most romantic moments

Bron: I was going to talk about the most romantic moment I’ve experienced but today, while collecting my bunch of perfect rose buds from the florist, I heard about a sweet romantic gesture and I just had to share. 14^th wedding anniversary. Lovely man arranges with a florist to deliver 14 single roses to his wife at work, one by one, half an hour apart. Each rose has a single letter attached. The first is I. The second is S, the third T, I, L, L, L, O, V, E, Y, O, U ! A simple, perfect sentiment but how much more romantic is that than a bunch of 14 roses with the

same message attached?

Paula: For romance, you can’t go past the candlelit dinner or unexpected flowers.  But it’s the little gestures that make up the big romantic picture for me – making dinner after a long day, watching House with you when he could be watching  cricket on the other TV, putting together that new Ikea bookshelf even though you’re perfectly capable of doing it yourself.  Holding hands is incredibly romantic, too! For those who’re romantically challenged, Askmen.com has a top 10 list of “small gestures that turn women on” (interesting men use ‘turn on’ and we use ‘romantic’ <vbg>!)  they are:

Organize a sexy scavenger hunt

Tell her she’s beautiful

Write a handwritten letter

Take her out for lunch

Cook her favorite dish

Take her on an ‘official’ date

Buy her a token present

Dance with her

Give her a flower

Pamper her

Sandra: I don’t have just one special most romantic moment. But a regular small, touching supply. Every weekend, my husband, who is the most practical and pragmatic and generally unromantic person I know, makes me my morning latte. And every time he uses a little gizmo and sprinkles a chocolate heart on my coffee (all neatly aligned because he’s a builder, after all). And every time my own heart melts just a little.

Robbie: Here’s something from “the younger generation”. On New Year’s Eve, my daughter went to a party given by the boy who had always liked her in high school. His parent’s house is on acreage, and just before midnight he asked her to walk with him through the paddocks. Along the way, horses began to follow. One nuzzled at her shoulder, as if to push her along. They arrived at an area where a picnic blanket was laid out before two flaming torches. Did the night end in a kiss? I have a feeling that it did.

 

 

 

 

Share with us your most romantic moment (or one you’ve heard of) for a chance to win a copy of Robyn’s latest Harlequin release, Naughty Nights in the Millionaire’s Mansion.

 

 

downunder day!

Australia Day is around the corner. On January 26^th Aussies celebrate their nationality, our beautiful big country and the many things we take pride in and hold dear.

 Meat pies and backyard barbies, pavlovas and vegemite toast.

Kangaroos and koalas, wattle blooms, the Great Barrier Reef and the quiet majesty of Ayres Rock.

 We remember our brave diggers and “two-up”, and joke about “sheilas”, “fair dinkum” and “Crikey, mate!“

 Aussies also boast incredible talent…Errol Flynn, Chips Rafferty, Peter Allen, The Bee Gees…Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman (plug: go see “Australia“!), Kylie Minogue, Crocodile Dundee, Donald Bradman, Evonne Goologong Cawley, Miles Franklin, Thomas Keneally, Tim Winton. Colleen McCullough…

We’ve come a long way since Henry Lawson waxed lyrical about “the bush”. In the twenty-first century, Downunder writers are rocking the romance publishing world. I’m proud to be a part of the wave.

I have an Australia beach towel, sun cap and other fun Aussie stuff to give away, including a latest release. Just share with us what you love about Australia, where you’d like to visit or maybe who you’d like to meet (yeah, as if we don’t already know, lol).

 

and so this is Christmas…

I’m sure you know the song. John Lennon and Yoko wrote it one evening in October. It was released in time for the festive season, but (would you believe) the song didn’t rate a mention on the US charts.  It’s a close call, but that Christmas song is possibly my favourite.

What about Christmas movies? As a child, I totally loved the classic, Frosty the Snowman. Nowadays I’m far more sophisticated. The Grinch, starring Jim Carrey as the green furry-bellied neurotic cynic, really hits my silly-season spot. The closing scene brings tears to my eyes every single time.

Now, a favourite Christmas book? Has to be Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present about a very noble and determined Santa battling every conceivable obstacle to deliver a forgotten present to little Harvey, who lives way up the top of Roly Poly Mountain.

 

Christmas is about hope and giving. It’s about love and loyalty. 

Christmas is about family and friends and, especially, children. 

From all the Desirabelles, have a sensational, and safe, Christmas!

Let us know your favourite Christmas song, movie or book and be in the draw for this year’s Christmas Gift Collection from Harlequin.

on the 10th day of Christmas…

 

We not only have Ten Lords a-Leaping (must feel good to be able to do that!), we have the fabulous Nicola Marsh, Romance and Sexy Sensation/Presents author, here to give us a look at her Santa Wish list and give away a copy of TWO recent releases!! 

 

Ho! Ho! Ho! And a very merry Christmas to the lovely Desirabelles for inviting me to join in their 12 Days of Christmas.

May this Christmas be a special time for all of you.

 Today we have ten lords a-leaping.

 I don’t know about ten but in my house, we have 2 little lords doing loads of leaping come Christmas morning.  And that’s before they get stuck into the sweet treats!

Christmas is a magical time and with little kids I love seeing their eyes light up when they first spy the mound of presents under the Christmas tree.  This year, Santa’s been given strict instructions to bring a remote control tarantula, a bug catcher, a bug home…considering my aversion to creepy-crawlies, I think Santa’s going to be dumping his pressies outside this year!

So if Santa could bring you anything this year, what (or who!) would it be?

