Welcome to Contemporary Author - CJ Bower

 I’m delighted to welcome CJ Bower to my blog.

Hello CJ,

I was so pleased when you said you were able to join me as a guest on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat this week as I know how busy you must be writing and editing your amazing CityScapes series.

Here are a few questions that will hopefully give your readers an insight into some of the things that matter to you.

  

Arabella: When writing a novel, how do you work? Are you a plotter or pantser?

CJ Bower: I’m a pantser. I wholeheartedly embrace my muses. I often joke about just being the writer, that my characters are telling me how they want their story to go. Though I do sometimes back myself into a corner, which I then have to plot my way out of.

 Arabella: In your latest release, Racing Away with His Heart, who is your favourite character and why?

CJ Bower: I’d have to say Nisa, because she’s been with me for so long. She came to me when I was in high school, but I didn’t have the experience or courage to write her story the way it needed to be written. I think that was mainly due to the fact that she wanted hers to be a romance, and not a mystery the way I’d originally started writing it. 

Arabella: A slice of Chocolate Cake, a piece of Fruit, or Burger and Fries?

CJ Bower: Chocolate cake, for sure, especially if I make it with my own homemade peanut butter icing. I’m a self-proclaimed peanut-butter-chocoholic, so unless I’m sick you’ll never see me turn down a Reese’s.

Arabella: How do you research your novels?

CJ Bower: Mostly internet. Google Maps has been my best friend while researching my Wyoming CityScapes novel, about an Oregon Trail re-enactment group.

 Arabella: Do you edit as you work or only after the first draft is completed?

CJ Bower: It depends on the project. If I’m having a particularly rough go of it in one script I’ll switch and work on another. And then when I take a break, I’ll go back to the script I’m having difficulties with and go over it again before trying to decide how best to proceed.

    

Arabella: How did you find your agent or publisher and what are their good points?

CJ Bower: My CityScapes series will be predominantly self-published. But, with my first novels, a good friend of mine suggested I try submitting to her publisher, which is a small-press outfit down in Raleigh, NC. It worked, and my Caked with Pleasure books were released under their label.

As a beginning author, I preferred to go that route instead of diving head-first into the world of self-publishing. I got to learn the ropes, so to speak, while my focus remained on my writing instead of the business aspect. Plus, the costs were all taken on by the publisher, and the royalties were reasonable. The only things I paid for were copies of my books if I wanted them, and I had to promote my work on my own.

 Arabella: It’s a weekend and the sun is shining. What do you usually do and with whom?

CJ Bower: If it’s during the summer, my husband and I will go watch the local Northwoods League team play, which is a developmental league for college kids. I got to see some pretty big names come through there on their rise to fame. (Hint: CityScapes Wisconsin novel involves this team. And even then I still have a notebook and pen with me as I continue handwriting my latest draft, or even do some editing.

Outside of the baseball season, more than likely I’ll take my laptop and go to the park down by the river. I live within driving distance to the Mississippi River backwaters in my hometown, so if I’m feeling particularly distracted at home I’ll go there. No Wi-Fi, no piles of dirty dishes or laundry eyeballing me saying, “you should be cleaning.” Or my husband or our fur-kid trying to get my attention. Just me, my laptop and maybe some soft music, just focused on the task at hand.

 Thank you for joining me on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat, CJ. And remember; don’t forget to send me a slice of your delicious home-made chocolate cake with peanut butter icing.
All the best, and happy-ever-after writing,
Arabella Sheen
arabellasheen.co.uk

About CJ Bower

Reading and writing have always been a part of CJ’s life. Ever since she can remember, she’s been putting pen to paper, creating complex characters in rich environments. She lives in Western Wisconsin with her husband and fur-baby. When she’s not working or writing, she enjoys baking, cake decorating, and of course, watching NASCAR. She picked up her first piping bag at age fourteen and started decorating full-time at age twenty-three. Using the experience she’d gained while working in her family’s bakery, along with her love of racing, she created the setting for her first series of novels.

Follow her on social media and her website. She loves to hear from her readers.

