I’m happy to welcome Soul Mate author Belle Ami. Today, Belle reminisces about the characters in her novels and shares her latest release, One More Time is Not Enough.
Here’s Belle!
Let it be known, I do not like saying farewell to the characters in my novels. After all, I’ve slept with them, dreamt with them, fought with them, empathized with them, hated them, and, of course, loved them. They are like my children, oft times difficult, doing things I don’t approve of and a real pain in the ass, but when all is said and done, they are mine, and just like my children, I will defend them with my last breath. However, there does come a time when, as Kahlil Gibran wrote in The Prophet, you have to let them fly on their own. I quote, “You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth”, which can easily be applied to your characters. Even though you’ve created them and breathed life into them, there comes a time when you have to let them go. Mr. Gibran also wisely wrote: “Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They came through you but not from you and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.” If that’s not true of your characters, I don’t know what is.
My new book published on July 13th by Soul Mate Publishing is actually the third book in my The Only One series. It is a stand-alone romance/suspense/sexy novel that is the last in this three book series. I love my characters for their optimism, their cynicism, their idiosyncrasies, and their flaws. I like to think that they are fully developed people who reflect not only what life has dealt them in the past, but people who wish to change and improve who they are in the present. That’s what brings them to life and that’s what places them with their feet firmly on the ground as living, breathing beings.
Miles Bremen is a billionaire who has fought his way to the top. Everything he has gained in this life he has earned. Perhaps that accounts for his possessive nature, his inability to trust, and his desire to keep what he considers his. His flaws are many, but he attacks life with an unbridled passion. His failed marriage to Adelia Lindstrom is a stain on his otherwise perfect world, a world in which he is usually in control. Adelia is the one woman he ever loved and he lost her. He is determined to do whatever it takes to win her back.
Adelia Lindstrom seemingly has everything, wealth, beauty, perfect twin children, and a career she loves. But, beneath the veneer of success and prosperity lies disappointment, tragedy, and unending lies. Her parents were murdered, her marriage ended in a custody battle, and she is confused by the feelings she has for the two men in her life. Her ex-husband who betrayed her in an unforgivable manner is back on the scene determined to win her back. Her best friend and lover, FBI agent David Weiss, has always been there for her, but his new career with the bureau has made him unavailable and removed. What’s a girl to do? In the beginning of the series, she was a young, trusting, vulnerable woman, but her trials and tribulations have matured and wizened her. She is no longer a girl, but a woman who knows who she is, and isn’t afraid to risk everything for what she wants. But, what does she want?
Throw in an added obstacle for good measure, she’s about to become the target of a serial killer. Can David protect her? Can Miles win her back? Can she have her cake and eat it too? Is there a happily-ever-after for these three. You bet there is, but not without pain, discovery, and overcoming obstacles. There is a Zen saying that I like to apply to my characters: Leap and the net will appear.
I digress, getting back to letting go of your characters. It turns out I’m not very good at it. In my new series that I am writing, in the second book which I’m writing now, I’ve decided to bring back FBI Agent David Weiss. He with his firecracker partner, Cassandra Saladino, are investigating a terrorist attack on the United States. I’m very excited about bringing back one of my favorite guys.
Oh, the joy of not having to say goodbye to a character, to allow them to live and love again.
Excerpt
Northern California
Route One
The sports car hugged the road as David down-shifted into a hairpin curve on Route One. Adelia brushed the wind-blown wisps of hair that had escaped her braid from her eyes. She leaned her head against the headrest and absorbed the late Summer sunshine. The radio station The Highway blared over the radio, competing with the engine’s roar. At the academy, David had fallen in love with country music thanks to Preston. A song came on the radio next, and he turned up the volume.
“Listen to the words, I believe this is our song.”
She turned to look at him but his dark aviator sunglasses hid his eyes. With her curiosity piqued, she listened. A sexy baritone voice filled the air.
When you walked through the door
I knew…you were the one
My heart said hello, but my head said run
Before I knew it I’d asked you to dance
Time stands still in the arms of romance
Pulled you close, kissed your lips, felt your fingers
in my hair;
Turning slowly, falling fast, trying hard not to care;
You’re like whiskey and music
With your hands all over me
Turnin’ me on, like a sexy song
Making it hard for me to breathe
I should have seen the writing on the wall
One more time is not enough
When there’s nowhere left to fall
Adelia switched off the radio and turned away from him as she fought back her tears. “Are you trying to hurt me? I don’t remember you ever being cruel.”
“No, I’m trying to be honest with you. We both know this magical escape is an illusion. A week from now I’ll go to Washington and you’ll go back to your kids, and Miles will convince you to remarry him. Just like the song says, One more time is not enough, when there’s nowhere left to fall. We were never meant to be.”
“You don’t know a thing, David Weiss.” Frustration simmered inside of her. “Can’t you for once just live in the moment?”
“One of us has to try and keep the moment real.”
“I still don’t understand why you had to joined the FBI? You’ve made it impossible for us to be together. It’s as if you’re doing everything in your power to put obstacles in our way. All your professed love for me, was it all a lie?”
He reached over and took her hand, raising it to his lips, then kissed her knuckles. “I’d take a bullet for you, and you know it.”
“Then show me what you feel, show me you love me.”
“I’m here, aren’t I? Isn’t that enough.”
She turned away from him. “No, it’s not. Like the song says, it will never be enough.”
Where to find Belle…
The One | The One and More | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Website
When asked about her extraordinary success, recording artist and motivational performer Jana Stanfield said, “I believe in the power of small steps to create great changes.”
What I know about writing is elusive.
It’s official.
Madelyn Hill has always loved the written word. From the time she could read and all through her school years, she’d sneak books into her textbooks during school. And she devoured books daily. At the age of 10 she proclaimed she wanted to be a writer. After being a “closet” writer for several years, she sent her manuscripts out there and is now published with Soul Mate Publishing. And she couldn’t be happier!
Joanne Guidoccio 