THE WRITE WHISPER: The first 5 pages

Editors and agents read thousands of manuscripts a year and if you ask many of them, unless the first page doesn't hook them, let alone the first five, they won't read on.

So how do you make your first 5 pages memorable?

A KILLER FIRST LINE

I'm a sucker for a great first line. It's a great hook to launch the reader into the rest of the story.

So how do you do it?

-raise a question

-introduce something unique/different

-reveal something unanticipated

-show something is about to change

Here are a few of my first lines to give you examples:

The bronze god was naked. (Overtime in the Boss's Bed)

"Come in and take off your clothes." (Big-Shot Bachelor)

Kristen Lewis had a thing for hotels. (Executive Mother-To-Be)

"You want me to do what?" (The Tycoon's Dating Deal)

Fleur Adams rushed into the café, trying to juggle a portfolio, laptop, umbrella and handbag while shaking raindrops from her curly hair and cursing the fickle Melbourne weather, a lousy public transport system and men, in that order. (Contract to Marry)

Maya Edison stood ram-rod straight, oblivious to the huge society crowd that had turned the funeral into a farce. (Inherited: Baby)

Each of these opening lines raises questions.

-who is the bronze god & why is he naked?

-why does Kristen have a thing for hotels?

-who is being asked to do what?

-why is Fleur cursing men?

-why is Maya so uptight, whose funeral is it & does she care it has turned into a farce?

CREATE SYMPATHETIC CHARACTERS

Not all characters you create have to be 'sympathetic' or likable, but you need your reader to relate to the character so they'll continue to read the story.

Though many books deviate from this, introducing the main character in the first scene, making your reader care what happens to him/her, is a way to keep the reader hooked.

INTRODUCE MAIN CONFLICT

While the first line will hook your reader, it's the main conflict that keeps the reader turning pages.

Try to hint at the main conflict in the first 5 pages: a threat to the main character, an inner turmoil, something that makes the reader care.

PAINTING A PICTURE

May sound obvious but the first few pages should convey the general tone of the story. Try to give a sense of where the story is taking place without listing facts like a travelogue.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Avoid info dumping.

Avoid boring your reader with backstory.

Avoid excessive description (scenery, setting, world building, whatever)

When you submit your manuscript, you only have a few seconds, a few minutes if you're lucky, to grab that editor's/agent's attention.

Make your first 5 pages sparkle and you'll definitely have them wanting to read more.

Dialogue lover

I love writing dialogue.

Here's a snippet of Kristi and Jared having a chat:

“Done with the caveman routine?”
The organ he refused to acknowledge lurched as he glanced up, saw Kristi on her side, propped on an elbow, wearing that sinful green bikini and a reluctant smile.
She’d been frosty towards him over dinner, with more of the same since they’d arrived on the island, but under his constant barrage of teasing she was finally starting to thaw.
Not that he blamed her. From her angry outburst when he’d picked her up the other night, she hadn’t forgiven him for choosing his tennis career over her all those years ago.
But he’d had no choice. Not that he’d go delving into his reasons why now.
For their time on the island he wanted to recapture some of their old magic, wanted to make her laugh and fire back those scathing one liners like she used to, wanted to see her eyes sparkle just for him, for old time’s sake.
Hands on hips, he wrenched his straying gaze away from the tempting expanses of flesh on display. “Weren’t you the one who wanted to toast marshmallows tonight?”
“Did I say that?”
She pressed a hand to her chest and his gaze followed, shooting down his intentions to keep his distance.
“Do you even have any?”
She chuckled, lowered her sunglasses to stare at him over the top. “Maybe you should’ve asked that before planning to build a bonfire that can be seen in New Zealand.”
Adding another branch onto the growing pile, he feigned indifference.
“I’m surprised you could fit any marshmallows in your case, what with that mobile shoe shop you carry around.”
Her eyes narrowed, the corners of her mouth twitching. “Are you dissing my shoes?”
“Merely making an observation.”
With a little huff that was so adorable he wanted to kiss her senseless, she pouted.
“I’ll have you know it takes effort to look this good.”
His gaze raked her from top to toe, lingering on her curves, the hollow of her hip, the dip of her collarbone, remembering how he’d traced every inch of her once, how he couldn’t get enough.
Logically, he knew it would be foolish to resurrect the past, not when nothing fundamental had changed. Kristi was a relationship type of girl. He was a guy who had no intention of getting emotionally involved with anyone.
Physically, his body was on memory overload, sifting through every incredible, erotic encounter the two of them had ever had.
“You’re not looking at my shoes.”
Dragging his gaze to meet hers, he raised an eyebrow. “You’re not wearing any.”
She scooped up a spangly flip-flop, dangling it from a finger.
“What’s this?”
“Suitcase filler?”
“Heathen,” she muttered, sliding her sunglasses back into place and rolling onto her back. “Get back to your wood gathering. It’s what you Neanderthals are good at.”
“Sticks and stones,” he said, much more at ease with this banter than last night’s emotion charged discussion.
Pointing at the diminutive wood pile, she smirked. “More sticks. Less stones.”

If you really, really want to read this book (and you know you want to!) it's part of a special promotion over at eharlequin at the moment, where you can buy it at 40% off.
It's a steal!

Island in the stream

With DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX! hitting US shelves this week, here's a snippet from Jared and Kristi's first day on the island:

“You ever use Twitter before?”
Kristi shook her head, trying to sneak a peek over Jared’s shoulder as he fiddled with his iPhone.
“No time. Work keeps me pretty busy. I email. Facebook page. That’s about it.”
His eyes never leaving the screen, he said, “You don’t know what you’re missing.”
Her scoffing snort had him darting an amused glance her way.
“What’s so special about informing the world what you’re up to in less than one hundred and forty characters?”
“It’s the challenge, to make your tweet interesting in so few words.”
Typing quickly, he finally laid his phone down, his stare loaded.
“Surely you know how much guys like a challenge?”
“Guys or just you?”
He chuckled. “Last time I checked I was a guy. Or would you care to verify—”
“Stop that!” she hissed, jerking her head towards one of the not-so-hidden cameras. “We’re live.”
Dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, he leaned forward and spoke behind his raised hand.
“Viewers love this sort of thing. A bit of light hearted banter, flirting. Good for ratings.”
He wiggled his eyebrows until the unimpressed twist to her lips relaxed into a smile. “Sex sells, baby.”
Okay, so he was hamming it up for the cameras. Not that she could blame him. There was something so weirdly unnatural about all of this. As to why anyone would be remotely interested in watching the two of them have dinner or quibble over the last Tim Tam was beyond her.
But she couldn’t deny Elliott Barnaby was a genius; and the one salient fact, she was in this for the money, and the promotion.
Faking a huff, she tossed her hair over her shoulder like any screen heroine worth her salt.
“I’m not your baby.”
“You were once.”
He whispered it so softly the cameras wouldn’t have a chance of picking it up, her skin prickling with alarm as he scooted closer, his warm breath fanning her neck as he murmured in her ear, “Want to recreate some of the old magic?”
“No!”
Her body made a mockery of her instant refusal, heat flushing her skin rosy as she inadvertently leaned into him, practically inviting him to slip an arm around her and cradle her close as he used to.
“Liar,” he whispered, his fingertips trailing across the back of her neck and sending a quiver of desire through her as he casually draped an arm over her shoulder, appearing to the whole world as if they were best buddies.

