Maggie Nash's Blog, page 17

HAVE YOU EVER...

A very open question - but I will finish it off
… BEEN TO A ROMANCE READERS CONVENTION?
Well if not you have an opportunity to sample one in March 2011. The Australian Romance Readers Association are holding their 2nd romance readers convention at the Swiss Grand Resort and Spa at Bondi Beach from 25 March through to 27 March. It is an opportunity not to be missed.
More information can be found in our registration brochure: http://www.box.net/shared/hldam8nsyj
Here are 10 good reasons to attend:
1. Meeting some of your favourite authors from Australia and overseas. There will be 25 authors attending, including our keynotes speakers Cindy Gerard from the United States, Nalini Singh from New Zealand and our own Anna Campbell from Queensland.
2. Get your books signed. There will be a book-signing on the Saturday afternoon and who doesn't love an autographed book?
3. Meeting other romance readers. This is your opportunity to meet likeminded people who understand where you are coming from and what you are talking about when discussing perhaps a rake or a shape shifter.
4. Recommendations. Always a great place for recommendations on new authors and books. Who doesn't like having a to be read pile?
5. Fun. And of course all the fun to be had when there are such a great group of romance readers and authors together in one place.
6. Panels. Listen to the authors discuss various topics related to the genre they write in.
7. Awards dinner. On the Saturday night there will be an awards night where the winners of the Australian Romance Readers Awards will be announce. Have dinner with your favourite authors and be there to hear the winning names announced.
8. Welcome reception. Meet authors and new and old friends at the welcome party on the Friday night—a great way to start the event.
9. Silent Auction. The Silent Auction to raise funds for the Queensland flood victims has more than 160 items listed. Authors from around the world have donated some awesome items that you can bid on. Browse through the items here: http://australianromancereaders.wordp...
10. Giveaways. I am sure you will come home with a lot of books and lot more friends and will be anxiously awaiting the next convention.
I do hope you will join us for a fantastic weekend
Some of our committee members will be popping in to answer any questions you may have.

Heads up...I'll be blogging March Madness!

Hey everyone...I'll be blogging about March Madness at Gabriella Hewitt's blog on March 18.  I'll remind you closer to the day.  In the mean time head on over there and see who else is visiting during March.  Gabriella has a wonderful lineup of authors and editors popping in and I am honored to be included :-)

The ARR Awards for 2010

Here's the link listing all of the finalists in all of the categories. http://australianromancereaders.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/arr-awards-2010-finalists/



The Australian Romance Reader Awards 2010 finalists have been announced....and I'm a finalist in the Favourite Erotic Romance category for THE RELIC!















I am so excited, humbled and gobsmacked to be in such great company and very grateful to all those who nominated me.


I'm really looking forward to the convention!  If you haven't registered yet...what's stopping you!


And if you want to check out why THE RELIC has been nominated...click HERE to find out more about it!

Spotlight on: The Werewolf Upstairs by Ashlyn Chase

One of my favourite authors is Ashlyn Chase. Her unique blend of off beat characters, quirky situations and warmhearted humour always make me smile, and lots of times laugh out loud. But of course the romance makes my heart melt too. Ash has a great talent to weave that all together in some fabulous stories.

Her latest release is the second book in her Strange Neighbors Series...The Werewolf Upstairs. I have it on order and I can't wait for it to arrive:-) 

Luckily for you and me, here's an excerpt to tease you:


Excerpt from The Werewolf Upstairs
Copyright 2011 Ashlyn Chase

His mate. He'd found her! At last. Telepathic communication
didn't happen by accident. He had heard of it only in mated couples. Even then, not every couple was lucky enough to experience it.

His canine tooth accidentally scraped her tongue. Her
blood must have triggered the telepathy. Now he was
burning to find out if they were compatible in bed, but
if he rushed her, he could scare her off. Especially with
her history.

She interrupted his thoughts. "What's so special about my history?"

"Huh?"

"You were saying…or rather thinking, something about my history. Something special?"

"Oh. It was nothing." Damn, this telepathy is going to be a pain in the ass.

"Tell me about it."

