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The author will give away a $50 Amazon/BN GC.

Author Interview: Gloria J. Goldsmith

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?

The genre was simple. The story came from my own experiences, so it had to be contemporary.

Spending a year and a half in Europe was a unique experience. I wrote French Kiss from old letters I posted to my Mom, journals I had brought back with me, and a clear memory of some exciting times. I worked sometimes, was a tourist other times, met lots of people, and found romance in every country. I combined my events with a fictional story about a young woman deeply in love with someone who does not return that love. Mentally, she knows her college sweetheart doesn’t love her, but her heart continues to look for the possibility that ‘he might.’

 Leaving him behind in the States is her way of protecting her heart by creating a future without him and forging a new life for herself.

2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a firstborn, middle or last child, and how does this shape your view of the world?

I was the last child born in my family and the only female. It was not always a peaceful childhood with rough and tumble brothers. However, finding a spot hidden away from them where I could read in peace and safety was my secret pleasure.

I could always count on my books to take me away from whatever the boys were plotting. Becoming a voracious reader expanded my knowledge and made me the lover of fiction I am today.

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

My desk area has lots of drawers and hidey-holes where I can lose papers and notes. Why, just this morning, I found the Spotify list for French Kiss!

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?

I have not had to do that as yet! But my next book, That Wylde Woman!, coming out next year, has an anti-hero who does not die in that one, but there is no guarantee for the second book. Robert is nasty and charming, cunning and witless. Such a complex character! He’s fun to write since he will do anything that pops into his head, but oh my! What trouble he can make.

5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?

My all-time favorite living author is Sarah MacLean.

I’d love to know if she is a plotter or a pantser when she writes her stories. Plotters write an outline of the story, sometimes from beginning to end.

Pantsers just write whatever comes into their head. The story can have twists and turns galore. At least, until your editor gets a hold of it!

6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.

Wow, that’s a hard one to answer. I believe in being very open, so everything I can think of is out there.

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?

Easy: Lots of water, matches, and large safety pins.

8. If you could have one superpower in your existence, what would it be?

To be able to hear the thoughts of others, but only when I wanted to know their thoughts.

9. Favorite snack?

 Hot Coffee and Chocolate

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?

Google Maps are a wonderous thing. I always check before I leave how to get where I am going if it is far away, and leave with time to spare.

FRENCH KISS

by Gloria J. Goldsmith

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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

I was DONE! I ditched graduation, dumped my repressed college boyfriend, and dropped my sexual insecurities for a wild ride with Destiny. Unpredictable Fate beckoned with a European adventure!

In a chance encounter, I met Jean Louis. From the instant we met, the dashing young Frenchman soothed my bruised heart, rejuvenated my spirit, and convinced me that leaving my old life was no mistake. Together, we set out to explore southern France.

Jean Louis was torn from my life almost as quickly as he had entered it, yet leaving the haunting memory of his caress permeating my every thought. Driven by love and passion, I journeyed to find my lover, even if it meant scouring all the hidden corners of France.

Would I ever reunite with the man I believe to be my one true soulmate? Would I ever hear him say he feels the same for me as I do him? What twist of Fate will it take for me to find him?

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Excerpt:

There was only one window in the room, which had no screen. To keep out the bugs, we closed the shutter, which still allowed some air inside. That evening, I slept on the couch, right below the window, and the guys lay on the cement floor. The males had no blankets or sleeping bags, but at least they were out of the rain.

Some hours into the night, I was dreaming of Luke. Luke, who loved to tease me by fondling me when I was asleep, by touching my cheek or blowing a strand of hair or slowly stroking my hand. I smiled and wiggled my fingers, and he responded. It was so lovely to feel his antics. I missed his night tricks. His hand was trailing up my arm, and soft lips kissed my palm. Luke. So romantic. Always waking me with kisses.

I let out a sigh, slowly drifting my eyes open. It seemed it had been forever since Luke had brushed my cheek or held me close. I longed for his warmth.

The room was so dark, I couldn’t see a thing. I wasn’t on the waterbed. My heart pounded with alarm. Where am I? My arm was hanging over the side of a couch. Where the hell am I? It was pitch-black.

The fingers tickled a bit more with a kiss on my arm, then came a whisper. Was I dreaming? Or awake? The whisper came again.

I whispered back, “What?” I felt the side of the bed depress. The murmuring voice was now by my face.

“J’ai froid.”

“Luke?”

“Oui. J’ai froid.”

This wasn’t Luke. Not my Luke. A bolt of recognition struck me hard as I comprehended. I didn’t recall his name, it did sound something like Luke, and it was the French guy Marc had brought in from the rain.

My high school French was twisting my brain cells to recall…J’ai means I am, right is droite, left is gauche…and a left faucet is chaud, which means hot, and right is froid—COLD. He is cold!

I patted the couch, and he squeezed onto the settee with me. He cuddled his arms around me, kissed my cheek, and we returned to slumber.

 All three of us woke as the morning sunlight pierced the slits of the shutter. They bounced off the wall and into the room. We had some tea before the two men left. Around dinner time, Jean Louis returned alone, with sandwiches and chocolates. I had unknowingly passed another sex attraction test.

Constrained by the lack of English language skills, Jean Louis spoke very few words. I am an excellent mimic, but my French language skills were limited.

After dinner, sipping our tea, Jean Louis turned to me.

“I wants stay wis you.” I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant. For the evening? Sleep on the floor? Sleep with me?

“En bas?” I tapped the floor with my foot.

“Si je dois. Je préfère avec toi.” I wasn’t sure about all the words, but the last two, avec toi, meant “with you.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

As a Special Education teacher, I became fascinated by the English language. I still marvel at how it changes and expands over time. My most pleasurable teaching moments were showing children how a wondrous story can take their imaginations to other times, places, even other worlds. When the pandemic began, I started my first foray into publishing⸺ a nonfiction book, The Sensible Parent’s Little Homeschooler Handbook.

My secret pleasure-writing has always been focused on romance. French Kiss is a Contemporary Romance based on a fictionalized version of experiences during eighteen months of living and working abroad before the formation of the European Union.

Next year, my first Historical Regency Romance That Wylde Woman will be published.  It has allowed me to indulge my curiosity and enthusiasm for history by incorporating in the storyline a historical geologic event which affected weather and farming and even how England’s war with Napoleon impacted clothing styles.

Website:   https://gloriajgoldsmith.com/
Blog:   https://gloriajgoldsmith.blogspot.com/
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Amazon Author Page: 
https://www.amazon.com/Gloria-J-Goldsmith/e/B08B1V9YQJ?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000
Bookbub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gloria-j-goldsmith
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Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20404062.Gloria_Jean_Goldsmith
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GloriaJ24K
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5GqUsmGc3JFpebkYV02izD

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