Young Writers Award competition

Got a way with words? State Library of Queensland Young Writers Award is now open! If you’re 18 to 25 and live in Queensland, enter your short story today for a chance to win $2000. Entries close Friday 13 July. Get all the details here

NEW RELEASE: Bombshell for the Boss

BOMBSHELL FOR THE BOSS is a special release anthology featuring 3 full length category romances. And you guessed it by the cover, all feature a pregnancy theme.

Liz Fielding's THE BRIDE'S BABY, Jackie Braun's BOARDROOM BABY SURPRISE and my EXECUTIVE MOTHER-TO-BE.

Kristen Lewis is the oldest heroine I've written (35) and married to her career. I loved seeing how she developed emotionally when handling a very unexpected pregnancy!

What was also fun about this book...it starts with a one night stand in Singapore. And yeah, it's a Harlequin Romance!
Was nice to push the boundaries a little.

If you're in the UK you can grab this book off shelves now or buy online for the bargain price of AU$10.69 with free postage worldwide (for 3 books!)

Nikki Logan's non-fic

Harlequin Romance author Nikki Logan has released her first non-fiction title.

Here's a bit about it:

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to say that my writing how-to “The Chemistry of Reading” is now available on Kindle and in various formats via Smashwords. Anyone doing my workshop at GoldCoast will get this FREE (yay!), but everyone else… knock yourselves out.

The brain is like Google. It ranks things by referrals. The most engaging books trigger a response in multiple parts of the brain and thereby get ranked more highly by it. And books that get highly ranked become ‘must buys’. 'The Chemistry of Reading' explores (in plain, digestible English) how the body reacts during the reading experience and how writers can harness that to create an unforgettable story that arouses multiple parts of the reader's brain.

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/160161

Kindle US   http://www.amazon.com/The-Chemistry-Reading-Arousing-ebook/dp/B0085923L2/ref=zg_bsnr_158266011_27

Kindle UK   http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Chemistry-Reading-Arousing-ebook/dp/B0085923L2

Nikki

Sounds interesting, huh?

Deadline done!

DRESSED TO THRILL is done!

22 days of speedy writing and book 32 for Harlequin is now with my editor.

I think having a hero inspired by Christian Bale helped.

And it was fun giving Sapphire (the sister of Ruby, heroine in MARRYING THE ENEMY out later this year) her own story.  I love writing linked books!

I'm hoping my editor likes couture fashion, jewellery, Melbourne, Paris and Christian Bale too!

A MUST READ post

I urge you all to head over to DEAR TEEN ME and read this post by author Lisa Burstein.

It's heartbreaking and real and highlights the difficulty in teenage girls saying no and the resultant fallout.

A brave, honest post.
Kudos to Lisa.

Gold Coast, here I come!

Yeah, I've just booked flights so this is where I'm headed in August!

With BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD being my first book to final in the R*BY Awards, I really wanted to be there and I can't wait to catch up with writing buddies at the Gold Coast.

(took this pic while I was at the last conference there in 2006.)

So who else is coming?

WEEKEND BOOK CLUB: Catch Me

Lisa Gardner is one author whose books I can never put down.

I have tight deadlines, I have kids, I have a hectic life, but I'll lose sleep devouring her books as fast as I can and CATCH ME was no exception.

Here's the blurb of her latest:

In four days, someone is going to kill me . . . 
Detective D. D. Warren is hard to surprise. But a lone woman outside D.D.'s latest crime scene shocks her with a remarkable proposition: Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant believes she will be murdered in four days. And she wants Boston's top detective to handle the death investigation.

It will be up close and personal. No evidence of forced entry, no sign of struggle. 
Charlie tells a chilling story: Each year at 8:00 p.m. on January 21st, a woman has died. The victims have been childhood best friends from a small town in New Hampshire; the motive remains unknown. Now only one friend, Charlie, remains to count down her final hours.
But as D.D. quickly learns, Charlie Grant doesn't plan on going down without a fight. By her own admission, the girl can outshoot, outfight, and outrun anyone in Boston. Which begs the question, is Charlie the next victim, or the perfect perpetrator? As D.D. tracks a vigilante gunman who is killing pedophiles in Boston, she must also delve into the murders of Charlie's friends, racing to find answers before the next gruesome January 21 anniversary. Is Charlie truly in danger, or is she hiding a secret that may turn out to be the biggest threat of all?

