where have I seen that hero before?

Did you know that Nate from FAKING IT TO MAKING IT has graced the insides of a book before?  Well he has!

Nate Mackenzie is the best mate and business partner of the hero in my last Harlequin Kiss novel THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS.

Grab THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS   in paperback or ebook today to meet Nate, and see how big bad Gabe Hamilton was brought to his knees by love!

 
THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS

Read more ::  Buy the paperback :: Buy the eBook  ::  Amazon

blog tour :: harlequin junkie

Today I'm nattering with the fabulous Harlequin Junkie about my first Harlequin KISS - out now across North America - THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS!

One of the questions Sara asked was to name five random things about myself.  Here's a taste:

*  I told the kids in my primary school I had three middle names (instead of one) as I thought it made me seem more exotic.  The extra names? Karen and Vanessa.  Why the heck didn't I go all out with something like Periwinkle and Desdemona!

          

*  I could never, never, not even upon the promise of a million dollars watch a horror film, and yet am addicted to True Blood and The Walking Dead.
 
* Growing up I desperately wanted a horse. Not because I was interested in riding, per say, I really just wanted to name it.  Writing for a living I get to name heroes, heroines, dogs, cats, businesses, places...  Some horse somewhere should count itself verrry lucky.

Come visit Harlequin Junkie for your chance to win an ebook copy of my last book THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT!

first page friday

Am I the only one who flicks to a book's first page before considering buying it?  Seems so cutthroat, doesn't it!  Well, we authors spend a good deal of time getting our first line right for that very reason.

Today I'm over at the lovely Liz Fielding's blog, taking up her First Page Friday slot with my current Harlequin KISS novel, THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS.

Hope it grabs you!

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS

Harlequin KISS - April 2013

Read more ::  Harlequin  ::  The Book Depository  ::  M&B UK  ::  M&B Aus/NZ

blog tour :: manga maniac cafe

Today I'm at the Manga Maniac Cafe.

They asked the BEST questions about my current release THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS.  Really made me think about the characters in ways I hadn't before.

Want to know what three things you'd never find in this guy's bedroom?   Head on here to find out!

(And ok, so that's not completely the case - Joe Manganiello and I aren't that close.  But he looks close enough to my hero, Gabe Hamilton, we can all pretend, right?)

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS
Read more ::  Buy now!
North America - April 2013

gotta love a great review!

Stumbled upon another super lovely review of THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS on the great reader-led blog, The Good, the Bad, and the Unread.

And I quote:

"Ally Blake is a new-to-me author, but this won’t be the last book of hers that I read. Her voice is fresh and genuinely young without trying to hard or using achingly trendy slang, and her characters behave in a way that feels natural. They’re likeable people who make mistakes..."

And it goes on ever so nicely from there!  Read the rest of the review here...

good reads...great reviews!

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS - my first ever Harlequin KISS is mere days away from hitting bookshelves across North America and I just had to share a couple of the early fab reviews spilling onto Goodreads!

"Fast paced, funny, warm and deliciously hot, this is the kind of can't-put-down story Ms. Blake is famous for writing. What's more, she has a magical way of making it feel like the heroine is a best friend who is telling her story over cocktails instead of within the pages of a book. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE!"

...Trish Wylie, Goodreads

"If you enjoy fun, flirty, contemporary romances, you'll love The Secret Wedding Dress.  Paige is ballsy and quirky, Gabe is flawed and incredibly sexy.  Thoroughly enjoyed!"

...Nicola Marsh, USA Today Bestselling author

 

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS

Harlequin KISS - April 2013

Read more ::  Harlequin  ::  The Book Depository  ::  M&B UK  ::  M&B Aus/NZ

six sentence sunday :: the secret wedding dress

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS

Paige doesn't stand a chance...

   Her eyes swung back to his to find them drenched with desire.  For her.  The hot ache sank and spread until she would have collapsed in a quivering puddle of pure need had Gabe not been holding her.

   When the urge to grab his hand and run, dispatching a coat hanger tackle on anyone in her path,  swelled hot and fast inside of her, Paige knew then that she’d gone past the point of curing her dating-drought.  She’d cracked.

