Clear As Day began life as a short story years back when I was in college, an exercise featuring the July desert heat and cool waters of Lake Mohave, a reservoir downstream from the Hoover Dam formed out of stretch of the Colorado River by the Davis Dam. I grew up in Southern California and I’ve always had a love of the deserts of the Southwest. I had fun with the story, adding in bits of my family’s trips to the river, other camping and fishing experiences, and my own enjoyment of watercolors, music, photography, and the desert. Lake Mohave is a starkly beautiful location and lets you feel you’ve gone somewhere completely remote even though it’s accessible in only a little over an hour from Las Vegas. My cover shows a glimpse of the shoreline. The backcountry camping site in Clear As Day is only accessible by boat and there are no amenities beyond the sparkling, cool lake water, scenic desert, and wide blue sky. You pack in what you need and leave only your footprints behind when it’s time to head home. It definitely provided a challenge for more intimate scenes!
But a story needs more than a setting, and my artist character Kay appeared in her lakeside campsite, already independent, reserved, and commitment-shy. Then the man who would become easy-going, globetrotting photographer Nate showed up to disrupt her careful, comfortable rut in life. I enjoyed exploring how Kay was the one resistant to commitment and how sweet and certain Nate was in his love for her. I adore Nate, his loyalty and his humor, and had so much fun writing him. I love Kay and all her caution and uptight habits she uses to hide her vulnerability and that she’s never chosen the expected routes in her life but made her own. It was a delight to see their love story evolve. And the fun part is I don’t have to say goodbye to them just yet. I’m working on new stories featuring couples from Nate and Kay’s circle of friends. There are more reunions and first glances to come.
Here’s a little interview with Kay and Nate:
What did you think the first time you saw each other?
Kay: I’d seen pictures of Nate before I met him at Lake Mohave, of course, and if it hadn’t been for a cancelled flight keeping him from JoAnn and Lloyd’s wedding I might have met him sooner. They’d been wanting us to meet for a couple years, but he was always traveling and our paths never crossed. Meeting him finally in person, well, it was a little chaotic when he arrived at camp, kind of a major reunion for him and the guys, and they got to talking, and you know how they can talk. I suppose my first cautious thought was, “He has nice eyes.” Things changed later that night. I took a walk and came across him fishing for catfish. We talked. Fished. We hit it off, well, really well. One moment we were talking about fish, the next lost in that first kiss. When we woke up together the next morning onboard his sailboat, after a little panic of “I can’t believe we just did that,” our relationship just slipped into comfortable being.
Nate: I’d heard about Kay, years before I met her. Her best friend JoAnn is married to my best friend, Lloyd Sayer, and I’d seen her in their wedding pictures and thought she was cute, but Kay lived down in Tucson and I was too busy with travel and work, and the times I was back in the states visiting, I was always just missing meeting her. Finally, six years ago, I made it back in time for our gang’s annual get-together at Lake Mohave, and I met her in person. My first thought— well, it wasn’t really a thought, more like a life-changing full-body blow of, “Wow!” Followed quickly by my second thought, “And she likes fishing! Awesome.” What can I say? I’m a guy. 
Did either of you think it was love at first sight?
Nate: Oh, yeah, head over heels for me. I have to say it knocked me for a loop. I had to take off that evening with excuse of fishing so I could do some serious pull-my-act-together thinking and stop walking around like I was concussed. Then Kay takes a walk for a breather from the crowd—she needs her space every now and then—and runs across me sitting there. We got to talking, and then next thing we’re on my boat, and well… you know. And the rest is history. We just couldn’t not be together. It was tough not being in a place in my life to do anything about it except meet up at Mohave once a year, keep in touch on-line and by phone, and make my plans for the future. But I believe the time apart also let us build the foundation of a real solid friendship.
Kay: Not for me. I believe Nate felt I was the one from the moment we met, and JoAnn and Dave say it was obvious, but what I knew about love just didn’t correlate with the safe feeling I had with Nate. I told myself what was between Nate and me was just physical attraction and simple friendship. I understood friendship. Love was nothing but trouble. If he’d claimed love back then, I would have packed up camp and hit the road running.
What do you like most about each other?
Nate: Do I have to pick just one thing? Ah, can’t do it. She’s awesomely talented. Sexy as hell. Quiet and peaceful. Great listener and really thinks things through. When I was overseas, we had some great conversations online. She doesn’t even mind when I lose track of what time zone I’m in and wake her up for a phone call. She’s very organized and methodical. Her campsite is neat as a pin, everything in its place.
Kay: I love how he can make me laugh and remember to play. He’s just got this gentle, easy way about him and has a great offbeat sense of humor. I’ve never trusted anyone like I trust Nate.
Nate, how would you describe Kay?
She’s got the most beautiful blue eyes and these freckles all over her pale skin like she’s dusted with gold. Her hair’s a pretty brown, like caramel, with red and gold wisps that catch the sunlight. There’s this little dimple just by her mouth when she smiles. And she’s a good friend, gentle and solid, through and through. She just shakes her head at my stuff lying around the camp and give me the eye. I’m not a slob mind you, but I admit my stuff does add that lived-in look to her tidy setup. It also annoys her that I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat.
Kay, how would you describe Nate?
I love drawing him. He’s got these gray eyes that are so easy to get lost in and a smile that can make you forget your troubles. He jokes around that he’s lazy and goofy, but he’s…peaceable. He’s able to relax and cruise through everything. I love listening to him talk about his travels. He’s as good with his words as he is with his camera. He’s a little—truthfully, a lot less organized than I am. I know he thinks I’m a little OCD at times, but he doesn’t give me a hard time about my needing order and I’m learning to adapt to his clutter.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Kay: Follow your dreams. I’ve stumbled quite often trying to hold to that, and even forgotten to dream, but I’ve learned that some dreams are very real and worth believing in.
Nate: Dad’s given me lots of advice over the years, but he always had this to say when I’d be talking out a decision with him as a kid, "How will you know if you don't try?"
Blurb
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.
Giveaway: I’m delighted to be part of the August Book Brew. I will pick one winner from my commenters for an ebook copy of Clear As Day. Commenter MUST LEAVE EMAIL ADDRESS to be eligible! Open to international!
And as an extra treat, if you live in the United States or Canada, and would like a set of Romance Trading Cards, just leave a note with your email address.
Question to readers: What's your favorite memory of being reunited with a loved one?
Thanks for reading!
You can buy Clear As Day at:
The Wild Rose Press: Paperback | e-Book
Barnes & Noble: Nook Book
iTunes: iTunes
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Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/E1ur-avq5YI
Come fall in love at the river
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