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# Marina Martindale

Contemporary Romance Author

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [A New Coffeemaker for a New Year](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-new-coffeemaker-for-a-new-year/) - One of the inside jokes among authors is that we're all coffee junkies. There actually is some truth to this. Many of us do our writing late at night as we...
- [Happy Day After the Fourth of July](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/happy-day-after-the-fourth-of-july/) - Happy day after Fourth of July everyone. I know, I haven't been around for awhile. Okay, it's been several months. So what can I say? It's been one of those...
- [It's Been One of Those Years](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/its-been-one-of-those-years/) - Contrary to what you may be thinking, I haven't fallen off the planet, although the past fifteen months or so have been a bit of a challenge. It all began in...
- [Interesting Dreams and a Writing Refresh](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/interesting-dreams-and-a-writing-refresh/) - Of all of my romance novels, The Reunion is nearest and dearest to my own heart. It’s a what if story based on my own life, with one of the characters being
- [A Journey to a Horse Ranch](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-journey-to-a-horse-ranch/) - We are living in interesting times, thanks to AI. So I'm now going back and adding updated disclaimers to my earlier contemporary romance novels.
- [A Halloween Scene from Rivalry](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-halloween-scene-from-rivalry/)
- [A Fourth of July Scene from The Stalker](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-fourth-of-july-scene-from-the-stalker/) - While the Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays, it was hard to celebrate in Arizona. I grew up in Phoenix, and July was always the hottest month of the year. I remember my parents taking my siblings and me to a fireworks show when I was very young. However, I The Stalker is a contemporary romance novel set in Tucson. Rachel is trying to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday in peace.
- [Meet Kyle Madden from The Betrayal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-kyle-madden/) - Something I enjoy as an author is crossing characters from one contemporary romance novel into another. After all, they're just sitting there, doing nothing
- [It's Been an Interesting Year So Far](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/its-been-an-intersting-year-so-far/) - I know I haven't been around for a while, but not to worry. I'm okay. It has, however, been an interesting year so far. The "interesting" stuff began last
- [Trying to Get My Act Together for 2025](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/trying-to-get-my-act-together-for-2025/) - I don't know about the rest of you, but for me, 2024 wasn't a great year. It may have started out well, but it ended with a serious health challenge.
- [Meet Cecelia Wood from Rivalry](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-cecelia-wood-from-rivalry/) - We've all had that one who thinks she's a good friend, but can be easily manipulated.. Cecilia "CeCe" Wood, from the romance novel, Rivalry is such a friend
- [So Long and Goodbye to 2024](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/so-long-and-goodbye-to-2024/)
- [Blame It On Too Many Soap Operas](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/blame-it-on-too-many-soap-operas-and-my-misspent-youth/) - People often ask me what motivated me to become an author. Or they ask why I write contemporary romance. Well, blame it on my misspent youth.
- [A Thanksgiving Scene from Rivalry](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-thanksgiving-scene-from-rivalry/) - The holiday season has arrived, and I often include a Thanksgiving scene in my contemporary romance novels as most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving.
- [A Christmas Scene from The Betrayal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-christmas-scene-from-the-betrayal/) - Emily thought she had a good marriage until she caught her husband, Jesse, with another woman. Jesse however, has fought hard to win her back, and his efforts
- [Meet Bill Haskell from Rivalry](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-bill-haskell-from-rivalry/) - Bill Haskell isn't my typical leading man. His in his mid forties, making him older than most of my leading men. He began his career as a blue collar worker and
- [A Labor Day Scene from The Letter](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-labor-day-scene-from-the-letter/)
- [Meet Jenna Winters from Rivalry](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-jenna-winters-from-rivalry/) - Jenna Winters is a twenty-nine-year old divorcee who works for Salisbury & Norton Architects, the same firm where Ian, in The Reunion had also once worked.
