RIVA LAUNCH

Stop press:  Winner of "With This Fling" is Michelle L.

DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX

Yes, it's part two of the RIVA launch blog party and today I'm featuring Nicola Marsh's new release, DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX.   

USA Today Bestselling author, Nicola has written for both "Romance" and "Modern Heat" so her fun, flirty voice is a natural fit for this new series.  And of course she's used all those things we love, a reality TV show (who  isn't going to be watching Dancing on Ice this weekend!) and social networking, to bring her story to life.  Here's the blurb -

Kristi’s "Stranded" Diary:

Day 1 Being shipwrecked on an idyllic deserted island for reality TV show Stranded sounded blissful. Until I discovered my Man Friday for the week was Jared Malone (aka he-who-broke-my heart!). I mean, of course I’ll be fine. I don’t feel anything for him any more. Female viewers might swoon over Jared’s tanned gorgeousness, but I know he’s just an arrogant, over-muscled heartbreaker! The cameras are rolling, so I’m off to the beach to face Jared. I just hope I look OK in this bikini!

And here's Nicola to tell you how this book came about...

I admit it.

I’m a social networking addict and proud of it.

The original anti-blogger, I now blog daily.

Then I got sucked into MySpace. Facebook soon followed. Then along came Twitter and I’m well and truly addicted.

For those of you who know me, it’ll come as no surprise that I love to talk.

Writing is a solitary occupation so when I get the chance to chat, I grab it!

And social networking brings a new dimension to the chatterbox, allowing me to meet new people and gab away to my heart’s content.

The best bit? It can even be classed as research!

Yes, that’s right, my addiction to Twitter was used as the grounding for my RIVA launch book, DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX.

Take one hot Aussie tennis pro (inspired by THE Nathan Fillion!), a sassy ex, plonk them on an island in a reality TV-style shoot out where they must blog and tweet their way to winning and there you have it, a book thoroughly ‘researched’!

Here’s a little taste:


“Done with the caveman routine?”

The organ he refused to acknowledge lurched as he glanced up, saw Kristi on her side, propped on an elbow, wearing that sinful green bikini and a reluctant smile.

She’d been frosty towards him over dinner, with more of the same since they’d arrived on the island, but under his constant barrage of teasing she was finally starting to thaw.

Not that he blamed her. From her angry outburst when he’d picked her up the other night, she hadn’t forgiven him for choosing his tennis career over her all those years ago.

But he’d had no choice. Not that he’d go delving into his reasons why now.
For their time on the island he wanted to recapture some of their old magic, wanted to make her laugh and fire back those scathing one liners like she used to, wanted to see her eyes sparkle just for him, for old time’s sake.

Hands on hips, he wrenched his straying gaze away from the tempting expanses of flesh on display. “Weren’t you the one who wanted to toast marshmallows tonight?”

“Did I say that?”

She pressed a hand to her chest and his gaze followed, shooting down his intentions to keep his distance.

“Do you even have any?”

She chuckled, lowered her sunglasses to stare at him over the top. “Maybe you should’ve asked that before planning to build a bonfire that can be seen in New Zealand.”

Adding another branch onto the growing pile, he feigned indifference.

“I’m surprised you could fit any marshmallows in your case, what with that mobile shoe shop you carry around.”

Her eyes narrowed, the corners of her mouth twitching. “Are you dissing my shoes?”

“Merely making an observation.”

With a little huff that was so adorable he wanted to kiss her senseless, she pouted.

“I’ll have you know it takes effort to look this good.”

His gaze raked her from top to toe, lingering on her curves, the hollow of her hip, the dip of her collarbone, remembering how he’d traced every inch of her once, how he couldn’t get enough.

Logically, he knew it would be foolish to resurrect the past, not when nothing fundamental had changed. Kristi was a relationship type of girl. He was a guy who had no intention of getting emotionally involved with anyone.

Physically, his body was on memory overload, sifting through every incredible, erotic encounter the two of them had ever had.

“You’re not looking at my shoes.”

Dragging his gaze to meet hers, he raised an eyebrow. “You’re not wearing any.”

She scooped up a spangly flip-flop, dangling it from a finger.

“What’s this?”

“Suitcase filler?”

“Heathen,” she muttered, sliding her sunglasses back into place and rolling onto her back. “Get back to your wood gathering. It’s what you Neanderthals are good at.”

“Sticks and stones,” he said, much more at ease with this banter than last night’s emotion charged discussion.

Pointing at the diminutive wood pile, she smirked. “More sticks. Less stones.”


I’m so thrilled with the new RIVA series and to be a part of the launch. Thanks for having me, Liz, and happy reading everyone!

Thanks for that, Nicola. I can't wait to dive into this one!    

And now, for a chance to win a copy of DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX, why don't you tell us who you'd most like to share a desert island with on Nicola's reality TV show "Stranded"?  You cannot choose your other half - we'll take it for granted he'd be your choice in real life.  This is fantasy land and we want your darkest fantasies. And don't forget to check back to find out if you've won!

Meanwhile if you want to read more, click on the browse link below to read the first chapter.

For US fans, DESERTED ISLAND, DREAMY EX was published in the  "Harlequin Romance" livery back in September, but is still available as a download.