Here are 13 books that have made an impact on me. I can’t say they’re all necessarily my favorites … some are just memorable.
1. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough – Okay, I lied. This has to be my all time favorite book. The first real romance I read and I was probably 13. I’ve since learned I jumped right over all the wonderful Judy Bloom books most girls my age were reading. Ah, well, that’s me … I never do anything by the book … get it? By the … oh, never mind.
2. Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel – Actually the whole series. Many people didn’t like her detailed descriptions of the main character’s intimate relationship. I can’t lie … it’s one of the reasons I dipped my toe into erotica. (Yes, I’ve fallen head first into the pool!)
3. The Reef by Nora Roberts – This is the first book of many I read of Nora’s. From here I read everything she had in the local library. But this book will always remain one of my favorite of hers. (I have several more, but I didn’t want to clog the list with all of her books.)
4. Fat Tuesday by Sandra Brown – Again, only the first of many Sandra Brown books I have plowed through. A lover of suspense, I go back to this again and again to learn from this incredibly talented author.
5. Freedom Series by Anne McCaffrey – Anne McCaffrey is an amazing science fiction author. There are many of her books I have loved. But this is the first series that literally held me captive until I got through all of the books. If you’re looking for amazing world building, you couldn’t choose a better teacher.
6. Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger – Not assigned reading. As a matter of fact, it was banned from the school library and the English curriculum in my high school. So of course … I had to read it. Without the benefit of someone wiser than I to help interpret all the nuances, I didn’t find anything more than a lot of swear words and odd drivel by a young man. I’m sure I missed something.
7. A Death in the Family by James Agee – Now this is a book we had to read in English. The author did an amazing job of setting the reader up for an obvious death, but then twists your gut by killing off a main character instead. Amazing writing. Enough that the impact of that book has stayed with me all these years.
8. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks – A quick read definitely. There are arguments among authors as to the place this book holds in the literary world. For me, I almost fainted when I found out this book was only 55,000 words. The same length as Harlequin series books, but half the length of most main stream novels. With an economy of words this author told the life story of two lovers. Even if you don’t care for the writing, you can’t help but admire the success of this novel in all it’s media forms.
9. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs – Looove this story. (I’m a huge fan of Susan Wiggs and had a hard time choosing just one book.) I’ve read and reread this book to learn how Susan Wiggs weaves a tale. She’s an amazing writer and I continue to learn from her every time I pick up one of her books. (I actually got to meet her at the writer’s conference I went to last spring. Nice lady.)
10. Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck – I didn’t have to read this classic either in high school or college. Feeling I had missed something, I went to the local library and pulled this from the shelves. It shocked me. But mostly the last few paragraphs have stayed with me. I thought it a rather odd ending. I know it was rich with symbolism, but hey … it just didn’t work for me.
11. The Loop by Nicholas Evans – Many who read Evans would have chosen The Horse Whisperer and though I’ve read it, my feelings are tainted by Hollywood’s gross interpretation of his story. So, in an effort to remain pure to this author, I’ve chosen this book that hasn’t been altered by a movie.
12. Firestarter by Stephen King – I don’t like to read horror, but I do like stories of regular people in extraordinary circumstances. King hooked me in the beginning with the very real possibility of college students being paid to participate in a drug experiment followed by a subsequent government coverup. The ending was just as memorable as a young girl takes her story to the only place that would believe her extraordinary tale … Rolling Stone Magazine. Love that twist. The man is truly a master of words.
13. Jonathon Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach – I’m old enough to have read this when it originally was published. I lived on the Maine coast at the time and was enthralled with the idea of gulls being more than birds. It really taught me some new ways to look at my life.
So do you have some books you’ve read that have just stayed with you? Why do you think you couldn’t let go? Of course I want to know … I’m curious about stuff like that.(And now I’m off to have a little something to eat. Which begs the question … how do you feel about cooking nekkid?)
