Ask the Author: What Inspired Queen of Hearts?

Your Valentine romance, Queen of Hearts features a Alice in Wonderland themed costume party and a really hot couple. What inspired the book?

There is a game a group of we authors play. Someone will post a photo and with a particular time frame, 20 minutes or 20 days, we create our own stories. The best part is reading the variety of tales one image inspires. Ironically, my brain will focus on a photo or image and create a story. Taming Rachel, Dark Soul and Hawk's Honor derived from single photos.

When I wrote the original Valentine's Day romance, Queen of Hearts, a photo in a Lover's Lane catalog set the wheels turning.

Jenny and Josh in their costumes.

Their friend Jenny who makes a cute Alice,  hosts the costume party.

Jenny has secretly lusted for her sexy next-door neighbor for years but is intimidated by taste of sexual adventure. After all, he hangs out in a kink club his brother owns. A woman like her could never hold the interest of such an experienced man. Nonetheless, she wouldn't cross the invisible line dividing friendship and romance even if it is Valentine's Day.

He's a man with a plan. Josh is done with his provocative life and ready to settle down and he has the perfect woman in his sights. With a few tricks up his sleeve and a Valentine's Day costume party, he take a chance to seduce his best gal pal.

Will the Queen of Heart allow herself to be seduced by the Madd Hatter's kisses and offer of more?

This book was previously published but has been revised.

BUY NOW on SMASHWORDS and coming soon to Amazon.

Simmering Love

The temps are low and the snow has blanketed the woods. Flyboy is flying somewhere over the Pacific leaving the house quiet. (Well except the ruckus the cat makes when she has the zoomies.)

Since today is a writing day, I've decided to put a simmer pot on the stove. Everytime I make one, I hear my grandmother's voice. "Create a pleasant scent to fill a room and make it cozy." She showed me various fruit, spice and floral combinations to achieve different scents. Some scents are to improve health while others are relaxing. 

Stepping outside to collect some pine needles inspired me to make today's pot FRESH. 

I always start with fresh well water with a dash of sea salt to enhance the fragrance. I added lemons and lavender for their calming effect. The lemons & pine create a crisp, clean scent. Eucalyptus and rosemary produce a relaxing, spa-like aroma.

Benefits of a simmer pot include:

     creating a cozy atmosphere in your home

    set a mood such as inviting, happy, warm, and even romantic

    having natural healing properties

 

Other than the wonderful fragrance, my favorite part of simmer pots is when my guys step in the door and say, "It smells good in here!"

Stay warm, loves!

More S'mores, Please

Just because the temperature outside is below zero doesn't mean we can't make our favorite campfire treat.

Roasting marshmallows in the fireplace can be fun for kids and romantic for a couple.

St. Julian Winery in Michigan bottled S'mores. The new wine is a take on the classic goodie. The sweet wine has hints of chocolate and marshmallow. Despise the suggestion to serve slightly chilled. I prefer it at room temp.

I sign off with sticky, gooey fingers.