MIRANDA'S SEPTEMBER MUSINGS: THE TBR PILE!

 Hello my precious people and hello spring, you are both lovely!

Time to spring clean! I shifted a few shelves in my TBR (To Be Read) section, and discovered some extremely exciting and swoonworthy books I'm ashamed to say I haven't read! Don't judge, I'm sure you also have *cough* hundreds waiting for you, too. My excuse is I think mine multiply in the dark at night, being romances and all.

But omigosh, I found so much treasure waiting for me.

First up, the very patient and lovely Narelle Atkins sent me her inspirational Snowgum Creek series some time ago. I love Narelle. She's an inspiration not only in her books but in her life, and I feel terrible I haven't read this gorgeous sweet series yet. Now I've unearthed them I can't wait to start. The first sentence refers to runaway bride Kate: She had to escape now!... Wow, what an opener. Thanks so much Narelle. (Sorry I've taken so long!)

Picture credit: amazon.com

Next, I discovered four beautiful bride books by Nora Roberts. Gasp! New-to-me Nora books, unread - happy day! I feel like someone just gave me a birthday present! Everyone loves a bride book, don't they? Oh, the utter romance and wonderful-ness of a wedding. The first in the quartet - yes, four bride books with four wedding planner friends, is Vision in White. This is going to be good...

Picture credit: amazon.com

What next? Happily, readers, I won the following book in a competition from the fabulous Catherine Evans - oh dear, yes, a while ago. Never read but not forgotten. It's a spectacular 3-in-1 anthology, a teeny weeny hard to find now, so absolute gold on my shelf. Catherine's story is called The Healing Season, and there are books by Jennie Jones: A Heart Stuck on Hope, and Lisa Ireland: Honey Hill House. So much rural romance goodness in one book! Lucky, lucky me.

Picture credit: Catherine Evans

Here's a rediscovered blast from the past: Heartstrings by beloved author Rebecca Paisley. I found not one, not two, but three copies on my shelf. (Super reluctantly let one precious paper copy go because I do have an ebook as well...) Time to reread this little gem, published back in the 1990s. Not that I was alive then or anything. 😉 (Yes, I was.) This is a wild west story, where a prim spinster hires a wild west tough guy to sire her baby, so she can give the little one to her childless sister. So much tenderness and fierce family love right there. There's also a talking parrot that reduced me to helpless laughter every time it opened its mouth. Beak. I love this book, so it's going back onto the TBR pile. I'm sure it'll stand the test of time.

Picture credit: amazon.com

I'm going to cheat here and at least claim some success with my TBR. I plucked forth and enjoyed a recent Aussie historical romance, Alison Stuart's splendid The Postmistress, mainly because the next book in the series, The Goldminer's Sister has also just been released. The loosely linked books are set on the Australian goldfields in the 1870s. Yes please, I simply can't get enough of that era. It was truly a fascinating slice of history and romance, with lots of colourful characters, an intrepid heroine, and the best and the worst of the Australian bush thrown in. Such gripping reading, thanks Alison.

Picture credit: amazon.com

Last but not least, there's a brand new addition to the TBR I'm very excited about. I won a book from wonderful Aussie author Darry Fraser - Elsa Goody, Bushranger, set in 1896 South Australia. Our Elsa appears to be on a quest for buried treasure, and her freedom, and embarks on a perilous quest to find Ezekial Jones, the last man to see her brother alive. More exciting colonial history. Thank you Darry, you wonderful author you, and also thanks to Alli Sinclair, who featured the comp for the book on her blog. Lucky me.

Picture credit: amazon.com

So! Do you have a massive, teetering, years old TBR pile like me? Or are you one of those brilliant readers who manages to read everything on your shelf before you get distracted by more shiny new romance?

Confess.... No judging here.

Lots of love dear readers, and please stay safe and well,

Miranda xxx

Love to Love:

My TBR. True treasures await. You?

Love to Laugh:

At funny books, like Heartstrings. You?

Love to Learn:

How you manage your TBR. Random/blind selections, whatever suits your mood, or another method? 

A Literary Escape: The Joys of a Writers’ Retreat

By Alli Sinclair

One of the biggest challenges for a writer is finding time to do what we love—write! Life is busy with work, family, friends (and let’s not even mention housework!). So escaping for a few hours or even a weekend into our fictional words can become an impossible task. 

