The fourth addition in the Wild Rose Press series the DEERBOURNE INN releases today. LYRICAL EMBRACE from WRP sistah and multipublished author AMBER DAULTON.
Because we’re also Deerbourne author/sistah’s, I recently asked Amber where her inspiration for Lyrical Embrace came from. She was kind enough to share with me – and you – just what made this a story she had to tell. Amber take it away….
What Inspired Lyrical Embrace
Early in 2018, The Wild Rose Press sent out a submission call for in-house authors to write for the Deerbourne Inn, a new multi-author series that spans several sub-genres and heat levels of romance. I’d already published one novel with them and was pleased with both my editor’s and the publisher’s professionalism, so I was happy to submit a second manuscript.
The series takes place in the fictional town of Willow Springs, Vermont, but Lyrical Embrace is definitely not your typical small town romance. There’s intrigue, spicy love scenes, and a bit of danger mixed in.
When I first outlined the plot, I envisioned a woman fearing for her life. Erica, the heroine, flees the big city to escape her abusive, manipulative boyfriend and winds up stranded during a rainstorm. I’m sure a lot of readers could relate to her and sympathize with such a situation, especially those who have experienced neglect from someone claiming to care for them.
I love books and movies about rock stars, music, and partying, but I’m picky about the rock star romances I read since I just don’t like the drugs and cheating that make up the lifestyle. For Lyrical Embrace, I decided to feature a retired musician as the hero. Dylan has returned home to his roots and is getting his life back together after five years of drinking and jumping from groupie to groupie. He and Erica have an instant connection.
I wasn’t able to bring in any of my real-life experiences into this story, so I pulled ideas straight from my imagination, which is a pretty wild place to be most of the time. Stories about down-on-their-luck people or those who have experienced some kind of traumatic event has always spoken to me, so I tend to write that kind of story in order to give the hero and heroine a well-deserved happy ending.
Even though Erica is on the run, the story is still upbeat and fun. The characters are genuine and flawed. I enjoyed writing the novella, and I hope readers will love it.
Out-of-work violinist Erica Timberly decides enough is enough. She leaves her abusive boyfriend and flees the big city, but then her car breaks down in the middle of the night. Though wary of men, she accepts help from Dylan Haynes, a stranger driving by on the road, and soon recognizes him as the sexy former drummer of her favorite indie rock band. Maybe, just maybe, her run of bad luck is finally turning around.
Music teacher Dylan Haynes knows Erica is in trouble, and her black eye is only the first clue. The stubborn yet vulnerable woman needs a friend, but he’s determined to give her everything she deserves.
Will Erica listen to the music in her heart and trust Dylan, or will her past always threaten her future?
Excerpt:
Erica leaned up and combed her fingers through her hair. “I’ve never made love outside before. It’s a surreal experience.”
“We can do it wherever you want. In an elevator, in an alley, in my car. I’m game anywhere and everywhere for as long as you want me.”
“I want you so much it hurts.”
Dylan thumbed her knuckles and hoped she meant that. “I don’t know how you feel about labels, but I haven’t had a girlfriend in years. I’ve just had flings, but I want more than that with you. I want us to be with each other and no one else. I want a relationship with you.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I feel divided in two. A part of me thinks we’re moving too fast, but another part says to jump in with both feet. I want something real with you too. I don’t want to feel dirty after we fool around. Just make me happy. Will you do that, Dylan?”
Her soft, pain-filled words struck Dylan like a dagger in his gut, and he bit the insides of his cheeks to steady his features.
Her ex-boyfriend had probably called her names and degraded her after they would find release in each other’s body, and the bastard likely never cared if she reached climax at all.
“I understand, Erica. I promise to treat you with nothing but respect, and I will do my very best to make you happy. I swear you will always scream your head off in pleasure every time I touch you. I’m not the sort of man to get my jollies off and leave my girl hanging.”
Her lips twitched up in a grin. “That’s good to hear.”
“So are you my girl?”
“Yeah, I’m your girl.” Erica giggled and tapped her fingers on his chest. “How could I not be? You make a very compelling argument, but I will have to hold you to it. I’m definitely looking forward to screaming every time you touch me.”
“Let’s rest, and then we’ll play again. The night’s early, and I’ve only just begun.”
You can get your copy of Lyrical Embrace at these fine on-line retailers:
Amazon //B&N // iTunes // Kobo // Googleplay //WRP // Books2read
A little about Amber Daulton
Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats.
Amber lives in North Carolina with her husband and four demanding cats. Feel free to visit her at http://www.amberdaultonauthor.blogspot.com.
You can connect with Amber here:
Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Goodreads // Amazon // Instagram //Book Bub // Book Gorilla // Smashwords // LinkedIn // Google Plus // WRP
Peggy here ~ Amber, thanks so much for joining me today!
And don’t forget – you can get the other books already released in the Deerbourne series here:
Peggy Jaeger, Author 