When I sent off my 2011 entry for the Mills and Boon New Voices competition, I knew I loved the two central characters. I adored the opening line “I trust you will not scream, ma’am.” And, because I came to Edinburgh as a starry eyed teenager and have never really left, I loved the city which is the backdrop to Bella’s Betrothal, too.
Finishing the book took a lot more effort than its promising beginnings would have led me to expect, but it hasn’t disappointed. I needed the ongoing support of NaNoWriMo, my husband, who took up regular cooking again, and the comments made on that original chapter.
Members of my writers’ group made hugely encouraging noises after a manuscript night when they thought it was a promising nineteenth century crime novel. My editors at MuseItUp were supportive and enthusiastic.
To all of those people “Thank You”
Enjoy.
Leave a comment throughout the day and you might win a free copy of Bella’s Betrothal.
Buy Bella’s Betrothal now from MuseItUp, here:
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/69-our-authors/authors-s/168-anne-stenhouse
Or from many online stores including Amazon.co.uk
Novels Now 
Many congratulations, Anne – it sounds an enticing read!
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Thanks Rosemary. Have to say, I feel the heart beats a little faster when reading some pages in Bella’s Betrothal. Hmn!
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Wishing you many many sales. Good luck and enjoy release day. Love Manda
mrsajward@hotmail.com
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Hi Manda, thank you very much. Good luck in the draw, Anne
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Good luck with the launch,Anne. I’m sure Bella’s Betrothal will do well.
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Hullo Myra, Thank you. Really exciting.
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This is really inspiring, thank you! I am still editing (very very slowly!) my first NaNoWriMo from 2012. IT is encouraging that it’s not as bad as I assumed it would be, what with having done no preparation of plot or character before the month began! Great to see fellow Nano publishing and charging forward! Will you be doing another nano this year? Good luck with the book, your heroine’s picture on the cover is beautiful!
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Hullo Julie, Lovely to see you here. I’m not sure I’ve ever been called inspiring, so I’ll treasure that. Editing is my favourite part of the process and working with the MIU copy and line eds, Judy and Greta, was a real privilege. That detached eye sees so much – as you will, if you’ve been away from the ms for a wee while. I like the cover too. She’s old fashioned, but ok to the modern reader’s eye. A great combination from CK Volnek. Not sure if I’ll be in NaNo this year as I’m struggling to untangle my wip and it might be a mistake to leave it too long – on the other hand, it’s such fun being in the group. We’ll see. Thanks for dropping by. Good luck in the draw, Anne
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Congratulations Anne! The books looks wonderful – what a great cover – and sounds fabulous – both the plot and the premise. Have a great launch day!
Janice xx
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Hi Janice, I know how busy you are, so thank you very much for looking in. Charlie Volnek does great covers. You can see some more in the MuseItUp store. Anne
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Congratulations, Anne! Love the Edinburgh setting and can’t wait to read it!x
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Hi Jo, Nice to see you here. thanks for the good wishes and good luck in the comp! Anne
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Congratulations, Anne. Can’t wait to read it.
Fiona Mc.
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Hi Fiona, thank you. Hope you’re lucky, Anne
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Congratulations, Anne on your book launch. Exciting! Best wishes!
Susan Bernhardt
The Ginseng Conspiracy coming 1/14
http://www.susanbernhardt.com
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Susan, it’s lovely of you to drop by here, thanks. It is exciting. I was abroad when Mariah’s marriage launched – I’m enjoying this a lot more. Looking forward to yours, too. Anne
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Hope you are having a wonderful day, and selling lots of copies of the book. Can’t wait to read the whole novel. Love Carolx
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Hi Carol, thanks for dropping in. Maybe you’ll win a free copy. Anne
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Anne:-) how exciting for you – wishing you every success! Aileen
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Hi Aileen, thank you. Hoping to drop in on your event later, Anne
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Congratulations on release, Anne! I’ve been enjoying all your lovely photos. Looking forward to reading Bella’s Betrothal!
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Hi Helena, Fellow MuseItUpper, thank you. Just knew I’d want a photo of Lady Macbeth’s beetle wings for something or other. Anne
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Congratulations, it looks like a great read. I too love your opening line.
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Hi Susan, thank you for dropping by. Anne
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Congratulation, Anne!This is an exciting day for you. Love all the info and the pics in the various sections of this blog post.
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When do you expect Bells’s Betrothal to be available in the US through Amazon?
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Hi John, I’ve been checking at hourly intervals, because I’m keen to see it there, too, but no luck so far. Really shouldn’t be too long now. Thanks for dropping by, Anne
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Hi John I tried to mail you through Goodreads, but I’m getting an error message there. Bella’s Betrothal is now up on Amazon and on Goodreads. Amazon US is here: http://goo.gl/BAJEAi Hope that helps and thank you so much for your encouragement, Anne
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Anne,
Thanks for the heads up, I just downloaded it and it has the next to read label.
John
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Sounds all good, Anne
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