WEEKEND BOOK CLUB: The Husband's Secret

I bought this book last week, knowing nothing about it.
Haven't heard of the author either.
But boy, will I be glomming her now.

THE HUSBAND'S SECRET is an addictive, compelling read that had me losing sleep to finish it at 1.30am.
I couldn't put it down.

Vibrant characters.
Compelling conflicts.
Real-life dilemmas.

I loved it!

Highly recommend.

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Swept away by romance

The official release day for my New Adult debut, BEFORE, is Dec 2nd.
So far, early reviews have been fabulous, including this one at SWEPT AWAY BY ROMANCE  today.

I'm always interested to hear when a reader really connects with my work to the point she cries.
I'm betting it's the same spot in the book I cried. First while writing, then later editing.

Can't wait to hear what more readers think about this book!

Strong-willed heroines

I love it when readers 'get' me and this review is definitely one of those.

Thanks to Glass from WAY TOO HOT BOOKS who recognised my love for writing a strong-willed heroine.

Here's a snippet from her fab review for WICKED HEAT:

Nicola Marsh is one smart woman. Why? Because she uses the best advantage she has - being a woman means that you know woman's heart and her secret desires really, really well. If you are a writer and your genre of choice is romance, that is something that will help you a lot if you use it wisely. Wicked Heat has everything that makes a good mainstream romance novel:

1.  lovable female character that will not annoy you and with who you can relate,
2.  male character that will make you swoon and "ohh" and "ahh", strong, but not too dominant.

As an avid reader, one of my pet hates is a heroine who's TSTL.
She must be believable if I'm to identify with her and be invested in her story and caring about the outcome.
If I'm not? I'll put the book down.

And looks like other readers agree because MARRYING THE ENEMY, that scooped 2 major awards this year? Featured a heroine so strong willed, she proposed a marriage of convenience to the hero!

Weekend Book Club: Playing the Part

I became a huge fan of Robin Covington's books when I read her first last year, A NIGHT OF SOUTHERN COMFORT (Entangled Publishing's Indulgence series.)
The sexual tension simmered off the pages!

So I was honoured when she asked me to read her first Brazen book, PLAYING THE PART, to provide a cover quote.

I devoured it, quickly!

Here's the blurb:

After publicly self-destructing over a heartbreak a year ago, bestselling romance writer Piper James is now making nice with her publisher by agreeing to teach Hollywood's favorite action star how to act like he's in love. 
Only playboy Mick Blackwell has no clue what love looks like. When a seductive heat ignites between Piper and Mick, she jumps at the chance for a bit of fun between the sheets, but with two stipulatons: she's kept out of the public eye and things end when she returns to New York. 
Only Mick keeps changing the rules on her. Tempted by America's favorite bad boy, Piper is wondering how far she's willing to bend...

I loved this book.
Gobbled it up in one sitting.

Strong protagonists create major sparks!
Scorching hot!
Love the Hollywood movie and publishing tie-in background too.

An absolute page-turner.

What are you reading this weekend?

Weekend Book Club: It was Only a Kiss

You may think I'm biased in saying this, considering I write for Harlequin Kiss, but I'm absolutely hooked on this series!

It's fun, flirty and distinctive, with a lovely modern edge to all the books.
If you haven't tried one, please do. I'm sure you'll be hooked too.

I'm an avid reader and don't give 5 stars to every book, but this one thoroughly deserved it.

Here's the blurb:

The most distracting boss of all…...

For driven businessman Luke Savage success is the only option. So when gorgeous marketing intern Jess Sherwood waltzes into his office and casually informs him that his newly inherited vineyard has an image problem he's outraged! She's naive, overly ambitious, a know-it-all… And all Luke can do to stop her talking is kiss her senseless.

Eight years later the vineyard needs a boost—and Luke needs a hip new marketing strategy to save it. Jess may drive him crazy but she's the right woman for the job. Their only problem is how to keep their minds on work and off that kiss.

I'm hugely impressed by Joss Wood's third category romance. It's the first book of hers I've read and won't be the last. This book is sweet and sexy, with two strong-willed characters going head to head. Loved the sparks they created! And the secondary characters (the heroine's family) were hilarious. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. What are you reading this weekend?

