Friday Feature One More Time is Not Enough Belle Ami
Insights into
RWA Conference
Today we welcome One More Time is Not Enough author Belle Ami. She is sharing with us a few insights she gained attending the national RWA Conference. There’s also some information about her newest book One More Time is Not Enough. Over to you Belle.
Having just returned from RWA I thought I’d share a few insights. All I can say is wow! It was fabulous, and every romance writer, regardless of your genre, should make an effort to attend the conference and immerse yourself in craft, dynamic author energy, and the feeling of being part of something that builds pride and confidence. I met new and amazing authors, got to actually meet face-to-face and enjoy the company of fellow Soul Mate Publishing authors (thank you Char & Cheryl for the hilarious and relaxing pizza & wine party), practiced pitching to agents (really scary but necessary), and attended so many brilliant presentations on the business of writing, and the craft of writing. I filled notebooks with information, which I haven’t even begun to type out and permanently archive in my writing tips folder.
A sampling of the lecture presentations I attended were:
Create a Motivational Business Plan for Your Writing Career by Stephanie Bond. Great information on creating “Brand” and targeting your audience.
The incomparable Michael Hague, who has coached authors and screenwriters into highly successful careers. This guy is like a guru and literally worshipped by authors.
An unforgettable presentation by #1 bestselling author Karen Rose (2 time Rita winner); M.A. Taylor, 20 years in law enforcement, Special Agent for the DOJ, and ten years in Narcotics (she was amazing); Sara Lunsford, an author, is a former segregation officer at an all-male maximum security facility. This young woman has lived a life of hell, an amazing story; Martin Hafer licensed social worker, criminal psychologist (he’s animated and informative); and Christy Jeffries, a lawyer and criminologist. Their presentation was entitled Villains, Deviants, and Killers: Inside the Criminal Mind (my personal favorite). This was a spellbinding presentation that was highly emotional and revealing. Take my word for it, when I say most pedophiles and killers are not redeemable.
Not to labor the point, I suggest treating yourself to a wonderful amazing experience. Next year Orlando, FL, see you there.
One More Time is Not Enough
Book Blurb
Adelia Lindstrom Bremen seems to have it all: Wealth, beauty, perfect twin children, two men in love with her, and a career she loves. But, beneath the veneer of success and prosperity lies disappointment, tragedy, and unending lies. Her parents were murdered, her marriage ended in a custody battle, and she is swept up in a love triangle. Now she has discovered the existence of a half-sister who wants nothing to do with her.
The only thing that could make matters worse is if she were to become the target of a serial killer—that’s about to happen.
One More Time is Not Enough Excerpt
When they returned to the cliff house, it was late. Adelia suggested they take a Jacuzzi and have a nightcap. While David changed into his swimsuit, she ordered a bottle of champagne and fresh strawberries. By the time he finished in the bathroom, she was in the hot tub, immersed in a cloud of steam, sipping champagne and nibbling on fruit.
“Come on, slowpoke, the water feels like heaven.” She eyed David’s muscled body. “The FBI Academy seems to have agreed with you. You’re a treat for the eyes, Agent Weiss.”
David sighed. “What am I going to do with you?” He slipped into the water.
“I don’t know. What are you going to do with me?” she goaded, handing him a glass of champagne.
Enjoying their playful repartee, she placed her feet in his lap. “This is bliss.” The intimacy of the hot tub was having its desired effect, she could feel the sexual tension mounting.
“You know I’m not going to make love to you.”
“Really. She furrowed her brows annoyed. “Why not?”
“Because, Adelia, even all of this”—he spread his arms wide— “can’t make the reality of our lives go away. You have an ex-husband who wants you back, children who’d be better off with both their parents. I can’t compete with that.”
She could sense his goading her into a confrontation. “You’re not going to spoil this perfect evening. I won’t let you.”
“Do you know what it’s going to be like for me, when this is over? Poor David, too bad his girlfriend went back to her husband.”
“It’s not true, you could stop it if you wanted to.”
“We’re fighting destiny, Adelia.”
Doubt plagued her, but it wasn’t within her power to stop what she was feeling. She stood and placed her glass on the side table. With determination, she reached out and took the champagne glass from him. Then, grabbing a strawberry, she sat on his lap, facing him.
He started to protest. “Adelia, stop . . .”
Without a thought, she placed the strawberry seductively between her teeth and brought her lips close to his.
He stared into her eyes. “Please, don’t do this.”
“Why? Don’t you like strawberries?” She could feel his erection beneath her bikini bottom. “Or, is it just me you don’t care for?”
He growled, then bit half of the strawberry off, his lips brushing hers. He tried to pull away, but her arms encircled his neck, and she deepened the kiss.
“If you keep this up . . . you might get more than you bargained for.”
“Is that a threat or a promise?” she whispered, her lips inches from his.
“You’re killing me.”
“Funny, am I the only one here who knows what they want?”
“What I want isn’t in question.”
“Oh, but I think it is. If you were honest with yourself, you wouldn’t pull away. It’s been such a perfect evening. What’s wrong with two people who care for each other, exploring their feelings? I dare you to tell me you don’t want this. That you don’t want me.”
“I’m trying to protect you . . . me . . . both of us . . . from making a mistake.” He smiled. “But you’re not cooperating. I don’t know how much more I can take.”
“Then surrender and let me win. I’m a big girl. If this is a mistake, it’s my mistake.” She pressed her lips on his, her tongue darting against his.
He rose with her in his arms. “I won’t blame you for what’s about to happen. You know how much I want you. I just hope we don’t live to regret it.”
He kissed her with a lust that turned her blood to fire.
“No regrets. I want this. Let’s take a shower,” she teased, kicking her legs playfully in the air.
Amazon buy links:
One More Time is Not Enough: https://www.amazon.com/One-More-Time-Not-Enough-ebook/dp/B01HSDJLLA#navbar
The One (The Only One) #1: http://bookshow.me/TheOne
The One & More #2: http://bookshow.me/TheOneAndMore
One Line Tweets to share
Adelia has it all, two men in love with her. The only problem is she’s about to become the target of a serial killer. @belleami5 #romance #suspense #sex
One woman, two men in love with her, and a serial killer. What could possibly go wrong? @belleami5 #romance #suspense #sex
Belle Ami Bio
Tema Merback, writing as Belle Ami, couldn’t be more excited to be given the opportunity to be published by Soul Mate Publishing: “Dreams do come true”. As a mother and wife, she dedicated herself to her family and loved every minute of it. One day, like Sleeping Beauty, she awoke to find gourmet cooking and being a classical pianist wasn’t enough, she needed to reinvent herself. So, she brushed away the cobwebs and locked herself in a room and spent a year writing a historical novel which, low and behold, was a Finalist for a national book award. Her first author incarnation was born.
When she read Fifty Shades of Grey, her world tilted. Like a laser beam focusing on a target, she had found her passion: Sexy, steamy, romantic suspense. Hence came a second incarnation and a fitting nom de plume, Belle Ami. A quote that Belle considers her mantra is by Wilferd Peterson, “Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire to achieve.”
She is a Kathryn McBride scholar of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She lives in California with her husband, two children, three dogs, and horse.
She is the author of The Only One series, The One (#1), and The One & More (#2). Her third in the series titled One More Time is Not Enough, was published July 13th, 2016
Where to find Belle on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belle.ami.96?fref=ts
Twitter: @BelleAmi5
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/belleami96/
Website: http://belleami.us/
