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The excitement of a cooking element that cooks

I was at a store a few weeks back and happened across a plug in to the wall, single element, induction cooktop thing. I made the purchase to see what it was like. I've been considering a new oven for some time and the inductions were recommended. My current one is not so good. Every time my sister comes over and attempts to cook on it, she's like 'Jo, when are you getting a new oven, how can you cook on this thing?' I can cook just fine, actually. It just takes ten times as long. To that end, I'd been contemplating the induction but they are more expensive, you need to make sure your cookware is induction friendly (I have one large pot that is just that thankfully)  and you also have to check the power supply supports it. It seems daunting. Then I found this plug in element and got home, got it going, cooked minced beef on it, and OH MY GOLLY GOSH. I couldn't believe it, just how quickly it cooked. I said to myself, now I don't need a whole new induction ove...
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The Gabardi Wife free

  Now free.. book one in my 'Maddie Summers' series, the Gabardis, it's The Gabardi Wife. Here's a quick intro: Holly's estranged husband Alexi turns up on her doorstep and she realizes she still loves him. But she needs a divorce, desperately. She's got a secret, one he can never know about, even though it concerns his family. Alexi has always adored Holly, but can he convince her so? Meet the Gabardi family in Book 1 of this sweet, emotion-packed series. You can get it HERE on Amazon.com until Wednesday July 15th. Go forth and enjoy!!
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Everything you want in a small town romance

Frazier Bay: Everything you want in a small town romance: lovable characters, dashes of humour, a charming setting, and a heartwarming story...   I have been re-reading my first two Frazier Bay books to get back into the world as I plot out a third book in the series. I love these small town books, and I am especially keen to get back into writing this new one. I have a soft spot for fictional Frazier Bay because way back in the early days of my romance writing, I wrote a short story set in the small town and it won a competition which was just super exciting!! Pus it came with a very nice prize. The idea for the book grew out of that story. So far there are only two books but I have two more planned out for Frazier Bay.  So what are they about?   In The Heart of Matthew McLeod, Anna Cameron has weathered tragedy to find hope in Frazier Bay. With a new job, a new home, and her new friends, she's putting her life back together and even more, she's finding just how much sh...
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Conference time

 I've booked for the upcoming Romance Writers of New Zealand conference , to be held in early August in  Auckland so I'm pretty excited about that. I probably won't know most of the people, yikes, but that's a good thing, right? It means new people are writing and are interested in publishing and are supporting Romance Writers of New Zealand.  I also don't know who most of the speakers are but good to hear new people and learn new stuff and keep up to date with the business side of the writing.  Photo of myself with Glenda Leader, one of our RWNZ members from back-in-the-day. I think this picture must be a good 20 years old now! Good memories.
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Travel ahoy

This time next week I'll be in Adelaide, South Australia! I've never been to Adelaide (or South Australia) so I'm super excited about that. There seems a bit to do in the city itself and the German village has been recomended; hopefully we can get there by bus. The Botannic Garden has also been recommended as a place to visit and besides that, there is the food. Spare the wine, but the food!!  Then I'll be flying up to Sydney for a bit of a family get together before I head home. I can tell you, there won't be much writing done but maybe I'll get some inspiration. Also, to Maddie readers, I'll be sending out a newsletter when I get back. xxx  
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A round-up for May

HAPPY MAY!!! Here's a bit of a round-up It is autumn but, rats, it is not nearly as cold as it should be!!  A few years back I bought a ski-type jacket at Aldi (in Australia, with my sister, we don't have Aldi here in NZ) and finally it is cold enough at times to wear the jacket.   I'm back into the knitting, and am back doing scarves. My mother used to knit us kids jerseys and cardigans and I can't imagine how long it must have taken, but its very pleasing to whip out the needles and knock off a few rows now and then. Clearly I am in no hurry to finish.  I've been getting organised with all sorts of things including diaries/planners. I got some cheap notebooks at Spotlight late last year and made them into planners.  I found a weekly planner pad dirt cheap at a second hand shop (.50c) which had a year's worth of planning pages in it and is probably better cos I can stick it up on the wall and actually see it and remember what I'm meant to be doing....
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Super duper sale finished

My super-duper sale on all Maddie Summer books has finished. Phew. It was great to see all the books appearing on the free charts, and all the downloads happening. I appreciate every rating and especially a review.  I like seeing what you all say about a book! What I'm working on: There is a fourth Clearlake book which is almost finished for the first editing stage.  The new 'Dating Daisy' story, Captivating Kelly is with my proof reader for a final proof. A Maddie Summers Bluebell Road story for Christmas this year. (It was meant to be Christmas last year but.... well, enough said about that!) And I'm also working on a single title comedy which I am hoping to have traditionally published and when its finished I'll be looking for an agent for that. A busy year ahead!
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