make it work
As I announced recently, I’ve agreed to write a brand new trilogy for Harlequin Desire, currently titled “Project: Passion”—loosely based on a Project Runway-inspired concept, set in the world of high fashion.
Ironically, we’ve agreed to start with a two-book contract. I know, I know… Trilogy = 3 books. And I fully intend for there to be at least three books to this thing. But it’s a business issue; apparently official trilogy contracts are complicated & it’s easier to start with two books, then tack on another one later.
Editor C did need a short overview for Book 1, though—currently titled PROJECT: RUNAWAY HEIRESS. (I really want these titles to stick, so keep your fingers crossed. 
)
So here’s what I came up with, literally overnight:
Clothing designer Lily Zaccaro has the weight of the world resting on her shoulders. Not only is she the driving force behind Zaccaro Fashions, but she’s the reason her two sisters upended their lives and followed her to New York to join in the design business, adding to the Zaccaro brand by helping her branch out into accessories, as well. But now someone is stealing her designs. Scooping her best efforts and threatening everything she—and her sisters—have worked so hard for.
British CEO Nigel Statham has been put in charge of the American offices of his family’s centuries-old clothing company, Ashdown Abbey. As they have throughout his life, his parents have high expectations of him, as well as the success of expanding the multi-million-dollar business started by his great-great grandfather. But so far, the U.S. branch is struggling, and he’s not quite sure what to do next.
Add to that the fact that he just broke up with his fiancée—an American model he met and thought he’d fallen in love with soon after arriving in the country, and Nigel is giving serious consideration to flying back across the pond.
Lily doesn’t want to think that anyone at Zaccaro Fashions is a spy and traitor, but hires a high-priced private investigation firm to run background checks (discreetly, of course) and find out for sure. But at the same time, she wants to know what’s going on behind the scenes at Ashdown Abbey that they would need to copy her design or could even get away with something so devious.
So when she discovers through the trades that the CEO of Ashdown Abbey is in need of a new personal assistant, she decides to apply for the job. Without a word to her sisters (she doesn’t want them to worry or even know the company is in jeopardy), Lily travels across the country to Los Angeles, adopts a new identity, and goes to work behind enemy lines.
From the minute Nigel lays eyes on his new PA, he knows hiring her was a mistake. But she’s infinitely qualified and competent, which is exactly what he needs right now. And if he finds her attractive . . . well, that’s something he’ll just have to tamp down and ignore. Not only can’t he afford to mix business with pleasure, but he learned his lesson about American women the hard way, and it’s not one he cares to repeat.
Maybe it’s his smooth British accent, charming smile, or dark good looks, but Nigel makes working with him a lesson in torment and self-control. It’s all she can do not to throw herself across his desk and beg him to take her during their long nights of all work and no play. And the longer she works with him, the more she gets to know this handsome CEO, the less she wants to believe he’s behind the theft of her designs. She’s certainly seen no signs of it so far.
But how can she believe he’s innocent when the proof of his treachery keeps walking down the runway right in front of her eyes?
The good news is that they loved it, & the entire trilogy is a go. :chickendance (Looks like I’ll be able to watch Project Runway now—new seasons & repeat marathons both—& call it research. :patrick )
The bad news is that they want Book 1 ASAP. Seriously ASAP. I agreed to a much tighter deadline than I’m comfortable with, but Editor C assured me they’re flexible. I’m still going to try to make it, of course, & am hard at work on the story already. But with this latest crisis (Gram’s stroke), we may be talking Olympic-caliber flexibility. :happysad
Comments
8 Comments • Comments Feed
Kathleen O says:
:thumbsup I have no doubt that you will get this book in time for the deadline.. I am already salivating at wanting to read more of this book and the series…
So get to it dear Mistress Hiedi, get the WHIP out and make it work… :devil :angel
On June 14, 2012 at 10:35 am
Hollie says:
You will do it!! with time to spare!!! Sounds great tho!! Cant wait!! :chickendance
On June 14, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Heidi says:
LOL You guys have way more faith in me than I have in myself. I’m doing my best, but the words just aren’t adding up as quickly as I’d like. And need! :slamdesk
We’ll see, tho. I’d much rather take a little more time to give you a really *good* book than rush thru & give you something sub par. :patrick4
On June 14, 2012 at 6:05 pm
Mary Kirkland says:
Time for us to snap the whip….get off the internet and get to work…*Snap..Pow* 😛
:lolol
We have faith in you, sounds like you have a great story brewing there already.
On June 14, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Laura J. says:
So very excited about this!! I’m in Heidi book withdrawal mode. I just recommended the Chicks with Sticks trilogy to someone tonight (to get her hooked on your books) so by the time I get her through those, these will be coming up!!
Question: (oh you knew this was coming) Are these going to be back to back to back OR will there be a little space in between each book? It doesn’t matter how they come out time wise…I’m just curious!! :cool
On June 14, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Heidi says:
Hey—I’m getting new bookmarks for the entire “Chicks with Sticks” trilogy (instead of one per title) + the vamp books. If you want a stack to pass out here & there, lmk. I’m eager to get these circulating, but can’t decide if it’s worth it to send them to the Street Team or not. (It’s not a dedicated promo push for a new release, but might be smart to give them some to keep on hand.) :scratchhead
Re: The “Project: Passion” books – probably not back to back. I would love that, but I can’t write them fast enough to not have a big, static gap between releases by holding on to them. They also want the first book asap, but aren’t as worried about the next two, so… I think we’re going to play it by ear. If possible, I’d like to at least talk them into working out a regular schedule for the three books, like one every two or three months so they’re equally separated & not just tossed out whenever. But we’ll see. :adevil2
On June 14, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Rhiannon says:
You can, You can! Sounds good! :thumbsup
On June 14, 2012 at 10:34 pm
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On January 28, 2014 at 9:04 am