Saturday, September 17, 2011

Out of This World Blog Tour: Diane Dooley Visits

Please welcome guest blogger, Diane Dooley!


I love the sight of a man falling in love. That slightly panicked and disbelieving look in his eyes is beautiful to me. It’s even better when they don’t see it coming. They walk into a restaurant, they find their seat on the plane, they meet their new customer and BAM – that ole devil called love smacks them right between the eyes.

It’s not always like that, of course. Sometimes love grows slowly over time. Sometimes it happens quickly over the course of a sweetly intense affair. But sometimes? BAM! You can chalk it up to sexual attraction, instant chemistry, a meeting of the minds, but still – BAM happens. I speak from experience.

I think that’s why I wrote Blue Galaxy entirely from the point of view of the male character, Javan Rhodes. The poor guy falls hard, instantly, irrevocably, and then spends an awful lot of time trying to talk himself out of feeling the way he does. He knows this can’t be love; he knows there’s no such thing as love at first sight. Nevertheless, the dude is totally bammed. Totally.

It’s a touchy subject, I’ve found. Early readers of the manuscript were almost equally split in their passionate belief or disbelief in love at first sight. I found this fascinating and would love to hear more opinions on this. So, what do you think? Do you believe in love at first sight?

Please mention in your comment if you’d like to be entered in a drawing for a free copy of Blue Galaxy and don’t forget to leave contact info if you do.

Bio: Diane Dooley was born in the Channel Islands and grew up in Scotland. After many years of moving and travelling she finally settled down in Upstate New York, where the summers are short and the winters just might just kill you. She lives with her best friend/husband, who can’t fix a damn thing, and two obstreperous boy children in a falling-down farmhouse in the sticks. She is very happy.

You can find her on her blog, on Facebook , on Goodreads and on her group blog, Contact Infinite Futures. She is a regular contributor at The Galaxy Express as her alter-ego, Agent Z. and also writes dark and twisted short stories.

Blue Galaxy is available from: Carina Press, Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Audible.com and other online retailers.


Make sure to stop by Melisse Aires' blog tomorrow, where Gary Starta visits

http://melisseaires.blogspot.com

15 comments:

  1. Hi, Diane.
    I just finished reading Blue Galaxy and it was great! I didn't know what to expect when I started reading as I got it a while back when Carina was giving away books.
    I immediately went to your website to see what else you had written.

    One of the best things about the book was that it was all from Javan's POV, so as the reader, I felt as surprised, disappointed and skeptical as he did when Sola turned out to be playing him. I never saw the twist coming, either.

    I hope you write another book that takes place in the world you created. It was unique and exciting - oh, and very sexy!
    MJB
    msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com

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  2. I thoroughly believe in love at first sight, as well as longtime denial of it, as the "BAM" has hit me before.

    Twice. ;-)

    With that said, I can't say I believe love at first sight is always true love at first sight. (For me, the second one was the charm.)

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  3. I'm kind of torn. It's never happened to me but I wouldn't never say it's impossible. :)
    (And I already have a copy of Blue Galaxy waiting to be read, ty!)

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  4. I think it can go both ways--the 2x4 head-on or the one that sneaks up from behind :) And yes, it's why I read romances!

    Blue Galaxy is such a fun read and a great example of this principle!

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  5. Hi, everyone. Than you, A.R., for hosting me.

    It's finally after noon here, so here's a tray of Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters for y'all. Careful now - they're the most viciously and deliciously wonderful beverage in the entire galaxy.

    @msmjb65 - so glad you enjoyed the twists and turns of Blue Galaxy! When you were over on my blog did you happen to find the interview that poor ole Captain Rhodes did me me, his creator? Here's a link just in case you didn't. I had fun with it. *grin*
    http://dianedooley.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/464/
    I'm currently revising a sequel to Blue Galaxy; the story continues, this time from Sola's point of view.

    @Lisa - excellent point, Lisa. I agree. Love at first sight isn't necessarily TRUE love at first sight.

    @ Pippa - thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoy Blue Galaxy!

    @Bella - thanks for stopping by. Have a gargle blaster!

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  6. Dianne,I'm not sure if I believe in love at first sight. I do believe in instant attraction though.

    Blue Galaxy is on my TBR list.
    jessicasubject.writer[at]gmail[dot]com

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  7. Trying again--This didn't seem to post the first time.

    I'm not sure I believe in love at first sight, though I think it's a nice idea. ;) I'd love to win a copy of Blue Galaxy. I'm writereshATgmail.com

    Erika

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  8. I read Blue Galaxy and liked it too! (So don't enter me in the contest.) It was really interesting to hear Javan's POV.

    I believe love at first sight can happen.

    I had a friend who met her boyfriend's brother when he came home on leave from the Marines when she was 17. They both fell for each other and started writing/calling each other regularly. Yes, she broke up with her bf right off. After a few years they made a date to get married. They'd seen each other once. As far as I know they're still married 25 years later with a slew of kids.

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  9. Hi, Diane.
    Love at first sight, according to the experts, is more common for men than women and it DOES happen (see Allan & Barbara Pease, "Why men want sex and women need love". Just as well - it happens to my hero, too.

    Yes, I'd love to be in the draw for the book.

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  10. @ Jessica - you are entered. Thanks for stopping by.

    @ Erika - you are also entered. thanks for trying again *grin*

    @ Anna - thanks for sharing that story.

    @ Great - you are entered. I checked out the Pease's website. Interesting stuff!

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  11. @ Greta - I spelled your name 'great.' Could be worse, huh?

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  12. *grin* I've learned to answer to 'Great'. The Peases are great (sic) on body language. It's well worth looking at their books to get those non-verbal clues right in your writing.

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  13. If we're talking about New York-style cheesecake, then yes, I believe in love at first sight. True story: I did in fact fall in love with the first NY cheesecake I ever saw.

    These people I was babysitting for showed me this huge box with a virgin cheesecake inside and said I could have a piece if I wanted. I think I had an orgasm just looking at it.

    As for stories, I tend to interpret "love at first sight" as "lust in first sight." But if the story is well executed then I can go with the flow. There's definitely something fun about a couple whose chemistry is obvious from their first encounter.

    No need to enter me in the giveaway. I already read BG and enjoyed it way more than is probably legal!

    Fun tour and thanks for the party!

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  14. Thanks for visiting, Heather! It goes without saying that NY cheesecake is ample proof that love at first sight exists.

    Oh by the way, I forgot to say when the giveaway closes. I'll leave it open until the end of the blog tour. Just in case there are any stragglers.

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  15. And the winner is: Erika.

    Thanks very much for participating, everyone. And thank you again to A.R. Norris for hosting me.

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