Guest Interview - Jean Maxwell with The Price Of Passion

I am delighted to have collared Jean Maxwell today. She's here to tell us about her new release. Make yourself at home, Jean, and get ready to answer my nosy questions!

Thank you for inviting me to your blog, Doris…I’m thrilled to be here!

Q. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

A. Sure. Career-wise I’ve been a graphic designer and communications professional for many years. Suffice it to say ‘many’. I live in Edmonton, Alberta, which is in western Canada. Interestingly, I’ve read a few Evernight novels that are set here. I started writing in 2010 as a NaNoWriMo project.

Oooh, snap. *giggles* 2010 was a good year to start writing it seems :-) 

Q. What made you write ‘this’ story?

A. As I wrote my previous novel, El Mirador, the characters just weren’t ready to let go of me and I knew I had a series on my hands. I needed to explore the hero and heroine’s past, and help them move into the future.

Q. Tell us about your cover.

A. Ah yes… what do you think of it? I wanted it to be in the same style as its predecessor, but the original artist had left the company. A new artist picked up the ball and did a really good job, although I would have liked to see a little more skin…  J

It's a fab cover, but yes skin is always good ;-)

Q. Describe a typical day’s writing for us

A. I wish I could say I had a whole day! Sadly, it typically begins around 10 pm with laptop on knees,  and a glass of cab sav at the ready. I re-read the previous day’s efforts and that helps me jump in with a new thought or angle.

Q. What inspires you?

A. Almost everything! A turn of phrase that strikes me as a great title…a person I see on the street, a task or situation I’m in the middle of.

Q. If you weren’t a writer what would you be?

A. ….snort…Funny question, as writer is already tacked on to a lengthy list of occupations. But since writing was always a bit of a fantasy, I’ll go with the next fantasy…probably an actress.

Q. Do your characters ever surprise you?

A. Yes, and I’m happy to be in such good company because I hear other authors all saying the same thing! That their characters jump up and down, demanding to be heard. Before you know it, words and actions seem to get on the paper (or screen) seemingly by themselves!

*nods*  

Q. What could not do without when you’re writing?

A. Some modicum of silence. I sometimes write to music, but stick with instrumentals as song lyrics tend to distract me from the words I’m trying to get down. Occasionally I can block out background noise, but do best when I’m alone and maybe in front of my fireplace if it’s winter.

Q. What words of wisdom do you have for the aspiring authors out there?

A. I plead the Nike slogan: JUST DO IT. Never let what you think you can or can’t do get in the way of a good story -- It will find its own path!

Wise words indeed :-)

Q. Where do you see yourself in ten year’s time?

A. I dearly hope I am working on at least my tenth novel by then, earning a little pin money from them, and spending 6 months of the year in my favorite place on Earth – Cabo San Lucas.

Q. Do you have a favourite quote?

A. “Throughout history, it has always been easier to destroy than to create.” – Mister Spock, Commander USS Enterprise. This statement is why I choose to create!

 Q. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

A. Only a mild form known as PROCRASTINATION.

Heh, I know that one well.

Q. What other books can your readers look forward to?

A. In October I hope readers will enjoy my bit in Evernight’s Halloween Anthology, Just Vamps. I have a WIP involving witchcraft and alchemy, and a music-inspired series tentatively titled ‘Overtures.’ As always, there’s a thousand other ideas running around in my head for new stories.

Q. And finally can you share an excerpt with us?

This scene is one of the earliest I wrote for this book, and still my favourite. Our hero and heroine are seeing each other for the first time in two weeks, and simply can’t wait another second!  Everyone should have the chance to be this naughty once in a while!

Blurb:

Following your passions, whether in your past, present or future, comes at a price.

 Happily in love with engineer David Parker, and pursuing her new career as CEO of Flynn Enterprises in sunny Spain, architect Zara Flynn’s idyllic world is shaken to the core with a single text message. She must return home to Montreal to deal with an apartment break-in and the theft of her car. At the same time, her heart is put on the line by a woman from Dave’s past who claims to be pregnant with his child.

 Her mind reeling, she flees to Montreal to do damage control on her property, landing in the arms of an old flame who spares no expense in trying to win her back. Exhausted and vulnerable, she is charmed by his attention, but can he be trusted?

 Zara is torn between two worlds, when the most devastating news of all is revealed. Can she make things right with Dave, or has she already lost him to another woman?

Excerpt:

“Welcome back, Lightning Girl,” he said with a dimpled smile, his voice low and raw with emotion. He took her hands in his. She thought her knees might give out as she recognized the undisguised need in his gaze. She swallowed hard and clasped his hands to her chest.

“Hey, Thunder Boy,” she said, embarrassed at the squeaky, Debra Winger-ish voice ensuing from her lips.

“May I escort you to your office?” he asked, casting a sidelong glance at the small crowd surrounding Mrs. Flynn.

Zara nodded weakly, feeling incapable of uttering another word. Dave’s arm slipped around her shoulders and guided her away from the action and down the long hall.

