I have a whole shelf of Kate Hardy's books. Romantic, emotional, she can always touch the heart strings and make you cry. She's a hugging friend, one I'm always thrilled to see at a conference, or author lunch.
And she's another of those authors who has won the RNA Romance Prize. There are only six in the shortlist each year, so it is a very special peer group award.
She'll tell you herself about her latest book: -
The idea for ITALIAN DOCTOR, NO STRINGS ATTACHED came to me when we visited Capri and took the chairlift up to Monte Solaro, the highest point of the island. It was like standing on the edge of the world, and I thought, what a fantastic place to propose to someone... but who and why and when?
(The answers came a bit later on when a friend told me about a very interesting medical condition, knowing the kind of things that make lightbulbs happen in my head!) ]
I'm thrilled to give away a copy of Italian Doctor, No Strings attached as soon as my author copies come through (any day now).
To be in with a chance to win Kate's book, just tell her the most romantic place you can think of for a marriage proposal.
Great question, Kate!
And no, Kate, I don't think anyone will be surprised that you'd volunteer to bring Antonio Banderas to the party!
Phillipa is another of those authors I met online when she was striving to make the break through into publication. And for those of you who think it's impossible, believe me, I have seen dozens of new authors publishing a pile of books in the twenty years since I made my own break though.
Phillipa was published by Little Black Books - more than that, her first book, Decent Exposure, was made into a movie, 12 Men of Christmas. And it doesn't get much better than that!
More cover envy!
So, what kind of man will bring you out in a fever? Is it going to be Antonio? Or George Clooney? Daniel? Do you like a man built, or sensitive? (Not saying we can't have both!) Who would you choose as your co-star in a rom-com?
Last but a very long way from least, is Jan Jones
I adored her first book STAGE BY STAGE, set in the world of am-dram and with a hero to absolutely die for.
She suggests that the hero is a cross between Orlando Bloom and Robert Redford. Tricky, but I think this photograph of Orlando does the job!
And we're back to heroes again - what kind of clothes maketh the man for you?
A superfine coat and perfect folded cravat? Cowboy jeans and hat? A pin-striped suit, or just a pair of shorts? And what turns you off? Romantic authors everywhere want to know!
32 comments:
Wow, Liz, that really is Kit! How clever of you to find him. I do hope you didn't have to go to too much trouble searching Orlando and RR archives...
Anyway, thank you very much for inviting me to your party, especially with such lovely fellow guests.
Congratulations on your 60 (+3) marvellous, wonderful, life-affirming books. I'm drumming fingers waiting for 61 already!
I want some strawberries and chocolate. I do love George Clooney. He's very dashing. I think I would choose Ryan Reynolds as my costar in a romcom. He's definitely built. I love ogling men in suits.
Jan, I find it quite quickly, but you know how it is, you have to keep looking - just in case. :)
Now I'd better go and add some words to number 61!
Jane - don't they look good? Perfect breakfast food, surely...
Ryan Reynolds? Off to search google images right now!
Lovely books, lovely authors, Liz. And I agree with Jan, can't wait for #61.
Care with romantic places when it comes to proposals. You might get so carried away by the landscape you don't notice you've been proposed to. I recommend an elevator, preferably stuck between floors.
I too would love some of the stawberries and chocolate yummo
Great guests again Liz and this party is still rocking YAY.
A romantic marriage proposal for me would perhaps be in the Scottish Highlands
Someone that makes me break out is still Hugh Jackman LOL
Give me a supefine coat and a folded cravat
Have Fun
Helen
Hello, Liz - thank you for asking me to help you celebrate 20 years of feel good, uplifting and *fun* romantic novels. Some of your one liners and characters will stay in my mind forever and it was your books that helped me to realise that romantic heroes and heroines could be passionate, real and funny too. Keep on writing - you are going to be the first download on my new Kindle next week!
forgot to add clothes: battered jeans, white shirt, Commando. Failing that, mountain rescue gear. No beard.
Congratulations, Liz - I'm thrilled to be here celebrating 60 books and 20 years with you (and I've read and enjoyed the lot!). Lovely to be here with such nice guests, too :)
Phillipa's question - LOL, my answer might bit a teensy bit obvious, here. (Actually, I was asked yesterday where I got my inspiration. DH rolled his eyes because he knew exactly who I was going to say!)
Jan - got to be faded jeans and a crisp white shirt, for me. (And yes, that IS my David Coverdale fantasy. Hmm. Must go and write the next chapter, now. Lightbulb moment for my hero's clothes - thank you!)
I heard there was a big celebration going on! Congratulations, Liz!!! HMB and your fans (me being one) are lucky to have you. Here's to the next twenty =)
I've brought along Gerry Butler to keep Antonia and Orlando company. I must try one of those strawberries!!!
Oh dear, I'm getting distracted by people mentioning David Coverdale, who may just have inspired my suit jacket and jeans phase (or was that phases?) at university. I don't really have huge preferences for what characters look like, so long as I can believe that they'd be attracted to each other.
