By request

More cover love. This will be my 4th book to hit shelves in May, a reprint of THE BOSS'S BEDROOM AGENDA in a By Request anthology. That's some boss!

Girl in a Vintage Dress cover alert

The first time I see a new cover, I'm always a little nervy. Will it stand out on shelves? Will it capture the essence of the story? Will it intrigue busy, discerning readers long enough to pick up and scan the back blurb? Here's the brand-spanking new cover for my Harlequin Riva release in July, GIRL IN A VINTAGE DRESS. What do you think?

Launched into the world

Can't wait until SEX, GOSSIP & ROCK & ROLL hits the shelves in May in the UK?

Well, you can grab it online right now!

I'm often asked which is the favourite book I've ever written and while I have a few that stand out from a personal point of view, I think this one edges ahead of the field.

You'll have to read it to find out why :)

Weekend Book Club: Category romance

Though I write category romance, I'm ashamed to say I don't read a lot of it these days. When I do, I'm highly selective. These last few weeks, I've been lucky to read 3 crackers. Most recently, Barbara Hannay's 'MOLLY COOPER'S DREAM DATE', which blew me away because almost the entire book is written in diary and email format! Remember the old rule 'hero and heroine must get together on the page ASAP'? Nix that! Barbara has written a lovely romance in a refreshing format. Next up is Ally Blake's THE WEDDING DATE. Ally's books are auto-buys for me, because of her fun, flirty voice and characters that are delightfully real. And I love the heat between her Bradley and Hannah in this book! Very, very sexy!

Fiona Lowe's 'THE MOST MAGICAL GIFT OF ALL' was the first category romance I'd read in a while and it didn't disappoint. I love Fiona's small outback towns. If you want a taste of Australiana, grab her books. I don't read a lot of Meds and I like how this one focussed more on the relationship between Jack and Sophie rather than the medical stuff.

And Jack is a fabulous bad-boy doc!

So there you have it, 3 great category reads.

What are you reading this week?

Handy characterisation checklist

Agent Rachelle Gardner has a great post on what fiction editors look for, which can be used as a handy checklist to ensure your characters are leaping off the page. Check it out here.

Which will make you more money?

Self publishing or traditional publishing? Nathan Bransford does a great breakdown of the figures here.

The latest self-publishing goss

Hot on the heels of the news last week about Barry Eisler turning down $500 000 with St. Martin's Press, self-publishing giant Amanda Hocking has accepted a 2 million advance for 4 books with...you guessed it, St Martin's Press. Those 4 books will be new books, a YA series called 'Watersong'. Interesting times we live in, huh? And here's news of another well known author, Connie Brockway, going the self-publishing route, in her interview with All About Romance. Read the comments too. Interesting to see many people like me, who don't own e-readers and have no intention of buying one (I just love the feel and smell of books too much!) express their concerns about not having access to these books. But as someone points out, you can read on your PC. Something I could never do but hey, I'm just addicted to the feel and smell of paper. :)

Weekend Book Club can pick 'em!

I'm absolutely thrilled to hear Kelly Hunter has finalled in the RITAs with Red-Hot Renegade.
(You can find my rave review for her here)

Kelly's books are fab but this one is my favourite. (I'm biased and proud of it!)

And another huge shout-out to Marion Lennox, a lovely lady and fab writer for her nomination, along with the gorgeous Melissa McClone (yay, Harlequin Romance!)

Congrats to all the RITA and GH nominees.
Enjoy the ride!

Book 28 sold!

The book set at Palazzo Versace and courtesy of some strenuous first-hand research 2 months ago, has sold!

Roman and Ava's story will be released in the UK as a Harlequin Riva in Dec this year, with USA release date to follow.
Title unknown...will let you know as soon as my editor passes it on!

Editing tips

Great article over at Larry Brooks STORYFIX about editing your manuscript.

Love the right brain/left brain pic!

Would you turn down half a million?

Today I woke to the news that author Barry Eisler has turned down a $500 000 contract with St. Martin's Press to self publish.

Wow. Simply wow.

Read about it here, in his chat with Joe Konrath.

Art of the page turner

Check out this great article by Hallie Ephron over at Writer's Digest, where she discusses tools to keep your readers hooked.

Weekend Book Club: Dead in the Family

I must be the last person on the planet to have read a Sookie Stackhouse novel.

DEAD IN THE FAMILY is the 10th in the Sookie series and rather than go back to the start and read the lot, I delved in.

Despite not knowing the characters (and there were a lot of them!) I was sucked into the story courtesy of the author's voice.

Charlaine Harris has a way of weaving words together that make you want to turn the pages, despite not knowing much of the background already woven into this popular series.

A brief rundown of the book:

Sookie is a telepath.
Her lover, Eric, is a big-shot vampire.
Her cousin Claude is a fairy.
Her brother Jason is a were-panther.
And the cast just gets bigger and better from there!

I've never watched Trueblood either, inspired by this book series. Would be interesting viewing...

What are you reading this week?

Why some self-published books fail

I'm a member of NINC (Novelists INC.) a wonderful organisation of authors from various genres.

Here's a great post on their blog, 7 Reasons why Self-Published E-books fail.

Myth busting

Rachelle Gardner has been doing some agent myth busting over the last few days.

Check it out here.

Operation Auction

I'm saddened to hear the tragic news of Fatin's (an eharlequin member and avid reviewer) loss and the senseless, horrific way she lost her husband.

Friends are putting together a series of auctions to raise money for her and her kids.



Please check it out.

THE WRITE WHISPER: Limbo land

Limbo land is that strange place writers visit between books.

When we've just finished writing a story and are eager to jump into the next.

When we're waiting to hear from an editor/agent on a query or submission.

When we know what we want to write next but we're too scared to start.

Limbo land is a tempting place to be.

We get to catch up on reading and experience the joy of plucking the next must-read off our TBR pile.

We get to swim and go to the park and spend hours in the museum, hours we wouldn't have while on deadline.

We get to watch mindless TV just because we can.

Limbo land is an essential part of being a writer. Refilling the well is a must. Clearing the mind of our old characters to allow the new to jump in there and demand their story.

