40 for 40 - Fiona Harper

It seems appropriate that I'm introducing today's guest blogger just when I'm organising myself (well, trying to!) to go to the Romantic Novelists' Association  Conference this weekend.  I first met Fiona Harper at the RNA Conference - well, it only seems like yesterday but  when I look at how many books Fiona has had published I realise it was before her first book - and that was back in 2006!  Doesn't time fly when you're having fun - and you will be having fun if you read Fiona's books.



As she says on her web site: I write funny, fresh, heart-warming romantic stories for Harlequin Mills & Boon.

(I wrote the start of this intro last week before I set out for RNA  but now I'm editing it to add that one of the highlights for me of my visit to RNA was the talk given by Fiona on Romantic Structure. Although I don't work that way myself, being a total pantser, I  found it fascinating  and a really interesting way to look at creating a book. If you're a writer and you want to find out more - take a look at Fiona's post on the  Pink Heart blog  for yesterday where she has written up her talk for those who could not be there. It's well worth reading.)

Welcome Fiona!

Hi Kate! Congratulations to you and the Babe Magnet on your milestone anniversary! You’re both an inspiration to us all.

All this talk of anniversaries has got me thinking about weddings and engagements. Sigh. Such wonderful, emotion-filled times in one’s life, which is maybe why there are so many wedding and engagement related films around. I thought I would share a list of my top five. They all seem to be chick flicks or rom coms, but maybe that’s because there’s nothing us gals like more than a good cry at a good wedding!

1. 27 Dresses

I love this sweet film about a girl who’s the perpetual bridesmaid and just can’t say no to anyone. When she finally learns to stand up for herself, I want to punch the air and cheer! And I love the way she pays those 27 brides back for making her wear those monstrosities.

2. Sweet Home Alabama
In this film, Reece Witherspoon is going home to divorce her old husband because she’s about to snag herself a new one, but discovers she can't divorce her past as easily. I love that the opening and ending scenes of the film are almost identical – with the hero and heroine on the beach in the pouring ran. “What do you want to be married to me for, anyhow?” “So I can kiss you any time I want.” Sigh.

3. Leap Year

I love Amy Adams, and she’s great as the uptight Anna in this film where she decides she’s had enough of waiting for her perfect man to propose and decides to take matters into her own hands. Favourite secondary character: Louis the suitcase. (Just watch it, you’ll see what I mean.)

4. Bride Wars

This is more a tale of friendship between Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway rather than a love story, but I like the way it shows how we can sometimes get caught up in the hype of the big day and forget what’s really important.

5. The Proposal

I only watched this for the first time recently, but Sandra Bullock’s hard-nosed business woman character just melted my heart as she finally let her walls down and let herself care about people. Also loved the way she saw her assistant (who she’d blackmailed into marrying her for a green card) in a totally new light once they were away from the office.

And now I’ve got a giveaway!
 If you want to win a signed copy of Always The Best Man, my RoNA Rose Award-nominated romance, all you need to do is tell me what your favourite wedding-related movie is and why.
Fiona

You can find Fiona at www.fionaharper.com, or on Facebook or Twitter.