Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Release Day Party for A MAN LIKE SAXON by Jean Adams


I love hosting release day parties, so when Jean Adams agreed to hold her party here at Vintage Vonnie, I had a little **SQUEE!** moment. Oh, my darlings, we are going to party Southern Style for our New Zealand author today. That means champagne, cups of rich coffee, caviar and chocolate. (Alliteration, ya gotta love it!)

Have a glass of bubbly or one of Calvin's rich cuppachinos while we settle into our party mode. My husband always grinds his beans fresh and makes the best coffee. For some reason, he won't let me near his coffee and espresso makers anymore. Something about "tasting like dishwater." Surely he wasn't implying... 
 
 
I've got chocolate and more chocolate. Which do you prefer? In case you made a New Years Resolution to watch calories and carbs, well, here in southern Virginia, we cook without those nasty calories. Truly. Would I lead you wrong? Take a plate now and fill it up. I've got lots of goodies prepared.
 

 

A MAN LIKE SAXON is published by The Wild Rose Press.

Don't you just love Jean's beautiful cover?

She's agreed to tell us how she came to write this story.


A Man Like Saxon started a few years ago when my then husband decided to buy me an unusual Christmas present which he went to a great deal of trouble to wrap.

A massive box, but not too heavy, was all wrapped up in festive paper. When I opened the box, lo and behold there was another box inside. That was also wrapped in Christmas paper. And inside that box? Yes, you guessed it. There was another box. Inside that there was another, then another, and another, right on down to…
 
 …an envelope. 
 
Inside the envelope there was a ticket for something I had always wanted to do—take a flight in a hot-air balloon.

 

I’d often seen them floating gracefully over the hills and dreamed of riding in one.

 

Now I could to just that.

 

But I was reassured when the pilot, (who incidentally turned out to be the CEO of a financial institution that hit the skids resulting in a lot of people losing a lot of money) said, quite openly.  “I value my life more than I value yours.” I knew I could trust him not to do anything silly.

 

On a warm, windless January morning about two weeks later, I took that ride and it was truly magical. We left the house at around 5.30am. Several weeks after that A MAN LIKE SAXON became the first twinkle in my eye.

 

I wasn’t a scaredy-cat like my heroine, (she has good reason to be), but I have to admit to a few moments of trepidation mixed with the excitement as we approached the launch-site on the dark, windless morning.

 

Almost everything that takes place on the flight (except one bit, you’ll know which bit), I personally experienced.

 

So if you’ve ever wanted to go up in a balloon but never quite managed it for one reason or another, come with me — up, up and away with sexy Saxon.

 

Mind you, after the horrific accident that happened in New Zealand January 2012, I’m not sure I’d find the courage to go again but I’m glad I had the experience.

 
Before Jean shares her blurb with us, won't you try one of these? They're quite yummy. Fresh fruit is so good for you. And seems to me I read that since chocolate comes from the cocoa bean, why it's the next thing to a vegetable. Honest! You know what the doctor says. "Eat 5-6 servings a day."
 
BLURB:
 
Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.
 

Danielle Montgomery hides a terrible secret that binds her to a life of loneliness she believes she deserves. She has never wished for anything more from her humdrum life.
 

Up, up and away. Come, fly with sexy Saxon.
 

When film director, Saxon Wainwright, drops in from a clear blue sky, wanting to make his movie on her property, he blows Danielle’s narrow world apart. Is Saxon the nemesis Danielle is expecting?
 
 
 
Excerpt from A MAN LIKE SAXON. Ooops, before you read Jean's lovely excerpt, you should take a couple of these...you know, for energy.
 
  
 
“I’ve got a surprise for you.”  He even sounded excited.
Danielle frowned and propped herself up on one elbow. “A surprise?”
“You’re going to love it.”
“What kind of surprise? It’s the middle of the night.”
“It’s just after five. It’ll be light in an hour.” Still beaming from ear to ear, Saxon indicated a glass of orange juice on the nightstand. “I’m taking you up in the balloon.”
The smile froze on her lips as terror took hold. Her stomach knotted. The balloon! Dear God, no.
She tried to swallow, but nothing happened. They had shared a wonderful two weeks of fun, laughter, and lovemaking, and now she could see it all ending within them plummeting to earth in a ball of fiery nylon.
“Now?” was all she managed to squeak through her closed throat.

