Alix Nichols Blog

"A Duchess with a Secret" Book Trailer

5/24/2026

If you’ve been following my adventures in the Montevor Royals saga, you already know I have a soft spot for this quirky little principality perched on the edge of France, Italy, and Switzerland.

It’s a place where ancient castles hide modern secrets, where royals are equal parts protective and sinfully charming, and where feisty heroines keep them on their toes while the whole country holds its breath.

From the very first spark in The Boss Prince to the delicious twists in A Duchess with a Secret (which lands on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited this coming Sunday, May 31st!), the Montevor royals have stolen my heart (and, I hope, yours too). I’ve loved every minute of letting these characters stumble into love, dodge royal scandals, and fight for their happily-ever-afters. 💕👑

What I adore most is how each story peels back another layer of Mont Évor’s world—without ever taking itself too seriously.

And to get your juices flowing, I have a little video teaser for you. Grab a cup of tea (or something stronger), settle in, and give it a watch!

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The Boss Prince (Montevor Royals, book 1)

6/8/2021

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What if you fell for your charming new boss... only to discover he’s a real prince from a hidden European kingdom racing against time to save it?

Welcome to The Boss Prince, the first book in my Montevor Royals saga!

Children’s entertainer Lucie Laborde has a strict no-dating-bosses policy—until she accidentally falls for Maximilian Valois-Montevor. He’s not just handsome and loaded. He’s also heir to a principality that’s about to expire like a bad coupon unless its royals track down a set of antique keys, all while dodging a villain named Kurt Ozzi (yes, really).

One of my favorite parts of writing this book was creating Lucie and Max’s very first love scene. It was directly inspired by my favorite scene in the classic film How to Steal a Million with Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole (pictured below).

Just like I always wondered what a kiss between Mr. Darcy and Lizzy Bennet would be like (and ended up writing Find You in Paris), I’ve also always secretly wondered about that tender kiss in a broom closet of a Parisian museum between Hepburn’s and O’Toole’s characters.

What if it had grown more passionate and gotten completely out of control? What if they had been unable to stop? Would they have done something as crazy as making love in that tiny storage room? What kind of lovemaking would that have been?

Those tantalizing questions are responsible for the first love scene in The Boss Prince. 👑
All in all, the Montevor Royals saga brings you Bridgerton’s sparkling romance and family drama along with The Da Vinci Code’s clever conspiracy thrills.

And at the heart of it all is one delicious question: can two people who absolutely should not kiss stop long enough to save a nation?
💕

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4 Reasons Why Women Love Sports Romance and Athletes

2/24/2017

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#1: Yummy Bods

Not all sports are equal in this regard. Think chess. Not that there's anything wrong with chess-players. I actually happen to have a thing for them, and I've written a romcom novella whose hero plays chess for a living. You can sign up for my newsletter and get a free copy here.

In my humble opinion, swimming gives men the very best body shape of all. It flatters even the pear-shaped ones.

But the lucky guys who start out V-shaped? They turn into something out of this world.

Exactly like the three French water-polo players on the covers of my Playing to Win series.

#2: Drive

Athletes share this trait with another beloved romance hero, the wealthy businessman. Top-level athletes are just as smart and driven as the next billionaire. And that combination? We love it.

#3: Discipline and sacrifice

Athletes are men of action. A good athlete doesn’t second-guess himself and doesn’t give up when things get tough, much like a good soldier. His mission is to succeed or help his team succeed, and he gives it everything he’s got. And that, my friends, is sexy.

#4: Team spirit

Even in solitary sports like running or wrestling, athletes from the same country pull together during world championships and the Olympic Games. But in team sports the collective energy of a band of hunks working in perfect sync is almost palpable. It’s contagious. Their defeats dampen our spirits. Their victories lift us up. They inspire us. And they remind us that the sky really is the limit for those who dare to dream.

Those four qualities are precisely why I had such fun writing my Playing to Win sports romance series. Each book follows one of those driven, disciplined, ridiculously fit athletes as he meets the woman who turns his world upside down.

Would you agree with my points above?

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Noah's passion

1/5/2017

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The third book in the Darcy Brothers series, The Perfect Catch (Noah’s story), is coming along nicely.

Below is a pic that contains a clue about the hero’s passion. Can you guess what it is?

And no, you smart mouth, Noah’s passion doesn’t lie in looking gorgeous while lathering his scalp. But it does have something to do with water.

Noah plays water polo!

If you don’t know what water polo is, google it and prepare to swoon over pictures of hunks wearing nothing but speedos and bonnets.

Photo by Hossam el-Hamalawy

Correction: The appropriate term is “headgear”, and its purpose is to protect the players’ ears.

But, really, it’s a bonnet.

