Love Equality

One of my favorite parts of being a romance writer is meeting the characters who shape the story. I know that sounds a little odd, but trust me. Beyond giving them a name and a few physical attributes, they are their own people. Sometimes to such an extreme that I have to exert my author-ly influence and reel them back in, or worse, leave tasty tidbits on the cutting room floor.

I love creating characters of all shapes, sizes, colors, and creeds. I like to mix them up and place them in atypical situations. I also love exploiting stereotypes almost as much as I adore sketching out a renegade. Depending on my mood that day, I may resist typecasting or I may embrace it to the nth degree. You never know. Doesn’t matter which way I go, everyone will meet his/her match. It may not be the one they expect, but it all works out in the end.

You see, I believe in love equality.

There are a few preconceived notions about what will play with romance readers. Some people think heroes or heroines should not be over a certain age. They shouldn’t have jobs/lives/families that are too typical, lest they be considered boring. They should be preternaturally good-looking, and effortlessly physically fit.

In other words, they don’t want to hear my love story.

I didn’t meet the love of my life until I was over *gasp* thirty.  I’ve held jobs in accounting, insurance, and human resources. My family is large and noisy, but we all get along disgustingly well. I’m not beautiful, but I don’t scare small children when I smile at them. And as for my body…well, I have a nice rack. Too bad I have the hips, belly, and thighs to match. Still, after eleven years and a lot of ups and downs, our love affair is just as fierce as it was when we fell for one another.

Real life love isn’t perfect. As a matter of fact, it’s often far from it. That’s why I love creating not-quite-flawless characters.

I’ve spent the past year writing a collection of twelve novellas set in a small Missouri town. The Hot Nights in St. Blaise series is centered on a fundraising calendar that changes the lives of the volunteers with the guts to expose themselves in all their glory. Each story is unique, and every relationship as savory as it is steamy. Some of the characters may be pretty, some not so camera-ready. A few may have youth on their side, while others know the richness experience brings to a relationship. A couple buck societal notions, and some push their personal boundaries both in the bedroom and out. This series was great fun to write and I am beyond excited to share it with you!

After all, there’s nothing more satisfying than watching two imperfect people find perfect love.

Be sure to check out book one in the Hot Nights in St. Blaise series, Jumping Mr. January!

When she pitched the idea for The Men and Women of St. Blaise Regional Medical Center fundraising calendar to her Board of Directors, Beth Watkins thought she wrote the perfect prescription for the small town hospital’s budget shortfall.

The moment she got a green light, Beth went after the man she wanted to be her Mr. January and so much more. She had no time to waste. Hunky EMT Robert ‘Spence’ Spencer was leaving for medical school within weeks of the photo shoot she arranged and there was no way on earth Beth was going to miss the chance to sneak a peek at her old high school crush in all his glory.

Focused and dedicated, Spence wants bigger things than his hometown can offer, but when brainy, sexy Beth Watkins breezes back into St. Blaise with a plan that includes getting into his pants, he finds she is the one woman who can offer him something he doesn’t want to refuse.

Be sure to visit my website for a taste of each delicious St. Blaise story coming in 2013.

Buy Jumping Mr. January at: Turquoise Morning Press Bookstore | Amazon | All Romance eBooks