Psst... Jamie Dornan, The 50 Shades Movie AND a Book Giveaway.

Want to know my top ten reasons why Jamie Dornan is the PERFICK casting for Christian Grey in 50 Shades of Grey: The Movie?

Answer: YES.... Then head on over to the Pink Heart Society today where I have gotten ahold of the coveted Male on Monday post specifically to enlighten people on that very subject.

Answer: NO, I couldn't give a toss about 50 Shades or who plays Christian Grey in the movie... Then head on over to the PHS anyway because I'm giving away a copy of Beach Bar Baby to one lucky commentator.

Bribery works. See you there.

Heidi's Blogtastic Friday!

Oh all right, already, that title may be overselling myself a bit... But I'm on two blogs today.

First the lovely Tawny Weber has invited me on to her blog to do her Quick Six questions... And I'm offering a copy of Maid of Dishonor (my Wedding Season book) to one lucky commentator on the blog who answers a very simple question in return (hint, it may have something to do with weddings).

Meanwhile I'm going back in time on The Pink Heart Society to talk about a classic 1980s chick flick (which might involve faking orgasms! hint hint) on my monthly Must Watch Friday slot. So come and join me.

In other news, I'm currently waiting to hear about my Cosmo Red Hot Reads submission (finger nail biting notwithstanding!!) and my Harlequin POP Movie Pleasures book...

To save my nails, I have dived into my next KISS which is set in Bermuda and Camden, London,  and going to feature sweet, kooky and far too soft-hearted cupcake baker Ella Radley and lean, mean and way too sexy dive-shop entrepeneur Cooper Delaney. You can check out my inspiration board on Pinterest. But if you haven't guessed already, Ella is the business partner of my heroine Ruby Delisantro in Cupcakes and Killer Heels and I've been wanting to write her story for awhile... So this is gonna be cool.

Not so cool is the fact that I have to finish this book in a scant six weeks (because of being a bit of a plonker with my deadlines for my last few projects). As I've never managed to complete a book in under four months this is quite a tall order for me (tall, as in Everest-tall). So watch this space. But to help me I'm trying out Scrivener and I have to say, so far, I'm LOVING it. Anyone else using it? Wanna tell me what you think?

The Great Gatsby... And other great things!

I'm over at the Pink Heart Society waffling on about how great I thought Baz Luhrmann's manic new version of The Great Gatsby was and getting in the mood to write my movie review book for Harlequin POP... Don't know when this one will be out (as I haven't written it yet) but I'm having a lot of fun compiling some of my favourite romance-centric movies for public consumption...

And if you haven't visited my Facebook page recently, I've just updated my banner (because I'm a bit of a procrastinator like that!)... And I have to admit it's a little bit naughty... But very, very nice.

In other news, my Cosmo RED HOT Read - 10 Ways to Handle the Best Man - has been scheduled for a January 2014 release... OMG!! So excited about this - not least because that's the first time I've ever managed to keep my own title. I'm not sure if that date is confirmed, but will let you know.

And my new book page for Maid of Dishonor will be up soon on my website... Honest! I just need time to do it in between messing with pictures of nekkid men for my FB banner.

And last but not least... Today is the release day for Bedded for His Pleasure, my new anthology with Kate hardy and Trish Wylie, featuring a reprint of my first EVAH published book: Bedded by a Bad Boy (I take no responsibility for that title... see above for proof.)

Awards, Book Giveaway and Robert Downey Jr... Oh My!

My Son, my brother & moi at the Irish Embassy in Paris.

Just back from being a glamourpuss in Paris for a few days where I got to wear my posh frock to the Irish Embassy no less (with ma famille). I am including pictorial evidence  -  the photo was taken by my brother's 5-year-old son hence the soft focus (think I may get him to take all my photos come to think of it!)

Now, in other news I got a wonderful email on Tuesday night saying that The Good, the Bad and the Wild (yes that is my Rona nominated book) has now also been nominated for a Booksellers Best Award in the Best Short Contemporary category. Squeeeeee!

To celebrate my nomination, and my general all around gorgeousness I am giving away another copy of Too Close for Comfort, my June Harlequin KISS release, at the Pink Heart Society TODAY. This is a one-day offer, just go leave a comment on my blog about Iron Man 3 and I'll pick a winner tomorrow.

BTW, the winner of my Rafflecopter comp for a copy of The Mile High Club on the blog is:

Jane Linfoot

So Jane, just email me your snail mail addy on heidi@heidi-rice.com and I'll pop it in the post.

