What Do Pot-Bellied Pigs, Hydrofoils and Gelato Have In Common? LIP GLOCK, Book Two of The Cozy Cash Mysteries!
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville!
The Countdown to LIP GLOCK's Release is Here!
LIP GLOCK - Book Two of my new, Cozy Cash Mysteries - releases in mid-August!!!
Think Will and Kate gone Bond, James Bond...and the blue-hair version of Charlie's Angels too...Under the Tuscan Sun
To celebrate the countdown's launch...I'm treatin' ya to terrific hints into the book's many, superfab fun elements.
So, to that end...
What Do...
Pot-Bellied Pigs
Hydrofoils
and Gelato
Have in Common?
LIP GLOCK...
Book Two of my new, Cozy Cash Mysteries...
where my Roman and Zoey, who are now very Will and Kate gone Bond, James Bond, team-up with the blue-hair version of Charlie's Angels once again...but this time, Under the Tuscan Sun, to recover billions of bunches of hedge fund cozy cash.
It's Your Turn, D. D. Scott-ville: Who do you think will be at the wheels of the hydrofoils makin' a helluva splash?!
Sexy, Sassy, Smart LIP GLOCK Wishes --- D. D. Scott
Behind & Beyond My Books: LIP GLOCK and The Amalfi Coast
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville, and welcome to another edition of Behind & Beyond My Books!
This time, I'm givin' ya the inside scoop on the new setting for my August release - LIP GLOCK - Book Two of my Cozy Cash Mysteries.
So buckle-up...we're on the way to...
Positano Italy and its superfab Amalfi Coast
Check this out:
How fantabulously beautiful is that?!
Wouldn't you luuuvvv to be sitting on the balcony of that hotel...with that kinda crazy-wonderful view?!
Well that's where my Cozy Cash Mystery heroine Zoey Witherspoon and her Secret Bond hero Roman Bellesconi, Prince-of-Many-Names end-up very soon after Page One of their next adventure LIP GLOCK!
We're talkin' all-things-Positano and The Amalfi Coast, Italian mafia, lemon trees and limoncello, plus gelato and Vespas along with a few, superfab fun surprises (***hint...see my previous post on LIP GLOCK's Swine Element).
Thanks to comments (and in this case, Amazon 5-Star Reviews) like these from my superfab readers and fans:
"As soon as I read her first book, "Bootscootin' Blahniks," I put all her books on my Kindle. They have it all ... romance, high fashion, adorable animals, feisty women, gorgeous guys, quirky characters, good food, great dancing .... The ultimate escape without spending a fortune on a vacation." --- Pj Schott
"...think of Zoey Witherspoon as Jason Bourne - with a good set of French tips and a designer holster for her Glock. The difference is, D.D. is a master at making you laugh while both you and Zoey are hanging by your fingernails, over the edge of her latest cliff. Like a lot of the characters in D.D.'s latest book, Thug Guard just plain kills. Buy it. Read it. Laugh your hindquarters off. And don't say I didn't warn you." --- Jeff Lee
I knew I could give y'all another Jason Bourne-esque comedic caper set in the amazing Amalfi Coast of Positano Italy!
LIP GLOCK will be available in August!!!
I sooo can't wait to treat you to another Zoey Witherspoon and Roman Bellesconi thrill ride...this time...on Bond-style Vespa Scooters!!!
Ciao!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart LIP GLOCK Behind & Beyond My Book Wishes --- D. D. Scott
Behind and Beyond My Books (LIP GLOCK): The Swine Element
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville!
Boy...did me and The DH have a huge aha moment this weekend!!!
Yep...The DH was actually helping me brainstorm plotting ideas for my August releaseLIP GLOCK - Book Two of The Cozy Cash Mysteries.
And here's a hint at what we came-up with:
That's right...LIP GLOCK and all the Cozy Cash Mysteries hereafter will have a big-time...
"Swine" Element!!!
No more hints for now...just know that the Cozy Cash Mysteries do deal with...
A. A Ton of "swine"-like thugs
B. Tons of wine-and-dining in Zoey and Roman's royal, red-carpet worlds...or could that be "swine"-and-dining? LOL!
C. A ton of Cozy Cash-style crimes in the worlds of Wall Street and the "pork" barrel politics influencing all that money and those markets
D. And certainly tons of various "bring home the bacon" angles
R U gettin' the Piggly-Wiggly picture now?! LOL! Do they have even Piggly-Wiggly groceries in Europe? I'll have to research that...LOL!
And u betchya, there's gonna be a ton of Bond-style mud-slingin' goin' on too!
So there you have it...LIP GLOCK and its Swine Element...a total "out-of-money experience" or so says the too cute Piggy Bank the DH bought me Saturday at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant and Shop!
Sexy Sassy Smart Swine-Filled Wishes --- D. D. Scott
Behind & Beyond My Books (LIP GLOCK): Writing Page One
Happy Thursday, D. D. Scott-ville!
And welcome to my first Behind & Beyond My Books for my next release LIP GLOCK - Book Two of The Cozy Cash Mysteries - which will be released in August!
So...how is it...that an author gets to the point when he or she can write that first page of a book?
Well...for me, that first page begins in a series of images, that, for whatever reason, grab-hold of my muses and scream 'oh yeahhh...you're writing this one about these things'!
For example, for LIP GLOCK, here's what my muses are demanding of me...
And here's the result...
SPOILER ALERT!!!
LIP GLOCK (Page One...plus a wee bit more):
CHAPTER ONE
Life in a castle ain’t all it’s cracked-up to be.
Especially when you’ve arrived here after being at the wrong end of a Glock.
A Glock held to your chest by a woman old enough to be your Granny, and who’s endowed with these monster-sized lips, formed into a maybe-evil-maybe-not, super-botoxed, Cheshire Cat-style grin.
And I mean it...Granny Veruschka’s lips take-up half her damn face. A face that once graced the world’s top fashion magazines, with a body attached that also got her on every hot catwalk. But now, a face that had seen one too many botox injections, and a body, although still sleek and cat-like, was currently filled with who knew what the hell kinda motivation to be holding me at Glock-point.
