Summer, summer time!

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I may not be looking forward to 100 degree days, but this summer is going to be awesome!
Especially the month of July!
July has always been special to me. July 4th is my big brother's birthday. Then July 5th is my Navy nephew's birthday. And if it wasn't for July 12th, my Daddy's birthday, I wouldn't be here!

And even though July has always been special to me, this July is going to even more amazing. My first Kimani romance will be released on July.
Blissful Summer.

Two exotic locations. Two couples about to discover the thrill of rekindled passion. 

Make You Mine Again by Cheris Hodges 

Supermodel Jansen Douglas is living her dream. Now a wedding in Paris is about to reunite her with the high school sweetheart she left behind. But Atlanta CEO Bradley Stephens won't let their stormy past stand in the way of reclaiming his first and only love. 

Unraveled by Lisa Marie Perry 

Ona Tracy's plans to seduce her high school crush unravel when the reunion trip she books turns out to be an erotic-themed cruise to the Bahamas! Rather than abandon ship, she recruits blond-haired, silver-eyed Riker Ewan to be her hookup, unaware that the hot-bodied ex-marine isn't who he seems to be…

Then on July 11th, it's the HOT MAMA Fly Hat Luncheon. I can not wait to hang out with Di Topaz and Reese Ryan! 

And the month ends in Myrtle Beach with AC Arthur's Beach Bash:

A.C. Arthur Presents
Beach Bash ’15

We’re turning up the heat with writers of sensual and erotic romance!

Special Guests:

Angie Daniels
Roy Glenn
Yvette Hines
Cheris Hodges
Bridget Midway
Sienna Mynx
Keith Thomas Walker

July 26 – 29, 2015

Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, South Carolina

Discounted Room Rate: $179
To reserve a room you must FIRST, complete and submit your registration form and deposit payment. Once this is received an email will be sent with reservation instructions. 

Payment of first night rate is required for all reservations.
Cab fare from airport to resort is approximately $40.

Damn, I need to get to the gym! 

Kicked My Heels Up in Nawlins!

Well, I must say, this has been one interesting summer. I have traveled to new places each month and have loved the people and richness of various cities. I will tell you though that nothing beats New Orleans (Nawlins), LA. I mean to be in an area that is so steeped and rich in culture is unbelievable. The people there are wonderful and friendly. I wouldn't call it southern charm, because the ice tea needed a little work at some of the places, nothing like North Carolina. LOL. However, it was a down home laid back mentality. They just smiled everywhere and seemed happy to greet each day; from the hotel staff to the people in the vintage stores.

I was there for a conference geared toward romance readers. One of my favorite types of conferences to attend, I must say.

Now, lets talk music. I love all types of music and generally find myself inspired by it. In Nawlins, especially within the French Quarter, you are inundated with jazz, blues, soul and other blends. One night I found myself setting back with a drink in a jazz club and I started getting a story idea. So, I listened and plotted in my head. That is the best thing about being an author is seeing a story work itself out in my head like a motion picture.

Food is just as inspiring to my writing as music. The food in Nawlins, oh, man, de-li-cious. I got drunk on some etouffee the first night in town. One of my friends told me it was not possible. But, I tell you, those little crawfish were doing a musical number in my body and I was lightheaded and tipsy. I loved every bite. I went to Cafe Du Monde and consumed cafe au lait and beignets. Tried to eat my weight in beignets they are so good. Instead I just picked up a mix box and decided to attempt to make them at home. Grabbed some salt water taffy, and pralines to go as well. The chickory drink at the Jazz Legends: Cafe Beignet was good. I think it is a blend with coffee so it was mild and nice to drink. You know I had to get myself some red beans and rice, with smoked sausage...yummy.

Sadly, I only have a moment to write down the idea of the story at the moment, since I'm working on Evidence of Desire, the third story in the heroes series. The first two, Fire and Desire and Restrained Desire. My hope is to have the third released by the end of the year. However, I need to get my butt in gear. As an author, usually the story you want to work on most generally falls to last place after the stories your editors are waiting on. :)

That's alright, I love writing, just like my Hot MAMA sistahs. So any good story I get to bring to my readers is worth the time and energy.


Romancin' You,
~Monique Lamont

Summer Lovin'

Hello Romance Reader.  I'm Cheris Hodges.

As I sit here watching the temperatures rise; I can't help but think about summertime and why so many people fall in love or get married during this time of year. Maybe it's because everyone's wearing fewer clothes and the longer days lowers our inhibitions.

If you think about some of your favorite romance novels, I bet they're set in the summer or spring. Maybe even on an island getaway while the rest of the world suffers through winter. It may be cold and snowing in New York, Atlanta or Charlotte; but this couple is falling in love under a Caribbean sun.

I love reading and writing those books.
Maybe it's a southern thing. Our snow usually comes in the form of freezing rain and ice that rips down trees and power lines. That's not fun or safe.
Perhaps that's why my last two novels, Too Hot For TV and Recipe For Desire had  such sunny settings.

 Too Hot For TV took place mostly in Hawaii. Paradise! My heroine, Imani, spent a lot of time in little more than a bikini --how could Dr. Raymond Thomas resist? And how could Imani not fall for his sculpted chest and strong arms since his was shirtless most of the time?

Recipe For Desire is set in Charlotte during the spring and summer. If you know anything thing about North Carolina weather, spring lasts a week and summer is forever. Hot weather and a heroine, Marie Charles, with a hot temper--this was a fun book to write.

Now, I'm not totally against some winter loving, but it's something about hot and steamy summer nights that gets the blood flowing!

Join me on Twitter. Follow me @cherishodges