Mine is.
Okay, so I'm an optimist. I see things in a positive light mostly. I've learned long ago, not to force things. Let them come naturally. And that's what I do when writing my stories. I like things nice and neat. In fact I'm known for tying "happy bows", both literally and figuratively.
When I began writing my Suite Secrets Series, I set each book in a different location. The prequel, The Corporate Raider's Revenge was set in Los Angeles, Five-Star Cowboy in Arizona, Reserved for the Tycoon coming February 2009 was set in Hawaii and my upcoming November book Do Not Disturb Until Christmas was written to be set in Las Vegas.
Oh, lo and behold, my editor called to tell me I had to change that book's location. Books set in Las Vegas don't sell well.
Who knew?
But I needed a town full of flash and glitz and I'd thought it out thoroughly. I had planned for my pop singer Sarah Rose giving concerts in major casinos. I had planned on my hero, Code Landon, owner of a high-tech security corporation, overseeing new concepts in billion dollar hotels. When I received this news, I had to make a quick decision. Where else could I make this story work?
New Orleans came to mind. I've been there several times before Katrina. I love that city! It's got the flash and glitz I needed as well. But New Orleans had something more … something I hadn't put in the original version of my book. It had a population of people who had been tested, who had known the greatest devastation in the world. It was a city that had seen massive destruction and a tourist industry that many didn't believe could survive.
And a light bulb went off in my head. Of course, my heroine wouldn't be a pop singer at all. She'd be a southern girl who sang country music, a powerhouse singer with beauty, grace and talent like Martina McBride. She'd be wealthy in her own right, and in New Orleans at Christmastime to raise funds for Katrina victims through the Dream Foundation, a charity near and dear to her heart.
It not only worked, but it added more depth and impact to my heroine in the story. I chastised myself with a mental knock upside the head, for not coming up with the idea originally!
And not only did it help develop Sarah Rose, but having the story set in New Orleans added layers to my sexy, hunk of a hero, Code Landon. Code, a millionaire in his own right, ties into this Christmas tale when he offers to match Sarah's concert donations. Sarah can hardly refuse his generous offer, though Code is the last person on earth, her childhood beau and recent nemesis, she wants hanging around.
For me, even though I had moments of sheer panic and doubt, ultimately the change of location only made the story better. I see that as a positive thing. My glass is half full. How about yours?
Top Pick! 4 1/2 Star
I hope you get a chance to stroll the streets of New Orleans, stop in at the famous Café du Monde for a warm yummy beignet and light up your holiday spirit with Code and Sarah in Do Not Disturb Until Christmas.
Suite Reading Everyone!
Suite Reading Everyone!