I love the possibilities of limbo land, love the excited tingle of new stories begging to be written.

But limbo land can also be a scary place.

Limbo land can sap your confidence as you wait to hear from your editor/agent.

It can tempt you with the aforementioned TV/books/etc...so you'd rather be doing that than thinking about your next story.

It can allow the self-doubt you usually ignore by writing 2000 words a day to rise up and make you question if you have it in you to write another book...and another...and another after that.

Yes, I'm in limbo land at the moment.

It has been a fun place to be over the weekend when I've refilled the well with loads of family fun and swimming and reading.

But come today, when I'm back to work on Monday, those self-doubts are niggling.

The solution?

Write.

Something.

Anything.

Because writing soothes and sweeps away those doubts.

Because writing makes everything simpler and feel right.

Goodbye limbo land, hello sparkly new idea!

The lowdown on self-publishing

I keep abreast of publishing developments.

I'm a member of several writing organisations, I'm on loops for these organisations, I read the digests.

I don't think I've been living under a rock but I hadn't heard the name Amanda Hocking until recently.

Self-publishing talk is exploding all over the Net in a big way.

Here are 2 posts you have to read.

The first, by Nathan Bransford (read 'Amanda Hocking & the 99 cent kindle millionaires', including the comments.)

Next, read Donna Ball, where she gives her real figures on self-publishing.

We live in interesting times...

Bag a bargain

If you haven't discovered the wonderful BOOK DEPOSITORY yet, do yourself a favour and check it out.

Fab books, great prices, free shipping worldwide!

And my upcoming May releases, SEX, GOSSIP & ROCK & ROLL + HER BAD, BAD BOSS are available for pre-order at 25% off!
Bargain.

Goals for writers

Guest blogger Mary Demuth had a great post on agent Rachelle Gardner's blog last week, about 3 Goals for Writers.

1. Writers should create 2 teams

2. As writers we should consider ourselves assets

3. We should resolve catastrophic thinking

Read the post here.
Much of it resonated with me.

High school French good for something

I love the French covers and this one is no exception.

THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID...is out now in France and from my Year 10 high school French, I'm guessing the title is 'Fiance for a day.'

And what's even cooler, it's a duo with my Irish buddy Trish Wylie (who needs to stop going to RWA conferences in the US and come to an Aussie conference one day soon! Trish, you listening?)

Pickled

OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED is out now in Germany.

I'm no translator, but when I first glanced at the title I chuckled, because it looks like 'So Pickled with Champagne'!!

Hot nights revisited

Have learned that my book being reprinted for the PASSIONATE PLAYBOYS anthology is HOT NIGHTS WITH A PLAYBOY.

Remember Judd, Abby and a Whitsunday island?

This book didn't get a USA release so if you missed it first time around, here's your chance to snaffle it, along with fab stories by Ally Blake & Kim Lawrence.

It hits UK shelves in May but you can pre-order at the Book Depository, which currently has it at 25% off with free postage worldwide!
Grab it here.

A new fan

It's always lovely to get a glowing review and here's one from a new-to-me reader for this book.

Here's a snippet from Danielle's review:

Although I’m not a big fan of the reunited lovers theme, Ms. Marsh handles it well.
Also, I love seeing heroines who are successful in their careers, and financially independent, on equal to the heroes.
Ms. Marsh did a great job of showing me who Nick was, revealing his emotional vulnerabilities in a way that I wish was done more often in the Harlequin Presents books. Instead of Brittany being the only one who seemed emotionally at risk, it was clear that Nick had a lot at stake on that level as well. I liked that Nick and Brittany had been friends since childhood, and their love grew out of their bond. It must have made their separation that much more painful. I appreciated that time was taken to show the rebuilding of Brittany and Nick’s relationship outside of the sexual aspect. That would have been way too easy to show them jumping into intimacy when they had to work to rebuild the trust between them that was lost when they parted.
This was a good, quick Saturday read, and I’m glad to know I have more of Nicola Marsh’s books in my tbr pile to read. She has a way with words and writes a very good romance.

You can read the rest here.
And she's kindly posted her review on Goodreads, which is a huge bonus, as it stimulates discussion and recommendations to other readers.
Good stuff.

Immersion therapy

Currently immersed in revisions for THE HIGH LIFE.

One of the changes involves removing my fictitious Greek island for the last 20% of the story and concentrating the entire book here, at the Palazzo Versace, where I recently researched the book before writing it.

I took loads of pics while I was there (I only posted 2 here not to bore you!) and flicking back through them really helps at this layering stage.

Can't you see how hard I worked during the research phase of this book?

Reunions

My 21st physio reunion was over the weekend.

I love events like these, seeing people you haven't seen in yonks (usually since the last reunion 10 years ago!) and catching up with friends you'd like to see more often but don't.

This one was particularly interesting for me.

At the 10 year reunion, I was still a physio. I hadn't written a word. Wasn't contemplating it either.

Fast forward 11 years and people were extremely curious as to how I'd turned author!

Had a ball, talked so much I lost my voice, and my best buddy from uni stayed the night, just like our slumber parties of old. Was so much fun.

Except the part where we used to be able to stay up all night and feel fresh the next day. 20 years on, I seem to have lost that rebounding ability...

At least we look the same :)

Weekend Book Club: Mockingjay

My RITA judging duties are done so I've resumed normal reading.

As you know, I've already raved about HUNGER GAMES & CATCHING FIRE, the first two books in the Hunger Games trilogy.

When Mockingjay was released I grabbed it, but in an extreme show of willpower planned on saving it to read over my Christmas holidays.

Then I went away and wanted something 'lighter' as a beach read.

All the while, the book was on top of my TBR pile, calling me...beckoning me...and this week I succumbed and read it in 2 days.

It lived up to my expectations, rounding out the trilogy nicely.

Yes, it's super violent.

Yes, loads of people get killed.

Yes, it's disturbing in that kind of 'I want to look away but can't' way.

Yes, after the 3 book build up of the triangle between Peeta, Katniss and Gale, I would've liked a little more rounding out when she finally chooses.