Weekend Book Club: CRASH INTO YOU

I am neck-deep in deadlines at the moment...not a good time to start a book like CRASH INTO YOU.
Because I couldn't put it down.
Read it in 2 nights, staying up very late!

Here's the blurb:

Brynn LeBreck has dedicated herself to helping women in crisis, but she never imagined how personal her work would get, or where it would take her. Her younger sister is missing, suspected to be hiding from cops and criminals alike at a highly secretive BDSM retreat-a place where the elite escape to play out their most extreme sexual fantasies. To find her, Brynn must go undercover as a sexual submissive. Unfortunately, The Ranch is invitation only. And the one master who can get her in is from the darkest corner of Brynn's past.

Brynn knows what attorney Reid Jamison is like once stripped of his conservative suit and tie. Years ago she left herself vulnerable only to have him crush her heart. Now she needs him again. Back on top. And he's all too willing to engage. But as their primal desires and old wounds are exposed, the sexual games escalate-and so does the danger. Their hearts aren't the only things at risk. Someone else is watching, playing by his own rules. And his game could be murder.

I don't read a lot of erotica but couldn't stop reading Crash into You. Loved the strong character development, the intrigue and the unexpected plot twist at the end. Nothing sexier than a strong alpha hero and a strong-willed woman to match him in every way, even if she's his sub. The BDSM relationship between the hero/heroine was explored with tenderness, as well as being super sexy. Can't wait to read Jace's story! (which I just discovered is a RITA finalist in Single title romance this year: MELT INTO YOU.) Considering how great this book was, I'm not surprised! What are you reading this weekend?

Weekend Book Club: The Secret Wedding Dress

I've been a fan of Ally Blake's fun, flirty, contemporary romance novels for a long time and her latest, THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS, is just as good as the rest.

It is part of the new Harlequin Kiss series (which all my Harlequin books will be a part of going forward) and from the books I've read so far, it's a fabulous series!

Here's the blurb:

A wedding dress...but no bride!  Paige Danforth isn't interested in setting herself up for an unhappy-ever-after-thanks to her father's betrayal, the closest she'll ever get to walking down the aisle is as a bridesmaid. But one bridal sale later, Paige is left clutching her own champagne chiffon wedding dress! Clearly she needs to end her self-imposed dating drought.... 

Enter ruggedly sexy neighbor Gabe Hamilton. He wants Paige in his bed and nothing more-no promises made, no promises broken. But will this big, bad adventurer stick around when he discovers not only skeletons-but the wedding dress-in her closet?

I love reading books set in my fabulous home city of Melbourne.

Paige is ballsy and quirky, Gabe is flawed and incredibly sexy. The kind of hero who makes this gal want to trawl the Docklands in search of him!

Thoroughly enjoyed!

What are you reading this weekend?

WEEKEND BOOK CLUB: The One That Got Away

For fans of the Harlequin Mills and Boon Modern Heat/Riva series (in the UK) and Presents Extra in the USA, you'll be aware that the fun, flirty books are now part of the newly launched Harlequin KISS series.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY by Kelly Hunter was part of the launch line up in Feb.

It's no secret I adore Kelly's books.

Here's the blurb for this one:

"The man who's always left her wanting more!"

Good job? "Tick." Newly purchased apartment? "Tick." Evie's life is on a pretty even keel at the moment. The only thing missing? A man with an edge to keep things interesting.

Enter Logan Black. Tortured, distant and sexy, Logan has edge written all over him. He's also the man who tipped Evie "over" the edge a few years back - she gave him everything, but he didn't know when to stop taking.

Leaving Logan was the hardest thing Evie's ever done. Until now. Because Logan's back, the chemistry is as blistering as ever and this time he's not going anywhere....

Here's my short and sweet review:

Like the finest chocolate, it's rich, intense and satisfying.

I love a bad boy tortured hero and Logan is one of the best.

Could barely put it down.

Is this book as light as the cover? No. There are some dark themes touched on and it makes the book all the more tempting.

I think readers know that authors don't have much say in covers and if you're anything like me, you buy by author not by cover. And this is one book definitely worth buying!

What are you reading this weekend?

Calling book reviewers

I'm releasing a super hot contemporary romance in 2 weeks and would love to hear from any book reviewers interested in posting a quick review.

BRASH is the first in my Burlesque Bombshell series and I absolutely love it.
Features a gorgeous Aussie celebrity chef and a small town Nevada librarian who meet up a decade after their first encounter in unusual circumstances...

