by Kate Hardy, author of Temporary Boss, Permanent Mistress (Harlequin Presents, January 2010)
I’ve always had a fascination with the north – right from my childhood, when I loved my mum telling me tales of Scandinavian mythology (which she might have heard from her grandmother, a Danish midwife). And I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights.
So it was only a matter of time before this ended up in a book. And I pitched my Norway book to my ed.
It took a bit of persuasion, because she felt that Presents readers preferred warm, glamorous location. And I jumped at the challenge and said I could make the land of ice and snow hot and sexy. (Given that the UK currently has its coldest winter for 30 years and, at the time of writing, the schools are shut because of the snow, there are people who will try to make me eat my words. But I’m remaining defiant: snow is sexy. Even if it’s the ‘wrong’ sort, so you can’t make a snowball.) I might have mentioned James Bond. (Admittedly the ice hotel was Pierce Brosnan, but I was thinking Daniel Craig – that scene in the shower, where he revealed that he had a heart, did it for me. And when I said James Bond, my ed’s face lit up, so I reckon she thinks the same…)
And so my Norway book took off.
Though I had to take out most of the reindeer.
(I’d better explain that. Originally, I planned to give Jake a sabbatical as a reindeer farmer, but my ed shrieked at that. We compromised and I gave him a sensible job – and then I hid the reindeer so my ed couldn’t take them out. And when she gave me revisions, I added some more. They were deeply important to the plot, so they were allowed to stay. As were my hidden ones.)
In my research, I discovered lots about Norway (and had great fun cooking Norwegian food – my mate Sarah Morgan tells me that her family always knows where her current book is set because of what she cooks, and I was 
very relieved to discover I wasn’t alone!). I found out lots of fascinating stuff about iolite. I discovered that Edvard Munch is about more than just ‘The Scream’ (check out his Madonna – that was important in the book). I watched lots of videos about the Northern Lights (and my children now have the same bug). I grilled Nicola Cornick mercilessly about her trip to Spitzberg (which is why I dedicated the book to her). And I discovered just how interesting the ice hotels are (the sculptures are amazing).
At the time I was writing the book, the UK had a cold snap, so it was minus 4 degrees C outside – exactly the same temperature as it is in an ice hotel. So I can honestly say I did some physical research myself, even though it was in my front garden rather than in 700 miles away in Norway. Oh, yes – and because I buy myself a Pandora bead for each book I write, I had a lightbulb about something very special that Jake gives Lydia. (And the bead I bought for this book reminds me of a midnight sun. Very appropriate.)
Kate’s photos of the snow in the UK. And check out this NASA satellite image of a very snowy England!
The book’s all about finding your dreams and having the courage to make them come true. And I’m thrilled that I’m finally making one of my family’s travel dreams come true – next year, we’re actually going to Norway to see the Northern Lights. And I have a feeling that another ice fantasy is going to rear its head.
Dear ed. How do you feel about polar bears?
Well done Kate for going the ice and snow route for Presents.
I tried that theme with the presents competition, and failed miserably.
I agree with you. Snow is sexy, so too a hot tub in snowbound location!
Even the fact of being out on skis is sexy. It’s a huge winter pasttime for UK residents. Presents eds may prefer sunnier skies for presents characters, but one heck of a lot billionaires going skiing. The Alps are great place for snapping up a billionaire!
Temporary Boss, Permanent Mistress is a great read. I had the pleasure of reading it early as I won a copy of the book in a competition. (Thanks Kate!) All I can say is that you are in for a treat. Don’t worry that it’s situated in a cold climate – there are plenty of “hot” scenes in this fab story to warm the cockles of your heart and then some! Take care. Caroline x
Hi Kate! I am soooooo looking forward to reading this book – I think the setting sounds awesome – esp the lights and the ice hotel – and didn’t this one get 4.5 stars from the Romantic Times too?! Snow can definitely be sexy and have heart!
I’m green about your family’s upcoming trip – I’d love to go there one day. I hope you have a fantastic time!
Ahh Kate, I loved this book, I thought you captured the hot and sexy attributes of snow and ice beautifully… and the wonderful quality of the light in colder climes which gives those short days and long nights a special romantic glow. And the ice hotel was simply inspired.
Having been to the artic circle in Finland a few years ago for New Year (which will remain one of my favourite holidays of all time…. even the husky sledding in -30 degrees) I can categorically say you captured the scene perfectly and Jake and Lydia were a fabulous hero and heroine to enjoy it with.
It wasn’t at all a hard sell for me, after all what could be sexier than cuddling up with a Presents hero like Jake when there’s snow outside!!
And Kate you are going to love the Northern Lights!!
I’ve always wanted to stay in an ice hotel! My husband, of course, laughs at me when I mention this, given that I complain when the temperature dips below 70 degrees. But I do like the *fantasy* of ice and snow, and the cuddling up around fireplaces that I imagine goes with it…
Can’t wait to read this one!
Kate, this sounds fantastic! I’m definitely in the snow is sexy club (and the James Bond/Daniel Craig-in-shower-scene is sexy club) too!!
Can’t wait to read this one!
Mira
Francine – thanks, and sorry you didn’t get better news in the comp.
Love the idea of a hot tub in the snow!
Nat – thank you. I just got my Aussie copies today, so it’s in your part of the world right now
And yup, RT gave it 4.5 
Heidi – thanks (and you’re the one who reminded me about the snow!)
I can’t wait for our trip.