But wow, what a page turner!

I've loved every word of this series and am sad to say goodbye to Katniss Everdeen.

What are you reading this week?

Pizazz

I can't begin to describe the fabulous time I had last night.

I love Michael Buble's voice. I play his music constantly. I watch his DVDs.

I love his pizazz and charisma and cheekiness and showmanship.

Last night at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne he brought all that and more to the stage.

For an awesome few hours I tuned out to my everyday stressors and let the music fill me.

I sang and danced and clapped and woo-hoo'd. A lot.

Today I'm more relaxed than I've been in ages.

It really is so important to refill the well.

Sometimes in the rush of our lives we forget to; at least, I do.

Note to self: chill out with Michael more often :)

Harlequin Teen

Interesting article on Harlequin Teen in Publisher's Weekly.

Words of wisdom

The incredibly talented & knowledgeable Stephanie Laurens (who has been on the NYT Bestseller list with her last 25 books!) has started a blog.

She'll be posting weekly, on a Friday, discussing the nitty-gritties of publishing.

Well worth a look.

Free e-books

I'm guessing you all know about this but just in case you don't, you can download 16 free Harlequin books here.

Give me strength

Yesterday wasn't great.

When I lost a filling last week it reminded me to make an appointment for kidlet's dental check up.

News at the check up was horrific: I heard her mention kid's root canal and silver capping and 2 other fillings...then there was the braces he'll need later and I almost passed out.
Plus she made me feel like a bad mum, with a mini lecture on 'hidden' sugars. Hel-lo. I know all about that. My kids have a super healthy diet with minimal treats. Sweetest thing they would have all day is their cereal, which I'm changing!
When she mentioned saliva problems being a possible cause and seeing an ENT specialist, my eyes almost rolled back in my head.

Then I came home to continuing dramas with finding missing tax documents, only to be told if I can't find then it'll cost me hundreds of dollars.

On top of PC keyboard packing up and unable to connect new screen, I was ready to curl up in a ball last night.

Hopefully today is a better day!

Passionate Playboys

I have no idea which book of mine is being reprinted in this anthology in May yet.

But with a cover like that, at the moment, I don't really care.

Mm-mmm...

Doing the rounds

DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX is doing the world rounds at the moment.

Now it's in Italy!

Release day in OZ

If you're in OZ & NZ, DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX! is out now on shelves.

We've just finished the OZ Tennis Open here in Melbourne so hot tennis pro hero is very timely.

Go check out my version!

Killer story ideas

Love, love, love this post by Larry Brooks at StoryFix, ATTACK OF THE KILLER STORY IDEAS.

Every writer will relate.
And it'll make you smile.

Jazmin release

DESERTED ISLAND DREAMY EX out in Spain now!

Weekend Book Club: How to Bake a Perfect Life

I'm preloading this as I rush out the door for a weekend at the beach so am going to keep it brief.

Barbara O'Neal is my favourite women's fiction author.

Her books are lush, evocative and so beautifully written the pages turn themselves.
She has an incredible gift for tapping into human emotion, then bringing that alive between the pages of her books.

Her latest, HOW TO BAKE A PERFECT LIFE, is no exception.

Filled with food and recipes and real characters and romance, you absolutely must read it.

She's the only author who is guaranteed to make me cry and I never, ever cry when I read.

Do yourself a favour and read this book.
Then glom her backlist.

You'll thank me.

What are you reading this week?

Finding time to write

I've extolled the virtues of speed writing and ways to do it in another post so today, I'm focussing on something different.

How do you find the time to write?

For me, it's making the opportunity the write.

If preschooler is playing at my feet, I write.

If he's blowing bubbles out the back, I write.

If he's watching Playschool, I write.

Do I feel guilty at times? Sure do. Surely I should be interacting with him all the time?

Yet I spend every day with my kids for the bulk of the day, I'm very hands-on so I guess these few snatched half hours here and there aren't too bad.

And I need them.

I have deadlines, some that fluctuate, like my current one.

I need to write 35K in a week.

In school holidays.

So far, I've managed 20 pages the first day, 26 yesterday and the bulk of those were written while the kids played around me.

We do what we have to do to find the time to write.

Here's a great post on ways to find that time.

I'm back!

Arrived back from hols yesterday and really need to hit the ground running.

Must write about 35K words in the next week.

Plus school starts end of this week.

And I'm going away to the beach over the weekend.

Plus another million and one other things that must be done.

Promise to fill you in on all the holiday goss...when I get a minute to breathe!

Twitter buddies

Most of you know about my Twitter addiction.

I love the briefness of it.
I love the immediacy.
I love it so much I wrote a book featuring it.

But most of all I love how I've connected with so many people world-wide I would never have known otherwise.

Joan Swan is one of those people and I was thrilled when I received an email from her, including me in her mega New Year book giveaway.

For every day in January, she's giving away latest releases by writers who've enriched her writing life.

To find out the whole list and how to win a copy of my book today, visit here.

Weekend Book Club: Red-Hot Renegade

If you've never read category romance before, you should start with this book.

Kelly Hunter's RED-HOT RENEGADE bears her trademark rich, vibrant, emotionally complex characters that have you turning pages at a rapid rate.

Here's the blurb:

Can she keep her hands off her super-sexy ex? In desperate need of protection, Jianne Xang-Bennett reluctantly turns to her estranged husband, martial arts expert Jacob Bennett, for help. But there are problems: they’ve been separated for twelve years and cannot be in the same room together without arguing or ripping each other’s clothes off – sometimes at the same time! But Jacob will go to extremes for those he loves, and Jianne is the only woman who can bring this honourable warrior to his knees. Can they delve beneath their red-hot desire and blazing anger to find the love that has always been hiding?

I loved everything about this book: the Singapore setting, the dojo, the hint of suspense, the secondary characters who've all had their stories told in previous books, the Asian heroine but most of all, I loved the martial arts hero.

Jake is superb. And the sexual tension between him and Ji...phew! Pages burn!

I can't recommend this book highly enough.

