Bronwyn Jameson - Author (aka: I Love A Sunburnt Author)

Blog Hiatus

2009-05-28T11:46:00.003+10:00

I'm taking a break from blogging here, perhaps for a wee while, perhaps longer, perhaps permanently. I will continue to blog each month with the Silhouette Desire authors at eHarlequin and at To Be Read and I hope to see you there. Also, my recently madeover website includes a News page which I will update regularly once I learn the software. I think that about covers everything, but if there's ever anything you want to know or share, email me. There's a contact link on my website. I really do love to hear from readers.

Book Giveaway

2009-04-29T11:28:00.003+10:00

I'm giving away a copy of the May 2009 UK edition of Tycoon's One-Night Revenge at To Be Read this week. This edition is a 2-in-1 with Leanne Banks' Bedded by the Billionaire. To be included in the draw, visit TBR and comment on any (or all) this week's posts. Easy as!

Morning Visitor

2009-04-24T12:41:00.003+10:00

Sighted at our front gate this morning. Pretending that it's quite okay for him to be nibbling on the shrubs, given the cuteness factor.

Magnate's Make-Believe Mistress, July 09

2009-04-15T16:57:00.002+10:00

Desire Authors Blog

2009-04-13T23:28:00.000+10:00

22 Desire authors are blogging at eHarlequin, every week day with bonus content on the weekends, starting today with Maureen Child. There'll be book giveaways and loads of author chat. See you there!

UK in April

2009-04-11T07:47:00.001+10:00

Two books in one month, which is quite the novelty and treat when I'm lucky to get out two new books a year. One is the first UK release of Tycoon's One-Night Revenge, in a duet with Leanne Banks' Bedded by the Billionaire.

The second is a reprint of Beyond Control in a Spotlight Collection with Suzanne Brockmann's Scenes of Passion and Justine Davis's Midnight Seduction. The book is titled Irresistible Attraction. Sexy cover, yes?

The UK books are also available as Adobe eBooks.

New Foreign Covers I'm Liking

2009-04-09T07:34:00.000+10:00

Vows and a Vengeful Groom, Japan

Back in Fortune's Bed, Greece

Colorado Award of Excellence

2009-04-07T07:24:00.004+10:00

I had to put that in the title line because, as far as titles go, it is so very grand. What it is... The Colorado Romance Writers annual contest for published romance books, which they've called The Award of Excellence. Authors enter their own books so you're judged against the other entered books. Correspondence says that entries were high and competition fierce in the Short Contemporary category, and given the other finalists I choose to believe that is true.

Wedded in a Whirlwind ~ Liz Fielding

The Daddy Dilemma ~ Karen Rose Smith

The Tycoon's One-Night Revenge ~ Bronwyn Jameson

The Billionaire' s Bought Mistress ~ Annie West

And Baby Makes Four ~ Mary J. Forbes

The winner is announced at the Romancing the Rockies conference on May 1-2. Quade: The Irresistible One and The Rugged Loner also were finalists in this contest so I'm hoping for third time lucky.

Irresistibly Attracted to this UK Cover

2009-02-18T14:13:00.002+11:00

Harlequin Says Happy Valentines...

2009-02-15T13:17:00.004+11:00

...with a special eBook, 'A Valentine for Harlequin's Anniversary', that not only includes a story from RITA Award winning author Catherine Mann, An Evening to Remember, but bonus content from blog bash entries in the eHarlequin.com Community. This special collection is available for free through the eHarlequin store. As an extra bonus there's a 14% discount on all Harlequin eBooks, but only for Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's Day!

More Covers

2009-01-19T09:02:00.000+11:00

Vows & a Vengeful Groom in Germany. Different cover art, different title: Your Lips, Your Kisses...Irresistible. This book's also out in Spain, same cover, but with a title that translates as Scandals and Diamonds. See why I have such fun with the translations? No two are ever the same.

This one ISN'T my book, but the cover art looks oddly familiar. *g* In the UK my VOWS came out in a double with book 2 in the mini-series and they used Tessa's cover. And here's mine on a Spotlight title, Ready For Marriage, with reprints of stories by Anne Marie Winston, Beverly Barton and Ann Major.