Okay, so with all the book noise and chatter out there authors are always trying to figure out how to be heard in the din of thousands of books. We’re always trying to find that little gadget that will lead a reader to our books. One reader actually said “an author’s promotional item is like a little gift to me”. And maybe little doo-jiggers don’t have readers buying your books, but simply seeing your name. It’s a general rule of thumb that someone needs to see your name 10 times before they stop and look into it.
So the question becomes … how do we spend that promotional dollar effectively?
On all the loops I participate in authors are discussing what draws a reader to buy your book. In e-publishing this it’s even more difficult as your product is sort of nebulous… not something the consumer can put their hands on… and that makes it a difficult sell.
So with all sincerity we’re discussing bookmarks and postcards; sticky notes and glitter pens; emery boards and flashlights; trying to come up with the gimmick that will make a person so fired up they just can’t wait to get home and download your book!
I’ve spent alot of time designing and printing romance trading cards for my books. I send them out to reader conventions that I’m not attending. I’m fortunate in that I have an artistic eye and putting something together like that is enjoyable. Anyhoodles… I thought they came out beautifully. But left to their own devices, sitting among all the other glitzy author material, will they entice someone enough to 1) pick it up and 2) buy the book or at least 3) check out my website. Frankly, I don’t know.
Through this whole process it’s occurred to me… I don’t buy books. (Or I didn’t until my friends started publishing, now I buy their books. And forgive me for even thinking this… but if it’s coming out in print… I wait to buy that version… oh, I should have my hand slapped!)
So, what’s the point of all this rambling? I’m just curious… if you can’t pick the book up in the bookstore and you only have promotional material available to you… what makes you curious enough to investigate the author/book? A snazzy bookmark? A postcard with a blurb about the book? Some cute trinket?
Tell me… I’m dying of curiousity.
Oh, and here’s a sampling of my trading cards. Email me Nina (AT) NinaPierce.com if you want a full set for yourself.
There are very few movies I wait anxiously to see in the theater. But this one … this book made into a movie that everyone is talking about … is one of those that I have been chomping at the bit to see since November when I watched the first part of Breaking Dawn (which I thought was sloooow and boring). Of course, since they’re thinking this story will fit the audience watching the Twilight series, they previewed “The Hunger Games”.
I had heard whisperings of this interesting book set in the future. And as I usually do I gave it a try. I could NOT put it down! Do I think you’ll like it? I don’t know. I loved Twilight but couldn’t get through the Harry Potter series. I didn’t finish The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, but read The Host in one sitting. What can I say? But this series I have to admit, I haven’t heard anyone who’s read them who didn’t enjoy them.
Here’s the BLURB:
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, “The Hunger Games,” a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.
I couldn’t help but wonder how the author Suzanne Collins was going to get this young girl to survive while 23 other teens died (some at her own hands) and not have her become a cold-hearted murderer. You know what? She did it. With wonderful mastery of writing, she managed to pull this story off and leave me wanting more.
The love story is a little schmaltzie (yes, that’s a real word 😉 ), but this is a story written for young adults, not a 50 year old woman who’s read her way through most of the romance section of the local library.
I’ve read a lot of wonderful books and usually have no desire to see the movie. But in this case I’ve become a squeeing fangirl. I was so jealous earlier this week when there was a premier somewhere. All kinds of people have gotten to see it before the official opening next Friday. I wanted to embed the trailer here, but Youtube wouldn’t let me. Click HERE to view the official movie trailer.
So what about you? Have you read the book(s)? Are you planning on seeing the movie? Does it interest you? Because you know me, I’m curious to know if I’m the only one anxiously awaiting the opening of this movie.
I don’t know if Hollywood is getting lazy or if there are just so many cineplexes with 8 and 10 movies running, but it seems like more and more books are being brought to the big screen. Of course it may be the phenomenal successes of the Harry Potter and the Twilight series that are fueling the frenzy. I’ve read a few of the books that have been made into movies and 
seen a few of the movies without reading the book. Since there’s always the question of whether the book is better than the movie or vice versa, I’m never sure which way I want to go. But let me just share a few of the book/movies that have come out recently or are soon to be released.
