April 4, 2012

Spotlight On... Babette James

Guess what? Today is my guest's release day. How awesome is that? Please help me welcome Babette James to the keyboard. And make sure you leave her a comment, as Babette has decided that in celebration of her release, she will give an eCopy of Clear as Day away to one lucky commenter.

Welcome Babette, can you share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.
 
Thanks, Sarah, for letting me celebrate the release day of my debut novel, Clear As Day, with you today! I write contemporary and fantasy romance, and I’ve always loved writing and making up stories, beginning back when I used to act out epic fantasy tales with my dolls. (My Barbies had swords and knew how to use them.) I even have a degree in Literature, but it wasn’t until 2004 that I wrote my first full rough draft of romance novel and began gathering up my nerve to pursue publication. I fell in love with writing romance and have focused on that ever since. I’m also a teacher, and I enjoy encouraging young readers and writers as they discover their growing abilities. My class cheers when it’s time for their spelling test! When not writing, teaching or reading, I dabble with bread baking and painting, and try to keep up on weeding the garden beds. I live in New Jersey with my wonderfully patient husband and our three extremely spoiled cats.

Tell us about Clear As Day and where we can find it. 

Clear As Day is a spicy contemporary romance from The Wild Rose Press about two friends with benefits facing the fears and uncertainties of their changing relationship and is set against the background of the summer heat and cool waters of Lake Mohave. I loved writing Clear As Day, it’s been a story of my heart in many ways, so seeing this story published truly has been a thrill. Now, with the 4 1/2 star scorcher review from Romantic Times and being able to hold my book in my hands, today is a dream come true. I hope you enjoy Nate and Kay’s journey as much as I have.

What’s a girl to do when her summer lover wants forever?

Haunted by dark memories of her parents’ volatile marriage, artist Kay Browning keeps her heart locked behind a free-spirit facade and contents herself with the comfortable affair she has every summer with easygoing photographer Nate Quinn.

The only trouble with her plan? This summer Nate’s come to Lake Mohave to claim the lover he can’t let go. He’s done with the endless traveling and settling for temporary homes and temporary loves. Kay’s always been more than just a vacation fling, and now he must convince this woman, who sees love as a course to certain heartbreak, to take that leap of faith and learn how safe love with the right man can be.

Come fall in love at the river. Clear As Day is available in both print and eBook and can be found at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com, All Romance EBooks, and Other Links are Coming Soon Here.


Are you doing anything special to celebrate the book’s release?

In celebration of my book’s release today, my coworkers are taking me out for a party after work and I plan to crack a bottle of champagne tonight with my husband! As for more practical celebration, I’m guest blogging and blog hopping this week as well as in the coming weeks, with a few giveaways that will be posted on my website, and I’m also having a Goodreads giveaway of the paperback. Next week, I’ll be heading off to the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in Chicago. I’ve never to been to RT before and I’m very excited to be attending as a published author signing my book.


Which character is your favorite and why? 

It’s hard to pick a favorite character. I had so much fun writing Nate. I adore his gentleness with Kay, his loyalty, and sense of humor. I love prickly Kay and all her cautious resistance to commitment and the uptight habits she uses to conceal her vulnerability. She’s never chosen the routes expected for her in life but made her own. It was a delight to see their love story progress. I also enjoyed writing their close-knit circle of friends.

Who would you cast to play your hero and heroine in a movie? 

As I was writing Nate and Kay’s story, I never really considered what actor or actress might suite to play them, but Ryan Gosling is probably close to Nate in looks, and for Kay, possibly an older Emma Watson.

Will there be any sequels or other books in the same series? 

At the moment, I have three more couples who I hope will be joining Kay and Nate in falling in love at the river. The heroes and heroines in these stories develop out of the circle of Kay and Nate’s friends we first meet in Clear As Day and all the stories include the Lake Mohave camp setting in part. And the fun part about writing these sequels: I don’t have to say goodbye to Nate and Kay just yet and can peek in on their lives now and again.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently working hard to finish and submit the next story, currently called Love Burns, featuring two of Nate and Kay’s friends. This story takes off right from where Clear As Day ends. I love this couple’s chemistry, and I’ve enjoyed seeing their story come to life as they work through their personal trials and find their own happily ever after together. I also have a fantasy series that’s simmering on the back burner while I focus on these contemporary stories.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

I’ve played with a tiger in my front yard, met Gregory Peck and shook his hand, don’t like ketchup and, according to family legend, have an ancestor that sailed on the Bounty.

Where can we find you on the web? 