  

Website: www.cjbowerauthor.wordpress.com

Social media:  www.facebook.com/CJBowerAuthor/

Book blurb:

Nisa Forester has avoided everything racing related since the violent crash that killed her father. Twenty years later, the track management has scheduled a memorial in his honor during the season's longest race, and she attends as a favor to her brother, Cole. Finding love is not at all on her radar.

Tyson Patterson sees Nisa for the first time at a pre-race party, annoyed that she attends with his biggest on-track rival. In an attempt to woo her away from Cole, Ty asks her to dance. However, as their relationship progresses after a case of mistaken identity, things get complicated between them.

Just as love blooms between them, Ty hits the wall next to the spot where her father did, giving Nisa a crash course on why she never wanted to fall for a race car driver. Can she find the strength to overcome her fears? Will Ty be able to convince her that their love is worth the risk?

RELEASE DATE: 29th January 2019

Temporary Bride - Video

Chit-Chat

I'm taking five minutes away from editing my latest Regency romance.
Clearing my mind and getting ready to spot the proofreading errors in the next chapter.
So, to combat the stress, I'm relaxing and having fun whilst making a video.

Here is a video I made earlier of Temporary Bride.
#Billionaire #Romance

Click link below to play...
Temporary Bride

Temporary Bride by Arabella Sheen - Weekly Excerpt 3

Temporary Bride

  

Arabella Sheen

Max Jordan is one of America’s most powerful, leading corporate lawyers. He is also the major stockholder and head of the billion-dollar corporation - Jordan Diamond Empire.

Max must marry soon to keep the business safe and the company secure from a takeover.

Returning to England in search of the only woman he knows and trusts to help him in his moment of need - he tracks Amy down and asks her to marry him.

Amy Denver wants nothing to do with Max Jordan…and she certainly wants nothing to do with his marriage proposal. Five painful years have passed since Max disappeared from her life and a lot has happened to her in between. Amy has a secret she’d rather he didn’t discover…her secret is Jake…their son. Once again Amy finds herself surrendering to Max and his demands as he whisks her and Jake off to Waterfront, his private, secluded home in the Hamptons.

Excerpt continued...

Amy hadn’t realised Jordan Diamond Empire and Max were linked. It was a shock to her system and she was only just starting to put two and two together.

The jacket of Max’s dark business suit was open revealing the crisp white of his silk shirt and tie, and his hands were thrust deep into his trouser pockets. Tall, muscular and with wide, broad shoulders he practically filled the doorway.

Amy at five-seven in stockinged feet was considered to be quite tall, but she was nothing compared to the six-foot-two giant who was deliberately and unhurriedly advancing towards her.

She was standing near James and Max came to a stop when he reached the person he’d travelled all this way to see. He had found what he wanted…he had found Amy.

Slowly she dared to look up at him. In his eyes, she saw a glint of victory and something else…something that looked like an achievement…a triumph.

Amy’s felt fearful.

She was looking at a man she thought she would never see again and it was as if the years in between slipped away. As she looked at him, she was once more a young trainee law student at university and Max was a handsome newly-qualified lawyer from America.

She had been innocent, naïve and emotionally vulnerable and she had fallen totally and completely head-over-heels in love with him. She’d been such a fool and she had no idea how she could have been so mistaken all those years ago.

Max looked at her knowingly. He too was remembering those days.

He was the same man, but different. He had aged. They both had.

Looking closely at Max she could see he was beginning to grey slightly at the temples. Before, when she’d known him, his hair had been jet black. Now lines were etched on his face, but they were character lines that simply added to his charisma and charm.

Max Jordan was still a compelling and magnetic man and she could still feel the allure of his sexual magnetism. Stood before her was not the young lawyer she'd once known. Here was a dynamic man of the world.

Once he had been her world. Her life had revolved around him…and now…now she wanted absolutely nothing to do with Max.

James Martin’s voice broke the silence in the room.

“Max let me welcome you to our turf. It’s good to have you here. Everybody…allow me to introduce Max Jordan of Jordan Diamond. Max is here today to lend us his legal expertise in the Diablo case,” he said.

