Ally Blake Romance Author - Blog

I'm reading... Jennifer Crusie

2012-01-26T22:12:00.000+10:00

Jenny Crusie's books are an auto-buy for me. Charlie All Night was inspired and Welcome to Temptation is on my top five books EVER.

In fits and spurts - which is the only way I get to read nowadays (picture three toddlers climbing over me at any given moment of the day) it took me a few pages to get back into the rhythm every time I picked it up, but the times I was able to read in a good solid chunk it just flew!

And for writers with a few hours to spare, her website and blog - Argh Ink - are magic caves of delight! Her interest in the romance genre and willingness to share the insights - witty, smart, considered and pro-romance all the way are second to none.

Quirky and unexpectedly gritty MAYBE THIS TIME by Jennifer Crusie is a roller coaster read.

More about the author here. Buy the book here. Grab Charlie All Night here. And Welcome to Temptation here.

Next I’m reading... Mr Perfect by Linda Howard. What are youreading? Which book MUST I read thisyear?

ebook of the month... inspiration

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000+10:00

First published June 2007
eBook out now!

BILLIONAIRE ON HER DOORSTEP :: ebook

Inspiration:

Trish Wylie and I had an infamous - good-natured - online spat about Nathan Fillion while I was writing this book. I inadvertently revealed her plans to marry him, and she set to barring me from using any of her favourite bits of him as inspiration for this story. It was war ;). And you wouldn't believe the thousands who weighed in at the time! But take into account the rugged handsomeness, the glint in the eye, the big strong manliness of the guy - how could I not be inspired while writing my Tom?

Check out Trish's blog - Writing and Other Forms of Insanity - and search for "Nathan Fillion Ally Blake" - has a nice ring dontcha think? - to see the war for yourself ;).

My Maggie was just as easy. The delicacy, vulnerability, spare beauty of Keira Knightley in this picture was heaven sent.

The excerpt:

‘Paint that!’ Sandra gasped from theveranda. Through the window Maggie saw herpointing downwards with her smouldering cigarette. And then the sound of a chainsaw cut throughthe silence.

‘Oh shoot...’ Before Maggie could think of an excuse tostop them, the other two women sorted out their wine glasses and headedoutside. She had no choice but tofollow.

‘This is new,’ Ashleigh rumbled under herbreath.

Below Tom stood with his legs shoulder widthapart as he wielded his chainsaw. Jeanshugged lean hips. His dark hair wasspiky and a mess. And a sheen of sweatglowed along his tanned muscular arms.

Sandra sighed eloquently beside her, andMaggie had to admit, even though she had been steadfastly paying no heed to thefact for days, he did make for quite the glorious picture.

‘I know about him,’ Freya said her voiceheavy with accusation. ‘That’s TomCampbell. What’s he doing here?’

Maggie leant away from the rail and movedback inside, the last thing she wanted was to be discovered ogling. The others followed after a time. Except one.

‘Sandra,’ Ashleigh called out, clickingher fingers.

Sandra took a drag on her cigarette, putit out in a potted fern, took one last lingering look at Tom, then clumped backin.

Buy the eBook. Buy for Kindle. Buy from iTunes. More about the book.

my favourite...romantic moments on tv...the west wing

2012-01-21T09:00:00.000+10:00

Season Two, Episode Eighteen: 17 people

Josh and Donna. 'Nuff said.

What's your favourite romantic TV moment?

I'm reading...Fiona Harper

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000+10:00

SWEPT OFF HER STILETTOS

Iam a big fan of Fiona Harper’s work. Herrich detail, her humour, her smarts. AlsoFiona’s books are always full to the brim with oodles of context whichin short romantic fiction is a hard thing to achieve.

SWEPTOFF HER STILETTOS is an absolute gem. Written in the first person it presents Coreen, a woman who is so intoall things vintage she’s like a walking cheesecake poster. She has a plethora of puppy dog suitorspanting in her hip-swinging wake. Butthere’s one man who’s never fallen under her spell. Enter her best friend Adam.

SWEPT OFF HER STILETTOS by Fiona Harper is luxuriant, colourful, atmospheric, and above all romantic.

More about the author here. Buy the book here.

Next I’m reading... MAYBE THIS TIME by Jennifer Crusie. What are you reading? Which book MUST I readthis year?

ebook of the month... the working title

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000+10:00

First published June 2007
eBook out now!

BILLIONAIRE ON HER DOORSTEP :: ebook

The working title:

The working title of BILLIONAIRE ON HER DOORSTEP was Sunsets Over Sorrento, and as my working titles tend to be, it summed up the emotion, the tone, the feel of the story in one short hit.

Sorrento is a beach town I visited a plenty during the ten years I lived in Melbourne. Visited and loved to absolute bits. Its peaceful, elegant, with great food, gorgeous little shops, and some of the most opulent real estate in the country. My heroine, Maggie Bryce, is a portrait painter who gets stuck trying to paint those darned sunsets in an effort to reinvent herself. Who knew all she needed was gorgeous Tom Campbell to love her for her to realise she was fine just the way she was.

The title nearly stuck too! Their Sorrento Sunset was very close to nearly the final title, until the powers that be became concerned that readers might mistake it for an Italian story rather than one set in a big rambling ramshackle house on the Mornington Peninsula bluff south of Melbourne.

The excerpt:

Herstomach took a small happy trip as she experienced the thrill that came with seeingsomeone making a connection with one of her paintings.

‘It’sreally growing on me,’ he said. ‘Yep,this one’s going to look just right on the wall in my john.’

Maggiecoughed out a laugh. It was so withoutwarning that her stomach kind of clenched. The sensation wasn’t in any way uncomfortable but it made her feel offkilter all the same. She crossed herarms low over her belly.