If you're interested in reviewing, please email me: nicola (at) nicolamarsh (dot) com

WEEKEND BOOK CLUB: What Goes Around

WHAT GOES AROUND is Harlequin Mills & Boon Medical & Presents author Carol Marinelli's first foray into indie publishing...and wow! What a debut.

I devoured this book, couldn't put it down.

Here's the blurb:

“I’ve spent my life keeping my worlds apart and now they’ll all be coming together, in this very room. Everything that I’ve carefully separated will be curdling right here under this roof.”

What Goes Around…

Lucy thought she had firmly buried her past when she set eyes on and snared that sexy older guy at work. She gave no thought to the consequences when she swooped in and stole Gloria’s husband.

Twelve years on things couldn’t be better for Lucy. Well, his little problem in the bedroom department might need working on but surely it’s a small price to pay for a seemingly perfect life.

That is until karma wields its hammer and shatters Lucy’s fragile world…

Lovers of women's fiction will adore this book as much as I did. I write at night so sleep is precious to me. I happily lost sleep 2 nights in a row to finish this ASAP. The characters are real and flawed and memorable. A gritty read. Loved it! Highly recommend. You can buy it here What are you reading this weekend?

WEEKEND BOOK CLUB: Bella's Run

It has been too long since I've read any rural-lit. I love Rachel Treasure's books but has been years since I've read one.

Then I picked up Bella's Run recently and was hooked all over again.

Here's the blurb:

Bella Vermaelon and her best friend Patty are two fun-loving country girls bonded in sisterhood no blood could ever beat. Now they are coming to the end of a road trip which has taken them from their family farms in the rugged Victorian high country to the red dust of the Queensland Outback. 

For almost a year they have mustered cattle stations, cooked for weary stockmen, played hard at rodeos and danced through life like a pair of wild tumbleweeds. And with the arrival of Patty's brother Will and Bella's cousin Macca, it seems love is on the horizon too..

Then a devastating tragedy strikes, and Bella's world is changed forever. 

So she runs from the only life she has ever known. But can she really turn her back on the man she loves? Or on the land that runs deep in her blood?

It's a cracking book filled with real characters and real emotion.

It's poignant, romantic and funny, seamlessly weaving rural Australia and its lifestyle into an emotional story.

I loved it!

What are you reading this weekend?

The Romance Studio

The lovely folk over at The Romance Studio have just reviewed NOT THE  MARRYING KIND and given it 5 hearts (which means it'll be up for Favourite 5 Heart Sweetheart voting next week.)

In the meantime, here's the review.

I loved this part: 'The sex scenes were hot and perfect for the story  as they showed the explosive chemistry of the hero and heroine.'

If you want to read those hot scenes for yourself...

AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE

WEEKEND BOOK CLUB: The Wedding Season

I bought THE WEDDING SEASON at my local shops when the cover caught my eye.
It's stunning.

And considering the fun I had writing BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD and the incredible feedback I received from readers, I'm always intrigued to read any books featuring a cast of multicultural Asian characters.

Reading a book with no expectations, and knowing nothing of the story or author, is often great because there are no preconceptions.
And that's what happened with THE WEDDING SEASON.
I really loved this book.
It's funny and poignant and delectable.

Here's the blurb:

Meet Shani - she's thirty-two, single and has a job to die for. And she likes her life just the way it is, thank you! So why do her family and friends insist on trying to convince her that the only way to the perfect life is meeting the perfect man?
When Shani's horoscope miraculously reveals that now is the best time of her life for marriage, her mother decides to take control. As the Sri Lankan wedding season opens she turns a deaf ear to Shani's protests and arranges a parade of 101 potential grooms, in the hope that her shamefully unmarried daughter will salvage the family honour by finally finding Mr Right. But true life, like true love, can get very complicated. Amidst a riot of hilarious dates with would-be husbands, Shani has to cope with a minor Machiavelli at work, a house that is literally falling down around her ears, and a neurotic mother with serious cultural baggage. Worst of all, her best friend, who seems to have it all, is sliding into depression, and Shani seems powerless to help. Through a flurry of curry, cricket, sarees, and sumptuous ceremonies, Shani comes to learn that love comes in many disguises - and degrees of satisfaction - and that life is a one-shot game, even if you do believe in reincarnation.

