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Thursday, January 30, 2014

The Genesis of a Book - Just One Look by Joan Reeves



Inspiration for Just One Look

Book ideas can come from some unexpected places and events. Everything an author does is filtered through a convoluted brain that sometimes, in my case at least, can see humor in the strangest situations.

The idea for my romantic comedy, Just One Look, is a perfect example of this. Many years ago, I had a lunch date scheduled with some of my writing friends. Prior to the lunch though, I had my annual appointment for a mammogram.

At the women's clinic, with me wearing the not-so-cute gowns we have to wear, I waited for the technician to enter the room. When she walked in, I was surprised to see that it was someone I knew but had lost touch with over the years. I must confess that I saw the humor in renewing our acquaintance while baring my breasts, but we both laughed about it and proceeded with the mammogram.

When finished, we promised to get together again soon without the big X-ray machine, and I hurried to the Olive Garden to meet my friends for lunch.

Over lunch, I was telling my friends about how I spent my morning. Interestingly enough, one friend said, "How embarrassing."

To which I laughed and replied, "Not really. What would be embarrassing was if a woman went in for her annual GYN exam and the doctor turned out to be an old boyfriend!"

We all laughed, but my throwaway comment triggered my writer's imagination. I went home and wrote the first chapter of what would become my best selling book of all time, Just One Look. That book sold to Kensington when I submitted it. Later, it sold in hardcover then in a large print edition. In 2011, when I decided to become an indie author and publish it as an ebook, it took off like hot cakes.

Just One Look has sold more than 100,000 copies since 2011. This sexy romance–and 2 other of my romantic comedies–also brought me a French World Rights deal with Bragelonne, my wonderful French publisher. They brought it and the other two books out in print and ebook in 2012. I'm happy to report that they proved just as popular in French as in English. Oh, and it's on audio also with one of the best narrators I've ever heard bringing it to life.

Want to know what my best-selling contemporary romance is about? Well, the tagline is: "Kids play doctor, but these doctors play seduction games." Seduction, romance, sweet revenge, comedy, and a strong sense of fun.

BLURB

What would you do if the gynecologist subbing for your regular doctor turned out to be your old high school crush?

Successful psychologist Dr. Jennifer Monroe does what any normal, well-adjusted woman would do. She makes an excuse to send the doctor and nurse from the room, dives into her clothes, and flees!

Unfortunately, her running away makes conscientious Dr. Matt Penrose conclude she has some kind of sexual hangup. He's determined to refer her to another doctor for her health's sake. If he can just talk to her, he'll suggest counseling for what he thinks are emotional problems.

Jennifer refuses to take his phone calls and hopes never to see him again. After all, Dallas is a big city. What are the odds that she'll ever run into him again? Even money when Fate lends a hand.

When Jennifer and Matt meet at a charity gala, he earnestly urges her to seek professional help. Jennifer is incensed that he thinks she's some frigid old maid -- and that he doesn't remember her. All the old high school resentment floods back, fueling her determination to teach him a lesson he won't soon forget.

With Jennifer, payback is a scorcher. Kids play doctor, but these doctors play seduction games. And they're playing for keeps. Will Matt recognize Jennifer? Will Jennifer lure him into her bed?

Seduction and sex can be pretty funny when both sides play dirty!

LINKS






19 comments:

Jane Leopold Quinn said...

Just One Look sounds like a hoot, Joan. Thanks for joining us at EQ to talk about this book. Your success with it makes me envious.

Anonymous said...

Wow! on your success with this book. So great. I agree with Jane, this book sounds hysterically funny.

Joan Reeves said...

Thanks for your hospitality, Jane. Yes, everyone seems to love this book! Lots of readers tell me that it's laugh out loud funny.

Joan Reeves said...

Like the old commercial says, "Try it. You'll like it!" At least I hope you would. Thank you. That book is like the little engine that could.

Rose Anderson said...

Oh fun! And I agree too. :) I wish you even more sales this year.

Linda Andrews said...

Congrats on your success! The book sounds like a hoot, now where is the one about the man and the mammogram?

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your evergreen bestseller, Joan! I will add it to my TBR pile. I love learning about the genesis of stories and this was a fun insight. Thanks for sharing!

Kelly Rae said...

Thrilled for you and all of your success, wishing you more sales on this and your others works in the future. You are certainly an inspiration to this small time, counting on the big time writer! :)

Unknown said...

Your book sound delightful. Wising you tons of sales and I'll face book.

J.D. Faver said...

This sounds like something I would love to read (or hear). Thanks for telling us about your inspiration for this book. Wishing you continued success, Joan.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea for a story, Joan! The blurb made me laugh out loud. Wishing you lots more success!

Joan Reeves said...

Thanks, Rose! I wish you big sales too.

Joan Reeves said...

Hey, Linda. Yes, readers consider it a lot of fun. All kidding aside, if a man has a family history of breast cancer, he should be checked. Men can have breast cancer too. A famous example is Richard Roundtree, the actor who played Shaft in the original movie. He is a breast cancer survivor.

Joan Reeves said...

Hello, Gemma. Thank you so much. I too enjoy knowing how authors get their story ideas. So does the general public because we're always asked, "Where do you get your ideas?" I like to say at the five and dime in the time-dilation field. That really causes a bewildered look!

Joan Reeves said...

Oh, Kelly, you're so sweet. Take heart and always remember that this is a marathon not a sprint. It took me more than 20 years to be an overnight success. *g* The important thing is to love what you're doing as that is a reward in itself.

Joan Reeves said...

Hey, Ronelda. Thanks for dropping by. Wishing you success on your latest romance too.

Joan Reeves said...

Good morning, J.D. Thank you for your good wishes. Right back at you, friend.

Joan Reeves said...

Yes, story ideas are everywhere I guess. *g* Glad I made you laugh. Thanks for taking the time to visit.

Joan Reeves said...

Good morning! I'm beginning to think technology hates me. I posted replies yesterday including the verification -- even though my fingers and brain don't speak verification, if you know what I mean -- but none showed up! So here goes again, because I really appreciate y'all dropping by and taking the time to comment.

Best wishes,
Joan Reeves