...as I was in my post about Stranger Than Fiction, I have just finished reading Fiona Brand's gripping Body Work. I'd meant to stretch it out over the week, to read a few chapters a night, but just like Linda Howard warned me in the cover quote, the story sucked me in and I had to keep on reading. Here's the blurb:

Someone wants her dead and she can't remember why....

As a child, Jane Gale witnessed her mother's murder and was nearly killed trying to escape. Left for dead, she has suffered complete memory loss, unable to recall who she was before the "accident" or the events that caused her mother's death. Twenty-five years later, Jane has a new life and a blossoming career as a novelist--until the killer picks up her book and discovers that the only eyewitness to his secrets has survived. And told.

Oblivious to the fact that she has attracted the murderer back into her life, Jane has no idea where the inspiration for her bestseller came from. But she has a photograph that leads her back to Louisiana, to a place she knows but can't remember--and to a stranger she wants to trust. Because somehow, he is a link to her past...and her only chance of staying alive.

I asked the real author, Fiona Brand, a few questions about Body Work, which she has been kind enough to answer.

Bron: I love the premise, Fiona. Is this an idea you've had brewing for a while or did it just strike you, all ready to go?

Fiona: I started working on the idea years ago. It was nothing out of the ordinary--a thriller type plot--and then I had a moment of inspiration. It was actually quite an electrifying moment. I wish I could come up with stuff like that every day. At the time I knew I wasn't ready to write the story, so I put it on the backburner. It was about seven years before I finally got to it.

Bron: Did you enjoy writing a heroine who was an author writing a thriller? Did you have to step back and consciously make her "not you"?

Fiona: I guess out of all the heroines I've written, Jane was the easiest to write because I felt really at home with her. I didn't have to dig around looking for quirks or insecurities--I knew them all :-) I got to put in a couple of 'writer's' jokes, which made my day. As for stepping back and making her 'not me'; I think the main line was drawn by the situation she was in--hunted by a serial killer and falling in love with a really hot guy. Definitely not me!

Bron: Why Louisiana?

Fiona: Because I love books set in the South, especially Louisiana. I'm not sure what it is, but Louisiana is one of those fictional destinations that creates an automatic thrill for me. Also, I still have fond memories of the 2001 RWA conference I remember arriving in New Orleans, walking through the airport and hearing all those wonderful Southern accents. Strolling down Royal Street in the steamy heat and having some guy mutter a compliment as he walked past. Then there was the night of The Cockroach in that bistro...

Bron: (I'm disappointed that the monster cockroach didn't make it into the book.) So, you were researching this book back then?

Fiona: I knew I was going to write the book, so I was looking around with purpose... I got lots of tourist pamphlets, a street map of New Orleans, and best of all a cookbook produced by a local civic club. Every recipe had the name of the contributor, so it was a great resource for the type of names they have there.

Bron goes off into a slight fog thinking about Toussaint, the hero in Body Work, and returns to find that Fiona, tired of waiting for the next question, has returned to writing her current thriller-in-progress, part of a trilogy scheduled for 2008.

Thanks, Fiona, for being the first of a series of guests at Sunburnt Author. Readers, if you like taut suspense with intriguing, fully-drawn characters, Body Work is a book worth checking out.

A movie about a taxman who is really a character in a book? Or is it about a character in a book who is really a taxman? *shrug* Anyhoo, the taxman is going about his ordinary, everyday (boring) life when he starts to hear the author like a narrator in his head, recounting his day-to-day life. She's accurate, but has a better vocabulary! LOL. When he hears her talking about his imminent death, he sets out to find her and change the ending.

(If this had been a romance, he'd have been much happier, right?)

A writer friend sent me the link (thanks, Barb!) and it sounds like fun for the writers and bookworms. Also sounds a bit The Truman Show, but I liked that. I'm not going to let the fact that it stars Will Ferell (NOT my favourite comic actor) put me off. I enjoyed the trailer. And co-stars include Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman and Maggie Gylenhaal.

