I’m just back from Rome where I hooked up with Bono and the U2 boys on the last leg of their European tour before heading down under. I hadn’t seen Bono since my wedding day in New York last year and it’s our running joke that it’ll be our annual meet up!

It was great to see him look so fit. Bono is looking and feeling better than ever with daily physio training for his back and plenty of gym work.

Here he is with Champagne Babes – to be released 14th October across the UK.

It’s not often you get to meet your heroes, so it was an absolute honour to meet the legendary Jilly Cooper who started the bonkbuster genre back in 1985 with Riders. She is back riding high (no pun intended) with her 16th raunchy novel Jump! Released last month. We’re pictured here at her Dublin launch in the plush surroundings of The Shelbourne Hotel.
She was a wonderfully warm and generous woman. And I was thrilled when she accepted to take a present of my second novel Champagne Babes. I then spoke to her a week later and she told me, “I haven’t quite finished it yet, but it’s very good. You have a very lovely way of writing.” Woo hoo!!!

I do hope my old nemesis Jordan is feeling in the mood to share, because I’m invading Britain and I’m planning on bumping her off the charts!

Yes, move over Katie Price, my novel Champagne Babes is landing on UK shelves from October 14th and everyone is getting behind it – even Tesco, so thank you all. This is a dream come true for me.

After my third novel Champagne Secrets stormed the charts in Ireland this summer, it was an obvious progression to take it across the pond, so fingers crossed all goes well.

But that doesn’t mean it’s gonna be all quiet on the home front either. My debut cookbook, Christmas with Amanda Brunker and The Blue Haven Food Company is out November 4th, so watch this space.

And I’ve also been busy getting on my Simon ‘Scowl’ as a talent judge on All Ireland Talent Show starting this autumn. That will then run till the end of March 2011 and I’m looking forward to a Dublin winner at the end of it!

Although I’m replacing the uber delicious Shane Lynch on the 3rd series, the Boyzoner came back for a couple of days to help me mentor my music acts, which of course was heaps of fun.

Next month I’ll have more details on the new comedy stage play I’m writing titled Hello Buoys, but for now please have a look around my site and I hope you enjoy Champagne Babes.

I had such a great boozy lunch with Richard O’Brien, creator of the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show. He’s such an inspiration to me… he may be wild and wacky to some, but in my world he’s perfectly sane! He even shared loads of tips for writing my new play. I’m looking forward to taking him up on his invite of a crazy night out in London enjoying some jazz and sipping cocktails in the Ivy bar.

I love this pix of me and pal Neil Leyden. He’s one of my oldest mates and I was so proud when I learnt that he won the Your Country, Your Call competition from over 9,000 entries! It was set up by Martin McAleese to generate job creation in this country and get people out working. No pressure Neil, but the state of the country depends on you… go get ‘em kid!

It was great to get over to London for the 60th birthday of my publishers, Transworld.
I had great craic with the hunky Dr. Hilary Jones from ITV’s breakfast show Daybreak and I loved hobnobbing with all the UK authors.
I was also absolutely thrilled to learn that night how Champagne Babes was to be released in all good book shops and Tesco stores throughout the UK from October 14th!!

Move over Louis Walsh!!……..I may be the newbie on the judging panel of the All Ireland Talent Show but I was thrilled to have the gorgeous Shane Lynch and the legendary Larry Gogan as my wingmen, and I believe I’ve a couple of winners… come on the Dubs! Great fun was had at the Dublin auditions, but I won’t lie, it was mentally exhausting between breaking hearts and promising contestants a chance to take the big stage on the first New Year’s Eve stage. It was a wonderful feeling to give people an opportunity to shine and give them a chance to scoop the €50,000 prize fund… but I can still see some of the sad faces that broke with disappointment.
Take a look at Grainne Seoige though…. Despite her gruelling work schedule with ITV over the pond, she’s still looking as gorgeous as ever!

