Novel Reflections is pleased to welcome Dianne Venetta to the blog to talk about her book Lust on the Rocks.

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Please tell readers a little bit about yourself.

I live in Central Florida with my husband, two children and part-time Yellow Lab. An ex-sales gal, I now spend my time writing romantic women’s fiction and chasing grasshoppers from my garden. A girl’s gotta have fun, right?

But when I’m not knee-deep in dirt or romance, I contribute garden advice for various websites and volunteer in her kids’ school garden (a crazy existence to be sure). But at the end of the day, if I can inspire someone to stop and smell the roses–or rosemary!—kiss their child and spouse good-night, be kind to a neighbor and Mother Earth, then I figure I’ve done all right.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

The answer should be when I finished my first novel, but the real answer is when the first NY editor said my writing was good. I mean, she’s not my mother–she doesn’t have to be nice. She meant it!

And that’s when it really sank in. Then, when I released my debut novel JENNIFER’S GARDEN and readers reacted in positive terms, that’s when I knew for certain: I am a writer. It’s only sunshine and candy from here on out!

Please tell us about your latest release.

LUST ON THE ROCKS embodies a woman’s lust for sexual freedom and the ensuing conflict she feels when love and commitment come to call. Not all women want marriage and family, but what happens when Mr. Right does?

It presents a hard choice for my heroine, Samantha Rawlings. This woman is not your average career gal and in fact, prefers to play by a man’s rules—especially the relationship ones!

She has what he needs, and he won’t stop until he gets it. Trouble is, what begins as a matter of death, becomes a matter of life.

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One case away from partnership, Samantha Rawlings is forced to share her high-profile case with a sexy younger man, whose eyes are on a different prize. In the best interests of her client, Sam opens the door to his strategy. Turns out, a little too far…

Victor Marin has ulterior motives. The defendant in her case holds the key to his revenge, and his last chance for justice. As he chases old demons, he uncovers a powerful woman with no inhibitions, one he wants to possess for himself. But decidedly single, Sam wants no part.

Until Vic walks away.

What inspired you to write a book?

Women today are every bit as independent and successful as men and should live their life as they see fit. I’ve always believed “nurture” played a big role in how men and women act and react as opposed to “nature.” However, as I grow older I realize there are inherent differences between men and women, differences that cannot be ignored or discarded. Especially when it comes to sex and the consequences thereof.

As I look around society, I see a major conflict in this arena for woman. From how we approach sex to how we react to it cannot be measured in the same terms as those of a man. Now I’m all about independent career women having their way with handsome young men, but I think we must come to terms with some sobering realities and it is from this perspective which I wrote this novel. I was young once and faced this issue. My daughter is young and will one day face this issue. I find it fascinating, to say the least!

Can you tell readers who are not familiar with the series what the premise of the stories are about?

LUST ON THE ROCKS deals with a woman’s sexuality. Can she truly live as a man, taking on sex partners without taking on labels (slut, easy, etc.)? Can she want nothing more than career and success or is it her nature to want family and children? Today’s woman has much more power than ever before but with that power comes choices. What are the limits? Are there any? Should there be?

The first in the series, JENNIFER’S GARDEN, portrays the journey of my heroine’s personal growth in regard to false impressions and misplaced judgments with respect to one Jackson Montgomery. My theme questions how a woman goes about the business of choosing her husband. Is it about social status and job title or a matter of chemistry and friendship? Must the man be equally or more successful? Men have been marrying up and down the social ladder for years. Can women?

The third in this series is set for release in summer 2012 and focuses on the dichotomy of a woman’s powerful, confident appearance with the internal insecurities she battles on a daily basis. It pits reality and career against her self-perceptions and fears and in the end, she must choose to succeed and overcome or all of her hopes and dreams will be lost to regret.

Book blurb:

She has what he needs, and he won’t stop until he gets it.  Trouble is, what begins as a matter of death, becomes a matter of life.

