#HolidayLove Blog Hop - The Holidays in Mauritius!

Hey beautiful people!

Awesome to be getting a chance to take part in yet another of Carrie Ann's lovely hops, and one about Holiday Love, too!

There are 200+ of us telling us about the holidays and romance in this hop. Goodies galore to be won at every stop, and don't forget - there's a chance to win the Grand Prizes by commenting at every stop. The more you comment, the better your chances. And look at this lineup - pretty swish, innit?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $200 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

So, what is it about holidays, and romance?

I don't do Christmas, not the celebration per se, but I do indulge in the holiday season. At this time of the year, in the southern hemisphere where Mauritius is located, the full of summer is blazing. So you're more likely to see everyone spilling out of their houses and hitting the numerous beaches on the island. Not to mention that the kids are on summer break, so the holidays become a prone time to spend treasured moments with your family.

There's a bash - usually a barbeque! - just about every weekend, family members taking the relay each week to host lunch or dinner. The kids all get to meet, and madness is magnified. :)

And that, to me, is what holidays are about. Ties, affection, love, a feeling of belonging while you let go of your day-to-day concerns and bask in a casual moment when you look at what really matters, and no longer sweat the small stuff.

Romance, too, in this time, is that to me - the notion of family, of ties, of finding a place to belong. Any romance that brings people together - the more unlikely the mix, the better - is a sure-fire bet for me to sit down with during the holiday season.

In fact, I started writing one such story two holiday seasons ago, in 2010. The idea came to me about a cold, reserved, and uptight forensic pathologist who suddenly lands custody of an 11-yr-old tween... which totally throws her orderly world and locked heart into a tailspin. The notion of family, of belonging, is alien to this woman, Margo Nolan, and Emma, the girl she must now care for, tests the frozen limits of her heart at every moment. Between cuddly moments and tantrums worthy of the most demanding diva, Emma rocks the life Margo had resigned herself to live. And when the handsome, very sexy, and much younger village doctor, Jamie Gillespie, starts to poke his nose into their affairs, things get even more complicated for Margo, because suddenly, the woman she had buried at the heart of her starts to batten down the hatches, eager to be heard, and given a chance at love...

I titled this story Calling Home - and it came out last year in December. To celebrate this anniversary, and to comfort the idea of holiday love, I am offering a download copy of this novel to a lucky commenter today.

Very different are my Corpus Brides heroine-centric espionage/romantic suspense series, or my 1NightStand offerings, but somehow, some way, family and ties play a big, big role in all my stories. I hope you'll deign take a chance on some of my books. *grin*

Tell me - what does Holiday Love spell out to you?

Leave a comment (and don't forget your email address! We can't add you to the prize draws otherwise) and let me know!

And don't forget to check the other 200+ participants on this hop - I'm certain they'll appreciate a visit. This is the link where you can find them all.

Thank you for taking some of your precious time to drop by!

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Progress Friday: Let me reveal my latest collaborative project, ETERNELLES

Hey beautiful people!

It's been a while since I last posted a progress report. The thing is, I didn't have tangible progress to show on my work. Yes, I've dabbling in a few projects, none less getting the brand-new Africa-centred line, Ubuntu, up with the folks at Decadent Publishing (more on that soon, I promise!). But I haven't been writing, not actual words to make sentences to make paragraphs and pages and chapters...

That being said, it's been a hectic time full of new things and ideas, and today I can tell you more about one of them. :)

Guess you do know by now that Natalie G. Owens, the wonderful author with a writing voice that gets you to sigh and wonder how any words can seem so lyrical when strung together - well, you all know she's my bestie. The sister I never had. We found each other rather late in life (some 4-5 years ago, actually), and despite me living in Mauritius and she being first in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and then on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean, over a few emails we 'clicked' and never looked back.

So sometime during the past months, after Natalie went indie, we started talking about, maybe, why not write a series together. We thought of an anthology with a similar theme ... and before we knew it, we had moved into whole new territory and were talking of a truly collaborative work, one co-written and that we could have as an ongoing series.

I cannot tell you at what point and how or when we came up with the ETERNELLES project. In the true spirit of collaboration, we wanted each of our talents to shine. My voice is much more active and in-your-face, while Natalie's is more lyrical and deep, like a rambling stream of which you find the depths little by little, every time you look more closely.

The solution came to us in the form of a story with 2 heroines - one written by me, one by Natalie. Two heroines, each with her distinct personality. We talked, we must've emailed each other 25 times a day over weeks, we compiled and we searched and we dug and we imagined...

...and this is how the ETERNELLES series came into being. That word is French for "the eternal ones/women" - fitting, as our heroines are immortals.

Today, I tell you more about this project - here you are with the blurb, and the cover.

INESCAPABLE: Book 1
Eternelles: The Beginning

For more than 2000 years, an immortal woman has looked for a reason to live...
Beautiful and ruthless, Adrasteia 'Adri' Dionysios is the only mythical being of her kind, the unlikely daughter of the god of wine and revelry, Dionysos, and a maenad. Banished to Earth from Olympus during the Greek Dark Ages, she has roamed the world fending off the attentions of men and the petty jealousies of women while putting her knowledge of battle and her immortality in the service against Evil. Until the day she finds a mysterious baby girl in her backyard. Her life is finally complete... but now unknown forces are after her daughter. Furthermore, the dubious role of an elusive man in her life only serves to complicate things further.

A young woman who never asked to exist...
Born with phoenix and gypsy blood, and with superior mental prowess, Seraphine 'Sera' Dionysios' origins are as yet shrouded in mystery. Her very existence defies Nature, just like Adri's. As a woman who has loved and lost, she would rather have died after a vampyre tried to make her his. But, Adri made the only choice a true mother would make: the one that would save her child. Torn between a mother whose blood she doesn't share, and a man who now possesses her soul, the only thing Sera can still cling to is her heart...

Adri and Sera fight for the innocent, but who will fight for them?
When the forces of Evil breach the lines of Shadow Bridge, the town where the mortal human world ends and the supernatural realm starts, it is up to these two women to find out the answer behind a prophecy as old as time itself.

The citizens of Shadow Bridge know one thing above any other: always protect the portal. In a place where anything can happen, the very worst will take place... unless Adri and Sera can stop the prophecy.

Yes, the women on this image reperesent the heroines - Sera on the left with the Phoenix on her face, Adri on the right with the ripple of water above her image. And FYI, Natalie is writing Sera; I am writing Adri.

