'Have you ever wondered what makes a writer? Or if you might become one yourself? Part memoir and part writing guide, Valerie Parv's book provides a fascinating look into her world of words.Valerie has been published since the age of fourteen when the Australian Women's Weekly accepted her first article. Ninety books, dozens of short fiction, magazine serials, movie scripts and articles followed. She has sold over 34 million books and ebooks translated into 29 languages. As she recounts here, from the drama of Parvgate to meeting some of her personal heroes and being made a Member of the Order of Australia, writing has sustained her, challenged her, frustrated and excited her throughout her career. Valerie concludes each chapter with a "writing takeaway" with unique insights and a few caveats for those interested in how she works her story magic or would like to follow in her footsteps.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Could a masked stranger be the answer to this princess's dreams?

'Princess Giselle de Marginy of Taurus is unhappy about one of the kingdom's old laws. According to the law, if a woman of royalty wishes to become keeper of Merrisand, she must be married, but Giselle doesn't want to marry just for a title… One day she attends a masked ball where she meets a man with mysterious blue eyes. Giselle feels a magnetic attraction to the man, but he leaves without revealing his identity. However, she will soon meet him again in a most unexpected way…' (Publication summary)

'Zoe is taking care of Genie, her late friend's daughter, after her husband died. One day, a strangely familiar man appears at the real estate agency where she works. His name is James Langford and he's the CEO of a world-famous company. Why did such a famous man come to her tiny real estate agency? She shows him a property and he invites her to dinner under the guise of wanting to ask more questions about the home. He's pushy and seems accustomed to getting what he wants from people. But during the dinner, he reveals the astonishing truth: "The girl you call Genie is actually my daughter."' (Publication summary)

'Leaving Earth may be the only way to save it.

'An alien warship looms over Earth, and the only beings with the power to stand in its way are scattered to the winds. The beacons' messenger, Adam, has mysteriously vanished, and the watcher, Elaine, is a prisoner aboard the alien ship. Only the listener, Garrett, remains, and he must use any means available to reunite the beacons and save the planet.

'Enlisting the help of celebrity Amelia Takei, Garrett is determined to answer the alien threat, but the warship's captain has demands. Convinced that they played a part in condemning her race to a barren planet, the captain intends to force the beacons to take her to their home planet to seek revenge.

'The beacons have an impossible choice - surrender to the alien captain's demands, or put their adopted planet at even greater risk by fighting back. In a last-ditch attempt to turn defeat into a chance for the planet's survival, Garrett and Amelia risk a daring raid on their enemy in space, where they make a startling discovery. Sometimes those you trust most can destroy you.

'This thrilling story of aliens living among us is perfect for fans of A.G. Riddle, Rysa Walker and Linnea Sinclair.' (Publication summary)

'A father's love can change the world.

'Trey Luken turned from his responsibilities - and his son - long ago. Though he left his homeworld to become a beacon and protect a distant planet called Earth, burdened with great power, Trey vanished into the bottom of a bottle.

'When Trey's half-human son Garrett is captured and tortured by a nefarious anti-alien syndicate, Trey gets the wake-up call he needed. For years he has held the key to Earth's survival but has lived in the shadows rather than confront his destiny. Now he sees a chance to regain his self-respect and his son's trust, emerging from among the humans to bring justice to the perpetrators.

'He sees only one way to redeem himself and give his son a fighting chance: killing the man responsible for Garrett's suffering. But will Trey's actions be too little, too late, to save humanity?

'This thrilling story of aliens living among us is perfect for fans of A.G. Riddle, Rysa Walker and Linnea Sinclair.' (Publication summary)

'The beacons - Adam, Garrett and Elaine - are cut off from their homeworld.

'In finding each other they obliterated the first wave of an alien attack on Earth, and together they remain humanity's only chance of salvation. But they are little help to Earth when they are being tracked like prey by a relentless assassin and are unable to tap into the source of their power, their distant planet of origin.

