Blue Roses – A Sneak Peak

Guess what’s coming soon -my next novel! Woo hoo!!!! Here’s a sneak peak.

She was determined to make partner.

He was determined to have her as his wife.

Neither expected to be fighting for their lives. 

A love of a lifetime…

Where most women would welcome love from a wealthy, good-looking man, Chicago-based investment manager, Dallas Marcel, is not one of them. She will never let a man control her life again. That includes handsome entrepreneur, Tyler Hollister. Dallas is on track to making partner and she’s not letting anything or anyone get in her way. But when her life is put in danger, and a ponzi scheme ignites a SEC investigation of her firm, she realizes the one man she’d banned from her heart, might be the only one who can save her career and her life.

Tall, dark, and handsome, Tyler Hollister can have any woman he wants, but he only wants one – Dallas. When he starts talking marriage, she breaks things off between them, claiming she doesn’t want a romantic entanglement to hinder her plight to making partner. A chance meeting, six months later, brings them face to face and Tyler soon realizes the intense sexual attraction they once shared is stronger than ever. But he swore he was done with her. Except he finds out her life is in danger, and his protective instincts take over. Can he save her life without losing his heart … again?

Blue Roses, available July 11, 2012!

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When Dreams Meet Reality

I have some exciting news!

Today I am guest blogging over at: the Writer’s Blog (hosted by – Yawatta Hosby). This is exciting, because technically, this is my first guest blogging opportunity! So stop by and visit while I discuss my fun topic – When Dreams Meet Reality! Hope to see you there! Here’s the link: http://yawattahosby.wordpress.com/

Special Guest: Yawatta Hosby – Is T.M.I. – A Turn-off For You?

Today I have a fabulous blogger, Yawatta Hosby, visiting and sharing her thoughts on love scenes – how much is too much?  Please join me in welcoming her! Alright Yawatta, take it away!

Is T.M.I. (Too Much Information) A Turn-off For You?
A guest post by Ywatta Hosby

Are you a visual reader? I love when an author is great with description, causing me to get lost in their story. However, there’s some scenes that should be left to the readers’ imagination.

What scenes, you ask? The ones involving sex, lovemaking, quickies, etc.

I want to feel what the characters feel. I want to sense what’s going on around them. With sex scenes, descriptions should be based more on the emotional aspect instead of the mechanical terms. I like it when the story makes me feel like I’m experiencing the character’s journey with them instead of just reading about a character.

When the scene gets too technical, it comes across as just reading about a character, just looking from the sidelines. To me, too technical or mechanical means describing every single action, every single position, where characters’ mouths and hands are placed every step of the way. Also, when I see “so and so inserted ____ into ____” that’s T.M.I. (Too Much Information), which pulls me right out of the story.

Even if a reader doesn’t have an active sex life, they can still figure out how the process works, especially if they watch TV and movies. So, us readers, don’t need a play-by-play breakdown written for us to comprehend what’s going on.

It’s best to leave some things up for the readers’ imagination. My favorite type of lovemaking scenes are the ones that reveal the emotional side of things and let’s my mind wander, interpreting however I’d like to.

What’s your favorite type of scenes?

And, I love when the writer captures one character’s thoughts, emotions, and perceptions throughout the scene. It gets too confusing when both characters’ thoughts are used simultaneously. The whole point is to connect with the journey of the people you’re reading about; it’s difficult to do that when headhopping is present. Readers will get a sense of everything that’s going on but won’t have time to process it.

I don’t know about you, but I want to process the moment like its a favorite website embedded in my memory. I want to finish reading and go “Oh, they’re so cute together! I hope they last!” I want to get the warm fuzzies like I do every time I watch The Notebook.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Every story doesn’t require sex scenes. If you read Christian, inspirational, or cozy mysteries, then you’ve probably never came across any of these scenes. There’s some genres that forbid it, some that can go either way, and some where if not enough, readers will demand a refund.

I don’t want to read lovemaking scenes that don’t enhance the plot or fit the character’s personality. Then it just comes across as the writer adding those actions because he or she felt they had to in order to sell the novel. In today’s age, sex sells. However, there’s been amazing books that I’ve read where the sex wasn’t mentioned at all, yet it was still a hot, passionate, and steamy novel. The way the authors described make-out sessions or sexual tension was a huge turn-on, so I can only imagine how awesome a lovemaking scene from them would be (if the story required it).