‘If you’reeven thinking about putting this painting on your toilet wall, Tom Campbell,the deal’s off.’

‘Fine,’ hesaid. ‘Okay. Though more people would get to enjoy itthere than anywhere else in my house.’

He turnedto face her so quickly she hoped he didn’t realise she had been staring at himrather than the subject of their conversation. She glanced away quickly, but not in time not to notice the solid creaseappear above the corner of his mouth.

‘I’m kindof glad my agent won’t get to see this one,’ she admitted.

‘You havean agent?’

She facedhim fully and glared. ‘I thought we haddecided you thought I was talented.’

Helaughed, his eyes creasing, every part of him seeming to overflow withamusement. Beneath her crossed arms itnow felt as though her stomach had flipped all the way over.

‘Sorry,’he said, his eyes dancing, ‘of course we had. That came out wrong. It’s justthat we get painters out here all the time. In summer they line the beaches painting beach huts and sunsets over Sorrento. But I just never knew anybody personally who’dactually sold anything.’

Maggieshrugged. ‘Well now you do.’

Buy the eBook. Buy for Kindle. Buy from iTunes. More about the book.

my favourite...romantic moments on tv...cheers

2012-01-14T09:00:00.000+10:00

Season One, Episode Twenty-Two: Show Down Part II

The moment Sam and Diane finally got together.

SAM: You are the nuttiest, thestupidest, the phoniest fruitcakeI ever met!
DIANE: You Sam Malone are themost arrogant self centered, son of a b...
SAM & DIANE: (together) SHUTUP!
SAM: Shut your fat mouth!
DIANE: Make me
SAM: Make you.. My God I'm, I'mgonna, I'm GONNA BOUNCE YOU OFF EVERY WALL IN THIS OFFICE!!
DIANE: Try it and you'll bewalking funny tomorrow... Or should I say funnier.
SAM: You know, You know I alwayswanted to pop you one!
Maybe this is my lucky day, huh?
DIANE: You disgust me! I hateyou!
SAM: Are you as turned on as Iam?
DIANE: More!

(They kiss)

What's your favourite romantic TV moment?

More of my favourites here.

I'm reading... Susan Elizabeth Phillips

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000+10:00

AIN’T SHE SWEET

Ionce heard another author say they struggled for years to read this Susan Elizabeth Phillips bookbecause they couldn’t imagine enjoying a book about a heroine named SugarBeth. I know how they feel! Every time I picked it up I thought, mmm, maybe later...

Ohmy god. Really!!! This is one of those rare books that I spentthe entire time thinking I WISH I’D WRITTEN THIS!!! This with a heroine who was the most populargirl in town, stepping on anyone who got in her path along the way, who nowdown on her luck has to return home. Anda hero so foppish he at first appears in a smoking jacket and slippers! I tell you this because I do not want you tobe put off by these opening pictures. Asthis book is magnificent.

Thedialogue is biting. The back stories andcharacter revelation unique, deep, heartbreaking, real and juicy. The hero and heroine are nothing short offantastic. So strong. So stubborn. So well matched.

AIN'T SHE SWEET by Susan Elizabeth Phillips is funny, smart, touching, raw and wonderful. BUY IT TODAY!!!

More about the author here. Buy the book here.

Next I’m reading... SWEPT OFF HER STILETTOS by Fiona Harper. What are youreading? Which book MUST I read thisyear?

The floods

2012-01-12T12:14:00.003+10:00

With all the excitement living up to my oldest starting kinder in little over a week, the one year anniversary of the Brisbane floods almost passed me by.

To think this time last year my street was half under water, our house the middle of an island of a dozen homes. My little family surviving in dry crackers and using baby formula as milk as our power had been off for days.

To all if you still struggling to piece your lives back together after losing so much my heart goes out to you and I wish you the best 2012 of any of us.

ebook of the month...the idea

2012-01-11T09:00:00.000+10:00

First published June 2007

BILLIONAIRE ON HER DOORSTEP :: ebook

The idea:

Iwas sitting on a train heading into Melbourne to do lunch with the MelbourneMobsters - a fabulous, witty, brilliant group of romance authors who lunch oncea month at a ridiculously posh hotel – when an image just popped into my head.

Aramshackle house perched perilously on the Sorrento bluff. A lean,paint-smattered woman standing at the window looking like the slightest breezemight blow her away. And the gorgeoushandyman - with a toolbox, a Ute, and muscles to match – who has no idea whathe is about to stumble upon as he walks through her warped front door.

I thought I'd jot down some notes on my Alphie (AKA Alphasmart) and 2000 words later my next book was born.

The excerpt:

Tom duckedout of the way of a low hanging vine, watched his step for fear of turning anankle, and slowed as a magnificent ten-foot-high wood-carved double front doorloomed amidst a shower of hanging ferns. The right door was ajar, but guarded by a sizeable old red-brown houndwith a great big smiley-face charm with the word ‘Smiley’ written upon ithanging off his thick collar.

‘Smiley,hey?’ Tom said.

The doglifted its weary head and blinked at him, its floppy ears and sad expressionnot changing a lick to show that he felt any pleasure at the unexpected company.

Tomreached down and gave the poor old soul a rub on the head. ‘Is the lady of thehouse about?’

A suddencrashing noise followed by a seriously unladylikespray of words told Tom that the lady of the house certainly was about.

‘Hello,’he called out, but he was met with silence as sudden as the previous verbalspray had been. Not finding any evidenceof a doorbell, he stepped over the melancholic guard dog, and walked furtherinside the entrance to find himself face to face with a square stain on thewall, evidence that once upon a time a picture had hung there, a garden bench thathad a mildewed look about it as though it had been relegated from outsidecovered in a pile of unopened mail, and yet another fern living its sadbedraggled life in a bright new ceramic pot.