We just finished with the full character profiles and the outline, and have started writing Book 1, Inescapable, which will come out in April 2013 on all major indie platforms (Kindle, Smashwords, Nook, Sony, etc).

Both Natalie and I cannot wait to share more about the series with you all. We'd eager to share how this one is different - we're both TV nuts, and this series mimics season arcs of popular shows like Supernatural, Grimm, Once Upon A Time, Charmed, True Blood, Vampire Diaries.

Get ready to meet Adri and Sera; along with a slew of other mythical characters as you'll uncover the hidden depths and nooks and crannies of Shadow Bridge. And, be prepared to meet the men in these two women's lives. I can promise you both Des and Rafe are heroes that'll bring you to your knees!

I'm so, so excited to share all this with you today! It's been killing me to keep this on the hush-hush, and now we can finally let the (squirming!) cat out of the bag!

Hope you all have a lovely Friday and weekend, peeps!

PS The Progress reports should come in more regularly now. Feel free to ask me about progress if you don't see me chime in here every Friday! :)

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Romancing The Hop Blog Hop: I'm Fluffy & I know It (my romance tastes! What are yours?)

Hey beautiful people!

Once again, I am joining Carrie Ann’s hops; when I saw the topic for this one, I couldn’t resist! I mean, romance, in all it forms? How and where do I sign up ASAP?

I think lots of romance authors had the same reaction, because will you just look at the turnout for this blog hop? 200+ authors!!! And check out the prizes – that’s enough to send your mind reeling.

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack! (US only for the swag pack)

 

But yeah, romance... I love romance, in any form. And yes, the fluffier, the better – I’m fluffy and I know it. *grin*

I started reading romance when, in an effort to get me to read the classics and big-name British authors, my father (to whom I credit my life-long love of reading and my love affair with words and writing) started a library membership for me and for the first few months afterwards, already told the librarian what to add to my card every week. These authors’ names were Jane Austen and Barbara Cartland. Yes, I know – my father made me read romance! I couldn’t have been older than 10 at the time... and thus, for the past 20 years, I have been gorging on romance books.

Over the years, I discovered there were tons more types of romance, not just genteel, historical types. And though the heroes were not the exact definition of Austen’s and Cartland’s gentlemen, they were all noble men with beautiful hearts. Action, adventure, humour, tours of the world through exotic locations and settings, fantasy worlds that totally blow away at your imagination – who knew there was all this hidden away behind those racy, make-me-blush covers that had Fabio on them?

And then I discovered chick-lit, and a whole new world of romance opened up to me. Here I was, a young and single gal, looking for love & Mr. Right... and I loved designer clothes and shoes and handbags and... you get my drift. At the same time, life was getting harder, and I needed an escape. Chick-lit, and light romance, became this escape for me.

To this day, I still love a good fluffy book – I’ll pick this over dangerous heroes and dashing doctors and far-flung worlds anytime. But anyhow, give me romance, and I’m set.

Try as I wish to emulate my favourite genre, I can never write light or humourous. I have thus resigned myself to committing by some deep themes and dark characterization... But someday, somehow, I will write my very own fluff... and scream to the world how I’m proud of having done it!

In the meantime, check out my unfortunately-not-fluffy romances:

TRANSIENT HEARTS: A Western Escape foodie romance, from Decadent Publishing, Coming Soon!

Wills, dreams, and desire clash and come together when two transient hearts meet in the town of Freewill, Wyoming. Indo-British chef Shayne Morea and prodigal son & New York Forex broker Grayson Warner discover they have much more in common than they thought... but both are in transit in this town. Can they both make Freewill their final port of call?

ONCE UPON A SECOND CHANCE: A 1NightStand story, Coming Soon!

Leila & Khalid Al-Nadir, an estranged Muslim couple, must come together and face the turbulent, dark, and devastating past that brought them together before it tore them apart. Could Madame Eve’s meddling work here, when she sets these two on a blind date?

ONCE UPON A STORMY NIGHT:  A 1NightStand story

Two people who live their lives as lonely ships in a tumultuous ocean are set for a collision course when Madame Eve pairs them together for a one-night date.  Lars Rutherford, a British shipping director, and Simmi Moyer, a Mauritian corporate lawyer, signed up for one night of pleasure with a stranger. But they end up finding much, much more than they expected. Can this spell the start of a brand-new future for each of them?

CALLING HOME (A Destiny’s Child Book)

Margo Nolan, a cold and rational forensic pathologist from London, slams right into a wall named Emotional Chaos when she lands custody of a tween girl. Completely at a loss as to how to deal with another human being, let alone a child, Margo feels the jaws of Hell close in on her. She is so not cut out to be a mother, or even a woman... But Jamie Gillespie, the sexy young doctor from next-door, has a different opinion. Can he convince Margo to take a chance on impulsive emotions, and on him?

WALKING THE EDGE (Corpus Brides: Book One)

Amelia Jamison wakes up after a car accident with amnesia, but the life she goes back to feels forced and unnatural. What secret is the man claiming to be her husband hiding? What secret does her buried memory hide? On a wild impulse, Amelia sets out for Marseille, where she is certain a man she remembers from her past will be able to fill in the blanks for her. But what she finds is more secrets, more danger, and desire so scorching she will be burnt before recovering her memory. Gerard Besson, the Marseille police commissaire, is the key to unlock her past... but will there be a chance for the two of them to have a future, once they discover who she really is?

BEFORE THE MORNING (Corpus Brides: Book Two)

For as long as she can remember, Rayne Cheltham has been in love with her childhood best friend, Ash Gilfoy. Her one dream was to marry him and bear his children. Yet, life didn’t turn out that way... and Rayne ended up becoming a ruthless assassin and efficient spy for a clandestine agency. But then she meets Ash again, and there’s a chance for them to have a future once more. Together again, married, in love, everything should be perfect... except that a spy cannot leave that life behind her so easily. And worse – Ash has no idea she used to be a killer. How will Rayne confess who she used to be, and how will Ash react? But worse of all – how does she keep them both alive in the cat and mouse game a rogue faction of her agency is playing with her?


What’s your romance confession? Are you fluffy like me? *grin*


Comment (with your email address! Or else we cannot enter you into the draw!) and you stand a chance to win a copy – your choice! – of one of my books listed above! You also enter the draw for the Grand Prizes this way.

Find the list of the 200+ authors taking part in this hop here! And special mention to Natalie G Owens, Jessica Subject, Sheri Fredricks, HC Brown, Dana Delamar, & Savannah Chase!

