Temptation Tuesday - Inspiration

Inspiration, what is, where does it come from? Well, I'm not sure I can easily explain what it is, or even want to try, but what I can talk about is where it comes from. At least for me.

When I sit down to write out my characters I already have an inkling of their characteristics. Height, weight, coloring, etc. But then I want a visual aid to flesh this person out.

For my main character, Peyton, in Diamonds Aren't Forever, I made her a petite woman with honey blonde hair. So, I looked for some examples. The image below is close, but Peyton's slightly older.










Finding men that fit my characters was so much easier. And for my first book, I had tons and tons of photos to choose from, (such a hardship), and hours upon hours of sifting through hot bodied, male nudes. Well, from the waist up. A girl can dream. Can't she?

When I developed my trailer for Diamonds Aren't Forever, this image just popped. I could see Peyton, carrying a gun at some point in her past. And of course, she had to be sexy while stealing jewels, so of course this image fit into her persona quite well. 

      

This image of romance cover model Jimmy Thomas to the right was perfect for brothers, Sebastian and Thierry. But I'm working on book 2 of the series and have shifted gears.













Dagan is a self-made man with a billion dollar company to run. His brown hair with red and gold highlights and hazel eyes could look something like Thomas, but Dagan is longer, leaner, polished. And I couldn't use another image that reminded me of bad boys, Sebastian and Thierry.

So, where do I get my inspiration from? (I suck my lower lip between my teeth hide the my wanton smile). Check out my page on Pinterest, and see.

Weekend Writing Warriors #8Snippet - Diamond

Weekend Writing Warriors is a great way to find new authors, get snippets of your favorite authors' works, and get sneak peaks of upcoming books. Visit the link, and thanks for your support.

Have you wondered about Diamond? Not the gems, but the man behind the series? Diamonds Aren't Forever  He's real, and looks something like the guy below. Enjoy!

     She remembered the day she stole Diamond’s wallet like it was yesterday....  “If you put the money... y’all can eat much longer.” A deep voice behind her drawled.

     Peyton spun around… Standing in the opening of the alley was Malloy. His chocolate brown eyes bored into hers. She fought the urge to swallow.

     Sizing him up, she took in his mocha skin, shaved head, and diamond stud in his right ear. He looked to be about six feet tall and if it wasn’t for his thick muscled chest and arms, she would have called him lanky.

Now wouldn't you join his gang? So HOT! 

Diamond's chapter 1
Amazon

Temptation Tuesday

My day has been so jammed packed that I was thinking of putting off this week's post. But, then I realized I would miss this as much as my readers. 

Then I couldn't think of what to say. This post is to tempt my readers. To make you want more. Of what? I racked my brain until I came up with just one thought. 

Temptation. It's a noun. Yet, the best way to describe it with verbs.  It's an act of tempting someone to do or feel something. It entices, allures. 

We all have things or do things that tempt us. Chocolate is a weakness. My post on petits fours last week hit the mark. I'd been eating healthy during the conference, to ward off an upcoming cold, but one look at those delicate cakes and all willpower went out the window. 

That's what happens to our characters in romance novels. They just can't help themselves. They're sorely tempted to... You can fill in those dots with your own thoughts if you wish. 

But, in romance novels, and those of us who graphically write about love, would explain their feelings of lust and love. 

For me, it all begins with the mouth. She pulled her lower lip between her teeth. Her tongue darted out to wet dry lips. His mouth softened. He brushed his lips against hers. I can go on and on. There is just something about writing about character's mouths in a sensuous manner that heats up the scene. 

So this week, I leave you with a kiss. 

 

             

Weekend Writing Warriors - First Kiss

Weekend Writing Warriors is a great way to find new authors, get snippets of your favorite authors' works, and get sneak peaks of upcoming books. Visit the link, and thanks for your support.

I'm taking a step back in the book. I hope you like first kisses. Diamonds Aren't Forever 

    “What I want...” he began, stalking towards her. A commotion in the hall cut him off, drawing their attention.

    “Oh shit.” He heard her swear. A flash of black and fuchsia filled his view, falling into his open arms. 

    “Quick, kiss me.” 

    Was that fear in her eyes? ...  A woman afraid of him wouldn’t be kissing him so thoroughly. Her tongue licked his lower lip, bringing him out of his inner argument.

    Jolts of electricity flowed from her lips to his, setting his entire body ablaze. Her scent shrouded him. She was soft and lush in all the right places and easily fit his body. 

    Soft lips growled against his. “Put some effort into it. It has to look real.”

Available on Amazon

Feature Friday - Book Covers

As an author, book covers must speak to me before I put them on my book and send them to the readers; hopefully it will speak to them, and they'll purchase.

My Friday Feature is evolving, and so, after attending IRC last week, I thought I'd delve into book covers.

Book covers should portray what's in the book while speaking to the audience. The image to the right, spoke to me. This particular image has been on several books I've read. Specifically BDSM genre. And I purchased this series specifically because of the image on book 1.

The cover here spoke to me on several levels. The model is gorgeous in his own right. The dark colors emphasize the title. The lack of color serves to enhance his features. And of course, showing skin always rakes in romance readers.

