Congratulations to Gunda in Germany, who is the winner of the July website contest! Thank you so much for the bumper number of entries. The prize of delicious chocolates seemed to
appeal to a lot of people! In this month’s contest I am offering a set of the Brides of Fortune trilogy plus a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, which I hope will be equally appealing!
Today I received my author copies of Forbidden and was totally thrilled. I had already been quite carried away by the gorgeous gold gown on the cover but when I saw my name in silver lettering, that looked really special. Then I looked inside and remembered that this book was dedicated to my darling dog Monty who died almost a year ago, with thanks for all the wonderful companionship he had provided during the previous 10 years. There never was a finer dog to help me shift my writer’s block with a brisk walk on the hills.
So Forbidden is special to me in many ways, not least because it is something of a fairy tale, rags to riches Cinderella story, and I do love those. I hope you do too. There are 5 copies of Forbidden available to win over on Goodreads and if you would like a set of my special Forbidden-themed postcards, just drop me a line. I’m feeling quite emotional today so I would like to add a big thank you to all my lovely readers. Thank you! With love, Nicola.
How lovely for you and for Monty!
Thank you, Alison.
I am behind in reading your blog I have been sick with a summer cold and have felt like only doing the bare minimum.
You have my heart Nicola. I just passed the one year anniversary of my cat passing on. I cried over her grave. My dog Bridgette (she is an English Springer Spaniel) she just turned 13 in June. She is my best friend and a true sweetheart. I dread the day I know that will be coming in the year or so.
You are so right the cover for Forbidden is just lovely I know you are so proud of that cover.
I can’t wait to read the story.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Gigi. I do think that animal companions can be true and wonderful friends and their passing as hard to bear sometimes as that of our human companions. Bridgette sounds lovely and I wish you many more happy hours in her company.
Nicola, I agree with you in that the gold gown and your name in silver is just so regal. I love it. I also love rags to riches and Cinderella stories. I’m so sorry about your Monty. I get so emotional when I think of my past babies who are all gone now that I just can’t bring myself to go through that loss and heartache anymore.
Forbidden is on my TRL already and it’s a wonderful dedication to your Monty. You have those 10 memorable years to treasure. 
Carol L.
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Thank you, Carol. I do think it’s so hard to take on another pet knowing you are storing up heartache. There are so many happy experiences to share as well, of course, but sometimes it’s so hard.