July 14, 2011

Welcome Guest Blogger Vonnie Davis


Help my welcome my very special guest, Wild Rose Press author Vonnie Davis. Welcome Vonnie!

~*~

When Two Writers Marry


I met my husband on match dot com. Calvin sashayed into my mailbox on a jazzbeat and a smile. Three months later, we met at a Starbucks. He was holding a bouquet of red roses and beaming a dazzling smile—and I was smitten.

We had a lot of similarities—both English majors and lovers of Shakespeare, old books, goofy comedies and sentimental movies. We both adored and took pride in our respective grown children. We also possessed differences. There was a sixteen-year span between our ages. Calvin is black; I have that pasty white German skin. He is tall and thin; I am short and …he is tall and thin.

But we shared a dream: to write. Calvin, already retired from teaching, was actively working on his dream. I was frozen in my dream state and had been for many, many years. Excuses, I had a million of them.

We were married a year to the date from that first email. I moved from south-central PA to the DC metro area with my new husband. Calvin wrote daily while I found places for my things in his already crammed house where he’d lived for over thirty years.

Adjusting to married life again was not a smooth transition. I’d been on my own for twelve years—independent and used to doing things my way. I was also used to working and having my own money. Calvin wanted me home with him, his philosophy being I’d worked outside of the home long enough. If he was retired, I should retire, too. And, so, at the age of fifty-five, I left the corporate world. Sounds like a dream come true, ladies, but I had some serious adjustments to make. I missed the girls at the office, their chatter and the sharing of our lives.

Then the unthinkable happened: Calvin insisted I write. “Enough with the excuses,” he said. “Write. I want you to have your dream, too, while I work on mine.”

The day I showed him the first chapter of my first book was a dark day, folks. A dark day, indeed. Calvin, his forehead furrowed, his eyes squinted and a #2 pencil gripped in his hand, crossed out paragraph after beautiful paragraph. On page seventeen, he proudly announced, “Ah, here, HERE is the beginning of your book.”

I snatched the chapter from his hands and retreated to my writing room. This red-haired German was in “major snit mode.” Or, mad as hell.

I’ve grown a lot since that day two years ago. And Calvin, bless his heart, has learned to be more gentle with his critiques. We are a writing couple. We both write everyday in our own private spots. He in the den with both the TV and stereo playing and me in the quiet living room reclined on my recliner with my laptop.

His third book, a love story, not a romance, was released two weeks before my first romance.

Although we have the same agent, we have different publishers. Smart man that he is, Calvin readily admits my pub is superior, especially after meeting Rhonda and RJ at TWRP writers retreat in May.

Calvin has cheered me every step of the way toward achieving my dream. He is my cheerleader, my supporter, my hero. His carefully worded phrase regarding my first sex scene was “spot-on”—it did read like assembly instructions for a bookcase. Can you spell rewrites?



Nurse Rachel Dennison comes to Texas determined to prepare her new patient for a second round of chemo. What she isn’t counting on is her patient’s twin brother, Storm Masterson. Despite her initial attraction, Storm has two things Rachel can’t abide: a domineering personality and a fiancée. Half Native American, with the ability to have "vision dreams," Storm dreams about Rachel for three nights before her arrival. Both are unprepared for the firestorm of emotions their first chance encounter ignites. Ultimately, it is Rachel’s past—an abusive, maniacal ex-boyfriend—that threatens to keep them apart…and Storm’s dreams that bring them together again.

Chapter One

Someone swaggered out of the moonlit night toward Rachel. Exhausted from a long day of driving, she braked and blinked. Either she was hallucinating or her sugar levels had plummeted. Maybe that accounted for the male mirage, albeit a very magnificent male mirage, trekking toward her. She peered once more into the hot July night at the image illuminated by her headlights. Sure enough, there he was, cresting the hill on foot—a naked man wearing nothing but a black cowboy hat, a pair of boots and a go-to-hell sneer.

Well, well, things really did grow bigger in Texas. The man quickly covered his package with his black Stetson. Rachel sighed. The show was evidently over. Should she stand up in her Beetle convertible and applaud? Give a couple cat calls? Wolf whistles? Maybe not.

She turned down the music on the car’s CD player. Sounds of crickets and a lonely bullfrog in the distance created a nighttime symphony in the stillness of this isolated stretch of country road. Lightning bugs darted back and forth, blinking a display of neon yellow glow.

The naked man strode toward her car, and Rachel’s heart rate kicked up. Common sense told her to step on the gas, yet what woman wanted to drive away from such a riveting sight? Still, life had taught her to be careful. She reached into her handbag and extracted her chrome revolver. Before he reached her car, she quickly slid her gun under the folds of her skirt.