- [A Reading Sample from Rivalry](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-reading-sample-from-rivalry/) - got the idea for Rivalry from feedback on a previous contemporary romance novel, The Reunion. Everyone loved the quasi romance between Gillian and Ian's son,
- [The Rivalry Book Cover](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-rivalry-book-cover/) - Kudos once again to Wes Lowe, for yet another amazing cover illustration. Wes has been a part of my team for well over a decade. His art has graced the cover of
- [Sweet Sensual or Erotic Romance?](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/sweet-sensual-or-erotic-romance/) - There the romance genre there are three distinct sub-genres. Sweet Romance, Sensual Romance and Erotica. I write sensual romance. To me, it's the most logical
- [The Two Kinds of Other Women](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-two-kinds-of-other-women/) - The inspiration for writing my romance novel, The Deception began a few years ago when I happened upon a psychic's blog. She was discussing the questions her
- [I'm Starting to Scare Myself](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/im-beginning-to-scare-myself/) - I've had wonderful feedback on some of my antagonists, such as Ryan Knight in The Reunion. I'm happy knowing I'm creating people readers love to hate.
- [It Can Be Jarring and Unexpected](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/its-jarring-and-life-shattering/) - I'm getting some reader feedback on my latest contemporary novel, The Deception. For the most part it's been good. There is, of course, some minor criticism
- [You Novel Writers are Evil](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/you-novel-writers-are-evil/) - Which is what a fellow author once said to me. Of course, she didn't mean literally, although she had a point. She writes nonfiction. Her comment had to do with some of the things we novel writers do to our characters. She's also right. Some of the things we to our characters is just plain That's a fellow author once said to me. Of course, she didn't mean literally, although she had a point. She writes nonfiction, and her comment had to do with
- [A Halloween Hayride from The Reunion](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-halloween-hayride/) - Below is a Halloween chapter from my contemporary romance novel, The Reunion. It’s inspired by a real-life event, when my significant other volunteered us to
- [I Don't Do Formula Writing and Never Will](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/no-i-dont-do-formula-writing/) - I received the nicest compliment from a woman who told me how much she enjoyed reading my contemporary romance novel, The Deception. She even compared me to
- [Stuck in a Literary Sexual Rut](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/stuck-in-a-literary-sexual-rut/) - Oh the problems one encounters when writing contemporary romance. As I explained in an earlier blog post, there is a distinct difference between sensual romance
- [The Journey Book Cover](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-journey-book-cover/)
- [Meet Carrie Daniels from The Deception](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-carrie-daniels/) - I wanted Carrie Daniels, a lead character in my contemporary romance novel, The Deception, to have a girl-next-door quality about her.
- [Would a Guy Really Say That?](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/but-would-a-guy-really-say-that/) - A challenge I face as a contemporary romance author is writing a male character's dialog. I'm always having to stop and ask myself, would a guy really say that?
- [Meet Scott Andrews from The Deception](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-scott-andrews/) - Scott Andrews, the antagonist in my contemporary romance novel, The Deception, is one of those players. Handsome and charming, Scott passes himself off as a
- [I'm Causing Your Sleepless Nights?](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/im-so-sorry-to-be-the-cause-of-your-sleepless-nights/) - I've just read a new review of The Reunion on Amazon. The reviewer said she had been up until three o'clock in the morning because she couldn't put the book
- [Meet Hal Tyler from The Journey](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-hal-tyler/) - I seem to have gotten into the habit of creating truly evil antagonists in my contemporary romance novels. So much so that they're even scaring me.
- [Meet Cassie Palmer from The Journey](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-cassie-palmer/) - We first meet Cassie in my contemporary romance novel, The Reunion, when Gillian and Jeremy stop for breakfast at a truck stop diner in Idaho Springs, Colorado.
- [The Deception Opening Scene](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-inspiration-for-the-deception-opening-scene/) - A few years ago, while a friend and I were visiting Seaworld in San Diego, we happened to walk by a well-dressed young lady sitting on a bench who was sobbing
- [This Time I'm Doing It Backwards](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/4-2/) - There are certain rules for basic plot structure which all fiction writers must follow. A protagonist is trying to achieve a certain goal. An antagonist gets
- [This Time It Was Well Worth the Wait](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/it-was-certainly-well-worth-the-wait/) - At long last, my upcoming contemporary romance novel, The Betrayal is back from the editor. The Betrayal is a story of lies, deceit and infidelity.