Latest release

This week sees the release of my latest Harlequin Romance, DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX!

If you like reality TV, Twitter, social networking and hot tennis pros, you'll enjoy this book!

Insight into the 'behind the scenes' action to come.
Watch this space!

Weekend Book Club: Maximum Ride, The Angel Experiment

James Patterson recently topped a list of the top 10 highest author earners.

He's sold an estimated 170 million books worldwide and the only author to have #1 new titles simultaneously on The New York Times adult and children's lists.

Incredibly, I think I've only read one James Patterson novel many moons ago.

MAXIMUM RIDE: THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT was my second and I'm hooked!

James' foray into YA, the story is an absolute page turner.

Here's the blurb:

WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE.

Do not put this book down. I'm dead serious - your life could depend on it. I'm risking everything by telling you - but you need to know.

STRAP YOURSELF IN for the thrill ride you'll want to take again and again! From Death Valley, California, to the bowels of the New York City subway system, you're about to take off on a heart-stopping adventure that will blow you away...

YOUR FAITHFUL COMPANIONS: Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel. Six kids who are pretty normal in most ways - except that they're 98 percent human, 2 percent bird. They grew up in a lab, living like rats in cages, but now they're free. Aside, of course, from the fact that they're prime prey for Erasers - wicked wolflike creatures with a taste for flying humans.

THE MISSIONS: Rescue Angel from malicious mutants. Infiltrate a secret facility to track down the flock's missing parents. Scavenge for sustenance. Get revenge on an evil traitor. And save the world. If there's time.

Love the protagonist Max and her 'flock'. Love the non-stop action. And love the many questions raised which leave you hanging for the next installment.

Note to self: must glom Mr. Patterson.

What are your reading this week?

Foreign shores

This month sees the release of 3 of my books overseas.

In Italy, THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID...

In France, MARRIAGE: FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE?

In Holland, A TRIP WITH THE TYCOON.

I never, ever tire of seeing foreign covers. It's like getting first printing of a book in my hot little hands all over again!

NINC Blast

I belong to Novelists Inc (Ninc), the only writers organization devoted exclusively to the needs of multi-published novelists.

Ninc members include authors of all genres of popular fiction.

Ninc has a new newsletter, NINC BLAST, which includes information about our authors' new and upcoming releases, as well as a "Did you know?" feature with tantalizing, little-known factoids about some of your favorite authors.

To subscribe to NINC BLAST, please go to our Website.

Then scroll down to the middle of the screen, where it says, "Let NINC BLAST you."

Simply click on the pale blue envelope, then follow the protocols.

Easy!

Close-knit community

The writing community is close-knit.
Thanks to the Internet, a solitary writer can make friends from all over the world, friends you chat to daily, more often than friends you've had a lifetime.

Recently, the lovely Jessica Hart visited Melbourne on her way to the RWAus conference.
I 'know' Jessica, a fellow Harlequin Romance author, via the Net so when I heard she was coming, I couldn't wait to meet her.

We had a lovely brunch at Southbank: sadly my boys only lasted 90 minutes otherwise we could've happily chatted books all day.

It was really lovely to chat to a RITA winner and author of 55 books, and hear her thoughts on writing and books. Very inspiring.

(An interesting aside: I'm carrying an extra 14 kg at the moment, mainly due to lack of exercise: bone tumour in left foot last year, lymphodema in right leg this year. I weigh the same now as I did after giving birth to my last child a few years ago. I don't like it. And it's not until I see a photo of myself, like this one, that it hits home.
With my leg finally stabilising, I now vow to do something about this situation.
Watch this space because in 4 months, I want to post a much skinnier picture!)

Weekend Book Club: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

I picked this book up because the cover grabbed my attention
(yes, despite my previous stance that I couldn't care less what was on a cover, I go for author name or recommendations.)

Then the title captured my attention too. It sounded so intriguing...light and fun yet that 'dark side' added a new dimension.

And scanning the blurb, I was hooked: a mathlete on the verge of turning 18 discovers she's betrothed to Romanian vampire royalty. Intriguing stuff!

Here's what Publishers Weekly had to say:

A romance involving a high school girl and a handsome vampire may sound a little too familiar, yet this first novel quickly bursts ahead of the pack of Twilight-wannabes. Down-to-earth mathlete Jessica Packwood is completely horrified when, a few months shy of her 18th birthday, a Romanian named Lucius Vladescu shows up on her doorstep, claiming that he and she are vampire royalty betrothed to each other since infancy—what's worse, her adoptive parents verify the betrothal story and explain that her birth parents identified themselves as vampires, too. Fantaskey makes this premise work by playing up its absurdities without laughing at them, endowing Jessica with a coolly ironic sensibility and Lucius with old-world snobberies that Jessica's girlfriends find irresistible. Jessica's laidback parents serve as foils for imperious Lucius (Can I ever again be happy in our soaring Gothic castle after walking the halls of Woodrow Wilson High School, a literal ode to linoleum? he asks sarcastically); a scene at a steakhouse where the vegan Packwoods meet the carnivorous Vladescus is first-rate comedy. The romance sizzles, the plot develops ingeniously and suspensefully, and the satire sings.

I absolutely loved this story.
The humour is fabulous, the characters intriguing, Beth Fantaskey's voice is fresh and extremely readable and Lucius...ah, Lucius is one seriously hot vampire!

It's not often I pick up a book knowing absolutely nothing about the story or the author. After this experience, I'll be doing it more often.

What are you reading this week?

Mills & Boon goes modern

Mills and Boon have launched new covers across their series in the UK.

They're modern, snappy and eye catching.
Check them out here.

I never get tired of seeing my covers so couldn't wait for my first 'new' one.

Here it is!
WILD NIGHTS WITH HER WICKED BOSS is out in December in the UK.
What do you think?

Seeing as the book is set in Alaska, with a sexy scene in front of an open fire, the cover has got it right!

