Archive for July, 2011

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Photo Friday: Around the office

Angela James | July 29th, 2011

Here’s a peek at some of the things you might see as you’re walking through the Harlequin digital team’s open-concept office space.

An eHarlequin mousepad (on Amy’s desk)

Stunning artwork (by Aideen’s boys)

Editing resources (at Dana’s desk, of course, since she’s a copy editor)

Olympics mittens from 2 years ago when the Olympics were in Vancouver (I have a pair of these myself, they’re awesome)

A poster of shoes. Anyone who knows her will know this is Malle’s. She loves shoes!

A boogie button. For what else? Boogying!

I did not know until this picture, but Jenny collects frogs. Or people started collecting them for her, anyway.

Vintage Harlequin paraphernalia. There’s actually Harlequin items EVERYWHERE in this office. Go figure, right? ;)

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Posted in Carina Press | 1 Comment »

Guilty Pleasures

Rhonda Helms | July 28th, 2011

I don’t know about you guys, but I have a nice little stack of guilty pleasures I whip out when I’m in need of a little nurturing me-time. I’ve been known to pour a glass of wine and listen to Air Supply’s Greatest Hits on album (MAKIN’ LOOOOVE!). Or buy those individual Haggen Daas servings of chocolate and peanut butter ice cream…and eat it in the car…in the parking lot of the grocery store. Hey, don’t judge. haha

Here’s a list of a few of my top guilty pleasures right now:

–Buying, like, 85 books at once for my Kindle. I can’t help it…I get in a “MUST BUY MOAR BOOKZ” zone and have to have ‘em. I do this with Carina authors especially (I typically buy those on our site, then convert and upload to my Kindle).

–The Best of Bread. Yup, another cheesetacular album I adore. I can’t help it–I wanna make it with youuuuu… *girl sniffle*

–Pedicures. The “guilt” part comes in because it feels so decadent to sit there all sloth-like, half drooling and comatose, and let someone else rub my feet. I could do that for hours.

–Soaking in the bathtub. This one used to be more of a guilty pleasure when I hung out in the tub of our one bathroom for an hour, blissfully ignoring my kids banging on the door. They’re older now and easier to distract. haha

–Carbs. Sigh. I’m on a low-carb diet right now. The dark, dark side of me eyes that delicious loaf of bread and thinks, “Just one slice. Come on, do eet. DO EET.” Luckily, the diet I’m on allows you one “cheat” day a week, which shall hereafter be referred to as “Rhonda’s Happy Magic Carb Overload Day.”

Okay, your turn. What are your favorite guilty pleasures? Do you hide chocolate from your kids so you can eat it all? Dig schlocky music like I do? Dish!

Posted in Random conversation | 13 Comments »

Writing a Novel, One Mile at a Time

Liz_Fichera | July 27th, 2011

Craving Perfect Not all novels are written behind a laptop, at a coffee shop, in Vermont, or in a home office—you know, the muse-loving and serene places where you’d expect writers to write, surrounded by unlimited pots of black coffee and the occasional pastry. In truth, I write most of my novels in my home office but that was not the case for my latest release from Carina Press, Craving Perfect.

At the time I wrote Craving Perfect, I had this crazy idea that I was going to train for a marathon. Competing in a marathon has always been something on my bucket list and while I didn’t have any illusions that I would actually win a marathon, I certainly held out hope that I could finish one.

But training for a marathon takes time. A lot of time. Like, sometimes hours every day.

And since I’m supposed to be at home writing my next novel, guilt-creep quickly set in because I was spending so much time at my local gym, training. There were days when I would spend anywhere from a minimum of two hours to almost four hours at my new home-away-from-home.

One day as I was logging mile after mile on the treadmill at the gym, wondering if I was kidding myself with the whole marathon thing, a book idea popped into my brain when the girl running beside me fell off her treadmill.  (No worries. She was okay. Just embarassed).  But soon I began to see people at my gym who I thought would make fabulous characters for my shiny new book idea.  Then I started to flesh out a rough outline. Finally I began to write the first chapter. And the second. And the third. And so on and so on. All in my head.

