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About Nicola Marsh

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Welcome Guest Blogger, Nicola Marsh!

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 00:35.

Living Vicariously

While we’re here, lounging around in our PJs reading blogs, our counterparts are swanning around in San Fran in glam frocks, sensational shoes and cramming as many books as humanly possible into handbags.

Imagine all that chatter, the networking, the catching up with friends, making new ones and general whoop-up time they’re having…and you’re stuck here with me!

So let’s make the most of it J

As writers and readers of romance, we tend to live vicariously through our characters.

Ever get so swept away into a story you actually think you’re part of it? Ever wish you were part of it, particularly with some of those fabulously sexy heroes?

For me, half the fun of writing is getting to live vicariously through my heroines. They’re strong, bold, sassy, modern women who know what they want and how to get it.

Now I think I’m pretty strong, sassy on occasion, modern, definitely…bold? Hmm…not so much, but when a trip I’d booked to Dubai got cancelled a few years ago, I absolutely had to ‘experience’ the mystique, the exotic location and the new culture, so I lived vicariously through Bria Green, the heroine in my current release The Desert Prince's Proposal.

Seeing as I wasn’t going to experience the Middle East first-hand, I went a step further—and invented my own country! A challenge, considering I set most of my books in my fabulous home city, Melbourne, but one I thrived on and once I’d invented my very own desert kingdom of Adhara and Prince Samman al Wali as its ruler, I was swept away.

From a private desert oasis to a French-inspired palace, from the lush palace gardens to a bustling souk, Adhara intrigued me, almost as much as Sam. (Once I saw this picture of actor Rodrigo Santaro, I knew I’d found my prince. Strong, commanding, powerful, gorgeous as all get out!) Of course, every alpha hero needs an equally strong heroine and top Aussie architect Bria Green is more than a match for the headstrong prince.

The Desert Prince's Proposal(Harlequin Romance) is the result of a healthy imagination, a love of romance and that endless quest for happily ever after. Oh, and that wish to live vicariously through my heroines too!

Want to know more? Check out my website for an excerpt. Or better yet, go grab your copy off the shelves right now!

So if you could live vicariously through anyone, who would it be and why?

I’m giving away a signed copy of The Desert Prince's Proposal to a lucky commenter, but remember you have to be registered here at Cigars to win. :)

Happy reading,

Nicola

Hi Nicola, I like the way

Submitted by Avi on Mon, 2008-07-28 04:22.

Hi Nicola, I like the way you think. I love to live through novels too. In your book two weeks mistress and Hot nights with a playboy I was so caught up with it and it was so easy to see myself as the heroine, it was reall fun great reads. If I could live vicariously through anyone it would be an International Events Coordinator. I think it would be such fun to experience/ learn different cultures, scenery and the extensive travel involved.

Thinking the same

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 10:19.

Hi Avi,

Great minds think alike :)
I'm so glad you enjoyed TWO-WEEK MISTRESS and HOT NIGHTS WITH A PLAYBOY (both are personal faves of mine!!!)
When I get swept away in a book, I think the author's done a good job, nothing like the thrill of getting caught up in a story.

And you won't believe this, but one of my upcoming Harlequin Romances has an events coordinator heroine!!

I'm with you, the international travel would be fabulous :)

Nicola
http://www.nicolamarsh.com
THE DESERT PRINCE'S PROPOSAL (Harlequin Romance) July 08
THE BOSS'S BEDROOM AGENDA (Harlequin Modern Heat) Oct 08 UK, (Harlequin Presents) Feb 09
THE BILLIONAIRE'S BABY (Harlequin Romance ) May 09

This topic hits the mark for me

Submitted by Ginanna on Mon, 2008-07-28 04:36.

Hey Nicola, this topic hits the mark for me. This is just one of the ways I learn about different countries. I love novels with exotic locations and I read travel books as much as I can. I would love to live vicariously through an air hostess. the Different locations they go to, the different lanuages they speak as well as the many interactions with people of all nationalities

Topic hitting the mark

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 10:21.