I write at night to meet deadlines and don't get enough sleep, so I don't lose sleep for many books.
The Wedding Season is one book I sacrificed sleep for, unable to put it down in the wee small hours.

It's an enticing blend of multicultural chick lit/women's fiction/romance.

Shani is a 32 yo single Sri Lankan woman living in Melbourne.
She has loyal friends, an interfering mother and boy troubles.

I laughed out loud in several parts of the book, and loved recognising all the landmarks in my home city.

Have to admit, I was shocked when the book took a serious twist but even then I loved how the author developed the characters' relationships.

A really satisfying read, one I recommend.

What are you reading this weekend?

Passionate Book Divas

The Divorce Diva is visiting PASSIONATE BOOK DIVAS.

Check out my interview with the Divas today and their review of NOT THE MARRYING KIND tomorrow.

Keeping up to date

I received a lovely email last night from a new-to-me reader who'd read and loved NOT THE MARRYING KIND, asking for the sequel ASAP and could I email her when it released.

So a heads up, if you want to keep in the loop with new releases, special competitions, etc...please sign up for my newsletter (in the sidebar of this blog.)

I send out 2 a year so I promise not to inundate you!

And here's another happy reader over at STOREYBOOK REVIEWS today (I've had 5 star reviews before but never 5 paws!)

The Readiacs

Another copy of NOT THE MARRYING KIND is up for grabs today over at THE READIACS where they posted this fab review:

If you love romantic comedies, like I do, you’ll want to scoop this one up ASAP!

Poppy is a female lead who I can get behind. Sassy, sexy and gives it to Beck as good as she gets it. Neither is looking for marriage or even love, which makes the novel that much more endearing. Her job as a divorce planner doesn’t exactly give the impression of a girl looking for her Prince Charming and her Happily Ever After….

Until billionaire Beck waltzes into her life and sparks fly, and kaboom, their witty banter, off the charts chemistry and romantic situations leads where neither of them wanted. Love.

All in all this was a delightful romance that keeps you laughing out loud and satisfied through the end.

Thanks Nina!

To win a copy, pop on over and leave a comment.

Weekend Book Club: A Night of Southern Comfort

There has been so much buzz surrounding Entangled Publishing's Indulgence series category romances that I've been dying to read them.
But I've been too busy with deadlines and launching my own EP Indulgence to have time.

This week I finally cranked up my kindle and read one of the many books waiting for me, A NIGHT OF SOUTHERN COMFORT...and WOW!
The calibre of this book is amazing...I can't wait to gobble up the other Indulgence novels!

Here's the blurb:

One night of passion... 

Detective Jackson Cantrell never imagined that one night with an irresistible stranger would turn his life upside down. He’s spent years living in the shadows, but Dr. Michaela Roarke awakened a passion inside him he'd buried years ago. 

He never expected the woman would turn out to be the governor's daughter...and his next assignment. The governor blackmails Jackson to secretly watch over Michaela and protect her from a stalker, or kiss his dream job at the FBI good-bye. Swearing to keep things strictly professional, Jackson moves in with Michaela. Too bad his heart can't keep the same promise. 

But when the stalker's attacks quickly escalate beyond mere photographs to bodily harm, Jackson must race to save Michaela's life. And he’ll have to figure out how to keep her once she discovers his lie.


I never gush about a book unless I really, really love it.

And boy, did I love this book!

I'm staggered that it's Robin Covington's debut novel...talking about setting the bar high!

In Kayla and Jack she has created two wonderful characters, well-matched in their independence and hidden vulnerabilities.

And the sexual tension between them? Sizzles off every page.

With wickedly hot sex and sparkling dialogue, this book was a winner.
I hated putting it down and can't wait for the follow ups with Teague, Lucky and Beck's stories.

More please!


What are you reading this weekend?

A screenwriter's review

Exciting times with the mass market release of BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD in the USA at the moment.

It's always lovely to read fab reviews for this book of my heart, and I'm rapt to share one from a screenwriter today.

Adite Banerjie was hired to write a screenplay, based on a true life story, for a Bollywood movie. How exciting is that!

Her full review and interview is here 

Developing a thick skin

Authors, check out this brilliant blog post by Beth Revis on how to handle negative reviews.

Love it!