Happy New Year

I love the days between Christmas and New Year - the whole cooking frenzy and present buying frenzy are behind us, and everyone can settle down with a pile of presents and piles of leftover food and relax. I like to ignore all things work related, and take time to reflect over the year that has gone, and ready myself for diving headlong into another year.

This year I was diverted momentarily from my plan of doing absolutely nothing by the release day yesterday of book number 12: Under the Hood is a flirt from entangled publishing and available everywhere now. The good news is that it is currently on sale too, for 99c.

I hope everyone manages to see or talk to those that they love this New Year's eve, and wish every one of the minxes readers a very, very, happy New Year.

When sexy mechanic Alice Starr mistakenly believes attorney Mark Jameson needs her help, he discovers he likes being rescued for a change. Smitten by her confidence, he hides his expertise so he has an excuse to see her again.
Starting their new all-female garage, Under the Hood, is keeping Alice and her friends busy. She doesn't have time for a man. But with one kiss, she and Mark have advanced into water so deep she's in danger of drowning. So why hasn't he called?
Mark wants to tell Alice the truth so they can pursue a relationship. But he's got even bigger problems at his office when his bitter aunt threatens Alice’s livelihood. He needs a plan, fast, or else Under the Hood and his chances with Alice could both be ruined.

Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk B&N

And everywhere else you buy ebooks.

All she wants for Christmas...

Right now I'm a very happy Minx. I'm in Switzerland working on my next Chalet Girl novella and the icing on the Christmas log is that for the first time ever I'm spending Christmas and New Year here too!

I'll be visiting the Christmas markets down on the lakeshore at Montreux, walking in the snow, relaxing in the Thermal Baths and drinking lots of chocolat chaud. In other words I'm lucky in that I already have everything I want.

The heroine in my Christmas novella 'Revenge of a Chalet Girl' (OUT TODAY!) is a different case however. All she wants for Christmas is revenge... At least she thinks she does.



Revenge of a Chalet Girl by Lorraine Wilson
Publication date: 19/12/2013
All she wants for Christmas is…revenge.

When chalet girl Amy Wright finds her ex’s name on Chalet Repos’ guest list she sees her chance to get back at him – Josh Carter, the guy who broke her heart. Getting revenge without losing her job will be tricky but luckily the other chalet girls are on hand to offer their support. Pretty soon she’s in too deep and realises she doesn’t want to hurt him anymore. She wants him back.

There’s just one teeny complication…

Buy from Amazon - http://smarturl.it/chaletrevenge
Buy from other retailers - http://www.harperimpulseromance.com/books/revenge-of-a-chalet-girl

Keep up to date with new releases in the Chalet Girl Series - www.facebook.com/LorraineWilsonWriter

Author Spotlight - Mia Hoddell

Welcome Mia! Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

Well, I’m the author of Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers 1). I love reading and writing and that’s what I spend most of my time doing now I have a year off before university. I took A-levels in History, Drama & Theatre Studies, Photography and English language (much to the dismay of my teachers who wanted me to major in science and maths).

I love anything paranormal, which is mainly the genre I write in besides romance and I have an overactive imagination that taunts me in the night when I’ve read or watched something scary. Until you get to know me, I’m quite shy but none of my closest friends or family would agree with that statement. Other than that I love escaping to new worlds either in books, movies or the little worlds inside my head!

What number book is this? First? 100th? 200th?(Nora only!)

Deadly to Love is the first book in the Elemental Killers series however, it is the third novel I have completed. The sequel is coming out within the next month though and I have a few more waiting to be edited.

Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?

I just love creating worlds and stories and that passion helps me sit down to write everyday. For me writing the book isn’t the hard part, it’s everything that comes after it I have trouble keeping up with. Editing, marketing, copywriting, the list goes on. For me that’s what I find hardest, getting the story down is easy for me after I’ve planned it.

I think the main thing that keeps me going besides my love of it is discipline. I’ve got myself into a routine where I’m writing, editing, reading and promoting everyday so now it’s just natural to me. I think being disciplined is a big part of being able to finish a book. Ideas come to me all the time, but without discipline I’d never sit down to write them.

What is your top promo tip for other authors?

I’d say it would be to keep an active online presence. Nowadays there are so many authors out there that if you stop promoting for even a day you fall off the radar and have to work your way back up. I try and spend at least two hours a day doing some kind of promotional activity for my books.

How does writing fit into your day? Or does your day fit in around your writing?

I have recently taken a year out from education to focus on my writing. Instead of going off to university, I deferred my application (much to the annoyance of my careers advisors in college) and therefore I have nothing that gets in the way of it. My writing takes priority over most things and I work on it every day. I will admit the time I spend writing can vary as it depends on my mood. One day I will write 15,000 words while the next day I may only do 3,000 (which is my minimum for any day). I’m trying to make the most of this year while I have it as I know not everyone gets a chance like this. My plan is to write as many books as I can and get a minimum of six book released by this time next year!

Is there a book you haven't written yet that you're dying to? What genre?

