The Odor of Violet by Ju Ephraime is a classic romantic tale
involving a wounded hero with an extra dash of steamy interludes. This modern tale is set in North Carolina, but has a British feel to it. The subtle attention to the smallest detail means a great deal. The best example of this is the sense of smell, which plays a primary role. It is especially important to the hero who suddenly finds himself blind. 

Damien Falconer is a strong, independent man who takes care of vineyards and others. He’d never had to depend on anyone until an accident in the lab deprived him of his sight. The one person who he thought would be there for him, his fiancée, soon departs when it appears he’ll never regain his sight. He hates rattling around in his house assisted by Jake, his friend. He knows he should try to learn to do more, but despondency weighs heavy since the life he knew
winked out of existence along with his sight. Even worse, he overhears Jake discussing hiring an assistant since he won’t be around much longer to do for Damien

Lisa Andrews, a registered nurse, needs a job since her last client died. What she didn’t expect was to find herself drawn to her somber patient. She is well aware that he resents her being there. Part of it is her being a woman, but another part she realizes is his inability to reconcile with his sudden handicap. At times, she wonders if he might be attracted to her.

 Lisa and Damien have obvious chemistry, but two things make this more than just a romance, or a steamy one. Damien can’t see Lisa. Therefore, he never knows what she looks like until he falls for her. With this in mind, he’s more into her, as opposed to a purely physical yearning based on outward beauty. Lisa shows herself to be more compassionate because she can love a man whose flaws are more obvious. The fact that Damien narrates the tale it gives you an unusual experience of viewing the relationship from the male POV. The fact he is blind
makes the romantic interludes steamier since all the other senses are on high alert.

 As a reviewer, I did have some issues about Damien’s inability to do many everyday things, such as dressing. Part of Damien’s issue was depression. On that point, I will agree that he probably didn’t even try to do many things he could possibly do while blind. Instead, he allowed life to flow around him.

 The Odor of Violet is a steamy romance, but it has a lovely English flavor to it, reminiscent of a perfectly steeped cup of Earl Grey. Enjoy it on a rainy afternoon or a sunny day, but you will enjoy it.

David provides ads for books, promotes them on his Facebook and Twitter feed. 
It really doesn't cost anything, and I noticed an increase in sales after I
started using his services. Morgan K Wyatt
http://askdavid.com/free-book-promotion

 My writer friend, Dakota Douglas recently tagged me for a chain blog called “The Next Big Thing.” It is a bit like a chain letter with the exception that no bad things are predicted to happen to you if you don’t pass it on. No great riches or fairies dancing across your screen will happen if you do pass it on. In truth, you will learn a bit about various authors and their current WIP. Dakota Douglas was previously tagged by Sherrie Lowe.


What is the title of your next book?

 My current WIP has the working title of GONE. It could change.


Where did the idea for the book come from?

 Those moments right before the alarm clock goes off and you feel all warm and comfortable cuddled up to your husband that is when I do my plotting. What if a bride leaves her husband in bed to get ready for work, but
when she comes out of the shower, he’s gone. Most people think he walked, but she knows better.


What genre does your book fall under?

 I would consider it romantic suspense, although it might be considered mainstream too.

 What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in movie rendition? 
  
I found this fellow when I searched for actors,
but no name. I do know he’s 48, from Belfast, Ireland, and that he has a tattoo.
He’s  a bit older than Dr. Brad Korman, but he has the right look. Makes Amy, the heroine, want to remove this
glasses.

Blake Lively would play the role of Dr. Amy Newkirk. She would have to cut her signature locks, though.
 
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

What makes her husband’s abrupt disappearance worse is the suspicion she is somehow responsible, but she just can’t remember why.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

That is a good question that I have no answer for at this time. Secret Cravings Publishing published my nine previous books, but I haven’t shop this one around yet.
 
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

Technically I am still writing, but I do know the ending. I would say about six months. I did write Perfect Stranger during the same time, and started two other novels.

 What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

It is similar to Elisabeth Naughton’s Wait For Me, in the fact the heroine has lost her memory. The difference is my heroine has been given memories that aren’t her own. She has to figure out what are her real memories and who she can trust. My hero is more fun too. IMHO

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
 
My husband, who patiently listens to story plot lines and makes suggestions. I took one of his suggestions, which changed the entire story for the better I think.

What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

There are several ideas introduced including if it is better to have the memory of love or than to never  have experienced the pain of losing your loved one.

 It also examines ethics such as if it is acceptable to steal a person’s memories if it for an improved outcome.
Of course, you have to consider who gets to decide if the outcome is improved.

Want to find out about more about Morgan's current books? Click the button
 

David provides ads for books, promotes them on his Facebook and Twitter feed.  It really doesn't cost anything, and I noticed an increase in sales after I started using his services. Morgan K Wyatt
http://askdavid.com/free-book-promotion

AUTHOR SWAG: WHAT WORKS
(Free $10 Amazon Card to one lucky commenter. Drawing
on 3/26/13)

Every year writers spend hundreds, even thousands, of dollars buying everything from can cozies to mouse pads with their latest book title emblazoned on it. Did it help sales? It is hard to know. It was only useful if the author's name stay with the potential reader. The longer the item was handled and stayed in the person's posession the higher the percentage went up that a person might investigate the author.

Clever items don't always do the trick either. One author passed out condoms at the New York RWA conference. I thought this was provocative, but there were problems with this too. Number one once the condom was used the package with the author's name on it was gone.There is also the issue of condoms being expensive, especially when passing out hundreds. 

One of the more successful efforts was a survival kit for the conference, which included a baggie filled with  a sewing kit, aspirin, a granola bar and tea. This was effective, but the reader had to act on it immediately because once the baggie was emptied the author vanished from sight.

I carried a pen from author, Shirley Jump, for almost two years. It was a good pen and wrote well. I think
eventually someone took it. Yes, I did buy and read Shirely's books too. Did the pen influence me? Maybe, I won it and several other items from an online contest.

Cheaply made stuff stinks in more ways than one. Anyone who has bought swag knows there is nothing cheap about it. Pens that don't work. Magnets that don't stick to your fridge. Poor grade candy that doesn't even survive shipping. Lip balms or cologne made of suspect ingredients that make your skin break out should be avoided.  People will associate their bad experience with your swag with you. I know it isn't fair. Most reputable
companies will let you buy a sample or send you a sample free of charge.

Items that no longer serve a purpose is another type of swag to be avoided. One company had bottle openers. When is the last time you use a bottle opener? Another dinosaur is the mouse pad. I would consider the can cozie one too. Pencils were one of the cheapest items, but people seldom carry pencils with them. Why pay money for something that people will throw in their junk drawer never to look at it again.

An associate recently asked for swag for a bingo game at Rom Con. She explained that no one became excited about winning a promotional postcard or bookmark. Often these items are useful displaying websites and book
titles, but no one thinks of them as a gift or prize. 

What works in your opinion? What works for you?

Free $10 Amazon giftcard to the commenter picked at random. Please leave your email, otherwise I cannot contact you with your prize. (Never fear your email will not be used for newsletters even if I had one.)