Leesa Bow's Blog, page 3
October 7, 2014
Relationship Ideas
Today I talk about ways to spice up your love life on eHarmony Australia
Author of ‘Charming the Outback’ and wife to a former football star, Leesa Bow knows how easy it can be to let work interfere with your love life. Whether you’ve just started dating someone or are in a long-term relationship, Leesa’s tips can help bring passion and excitement back into your relationship.
My husband played football for over a decade, which is how I learned to turn our limited time together into special, quality moments. Here are the top five tactics I developed for turning normally-mundane activities with my partner into an opportunity for romance.
Set the mood
Home-cooked dinners are the perfect opportunity to dial up the romance with your partner. If it’s your turn to cook, set the mood by dimming the lights and adding candles to the table setting. Make sure mobile phones are silenced so you can talk to each other without interruptions. Playing music softly in the background is also a great way to evoke a calm and romantic mood. Stretch out the meal by serving an entrée and dessert!
Dine out at quiet places
If you are going out on a date, the last thing you want is to be in a loud, busy environment and not be able to hear each other talk. Find a quiet restaurant so you can enjoy each other’s company, or for something different grab a take-away meal and go on a picnic.
Be affectionate
Affection is an important aspect of a relationship. Touch his hand when you two are talking, or brush her shoulder when you walk past. If you’re at a comfortable stage, hug and kiss your partner regularly. Research shows that touch and cuddling can help alleviate anxiety and stress, as well as build trust between one another.
Watch a movie together
Sitting in the dark and holding hands during a movie can be an intimate experience, be it at home or at the cinema. Tip: have a big bowl of fresh popcorn to enjoy during your movie date.
Text
While apart during the day, a text is an easy and thoughtful way to let your partner know you’re thinking about him, and a gentle reminder of how much he mean to you.
No matter how long you’ve been together, it’s important to remind your partner how much you appreciate him or her. By occasionally adding the extra effort with simple thoughtful gestures, your relationship will only grow stronger.
October 1, 2014
September 22, 2014
RWA Author Spotlight
Check out my interview and a chance to win Charming theOutback on the RWA Blog Author Spotlight.
Author Spotlight and Give away: New Adult novelist, Leesa Bow…
Welcome to the Author Spotlight, Leesa and congratulations on the release of ‘Charming the Outback ’! Could you give us the blurb, please?
When jaded city girl Maddy McIntyre packs up and leaves Adelaide for a new job in the country, it’s not only a chance at a fresh start. Six months ago, the first guy she’d ever loved shattered her heart before moving home to Broken Hill. Deep down inside, Maddy is hoping that living in the same town will give her an opportunity to prove to Luke that she’s one temptation he can’t resist.
But when she arrives in Broken Hill, Luke White is not the same guy she knew in the city. And it soon seems very clear that he doesn’t want her there. Although Maddy settles in quickly, excelling at work and partying with her new friends, she can’t understand why Luke is remaining so distant. Particularly when all her instincts are telling her that they’re meant to be together – and that he feels the same burning attraction.
As Maddy learns more about Luke’s family and background, she begins to understand that his mixed messages are caused by balancing what’s expected of him with what he really wants. Maddy gave Luke her heart long ago and, despite their differences, she knows she’ll only ever be happy with her hot country boy. But how can she convince him that she’s the risk he needs to take?
Your novels feature sports quite heavily. What is it about all those toned and buff bodies that make for great romance?
I enjoy describing an athlete’s body with abs you can grate cheese on, broad shoulders, a tight rear, and incorporating their personality (often arrogant) into the emotion of New Adult romance.
I believe fans of our sporting heroes are curious to what happens behind the scenes of the playing arena. Sport has been a major part of my life so in my stories I touch on many issues, some controversial, and take the reader on a different journey to other romance stories.
What’s your favourite sport?
After watching my husband play Australian Rules football for Glenelg in the SANFL for many years, I developed a love for football. I also have to include basketball, as my four daughters played the game and I enjoyed watching them compete in national tournaments, representing South Australia.