Thank you for coming over!

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Writing Wednesday: Welcome to Natalie G. Owens!

Hey beautiful people!

It's my absolute pleasure today to be welcoming the woman I consider my soul sister, the other writer-half of me, and a delightful, wonderful person - Natalie G. Owens! I met Natalie a few years ago, but within a few weeks of meeting, we felt like we'd known each other forever. Our friendship and the ties that bind us just kept on growing deeper and stronger, and today, I can say without any doubt that she is my guardrail - the writer-side person who pushes me to be better, stronger, to aim higher in my work, in my author dreams.
And I think that's not hard for her to do, because she's intrinsically a strong and competent writer too, one with a truly unique, lyrical voice that sings off the pages. Natalie has a way with words that, once you read her, makes you go, Damn I didn't know people could string words like that, so beautifully!

Please give her a warm welcome! I cede her the floor now.

Tell us a bit about you, and something we don't know/wouldn't expect about you.

I was born on the Mediterranean island of Malta, and lived here until age 27 when I moved to Atlanta, Georgia to be close to my (now) husband. In 2009 I returned to Malta, where I had a son, and we all settled here. Some author friends may not know that I trained as a lawyer, although writing was always in my blood. It was at a time and in a culture where artistic pursuits weren’t considered a “serious” endeavor. Probably the common perception hasn’t changed much. When you come out of high school, you need to get a “real” job—have a real profession. So, I followed the maddening crowd—indeed became part of it. Until I came to my senses and realized that if I wanted to be happy, I needed to be ready to make some sacrifices and pretty much pull myself away from “normalcy.” So here I am, writing, editing, and doing the things that make me happy – all things that fill my day and leave room for little more, with the exception of taking care of my family. :)

I think a lot of people fall into that 'trap' - I did too. But some find a way out of a doldrum-type existence, and I'm glad you did!

What’s your favorite moment of the day, and why?

Usually early morning, before everyone wakes up. I tend to get work done at that time. However, I have also come to love evenings, when I spend time with my son before he goes to sleep and wind down for the day, perhaps with a bit of reading.

You're a color – which one are you and why?

Red – I tend to flare up pretty quickly, but calm down just as swiftly. Deep down I’m just a little puppy :)

Why become a writer?

Because it makes me happy. Because I feel I have something to say… and because it is cathartic for me. Writing was my therapist in the beginning, and it got me through some tough times. Today, I want to share my work with others, and hope they want to read it :).

Lol, if people don't want to read your beautiful voice, I'm sorry to say they'd be losing on something magical...

As writers, we are bombarded with ideas every minute of every day. How do you sort through these ideas, to stick to the 'viable' ones?

Sometimes I hit a wall with my ideas…but what works for me is to sometimes let it go. Not to force things. Then ideas come to me when I least expect them to. As far as going with the right choice – I think it’s all about instinct. A writer knows what’s going to work in the story and what won’t. It’s all about being honest to yourself and to the story.

Trust in your instincts, innit? They got you so far in your life, we need to remember...

How do you develop an idea into a book?

Lol, I’m not sure I can offer useful advice her. But, I must say that brainstorming with my trusted critique partner always brings up amazing concepts and ideas. At times I speak to my husband, and he may come up with something genial. Or, perhaps I may read an article and it sparks into a speck of an idea in my head, that eventually snowballs into something entirely different. It’s all about happenstance – and being ready to receive the gift when it comes to you.
Now, as far as developing this idea into a book, I like first to have a very general, sketchy idea of a plot. Following this, I figure out who my main characters are going to be. Then, I scout for pictures on the Internet so I can see what my characters look like. At the same time, I develop their back story, which gives me insight into their GMC (goal-motivation-conflict) and helps me determine how they’re going to behave and react in particular situations. From this point on, I start refining the plot/sub-plots and then, do a chapter by chapter breakdown. Writing a rough synopsis is a good springboard. In case of fantasy, I will need to do extra work related to world-building (e.g., the Valthreans in my work in progress, An Eternity of Roses), and identifying the culture/norms of a particular society. These, of course, will have a direct bearing on the story.

Sounds fascinating! :)

If there's one book you wish you had written, which one is it and why that book in particular?

Only one? I’d say there are quite a few – Jane Eyre, The Historian, The Venice Conspiracy, The Children of Men. There are more. First, I love a good romance. I also love books with a gothic feel to them, as well as stories with compelling characters and an underlying philosophical bent.

Which is easier for you – narrative, or dialogue?

I’d say narrative – but I’m learning to be more economical with my language, and I know that one word can often be more effective than five. This helps me with my dialogue. To write better dialogue, the process is very in-depth with me. I always get deep inside my characters, literally lose myself in them – this takes away a lot of energy :). But, this is what I always strive for… I want my characters to be/feel natural.

Awww, don't take too much away from that lovely voice!

POV of predilection? Which POV mixes with you like oil and water?

I write in third person POV – sometimes, very rarely, third person omniscient (when I first started writing I did this more often). I would also love to write a book in first person, but so far I haven’t attempted it – not sure if it mixes with me like oil and water as I haven’t really tried it yet.

Preferred genre to write?

Romance! Because no matter how much I drag my characters through misery and trials, I can’t let go of that happy ending. And, I really want to make readers smile. I want to give them a few moments of escape.

Very true...

How do you get into your characters' heads and shoes?

By thinking of them. Sleeping with them. Waking up with them. Daydreaming about them to the point that my family thinks I’m a bit more than weird. I’ll be extremely distracted, and if you’re talking to me while I’m with my characters, chances are I have no clue what you were saying.

Drafts, edits, polishing – love or loathe? Can you please explain?

Edits drain me – but if they are going to make the story better, then I’m fine with them. Polishing though, it’s a necessary evil that I don’t like much :). That said, I’m a bit of a perfectionist and will go through a story two dozen times if I have to.

What unique factor do you think you bring to the book/story market?

It’s probably my voice that has a literary vibe to it, and that I adapted to genre fiction. I also love to use exotic locations in my stories, as well as add a touch of the gothic.

Best advice you've received, and that you'd want others to know?

If you want to be a better writer, just keep writing and slog through the not so glamorous bits of this career. If you really want this, never give up – no matter what they tell you. No matter the rejections. Another thing – when you’re starting out, don’t be afraid of constructive criticism or take the stance that you know everything. Use the feedback to improve your skills, and appreciate it for what it helps you become—a more confident writer. Then always, always thank the person giving it, whether you agree with them or otherwise. In short, don’t burn bridges, and don’t stop learning.

