Teaser and then Author Interview
Photographer Antonio De Soto’s life is out of focus. Everyone in his family thinks it’s time for him to settle down. He doesn’t want to be strong-armed into domesticity, even if he does feel the bachelor lifestyle is starting to wear thin. So when his friend invites him to do a pictorial on the community theater, Antonio’s prepared to do his thing and follow his normal womanizing M. O. Instead, he finds himself sparring with the resident artist, Lucy Marceloni. Lucy’s dime-store analysis of his love life—and him—leaves him angry and shaken, but it’s too close to the truth to dismiss. The quirky artist is not his type, but their passionate fights generate a deeper heat between them he can’t ignore…
Lucy wants a man who’s sensitive and intellectual, the exact opposite of Antonio De Soto. The moment she meets the handsome photographer she pegs him as arrogant and self-centered, but that doesn’t protect her from the sizzling chemistry between the two of them. Being drawn to the rogue’s charm and subtle seduction tactics is the last thing she wants. Working with him on the community theater fairytale production could prove to be more than she can handle...
Where were you born Rhonda?
I was
born in the Garden State. Newark, New
Jersey
What subject did you like best in school? English
When did you first start writing romance?
I was
in college.
Who is your favorite romance author? What about the author
hooked you?
I have
so many favorites! But Jo Leigh, Ally
Blake and Megan Hart are a few of my favorites.
The characters in their books are
memorable and I enjoy each author’s writing style.
Who is your favorite antagonist from one of your books?
Which book and why?
I would
have to say cousin Charisma from For the
Love of the Game. We briefly see her
in action in that novella but the nature of Morgan and Charisma’s combative relationship
is explored in MVP.
In your upcoming release of Shutter, who do envision playing the leads? Give a short bio for the hero and heroine.Hmm… Daniel Sunjata would make a great Antonio. I do not know who would play Lucy.
Susan---How about this slice of man-cake?
Antonio
is a landscape photographer. He is the
younger brother of Alejandro De Soto (who has his own book too, LOL) and is a
bit of nomad. Antonio wanders around the
world taking photographs but has no fixed home.
Lucy is
an artist who owns Accidental Wonderland, an eclectic artsy store. She is also a set designer for the local
community theater. She is an only child,
her parents are dead, but she keeps in touch with her grandmother all the time.
What one song to you associate with Shutter?
Rhonda -Good
question! Well, Mona Lisa, by Nat King
Cole is playing at the café where Antonio and Lucy run into each other.Susan-I'm jumping in here. That was a great set-up. There's a lot going on during the first scene in the cafe...from the sandwich Antonio is going to order, to the woman who intrigues him, music, and then your characters meet. You played the buildup just right.
When you’re not writing you are…
Rhonda- Taking
photos or daydreaming.
Susan-Well, apparently your downtime is feeding your soul or muse. Keep it up because you're on fire with your backlist and future releases.
Now for
Rhonda's shorts
Favorite Number: Odd or
Even? OddTouch: Leather or Silk? Leather
Ride: Hardtop or Convertible? Hardtop
Sweet: Sugar or honey? Sugar
Heat: Sauna or Jacuzzi? Jacuzzi
Hike: Mountain or Beach? Beach
Celestial: Sun or Moon? Moon
Pets: Dog or cat? Dog
Shoe: Flat or heel? Flat
Atmosphere: City or country? Country
Writing instrument: Pen or computer? Computer
Where do you reside (thoughts/musings):
Present, Past, or Future? FutureShoe: Flat or heel? Flat
Atmosphere: City or country? Country
Writing instrument: Pen or computer? Computer
Where do you reside (thoughts/musings):
Susan---Rhonda, I think you're as ecclectic as your heroine is and I'm so not surprised. No one could peg you into a predefined category. LOL! Okay, it's time to learn more about your new release.
SHUTTER Excerpt
After a
smooth cab ride to Felix’s apartment, Antonio let himself in with the key Felix
had given him and dropped off his things. He was hungry and Felix wouldn’t be
home until six. He strolled the main street, camera in hand, eyeing some of the
changes in the decor in the store windows since his last visit. Then he
stumbled upon the café Metro Eatery, went inside, and parked himself at the
counter.
The sound of Nat King Cole’s song
“Mona Lisa” oozing out of the sound system immediately put him at ease. He read
the menu, although he already knew he wanted. The roast beef on rye was a
favorite of his, but what was making his mouth water was a slender woman with
long, flowing red hair sitting at a table reading a fashion magazine. He
imagined her name was Simone or some other sexy name that started with an S.
Something seductive that made you want to say it over and over in throes of
passion. Simone smiled and dropped her gaze back down to the magazine. Ah, the
game begins.
Wasn’t this his problem? Meeting random
women and having brief affairs? Well, it was according to every woman in his
life. His mother constantly asked him when he was going to settle down. Yesenia
kept sending him e-books to read about fear of commitment, and Lauren just
sighed when he pooh-poohed her inspirational talks about finding his soul mate.
He wasn’t sure he bought into that, the idea that there was one person in the
world who was meant to be with him. It could have been his hound dogging that
had him jaded, but then the disproof of his theory would pop into his mind.
Alejandro was evidence that there was no curse of the De Soto men, just choices
that one continually makes until you find someone that fits into those ragged
grooves on the side of your body. A woman seated on the other side of the counter broke him out of his daydream. She seemed to be laughing to herself but looked in his direction. He turned his attention to her. She looked up from her paper and shook her head.