I think if I started listing books I want to write I would never stop! I have three note pads and countless documents with ideas and plans on them. It seems every time I start a new book I get a few new ideas that I can’t wait to start. I have nine books planned and ready to write at the moment but there are probably two main ideas at the top of my pile. The first is the fourth and final book in the Elemental Killers series. I’m releasing the second soon and am editing the third so I’m excited (and a bit sad) to start the final one.

The second book is one I’ve just started to write recently. It’s going to be different from anything I’ve written before as I’ve decided to limit the romance and focus on action. I haven’t revealed much about it yet but it has an urban setting, a paranormal twist and plenty of action. It also has a very strong female lead who is turning out to be a lot of fun to create. She has a temper and it’s fun to work with. J

Keeping fit: Do you have an exercise regime to counterbalance all those hours sitting at a computer?

I try…honestly I do. However, most of the time I end up running in my head. I think and know I should go but my body doesn’t get out the front door – especially in the winter and UK’s rain. My mind continues running around my country lanes but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t have any benefits ;) I do exercise at least a few times a week but I’m thinking I should get a treadmill so I can combine reading and exercise to push me to do more!

At what point in your career did you actually start to feel like you were a writer?

I’ve been writing as long as I can remember and still have a book of poems I wrote when I was four. They make me laugh! I got my first poem published at the age of twelve and then two more after that at fourteen and sixteen. However, it wasn’t until I released my first novel that I felt like I had accomplished anything that made me a writer. Before that it was just a hobby and now although it is something I enjoy I’m trying to make a career out of it rather than thinking it’s just for fun. I suppose when my books started selling was when I felt like an author because it meant I had created something people wanted and I could see the results.

Do you write to music, or with the TV on in the background, or do you need complete silence?

Music is a big must when I’m writing as I find it traps me inside my own little writing bubble and focuses me. I have to have the right music playing to fit the atmosphere of the scene I am writing though because otherwise it’s just a hindrance. Mostly I use film scores as they are perfect for creating moods – it’s what they were designed to do after all – so fit great with images in my head. They also have no lyrics that can distract me by making me sing along (badly) which is a bonus.

Do you have any tips, tricks or sacrificial rituals you do when you hit a story roadblock?

Personally I’m all about prevention. I’ve never suffered from writer’s block and the only time I get stuck is in the planning stages (which is to be expected when figuring out your plot).  When writing I will never stop at the end of a chapter but rather continue on into the middle of the next one. I find this helps as I don’t lose my train of thought when I come back to the book the next day and it isn’t as hard to get into. Also, I have to have detailed, character profiles, setting information and a chapter by chapter break down before I start writing. I may deviate from it slightly at times but the book always returns to it and I find it helps me keep track of everything and allows me to just write rather than have to think about where I want the book to go each time I sit down at my desk.

Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers #1)
by Mia Hoddell

YA/Romance/Paranormal/Fantasy

The world is dangerous – but love will kill you.

Little did Serena Jackson know that one simple, flirty remark to an anonymous guy online would lead to her world being changed forever.

She doesn’t know him, but inexplicably, is drawn. She knows it is wrong but she agrees to meet.

His real name is Kai. He is beautiful. And immediately Serena feels herself blindly falling for him even though she senses a lie. She knows he is hiding something and it terrifies her.

What she doesn’t realise is that her entire life has been built on secrets and lies. The people she loved left her in the dark for a reason.

She trusted them. She trusts Kai. But as he pulls her straight into the heart of the danger the lies and deadly secrets are revealed. They overwhelm her, and the person she once was no longer exists as she is thrown into a ruthless world of elemental forces. The price of truth is her life—and now the world wants her dead.

Buy Links: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Lulu
For a limited time only, Deadly to Love is 99c / 77p on Kindle!

About the Author
Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading and loves anything paranormal. Mia always had a love of writing but never reading. She was more interested in sports and hated sitting still - despite getting three poems published before the age of sixteen. Finally though, she found some novels that captured her interest and developed a love of reading which is now one of her favourite hobbies.

Mia began with poems before moving on to short stories. Although she enjoyed this, Mia found she had too much to tell with too little space, so later on she created her first series 'The Wanderer Trilogy' and from there other ideas have emerged. With a total of nine books planned at this moment, she is busy working on her second series 'Elemental Killers' before moving onto the next idea on her ever growing list.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

I'm a romance writer and writing love scenes is hard for me.

I'm a romance writer and writing love scenes is hard for me. There, I've said it. Cue the doom music of my writing career.

*Shuffles feet, turns in romance writer card and walks out of the club and looks forlornly behind her.*


Ok, let me clarify this.

I love writing love scenes..ahem...I love how they reveal the characters, how it could move the story forward or set it back to square one or even, just plain screw things up...

What I find hard, and I am realizing it gets harder each time, is that I have to really find the dynamic that works for that particular couple in that particular situation. Are they desperate, angry with each other, is it forbidden, do they hate themselves for giving in...so on, so on..

So every time I come to that first love scene in each wip, I come to a shuddering halt. I write just the logistics first, where they are, where is the slot, is the tab covered....things like that...

At this point, it feels like I'm writing notes for a biology class and it scares the hell out of me. I can't stop thinking about that scene and being an annoyingly linear writer, I can't move forward.

So I wonder how I'll find the emotion, the dynamic, the sizzle between them and so far in each of the books I have written, I think I have found it.

