It's almost December. Yikes. As well as the whole festive holiday -- which I'm trying to ignore, because I have a book to write between now and then -- this also means the launch of our Diamonds Down Under blog. Which I'm not linking to just yet because it's not launching until December, when the first book in the Diamonds Down Under series (my Vows & A Vengeful Groom) will be available as an early release through eHarlequin.

Since that December launch is -- again, yikes! -- this weekend, I thought I'd lead into it with another backstory snippet about the series. This one is my Dear Reader letter from Vows & A Vengeful Groom.

Dear Reader

It is my great pleasure and privilege to introduce the new Desire continuity series, Diamonds Down Under. A series set in Australia and New Zealand was suggested in early 2006, and the idea of developing a six-book continuity with my friends and fellow Down-Under Desireables excited and thrilled -- and occasionally overwhelmed -- me. Over the ensuing twelve months thousands of emails blazed back and forth across the Tasman as we brainstormed and fine-tuned the underlying premise, the locations, the characters, the conflicts and storylines.

We chose diamonds as the heart of our series for their connection to wealth and glamour, to romance and commitment...and for the cold, hard qualities hidden beneath the surface sparkle. Everything is not how it first appears. We chose diamonds and we started with a rare pink known as the Heart of the Outback, a stone which built one man's wealth and rent a family in two.

For thirty years the Hammonds and the Blackstones have remained at odds, and creating causes of all that simmering animosity was almost as much fun as researching the glamorous homes, boutiques, jets, cars, clothes and jewellery. I hope you enjoy the rollercoaster of passion, drama, secrets and scandal that commences in Vows & a Vengeful Groom and continues to unfold -- with some unexpected twists -- over the next five months.

Cheers from Down Under,
Bronwyn Jameson

Labels: Diamonds Down Under, Vows and a Vengeful Groom

I'm not entering any books in RWAmerica contests this year. There, I've said it out loud -- now I can't renege! But that decision hasn't stopped me clicking on links to various chapter contests as the announcements appear in my in-box. It's force of habit (yes, I am a recovering contest addict)...and it's curiosity. I'm interested to see which categories each chapter contest includes this year; if they've taken aboard the shortened word count of category/series books, if they've acknowledged the surge in popularity of some sub-genres and the apparent wane in others.

So, while scanning one contest's set of rules/conditions this morning I noticed the link to find readers as contest judges. And I thought of my faithful readers (seeing as I'm not entering, no conflict of interest.) If you think you might be interested in judging a panel of books (usually you choose the genre or category, the number, and you get to keep the books!) then try these couple for starters:

* The Holt Medallion
* National Readers Choice Award

Labels: contests, readers, RWAmerica

Usually I don't receive my box of author copies of a new book until a few weeks before it hits the shelf in North America. Usually I hear from readers who subscribe to the series or who've bought the book at eHarlequin before I've seen the book myself. So it was a VERY pleasant surprise when my husband returned from a run to the post office yesterday with a big box of VOWS & A VENGEFUL GROOM (January 08.)

This is my 13th published book. Add to that all the foreign copies of each title and I've had scores of open-the-box, see-the-book moments. Let me assure you, it never gets old. I love seeing the cover on an actual book...and this one looks even lovelier in person. I love pulling out multiple copies and spreading them around me. I have been known to joke about rolling in them--it is a joke, honest!

More than anything, I love opening a copy and reading the Dear Reader letter and the dedication, and taking a moment to go back to that time and that story and to reflect on everything it took to get to published book. It's a time to be proud and a little awed and a lot grateful to be given this chance to fulfil my dream of being a published career author of category romance.

Back to Vows & A Vengeful Groom....

This is the front of book piece, written by the editor and printed like a newspaper column.

SYDNEY'S SCENE

In the decades-old feud between the world's richest gem dealers, nothing, apparently, is taboo. For the Hammonds and Blackstones, all's fair in love and business -- and has been since Howard "King of Diamonds" Blackstone allegedly schemed to wrest control of old man Jebediah Hammond's diamond mines and Oliver Hammond allegedly stole the world's most recognizable necklace, the Blackstone Rose.

But yesterday's gossip pales in comparison to today's 40-carat gem: Millionairess and daughter non grata Kimberley Blackstone was on the arm of Blackstone's leader, Ric Perrini. The same Kimberley Blackstone who'd defected to the rival House of Hammond jewelers in New Zealand ten years ago.

