heroes and heroines

Beyond Infinity

| Melia Alexander

In my experience, a writer doesn’t exist in a bubble. On the contrary. There are people who 20150722_185525help us along on this crazy roller coaster publishing ride, and even well past the times our babies are launched into the world. While we seek some of these people, others fall onto our paths at the most opportune moments. So much so that we never forget them. Ever.

Romance writer author-pal Donna Alward definitely falls into this category for me! See, there was a time at a RWA National Conference when I seriously questioned what the hell I was still doing trying to get published in the face of rejection after rejection after…you get the picture.

And when my critique partner insisted that I join her while she met up with some Harlequin editors and multi-pubbed authors, that was THE LAST place I wanted to be. I mean, who was I to dare sully the same air as these greats, right? So I trailed behind, stayed on the fringes of the group, and generally tried to find interest in the touristy things we were seeing: The Reflection Pool, The Washington Monument, some rocks at The Natural History Museum. I didn’t feel like I belonged with them. At All. At least, that was until Donna stepped in.

She talked to me. Like, actually cared about what I was writing, and that I WAS writing at all. With her interest, I found myself back in the writing game. And am I ever happy I continued!

That day I learned about the awesome power of  hope that we all hold over each other. One word…one look…one smile…sometimes that’s all that’s needed to make a positive difference in another human being’s life. I try hard to remember that, although I do need to be reminded every now and then, too!

So today’s Take-Me-Back Thursday photo is of the two of us at RWA 2015 in New York City. We planned, we schemed, we laughed, and we shared “special” chocolate pieces! Honestly, I’d go beyond infinity for this lady! Well…as long as it’s moral and legal! Okay, okay…those are admittedly flexible rules, too! (But don’t share that with her, ‘kay? She might draft me onto a committee or something! 😉 )

Have you met someone super-influential in your life? Please share!

Happy Almost-Friday!

Hugs and chocolate kisses,
Melia

Welcome to the World, Aidan and Delaney!

| Melia Alexander

Happy book birthday to Aidan and Delaney, the hero and heroine of my new romantic comedy, Driven to Temptation!

Here’s the book blurb:

Aidan Ross might be an engineering genius, but people skills? Not this soldier’s forte. Thankfully, a trusted friend is accompanying him to a make-or-break tradeshow…but then a bubbly redhead hops into his truck, claiming to be his newDrivenToTemptation_1600road trip buddy. She’s a gorgeous distraction he can’t afford. Or ignore.

Delaney Harper comes from a family of engineers—male engineers. With several impressive projects under her belt, she’s on a mission to prove she can hang with the big boys, too. But cracking the sexy, closed-off CEO is tougher than she expects…and hotter than she could have imagined.

With the tempting woman disrupting his carefully planned schedule, Aidan can’t focus on the road, much less their upcoming presentation. The future of his company is riding on this trip, and if they’re to land a huge account, he has to keep his head—and his heart—in the game…

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go back to squeeing from the rooftop…

Happy reading,
Melia

The Bells Toll at St. Michael’s

| Melia Alexander

Well, okay, I honestly don’t remember if the bells tolled when I first saw St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral. All I remember was that I was in a new city in a different state, and I got a chance to explore sans kids or husband. Translation: It was pure bliss!

Let me explain…As a writer, I tend to get lost in story when I come across anything interesting. Doesn’t seem to matter what it is – a smell, a sound, an awesome pair of shoes…Maybe one that a certain writer might gift herself with once she finishes her next book and sends it in to her amazing editor…*insert happy sigh!*

But I digress…

Let’s just say La Muse loves sipping her Bourbon, smoking her cigar and making stuff up at the slightest provocation…Unless, of course, I’m on deadline. It’s generally at this point she decides she needs a vacay. (Nice, huh?)

Anyway, while on a recent trip to Boise, I walked around the city a bit (and ooohhh, did I come up with a great story idea! But, again, I digress…sorry…) and came on this really cool little church just a block from the state capitol.

Isn’t it pretty? I love the details in the glass, the iron, and the woodwork. Gorgeous!

It didn’t take long before La Muse spun a few ideas about what might’ve happened in this church — sassy, sexy, fun kind of things! (Ssshhh! Don’t tell my mother…) And some of it was pretty good, too! Good enough to make it into a future book, even. 😀

Do you sometimes stumble on certain objects or places or things that make your head spin a tale? Please share!

Happy travels,
Melia

 

Winterscape

| Melia Alexander

Happy Travel Bug Tuesday!

Now, personally, I’d prefer the beach this time of year. And not anything like the Pacific Northwest type, you know. More like some place that doesn’t require a windbreaker over a really cute bikini.

But for those who actually like snow, a dear friend trekked through some hills in our part of the world, and sent me this pic:

WP952014122895026Don’t know about you, but I’m thinking there are at least a couple of great stories here. Stranded damsel in distress? Or maybe a stranded hero saved by the heroine? Maybe he was running from some bad dudes, or chasing after them? Maybe he was saving the heroine! *Sigh*

What do you all think? I’d be interested in what you come up with, so please step up and share!