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One case away from partnership, Samantha Rawlings is forced to share her high-profile case with a sexy younger man, whose eyes are on a different prize.  In the best interests of her client, Sam opens the door to his strategy.  Turns out, a little too far…Victor Marin has ulterior motives.  The defendant in her case holds the key to his revenge, and his last chance for justice.  But as he chases old demons, he uncovers a powerful woman with no inhibitions, one he wants to possess for himself.  But decidedly single, Sam wants no part.Until Vic walks away.

Without giving away spoilers, can you share your favorite scene from the book?

One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Sam and Vic first get together, intimately speaking. It’s hot and sexy, but fiesty and playful–the way casual sex should be, if you ask me! She wants nothing from him other than to enjoy him in bed for the evening and he wants nothing but the same. I realize it may not be politically correct for some to admit that I admire a scene filled with casual intimacy but it is the reality in which we live. Not every intimate connection has to lead to marriage, nor does it have to lead to heartbreak or disease. Sometimes it can simply be fun and pleasurable and that’s what I like most about this scene. Now, what happens later in the book when it comes to sex gets a bit more complicated, but not this one! :)

What was one of the most interesting things you learned in researching your book?

Actually it wasn’t so much from the research as the “process.” As a writer penning a sexy novel, I learned that writing particular scenes or expressing certain sentiments come with their own set of issues. First, everyone assumes you’re the heroine. “Did you do that?” “Do you have regrets?” While it’s true, every author puts a piece of themselves in their work, it’s not true that we are writing our life story. We observe, contemplate, analyze and craft—it’s the nature of our profession!

The fun part is writing about people who AREN’T you because you can ride their highs and lows without enduring the consequences yourself. You can also experience a vicarious thrill through their actions and let me tell you, Sam Rawlings is one FUN woman! In fact, she’s a compilation of three very different people I know.

Other than writing, what are some of your passions in life?

Gardening. More than a hobby, gardening gives me deep satisfaction. Not only am I being productive in a meaningful way by growing healthy food for my family’s consumption, but I’m gaining perspective on the cycle of life, the synergy of man and nature and the true meaning of reaping what you sow. From beginning to end, we’ve incorporated the garden into our lifestyle. We plant the seeds, grow and eat the veggies, compost the leftovers all while saving the seeds to restarting the cycle anew each season–with a healthy dose of compost to amend the soil! How’s that for sustainable living! Now if only I could invent the perfect “travel composter” for vacations, we’d be in perfect harmony at all times.

But even better than green living, the garden has become a place to share quality time with my kids. No television or computers, we talk while weeding, groan about the tedious labor aspects yet delight in small discoveries like ladybugs and lizard eggs. We even play make-believe in and around our plants! My son is especially good with this aspect as he likes to create sports arenas for the ants, basketball hoops for discarded peanut shells…anything is fair game when it comes to his imagination in the garden.

My daughter is more artistic in general and likes to photograph the plants, examining them up close–even drawing them. And both kids LOVE the fact they have become authorities on all things gardening. At least in front of their friends, anyway. More than building knowledge, it helps them build confidence. Did I mention that vegetables never tasted so good until you grew them yourself? It’s our new mantra.

You call “Jennifer’s Garden” women’s fiction. What do you consider the difference between women’s fiction and romance?

To me, romance centers on the hero and heroine and the multitude of reasons these two (who are otherwise hot for one another) cannot be together, but why they should be. It doesn’t give equal weight to best friends or family and it doesn’t focus on a woman’s personal growth and maturity where women’s fiction can.

What do you consider the difference between women’s fiction and romance?

The main reason I consider Lust on the Rocks romantic women’s fiction is because it portrays the journey of Sam’s personal challenges in regard to her lifestyle choices. While family is important to her, she has decided to remain childless and husband-free. Until Vic Marin arrives on scene, that is. The defendant in her case holds the key to his revenge and his last chance for justice, but as he chases old demons he uncovers a powerful woman with no inhibitions–one he wants to possess for himself. But decidedly single, Sam wants no part. Until he walks away.

There is a sub-plot in the novel involving Sam’s younger sister Jessica that pulls Sam and Vic into conflict regarding personal choices and decisions, ones that reach into their relationship and force Sam to re-evaluate what she thought she wanted from life and what she may desire instead. Lust or love? It’s time for Sam to choose.