Romantic Moments

2009-01-17T09:13:00.006+11:00

As you probably know already, I love a list. And a movie. And a bit of romance. So, a list of favourite romantic moments is destined to end up in my blog. Before I started viewing the slideshow, I did a quick mental checklist of my favourites...and in no particular order:

* the "way to go, Paula!" ending to An Officer and a Gentleman
* "I will find you!" declaration in Last of the Mohicans
* the kiss in the rain, Breakfast at Tiffany's
* the fire-escape climb at the end of Pretty Woman
* Colin Firth's lost-in-translation proposal in Love Actually.

2 out of 5 made this list, hmmm, although there are some other pretty special romantic moments in the list that I'd forgotten about. "Nobody puts Baby in the corner!" But sorry, not being together, dying, claiming bodies = tragic, not romantic.

Golden Globing

2009-01-12T21:14:00.005+11:00

Watched the Golden Globes telecast tonight, along with half a billion others. How they know how many are watching? Nobody's ever asked me what I watch.

GG's is my favourite awards show, I think, if only because it's the first of the year. By the time the Academy Awards come around, the winners are a given. Plus, TV is included. And no performances, which I can do without. Well, apart, from the occasional comic presenter who decides to go off-script. Some get it right -- Ricky Gervais, beer in hand -- and some don't. But then I guess Sasha Baron Cohen always goes for the cringe rather than the laugh.

No palaver, just the awards and the frocks and OMG-handsome in dinner suits (I am quite the fan of sophisticated dressers) and most of the A-listers looked as though they might be enjoying themselves. Well, sure, they're actors. This has not escaped my attention. But they're at tables with Moet and table-hopping like mad. I imagine who you're seen talking to matters as much who you talk to.

High points:

* Anna Paquin winning for True Blood. (She's Sookie Stackhouse, right?)

* The standing ovation for Heath Ledger's supporting actor win (big lump in throat, still)

* Multiple wins for Slumdog Millionaire, including best movie

* Kate Winslet winning twice, despite her unfortunate second speech

* Not a Mickey Rourke fan but admire a genuine comeback and man loves his dogs (always earns bonus points)

* The Irish-accented erm -- or is that airrm? -- as featured in Colin Farrell's speech. And his suit. Man looked almost as good as he sounded.

* Sandra Bullock, funny without trying

* White is the new black. Eva Mendez, Kate Beckinsale and Sandra Bullock looked amazing as did Selma Hayek and Penelope Cruz in off-white

* Cameron Diaz looked amazing in pink

Movies I now want to see: Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Happy-Go-Lucky, and (of course) Slumdog Millionaire, which Anne Gracie had already insisted I must see.

The question I was left pondering: who decides who sits closest to the stage and who gets the seats way up the back? Because, damn, they must have some egos to tread eggshells around.

New Translations

2009-01-08T09:11:00.000+11:00

Tycoon's One-Night Revenge, in French that would be The Lover Without A Past. Isn't this the prettiest cover ever?

And Vows & A Vengeful Groom in Sweden would be Wonder The Glint Surfaces. Yes, I know, but that's what the translation agent said and I can make no sense of it. Nice cover, though.

Out With The Old, In With The New

2009-01-06T08:20:00.003+11:00

I have just taken down the Christmas tree. That was about ten minutes work, when it took maybe ten times that to put it up and decorate it just so. A bit like the Christmas gifts. Hours spent wrapping ever so carefully and tying with pretty ribbon and bows...which is all ripped off in a matter of seconds. And this year I didn't even take a photo!

Always feel a bit sad about taking down the tree--it's like the end of a special time, and back to the ordinary everyday. Although the way the years are flying lately it'll be Christmas again before I turn around and sneeze. And now I have the coffee table back (where the tree sat this year) for useful things. Like coffee. One of my gifts this year was various accoutrements for the coffee machine I got for my birthday last year. A grinder, steamer jug, milk frother and some lovely, lovely beans. I swear I'd be addicted to the aroma of freshly ground, even if I didn't love the coffee itself!