For all the readers out there, is T.M.I. a turn-off for you? Do you enjoy reading sex scenes? Or do you get embarrassed, blushing and hoping no one looks over your shoulder?

Thanks for being my guest, Yawatta!

Show Yawatta some love by leaving a comment. I’d also encourage everyone to stop by and visit Yawatta’s blog (especially if you’re an aspiring writer/author)! You can also contact her at:

Blog: http://yawattahosby.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/yawatta_hosby

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/yawatta

Something New – Excerpt

For those of you who still haven’t had a chance to read, Something New, I figured I’d give you a little excerpt of what you’re missing!

A Blurb About the Book

Entrepreneur, Simone Edwards, did what any intelligent woman with a ticking biological clock would do: she asked her longtime boyfriend to marry her. Devastated when he turns her down, and fed up with dead-end relationships, Simone swears off men … and takes a vow of celibacy. How hard could it be? She soon learns it’s harder than she thinks when the most irresistible man in the world, Tim Hollister, shows up at her job. She hasn’t seen him in over ten years, and quickly realizes he is a temptation she doesn’t want to resist. But isn’t there some rule about dating your friend? Simone must decide if a romance with Tim is worth risking their friendship, and her reclaimed virginity.

Tim Hollister has placed a padlock on his heart. But when Simone, an old high school friend, falls back into his life, he soon forgets his promise to stay clear of beautiful women. Simone was always like a sister to him, but he discovers that his feelings for her aren’t very brotherly. He’s captivated by the woman she’s become and is on a mission to take their friendship to the next level, and prove that he’s the man for her.

Excerpt – This is part of a scene where Tim shows up at Simone’s company, as a consultant who her business partner wants to hire. Going in, Tim doesn’t know that Simone is part owner of the business, but when he sees her (after ten years) he suggests they get reaquainted. Simone’s not sure that’s a good idea.

****

“Maybe.”

Simone had told Jessica no men. So why was she sitting across from Tim, who was all man?

“What do you mean maybe?” Jessica questioned.

Oh crap, did I say that out loud? “I meant, though I think Tim would be easy to work with, we should discuss my needs…” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I mean we should discuss our organization’s needs and how he can help us. And of course, we’ll have to interview other candidates.” Simone felt her face heat at her faux pas and didn’t miss the amused look on her partner’s face. She didn’t dare look at Tim.

“Okay, well, let’s talk about our needs, and Tim, you can let us know if you can help us,” Jessica said.

Simone couldn’t believe how flustered she felt being near Tim. But who could blame her? She was acutely conscious of how his wide chest and muscular arms filled his tailored black suit jacket. Relaxed and confident, he discussed with Jessica how his consulting company could assist them. Simone’s breathing quickened when he glanced at her and smiled, causing her eyes to zone in on those chiseled cheekbones that graced his ruggedly handsome face. She groaned within and rubbed her forehead, realizing small pebbles of sweat had formed at her hairline.

What is wrong with me? It’s not like I’ve never seen a good-looking man before. I must be coming down with a cold or something.

“And so when we failed to raise enough money for the expansion,” Simone heard Jessica say, “we went to the bank for a loan, but they turned us down.”

Tim frowned. “I’m surprised. Of course, I would have to look at your books to know more, but based on what you’ve said, it sounds like you guys are running a sound business.”

Simone put her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand. She listened as the two continued to talk back and forth. It wasn’t necessary for her to add her two cents since Jess seemed to be doing fine explaining their needs. Tim listened carefully, mentally cataloging all that was said. He was like that in high school as well. As good friends, they had studied together on occasion and even hung out some weekends. What she remembered most—his kindness, and that he was a great listener. Until now, she hadn’t realized how much she missed his friendship.

Her gaze remained on him. She couldn’t get over how good he looked. The moment she walked into the room and saw him, her pulse had tripled, and she wouldn’t be surprised if he’d heard her heart pounding against her chest. He was sexier than she remembered, and those dark, penetrating eyes could draw in the strongest woman. He always did have women vying for his attention, and probably still did since he was even hotter than he was back then.

Stop, stop, stop it. This is Tim Hollister, friend. He’s off-limits. Besides, I’m done with men.

“Anything you want to add, Simone?” Jessica asked.

Simone’s head jerked up at hearing her name. She closed the notebook that sat on the table in front of her. “Uh, no. I think you covered it all.”

Okay, so those of you who have read, Something New – let me hear from you! Those of you who haven’t – what are you waiting for?