This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Donna Simonetta will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Without a doubt, the most terrifying aspect of being an author is having other people reading my work. When I say it like that it sounds ridiculous. As an author my goal is to have other people read my stuff––ideally, lots and LOTS of people. But, that moment when my book is released, and people are going to start reading it? Gulp. Mind-numbingly, paralyzingly terrifying.
When I write a story, I become immersed in it. I try to make the setting and characters as well-rounded and real as possible. So much so, that as I write, they become like friends to me. People I know inside and out, and with whom I’ve spent at least a year of my life. Day in, day out, in my mind and in my home with me. They become my friends. And when I send them out in the world for other people to read their stories, it is nerve-wracking. What if other people don’t like my fictional friends as much as I do? What if…heaven forbid…they HATE them? It would take a more secure person than me, to not feel scared when people read my work.
It’s kind of like when you have friends from two different parts of your life. A work friend and a childhood friend. You love them both, but when you first introduce them to each other, there is always a chance they won’t like each other and it will make things awkward for all concerned. Now, they might just hit it off like wildfire and all will be right with your world, but if not? Ugh. It’s the same thing with my readers and the characters I’ve toiled over and hung out with for so long.
Not to mention, writing is a very personal activity. Sometimes, events and people from my real life might make it into my work, in a fictionalized form. What happens if when someone else reads something deeply meaningful to me, and thinks…meh, who cares? Or even worse…that is so stupid. It can be heartbreaking.
Of course, like most fears, the reality is almost never as bad as my imaginings. The vast majority of reviews and feedback I’ve had on my books has been positive and uplifting. However, human nature being what it is––or at least THIS human’s nature! Ha!––the one negative comment is so often the one that stands out to you.
None of this is to say you should not give an author your honest feedback and opinion on their work. It helps tremendously with future writing to know what resonates with readers, and what does not. Just remember, these characters have been born out of the author’s imagination, and are close to their heart…so be honest, but gentle. And I really, really, really hope you enjoy What Was I Thinking.
A wild Vegas fling isn’t the traditional Thanksgiving celebration, and Lily and Jason have been like oil and water since they met. Blaming their steamy hook-up on too many shots at the bar, they head home.
Back in the real world, Jason wonders if he’s ready to give up his crown as the Playboy King of Rivers Bend to be with just one woman. And Lily has enough on her plate right now without adding Jason Braden to the mix, even if their attraction is crazy-strong.
But life is good at throwing curveballs, and a lot can happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. Maybe even enough to lead these two polar opposites home to each other in Rivers Bend.
Enjoy an Excerpt
She felt him stiffen up behind her, and Jason’s tone of voice was defensive. She hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings. “I know you do; I didn’t mean anything by it. We poke at each other”––she shrugged––“it’s kind of our thing.”
His grip on her hand loosened, and then he took control of the dance, by twirling her until her back was pressed to his front, and he began to move sinuously in time to the rhythm. His breath tickled her ear, as he spoke right in it to be heard over the music. “We’ve got a thing, Moonbeam?”
Jason had ditched the tie and suit jacket after the wedding, and his body heat scorched her through his crisp white dress shirt. And man-oh-Maneschewitz, his lean, hard body felt good. Really good. The Marine might be bulked up, but Jason’s body felt like it had been made for hers, which given their mutual antagonism, seemed like proof Fate was enjoying a good laugh at her expense. Against Lily’s better judgment, her body melted into his warmth and began to move with his.
“Sure we’ve got a thing,” she said over her shoulder, and was irritated to hear a trace of breathlessness in her voice. She cleared her throat and continued, “Like that––you calling me Moonbeam, because you know it bugs me.”
About the Author 
Donna Simonetta writes the kind of books she loves to read––contemporary romances to help you escape the real world for a little while. Writing is Donna’s third career. She toiled in the business world, and when she decided being an Account Executive wasn’t for her went back to school to get her MLS degree. Next, she worked in a school library for many years. But, Donna dreamed of being an author since she was a little girl, and began to squeeze writing into her day. After the publication of her second book, she decided to leave the library and become a full-time author.
Donna lives in Maryland with her husband, who is her real-life romance hero. They enjoy traveling to visit far-flung family and friends, and spending time on the beach with an umbrella drink and a good book.
Buy the book at Amazon or iBooks.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Thank you for sharing this book, it sounds like a very great read and I’m glad I got to hear about it.
Thank you so much, James!
Thanks for hosting!
I am an avid reader who loves to read new author’s work.
Best of luck to you as you launch this new career.
Thank you, Laurie!
Thank you so much for letting me visit today!
: )
Donna
A great post, Donna! I know what you mean about releasing your baby and your “friends” to the world. It can be terrifying! But we’re compelled to do it, so we must. You know I’m wishing you all the best with this new release and everything you create.
Thank you so much, Judy! I appreciate you stopping by today, and your kind words and support!
Sounds like a good book.
Thank you so much, Rita! If you decide to read it, I hope you enjoy it!
How did you come up with the design on the cover?
Thanks for visiting, Bernard! My publisher has cover artists who design the cover, so I can’t take credit for this beautiful cover! I give a little input at the beginning, and then the artist takes it from there.
Great guest post
Thank you very much, Edgar! And thanks for visiting today!
Thanks for the giveaway; I like the excerpt. 🙂
Thank you so much for visiting, Cali! I’m glad you liked the excerpt!
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Diana! If you decide to read it, I hope you enjoy it!
Looks really nicely done, glad to have come across this one.
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting, Calvin!
Sounds good
Thanks, Katrina!
TY for sharing
Love the cover
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting, Katrina! I’m a little biased, but I think the cover is really lovely! ; )
Donna, I love the beach also!!
The beach is my happy place!
What is your favorite things about writing?
That is a really difficult question. I really like almost everything about the actual process of writing…the research at the beginning, the actual writing, the editing and revisions…I like it all! And that I can do my work at home, in comfy clothes. Lol!
Do you have any genres that you haven’t written yet but I have thought about?
You have thought about I mean lol
I love reading cozy mysteries, and am intrigued by the idea of writing one, but it requires a level of plotting that is intimidating to me–lol!
Donna, it’s a pleasure meeting you! What’s one of your favorite beach reads?
Hi, Caryl! Nice to meet you too––thanks for stopping by today!
Funny you should ask. I have a beach vacation coming up, and have been putting some thought into what I want to read on vacay. Lol!
One romance I already have waiting on my Kindle is “Intercepted” by Alexa Martin. I saw the 3rd book in this series recommended online recently, and wanted to start with the first. I also love a cozy mystery, and have one of the Violet Carlyle mystery series by Beth Byers ready to go!
On my last beach vacation, I read Nobody Else But You, by Claire Marti and loved it! I’m currently reading the second book in that series, The Very Thought of You, and it’s even better than the first, and I think it would make a great beach read too!
What author is your biggest inspiration?
I don’t really have one. Thanks for visiting!