Party Time - 'The Firebird'!!

Today it’s party time here at the Heroine Addicts because it’s the official UK publication day for The Firebird, Susanna’s long-awaited new novel!  As part of it takes place in Russia, we thought we’d have a Russian themed celebration, but the characters also spend time in Scotland and Belgium, so if you’d like to bring something or someone from either of those countries (as well as Ireland since one of the heroes is Irish), please do!  Anyway, come on in and join us!

Vladimir

Susanna is of course the guest of honour and her escort to the party is Russian actor Vladimir Lvovich Mashkov (who most recentlyplayed the pursuing Russian cop in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol).  She’s very kindly brought along these mouth-wateringly delicious pies from the St Petersburg Stolle restaurant, where her characters, Rob and Nicola, eat dinner every day.

Kevin  courtesy of imdb.com

Brigid has brought a HUGE bottle of vodka because as she says, you can’t go wrong with that!  And her guest is Scotsman Kevin McKidd – perhaps most famous for his role in Trainspotting.

Mikhail courtesy of imdb.com

Anna came dancing in on the arm of famous Russian ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov – as you know, she loves to dance so this should be fun!  He’s promised to bring some of his friends for later :-)

Liz has brought caviar blinis with sour cream – mmmm!  Trays and trays of them, which is just as well since they’re so delicious one (or ten!) is never enough!

Artyom (Image from kinopoisk.ru)

And here’s Julie now with – wow! - she’s found this gorgeous Russian film director, Artyom Semakin, who recently got beaten up while interrupting a man getting violent with a woman.  A true hero!  Julie’s also kindly brought some Russian buffalo grass vodka – this is going to be quite some party!

Anton courtesy of imdb.com

I (Christina) am bringing champagne and Belgian truffles – seriously, you can’t have a party without chocolate! – and my guest is the American/Russian actor Anton Yelchin who was brilliant both in Terminator Salvation and the latest Star Trek film, where he played Chekhov.

So please, come in and join us and tell us what you’re bringing to the party!  We’ll be here all day (and all night and possibly a few more days ...)  Everyone’s welcome!

The Firebird, blurb:-

Nicola Marter was born with a gift.  When she touches an object, she sometimes sees images; glimpses into its past, and of those who have owned it before.  Born with this rare ability, Nicola sees it as something to keep hidden.  But when a young woman arrives at the London Gallery where Nicola works, offering a wooden carving for sale and claiming it belonged to Russia’s Empress Catherine, Nicola faces a dilemma. 

With no proof of its past, Nicola’s boss believes the carving – known as ‘the Firebird’ – is worthless.  But Nicola has held it, and she knows that the woman, who is in desperate need of money, is telling the truth.

Compelled to help, Nicola turns to a man she once left, and still loves: Rob McMorran, whose own psychic gifts are far greater than her own.  With Rob to help delve into the past, Nicola travels from Scotland to Belgium, and on into Russia.  There, in St Petersburg, the once-glittering capital, Nicola and Rob unearth a tale of love and sacrifice, of courage and redemption – a story which will change their lives forever.