Dakota Blackwater is everything Janessa is not. He’s kind, sweet, gentle, and a stand-up guy all in all, but when his girlfriend’s betrayal hurts more than his pride, he agrees to take part in a plan that will test both their self-restraints and their feelings for one another.
Problems arise, however, when Janessa’s interest for Dakota shifts from being a pawn to achieve her ultimate goal, to potential lover. After having her heart broken in the past, the last thing she wants is to get involved in matters of the heart, but how can she follow through with her plan when the more time she spends with Dakota, the less she cares about getting payback? Sooner rather than later they are forced to confront the reality that their game has slowly transformed into something else and that what seemed like a scheme to exact revenge, now comprises both their hearts in ways neither of them anticipated.
From the very first moment the idea crossed my mind, I knew Payback is Sweet would not stop at just the one book. Initially, I wasn’t sure whether it would turn into a three book series, but as I continued to outline the story I realized that in order for readers to come to understand Janessa’s impulsiveness, all her defects, her selfish ways, they would need to have more background on her. And, of course, there needed to be situations in which she would be forced to take a look back and analyze her life, question her way of thinking, and what leads her to make decisions that ultimately affect her in ways she was not prepared for.
This gave way to the idea that a series would serve well to put everything in an organized order, and wouldn’t confuse the reader, and give me enough leeway to work with.
Packing too much in one just book would have been overwhelming for anyone—including myself as the author. Sometimes it’s best to show a little at a time and allow for some much needed adjustments. So I spread Janessa’s story into three equally intriguing books, which will clearly show her growth as a better person, her maturing into someone less egotistical and more caring, but it would also convey her struggle to choose between two men who are seemingly perfect for her.
Now, the first half of Payback is Sweet portrays Janessa as a self-centered, spoiled, somewhat immature individual with little care for others—and yes, rest assured this was all intentional. In order for readers to see her grow I needed to show a progressive difference between the Janessa in Payback is Sweet and the Janessa in the following two installments.
Janessa’s story also follows a love triangle between Dakota and Dean—two amazing guys as different as night and day but charming in their own way. I knew I wanted to give each guy their own moment to shine so this pushed the idea that a series would serve best to do this.
Payback is Sweet, in my opinion, was a great introduction to Dakota Blackwater. He’s sweet and kind, and just not the type of guy someone like Janessa would fall for, but ends up doing exactly that. He’s riveting, and portraying him in a way that I thought would appeal to most was an adventure all on its own.
Why make Dakota so different from the usual guys she goes for? It just made sense, really, to have her admire someone who’s the polar opposite of her. She sees him as a challenge, someone who she aims to win by any means necessary, not really realizing she’s the one falling head over heels for him. In the process of trying to gain his undivided attention, she begins to see he’s not so easily charmed by a pretty face. He’s not superficial, and this is a lesson she gets to learn the hard way.
If I had to describe my writing experience when it comes to the Love Gamble series, I would have to say it’s been FUN. Bringing these characters to life, giving them each a unique voice has been a journey I’ve taken on—and enjoyed very much.
This gave way to the idea that a series would serve well to put everything in an organized order, and wouldn’t confuse the reader, and give me enough leeway to work with.
Packing too much in one just book would have been overwhelming for anyone—including myself as the author. Sometimes it’s best to show a little at a time and allow for some much needed adjustments. So I spread Janessa’s story into three equally intriguing books, which will clearly show her growth as a better person, her maturing into someone less egotistical and more caring, but it would also convey her struggle to choose between two men who are seemingly perfect for her.
Now, the first half of Payback is Sweet portrays Janessa as a self-centered, spoiled, somewhat immature individual with little care for others—and yes, rest assured this was all intentional. In order for readers to see her grow I needed to show a progressive difference between the Janessa in Payback is Sweet and the Janessa in the following two installments.
Janessa’s story also follows a love triangle between Dakota and Dean—two amazing guys as different as night and day but charming in their own way. I knew I wanted to give each guy their own moment to shine so this pushed the idea that a series would serve best to do this.
Payback is Sweet, in my opinion, was a great introduction to Dakota Blackwater. He’s sweet and kind, and just not the type of guy someone like Janessa would fall for, but ends up doing exactly that. He’s riveting, and portraying him in a way that I thought would appeal to most was an adventure all on its own.
Why make Dakota so different from the usual guys she goes for? It just made sense, really, to have her admire someone who’s the polar opposite of her. She sees him as a challenge, someone who she aims to win by any means necessary, not really realizing she’s the one falling head over heels for him. In the process of trying to gain his undivided attention, she begins to see he’s not so easily charmed by a pretty face. He’s not superficial, and this is a lesson she gets to learn the hard way.
If I had to describe my writing experience when it comes to the Love Gamble series, I would have to say it’s been FUN. Bringing these characters to life, giving them each a unique voice has been a journey I’ve taken on—and enjoyed very much.
Shaking his head as if to clear it of unpleasant thoughts, Dakota gulped down the remainder of my beer. I watched as some of the liquid dribbled down his chin and though I would deny it to end if anyone asked me, I felt the sudden itch to reach up and lick the golden liquid off of his skin with my tongue. I so desperately wanted to know what his skin tasted like and the powerful urge was strong enough to force my insides to grow heated just thinking about it.
Whoa! What the hell? What am I thinking? It’s the lack of a sex life. Yeah, that has to explain my perverted thoughts.
My cheeks burning, I opted for distracting myself by looking away before I ended up embarrassing us both. Having inappropriate thoughts about my companion wasn’t going to help either or us. Sure, he was attractive in his own way. He was tall and well-built. His face was perfectly sculpted with high cheek bones, a pair of full lips, and hawk like nose, which only added to his allure. Regardless whether he was my type or not, at that moment, I found him more than just a little interesting.
He was downright hot.
Whoa! What the hell? What am I thinking? It’s the lack of a sex life. Yeah, that has to explain my perverted thoughts.
My cheeks burning, I opted for distracting myself by looking away before I ended up embarrassing us both. Having inappropriate thoughts about my companion wasn’t going to help either or us. Sure, he was attractive in his own way. He was tall and well-built. His face was perfectly sculpted with high cheek bones, a pair of full lips, and hawk like nose, which only added to his allure. Regardless whether he was my type or not, at that moment, I found him more than just a little interesting.
He was downright hot.
She has always had a passion for books and after years of being an avid reader, she decided to transform her desire to write into a reality and thus, her first novel was born. In her journey to create memorable reads, she has delved into several genres, creating fictional characters meant to entice readers and captivate the mind.
She is currently working on finishing off the Keeper Witches series among other projects, which include sequels to her published work. When she’s not busy taking care of her five children or holding down the fort, she finds time to sit and do what she loves the most: writing.
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