Tell us about your latest release

My latest release is a short story, called Something to Live for – the first book in my Moonlight Dating Series. It’s a story about two people who find uncommon ground in the most unlikely of situations. It’s also explores the element of healing and overcoming trauma through physical intimacy. It’s short, emotional, sweet and hot, and ultimately, it’s a ‘feel good’ type of story :).
Here’s the blurb:

Fifteen years ago, one fateful day bound the lives of two perfect strangers…
Melita Saari-Quinn is living the consequences of a traumatizing psychic event that turned her adolescence upside down. Now, disillusioned with her job as a psychotherapist and desiring a change from her lackluster existence, she hopes that something out of her  ordinary sphere of existence - something totally uninhibited and spontaneous - will renew her zest for life.
Alex Moncado seems to have it all – good looks, a successful business, and a fun life in “party central” of the Mediterranean: the island of Malta. Except for one day in the year when he can’t help but remember a tragedy that never should have been. One day he’d rather forget, because if he doesn’t, the guilt will consume him.
Can one passionate night together banish the ghosts of the past and give two lost souls a second chance?

Only Fate can tell…

You can read an excerpt here: http://www.nataliegowens.com/p/something-to-live-for.html

In 5 words:

      Your book: paranormal, contemporary, romance, Malta, hot
      Your heroine: trauma, change, adventure, life, secrets
      Your hero: tragedy, guilt, family, desire, redemption
      You as an author and person: persistent, dedicated, loyal, thankful, optimistic

Let's say your book is a movie – which one does it most closely resemble?

Not sure it’s long enough to be a movie… perhaps it could be an episode of The Twilight Zone with a romantic bent.

What real-life actors are playing the roles?

Thomas Jane as Alex Moncado and Joanne Kelly as Melita Saari-Quinn

Now this movie needs a soundtrack – what songs/tracks best fit your book?

I think that “My Immortal” by Evanescence describes really well Alex’s state of mind in this story.

Your characters end up in a world where everyone's a fashionista – how do they dress and what are they wearing?

I think that Alex would feel comfortable in just plain jeans and a t-shirt. Melita is very delicate and feminine so she’d love to wear light sundresses and sheath dresses.
Where can we find you and your books?

Here’s my website URL: www.nataliegowens.com
I also love to connect with people on:
Facebook profile page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=563297082
Facebook author page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natalie-G-Owens-Author/24911987111
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/natalie_g_owens
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4527498-natalie-g-owens

You can also download Something to Live for from Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RWCK0W (US)http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007RWCK0W (UK)


Do make it a point to check Natalie's work, peeps! I for one, cannot wait for her Valthrean series to come out - An Eternity of Roses is on my watchlist, in the very top spots!

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Progress Friday

Hey peeps

Apologies for not posting yesterday - my Internet went off in the afternoon, came back for 2 minutes, then went berserk again for another 5 minutes, to settle down for 1.5 minutes, then go all crazy again! I actually gave up, and did nothing except some reading and writing offline (in a way, had I not been forced offline, would I even have tackled those jobs...? Biiiig questions...).

Anyhow, I was at the bank this morning and having to fill in the deposit slip, whereby I have to put in today's date... Was flabbergasted to realize we're already into the second half of February!!! I have absolutely no clue where this year is going. One minute it was 2011 and I blinked *poof* we're in the middle of February!

And all I seem to be doing is asking myself tons of questions. What's next? What to do? Where to focus more? How to organize it all? Who/what deserves most of my time and dedication right now? All of these have been roiling inside my head, and I gotta admit, when you're thinking every step through to the nth degree and second-guessing all your moves before you even lift a foot forward, you're not exactly in a creative mood where the words just flow off your keyboard and onto the screen.

Still, being forced to 'work' yesterday when the connection went off, I have made some teeny progress. The counter for Against The Odds moves by a little under 500 words (pathetic, I know. But it's 478 words more than 0, know what I mean? I'll bask in that!). Plus I've dusted off an old short story and I think this one might just be getting a new lease of life with one of my publishers. Not to mention a special call for submissions story I'm putting together as a proposal this weekend, and which will go to the concerned parties next week...

All in all, there is progress, but I wish it were more concrete, as in, more words to show what I've done. When all your work's in your head, you're hard pressed to show your labour, innit?

Looking forward to a productive weekend catching up on email and promo stuff, all while I work on the above-mentioned proposal, the short, and a special project I'm getting to make with a friend (this one's hush-hush for now, but I'll let you know the minute I can *grin*)

Have a lovely weekend, peeps!

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Random Thoughts' Monday: Getting there... & some news...!

Hey beautiful people!

It's Monday, and the start of a new week. In my ideal game plan, I should've been on top of the game right now - all caught up with email, breezing through FB & Twitter and talking lots more with my friends there, I should've been writing a storm and totally immersed in my characters. In short, working at full throttle on being an author.

Instead, my second work week of January looks like a train wreck that's just happened, and now I'm left to pick up the pieces from this wreck and try to steer the train back onto the rails...

Remember last week I asked to please not be a robot? I'm working on that, trying to be more present for my family. And, uhm, turns out my son wants cake, and I'm on a total out and out war against processed food (more about that next Monday - I got into a new book called Skinny Chicks Eat Real Food, and this has me totally revamping our food habits here. Will chronicle this surefire debacle next week, when I get my head fixed on straight on my shoulders).
So, yes, Hyena #2 wants cake, and how can I say No to his big Puss-in-Boots eyes (that doesn't work all the time though, esp not when we're out shopping). Now 'cake' is really innocuous thing the big scheme of things, and I found myself... baking! Cake's done, I didn't burn down the house (and sadly didn't get to call any hunky fireman over, not that we have hunky firemen in Mauritius - most of them have a potbelly!) - actually, cake 'looks' done. Haven't tasted it yet. Waiting for hubby to get home and act as the self-sacrificing guinea pig here *grin*

Okay, that's it for Zee The Mum & Family Gal. Now on to Zee The Author... Have I got news for you *BIG grin*

I am totally, totally pleased & stoked to announce that as from today, I am joining the Decadent Publishing authors, through their 1NS line!

