Seattle Delight by Charlotte Stout (Author Guest Post / Book Review)

In association with Goddess Fish Promotions, Jersey Girl Book Reviews welcomes Charlotte Stout, author of Seattle Delight!

Author Guest Post

Q.  As an author, what scares me the most?

Fear of failure must never be a reason not to try something.

                         Frederick Smith (Federal Express Founder)

A.     I have always thought of myself as a confident person, unafraid of change or challenges.  I relished starting a new job, meeting new people, living in different places and learning new things.  I was a late bloomer.  I finished my Bachelor’s degree when I was in my mid-thirties and my Master’s degree when I was in my mid-forties.  Was I afraid to go to school as an adult?  Did I fear that the younger students would outperform me?   Heck no!  I always believed I could do anything.  That is, until it came to finishing and publishing my first novel.

I drove the AlCan Highway through Canada and the Northwest Territories all the way to Alaska back in the day when the AlCan was an unpaved two-lane road.  I made the trip alone in the middle of winter driving a Toyota hatchback with nothing but all weather radial tires.  No chains, no studs, no snow tires.  You would think that someone with the guts to travel alone along one of the more desolate, albeit scenic, roads in North America would not have an issue with putting her writing out for public viewing.

Oh, but I did.  I never seemed to finish editing the edits.  Then it hit me, I was afraid to let go of my writing.  The thought of sending my work out for the world to like or dislike, sent a paralyzing terrifying fear through me.  That’s why I couldn’t stop editing the edits.  I knew that when the edits were done the next logical step was to publish the work.  UGH! 

Writing a story is one thing.  Sharing that story with the world is something entirely different.  An author needs to have some thick skin.  Not all reviews will be positive because everyone’s tastes are different.  What appeals to me certainly does not appeal to my husband.  I had to prepare myself for the negative reviews as well as the positive.

I’m a sensitive person.  I care deeply about others and would never intentionally hurt anyone by my actions or through my words.  I had to convince myself that most people feel the same way I do.  If I do not receive a positive review, it’s not personal.  I need to glean constructive comments from all reviews and take them to heart for future projects. 

It is not easy to take the good with the bad.  I try to look at things in a logical pragmatic way but that approach doesn’t always work for an emotional and sensitive person such as me.  However, I am growing thicker skin.  So, I look forward to hearing from all readers, the good the not-so-good and the forgettable.  Thanks for reading. 

Thanks again for sponsoring this stop on the tour. 

Bonne Journée

Charlotte

About The Author: 

Charlotte Stout lives in Arizona with her hunky husband Warren, and her spoiled Silky Terrier, Tess. Her life has been filled with serious endeavors, including earning a Master's degree, owning her own business, consulting and working in the corporate world as a human resources executive. Before penning her first novel, Charlotte had written several practical guides for business applications, not exactly steamy stuff. Luckily, she never lost sight of her dream to write a novel that would encompass her passion for gorgeous men, adventure and a love of life. Enjoy

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Charlotte Stout's Seattle Delight Virtual Book Tour Page On Goddess Fish Promotions

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Charlotte Stout's Seattle Delight Virtual Book Tour Page On Goddess Fish Promotions

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Book Review

Seattle Delight by Charlotte Stout

Published By: Charlotte Stout Publishing

Release Date: July 11, 2011

Format: eBook - 257 pages / Kindle - 379 KB / Nook - 188 KB

ASIN: B005CDMFVM

Genre: Contemporary Romance

BUY THE BOOK: Seattle Delight

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Book Description:

Charly’s life was simple and uncomplicated, just like she wanted it. Or so she thought! One chance encounter with a devilishly handsome stranger in her local coffee shop would turn her world, and her heart, upside down. She would be thrown into a realm of privilege and romance, and more than just a little danger.

How will she handle the dark gorgeous man who has inserted himself into her domain? When danger threatens those she loves, will she have the strength of heart and spirit to do whatever it takes to save them? Share Charly’s adventures as she navigates through the quickly changing landscape that has become her life.

Book Excerpt:

                                                Chapter One

“Hey, watch it,” Charly said as someone bumped her table and precious drops of the caffeine laced fuel danced across the table. She couldn’t afallford to lose a microgram of caffeine. Not today – well not any day! Considering she’d written two lines and a finished first draft of her book was due in two months, she knew she was in a world of hurt.

Charly turned to see who had been so rude. Okay, as a romance writer it was Charly’s job to write about hunks but what she saw before her left her breathless. Looking at her with Caribbean Sea blue eyes, copper skin, and dark hair falling in waves to the top of his shoulders was a God.

“Pardon, I am so sorry,” he said in a deep, richly accented voice bowing his head in her direction. His eyes – those incredible blue eyes were intently focused on Charly making her feel self-conscious. Charly regretted that she hadn’t taken more care with her appearance this morning. Her damp hair was a mass of unruly curls, her face devoid of makeup with the exception of a dab of lip-gloss. Charly rested her chin in her right hand appreciating the view before her until she laid a finger on her upper lip. Panic rose within her; she felt it and if he noticed it she would be mortified. Damn, why hadn’t she waxed her mustache last night? Why did women get mustaches in the first place? It’s not like we don’t have enough to worry about.

My Book Review:

Charly MacDougall is a thirty-two year old romance writer from Seattle. She's a simple girl who lives a simple life. She is not very versed in the sexual or relationship arena, in fact she is still a virgin.

Julien Vernay is a wealthy Frenchman, who owns vineyards in Provence, France and Eastern Washington state.

Charly and Julien meet in a local coffee shop and there is instant mutual attraction. Can two people from very different worlds find common ground and fall in love?

Seattle Delight is an enchanting romantic story about how opposites attract and fall in love. Written in the third person narrative, the reader is easily drawn into Charly and Julien's story as their two worlds come together and they try to find common ground as their relationship grows. The storyline is intriguing, the author engages the reader to follow along as Charly and Julien learn about each other, question their differences, and seek a love that knows no boundaries. The author has also thrown in a little bit of drama and suspense into the mix when a devious ex-friend of Julien's is not thrilled about the relationship, and he takes drastic measures to break it up. The combination of romance, humor and drama make this story all the more a compelling and enjoyable read.

The author has created a quirky cast of characters who are realistic and down-to-earth people. Charly has a quirky personality and lives a normal lifestyle that is easy to relate to. The only thing that annoyed me about Charly is that for a thirty-two year old woman, I found her innocence or naivete to be a little bit over the top for my liking, if she was in her twenties I would have bought into that part of her. As for Julien, my goodness I can just imagine hearing that sexy French accent, his interest in Charly definitely peaked my interest! The passionate love scene between Charly and Julien was steamy and worthy of two thumbs up! I would be remiss if I didn't mention Charly's mother, Josie, while I found her interactions with Charly to be humorous, I was a little bit put off with how she treated / talked to her daughters as if they were still teenage girls, I found myself shaking my head and didn't think it was realistic or believable. With that said, I do believe that overall the author did a good of providing a cast of characters that are engaging and fun to get to know. I especially liked how the author incorporated a dog into the story, Charly's little black and white Terri Poo Tootsie simply stole my heart!

Rich in detail and vivid description of the book's setting in Seattle, the author weaves a tale that transport the readers to the scenic location with it's famous landmarks like the Space Needle, Pikes Place Market, and Pugent Sound. The descriptions of Seattle and it's landmarks read like a virtual travel guide, I'd love to visit there someday.

Seattle Delight is delightfully lighthearted romantic story that will make you smile.


RATING: 4 STARS ****