In a lot of ways What a Texas Girl Wants was a labor of love. The characters were born out of a song (Stays in Mexico by Toby Keith) that made me feel good when I desperately needed to feel good. The characters were sassy but real, the situation was a little over the top...and I got to angst in email after email to my writing buddy D'Ann about horses and ranches and horses and a cowboy-who-wasn't-a-cowboy.
So, we're going to play a game today - put on your writer or reader hat, I don't care which. The rules will be the same. If you're a reader, grab the closest book to you. Turn to page 107 and count down seven lines. Copy that line into a comment below, along with the title and author of the book...and tell us what you love about the story. If you're a writer, same thing goes. Open the file of your WIP or most-recently-finished manuscript. Flip to page 107 and count down seven lines. Copy that line into a comment below, along with the title and name yourself as author. And tell us what you love about the story.
I'll start: This is from my debut, What a Texas Girl Wants: You can tell me anything you want or nothing at all. What is it that I should know about Jackson Taylor at this very moment?‖ she asked between kisses.
I love the community in this book. It's a community that Kathleen is trying to get away from and a community that Jackson doesn't realize he desperately needs. It's filled with quirky characters and it's a place I'd love to visit someday..other than in my head!
I'll share a line from a book I'm reading, too, because I'm loving it! This is from Rachel Gibson's I'm in No Mood for Love: I learned a long time ago not to trust you.
I love Claire's journey in this book - how she has to find her way through the maze of where she thinks she is supposed to be. I think it's a journey a lot of us take - Rachel Gibson just makes it more fun!
Okay, you're turn ~ Go!
Out of the Depths from William L. Biersach.
ReplyDelete"We visitors could see the Blessed Sacrament, but no vandal could possibly reach it."
This is a Catholic's mystery story about a valuable lost treasure. Fr. Baptist, the main character, and his side kick, Mr. Feeney, must solve this mystery to find the missing object and protect them from some powerful people related to the Church who wants to add it to their private collection.
It includes paranormal activities, action, humor, Catholic teaching without preaching, and an engaging and fully detailed story. I have read and reviewed the entire Fr. Baptist mystery's series and have enjoyed each one of them.
Highly recommended.
sounds like a fun read, Tannia, thanks for sharing!!
DeleteOkay, from JAR OF DREAMS, out in January of 2013 from Carina Press.
ReplyDelete"It was the kind of laughter that made her hold her stomach and wipe her eyes, the kind she made into a memory and tucked away behind her heart so that she might take it out again when she needed it."
I looked at my WIP and the line was too dumb to use in the context of no context. :-)
LOVE that, Liz!
DeleteThis is from One Hit Wonder, my June 4th release along with Kristina's and D'Ann:
ReplyDelete"She loved playing house with him, now that the kids were out."
I love Audrey's realization throughout the book that John is the person meant to hold her heart forever. And, despite the glamour of Hollywood and the success of the band, they she starts to realize she wants nothing more than live a "regular" life by his side
Thanks for sharing, Denyse! Audrey's journey was a fun one to read!
DeletePS: they don't have kids, the "kids" she refers to here are the other members of the band.
ReplyDeleteOut of the Deep I Cry by Julia Spencer Fleming.
ReplyDeleteHe stuffed his hat into his pocket and hung his parka on her coatrack. "Where's Debba? he asked.
JSF is a new mystery writer for me and this is from her third book. I love mysteries, but write sweet romance. LOL
I'm going to check her out, Vicki, mysteries are my faves!!
DeleteVicki, aren't Julia's books so good.
ReplyDeleteFrom Burn in Hell, A Jake Carrington Mystery (January 2013)
Did she dare ask for more?
Kyra's thoughts after making love to Jake Carrington for the first time. She didn't know sex could be so good. I love this story because it has a mystery, crime, love, betrayal and redemption.
Sounds like a fab read, Marian! Good luck with it!
DeleteOh, this is one of my favorite scenes in Playing with Fire (Dec. 2012 release).
ReplyDelete“Thank you. I was taking cold showers for a week after that.”