Just let him try anything funny—I know how to take care of myself.

Both of his large hands clasped his hat to his groin. His face bore annoyance and a touch of chagrin. “I need a ride.” By his bearing and commanding tone of voice, she guessed the man was used to giving orders and having them followed.

Her eyes took a slow journey across his face. Even in the moonlight, she could see traces of Native heritage. His shoulder-length ebony hair, too long for her tastes, glistened against his bronzed skin. Proud arrogant eyes sparked anger.

Because Rachel believed in indulging herself, she allowed her eyes to travel over his broad shoulders, muscular chest and tight abdominal muscles. She saw a thin trail of dark hair starting below his navel, knowing full well where it ended, and fought back a groan. Her eyes slid back up to lock on his. “You need a pair of pants, too.” Knowing her voice hummed with desire, she cleared her throat, hoping the naked man hadn’t noticed.

He looked up at the sky for a beat. “Just my freakin’ luck! A birthday party gone bad, and now I’m bein’ ogled by some horny kid with damnable blue eyes.”

What the heck was wrong with her eyes? She quickly glanced in her rearview mirror and saw nothing amiss. She narrowed those “damnable blue eyes” and sneered. “Look, buster, I’m not the one prancing around Texas naked as a jaybird. I’ll have you know I’m hardly a kid.” She glanced down at the black cowboy hat. “And, furthermore, stop hiding behind that big ol’ Stetson. From what I saw, a French beret would do the job.”

There, let the arrogant fool stew on that while he strutted back to whatever rock he crawled out from under. She slammed her car in gear and sped off.

She swore she wouldn’t look in her rearview mirror. Nope, she would not look. Like a magnet emitting a powerful homing signal, her eyes slowly slid to the glass surface. He was standing where she’d left him,… Gee, ladies, I’d love to share more, but I’ve already used up my word count quota…**wink-wink**


You can find Vonnie here:

Calvin's Website: www.calvindavisbooks.com


33 comments:

Sarah Grimm said...

Vonnie-

Thanks for being my guest today. I just have to tell you that I love that excerpt! Storm's Interlude is already on my TBR but after that, I'm moving it up the list!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Sarah, thank you for having me here and for allowing me to drag Calvin along. You know the excitement of holding your book in your hands, oohing and aahing over it. Well, imagine both husband and wife having their own literary baby in their hands. It's party-time here at the Davis's. I'm tickled to be starting my blog tour here at "Off the Keyboard."

Calisa Rhose said...

Seriously- are you giving away a copy here? NO?? I have to have this book, Vonnie. Each time I read that excerpt I laugh! Did I mention- I love to laugh!

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi ladies,
First, I LOVE that excerpt! Moving this up on my TBR list. Hot stuff;) Second, Calvin sounds like a good man. How wonderful to share a common dream.
Great post!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Calisa Rhose Oh, I love to laugh, too. My humor can be more than a tad "off the pale", as the say. Not everyone gets my humor, so I have to keep it in check. I'm learning to be more subtle. Thanks for stopping by.

Maeve Greyson said...

Used up your word count MY BUTT!! You're a Tease with a capitol T!!! sheesh! You should be ashamed of yourself, young lady. Leaving us hanging like that. ;-)

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Jennifer Jakes You're right, Jennifer, Calvin is a dear. He spoils me in myriad ways. As for a hot excerpt, hon, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Wait until you read the book.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Maeve Now, Maeve, you know I would never lie. Lead you on, yes, but lie? Never! Well, there was that time...but we needn't dwell on that one little slip-up. Thanks for stopping by. You're a dearheart.

Caroline Clemmons said...

Vonnie, what a sweet story. I love that you and Calvin share your writing and encourage one another. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Vonnie, Loved the excerpt, can't wait to read the rest. It was great meeting you and Calvin at the NC Retreat in May. Sounds like you have a great soul mate in Calvin, treasure him.

Sharon Davidson

Clover Autrey said...

I love the story of your live together. So sweet and you look so happy together.

Sue Palmer Fineman said...

Calvin sounds like a sweetheart. You're so fortunate to have a supportive husband. Mine seems to think I work on the computer to ignore him. Hmm. He could be right!

Melinda said...

Vonnie,

I loved this post...Once you find that special someone you have it made and it sounds like the two of you were meant to be.

I love the cover of your book and Calvin's

Thank you for all you do

Walk in harmony,
Melinda

Jill James said...

