Welcome Guest Blogger Deb Salonen

Submitted by DebSalonen on Fri, 2009-05-01 12:29.

When perky breasts begin to sag…

My current closest friends are thirty-something women who have one thing in common--no, not perky breasts, although that's true, too. The main thing they have in common is they only exist in my head and on the pages of the books in my "Spotlight in Sentinel Pass" series. Sometimes, I question whether or not I'm the right person to write their stories. After all, I haven’t been thirty-something for quite a while. And, yes, I happened to look in the mirror as I was dressing this morning and noticed that my breasts could stand a little perking up. I posed the following question to my heroines and here’s what they said:

Q: Do you ever wish you’d taken up residence in some other author’s head? A younger, perkier author, perhaps?

Libby (Daddy By Contract, May 2008): Deb, you and I have been together for over two years now. I started as a glimmer of an idea--a self-sufficient, single woman with a recession-proof job and good benefits who wants a baby advertises online for the perfect sperm donor. From that, I grew into the person that I am. I owe you for that. I like who I am. I love my life. I love Cooper and, although our baby hasn’t been born on the pages of your current Work In Progress, I’m a fabulous mother. You knew I would be, didn’t you?

And, don’t worry about the breasts. You can’t fight gravity, and nursing is so worth any future sag.

Jenna (His Brother's Secret, Sept 2008): You crack me up, girlfriend. My dad would have loved you—the metaphysical, what-came-first…the-character-or-the-story? side of you. Not the saggy boobs part. J Stand on your head during yoga more often. That’s one way to defy gravity.

Kat (Daddy By Surprise, Jan 2009): Oh, for heaven’s sake, age is not the issue, Deb. Swoo. That’s what this is about. Finding someone who makes you like yourself better than you did before you met that person. You and Jack did that for me. Thank you. Now, would you please get back to work? The Wine, Women and Words book club needs another book to read.

Morgana/Morgan (Picture-Perfect Mom, May 2009): Since I’m new to this group, I’ll keep my answer short. Deb, you rescued me from stereotypical ex-wife anonymity (yes, I was once married—briefly—to Libby’s husband, Cooper) and you gave me a chance to tell my story. I truly can’t thank you enough. I know you weren’t sure I deserved a second chance, but I’m so grateful for the one you gave me—and Mac.

And, as a Hollywood insider, I could give you the name of several fabulous doctors, but since I know surgery isn’t your thing, might I suggest Victoria’s Secret?

Char (Finding Their Son, Sept 2009): Dang, girl, is that why you gave me big boobs? I wondered about that. Thanks, by the way. They might have been an embarrassment when I was a kid, but the love of my life is quite happy with them at the moment. I plan to sag with grace and joy when I’m your age.

By the way, this is a really silly blog. Disregard what Kat said. You need a vacation, Deb. Some warm, sunny place with sandy beaches. Buy a swimsuit with a push-up bra and drink a margarita for me.

So, the take-away from this blog is obvious: Don’t look in the mirror in the morning when you’re getting dressed. Share your thoughts, and I'll choose one blogger to receive a Sentinel Pass book from my backlist.

May your May be “picture-perfect.” J

Deb

PS: I’m offering signed copies of the complete set of the “Spotlight on Sentinel Pass” series, along with a framed watercolor print of a buffalo (Kat’s book)and other goodies at Brenda Novak’s Juvenile Diabetes Research auction. OR, you can bid on the chance to have your name appear in one of my future books. Check it out by clicking on the link to Brenda's auction in the Cigars' upper right sidebar.

Welcome Deb!

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Fri, 2009-05-01 13:02.

Very, very funny stuff. You could be writing rom-com. ;)

Though interesting question about authors in their 40s and 50s (and beyond) writing stories about women in their 20s and 30s. I guess we're just young at heart. *G* It's something I have thought about from time to time, though I tend to put my heroines at least at the thirty mark, so I can feel some affinity for them. I have to admit that I don't often believe the 20-something characters I read in romance, not when I think about the 20-somethings in my own family, or the ones I used to teach. ;)

I'm writing a book about a 34 year old now, and I might be tempted to jack her age up a few years, too, in revision. The 30s are nice for characters, I think, from a writer perspective, though one of my favorite characters now is Claire Cosi, from the Coffeehouse Mysteries, who is in her 40s. Still, it brings up the interesting fact of how we come at writing (and reading) heroines who are often much younger than we are.