Over the second half of December, my brain scrambled for purchase and begged to write something. Egged on by some wonderful Decadent authors whom I call super-friends, the idea to write a 1NS short story set on my beautiful island, Mauritius, germinated and took root. I took the plunge, and had an unlikely couple meet through Madame Evangeline's 1NightStand service. :)
Stay tuned for more details about Lars Rutherford & Simmi Moyer's story, tentatively titled Once Upon A Stormy Night.

My week's started awesomely well - I hope it has for you too!

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Six Sentence Sunday - Calling Home Snippet #5

Hello beautiful people!

It's Sunday, and I'm jumping like a Duracell bunny on steroids here because tomorrow my kids go back into school! Summer break is finally over for them, and I'm in the mood for celebrating - join me? :)

And since it's Sunday, what best way to party than with Six Sentence Sunday? I've been racking my brain trying to come up with a suitable excerpt for today, and that's when my editor's voice rang inside my head. Today I'll show you one of her favourite passages in the book, and I hope, bring on another laugh... while I show my soap-opera-fangirl roots.

So last week, we left Margo pondering about the raging libido of men younger than thirty, and how these men make perfect baby-making machines... Lol. If you thought that was 'twisted', read on for some more of the madness that is inherent to Margo's life. She might appear cold, rational, and totally unruffled, but mind you - appearances can be very deceptive...

This excerpt is taken from Chapter 2. It's the next day after the happenings in Chapter 1 (which you can read here, and from which all my previous SSS snippets from Calling Home are taken).
Hunky village doctor Jamie Gillespie is staying in his uncle's double-fronted Victorian house in Camberry, Surrey. The other half of the house is up for sale, and would you know it - Margo Nolan is looking for a new house that can also accommodate a live-in nanny for her 'daughter', Emma.

Jamie has found Emma kicking stones outside his surgery window. He's come out, they've started talking, and Emma's complaining that her mum - who is not her "real mum" - has totally ruined her life. Jamie is intrigued - is Emma adopted?

Read on for Emma's revelations:


'...

"No, silly, Margo Mum and my mum used to live together before, when I was a baby, then my mum—my real birth mum—left Margo Mum. Margo Mum stayed back in London—" she paused "—some people say my birth mum wanted Margo Mum to have me if she died, but that Granny Ednah didn't agree, so Granny kept everything a secret, and Margo Mum only found out when Granny died."

Say that again? Jamie blew out a deep breath; that exposé was worse than Cliffs Notes for EastEnders. And Emma's mother and Margo lived together?

Margo is a lesbian? ...'

Quite a bummer for the sexy doctor, innit? :) Question is though - is it true? Grab your copy of Calling Home (A Destiny's Child Book) and find out *grin*

Catch amazing SSS snippets over here - a few I'm sure to visit every week are Natalie G. Owens, Siobhan Muir, JM Blackman, Guilie Castillo-Oriard, Layna Pimentel, Jessica E. Subject, Sherry Gloag, Graylin Fox, Rebecca Royce, Lucy Felthouse, Gem Sivad, Lex Valentine, Romancing Alix,  Cate Masters, Joanne Kenrick, Lexcade, Sandra Bunino, Sue K, Tory Michaels (among others! Yes, I told you that list is chock-full of goodies!! *grin*)

Thanks for coming over, and double/triple thanks if you leave a comment. Come on, make my week, will ye?

Have a lovely Sunday, all!

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Writing Wednesday: Robyn Carr Visits!

Hey beautiful people!

To me, nothing exemplifies a good time as well as sitting down with a deep, love-inspired and relationship-driven contemporary romance, and one of the epitomes of such a good time happens to be named Robyn Carr. I love her books - her stories are profound and there's always a feel-good factor to them. Ms. Carr's books are pretty much an auto-buy for me, now imagine how thrilled I was to be asked to review her latest story, Hidden Summit, and on top of it, have a chance to feature a Q&A with her on my blog!

I posted the review yeaterday (just scroll down the page to read it!), and here's the answers Robyn Carr has been gracious enough to provide.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: As a writer, what kinds of books inspire you? Do you ever find time to read when you aren't writing your own novels?

A: I read every day. I work long hours, but in the evening after dinner I read—and I am inspired by everything I read, whether it’s mainstream or non-fiction or some other genre. I have a particular taste for contemporary romance and women’s fiction. My favorite authors are Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis, Susan Andersen to name a few. For my reading pleasure I enjoy intelligent, romantic, humorous, sexy novels with strong heroines.


Q: What is the underlying message you want women to take away from this new Virgin River trilogy—Hidden Summit, Redwood Bend, and Sunrise Point?

As in all Virgin River novels, it’s never too late to create your own happy ending. You are the heroine of your own life and you never never never settle for less than the most optimal experience, the most perfect partner. Men and women thrive when they find positive, mutually respectful relationships.

Q: What would you tell someone who is coming to Virgin River for the first time? What do you want them to know about the town as they jump into HIDDEN SUMMIT?

A: Virgin River isn’t an easy place. It calls on a person’s deepest sense of adventure to live there, which at least partially explains the strong sense of community one finds there. Sometimes neighbors have to rely on each other to get through the day, sometimes for their very survival. Not only does Mother Nature challenge this mountain town with snowstorms, floods, earthquakes and mud slides, the landscape is rugged, the wildlife plentiful and fearless, but there are more illegal (and sometimes dangerous) marijuana growers in that area than anywhere else in the US.


Q: It must be hard to come up with characters and string their life stories through multiple novels. How do you keep everyone straight when you go from book to book?

A: Notebook! Very LARGE notebook! By now, I live in Virgin River in my mind – everyday is like going home.

 

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From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Random Thoughts' Monday: It's A New Year!

Hello beautiful people!

Can you believe we've crossed into 2012 already? I still have a hard time with it - reminding myself to use 12 instead of 11 whenever I fill in the dates on official papers, such as bank slips. A new year tiding in is a time of change, innit?

Speaking of change, I cannot believe how much has happened to me in 2011. It's been a fast & furious year, totally fantabulous and with more highs than lows. I was sitting at my desk this morning and taking stock of the past year, and some of the things that have happened, well, I still can't wrap my head around them.

For instance, I am now a published author. Yes, I've had books out in the past, under my pen names. But it's not the same as looking at a book and seeing your real name on there; like having people saying they've read your books and recommending it to others; getting fan mail (totally giddy factor here!), people putting two & two together between the book and little ol' you ...

...and the sheer amount of amazing people I have met throughout the year! The clan at Noble Romance, and then the striking posse of Six Sentence Sunday! You guys totally, and I mean, totally, rock!

