Baby bumps and keeping in touch

I just wanted to let my lovely readers know that I'm going to be going a bit quiet over the next few months. It turns out the old epithet about life imitating art has more than a little truth to it, and my own little (or rather gigantic) Baby Bump is due to arrive any time now!

So forgive me if it takes me a while to reply to tweets, comments and messages. But there's still going to be plenty to keep you entertained here on the blog while I'm immersed in the world of milk and nappies and teeny tiny little socks. Look out for giveaways, sneaky previews and cover reveals for the new books. And of course Bound By a Baby Bump will be hitting bookstores on 1 May!

But for now, lots of love,

Ellie
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Bound By a Baby Bump

Those of you who hang out here a lot will have heard me talking about Beach Bum, recently renamed Bound By a Baby Bump and given a stunning cover, rather a lot of the last year or so. Well, it's finally time to reveal a little more about it. And that surprise I told you I was springing on my characters, well, you've probably guessed it from the title -- and it's a biggie. Well, about seven to eight pounds worth of surprise, actually, but you get the idea. So to whet your appetite, here's what it's all about:

Nine months to change her life… 

PA Rachel Archer [remember her, Will's PA from Frozen Heart, Melting Kiss?!] has every little bit of her life planned down to the letter—it's the only way she can feel safe. Until gorgeous artist Leo Fairfax tempts her to live on the wild side, just for one night…

That night changes both their lives forever, when they discover Rachel's pregnant! Now, bound by their beloved baby bump, lone wolf Leo must convince Rachel that not only is he here to stay, but he's dedicated to winning her heart!

I was looking through my holiday photos the other day, and came across these pictures of a huge chunk of driftwood that had washed up on the beach and served as my inspiration for a lot of Leo's artwork. I loved trying to capture all the different textures, though I'm sure Leo would have done a better job. But for those of you who like (very) amateur photography and/or great massive pieces of wood (insert your own inappropriate joke here), enjoy!

Ellie
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Happy Valentine's Day

Howdy and a very Happy Valentine's Day to you all! My big plans for the day involve the English rugby team, my latest hero and, of course, helping the new husband with the DIY :)

But for those of you yet to make romantic plans, might I humbly suggest that you

I know my Abby and Ethan and Will and Maya would love the pleasure of your company on today of all days.

Wishing you all a romance-filled February 14th,

Ellie

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Cover reveal!

As promised in my last post, the cover for Bound by a Baby Bump has hit my inbox, and she's a real heart-stopper. Drumroll please ...

Blue skys, azure seas, bright colours, super-shiny but windswept hair, hunky hero -- check, check, check, check and double check. And, of course, one very adorable baby bump -- I love it!

I'd love to know what you all think :) Is it making you dream of a getaway to the beautiful Dorset coast (and if not, check out the photos from my research trip -- England really can look this good!)

Anyway, I'd better get back to the revisions to the next book, but I'm so excited that I'll soon be shart BBaBB with you all!

Lots of love,

Ellie

Wait, it's 2015 already?!

Hello my dear readers, and a belated Happy New Year!

What a year 2014 was - two books published, more books signed, a wedding, a honeymoon, a new house, an ungodly amount of time spent at Screwfix, and that was only the start of the excitement.

So what does 2015 have in store for me? Well, another two books for a start, beginning with Bound By a Baby Bump in May. I'm expecting to see cover artwork in the next few weeks, and have my breath well and truly held. I LOVE seeing new covers for the first time! There'll be more time in Screwfix, I have no doubt, until this house moves on from 'habitable' to 'home', and plenty of time with the project spreadsheet (oh kitchen brochures, how I love and despise you, with your shiny pages and beautiful pictures and completely beyond my budget and square-footage wine fridges, and fancy carousels, and double range ovens, and enormous walk-in larders).

And my new year's resolution? I'm going to read more. So every time I see a book recommendation, I head to a certain ebook seller and hit 'One Click', which is going to have a detrimental effect on the Screwfix budget, but an almightly positive effect on my happiness.

Oh, and I'm going to finish the next book of course -- two days to go and all that's left to do is a couple of pieces of fact checking. It'll be following Baby Bump into the world soon!

What are your new year's resolutions? More reading? More writing? More time to stand and stare? Please share!

Ellie
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Beach Bum's a-changing

Things are all go as usual here at Darkins HQ. It's been a busy and exciting few weeks as I put the finishing touches to Beach Bum, typed The End, and then read it through just to be sure. And then just once more, to be absolutely sure. And then ... you get the idea. Well all the hard work paid off: the lovely editors at Mills & Boon loved it and accepted it for publication!

Not only that, they've given it a brand new name, so it will henceforth be known as .... drum roll please ...

Bound by a Baby Bump

Gorgeous, no?! It will be arriving in May 2015, so reserve a spot on the sofa, put in an early request for a cup of tea, and start counting down the days :)

This good news means, however, that I'm finding myself in a place I'd almost forgotten about ... page 1! It's blank, it's terrifying, and sometimes feels like it's defeating me. So it's back to the notebooks, the synopsis, the research and the biscuit tin as I feel my way through the early chapters, working out what I'm writing about, who my characters are, and -- most importantly -- how to make them fall in love. It's scary, thrilling and full of all sorts of possibilities -- basically, it's like being a writer in microcosm. Love it.

I'll report back soon, when this story starts to reveal itself to me, and let you have a shifty at my notebooks!

Ellie

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Babbling about Food and Love

This week I've guest blogged over at Babbling About Books, And More (http://kbgbabbles.com/) talking about everything I've learned from Will and Maya about food and love.

A bit thanks to Katie for having me!

Head here to check it out.

Ellie
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