Category Archives: contemporary romance

Interview with a Playboy Daddy

07 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by in author, contemporary romance, e-books

≈ 10 Comments

Today is my 33rd wedding anniversary. I’m off work from the day job but my husband is working. So, before we go out to celebrate, I’m spending time with Dillon James from author JM Stewart’s novel The Playboy’s Baby.

Since Dillon is really nothing more than a figment of JM’s imagination, she’s going to help Dillon answer my interview questions. Because really, who knows Dillon better than JM?

So, Dillon, where were you born?

Hastings, Montana

And, where do you live now? What do you do for a living?

Still live in Hastings. It’s where my family is and family’s important to me. What do I do for a living? I own a bar/nightclub. Though my pop wishes I worked in his restaurant, like the rest of the family. My club is more my style and it’s doing rather well, thank you very much. The place is jumping every night. On the weekends, it’s packed. I brought life to this tiny little town. 😉

What’s going on in your life right now?

My best friend’s big sister walks into my nightclub by herself on a Friday night, that’s what. Frankly, I was surprised as hell to see her. Never mind that she hasn’t been back to town since she left it eight years ago. She wouldn’t have come on her own. You see, Emma’s straight laced. She’s smart, graduated the top of her class, and she did it while helping her sick mother take care of her little sister. I have to tell you, though, she was a sight for sore eyes. Man, I used to have the biggest crush on her. The last time I saw her, I got to hold her in my arms, and seeing her again just brings it all back.

But I’m not the same person and she’s come with bad news. Her baby sister, my best friend, has died in a motorcycle accident. A cold, rainy night, slippery roads and a careless damn driver. Sounds just like something Janey would do. I’m devastated. Janey’s been avoiding and now I’ll never get another chance to patch up the hole in our relationship. But Emma isn’t done with me. She has more news. I have a six month old daughter her sister had planned to keep to herself out of some misguided notion of protecting me. I’d throttle her if I could. Leave it to Emma to do the right thing.

Wow. Sounds like a real mess. Is there a special person in your life–or someone you want in your life?

Emma Stanton. She’s half my size, and she isn’t afraid of anything, least of all me. She isn’t afraid to stand up to me or get in my face and tell me what she thinks. And she does it, because she’s got principles and she isn’t afraid to stand behind them. She isn’t afraid to do what’s right, even at her own expense. She doesn’t think she’s beautiful, though, and I am determined to show her otherwise.

How did you meet?

Emma and I met when we were kids. Her little sister is my best friend. We met when I was in second grade and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Emma was always the protective big sister and man, she hated my guts. *laughs* Her sister loved getting into trouble and Em was always positive I was the one leading her into it.

So, what’s keeping you two apart?

I don’t do relationships anymore. One rotten apple too many spoils the whole bunch, you know? I’ve been burned one time too many. Right now, all I really want is to be there for my daughter. Emma also keeps herself at a distance. I think she sees our relationship as wrong, because my best friend is her little sister. But there’s something else there, I think. It’s the way she looks at me, sometimes, like there’s a hesitation in the depths of her eyes. Not that it matters. As much as I’d love to see where our relationship would lead, Emma deserves better than a fling and that’s all I’m capable of right now.

Maybe you should let her decide. But if you don’t see the relationship working out, how would you like to see things resolved?

In an ideal world? I’d like to have met her somewhere else, some other time and place. I wish she’d have come home sooner, before my last relationship colored my view on all of them. Hell, sometimes I wish I’d had the courage to tell her years ago how I felt about her. Maybe we’d have ended up different places.

So, why not tell her now? What obstacles are standing in your way?

Besides, the above? My daughter. I’ve missed out on six months of her life and her mother is dead. I think on some level, she knows it, too. She deserves my focus. Between her and keeping my club afloat, my life just doesn’t have room for love.

There’s always room for love. So, isn’t there a happily ever after in your future?

Man, I sure hope so. Emma’s a wonderful woman. Soft hearted and kind, looks out for everybody but herself. She’s the kind of woman a man settles down with. She’s teaching me how to take care of my daughter, and the more time I spend with her, the more she feels like family. And the more I want to make her a permanent part of my world.

Sounds to me like your heart already wants what your head says you can’t have. But that’s a conclusion you’ll have to come to on your own. Are there any last comments before I turn this interview over to Joanne?

Thanks for letting me share my girls with you.

Any time. Joanne (JM) writes wonderful characters I enjoy spending time with.