How about you? Writing love scenes - is it hard or easy for you?

Author Spotlight - Olivia Miles

Today we have the lovely Olivia Miles in our hot seat. We first met Olivia through Mills & Boon's New Voices contest and  we've since gotten to know her better as one of the contributors to the blog Hot Pink Typewriter. (If you haven't subscribed to HPT yet, you should!)

We are so excited to be presenting Olivia's debut novel to you now. It's been a long wait for this highly anticipated debut but we have no doubt it was worth the wait!

PS: Olivia will be running a give-away at the bottom of this post, so keep reading!


1. Olivia, tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
I live just outside Chicago with my husband, daughter, and two little dogs. I write for Harlequin Special Edition, and I also have a single-title series releasing from Grand Central/Forever in 2014 and 2015. I grew up in New England, and tend to set my stories there, and I am thrilled to be living my dream as a professional writer.

2. What number book is this? First? 100th? 200th?(Nora only!)
I am pleased to say that ‘TWAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS is my debut.

3. Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?
I think part of being a professional writer is writing whether you want to or not. There are days when I really just feel like turning off my computer, but when you hit your word count goal or the end of that chapter, no matter how much you really didn’t want to push through it, you always end up happier that you did.

4. What is your top promo tip for other authors?
I think everyone has different strategies and levels of personal comfort when it comes to social media. I try to be strategic with my promotion, planning interviews and newsworthy blog posts, but I also like to engage with readers and let them see me as a real person.

5. How does writing fit into your day? Or does your day fit in around your writing?
I’d say a little bit of both. I have a young child and she’s only in school for a limited number of hours per day, and only a set number of days per week. I make sure to do everything else outside of that window so that I can drop her off, race home, and work for a couple of hours. As my work load has increased, I have started working a second shift after my daughter has gone to bed, even though I am sometimes drinking coffee at nine at night.

6. Do you write every day?
I actually don’t write every day and I never really have, other than when deadlines are pressing. I almost always write 5 days a week, based on time availability with my current schedule. It’s a challenge for me to squeeze writing into weekend time at the moment, so I have to really buckle down on the days I do write.

7. Keeping fit: Do you have an exercise regime to counterbalance all those hours sitting at a computer?
Does walking my dogs count? There are only so many hours in a day and something has to give, and this would be it. If I am going to write or work out, I am going to write. I really can’t see fitting a trip to the gym into my schedule, but I am a fan of the home workout video...here and there 

8. In what way is being a published writer different to how you thought it would be?
Well, I admit I imagined my life might be a bit more like Mary Fisher’s. I envisioned a mansion behind iron gates, black-tie events, the works. Now, I did have slightly more realistic expectations later into things when I was older. I don’t expect to be strutting around with my crystal champagne flute or silk dressing gown, but sometimes, when I am hunched over the computer in day-old pajamas, bedraggled hair, and a forgotten mug of coffee on the desk, listening to the dogs bark and my child run wild while I am trying to hurry up and pound out a final sentence, I can’t help but think how entirely unglamorous my life is.

9. Which of your characters would you like to be?
Hmm, I might say I’d like to be a bit more like Holly, actually. She’s fairly easygoing and calm, and I can be a bit more impulsive and emotional. There are a few other characters in upcoming books that are more similar to me, or at least highlight different sides of me. But Holly handles life in stride, she’s a bit stoic, and I admire those qualities.

10. At what point in your career did you actually start to feel like you were a writer?
I actually had a recent conversation with a fellow professional writer about this exact topic. I remember thinking I would feel like a real writer when I sold my first book. Then it was, well, when I sell my second. Then it was, when I get into single-title. Now...I keep setting more and more goals, waiting to feel like a “real” writer.

BLURB

A storm is about to shake up Holly Tate’s quaint lifestyle, and the Nor’easter scheduled to hit the small town of Maple Woods, Connecticut will have nothing on the upheaval real estate tycoon Max Hamilton creates during his week-long stay at The White Barn Inn. Since inheriting her grandmother’s house five years ago, Holly has poured her heart and soul into transforming the old mansion into a successful inn, hoping to be able to save enough to buy the property when the ninety-nine year lease expires on Christmas Day. Unbeknownst to Holly, Max has a different plan. But as attraction builds and emotions stir, will Holly’s contagious Christmas spirit have him changing his mind? Or will Holly be forced to start the new year with no home or business, but instead, only a broken heart?

'Twas the Week Before Christmas is available from Amazon, Amazon UK and Barnes & Noble.

You can connect with Olivia on her blog, on Facebook and on Twitter. Leave a comment to win a copy of 'Twas the Week before Christmas.

RELEASE DAY AKA SEQUEL TIME!!!

I’ve been dying for this book to be released ever since I wrote what became my debut book for Harlequin Mills & Boon, THE PRICE OF SUCCESS.

It's sequel, HIS ULTIMATE PRIZE was a joy to write. I know most writers say that but the truth is some books are tough, and some books, like this one, just FLOW. I know in most part it was because Rafael had been waiting a while to have his story told, and boy did that man have a lot to say!

Anyway, he got his wish and his official outing today.

