Please welcome to the blog a lovely new-to-me author who will tell us all about her self published contemporary romance 'Jennifer's Garden'. And be on the look out for her next book 'Lust On The Rocks', coming soon. But first, let's get to know this author and explore the elements in her book:
Dianne Venetta
About the Author:
A girl's gotta have fun, right?
When she's not knee-deep in dirt or romance, Dianne contributes garden advice for various websites and volunteers in her kids' school garden (a crazy existence to be sure). But at the end of the day, if she can inspire someone to stop and smell the roses--or rosemary!—kiss their child and spouse good-night, be kind to a neighbor and Mother Earth, then she's done all right.
In a race against time, Cardiologist Jennifer Hamilton is caught between her mother's dying wish and taking the risk of a lifetime with Jackson Montgomery. He's the man hired to complete the landscaping for her new home--the venue for her upcoming wedding. Jackson's everything she never wanted in a man, but as the job progresses, his lure pulls strong. It's an attraction she cannot deny. And one that puts her career on the line.
Buy Your Copy Today:
Barnes & Noble (Nook)
Guest Post
Hi and thanks for having me today! My current release, Jennifer's Garden, epitomizes the showdown between a career woman's criteria for the perfect husband and what true love means. In a race against time, cardiologist Jennifer Hamilton is caught between her mother's dying wish and taking the risk of a lifetime with Jackson Montgomery. He's the man hired to complete the landscaping for her new home—the venue for her upcoming wedding. Jackson's everything she never wanted in a man, but as the job progresses, his lure pulls strong. It's an attraction she cannot deny.
And one that puts her career on the line.
Jennifer has some decisions to make, choices that pull her in opposite directions. Her best friend Samantha Rawlings is pulling her toward new horizons yet her traditional mindset resists.
She simply cannot let go of the relationship she has with Aurelio Villarreal. Elegant, sophisticated, he cherishes her mind and body. Or so she thinks.
But have you ever wondered what brought us (women) to this place? I mean, where did this driving desire to be cherished and adored originate? Is it in our genes?
Or jeans. J (Sometimes I wonder!) Now that I have my own daughter, I do ponder these things. And I must confess that while tucked away in my garden, toiling away with seeds and weeds—a lovely hobby if you have the time—thoughts of her future and romantic prospects tip toe into my mind. Will she be strong and independent? Will she drive the relationship? Or will she wait until someone notices her…
Much like the predictable dance of springtime, when buds burst open, leaves unfurl, colors deepen and young flowers mature into their blossoms. Nestled together in the garden, it’s not long before the inevitable comparisons arise. Each amazing and breathtaking in their own right, yet they can’t help but wonder how they measure up against the whole.
“Are my petals too plump?
“Do these leaves make my bottom look wide?”
Of course not. You’re beautiful.
“You’re just saying that because you’re my gardener, aren’t you?”
Then it happens. The handsome stranger strolls along and spritzes the crowd with a mist of attention. The bed goes crazy. Everyone brightens, arching further toward the admirer, each hoping to be noticed. “Pick me. Pick me!”
He leans over and plucks one by the stem, taking her for his own. She's been chosen as the most beautiful bloom, a stand out among the crowd, worthy of being taken home for display.
But soon she despairs. She's alone, perched on a pedestal, no longer surrounded by her colorful counterparts. Once admired by many, she's now occupied by one. Passersby gawk and exclaim, but rarely linger. Why would they?
She's taken.
It's not long before she glances about her new home and wonders, What are the others doing? Are they basking in the sun, adorned by bees and butterflies? Or swaying to the breeze, wild and free...
But why so sad, sweetheart? Isn’t this what you wanted? Weren’t you feeling cramped, lost among the cluster of your peers? Didn’t you yearn to be chosen and deemed the most lovely blossom of all? Most desirable?
Well, sure…in so many words. We all want to be “picked,” cherished as the most beautiful, perfect creation that ever existed. Doesn’t it follow that we should be ecstatic when clipped free from the crowd? Aren’t we supposed to be happy?
Yes and no. If your petals were chosen for love, then yes. But if they were chosen to be cherished like a display trophy…
Then, no. When a relationship is absent true love, what's the point in committing? Strange to compare females to flowers, I know, but I spend a lot of time in the garden. A lot. (You should see how I compare/contrast men!)
But I digress. The point remains. Why marry unless you've found true love? The kind that stands by your side when life gets rough and tumble, makes you smile when your spirits are down, picks you up when you're tired and achy—oh wait—er, that's author intrusion on my part. Sorry! But you get the idea. The decision to marry is an important one and the dilemma facing my heroine, Jennifer Hamilton. Does a criterion for the perfect husband exist? Does such a creature exist?
Maybe not. But then again, there is that Jackson Montgomery... Personally, I'd follow him anywhere!
For your chance to win a free copy of my current release, Jennifer's Garden, leave a comment and let us know what you think about about finding the perfect husband.
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~*~GIVEAWAY DETAILS~*~Dianne is generously offering to giveaway a free ecopy of 'Jennifer's Garden' to (1) one lucky commenter! All you have to do to be eligible to win is comment on this post answering Dianne's Question ! The giveaway will end on September 5th and the winner will be announced and contacted shortly thereafter.
Let you know what I think about? LOL Probably you meant what I think about something else. Maybe the story? :-) It sounds like a good one. Guess I would have to see. Have nothing in common with a cardiologist! :-) But it is a lovely cover and could be a good story.
ReplyDelete@krazymama_98 It was my ooopsie. Cut off the last part without knowing it. It was "Tell us what you think about finding the perfect husband."
ReplyDeleteI think there is no such thing as the perfect husband. Everything good in life requires some kind of compromise. The trick is to find that person who makes you feel better in general, rather than dragging you down. By the way, I loved the flower analogy.
ReplyDeletejen at delux dot com
I don't think there is such thing a perfect husband. I think that would make for a boring life.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book... I am not much of a gardner, but I am keeping my two orchids alive and thriving...
superauntkx9_atlivedotca
I agree with JenM on the myth of the perfect husband, but I think you can get pretty close. I met my husband on a blind date. He says that for him it was love at first site. Me? It took me five years to decide he was right. We just celebrated our 33rd anniversary
ReplyDeletefsbuchler
P.S. I could not post through my google account which does work on "The Romance Dish" am I doing something wrong?
ReplyDeletefsbuchler
I don't think you could ever find the perfect one person. I don't think they exist. I think you can find that almost perfect someone, but you will always find a flaw.
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
christinebails@yahoo.com
No one is perfect, so there is no such thing as a perfect husband. You search for the man you love and loves you, is your best friend, lover, and always treats you right. It takes a lot of work to make a marriage work: friendship, compromise, love, and understanding. My DH and I have been married for 38 years and we will stand by each other to the end of our lives.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
@Jen -- totally agree -- a good marriage equals compromise
ReplyDelete@Kathleen -- thanks and WTG on the orchids!
@fsbuchler -- 33 yes is darn close to perfect :)
@Chris and Cathy -- no such thing as perfect -- but we can fantasize! Which is why I love romance novels! And compromise... 38 years is amazing :)
I think my husband is the perfect husband...for me. We fit. I think what people want is perfect with no lump or bumps. To me, that's part of what makes it perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
jepebATverizonDOTnet
To me the journey to finding the perfect husband is as important as actually finding him. It takes two people to make a relationship work and knowing whether you are compatible with a person means knowing your own self. It can be fun being with someone and learning new things about them every day and also your own self.
ReplyDeleteCambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com