Welcome Jannine Gallant and Chantel Day

This morning, the last Sunday in January, one week away from Packer Power, we are happy to welcome Jannine Gallant, author of TWO Class of '85 stories, Lonely Road to You and After All These Years. Both are different, yet the same for Jannine's intriguing voice which drew me in from the first page. 
Enough about me.  Let's meet . . . Chantel Day

Where are you from originally? I grew up in Summerville, New York, which is located on the shores of Lake Ontario. To be blunt, my father was richer than God, and I was spoiled rotten. I like to think I’ve changed for the better over the last 25 years, but I still find my present reduced circumstances trying at best. At worst, I’m torn between committing mayhem and crawling into a hole to hide.

What is After All These Years about? Did I mention my reduced circumstances? Picture me ripping my hair out! I went from Summerville to Manhattan, where my friend, Maris, and I created Beautiful Day Cosmetics. I had it all, wealth, power, and an unbelievable penthouse apartment. Maybe my personal life wasn’t exactly thriving, but love is overrated anyway. Then it all came crashing down around my ears when Beautiful Day was swallowed up in a hostile corporate takeover. I ended up broke and homeless, living in my father’s old hunting cabin in the middle of the Adirondacks. To add insult to injury, Flynn McKenna, the first boy I ever loved, the boy who broke my heart, is living a stone’s throw from my cabin. Could it get any worse!

What did you think the first time you saw Flynn? The first time I saw Flynn, we were probably both still in diapers. His grandparents lived next door, and we grew up seeing each other over holidays and summer break. We went from climbing trees and riding bikes together, to hand holding and innocent kisses, to what I thought was a deep, abiding love. Then we broke each other’s hearts.

What was your second thought? Once I recovered from the mind- numbing shock of seeing him again after all these years, I wanted to disappear. He looked incredible. No forty-three year old man has a right to look that fit and gorgeous, and have his life together. Especially when mine is falling apart.

Did you think it was love at first sight? Love, hmmm? Love is a dangerous word. It was definitely lust at first sight. All those memories came flooding back, the good and the bad. He hurt me once. Well, to be honest, it went both ways. I can’t stop the old feelings from resurfacing, but I’m trying to manage them. My life is a mess, and I don’t want to add a broken heart to my list of problems.

What do you like most about Flynn? What’s not to like? He’s kind and funny and sweet. He loves his daughter and worries about me, even though I’ve told him I’m doing just fine. Oh Lord, I sound like I have it bad. I may have to reconsider that love question.

How would you describe him? Flynn is, well, unforgettable. For twenty-five years, I tried to put him out of my mind and couldn’t. Every other man I met fell short in comparison.

How would he describe you? Complicated. Definitely complicated!

What made you choose dog treats as your new career? It just sort of happened. My dog, Ace, was chomping his way through the last of the homemade treats I’d been given, loving every morsel of them, when I had an epiphany. Why not make them myself and sell them online? What did I have to lose? With Ella’s help, we set up a website, experimented with flavors, and launched an advertising campaign. Have I mentioned Flynn’s daughter, Ella? She’s a terrific girl, smart and sweet. She makes me think I really missed out all these years putting career before family. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to get a second chance.

What is your biggest fear? It should be spending the rest of my days moldering away in Hilltop, but it isn’t. The place is growing on me. My biggest fear is that I’ll let myself fall deeply and completely in love with Flynn again and get my heart broken a second time.

How do you relax? Relaxing is hard. I’m type A from head to toe, but I do enjoy hiking in the woods around the cabin and taking a swim in the lake outside my front door.

What's your favorite fictional character and why? Hmmm. Scarlett O’Hara reminds me a little of me. She was spoiled and pampered, but in the face of adversity, found inner strength. I hope I have the same fortitude.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? My father once said, “If it comes too easily, it isn’t worth having.” Of course he was talking about business, but I think it may apply to love. If Flynn and I can find our way back to each other, we’ll have something truly incredible to show for it.

To Jannine Gallant, author: What books have had an impact on you? To answer that question I took a look at my bookshelf. What are the books I considered keepers? I found an interesting selection. The authors who have been on my shelf forever are Mary Stewart and Barbara Michaels. Next I moved into a historical period and kept books by LaVyrle Spencer and Lisa Gregory. Lastly I have novels by Kathleen Gilles Seidel, Barbara Delinsky, and Nora Roberts that have been read and reread. My writing reflects my taste in reading material. I’ve written historical romance, contemporary romance with a touch of mystery, and romantic suspense. I like to change it up, but I can’t stay away from the romance!