“Best time of day.”
Did he have to keep grinning like a dog with two tails? She pulled the bedclothes around her body in a futile attempt at protection. “This is a joke, right? It’s pitch dark out there.”
Saxon laughed. “It’ll be light by the time we’ve had breakfast and driven to the Eastons.”
“David and Susan’s?” she croaked inanely. “What have they got to do with it?”
       “They and some of the crew helped me set this up. It may be the only chance I’ll have to take you up ‘til filming’s done. By then, the weather will probably have packed in.”
Everything fell into place. The covert conversation last night that ended abruptly when she appeared. They had been setting up her “surprise”. The phone calls downstairs just now. Probably to the Met Office, then to David.
Bile rose in her throat. Saxon had misinterpreted her idle curiosity about ballooning as interest. Why hadn’t she kept her big mouth shut?
“Let me get this right,” she choked. “David and Susan, and some of the crew, got up early on a Sunday morning especially so you could take me up in the balloon?”
His grin refused to be shaken. “Yeah. Terrific of them, huh?”
“Terrific,” she repeated miserably, heart racing. The thought of going up there made her feel sick, but they’d all gone to a lot of trouble to do this for her, given up part of their one day off in the week.
       He inclined his head at the nightstand. “Drink your juice. I’ll get breakfast while you dress. Warm clothing. It can get pretty darned cold up there. We have just over a half hour.”
To live? “Until?”
       “Until we have to leave.” He started for the door, then turned to face her. “Scrambled eggs okay?”
        The eggs would probably end up a lot more scrambled if she tried to force them down her throat. She stared after him in wide-eyed disbelief as he went through the door.
        Was this the divine retribution she’d been waiting for after all?
I’ll have to tell him I can’t do this. He’ll understand.
She should have told him the truth right away. She would have—if it weren’t for the people who’d given up a Sunday morning sleep-in just for her, especially after the punishing schedule of the past two weeks.

       Coward!

Saxon looked so pleased with himself at arranging this. How could she tell him the idea paralyzed her with terror?
Just as with everything else this past two weeks he had wanted to please her. His lovemaking was all any woman could ever want. She groaned. How could she disappoint him? She would just have to grit her teeth, smile bravely, and—go. Up there.

      Oh God!

       Maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as she’d envisioned. If he thought he’d be putting her in any danger, he would never take her up. She almost convinced herself, so much that the thought made her feel marginally better.
Dressing like an automaton she put on jeans and a light sweater, grabbed a dark blue padded windcheater from her closet, and wandered slowly downstairs, terror still tying her stomach into tight knots.
        Saxon was well organized, as she would have expected. He had coffee brewing, eggs scrambled, and bacon grilling. Toast popped just as Danielle arrived in the kitchen. As she entered he looked up and grinned. “Hi there.”
Her head full of angry bees, she looked grimly at the food, having convinced herself this would be her last meal. Was this how condemned prisoners had felt on the way to the guillotine as they’d climbed on board the tumbrill?
“I’m not overly hungry,” she said, as images of losing her breakfast over the side of the basket flooded her mind.
Saxon sat opposite her, rubbing his hands with obvious relish. “Well, do your best. We’ll have the real champagne breakfast when we come down.”
She stared at him bleakly. “Champagne?”
“Sure. It’s traditional for a first-time flyer. And you don’t have to worry about a thing. According to David, Susan has it all organized..”
“That’s—that’s very sweet of her.”
There was no escaping the flight now. Everything had been arranged. Everyone had done so much, and on their one day off. All she had to do was turn up—and throw up.
She watched dismally as Saxon tucked into his eggs and bacon.
       He caught her staring and grinned. “Still half asleep, huh? Here have a good slug of caffeine.”
She managed a weak smile of thanks.
“So are you pleased with your surprise?” How did he manage to grin so wide and talk both at the same time?
“It’s—it’s. I’m surprised.”
He laughed and took a swallow of coffee.
“I’m not big on surprises,” she managed slowly, wishing her insides would stop quivering. “Especially so early in the morning. You should have told about this me last night.”
       Then I could have come up with an excuse not to go. Or told you the truth so you could cancel the arrangements. Let everyone sleep in.
“There was no point last night. I needed to check for wind direction and velocity this morning. I didn’t want to get your hopes up then have to disappoint you this morning.”
“You wouldn’t have. Honestly.”
You can find Jean at:
 
 

21 comments:

Donna Michaels said...

