And Joining Me Today….Robyn Grady!

Robyn Grady is a special friend of mine as well as being an Australian Modern Heat author AND a Harlequin Desire Author! Robyn’s gritty determination and persistence paid off with the spectacular event of being a new author signed to two separate lines. That, folks, is extremely uncommon.

So Robyn’s popped by to talk about her latest release, A WILD NIGHT AND A MARRIAGE ULTIMATUM

So…what event/situation inspired your story? 

An unmarried friend of my eldest daughter had just fallen pregnant. It inspired me to write a marriage of convenience story with an ultra modern twist. There is, of course, a happily-ever- after, but the HEA a 21st century mother-to-be deserves, not merely feels she needs to accept. 

  Was it a book that flew from your fingers or gave you grief? 

It did fly from my fingers! In about three weeks, actually. The characters were very real to me, and I was barracking for the heroine, Sophie Gruebella 100% all the way. The ending, when I wrote it, seemed so right for them both.

  Who inspired the hero? 

The latest James Bond…although Cooper Smith doesn’t look at all like Daniel Craig. However, he does possess the same “I’m dangerous but too sexy to resist” air about him.

  Has it had more than one title?  

It started out “Accidentally In Love”. But this title, well, it really says it all! J

  Where has it been released and where might it be released? 

In the UK NOW, In Australia and New Zealand in June and in the US in July. It will be released as a Presents, titled , “The Australian Millionarie’s Love Child.”

 How did you celebrate the sale? My husband brought home a bottle of imported champagne. He knows me so well

Thanks so much, Robyn for stopping by!

Robyn Grady, Nicola Marsh and I are running a joint competition so head over here to enter!  

A Chapter A Week

Since the first of February I have set myself the target of a chapter a week. Some of you might think that is an easy gig,  but set amongst the other paid job, mothering, “wifing” and organising a school market, it’s been a challenge.

But setting achieveable goals is a good thing as it makes you dig deep when you are tempted to collapse in a heap and say, ‘I’ll do it tomorrow”.  I’m now into chapter seven and Easter is bearing down on me. Two short weeks and the kids on holidays which adds in another dimension to the challenge.  The plus side is that usually at this point in the book I tend to write faster.

But life likes to laugh at you. This book has been an interesting write to this point. The first four chapters were much easier than my usual start. EVERY book has a sticky point and that is where I am now.

And to add insult to injury the scanner is playing up so I can’t even leave you with a picture of them both.  So I’ll head back to Tess and Cal and hope they are having the conversation I need them to have instead of misbehaving and I’ll leave you with a hunky doctor instead.  

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Love Is the Best Medicine

I’m blogging over at Love is the Best Medicine. I’d love to hear about your fave community event so whip over now and tell me

And Joining Me Today….Nicola Marsh

Nicola Marsh is an Australian Author and a good mate of mine! She writes for Harlequin Mills and Boon Romance and Modern Heat, and today she’s talking to me about her book Purchased for Pleasure.

So, Nicola, what situation or event inspired your story?

I’ve always had a thing for men in uniform so wanted to write a book about a Navy SEAL.  The man auction idea seemed like fun too…imagine buying your very own SEAL and having him trail around after you for a week.  Too much fun!

Was it a book that flew from your fingers or gave you grief?

Definitely flew from my fingertips.  It was one of the first books I ever wrote, originally targetting the old Temptation series, which I absolutely loved.  Kate and Ty bounced off each other really well, and I love writing dialogue, so the wordcount flew.

Who inspired the hero?

Originally, a figment of my imagination!  But to make the book fit for the new Modern Heat series, I needed more inspiration so turned to the very sexy Wentworth Miller.  Those eyes...

Has it had more than one title?

My original working title was Man for Sale, then it changed to Male for Sale, and the eds chose Purchased for Pleasure.  Nice ring to it, huh?

Where has it been released and where might it be released.Where has it been released and where might it be released?

The book has been released in the UK, Australia/NZ and the USA to date.  I’m hoping the translations will flow in!

How did you celebrate the sale? 

By buying a  new pram!  I sold the book not long before giving birth to my second little hero last year and thought a new pram was in order.  Ah, the glamorous life of an author

Thanks, Nicola!!

Nicola Marsh along with Robyn Grady and I are running a joint competition so head over here to enter!  

Today at The Pink Heart’s Society

Today I’m blogging over at PHS!                  

So come join me there    

Congratulations, Alison Stuart!

While I was at the beach this summer I read a terrific historical novel called BY THE SWORD. It stood out for me not just because of the great writing, but because of the period. It had me reaching back into the dim dark past of year ten English History, to the turbulent Cromwell Years. Like any civil war, it divided families, neighbours and friends.  Alison Stuart wove the history beautifully with a great romantic story so I was really excited to hear that yesterday this book won the 2008 Eppie for Best Historical Novel!  Congratulations, Alison!

 I asked Alison about how she came to write BY THE SWORD and she said, “The inspiration came from a house. When I was 11 my grandfather, who lived nearby, took me to visit Harvington Hall near Kidderminster in Worcestershire.  Something about the serene, red-brick, medieval, moated manor house captured my imagination and by my teenage years I had renamed it Seven Ways and populated it with a fictional family – the Thorntons. Generations of the Thornton family had exciting adventures written in pencil in spiral bound notepads. Over the years, the notepads were put away and the Thorntons forgotten.  It was not till much later (that fortuitous skiing accident which left me with a dislocated shoulder, alone in a ski lodge with a notebook computer) that I decided to write a book and returned once more to my passion for the English Civil War and the Thornton family of Seven Ways. Kate Ashley and Jonathan Thornton came to life as the snow drifted against the window. I hasten to add they bear little or no resemblance to their predecessors in the spiral bound notebook!”If you’re looking for a great historical read and a departure from the Regency Period then you can’t go past Alison Stuart.  Congratulations once again!

March into Memorable Books and WIN!!

To celebrate March and my new “outback website” I’m having a competition with two great author mates of mine, Robyn Grady and Nicola Marsh.  

So to win three wonderful stories head to each of our websites, answer the questions and then send an email to any one us containing the three answers! Simple eh?  Remember to put March Competition inthe subject line.

So get started NOW by clicking here and call back to my blog over the next two weeks to read interviews from Robyn and Nicola!

The Reviews Are In!

 

You write the book and that is the part you control. The Cover, the Blurb and the Reviews are out of your control so whenever a new book hits the shelf there is always a moment of breath holding.

A Wedding In Warragurra is a special book to me and I was wondering how it would be received. I’m excited to say that the reviews are in!

“Reading a novel by Fiona Lowe is like stepping out in the warm Outback sunshine. Warm hearted, uplifting and spellbinding, her captivating Medical Romances are simply superb!” Julie Bonello CataRomance

“Fiona Lowe is simply terrific! Not only does this talented storyteller allow her readers to fall in love with her wonderful hero and heroine, but she also recreates their Outback town so vividly, that readers will feel as if they are standing under the vast Australian sky! If you are looking for a romance that is poignant, passionate and enthralling, then rush to the bookstore and pick up A Wedding in Warragurra – you certainly will not regret it!” Pink Heart’s Society

This book is out now at Mills and Boon UK and will be on the Shelf in the UK on March 15th.

For Australians wanting an advanced copy click HERE. Or Mark April 15th on your calendar and grab yourself a copy then.