So now...here I sit, in my fave of all positions – the fetal position...my new M.O. –gazing at the Actaeon sculpture in the cascade of the castle grounds now holding me hostage.
Not familiar with the story of Actaeon?
Here’s the scoop...
Actaeon is an iconic motif used in ancient art, both Renaissance and post-Renaissance, in which a hunter becomes the hunted.
Are you starting to get why I’m in the fetal position staring down good ‘ole Actaeon?
Let me make it perfectly clear and paint y’all a rather disturbing snapshot.
Actaeon was once a hunter of stag and wolves, but now, thanks to Artemis, another Greek Mythology big-shot, Actaeon was a stag himself, with the wolves he used to hunt now about to rip him apart.
Kinda the story of my life the last couple weeks.
I’m Zoey Witherspoon, a fairly new, badge-toting P.I., who’s been on Thug Guard hunting a twisted bundle of Ponzi-scheming turds throughout both The States then Europe too, along with my Secret Bond – as in James Bond-esque - Roman Bellesconi, Prince-of-Many-Names, and now his Granny Veruschka too.
Except the strangest thing happened on my way to get my all-things-green Naked Juice, my fellow hunters – Roman and his could-be-lethal Granny – decided I was the one to be hunted.
At least that’s the impression I got.
But maybe that’s just me, and there was another reason good ‘ole Granny had a Glock pointed at my Gucci blouse in the parking lot of the Jiffy Mart back in Music City.
Not like I’d know said reason...because Roman and his Could-Be-Lethal Granny had so far refused to tell me shit!
I’m tellin’ ya...life in a castle ain’t all it’s cracked-up to be...not when you don’t have a God damn clue how or why you’re here.
Okay...so maybe I had the tiniest of ideas “why” I’m here.
‘Course that was before Granny drugged me and got me all comfy in the family kingdom’s private jet for a flight across the pond...then into Milan...and straight to Castle Command Central.
Thus the fetal position...
And...oh shit...here comes Granny...
Now...from here, I'll spend a couple weeks fine-tuning these first couple pages, along with writing the first three chapters.
The first three chapters of each book are the toughest for me, and thus, take the most time.
That's when I'm really fleshing-out my characters and plot-points.
Once I've nailed these first three chapters, I can write the rest of the book in about four to six weeks.
I'm writing at a pace of one book every two to three months now...and that's sooo workin' for me and my muses and my readers and fans too!
It's Your Turn, D. D. Scott-ville: What questions do you have about my writing process or are there any of my characters you're dyin' to read more of...and no worries..."Yes, your fave Mom Squad is back in LIP GLOCK...and OMG are they outta control!!!"
Sexy Sassy Smart D. D. Scott Page One and Beyond Wishes --- D. D. Scott
Fiction-Writing Plotting Techniques: The D. D. Scott Element List
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville!
Now that my 5th Book is out - THUG GUARD, Book One of my new, Cozy Cash Mysteries - which is actually my 15th manuscript, I'm beginning to develop my very own, fiction-writing techniques for creating a D. D. Scott book.
My writing weakness used to be plotting.
And...to that once, huge-ass issue...I used to say:
"Why can't my characters just sit on a supercool bench in some great location and chat for 300 or so pages?! I've been repeatedly told my dialogue and witty banter rock. So yeah...let's just let my characters talk!"
Why can't my characters just sit on a supercool bench and chit-chat?!
Well...these days, it's because they're also involved in solving mysteries, which requires they get off their butts and follow their leads...or, let's face it, find a lead...any lead...LOL!
But, thanks first, to my fantabulous, mystery-writing author friend Misa Ramirez, I now begin each Cozy Cash Mystery with her Mystery Plot Exercise...which includes jotting down the following items:
*** A Sleuth
*** Victim(s)
*** 3 Different Suspects
*** 3 Different Motives For Killing
*** False Leads
*** Real Clues
*** Killer Revealed At The End
So, I took Misa's wayyy fab list, then added my own D. D. Scott twist.
How?!
Well...in my D. D. Scott Books, I like to explore what I call Pop Culture "Elements" in each book.
For example, take a look at each of the high-concept blurbs for my fiction books and their ripe-for-the-pickin' pop culture elements:
BUCKLES ME BABY - Think paparazzi-hell and Ponzi-scheming fall-out meet home-shopping and Babies "R" Us
THUG GUARD - Think The Rachel Zoe Project meets Bond, James Bond and a Madoff-style, Ponzi-scheming King
Sooo...here comes my D. D. Scott Fiction-Writing Plotting Technique Twist...
I create what I call "The D. D. Scott Element List" for each book...a list, if you will, of all the Pop Culture Tidbits I plan to use in a particular book.
Take my next release - LIP GLOCK, Book Two of my new, Cozy Cash Mysteries - which will hit E-shelves in August...here's my D. D. Scott Element List for that book:
Lips
Glocks
The Mob
Life in a Castle/a princess-in-the-making (very Will & Kate)
Blackwater
The Galleon "cozy cash" scheme
Fashion-esque gadget-style weapons & the forensics to make 'em deadly
Bond, James Bond
Rachel Zoe's "Style A to Zoe"
One of the best spas in Europe
The Blue-Haired Version of Charlie's Angels - aka The Mom Squad
There you go...a Sneak Peek into the fictional world I'm building for LIP GLOCK.
Now...all I have to do...is get my characters off their benches and following each of these elements, then connect the dots from one to the next...and before you know it, I've got another D. D. Scott "The End"!
It's Your Turn, D. D. Scott-ville: If you're a writer, what plotting techniques do you use to get your stories onto your pages and screens? And, if you're a reader, what Pop Culture Elements would you like to see on my list?
Behind and Beyond My Books: THUG GUARD and The Bond Martini
Happy Thursday, D. D. Scott-ville!
To continue the celebration of the release of THUG GUARD - Book One of my new, Cozy Cash Mysteries - I'm once again taking you behind and beyond my books, giving you sneak peeks at what inspires me and my stories.