Am also back at work, and after a break between Christmas and New Year I am all invigorated (perhaps that's the caffeine, hmm.) Most unusual for me. Usually when I've taken time off, I find it very hard to get started again. Especially when it's 40 degrees outside -- that's centrigrade, we're talking 100 F hot -- and others in my house are in holiday mode.

But yesterday, pages, good pages, and I think this is because I love this heroine. Chessie is fun, an optimist with a smart mouth who loves winding up the poor hero. My concern at this point is that I'm having so much fun with Chessie, she might be overpowering the hero on the page and we can't have that. Not in Desire. So, today's goal is to ensure that Justin remains on his game.

Also, am teaching at the moment. My first on-line workshop, with the very awesome Anne Gracie, and that is both an enjoyable and an inspiring and motivating experience.

And reading? Better late than never, I've hopped into a Christmas read. The Christmas Getaways anthology by Anne Stuart, Tina Leonard and Marion Lennox. Love that the three novellas are closely linked, with the same suspense plotline and linked characters running through the three. Have finished Anne's story; loved it. Anyone else read this one?

January = Desire Month

2009-01-05T09:11:00.001+11:00

At eHarlequin the spotlight is on Desire this month with the usual 20% off all available titles, including the brand new February books. This is part of year long celebrations of Harlequin's 60th anniversary and if you visit the website you'll find lots of special offers, including a 25% discount code which makes the 20% look puny...actually NICK who features in the offer advert. would make most things look puny (and that's the only clue I'm giving, you'll have to find NICK for yourself!)

Best of 2008

2009-01-03T10:02:00.005+11:00

Happy New Year!!!

I'm not one for resolutions, but I am one for starting out a new year the way I wish to continue. Thus I have spent the first 2 days of 2009 with my family, catching up on the important home stuff, and planning my calendar/schedule for the year. One of the things I have written in as a weekly task is my blog, which I'm afraid has been sadly neglected many times during 2008. I considered dropping it because nothing worse than a boring/nothing happening blog. Then decided, no, I like having somewhere to talk about nothing in particular (self-indulgent, much) and so for the time being I shall continue. Starting now with my first of many lists for this year.

My Best of 2008 (and by best, I mean most entertaining/enjoyable/meaningful to me.)

Best book: Sugar Daddy, by Lisa Kleypas

Best movie: Juno

Best TV: no new series grabbed me, my best TV was via the World Movies channel

Best moment: #2 son turning 21 after many doubts along the way; also seeing our horse race in 4 Group 1 finals

Best writing moment: release of Diamonds Down Under series

Best event: Harlequin party, San Francisco

Best location: The Sand Bar, Honolulu, en route to RWA in San Francisco with friends

Best shopping experience: the outlet malls, see above

Best purchase: love my leather jacket AND my red laptop bag

Best thing I did for myself: upgrade to business class for the return trip (otherwise the excess luggage charges would have bankrupted me!)

Happy Christmas

2008-12-22T07:39:00.001+11:00

Typealyzing...

2008-12-10T18:43:00.000+11:00

...or that would be typealysing in my part of the world.

Saw this on Argh Ink and thought what could be more fun than analysing your blog's personality. Sit down over here, Bronz Blog, and make yourself comfortable. I have a few questions about your childhood... I ran thsi address through the Typealyzer a week or two back and then again today. Two different results BUT both were in the same sector of the chart which shows the dominant parts of the brain used during writing. Which parts? That would be the thinking (logic, maths), practical, and sensing (order, habit, detail.) Nothing happening in the intuitive or feeling sectors for me, no sirree.

Got me there.

12 Days of Christmas

2008-12-08T08:07:00.000+11:00

Over at the Desirabelles we are holding a 12 Days of Christmas giveaway. Lots of lovely, lovely gifts for you but even better, the gift of good memories as we chat about all the special things this season brings.

January Writing Workshop UPDATE

2008-12-06T08:05:00.002+11:00

A quick update on the on-line workshop Anne Gracie and I are doing in January, in support of the fundraising auction for Jo Leigh.