This book is dark, erotic romance. It's a journey into the psyche. And the author did a great job demonstrating that throughout the book.

But, what about sweet romance? Well, the next cover is used for more than just sweet romance. And the cover was the reason I chose this book. It also was the reason I purchased the series. It's ongoing, and the author, Sable Hunter writes Cowboy Heat in both erotic and sweeter version.

This cover evokes strong feelings of love. The background is nice, but frankly, we don't care. Our focus is on the couple, the way he's holding her, and their facial expressions.

I used the cover below for my first novel, but wanted to show it how it was used by another author as well. The juxtaposition of the models indicates intimacy, but also something at stake. There is an unsure feeling between the female model and the male model on the right on the Compass Girls cover and on the left on my cover. And to me, it perfectly demonstrates the dichotomy of menages.  Note the difference in colors. The Compass Girls book cover gives that feeling of hope. Mine makes the reader wonder, but also, in my opinion shows more wanting.

There are some book covers that lend themselves to mystery just because of the picture. The novel may not be a mystery, but we get an image without characters. But these covers still evoke enough emotion that it makes the reader take a second look.
I'll leave you with a few of my favorites.

               

Temptation Tuesday

     She gaped openly. Her mouth watered. Overwhelming, longing hit her. The urge to pounce filled her addled brain. She needed to get out of here, now. But she ignored the warning bells.
     She reached out a trembling hand... Just one touch. No one would know. She drew it back hastily. She shouldn't. No, couldn't.
     Tearing her eyes away, trouble would come if she didn't focus on something else. Her eyes drifted around the room, taking in the sparse furnishings, paneled walls, and... "Crap." He was there with... She took a deep breath, hastily averting her eyes. "Stay strong," she mumbled under her breath over and over, as she moved away.
      Putting distance between them would do the trick. She filled her lungs with cleansing air, letting it out until her thundering heartbeat slowed. Where was Penny? She usually showed up early at these events and kept her out of trouble.
     She squeezed further into the corner she'd settled in. She froze, as two guys joined her, hemming her in. Panic seized her. They'd blocked her view of... But, boy oh boy, what a fine view it was. Broad shoulders tapered to narrow waists, firm round buttocks, her hands itched to squeeze, and long, muscular legs.
    Her mind raced. Would they strike up a conversation? Would they ask her out? What would she say? She inched her hand towards her face, discreetly blowing into her palm. At least she hadn't forgotten mouth wash.      
     Why had she cornered herself? How could she get out of here now without causing a scene? If only Penny were here. She peeked around a muscular arm. She moaned at the sight. If only the floor would open up and swallow her.
Suddenly he turned. She was face to face with...

What? Petits fours are a weakness of mine. Oh, you thought I was talking about...
Heh, heh, heh. Sorry.

Weeken Writing Warriors - Diamonds Aren't Forever

Weekend Writing Warriors is a great way to find new authors, get snippets of your favorite authors' works, and get sneak peaks of upcoming books. Visit the link, and thanks for your support.

This week I'm at IRC, but I didn't want to let you down. I'm ramping up the conflict  But if you'd like to see the set up of this scene, check it out @ Jai Elle Mitchell

Peyton saw Thierry flick his eyes toward Sebastian in silent communication. Then a flash of teeth and a feral grin filled her sight just before Thierry’s mouth claimed hers.

“That’s all I wanted to hear, bébé,” he murmured against Peyton’s lips. “You’re ours now.” He scooped her into his arms. 

From the living room to the bedroom was the longest and shortest fifteen seconds of Thierry’s life. He wanted to kiss Peyton. To run his tongue along her silky skin, learn her taste. He wanted to explore her body from head to toe with his hands and mouth. He planned to find her erotic triggers and torture her with nips and bites until she begged him, them to let her come. But most of all he wanted to bury himself balls deep in her core, staking his claim.
More praise for Diamonds Aren't Forever... A Female character that chooses her own path...   RR

New 5* review...    I love it...   capet101

Ooh Seconds!

Weekend Writing Warriors is a great way to find new authors, get snippets of your favorite authors' works, and get sneak peaks of upcoming books. Visit the link, and thanks for your support.

Last week, Peyton got her first look at Thierry.  
This week, we take it a little further.
Diamonds Aren't Forever 

Raising her eyes to his flat stomach, the likes of which she could bounce a quarter off of, Peyton’s legs took that moment to wilt. She hissed in a much needed breath as Sebastian’s arm tightened around her waist. His breath whispered across her neck before nuzzling it had her almost missing his low comment. “Tee wants you just as much as I do.”

Peyton’s eyes slammed shut and her head fell back on Sebastian’s shoulder. It was all she could do not to order her friends out of the house. A moan, she couldn’t be sure where it came from had her snapping her eyes open only to have that hard, broad chest, filling her vision. When had he moved? 

Peyton Gilbrad, jewel thief turned novelist meets her match in the arms of two gorgeous Cajuns. 
Amazon

This book was amazing... I was sitting on the edge of my seat.        Amazon Customer