As I’ve been doing my virtual tour to publicize the release of my debut novel, The Arrangement, I’ve been asked the following question several times: “Why did you decide to become a romance author?”
I usually give an answer similar to this: I love to write, and I have stories in my head that I want to share. I want to impart to readers the same emotional turmoil, excitement, and drama I get from reading.
That’s all true, but I have a dry sense of humor. I would love to give a different answer””one that’s more playful, devilish, but still with a hint of truth to it. So today, on Coffee Thoughts blog, I’ve decided to list four additional reasons why I write romance.
1. I’m a little sadistic. I use the word “little” because I’m not out there torturing puppies. I get my pleasure from torturing the characters in my stories. I drop them into situations that they’re unfamiliar with, with people they’d rather not be involved with, and then I stir in the conflict and the sexual tension. In The Arrangement, husband and wife Leonardo and Alexa still care about each other, but their lack of communication only serves to increase the problems between them and heighten the sexual tension before closing the deal on their arrangement.
2. I have a little bit of a dirty mind. I write sweet romances, but I also write sensual ones. In the sensual stories, I enjoy getting creative with the positions and places in which the hero and heroine get intimate. It may be on top of a car in a parking lot, like in my work in progress, Private Acts. Or they may be inclined to break hotel furniture, like in the free read on my website, Model Behavior. Whatever the situation, my dirty little mind comes up with a way for my characters to have great, satisfying sex.
3. I’m a masochist. Yes, I like to torture myself. I’m not alone in this. I think all writers are a bit masochistic.What other profession are you aware of where someone labors for months, pouring their heart and soul into a project, hoping that someone will actually buy what they’ve produced? Only to have it torn apart my editors, readers, and critique partners? At the end of the day, our great satisfaction comes from a few reviews that finally validate all our hard work. Then we start the cycle all over again with the next project!
4. I’m a little narcissistic. One interviewer asked me what was the most exciting thing that’s happened since I
sold my book. Keep in mind, I haven’t received a royalty check yet because The Arrangement just came out on November 12th, so this answer may change. For me, the most exciting thing has been seeing my name on the cover of the book. When I received the proof of my cover art, I sat there staring at it, my heart tripped a little, and then I smiled. It was official. I was an author. That’s my name on the cover of the book, and I reveled in the pleasure of it.
I hope you enjoyed my bit of humor””with a little truth sprinkled in. Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. If you’re an author, let me know why you write romance novels.
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Stop by my website and join my distribution list or join me and the other romantics on Facebook. You’ll be among the first to know when my latest project, Private Acts, is complete. It’s the second book in my Hot Latin Men series.
Before you run off to my website, I invite you to read the excerpt below. In The Arrangement, I torture poor Leonardo and Alexa. They’re both still in love with each other, but I use their past experiences to create seemingly insurmountable problems between them, making them completely unaware of each other’s feelings. But even though they doubt their love for each other, it doesn’t stop them from enjoying the familiarity of passionate lovemaking.
The Arrangement
by Delaney Diamond
Available now from Amira Press
Blurb: Alexa da Silva asks her estranged husband for a business loan to help her brother. Instead of a loan, Leonardo offers to give her the money free and clear, but only if she’ll resume her role as his wife for two months.
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Excerpt
In the following excerpt, Alexa and Leonardo are at the anniversary party of their friends, Russell and Joan.
Intuitively, she sensed Leonardo’s gaze on her, and she caught sight of him near the entrance to the balcony. He was watching her, though he should have been engrossed in the conversation with the two other people with whom he was standing, one of which was the redhead. Even from that distance across the room, she could sense his desire for her, and there was an answering pounding of the blood in her veins as their gazes locked.
Maybe it was the kiss between Russell and Joan and the romantic notion of long-lasting love, but Alexa found her thoughts straying to memories of sharing passionate kisses with Leonardo. She carefully placed her glass of wine on the table before it slipped from her damp fingers and crashed onto the expensive white carpet. She felt nervous and jittery because she knew the reason for Leonardo’s smoldering scrutiny. She was fully aware what was expected of her, and she found herself breathlessly anticipating the end of the evening.
Leonardo came toward her, his lithe, graceful walk a surprise for a man of his size. The tuxedo jacket hugged his broad shoulders and fit his muscular frame like a glove. As he neared her, Alexa realized she was holding her breath. The undercurrent of sexual tension flared between them.
“Are you nervous?” Leonardo asked.
“Why would I be nervous?” Her voice came out breathy, husky. She cleared her throat.
Leonardo smiled knowingly. He must feel the same charge, know that she longed to be kissed and touched, despite being coerced into resuming her role as his wife.
He didn’t answer her question. “You haven’t eaten a thing all night.”
It was true, but how could he possibly know that? She didn’t have an appetite for much except the tall, dark man standing before her.
“I’ve had my eye on you all evening,” he said in response to the unspoken question.
The thought that he’d been watching her even during the periods when they were separated generated tiny little shivers across Alexa’s skin. Her fingers tightened around the clutch in her left hand. “I’m not hungry.”
The knowing smile widened. “You should eat something,” he said. His dark gaze lingered in appreciation on the split in her dress. “You’re going to need your energy.”
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Author Bio
I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, and I read a little bit of everything. I read my first romance novel at the age of 11. I wrote my first one at the age of 14 and called it Captured Heart. Throughout high school I continued to exercise my love of writing. My stories won me several trophies, and an essay resulted in a scholarship to help pay for college. After earning two business degrees and over a decade working at a “real job,” I shifted gears. In 2009 I gave fiction writing a try again, which resulted in my debut novel, The Arrangement. It’s the first in my Hot Latin Men Series.
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Don’t forget to browse my website. There you can join my distribution list to get the latest news and information about contests, promotions, and new releases. You’ll also find the free read Model Behavior and another excerpt from The Arrangement.
Website: www.delaneydiamond.com
To purchase The Arrangement: Amira Press, Amazon, AllRomanceEbooks
Join me and the other romantics on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DelaneyDiamond
Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35-M-ePgGGE
Hi Delaney, good reasons. But I write romance novels because that’s what I think about all the time! I remember reading that the average man thinks about sex every minute or so…I “only” think about it every 5 minutes or so! But pretty much all of the time, I think about having sex. Since I’m happily-married, obviously I only actually have sex with my husband, but when I write, I can “be” the heroine and have sex with her men! What’s not to like?
Thanks so much for sharing, Delaney! I wish you much success with your book! I laughed when you said you’re a little sadist. When folks as why I write mysteries, I always say, “Because I’m insane. Didn’t you know?” LOL!
I think all writers are a bit warped or else we’d have the brains to do something else. Can’t be too sane in this business! ROFL
Best Wishes!
@Fiona – We can experience all the pleasures of different men when we put pen to paper: ripped bodies, devilish smiles, and passionate love. It’s a great profession!
@Stacy-Deanne – We are a bit warped, aren’t we? But I don’t mind being different one bit. Thanks for the well wishes! And good luck to you on your new release.