Photo: Morey Media

I first met Melbourne-based author Carol Marinelli, best known for her category romances (Medical and Sexy), at ARRC09. Her 2011 sheikh romance, Heart Of The Desert, joined my keeper list this year—I was so amazed at how good this story was.

Carol’s latest book, released last month, is a departure from her usual work. Putting Alice Back Together is her debut novel under Harlequin’s MIRA imprint, and it tackles issues such as depression, substance abuse, dysfunctional relationships and debt. It’s a story of self-acceptance as Alice ‘comes to the harsh realisation that there’s only so much sex, valium and red wine can fix.’

Website: www.carolmarinelli.com
Social networks: Blog
Genre: Category romance (Medical and Sexy) and women’s fiction
Latest release: Putting Alice Back Together

Where you do your best writing

It varies, but probably within the first hour of waking I know if the day is going to be a good writing one. If it is going well I stay at my desk and write; if I am struggling I head to my office or a coffee shop or the beach.

Favourite thing in your writing space

Coffee! Wherever I am—home, office or beach there is a constant supply.

Best food and/or beverage to accompany a good read

A glass of wine and a good book is a nice way to unwind at night. If I am near the end of a really good book I will save the ending and order pizza. :-)

One thing you would never do in the name of research

Kill someone.

How friends and family would describe you two days before a deadline

Poor things. :-( It is like PMT x10. I tend to lock myself away, which is probably for the best, though I surface to get takeaway, or find sports socks, or cry at a friend’s—then I hit send and the sun comes out and I tidy up and cook a roast and swear I’ll be so much more organised next time.

One book you’d save in an emergency and three words to describe it

The First Year by Lucilla Andrews

Takes me away.

Your life in a book—what would the title be? In which genre or category would it be shelved?

The Chaotic Life of Carol – I think it would be in the Rom Com or Self Help section.

One book you loved as a child

Lizzie Dripping by Helen Cresswell

Describe yourself as the heroine of a romance novel

She was late.
Very, very late.
And she’d put on weight again.

Best advice for surviving the zombie apocalypse

Oh, I can answer this one. Whenever any disaster strikes home or abroad I am at the supermarket at midnight stocking up on water, tinned tuna, rice and chocolate. You also need batteries for your radio and hopefully a little stash of antibiotics. :-) (The list goes on, but you get the idea.) I’m ready!

Favourite method of procrastination

Buying organisers and making lists that are certain to beat my procrastination.

Do you kill fairies?

NEVER — it is the worst thing in the world and in the book I am writing now I am not going to send in the last few pages till my editor has read the rest. It changes the whole story if you know the end.

PUTTING ALICE BACK TOGETHER

This post is part of a series of Q&A-type posts featuring authors who write romance fiction or fiction with romantic elements. Each post will feature the same set of questions or prompts. We tried to make them fun and easy for the authors—and we hope you enjoy them, too!

This article was published by Book Thingo via RSS. If you're not reading this through your feedreader or via a Feedburner email subscription, please report it to us using this contact form. Thank you.

More at Book Thingo:

• Heart Of The Desert by Carol Marinelli

Source: Nicola Marsh

A big congratulations to Melbourne-based author Nicola Marsh, who is celebrating the release of her latest novel, Busted in Bollywood, today! You might know her best as a USA Today bestselling author, writing category romances for Harlequin Mills and Boon. Her new book is published by Entangled Publishing and is available in print and in digital format.

Website: www.nicolamarsh.com
Social networks: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Genre: Contemporary romance
Latest release: Busted in Bollywood

Where you do your best writing

On my Alphasmart wherever I can find a quiet spot.  Alphie is my little speed machine.  For some reason, whenever I type on those clunky keys, the words pour out. (That reason could be it has no Internet connection to distract!)

Favourite thing in your writing space

A square wooden block covered in inspirational quotes. I picked it up at Kuala Lumpur airport years ago when trying to spend the last of my local currency. Who knew I’d regularly glance at it when my energy is flagging while writing late at night?

Best food and/or beverage to accompany a good read

Anything chocolate!

