Welcome to Anne Gracie's Website

August News 2008

It's August and that's romance conference time DownUnder. First there's the Romance Writers of New Zealand Conference, where I'm giving a workshop on the Care and Feeding of Rakes.

And the following week I'm speaking at the Romance Writers of Australia Conference in my home town, Melbourne, at the gorgeous Langham Hotel on Southbank. I'm really looking forward to it. We have international bestsellers Barbara Samuel, Jo Beverly, Stephanie Laurens, Marion Lennox, Keri Arthur, Joan Kilby, Anna Campbell and many more -- too many to name, but pop over to the conference site and you'll see why I'm excited. I'm also giving a workshop - this one on reading rejection letters:

And by the way, I didn't win the RITA, but I do love my silver pins. To read more about the book that finalled, click here.

Every Wednesday I join with three other Berkley Sensation historical writers, Joanna Bourne, Donna MacMeans and Christine Wells to hold a regular discussion on the Berkley/Jove Bulletin Board. Why not drop in and say hello? There will be book giveaways and cyber cocktails.

On Tuesday June 24th, at 10pm, I was on the ABC TV show, Jennifer Byrne Presents (an offshoot of the First Tuesday Bookclub show). It was a special on Sex and Romance (though I have to say there wasn't a lot of talk about romance). If you're curious you can download it here. Or visit the discussion board.
You can also read what's behind some of the the myths about writing the romance genre. And if you've never read romance and don't know where to start, click here.

I've put some photos of a costume collection I was lucky enough to see when I was in England recently. It was arranged by my friend, fellow regency historical author, Joanna Maitland, and wonderful costume curator Althea.

I'll be putting up more pics of my travels, so stay tuned. But right now I'm busy writing the next book— no, not Harry's story — that's already in and has a lovely cover -- see right. That's called HIS CAPTIVE LADY and comes out in September 08. (I'll be putting up a Captive Lady page soon)
I'm now writing the story in which cool, elegant, in-control Rafe meets his match— in more ways than one.

COMPETITION RESULTS
Well, it was a lot more difficult to guess the places in the pictures than I imagined -- I even named the jpgs to help, but clearly you lovely people thought that would be cheating. Thanks you to all who guessed. The winner is Gill Molton, of the UK, and she has won a book of her choice. The answers are below.

The buildings are:
1) The famous bow-window at Whites Club in which dandies used to sit and ogle any pretty women who passed by.
2) Berrington Hall, Herefordshire, where historical author Joanna Maitland and I were treated to a private costume showing - if you'd like to see some of the costume pictures I took, they're here
3) The Assembly Rooms in Bath
4) A church very dear to the heart of Sir Oswald Merridew — St. George's, Hanover Square, in London.
I'll be putting up more pics of my travels, so stay tuned.

Read an extract
Berkley Sensation USA
Historical Romance
ISBN-13: 978-0425218983

The Stolen Princess
The first in a new historical series about the Devil Riders, four soldiers back from war; daredevil Gabriel Renfrew, his quiet, watchful half brother Harry Morant, the cool and elegant Rafe Ramsey, and Luke Ripton, the fallen angel of the group. They're gorgeous, horse-mad and still haunted by their years at war.
This is what reviewers are saying about Gabe's story:
* " It stole my heart, as it will yours. Suzanne Tucker, Fresh Fiction

* "A fast-paced and enticing tale." Kathe Robin, Romantic Times

* " I highly recommend THE STOLEN PRINCESS and look forward to the rest of the series." Jane Bowers Romance Reviews Today

* "I absolutely loved this story" Julie Kornhausl, Simply Romance Reviews

* "as filled with warmth, humor, and lovable characters as any other of her titles... Anne Gracie's talent is as consistent as it is huge. I highly recommend THE STOLEN PRINCESS and look forward to the rest of the series." Jane Bowers, Romance Reviews Today

* "The Stolen Princess, provided me with a couple of hours of luscious romance novel bliss. What a remarkable writer she is. I can’t think of another writer who seamlessly combines quite as she does the most sparkling comedy with such heartbreaking emotion. Her banter is witty and wonderful, worthy of Georgette Heyer at her best. Then Anne Gracie floors you with a moment of such perfect emotion, it just makes you want to cry buckets." Anna Campbell, Romance Novel TV, who is a fine writer herself.

* "This was an absolute jewel of a story guaranteed to lift you up and make you smile. Sensual and passionate it hit all the right notes. Add to that the fact that it is the beginning of a new series from the talented pen of Anne Gracie, and fans, old and new, are certain to be delighted and anxious for more." Marilyn Rondeau, kwips and kritiques

What readers have written to say about this book

My other Berkley Sensation books (in order of publication)

The Tudors

My novelization of Michael Hirst's script for the fabulous Showtime TV series.

Read extracts here.

Highly readable and very entertaining. This novelization hits the show's scandalous entanglements, teases out its conspiracies, and does justice to its violent beauty.
-Michael Hirst, creator and writer of Showtime's Emmy award-winning series The Tudors

Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment
ISBN-10: 1416947787
ISBN-13: 978-1416947783

Sizzle , Seduce & Simmer

Short stories and yummy recipes by myself and other author friends. We call this our 'friendship anthology' and if you look at the launch pictures, you'll see why.

(only available in Australia & NZ)
To order it, click here

Some money from our Sizzle book is going to a women's literacy project in East Timor - Learning to Read in the Rain.
It's one of the Union Aid Abroad initiatives. You can support it too by making a donation, buying wonderful cards or purchasing gifts that can change lives.

Here's an article on a wonderful writers retreat I attend with ten other authors. I found it so inspirational, I thought I'd share it with you and encourage anyone interested in furthering their writing to do something similar. There's also a little about story collage.

OTHER APPEARANCES:
At the end of Feb I blogged with the Romance Vagabonds.
On February 15th, I was interviewed by the wonderful Mary Jo Putney as a guest on the Word Wenches Blog, one of my favorite blogs.
Also I put a brief blog and extract on the Fresh Fiction blogspot. And on the 20th Feb I'll be blogging on Tote Bags and Blogs.
Last month I had a lovely surprise birthday present from my friend Anne McAllister on Tote Bags and Blogs.
And on 21st January I was interviewed by my friend Anna Campbell on the Romance Bandits blog.

Here's where my web-visitors come from. Click on the map to see an enlarged view. It's just been reset, so is currently very sparse.