Check out the trailer and tell me what you think. One you'd like to see, or one you'll pass on?

Tessa Radley sent this picture taken at the after-Awards reception in Atlanta, showing the three down-under nominees who made the long trip to the other side of the world. That's me with Abby Gaines (GH nominee and now SuperRomance author) and Anna Campbell (dual GH nominee and now Avon author.) Notice that we'll still smiling broadly, thrilled to be nominated, and thrilled that 2 of trophies were going home to Australia, namely: Marion Lennox's RITA for Best Traditional Romance and Christine Diehm (writing as Christine Wells) who won a Golden Heart for Best Short Historical. A record 7 Aussies/Kiwis received a total of 11 nominations in the 2006 RITAs and Golden Hearts. Yay, us!

The lovely Danny forwarded this cover of my German version of The Rich Stranger, whose translated title I will not even attempt to spell for you. Apparently it translates to Showdown in Las Vegas, or words to that effect, which those of you who have read the book will agree is a fabulous take on the story. Another significant piece of the story action takes place in Rafe's Sydney penthouse, and if you look closely at the cover pic you can see, through the window, the dramatic sails of the Sydney Opera House gilded by sunset. When I visited Vegas with my good buddy Fiona McArthur in 2001, we were tickled by the strip's representations of Paris and New York and Venice, and we got to wondering what icon might feature if someone chose to build an Australian themed casino-hotel in Vegas. We decided it would definitely be the Opera House. And that's why I'm smiling at my Vegas/Operas House cover, remembering those fun days we spent cruising The Strip!

My August book, THE BOUGHT-AND-PAID-FOR WIFE is part of a mini-series called Secret Lives of Society Wives. Now, it behooves me to point out that you don't have to read the previous books to pick this one and enjoy it. It does stand alone very nicely, even if I do say so myself. *g*

But readers who've enjoyed THE BOUGHT-AND-PAID-FOR WIFE have emailed and asked for the other titles, so here is the full line-up:

#1 May 06 The Rags-To-Riches Wife by Metsy Hingle
#2 June 06 The Soon-to-be-Disinherited Wife by Jennifer Greene
#3 July 06 The One-Week Wife by Patricia Kay
#4 Aug 06 The Bought-And-Paid-For Wife by Bronwyn Jameson
#5 Sept 06 The Once-A-Mistress-Wife by Katherine Garbera
#6 Oct 06 The Part-Time Wife by Maureen Child

Enjoy!

Firstly, I must thank everyone who took the time to reply. With your help I have compiled a list of desirable (and several not-so-desirable) blog traits which I shall keep in mind over the next year. You all are so kind and nice, I want to send you all a prize. Unfortunately the postage cost would bankrupt me and so I will have to stick with Plan A, which is to draw 3 winners. I have located my barrel of numbers (which is actually a kitchen canister) and if you would all close your eyes and imagine the drum roll, I shall draw the winners.

Congratulations to:

* Robhap
* Jennifer Y
* Cathie

Ladies, if you email me with your address I will send your book pack prizes.

I feel a special affinity for the RWNZ, not only because my first sale came through their Clendon Award contest but also because of my wonderful friends on that side of the ditch. (The ditch, BTW, refers to the Tasman Sea which separates our two countries!) Last weekend I crossed said ditch to speak at the RWNZ conference and to catch up with those friends, who include fabulous suspense author Fiona Brand. You can see how happy we are to be among writing friends in this picture, taken at the Harlequin Authors' Luncheon on conference Friday!

I took my camera with me, but would you believe I didn't take one photo? My only excuse is how busy this three day conference kept me. Between my three workshop presentations--I spoke on conflict, writing sparkling scenes, and career building in category romance--and the unmissable sessions by keynote speaker Debbie Macomber--what a wonderful, warm, inspiring woman!--and her editor, Paula Eykelhof--I could have listened to their wisdom for another three days--and chatting with the warm and friendly Kiwi writers, there was little thinking time.