Anothercurse word, this one softer than the last, caught his hearing and he followedit like a beacon to find himself in a huge main room with sweeping woodenfloors in need of a good polish, lit bright by a series of uncurtained ceilingto floor French doors through which he had a thicket-shrouded view of the sunglinting off glorious Port Phillip Bay.

Imagespiled up in his mind of what he could do with this place if given half achance. And the whole summer, and anopen cheque book, and his old team at his side, and a time machine to take himback ten years... He shook his head toclear away the wool gathering within.

The room hewas in was empty. No furniture. No pictures on the walls. Nothing. Well, nothing bar a twisting cream telephone cord snaking across themiddle of the room to the far wall where a large grey drop cloth, buckets ofpaint, several flat square structures draped in fabric, a rickety old tablewhich held numerous jars of coloured water and different sized paintbrushes,and an easel with a three-by-four foot canvas slathered in various shades ofblue.

And infront of it all wearing no shoes, paint-spattered jeans, a t-shirt that might haveat one time been white, and a navy bandanna covering most of her biscuit blondehair was the lady in question.

Tomcleared his throat and called out, ‘Ms Bryce?’

She spunon her heel with such speed paint from her brush splattered across the all-bluecanvas.

Tomwinced. It was red paint.

‘Holy heck!’she blurted in a toned down version of the language from earlier. Her voice was husky, her high cheekbones pink,and her pale grey eyes aglow.

Well what do you know? Tom thought. Mylucky day. For Lady Bryce was a knockout. He wished his cousin Alex was there with himnow so he could poke him hard in the side and tell him, this is why you never say no to a damsel in distress.

Buy the eBook. Buy for Kindle. Buy from iTunes. More about the book.

ebook of the month... billionaire on her doorstep

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000+10:00

First published June 2007
ebook out now!

BILLIONAIRE ON HER DOORSTEP :: ebook

The book:

Gone are the days when Harlequin Mills and Boon books were only available for a short month on a bookshelf, as one of the great things about the epublishing boom is that a story once published is around forever.

In celebration, this month I'm starting a monthly look back at favourite books of mine which have now been published as ebooks!

First up is my tenth book, BILLIONAIRE ON HER DOORSTEP and over the next month I'll be chatting about stuff like where the idea came from, location, research (or lack thereof ;)), behind the scenes memories, and hero and heroine inspiration.

So watch this space...

Buy the eBook. Buy for Kindle. Buy from iTunes. More about the book.

my favourite...romantic moments on tv...Gilmore Girls

2012-01-08T21:07:00.000+10:00

Season Five, Episode One: Written in the stars...

When Luke pulls out the horoscope Lorelai wrote for him day they first met...eight years before.

Luke: "Lorelai, this thing we're doing here, me and you, I just want you to know I'm in. I'm all in."

What's your favourite romantic TV moment?

I'm reading... Michael Connelly

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000+10:00

THE BLACK ECHO

Myfirst Michael Connelly book was The Lincoln Lawyer – I’m a sucker for a bookwith a movie tie-in! – and I enjoyed it to bits. Thought the movie was great to. So I decided to go back to the beginning of another Connelly series, beginning with THE BLACK ECHO.

Thisis the first of 18 – yay what a backlist!!! – books about homicide detectiveHarry Bosch and I loved it. ItsHollywood setting focuses more on the seedy side of life in that part of town,with minimal nods to the industry that made the place famous.

Setin the early nineties there are moments it could feel dated but instead itfeels atmospheric, giving you a glimpse of a time when homicide detectives hadto fight over typewriters in order to type up their reports.

Nothingbetter than an author with a huge backlist and after grabbing the next coupleof books in the Harry Bosch series for myself for Christmas ;), I’m sure you’llbe seeing his name pop up here over the next year!

More about the author here. Buy the book here.

Next I’m reading... AIN'T SHE SWEET by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. What are youreading? Which book MUST I read thisyear?

writer in residence...

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000+10:00

AsI spend my year writing, I am making myself available to answer any and all ofyour writing related questions. Writers’block, revisions, plotting, voice, head-hopping, POV, how to submit to apublisher, anything that you’re struggling with as you attempt to finish thedamn book, you only have to ask.

First up I'll be nattering about Stretching Your Writing Muscles, so watch this space!

For more youcan find me on Facebook, my blog, @ twitter or email me at ally@allyblake.comwith Writers in Residence in the subject line.

Images of Christmas

2011-12-29T09:00:00.000+10:00

I can't believe its been days since Christmas already!

I'm thoroughly enjoying my shiny massive new computer monitor which my clever hubby bought me, and have only JUST finished putting together all the kids new toys - seriously how many twisty ties, and rubber bands, and metal doohickies do you need to stop someone from nicking a toy from the box!!!

Anyhoo, since we're still enjoying the spoils, I thought I'd put up a few images of my Christmas.

Such as my eldest - Curly Girl - whose adept use of the alphabet came into its own as she separated the gifts according to name - only after weighing and comparing first ;).

The fact that Bright Eyes - my 2 year old - ended up dress-free second year in a row. (At least this year it was bubble mix she poured all over herself. Last year it was red wine!)

And the amazing fact that my curious Little Man actually left the Christmas tree alone.

Hope you've all had some lovely family time this week too, and are getting excited about the new year as I am!

Til then...

now who got an ereader for Christmas?!

2011-12-27T09:00:00.000+10:00

I got one - a Sony Reader - from clever hubby last year and have read more in twelve months than I have in the past half dozen years! Seriously. That's the one thing they don't tell you about selling a book, writing them to order cuts into your reading time big time. But something about an ereader just makes it easier. The easy weight of the thing, the fact that you have dozens of book choices at your fingertips, that you an download a new book in just seconds. Heaven!

