Susan Arden is a third generation Floridian. She left the field of education in 2008 pursing her dream of writing romance fiction. Currently, she writes hot love stories within the romance genres of contemporary erotic, western, and fantasy/paranormal. Susan also writes under the name of Susan D. Taylor.
Susan currently lives in TN along with husband, two cattle dogs, two crazy cats, a gecko and a corn snake. A mother, RYT200 Yoga Alliance (registered yoga teacher), and avid gardener. You can find her on the mat when she's not writing her next hot romance novel.
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CASTING CALL FOR A HERO
Let’s take it nice and slow!
I don’t know about other writers, but for me after the seed of a love story takes root, it’s time to find the characters. Sure I know approximately who the hero and heroine are in manuscript. But before the actual story begins, it comes time to dive in deep. Before I start writing the first scene, it’s imperative to learn as much as possible about the two people I’m about to put through the proverbial romance wringer.
In Tempted by Trouble a casting call was put out for one hot Texan. And then the fun began.
Oh brother this is what makes romance so much fun to write. For me, it’s all about the visual aspects which bring the hero alive.
And where to go? Aha. Pinterest for starters. The hunky cowboys will melt your screen. There’s so many to choose from, so a writer must be select. That’s when it’s time to slow down and enjoy the visual ride. Aside from drooling, there’s real work to be done.
For Matt, I knew he needed to be H-O-T. Tempted revolves around a highly sensual plot. Yet he had ranching problems which required a resolution. Part cowboy, and almost part superhero, in the form of an educated business man. He needed an arsenal of skills to draw from in this story and I gladly supplied.
The evolution of the story’s hero continued. Painting a background of being from Annona, Texas, a small town, he also comes from a huge family. What more men to investigate? Oh yes, I had to come up with a cast of characters so to speak. One of my favorite choices ended up being Stephen, his brother and Cory, his sister.
Aside from the jaw-dropping masculine features to fawn over, a writer layers each character with history and an eye to future.
And there was plenty to consider along the road trip on the Internet in search of the many sides of Matthew McLemore. As the plot developed, so did the issues, conflict, and problems. As a writer, I couldn’t leave my hero hanging, so developing his character according to plan required a multifaceted man. Riding a horse, fence mending, tissue sample collection, even deciding how much housekeeping he’d know how to do, knife throwing, favorite sexual position, his choice of drink…it all was tantamount. A whirlwind in character creation.
When it was said and done in Tempted by Trouble, Matt McLemore was born and lived. Physical attributes, personality, type of mental outlook, a business degree, dressed in a tux, riding a stallion, delivering a calf (thanks to Dr. Carolina Rodriguez), and sweet talking his way aboard a plane set for take-off. A layered character who bucked some of the plot points I’d planned.
Matt’s character all started with an idea. Sure. Yet, I couldn’t have done it without putting out a casting call, and then enjoying the process of letting the hero take form and tell his own part of the story.
When a woman is the magnet for the wrong man, it takes a bad boy to break old habits.
Carolina Rodriguez is a large animal veterinarian on a mission to escape South Florida and her overprotective family. Willing to do just about anything, she accepts a job in Annona, Texas over the Internet from a family connection.
At her cousin’s wedding, she runs into Matt, a handsome Texan in the church parking lot. Matthew McLemore is more than gorgeous, he’s Carolina’s new boss, and needs her help to determine why his cattle keep dying. Matt’s instantaneous attraction to Carolina sorely tempts him to push the boundaries of their work contract, but a roll in the hay may prove too volatile to handle. Until she arrives on his ranch and is too hot to resist.
Carolina refuses to admit Matt’s raw sexuality is more than overpowering or that she's the least bit tempted by this smooth-talking bad boy. But by the time the pathology lab reports comes back, they’ve explored every inch of each other. All of a sudden, this fiery affair is more than just a fling. And when a past flame threatens to overwhelm their new found romance, Matt must find a way to stake his claim to Carolina's heart before it's too late.
Warning: Contains a smoking mess of scorching love scenes. Ice may be needed for blazing imaginations.
Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
“I hope this won’t upset your plans?”
“Would it matter? I signed a service contract that included a non-disclosure agreement. Even if I had a problem, I couldn’t tell a soul and I’ve promised you two weeks of my time.”
He chuckled softly. “Yes, two weeks to do my bidding.”
She almost choked at the thought of doing his bidding. “What the heck have I gotten myself into with you, Mr. McLemore? Exactly what type of office do you run?”
His expression changed. Sharpened. “Strictly business. Look, Dr. Rodriguez, we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot.”
“Wrong foot … the whole body is a problem, sir,” she hissed.
He smiled broadly, reassuring her. “Let’s discuss this later. This isn’t the correct time or place. Don’t you have to help the bride or something?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, I do. I don’t know what you think you’ve contracted, but I’ll only supply you with vet services. As long as you understand that fact, there’s nothing more to discuss.”
“Well, there is. In the service agreement, there’s a provision that we need to discuss before you’re allowed access to the ranch barn and stable sites. So, either we can do it later or when you arrive in Texas. But until you and I have a little sit-down and get a few things ironed out, there won’t be any work for you to do directly. I’ve got a ranch to run, and I don’t have time to play games. I’ve already spent enough time finding a vet.” His eyes glittered and dropped to her mouth. “If you think I’m about to waste more time because you’ve got second thoughts, Dr. Rodriguez, the next communication you’ll have from Evermore Ranch will be from my attorneys. Had I known who you were before, believe me, I wouldn’t have … I’d never let the situation get away from me.”
Oh, this was rich. “Away from you. I’d say it got out of control. But that’s on your side of the table. Fine. I’ll honor my service contract.
You’re right about one thing. The only thing of interest to me is treating your cattle. Once the job is done, I’ll be only too happy to leave you in peace and we can go our separate ways.”
Up close, his eyes shone sherry-colored. A muscle flexed along his jaw. His masculine scent of leather, smoke, and wood filled her head. The hard set of his mouth didn’t resemble the man from before. He’d done just as he’d promised, shutting one door, and leaving in place a man who didn’t look as if he enjoyed playing games. No this version of Matt McLemore had a locking gaze and if looks could kill, she was a goner.
“I’m glad we understand one another then, Dr. Rodriguez. I expect to meet with you tomorrow at your convenience. Our relationship will be strictly business, if that’s what got you in such a dither.”
TEMPTED BY TROUBLE
Blog Tour Schedule
4/29 - Reading Between The Wines
5/01 - Riverina Romantics
5/02 - My Reading Obsession
5/04 - Urban Girl Reader
5/05 - The Reading Café
5/06 - Book Monster Reviews
5/07 - Book Lovin' Mamas
5/09 - Ramblings From This Chick
5/10 - Books-n-Kisses
5/11 - Romance Junkies
5/12 - Manga Maniac Café
5/12 - Romancing The Book
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Thank you for letting me guest post today. Casting for a hero is always a huge event, and it was equally fun when the hero was a rancher. A big hug for the Tempted by Trouble feature.
ReplyDeleteYou book sounds like a good read.. I will put it on my tbr list.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this book after seeing this post! Who doesn't love a bad boy? :) Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting description of the casting call and the character layers. Thanks for the post and the insight. lisagk(at)yahoo
ReplyDelete