It’s romantic because their is a budding relationship at the heart of the story and always a HEA–at least the hope for one! This is definitely not a pre-requisite when outlining your women’s fiction novel.

Can you leave readers with a teaser from LUST ON THE ROCKS?

“My father is a prominent attorney.”
Sam gave an expectant lift to her shoulders.  “And?”
“And, what?  He’s a good guy.”  Depressed, angry…  Vic sighed.  But a good man at heart.
“What do they think of you moving to Miami?”
Something inside him hardened.  “They’re very supportive of what I do.”
She nodded, as though it were obvious.  “They want you to be happy.”
Vic felt the old pressure swell in his gut.  “Something like that.”  He sipped from his drink, coating his ache with a soothing measure of gin.
“Family is important,” Sam said, with what sounded like genuine admiration.  “Particularly the dedicated kind.”
He paused, and held onto the softness that entered her voice.  “If you feel that way, why aren’t you married?”
“Why aren’t you?”
“Asked you first.  The way you said it, sounded like you have some experience in the department.”
“I do.  Loads of it.”  She shook long bangs from her well-shaped brow and said, “I come from a family of six kids.”
“Six kids?”
“Six.  And I, being the oldest, had to help raise the little beasts—I mean, dearies.”  She smiled sweet as syrup.  “And mind you, I love every one of them, but I don’t want to repeat history.”  She mimicked a shudder and fiddled with her drink’s red plastic sword.  “I’ve had my fill in the child-rearing department, thank you very much, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the commitment my parents made to keep it together.”
Oblivious now to the parade of passersby, Vic felt a strange wave of disappointment.  “What, you don’t want kids?”
“I have kids,” she asserted.  “My brothers and sisters have several between them who I enjoy very much, but as for myself I’ve chosen a different path.”
Vic nodded, but said nothing.  He was calculating the new information, turning it over in his mind, deciding what it meant and how he felt about it.
And it’s reflection on her.
“So Vic, you still haven’t explained why you chose Miami.”
He welcomed the shift in tide.  Talk of marriage and children was starting to depress him.  “I’m looking to add a little ‘sunshine’ to my life and this seemed just the place.”
Sam dipped into her martini, the fiery gleam in her eyes magnetic, her smile reflecting the earlier reference.  Inciting desire, it pulled him in, all without revealing her first thought.
“Yes, well, sounds to me like you had a vested opportunity in your father’s firm.  Why cross the country and start over?”
“I wanted a change in scenery.  While I’m young,” he added, with measured thrust.
Sam smiled, intrigued, but let the subject go.
While she had yet to decipher the reason for Vic’s move, and Raul’s insistence on acting as his cheerleader, she knew men didn’t usually uproot their careers and move halfway across the country, particularly when their father was a well-connected attorney in town and their academics were spotless.
Unless there was a problem.

Where can readers find you on the web?

My author website is http://www.DianneVenetta.com and my facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/DianneVenetta while my Twitter handle is @DianneVenetta

Author Bio:Dianne lives in Central Florida with her husband, two children and part-time Yellow Lab–Cody-body!  When not whacking away at her keyboard crafting her next novel you’ll find her in their organic garden chasing grasshoppers and plucking hornworms all while drawing wild analogies between kids and plants and men.  Definitely men.A girl’s gotta have fun, right?When she’s not knee-deep in dirt or romance, Dianne contributes garden advice for various websites and volunteers in her kids’ school garden (a crazy existence to be sure). But at the end of the day, if she can inspire someone to stop and smell the roses–or rosemary!—kiss their child and spouse good-night, be kind to a neighbor and Mother Earth, then she’s done all right.
http://www.DianneVenetta.com
http://www.twitter.com/DianneVenetta
http://www.facebook.com/DianneVenetta
http://www.BloominThyme.com - the last being my garden blog






Giveaway Details:

  • Dianne is gifting a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
  • Please leave a comment or a question for Dianne, along with your email addy. (Please break it apart using (at) and (dot) to avoid spambots.)
  • Contest will run the duration of the tour.
  • Winner will be randomly selected and notified.

Tour Stops:
The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/11/virtual-book-tour-lust-on-rocks-by.html