NOTES

by Christina Hollis

In January 2007, my first Modern Romance for Mills and Boon was  published. The Italian Billionaire’s Virgin will always have an extra special place in my heart for that reason. I’ve written historical novels, radio plays, short stories and non-fiction magazine articles by the Jiffy-bag full, but nothing has given me as much pleasure as writing for the Modern Romance and Presents Extra lines. It’s the chance to write on the edge of possibility: I try really hard to make my characters believable, but set their romance in a fantasy world where money is no object, and washing up is strictly optional! In my Modern Romance The Count of Castelfino, Meg must struggle against a grim new aristocratic employer to keep the job she fought so hard to win. She is brilliant, but it isn’t only her work that thaws Gianni’s frozen heart. Her simple honesty is the perfect foil for his high expectations. Meg soon learns that you can’t go back, only forward. Gianni discovers something, too—that the future is only complete when he shares it with the woman he loves.

It’s only human to want to love and be loved. The see-saw of emotions is different for everyone, yet we can all relate to the feelings romance inspires. Writing about those heart-stopping moments brings back all the fizz and excitement of my own once-in-a- lifetime love. I was “volunteered” for a blind date when the original girl backed out at the last moment. That made me suspicious, but she was the one who should have been more careful. The guy was drop dead gorgeous! He turned out to be the perfect blue-print for an Alpha Male. Tall, dark and handsome he was the strong silent type with a heart of gold that conceals a soft marshmallowy centre (though don’t dare tell him I told you that!). Only a few months later we were married, and he’s kept me in heaven ever since. He’s such a support: I’d be lost without him.

A Little About Christina

Christina has been writing since she was big enough to hold a wax crayon. Fiction now takes up most of her time, but her hobbies are growing and cooking food, and beekeeping. Her favourite cure for writer’s block is a new notebook. All those lovely empty pages have so far proved an irresistible challenge. Sadly, the Woolworths pencils that always used to be her weapons of choice are now only a memory!

Visit Christina at her website:  www.christinahollis.com
Or follow her on Twitter at: christinabooks