Water For Elephants
This is a movie I saw, but didn’t read the book. The movie was well done in that the violence toward human and animal is intimated, but done off-screen. I’m not sure how they handle it in the book, but even in writing, violence is very hard for me to handle. I enjoyed the movie, but the ladies sitting in front of me from a bookclub enjoyed the book so much more.
The Help
My mother read this book last summer and highly recommended it.
And though it was on my TBR list, I hadn’t gotten around to it by the time the movie was released. My daughter and I saw it. I haven’t cried so much in a movie in a long time. What I liked best is the story of these african-american maids was told through the eyes of a caucasian author who is simply trying to share the trials and tribulations of their lives in a book she is writing. It is so well done and I have no doubt the author of the book, Kathryn Stockett based the stories on a lot of research. Thankfully, it’s interspersed with lots of humor and the movie is very enjoyable despite its difficult subject matter.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I read this book. Correction … I tried to read this book. But I was part of that 1% that just couldn’t get into it. And I did something I don’t usually do, I forced myself to keep reading, convinced that if so many people enjoyed it, surely I would get to the good parts. It never happened. I abandoned the book with a mere 50 pages left. Really, I couldn’t get through it. I will however, go and see the movie. I desperately want to know what the “mystery” was around the story. The missing girl? The murder? I’m not sure. I did read into it enough to know what happened (or didn’t happen) to the girl … yeah, well I figured that out the first time she was mentioned. Anyway, I’m hoping I’ll enjoy the movie, though my son already told me the ending stinks. His girlfriend, who loved the book, said it was true to the story, which is not surprising since there are two other books in this series.
Hunger Games
I’ve been hearing so much about the book that when the trailer showed at a movie I was watching I knew it was time to check it out. I’m currently reading the book and the premise of 24 young people battling to death is intriguing. I’m only half way through, but since I can’t put it down, I expect to finish it in the next day or so. Since I’ve just admitted I don’t like violence, I’m wondering how the author will handle the visciousness that will be the killings. I really don’t want the heroine of the story to commit any horrible murders even if it is to save her life. Anyway, this is one of the few times I’m actually reading the book with the anticipation of seeing the movie.
One For The Money
This is another example of a genre I just couldn’t get into. I listened to one of Janet Evanovich’s stories on audio books, but wasn’t moved to read any others. There’s such a huge following for Stephanie Plum who find the books laugh-out-loud funny that I have no doubt I’ll drag Mr. Nina to the movie when it comes out. I’m sure it will translate well to the big screen.
So what about you? Do you enjoy book to movies? Are there any movies that you’ve seen or books that you’ve read that you would recommend?
THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED
Okay, so it’s banned book week and in conjunction with this week I want to celebrate all the Bodice Rippers and Smutty Trash that has given me hours and hours of enjoyment. I have many books that I have read and loved, but are now currently overflowing several bags beside my bed.
So I’m having a BOOK GIVE AWAY right here on this blog!
My plan is to fill a shoe box full of your favorite subgenre of romance. Well, how do I win you ask? I’m going to make this uber easy. Just leave a comment on this post between now and Sunday, October 2nd by 4 pm EDT telling me whether you enjoy the depiction of shifters and vampires in current stories or do you prefer the classic “rules”. And maybe none of it is your cup of tea.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula was anything but sexy with his pastey white skin and bloodlust. Nothing like the sparkly skinned vampires of the young teen throbs or sexy vampires like Reese Colton who no longer bite humans and can walk in the shadows of daylight.
Perhaps the original werewolf stories of the men who transformed into bloodthirsty monsters on the full moon is more your taste. It’s definitely not the sexy heroes of today’s paranormal romances like Cole Takoda who are more driven to finding their life mate than hunting humans.
