Authorpreneur Dashboard – Andria Gaskins
A Second Helping
Romance
Michelle Taylor knows what it's like to be cheated on. And following the death of her best friend, she changed her life. She returned to her maiden name, sold her specialty food store and moved back to North Carolina with her two boys. A chance encounter at a local barbecue restaurant lands her the perfect contractor to revive an old farmhouse she purchased during her divorce. Not only is he qualified for the job, but he's the first man in a long time to make her feel good about herself. But when her ex-husband moves to town, he brings a truckload of regret, attitude and drama onto the scene. Michelle wants to live her new life in peace. But, how is she supposed to do that when she’s stuck between the man she’s afraid to trust with her heart and the man who broke it?
Book Bubbles from A Second Helping
Sleepovers and Extra Special Attention
I had fun with this scene! It was tricky writing about an intimate topic without actually naming it.
Green Grass and Regret
Aaron Reynolds destroyed his marriage, and now the only thing he has left are memories and regret. He discovered that the grass was not as green on the other side as he thought it would be. It wasn't better, and it definitely wasn't worth it. His ex-wife has moved on with her life, and the only connection he has to her are their two children. Michelle wants nothing more to do with him, and he misses her. This scene is a reminder that we need to appreciate what we have because if we lose it, chances are it's not coming back.
The Perfect Date
Life would be so much easier if dating wasn't so complicated. Michelle Taylor was over dating and all the stress that comes with it. Four years after her divorce, she still hadn't been on a decent date. She considered herself a weirdo magnet. That is until Damien Anthony came along and showed her the time of her life. He was fun, attentive, and the perfect gentleman. One date with Damien changed her perspective and gave her hope that her drought would be coming to an end soon---but not too soon.
I can't believe I said that
We've all had those moments when we wished that our foot was already in our mouths before we said something stupid. We want to be eloquent and smooth at all times, especially around the opposite sex. But we end up sounding like Daffy Ducky bouncing off the walls. Or in Michelle's case, sounding like a perv when she inadvertently spills the beans about loving Damien's butt. There's nothing like that cute guy who makes you babble something ridiculous every time you speak. And there's also nothing like your family to remind you that you're an idiot for doing it.
Wit and Repartee
This scene was inspired by my love of Cary Grant movies. I've been a fan ever since I was a little girl. Cary Grant was always a gentleman and never played a villain. I loved the interaction between him and his leading ladies. He never abused or mistreated women in his movies. Even if he and his leading lady were rivals, there was always a lighthearted banter between them that kept things fun and engaging. This flirty exchange between Michelle and Damien pays homage to the wit and repartee of classic Cary Grant movies.
Breakfast In Bed
This scene was inspired by my husband and my love for hanging out in our bed. We've been known to have breakfast, lunch and dinner in our sanctuary. When we were first married, we didn't have a lot of money for a date night on the town. We stayed in and had dinner in bed, followed by a game of chess and/or a movie. And of course, ending the evening with a little "happy" time. The next day we'd watch TV and have breakfast in bed. During this time, we talked and learned a lot about each other that strengthened our friendship. Many years, two kids, two car payments, school tuition and a mortgage later, we still have a limited budget for regular nights out. Our bedroom is now the Mommy and Daddy zone, and kids are only allowed in by invitation only.
Eye On The Prize
This is one of my favorite scenes in A Second Helping. Damien has the opportunity to see what he wants and doesn't want in a woman up close and personal. He's longing to be with Michelle while trying to escape the clutches of Angelica. Everything about Michelle makes him happy. He is inspired by her, but their working relationship is in the way. His short-term fling with Angelica was a mistake and did little to keep his mind off Michelle.And when the two women are thrown together, Michelle rises above Angelica's bad attitude with grace and dignity. This only strengthens Damien's desire for her. Fortunately for him, Angelica has no use for a man who does not bow to her will, and Damien is free to claim Michelle as his prize. Snow Day Sale! Why not hunker down and read a good old-fashioned love story. Keep warm and save money Get A Second Helping for $0.99. From 01/22/2016 to 01/25/2016.
Fine Wine and Mature Women
Like fine wine, a lot of women--myself included--feel that they have gotten better with age. As women over 40, we have the grace and self-assurance that only came with time and experience. The insecurity and drama that marred our youth are a thing of the past. Unfortunately, this confidence and maturity can't compete with bouncy and clueless in a youth obsessed society. In this scene, Michelle Taylor answers the question that a lot of women have regarding older men and younger women. It's a question that one can only speculate, but I think Michelle comes pretty close to the truth.