Going around the group James introduced Max to the team. Then it was Amy’s turn to be formally introduced.

James was ignorant of the fact that Amy had known Max before today. She had kept him in the dark about the relationship and she was now wondering if that had been a wise decision.

“Amy’s been with us quite some time. How long has it been Amy…three…four years?” James asked.

Amy didn’t answer. She couldn’t answer.

James had been talking about her, paying her compliments and telling Max how good she was at her job and all the time she hadn’t heard a word James had said. She had been staring at Max in total surprise and horror.

She was amazed he was here in this very room. She could even reach out and touch him if she wanted to…but she didn’t.

“Hello, Amy?” His deep drawl was still the same, just as she remembered. She hadn’t forgotten. She could never forget that sexy American accent.

Then before she realised what he intended to do, Max stepped forward and reached out to clasp her hand. Pulling her gently, but forcefully towards him, he planted a soft lingering kiss on her surprised, open lips.

Disclaimer, Copyrights and Publishing

Any names or characters have no existence outside the imagination of the

 author or are used fictitiously and actual events are purely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, copied,

stored in a retrieval system known or hereinafter invented, without

 written permission of the publisher.

Copyright © 2013 by – Arabella Sheen

Published by priceplacebooks

All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-0-9575698-0-5

arabellasheen.co.uk 

Temporary Bride by Arabella Sheen - Weekly Excerpt 2

Temporary Bride

  

Arabella Sheen

Max Jordan is one of America’s most powerful, leading corporate lawyers. He is also the major stockholder and head of the billion-dollar corporation - Jordan Diamond Empire.

Max must marry soon to keep the business safe and the company secure from a takeover.

Returning to England in search of the only woman he knows and trusts to help him in his moment of need - he tracks Amy down and asks her to marry him.

Amy Denver wants nothing to do with Max Jordan…and she certainly wants nothing to do with his marriage proposal. Five painful years have passed since Max disappeared from her life and a lot has happened to her in between. Amy has a secret she’d rather he didn’t discover…her secret is Jake…their son. Once again Amy finds herself surrendering to Max and his demands as he whisks her and Jake off to Waterfront, his private, secluded home in the Hamptons.

Excerpt continued...

Without any problems, the limo cut through the city’s heavy morning traffic and when it reached a tall building where Martin and Campbell had their law offices, Max stepped out of the car and was immediately greeted by an entourage of eager people. A welcoming party had been patiently waiting on tenterhooks for his arrival.

A zealous individual willing to please Max gathered the laptop and briefcase from the car and Max was politely steered towards a rank of open lifts which were all being held in anticipation of his arrival.

“We’ve been expecting you, sir. How was your flight?”

“The flight was good thank you…long, but good. Now, perhaps one of you would like to show me around your firm before the meeting. I’d like to get a feel for the place and see how you run your operation.” He was taking control of the situation.

 Max glanced pointedly at the sleek, slim watch on his wrist and everyone took the hint.

They all stepped into the waiting lifts and, with the doors closed securely behind them, they went straight to the fifth floor where Martin and Campbell had their offices.

Max was in London on two accounts - company and personal business.

He was working with the English law firm Martin and Campbell on an international lawsuit involving worldwide diamond embezzling. But the diamond lawsuit wasn’t his only reason for being in London…he was here for more. He wanted to find Amy Denver and take her back to America with him, only Amy didn’t know that…yet.

Jordan Diamond Empire was in trouble and if Max didn’t marry soon to protect the company, he might not have a company to run.

On the sixth floor, Amy was blissfully unaware of Max Jordan’s presence in the building. In the conference room, she was busy laying out files and briefs on the long, wooden, mahogany table and generally preparing for the onslaught of lawyers who were about to descend on her.

Catching a glimpse of herself in the reflective shine of the conference room window, Amy smoothed her hair back into place and straightened her pencil-slim, black skirt over the smooth, slender, sexy curves of her hips.

She was ready to face the barrage of lawyers heading her way.

