Exciting News! RNA Joan Hessayon Award Contender!

Finally, I can share my secret!

I've known way before Christmas. I've known before my book was actually published way back in August that I would be a contender for the RNA's Joan Hessayon Award.

It's been really hard not to shout about this exciting bit of news!

Basically, Plus One is a Lucky Number went through the New Writers' Scheme, (as The Wedding Favour) and was my first book to get published, so it makes me eligible for the award. I found this all out when I transferred my membership from New Writers' scheme to full RNA member.

The winner will be announced at the RNA Summer Party. At first I wasn't sure if I could afford to attend, then a complimentary ticket dropped through my door, and I had no excuses. I booked my train yesterday!

Now I just need to think about a dress - ideally one that won't crinkle on the train! - and sensibly but sexy shoes (I've seen the photos at the RNA parties... there are lots of pictures of shoes!).

Fellow Harper Impulse author, Sue Fortin is also a contender, so it's going to be exciting for both of us! It will mean I get to meet my editor, Charlotte Ledger and the rest of the fabulous Harper Impulse team again.

There are seventeen in all... a record number...  some names and faces I recognise from the RNA conference in 2011. Here is the list:

Celia J Anderson, Sweet Proposal, Piakus

Elaine Everest, Grace's War, Pulse

Helena Fairfax, The Silk Romance, MuseItUp

Sue Fortin, United States of Love, Harper Impulse

Kathryn Freeman, Too Charming, Choc Lit

Jessica Gilmore, The Return of Mrs Jones, Harlequin Mills & Boon

Laura E James, Truth or Dare? Choc Lit

Jennie Jones, The House on Burra Burra Lane, Harlequin Australia

Alison May, Sweet Nothing, Choc Lit

Teresa F. Morgan, Plus One is a Lucky Number, Harper Impulse

Jane O'Reilly, Once a Bad Girl, Escape

Helen Phifer, The Ghost House, Carina UK

Jill Steeples, Desperately Seeking Heaven, Carina UK

Jo Thomas, The Oyster Catcher, Accent Press

Lin Treadgold, Goodbye Henrietta Street, Safkhet Publishing

Susan Willis, Yes Chef, No Chef, Endeavour

Jennifer Young, Thank You For The Music, Tirgearr 

Author photos and their books can be found here. 

We're all winners as we have all had our first book published by fabulous publishers. This just is a lovely boost to our career and writing. 

Nikki Moore's Blog Hit

Nikki Moore's Blog Hit
New Release - Crazy, Undercover, Love

The day has finally arrived!! Nikki Moore's debut novel with HarperImpulse - Crazy, Undercover, Love - is released as an ebook today, 24^th April 2014.

If you like pacy, sexy romance and fancy a long weekend in Barcelona with a smoking hot guy this one's for you!  Want to know more...?

When uber-feisty career girl Charley Caswell-Wright takes on the assignment as PA to the gorgeous Alex Demetrio, CEO of Demetrio International, she's there under entirely false pretences; 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!

To buy Crazy, Undercover Love as an ebook:-

Amazon – http://amzn.to./1gdpOxb

Google Play - http://bit.ly/1rTMrQw

iTunes - http://bit.ly/1mkzpHP

Kobo - bit.ly/QlpKpC

Sainsbury's - http://bit.ly/1hoD1bj

Or to buy it as a paperback on pre-order, released on 26^th June:-

Amazon - http://amzn.to/1rTKGmB

What people are saying about Nikki's other stories...

The Love Letter and A Day in the Life... HarperImpulse short story collection Be My Valentine, with Teresa F Morgan and Brigid Coady, attracting 4 and 5 star reviews.

'I loved all 5 stories and will look out for more books by each author.'

CometBabesBooks, Amazon

'Whilst I enjoyed all of the stories, I particularly liked Nikki Moore's … her voice as an author really resonated with me and I can't wait to read more of her work.'

Kate Beeden, Goodreads

Nikki's short story A Night to Remember in the Mills & Boon/Romantic Novelists Association anthology Truly, Madly, Deeply which has also attracted 4 and 5 star reviews.

'My favourite story was A Night To Remember. I think what drew me to this … was its resonance with real life. I'm not going to spoil the story but I could feel the emotions spilling out of the page - it was beautiful.'

Beckie, www.beckiesbookmix.blogspot.co.uk

'A Night to Remember - Beautiful, devastatingly so.'

Cheryl M-M, Goodreads & http://mmcheryl.wordpress.com/

Nikki Moore lives in beautiful Dorset and writes short stories and sexy, pacy 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!

Easter Holiday Antics

Does anyone else get that sinking feeling of too much to do and too little time to do it in?

This morning I felt like that as I rushed to school on our first school run of the new term, worrying about events rapidly approaching - i.e. our holiday at the end of May - and I still haven't finished editing my second book.

Yes, I know I should be doing it now, but I'd also noticed I'd been neglecting my blog. The Easter holidays have taken its toll. But with the kids back to school today, I thought I'd share what we've been up to - very quickly!

We did 'Three Beaches in One Day': Seaton, Beer and Branscombe.

Beer, South Devon

We visited the Magical World of Harry Potter - Warner Studios in Watford.

The Night Bus...although we arrived by car

Sipping Butter Beer

And yesterday, as it was an inset day, we went to Slimbridge, where we saw a pair of Moorhens making a nest;



... a robin taking a bath in a pond and lots and lots of baby birds. Slimbridge in spring is awesome.

In other news: My book, Plus One is a Lucky Number comes out in paper on 8th May! Whoop! And panic!