There is, however, a solution.

The past few years has seen a rapid growth in writers’ retreats. From weekend getaways in the country to grand-scale sojourns in Europe, there are retreats to fit every timeframe and budget. The one thing they all have in common is the opportunity for writers to fully concentrate on their manuscript, develop their craft, and be with like-minded writers. More often than not, the friendships made on these retreats are long lasting and who doesn’t love having a writing friend to share the highs and lows of this industry.

This year I teamed up with good friend and fellow author T.M. Clark to offer Writers at Sea—a retreat giving writers the chance to not only immerse themselves in their writing, but to relax and have a holiday at the same time. Tina and I have different strengths and have taught workshops around Australia (as well as having done manuscript assessments and mentoring), so working together to offer a well-rounded retreat was a logical step.

We wanted to give writers something unique, so a cruise in the South Pacific was the perfect choice! We gave workshops and mentoring sessions, scheduled time for attendees to write and, on the days when we were in ports, a chance for everyone to swim in crystal blue waters, shop in exotic markets or explore jungles and villages. It proved the perfect combination of holiday and writing.

Not every writers’ retreat is equal, so do your due diligence before committing. Ask questions and, if you can, talk to someone who’s been on the retreat previously. 

Here are some suggestions of what to do before handing over your deposit:

•  Cost: what is/isn’t included?
•  Who are the facilitating writers, and what qualifications and experience do they have?
•  How many people will be attending?
•  Will there be time to socialise and network with other writers?
•  If you’re on a strict budget, ask if they pair writers in the same room to save costs.
• Will there be workshops, a critique of your manuscript, brainstorming sessions, writing sprints? A good writing retreat should give you ample time to discuss your project with the facilitator/s, and workshops should be aimed at developing your craft, identifying the habits holding you back and helping you create new methods for your writing to grow. 
•  Find out if you’re expected to help with cooking or if all meals prepared and served (a big one for me—the beauty of getting away to write means no household chores!). And can special needs (e.g. allergies) be catered for?
• Does the retreat cater to writers at various stages of development or is it geared towards a certain level of experience? 
• Is the retreat for fiction or non-fiction writers?
• Are there cancellation fees? Can you pay in instalments?
• What is the accommodation like? What facilities are there? How easy is it to get there?

Another good idea is to find out if it will offer experiences other than writing. Stepping out of your comfort zone can help you gain new insight; if the retreat offers excursions and cultural experiences this can inspire and help you grow.

A retreat should block out the day-to-day distractions of your regular life and help break through any issues you may be facing with your writing. With the right guidance and feedback from your facilitators, your manuscript should shine and your writing craft develop. Most of all, a writing retreat should fuel creativity and leave you inspired, ready for the next step in your writing journey.

Have you been on a writing retreat? What was the best thing about it?

I Love to Love bingeing on my favourite tv shows.

I Love to Laugh at myself when I walk into things (which happens a bit too often!).

I Love to Learn about people's passions.

About the Author: An adventurer at heart, Alli Sinclair is a best-selling and multi-award-winning author who has lived in Argentina, Peru, and Canada. She’s climbed some of the world’s highest mountains, worked as a tour guide in South America, and has travelled the globe, immersing herself in array of exotic destinations, cultures, and languages.

Alli’s books explore history, culture, love and grief, and relationships between family, friends and lovers. She captures the romance and thrill of discovering old and new worlds, and loves taking readers on a journey of discovery. Her latest book, Burning Fields, is an historical set in 1948 in northern Queensland. Alli’s website is: www.allisinclair.com

If you would like more information about Writers at Sea, please contact Alli or Tina, or go to our website: www.writersatsea.com.au

(All images are the author's own or free to use.)

Author Spotlight: Alli Sinclair

The focus of this month's Author Spotlight is the gorgeous Alli Sinclair. She's a favourite of ours here on the Breathless Blog, having written several guest posts for us. (After you've read the interview, scroll all the way down to find a special offer to celebrate Alli's latest release.)
Welcome Alli!

What are you currently reading?

Image courtesy of IMDB

I usually have two books on the go – one non-fiction and one fiction. Currently I’m reading Mae West’s biography which is really amazing. Mae West did a lot for asserting the rights of women being paid fairly in Hollywood and her life story is intriguing. I’m also reading The Little Breton Bistro by Nina George. This is the second book of Nina’s and I am absolutely loving it. Her characters have a lot of depth, are all very different to each other, and the storyline is captivating. I can’t wait to read more of her books!




