Some more lovely news is that Avon in Australia have released their list of top ten bestselling romances of the last 12 months. Imagine my delight when I saw that UNTOUCHED came in at number three and  CLAIMING THE COURTESAN came in at number four. Thank you so much to all the romance fans in Australia who gave such support to a debut local author!

This month's favorite things talks about one of my all-time favorite books A COUNTESS BELOW STAIRS by Eva Ibbotson. This month's contest is a Presents Spectacular where I'm giving TWO lucky visitors to my website the chance to win a pack of four great Presents books plus some Anna Campbell goodies.

December is an exciting month in Campbellandia. On the 30th, my third Regency noir for Avon, TEMPT THE DEVIL, comes out in America. I'll talk more about the release next month but keep an eye peeled as the new year approaches for sightings of that VERY sexy cover!

Michelle Buonfiglio of Lifetime TV said this about TEMPT THE DEVIL: "She's done it again, Gawd love 'er. Bella Anna Campbell's January release, TEMPT THE DEVIL is a triumph - a paean to sensuality, love and the indomitable human spirit. Like Campbell, it's smart and a little bawdy. But also, it's devastatingly intimate, as well as the kind of romance that'll ruin you for others for a while. Sorry. Seriously? Preorder TEMPT THE DEVIL now. And, um, try to have a squeeze nearby while you're reading it. If you know what I mean…"

Kathe Robin of Romantic Times Book Reviews made TEMPT THE DEVIL one of her Top Picks in January's issue of the magazine and gave the book 4.5 stars (the highest rating). The hero, the Earl of Erith, also received a coveted K.I.S.S. (Knight in Shining Silver) Award. The review included this gem: "Vibrantly refreshing and sizzling with sensuality and a depth of emotions that takes your breath away, Campbell's latest delivers an unforgettable powerhouse romance. The intensity comes from her comprehension of our deepest desires and our need for love and compassion. You won't be immune to this remarkable writer or the unconventional stories she creates."

Another lovely review came from the Australian Bookseller+Publisher magazine. TEMPT THE DEVIL got four stars and the review included the following very nice remarks: "No one writes Regency like Australia's Anna Campbell. Although many authors of the genre touch on the seamier side of Regency England, Campbell immerses her readers in it. She's the mistress of dark, sexy and brooding and takes us into the dens of iniquity with humor and class… Tempt the Devil is a well-written, sexy and unputdownable read."

If you want a BIG sneak peek at TEMPT THE DEVIL, for this month only, Avon has the first 20% of the book up on its Love Gives Back site. With every page you read, you contribute to literacy charities. So get reading, people!

Make sure you pop over to Romance Bandits this month. There's a cornucopia of prizes on offer. Not only prizes from guests and people launching books (ahem, that would be ME!) but we're also running the 12 Bandita Days of Christmas between 12th and 24th December with rooster-themed prizes every day and a special prize on the 24th. Then on the 25th (Christmas Day), any commenters are in the running for a huge hamper of goodies including signed copies of Bandita Books. Wow!

Check out the Australian cover for TEMPT THE DEVIL! Isn't this one sexy clinch? I love the red and the new quotes from Eloisa James and Romantic Times. This trade paperback edition will be out in Australia and New Zealand in February 2009.

More good news on foreign sales. Epsilon Yayinevi have bought the Turkish rights to CLAIMING THE COURTESAN and UNTOUCHED.

November has been a busy month. Something really fun was the appearance of my Regency short story THE RETURN in the Woman's Day in Australia on 17th November. If you'd like to read the story, it's now available on the Avon Australia website.

The talk at Guildford Library with my critique partner and friend, Annie West, who writes marvelous passionate romance for Harlequin Presents, was great fun. Thanks to everyone at the library who treated us both like princesses when we visited and also to everyone who attended.

After getting back from Sydney, I had the chance to meet the wonderful romance writers who form the Brisbane Writers' Group (right) which meets at Toowong Library. They quizzed me on life as a published author and trends in publishing in a really enjoyable session and then they took me out to lunch. This is the life!

