VONNIE DAVIS AND A FAMILY KIND OF LOVE

Readers, please welcome debut author Vonnie Davis as a guest poster today.

A FAMILY KIND OF LOVE

There are so many different kinds of romance. If I had to pick one type, I doubt I could do it. At the top would be comedic romance in any sub-genre. I do love to laugh. Another one of my favorites is romantic stories that revolve around a family, with all those wonderful, complex dynamics. I enjoy getting to know each family member.

STORM’S INTERLUDE includes a small family—Storm, his twin sister Sunny, who has leukemia, and her little boy, Sawyer—who all live on the Triple-S Ranch. An important part of the family is Noella, the housekeeper, who raised the twins from the age of five when their mother deserted them. Also part of this extended family is Storm’s best friend and the love of Sunny’s life, Police Chief Jackson Cole. Enter Sunny’s new nurse, Rachel, who blends in with the family quite well, except for the fire-sparks between her and Storm.



Noella as she might look

 To my surprise, my favorite character in my contemporary romance turned out to be Noella. Now, Noella is, to use the cliché, the moral compass of the family. Expressing her feelings is as common for her as making breakfast or running the vacuum. She rules the house and keeps Storm in line by threatening to stop cooking for him. She also has a verbal quirk. Once she voices her opinion, she ends it by saying, “But I say nothing.” I think this little quirk makes her memorable and more human.

Here's the blurb:

Nurse Rachel Dennison comes to Texas determined to prepare her new patient for a second round of chemo. What she isn’t counting on is her patient’s twin brother, Storm Masterson. Despite her initial attraction, Storm has two things Rachel can’t abide: a domineering personality and a fiancée. Half Native American, with the ability to have "vision dreams," Storm dreams about Rachel for three nights before her arrival. Both are unprepared for the firestorm of emotions their first chance encounter ignites. Ultimately, it is Rachel’s past—an abusive, maniacal ex-boyfriend—that threatens to keep them apart…and Storm’s dreams that bring them together again.

Excerpt: I’d like to share a scene with you. Storm is trying to figure out his attraction to Rachel. He’s an engaged man; his loyalties are to his fiancée, so this fascination is not setting well with him. He’s in his office at the ranch, struggling, trying to deny his attraction.

 The sounds of more laughter and water splashing seeped through the open window, so did the music Rachel was so fond of playing. It was good to hear Sunny giggle again. Maybe that was part of the attraction. Gratitude. Was part of what he was feeling for Nurse Rachel gratitude for her helping Sunny?

With her there, much of the tension that permeated the house for so long had evaporated. Noella’s claim that Rachel brought hope was correct. It was like they’d all been given a new lease on life, not just Sunny. He tossed the pen down and stepped to the window again.


“Master Storm, I bring you some coffee and two banana nut muffins.” Noella set the plate and steaming mug on his desk.


“Thanks, Momma Noella. You know the way to my heart.” He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at her.


She stepped beside him and looked out the window. Rachel was holding Sawyer’s hands and dancing with him to a song playing on the CD player. The delighted child was giggling. “Si, I know one way to your heart.” Her head jerked in the direction of Rachel. “Maybe she knows another, huh? But I say nothing.”


“I’m engaged. You know that.” His eyes stayed focused on Rachel.

“Si.” Noella patted his chest. “But your heart, my child, does your heart know that?” She turned and started to walk out.

Buy links:


http://bit.ly/rcCIMa -- The Wild Rose Press


http://amzn.to/pkkcLq -- Amazon


http://bit.ly/pb9DQd -- Barnes & Noble

Come visit me at Vintage Vonnie where I blog. http://www.vintagevonnie.blogspot.com/

My website is http://www.vonniedavis.com/



Vonnie Davis at a book reading

Thanks, Vonnie, for sharing your debut release, STORM'S INTERLUDE, with us. What a gorgeous cover. From what I've read, this one is a winner. Best wishes for many sales.

 
Readers, please return on Monday for a visit with my Almost-Cousin, Celia Yeary.
 
Thanks for stopping by!

AUTHOR VONNIE DAVIS SKIPS TO THE BEAT OF A FLUTE

Vonnie Davis

Readers, welcome author Vonnie Davis, whose first book, STORM'S INTERLUDE, will soon be released from The Wild Rose Press. Vonnie, tell us about growing up and your life before you became a full-time writer.