The fact is, authors (including myself) have taken liberties with the “rules” surrounding these creatures. We bend and twist and shape them to fit our needs and storylines. Some authors walk a closer line to those original concepts. Others, veer completely off the path. And I’m curious which you prefer. And perhaps none of them strike you. Maybe you steer clear of these paranormal stories, preferring your romance be rooted in today’s society or back in Regency England. I’d just like to know.
One person who leaves a comment on this post between now and SUNDAY, OCT 2 at 4 pm EDT will be chosen at random to receive a box full of romance books from me! (**NOTE books will be shipped to US or Canadian residents only. If an international winner is picked, they will receive a $20 Amazon gift card in lieu of the books.)
So tell me … what’s your favorite subgenre of romance?
My apologies for being noteably absent last week. Between Mr. Nina being uderfoot and my own personal deadline…I was a little swamped. I was over the moon happy when my characters clamored in my head and dragged me out of bed early a couple of days. Yes indeed, that hasn’t happened in a long time … and who was I to deny them? Well, I’m pleased to say I finished a novella that has been creeping along and it’s now at the beta readers for a little critiquing before I send it off to my editor.
And no, my lovely print copies of Healer’s Garden have not arrived. The mailman is wondering why I give him the evil eye when he arrives sans box in hand. But I’m hoping early this week I’ll have that book in my hot little hands.
So the other thing that’s been niggling at me … surprising me actually … was sparked by a conversation that happened on a writer’s loop I’m on. Authors were lamenting about bookstores they’ve approached who where unwilling to carry their books because they were romance and the average reader doesn’t buy romance novels.
WHAT???
This was the first I heard of this. Last I knew romance carried over 50% of the book market. Wait, no, I guess I misunderstood. The people perusing the book aisles of small, independent bookstores (as opposed to the chains like Barnes and Noble and Borders) have more sophisticated tastes. Well, I don’t consider myself a slouch in the brains department, but when I sit down to read I’m not looking to be educated on the history of German uniforms, I’m looking to be entertained.
I equate it to my television habits. When I was teaching science many of the parents who visited the outreach center were surprised I didn’t spend my weekends watching the Discovery Channel. Yes, I KNOW there were great programs about rainforests and polar bears which is precisely why I avoided them. Watching television is what I do when my brain is too tired to write or read. Tuning into a science program would be like reading a textbook to me … I’d be watching to catalog facts and record interesting anticdotal stories I could use in lessons. Yeeeeeah, so not relaxing.
Reading is the same sort of escape for me. I haven’t read a non-fiction book in years. And even then it was a humorous look at marriage by Paul Riser. When I pick up a non-fiction book I feel like I should have a highlighter in my hand to keep track of all the interesting facts. Seriously. That’s how my brain works.
So, back to the whole reading thing. It’s not so much that I need fluff (though sometimes a light romantic comedy fits my mood perfectly) or that I’m not interested in learning something (historicals anyone?). It’s that I like my stories to have a hero and heroine, preferably who are complete opposites, thrown together while they track a killer, demon or run from the bad guys. I can’t help it. It’s the kind of story that pulls me in.
I used to think I was a fast reader until I heard people mention they read 3, 5, 7 books a week. Are you kidding me? My measly book a week couldn’t hold a candle. I read before I go to bed. Usually until the words blur or the book falls on my face one too many times. 😀 So a sappy love story, yes, with a happy-ever-after wrapped up in a paranormal thriller is usually what you can find on my nightstand these days.
I love romance. I love to read it. I love to write it. I carry it proudly to the doctor’s, the vet’s, and yes, even to soccer practice. I’m not embarrassed by the covers or the fact that it’s what I read. I’m on the library Board of Trustees and at the end of every meeting we talk about the books we’re reading. You guessed it, no one else reads romance, which is exactly why I start out my book talk with “I KNOW you all would love this one …” Yeah, I’m kinda snarky like that.
