Please welcome author...Lauren Murphy

*Trips over her shoelaces on the way in* Hi I’m Lauren and I’m so glad to be here. *tries to pick up her face and continues*

An author’s first release is a life altering experience. (I meant book release get your mind out of the gutter.) It takes some time to get there and having thick skin is a necessity if you want to make it in this business. There are rejections to face and naysayer’s who want to hold us back. Not only do you have to deal with all the odds against you, but you also have to write a bright and shiny manuscript which you’ve polished to within an inch of its life, and hope a publisher wants it. After that there’s the nail biting and obsessive email checking. It makes you wonder why we want to go through it.

In the end, when it’s all said and done, it is totally and completely worth it. When you catch the first glimpse of the cover of your book or receive feedback from readers, you are blown. You know you’d do it all over again in a second… well not a second. *wink*

Though Cara’s Christmas Fantasy is not the first book I’ve ever written, it is my first published work of fiction. It will always have a place in my heart for that reason. The idea came to me during a challenge. We had to write a book in a week (more like novella in a week) and it had to be about Christmas. Since I love all things erotic (okay almost all things erotic) my story is of course very naughty. I adore stories when two hearts, which have drifted apart, rekindle the love that brought them together in the first place. That’s exactly what this story is all about. Cara struggles with self-esteem issues, unknowingly pushing her husband away when all he wants is to be with her. At the time I wrote this I knew there would be many people who could relate to this story, including myself. This is a very sweet, yet spicy tale that will warm your spirits and possibly your bedroom. The experience of writing it from beginning to end was a labor of love. I hope everyone who reads it is able to share my passion for the story.

Here’s a blurb to tempt you and give more insight into the story.

Plagued by her weight gain, Cara’s self-esteem has taken a downward spiral. No longer feeling attractive she unknowingly pushes away the one thing she truly wants; her husband’s affections. Mike considers himself to be an understanding man but enough is enough. He wants his old Cara back--the wild, vivacious woman he met and knows is waiting to be revived. His desire for her compels him to create a plan that will bring them closer together emotionally and sexually. But will Cara be able to open her mind and body to the man she loves or will she push him away for good?

I want to thank you so much for inviting me to come in and trip all over your blog. *is still struggling to put on face from earlier debacle* You’ve been most gracious to the lost newbie. Oh, and before I go I have to send a shout out to my baby. He’s just turned 2 today… even though he’s been terrible for months now. So much for terrible 2’s lol!

So long and thanks again for having me!


Lauren
http://mslaurenmurphy.blogspot.com/