One thing you would never do in the name of research

Skydive. My current release for Harlequin, Interview with the Daredevil, has my heroine doing just that. While I often research my books firsthand, for that particular scene? No way!

How friends and family would describe you two days before a deadline

Frazzled! I write at night when my kids are in bed so luckily they’re not privy to me grinding my teeth as I labour over the computer. But I’m sure I’m a little snappy in the days leading up to deadline.

One book you’d save in an emergency and three words to describe it

No Place Like Home by Barbara Samuel — poignant, evocative, lush

Your life in a book—what would the title be? In which genre or category would it be shelved?

See Nic Run, because that’s what I always seem to be doing, running around: running around doing school stuff with my eldest, running around after preschooler all day, running around doing washing and cleaning and a whole host of life stuff. And running after my characters who are usually trying to sprint away from me on the page.

One book you loved as a child

The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. Adored her books.

Describe yourself as the heroine of a romance novel

Career-girl Nicola Marsh is driven, focused and sensible—and her decision to hook up with a tall, dark and handsome hero results in a wedding, babies and a mortgage.
But behind Nicola’s dark locks and lip-gloss and twinkly eyes…

Hey, I’m a writer, I like to be dramatic and invent stuff and end on a hook!

Best advice for surviving the zombie apocalypse

Get to the bunker first!

Favourite method of procrastination

Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, probably in that order. I love social networking, so much fun but boy, it can be a time suck.

Do you kill fairies?

Never! I love surprises so while spoil the entire book by discovering how it ends before you’ve begun? Nope, don’t understand the appeal of that at all. Nothing better than flipping pages at a rapid rate to see how a story turns out at the end.

This post is part of a series of Q&A-type posts featuring authors who write romance fiction or fiction with romantic elements. Each post will feature the same set of questions or prompts. We tried to make them fun and easy for the authors—and we hope you enjoy them, too!

This article was published by Book Thingo via RSS. If you're not reading this through your feedreader or via a Feedburner email subscription, please report it to us using this contact form. Thank you.

Source: www.heleneyoung.com

If you were at the ARRA convention this year, you may remember Helene Young from her fantastic book reading and launch of Shattered Sky. Her books, set in North Queensland, combine romantic suspense with the increasingly popular rural lit category. Her debut novel, Border Watch (rereleased as Wings of Fear), won the 2010 Australian Romance Readers Award for Favourite Romantic Suspense and is nominated for this year’s R*BY Award in the Romantic Elements category.

Website: www.heleneyoung.com
Social networks: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Genre: Romantic suspense
Latest release: Shattered Sky

Where you do your best writing

At home, sat on my couch with my (aptly named) laptop in my lap! (And lap dog at my feet…)

Favourite thing in your writing space

That laptop again. :) (And maybe the dog?)

Best food and/or beverage to accompany a good read

If it’s a good read I may not need food or drink!

One thing you would never do in the name of research

Kill someone… I’ve ‘crashed’ an aircraft, but can assure you no crew were injured in that particular research mission

How friends and family would describe you two days before a deadline

Manic, gorgeous, painful, talented—depending on whether it’s my turn to cook dinner…

One book you’d save in an emergency and three words to describe it

NOooo, don’t make me choose! My iPad with 4000 titles? (That’s the iPad my husband’s going to buy me after he reads this blog!)

Your life in a book—what would the title be? In which genre or category would it be shelved?

Taller Than She Looks — Chick Lit

One book you loved as a child

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

Describe yourself as the heroine of a romance novel

She shook the shower of cement dust from her and narrowed her sea-green eyes before taking careful aim again with the sniper-rifle. (This is fiction, right ??)

Best advice for surviving the zombie apocalypse

Ensure you have sufficient books, chocolate and Baileys Irish Cream. :)

Favourite method of procrastination

Surfing the internet for recipes!

Do you kill fairies?

Um, is there a lie detector here? It’s possible I may have tortured a couple, but only in the interest of allocating appropriate time to the best book!