Also, watch this space for exciting news about the new direction for the old RIVA editorial in the UK... Plans are being worked on now, but the new line will be launching soon and as soon as I can I will give you all the goss...

Attack the Block and news of a new book comp!

I'm talking about the cracking aliens vs hoodies movie Attack the Block at the Pink Heart Society today, so come on over and make a comment!

In other news my author copies of my March Riva, The Good, the Bad and the Wild, have just arrived and I'll be holding a competition to win a copy here on the blog early next week (and posting a sneak peek on my website) - as soon as I get my current ms off to my editor!!

So watch this space. But until then, here's the back cover blurb to whet your appetite:

One of the Good Guys?

Nick Delisantro is famous - for scripts, for his looks, and above all for his ruthless bad-boy charm. Eva, on the other hand, has spent her life being an overlooked wallflower! Now she's got to meet with Mr Tall, Dark and Brooding or her only chance of promotion is over...

Nick can't stop staring at the mysterious blushing girl who's dressed like a vixen but frozen under his gaze like a rabbit in the headlights... He can't wait to see what's behind the innocent front! But Nick's about to get far more than he'd bargained for - not only does Eva have the key to his secret past, but there's nothing more dangerously addictive than a good girl going wild...

Heidi talks Turkey.... Or rather Christmas Stories!

I'm over at the Pink Heart Society talking about why I love writing Christmas Stories as a romance writer... And it may not be the reason you think. So pop on over and leave a comment and you could be in with a chance to win a copy of my current Christmas extravaganza On the First Night of Christmas.

Also found this lovely review of it on The Long and Short Reviews blog. Here's a snippet of what they said:

'This is a fast paced romance and things heat up quickly between Cassie and Jace....The typical holiday activities take on a delightful turn as Cassie takes Jace shopping and to a get-together of friends for Christmas. There were some very tearful moments as well, where I worried for the happy ever after of these two, but I was delighted to see finally happen between them. I recommend this one to be read with a box of tissues at hand.'

So there you have it, a true Christmas tear-jerker!

A little movie with a big heart

I'm over at the Pink Heart Society today doing my monthly Must Watch Friday slot and talking about the wonderful little movie Cedar Rapids... If you want to know why I love this movie so much do pop on over there..

Wanna see Guy Pearce's bum??

Then check out my post on The Pink Heart Society about the new HBO mini-series Mildred Pierce. Which has Kate Winslet brilliantly cast as the successful 1940s restaurateur but not so successful mother, Guy as her feckless but handsome lover Monty, lashings of beautifully observed period detail and some very sexy scenes involving.... Well, need I say more. Check out the darn post!

Also don't forget I'm still running my comp to win a copy of One Amazing Night Baby. To enter the prize draw answer these two questions by the close of play today (that's Friday 12th August) about my book Pleasure, Pregnancy and a Proposition.


1) The name of the Hero and Heroine from PPP
2) Why the Hero all but kidnaps the Heroine at the start of the story... 

And email the answers to heidi@heidi-rice.com and I'll announce the winner tomorrow.
 

Domestic Goddesses Unite!

Am on the Pink Heart Society today talking about my fabulous Lemon Chicken recipe that makes me look like a Domestic Goddess without me having to actually be one...

And in other news, I'm sure some of you have heard of the cringe-making article the Daily Mail decided to publish about our lovely RNA Summer Party under the headline: "The Blue Rinse and Bodice Rippers: In Twin-Set and Pearls Meet the Ladies Behind Britain's Steamiest Novels"

Just like to state for the record I never saw any blue rinses, pearls or twin sets, but even if there had been I do wonder why the Mail seems obsessed with recycling all the boring old clichés about romance writers and romantic fiction (I mean Bodice-Rippers, seriously? Haven't we moved past that yet?) instead of reporting the reality - what we write and read isn't a guilty pleasure, it's not some grubby little secret we're all scribbling away at to top up our pensions (actually I haven't got a pension yet!!). Romantic fiction is instead one of the biggest sectors of the fiction market precisely because women love reading and writing these stories. Now you've got to wonder why the Mail and its reporter seem so determined to try and belittle and degrade what we do? Could it be that they're actually the boring old cliché and not us?

I'm not sticking in a link to the original article because, believe me, life's too short and for some reason they seem to have deleted all the fab comments! But here are a few great blog responses from the fabulous Julie Cohen and Talli Roland. You rock, ladies... As do we all.

Now, must go dig out my twin-set and pearls for the next party!

How to Be Young Forever!

