Not only is this a fabulous literary event that has grown in popularity year over year, it takes place in my home city.

Toronto, it’s wonderful to be back!

Please pop by and say hi. My book-babies and I can be found at Booth #215 from 11 am – 6pm. 

PS – There will be free gifts direct from Australia for the first 10 books purchased, so come early!

Smarter Dating brings you a once in a lifetime interview with eloves me, eloves me not author, LA Johannesson
Step aside Bridget Jones, Kayte Wexford is the new poster girl for singletons in the digital age! She’s fit, healthy and IT-savvy and she’s not afraid to turn to technology for help finding love!

Smarter Dating recently shared this interview with their membership in the UK. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard the Bridget Jones reference, but I continue to be delighted by it. 

If you want to learn a little back story about the eloves me, eloves me not story, then have a read of the full interview here:

Smarter Dating Interviews LA Johannesson

Jonathan, the MD from Singles Warehouse, a fab international dating site (operating in UK, Canada, USA, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland)  was kind enough to feature an ‘eloves me, eloves me not’ giveaway on the site this week.

With the lead up to Valentine’s Day, we thought it would be nice to share a little ‘eloves me, eloves me not’ love with those folks, who, like Kayte, are trying their hand at online dating.

I wish everyone good luck in the contest and with their online quest.  Here’s hoping you find all the ‘elove’ you desire!

Oh, and guys, think this is just for the ladies?

Jonathan had this to say about the book, “Don’t be fooled, this book is not just for the girls. In fact if you are a guy looking for insight into how the other side thinks whilst dating this is a great find.”

Getting exposure on such a well-known chick lit blog was certainly appreciated. I continue to be humbled by the interest and support from this community.

In addition to the interview, there’s another chance to win ‘eloves me, eloves me not’. For the full interview and contest entry details, click here.

Good luck and thanks again Chick Lit Central for this golden opportunity!

P.S. Seems the animals in literature theme is a popular one these days (and, yay, I’m right on trend) – here’s an article from HuffPost Books On Great Animals from Literature

The review process is very confronting especially for a new author. I submitted my novel for review by Chicklit Club, one of the pre-eminent ‘chick-lit’ blogs. These people are immersed in this genre, so understandably, I was keen to hear what they thought (okay and just a wee bit nervous, hoping they’d love my characters as my as I do).

The results are in and they thought it was literally ‘fabulous’. Here’s the full review:

With a newly broken heart, Kayte, 39, is determined to find her Mr Right. She is on the path to finding true love through the ups and downs, pleasures and dangers, of dating – blind and internet – and has to kiss a string of toads to find her prince. Together with her best friend and number one male (Dylan the dog), her happily married friend Chloe, and the mysterious Bigbadwolf (aka Roman) and his Book of RROOD (pronounced RUDE) for Roman’s Rules of Online Dating, Kayte sets off on her roller-coaster pursuit of love. Kayte is a modern, fit and healthy, IT-savvy Bridget Jones – and this romantic comedy has a chuckle or a twist on every page mixed with just the right amount of passionate liaisons. It has great one-liners, is fast moving and very entertaining. It is a fabulous debut. (AT)

Bryce Courtenay’s book has now closed. He died yesterday in Canberra, at 79.

He has left a legacy of inspirational work, an incredible cast of characters and a global reader community that has been entertained and inspired by his work for decades.

This year will be our last to receive a new Christmas present from Australia’s premiere novelist, so we will cherish it and its messages.

The Sydney Morning Herald  obituary is touching and it also contains link for readers and fans to share their tributes.

Mr. Courtenay, thank you for your gifts, your imagination, your inspiration and your capacity for sharing them all so willingly.

Personally, your message about reinventing yourself in Australia has brought tears of familiarity and promise to this emerging author’s eyes.

Began distributing  the official media release for the book today. Where are my  newswire friends now?

You can read it here