Serenity by Daryl Devore

This is the 8^th or 9^th blog post I’ve written today and it is only 12:35. I have a release and there is a lot of promotion to do for one of those. The post for fabulous Jenna Jaxon’s blog is my next post and my brain has refused to come up with a topic.

I have sent out a character interview, and a writer’s post about settings in a story and another about taglines and so on, but now I sit and stare at my screen.

After 10 minutes of nothing coming to mind, I did what every good writer does – called up my favourite search engine – DuckDuckGo. DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your searches like some other massive search engine sites, so I prefer to use it.

I asked for – blog post ideas for writers. All the standards came up –

Where do your characters come from? Do you draw on real life? Do you create character profiles?

Talk about the first piece you wrote. If possible, share it on your blog!

When did you know you wanted to become a writer? Talk about the moment you thought writing was something to do seriously.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors? Share the lessons you have learned.

Been there. Done that.

Then I remembered readers like to know a bit of a writer’s real life. This past weekend, I sat down with our scanner and a pile of old photograph albums. What an amazing trip down memory lane.

The first year I taught, I was in an outport in the east coast province of Newfoundland. Needless to say, winter was a shock to someone from Southern Ontario.

Then I opened up the photo album that held pictures of a couple of Christmases my family and I spent down in the Cayman Islands. Fond memories. The picture is my daughter, 8, discovering the joys of snorkelling in the ocean. The picture of her failing to water ski is hilarious, but I don’t want to embarrass her.

But this 3^rd picture caught my attention. It brought a calmness to my heart. I’ve labelled it Serenity. I don’t remember where I took the photo – other than it was in Florida. It is now the wallpaper picture on my laptop and when I boot it up – there it is and I have the same reaction. So, take a moment, gaze at the photo and inhale and exhale deeply and maybe you can shrug a bit of the heaviness of life and have a moment of serenity.

What has any of this to do with my latest book – absolutely nothing. It is just there for you to enjoy.

Excerpt from Two Truths and A Lie from the Lawbreakers Box Set

Well, I’d hoped to see Lover Boy again, but I didn’t expect it to be across a poker table in Monte Carlo.

It was late afternoon and I’d finished what I came to Monte Carlo to do, which meant the emerald necklace was safely hidden in the lining of my purse. It was an easy job. The owner of the necklace wanted me to steal it. I’m guessing it’d be an insurance fraud thing. The necklace wasn’t real as they had previously sold off the real stones then substituted some fake ones. I didn’t care what they did as long as I got paid. Judgement free zone.

But now, I needed to distance myself from a certain overweight, older housekeeping employee – who didn’t actually exist – so I decided to go play some poker. Shifting personas from housekeeper to rich socialite was easy, ditch the horrendously ugly, ill-fitting uniform to a sleek, short Katherine Hill dress, add a pair of lovely open-toed stilettos, change wig and colored contacts and – ta da – socialite.

The Casino’s spectacular poker room was quiet when I entered. There were several tables, but only one had players. The ornate décor of the room reminded me of a palace. I’d researched it and knew exactly what I was walking into. I didn’t want to pull some doofus thing and shout, “Holy shit! This place is fabulous.” Instead, with great calmness and sophistication, I entered, casually glanced around, headed to the only table with players, sat down, looked up and almost peed my pants.

Of all the casinos, in all the towns in all the world, he’s sitting at the same poker table. Yes, I’d paraphrased Bogart.

Blurb and Buy Link

If you love hot, billionaire romances, then this is a must read.

From the author of the Two Hearts One Love Trilogy, multi-published, hot romance author Daryl Devoré’s latest book revolves around deceit, betrayal, passion and the theft of a multi-million-dollar, rare, red diamond.

As if multiple planes crashes, a car accident, and a concussion isn’t enough, carefree Byn and straight-lace billionaire, Mark clash over Byn’s need for independence and Mark’s struggle with guilt pushing him in the opposite direction of love. When an art forger, an art thief and a ninety-year-old woman get involved the chance for true love for Byn and Mark fades.

All is lost until a children’s game is their only hope.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0791KJYF9

Bio and Social Media Links

Two writers in one. Daryl Devoré writes hot romances with sexy heroes and strong heroines. Victoria Adams is Daryl Devoré’s alter ego when she’s inspired to write sweet romances with little to no heat.

Daryl (@daryldevore) lives in an old farmhouse in Ontario, Canada, with her husband, a black cat named Licorice and some house ghosts. Her daughter is grown and has flown the nest. Daryl loves to take long walks on her quiet country road or snowshoe across the back acres, and in the summer, kayak along the St. Lawrence River. She has touched a moon rock, a mammoth, and a meteorite. She’s been deep in the ocean in a submarine, flown high over Niagara Falls in a helicopter, and used the ladies room in a royal palace. Life’s an adventure and Daryl’s having fun living it.

Blog – http://daryldevore.blogspot.ca

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daryl-Devore/280168402052520

Twitter – http://twitter.com/daryldevore

Google+ – https://plus.google.com/u/0/107866370365154406917

(or Daryl Devore)

GoodReads Author Page – http://www.goodreads.com/DarylDevore

Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004TJ1354

LinkedIn – ca.linkedin.com/pub/daryl-devore/58/b42/792/

Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=Daryl%20Devore

 

Other Books by Daryl Devoré

Love in the Key of C

What Happens in Bangkok

Darien’s Desire

Between Despair and Ecstasy

Braced For Impact

FL.E.S.H.

Capri’s Fate

Black Dorn

Sexy Red Hood

A Kept Woman

Books written by Daryl Devoré writing as Victoria Adams

Dancing in Circles

Circles Divided

Circles Interlocked

A Guy and A Girl

Red Tulip