I'm over at the Pink Heart Society today doing a coverted Male on Monday slot and talking about teenage dreams, how your teenage crushes can keep you young forever and THAT guy from the Katy Perry video.

Actually, he's the inspiration for my latest hero, Nick Delisantro, a former North London bad boy, who now lives in San Francisco, has a very successful career as a Hollywood scriptwriter, but still has a wild streak, as my heroine is currently finding out after climbing onto the back of his motorbike.

Anyway to find out where I got my inspiration from, check out the PHS today.

Jake Gyllenhaal is HAWT!

Am over at the Pink Heart Society today talking about the fiendishly clever new Jake Gyllenhaal movie Source Code and it's very dishy star, so come join me.

Am currently writing Chapter Five of Nick's story and have just discovered that he doesn't like to talk. At all! Never encountered this strong-but-silent routine with a hero before and it's driving me mad... And turning my heroine into a chatterbox. The poor woman can't shut up.

PHS... Teen Movie Madness

Hopefully still soaking up the rays in Barca, but due to the wonders of technology can post a quick note that I'm at the Pink Heart Society today (virtually speaking!) blogging about the wonderfully witty and self-aware teen movie Easy A... A high-school pastiche of The Scarlet Letter! Without Demi Moore in it, you'll be glad to know.

So come check it out.

Tired, Tangled and Bewildered!

So had a fabulous day talking up a storm with some very interesting women interested in writing for M&B... And as writing and my books are my two favourite subjects I waffled non-stop for three solid hours altogether and hopefully at some point did actually impart a few pieces of useful information. Even managed to get a write-up on the Grazia website (muchos gracias Minx Lorraine for the link) as one of the attendees was a reporter.. Her M&B send-up is actually very funny and has some serious potential (LOL!) particularly like the setting in Dalston market (tres glamourous that) although was a bit bewildered by her take on internal and external conflict (crikey, did I say that??). Should also say a special thanks to my fellow Riva author Fiona Harper who popped in half-way through and managed to answer some questions that I couldn't!

Wanted to add that I'm talking about the fabulous new Disney cartoon Tangled on the Pink Heart Society for Must Watch Friday, so pop over there if you want to discuss it. Loved that movie.

Also (drum roll please) wanted to say a huge congrats to my mate, Modern author Abby Green whose fabulous book Bride in a Gilded Cage (that's her sultry sexy Argentine tango book!) has been short-listed for the Love Story of the Year prize....! Go Abby!

Have you seen The King's Speech yet?

Well, if you haven't you should... And I'm telling you all the very good reasons why on the Pink Heart Society today. And yes, the gorgeousness that is Colin Firth is one of them! Give that man an Oscar, already. If nothing else I'm sure he'd give a great acceptance speech.

If you have seen the film feel free to come join the party... And this from someone who doesn't usually do Royal dramas.

See you there.

PS: Currently having major struggle with latest WIP, feel as if I'm swimming through treacle again, haven't had this much agony since Public Affair! Arghhhh... Why doesn't this ever get any easier?

PHS... Christmas Movies

Over at the Pink Heart Society today musing on my favourite Christmas movies.... Here are a few tips as to films that may be appearing on the blog... And a chance to add a little Christmas bling to my own blog!

A Passion for Puzzles...

Hi all, am over at the Pink Heart Society today talking about my puzzle affliction... Sorry, I meant, puzzle addiction. And how appropriate it is to my career as a romance novellist... No really, I somehow managed to make that analogy sound almost convincing.

In other news, I have had to sideline my heir-hunter and her screenwriting hero to concentrate on a very special Christmas story which my ed has asked me to write for next year... And due to scheduling issues will have to be my next completed book. As I'm a one-idea-at-a-time gal, I'm currently wracking my brains to come up with a super sexy seasonal story idea, its gonna be set in London over Christmas and New Year.. But so far that's all I've got. Although it is kinda cool to be writing a Christmas story when it's actually Christmas for a change.

Am currently getting in the mood by doing all my Christmas shopping really early... NOT! I wish.

But I am thinking about it. Or at least writing about it on my blog.

Come talk about The Hunk of the Century! on The Pink Heart

Had a great time at the RNA Winter Party on Wednesday night, meeting new faces and old mates... Well, not old, actually very young and glamorous but you know what I mean right...

And I'm over at the Pink Heart Society today talking about a golden oldie with the Hunk of the Century in (as he was named by one lovely lady on YouTube). None other than Clark Gable.... If you don't know who he is, you're in for a treat... Cos there's clips too of It Happened One Night on my PHS post. So don't say I never give you nothing. This film is 75 years old this year, and remains as fresh and sexy as it was in 1935. In a word, unmissable.. And unforgettable. Okay, that's two words!