Camden and Keegan are having a big brother/little brother chat after an evening at the county fair reminds them of old times. The reason Camden was taking cold showers has returned to town, and things just might be getting a little heated around the firehouse.
Oohh, sounds verra interesting, Molly Kate!
DeleteCongrats on your upcoming release Kristi....it is so close and I'm so excited for you!
ReplyDeleteHere's my line from page 107:
"Over the years I’ve learned to fight, shoot and handle difficult
situations when I’m working. I’m not some delicate little flower that needs protection.”
That is spoken by my spunky heroine Sunny Kennedy from my latest release Some Like it in Handcuffs. I like this story because of the characters...they are each strong and independent, but with a deep bond that ties them together to help each other. And of course the sass...lol
Great line, Christine! And I *love* Sunny!!
DeleteThis is from Home. Poppy had just walked Sam home from the grocers and was leaving. She told him she was glad he'd made it home "in one piece."
ReplyDelete“One piece…” He frowned at the stark contrast between how she meant the words, and how shattered he felt inside. “Right. See ya.”
I just love the tortured hero of my book and the healing personality of Poppy.
Congrats, Kristi! Can't wait!
Oh, I like that line. I know a lot of guys like that from that time, including the one I married.
DeleteThanks, Calisa! Sam is such a tortured hero - love him!
DeleteThis is from the book I just finished, Abducted Heart.
ReplyDeleteShe'd be a sitting duck out there.
I loved writing this story, which had a theme of betrayal threaded throughout by a number of characters in the book.
betrayal themes are so fun to read (and work with!), good luck, Jerri!
Delete"That was supposed to be an innocent kiss meant to tease you. Believe me, Em, I was as taken by surprise as you were."
ReplyDeleteSince I haven't quite reached page 107 of my WIP I used Love's Destiny (due out June 4 - Woot) instead. I love the chemistry between Emily and Jonathon and their futile attempts to fight their destiny.
Love this website!
Yay for June 4! Love that line, Elizabeth!
DeleteThis is from Highland Seer.
ReplyDeleteAnother time, another opportunity.
The hero and heroine are dancing around their feelings for each other at this point. Will they or won't they? Of course, we know they will, but when and how?
That dance is sooooo why I read romances - such fun!! Good luck with the book, Willa!
DeleteThis from my paranormal romance, Smitten Image, due out July 23.
ReplyDelete“With Daniel?” The girl’s eyes widened. “Hell, no! It would take a pipe wrench upside his head before he’d see beyond this pile of brick and mortar.”
The interactions of characters in dialogue is fun to write. It says so much about character and I love my characters... okay, confession. They are my best friends!!
Great game, Kristina. Still going all-out read on Monday!!
Thanks, Pam! Dialogue is so easy to write when it's flowing...but sometimes getting into that zone is pure torture!
DeleteLove yours, K. All of them are great!
ReplyDeleteHere's mine from A Cowboy to Keep, my June 8 release.
It's kind of sill out of context.
At least her face and teeth were clean, and she was wearing clothes today.
LOL on the wearing clothes thing! A little out of context is good - and I'm wondering what that means about her clothes. And I soooo know where she's coming from with the washed face/brushed teeth. Love that book - good luck with it!
DeleteHi, everyone!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this, I had to see what page 107, line 7 held in my book. Just yesterday I got the uncorrected proof (it actually looks like a real book!). It's from Out of Character to be released by Crimson Romance July 9. From reading the last reply that's a hard act to follow! But here goes:
Sighing, Kenn eased out of the kiss, holding her at arms' length. "It's goes without saying, Dr. St. Clair, that you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, but --"
I love this story because it's a silly off-beat love story. Actually two in one. My main character is a romance writer whose characters in her WIP jump from the pages of her book to set her up with her own "happily ever after."
Thanks. This was fun.
Terry Newman
Sounds like a fun premise, Terry! Thanks for playing along!
DeleteHere's mine from The Heart You Own, my June 4 release.
ReplyDelete“He only plays at her table. Three hands, then he
leaves.”
This is a part of my story where the hero begins his transformation. He learns that his assumptions may have hurt someone he loves instead of help them. He also starts seeing the heroine differently.