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS
Read more ::  Buy now!
Australia, New Zealand & UK - January 2013, North America - April 2013

six sentence sunday :: the secret wedding dress

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS

Paige doesn't stand a chance...

... it was like a freeway collision inside her head, the way the gorgeous bits of him piled on top of one another.  The deep tan that went all over.  The large bare feet.  The hair, all mussed and rugged.   Arms that looked strong enough to lift a small car.  A wholly masculine chest with the kind of muscle definition no mere mortal had the right to possess. 

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS
Read more ::  Buy now!
Australia, New Zealand & UK - January 2013, North America - April 2013

six sentence sunday :: the secret wedding dress

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS

Gabe is all man!

She breathed in and caught the scent of leather.  Of spice.  Of fresh chopped wood.  Of sea air.  Of airplane petrol. Sweat that wasn’t her own.

Outside it was the depth of winter, yet she yanked her scarf away from her neck and thought about ice cream and snowball fights to counteract the certainty that she was about to overheat.

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS
Read more ::  Buy now!
Australia, New Zealand &UK - January 2013, North America - April 2013

six sentence sunday :: the secret wedding dress

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS

Paige, meet Gabe...

  Honestly, who needed such a breathtaking expanse of male shoulders, or such thick dark hair that looked like no amount of product could completely ever tame it?  Or fingers strong enough open a lift door?  As for the hint of hooded dark eyes she could make out in profile and stubble long past designer?   That kind of intensity wasn’t comfortable.  It was overkill.

  She was staring so hard at the man’s lips - thinking that they were too ridiculously perfect to be hidden amongst all that rough stubble - there was no missing it when they twitched, like they might be about to actually smile.

Was thinking a little of this guy when I wrote that ;).  Can you tell?


THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS
Read more ::  Buy now!
Australia, New Zealand &UK - January 2013, North America - April 2013

lovely review!

Even though it's not officially released for another couple of weeks, the reviews are coming in for my next romance THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS!

Tia-Marie on Goodreads said:

Haha! I really liked this one, especially the epilogue, it made me laugh and giggle like a child. I loved the heroine and the fact she had been through so much emotional trauma to do with her parents, yet still found love with the hero. Paige and Gabe were definitely two of my favorite characters from the new harlequins. I think I will always remember this story. Now I'm curious about Clint and Mae...

Woohoo!

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS
Read more ::  Buy now!
Australia, New Zealand & UK - January 2013, North America - April 2013

the secret wedding dress...nearly here!

The Secret Wedding Dress

I love that knock at the door that heralds a delivery of author copies of a book!  Especially the first edition thereof, as there are always fun little things you don't expect.

Like a lovely reader quote on the back cover:

"I love Ally Blake's books - always sexy and sensual!" said Teresa from Weston-super-mare.  
Or the excerpt chosen for the front of the book.  Here's the one (edited a mite to fit)  to be found in THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS which arrived at my place today:

Through gritted teeth Paige muttered, “That's it.  I hereby promise to throw myself upon the mercy of the next man who smiles at me.  I need to get some man time and fast.  Deal?  Deal.”

“Hold the door,” said s deep male voice

He loomed into view, a stranger, a great big broad one, his bulk blocking her view of the foyer entirely.  Head down, brow pinched into a frown, he stared intently at the shiny smart phone in his spare hand.

As she  presse herself deeper into the small lift her eyes flickered over a well-worn chocolate-brown leather jacket  with thick dark hair curling over the wool-lined collar.  Over soft denim lovingly hugging masses of muscle, down to huge scuffed boots.   Big and brawny he was, with dark shadowed eyes and stubble long past designer on a jaw that could have been cut from granite.

The raw and unadulterated impact of the man sent her stomach into freefall, and colour rushed into her skin with a whoosh she could practically hear.  She had to swallow down the sudden urge to growl.

Then a husky voice inside her head sent the stranger a silent plea:  Smile.

 

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS 
Mills and Boon Modern Romance - January 2012
Read more.  Order the paperback

cover reveal!

Here's the cover for my next new novel THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS which hits stores across the UK in January.

Isn't it puuurty!?!?!?