And the good news is, not only do you get to read how Rafael wins Raven's heart, his brother Marco and his lovely heroine Sasha, have somehow also managed to slip in there! So my dear blog friends and readers, you’re getting what my US friends like to call a Twofer and we on this side of the Pond refer to as a BOGOF!!

If you looooove bad boys as much as I do, then this is the book for you. If you haven’t read Marco’s story (why not?!) and would love to read my debut Harlequin, then this is the book for you, too. Really, it’s a win win!

Here’s the blurb for both. 

HIS ULTIMATE PRIZE:

Winning is everything 

Rafael de Cervantes was a devil behind the wheel and in the bedroom until his near-fatal crash. To mask his pain? He'll seduce his beautiful physio, Raven Blass! 

Knowing she's responsible for his scars, will Raven risk discovery for one glorious night in Rafael's bed? 

THE PRICE OF SUCCESS:

Owner of the Espiritu racing team, tycoon Marco de Cervantes thinks he knows exactly what's going on inside Sasha Fleming's pretty little head...She's clearly not above using her wide-eyed beauty and tempting curves to become Espiritu's first female racing driver. The infuriating thing is - she's the best driver around! Marco's willing to reap any rewards...on and off the track...but he couldn't be more wrong about Sasha. Unlike the socialites that flock round him she has no interest in being a billionaire's trophy wife - and she wills her body to prove this to him. But success always comes at a price! 

Having held the book in my hand, I can assure you it’s the perfect weight for a Christmas stocking ;) So go on, get it out – your Christmas stocking, not your, er….never mind.

Get it out and get stuffing :) And if you leave me a lovely comment, one of you will win a signed copy of your very own to stuff your stocking with!

Good Luck & Happy Reading.

Maya

x

Author Spotlight - Sue Fortin

Today we welcome Harper Impulse author Sue Fortin into our Minxy Spotlight. Welcome Sue!

1. Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
Hi, I live in West Sussex in the UK, right on the south coast and when not writing, I’m mum to four children, although my eldest moved into his own place earlier this year. I work part-time at a local higher education college where I support the students in their learning.

2. What number book is this? First? 100th? 200th?(Nora only!)
United States of Love is my debut novel and I’ve just finished writing my second novel. Book Three is plotted out.

3. Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?
I give myself short time frames for writing. For example, an hour to write 500 words or half an hour to write a particular scene. I work better under pressure and deadlines so this method suits me.

4. What is your top promo tip for other authors?
For myself, I prefer in-direct promo. I like to talk around my book, maybe about setting and share some photos or talk about the research. I think it engages readers without being pushy.

5. How does writing fit into your day? Or does your day fit in around your writing?
As I mentioned above, I work part-time at a local college and I have three children living at home, so my writing has to fit in around my other commitments. I’ve recently started a new routine of getting up early and having an hour’s writing. So far it’s working as it means I can write every day, even on a work day.

6. Is there a book you haven't written yet that you're dying to? What genre?
The book I’m currently working on is Romantic Suspense which is a new sub-genre for me but I would also love to write a historical. I just need to make plenty of time for research first.

7. Could you be friends with any of your heroines?
I could definitely be friends with Anna from United States of Love. For a start we have a son the same age and, also, she lives local to me – plenty of opportunities for coffee and a natter. I know also she’d look out for me and be there through thick and thin, she would be the perfect best friend.

8. Have you ever written a hero you'd be happy to run off with?
I could easily run off with Tex from United States of Love, hopefully he’d take me over to Texas where we could spend time together at his family’s ranch. I think hanging out with his brothers and their wives would be great fun.

9. Do you write to music, or with the tv on in the background, or do you need complete silence?
Ideally, I like to write in silence, but with a busy household it doesn’t always happen.

10. Writing snacks – what are your favourites?
I feel I should say something healthy, like, bananas or nuts but I’m going to confess to chocolate and cake.

UNITED STATES OF LOVE

Since splitting from her husband, single mum Anna Barnes is enjoying her new found freedom and independence.

However, she didn't bank on working for Tex Garcia – or the sparks that fly between them. The gorgeous American chef is getting the locals hot under the collar and not just because of his culinary prowess!

One problem: Tex can't commit and women pass through his life like dishes going out to service! Will it be the same with Anna? One thing’s for sure, this All American man is determined to break her self-imposed rule of never mixing business with pleasure – and add some spice into the mix…


United States of Love is available from Amazon, Amazon UK and for all other suppliers through Harper Impulse.

Inspiration and frogs - not necessarily in that order

Would the frogs outside my window please just get it on already?! I can’t even hear myself think they’re making such a racket!

So if this blog post is a little all over the place, it’s the frogs’ fault (not the fact that I’m currently surviving on 4-5 hours sleep a night rather than my usual 6!) I’m doing Nanowrimo. Fifty thousand words in thirty days. Please remind me why we do this to ourselves again?

The day job hasn’t been as kind as in past years and my word counts are lagging. Or, as my fancy Nano spreadsheet so helpfully keeps reminding me, I now have to write 2,894 words per day if I’m to have any hope of claiming my winner’s certificate.

