Virtual Book Tour: The Temptation of a Good Man by Delaney Diamond

THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY: A $10 Amazon gift card and a kindle copy of Fight for Love to: a $10 Amazon gift card and an eBook copy of Fight for Love. For a chance to win, leave a comment for the Delaney.

Delaney Diamond

I was born and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since 1998, Atlanta, Georgia has been my home. I write sweet and sensual romance novels in the interracial and African-American subgenres and the Love & Romance in Color column for Night Owl Reviews Magazine. I read romance novels, mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of nonfiction. I wrote my first romance novel at the age of 14 and received rave reviews from my friends . I tapped out 89 pages on a typewriter and called it Captured Heart.

I’m a diehard foodie, so when my head’s not buried in a book, I’m in the kitchen trying out new recipes or dining at my favorite restaurants with friends. My other interests include holistic health, traveling, and frugal living.

Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/DelaneyDiamond

Facebook personal profile: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001990293210

Website and blog: http://www.delaneydiamond.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/delaneydiamond


How did you start out your writing career?

I wrote my first romance novel at the age of fourteen, but only friends saw it (does that count?). After high school I didn’t write anymore until I decided to give fiction writing a try in 2009. I joined the Romance Writers of America in January of 2010, and in November 2010 my debut novel, The Arrangement, was released by Amira Press.

What did you learn while writing this book?

While writing The Temptation of a Good Man, I learned a little about science, though much of it was over my head. Lol. Dr. Roarke Hawthorne is an astrophysicist who teaches physics at a university in Georgia. He’s just earned tenure when the book opens and is out celebrating with friends.

I learned the reason we see more stars in the sky outside of the city is because of light pollution. Light pollution happens when naturally occurring light levels are altered by artificial light. It’s a pain for astronomers, because it limits their ability to make good observations.

I also learned that I like incorporating humor into my books, and I plan to do so in the future.

What did you hope to accomplish with this book?

With each book I hope to entertain the readers and get them to them to fall in love with the characters. I want them to feel the same emotions the characters are feeling.

Which character did you have the most fun writing about?

I enjoyed writing Roarke’s character. Roarke is a bit complex because he’s really such a good guy. All his life he’s done what’s right, but then he falls in love with a woman who he thinks is involved with his brother. He knows what the right thing to do is, but it’s really hard for him because of his feelings for her. His feelings for Celeste not only challenge his own moral code, but they also create more friction between him and his brother.

What has surprised you most about becoming a published author?

How helpful other writers are! I envisioned writing would be a lonely task, and I’d pretty much be on my own trying to figure everything out. But writers are such a helpful bunch! I’ve received tips on marketing and writing, and just support in general. It’s a nice surprise.

What aspect of writing do you love the best, and which do you hate the most?

I love the story development. I’m not much of a plotter, so I start writing and let the story come to me. That’s the exciting part—when I start writing and can’t stop because my creative juices are flowing. I also love when readers stop by my fan page or my site and let me know they’ve enjoyed my work. It’s a great motivator, and who doesn’t like a pat on the back?

The part I like the least is the dreaded WRITERS BLOCK. (shivers) Lately I’ve been hearing people say there’s no such thing as writer’s block. I beg to differ. While it’s true there are times when we’re just being lazy or procrastinating, there are also times when as a writer, we just get stuck. At least I do. Or when I write a scene and realize it doesn’t work, but I don’t know how to change it so that it does work. That’s really tough. When I experience writer’s block, the best thing for me is to walk away and get busy doing something else. Time away from the manuscript often gives me a fresh perspective.

What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?

1. How much time it would take to do marketing and promotion. Fortunately, I tend to be organized, so I’m learning to better manage my time by incorporating checklists and calendars. 2. I wish I’d known the importance of building a base of readers. Writers who start blogging and building their base on Facebook and other social media sites until their books are released are ahead of the game. 3. That not everyone will like what I write, and that’s okay. All I need to worry about is putting out the best product possible, and those who like it will keep coming back for more.

Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?

Do - Learn all you can about writing and the publishing industry. Learn how to write prose that’s grammatically correct and as error-free as possible. Get a critique partner–not someone who’s related to you–or join a critique group to help you catch plot inconsistencies and mistakes (We all know it’s nearly impossible to edit yourself.).

Don’t - get discouraged when you receive rejection letters. Even bestselling authors get rejection letters. Don’t give up. You’ll eventually find a home for your manuscript.

What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

That writing is work. We love it, but it’s still work, and whether they love or hate what we wrote, we agonized over every word to make it as perfect as possible.

If you could be a character from any book you've read, who would you be?

Lexi Austin in Maureen Smith’s Tempt Me at Midnight. She’s sweet, but still independent, and she’s a chef who teaches cooking classes and has a cookbook out. And she ends up with sexy attorney Quentin Reddick. Lucky girl.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to travel and cook (see why I’d love to be Lexi?). If I had more money, I’d travel more. I also like to relax by reading and watching movies. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but when I do, I have a few must-see shows: Law & Order SVU (I’m sad that Elliott’s gone!), Happy Endings, and Modern Family.

What do you do to interact with your readers?

I spend time on GoodReads and talk books with the readers. We also talk about all kinds of other topics, too. I have a fan page and a blog, where I encourage readers to participate. On FB every now and again I send out questions to solicit responses about love, relationships, books, etc. I use my blog to share information about myself and bring guests to cover topics I think readers (and my fellow writers) would enjoy reading. I love when readers participate by commenting.

