My Top 5 favourite reads 2011

When USA TODAY asked me to list my top 5 favourite reads of 2011, I had a momentary panic.

I read so many great books this year, how to choose only 5?

After much teeth-gnashing, I did it.  Then again, these books were stand-outs for me so when I really put my thinking cap on, it wasn't so difficult to choose after all.

So here are my top 5:

1. How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal
(lush, evocative, made me cry & I rarely cry with books!).

2. Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (never want to put the book down, love the characters, the humor, the warmth).

3. The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs (realistic, character-driven, tugged on my heartstrings. And made me bawl.).

4. Dancing Backwards in High Heels by Christine Darcas (fascinating real-life dilemma any woman could identify with, thoroughly enjoyed it).

5. Red-Hot Renegade by Kelly Hunter (exotic locale, well-developed characters, sizzling tension).

You can see other author recommendations on the USA TODAY Happily Ever After blog.

Best South Asian Fiction 2011...and I'm on it!

I'm absolutely thrilled to announce BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD made the Top 5 Best South Asian Fiction for 2011.

Here's what Divanee had to say:

"Romance lit you can read without guilt. Clever, funny and romantic enough to appeal to the Bollywood-lover in all of us."



As the sole romantic novel alongside literary fiction, I'm doubly stoked!

Check out the full list here

If you want to buy the book, check the list of suppliers here

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Whatever you're doing, stay safe.

(and may Santa fill your stockings with loads of fabulous books!)

Busted in Bollywood on YouTube!

I'm beyond thrilled that Rachel Firasek enjoyed BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD so much that after finishing the book yesterday she made me this book trailer. (Thanks again, Rachel!)

I love it!

And I dare anyone not to dance around the house to that fab Bollywood tune!

Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire? winners

Thanks to those who participated in the Intoxicated by Books blog hop (and welcome to my new followers!)

The 3 winners of WHO WANTS TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE? are:

-Dinda_Sl
-Carol L.
-Lora 1967

Please email me with your details to collect your book prize!

Confessions in Bollywood

For something a little different today, I'm not being interviewed about BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD.
Shari, the main character, is!

Also featuring the last BOLLY-BITE for 2011, delicious vegetable pakoras.
A fantastic party snack and a great way to get kids to eat veggies.

Check out CONFESSIONS OF A VI3TBABE for the lowdown.

And it's the last day to win 3 copies of my upcoming release right here on this blog!

Manga Maniac Cafe

Today is your last chance before Christmas to win a copy of BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD so come visit me at Manga Maniac Cafe for an interview.

And only 2 more days to win 3 copies of my upcoming release WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? right here on this blog.

USA TODAY loves Busted in Bollywood

I'm absolutely stoked USA TODAY gave BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD a sensational review.

Here's a snippet:

In her interview with HEA, Nicola Marsh mentions she didn't actually travel to Mumbai to conduct her research for Busted in Bollywood. This astonishes me, since she writes of the city with such fascination and respect, and her descriptions are so personal and vibrant, it never occurred to me that her experience could be anything but firsthand. The food, the people, the traditions, the colors and chaos of India are all lovingly represented. Mumbai and its cuisine are so well-represented, in fact, that at times the book hovers dangerously close to travelogue territory. But the energy of Marsh's prose makes that easy to excuse.



And it's not just the story's locale that deserves the freshness award. I was pleasantly surprised when Shari's deception lasted no longer than it took Rita's fiancé to say "I know." Marsh also provides a cliché-defying twist to the engagement Drew was supposedly hiding...I couldn't help but be emotionally invested in the situation, and I actually felt nervous as Shari prepared to sit down with Drew and his mother for their "talk." Stirring that kind of physical reaction in a reader takes some killer writing.


Busted in Bollywood is a fun, flirty story with a snarky, mischievous tone and an underlying theme of self-discovery. The book is lush with humor, sensuality and lively characters who wouldn't know a cliché if it handed them a masala chai.

Read the full review here (& thanks Kathy Altman.)

Woohoo!
This review also made CELEBRITY WIRE alongside a host of super famous celebs!

Want to read the book?
Check out the buy links: AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, BOOKDEPOSITORY

Want to win free books? Check out the 3 book giveaway for my upcoming release, WHO WANTS TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE? here

Minding Spot

Another interview & BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD giveaway over at MINDING SPOT today.

And keep your entries coming for my 3 book giveaway below.

Totally Bookalicious

More BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD print copies up for grabs.

Check out my kulfi (amazing Indian icecream!) recipe and fab review at TOTALLY BOOKALICIOUS.

Also another interview and giveaway at SUGARBEAT'S BOOKS.

Don't forget the 3 book giveaway in the blog hop below!

Intoxicated by Books Christmas blog hop

Who isn't intoxicated by books? I know I am. I'm also developing an addiction to blog hops (not quite as bad as my addiction to Twitter & Goodreads, but almost!)

The great thing about this addiction is...you get the goodies!

I'm giving away 3 copies of my upcoming release, WHO WANTS TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE? (Harlequin Romance, January USA, Feb UK)

To enter, you know the drill:

-Follow my blog

For optional bonus entries:


+1 'Like' my Facebook author page (Link in the sidebar)


+1 Follow me on Twitter (link in sidebar)


+1 Have a confirmed newsletter subscription (link in sidebar)

(Please leave a comment with your name if you opt for bonus entries. Thanks!)