I just love the boldness of the new covers, the modern edge.

(If you're in the US, the covers will remain unchanged.)

Post revision haze

I'm always a little braindead for a few days after finishing revisions so this is all I could manage for today.

Any complaints?

Over to you

I haven't done a book giveaway in a while so let's do it!

I have several writing craft posts in mind for the next instalments of THE WRITE WHISPER, but what do you want to hear?

Anything you'd like me to discuss?

Here's your chance!

Weekend Book Club: Catching Fire

After devouring The Hunger Games last week, I sure was happy to have the sequel, CATCHING FIRE, on hand.

And yes, it was every bit as good as The Hunger Games.

Here's the blurb:

After winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns to her district, hoping for a peaceful future. But Katniss starts to hear rumours of a deadly rebellion against the Capitol. A rebellion that she and Peeta have helped to create.

As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. Unless Katniss and Peeta can convince the world that they are still lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying...

Loved the deeper characterisation in this book, as we get to know Katniss and Peeta more.

*SPOILER ALERT*
And while I was shocked they had to enter the arena again for another round of games, I found those pages flying by till the surprising end. More please!

MOCKINGJAY, the 3rd and final book in this amazing trilogy, is released in 3 days.
Watch the stampede!

What are you reading this week?

Special needs kids

This is a great cause so why not grab a cookbook today?

Look out for my spicy scrambled eggs recipe! Best comfort/snack/brunch food ever!

Cover models

Marriage: For Business or Pleasure? (THE ONE that hit the USA TODAY bestseller list) is out now in Germany.

Translated: AGAIN: WITH MUCH LOVE!

Pretty spot on considering it's a second time round romance.
And I like how they've got the heroine's hair colour right (on the US cover, Britt had blonde hair when she's definitely a red head.)

But is it just me or does the model on this cover look about 12?

My first

My very first novel, The Tycoon's Dating Deal, has been re-released in France as part of a 'Reader's Choice' anthology.

Seems like forever-ago that I stumbled across an article on speed dating in a magazine at work and the idea for my first book was sparked.

Thankfully, those ideas are still coming.
And hoping they'll come for many years yet!

Flexing my revision muscle

Revisions landed on Saturday morning for the book I recently completed, Learning the Ropes (Harlequin Modern Heat.)

Charli and Luca have plenty of sizzle at the start of the book but when they get it together, some of that fades out, so revisions consist of:

-maintaining & building on the emotional & sensual tension between Charli and Luca.

-digging deeper into their conflicts.

-reworking Luca's conflict/back story to make it 100% relevant

-lose the pregnancy

-build on the rock star angle of the plot

There you have it.
No prizes for guessing what I'll be busy doing over the next week or so...

Weekend Book Club: The Hunger Games

I'm always wary of hyped books.
You know the type, where everyone raves to the point you wonder 'Can it really be that good?'
It's why it took me so long to read the Twilight series and with The Hunger Games, I finally gave in to see what all the fuss was about.

Now I know.

Here's the blurb:

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone fighting against you?

Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives. In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death - televised for all of Panem to see.



Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love. WINNING WILL MAKE YOU FAMOUS. LOSING MEANS CERTAIN DEATH.

Everything about this book is intriguing: the world they live in, the rules, the lifestyle, the developing relationships.

As for the Hunger Games...wow, brutal!

Peeta is a hero you instantly fall in love with though I have to admit, it takes me a while to warm up to Katniss, a long while.
She truly seems to be a product of her world: cool, controlled with a hard external shell.

A real page-turner, make sure you have Catching Fire, the sequel, on hand for when you finish The Hunger Games. I sure do!
And look out for Mockingjay, the 3rd in the series, out this month.

Weekend Book Club: Beautiful Malice

I don't read newspapers or listen to the news, so I missed the hoopla surrounding Rebecca James' sale of Beautiful Malice, a YA novel that sparked an auction frenzy worldwide in many countries.

Then I read the blurb in a recent Borders catalogue and was intrigued.


So. Were you glad, deep down? Were you glad to be rid of her? Your perfect sister? Were you secretly glad when she was killed?

Following a horrific tragedy that leaves her once-perfect family devastated, Katherine Patterson moves to a new city, starts at a new school, and begins a new life of quiet anonymity. But when Katherine meets the gregarious and beautiful Alice Parrie her plan to live a solitary life becomes difficult. Katherine is unable resist the flattering attention that Alice pays her and is so charmed by her contagious enthusiasm that the two girls soon become firm friends. But being friends with Alice is complicated and as Katherine gets to know her better she discovers that although Alice can be charming, she can also be selfish. Sometimes, even, Alice is cruel. And when Katherine starts to wonder if Alice is really the kind of person she wants as a friend, she discovers something else - Alice doesnt like being cast off . . .

I love the fact this is set in Australia, though the setting doesn't play a huge part.

The characters on the other hand...wow, I read this in two days, for the sheer fact I was mesmerised by the relationships in the book.

While Katherine is 17 so technically this is YA, her voice is much older. In fact, the whole book had an older, women's fiction feel to it.

I enjoyed it and Alice makes you wonder about how much you put up with from so called 'friends'...

What are you reading this week?

Words of wisdom

Writers all have times when the going gets tough.

Life intrudes.
The story won't flow.
The ideas are scarce.
The rejections keep flowing in.

This week, Rachelle Gardner had a fabulous post titled 'Good to Great' and it really resonated with me.

What really hit home:

Just because it's hard work, it doesn't mean you're not good. Sometimes it's hardest for those who are the best.

Commitment, dedication, persevering, and working harder in the face of stiff competition - these are the traits of a winner.

Feel like you're working really hard? Good. Don't stop. Have a big setback? Only you can choose whether it will be the end of your dream, or a motivator to press ahead with renewed strength.

Are you weary? Time to decide whether you're passionate enough to keep pursuing your dream.

"Success is measured not in how many times you fall down, but by how many times you get back up."

Go read the full post here.

Prizes you really want to win

Remember I mentioned a contest last week, run by agency sister Julie Cross?

Well, here are the fantastic prizes up for grabs:

Hannah Moskowitz's Break

Lisa Desrocher's Personal Demons (ARC)

A query or first five pages critique from Fine Print Lit's intern, Gemma Cooper

A query or first five pages critique from Janet Reid's assistant, Meredith Barnes

A query or first five pages critique from agent Suzie Townsend

A query or first five pages critique from editor Brendan Deneen.

Entries will be accepted until midnight (central time) Sunday night August 8th. Six winners will be chosen. First place will get their choice of prizes, then second place will choose, and so on.

Go enter!

New Voices writing competition

Ever wanted to write for Harlequin Mills and Boon?
Here's your chance, with a brand-spanking new competition, NEW VOICES.

How the competition will work…

The competition will have its very own website - www.romanceisnotdead.com where the entries will be posted and readers can leave their feedback.

The competition will be divided up into four stages and will run from Monday 6th September. The winner will be announced on Monday 1st November.

1. Stage 1: The Free for All;
- All submitted entries will be read and judged by the Mills & Boon judging panel

2. Stage 2: The Shortlist
- A shortlist of 8-10 authors will be announced, and their first chapters posted on the website.
- All shortlisted entrants will be assigned a Mills & Boon author and editor as a ‘mentor’ as they polish their second chapters and for their remaining time in the competition.
- The public will vote for their favourite!

3. Stage 3: The Shorter-list
- The shortlist will be chopped down to 4 – the next stage to share a ‘pivotal moment’ fromtheir book.
- The public will vote for their favourite!

4. Stage 4: Winner!
- Judged by a panel – names TBC!
- The winner is announced!!

So what are you waiting for?

Start polishing your entry now!

Weekend Book Club: Meridian

My love affair with YA novels continues.

Because books like this fuel it.

Devoured MERIDIAN in just over a day. Loved it.

Here's the blurb:

My name is Meridian Sozu. I am a Fenestra. I have always shared my world with the dead and the dying. But I really didn't understand what that meant until I turned sixteen and glimpsed my own mortality. . .

Sixteen-year-old Meridian has always been surrounded by death. As a child, insects, mice, and salamanders burrowed into her bedclothes to die. As she grew, the animals got bigger, and soon they were finding her at school to die in her presence. Meridian became an outcast, labeled by her classmates as Reaper, Gravedigger, and Witch. Each death she witnesses weakens her body, and loneliness weakens her spirit.
On her sixteenth birthday, she witnesses a deadly car crash. Though she’s untouched, Meridian's body explodes with the victims’ pain.

Before she can fully recover, Meridian is told that she's a danger to her family and rushed to her great-aunt's house in Revelation, Colorado. It's there that she learns the secret her mother has been hiding her entire life: that she is a Fenestra, the half-angel, half-human link between the living and the dead. It's crucial that she learn how to transition human souls to the afterlife and preserve the balance between good and evil on earth. But Meridian and her sworn protector and love, Tens, face great danger from the Aternocti, a band of dark forces who capture vulnerable souls on the brink of death and cause chaos. Dark, lovely, and lushly romantic, MERIDIAN introduces a powerful heroine who will entrance readers.

The writing is evocative, the characters are wonderfully real and the supernatural stuff is eerily thought-provoking.

The pages couldn't turn quick enough but I was sad when it ended, a definite sign of a keeper!

Can't wait for the sequel!

What are you reading this weekend?

The importance of fans

How many of us take time out of our busy lives to contact the authors whose books we love?

I never used to do it until I started receiving fan mail of my own and realised how much it meant to me. So whenever a book blows me away, I contact that author and tell them. Some respond, some don't. But that's okay, I've let them know how much their book meant to me.

So for all you avid readers out there who think authors are too busy to hear from you or you don't want to bug us...think again.

The author whose book you just read and loved may be having a very bad week.
She may have had her 25th book rejected.
She may have massive revisions.
She may have had a lousy review.
She may have a tight deadline, sick kids, a house falling apart, whatever.

Your email can make her week.

So to the lovely Kerrin, who regularly comments here, I thank you for this:

If you aren't a Mills and Boon reader that's okay, I wasn't in the past. They are a fantastic quick read. Right to the story, good characters, great story line, all about passion and heart and conflict - well depending on the line you choose of course :)

I just love Nicola Marsh. Her stories are fun, fast paced and... well you just have to read them to know what it is! She has that something about her stories that, despite the small size of the book, they really pack a punch!

I am traditionally a single title lover - you know the 100,000+ word novel. But her books are fantastic and this one...man!

Starr and Callum are hot, sassy and so good together you root for them right from page one! Go and buy it, you won't regret it!!

Kerrin took the time to review OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED on her blog.
She made my day and brought a smile to this author's face!

When readers take the time to comment on our books, the author usually knows. Google Alert is a wonderful thing :)

So to all my fans out there, silent or otherwise, I thank you!

Comfort reading

I don't need much of an excuse to snuggle up with a book.
Whenever I'm not running around after the kids or writing or doing general life stuff, you can find me curled up on the coach or snuggled under the covers with a book.

This week, I've managed to get another sore throat/head cold bug, which makes me crave comfort even more, so I've read 3 books!

'HUSH, HUSH' by Becca Fitzpatrick, one of the big YA books of 2010.
'MERIDIAN' by Amber Kizer, which I saw in the Borders catalogue recently and liked the blurb.
'BEAUTIFUL MALICE' by Rebecca James, an Aussie author who hit the big time when this book went for huge auctions all around the world.

I'll review these over the next few weekends for the Weekend Book Club, but suffice to say I read Beautiful Malice in a day, Meridian in two. Devoured them.

Totally epic contest

One of my agency buddies, the lovely Julie Cross, is running a Totally Epic Summer Contest this week in conjunction with Roni Griffin.

Details are being revealed daily but from hints dropped, there are book giveaways, crits on offer, agent and editor interviews.

So go check it out!

Make your readers love you

Found a really interesting article on 'Make your readers love you: 5 lessons from Pixar.'

In short:

1) Be consistent and build trust.

2) Take the time to do things right.

3) Tell a story that connects.

4) Know yourself, your product and your team.

5) Now, make it your own.

To read explanations of the above points, check out the full article here.

Weekend Book Club: Bleeding Violet

Another riveting book sent to me by the fabulous Suzie Townsend.

Straight off, the blurb of Dia Reeves BLEEDING VIOLET intrigued me:

Love can be a dangerous thing….

Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna’s tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home.
But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she’s far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

It was so refreshing to have a YA heroine with mental health issues.

I got sucked into the story immediately with Hanna's unique voice and the pages keep turning from there.

As the book progresses, the weirdness factor increases.
To the point I was left wondering 'huh, what could possibly come up next?'

One of the reviewers for this book summed it up well. "It's about embracing your inner freak."

What are you reading this weekend?

YA for boys

There has been a lot of discussion recently during YAlitchat and kidlitchat on Twitter about there not being enough YA books for boys.

And a concern that boys leap from MG books straight to adult, and are missing out on YA.

Agency-sister Hannah Moskowitz has a great post on this topic today.

Go check it out.

Makes for interesting reading (and she says it so much better than I ever could!)

The truth about titles

Last week, 'anonymous' posted this comment in relation to my post on book covers.

Could you come up with more interesting titles for the books. Most of the time they are variations on the same 5 words.

I've been asked the title question many times and every time I do a library talk and divulge the truth about Mills and Boon titles, people are genuinely surprised.

Listen up, people.

I don't choose the titles of my books.

Yes, I have a working title (something that absolutely must encapsulate the book for me) but when I sell the book to M&B, they choose the title.

Why?

Because M&B have a very savvy marketing team, along with very smart editors, who know what sells.

'Hooks' sell: bride, baby, millionaire, billionaire, tycoon, wedding, bridesmaid, rancher, family...
These are just a few and yes, you'll see them recycled in different forms on different books because that's what sells.

And if my book sells well, I'm pleased, my editor is pleased, the company is pleased.

So now you know. :)

Besides, if you're anything like me, it's not about the title or the cover, it's the words on the pages that count.

End of the line

Hey, if you're in OZ or NZ, my current release (along with Mira Lyn Kelly's debut) are the last SEXY SENSATIONS ever!

That's right, as of next month, the UK Modern Heat series will be released as straight SEXY in OZ/NZ, so go grab your bit of history today :)

Writing style

This was a bit of fun!

I write like
Stephen King

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Weekend Book Club: Personal Demons

Thanks to the fabulous Book Fairy, an ARC of PERSONAL DEMONS arrived in the mail this week.

After hearing so much about this book on Twitter, I was dying to read it.

And read it I did, in 2 days! For a busy mum and writer, that's saying something.

Written by my lovely agency-sister Lisa Desrochers, here's the blurb:

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the king of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.
Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul. But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them.

I've read a lot of YA books over the last six months and this one is a real page turner.
It's fun, entertaining and the chemistry between Frannie and the two boys in her life sizzles!

I'm unashamedly Team Luc after reading the book, though Gabe has a place in my heart too.

The ending has a nice twist and leaves you hanging out for the next installment.

Look out for Personal Demons this September!

What are you reading this week?

What makes you buy a book?

When I buy books, I go for author name over covers.

I couldn't care less what's on the covers, it's what's between them that count.

It got me thinking though.

Here's my recent release, THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID, with several different covers.

Which one would make you pick up the book?

Which do you like best?

And do you buy a book based on cover? Author name? Reviews?

Short fiction contest

If you write short fiction, the 11th Annual Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition is now open to entries.

1500 words or less
Open to writers all around the world.
Closing date: Dec 1st

And check out the prizes!

Full details here.

Weekend Book Club: The Darkest Kiss

I'm ashamed to say, this is the first Gena Showalter book I've read.

I know, I know, but I read a lot and widely across genres, so that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

I grabbed this book on a quick mission to a new bookstore, with toddler grumbling for food, so I added it to a pile of 9 books in my arms and ran for the checkout.

Only later did I discover it's actually book 2 in the Lord of the Underworld series. But I didn't want to wait to read book 1 so I dove straight in.

And loved it.

Here's the blurb:

She has tempted many men… but never found her equal.
Until now.
Though she has lived for centuries, Anya, goddess of anarchy, has never known pleasure. Until Lucien, the incarnation of death—a warrior eternally doomed to take souls to the hereafter. He draws her like no other. And Anya will risk anything to have him.
But when the merciless Lord of the Underworld is ordered by the gods to claim Anya herself, their uncontrollable attraction becomes an anguished pursuit. Now they must defeat the unconquerable forces that control them, before their thirst for one another demands a sacrifice of love beyond imagining.…

Anya, the goddess of anarchy, more than lives up to her name and Lucien, the incarnation of death, is a wonderfully scarred hero, both physically and emotionally.

And the sparks they create...phew! This is one SEXY read.

There are loads of secondary characters whose stories we get snippets of throughout this book, so loads more Lords of the Underworld books to come!

In fact, there are 12 books in the series. You can see them all here.

THE WRITE WHISPER: The question you must answer

We've all heard the terms 'premise' and 'theme' bandied around.

And if you're anything like me, having to label my story kinda freaks me out.

If I had to do it, I'd say many of my contemporary romances have been stories of second chances.

But there's something more important than figuring out theme while you're actually writing. Answering the all important STORY QUESTION.

So what is a story question?
It's the question that drives a reader to finish the book or watch a movie.

eg. Will Bella and Edward overcome all obstacles to be together?
Will Woody and Buzz save their toy mates and get played with in safety?

Interestingly, the answer to the question isn't often in doubt.

We know Bella and Edward will overcome all obstacles to live HEA.
We know Woody and Buzz will look after their mates and save the day in the process.

But what's important is getting your reader to care about the story question.
And to do this, we need to get our readers to care about our characters.

Both Bella and Edward are fish out of water characters. They don't belong. They're outcasts/strange in their respective worlds. And Edward is 'out' of this world. But Bella's desire for the vampire is strong. She'll let nothing stand in their way of being together and a powerful desire makes a character more compelling.

Along with getting your reader to care about your characters, your reader should be in doubt how your story question will be resolved. (Even though the ultimate outcome is rarely in doubt.)

eg. Though we strongly suspect Bella and Edward will end up together, they face enormous obstacles in getting there. Jacob, the Volturi, Victoria, their families, the list goes on.

So want to write a great story?

-Create a compelling story question.

-Create a character reader's will root for

-And a reason why they'll support that character through to the end.

-Create obstacles, make it look like that character can't obtain what they want.

-Try to answer your story question in an unexpected way.

Happy writing!

Dirty dancing

Here's another snapshot of Callum and Starr in OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED:

“Let’s dance.”
Just one quick spin around the floor. She couldn’t stand much more of the tension, nor the constant nagging inner voice that continually whispered ‘you’re in too deep’.
He stopped dead, his serious expression belied by the naughty gleam in his eyes.
“I lied to you.”
“About?”
He bumped her gently with his hip, pointed to his shoes. “I don’t have two left feet.”
“Proof of the pudding and all that.”
“I was junior state ballroom dancing champion for two years straight in high school.”
“You can dance?”
His self-effacing smile merely added to his charm. “Don’t sound so surprised. Do I look like a clumsy oaf to you?”
What he looked like was the ultimate dreamboat, every girl’s fantasy come to life.
“Now you’re just fishing for compliments.”
Tossing her hair, she took his outstretched hand. Could he be any more perfect? Next he’d be saying he adored sushi and funky jewellery and long, decadent baths.
With a toe-curling smile, he said, “Is it working?”
“I have a feeling you know exactly how good you are.”
“Hey, a guy can never have too much reassurance.”
“Come on, Mr. Ballroom Champ, let’s see what you’re made of.”
Tugging on her hand until she was plastered against his chest, he said, “I’m up for the challenge if you are.”
“I’m up for anything.”
She pinned him with a sultry stare, leaving in little doubt to what she meant.
Brushing the barest of kisses against her lips, he murmured, “Then let’s make this dance quick and get out of here.”
Finally, finally, they were on the same page. Trouble was she knew what the next chapter held but what about the one after that? And would this page-turner have a happy ending?
As the sexy soulful music filtered through the club, Callum held her tight, his feet never faulting as he guided her through a perfect rumba.
She should’ve been in her element, oblivious to everything but the music taking her to the special place it always did but with Callum’s arms around her, his body deliciously close, all she could focus on was him. Only him.
As the music changed he released her, tipped up her chin.
“Care to rate my performance?”
“On a scale of one to ten?”
“Sure.”
Trailing a fingertip down his cheek, she said, “Nine point five.”
“What did I lose the half point for?”
“Doing the dance upright.”
His eyes widened, darkened, at the innuendo and before she could lose the advantage along with her bravado, she grabbed his hand and made a break for the door.

Latest OZ/NZ release

I've been so laid back since I got back from my week away, I forgot I have another release in Australia/NZ this month!

OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED is out now.

Here's what a lovely reader on Amazon had to say:

To me this is one of the best HQ books I ever read, truly different from the regular themes and plots.

Very refreshing, extremely witty, deep, and it really touched my very romantic soul :) Highly reccomended!

If you aren't in OZ/NZ and still want to grab a copy, order here from the Book Depository for free worldwide postage!

Adult fiction contest-Twitter style!

If you're not following the QUERY TRACKER blog, you should be.

Loads of great publishing information and now, they're running a great contest in conjunction with my fabulous agent, Suzie Townsend.

The genres to be judged are:

Adult Science Fiction
Adult Fantasy
Adult Urban Fantasy
All subgenres of Adult Romance
Adult Thriller

For more information, visit here.

The Brazilian

TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE'S BED is going Brazilian this month.

Can you believe we're already into July?
Half the year gone?
Have you achieved your goals? Set new ones in the lead up to 2011?

I'm not a goal setter as such. I just sit down at my keyboard and get the job done.
Which is kind of nice when I look back over a year and realise how much I've written.

While I've just started writing my next Modern Heat and another YA, I have a major idea bubbling away in the back of my brain.

Time to grab a pen and paper and brainstorm, methinks...

Weekend Book Club: Untameable Rogue

While I write category romance, I don't read a lot of it these days.
I'd love to, but just don't have the time. When I do, some of my favourite category authors are Liz Fielding, Ally Blake, Trish Wylie, Natasha Oakley and Sarah Mayberry.

Kelly Hunter is another.
With good reason.

She has a unique voice which leaps off the page, her Asian settings are evocative and her heroes are the most gorgeous men on the planet!

She's currently nominated for a RITA (and was nominated 2 years ago).
If she doesn't win this year, she'll win next year, with Untameable Rogue.

Without a doubt, it is my absolute favourite Kelly Hunter novel.

The sparks between CEO Madeline Delacourte and disarmament specialist Luke Bennett burn up the pages. Their chemistry sizzles in a big way!
(I've been to Singapore several times, wish I'd met a Luke there!)

And the secondary characters made me smile.

This is the first category romance I've reviewed here, with reason. It's a stand out.

If you've never read a category romance, do yourself a favour and pick up this one.
You won't regret it.

What are you reading this week?

Strolling and scones

Last stop on the roadtrip was Echuca, a gorgeous old town nestled on the banks of the Murray River.

Highlights:

-catching up with my parents, who came up for the weekend and stayed in our apartment. (and brought copious amounts of delicious food so I didn't have to cook!)

-strolling through the Moama Market on Sunday morning and discovering a wooden toy kidlet had but toddler didn't (because it was purchased at Eumundi market in QLD years ago) and buying it.

-tasting and buying too much at the Echuca Chocolate Company. All handmade, all delicious!


-discovering the BEST SCONES EVER at WistariA. Melt in your mouth, light, fluffy, we visited several times, holed away in their cosy private rooms with open fires. And the lattes were fab too!

(Hmm...there seems to be a recurring pattern on this roadtrip...too much food!)

Dragons and downpours

Second stop on our roadtrip: the delightful town of Bendigo.

Once again, the actual size of the town surprised me. I'd visited over 10 years ago and remember it being a lot smaller.
Not anymore.
Loads of intriguing stuff to do and see.

Highlights:

-visiting the Golden Dragon Museum, steeped in Chinese culture, and snaffling some printed material that has spurned a book series niggling in the back of my mind...

-antique tram ride around the town for kidlet and hubby while toddler and I cuddled up on the couch and read books

-descending 61 metres underground into an old mine and kidlet being far braver than I thought

-walking through the Chinese gardens while rain dripped off the pagodas around us

-brunch in a cafe on the shores of a lake while the rain bucketed down

-discovering the best restaurant on Bath St on our last morning that served a delicious vegan brekkie (and I'm not even vegetarian!)

-watching the drama unfold as Australia's first woman Prime Minister rose to power (not my highlight, my hubby's, who is glued to current affairs while I prefer to bury my nose in a good book.)

The great Victorian roadtrip

We had a ball on our week away, exploring a few old Victorian towns.

First stop: Ballarat, Victoria's 3rd largest city/town.

Highlights:

-visiting Sovereign Hill for the first time. While the kids loved panning for gold and going underground, I'm addicted to their aniseed drops made on site.

-running wild through the Botanical Gardens and being the only ones there.
-discovering the best wooden toy park ever on the shores of Lake Wendouree.
-ogling the gold discoveries at the Gold Museum
-dinner with my oldest uni buddy, who made the most sublime lemon tart ON THE PLANET!
-brunches at an old pub: the brekkie pizza with egg, bacon, tomato, onion, hash browns and sweet chilli was the best!

Did you miss me?

I'm back from my research roadtrip later on today.

Did you miss me?

This is the hero inspiration which spurred me on this road trip in the first place.
He strutted into my mind, fully formed, along with the heroine, a first scene and another scene involving him half naked.
Yes folks, after a blissful month off, the first time I've ever taken more than a week off from writing, it's back to my PC to launch my next story.
*warming up fingers*

Weekend Book Club: Badlands

While I've been hooked on YA novels, I've ignored my passion for thrillers.

So when my YA shelf ran dry last week, I picked up this off my TBR pile.

I first read Richard Montanari last year, when I bought a copy of The Skin Gods and absolutely loved it so was looking forward to reading Badlands.