What are you reading this week?

But somebody's gotta do it

I know, I know, it's a tough life but somebody's gotta do it!

The bulk of my book takes place at the Gold Coast's PALAZZO VERSACE, so it's only fair I do some first hand research for authenticity's sake.

Arguably Australia's most luxurious hotel, the place looks truly amazing on the Net but not enough details for my book so I made a reservation.

I'll let you know all the details when I get back.

And guess what? They have cabanas by the pool!

Wonder if they'll have cabana boys...

It's a hard life

This is where the first scene in my current WIP, The High Life, takes place.


I had to do first hand research to check it out, swimming late at night on the 27th floor, with the incredible view.

Staying a night at the Crown Metropol in Melbourne was not a hardship.

Come back tomorrow and see where I've been staying earlier this week, all in the name of research.

New cover alert

Here's the newest cover for DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX, currently a launch title for the new M&B RIVA series in the UK.

This will hit Aussie & NZ shelves next week.
What do you think?
That island and ocean look mighty tempting...

AWOL

As of last Sunday, I'm away on a much needed, well earned holiday.
Here.
I took this pic of Queensland's sunny Gold Coast 5 years ago, the last time I had a proper holiday.

Considering the recent deluge they've had, I'm hopeful for this kind of weather. Doubtful, but hopeful.

First 2 days is research, the rest is blissful, fun family time.

I've preloaded a bunch of posts here to keep you occupied while I'm away.

Bet you won't even miss me!

Weekend Book Club: Clockwork Angel

Once I started Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel, I was extremely reluctant to put it down.

Book 1 in the Infernal Devices trilogy (a prequel to her bestselling Mortal Instruments series), I got sucked into her Victorian steampunk world so swiftly the pages practically turned themselves.

I've heard the 'steampunk' label bandied around for a while as the next 'hot' thing and with this being my first foray into steampunk it certainly won't be my last. (Eagerly awaiting the release of Clockwork Prince later this year!)

So what's it about?

Magic is dangerous - but love is more dangerous still... When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray arrives in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Friendless and hunted, Tessa seeks refuge with the Shadowhunters, a band of warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons. Drawn ever deeper into their world, she finds herself fascinated by - and torn between - two best friends, and quickly realizes that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Go ahead and enter the Downworld.
A cracking good read awaits!

What are you reading this week?

Miss Snark's new contest

If you write YA & middle grade fiction, Miss Snark is running a contest.

Full details here.

Stranded with your fantasy

Today, I'm guest blogging with fellow Riva author Liz Fielding and giving away a copy of DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX.

To be in the running, head on over and leave a comment, revealing who you'd like to be stranded on a deserted island with (and no, NOT your other half, this is fantasy land, remember?)

Agent looking for adult fiction

The fabulous Suzie Townsend has updated her submissions guidelines and is actively looking to build her adult fiction list.

For the lowdown, check here.

The company we keep

I received a New Year's email from a few friends, with loads of cute pics & captions, and one caught my eye.

May you find the perfect balance in the company you keep.

In the first week of a new year, this really hit home.

People come and go in our lives.
We can make friends in the most unlikely places and find friends we've known for years drift out of our lives for unknown reasons.

I've given up trying to analyse people's motivations (unless it's my characters!)

Instead, I prefer to surround myself with friends who want to be there: friends who make me dream and laugh and natter like there's no tomorrow.
Friends who rejoice in my success and are happy for me.
Friends who will be there for me no matter what.

And this applies doubly to my writing.

If you're a writer, surround yourself with positive people.

You'll have enough of the other sort, the ones who snicker behind your back, the ones who rubbish what you write while smiling to your face, the ones who are condescending and superior and jealous. Nix these.

Creativity needs to be nurtured and negativity is an emotional time-suck.

As one wise sporting company once promoted: "life's short, play hard."

Cool down in summer

While the summer temperatures heat up in Australia & NZ, you can cool down by visiting Alaska vicariously through WILD NIGHTS WITH HER WICKED BOSS.

Remember Rhys, who cameo'd in OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED last year?
Well, the younger Cartwright brother has his own story to tell so go check it out (and yes, Callum does put in an appearance or two!)

(Also for those eagle eyes who've spotted the change on this cover, yes, the Sexy Sensations in OZ/NZ are now straight Harlequin Sexy. Now I'm Sweet & Sexy!)

New year, new releases!

Happy new year to you all!

With the new year brings a brand new series to Mills & Boon in the UK, the fun, flirty RIVA!

I'm thrilled that my DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX is one of the launch titles, alongside the fabulous Jessica Hart, Kelly Hunter & Kimberly Lang.

Go check out these wonderful books.

And to clear up any confusion, as of this month in the UK, all my books will be released under the Riva series.

So if you're a previous fan of my M&B Romances, you'll find my books in Riva.

You'll also find my Modern Heat books in Riva, which is basically my Romance voice...with sex!

If in any doubt, or if you prefer the 'sweeter' side of Nicola Marsh, check my website for clear delineation between titles.

Tomorrow, my latest OZ/NZ release...

Weekend Book Club: Best YA reads of 2010

In no particular order, here are my favourite YA reads of 2010:

SHADE by Jeri Smith-Ready is in this list too but I didn't have time to search for the cover, what with New Year's Eve preparations.

I've reviewed each of these books this year and many more, my tally of books read in 2010 reaching around 90.

So what have been your stand out books this year?

(I'd also like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy New Year. May 2011 bring you everything your heart desires and more! And a HUGE shout out to all my loyal readers. Thanks for buying my books and I love hearing from you!)

Gems for writers

Regulars here know how much I like Larry Brook's StoryFix blog.

Well, he's made a list of the Top 10 Blogs for Writers.

Go check out the rest.

Enforced distance

Once a book is sold, there's usually several months of enforced distance, where you've moved onto writing a new book or taking a breather or whatever.

Then the proof edits land and you need to go over it again with a critical eye, picking up any mistakes, typos, etc...

I did this last night for GIRL IN A VINTAGE DRESS (hence the Rob Lowe pic. He inspired the hero Chase Etheridge. Not gratuitous posting of hot guy pic at all!)


