I have spent the weekend writing furiously to finish my current manuscript and the writing, while incredibly intense, has been rewarding. I’m ready to take a little time to relax now and tell you about an incredibly talented author and friend, Brooke Moss.
A couple of years ago, I was given a sneak peek at Brooke’s novel, The “What If” Guy. I so enjoyed it. Packed with emotion, witty and fun, Brooke’s writing pulled me in right away. You know me. I love books with emotion, great characterization and entertaining plots. Brooke Moss provides all of that and more in her stories and I’m happy to introduce her to you all today. So without further ado, here’s Brooke Moss!
Thanks for hosting me today, Jane! What an exciting privilege it is to guest post on the blog of one of my favorite authors. I appreciate you, and your lovely readers, giving me their time!
So as I stand here on the debut day of my first ever self-published romantic comedy, Baby & Bump, I can’t help but feel compelled to explain where the inspiration for this story came from. After all, it’s not every day you see a contemporary romance with a pregnant heroine. And isn’t that a little…er…weird?
Well, yeah. Welcome to my world, everybody. Come on in, the water’s fine.
You see, all authors get inspiration for their stories and characters from all sorts of places. The grocery store, through their friend’s lives, television, movies, other books, everywhere! We see typical couples arguing beside the ATM, or waiting for a doctor’s appointment, and a story blossoms in our over-active imaginations. At least that’s what happens to me.
In the case of Baby & Bump, my inspiration came from a comment on my girlfriend’s Facebook page. She was griping about having gone to an OB appointment (she was very pregnant at the time) with one of her usual doctor’s partners—who also happened to be a very hot man. She was lamenting that she felt uncomfortable and stressed out the whole appointment, and asked the question: how could ANY woman endure a pregnancy with a gorgeous, single obstetrician?
And well, that’s when the ball in my mind started rolling. I decided to write a book about a single woman and her highly attractive doctor. And since a topic like this can’t exactly be told without a drizzle of humor, I decided that the only way I would be able to do the subject matter some justice was to make the story a full-on, no holds barred comedy.
I mean, come on. How else can I tackle the subject of stirrups and speculums in a book without making it funny? If you’re a woman, you get why.
And so, Baby & Bump was born. Shortly after that, the crazy cast of side characters were created, and the subject line, location, and plot conundrums were invented. Writing this book was a “labor” of love (pun intended), as I found myself laughing out loud and tearing up over my laptop more than once or twice. I adore these characters, and the tale they had to tell, and I’m hoping that each of my readers—old and new—will enjoy them as much as I did. They’re silly, goofy, flawed, quirky, unique, and very, very human. And I don’t know about you guys, but I like my characters in contemporary romance to be as human as possible. Perhaps that’s why I enjoy Jane’s books so much. They’re so relatable.
I hope to achieve that with my own characters. You’ll all have to let me know how I did…
Now that I’ve rambled on and on about my inspiration for Baby & Bump, how about an excerpt? Here’s a scene where Lexie (our heroine) is having her first obstetrical appointment with none other than the very lovely Dr. Fletcher Haybee. And like my friend said on Facebook…is there anything more uncomfortable than a hot OB?
But Dr. Haybee went past handsome. In fact, he went so far past handsome he was down the road and around the bend.
His doctor’s coat was hanging open to reveal what appeared to be a worn denim shirt and a pair of cargo khakis. He was tan. Not overly tan, like one of those Jersey Beach freaks, or whatever that show was called—not that I ever watched it—but perfectly sun-kissed like he’d spent the weekend outside. Doing yard work. With his shirt off.
His hair was blond streaked with platinum, probably the result of a summer spent on a beach somewhere, and it was tousled into a disheveled “I need a haircut, but I’m too busy wakeboarding and mountain biking to care” look. When he raised his eyes off the manila folder full of my medical facts—height, last menstrual cycle—and, gulp—weight—I noticed that his eyes were the most crystal aquamarine blue I’d ever seen. They were the exact same color of a Tiffany jewelry box. And, as if I weren’t ready to howl like a dog in heat already, when he opened his mouth to greet me, his deep voice positively oozed charm with its Southern accent.
“You must be Lexie. Hi, I’m Fletcher Haybee. How are you?”
“I… I… uh…”
My brain had shut off. I was sitting there, naked from the waist down, covered in a glorified quicker picker upper, staring at the best-looking man I’d ever seen.