This post is part of a series of Q&A-type posts featuring authors who write romance fiction or fiction with romantic elements. Each post will feature the same set of questions or prompts. We tried to make them fun and easy for the authors—and we hope you enjoy them, too!

This article was published by Book Thingo via RSS. If you're not reading this through your feedreader or via a Feedburner email subscription, please report it to us using this contact form. Thank you.

Source: Kelly Hunter

Mills and Boon author Kelly Hunter was a finalist in the 2011 RITA Awards for her Sexy release, Red-Hot Renegade, which features something not often seen in mainstream romance novels—an Asian heroine. I haven’t read this book yet (it’s on my list of books to read!) but based on Kate’s review I think I need to get to it soon.

Kelly’s latest Australian release was The Man She Loves to Hate (Sexy, 2-in-1). Her latest North American release was With This Fling (Presents), and her latest UK release was Taken By The Bad Boy (Paradise Nights anthology).

Website: www.kellyhunter.net
Social networks: Twitter | Goodreads
Genre: Contemporary category romance
Latest release: The Man She Loves To Hate

Where you do your best writing

At home, in any number of chairs, with the laptop on my lap.

Favourite thing in your writing space

A window.

Best food and/or beverage to accompany a good read

None. So boring. I just read. ;)

One thing you would never do in the name of research

Only one? I’m not big on doing much at all in the name of research…

How friends and family would describe you two days before a deadline

There in body only.

One book you’d save in an emergency and three words to describe it

No Place Like Home by Barbara Samuel. Live. Learn. Forgive.

Your life in a book—what would the title be? In which genre or category would it be shelved?

Don’t tell my mother I’m a romance writer, she thinks I’m a piano player in a brothel…

One book you loved as a child

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

Describe yourself as the heroine of a romance novel

She wanted to be doe-eyed, waiflike and a joy to the people around her. Unfortunately, she was none of those things.

Best advice for surviving the zombie apocalypse

Find Dean and Sam (from Supernatural) and get thee behind them.

Favourite method of procrastination

Ironing. Seriously.

Do you kill fairies?

Absolutely not! I believe in fairies.

This post is part of a series of Q&A-type posts featuring authors who write romance fiction or fiction with romantic elements. Each post will feature the same set of questions or prompts. We tried to make them fun and easy for the authors—and we hope you enjoy them, too!

This article was published by Book Thingo via RSS. If you're not reading this through your feedreader or via a Feedburner email subscription, please report it to us using this contact form. Thank you.

Photo: Robyn Hills

Anna Campbell is one of Australia’s most beloved romance authors. She has won the Australian Romance Readers awards for Favourite Australian Author two years in a row, and for Favourite Historical Romance three years in a row. Stephanie Laurens coined the term ‘Regency noir’ to describe Anna’s debut novel, Claiming The Courtesan, a book which generated quite a bit of controversy among readers. Her latest book, Midnight’s Wild Passion, was released in May.

Website: www.annacampbell.info
Social networks: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Genre: Regency historical romance
Latest release: Midnight’s Wild Passion

Where you do your best writing

In my office at home. It’s an ideal writer’s space—plenty of storage, bookcases, music, a view over a garden, and just down the corridor from my bedroom so I can get there in my pajamas.

Favourite thing in your writing space

Oh, that’s easy! My Australian Romance Readers Association awards!

Best food and/or beverage to accompany a good read

I wish it was champagne but actually I usually have a cup of tea at my elbow.

One thing you would never do in the name of research

Get hands-on experience as a courtesan!

How friends and family would describe you two days before a deadline

Focused. Oh, no, that’s how I’d describe me. Friends and family? Probably ‘impossible’!

One book you’d save in an emergency and three words to describe it

My copy of Claiming The Courtesan signed by Bryan Ferry. Only need two words—BRYAN FERRY!

Your life in a book—what would the title be? In which genre or category would it be shelved?

Where Dust Bunnies Go to Die — Definitely next to Stephen King in the horror section!

