Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Facing the Unknown




By Olivia Starke 

When writing Dreaming in Blue, I loosely based it off a favorite movie/book Patch of Blue. My heroine, Sierra, is a strong woman who has overcome what we would perceive as a horrible loss—she’s blinded after a tragic childhood accident. My hero, Daniel, has had to deal with the loss of his wife and horrendous scarring, a reminder of the accident that took her from him.

While it may seem Madame Eve set them up, because a blind woman wouldn’t care about physical appearances, this isn’t the case. Both characters have to face the unknown, survive after great loss. Then upon meeting one another, they again have to face an uncertain future with each other and learn to trust their hearts. Something great lays ahead for the two of them, if only they believe in themselves.

Facing the unknown is frightening for anyone, especially for me. I’ll endure terrible jobs and equally bad pay, too scared to see what may lie outside of them. Like my heroine/hero I’ve decided to take a leap of faith. I’m resigning from my retail job of over two years. Placing my faith in my writing is terrifying, especially since I am my sole provider. With meager savings backing me, I’m jumping into the unknown and facing what may come.

Wish me luck everyone!

Leave a comment with EMAIL for your chance
to win a free e-copy of Dreaming in Blue

Olivia Starke



Blind since childhood, Sierra is satisfied with her success as a relationship therapist. Contacting 1Night Stand is an outlet for her physical needs, or so she tells herself. When she meets Daniel, the chemistry sizzles, but a single parent with a child has the terrifying potential to disrupt her orderly life.

After losing his wife in a fire three years before that left him terribly scarred, Daniel has focused on raising his young daughter and little else. Meeting Sierra through 1Night Stand is a way to step back into the world. And he definitely can’t deny the instant attraction.

Mind blowing sex isn’t the only thing these two share. And when they find out what it is, it’ll change their lives forever.


Excerpt ***ADULT CONTENT***

Daniel’s nature dictated he take a slow pace, but the fire building in his groin threatened to overtake common decency. Sierra’s lips tasted of sweet wine, and he wound his fingers in her hair, pulling her closer. Her soft body did obscene things to his imagination, and the idea of taking her hard and fast tempted him.
Instead, he dragged his mouth from hers. “We can’t let the dessert go to waste.”
“I thought this was dessert.”

He sat on the bench and tugged her onto his lap. Flipping the lid of the container open, he pinched off a bite of chocolate cake.

“Open up.”

She did as asked, and he placed the morsel on her tongue. Her murmur of approval toyed with him and he nuzzled her neck, craving the soft feel of her skin. He brought another bit to her lips. This time she caught his finger between her teeth, sucking it, taunting his resolve to keep his pants on for at least a few more minutes. He slid his free hand over the silky material of the blouse, until he cupped one of her full breasts. Her head fell back, exposing her pale throat to his lips. Kneading the firm mound, he kissed a trail to the hollow of her throat then traced her collarbone with the tip of his tongue.

No longer in control of his impulses, he slipped his hand slipped between her thighs pressing them apart, needing to know if she was wet. He wanted to taste her juices, know how she responded when he sucked her clit. Her palm came to his cheek, and her sharp intake of breath cut through the fog of lust.

“What happened to you?”

The scarring.

“You don’t know?”

Sierra shook her head. “Your profile didn’t mention....”

He squeezed his eyes shut—Sierra’s rejection would kick him in the gut. 

27 comments:

  1. I'd like to add it's already a best seller at ARe! *Happy Dance*

    Drop by it's page on my website for all buy links. http://www.authoroliviastarke.com/dreaming-in-blue.php

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    1. That little top selling silver star made my morning :)

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  2. Congratulations Olivia!!! I absolutely freaking LOVE that you've created a heroine with a disability. As someone with a disability it's always really nice to read about characters I can identify with, even if we might not have the same disability. And that your hero isn't physically "perfect" is awesome!

    The unknown terrifies me. Maybe partly because I've been sheltered so much and partly just because of my nature. But I'm very hesitant to take risks emotionally or physically.

    lovey_20_81@hotmail.com

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    1. I understand the fear, Tawnya. I haven't been sheltered, but I'm still afraid. The predictable=secure.

      If you read it, I hope you enjoy the story! Thanks for being here and showing your support!

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  3. Wow, this looks great! I love this series!

    tamariasoana@yahoo.com

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    1. 1NS does rock, I'm so proud to be a part of it :) Thanks for entering!

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  4. This looks awesome, I can't wait to check it out!

    BK
    buffykennedy[at]gmail[dot]com

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  5. Hi Olivia! (waves like a loon) Congrats on the best seller status on ARe. That is great. Just like how your book sounds. I really love that you have both your hero and heroine with something that makes them less than perfect. It's more real and enables us readers to become more emotionally invested. Love it!

    And I applaud you for taking that leap. It takes a very brave person to do that especially since you are the sole provider. I have a feeling though that it will work out for you. :)

    redheadsreviewitbetter(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I really wanted to highlight that imperfections make us real :) A lot of romance wants the perfect hero/heroine, which isn't real life.

      Thanks for dropping by and showing your support!

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  6. Good luck with your "jump into the unknown". Congrats on the new release. This book sounds amazing. Can't wait to read it to see Sierra and Daniel overcome their obstacles and find their HEA.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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    1. Thanks Joanne :) I'm happy you dropped by today!