If Santa's been good to you, or if you are about to be good to someone else, here are some places where you can get every Ally Blake title available to kick start your new reading year!

Publisher Direct

eHarlequin
Mills and Boon

Kindle

Amazon North America

Amazon UK

Apple iBooks

iTunes Australia

iTunes North America

eReader Shops

NOOK books Barnes & Noble

ReaderStore Sony

Mobipocket

Kobo

Enjoy!!!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:00:00.000+10:00

Christmas down under looks quite a bit different from the snow covered Christmas cards even we sell in the shops!

For me means sunshine, sunscreen, & mozzie repellant. It means paper hats, Santa stockings, and bon-bons. It means prawns, lobster, Moreton Bay bugs (which are waaaay yummier than they sound ;)). Mangoes, plums, & nectarines. Trifle, pavlova, & chocolate truffles. And presents as far as the eye can see.

Wishing you all a big scrummy yummy Merry Christmas to you all from my family and me here in sunny Australia!

4 and a half star review!

2011-12-18T09:00:00.000+10:00

Stumbled upon a lovely reader review of my first ever book The Wedding Wish, at the Book Binge. 4.5 out of 5! Not bad, eh? They said:

"I thought they were perfect for each other and the way that they foughttheir attraction and seeing Holly come to realize that she was head over heelsin love with Jacob made this story just so darned cute.

My only complaint was that it was too short, I wanted more (from being thegreedy wench that I am) Jacob but other than the shortness of the story, it wasa fun way to spend a couple of hours. Kudos to Ally Blake. I'm so itching toread more from her."

Thanks Book Binge!

The Wedding Wish is out and about in a three book collection with stories by the gorgeous Barbara Hannay and fantabulous Fiona Harper.

More about the book. Buy the book. eBook.

my office

2011-12-15T09:00:00.001+10:00

While in Melbourne I had come to rely on my local library as my place of business. With three little kids in the house I couldn't write at home as my ears were constantly alert for any noises coming from their rooms as they slept, even with super hubby at home to take care of them. It's a mum thing, right?

Now in Brissy I still use my awesome library once a week, but 2-3 nights a week I write here. Immersed in the light and energy of Brisbane's fabulous street of bars, restaurants and cafes, Park Road.

I sit under the Eiffel Tower. Gorgeous right? Add a slew of charming waiters who see me coming and have my order - latte and jam drop - on my table before I've even sat down, and tables full of men speaking Italian to add to the ambiance, and what more could a romance writer ask for!

my holiday

2011-12-12T09:00:00.001+10:00

Have finally found the time to go through the photos taken on my girls weekend and found an odd trend - lots of pictures taken of my feet!

Being that I am "the holder of the camera" in our household, I'm lucky to turn up in 2 or 3 pics in a year with the kids getting the lion's share of the action, and hubby appearing nearly just as much, and often in his pajamas. No shock then that the yearly photo album takes some careful planning ;).

Anyhoo, I think the feet thing is my proof I was really there. Lazing in the sunshine, strolling along the beach, dipping my hot toes in the blissfully cool water.

'Twas a gorgeous weekend, now must get onto the girls to book the next!!!

happy birthday captain jack!

2011-12-10T09:00:00.000+10:00

Today my baby boy turns one. And not a sweeter, warmer, more loving, stronger, tougher kid ever there was. This pic is of him snuggling against my knee as I attempted to take his photo. Just yum.

My girls at this age liked making animal noises. Dogs, elephants that kind of thing. My boy? He spends his days growling like a pirate - Argh! - hence the Captain Jack nickname. He's just a honey.

Happy Birthday Little Man!
Love Mum
xXx

And the winner is...

2011-12-09T12:00:00.000+10:00

eBooks! No, paperbacks. Well, from all your gorgeous comments, emails, and tweets over the past week I see that so many of you are just like me, happy bridging the gap between both reading mediums.

And how much of the pleasure of reading is in the experience as well as the story - the ability to do it in the bath, to hide inside your head on a long train trip, to take a number of stories in one light package on holiday, to feel the soft flick of a page turning against your finger. Reading isn't just an escape, it's a sensory gift.

As for the winner of three of my books, autographed an all, after using the tried and true close your eyes, spin around three times and point method, the winner is...

Melissa Wright!

Melissa, email me on ally@allyblake.com and let me know which of my books you'd like and I'll send them your way ASAP! Check out my booklist here.

last chance to win a bunch of autographed books!

2011-12-07T13:09:00.001+10:00

Last day for my double whammy BIG BOOK GIVEAWAYS!!!

Comment here, on Facebook or to my Twitter for your chance to win your choice of three Ally Blake books, signed by moi.

Or head on over to Goodreads to win all three of my Kellys of Brisbane trilogy. Once again signed. once again my me ;).

Good luck everyone!

only two more days to go!!!

2011-12-05T09:16:00.001+10:00

Only two more days to go to enter my Big Book Giveaway!

For your chance to win three autographed Ally Blake novels - readers' choice! - comment here, on my Facebook wall, or on Twitter.

You've got to be in it to win it!!!

big book giveaway day three!

2011-12-03T09:20:00.001+10:00

Day three of my Big Book Giveaway and the entries are piling in!

Remember, all you have to do is comment here, on my Facebook fan page,or on Twitter by 7th December* for your chance to win three autographed Ally Blake books of your choice! Just let me know if you're an eBook convert or if you're all for paperbacks all the way.

Check out my book page to see which three books you'd love for Christmas. Then enter now, cause you have to be in it to win it!

* Giveaways end midnight December 7th 2011, Australian EST. One winner for each contest. Books will be English language version though covers may vary from those advertised. Winner will be notified through media by which they entered. Follow Ally on twitter, join her at Goodreads, and like her at Facebook for her latest news and musings and behind the scenes goss as well as more fun surprises throughout the year!

big book giveaway starts today!

