3rd December
prize draw...
It's great taking part in a raffle draw. Today I was at a writers Christmas lunch in North Wales, where our own raffle prizes were drawn out of the pudding basin by author Trishia Ashley.
18th October
News Flash...
The top 20 have been chosen from amongst all the entries in the New Voices competition. Please visit my "Competitions" page to read full anouncement.
16th October
Regency Reader's Day...
Saturday 8th October saw enthusiasts of all sorts - readers, writers, re-enactors and dancers - gathering to celebrate all things Regency. So many people had such fabulous costumes, that I hadn't been in the Royal Over Seas Club for long before I began to feel like a provincial schoolmaster's wife, rather overawed by the glamour and excitement of life in the metropolis.
As it is the bicentenary of the publication of "Sense and Sensibility", the programme naturally included some serious discussion of Jane Austen's works. But there was also a display of reproduction costume, parlour games, and walks around St. James with a most authentic military escort, while a guide pointed out the gentlemen's clubs and the site of Almacks. The soldiers attracted a lot of interest (and lapped it up!) I can quite see why Lydia Bennet lost her head to a man in a scarlet jacket. There is something very appealing about a man in uniform...well, a uniform like this one, anyway.
I just about managed to restrain myself from following the drum, instead staying decorously indoors to listen to a fascinating talk given by Georgette Heyer's biographer, Dr Jennifer Kloester.
Then followed what was the absolute highlight of my day. I learned to dance a cotillion. Well, perhaps to claim I learned it is a bit of an exaggeration. The dancing master and his lovely assistant (pictured below), demonstrated the steps, and encouraged us to have a go, to the music he provided, but there was a good deal of giggling and bumping into each other. It was all the more confusing when people forgot, half way through a set, whether they were supposed to be a lady or a gentleman.
Still, I feel as though I have a much better idea of what it would have been like to attend a Regency ball. Nowhere near as elegant and refined as I'd imagined - but a whole lot more fun. By the end of our session, I'd also got a good idea why the older ladies sat on the sidelines watching. I felt as though I'd had a workout. That kind of dancing requires a good deal of stamina.
I also discovered that just getting about, in full length dress, with luggage, is no mean feat. When I grumbled that I did not have enough pairs of hands as I was struggling up the stairs with my skirts rather desperately hitched up to prevent myself tripping, and more bags than I knew what to do with, the utterly charming Roy McMillan of Naxos recordings promptly volunteered to act as my footman. We then had a discussion about the appeal of the regency rake. It is, I told him, the enduring fantasy of being the one woman in the world capable of redeeming a bad boy.
In the afternoon, several of us walked to the East India Club, where we were treated to a re-enactment of the moment Major Percy (played by Miles Barden, pictured left) arrived in a post-chaise - several captured French eagles sticking out of the windows - with dispatches from Wellington about the outcome of the Battle of Waterloo. He'd come straight from the battlefield in his torn and bloodstained tunic, and had barely slept for six nights. Gripping stuff - although I could have done without the graphic description of the crusted matter which fell from his tunic when he finally undressed for bed that night, which he thought must have been particles of somebody's brains.
I shall gloss over the talk about sex in Georgian England, and contemporary novels set in that era, since I was participating - except to say that because one of these two soldiers had been sharing round his snuff immediately before the session, whatever we said was greeted by a chorus of hearty sneezing.
To round the day off there was a lively discussion about whether Austen and Heyer were better than they thought they were. Neither of them received recognition from the literati during their lifetime, though their work has endured and grown in popularity ever since. Austen was diffident about her work, describing it as being akin to that of a minaturist. And although Heyer knew she was good, she would have thought it vulgar to say so.
What blew me away, though, was to learn that Heyer never had an editor. Not only that, but she once sat down at her typewriter, and produced a complete novel in two months. And nobody suggested revisions! You can imagine the collective groan from the assembled authors on receipt of that tidbit.