So, I'm relying on pictures forwarded to me and hope there will be more to share with you over the next few days. Oh, and I WILL be drawing the winners of my first birthday giveaway as soon as I find my barrel of numbers!

Today I've blogged about The Bought-And-Paid-For Wife at the Idea Boutique.

Yes, it's my blog's First Birthday and, as they say in all the corny advertisements: you, my dear readers, get the presents!!!


Here's the deal: with one year down and my second as a blogger about to begin, I've skimmed back over the last year's posts and with all that's happened and still happening in my life, writing and otherwise, I realise how blessed I am. And I want to share my blessings, hence the party celebration giveaways. Wish we could share a great big cake, but maybe we can just imagine? And if we're going to imagine then it's a featherlight sponge with loads of fresh cream and strawberries and toffee and almonds and chocolate slivers sprinkled on top, okay? Yum.

Now where was I...

After looking back I always tend to zoom ahead into the future and I got to thinking about what I can include to make this blog more fun, more interesting, more alluring (love that word!) So, I'm soliciting your suggestions. Over the next two weeks I invite you to leave your comments on what you like to read/see in the blogs you visit.

* What do you love about the blogs on your must-visit list?
* Why do you visit my blog?
* What would make you visit more frequently?
(Go to town and let me know what bores you as well.)

The incentive (i.e., the presents)? I returned from my conference trip with an extra suitcase packed with books. Historicals, mysteries, suspense, chick lit, paranormals, contempory--in fact, all manner of romantic sub-genres. And as much as it pains me to part company with these great reads, I've crammed the best of them into 3 juicy packs and on August 23 I will draw 3 lucky winners.

So add your comment, then blow out the candles, close your eyes and make a wish for luck in the draw!

I'm deep in revisions mode, but checking in to post the last of my conference photos.

On Friday afternoon the RWA Board of Directors hosted a reception for all the Golden Heart and RITA finalists where we were all presented with certificates of our achievement, applauded, toasted with champagne, and fed scrumptious items from the chocolate food group. At the reception I met lots of lovely folk and learned that being from Australia was no novelty when compared with GH finalist Jennifer Smith who lives in, and had travelled all the way from, South Korea. Also chatted with the delightful Linnea Sinclair, who won the RITA for Best Paranormal with Gabriel's Ghost. Linnea took this photo of me proudly displaying my RITA certificates.


Saturday night was the BIG night but first, in the afternoon, there was a short rehearsal where we all had the chance to cross the stage and practice with the microphone and podium. Just in case we had to do so on the night. At the rehearsal I sat with Kylie Brant and Cindy Gerard and their very sophisticated up-dos (all the more impressive when neither lady has very long hair!) Later my editor spoiled me with a very posh meal at a very posh Russian restaurant, Nikolai's, and the souffle was to die for even without all the mmmmm stuff that went before. And after the awards ceremony, where I unfortunately didn't get to renew my acquaintance with the podium and microphone, the conference ended with a dessert reception. I didn't need any more dessert but I enjoyed a quiet Zin with my good friend Lisa Childs who writes women's fiction for Harlequin NeXt and spooky paranormals for Silhouette Nocturne. Isn't her dress just the prettiest colour? I keep telling myself "no more black!" but do I listen???

Well, okay, so it wasn't *really* a post about desserts but more about the ridiculously long cab trip and finding the restaurant where the rest of the eHarlequin community crew were patiently waiting to order their lunch (and desserts.) If you need a refresher here is my post and here's Gail Dayton's far better story and this is Community Manager Jayne's version. Yep, the eHarlequin Community luncheon definitely hit the headlines this year! Taxi trip and lost authors aside, the other highlight was definitely the dessert plate.


Just need to make it perfectly clear that we didn't EACH devour one of these plates but shared. Yum.