"Shit. You heard that too?"

Roz giggled. "This is really weird. Kind of fun, but totally bizarro."

Konrad took a deep breath. "Let's go home and try not to think until we get there. Are you up for a jog?"

"Sure. If I get tired, I'll walk and meet you there."

"Or I can carry you."

Roz burst out laughing. "Yeah, right. I may not weigh as much as a ton of frozen food, but I'm no lightweight."

"Sure you are." He turned his back to her and squatted slightly. "Hop on."

"What? Are you nuts? You want to give me a piggyback?"

"Why not? We're going to the same place, and we want to get there quickly."

"I'll slow you to a crawl."

"Try me."

Roz folded her arms. "I'm not getting on your back."

"Why not?"

"Because I weigh too much. And I don't want you to know how much too much."

"Suit yourself." Konrad turned back toward her and scooped her up in his arms.

She shrieked.

As he strode off in the direction of their building, only a few more blocks away, she wriggled in his grasp.

"Put me down!"

"If you don't stay still, I might drop you."

"Fuckin' caveman."

"Did you know that contrary to popular opinion, the cavemen were neither slovenly nor dimwitted? Regardless of having no manuals, no education, no knowledge of science or mathematics at all, they managed to live beyond puberty to raise the next generation.
That points to intelligence."

"What are you, Mr. Wikipedia? Did you just Google cavemen?"

"No, I'm trying to impress you. It's also agreed that language has been around for a million years or more. They developed language in order to communicate with each other. To do that, they must have been extremely intelligent."

"Yeah, yeah. You're a freakin' rocket scientist. Now put me down! I'm too old to be carried like a baby."

"I've got a better idea." He set her on her feet.

"Whew, finally. I—"

Konrad dipped down and came up with Roz draped over his shoulder.

She gasped.

"If you're going to accuse me of being a caveman, I might as well act like one."

Roz thumped him on his back. "Put me down this minute!"

"Just relax and enjoy the ride."

"I don't usually hear that until I make it to the bedroom."

Konrad laughed but ignored her plea and strode off in the direction of their building as if she weighed no more than a sack of tennis balls. He added to her embarrassment
by whistling.

"Oh, very nice. What if I have to fart while I'm up here?"

"Then fart. We're traveling downwind."

Roz giggled and bounced along with Konrad's long
strides. "I give up."

"Good."

"It's your hernia."

"You're not as heavy as you think you are. So many women have negative self-images. You think you have to be bony to be beautiful, when it's the opposite for
most guys."

"Oh, really?"

"Well, I guess I can't speak for the entire male population, but most guys I know like a little meat on their women." He patted her ass.

A passing couple laughed.

"Oh, for Christ's sake. Do you have to embarrass me completely and totally?"

"If that's what it takes to convince you that you're ravishing."

She sighed. "Ravage me when we get back to your place, and I might believe you."

Konrad slowed his march. "Did you mean for me to hear that?"

"Put me down, and I'll tell you."

He quickly set her on her feet and grasped her shoulders to steady her.

She looked up into his serious face and took a risk.

"Yeah, I meant it."

He straightened, and his eyes widened. "I'll race you."

They grinned at each other and took off running the final block to their building.

ORDER NOW FROM AMAZON!

***

Here's what some of the reviews are saying:

 From The Romance Studio:

This was a fantastic, fun paranormal romance. I loved the light, upbeat feel that this book left me with. I found myself with a big goofy grin on my face long after I finished this light-hearted read. Roz and Konrad are a quirky couple that quickly found a place in my heart. I love heroines who are curvy and when you pair that with a kind heart and a quick wit for me, that's a keeper.

http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/werewolfupstairschase.htm

From bookaddictpatti:

Ms. Chase writes a great combination of Contemporary and Paranormal romance -
upbeat and fun with just the right amount of weird. I am loving getting
to know the quirky residents of this apartment building and I can't wait
to see who's story is next! 

http://www.bookaddictpatti.com/2011/01/review-werewolf-upstairs-by-ashlyn.html

From Suite101:

Ashlyn Chase has created a whirlwind romance story in this light
paranormal; The Werewolf Upstairs. Funny and entertaining, the literary
prose is written well and easily flows from one chapter to the next,
making this one fun read to escape into. This hard-to-put-down novel is
full of supernatural entities, hunky alpha-males and spunky women who
take them all on. Well recommended for anyone who likes a little
paranormal with their romance.
http://www.suite101.com/content/the-werewolf-upstairs--paranormal-romance-review-a337202 

So what are you waiting for? Isn't it great!

