Hello again
I can’t believe that it’s already December 15th and a whole month has passed since I last posted in Kate’s Corner.
Or do I mean since I first posted in Kate’s Corner because that is what that post was – my first. I had lots of great respoinses with some questions to anser and requests for things to talk about and I’ll hope to get to those as I have more time and more posts. Because at this time of year we all have so very little time don’t we? We have gifts to biy and wrap and deliver. Cards to write. Food to buy, prepare and cook. Visitors to share out home with or p[arties and celebrations to go out to.
Celebrations. Yes – this holiday season is a time for celebration and for me it’s a very special celebration on a personal level. So that’s what I want to talk to you about this time.
If you’ve spotted the wonderful banner that Heather has made for me and is now displayed at the top of the We Write Romance Home page you’ll see that December 2009 is a very important anniversary for me. Because this month marks 25 years – 25! – since the very first time I ever saw one of my own books in print. December 1984 was the month that my first ever title, The Chalk Line was published by Mills & Boon in the UK. It didn’t come out in America until 1992 – my first USA title was Game of Hazard. But The Chalk Line was the book that started it all off – a career writing and publishing romance that has lasted 25 years!
So this month and throughout the coming year, I’m celebrating the fact that I’ve now reached my ‘silver’ anniversary – 25 years as a published author. And people who know me well know that when I’m celebrating I like other people – my readers – to join in too. And this time is no different. I’m running a special contest on my web site with 25 – that’s right, 25 prizes to give away. And those prizes go to readers who let me know their first – and/or their favourite ever – Kate Walker title.
Can you remember the first Kate Walker novel you ever read? Were you right there at the beginning with The Chalk Line? Or have you discovered my books much more recently?
Tell me about your first time – the first Kate Walker you read. What book was it and what was happening in your life when you found it? Did you pick it up in a shop, find it in the library – or perhaps a friend or member of your family suggested you try it?
Let me know about the first book you read and I will publish the most interesting ones on my blog. I will also give a prize to anyone whose story I publish. You can win a signed copy of one of the backlist books I have a available, together with another small gift to celebrate Christmas and this special anniversary.
Send your First Book storiesto me – with FIRST BOOK in the subject line. Or share them with me in the comments section of this blog and I’ll add those into the special draw just the same. And I’ll add in two extra prizes just for this Kate’s Corner blog – after all it’s Christmas and the time for special Presents! Closing date for all FIRST BOOK stories is December 31st 2009. But I’ll be posting some of the titles and stories on my personal blog before then.
Or maybe you’d like to vote for your favourites of my books – your Top 5 Kate Walker titles? If so, check out my Contest Page for details how to do that.
And I’m thrilled to be able to say that my writing career will be lasting even longer that 25 years as I already have two new title coming out in 2010 with The Konstantos Marriage Demand coming in Presents EXTRA in March and A Good Greek Wife? following that some time in the summer. (It’s out in the UK in July) So look out for those.
One of the questions I’m going to be answering on a regular basis is the ‘What are your reading’ question – so to answer that for this month. I just finished a Harlequin Romance by Marion Lennox called Betrothed to the People’s Prince which I thoroughly enjoyed. And now I’m having a change of pace with a thriller by Zoe Sharp. Zoe is a friend of mine who writes great thrillers with an unconventional heroine – Charlie Fox who acts as bodyguard to a lottery winner. I’m finding it fascinating reading this very different style of book from my own. Oh – and the title is Second Shot.
I’m going to try to please those of you who have asked and upload photos of my ‘furry gang’ – Dylan, the small grey tabby. Sid (A Cat of Superior Breeding) and Flora The Floozie the silver ‘shadow’ Maine Coon. Wish me luck – I hope it works.
If it doesn’t then I need another lesson! But you can always see pics of them over on my personal blog where you’ll also find my latest news.
Finally I want to wish you all a truly happy Christmas Hanukkah or whatever you’re celebrating. I’ll look forward to seeing you again and chatting with you in the New Year. Don’t forget to post any questions you want me to answer or things you’d like to discuss.
And I’d love to know which one was your ‘first’ Kate Walker – or your five favourites. Sid will help me pick a couple of winners in a few day’s time.
