temptation lurking...

I bought myself a little treat a few days back for when I finsih writing my latest book. It now sits beside my bed like a shiny temptaiotn, beckoning me, begging me to pick her up and read her. I'm talking about Stephenie Meyers small town vampire romance ' 'Twilight'.

I love the title, I love the cover, I love the theme, I love the setting, I love the fact its the first of a series... Can you tell I'm chomping at the bit!!!

I am such a sucker for books that are turned into movies and the hype has hooked me. Knowing who the actors are they are indelibly cast in my head which is a fun way to come at a story.

Okay, fine, I admit it, I maaay have read the first page or maybe a few more than that. But only when I've had five minutes up my sleeve!!! Three or four times a day... Until I'm now half way through.

Bad bad Ally!!! (Having a lovely time of it ;))

a quick wave

I apologise for my invisibilty on the web but I've been struck down with a rather badly timed, and entirely miserable, cold. My head feels like it's filled with lead weight cotton wool, my throat is made up entirely of razor blades and I'm not even gonna gross you out on the state of my lungs.

Of course proof edits due today. Another book is due next week. And my little Boo is recovering from her 12 month immunisations. It never rains right?

If you miss me that much you can always grab A NIGHT WITH THE SOCIETY PLAYBOY and have a read ;). It's out now in North America, next month in Australia and New Zealand (though online now from eHarlequin.com.au!)

male on monday

I forgot to herald my coveted Male on Monday post at the Pink Heart Society this week (head down writing like a good girl of course!)

But he's soooo gorgeous I'm chiming in late to send you on over.

He was Buffy's boyf for a couple of seasons. He once dated Lauren Graham. He's 36, 6'2' and coaches a girls' basketball team. Could a guy be any more adorable?

I give you the fantabulous, the delecatable, the up and coming...Marc Blucas.

i heart presents

When I think of Harlequin Presents novels, I think of passionate love affairs, of strong author voices, and exotic internaional settings. Right?

So why then did I decide to set my November Harlequin Presents, A NIGHT WITH THE SOCIETY PLAYBOY in the middle of Melbourne suburbia?

Head on over to the faaaabulous I Heart Presents website and find out!

the men of movember

This month across the great land of Aus, it's Movember. That's right, with a capital M. Men across the land are growing moustaches of all shapes and sizes and girths and thicknesses in order to help raise money for men's health, a subject often swamped by trendier charities.

If you wish to check out more about it, or to donate, my brother in law Luke is doing his very best to create the greatest Mo on planet earth - in a month - you can check out more here.

So do you think it's a pity men with Mo's have fallen off the hero radar? Who do you think of when you think of a man with a Mo? I instantly think of Tom Selleck in Magnum PI. Was he best wearer of a Mo ever?

Should they make a comeback? Or is the tickle kiss thankfully a thing of the past?

Either way, Movember is a winner and I hope they raise a packet!

bestseller!

I just discoverd that for the week ending 1 November my current Harlequin Presents novel A NIGHT WITH THE SOCIETY PLAYBOY came in at number 7 on the Waldenbooks Bestseller list!!!

Thanks to all you lovelies across North America who helped make that happen. It warms the cockles of my heart, the back of my neck, the palms of my hands, and every bit in between!

You can check out the whole list here. Read more about A NIGHT WITH THE SOCIETY PLAYBOY here. Or buy it online here!

wake me in a week

My little Boo turned one on Thursday!!!

One, sheesh, where did the time go??? Oh right, changing nappies, preparing food, crawling around on the floor chasing her down the hall, playing with things that squeak and buzz and sing and rattle, reading her favourite books over and over and over... And giving and receiving of lots of lovely smoochy hugs and kisses with the cutest girl on the planet.

This week we've had rellies come from interstate. We've taken her to the beach for the first time - she looooved it! Loved the water, loved chasing the seagulls, loved flirting with the six year old boy making sandcastles nearby. We had her birthday party at the Zoo so all her friends came, we ate a cake in the shape of a butterfly, we saw real butterflies by the hundreds, and elephants and lions and orangutans. She has lots of gorgeous new toys which have made our loungeroom even less habitable.

It's been wonderful. And exhausting. And does this mean my baby is not a baby anymore? Nahhh...

Happy Birthday Boo!!!

profound beauty

Today is a great day in my home town of Melbourne. Today we get to experience the race that stops the nation. Every home, every shop, every workplace across Australia will come to a halt at 3pm so everyone can crowd around whatever TVs and radios are available so they can listen to the longest, and most pretigious horse race in the country.

The Melbourne Cup.

A year ago on the first Tuesday in November my little Boo was born. She kindly arrived at 12:12 so by the time we were ready to move out of the delivery suite, the race was on. Needless to say we stayed an extra five minutes, and the midwives, my hubby, my Boo and I watched the race together!

We'll put a bet on for her every cup day. Profound Beauty is hers today, a gorgeous shiny dark thouroughbred. I'm for Newport at much longer odds as it won for me a couple of weeks back. Here's hoping we get one and two!!!

and a sneak peek in aus...

What with a crazy wek behind me, and an even crazier one ahead (my little Boo is turning one!!!) I'd forgotten that the December releases were now available online!

Sooo....

'Cause they're coming out in December across Australia and New Zealand, I have two brand new books out that have never been seen down under!!!

A NIGHT WITH THE SOCIETY PLAYBOY is a Sexy Sensation release, and HIRED: THE BOSS'S BRIDE is a Sweet Romance. Both are super fun books, and one has my favourite heroine I've ever written.

For a double whammy Ally Blake reading bonanza, you can grab both books today from eHarlequin.

out now!!!

Out now across North America, I present to you A NIGHT WITH THE SOCIETY PLAYBOY!!!

For those of you, and thanks again to the many many wonderful readers who sent me SUCH gorgeous emails about THE MAGNATE'S INDECENT PROPOSAL, this book is about Caleb Gilchrist, Damien's best mate from that earlier book.

For those of you who haven't read about my Magnate, you certainly won't need to have in order to get Caleb. He's a pretty straightforward guy. And pretty darned yummy doncha reckon?As he says about himself, "True he didn’t lie, cheat or steal, but he did push the boundaries of respectability on a daily basis." Aaah do I love the taming of a bad boy...

Romantic Times says: "A Night With the Society Playboy is an emotional tale. Ally Blake does a terrific job of starting in the present and weaving the past throughout the story so the readers see all aspects of the relationship." Awww, aren't they nice!!!

THE MAGNATE'S INDECENT PROPOSAL is still available online through eHarlequin. A NIGHT WITH THE SOCIETY PLAYBOY is too, or you can find it all this November on bookshelves across North America.