Getting Something Written Down

It's been quite some time since I've posted material. I feel like it's because I know Zhenya's story and I'm not motivated to write it all down. Hopefully, this summer will provide some motivation and inspiration. Thanks for sticking around!

New Board

I've made a new Pinterest board that will serve as inspiration for the wedding of my characters Zhenya and Martinique. Check it out! <http://www.pinterest.com/blahaugen/zhenya-and-martinique-winter-wedding-inspiration/>

Equal Opportunity Love

Romance in Color asked the neatest question on their Twitter today: Would the hero in the book you are reading now drive a Porsche or a Range Rover?

I answered that Vanya, of "Full Circle," would drive something like a Porsche and Zhenya, of my upcoming book, would drive something like a Range Rover. Then I had another thought. What if the hero of the book drove something like a hooptie?

There's some criticism of the romance genre for its focus on wealth and riches. Honestly, it is very fun to think of wealth. Romance tries to fulfill and titillate the fantasies of its readers, so, the focus on billionaires who love Jane Doe is understandable.  Critics have cried out for heroes unlike these billionaires -- men who can't buy planes at the drop of a hat and don't command vast power in their circles of influence.

What do these heroes look like? I must say, it would be an interesting challenge to write about a regular joe. Several authors -- Pepper Pace, Jennifer Cole, Aliyah Burke -- write about dudes who aren't rich and powerful all the time. I like the way using a middle class hero can lend a touch of realism to the story at hand. There aren't too many billionaires falling for secretaries or ladies that they meet on the street. I've often thought, "Okay, this plot is a little ridiculous!"

The middle class guy fantasy is titillating because there's a higher potential for that fantasy to occur in the reader's world. A sweet man down on his luck, a neighbor, a handyman, the guy that runs the local resort -- stuff like that. Maybe I'll write about one of these guys soon. The genre could stand for some equal opportunity love.

Another Excerpt from "Full Circle: Zhenya"

“She’s – you know…”

“No, I don’t know,” Zhenya said, scrunching his eyebrows skeptically.

“Oh, come on, Gene!” Alexis huffed. “She’s pretty big.”

“You mean tall, right?” he corrected.

“No, I mean she’s fat.  Not like, gross fat, but like graceful fat.”

“Jesus, Alexis,” Deacon admonished her with narrow eyes, “just let it go!”

“I’m getting something to drink, and I’ll be back when you’re ready to stop saying disparaging things about people I care for.” 

With that, Zhenya turned his back on Alexis and Deacon.  He made his way to the bar, and by the time he was halfway there, he was smirking.  Since when had he ever stood up to Alexis?  Usually, he’d just let her prattle on to avoid confronting her with the hope she’d quiet down eventually.
       Maybe Martinique was getting to him.  If she had been there, he was sure she would have put Alexis in her place.  Just where was she anyway?  He’d made it clear he wanted her to come and made sure Monahan put her and a plus one on the guest list.  Earlier in the evening he’d cursed himself.  What if she brought some other guy as her plus one?  He’d been so busy trying to suavely ask her out that he’d forgotten to slip in a line about her bringing a friend - a girlfriend. 

New Excerpt from "Full Circle: Zhenya"

“God, I’ve waited so long to be with you.  I’m so glad you wore this dress.  You’re like a beautiful gift I’m getting to unwrap.”  Zhenya gave her light caresses and kisses and she placed her hands on his shoulders, nervous and excited. 

“Zhenya.” It was the only word Martinique could muster.  She’d been reluctant to say so, but she had to admit that she’d never felt this way.  Taking it slow had its advantages apparently; she was completely controlled by her growing desire.  Here, in the quiet of his bedroom, they were going to share themselves with one another in an incredibly intimate way.  For the first time in Martinique’s life, it wasn’t just sex.  They were building something here – something deeper, something meaningful, and something that would endure.
       “I want to give you everything you want, honey.  Tell me what to do, and I’ll give it to you,” Zhenya murmured as his ran his fingers through her hair. 

Another "Full Circle: Zhenya" Excerpt

“Mm, that would be sexy.  A little black stud ring below your lip on the right side.  Just thinking about it is making me excited.”  Martinique ran her finger over his thick bottom lip.  She smiled when she felt his body shiver under hers.

“I’m all for you being excited, but there’s no way I would ever get a lip ring – or any ring for that matter.  Actually, that’s a lie.  There is one ring I’d consider.”  Zhenya waggled his eyebrows and awaited her piqued interest.

“Ooh, what is it?”

“A wedding ring.”

“Ah, that doesn’t count!"
        “Good god, girl!  Try not to sound so disappointed!”

Excerpt from "Full Circle: Zhenya" on our heroine, Martinique Garrison

Kelly grunted. “God, girls are bitches.  I don’t get along well with women.  All my friends are guys.”

“Really?  No women?  That’s intense,” Martinique commented with eyebrows raised. 

“Um, how so?” Kelly rejoined.

“I mean, that’s one half of the human population – one specific gender.  There’s got to be at least one woman out there you’re friends with.  You’re a woman; if she’s still in the picture, your mom is a woman.  You seem like a perfectly reasonable human being to me.  I was laughing at that martini joke you made earlier.  We all were.  Right,  Thalia?”

Thalia looked up from her cocktail with a bemused half smile. “Hmm?  Oh!  Oh, yeah.”

“See,” Martinique continued, “I recognize that you’re a pretty fun individual, Kelly.  I’m sure we could be friends.”

“Umm…”  Kelly eyed Martinique with suspicion.  Zhenya stood over all three women, bewildered with Martinique’s bizarre desire to be friends with this unpleasant person.  He watched with bated breath as Martinique took two steps closer to Kelly. 

“How ‘bout it, Kelly?  Be my friend.  Come on.  Let’s be friends.”  Martinique’s gaze took on a manic sheen.  Kelly’s discomfort was visceral.  She backed away slowly.

“I, uh, I’m going to go refill this…” She raised her drink, turned, and walked away briskly – albeit in the opposite direction of the open bar.  Martinique and Thalia shook until they could no longer see Kelly.  When she was out of sight, they burst at the seams.

“Oh, my god, oh, my god,” Thalia wheezed after taking her hand away from her mouth. “I almost did a spit take.  Did you see the look on her face?!”

“Be my friend.  Be my friend,” Martinique did another rendition of her creepy, spaced out request.  She hunched over with her hands on her knees.  The outline of her butt against the fabric was even more pronounced and the ballroom’s chandelier lights shined brightly on the mahogany skin of her exposed back.  Zhenya thought it was a funny, yet provocative position given her formal attire. 

It was strange to see a woman in a beautiful peach organza designer gown bent over in uncontrollable laughter at fancy gala such as this.  She wasn’t muting herself for anyone.  Zhenya found himself laughing along with her antics.  When her knees no longer provided enough support, Zhenya was delighted when she used his corded arm.

“Oh, god, I’m sorry, Ranger,” she chuckled up at him with a gleeful smile. “She was just asking for it.  I mean, ‘I don’t get along with women.’  She just put it out there.  I had to say something.”

Thalia shook her head at her friend. “Jesus, you’re ridiculous.  Do you think it only applies to humans?  Does she not get along with actual bitches?  Like, female dogs?  Cats?  Turtles?”

“Turtles!” Martinique burst out in a new round of laughter.

“I know, I know.  Come on, girl, we’re done making our rounds.  Let’s get out of here before you have an aortic rupture.”

Thalia pulled Martinique away from him and Zhenya began to panic.  That couldn’t be all he got to see of her.  He brainstormed a way to speak with her some more.