Happy travels,
Melia

More Nice than Naughty

Quote | | Melia Alexander

In a world of absolutes, I prefer to view my life as a “mostly.” As in, I’ve been mostly eating well versus not. Or, I’ve been mostly helping out around the house. Or, I’ve been mostly exercising instead of sitting at the keyboard eating chocolate and drinking red wine. Okay, maybe that whole red wine/chocolate thing’s true, but still….

The point is, this time of year, we all know the drill. Santa only brings you a present if you’ve been good. And while I’ve been sometimes bad, I think I’ve been mostly good. See how that works? I figure Santa’s got a direct line on this whole good/bad thing, and would likely find out that I’ve not always been good, so why lie about it, right? Truth should get me extra points. *Nods head sagely* Doesn’t that make sense?

Anyhoo, my whole reason for being good centers around these babies:

Aren’t they pretty? I figure that since I’ve been mostly good, and didn’t lie about it, then maybe, just maybe, Santa will realize I deserve all three this year. Wish me luck! 🙂

Have a great weekend,
Melia

The Battle of the Gingerbread House

| Melia Alexander

Welcome to Food and Wine Wednesday!

‘Tis the season of celebrating the beauty and wonder that is life, and those people and things we hold most dear. Not the least of which is the gingerbread house.

Tonight, Niece 2 decided that the two of us would face-off in a gingerbread decorating contest, one whose winner will hold bragging rights (of nearly unbearable proportions!). that clearly means more to one participant than the other (the other being me. Ha!).

We spent a fabulous evening together, talking. I learned that 1) Niece 2 has decided she’s no longer vegetarian, but will not consume a large amount of animal protein; 2) According to Niece 2, Nash Grier is still super-hot! (way more than I needed to know. Trust me on this…) 3) There’s not nearly enough candy that comes in the enclosed packets when a fifteen year-old is swiping at them while decorating (and when you’re not looking!). Just sayin’…

At the end of the evening, care to guess which side had been decorated by moi?

Gingerbread houses – yay or nay? Tell us what you think!

Happy gingerbread decorating,
Melia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridge of the Gods

| Melia Alexander

Welcome to Travel Bug Tuesday!

I’m so fortunate to live in a gorgeous part of the Pacific Northwest. In my world, summers are warm and lush and so inviting that most of us practically live outdoors. It’s glorious!

This past summer I was really lucky to have been able to get in the car and explore a bit. And when I meandered down the Columbia River Gorge, I came across this:

This is The Bridge of the Gods. (On the Oregon side in these pics.) But while it’s all steel now, Native American legend has it that it was once a natural bridge, one eventually torn down over a love triangle. (No kidding!) Don’t you love it? You can read all about it here.

With the steel against the blue of the sky, against the backdrop of the trees and the sparkling Columbia River, the Bridge of the Gods evokes a sense of majesty, of something greater than us mere mortals. There is such innate beauty here that, combined with the legend, evokes the romantic in me. *Sigh*

So while I buckle down and concentrate on the next book series, in the back of my mind I can already hear the characters taking bits and pieces of legend and binding it to their own respective stories. I think that’s cool!

Have you been to The Bridge of the Gods? What were your first impressions?

Happy travels,
Melia

 

 

Me and Mr. A

| Melia Alexander

It’s Take Me Back Thursday from Disney World! (Circa a long time ago!)

IMG_0610Mr. Alexander and I still smile at the memories of this family reunion. Mom in her wheelchair, taking in the sights and sounds of the park. . .. Hubby hauling Niece 3 around – just because she held her arms up (the universal pick-me-up-and-carry-me-around-the-park symbol). . .. And laughter. Lots and lots and LOTS of laughter. . .. 🙂

These are the moments that add texture to life, right? What are the texture-like moments in your life?

Happy almost-Friday!

Hugs,
Melia

 

A Night at The Grove

| Melia Alexander

Welcome to Travel Bug Tuesday!

As a contemporary romance writer, I do include love scenes in my stories. Sex is, after all, a natural part of romantic intimacy and is typically explored by couples before marriage. (Sshhh! Don’t tell my mother that!)

Admittedly, it’s that romance writer side who tends to weave story scenes at almost every place giving even a hint of potential. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! 😉 The obvious, of course, is a bed. Preferably one with soft sheets and as part of a romantic getaway.

So when I made a trip a few weeks ago, I had to admit my room gave La Muse something to work with! The Grove Hotel is located in downtown Boise, within walking distance of shopping, art museums, terrific restaurants, and even the Capitol! But it was the bed that captured the imagination.

A spacious room . . . a king-sized bed covered with luxuriously soft cotton sheets . . .. fluffy pillows. . .. lots of lighting options. . .. a strategically placed chair or two. . ..

Yep, La Muse had fun with this room! 🙂

Does a bed make that much of a difference when you travel? (And not necessarily for the reasons my muse rates them!)

Happy Travels,
Melia