You grew up in Broken Hill. What was that like? Are there things you miss about a country area as compared to the city?
Growing up in the country was a wonderful experience. There is a strong sense of community and as a child I felt safe. I miss the unobstructed views of sunrise and sunset with orange and pink splashed across the skies. And the stars shine brightly at night.
However I love the selection of cafes, fine restaurants, and the beach in Adelaide. Then there is also the variety sport and entertainment you find in the city and not in the country. Broken Hill is only a five-hour drive from Adelaide, so it is not far to travel when I need to escape and go ‘home’.
Can you tell us about the New Adult genre?
New Adult books are often about monumental firsts. There is a unique tone and often the stories are filled with emotion, as the characters in New Adult tend to fall in the age bracket between 18 and 25 years. We all know this can be a sensitive time with many changes happening in the individual’s life, and so the struggle of becoming an adult is generally central to the story. Most of us have fond memories of leaving school and attending university, or finding employment. It is a time when we spread our wings and embrace independence. It is also an emotional time experiencing highs and lows on leaving the family home, splurging on holidays and or travelling the world, and finding new friends while losing others.
But it is the finding love, sometimes our first love—and losing it just as quick—that is a focus for me. So my stories are about the characters finding their way as they enter adulthood, adding the emotion and adventure of romance. And during this journey they discover who they are and what really matters to them, and fighting for it. Something we can all relate to regardless of our age. Although I write contemporary new adult with a sport theme, other sub genres are becoming just as popular like fantasy or sci-fi, paranormal, and suspense.
New Adult is storming the bookshelves in the states and I hope Australia takes it lead, and gives New Adult the support it deserves.
What is the target market for New Adult? Who is reading it?
Readers 17+ ages can relate to New Adult stories. I for one look back at those years with happiness, in a nostalgic way, and yet I also remember the regrets. Younger readers may relate to the story while experiencing similar firsts, happy times and disappointments.
What would we find on your bookshelf or e-reader?
In my bookshelf I have a variety of books including Australian authors. Favourites are Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, and yet I also enjoyed Twilight, and Fifty Shades of Grey. There are also many Nora Robert’s books.
I take my kindle everywhere as though it another appendage. The books on my kindle are mainly New Adult, with Jennifer Armentrout’s, and Lexi Ryan’s books featuring heavily. I also endeavour to buy many Australian authors’ books, especially those published by Destiny.
My favourite NA books:
Stay With Me by Jennifer Armentrout
Easy by Tammara Webber
Adam’s List by Jennifer Ann
Another New Life by Sydney Aaliyah
Goodbye to You by AJ Mathews
Tyler by Jo Raven
Walk With Me by Kaitlyn Stone
You have four daughters, does that help you to be in touch with what New Adult characters would be doing/thinking/feeling?
Absolutely. Many authors are given the advice to ‘write what you know’. I am living the emotional highs and lows of New Adult characters in my home. Whether it ‘first time’ experiences or conversations about alcohol and drug abuse in society, which is common among this age group, I believe I am in touch with New Adult themes.
Can you tell us a bit about your current work in progress?
Currently I am writing the third book in the series, another football romance involving a ruckman. Both characters are new, although my main characters in Winning the Player will receive cameos.
What does the future hold for Leesa Bow?
At the moment I am a full time author. I am enjoying my writing journey and hope for three or four more books to be published over the next year.
2015 will be a big year in my personal life, and I hope it to be just as big in my writing world.
Could you give us a sneaky peek at one of your favourite parts of ‘Charming the Outback’, please?
Luke sat straight backed on the bed, his gaze devouring my body. As much as I liked watching his face adore me, I also wanted to perve. ‘Your turn,’ I whispered.
Luke shook his head and stood. My gaze shot straight to the bulge in his shorts. Whoa. He turned away and opened the cupboard door.
‘What are you doing?’
He moved coat hangers apart, searching for God knows what. ‘I’m picking out a dress for you to wear. We’re going out for dinner.’
I sprang to the edge of the bed. ‘You’re kidding, right?’
