Saturday 15 September 2012

Saturday Promo - Nona Raines...



First of all, Rachel, I'd like to thank you for letting me share your blog today. It's great to be here!
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Some enchanted evening…you may see a stranger across a crowded room…
The lyrics to "Some Enchanted Evening" by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein paint a picture of two people fated to meet who fall instantly in love. Is there such a thing as love at first sight? Romeo and Juliet fell in love immediately, needing only a little wooing from a balcony to seal the deal. King David knew he wanted Bathsheba when he saw her bathing, and the Little Mermaid fell for the Prince when she rescued him from drowning. Narcissus found his soul mate when he gazed at his reflection in a pool of water! Literature, songs and films l give us plenty of examples of this phenomenon of love at first sight.
But does it exist in real life? Some anthropologists believe that it's a matter of evolution. The "urge to merge" goes back to human beginnings. Our ancestors didn't have long lives, and they needed to pass on their genes. Of course, they knew nothing about genetics, but having healthy babies that would survive to the next generation was paramount. They needed to quickly size up potential mates, good partners to make babies with. (Source: Is love at first sight possible?)
Scientists also believe that when we fall in love, all kinds of chemicals are released in the brain that make us euphoric. It takes only a fifth of a second for us to fall in love, and for those chemicals to flood our brain. Then we're lighter than air, walking on clouds, and looking the world through rose-colored glasses. (Source: Falling in Love Only Takes About a Fifth of a Second, Research Reveals)
The two women in my newly released erotic short story Irresistible Impulse fall in love at first sight. Not across a crowded room, but across a steam table in a Chinese restaurant. Though they immediately feel a connection, they don't have a chance to follow up on it until they unexpectedly meet again at a speed-dating event.
Ordinarily, Tania Talcott wouldn't be caught dead at a speed dating event, but she lost a stupid bet. Checking out the slim pickings, she's convinced the evening will be a total bust--until a classy, sensual, African American woman enters the room. A woman Tania met briefly once before and never forgot.

Latisha Hobbs is only attending this event to support her young cousin, who's ready to start dating again. Latisha's heart has been on ice for quite some time. But she finds herself immediately--and strongly--enticed by the friendly overtures of a vivacious redhead. Or are they more than friendly?

Fueled by an irresistible impulse, Tania wastes no time getting to know the beautiful woman. Latisha is drawn to Tania as well, but memories of an unhappy love affair make her reluctant to act. These two opposites definitely attract, but will their differences be too much to overcome?
Here's an excerpt:
As they chatted and laughed Latisha again felt that sensation vibrate through her body, that combination of nerves and sexual longing. She was light-headed with anticipation and weak with fear.
Of course, the alcohol didn’t help. But as Tania shared some funny stories about her experiences working with the public, all Latisha could think about was leaning forward and pressing her lips to Tania’s pink mouth.
Don’t go there.
Tania grew blurry as Danielle’s face floated in front of her. “I’m not in love with you.” The words echoed in her memory.
Tania’s voice brought her back to the present. “Latisha? You all right?”
“Excuse me.” Latisha stood so abruptly she bumped the table and made the glasses jiggle. “I need to use the bathroom.”
“Is everything okay?” Tania’s eyes were wide with concern. “These drinks are delish, but they pack a pretty good kick.”
“I’m not drunk.”
“I never said—”
She had to get away. “Excuse me.”
She brushed past a waitress with a tray of drinks and several others in her rush to the Ladies’ Room. Once there, she washed her hands and patted her cheeks with a damp paper towel, trying to collect herself.
The bathroom door opened, and Tania entered. “Tisha, I was worried…”
Latisha turned away to grab another paper towel. “No need. I’m fine.”
“Have you been crying?”
“Of course not.”
Tania stepped closer. “Yes, you have.” She gently cupped Latisha’s face and turned it toward her. At Tania’s touch, a thrill zinged through Latisha.
                                                            ***
These characters appeared as an established couple in my first two books One Good Man and Take This Man. It was great fun to tell the story of how they first met—and fell in love. I hope readers enjoy it, too.
To celebrate my new release, I'd like to offer a giveaway of Irresistible Impulse. Please just leave a comment telling if you believe in love at first sight. Has is happened to you or someone you know? Don't forget to include your email address!  I'll select a random commenter on Monday.
Thanks again. Rachel, for letting me be here today!

