When I was writing my current Harlequin romance release, KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR (Kimani, May 2009), I couldn’t help but wonder just how many romances in real life actually develop with the gorgeous and available woman or hot, single man next door? A friend of mine told me after the novel had been published that she had a relationship for a couple of years with the hunk that moved in next door. Though they eventually went their separate ways, she still spoke of the romance enthusiastically and as a memory she wouldn’t be opposed to reliving. Or recreating with a new man should the opportunity come along. In KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR, it starts innocently enough as my hairstylist/jazz singer protagonist, divorced with her teenage son living across the country with his father, welcomes the new next door radio deejay neighbor to town. Sparks fly instantly and soon turn into all consuming flames. Click here to read the rest of Devon’s blog or comment. Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.

What is it about wild bad boys that is so appealing? One multi-published author friend of mine told me early on in my career that if a hero is perfect then the heroine is pretty dense not to fall for him right away. But bad boys are always tempting good girl heroines to cross over to their wicked side of the street. They create the conflict and sparks of opposites attracting. Click To Read More…. Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.

Courage in Patience, a story of hope for those who have endured abuse, released from Kunati Books on September 1, 2008. It is the story of 15-year-old Ashley Nicole Asher, who, after six years of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse from her stepfather, finally finds the courage to reveal the painful details of her experiences with her mother, who refuses to acknowledge the problem and turns her back on her daughter. After confiding in her teacher—the only adult whom Ashley can trust—she is removed from her home and sent to live with her father and his second wife, Beverly, an English teacher. Nurtured by Beverly, an extraordinarily positive influence in her life, Ashley and a summer school class of troubled teens learn to face their fears and discover who they really are. One of the themes in Courage in Patience is religious extremism. I strongly believe that religion should not be used as a tool to tear people down. I think that belief comes through, loud and clear, in my novel. Before she is removed from her home, Ashley experiences what becomes for her a crystallizing moment that colors forever her perception of religiously extreme belief systems. This happens after…