“She’s fine.” Candace snickered.
The lovely doctor’s eyes brightened. “Candace? What’s up? Is this your sister?”
“Cousin. She just found out she’s pregnant.” Candace nudged me. “Say hello, Lex.”
“Hello, Lex. Er, Dr. Haybee.” I blinked a few times and focused on the tee shirt underneath his worn denim button down.
Holy hell, it was a vintage Aerosmith tee shirt! If there had been water in the examination room, he could have walked on it.
“Call me Fletcher.” His accent made my toes, clad only in blue and white striped socks with dancing hippos on the heels (what was I thinking?) curl deliciously. “Any cousin of Candace and Brian’s is a friend of mine.”
I ignored Candace’s knowing grin as I tried to put on my game face. Well, as much of a game face as I could have without any pants on. “You… you don’t look like a doctor.”
“Thank you. I take that as a compliment.” He grinned and the corners of his eyes crinkled. I swear to God a ray of sunshine busted through the roof, illuminating him.
“He’s the best OB in town.” Candace announced proudly. “Remember when I had preeclampsia with Ellie’s pregnancy and had bed rest?”
I peeled my eyes away from Fletcher. “Uh huh.”
“Fletcher did all of the appointments in my last trimester at our house.” She beamed. “How many doctors do house calls these days?”
Glancing back at Fletcher, who was nodding humbly, I replied, “Not many.”
He laughed, and the deep, rumbling sound made the hair on the back of my neck stand at attention. “That’s just one of the perks of being friends with your obstetrician.”
I was staring at him. I couldn’t help it. How did I miss this guy through all three of Candace’s pregnancies? Why hadn’t she dragged me to this office sooner?
Say when I wasn’t pregnant and my face wasn’t the same shade of grey as a gas station bathroom?
Fletcher put down my file and approached me. “Well, Lexie, it’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too.” We shook hands, and I bit the insides of my cheeks.
“My nurse tested the urine sample you left in the restroom, and as you know, you’re pregnant. Congratulations.” He tucked his hands into his pockets. “Otherwise, your white cell count looked good, and there wasn’t too much protein in your urine, so that’s great. Was this a planned pregnancy?”
I swallowed and ignored Candace’s eyes probing the side of my face. “No.”
His expression softened. “Do you want to discuss options? Are you planning to parent the child?”
“Yes. Of course.” I tucked my hair behind my ears. “I always hoped to have children. Just didn’t plan on doing it alone.”
Fletcher appeared surprised. “Oh, you’ll be a single mom?”
“Yes. Unless you’d like to marry me.” I mumbled that last part.
“Excuse me?” he asked.
“Nothing!” I squeaked.
I fought the urge to slap myself on the forehead, and looked away from his bright eyes. There was something really wrong with me if I was this attracted to my obstetrician. I mean, within a matter of minutes, he was going to be looking at my crotch, for Pete’s sake. And not in a Fifty Shades of Grey way, either. Argh.
“I’ll have my receptionist give you some information about some local single mother support groups. That might be a great outlet for you.” Fletcher made a note on my chart, then gestured to the papered examination table behind me. “Why don’t you lay back, and I can do the examination.”
“Oh, um, okay.” I looked at Candace dumbly, who gestured for me to lie down. A wave of self-consciousness rolled over me.
The last time I’d been partially unclothed in front of a man, I’d been drinking overpriced merlot and watching made-for-TV movies. My buzz had made me feel invincible. I most certainly did not feel invincible on Fletcher’s examination table. I felt unbearably naked, and suddenly aware of every single ounce of cellulite and every single freckle I had on my ultra-white skin. I wish I’d had the good sense to get a decent spray tan before coming to the obstetrician’s office.
Again, thanks for having me here today, Jane, and keep the great books coming! I am honored to possibly share readers with you, and can’t wait to hear what your fans think of Baby & Bump!
