Holidays With Beachwalk Hop

In our house, Christmas is an especially busy time. DD#1 celebrates her birthday on the 30th December and DD#2 celebrates hers on the 23rd December. Not the best timing considering in Australia it's summer. So for the first 3 Christmases we didn't travel to family. The first year I was very large and on bed rest. The second year I was still in hospital. The third year, DD#1 broke her arm and was only out of hospital on Christmas Eve.  Given that we lived nearly 20 hours away from family at that stage, well... you can no doubt guess.

So we created our own family traditions. Ones that continue to this day. (DD#1 turns 18 this year, so they've been going a while.)

In November, I design our annual Christmas Card, order everything and cut out whatever is required. Then one night, we set up at the table and make our cards. It's precision but fun. Everyone jokes about their particular card. It's also a nice way to share the lead up to the festive season.

Last year we made these natty little Plum Pudding Cards. Alas this year, I think we may need to forgo that.

Our Christmas build up starts on the 24th, when we clean like mad things. Everything (and I mean everything) is washed and we have been known to even approach the dog with the vacuum (Just kidding!). Sides and windows sparkle like glass.

By five in the afternoon, I'm ready to settle in with a glass of wine downstairs and salad and chicken, ham and prawns. We decided many years ago that we couldn't face making a mess on Christmas eve after all the cleaning so it's throw away plates and only enough to use in one go.

The kids watch the NORAD Santa Tracker (http://www.noradsanta.org/) But by about 10.30 we all just want to go to bed. Mind you, the parents need to hang out just a little longer. Cherry Ripe, Cherries and Coke go on the side for the Jolly Father Christmas... We want him refreshed but still within the legal limit! 

Now over the years, we've found Father Christmas to be a seriously mucky man. He comes in, shedding "snow" everywhere that has magic properties... But there is a rule. Santa Sacks first, so as we settle in with coffee and glasses of icy orange juice, around the lounge, the sacks are handed out. 

We still live a long way from family, so we video the presents, talk to the viewers (usually family) and share the tidings.


For us, it's a cooked lunch of roast duck, pork and our favourite veggies. Brussel Sprouts, Potato, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, peas and carrots. The meats Mr Nix cooks on the BBQ (I'm in charge of breakfast only... consisting of Croissants, Bacon, Eggs, Tomatoes and Fried Mushrooms.) Of course, in Australia, there are a multitude of ways to celebrate Christmas and I hope you've enjoyed looking in the window of our Christmas celebrations. 

But I can't help wondering... I wonder how Johnathon and Davina would spend their Christmas? Maybe that's a story for another day? Would they be in Paris? Or London?  It's interesting to think how the characters that we create would pass the special day? 

Anyway, don't forget to check out my latest title - In fact, if I get say 30 comments, I might write a short vignette about their first Christmas and upload it to my blog here on Christmas... as a gift to you, my readers.

A Bar In Paris

Ever considered a naughty weekend?  A “Hook-Up” with no strings?

What does a woman do when she’s turning thirty? She takes a sexy weekend trip to Paris looking for commitment-free sex. Or, that’s what Davina Chalmers does, anyway.

Enter Johnathon a tall charming Englishman. How can she possibly resist his charm and that dimple?

But what starts out as a lark quickly becomes so much more. But how does

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A Bar In Paris... Time to Celebrate

It's here... Finally! This book is one that I sweated over... Slaved to write.

Was I sure? No. when I wrote a Bar In Paris I was so scared. It was my first ever written in First Person (as in "I" was doing the actions.) When I got to the sexier scenes... well, it was a little but embarrassing!

So here I am, at the computer... coughing, sneezing and ready to take oldest daughter out again!  (Nothing really quite goes to plan, you know?)

So here it is:

A Bar In Paris:

 Ever considered a naughty weekend?  A “Hook-Up” with no strings?
What does a woman do when she’s turning thirty? She takes a sexy weekend trip to Paris looking for commitment-free sex. Or, that’s what Davina Chalmers does, anyway.
Enter Johnathon a tall charming Englishman. How can she possibly resist his charm and that dimple?
But what starts out as a lark quickly becomes so much more. But how does one weekend become a lifetime? And how does a lie of omission bring everything into jeopardy?

