Book Blurb:
The decisions we make create and destroy us. Fourth grade teacher Poppy Rodriguez thinks
she has all the answers, and realizes, perhaps too late, that she needs
schooling in just about every area, especially love--oh, and baking.
A novice in the kitchen and the bedroom Poppy
samples both, while surrendering to Michael Borchard’s irresistible charm, when
she joins his baking class. There are a couple hiccups––it’s a kids’ class, and
he’s married. Poppy and Michael improvise a recipe for passion that hits all
the right spots. Their honeyed entanglement becomes increasingly sticky as his
wife and her past muddy their budding romance. Is love stronger than
circumstances, or will Poppy succumb to the sweetest temptation?
Buy
a copy of the book:
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bee-stings-rosalinda-diaz/1118890955?ean=2940149392063
Excerpt:
While parking one-handed, I
finish the edible parts of the burrito and toss the remains into a plastic
shopping bag. Licking the excess filling off my fingers, I open the door to
Happy Nails, and I’m shocked to find it packed. Rows of women are relaxing in
what look like recliners with foot baths. Others are sitting at little tables,
reading tabloid magazines, and talking on cell phones pressed uncomfortably to
their ears with their shoulders, while hunched manicurists work furiously
sloughing, sculpting, and lacquering their nails.
“Can help you?” a petite woman
asks.
“Yes, I have an appointment at
one o’clock for a mani-pedi?” “Okay, pick color,” she says, motioning to a wall
filled with any nail polish color imaginable. My eyes drink in the rainbow of
shades; it makes me dizzy trying to decide between the brilliant jewel tones,
feminine pastels, and creamy whites.
“Ready?” another woman asks,
clearly eager to begin.
“Sure.” I palm the closest red
and follow her to one of the recliner contraptions.
I flip the bottle over to read
the name: Racy Red. It sure is. “Oh, this is fantastic,” I purr, sliding my
feet into the hot bubbling water. She looks at me like I’m from Mars.
“First time?” she guesses; I nod
yes.
“Red on toes, and for hands?” the
manicurist asks, looking around for a second bottle of polish.
“Shouldn’t finger and toe nails
match?”
She takes hold of my hand,
tsk-tsks, and, in her native language, calls to someone across the salon.
Several women swarm around me, making me feel like a side show attraction. They
pass my hand to one another as if I were show and tell. One finally speaks up.
“Nails ugly,” she informs me. I pull my arms in close to my body, out of
examination range. “Tips. Manicure not fix. You need tips. Make pretty.” I
still don’t get it. She holds up the hand of the woman next to me, pointing to
one square, white-tipped nail. “Tips,” she says, rolling her eyes in disgust at
my ignorance.
“Fake nails? I don’t know,” I
say, not wanting to offend anyone. Gradually, I uncurl my fists and look
objectively at my nails. They are so ugly. She sees my resignation and pounces.
Interview with RosaLinda Diaz:
1) Would
you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?
I’m a bit of a gypsy, as my twitter
name GitanaRosa (gypsy rose) suggests. I’ve spent my life as three things a
writer, an actor and an artist. I love expressing my creativity through many
mediums. Writing is an especially cherished form of expression for me. It
allows me to work through complicated emotions in a beautiful way. I grew up in
Los Angeles, but moved and traveled all around the world. I’m currently living
in California’s Central Coast and loving the slower paced lifestyle.
2) Which
project are you currently promoting?
Bee Stings, a chick lit
coming-of-age romance.
3) Can
you tell us what the book is about?
Fourth grade teacher Poppy
Rodriguez thinks she has life all figured out, but learns, through a
relationship with married baker Michael Borchard, that she doesn’t have all the
answers. It’s a complex, highly charged issue told in a relaxed and humorous
style.
4) How
did you come up with the title for this book?
Bee Stings is a metaphor for Poppy
and Michael’s relationship. Love is sweet, but it can sting. It just fit the
story perfectly.
