My favorite traditional Christmas hymn is, by far, 'O Holy Night.'" As a Christian myself, it has great meaning to me. It epitomizes the hope of Christ in a rousing carol that, when sung well, never ceases to bring a tear to my eye. My favorite version is from Martina McBride, simply because her voice is so powerful. She doesn't even need musical accompaniment.
A favorite holiday movie/show:
I'm going to take a little detour today in this segment and change this section to a book, and add a Christmas memory. I heard yesterday that author Janet Dailey passed away, and it hit me pretty hard. She was a crucial part of my development as a romance writer, and reader, from the first time I opened one of her books. I realize much later that there was a controversy of admitted plagiarism on her part, which I do not endorse/support/excuse. This was more of what her earlier writing meant to me as a very lonely pre-teen.
My dad died in 1980. In fact, that anniversary is coming up on the 19th, which was also his birthday, ironically enough. I was super close to my dad, who, because of advanced age and health issues, stayed home to raise me while my mom worked. We were a very progressive family for the 1970s, but it was truly out of necessity. My dad and I were as thick as thieves and he loved me unconditionally. I've said before that I never knew anything at all was wrong with me until after he died, because his voice was the strongest and the loudest telling me I was perfect just the way I was.
After he died, that voice silenced. I wasn't close to my mom or my sister, which left me virtually alone to manage the grief and the loss. This was tricky terrain for an eleven-year-old. Fortunately, around this time, my Aunt Gertrude realized that I loved to read and gave me all her cast-off books by the dozens. She read Harlequin romances, so she had piles of those white-cover books all over her house, and I inhaled them as fast as I got them. I remember the first book I read was English, written some time in the 1960s, about a shy, virginal governess who moved in with a handsome, rich man to help him care for his son. I honor this first book with a variation on that story in my upcoming book, "Enticed: Book 1 of the Fullerton Family Saga," although my tale stretches out into a trilogy that is far more contemporary, the heroine far more sophisticated, and the sex scenes way more saucy. Mostly because there are, in fact, sex scenes. There's also the backdrop of money/politics/power, a frustrating triangle between two very different brothers and a murder.
No plagiarism here!
Romance novels have certain tried and true plot devices that repeat over and over, obviously, so many books I read entertained me for the minute but didn't stay with me long enough to remember titles/authors, much like the first book I mentioned above. I didn't even recognize author voice in most of them because they all followed very predictable formulas: a virginal girl, an alpha male, and no sex until after they fell in love. (Which was long after you turned the last page.) Janet Dailey's early books also followed this same pattern, but the biggest difference is that they fit into a much bigger storytelling idea.
The first book I read was Six White Horses, which remains a perennial favorite. It was set in Oklahoma, which felt familiar to me as a Texan. It was probably the first romance I read that was set close to home, and I liked that familiarity. I didn't know it at the time that it was part of a much, much bigger series. Janet and her husband Bill embarked on a tour of America, to set one book in each of the 50 states. This is her Americana series, and for a little eleven-year-old stuck within the sad four walls of her bedroom, this was my plane ticket to see a larger chunk of the world around me. Her books were very detailed about the places in which her books were set, so I embarked upon this tour with her as I got a 50-book education of romance across our Untied States. She was the first romance author I remember deliberately seeking out and reading everything I could get my grubby little paws on. I especially liked when she'd reference familiar characters in different books, a tradition I'm proud to honor as I expand my own storytelling universe.
And she was another big believer in the romance of Christmas, penning many a holiday title, like "Mistletoe and Holly."
Though I stopped reading her books around my later teens, when she went on to write more mainstream romance rather than Harlequin and Silhouette, she remained a strong influence on what I wanted to do with my own writing career, as well as a fond reader memory. From 1980 to around 1986, when I myself graduated to Danielle Steel, et al, she was virtually my "aunt Janet" who babysat me when I was lonely, keeping me endlessly entertained with tales from her travels.
That's a bit of what I lost yesterday, and it was a sad day indeed. So I had to honor that, and her, here in the blog. Rest in peace, Aunt Janet. Thanks for keeping me company during the loneliest part of my life. And thanks most of all for daring me to dream.<3
A favorite holiday recipe:
More cookies!!
THUMBPRINT COOKIES
Book of the day:
Christmas had a very special meaning for Vanni and Andy, my hero and heroine in "Groupie." Since Vanni was a December baby, I could play around a lot with the occasion for significant points in their courtship... like when she flew to New York City for the first time, thinking that they would finally consummate their long distance flirtation just in time for the holiday/his birthday. She ran into a supermodel-shaped buzz saw by the name of Lourdes instead.
EXCERPT FROM GROUPIE:
The minute I entered the posh penthouse apartment I took another glass of champagne from a uniformed waiter to fill my tank of confidence. The music thundered around the elegant living room where several familiar faces lingered.