Written Fireside - Changes - Part 2

I'm involved in another Written Fireside again. 

Below is the link to part one, if you haven't read it yet... and check in each week to read the next parts. 

Part 1 by Lori Connelly

Part 2 by Teresa Morgan

Part 3 by Lynn Marie Hulsman

Part 4 by Sue Fortin

Part 5 by Zara Stoneley

Part 6 by Aimée Duffy

Part 7 by Mandy Baggot

Part 8 by Linn B Halton

Part 9 by Erin Lawless

Written Fireside - Changes - Part 2

“Marie?”

“What are you doing here?” She tried to keep eye contact, but it was hard to concentrate faced with that familiar wall of solid, tanned muscle at touching distance. Thankfully, a towel tied around his waist kept him modest.

He laughed, deep, sending every nerve of hers tingling as if hot butterflies were trapped in her body. Stupid question, she knew exactly what he was going to say.

“I always dress like this, or maybe, Marie, it could be because I’m the life model.”

“Ha ha, very funny.” Did she stay or run? She hadn’t paid yet, but if she bolted, how would that look to Zach? It had been so easy to walk out of Mr Simons’ office. Here, her feet were frozen, wanting answers – unlike the rest of her, which felt on fire.

As if time had slowed, they stared at each other, neither knowing what to say. The older woman organising the class broke their reverie.

“Zach, why don’t you take your place? And young lady, if you go pay, I’ll set up an easel for you.”

“Yes, thank you,” Marie said, shifting awkwardly aside to let Zach pass.

Did she really want to go through with this? Blowing twenty dollars on a life class when she’d just quit her job.

This was about being free, following her impulses... only now another passion of hers was about to bare all in front of her - and room full of people.

Once paid, and stood at her easel, she studied him, relieved he faced away from her.  She couldn’t concentrate as she knew his body, they had discovered each other intimately that summer.

Two years on, he looked even more delicious...

Pencil poised, her eyes narrowed.H Anger swelled inside. She shouldn’t think like this.

Remember he disappeared, and left you distraught, with not even a goodbye.

To be continued... 

Part 3 will be Tuesday April 15th by Lynn Marie Hulsman

 

About the Authors: 

Lori Connelly - Website   Blog  Facebook  Twitter   Google Plus   Amazon Author Page   Pinterest   Goodreads   Wattpad

Her books - The Outlaw of Cedar Ridge  The Lawman of Silver Creek

Teresa F. Morgan -  Website  Facebook  Twitter  

Her books - Plus One is a Lucky Number Co-Author - Be My Valentine     

Lynn Marie Hulsman - Website   Facebook   Twitter   Blog

Her book - Christmas at Thornton Hall

Sue Fortin - Blog   2nd Blog   Twitter

Her book - United States of Love

Zara Stoneley - Website   Facebook   Twitter  Blog  Amazon Author Page

Her book - Summer of Surrender  Love is a Four Letter Word

Aimee Duffy - Website   Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads

Harper Impulse  Google Plus  

Her books -  Sinfully Summer  What's a Girl to do?  What a Girl Needs

Mandy Baggot - Website   Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads

Harper Impulse Love A Happy Ending

Her books - Do You Remember?  Made in Nashville

Linn B. Halton -  Website   Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads

Harper Impulse  Google Plus  Love A Happy Ending Pinterest

Her books - Angels Among Us series:  Falling  Forbidden  Forever

Erin Lawless -  Website  Facebook  Twitter  

Her book - The Best Thing I Never Had

My Blogging Tips...

I decided, as I haven't blogged in over a week, that I would share what I have learnt over my years of blogging.

1) Keep blog posts short. 

Tom Hiddleston! Phwarrrr! 

I know for a fact that if I visit a blog and the post is too long, I won't read it.

2) Always have a picture or a photo. 

It breaks up the text and is a bit like 'white space' on the internet. Easier on the eye... Here's an example --->

And Tom Hiddleston is always going to be easy on the eye, let's face it.

3) Always reply to comments. 

It's just common courtesy.  If you want these readers to leave more comments on more blog posts, then reply to them. They might be asking a question. Blogging is another form of social media and requires networking after all.

4) If you feature on a blog, always reply to comments. 

See above (Point 3). The easiest way to monitor comments on a blog you're featuring on is to actually go in and leave a comment (thanking the host for having you, like you'd thank someone for having you if you'd gone to dinner etc) and tick the 'let me know when someone else comments' box.

5) Presentation is key.

A bit like with point 2, on the internet the eye needs some white space. Short paragraphs, and put a gap between them. I think I learnt this from posting fan-fiction on the internet long ago and so it's stuck. But preview your blog post before publishing - make sure you're happy with it. If a blog post looks too busy, point 1 is taken, and it won't be read.

6) Also use hyper-links. 

It's good to share links of whatever you're talking about. It makes it easier for the reader, and the website/blog you're sharing will be grateful too. i.e. I would like to share that I am over on the Romantic Novelists' Association's blog... Romantic Novelists' Association Blog: Plus One is a Lucky Number for Teresa F Morgan Come say hello to me over there, too! I'm talking about how I was published by Harper Impulse.

See, easy!

7) Always try to leave a question at the end to get your readers to comment... 

I hope you find these tips useful! If I've forgotten anything important, then please leave a comment below. Is there things you hate or love seeing on a blog?

8) Always leave a random hotty picture... 

Okay, that's not essential but it does help ;-) And Henry was getting jealous that I'd posted yet another picture of Tom.