The Starlight Motel
by Amy Craig
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GENRE: Contemporary Romance
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BOOK BLURB:
Experienced muralist Kada took charge of her family's Palm Springs motel to give her mother time to grieve. As a grant deadline approaches, Kada must convince her mother to manage the motel so she can return to her art. Late in December, Kada encounters a horseman approaching the property. Dane, the reserved son of a local farming family, is a loyal workaholic with limited spare time or experience outside the valley. When lightning startles his horse, he lingers at the motel and stirs up Kada's emotions about leaving the desert oasis. Wary of mixing business with pleasure, she struggles with her attraction. As New Year's Eve approaches, will the cowboy convince her to chart a new course?
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EXCERPT THREE:
Kada’s cry of delight bounced off the casita walls. Looking up from the desert pavers, he watched her launch herself into an older woman’s arms. The pair grinned, and their smiles shone brighter than the swaying patio lights. Staying back, he leaned against an adobe wall and watched Kada and Mrs. Ritchie greet each other. The pair did the hug-shake mother-daughter thing he never understood. In twenty years, Kada would be just as beautiful as her mother. She soaked up her mother’s presence like a drought-stricken plant. He envied their connection. His mother gripped him hard, examined him, and spun him back into the world to do good work.
“Just look at you, runnin’ around the desert like Pops.” Ms. Ritchie gripped Kada’s long, black hair and rubbed it between her fingers. “If I hadn’t seen you for myself, I wouldn’t have believed it. I thought you would stay in Los Angeles, but here you are, the queen of the desert!”
He cocked his head and imagined Kada tearing into a sourdough loaf over drip coffee. She would look at home on the winding streets wearing a wrap-tie dress, but he preferred her stained jeans.
“I thought I would stay in Los Angeles, too, but you needed me.” Reaching to the side, Kada shifted into her father’s arms.
Lean by most standards, he sported the small belly that developed from a desk-bound lifestyle.
“Hi, Daddy.”
He kissed her forehead. “Princess. Good to see you.”
Easing off the wall, Dane figured he could slip back into the cantina, take his salad to go, and sink into one of Walter’s tales. The old cowboy had plenty of stories about what went wrong when a man took his gaze off the land.
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GUEST POST:
Falling in Love with the Main Characters
There are so many wonderful books available. To stand out among the daily onslaught of contemporary romances, a writer has to craft characters that readers care about. If I write strong, captivating characters that resonate with my audience, I know I've succeeded. Also, they should be hot and funny, too.
The leads in THE STARLIGHT MOTEL are strong characters with relatable tenderness. A deadline keeps them moving forward, but too many sidekicks keep them from candlelit dinners and conventional romance. I hope you love Kada and Dane!
Kada is a dedicated and resilient woman, driven by her love for her family, art, and community. Her passion for preserving the Starlight Motel and her gratitude toward her family showcase her deep roots and loyalty, but she only has one life to live. How long can she be the dutiful daughter?
Dane is a stern and demanding neighbor who values his physical reaction to Kada and the emotional connection that surprises him. His willingness to work through his challenges, and his romantic declarations, demonstrate the commitment and tenderness behind his rough exterior. If he had a year to woo Kada, he would do it too slowly to make an impression, but a New Year's Eve deadline gets him moving.
The best way to understand Kada and Dane (and to craft your characters) is to delve into character backstories, fears, and desires. These layers add to their personalities and make the characters feel real. Show their vulnerabilities and strengths. Archetypes are familiar, but humans are endearing. For example, Dane’s interest in Kada triggers desire for a future that honors her family and her artistic dreams. This emotional complexity draws readers in and makes them root for a character's happiness. She's already had one career setback. Will she set aside her professional momentum for a handsome cowboy-farmer who looks good in jeans? Maybe.
Characters should also evolve throughout the story. This growth can be in their personal lives, relationships, or careers. Show their journey and how they overcome obstacles. This makes their victories more satisfying and impactful. Give your characters distinctive traits that set them apart. Ensure character actions align with their motivations. Kada’s actions are driven by the conflict between supporting her family and pursuing her art. Dane’s actions are driven by his pride, his prior successes, and his growing awareness that he's the product of decades of mentorship. Maybe he's too focused.
Through Kada and Dane’s journey, we see how love, support, and personal growth create a compelling and heartfelt romance that readers root for. Kada and Dane are relatable, emotionally complex, and exhibit growth. By creating a dynamic relationship and ensuring characters have unique traits and consistent motivations, anyone can craft captivating characters that resonate with audiences.
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AUTHOR BIO:
Amy Craig lives in Louisiana with her family and a small menagerie of pets. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense featuring intelligent heroines. In her spare time, she plays tennis and expands her husband’s honey-do list. Before writing, she worked as an oilfield engineer, project manager, and incompetent waitress. For more information and giveaways, visit www.amy-craig.com or follow her on social media channels.
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GIVEAWAY:
Amy will be awarding a $15 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
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