Comments on: Ally Blake’s Close-to-Home Harlequin Presents Setting

By: Nicola Marsh

Nicola Marsh — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:23:05 +0000

Redlighting,
I’m so glad you enjoy my spirited books.
Plenty more to come, hopefully

By: MarilynS

MarilynS — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:38:01 +0000

Ally, just finished the book and what makes it even more special is to read this post “behind the book”.

Anna and Heidi, the book is wonderful!

By: redlighting

redlighting — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:01:26 +0000

Cheryl, Thank you so much for the info re: Robyn Donald as its the 1st time I read her books. I also read her november presents. So I will ck out the used book store. I have a 30 dollar credit there .They have about 3 yrs back but the presents books go so fast I have a time getting any of them. I may order some of her books from amazon.com, another good idea. Thank you.
I read nearly all november presents, just finished emma darcys book last night, But the one by susan napier simply was gone from the store here so dont know what happened. I usually get the new ones at the grocery store when I shop. I get my top 2 or 3 must reads first & then decide if I want to get the rest & usually do , but missed a few this time. thanks for the ideas.
Eve (my real name)

By: KimberlyLang

KimberlyLang — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:45:35 +0000

Ack! It logged me out and I couldn’t remember my password. But, finally, I’m here.

Since I’ve never been to Australia, I love to read the books set there. And I’m really looking forward to Caleb’s story, Ally. (It’s my reward for later )

But that’s one of the things I love about the line — so many great places to “see”! (Far more than my VISA Card will let me see, alas.)

(CT–My upcoming books are set in the US. The Secret Mistress Arrangement is set in Chicago (with a side trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast of all places!). The Millionaire’s Misbehaving Mistress is set in Dallas. Okay, plug over…)

By: anna cleary

anna cleary — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:32:48 +0000

Hi Ally,
Looking forward to reading A Night With the Society Playboy–Hey, isn’t that a fantastic title?–I’m sure it will be as delightful as your other fab books.
I don’t mind that your story’s set in Melbourne one little bit, Ally. I recently visited that fascinating city for the Romance Writers of Australia Conference, and it certainly has a charm all its own. Those amazing narrow alleyways in the heart of the city centre crammed with exotic little quirky restaurants–Like you and Nic, I could certainly enjoy plunging into some major Melbourne research!

And like you, Cheryl and Redlighting, I absolutely adore books that evoke the flavour of a place.

And since we’re all giving our books a subtle plug, I might just mention that at the moment the city of my dreams is Sydney. All of my books so far have been set there, in fact my favourite is about to hit the stands in the UK. Untamed Billionaire, Undressed Virgin. (How’s that for a title?)
I think you’ll find it’s pretty romantic! And rather reeking of Sydney town. You’ll have to wait till May for it to come out in the USA, I think.

cheers…

anna

By: CT

CT — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:19:31 +0000

Redlighting,

I also enjoy the settings of Robyn Donald’s books. I don’t know if you have been reading her books for long, but she usually sets them on large farms or plantations in New Zealand (many of her heroes are “gentleman farmers” who own really huge spreads with beautiful homesteads) or in the Pacific Islands (her island is fictional, but I imagine Bali or somewhere like that when I am reading those books).

She also must be quite a gardener, because many of her heroines are also and the descriptions of plants and gardens in her books are always interesting to me, as I (try) to garden my little plot. You can pick up her older books pretty cheap on Amazon or half.com, happy reading!

Cheryl

By: redlighting

redlighting — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:15:42 +0000

One thing I like about Harlequin books is the way diversity is allowed with regard to location. We all have different experiences/likes/dislikes so I think its imp to have a variety of styles/locations & so on to account for various readers. I personally perfer outdoors so I look forward to the hero/heroine going on a walk by the sea, or the forest, or the island sun, as long as its outside. I feel stuffed by the inside as I grew up from a small tot, outside nearly all day & even night. My dad was an organic farmer long before it was the stylish thing to ask for & I spent tons of hours watching animal/plant kingdom develop & I love it.
But I do like to read about different experences than mine , so I enjoy reading about what Sidney is like or any place New Zealand or any place in Europe since I’ve never visited there. I think there are beautiful people as well as unattractive ones in any society so I can imagine a good looking or interesting couple anywhere. I also just love island settings so I read all of those no matter what. I loved Robyn Donalds october book His Majestys mistress as it not only took place on a pacific island but also New Zealand as well the heroine was involved in farming which I loved, so it was meant for me to read. I loved it. New Zealand was well described & I felt as if I had been to several exotic locations from reading this book.
To : Nicola Marsh. even tho your books have been set in la which wasnt my favorite , I read your book & enjoyed it very much. I like your personality, also which goes a long way, you seem very spirited & that is reflected in some of your books.
anyway, I appreciate the diversity in the books to give us all some favorite reads. thanks for writing them.

By: Nicola Marsh

Nicola Marsh — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:48:38 +0000

Cheryl,

my ‘Purchased for Pleasure’, out earlier this year (Navy SEAL hero) was set in LA so there’s another West coast book

And I’ve read both ‘Caleb and Ava’ and ‘The Tycoon’s Personal Assistant’ and both books are fabulous. Fun, entertaining reads with loads of emotion.

Ally, I fully intend to keep setting books in Melbourne…just for you

By: ally blake

ally blake — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:42:55 +0000

Waving to Heidi across the pond!!!

So glad I’ve intrigued you . Hope the book lives up to it!!!

Ally

By: ally blake

ally blake — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:27:33 +0000

Hey Heidi

Big waves across the pond!

And so glad I managed to intrigue you. Caleb intrigued me too when I first met him in ‘The Magnate’s Indecent Proposal’ and I’m so glad I gave him his own story so the bad boy could get a good girl of his own.

Ally
http://www.allyblake.com