Teaser Tuesday: DARE ME
Last summer, I found myself in an odd gap between books. I had handed in The Garden Intrigue
So I decided to write something just for fun.
I wanted to write something out of my ordinary orbit, something light, something different. So I decided to try my hand at a contemporary romance. It would involve a down and out heroine inheriting a house, because, as you all know, I have a thing for house inheritance novels, and a small town in upstate New York, because I’ve spent some of my happiest times in a small town in upstate New York. (Cold Spring, I’m looking at you!) Over the course of last July, I happily dug into writing it. I called the town Phillips Falls, as a nod to Susan Elizabeth Philips, queen of the genre (and to Philipstown, the larger entity that includes my own beloved Cold Spring). As for title… well, I had to throw in a Jennifer Crusie homage. My heroine’s name was Kristy Dare, so what more logical than to call it Dare Me?
As you can see, I was amusing myself mightily.
I had about a hundred pages done when I got a call telling me that it was time to go full steam ahead on the Kenya book– and then another call telling me that my old publisher wanted two more Pink books. Suddenly, I found myself booked up with deadlines and my contemporary romance (known to me as the RCR, for Random Contemporary Romance), had to be filed away for later.
I’m not sure when I’ll have the time to finish writing it, but, just for fun, just because it’s summer, I’ve decided to dust it off and share it with you. Starting June 23rd, I’ll be posting a chapter here on the News page every Saturday, straight through July and into August.
I hope it proves as much of a summer escape for you as it did for me last July!
Sounds like fun! Though, as a girl who grew up in Rochester, NY, I always chuckle when NYC natives talk about “upstate.” I guess that makes my hometown “way-the-heck-upstate.” 😉
I would read anything by you, Lauren! I’m curious to read your contemporary romance!! Really curious!
Yeah!
Can’t wait
Looking forward to it! Sounds a bit like the Rather series by CA Belmond. I like those. So glad you decided to share with us!
I was born in Cold Spring! When I went to college in Buffalo I was quickly disabused of the idea that Cold Spring was “upstate”!
Like the poster from Rochester, I’m amused that Cold Spring is upstate…. where I live, there’s only one highway exit between me and Canada. 🙂 However, I can’t wait to see the new work!
Ooh, exciting! It will be a nice summer treat.
Was it strange writing without all the historical information/background, or was it sort of liberating?
Awesome! It may not be summer here in Australia, but I look forward to reading it on cold rainy days!
Burning with curiosity I am. Long short story? Novella? Full-length work? I can hardly wait to begin reading!
i’m eagerly looking forward to this new story, and I’m hoping it’ll be picked up and turned into a published book!
PS-Born and raised very near to Cold Spring…will see if I recognize any familiar places.
Since you, Jennifer Crusie and SEP are my favorite authors this should be great!
Thank you for your generosity Lauren, it always seems like such a long dry spell between publishings. This will be a wonderful weekly visit!