My Author Copies Arrived at Last!!

Well, I'm not one for letting an opportunity to get all excited pass me by. And if receiving two beautiful big boxes of The Reluctant Bride isn't good reason to into a tail spin, I don't know what is:)

So with a great sounding of trumpets, here is a photo of my beautiful books with their exquisite, embossed covers.

The official release date is September 15 but if you want to enjoy heavy discounts and pre-order, Amazon has them at $10.32 (free shipping on orders over $25)

and

The Book Depository has them for $11.15 (that's Australian dollars) which includes worldwide delivery. 

The e-book, which comes out in a few weeks, is priced at $2.99.

So, just to remind you about what The Reluctant Bride is all about, and it's history, here's a quick potted run-down.

About 6 years ago the first three chapters won Romance Writers of Ausrtralia's Single Title competition. Then I got published with my first Regency Romance - Lady Sarah's Redemption. I wrote three books for Robert Hale (all hardcovers which are now available as ebooks) and then four more sensual historical romances which are available only as e-books and written under the pseudonym Beverley Oakley.

Last year, however, The Reluctant Bride won Choc Lit's Search for an Australian Star competition and it's been excitement all the way, what with the Romantic Times Booklovers conference, book talks and the promo trail.

Here's the blurb:

Emily Micklen has no option after the death of her loving fiance Jack but to marry the scarred, taciturn soldier who represents her only escape from destitution.

Major Angus McCartney is tormented by the reproachful, slate-grey eyes of two similar women: Jessamine, his dead mistress, and Emily, the unobtainable beauty who is now his reluctant bride.

Emily's loyalty to Jack's memory is matched only by Angus's desire to win his wife with honour and action.

As Napoleon cuts a swathe through Europe, Angus is sent to France on a mission of national security, forcing Emily to confront her traitorous half-French family.

Angus and Emily may find love, but will the secrets they uncover divide them forever?

You can read the first two chapters here

Now, on the same day I received my author copies I also received my cover art for my next Choc Lit release, The Maid of Milan, due for release March 2014.

'The Maid of Milan' is about a woman who has finally fallen in love with her gorgeous, patient husband of 5 years. Now her former passionate (poet) lover- from whose arms she was torn by her family - has returned from abroad, a celebrity due to the success of his book 'The Maid of Milan'. High society is as desperate to discover the identity of 'his muse' as my heroine is to protect her newfound love and her husband's political career. (It's just a little more difficult since her secret lover was her husband's best uni pal.)