Fake Friday with Nikki Moore

Fake Friday is here again with Nikki Moore. Nikki and I feature in a Harper Impulse anthology Be My Valentine. I am delighted to have Nikki on my blog to talk about her debut novel with Harper Impulse, Crazy, Undercover, Love.

Take it away, Nikki!

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes! Pretty much for as long as I can remember … since I could read really. The thought of building worlds and creating characters seemed very cool when I was young and it still does :) If I can make a living from it one day, even better. For now, my colleagues in the day job are stuck with me!

Did you manage to get the first book you wrote published, or is it tucked in a drawer somewhere?

The partial manuscript of the first book I wrote 'Learning How to Fall,' was taken off the slush pile at Mills & Boon and they then requested a full MS, sending a very nice rejection after quite a long wait. Tessa Shapcott, who was a lovely senior editor at the time, encouraged me over the years and I continued writing, knocking on doors until I got the answer I wanted! That book is languishing in a box up in my loft somewhere. Funnily enough I never thought of pulling it out again and trying to do something with it. I think I'm too scared of how bad it might actually be! Lol.

What’s so special about your heroine that makes your hero fall in love with her?

Charley – aka Charlotte Caswell-Wright – is feisty and honest yet professional and driven. She's on a quest to right the wrongs done to her, and that makes her both determined and passionate. Alex admires those traits and finds the candid way she speaks to him refreshing. She makes him feel normal, not isolated, which is how he feels as a mega-wealthy CEO in the public spotlight. Charley also has a natural warmth that he finds attractive, especially compared to some of the women he mixes with in his social group. I think the most special thing about her, for Alex, is that she makes him feel like there might another life out there; that anything is possible if you want it enough and don't mind fighting for it.

Why do you like writing romance?

I love writing about love and sex! It's that simple. I guess I'm a big romantic :)

What do you read while you write, or don’t you?

I read most days and over a wide range of different genres including thrillers, romance and crime/police procedurals. I try not to read anything too similar to my own style if I can help it whilst I'm writing the first draft of a new book. Once I'm at the editing stage I read whatever I want!

What is next on your agenda after publishing your (first) book?

Once I've done the initial promo for Crazy, Undercover, Love I'll be finishing off the first draft of my second full length contemporary romance for HarperImpulse. After that I want to go back and work on a book that's very close to my heart, which has a different feel to it and is probably more women's fiction than specifically romance. I have ideas for three or four more books after that so I'm planning to busy for the next few years :)

Are you nervous about friends reading your book?

Yes and no. Yes, because being published and knowing that people (especially those who know me) are reading my stories makes me feel a bit exposed - like venturing out into the snow with no clothes on! No, because my friends love me and have always been massively supportive of my writing.

Do you love or hate Facebook?

I love the interaction and the concept of it, but hate the amount of time I can get drawn in to spending on it when I should be doing other things … like writing the next book or editing the current one!

Cocktail or shot? If so, what one?

Cocktail please – a Cosmo would be great!

Tea or coffee?

Tea, definitely. A perfect start to the day.

Chocolate or ice cream?

Chocolate. A large Galaxy bar with a glass of white wine. Mmmmm....

Dogs or cats?

Both! Neither! We have two cats and a dog!

Crazy, Undercover, Love – Blurb

Uber-feisty career girl Charley Caswell-Wright travels to Barcelona for a weekend assignment as PA to the gorgeous Alex Demetrio, CEO of Demetrio International.

But she's there under entirely false pretenses: to get her life back on track. Having lost the job she worked so hard to earn, she’s determined not to give it up so easily, especially when she didn’t deserve to lose it in the first place.

Mr Dreamy CEO is her only chance of clawing back her career – and her reputation. So she has to keep things strictly professional… boy, is she in trouble!

About Nikki Moore

Nikki Moore lives in beautiful Dorset and writes short stories and sexy contemporary romances. A finalist in several writing competitions including Novelicious Undiscovered 2012, she graduated from the Romantic Novelists Association New Writers' Scheme after four years and and has contributed to their magazine Romance Matters. She has far too much fun attending the annual RNA conference and has previously chaired a panel and taken part in a workshop at the Festival of Romance.

