Happy December, everyone! I know I haven’t been visible for most of it thus far and for that I apologize. Just putting out a lot of fires in RL right now. And speaking of “fire,” I’m delighted to welcome Gemma Brocato back to my blog with her newest release, PLAYING WITH FIRE. This is another entry in her Five Senses series, and it’s a spicy 5-star read. You can find my review on Amazon. In the meantime, please welcome Gemma as she shares a bit about the research that went into her “sizzling” story!
~ooOOoo~
Thanks, Mae, for having me over today to talk about Playing With Fire. I loved writing this story because I got to get reacquainted with some of my favorite characters from the Five Senses Series, brother and sister, Sam Kerrigan and Pippa Mathers. This short story was an opportunity to give Sarah Willis, a secondary character from Sam’s book, Exposed To Passion, her own story.
Sarah is the Assistant Principal at Granite Pointe High School, and the story opens with her having to discipline a student who has yelled at the art teacher in an argument about different styles of graffiti. Sarah has to meet with the kid’s dad, Cris Bayfield. The chemistry between the two is strong and immediate, and to be resisted by both parties at all costs. Thankfully, their resistance is futile.
While I was writing the story, I needed to conduct a little research about the different styles of graffiti. I had no idea there were any differences at all. But while I was researching, I came across this website and fell in love with some of the art they shared.
For more amazing graffiti, click here
A fan sent me some graffiti she’d made on Pho.to Lab Pro I was touched that she’d pulled that aspect from the story to create something with meaning.
I love my job because of the research I get to do to be sure my facts are as accurate as they can be. Sometimes my research makes me laugh or at least smile. Sometimes I end up wanting to bleach my eyeballs. And heaven forbid any law enforcement types ever get a hold of my search history. I’d have some ’splaining to do.
Thanks again, Mae, for inviting me over today. I hope you find your research as entertaining as I do.
Every day is filled with conferences, obligations, and disciplinary meetings for Assistant Principal Sarah Willis. When a student is sent to her office, a confrontation with his father, the new fire marshal in Granite Pointe, doesn’t extinguish her instant attraction to the man.
When his son gets into trouble at school, Cris Bayfield discovers he’s hot for teacher. His interest in Sarah goes beyond parent-teacher conferences, but her artistic side and his past history could spell doom for any potential relationship.
When the theatrical director for the high school play resigns unexpectedly, Sarah has to step in as the understudy, throwing her in Cris’s path on a regular basis. As they spend more and more time together, her resolve to not get involved with a parent goes up in flames.
About the Author
Gemma Brocato was born with a book in her hands, and learned to read shortly after. She Able to read in a moving car without getting motion sickness, a fact she’s proud to share. After spending too many years making financial products and advisors sound sexy, she quit her full-time job to focus her efforts on contemporary romance novels. As a hybrid author, she has several indie titles as well as traditionally published work, with plans to add four more titles this year to her growing list of books.
Connect with Gemma at the following haunts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gemma.brocato
Website: www.Gemmabrocato.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GemmaBrocato @Gemmabrocato
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7229886.Gemma_Brocato
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gemma_brocato/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+GemmaBrocato/posts
Love this line: “And heaven forbid any law enforcement types ever get a hold of my search history. I’d have some ’splaining to do.” Ha! You and me both. Too funny. You’re book sounds like a great read.
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Thanks, Sue. It’s always risky to look up some things, like I needed to know what kind of chemical reacts with water to explode. But lately, my favorite spot has been the online slang dictionary. I alternate between wildly embarrassed and busting a gut laughing.
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It’s it fun (and scary) the research writers have to do? I knew you especially would appreciate that line of Gemma’s, Sue! 😀
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Thanks so much for having me over today, Mae. It is always a pleasure to spend time here.
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Always happy to host you. Wishing you the best with “Fire.” I loved Cris!
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This sounds really good. I see stories about people with young kids, but not often are the kids teenagers old enough to have to balance emotions and reason. And, of course, the leads intrigue me. Good luck with the release.
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Thanks, Staci. I enjoy writing about teens and have frequently found a way to work them into my stories.
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I enjoyed that story line in the book, Staci. Gemma does a great job with Cris’s son “Trip.” I made a seventeen year old a strong secondary character in Eclipse Lake, and a lot of readers came back later and said he needed his own book to continue his story when he was a little older. I could see Gemma doing that with Trip, too.
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Very interesting. I love learning about the research authors do for their books.
sherry @ fundinmental
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Thanks, Sherry. Right now I’m researching gods and goddesses. I didn’t know how much I didn’t know!
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Thanks for visiting, Sherry. Research is definitely an intriguing topic when it comes to authors and their work, LOL.
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Totally impressed you can read in the car without getting sick. Best of luck on the new release!
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I can even write when I’m in a moving car. In fact, I went out and bought an adapter that powers my laptop while on really long road trips. I never leave home without it. Or a book!
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Thanks for visiting and checking out Gemma’s latest, Stanalei!
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Lovely, Gemma. I know what you mean about that search history, mine would be thought rather odd too. Good luck with the new book and it’s great to see you posting again.
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Hi Daisy, Lovely to see you again. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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I think research history for writers would make a fun book in itself, LOL. Thanks for dropping in, Daisy. I hope to be back in my regular posting and commenting pattern now!
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This sounds great, Gemma.
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Thanks for checking out Gemma’s release, Emma. Hope all has been well with you!
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