Irresistible Impulse is available from The Wild Rose Press
Nona Raines
Hot Contemporary Romance
Edgy ~ Emotional ~ Erotic
www.nonaraines.com



22 comments:

  1. Interesting thoughts on evolution! It's great to meet a fellow Rose :)

    I do believe in love at first sight because I'm a hopeless romantic at heart. I believe in soul mates too. Like faith in anything, you don't need to see it to believe in it or hope and pray that it exists to make the nights less lonely.

    I'd like to think I met mine once. I'll never forget him.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Lisa! It's wonderful to have faith in love at first sight and soul mates. Though it's not happened to me (yet--there's still time, maybe?) just the possibility makes you feel lighter.

      As for your having met your once? Sounds like a great premise for a romance novel...just saying :-)

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  2. As a romance writer, I'm a hopeless romantic. I believe in love at first sight, though I think it's rare.

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    1. LOL, Allie, we romance writers do tend to buy into the whole kit and kaboodle, don't we? Why else would we write about it? Thanks so much for commenting.

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  3. I believe in love at first sight. It didn't happen with me and my husband...it took years for that to happen. :)

    I normally don't read f/f but your story Nona has intrigued me from the start.

    Congratulations on the release!

    Marika
    maw1725@gmail.com

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    1. Your real life love story sounds like an interesting one, Marika. Love at first sight is great, but lasting love is the best! Thank you very much for stopping by.

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  4. I fell in love at first sight--after knowing him for 8 years! LOL But it worked. We had our first date in August, got engaged in October and married in December--30 years ago. : )

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    1. Yours is the kind of love story I like best, Tara. Thirty years, wow. That's great! From first date in August to marriage in December--once you make up your mind, lady, you don't play! Congratulations, and thanks for commenting!

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  5. Nona, I love the articles you've linked to and the scientific thought you've put in to this idea of love at first sight. A great post. And I can't wait to see the story.

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    1. Thanks, fellow Diva, I was surprised by a few of the things I learned putting together the post. I hope you enjoy the story. Thanks a lot for coming by!

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  6. There's definitely something chemical--maybe magical--that can happen between two people in a mere matter of moments. A glance, a touch, and there's the connection. I loved Tania and Laticia in Nona's first books, especially One Good Man. I'm so glad Nona decided to continue their story--and maybe another taste of their "love at first sight" in the future?

    Fantastic references, as well. Great job!

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    1. Hi, Danica, other fellow Diva. Scientists may explain the chemistry, but there is something really magical about falling in love, no matter what the guys in lab coats say. Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  7. A fifth of a second? That explains why I was so attracted to my wife in HS even without ever meeting her before. Great post!

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    1. Hi, Jason, thanks for stopping by. How wonderful to know that your romance with your wife goes way back to high school. Now that sounds like a great true life love story!

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  8. WOOT! Look at you go with another release, girl!! Awesome job. Love the cover.

    Hmm. Love at first sight, I'm not sure about. Chemistry and lust at first sight? DEFINITELY. Great post, darlin'.

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    1. Lust and chemistry, you bet! After all, we are EROTIC romance authors, LOL! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Taryn!

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  9. I don't know that I believe in love at first sight, but I certainly believe in connection at first sight, on a whole bunch of different levels, so maybe...

    Great post, Nona.

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  10. 'Thanks for stopping and commenting, Liz. Yes, the instant connection is real--whether it's love, chemistry, or whatever. We've all felt that zing of awareness with someone.

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  11. yes it could be i met my bf and we been through a lot recent heart attack and stroke for me and then i did not think he could handle the dog and then now he and my dog are buddy we met on line and he came to were i volenteered at
    desi the blonde at msn dot com

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  12. Wow, you and your boyfriend have been through a lot, Desi. Sounds like love at first sight turned into the real deal for you two. Best to both of you. Thanks for commenting.

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  13. I'm undecided on love at first sight, but your story sounds like fun. For me, I met several men the night I met the guy who was to become my husband, but at the end of the gathering, I couldn't remember who he was when asked what I thought of him. It all worked out beautifully though, and I get to tell the story of not having a clue who I was supposed to be hitting it off with over and over again.

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  14. Friends, I apologize. I said I'd choose a winner on Monday, but I got sidetracked by edits and completely forgot. Anyway, through my highly scientific method of selection (pulling a name from a hat), Taryn Elliott is the winner! Thanks so much everyone who commented! Thanks, Rachel, for having me here.

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