She blogs about some of her favourite things – Writing, Work and Wine – at www.nikkimooreauthor.wordpress.com and believes in supporting other writers as part of a friendly, talented and diverse community.

You can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NikkiMooreAuthor or on Twitter @NikkiMoore_Auth and she invites you to pop in for chats about love, life, reading or writing!

The first chapter of her book Crazy, Undercover, Love can be read for free in the HI sampler at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Loving-Year-Love-Romance-HarperImpulse-ebook/dp/B00GWG5EEI

Two of her short stories are in the 4 and 5 * amazon reviewed Be My Valentine short story collection for 99p at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-My-Valentine-HarperImpulse-Collection-ebook/dp/B00I0GYSFO

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/be-my-valentine-harperimpulse/id806177169

She is also a contributor to the RNA/Mills and Boon Anthology Truly, Madly, Deeply  available to buy at:

Mills & Boon
http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/truly-madly-deeply

Amazon
Paperback - http://amzn.to/1e3zwBo
eBook - http://amzn.to/1gembbZ

iBooks
http://bit.ly/1f9D4YW

Google Play
http://bit.ly/1fdIMaH

Kobo
http://bit.ly/1gemlAe

Thank you, Nikki, for popping by! Good luck with Crazy, Undercover, Love.

Happy Birthday, Bubba

Before...

However much I am happy that my son gets another birthday, it's scary how quick he is growing up. 

He's my youngest, my baby boy. I want him to remain cute and cuddly, and just my baby... 

But today he turns 7. 

He even said himself, "I'm becoming a big boy, Mummy."

He's tidier than his older brother, Ben, yet he still has his (as preschool used to call it) imagination. Kieran is good at telling a tale or two basically.

As a toddler he was Kamikaze Kieran, as he really would just go at things like a bull in a china shop, or Kieran the Destroyer, as he's good at breaking things.

Minehead Feb Half Term 2014

I feel blessed with two wonderful boys. This is coming from someone who, before children, vowed girls would always be much easier. However, seeing my friends' girls, I realise I've got the better deal with two boys. 

I don't care if they're naughty for me, as long as they are good at school and for others (which I think generally they are).

Knight Kieran

For the record (in case you look back at this), your best friends are Lexi, Lily and Ryan. I believe as it stands currently, you're marrying Lexi, and Ryan is marrying Lily. Only the future can tell... 

I will continue to bring up my two 'future husbands' with the hope that my future daughter-in-laws (if they marry) will thank me :) 

Kieran George Morgan, you make us laugh with your silly jokes and clowning around. And you're still my baby boy. I love you, and so does Ben, although he won't admit it. Happy 7th Birthday, little man. x x x 

Best of friends really, when not fighting...  (summer 2013)

Fake Friday With Hannah Emery

Doesn't Fake Friday come around fast? I do feel like I've been neglecting my blog lately. Lots of things have been happening in real life that I'll tell you about one day, but in the meantime, to kick off the Fake Weekend I have Hannah Emery, fellow Harper Impulse author on my blog today. 

About Hannah Emery:

I have written stories for as long as I can remember. I love writing about how fragile the present is and how so much of it depends on chance events that took place years ago. I studied English at the University of Chester, and I now work in a college where I mentor degree students.

The most important things in my life are my family, my friends, books, baking on a Saturday afternoon, getting glammed up to go out for champagne and dinner and having cosy weekends away.

I live in Blackpool with my husband and our little girl.

And on with the questions, starting with my Twitter style question: Describe your heroine in 140 characters. 

Grace Ash is a little bit lost…She’s unique, one of a pair, sensitive, ambitious, dramatic and constantly haunted by the past and the future.

What do you read while you write, or don’t you?

I always read: I couldn’t not.  But I do have to be careful what I read and when I read it, because I find that style is contagious! I love women’s fiction, classics and a bit of YA.

What do you do with a paperback once you’ve read it?

It depends.  If I liked it, I put it on my shelf.  If I loved it, I pass it onto somebody else and make them read it.  If I loved it and it’s special to me, I put it on my shelf and tell other people to buy their own copy.  One of my favourite books is the copy of Sex and the City that I bought in Italy on my honeymoon. 

What is next on your agenda after publishing your (first) book?

At the moment I’m writing another book with similar themes to Secrets in the Shadows: family mysteries, romance and a little bit of magic.

