Well done to everybody who had a go at matching us with our childhood photos. It wasn’t easy – except for Barbara Hannay with that baby koala (big clue!) and Nicola Marsh, whose lovely dark hair was an equal giveaway I think!
Anyway, here are the answers:
And the winner is … Summer, who scored an amazing 7 out of 10! Congratulations, Summer! An Amazon gift voucher will be on its way to you as soon as you let me know your email address ( jessica@jessicahart.co.uk).
What did you want to be when you were little? At six, I was determined to be an air hostess, but as I have grown into a horrible fear of flying perhaps it’s just as well I stumbled into writing instead.
Little did I know when I first started writing that I would end up knowing so many fabulous women around the world, almost all of whom share my propensity for procrastination! The Harlequin Romance Authors’ loop is a prime displacement activity for many of us, and we had a great time before Christmas sharing photos of when we were small. We enjoyed the pictures so much, in fact, that we thought we’d share them with you for a little light-hearted contest to beat those post holiday blues.
The ten little girls on the right below all grew up to be Harlequin Romance authors. Can you guess who’s who?
We’re offering a $20 Amazon gift voucher to anyone who can match the numbered photo to the author.
Who’s that Daddy’s Girl (No 1), or No 2, modelling a future cover? Identify No 3, tucking into her egg, No 4, squandering natural resources and No 5, totally at ease with her own body. (How long is it since you could flash a nipple that carelessly?)
No 6 wins the fashion award, I think – check out that very smart tartan skirt (you can’t see in this pic, but she had some cutting edge white boots to go with it) – while No 7 is definitely in the running for sheer cuteness award and No 8 for the widest smile (apparently the television was new and they were all thrilled with it!).
And finally, what about No 9 (in case you’re wondering, that’s a dead crow she’s holding!) and No 10 (come on, that koala has got to be a big old clue!)
So go on, have a go – and don’t forget to come back next week when all will be revealed and we’ll announce the winner! We reckon it’ll be hard to get everyone right, so if there’s no outright winner, we’ll do a draw from those with the highest score.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE ROMANCE AUTHORS!
To celebrate the season, we’re holding one final contest for 2012! Each day from tomorrow until Christmas, we’re giving you a glimpse at the wide variety and styles of our Christmas Trees. Just as no two snowflakes are the same, it’s safe to say neither are two trees! Each day leave a comment in the comments section* to be entered for our Christmas prize – which is going to include several books AND gift cards and very likely some added surprises!
Our last entry will be on Christmas Eve, and we’ll draw for the winner on Boxing Day.
Remember – come back tomorrow to see the first tree, and get your name in on the draw!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
*one entry per day
Authors’ work spaces are as unique as their writing styles. Some have full-fledged offices in their homes. Some make due with a desk in the corner of a bedroom. Others prefer to take their laptops and plunk down wherever they please. And others still leave home altogether, setting up shop in a coffee house when the mood strikes.
Here is a peek at where some of us spend our time when we’re working on the stories you ultimately read. Best of all – leave a comment and we’ll do a draw for a $20 gift card from the winner’s choice of either amazon or Barnes and Noble!
Donna Alward penned her RITA-nominated book and others from this spot.
Nikki Logan offers a virtual tour of her home office in this YouTube video. At the start of the video is Nikki’s “big fella” that inspired ‘Deputy Dawg’ in ‘Slow Dance with the Sheriff’, and the three-legged-cat that is her newest resident. The cat lost its leg in a dog attack, which Nikki says makes him all the more amazing for being so relaxed around a dog the size of a small horse.
This is where RITA-award-winning author Barbara Hannay does most of her writing, but she also loves to get up very early before it’s light and write in her dining room, which has beautiful views of valley and hills. “I watch the day get gradually lighter as I write — one of my favourite ways to start the day.”
Jessica Hart offers this look at her office in its “natural state.” ”I didn’t have time to tidy, so just snapped a picture as it is, but on reflection I could have picked up those bits of paper – a draft version that I chuck over my shoulder when I’ve finished with it. I love things tidy but somehow it just doesn’t happen when I’m writing.”
Welcome to Joss Wood‘s office! Looks like Joss works best in a neat environment (or did she do a mad clean before snapping her pic?)!
Jackie Braun loves her home office, which has lots of shelves for books and storage.
And a couch that is perfect for napping.
Nina Harrington says, “I am lucky enough to have a bedroom to myself to use as home office, complete with desk, my own hardware [ kinky!] and sofa – for that extensive post lunch lying down thinking session with my eyes closed. The white board is my key organisation tool since I am a very visual person. And usually have about 4 projects on the go at any one time.
Shirley Jump admits this publicity shot of her writing at her desk doesn’t tell the full story. More often than not she takes her laptop and writes elsewhere, including curled up in this big comfy chair.
Kate Hardy writes sitting at this very spic-and-span desk (below), with her pup Byron on her monitor desktop for inspiration.
Thanks for going on a tour of our work spaces! And don’t forget to comment for a chance to win a $20 gift card from your choice of Amazon or Barnes and Noble!