I love a good thriller and while this book was good (well researched, well plotted, well themed) the villain didn't have quite the same 'creep' factor as his earlier book.

The author did too good a job of making me sympathise with the villain because of his upbringing and I ended up feeling sorry for him while being a tad repulsed.

Doesn't stop me from wanting to read more Richard Montanari.

What are you reading this week?

Bon chance

I love discovering my books translated into different languages and this one is especially gratifying because it's a reprint of book previously released in France!

THE WEDDING CONTRACT, my 2nd book (and highest earner by far) has already been released in France several years ago and is now making another appearance this month in an anthology with Sarah Morgan and Lee Wilkinson.

Interestingtly, lawyer Steve Rockwell has been my most alpha hero and theme park operator/aromatherapist Amber his opposite in every way, yet this marriage of convenience story has resonated with readers around the world.

I think some books just 'click' with readers and this book is one of them.

Bon chance for moi!

Guest author: Mira Lyn Kelly

It's with great pleasure I introduce you to a new Harlequin Modern Heat/Presents Extra author, Mira Lyn Kelly.

Mira is my shelf buddy in the US this month with her first book so I thought I better grill her.

1)Tell us about your first book and what inspired you to write it.

WILD FLING OR A WEDDING RING? is the story of an almost-one-night-stand that just won’t go away. The setup for this book came to me while I was playing around with a conflict that many women face...The choice between following their hearts and following their heads. Doing the smart thing, or doing the thing that feels good...and just hoping it doesn't turn out to be the worst mistake of their lives. Cali has made the wrong choice once already, and she's spent years trying to make up for that mistake. But then she meets Jake, and once again she's faced with that same choice...
From the back cover:
On her first night in Chicago, Cali McGovern meets seriously sexy surgeon Jake Tyler. Since she's still sore after her last relationship, her head's yelling Run—but her body's screaming for his touch…. For the first time ever, her head gets overruled!
Jake isn't looking for a wife—been there, done that. But his hot new neighbor is in town just long enough for a wild fling…perfect! Yet when the time's up, he can't say goodbye. Is that just because of their sizzling chemistry—or something a whole lot scarier?

2) How do you juggle home life with career? Do you have a writing schedule?

With four children between the ages 8 and 5, it can definitely be tough. But I do my best to work around the kids schedule. This past year, the youngest of my brood hit pre-school, which gives me a couple hours each day of time to write when they're out of the house. In addition to that I often get up early and also write for an hour and a half after they go to bed. It still gives me time with everyone in the middle of the day, and then an hour or so to relax with my husband once I shut down the computer for the night. That said, when it's deadline time, everything changes radically!

3)You’ve visited Australia for the first time and are stranded in the outback - what books are a must have?

Ooh, well in addition to entire Nicola Marsh entire backlist *grins*...Anything by Suzanne Brockmann. She's my all time favorite addictive author and I currently have the shakes waiting for her next book to come out. Also, I love Stephenie Meyer, Charlaine Harris, Lara Adrian, and Tessa Dare.

4) What’s up next?

My second book, TABLOID AFFAIR, SECRETLY PREGNANT! is a "friends-to-lovers" story scheduled for Nov 2010 release in the UK. I’m currently at work on my third book, (working title: Mergers & Reacquisitions) a "Reunited Lovers" story that I’m hoping to have turned in this month.

Mira Lyn Kelly grew up in the Chicago area and earned her degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University. She met the love of her life while studying abroad in Rome, Italy, only to discover he’d been living right around the corner from her for the previous two years. Having spent her twenties working and playing in the Windy City, she’s now settled with her husband in rural Minnesota where their four beautiful children provide an excess of action, adventure, and entertainment. With writing as her passion and inspiration striking at the darnedest times, Mira can always be found with a notebook at the ready. (More than once she’s been caught by the neighbors, covered in grass clippings, scribbling away atop the compost container!) When she isn’t reading, writing, or running to keep up with the kids, she loves watching movies, blabbing with the girls, and cooking with her husband and friends.

Mira is giving away a signed copy of her current release, WILD FLING OR A WEDDING RING? to one lucky commenter.

Thanks for dropping by, Mira.

(and for taking my backlist with you when you're next stranded in the outback!!!)

I'm away all this week (my first break in 5 years!) but never fear, I've pre-loaded posts for your enjoyment :)

Weekend Book Club: Prom Dates from Hell

I read this on a recommendation from a friend and PROM DATES FROM HELL didn't disappoint.

The author's voice sparkles on every page and I really enjoyed the normality of high school tribulations mixed with a healthy dose of mystery.

Here's the blurb:

Maggie Quinn knew high school was hell, but even she thinks the smell of brimstone is a little out of the ordinary. When she’s the only one to see that something supernatural is stalking the school’s ruling clique, it’s up to Maggie to channel her inner Nancy Drew and ferret out the origin of the ancient evil, before all Hell breaks loose at the Senior Prom.

There are several follow up novels to this one and I'll be looking them up.

I love a novel that can make me smile.

What are you reading this weekend?

The closest I'll get

My hubby always says he wants me to be the next Nora Roberts.

Looks like this is the closest I'll get.

Must say, I was pretty chuffed when Barbara Hannay let me know last week we were in a Swedish anthology with Nora Roberts.

I also chuckled when Barbara pointed out we'd need a magnifying glass to spot our names :)

But they're there. Alongside Nora.
Hubby, eat your heart out!

Release month giveaways

Today I'm guest blogging over at Jennifer Shirk's.

Come visit for a chance to win a signed copy of my current release, THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID...

Weekend Book Club: Matched

Thanks to the Book Fairy delivering another lovely package to my door last week, I got to read an ARC of one of BEA's hot YA titles: MATCHED by Ally Condie.

To be released 30th November this year, this is one intriguing book.

Here's the blurb:

In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion.

Dystopia is hot in YA at the moment and this is the first dystopian novel I've read (apart from George Orwell's 1984 in high school, yonks ago!)

(Dystopia: an imaginary place (usually the future of our world) where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives; where everything is as bad as it possibly can be.) Yes, I had to look it up when I first heard the term bandied around!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, particularly the skilful way in which the author weaves snippets of the dystopian world throughout. Nothing is overt, the subtlety adding to the nuances threaded through the story.

The developing relationships between Cassia and Xander/Ky keep the reader turning pages to discover what happens next.

And I dare anyone to reach the end and not wonder 'what happens next?'

What are you reading this week?

Snapshot

Here's a snippet of Bryce in THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID...

