Thursday 2 January 2014

From Idea, to Title, to Story -The Evolution of Delicious Delay by Tara Quan

Today I'd like to welcome fellow Decadent Publishing author Tara Quan with her brand new release Delicious Delay (doesn't that cover look yummy?). Take it away Tara.

I’d like to start to by thanking Nana Prah for letting me plug my new release from Decadent Publishing. A contemporary romance, Delicious Delay came out on December 27. The blurb and excerpt are at the end of this post, and I’ve been updating my website (http://taraquan.com/delicious-delay/) with all the buy links. And thus ends my self-promotion for the day—on to my actual post.

I might be in the minority here, but I’m one of those authors who start off with a title before coming up with a story. That’s right—I’m a prompt writer! It’s why I love reading submission calls. They give me a central idea around which I can build my romance.

During a hot and unpleasant journey back to the U.S., I was delayed in the UAE for about eight hours. Assailed by boredom, I sent out a tweet casually remarking about how a delay in the desert could be an interesting premise for a romance.

To my surprise (I’m of the opinion that no one reads my tweets), a book blogger and Goodreads buddy replied with suggestions for possible titles. One of them was Delicious Delay.

At the time, I didn’t even have a story—just a setting and a title. But the more I thought about those two simple words, the more plot bunnies invaded my mind. By the time I crossed the Atlantic Ocean, the book was mentally born. It took me quite a while longer to transcribe it all into words.


Blurb

Stranded in a Middle Eastern airport, Michelle Day finds herself the object of interest for an abrasive, but all-too-sexy stranger—a stranger who tempts her with the forbidden in a land where indecency could get her killed. But how does one say no to such a deliciously, relentless pursuit?

Khalid Al Dehri takes one look at the red-headed spitfire in the business class lounge and knew he’d either been transported to heaven—or hell. Her tart response to his surliness intrigues him beyond all propriety and the longer he spends in her company, the more he can’t deny his forbidden attraction. But will she explore the sensuality between them or will society’s rules keep them apart?


Excerpt

He grinned. “So I have a proposal.”

She tried to get her breathing under control, without much success. “Why am I sure it’s an indecent one?”

He motioned his head toward the far end of the lounge. Latticed wooden screens gave that particular section more privacy. In an L-shaped room, the tucked-away location prevented a direct line of sight from the dining or reception areas.

He got up and offered her his hand. She hesitated for a long moment before taking it. With faltering footsteps, she followed him. More private or not, limits on how far this could go existed due to them being in an airport lounge. Since her self-control had chosen today to take a vacation, she appreciated the imposed constraint.

He lowered himself onto a plush leather sofa deep inside the cordoned area. With walls on either side and screens strategically angled, the space seemed to have been designed as a spot for people to nap.

On the brink of crossing a dangerous line, she hesitated. “What exactly do you have in mind?”

“I’m just giving you the opportunity to have your way with me,” he offered, his face the picture of innocence.

She hadn’t expected that answer. “I don’t quite follow.”

He kicked one of his legs out and tangled it with hers. She stumbled and instinctively moved her hands forward to brace herself. Her palms flattened over his hard muscled chest when she landed.

She traced the shape of his pectorals. “What do you do all day? Work out?”

He chuckled, the low rumble all male. “I have access to the best personal trainers money can buy. They help keep me honest.”

She shook her head in disbelief as the man preened. “Have you heard of a concept called humility?”

“It’s not one of my virtues,” he admitted. “I’ve never understood the point.”

She sighed. “It’s the polite thing to do.”

He placed his forefinger under her chin and tipped her head up, his expression playful. “So what is a sweet, polite, goody two shoes doing on top of me?”


Globetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, fantasy worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, her characters are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after. Learn more at www.taraquan.com


6 comments:

  1. Hahahaha...loved the excerpt. Congrats, Tara and happy New Year to you and Nana

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  2. It was so nice of you to let me drop by here Nana, and thanks Kiru! Happy New Year to you both :)

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    1. It was my pleasure, Tara. Happy New Year to you, too.

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  3. Interesting excerpts, Tara. Good Luck!

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  4. The excerpt leaves a trail of questions, I like it. Congrats on your book, Tara and a Happy New Year to you.

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