Another fun writerly event was the Brisbane Romance Reading Addicts (BRRAddicts)  Christmas party which took place on Saturday, 15th November, at the home of my fellow romance writer Christine Wells.  On a very sultry afternoon in Brisbane, it was fun to sit around talking romance novels with this great bunch of women.

For a heartwarming slice of Christmas romance, check out A VISIT FROM SIR NICHOLAS by Anastasia St. James, an Avon FanLit alumni. It's a lovely Regency short story about lovers reunited on a snowy Christmas night and just the thing to brighten this time of year. It's a nice digestible 12 pages too which is just the ticket when everyone's time is short. Just visit the Wild Rose Press site and use the search facility. Downloads in the next few weeks will put you in the running to win a Sony e-reader. Good luck!

The All About Romance After Hours blog is featuring a contest giving away copies of UNTOUCHED this month. Check it out here.

Great news from the Romance Bandits! Susan Sey has sold MONEY, HONEY, her single title contemporary romance and Golden Heart winner in 2008, to Berkley in a two-book deal. Yay, Smoov! You rock! Can't wait to read the book.

While Annie was in Sydney, we took the chance to have one of our fabulous author lunches at the Park Hyatt. As regular readers of my website know, Annie and I have a deal that if one of us sells a book, we have to take the other one out to lunch. It's always a wonderful occasion - lots of champagne, fabulous food, and giggles galore. You can see two very happy authors here!

New Berkley author Susan Sey (left) with her handsome Rooster friend and lovely Bandita Jeanne Adams.

Good news lately includes the green monster going Sputnik. UNTOUCHED is off to AST in Russia as a follow-up to CLAIMING THE COURTESAN which was out there in July. And my January U.S. release TEMPT THE DEVIL has been selected as a Featured Alternate of Rhapsody, Doubleday Book Club and Book of the Month Club 2. So beautiful hardbacks will be available - whoo hoo!

Congratulations to Leontine and Ashleagh and the rest of the team at the great bilingual Dutch romance site Realms on Our Bookshelves which turns one on 15th October. Great achievement, my friends! And here's to many more.

A book to look out for in October is THE WILD SIGHT: AN IRISH TALE OF DEADLY DEEDS AND FORBIDDEN LOVE by my fellow Romance Bandit Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy. This is Cindy's debut and it's already creating a huge buzz with a starred review from Publishers Weekly which you can read here.

Finally, My Favorite Things this month talks about the Romance Writers of Australia conference at the end of August.

Happy November, everyone!

I've had a nice, reasonably quiet month which I've very much enjoyed after working like mad to finish a book at the end of September. All energized and ready now to start the next Anna Campbell Regency noir which I'm sure you'll hear more of in coming months.

Some good news is that the green monster UNTOUCHED was the runner-up in the historical category of the Heart of Denver Romance Writers Aspen Gold Contest. Congratulations to Tracy Anne Warren who won with HIS FAVORITE MISTRESS and to fellow runner-up Candice Hern with LADY BE BAD.

My Favorite Things this month gives you a list of highlights of my recent reading binge, courtesy of finishing my manuscript and taking a few days off. And there's a new contest up that closes on 31st December. I'm giving away three signed copies of my latest release TEMPT THE DEVIL. So pop by and tell me your favorite temptation!

On Thursday, 6th November I'm looking forward to meeting the writers at the Brisbane Writers Group. Always interesting to talk to some local authors!

Welcome to October! I can hardly believe the year has gone so fast! Actually I think one of the reasons it's gone so fast for me is that I've been incredibly busy. The good news is that I've got my latest manuscript in to Avon and now it's that wonderful time when I think about the new book. I love this stage, when anything's possible!

For people in Sydney, I'm appearing at a Meet the Romance Authors talk with Harlequin Presents author Annie West at Guildford Library at 6pm on Thursday, 30th October. The library is at Railway Terrace, Guildford. The event is free but bookings are essential on 02 9632 6744. For more information, please visit the Parramatta City Council site. 

