Weekend Book Club: The Lost Symbol

I've had Dan Brown's THE LOST SYMBOL on my TBR pile for a while so decided to delve into it this week.

The good thing? I'd heard absolutely NO reviews about this book. Not that I pay much attention to reviews (except those lovely reviewers who adore my books!) as reading is so subjective, but a huge author like Dan? There are bound to be loads of opinions.

Once again, the book is entirely plot driven. We don't get much of a feel for the characters at all, which would usually bother me but with a cracking plot, it didn't.

I enjoyed it.

(Though guessing the identity of the bad guy early on in the book kinda spoiled all the fun at the end but hey, maybe that's the writer in me, spotting the clues!)

I'm in awe of how the author weaves so much fact into the story, weaving it seamlessly with fiction until you're left wondering what's real and what isn't.
Seriously, if I was living in Washington, I'd be heading to all the hot spots in the book, checking them out!
And the insight into Masonic culture is fascinating.

Can see this being another blockbuster movie too. (Whoever plays Mal'akh? Going to be one seriously spooky dude!)

What are you reading this week?

Speed freak

Regular readers to this blog know I'm a huge fan of the Alphasmart and post raves at intervals.

Warning.
Here comes another.

School holidays the last 2 weeks, super busy, could seriously affect word count, yeah?

Not with super portable Alphie!

I've been writing in snatched 15 minute bursts here and there, with kids usually playing at my feet or asking me to be DNAlien to their Ben 10 or building towering block constructions.

The result? The word count is flying.
Only having that tiny screen where you can't read or edit, and that clunky keyboard, somehow makes my fingers fly. 14000 words the last week. 16 pages daily the last 2 days, all on Alphasmart.

If you're a writer and you want to up your speed, invest in one.
You won't regret it.

For those who can't wait...

For those who can't wait until my double release hits the shelves May in the UK and June in North America, both my upcoming releases are available NOW!

For Harlequin Romance, THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID, here.

For Harlequin Modern Heat, OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED, here.

I'm waiting rather impatiently myself for my UK copies to arrive because I can't wait to gobble up Liz Fielding's latest. I adore Liz's books so to be paired with her is beyond exciting!

Boo boo?

Okay, so here's the thing.

I'm a tad overworked at the moment, juggling several projects at once, school holidays, hubby's business stuff so I totally missed this.

In yesterday's post, I was super excited about my new cover for my May release OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED. The fact it was different from my USA cover didn't matter, as sometimes covers change. Didn't even register that this hasn't happened for a while...

So this morning the lovely Mira Lyn Kelly, my shelf buddy in May with her first book, points out our covers have been swapped.

I took a look. Duh! They sure have.

I do have part of my book set in the Whitsundays when the boss and his PA take a little 'business' trip so the beach scene on the UK cover of mine seemed to fit. I'm hoping my cover fits into Mira's story too.

Lucky I love both covers!

Hot stuff

UK copies of OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED haven't arrived yet so imagine my delight when I stumbled across the UK cover last night (Google Alerts is a wonderful thing!)

How hot is this?

Definitely my hottest Mod Heat cover yet.

I love it.

The cover fairies have waved their magic wands again!

While Callum's story is soon to hit shelves, I've heard back on his brother Rhys' story. My editor absolutely loved the revisions, going as far as to say it's one of my strongest Mod Heats yet. Emotional depth, sexual chemistry, strength, all there (why is it the books we find the toughest to write as authors and don't like as much as others always seem to grab attention?)

Just a few tiny tweaks and I should have a release date for you.

Stay tuned!

Working through the process

This man has left the building for a second time (and as much as I love my rebel ranger Rhys, I hope I don't see him back until GETTING WILD WITH THE BOSS is in print!)

Yep, finished revisions late last night, always satisfying.
During the last fortnight I added over 5000 words in new scenes: tightening conflict, layering more emotion, getting inside Rhys and Jade's heads more.

I love how editors can pick up on key points from a scene, make a suggestion or two to get a writer's imagination ticking over and off we go.

This happened with my glacier.

It became a pivotal part of the book after just being a scene before. Good one.

Writers revise in many different way, using different processes.

How do you revise?

Rich writing

I've been so caught up with life and writing and business stuff, all while trying to get over throat infection, that last week passed in a bit of a blur.

So I know some Aussie mates finalled in the RITAs but I hadn't seen the whole list. Yesterday I took a squiz and was absolutely delighted to see one of my all time favourite authors there, Barbara O'Neal, with this book.If you haven't read any of Barbara's books, do yourself a favour (her original women's fiction novels are written under Barbara Samuel.)

Her favourite of mine is No Place Like Home but this book would be a close second. Read it. Indulge. Wallow in the richness of her characters, which are truly awe-inspiring for another writer.

I was lucky enough to meet Barbara when she come to Melbourne several years ago and she's a gorgeous lady too. Told me to take time out to care for the 'girls in the basement' (my muse) and what she said and the way she said it really resonated.

As for her current release, The Secret of Everything? Ordered a few weeks back, waiting anxiously for it to arrive. That one will definitely feature in my Weekend Book Club!

