Felicia Rogers

Interview with Verna Clay

Quirky Questions

Other than the present, what time era would you choose to live in, and why?

I love the era of passenger trains--the 1940s and 1950s. I envision myself sitting in the dining car ordering dinner or enjoying the scenery from one of the "sky cars" that allow views of the passing countryside. I don't think I want to get off the train. I just want live in some kind of fantasy world where I'm always traveling, dining, and meeting interesting passengers.

What is the strangest thing you've ever seen?

When I was a teenager, my family lived across the street from railroad tracks. One freezing winter morning, I got up and looked out the window. Now, mind you, this was during the era of streakers, and I saw this guy run to the tracks and sit on it. Ouch! Kinda like sticking your tongue on a frozen lamppost.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Embarrassing myself is something I'm really good at. I'll never forget being at a fancy dinner during my teen years and sitting next to a boy I'd had a crush on for years. I was so nervous I knocked my water glass over three times--got water all over him thrice!

What was the best day(s) of your life?

That's an easy one--the day my children were born.

What is your favorite coffee frou frou drink?

Actually, in my latest release, Dream Kisses, I had to create the names of some coffee frou frou drinks. I think the one called, Latin Lover Latte, with lite whipped cream, would be my favorite. Don't know what's in it, but it sure sounds good!

What food gags you?

I can't stand the smell or taste of split pea soup.

Tell us about your new book.

I adore the characters in my latest release, Dream Kisses. It's the first book in a series called Romance on the Ranch. There will be at least three books in the series, maybe more. Book two is Honey Kisses and book three is Baby Kisses. To kick things off in book one; I introduce Sage Tanner and Sarah Carter. Sage is a semi-famous male model who's been in the business for several years, but he also owns a cattle ranch called Lazy M Ranch. During the summer he runs a dude ranch there.

Sarah Carter is an author who goes by the pen name of Mims Murphy. Sarah and Sage meet while he's posing for the cover of her novel, (sigh) Dream Kisses. After the photo shoot, her New York publisher gathers a small group to walk across the street to Jet Setters Java Junction for a coffee break. I don't want to give away a spoiler, so suffice it to say an embarrassing incident makes Sarah furious with Sage and she walks out. A few weeks later, she finds herself at the Lazy M Dude Ranch for hands-on research about the cowboy way of life. Unfortunately for her (but fortunately for us), she had no idea that Sage Tanner, the gorgeous model she mentally lambasts daily, is the owner of the ranch.

While writing the secondary characters in the book, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt I had to give some of them their own happily-ever-after. Book two is the story of Jackson and Annie and book three is about Miles and Tooty. I expect to release Honey Kisses in March or April, 2012, and Baby Kisses in the summer.

Thank you, Felicia, for inviting me to share on your blog. It's always a pleasure visiting with you.

Excerpt (from the gathering at Jet Setters Java Junction):

They entered Jet Setters Java Junction and Sage watched Sissy Johansen take charge. No surprise there. She was a bulldozer, which was probably the reason she and her husband had such a successful company. Although Sage didn't read romance novels, he knew the genre outsold all others.

Someone behind the counter approached Sissy and gave her preferential treatment, motioning them to another room. They followed Sissy and their "Jet Setter" hostess to a room glassed off from the main one. A few high class business types sat in comfortable booths. Sage knew he looked out of place in his old T-shirt, but he didn't give a rat's ass. A beautiful woman wearing a classy business suit looked him up and down as he approached. She gave him that slow, I-like-what-I-see smile. He'd encountered that same smile thousands of times since the age of fourteen. His headache felt worse. He ignored her.

At their booth, he stepped aside so Sissy and Mims could slide in. The little photographer slid next to Sissy, so he sat next to Mims. She was a little on the well-endowed side of the fork. She seemed self-conscious, something else he'd encountered thousands of times with women.

The hostess handed them menus. Menus to order a damn cup of coffee. He laid his on the table and didn't even glance at it. Mims looked her menu over, front and back, and so did the others. The hostess returned and he listened to Chuck, because he couldn't bring himself to call him Chuckie, order a Muddy Mocha Miracle. Sissy ordered a double shot Hammerhead Bottom Feeder and he was curious about what the author would order. Very politely, she said, "I'd like a Latin Lover Latte, with lite whipped cream, please." He had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.

The hostess turned to him. "And for you, sir?" She batted her eyelashes.

"Black coffee."

"Whatever you want," she said suggestively, and slid the tip of her tongue across her Botox lips.

Sage wanted to ask for aspirin.

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5- Star Review!   ..."Dream Kisses" is a pleasant piece of pastry on a rainy day. It is that forbidden square of chocolate that gives hope to the hopeful romantic. Verna Clay has woven the perfect amount of words into the perfect start to her new series.--Readers Favorite (Lisa McCombs)

Verna Clay's website: http://www.vernaclay.com

Email: VernaClay@VernaClay.com

Dream Kisses/Romance on the Ranch Series: Amazon ebook

Verna has been kind enough to offer THREE PDF copies of Dream Kisses for you lucky readers. Leave a comment below with your email address to enter. Whoo-Hoo and HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!