Caitlin – me, too! But as soon as mine discovered that it was minus four degrees C inside, he laughed and said, “No chance.”
And definitely cuddling up in front of the fire. That’s been very nice, these last snowy days in England!
Mira – thank you. (And wasn’t that DC shower scene wonderful? I have lovely India Grey to thank me for giving me the YouTube link ages before I got to see the film itself.)
I loved your ice book, Kate. Loads of heat amidst all that ice
My Presents WIP is set in Alaska so loads of hot stuff needed to keep the fires burning there too…!
I really enjoyed Jake and Lydia’s story – def sexy despite the cold and snow
Thanks for setting your book in Norway, for me it’s exotic and totally different from Australia (esp as we are sweltering through Melbourne’s summer)
How wonderful you’ll be seeing the Northern Lights
enjoy!!
Kate, I can’t wait to read this marvellous book. It sounds wonderful! Such an original idea. And from where I am right now in sweltering Queensland, an ice hotel sounds absolutely divine.
I’m still laughing about those hidden reindeer. Are you sure Sheila hasn’t cottoned to them?
Oh, the image of those northern lights.
anna x
Read it and loved it, Kate. Very romantic. Am staying in my very own ice hotel – my flat has no central heating and non-existent insulation so it’s colder inside than out. Brr.
Wow, Kate, I’m looking forward to this one. I love reindeer
though it may be a while before I can read about snow and smile again. We’ve been snowed in for over a week,twice this winter! Your pictures were lovely, and your Northern Lights trip sounds wonderful.
To hop off topic, I’m ashamed to say I had to G*ogle Pandora, but a big thanks for that mention. My daughter has a birthday soon and I was already stressing about what to get her. Problem solved, thanks to you. I’ll include a copy of ‘Temporary Boss…’, as an explanation!
Nic – thank you.
And wow – Alaska? I’ll be looking forward to that. (I really enjoyed Nora Roberts’ “Northern Lights”, which was set there – and the title kind of grabbed me
)
Joanne – thank you
– I loved every second of writing that one, even the scenes that made me cry so I couldn’t see to type.
Anna – it was definitely different! … and Sheila cracked up about the invisible reindeer. (And the ones at the end – well, they had to be there. I’m now writing my Christmas medical, and as she said I could have reindeer in that… oh, boy! I have PLANS.)
DH has been getting travel brochures re the Northern Lights trip, and I’m so overexcited about it. (We even had a DVD with one brochure. Fantastic!)
Lucy – hugs on the weather. Hope it warms up for you a bit, soon. (I think Anna, Nic and Joanne might be happy to trade some degrees with you…) Glad you enjoyed the book.
Christina – I wrote it in last winter’s cold snap. (Am doing a snow book right now, too. So – I never thought I’d hear myself say this – I’d like it to stay around just a little longer. Now the roads are clear. A little more thawing so the pavements are safe, and that’s nice. Pretty and atmospheric!)
And your daughter will LOVE the bracelet. (You may have to get yourself one, too. Come and grab me at the next London lunch and I’ll be more than happy to show off mine! Though it’s also starring on the eharlequin Medical authors blog at the moment…)
Mentioning Daniel Craig and that scene would’ve sealed it for me too, Kate!
This story sounds amazing! Can’t wait to read it when it lands in Ozland. And WTG visiting the Northern Lights. How amazing that would be!
Robbie
Kate,
Thanks for commiserations.
Bad news indeed. It was not just a premise, there was a complete novel sitting in MW.
But that’s life!
Am looking forward t readng yours as soon as I can get to shops. Still snowed in here – Wales!
Robbie – I knew Mr Craig would make you smile
I haven’t yet confessed to the family just how cold it will be in Tromso because they do not need to know. It’s a different kind of cold (dry cold, as opposed to damp British cold), and if we get to see the lights it will be so magical that they will, ahem, forget that they’re cold…
Francine – hugs on being snowed in, too. And a whole book – all I can say is that if you had feedback, try and use as much of it as you can for your next. (And read, read, read as much as you can.)
TBPM is off the shelves in the UK now, but you can still get it at the M&B website or at Amazon.
I agree Kate that snow is sexy providing you don’t have to try and get to work in it! Being snowed in is definitely sexy. Can’t wait to read this – your books are always fab
Thanks, Sarah!
Loved this book and the way you incorporated setting. Add a hero who honoured his family ties and longed for a family of his own and all resistance to chilly temperatures fled. I succumbed early, donned a beanie, and settled in for a fabulous read.
Hope those Northern Lights make magic for you on your trip.
Can’t wait to read this, Kate. My last book was set on a fictional island off Norway, funnily enough, and I loved writing a wintry setting. I didn’t have any reindeer in mine, though–shame!
Kate,
Sorry for being so late! I love your books and can’t wait to read the newest one.
I have read about ice hotels in Europe and know that there is one Canada. At some point I would love to visit one.
Well Kate, an ice hotel does not appeal to me at this time of year. It’s minus 23 celcius with the wind chill. I don’t mind being snowed in but it can be scary in an emergency. Look forward to reading your book during warmer weather.
I’m from Canada and I think there’s nothing more beautiful than a fresh fall of snow. It gives the world around us a nice clean landscape and makes the trees laden with snow and ice sparkle in the sun.
Have you ever snowshoed? I find it’s right up there with walking on water and I love it. Much better than sinking to my butt in snowdrifts. lol
I’m so glad to see a Presents set in a different locale. Would love to see more set all over the world and not just in the usual locations!
Amie