Romance Weekly: First Kiss

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn't you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all..... About our writing of course! Every week we'll answer questions and after you've enjoyed the blog on this site we'll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.

If you found me by way of Carolyn Spear http://www.carolynspearromance.com/blog, welcome! This week, we're talking about a staple of the romance genre: the first kiss. What was your first kiss like? Was it tender innocence, barely a whisper upon the lips? Awkward and embarrassing? Or filled with the passion between two lovers?

Did it look something like this YouTube video? 20 total strangers were asked to kiss for the first time, and do it on film. Can you imagine? Kinda of a cool, and bizarre, idea all at the same time.

Do you even remember your first kiss?!

If you don't remember this momentous event in your life, don't worry. I don't remember mine either, which is why today I'm giving you the first kiss scene of my romantic suspense, Redemption For Liars. Enjoy!

Jonah waited until Maya was busy in the backyard before beginning his last project of the day. He heaved the new front door out of the truck, careful not to shatter the glass. The mahogany door featured a stained glass image of a mother and child, enveloped by a bevy of butterflies, flowers, and music notes. It had cost him a week’s salary, but the look on Maya’s face when she saw it would be worth every penny.

Prying the old door off its hinges was shamefully easy. It took some shimmying, but before long, the new door was in place and Jonah went into the backyard to track Maya and Lily down. “It’s time. But first you have to promise to cover your eyes and not peek, Lily.”

Jonah pulled a bandana out of his back pocket and headed toward Maya.

Maya backed away, arms up in surrender. “I promise to not peek.”

He pointed at Lily. “Her I trust. You, on the other hand, not so much.” He tied the scarf over her eyes. “You, darlin’, have got a helluva rebellious streak in you.”

Slowly he led the girls to the front of the house and positioned them into place.

“Wait.” He turned Maya to face him. Lifting her chin, he leaned close and studied the anticipation written all over her face. Jonah wanted Maya as badly as he hoped she wanted him.

He studied the silky smooth skin of her neck, blowing softly. He ran his thumb across the delicate skin, delighted to find goose bumps had risen. Just like he knew they would. It wasn’t her body he was worried about pleasing. It was her heart.

Don’t do it. Don’t get involved.

Hell, who was he trying to kid? He’d fallen head over heels in love with her the moment she first landed in his arms.

I’m going to hell for sure for this.

Lowering his head, his mouth hovered above hers. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

The slight nod of her head was all the encouragement he needed. A zing of excitement shot through his body. His lips brushed against hers and she sighed into his mouth, lips parting, breath sweet like chocolate.

It took every last bit of his willpower to keep the kiss gentle and chaste, though he desperately wanted more, wanted to sweep her into his arms and carry her off to bed. Could she feel the same electric current he did when they kissed?

Not being able to see the expression in her eyes was torture to him. Would he find surprise, or passionate longing staring back at him, matching his? He had to know. Reaching up, his hand tangled with her hair as he tried to undo the knot that held the blindfold. The bandana dropped to the ground and Maya leaned into the kiss, resting her hands on his bare chest, sending another shockwave of electricity coursing through his body.

The kiss ended and he rocked back, trying to put some space between them. A surge of longing washed over him. One kiss would never be enough. Not with her. Maya had gotten under his skin, touching his soul in a way no woman ever had before, destroying his carefully thought out plan, leading him to recklessly get involved with her, the only lead he had in his case.

He was going to hell for this for sure.

Maya’s eyes fluttered open and sought his, dark with desire. “You call that a kiss, Cowboy?”

A slow warmth spread throughout his body. He smiled. “I can do better. Wanna see?”

“I should hope so.” The mischievous glint in her eye was infectious.

Discretion be damned.

Jonah pulled her into his embrace then, lifting her to her toes so their bodies fit together perfectly. He cupped her head, fingers tangling in her hair, leaving no distance between them. Her breasts crushed against his chest, her delicate fingers sliding over his shoulders.

“How’s this?” He tilted his head to the side to gauge her reaction.

She pulled back, serious-like as she pretended to contemplate their body positions. “So far, so good, but you ain’t got to the kissing part yet.”

Impish delight settled in his belly. Two could play that game.

Her arms slid around his neck and she stared at his lips. “Go on. Get to it.”

God, she smelled good, like chocolate chip cookies baked with pure sugar and summertime sunlight. To hell with playing games. He went in for the kill, tilting his head and zeroing in on his prize. Her mouth, soft and supple, locked with his, granting him full access. The kiss deepened as he plundered shamelessly. For a minute, he lost all sense of time. Nothing mattered but her. Every beat of her heart, each breath she took, was seamlessly synced with his.

Breaking the kiss, he captured one lip, his teeth lightly raked across the satiny skin, claiming her as his and his alone. Reluctantly he pulled away before he couldn’t stop himself and really did carry her off someplace secluded to have his way with her.

The searing heat of their kiss had done nothing to sate his craving for her, only left him panting, begging for more. And that scared the hell out of him. It was unlike anything he’d ever experienced before.

“You can open your eyes now.” He gazed upon her ethereal face, her eyes still closed, mouth poised for more. The freckles on her nose called to him, begging to be counted.

She touched her fingertips to her lips. “I don’t want to.”

“Turn around,” he insisted, dropping his voice to a whisper. “Your daughter is watching.”

Lily stared at her mom, abhorred by their kiss. “Gross.”

“Never you mind, now go in the house. Mama needs to talk to Mr. Jonah.”

It was then that Maya finally noticed the new door.

She gasped. “Oh, Jonah . . . it’s beautiful.” Taking the porch steps two at a time, she inspected the door, tracing the intricate design of the stained glass window.