The cover is gorgeous, btw. :)

Sam

LOL Sam

Submitted by AmieStuart on Sun, 2009-05-03 15:17.

I'm sitting on the cusp of 40 and sure as heck don't feel it (in my head/heart)--not even sure i feel on the cusp of 30. Still wondering who stole my toddlers (and my perky breasts) and left me with these hulking hairy teenage boys.

the cusp of 40

Submitted by DebSalonen on Sun, 2009-05-03 16:17.

Amy, I'm sure you've heard other people rave about their 40s. I'm one of those types. As eras go, I liked those years and I could definitely write a hip, sexy 40-yr old heroine. In fact, I just might.

And about teens...I once wrote a piece about the evil "Teen Fairy" who stole into my house one night and let all the brains out of my daughter's head. She recovered, but me? Just barely.

Deb
Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

40's

Submitted by AmieStuart on Sun, 2009-05-03 16:50.

You know, Deb, I'm actually looking forward to 40!! (even if I don't feel it).

LOL@Teen Fairy! Luckily one of my teens still has his brain *sigh*

Hi Deb

Submitted by Ellen Hartman on Fri, 2009-05-01 14:01.

Hi Deb,

Welcome to Cigars! I love this blog. What a great idea and, of course, a topic of interest to many women. Victoria's Secret...that's an excellent idea, Morgan.

You know I'm a fan of Sentinel Pass but I somehow thought your May book was the last one. I was reading the answers and I got to Morgan and I thought I'd missed one. Panic!! Her story sounds fantastic. Yay for May!!

I don't think I've written any heroines who were in their twenties, but the ages of my characters have mostly been plot driven. In The Boyfriend's Back, the heroine got pregnant in high school and the book takes place when her daughter is in high school. That was a plot driven age. In His Secret Past, I needed the hero's son to be 17 and I needed him to have been born during a certain time in the hero's life, so Mason's age was plot driven and I gave him a heroine with a similar age.

I'm currently working on a proposal for a younger hero/older heroine book. The age difference is plot driven, but I think it might be interesting to write, even if it weren't being pushed by the story.

Can't wait for your May book. Your auction items sound great!!

Thanks, Ellen

Submitted by DebSalonen on Fri, 2009-05-01 15:22.

I'm so glad you are looking forward to another Sentinel Pass book. I sold the concept as a 5-book deal, but it looks like we're going to have a few more stories before I'm really done with the place. I'm like a lot of our readers, I love connected books. So, this is pure gravy for me.

The book that is coming out this September has a similar age-thing in the plot, E. I learned from an earlier trilogy not to be too specific in the first book of a series with facts that would tie my hands in later stories, so I kept Char sort of hazy. I gave her bright hair and a frank attitude, but didn't reveal her age. Thank goodness, since that plays a huge factor in the story. Since the title says it all (FINDING THEIR SON), I guess I'm not giving anything away if I say she gave her baby up for adoption.

And speaking of covers, I think yours is the sexiest one I've ever seen when both people are fully clothed. I can't wait to pick it up at the store.

I also love Shirley's dad and baby cover. Sweet!

Hey, the auction opens today. I can't wait to see all the items people have donated.

Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

Covers

Submitted by Ellen Hartman on Fri, 2009-05-01 20:35.

Thanks, Deb!

I've been very lucky in the cover department over the course of my entire three-book career. ;-)

I always like to look at the line-up of Super covers every month. The line has such a range of tone, story, theme, etc. and I think you can see that from the covers. This month we have a western-look, my embracing couple, your gorgeous family, a bride, a man in uniform (with bonus baby!), and a cop (with bonus dog!). Supers are a great line for people who like to mix it up.