Last month the Brisbane Writers Festival was huge fun. Thank you to all the people who came to the panel with Christine Wells, Susan Parisi and me where we talked about historical romance and historical fiction under the watchful eye of our moderator Glen Thomas from Queensland University of Technology. Thank you also to everyone who came to Christine and my workshop on Writing a Romance that Sells. That sold out which is great for romance's profile at the festival. Here's some pictures courtesy of Carol Lockyer and John Parisi - one of Christine and me at the book signing (top) and one from the panel (from left to right, Susan Parisi, Anna Campbell, Christine Wells and Glen Thomas, our intrepid moderator).

While we're on the subject of happy snaps, here's a photo of Cynthia Ann Arends (left) who won my critique at the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Conference in September. The money goes to a great cause, the TV10 Fund which helps needy local families over the winter.

It's been a busy month! I'll try to be brief but even so, it might be worth your while grabbing a cup of tea before you start reading this. And maybe a bar of chocolate for sustenance!

First things first, this month you get a sneak peek of my January release, TEMPT THE DEVIL. Go to the Books page and click on the title under the very sexy cover of my hero looking out in a come-hither way and you'll find the stepback artwork, the blurb and an excerpt. If you want to read more, this month's contest offers one lucky reader an advance copy of TEMPT THE DEVIL. Good luck!

I've spent the last month running around like a loon. San Francisco was absolutely wonderful. Sadly, no RITA for me, but I had a wonderful consolation prize when CLAIMING THE COURTESAN won the long historical section of the Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America Booksellers Best Contest. The pin is just gorgeous - an open book with a pair of glasses sitting on it.

Thank you to everyone who came up to say hello at the literacy signing, at the Avon open house and also just as I was hanging around in the hotel. It's wonderful to meet so many great people in one spot! I've put a couple of photographs here - my King Tutankhamun RITA flag pose, thanks to Élodie of the Romance Vagabonds (silly photo number one), my "I've been booted out of the Golden Network" pose (silly photo number two) and the Romance Bandits get together. I wouldn't be game to say that one was silly! There are more photos and a bit more detail in My Favorite Things this month.

Make sure you check out the Avon video where Victoria Alexander speaks to a bunch of authors at the literacy signing, including Yours Truly. You can tell how excited I was! I'm squeaking!

Speaking of San Francisco, thank you to everyone who entered my Memories of SF contest. I had a huge response! The winners are announced on the contest page but apart from the souvenirs, I conned, uh…persuaded a few good friends to donate books and I'd like to thank them here. First come my two Bandita Buddies, Christine Wells for her sublime SCANDAL'S DAUGHTER and Donna MacMeans for her multi-award winning THE EDUCATION OF MRS. BRIMLEY (both signed). Then comes Connie Brockway's wonderful romp SKINNY DIPPING (sadly, I missed out on a signature for that one). Then uber-talented Bronwyn Jameson for her passionate and emotional Aussie-set romance VOWS & A VENGEFUL GROOM (signed). Congratulations to the winners!

July is going to be such an exciting month! I'm heading over to San Francisco for the Romance Writers of America conference. I've never been to SF before and it's a place that has been on my list for a long time. Not to mention I'll have a chance to hang out with a large number of my writing buddies. If you're in the San Francisco area on Wednesday, 30th July, try and get to the huge literacy signing at the San Francisco Marriott. And make sure you come and say hello. For more information on the conference and the literacy signing, check the RWA website.  I'm blogging also about my conference experiences on the Romance Writers of America site on Thursday, 31st July at 4pm. Please come by and say hello!

My major news is CLAIMING THE COURTESAN has been nominated for a 2008 Romantic Book of the Year Award in the mainstream category. This is open to any romantic novel written by an Australian or a New Zealander last year. There are two sections, category romance and mainstream. The winners are announced at the gala awards dinner at the Romance Writers of Australia conference in August. Congratulations to all the other finalists. The list was announced in The Woman's Day dated 16th June.