My Cozy Cash Mystery Hero - Roman Bellesconi - is very Bond, James Bond...and nobody likes a great martini - "shaken, not stirred" - like a Bond kinda guy...
While I was writing and researching for THUG GUARD, I came across this super-cool site talkin' all-things-martinis and just had to share it...especially with the name the site carries:
Anyhoo...there's tons of Martini Talk in THUG GUARD and a whole buncha Bond in my new, Cozy Cash Mystery Hero Roman Bellesconi!
Cheers, Y'All! And welcome to my new, Cozy Cash Mystery World!
Sexy Sassy Smart Bond, James Bond-style Martini Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. Have any of you ever tried a Bond-style Martini? And what are your fave martinis? Include the recipes in your responses, if you'd like! We'd all luuuvvv to shake 'em up and give 'em a try!
I happen to luuuvvv, luv, luuuvvv Rachel and her show...just like I luuuvvv-luv all-things-fashion and ohhh yeahhh Fashion Week too!
Whether it's New York, London, Milan or Paris...I'm watching and reading all I can regarding what styles scream HOT on each season's runways.
For that super-fab fun reason, I brought me and my muses Fashion Luv to my new, Cozy Cash Mysteries.
How?
Well...
Notice that another part of my blurb deals with Bond, James Bond.
So I asked myself (and my muses too)...what kind of super-funky, "killer", Bond-style gadgets - created from today's hottest runway fashions - could my THUG GUARD characters use to go after their thugs?!
Here's a hint:
See these incredible "hair paddles"?!
Well, that's what I'm calling those rather bizarre boards popping outta this model's head during last year's, Paris Fashion Week Spring Show for Rick Owens' - as in French Fashion Icon Rick Owens.
Wait 'til you see what those "hair paddles" can do in THUG GUARD...
Talk about tons of LMAO super-fantabulous, farcical-fun adventures!!!
Who ever knew that to-die-for fashion could actually be...deadly?
Sexy Sassy Smart Fashion Week and THUG GUARD Wishes --- D. D. Scott
I thought it would be super-fun to wish y'all a Happy Mother's Day with the help of a few of my readers and fans fave Bootscootin' Characters...
The Mom Squad.
Who is The Mom Squad?
Well...it's the name I've given for the group of quirky-crazy chicks made up of all my Bootscootin' Books heroines' moms, aunts, grannies, and mother-in-laws. This cast of characters includes:
Kat McDonald
Lily Vaughn
Aunt Tulip
and
Grams
And as my Bootscootin' Cast & Crew is gettin' "cozy" - as in Cozy Mystery cozy - on May 16th with the release of THUG GUARD, Book One of my new, Cozy Cash Mysteries, The Mom Squad has morphed into Charlie's Angels...
Well...The Blue-Haired version of Charlie's Angels
For a little extra somethin' special for all you D. D. Scott-ville moms, I'm givin' ya a Sample Sunday Sneak Peek at The Mom Squad in action in Book Three of The Bootscootin' Books - BUCKLES ME BABY - when they first meet my new, Cozy Cash Mystery hero and heroine, THUG GUARD's Roman Bellesconi and Zoey Witherspoon:
“So what do we do now?” Damian looked up to Roman and Zoey, who were standing side-by-side, watching them.
“Well...for starters, we’re going to need more back-up. I’ve called in additional agents and will be hiring another private security team as well,” Roman said as easy as if he’d ordered take-out.
“Jules and I also have Cody and Zayne on their way. That’ll help too, right?” Roxy asked, her determination to fight for whatever control she could firmly in place.
“I’m glad for that,” Damian said, and he truly was.
He needed his guys here. He was tough. But he was in way over his abilities. Forget sanity. He’d done lost that when Audrey told him they were expecting. And forget macho too. ‘Cause macho wasn’t gonna get the crap from Audrey’s past off their television screen and outta the papers and magazines.
Before he could even think about finding his senses or extra guts, he heard Cody and Zayne come into the house, with –oh shit – The Mom Squad – right behind ‘em.
“Oh boy,” Audrey said, her voice barely a whisper, although Damian was glad to see the slight uplift of the corner of her mouth.
At least with The Mom Squad in the house, none of their senses of humor would be lost.
Damian watched as Cody’s Gramma Lucy, Zayne’s mom Kat and Roxy’s mom Lily filed past the couch and headed straight for the U.S. Marshals.
And not to be left out, the new Music City Aphrodisiac Queen, Jules’ Aunt Tulip, came in next, a basket of she and Cody’s Aphrodisiac-themed produce slung across her arms.
The Mom Squad was back.
And Audrey was right, Damian thought.
Oh boy.
Seeing Tulip take a large pickle then an avocado out of her basket and approach Roman, Damian didn’t think he could take the heat of watching the guy who was supposedly their chief of security succumb to Tulip’s shenanigans.
Taking Tulip’s pickle, if for no other reason, Damian figured, than to shut her up, Roman handed it to Zoey who then had this incredulous ‘what the hell do you want me to do with it’ look.
Clearing his throat, as if Tulip’s vegetables had no effect on him at all, Roman asked everyone to be seated so they could go over new ground rules and protocol changes.
How fun is that?!
And wait 'til you see what The Mom Squad is up to next - on May 16th - as they become Roman and Zoey's official/un-official "back-up" in THUG GUARD...
Happy Mother's Day, All, from me and my Mom Squad too! --- D. D. Scott
Behind & Beyond My Books: The THUG GUARD Cover is Here!!!
Ohhhh yeahhh, D. D. Scott-ville, I am sooo Happy Dancin' today!!!
Here it is...the THUG GUARD Cover...
Wow...do I luuuvvv, luuuvvv, luuuvvv this one!
And woohoo...what a grand, kick-off cover for my new, Cozy Cash Mystery Series!
Bravo to my fantabulous designer Shelley of Webcrafters Design!!! You rock, Shelley!!!
Now...here's a little something special and super-sweet about these Cozy Cash Mystery Series Covers...
