Cupcakes and Sparkle!

You’re browsing in the bookshop with your sunnies atop your head…hoping for a feel good and fresh summer read that will have you reading solidly from page one with a mighty satisfied sigh at the end.

Ideally you’d like to happen on one of those precious rare books that’s just dying to be made into a film with an armful of laughs, a smattering of ahhh moments and a couple you want to get together right from the dot of the first i?

Look no further.

Nina Harrington’s debut 'Always The Bridesmaid' is all the above and more. Go buy, buy three and give to your pals (they'll love you for it). Buy another as a spare. You will be truly glad you did.

And you will probably also develop a strong hankering for strudel and cupcakes along the way. And men who can ably indulge in moment's notice pranks involving fake pregnancy bumps. ggg

Now if only I could go and buy myself an inflatable Jared. Scrummy hero alert-this one is a keeper with kudos!

Blog Specialities

It is interesting and noteworthy *to me* to see that the following keywords have been used to find this blog:

Eighties anthems (yey)
Alan Rickman (yey again)
Gerard Butler (yey yey)
Porridge for bath (hmmn stranger than fiction)
But my favourite to date…

‘FANCY DONAL MACINTYRE’

In summary. I’m doing my job well.

P.S. Had a long, turmoil inducing dream last night-in which MnB sent me a seven page scathing critique rejection on my PARTIAL. Yes it's driving me to dreams.

The Crimplene Gusset

My long-time 'friend' -a man who has never failed to make me laugh my head off, and that's just at the way he devours a chocolate bar and sniffs the wrapper-sent me a spoof email about my blog...

Lovely, twinkling blog and light of my dull, boring life that it is...

Dear Judy Jarvie

As an avid reader of your blog, may I say that you are an inspiration - not only to me but all of us on the Rosemary Conley Ward. I understand that you are a published author: Looking at your photo, it's clear you've been around the block a few times and I bet you could show us wannabes a few wrinkles! That being the case, I wonder if you would be prepared to cast a critical eye over my latest offering, The Crimplene Gusset? You will be pleased to learn that I believe that brevity and economy are the cornerstones of creative writing so I'll just be sending you the first 50,000 words. Chapter two to follow thereafter. Thank you for your time and keep up the good work. A wellwisher.

I'm doing my Marge Simpson 'hhmmmn' face. Crimplene Gusset...actually, that could be a goer! Maybe the man's got talent?

P.S. I should also add that the 'questionable friend' discussed above has assaulted me regularly with his practical jokery-the fake letter to the editor about a collector of vacuum cleaners almost ended up published (thanks to his tricks/my lack of observation skills and scant supply of letters to the editor for publication) AND I haven't forgotten the knotting the string ties of my hoodie episode when I was unable to escape in a public venue.

P.P.S. One day there will be a price to pay!

P.P.P.S. Rant over.

I Heart Susan

Contended sigh.

I'm reading a Susan Wiggs-Summer By The Sea. And it's now glued to my hand...I love Susan and have never managed to pick up one of her books yet and not find myself devouring it very fast. And smiling a lot. And hugging it to me like a warm fuzzy blanket.

Highly recommended. Also...I'm fortunate enough to have another small pile of 'Susans' stashed away for summer holiday sanity purposes. Thinking ahead there. 'Susans' make my world a happy place.

Men In Kilts...Because I'm Worth It

Tomorrow is a much-longed-for writing day (yey!) as my lovely *kitchen cleaning wizard* mother is looking after my littlest one.

Anyway...I'm at the research/inspiration craving point so I've been googling men in kilts. Best not to ask why but...I do have a hankering for a man in a skirt (perhaps because my dh is a Londoner who married me in a penguin suit). Note: not dressed up as a penguin, that would be silly/a bit worrying plus I'd have run at the altar. Penguin suit as in dress morning suit garb etc etc etc etc. I'll shut up now.

So...here's the hunky line up. Views on the most gorgeous greatly appreciated.

Here come the boys...My own favourite will naturally always remain Gerry Butler.

Line up info:

The Scotch Beef Advert Kilted Man (apologies to veggies)

Gerry Butler and Ewan MacGregor

Alan Rickman (for Suzanne)

David Tennant

Gerard Butler in LEATHER KILT

What A Difference A Day Makes

Moving on from yesterday...

So my heroine's a rebel...I can deal with her (I think). The nanny heroine was a maniac and I coped.

The sun is shining a la Cannes. My mind is working overtime.

And now joy of joys as I type my mother is cleaning my kitchen surfaces with a microfibre cloth. Untold wonders bejove.

Today I am mostly enjoying the up vibe by listening to Madonna's Give It To Me (as positive a mantra song as ever existed-particularly useful for fantasising that you're demanding a full read from the powers at be at Mills and Boon!)

Ciao baby.

Oh my!

I DID get a chance to write this weekend. Snatched and grabbed though it was.
The result 5,000 words has morphed into 12,000 words. I have direction!

However...the heroine has thrown something entirely surprising at me that I had no idea about. I really should send her to naughty corner. A surprise that was so shockingly sprung on me I actually sat staring miffed and outraged at the screen.

As yet I don't know if this revelation is a good move...or a bad one.

Onwards and upwards. Or down. As the case may be.

Signed-Confused Writer From Fife With A Revolting Heroine.