The French! I am a bit into things French at the moment, partly because.. well, why not? There's a lot to like (she says, avoiding looking English people in the eye...) Plus I'm meant to be spending a few days on a certain French Pacific island in a few months, so am brushing up on sixth form French in anticipation of not making a complete twit of myself. I could set a book there . Tax write off... Anyhow, besides drinking lots of cafe au lait, I recently discovered a fabulous French singer, Lou Doillon. She had a song on the "So Frenchy So Chic" CD (one day I'm going to that!) , so I tried out her CD "Places" - and just loved it. Its kind of cruisey-pop, and a few months back I played it all the way in the car on a long drive. Lou has got a gorgeous, deep voice, sings in English, and writes her own stuff - like this clip, ICU, which is quite possibly my favourite song on the album. Here tis. Definitely chic.

Just back from a fabulous writerly retreat down in the King Country. We talked writing, plotting, marketing, social media, and had a great time in the process. Looking out over Te Kuiti One of the best parts of a few days away with a couple of old friends is of course just the yakking. Drinking coffee, laptops on - laps! - heading outside for some fresh air and driving into town for brunch in the  mornings. The backyard of the house - just gorgeous One of the things I love about the romance community is that we are so diverse - I write romantic comedy that is sweet, Rowena light paranormal and Toni more intense novels and erotica.  But we all love what we do, and love talking books. Was a pretty darned perfect weekend!!