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS

READ MORE :: ORDER NOW

Mills and Boon Modern, UK January 2013

SOLD!

My 23rd book -  THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS - has been sold to Mills and Boon Modern with a January 2013 release date in the UK!  The Modern books in the UK have the most gorgeous covers.  Very slick and sexy.  I'm thrilled I'll be getting one of my own.  Yum.  Check them out here.


Paige and Gabe - and I offer no apologies for the shot to the right, in fact I accept your gratitude -   started out as an idea that slammed into my head one morning, like a scene from a movie: a woman standing in a lift holding a wedding dress, when into the lift walks the man of her dreams.  I had no idea who she was, if she was engaged, if the dress was hers or not.  But I knew I had to write that scene.  You can read how she eventually ended up with the dress here.


Even after so many books every sale is a joy/relief for about five minutes before the onset of panic about what to write next! Though I do have an idea brewing about Gabe's best friend and business partner Nate.  I think he's about to get a phone call that changes his life!


Read all about THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS at it's new page here!

THE SECRET WEDDING DRESS
Read more
M&B Modern Romance January 2013 UK. M&B Sexy February 2013Aus/NZ.

done!

Have just sent this gorgeous guy to my editor!

Okay, so I'm not that nice, but I did send the revisions for The Blonde Bombshell to my editor and this picture was attached.

Just in case she needs any extra inducement to fall in love with my Gabe.  Not that I think she will.  but it can't hurt, right?

Off to celebrate with some True Blood!

pillow talk :: revisions :: it's all about character

CHARACTER

So romance writing is all about character, so if you're going to get revision suggestions there's a high likelihood it will be about character.

My heroine Paige feels set.  I understood her from early on the process.  The hero took longer for me to pin down, as he's a true strong silent type.  And it showed, hence the majority of the changes I need to make to strengthen the story revolving around the hero.

Things most often needing strengthening in revisions are:  conflict  - what's keeping your hero and heroine apart.  Motivation - what do they want most, what would they have to give up in order to love be with one another.  Believability of action and reaction.  Likeability.  Do you care enough about her to want her to get her man?  Is he strong enough, gorgeous enough, sexy enough etc etc etc.?

Secondary characters - these guys a big deal for me.  Something I do, and I hope, do well.  But they can't overshadow the main story.

So expect your character to be a big part of any revision suggestions you might have.

And okay, this subject is an excuse for you to meet the hero of my current WIP.  Meet Gabe Hamilton.  Strong enough?  Gorgeous enough?  Sexy enough?  Oooohhh yeeeeah...

For a more in depth analysis of the manuscript revising process, I'm heading up a workshop at the Romance Writers of Australia conference on the Gold Coast this August entitled REVISIONS: REWRITING, EDITING, PROOF-READING...OH MY!  Conference details at the RWA website

pillow talk :: revisions :: protect your voice

PROTECT YOUR VOICE

When revision suggestions come in from an editor or agent, that's what they are - suggestions.  All the both of you want is to make the book as good as it can be.

Working with a great editor is like brainstorming, throwing ideas at the book to see what'll stick.  I've had some editorial suggestions that have been like a slap across the back of the head.  A total "Duh! Why didn't I think of that!"  Others ideas that have set the creative juices flowing until a comparable alternative has been found.  So long as the inherent problems are addressed that's the main thing.  However you get there doesn't matter, so long as you get there.  And if you can do so in a way that feels like you, that makes it feel still completely your story, then all the better.

Taking a step back, before you even send your manuscript in, if there's something odd, unusual, left of centre that comes out in your writing, and you love it, don't assume your editor won't too.

THE BLONDE BOMBSHELL is known to me as the one about the wicked lift, the flamingo, and the missing bed.  There are movie references galore.  And the POV of a most unexpected character.  Until the final proof edits (the last chance an author has to make any final tiny changes, check typos etc.) I can't be sure they'll all get to stay, but so far so good!  Which gives this writer a buzz, a love of the book, and a big grin as I jump into my revisions some more.

The next part of this Pillow Talk series in revisions will be about character. 