About Brooke:
“I write because if I don’t…my head will explode, and ruin the drapes.” ♥ Brooke writes complex, character-driven stories about kismet, reunited lovers, first love, and the kind of romance that we should all have the chance at finding. She prefers her stories laced with some humor just for fun, and enough drama to keep her readers flipping the pages, and begging for more. When Brooke isn’t spinning tales, she spends her time drawing/cartooning, reading, watching movies then comparing them to books, wrangling five kids, mugging on one hubby she lovingly refers to as her “nerd”, and attempting to conquer the Mount Everest of laundry that is the bane of her existence. Brooke is also an avid Autism Awareness advocate, and a passionate foster/adoptive mother, who loves to share her experiences with anyone who will listen. Find Brooke elsewhere on the web at www.brookemoss.com
~~~
Thank you, Brooke, for sharing with us today! Friends, do check out Brooke’s new release. To help Brooke celebrate, I’ve got a fun mystery giveaway which includes good books, a $5 Starbucks drink card and lots more fun goodies tucked into a JP reader bag for two lucky winners. If you love contemporary romances with lots of wit, comment for a chance to win this giveaway. The contest runs through Thursday and I’ll announce the winner on Friday!
Great post! I love the way your book started and I can see a lot of humor in this book. I would love to read it, everyone needs a good laugh from time to time, could use one myself right now. Jane you have the best contest here. Thanks for sharing your books with us.
Jane really does have the best giveaways! She’s just awesome. Thanks for the support, Quilt Lady! I hope you enjoy Baby & Bump. 🙂
–Brooke
Congrats to Brooke on the new release. Looking forward to reading her books.
I sure do hope you enjoy them, Janie! Thanks for the support!
–Brooke
Great post…congrats on the release of your first self published book Brooke!
Thanks, Timitra! This is very exciting, but with Jane’s support, I know I’ll do great. Hope you enjoy Baby & Bump!
–Brooke
Sounds like a great book!
Interesting premise
I hoe you’ll give it a shot, bn100! Thanks for the support. 🙂
–Brooke
Congratulations and best wishes Brooke. This book would be wonderful for a cheery summer day.
Thanks, Diane. I’m hoping Jane’s readers will give Baby & Bump a shot, and find that you’re right on the money! Thanks for the support.
–Brooke
This story sounds like a hoot.
I know I am going to have to read it.
Congratulations on the publication. 🙂
Thanks, Gigi. It really was a hoot to write. Now here’s hoping my readers enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it! 🙂
–Brooke
Congratulations to Jane on all the work she’s gotten done on her novel and to Brooke on her new story. Baby and Bump looks like a unique and enjoyable story.
Thanks for stopping by, Maureen. I sure hope you enjoy Baby & Bump…keep me posted! Thanks for the support…
–Brooke
I’ve read the What if guy and own The Carney but haven’t gotten to it yet (my TBR pile is HUGE). Took a minute and downloaded Baby and Bump. I’ll look forward to reading it!
Thanks so much, Lori!
I hope you find time to weed through your TBR pile (Mine is huge, as well) and enjoy the heck out of Baby & Bump!
–Brooke
I just recently found Brooke and LOVE HER! I can’t wait for this book to come out! 😉
Thanks, Melanie…love you right back. 🙂
Baby & Bump is already out. You can grab it on Amazon right now. I sure do hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the support!
–Brooke
JP picking another winner, the story sounds fabulous. Headed to Amazon now, thanks.
I have seen this book being blogged about everywhere! I think the cover is awesome. Hope to have a chance to read and review it.
Jane – you always do the best giveaways. Include me in this one!!
I think I would be closing up my legs and running out of the office. My doctor retired last year and I feared who I would have after her. But, it’s another woman. What a relief! I just don’t think I could have a man doctor looking down there. This does sound like such a fun book to read.
Conrats Brooke! Can’t wait to read it! 🙂
Funny AND sexy. Who could want more than that? 🙂 Sounds like a great start to a series….
Wow! Sounds like my type of funny, sexy, and witty writing. Can’t wait to start reading.
Always,
Melinda
I DO love “contemporary romances with lots of wit”, so please count me in, and thanks for introducing me to yet another author whose book(s) I plan on reading! Congratulations, Brooke!
Thanks Jane for this introduction to Brooke. I will look for Baby & Bump. I like the cover and the humor and am already invested in the characters. I am rooting for Lexie and Fletcher and looking forward to reading their story. Best of luck Brooke and thanks again Jane.
Sounds like a fun summer read, I’m definitely adding it to my list. Thanks for sharing another new author with us Jane!
I love your give aways! This sounds like another good author!
this sounds like a fun read…thanks for sharing it w/ us, Jane 🙂
This book sounds wonderful!