If you're reading this at the start of August, I'm partying in San Francisco at the Romance Writers of America annual conference.  I can hardly wait! I'm reporting on the conference via casual blogs on Romance Novel TV and I'll also be blogging on the Romance Writers of America site at 4pm on Thursday, 31st July. If you're in the area, why not come to the huge literacy signing at the San Francisco Marriott at 5:30 on Wednesday, 30th July? You'll see just about every romance writer you ever heard of and the books you buy support great literacy charities. Make sure you look for me and say hello. I'll have that delicious Australian delicacy, Cadbury Caramello Koalas, to give away to people who stop by.

August is a terrifically busy month for me. A couple of weeks after I get home from America, I'm off to the Romance Writers of Australia conference in Melbourne. I'm really looking forward to seeing all my Aussie buddies.

I'll report on both conferences in next month's latest news.

Good news in the last couple of weeks is that CLAIMING THE COURTESAN and UNTOUCHED will be released in Norwegian. Huzzah!

If you get a chance, please check out my book reviews on Romance Novel TV.  July's review is for Jeanne Adams's fantastic romantic suspense DARK AND DANGEROUS and my August review goes up on Friday, 29th August.

New on the website this month is LADY KATE'S SCOUNDREL, a free short story. Also, please check out my July/August contest which offers two lucky entrants mystery prizes from San Francisco. August's My Favorite Things finishes the roundup of research books with a look at my essential reference library.  See you in September!

The cover for the German translation of my next book TEMPT THE DEVIL is up. Isn't it gorgeous? I think it's one of my favorite covers. Isn't that purple lovely? The title translates as "Forbidden Embrace" which I really like and the models look very much like Olivia and Julian from the book. VERBOTENE UMARMUNG comes out from Blanvalet in February 2009.

On Thursday, 5th June, I was the guest of the Caloundra Pacific Rotary Club and I spoke about the romance fiction industry and my writing journey. It was a great night and it was wonderful to meet people who were so interested in the life of a writer.

I can hardly believe it's June already! I feel like I just had Christmas! Aaaarrrgggh!

Anyway, having had that meltdown, let's see what's been happening. More good news on the contest circuit for CLAIMING THE COURTESAN. My debut has finaled in the Best Long Historical section of the Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America 2008 Booksellers' Best Award. Winners will be announced in July at the RWA National Conference but you can see the list of nominees here.

For all those readers who contacted me about where they could find my Regency short story LADY KATE'S SCOUNDREL, featured in April's Australian Women's Weekly, I've got good news. The wonderful folk at the Australian office of Avon have included it on their website. You don't need to register, just click here.

If you want some great Regency fun, check out my friend Christine Wells's new blog, "A Dangerous Diary" which she's writing in the lead-up to the September release of her new book, THE DANGEROUS DUKE. Which I've read and thought was FANTASTIC!  Hmm, if you could see me now, there would definitely be a gloating glint in my gaze!

Fellow RITA finalist and wonderful writer Nicola Cornick has a new book out in July. It's called UNMASKED and it's about a highwaywoman! I really enjoyed her recent book THE LAST RAKE IN LONDON which was set in the Edwardian era and featured an incredibly sexy hero in Jack Kestrel. You can see the extremely groovy trailer for UNMASKED here.

This month's contest runs through August as well. It's a celebration of my trip to San Francisco and my attendance at the RWA conference. Two lucky winners will get a San Francisco celebration pack, including signed books and souvenirs. This month's My Favorite Things is a continuation of last month's on research books and talks about books I'm using for my current work in progress.

Do you remember the afternoon tea with Anna Campbell competition earlier in the year? I've finally got the photographs up on my page of the HarperCollins website. Check them out if you get a chance. As you can see, both events were huge fun. A special thanks to Robyn Aldridge who took all the pictures for the Sydney event.