In four days, someone is going to kill me. But the son of a bitch has gotta catch me first. 

Catch Me is book 6 in the D.D. Warren series and shows the gritty Boston detective in a new light, as a struggling mother of a baby and the emotional fallout that entails. Really added to the depth of the character.

Lisa Gardner's thrillers are riveting.

She has a gift for weaving intricate plot points throughout the book without being obvious and her characters are realistic and appealing.
Her villains are flawed yet invoke sympathy, the sign of a brilliant writer.

If you've never read Lisa Gardner, do yourself a favour and pick up one of her books.

Highly recommend.

What are you reading this week?

TIME WARP TRAVELS: Guess the year

I had so much fun (and copped many laughs!) from my pink satin ball gown pic from the late 80s last week as part of Lisa Burstein's book launch, that I've decided to make this a weekly occurrence.

So here's the first Time Warp Travel.

I think the decor pretty much gives away the decade!

And yeah, I had hair that long for many years.

To celebrate the inaugural TWT, I'm giving away a BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD ebook!

To be in the running, leave a comment with your email and favourite 80s song.

GUEST BLOG: Ali Ahearn

Today I'd like to welcome the fabulous Ali Ahearn (who you may know as Amy Andrews, Harlequin Medical & Riva author, and new Entangled author.) She's here to tell us about her first mainstream novel, SISTER PACT, which I'm dying to read!

Thanks Nic for having me here to talk about Sister Pact.

My sister Ros and I wrote this book in 2009 and its very exciting to finally see it on the shelves – to see it in a Big W catalogue!! To have sold out at our book launch!!

The book is about two estranged sisters having to play nice to win a million pounds each on a Survivor style reality TV show and it was an utterly enjoyable experience for both of us. We laughed and laughed, we got a bit weepy from time to time and we shared incredible moments of synergy. We’ve not long finished the second Joni and Frances instalment and I’m happy to report it was just as good second time around!

Whilst the subject matter in Sister Pact is dealt with in a funny, irreverent kind of way, it does deal with some big issues – infidelity and addiction being two but the most heart wrenching of all is the sister’s estrangement. Well, at least it is to me because the thought of being estranged from Ros makes me feel physically ill. We’ve always been close, but even more so as adults with children of our own and I couldn’t even begin to imagine what could possibly happen to tear us asunder.   

Just the thought is unbearable.  She’s my other half. She completes me.

So in honour of that I thought share a little of the sister love around with ten things I love about my sister. In no particular order.

She’s an incredible mother – trust me on this. For someone who I thought was going to be a perpetual career woman she has embraced mother hood with the fiery loins of a true Earth mother!

She has an incredible social conscience – go to the Sisterlit website www.sisterlit.com and go to the sister love page. You’ll see what I mean. She lays awake at night for hours worrying about famine in Africa or Indigenous health here in Australia.

She’s smart – she had 4 degrees including a law degree and a PhD.

She’s witty – she can verbally eviscerate the unsuspecting and do it all with a smile.

She’s politically passionate – she’s actively involved and really cares about what goes on politically around her.

She’s an incredible writer. Her first book blew me away and I know, I just know, some forward thinking publisher is going to pick it up one day. She’s fast and can write a log line or a blurb in about ten minutes flat! And a whole chapter in about 2 hours!!!

She’s an advocate for the underdog. She works in a department that looks after women, poor people and indigenous members of our society when she could be earning mega bucks in a white wig.

She knows how to work a room. Actually, thanks to our mother we both do.

She’s a juggler extraordinaire – part-time work, 3 kids and one on the way, writing sister books, footy, ballet, school, kindy, tuckshop, P&C meetings, fundraisers, home bake etc etc etc

She’s kind. Otherwise she’s just say no to all that stuff and be sane instead!

And I guess her kids and hubby think she’s pretty wonderful too – check out this cute video they uploaded to YouTube for her!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ58sFIY7KI

Love you Ros!

Ali and Ros are amazing women.

Go grab SISTER PACT now!

WEEKEND BOOK CLUB: Exclusively Yours

I adore contemporary romance so was intrigued to read Shannon Stacey for the first time after hearing her Carina Press e-book Exclusively Yours hit the NYT bestseller list.

Once this book landed on my kindle, I was hooked! Shannon's voice sucked me into the story completely and made me laugh out loud several times.

Here's the blurb:


When Keri Daniels' editor finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.

Joe's never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he's intrigued to hear Keri's back in town--and looking for him. Despite his intense need for privacy, he'll grant Keri an interview if it means a chance to finish what they started in high school.

He proposes an outrageous plan--for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping and four-wheeling trip, Keri can ask one question. Keri agrees; she's worked too hard to walk away from her career.

But the chemistry between them is still as potent as the bug spray, Joe's sister is out to avenge his broken heart and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever.

I'm a huge fan of contemporary romance authors like Susan Elizabeth Phillips (SEP novels rock!) and now have another author I will keenly follow.

Shannon Stacey's Kowalski family are addictive.
I read this book late at night in bed on my ereader after meeting deadlines of my own, and ended up getting little sleep because I couldn't put it down.

One of those wonderful romances you wish wouldn't end.

A seriously hot hero Joe (who's an author) and a career-driven heroine Keri (his first love) go camping with his family.
The results are hilarious and warm and lovely.

Looking forward to reading the sequels.

What are you reading this week?

Hot Nights with an Australian

I'm not usually a fan of 'leg' covers but have to say I love this one! (and no, not just saying it because my name's on the cover! Along with mega authors Emma Darcy and Lindsay Armstrong, yay!)

This anthology features a reprint of OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED (Callum the brooding CEO and Starr the dancer, who have a one night stand in Sydney, only to have her so desperate for a new start she takes him up on a job offer in Melbourne.)

It's out in July and you can pre-order here (AU$8.33 for 3 full length category romances, plus free worldwide postage, bargain!)

Romantic Book of the Year finalist!

I'm absolutely thrilled to announce BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD is a finalist for RWAustralia's Romantic Book of the Year!

It's the first time I've been a finalist in this prestigious award and to have it happen with this book is extra special for me.

The winners are announced at the awards dinner at the RWAus conference on the Gold Coast in August.

I have too much on my plate to attend the conference this year but now I'm oh so tempted to fly up for the awards...

For a full list of nominees (including fab author buddies Fiona Lowe, Kelly Hunter, Sarah Mayberry, Robyn Grady, Marion Lennox, Anna Campbell and Barbara Hannay) and a squiz at the gorgeous trophy, check here

GUEST BLOG: J. Lynn

Today I'm thrilled to welcome J. Lynn to my blog (you may also know her as fab YA author Jennifer Armentrout).
She's here to tell us about her first adult release, TEMPTING THE BEST MAN, a category romance just released with Entangled Publishing's Indulgence series.
I've started reading it and...WOW. Jennifer has an amazing voice that sucks you into the story instantly.
Read to the end for a chance to win copies of this book!


Now, over to Jennifer.

Tempting the Reader/Writer

I’m the kind of reader that’s tempted by a hot romance story, an alpha male… or two, and laugh out loud moments. Any book that has those three elements, I’m sold. Hey, what can I say? I’m easy like that.

In fact, she’d take an asteroid with “Earth’s My Bitch” emblazoned on it and headed her way over this.

So it seemed only natural that I’d write what I enjoy reading. Just like with reading, any story I write has to tempt me. It has to get under my skin, make me hot, and make me laugh. If not, I can’t get into writing it. See, I bore easily and, on top of that, I get distracted by shiny Internet things all the time. Shiny things like this

Heh.

Moving on…

TEMPTING THE BEST MAN is my first category romance book. I’m more of a paranormal/urban fantasy author, but there’s something fun and relaxing about digging into the world of normal, everyday people who aren’t fallen angels or mutant llamas.

Mutant llamas—they DO exist. And they smoke cigars and wear tuxedos. Who knew?

In TEMPTING THE BEST MAN, you’ll meet 25 year old Madison Daniels, who has had the hots for her brother’s best friend for as long as she can remember. Who hasn’t been in a situation like that? If it’s not a brother’s BFF, it’s your own best guy friend. There’s that line you know you shouldn’t cross with that person, which makes its oh-so much more fun to cross.

Chase was the Antichrist to her.

A really, unbelievably hot Antichrist…

Chase Gamble, one of three notorious brothers, does put the “awt” in “hawt” and he can be a little, er, demanding when it comes to certain things.

“Open your legs for me,” he ordered.

Well, okay Mr. Bossy Pants.

Okay, let’s get to the good stuff. Who do I see as Chase Gamble?

And just because I stumbled across this:

Holy hotness, Batman.

Hot guys and relatable female leads aside, I was also inspired by the TV show Doomsday Preppers. I kid you not. True story. I was watching it one night and thought to myself, I need to write characters one day that are somehow like the Doomsday Preppers. 

And so Madison’s parents were born.

Not even her semi-lunatic parents, who owned and operated a very profitable online store called DOOMSDAY “R” US and would likely be hawking gas masks to the guests, were the problem.

“I know, Dad, but I haven’t had a chance to get a new spare tire yet.”

“You should always have a spare. Have we not taught you anything about preparedness?”

Well, wasn’t that a moot point right now? And it wasn’t like a comet had struck her car.

So I was tempted to write a story that had a good, steamy romance, a hot and sometimes demanding (wink wink) alpha male, with a dash of snark and humor. Hopefully, you’ve been tempted to check it out.

About Tempting the Best Man

Madison Daniels has worshipped her brother's best friend since they were kids. Everyone thinks she and Chase Gamble would make the perfect couple, but there are two major flaws in their logic. 1) Chase has sworn off relationships of any kind, and 2) after blurring the line between friends and lovers for one night four years ago, they can't stop bickering.

Forced together for her brother's wedding getaway, Chase and Madison decide to call a truce for the happy couple. Except all bets are off when they're forced to shack up in a tacky 70’s honeymoon suite and survive a multitude of "accidents" as the family tries to prove their "spark" can be used than for more than fighting. That is, if they don't strangle each other first…

Get your copy at Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

About J. Lynn

Jennifer L. Armentrout writes adult romance as J. Lynn. She lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you've heard about her state aren't true. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories....which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is the author of the COVENANT Series (Spencer Hill Press), the LUX Series (Entangled Publishing), and the upcoming YA contemporary mystery/thrillers DON'T LOOK BACK (Disney/Hyperion Fall 2013) and yet untitled book (Disney/Hyperion tentative Fall 2014)

Connect with J. Lynn at her website, on Facebook, and Twitter

Jennifer is giving away 2 e-copies of TEMPTING THE BEST MAN.
To be in the running, leave a comment!

COVER REVEAL: Marrying the Enemy

I love it when the cover fairies get it right and that's what has happened here, with a scene straight from MARRYING THE ENEMY.

When asked their favourite book, authors often can't choose, likening it to choosing between their kids.

For me, I can categorically say this is my favourite Harlequin book I've written.

There was something special about Jax and Ruby from the moment they strutted into my imagination and then translated onto the page.

(and Ruby's currently putting in another pushy performance in the book I'm writing, the follow up to Marrying the Enemy, with her sister Sapphire's story.)

I can't wait for this book to release in the US in September!

Here's the blurb:

How far would you go to save your family business?

Jewellery designer and heiress Ruby Seaborn will do anything to save her family's company from financial ruin. And she means anything.  Including proposing a strictly business marriage to diamond mine magnate Jax Maroney - the only man able to restore the Seaborn jewellery empire to its former glory!

She needs his money; he needs her socialite credentials-it's a win-win solution. And if they indulge in certain…fringe benefits of their marriage along the way, that's fine. Because luckily Ruby's heart is as unbreakable as the precious gems she works with...isn't it?

Brenda Novak's auction for diabetes research

It's that time of year again, when super author Brenda Novak runs her auction to raise funds for diabetes research.

I've been involved with this for several years now and it's a wonderful cause.

This year, along with other Entangled Publishing authors, I'm donating a Kindle Fire preloaded with loads of books including Busted in Bollywood.

The auction launched May 1st and we're already up to $70 so please go bid for your chance to snaffle this great item before the end of May.

Hot Italian cover

INTERVIEW WITH THE DAREDEVIL is out this month in Italy.
Details here

Oh my, how sexy is that guy on the cover? *fans self*