Sale Alert: Christmas With a Prince

 

We're almost to the end of 2020 and happily I have some good news to share today.

If you're craving a dose of holiday optimism (featuring a winery wedding, a secret Christmas tree, and a second chance romance), CHRISTMAS WITH A PRINCE is currently on sale in the US/UK/CA/Australia/NZ for only 99c/99p. Prices are good at Apple, Amazon, Google Play, BN, and Kobo. Other countries and retailers may price match, so check your favorite. 

This price is good through December 26th. Grab it today!

Live Chat TODAY With Christina Dodd

A quick heads up: tune in to Christina Dodd’s Facebook page TODAY at 4PM Eastern/1PM Pacific for a live chat!

 

As many of you know, Christina and I have been brainstorming books together for several years, which means we have loads of embarrassing stories about each other. We’ll share those (because how can we not?), and we’ll talk about upcoming projects.

 

Come ask your questions and enjoy! See you on Facebook this afternoon!

 

 

Interview: Audiobook Narrator Hollis McCarthy

I interviewed the ever-wonderful Hollis McCarthy for my blog back in October 2015, when she was in the midst of recording the second book in the original Royal Scandals series, Honeymoon With a Prince. Many books—and now a spinoff Royal Scandals series—later, I think it’s time for an update.

Nicole: Hi Hollis! Thank you for agreeing to answer a new round of questions.

First of all, as the series has expanded both in number of titles and in scope, what has been the biggest challenge of performing these books?

Hollis: It’s tricky to keep the large families of characters from sounding too much alike.  For instance, there were identical twins in the Royal Scandals series and when they had dialogue, I did the same voice for each but gave them different rhythms—one more legato/sustained, one more staccato/intermittent. I even talked a bit out of the left side of my mouth for one brother and the right side for the other.

Nicole: I can imagine you doing that! You have performed dozens of different characters over the course of the two Royal Scandals series, everyone from security guards to a gelato shop owner to kings and queens. You’ve even done a medieval knight. Any favorites? Any characters that posed difficulty?  

 

Hollis: The twins were tricky! I love the gossip monger, Val Dempsey, because she’s so shallow and naughty and also…plummy British. My fave to voice is probably Queen Fabrizia in Royal Scandals because she’s so mature, feminine, warm, motherly, and yet strong and regal and not to be crossed! Loved the medieval knight scene with the sword—we’re kinda sword crazy at our house. I totally fell in love with King Eduardo in the Royal Scandals: San Rimini series, especially To Kiss a King. He was a delight to voice, and the character arc you gave him was so lovely—he went through a lot, which always makes for a great acting challenge. I also love that you write strong, smart men who love strong smart women. Makes all the characters fun to play! Claire was a treat in that book too. I enjoyed that both of them were mature, accomplished career people and yet so carried away by romantic love.

 

Nicole: Thank you! I admit, I loved writing about people who had separate romantic histories and then delving into the complexities of them finding each other later in life. I loved how you brought them alive in audio, too.

 

Audiobook technology has changed a great deal in the past five years. How has this affected your work? Have there been changes in the way you prepare for your performances or in how you record?

 

Hollis: The biggest change for me has been setting up a Covid-necessitated home studio, rather than going in to NYC studios to record. That happened in March of this year, hastily improvised due to the lockdown, and we’ve been refining it ever since. It’s basically a booth made of packing blankets around a shell of acoustic foam, with our new mic on a boom arm clamped to a cloth-covered desk.  We’re actors who do stage combat and Shakespeare, so when we needed some strong supports, my husband took the blades off their hilts and…voila! The booth is suspended from our two broadsword blades, clamped to brackets screwed to the wall, and crossed by our sabre blade on the outside. So we call it “Three Swords Studio!” We’ve invested a lot in new equipment and learned a lot about software and recording technology in the last few months. Necessity truly is the mother of invention. 

Nicole: Three Swords does fine work. The recordings you’ve made there have been phenomonal! 

 

You’ve also done a number of other projects since we began working together, ranging from audiobooks to theater to television. (It was a kick to see you as a judge on CBS’s Bull.) What other projects are on your plate?  

