FRENCH KISS by Gloria J. Goldsmith

Please welcome Gloria J. Goldsmith author of FRENCH KISS

a $50 Amazon/BN GC

FRENCH KISS

by Gloria J. Goldsmith

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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance

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INTERVIEW;

What or who inspired you to start writing?

As a kid, I kept a journal sporadically. I used to write when emotions seemed too big to speak. Because I read constantly, I started the classics when ten or eleven. And so about that time was the beginning of learning how to compose a letter, reports, synopsis, etc. The comment I always received was that I was “too flowery.” At the time, I didn’t understand that comment. I just felt that it meant I wasn’t any good. As an adult, I had to write articles for newsletters in organizations. When I worked at the AVKO Foundation, I wrote monthly newsletters – facts and figures, for ten years. It brought back the joy of writing as a means of expression, but was I any good? I started attending a writer’s group when I found they met bi-weekly not too far from work.

I was lucky that the organizer was a short story and novel mystery writer that is traditionally published. He has won many awards for his short stories, and his novels are published here, France, Germany, and Japan. He has also written a book with James Patterson.

His influence, encouragement, and knowledge have helped me see my work from a different perspective. I have learned to be more concise as a contemporary romance writer, but historical romance LOVES flowery composition! I think I have found my niche. My next novel is a historical regency romance, the first book in the Wylde Hearts  series, called That Wylde Woman!

How did you come up with ideas for your books? 

With French Kiss, I used many events that happened when I went to Europe. The bed-sit was directly below the Schloss. It is true I did work for a small family-owned hotel in Heidelberg and did jump on the running board of a VW bug when I saw the guy who had stolen one of my possessions. I do have a French friend that became ill when we were in Lyon.  I actually did climb up one of the foothills of Mount Puget, found caves, and saw a spectacular sight. Most of the events described in the book are used as a background for the romance.

InThat Wylde Woman!I knew I wanted the main character to be the daughter of an English noble. Yet, a woman born and raised in the American culture is sure to have discord and friction when introduced to English customs and thought. I chose the daughter to be educated but having an unusually liberal upbringing. Entering England with the assurance and knowledge of a position of authority and responsibility that most women in England did not have unless widowed. And not even then, if not provided for by their spouse in a will. That was my basis. All the rest I made up as I went along.

What expertise did you bring to your writing?

I was a teacher for many years and then began tutoring using Neuro-Linguistic Programming to teach reading strategies. I combined that information with the Sequential Spelling program developed for dyslexics. The English language is quite malleable. It is comprised of six major tongues, and several more have donated bits and pieces. Our living language develops and changes over time. We add and create new words often. My love of the English language also gives me a greater appreciation of other languages.

If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

I am Nora in many respects since many of the travel incidents did happen to me personally.

Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder your writing?

Yes, I belong to a critique group. I think we are all much more productive because we get together every two weeks. It pushes us to complete work to have something to submit for each other’s review. Each person has different strengths in the review process. We have one person who is a stickler when they find a passage that “tells not shows.” Another writer who knows about guns and explosives. Even one author can help formulate a sex scene from raunchy to delicate sensibilities. They all have different expertise and genres, but we can help each other get the message across as writers.

Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I write down the basic plot when it pops into my head. As I start writing, I think of plot points that have to happen and add them to that paper.

Basically, I am what is known as a ‘pantser.’ I don’t outline and have the whole book plotted out from day one. However, I am very linear in my thought processes. So, I am aware that, first thismust happen, thathas to be second, and then that big thingcan happen. That seems to be a natural occurrence for me. Perhaps because I have theater training and you learn an incident occurs, there is rising action and resolution. In a novel, there are usually at least three of these as the book progresses. Each one is related and required to be resolved before the next. The hero’s journey. Think about any action flick. Star Wars. There are always several trials that must be overcome before the villain is vanquished.

Do you have an all-time favorite book?

I have two favorites.

Shogunby James Clavell
I became fascinated by the Japanese culture when reading his novels, this one in particular. I was saying “Konnichiwa” to my cats each morning..

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean

She is the ultimate in showing, not telling. Having analyzed her writing, I try to incorporate some of her techniques into my own.

Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?

That Wylde Woman! is my next book.It is a historical regency romance novel debuting next year. I am in the re-writing/ author-editing process now of the first of the three-book series. And because I don’t outline (so far), I know who are the main characters of each book, but not the exact plotline. Here is the blurb:

Marleigh Barrett, the American-born daughter of the Earl of Wylde, sets the Ton on their heels when she does not ‘give a brass farthing’ for their opinions. Never hesitating to express her true sentiments, she refuses to be maneuvered into wedlock by plotting financially-strapped, title-rich males looking for a lavish dowry. And even rips a decorative sword off a wall to prove to a Lothario she is resolute in her convictions!

Her business acumen, confidence, combined with a single raised eyebrow for those attempting to dazzle, attracted the Duke of Pangbourne. A recent returnee from the war, he is positive he has found his Duchess. Marleigh, although intrigued by his deep voice, impressive stature, and roguish ways, has come to Britain with a purpose which doesn’t include marriage.