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RAPHAEL'S FLING: INSPIRATION BOARD

11/25/2016

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I’ve been having way too much fun putting together this mood and inspiration board for Raphael’s Fling — and I finally had to share it with you!

In my head, I’ve cast a younger Chris Pine as Raphael d’Arcy (that wicked grin, that effortless charm… yes, please 😏) and Eva Green as Mia. She's elegant, mysterious, and quietly brilliant. In other words, perfect for my bookish and secretive heroine.

Does this casting click for you, or do you picture Raphael and Mia completely differently?

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Behind the scenes...

3/22/2016

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Want to see some real-world places, things and sentient beings that inspired the Bistro La Bohème books?

Here we go!

Bare necessities

Père Tanguy's Shop on rue Clauzel, which Lena visits in "What If It's Love?"

My thinking couch

I often write in cafes. This is one of my favorites in Paris.

A real cafe on Rue Cadet where the fictional bistro La Bohème is located.

"Cafe Terrace at Night" by Vincent Van Gogh that Anna admires in "Winter's Gift"

Le dog, puppy days

Marta Arias (here pictured in Seville, Spain) inspired Flamenco dancer Pilar in "Amanda's Guide to Love"

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Amanda's Guide to Love is here!

2/14/2016

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One uptight career woman down on her luck.
One free-spirited blackjack player.
One wild, no-strings night that changes everything…

Gorgeous, non?

I mean both the dance and the man, who's none other than the hyper-talented Spanish flamenco dancer Joaquín Cortés.

Just like Cortés, the swoonworthy hero of Amanda’s Guide to Love Kes Moreno is a Gypsy. More specifically, he is a member of the Gitano subgroup concentrated in Spain and southern France. Many French Gitanos are still nomadic, perpetuating a lifestyle and a culture that date back millennia.

Van Gogh painted these Gitano caravans near Arles in 1888.

The picture below shows modern Gitan caravans parked in the same area. The technology has changed, but the way of life of the gens du voyage (traveling people), as they are officially referred to in France, has remained the same.

Always together, always on the move.

Amanda Roussel, the reluctant heroine of this romcom, is prejudiced, self-confident and ambitious. She can't imagine having a relationship -- let alone a future -- with a Gitano man, no matter how charming he is and regardless of how amazing their one-night stand was...

The trouble is, Kes won't give up without a fight. Resourceful and enterprising, he comes up with an unconventional plan to win Amanda's heart.

Among other things, the aforementioned plan involves a practical guidebook, a non-venomous spider, a Gypsy christening, a pair of highly symmetrical shoulders, three consecutive pacts, one challenge, and a Garfield joke.

Can a crazy plan like that ever work?

You'll have to read the book to find out.

EARLY REVIEWS

"Kes makes me want to go find a gorgeous Gypsy for a summer fling!" — Ann Omasta

"The book full of funny situations and spiced with amusing tidbits, but it is deeply looking into human feelings and what makes people tick." — Kacmor

"A heartwarming story. The characters filled the book with friendship and love." — S. Pippins

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Woo-hoo! I won!

12/13/2015

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A month ago, I submitted my newest novel, Amanda’s Guide to Love, to Kindle Scout, an Amazon contest where readers decide which books get published by Kindle Press. (Well, technically, the decision is made by Kindle Press editors, but readers’ votes play a crucial part).

Today, I’m delighted to announce that Amanda’s Guide to Love was selected.

Janine Savage and Jen Matera of Write Divas edited this book. Kim Killion of The Killion Group made the cover.

Amanda’s Guide to Love will be available for sale early next year, hopefully in January (follow me on Amazon to be informed of the release date).

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who supported me. Hip hip hip hurrah! Champagne all around!

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Cyril's songs

8/12/2015

Since Falling for Emma was published, readers have been saying they wished they could hear Cyril’s songs. Believe me, I wish I could hear them too . . . that is, in real life, and not just in my head.

The best I can do for you at this juncture is to excerpt some of the lyrics featured in different Bistro La Bohème books, and point you to a couple of singer-songwriters whose musical universe and style are the closest to Cyril’s.

Let’s start with the singers.

Bénabar is the French chanson star who taught himself to play the piano at the age of twenty-five and then began to write beautiful songs. He performed them in bars and nightclubs and toured nonstop until success came in the late 1990s. The song below is one of my favorites. It’s about a family house (the title translates as “Four Walls and a Roof”), but what it really talks about is the impermanence of all things and the tragic beauty of life.

Hozier is a young Irish musician whose breakthrough 2013 single, “Take Me to Church,” is, IMO, one of the most beautiful songs ever written. It talks about faith, romantic love, and the human condition. Oh, and if you haven’t seen dancer Sergei Polunin’s performance to this song, you’ve got to watch it right now. Seriously—drop everything you’re doing and watch it.

Mind-blowing, isn’t it?