I wanted a unique and fun way to help readers immediately know which book in the series each story is, but with titles like THUG GUARD, LIP GLOCK, SMOOTH CRIMINALS, and so on, that could be a wee bit tough.
Sooo...I decided to make the Big 'Ole Bag Full Of Money underneath each "A Cozy Cash Mystery" subtitle, the clue.
From now on, when I say all you have to do "is follow the money and/or the cozy cash trail"...you can not only solve the mystery in each book, but also immediately know the order of the books in the series too, by "following the money"...as in the number in the middle of each book's cash bag which will tell you which book in the series you've got!
Fun and super-cool, right?!
The best part...you've only got a little over two weeks 'til you can try it out and "follow the money" in THUG GUARD, Book One of my new, Cozy Cash Mysteries.
Think a Wanna-Be-Plum...yeah, as in Stephanie Plum...who's also a Hollywood Stylist to The Stars teaming-up with her very own Bond, James Bond-style U. S. Marshal who's about to bring down a Madoff-style Ponzi-scheming King. Oh...and along for the adventure, try The Bootscootin' Books Mom Squad - now a blue-hair version of Charlie's Angels - plus all the rest of your fave Bootscootin' characters too!
Sexy Sassy Smart THUG GUARD and Cozy Cash Mysteries Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. THUG GUARD will be released on or about May 16th...and ohhh yeahhh, I'm keepin' the Cozy Cash Mysteries Ebooks at just 99 Cents each (more on that next week)!!!
Being a Water Warrior with My Heroes & Heroines Too!
Happy Tuesday and Happy Earth Day too, D. D. Scott-ville!
Yes...I know, last Friday, April 22nd, was officially Earth Day, but everyday is Earth Day in D. D. Scott-ville!
The DH and I always, always recycle all that we can, and we're sooo tickled our recycle bin fills-up ten times to one as quickly as our garbage bin. We also eat as much organic as we can get our hands on, and make art for our home and yard out of as much of other people's "junk" as we can find.
This year, though, I wanted to do something extra for Earth Day...and since we live along the fantabulous shores of Lake Michigan, I knew just what to do...
With the help of my Aveda Salon, I became a Water Warrior, by getting this super-cool, water-blue hair extension...
How cool is that?!
And just like my Protector and Firecracker Heroes and Heroines - my beloved Bootscootin' Series Roxy Rae Vaughn and now coming soon (in mid-May), my Cozy Cash Mysteries Hero and Heroine Roman Bellesconi and Zoey Witherspoon, who can be described as:
♦ ♦ ♦ The Protector Another Knight-in-Shining-Armor kinda guy but one who might be a little more predisposed to do things his own unique way rather than by the accepted historical codes of chivalry. He gets the job done and protects his heroine, family and friends by utilizing whatever Christopher Chance-like (HUMAN TARGET) methods he deems necessary given the current situation and/or enemy. (Det. John McLane from Die Hard)
♥ ♥ ♥ The Firecracker Like a big ol’ stick of raw dynamite, this gal is just one match away from blowin’ her top. She creates quite a report – aka the fireworks term for a bunch of noise – wherever she goes. She packs a ton of punch. And has enough explosive energy for her entire world and then some. Once she’s channeled into a positive direction, however, there’s nothin’ or nobody that can stop her from getting what –or who— she wants. (Samantha Jones from Sex and the City)
***Note: For more super-cool character types and definitions and tons of crazy-fun conversations about them, see my grog The Naked Hero !!!
I'm doing all I can to fiercely protect the waters of the world, starting in my own backyard, by being an Aveda Water Warrior! Here's some more scoop on how you too can be a Water Warrior:
Behind and Beyond My Books: THUG GUARD and The Brooch
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville!
Today, I'm takin' ya Behind & Beyond My Books for a sneak peek at a very special element in THUG GUARD, Book One of my new, Cozy Cash Mysteries that will debut this May!
And the special element is...
The Brooch...as in this wayyy beyond fabulous little gem:
So here's the THUG GUARD Sneak Peek Scoop regarding The Brooch...
My hero Roman Bellesconi buys this beautiful brooch for my heroine Zoey Witherspoon while they're in Vienna, hot on the Cozy Cash Operation trail of one helluva huge Ponzi-Scheme.
Oh, and btw, Roman pays a ton more than the $4.99 of my version...LOL!!!
But anyhoo...it's this brooch that will forever connect Roman and Zoey...and lit-er-ally be both the symbol of their love plus the keeper of their safety.
In addition, it will be a cool way to share various ancient Roman and Victorian legends about these kinds of brooches...another funtabulous topic THUG GUARD will explore.
Notice the Fleur-de-lis design which will also figure into THUG GUARD's many mysteries.
How fun is this romcom-cozy romp gonna be?!
Fasten your seatbelts. This is gonna be one wild, wild ride. And well...for much of THUG GUARD, we're in Europe, and y'all may have heard that driving there can be rather wayyy craaaazzzzzyyy!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart THUG GUARD and The Brooch Wishes --- D. D. Scott
Behind & Beyond My Books: Rachel Zoe Is My RomCom-Cozy Muse
Happy Thursday, D. D. Scott-ville!
I'm hard at work on my new, RomCom-Cozy, Cozy "Cash" Mysteries, and havin' sooo much fun!!!
In Book One - THUG GUARD - you'll meet my new heroine Stylist to the Stars and Recently-Licensed P.I. Zoey Witherspoon, and her Bad-Ass, Sometimes-Partner-Against-Crime, U. S. Marshal Roman Bellesconi.
Actually, you were first introduced to this nutty, opposites-not-yet-attracting duo in Book Three of my Bootscootin' Books Series - BUCKLES ME BABY.
But now, in the Cozy "Cash" Mysteries, Zoey and Roman are the "it" couple...well, they're supposed to be, but they've got a long, long way to go and several, super-bad guys to catch first.