- [The Betrayal Book Cover](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-betrayal-book-cover/)
- [The Reunion Book Trailer](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-reunion-book-trailer/) - The Reunion book trailer has gone live. Thank goodness. We had some real challenges producing this video, and we ended up using three different actresses to
- [What I'm Most Often Asked](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-question-im-most-often-asked/) - As an author people ask me a lot of questions, but what I'm most often asked is are your books a series? And the answer is... 
- [Meet Denise Sanderson from The Journey](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-denise-sanderson/) - If I had to list the most evil of the villains I've created so far in any of my romance novels, Denise Sanderson would most certainly near at the top.
- [Inside the Writing Tunnel](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/life-inside-the-writing-tunnel/) - I've spent the past few months working in the writing tunnel. The writing tunnel is that magical place where I create my stories.
- [Meet Beau Fowler from The Betrayal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-beau-fowler/)
- [Swearing About My Dialog](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/swearing-about-my-dialog/) - One of the challenges I face as contemporary romance author is writing believable dialog. This is especially true when the conflict has intensified. The characters are feeling the pressure. Those are the times when an, "oh my goodness gracious me," simply won't cut it. However, I don't want to take it too far and risk One of the challenges I face as contemporary romance author is writing believable dialog. This is especially true when the conflict has intensified.
- [The Stalker Book Cover](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-stalker-book-cover/) - Once again my illustrator, Wes Lowe, hit it out of the ballpark. He's cover art for my upcoming contemporary romance novel, The Stalker, captures the essence
- [Presenting The Stalker](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-stalker-is-back-from-the-editor/)
- [A Sample Read from The Stalker](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-inspiration-for-the-stalker/) - The inspiration for my contemporary novels comes from all kinds of places, including social media. The idea for my contemporary romance novel, The Stalker came from a Facebook feud. One of my good friends had a falling out with a former colleague, and he decided to go after her. She blocked him Facebook, but his so-called The inspiration for my contemporary novels comes from all kinds of places, including social media. In fact, the idea for my novel, The Stalker, came from.
- [The Journey Book Trailer](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-journey-book-trailer/) - I've become more hands on with my book trailer videos, and I'm loving it. Makes sense, as my background is in fine art and I've also studied photography.
- [Meet Shane MacLeod from The Stalker](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-shane-macleod/) - My editor absolutely loved Shane, from the contemporary romance novel, The Stalker. She thought he was the best leading man since Alex Montoya, from The Deception. She has a point. Both men will do whatever it takes to protect and defend the women they love, and both were nerdy kids when they were young. Rachel and My editor loved Shane, one of the lead characters in my contemporary romance novel, The Stalker. She thought he was the best leading man since
- [Meet Rachel Bennett from The Stalker](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-rachel-bennett/) - Rachel Bennett, a lead character in the contemporary romance novel, The Stalker, has a serious problem. A man from her past is obsessed with her, and he intends to have her at all costs. Rachel has recently returned to her hometown of Tucson, Arizona, where she is attending her ten-year high school reunion. She'll soon Rachel Bennett, a lead character in my contemporary romance novel, The Stalker, has a serious problem. A man from her past is obsessed with her, and he intends
- [Writing Relationship Fiction](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/i-wish-there-was-a-genre-called-relationship-fiction/) - This may sound arrogant, or even hokey, but I sometimes get weary of hearing myself say, "I write romance novels," whenever I'm asked about what I do.
- [Writing Dialog Can Sometimes Affect Me](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/writing-dialog/) - One of my cousins was a soap opera actress who once told me how she experienced her characters' emotions as she portrayed them. She said performing emotionally charged scenes often left her feeling drained. I've found the same is true for me as a novel writer. With nearly every character I create, I experience their I'm currently working on my next contemporary romance novel, The Letter. Danny, a lead character, has a serious problem. Martha, a woman from his past, refuses
- [THE BETRAYAL Book Trailer](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-betrayal-book-trailer/)
- [The Difference Between Themes and Plots](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/themes-and-plotlines/) - A theme is separate from the plot line. A theme is that underlying part of a story, such as the moral, or perhaps a comment about society or human behavior.