And now, a few snippets from my favorite songs by Cyril.

Stray Dog

Grooming is for poodles,
Training is for hounds.
I traded my leash for dignity.
Got any scraps, anyone?

Under My Skin

I’m ablaze drowning in the ocean,
I’m adrift pacing in my room,
In my heart only one emotion--
Every
night I
crave
you,
Like a crazed wolf howling at the moon.
You’re under my skin--
tattooed.

Maybe I’m the One

Baby, come and sit with me--
here in the sun.
Baby, let me ease your pain.
Maybe I’m the one . . .

So Free

A gaping window.
A gauze curtain
Slips outside, flaps
and hurtles
Toward the star-filled
heart
of the night.

Riding the evening breeze,
Into the outer space,
Planting a white-hot kiss
Onto the moon’s sweet face.

And if I didn’t
know better,
I’d bet it soared
untethered--
So free it seems.
So free.
It seems.

* * *

If you’re inspired to put any of these lyrics to music and record a song, knock yourself out—and be sure to send me the link!

The Waiters' Race

12/8/2014

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The first Waiters’ Race, La Course des Garçons de Café, took place in Paris in the 1920s.

Waiters, in proper waiter attire, rushed to the finish line carrying a tray of glasses. The aim was to get there without breaking a glass or spilling a drink.

Paul Louis

After a hiatus, the race returned to Paris in 2011. Here is a video of the historic event. Sponsored by Orangina, the event attracted thousands of spectators and hundreds of participants.

The 2011 race started at the magnificent Place des Vosges in the Marais district. It’s the oldest and, in my humble opinion, most beautiful square in Paris. Built by King Henri IV in the early 17th century, the Place des Vosges is perfectly square and strikingly symmetrical. Thirty-six red-brick-and-white-stone buildings border the place, and their steep slate roofs, dormer windows, and arcades will charm the most jaded of visitors.

Anastasia Petrova / Shutterstock.com

Just like in the 1920s, the participants in the 2011 edition wore starched white shirts, bowties, aprons, and shiny black shoes. They walked as fast as possible (a Parisian waiter NEVER runs), holding a loaded wooden tray.

On the tray, they carried a bottle of Orangina (granted, Orangina didn't exist until the 1930s, but that’s a minor detail) and two full glasses. The goal was to beat the competitors to the finish line without spilling the contents of the tray.

The 2011 event inspired the waiters’ race in Under My Skin (Bistro La Bohème, book 4), which was won by the eponymous bistro.

Évidemment.

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Love Paris? Here’s How to Make it Love You Back

10/11/2014

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Audrey Hepburn says in Sabrina, “Paris is always a good idea.” Most would agree… except those whose Parisian dream turned into a huge letdown.

When Lena, the heroine of my novel What If It’s Love? (Bistro La Bohème, book 2) arrives in Paris, she’s thrilled, even though she has been to the City of Light before. But this time is different. Lena plans to settle in for at least a couple of months, maybe a year, and experience Paris as a local.

You'd be surprised how doable that is. All you need to do is follow three ground rules that form an open sesame to the hearts of Parisians.

Ground Rule # 1: Appearances matter in Paris. A lot. So, make sure yours doesn’t scream, “I’m a foreign dork. Despise me!”

In other words, avoid looking like a dowdy schoolmarm or a tramp. Instead:

a. Wear elegant clothes, shoes, and accessories.

They don’t have to be expensive. You’re telling Parisians about your good taste, not the size of your pocketbook.

So go ahead and ditch that fanny pack and those hideous Velcro sandals… unless you’re into men who pair shorts with long socks and the aforementioned Velcro sandals.

b. Don’t show too much skin.

Parisian women dress coquettishly but conservatively. When they show off their tanned legs, they cover the cleavage; when they don a strapless top, they pair it with pants or a long skirt.

If you go out wearing a micro-skirt / crop top combo, you’ll attract attention, all right.

But you’ll repel the kind of Frenchman who’d want to show you sights other than his bedroom.

Ground Rule # 2: Show respect to waiters and shopkeepers

In shops, say bonjour to the shopkeeper before conducting your business. If you skip the greeting, he or she will find a way to punish you. It may be a small way, such as making you wait, but it can also be something nastier. A shopkeeper who decides you’re an arrogant bitch won’t hesitate to foist a stale croissant on you.

In cafés and restaurants, NEVER snap your fingers and shout “Garçon!” to attract the attention of a waiter. Doing so might have been OK in Maupassant’s day, but it’s a definite no-no today.

Remember: an aggravated waiter can do some depraved things to your drink and food. That is, if he ever deigns to take your order.

It’s safe to call servers Monsieur or Madame. A "s’il vous plaît" and a raised hand work too.