Go out and buy it!  You can get it at Amazon and the usual places!

You can find Ashlyn hanging out at a few places...


www.ashlynchase.com
http://twitter.com/GoddessAsh
http://www.facebook.com/ashlyn.chase
http://www.myspace.com/ashlynchase
• What books are you currently reading?Mary Janice Davidson's Undead and Unwelcome Linda Wisdom's Hex Appeal Secrets, Volume 23 and an Audiobook when my eyes are too tired to focus anymore. Right now it's Monsoon Fever.• What are your favorite books?I love anthologies. Secrets, Ellora's Cavemen, and anything else that catches my fancy. Of course I love Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series and anything by my critique partner Emily Bryan aka Mia Marlowe.• What books would you recommend to your readers?Mine, silly.• Any message to your readers?I love to interact with readers, and I love, love, love my fans. I have a yahoo chat loop where we talk about books, life, share jokes, pictures, hold contests and generally run amok every day. Please consider joining us! You can sign up from my website, or check us out directly here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ashlyns...• What is your book about? Please provide a description.Strange Neighbors When star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco buys a small apartment building, he sees it not only as an investment but as a place to escape the demands of major league baseball. That is, until he meets his tenants--a sarcastic unemployed vigilante vampire; a wereraven with a morbid sense of humor; a werewolf thief who sells security systems; and two witches with an owl who work as phone sex actresses. Not to mention a beautiful, all too human nurse. But with all the hooting, howling, and hollering going on, how's an all-American shapershifter supposed to sweep a girl off her feet?• How long have you been at work on this book?Begun in Oct. 2008, release date June 1st 2010• How did the idea originate?Talking with one of my current suburban neighbors about where I used to live in the city. She urged me to write it. I brainstormed with a couple of bookish friends, then was off and running.• Did the book entail any unusual writing habits or places?I went to work with my husband in Boston on Tuesdays. My critique partner lives across the courtyard from his office, so we'd critique what we did during the week. After that, I'd hide in an unused cubicle in my husband's office and write until he was ready to go home.

It's Australia Day!

And time to reflect on what it means to be an Australian in today's world.

Okay, some of this is dated, but a lot of it still fits...


GOD I LOVE BEING AN AUSSIE.............
WE ARE ONE
We are the people of a free nation of blokes, sheilas and the occasional wanker. We come from many lands (although a few too many of us come from New Zealand), and although we live in the best country in the world, we reserve the right to bitch and moan about it whenever we bloody like. We are One Nation but divided into many States.


First, there's Victoria, named after a queen who didn't believe in lesbians. Victoria is the realm of Mossimo turtlenecks, cafe latte, grand final day, and big horse races. Its capital is Melbourne, whose chief marketing pitch is that "it's liveable". At least that's what they think. The rest of us think it is too bloody cold and wet.
Next, there's NSW, the realm of pastel shorts, macchiato with sugar, thin books read quickly and millions of dancing queens. Its capital Sydney has more queens than any other city in the world and is proud of it. Its mascots are Bondi lifesavers that pull their Speedos up their cracks to keep the left and right sides of their brains separate.

Down south we have Tasmania, a State based on the notion that the family that bonks together stays together. In Tassie, everyone gets an extra chromosome at conception. Maps of the State bring smiles to the sternest faces. It holds the world record for a single mass shooting, which the Yanks can't seem to beat no matter how often they try.

South Australia is the province of half-decent reds, a festival of foreigners and bizarre axe murders. SA is the state of innovation. Where else can you so effectively reuse country bank vaults and barrels as in Snowtown, just out of Adelaide (also named after a queen). They had the Grand Prix, but lost it when the views of Adelaide sent the Formula One drivers to sleep at the wheel.
Western Australia is too far from anywhere to be relevant. It's main claim to fame is that it doesn't have daylight saving because if it did, all the men would get erections on the bus on the way to work. WA was the last state to stop importing convicts and many of them still work there in the government and business.
The Northern Territory is the red heart of our land. Outback plains, and dusty kids with big smiles. It also has the highest beer consumption of anywhere on the planet and its creek beds have the highest aluminium content of anywhere too. Although the Territory is the centrepiece of our national culture, few of us live there and the rest prefer to flyover it on our way to Bali.

And there's Queensland. While any mention of God seems silly in a document defining a nation of half arsed sceptics, it is worth noting that God probably made Queensland, as its beautiful one day and perfect the next. Why he filled it with dickheads remains a mystery.

Oh yes and there's Canberra. The less said the better.

We, the citizens of Oz, are united by Highways, whose treacherous twists and turns kill more of us each year than murderers. We are united in our lust for international recognition, so desperate for praise we leap in joy when a rag tag gaggle of corrupt IOC officials tells us Sydney is better than Beijing. We are united by a democracy so flawed that a political party albeit a redneck gun toting one, can get a million votes and still not win one seat in Federal Parliament.

Not that we're whingeing, we leave that to our Pommy immigrants.

We want to make "no worries mate" our national phrase, "she'll be right mate" our national attitude and "Waltzing Matilda" our national anthem (so what if it's about a sheep-stealing crim who commits suicide). We love sport so much our newsreaders can read the death toll from a sailing race and still tell us who's winning.
And we're the best in the world at all the sports that count, like cricket, swimming, netball, rugby league and union, AFL, roo shooting, two up and horse racing. We also have the biggest rock, the tastiest pies, and the worst dressed Olympians in the known universe. Only in Australia can a pizza delivery get to your house faster than an ambulance.

Only in Australia do we have bank doors wide open, no security guards, or cameras but chain the pens to the desk.

Stand proud Aussies - we shoot, we root, we vote. We are girt by sea and pissed by lunchtime. Even though we might seem a racist, closed minded, sports obsessed little people, at least we feel better for it.
I am, you are, we are Australian!

P.S We also shoot and eat the two animals that are on our National Crest!!!! No other country has this distinction! (NB...I DON'T !)

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY - January 26.

A Balancing Act - Putting the Romance into Suspense - PART ONE

Some time ago I wrote an article and online workshop on Romantic Suspense.  Romantic suspense is my first love in writing, and although I've moved into some different areas, I still love a romance with a good mystery behind it.  This article has been previously published in HEARTS TALK, which is the monthly newsletter of the Romance Writers of Australia, and also run as a workshop on my old group The League of Amazing Writers.

Here is the first part: Feel free to complete the exercises and post your answers


