Today’s question from the Marketing for Romance Writers Blog Challenge: “THE END”–a time for celebration? Join us to share your thoughts on this week’s topic–and the remaining 36 weekly prompts: https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/
Honestly, no. Reaching “The End” doesn’t make me sad, because I have so many story ideas lined up, jostling and shoving like unruly third-graders as they await their turn for development. I won’t live long enough to write them all. “The End” feels like an achievement, a victory, grounds for celebration.
Okay, lemme backtrack just a bit. What comes after “The End” is lots of hard work: multiple rounds of editing, waiting for a yea or nay from my publisher, etc. And the promo! My goodness, launching a book can feel like more work than writing it.
What about you? Do you shed a tear or two when typing “The End”?
Speaking of book launches (ahem), my next steamy contemporary romance launches June 24th! It’s up for pre-order now on Amazon, B & N, etc.
Chasing a big-city art job, Laurel detours to Eugene, Oregon to help her spitfire great-aunt into assisted living. While on a run, a tall, broad-shouldered hottie rescues her from harassers by pretending to be her boyfriend–with a kiss that makes her wish it were true. But she’s only passing through.
Their fierce chemistry burns up the sheets—and the couch, the shower, the park. But Laurel can’t stay in Eugene, and Doug can’t leave. His only hope is to convince her those big-city lights have nothing on her inner sparkle.
Here’s an excerpt:
He stepped closer, close enough to feel the heat rolling off his body. A flush painted his cheekbones and his long, straight nose. Exercise, sunburn, or something more interesting? The air between them vibrated with tingly energy.
She focused on the floor, because looking into his face felt too dangerous.
He moved still closer, his toes nearly touching hers. “We’re good now?”
Her gaze slid up from his long, muscular calves, covered with blond fuzz, to his powerful thighs, to the impressive bulge between them, then up his slim torso, his muscular chest, his broad shoulders, until her gaze rested on his face. His lids lowered, his lips parted. As if magnetized, her fingertips skimmed up his arm.
Stop. She dropped her hand. “We’re good. I’m sorry, Doug. I saw something between you two, and I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”
His smile blossomed slowly. “I’m glad that’s all cleared up.”
Not all, but it’s a start. Another thought, a crazy one. I could just kiss him, right here, right now. Get it over with, see what happens next.
Once that seed was planted, it was as if a giant electromagnet switched on, tugging them together. Its power hummed in her bones. Invisible sparks crackled between them. She slid a few inches closer.