I always find it amazing what a little distance from a story can do. Blatant word repetition or phrasing a few sentences apart or words that just don't fit.

And while this book had quite a few changes I picked up (including a head hopping scene for a paragraph, something I didn't write in the original) overall I loved Chase and Lola as much as I did when writing them.

Their resolution scene is one of the most honest and heart-string-tugging I've ever written, I loved it!

Come July, I hope you do too.

Cows, milk & little sausages

If you're as frantic as me in the lead up to Christmas, you'll appreciate this for a laugh.
(It was emailed to me by a very smart lady over 50.)

In case you missed it on 60 Minutes, this is what Andy Rooney thinks about women over 50:

As I grow in age, I value women over 50 most of all.
Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 50 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 50 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting.

Women over 50 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 50.

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 50 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest... They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 50 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 50, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress.

Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, 'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage.
Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!

Andy Rooney is a really smart guy!

Writing a home run story

Yes, I'm directing you over to StoryFix yet again, this time for the first part in a 2 part series on How to Write a Home Run Story in 2011.

The first point in this article that leapt out at me was:

Perhaps, in 2011, you should do something different.

I love playing around with ideas, writing new things outside my usual genre.
Which gets me thinking...how will I shake things up in 2011?
How will you?

Weekend Book Club: Waiting for the postman

If there was one book you'd stand by the postbox for in the lead up to Christmas, which would it be?

For me, it's this one.

Being released on Dec 21st, I've placed my order with the Book Depository and will be eagerly scanning my mail box daily for its arrival.

If you haven't read Barbara O'Neal (Samuel) do yourself a favour.
After glomming her last year, she's my favourite author. Her prose is rich, lush and thoroughly gorgeous.

Here's the blurb for her latest:

An unforgettable novel that celebrates food, family, and the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters.
In a story as warm and embracing as a family kitchen, Barbara O’Neal explores the poignant, sometimes complex relationship between mothers and daughters—and the healing magic of homemade bread.

Professional baker Ramona Gallagher is a master of an art that has sustained her through the most turbulent times, including a baby at fifteen and an endless family feud. But now Ramona’s bakery threatens to crumble around her. Literally. She’s one water-heater disaster away from losing her grandmother’s rambling Victorian and everything she’s worked so hard to build.
When Ramona’s soldier son-in-law is wounded in Afghanistan, her daughter, Sophia, races overseas to be at his side, leaving Ramona as the only suitable guardian for Sophia’s thirteen-year-old stepdaughter, Katie. Heartbroken, Katie feels that she’s being dumped again—this time on the doorstep of a woman out of practice with mothering.
Ramona relies upon a special set of tools—patience, persistence, and the reliability of a good recipe—when rebellious Katie arrives. And as she relives her own history of difficult choices, Ramona shares her love of baking with the troubled girl. Slowly, Katie begins to find self-acceptance and a place to call home. And when a man from her past returns to offer a second chance at love, Ramona discovers that even the best recipe tastes better when you add time, care, and a few secret ingredients of your own.

So 'fess up.
Which book will you stand by the mail box for this Christmas?

THE WRITE WHISPER: Steroids for writers

Yet another interesting article from Larry Brooks at StoryFix about how to give your story, every story, a major boost.

Putting your story on steroids.

Now, before you rush off and read it, let me say this.

I love 'how-to' stuff. Books and blog posts and journal articles on writing craft make me squee.

I devour them.

Then promptly forget them.

Yep, you read that right.

I love seeing how different people write, the different creative processes, but the thing is I've found what works best for me and I consistently do it.

A brief 2-3 page outline so I have a basic idea of the characters, a glimmer of a first scene in my head, then I sit down, start typing and off I go until the end.

No way could I plot a whole book using screenwriting tips (the one time I have, a complete mainstream I was buzzed about writing at the time, I haven't written. One fabulous chapter that made me cry and that's it. The idea languishes. Time factor, maybe? Or is it because I already know what happens?)

So I guess what I'm trying to say in my convoluted way is...with the posts I guide you to or stuff I find interesting is just that: interesting stuff to tweak your writing imagination but not gospel truth.

Find what works for you and stick to it.

The Readers' Crown contest

If you're a published author, you have to check out the Readers' Crown contest.

Loads of categories, including YA, and great exposure in all Borders stores if you win!

Delivering to your readers

Another fabulous writing craft post by StoryFix.

8 “Moments” You Absolutely Need to Deliver to Your Readers… And One That You Should Hope For.

Great post, so succinct.

Weekend Book Club: To Be Read

I'm partially through a book this week so no review. Instead, let's discuss our To Be Read piles.

Here are the top 5 books on mine currently:

-Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
-Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
-The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
-Exposed by Alex Kava
-Edge by Jeffery Deaver

I have many more on this pile but it'd take me too long to list them here!

So what's the top book on your TBR pile this week?

Melting glaciers

Here's another snippet of the tension between Rhys and Jade in Alaska.