See you in the New Year!
Happy Christmas and happy reading
Kate
on December 15th, 2009
Hey, Kate!
I adore your books. I especially remember the first time reading one smiling about the differences between British culture (and overseas culture of varying nature) and how enjoyable it was to read about it.
I believe I might have already sent you something on my favorite story of yours, The Twelve-Month Mistress. It just brightens your heart and makes you connect with the characters. There are so many, many more stories of yours that are memorable but this one stood out to me. I felt the heroine’s emotions more.
Great job! And here’s looking forward to many more years of great stories!
on December 16th, 2009
At the risk of being banned from this site I will say that haven’t read any of your books. I’ve not read any Presents books yet. I don’t tend to like pompous men. Self assured and jackass seem to be one in the same for some foreign men.
For someone willing to give it a shot, which would you recommend?
on December 16th, 2009
Hi Heather
Yes, you already told me your favourite of my books! But I’m glad you told everyone else – and of course you did that by putting that title in the WWR ebook bundle selection for January – along with 3 other great Presents Novels. Thank you for that.
A lot of other people have said they enjoyed the 12 Month Mistress and perhaps it is because, as you say, they connect with the heroine’s emotions, Thanks for posting your choice
on December 16th, 2009
Hi Nan – there’s no way I’m going to ban you from the site or anythign just because you haven’t read any of my books! There are so many books out there thatwe can’t all read them all,
But you know if you haven’t read any Presents books yet, then please don’t think they are all about pompous men – that is often the myth about Presents but I couldn’t write a ‘jackass’ – he wouldn’t be a hero for me.
I’m honoured to think you might try one – hmm though which one to suggest? Maybe the ones that Heather and Rana have mentioned? 12 Month Mistress or my latest Kept for her Baby? Or you could take a look at my web site where Heather has listed all the backlist books and see if any of those grab your fancy.
Lots of people loved The Italian’s Forced Bride too. Just remember that it’s the editors who come up with the titles – and so put that ‘Forced’ into there.
And of course your name will go into the Prize Draw for Kate’s Corner this month so you never know . . .
on December 16th, 2009
Hi Rana and thank you
I’m so glad you liked Kept For Her Baby – that was a difficult and emotional book to write but it seems that it worked for a lot of people who loved it too.
Something a bit longer . . .hmm? Now there’s a challenge. I’d love to thijnk of it but right now I’m contracted to do at least 2 more books for 20120 so I would have to get thhose done first.
If I do think of something longer I’ll let you know
on December 16th, 2009
I love them all! I adored Kept For Her Baby. What’s up next? Do you ever plan to write anything a little longer?
on December 18th, 2009
How wonderful for you, Kate! I like your Greek books the best. Pretty much all of them!
The first one I read of yours was in the tub. I nearly turned into a raisin! It was so good I couldn’t stop reading. Your books provide the perfect escape.
on December 21st, 2009
My apologies for not getting back to you over the weekend – but you all know what Christmas is like! And an unexpected set of visitors meant that I had even less time than usual. It’s been really hectic
But to make up for that I’m going to give everyone who responded a prize. (I have to miss Heather out because she’s the owner of the blog – and anyway I already gave her copies of so many of my books!)
So Nan – Rana – Cassondra – if you email me kate AT kate-walker.com with your postal address and you can choose one of these titles –
AT THE SHEIKH’S COMMAND
THE ITALIAN’S FORCED BRIDE
SICILIAN HUSBAND BLACKMAILED BRIDE
THE SICILIAN’S RED-HOT REVENGE
THE GREEK TYCOON’S UNWILLING WIFE
CORDERO’S FORCED BRIDE
BEDDED BY THE GREEK BILLIONAIRE
Can you give me a first and second choice in case I’ve run out of anything. Then I’ll get your book in the mail asap. Heather if there’s anything here that you don’t already have – just let me know and I’ll waive the ‘blog owner rule’ ;o)
Warmest wishes
Kate
on January 18th, 2010
Kate, how sweet! I appreciate that! I just got back online. I’ve emailed my choices and will read them as I recover from my recent surgery. Thanks again.