I love writing romance. Adore it. There’s so much fun in pitting a strong, sexy hero against an independent, feisty heroine who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go out and grab it with both hands!
That’s one of the joys of writing for Harlequin Modern Heat/Presents, creating strong, vibrant characters in exciting, cosmopolitan settings.
With that in mind, I set the bulk of my novels, both for Harlequin Romance and Modern Heat, in Melbourne, my fabulous, hip home city. The café culture is to die for here, along with the amazing shopping, the beautiful gardens and the cultural interests.
So what better setting for my current Modern Heat release, THE BOSS’S BEDROOM AGENDA, than Melbourne?
Aidan Voss is an archaeologist in the role of interim CEO of Melbourne Museum. He expects the job to be boring. But he doesn’t count on Beth Walker, a quirky metal sculptor with a serious shoe fetish, who breezes through her new job with a permanent smile on her face and a quick wit designed to tease.
These two are opposites in every way and I love creating stories where two seemingly unsuitable characters discover how compatible they really are.
THE BOSS’S BEDROOM AGENDA is out now in the UK and will be released in the USA in Feb 09 (as Harlequin Presents.)
Beth’s cousin Lana, the shy geek who appears several times in The Boss’s Bedroom Agenda, demanded to have her own story so TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE’S BED will be out in March 09.
And yes, you guessed it, another opposites attract story. Though this time, the gap between shy Lana and charming sailor Zac seems oceans apart. Much more of a challenge getting these two together!
What type of stories do you prefer? Opposites attract? Friends to lovers? Any others?
One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of my recent Modern Heat release HOT NIGHTS WITH A PLAYBOY, a guaranteed steamy read!
Nicola writes for Harlequin Romance and Modern Heat, has published 18 books and sold over a million copies worldwide. When she’s not writing, she’s busy chasing after her two little heroes or curled up with a good book!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Off to bed now, so will pop by in the morning!
My favorite is opposites attract but I do like friends to lovers stories too if they’re done right. “Right” for me, I should say.
I will get THE BOSS’S BEDROOM AGENDA. It sounds great.
I think if I had to choose I like opposites attract.
whether it be ‘friends to lovers’ or ‘opposites attract’ I’m sure the story has it’s challenges.
I also like the story of h/h knowing each other with some history between them and then they drift apart for a number of reasons and in the end come together again.
I enjoy both types of story, Susu, but if I had to choose, guess I’d go for friends to lovers.
There’s something about all that shared history and underlying hint of attraction that flares into a relationship I find irresistible :)
Hope you enjoy The Boss’s Bedroom Agenda!
Sounds like my next Harlequin Romance, The Billionaire’s Baby, Robyn!
Any characters with history have loads to play with when they get back together. Love it!
Ellen,
I love writing and reading opposites attract stories, especially when you think there isn’t a hope these two characters will end up together…and they do!
I like reading the marriage of convenience story, especially when there is a child involved (a sibling usually and there is some custody involved)
Hi,
I just discovered the blog is holding a special on Presens.
My fav. theme must be the guardian/ward one. It was quite predominant in older books, and they usually had opposite characters as well. Now, I have to say I like reading books where the heroine is a strong, successful career woman.
I’m a sucker for the peasant/queen of the manor themes…opposites! ;-)
I love the big, strong guys learning they have a soft side too, though, so it might be a tie!
Nicola, this is a great post. It definitely gave me something to think about!
Heather R.
Opposites aren’t always my favorite, but I do enjoy them. Sometimes I like the marriage of convenience stories too, when I’m in the mood to either be mad at the stupidity of some men for even thinking that a MOC is a good idea, but then want to get over that thinking by having them figure out how much they need/love the heroine.
But my favorite story is when the h/h have had an encounter, then she finds out she’s pregnant (but doesn’t want him to know because she wants to find out if he wants her for the right reasons), and then the hero wants her again, again, again (LOL!) but then he REALLY wants her when he finds out she’s had the baby…after he gets over being pissed at the fact that she didn’t tell him right away. Then again, he has to understand in the end that she didn’t tell because she wanted to find out if he really loved her or if it was only for the baby. Am I making sense after a long, long day?
Hmmm…that was a long explanation and I’m sure someone might have a better one to describe those types of stories but whatever they’re called those are the ones I like.
Well, off to bed!
Nathalie,
I’m writing a marriage of convenience story at the moment! (a Presents)
I’ve only ever done one before, my 2nd book, ‘The Wedding Contract’ and it was extremely popular.
As a reader, I find them interesting. As a writer, they’re challenging, to make them legit yet have the characters fall in love too.
Lily,
a woman after my own heart!
I adore writing strong, career focussed women and pitting them against heroes who deserve them :)
Oooh…good choices, Heather!
Casey,
you’re making perfect sense.
The secret baby plot is a favourite one of many authors and readers.
Thanks, Nicola! I like reading stories but don’t fancy myself a writer so sometimes I’m not sure I make a bit of sense. =)
Sorry everyone,
forgot to pop back and announced the winner of ‘Hot Nights with a Playboy’.
Casey,
it’s your lucky day :)
If you email me, I’ll get a signed copy of the book in the post to you.
Thanks to everyone for commenting.
WOW! Thanks, Nicola! I’m so looking forward to reading it!