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.
“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.
I love to hear from readers!
Buy links for Runaway Love Story
Thanks so much for hosting me today, Brenda!
ReplyDeleteIt'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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