When Dreams Come True

Osiyo~

I told you I’d be back with a special guest. Thought I was kidding? Ha! I have the beautiful and talented Harlequin Desire author, Jules Bennett here with me today to talk about the release of her new book! I nabbed her before life gets crazy. She’ll be all over the place tomorrow, including the radio station! I’m still trying to picture the station employees baby wrangling her two children since she tends to take them with her to local appearances. :) So without further gab from me… (hear the drumroll?)…Please, welcome Jules Bennett!

 Before I was published, I always imagined where I would be when “the call” came through. We've all envisioned that moment, knowing it would stay in our minds forever. Because, let's face it, when an agent/editor call to tell you your dreams are about to come true, there's nothing like it. I honestly cannot even describe that emotion. Think Christmas Eve as a child waiting for Santa, add that with the excitement of your first date, and throw in your wedding day, babies birth and a whole lot of sugar. Now multiply that by at least 10 :)

Jules Bennett- Award winning author

I’m giddy just thinking about my first sale. You have to tell us about the day you got THE CALL.

Let me tell you how I set the stage, just in case my life-altering call came through. I only passed out my cell number to my agent because I'm never home. Then I set the ringtone for my agent as Vito Corleone from The Godfather when he says, “I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.” Appropriate, right?

I would never have thought of that. Perfect ringtone.

           Okay, so one day in November 2008, I'm getting my 2 year old dressed and trying to feed my baby before rushing out the door to my day job (I'm a beautician, or was until I hung up my shears in December 2010). Anyway, as I'm multi-tasking the bottle and tugging clothes on my oldest, I hear the ring. You know, THE RINGTONE I SET?

I'm embarrassed to say, but it's true, I jumped up from the chair, nearly knocked my 2 year old over and laid the baby in her crib and ran like my life was on the line. I dug and dug in my purse and answered. I'll give you a brief bit of the conversation.

Agent: “Desire likes your book and would like to buy it. Here's the offer...”

Me: “Oh, oh, oh, oh.” giggle, giggle, giggle “When will it come out on the shelves?”

Agent: “You haven't said yes to the offer.”

Me: “Oh, I was already way past that step. Keep up.”

After THE CALL (and those 2 simple words do have to be in all caps, right?) I phoned my husband and broke down in tears. All the excitement had caught up with me and he had no clue what I was blubbering about and was worried until he finally understood that the kids were okay and I got a book deal. Then he choked up. I kid you not. This man has been with me from the first time I wrote Chapter One and he's encouraged me since.

I'm smiling and tearing up as I'm writing this because I still feel that giddiness and excitement of writing and living my dream. I mean, I lie and make up cool people for a living. Who doesn't want that job?

*Raising hand while dabbing tears* A good support team is so important, and the family is the cornerstone for a solid foundation.  

I won't lie, the steps to getting pubbed for me were sometimes brutal and I felt like I was walking on glass. When I gave birth to my second baby, I seriously considered giving up writing because I was afraid it would be too hard to juggle 2 little ones AND be successful at writing.

But guess what? I didn't give up and the reason I didn't was because I would NEVER tell my children to give up on their dream just because the path to reach your goal in life had speed bumps and detours.

So I pressed on and I'm living my dream. Not only that, I married my high school sweetheart and I'm living my own Happily Ever After.

We are so lucky you didn’t give up, Jules. I can officially say "I knew her when... We were both struggling and sharing our rejection woes on eHarlequin, when we first 'met' in 2006." It is a tough job, with high demands and long hours. I mean- we spend literally hours, upon grueling hours, thinking-- and writing those thoughts-- about sexy, handsome, rich…did I say sexy? men…every day. (HARD work!) But SO worth it! And to celebrate just that—there’s a special offer for you, right here, right now… Jules?

So, I'd love to hear what steps you're taking to make your dreams come true. Whether it's writing related or anything else in your life. We all have goals and dreams. I'll admit, I have one that I've only shared with my sister and I'm making her keep her lips sealed. :)

I'll give away a signed copy of my April Harlequin Desire, HER INNOCENCE, HIS CONQUEST to one random person who leaves me a comment. :)

Available NOW!

BLURB:

Architecture kingpin and expert playboy Zach Marcum knew exactly how to get what he wanted—both on the job and in the bedroom. Until sexy, independent and impossible-to-ignore Ana Clark charged into his life. Her construction company could make his luxury resort project a multimillion-dollar reality, but he couldn't risk letting the career-driven siren slip past his defenses. Discovering she was a virgin made the seduction stakes even greater, as Zach crossed the line from business to pleasure….

BIO:

Wife to her high school sweetheart, mother to two little girls, former salon owner—oh, and author—Jules Bennett isn't afraid to tackle the blessings of life head-on. Once she sets a goal in her sights, get out of her way or come along for the ride…just ask her husband. Jules lives in the Midwest and loves to hear from readers. You can contact Jules through her website http://www.julesbennett.com . You can also follow her on Twitter @JulesBennett, friend her on Goodreads.com and Like her Facebook Fan Page.

Wow. I need this one on the top of my tbr pile. You heard her folks. Comment now for the chance to get an autographed copy of Her Innocence, His Conquest! I’ll announce the winner Friday. In the in between you can hop over to her website.

 
Dodadagohvi~