Here is the fine team of eHarlequin hosties who keep the boards in order and who throw a hopping pajama party that ends conference Thursday (and sees in conference Friday!) with the perfect mix of fun, chocolate and beverages. Back row we have Wayne and Tanya, middle that's Dream and Sapphire, front row is Jayne and Dee. Great lunch and party, guys! And you all look just too darn cute in your jammies. *g*

During the literacy autographing, I was surprised in the best possible way when several of the executive of the Romance Writers Ink chapter approached my table and made a presentation, with speech, of my certificates for placing 2nd and 3rd in the More Than Magic contest with Rich Stranger and Ruthless Groom. This is Linda Trout of RWI and me, looking very proud of my certificates and finalist pins. Thank you, Linda. Thank you, RWI.


And while on the subject of contests, I've also learned that Just A Taste is a finalist in the Aspen Gold. Very chuffed since this is the first final for this book and I like that it's having a wee moment in the sun. Also, this is one of my favorite chapter contests...partly because I won last year with Beyond Control and partly because they're nice and friendly and well organised, plus they send out your scores so you know how your book ranked even when you don't final.

Me outside Turner Field. Heh.


Q: How many men does it take to hold a hose?
A: THIS many...


Half an hour later, those guys are still hosin'. Seriously, I was quite tickled by how many men in red polo shirts it took to prepare a baseball pitch/field/diamond/whatever. This definitely is a game that helps with employment!

I have downloaded the photos of my trip to share over the next few days, starting with my layover in L.A. There's the obligatory me-in-front-of-the-Hollywood-sign, there's a view toward the sign from the balcony of my hotel, and there's the theatre catercorner to my hotel with tourists gathered and awaited the premiere of The Ant Bully which, I might add, I completely missed because I got the time wrong. So, no pictures of Julia Roberts or Nicolas Cage or Meryl Streep. Bummer.

Of the 4 RWA National conferences I've attended, this wins "Best Conference Hotel" by a southern country mile. And what a difference a good hotel with quick elevators, efficient reception, friendly staff, loads of sit-and-chat space, comfortable temperatures, a bar that split tabs without blinking, and a nearby food court for extra quick/inexpensive eating choices, makes to the overall atmosphere. The only negative check on my list: the area/location wasn't much chop for walking. The picture is the view from my room. Not bad, huh?

From doorstep (the Atlanta Marriott Marquis) to doorstep (home, sweet home) that's how long my trip home took. I'm now home, partly unpacked, with one load of washing drying and another in the machine and I'm partway through checking my mail and my email and, gee, I realise that I'm partly through a LOT of things and not finishing any. Maybe this blog post will be the trick...

Actually, the trip wasn't so bad. No, really, I'm serious. I allowed loads of time for all my transfers because at the end of a tiring week there's nothing worse than the added stress and worry of whether I'll make a connection if one plane is delayed or if I get lost in getting from one terminal to the other or if one part of my luggage doesn't make it onto the carousel (that happened last year!) First leg Atlanta-LA started with the easiest check-in I've ever experienced, kerbside, quick, efficient, and thereby the antithesis of the inward leg. My gate was in the main terminal; no long walk, no train. My flight was on time and I enjoyed chatting to a real gentleman in the next seat whose quiet southern charm left an impact that pretty much reflected my time in Atlanta.

Next stop LAX where I'd expected a long walk, interspersed with many where-the-heck-am-I-supposed-to-go? moments but the terminals were side by side. Again, no line, easy-peasy check-in, no excess baggage (despite all the extra books and, erm, shopping), and...here's the best part...I got my upgrade to business. This meant access to the club lounge with comfortable seating, coffee, drinks, internet access, although I just read. LA-Sydney was a night flight and man, did I appreciate the skybed. There was a malfunction with the entertainment software so no movies on demand (no problem, since I was sleeping) and also a hiccup with the climate control, which would have been a problem but for the 2 extra blankets and doona the stewardess brought me. She even tucked me in, the sweetheart, and I felt very spoiled.

Arrived in Sydney 6am this morning (Tuesday) and after another smooth transfer (no lost luggage this time, Trish, yay!!!) I caught the final flight, a short hop home. When I find the connection cord between my camera and computer--anyone have any clues where I might have put that???--I will download my photos and share some more of my fabulous week. Meantime, boy it's great to be home.