Thanks for having me, Sam and fellow Cigars

Submitted by DebSalonen on Fri, 2009-05-01 15:01.

Sam, I'm with you on the age of the heroines. I'm lucky to have a 31-yr old daughter and 30-yr old daughter-in-law and their friends who help me keep it real, but one of my favorite characters to write had just turned 50. (Elle--from WHO NEEDS CUPID?) I had sooo much fun with her.

Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

Funny and...

Submitted by MarcieR on Fri, 2009-05-01 15:07.

uplifting (hehe) for a Friday blog!
I love the Sentinel Pass series! I should be getting my copy of Picture Perfect Mom in the mail any day now.

LOL, Marcie

Submitted by DebSalonen on Fri, 2009-05-01 15:30.

You clever thing.

Thanks for buying PPM. I knew from the beginning I wanted to write Mac's story, but, honestly, Morgan came as a complete surprise to me. I wrote three chapters with a different female lead, but the story didn't just stall, it stopped. I realized I didn't like the character, her back story, her name, nothing. That's when I noticed Morgana. For an actress, she was surprisingly low-key about demanding my attention. When you read her back story, you'll know why. ;-)

Deb

Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

Deb,

Submitted by JeannieWatt on Fri, 2009-05-01 17:14.

Thank you so much for a good laugh this morning! One of friends once told me she was beyond holding up a pencil--she could hold up a box of crayons--the 64 color kind.

Jeannie

Zikes!

Submitted by DebSalonen on Fri, 2009-05-01 17:23.

I don't know what my friends would have replied to that. I'm speechless.

Jeannie, did I mention on the Let's Talk Superromance thread how much I like your new cover AND back blurb? There's an art to that brevity that I could never master.

I was jazzed by the tag line they gave PICTURE-PERFECT MOM: "It's a plot straight from a TV show". But which show, you're left wondering? Desperate Housewives? Grey's Anatomy? Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? LOL.

Deb
Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

Ages of Heroines

Submitted by Ellen on Fri, 2009-05-01 19:15.

I enjoy heroines and heros that are in their 30s or older. The younger ones I have trouble relating to.
I would also like to say I am 85 pages into PICTURE PERFECT MOM and loving it.

Ah boobs...

Submitted by Kimberly Van Meter on Fri, 2009-05-01 21:24.

What an interesting topic. I've already started my boob job surgery fund. And just a warning, I might be one of those annoying people who are always wanting to show them off once I get my new ones. It'll be a constant state of Mardi Gras in my world. LOL...
Age of heroines, I like 27. It's a great age. Still young, but with a little seasoning and usually the boobs are still where they belong. Ah geesh, back to boobs. Sorry! I don't usually gravitate toward heroines that are older than 35. But I like my heroes to be at least 35. No older than 45.

Cool on the Sentinel Pass continuation, Deb! That's great!

Ahh, Kim

Submitted by DebSalonen on Sat, 2009-05-02 02:45.

You funny girl. There was a time when I thought I'd like to get a boob job, but I got lasix surgery instead. By my mid-forties, my priorities had changed. Just let me see the darn monitor without glasses and I'm a happy camper.

And 27 is a nice age. I try not to dip under that with my heroines. And this probably sounds terribly sexist, but I rarely worry about my hero's age unless, like Ellen H. said, it's pertinent to the plot. That's the case in one of my new proposals.

Deb

Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

Wooh-hoo, Ellen

Submitted by DebSalonen on Fri, 2009-05-01 23:15.

That's great news. Thanks for making me smile.

Deb
Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

Awesome!

Submitted by fedora on Sat, 2009-05-02 22:36.

Hi, Debra!

I SO enjoy your books! You write the heroines in a very believable, enjoyable way. And I definitely enjoyed your post, too! I know the nursing is worth the sag, but I TOTALLY get the motivation for boob jobs now (at least some of it, anyway)!

Hi, Fedora

Submitted by DebSalonen on Sun, 2009-05-03 16:11.