“Hi,” he said, smiling.
She didn’t answer.
Determined not to be ignored, he
leaned over and said it again. “Hi.”
She didn’t look up from her paper.
“I was wondering what you thought
was so funny,” he said, a little louder.
Once she put down the paper, he saw
a pair of glasses teetering on the edge of her nose. The first thing he noticed
was her face. It was round but not too round and she had a cleft in her chin.
Which made him think of something dirty he’d said one time to this woman he
dated who had a cleft in her chin. Though he thought this prim woman sitting
across from him with a scarf wrapped twice around her neck wouldn’t find his
limerick even remotely funny. She seemed no-nonsense, but her pretty brown eyes
were warm and inviting.
“I was just thinking, I haven’t seen
a mating ritual like that since watching the Animal Channel. It would be
simpler to just go over there and sniff her, and then maybe the hamburger I
just ate wouldn’t come back up from watching the two of you.” She smiled.
Antonio knew he shouldn’t say the
first thing that popped into his head. That she was jealous he wasn’t flirting
with her. The angelic red-haired aberration and the wisecracking scarf woman
were as different as night and day. Scarf woman had on overalls, for heaven’s
sakes! She was essentially covered from head to toe, looking more like a
vagabond than a grown woman whose age he couldn’t determine.
“It’s just human nature, I suppose.”
He glanced back at the woman sitting at the table. “We all have a mating dance.
Some are more obvious than others.”
“Some are more sickening than
others.” Scarf woman shook her head.
“Cynic.”
“Whore,” she shot back at him.
“Did you actually just call me a
whore? You don’t even know me.” He laughed, put his hand on his chest, and
feigned indignation.
“I don’t have to know you. What you
are is written all over your face.” She smirked.
Antonio knew he was headed down the
wrong road with this fireball. But what the hell. He had time to kill until
Felix came home.
He ordered quickly when the waitress
appeared, then turned his attention back to the scarf woman. “OK, tell me all
about myself,” he said with a devilish smile.
Scarf woman took a deep breath and
closed her eyes. “You are a narcissist, who is probably the baby of the family.
Always got what you wanted and is never in short supply of women. The camera is
your ruse to lure women into your tacky web of seduction. Little do they know
that they are just a prop for your entertainment. I bet you could bat those
pretty, light-brown eyes and get any woman to do as you please. And that is
thrilling to you. Knowing you can gain such immediate control over some
unsuspecting bimbo’s life so easily.”
Antonio said sweetly, “So you think
my eyes are pretty?”
“I rest my case.” She smiled and
slid off her stool. If she was trying to make a graceful exit, that went down
the toilet. Scarf woman had bags and a huge purse. When her feet firmly touched
the floor he could see she was much shorter than him.
“You have a good day,” he said, half
sorry to see her go. “And your name is?” He was sure Felix would have seen this
weird creature flitting around town.
“I was just born yesterday. Don’t
have a name yet,” she said as she walked out of the café.
Antonio laughed, thinking that women
like that would forever be angry with the Simones of the world. With her crazy
colorful overalls, that damn double-wrapped scarf, and the cluster of bags she
juggled, this woman obviously didn’t want anyone to see her. Still, he felt
compelled to pick up his camera and snap her picture as she turned right out
the door and walked past the window. And he had seemingly forgotten all about
his angelic aberration Simone sitting at the table. He’d been so enthralled
with his conversation with the scarf lady that he hadn’t even seen her leave.
Available on
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
All Romance
Available on
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
All Romance
Rhonda Laurel is a
contemporary romance writer whose two great loves are writing and landscape
photography. She uses both as a vehicle to convey the complexity of the human
spirit and the beauty of the world around her. Her writing career has spanned
two decades but has recently gained momentum in 2012 with her debut novella Ebb Tide. Contemporary,
multicultural/interracial romance is her ‘thing’ in the form of novellas and
novels, but the author also writes poetry, inspirational quotes, designs
greeting cards and the occasional essay. Ebb Tide, For the Love of the Game, Masquerade were released in 2012. Shutter will be released February 22,
2013. Star Crossed and Memories of You are scheduled for
2013. The author is happily building her backlist.
CATCH RHONDA HERE:
Out Now!
Ebb Tide
Masquerade/Halloween Heat Anthology VI
For the Love of the Game
Coming Soon! Shutter - Release date February 22, 2013
Memories of You - Tentative release date March 2013
Star Crossed - Release date 2013
Ebb Tide
Masquerade/Halloween Heat Anthology VI
For the Love of the Game
Coming Soon! Shutter - Release date February 22, 2013
Memories of You - Tentative release date March 2013
Star Crossed - Release date 2013
Great interview all round
ReplyDeleteThank you Shehanne!
DeleteCongrats Rhonda! Shutter sounds intriguing. Can't wait to read.
ReplyDeleteI am reading Shutter right now and I highly recommend it to my fellow readers. You are going to love it. It's one of those books that hooks you and you don't want real life to interrupt you from reading time. I'm loving Antonio and Lucy!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Shannon! So glad you like them. I enjoyed writing the two of them.
DeleteThank you Jianne!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Susan for having me your blog! You rock! Your PR skills are inspiring. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview and excerpt. I love the personalities!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anne!
Delete