Before I began this post. I had to look up the meaning of the word
hero, just to make sure I had it right. Because it is clear from this series
that everyone’s definition is different. And they are all correct. According to
Merriam-Webster, a hero is:
: a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities: a person who is greatly admired
Reading that, what I wanted to tell you today crystalized in my
mind like sugar on top of crème brulee when held to a torch.
I know sixteen women who collectively represent my heroines. See, I
co-admin a Facebook page, Sizzle and Sass, with these ladies and have for over
a year now. We came together as a group to help promote our author brands, and
have a little fun. And we’ve accomplished this, without a doubt.
But along the way, something wonderful happened.
We became friends, and they became my touchstones within the
publishing industry. We each write about different kinds of heroines. A few of
us write about dragons, or vampires. Some write futuristic stories, while
others write historical novels or tomes of contemporary romance (tomes - I’ve
always wanted to use that word). So it wouldn’t seem we have much in common.
But we are like-minded when it comes to being willing to teach and guide. This
group excels at mentoring and passing along information. I’ve never met people
so willing to share the secrets to success.
But they aren’t the only people I admire. There are my heroes from
another group I connected with, Romance Writers Weekly. They represent some of
the most supportive women I know. And I’d better not forget my critique group.
Or my local RWA chapter. Each person in these other groups is only too happy to
share knowledge, to help me laugh at my mistakes (or my colossal cock-ups), to
cheer me on when I’ve slammed into an editing wall, or received a bad review,
or asked a stupid question.
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet several of these ladies in the
real world. I’d love to meet every single one of them so that I could thank
them personally for they help. For being my hero.
Perhaps our biggest commonality is that we all wish success for
each other. Being a writer isn’t an easy job. It isn’t hard either, and with
heroines like these I don’t believe I’ll ever feel the need to be a tortured
soul to create a great story.
Exposed To Passion (Five Senses Series Book #3)
Gemma Brocato
Genre: Contemporary romance
Publisher: Kensington Books/Lyrical Press, Inc
Date of Publication: October 20, 2014
eISBN-13: 978-1-61650-616-2
eISBN-10: 1-61650-616-4
ASIN:
Number of pages: 329
Word Count: approx. 85,000
Cover Artist: Renee Rocco
Available in Digital and Print Formats
They walked through the shadows individually. Will they emerge into the light together?
Leading a vagabond life as a curator for a traveling photography exhibit translates to a lot of bad days for Rikki Salerno. But her trouble doubles when a careless high school student shoves her into a marsh. Being rescued by teacher Sam Kerrigan should have made things better, but Rikki’s inability to confess her true identity casts a shadow over their budding affair.
When Sam refuses an overly aggressive parent’s marriage proposal, she’s determined to ruin him. Not only does she doctor photos to make it look like Sam’s behaved inappropriately in front of students, she hacks the foundation website to reveal Rikki’s true identity. Faster than the blink of a shutter, Rikki’s focus changes from pursuing her full-color future to the black and white necessity of clearing Sam’s name.
Excerpt:
“Holy cow! Consider me seduced.” She didn’t recognize her own voice. Desire rasped through it, whispery and thick at the same time. Allowing her finger to slip from the steamy confines of his mouth, he pressed a kiss to her palm, then released his hold. She curled her hand into a fist around the kiss he’d left, hoping to hold onto the heat and lingering sensation.
“Oh, Jesus. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you like that. It was too fast, wasn’t it? I mean, we only just met…but I thought, I mean, you seemed to want…and you didn’t say no. Christ, I’m so sorry.” Sam’s tone rattled with a misplaced apology. “I have no excuse. I’m a horndog.”
He eased her away from his chest and helped her to sit up, then pushed himself upright and scooted a respectful distance from her.
The apology in his tone and the loss of his body heat hit her like a cold slap. His words stung. He regretted kissing her. The tingly pulses zipping from her fingertip to her heart did nothing to tamp down the hurt. She hadn’t wanted him to stop. Normally the queen of snarky retorts, words failed her now.
Buy Links
Rafflecopter Giveaway for one US Winner Only.
One Digital Copy of Exposed To Passion, One Leather Brighton London Flat Pouch, Assorted Picture Frames, $25 Amazon Gift Card, $15 Starbucks Gift Card. For one US Winner only. Prize package valued at $185.00
Runs 10/20/2014 - 11/20/2104
About the Author:
Gemma's favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a 'round tuit,' and a slip of paper from a fortune cookie proclaiming her a lover of words; some day she'd write a book. All it took was a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel. Once it was completed and sent off with a kiss, even the rejections addressed to 'Dear Author' were gratifying.
After returning to America, she spent a number of years as a copywriter, dedicating her skills to making insurance and the agents who sell them sound sexy. Eventually, her full-time job as a writer interfered with her desire to be a writer full-time and she left the world of financial products behind to pursue an avocation as a romance author.
Social Media Links:
Also By Gemma Brocato:
What a wonderful support group you've got - good on you and on them! Best wishes to all of you for successful publishing careers.
ReplyDeleteHi, Ashantay. Thanks so much for dropping by and commenting. They are a great group of heroes, aren't they.
DeleteGood morning, Melissa. Thanks for hosting this wonderful series and for inviting me to contribute. You are one of my heroes, too.
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero, Gemma! Without you, Sizzle & Sass would've never come to be, and we wouldn't have found such great friends on this adventure :)
ReplyDeleteAw, Tera, that's so sweet of you. I love ALL the help I get from my Sassy friends.
DeleteRight back atcha, Gemma! You give out plenty of help yourself. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, M.Q. I hope I contribute in some small way.
ReplyDelete((hugs, Gemma)) and a big, huge THANK YOU for inviting me into Sizzle and Sass - you ladies are amazingly supportive in the best of kick-butt ways. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are such a great add to the group, Kristina. so glad to have you.
DeleteLove your friendship. Love it. Love it. And all the S&S ladies rock! xo
ReplyDeleteWe all do. I've loved the journey and I'm looking forward to more adventures.
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