This is the release day for my first published contemporary. . . and wouldn't you know. . . it's a BLAZE. Actually, it's a Valentine anthology built around the story of three friends who work in various aspects of the greeting card industry and always have a trade show to attend over Valentine's Day. When they meet THIS year, they make a pact to hunt for a great Valentine's Day date for next year. Let the MANHUNTING begin!My gal, Samantha Drexel, is corporate through and through. She's sharp and ambitious and successful. . . and lonely as hell. She can't remember the last good date she had. Taking her manhunting pledge seriously, she combs through her past relationships and one in particular-- an unresolved college romance-- seems like a good bet. The old flame turns into an inferno before she learns the jerk is married and dumps water on it. She's disillusioned and embarrassed and furious with herself. . . and still dateless for Valentine's Day.
Worse-- while in the grip of that traitorous romantic bliss, she has proposed using rocker Nicholas Stack's music-- "their album" --as the basis for a line of musical valentines. Now the lying ex-boyfriend is gone, but she's stuck listening to that treacherous music again and again. Then rocker Nicholas Stack himself tries to pull out of the deal she's made with him to promote her Valentine line and she has to use every bit of her personal strength and presence to make him live up to his committment. Now if she could just quit melting into steamy puddles every time he looks at her. . .
Sound interesting? I hope you'll find it so. I had a blast writing it!
The challenges of writing contemporary weren't at all what I thought they would be. Historical heroines are usually either virgins or widows. . . anything else wasn't quite respectable in the old days. So coming up with motivation for hot-n-spicy lovin' on short notice-- that was a challenge for me. Especially so because this is a BLAZE. Know what I mean? I had to get it steamy in a hurry. And as I wrote, I loved doing contemporary dialogue and references. Quite a shot in the arm to the old creative juices!
I'm giving away copies of "Manhunting" to two commenters. So let me know. . . have you ever gone manhunting, yourself? How did it turn out?
And what do you think about the concept of manhunting-- too modern? Too predatory? Too gotta-have-a-man old fashioned?
21 comments:
Never really had the chance. Started dating my husband at 17 and got married three years later. What'd I miss????
hahahaha, manhunting. No, I have not ever hunted a man. I'm way too lazy (and proud if we're being truthful).
I do love reading about others doing so though!
Your book sounds like fun--I do love anthologies. Can't say I've ever gone manhunting myself--guess I need to read the book for research!
Hi Betina, congrats. I picked this one up yesterday, so you don't have to enter me into the contest. I am looking forward to diving into this one, especially since there are also stories by two of my must read authors in there. I enjoyed having you swinging with us in the jungle last Saturday.
I have never gone manhunting because I am just too shy for that. I can only live vicariously through books. It sounds like it would be a fun adventure though, especially if you are hunting the right person.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Was always too shy to do any manhunting, although, I'm thinking I'd do a better job of it these days. Or am I just kidding myself?
Betina, I'm so glad you enjoyed writing a contemporary. I can see how it might've been a shot in the arm for you. Any more in the works?
Hello! No, I have never been "Manhunting". However, after seeing the cover of this book, I am going to go get my hunting license as soon as I finish typing this comment.
As for the concept of "Manhunting"...a woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do : )
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Picked this one up at Borders yesterday! Can't wait to read it. Does man-stalking count?
I love contemporaries and congrats on the book release.
Yes, I've gone manhunting. None of those times worked out for the future but was very interesting times. I agree with Virginia on a woman's gotta do....
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
This looks great, Betina. And congrats for moving into contemporaries.
I like the idea of a manhunt... waiting around for the right man to show himself is not what we modern girls have time to do!
No I have never gone manhunting...but maybe I should :)
Congrats on the realease.I love the cover.
Hey Betina. Manhumting? Moi? Only once. In Atlanta - but I blogged about that and I was old already so it doesn't count :o)
Love the look of the new release!! Big congrats and I hope your foray into contemporary makes history in the sales dept. ~~ (pun intended ) :o)
Hi Betina! Manhunting.... hmmmm... The only story that comes to mind is being 16 years old, having a crush on a guy at school so my friend and I drove by his house about a ka-zillion times. Which would have been okay except he lived way out in the country so it was obvious what we were doing. ;-)
No need to enter me in the contest. I have a copy on the way from my critique partner Joanne Rock, who's also in the anthology. Looking forward to reading your story!!
No, I've never been manhunting.
Manhunting looks like a great read!
If it counts when you're a teenager and go after a guy, sure, I've gone manhunting. Since I've been older and more mature, nope. I'm married!
Honestly, though, if I was single, I would consider manhunting. It could be a lot of fun. But for now, I'll just enjoy reading about it!
Well, sometimes the right man needs a little friendly persuasion. That's all I'm saying...
Betina, sooo excited I got to be a part of your first contemp! What a treat!
I've never went man hunting. I don't see anything wrong with it, I've just never done it. I think it probably happens more in these times. Girls don't seem to be to shy about going after what they want.
I've gone to bars when I was younger with friends - we were hunting for men, does that count? I don't see anything wrong with manhunting, a girl's gotta do whatever she can to find happiness.
No, can't say I've ever gone manhunting (married just out of highschool) but I love to read about it!!!
I like the idea of a woman going after a date/relationship. Today so many of us have to work and it's not usually a good idea to date your coworkers.
People are lonely...
look at all the online dating sites!
I like your unique premise of a musical greeting card designer with a rock star!! Great idea!!
I did ask my future husband out while we were dating. No one else.
Times have changed. My 3 sons were called a lot (during HS) by various girls.
You guys are the best! Sorry I'm so late getting back to the blog-- wish I could say I was celebrating wildly, but the truth is-- I was just working my butt off! And not in a fun way.
AS to manhunting--
1) It's never too late to start.
2) Women have more choices now than ever and shouldn't be embarrassed/ timid about using them.
3) Life is too short to spend wanting and wishing and alone. If you're hoping for a special guy, the accepted wisdom is that he probably won't just drop out of the sky and land beside you. You'll have to go out and sort through the chaff to find the wheat. Or something like that. If I had a daughter, that's what I'd tell her.
4) I've done a little manhunting myself. . . midlife. . . mostly through accepted channels. Not a lot of fun to do, but fun to talk about in retrospect. And in the process, I found a keeper.
5) I think we'd all like to think we'd instantly recognize true love when he encounter it. But the truth is, sometimes we don't until it grabs us and shakes us up a little. And lust generally does the shaking.
Whew! I'll announce winners tomorrow! Stay tuned!
Heeeey, Joanne! Great to see you here! Let's hope our "Manhunting" sparks a trend!
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