I’m thrilled to welcome one of the awesome authors in the Sultry Nights Boxed Set, Bonnie Phelps. She’s brought along Jason, the man behind Julia’s Star!
Meet Bonnie Phelps ~ Rumor has it that Bonnie began telling stories at a very early age. Photos exist of the author toddling around the corner of the house covered in mud babbling about magic rabbits leading her through the garden. Her parents were amused – until they discovered she had also walked across the newly poured cement patio – which only added fuel to the fire of her passion for writing. From then on, her active imagination continued to churn out plots and character sketches always wondering how different people would behave in similar situations.
Bonnie used her writing skills throughout her professional life as a fundraiser and marketer for
several nonprofits. She enjoyed the chance to tell and share the story of worthy organizations. In the
late 1980s, Bonnie authored a syndicated column in several California newspapers in which she shared the experiences and misadventures of life as a wife and mother. The jury is out on whether or not her children always appreciated her candor. Because Bonnie has romance in her soul, she also worked as a Wedding Planner for several years. Absolutely loved it!! She craves anything sweet, revels in any chance to travel, and is addicted to Ancestry.com. A native Californian, the author lives in Northern California with her husband.
About Julia’s Star ~ You chug along life’s highway, minding your own business, and all of a sudden – wham – something smacks you upside the head. For smart and sassy widow, Julia Marlowe, it was something as simple as a flat tire that landed her squarely in the path of action hero, Jason MacKenzie, who slams into her life with the force of an 18-wheeler.
She doesn’t want to like the guy. The lifestyle he represents stands contrary to everything she believes in. He has that Hollywood ‘love-them-and-leave-them’ attitude written all over him – but despite her best intentions, he has a way of getting under her skin. Besides, her kids like him and so far he hasn’t flinched at tarantulas, errant goats, space aliens and the chaos an active household creates.
Then again, there is the little matter of his ex-wife, Barbara, who clings to Jason like plastic wrap on steroids. Further complicating the situation is the 200 mile distance between the places they call home. She has no desire to live in his world but can he possibly live the country life after the bright lights of the big city? Can she trust a man who only has to smile to make millions of women’s hearts go pitter-pat to give her the happily ever after ending she seeks?
Sit back and enjoy the fireworks in this smart, contemporary romance as Jason and Julia laugh, argue, and circle each other along their bumpy road to happily-ever-after.
Meet Jason ~ My Hero’s a sexy movie star – the kind of man that makes women drool as they spend time pouring over the latest tabloids to find out what he’s up to. Julia’s Star is where the lifestyles of the rich and famous meets small-town girl. In case you’re wondering, culture shock sets in as the two work to find a way to meld their two worlds into one satisfying whole. Thankfully, Jason MacKenzie, is a man of many layers – sex appeal by the boat load, money and fame galore, but also has a definite soft spot for a sexy widow and her three amazing children who live in rural California. Instead of me extoling his virtues, let’s let Jason answer some of our questions in his own words:
How old are you? J: 38 – old enough to have learned the hard way that it’s a bad idea to hook up with a woman who is not right for me.
Describe what you look like? J: A woman’s pirate-fantasy in the flesh. Think Errol Flynn only better looking, my face more chiseled, with greater muscle definition and hot six-pack abs included – basically, women don’t seem to have any complaints about my appearance.
What is people’s first impression of you? J: Playboy all the way, awe-inspiring but for the life of me I can’t figure out why. Guys want to be me and women throw themselves at me. I’m just a man who puts his pants on one leg at a time like everyone else.
Name three of your favourite things. J: I love my job, can’t wait for the next great script, spending time with my family – even my quirky Mom who can’t understand why I’m not married and giving her grandchildren – and yes someday I’d like to give her those grandkids. Oh, and before I forget, I love the fact that I can pick and choose my parts now that I’m considered a ‘somebody.’
Name three things that tick you off. J: People who pretend they like me but really want to be with me so I can do something for them. I hate being used. Unfortunately it goes with the territory. I’ve learned to live with it and the suspicion about people’s motives that creates.
What is your relationship status? J: Divorced – man that took me down a few notches. Apparently I’m not every woman’s dream. The experience made me cautious. I definitely plan to look before I leap the next time – and I’m sure there will be a next time, especially after I met that luscious, adorable, little redhead the other day.
What is your best memory to date? J: The day I got my first acting job. What a trip that was! It was just a bit part but it was my chance to prove I had what it takes to be a star. Of course, in those days, I thought it was all about being a star, hitting the big time. Luckily my family and my best friend, Pete, never let my head get too big and kept me grounded.
Describe a typical Friday night. J: Attending a charity or industry function with a gorgeous woman on my arm – maybe on each arm since I need to keep up appearances. But if you really want the truth, I prefer a quiet evening at home with a few friends – no fans, no paparazzi – just being a regular guy.
What is your drink of choice? J: Tequila, straight up – no salt, no lime but I tend to drink wine when I’m with the ladies.
What is your favourite food? J: I was born and raised in Boston so I still crave a steaming bowl of clam chowder and if I’m anywhere near fresh-cooked fish & chips, I’m in heaven.
What was your first impression of Julia? J: She was crawling out from underneath a car so the first thing I saw was a well-toned butt and legs that went on for miles. That caught my attention. Then she stood up and turned around and all I could think was – stunning. I know this sounds a little cliché, but her hair reflected the fire of the sun and her green eyes sparkled like emeralds. It was in those eyes, though, that I saw the sweetness and vulnerability – paired with a fierce determination – that flattened my like a steam roller.
Julia’s Star is one of 22 steamy stories in the Sultry Nights Boxed Set for 99 cents for a limited time. It’s available for pre-order and will be released Nov. 7!! Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iBooks
Thanks so much for dropping by, Bonnie, and bringing Jason along with you!! I’m excited for the release of the Sultry Nights Boxed Set!
I’m thrilled to be featured as a guest blogger on author Bonnie Phelps’ blog today. I’m sharing an interview with Dr. Patty Kelt, from my romantic comedy, Perfectly Crazy in Love (Perfectly Series novella). Hop on over and check it out 
Ah, thank you! I love working with you, too. Tell us, if you picked a theme song, what would it be? M: “Don’t Rain on my Parade” from the movie Funny Girl. I get incredible joy out of writing romance novels, sharing my work with my readers and getting their feedback. But every once in while I run into someone who denigrates my work – usually without giving it a chance. Too many people think romances are fluff and not worth reading. These people suggest I give up my writing, or they treat my hard work as if it were a casual hobby. Romance writing is my career and my passion. I want all romance authors to be treated with respect. I want skeptics not to rain on our parade.
My most recent work is my Sultry Nights contribution. Bedeviled, the third novel in my Beguiling Bachelor series is a full-length novel included in Sultry Nights. I considered writing a new story for the collection but Bedeviled was such a great fit for an anthology with ‘sultry’ in the title.
I’m visiting author Lois Winston and sharing some eye fact or fiction. Drop by and see how much you know about eyes!! It’s