New Romance Website

On Thursday, several members of the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild attended a launch for a new romance website.











This is Kate Cuthbert, creator of the website cutting the ribbon to officially "open" the website.

It's a great website for both readers and writers alike.

Spend a few moments and visit The Romance Readers website –http://www.romancereaders.com.au/



This is (from left):
Margaret Midwood, Iris Leach and Kate Cuthbert.













Here we are (from left):
Serena Tatti, Margaret Midwood, Josie Caporetto and me!


And here we have the gorgeous Serena and her husband, Ed.


The photo on the right is Serena with Chris Weston and Josie.

And finally, here's me between the gorgeous Josie and Serena.





Wonderful ladies & great friends.

It was a good night, topped by a scrumptious dinner and some
great cocktails!

Who needs an excuse to party!

Elvina

It's Done

Hello All,

Just a quick note to say that YAY, the revisions on "The Tycoon's Toughest Adversary" are done. The book is printed and resting for a final read through and review in a few weeks.

While the waiting continues to hear back from my US editor, I’ll be busy working on my paranormal book “An Angel’s Embrace.”

I wrote this book two years ago and love it. It’s a totally different book from the ones I usually write, with a different voice and tone. And lots of death scenes – well, you would have that when Aletta is the Angel of Death.

I’ll be pitching this book to an editor at the upcoming Romance Writers of Australia conference, so I need to reacquaint myself with the story and characters.

In the meantime, I have lots of books to read and DVDs to watch.

Yes, there’s no rest for the wicked…so I must be VERY wicked.

Bye for now.
Elvina

ABBA Mania

Hi Everyone,

Revisions are going nicely, but it’s hard to concentrate with ABBA songs weaving through my thoughts and my toes tapping along as I hum.


I’m ABBA’d out. On Friday, a group of wonderful friends wanted to celebrate the gorgeous Josie’s birthday and so, we went to see BABBA.













A fabulous cover group that had us dancing around the room and singing our lungs out.
My throat has been sore ever since.

Here’s the birthday girl, Josie, looking gorgeous in red. And the equally gorgeous Serena.

In this picture, we have Sarma on the left, then me, Margaret Midwood (who is working on a fabulous book requested by Harlequin Mills & Boon UK) and Margaret’s daughter Lisa (who I hope finds some free time to return to the MRWG).

There was great food and a scrumptious dessert – but I was too hungry to take photos. Sorry!

And then yesterday, I went to see “Mamma Mia” the movie and enjoyed myself thoroughly.

I would recommend both show and movie to everyone. Hey, I might go and see them both again soon.

Okay, back to the revisions…

Bye for now.
Elvina

A Bit of This & That

Another week is here and July is almost over. Next time I blink, it will be Christmas.

Yesterday was the MRWG meeting and it was a great one. Informative workshops, fabulous company, good laughs and productive critiquing sessions. Who could ask for more?

Well, a book sale or two would be good. Hopefully, that will happen soon.

This week, I’ll be busy trying to finish my revisions and on Friday, will be singing my lungs out and dancing away with my gorgeous friends at BABBA. I can’t wait.

Only a few weeks until the Romance Writers of Australia conference in Melbourne. It will be lovely to catch up with fellow writer friends and attend some great workshops. There is a Friday night dress up cocktail party where a few of us will be dressing up in some fabulous costumes made for us. I’ll put up some photos after the conference.

That’s it for now. Back to the writing.
Elvina

Spending spree

It’s been a busy week, both at work and at home.

I’m spent the week quoting staircases at work and at night continuing revisions for my Desire books. No rest for the wicked, so I must be VERY bad! (well, not really).

In other news, I’ve been spending money. Small things like owls to add to my collection. I’ve been collecting owls before J.K. Rowling made them popular with Harry Potter and I’ve added four items to my ever-growing collection.



This is one of them. Isn’t it just gorgeous. The tapestry is quite large – 46 x 57 cms – and the stitching colours are so vibrant.












And a big purchase I made this week is this shiny new car.



Well, it’s not actually new. It’s a Hyundai Lantra with tinted electric windows, low kms and a very, very good price. It was previously owned by a family friend and was kept immaculate. Quite different to the Ford Telstra I was driving before - you can see it in the background of this picture.


I’ve been looking for a car for ages. I know nothing about cars, but wanted one that I could fall in love with immediately, had a decent boot (no hatchback for me, thanks) and a good price as well – considering I’m madly trying to save for a house. My next big purchase (one that will happen in the next year or so).

So I’m happy….despite being a bit sad to see the old car being taken away. But that lasted a few minutes until I went for a drive in my new car.

Bye for now.
Elvina

A Special Day

It was a special day yesterday with the christening of my gorgeous niece, Zahra.




Here she is on the left with me.


I am her godmother and it was pleasure to spend the special day with her and the family.




The picture on the right is Zahra with her parents, Joanne and Johnny, and big sister, Jessica.








Zahra enjoyed her special day, laughing and cooing at the priest during the church ceremony. And she didn't cry when her head was washed with holy water.

Here's Zahra enjoying her cake.

Isn’t she just adorable!

Elvina

Where has the month gone?

Gees, tomorrow’s July. Half the year has disappeared and I feel like it was only Christmas yesterday. Soon Christmas 2008 will be here.

Getting back into revisions and life in general after a great weekend away at the MRWG retreat.

A wonderful few days spent with some gorgeous ladies. We talked, ate and laughed – and learnt a thing or two about ourselves and our work in the process.

Now, we all have to finish our books so we can submit, sell and celebrate! I love parties –who doesn’t?

Elvina