Surely she wasn’t the only edgy one yet there he stood, clutching his clipboard, master of his domain, cool, imperturbable, infuriating.
What she wouldn’t give to shake him up a little, test his mettle, see if work-focussed Ranger was as unflappable as he portrayed?
It came to her in that second.
She’d done the right thing over the last month, being the model employee, subduing her hurt at his rejection, agreeing to the emotionless terms he’d set. And where had it got her? His admiration for her job skills and little else. Uh-uh, time to change the status quo. Up the ante. He may have set the boundaries for their relationship but that didn’t mean she couldn’t push them, right?
Hoisting the heavy branch onto her shoulder for extra affect, she marched across the clearing and dumped it on top of the stack she’d already collected.
“That’s the last of them. What’s next?”
He didn’t glance up from his clipboard, his frown clear indication her jaunty tone pained him as much as her accomplishing another task in record time.
“Take a breather.”
“I’d rather keep going. Build up my stamina.”
He glanced up, his frown intensifying, while something unfathomable shifted behind those ice-blue eyes.
“You’ve done enough for today. Take the afternoon off.”
“Maybe Cody and Jack need a hand? Clearing undergrowth from the picnic area is a huge job. I’m sure they’d like some help—”
“You need a break. Take it.”
He swung away, but not before she’d seen guilt streak across his face. So the guy had a heart, buried deep beneath layers of self-imposed guilt and macho bravado.
She could do as he said, take the easy option. But their monthly supply run was coming up fast and this time it was their turn to head into Skagway. Things were tense enough now, no way would she put up with any more.
“I don’t need a break. I need—”
You. One little word, so simple yet so complex.
He swung back to face her, his expression wary.
Not willing to push that far yet, she pretended to examine her blistered hands.
“I need a manicure, badly.”
His relief was comical. “Can’t help you there.”
Spurred by a little mischievous imp residing in her brain, she stepped closer, rolled her shoulders.
“Maybe another of those massages you’re so good at?”
Heat flared in his eyes before he damped it with a deliberate blink.
“No.”
“Pity, because I’ve got a really tight spot right about here.”
She lifted one shoulder before stretching it back, biting back a triumphant laugh when his gaze strayed to her breasts stretched against the cool wool of her crimson jumper.
“And here.”
Turning around, she pointed to her lower back, knowing where his gaze would end up—about a foot lower.
“Don’t push me, Jade.”
His gravely voice sent a shiver of yearning through her as she slowly turned back to face him, grateful it had come to this.
“Like how you’ve pushed me?”
“That’s different. It’s work,” he ground out, flinging the clipboard away and thrusting hands into his pockets.
Taking a step, another, she got right up close, close enough for her sensory receptors to hit overload the minute she inhaled his addictive outdoorsy scent.
“Is it?”
“Yes, damn it.”
His rebuke lost some of its force when she smiled, refusing to give an inch.
He took a step back, she took a step forward, spurred by the need to confront him and his crazy ideas of ignoring this thing between them.
“Here’s what I think.” She laid her palm against his chest. “I think you’re hoping I’ll crack. The harder you push me, you think the angrier I’ll get. Who knows, maybe you want me to quit?”
Her palm slid upward, rested over his heart, to show him she meant business. “Well, here’s a newsflash for you. I’m made of sterner stuff than that.”
Tilting her head up, she met his steely gaze unflinchingly. “I can handle anything you care to dish out and more, Ranger.”
He didn’t move, every muscle rigid, the hard angles of his face highlighted by the wan sunlight dappling the clearing.
She had no idea how long they stood there, toe to toe, each unwilling to back down, the silence amplifying every breath frosting the air between them.
Then a shift, a small one, as he angled his body towards her rather than stepping away, the corners of his mouth easing into a smile that snatched her breath and made her crave him more than ever.
“Maybe it’s time to ditch the Princess tag?” He gestured at the wood pile. “Perhaps Wonder Woman fits better these days?”
She chuckled, buoyed by his backhanded compliment.
“See this?” She touched his mouth, briefly traced his smile, before dropping her hand. “I want to see more of that in Skagway. Lose the angst. It’s not working.”
To his credit, he didn’t play dumb. “Focussing on business is easier than thinking about us.”
She snapped her fingers. “Well golly, Ranger, and here I was, unaware there was even an us.”
“Bit late for coyness.”
Patting his big, broad chest, she glanced up from beneath her lashes. “I’m not the one playing hard to get.”
He laughed outright at that and for a long, exquisite moment, when his gaze drifted to her lips, she thought he might kiss her.

If you're in the UK, you can grab a copy of WILD NIGHTS WITH HER WICKED BOSS off shelves now! Makes a great stocking stuffer or gift. :)

If you're in OZ/NZ, you'll need to wait until January.

In the USA? May. Though there's always online...!

Weekend Book Club: Good Oil

I love picking up a book by random, having heard nothing about it, and discovering it's a joy to read.

GOOD OIL by Laura Buzo is one of those books.
The author's voice captivated me from the start with its poignant realism.
And throughout the novel, I knew exactly how 15yo Amelia was feeling: crush on an older, unobtainable guy, the buzz, the inevitable heartbreak. Many readers will identify!

Here's the blurb:

'Miss Amelia Hayes, welcome to The Land of Dreams. I am the staff trainer. I will call you grasshopper and you will call me sensei and I will give you the good oil. Right? And just so you know, I'm open to all kinds of bribery.'

From the moment 15-year-old Amelia begins work on the checkout at Woolworths she is sunk, gone, lost...head-over-heels in love with Chris. Chris is the funny, charming man-about-Woolies, but he's 21, and the six-year difference in their ages may as well be 100. Chris and Amelia talk about everything from Second Wave Feminism to Great Expectations and Alien but will he ever look at her in the way she wants him to? And if he does, will it be everything she hopes?

This is a great read and a fabulous first novel.
I'll be looking out for more YA novels from Laura Buzo.

What are you reading this week?

Wild nights

Here's a little taste of what Jade and Rhys get up to while cosied away in Alaska:

