Summertime Dream and an Interview with Babette James!

Hi, AJ, thanks for letting me visit here today and share a look at my new contemporary romance, Summertime Dream.

You are most welcome! It’s a pleasure having you visit with me today! Let’s get started with asking what heat level you prefer to write. And conversely, what’s the heat level you prefer to read? Is that bedroom door open or closed?

I enjoy reading different heat levels, from sweet to hot, but my writing level runs to sensual and spicy with the bedroom door wide open. (Sorry, Mom. J ) And taking into consideration the camping and picnic scenes in my River series, sometimes the love scenes take place without benefit of doors, beds, or rooms.

LOL! I love that! Fabulous! So I know you’ve been published through The Wild Rose Press, but have you ever considered self-publication?

I’d like to give it a try. I think being a hybrid author is a good career path in these interesting publishing times. I’m working on a four-book novella series that might be a good candidate for self-publishing.

Awesome. I would like to try it as well some day. Other than those novellas, what are you working on now?

Besides the novellas, I’m nearly finished with my next novel in this series, Love Burns, so fingers crossed for that one to be done and submitted soon. This story takes off right from where Clear As Day ends. I love this couple’s chemistry, and while it’s been a challenge to complete, I’ve enjoyed seeing their story come to life as they work through their personal trials and find their own happily ever after together. I’m also working on other stories for couples from the circle of friends in my River series. I also have a fantasy series that’s simmering on the back burner while I focus on these contemporary stories. Thank goodness for coffee!

You sound like me! Too many stories and not enough hours in the day! So after finishing a manuscript, do you take some time off or dive right in to the next story?

No rest for the weary. Lol I dive right into the other stories. I tend to have several WIPs going on at once in various stages of completion.

Boy, do you ever sound like me. Now for some fun questions. Which Superhero would you most love to date and why?

Probably Superman. I love the idea of a hidden hero behind the mild mannered Clark Kent persona.

Nothing wrong with Henry Cavill, that's for sure. Does your husband read your work? And if so, what’s his reaction?

My husband doesn’t read my work, but he’s very supportive and doesn’t hesitate to tell people about my books. He jokes that he’ll just wait until the movie comes out.

LOL! I love that! Favorite cocktail?

I usually drink wine, but if I’m going to order a cocktail, in the winter I like a Rusty Nail (Drambuie and Scotch) and in the summer I like a vodka and tonic or a mojito.

YUM! Do you have any pets?

My husband and I are owned by two very spoiled cats. Pookie, my younger cat, has decided it is his daily duty to wake me promptly at 5:00 a.m. so I won’t forget to feed him or give him his cuddles. He helps make sure I have time to write in the morning and keeps me company in my office. I hand-raised him from when he was one day old and he has been to school with me, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Mystic Seaport, although he did sleep through most of those events. Gracie, our older cat, has the exhausting job of keeping the couch warm.

LOL! Your cats sound like mine! Let’s hear a little more about your book, Summertime Dream.

~ * ~

The Fourth of July is over, but for these summer lovers the fireworks have just begun.

An unexpected inheritance brings business consultant Christopher Gordon from Los Angeles to quaint Falk’s Bend. He’s carved a week from his demanding schedule to list his great-grandparents’ house for sale and explore his roots. However, disturbing family secrets and the sweet temptation of writer Margie Olsson derail his plans, challenging him to seize the elusive dream missing from his hectic life—love.

A recent brush with death shook Margie’s life, but not her dreams and she’s ready to move forward. Only, standing up to her loving, over-protective family isn’t easy. Helping Christopher explore the derelict mansion and unravel his grandmother’s mysterious past should be a harmless fun taste of independence. But when her experimental summer fling ignites into unexpected love, how can her small town dreams work with his big city life?

Excerpt:

 

Margie touched his shoulder and had him turn away from the mess to focus on the view toward the river.

 

Here the picturesque natural beauty of the property began: the land sloped gently down past the ancient summer house and purple martin houses to the reedy pond where a duck flew in and landed with a quack, and stretched on through weedy tangles of wild blackberry and rogue saplings to the ancient apple and plum trees sagging with unripe fruit, and beyond to the river invisible in the distance, marking where the Engberg’s farm began on the far bank.

 

Appreciation softened his tense face.

 

“Beautiful, isn’t it? I fell so in love with this place when I was little and dreamed I’d live in a house like this someday.” Margie laughed. “Of course, in my dreams it was a bit less rundown.”

 

“I’d imagine so. Interested in buying?”

 

“Oh, if only I could, I would in an instant. I’m sure the property alone is worth far more than I can afford. It’s a huge piece of land. And the repairs and restoration...” Longing swelled. She sighed. Someone else would buy and live in her dream home.

 

Quiet fell between them for a while. Bees buzzed in the clover. Birds sang, chirped, and flitted. A hummingbird whizzed past. Two more ducks joined the first amid quiet bickering quacks. Dandelion fluff drifted by on an unfelt breeze.

 

A truck rattled down the lane, breaking the moment.

 

“Suppose we ought to head back...” Christopher turned, so close their arms brushed, but instead of retreating, he hesitated. Their eyes locked. Where dismay and frustration had filled his green eyes, want simmered. The heavy air electrified.

 

You need a change.

 

On a surge of bewildering crazy courage, she stretched up and kissed him. The brief brush of lips to lips left her shaken and her heart pounding, like she had just come up for air.

 

His eyes widened in his serious, craggy face.

 

No, oh, no. Blowing out a unsteady breath, she pressed a hand to her stomach. She’d carried her day’s adventure one impetuous step too far. Her heroines were the daring part of her. She’d never even kissed on a first date before, and this wasn’t even a date.

 

Before the apology fluttering in her mind could break free, he cupped her cheek and touched his mouth down on hers.

 

Thinking faded as feeling soared. His gentle touch sweet and fascinating, his lips warm and firm played over hers, unhurried in his caresses and enticing brushes. He laced his fingers into her hair, cradling her head in his hand. He tenderly nipped her lip and licked at her mouth, inviting her rather than taking.

 

She sighed, delighting in this lovely, reckless rush. Yes. Yes. Yes. Forget that they had just met. She could want again.

 

Gripping his shoulder, she accepted the heady invitation, and the kiss deepened into perfect.

~ * ~ 

Come fall in love at the river: 

Summertime Dream is available on Amazon: http://viewBook.at/SummertimeDream

"Summertime Dream is a perfect glass of Lemonade on a hot day. Simple, elegant and beautifully written. I enjoyed each scene. Loved the chemistry between the characters and the house. Great story!" ~ Deborah Diez

Clear As Day, (★★★★½ RT Book Reviews, ★★★★★
Top Pick The Romance Reviews) is available at:

Amazon: http://viewbook.at/ClearAsDay

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_133&products_id=4806

And at all other eBook retailers

 

Babette James writes sweetly scorching contemporary romance and loves reading nail-biting tales with a satisfying happily ever after. When not dreaming up stories, she enjoys playing with new bread recipes and dabbling with paints. As a teacher, she loves encouraging new readers and writers as they discover their growing abilities. Her class cheers when it’s time for their spelling test! Born in New Jersey and raised in Southern California, she’s had a life-long love of the desert and going down the shore. Babette now lives in New Jersey with her wonderfully patient husband and extremely spoiled cats.

You can find Babette at:

Website: http://babettejames.com/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ltvyP
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BabetteJames
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/babette.james
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BabetteJamesAuthor
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.com/e/B007KDJWV8
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/babettejames
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/babettejames/

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

XO AJ XO