Weekend Book Club

This week, I read my first Jeffery Deaver novel, THE BROKEN WINDOW.

I love a good suspense/thriller novel and this one had me riveted.

Many of you have probably seen THE BONE COLLECTOR, with Denzil Washington and Angelina Jolie? Well, this book features Lincoln Rhyme again, the quadraplegic criminalist who's an absolute whiz at solving crimes.

Loved the characterisation, the plot and the suspense in this book, though my eyes glazed over at the computer/data/technical side of things at times (but that's more to do with me and my complete 'denseness' when it comes to PCs!)

Will definitely be reading more of his books.

So what are you reading this week?

THE WRITE WHISPER: Playlists

Many authors write to music.

I'm not one of them.

After a day filled with noisy-traffic during busy school runs, exuberant toddler, chatty hubby-my sanctuary at night is my office, where I sit in blissful silence and start writing.

Not that I haven't tried.

I've played around with 'hot' music for sex scenes, Bollywood music while writing my RT award nominee set in India and general chill out stuff.

Don't like it.

The music ends up being an annoyance and a distraction from my characters.

Maybe it's because I'm an auditory writer (hear my characters' dialogue) and music interferes with that.

Though something I would like to try is making a playlist for a particular novel.

ie. gathering various songs together to set the ambiance for that particular novel and maybe playing it before I start writing. To get me in the mood, so to speak!

So all you writers out there...do you use playlists?

Popular artists for specific genres?

Song recommendations for subgenres?

Readers at Home conference

What do tons of authors, tons of prizes, tons of hotties and tons of readers have in common?

They’re attending the first ever Readers at Home Conference!

During the week of April 26-30, authors and readers will converge on Lucy Monroe’s blog to celebrate their favorite genre – romance!

We are giving away Swag Bags to the first 50 readers who register for the conference. To register, all you have to do is send an email to Lucy Monroe with your name and mailing address (for the Swag Bag) stating your intention to attend the RAH Conference.

The Swag Bags are for conference attendees only and we are trusting that you truly intend to attend the conference and interact with the authors and other readers on the blog. Lucy is shipping the Swag Bags at her own expense, but many authors have donated loot for you all, and each Swag Bag will have a free book inside.

Yes, that's right - the conference is FREE. How cool is that?

Every day there will be multiple authors visiting and guest blogging, with new posts going live every 3 hours between 6 AM and 6 PM. Lucy will post a hottie who is definitely hunky enough to be a cover model and there will be daily drawings for multiple prizes (more than 50 over the week!!!), including dozens of signed books, a B&N gift card, a t-shirt, 3 prize tote bags filled with books and goodies (from Sue G at BTRB and Becke Davis), free online subscriptions to Affaire de Couer magazine and 2 more Swag Bags given away each day. What could be better?
Hope to see YOU there!

(I'm blogging on the 28th, going to be fun!)

Weekend Book Club

I'm an avid reader.

And I know for a fact many of you are too.

So how about we start our very own Weekend Book Club?

Chat about what you're reading this week, any recommendations, whatever! Let's just have fun.

For me this week, it's one of my favourite authors, Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

'What I Did for Love' is another stellar book, filled with snappy dialogue, richly drawn characters and a plot that keeps you turning pages.

The highlight for me was Bram, the hero, who totally played up his cad image with a guaranteed heart of gold beneath. He made the book for me, and had me smiling throughout.

So over to you. What are you reading this week?

A day for odd bods

Yesterday, I ended up spending lots of time in my car, driving from one appointment to another, school runs, errands, etc...

In the past, bumper stickers have sparked ideas in my buzzing head and yesterday, several oddities made me wonder...

1) White car parked at traffic lights. Hot guy takes off his shirt. Extremely buff. Checks himself out in rear vision mirror. Then puts the exact same shirt back on.

2) Lady in car in front of me, down a major 3 lane road in bumper to bumper peak hour traffic, plucking her eyebrows. Car weaving all over the place. And continued to pluck for a good few kilometres.

3) Guy in yellow anorak (in 30 degrees plus) walking a large dog, with a lead attached to large dog's collar, attached to a small dog leading the way. Like a procession. Little, medium, biggest.

First one made me smile, second made me shake my head, third made me want to muck up the order.

The oddities of human nature that tickle a writer's imagination...

(Almost forgot, if you have a moment, pop into IHeartPresents today where I'm blogging about what makes a great heroine.)

When opportunity knocks

When revisions on GETTING WILD WITH THE BOSS arrived late last week, I dived straight in.

Currently, I sit at around 60 pages with the meaty stuff (new scenes to write and a stronger conflict to layer) coming up.

Once that book is done, I'll probably only have 5 weeks until my next Romance is due. That book currently stands at 20000 words.

Could've all been done at a pinch.

Now we get to the interesting part.

Saturday morning, I received an email from editor inviting me to be part of an exciting project. And it is exciting. Hugely exciting!

Opportunity knocked and I was more than ready to open the door...

Can't wait to tell you all the news but for now, I need a Modern Heat heroine in a hurry (for a synopsis due ASAP.)

Suggestions please?

A happy award

Thanks to the lovely Kerrin for awarding my blog the Happy Cupcake Award as a blog that makes her happy.

Apparently, I have to list 10 things that make me happy so here goes:

1. My kids.
They bring joy to my life daily. Incredible, gorgeous, affectionate...I could go on forever.

2. My hubby.
He makes me laugh like no one else.

3. Writing.
Can't imagine my life without it. Took me a while to get here but now not a day goes past I'm not thinking or writing about my characters.

4. Reading.
My love of books started young and hasn't abated. I'm a voracious reader and could happily sit all day curled up with a book.

5. Eating.
I love food. I love sharing brunches with my boys. I love dinner parties. I love cooking.

6. Friends.
Love long chats with my friends. They make me smile.

7. North Melbourne Football Club
But only when they're winning!

8. Michael Buble.
I could listen to him singing all day. Hilarious to hear toddler singing lyrics to his latest songs. Indoctrination.

9. Hearing from satisfied readers.
Lovely to receive mail/emails from readers who've taken the time to let me know they enjoy my books. It's always a thrill!

10. Pool.
Splashing around as a family over summer has been lovely. We all have a ball.

I'm supposed to choose 10 other bloggers but how about I leave it up to you?
Go on, share with us what makes you happy.

The postman knocks twice

I was out Monday when the delivery service came knocking, so came home to a note saying I'd missed them.

I know the service means US copies of my books so was annoyed. I still love grabbing the box off the delivery guy, rushing inside and ripping it open to cradle my latest book in my hands. The excitement never dulls!

Yesterday, I wasn't taking any chances. I signed the note and left it for them so when I got home...yay! Author copies of this book.Rather timely, as I'm going to re-read and see if I can get more of a handle on Rhys...before the revisions come in.
And they will.
I have no doubt.

Somewhere along the way he lost his sparkle...am hoping to recapture it before the book hits your hands!!!

Destination: Summer Weddings!

Here's the cover for the reprint of A TRIP WITH THE TYCOON in a story anthology with the fabulous Lucy Gordon and Jesssica Hart out in June.

Gorgeous, huh?

The bedroom

You all remember how much you loved Rhys' house?

Well, I just realised I never got around to showing you the bedroom.

Technically, I made this Jade's bedroom in the book.

What do you think?

Fan girl moments

Occasionally on Twitter, I have giggly fan girl moments when my Tweet appears above or below Nathan Fillion or Harlan Coben or Hugh Jackman.

(I know, small things amuse me!)

Now I'm having another fan girl moment.


The moment I knew my upcoming Romance THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID... was appearing in the same volume as Liz Fielding's latest, A WEDDING AT LEOPARD TREE LODGE, I shot off an email to Liz in great excitement!

I love Liz's books and to be paired with her...yep, having another distinct fan girl moment!!!

THE WRITE WHISPER: When characters shout

Writers know the feeling.

When some characters shout out to you more than others.

Those characters that strut onto our pages and refuse to be ignored. They grab hold of a story and give it a decent shake.

They make the pages fly, both as a writer and a reader.

If a secondary character, they can even take over the story and overshadow your protagonists.

Over the last few weeks, I've had an interesting experience so that I'd share with you.

I've been writing 2 books at once, something I never do.

I much prefer to concentrate on one book at a time, bury myself in the 'feel' of that book and the characters.

But I have a story that won't be denied, something really outside the box for me, something I have that constant 'excited churning in the belly' feeling for...

This story is giving me a buzz so I've been 'playing' with this story over the weekends while concentrating on my deadline Mod Heat during the weeks.

The words have been flowing in both but after sending off my 'outside the box' story mid-week and diving back into my Mod Heat, something happened.

The gloss of my MH characters wore off.

Annoying, because I was already struggling with this book from the start, in so much as the hero, Rhys Cartwright, featured so heavily in my next Presents release, OVERTIME IN THE BOSS'S BED, that my editor asked me to tone him down completely and remove him from several scenes. He was overshadowing the hero and far too sexy!

So of course he demanded his own story but when this guy got it...he's nothing like how I remember!

Sadly, this hasn't changed all book.

I know I'm in for loads of editing/polishing with this one.

Why is it some characters shout louder to us than others?

Is it the plot? The conflict? The characters themselves?

I think it all comes back to that old adage, 'write the book of your heart'.

If something is calling to you, write it.

No matter how many books you've written in a particular genre, no matter how many books you've published or unpublished, those characters 'shouting' at you are doing so for a reason.

Let them run free.

Flex your creative muscle.

You'll be fresher for it.

And who knows, that book may just be 'the one'.

In her shoes...

As promised, here's the US cover for THREE TIMES A BRIDESMAID...

So wonderfully romantic!

Though the hero looks nothing like that semi-naked pic of Daniel MacPherson I've posted here many times, the guy who inspired my hero Bryce Gibson.

But hey, I'm happy. And any time we need to check out the inspiration behind Bryce, we can always trawl the archives...

In the meantime, I don't think any of you want to be in my shoes today.
I'm off to the vascular surgeon, in the hope something can be done.
Wish me luck!