One book you loved as a child

The Silver Brumby by Elyne Mitchell

Describe yourself as the heroine of a romance novel

Tall, slender, with flowing auburn hair past her supple waist. Flashing green eyes. Beestung lips (ouch!). A voice like a hundred cellos playing in unison. Yeah, right, I have a rich fantasy life!

Best advice for surviving the zombie apocalypse

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!

Favourite method of procrastination

Facebook

Do you kill fairies?

NOOOOOOOOOO! Fairies are officially safe at my place.

This post is part of a series of Q&A-type posts featuring authors who write romance fiction or fiction with romantic elements. Each post will feature the same set of questions or prompts. We tried to make them fun and easy for the authors—and we hope you enjoy them, too!

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Photo: www.phillipafioretti.com.au

Phillipa Fioretti’s debut novel, The Book of Love, centres around a rare book of ancient Roman erotica. It’s a book that makes good use of Fioretti’s background in the arts. Phillipa has studied archaeology, sculpture and museum studies, and has taught drawing and media studies. Her second book, The Fragment of Dreams, continues the story of Lily and William, the couple from The Book of Love.

If you’re wondering whether or not her books have a happy ending, you can take heart from a Courier Mail interview in which Phillipa says, ‘I don’t want to write things that depress me. I don’t want to be in a dark headspace all day. I like to have a laugh while I’m doing it.’

Website: www.phillipafioretti.com.au
Social networks: Blog | Twitter | Goodreads
Genre: Commercial women’s fiction
Latest release: The Fragment of Dreams

Where you do your best writing

At my desk in front of my PC

Favourite thing in your writing space

Once I bought a book because I loved the cover but I was disappointed with the story so I cut the picture off the cover and stuck it on the shelf above my computer. It’s a sepia photo of an Inuit woman. She’s my writing pal.

Best food and/or beverage to accompany a good read

A cup of tea and perhaps some chocolate

One thing you would never do in the name of research

Hurt or be rude to someone

How friends and family would describe you two days before a deadline

We use the term ‘brain fever’ in my home when you are hyper-stimulated by work. I would be described as dangerously feverish or in danger of unexplained self-immolation.

One book you’d save in an emergency and three words to describe it

A 1938 edition of a book titled The Myths of Greece and Rome by H. A. Guerber. My childhood favourite.

Your life in a book—what would the title be? In which genre or category would it be shelved?

Dried Red Tomatoes at the Second Chance Cafe – a ‘dramedy’ in narrative verse shelved under ‘other’

One book you loved as a child

Apart from the above title I was very keen on all the Gumnut Baby books

Describe yourself as the heroine of a romance novel

Phillipa was not beautiful, yet she possessed a sense of humour and a self deprecating wit that made her the most delightful companion. She was, however, in want of a fortune, a situation Phillipa found so vexing that she became a lady novelist. And it was at a book signing that I first met her—her green eyes sparkling in the fluorescent lighting, a suggestion of panic flitting across her face as she struggled to remember the date.  She smiled that lopsided yet charming smile of hers and said to me, ‘How do you spell Adam?’ At that moment I knew I had to have her.

Best advice for surviving the zombie apocalypse

I’m not sure I’d want to survive such an event. I mean, say zombies won and were in charge of the world, they’d be pretty boring to talk to, and if they’re the sort of zombie that sheds decaying flesh everywhere, I’d have to say no to survival.

Favourite method of procrastination

It’s a tie between staring out the window or Twitter/Facebook.

Do you kill fairies?

Never—I kill people who tell me the ending.

This is part of a series of Q&A-type posts featuring authors who write romance fiction or fiction with romantic elements. Each post will feature the same set of questions or prompts. We tried to make them fun and easy for the authors—and we hope you enjoy them, too!

This article was published by Book Thingo via RSS. If you're not reading this through your feedreader or via a Feedburner email subscription, please report it to us using this contact form. Thank you.

Photo: www.paularoe.com

If you’ve ever met Paula Roe, you’d remember it. She’s one of the bubbliest authors I’ve ever met and can talk a mile a minute. (Check out Decadence’s recap of a library talk that Paula did earlier this year.) She designs websites, and you may have seen some of her work without knowing it (such as websites for Anna Campbell, ARRA and Bronwyn Jameson).