Good friends have become even better friends (my soul sisters Natalie G. Owens & Rae Lori showed me even more that I don't need to bemoan the fact that I don't have a biological sister - sisterhood happens across blood lines and geographical borders!);
some people I've met, I've felt like I've known them all my life after barely a few words/lines exchanged (Jessica E. Subject - I'm looking at you specifically here! Then there'd be Noble's JS Wayne, Ingrid Michaels, Lucy Felthouse & Elizabeth Morgan; Sue from Sassyspeaks, Layna Pimentel, Cate Peace on Twitter, among so many others, and I apologize for not citing your names here. You know who you are though, & I love ya all!).

So much has happened... and it all started on that day in December 2010 when I was dashing out to go to the beach and the bungalow my brother-in-law had rented for the holidays... and email-addict me just had to check her inbox before she went out. That's when I saw the request from an editor at Noble Romance Publishing, asking if the full of Walking The Edge was still available for their consideration.
Fast forward a few weeks in February, and *Gasp!*, they wanted the story! Acquisition, contract, meeting the fab folks at Noble (Owner & CEO Jill Noble, submissions editor Becky Dampier, my very own editor, the fantabulous Mary Harris who has become a dear friend on top of the one who pushes me to be better, brighter, & stronger, the awesome Fiona Jayde who does the most fantastic covers ever!).

Hint of a cloud health-wise though - and the scare that I would need more surgery to keep any possibility of cancer at bay again. Pulled from the irreversible point by my team of fabulous doctors (Dr. Mrs. Thacoor, a gifted ob/gyn who actually listens to her patients, & Dr. Mrs. Poorun, a fabulous, kind, & compassionate oncologist with whom there's never any b*llsh*t!) who have never let me down. They both did everything they could to find out how to make my life easier, and erase the spectre of cancer that hangs like Damocles' sword over my head. That's how, after consultation with specialists in South Africa and in Switzerland, they got me on a hormone-therapy regimen that's to stave off the prospect of recurrence.
Now the side effects are a total b*tch (menopause at 28? Seriously???), but hey, I'm alive, and I get to see a new dawn every morning; to see my kid grow up; to spend time with the wonderful man who decided, despite my basket-case neuroses, to make me his wife and stand by my side through thick, thin, and hormonal madness; to live one more moment and do what I want to do...
I started 2011 after another brush with breast cancer, and through daily trips to the hospital for radiation therapy treatments, a time during which I had an hour to kill every day in the waiting room, and my trusted qwerty phone came to the rescue... Add to it fatigue and the need to race through life at 150mph while your body can only go to 50 mph - well, that made for an interesting time :)

Then in the maelstrom of hot flashes, drenched-type night sweats punctuated by terrible bouts of insomnia, I was working on edits for Walking The Edge, which *gasp again*, morphed into a 3-book series. So much I learned through that edit, through this process of getting my book out by fantabulous professional people who were behind me 200%! Had to stop fiddling with certain writing projects and wrap myself around the concept of writing to a deadline, to finish specific WIPs before I jumped into new ones. All through that, the to-be-written list got bigger and bulkier as I wrote down all the ideas I could pursue but just not right now!

Did I add that I had my last university exam during that period? Menopause doesn't only make you got postal, it also scrambles your brain and plays with your memory. Now I understood why people say that it's better to learn when you're still young - age (whether real or brought on by, say, your medication regimen) really does play a part in how mentally fit you are to undertake certain tasks, like studying.

And then June was here - Walking The Edge (Corpus Brides: Book One) came out, and I haven't had a minute to look back. Amid subtle reminders that I better bust my a*se to get Book 2 written and sent ASAP, another world of possibility opened when I asked my editor if I could submit another story to Noble.

Remember the 1-hour to kill in the waiting room back in January, and the trusted qwerty phone? So it turns out that I did what I do best during that time - I wrote...

And the result was a 50K sweet romance story between a cold & uptight forensic pathologist whose world takes a spin when she lands custody of an 11-year-old girl, and who meets the handsome & sexy village doctor next-door... Yes, that was Calling Home (A Destiny's Child Book)! This one was snagged again by Noble, and came out in December!

1 year, 2 book contracts & 2 releases, and a 110K story completed (and currently on the editor's desk *gnawing cuticles here*). Not bad for someone who'd started the year with the goal to simply 'be out there' as she worked towards publication...

There have been some lows too, like the death of one of my uncles after his courageous battle with cancer. I didn't use to be close to him, but battling the same disease brought us together in a way someone who's never had cancer will not really understand... It was a blow to lose him, especially when he seemed to be doing so well with his treatments.

So all in all, it's been an eventful 2011 for me, and generally, a good year...

I plan to make 2012 even better - what about you? Starting with, giving back. I'm not rich, I haven't got awesome amazing fantablous resources, but what I can give back, I will.

In this light, I'm opening my blog to authors who want to come promote their books or themselves. I've already met with a wonderful response (check the box at the top left of this page - that's where you'll see who'll be visiting me throughout the month!).

The blog will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Saturdays. Still have some slots open in January, so if you're interested, don't hesitate to get in touch. I want to help my fellow authors as many have been a tremendous help to me, so please help me out here :)

Here's to a magnificent 2012, peeps! I wish you all the best, nicest, brightest, and most beautiful for each and every day of this new year.

From Mauritius with love,

Z

Six Sentence Sunday - Calling Home Snippet #4

Hello beautiful people!

Happy New Year!!! Can you believe it's already 2012? I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around this; can still remember clearly that day in December 2010 when my world changed, and I got the 'call' that sent me on my published writer path.
One year later, and I had 2 books out, and 2012 can only get better (I hope!, LOL)!

And what more awesome way to start a new year than with a Six Sentence Sunday post? Can you say 'perfect timing'? Lol. I've got lots happening, lots of stuff hopping, lots of things planned, but more on that tomorrow. Today, I'm taking you back to the exterior of that private practice in Surrey...

Self-confessed Ice Queen Margo Nolan is having an out-of-this-world moment, when she looks up and finds handsome village doctor Jamie Gillespie across the seat from her. Heat has flared up...

Remember in my last SSS post, Margo was fighting? The tension was strong, atmosphere heavy with a maelstrom of feelings...

But we're starting a new year, and I wanted to give you something light, and that will, hopefully, bring a smile on your face, if not make you laugh outright. :)

The following six happen right after that previous highlighted encounter. Read on for a chuckle:


'...