Vonnie, your life could be a romance novel. Can't wait to read your book. It's next on my to-buy list. Congratulations!!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Caroline Clemmons Caroline, I would never be at this delightful juncture in my life if it weren't for Cal. If he knows I'm in the middle of a heavy scene or doing edits, he'll tell me not to plan dinner, that we'll go out. He unloads the dishwasher, vacumms the carpets and feeds the cat. He's even gotten fairly good at cleaning the bathrooms. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Anonymous Hi Sharon! **waves madly** Nice hearing from you. Hope your writing is going well. I met so many lovely ladies at the WRP writers' retreat. Calvin couldn't get over how nice everyone was. We had flight horror stories going to and coming back from Asheville, but the retreat was the best.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Clover Autrey Clover, I think finding love at an older age makes it sweeter, more precious. Especially if you've been alone for a long time.

Alison Henderson said...

Hi Vonnie, What a lovely, romantic story! You and I are about the same age, and I'm living for the day I can retire gracefully from the day job and write full time. My husband was an English major, too, but he has never read a single word I've written (afraid, I think). So glad your dreams have come true!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Sue Palmer Fineman Sue, glad you found me. Yes, he's very supportive. Calvin shakes his head at how fast I write. I joke that he frets all morning on whether or not to put in a comma and then studies the sentence all afternoon to decide if he should take it back out. But that's one of our differences. He loves, simply loves the writing process. I love to see "the end."

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Melinda Hi, Melinda, thanks for stopping by and spreading your sweet spirit. Are you writing today?

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Jill James Yes, it could be a cute story. I could tell about the time we were at the library and Calvin pulled a volume of romantic poems off the shelf. In his deep, Shakespearian voice with that touch of southern drawal, he began reading me poetry. Before long we were surrounded by women, their eyes wistful and their sighing evident. My Virginia Ham (aka Calvin) read on and on. He's a trip.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Alison H. Alison, do you think your husband is afraid of the "spicy" parts? My oldest son apologized for not being able to read mine. He claimed that reading a sex scene written by one's mother would be akin to incest. How I raised such a conservative son is beyond me. LOL

Lilly Gayle said...

Wow Vonnie. Maybe your LIFE should be the subject of your next book. You might need to make a few changes to attract the younger crowd. You could write Calvin as looking like Shamar Moore from Criminal Minds and you could be Katherine Heigl. You might need more exciting jobs too. Because as a writer myself, I know my days can get boring. lol!
But your current book sounds fabulous. And, I can't wait to visit your blog tomorrow.
Lilly

LaVerne Clark said...

You and Calvin certainly do sound like a wonderful team. And not only do I have Storm's Interlude on my TBR pile, but Calvin's as well!! Lucky I love to read : )

Although my hubbie isn't a writer, he loves my latest WIP and keeps coming up with ideas for scenes and situations. A very closed mouth when it comes to the sex scenes though. He likes to say he's a man of action - : )

See you at your next stop on the tour!

Joya said...

What a great and interesting post, Vonnie. LOL about Calvin and his pencil. Best wishes for huge sales and great reviews for your book! :)

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Lilly Gayle Lilly, thanks for popping in. I'm looking forward to having you at Vintage Vonnie, too. Calvin and I are both romantics, so we encourage one another to act accordingly.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@LaVerne Clark Too cute about your husband being "a man of action", LaVerne. And we good wives must perpetuate the man's opinion of himself as we silently and steadily slide him into our way of thinking. Oops, did I say that?

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Joya Thanks for stopping by, Joya. I'm having a grand time here at Sarah's today with so many lovely ladies stopping by to chat.

Karen C said...

How wonderful that you and Calvin found each other and that you both can pursue your dreams! Love the cover of Storm's Interlude - along with the blurb and excerpt (what a tease!). A definite new addition to the TBR list! Will also check out Calvin's book. Enjoy your blog tour~~

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

@Karen Thanks, so much, Karen. I love my cover, too. We have some of the best cover artists at The Wild Rose Press. I designed Calvin's cover. The picture on the back is of 21 rue Galande where he lived the year he was in Paris--and where his hero and heroine live.

AJ Nuest said...

Oh, what a great, great post, Vonnie! Gosh, every time I learn something new about you, I love you even more! That picture of you and Calvin is outstanding! Cheers, my friend, on your release and here's to many more for both you and your adorable dh!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

AJ, thanks for stopping by and for all your kind words. I've made a lot of wonderful friends in the Garden. It's full of so many lovely ladies like you, dearheart.

The Word Place said...

Love it, Vonnie! I smiled and chuckled all through your post. Two nice people found each other...and two writers share a well-deserved success!