I am back in romance writing mode after the summer, and working on a book set in Crete, where I just happened to spend two weeks in August … I always like reliving my holidays! Am currently half way through Chapter 3, and all was going well until I was struck down with a lurgy which has left me looking and feeling utterly revolting. I am huddled over my blow heater, with the central heating on full, piggy eyes streaming, bones aching, nose red and raw, and feeling very sorry for myself altogether. The fact that this is obviously just a cold and I will be better in a day or two is not helping at all! I am a bit twitchy about falling too far behind on my writing schedule though, so really must pull myself together and get back to work.

This will be the last diary entry for the time being. I was concerned earlier this year that it might have been getting a bit repetitive after two years (you can catch up on my writing ups and downs below!), and once this book is finished, I will be taking a break from writing romance in any case. I have arranged to have the first half of 2004 ‘off’ in order to finish my thesis (after a mere 9 years!) I have to admit that I’m a bit nervous about the dire warnings of losing readers but I will just have to hope that most of you will have longer memories than the marketing people give you credit for! Her Boss’s Baby Plan will be out in February (UK) and May (NA), and while there may be a bit of a gap after that, I will be back!

In the meantime, I always love to hear from readers, so feel free to send me a message or ask any questions. I thought I would start an electronic newsletter too, to try and keep in touch, and if you’d like to receive this, please let me know on jessica@jessicahart.co.uk .