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December 14th, 2011

Putting on the Ritz – or the Dorchester, in this instance ;-)

At last!

Christmas is sweeping me away into a tidal wave of activity – involving strange elves, train rides, frantic shopping, and general gallivanting.

The night at the Dorchester was just wonderful, with over £60,000 raised for a wonderul charity named, Wherever the Need. The particular project on this occasion provides sanitation and clean water for a small village in India called Chennai, from where my friend’s daughter has recently returned.
And here she is, looking absolutely gorgeous!

A great time was had by all, and the sheer unbounded bliss of long-standing friendships indulged in to the max!

Wishing you all the good friends you deserve and much happiness as you share precious time with them

Sxx


December 6th, 2011

Let them eat cake!

Things are getting rather hectic around Stephens’ Towers, as you have probably gathered, with a trip to London in the offing and a fab ball at the Dorchester – If people will stand still long enough, will try and take some pics :-)

Meanwhile, I couldn’t leave you without my annual Christmas cake recipe –
Eat! Drink! And be merry!!! With the odd sheikh thrown in ;-)

CHRISTMAS CAKE RECIPE.
Ingredients:

* 2 cups flour
* 1 stick butter
* 1 cup of water
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1 cup of sugar
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 cup of brown sugar * Lemon juice
* 4 large eggs
* Nuts
* 2 bottles wine
* 2 cups of dried fruit

Sample the wine to check quality.
Take a large bowl, check the wine again.
To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.
Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer.
Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar.
Beat again. At this point it’s best
to make sure the wine is still OK. Try another cup… Just in case.
Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in
the
cup of dried fruit.

Pick the *!”+*^!!!! fruit up off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried
druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the wine to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt.
Or
something. Check the wine. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your
nuts.
Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or some fink. Whatever you can find.
Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.
Don’t forget to beat off the turner.
Finally, throw the bowl through the
window. Finish the wine and wipe counter with the cat.
Go to Sainsbury’s and buy cake.

Bingle Jells!

xx


November 30th, 2011

NAKED SHEIKH

Hot Momma! This is quite an opening image for my latest Manga!

Beth Tracey Torrance gets the shock of her life when she takes a stroll along a beach and spies our sheikh in the buff…

Nice shock? Bad shock?

Remember, Beth Tracey Torrance has seen the front view…

Putting aside the humour for a moment, I dedicated this book to ‘the wonderful people of Liverpool for breathing life into Beth Tracey Torrance.’
Why?
When Beth came to me she was fully formed and talking to me in a Scouse accent (Liverpool accent) Believe me, I had no say in the matter – Beth knew who she was.

Liverpool was a city I came to love for the warmth, resilience and humour of its people in the days before I was married when I used to tour the country with an opera company. Yes, ladies, I know all about living in a caravan – And high octane drama? Bitchiness (no one spoke to newcomers for the first year – try that one one for size) – Passion – Hopes and dreams shattered – Deceit – Promises broken – Great friendships made -Wildest dreams coming true – Dirty tricks – Knives in the back – Knives in the front – Love -Fall-outs – Break-ups – Reunions – You’ve come to the right place. If I ever write anything other than Mills and Boon, it will be that story.

But, I digress.

Of all the cities in Great Britain – and we visited them all – I remember Liverpool for putting a smile on my face and understanding in my heart. Viva, Liverpool! You are one hell of a city :-)

Have a good one, ladies, with lots of edifying sights and wonderful, adventurous thoughts about exciting people ;-)
Sxx


November 29th, 2011

MANGA: The skill of the artist


There is nothing more thrilling for me than to receive my latest Manga cover. The skill of the artist is breathtaking, with each scene, act, emotion, and character, faithfully depicted.

Let me take this opportunity to show huge respect and a great big smile to Aso Ayumu, for their artistic tour de force on this Manga for my book, Desert King, Pregnant Mistress. I had the biggest smile ever on my face when I ‘read’ it through :-)

Sxx


November 27th, 2011

How many shopping days to Christmas???