We all agreed that it was about time somebody produced the works of Heyer for the screen. We have endless productions of Austen and Dickens, and after all, she has both the elegance of the era in her central romance, alongside a cast of comic characters worthy of Dickens too. Something for everyone, in fact. By this end of the day we'd got over our intial shyness, and were soon not only putting forward the case for why our particular favourite of hers would make for a wonderful visual drama, but also naming which actors we'd like to play the various heroes.
The panel who were leading the discussion all favoured The Grand Sophy, although Dr Jennifer Koestler also put the case for Cotillion.
Personally, I'd love to see The Foundling made into a film. There is all the drama of the Duke of Sale outwitting his kidnappers by burning down the inn where they are holding him captive, the ongoing battle of Belinda to get her purple dress, and the whole sub plot involving Captain Gideon Ware, striding around magnificently attired in his regimentals, absolutely refusing to tell anyone what his cousin is up to, and ending up suspected of his murder.
I can see Greg Wise in the role of the dashing Gideon Ware. Or maybe James Purefoy.
On that note I drifted back to the twentieth century courtesy of Virgin trains, still attired in my full length dress...though I did remove my bonnet!
26th September
Captain Corcoran up for an award...
I was really thrilled to receive the news today that my book, "Captain Corcoran's Hoyden Bride" is on the shortlist for an award - the result to be anounced on 22nd October. 
The award is for "Best Historical Romance", judged by readers attending the first UK festival of romance, to be held between 21st and 22nd October at Hunton Park in Hertfordshire.
(for more details of the festival, please visit my Events page)
Others shortlisted for the Choc Lit Best Historical Read category are:
The Apothecary's Daughter, by Charlotte Betts (Piatkus)
The Scarlet Kimono, by Christina Courtenay (Choc Lit)
Perhaps Tomorrow, by Jean Fullerton (Orion)
The Kydd Inheritance by Jan Jones (Robert Hale)
There is also an award for contemporary set romances. Here is the shortlist of titles for the Total-E-Bound Best Romantic Read Award:
Persuade Me by Juliet Archer (Choc Lit)
Swept off her Stilettos by Fiona Harper (Mills & Boon Riva)
Wrapped up in You by Carole Matthews (Sphere)
Love and Freedom by Sue Moorcroft (Choc Lit)
The Hating Game by Talli Roland (Prospera Publishing)
The awards are being judged by a panel of readers who are considering the submissions on readability and enjoyment.
"The quality of the submissions received for the inaugural Reader Awards has been exceptionally high," said Jenny Barden, the awards moderator. "That has made the task of arriving at a shortlist extremely difficult but everyone on the Reader Award panel is now looking forward to the conclusion of the selection process and the prospect of finding worthy winners from amongst some of the best goodreads now available in both contemporary and historical romantic fiction."
"Woohoo!" said Annie Burrows when she opened her inbox and found her book on the shortlist.
25th September
sign on the dotted line...
I had a phone call from my editor last week, offering me a contract for a further 3 books. I'm already writing the first one, which I have to deliver a couple of weeks before Christmas. (It's about a rake who meets his match in an innocent country miss. Can't tell you any more yet, as even my editor hasn't seen it!)
Even better, she told me that "Captain Corcoran's Hoyden Bride", which has already been published in the UK, will be available for readers in the US in digital format in April 2012, as well as in limited quantities in print form. And then later in the year, the companion story to that, featuring the hoyden bride's cousin Lady Jayne, will be published simultaneously in the US, UK, and in digital format.
The rest of the week I've been scouring the internet for someone to hire a regency costume from, as I'm preparing to go to a day dedicated to lovers of all things Regency in London. Run by the RNA to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" there will be a variety of talks and activities, including parlour games, authentic period dancing, and prize quizes.
(for more info, please visit my Events page)
I have just learned that I will be taking part in a panel talking about "The Celestial Bed" alongside other authors of regency set romances, Jo Beverley, Jan Jones, Elizabeth Moss and Brigid Coady. We will be talking about sex in regency set romances...do we like it hot, or sweet?