Excerpt:

The waiter smiled and I sighed. “Time to go.” As I started to rise, gripping my bag in my hand, the bell above the door rang and I watched with interest as the sexiest man I’d ever seen entered. The cool blonde on his arm was scowling and he pried his fingers from her arm then walked away. For a moment, she wobbled on her stilettos before she sneered in her super chic French way only they can pull off and stalked out the door. It slammed so hard the panes of glass shuddered.The man scowled, but to be honest, it didn’t hurt at all. He was tall and well built. Blond hair with gray eyes.My mind screamed that this man that could probably satisfy my needs. He didn’t appear even slightly inebriated and he was obviously single now, if that little carry-on was to go by. Perhaps this was my chance? I smoothed down my black dress, making sure my cleavage was just peeking out, then I sucked in a deep, deep breath and stood, hoping to catch his eyes.

I watched the man stalk to the bar and order in perfect English-accented French. “Une bière, s’il vous plait.”

My toes curled at his voice and the waiter hurried to do his bidding. Mr. Sexy’s voice was cultured and deep. I like voices, particularly men’s voices. They can make me go gooey at the knees, and this one warmed my insides to the consistency of thick, warm honey. And I knew he was the one I wanted to be with all night long.

The server handed over a bottle of beer and a glass, but Mr. Sexy looked at the bottle, grimaced, and then took a long pull.

The other men at the bar started talking in low voices, putting aside newspapers. They paid their money and left.

I didn’t want to think it was because of the dangerous aura surrounding the man. It was, after all, three in the morning. No, there had to be something else. But I was sure it wasn’t the time to ask these questions.
The small bar was quiet now as I was waiting alone with the mystery man. The waiter disappeared to the back. Obviously, with only two patrons left, he could do other things. I sucked in my confidence, folded it around me like a coat, and approached the man.

“Hi. Mind if I join you?”

He grinned and gestured to the seat beside him. I slipped onto the small stool, perched uncertainly. Then I wiggled my bum a little, thrust out my chest, and gave him my very best come-on smile.

“Looking for a hook up, are you?” His voice caused a curl of heat to gather deep inside me.
I nodded slowly. Better to be honest from the start, I thought. I didn’t have time to say a word. The next thing I knew, he had me thrust against the bar, his lips on mine and his tongue halfway down my throat. But man, what a tongue it was.

He played me like a violin until he lifted his head, casting a wicked smile in my direction. “Your hotel or mine?”

“Umm, yours.” Right now, I felt the rosy glow of arousal roaring through me. Sexy and quick to catch on. Yep, I was sure this guy was a winner.

“You’re not from around here, are you?”

I shook my head. “No.”

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Life On The Beack Blog Hop

Beachwalk Press is 2 years old and so we, the authors wanted to celebrate.  Hence, the  Love On The Beach Hop was born! This is our opportunity to show you a little about out lovely Beachwalk Press authors.

For me, though, my reason for choosing Beachwalk Press was a bit of an adventure. As many of you would know, I had previously been with another publisher, but when you sell a series to one house, you are always wondering ... Is this really a fluke? Well, that was something that went through my mind.

So I started asking around... I was scared and nervous. After all, I'd only had limited experience and there was so much more out there to learn and experience.

So after asking different authors lots of questions, I had a short list of 3 houses I was interested in ... Beachwalk Press were highly recommended.  I asked a heap of questions... Let me tell you, everybody I spoke to said the same thing.  They are a good boutique house. They do limited releases, which means they can spend a lot of time on getting it right. They support their authors. 

So with a great deal of trepidation, I sent off my manuscript to them.  I have to admit to a bit of screaming and a fair dose of delight when they took The Plan on.  I was over the moon.

So without further chatting... here is a sample of The Plan (psst... I'm giving away an ebook copy of this title at the end... so read it all the way through ;) )

And if you ask me do I regret submitting to them?  No Way!  In fact, I have another release, possibly coming out in November 2013 coming with them.  