Here's the scoop:
Think a wanna-be-Plum - yeah, as in Stephanie Plum, who’s far, far from Plum in her Rachel Zoe-esque world – meets a Ponzi-scheme king Bernie Madoff-type and “lit-erally”, as the Rachel Zoe loves to say, the double agent out to destroy the cozy cash, feeder fund world that makes Wall Street sing.
It’s Charlie’s Angels – Mom Squad style – meets the new SEC’s Walker, Texas Ranger.
So...who's my muse inspiration for Zoey Witherspoon?
BUCKLES ME BABY (at Smashwords for your nook, Sony, Kobo, and iPad Ereaders too)
Here's the scoop:
BUCKLES ME BABY - book three in the bestselling series The Bootscootin’ Books - is a double the fun...and more than double the trouble romantic comedy. It’s Chick Lit, Gone-Country. Think paparazzi-hell and Ponzi-scheme fall-out meet home-shopping and Babies “R” Us.
Manhattan-raised, marketing and promotion impresario Audrey Holtz has taken her friend’s belt buckles from Music City boutique favorites to home shopping channel wait-list-only items. But she’s traded in her high-power stilettos for Sketchers ‘cause her feet are swollen and killing her. Pregnancy is a bitch, especially when you’ve assumed a false identity to dodge paparazzi on account of your Madoff-style, Ponzi-scheming parents.
Nashville TN homebuilder Damian Baker is screwed and not in the construction sense of the word. Who would have thought the first room he’d be designing and building for his dream home would be a nursery...for his and Audrey’s twins? But he’s hell-bent on providing well for and protecting the woman he loves plus the children he can’t wait to meet.
Audrey and Damian may not be able to hide from the camera lenses, the baby blues, and belt buckle mania, although they can hide behind their love. But is their love strong enough to deflect the blinding glare of the spotlight?
And here's why I chose to release this fabulously fun book on Valentine's Day...
BUCKLES ME BABY is my tribute to my real-life hero, my beloved DH. Who would sooo be right with Damian, riding his beloved John Deere in a blizzard, if he was told we were pregnant. LOL!!! But again, just like Damian, my DH would turn out to be the most amazing partner and best Dad around. My DH "gets" what unconditional love is and will always be there for me, regardless of the bumps - or baby bumps - along our life's road.
So this one's for you, Sweet Man, and for all my fabulous readers too...who I sooo hope can find the John Deere, blizzard ridin' partner of his or her dreams.
But, if you don't have that real-life hero or heroine yet, no worries! I never thought I would either. In fact, I'd completely given up, and pretty much used to loathe the big V-Day gig. But it was books like these that kept me goin' 'til it was my turn for real, unconditional love.
Sexy Sassy Smart Happy Reading and Happy Valentine's Day Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. And if you're new to my Bootscootin' Books Series, here are some fabulous tidbits from a few of my beyond fabulous readers:
“What a light, fun read with lots of laughs...and love. Roxy Rae and Zayne have danced right onto my (cyber) keeper shelf. I’m looking forward to reading more from the very talented D. D. Scott.” --- Heather Webber, author of The Lucy Valentine Novels
“I love this book. The tone, setting, the quirky characters and the witty and sexy repartee made this a rip-roaring, laugh-a-minute, entertaining and sexy read.” --- D. Love “voracious reader”
“D. D. Scott knows how to deliver a rockin’ good time! Book two in the Bootscootin’ books delivers more good fun, sassy characters, a pick-up truck full of laughs, and the promise of more to come as the series continues.” --- Misa Ramirez, author of The Lola Cruz Mysteries
“D. D. Scott delivered another great story about family and love...I’m so happy to see the same characters from her Bootscootin’ Blahniks revisited here. Her characters are getting more fun and quirky…I can’t wait to read more from D. D.” --- Tonya Kappes, author of CARPE BEAD ‘EM
Behind & Beyond My Books: BUCKLES ME BABY Release Day is Valentine's Day!!!
It's finally just about here...the release of Book Three in my Bootscootin' Books Series - BUCKLES ME BABY!!!
On or around Valentine's Day, you're in for double the fun…and more than double the trouble…in book three of my bestselling series The Bootscootin’ Books. It’s Chick Lit, Gone-Country. Think paparazzi-hell and Ponzi-scheme fall-out meet home-shopping and Babies “R” Us.
Following BOOTSCOOTIN' BLAHNIKS - Book One in the Bootscootin' Books Series - and then Book Two - STOMPIN' ON STETSONS - I'm takin' y'all back to Music City, where Sex and The City meets Urban Cowboy, but this time with pregnancy, paparazzo hell and Ponzi-scheme fall-out mixed into my romcom, farcical mess!
What I'm most excited about with this BUCKLES ME BABY book is that I'm able to give you a fabulous peek, right between this book's virtual covers, of what's next in D. D. Scott-ville.
And here's what I mean by that...coming straight to you from the "Note From D. D. Scott" at the back of BUCKLES ME BABY:
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A NOTE FROM D. D. SCOTT
I sooo hope you’ve enjoyed my Bootscootin’ Books Series – first, BOOTSCOOTIN’ BLAHNIKS, then STOMPIN’ ON STETSONS, and now BUCKLES ME BABY.
But there’s no way the fun nor the buck stops in Music City.
Not a chance.
I’ve had sooo many readers write me and beg, yes beg, for more of the Bootscootin’ Books way-zany characters. So I’ve decided to treat y’all to a ton more of their farcical adventures...but with a little twist, that without, my muses just can’t seem to dance across my pages.
And here’s the twist...
My muses are gettin’ “cozy” as in Cozy Mystery “cozy”.
They’ve got some wild, wild adventures in the works, and here’s a hint who and what they’re crazy about:
Think a wanna-be-Plum - yeah, as in Stephanie Plum, who’s far, far from Plum in her Rachel Zoe-esque world – meets a Ponzi-scheme king Bernie Madoff-type and “lit-erally”, as the Rachel Zoe loves to say, the double agent out to destroy the cozy cash, feeder fund world that makes Wall Street sing.
It’s Charlie’s Angels – Mom Squad style – meets the new SEC’s Walker, Texas Ranger.