Author bio:

J.M. Stewart writes sweet and heartwarming contemporary romance with a touch of passion. She’s a wife, a mother, a spiritualist, and lover of puppies, and happily addicted to coffee and chocolate. She lives in the Great Rainy Northwest with her husband of sixteen years and their two sons. She’s a hopeless romantic who believe everybody should have their happily-ever-after and has been devouring romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing them has become her passion.

Book blurb:

They can’t forget the past, but is it enough to create a future?

When an accident leaves her guardian to her six-month-old niece, Emma Stanton must return to her small hometown of Hastings, Montana to find the one man she’s spent the last eight years trying to forget. She and Dillon had grown up together–he was her sister’s best friend. But that hadn’t stopped him from sharing a kiss with Emma that had followed her through the years. Now, not only must she break the news of her sister’s tragic death to Dillon, but she must risk the only family she has left and tell him he’s the baby’s father.

Wealthy nightclub owner Dillon James has been used for his name and money one too many times, so when he comes face-to-face with Emma Stanton and her gorgeous lips, he’s determined to keep things light. All he wants is to be the father his daughter needs, to make up for not being there for her and her mother. But spending time with Emma, as she shows him the ropes of caring for his daughter, is wearing down his defenses. Perhaps it’s time he took a chance on love.

If only he can convince Emma to take a chance on him…

Short 1  page excerpt:

“I had a bad experience once.” She felt like a fool, a child, but prayed he’d understand. Fear stuck in her chest, refused to let her breathe, and she couldn’t stop shaking.

He studied her, his dark eyes moving over her face, and then his jaw tightened. “Somebody hurt you once.”

When she nodded, embarrassment heated her face.

Regret and torment filled his eyes and he stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. “God, I hate that thought. Do you want to stop?”

“No. No. I want this. I want you.” She wanted fear to stop dictating her life, to experience passion. She wanted it with him. “I trust you. I feel safe with you. I just…I need to go slow.”

Understanding dawned in his eyes. His expression softened. “I’m going too fast and it scares you.”

She hated admitting it. Hated it still had that effect on her, but nodded nonetheless. “I’m nervous.”

“Come on.” He took her hand, pulling her behind him into the living room. Once there, he took a seat on the sofa and patted his lap. “Sit with me.”

She climbed onto his lap, sitting sideways on his knees, and he wrapped his arms loosely around her waist. His arousal pressed into her bottom, hard against his zipper, but he didn’t otherwise move, didn’t demand anything more. Rather, he stared into her eyes, for so deep and so long she lost herself in the infinite depths.

Finally, he lifted a hand and cupped her cheek. “You’re in control of this. When you’re comfortable with me again and you want more, you let me know. If you don’t…” He shrugged a shoulder. “We’ll just sit here and I’ll get to hold you for awhile. Okay?”

Author links, webpages, fan pages, and book trailers:

Website Blog Twitter Facebook

FYI: If you enjoy these fun character interviews, Joanne is interviewing Gerard Delaroche from my latest release Embrace the Darkness coming out June 21 over on her blog. So check it out if you have time. http://jm-stewart.blogspot.com/2013/06/character-interview-with-lillys-gayles.html

I Got Dibs on David Brenner!

26 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by in AJ Nuest, Alpha males, contemporary romance, Rich heroes, romance author, The Wild Rose Press

≈ 16 Comments

So excited to be doing another Character Interview with another fictional character. I love doing these, and today’s character is Dibs–David Brenner–from the novel She’s Got Dibs by author AJ Nuest.

So, David, where were you born?

In Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, right off the cape. My parents were just finishing out the season at their summer estate when I came a couple of weeks early.  I’m happy to say, I’ve been causing them grief ever since.

Mmm. Handsome and rich. lol!  Where do you live now and what do you do for a living?

I have a lakefront home in Chicago and am currently the CEO of The Brenner Foundation. We’re a charitable organization that works with big money making firms to ensure they declare enough in write offs each year to off-set their taxable income — sorta my way of giving back for the privileged life I was born into. This past year most of those funds went toward a new school the foundation is building in Botswana, South Africa. I’m pretty proud of what we’ve accomplished over there, so far. Even though the travel did take me away from another, more personal, goal of mine.

Okay, I’m about to swoon here. Rich, handsome, and generous? You sound too good to be true. But maybe not. So, tell me, what’s going on in your life right now?

Pretty much the usual. Arguing with my dad over the direction my life has taken, fighting my mother’s interference in my personal life. Status quo for those two, although I can’t really blame them. It’s what they were born into, so controlling the lives of their children is normal for them. I can’t stand it, though. Never could. It’s the reason we don’t get along. I’m not really one for letting people tell me what to do.

I understand that. Family can drive you crazy if you let them. lol! But seriously, is there a special person in your life?

Why yes, there is. Tessa Adams. She’s…well, she’s unlike any woman I’ve ever met. Which is probably why she drives me so crazy–both in and out of the bedroom. She’s my best friend, knows more about me than anyone else. But I guess the most important thing is the way she accepts me for who I am, regardless of the money. That’s unusual for me. Most folks I know…it’s hard to determine if their attempts at friendship are genuine. Tessa’s the exact opposite. She’s completely transparent and I love that about her. She couldn’t care less if I’m impressed with her, and that right there impresses me more than any false attempts at trying to earn my attention.

How did you meet her?

*Dibs chuckles and glances around Lilly’s living room* That’s a funny story, actually. Our plane from New York to Chicago was grounded because of an ice storm that hit the Midwest. With a little devious interaction on my part, I made sure we were booked at the same hotel. What happened after that? Well, that’s a little personal. I’m not sure Tessa would appreciate me sharing the details. Perhaps you should ask her. She’s got carte blanche to explain what happened between us however she wants.

Hmm. I think I need to have a chat with Tessa. Sounds like y’all got to know each other pretty well that night. So, what’s keeping you two apart?

As far as I’m concerned, nothing. I was fairly certain the moment I saw Tessa, she was the one for me. After our first night together, I wasn’t left any doubts. The chemistry between us is…*Dibs lifts a devilish eyebrow*…highly explosive? She’s harboring a big hurt, though. One that can’t be fixed until she’s ready to let go of the past. Until then, I’m happy to wait. She’s too special to let go.

OMG! That is just too sweet. I’m really rooting for you two. But I got to know…How would you like to see this situation resolved?

Ideally, I’d like to see Tessa believe in love again, but I also know that might be asking a lot. In her line of work as an event coordinator, she’s seen a lot of relationships fail. This, coupled with what that jackass did to her, I’m not surprised she’s a little gun shy. Who wouldn’t be?

Sounds like some jackass needs an ass-whooping. lol! But you seem ready to take the next step. So, what’s standing in your way?

I admit, there are a few obstacles, but it’s nothing we can’t handle. Admittedly, if my family wasn’t so intrusive that would certainly be a big help. Foremost is probably Tessa’s insistence to control everything. But, again, I can’t say I blame her. She doesn’t trust easy. Then again, neither do I. It’s just one of many things we have in common.

Sounds like a match made in heaven to me. The question is, do you believe there’s a happily ever after in the future?

I sure hope so, but that’s sorta up to her. Once she gives me the green light, I’m all in. 

I hope you guys can make this relationship work. It sounds as if you were made for one another.

I’d love to talk some more, but AJ has some information she’d like to share. So, before we wrap this up, is there anything you’d like to add?

Only that it was a pleasure visiting with you today. Thanks for having me and I know AJ sends her thanks along as well. 

Any time, David.

Thanks AJ for sharing David with us. And now, I’d like to share some information and buy links from sister rose, AJ Nuest, author of She’s Got Dibbs and creator of the very sexy, David Brenner.

Author bio:

Award-winning author and editor, AJ Nuest, lives in a small farming community in NW Indiana with her loving husband, two beautiful children, and a bevy of spoiled pets. She and the cat are currently vying for dictatorship.
Book blurb:
True love does not exist…or so event planner Tessa Adams learns the day she gets jilted–twenty-four hours prior to walking down the aisle. One-night stands are much easier, and with sexy philanthropists like David Brenner, how can she resist? Now if she could just get rid of him. Had she known the biggest event of her career would be working for David’s father, she would have cut and run. Instead, she’s unwittingly become a part of his parents’ plan to destroy his life-long dreams. Will sacrificing her love protect him or be the ultimate betrayal? Wealthy and gorgeous, David Brenner seemingly holds the world in the palm of his hand–his generous heart and infectious smile are just two in an endless stream of attractive qualities. But the one thing he wants, he can’t have–a repeat of the passionate night he spent in the arms of a skittish Tessa Adams. His family’s far-reaching power threatens to crush their dreams. To prove his love, he would risk everything…but will the return of her ex-fiancé be their final undoing?
Excerpt:
“Dibs.” He extended his hand.
Frowning, she accepted his greeting. “Dibs on what?
“No.” He chuckled. “That’s my name. Or well, actually, my nickname. Either way, it’s what everyone calls me.”
“O-o-okay…” The guy definitely had the smolder covered…and those incredible ice-blue eyes. Yikes!
“And you are?”
“Oh, Tessa Adams.” She laughed.
“And everyone calls you…?”
Her frown returned. “Tessa.”
“Oh.” He scanned her face. “No nickname, huh?”
“Not that I recall at the moment.”
He pressed his full lips together as if restraining a smile, eyes twinkling with merriment, and handed her the notepad. “Here’s your confirmation number. The room’s at the Waldorf Towers over on Park.”
Two suites at the Waldorf? In this mess? What was he, a wizard? “Wow, great. Thanks so much for the help.”
“Glad to be of service.” He retrieved his briefcase and started down the corridor, abruptly stopped, and peered at her over the perfect slant of his shoulder. “And don’t worry, Tessa, I’ll think of a good nickname for you.”
She offered him a blank stare. “Hey, knock yourself out.”
Mischief danced along his lips before a grin broke free and he continued down the hallway.
“What a whack job,” she muttered.
Author links, webpages, fan pages, and book trailers.
She’s Got Dibs, won 1st Place in the Contemporary Category, Heartland Romance Authors, Show Me the Spark! Contest, 2010.
Website:  http://ajnuest.com
Twitter:  @AJNuest
She’s Got Dibs Pinterest Page:  http://pinterest.com/ajnuest/shes-got-dibs/

I Have Vonnie and She’s Talking About Paris!

16 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by in contemporary romance, Ernest Hemigway, Jame Joyse, Midnight in Paris, Mona Lisa's Room, Paris, romance, romance author, Shakespeare and Company, The Wild Rose Press, Vonnie Davis

≈ 14 Comments

That’s right, y’all. I have none other than Vonnie Davis on my blog today. Vonnie is a sister rose and a wonderful story teller. I fell in love with her novel, Storm’s Interlude. And now, she has a new release that is definitely going on my TBR list. So, I’m just going to turn my blog over to her today…Vonnie?

 There’s a delightful bookstore in Paris called Shakespeare and Company. It sits on the Left Bank, within steps of the Seine and in view of the Notre Dame Cathedral. When we were in Paris, Calvin insisted I had to see it. He claimed it was the most unusual bookstore in the City of Light. I wasn’t prepared for the maze of narrow hallways leading to more alcoves of dust-covered books.

This Paris institution has an interesting background. Shakespeare and Co. was first opened at another location by Sylvia Beach, an American expatriate, in 1918. During the 1920’s, it was the gathering place for writers of the “Lost Generation” — Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Man Ray and Ezra Pound. During this period, the store was the epicenter of Anglo-American literary culture and modernism in Paris. It is featured in Woody Allen’s movie “Midnight in Paris.”

When the Nazis occupied the city, the store was closed down and never re-opened until another American, George Whitman, opened a bookstore in 1951 in a building that was once a monastery.  Later he renamed his English-language bookstore Shakespeare and Company in tribute to Sylvia Beach. This store became a focal point for literary culture in bohemian Paris.

Now here’s where it gets really interesting to me. Whitman, in his youth, had hiked his way through Central and South America and was touched by the generosity of citizens who opened their humble homes to him and shared all they had. This universal-family-ideology stuck with him and, as a result, he opened his bookstore to starving artists and writers. The bookstore includes sleeping facilities, with 13 beds, and Whitman claimed as many as 40,000 people have slept in the shop over the years. His only requirements were that his guests, whom he called “tumbleweeds”, read, work at their art/writing and help out in the bookstore for two hours a day.

A delightful book, Time Was Soft There: A Paris Sojourn at Shakespeare and Co. by Jeremy Mercer, tells of a writer’s month living in the famed bookstore. Imagine! Free room and board in Paris. Granted one had little privacy. Bathroom privileges were on a scheduled basis. You had to be up and moving about when the store opened. But this is Paris, y’all!

Here’s the book’s description that reinforces what I’m sharing about the place. “Wandering through Paris’s Left Bank one day, poor and unemployed, Canadian reporter Jeremy Mercer ducked into a little bookstore called Shakespeare & Co. Mercer bought a book, and the staff invited him up for tea. Within weeks, he was living above the store, working for the proprietor, George Whitman, patron saint of the city’s down-and-out writers, and immersing himself in the love affairs and low-down watering holes of the shop’s makeshift staff. Time Was Soft There is the story of a journey down a literary rabbit hole in the shadow of Notre Dame, to a place where a hidden bohemia still thrives.”

Regular activities that occur in the bookshop are Sunday tea, poetry readings and writers’ meetings. George Whitman died there at the age of 98, nearly a year ago. His daughter, Sylvia Beach Whitman, now runs the shop and continues to allow young writers to live and work in the store.

So, of course, I had to include a scene at Shakespeare and Company in my romantic suspense, MONA LISA’S ROOM. Because my heroine Alyson Moore has unwittingly foiled a terrorist’s bombing attempt, she’s been placed under the protective custody of French agent, Niko Reynard. They’ve argued outside Shakespeare and Company and are now inside the store. Niko’s looking for a little gift as a making-up gesture to his charge, who is pretty upset with him…

“Where are you from?” Niko detected an Aussie accent.

“Australia. Brisbane. I’m here to experience Paris, study art and do a bit of poetry writin’.” Eddie’s eyes were scanning the shelves. “Ah, here we go, mate.” He climbed a stepstool to reach what he was after. Turning, he leaned down to hand the two books to Niko.

“Thanks. Sketches of Parisian Rooftops and Sketches of Gardens of Paris.” He quickly scanned through the pages. Aly would love these.

Eddie hailed a greeting at two men, dressed in suits, when they entered and ambled through the narrow store, quietly talking as they climbed the few wooden steps to the next section.

Niko briefly glanced at them before flipping the books over to check the prices. “I’ll take all three.” He waited for the total and paid his bill. “Wrap them please so my lady friend can’t see them. They’re a surprise.”

“Oh, lucky her. I just love…”

Suddenly, screams followed by loud thumping and books falling filled the bookstore. Niko sprinted in the direction of the high-pitched shrieking, gun in hand. He bounded up the steps and rounded the corner. “Aly! Aly! What the hell.”

He skidded to a halt. One of the well-dressed men he saw entering the store earlier was on the floor, books covering most of his body. His companion was staggering, holding his hands over his eye and screaming like a banshee as blood ran down his face.

In the corner stood a pale and trembling Aly, her frightened blue eyes dominated her face. “They…they grabbed me! Said they’d kill me if I resisted. I…I karate kicked them.” She swallowed, obviously trying to gain control. “Kung…kung-fooed the hell out of them, too. And…and…”—she pointed to the screaming man still on his feet—“I think I poked his eye out with one of my stilettos.”

Niko ran a hand down his face, keeping it over his mouth to hide the smile. What a piece of work. He wanted to laugh. He wanted to hug her. And damned if he didn’t want to shake the daylights out of her for stepping out of his sight. Hadn’t he told her to stay with him?

“You okay?” Niko’s gaze swept over her, looking for injuries. He fought the urge to pull her to him and embrace her until her trembling stopped. Frankly, if he were honest, his nerves weren’t the greatest right this moment, either. When he heard her scream earlier, cold fear did a free-fall straight through his system.
Some professional he was. While buying books, Aly had to defend herself. His gaze took in the shambles. By the looks of things, hell if she hadn’t done a damn fine job. “Answer me! Did one of these bastards hurt you? Are you okay?”

“I…I gotta pee.” She was shaking violently. No doubt going into shock. Today’s events finally took their toll.

“I’ll show her to the dunny,” came the Aussie accent behind him. “Ain’t no wonder she’s gotta use the loo. The woman beat the bullocks out of the blokes, she did. Gobsmacked ’em, I’ll wager. Shall I call the police or will you?”

“I am the police. Counterterrorism unit.”

View the Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/MonaTrailer
BUY LINKS:
THE WILD ROSE PRESS (digital) — http://bit.ly/MonaLisaDigital
THE WILD ROSE PRESS (paperback) — http://bit.ly/MonaLisasRoom
AMAZON (paperback) — http://amzn.to/QQZGyD
AMAZON (eBook) — http://bit.ly/MonaLisasRoomeBook
FIND VONNIE ONLINE AT http://www.vonniedavis.com
BLOGGING AT http://www.vintagevonnie.blogspot.com