It should be a fun day. I am packing my dancing shoes, my walking shoes, and a camera, so I can share pictures with you on my return. I've bought a bonnet, from a fabulous hire company Farthingales, who provide gowns for the Bath festival regency ball each year. But shall I hire a ball gown too? I would love to dress the part while I'm there, but I'm a little wary of travelling home on public transport in a full-length gown and bonnet. And there won't be time to change!
11th September
Ladies who lunch...
I've been out and about enjoying myself again this week. On Wednesday I went to Southport to hear Sarah Mallory address a writer's group on "Inspiration". She showed us some lovely pictures of stately homes, as well as portraits of elegant ladies and sketches of tousled Corinthians. At the end of her talk I purchased her latest book, "To Catch a Husband" which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Sarah Mallory came hotfoot from a workshop she has recently given to those wishing to enter the New Voices competition. If she showed them the sketch of that Corinthian, I am truly looking forward to what comes from their fevered imaginations on Sept 13th, which is when the contest kicks off.
To find out more about taking part in this search for new voices to write for Mills & Boon, follow this link:
http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/newvoices/#howtoenter
I am blogging this week at harlequin historical authors blogspot, about going to school, regency style. If you'd like to read the article, and maybe leave a comment, you can find me at:
http://community.eharlequin.com/content/harlequin-historicals-group-author-blog
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28th August
Czech this out...
"The Viscount and the Virgin", book 5 in the "Regency Silk and Scandal" series, has been translated into Czechoslovakian, and I've just received my author copies.
What a lovely picture of Imogen confronting Viscount Mildenhall in the doorway. But where is that glass of champagne?
And I love the fact I'm now Annie Burrowsova...I sound so exotic!
15th August
And I'm on holiday...
Well, you'd think so, wouldn't you, to judge from the fact that I've not updated my news column for over a month.
So, to catch up...those of you who have enjoyed Captain Corcoran's Hoyden Bride, and have asked me when her cousin Jayne's story will be available...the good news is my editor has just given the manuscript of her adventures the go-ahead. I will keep you posted whenever I find out what the title will be, and a release date.
(Captain Corcoran's Hoyden Bride is also now available in large print.)
I now have a cover picture for my Christmas story, which comes out in an anthology called "Gift Wrapped Governesses". I just love the mischievous expression on the little girl's face.
Now - for those aspiring romance writers out there, you will be pleased to hear that Mills & Boon are running another New Voices competition, starting in September. The editors are looking for fresh new voices to join those of us already writing for Mills & Boon, and are running an online competition to find aspiring romance writers. For more details, go to
http://www.romanceisnotdead.com/
And what else? Well, in October, I will be taking part in Britain's first ever Festival of Romance. 
It will be taking place on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd October 2011 at Hunton Park, near Watford, Herts, UK.
The programme is based around romantic fiction giving readers the chance to meet favourite and new authors. There will also be fun activities including a chocolate tasting and the Festival of Romance Ball and Awards on Saturday 22nd October. The aim is to celebrate romantic fiction in all its forms.
If you would like to meet me, I will be taking part in a panel, along with other writers of Regency romance, Isabelle Goddard, Fenella Miller, and Jan Jones, intriguingly entitled "Talk of the Ton".
To find out more, please visit the festival's website, at:
http://festivalofromance.co.uk/
12th July
It's that time of the month again...
I'm blogging over at Harlequin Historical writers' page at eharlequin today, about the local tradition of "Walking". It came as a surprise to me when I moved to this area, and apparently, not many people in the rest of the world have anything quite like it either.
Held on the Friday nearest to the end of June, Walking Day is a local custom, which shuts down the town centre, and quite a few schools and businesses too.
Intrigued? Then please follow this link to read more...
29th June
a first for me...
I have just found out that one of my earlier books, "The Earl's Untouched Bride", has been made into an audiobook. I am very excited about this, and have been trawling all over the internet to find out as much about it as I can. 