And I’m loving the publicity picture… believe it or not I was on holidays in Portugal when this formal shot was taken. I had only arrived out two days when I got the call and told, “There’s someone arriving over tomorrow with a pull-up banner.” Little did anyone know that I was looking out over the swimming pool minutes before this shot was taken!

Team Brunker to win!

Here are a few pics from the launch of my third book, Champagne Secrets, at The Grafton Lounge in Dublin. We had great craic with entertainment provided by Crystal Swing… check out the snap of me performing The Hucklebuck with Derek!!

Guests included bestselling authors Anita Notaro, Claudia Carroll and Marisa Mackle who were all treated to a champagne reception courtesy of G.H. Mumm, yum! I even got to cosy up to the current Mister World Kamal Ibraham and don’t I look pleased about it?

“Here’s me and Jerry Springer in RTE’s VIP Room after we appeared on The Saturday Night Show with Brendan O’Connor. We had so much fun together, that we hit the town afterwards and Jerry asked me to be his wife!

Ok, so after watching me drink a bottle of Champagne in Krystle, as he smoked his cigar (all the while trying to ignore the background chants of Jer-ry… Jer-ry… Jer-ry) he asked me if I was interested in acting, as he had a new sitcom coming out and he needed a blonde to play his TV wife.

Sadly my family commitments need to keep me in Ireland, but what a fun proposal that was.
Jerry is a legend. Great fun talking either politics or trailer trash.

“Here’s me looking extremely sophisticated on the May cover of Irish Tatler.
I’m loving it because I think I look like a serious author – what do you think?”

“Speaking of serious authors, I caught up with PS I Love You writer Cecelia Ahern and John Connolly of Maine fame at the recent Bord Gais Energy launch for the 50 Books of The Decade.

Both of them have books included in the awards – I on the other hand, do not!

Ah well. Roll on 2020 and let’s see how I fair in the next decade J
Although it would be easy to be envious of their success, I’m instead grateful for the international doors they have opened. Since it’s been done before, it can happen again. Let’s continue to support the Irish.”

“Here I am with Irish legends Boyzone at the recent Peter Mark VIP Style Awards at The Shelbourne.
This pix was taken shortly before Ronan’s affair rocked his marriage. And his gorgeous wife Yvonne was just standing slightly to the right while this pix was taken. For the sake of the kids I hope they can work it out, either way they are devoted parents and will no doubt continue to make their children their utmost priority.”

“Once upon a time I wanted to be an actress. Then I realised I preferred to eat on a regular basis so I found myself a stable career as a journalist. Heck, most people would laugh when you called journalism a stable career, but compared to acting it wins hands down.

Anyway, I enjoyed dabbling again on the production My Happiness which debuts at The Galway Film Fleadh 2010. Here I’m pictured with the short’s central starlet Rachel Kavanagh, and it’s writer and producer David Gilna.”

I’ve always had a mini crush on Boyzone’s Shane Lynch, so I was thrilled when I finally got to hook up with the Northside hunk to interview him for the Sunday World.

On the promotion trail of Boyzone’s new single Gave It All Away and his TV show All Ireland’s Got Talent, I arranged to meet up with Shane at The International Bar, one of Dublin’s oldest pubs and ended up drinking pints with himself and a few of his buddies till the wee small hours of the morning.

As they say in Ireland, ‘We had the craic…’ If only all interviews could be that enjoyable.

January saw me launch Lifes2good’s Slender research report, which revealed that 8 out of 10 Irish women feel that they are overweight.

Having lost a whooping 4 stone thanks to Slender Xcellerate herbal tablets and Slender’s Pu’erh Tea (apparently Posh is also a fan), I am always happy to step out promote their weight loss properties.

Not everyone needs to loose weight, but if you do, check out www.lifes2good.com for more info.

I had so much fun shooting my Valentine’s Day lingerie shoot for the Sunday World with Nadia Power.

She’s one of the few photographers that make me feel at ease, and having been a model herself, she knows exactly all the right angles and poses that makes a woman look her most womanly!!

Hope you like them.