I love to hear from readers and you can find me at:

My website: http://babettejames.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BabetteJames

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BabetteJamesAuthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/babettejames

Youtube Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/E1ur-avq5YI


Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

I always like to hear people share what made a favorite story or character resonate with them and what makes them reread a story time and again.


Excerpt: 

“Kay!” That male voice was not her imagination.

“Oh, shit!” She twisted and dropped into the water, sinking neck-deep.

Mother always said, among other things, that a lady never goes skinny-dipping and must always wear a proper hat. Kay was only half skinny-dipping, but she fervently wished she’d worn something a bit more substantial than a baseball cap and the bottom half of the quintessential teeny-weenie yellow polka-dot bikini.

Shit, oh, shit, oh, shit. She so hated when Mother was right.

Okay, time to find out who’d just gotten an eyeful. The guy had called her name, so she should know him. Oh boy, if she’d flashed old George…

She wiped water from her face, sucked in a breath against her pounding heart, and peeked around.

Nate.

She must be sun-dazed. Nate? With a beard? Hair curling over his ears? No way.

Just because a familiar slouchy fishing hat topped those unruly, sun-bleached blond curls and just because this guy possessed the same deep-water tan and footloose taste in clothes as Nate with his electric blue Hawaiian shirt, bright orange swim trunks, and beat-up deck shoes didn’t mean—

“Hey, babe. Now that I’ve finally caught your attention, how about a hug from my girl?” He opened his arms. “Am I coming in after you or are you coming out?” Only Nate’s voice held that mellow timbre like chocolate for her ears.

“Nate! What…” Giddy delight flushed over Kay, clearing her shock. She dashed from the water and into strong arms, a wonderful hug, and a better kiss that launched her mind into a blissed-out whirl of oh, yes and why?

The oh, yes won out until the need to breathe forced them apart.

Nate gave her a long look, his usually easy gray eyes holding a new, simmering heat.

Wow. Whoa.

16 comments:

Babette James said...

Hi, Sarah, thanks so much for having me as a guest today!

Sarah Grimm said...

It's my pleasure, Babette. I'm looking forward to reading Clear As Day.

Calisa Rhose said...

It's great hearing how stories come to be and this one sounds fun. Congrats on reaching a goal and may you have many happy sales, Babs! That is a funny excerpt. I can just imagine her anxiety at being caught half naked! lol

Babette James said...

Hi, Calisa, thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

Lynne Marshall said...

Hi Babette and Sarah!
I am so excited for Babette's release day. Gregory Peck eh? Wow, that's one actor I would have loved to meet, along with Jimmy Stewart.

Your question - what makes a book stick with me? True, three dimensional characters that leap off the page and dive into my head. Numerous authors have this gift, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, LaVyrle Spencer, Linda Howard, Jodi Picoult, Kristin Hannah, on and on and on I could go.

Thanks for letting me get to know you!

Babette James said...

Hi Lynne, thank you!
It was awesome meeting him. I was so tongue-tied and he was very kind.

Sandra Dailey said...

Great excerpt Babette. I love those awkward, sexy meetings.
Believe it or not, my favorite character is Alex Cross from several of James Patterson's books. Talk about an all around man. He's a hard boiled cop, gentle family man and hopeless romantic.
I'm looking forward to reading Clear As Day.
Good luck and great sales,
Sandra Dailey
sandy4lee@yahoo.com

Babette James said...

Hi Sandra, thank you.
I love the image the combination hard boiled cop and hopeless romantic bring to mine. I'll have to look into those books.

Katherine said...

Hi Babette. Congrats on your release. Enjoyed learning more about you. Loved your excerpt - it made me wish there was more. Will definitely be adding this to by TBR pile. Hope you have lots of sales. :o)

Babette James said...

Thanks so much, Katherine!

Savannah Chase said...

Huge congrats on the new book..It really sounds fantastic. Enjoyed your interview as well.

Babette James said...

Hi, Savannah! Thank you.

bas1chs said...

Congratulations on the release Babette! I really appreciate you taking time to do this interview.

I love stories that tug at my heart a little - not too much or I become a mess - and characters with grit. Of course a little romance thrown in is good too.

bas1chsemail at gmail dot com

Karen Bostrom said...

Congratulations from a fellow Rose on your release date. I enjoyed reading more about you and about your plans for sequels. Have fun at RT!
Karen

Babette James said...

Hi Bas, thanks! I love a story that tugs at my heart. :)

Hi, Karen, thanks! I'm very excited about going to RT.

Babette James said...

Okay, according to a random number from random.org, Savannah Chase is the winner of the ebook copy of Clear As Day. Congratulations, Savannah, and I hope you enjoy!

Thanks so much, Sarah. It was great visiting here with you.