 

Hollis: Right now in our industry, due to the pandemic, theater is shut down, film isn’t happening and TV episodics are just now starting to cast and get ready shoot again. We just invested in better video recording equipment to do episodic auditions from home, as no casting studios are open. So voiceover has been it, lately, and I feel so lucky to have the work, when so many of my friends and colleagues are suffering. I’m incredibly grateful to report that I have a lot of audiobooks lined up thru year’s end, and have done 24 this year already. I did some fun roles in a big-time video game recently, but had to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) and can’t tell you about that until it comes out. I’ve also done several full-cast projects for Audible this year. All of which is to say a huge THANKS to swell authors like you, and to readers who love audiobooks!

 

Nicole: That’s an amazing number, especially given the amount of prep work I know you do for each recording. Yet with all that, you have another project in full swing. What can you tell me about it?

 

Hollis: My husband, the brilliant and funny Mark McCarthy, is writing a comic noir mystery fictional podcast for me, set in Chicago, in which I play a tough female private eye. We’ve recorded part of that and are shopping it around. That’s a really fun self-created project I’m excited about!  The character is a riot—dry, tough, smart, funny and “perfectly willing and able to snap your tibia in two places using common objects found around the house.”  

 

Nicole: You’d make an intriguing private eye and I know enough about Mark’s work to know it’ll be a tight, well-written script. I can’t wait to hear it!

 

Thank you, Hollis, for taking the time to answer questions and for all the time and talent you’ve contributed to my audiobooks. It’s been a joy to work with you. Can’t wait to send the next story your way!

 

Hollis: Thanks, Nicole! Love the wonderful world you’ve built in the Royal Scandals series, and it’s always delightful to read your books!

 

 

 

The Power of Words: Chat with Kim Fields and Prentice Penny

 In case you missed it, this past weekend I had the pleasure of joining Kim Fields' Instagram Live as a guest. The chat was hosted by Kim’s lifestyle brand, Refresh by KF. Each month Refresh By KF focuses on a different theme related to wellness, and for August it’s all about the power of words.

 

Kim is a powerhouse performer, writer, director, and producer, and I was honored to talk to her. We also took the opportunity to announce some fantastic news. 

 

Stay tuned after my talk with Kim to see her second guest, the multi-talented Prentice Penny, writer and director of Uncorked and executive producer of HBO’s Insecure. If you aren't already familiar with Prentice, you’ll definitely add several of his shows to your Must Watch list after listening to him. He's fantastic.

Click HERE to watch the interview!

 

BookFunnel: How Do I Find My Books?

Many readers are familiar with BookFunnel, a service that allows authors and others to deliver content directly to a reader's Kindle, iPad, Nook, Kobo ereader, or other device. I use BookFunnel to send bonus reads like A Royal Scandals Wedding to my newsletter subscribers, because it allows them to select the format they prefer.

Every so often, I receive a question from a reader about how to retrieve a book they downloaded from BookFunnel in the past, but have since deleted from their device. It’s fairly straightforward.

1 - Log in to BookFunnel here. If you don’t have an account, you can create one using your email address.

2 – You’ll be taken to a page containing your library. You can also go there directly by visiting my.BookFunnel.com

You can use this page to redownload books you've received from BookFunnel in the past or to transfer books from one device to another, say from your computer to your iPad or an Android smartphone. BookFunnel has a cloud reader that will enable you to read anywhere without installing anything on your device—though they do have an app if you prefer—and you can switch between reading on different devices without losing your place.

If you need more help, or the tips above don’t work, email help@bookfunnel.com. They’ve always been fantastic at troubleshooting when one of my readers has had an issue.  

   

Royal Scandals: San Rimini Books in Order

Today’s FAQ: What’s the order of the Royal Scandals: San Rimini books?

A:  In order, the stories are:

Fit for a Queen

Going to the Castle

The Prince’s Tutor

The Knight’s Kiss

Falling for Prince Federico

To Kiss a King

There is also a free bonus story called The Hire, an exclusive for newsletter subscribers. If you'd like to sign up, you can do so here. Subscribers also receive a free copy of the exclusive novella A Royal Scandals Wedding.

To Kiss a King is Here

A later-in-life romance. A second chance at love. An ambassador weighing her duties against her desires. A monarch walking the tightrope between his public and private lives. Any of these sound like your kind of romance novel catnip?