She was a 2009 R*BY finalist and has won the Australian Romance Readers Award for Favourite Category Romance two years in a row. She writes for Mills and Boon (Desire), but I’m told she’s ‘also writing a bunch of other stuff—space opera/fantasy, romantic comedy, historical…’

Her latest book, Promoted To Wife? is set in Queensland, and has just been released in Australia as part of the 2011 Mother’s Day gift selection pack.

Website: www.paularoe.com
Social networks: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Genre: Category contemporary romance
Latest release: Promoted To Wife?

Where you do your best writing

In my office, at the computer. Need quiet and the right ambience.

Favourite thing in your writing space

The computer! Truly, it keeps me connected with the world, friends and readers, plus tells me when to eat and when  to get back to work. Oh, and when to pick up my child from school. :-)

Best food and/or beverage to accompany a good read

Generally nothing but at a stretch, coffee’s always good.

One thing you would never do in the name of research

Jump out of a plane. Too many things can go wrong!

How friends and family would describe you two days before a deadline

Impatient, frustrating, easily angered, absent-minded…

One book you’d save in an emergency and three words to describe it

Only one??? Well, I’d save my iPod because it has hundreds! My current reading favourite right now is Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series (just finished book 1)—love the girly heroine who has to find sister’s killer amidst all these weird and otherworldly creatures.  Urban fantasy with vampires and ghouls and creepy stuff…brilliant!

Your life in a book—what would the title be? In which genre or category would it be shelved?

Crazy Is As Crazy Does – women’s fiction/chick lit

One book you loved as a child

Watership Down by Richard Adams. Talking rabbits!

Describe yourself as the heroine of a romance novel

Control freak procrastinator with an obsession with handbags and finding the perfect pink shade of lipstick.

Best advice for surviving the zombie apocalypse

Lots of guns and ammo.

Favourite method of procrastination

Facebook, Twitter and the internet. (I spend waaay too much time on all of them!)

Do you kill fairies?

No! Why, God, why???

PROMOTED TO WIFE (Silhouette Desire)

Mills and Boon | 9781742775654 (Aus) | 9780373730896 (US) | 9781426888038 (E) | Excerpt

Business, Pleasure…Possibilities?

Running a multi-billion dollar company meant long hours for Zac Prescott. Thankfully, his super-efficient assistant made the workload almost bearable. Theirs was a strictly professional relationship…until the night Emily Reynolds finally let her hair down. And the tycoon took full advantage by stealing a kiss.

Suddenly, all Zac could concentrate on was his once plain-Jane secretary. Too bad that after the kiss, she’d quit! Could he lure her back with better prospects…and add some pleasure to the job description? Or was Emily looking for the ultimate promotion…to wife?

The Australian edition was released this month as part of the 2011 Mother’s Day gift selection pack.

Mills and Boon | Books On Board | eHarlequin | Kindle | Amazon | Book Depository

As part of Aussie Author Month, we’re running a series of Q&A-type posts featuring authors who write romance fiction or fiction with romantic elements. Each post will feature the same set of questions or prompts. We tried to make them fun and easy for the authors—and we hope you enjoy them, too!

This article was published by Book Thingo via RSS. If you're not reading this through your feedreader or via a Feedburner email subscription, please report it to us using this contact form. Thank you.

More at Book Thingo:

• A quickie with…Jess Dee
• A quickie with…Karly Lane

Photo: www.christinedarcas.com

Christine Darcas is a freelance writer, novelist and Dancesport competitor. She is also the reigning Queen of Bling after blowing the competition away with her gorgeous ballroom dancing gown at the ARR Awards last month.

Christine has written two novels, Dancing Backwards in High Heels and Spinning Out, both of which draw on her experiences as a dancer.

