Nasty Boy!

Remember that Janet Jackson hit?

"Oh, you nasty boys." Yeah, that one. I watched the video one lazy afternoon on YouTube and remembered how much I liked that song. Always makes me want to boogey. Then I stumbled upon James Taylor's song, "Mean Old Man" and it gave me a chuckle. Suddenly a plot for a new book bloomed in my mind. It happens like that sometimes. One thing leads go another thing and -- BAM! I'm at the computer, pounding keys, and grinning like a mad scientist as I create new characters and plotlines.

A few months later I have a new book out. "Nailing Mr. Nasty" is the second book in my contemporary romance line -- Campy Romances. "Bedding Mr. Birdsong" was the first one. I had such fun writing "Birdsong" that I wanted to pen another contemporary love story. Those two songs helped me follow through. If you watch those videos and read the lyrics of the songs, you'll see how they tie in with the plot of "Nasty."

Music has become a big thing with books, if you haven't noticed. Romance authors will include song lists for readers to check out and listen to while they read. Sort of like a soundtrack to a movie going on in their heads. Those authors probably played those songs as inspiration while they wrote particular scenes. I know that hearing certain songs can get me in the mood -- whichever mood I'm trying to achieve for the scene I'm writing. When I'm going for something bittersweet or heart wrenching, I listen to the Bergmans' "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" That always gets to me and makes me cry. When I'm needing something sweet and happy, I listen to "Two for the Road." It takes me back to the film it was written for starring Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn. Sweeping romance? Aaah. I listen to Johnny Mathis or Barbara Streisand. In particular, I love "Summer Me, Winter Me" and "I Was Born in Love with You."

Releasing a new book is always exciting. Mr. Nasty is exciting and fun. I got a kick writing about a snarking, growling, frowning boss man who is tamed by his new temporary assistant. Well, if not tamed, tempered. Samantha Striker has a "thing" for Jack Nast. He's the type of man who has always turned her on big time. Unfortunately, Jack doesn't think that screwing the help is a good idea. Sam, however, thinks it's a swell idea! The push and pull between these two was great fun to write. Also, I was able to slip in a subplot about substance abuse and how it can slowly and insidiously wreck a family. 

If you're wondering . . . yes, I'm outlining Book 3 in Campy Romances. Did a song inspire it? Partly, yes, it did. "Heaven." All good boys go to heaven, but bad boys bring heaven to you.

Uh-huh. See how my mind works? Love those bad, nasty boys!

In the meantime, check out some of the songs mentioned here and see if you don't find them enchanting and mood producing.

Happy Reading AND Listening.

A Bit of Fun

It's been a minute since I've released a contemporary, stand-alone romance, so it's thrilling for me to launch BEDDING MR. BIRDSONG on Amazon. This was fun to write. I created characters that made me smile and laugh and enjoy the experience of falling in love (again).

Writing romances is a great gig. I've fallen in love over and over again and I never tire of it. I mean, I create gorgeous guys, right? Who wouldn't fall in love with the likes of Levi Wolfe or Dalton Moon? Once again, I have conjured up a scrumptious hero in Matthew Birdsong. Although he has caged his heart after having it squashed by his ex-wife, he enjoys women and discovers that he especially enjoys hanging out with Zaney Miller, his neighbor. She is never without an opinion and her outlook on life makes him smile and  believe in love again. He falls under her charm, despite his intention of only having her as a friend.

Set in New York City, this book is meant to be light and flirty.

Writing humor is fun, but it's risky. Humor is totally subjective. What makes me giggle could leave you scratching her head and wondering what's so funny. I've guffawed at jokes while family members rolled their eyes and muttered, "How dumb." So, when a writer strives to make you smile, she knows that she might end up with egg on her face. However, I was in the mood to have some fun, so I decided to write what makes me smile and hope that most of you get the jokes and wit.

I'm writing another contemporary romance now, even though my plan was to write an historical western romance next. The lure of writing another fun one, though, was too much for me to resist. Maybe because we're all caught up in this virus nightmare and I need a real escape hatch! There's nothing like a flirty romance to make me forget that I'm in isolation and it's scary out there!

Stay safe, my friends, and grab a good book to enjoy. Preferably, one of mine! And smile.