A Bar In Paris

When you're an Aussie living in London and single... what do you do on your 30th birthday? You treat yourself to a long weekend in Paris, hunting for commitment-free sex... right?

Only, things don't go quite to plan.

More details coming soon!

The Plan by Imogene Nix

What happens when a former orphan, now illegal parts runner Kadie Frost falls for the new head of the Department of Authority?
Jonah Fielding has been brought in to clean up the department on Centauri, but in the course of his work, he also captures Kadie, the sprite who got away.
But what happens when work and pleasure collide?

Excerpt:

The man that arrested her, Captain Jonah Fielding, she had heard of. A straight man, everyone agreed. He didn’t associate with the old, corrupt Authorities. But at this point that’s cold comfort. How can I possibly explain that I have nothing else except my little Sugar Plum Fairy and that’s why I took the chance? Her stomach rebelled and she dry heaved right there in the cells as catcalls and laughter from other prisoners filled the air. Thank the Lights at least I am in a single cell. Her head ached brutally and she wavered slightly, waiting for Captain Fielding to send for her.
“Kadie Frost? Captain Fielding wants to see you.” The clank of the cell door told her someone was coming; she struggled to her feet, lifting tired, sore eyes.
A young man, little more than a boy really, with a freshly pressed uniform marched in, unfastened her from the restraint loop, and pulled her out the door and into an anonymous corridor.
Hoots and hollers met her ears as she allowed herself to be paraded down the long walkway. As if cattle in a moon-cow yard, she thought, closing her eyes as the Authority man pulled her toward a heavy, metal door at the end of the corridor. He stopped there and she opened her eyes, reading the sign on the door.
Interrogation Room One. What a great name, she thought snidely. Really inventive.
The door opened slowly and she was quickly thrust inside. The door snapped shut behind her as she looked around the bare room. A table and two chairs sat, scarred and ugly, in the middle of the floor. The metal was cold and glittering in the cool air as the air circulators pushed currents around the frigid room. She made her way over and sat down, waiting for the captain to enter. Her head drooped to the table and she let it rest, seeking the refreshing cool on her overly hot skin.
Her hands stung and her eyes burned. She felt sorry for herself as she thought about the mess she had gotten into, and she turned her stinging hands to check the damage. They were bright red and radiated heat. The deep scratches were swollen and weepy; sticky drops of goop coated the raw skin. Never a good sign, she already knew that.
“Kadie Frost?”
She started. Obviously, the woolly, heavy feeling in her head had overtaken her and she had dropped off to sleep as she waited. Her skin burned against in the coolness of the room.
“That’s me.” Her head hurt viciously, but now she realized her throat burned too.
“Captain Fielding is my name. I believe you and I can discuss BXM parts?” He lifted an eyebrow and she noted the captain had the most amazing blue eyes she had ever seen, teamed with long, black hair fastened at the back of his neck, high cheeks, and impossibly chiseled features. He had full, pink lips that would make a woman cry when they moved over hers. Huh? Where did that thought come from?
She blinked, dazed by the thought, and considered her plan of attack. “What? Oh, the BXM parts.” She swallowed and felt the razor blades she was sure were in her neck slashing from the inside which then proceeded to burn. “They aren’t mine. They never were.”

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How to enter The Plan giveaway!

Okay, to win a copy of The Plan, this is what you need to do.  Tell me simply WHY you want to win a copy.  I read EVERY entry, so please... Make sure you follow my simple request :) 
Make sure you leave your EMAIL address with your comment.

I will email the winner and let them know on the 15th July.  

Please also go visit the other author pages, as they also have individual prize.

The winner is chosen from the group of Eligible Entries.

And to really top it all of!  (And how amazing is this?) Beachwalk Press have funded the following prizes...

The grand prize is a Kindle Paperlight!

Additional prizes include:
* A beach tote bag filled with Beachwalk Press print books (winner's choice of 5 print titles)
* Two gift certificates of $25 each (winners' choice of GC from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or All Romance Ebooks)

CLICK on this image to visit the list of participants.

If that doesn't work, enter this url into your browser: http://bit.ly/18E1pmG

Good luck and happy hopping!

Imogene