Other good news for June is the Italian version of CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, IL CUORE DI UNA CORTIGIANA, is out from Mondadori. You can see the lovely cover in May's latest news. The Russian version of CTC is out in June too. The title apparently translates as "Winning the High-Class Prostitute", um, perhaps CLAIMING THE COURTESAN? The cover is gorgeous, really romantic and fairytale, although I must say the Scottish Highlands look rather alpine all of a sudden!

As you know, I'm a member of the Romance Bandits blog. Last month, we achieved a milestone, a whole year together. Whoo-hoo, Banditas! You're a wonderful bunch of women! I'm eternally grateful we all finaled in the Golden Heart in 2006 together!

I'm still doing regular book reviews (about one a month) at Romance Novel TV. You can find my review of Loretta Chase's fantastic YOUR SCANDALOUS WAYS here. The next review should appear mid-June, all things being equal (which of course they rarely are!).

Some great books are due in June and the four I'm singling out are all by fellow writers who finaled in the 2006 Golden Heart contest. First up is Romance Bandit, Donna MacMeans whose second release THE TROUBLE WITH MOONLIGHT received a Top Pick in June's Romantic Times.

Next, another Bandita pal, Jeanne Adams, whose debut romantic suspense DARK AND DANGEROUS also received an RT Top Pick. Yay, Jeanne. I've been dying to read this book ever since I met you!

Yet another Bandita, Beth Andrews, debuts with Harlequin SuperRomance with what sounds like an amazing emotional rollercoaster, NOT WITHOUT HER FAMILY.

Another book I'm really excited about is Pamela Palmer's second Esri book for Harlequin Nocturne. I absolutely loved her debut THE DARK GATE. Now I have DARK DECEIVER to look forward to. Don't forget to check out my interview with Pam on Romance Bandits on 21st May.

My Favorite Things this month is the first of several columns about research and research books.

This month's Favorite Things talks about a fun day I recently had down in Brisbane filming an interview with local television program Brisbane Extra. And don't forget to enter the Great Spring Cleaning Contest where you can win fantastic signed books from Marion Lennox, Christine Wells, Annie West and Stacey Kayne.

I’ve posted a new article to the website. It’s about the indefinable magic of the writer’s voice so please check it out! And don’t forget the contest for the amazing bag of Christine Wells and Anna Campbell prizes continues through this month. Just tell us which heroine of historical romance you would be and join in the fun. My Favorite Things this month is a tribute to the late Heath Ledger and talks about one of my favorite films Ten Things I Hate About You.

Happy New Year, everyone! May 2008 be full of happiness and health and success and love and stacks of good books!

My happy new year started early. The gorgeous trade paperback edition of UNTOUCHED is out this month in Australia and New Zealand. So exciting!

Adding to my general euphoria, UNTOUCHED has been getting some lovely reviews. Romantic Books, a very popular European site, called it "a love story that will replace all your own best and secret fantasies." Five Stars. Kwips and Critiques  gave it five klovers when they chose the book as their recommended read for December, calling it "unforgettable and heart-rending."

As ever, the Bandits have been on spotter duty for the green monster. Here are two photos of fellow Banditas with UNTOUCHED  in US bookstores.

A treat before Christmas was an author lunch with my critique partner and great friend Annie West. As many of you know if you check my website regularly, Annie and I made a deal back when we were unpublished that if ever we sold a book, we'd take the other one out for a swish lunch. It was Annie's turn to celebrate the sale of her fantastic THE SHEIKH'S RANSOMED BRIDE (yes, we are a bit behind). We had a marvelous day, including a visit from a large pod of dolphins, at Jonah's Restaurant right on the beach in Newcastle. Much giggling and champagne and fabulous food was had. Thank you, Annie!

My Bandita Buddy Trish Milburn has made it through to the third round of Romantic Times Book Reviews American Title IV! Huzzah! Huge congratulations, my talented friend. Please vote for Trish's brilliant entry OUT OF SIGHT. The final prize is a publishing contract and I'd love her to win. Just click on the button to cast your vote.