Wonderful blog, Vonnie and Jean!

I've truly enjoyed the chocolate (more than I should've...hehe) and the excerpt!

A Man Like Saxon sounds like a great read, Jean! I love how you came up with the idea. That balloon ride must've been something!

Best of luck,

~Donna

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Donna, I've always wanted to take a hot air balloon ride, but at my age, the first question going through my mind is "where's the restroom?" LOL Thanks for stopping by.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Vonnie and Jean, nice visiting with you. Loved the champagne, chocolate and strawberries, representing three important food groups. Jean, I just finished reading A MAN LIKE SAXON, and enjoyed it very much. I love knowing where you got your idea for the story, too! Clever idea of using the movie itself to underline your characters' sense of reality vs. fantasy. Happy sales to you! Rolynn

Jean Drew said...

Hi Donna,

Thanks for stopping by. Yes, the ride was really something. Ilovd every moment of it
Jean

Sandra Dailey said...

You got me, Jean. Now I'm going to have to see how the flight turns out. Good luck, it sounds like fun!

Jean Drew said...

Hi Rolynn,

So glad you enjoyed all the food groups. They're especially good for you at this time of year when there are calories in them. LOL! Thanks for reading AMLS. It was great fun to write.

Sandra Dailey said...

Vonnie, be brave. My eighty year old mom recently asked me to go on a balloon ride with her. If we can do it, you can.

Marlie Bridges said...

Jean - I loved the book! And I know the part you mean when you say that most of the balloon ride you experienced...but not all of it. LOL

Vonnie - tell your husband his coffee is delicious!

Marlie

Jean Drew said...

Hi Marlie

Thanks for dropping by, So glad you enjoyed it. I just had to put that ride into a book.

Jeam

Jessica Ferguson said...

What a beautiful blog! Loved the chocolate covered strawberries.

Jean, I identify with Danielle. If someone handed me an envelope with a hot air balloon ride, I'd hand it right back! I felt a little queasy just reading yor excerpt. But now, I'm wondering what happened--sounds great! And I love your hero's name. Saxon. Mmmm, he sounds yummy too!

LaVerne Clark said...

Hello Jean and Vonnie. So wonderful to have you both here on the one site! :)

Just as an aside - did you know that apart from being an incredible writer - Jean is also the founder of Romance Writers of NZ? Without her - I highly doubt we'd have such a large amount of talent uncovered in our small country. Without her, the road to publication would have been so much harder for many of us.

I've got this story waiting for me on my kindle. I can't wait to read it! Maybe I should have a sneak peek while I enjoy some more of those strawberries...mmmm...and tell Calvin, the coffee is perfect!

Debra St. John said...

Hi Jean!

Congrats on your release! I love stories based on real-life experiences.

And I'd love some of those yummy chocolate covered strawberries...

DebraStJohn

Jean Drew said...

Hi Jessie

Thanks for stopping by. I kinda like Saxon too. He's one of my yummiest heros. Enjoy the food,
Jean

Jean Drew said...

Hi LaVerne

Hey, thanks for dropping in, buddy. You have my permission to chomp on the chcolate-cuvered strawberries to your heart's content. No calories at this time of year you know.
Jean

Jean Drew said...

Hi Debra,

Tuck in. There are plenty more where they came from.
Jean

Angela Adams said...

What a great party! And, I love the refreshments. Coffee and chocolate are my absolute favorites! Happy New Year, Jean and Vonnie!!

Jean Drew said...

Hi Angela,

So glad you could drop in and enjoy the scrumptious fare. Happy New Year to you, too.

Jean

Calisa Rhose said...

What a lovely party ladies. Jean your book sounds fabulous! I love the cover and can't wait to finish her hot air balloon ride!

Happy New Year everyone!

Jean Drew said...

Hi Calisa,
Glad you're enjoying the party. There's plenty more left. Enjoy the ride.

Jean

Jean Drew said...

Hi Vonnie

Thank you for hosting my lovely party. It was great.
Hope there aren't too many dishes left.

Jean

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Jean, I'm thrilled you enjoyed your release day. Dishes and silverware are in the dishwasher. Confetti's been swept up. Jazzie, the cat, has popped all the balloons. The main thing is you had 109 visitors yesterday. Yay you!