Anyway, this whole long blog came about because I couldn’t believe bookstores didn’t carry romance novels. Even by NYT bestsellers who I think “crossover” into intrigue and medical thrillers. I’m probably preaching to the choir here, but I wondered about your book buying habits. Do you find your favorite authors in the independent bookstores, big chains, box stores or through Amazon?
Because you know me … I’m curious about that kind of stuff.
I am squeeeeing happy over this new cover. It’s designed by Reese Dante.
BLURB:
Ex-Chicago detective Lilly D’Angelo is part of a secret alien race living on earth. With a gentle caress she can elevate the sexual energy of any male. Apprehending criminals lost in an erotic fugue is almost too easy-until she uses her gift on the wrong alien. Kidnapped and shipped into deep space, Lilly barely escapes with her life. Now she travels the galaxy alone working as a bounty hunter and hoping to find a soul mate unaffected by her touch.
Agent Dallas Sawyer works for QAL-deep space’s version of the FBI. After a disastrous mission that left a president murdered, his team member executed, and Dallas near death, he’s determined to take down the assassin targeting government officials. When a sexy human female gets between him and his goal, Dallas and his alien partner find themselves on the receiving end of some wild sex and a proposition that may very well blow up in their faces.
Because in deep space … true love can happen with just a touch.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Reese got all the details juuuuust right including Thaegan’s (Dallas’s alien QAL partner) skin and hair and Dallas’s scar. I’m snoopy dancing all over the place! And I only have to wait for JUNE 9 for the release date. *sigh* I LOVE cover day.
I’m so happy to have author Judi Phillips visiting today. Her newest release, Ghost of a Chance, is available at Wild Rose Press. And she’s here to tell us all about it. Welcome, Judi !!
Thanks, Nina, for inviting me over. I love your work and this is a treat.
Mwahahahaha … you have no idea what I have in store for you. So here goes with all the personal questions …
Tell us a little bit about you and how you got into writing.
I have always had stories in my head, but had no interest in writing a complete manuscript on a typewriter (which may give you a hint about my age). When computers arrived with the magical cut and paste icons, it was all over for me. Within a month or two of my first job using a word processor, I was writing my first novel.
Please tell us about your newest release
Ghost of a Chance is the story of a mischievous little boy ghost, Edward. There’s Trace Hawthorn, the hero, a left-brained engineer, Wynter Storm, the heroine, intuitive but doesn’t want to acknowledge it, their matchmaking daughters, and their meddling mothers.
What was the inspiration for this story?
A comment made years ago by my daughter (10 or so then) and her friend who suggested it would be fun if I dated her dad (her parents had recently divorced) and that way they could be sisters. Made me think about matchmaking daughters.
Paranormal. Interesting. What’s your favorite genre to write?
My favorite stories to write are time travels. Love forcing either the heroine or hero to struggle with that fish out of water feeling. Also like writing contemporaries with a hint of mystery. And the hot stuff.
Oh, hot stuff, you opened that door. Now will you please tell us a little bit about your step into the world of erotic romance?
Ah, yes. Pepper Goodrich. She writes Saucy, Sexy Romps and you can check her out at her website. I can tell pretty much from the start of the story whether Judi or Pepper is writing. In fact, the story I’m working on now, I thought was going to be written by Pepper, but Judi took over from the get go.
You can find Pepper’s newest story, Meltdown HERE. There’s even a book trailer (done by the very talented DNK Productions oh, that would be me! Hee hee) …
Will you have more titles as Pepper?
Definitely. I have one completed story and at least a couple more in the works. Just need to find a home for them.
If you came with a warning label what would it read?
Very hot, but lots of fun. Very lighthearted. And hot. Remember, it’s written by Pepper.
Describe your writing space. Do you move around or always write in the same place?
My office is what would probably be the master bedroom in my house. It’s the larger room. About half of the room is where I write. My desk faces a window so I can look outside at the woods surrounding my house. Fun in the summer because I can watch the birds. Not so much fun in the winter as the snow piles higher and higher. The other half doubles as a guest room/research library. Bookcases line one wall, filled to overflowing with books on writing or on topics I write about.