It is unabridged, is on 8 C.D's and takes the narrator, Julia Franklin, about 9 hours to read.
If you want to buy it, you can find it at various websites:
http://www.wholestoryaudiobooks.co.uk/
http://www.audible.com/
or good old Amazon UK
I have also turned in the manuscript of a book which tells the story of Lady Jayne Chilcott, cousin to the heroine of my last book, "Captain Corcoran's Hoyden Bride". Some of you have been asking when you will be able to read her story...well, it's in the hands of my editors now! I'll keep you posted.
15th May
Doesn't time fly...
I can't believe it has been a whole month since I last posted any news here. I have just been so busy...
Well, first of all, great news on the writing front. I have just heard that I will be having a novella published in November, in an anthology called "Gift wrapped Governesses". My story is called "From Governess to Christmas Bride."
I have also received copies of the Italian translation of "Devilish Lord, Mysterious Miss". And discovered that "Captain Corcoran's Hoyden Bride" which was first published in the UK in April this year, is to appear in an anthology in Australia, along with two of my earlier stories.
And this week, to celebrate all this, I gave myself a day off, and drove up to Southport to meet up with other members of the Romantic Novelists Asssociation for lunch at the Scarisbrick Hotel.
Our guest speaker this time was Christine Dawe, an actress who has not only brought many romance novels to life through audio books, but has also been involved in the tricky work of abridging them. Chapters of a written novel don't always fall neatly into the 45 mins allotted by the early cassette tape format used by talking books, and Christine very amusingly shared with us how she found ways to cut the written form.
If you want to find out more about her work, her website is:
www.christine.dawe.com
Then on Friday 13th, I set off for a book group I have recently joined, where we were to discuss "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society". As regular readers will know, I have a special interest in this book, as I sometimes get fan letters intended for one of the authors, Annie Barrows. I became so intrigued by their response to the book, written about the occupation of Guernsey by German troops during the second world war, that I had to buy a copy myself. I was all fired up to tell everyone how much I enjoyed the book...only sadly I didn't make it to the meeting. I thought I knew my way round Cheshire much better than I actually do. Eventually, I pulled over into a pub car park (where I once had a job as a cleaner), to phone the hostess to tell her I was almost there...only to find I hadn't brought the membership list with everyone's address and phone numbers on. So, even if I did manage to find the road, I would have had to knock on the door of every single house to find the book group.
I turned round and went home. I may not have had the benefit of discussing a book I'd enjoyed, but I'd had a lovely drive through some very picturesque parts of Cheshire, which I'd never seen before.
10th April
Spring has sprung...
And I am blogging about tulips on the harlequin historical authors web page from Monday 11th. 
I started out thinking I was going to write a really insightful article about how people have wanted to make a fortune through speculation, and ended up ruined, as much in the 17th Century, as today. But I got side-tracked by the horticultural aspect of my research.
I have often wondered why I've been so spectacularly unable to get tulips to flourish in my garden, and now I know why.
And no, it has nothing to do with squirrels.
If you want to read the full article, please visit the Harlequin Historical authors page, by clicking here
20th March
End of the tax year...
Well, I'm not sure if that is what is causing it, but I've had a few parcels
delivered recently, of books of mine that have been translated into various languages. It is always exciting to discover that people as far away as Australia are reading, and hopefully enjoying my stories.
Another book that really made my day was my first translation into the Czech language, because they always add "Ova" to the surname of the author. So now I am Annie Burrowsova!
The cover to the left is the Czech translation of "The Earl's Untouched Bride."
To see covers of all the editions of my books, please visit the "My Books" page.
27th February
Moving with the times...
Last week I attended the February meeting of the Romantic Novelists Association at Southport - the first meeting of 2011, and also the first meeting run by our two new co-ordinators, Karen and Angela.