The 10 places in the workshop are up for auction on eBay this week, closing Saturday 7pm Pacific and 2pm Sunday Australian eastern daylight. That's tomorrow. The way I understand the fine print on multi-item lots: everyone pays the same price and that price is set at the lowest of the successful bids. Good luck and don't forget to check out the other delectable goodies.

I'm writing this ahead of time (on Thursday) and at this point there are hugely undervalued critique opportunities from smart and talented authors such as Emily McKay and Julie Miller and Nancy Warren and Cheyenne McCray and Joanne Rock and...too many to keep on listing. Some have only just been posted and there are more to come so bookmark the site, check often, and don't let the opprtunity pass you by.

ETA: The auction has closed with $1100 raised for Jo. Anne and I are delighted with the result and looking forward to a fabulous month of workshopping in January. Congratulations to the lucky (and can I say smart?) ten.

What I Learned From Menopause the Musical

2008-12-04T08:04:00.000+11:00

1. When a popular musical comes to your country theatre for a strictly limited season, book early.
2. Entertainment with mass appeal knows exactly how to target its audience.
3. Playing to the cliches works; they are cliches because they're truths.
4. Universal truths carry powerful emotional resonance, even when those truths are hot flushes, night sweats, forgetfulness, slow thinking, sagging bits, wrinkles, and mothers' little helpers.
5. There is nothing wrong with using archetypes as shorthand to establish character.
6. A theatre full of middle aged women creates considerable warmth.
7. Laughing at yourself is good.
8. Laughing at yourself along with several hundred other women is even better.
9. Some men are very brave...they laughed, too.
10. At the end of the day, it's attitude that counts. We should never forget that we're all smart, sexy women no matter our age, size, shape or perceived status.

eReaders

2008-12-02T10:56:00.003+11:00

If you've been thinking about an eReader for Christmas (or just because) but can't decide which is the best for for your needs, check out the excellent articles at Dear Author. The first compares dedicated eReaders and the second looks at multifunction tools such as PDAs, iPhones and mini PCs. I'm still happy with my PDA which doesn't stop me windowshopping and wanting all the new gadgetry.

I don't need a mini PC. I know I don't. The pic is a miniHP which I absolutely Do. Not. Need. Just. Because. Of. The. Prettiness.

January Writing Workshop

2008-11-29T08:16:00.004+11:00

You know that saying about starting the year as you mean to go on? For the romance writer that might be typing Chapter One and starting a new book, or commencing the edits on last year's book, or perhaps you're dreading and putting off opening the NaNoWriMo draft because you're afraid of all the work involved in editing and polishing.

For lots of reasons you might be interested in an on-line workshop I'm offering along with the inimitable Anne Gracie -- she who writes witty, smart, emotionally grabbing regency historical romances for Berkley. As well as writing brilliant books, Anne has a passion and a gift for teaching. We often have conversations about craft and process and books/writers we both adore, and every time I pick up a new gem of information. Collaborating with Anne on this workshop will be a gift to me.

The month-long (January) course is suitable for writers of category or single title romance, whether you're starting out with a story idea, honing your outline, or examining your completed draft. Topics include: mining your premise for gold, exploring your theme, delivering on emotion, creating page-turning tension, structuring memorable scenes, and more. We're including lectures, workshopping and exercises. You will learn by doing.

Our workshop is part of the fundraising auction for Jo Leigh, a fabulous writer and writing teacher.
The auction is now live on eBay and closing Dec 6 at 7pm PST.

Happy Thanksgiving, Turduckens

2008-11-27T19:41:00.001+11:00

If you're celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow/today then my guess is you are not reading blogs but cooking. Lots. Or perhaps travelling to be with family to enjoy their cooking, lots. (Although saw on news that travel is down 10% this year.) But I'm sending Happy Thanksgiving wishes regardless along with the question, did anyone include a turducken in their Thanksgiving feast?

For non-American readers: this is a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken. I kid you not. Oh, and I gather all the birds are also stuffed. Heard about it from a comedian and wasn't sure if this was a joke but googled and, yes, is real. This picture looks rather tasty, some of the others, not so much.

Only one question remains...WHY???