Let's Talk About Conflict, Baby!!

Pop on over to the Pink Heart Society today where I am doing a little chat about that perenial favourite "conflict"!!

Don't know about the rest of you, but this is the thing I struggle with most in all my books... So I wanted to take the opportunity to analyse the conflict in a couple of iconic books and see if anyone wanted to join me...

So don't leave me hanging guys! And there's a hint in the picture as to what one of those books might be!

Book Comp, First Kisses and Robert Redford in Navy Whites

I'm over at the PHS today, getting all goose-pimplely about the classic weepie The Way We Were... Does anyone look better in Navy Whites than Robert Redford in that movie? I guess Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentlemen gives him some serious competition... You decide.

Now, you can pop over and comment there to win a copy of my new Modern Heat novel, Surf, Sea and a Sexy Stranger, which isn't actually due out until November 17th in the UK... But as I've just received a whole box of them, and I'm super proud of this book, and the gorgeous new cover design for Modern Heat - plus as this is going to be my last Modern Heat book (little sniff of sadness here), with the line morphing into Riva in January - I've decided to give away a copy here too. Simultaneously. How cool and astrologically aligned of me is that!!

All you have to do is email the answer to this simple question to heidi@heidi-rice.com! You may have to scroll back through this blog to get the answer as the details of this book won't be on the M&B website till November 1st. I'll also be posting a sneak peek on my website this weekend so watch out for that. I'll pick the lucky winner next Friday.

Q: In which British coastal county does Maddy rescue Rye from the waves.

Now in other news, I send thru the revisions on Cal and Ruby's story on Tuesday night.... Late on Tuesday night, and am currently keeping my fingers crossed that my ed likes them. I've also been super-busy mentoring my two fab entries in the New Voices competition. So if you want to check out any of the top ten second chapters which are now up, you can here.

And I'm over on I Heart Presents today talking about First Kisses, Second Chances and Unfinished Business with the Duke... Accompanied by this photo of me as a scruffy tomboy (I take no responsibility for that mess of a hairdo, my mother didn't believe in hairbrushes and came from the just-lop-off-the-fringe school of haircuts).

So if you have a great first kiss story - either good, bad or ugly - then come share.

Toy Story 3, Daniel Craig and the Brent Library Workshop

First off just a quick heads up to say I'm over at The Pink Heart Society to talk about the wonderfulness that is Toy Story 3, so do come over and have a natter about it... And if you haven't seen it yet, get ye to a cinema pronto, it's the best Toy Story yet IMHO.


I also recall that I said I would pop back here and report on the Brent Library Workshop I did last Friday (can't believe it's been a week already). An astonishing 25 (or so) people attended and we had a good old chin-wag about the ins and outs of writing a Mills and Boon.

As with many people I see at these workshops not everyone had read a recent M&B and not all of them were romance readers (amazingly there were four blokes there!), but they were all enthusiastic writers and had some very intelligent questions to ask about everything from character-building, to conflict, to story arcs, to how to make a living as a writer right through to what my work day is like...

I had intended to use a very glamorous Powerpoint lecture with Daniel Craig prominently featured in the 'alpha male' section but unfortunately the facilities weren't available on the night (probably a good thing as I'm a Powerpoint virgin), so I stuck to the body of the lecture and embellished (rather a lot) with stories about my own writing experiences. These included some (I hope) entertaining anecdotes about how to tell your mum your first book is going to be called "Bedded by a Bad Boy" with a completely straight face; how to get inspiration out of a wet camping holiday in Cornwall; and what to do when your 14 year old son gives out copies of your book to two of his teenage girl friends without your knowledge and you then have to ring their mums to explain that your books aren't strictly speaking written for children! Should add that the wonderful romance minx (and extremely talented aspiring MH author) Lorraine Wilson showed up to give me moral support. So thanks for that Lorraine!

All in all I think a very informative evening was had by all (including me!) and a lot of myths were dispelled about what M&B is all about in the 21st century. I got some wonderful feedback and I'm hopeful that a few of the attendees are planning to enter the New Voices comp, so my work is done!

Best question of the night? What do your sons think of your books?  Answer: Not a lot actually as they'd rather have their toenails pulled out than read romantic fiction... But maybe if I had a hero who played for Spurs, a zombie or two, or  a few Pokemon in them... Now there's a thought!