Energized by my run and a head drunk with new plot ideas, I’d rush home and shower and then begin pounding out my story into my laptop. It got to the point where I couldn’t write without first running at least 6-10 miles. Talk about incentive! Some people call this runner’s high but I’m here to tell you that I had full-fledged writer’s high.

Craving Perfect was written one mile at a time. I went through four pairs of running shoes by the time I typed “The End” on my first draft. All of the characters are based on people I observed at my gym (which will remain nameless). And I have one very well-used, industrial-sized treadmill to thank for it, although my knees may never be the same.

Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever written or read a book?

Curious about Craving Perfect?  Here’s the back cover copy:

A Life Less…Hers

Grace Mills craves being perfect almost as much as she craves raspberry scones. In fact, her life would be perfect if only she could lose ten more pounds, if only the pastry café she co-owns with her sister would turn a profit, if only the hottest guy at the gym would look her way…

And then “if only” comes true. Grace is suddenly straddling two lives: an alternate reality where she’s a size two, weathergirl celebrity and being chased by the hot guy. Only Mr. Gorgeous isn’t very nice.

In her other life, she’s starting to realize her sister is less than happy running the family café, and hunky Carlos, the gym’s janitor, seems to have a secret crush on her. Maybe there’s more to him than meets the eye…

Grace is living two lives and it’s beginning to cost her. Is there a way to pick one…that’s perfect?

******

Liz Fichera still runs almost every day, although mostly to balance out her daily chocolate intake.  When she’s not training at her local gym or pounding out her next novel into her laptop, you’ll find her in all the usual places on the web.  She’s also the author of Captive Spirit (2010) and the upcoming Hooked (Harlequin Teen, 2013).  Don’t hesitate to drop by her web site, blog, Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads where she loves to discuss books, writing, and food, although not necessarily in that order.  She promises not to force anyone to run a 5-minute mile, not unless they want to.

Posted in Authors, Books, Carina Press | 17 Comments »

A Novel Soundtrack

Shannon Curtis | July 26th, 2011

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I have really enjoyed the process with developing Viper’s Kiss. It all started with a dare from my husband . He was travelling to Seattle and Las Vegas for conferences, and if I could find dirt cheap airfares, I could come, too. Ha! Should have seen his face when I showed him the tickets. Should have seen his face when I got upgraded and he didn’t!

But while DH was busy with conferences, I was exploring Seattle surrounds with two fabulous guides – Shelli Stevens and Judy Wiebe. Imagine my surprise to discover these wonderful ladies could also write great stories! (Shelli’s book, Negligee Behaviour, can also be found at Carina Press: http://tiny.cc/q35s5). I spent some time at Odegaard Library at University of the Washington, and the characters of Viper’s Kiss were born.

I’ve since been asked – where do I get my ideas? To which I usually make a pyramid with my fingers and laugh with a Machiavellian sneer (that’s not as easy as it sounds, by the way!) A lot of the times, the scenes play out in my head like a movie, then I have to race and write it down. But I do find that music can feed my muse. I’ll think about the tone of the scene that I want to achieve, and then I’ll set the scene around me to help me to write it – and this usually involves music. Nice, romantic Mozart for a dinner date, or some rock guitar with a heavy bass for an action scene. I will spend hours scanning iTunes for just the right piece, and add it to my playlist. Unfortunately the playlists don’t play during edits. They require a little more concentration – for those times when you’ve written something like: “Maybe he would kill her – or worse…” only to have your editor ask very politely whether possibly death could be the worst.

Anyhoo, I’ve discovered that music can help my writing, and I thought I would share with you the playlist for Viper’s Kiss:

1) Theme from Mission Impossible

2) Don’t Cha, by Pussycat Dolls

3) Does Your Mother Know, by Abba

4) Mistaken Identity, by Delta Goodrem

5) A Little Less Conversation, by Elvis vs JXL

6) Vertigo, by U2

7) Buttons, by Pussycat Dolls

8) Cream, by Prince

9) Master Assassin, by Jesper Kyd

10) I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, by Bon Jovi

11) (You’re  the) Devil in Disguise (Elvis Presley)

12) Run To You, Bryan Adams

13) Flight over Venice 2, by Jesper Kyd

14) I’m Gonna Getcha Good, by Shania Twain

15) Theme from MacGyver, originally created by Randy Edelman, performed by Charles Fernandez

16) Beverly Hills Cop (Axel F.), by Starlight Orchestra

I’m giving away a copy of Viper’s Kiss: Tell me – what are your favourite songs to ‘do’ something to? Whether it’s doing the vacuuming to getting your mojo on, what is on YOUR playlist? I’ll randomly select from the posts and announce the winner on 5th August through the comments!

