New Release: Dragger Ella

by C. Margery Kempe

I've got a new release from Noble Romance tomorrow: Dragger Ella is another fairy tale romance set in the exotic world of –

Connecticut?!

Yep, I know that you usually expect exotic or historical settings, or at least London, but no, this time around I'm setting a story in the hot rod culture of New England. It's called "Kustom Kulture" and I am grateful to my pal Johnny 10X for acting as consultant on the tale. My publisher Jill loved it so much she asked whether I might want to set a longer story in the same world. Well, I like to please my publisher so I'm definitely brainstorming!

I suppose this grew out of the Cinderella idea and my own life growing up in Michigan. My dad has a '56 Corvette that was once owned by his boss at the gas station where he worked before he got a job at Oldsmobile. This was back in the day when they used to drag race at night on the south side of town. My dad claims he only watched

He always wanted that Corvette but it was a long time before he could talk his boss into selling it. When he finally did, my dad was so proud of that car. We used to joke that he had pictures in his wallet of the car but not us kids. My mom sewed them matching jackets the same color as the car (two-toned copper and cream).

My characters Ella and her best pal Jeri meet a guy named J.D. the first time she takes the Cherry Bomb out dragging. She calls him a "hot rod heartthrob" with his leather jacket and glossy black Elvis hair. Dead sexy! The direct inspiration was the Road Agent's Hot Rod & Rockabilly Rumble, that a bunch of my friends in Connecticut go to. They have some great bands to dance to, people in awesome retro looks and of course, lots of really gorgeous cars. Check it out — and look for Dragger Ella tomorrow! It's part of Noble's new YA romance line.

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, erotic romance, inspiration, Kit Marlowe, New Release, Noble Romance, Recommended Books, romance, Settings, What inspires you?, Writer's Life, Writing Topics, YA