'When an assassin, sole survivor of the decimated alien attack force, captures Garrett, Elaine must make vital decisions that will change their relationship forever, putting at risk the crucial role they share in keeping Earth safe. Meanwhile, Adam must reforge the severed connection to their distant homeworld before the threat returns.

'If the beacons are to avert catastrophe, they must rescue Garrett and make a connection with their home planet before the invaders return, but will it be too late?

'This thrilling story of aliens living among us is perfect for fans of A.G. Riddle, Rysa Walker and Linnea Sinclair.' (Publication summary)

'Earth has been saved from the brink of destruction - but for how long? Aliens known as the "beacons" have just averted the planet's total obliteration, so a powerful energy field near Earth is not putting minds at ease. And when Guy appears out of nowhere, remembering nothing but his name, the questions quickly stack up: is he a man, or an alien Trojan horse?

'One thing is soon made certain: he is the genetic twin of the country's leading scientist, Adam Desai, who is still coming to terms with his own alien origins. Not surprisingly, Adam suspects a connection between the stranger's sudden appearance and the recently defused threat to their planet.

'While Adam struggles to determine what Guy's existence means for himself and the future of humanity, both men fight the alarming effects of their too-similar make-up - and stuck in the middle is the space center's alluring, newly appointed director, Rosie Granger.

'This thrilling story of aliens living among us is perfect for fans of A.G. Riddle, Rysa Walker and Linnea Sinclair.' (Publication summary)

'A threat beyond anything humanity has ever faced is racing toward our solar system. Will those who can stop it learn to work together before it's too late?

'Adam Desai is a self-made man. From humble and mysterious origins he has built a career as the director of a prestigious space center. He is also a man who knows right from wrong, and something about the impending launch of the shuttle Arrafin seems very wrong.

'Deputy Governor Shana Akers is used to handling high-stakes situations. But can she believe Adam's suspicions? The launch is worth millions to the local area, and she knows she's not always the most level-headed when it comes to Adam.

'On the day of the launch, Adam is confronted by a pair of mysterious visitors, and suddenly everything he has ever believed about himself must change. Faced with a danger that threatens the entire planet, Adam and Shana must find the strength to trust not only each other, but the visitors, whose unusual abilities defy explanation.

'Only united do they stand a chance of averting disaster, and their choices will set them on a path to reclaiming humanity's birthright.

'This thrilling story of aliens living among us is perfect for fans of A.G. Riddle, Rysa Walker and Linnea Sinclair.' (Publication summary)

'Back in her lush, beloved Carramer, Carissa Day purchased the perfect B and B for raising her babies-to-be. Trouble was, an aristocratic "intruder" proved she'd been swindled--her new home was actually his royal lodge. Worse, he proved to be Carissa's teenage crush, Eduard de Marigny, Marquis of Merrisand--now more irresistible than ever.
'Penniless and pregnant--with triplets!-- Carissa had to flee. Eduard, however, had other ideas. Namely, a partnership giving Carissa a title and protection--and giving him an instant heir. Still, even with reignited passion burning between them, even with a kingdom at her feet, could Carissa wed her first and only love--and forever forsake having his heart?' (Publication summary)

'The Nuee Festival comes around once a year in the Kingdom of Carramer, and Princess Adrienne has disguised herself as a man so she can walk around the festival without being recognized. Hugh Jordan, an American with dreams of owning a horse ranch, came to Nuee Island to purchase the rare horses bred there, and he ends up meeting Adrienne “Dee” at the festival. Safe in her male identity, Dee argues with Hugh about ranch horses and leaves before her identity is found out. Unfortunately, she later meets Hugh at a dinner party where he recognizes her. He’s unable to resist teasing herBut can Hugh remain a gentleman, or will his lusts get the best of him? And how will Adrienne react to this enigma of a man who disregards her status and treats her like a normal human being?' (Publication summary)