Will Marleigh return to America to run Wylde Shipping, or will Pangbourne convince her that he and Britain need her Wylde wiles?

Can you tell us a little about the black moment in your book?
The darkest moment in French Kissis when Nora realizes it is her fault that Jean Louis left without telling anyone where he was going. She knows what it feels like to be alone, and she also knows that she is in love with him.

She follows her intuition that she can find him in Strasbourg. Every trail she follows leads to a dead-end until she thinks of the Bistro Fabrice.

Anything else you might want to add?

I hope you are delighted by my book and left wondering could that part be genuine or this was the part that was invented? And I hope it temps you with the wanderlust to travel to somewhere different. Maybe even find your Jean Louis.

BLURB:

I was DONE! I ditched graduation, dumped my repressed college boyfriend, and dropped my sexual insecurities for a wild ride with Destiny. Unpredictable Fate beckoned with a European adventure!

In a chance encounter, I met Jean Louis. From the instant we met, the dashing young Frenchman soothed my bruised heart, rejuvenated my spirit, and convinced me that leaving my old life was no mistake. Together, we set out to explore southern France.

Jean Louis was torn from my life almost as quickly as he had entered it, yet leaving the haunting memory of his caress permeating my every thought. Driven by love and passion, I journeyed to find my lover, even if it meant scouring all the hidden corners of France.

Would I ever reunite with the man I believe to be my one true soulmate? Would I ever hear him say he feels the same for me as I do him? What twist of Fate will it take for me to find him?

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EXCERPT:

There was only one window in the room, which had no screen. To keep out the bugs, we closed the shutter, which still allowed some air inside. That evening, I slept on the couch, right below the window, and the guys lay on the cement floor. The males had no blankets or sleeping bags, but at least they were out of the rain.

Some hours into the night, I was dreaming of Luke. Luke, who loved to tease me by fondling me when I was asleep, by touching my cheek or blowing a strand of hair or slowly stroking my hand. I smiled and wiggled my fingers, and he responded. It was so lovely to feel his antics. I missed his night tricks. His hand was trailing up my arm, and soft lips kissed my palm. Luke. So romantic. Always waking me with kisses.

I let out a sigh, slowly drifting my eyes open. It seemed it had been forever since Luke had brushed my cheek or held me close. I longed for his warmth.

The room was so dark, I couldn’t see a thing. I wasn’t on the waterbed. My heart pounded with alarm. Where am I? My arm was hanging over the side of a couch. Where the hell am I? It was pitch-black.

The fingers tickled a bit more with a kiss on my arm, then came a whisper. Was I dreaming? Or awake? The whisper came again.

I whispered back, “What?” I felt the side of the bed depress. The murmuring voice was now by my face.

“J’ai froid.”

“Luke?”

“Oui. J’ai froid.”

This wasn’t Luke. Not my Luke. A bolt of recognition struck me hard as I comprehended. I didn’t recall his name, it did sound something like Luke, and it was the French guy Marc had brought in from the rain.

My high school French was twisting my brain cells to recall…J’ai means I am, right is droite, left is gauche…and a left faucet is chaud, which means hot, and right is froid—COLD. He is cold!

I patted the couch, and he squeezed onto the settee with me. He cuddled his arms around me, kissed my cheek, and we returned to slumber.

All three of us woke as the morning sunlight pierced the slits of the shutter. They bounced off the wall and into the room. We had some tea before the two men left. Around dinner time, Jean Louis returned alone, with sandwiches and chocolates. I had unknowingly passed another sex attraction test.

Constrained by the lack of English language skills, Jean Louis spoke very few words. I am an excellent mimic, but my French language skills were limited.

After dinner, sipping our tea, Jean Louis turned to me.

“I wants stay wis you.” I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant. For the evening? Sleep on the floor? Sleep with me?

“En bas?” I tapped the floor with my foot.

“Si je dois. Je préfère avec toi.”

I wasn’t sure about all the words, but the last two, avec toi, meant “with you.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

As a Special Education teacher, I became fascinated by the English language. I still marvel at how it changes and expands over time. My most pleasurable teaching moments were showing children how a wondrous story can take their imaginations to other times, places, even other worlds. When the pandemic began, I started my first foray into publishing⸺a nonfiction book, The Sensible Parent’s Little Homeschooler Handbook.

My secret pleasure-writing has always been focused on romance. French Kiss is a Contemporary Romance based on a fictionalized version of experiences during eighteen months of living and working abroad before the formation of the European Union.

Next year, my first Historical Regency Romance That Wylde Woman will be published.  It has allowed me to indulge my curiosity and enthusiasm for history by incorporating in the storyline a historical geologic event which affected weather and farming and even how England’s war with Napoleon impacted clothing styles.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GloriaJGoldsmith/

Website: https://gloriajgoldsmith.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gloriajeangoldsmith/

Email: gjgoldsmithauthor@gmail.com

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

PLEASE MENTION THE PRIZE THAT THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY:

a $50 Amazon/BN GC

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