- [I'm Entering The Clean Up Phase](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/entering-the-clean-up-phase/) - I've been busy putting the final touches on the first draft for my upcoming contemporary romance novel, The Letter, and I'm entering what I call, the cleanup phase. There is something about traditionally published romance novels which has always bothered me. The author would reach the big climax scene, and then, once it was over; Something about traditionally published romance novels has always bothered me. The author would reach the big climax scene, and then, once it was over, shazam!
- [The Letter Book Cover](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-letter-book-cover/) - My illustrator, Wes Lowe, has once again created a brilliant cover illustration for my upcoming contemporary romance novel, The Letter. The Letter begins when Stephanie, a lead character, accidentally discovers of a love letter to Danny, her significant other, from an old girlfriend. Hurt and confused, Stephanie is unsure of what to do. A close My illustrator, Wes Lowe, has once again created a brilliant cover illustration for my upcoming contemporary romance novel, The Letter.
- [Meet Craig Walker from The Stalker](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-craig-walker/) - Few things are more fun about writing contemporary romance novels than creating truly evil, nasty, vile antagonists. So when it comes to mean, nasty and downright evil, Craig Walker from The Stalker, takes the prize. He even scares me a little. A writer by profession, Craig met Rachel while working for a regional lifestyle magazine. Few things are more fun about writing contemporary romance novels than creating truly evil, nasty, vile antagonists.
- [Amazon Banned This Book Trailer](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-book-trailer-banned-by-amazon/)
- [What's Wrong with Me?](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/what-is-wrong-with-me-i-havent-killed-anyone/) - The Letter differs from my other contemporary romance novels. I didn't kill any of the characters. Not one. It was a first for me. Now please don't get me wrong
- [Southern Arizona Wine Country](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/southern-arizona-wine-country/) - When I'm not busy writing contemporary romance novels I enjoy photography and traveling. I got my first camera when I was nine, and I loved photography
- [A Sample Read from The Letter](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-letter-is-now-available/) - The Letter, is a contemporary romance novel about a desperate woman, and a man who is haunted by his past. It's a story of misunderstandings, miscommunications,
- [Meet Ian Palmer from The Reunion](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-ian-palmer/) - Architect Ian Palmer appears in most of my romance novel, The Reunion as a middle-aged man. He's had a successful career, working his way to a prestigious
- [Meet Danny Woodruff](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-danny-woodruff/) - Danny Woodruff, a lead character in my contemporary romance novel, The Letter, is my most complicated character to date. He's hardworking and ambitious. His
- [Coming Soon The Scandal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/its-time-to-start-planning-my-next-novel/)
- [Meet Stephanie Ellis from The Letter](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-stephanie-ellis/) - Stephanie Ellis, a lead character in the contemporary romance novel, The Letter, has a lot of spunk, and she's not afraid to call it as she sees it. A
- [Prescott, Arizona Travels](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/prescott-arizona-travels/) - When I'm not writing contemporary romance I enjoy photography and traveling. Prescott, Arizona, is one of my favorite getaways. This scenic historic town is
- [Meet Martha Morrison from The Letter](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-martha-morrison/) - Unlike most of my antagonists, Martha Morrison, from the contemporary romance novel, The Letter, isn't an evil person. She is, however, extremely annoying. The kind of person who gets under your skin like a bad rash. Martha only dated Danny for a few weeks. He told her upfront there would be no strings attached. Lonely Unlike most of my antagonists, Martha Morrison, from my contemporary romance novel, The Letter, isn't an evil person. She is, however, extremely annoying.
- [I'm Going Hollywood for my Next Novel](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/im-going-hollywood/) - There's no other place like it in the world.
- [The Stalker Book Trailer](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-stalker-book-trailer/)
- [It's Creepy All Year Long](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/its-creepy-all-year-long/) - I've had some nice reviews for my contemporary romance novel, The Stalker. Readers are consistent with their comments about not being able to put the book down.
- [A New Composite Video](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-new-composite-video/)
- [Meet Josh Ramsey for The Letter](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-josh-ramsey/) - Sometimes I'll have one idea in mind for a character, but as I get into the story, the character has other ideas.
- [How I Create my Characters](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/are-my-characters-based-on-real-people/) - When I tell people I write contemporary romance they're often genuinely curious about what I do. They ask questions such as, are my books a series, and are my
- [And Now for Some of My Other Characters](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/and-now-for-some-of-my-other-characters/) - My readers have given me nice feedback about the characters in my contemporary romance novels. I love them too, but let's not forget my other characters.