Thanks for your uplifting comments, Fedora. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

I agree that every woman feels differently about her body. My heroine, Char (Spet 2009), developed early and when she and the hero meet again after 17 years, all he can recall of her is her nickname..."Boobs." She was pretty tolerant of my exploring this side of her, and since that was SOOO not the case in my personal development, I was drawing on imagination.

Deb
Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

Boobs huh

Submitted by jody lynn on Mon, 2009-05-04 01:04.

Well i can relate, since my sister, aunt and i are all aprart of the "Chester" club for that very reason. So yeah boobs, been called that, chesty malone, you name it i've heard it. top that off with alot of blonde hair and i've heard a ton of really bad jokes.
good post though!
jody

Jody...

Submitted by DebSalonen on Mon, 2009-05-04 16:42.

In my family, the boobs were --unfairly, in my opinion--divided between my mom and my middle sister. My older sister and me were skipped. If there'd been any kind of genetic equality, we might all four have benefited. Sigh.

My daughter has blond hair and her grandmother's shape as well. She's finally happy with her looks. Suffered from those same jokes when she was younger, but now she looks great and knows it. Yeah! She's 31, btw. A lovely age for a heroine, as Kim would say.

Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

I love the 'being able to

Submitted by Buddy on Mon, 2009-05-04 16:46.

I love the 'being able to hold up a box of 64 crayons'; I believe I could also. My concern right now is not about if they sag(whick they do) or not; I am supposed to have a lump removed in a couple of weeks and have some concerns plus I can't get rid of this cough so might have to postpone the surgery. I am somewhat anxious. A good post though.

Buddy/surgery

Submitted by DebSalonen on Mon, 2009-05-04 16:59.

Healing thoughts and prayers and good wishes coming your way, Buddy. Lumps are scary, but in a dear friend's case, they were completely benign. Hope that's the case for you, too.

Postponing might not be a bad idea, though, because coughing could make healing more difficult. You don't want to expose your incision to germs if you can help it.

Take care.

Deb

Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

hugs on the lump removal

Submitted by jody lynn on Tue, 2009-05-05 02:34.

I had that done about 14 years ago, and it was just a fibrous cyst that sometimes occurs in women, but still scary and yeah a little sore. But my then fiance (Now my hubby for 14 yearstook great care of me, if i hiccuped he gave me a pain pill.)
Actually, i didn't find the lump. He did. I was so embarassed, it felt like a hard rubber bouncy ball in my boob. So not fun. But the stitches healed just fine and i have a tiny scar to remind me to do my exams every month.
Keep thinking good thoughts, its probably like mine.
Good luck
jody

Jody

Submitted by DebSalonen on Tue, 2009-05-05 03:34.

That's what my friend's problem was, too. She's religious about monthly checks now. Thanks for sharing your experience. I think it helps make the prospect less scary hearing from someone who has been through the process.

Deb

Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

Sam selected a winner

Submitted by DebSalonen on Mon, 2009-05-04 16:48.

Ellen, Too...you're a winner. Of course, we always knew that, but I mean your name came up to win a signed book from me. I know you have a lot of my books, so finding one you don't have might be a challenge, but take a look at my back list and if I have one of the older books, I'll sign and send it to you.

Also, I have a couple of Mills&Boon, two-in-one copies available: THE SECRET SHE KEPT (Amy Knupp) and DADDY BY SURPRISE or AN IMPERFECT MATCH (Kimberly Van Meter) and HIS BROTHER'S SECRET. In case you haven't read Amy or Kim, yet, I'm sure you'd enjoy them. Email me your mailing addy.

Deb

Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"

And the winner wins...

Submitted by DebSalonen on Tue, 2009-05-05 03:38.

Would you believe Ellen Too has read practically every Superromance of the past few years, so I went looking in my stash and found a two-fer. Mills&Boon published a book called the The Baby Connection: Twins! I was lucky enough to have written a book that fit. So did Anna Adams. My title in this combo is: MY HUSBAND, MY BABIES; Anna's is UNEXPECTED BABIES.

Yeah, I found two books Ellen hasn't read. That's the prize.

Deb

Debra Salonen
PICTURE-PERFECT MOM
Superromance May'09
"Spotlight on Sentinel Pass"