Regina's World Famous Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
A sign touting "The World's Greatest Sweet Potato Pie" detoured Michelle Taylor from her day. When she entered Regina's Kitchen, not only did she sample a slice of pie that actually lived up to its reputation, but found a man who would love her and make her life better. This recipe, along with nine other mouthwatering recipes from the story, is found at the end of A Second Helping. It is actually adapted from my mother's famous sweet potato pie recipe that makes you feel loved with each bite. ON SALE! Download your copy of Queen City Kitchen for only 99¢ TODAY!
Christmas Cookies and Regret
This is one of the few times we see Aaron's point of few. In this scene, Michelle's ex-husband is suffering with one of the consequences of his infidelity--no more holidays with the mother of his children and no more homemade Christmas cookies. A simple thing like a sugar cookie conjures up memories of tradition, comfort and love--all the things Aaron lost because of his selfishness. Now he's on the outside looking in on the life he used to have.The life his ex-wife now shares with another man. This scene represents the that's-what-you-get moment every woman who's been hurt wishes her ex suffered.
The Grand Gesture
A grand gesture doesn't have to be anything as outrageous as tattooing his/her name across your chest. The gesture can be something as simple as putting our loved one's feelings before our own. Despite struggling with the effect of too much tequila and too little sleep, Damien cuts a Cabo trip with his friends short to rush home to be with Michelle. He didn't want to waste anymore time being away from her. He'd rather risk passing out in the airport than spend another day away from the woman he loved. Damien's actions proved that Michelle was a priority for him, and he'd do anything to be with her. In our relationships, we want to feel like we matter, and sometimes we just need the actions of our significant other to speak louder than his/her words.
When Nana Speaks
My grandmother was a living saint. She was kind, generous, soft-spoken. And she made the best cornbread pancakes in the universe! When I was developing Michelle's grandmother, I wanted her to have a loving Nana like mine, but with a little more spice. And what better way to highlight her inappropriate grandmother than at the Thanksgiving table with her new boyfriend. Be sure to check out my Thanksgiving sale! A Second Helping is now available for $3.99 for a limited time. Download your copy today!
November 3 is National Sandwich Day
Who doesn't love a great sandwich? I know I do. And I learned a long time ago that there's power in knowing how to make a great sandwich. Just ask any man. In honor of National Sandwich Day, I wanted to share an excerpt from A Second Helping in which a simple sandwich evokes warm and fuzzy feelings in our hero.
The Infamous First Date
The first date with that one special person is chock-full of anxiety and confusion. You finally get to go out with the person of your dreams, but what if the dream is better than reality. Or worse...what if he/she is repulsed by you?
Watermelon Salsa And A Good Friend
There's nothing like good food to take the edge off an awkward situation, especially when you're getting to know someone. Although Michelle has decided against a romantic relationship with Damien, she still feels drawn to his friendship.
One Click To Mr. Right
When I was writing this scene, I thought about how I would feel if I had to jump back into dating after 25 years. I wouldn't know where to begin. Sure, I can be charming and witty when I want to be, but do I have it in me to break in another man? And would I have the nerve to try online dating? Probably not, but I would travel more. And who knows? Maybe I would meet someone interesting along the way that I wouldn't mind spending time with.
Blind Dates and Second Thoughts
Like Michelle, a lot of us have had that blind date we wish we could take back. When I was in college, I got set up with the most beautiful guy I had ever seen (until I met my husband, of course.) He had a hot body like Tupac and these puppy dog eyes with long eyelashes. But he was dumb as rocks! He was an aspiring rapper with no skills. After dinner, he attempted to be charming and seductive by saying, "I usually don't date big girls, but you are sexy as hell." Then he squeezed me in a hug and made this sucking-grunt sound. I couldn't get to my car fast enough.
Barbecue and Broad Shoulders
When Michelle Taylor walked into Regina's Kitchen, a local barbecue restaurant, famous for its sweet potato pie, she had no idea that her life would be changed forever. Wouldn't it be nice if you could simply order up a good man like the lunch special at a local barbecue joint? "Yes, I'd like a plate of tall, dark and handsome, with a side of gainfully employed. And hold the baby mama drama, please."
