September Roberts's Blog, page 7

Sweet Chemistry Excerpt

Kate was twelve again, hidden in the wind-swept tree in her back yard, watching the boys play baseball in the field behind her house. Not all of the boys. Just one. If only she hadn’t been a scrawny kid, perhaps she would have the courage to talk to him.

What was her excuse now? This was southern California, ten years later. Her heart raced as she watched him.

Mister Pretty Lips.

He sat at the other end of the bar, sipping his drink. Kate watched, trying not to be obvious and nearly choked on her water when she realized he was looking at her. He smiled, pulling his pretty lips away to reveal a perfect smile. He didn’t hold her gaze for long, tilting his eyes back to the glass in front of him after a moment.

Kate swallowed and took a deep breath. Her hands shook. His eyes met hers again and this time, she smiled. She tucked her hair behind one ear and blushed.

“Are you going to dance with me or what?” Meg asked as she bounded up.

“Yep, I’m almost done with my drink.” Kate gave Mister Pretty Lips one last smile, and then slipped onto the dance floor with her friend.

An hour passed and he was still in the same spot. Every time she looked, she found his eyes on her. Heat radiated through her.

“I’m getting a drink!” She motioned at the bar and left her friend as she turned to fight her way through the crowd.

Her shoulders fell as she walked toward the end of the bar. His seat was empty. The sleek material that covered the stool was cool to her fingertips. He left before she got a chance to talk to him. Just like last week.

She spun on her heel to return to the dance floor and collided with something. Her hands were pressed against a smooth plane of taut blue material and her foot was pinned to the ground.

“I’m so…” Kate looked up into the face of Mister Pretty Lips. He was taller than she expected. His hazel-brown eyes made her body melt. “…sorry.” Her foot started to throb, so she wiggled her toes.

He jumped away from her. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to step on your foot.” His jaw tightened and he shook his head. “Can I…”

“I was just…” Their words overlapped and Kate laughed. “What were you going to say?”

“Can I buy you a drink?” His voice was smooth and deep.

Kate grinned. “I’d love one.”

He motioned to the seat next to his and flagged down the bartender. “What are you drinking?”

“Lemon Drop.” Kate smiled as she slid onto the stool.

“Lemon Drop and gin and tonic please.”

While he was turned toward the bartender, Kate memorized every plane of his face and each hair on his head. His short hair was the color of raw chocolate and nearly the same length as his perfectly groomed, stubbly beard. His lips were fuller and more luscious than she noticed before.

She realized too late he was talking to her. She couldn’t take her eyes off his mouth and had no idea what he was saying.

“Sorry, what did you say?”

He lifted her glass. “Here’s your drink.”

“Thank you…”

“James.” He held his hand out.

Warmth spread through her body when they made contact. “Kate.”

“Nice to meet you Kate.”

“I’ve seen you here the last few weekends.”

James smiled. The words stalker and creeper popped into her mind.

“My friend and I come every Saturday night. I like the DJ, he plays really good stuff.” As if on cue, Kate’s favorite song started. The pulsing beat burrowed into her chest, forcing her body to move. “I love this song, do you want to come dance with us?”

“Sure, why not?” James tossed the rest of his drink back, grimacing as he swallowed.

Kate followed suit, finished her Lemon Drop in two long swallows, and slid off her bar stool. “Follow me.” She could feel him walking behind her and grinned at Meg when they got to the dance floor.

The music blurred into a never ending loop of driving beats and pulsing electronica, moving them closer, but never quite touching until, by accident, Kate bumped into James. When she mouthed, “Sorry,” he smiled and shrugged. While they were still touching, Kate started dancing again, and this time, James danced with her. Their hands moved independently, but their legs rubbed together. They didn’t talk. They just danced.

At one point, Meg disappeared, and when she came back, she was clutching her stomach. Kate broke away from James reluctantly and put her face next to Meg’s so she could be heard over the blaring music.

“Kate? We need to go. I don’t feel so hot.”

Kate nodded to her friend and turned to James. She stood on her tippy toes, steadied herself with a hand on his shoulder, and touched her mouth to his ear. His heavy stubble rubbed against her cheek and she inhaled. Her heart skipped a beat as his masculine scent assaulted her. “I need to go. Thank you again for the drink and dancing.”

“Maybe I’ll see you around.” His lips brushed against her ear, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine.

She gave him one last smile as she escorted her friend outside.

“I’m sorry Kate, I don’t mean to rain on your parade.” Meg gagged. “Are you okay to drive?”

“Yeah.” Her forehead creased as she rubbed Meg’s back.

Meg took a deep breath. “Who was that guy?”

“I’ll tell you all about it on the way home.”

Sweet Chemistry Cover

Here it is! I hope you love it!

When Kate meets James, neither can deny the sweet chemistry between them. Despite university policy keeping them apart, they pursue their passionate relationship, meeting in secret. Can they keep the best thing they’ve ever had or will they lose it all?