Luke looked at me from over his shoulder, hands still on clothes hanging in my cupboard. ‘No, I’m not. You asked me to kiss you like I meant it, and I did. Now we’re getting out of the house before I lose my bloody mind.’
Here’s the link to the first chapter on the Destiny website:
http://www.destinyromance.com/products/9781760140434/charming-outback/19286873/extract
September 16, 2014
Broken Hill and the Dry Hot Summers
Read about me growing up in Broken Hill
Happy release day Sasha Cottman
Today Sasha’s second book, An Unsuitable Match, published by Destiny Romance, came live.
Here’s the blurb:
The Favourite Heiress…
Once engaged to the future Duke of Strathmore, the beautiful Lady Clarice Langham now finds herself in the humiliating position of celebrating his marriage – to another woman. As a result of the scandal, it seems her reign as London’s most eligible debutante has come to an end. But things begin to look up when handsome and charming rake David Radley makes it clear that, at least as far as he’s concerned, she’s still the catch of the season.
The Illegitimate Son…
The eldest son of the Duke of Strathmore, David Radley has been raised alongside his father’s legitimate children. But while he is generally received as part of the family, not everyone thinks he should be, and especially not Clarice’s father, the Earl of Langham, who forbids her from having anything to do with him.
An Unsuitable Match…
David’s been in love with Clarice for years, and it isn’t long before the attraction between them develops into something deeper. Yet he senses Clarice is hiding something and until she reveals her secret, she won’t be free to follow her heart. Despite everything, David will not give up on Clarice, not even when another seems set to claim her…
Author Bio
Born in England, but raised in Australia, Sasha has a love for both countries. Having her heart in two places has created a love for travel, which at last count was to over 55 countries. A travel guide is always on her pile of new books to read.
Sasha lives with her husband, teenage daughter and a cat who thinks sitting on the keyboard is being helpful. Her family have managed to find all but one of her secret chocolate hiding places. On the weekends Sasha loves walking on the beach while devising new ways to torture her characters.
Social Media Links
You can follow Sasha and find out more about her and her books:
Blog:
Sasha’s newest release An Unsuitable Match is released through Destiny Romance September 2014.
September 15, 2014
Listen to my interview with Julie Clift on ABC radio Broken Hill...
Listen to my interview with Julie Clift on ABC radio Broken Hill talking about my new release Charming the Outback and writing books.
Cover reveal KELLY'S QUEST BY JENNIFER ANN
I am happy to share Jennifer Ann’s new book cover for Kelly’s Quest.
Enter the Rafflecopter to win
Synopsis:
Shunned by her family back home, she followed her best friend to New York with aspirations to start over. Now broke and homeless with two guys vying for her affection, she realizes she made a colossal mistake. If she gives in to her desires, will she only be breaking the rule she set for herself, or will she also be proving she’s the disappointment her family sees her as?
Kelly Cavenaugh is a lot of things: intelligent, sexy, vivacious, and a great friend. But the one thing she’s determined to prove to herself and others is that she’s not promiscuous. So why do a spoiled rich boy with a dark past and a former Marine with a high-powered job have to come along and try to break her resolve?
Theo Roberts and Erik Murphy only have two things in common: they’re both dangerously gorgeous, and have their sights set on Kelly. Everyone tells her Erik isn’t someone she wants to get involved with, however, and Theo seems to be the total package. If Kelly allows herself to be with one of them, the choice should be easy. But it’s complicated, and she’ll find herself struggling to separate passion from reality while trying to establish her new life.
AUTHOR BIO:
When Jennifer Ann isn’t writing heart wrenching romance novels with hot scenes or chasing her children around southern Minnesota, she either has her nose stuck in someone else’s book, is curled up watching a movie, can be found taking pictures of other people (not in a creepy way), or is rocking out at a concert. Her debut novel ADAM’S LIST is set for release June 17, 2014.
Jennifer also writes YA paranormal under Jen Naumann.
Author links:
September 14, 2014
September 11, 2014
The Lonely Girl is FREE NOW!!!
I just supported The Lonely Girl is FREE NOW!!! on @ThunderclapIt // @gracie__wilson