Ground Rule # 3: Communicate with tact and patience

Don’t expect the locals to strike up a conversation with you in a bar, bakery line or the métro… unless you’re wearing a micro-skirt and a crop top.

In which case, please refer to # 1.b above.

Don’t smile at random passersby. They’ll think you’re crazy. Do smile at people you’ve seen more than once in your neighborhood. Do say bonjour to someone you run into regularly in your local café or convenience store. If the person greets you back, try commenting on the weather or cracking a joke.

Provided you don’t look like a foreign dork (see # 1.a above), you may get a friendly reply or a chuckle, which may lead to a chat, a helpful tip or an invitation to a Neighbors’ Fête.

That’s it. Follow these three ground rules, and Paris will open its arms to you.

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Ode to the Beta Male

8/21/2014

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Almost every woman has, at some point, wanted a tall, dark, and brooding Alpha Male. Think Mr. Darcy and Mr. Big.

The thing is, in real life we might be much better off falling for a Beta.

Hear me out.

(By the way, that's Adrien in the picture, the chess-playing Beta male from my novella You're the One, free to newsletter subscribers).

But what's a Beta, anyway, you might ask?

Let me start by describing what the Beta male is NOT.

He isn’t a permanently battle-ready, headstrong, testosterone-oozing warrior type, cruelly lacking in sensitivity and subtlety.

He's also less common than the Alpha male.

Why?

Evolution, baby.

In prehistoric times, the Alpha had a greater chance of surviving. Having survived, often by killing a scary beast or a grabby rival, he'd become Big Boss and get the corner cave.

Naturally, he'd also pick the most desirable female and try his luck at reproducing.

The Alpha male is the hero of most romance books and, of course, action movies. Daniel Craig comes to mind. Channing Tatum, too.

In stark contrast to the Alpha, the Beta male is quiet and sensitive. He stays in the background. He can be strong and good-looking, but in a low-key, unassuming way. He’s never a bully. Which doesn’t mean he’s a coward with no self-respect.

In centuries past, the Beta male would have been a shaman, a monk or a bard. Today’s Beta often goes by “geek”, “nerd” or “shy guy”. What he lacks in testosterone he makes up for in ingenuity and humor. He can be as successful as the next Alpha, but he won't go around puffing his chest and roaring at the top of his voice about his exploits.

If you haven't yet met him in real life, you must have seen him in romantic comedies. Pick any male lead played by Paul Rudd, Justin Timberlake or Matthew Perry, and you have him.

These days, women want it all: equal rights, a fulfilling career and a family. There’s nothing wrong with that. Thankfully, technology has made the traditional division of labor between the sexes, save for breastfeeding, entirely optional.

The trouble is that many of us want it all, plus an Alpha male at our side. It's as if some remote, dark part of our brain still refuses to believe we’d survive without a protector in this big, big world. As if we still expected a saber-toothed tiger to lurk in the darkness behind the bushes.

Imagination

Reality

I'm not saying the modern world is completely safe for women. But a frail damsel with a gun or a Taser can protect herself from the hulkiest hulk, if you catch my drift.

Yet this ancient, “lizard” part of our brain still makes us want an Alpha male to protect us (and our babies, as the case may be).

Fair enough.

But here's the catch: today, we also want that Alpha to respect and understand us. We want him to notice our new haircut and do the dishes. We’d like him to be sweet AND authoritarian, trusting AND jealous, rakish AND loyal, seeking our opinion AND all-knowing, emotionally available BUT not whiny, sharing BUT not gossipy…

That's a tall order, don't you think?

So, here's my point: the answer to the modern woman's conundrum may be the Beta Male.

He is not a chimera. There have been numerous well-documented sightings in every city and town. There's abundant video footage, eyewitness accounts, wedding albums and social media posts that prove he exists, and can be found in public places such as cafés, gyms, bookshops and theaters.

The Beta male is gentle (not to be confused with weak), kind and reliable. If he falls for you, he won’t let you down. He’ll stand by your side — as a caring partner, not an overbearing protector. He’ll respect your choices, personal space and career.

He's Mr. Bingley in jeans.

And he can make a modern-day Jane very happy indeed.

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"A Duchess with a Secret" Book Trailer

The Boss Prince (Montevor Royals, book 1)

4 Reasons Why Women Love Sports Romance and Athletes

Noah's passion

RAPHAEL'S FLING: INSPIRATION BOARD

Behind the scenes...

Amanda's Guide to Love is here!

Woo-hoo! I won!

Cyril's songs

The Waiters' Race

Love Paris? Here’s How to Make it Love You Back

Ground Rule # 1: Appearances matter in Paris. A lot. So, make sure yours doesn’t scream, “I’m a foreign dork. Despise me!”

Ground Rule # 2: Show respect to waiters and shopkeepers

Ground Rule # 3: Communicate with tact and patience

Ode to the Beta Male

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