Cocktail or shot? If so, what one?

A cocktail, please!  A champagne cocktail would be even better!

Tea or coffee?

Coffee.  I can’t start the day without it.

Starbucks or Costa?

Both.  One of my favourite things to do is go out for a huge cup coffee and a cake with family or friends.  Easily pleased, I know.  It’s the little things…

Secrets in the Shadows Blurb

In 1920s Blackpool, eleven year old Rose wanders away from her parents and has a unique gift bestowed upon her. This gift will leave a haunting legacy, seeping down through the generations...

Decades later, Louisa has a vision of her mother walking into the sea. This isn’t the first time it happens and it won’t be the last, but what she sees isn’t always what she wants. The rest of her life is spent trying to change the future that haunts her.

In present day Blackpool, Grace is going to be married someday. She knows this because she’s seen it; a vision of a white dress, daisies embroidered on the sleeves, the groom by her side, vowing to love her forever. Except the man in her premonition doesn’t belong to her- he belongs to her twin sister, Elsie.

Haunted by what they know and what they are afraid to find out, all three women must make a choice: in the face of certain destiny should you chase the outcome that’s “meant to be”, or throw away fate and choose your own future?

@hannahcemery ~ hannahcemery.wordpress.com

Thank you, Hannah, for visiting my blog. Good luck with your book - it sounds like a really intriguing tale. Another to add to my to-read pile. 

Fake Friday With Jane Linfoot

It's been a while since I've had someone on my blog, and today, for my Fake Friday, I have fellow Harper Impulse author, Jane Linfoot. She's here to talk about writing, her favourite cocktail, and tell us a little about her new book The Right Side of Mr Wrong that was published 6th March.

Recently, I featured on Jane's blog talking about my Pink Shoes, that went with The Pink Dress, so I'm delighted to return the favour, so I'll hand over to Jane...  

Hi! I’m Jane Linfoot, and I write fun, flirty fiction, with feisty heroines and a bit of an edge.

I live in a mountain kingdom in Derbyshire, England, where my family and pets are kind enough to ignore the domestic chaos – happily, we’re in walking distance of a supermarket. For me, writing romance is cool because I get to wear pretty shoes instead of wellies. I love hearts, flowers, happy endings, all things vintage, most things French. When I’m not on Facebook, and can’t find an excuse for shopping, I’ll be walking, or gardening. On days when I want to be really scared, I ride a tandem.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes!

Did you manage to get the first book you wrote published, or is it tucked in a drawer somewhere?

The first romance I wrote is still on my desktop. I subbed it to a famous publisher, and it got lost in the ether. By the time I discovered they weren’t considering it, I had another one written, so I sent that off instead. I did enter it in a pitch competition a while back, and I got a full request, but when I opened the file, I discovered that three years on my perfect novel needed a total re-write! I will get around to it one day, because I do love the characters. It was originally called The Billionaire’s Surprise Package, then it morphed into The Biggest Blag of Her Life. Watch this space....

What’s so special about your heroine that makes your hero fall in love with her?

At first the attraction is pure heat – but Shea is the only person who has ever stood up to Brando, and her experiences mean she can understand him where other women wouldn’t.

Why do you like writing romance?

I love hanging out with my characters. Also, when real life is chaotic, it’s wonderful to be in a fictional place where you’re in control – until the characters start taking over, that is! Also, after years working on building sites, it’s a real novelty to be able to wear pretty shoes when I’m writing.

Which of your characters is your favourite, and why?

I totally fell in love with Brando Marshall from The Right Side Of Mr Wrong – I love his brand of smoldering sexy – if Shea ever threw him out, I’d be more than happy to catch him, if I didn’t have my own OPH (own personal hero)

What do you do with a paperback once you’ve read it?

If I’ve enjoyed a book, I’ll always keep it. Otherwise I offer them round to friends, or send them to the charity shop. Sometimes I leave them lying around town, with notes in saying “Please take me home and read me!”

What advice would you give to new writers?

Never give up. And if a new writer is at the point of sending work off, it’s important to remember that rejections are subjective. Just because one publisher doesn’t like your novel, it doesn’t mean another won’t. So keep on sending out your work. And consider going to conferences, and having one-to-one’s with editors, because this can fast forward the whole process, and sometimes you even get to leap-frog over the slush pile!