According to an industry insider Kimberley was seen entering the Blackstone estate -- a place she reportedly described as off-limits mere months ago. Rumor has it Sydney's No 1 player, Perrini, keeps a room there, too.

"If Perrini has any say," says one source, "they won't be separated for long."

Labels: Diamonds Down Under, Vows and a Vengeful Groom

...and I'm apportioning part of the blame on pal Barbara Hannay who also recently acquired some Lucy Walker classic romances, circa 1960s. This morning Barb asked if I'd read any of mine yet. She had, but I'd packed my box away for a time when they wouldn't distract me from the manuscript of the moment. Which is set in Melbourne and London and the English countryside. Not the outback. But Barb commented on a couple of things--the men, the cigarettes--and it's Sunday and I had an hour and I couldn't resist pulling out one for a quick look.

I pulled out three, actually, but ended up opening A Man Called Masters. I've only read three chapters but it took far less pages than those 46 to know why these books captured my romantic imagination as a teenager. The heroine, Penny, is only 20. Orphaned at eight, she's been brought up in Perth by a reluctant spinster aunt, but you know right from the opening pages that she's a plucky one. She's just applied for and acquired a job in the outback and she's waiting, alone and sleepless, for the car to come and collect her.

"Penny was prepared to go to the outback--to go anywhere away from home; anywhere for independence, to escape, for life--a life of her own!"

Penny is not waiting around any longer, she's going after that goal. Sympathetic heroine--big tick. She immediately paints herself as capable...by rolling a cigarette for Cal, the young outback man who comes to take her to "the valley". So, there's the smoking thing Barb mentioned and which I must admit I hadn't remembered. Maybe in the late 60's when I was reading these, everyone smoked in books, movies, on TV, so it didn't even register.

Next, we are introduced to "the valley", this almost mystical oasis in the middle of the harsh desert of central Australia. A character, a source of external conflict, a force by its self, and also the source of secrets (the death of Masters wife.) I remember those Lucy Walker settings. Growing up I dreamed of life in the outback, but I wasn't as plucky or adventurous as Penny. I didn't get there until I was twice her age!

Which brings us to the man called Masters. No age has been mentioned but he has children aged 12 and 13, and is greying at the temples. I'm guessing he must be at least 15 years older than young Penny. Apparently this didn't bother me when I first read this book, aged about 12 or 13, so I won't let it bother me now. Instead I am going to concentrate on this image Lucy Walker paints to end chapter 3.

"Once again, as he stood in the centre of the room, he was tall, forbidding, and part of the desert--a windswept and sun-weathered man aloof from the ordinary ways of life--as remote from Penny as a rock bluff on the range."

And that IS what I remember about reading Lucy Walker as a teen, and what sparked my eternal facination with the strong and silent alpha loner hero.

Have you revisited any of your favourite books/authors from your teens, and could you still see whay they became such favourites?

Labels: favourite books, Lucy Walker

I don't consider myself a particulary superstitious person, but one thing I'm inclined to be cagey about is shouting "the book is finished!" too soon. Book, in this case, referrring to one I've written. Some authors consider the job done when they complete their first draft, because they know they have a story that works (the hard part) and all that's left is the editing and polishing.

Others announce, "Book's done!" when the editing/polishing is completed and they've shipped the manuscript to their editor. Others, after the editor has read and approved it, either in its original form or after completing revisions at the editor's request.

Me, I'm in that last group. Once any revisions are done, once the manuscript is approved, once the cheque is in the bank, THEN I know my job is done. This last book, I've even waited a step longer. Now I've completed the line edits I have finally resigned myself to the notion that this book is REALLY done.

Its title: TYCOON'S ONE-NIGHT REVENGE. Its scheduled date: April 08. Its point: finally answers the question of what happened to Susannah, the runaway fiancee in THE RUTHLESS GROOM. Toughest book evah. Done. Praise be.

You can tell that Donovan's happy. Finally I've stopped torturing him and he can have his woman and his happy ever after...

Labels: The Ruthless Groom, Tycoon's One-Night Revenge, writing process

All About Romance has released the results of its 2007 poll to find readers' Top 100 Romances evah. I meant to vote in this. Seeing as I've listed a good proportion of my keeper shelf on Shelfari, this would not have been too difficult or time consuming. I'm kinda bummed that I forgot.