I’m thrilled to share that To Kiss a King is now available at retailers worldwide! Many of you have told me that this is the San Rimini book you’ve been anticipating most.

Here’s the back-of-book info if you’d like a sneak peek:

He’s heralded around the world as a romantic icon. The last thing he needs is to fall in love.

King Eduardo diTalora is riding a popularity high, thanks to his political acumen, his charitable endeavors, and above all, the storybook romance he had with his late wife, Queen Aletta. He plans to use that goodwill in the best way possible, to push long-term projects that will benefit his country.

When Claire Peyton, the new American ambassador, pitches a project of her own, Eduardo wonders if it’s possible to find love a second time. But as Claire and Eduardo face the political and personal repercussions of time spent together, each of them must choose between their duty to country and their love for each other.

But when the world sits in judgment, does love stand a chance?

I loved writing about Eduardo and Claire. Having the opportunity to write about a couple of their age and life experience was fun. I think you’ll enjoy their story, too.

You can find it at your favorite retailer in ebook, print, or audio. As has been the case with earlier San Rimini books, the talented Hollis McCarthy narrates. Enjoy!

First Time on Sale

Big announcement! For a limited time, you can get The Royal Bastard for only 99¢/99p in ebook throughout the US, Australia, the UK, and Canada. The sale may pop up in other countries at various retailers, so check your favorite (for instance, it’s currently .99 at Apple Books in New Zealand.)

Here’s a peek:

A royal secret. A marriage in jeopardy.

Rocco Cornaro dedicates his life to creating innovative, life-saving medical devices, and in the process has become a wealthy man. However, he harbors a deep secret: his mother was once the lover of Sarcaccia’s King Carlo Barrali, and Rocco is the product of their secret affair.

Trained from birth to keep his royal parentage quiet, Rocco cannot even trust his beloved wife with his secret, and his silence drives her away. When Justine is kidnapped and held for ransom, he must risk everything—his siblings' security, his life’s work, and the reputation of a royal family—to save the woman he loves. But when he reveals his secret—and confronts a new, horrible truth—will it end his marriage forever?

The Royal Bastard has never before been on sale, so now is the time to get your copy. Though it’s part of the Royal Scandals series, it was written so it can be read independently. 

Enjoy!

The Perfect Prince

Today’s the day! The much-anticipated Falling for Prince Federico has landed in stores worldwide.

Prince Federico served as the palace liaison for Daniela D’Ambrosio, the main character in Fit for a Queen, during her visit to San Rimini. Since the publication of that book, I’ve had a number of emails from readers expressing excitement over Federico’s upcoming story. I’m happy to announce that it’s finally here!

Federico has followed a difficult road in the days since his appearance in Fit for a Queen. Now his day of reckoning has come in the form of Pia Renati, a relief worker who faces her own challenges.

Here’s a peek at the back cover:

The world knows him as Prince Perfect. She’s about to discover the truth.

Prince Federico diTalora is all too aware of his dreaded nickname: Prince Perfect. He’s spent his life guarding his reputation, cognizant of the duty he owes his country and its citizens. But as a widower with two rambunctious boys, the strain of being an ideal son, father, and prince has pushed him to the breaking point.

Pia Renati is in San Rimini to stay with her best friend, who’s pregnant and on bed rest. Faced with hours of downtime, Pia is tempted when Prince Federico, with his Mediterranean good looks and unimpeachable reputation, invites her to spend time with him and his two boys.

As Federico and Pia chase the boys around the palace gardens, they find themselves drawing closer. Pia didn’t travel to San Rimini for romance—it’s the last thing she wants—though there’s no denying her attraction to Federico. But can she trust Prince Perfect with her heart, when she sees all too clearly the pain he hides from the world?

Want more? An excerpt and Behind the Scenes are now posted on my site. 

I can’t wait for you to read Federico and Pia's story. Enjoy!

The Knight’s Kiss + Two New Covers

This week, thanks to Patricia Schmitt, two more Royal Scandals titles have cover updates.

Check out the old and new covers for both Christmas on the Royal Yacht (a Royal Scandals novella) and The Wicked Prince (Royal Scandals #5.) The new covers will appear at retailers worldwide beginning today.

In bigger news, it’s only two days until the release of The Knight’s Kiss, Book 4 of the Royal Scandals: SanRimini series. The book features Princess Isabella diTalora and a reclusive art collector named Nick Black. It’s a modern fairy tale that will appeal to fans of both contemporary and historical romance.

The Knight’s Kiss is available for preorder at retailers worldwide in ebook, print, and audio. For an early peek and Behind the Scenes info, check out the NicoleBurnham.com page for The Knight’s Kiss.

Spring Refresh

In the coming weeks, several titles in the original Royal Scandals series will debut new cover art. Huge thanks to talented cover designer Patricia Schmitt, who refreshed the look of both Scandal With a Prince and The Royal Bastard.

I love the new, lighter look and hope you do, too.

The new covers should appear shortly at retailers worldwide, as well as in libraries and on reader sites. Other Royal Scandals covers are being updated and will be posted here soon. I can't wait to hear what you think.

Honeymoon With a Prince - On Sale Today

A quick heads up: if you haven't read Honeymoon With a Prince, now's the time. It's on sale for only 99c/99p at online retailers in the UK, the United States, Australia, and Canada. Retailers in other countries may match this deal--for instance, Apple Books has matched it in New Zealand--so check your favorite. You can use this Universal Link to find yours.

Honeymoon With a Prince tells the tale of Sarcaccia's Prince Massimo Barrali and Texan Kelly Chase. If you're looking for an escapist romance, this will be your catnip. A woman on a solo honeymoon meets a prince--thanks to his runaway dog--and she doesn't recognize him. They spend the evening together, magic happens...then fun and complications ensue.

This is a limited-time sale, so grab it today, then kick back and enjoy a trip to the Mediterranean island of Sarcaccia.

Once Upon a Time in San Rimini

(AKA: The Story Behind the Royal Scandals: San Rimini Series)

Once upon a time, I worked as a freelance writer for several magazines. In my off hours, I wrote two romantic suspense novels and submitted them to publishers. The feedback was positive overall and the commentary from publishers boiled down to, “we like your writing, you create believable characters, and the emotions feel real, but…” There was the same “but” each time. The publishers enjoyed the romance, but weren’t completely sold on the suspense elements in those two manuscripts.

I decided to scrap those two stories and go back to the drawing board. I wanted to write a larger than life story that played to my strengths. I was toying with ideas one morning in front of the television when a royal wedding aired. I kept flipping between wedding coverage and a story about families fleeing a war zone. The contrast between the grandeur of the wedding and the desperation of the refugees made me wonder what would happen if a member of the royal family fell for a relief worker.

Could two people from such different backgrounds make a relationship work? How would they navigate living a private versus a public life? What could they learn from each other? What would their friends and families think?

(And isn’t it interesting to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle negotiate those same issues today?)

From that idea, Going to the Castle was born, as was the fictional country of San Rimini. I’d traveled along the French Riviera and through Italy and knew I could create a fascinating, realistic kingdom in that part of the world, one with a rich history.

The manuscript was named a Golden Heart award finalist by the Romance Writers of America. I was offered a contract on its first submission and it soon became my first published novel. To quote Monty Python, there was much rejoicing. Three more San Rimini books followed: The Prince’s Tutor, The Knight’s Kiss, and Falling for Prince Federico. I was thrilled when The Knight’s Kiss won a number of awards, including the coveted RITA for best short contemporary romance. (It’s never a bad day when you get to share a stage with Nora Roberts, Kristin Hannah, and Lisa Kleypas.)

I had plans for one more San Rimini book, To Kiss a King, but within days of being offered a contract, my publisher was sold to another company. The usual corporate upheaval ensued, and I decided to table the project for a time when I knew it would not become a victim of departmental realignments.

When I began writing the Royal Scandals series, set in fictional Sarcaccia, I had the San Rimini stories firmly in mind. The two kingdoms exist in the same world, and I knew that—due to the aforementioned publisher upheaval—the San Rimini books would soon revert to my control. So as I wrote about Sarcaccia, I dropped in little bits about San Rimini. I also started plotting a book that would bring the two kingdoms together: Fit for a Queen.

When the San Rimini books officially became mine again, I dove into writing Fit for a Queen. (Note: As I was writing, my DC/Marvel fan husband kept referring to the manuscript as The Big Crossover Event in a voice suited for a TV ad. I kept reminding him that my story stands on its own and that few comic-inspired crossovers do. Many crossover discussions ensued.)

Then, rather than simply republish the four original San Rimini books, I gave each story a full rewrite and expanded them. I knew that for most Royal Scandals readers, these would be completely new stories. I wanted the reading experience to feel seamless. I was also able to put the series in audio for the first time. Hollis McCarthy, who narrates the original Royal Scandals series, also narrates Royal Scandals: San Rimini. Her performance blows me away every time I listen.

After that, I finally had the opportunity to dig into the story I’d been compelled to set aside, To Kiss a King. There’s something special about writing a story that isn’t often told. To Kiss a King features the push/pull of public versus private lives and the struggle of weighing duty against desire, which factors in many of my stories. However, it also follows a later in life romance with a special set of challenges. Can a man known worldwide as a romantic icon truly fall in love with someone else? Would a woman at the pinnacle of her career risk it all for that relationship?

Going back to San Rimini has been a joy for me. I love the diTalora family and their world. I hope you do, too.

San Rimini - Original Series

San Rimini - New Series

Fit for a Queen - Available Now!

It's here! Fit for a Queen, the first book in the Royal Scandals: San Rimini series, is available for sale at retailers worldwide.

This is a story of second chance romance, the battle of living a public life versus a private one, and the power of chasing your dreams.

Here’s the info from the back cover:

She holds the secrets of a queen. He’s been hired to watch her.

Daniela D’Ambrosio is the most trusted employee of Sarcaccia’s Queen Fabrizia, managing the queen’s schedule and ensuring she never makes a misstep in public. But when Fabrizia sends Daniela to organize the belongings of San Rimini’s late queen for a charity auction, Daniela finds a locked closet full of treasure, a suspicious king, and an attractive handyman who seems strangely familiar.

Following a harrowing stint in the military, Royce Dekker now runs his own security firm in San Rimini. When he goes undercover to safeguard the late queen’s possessions, Royce learns that the woman organizing the auction project is none other than Daniela D’Ambrosio, the stunning beauty who’s fueled his late-night fantasies ever since their stolen night under the stars.

When Daniela recognizes Royce, she realizes there is more to the palace job than she was told. But can she trust the sexy man standing guard over her as she works? Or will Royce discover that Daniela also has secrets to uncover?

For an excerpt and behind the scenes info, check out the Fit for a Queen page at nicoleburnham.com. Happy Valentine’s Day, and happy reading!

Fit for a Queen in Three Days

 

Only THREE DAYS until the release of an all-new Royal Scandals novel, Fit for a Queen! This story takes place in the beautiful Adriatic country of San Rimini, where you'll find a woman on a mission, a man undercover, and a king with secrets. I can’t wait to hear what you think of Daniela D’Ambrosio and Royce Dekker’s surprise romance.

You can read an excerpt and go behind the scenes here, or check out the Fit for a Queen inspiration board on Pinterest.

If you haven’t preordered your copy, do it now! In the meantime, here’s the back cover copy.

She holds the secrets of a queen. He’s been hired to watch her.

Daniela D’Ambrosio is the most trusted employee of Sarcaccia’s Queen Fabrizia, managing the queen’s schedule and ensuring she never makes a misstep in public. But when Fabrizia sends Daniela to organize the belongings of San Rimini’s late queen for a charity auction, Daniela finds a locked closet full of treasure, a suspicious king, and an attractive handyman who seems strangely familiar.
 
Following a harrowing stint in the military, Royce Dekker now runs his own security firm in San Rimini. When he goes undercover to safeguard the late queen’s possessions, Royce learns that the woman organizing the auction project is none other than Daniela D’Ambrosio, the stunning beauty who’s fueled his late-night fantasies ever since their stolen night under the stars.

When Daniela recognizes Royce, she realizes there is more to the palace job than she was told. But can she trust the sexy man standing guard over her as she works? Or will Royce discover that Daniela also has secrets to uncover?

---

Next month, look for another Royal Scandals: San Rimini novel, Going to the Castle. It’s available for preorder now and hits stores this St. Patrick’s Day.