Was that…? Could that be…? I didn’t know he was dating her… and where is her husband?
Iris would bend toward me every now and then to fill me in on all the hottest gossip. But the only real story I wanted to hear was about Lourdes. Would she make it to this glamorous affair?
And would I be demoted from Cinderella back down to the Ugly Stepsister the minute she walked through the door?
Alana and Iain arrived, arm in arm, looking like normal people in love amidst all the Celebots that were milling around trying to network. I got a quick peck on the cheek from both Alana and Iain before they made their way further into the fray.
Jasper came by with Athena draped on his arm. She was an exotic creature with long, black hair and big brown eyes. Her lips were full and her curves were luscious as they undulated under her silk mermaid dress that dipped low in the front. She murmured her hello graciously, but it was fairly evident she didn’t bother to even learn my name before she went on to the next guest.
All the players were in place except for one. Okay, two. And the longer I had to wait for their appearance the more anxious I got. I snagged another glass of champagne as the waiter went by, but avoided the hors d'oeuvre tray. My stomach felt as though it was literally in a knot and I didn’t feel that vomit would make a very good addition to my otherwise stylish ensemble.
About a half hour after the party had started, and nearly an hour after Iris and I had arrived, Vanni entered with Lourdes on his arm.
His hair was styled and fairly controlled for the mane that it was. He wore close-fitting pants, no leather, and a long silky shirt. All his “bling” was in place, rings on every finger, black and jade bracelets on either wrist, with two necklaces visible above the unbuttoned top of his shirt.
As hot as he looked – like any rock star would – my eyes were riveted to Lourdes. She was at least five-foot-ten, and her stiletto heels put her at almost eye level with Vanni, who I already knew stood six-foot-three. Her hair was teased even more than mine, flowing all around her bare shoulders exposed from her halter dress.
The red number cut across each breast, revealing substantial side-boob from either angle, and then criss-crossed across her tanned and toned abdomen. The hemline was short, which made her long legs seem even longer.
She looked ready to lounge across a luxury car in a 1980s music video, the quintessential asset on the arm of any rock star. I tried not to feel frumpy in comparison, but I became acutely aware of each bulge over my ample frame. I tightened the shawl around my shoulders and stopped just short of covering up my cleavage.
It wasn’t the arsenal of sex appeal that Lourdes may have possessed, but I knew how to work what I had.
And I already knew that he was a big fan.
He smiled our direction when he caught sight of Iris and me, and herded his arm candy our direction. He kissed Iris on the cheek and me very dangerously near the corner of my mouth in greeting. He then turned to introduce me to his date.
“Andy, this is Lourdes. Lourdes, this is my friend Andy I told you about.”
The word “friend” hit me like a punch in the gut. I also had a hard time overlooking the fact he had talked to her about me, but not vice versa. I plastered a smile on my face and stuck out my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
She smiled as she limply put her hand in mine. “You’re the writer I’ve heard so much about. I can’t wait for us to sit down for an interview.”
“Me either,” I said, and that was the God’s honest truth.
“No business tonight,” Vanni decided as he plucked a couple of glasses off of the waiter’s tray. He handed the extra one to Lourdes. “Tonight we enjoy the fruits of our labor.” He smiled at Lourdes before he took a swig from his glass.
Something unspoken and intimate passed between them, and it was very hard to read. Objectively, at least. If they were announcing an engagement I was taking my ball and going home.
Mercifully they glided over to where Jasper and Athena stood, where the four of them laughed gaily and engaged in an animated conversation I couldn’t hear. I turned to Iris but she had already flitted away to work the room.
Iris never stopped working, even when she was having fun.
I stood rather conspicuously in the middle of the room whereupon I plotted my escape. The heels I was wearing weren’t especially high, I could probably get away with shimmying down the fire escape if I could just inch my way over to the window. I turned around and right into Yael, who looked as uncomfortable to be there as I was. It probably had a lot to do with his carefully cultivated Goth image, but at that moment I was relieved to know I wasn’t the only one who didn’t quite fit in.
Yael was a music nerd. He didn’t care much about success and all the trappings. I had to respect that. More importantly he was also a great backup strategy to my epic fire escape plan. After an uncomfortable moment I blurted, “You want to go somewhere and get our interview out of the way?” I offered, even though I hadn’t packed my interviewing material anywhere in my gown.
“Shit, yes,” he sighed in relief. Like me he didn’t feel comfortable unless he was doing something aside from just holding down the floor. He followed me as we wound our way through the crowded room out onto the balcony.
He took a deep breath as he closed the door behind him. “I hate parties,” he stated unnecessarily. “I’d much rather have stayed at the studio.”
“Command performance?” I asked with a slight grin.