2011-12-01T00:00:00.000+10:00

XMAS GIVEAWAY # 1 @ blog, Facebook, twitter

A triple pack of autographed paperbacks, winners' choice to one lucky reader!

Just comment here, or on my Facebook fan page, or on Twitter by 7th December* and let my know whether you prefer ebooks or paperbacks, and why. Cause honestly, I just can't make up my mind! If there's enough of you like me, maybe I'll feel better about doing both ;).

Check out the booklist on my website to decide which 3 books you'd most like to win!

- - - - - - - - - - -

XMAS GIVEAWAY # 2 @ Goodreads

3 autographed paperbacks of linked books "Dating the Rebel Tycoon", "Getting Red-Hot with the Rogue" and "Millionaire Dad's SOS" over at Goodreads*. So head on over and follow me for a second chance to win!!! See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

one more sleep!

2011-11-30T09:00:00.000+10:00

One more sleep til entries for my end of year, its nearly Christmas, just 'cause I feel like it, big book giveaway are free to start pouring in!

Come back tomorrow to find out how you can enter my TWO, yes that's right, TWO big book giveaways for your chance at winning a triple pack of personally autographed books.

So exciting!!!

two more sleeps...

2011-11-29T09:00:00.000+10:00

Two more sleeps til my big book giveaway!

It runs from December 1st through 7th with autographed books up for grabs just in time for Christmas!

Come on back here on December 1st, or follow me on Goodreads, to find out how to enter my two big book giveaways.

See ya then!

big book giveaway extravaganza heading your way!

2011-11-28T09:00:00.000+10:00

I admit it, I'm a hussy.

I love my Sony Reader, and with a passion that knows no bounds. Itruly do. Yet I cheat. Regularly. With paperbacks. Thescent of freshly printed paper, the feel of the pages as they slide past yourfingers, the weight of a book in your hands... *shiver*

For those of you who share my secret love, this holiday season, startingDecember 1st, I'm giving away a triple pack ofautographed paperbacks, winners'choice to one lucky reader!

And since I love this time of year sooo much, I'm doing another triplegiveaway at Goodreads!

WATCH THIS SPACE COME DECEMBER 1STFOR ALL THE DEETS!

* Giveaways end midnight December 7th 2011. One winner for each contest. Winner will be notified through media by which they entered. Follow Ally on twitter, follow her at Goodreads, and like her at Facebook for her latest news and musings and behind the scenes goss as well as more fun surprises throughout the year!

I'm reading... my first ever nora roberts!

2011-11-22T09:00:00.000+10:00

About a week ago, upon a recommendation from my mum, whose taste often mirrors mine (the woman owns every book by Dick Francis and LaVyrle Spender - 'nuff said!) I was forced to grab a copy of Nora Roberts "Vision in White". It's the first of a four book series dubbed the "Bride Quartet", and the first Nora Roberts I've ever read. I know, how, right?

Skip to a week later and I'm half way through book four, that's how much I just love love loooove this series!!! I cried three times in the first chapter alone. Seriously.

The four heroines are four long time best friends who run a wedding planning business together from the gorgeous family estate they all but grew up on. The wedding planner thing has been done many times over in romantic fiction but the strength of the women's friendships, their backgrounds, the way the heroes fit into their lives makes this series a total stand out. You wish you were on the inside of their tight clan.

Did I mention I loved this series. Yeah? Well I did!

Buy "Vision in White" here! Today. This instant!!!

Visit Nora's website.

Follow me on Goo d Reads.

calling all queenslanders

2011-11-20T10:00:00.000+10:00

Grab today's Sunday Mail for the U Magazine cover story! All about the plethora of fabulous, talented, local romance authors.

Or...you can see a link to the story here.

And yes, alllll those books belong to me!

sold!

2011-11-18T10:00:00.000+10:00

So excited to say that book 22 is done and dusted!

This was my fairy dust book - a book that was bliss to write from beginning to end - known here as Addicted to Love.

I wish I could stick all my eds gorgeous comments hereupon they have been so gushworthy, but that'd just be showing off ;).

Shall squee on over here some more when I get a title and release dates. Until then, here's a pic that reminds me a lot of my hero Dax. Sigh...

leaving, on a jet plane

2011-11-17T09:00:00.000+10:00

Heading away tomorrow for a girls weekend with my BFFs from Melbourne! Two of the four of us did the dash back home to family in the last year so it'll be a teary catch-up I'm sure. As well as plenty of sleep, wine, chatter, wine, laughter, shopping, wine. Did I mention wine?

See ya next week!

come on in, the water's fine!

2011-11-12T19:14:00.001+10:00

Have I mentioned the weather in sunny Brisbane right now? I must have. Surely. Because IT IS AWESOME!

Queensland is famously known as "beautiful one day, perfect the next" and it's living up to that moniker right now for sure.

This is the view of our pool this arvo mere minutes before splashdown. And while a pool can be such a time suck, a money pit and a general pain to keep clean, especially amidst a lush suburban jungle like ours is, that moment when you slide in to find the temperature absolutely perfect and the water lifts you, floats you, takes the edge off the day it's heavenly. Better yet the joy on the kids faces when they have that moment too - now that makes it all worth it.

So, the forecast continues to be blue skies and sunshine. How many of you should I expect???

ah spring!

2011-11-08T12:25:00.001+10:00

One of the more lovely things about moving home to sunny Brisbane is the weather. Don't get me wrong, I adore Melbourne truly seasonal weather, even if you can, and do, famously experience "four seasons in one day" at times.

But here the winters are mild and sunny, the summers hot and bright, and the springs, well they are just glorious. Our garden has exploded practically overnight, with a gorgeous array of the most vivid flowers as far as the eye can see. And the scents...oh my! Open our back door and we are flooded with the most delicious floral aromas. They're practically edible.

