Breathless Press Round Robin: Welcome Dianne Hartsock!

Inspiration

Come on in! Sit down.  Just a second, let me say a quick 'thank you' to Lee for letting me borrow his delightful blog site or the day… Thanks Lee!

Now, I've just got to tell you about this outrageous thing that happened at work the other day. Well, at least it's outrageous for this small, family friendly town where I live. I'm always being asked where I get my inspiration for my stories. Would you believe that it mostly comes from work?

Let me set the scene. I'm the floral designer for an eclectic gift shop. It's kind of a blend between a Pier 1 Imports, with a tea bar, books, music, and indoor/outdoor plants. My floral department is smack dab in the middle where I see everyone's comings and goings.

Oh, and we also sell balloons. Anyway, one of the girls has just become engaged, so we were chatting about boyfriends and men in general while she blew up balloons for a customer and I did my thing with their flower arrangement.

And that's when it happened! This guy comes strutting straight up to my friend and whispers something in her ear. Not very quietly, mind you. Her eyes grow wide and she vigorously shakes her head. The stranger shrugs and walks away. A moment later I see him leave the store with his arm around a slim brunet, both men talking animatedly.

I look at my friend. She's blinking and there's an almost shocked look on her face. I couldn't help it! I burst out laughing.

"Did he just ask you to an orgy?"

"Yes. Yes he did," she stammers, blushing red.

"Oh my god, that's awesome!"

Probably not the most appropriate thing for me to say, and I'm still having trouble believing I heard him right. Maybe this kind of thing happens all the time where you're from. But here? Not so much. Of course everyone comes around to see what I'm cackling about. My friend tells her story. Some are surprised and others a little angry with the guy.

My boss is like, "He just asked her to have sex with him. That's disgusting."

And here's me, snickering into my sleeve. It would take some balls to walk into a crowded shop and ask someone that!  And he was a nice looking guy, compact body, big blue eyes, and those sexy blond curls some guys are born with. And his friend was breathtaking, so it's not like they were hard up for dates.

So, my boss is scowling, my co-workers are like, "Yeah, she would find this amusing." (They know I write erotic romances). And I'm busy plotting out this deliciously wicked scene for my current WIP.

Inspiration? Oh yeah, there's nothing like the daily life of a florist to find it! My very first m/m erotic romance is loosely based on a couple who occasionally come into the shop, one man with incredible blue eyes and is very shy, and his tall, dark and handsome partner who obviously adores him. Sigh. I love watching them together-in a professional capacity, of course.  I began writing a story of how they might have met, but then my characters took on lives of their own and ran away with the plot. Love when that happens.

SHELTON IN LOVE

Breathless Press: http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=32&zenid=v0920qvi64l3tj2sicg5ea1q77

Shelton's falling quickly for his sexy roommate, but can he forget the pain of past rejections and give Nevil what they're both aching for?  

Shelton is falling hard for his best friend and roommate, finding Nevil's dark good looks and moments of gentleness almost impossible to resist. But Nevil is more interested in affairs of the body than the heart. As Shelton's desire for the man grows, he wonders if he can change Nevil's mind. But does he even want to? Nevil might not stay, once he learns Shelton's secret, and then his loneliness would be complete.

You can find me here:

Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/

Temptation

M/M/M Contemporary Ménage from Breathless Press

Meeting Solomon again while holding hands with another man wasn't in Lake's plan. Neither was anything that happened afterward.