Friday 13th may be unlucky for some, but there were plenty of winners at Belfast’s recent GO Magazine Awards at The Europa Hotel. Former Miss World Rosanna Davidson, Big Brother’s Noirin Kelly and yours truly rocked it for the Southern belles, and partied well into the night with host Justin Lee Collins (who groped everyone’s bum – male and female – except mine!) while singers Pixie Lott and Laura White cried off early as BOTH were being chaperoned by their mums that night! With 360 guests at the event, I beg to ask, ‘Belfast – what recession?’

With all the fashion photographers I’ve work with through the years, Irish-based Nadia Power has to be one of my favourites. Understanding women, she knows how to make you look your best, and because of that I had so much fun on my recent cover shoot for Rejuvenate Magazine. Planning on getting my boobs reduced in the spring, I spoke to the magazine about my decision, and why less is definitely more in my book.

It’s panto season again – oh, no it isn’t… oh, yes it bloody well is!!!
I was delighted to help out my old pal Joe Conlan launch his new Christmas show titled Fluffy’s Xmas Factor, which I’m sure is going to be a huge success. We starred together in Aladdin many many moon ago at Liberty Hall, and some of my fondest memories were on stage with him, or should I say herrr! All those looking for a giggle this Christmas, get yourself down to The Mill Theatre in Dundrum.

Fellow literary queen Patricia Scanlan has done it again by releasing yet another great novel, this time a Christmas-themed heart warming story titled Coming Home. I caught up with the bestselling author who’s previous books (all 15 of them) have rocketed to the Number 1 spot at her launch party, and hooked her with her best pal Aidan Storey who was also celebrating the launch of his debut scribe Angels of Divine Light.

What girl doesn’t love a freebie? But when you score something as good as Botox, I wasn’t worried about the presence of a photographer capturing the moment I received it. I got freezed up at The Harley Medical Group’s Dublin office to mark their 10th anniversary in Ireland, and I’m loving the results. What do I want for Christmas? More Botox please J

Best of luck to Donna McCaul who after failing to scoop the Eurovision title back to Ireland (where it quite rightfully belongs…) in 2005 with her younger brother Joe, she’s gone out on her own and is looking for solo success. Her new sound Just The Way It Is Baby is available now for download on iTunes.

This possibly isn’t the best poker face I could of pulled, but as a novice player I thought it best to do a total blonde on it and smile my whole way through the game.

Alongside rugby legend Reggie Corrigan, I held my own on the table of boys for some time, before betting the lot – AND losing my entire chips with a pair of Queens.

Well, my opponent had a pair of Aces… Thems the breaks.
Watch out for Late Night Stars of Poker on RTE TWO from September 20th.

I joined forces with Cork totty and RED FM DJ Eimear Varian-Barry on September 4th to hand over a silly fake cheque (it’s gotta be done) to The Guide Dogs For The Blind.

The money was raised during the three Coyote Ugly fun nights I hosted in East Village, SoHo and Hamlets of Kinsale over the summer, and I’m glad to say preparations are already in place for next year, with even bigger and better cowgirl fun. How could it possibly be, I hear you cry???

The TV3 Autumn Schedule Launch was an odd one for me, as never before has a TV station asked me to be part of their charm offensive to the press. Of course I was honoured to be part of their line-up as one of their regular all-female panel on Midday, especially after the pilot we shot at the start of the summer proved such a hit. But do I see myself following a career in TV? Not a chance… I love the flirtation, but books are where I’m at…

I had so much fun co-hosting the first annual Mister International Ireland 2009 at The Button Factory – and not because I got to help the guys squeeze into their swimwear and generally maul them! But because it was such a well put together show. Well done to Deric Hartigan for getting behind the event. Can’t wait for next year…

Amazingly the sun held out for my visit to The Killarney Races, after several nights of rain – and just in case the organisers weren’t freaked out enough, there was even some thunder that morning! But I was determined to bring a bit of colour down from Dublin with me, so I grabbed my Suzie Mahony designed hat and set about judging The Best Dressed Friends competition. Fair play to all who turned up looking so stylish on the day and for giving me the warmest welcome. Thank you.

