Guest Blogging Today is the Very Beautiful, Very Talented Dianne Venetta, Author of Lust On The Rocks. I asked Dianne the following question,
Dianne, in both of your books it seems that your heroines are strong, career-minded women. Do you consciously write strong, independent women opposed to the single mother who lost her job, or the working two jobs just to support herself and what she eventually wants to become? Or is it just that you start the woman's life later in life?
Funny how our writing speaks to our personal condition, or that of our contemporaries, isn’t it? I am an admitted strong (sometimes referred to as controlling—but I'm working on it!), career-minded woman. Granted I gravitate more toward the creative and entrepreneurial side of business, but I do have many friends who are professionals, ie. doctors, lawyers, accountants, and the like (which makes for great research material!). So when writing, I need only look around me and pick an issue. Perfect, right?
However, the first novel I ever wrote was the story of a divorced mother and the troubled relationship she shares with her daughter; a story to which I think many women can relate. Then there’s a book in my future which is about mothers in general, more a straight women's fiction versus romantic women's fiction. Psssst… It's a juicy topic, so I'm already having fun outlining the story!
But above all, a HEA is crucial. My life is busy, stressful, sometimes complicated, many times draining and thus, you can imagine how a good fantasy heroine to vicariously romp through the pages with would be a good thing for me! (Okay, that's a lie. It’s the hero I want to romp through the pages with, handsome little devil.) Makes sense that's what I like to write, I guess.
Besides, most of my stories tend to "appear" in my brain as visions and themes, followed by characters that begin to introduce themselves and well, it starts getting out of hand from there. Almost like I don’t choose the novels I write, but they choose me. I'm a bit loony this way, "channeling" my stories—but it’s okay. I've been called worse.
As to the age of my heroines, I must confess that I think these ladies have as much sex appeal as any woman, even decades younger. As my heroine Sam so aptly put: “A woman hits her stride when she enters her thirties. It’s when she knows what she’s doing and how to do it and at thirty-seven, that makes me pumped, primed, and ready for action!”
I rest my case. J Thanks for having me!
**Dianne will also be giving away a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Barnes & Noble or Amazon to ONE lucky commenter on the Tour. So leave a comment for Dianne to be entered.
About the Author
Dianne lives in Central Florida with her husband, two children and part-time Yellow Lab--Cody-body! When not whacking away at her keyboard crafting her next novel you'll find her in their organic garden chasing grasshoppers and plucking hornworms all while drawing wild analogies between kids and plants and men. Definitely men.
A girl's gotta have fun, right?
When she's not knee-deep in dirt or romance, Dianne contributes garden advice for various websites and volunteers in her kids' school garden (a crazy existence to be sure). But at the end of the day, if she can inspire someone to stop and smell the roses--or rosemary!—kiss their child and spouse good-night, be kind to a neighbor and Mother Earth, then she's done all right.
She has what he needs, and he won't stop until he gets it. Trouble is, what begins as a matter of death, becomes a matter of life.
One case away from partnership, Samantha Rawlings is forced to share her high-profile case with a sexy younger man, whose eyes are on a different prize. In the best interests of her client, Sam opens the door to his strategy. Turns out, a little too far...
Victor Marin has ulterior motives. The defendant in her case holds the key to his revenge, and his last chance for justice. But as he chases old demons, he uncovers a powerful woman with no inhibitions, one he wants to possess for himself. But decidedly single, Sam wants no part.
Until Vic walks away.
Excerpt:
“It’s nice out here, isn’t it?”
The light breeze tossed hair into her face as she looked at him. “One of my favorite places to be.” The feel and sound of crashing waves reminded her of life’s ebb and flow, the powerful force of nature, the calming sense of continuity. Sam loved the ocean, from the deep dark depths to the slide of incoming tides across a shore littered with shells.
Vic kept his pace slow. Jean pant legs rolled up, he carried his loafers in one hand, allowing the other to occasionally bump with hers. “Why aren’t you tied down yet, Sam? Seems to me, a woman like you would have men lining up with proposals.”
She chuckled at his compliment. “I don’t want to be tied down.”
“Ever? You mean to tell me you never met a guy who did it for you?”
“Did it for me?” she repeated, amused by his choice of words. But she knew what he meant and relaxed into a laugh. “I’ve met a lot of men who have done it for me, as you so neatly put, but I choose to be single.”
“Why? Someone hurt you?”
“No.” Other than my family. Being forced to care for five little kids when you were scarcely one yourself wasn’t so great. But life did that to you. It put you in situations and forced you to deal—which she did. But that was behind her now and she didn’t intend to go back. Ever.
“You don’t want kids? Is that it?”
“Let’s say I had an overexposure at a young age, caring for my brothers and sisters and I’m cleansed of any desire to have my own. What about you?”
“What about me.”
“Siblings, nieces, nephews...”
“None,” he said, and Sam almost tripped over the soft quality of his voice.
“Must be strange.” When he didn’t reply, she said, “I’m sorry, that didn’t come out right.”
He looked at her and said, “Don’t worry about it. No big deal.”
But the vulnerability in his eyes unraveled her heart. Had he been hurt? Was that the reason behind his distinct change in demeanor, the wall that slid between them?
This was usually easy territory for a man. Unless there was a problem, rang the sentiment again. “Ever thought about marriage and kids for yourself?”
“Maybe someday.”
“Someday?”
“I’m focused on my career, but later, when I’m ready to settle down...” The thought fell away. “Who knows?”
“They’re a lot of work,” Sam tried to make light, willing the ease to return.
“But the connection is worth it.”
She turned to him and he stopped. In the distance, the sound of partygoers blended with the thumping base of music drifting far and wide. Behind them, a large wave crashed. Racing up the shore, it submerged them ankle deep, then glided across the wide expanse of sand as it made its retreat to the ocean. Something changed. The hairs on the back of her neck stood amidst goose bumps prickling her flesh. Vic’s gaze cut through the gentle evening light as he touched her hair, ceasing its lash across her cheekbones. Her pulse quickened.
“I had a nice time.”
“Me, too,” she uttered, her breathing reduced to wisps.
“I’m glad we’re working together.”
She could only nod, suspended by what came next.