For a more in depth analysis of the manuscript revising process, I'm heading up a workshop at the Romance Writers of Australia conference on the Gold Coast this August entitled REVISIONS: REWRITING, EDITING, PROOF-READING...OH MY!  Conference details at the RWA website here.

pillow talk :: revisions :: what to do first

WHAT TO DO FIRST

First thing I do is highlight the revision suggestions in my editor's letter to find the core problems.

Sometimes there are little things, early line-edits.  Aussie terms that are gibberish to overseas readers.  Sentences that were half deleted in my final edit.  Through lines that went nowhere.  I take care of those first.  Sometimes revisions might seem so daunting you don't know where best to start.  Starting with the small stuff helps get me on a roll.

Next up I go through my manuscript, and add headings and brief notes as to where I might need to ramp up information, to add a scene, to change the POV, to edit down, and why.  I’m a big believer in different coloured fonts and highlights so that I can see in a glance whether the issue is sexual tension, conflict, background, too much information.

Next I expand on those ideas as inspiration takes me, figuring out how I might go about this. I do all this in red at the beginning of the scenes, so that I'm not messing with what's already there until I'm sure.  You can use "track changes" here, but it does my head in ;).

Next up in this Pillow Talk series I'm going to talk about  the bits I loved that I was sure wouldn't stay...and did, and why its worth trusting your voice.
 

For a more in depth analysis of the manuscript revising process, I'm heading up a workshop at the Romance Writers of Australia conference on the Gold Coast this August entitled REVISIONS: REWRITING, EDITING, PROOF-READING...OH MY!  Conference details at the RWA website here.

pillow talk :: revisions :: what mine are

REVISION SUGGESTIONS

Revisions from my editor for my latest book have arrived, and as a lead up to the workshop on revisions I am fronting at this year’s Romance Writers of Australia conference on the Gold Coast, I thought I’d talk you through my process.

This book is known to me and you as THE BLONDE BOMBSHELL (referred to by my editor as “PAIGE & GABE”, which is a good hint the title won’t stick ;)).  My editor loves the story calling it a "contemporary, sparky and a fun, sexy, entertaining read" which I'll take any day of the week!  She loved my heroine, not a thing to touch there, thought the hero "oozes raw and masculine sexiness" and the heroine's side-story with her best friend is perfect.  Yay!  Because I loved that too.

The three things that  I've been told need a little work are:

1.      Developing the hero’s character and conflicts

I don’t have a beta reader of any description.  No critique group or partner.  My editor is the first one who sees the thing after me.  And by the time I’ve spent months grappling with a story, it can be hard to see the forest for the trees.  I know his issues, I know his pain, but have I put it on the page with enough subtlety so as to herald problems without hitting readers over the head with it, or has my hand been too sleight?  The latter as it turns out ;).

2.      Developing the resolution turning point to maximize emotional potential.

I’m never hard enough on my characters.  Never.  I like them or I wouldn’t write about them!  So even while I know that the more they have to overcome to be together, the richer the pay-off at the end, I always seem to hold back.  Until my editor gives me a nudge, which always somehow feels like permission to tear their hearts out!  Poor loves.

3.      It’s too long. 

Again no surprise there!  I always write long.  Just the way I go about it.  This book came in at 72,000 words done.  I managed to edit it down to 57,000 before sending it in.  The final word count ought to be between 50-55,000.

So that's the gist of this current set of revisions.  To the writers among you, do you think those suggestions might apply to your work in progress? 

Next in this Pillow Talk series I'll talk about where I go from here.

 For a more in depth analysis of the manuscript revising process, I'm heading up a workshop at the Romance Writers of Australia conference on the Gold Coast this August entitled REVISIONS: REWRITING, EDITING, PROOF-READING...OH MY!  Conference details at the RWA website here.

the blonde bombshell has been launched

Always a great relief when a book is finished.  And sent to my editor.  An no longer "I'm so close I can smell it" which this one felt like it was for weeks.

This one was great fun to write.  There's a rogue lift, a flamingo motif, and wedding dress that just doesn't know its place.  I want to live in the heroine's apartment and as for the hero, well, a picture says a thousand words and all that so...

Fingers crossed my editor likes it too!