Website: www.christinedarcas.com
Social networks: Goodreads
Genre: Women’s commercial fiction (but often referred to as Chick lit)
Latest release: Spinning Out

Where you do your best writing

Over breakfast at the Carpark Café in Camberwell, Victoria. It’s very weird, but I get into the creative zone there even when mums are nearby fussing with crying babies.

Favourite thing in your writing space

My cat. She sleeps in my inbox.

Best food and/or beverage to accompany a good read

A cup of tea and a buttered crumpet.

One thing you would never do in the name of research

Get naked. I thought about it for a minute when I was considering how to research a character who turned out to be a gigolo … but only for a minute. Okay, maybe two minutes.

How friends and family would describe you two days before a deadline

Reasonably calm, but I don’t work to as tight a deadline as other writers I know.

One book you’d save in an emergency and three words to describe it

Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon: clever, sexy and totally engaging.

Your life in a book—what would the title be? In which genre or category would it be shelved?

Actually, there was an autobiographical touch to the title of my first book—Dancing Backwards in High Heels. A lot of women do it, but that doesn’t make it easy. It would be shelved in women’s commercial fiction.

One book you loved as a child

Ozma of Oz by Frank L. Baum. She was so exotic and pretty and smart. I wanted to be her.

Describe yourself as the heroine of a romance novel

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, determined to contain her sensitive nature. Too often, it took them by surprise. With her wise cracks and boisterous laughter, they expected her to be bold. But boldness often fought her.

Best advice for surviving the zombie apocalypse

Surrender. Become one. It will put an end to any body issues you might have.

Favourite method of procrastination

Dancing!

Do you kill fairies?

Rarely—only when I worry that a character I really like might be killed off. That way I can brace myself!

As part of Aussie Author Month, we’re running a series of Q&A-type posts featuring authors who write romance fiction or fiction with romantic elements. Each post will feature the same set of questions or prompts. We tried to make them fun and easy for the authors—and we hope you enjoy them, too!

This article was published by Book Thingo via RSS. If you're not reading this through your feedreader or via a Feedburner email subscription, please report it to us using this contact form. Thank you.

Karly Lane was a panellist at ARRC 2011, and Allen & Unwin has just released her latest Australian rural fiction novel, North Star. The book is also featured in the Get Reading! campaign’s list of 50 Books You Can’t Put Down.

Lane is the alter ego of romance author Karlene Blakemore-Mowle, whose romantic suspense books are published by The Wild Rose Press. She also has an Australian contemporary romance published by Eternal Press under this pseudonym.

Website: www.karlylane.com
Social networks: Blog
Genre: Romantic suspense, Rural lit
New release: North Star (16/4/2011)

Where you do your best writing

In my little area I like to call control central! Smack bang in the middle of the house where I can see all exit points and child movements.

Favourite thing in your writing space

My CD player.

Best food and/or beverage to accompany a good read

This may seem strange, but I freeze my West Coast Coolers (kinda like a lazy man’s frozen margarita!)

One thing you would never do in the name of research

Touch a frog!

How friends and family would describe you two days before a deadline

Like a ticking time bomb…do. not. make. any. sudden. movements!

One book you’d save in an emergency and three words to describe it

Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon. Best. Book. Ever!

Your life in a book—what would the title be? In which genre or category would it be shelved?

Once, she was sane. Dark comedy/self-help

One book you loved as a child

The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

Describe yourself as the heroine of a romance novel

Karly always dreamed of being the martial arts, butt-kickin’, long-legged, sexy vampire killer type, but unfortunately at the first scent of terror, when her fight or flight response kicked in, she did neither. Instead, she created a brand new nervous system response that made her freeze up and gape in terror like a stunned mullet. She would need a hero. A man who wasn’t afraid to jump in and save the day—and hence, her butt—at the crucial moment. But as in all good romance, although she may be as useful as the proverbial boobs on a bull in a crisis, it will be her skills in other areas that bring the hero to his knees and ultimately save the day! To discover what these skills are, you’ll have to read the book! (One day I might just write it, too!)

Best advice for surviving the zombie apocalypse

Don’t fight it; just go with it. It’s not worth all the running and screaming. I mean, really? You want to to be the last human alive trying to outrun a whole city of zombies?

Favourite method of procrastination

Procrastination is such a harsh word…I do sometimes forget the time once I get on Facebook and Twitter to see what everyone’s been up to lately…I like to see it as…oh, all right, it’s procrastination!!! But it’s useful procrastination!

Do you kill fairies?

Gee, I’m glad you clarified that question. I was shocked when I first read that! What kind of deprived mind kills fairies?! I remember I used to as a kid, but I don’t any more.

NORTH STAR

Allen & Unwin | 9781742374826 (C format) | Excerpt

Since her divorce a year ago, Kate Thurston feels like she’s lurched from one disaster to another. Her teenage daughter, Georgia, seems to have morphed into a monster overnight, and her son Liam breaks her heart with his sad brown eyes.

When Kate receives news that her grandfather has bequeathed her North Star, the vast property that has been in her family for generations, it feels like the perfect opportunity to flee the hectic pace of city life for a calmer rural existence.

As soon as she arrives at North Star, however, Kate realises she’s going to need every ounce of determination to restore the rundown homestead to its former glory and fulfil her dream of turning it into a bush retreat. And as for the farm, well it’s in utter disarray.

As she starts to make headway with the homestead’s restoration, and falls for a local bloke, Kate finally feels like life is going right for her. Then her ex-husband comes to town and triggers a series of events that will change her life forever…

Booktopia | Fishpond | Borders | Books on Board | Kindle

As part of Aussie Author Month, we’re running a series of Q&A-type posts featuring authors who write romance fiction or fiction with romantic elements. Each post will feature the same set of questions or prompts. We tried to make them fun and easy for the authors—and we hope you enjoy them, too!

This article was published by Book Thingo via RSS. If you're not reading this through your feedreader or via a Feedburner email subscription, please report it to us using this contact form. Thank you.

Website: www. jessdee.com
Social networks: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Down Under Divas
Genre: Erotic romance
Latest release: Full House (Three Of A Kind, Book 3)

Where you do your best writing

In my office, in my house, when I’m all alone. I’m at my most creative in my own space.

Favourite thing in your writing space

My Mac. Hands down the best writing tool ever.

Best food and/or beverage to accompany a good read

A big mug of hot, strong, milky tea.

One thing you would never do in the name of research

LOL, I  write erotic romance. There’s a whole heap of stuff I wouldn’t do in the name of research. Suffice it to say, as far as research goes, the internet is a wonderful place.

How friends and family would describe you two days before a deadline

Hmm, they wouldn’t describe me at all. They’d be keeping very far away from me, out of sheer terror.

One book you’d save in an emergency and three words to describe it

Karen Marie Moning’s Kiss of the Highlander. Feel good book.

Your life in a book—what would the title be? In which genre or category would it be shelved?

Striving for normal: A day in the life of another ordinary mother. Contemporary comedy.

One book you loved as a child

Enid Blyton’s The Treasure Hunters

Describe yourself as the heroine of a romance novel

When it came to women, he usually liked them tall, slim and blonde. Endless legs, a tight butt and pert, firm breasts didn’t hurt her chances either.

Jess possessed none of those attributes. Not a single one. But she was unique. He’d give her that.

Best advice for surviving the zombie apocalypse

Start stockpiling your chocolate supplies now. It’s the only thing that’ll get you through the disaster.

Favourite method of procrastination

Oooh, I’m a veritable expert at procrastination. I have it down to a fine art: Browse the net, tweet, update facebook, check emails, make tea, and then start the process all over again from the beginning. Repeat often.

Do you kill fairies?

I’ve only ever done this once, while reading Jean M. Auel’s The Mammoth Hunters. I was so distraught Ayla had taken up with another man, I knew I couldn’t finish the book unless I was assured she and Jondalar got back together.

As part of Aussie Author Month, we’re running a series of Q&A-type posts featuring authors who write romance fiction or fiction with romantic elements. Each post will feature the same set of questions or prompts. We tried to make them fun and easy for the authors—and we hope you enjoy them, too!

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