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Hi everyone,
I am a bit late blogging as I have been in a writing fest. Such a great feeling to reach my goal of halfway before I take a break for Easter.

Life has been pretty busy as usual but I am working on creating more balance for myself. I don't think there is a woman alive who doesn't crave more time for herself. I have now set little goals to get that time. It's a subtle change but it's already working.

If you are heading over to Facebook don't forget to say hi or click on my fan page.

I hope all of you who celebrate Easter have a wonderful time with friends and family or both.
Will talk at length soon!
Mel

Hi everyone,
I have discovered a passion for yoga. I was recommended it after my back surgery to loosen up my spine. I can't believe how wonderful it is. I do the Ashtanga variety which is quite dynamic and challenging. My muscles really have to work hard to hold the poses. I have felt the benefit already as I can sit for much longer periods without getting a sore back. It's a miracle!

It's been weeks now but I still miss my puppies. I see the photos and just want to be able to pick them up and cuddle them and smell that cute little puppy smell.
One of our cats is injured at the moment. Poor little guy had to wear a collar to stop him picking at the stitches in his rump but somehow he got it off as well as pulling out the wound drains. Clever little boy! He seems a lot better but was quite miserable for the first 48 hours.
Just tidying up Book Two of my trilogy. It's been fun working on it and I can't wait to see these three books on the shelves.
I hope everyone is having a fantastic week.
All the best,
Mel

Hi everyone,
Another busy week with so much going on. Rolling with the punches is a tactic I have had to learn. I am an organised and disciplined person. I like things done to order and I tick off the boxes in my head as I go. It really throws me out when things come in from the left field, but over the years I have had to learn to be more flexible. Children sort of do that to you! But now it's my elderly parents, my mother in particular. Hospital visits and working out how to manage her care while keeping her wishes paramount is not easy.
Aging is something not all of us will experience, sadly. Accidents, illness and the unexpected can snatch what years you were looking forward to away. But if you do live a long time I think it is important to be as gracious as you can about it. Remind me of this in a few decades, OK?!!
What do you want to do in your last years? Have any of you thought about how it would be facing death? Have any of you stared death in the face?
On a lighter note: I have regular updates from my friend who has Perdy, one of Polly's puppies. She is doing well, taking charge of the other older poodle with whom she shares her new parents. She is cheeky and adorable.
Hope things are cool with you all,
Mel xx

Hi everyone,
Well the day has finally come and my last little baby left. I was amazingly emotional. Actually, it's not so amazing really as I am a bit of a sop in any case, but I did find it hard to say goodbye to that little button-eyed black ball of fluff.
But now it is back to work without the distraction of little puppies under my feet, although we have some renovations being done at the moment so from time to time a workman passes via my office window on the scaffolding. Very distracting!
I am about to start a medical this time around. It will be fun to get my teeth into something new after spending months on the Italian trilogy.
Hope you have a great week.
Mel

Hi everyone,
So what do you think? Haven't they grown into cute little kids? Their faces are so much more distinct now they've had their first top and tail at the groomer's. I am going to miss them but after a few sleepless nights just lately I think I might not miss them as much as I thought! They are now eating a lot more which is making them settle better. Polly seems rather determined to wean them. She keeps wriggling away from them when they rush up to her.
They are wreaking havoc on any shoes left lying around as their teeth are needle-sharp. Toes are a big favourite too!
My daughter-in-law is cuddling them in the photos. She particularly loves Teddy who seems very drawn to her too.
I have some exciting news. I recieved two Cataromance awards for 2009 for The Marcolini Blackmail Marriage which was in a book called Mistresses by Blackmail with Kim Laurence and Day Leclaire and also for my Karedes continuity book- The Future King's Love Child. A special thank you to my reviewer who always does a great job of reading my books even though she often gets them late!
All the best for a happy week. Think of me as I say goodbye to two of my babies this week.
Mel

Hi everyone,
Well as you can see Pippi has turned out to be the perfect nanny for Polly. When Polly wants a break from the kids Pippi steps in. Thankfully Polly doesn't fight her anymore now she knows the puppies are in good hands, or should I say paws?!! Pippi is so gentle with them. She would have been a wonderful mother herself but we didn't want to breed with her all those years ago. Now I think she is a very frustrated mother!
It is so sweet watching the babies grow and change. They each have distinct personalities and I can tell them apart but no one else can with the same strike rate.
On the writing front all is going well. Thanks for all the lovely emails and Facebook comments about my books. I find it very inspiring and motivating to be given feedback.
Hope your week is fabulous.
Mel xx

Hi everyone,
I thought I was a busy person before but with three growing puppies in the house it is getting ridiculous! I am spending so much time cuddling them because I know it won't be long before they are all grown up, just like children.
I am busy too on the writing front. I am working on Book Three of my trilogy and I am just about to do some revisions on Book One so it's all go, go, go. I love the challenge of it all, making it all come together in a tight emotional read that readers will love.
As it is summer here there are enormous temptations for me to go outside instead of sit at my computer. I have to be very disciplined and focussed.
It was Australia Day yesterday and we had a BBQ at home with some friends. It was fun but it did make me think about our traditional people and how they feel about us celebrating the day their land was taken over by the British.
Well, I am determined to get to work even though the sun is shining and the puppies are barking and play fighting.
I hope you all have a great week.
Cheers,
Mel