Our theme for this month is Online Marketing. What online marketing have you found works well for you?

Just spending time talking to readers seems to work pretty well. I do that in Yahoo romance groups and on GoodReads. I’ve recently discovered the power of blog tours and blog hops. It’s a good way for me to introduce my work to a wider audience and find new readers.

This is SORMAG’s 11th Anniversary online. Would you like to offer us anniversary congrats?

Congratulations on all your success, and I wish you much more success in the years to come.

Oprah always asks, What do you know for sure?

Live, Laugh, Love should be everyone’s daily mantra!

Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?

My next book is a sweet romance and an opposites attracts story. Julia Newman doesn’t have time for love. Been there, done that, and she’s got the scars to prove it. Instead, she’s focused on her career. For the past few years, she has been living the life she wants. She drives a silver Mercedes, just purchased a four bedroom house in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, and she’s on her way to becoming the youngest female partner in the history of the venture capitalist firm where she works. Life couldn’t be better. Or so she thought.

Frederico “Freddie” Mendoza is the owner of Mendoza Construction. He hasn’t given up on love, but he is fed up with women who are fascinated by the fantasy of being with a blue collar man and then relegate him to a certain part of their lives. His newest customer, Julia Newman, is the kind of woman he’s decided he’ll avoid from now on. He needs to work on expanding his business. Besides, she’s not his type. Or so he thought.

How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

Email: delaneydiamond(at)ymail.com
Website and blog: www.delaneydiamond.com
Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/delaneydiamond
Twitter: @delaneydiamond

Can true love be found after one night of passion?

Celeste Burton goes out with her girlfriends to celebrate turning thirty and winds up spending an unforgettable night with the man of her dreams. One week later, as a favor, she attends a wedding with a friend as his date and is shocked when she sees Roarke again.

Roarke Hawthorne despises cheating. Cheating tore apart his family years ago. When the physics professor sees the woman he spent the night with show up at his sister’s wedding on the arm of his brother, he knows he should keep his distance. But because of the night they set fire to the sheets in his hotel room, he can’t resist the urge to be close to her–nor can he resist the temptation to have her back in his bed.

Excerpt 

He chuckled. “The etymology of names is kind of a hobby of mine.”
“Really?” She looked skeptical.
“What, you doubt me? Pick almost any name, and I can give you the origin and the meaning.”
“No way.”
“I’m serious. Pick one. Make it good.”
She screwed up her face into the cutest little scowl, exaggerating her efforts at concentration. “How about . . . Celeste?”
He spread his palms wide. “Come on—too easy. Give me a harder one.”
She put a hand on her hip. “You don’t know, do you?”
He cast an incredulous look in her direction, unable to believe she’d challenged him. “What? Are you questioning me, my skills, and my honesty?”
She cast her gaze upward toward the ceiling as if to think about it. “Umm . . .” Her gaze lowered again. “Yes.”
“Do you even know what your name means?”
“Of course!” Her indignation was adorable.
“All right, then. It would have been a shame for a man whose life centers around astronomy to not know this one. The name Celeste is derived from Latin. It means ‘from the heavens.’ Heavenly.” He couldn’t take his eyes off of her, and he shouldn’t have edged closer.
The smile on her face made a downward slide. Her throat muscles worked a slow swallow. “Correct,” she said.

“I know.” Roarke rested his elbow on top of the back of the sofa and let his forefinger play with a lock of her hair. She didn’t move away. The back of his hand lightly grazed more of the fine strands. With Herculean strength he resisted the urge to grab a handful. “So what do I get?” he asked.

“I don’t—I don’t know what you mean.”
“You challenged me, and I won. Don’t I get something?”
“You want a prize?”
“Yes.”

A look of uncertainty crossed her face, but after a few seconds, she offered, “How about a hug?”
“A hug is nice, but I’d rather have a kiss.” At her look of alarm, he amended his request. “On the cheek.”
Her brow furrowed in an indication of distrust. “You’re not going to do that thing where you turn at the last minute so I end up kissing you on the mouth, are you?”

Not a bad idea. “No, I’m not. I’m one of the good guys, remember?”
“Good guys don’t coerce kisses from women they just met,” Celeste pointed out.

Undeterred, one corner of his mouth lifted into a half smile. “Actually, they do.”

The pink tip of her tongue peeked out to moisten her lips. His mouth went dry as he watched the fleeting movement. In slow motion she leaned forward and pressed her mouth to his cheek. His jaw hardened on impact, and warmth spread along the side of his face. The light fragrance of her perfume—peaches? apricots?—invaded his nostrils and dismantled his resolve to remain impassive.

He couldn’t resist holding her in place, smashing the soft curls against the back of her head. He heard the sudden inhalation of her breath as he brushed his hair-roughened cheek against the silky-smooth softness of hers.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked in a thick voice.

He’d tried to sound nonchalant, as if they were having a normal conversation, but there was nothing normal about his attraction to her. He dipped his head and pressed a quick kiss to the underside of her jaw. She shivered, and she reached out and sank her fingers into his upper arm. The warmth of her touch sent his heart rate escalating at a dangerous pace.
With his hand securely at the nape of her neck, his gaze locked with hers. She’d roused something in him. A powerful, consuming need that made him question the workings of his normally logical brain, now clouded in a befuddling haze of lust.

Her wild-eyed stare signaled her own confusion. “No, it wasn’t,” she whispered.



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