A Balancing Act - Putting the Romance into Suspense
 What is the attraction of the romantic suspense plot?
For me, it's the heart stopping suspense, the thrill of the chase, and non- stop action that heightens the emotion and intensifies the romance.  Knowing that the characters not only have to solve the mystery and conquer the evil villain or villains, they also learn trust and in the process deal with the best and the worst in each other.  This is one of the main attractions of the suspense story for me.  Whatever the plot device, be it women in jeopardy, murder, stalkers, terrorists, spy thrillers, how can the heroine and hero not fall for each other in these intense and emotional circumstances? 
How much is the right mix of romance and suspense?
Authors such as Nora Roberts, Iris Johansen, Tami Hoag, Shannon McKenna and Rebecca York continue to write huge best sellers.  These authors and all those others who write romantic suspense have such diverse styles it's difficult to even attempt to define the genre.  The popularity of romantic suspense continues to grow, but for some writers this sub genre of romance fiction continues to be one of the most difficult to write successfully.  The problem lies in the balance between the romance and the suspense.  How much of each is needed?  Should there be two separate or one integrated plot?  The short answer is that it all depends what type of story you want to write, and which publisher you are targeting.  In the category market, some publishers ask for a 50/50 split of romance with suspense or a 60/40 split with more of an emphasis on the emotional growth of the characters.  If your book doesn't fit into these moulds they won't publish it.  This may sound unfair, but in category fiction it's all about reader expectation.  In most cases the reader is buying the series, not the author, so the guidelines need to be very clear.  Mainstream single title romantic suspense on the other hand varies from author to author.  If you are writing a single title romantic suspense novel you have more flexibility with the balance of romance and suspense in your story.  Shannon McKenna integrates powerful emotional and sexual relationships within her suspense plots, while for Tami Hoag the suspense or thriller plot is the main focus.  That doesn't mean the romance is secondary.  Character development and relationship building are integral parts of all romantic suspense novels and add to the suspense/thriller plot and the spine tingling tension that enhances the story.  Marketing of your book can play a part in your decision as well.  Depending on your own particular blend of romance and suspense, you may well find your book placed on the crime shelves in the local bookshop as well as the romance section.  This can increase sales exposure of your books.  Many authors and publishers do this deliberately.  At the end of the day, you have to write the book you want to write.  I believe that instinct plays a huge part in how you decide to distribute the suspense with the romantic or emotional plot line.  Nora Roberts says you "just know" what is right for your story.  I'm not sure that it comes as naturally as Ms. Roberts would have us think, but believing in your characters and your story goes a long way to making it the best darn story you can write.
EXERCISE ONE:Think about what sort of book you want to write.  Are you targeting a particular publisher?How much romance/suspense do you think your book requires?



Next week: Steps to Balancing the Romance with the Suspense

I like to watch!

I think the first time I realised that I like to watch was as a young adolescent. I'd taken the train to the city with some friends to see Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  It was Moomba (people from Melbourne will relate), which is a public holiday with a street parade. Moomba is an indigenous word meaning getting together and having fun. But I digress...

We had to risk life and limb and cross the road during the parade so we could get to The Regent theatre where the movie was being screened.  I'm pretty sure it was the year I was about 12 or 13 years old.  One of those anyway...lol.

I was having fun drooling over a young Robert Redford. I mean, seriously, who didn't drool?  That craggy blond hair and mustache...those amazing eyes. *sigh*....then that scene. started..

You know the one...Katherine Ross arrives home to her small cottage and starts getting undressed for a bath.  Robert Redford surprises her and threatens her with a gun, forcing her to take all of her clothes off and untie her chemise.  Slowly.   Very slowly.

Oh. My. God.

My heart pounded so fast and loud I was almost deafened. I was so hot I was sure everyone beside me would be feeling the heat radiating off me. (Okay, I guess this was also when I realised that I liked a but of Dom/Sub action too, but I didn't have a clue what it was at the time;-)).

My life changed in that one scene.   It wasn't just the hormones coming to the fore, it was like a switch turned on. 

So now, many years later I still get off on watching.  Mostly watching from the comfort of my bed reading my favourite erotic novel, or erotic movie scenes....the feeling has never died, and now I find myself writing a voyeuristic story.  I have to say it's making me hot!

BTW...I've seen that movie 12 times :-)  I must get it out again...

So let me know...do you like to watch?  Stand up and be counted!

The Master's Prize gets a new review!

Wow...Michelle R at The Romance Reviews has given a lovely review for THE MASTER'S PRIZE!

Click HERE to read it!

Here's a snippet:

"I smiled throughout this one. There wasn't much in the way of rough or edge play. The two didn't tackle any inner darkness, just the inner change that they were bringing about in each other. It was as much a love story as an erotic experience.

Those looking for a little pep in their step. A little journey down the naughty side to pass a few hours, this is one recommended read. Enjoy!"

You can buy THE MASTER'S PRIZE if you click HERE

Great slide show of my covers!

Thanks to Debbie at ARRA, I've got this fabulous slide show with all my covers!  Isn't it cool?

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Great new review for THE EXECUTIONER!

Hi everyone....I just had to share this lovely review for THE EXECUTIONER at Joyfully Reviewed!

http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/new-reviews/the-executioner-by-maggie-nash

Thanks Nanette :-)  You made my day!

I'm happy :-)

Click HERE to buy the book!