Orchids for Lila Review by Rebecca

from amazon.com

by Rebecca

September 30, 2013

It’s getting hot in here…

Orchids for Lila was a fun read. The characters are easy to relate to, and the chemistry between the two main characters doesn’t disappoint. Eagerly awaiting the new book from this promising new writer!

Sweet Chemistry Blurb

After weeks of watching from a distance, Kate Rhodes meets James, igniting a desire neither of them has previously experienced. Kate, a senior at Bowman State University, is horrified the following Monday when she discovers James is her biochemistry professor.

James Baker has worked for nine years for his PhD, and has sacrificed a lot to get his position at the university. Just when he thinks he’s found the woman of his dreams, his hopes are crushed when he realizes not only is she one of his students, but she is apparently already in a relationship; neither is enough to quell his desire to be with her.

Despite the issues keeping them apart, Kate and James cannot stay away from each other. Drawn together by fate and bound by passion, they are constantly reminded of the heavy price they will pay if their relationship is discovered.

James struggles to hold on to the life he’s worked so hard for while Kate builds her future using her knowledge of food chemistry to open a bakery. Sweet Chemistry is a story filled with forbidden love and its sweet rewards, but can they find a way to be together without losing everything?

My second book is coming soon!

It’s official! I’ve just been offered a contract for my second book, Sweet Chemistry, through Liquid Silver Books. It’s the best news and now I’ve got a ridiculous smile plastered on my face. I’ll post more when I can…

My very first interview as a published author!

I was blown away when Breezy, of B’s Beauty & Books asked to interview me (read the whole thing here)! Here’s what went down (Breezy is in bold):

First I would like to thank you for being so wonderful about doing this interview September.

Thank you so much for interviewing me Breezy!

I’m super excited to be interviewing you & I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to have this opportunity!

I’m honored. And I can’t tell you how flattered I am. Seriously, I’m all smiles over here.

What inspired you to become an author?

I have been writing fan fiction for a few years now (long story about how all that started!), and after getting lots of great feedback from my readers, I decided to branch out and write my own story. It was their love and encouragement that gave me the confidence to go for it. Good reviews=inspiration!

I hear that you are a Botanist.  But why choose orchids?

Yes, I’m a botanist. The rumors are true! I think orchids are the most sensual flowers. I mean come on, one of their anatomical features is the sexual column. They are beautiful and take a lot of work to maintain, just like healthy relationship.

When you wrote Orchids for Lila why did you choose a paranormal story to tell?

I guess this is the part where I admit I have a huge crush on vampires. As long as I’ve been reading for pleasure, I have read vampire stories. Vampires and sex just kind of go hand in hand.

What is the one thing you learned from writing, editing, and publishing your first novel?

One thing? Try two hundred things! I guess the most surprising thing is how long it all takes. Every step is excruciatingly slow…well at least for me. I’m impatient. And the most practical lesson I took away from it all: conflict is incredibly important for a story. I have been practicing writing conflict, I promise!

What authors do you enjoy reading & why?

I absolutely love Neil Gaiman and Jeffrey Eugenides. Definitely two of my favorites. They are smart and wonderful storytellers. I am in awe of both of them.

Do you have a “passion project” you are working on?

Writing is my passion, although I think of it more as an obsession. Nothing has gripped me quite like writing has. The stories rolling around my head keep me awake at night and write themselves when I least expect it, so I always have to be near my laptop, just in case.

Lila is very unique in how she looks and how she carries herself, was there a person who inspired you to write her?

I always put a little of myself into every character, and Lila is no exception.

What’s next for you?  Is Orchids for Lila a standalone novel or are you planning on writing a sequel to their love story?

I originally had a sequel outlined, but at my publisher’s suggestion, I turned it into the epilogue. I am working on a spin-off story featuring Ben and Michele, as well as a handful of contemporary romances. I just submitted my second novel (a contemporary romance titled Give Me Some Sugar) to Liquid Silver Books and hope to hear good things!

Vampire stories tend to go from beautiful romance to dark and dangerous fast.  You kept it beautiful even when it got dark. I love that Jack and Lila share so much intimacy and passion for each other, how do you write love scenes that show that without going too dark with them?

Love is all about trust and mutual respect, which applies to my vampire world too. I know many people expect angst with paranormal, which didn’t help when I tried to find a home for Orchids for Lila. I described it to my publisher as a sweet romance where the hero just happens to be a vampire. I realize now there aren’t many books out there like it: light paranormal. When I think of vampires (and other paranormal characters), I can see their humanity, which is always at the core of how I write them. Can the genre focus on brutality and darkness? Of course. But does it have to?

As you may or may not know I am an Estee, so it goes without saying that I have to know what is your must have beauty product of the moment?

I am what you would call a low-maintenance-kind-of-girl. The extent of my beauty products is lipstick. I always feel a little more beautiful when I wear lipstick.

Funny side note is that when I first picked up your novel I was instantly drawn to the cover art and the title.

I worked with the most amazing (and patient) cover artist, Nora. She must’ve gone through a dozen different versions before I gave it my stamp of approval. I knew exactly what I wanted it to look like, and Nora delivered.