Jonah trailed behind. “Thought you might need a door that actually locked. Go on, try it,” he urged as he dropped a silver key into the palm of her hand.

She didn’t move.

Jonah leaned over and nibbled on her ear before softly whispering, “If you wait much longer, darlin’, I might be tempted to carry you through that door.” He kissed the side of her neck before continuing. “But then, what would I do for an encore?”

Want to read more? Redemption For Liars is available on Amazon.com for $2.99. Click here to purchase: http://amzn.com/B00GMXP43M

Next up on the tour of first kisses is Nina Mason http://ninamasonromance.blogspot.com. 

Finally a Finalist

So awhile back I entered Redemption For Liars into a contest held by the First Coast Romance Writers chapter of RWA.

Part of marketing and promoting your book, includes getting reviews and entering contests. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much. I'd already entered one contest this year with disappointing results. But I figured, what the heck, I'd give it one last shot. All I had to lose was a whopping $25. I'd made at least that much on my first royalty check!

I sent in my money, emailed my book, and then added an event to my calendar to remind me when finalists were to be contacted. If I hadn't heard by the end of the appointed weekend, I knew I wasn't in the running and I could move on with my life.

When the phone rang last Wednesday I almost didn't answer it. Who in the world would be calling me from Florida? My sister's friend, Lori, and her family moved there last summer, but she wouldn't call me up out of the  blue unless there was a problem. Fearing the worst, I answered the phone.

And got a welcome surprise.

I'M A FINALIST! 

Not only did Redemption For Liars final in the Romantic Suspense category, but also in the the Best First Book category! That means . . .

I'M A DOUBLE FINALIST!  

It's an honor I share with fellow Soul Mate, Kathy Bryson, author of the paranormal novel, Feeling Lucky. You can check out her book by clicking on the image below or clicking on the following link: http://amzn.com/B00DH6HQ9M

Now our books will be turned over to either a bookseller or librarian who will determine our fate. Winners won't be announced until mid-July. So I'm back to playing the waiting game. 

Good luck, Kathy! May the odds be ever in our favor.

Life in a Small Town

Sometimes living in a small town can drive you a little bit crazy. Ok. More like A LOT crazy.

As a teacher, living and working in the same town where I grew up can be more drama than it's worth. Everyone knows you. Either they went to high school with you and still remember you as that geeky girl no one quite knew how to handle, OR they now know you as their child's teacher. Sometimes both.

You can't schlep into the grocery store in your favorite grubby sweats, bare faced with your hair all askew, on Saturday morning like a normal person would. No, ma'am. Why, you ask? Because the minute you do, you'll immediately come face to face with at least 2-3 co-workers and a handful of wide-eyed students and their parents. If you don't believe me, try it.

Co-workers will suck you right back into a heavy conversation about work, the kind of stuff you spend all weekend desperately trying to forget. Forty minutes later and you might as well be stuck at a staff meeting.

Students gawk in awe and peer curiously into your cart. Parents, too. Who knew teachers actually had lives outside of the classroom walls. Mortified, you try to conceal the huge bottle of wine or Vodka you were planning on diving into that night with dinner. In your haste, you inevitably forget about the huge, bright pink box of tampons sitting atop the four frozen pizzas that serve as week night dinner when you're too tired to cook.

Trust me. Nothing is more humiliating than grocery shopping in a small town when you are a well-known, although not always well-liked, teacher. N.O.T.H.I.N.G.

Red-faced you try to carry on a civil conversation with the parent who, after missing every pre-arranged conference, suddenly wants to ask how their child is doing in school. Now?

But then there are those times when small town life suddenly surprises you. Makes you forget all the embarrassing moments that loop throughout each day.

Friday, a local man lost his life in a weather-related car accident, leaving behind a wife and three very young children. Within hours, the townsfolk pulled together. They raised organized diaper and formula drives, lined up a dinner schedule to feed the family, and raised $20,127. It took only 1 day.

Suddenly that claustrophobic little town, doesn't seem so bad after all. It gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling deep in your belly.

Redemption For Liars is set in a small town, just like mine. Smaller even. Hill's Creek, Texas is the fictitious town where everyone knows everyone. The local diner serves up gossip alongside it's famous Heart Attack dinner combo. And, just like my town, when tragedy strikes, everyone is there to lend a helping hand.

How about you? What's your favorite fictitious town?

REDEMPTION FOR LIARS is officially out!

I cannot believe that I forgot to update my blog to tell everyone that my book is officially for sale! Who knew getting my book into your hands would take so much work? After the actual writing and editing part, I mean.

Here's what I've been up to recently.

• approved the cover art for the book, which is simply gorgeous! 
• set up an Author page via Amazon's website
• announced the book release on Facebook, Twitter, and on my author webpage 
• set up an author account on Goodreads
• set up an author account on www.theromancereviews.com
• attended a surprise launch party given by my fabulous family
• ordered promotional postcards and rack cards (similar to a bookmark)
• obsessively checked my author ranking on Amazon a gazillon times 

If you've already picked up your copy of REDEMPTION FOR LIARS, thank you! I hope you enjoy it. 

To purchase REDEMPTION FOR LIARS, click here.

   

Elizabeth Janette's books on Goodreads

Redemption For Liars

Release Date Set

Just got the news tonight. Redemption For Liars is slated for release on November 13th, 2013. That's only 6 days away! YAY!

Of course, I still haven't seen my cover art yet. Nor have I taken an author photo for my website. Oh gosh, do I even have my back blurb written? Oh wait. Do ebooks even have back blurbs? Heck, who cares?!

6 days and counting. Hmm . . . should I throw a release party? Maybe skip hula for the night and go out for dinner and drinks.

Any ideas?