Vonnie: While most people go through life marching to the beat of a drum, I seem to skip to the beat of a flute. My children would nod their heads to that statement and say, “Yep, yep, that’s Mom.”

When I found myself a single parent with three children, little skills and no job, I submitted a job application at a large factory every day until they hired me. I got the job not because I had the skills, but because the folks in human resources were tired of seeing me. I learned to assemble engines for tractor-trailers. For twenty-six years I worked in the heavy metal industries, learning what I could and retiring as a stress engineer.

I started college at the age of forty-five, working night shift so I could attend classes during the day as a full-time student. There I fell in love with Billy Shakespeare and Geof Chaucer. I wrote my first play at Penn State where it was put on for Lunchtime Theatre. My middle child, who was a college senior at the time, transferred to PSU for his final semester so he could say he went to college with his mom. We’d meet at the dining hall and library to study and talk. I recall quite fondly the day he came into the library, socked his books on the table and groused, “If one more professor tells me he or she hopes I’m as good a student as my mother, I’ll just scream. I carry a four-point-oh, for God’s sake.”

After being alone for twelve years, I met a man online. He sashayed into my mailbox on a jazzbeat and a smile. He’s a retired English teacher and author of three books. I’ve saved the best for last; I have six stupendous grandchildren. I’d tell you about them, but after four or five hours, your eyes would just glaze over.

Caroline: I'll bet you have photos, too. LOL Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Vonnie: I adore romance, the hope, the life-lessons, the sensuality of every story.

Caroline: How many books do you read a month? What are you reading now?

Susan Macatee's book,
also from The Wild
Rose Press

Vonnie: I read 4-6 books a month now that I’m writing so heavily. Currently I’m reading a delightful Civil War romance by Susan Macatee, CONFEDERATE ROSE.



Caroline: I agree with you, Susan's writing is fabulous, plus she's such a terrific person. I alsways enjoy a book more if I know the author is a nice person. When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?


Vonnie: Calvin and I travel, we dote on the grandkids or watch a good movie.

 Caroline: We don't have grandkids (wistful sigh) but Hero and I love watching movies together in the family room and traveling together. Describe yourself in three or four words.


Vonnie: Loving, Supportive, Focused and Extra-fluffy (polite speak for over-weight).


Caroline: Ouch! Extra-fluffy describes me, too. Would you like to share any guilty pleasures that feed your muse?


Vonnie: Chocolate and margaritas, not at the same time, of course.


Caroline: Wise choices, but now I'm hungry for Tex-Mex and a margarita. Thanks for that! ;-) How long have you been writing?


Vonnie: I began writing a series of short stories in the 5th grade about a little man from Mars who came to Earth and got into all kinds of zany predicaments. As soon as I heard my classmates chuckle, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Then when I was a young adult, self-doubt moved in with a five-piece set of luggage and stayed until I met Calvin. He’s encouraged me to chuck the baggage and follow my dreams. I’ve been writing seriously for five years.


Caroline: Amazing what a difference a supportive spouse makes, isn't it? We're both lucky! Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?


Vonnie: I have two favorite spots. One is on my recliner with my laptop on my lap. The other is at Bob Evans where the waitresses know us. They hook me up to an IV of coffee as soon as I sit down. We’ve been known to campout on one of their booths for four hours and write. Obviously we have to leave a nice tip for rental fees. ;-)

Caroline writing with
cat Bailey looking on

Caroline: I admire anyone who can write in a restaurant. I prefer my office. Are you a plotter or a panzer?


Vonnie: I’m a pantzer. I wing it until my characters take over and then I merely take dictation.


Caroline: Wonderful when that happens, isn't it? Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

Vonnie writing in a
cafe setting but
where's Calvin?

Vonnie: No, my imagination is too off the wall for that.


Caroline: Yes, I know what your mean. Wasn't it Tom Clancy who said "The difference between fiction and real life is that fiction has to make sense?" Do you do your research before you begin a new project, or as you go along?


Vonnie: I research locations first. Other research I do as needed.


Caroline: Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals? Do you write daily?

Available July 15 from The Wild Rose Press!

Vonnie: I write daily. I get up around eight and write all morning. Afternoons I do emails and self-promotion. I write again in the evenings while we watch TV until around midnight. Obviously with such a schedule, I’m retired. I have to laugh as I read that! It makes no sense—as if writing isn’t work. (Thunks forehead with fist.)


Caroline: Isn't that the truth? I hate when people think I goof off all day because I'm at home and "all I do is write." What do you hope your writing brings to readers?


Vonnie: That we can overcome most anything. That we possess a great deal of strength within our spirits. That unconditional love makes us crawl out from under our rock of fear into the sunshine of day.


Caroline: What advice would you give to pre-published authors?


Vonnie: Write and rewrite, join a writers’ group, find a critique partner or mentor (I mentor two writers) and take online classes to learn your craft.


Caroline: Excellent advice and kudos to you for mentoring other writers. I knew I liked you! Tell us about your latest release.


Vonnie: My debut novel, STORM’S INTERLUDE, will be released by The Wild Rose Press on July 15th.


Caroline: How about a blurb?


Vonnie: Here it is:

Nurse Rachel Dennison comes to Texas determined to prepare her new patient for a second round of chemo. What she isn’t counting on is her patient’s twin brother, Storm Masterson.

Half Native American with the ability to have “vision dreams,” Storm dreams about Rachel for three nights before her arrival. Both are unprepared for the firestorm of emotions their first chance encounter ignites. Even so, Storm has two things Rachel won’t abide: a domineering personality and a fiancée.

Yet, ultimately, it is Rachel’s past—an abusive, maniacal ex-boyfriend—that threatens to keep them apart…and Storm’s dreams that bring them together again.


Caroline: Wow, that sounds intriguing. You know I love stories set in Texas. And I had a character named Storm in my Kincaid series now on Smashwords and Amazon. How about an excerpt?


Vonnie: Here's a PG excerpt:


Storm heard off-key singing when he opened the back door. He quietly toed off his boots in the mudroom before stepping into the kitchen.


An open laptop sat on the wooden kitchen table. Beside it was a mug of steaming tea. On the counter was a loaf of wheat bread next to a jar of peanut butter. Protruding from the opened refrigerator was a cute behind, covered by baggy yellow pajama bottoms, wiggling to the beat of the song being sung. “Shot through the heart and you’re to blame, you give love a bad name.”


The off-tune singing stopped, but that perfectly rounded bottom continued to wiggle. "Pickles...pickles. Surely there are pickles in this huge refrigerator. Maybe some of those sweet little Gherkins. Oh, look, cottage cheese. You give love a bad name…” The off-tune singer extracted a container from the crowded contents of the refrigerator, absently reaching out to set it on the counter.


Sneaking up behind her in his stocking feet, he placed a hand on the edge of the open door of the refrigerator and leaned over her bent body.


She moved a pitcher of orange juice. “Okay, pickles, where are you hiding?”


“Check behind the milk.”


Rachel yelped and spun around, her hand to her heart. Her big blue eyes opened impossibly wide. “You! Wha...what are you doing here?”


He held out his hand. “Hello, Rachel. I’m Storm Masterson, Sunny’s twin brother.”


“You…you’re Sunny’s brother? Don’t you dare touch me.” She made a fist and had the audacity to shake it under his nose. He didn’t know whether to laugh or paddle that cute behind she’d been wiggling earlier. “You…you just keep your hands and your lips to yourself. You…you naked, kissing bandit.”


Storm leaned his head back and laughed. “Well, I’m not naked now. Just how do I classify as a bandit? I didn’t steal anything from you.”


Rachel fisted her hands on her hips, leaned in and narrowed her eyes in such an appealing way he was overcome with a keen desire to kiss her softly and slowly, the kind of kiss that made you sigh partway through it. “You stole a kiss from me.” Her eyebrow arched. “Or have you forgotten?”


He smiled, his hands itching to touch her. What man walking the face of this earth could forget a kiss like the one they’d shared earlier? “Is it called stealing when the woman gives as good as she got?”


Rachel shook her fist again. “Back up, buster. I’ll not be kissed like that again.”


Caroline: Okay, you've hooked me and now I HAVE to read that book the minute it's available!  How can readers learn more about you?


Vonnie: I blog at http://www.vintagevonnie.blogspot.com/


My website is http://www.vonniedavis.com/

Caroline: Those are gorgeous models in your video, Vonnie. Best of luck with your writing career!

Thanks to Vonnie Davis for sharing her personal and writing life with us! Perhaps she'll come back for another visit after her books is released.

In the meantime, please remember SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME is available at The Wild Rose Press www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html and also from Kindle and other online stores.

Thanks for reading. Please come back.