Whether you’re Nano-ing or not, here’s a little inspiration from Hollywood:

"Life is very interesting… in the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths." - Drew Barrymore

"Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power." - Clint Eastwood

"A lot of people give up just before they’re about to make it. You know you never know when that next obstacle is going to be the last one." - Chuck Norris

On the news front, I’d like to say CONGRATULATIONS to Tara Pammi, who has become the first Minx to be nominated for an RT award. We are so proud of you Minx Tara, and you so deserve the accolades!

But she is by no means our first award nominee. Minx Lorraine was recently nominated for not one but two TWO awards at the recent Festival of Romance in the UK. Lorraine has a special place in my heart since she’s the Minx I’ve spent the most time with in person, so I cannot tell you how excited I am that she’s getting the recognition she deserves.

And finally, to end with still more good news (for me, at least) I received a lovely review this weekend from Chloe’s Chick Lit Reviews for my second novel, The Trouble with Mojitos. Thank you, Chloe.

To wrap up this rambly blog post, I’m going to share a clip I’ve been using as inspiration for my current work-in-progress. Meet Christian...

(This isn't the clip I wanted to show, but after an hour of searching and not finding the right one, this will have to do!)

Author Spotlight - Rosanna Leo

We're delighted that Rosanna Leo is here on the minxes today, to answer the minx questions and tell us a little about her new release. Without further ado, here we go!

Tell our readers a little bit about yourself. 
The first thing I should warn you about is my somewhat-unreasonable obsession with Nutella. Once you understand that, we can be friends. ;) Kidding aside, I am a writer and librarian from Toronto, Canada, and saw my dreams realized last year when my first romance was published by Liquid Silver Books. I live for romance, and love pairing hot (preferably immortal) men with real women who have real bodies and issues. When not writing, I spend my time working at the local library and shuttling my two sons hither and yon.

What number book is this? First? 100th? 200th?(Nora only!)
From your mouth to God’s ears! I would love to be Nora one day. J Predator’s Serenade is my 8th book and I am so proud to bring it to you.

Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?
Well, because I also work outside the home, my writing times are few and I can’t afford to waste time. No shoe shopping for me on a writing day! If I have time to write, that’s all I do. Yes, it takes some discipline, but I love it too much to want to do anything else.

What is your top promo tip for other authors?
Network…properly. If you join a group online, don’t just post and disappear. You have to engage readers, and also relate to them. Answer questions. Respond to comments. Be there, and have fun with promotion!

How does writing fit into your day? Or does your day fit in around your writing?
Writing has to fit into my day, even though I’d love it to be the other way around. If I don’t have to be somewhere else, I am sitting in front of my laptop and losing myself in other worlds.

Is there a book you haven't written yet that you're dying to? What genre?
I’m dying to return to the first book I ever wrote, which remains unpublished. It was a sprawling love story/historical/paranormal and had some great qualities, but was far too long and unwieldy. It was my first, after all. I hope to pare it down and polish it one day…one day.

Keeping fit: Do you have an exercise regime to counterbalance all those hours sitting at a computer?
Yes! Run, don’t walk to kitchen. Whip open the cupboard door, thus engaging arm muscles. Retrieve Nutella from cupboard and wrench open top. Jump in spot from excitement as you thrust a spoon into the chocolate mixture. Breathe deeply as you ingest…and go sit down again. ;)

What was the most fun part of writing this book?
The banter. My hero is a cocky professional percussionist and bear shifter. My heroine is a regular mom who happens to have a shape shifter son (we explain how in the book). She is not afraid to take my hero down a peg or two, and I found their banter just flowed out of me. I guess snark comes easily to me!

Just for fun: a year from the end of the book, where would your couple go on holiday?
Ooh! I love this question. Gioia, my heroine, loves the outdoors. Soren, the hero, loves the city. However, by the end of the book, he gains an appreciation for nature too. I think, to taunt him, she’d force him into a tent and make him camp. However, I know for a fact he’d love snuggling in said tent!

Which of your characters would you like to be?
Um, yes, I could stand to be Gioia from Predator’s Serenade. She’s funny and has a cool, talented son who she adores. She’s mated to a very sexy bear shifter who happens to have oodles of money (not that she cares about that). And her mate is, ahem, very into her…often.

 About Predator's Serenade:
There are three things that make bear shifter Soren Snow’s skin crawl: mothers, their children, and the great outdoors. Soren is a famed musician and playboy, and he would rather spend his days pressing the flesh with the women in his fan club than developing meaningful relationships. When his brother calls in a favor, forcing Soren to revisit the Ursa Fishing Lodge in Northern Ontario, he couldn’t be more displeased. However, he owes his brother big time.
Gioia Clementine would rather not meet Soren, her drummer son’s rock idol. But when tragedy strikes her home, it seems the only one the boy might respond to is Soren. Gioia begrudgingly agrees to let her son meet him, hoping the rock star won’t turn her tween into a musical misogynist.
When Gioia and Soren meet, the sexual chemistry threatens to set the Ontario woodland ablaze. Can these two opposites find a common ground? And can they manage to resolve their unwanted feelings, even when a mysterious stranger arrives at the lodge, threatening everything?
Buy link: http://www.lsbooks.com/predators-serenade-p818.php

Learn more about Rosanna by visiting her blog, facebook and twitter.