My favorite flower is orchids and I just loved that you incorporated them into this amazing story! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!

Thank you for taking the time to interview me. It’s been a pleasure!

September Roberts you made my day!  Hump Day with an author is the best way to spend it!





Thank you for reading everyone and as soon as her next book comes out I will see if we can do this again!



~B~

Be sure to visit Breezy’s blog for more great reviews, beauty tips, and did I mention the Hunk of the Week? Yeah, there’s that too.

The latest

I finished my second book in November, and after lots of rewriting and editing, feel it’s ready for a submission to Liquid Silver Books. I hope to hear good things from them!

I am in the process of writing a short story and I have also started the follow-up for Orchids for Lila, featuring Ben and Michele. I am so grateful to my friends who offer me advice and share their knowledge so my stories are more realistic. Writing is always better with company.

Orchids for Lila Review #11

From barnesandnoble.com

by ILoveVikings on 15 February 2013

A must read!!!

If you are looking for an erotic read filled with steamy sex with a Vampire, well look no further! I very much enjoyed this book from start to finish, and I actually read this in a day and a half! I just didn’t want to put it down! The chemistry between Jack and Lila was off the charts! Even from their first meeting you could practically feel the energy these two put off..YUM! Lila was such an enjoyable heroine. She is intelligent, feisty and definitely not your typical “shrinking wallflower” that you usually see in Paranormal Romance. Now Jack.. (Oh hello Jack..) He has such a strong, dominate, commanding presence when he walks in a room and is just sexy as sin! You wouldn’t think he would be such a romantic at heart when it came to Lila, but Jack was not afraid to show her just how much she means to him (Where can I find my own Jack!) This is an extremely erotic read with some very intense sex scenes and not alot of angst (YAY!). To me this felt like a regular couple falling in love and exploring their sexuality and kink with one another. Very refreshing if you ask me! I hope their are plans for a sequel because I would love to read more about Jacks world and The Vampire hierarchy. Plus I just want more of Jack and Lila! This is a fantastic read and one that I will defiantly read over and over again!!

Orchids for Lila Review #10

From Goodreads.com

by Breezy *Lover of all things Alpha Male* on 10 March 2013

I didn’t know what to expect coming into this novel, but I didn’t leave disappointed at all. September Roberts (whose name I adore!) gave me a very romantic and sexual relationship between a sexy vampire and a quirky co-ed. I was a little worried about reading this through due to the heroine’s age, but it turns out, it wasn’t a huge distraction. In fact it worked given how little she knew of the world and how naive she was. It gives a perfect backdrop for a vampire to be able to teach and mold.

Jack Hall (our sexy vampire) is completely charming. He is kind and gentle and patient and completely romantic. He makes Lila feel safe and yet when she needs him to be dominant with her he is. I really really like him. Lila is fun and sweet and the relationship she has with her father is one that every little girl wishes she has. Her dad is a complete trip! Bob, Lila’s father, is the kind of man that you want your future husband to be. And I think Lila finds at least a majority of that in Jack.

There are a few hiccups for me in the book. I really didn’t understand Lila’s relationship with Jan. And she sorta breaks the new boyfriend/friends & family rule. You know the one where you aren’t supposed to forget you have a life of your own. But other than that, I enjoyed this book immensely.

I definitely recommend this book. Keep in mind it is very mellow and not as intense as other Vampire/mortal love stories out there, but I think that is why I enjoyed it so much.

Orchids for Lila Review #9

from Goodreads.com

by Nicci~Hell Raisin Sugar~  on 4 March 2013

 

This was an easy, enjoyable read. The hero is a vampire, but the author doesn’t spend chapters on world building and vampire lore. Jack’s relationship with Lila is “taboo” in the vampire world, but there is very minimal angst, little talk of “rules” and no vampire council to hide from.

Jack has a brilliant mind. He’s not emotionally stunted or damaged. He makes it clear that he is capable of taking care of Lila but he doesn’t try to control her or manage her life. He’s more than willing to share her time and attention with her father and her best friend. He treats Lila like a lady but he’s also the perfect mix of bedroom bossy.

Lila is a wonderful heroine. She’s smart, she doesn’t jump to conclusions, she’s tolerant, and she takes fabulous care of her aging father. I loved her Dad. It’s refreshing for a father to be depicted in a positive light.

There is plenty-o-sex in this one, y’all. One of Jack’s vampire abilities is the never-ending hard on. He was ready pretty much all the time and he is seriously skilled in the sack. The scenes are descriptive without being clinical and passionate without being cheesy. The sex club scene was hella hot, but so was the museum scene….and the botanical gardens scene….and the snow angel scene…. Told you the sex was plentiful….

This book read very much like a boy-meets girl and falls in love with the exception of the fact that the boy is a vampire. It made for a drama-free book, but it made for a DRAMA-FREE book. While it was a pleasant change from the angst-fests I have read as of late, I needed a little something else….

Hoping to see Ben’s story next! I’m angling for a hook-up with Jan.