Hi Ginanna,

I'm a huge fan of reading about exotic locations too. It makes the book doubly interesting when you enjoy the story and learn about a new culture at the same time.

Nicola
http://www.nicolamarsh.com
THE DESERT PRINCE'S PROPOSAL (Harlequin Romance) July 08
THE BOSS'S BEDROOM AGENDA (Harlequin Modern Heat) Oct 08 UK, Harlequin Presents Feb 09
THE BILLIONAIRE'S BABY (Harlequin Romance ) May 09

This is an Easy Question

Submitted by lisa on Mon, 2008-07-28 05:02.

Hi Nicola
This is an easy question. I would live vicariously through a Romance author. Because they tell great stories with life added to them, they do research well and they are always so postive. I love your books, in particular Purchase for Pleasure and Mistress to the Tycoon really were outstanding.

Easy question

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 10:22.

Hi Lisa,

I'm thrilled you thought PURCHASED FOR PLEASURE and MISTRESS TO THE TYCOON were outstanding :)

And what a great way to live vicariously through a romance author :)

If I could live vicariously

Submitted by Ellen on Mon, 2008-07-28 08:37.

If I could live vicariously through someone it would be someone who travels throughout the world so I could visit all the fabulous places I can only read about in books.

Travel

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 10:23.

Hi Ellen,

looks like world travel is something we all want to do :)

Welcome Nicola!

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Mon, 2008-07-28 12:44.

I'm here holding down the fort while my blogmates are partying in SF (except for Shirley and Dee, I think, too?) and so we're happy to have a week of guest bloggers to keep up hopping, and what a fun question to start the week with. :)

There are SO many characters I could/do live vicariously through... I suppose if I had to pick a couple, off the top of my head I would choose either Fiona from "Burn Notice" -- the ex IRA hottie who's just a tad psychotic but she's so really capable and gets to pair around with superspy Michael Westen, or Veronica Mars (in her "on again" with Logan stage, heh).

Definitely live vicariously through these two!

But I know what you mean about it in writing, too, it's definitely fodder for a rich fantasy life or maybe having a rich fantasy life is fodder for writing... one way or the other. :)

Sam

Holding down the fort

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 12:49.

Hi Sam,

while everyone else is whooping it up in SF, some of us have to hold down the fort, right? :)

Burn Notice looks fabulous! I don't get to watch much TV because I write at night once the kiddies in bed but I remember seeing the ads for that and thinking it looked great.

Oh, yes...

Submitted by Sassa on Mon, 2008-07-28 13:29.

Living vicariously through my heroines is definitely a perk to writing! I love creating fabulous heroes from them (and myself) to fall in love with. To me, romance stories are like little mini love affairs...only they don't get you in trouble! :P

(PS. Don't include me in the contest, as I already won a copy on another site!)

Mini love affairs

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 13:31.

Sassa,

you're soooo right.
It's fabulous fun creating heroes to fall in love with :)

It's so true...

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Mon, 2008-07-28 13:41.

Must add the disclaimer as we all do that love dh madly, but most of my stories start with some little hero fantasy or another... I think that is another version of living vicariously through the heroine, though, right?

Nicola, Burn Notice is the best TV show I've come across in a long while. Not just because Jeff Donovan is wildly hot, but the stories and characterization are amazing for all of the cast -- Sharon Gless does an amazing job, as do the others. It's one of the rare shows that finds it's footing both in story and character very quickly and grabs on, you know?

Sam

Fantasies

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 13:43.

Definitely another perk of living vicariously through heroines :)

Nicola

http://www.nicolamarsh.com
THE DESERT PRINCE'S PROPOSAL (Harlequin Romance) July 08
THE BOSS'S BEDROOM AGENDA (Harlequin Modern Heat) Oct 08 UK, Harlequin Presents Feb 09
THE BILLIONAIRE'S BABY (Harlequin Romance ) May 09

The bewitching hour

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 13:42.

