With so much available in the way of erotica, I sometimes wonder if there’s a place for middle ground.  Are readers interested in sexy as opposed to sex?  How detailed must the consummation be?  Samantha Rawlings is one sexually liberated woman, that much is certain, but she also enjoys the emotional connection, the pull between personalities.

Sure she and Victor Marin are well-suited physically, but how about mentally, emotionally—even spiritually?

This Sunday, let’s try it with these six sentences from my current release, LUST ON THE ROCKS:

And it touched him, this side of her.  No longer the hard, edgy, tough-minded lawyer, she was the kindhearted compassionate defender of peace.  “I didn’t realize you were such a philosopher.”

“I’m not.  I just do what makes sense and feels right,” she said with a wink as the old Sam returned and pinched his rear.  “Hence, your presence in my home.”

***********************************************************

 So what do you think?  Can Vic handle a complex woman like Sam?  Can she maintain her resolve to remain unattached? For a better sense of how these two connect, head on over and read an excerpt!  They’re a powerful combination…

And we’re not talking slow motion here!  We’re talking dynamo with speed and determination, a keen sense of direction and a force to be reckoned!  Hopefully this won’t be in the form of some out of control snowball barreling down the mountain side, because I have plans—BIG plans!  And I need to be focused.

First item on the agenda?  Yes, like many of you, I need to whip my body back into shape.  I have somewhat of an indulgent personality when it comes to good food and with the holidays filled with the stuff, well…  You can imagine my predicament.  Not to mention I’m getting older and the pounds don’t drop off as easily as they once did—thank you Mother Nature!  My joints haven’t aged much better, something I attribute to years of jogging, snow-boarding and water-skiing (more specifically, the wipeouts of latter two).  Me? I plan to glue my fanny to a stationary exercise bike (find more info). 

Which will come in handy with resolution number two.  You see, as an indie author I’m finding a real tug of war between time for my writing and time for my marketing.  Both are important, yet with only so many hours in the day, I need to limit “the when and the where” of each.  For example, when I write, I need blocks of time.  And a story board, piles of reference notes, a glass of water, sometimes a bit of mood music…

But answering email and engaging in social media can be slipped in almost anywhere!  In the car during the pickup line, during the kids’ sports practice, , on my exercise bike, while the roast is cooking…

And speaking of food, dinner is key to a family’s happiness but something I tend to forget on a daily basis.  Remember?  I’m writing and marketing all day and have no time for food!  But I must make time, else my family up and revolt.  So this year, the menu will be planned and shopped for on Sunday and posted prominently in the pantry.  Next time anyone asks, “Hey Mom–what’s for dinner?”  I won’t have to return a look of total and utter shock.  “Dinner?”

I also plan to master the art of tomatoes this year, not only in growth but sauce and storage, too.  Same goes for my Hungarian Wax peppers.  I’m an Italian now, and Italians like their sauce and peppers.  And they like them on everything from pasta to pizza—which reminds me.  Add pizza crust to the list of tasks to master in 2012. :)  I mean, pizza pie is as Italian as apple pie is American!

YUM.  Wow, let the party begin!  From here on out, you can find me in the productivity line!  So how about you?  Where will we find YOU this year?

Who are Bloomin’ Warriors, anyway? 

Women who love romance, believe in happily ever after, but are savvy enough to understand that it doesn’t happen overnight.  “And just why not?” demands that spit-fire from the back. 

Always was my first question!  Because personal growth takes time.  We have lessons to learn, wisdom to share—and that’s what my novels are all about:  a woman’s personal journey in overcoming the trials and tribulations of life as she blossoms into her own. 

“Given the proper care and feeding, a woman will bloom in time; her own sweet time!” 

Why the garden analogies?  Because I LOVE my organic garden–but also because in spending time between the rows, I’ve learned to reflect on life in the most simple of terms.  We plant a seed, we give it the proper care and feeding and watch with awe as it matures into the most amazing produce.  I realize “awe” may be a strong word for some of you experts out there but for me, every potato, onion, squash and tomato is a hard-won victory to be celebrated!  Between Jack Frost and Mother Nature, I never know what to expect.  He’s a tad harsh while her sense of humor can run a bit dry at times, if you know what I mean.

But I digress.  Like my fruits and vegetables, my flowers and herbs, women mature at varying rates.  They come in all sizes and shapes, colors and scents.  Some sway in the breeze while others tuck themselves away in the quiet of shade yet no matter how you slice them, women share common challenges.  We carry the children, hold the emotional power and despite the fact that we work outside of the home, we remain primary caregivers to our children in the home as well.

These are but a few issues we face, but face them we will.  (There are no shrinking violets in these parts!) And then we will handle them in our own way, on our own terms and in our own sweet time.

As a woman, as a mother, I find these topics fascinating.  I could write about them all day long (and do!)  But I couldn’t do it without you, the reader.  So Team Bloomin’ Warrior was started as a way for me to give back to you and a way for you to help spread the word. 

Members will receive a free Bloomin’ Warrior T-shirt (my tag line runs across the back), sneak peek at my books before anyone else as well as promotional items like recipe cards from my garden, garden tips & seed saving packets (just to name a few!).  And as an added thank you, you’ll also receive special discounts on my novels and short stories as they release, plus unique gifts throughout the year. 

So what do you say?  Join Team Bloomin’ Warrior today and help me spread the word about my novels!  Simply subscribe to my website (be the first to know!) and then watch your email inbox for FULL details. :)