What says Love?

What says Love?

Today I was talking on a message board about favorite authors and books, and I was reminded of my favorite "That says love" moment in a book.

Today, alot of Paranormals, mine included, have "MINE" moments. It's powerful, and strong, an instinctive acknowledgement that this is the one. But that's not love. Authors don't intend people to think it is. But it says something, about deep inside of that character.

But as the story progresses, the reader is looking for more. At least in romances they are. They want to feel the characters fall for one another, admire one another. And most importantly, love one another.

Every book has it, the moment the hero or the heroine make known their love, not in the words "I love you", but in their actions, or other dialogue. The moment that makes you get all warm and fuzzy inside.

That character may not yet have even acknowledged the emotion inside - per the story line, but you know it's there, because you, as the reader, feel it.

My favorite is from Sherrilyn Kenyon's Unleash the Night and I hope she will forgive me as I butcher out the Dialogue tags and action in between and provide you with only the dialogue.

Setup: The Heroine is returning the hero's wallet. He on the other hand is trying to convince her he can't see her anymore.

H: "Have you ever wanted something you knew was bad for you? Something that you ached for so much that you could think of nothing else?"

h: "Yes, which is why I end up eating the whole chocolate bar anyway."

H: "And I want to inhale my chocolate, kitten. Even if it kills me."

Now that says love. Her response, in this case, isn't what's important. What's important is not the herone's response to his declaration, because it slips right past her, but in how he not only explains his dilemma, but how he associates it with her, and how much he wants to give up for her.

So tell me, what says love in your mind?

Preditors & Editors Nominations.

I made the mistake of telling hubby it's open nominations after my cover got nominated, and he jumped in and nominated me for a 2nd category. LOL Gotta love a man who wants his wife to succeed!

So, without further ado:

Best Romance Novel of 2007

And, as if you guys couldn't POSSIBLY Guess by the stir my cover has gotten here locally:

Best Cover Art, 2007

So if you haven't already voted in those categories, take a look now!

What reviewers are saying:
The tension is unmistakable, the action exciting, and the book will stay in your mind and on your shelf for a long time to come. Teresa D'Amario’s SheWolf is available at Freya’s Bower, so I suggest if you love romance, and especially if you love the paranormal, you head on over there for your copy today. ~Romance At Heart

SheWolf held my attention throughout. I enjoyed the imagery—the scenes were conveyed with an assured writing ability—and the overall plot was interesting; a different spin on other werewolf tales... Rich, full, and delicious... —a main plot and a couple of intriguing sub-plots all merge together to create a crackling finale. Highly enjoyable! ~ Cocktail Reviews

Within every breed of creature lies a subspecies where evolution
took an odd turn. In the darkness hides a world where animal and man
are one.

Man and Beast.
Beast and Man.

Together, their hearts reign.

An unknown war has been fought in the city streets, and Man is no
longer the strongest predator.

For in city jungles, The Beast has won.

Necessary

There are certain things in my life that I cannot do without. My family, my husband, my friends. Yoga, coffee, wine, chocolate. And writing. I HAVE to write. I don't have a choice. If I go too long without a good writing session I just don't feel right. I'm not me.

This became very clear to me over the holidays when I was gone for almost two weeks. It was a wonderful trip back to KS filled with friends and family, but I only had one brief session with my laptop. I felt like an addict going through withdrawl. I started getting irritable. I NEEDED my writing time.

My first week back home was filled with a New Year's get together, going back to work, and getting my husband ready for a 3 week training trip to AL. Now, finally, this weekend I was able to spend most of the day with my current WIP. I put on some music, poured a glass of wine, opened some chocolate, and went to work. And I knew that even if I never make a dime at this writing thing, if I never see my book on the shelf at Barnes and Noble, if I never get beyond rejection letters, it is okay. Because this is what I'm meant to be doing. This makes me happy. This is who I am.