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?

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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.

Oscar Predictions 2020

 The Oscars are here! If you haven’t seen many (or any) of this year’s films, you'll need a cheat sheet for your office pool or Sunday night Academy Awards party. I win my pool more often than not and it’s a rare year when I don’t finish in the top three. If you are staring at your ballot in confusion, copy mine. I won't tell.

Need a printable PDF of the 2020 Academy Award categories and nominees? Entertainment Weekly has one here, or you can use use this one from Variety.

Ready to start circling your winners? Here are my predictions:

Best Picture:

Ford v Ferrari

The Irishman

Jojo Rabbit

Joker

Little Women

Marriage Story

1917

Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Parasite

There’s talk for The Irishman, but wow…did it feel long, which will cost the film votes. This is a contest between 1917, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood (both of which won Best Picture Golden Globes, in Drama and in Musical/Comedy respectively), and Parasite, which has swept the international awards and has earned raves worldwide. Though I haven’t yet seen Parasite—it’s on my must-see list—my personal pick between 1917 and Once Upon a Time would be 1917. I loved its depth of emotion and single-shot style, which made me feel like I was weaving through the trenches and left dangerously exposed in No Man’s Land right along with the main characters. But man…Hollywood loves to analyze and laugh at itself, and that’s Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood.

I’ve flip-flopped endlessly on this category. Since the Academy went to ten nominees in this category, it's tougher to predict the winner, and the statue hasn’t gone to a frontrunner as often as it has in the past (hello, Moonlight.) This year, the frontrunner is 1917. The spoiler would be Parasite. I’m going to take what shouldn’t be a risk, but feels like one given recent Academy history: 1917.

But I'll note: my husband picked Parasite.

Actor In A Leading Role

Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory

Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Adam Driver, Marriage Story

Joaquin Phoenix, Joker

Jonathan Pryce, The Two Popes

This is a category jam-packed with talent, but it’s Joaquin Phoenix’s year.

Actor In A Supporting Role

Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Anthony Hopkins, The Two Popes

Al Pacino, The Irishman

Joe Pesci, The Irishman

Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Loved, loved Brad Pitt in this. Give him the statue and expect a fun yet heartfelt speech. 

Trivia game answer of the night: Pitt is the only nominee in this category who doesn’t already have a statue in an acting category (though he does have one as a producer on 12 Years a Slave.)

 

Actress In A Leading Role

Cynthia Erivo, Harriet

Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story

Saorise Ronan, Little Women

Charlize Theron, Bombshell

Renée Zellweger, Judy

Last year, Vegas had Glenn Close as the heavy favorite, but Olivia Colman walked away with the man of gold (yes, I called it!) This year, I’m going with the favorite: Renée Zellweger. She became Judy Garland. If you feel like picking a spoiler, Scarlett Johannson is your best choice, but I wouldn’t.

Actress In A Supporting Role

Kathy Bates, Richard Jewell

Laura Dern, Marriage Story

Scarlett Johansson, Jojo Rabbit

Florence Pugh, Little Women

Margot Robbie, Bombshell

This is where I must mention that I desperately want to see Jojo Rabbit, but it isn’t playing near me. Every time I see a trailer, I laugh. It looks amazing and the reviews for Johansson’s performance are phenomenal. But this is a lock for Laura Dern. She’s swept all the earlier awards in this category.

Directing

Martin Scorsese, The Irishman

Todd Phillips, Joker

Sam Mendes, 1917

Quentin Tarantino. Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Bong Joon Ho, Parasite

This is a tough category. There’s a lot of love for Tarantino amongst Academy members and Parasite’s success has garnered a lot of attention for Bong Joon Ho’s work. But Mendes won the Directors’ Guild Award and the Golden Globe. I’m going with Mendes. If you’re in the mood to make a spoiler-ish pick, it’d be Bong Joon Ho.

Animated Feature Film

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

I Lost My Body

Klaus

Missing Link

Toy Story 4

Easy peasy.

Documentary Feature

American Factory

The Cave

The Edge of Democracy

For Sama

Honeyland

Friends recommended I see American Factory long before awards season, and I almost never hear raves for documentaries that soon after their release. American Factory is my pick.

Documentary Short Subject

In the Absence

Leaning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)

Life Overtakes Me

St. Louis Superman

Walk Run Cha-Cha

I’m picking this on the title alone, which is what I suspect a sizeable number of Academy voters do. If another title rocks your world, go with it.

Cinematography

Rodrigo Prieto, The Irishman

Lawrence Sher, Joker

Jarin Blaschke, The Lighthouse

Roger Deakins, 1917

Robert Richardson, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

1917’s cinematography brought viewers right into wartime France’s bombed out villages and smoky, muddy trenches. It made this film powerful and memorable. I’m picking Deakins.

Costume Design

The Irishman

Jojo Rabbit

Joker

Little Women

Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Hollywood loves to give this award to a period piece like Little Women. While I adore the look of Jojo Rabbit, I’m making a safety pick here.

Film Editing

Ford v Ferrari

The Irishman

Jojo Rabbit

Joker

Parasite

This is a category I consider too close to call. Since I have to, I’m picking Parasite. The other strong possibility: Ford v Ferrari.

International Feature Film/Foreign Language Film

Corpus Christi, Poland

Honeyland, North Macedonia

Les Miséables, France

Pain and Glory, Spain

Parasite, South Korea

Lock.

Music, Original Score

Joker

Little Women

Marriage Story

1917

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

I’m partial to Little Women’s Alexandre Desplat, whose original score for Girl With a Pearl Earring is in heavy rotation on my playlist of writing background music. However, Iceland’s Hildur Gudnadóttir won the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics’ Choice for her work on Joker. She’s my pick.

Music, Original Song

“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away,” Toy Story 4

“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” Rocketman

“I’m Standing With You,” Breakthrough

“Into the Unknown,” Frozen II

“Stand Up,” Harriet

While “Into the Unknown” has a good shot, I’m betting Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s name recognition take this one home.

Production Design

The Irishman

Jojo Rabbit

1917

Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Parasite

This is a tough call between World War I and 1969 Hollywood. In this category, I’m betting on the nostalgic recreation of Hollywood, which managed to evoke both its grit and its glamour.

Visual Effects

Avengers: Endgame

The Irishman

The Lion King

1917

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

I think this will be a tight race between The Irishman, with its reverse aging technology, and 1917. I’m going WWI.

Makeup and Hairstyling

Bombshell

Joker

Judy

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

1917

Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie, and Nicole Kidman inhabited their roles in part due to the excellent work of the makeup and hairstyling teams on Bombshell. It’s my choice here.

Sound Editing

Ford v Ferrari

Joker

1917

Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Sound Mixing

Ad Astra

Ford v Ferrari

Joker

1917

Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Action movies like Fury Road, which won six Academy Awards including statues for visual effects and production design, make me think that Ford v Ferrari has a serious shot here. Revving engines, quick cuts, and squealing tires will do that. But I’m going for the bombs and earth-shaking trench collapses of 1917. Sound has the power to elicit emotion, and in 1917 it was wildly effective.

Writing, Adapted Screenplay

The Irishman

Jojo Rabbit

Joker

Little Women

The Two Popes

Greta Gerwig is a favorite for her unique and highly respected interpretation of Little Women, but Hollywood (and writers) love to reward the offbeat. This year, that’s Jojo Rabbit, a wild satire of Hitler youth.

Writing, Original Screenplay

Knives Out

Marriage Story

1917

Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Parasite

I’ve raved to friends about how much I love the screenplay for Knives Out. It’s a fabulous, entertaining movie (really, go see it.) But sadly, it won't win. Hollywood pundits argue that the statue should go to Quentin Tarantino for Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood. I’m going with Parasite, which picked up the BAFTA.

Short Film, Animated

Dcera (Daughter)

Hair Love

Kitbull

Memorable

Sister

Short Film, Live Action

Brotherhood

Nefta Football Club

The Neighbors’ Window

Saria

A Sister

I’m going on gut instinct and brief glimpses with these picks. I’m more confident in Hair Love than in my choice of The Neighbors’ Window, though. Oddsmakers keep shifting between The Neighbors’ Window and Brotherhood. Frankly, I like the concept of Nefta Football Club, a French film that’s more lighthearted than the rest of the pack, but lighthearted rarely wins Oscar in this category.

Aside from the winners, I predict that: 1) Idina Menzel will bring down the house with her Original Song performance; 2) viewers will be shocked—shocked!—that Renée Zellweger sounds Texan; and 3) the In Memoriam presentation will get a massive cheer for Kirk Douglas, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 103. He more than earned one.

Now it’s your turn. What are your predictions? Which movies have you seen and enjoyed? Any that were nominated that made you shake your head? Comment away!

Coming Soon: Fit for a Queen

The countdown is on! Only seven days remain until the release of an all-new Royal Scandals novel, Fit for a Queen. 

Better news: it is the first of six Royal Scandals novels releasing this year.

Fit for a Queen offers all the elements you love about the series: family secrets, romantic nights under the stars, and an abundance of happy feels. It also introduces a new royal family, the diTalora family of San Rimini, who are longtime friends of Sarcaccia’s royal Barrali family.

Fit for a Queen will be available worldwide in ebook, print, and audio. Click HERE to be directed to your favorite retailer.

Want a preview? 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?

I can’t wait to hear what you think of Royce and Daniela’s story. In the meantime, keep your eyes out for Behind the Scenes info, which will be posted to my website shortly. In the coming days, I’ll also share the Pinterest board I used while writing the story.

Happy reading!

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PS: As with all Royal Scandals titles, Fit for a Queen will be available in libraries around the world in ebook, print, and audio editions thanks to international distributors such as Overdrive, Baker & Taylor, and Hoopla. If you don't see it at your local branch, ask for it!