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  7. Congrats on the new release. Great excerpt, now got to know what happens. Love the 1Night Stand stories. This definately a must read for me.
    Passionate Plume Score Sheet

    christinebails@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks for dropping in Christine, always lovely to see you ;;)

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  8. Good luck, Olivia. Congrats on the release. I think going blind would be one of my worst fears, but my mum used to say being deaf is worse, because it cuts you off from people. I hope neither happens!!

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    1. Both my parents lost hearing in an ear due to measels in childhood, I know how difficult it is for them. Especially now that they are older and the hearing is going in their good ears. It's scary to think, but, like with Sierra, I'd hope I'd see another world opened up for me.

      Thanks for dropping by today!

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  9. This sounds like an amazing story. I look forward to reading it! :)

    Congrats on it being an ARE bestseller!!!

    I wish you all the best in the future as well.

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    1. Yes, that little silver star is so pretty :D Thanks for dropping in and showing your support Jessica!

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  10. Congrats on being on the best seller list.Sounds like a great book,looking forward to reading it.

    And Good Luck jumping into the unknown :)
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  11. congrats, Olivia! Sounds like a great story!

    vs_morgan@yahoo.com

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  12. Good luck on the leap of faith. Can't wait to read Daniel and Sierra's story. Sounds hot and emotional. lisagk(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. Congrats!! I love that you made the heroine have such a drastic disability. It is not one we see very often. I will definitely be reading this one!
    Mel
    bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

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  14. Hello Olivia,

    Congratulations that "Dreaming in Blue" is a Best Seller at ARe & you have a Top Selling Silver Star...I'm soooo Thrilled for you Olivia, I'm Doin' the Happy Dance....(_/_)...(_|_)...(_\_) LOL :)

    Olivia, take that Leap of Faith, I’m sure it has to be terrifying since you are your sole provider...but you are a Fantastic Author with a Very Creative, Imaginative Mind...so you don't need Luck Olivia when you have the Incredible Talent God has Blessed you with. :)

    I can't wait to read you latest release, "Dreaming in Blue", especially since your Heroine & Hero are not "perfect"....that you wrote a Book of "real" people that have real life issues, flaws & troubles that they have to learn to work through together.

    Take care & Wishing You Much Success With Everything You Do,
    PaParanormalFan (Renee’ S.)
    paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com

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  15. This sounds wonderful! Congrats on it's high ranking!

    riverinaromantic@aol.com

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  16. Hi Olivia,
    First let me say Congratulations on the book. i love the gorgeous cover and the excerpt was wonderful. i also loved that you gave the h/h disabilities or psycological issues and insecurities to over come. i personal can't wait to read this book because i really don't see books that have h/h with "issues" like that very often. at least not the heroine.

    i understand how nervous you must have felt when you quit your job,it's like stepping off a giant cliff into the unknown and hoping someone will catch you. Lucky for you, you have all of your loyal fans and the new readers that find you everyday that are there to catch you and bolster you up when you start feeling down in the dumps. :D

    I myself have PTSD and severe anxiety. it was so bad at one point i couldn't leave my house.It was because of the crowds and the fact that i walk with a cane (broken facet joints). But 1 year later although i am not "cured" and i probably will always have some anxiety i can leave the house when i need to and not have a melt down. i have even been able to start writing again for the 1st time in years.

    so after allll of that long rambling i guess my point is that as long as we don't let our fears hold us back we can do just about anything we set our sight on. Also i find if i keep a couple of inspiring poems or psalms,something taped on the walls in each room it lifts my spirits when things start to feel a bit "BLAH". i put a couple of my favs. in another post below for you,Congratulations on your 1st step,towards independence. it's the scariest but it's the best too.

    Again i am reeeally sorry for the ramble. guess i had more to say than i thought.

    tammy r.
    trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com

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  17. Hi Olivia,
    Here are those quote links and "quotes". i know it kinda sounds silly but i really does help lift your spirits and make you smile to read something like this when you enter/leave a room.

    Sincerely,
    Tammy ramey
    1319 Pleasant street
    Springfield,OR 97477
    trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    found this quote at www dot en wiktionary dot org/wiki/a_journey_of_a_thousand_miles_begins_with_a_single_step

    (Sometimes this quote will also attributed to Laozi's contemporary, the Chinese philosopher Confucius)


    1)quote by Chinese philosopher Laozi (c 604 bc - c 531 bc) in the Tao Te Ching, chapter 64.this is the popular form of this quotation, another translation in original Chinese might be "The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet."not emphasizing the first step, regarded as something that arises naturally from stillness. Another potential phrasing "Even the longest journey must begin where you stand" or "A journey of a thousand miles begins at the spot under one's feet." (i didn't know which wording you prefer so you get them all. LOL! sorry)


    2) this is my personal favorite and i could sit and think about how awe inspiring it is for a long time. Psalms 23


    3)this one is a poem a friend of mine wrote of me. He is a Cowboy in Wyoming/Montana and he also writes poetry. very talented.



    Cowboy's Code by R. R. Peterson



    Give God the Grace/Give the Devil his Due


    Hold on tight when a norther blows through


    Be sharp in the saddle/Find a good women to love


    and leave all of the rest to the Good Lord above.

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  18. Love the premise for this story. Wishing you much luck!
    Cate

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