Where can we purchase After All These Years? Go to www.thewildrosepress.com.

And where can we learn more about Jannine and her other stories? You can go to: www.janninegallant.com; www.janninegallant.blogspot.com.

Thanks for spending time with me, Chantel. It was great to have you visit Wild Woman Kane's blog!

Meet Rachel Brimble . . . and Lisa Cavendish

On this bitterly cold Western New York Sunday morning, Wild Woman Kane's Blog welcomes from the UK Rachel Brimble, author of "Transatlantic Loving", one of the Class of '85 reunion attendees. And . . . to make the visit even more interesting, Rachel brought Lisa Cavendish with her!

First, a bit about Transatlantic Loving. . .

In a desperate bid to escape the bitter reality of her children accepting her ex-husband’s new – and younger – fiancée, Lisa Cavendish travels from the UK to accompany her friend to a high school reunion. Forced to dress as Madonna in her hey day, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with the school’s coach, who seems to hold as much regard for his child as her ex did when he walked out…

Aaron Taylor can’t believe his eyes or ears when he is introduced to Lisa – sexy and funny, she has no idea how her accent enhances the heartbreaking wait he endures waiting for his daughter to call him back to the UK. But after spending just three short weeks with Lisa, he sees the answer to his pain in the eyes of the most phenomenal British lady he has ever met…

Meet Lisa Cavendish . . .

Where are you from originally? I am from the wonderful country village of Castle Coombe in Southwest England. It is ancient in its beauty and history. People come from all over the world to visit Castle Coombe. You can find it on the web if you want a sneaky peek, here’s a link: http://sites.google.com/site/castlecombewiltshire/

What is Transatlantic Loving about? How I met the man who has become the love of my life. I was dragged thousands of miles around the world to my friend’s twenty-five year high school reunion in America. I must admit Summerville, New York is a beautiful place and where I met the man who has changed my life. The hunk of love’s name is Aaron Taylor, soccer coach and general all-round good guy.

What did you think the first time you saw Aaron? “Oh. My.God” in a vagina clenching kind of way.

What was your second thought? Well, a second later he spoke to me and the urge to lick his slightly turned in front tooth rushed through my blood. You’ll glad to know I managed to control myself but still, what is that about? Don’t answer that. I don’t know either.

Did you think it was love at first sight? I’m far too jaded to think love at first sight – lust, most certainly. But then again, I knew within two weeks of knowing Aaron, I was falling for him. Big time.

What do you like most about him? His passion – he’s passionate about everything. Me, his daughter, the kids at the school where he teaches, the right and wrong way to do things. You can’t help but get caught up by his enthusiasm – and goodness. He’s a good…and sexy bloke.

How would you describe Aaron? Mmm…tall, dark, handsome with emerald green eyes, glossy black hair and an athlete’s body. Kind, funny, caring…sexy, edible. Oh, lord, stop me now!

How would he describe you? Ha ha! A pain in the backside, I suspect! He says I’m sexy, he’s says I’m funny but the best thing he says is that I love my kids more than anything. It’s true but Aaron comes a close second, believe me.

What made you choose working in an insurance company as a career?

It wasn’t so much of a choice as a ‘needs must’ scenario. I stayed home full-time with my two daughters until the youngest reached went to secondary school and then my…ex-husband decided it wouldn’t hurt for me to get a job. So I went back to what I did before I became pregnant. Part-time. The kids come first.

What is your biggest fear? Losing my kids and Aaron lying to me

How do you relax? Now Aaron and I are back in the UK, we spend as much as time as possible with his young daughter, Merissa. We both adore her so much and Aaron is really building bridges with his ex-wife, which is fantastic. And when we’re alone? Well, let’s just say there are advantages to having teenagers who spend a lot of time away from the house…

What's your favorite fictional character and why? I’m sure a lot of women would say the same but for me, it has to be Scarlett O’Hara. She reminds me of myself in that she took her surroundings for granted, assumed her life would always be the same but when the worst happened, she turned things around, faced her problems and ultimately grew up!

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? When my best friend, Courtney told me I need to loosen up – I did, and I fell in love, let the bitterness toward my ex go and starting living for the moment. It’s a great life!

To the author: What movies or books have had an impact on you?

So many! I love When A Man Loves A Woman and Message in a Bottle – I think they are both the ultimate in romance and pursuing a relationship that will be tested and stretched. Great, great movies.