It's almost midnight here and I've revised enough for one night so I'm heading off to bed.
Will pop back in the morning :)

Go to bed you crazy woman. ;)

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Mon, 2008-07-28 13:46.

Up so late... We'll keep things hopping here (won't we people?) and leave you plenty to respond to in the morning... :)

Sam

Hi!

Submitted by fedora on Mon, 2008-07-28 15:35.

Hi, Nicola! The whole living vicariously is one big reason I love reading :) Recently I've been reading more historicals, and I've been enjoying the whole old West experience (like Stacey Kayne's Wilds) without all the dirt and hard work ;) And Claudia Dain's The Courtesan's Daughter was a lovely way to "experience" the glamour and glitz Regency period without the downsides :) Now if there was only a way to transfer the whole parenting thing to a vicarious experience...

Vicarious parenting

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 22:28.

After a fairly sleepless night with a teething bub, I hear you about the vicarious parenting, Fedora ;)

Oy!

Submitted by fedora on Mon, 2008-07-28 22:49.

Hugs, Nicola! I could never seem to figure out while it was happening that teething was the cause of night-time troubles, so I'd just end up completely stressed and frustrated. Then a day or two later, a tooth bump would appear and then the light would go on (figuratively)... Yes, I wouldn't mind just reading about these experiences ;) But your little one must be completely adorable!

Babies

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 22:51.

He is, Fedora :)

He isn't a bad sleeper usually (well, lately, anyway!) nor does he cry much so if he has a bad night where he keeps waking a really screaming, I put it down to teething.
Used to stress me out with the first one, just taking it in my stride this time around :)

Nothing new to add really

Submitted by goddessani on Mon, 2008-07-28 15:55.

I love reading for all the reasons listed: getting to be someone else for awhile, thinking all the hot heroes are mine, getting to experience another time period without all the struggles (dirt, stays, rules).

But if I were going to live vicariously for just one day, I'd like to be Angelina Jolie on Oscars night. To be dressed fabulously, escorted by Brad Pitt and see/schmooze with all the other beautiful people. I think it would be a kick!

ani

Brad Pitt

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 22:32.

In a fab dress on Brad's arm?
Yes please, Ani :)

Hi Nicola, and welcome to

Submitted by Karen Foley on Mon, 2008-07-28 18:14.

Hi Nicola, and welcome to Cigars!! Fun post, and I love your cover...the heroine reminds me a bit of a blonde Hilary Swank. As for your question, I had to give this some thought, especially in regards to which books I've read that have completely pulled me in. I have to say that I would want to live vicariously through Diana Gabaldon's heroine, Claire Beauchamp, from the Outlander series. The reason?? Jamie Fraser...in a kilt. ;)

I would live vicariously

Submitted by Buddy on Mon, 2008-07-28 18:27.

I would live vicariously through a heroine who have figured out what she wants in life, has a great job, travels and gets to eat many foods she has never tasted. She is a reviewer for a magazine and travels the world to sample food at 5 star restaurants in clubs, on cruise ships, at hotels in Paris, Milan, etc. She then writes a review for 'Tastebud Temptations' magazine(made that up).
I would love this job and to be this confident woman who travels alone and has a great time sightseeing while doing her job.

Kilts

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 22:33.

Thanks Karen!

Jamie Fraser...say no more :)

Hi Nicola

Submitted by Maureen on Mon, 2008-07-28 18:34.

I would love to live vicariously through someone who is a photographer for National Geographic and travels around the world taking those wonderful pictures.

Travel

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 22:33.

Sounds great, Maureen :)

I would live vicariously

Submitted by Ilona (not verified) on Mon, 2008-07-28 18:51.

I would live vicariously through anyone travelling around Australia. I just love the contradictory extremes of that country :D

Australia

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 22:34.

You should try the extremes of weather in Melbourne, Ilona ;)

Hi Nicola

Submitted by cherierj on Mon, 2008-07-28 19:58.

If I had to pick a person whose job I wouldn't mind having it would be a travel reviewer. I would love to travel to resorts and bed and breakfasts and be paid to review these places.