And we are not gardeny people. All of this comes down to the cleverness of those who came before us, and nature. Hence the fact that I have no idea what flowers they are! I *think* the top left ones are Jasmine. As for the others? Not a clue!

So if any of you recognise the flowers hereupon let me know! I'd appreciate it to bits.

the 7 horse by a nose

2011-11-01T09:00:00.000+10:00

Today is Australia's biggest horse race, the Melbourne Cup.

It's dead right that they call it the race that stops a nation as every TV & radio around the country will be tuned in at 3pm to watch as 24 horses thunder around the long 3200m of track to see who takes this year's purse.

My pick? The 7 horse, Unusual Suspect. Why? I like the rider's silks ;). Black, grey and white, they are, with a great silver star in the centre. In 25 odd years of betting on the big race, that kind of thinking has helped me pick the winner once. Yet here I go again. I'm consistent if nothing else!

As luck would have it its the only rider in the entire field whose rider is listed as "none". But hey, here's for the underdog right?!?!?!

To see lots of green grass, racing odds, and pretty dresses, check out the Melbourne Cup official page here.

national novel writing month

2011-10-31T12:40:00.000+10:00

Or NaNoWriMo as it will forever more be known starts tomorrow!

Always had an urge to write a book but just never found the time, incentive, kick up the pants you needed? This may be your chance!

Every November is National Novel Writing Month when hundreds of thousands around the world promise to write 50,000 words come hail rain or shine. Harlequin romances are ~ 50k, as was The Notebook, Bridges of Madison County, The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in The Rye. Awesome company huh?

So if you need cheerleaders, or a whip, to get you to make that scary first step of putting pen to paper, this may be your big chance!

I've tried it before and never made it. Yes me, a gal who's written more than twenty 50,000 word books! But that's only because I'm contrary and if someone pressures me to write, I'm like, "Na-ah, I'm gonna eat cake instead, so there."

But for you, who knows???

Sign up here.

Wanring: This Post may Be Addictive!

2011-10-30T11:45:00.003+10:00

The crazy early Christmas decorations spilling out of department store right now has sent me gleefully scurrying to JibJab. And no that's not a typo, and I haven't drunk too much wine, it's not even midday here, for Pete's sake!

For those of you who've yet to waste many an hour there already JibJab is a crazy awesome website where you can put your family's faces on singing birthday cards, short funny Halloween movies and the like! We're already in the process of picking which Xmas card we're gonna send to everyone this year. Seriously. It's hilarious fun!

So, to give you a taste of the JibJab experience, and since my hero and heroine in Addicted to Love - the book currently sweating it out on my editor's desk - meet on a dance floor, I give you Dax and Caitlyn doing the Brazilian Samba!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

manga mania

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000+10:00

It's always exciting to find out when a book has been translated and released to an overseas market, when those books arrive on the doorstep with such fancy and fabulous new covers and it takes some investigating to figure out which country the book is from!

But there are two times when its extra special.

1. When it's my first book, The Wedding Wish, which was first released in 2003.

2. When its a Manga. When my story has been adapted into glorious romantic anime by a brilliant artist and I can see the story evolve on the page even when I can't read the words.

So when the wonderful Daphne Clair sent me a copy of The Wedding Wish in Manga form (my author copy had gone to her place in New Zealand by mistake!) you can imagine my glee!

A big smoochy thanks to Daphne, bowing and scraping to the artist, and here's a link to a site that lists Mangas if you'd like to see if your favourite has been made so!

I'm reading...little earthquakes

2011-10-10T14:00:00.000+10:00

I've been on a bit of a Jennifer Weiner glom of late. (She wrote Good in Bed and In Her Shoes which is just one of my fave movies ever.) First up I read Little Earthquakes which is the story of four mums and the struggles and bliss that come with the first 9 months of their bub's lives and their friendship.

My littlest has just turned 9 months so it was so accidentally timely, but that's not why I loved it. This book was rich and delicate and feisty and real. Enjoyed it so much I dived into Certain Girls - the follow up to Good in Bed - which I'm having a great time with too.

In Jen's fabulous 'For Writers' page on her website, she also suggests - among other things - that if you want to get published you ought to read Harlequin novels. How can I not love her?!

Grab Little Earthquakes and Certain Girls from the Book Depository for free delivery worldwide!Follow me on Good Reads.

I'm reading...getting away with it

2011-10-04T09:00:00.000+10:00

Julie Cohen used to write for the same line I do, and she's just so lovely we gals have all kept in close touch with her and watched on in delight as she has gone onto write a slew of fab single title stories.

The latest I read is GETTING AWAY WITH IT and I just LOVED IT! In fact, last weekend I came down with a 24 hour bug that laid me flat. Felt like crud. Had to lie in bed all day. Which would have been frustrating as all get out if I didn't get to rip through the last half of Julie's book ;).

To let you in on a little about the book Julie "toured an ice cream factory, talked to stunt women, interviewed twins and trespassed in a crop circle." And that's only half the fun.

Check out Julie's website for more about the book!

Grab the book here from the Book Depository for free delivery worldwide!
Follow me on Good Reads.

Off off and away!

2011-09-29T20:01:00.005+10:00

I just hit send and pushed my revisions for Addicted to Love off to my editor!

It's always such a wonderful free feeling...for about fifteen minutes before panic sets in and I start wondering what I missed, if my editor got the email, if I did enough to ramp up tension, heat up the romance, make sure the reader finds the characters as lovable as I do.

Will miss them both terribly. Caitlyn was the most fun heroine to write. While Dax...Dax was smooth, and dry, and rich, and delectable and... Okay, now I'm just getting the worst craving for dark chocolate ;).

