Barbara
Meyers is also on Books, Chocolate and Wine today. I challenged her to give us
three reasons why she loves to write. Here is what she said.
I Can Write The Kind of Books I’d Like To Read
Although, to
tell the truth, I’ve gotten away from reading romance novels since I started
writing them, they are the books I cut my teeth on before I started writing.
But I still enjoy a well-written romance, especially beach reads, which is what
I write. I want to escape into another world for a little while. I don’t want
to think too hard, I don’t want to be depressed by a book or its characters.
There’s enough real life and bad news out there. Romance novels give me a break
from that. When I type the end and think “this is so cute” or “this is perfect”
I’m happy.
I
Can Control The Outcome
I can’t
always control my characters. The most surprising thing about writing is you
think you know how the story’s going to go when you start, but sometimes the
characters (and your editor) have different ideas. Quinn, the heroine in
FANTASY MAN, was a huge to surprise to me. She was much more strong-willed and
impulsive than I planned for her to be. Her character grows quite a bit in the
course of the story, thanks in great part to my wonderful editor, Noah Chinn.
The only thing I’m sure of is that those characters will have a happy ending.
Somehow love will indeed conquer all. I’m a sucker for a happy ending. I’m just
not always sure how I’ll get to it and that’s what keeps writing interesting
and fun.
Working
with a Really Good Editor
A good editor
will make a decent book the best it can be. My road to publication was a bumpy
ride, but fortunately I landed at Samhain and into Noah Chinn’s author pool.
Not to say I didn’t have good editors before him, but I felt like Noah “got me”
as a writer. He can find what doesn’t work quite right and suggest possible
fixes without overpowering the author’s voice. He makes suggestions but isn’t
offended if I don’t use them (though I often do). I’ve written about this elsewhere,
but he turned down FANTASY MAN to begin with and told me why. I rewrote it
based on his input even though he didn’t ask me to. It needed so much editorial
work even after my rewrite I felt sorry for him. But he diligently, patiently
worked with me on it and I am pleased as punch at the final product, which,
believe it or not, is very much the story I started with. There are so many poorly edited (or often
unedited) books out there, that to find an editor like Noah has been a
blessing.
Blurb for Fantasy Man
Quinn
Fontana never thought witnessing two murders would lead to her first taste of
freedom. But when her overprotective brother puts her on a plane for L.A. to
hide until it’s time to testify, she can’t stop the shiver of anticipation.
If
her life is going to be cut short, she plans to live it to the fullest. And
that includes seducing her intended protector—her brother’s best friend and
star of her private fantasies.
When
security consultant Reif Callaghan awakens after a rowdy night out with his
coworkers to find a warm, willing woman in his bed, he’s almost past the point
of no return when he realizes it’s Quinn. And he’s come way too close to
debauching his best friend’s little sister.
Her
enticing offer—one night, no holding back, no regrets—is a temptation he can’t
resist. Until he realizes she’s been hiding a piece of vital information that
could cost not only their one chance to turn fantasy into reality, but their lives.
Warning:
Contains fantasy-come-true sex, get-it-out-of-their-system sex, angry-as-hell
sex, and on-the-run sex. Also, accidental ferret-napping. Asthmatics are
advised to load up on antihistamines before reading.
Reviews for Fantasy Man
"It’s sweet and sexy, and will even convince you that
ferrets are adorable… overall was a pretty fun read." –Romance Novels For The
Beach
To read the review in its entirety:
https://romance4thebeach.wordpress.com/2016/01/09/fantasy-man-by-barbara-meyers/
Fantasy
Man by
Barbara Meyers is a very sexy, suspenseful and enjoyable read involving an
overprotected young lady, the mob, some cute ferrets, and a fun fling with “my
brother’s best friend” that threatens to turn into something entirely
different. And Reif (love the name!) is my ideal male protagonist – a guy who
doesn’t tuck neatly into any particular “Alpha/Beta/Gamma/Omega” niche. Fantasy
Man is a steamy, fun-filled read, particularly if you enjoy best friend/little
sister romances (and ferrets!) - 4 Star review by author Donna Cooper.