- [Easter Scenes from The Letter](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/an-easter-chapter-from-the-letter/) - he Letter is a story of misunderstandings and things not being as the appear. Stephanie believes that Danny, has been seeing another woman behind her back.
- [Yikes! I've Created Another Sexy Villain](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/yikes-ive-created-another-sexy-villain/) - Ask any fiction author. They'll tell you characters have minds of their own. And believe me, I have experienced this phenomenon many times myself.
- [The Scandal Book Cover](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-scandal-book-cover/) - The Scandal is a contemporary romance novel set in Hollywood. Soap opera star Lauren McAllen has recently left the role that made her famous and landed a
- [The Letter Book Trailer](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-letter-book-trailer/) - Writing contemporary romance has its perks. One of my favorites is putting on my movie producer hat, such as it is, and creating a book trailer video.
- [Final Edit for The Scandal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-scandal-has-gone-to-the-editor/) - Finally, after more than a year of writing, my latest contemporary romance novel, The Scandal has gone to the editor for the final edit. Once again, I feel like
- [I Write Books I Would Love to Read](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/i-write-books-i-love-to-read/) - I began writing contemporary romance out of a desire to write the kind of books I would enjoy reading. My goal was to write stories I could lose myself in.
- [Some Books are More Challenging To Write](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/some-books-are-easier-to-write-than-others/) - Ask any author. They'll tell you all books present their challenges, but we work through them. Some, however, are more challenging than others.
- [Presenting The Scandal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-scandal-is-now-available/) - After a long, successful run on a top-rated soap opera, The Seas of Destiny, actress Lauren McAllen, is leaving the show to pursue a film career.
- [The Rules for Dating a Writer](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/rules-for-dating-a-writer/) - Writers, like musicians, have unconventional jobs. We generally don't work a typical nine to five work week. Many of us have day jobs as well. We oftentimes
- [A New Scene for THE REUNION](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-new-scene-for-the-reunion/) - I wrote The Reunion back in 2011, and while it's gotten four and five star reviews on Amazon, I've grown as a writer since then, and I want the writing style to
- [Meet Lauren McAllen from The Scandal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-lauren-mcallen/) - Lauren McAllen, the female lead in my contemporary romance novel, The Scandal, has achieved fame in a town where few people become successful.
- [Meet Calvin Michaelson from The Scandal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-calvin-michaelson/) - The Harvey Weinstein scandal broke shortly after I had decided to write a contemporary romance novel about Hollywood. This created an unexpected challenge as
- [So Why Write Romance](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/so-why-write-romance/) - People sometimes ask me why I write contemporary romance as opposed to other genres, such as mystery or science fiction. I write romance because we all have
- [Meet Chuck McKenna from The Scandal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-chuck-mckenna/) - Director Charles McKenna, the leading man in my latest contemporary romance novel, The Scandal, has been drawn to Lauren McAllen for some time, although she's
- [In Search of St. Eligius Ranch](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/in-search-of-st-eligius-ranch/) - When I wrote my first contemporary romance novel, The Reunion, I located the fictitious St. Eligius Ranch near Steamboat Springs
- [The Hotel del Coronado in San Diego](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/hotel-del-coronado/) - Photography is my other passion in life, along with writing, and I've visited, and photographed, many of the locations I use in my contemporary romance novels
- [Meet Randy Hall from The Scandal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-randy-hall/) - All stories have their antagonists, and in my latest contemporary romance novel, The Scandal, Randy Hall is perhaps one of my most villainous characters
- [Why I'm Fiercely Independent](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/why-im-fiercely-independent/) - I put a lot of thought into my contemporary romance novels. Every character has a unique personality. Every bit of action and dialog is written for a reason.
- [Aquamarine Book Cover](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/aquamarine-book-cover/) - Once again Wes Lowe, my cover artist, has come up with an amazing illustration for my upcoming contemporary romance novel, Aquamarine.