What things inspire you to write? Location, music, film or even in a book?

Each book I write is the result of lots of different strands, fused together. Inspiration comes from everywhere – it could be a snatch of a song, a headline, or something on TV or the radio. I have notebooks where I jot things down as I come across them. Sometimes I start with one strong idea, say for an opening scene, and then the rest gets added in piece by piece. I like to travel, and I love to use places I’ve visited in my stories. And I often get ideas from talking to people about what they’ve done. I have stacks of pictures torn out of magazines too, and I use those to fill in any gaps.

What is next on your agenda after publishing your book?

I always move on to the next book. I’m close to the end of my next... *typing furiously*

Are you nervous about friends reading your book?

Big fat YES! And my mum-in-law has my books sitting on her kindle – I’ve warned her they’re steamy!!!

Do you love or hate Facebook? 

Love it!

Cocktail or shot? If so, what one? 

Cocktail – I love tequila sunrises.

Tea or coffee? 

Coffee

Starbucks or Costa? 

Costa - I don’t like the shape of the mugs at Starbucks!

Chocolate or ice cream? 

Chocolate

Dogs or cats?

Both

The Right Side of Mr Wrong Blurb: 

One-off, moving on sex wasn’t meant to be this hot…

When determined singleton Shea Summers is persuaded to become the “wife” of the Lord of Edgerton Manor, the last thing she wants to do is play house with a stranger.

Brooding playboy Brando Marshall, is far from happy when Shea turns up at his sprawling estate with production crew in tow. Surely she’s just another woman after his wallet? And if she’s looking for Mr Right, she’s definitely hitting on the wrong guy. Then again, after catching an unscheduled glimpse of her knickers, perhaps Brando needs to teach this “gold-digger” a lesson!

She’s seizing the moment, he’s breaking the rules, and when bad boys can be so much fun, who can resist getting on the right side of Mr. Wrong...

Author Page Facebook ~ Twitter: @janelinfoot ~ Website

  

BUY LINKS

UK   http://amzn.to/NbO6R8

US  http://amzn.to/1nOCgba

 Thank you, Jane! What a beautiful book cover. Loving the shoes, and the colours of this cover. 

The Dating Game...

Pomegranate or broken heart?

Now, maybe I'm being terribly old fashioned here and need to get with the 21st Century, but I believe a girl should be asked out by a boy, and shouldn't be the one doing the chasing.

But maybe I'm wrong, and so I wondered what others thought. Because, now in my single state, I sometimes feel I'm failing miserably at this dating game...

I put it to you: should the men be asking the women out? Or do the men like to be asked out too? Or is that a big turn off?

Any excuse to post a picture of Tom Hiddleston

Now from a woman's point of few, us girls have some insecurities. Us normal girls don't want to appear like bunny boilers. To ensure the guy really is interested, we like to be asked out. If the guy is doing the chasing it means he's interested. We don't want to appear too heavy by texting too much, or needy, we want them to make the first move. And what if the guy really isn't interested, and you're texting, calling etc. Are you just being a pest?

This is what runs through us girls minds. Or at least mine...

I know when I write a hero, he always does the hard work. Okay, so my heroine might let on that she likes him, and gives him the green light, but it has to come from him. The man pursues the woman. He makes the realisation that she's the one for him etc.

Favourite scene ever in Love Actually

I believe men should open doors for women. It's nothing to do with equality. It's about manners, about being a gentleman. However, it being the 21st Century, on a date, I don't actually expect the guy to pay the whole bill, but when he does, it's rather nice.

And what about flowers? Do you like receiving flowers (if you're a girl) and (as a boy) do you like sending/giving flowers?

Are girls playing it too cool and losing the guy's interest, or is it a sign he's not really all that interested if he doesn't make the first move and doesn't contact?

What about mobile phones and texting, and even social media, are they making us lazy? I laughed out loud at this line in Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy. Bridget is comparing texting and Twitter in the 21st Century to letter writing in Jane Austen's era, and Talitha puts her straight...

"Bridget. Sleeping with a twenty-nine year old off Twitter on the second date is not 'rather like in Jane Austen's day'." 

What are the new dating rules?

I want to know... answers on a postcard please... or just leave in the comments below.