At last, they reached the cool solitude of the CEO’s office, Dave closing the door behind them. They didn’t get much farther. He spun her around and braced her against the heavy oak paneling, trapping her between him and the door.

“My God, I missed you,” he said, his mouth seeking hers insistently. She barely heard his words above the pounding of her own heart. Her lips trembled as they met his in a searing, all-consuming kiss. If he’d not been holding her so tight, she’d have melted to the floor in a pool of desire. She pulled her hands free and dove them into his tousled locks, dragging her fingers through the soft, collar-length waves of light brown hair.

When they broke their kiss, neither of them breathed lightly. A kiss wasn’t nearly enough to quell the urges seething within. Dave leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes closed.

“This is completely unprofessional and inappropriate,” he whispered.

“I agree,” she said, trying to catch her breath. “What on earth were you thinking, Mr. Parker?”

“Ha.” He smiled his signature half-smile as he continued to hyperventilate. “I was thinking, a demonstration might make things more clear, Miss Flynn.” He swallowed and brought his respiration rate down to a manageable level. “With your permission?”

“By all means, you have my complete attention, sir.”

He pushed away from the door, pulling her with him. He dragged one of the hard-backed visitor chairs over and jammed it up against the doorknob. Walking backwards, he towed her across the room to the oversized drafting table between two massive bookcases. He lifted her to sit on the vinyl-topped surface, wedging his body between her knees. His hands framed her face while he kissed her, hard.

Without conscious thought, Zara’s fingers went to his belt, flipping the buckle open and sliding it through the jean loops and onto the floor. She undid the metal button and worked the zipper down in a few tugs. He caught up strands of her hair and massaged them against her cheeks as he deepened his kiss, letting her continue undressing him. She separated the buttons on his soft denim shirt, slipping her hands inside to stroke his muscled chest. Her fingertips found his taut nipples and lingered there, tickling and touching.

He wrenched the rest of the shirt off then set to work on the front buttons of her sweater, stripping her down to her lacy black bra. His mouth moved to her chest, licking and kissing the mounds of her breasts as he pushed up the hem of her skirt.

With her hormones raging, Zara felt like she might leave a puddle on the tabletop if she didn’t get his dick inside her in the next ten seconds. She grasped at the waistband of his jeans and pushed them down past his hips, releasing his swollen member from its bounds. He pulled her roughly to the edge of the table, lifting her enough to free her skirt from around her bum. Her thin panties were no match for Dave’s insistent fingers. Not much material to them in any case, they shredded easily in his hands. He slung one arm under her knee and lifted it to his ribs, creating enough clearance to plunge his throbbing penis into her.

Zara sucked in air at the sudden, aggressive entry, surprised at how much the rough play excited her. Her arms went tight around his back, her fingernails digging into his skin, clinging to him like a cat on a scratching post. She relished the pounding rhythm of his cock driving into her. Holy Mother, was this how it would always be between them if they were apart for more than a few days? God, she hoped so.

She took all of what he had to give her, mindless of the blueprints and mechanical pencils scattering to the floor from the rocking tabletop. Without the benefit of much foreplay, Zara still felt the rising tide of orgasm flow toward her center as she matched his thrusts.

It usually didn’t work that way for her, the tender tissues between her legs typically requiring a bit more encouragement and…finesse, but…right now…felt good. Jesus, this was her workplace! At least twenty people stood not five meters outside the door. This is crazy!

A burning flush rose up her chest, her breasts tingling and tightening, while her inner thighs quivered on the threshold of surrender. The very idea of making it on an office desk, and that they might be discovered at any moment, brought an unexpected thrill. This is beyond crazy…this is unconscionable…this is…oh, sweet Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

She tumbled into orgasm, and so did he. As Dave was about to let out a satisfactory moan, Zara covered his mouth in a smothering kiss to prevent any telltale noise from exiting the room. His free hand cupped the back of her head. She listened to the sound of his breathing and the soft grunts trapped in his throat as he buried himself in her kiss.

Their lips parted, and he nuzzled her neck and licked her earlobe before speaking in a painful whisper. “I’m sorry…if I rushed you. Did I hurt you? I never want to hurt you. I can do better.”

She kissed his cheek. “If you were hurting me, I sure as hell like being hurt,” she replied. “And if you did any better, I’d have to fire you. For being so unprofessional. But your, demonstration, was certainly convincing. Remind me to have you make business presentations more often.”

Hmmm, sounds delicious! 

You can buy this gem at Evernight Publishing

Thanks so much for stopping in, Jean, and Happy Release Day!

I am having a blast with my foray into the writing field, and meeting up with so many other authors via social media. I love the way we support each other, like this visit with you today. Thank you again for having me!  Reader’s can like and follow Jean Maxwell at:

www.idreamofjean.com

www.thejeanjournal.com

www.facebook.com/authorjeanmaxwell

twitter.com@dearjeanmaxwell