The Men In Our Lives

I was giving some thought to writing about the hero being more than just the love interest of the heroine in our story. In my novel, Two Brothers, Amanda’s brother and father are also heros, playing a major role and wielding a positive influence over her life.

Then sitting in my office yesterday, at my day job, I heard the maintenance supervisor say to one of his men, “…watch it or she’ll write about you in her next book.” I have no clue what was said prior to those words, but I called out to them that I most certainly was taking notes. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard the men around me mention being in my next book.

It got me thinking about the reaction of the men in my life when they found out that I write romance. I have three older brothers, no sisters, and work in a male dominated industry, manufacturing aerospace parts. Only a few close friends even knew I wrote, but when they found out I was getting published, the news spread like crazy.

I was surprised by the reaction. The guys didn’t squirm at the idea of a romance writer or say “Ahh, you write that kind of book.” Instead, I heard things like, “I’m impressed”, “That’s really awesome”, and “I don’t normally read romance, but I want to read your book.”

Now, that's not to say there wasn’t some teasing, too. They wanted to know if they would be able to look me in the eye after reading the story. And I honestly answered, telling them that it would depend on if they had just read a sex scene or not. They also joked about being careful what they said or I might kill them off in my next book. My own brothers wanted to know if I’d written about them.

No doubt, most comments are made in jest. We all know that the majority of romance readers are women and we read because there is a part of us that want, for a little while, to be the heroine.

I tweeted the other day, “Funny how men react when they find out you’re a romance writer. Eager rather than put off.”

Is it possible that on some level, for a little while, they too, the normal everyday men in our lives, just want to be the hero of our stories?

The 137th Kentucky Derby - May 7th

Congratulations to Joelene Coleman. You are the winner of All Bets Are On!, a $10 Amazon.com gift card and a set of commemorative 137th Kentucky Derby glassware.

Wow! What a week. The release of All Bets Are On! has been exciting and I've had a lot of fun with the Kentucky Derby Party. There is still plenty of time to enter the drawing - winner will be posted Saturday morning. 

Check out the drink recipes by clicking on the page link to the right, under the Kentucky Derby Party. I might have to try a few of these drinks, the Minted Strawberry and the Orange Julep.

For details and to purchase All Bets Are On!: http://www.turquoisemorningpress.com/

Coming this week, Wednesday, May 4th
http://www.turquoisemorningpress.com/

Enter to Win
In the upper right sidebar you’ll see “Kentucky Derby Party” and underneath a page or list of pages. I will add new pages as the week progresses, so check back and leave a comment. For each page you visit and comment on, I will enter your name in the drawing to win a copy of All Bets Are On, an anthology of short stories about the Kentucky Derby which includes my first published story, As Luck Would Have It, a $10 Amazon.com gift card and a set of commemorative 137th Kentucky Derby glassware.

Also, become a follower to my blog and get your name entered again – increasing your chances to win.

Be sure to check back on Saturday, May 6th for the winner or leave your e-mail address with your comments and I will contact you directly.

(Excerpt from As Luck Would Have It below)




What pages you’ll see posted this week:

1. Sunday - Kentucky Derby (KD) schedule of events

2. Monday – Meet the horses and vote

3. Tuesday – Run for the Roses

4. Thursday – Hat’s, It's all about the hats.

5. Friday – KD Drink recipes

As Luck Would Have It (Excerpt)
Jack Warsaw was a mean son-of-a-bitch. There wasn’t a horse in the stable that liked being owned by him, but many were. He had a quick temper and a heavy hand with a whip. He didn’t look upon his high-priced thoroughbreds as prized possessions requiring care and appreciation, but as possessions to bring him glory and money.

Money spoke volumes in the racing industry and let a man get away with things most couldn’t. Jack had plenty of money and people tolerated him because of it, but they didn’t like him.

So it didn’t come as any great surprise, to those of us paying attention anyway, when Jack turned up dead the morning of the biggest thoroughbred race known to man – the Kentucky Derby. The surprise will come if anyone is smart enough to figure out the events that led to his death. They won’t think to look to me for answers, although I saw the whole thing go down.

While I’m sure it all started years ago with a festering anger over Jack’s success in rigging races, the actual events that would rid the racing industry and the world of Jack Warsaw began two weeks ago.

It was late on the night of the opening ceremonies for the Kentucky Derby Festival. The Thunder over Louisville, the largest fireworks display around, kicked off the two week long celebration in downtown Louisville.

From where we were at Churchill Downs, we couldn’t see the spectacular light show, but there were enough locals setting of fireworks that we saw quiet a colorful display. A few of the horses on shed row didn’t much care for the noise while others stood like bomb proofed soldiers.