No which of the stories I've been dabbling with to write next? The one about the wedding dress? Or the one about the dancing? What the heck, they can wait til tomorrow!

revisions = bliss!

2011-09-13T10:00:00.000+10:00

I'm one of those strange writers who stalk my inbox in the hopes of getting revisions. I just love 'em. I'm nearly done with the revisions on my latest RIVA/Harlequin Presents and I've been having a ball. (Helps that I get to revisit this guy a plenty :))

I love the second opinion. (I know I can't see the forest for the trees.) I love when themes and through lines I hadn't even noticed I'd put in a book are pointed out to me. (I'm just that clever, only I don't realise it.) I always write long and I relish the chance to tighten the book with the good riddance to even the smallest extraneous words. And I love that final chance to have at the story with a red pen, sweeping away repetition, and great swathes of prose I slaved over cause in the end it just ain't necessary.

One thing I do struggle with wiping away are the flirty bits that are flirty just for the fun of being flirty. Those bits when the hero and heroine spark like crazy, but don't really talk about anything of much importance. Between you and me, if I can get my word count back down to a sensible level, I might even keep one or two of them. Maybe the bit about the Volvo. Or the joke about the Prime Minister. Or maybe...

Okay, so I have to cut 5000 words this week. Then we'll see ;).

Ten years ago today...

2011-09-11T22:30:00.000+10:00

...I was washing my hair, getting ready to head to bed as I had an early work thing on in the city the next day.

My hubby came in and told me I had to come check out the TV. A plane had apparently flown into the World Trade Center. I huffed and puffed and whinged that I wanted to get to bed. Then stomped out to the lounge, figuring it was all a hoax and I'd give the news five minutes to tell me otherwise.

Several hours later I was still sitting there, perched on the edge of the chair, hair wet in its towel turban, eyes gritty from having no more tears left to cry.

I love New York city like it's a second home. I'd been there exactly a year before 9/11 on my honeymoon. My husband and I went back three years after and the difference was keenly felt. My Mum, the fab woman, ran the New York Marathon a month after 9/11, for her first and only time, at the age of 53.

My heart goes out to all for whom it feels like it happened yesterday.

xXx

Out now in Australia & New Zealand...

2011-09-05T09:28:00.005+10:00

"HEART OF THE OUTBACK"

Collection featuring WANTED: OUTBACK WIFE

"Fresh, vibrant and written with plenty of sassiness and style, Ally Blake’s feel good romances are among the best in the business." ...CataRomance

Read more
Buy eBook (Adobe ePub)

Buy iBook (iTunes)

getting down to business...again!

2011-08-17T14:48:00.006+10:00

OUT NOW IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND!

"BOARDROOM HOT-SHOTS"

featuring GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

"Funny, witty and sexy, Getting Down to Business will leave the reader feeling happy and complete."

...CataRomance

Read more

Buy paperback

Buy eBook (Adobe ePub)

Buy iBook (iTunes)

ha!

2011-08-16T09:26:00.002+10:00

Watching 'educational' animal videos on YouTube with the kids when I found this. 53,000,000 people can't be wrong!

i'm reading...genesis alpha

2011-07-29T09:00:00.000+10:00

I've just finished reading Rune Michaels awesome first young adult novel GENESIS ALPHA. And did I mention it was awesome?!?!?!?! She was one of my favourite ever Harlequin authors - writing under a different pen name - which is why I've been dying to read it for yonks and boy was it worth the wait. According to her blog, Genesis Alpha was chosen for the NYPL Books for the Teen Age 2008 list and won literary prizes in Belgium and France. No big shock. Ripper read.

Grab the book here from the Book Depository for free delivery worldwide!

Follow me on Good Reads.

umm yum!!!!!

2011-07-25T09:00:00.000+10:00

So this is the guy whose job it is to inspire me some romantic words for the next handful of months.

Think he can do it?

I have attempted to use Hugh Jackman in this way before. I mean, he is the official patron hunk of romance writers, right? But I've had no success. It's all about matching the right pic with the right hero, the right story, the right heroine... It's tricky stuff!

But this picture, for this hero... I'm getting a good feeling in me waters about this one!

that new idea glow!

2011-07-23T12:18:00.006+10:00

So I'm itching to get started on a new book.

As per usual with me I'm flush with ideas. For me they're the easy part. I have a slew of cute meets just waiting to be written! The problem at the beginning is picking which one.

Which one will sing? Which one has legs? Which one has chemistry? Then yesterday afternoon, out of nowhere, BAM!

A heroine who makes me grin, a hero who gives me delicious chills, and a set-up to die for! The Working title - PANTS ON FIRE, seriously! - gives me all I need to lock me into the feel of the story. So now I just have to toddle off and write 50,000 words and I'm done!

Picture me squirelling away notes on random pieces of paper in between baby feeds, and cleaning up toddler feeds, and colouring in pictures of Humpty Dumpty, and changing nappies and... you get the picture.

Here's my heroine Dahlia. Boy is she about to do something to get herself into loads of trouble! Watch this space for pics of the hero. Oh...my...word!

"like" me "like" me!

2011-07-23T08:00:00.000+10:00

It's an incredibly odd thing IMHO to actively ask a person to "like" them. Yet here I am!

I've finally found a spare five minutes in my day to create a new Facebook Author Page which will replace the old cumbersome "friend page" so do come on over and "Like" me for fun up to date updates on my writing, my book releases and the occasional insight into the rambling chaotic life of a romance author in progress.

Like me here!

guest blogging and changing nappies!

2011-07-21T10:00:00.006+10:00

I'm guest blogging with the Romance Writers of Australia where I natter about all sorts of guff, like what I do in my non-writing time when not changing nappies. Turns out it's more than I thought it was!

I also give a little insight into how my latest Aussie re-release GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS - as found in BOARDROOM HOT-SHOTS collection - came to life.

Come say "hi"!

they're on their own now!

2011-07-15T21:30:00.000+10:00

I've just said goodbye to these two gorgeous young things, watching with excitement and not a little trepidation for their futures as they wing their way to the other side of the world to land on my editor's desk.

They have been an utter joy to know, a pleasure to write about, and I'm going to miss them like crazy.

Of course I will get a visit when revisions land with a thud ;). But until then, my sweets, bon voyage!

i heart apps

2011-07-13T22:23:00.002+10:00

I like being able to figure things out instantly - read I have no patience! So when I got a beautiful fancy shiny new smart phone from my hubby for my birthday imagine my excitement! And frustration ;). I could have thrown the thing at the wall, and now... I can blog from the thing

I'm fast learning the fabulousness of apps. Do you have any faves I must have?

ibooks down under!

2011-07-03T09:00:00.001+10:00

Did you know the Australian iTunes store now stocks iBooks? Well it does!!! And my latest books are there. Yippee!

For some reason they've made it super tricky to track books and authors down on that site, so I've made it easy for ya! Click here and you'll find my latest handful of Aussie releases including a couple of great collections. (Or for my American releases, head on over to the American iTunes site here.)

As a helpful hint, to find your other fave authors, Google "author name itunes" and you should have some luck.

Happy reading!
xXx

fun stuff about "millionaire dad's sos"

2011-06-25T08:00:00.000+10:00

Here are some fun facts about my current North America release, MILLIONAIRE DAD'S SOS.

Hero inspiration: Reynaldo Gianecchini. Okay, so I found another excuse to post this guy's pic. but come on, did I really need one?

Working Title: RUSH

Song: "SUDDENLY I SEE" by KC Tunstall

The story that almost never was: I'd originally tried to give Meg a Harlequin Presents story in which she hooked up with her brother's friend Hamish, an architect who appears briefly in DATING THE REBEL TYCOON. I rewrote the opening chapter so many times I eventually gave up and wrote Dylan and Wynnie's story in GETTING RED-HOT WITH THE ROGUE for Harlequin Presents instead and it was a muuuuch better fit! Meg just had to wait a little longer for her guy, and I reckon he was worth it.

Dedication: This was for my second daughter who grew in my tummy as I wrote the book!

MILLIONAIRE DAD'S SOS
Paperback
eBook (UK)

"millionaire dad's SOS" ~ the guy

2011-06-20T08:00:00.000+10:00

Reynaldo Gianecchini as my Zach Jones. Need I say more? I'll let my heroine Meg say more instead ;).

'Hot guy at six o’clock. He’s been staring at you for the past five minutes.’

‘Not news, hon,’ Rylie said, touching the ground with her palms and causally glancing between her legs before letting out a long slow, ‘I take that back. This one is big news.’

Meg rolled her eyes. ‘I’m not falling for that again.’

‘Your loss,’ Rylie said.

A husky note in her best friend’s voice caught Meg’s attention. ‘Fine. Where?’

‘Over your right shoulder,’ Tabitha said. ‘Faded t-shirt, knee-length cargo shorts, sneakers that have pounded some miles, cap he ought to have thrown away a looong time ago...’

Rylie laughed, then gave Meg’s leg a tug so her knee collapsed turning her whether she wanted to or not.

Meg didn’t even get the chance to ask Rylie what was so funny. She didn’t need to. There was no way any woman under the age of a hundred and twenty was going to miss the man leaning against the trunk of one of the massive ghost gums lining the resort’s elegant driveway.

He was tall. Impressively so. Broad as any man she’d ever met. His chin was unshaven, the dark curls beneath his cap overlong. With the colour of a man who’d spent half a lifetime in the sun and the muscles of a man who hadn’t done so standing still, he looked like he’d stepped out of a Nautica ad.

She tucked a curl behind her ear and casually bent down to tug at her ankle socks, not needing to look at the guy to remember exactly what she’d seen. Her hands shook ever so slightly.

He was the very dictionary definition of rugged sex-appeal. For a girl from the right side of the tracks, a girl who was a magnet for stiff, sharp, striving suits, a girl whose planner had become so full of late she had to diarise time to wash her hair much less anything more intimately enjoyable, he was a revelation.

MILLIONAIRE DAD'S SOS
Paperback
eBook (UK)

gorgeous review!

2011-06-18T08:58:00.004+10:00

Just found this fabulous review for my THE WEDDING DATE. (Out in North America as THE ROGUE WEDDING GUEST).

Here's a snippet of the gorgeousness:

"The story and characters are modern and written with wit and sass, sparkling dialogue and great chemistry. This is a great book that had me laughing out loud and left with that all important warm fuzzy feeling!"

Isn't that just heaven??? Read the full review here.

Read more
Buy the book
Buy the eBook

"millionaire dad's SOS" ~ the girls

2011-06-15T08:00:00.004+10:00

Here's a picture I used for heroine inspiration Meg Kelly, the heroine from MILLIONAIRE DAD'S SOS. Love the expression, love the dress, love the girl! Mila Kunis has an earthy sexiness and a vulnerability that suited Meg to the ground.

Meg's BFFs Rylie and Tabitha played a massive part in the story as well. Tabitha plays a role in DATING THE REBEL TYCOON and Rylie in GETTING RED-HOT WITH THE ROGUE.

I have a story in mind for Rylie I hope I get the chance to write one day, while I get the feeling that Tabitha - sweet soul that she is might have to live her ultimate romance outside the pages of a book ;).

Do you like reading about characters who've appeared in your favourite author's other books?

MILLIONAIRE DAD'S SOS
Paperback
eBook (UK)