So sit tight ‘til this coming May 2011 when I debut my Cozy “Cash” Mysteries beginning with Book One THUG GUARD.
I’ll follow THUG GUARD with Book Two LIP GLOCK (August 2011) then Book Three SMOOTH CRIMINALS (November 2011).
Oh, and I’ll also have a special holiday treat for you - a Cozy “Cash” Mystery Novella - included in the 2011 Naked Hero Christmas Anthology GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN...MT. OLYMPUS THAT IS.
What?! You can’t sit tight that long? Fine. I’m including a THUG GUARD teaser chapter following this note.
And...if you still need some more D. D. Scott-ville “therapy”, check out my #1 Amazon Bestselling Book MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL where you’ll discover how I, along with many of your favorite authors, come up with our way-out-there ideas then keep our muses crankin’ out pages for y’all to enjoy.
In the mean time, you’re always welcome at any of my online homes, and here’s the scoop on those:
Sooo can't wait to share BUCKLES ME BABY with you! See you with the live links to the book on or before Valentine's Day!!!
And talk about double the fun...BUCKLES ME BABY gives you not only Audrey and Damian's story, but you'll also meet my new Cozy "Cash" Mysteries' hero and heroine Roman Bellesconi and Zoey Witherspoon!
Sexy Sassy Smart BUCKLES ME BABY & Romantic Comedy-Cozy Wishes --- D. D. Scott
And to celebrate that amazing opportunity, as promised, I'm treating you with another MUSE THERAPY Tip and Trick right from the book!
So here we go...from MUSE THERAPY Chapter Eight - Muses & Misplaced Aggression: Kick Your Own Ass Not Somebody Else's
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What constructive actions can we take after we’ve ruminated about our beyond frustrating writing-for-publication journeys?
Me personally?
Well, I use my other main lifeline outside of anger management therapy and rumination – Audrey Hepburn.
There’s just something about singing Mancini’s “Moon River” – just like Audrey did for her Holly Golightly in BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S - that is the cud I’ll forever chew-on while ruminating about how to handle Evil-Editor-Turds everywhere.
Since not all of us are (a) New York City playgirl escorts like Audrey’s Holly (who gets fifty dollars every time she goes to the powder room while trolling for a millionaire to marry) or (b) if you’re a guy, a “sponsored” playboy writer (like Capote’s George Peppard-played Paul), we’ve got to be like the real Audrey Hepburn. We’ve got to know ‘how to be lovely’ in the face of wanting to misplace our aggressions after each rejection letter we receive.
And unless you live in New York City, and perusing Tiffany’s windows with a coffee cup and Danish, are but a cab ride, subway trip, or walk away, you’ve got to rely on other means to soothe your muses.
Audrey herself gave us many brilliant tips on how to make the most of where we’re at in life right now. She said:
“We are all grown-up children, really. Our lives are made up of adulthood and childhood, all together. So one should go back in search of what was loved and found to be real.”
So as does Julia Cameron in her ARTIST’S WAY, Hepburn looks to her inner artist child and her childhood itself for relief from the disappointments and frustrations of career and adulthood.
Audrey took long walks, read books, listened to music and arranged flowers (Hellstern, HOW TO BE LOVELY), finding peace in the solitude of these activities.
“I have to be alone quite often. I’d be quite happy if I spent Saturday night to Monday morning in my apartment. That’s how I refuel.”
“When the chips are down, you are alone, and loneliness can be terrifying. Fortunately...I love to be alone. It doesn’t bother me one bit. I’m my own company.”
I’m the same way in that often I take refuge and find comfort in being alone with my inner self/child. But even though I resort first to dealing with my fear on my own, I also use Muse Therapy – yep, you betchya, the very same “therapy” techniques I’m teaching you – to finish getting a grip on my writing fears and frustrations.
And Audrey supported “getting a therapist” too. She said to “just get on with it” if that might do the trick for you. She realized the alternative meant misplaced aggression in that you’d end up “blowing your top” and “having to go around apologizing” after the fact.
For Audrey, the most important part of being able to accept life’s insecurities was learning to live with herself. In Muse Therapy-speak that means part of the success secret is learning and discovering then accepting what makes you, your soul and your muses tick plus what ticks them off.
“The greatest victory in my life has been to be able to live with myself, to accept my shortcomings and those of others. I’m a long way from being the human being I’d like to be. But I’ve decided I’m not so bad after all.”
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So "Go Holly Golightly" in your writing-for-publication journeys!
Decide, like Audrey did, that despite all the industry rejections, that you're "not so bad after all".
Sexy Sassy Smart Being Holly Golightly Lovely Wishes --- D. D. Scott
Behind & Beyond My Books: BUCKLES ME BABY & Cozy Mystery Cross-Pollination
I luuuvvv goin' Behind & Beyond My Books - giving y'all the inside scoop on how the ideas take shape for each book I write.
And I haven't done that for awhile.
So here we go Behind & Beyond My Books with BUCKLES ME BABY - Book Three in my Bootscootin' Books Series.
BUCKLES ME BABY will be released on Kindle and Smashwords this Valentine's Day!!!
I don't have the Book Cover yet...but as soon as I do, I'll share it with you!!! But, in the mean time, I do luuuvvv this graphic my fabulous cover designer created to use 'til the actual cover is finished.
Anyhoo...about the BUCKLES ME BABY book...here's a teaser:
Think paparazzi-hell and Ponzi-scheme fall-out meet home-shopping and Babies “R” Us.
Manhattan-raised, marketing and promotion impresario Audrey Holtz has taken her friend’s belt buckles from Music City boutique favorites to home shopping channel wait-list-only items. But she’s traded in her high-power stilettos for Sketchers ‘cause her feet are swollen and killing her. Pregnancy is a bitch, especially when you’ve assumed a false identity to dodge paparazzi on account of your Madoff-style, Ponzi-scheming parents.
Nashville TN homebuilder Damian Baker is screwed and not in the construction sense of the word. Who would have thought the first room he’d be designing and building for his dream home would be a nursery...for his and Audrey’s twins? But he’s hell-bent on providing well for and protecting the woman he loves plus the children he can’t wait to meet.