Bryce was in his element.
Great party, great food, interesting people, sparkling conversation; and a stunning woman by his side.
Eve chose that moment to enter the room and his gaze zeroed in on her, his gut instantly tightening with longing as he watched her sashay between tables towards him.
She was something else.
He’d dated models and soapie starlets exclusively following the bust-up with Jackie but none of them held a candle to this beautiful woman.
It was so much more than her appearance. Her quiet confidence, her subtle class, combined with a killer brain had him wanting to get to know his faux date a lot better.
Reaching his side, her glossed lips curved in a tentative smile, a smile that tugged on his heartstrings, a smile that insisted he sweep her into his arms and show her exactly how gorgeous she was with a kiss to end all kisses.
But it wasn’t the time or place. Or was it?
She wanted to convince her friends they were dating, what better way than to…
“Whatever you’re thinking, get it out of your mind right now,” she said, the flare of heat in her eyes making a mockery of her words.
“Where’s the fun in that?”
He whipped out her chair, placing a hand in the small of her back to guide her down, not surprised by the slight stiffening.
Eve may have made it clear she didn’t want anything from this dating deal beyond what they’d agreed but her body didn’t lie and right now it was begging him to put their platonic agreement to the test.
“The girls are very impressed.”
“With me?”
“No, with my new Blackberry.” She rolled her eyes as he laughed. “What do you think?”
“I think I’m going to have a lot of fun convincing your friends we’re a couple.”
“You’ve already done a good job so far.”
“Bet I can do better.”
He ran a finger down her bare arm, lingering in the hollow at her elbow, savouring her sharp intake of breath as he continued downward to caress her pulse point, the frantic beating a clear indication he was having the same affect on her as she was on him.
“I think you’ve done enough.”
Her voice sounded shaky but she didn’t move away and emboldened by her nearness, her intoxicating vanilla fragrance so reminiscent of the delicious dessert she’d concocted the other night and the heat simmering between them, he slid an arm around her waist and pulled her flush against him.
“Not nearly enough,” he murmured as his gaze locked on hers, daring her to stop him, hoping like hell she wouldn’t.
“This isn’t part of the deal—”
He kissed her, driven by an all-consuming need to discover how she responded to him as a man, how she felt in his arms, how she tasted.
He’d aimed for a gentle testing kiss, an affectionate kiss between a couple just getting to know each other. However, when she angled her head ever so slightly and parted her lips on a small, satisfied sigh, he lost it.
Completely.

(And for the Dan McPherson fans out there, Dancing with the Stars is back on soon!)

Borders bestseller!

I'm thrilled that one of my current releases, OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED, has hit the Waldenbooks (Borders group) Top 10 bestseller list this week!

Woo hoo!

Laws of attraction

Because I'm still thinking about the SATC2 movie...I was always an Aiden fan.
Big was too arrogant, a real player and what he did to her in the first movie...grrrr, more of the same IMHO.

I loved what the writers did by bringing Aiden back in SATC2 and the dilemma/confusion Carrie faced.

This is one of the moral questions my friends and I discussed after the movie.

What would a married woman falling into a rut with a husband who'd rather watch TV than go out do when confronted with a very sexy ex lavishing attention and flirting with her?

I won't tell you what our answers were!!

Feel-good fun

Yesterday, I went to see Sex and the City 2 with good friends.

Like kids, we'd been looking forward to it for weeks.
And after much logistical planning with child minding and working around times for school pick up, we finally chose the date and time.

For someone who doesn't get to the movies any more (and who's worked like a maniac the last few months) I was craving some serious down time and SATC2 didn't disappoint.

I loved it!

Every sparkly-shoe, fashionista, international-glamour minute of it!

My friends and I laughed out loud throughout and had a lovely Thai lunch afterwards where we discussed the moral questions raised and asked each other 'what would you do?'

For a late-comer to SATC I'm such an addict now. And really, really hoping they'll make another movie.

As for my yearning to visit NYC? Only intensifies with every snippet I see.
One day soon, hopefully!

*Snort*

PURCHASED FOR PLEASURE is out in Holland this month and according to my webmistress, the resourceful Paula Roe, the title translates to PURCHASED WHOPPER.

Considering the magazine senior exec 'buys' the Navy SEAL at a charity auction...ahem...

Fries with that?

Weekend Book Club: Valiant

I consistently hear Holly Black's name mentioned so bought Valiant last week when I saw it at a book shop.

The 'fairy' mention on the cover hooked me.
After reading Melissa Marr's 'Wicked Lovely', I'm intrigued by fairy books, something I wouldn't normally pick up.

And Valiant has hooked me further.

17 year old Val runs away to NYC to escape a double-edged betrayal and ends up living with a gang of squatters in the city's subway.

What happens next is intriguing and gritty.
And who would've thought trolls could be boyfriend material?

I'm looking forward to reading more from Holly Black.

THE WRITE WHISPER: Methodology

Writing processes intrigue me.

How writers write.

Do they plot? Fly by the seat of their pants? Write to music? Write in silence? Have some magical trick to make words pour out?

If a writer's most commonly asked question is 'where do you get your ideas from?', a close second would be 'how do you write your books?'

Or more technically, 'how do you plot?'

When I first started writing, I was a plotter.

I played around with character charts, answering questions on my hero and heroine, filling in an art sheet with a basic story outline. It helped me, knowing where I was heading with a story.

Then somewhere along the line I changed.

Completely.

These days, I'm a pantser.

Don't get me wrong, I still need to do a little pre-writing plotting. I need to know my characters but I focus more on their motivations and what drives them rather than knowing their hobbies and family.

I need to know they'll be in conflict and how, not their favourite car or their star sign.

So I jot down a page or two of motivations and conflict. And off I go. Flying by the seat of my pants. And the ride's exhilirating each and every time!

That said, I'm still intrigued by plotting.

And if I get stuck in the sagging middle or need clarification, I always resort to trusty pen and paper to roughly plot the rest of the story=one sentence to describe what needs to happen in each chapter to the end of the book.

There's something comforting in having those sentences, like signposts guiding me to the end. And it makes me write quicker too.

So back to the methodology of writing.

I've read resource books on plotting, have enjoyed them, but they scare me.

Similarly the index card method and breaking your story into acts with climax points and turning points. Fascinating but scary!

I like the uncertainty of not knowing where my characters will lead me.

I like giving them free rein.

But I swear my inner plotter is tempted by all that structured lining up color coded cards on a wall...

So what works best for you?

Three Times a Bridesmaid...

If you're in Australia/NZ, THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID... is on shelves now!

Set in my fabulous home city Melbourne, you'll read about familiar sights like Chapel Street, the Melbourne Aquarium, Albert Park Lake and the CBD.
Fun!