To
read the review in its entirety on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1433499634?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Before
Reif could follow his parents out of the room Quinn grabbed his sleeve. “You
didn’t tell me I had to testify in three days.”
“That
was the message Tony left. For me. See Quinn, the difference between you and
Tony is that he doesn’t try to tie my hands so I can’t protect you. From here
on out you’re on a need-to-know basis. We’ll see how you like it.”
She
let go of his sleeve. “I thought we were on the same team.”
“We
are. But you always seem to forget who the captain is supposed to be.”
He
yanked the phone out of his pocket, tapped the message icon and stared at the
screen.
“What’s
it say?”
“Need.
To. Know. Got it?” He shoved the phone back into his pocket.
He
left her no choice but to follow him to the kitchen. His twin sisters, Erin and
Ella had set out some fruit, cheese and crackers. “Would you like something to
drink, Quinn?”
“Maybe
some water.” Quinn took a seat at the table. She hadn’t eaten in hours, but she
wasn’t hungry. Erin or Ella set a glass of ice water in front of her. They were
identical twins, although their hairstyles and clothes were different. Quinn
couldn’t remember which was which and was too embarrassed to ask.
“Thank
you.”
“That’s
a beautiful ring,” one of them commented. “You’re engaged?”
Quinn
looked to Reif who was helping himself to ice from the freezer door. She saw
him stiffen. She glanced at her ring before she answered.
“I’m…we’re…
It’s complicated. I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”
The
other twin said, “Well, whatever happens, I hope you get to keep the ring.”
“If
you need to make a pit stop, do it now,” Reif said to Quinn and pointed down a
small hallway off the kitchen. “Bathroom’s right there.”
“Always
the charmer,” the first sister said wistfully.
Quinn
decided to take him up on that, if only to get away from Reif, his cavalier
attitude, and the sisters who were obviously trying to put two and two
together.
When
she returned to the kitchen Erin and Ella had helped Reif pack a cooler with
food and drinks. Reif excused himself to the bathroom.
He’d
barely closed the door before both his sisters pounced. “What’s going on with
you and Reif? Spill it.”
“Did
he give you the ring?”
“Oh
my God. Did he propose?”
“You’re
not pregnant.”
“Our
sister Emma is.”
“Are
you?”
“Emma’s
baby-daddy dumped her.”
“Was
it romantic?”
“Even
though she says he didn’t.”
“Have
you set the date?”
Quinn
looked from one sister to the other while they tag-teamed her. Quinn glanced at
the ring, wishing she’d thought to hide it before anyone had noticed it.
“We,
uh, well, I… That is…”
“You
are engaged to Reif, aren’t you?”
Reif
saved her when he returned to the kitchen. “We. Are not. Engaged.”
Buy Links:
All
Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-fantasyman-1918851-149.html
Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-man-barbara-meyers/1122833111?ean=9781619231719#productInfoTabs
ITunes:
Goodreads
Link:
About Barbara Meyers:
Barista by
day, romance novelist by night: When not
writing fiction, Dr. Seuss-like poetry (for adults) or song lyrics, Barbara
Meyers disguises herself behind a green apron and works part-time for a
world-wide coffee company.
Her novels
are a mix of comedy, suspense and spice and often feature a displaced child.
Barbara is
still married to her first husband, has two fantastic children and one almost
perfect dog. Originally from Southwest
Missouri, (she blames her roots in the Show Me state for her somewhat skeptical
nature) she currently resides in Central Florida.
Website:
http://www.barbarameyers.com
Social Media Links:
Facebook Author Pages: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraMeyersAuthorPage
Samhain Author Page:
Amazon Author
Page: http://amazon.com/author/barbarameyers
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/barbmeyers1/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/barbmeyers
Twitter: @barbmeyers and @ajtillock
Twitter
URL: https://twitter.com/barbmeyers
Thanks for letting me share a little bit about why I love writing, Ruth. Beautiful site. You're the best!
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