Thank you for joining us today, Rosanna!

Busy weekend!

Some of the minxes have been wicked busy this weekend....

Kitty attended Totally Booked Blog's London Author Signing Event, where she was rubbing shoulders with other heavy-hitting authors such as Colleen Hoover, Jasinda Wilder, Alice Clayton (and many more), meeting readers and signing stuff...

And Lorraine was at the Festival of Romance in England where she was nominated for both Best Romantic e-book and also Innovation in Romantic Fiction.

Some minxes are doing Nanowrimo - some buried in the editing cave, and some writing their fingers to the bone...

There will doubtless be pictures and gossip to follow over the weeks ahead, but for now, I'd like to leave you with something pretty to look at, namely these incredible celebrity dolls by Noel Cruz. (See more at his website, http://www.ncruz.com/

These are my favorites....aren't they awesome?

Author Spotlight - Mimi Strong

Today we're delighted to have USA Today Bestselling Author Mimi Strong on the minxes. Mimi's storming up the charts with her latest series about Peaches Monroe-a fabulous heroine. Not only are her books erotic and funny, she's also a great supporter of other writers, and fun too. Now, the questions!

Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
I’m a former good girl who writes about bad girls, bad boys who want to be good, and good sex that goes hilariously bad sometimes.

What number book is this? First? 100th? 200th?(Nora only!)
Like any former good girl who’s gone bad, I’ve lost track of my actual numbers. Fourteen rings a bell, though.

Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?
Lucky for me, I hate shoe shopping, due to my monstrously large feet. I’ll take writing over that, any day! My main method is deadlines and beating myself up.

What is your top promo tip for other authors?
Write a bunch of books, because you’ll gain confidence and readers with every one.
How does writing fit into your day? Or does your day fit in around your writing?
I was self-employed for a good decade already before I started writing, so the cycle of procrastination, not showering or eating properly, and staying up late to meet a deadline hasn’t changed much. My new thing is doing a three-hour block of writing, early in the day. This allows me the smug self-satisfaction of bragging to my author friends that my word count has been met for the day. It’s kind of like the superior high you get a few days into quitting sugar. (i.e. Doomed to not last more than a few weeks.)

Which blog(s) do you read regularly?
My top blog is a message board--I check the KBoards Writers’ Cafe regularly.

Keeping fit: Do you have an exercise regime to counterbalance all those hours sitting at a computer?
I now have a sit/stand desk. The unit cost $369 plus tax and shipping, and it converts from sitting to standing with the touch of a finger. I now stand more than half my time at the computer, and my knees are doing much, much better. I need more exercise, but this is a start in the right direction.

Which of your characters would you like to be?
I’m happy to be me, because all the true love, great friendships, and hilarious characters in my book worlds are inspired by the wonderful people in my real life.

Could you be friends with any of your heroines?
I’d gladly hang out with any of them! I swear sometimes I see them around town. I see Peaches Monroe everywhere, always a little different, and always dressed better than me.

At what point in your career did you actually start to feel like you were a writer?
Once my first book hit the USA Today Bestseller list, I knew that other people would think I’d “made it,” and I resolved myself to neither brag nor downplay my level. If someone compliments me, I try to accept it graciously. I still act like a neurotic freak at times, but I try not to complain when things aren’t going so well, because I know how annoying it is to writers who are still trying to get any traction at all. (Which is where I was for a good year and a half.)

Do you have any tips, tricks or sacrificial rituals you do when you hit a story roadblock?
Most roadblocks won’t survive a five-minute staring contest with the blank page. I’ve never (knock wood) been blocked. However, there are plenty of days I have difficulty getting out of bed, or opening the document. At times, the act of opening the manuscript will make me feel so sick I have to immediately close it, lest I vomit. We writers suffer from excellent memory and imagination. I can write a sentence and suddenly imagine the least appropriate person reading it over my shoulder. I am not so special as to be the only writer with this affliction. I understand these feelings are so common as to be cliched! How dare I take up space on a page speaking of such obviousness? I will say this: I remember who I was before I began writing, and how I had days both bad and good; I know that not every dark mood can be blamed on low sales, critical reviews, or the crushing indifference of the book-reading population. The universe has always been indifferent to my desires. I accept my humanity. I may be very small in this world, but I am enough.

STARFIRE - Peaches Monroe #3 - comes out December 10th.
Books #1 and #2, Stardust and Starlight are available now.

STARDUST - Peaches Monroe #1
Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1aIBRDr
Barnes&Noble: http://bit.ly/1abvAl6
Kobo: http://bit.ly/12ib911
iTunes: http://bit.ly/15na6uS
STARLIGHT - Peaches Monroe #2
Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/178To5w
Barnes&Noble / Nook: http://bit.ly/17Pqf2e
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1cHuxYS
STARFIRE comes out December 10th. Want an email reminder? SIGN UP FOR Mimi's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/A7I2T
(Free gift when you sign up)

Thanks so much for being minxy today, Mimi!

November, Nano and Coffee

I love November. Here in Johannesburg the sun is shining (when doesn't it?), the days are warm, and the spring rains have cleaned the air. The shops are filled with Christmas decorations, but we're not yet so sick of hearing Christmas carols that we want to punch the next shopping mall Santa who says "ho! ho! ho!"