Viper’s Kiss by Shannon Curtis
Librarian Maggie Kincaid yearns for excitement—but being accused of espionage is not what she had in mind. Wanted by the police, the FBI and the criminal element, Maggie goes on the run—and runs straight into sexy Luke Fletcher. Unfortunately, when Luke pulls out the handcuffs, it’s not because he has something kinky in mind…

Security expert Luke is intent on seeing the murderous spy known only as Viper brought to justice. The un-spy-like behavior of his fugitive makes him suspect he’s apprehended the wrong woman. Just as they give in to lust, new evidence convinces Luke that Maggie’s not as innocent as she claims to be.

Devastated by Luke’s inability to trust her, Maggie runs again. She’s determined to clear her name, and if that means tracking down a notorious spy even Interpol can’t, then that’s just what she’ll do…

Shannon Curtis has worked as a switchboard operator, dangerous goods handler, logistics centre supervisor and real estate administration manager, and now writes copy and content by day, romantic suspense by night…

Follow me on Twitter: @2BShannonCurtis

Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannon-Curtis/#!/pages/Shannon-Curtis/177000805653410

Visit my website: www.shannoncurtis.com

Visit my blog: http://shannoncurtis.wordpress.com/

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Posted in Authors, Books, Carina Press, Contest/Giveaway | 19 Comments »

You tell us: What should a digital book be priced?

Angela James | July 25th, 2011

Trying something new here on the Carina Press blog! I spend a lot of time telling you things, things that are going on behind the scenes, what we’re doing, what the new releases are, and all assortment of writing and editing advice.

Now it’s your turn, I’d like you to tell me what you think! This week, I’m wondering: what do you think is a fair digital book price? As readers, we see all assortment of prices for digital books. Everything from free to 99 cents to $13 and up!

Let’s assume we’re talking about a novel-length work, a mass market size book of a word count of between 70,000 and 100,000 words. What do you think, what’s a fair price? I’m really interested in your responses, so I hope you’ll tell me what you think!

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Posted in Carina Press | 75 Comments »

Photo Friday: Look up!

Angela James | July 22nd, 2011

I don’t get a chance to visit the Harlequin offices in NYC very often, but I always tell people who are visiting for the first time to be prepared: you’re going to stop and look up.

You see, the NYC Harlequin offices are in the historic Woolworth building. One of the oldest skyscrapers in the world, and still one of the fifty tallest buildings in the world, it’s also closed to tourists. Which makes visiting the Harlequin offices that much more fun, because not only is the outside gorgeous, the inside is…astounding. I only have a few pictures that I snapped on the main floor to share. I think I’ll ahve to take a journey back, so I can share some of the other detail that I didn’t capture.

In the meantime, if you get a chance to visit the Harlequin offices in NYC: look up!

(this is me on the stairs that are at the back of the first floor. I’m not actually pouting, I was mugging for the camera)

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Posted in Carina Press | 3 Comments »

“The Call” — Lorelie Brown

Lorelie_Brown | July 20th, 2011



On Monday, Carina Press published my very first western. Catch Me is the story of Maggie Bullock, a woman who is so devoted to her family that she’d rob a bank to pay for her father’s medical care, and Dean Collier as the bounty hunter tracking her down.
I love this story.

Even if I was breathing in exhaust fumes when I got the call from Angela James.

My husband was home from work because he’d had ankle surgery a couple weeks earlier, but he was getting stir-crazy. (Come to think of it, he’d had ankle surgery just days before I sold my first book. Hmm. Think it’d be too much to ask that he go in for another round?) So we decided that we’d have an outing. Just to Target, nothing big.