Over lunch, conversation ranged over topics as diverse as whether a man in a suit ought to wear a tie, guessing the ingredients that might be present in the "vegetable" soup, epistemology, and the winter olympics. Eventually, we got so frustrated by not being able to remember the correct name of the sport where a person in a leotard and a crash helmet slides head first down a bobsleigh run on a tea tray, that we resorted to asking the waitress. She didn't know either, but got the answer from someone in the hotel, somewhere.
The luge.
Aaah...thank goodness. It would have driven me mad, having the word just out of reach like that.
But thanks to our intrepid waitress, I was able to give our after dinner speaker my full attention.
(I'm also quite proud of this photo, in which I've managed to capture not only Tony Higginson, the guest speaker, but also Karen and Angela, our new co-ordinators, AND the left arm - in pink - of the previous organizer, June Francis)
Tony Higginson, of Pritchards books, a small independent bookshop in Formby gave a very interesting talk about the future of book buying and selling. With the recent demise of Borders, he speculated that small, indie bookshops have a better chance of moving with the times, keeping up with trends, and finding new ways of promoting and selling books.
He acknowledged that it has become much easier for consumers to purchase so many things, not just books online. The way books are selling is changing. Footfall is declining. To keep overheads down, a small business will have to look at things like renting smaller premises, or even reducing opening hours.
But, if you still want to see small, independent bookshops stay in business, there is a way to support them, by buying online. H.I.V.E supports bookshops. If you buy online from Gardiners, they will deliver to a local bookshop. Even if you buy through the Amazon website, by nominating the small bookshop when making a purchase, that bookshop gets a small cut of the profit.
To find out more about ways to support your local bookshop, and to find the events arranged by the enterprising Mr Higginson, visit the website of Pritchards at:
pritchards.co.uk
14th February
Happy Valentine's Day...
Today women all over the world look forward to getting flowers, chocolates, perhaps even getting taken out for a meal. But at the very least we hope to get a card from that special someone in our lives.
I'm not expecting a card - the special someone in my life maintains that Valentine's Day is just an excuse for greetings cards manufacturers to make us buy their products.
Well, that just isn't so. People were celbrating Valentine's Day long before it became common practice to send a greetings card. As far back as the Middle Ages, in fact. The earliest known Valentine greeting still in existence today is a poem Charles Duke of Orleans wrote in 1415 to his wife while he was a prisoner in the Tower of London after being captured at the Battle of Agincourt. And greetings cards did not come into vogue until the 1700's.
Which brings me to the dishwasher. Early on in our marriage, when we weren't very well off, I maintained that I was fine doing the dishes by hand. But my better half bought the machine anyway. And it arrived on February 14th. Not as conventional as flowers, or chocolates, but it was his way of showing how much he cared.
So I don't mind if he doesn't buy me a card (again) this year. He got so many brownie points for getting me that dishwasher that he's still in credit!
6th February
Regency Bicentennial...
February 2011 marks the bicentenary of the start of the Regency period.
February 1811 was when George III was declared temporarily unfit to reign as king and his son became Regent. This of course led to the decade from 1811 to 1820 being named the Regency period.
Picture above: The Prince of Wales, otherwise known as "Prinny", who became the notorious Prince Regent.
To celebrate the Regency period's big birthday, Harlequin is hosting a special series of blogs featuring many of their top Regency authors.
On February 2nd, the series will open with "Grab a bonnet" and an article by Nicola Cornick, "The first celebrity chef"
(http://harlequinblog.com/2011/02/the-first-celebrity-chef/)
On February 4th, some history from Elain Golden:
http://harlequinblog.com/2011/02/a-little-regency-history-lesson/
February 7th, Ann Lethbridge blogs:
http://harlequinblog.com/2011/02/the-more-things-change/
February 9th, Deb Marlowe writes about men in topboots:
http://harlequinblog.com/2011/02/men-in-boots-and-so-much-more/
February 11 Deborah Hale on the Royal Pavilion at Brighton:
http://harlequinblog.com/2011/02/prinny%E2%80%99s-money-pit-the-royal-pavilion/
February 14th Diane Gaston, who writes about the seedy underworld of Regency England, blogs about gambling:
http://harlequinblog.com/2011/02/gambling-in-regency-england/
February 16th Terri Brisbin shares her love of the Regency period:
http://harlequinblog.com/2011/02/how-i-learned-to-love-the-regency-period/
And finally, on February 18 Julia Justiss sums up:
http://harlequinblog.com/2011/02/is-there-any-reason-not-to-love-regencies/
Right through this period, there will also be a fun quiz to test your knowledge of Regency slang:
http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/egFBDfd/Harlequin-Historical-Authors-Test-Your-Regency-Speak
You can also find all the blogs on the Mills and Boon website:
http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/forums/book-buzz
Have fun!