But best of all, November is Nanowrimo - National Novel Writing month. For professional authors (i.e. anyone taking this writing lark seriously, not just those whose monthly bills depend on it) every month is novel writing month, but in November we get to use the excuse of doing Nano to feed the family instant meals all month and to ignore the ironing.

If you've ever done Nano you'll know the feeling - that thrill of being so involved in your story that the words just flow. That amazing feeling when you crawl into bed (an hour later than usual) knowing you've achieved a higher than expected word count. The excitement when your fingers are moving across the keyboard and suddenly your characters do something unexpected and you think "yes! this is even better!"
(Can you tell I haven't yet hit the Saggy Middle of my story?!)

So for all you Nano-ers out there: may the force be with you!
(And what the hell are you doing reading this blog? Go write! Now!)

Author Spotlight - Teresa F Morgan

Welcome to Teresa Morgan, my fellow author at Harper Impulse. I recently finished (and loved) her debut book Plus One is a Lucky Number - it's The Wedding Date plus a whole lot more, and her hero Adam is divine - I want one of him!

1. Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
I live in sunny Weston-super-Mare, trying to hold onto my Surrey accent where I was born and bred.
For years I persevered with boring jobs, until my two boys joined my nest. In an attempt to find something to work around them, and to ensure I never endured full time boredom again, I found writing.
I’m at my happiest baking cakes, putting proper home cooked dinners on the table (whether the kids eat them or not), reading a good romance, or sitting at my PC emptying my thoughts onto the screen.
I love writing contemporary romance, stories with a touch of escapism and creating heroes readers will fall in love with. Men who in reality, let’s face it, just don’t exist.

2. What number book is this? First? 100th? 200th?(Nora only!)
Plus One is a Lucky Number is my first ever book. It started its journey entering the first chapter into the Mills and Boon New Voice competition in 2010. Although I didn’t come anywhere in the competition, I found myself wanting to write the second chapter, and in the end completing it. It’s had some interesting changes made to it.

3. Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?
Over the past year I’ve had some life dramas as I like to call them, and haven’t been writing steadily and in good habit like I used to. When I’m writing, nothing can draw me away actually. The characters can be talking to me in my head, and I need to sit and get it written. I have to set alarms so I don’t forget to pick up the kids from school. (It once happened, when my youngest was at preschool and I was mortified. From that day on I set an alarm!) I also set alarms to make sure I take regular breaks, to manage my RSI.
Editing is the hard bit. That’s where I have to set myself little rewards at times. I’ll quite easily think, oh I’ll just do this, and that... and before I know it I’ve wasted valuable time procrastinating.

4. What is your top promo tip for other authors?
I’m not sure how well I can answer this question because my book was published in August, and I haven’t even seen my first royalties yet. (Although that may have changed by the time this interview is published). All I will say is that I do hate it when I get followers on Twitter, and I follow them back and then they send me a DM to ask me to check out their book. Argh! I would love to read everybody’s book, but it is physically impossible. They immediately get unfollowed. It’s a social media site. Remember that!
The day I win the lottery I’ll buy everyone’s book... whether I get time to read it or not. Ha ha!

5. How does writing fit into your day? Or does your day fit in around your writing?
This possibly sounds awful, but I leave the stuff, i.e. the housework, to do when the kids are around, because it really doesn’t matter if I get distracted while putting the vacuum cleaner around, or emptying the dishwasher. So then, my free time, whilst the boys are at school, I try to do as much writing related activities as possible. Occasionally some housework needs to be done – like hanging out the washing – but that’s good to break up my time on the PC so that I can manage my RSI.
I want to get into a much better routine with my writing, but adjusting to a new life and home it will come with time.

6. Do you write every day?
I wish! Sadly no... maybe one day. I’m too tired usually after work on Fridays and Saturdays. I try to read instead – it’s what I call a Writing Related Activity.

7. Keeping fit: Do you have an exercise regime to counterbalance all those hours sitting at a computer?
I run four miles two to three times a week – usually. However I’ve had a problem with my hip recently, and I am feeling terribly guilty that I’m not doing much in exercise. I love running – it keeps me fit, clears the cobwebs, and gives me thinking time. It allows me to eat chocolate and drink wine guilt free.

8. Have you ever written a hero you'd be happy to run off with?
I hope all my heroes are the type that everyone would like to run off with! I think that’s the whole point isn’t it? I mean, in reality, men do just let us women down lol!

9. At what point in your career did you actually start to feel like you were a writer?
I still don’t think it’s properly sunk in that I am a writer, and I am published by HarperImpulse. Maybe when I start seeing royalties. Lol! Or I’m on my 100th book.

10. Do you write to music, or with the tv on in the background, or do you need complete silence?
I need complete silence actually. I find music even a distraction. It’s like an interference on the radio. Yet music and films do inspire me and help the plot bunnies grow.

Plus One is a Lucky Number Blurb:

Sophie’s going to a wedding where the invite is strictly plus one… but with her single girl status not exactly fitting in with the bridesmaid dress code, and the best man being none other than the ex she would rather forget, Sophie needs a date and she needs one fast!

Luckily for Sophie, her dreamy but distant co-worker Adam Reid owes their mutual friend James big time…and his gorgeousness more than fills the role of the ‘Perfect Boyfriend’!

As they take off to the sunny shores of Cornwall for the wedding weekend, it’s not long before pretence leads to passion and Sophie and Adam must decide; is their relationship real or is it all for show?


Plus One is a Lucky Number is available from Amazon, Amazon UK, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and for all other suppliers through Harper Impulse.

You can chat to Teresa on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and check out her website and Goodreads page.

Minx roundup - what's new and coming up from the minxes?

Yee-haw! Time for a minx roundup! There are way too many books to put in all the covers in this roundup, so you'll have to click on the links to see them because I'm only including one cover in this post, which is this one...

Yes! Just in time for Christmas, Blaze by the minxes is out in paperback from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk - perfect to give to a friend (or to yourself if you want to!). It is of course, available for Kindle too.

The minxes have been busy with new releases, and there are more out in November, so here we go...

New Releases:

Tara Pammi - A Hint of Scandal - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Maya Blake - Marriage Made of Secrets - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Romy Sommer - The Trouble with Mojitos - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Lorraine Wilson - Secrets of a Chalet Girl - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk

Out slightly longer, but pretty new...

Suzanne Ross Jones - Your Secret Smile (Montcraig Sweethearts) - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Maya Blake - Hostage to Love - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Lorraine Wilson - Confessions of a Chalet Girl  - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Romy Sommer - Waking up in Vegas - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Sally Clements - Runaway Groom - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk

Out now in paperback....search for them on Amazon and other paperback retailers...

Blaze - The Minxes of Romance
Suzanna Ross - Trust In Me - Large print paperback from Linford Romance Library.
Kitty French - Knight & Play 
Kitty French - Knight & Stay
Sally Clements - Runaway Groom
Tara Pammi - A Hint of Scandal
Maya Blake - Marriage Made of Secrets

Coming up:

Tara Pammi - A Touch of Temptation (1 Nov) - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Kitty French - Wanderlust (5 Nov) - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Maya Blake - His Ultimate Prize (29 Nov) - Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Sally Clements - Mile High (Nov) no links yet
Sally Clements - Three Minutes to Happiness (Nov) no links yet

For other minx books, check out the tab at the top of the page, which shows links, covers and blurbs.

There's more coming up in December, but I'll leave those to the next minx roundup!

Author Spotlight - Lorraine Wilson

Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

I’m Lorraine Minx, otherwise known as Lorraine Wilson and I’m really excited to be completing my first Minxy spotlight J I’m the author of the Chalet Girl series and write for Harper Impulse, the new Harper Collins imprint. I live in Wiltshire with my husband and three mad terriers.

What number book is this? First? 100th? 200th?(Nora only!) ‘Secrets of a Chalet Girl’, out today, is my second book but I’m currently working on my fourth, something I find hard to compute!

Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?

Deadlines – the fear of not making them is a helpful factor!

What is your top promo tip for other authors? Try and find readers and reading groups on Facebook and Twitter rather than just connecting with other writers. I’ve made some really nice connections with readers on Facebook who I’d never otherwise have ‘met’.

How does writing fit into your day? Or does your day fit in around your writing? Suffering from chronic pain and fatigue, and the cognitive problems with my brain injury means I can only write when I’m well enough. I have to pace rigorously and prioritise all my good health energy for writing.

In what way is being a published writer different to how you thought it would be? I thought the angsting would stop once I got the call but I didn’t realise you just get a different set of worries – Will readers like my book? Can I write another book they’ll like? How much promo should I be doing? etc.

What was the most fun part of writing this book? The research. I was lucky enough to be writing this book while staying in Switzerland and did a lot of field trip research!

Just for fun: a year from the end of the book, where would your couple go on holiday? I see them in a campervan, touring Europe and generally having fun.

Could you be friends with any of your heroines? Yes, all of them. I don’t think I could write a heroine I didn’t like.

Do you have any tips, tricks or sacrificial rituals you do when you hit a story roadblock? Either Skype the other Minxes or invite fellow Harper Impulse author Charlotte Phillips over for a coffee. I find brainstorming with other writers always works.

‘Secrets of a Chalet Girl’ is the follow-up novella to ‘Confessions of a Chalet Girl’ and is published TODAY. The Chalet Girl series is set in Verbier, the winter playground of the rich and famous and home to the seasonnaire-set. A sexy game of truth or dare leads to secrets being revealed. Can Chalet Girl Flora trust Swiss snowboarder Zac or does he have secrets of his own?

"Playful, hot and made me smile...I couldn't put it down." 5 * review Sienna Logan, Lost to Books.

Read the first chapter of ‘Secrets of a Chalet Girl’ for free here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/174703577/Lorraine-Wilson-Secrets-of-a-Chalet-Girl

& buy here: http://smarturl.it/secretchalet  

You can also pre-order Revenge of a Chalet Girl here: http://smarturl.it/chaletrevenge

To keep up to date with Chalet Girl Series news check out my author page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LorraineWilsonWriter