In the summer, I grab my laptop and plant myself on my deck and that becomes my summer office. Love writing with the breeze ruffling the wind chimes and my little doggies snoozing as they soak up the sun. A glass of lemonade and my iPod and life doesn’t get any better than that.
What happened to the first novel you ever wrote?
Poor thing is keeping the dust bunnies company. I refer to it as my House Beautiful/Vogue story. Lots and lots of descriptions of what people were wearing and how the rooms were arranged. But I honed my writing skills with it, so it has a special place in my heart. But it will never again see the light of day.
You have a fulltime job. How do you fit writing into your busy schedule?
I try to get up early, but have been a slug abed lately. Need to kick myself awake because I have a deadline looming. I almost always write during lunch, going to a local food court with a fountain that drowns out most conversations. My iPod takes care of the rest. I can write a surprising amount in an hour. Evenings, I work on either editing my own stuff or doing critiques for my buddies.
Tell us about your writing process. Are you a plotter or pantzer? Do you have comfort drinks or snack foods. Any favorite music you play while writing?
Sort of both. I start out pantzing for about the first three chapters. Then, when I think I know the characters, I start working on character sheets, conflict and figuring out what’s going to happen down the road. One of the many problems with my first story was that it wandered all over the place and I had to keep bringing it back. Much easier, I think, if I know where I’m going in the first place.
The editing process is an important aspect of writing. Do you have a routine you follow when going through it?
One of the things I do is go through the manuscript and highlight problem words, like those ending in ly, just, that, was, etc. Some pages become a nightmare in yellow. I also print out the chapters with about a 3 inch margin on the right side, which encourages editing by giving me lots of room to make comments and add missing pieces. For whatever reason, my left brain seems to click on at night, so I find evenings the most productive time to edit, whereas mornings are good for creating.
A hot soak in the tub or a smokin’ BBQ with friends?
Which would I prefer? A smokin’ BBQ with friends, especially if they’re my writerly friends. Nothing better than hangin’ with people who understand that because I have stories playing in my head, I’m not necessarily crazy.
Judi, the voices in your head definitely don’t make you crazy … but they DEFINITELY make you a writer. *g* Thanks so much for visiting. The cabana boys would love to offer you a massage… ah, Judi. Oh, there she goes.
Well, if you’d like to find out more about Judi and her books visit her website. She’d also love it if you emailed her at JudiPhillips @ roadrunner.com (without the spaces). I’ll see if I can pull her from the cabana boys long enough to answer a few of your questions. In the meantime, why don’t you entertain yourself with the book trailer for Ghost of a Chance.
Welcome back to Lonesome Fork, Montana and a world of shifters that will leave you breathless and panting for more!
I am so excited to announce that Bonded by Need the first story in my new series Shifting Bonds will be available AUGUST 7!!! It all happened so fast I can hardly believe it myself. This story continues where Blue Moon Rising (Furry, Fluffy & Wild anthology, Liquid Silver Books, Sept 2008) ended. So if you’re a fan of paranormal and the shifting world in particular … I hope you’ll check out my newest release … coming VERY soon.
And just to give you taste, here’s the blurb:
Veterinarian Jayda Kynslan recently moved to Montana. The mountains hold many secrets but none as mysterious as hers. She’s just discovered she’s a polymorphic shifter-wolf, cougar, human. Jayda’s not sure who she is-or what her heart and body need.
Recently promised to Cole Takoda, the head of the wolf council, Jayda wants to believe their bond will fulfill her every need. But there’s no denying her cougar growls for a mating of its own. Leader of the cougar council, Zane Brodan has no desire to get involved in a romantic relationship. Tangling with a shifter already promised to another is a bad idea-except when it’s a luscious polymorphic shifter doing the tempting.