Jamie Gillespie was definitely a hunk, and at first glance, not a day over thirty.

Latching onto him would be like cradle robbing—she was way over the big three-o, a few years shy of forty, and she dreaded that prospect more than turning thirty, because with forty came peri-menopause; with it, hot flashes, followed by menopause, when many women went mental. Because she faced a dwindling biological clock with every year that passed, the minute she saw a man as desirable, she immediately viewed him as a baby-making machine, even though that had been less and less important over the last few years.

To see Jamie as sexy meant she could clearly picture herself making babies with him—a hot flash crept up her cheeks and stung her skin. She couldn't—shouldn't—picture him as anything but the local doctor. Men younger than thirty had a raging libido—Stop it! ...'

I love seeing this calm, cool, and composed woman all flustered! Don't you? *grin*

Thanks to everyone who's visited - you brighten my week, and I hope to see you often in 2012! Big huge extra thanks if you leave me a comment.

And don't forget to check the rest of the Six Sunday posse - I'll be over to read their amazing snippets and greet them into the New Year in a few. Join me?

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Tidbit Tuesday: A Guest Comes Over... and I'm a guest at her blog! Please welcome R Renee Vickers!

Hey beautiful people!

Today, fellow Noble Romance Publishing author, R. Renee Vickers, joins me in my Author's Corner with a guest post, while she hosts an interview of me on her site.

Been so excited for this day to come - it's lovely to have fellow authors and good friends over, and I hope you all reading this will discover some amazing new authors and their fantastic works this way (snippet - there'll be lots of visits in 2012: gear up for them! *grin*)

So, without further ado, let me give you Renee's post... Every writer here will totally 'get' what she's talking about today, namely, that time between two books, when you're struggling to leave one story behind and get into another. :) Read on!

And there's a little treat in for you as well - Renee is sharing an excerpt from her NRP release, Sly's Surrender, with us!

*****

Thank you for having me here today, Zee. I’ve been looking forward to this. Now, I’m going to spend the next few minutes trying not to bore you to death. (Maybe then I can come back one day. After the rashes clear, of course.) Trying being the key word, I make no guarantees.

I sat, ready at the keys for hours (more like a whopping 1hour cumulative amidst all of the children-are-out-of-school “emergencies” and melodramas), my fingers hovered and waited for my focus to kick in at the same time my thoughts were coming along. Until I gave up on fighting myself and sat down to write. Hold on a sec. … Okay, I’m back.

If it’s ok with you, I’d like to talk about a little bit of what I’m going through as a new author, then do some shameless promotion of my first book, Sly’s Surrender.

The transition from completing one story and beginning another is difficult for me. Like with so many things about professional writing, I’m still getting what works for me sorted out. I’m just beginning to get some experience under my belt, like working with a deadline, the finer points of the craft of writing, marketing and so on. So where I am currently is a state chock full of transitions.

I’ve just wrapped up my story “Evening at the M.U.T”, a tale of lesbian love and zombies so I figure, while I’m waiting on a reply about the submission, now’s the best time to start a new one. But having an opportunity and utilizing an opportunity are different subjects all together. I’ve sat here all day with my fingers hovered over the keyboard, with an idea but no focus to get my ideas down. Having a house full of raving lunatics that pass for children, distracting me every 4.5 seconds certainly doesn’t help. What’s wrong with me? Performance anxiety? Indecisiveness? I couldn’t tell you, but all I know is that it’s not being productive.

What’s helped me get through this in the past was to go over notes I’ve scribbled down while in the midst of another, more pressing story. I don’t know about anyone else, but while I’m writing I seem to become irresistible to plot bunnies, I get attacked by random story ideas multiple times a day at times. But during the transition from one story to the next. Nothing.  It’s so cruel.

I welcome words of wisdom should anyone have any to impart. If you’d like to get to know me better or see how I progress with my next story, stop by my blog (http://museampoule.wordpress.com)

Thanks for having me here today, Zee! Before I leave, I’d like to plug my book a little if that’s alright with you.

*****

Lol, of course that's fine with me, girl! And I'll gladly have you over anytime! *grin*

Peeps, here's a snazzy look into Renee's story:

Blurb:

By day, Sly is a take-charge, no-nonsense restaurateur, and at night she plays her hand as a demanding mistress. Sly has everything her heart desires: a successful business with loyal patrons, a gorgeous boyfriend and a flare for dominating in the bedroom. Everything she’s ever tried has gone her way, every decision followed to success, every goal achieved, and yet she yearns for more.

One night, she decides to try something new, giving up her customary control to the tall, dark, and sexy Jake. Jake is put in a position to prove to his lover just what he’s capable of, and Sly experiences the new pleasures to be found in letting someone else handle her reins.
Excerpt:

Jake had been waiting on his barstool for an hour already and had started to lose patience with his date. Oh, he knew she’d come eventually, she always did. Even with knowing Sly’s usual M.O., he never failed to show up on time, because he knew the one time he decided to be late would be the one time she’d be on time. He sighed and checked his watch again. How much longer would he have to wait?

He called Tony over with a hasty jerk of his hand. The bartender rolled his eyes and shook his head. Tony was a man in his mid-fifties with gray hair—what was left of it. He wore a white dress shirt under a black vest. The only thing he was missing was the black armband reminiscent of the style at the turn of the twentieth century. Sly told him once that Tony had been tending bar there for thirty years, which could explain his gruff attitude. Jake never had any problems with the old man but thought he had a funny way of treating paying customers. After a minute or two, Tony begrudgingly set a fresh glass of soda on a clean little napkin and sternly eyed his teetotaler.

“Hope she’s worth it, boy,” he said with a grunt and a little too much emphasis on boy, as far as Jake was concerned. Jake watched the back of the bartender’s shiny head as he turned to tend to his more lucrative patrons.

He sighed again and glanced at the door. Still no Sly. Yeah, she was worth it, but it didn’t mean he had to enjoy complying with all her demands. Abstaining from drink was one of them. He had to admit that her reasoning was sound; how could she be in control if he was drunk? And, of course, waiting for her late ass all the time was another.

The more Jake thought about her controlling nature, the more agitated he grew. Why the hell did he subject himself to this . . . this . . . her control? It’s not right that she makes me jump through all of these ridiculous hoops, he thought as he glanced at Tony, who, simultaneously, gave him another disgusted look and shook his head. Jake’s blood boiled. That’s it, Jake thought, I’m not going to take this anymore.