I know the heroine, Beth Walker, in my current release THE BOSS’S BEDROOM AGENDA would ask for sexy archaeologist Aidan Voss wrapped up in a big red bow (and probably little else!  Come on, this book is a Sexy Sensation after all…)

To join in the festive spirit, I’m giving away a copy each of my 2 recent releases, HOT NIGHTS WITH A PLAYBOY (Harlequin Modern Heat) and THE DESERT PRINCE’S PROPOSAL (Harlequin Romance) so to be in the running, please leave a comment and share your Santa wishlist!

 Nicola

www.nicolamarsh.com

THE BOSS’S BEDROOM AGENDA (Harl. Presents) OUT NOW in Aust/NZ, Feb 09 USA
TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE’S BED (Harl. Modern Heat) March 09 UK, May Aust/NZ
THE BILLIONAIRE’S BABY (Harl. Romance) May UK/USA, June Aust/NZ

on the second day of Christmas…

Can we stop there? I have a confession to make. I didn’t know until I researched for this blog that the two turtledoves we’ve heard so much about represent the Old and the New Testaments.

I did know that these beautiful gentle birds represent peace, love and faithfulness. The use of the dove as a symbol of peace predates any Christian usage. The dove was a symbol of peace and long life to the ancient Chinese. The ancient Egyptians held the dove to symbolize quiet innocence.

Nowadays, the spectacle and dazzle of the festive season has a lot of say in how we represent our turtledoves.  For only $US64.99 you can own a Gitterazzi “Two Turtle Doves and Santa” ornament.  Waterford has a “Two Turtle Doves Bell” for a lowly $35.00 (you save $35.00!). What about a “Snowbaby Turtle Dove Swing”?  And you simply haven’t celebrated until you’ve owned some Swarovski Crystal Turtledoves. (Don’t ask the price!)

 

Truth is, I love Christmas ornaments and decorations. Giant candy canes, Santa’s runway on the front lawn, blue icicle lights dripping from muggy Queensland roofs. And, of course, the traditional Christmas tree. Every year we set at the top of our tree a toilet roll with yellow wool hair. The eyes have faded and the wings have seen better days. It’s the Christmas angel our eldest made in preschool and I’ll cry the day it falls apart completely and we need to find a replacement.

 

 

 

Tell us about your favourite or a sentimental Christmas ornament for a chance to win a copy of Confessions of a Millionaire’s Mistress, my February Presents release..

 

 

 

Robyn Grady introduces Rachel Bailey!

There have been several talented Australian and New Zealand authors bought for the fabulous Desire line over the last couple of years. I’m delighted, and excited to introduce here our very latest Downunder Desirabelle, Rachel Bailey!

Rachel, can you tell us a little about your journey toward publication? How long were you writing? Had you always aimed at Desire?

Hi, Robbie and everyone! Thanks for the invitation. I’m absolutely thrilled to be here! To answer your question, I’m not a lifelong writer – I read stories about authors who’ve been writing since they were children, and I feel as though I’ve missed all the fun! I started only a few years ago and couldn’t decide between my love for romantic comedy or category romance. After much to-ing and fro-ing, I decided to focus on category romance, specifically Desire, and then everything seemed to click into place. I’m so excited to join such a great line and some of my favourite authors!

We’d love to hear about your first book. When is it due out?

My first book follows Lily and Damon’s story – ex lovers coming to terms with a pregnancy, a scheming uncle, a big old mansion, and some conditions on a will that will turn their lives upside down. It was heaps of fun to write!

Ooh, sounds like my kind of story J

I’m not sure what the title will be – I called it His Convenient Marriage of Revenge, but I’m not sure if the editors will change that. It’s due out in September next year, which seems so far away, but people keep assuring me that the time will fly by.

Rachel, what do you like most about the Desire line?

The intensity. There’s nothing wishy-washy about these books, they drag you in and hold you until the very last page. And the heroes have that same gorgeous intensity. What more could I want in a story? J

I’m with you there! Who are some of your favourite heroes from TV and movies?

I have heaps of favourites! Colin Firth as Darcy, of course. But most of the other Jane Austen heroes as well, like Johnny Lee Miller as Edmund in the movie of Mansfield Park.

And I love Richard Armitage as Mr Thornton in North and South. Oh, and Spike in Buffy. I was never an Angel girl, it was always Spike for me. I could probably go on about this all day!

Sounds like a fantastic idea for a Desirabelle blog! A serious question now…are you a dog or cat person?

LOL. Both, but mainly a dog person. I have four at the moment, and have had up to six in my pack. I can’t imagine my life without a dog in it.

What’s your favourite colour, favourite food, favourite thing to do?

Purple.

Chocolate.

Read a great book.

Picture me lying on a purple satin bedcover, reading one of my favourite authors, eating Lindt chocolate  (happy sigh).

Rachel, what are you working on now?

A story involving chocolate. Perhaps I should try to involve the colour purple and have the heroine reading a great book while being fanned by Richard Armitage…

Sounds heavenly! The perfect Rachel Bailey fantasy. If you could be anyone, who would that be?

Me, but with some upgrades. J

Rachel, congratulations again on your sale to Desire! You’ll be here this week to tell us more?

You bet!

Excellent!

Now, my latest Desire Baby Bequest is out in NA this month and in Australia and New Zealand in December. I’d love to give a couple of copies away. Please tell us about your ultimate fantasy and I’ll give a copy of Baby Bequest to Rachel’s two top picks!!

Can I mention that a certain Spartan warrior would feature in my fave fantasy? Anyone like to guess?

Visit Robyn’s website to read excerpts and news on her upcoming releases.