Locationwise I think I'll have to say that just about any part of Chatsworth tends to put me in b good mood for agreeing to wild schemes.
60 books is most impressive as well.
Liz ~ I have loved the party and dare I hope that Gilles Marini will drop by?
Since I love the mountains a lot, I think a proposal on the shore of a mountain lake would be fantastic.
Fever = Gilles Marini ~ Yul Brenner ~ Rock Hudson ~ Pat Boone ~ I like them dark/bald and handsome ~ I'm also showing my age with the list.
Clothes ~ I like all kinds of heroes and all types of clothes but a well fitted pair of jeans with a cowboy shirt is probably my favorite. Least favorite is butt crack beer bellied jeans. Some things are not meant to be. Buy a size larger for everyone's sake.
Congratulations again on 60+ books. I'm looking forward to many more.
How could I forget Cary Grant, Patrick Swayze and Richard Gere?
Kalee, I like your list! Yum! Gilles Marini is hot, isn't he?
A romantic place for a proposal, I guess, would have to be on a beach where there is the gentle sound of the backwash of the waves through a pebble shoreline, lit up by the glorious colours of a setting sun.
Fever man: tall, dark, impossibly handsome with just a hint of danger. Reckon the gorgeous Antonio Banderas would fit that description and be perfect in a RomCom. Then there's the older generation, Cary Grant, I loved his movies - Hugh Grant is much like him in a way, and, of course, there's the lovely Alan Rickman. I must stop now.
After talk of cowboys the other day I quite like a man in tight faded jeans and a shirt slightly rolled up at the arms, and open necked. But, I reckon, if the man is the right one he'll look good in anything he wears.
Hi Liz,
Last day of the party and the last day of my vacation. Sniff sniff. The strawberries and chocolate look yummy. I want some now!!
A romantic proposal would be at a deserted beach at sunset.
I like well built and sensitive guys -Gerard Butler (in his nice movies) Robert Downey Jr, Johnny Depp and Eion Bailey too
For dress, I do like a man in nice jeans and a white dress shirt.
Thanks for such a fun party this week
LOL, Jenny! I'll remember that one. :)
So that would be Hugh in Leopold and Kate - but in the Highlands. Nice. :)
Hi Phillipa! Lovely to have you here. And totally buzzed to be first on your Kindle. You will so love it! The Kindle, I mean. :)
Hi Kate - hugs; hope you're enjoying the new car!
Lots of jeans and white shirts. It is a yummy look.
Hi Robyn! Always lovely to see a new man lined up with the butlers. Good choice.
Hi Stevie - ah yes, the suit jacket and jeans. Anyone remember Lovejoy and the dinner jacket and jeans look?
And Chatsworth. Wow. Very classy.
Oh, Kaelee, Pat Boone - my teenage crush! April Love...
Totally with on the the builders rear!
Alexandra, your romantic place gives away the fact that you are a brilliant photographer!
Hi Tammy - lots of yummy suggestions for fever men today.
Alan Rickman, Cary Grant, Hugh Grant, Richard Gere - golly, the list is endless.
Chocolate covered strawberries all round!
Oooh, well it would just have to be George Clooney, in a uniform ~ slurrrp ~ and he could propose to me anywhere. Tescos car-park,if he likes. Now if someone could just point him my way. Honestly, the man has no sense of direction. Cooee, George, over here, waiting, still. Congrats and good luck to all :)x
Romantic spot... you didn't say "when" 1840's in the UK.
Man Hugh Grant :-)
Look gotta have that old cut away with a silk cravat.
I'm rather taken with the idea of the Tesco car park, Sheryl. Just as long as it's George Clooney!
Sorry, I should have thought about when, Wendy. Why 1840? Who is your hero of that era?
Ooh, Antonio (in "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!") and Orlando (as Legolas) are at this party? Oooooh...
Can I lick chocolate off of the guys? That'd be yummy and fun!
As for more hot hotties: Paul Marron, John Abraham (in "Salaam e-Ishq" and "Dostana"), Jude Law (in "Gattaca")... whew, is it getting hotter here?
Oh yeah, rockin part-ee! Where are the cabana boys? I would love some appetizers, strawberries and champagne! Yum! I am drooling here.
Most romantic place for me would be on a beach, as the sun is setting, and the waves gently lapping to shore...oh yes! I say yes!
I love my men in suits the best and uniforms. They just look so dapper and dangerous!
Speaking of handsome how about Gilles Marini. Pierce Brosnan, Maxsim Chermokovsky (Dancing With the Stars), Omar Shariff (Dr. Zhivago), any tall, dark and handsome guys will fill the bill!
Congrats Liz! You take the cake!
So many interesting hot bods, movies, to follow up on this week. I'll be burning up google images, Sheree - just help yourself to the chocolate. There's plenty to go around!
Michele, I do love a man in a suit. Understated, elegant and deadly. Very James Bond. :)
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