5) What
inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to tell a different kind
of love story. In the classic love triangle one person is always the villain. Bee
Stings demonstrates that sometimes there isn’t a witch driving two people
apart, sometimes there are unforeseeable circumstances.
6) What
made you decide to become a writer?
I’ve always loved writing. In
middle school my poem won a county wide contest and was displayed at the
Natural History Museum. That moment gave me the confidence to continue writing
poetry. At Pepperdine I earned a B.A. in Creative Writing, but I had no intention
of writing novels. I thought I’d write screenplays. Then the writing muse gave
me Bee Stings. Now I’ve written three novels!
7) What
genre do you generally write?
I’m all over the map! I write what
I find interesting at the moment. The Bee Stings trilogy is chick lit, but I
have a Middle Grade Historical Fantasy novel I’ll be shopping later this year,
plus a YA novel, and a children’s book waiting to be written.
8) What
character out of your most recent work do you admire the most and why?
That’s a tough one! If I had to
pick one character that I admire the most it would be Bee Stings main
character, Poppy. She’s faced with a tough issue, but stays true to herself and
unselfish at the same time. What she does is an act of true love. For me,
that’s admirable.
9) What
other projects are you currently working on?
I just finished the sequel to Bee
Stings. It’s a dual narrative that follows Poppy and Michael’s continuing
journey. You really get inside Michael’s head, which we missed in Bee Stings. I
loved writing from his point of view. It was a lot of fun to see Michael and
Popp’s different perspectives about the same conundrum. Hopefully, it will be
out later this year.
10) When
you begin a new MS, does it start with an idea, concept, or both?
It starts with an idea and a title.
I can’t seem to begin until I get a title I love. I guess that’s an odd way to
start writing a book, but the title gives me the heart of the story. If the
title isn’t set, I can’t get into the story.
11) What
is your least favorite part about getting published?
The waiting! I’m the most patient
impatient person ever. I also like to know everything that’s going on, which
isn’t always possible during the publication process. The not knowing can be so
frustrating.
12) Was
the road to publication a long one for you?
Bee Stings took seven years to be
published. It was a struggle to keep believing in this story. I knew it was
unique, and could find its niche if given the chance. I’m so happy that
Stephanie Taylor, Editor-In-Chief, at Astraea Press saw what I saw in Bee
Stings.
13) Do
you use a pen name? If so, why?
Nope. I use my own name.
14) Where
do you see yourself in five years?
Hmm… in five years I’d like to be
writing and acting full time. Living a life supported by creative expression
has always been my goal. The details can fall into place as God desires. Though,
there is a house I adore that overlooks Pacific Coast Highway. It’s one of
those old Hollywood mansions built in the twenties. In five years, I’d love to be
living there. I better stop now. I can come up with some pretty elaborate
fantasies.
15) What
is the best advice you can give to a new author?
Don’t let others discourage you
because they can’t see or understand your vision. Don’t take critiques to
heart. If the advice doesn’t feel right, listen to your gut. Keep writing!
16) Where
can the readers find more information about you?
Readers can visit my website www.RosaLindaDiaz.com
to learn more about me.
About the Author:
RosaLinda
Diaz, was raised in a particularly magical section of Los Angeles; between the
original Disney Hyperion Studios and Snow White’s Cottages. The magic in the
air and soil gave her already active imagination roots and wings. Wings that
took her gypsying around Europe, Australia, and Africa, and roots that brought
her back to California to earn her B.A. at Pepperdine University. She makes her
home in California’s Central Coast igniting the fire of creativity and sparking
imaginations with her endeavors.
Links:
Website: www.RosaLindaDiaz.com
Facebook Fanpage for the book: https://www.facebook.com/BeeStingsNovel
Facebook Fanpage for the author: https://www.facebook.com/RosaLindasIdiaz
Twitter: @GitanaRosa
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