Nikki Logan Nails It!

I was lucky enough to read Nikki Logan's debut novel, Lights,Camera...Kiss the Boss and I can't wait to tell you all how great it is. This is 'our Nikki' - a Bootcamp 109 coordinator and mentor - and she's absolutely nailed it. I plan on shouting it from the rooftop (pardon the pun) about this lovestory that blossoms...on a rooftop! Fellow Bootcampers - feel free to copy and re-post my review on any sites you know to help spread the word.

My Review

When talking about her writing, Nikki Logan says, she knows her job is done if her readers ‘catch a waft of rich earth and the spray of wild ocean between the pages’.

Well, she’s done that and more for this reader in her debut novel – Lights, Camera...Kiss the Boss.

Firstly, I love the concept – a landscape designer whose rooftop gardens bring beauty to the ‘natureless urban environments’ of Sydney’s city skyscrapers. Happiest with dirt on her hands, talking to her plants, Ava Lange suddenly finds herself thrust in front of the camera as presenter on a new TV reality show – Urban Nature. And camera-shyness is not her main concern. Her new boss is hotshot TV producer Daniel Arnot, the subject of her youthful infatuation nine years earlier.

Nikki has woven her passion for nature with her understanding of human emotion to give readers a delightfully contemporary story with a rich plot, blooming with colourful characters. The writing is fresh and flows from the start to the very last line. I particularly like how the parallel plot elements of nature, set against the lavish city life, reflects the conflict between down-to-earth Ava and her ambitious boss.

This is not another fall-in-love-with-the-boss story, nothing contrived or trite about it at all. Nikki’s characters are credible with very real issues and obstacles to overcome. She had me riding the romance rollercoaster with the very unassuming Ava Lange as she desperately tries to deal with unrequited love.

By writing about what she knows, Nikki has also given her readers an intriguing behind-the-scenes look at the television industry.

My favourite character: Nikki draws great characters to love and loath. I particularly enjoyed getting to know the unexpected uniqueness of a secondary character – Cadence. Very refreshing and wonderfully portrayed. Exceptional characterisation.

Favouite line: Every great romance has a great line – one that affects you so much you almost gasp (take Jerry McGuire’s, “You complete me” for example). Nikki provided that moment for me in this book with her perfectly poignant question about what makes a heart break. I’m not going to tell you what it is here - you’ll find it towards the end of Chapter Twelve.

Lights, Camera...Kiss the Boss, by Nikki Logan, is due for release in February. Be assured that this is definitely not an I’ve-read-it-all-before book.” I couldn’t put it down. It was lights, camera, action from beginning to end.

I’m told the real beginning for this story was back in June 2008 when members from Romance Writers Australia undertook their first 50ks in 30 Days challenge. It was Nikki’s first go at writing 50,000 words in a month, so it’s kind of fitting that it should be her first published novel, with Harlequin US snapping it up in November of that same year.


Lights, Camera...Kiss the Boss hits the book stands in Australia in February 2010.

That’s a wrap on my review. Thank you Nikki Logan. A brilliant debut novel. One of many, I hope.

For more about Nikki’s novels, visit her website http://www.nikkilogan.com.au/





Nikki's photo by Photo by Studio Noah, Western Australia

Like cats on a hot tin roof

While Tennessee William's play - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - examines the complicated rules of social conduct in southern (USA) culture in the 1950s, some of our Bootcamp Cats (along with other RWA members) are frantically examining the complicated rules of conduct for pitching to Harlequin.

In honour of all you cats (category writers) the rest of us are thinking of you and wishing you all the best. Now here is some rather pertinent Tennessee Williams dialogue. (If you don't know - Brick (the cat) and Maggie are central characters.)

Here you go:

Maggie says, "I'll win, alright."

Brick says, "Win what? What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof?"

Maggie says, "Just staying on it, I guess. As long as she can. "

Maggie then says, "And nothing's more determined than a cat on a hot tin roof. Is there? Is there, baby?"

You go Cats.

Bootcamp 109ers Rock!

After Elizabeth's success (see previous post) I thought I should put together a compilation of our triumphs so far…

Monique Wood & Fiona Gregory – Little Gems Finalists

Both The Boss’s Wife (Mon) and A Happy New Year (Fi) are to appear in RWA Little Gem Anthology – 2009 Turquoise.

Order your copy here: http://www.romanceaustralia.com/littlegems.html


Sandie Hudson – Challenge Collection Finalist

My Merry Maid is an erotic short story to be published by Kiwi Writers (http://kiwiwriters.org/) as an ebook and print book in July 2009.


Jenn McLeod – Partial Request

Having submitted a synopsis to wewriteromance.com for one of her short stories, Jenn was asked to submit a partial for further consideration. After due deliberation and discussion Jenn decided not to pursue this offer further.


A cyber-toast to these ladies.

Who knows what else 2009 might bring…

The wit 'n' wisdom of Valerie Parv

‘Who needs a workshop, all we need are pix of Hugh, stripped down to bare essentials.’
Valerie Parv, Bootcamp 109 story structure workshop

The above quote gives some indication of the preoccupation of the 109 Bootcampers and of the wonderfully irreverent and wicked sense of humour of guest presenter Valerie Parv.

The acknowledged queen of romance writing in Australia, Valerie ran two sessions on story structure over the two bootcamp weekends. I mean, how lucky can you get?

There was lots of online chortling, snorting and ROFLs. But, when we weren’t having our way with ‘Huge Ackman’, Valerie pulled us into line and took us on a magical mystery tour of the ABC and D of story structure.

And what a trip it was, leading us to many lightbulb moments. In Valerie’s words ‘structure is not a prison or a formula. It’s more a roadmap to let readers explore the issues you’re developing in your story.’

We had to work hard for Valerie (and Huge). She gave us a challenging homework assignment and provided invaluable feedback in the second session.

That she gave every bootcamper her full attention is a testament to this amazing woman’s talents as a writer, teacher and mentor. She is an inspiration.

Thank you Valerie Parv.

You can find Valerie's website at http://www.valerieparv.com/