of heavy going, but once you hit the main channel  you’ll rip along. (Sorry about the bad puns but the wind’s in my sails now…)

The humour is as much at the expense of the convoluted import restriction imposed by Australia as the way the article is written.

If sailing isn’t your cuppa, then pop over to Australian Outback Romances and Mysteries . Bron Parry and Fleur McDonald are chatting about being finalists in the 2010 Romantic Book of the Year award (the R*BY).

Now back to editing for me Sydney is only days away – yipee!!

Yesterday we had a visit from a friend whose son is currently doing his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. Harry mentioned that they can send a two kilo parcel over to the troops for free. His wife was making Anzac Biscuits to put in a care package that will contain all sorts of other treats as well.  Apparently Anzac Biscuits keep really well and the troops love them – still!

It got me thinking about the origins of the humble snack so I did some research on the web. They date back to World War 1 when wives, mothers, girlfriends and organisations like the Country Women’s Association baked food to send to the troops. Since the average sea voyage from Australia to Europe took upwards of two months, the food needed to last. It seems a basic Scottish recipe was adapted and the humble Anzac Biscuits was born.

Below is a recipe I’ve copied from the Australian War Memorial site. Hope you enjoy it.

And while you’re eating them, remember the men and women still serving our country who find a small slice of Australia in the ragged shape of an Anzac Biscuit!

Popular ANZAC biscuit recipe

The popular ANZAC biscuit is a traditional, eggless sweet biscuit.

The following is a original recipe provided by Bob Lawson, an ANZAC present at the Gallipoli landing.

Ingredients

• 1 cup each of plain flour, sugar, rolled oats, and coconut
• 4 oz butter
• 1 tbls treacle (golden syrup)
• 2 tbls boiling water
• 1 tsp bicarbonate soda (add a little more water if mixture is too dry)

Method

1. Grease biscuit tray and pre-heat oven to 180°C.
2. Combine dry ingredients.
3. Melt together butter and golden syrup. Combine water and bicarbonate soda, and add to butter mixture.
4. Mix butter mixture and dry ingredients.
5. Drop teaspoons of mixture onto tray, allowing room for spreading.
6. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool on tray for a few minutes before transferring to cooling racks.

Source

Recipes taken from Robin McLachlan, Anthea Bundock, Marie Wood, Discovering Gallipoli: research guide (Bathurst, NSW: Times Past Productions for the Australian War Memorial, 1990)

Ok, ok, so I’ve always been obsessed with water and swimming. I think it has something to do with being tossed in a swimming pool when I was six months old

A friend sent me these photos of the latest resort to open in Singapore. Gives new meaning to a ‘wet edge’ pool!

Now I’m going to have to scheme a side trip just to see ‘Sky Park,’ in the Marina Bay Sands development, for myself. Anyone got any stories or photos to top this one???