Hi,
This sounds like such a fun book! Can’t wait to read! Hope I win! Thank you for sharing. If I don’t win, I will definitely be buying “baby and bump.”
what an intriguing concept for a book. I’ll be looking for Brooke’s book (in case I don’t win) the best stories always start with a good idea 🙂
Thanks for always hosting such fun contests! We featured this book at our blog today. Our reviewer liked it. 🙂
Hope you have a great 4th of July!
congrats and the book sounds really good
Hi Jane. Brooke’s new book sounds great! I am definitely going to read it.
I have a baby bump and I’m not even pregnant! Last year I was in a store dressing room and a woman asked me if I was pregnant. I am 62! Now, should I take it as an insult, i.e. you look fat OR take it as a compliment, i.e. you look young enough to be pregnant!
Brooke would be a new read for me ! This book sounds wonderful,I love a book with romance and humor…. Thanks for the wonderful contest Jane,I found the blog very interesting…
My college roommate and dear friend married her family Doctor. Her life is right out of a romance novel just like this story of Lex. Can’t wait to read your book, Brooke and pass it along to my roomie!
Sounds like a great book, live a good funny story. Thanks Jane for introducing me to a new (to me) author!
Sounds like a fun book! Thanks for the giveaway.
I love to get book recommendations from Jane:-) Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to read it!
Great start to the book it seems funny. This was a good post and an awesome giveaway. Baby and bump sounds like fun and I know I will enjoy this.
Great excerpt! TOO funny! Congrats on your book!
Wonderful post, I haven’t read anything by Brooke before but after reading this she is definitely on my list for authors to read. Loved the excerpt! I enjoy humor in books.
Jane, thanks for always sharing such great authors and books with us.
Brook, congrats on your first self-pub! This sounds like such a great fun book, I can’t wait to read it. I love books that are very real and humorous too!
Have a great week everyone!
I love the excerpt and will definitely put the book on my TBR list. I wanted more of the excerpt, I wanted the whole book! Sounds great and can’t wait to read the book.
There’s nothing I like better than comedy in a romance. It’s both fun and embarrassing sometimes to be sitting out and reading and then laughing out loud. Thanks for the intro to a new author. I will be checking out that story.
This sounds like a fun read!
Sounds fantastic! I love the humor in it already. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for a chance to win Jane!
Okay, so the excerpt just wasn’t long enough!!! I need to read this book!!!
Looks like a funny book! I’m going to look for it!
Enjoyed your post and would love to win this.
This really sounds like the kind of book I like to read. 🙂
The book sounds great. I’ve got to read it.
Looks to be a fun read that will give some laugh-out-loud moments which is definitely what I love in a Romance/comedy. Thanks for the heads up.
Congratulations, Brooke! This sounds like my kind of read and I am loving that cover, gorgeous!
Hi Brooke
I really enjoyed reading your excerpt from Baby and Bump. I look forward to reading the entire book. I plan to add your website to my favorites and will look to see if you are on Facebook.
Thanks for sharing of yourself and family. And, wow, 5 kids, definitely equals lots of laundry.
Have a niece who is preggers and I would love to give this book to her.
Oh geeze, that made me grin the whole time I read it! Going to the OB, ah I remember those days. 🙂
This book sounds AMAZING! I may just have to review it on my blog!!!
love these kinds of stories; sounds very interesting and makes me want to read this.
Thanks for the post. I love checking out new authors and can’t wait to read this one and check out Brooke’s other novels.
Love the excerpt of baby & bump. And love the price on amazon.
I’ll pick it up for my kindle and let you know what I think.
Thank you Jane for introducing me to Brooke Moss.
I love your old blog with Tessa Dare and I just received her new book. I love her books. And I would probably not have found her was it not for your blot.
This book sounds cute ! thanks Jane for introducing another a new for me author 🙂
I love this idea and the story of how it came to be. I can tell from the excerpt, this is my kind of read, really looking forward to reading the whole thing.
Thanks again, Jane, for introducing me to another author!
Mystery gifts…we love those! Sure do love trying for your prizes!
Brook, your OB looks like my real life eye surgeon. And what great first thing to see. I will look forward to completing the story. I’m off to Amazon now.
This book sounds so fun!!! I’m
Putting it on my list!
This excerpt had me laughing!!! What a fabulous read this promises to be.
