Seduction in the City

As promised, here's my cover for OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED.

Love the 'Seduction in the City' tag!

I also have UK & USA covers for my other May release, THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID...

It's gorgeous! Really romantic!

Once I crop it I'll post here.

Thank you, cover fairies, for being so nice to me yet again :)

Resuming normal transmission

Phew!

I don't know about all of you but I'm exhausted after the fortnight of hotties. Well, maybe my eyes are exhausted...all that eye candy, a girl doesn't know where to look first!

A huge thanks to all the lovely authors who came to play here and shared their favourite hot heroes with us. For the writers among us, lots of food for thought and future heroes to come.

While we've all been drooling, here's my fortnight in recap:

MARRIAGE: FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE? hits the USA TODAY bestseller list and makes me a USA TODAY bestselling author (yep, I'm going to keep screaming this for a long time!)

It also hit the Bookscan bestseller list, debuting at 67, hitting 62 last week.

I wrote a grand total of 17500 words on current Mod Heat due next week & 40 pages on something else I'm working on

Had an emergency dash to clinic for ultrasound for a deep vein thrombosis, followed by another dash to doc the next day to clear another nasty.

Toddler's head connected with pavement, now sporting massive egg.

Lovely Valentine's Day BBQ with old uni friends down near the beach, with 9 kids running riot.

There, now we're all caught up on the news, time to announce the winner of Kelly's fabulous books...

Peggy, congrats! Please email me your details.

New release on shelves now!

My Romantic Times Top Pick, MARRIAGE: FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE? is out now in North America and Australia/New Zealand.

"This lovers-reunited tale is awash in passion, sensuality and plenty of sparks. The terrific characters immediately capture your attention, and from there, the pages go flying by."

Now don't you just want to run out and grab a copy right now!

First guest author tomorrow? Kate Hardy

Book 23 sold!

Heard from my lovely editor yesterday.

I nailed the last book!

Book 23 is sold! Yay!

Always a relief when a book goes through. Title is DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX! for the new Harlequin Romance Rom Com miniseries, 'The Fun Factor.'

Release date: September in the UK and USA.

Remember this one features ex-lovers stranded on a desert island for a reality TV show/documentary?

Well, the chapter headings have 'Stranded' survival tips, and both Jared and Kristi blog and Twitter regularly, which made my editor laugh out loud.

A good thing with a rom com, huh?



Now the details are over, you can all drool over the inspiration for Jared, the one and only Nathan Fillion.

Fancy a bargain?

eHarlequin is having a clearance sale at the moment, with loads of fabulous books 40% off!


You can pick up my TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE'S BED and other fab titles by Marion Lennox, Sherryl Woods, Gena Showalter, Trish Wylie, Barbara Hannay, Fiona Harper, Anne McAllister and many more.

If you're anything like me, your To Be Read pile is always staggering, but we never stop adding to it, right?

(And happy Australia Day to all my mates out there!)

Want to win a mentor?

If you're a writer, here's a fabulous chance to win a mentor for a year.

The lovely Donna Alward , a fellow Harlequin Romance author, is holding a pitch contest over at eharlequin where you can win her as your mentor for a year!
How good is that?

Pop over here for details.

Weekend rituals

I run around all week and work like a trojan, so I love my weekends.

Yes, I still write most weekends, especially with non stop deadlines, but I always, always take time out.

My weekend ritual involves brunch on Sunday, either at my favourite cafe or trying a new one, spending all day doing family stuff with the kids, and curling up on a Sunday night with a book and reading for at least an hour or two.

Absolutely adore the weekends!

So what's your weekend ritual?

Call me

I have succumbed to peer pressure.

Am the proud owner of an iPhone.

All looks very glam and fabulous...now if only I could get the thing to work properly...

See my stagnant word count? Blame this!
Trying to figure out all the ins and outs is a real time suck.

No prizes for guessing what I'll be doing over the weekend...making up lost word count!

eHarlequin bestseller

Woo-hoo!

MARRIAGE: FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE? hit the Top 10 Bestseller list on eharlequin yesterday.

Nice :)

In other snippets, here's an interview I did recently, some answers appearing on 9MSN.Money today. "Love is in the Air: Can you make money as a romance novelist?"

(Note: I do not write 8 books a year across 3 Harlequin series. Not sure where that came from...)

THE WRITE WHISPER: Dream journal

In my last WRITE WHISPER post, I discussed the hypnologic state, and how I solve plot problems/have inspiration during this time.

So as a follow on, let's discuss dream journals.

Personally, I've never had a dream which has resulted in a book, though I've heard some authors have.

For me, it's that pre-dream state which is a cauldron of bubbling ideas.

Our subconcious never sleeps so why not tap into it?

The art of keeping a dream journal is simple.

Keep a notebook and pen by the bed.

The instant you wake (whether it be morning or middle of the night), don't move. Stay still and relaxed, try to remember your dreams or anything else you can think of.

Initially you may only get vague details. A rose. The colour purple. Kids running.

Or perhaps a pervading feeling will come through...fear, happiness...

Whatever you barely remember, write it down.

Start to court your dreams. The more committed you are, the more vivid your dreams may become.

A trick I use often is to ponder a plot question just before falling asleep.

Hopefully, the answer will appear.

Trying new ways to harness our creative energy is fun. Why not give it a try?

Sailboard romance

TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE'S BED is out in Germany today!


I love the cover! And I'm assuming I don't need a translator to figure out it says 'Love on Board'?
(Quick plug for my Mod Heat buddy Natalie Anderson, who's giving away books at her blog!)

Nice and solid

There's something about hardback books...

I love the solidity of them, that they'll stay on your bookshelf forever and stand the test of time.

My Harlequin Romance novels always arrive in hardbacks first and I love them.

So if you're a fan of hardback, here's your chance to grab some!

This month sees my Harlequin Presents THE BOSS'S BEDROOM AGENDA released in hardback (with TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE'S BED out next month.)

(Quick announcement! If you're in Sydney and love a booksigning, NYT bestselling author Nalini Singh is visiting Galaxy Books on Jan 14th. Details here.)

A fab review to start the New Year

On the heels of my Romantic Times Top Pick for MARRIAGE: FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE? comes another lovely review, this time from Susan Barton (a first time reviewer for my books) at ROMANCE READER AT HEART.

Marsh is a master at expressing emotions...

Marsh beautifully decorates her idyllic beach resort setting with fantasy rooms in Nick's hotel...

The brutal realities of Brit's emotional and physical abuse by her father are offset by the tender re-awakening of love and desire between Nick and Brittany. So many emotional landscapes are covered in this way too short story. I would love a longer version exploring more of Noosa, Nick, and Brittany.

Though MARRIAGE: FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE? is a fairly quick read, it really packs an emotional punch and my tears came often as I experienced Nick and Brittany's passion and pain.

Lovely.

And if that wasn't exciting enough, this book hits Aussie/NZ shores in Feb, but is currently NUMBER ONE on this month's Top 10 Books on the Mills and Boon OZ site.

Double yay!

Age old tale

I now understand the hype behind Twilight.

I've read the book, watched the movie, and enjoyed both a lot more than I expected to.

I'd heard so many reviews, most of them not good, that I suppose I'd lowered my expectations so was pleasantly surprised.

For me, it's not about the writing.
Not about the plot.
Not about the paranormal stuff that I don't usually read.

The catch for me is the age old love story between star-crossed lovers.

Whatever happens in the plot, I want to keep reading to follow the relationship between Bella and Edward. I'm hooked on their romance. Simple as that.

And yes, I went out and bought New Moon the day after finishing Twilight. It has moved to top of my towering TBR pile.

Romantic Times Top Pick!

I've received a lovely early Christmas present!

My current release in the UK, MARRIAGE: FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE?, out in the States in Feb, has received 4 and a half stars and Top Pick from Romantic Times!

Here's what they had to say:
It's been 10 years since Brittany Lloyd left New Zealand after bad boy Nick Mancini refused to go with her. Now she's on the cusp of a major career breakthrough but needs his help. She's in for a surprise -- he's now the multimillionaire owner of an international hotel chain. While the attraction is still there, so are the memories of how things ended. Nick says he'll help her if she'll help him -- by marrying him so his business associates will take him seriously. But how long will the marriage stay in name only?

This lovers-reunited tale is awash in passion, sensuality and plenty of sparks. The terrific characters immediately capture your attention, and from there, the pages go flying by.

Hot on the heels of A TRIP WITH THE TYCOON scoring an award nomination for Best Harlequin Romance, I love the fab folks at RT!

