I just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I hope your Christmas is filled with happiness, love and laughter.

For those who don't celebrate Christmas, I wish you a happy time.

I love a party; any party, anytime, anywhere but there's something rather special, in a weird sort of way, about an online virtual party. And when it's an online virtual party to launch a new book, well, that's very special indeed. So as you can imagine I was particularly thrilled when the very funny - as in funny ha,ha (wasn't she an actress or something?) not as in funny peculiar - Lynda Renham, asked me if I'd like to take part in the online launch party for her new book, 'The Valentine Present and other diabolical liberties'. Don't you just love that title?

I can't believe Christmas is over for another year. You all know how much I love it... so guess what. I'm having a giveaway of a few extra Christmas presents in my Carry on Christmas Lucky Dip. Click, 'Continue Reading' to find out how to enter to win one of six lovely prizes.

No form filling. No background checks. Nothing. He just strolled in, decided he liked me (and my home) and he hasn't left since - other than to go out to check on his territory and to carry out certain bodily functions, that is. Yep, that's right. I've been adopted by a cat.

Plot ideas are usually welcomed by novelists, with keyboard-tapping glee - but what happens when we have too many at once?
I have a picture on the wall near my desk, of Hans Christian Andersen. It's one I've had since I was very young and I used to love it. All those images dancing before his eyes. Simply magical. Recently though, it has acquired an almost sinister, aura. And I'll tell you why.