Dear Friend,
Since I live in Arizona, now that it’s June, the weather takes its summer season seriously. This week, after three differing weather reports predicting varying temperatures, the reporting services finally settled on over 100°F. weather for at least the next 10 days.
Sigh! I blew it. My garage, without air-conditioning, isn’t going to be cleaned out this week.
From now until probably late September, we’ll be reverse hibernating. Since our air-conditioner works well, we’ll be sheltering inside in the summer. Combined with the gasoline prices, we’ll be minimizing our outdoor excursions and errands.
Actually, we’re some of the lucky ones, since some people don’t have air conditioning. My neighbor works for a major air-conditioning manufacturer. He installed our system about three years ago on the hottest days of the summer. Efficient, great system! (If you’d like to know which brand, email me and I’ll respond personally.)
Thinking about heat, it reminds me of the “heat” levels of romance. My books are somewhere between steamy and spicy. The Greatest Thing, which launches in July, has quite a few steamy scenes, as well as spicy ones taking place on a honeymoon in a tropical climate.
Writing steamy scenes inspires me. When I started writing romance, only four years ago, I never dreamed it would be so much fun. Several romance writers I’ve met are uncomfortable writing intimate scenes. I’m not, which I guess is a tribute to my marriage.
I’m looking forward to your reactions when you read The Greatest Thing. My ARC (advanced reader) turned in her review a few days ago, and she was pleased.
Claire K said, “Louisa and Will’s relationship felt genuine, supportive, messy at times, and honestly pretty relatable.”
“I also liked that the story balanced the heavier moments with romance, chemistry, and some really sweet scenes between them. The pacing kept me interested the whole time, and I ended up pretty attached to both characters.”
“If you like contemporary romance with relatable struggles, powerful chemistry, and established couples figuring out life together, this is a really great read.”
I hope to have the book available for pre-order soon. Also, I will announce a giveaway of an e-book of The Greatest Thing on Goodreads before the book is launched. Be on the lookout!
If an effort to be current and write about topics which are of particular interest to you, please let me know what one or two topics you especially care about. Send your response to: Shelley@ShelleySommers.com or complete your answers in the Comments box below.
Happy Reading – and Stay Cool!
Shelley