Cole believes Jayda is his lifemate. Zane can’t resist her seductions. Someone wants to ruin all their plans. As the temperature and the body count rise so does Jayda’s need to possess both men-wolf and cougar-and her needs refuse to be denied.
I am so excited! My first novella with Ellora’s Cave will be released tomorrow, April 28. Divine Deception is part of their “succulent” fruit series.
Today, the stars of this story, Nicholas Gradin IV and Francesca Santerre have agreed to a little interview.
Nina: So you two are here at the Writer’s Block and I see you are holding hands. Was it a love at first sight kind of relationship for you?
Frankie: *a very unladylike laugh*
Nick: Hey, don’t be looking at me. The whole thing was her fault. If she’d just told me who she was from the outset I would have–
Frankie: Oh, he’s so full of crap! He slinked into that vineyard looking to find a vineyard worker who might want to trim his vine.
Nick: Me? I think–
Nina: *shrill whistle* Okay, sorry I asked about your relationship. Next question … something a little easier. How did you come to Mill Tavern Vineyards.
Nick: My great grandfather came over from Germany with nothing but a few grape vines and a dream. He found his way to the Seneca Lake region of New York, bought a plot of land and the rest … as they say … is history. *turns to Frankie* Your turn. This should be good.
Frankie: *eyeroll* What he means is my mother met his father at a casino. When they married seven years ago Nick thought my mother was just using him–
Nick: Tell me how you would have seen it. Sexy young mother toting a snotty-nosed brat on her hip looking to get her green card and a chance at the family estate. *Nick laughs and kisses Frankie*
Frankie: *swats at his arm and giggles* Yeah, well, thank goodness Nick’s grandfather, Nicholas Gradin, Jr. didn’t see it that way. He opened his home and taught me all about the grapes and the vineyard. I’m the one that’s been harvesting the grapes and fermenting them into award-winning wines.
Nina: Nick, you know I have to ask, how are things with your father?
Nick: Better. We’ve still got a lot of fences to mend. I mean it’s not like he’s going to get the “father of the year” award or anything. But he’s at least trying.
Frankie: Nick’s taken over the whole vineyard. Nicholas well…
Nick: He went into rehab for awhile. But hopefully with Carmine’s support, that’s his wife…
Frankie: My mother.
Nick: Anyway, let’s just leave it at better. Next question
Nina: For people who followed my blog they heard me lament over how hard it was to tell your story. You two just didn’t want to cooperate. I’m not sure I’ve had such strong personalities circling each other with the desperate need to be together and fighting it so hard.
Frankie: *hooks thumb in her direction* His fault.
Nick: That’s not fair. Nina, you know I tried to be nice right from the first time we met.
Frankie: Ha. You mean the get in my pants kind of nice.
Nick: Come on, look at this package Nina, what hot-blooded male can resist this. *leans over and kisses Frankie long and slow*
Nina: *clears throat*
Nick: Yeah, well, I was just … trying to be friendly.
Frankie: *blushes* And I was just trying to make sure some money-hungry asshole wasn’t going to take my livelihood out from under me. No offense Nick.
Nick: Whatever.
Nina: Anything else you’d like the readers to know?
Nick: Let’s just say you’re going to find our story very hot. Frankie’s an animal in bed.
Frankie: *blushes and swats his arm* Niiiick!
Nick: *laughing* It’s not like they’re not going to know everything tomorrow.
Frankie: True, maybe we should give them a little taste today? Hmmmm?
Nina: And since this is the PG-13 version I’m just going to send these two kids into the pool house and away from your eyes.
Nick: Which way? *pulls Frankie to her feet*
Nina: Right over there Nick, but could you just …
Okay, well, they’re gone and from the sparkle in Frankie’s eye, I’m thinking they’re gonna be a while. I guess that means the interview is over. So I’ll just leave you with the hot cover …
and remind you that you can read Frankie and Nick’s story TOMORROW. Available from JasmineJade.com.
Oh, and here’s their trailer …
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