What we do for love

As a writer of erotic romance, I suppose it's natural that most individuals feel that sex is the end all and be all in my stories. I know nothing could be further from the truth and that to me the most important part of any relationship - even fictional ones - is the emotional connection we have with people.

With Valentine's Day nearing, I got to thinking about love and the power it has to make us so damned awesome as a race. The first time I realized how powerful love could truly be was when I was in college. Not through a romantic relationship, but from knowing a very special woman named Louise.

At the time, I worked behind the counter at a bakery that was within a grocery store so I could afford to go to college. One of my co-workers was Louise, a middle-aged married lady. She was the nicest, most accepting person I had ever met. Because I had a dicey history with my own mother, because I never measured up to what she wanted me to be, I bonded with Louise. I often joked with her that if she was up for adopting another kid, I'd be willing.

Louise had several boys and the youngest one became ill. I can't recall what exactly was the matter with him, could be she never told me, but he needed an operation badly. He also needed a bone graft so he'd be able to walk again. Louise and her husband Joe (a truly nice guy - my God they were a sweet couple), both volunteered to be tested. Louise was chosen by the doctors to be the donor.

They weren't a rich couple, in fact, they were just barely scraping by, but that didn't seem to bother them in the least even though Louise was going to be out of work for months recuperating. Their child was in peril and they would have done anything to help him.

When we heard that the operation was a success, all of us at the bakery cheered and couldn't wait for Louise to return. She did finally, but not as we expected. She had a really bad limp from having given the bone graft. A limp that made it difficult for her to be on her feet all day and work, but work she did.

Not once did she complain. Not once did she show any of the pain she was clearly in. She was simply grateful that her boy was on the way to a full recovery. That he'd be whole even if she was not.

I'd never seen love like that in the home I grew up in. I never knew love like that existed - that someone could matter to another person so much.

When I write my characters and try to convey what they'd do for each other because of their love, I often think of Louise - how she looked at Joe, the respect and affection they had for one another, the love they had for their children. She is the finest person I've ever known. Her children are very lucky. I hope they show it to her everyday.

Now for the promo part - yeah, I know, know - I'm the promo ho, but hey, stay with me, will ya, I gotta sell books! In my latest release SiNN, I wanted to show the love between Lea, Jake and Toby, all of whom had their own sad childhoods. Here's the cover and a blurb just in case the story's new to you. Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day!  :)

Blurb:

She’s every man’s carnal fantasy…and the target of one’s revenge

At a Phoenix gentleman’s club, Lea dances as SiNN, her body bared and vulnerable to her male partner, her features hidden behind a feathered mask. To the men watching, she’s a sensual enigma, submissive and seductive with no face, name or history. Not even Lea knows her real origins.

A man from the past does and wants her dead.

Not on the watch of U.S. Marshals Jake Gabriel and Toby Quinn. Commanding and decisive, Jake not only wants Lea’s safety but to have her naked and yielding beneath him. To Toby, she’s all he should resist but cannot.

Protected by them at a secluded estate, Lea’s drawn to their potent masculinity and the raw male lust in their eyes. Inviting desire and an emotional connection, she submits to both at once, surrendering to their most shameless hunger along with her own wanton needs.

All while a killer edges closer…

More info: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9642-sinn.aspx