Have you ever taken a post-ankle-surgery alpha male to the store? He vacillated between taking an almost manic joy in riding the scooter and trying to push it to extreme speeds and thenrealizing that good lord, he’s only in his 30s and in the complimentary scooter. It’s not pleasant.

Plus we had our three year old with us.

I’m pretty sure I managed to spend double what I should have, just because I had no idea what was going in the cart. But eventually I managed to herd them out the door and to the car. “Oh, sure. I’ll unload the cart. Really, it is NO problem at all. Just get in the car. Get in the car NOW.”

Phew.

Then my phone rang as I wheeled the cart back to the corral, with a number I didn’t recognize. And here’s the thing: I almost didn’t answer. Being with my family at Target meant I couldn’t Twitter-stalk–cough, er, follow–Angela James with my usual closeness, so I didn’t know she was making acquisition calls.

But I answered. And she introduced herself. And the next ten minutes were kind of a blur.

Basically the only thing I remember was repeatedly leaning down to look at my husband and his perplexed expression and giving him the “five minutes” hand signal. I’m pretty sure I did it every minute and a half of the phone call. At least, being November in the Southwest, the weather was absolutely gorgeous. I paced the length of our car repeatedly, even as I breathed in exhaust and probably frightened people who thought I was casing their cars for break ins. By the time it ended, I thought my husband was going to take the keys and drive us home, his cast be damned.

For the record, I did manage to pull it together and get our little contingent home safely.

Now every time I look at that lovely, lean man on my cover, I think of the Target parking lot. I’m fine with that, so long as it means readers will get to know smart-mouthed Maggie and tortured, angsty Dean.

***

Lorelie Brown writes historical romance. Usually. When she’s not being distracted by slightly smutty contemporary ideas. She lives in the Southwest with her soldier husband and their three sons. You can find her at her homepage and on facebook, but if you want to hear her say slightly (ok, make that VERY) inappropriate things, Twitter is definitely the place.

Posted in Carina Press | 24 Comments »

Mixing Romance With Politics STILL Can Be Fatal

Marie Force | July 19th, 2011

By: Marie Force

Happy launch week for Fatal Consequences, book 3 in the Fatal Series! Sam, Nick and their cast of supporting characters are back for another installment in the series that pairs a Washington, D.C. homicide detective with a U.S. Senator. In this third book, Sam and Nick are thrust into another high-profile murder case in which his world bumps up against hers, causing no end to the fireworks as our favorite couple also try to plan a wedding in the midst of mayhem. Here’s a little bit about Fatal Consequences:

The murder of two members of the Capitol Cleaning Service might’ve been just another homicide investigation—that is if one of them hadn’t been romantically involved with a married senator from Arizona. Lt. Sam Holland and her team are plunged into another complex case that at first seems open and shut. But as Sam tugs on the threads of the investigation she uncovers a deep, dark Washington secret that threatens the careers of some of the government’s highest-ranking officials. Racing to catch a killer before he can strike again, Sam and her fiancé, U.S. Senator Nick Cappuano, attempt to plan a wedding while her colleague Detective Tommy “Gonzo” Gonzales faces life-changing news.

Here’s a brief excerpt:

Nick approached her from behind, resting his hands on her shoulders and massaging the tense spots. He knew exactly where her stress collected, and it was all Sam could do to remain standing as his talented fingers hit all the right places. “It’s getting late, babe.”
“Did you clean up my desk again?”
“Maybe.”
“It’s a sickness. You have a sickness.”
“Guilty as charged.” He laughed softly and planted a kiss on her neck. Desire rippled through her. She was so easy where he was concerned, and he knew it. “What’s up with the case?”
The facts ran through her mind like a silent movie. “Until I get Lindsey’s report, I’m at a standstill.”
“Then let’s go home.”
Back in the day, Sam would’ve waited all night—if necessary—for the autopsy report and lab results. Now, though, she had a good reason to go home. She looked up at him. “Sorry for letting work invade our day off. Maybe one of these days we’ll succeed in actually scoring a full day off.”
“We can dream.”
She let him help her into her coat and lead her from the office. “I know you really needed the break.”
“Not your fault, and besides, I did get a day off from campaigning, so it’s all good.”
“We missed out on our early Valentine’s Day,” she said once they were in the car.
He reached for her hand, laced his fingers through hers. “Every day with you is Valentine’s Day.”
Sam smiled at him. “Even if we end up on different sides on this case?”
“We may not always agree, Sam, but we’re always on the same side.”
She relaxed into the heated leather seat and enjoyed the companionable silence. That was one of her favorite things about her relationship with Nick. Even in the quiet spaces between words, she was always in tune with him. In the past, when she’d been unhappily married to a manipulative man who wanted to control her every thought, she’d often been lonely even when he was sitting next to her on the sofa or lying next to her in bed. She had never once felt that way with Nick.
“What’re you thinking about over there?” he asked.
“I’m thinking about us.”
“What about us?”
“Could I ask you something and will you tell me the truth?”
He glanced at her. “Of course you can and of course I will.”
“When we’re together, do you ever feel lonely?”
“Lonely?” He released a short laugh. “That is one thing I never feel when I’m with you.”
“Good,” Sam said, relieved. “That’s good.”
Nick parallel parked on Ninth Street, killed the engine and turned to face her, reaching out to caress her cheek. “What’s that all about?”
“Sometimes, well…a lot of the time when I was with Peter, I remember being lonely even when he was right there with me. I was thinking that I’ve never felt that way with you, and I was hoping you hadn’t either.”
“I’ve never felt that way, and I’m glad you haven’t.” He reached for her, and she leaned into his embrace. “If you’re ever lonely, will you tell me?”
She nodded. “Will you?”
“I promise.”
“I doubt it’ll ever be an issue between us. Everything about this is different.”
“Yes,” he said, kissing her. “It is. Come on, let’s go in.”

I’m really excited to get Fatal Consequences out to readers this week! You can find it at Carina Press and everywhere ebooks are sold. Sam and Nick’s big year continues on Aug. 22 when we begin to reveal the choices readers made back in February for the Fatal wedding. Watch my blog, http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com, for the grand reveal over the 14 days leading up to the launch of the wedding novella, Fatal Destiny, on Sept. 5. As we reveal the wedding choices, we’ll have all new prizes and chances to win copies of the books.

I’m happy to take any questions readers might have about plans for the Fatal Series. Sam and Nick told me they are also happy to take questions. I’ll give away a copy of Fatal Consequences to the respondent with the best question, so fire away!

Marie Force is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Fatal Series from Harlequin’s Carina Press. The series includes FATAL AFFAIR, FATAL JUSTICE, FATAL CONSEQUENCES and FATAL DESTINY, which is out Sept. 5. “This novel is ‘The O.C. does D.C.,’ and you just can’t get enough.” (RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars for FATAL AFFAIR). In its July 2010 issue, RT Book Reviews named Marie a “Future Star of Romantic Suspense.”

Marie is also the author of the following contemporary romances: EVERYONE LOVES A HERO, LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT, TRUE NORTH, THE FALL and THE WRECK as well as her popular McCarthys of Gansett Island Series: MAID FOR LOVE, FOOL FOR LOVE and READY FOR LOVE.

Since 1996, Marie has been the communications director for a national organization similar to RWA. She is a member of RWA’s New England and Published Author Special Interest Chapters.

While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and a feisty dog named Brandy.

Find her at www.mariesullivanforce.com, on her blog at http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com, where she runs the weekly Romance & Oreos Book Club, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Force/248130827909, and on Twitter @marieforce. Marie loves to hear from readers. Contact her at marie@marieforce.com.

Posted in Books, Carina Press, Contest/Giveaway, Excerpt | 9 Comments »

Falling Hard for Rock Stars

JK_Coi | July 19th, 2011

What is it about rock stars that make our hearts start beating a little faster? What is it that sets them apart from the rest? Is it just the music, the glorification of wickedness? Maybe that they will always represent rebellion and a bucking of the establishment? Or maybe there’s something else that the really great rock stars seem to embody that turns them from flesh and blood human beings into icons whose names will be remembered by people the world over in the generations to come.

When I started writing FALLING HARD, it was a no-brainer to me that Gabriel would be a rock star. I think it took all of ten seconds to make that decision—and it probably wasn’t even a conscious decision now that I think about it. It just was.