Very intriguing, Diane!
DeleteFrom my upcoming release The Sky Pirate's Wife.
ReplyDeleteIt was his smile. The kind that all women yearned to receive from a handsome man.
My heroine, Sophie, is standing at the helm of her new husband's airship. He was supposed to be standing behind her, teaching her how to fly, but he stepped away to let her do it for herself.
She finds him attractive, but their wedding was rushed because he married her for her money, so they don't really know each other. This is one of those scenes where they start to form a real bond.
Oh, I've seen one of those smiles before...yep, knocks you flat.
DeleteThis is a great idea, Kristina. Here's my line from Stubborn Hearts, due out in August: "Tom lifted the trap door in the floor and grimaced." To put it in context: Tom has reluctantly agreed to be Santa for the school's Christmas concert and he is going into the schoolhouse basement to fetch the red flannel suit.
ReplyDeleteLOL - my DH played Santa for a co-workers kids one year. We've all been in a situation like that, I think!
DeleteThese all are great! Thanks for picking this fun topic, Kristi.
ReplyDeleteThis is from my modern mythic romance, REMEDY MAKER - available July 27, 2012.
The heroine has just encountered the hero in full a arousal:
Instantaneous heat burst around them, within them, brilliant and scorching as the incandescent lighting along the walls.
Niiice, Sheri!
DeleteFrom Book Three of our Roman time travel series, titled RETURN TO ME, by Morgan O'Neill. The first installment, LOVE, ETERNALLY, will debut on July 2.
ReplyDelete"You are ever the perfect sheath to my sword," Magnus said.
Our Roman hero, Magnus, has just made love to his wife, the time traveler Gigi. Cary and I just love this guy, so, so sexy and serious and such a heroic warrior type, yet gentle with the woman he loves.
What a line, Deborah!
DeleteWe had left the arena behind. Why were the chants getting louder? From Dare to Dream, by Tim Dagget, 1984 Olympic Gold medalist/gymnast. I'm enjoying this book because it shows what it takes--and costs--to realize your dream. This a great quote: It isn't necessarily the 'naturally gifted' people who make it, but rather the ones who have dream and are willing to pay the price to make that dream come true. I haven't often asked myself on my journey to publication--what price am I willing to pay to be a published author?
ReplyDeleteI'm such a fangirl of all the 1984 Olympians, PM, thanks for sharing! And that's a great quote!
DeleteThis is from my recently completed manuscript, The Designated Driver's Club which I'm seeking a publisher for:
ReplyDeleteJenny hesitated. She didn’t want to lecture but – well – it was part of her business plan. “Barry, you know you can’t talk about that with the customers, right?”
LOL, Shelley...and now I'm wondering just what he brought up with a customer!
Delete“Someday it’ll be my land. It’s not all about money with me.” From my WIP Winter Hearts due out Nov 21, 2012. I love this story because it's about a couple who have been friends since childhood only now he sees her as a woman. The brother doesn't like it and causes problems for them.
ReplyDeletefriends-to-lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes, Susan! Will be looking for this one!
Delete"His groin surged and he had to forcibly clamp his jaw shut to keep it from dropping. The invitation was unmistakable. But did she mean it?" This is from my completed WIP, AS LONG AS YOU'RE MINE. What I love about this story is the way the heroine and the hero constantly vie to keep the other off balance. Either through kindness or sexy flirtation, neither ever knows exactly what the other is up to.
ReplyDeleteWOW - now there's a line for page 107! Thanks for playing along, Jenna!
Delete"Go ahead, Jude. Do your duty. You've killed me before. This time should be so much easier." This is from Life After, my second paranormal romance with Red Sage. I love the fact that these characters declared their love for each other in the middle of the book instead of the end. I think that's what made me hold my breath when I came to this point in the book. Coming out Friday!
ReplyDeleteYou know I love Life After, Shawn! So excited to see it coming out soon!
DeleteFun idea, Kristi! Mine is from Bix.
ReplyDeleteThe more I see of this place, the more I believe I’m in some sort of time warp village. Maybe even an M.Night Shamylan movie.