“Hey, sexy.” Sly’s smooth voice purred behind Jake, just as her fingertip caressed from his chin to his jaw in one long motion, ending up just behind his ear. Shivers ant-marched down Jake’s body. In that instant, Jake knew. This is why. All the anger, indignation, and embarrassment fled his mind as she wrapped an arm over his shoulder and down his chest. As her hot breath caressed his neck, her honeyed voice flooded his mind. “I hope you haven’t been waiting too long.”

It took everything he had not to swallow, to show no outward reaction to what she was doing to him with these miniscule teases. This was just another game to her. She’d make him wait until he’d be ready to walk out, until he was so mad he couldn’t stand it, and then she’d show up, making him switch gears. Just like that. He shot a quick glance at Tony, who watched this dance out of the corner of his eyes, pretending like he was too busy toweling off a pristine glass to notice.

When Sly’s tongue flicked Jake’s thick, silver-hoop earring, he lost what small shred of control he had, albeit for a fraction of a second. He could feel her smile as her cheek rested against his neck. A prickling flash of anger growled in some dark recess of his mind.

She moved to half-lean, half-sit on the vacant stool next to him, and he had to strangle a threatening gasp. If he hadn’t, his body would have given away just how badly he wanted her. This was a high-stakes game, and so far, the house was winning.

Sly wore a tight black corset. Though no doubt made of the finest and most sturdy materials, the bone-rib garment threatened to break under the flood pressure of her ample bosom. It must have been a custom piece because it slithered down her slim waist with precision. No department wares could hope to cope with a curvy form such as hers. He noticed the striking color contrast as the thick, black material lay against her flawless, smooth, ivory-colored skin.

As his sight drew down, he soaked in just how short her layered black and burgundy diaphanous skirt was. She couldn’t sit down without flashing her all to the world. Jake gulped, carelessly abandoning any desire to restrain himself. Seeing his reaction, Sly barked a throaty laugh. He refused to look up until he saw his favorite pair of strappy, black, four-inch stiletto heels. When he came up for breath he found her glossy crimson-colored lips snaking a Cheshire pattern across her gleaming teeth and humor glistening in her hazel eyes. Oh, how she loves this game.

** end of excerpt **

I dunno about you, but for me that was a hot & sexy scene! :)

You can find more about R. Renee Vickers on her blog, MuseAmpoule, and Sly's Surrender is available here.

And drop by her blog today and check out the amazing interview she compiled for me :)

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Six Sentence Sunday - Calling Home Snippet #3

Hey beautiful people

December! Wow - the blog's been a succession of hit & miss this month, but I couldn't let Sunday pass by and not post for Six Sentence Sunday. Guess that gets addictive - to have a snippet up, and to have the many visits and comments! Thanks so much to everyone who comes over to read my excerpts, and double thanks to all who leave me comments - I've already said this, but will say it again: you totally brighten my week with your words. :)

So, this week we're back in the surgery of country doctor Jamie Gillespie, the hero from Calling Home. Remember - Margo's daughter has been taken sick to the doctor's practice, and Margo is there to pick the girl up at the end of the day (more like the evening!). She and the young doctor butt heads, when she doesn't recognise him and thinks he's a pervert trying to get close to her little girl!

But the suspicions allayed, and then Margo has another reason to squirm - Jamie Gillespie is a handsome, intense young man who brings out shifty, buried feelings inside of her. Last week, we saw how she reacted around him at first. This week, we're moving ahead in the scene. Margo is about to take Emma home, but the girl is passed out from painkillers and exhaustion. Jamie offers to carry her into the car, and this is where we find them as he settles the sleeping child in the back seat and Margo reaches in from the other side to click Emma's seatbelt:


'...

Their shoulders bumped and their heads came up at the same time—mere inches separated them, and Margo made the mistake of looking into his face.

Bathed in the soft radiance of the porch lamp that spilled in through the back windshield, his features were an arresting play of light and shadows. Suddenly seeing him so up close that she could make out the errant eyelash that had fallen on his cheekbone, she froze. Her outer shell remained immobile, while inside, a storm of uncalled-for heat and yearning warred for possession of her brain and senses.

That's a living, breathing man—a handsome, sexy creature in his own right. The red-hot memo wanted to sizzle its way all through her, but she couldn't—wouldn't—allow it. ...'

Catch the rest of the amazing SSS posse here - you're in for some amazing, awesome snippets!

Hope you're all having a lovely Sunday! It's dark, rainy, & cold here - aeons away from summer weather (Can you hear me crying...? No? Okay, just as well then... *grin*)

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Six Sentence Sunday - Calling Home Snippet #2

Hey beautiful people!

Cannot believe it's Sunday again! Blink and the week goes by... then it's time to sit down with some amazing Six Sentence Sunday snippets. :)

Last week, I posted the first 6 sentences from my latest release, Calling Home (A Destiny's Child Book). You got to meet Margo, the heroine, get an insight into her mindset, and figure out she becomes vulnerably human where 11-year-old Emma - the daughter of her heart - is concerned.

Emma ran a fever and tripped at school, twisted her ankle. Her teacher sent her to Dr. Gillespie's practice in the little Surrey village of Camberry, and that's where Margo is to pick Emma up that evening.
Margo expected to meet an old, bear of a man with a soft bedside manner - Dr. Gordon Gillespie. But instead, she finds a lean, intense young man in the surgery. The man has leaned over Emma's prone form and placed his hand on her forehead.
Margo's wasted no time to rush into the room and shoulder that "pervert" aside, intent on protecting her daughter. The man claims he is Dr. Gillespie - Margo's not ready to let him off the hook.
But even worse - that intense young man stirs something inside her...


'...

He moved, and the hooded cap slid off his head, to reveal his sharp, angular features and messy dark hair, no longer shadowing the dark brown depths of his deep-set eyes.

Dangerous—the rational whisper danced inside her head.

"Who the hell are you?" Tingles of awareness and peril skittered up her spine, like the time when she was on a crime location, and the killer managed to sneak up behind her. Trusting her gut that day—those shivers—kept her alive, when she didn't hesitate to look like a chicken, and called the chief inspector into the room with her.

           
            The moment here was one such instance too, urging her to call for backup. ...'


Want to read the whole Chapter 1, from which this excerpt is taken? Click away. :)

And don't forget to check the rest of the awesome SSS posse over here - I guarantee great reads.

Have a lovely Sunday, peeps.

From Mauritius with love,

Zee