Please welcome author Debra Salonen!
She's here to talk about her laugh-out-loud funny and not-so-typical romance novel, Are We There Yet?, and Celebrate!, the boxed set featuring five heartwarming holiday stories by five different authors, and it's only 99¢ on Amazon right now! So, be sure and take a look at the blurbs below. AND Debra's also here to give us a glimpse into a day in the life of a nationally bestselling author. Check it out and find out just how fun her writing is!
Lisa ~
A Day In the Life of Debra Salonen
What a terrible week to post this! I am a creature of habit. I do my best work when I have routine. This week my routine has been shot all to heck by the arrival of my older sister, who I have not seen in four years. I'm very glad for the chance to spend time with her, since her health is iffy and we're neither one getting any younger. But, having another person in my space blows my routing to smithereens. So, rather than share the crazy days of late, I'm going to post my usual day, my ideal day.
But Yoga is a godsend. I sit too much. Yoga keeps me from turning into a hunched-back scribe.
6:03: start coffee (for my hubby) and tea (for me) then wake up my granddaughter who sleeps over on the nights before my yoga days. I supervise her very quick ablutions then ply her with oatmeal before sending her out the door to catch a ride to school.
7:30: Check email while eating my granola. (I'm pretty sure this is a bad habit, but I can't seem to break it.) Here's a recipe I like a lot: Power Granola.
8:30: Yes, it does take me a full hour. In part because I'm still answering questions from my hubby or other family members about things that don't concern me in the least. Why is that? Can't they see I'm working? For some strange reason, they seem to think Facebook and Twitter are social platforms where people have fun. What's that about?
9:30 - 1:00: This is my ideal writing time. In truth, it's broken up by emails, texts, laundry, food preparation, and miscellaneous nonsense. But, on those rare occasions when the moon is in conjunction with Sparticus, the magic happens. (Don't ask.) The voices of characters who are secure in their own identities and strong enough to avoid my urge to make them conform to my preconceived ideas of them speak to me in strident voices loud enough to be heard over the persistent hum of my self-doubts. You do know writers are a little crazy, right?
1:05 - food stuffs: Did I mention I'm a bit of a health nut? My usual lunch consists of almonds, dates, and an apple. I nibble on these while checking my email, tweets and FB.
1:30-3:00 - Depending on how much I got done book-wise, my afternoon consists of laundry, walking the dogs, research, reviews, editing copy, or PR.
3:15 - school lets out and, if I have the opportunity to spend quality time with my granddaughters, I try not to pass this up because fiction can't compare to real life when kids are involved.
My older brother is 80 and in poor health. He's an interesting character with a colorful past that includes great success and wealth, but he reminded me the other day that money doesn't mean squat if you're not well enough to enjoy it. So, my closing wish for all readers is to give yourself time to enjoy the sweetness of each and every day. And don't forget to breathe.
ARE WE THERE YET?
She may be over the hill by some standards, but 50-something divorcee Judy Banger knows she's sick and tired of plodding along the same old road to retirement. She joins a gym and charts a new course in search of a healthier, happier, more adventurous Judy. But the road less traveled is not without hazards, speed bumps and detours. Her first attempt to re-ignite her sex life winds up with a 911 call. Add Judy's platinumdigger BFF, a sue-happy lawyer, a carpenter with a Mrs. Robinson fixation, and a young cop who thinks Judy is in need of sex addiction therapy, and Judy's ready to burn the map, give up her exercise class and move in with her hypercritical mother...until she meets Judge Wilson "Wiley" Canby. Wiley embodies the sexy fire and smoldering angst of every romance hero Judy ever imagined all in one perfect package. Too bad Judy's never considered herself romance heroine material. And to make matters worse, their first meeting involves a black lace bustier, fishnet stockings and a whip named Gerald.
If this is the road to love, where's the closest exit?
Excerpt from Are We There Yet?
Getting older isn't for sissies!
Judy had been thinking about this moment for a week and she'd decided to go big. "In for a penny, in for a Euro," Pru liked to say. Luckily, Pru was on a cruise around Greece and would never have to hear about this moment if it turned out ridiculous and embarrassing.
"I thought I'd strip for you, Buddy. Would you like that?"
He laughed. A big, happy rumble she loved hearing. "Sure. Why not? As long as you wind up with this baby...," He gave his member a quick flick of the wrist."...buried to the hilt in your coochie-coochie, I'm up for anything. Up. Get it?"
Coochie-coochie?
The old-fashioned word zapped a few more butterflies. Old-fashioned equaled safe and non-threatening in Judy's book. She could handle this. Buddy was a friend. He didn't have any diseases...well, not the sexually transmitted kind. She knew because he'd shown her a printout from his doctor.
"Let's do this."
Kindle / Amazon Print
CELEBRATE!
From USA Today Bestselling Author Barbara McMahon, and National Bestselling and Award Winning Authors Linda Barrett, Rogenna Brewer, Karen Sandler and Debra Salonen.
CELEBRATE! Five heartwarming stories celebrating the sweet gift of romance on Father's Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas.
Man of the House by Linda Barrett
Bobby's been the man of the house since his father died, but now his mom is spending time with Steve. Steve makes his mom happy, but no one can take Bobby's dad's place. Can Bobby have a change of heart and accept a new man of the house?
One Star Spangled Night by Rogenna Brewer
Navy Chaplain Lieutenant Lindsey Alexander is not as naive as world-weary Aircraft Carrier Captain Doug Reese believes. When the Top Gun is ordered into counseling, the junior officer is the only thing standing between him and his losing command of his ship.
Love With All the Trimmings by Barbara McMahon
An unexpected reunion at Thanksgiving changes a growing relationship when an old flame shows up just when Juliana has hopes for a future with Matt.
The Eighth Gift by Karen Sandler
When widow Sarah Meyer’s house is broken into and her son’s Hanukkah gifts stolen, her late husband’s best friend comes to her rescue. But as the friendship between Sarah and Jake Goldman blossoms into something more, it takes a Hanukkah miracle to lead to a new and lasting love.
My Christmas Angel by Debra Salonen
"Little Dickie Daniels is a Christmas angel." So, 8-year old Abigail believes...until she meets the scruffy child her mother brings home on Christmas Eve. But looks can be deceiving Abigail learns, and some encounters leave an indelible mark. Thirty years later, Abby--author of the children's book "My Christmas Angel"--receives a call that proves holiday miracles really do happen.
Only 99¢ on Amazon now!