“Wait ‘til you see dessert.”
Jade gulped, unable to move as he reached over and took her plate, his hand brushing hers, sending sparks shooting from her fingertips to her toes. Their eyes locked and she could’ve sworn electricity sizzled in the air.
“Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
Watching him stroll out of the room, faded denim clinging to his sensational butt, she wavered.
If she didn’t move, she was in serious danger of falling flat on her back and yelling ‘take me now!’ when he came back.
If she moved, she’d miss out on all the fabulous stuff that would happen if she did fall flat on her back and yell ‘take me now!’
Dilemmas, dilemmas…
He took the decision out of her hands, returning quickly with a platter of strawberries and melted chocolate.
“You sure know the way to a girl’s stomach,” she said, snaffling a strawberry and popping it in her mouth before he could set the lot on the rug.
He paused, sent her a sizzling look. “Maybe it’s not the girl’s stomach I’m after?”
The stomach in question belly-flopped at the intent in his eyes, her heart joining her tummy in an impressive somersault routine.
Thankfully, he glanced away to tend to the fire and she leaned back, propped on outstretched arms, content to watch, loving the way the muted firelight played across the sharp angles of his face, how it shimmered orange against his white Western shirt. Definite possibilities with that shirt, considering the pop buttons all the way down the front…
“That should keep us warm for a while.”
He sat next to her, his thigh barely inches from her own, a slow building heat radiating between them. Or was it just the heat from the fire, with her imagination working overtime?
“Dessert?”
His low, husky voice rippled over her and before she could launch herself at him with a resounding yes, he offered her the platter of strawberries.
“Thanks, my favourite.”
Before she could pick one he chose the plumpest, juiciest strawberry, whisked it through the chocolate and offered it to her, hovering a hair’s-breadth in front of her lips.
Guess this answered her earlier question of what was he doing. Every slow-motioned action, every glimmer in those too-blue eyes, every tilt of those sexy lips, screamed seduction.
After spending so many tense moments retreating from her, he’d finally decided to stop running. She should ponder why; why the sudden turnaround, why now, after he’d made it clear this wasn’t a good idea.
But as he brushed the strawberry over her bottom lip in a slow, sensual sweep, she wanted to lose herself in the moment and to hell with any questions.
Her eyes never left his as she slowly opened her lips, moved a fraction and enclosed her mouth over the deliciously smooth chocolate tip.
She moaned, her eyelids drifting shut as she bit into the strawberry, savouring the explosion of sweet tanginess mingling with the luscious chocolate, her senses on overload as she took the whole fruit in her mouth, her tongue flicking out, only to encounter a fingertip.

Hot in Alaska

I'd planned on posting an excerpt from WILD NIGHTS WITH HER WICKED BOSS today.

Instead, I give you the Australian/NZ cover.

While I love the new modern edgy covers, I love how this one encapsulates a scene from the book: hot tub/steamy stuff going on/snow capped mountains in the background.

Which cover do you prefer?

Wild nights in December

Can't believe it's the 1st of December already!

I've been in revision stupor (finally finished YA revisions last night at 11.45pm and the manuscript is gone, back with my lovely agent) so the days have flown by.

December means I have a new release out in the UK!

More about this book tomorrow, when I'm awake.
Am currently floating in post-revision haze...

Weekend Book Club: Christmas Wish List

This week, for the first time all year, I didn't read at least one book.
(YA revisions have taken all my time.)

So this weekend, we're shaking it up a little and discussing books you have on your Christmas wish list.

If you're anything like me, this list could go on forever, but here are the books I really, really want to read over Christmas:

-Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
-Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
-Torment by Lauren Kate
-Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
-Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Over to you.

What books are on your Christmas wish-list?

Wendy the Super Librarian

Wendy the Super Librarian has just reviewed my RIVA launch book, DESERTED ISLAND: DREAMY EX!

Wendy (from The Good, The Bad and The Unread fame) is new to the Harlequin Romance series and is suitably hooked.

I love the way she expresses honesty in her reviews without being snarky.

Here's a snippet of what she had to say about my book:

This is the type of story where you spend a good portion of the book wanting to shake some sense into the characters, but between the excellent confrontation scenes (so fabulous!) and the growth they experience to get to the happy ending? It makes those moments where you want to smack them worth it.

I also liked how contemporary this story felt. Kristi has a thing for shoes, so we have some label dropping here. But the characters also live in a fictional world that includes social networking (Facebook, Twitter, blogs) and reality television. I’m not sure how well this book will “hold up” ten years down the line, but for now? It was rather refreshing. Especially since we got to read blog posts and tweets from Jared and Kristi.

This was a nice story, with plenty of tension, and a hard-won happy ending. I have a feeling both of these characters are going to have to continue to work to keep their happy ending on the rails, but that’s as it should be. Whoever said relationships were easy has obviously never been in one. B+

You can read the full review here.
Thanks Wendy!

Neologisms

A friend sent me this email, some made me laugh out loud.

Once again, The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly neologism contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternative meanings for common words.
The winners are:

1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.
3. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.
6. Negligent (adj.), a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown.
7. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle (n), olive-flavoured mouthwash.
9. Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Pokemon (n), Rastafarian proctologist.
14. Oyster (n.), person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.
15. Frisbeetarianism (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that,when you die, your soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent (n.), opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

The Washington Post's Style Invitational also asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, orchanging one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are this year's winners:

1. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
2. Foreploy (v): Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
3. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.
4. Giraffiti (n): Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
5. Sarchasm (n): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
6. Inoculatte (v): To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
7. Hipatitis (n): Terminal coolness.
8. Osteopornosis (n): A degenerate disease. ( that one got extra credit)
9. Karmageddon (n): Its like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.
10. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
11. Glibido (v): All talk and no action.
12. Dopeler effect (n): The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
13. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
14. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
15. Caterpallor (n.): The colour you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.

And the pick of the literature:16. Ignoranus (n): A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

Magic Pills of Storytelling

Yet another gem of a post from Storyfix today, discussing the 6 Core Competencies of storytelling:

1- concept
2- character
3- theme
4- structure
5- scene execution
6- writing voice

Plus other interesting stuff!

Check it out.

Weekend Book Club: The Perfect Evil

This is the book that started it all for Alex Kava's Maggie O'Dell series.

All I can say is 'wow' for a first book!

I've read her books before and have always loved them and this one was no exception.

A serial killer eludes an FBI profiler and a smalltown Nebraska sheriff in Kava's engaging debut, which manages to remain entertaining despite a fairly conventional plot line. As the story opens, recently appointed Sheriff Nick Morelli is as relieved as the rest of the citizens of Platte City that his predecessor, who also happens to be his father, has captured the child killer who plagued the town. But after the killer is executed, another child is discovered dead, and Morelli realizes that the convicted man was in fact a copycat killer, leaving the original criminal still on the prowl. Morelli gets some much-needed help in the investigation from FBI profiler Maggie O'Dell, but the hunt gets complicated when Morelli's sister, a journalist, leaks info to the media. Things become even stickier when O'Dell unearths a couple of unlikely suspects who've been dismissed by the police, and the search takes on a new level of urgency when Morelli's nephew is abducted and appears to be the next victim. Kava keeps her prose simple, but she does a nice job of setting up the chemistry between O'Dell and Morelli while balancing the various family issues Morelli faces in the investigation. She also makes good use of the smalltown milieu, tightening the tension by establishing that the killer is part of the fabric of the community. The result is a well-crafted page-turner involving the reader in the specter of murder in an intimate and disturbing fashion, with a plausible setup for a sequel. (Publisher's Weekly)

Suitably creepy, the ending makes you want to rush out to read the sequel.

As for the sparks between Maggie and Nick...phew, the sexual tension between these two just burns up the pages!

I love a good thriller with a splash of romance and this book delivered in spades.

What are you reading this week?

Book 26 sold!

I'm thrilled to announce my retro book has sold!

Titled GIRL IN A VINTAGE DRESS in the UK, it'll be a M&B RIVA release in July 11.

These pics are just a few I used to 'get in the mood' for writing this book.

As soon as I have US title and release date, I'll let you know.

S.W.O.T. analysing your story

Another great post by the folks at StoryFix about using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats to evaluate your story.

The questions raised really help you think about the story you've written.

Check it out.

Nurturing writers

Yesterday, I was an invited guest at the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild 20th anniversary celebrations.

Had a ball catching up with people I hadn't seen in years, some people I 'knew' via Twitter & Facebook, Haylee Kerans from Harlequin office in Sydney, and author buddies like Fiona Lowe, Joan Kilby, Anne Gracie and Ebony McKenna.
(MRWG head honchos Elvina Payet & Serena Tatti, with moi)

I'm a past member of MRWG, the group that nurtured me when I first started writing in 2001. While there are many new faces, the old ones (and I mean that in the nicest possible way!) are still smiling and happy and giving.

Long live writing groups like this.

(Elvina Payet, YA author Ebony McKenna, moi, Emmie Dark, Harlequin Super-Rom author Joan Kilby)

(PS. Serena, if you're reading this, thanks for saying you can see I've lost 3kg!)

Weekend Book Club: Theodore Boone

Doing things a little differently today.

I'm not reviewing this book, though I did read it last week (if anyone has read it, please feel free to share opinions.)

What I find interesting is the number of well known authors who are hopping on the YA bandwagon.
Yes, YA is hot at the moment.
Yes, YA is selling and selling well.
Yes, it makes sense for the author and publisher alike to make the most of a hot trend and get their big name authors out there in another subgenre. Money talks.

While big name authors are on bestselling lists for a reason, I don't think everyone can write with a convincing YA voice.

Thoughts?

Lessons learned from Harry Potter

I love finding nuggets of writing gold and here's another from Nathan Bransford (who I can't believe has retired from agenting!) with his post yesterday on writing tips from reading Harry Potter.

He elaborates on these 5 writing tips:

-You can accomplish amazing things with a third person limited perspective

-Don't be afraid to show your characters' flaws

-Making it look easy is really really hard

-"You might try and go easy on the adverbs when the emotion is apparent from the dialogue"

-Have fun with your world

It's a great post. Check it out.

THE WRITE WHISPER: Speed writing with a bullet

As many writers are working their fingers to the bone this month with NaNoWriMo, I thought this link might help speed things up a little.

From the fabulous Storyfix blog, the basic summary is this:

-you've written about 20K words & are finding the going tough
-stop writing narrative
-start writing story exposition bullet points
-keep adding bullet points till you know where your story is going/you're excited to keep writing it/etc...
-with these points already jotted down, you can write with added speed as each bullet defines what happens in a scene.

This method is called beat sheeting (each bullet=story beat=scene) and there's load more links in the article if you want to know more.


Happy writing!

Weekend Book Club: The Sleeping Doll

I only started reading Jeffery Deaver recently, within the last 6 months or so, and boy, am I glad I did.

I love a good thriller. It would be my first choice of genre to read (surprised you, huh?)

And Jeffery Deaver does thrillers very, very well.

Here's a blurb:

Jeffery Deaver is back with a dark and multilayered psychological thriller about a vicious killer's escape from a California super-prison and the mysterious and deadly quest he embarks on once he's free.

Making her first appearance in The Cold Moon (2006), special agent Kathryn Dance—a brilliant interrogator and body language expert—stars in The Sleeping Doll, where she and her partners at the California Bureau of Investigation hunt down escaped killer Daniel Pell, a self-styled Charles Manson.

Deaver's most frightening villain to date, Pell is a master of control, who mesmerizes, seduces, and exploits people for his own murderous ends. To track down Pell before he destroys more lives, Kathryn Dance must enlist the help of people from the killer's past: the three women who lived under his sadistic sway in the cult he once headed, as well as the young girl known as The Sleeping Doll, the only survivor of her family's slaughter at Pell's hand.

Filled with masterful plot twists: Jeffery Deaver creates plots with so many twists and turns they could "hide behind a spiral staircase" (People), and The Sleeping Doll has Deaver's trademark twists in spades. It is guaranteed to keep readers guessing right up to the breathless end.

This story is a ripper!

A page turner from start to finish, with enough twists to keep you riveted.

Thankfully, my mum bought Jeffery Deaver's latest, 'The Edge' last week. I'm hurrying her along to finish it!

What are you reading this week?

Writing in chunks

When I write, I don't follow any 'how-to' instructions.

I sit. I write. The story comes pouring out.

Yet I love, love, love reading about 'how-to' stuff, love reading writing text books, love having them on my shelves even if I only read them once.

In that vein, here's a great post on 'Storytelling in chunks'.
As I read it, I thought 'hey, I actually do most of this stuff unconsciously' and I'm sure many writers out there do too.

If you're like me and enjoy reading the 'how to' stuff, check it out.

Award nominee

I am rapt to announce that MARRIAGE: FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE? has been nominated by Romantic Times magazine for Best Harlequin Presents 2010.

Woo hoo!

Masters Award

Masters Degree

Had a lovely email from Masters Degrees Online, saying I've been awarded a Masters Award in Romance Writing for informative and helpful content!

Here's the complete list.