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Mar
6 2013 | ||
Less than a week to go now!
Want to meet Joe Harris?
Joe is a blonder, but I found myself inspired by Garrett Hudlund as I wrote him….
This is a scene from the first time Beth sees Joe after many years. He’s back in Petal to help his dad out, who’s having health problems….
Petal, Ga: LOST IN YOU by LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2013, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, Samhain Publishing
Releasing in digital formats March 12, trade paper September 3
A low-throated growl of a motor sounded before she caught sight of the motorcycle that pulled up at the curb out front.
William raised his hand to wave, smiling.
“Who is that?”
“Joe Harris,” William called back over his shoulder.
Holy sweet baby Jesus.
Beth stood still, unable to move or tear her gaze away from Joe as he swung his leg over the bike to stand. And that was before he took his helmet off and all that golden hair spilled out. Her parts came to life as she swallowed hard, taking in the bulging biceps, straining against the soft-looking blue T-shirt. Tattoos made her wonder if he had any hidden out of sight. Powerful thighs filled out faded and worn jeans. His boots were more work boots than cowboy boots, but they worked too.
Worked, much like the sunglasses hiding eyes she remembered were green. He looked dangerous. And hot. More hot than scary. Definitely hot.
He was the exciting older bad boy her brother used to run around with. In other words, total teenage-girl fantasy fodder.
“Hey, Joe Harris, what brings you here today?” William approached his friend and Beth had to rush to catch up.
She was glad she did because Joe smiled at William, showing perfect white teeth.
“Needed to get out for a ride. Thought I’d stop by when I came back through town to say hey.”
He looked to Beth and she licked her lips nervously. And that was before he slid his sunglasses down, exposing those intense eyes as he took her in.
“Welcome back to Petal, Joe.” She managed to talk to him like she’d talk to anyone else. Mainly because she was trying to pretend she wasn’t imagining him naked and bringing her cake.
Ha. She was totally imagining him naked bringing her cake.
“Beth?” She didn’t miss the way his gaze lingered on her breasts where her shirt clung. It wasn’t white so she missed giving off the wet T-shirt thing. And good, ’cause kids and all, and because she didn’t do wet T-shirt contests. But she was glad he found them nice enough to look at a while.
“Yep.”
He got that look. The one guys got when they liked what they saw. Then his gaze darted to William, and the look changed to oh yeah, that’s my friend’s little sister. Damn. She was clearly going to have to knock him out of that box.
“Nice to see you. Last time I did you were still in high school, I think.”
She was sure he never even noticed her as a person back then. “Probably.”
He really looked good. Like, really, really.
But before she could get warmed up enough to flirt, he turned his attention back to her brother and she hid her frown.
“Come on in. I’m planning on some time on the porch. Gotta keep an eye on all these sprouts.” William had pretty much forgotten about her now that his friend had arrived. Boys.
I figured it might be fun to do some contests so – I’m going to be giving away books every day until release next Tuesday. Today I’m giving away a copy of ONCE AND AGAIN, the first book in the Petal, GA series and the one that comes right before LOST IN YOU. I’ll choose a winner from the comments to this post tomorrow, March 7.
Do you all like to see pictures of people, places, etc the author of the book found inspiring?
March 6th, 2013 at 9:39 am · Link
Beautiful Pic…Can’t wait. Just finished Lush – Loved It! 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛
March 6th, 2013 at 9:46 am · Link
No, I actually prefer to use my own imagination rather than be influenced by someone else’s vision. For the same reason, I won’t see films of books I’ve read
March 6th, 2013 at 9:48 am · Link
I love seeing the inspiration behind characters, places etc…I find it quite fascinating! Love your inspiration for Joe he’s who i’ll picture while reading if my mind doesn’t another image. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Lost In You!
March 6th, 2013 at 10:29 am · Link
Yes, I love to see what the author comes up with to make the story real.
March 6th, 2013 at 1:11 pm · Link
Oh my god. I was so excited to learn there was going to be more to the petal series seeming that the Chase brothers started my “addiction” to romance novels. And its great to see the rest of the gets a story as well. I sooooooo can not wait to read it.
March 6th, 2013 at 1:31 pm · Link
I like to see what gives the writer her vision, but then I sometimes will superimpose with my own visons.
March 6th, 2013 at 1:32 pm · Link
Oh my he is fine :).
March 6th, 2013 at 1:34 pm · Link
I love seeing the way an author pictures a character, even if it differs from how I picture them in my head. Sometimes they match up for me, and sometimes they don’t. Either way, its fun and gives the character a bit more depth and reality in my head. I’m so looking forward to this book. Probably because Petal reminds me of my hometown. 🙂
March 6th, 2013 at 1:37 pm · Link
Love it! Can’t wait, frankly… how many days until next Tuesday?
March 6th, 2013 at 1:40 pm · Link
OMG OMG I really want to read this book now:)
March 6th, 2013 at 2:24 pm · Link
Definitely love to see who, what and where inspired an author. Really like a playlist, too. It adds so much to the book! 😎
March 6th, 2013 at 2:57 pm · Link
I do love seeing your inspirations. Even more I enjoy the music you post that you were listening to while writing it. Love your music choices! 😉
March 6th, 2013 at 3:29 pm · Link
I can’t wait to read this! I love good “bad boys”!
March 6th, 2013 at 3:36 pm · Link
Sometimes it’s nice to see pics, but only after I read the book. The pics I have in my head are almost always different from the author
March 6th, 2013 at 3:40 pm · Link
Can’t wait to revisit Petal!! I love it when authors share their inspiration for their books…if I see something that I relate to a book I LOVE I will share with the author on their page(s) and/or blogs they are associated with and I like to see other people’s views… Thanks for the chance to enter!! 🙂
March 6th, 2013 at 4:05 pm · Link
I love seeing the photos and other things that inspire the different characters.
March 6th, 2013 at 4:54 pm · Link
I like seeing pictures of what inspires the author, but I also use my own imagination too. I can’t wait for more of your books. 😀
March 6th, 2013 at 8:07 pm · Link
It’s always interesting especially seeing characters and how they look compared to what I have imagined.
March 6th, 2013 at 8:52 pm · Link
I’m terrible at picturing things so I love seeing what the other was thinking when the describe a character or place.
March 6th, 2013 at 11:09 pm · Link
Yes good to a nice image in my rad, not bad to to look at either, Ty for giveaways, whoo
March 8th, 2013 at 8:41 am · Link
I like to see who the author is seeing but I eventually picture my own person once I am reading the book. My mind does it on its own.LOL I do Like this version of Joe. He is delicious, Thank you! Can’t wait, I have it preordered on my Nook !