More travel

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 22:38.

Hi Cherie,
resorts and B&Bs sound good to me!

Welcome Nicola!

Submitted by Susan on Mon, 2008-07-28 20:50.

Hi Nicola, I do all of my traveling through novels. I'm truly looking forward to Zac's story but it seems that he doesn't want to leave you!

Two Weeks in the Magnate's Bed

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 22:40.

Hi Susan!

You're so right. I was working till almost midnight again last night trying to whip this current hero into shape.

Zac is charming, gorgeous and just a tad infuriating!!!

He'll be on the shelves next March in the UK, in the US a tad later...if I ever finish these revisions, that is :)

Hi Nicola, I like the idea

Submitted by J.K. Coi on Mon, 2008-07-28 22:23.

Hi Nicola, I like the idea of making up your own country!
If I could live vicariously through anyone, it would probably be a paleontologist from the the mid-1800's, George Dawson, who is credited as the person to discover the first dinosaur in Canada (right in the area where I was born, although much later, of course, lol) Wouldn't that be amazing!

J.K. Coi
Immortals To Die For
www.jkcoi.com

Dinosaurs

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Mon, 2008-07-28 22:42.

Wow, J.K.,
that sounds interesting!
My kinder kid's obsessed with dinosaurs, think he'd join you :)

I live vicariously thru the

Submitted by Estella on Mon, 2008-07-28 23:27.

I live vicariously thru the heroine of every books I read.
I read most genres, so I get to meet all sorts of heroes and see so many different places.

Reading

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Tue, 2008-07-29 02:27.

That's the beauty of reading, Estella :)
So many stories, so many places to 'see'...

Hi Nicola, I've enjoyed

Submitted by Emily 209 on Tue, 2008-07-29 02:24.

Hi Nicola,
I've enjoyed reading your blog very much. I wish you much success with your book!

Emily.

Blog

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Tue, 2008-07-29 02:26.

Thanks Emily!

The Winner is..........

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Tue, 2008-07-29 14:31.

JK Coi!

Congrats, JK -- I've sent Nicola your email, and she'll contact you about your prize. :)

I'm posting this for her, since I think she's sleeping peacefully about now *G*

Sam

Winner

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Tue, 2008-07-29 22:23.

Thanks for choosing a winner for me Sam while I was off in noddy-land.
I would've found it very difficult to choose!!!
Wish I could send you all a book :)

Thanks to the gang at LIAEC for having me. It's been fun!

And I hope everyone continues to live vicariously through the wonderful world of books :)

Woo Hoo!!

Submitted by goddessani on Tue, 2008-07-29 16:35.

Congrats to JK!!

ani

JK

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Tue, 2008-07-29 22:24.

Is it just me that everytime I see those initials I immediately think of Harry Potter? ;)

YAY ME!! Thanks so much

Submitted by J.K. Coi on Tue, 2008-07-29 23:23.

YAY ME!! Thanks so much Nicola, I look forward to reading your book!

J.K. Coi
Immortals To Die For
www.jkcoi.com

I once tried to convince my editor...

Submitted by ShirleyJump on Sat, 2008-08-02 23:33.

When I was writing a book set in this really cool place in Florida (HER FROG PRINCE) that the only way to REALLY write it well was for Harlequin to spring for a field trip (it was an in-house generated continuity, after all. You'd think they'd see the wisdom in this plan). But alas, they didn't. And I had to rely on Google.

Sigh.

It was worth a shot :-)

Welcome to Cigars, Nicola!

Shirley

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Available Now: BOARDROOM BRIDE AND GROOM, Harlequin Romance
A little magic brought them together once...or was it all an illusion?
Still in stores: REALLY SOMETHING
www.shirleyjump.com

Research

Submitted by Nicola Marsh on Sun, 2008-08-03 01:41.

Definitely worth a shot, Shirley :)

I love my research trips. Unfortunately (for my waistline) most of them involve food havens around Melbourne ;)

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