The contest runs until midnight Christmas Eve, USA time.


(The giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.)

For more great giveaways, check out INTOXICATED BY BOOKS.

USA TODAY Happily Ever After

Today I'm being interviewed on the USA TODAY Happily Ever After blog.

And I'm giving away BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD in conjunction with an interview on BOOKS, BOOKS, THE MAGICAL FRUIT.

Book Lovers Inc.

Today, check out my interview at BOOK LOVERS INC, where I'm giving away a print copy of BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD.

They gave it a fab review too!

"...zany comedic romance...While reading Busted in Bollywood I couldn’t help but think of the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” as the author weaves lush descriptions of Hindi culture and family dynamic into the narrative. Busted in Bollywood is told in the first person by Shari, and the dialogue and introspection is full of witty quips and dry sarcasm. All around good fun! Readers can look forward to a two pronged romance. Shari and her Brit eventually do become involved, but Rita, much to her surprise also finds happiness with the fellow she once viewed with disdain. I thoroughly enjoyed this unique, fast-paced laugh out loud contemporary romance."

Love, Romance, Passion

Today I'm over at LOVE ROMANCE PASSION with another BOLLY-BITE recipe, for delicious carrot halwa (a rich, decadent sweet that's actually good for you!)

Book Lovers Holiday Giveaway winners

Congrats to Elizabeth L. & mailto:Michelle@BookBriefs

You're the winners of my double book pack: GIRL IN A VINTAGE DRESS & SEX, GOSSIP & ROCK & ROLL.

Email me to claim your prize and thanks to everyone for entering.

If you didn't win, don't worry, you'll have another opportunity for more book giveaways here next week.
And don't forget, I'm giving away a copy of BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD daily on my blog tour. 5 print copies are up for grabs in the next 10 days, along with e-books.

Romance Junkies

Today I'm over at ROMANCE JUNKIES with another delicious Bolly-Bites, Baigan Bharta (spicy, smoked eggplant.)

This dish is so tasty, I defy any non-veg eaters not to like it!

Release day for BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD

Cue the party poppers and streamers and the big band!
Pop the champers!

BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD is officially launched today, woo hoo!

This book has a long history and to finally see it published is so satisfying.
One day I'll share the road to publication with you.
Today's not that day.
Today I'm par-tying!

You can find me happy dancing at SAVVY AUTHORS and BOOKTHINGO.

Romance Book Paradise

Today I'm visiting Romance Book Paradise where the BOLLY-BITE of the day is idlis (steamed rice cakes.)

Come visit.

SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY: Busted in Bollywood

It's that time of the week again, SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY.

With BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD now released in print and e-book form, I can divulge Shari and Drew have faced many obstacles to get to this point.

“I like the way you think,” I whispered, as his hands and mouth played me like an instrument. 

A well-used, much-practised, finely tuned instrument that sang the more he played.

I sang—boy, did I sing. Beyonce, Pink, and Lady Gaga had nothing on me.

Drew had me coming back for encore after encore.

All night long.

For more Six Sundays, check here.

(Don't forget my Booklover's Giveaway below.  And today I'm over at Kerrin Hearfield's blog with another fabulous Indian recipe taken from BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD. Easy, delicious masala chai.)

Fresh Fiction, Fresh Food!

Today I continue my BOLLY-BITES over at Fresh Fiction where I give you a recipe for delicious Aloo Tikki.
It's a great finger food for parties and kids will love it too!
(and yes, giving away another copy of BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD)

Also giving away 4 books in the BOOKLOVERS' HOP below.

Lastly, giving away 2 copies of my upcoming release WHO WANTS TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE? on Goodreads.

Christmas is coming so it's only fair you get the goodies!

BOOK LOVER'S HOLIDAY HOP

These holidays, why not join in the fun of the BOOK LOVER'S HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY HOP and stock up on some fab reading?  Hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Kid Lit Frenzy, there are loads of books to be won here.

I'm giving away a double duo of recent releases (that's right, 2 winners will each receive SEX, GOSSIP & ROCK & ROLL and GIRL IN A VINTAGE DRESS.)

To enter:

-Follow my blog

For optional bonus entries:


+1 'Like' my Facebook author page (Link in the sidebar)


+1 Follow me on Twitter (link in sidebar)


+1 Have a confirmed newsletter subscription (link in sidebar)

(Please leave a comment with your name if you opt for bonus entries. Thanks!)

The contest runs until midnight Dec 6th USA time.

(The giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.)

ROMANCE BANDITS

Today I'm being interviewed by the lovely Anna Campbell over at the Romance Bandits.

Come comment to win BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD.

BOLLY-BITES recipe 2: lassi

Today I'm all over the place:

SISTERHOOD OF THE JAUNTY QUILLS (thanks to Kristan Higgins for inviting me to blog!) where I share my next Bolly-Bites recipe, for refreshing lassi (best summer drink ever!)

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AUSTRALIA

I AM A READER NOT A WRITER

Come and leave a comment for a chance to win BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD at each stop.