Audrey and Damian may not be able to hide from the camera lenses, the baby blues, and belt buckle mania, although they can hide behind their love. But is their love strong enough to deflect the blinding glare of the spotlight?
I call BUCKLES ME BABY a Romantic Comedy-Cozy...as it's a hybrid cross of the romantic comedy genre and the cozy mystery genre.
And as you may know from my previous blog posts, 2011 is all about hybrid crosses here in D. D. Scott-ville...or what J. A. Konrath and I call Cross-Pollination.
Cross-Pollination is taking characters and elements from one story in a particular genre and putting them into a completely different genre. And it's a brilliant way to treat your readers to a new genre that maybe they've never read before but will enjoy because they love the characters and elements you've crossed-over into that new genre.
So yeah...BUCKLES ME BABY is a Romantic Comedy-Cozy.
And here's how I've done it...
BUCKLES ME BABY includes the following fabulous characters and elements (many of whom and which you've met in my first two Bootscootin' Books - BOOTSCOOTIN' BLAHNIKS and STOMPIN' ON STETSONS):
*** The Mom Squad (ohhh yeahhh...these bad ass, middle-aged plus bitches are back and in wayyy over their somewhat blue-haired heads)
*** Roxy, Jules and Audrey (my three Bootscootin' Book heroines)
*** Zayne, Cody and Damian (the hotter-than-hot cowboy heroes that complete my three wanna be cowgirl heroines)
*** A Bernie Madoff Ponzi-scheme style twist (that I'll cross-pollinate...there's that word again...into my Cozy Cash Mysteries that debut this Spring)
*** Paparazzi from Hell
*** And why just have one baby on the way...why not two?! Yep...Audrey and Damian are having twins in the midst of their chaos
*** Okay...here's where the Cross-Pollination really kicks in...BUCKLES ME BABY introduces super U. S. Marshals Zoey Witherspoon and Roman Scagnoli (well...actually, Roman is a for-real Marshal, and Zoey is a wanna-be...but whatever...that's just a minor detail). Anyhoo...It's Zoey and Roman's job to protect my quirky-crazy cast of characters then take themselves...oh, and The Mom Squad too...into my new Cozy Cash Mystery books.
So what do ya think?!
We've got Birthing Babies...Twin babies that is. Battling paps...as in paparazzi. And breaking free from Ponzi-scheming parents.
Along with...
A couple of U.S. Marshals tossed into the mix who will then take you right into the wild, wild ride of my Charlie's Angels - Mom Squad style Cozy Mysteries, featuring my Stephanie Plum-esque Zoey Witherspoon who was once Audrey's Avon Lady of sorts - and my Roman Scagnoli (who could be Christopher Chance of Human Target's secret twin).
Are you starting to see how fun and fabulous Cross-Pollination can be?!
Sexy Sassy Smart BUCKLES ME BABY & Cross-Pollination Wishes --- D. D. Scott
I'm a doin' a big 'ole happy dance around our Christmas tree 'cause I'm about to spill the beans on all five (yes...5) of my 2011 new releases!!!
Here's the scoop...
Valentine's Day 2011 BUCKLES ME BABY Book Three of The Bootscootin' Books Series Think paparazzi-hell and Ponzi-scheme fall-out meet home-shopping and Babies “R” Us.
May 2011 THUG GUARD A Cozy Cash Mystery
August 2011 LIP GLOCK A Cozy Cash Mystery
November 2011 SMOOTH CRIMINALS A Cozy Cash Mystery
December 2011 GOT TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN...MT. OLYMPUS THAT IS The Naked Hero Christmas Anthology
***For The Cozy Cash Mysteries, think Stephanie Plum meets your Avon Lady. In other words, what if Stephanie Plum was your Avon Lady, backed up by a hot-flashin' Mom Squad of Charlie's Angels wanna-be's?
***And for GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN...MT. OLYMPUS THAT IS, hold onto your Spanx 'cause your favorite grog Goddesses of The Naked Hero are releasing their first ever Christmas Anthology, including stories featuring all your favorite characters from each of their individual series, all together in one helluva fun, LOL Christmas read!!! For more details, go to http://thenakedhero.com
How fun is all this?!
Happy Holidays to all of you!!!
And I can't wait to share all my D. D. Scott-ville Sexy Sassy Smart Stories with you in 2011!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart 2011 Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. I also can't wait to hear how many of you got E-readers from Santa!!!
Behind & Beyond My Books (STOMPIN' ON STETSONS): Why a Roz Focker-Style Sex Therapist?
Mornin', D. D. Scott-ville!
Last week I promised y'all the scoop on the Behind & Beyond My Books insider tidbit on "Why Aunt Tulip - a Rosalind (Roz) Focker-style Sex Therapist".
Just why is such a huge part of Book Two in my Bootscootin' Books Series - STOMPIN' ON STETSONS - all about Sex Therapy?
Well...here's "why"...
I truly think Barbara Streisand's Rosalind (Roz) Focker character in the beyond hilarious MEET THE FOCKERS is one of the best characters ever, ever written then played on the big screen!!!
And if you haven't seen MEET THE FOCKERS, you've got to watch it!!! Talk about some fabulous tit-for-tat dialogue (no pun intended...well...you know what I mean...LOL!!!)!!!
And it's not just the witty dialogue that had me hooked, it was how wonderfully brilliant Streisand played her gutsy-girl Roz Focker part!!!
Here she is working her "magic" on poor Robert De Niro who doesn't stand a chance in Hell against Streisand's Sex Therapist "exercises" and "therapeutic interventions"...
Not even poor Roz's husband, the ever-lovable Bernie Focker - played by equally lovable Dustin Hoffman - stands a chance either...especially when there's whipped cream involved...
Roz is relentless in her quest to "heal" those around her - plus her patients too - when it comes to feeling love through the joys of beyond amazing sex. She seeks to make sex, not only satisfying and fun, but a bond-building plus heart and soul healing adventure. Adventures that should never stop being new, exciting, and breaths of fresh air into every relationship - both old and new.