Champagne Babes is here

Champagne Babes was finally launched in style in Renards on June 25th 2009
Bono was in Barcelona this year, but we still had a magnificent time in his honour.
Male totty was provided by actors Liam Cunningham and Jason Barry.
Though the boys had even more eye candy with the presence of models
Glenda Gilson, Roberta Rowatt, Claire Tully and Emma Quinlan.
Since we‘re in a recession we drank Smirnoff Mule and the guests
ate fabulous cupcakes by Louise Lennox.

And more than a couple of people were caught sticking more than their
marshmallows in the Seaclaid chocolate fountain, but hey, Brendan Courtney
your secret is safe with me. Host for the night was the wonder Ms Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, and readings
were provided by Anna Nolan and the truly leg-a-licious Miss Veda.
Thanks to all for making it a special night.

Ok, and we’re off again….

The promotional tour for Champagne Babes kicked off on Miriam O’Callaghan’s
first summer show back on RTE, and what a laugh I had. Joining me for a quick
flirt with Marti Pellow were fellow Irish authors Claudia Carroll and Marisa Mackle.
You can catch the show by logging on to
www.rte.ie/tv/miriam/av_20090620.html?2566152,null,228

Hey guys, can’t wait for more fun in Cork. I’ll be back in the People’s Republic on
July 4th at East Village for another Coyote Ugly Heat. And then in SoHo on
July 10th for the final. After the fun I had at the Kinsale Heats in Hamlets,
I can’t wait to hook up with all you mad Corkonians again. Be there!

Don’t worry people, I’m not a regular feature on TV3′s Midday show.
It was just for the week, but what a blast I had working alongside
TD Mary O Rourke, playwright Fiona Looney, Model Agent Julian Fallon and of
course the gorgeous telly totty (and the thinking man’s crumpet) Colette Fitzpatrick.
Despite the fact that the producers insisted on breaking myself and Jules up
because we kept giggling among ourselves like naughty school kids,
I have to say I loved the experience & Patrick Kinsella, please have us on again soon.
You catch any of the shows by logging on to
www.tv3.ie/midday and scrolling down to Monday June 8th to Friday June 12th

 

Check out the Transworld Ireland bunch.

We enjoyed the most amazing lunch at Claudia Carroll’s house this month and although she protested that her fridge is normally only used to house her face creams, she prepared a meal worthy of 5 stars. From left, the host Claudia, Aidan Story (who will have a book on angels coming out Christmas), a slightly startled looking Anita Notaro, the grand dame herself Patricia Scanlan. Then of course, meself and my new editor Lauren Hadden to my right.

I was so chuffed to be asked to launch my old school pal Fiachra Sheridan’s new novel The Runners. You might not recognise the name, but you will know the pedigree. His uncle is the well known director Jim Sheridan and critics are touting him as the next Roddy Doyle. It s a gripping read. Check it out if you can

 

Bono launches Champagne Kisses at Renards in Dublin Summer 2008. What a roaring success that turned out to be!!! The great man himself very kindly left the recording studio where he‘d been putting the finishing touches to the current U2 album No Line On The Horizon to support me on my big night. The Irish Oprah Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh and designer Ciaran Sweeney did the honours by welcoming all my prestigious guests, whom were then all treated a delicious Champagne reception courtesy of Mumm Champagne and the most hilarious recital of Champagne Kisses courtesy of Da Buffy aka Joe Conlan. Some other pals on the night included Louis Walsh, Liam Cunningham and Adele King.

 

Coming soon, Champagne Kisses launches in the UK, Canada and Australia in June 2009. Champagne Kisses is currently on sale in Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand.

 

Come meet me on June 5th at Hamlets Cafe Bar, Kinsale, Co.Cork where I will be Mc/ing a Coyote Ugly Challenge Heat. Along with guest DJ’s, a Red Bull Army DJ Truck and professional Coyote Ugly Dancers, this promises to be the best fun you’ll have with your clothes on…. Well, some of your clothes on! Look forward to seeing you there.

Don’t forget your costume!!!!