Interview with Wendy Burke, author of 'Wise Men Say'

Today, I would like to welcome Wendy Burke, author of 'Wise Men Say' to the blog. She was kind enough to let us get to know her a little bit better. And I got a kick out of hosting someone who lives in my hometown. :-)

What was the inspiration for 'Wise Men Say'?

    Would it sound odd if I said 'Brad Thor and sledding?' 

    An initial scene came to me, influenced by author Brad Thor and his Scot Harvath character. A retired Navy Seal dressed in black--as Brad Thor always describes his operatives--walks into a Vegas hotel looking for his long lost love...I just loved the 'look' of the character, who doesn't look like Thor's Scot Harvath, but rather a beaten Jim Caviezel.

    And I've been meaning to work my hometown into a book, so the sledding scene worked perfectly.

    Just a little story of the perserverence of love.

Did you write the title or the story first?

    A little of both--at first the title was 'Never Brought to Mind,' but my beta reader thought the Auld Lang Syne reference was too vague--and she was right. Then WISE MEN SAY held a double entendre--it's a Christmas story AND we're talking Vegas/Elvis references.

Which scene is your favorite?

    Probably, when Emmy runs into the intruder in her hotel room - I don't want to give too much away.

What other projects do you have in the works?

    Just moments ago, I finished FOR ME, another 1NightStand story through Decadent Publishing. It's the last of six with overlapping characters I've been writing with co-DPer Deanna Wadsworth.

How do you make yourself stand out in this genre?

    I don't know if I DO stand out...or if I do anything to make myself stand out. I write and just hope people like what I do.  

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

    I've always written, made up stories, play acted as a kid. Writing is part of the 'other trades' in my life (radio & TV), sitting down and finishing a story and getting it published--well, that's what I really wanted to do.

What can you be found doing when not writing?

    As I can't yet rely on my writing to keep a roof over my head, I work, a lot. I'm a fulltime TV producer and also work parttime at a radio station (my chosen profession.) My husband and I love to travel, when we have the time. I read (mostly Brad Thor, James Rollins and Brad Meltzer). I try to keep my house clean and always wonder why my two cats can't dust with their tails. And, I garden---poorly.

     What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

    Hmmm...I'm not very surprising. Maybe the fact I've had 7 names in the past 30 years? My given name, six radio names, and my married name. (The writing helps with the multiple personality problem due to the names!) Or, I'm the only one left in my family?---my parents and only sibling are gone. Kind of a weird feeling.

Thank you so much for your time!

Wise Men Say (1Night Stand)

by Wendy Burke

Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance

Category(ies): Holiday-Themed, Military

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Release Date: December 21, 2012

Heat Level: Sizzling

Word Count: 12,300

Blurb

More than twenty years ago, Emmy Patterson kissed her fiancé for the last time. Despite bad news from U.S. military services, to this day she has reasons to hold on to hope he's alive and celebrates his life every chance she gets.

Her family, however, thinks her partly crazed, unable to grasp the reasoning behind her perpetual optimism.

Called on a business trip to promote her glass artwork, she spends the winter holidays in Las Vegas. Is this chance travel to the The Castillo in Vegas a coincidence, or does the wise Madame Eve know ‘some things’ were meant to be?

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains explicit sex scenes and/or situations and adult language which may be considered offensive to some readers.

Read an excerpt:
 

Usually after so much time in the cold, she’d be tired but instead she tossed and turned.

Office of the Pentagon.

Why did that have to come today?

“Dammit.” Getting out of bed, she went to her closet. Dragging out a step stool, she reached for the box tucked in the furthest corner of the shelving. She got a hand on the container, and with reverence, she slipped it from its resting place. Careful, it’s almost all you have left of him.

Cross-legged on her mattress, with the linens and comforter bunched about her, she smoothed a small area and placed the box there. She slipped off its lid. Inside sat a flat, vacuum-packed plastic bag holding a near-ratty sweatshirt. The word Navy printed on the front, faded and close to illegible, the article of clothing had seen many washings.

But, yet, it hadn’t been washed in twenty years.

Removing the shirt from the bag, she placed it in her lap where she stroked the decade’s old piece of clothing. Closing her eyes, she remembered Nick’s solid biceps filling out the jersey fabric, his well-cut pectorals curving the front. Slipping a hand into the pullover’s opening, she imagined his flat, muscled tummy meeting her touch and her finger tracing a dark trek of cottony down.

