Celestial Seduction – How it all began

At the beginning of 2011, I hadn’t intended to write Celestial Seduction or any short story for that matter. I had another project on the go and my goal was to have it submitted by the end of the year.

On Facebook, I learned of Rebecca Royce’s upcoming (now released) 1 Night Stand story. Of course I commented, saying my congratulations. Little did I know what that would lead to. Rebecca commented back saying I should consider writing an SFR story for the series. I took a quick look at the 1Night Stand blog and spent the weekend formulating an idea.

I’d have a woman who worked with children, but could not have any of her own. She’d be devastated by the remarriage of her ex-husband who left her because of her infertility. Then I’d bring in the sexy alien male who would make all of her dreams come true.

When I took a closer look at the blog, I groaned. The 1 Night Stand series has details that have to be included in the story and the story I’d mapped out didn’t include any of them. I went back to my muse to rethink this story. I still wanted the same two characters, but their entire story changed. I added Madame Evangeline, a Castillo hotel (in Canada – today is Canada Day, too), a couple of minor characters, and a completely different ending.

And Celestial Seduction was born.

Blurb:

At the end of his obligated commitment to the Space Service, Frey Berger decides to stay on Earth to further experience human emotions rather than return to Ginnun where his intended has already mated with another. Looking for real love and someone to accept him for what he is, Frey enlists in Madame Evangeline’s popular dating service. Although he does not understand the concept of a one-night stand, he hopes to find his perfect mate.

Carrie Cooper’s husband divorced her for someone who could provide him with children, leaving her with little self-confidence and no desire to let a man hurt her again. Her best friend convinces her to join a dating service, claiming Carrie needs to get laid, while not winding up with a broken heart since her date requires no commitment after the night is over.

Although several misunderstandings nearly derail them before the date has even begun, Carrie and Frey end up becoming closer than they ever believed possible. Still, Frey will need to convince Carrie that her perfect mate isn’t human at all, and that one night can lead to a forever love.

Excerpt:

“Remember how I said I needed an open-minded partner?”

She nodded, her eyes catching a quick glance from his before returning to her stomach.

Just a couple more minutes and he’d be finished. He prepared to hold her down should she freak out when he told her he came from space. “I’m not exactly like you and most of the people on Earth. I’m….different.”

“Like a demon or a guardian angel?”

He laughed. It sounded forced, but he needed to stay focused on healing Carrie rather than mating with her. “No, you’re thinking paranormal. Try science fiction.”

She began to squirm under him, but he didn’t need to restrain her. “A….clone? Artificial intelligence?”

He finished healing her and lay down beside her. His thumb ran across her lips, wanting to taste them again, but knowing he probably wouldn’t. “Try alien.”

Her mouth curved into a smile. “Alien. I don’t think so. You’re missing the big head and eyes, the green skin, the willowy limbs.”

He touched his fingertips to the side of her head. “Like this?” He flashed an image of the alien Earthlings always expected to arrive from space.

“Yeah, but how’d you do that?” Fear shone in her eyes.

Leaving the bed, he sat on one of the loveseats. The night was over. In a second, she’d dress as quickly as possible and rush out of the room. “I told you, I’m an alien from outer space.” Perhaps he shouldn’t have told her. He would spend the rest of the night alone.