Oh, my goodness…does this ever bring back memories! Many years ago, about 6 of us young ones had the same young handsome obgyn. Tim was married to a ballerina (seriously!). We and our husbands all became good friends with Tim and his wife Susan. One evening at their home for dinner, after a particular funny part of the conversation, things got very quiet…it was then when all fourteen of us realized that Dr. Tim knew every woman at the table intimately! Shades of pink prevailed…then we poured more wine! We are all Grandparents now. You or Brooke might like to use this true life scenario sometime.
Adding to my summer reading list!
I don’t need a giveaway. Buying this one!
Oh man, I’m so ready for this book!! Congrats to Brooke and I’m looking forward to the rest of this series!!
I love the concept of this book! My OB was hot so I can totally relate to this. I wish you much success!
I loved this post, it made me laugh. I “liked” Brooke’s page on Facebook and am now following her on Twitter. I can’t wait to check out Baby & Bump. I also love that she is a passionate adoptive/foster mom!! Would be great to win this prize pack, thanks for the giveaway Jane!! Hope to hear from you on Friday. 🙂
Humor is requireed! Thanks Jane, for another great author intro.
Brooke & her book both sound delightful! Thank you for introducing us to her, Jane, and for having another wonderful and generous contest!
Can’t wait to read Brooke’s book! Loved the excerpt! Thank you Jane and Brooke!
Jane, thanks for introducing Brooke Moss to us today. I will have to check out her book! <3
I love the cover. Very cute!
This morning on Hoda and Kathie Lee’s show, they were discussing the topic of an attractive gyno and what would you do. Right off, I thought of this post.
This sounds like a fun book. I look forward to reading it.
Thanks Jane, for the new author to read.
I am definitely going to be reading this book. Loved the excerpt! Thanks, Jane, for introducing all of us to Brooke!
Hi brooke, where is the book sold? Went to barnes and noble and we searched every where..also looked on my nook!! I want to read.it so bad! Amy.
Congrats on your new book!
What a fun post. Love the premise of the book. And I always like to here where the inspiration for the idea came from, so it’s fun to hear that it was from a Facebook post. Congrats and I wish Brooke much success with her new release!
That sounds like a fun book! It is an interesting premise, and adding the comedy is great…
I’m looking so forward to reading this! Sounds amazing and right up my alley!!
Thanks for another featured author and the excerpt. And the chance to win a mystery gift. You are so good to your readers. I hope all the blessings you give to us come by to you in huge amounts.
What afun idea the book sounds awesome Brooke congrats on its release! I will deff have to read it and that cover is just neat
happy fourth of july
After reading this excerpt and the ones on Brooke’s site, I have to read this book. It sounds hilarious!
Thanks for telling us about this book. It sounds like a must read for the summer.
Cute,funny excerpt that is so believable. Anyone who has had a baby or even a yearly woman’s physical can relate to this excerpt.
I’d love to read how Lexie handles Fletcher … I mean her attraction to her hottie doc!
Excellent idea for a story!
Hi! another new author to add to my list and the book sounds like a fun summer read or anytime…have a wonderful July 4th!
great just in time i am fresh outta books! i will go pick brooke’s book up today after work. happy safe fourth of july to all…..
Brooke Moss sounds lovely and I am going to check out her books for sure. The excerpt is funny and I can relate to the scene as I have a very nice looking family doctor and the annual check up is always kind of awkward. I wonder why showing your naked bits is not too bad when the doctor is old and not too attractive!
Thanks Jane for another great suggestion.
Great looking book! I love your fun writing style. Good luck with the release!
When I was pregnant my ob was old but there were 4 doctors in the practice. They introduced you to them all in case they were on call when you delivered. There was one young really good looking doctor and I was young and shy at the time and hoped he didn’t deliver my baby. Guess what he did!!!
Dawn
I love contemporary romances with a lot of with! Have a great holiday!
Sounds like a fun read! I laughed a couple times reading the excerpt.
Good luck on your new release Brooke.
Sounds like a great story, Brooke. Congratulations on your debut.
Hi everyone,
I hope your holiday weekend has been wonderful so far. My apologies for not posting this sooner but I’m here now to announce the winners!
#43 Jersey Lou
#66 Renee Pajda
Shoot me an email with your full name and mailing address and please mention the blog title and your comment number too. I’ll get prizes in the mail asap.
Lots more fun coming your way soon!!
Jane xoxoxo