Wednesday, July 17, 2019

#WickedWednesday with Sadira Stone #WRPbks #romance


WICKED WEDNESDAY


Back with us today is one of my favorite guests, Sadira Stone. Her latest novel is set in Oregon, a favorite state of mine. How about a wickedly sassy senior citizen? Read on...

Thanks for hosting me on another Wicked Wednesday, Brenda. Today I’m talking about my most recent steamy contemporary romance, Runaway Love Story, Book 2 in the Book Nirvana series. Set in Eugene, Oregon, this series centers around the owner and employees of an indie bookshop, complete with a friendly shop cat and a collection of—let’s say adult books—kept behind a locked red door. (Hence the title of Book One, Through the Red Door.)

My favorite character by far in RLS is the heroine’s 90-year-old great aunt Maxie. A quirky, artistic spitfire, Maxie is the adoptive grandmother to many young artists. Her colorful cottage in Eugene’s Whiteaker District is always buzzing with activity. With her neon-red hair, bedazzled cane, and funky outfits, Maxie is a role model for her grandniece Laurel, the model of the independent, artistic woman she wants to become.

Alas, Maxie has reached the point where she can no longer live alone. She’s elected to move into an assisted living senior complex, rather than burden her family. Here’s a snipped in which Laurel and Maxie arrive for a tour of the facility.

  
              “Earth to Laurel.” Maxie’s cane rapped her knee.
                “Sorry, I was just…”
                “And they say I have memory troubles. Let’s go.” No question, Maxie was completely herself again, energetic and focused. And bossy.
                Laurel followed her to the office building. Really quite lovely for an old folks’ home, Willamette Grove resembled a college campus. Tudor-style buildings with dark wood trim surrounded a neat lawn. Pansies nodded from cement urns at every doorway. Beneath a huge sycamore tree, a dozen white-haired residents in pastel sweats glided through a slow-motion Tai Chi routine.
                “Looks boring,” Maxie grumbled. “I’m gonna sign up for Zumba class.” She toddler-stepped up the shallow stairs. “And painting, of course. The art building’s over there. The café next door is open all day. Good place to meet fellas.” Maxie handed her a spiral-bound notebook. “You take notes, in case I forget anything later.”
                Inside, a plump woman with freckled cheeks and a short pouf of white hair greeted them. “Welcome to Willamette Glen. I’m Pearl. What can I do for you ladies today?”
                “Mr. Mendez said I could take measurements for my new apartment. Maxine Schmidt.” She poked the desk calendar with one glittery fingernail. “That’s me. Ten o’clock.”
                “Just let me fetch a pass key.”
                While the receptionist stepped away, Laurel whispered, “Ritzy place, Maxie.”
                She nodded. “Been saving for a rainy day. I’m going out in style, my dear.”
                Maxie’s dark humor weighted Laurel’s shoulders. No matter how many pansies and classes this place offered, it was still the last stop for its residents.
                “This is the nice side, of course,” Maxie continued. “Over there, behind the dining hall, there’s the wing for the folks with CRS.”
                “CRS?”
                “Can’t remember sh**.” She cackled and smacked the countertop. “But hey, if they gotta lock me up to keep me from wandering off, at least I’ll be in a pretty place. With cute nurses.” She nodded toward a buff young man in scrubs. “Hubba Hubba.”

Author Bio 
Ever since her first kiss, Sadira’s been spinning steamy tales in her head. After leaving her teaching career in Germany, she finally tried her hand at writing one. Now she’s a happy citizen of Romancelandia, penning contemporary romance and cozy mysteries from her home in Washington State. When not writing, which is seldom, she explores the Pacific Northwest with her charming husband, enjoys the local music scene, belly dances, plays guitar badly, and gobbles all the books.

Visit Sadira at www.sadirastone.com.
I love to hear from readers!


Buy links for Runaway Love Story





2 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for hosting me today, Brenda!

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    1. It's always great to have you here, Sadira. Sorry I got stuck on the road and couldn't check in yesterday. Thanks for posting!

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