(An aside on the review...the book is set in Noosa, Australia, a fave holiday spot of mine.)

Manga magic

Much excitement when I brought in the post yesterday...I received a Manga copy of THE DESERT PRINCE'S PROPOSAL.

I was so enthused, I scoured it several times cover to cover, and ended up accidentally leaving the book at my folks, hence I can't scan it for you.

I get super excited by manga editions of my books, for the simple fact I can follow every scene through pictures! It doesn't matter that I can't read Japanese, the book is laid out beautifully.
I particularly love finding key scenes and how they are portrayed.

I think this is my 4th Manga translation, yet the only copy I've had to date is this one, for THE WEDDING CONTRACT.

I was never a cartoon fan as a kid but discovering my books laid out in picture form makes me a convert!

RT Award nomination!

I'm thrilled to announce A TRIP WITH THE TYCOON is a Best Harlequin Romance 2009 finalist in the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Awards.

You all know how much I adore this book, it is a favourite, so to be nominated for this award (my first RT nomination!) I'm absolutely thrilled!

Fellow Romance finalists are Fiona Harper (Invitation to the Boss's Ball was released in the UK in the same book as my Tycoon, so if you want to read 2 finalists for the price for one, go grab it via the BookDepository, free delivery worldwide!)

Jessica Hart

Myrna Mackenzie

Melissa McClone

Fellow fab Mod Heat authors Kate Hardy (who delivered the exciting news to me!) and Trish Wylie are finalists for Best Presents.

Smiles all round!

Special release!

This month, my May 09 release, THE BILLIONAIRE'S BABY, is available in a special pack, alongside my buddy Fiona Lowe, and Aussie icons Margaret Way and Meredith Webber.

RRP is $30, but you can buy it here for AU$22.40. Bargain!

Would make a great Chrissie present!

THE WRITE WHISPER: Dreaming

I've mentioned on several occasions that I get many of my ideas/titles/first lines/characters in that half drowsy/half awake state just before dropping off to sleep.

In fact, if I need to ponder a plot point or a conflict that isn't quite working, I'll take to bed, close my eyes and let my mind wander.

It's a great technique and often works. (Drifting off to nap is a bonus!)

Imagine my surprise when I recently discovered there's a technical term for this.

There is a naturally occurring sleep state called the HYPNOLOGIC STATE.

As I've already described, it is the phase of sleep right before you drift off and right before you wake up, and is a state of altered consciousness.

Apparently it's a highly fertile time for creative people!

The trick is to utilise this phase.

Ask yourself a question before you lie down. eg. What is the main obstacle keeping my characters apart?

Close your eyes.

Let your mind drift...doze...

But you must remember what happens in this state.

I've heard a recommendation to hold one arm up in the air, as the tension required to hold the arm up will keep you on the verge of that sleep/awake state, and as the ideas/concepts/connections come, you immediately write them down.

For me, I close my eyes, let the ideas flow, and jot them as soon as they arrive.

It's a tried and trusty plotting method for me.

Writers out there, have you tried it?

Does it work for you?

THE WRITE WHISPER: Sprinting

You know about me and exercise...so no, I'm not talking about sprints of the running variety.

Lately, I've been seeing the term sprinting springing up everywhere in relation to writing.

I happened to be on Twitter 2 weeks ago on a Friday night, about to start writing, when I noticed RWAus and a few Aussie authors were doing a 15 minute sprint.

Basically, it involves writing as fast as you can in that time frame, non stop.

Similar to pacing yourself against an egg timer, I'd say, which I heard recommended by Stephanie Bond once.

The interesting thing is, I've been doing natural sprints for the last fortnight.

I have a short deadline.

I have loads of words to write.

So I write: early morning, toddler nap time, late at night.

The result?

Huge increase in productivity. Not just from the actual time spent writing, but sprinting increases your speed. Truly!

Go ahead, try it.

I've written 14000 words last week, over 10000 the week before.

It has been a long time since I've done that, because I'd slowed my writing, aiming for 4-8 pages a day. Now, I'm doing 6-8 in one sitting.

Along with faster fingers, I think your mind loosens, gets in tune with your story, knowing you need to pour the words out to meet your self-imposed time limit.

Practice your sprinting.

You'll be pleased with the results.