Inspiration blooms from real life
When I first came up with the idea for my novel, JENNIFER’S GARDEN, I was dating my current husband and on my way to what I felt would surely be a long and successful marriage. But that’s really jumping ahead since the real issue began years before.
Don’t they always? Then they sneak right up on you in the dark of night and shout: pay attention! Well, that’s better than a dark alley, right? Absolutely. And bars are dark, frequented at night and perfectly suitable to find your dream mate—so long as you weren’t looking to meet him there in the first place.
Yes, I confess. Picked my dream hubby up in a bar but I can blame the entire thing on a match-making friend (God bless her) because I was not even remotely looking at the time! Why wasn’t I looking?
Ahhh…the plot thickens. Briefly married early on I had grown somewhat skeptical of finding the perfect mate. Did that creature even exist? Many of my contemporaries were looking for men equally or more successful than themselves which—these days—tends to limit your pickings rather quickly. Women have become very successful and independent, you know. Why, it can be downright difficult to find an equally and compelling man under these circumstances!
But we do strive. HEA is what dreams are made of and I wanted a slice of it for myself. Now granted handsome, smart and successful didn’t work so well for me the first time I dabbled in marriage but I didn’t want to give up. Like everyone else, I wanted it all. I had kids on my horizon (already named my daughter!) and I wanted to be whisked away by tall, dark and handsome, darn it.
Now I’m not a control freak kinda gal (okay, maybe a little, but I’m working on it) and I wasn’t looking to control the world, but I didn’t want to be controlled either; the main reason fellow number one didn’t work out so well. But this can happen with handsome, smart and successful men. They’re used to running the show.
Where does that leave a smart independent woman? How do you begin your search for Mr. Right? Over chips and dip or stocks and bonds?
Which brings me to Jennifer Hamilton, the heroine in JENNIFER’S GARDEN. She’s a cardiologist. He’s her landscape guy. How will they ever find their way together? And if they do, whatever will they talk about? (Besides how attracted they are to one another.)
They talk about the same things we all do; life, love, family, friends…and dreams. We all have them. It’s simply a matter of opening our hearts and allowing others to enter. A scary proposition to be sure, but so is love and marriage, kids and—
Trust me. Married twelve years now to Mr. Right, I’ve learned marriage is an adventure akin to roller coaster riding (and I’m no fan of roller coasters). But I do enjoy a good thrill and I’m game for most any.
Okay, that’s a lie. Since I had kids, my thrill tolerance has totally shriveled. Can you say vicarious romance novel thrill? I do love them so and writing proves just the outlet I need. And don’t we all need some type of outlet? Real life is hard enough as it is. Give me a glass of red wine, piece of dark chocolate (or five) and a romance novel and I’m good to go. Oh, and don’t forget the “do not disturb” sign. Kids can be a curious breed and this stuff is R-rated!
Fan, please. It’s getting hot in here. But for all you adults out there, JENNIFER’S GARDEN provides a wonderful escape with a scrumptiously delicious hero and to share the love, this week I’m giving away a free ebook for The Season for Romance readers. Simply comment on today’s post and you’re entered to win! But comment by Friday—random winner will be drawn Saturday morning. Good luck and thanks for stopping by!
I enjoyed the guest blog, I laughed several times! I love the premise for Jennifer’s Garden, a smart independent woman looking for Mr. Right. I look forward to reading it!
Oh, I’m up for a fun summer read with a delicious hero! This sounds like just the ticket.
It does sound like a great read, doesn’t it? I’m all for delicious heroes.
I like the premise a lot and look forward to reading it!
This sounds great! I love the premise and can’t wait to see how this romance unfolds!
Talk about R-rated! I recently bought my kid a Kindle just for him, so he wouldn’t see what was on mine when reading his own books! LOL.
Thanks for this post. I’m on partner no. 3 and this one feels like a winner at last.
Jennifer’s Garden sounds awesome. Congrats on the release.
What a wonderful guest post! Best wishes on your writing endeavors. Looking forward to reading it.
Please do not enter me for this giveaway, I already have a copy. =)
Sounds wonderful. I would love to read this book.
Welcome, Dianne! I really enjoyed and had to chuckle about your blog post in finding Mr. Right. It is so very true. Kids can make it difficult to spend quality and intimate time with your spouse. Locked doors followed by questions from the little ones. Lol! Best of luck in your writing endeavors. Jennifer’s Garden sounds wonderful. I would love to win it.
Sounds fantastic! I am really interested in reading this book, who wouldn’t be.
Appreciate you all stopping by! Mr. Right, Mr. Right Now, Mr. Yesterday…in my book, relationships are an adventure. 🙂 The sexier the better!
Sounds great! I love the premise.
Looks like a great read!
Oh, I really like the sound of Jennifer’s Garden!
I liked this writer’s post; I am sure I will like her book. Please count me in.!
Love your new book and your blog. Isn’t that what everyone wants? A person who is their equal, yet their partner who completes them. A dream combo, maybe? :o)
The book sounds good! My local library has is and I think I will check it out.
What a beautiful cover!!!!
Another to add to TBR pile.
Such a cute author post. And love the premise of the story it’s always fun to see what should be a mismatched couple come together…plus the promise of steamy scenes dying to be read with a glass of wine sounds like a great night. Sign me up 🙂
It is hard to tell if that “perfect match” that turns out to be not so perfect is a case of seeing what we wanted to see or not really knowing what we wanted to find. When it is right, there is no doubt. I am so glad I found my Mr. Right the first time around. I would hate to even think of being out there looking again.
Best of luck with the release of JENNIFER’S GARDEN.
I’m convinced — true love can be found anywhere…if only we’re willing to look (sometimes dig, toss, drag, scavenge…it’s there. I know it’s THERE.)
Enjoy the hunt!