And it was obvious that he wasn’t going to be just any musician, but the kind of rock star that the newspapers and magazines have a field day snapping pictures of and reporting on. Gabriel would be the epitome of the hard-living, selfish musician words cause mamas to cover children’s ears, whose actions are imitated by misguided teenagers, and whose loud, aggressive music causes preachers to glance heavenward and make the sign of the cross.

So why would I choose this type of in-your-face character for the hero of a book featuring angels? He doesn’t exactly seem like the kind of person the average reader can relate to, does he?

Well, haven’t we all wanted to see what really lurks beneath all that glitzy self-indulgence and attitude? Don’t we want to know what makes them human? And don’t we sometimes envy that life just a little bit? (for just a flicker of a second)

For Gabriel, the kicker is that he isn’t human…at least not entirely. It’s probably more than a little ironic that his rock-star character, for all his bad choices and dark past, tries to turn his life around…only to discover that he really does have the devil inside. (The people who persecuted Elvis would probably be having a field day with this.)

Gabriel has to make another choice. The hardest one of his life. And in the end, it has nothing to do with being an angel, a devil, a rock star. In the end when you strip it all down, he’s just a man fighting his demons.

And that’s a character that everyone can relate to.

FALLING HARD is now available from Carina Press!

After a life filled with tragedy, rocker Gabriel Gunn thinks he’s finally getting the better of his personal demons. Then he’s attacked after a concert—and rescued by a warrior goddess brandishing a sword and white wings. As hard as it is to believe in an angelic bodyguard, Gabriel must face an even more impossible truth: he carries the devil’s soul within him.

Amelia has been watching over Gabriel for years, using her angelic powers to prevent Lucifer’s return. Now she must also protect him from warring angel factions with their own agendas. Amelia would do anything to avert another angelic war, even sacrifice her own emotions to avoid temptation. Yet with Gabriel she feels things she no longer wants to deny, and pleasure she never imagined.

But the closer Gabriel and Amelia get, the stronger Lucifer becomes. Will Amelia be forced to kill the man she’s come to love to stop the war she’s always feared?

J.K. Coi is a multi-published, award winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance and urban fantasy. She makes her home in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and son and a feisty black cat who is the uncontested head of the household. While she spends her days immersed in the litigious world of insurance law, she is very happy to spend her nights writing dark and sexy characters who leap off the page and into readers’ hearts.

Visit her on the web: www.jkcoi.com
Blog: www.jkcoi.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jkcoi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JKCoiAuthor

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Posted in Authors, Books, Carina Press | 4 Comments »

Photo Friday: Marilyn Denis Show

Angela James | July 15th, 2011

Some of you may remember that I appeared on Canadian morning talk show, The Marilyn Denis Show last January. If you didn’t see the clip, you can see it here.The entire experience was amazing and a little surreal (and I’d do it again in a heartbeat!), and though I’ve never really blogged about my experiences, I did take a few pictures that I also never got a chance to share, so here they are!

Premakeup early in the morning. Just me and those HOT, unflattering white lights.

All of the makeup used on the show is MAC. It was like a MAC store had exploded in there (heaven!). I didn’t get a picture of my makeup artist, but she was fabulous. So glad not to do my own makeup.

Pre-show walk through. This is the man who was on the segment before me, giving gardening tips. He was a very handsome lad (and so nice!). Several ladies after the show asked if they could have their pictures taken with him.

And here’s his actual segment. I’m standing outside the studio, waiting for my turn. This is right in the CTV building entryway, so this is what people see as they walk into the building.

And now I’m backstage because it’s almost my turn. Just a few more minutes!

Live Studio audience

My segment producer, Roz. She was fantastic!

And here I am, post show, with Marilyn, holding the ereaders. I was the very last segment (nothing like being forced to wait!) The one thing I can say is that Marilyn made it all seem so very easy. And she groomed me! As I was walking up for my segment (during the commercials) she fixed my hair. She was lovely, I had a fantastic time, and I wish I had more reasons to pitch a few segment ideas for her show!

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Posted in Behind the Scenes | 5 Comments »

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