She knew she looked good and she felt good. Adrenaline was pumping in her veins and she was ready to take on the world.

In the four years, Amy had been with the law firm as a junior lawyer she’d been faultlessly brilliant in her work. She excelled at her job and there was no one with better skills to run and manage the support teams.

It was her ability to organise and cope in any difficult situation that had won the hearts of her colleagues and she was greatly valued by them all.

“Is everything under control Amy?” Peering around the door was Cathy Moore.

Cathy was one of the female partners who had also become a good friend of Amy’s.

“Sure…everything’s fine. Why what’s up?” Amy asked.

“The American’s here. The whole place is buzzing with the news and it seems they’re now heading here to the conference room.” There was an urgency in Cathy’s voice.

Cathy was showing concern for the controlled chaos that seemed to be rampant throughout the building.

“Well that’s good news,” said Amy brightly. “Hopefully we’ll be sticking to our schedule and we’ll have no delays. For once maybe…just maybe, I’ll be able to get away from work on time.”

“You’ll be lucky,” said Cathy letting out a deep sigh. “We’ll probably all have to stay and work overtime. I imagine we’ll be here slogging away until midnight catching up on any decisions they make during the meeting.”

Amy let out a long agonising groan.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure James will let you leave early. But right now I’ve got to go . . . see you later.” With a quick wave, Cathy disappeared from sight.

Amy hadn’t thought about the extra hours she might have to work this evening and she felt uneasy about having to stay on longer than planned.

The full-on meeting was due to take place in ten minutes and anyone of importance had to attend.

Today of all day’s there was no room for error. It was decision day and the partners were going to determine which of them would be working with Max Jordan and take on the Diablo case.

Rumour had it James Martin - the senior partner - was likely to take the job. It was James who had brought the American lawyer in on the case and this new guy was supposed to be an expert in the field of diamonds and corporate law.

From somewhere along the corridor Amy heard a scurry of foot-falls approaching. It was her boss James Martin and his team.

“Good morning Amy,” James said giving her a conspiratorial wink.

She saw he was wearing his blue shirt and tie which meant James was in a good mood and ready for action.

“James, morning…nice to see you,” she said enthusiastically and greeted him with her usual sunny smile.

Four years ago James had sat in on her interview. Throughout the years he had mentored her and encouraged her to work hard. Little by little she had climbed and worked her way up the corporate ladder. She thought of James as the older brother she never had. But James liking what he saw, was continually trying his luck and asked Amy out on numerous occasions. Every time she refused, he took it on the chin and waited…until the next time.

“We’re ready when you are sir,” she said politely.

Everything was in place and ready for the meeting. The white marker board had been cleaned and the new digital hologram projection system was set-up and running.

Nearly everyone had arrived and were ready to take their seats and prepare for the onslaught of questions. They were, however, still waiting for the infamous American lawyer to appear.

Everyone was on tenterhooks expecting his arrival at any minute and even James, who was rarely flustered, seemed on edge.

At that moment, the door to the conference room opened and a tall, forceful figure appeared framed in the doorway.

Amy felt the blood drain from her face.

Gripping the back of a nearby chair for support, she just managed to stop herself from fainting.

Max Jordan - her Max Jordan - was standing in the doorway and Max looked like he owned the place.

Disclaimer, Copyrights and Publishing

Any names or characters have no existence outside the imagination of the

 author or are used fictitiously and actual events are purely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, copied,

stored in a retrieval system known or hereinafter invented, without

 written permission of the publisher.

Copyright © 2013 by – Arabella Sheen

Published by priceplacebooks

All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-0-9575698-0-5

arabellasheen.co.uk 

A New Fur Friend...And An Amazing Sunset

There was a visitor knocking at the window. I love it when my fur-friends come calling...

This squirrel scaled the wall of the house and perched himself on a window sill three floors up. Brave little fellow. Obviously not afraid of heights.

He could have been hungry and the bird food in the garden tempted him to draw near; but whatever his reason for calling, he certainly made enough noise about it.