So, my list would have only added to the 4,975 individual books voted for, but at least I would know I contributed and that the brilliant category romances from my list would have received a -- or another -- vote. Plus books by other personal favourites such as Ruth Wind/Barbara Samuel, Susan Carroll, Elizabeth Lowell, Candice Proctor, Susan Andersen, Maggie Osborne...I could go on. Won't. I didn't vote. No use whining.

Of the 100 books listed, I have read 47 and I would include 22 (less than half) in my personal best-ever list. One of those is Stephanie Lauren's Devil's Bride, my favourite from her Cynster series. Lovely, sexy, gorgeous book. If this poll had been released a week earlier, I could have toasted Stephanie at last week's book launch (see pic, where we're signing copies of Sizzle, Seduce & Simmer.)

Thrilled to see another ubertalented down-under author Nalini Singh listed with the first of her Psy series, Slave to Sensation. It is one of only a handful of paranormalswhich makes her appearance all the more meritorious. Congratulations, Nalini!

What do you think of the list? Any books you're thrilled to see listed?? Any you're shocked to see NOT listed???

Labels: favourite books

After finishing a book (more on that in another post!) one of the immediate tasks is cleaning up the desk. Which is what I've been doing, on and off, for the past several days. Yes, I did say several days and that's not because my desk is THAT messy, I just get distracted by what I find. Yesterday I found Kelly Hunter's latest Sexy Sensation SLEEPING PARTNER (snaffled it when I saw it on the shelves in early October, then hid it so I wouldn't be distracted from the writing) and flipped open to the first page.

Several hours later...(more on the book and other recent reads also to come.)

Today I unearthed a list which was meant to be my blog about the conferences of Romance Writers of Australia and Romance Writers of New Zealand. I came home with a monster of a cold and a deadline and never finished the list or posted the blog. That conference trip was in August. It's now...lemmesee...November. But I can't just put it through the shredder with all my research and character and plot notes, can I?

(Correct answer = no.)

In the context of better late than never, here is my top ten list of 2007 conference memories.

1. Book launch parties are fun. (Congratulations to Paula Roe and Lilian Darcy for launching your books in spectacular fashion.)

2. Publisher dinners are also fun. (Thank you Harlequin Australia.)

3. Visits to Korean ginseng bathhouses COULD be fun, but I would need to have consumed a lot of champagne to make it so. (There's the nekkidness, see, that I so do not do. On the other hand, it's all fodder for future books, right?)

4. The Woman Fuzzie Awards (TM, Ally Blake) are not only fun but funny, and a fabulous bonding experience for the Harlequin authors. As are the new chick awards, welcoming the newly published into the fold.

5. I love awards nights and the highlight this year was seeing Barbara Hannay receive her RITA from Marion Lennox who had collected and lovingly transported the golden lady back from the RWAmerica conference in Dallas. Congratulations also to Anne Oliver and Karina Bliss who won the 2007 Romantic Book of the Year Awards (short and long, respectively) with debut books!

6. Presenting workshops is not fun when the audio goes haywire and takes out the eardrums of the entire room.

7. Waiting in airports for delayed flights is usually not fun, but it passes much more pleasantly with good company. (Thank you Sheila Hodgson.)

8. A writing retreat between conferences is a brilliant idea, especially when in the company of Fiona Brand and Daphne Claire (who makes the best apple cake!)

9. Conferences would never be fun without fun roomies. (Thank you Fiona and Fiona.)

10. The sparks that lit this year's conferences were our visiting speakers, the inimitable Jennifer Crusie and Anne Stuart. Everyone left conference with a different perception of rats, squirrels, Japanese poprock, Yani, and themselves as writers!

Labels: Conference

The giveaway on AR's All-A-Blog was so popular that I've decided to run another here.

If you'd like to win a copy of the short story and recipe anthology SIZZLE SEDUCE & SIMMER -- which includes my contribution of Breakfast At Timothy's with my failsafe recipe for breakfast pancakes -- plus the matching apron, just comment on ANY of my blog posts between now and the draw on December 10.

That will ensure the lucky winner receives their prize just in time for Christmas.

Labels: giveaway, Sizzle Seduce and Simmer

The first Tuesday in November is Melbourne Cup day here in Australia. A horse race, yes, but an iconic one which (quite literally) stops a nation. Between 3pm and 3.05pm today the wheels of our industrious nation will grind to a halt. All eyes will be glued to the nearest TV screen, whether that's at home or at work or at one of the many, many Cup-day parties. Eyes glued to screen, champagne glass firmly clutched in one hand, betting ticket in the other.

This year I'm heading to my mum's armed with Anne Gracie's world famous cheese-and-leek pie. We'll be watching all the lead-up, the fashions, the celebrities, and passing judgment on frocks and hats. My mum recently moved into a new home, very centrally located. We'll be able to nip out and place our bets and be back home before the ad. break is over. It's fun, it's girl stuff, it's a chance to take a day off and not worry. That attitude is very Australian, we're the no-worries-mate nation.

So, my Tuesday tip isn't exactly for the Melbourne Cup (because I'm still vacillating between Princess Coup, Mahler and Zipping) or for Bling Bling in race 3 (very topical with the launch of our Diamonds Down Under website). No, my tip today is to make a date with yourself, your mum, your sister, your best girlfriend, for a no-worries-mate day off (or afternoon or just a couple of hours.) Plan to do something fun, something for the girls, something you enjoy. If it involves champagne, all the better.

The Sizzle Seduce and Simmer anthology was launched in fine style last Thursday night at Dymock's bookstore in Collins Street, Melbourne.

It was a fabulous turnout -- and why not? This is a fabulous collection of short stories and recipes and with 16 of the contributing authors on hand to sign the book, plus the promise of discounts and giveaways of extra books, plus wine and wonderful food (every author present nabbed Anne Gracie's recipe for cheese and leek pie and I swear I'm planning a trip to Ballarat just to pay homage to the bakery that created those mini eclairs!!!)... no wonder the room was packed!

The book was officially launched by Stephanie Laurens, then Marion Lennox spoke about how the project came about. This was her baby from conception through to Thursday's (completely pain-free, honest!) birth, and because no one can say it as eloquently as Marion, here are her words from the book's foreward:

"Sizzle, Seduce and Simmer started life where many great ideas are formed - over a good, long lunch.

The Australian Romance Community is one of the closest knit of any literary genre. We read each others' work, we celebrate individual and collective successes and we spark each others' imagination when the muse is proving elusive.

Once a month a group of us who live within cooee of Melbourne have lunch on Southbank. The 'Melbourne Mob' consists of authors who write historical romance, paranormal, sexy, medical, traditional...you name it, if it's romance, we write it. A man, a woman, a ripping yarn, a happy ending and the ability to put it on paper...the joy of romance is what brings us together. We range from spring chickens to grandmothers, from prolific writers to retiring ones, from sexy to...well, to very sexy.

As our friendship has deepened, so has the mutual respect we hold for each other's writing. This anthology was brought about by our desire to gather a collection - a taste of what we're all about. A romance and a matching favourite recipe.

Of course, like any good friendship group, The Mob is fluid. Over the past few months, friends out of Melbourne heard what we were doing and put up their hands. We'd love to be part of this, they said, and we were delighted. Now our friendship anthology has grown to include authors from all over Australia and New Zealand. A few friends who didn't have time to write a story put in their favourite recipe. We kept collecting until we ran out of pages. We haven't run out of friends so we're already thinking about Volume Two.

We love these stories and are having a ball trying each others' recipes. We believe our joy in the art of writing romance shines through these pages. That's our link - what makes us such good friends."

Some of the contributing authors at the launch modelling the aprons made specially for the event. L to r, Fiona MacArthur, Nicola Marsh, Bronwyn Jameson, Fiona Lowe, Amy Andrews, Valerie Parv, Marion Lennox, Anne Gracie, Stephanie Laurens, Trish Morey, Carol Marinelli and Keri Arthur.

Romance Writers of Australia President and contributing author Anne Gracie spoke as did Dennis Jones from Harlequin Australia. Then we sat and we signed and we signed. And we signed. Both this lovely, lovely book and copies of our own books which readers had brought with them or picked up as their "free gift with purchase."

Thanks to everyone who came along to make the night such a splendid success (big shout out to Jo Ann and Margaret and Ann.) It was Dymock's first signing/launch of romance and we made such a positive impression I'm sure it won't be the last.

Romance rocks!

Labels: book launch, signing, Sizzle Seduce and Simmer