Plans are already afoot to keep Santa busy in this neck of the woods :-)

It seems we have a new generation of horsewomen in the family.

And isn’t this a joyous sight? I just had to share this image of children enjoying a library.
Let’s hope we never lose this precious resource

Sxx


November 25th, 2011

London: there is only one speed


Sue with lovely ed’, Carly

When in Town I always zip around on the underground – Force of habit from my college days, I suspect – and so much faster than taxis – So you smell a few armpits – Get over it!

But…

I did notice that there is only one speed underground – and that is hectic.
I tried walking ‘normally’ and immediately felt ‘odd’ – Well, odder than usual, that is.
So off I went, scooting round, jumping queues, bagging seats – i.e. quite literallly, my bag lands before I do – or, heaven forfend – anyone else does – on my chosen seat- another little trick I picked up in college – and once a zipper and a bagger – always a zipper and a bagger – All those excellent manners drummed into me by my mother – out the window – this is WAR

But apart from that I am really a very nice person ;-)

Have a NICE day, ladies

Sxx (who saw Shameless Ruiz as a book for the first time yesterday – Hot Momma – I want him! He’s mine! Mine, Mine, Mine :-) )


November 24th, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing the happiest Thanksgiving to my wonderful American friends. Without the writing I would never have met you, and for that friendship I am deeply grateful.

Have the most fabulous family day
Love
Susanxx


November 23rd, 2011

The Spookily accurate astrologer, Xandra King

I love Xandra. but, come on, gal’ some of your predictions for Scorpio are… spookily accurate – and I wouldn’t want the whole world knowing about them

Let’s take a peek, shall we?
Here’s an extract from Scorpio for December:

If you try to please everyone this Christmas you will end up pleasing no one – so please yourself then at least one person is happy. There’s no need to go about this in a ‘tail-lashing’ way – diplomacy is the answer – and compromise – (just so long as you’re happy with the compromise you’re making. There’s nothing to be gained by agreeing and then going round with a long face!)

Tail-lashing, moi? I think you must have the wrong person.
Diplomacy? Compromise? Didn’t you know, those are my middle names?
And as for going round with a long face /-: I don’t recognise myself at all…

Hope you like what Xandra has in store for you for December. The truth will out on December 1st when Xandra make a welcome return to the Susan Stephens home of crazy site ;-)

Have a good one, ladies
Sxx


November 22nd, 2011

In a philosophical mood

First off – how exciting is the Clipper race?
Okay, all you landlubbers can leave us now ;-)
After 3,800 stormy miles, the yachts, having taken different ways to reach this point, are within just a few miles of each other as they approach Tauranga in New Zealand. And with Welcome to Yorkshire currently holding 2nd place, I couldn’t be more excited – though the main thing is that everyone arrives safely after what has been a wild crossing of the Southern ocean

* Went to see Breaking Dawn at 9am Sunday morning with the team. LOVED IT.
Team Jacob, this way!

In the writing cave – it’s all about Luke, my 4th polo player – And can you blame me?!?!

Then I spoke to minimus, who mentioned that she was missing the boat – one of the reasons being, life and people are more straightforward onboard a racing yacht. I pointed out that she can take that boat with her through life, set the speed and choose just the crew she wants – so in many ways she’s in a better place.

Hope you’re in a good place today, ladies,
Sxx


November 21st, 2011

Thank you all for birthday wishes

We had an amazing time. And if you are within striking distance of Bradford in West Yorkshire, you must – and I mean YOU MUST try the wonderful restaurant where we celebrated with one of the most delicious meals I have eaten – this family-run business makes you feel as if you have been invited into their home – NOTHING is too much trouble. They even made sure the children chose the colour of the plates and cups they would be using – and you really can’t ask for more than that :-)

I think you can tell a great time was had by all…

Some of us eating slightly more than others ;-)

And later there was ice cream and cake

Who told me to ‘eat cake’ on Facebook??!!

You speak and I obey!!!

Sxx