Color me amazed.

And delighted.  I just learned this week that The Virgin’s Proposition (aka Demetrios and Anny’s book) has been given the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Harlequin Presents of 2010!

Earlier today I was sitting here thinking about the day they finally sailed off to the editor.  It seems eons ago — and yet, in other ways it doesn’t seem long ago at all.  But I still have fond memories of them and their story, of my visit to Cannes with Sophie Weston in preparation for writing the book, of middle-of-the-night moans to Anne Gracie (at least it was middle of the day for her) when Demetrios and Anny were giving me fits, and of several sailing conversations with Antoinette Stockenberg who made my writing life much easier by sharing her expertise.

It doesn’t take only an author to write a book. It takes a whole network of helpful supportive wonderful friends as well. Thank you to all of them.

And thank you, RT, for your recognition and for making me and Demetrios and Anny very happy indeed.

Speaking of Reviewers’ Choice awards, I’m also delighted to report that Kate Walker won the Best Presents Extra award and Tina Duncan’s Presents Extra won for best first book in series romance.

Pretty cool, huh?  Congrats to Kate and Tina!

And yes, Sid, there are greenies already on their way to England to celebrate the occasion.  For those who don’t know, Kate’s uber-cool alpha cat, Sid, is a great fan of greenies, and since he is ALWAYS instrumental in seeing that she gets her books written in a timely fashion, he deserves his rewards, too.

Life here has finally become somewhat normal.  Odd, actually, not having to run around like a chicken with its head cut off all day long. I actually got to spend some time with Yiannis (new hero) this morning. He woke me up, talking to me, and that’s the first initiative he’s taken in, oh, two months, I’d guess. So I’m very glad he’s back. And no doubt my editor will be, too.

Have just sent Nick and Edie’s page proofs back, so won’t be seeing them again until they are bound between the covers of a book.  We spent so much time together over the past year that it’s going to be a little strange not to have them as regular family members.  But Yiannis is quite ready to take up the slack, he assures me.

I will be coming back soon to talk about my book-in-a-week experience. I did April Kihlstrom’s online course back in late January and early February — yes, the course takes longer than a week — and I loved it.   It’s the one reason I’m not panicked out of my mind about Yiannis right now. I have a good chunk of his book under my belt from that course. Now if life cooperates even moderately, I should be able to get the rest of his book done.  (knock wood)

Spring is springing all over the place. The scylla are back in force.

I love the bright blue carpets they make on the lawns hereabouts.  And all alongside our house there are daffodils.

Even the ones we set the air conditioner on top of four years ago have worked their way out from beneath it and are poking their heads out this year.  They must be very glad to see the sun!

I know I am.