With a spate of cold weather predicted, and possible snow storms approaching, I've stocked up on bird fat balls, peanuts and seeds.

Are you giving your garden friends a helping hand?

In winter, squirrels are only active a few hours each day. They forage for food and often raid bird feeders hoping to find enough to feed themselves.

In January, the squirrels are beginning their gestation cycle and when their young are born in February, they too will start looking for food in March/April.

You don't have to buy special food for the squirrels, they will eat most nut sorts.
They also eat Cucumber, Broccoli, Carrots, Pears, and Apples.

Happy feeding...

A sad looking window box but the sunset was amazing...

 

Temporary Bride by Arabella Sheen - Weekly Excerpt 1

Temporary Bride

  

Arabella Sheen

Max Jordan is one of America’s most powerful, leading corporate lawyers. He is also the major stockholder and head of the billion-dollar corporation - Jordan Diamond Empire.

Max must marry soon to keep the business safe and the company secure from a takeover.

Returning to England in search of the only woman he knows and trusts to help him in his moment of need - he tracks Amy down and asks her to marry him.

Amy Denver wants nothing to do with Max Jordan...and she certainly wants nothing to do with his marriage proposal. Five painful years have passed since Max disappeared from her life and a lot has happened to her in between. Amy has a secret she’d rather he didn’t discover. Her secret is Jake...their son. Once again Amy finds herself surrendering to Max and his demands as he whisks her and Jake off to Waterfront, his private, secluded home in the Hamptons.

    

Chapter 1

Dawn was breaking on the horizon of the London skyline as Max Jordan, head and company director of Jordan Diamond Empire, flew into Heathrow airport in his private jet.

It had been a long, arduous North Atlantic flight but Max had spent his hours in the air lucratively. During the flight, he had been fighting a mid-air battle using his laptop and he had won a diamond laser contract for his company worth billions of dollars. All that remained to be done was for him to fly to Japan and finalise the deal with a face-to-face handshake and a signature on the dotted line.

Looking at Max, no one would guess he hadn’t slept in nearly twenty-four hours. Having had a quick shower on the plane and changed into one of his many handmade suits, he looked as fleshly groomed and as sleek as he had hours earlier when he’d boarded the luxury jet in New York.

Tall, tanned and dynamic, Max could be described as sex on legs.

Ploughing his way through the VIP lounge to the waiting limousine outside, all eyes turned in his direction. Chic, stylishly-beautiful women followed him with desire in their eyes, while waiting businessmen revealed a flash of envy as he passed. But Max was oblivious to all their stares. He was a man on a mission and time was of the essence.

The door to the limousine was being held open in readiness for him and, without ceremony, Max sped passed the onlookers and climbed into the back seat. Pulling away from the airport the chauffeur looked in the driving mirror and asked, “Where to Mr Jordan? Your hotel or the office?”

“Office please,” Max replied. He then proceeded to indulge in a luxury he never normally found time for…he sat back and let himself experience the ride.

The laptop and briefcase he had brought along with him lay unnoticed and forgotten on the seat beside him and, as he sat back looking out of the window watching familiar landmarks go by, he felt a pang of nostalgia for the old times.

After five years of absence from the city, he was once more back in London and vivid memories of happier times came flooding back. It had been a carefree period in his life when he could do exactly as he wished. Now things were different. He had responsibilities.

Max still called the shots and had ultimate power and control of the business, but in some things, his hands were bound and tied.

Often he felt the weight of his obligations heavy on his shoulders, and that was one of the reasons he was here today in London.

He was here to perform a duty…his duty.

He needed a wife and he knew what he had to do.
Max had returned to England to find and marry Amy Denver.

Disclaimer, Copyrights and Publishing

Any names or characters have no existence outside the imagination of the

 author or are used fictitiously and actual events are purely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, copied,

stored in a retrieval system known or hereinafter invented, without

 written permission of the publisher.

Copyright © 2013 by – Arabella Sheen

Published by priceplacebooks

All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-0-9575698-0-5

 http://arabellasheen.co.uk