She smiled, seeing his salacious grin in return, while his hand grasped hers, willing it further into his boxers.

“Where are you, Nicky?”

Stretching out, she kept the sweatshirt close to her face. It irritated her that she could barely discern his scent considering she’d taken such care to retain it.

He filled her mind. Sure, she had photo upon photo of him, of them together, but those images captured not the essence of her Nick; his kindness, loyalty, dedication to her and to his country, and of course, the physical memories. She cursed herself, reaching far back into her memory, trying to extract the sound of his voice. Would I even recognize it if I heard it?

She clutched the fleece closer, her free hand caressing low on her belly. She fantasized his specter kisses on her neck. Burying her face further into his clothing, she dug her hand under the waistband of her flannel pajama pants.

Even after so many years away, the mere thought of him aroused her; his beautiful, well-cut muscles flexing as he undressed, honed from workouts no gymrat could ever tolerate. The taste of his mouth, bright and pepperminty, his talented tongue, so insistent she swore he had the ability to suck her clit inside out. She gasped into the blue material as she slipped her finger deep between her folds, dreaming of him.

Holding back tears, she recalled the first time Nick had touched her in such a manner. After they’d dated for about a year, Nick got relocated from Virginia to California for SEAL training. Meeting up in Las Vegas proved easy, a cheap flight for both of them—her from Milwaukee and him from San Diego. In her mind, she leaned back into Nick’s broad chest as hot tub bubbles tickled her bare skin. The sunset over the Vegas Strip had been magnificent. After emptying a bottle of Moet to toast Nick’s new career path, some extensive fooling around ensued. In her memory, he lifted her from the tub, carrying her to bed. That moment, he kissed her in a way he’d never done before—and with good reason, that night, with her permission, he he’d taken her virginity.

She panted into the sweatshirt, her tissue swelling around her drenched finger. “Oh!” An electric burning sensation forced her finger from direct clitoral contact, but she forged through it, bringing herself over the edge. She cried out, her arms legs and torso trembling through her orgasm.

“I miss you, Nicky….”

She clutched the one remaining possession of her fiancé and cried herself to sleep.

Reviews

5 Stars: “one of the best 1NS”

“I have read over 50 of the books in this series and this is one of the best yet. Heartfelt and sexy I totally loved it.”--MLK (Amazon Review)

4 Stars: “Short Story That Is Sweet Yet Satisfyingly Sexy”

“The 1Night Stand series of books from Decadent Publishing can always be counted on to entertain and delight. Wise Men Say by Wendy Burke adds to that reputation with its heartwarming storyline about the unending power of love.

For over twenty years, and despite what she's told, Emmy Patterson has been hoping the love of her life returns from the war. Her loyalty and memories of a lost love keep her going and while this might seem crazy to some, deep down we all wish we had someone who affects us that deeply. So this part of the story worked for me and made the story even more heartwarming once all the events played out. While in Vegas for work she gets an unexpected surprise that is her dream come true and gives her a night she'll never forget that changes her future forever.

Nick's never forgotten Emmy but isn't without scars, inside and out. He's a strong and proud man and wants to put the past behind him and move forward with her, but some flashes of the past still remain that are lightly touched upon. The sexual chemistry between them is still hot and their connection is both comfortable and satisfying. These romantically-charged sexual interludes lead to a fairytale ending that, while a bit rushed, will leave readers misty-eyed.

Wise Men Say is a feel good story that reminds us of the power of love. With its fantasy-like feel it becomes every little girl's dream wrapped in an adult package. Those wanting an entertaining start to the New Year will find it with Wendy Burke's newest release!”--J. Faltys (Amazon Review)

Buy links: Amazon \ All Romance \ Barnes & Noble \ BookStrand \ Decadent Publishing \ Smashwords

About the Author

A TV producer by day and a romance writer at night, sometimes the two employments inadvertently cross –whoops! When not at her fulltime TV job or part-time job in radio, Wendy is either writing or fighting off a furry attack by one of her two cats. She leads a wonderfully silly life with her way-too-cute chef husband in a suburb of ‘beautiful’ Toledo, Ohio.

Connect with Wendy Burke

Email: wendyburke1994@bex.net

Blog: http://whateverwendy.blogspot.com/

 

Giveaway Info:

Prize is 2 eBooks from author's backlist (winners' choice; 1 each to 2 winners). Contest is tour-wide, open internationally and ends Mar 6. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

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