I need this information so that I am prepared for the day when Tom Hiddleston calls me for a date. I'll know exactly what to do!

Her Best Four Letter Word Blog Hop

Welcome to Her Best Four Letter Word Blog Hop, celebrating the publication of two HarperImpulse titles:  Eve Devon’s ‘Her Best Laid Plans’ (contemporary romance) and Zara Stoneley’s ‘Love is a Four Letter Word’ (erotic romance).

Look out for the deets for TWO GIVEAWAYS via Rafflecopter and using the comments section on this blog at the end of the post. 

ABOUT ‘HER BEST LAID PLANS’ by Eve Devon

Blurb: Love is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans…

The Totally Perfect Life Plan of Amanda Gray

Step 1 – Take total control of own destiny and avoid getting too wrapped up in the details.

Step 2 – Definitely do NOT kiss gorgeous bad-boy businessman who doesn't know how to live life without scheduling it six months in advance, even if he is absolutely irresistible.

Step 3 – Don't even THINK of accompanying him to London as his PA to enjoy steamy encounters in a metropolitan paradise.

Step 4 – Absolutely, positively, whatever you do- do NOT fall in love with him…

Available from AMAZON or click here for other retailers.

ABOUT EVE DEVON:

I love connecting with readers. Find out more about me or stop by for a chat:  Website    Facebook   Twitter

ABOUT ‘LOVE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD’ by Zara Stoneley

Take one rich girl who has a thing for the bad boys.

Take one tough guy who thinks possession is nine-tenths of the misery law.

Mix generously with a land dispute and a whole lotta lust…. And what have you got?

Sometimes being bad can be just too good to miss.

Available from AMAZON or click here for other retailers.

ABOUT ZARA STONELEY:

To find out more about Zara and her books, please follow the links: Website    Facebook   Twitter   

GIVEAWAY: 

Goodie Bag Contents: All the perfect ingredients for a girlie reading experience…

10.00£/$ Amazon Gift Voucher (to purchase delicious ebooks)

Her Best Laid Plans Beaded Bookmark (for a touch of book bling)

Love is a Four Letter Word Beaded Bookmark (for a touch of book bling)

Her Best Laid Plans/Love is a Four Letter Word Linen Bag (to keep all your reading experience ingredients together and handy for those urgent date night clothes shopping trips)

Bottle of Bubbly (for if you don’t like hot chocolate/tea)

Hot Chocolate/Tea Drinking Goodies (for if you don’t like bubbly)

Chocolates (no explanation required!)

Nail Varnish/Nail Files (for that break between reading books!)

And it’s all inside a lovely HarperImpulse bag!

Due to the content of the prizes, all entrants must be over 18. If the winner does not reside in the UK, some items may be substituted with others of an equal or greater value due to individual country restrictions

No purchase is necessary, all answers will be available on the publisher’s blog, retailer sites, or the authors’ blogs, websites or Facebook Pages.

GIVEAWAY ONE: Answer Eve and Zara’s questions using the Rafflecopter:

To be in with a chance of winning the Goodie Bag you need to answer the two questions below.

Question 1: What is Amanda’s brother (Jared’s best friend) called?

Question 2: What is Georgie’s step-mother called?

Don't know the answer? Check out Eve and Zara’s facebook pages or their websites for snippets from their books                           

All correct entries will be put into the grand draw for the Goodie Bag. Winners will be announced on March 6^th HERE

To gain extra entries in the Rafflecopter follow us on our blog hop and answer each new set of questions – you can find a full listing of where we’ll be on our websites or: HERE

GIVEAWAY TWO: Win an iBook Voucher every day of the hop by taking part in:

Her Best Four Letter Word…to describe reading contemporary romance

Leave your best four letter word (no profanity, please) to describe reading contemporary romance in the comments section and a winner will be chosen to receive an iBooks Voucher for a HarperImpulse title (please note if your first choice is not available you may have to pick another!). The winner of today’s competition will be posted at the end of the blog hop on 6^th March. Only ONE iBooks voucher is available each day, if the Blog Hop is visiting more than one blog then ALL entries for the day, from all participating blogs, will be entered into the daily competition.

Good Luck and we hope you enjoy Her Best Laid Plans and Love is a Four Letter Word

a Rafflecopter giveaway