A lovely surprise...
This week I received a surprise parcel containing an edition of "A Countess by Christmas" that apparently went out in Australia. Under the title of "Mistletoe Marriages", it also contains a story by Joanna Maitland, "The Earl's Mistletoe Bride".
As I've come to expect from Australian covers, the one for this two-in-one is quite beautiful:
At first, I didn't think it looked very "Christmassy", but then I remembered that Christmas falls in summery months down under.
And the hero of my story in this anthology does possess a dog, though not such a tiny, well-behaved one.
Anyway, yet again, the Australian marketing people have given one of my stories a cover that I absolutely love. So it was a lovely surprise to receive which brightened up a cold, grey January day in England for this author.
Happy New Year!
I guess this is the time of year when we all feel that with the New Year, we get a fresh start. It’s like drawing a line under the past, and starting over.
This year, we think, we ARE going to accomplish x, y or z…
Last year, about this time of year, I decided I was going to do something about my fitness level. As a writer, I spend far too much time sitting on a chair. If I don’t want to turn into a large blob of blancmange, it’s up to me to do something about it.
10 minutes on my exercise bike every day, I thought, would do the trick.
For several weeks, I managed to keep it going. Weekdays, I religiously climbed into the saddle, and felt a real thrill working my way up through the levels, seeing my heart rate improve, going a little bit faster, and therefore a little bit further every week.
Eventually, though, I got a bit carried away with enthusiasm. If it’s so fulfilling seeing my fitness improve when on a stationary bike, I thought, how much more would I get from getting outside, into the fresh air, and combining my keep fit routine with exploring the countryside? So I went out and bought a real bike, with gears and brakes and everything, and those deep tread tyres so I could manage the dirt trails I can access from my home. And of course, a cycle helmet, for safety.
After my first excursion, I went straight out and bought some cycle shorts too. Rough tracks and the modern style of saddle equates to the kind of discomfort you just don’t get on an exercise bike.
The other thing you forget about when you’ve been used to exercising indoors is how many insects there are per square inch flying about in the air outside. Breathing through the mouth just isn’t an option, which rather restricts the cardio vascular benefit. You don’t want to get out of breath out there! Nor do you want to do without some kind of protective eye wear. The second time I went out I made sure to wear my specs. Because I came back from my first expedition with eyes streaming…and not just because of the saddle.
Wearing my specs had the added bonus of bringing the countryside through which I was cycling into focus. Wow. So many plants, birds and butterflies! About which I knew precisely nothing. When I got home I spent hours googling what I thought I’d seen, trying to work out what on earth they all were. Whilst sitting on a nice, soft cushion. (Cycle shorts are not as effective as the manufacturers claim they are.)
Now, since I live in England, it was not long before it became essential to equip myself with a full set of waterproofs, if I wanted to keep up with exploring my local nature reserve. Which rather spoilt the view of the local flora and fauna. Somebody really should invent some mini wind shield wipers for spectacles.
Anyway, each time I went out, the list of essential items I discovered I needed when venturing into the great outdoors got longer and longer.
It all came to a grinding halt when my son came home from university, and “needed” a bike for commuting to his new job.
