posted on September 18, 2014 by Joanne Rock

Holidays—Already!

by Joanne Rock

ChristmasI’m excited to have a book out this week, and would you believe it’s a holiday 2-in-1? Ack! Is it that time already? I don’t know about you, but I don’t have Christmas on my radar yet.

Maybe I should. Last year, December sneaked up on me and I didn’t feel prepared all month long. That’s rare for me because I love Christmas and am crazy about all the parties, fun and food that go along with it. But last year was a short span between Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus I left Florida in the middle of December to celebrate in New York with family. I was a step behind all month.

So maybe this year, I should be shopping and prepping NOW. I know the publishers tend to put the holiday anthologies out early because many readers are done in the stores by the time December rolls around. Who are these organized souls? And can you help me with my shopping?? <G>

undercoverBut regarding UNDERCOVER FANTASIES, I’m so glad it’s having a moment in the sun again. The original release date for my contribution—Under Wraps—was December 2010. Here’s the blurb:

Marnie Wainwright started her fantasy escapes travel agency, Lose Yourself… to spice up boring dialing routines for others.  But when she discovers she’s the subject of a deliciously hot private investigator’s surveillance, she suddenly starts living her own wildest fantasies.  After all, what better gift could she get than a chance to spend the holidays at a quaint Adirondack Inn—which just happens to offer naughty playtime for sensually adventurous couples—with her sexy PI?

Jake Brennan should keep his hands off Marnie.  But she’s delectable… irresistible!  And the longer he keeps his desire under wraps, the more he wants her.

If only she wasn’t his number one suspect…

I re-read the opening last night and it was fun. It’s always a nice surprise as an author to go back to old works and discover you like them! Honestly, for a year or two after I write a book, it’s hard to read because I’m too close to it and it feels like “work.” But after a few more years elapse, I’m removed from the story and can enjoy it as a reader, which is neat. Here’s a quickie excerpt from the story in the hero’s point of view when he’s watching the heroine:

His eyes locked on her luscious curves as she came out from behind the counter to shake hands with her clients.  Yes, the time approached where he could return to her life – as the carpenter she hadn’t seen in two months – and ask her out.  He could remove the surveillance equipment easily enough if she left the front office for even a minute. 

                There’d been a definite attraction between them when he’d first met her, an attraction he would have never acted on while she remained a suspect.  But now, the path was clear.

                She’d be all alone inside in another minute.  He couldn’t wait to walk into the world he’d been watching for months, his hands tied because of the investigation.

                Not anymore.

                Marnie Wainwright was hard working, driven and sexy as hell.  She was also prone to stripping off a few layers of clothes as soon as she flipped the “Closed” sign on her storefront.

                He couldn’t wait for the show.  And this time, he’d follow it up with a house call. 

                Settling in to watch her in action, he grinned.  Yes, a very Merry Christmas to him…

Christmas 055How’s that for a Blaze-y set up? 😉

I’ve got a prize package today to help you get ahead on your holiday shopping- a copy of UNDERCOVER FANTASIES. Just comment below and let me know when you’re going to start your holiday shopping and if you have any tips for organizing your list and/or when to tackle this job. I want to do better this year. I will award the prize books on Monday to be sure we give people time to comment.

 

Joanne Rock

Joanne Rock

Four-time RITA finalist Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn't like. The USA Today bestselling author of over eighty books enjoys writing a wide range of stories, most recently focusing on sexy contemporaries and small-town family sagas. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance fits her life outlook perfectly---love is worth fighting for. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville but credits her fiction writing skills to her intensive study with friend and fellow author Catherine Mann. When she's not writing, Joanne enjoys travel to gather new ideas.

https://www.Joannerock.com

One thought on “Holidays—Already!”

  1. I usually do my Christmas shopping around December since that’s the month where there’s a lot of big sale. 🙂

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