As for books? I read far too much to name just one or two but the writers that have had an massive impact on my own desire to write are Nora Roberts, Jodi Picoult, Jilly Cooper and Marian Keyes.

For more information on Rachel, go to: www.rachelbrimble.com; www.rachelbrimble.blogspot.com; and www.twitter.com/rachelbrimble.

For purchase information on this and Rachel’s other WRP stories, go to: www.thewildrosepress.com

Thank you so much Rachel, and Lisa, for spending time with us at Wild Woman Kane’s blogspot

Mal

Our first visitor--Veronica Lynch's hero Keenan Rossi

Welcome Keenan Rossi, one of two key players in Veronica Lynch's short, boomer romance, Those Who Wait, available now at www.DecadentPublishing.com.

Before we get to the good stuff [himself], let's take a short look at the story:

Those Who Wait:  A cop and a bleeding heart liberal. The two main ingredients for a fatal attraction souffle with about the same chances of success as a Popsicle lasting in Hades. Or does it? 

Always the first in line to tilt windmills, veteran sheriff's Investigator Keenan Rossiis determined to make his marriage to victim advocate Meghan Muldoon work. After all, he's waited a long time for someone like her to come into his life. But can he avoid old behaviors when the going gets rough?

And now . . . meet Keenan Rossi, a man worth waiting for . . .

Where were you the first time you saw Meghan Muldoon? It was at a monthly crime stats meeting, maybe a couple days before Christmas. No one was in the mood to talk homicides, rape and other physical assaults, domestic violence calls, or robberies. Most of the brass were off spreading their usual Yule cheer so they sent replacements. A few of us regulars figured the tall, stacked red-head was the new kid on the block at the DA's office, sent to the front lines to get her feet wet. The lounge lizards among the regulars went on the prowl—per usual when a hot woman is within striking distance. Each one returned to the table holding their gonads in their hands.

Then she introduces herself as Meg Muldoon, new Director of Crime Victim Services, and I about dropped my teeth. She looked nothing like the usual bleeding heart liberal we're used to in this part of Upstate New York. You know the type: shapeless dress, heavy wool socks with Birkenstocks, flowers in her hair, singing Kumbaya. No sir. This one was wearing a snazzy red blouse and black suit with a skirt that made her legs look about ten miles long.

She stayed real quiet during the meeting—winning major points in my book--but when she opened her mouth I gotta tell you every guy in the place sat up and took notice. She asked all the right questions and didn't take the usual cop BS for gospel.

What was your first thought? Once the buzzing stopped in my ears and I rolled my tongue back into my mouth, I thought, 'Here's the woman my mama warned me about'.

What happened then? It is not a smart move, entertaining ideas of hooking up with her—I mean, a cop and a victim advocate? I'd been around the block a time or three with relationships, divorced twice, widowed once, but I couldn't get her laugh out of my head. It made my teeth itch. I caught a rape call on New Year's Eve; Meg was the advocate who responded to the ER to work with the vic. That's where it started between us. What she said to the vic; how she helped her relax and respond to our questions—it made a big difference and we were able to clear a number of assaults in this end of the county.

What do you two do for fun and relaxation? I like to cook; she likes to watch. She loves to garden and planted an herb garden for me this year. I use what she grew in my recipes. I like watching television; she likes to read.

What is your favorite TV show? The Closer. I tape each show to watch in reruns if I miss the original airing. It's good at showing the drudgery of police work—and the endless litany of internal politics. Man, I hate internal politics. Just let me do my job and leave me the hell alone. Then there's Flynn and Provenza. Do you know how many of us on The Job would like to react like they do? Say the same things they say—and not get our butts in a sling?

Have your professional lives been impacted by your personal relationship? For me, it is the opposite. Meghan has taught me to look at all sides of an issue and not jump to the easiest, fastest solution. Women bring an interesting set of ideas and values to the victimization process so it's important for me to remember they don't react the same as men.

What was the best advice you ever received? My dad told me this the day I married for the first time. It didn't hit home till I met and later fell in love with Meg. “Whatever you give a woman, she's going to multiply. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So . . . if you give her crap, you will receive more shit than any human being can handle.”

Smart man, my dad.
Thanks, Kee
Anytime, Mal

Welcome aboard

Welcome to the first blog entry for Wild Woman Blogger.
We hope you'll stick around, maybe share a few words of wisdom.

Slainte
Mallory Kane