What is the premise of your latest book?

Beneath the Parisian Skies is a sweeping saga about love, truth, grief and passion — and what it takes to fulfil a dream. Australian Lily Johannson goes to Paris to make amends with her turbulent past but the only way she can move forward is to unravel a one-hundred-year-old mystery about the Ballets Russes. She enlists the help of a dashing Frenchman, of course, and along the way Lily discovers who she really is and what she wants in life—especially with love.

With Bohemian Paris, classic French and Russian artistry woven into the story, Beneath the Parisian Skies takes readers on an emotional and cultural journey. Readers can enjoy the experience of travelling through beautiful Paris from the comfort of their armchair—no passport required!



Are you a plotter, pantser or somewhere in between?

I’m definitely a tweenie. I do love to plot as I can’t start a story without knowing the basic storyline and who my characters are, but as my work contains lots of historical facts, I sometimes discover new information as I’m writing and that can take the plot in a different direction. I also have characters barge their way onto the page and I let them stay there as long as they serve a purpose. It’s often quite intriguing what they bring to the story and sometimes their role is pivotal and I had no idea until they appeared out of nowhere!


What is the last photo you took on your phone?

It was of my daughter who received a bunch of flowers from a dear friend in England. My daughter played soccer with a fractured foot (we didn’t know it was fractured at the time) and my friend in England was super impressed (he loves soccer) and his daughter wanted to give my daughter a get well hug. So to save the expense of a plane ticket, my friend and his family sent flowers. I do have the most caring and lovely friends. I’m so lucky!

Image courtesy of Pixabay

What do you love to love?


Love to see people reaching for the dreams and, even better, achieving them.



What do you love to laugh at?

When my hubby and kids and I find a joke so funny that we’re all laughing hysterically then someone snorts and we all laugh at each other laughing—pure joy.

What do you love to learn about?

I love to learn about strong women who have taken on the world, despite the odds, and followed their passion regardless. They are such wonderful role models for people in all stages of life and the more we talk about these amazing women, the more inspired people will be to follow their own paths and inspire others.

BIO FOR ALLI:

Alli Sinclair is a multi award-winning author of books that combine travel, mystery, and romance. An adventurer at heart, Alli has climbed some of the world’s highest mountains and immersed herself in an array of exotic destinations, cultures, and languages. Alli’s stories capture the romance and thrill of exploring new destinations and cultures that also take readers on a journey of discovery.

Alli volunteers as an author role model with Books in Homes, promoting literacy and reading amongst young Australians.

Alli can be found at www.allisinclair.com .

Alli can be found at www.allisinclair.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlliSinclairAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/allisinclair

Instagram: alli_sinclair

BUY LINKS BENEATH THE PARISIAN SKIES:

Harlequin: http://bit.ly/2ncQo9H

Booktopia: http://bit.ly/2o4WfN3

Bookworld: http://bit.ly/2oEYCHr

Dymocks: http://bit.ly/2oF3PPy

iBooks: http://apple.co/2p2STIe

Amazon.com Kindle: http://amzn.to/2oFfJJ7

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2nFT7no

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ncZZx4

Amazon.com.au: http://amzn.to/2oDyo8C

FREE NOVELLA – PARISIAN SKIES

Alli has written a free e-novella that is the prequel to Beneath the Parisian Skies. To download it, use any of the following links:






http://www.harlequinbooks.com.au/product/9781489247001


https://www.amazon.com.au/d/Parisian-Dreams-Beneath-Skies-ebook/B06Y235QCC/ref=sr_1_1
s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1494211693&sr=1-1


http://www.booktopia.com.au/ebooks/parisian-dreams-alli-sinclair/prod9781489247001.html;jsessionid=X4ReXvxP1lw83bbwMNrDdhle?clickid=yqn0rb3L1ze2ykUVcAxbqRp9UkhRAXxJ4TmQzg0&utm_campaign=Harlequin%20Enterprises&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=APD

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Alli_Sinclair_Parisian_Dreams?id=H6SbDgAAQBAJ

https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/parisian-dreams

http://www.ebooks.com/95756430/parisian-dreams/sinclair-alli/

http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/ebooks/parisian-dreams-alli-sinclair/p/9781489247001?utm_medium=32024&utm_source=APD-Affiliate

The Last Post: Completing Your Manuscript

with Dee Scully

The Last Post is traditionally a bugle call signalling the end of the day but over the years it has become better known as a farewell to departed servicemen and women. As writers we have no such farewell for our manuscripts. Often it’s difficult to know just when a manuscript is finished; so how do we know when to call it a day, to stop polishing and submit the work and move on to the next manuscript? What is our Last Post?

Breathless’s own Cassandra Samuels, author of A Scandalous Wager, doesn’t feel she’s ever ready to let go. “I know I always feel I can do more…but eventually you have to look at it and say to yourself [that] you have done the best you can with it and now it is time to let some fresh eyes see it. That’s when I send it to my editor."

Multi-published author Nikki Logan says much the same. “I don’t think you’re ever ‘done’ revising. Polishing. Tweaking. Second-guessing. Angsting. After a few books, you come to realise the signs of over-working—not necessarily in the finished product but in your own processes. If I catch myself spending a whole day on a single scene in the final stages of editing I know I’m going too far. That late in the process I should just be flying through the work, buffing a few rough edges. Not reworking.”

Alli Sinclair, author of Under the Spanish Stars and the May 2017 release, Beneath the Parisian Skies, agrees with Cassandra and Nikki. “I’m a perfectionist. In my eyes, a book is never completely finished. There will always be something I want to change, so I’ve had to learn to let go.” 

Alli suggests using the following three-point checklist:

*Have I done structural and copy edits to the best of my ability?

*Have I given it one last read through to make sure it holds together and there are no dangling thread storylines?

*If I read it again, will I vomit? (This is a very big sign that I have read and reread and revised so much that I just can’t stand the sight of it anymore!)

But what is our Reveille, our Last Post, the one thing to tell us our manuscript is ready to submit for publication? All our authors agreed, our Last Post is tweaking. If you’ve structurally edited your story, revised the copy, and made sure there are no plot-holes, then you’re done. If you tweak much more you run the risk of tweaking your voice right out of the manuscript. So, if you’ve done all the above and are just tweaking, stop and heed your writer’s bugle call. The day is done. Your manuscript is finished. Time to submit and move on.

How do you know when your manuscript is ready to submit?

I love to love:  our servicemen and women.  I have them to thank for my freedom.

I love to laugh:  at my iPhone's autocorrect.  Does it really think I don't know how to spell duck?

I love to learn:  new things about writing.  It helps me grow as a writer and as a human being.

Sadly, this will be Dee's last post for Breathless in the Bush. We have loved having her as part of our team and hope to welcome her back at some time in the future. We're sure all her loyal supporters will miss her as much as we will. We wish you well, Dee, and a heart-felt thank you for all you have done for us. xx

Habits and Rituals of the Resident Writer

By Cassandra Samuels

Greetings Dear Readers!

Today I delve into the habits and rituals of some of our favourite authors. We all have them, those little things we do to prepare to let the words flow. Some are simple, some are perhaps even a little odd, but if they help us get the words down who is to complain?

Victor Hugo, who wrote Les Miserables, liked to work in the nude. It meant he couldn't leave the house and had to stay home and write.

Truman Capote,  author of In Cold Blood, liked to write lying down with a coffee and a cigarette. I guess he had formulated a rhythm of sip, puff, and write.

For me, I have to listen to music. I have several playlists but, generally, it is Two Steps from Hell (strangely enough, not a punk rock band but a group that do soundtracks to movies and games).

Once I am writing, the music fades into the background like white noise and I can concentrate on what I am doing without being distracted by the sounds of the house around me (phones ringing, doors banging, conversations etc).

Here are what some fellow authors have said about their writing habits and/or rituals.

Alyssa J Montgomery

I don't think I've got any particularly interesting or remarkable writing rituals. I do like to have made any important phone calls/attended to anything important before I sit down to write, and I always sit down with a cup of tea. I generally read back over the chapter I've left off at to get me into the character voices again and to refresh my mind so I'm not repeating word choices. I look at my plot outline (I've adapted a colour system I learned from Cherry Adair when I attended her plotting by colour workshop in Dallas a couple of years ago). Once I have firmly in my mind where I am, I just write. Chocolate was definitely a welcome part of the ritual but since my last cholesterol reading was too high, that is now sadly lacking when I write!

Alli Sinclair

I never used to have a ritual when writing but a year ago I saw a Reiki Master and mentioned how I was feeling blocked on my story. She asked how I like to write - which is usually on the couch with my laptop - and she said to try writing at my desk with my feet placed firmly on the ground as it is supposed to help with the flow of creativity. I gave it a go and, lo and behold, the words came out fast and furious and the block I'd been suffering disappeared into the ether. I've been sitting with my feet firmly placed on the floor for a year now and my productivity has increased tenfold!
 

Narelle Atkins

I plug my headphones into my iPhone and listen to 80's music when I write. I mix up the playlists, depending on my mood.  

Cathleen Ross

I take the dog for a walk and then write until about 4 p.m. for six days a week. I aim for 1000 words a day unless I have to do research. Because the book I'm currently working on requires a lot of research, I do as much study at night. 

Amy Rose Bennett

I don’t need much to get me into a writing mood other than booting up my laptop and turning off social media. Fortunately, I can pretty much write anywhere, anytime; in fact, I actually don’t have a particular writing desk or space. The only ‘must-have’ I can think of is making sure I have a good cup of coffee at hand. Then I’m good-to-go.

Maggie Nash

I think my most successful method of preparing to write is not to prepare at all. Sometimes I am guilty of overthinking ..so I find I get a lot more done when I don't prepare and just make that decision to sit down and write, and get on with it.

Do you have any habits or rituals before writing?Please do tell!

I love to love: Watching Poldark Season 2

I love to laugh: At old guys dancing.

I love to learn: About the writing habits and rituals of other authors - hence this post!

Accents: How to Write Them So Readers Hear Them

with guest blogger Alli Sinclair

If you've learnt another language, you know there is so much more than grammar to get right. There are inflections, complicated word orders, slang, rolling r's, silent t's… it can take years to master. Writers with foreign characters in their stories must not only have a good grasp on cultural differences, they need to understand the speech patterns of the nationality they're working with. It's easy enough to throw in oui or sí but most readers expect more than this.



Having learnt Spanish in Argentina, I understand the nuances of an Argentine speaking English, but you don’t need to move to a foreign country to perfect the accent you're working on; not with TV shows and movies giving us access to an array of nationalities to study.



In Luna Tango, the heroine is Australian and the hero is Argentine. My next book, Flamenco Fire, has an English heroine with a Spanish hero. His speech patterns and many of his words are different to my Argentine character—even though they both speak Spanish. It's like an Englishman speaks differently to a South African who speaks differently to an Australian.



So, how do I deal with these challenges? Bang my head against the desk? Some days I do, but that gets painful. So I resort to my network of foreign friends, immerse myself in movies or TV shows that have authentic characters from the nationality I'm writing about, and sometimes I just have a good look around YouTube.

Here's an example of how I wrote an Argentine speaking English (from 'Luna Tango'):
'Venting is cathartic, no? But please refrain from this when I am doing the teaching.’ He cleared his throat. ‘It is important for the leader to make sure the follower is feeling safe because if she does not, she will not reach a state of the meditation and this would be of great tragedy.'



You'll notice the extra 'the' and 'ing' words in this sentence. La and el (the) are used a lot in Spanish, so when my Argentine speaks English, extra 'the's' pop into his speech. And instead of saying 'this would be tragic', he says 'this would be of great tragedy'. Spanish is a beautifully poetic language so when Spanish speakers speak English they tend to use more words to say what they need to. Also, someone who doesn't have English as a first language often won't use contractions, so changing a don't to a do not can give extra authenticity. Just be careful you don't go overboard on this otherwise the character will sound like a robot!

Another thing to consider is your character's educational background. Are they now living in an English-speaking country? Someone who speaks English every day will be more fluent than someone who learnt it in a classroom in their native country. If English is their first language, where did they grow up? The UK has a wide array of accents that can affect how a character speaks.



Freaking out a little right now with so much to think about? Don't worry! There are many resources out there to help you nail the accent so beautifully that your readers will think you've channelled someone from the nationality you're writing about.



The best way to overcome the accent challenge is to research, listen, write. It may take a while to perfect but it will be worth it—your character will be more authentic and your readers will be thankful you went the extra mile.

Writers: have you ever tried writing your characters with an accent, and if so, how did you overcome the challenge?

Readers: can you recommend any authors/books that write character accents really well?

I love to love … my friends. There’s nothing better than connecting with someone who has a good heart and is fun and positive.

I love to laugh … at the crazy antics of my kids. They are an absolute joy and they love putting on performances to make people laugh.

I love to learn … of people's good news! It always makes me happy when good things happen to good people.

If you would like to read more about writing accents with authenticity, there’s a really fabulous post here: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/writing-accents-and-dialects

Alli Sinclair is the author of Luna Tango, the first in the Dance Card Series, published by Harlequin MIRA.

Flamenco Fire to be released (2015) and Turning Pointe (2016)

Website: www.allisinclair.com

VIP club signup: http://allisinclairauthor.wordpress.com/newsletter/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlliSinclairAuthor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/allisinclair

The Character of Setting

with guest blogger Alli Sinclair

Have you ever found yourself reading a story and been so immersed that the sights, smells, and sounds feel real? That you could vividly describe that world, even though you’d never physically been there? I adore stories like this and ever since I was a kid, I’ve hunted down books that would transport me to far off lands, explore an array of cultures, or experience a moment in history I wouldn’t normally get the chance to (unless, of course, my time machine finally works).

When I first started writing I realised characters don’t have to be human (or paranormal creatures), and they can take the form of setting—landscapes, eras, environment, weather, political climates, and cultures to name a few. Settings add complex layers, enrich stories, and can steer a tale in a different direction. Think of your favourite story and imagine it in a different era of time or country or culture. Would it be the same? Rural Romance wouldn’t work as well if it was set in, say, Antarctica or the Pacific Islands. And disaster stories would be (wait for it …) a disaster (pun intended!) if there weren’t non-human characters causing mayhem—for example, an earthquake, meteor, flood, storm or deadly virus. Settings add forward momentum to a story and can make an ordinary story extraordinary.

Settings such as culture, landscapes, environment, history and time can take on human characteristics—they can have flaws; shady pasts; evoke love and longing and challenge the human characters in ways only non-humans can. They can also have a profound influence on the actions and feelings of human characters.

Of course, the physical landscape of a country is not the only setting a writer can work with. In my books I use dance and music as a character. I chose dances that are an intrinsic part of a country’s culture—tango and Argentina; flamenco and Spain; and the Ballets Russes in Paris. These dances are so tightly woven into the country’s cultural history and identity that it would be impossible to set these stories elsewhere. And that’s the secret to knowing if setting is a character—the story won’t be the same if you moved it to another culture, location or time period.

Without the aid of unlimited funds (research grant, anyone?) to travel the globe and experience a new culture, how can authors bring authenticity to their stories? Networking is high on the list, and with the aid of social media and the Internet, it’s not too hard to find an expert in the field of your chosen topic. Most people love talking about their passion and tend to be very giving and enthusiastic when a writer shows interest. I’ve been fortunate enough to find tango, flamenco, and ballet dancers who have happily given me their insights and experiences. They’ve also introduced me to experts in the culture and history of the country I’m writing about. It never hurts to ask, and often the person is flattered and happy to share their invaluable knowledge.

So writers, next time you sit down to work on a story, imagine it set in a different time period, culture or location. If the change in setting excites you, then get researching and you may just find a new way to tell your story. And readers, maybe next time you choose a book, go with one set in a destination or time period you wouldn’t normally read. Who knows, you may just find a ticket to a new and exciting world!

I love to love … stories! There’s nothing better than finding a book, movie, or TV show that captures the mind and heart.

I love to laugh … at myself! I’m one of the most accident prone people I know.

I love to learn … about new cultures and history. It reminds how humans across the centuries and from an array of nationalities are alike in so many ways but are also vastly different.

Alli Sinclair is the author of Luna Tango, the first in the Dance Card Series, published by Harlequin MIRA.

Flamenco Fire to be released (2015) and Turning Pointe (2016)

Website: www.allisinclair.com

VIP club signup: http://allisinclairauthor.wordpress.com/newsletter/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlliSinclairAuthor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/allisinclair

And the winner is...

Last week we promised an Amazon gift voucher to one person who commented on our post. Many thanks to all of you who visited and joined in the conversations--it was so lovely to have you join us--but unfortunately there can only be one winner and the name drawn out of a hat (literally!) was... Marianne Therese. Congratulations! A $10 voucher will be winging its way to you very soon.