And I just luuuvvv that unquenchable spirit she shares with the world, and that easy, care-free, natural way she teaches people to love again and allow themselves to be loved again! Great stuff!!!
And sooo the inspiration behind my beloved Aunt Tulip in STOMPIN' ON STETSONS!
Aunt Tulip - Dr. Telaine Patricia Cohen (affectionately called Aunt Tulip by her friends and family) - is a Sex Therapist with a Yale doctorate and also the woman who raised my heroine Jules Lichtenstien. She has an unfaltering bravado, always goes for life with gusto, always takes the paths least travelled, and is obsessed with all-things-Kama Sutra.
Here's a little taste of Aunt Tulip's "magic" on my pages:
“Dig in. There’s plenty more where this came from.” Cody motioned for everyone to grab a seat and have at the meal. “And Dr. Cohen, welcome to the bunch.”
“It’s Aunt Tulip to all of you,” Tulip said, waving her arms in the air as if to banish the formality inherent in her title. “I’m just thrilled to be included. This spread looks magnificent. I couldn’t tell you the last time I had asparagus. It’s such a wonderful penis food.”
Jules’ face turned a deeper purple than Cody’s champion beets. “I swear I can’t take you anywhere.”
“Wait a minute, Jules,” Cody said, unable to let the topic remain unexplored. “I am a vegetable man. I need to know these things. Tell me more, Doc.”
Judging by the animated expressions on the rest of Cody’s lunch guests’ faces, their curiosity was also piqued.
Cody looked at Jules, hoping she’d give him the blessing to continue his inquiry. Using her middle finger, Jules repositioned her glasses on the bridge of her nose. And damn if she didn’t look way too hot in her new specs. But, she’d given him a sign all right. He’d be paying big time for encouraging Tulip.
“Food figures in greatly to our overall sexual health,” Tulip said with a matter-of-fact professionalism fit more for a prime time documentary than Sunday brunch. “But most food good for sexual satisfaction is vegetarian.”
“Nice career choice, genius,” Damian said and slapped Cody’s shoulder.
Cody couldn’t help but smile, already liking what Tulip had to say.
“There are many foods that we in the industry call penis foods that benefit everything penis-related, especially vegetables like celery and asparagus that have a phallic shape.” Tulip speared her fork through a piece of asparagus, using it as a visual aid.
Cody squirmed, noticing the other men around the table did the same.
Seeing Jules reach for her fork, Cody dropped his hands to his groin, turning them into a make-shift shield.
Under pressure to perform, however, Tulip’s asparagus went limp.
Putting it on her plate, she continued her lesson. “Now you boys do need to be careful consuming so much fried food as that can slow blood flow to your genitals.”
“How about you pass the fried chicken, Aunt Tulip?” Although Jules used polite vernacular, her tone was anything but congenial.
“That’s my cue, guys. I’m afraid our time is up, and we must end our conversation prematurely.” With a smug grin matching the mischief sparkling in her eyes, Tulip took a large chicken breast out of the bucket then passed the rest to Cody.
Now how's that for a bit of Roz Focker-ish magic Behind & Beyond My Books - STOMPIN' ON STETSON-style?!
Can't believe we're only 'bout a week away before its release!!!
Releases Thanksgiving Week on Amazon Kindle & at Smashwords too!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart Behind & Beyond My Books & Roz Focker-ish Wishes --- D. D. Scott
Behind & Beyond My Books (STOMPIN' ON STETSONS): Why a Holiday Story?
Here we go, All!
The first Behind & Beyond My Books Post on my Thanksgiving Week Release STOMPIN' ON STETSONS - Book Two in The Bootscootin' Books Series!!!
Today, I'm givin' ya the scoop on "Why a Holiday Story".
First off, anyone who knows me at all knows I beyond luuuvvv snow!!! The more snow the better for this chick!!!
Lady Gaga may wear meat suits but D. D. Scott is all-about-snowsuits!!!
Let it snow, Baby! Let it snow!!!
But it's not just about the snow either...I've also got a bit of a hang-up on all-things-Christmas-Trees!!!
Yes...I'm the one who's first thru the door at Hobby Lobby in late August/early September when they're just setting out their display trees, and here's the picture I snapped with my iPhone this year to prove it:
Anyhoo...I'm such a huge Holiday Fanatic that I also choose a different theme each year (with a signature cocktail to match) for our D. D. Scott-ville Christmas. So far, we've had:
So what does that have to do with my upcoming Thanksgiving Week Release STOMPIN' ON STETSONS...well a ton actually...
STOMPIN' ON STETSONS is my first book with the Magic of the Holidays as a huge part of the story!
And I'm emphasizing that it's the first, because with each new series I do every year, one of the books will have a very special Holiday Season element.
For STOMPIN' ON STETSONS that Holiday Season element consists of "Evergreens as Aphrodisiacs"!
And ohhhh noooo, I'm sooo not joking!!!
Did you know that Evergreens are actually considered the Viagra of trees?!
Well you'll learn that fascinating tidbit plus a ton more about Aphrodisiacs thanks to my heroine's Aunt Tulip who happens to be a Rosalind Focker-style Sex Therapist - yeah...as in the fabulous Barbara Streisand character in the MEET THE FOCKERS movie. But beyond Roz, my Aunt Tulip specializes in all-things-aphrodisiacs!!!
More on that in the next Behind & Beyond My Books (the STOMPIN' ON STETSONS' edition) where I'll give you the glorious inside scoop on "Why a Rosalind Focker-style Sex Therapist".
You won't want to miss that!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart STOMPIN' ON STETSONS "Why a Holiday Story" Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. Til the next post, here are my latest beyond amazing snow pictures, taken just this past weekend when we enjoyed a wonderful little Winter Wonderland Lake Effect Snow Event here along the fabulous shores of Lake Michigan!!! (And no, I did NOT touch-up the magical sunrise I captured with those surreal, orange-topped trees! That's Mother Nature's Magic un-altered!!!):