“You know it,” he said as he leaned onto the concrete balcony wall overlooking the view of Manhattan. It was on fire with a million little lights, and the breeze gently lifted our hair from our shoulders as it drifted by.
“You hit the fast lane pretty quick,” I stated as I looked out over the city. “Is it everything you thought it would be?”
He smirked. “Unfortunately.”
“Vanni seems to enjoy it,” I mentioned offhand.
“That’s because he’s meant to be the star. He gets off on the fame and the adoration. That’s why we don’t get in his way much.”
I glanced at Yael, to see if there was any underlying bitterness. But the comment was issued more matter-of-fact. Resigned, even. “I just want to play. As long as nothing gets in the way of that, we’re cool.”
“You’ll pardon me for saying so but I think that the band is big enough for more than one star. You bring a polished edge to the music.”
He looked away, clearly uncomfortable by the praise. “I could be better. I want to be better. That’s what it’s about, you know? Music is evolution.”
I nodded. I totally got what he was saying.
“As long as I learn, as long as I grow, that’s all that really matters to me. Success just means we have the money to keep doing it.” He glanced back at me then, looked me straight in the eye. “That’s what I want my interview to say.”
I smiled. “And it shall.”
He gave me a small nod and then glanced back at the party in full swing behind the patio doors. “I guess I gotta get back. You coming?”
I shook my head. After several glasses of champagne I liked how the night air was clearing my head. “I think I just want to gather my thoughts.”
He gave me a small smile, perhaps the most genuine I’d ever received from him, and left me alone. I sucked in a big deep breath. Maybe Yael nailed it. It was all about getting paid to do what you love, simply so you could grow and do it better.
I couldn’t begrudge my career, as slow moving as it was. I got paid to do what I liked to do, and combine my passions doing it.
It was a pretty sweet life.
I had a smile on my face when a voice came from behind my ear. “Penny for your thoughts.”
I turned to fall headlong into Vanni’s dark eyes, still rimmed black with eyeliner. I knew that look was soon going to be the death of me. “Just thinking about life,” I murmured.
He held a hand to his chest, looking emotionally wounded. “And here I thought you were thinking about me.”
I laughed. “Get over yourself, pal.”
He didn’t stop smiling as he brushed my hair out of my face. Just the touch of his hand on my skin sent an electrical charge right to my core. “I was thinking about you.” His eyes traveled over my face, stopping briefly on my mouth, then lower to my dress and all it revealed. “You look amazing, Andy.”
I scoffed. “Say that to someone who hasn’t seen your date.”
He leaned forward on the railing much like Yael had done. “So is that it? You’re mad about Lourdes?”
I leaned forward too. “How could I be mad about Lourdes? I didn’t even know about her until yesterday.”
He turned to face me. I tried my best not to look at the wisps of hair poking out of his unbuttoned shirt. “There wasn’t anything to tell.”
“Oh I think there’s plenty to tell,” I corrected. I turned toward him and leaned on my elbow, mirroring his body language. “Jasper was all too eager to hand me a giant file full of press clippings about your whirlwind romance.”
Vanni didn’t even look chagrined by the news. If anything, he looked amused. “That doesn’t surprise me in the least.” He leaned a little closer. “Tip number one: everyone wants something. You have to know what that is to really know what’s going on.”
“And what do you want?” I asked before I could stop myself.
He leaned even closer, until our torsos touched. I was mesmerized by the look in his eyes, and the close proximity of that full mouth I had only dreamed about kissing. For a second I couldn’t even breathe. “I want a lot of things. Success. Acclaim. Happiness. You,” he added softly, and potently, as his gaze drifted to my mouth. I knew he was thinking about kissing me, I could see it in his face.
The intimacy of the moment was electrically charged.
I wanted to scream, “Why?” but all words were locked in my throat. All I could do was think about the remaining few inches between his mouth and my own. This wasn’t a dream. It wasn’t a fantasy.
His kiss was mine to take.
The wind blew my hair across my face, and he was quick to brush it away. It interrupted the moment enough I could gather my wits and say, “You have a funny way of showing it, Mr. Carnevale.”
With a chuckle he leaned in and kissed the top of my nose. “Before you go back to Nashville,” he promised, “You will have no doubt.”
Spread some joy!
This year I'm proud to participate in a holiday fundraiser giveaway hosted by Martini Times to raise money for Houston's homeless. If you read The Undisciplined Bride, you already know that I am a big believer in supporting this important work for the least among us. I truly believe that it is a Christian directive. I have also been homeless, so this cause in particular is near and dear to my heart. I've donated several books to the cause, so please give what you can or share the links with others to spread the word.
Martini Times Blogiversary Star of Hope Charity Fundraiser Giveaway
You've read the blog, now ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment