Nicola Marsh's Blog, page 121

Conference wind down

I don't usually blog on a Sunday, it's my day of rest. But we're still partying, right?

If I was at the conference, I'd still be hyped but slowly getting tired...and sad at leaving all my fellow writers...and ready to tumble into bed exhausted but stoked at the end of it all.

So nothing too brain-draining today.

Thanks for all your fab comments yesterday. I love hearing what books other readers love.
Winners for yesterday are Becca J. Heath, Robyn E. and Veronica. Same prize as yesterday :)

To win

Conference party continues

Angie, Rachael Johns and Lacey...you were the first 3 commenters yesterday, so you each receive a book!

A copy of TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE'S BED or THE BILLIONAIRE'S BABY , take your pick. If you have both, choose a book from my backlist and email me your details.

Now, onto today's chat.

We're having a mini-party, right? So let's make small talk.

If you're reading this blog, you're a fan of books.

So what book/s made the most impression on you ever?

As a youngster, Enid Blyton fuelled my love of read

Conference hang out

Not all Aussies can be in Brisbane this weekend at the RWAus conference.
So if you're a writer and you're not going, you're welcome to hang out here.

Let's have our own mini-party/conference.

Burning questions? Ask away.

Need to brainstorm? Ditto.

Care to share a favourite book you've read lately? Here's the place.

And I reckon I'll give away books too :)

Must-see TV

Okay, from previous comments, it looks like I've missed out by not seeing the Gilmore Girls.

Which makes me ponder...what other great shows have I missed out on over the years?

You all know how late I was getting hooked by Sex and the City, so I guess there's still time.

When I watch TV, I'm an action/thriller/drama gal. 24, Prison Break, Damages, The Mentalist...give me a mystery hook and I'm there.

If I had the time, I'd watch Medium and CSI (which I used to love) and Law and Order.

Medical dramas

Casting done

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

I was itching to start writing this new book last night and after several suggestions on Twitter at the time, I went with Lauren Graham (thanks Mel!)

I've never watched Gilmore Girls, but apparently Lorelei is a strong mum in the show and that's exactly what I need, a strong single mum.

So meet Lori Ballantine.
Comes from a wealthy family, dad's a Colonel in the Army, can't be with the hero, Cade Logan, because he's enlisted (and a host of other reasons!)

Sta

Casting help

In the proposal to my editor for 'Coming Home', my next Harlequin Romance, the hero was clear.

Keanu Reeves in that wet T shirt is my army guy.

Now I need a heroine to match him...and I don't have her.

I used this pic of Jessica Alba but she looks too young and naive to be a single mum of a 5 year old, a woman who's given up her dream for her child, who knows about sacrifice and struggle and heartache.

So I need a new heroine.

Any ideas?

Bumbling heroes

Watched 'Music and Lyrics' over the weekend and while Hugh Grant in all his bumbling glory doesn't really do it for me, his sense of humour and deadpan delivery had me laughing out loud several times.

If you haven't seen it, Hugh plays Alex Fletcher, an ageing rockstar, part of a hit band in the 80s but a has-been now.

Drew Barrymore, as Sophie Fisher, meets him when she's watering his plants.

She's a natural lyricist, he's in desperate need of one to help him write a hit song and save his sinking

What do you want to see more of?

Here's your chance to tell a book buyer what kind of romance you'd like to see more of.

Tommy Dreiling is a buyer for Barnes and Noble, and has been interviewed by Michelle Buonfiglio.

Visit here to leave your comment.

And have a great weekend everyone!
I'm off to make a dent in my staggering TBR pile this weekend.
By the way, has anyone seen The Prestige featuring this lovely man?
I watched it last night.
Interesting movie!

New look

Author copies of this arrived in the mail yesterday.

It's my first up close and personal look at the new UK M&B covers.

I like the 'mainstream' feel to the books and I like this cover.
But nowhere does the cover give a real 'feel' for the book.

By my constant raves, you all know what A TRIP WITH THE TYCOON is about. Exotic, mystical India. And yes, the Taj Mahal features in several scenes so seeing it on the cover is like a little preview snapshot.

So while this UK pic is lovely, do you think it gi

THE WRITE WHISPER: Sample synopsis

I haven't written a category romance synopsis for a while, so dug around in my archives and voila!
Here's the synopsis I wrote for PURCHASED FOR PLEASURE , my 3rd Modern Heat novel (released as a Harlequin Presents Extra Feb 08)

An interesting exercise for me to read back over it.The book stuck to most of my outline but veered in different directions on several points.
Those of you who've read the book will find this particularly interesting!
Kate Hayden, 30, is the feisty senior editor for the thin