And I have to admit, it was not all that much of a sacrifice to hand mine over, and go back to the spare bedroom, and the stationary bike. I no longer need to pack a rucksack with my specs, helmet, puncture repair kit, map, binoculars, bird identifying book, house keys, padlock and chain, water, crisps, gloves, wet wipes, tissues and bandaids, any time I want some exercise. I just saunter into the back bedroom, clamp my headphones over my ears, switch on my ipod, and off I go.
I might not see any birds, flowers or butterflies, but the little electronic readout of my heart rate, miles per hour, and virtual distance travelled has its own fascination.
And best of all, I can put the cushion directly onto the saddle before “setting out”.
I definitely think that this year, my resolution is to be a bit more realistic about what I hope to achieve, and sticking to what works for me.
2010
19th December
"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..."
Like we have any choice! The UK is experiencing yet another particularly snowy winter. Fortunately, I still have some grit in the garage, so I've managed to keep my driveway and front path clear, but the road in front of my house is very icy, where cars have compressed yesterday's snowfall. And then last night, the temperature here fell to minus 11! So the compacted snow froze, meaning I won't be leaving the house unless absolutely necessary.
However, the whole snowy scene has made me feel very Christmassy. I've finished wrapping my presents, and yesterday I baked my first batch of mince pies. Apart from anything else, putting the oven on kept the kitchen warm.
Mince pies are traditional Christmas fare in the UK - in case you are not sure what they are, they are bite sized tarts, filled with a mixture of dried fruit in a kind of gel, not minced up meat, so they are a sweet pie, not a savoury one.
For several years when we were first married, my husband preferred me not to make my own mince pies, because I was so bad at making pastry. (See below for more recent culinary disasters!) But I just love baking, and eventually I found a recipe that works really well, producing really delicate, crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth pastry that is just right for these sweet seasonal treats.
Basically, you throw 2oz lard, 2oz marge, and 8oz plain flour into a blender, and whizz it up until the mix looks like breadcrumbs.
Then you mix 2 tablespoons of caster sugar, and 3 tablespoons of milk, add it to the fat/flour mix, and whizz it up again until it holds together in a ball.
Then you leave it to relax in a cool place for 15 mins (or in my case yesterday, the amount of time it took me to shovel the snow off the driveway).
Then it's ready to roll out and use however you want.
I used a couple of crinkle edged cutters to make two sets of circles, one slightly larger than the other. The larger ones went into a patty tin, with a teaspoon full of mincemeat mix, and then the smaller ones went on top to make a lid.
10 mins in a hot oven, and all of a sudden, people started appearing in the kitchen wanting a sample...
12th December
And the winner is...
...Beverley from Solihull. In case you're wondering, I've been involved in the running of an advent calendar promotion, from Harlequin Historical authors. I was behind the door on 2nd December, and gave away a copy of my December title, "A Countess by Christmas" to entrant number 282 (who turned out to be Beverley!)
Although my day is done, the giveaway will carry on, with daily prizes right through December, culminating with a grand prize draw on December 23rd, when one entrant will be awarded a Kindle 3G. Please go to my Competitions page to find out how to enter.
December is always a busy month, but with the launch of a book in the US, I've been particularly busy. I will be blogging on the Harlequin Historical Authors blogspot tomorrow, (Monday 13th December), and then will be involved in the Open House day on the Harlequin website on Thursday 15th.
And I've been out to a Christmas lunch! The Southport branch of the Romantic Novelists Association have been meeting at the Scarisbrick Hotel for ages - though I've only been attending since I became a member of the RNA a couple of years ago. This lunch was the last to be organized by June Francis. In lieu of having an after dinner speaker, June invited those of us who have had books published, to say a few words about our writing year. And then it was back in the car, to drive home, with my passenger Lynne Connolley.
I don't get to go to many Christmas "do's", as writers don't really have office parties. But I'm really excited about my ballroom dance club's event, which will be held on 21st December. It's an opportunity to get out my cocktail dress, and make my husband put on a tux. We've been trying to learn a routine to foxtrot to, but I have a memory like a sieve. And my husband keeps treading on my toes. And I think our instructor is running out of patience with us...