I always dreamed of becoming a Harlequin Mills and Boone writer for the Historical line writing sexy regencies, and had submitted several stories and even been place first by one of the Historical editors in a contest.

My agent, Scott Eagen, submitted one of my manuscripts to Mills and Boone in London and I worked away on new books while I waited. A year passed. I had forgotten all about it. I almost fell off my chair when Scott called and said one of the editors liked the story but had some suggestions for revision. I did them, but tried not to get too hopeful. There were quite a lot of revisions.

Another nine months passed and lots of other things were happening, and still no word. I assumed the revisions didn’t work. So imagine my surprise and delight when the answer came. Yes. They had bought The Rake’s Inherited Courtesan and scheduled it for April 2009

Along with the acceptance came a request for some more proposals. I sent in four. And they said yes to them too. I’m still in a daze and working very hard on those next books.

In the meantime, I was asked to write the Harlequin Historical Undone for January. I like writing short stories and was delighted to say yes. The Rake’s Intimate Encounter can be found at www.eharlequin.com. It is a novella and it visits some of the characters in the April book as well as having a romance all of its own. Here is the description:

Anthony Darby thinks he is ready to give up his life of pleasure—until finds himself at an exclusive club where ladies of the ton indulge their secret desires…and he spies the most alluring woman he’s ever laid eyes on.

Lately widowed, Margaret is determined to savor some of the joys she missed while married to a cold-hearted Russian count. After paying her dues as a dutiful wife, she’s ready to begin living for the moment—starting with a night of passion with Anthony.

It took eight years, but I fully believe perseverance pays off and dreams do come true. For the details of The Rake’s Inherited Courtesan out in April, and the latest on the next book, pop by my website. I love to hear from readers, so don’t hesitate to send me a note.

This post was submitted by Ann Lethbridge.

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