More Bandita news! Tawny Weber's second Blaze DOES SHE DARE? is out this month. Here's the blurb:

Sounds like a great sexy romp. Can't wait to read it.

This month's contest is another huge one so I'm spreading it over two months. I'm running it in conjunction with my friend Christine Wells, author of the wonderful SCANDAL'S DAUGHTER. Amongst a plethora of goodies, the winner will collect a signed hardcover of UNTOUCHED, a signed copy of SCANDAL'S DAUGHTER and an ARC of Christine's next release THE DANGEROUS DUKE. I've read this book about a duke who accidentally steals a lady's erotic diary and believe me, it's mind-bogglingly good.

I'm talking about a wonderful surprise gift I received in this month's My Favorite Things. Check it out!

CLAIMING THE COURTESAN has been nominated for Best First Historical Romance of 2007 in Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards!

My favorite things this month is a salute to the wonderful romance writer Anne Stuart. Check it out and even better, check out Anne's books if you're not already a diehard fan! December's contest continues from last month's - just tell me what tempts you and you could win one of three signed copies of TEMPT THE DEVIL!

Lastly, I'd like to wish everyone Happy Holidays, however you celebrate the season! Lots of fun, lots of friends and family and lots of great books for when the world gets too crazy! See you in 2009!

I had a wonderful time at the Australian conference too. There's so much news this month, I'll tide over that report until next month's MFT so please make sure you pop back to check it out. I missed out on the Romantic Book of the Year but I'm delighted to report that the green monster aka UNTOUCHED won best cover.

September is Brisbane Writers Festival time. Christine Wells and I are running a workshop on "Marketing a Romance" on Sunday, 21st September, from 9:30am to 12:30. Bookings are essential and you can get more details here. On Saturday, 20th September, from 4:40 and 5:40, Christine and I will be joined by historical fiction writer Susan Parisi and Glen Thomas from QUT for a panel on "The Exoticism of the Past: Romance, History and Fiction". This is a free event and you can just turn up. You can find more details here.  Romance Writers of Australia will have a tent there too with giveaways and plenty of local writers to talk to so make sure you come by and say hello if you're around.

Other good news in Campbellandia includes UNTOUCHED finaling in the historical section of the Heart of Denver Romance Writers Aspen Gold Contest. Go, you green monster! UNTOUCHED has also been sold to Mondadori in Italy and Spain so Matthew is going European!

Does your tea need a refill yet? There's more! I'd like to mention a couple of great new websites. The first is sure to become a mecca for Australian romance readers. It's the Australian Romance Reader and it's run by Kate Cuthbert, well known for her columns on romance in the Courier-Mail and on All About Romance. The Avon site has had a major makeover so please check it out and while you're there, please click over to Love Gives Back where you can preview new books and read complete novels. And every time you visit, you contribute to literacy charities. So you can save the world and have a good time!

Lastly, I wanted to let you know about some fantastic books hitting the shelves in September. First up is Aussie Bronwyn Parry's romantic suspense AS DARKNESS FALLS. Bron won the Golden Heart for best romantic suspense in 2007 and her debut book is getting huge buzz here in Australia. September is also Bandit month in the new releases aisle. There are actually THREE new Bandita books in the bookstores. Christine Wells follows up SCANDAL'S DAUGHTER with THE DANGEROUS DUKE. I've read this in manuscript and it's amazing - sexy and witty and romantic and emotional. You'll just love it. Highly recommended! Tawny Weber's latest Blaze is the sexy and sassy and passionate RISQUE BUSINESS. I wrestled Tawny to the ground in SF and grabbed a copy out of her hands and it's such a fun read! I couldn't put it down. The last Bandita book is yet to hit my house yet although I've had it on order forever. It's Trish Milburn's debut for Harlequin American Romance, A FIREFIGHTER IN THE FAMILY. This sounds like a great, emotional read and I can't wait to get my hot little hands on it!