- [A Preview of Aquamarine](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-preview-of-aquamarine/) - Tonya Claiborne is a young music student who plans on becoming a music teacher. Her well-to-do grandmother was helping her through college, but it all came to a s
- [A Sample from The Betrayal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-sample-from-the-betrayal/) - My upcoming contemporary romance novel, Aquamarine, includes many of the characters from a previous contemporary romance novel, The Betrayal.
- [Meet Mickey Lee Janson from Aquamarine](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-mickey-lee-janson/) - Characters sometimes have minds of their own, and there are times when their ideas are actually better than the author's. This was one of those times.
- [Meet George Monroe from Aquamarine](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-george-monroe/) - When it comes to people to masking their real intentions, no one does it better than George Monroe. He's the most diabolical villain I've created to date.
- [A Thanksgiving Scene from Aquamarine](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-thanksgiving-scene-from-aquamarine/) - It's Tonya's first Thanksgiving in Los Angeles. George will be spending the day watching football, while Tonya's mother and stepfather have arrived from Tucson
- [A Christmas Scene from Aquamarine](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-christmas-scene-from-aquamarine/) - Tonya's holiday turned bittersweet after George thwarted her plans to spend them with Mike. However, her other friends have a special Christmas surprise
- [New Year's Scene from Aquamarine](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/new-year-scene-from-aquamarine/) - As the old year comes to an end Tonya and Mike are on opposite sides of the country. During a break, however, Tonya discovers that she has an unexpected ally.
- [Colorado Bound](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/colorado-bound/) - Lauren has unwittingly been caught up in a major scandal that rocked Hollywood. Please enjoy this sample read from The Scandal by Marina Martindale.
- [A Spring Break Scene from Aquamarine](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-spring-break-scene/) - from the contemporary romance novel Aquamarine Spring break has arrived, but Tonya may have to change her plans at the last minute.
- [The Betrayal Opening Scene](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-betrayal-opening-scene/) - Please enjoy this sample read from the contemporary romance novel, The Betrayal, by Marina Martindale.
- [My Novels are for Adults](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/my-novels-are-for-adults/) - My contemporary romance novels are written for adult readers. As in readers eighteen and over. If you were to use the motion picture rating system, my books
- [The Love of a Father and Son](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-love-of-a-father-and-son/) - While my contemporary romance novels center around the love between a man and a woman, they also include other stories of love. The love between siblings, and
- [It was Time for a Change](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/it-was-time-for-a-change/) - I began writing books in the early 2000s. This was back in the dark ages of dial-up modems and AOL flash sessions to download your email. The two main Internet
- [I'll Keep Writing My Novels Myself](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/ill-keep-writing-my-novels-myself/) - There's been quite a lot of talk lately among novel writers about AI, or artificial intelligence. Supposedly, AI can now write books. This has a lot of authors
- [Well, I Finally Did It](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/well-i-finally-did-it/) - I finally melted down my computer. It took some time, but I finally did it. I've been a Mac user since the early 1990s. Now don't go getting all upset because
- [A Writer's Worst Nightmare](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-writers-worst-nightmare/) - As I mentioned in my last blog post, titled, Well, I Finally Did It, I managed to fill the internal hard drive on my old Macbook Pro. For most writers, I'm sure
- [Spin-offs Not Sequels](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/spin-offs-not-sequels/) - A question fiction writers are often asked is will they write a sequel. Some authors do write sequels or perhaps they’ll write an entire series of books,
- [No Politics Just Entertainment](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/no-politics-just-entertainment/) - As a fiction writer, my job is to entertain my readers. I don't tell them what to think or who to vote for. The whole idea of reading a novel is to take a break
- [It's Entertainment Not Lectures](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/its-entertainment-not-lectures/) - One of my Facebook friends recently posted about Hollywood, saying, in part, All I'm asking is that you give me good characters, not tokens, and good stories,
- [A Thanksgiving Scene from The Reunion](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-thanksgiving-excerpt-from-the-reunion/) - A sample read from my contemporary romance novel, The Reunion. Cassie and Jeremy hit if off over Thanksgiving dinner, and afterwards Gillian and Samantha
- [I'm Going Back to Hollywood](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/im-going-back-to-hollywood/) - I'm going back to Hollywood for my next contemporary romance novel. This time my lead character is a musician whose dream is to become a recording star.
- [A Thanksgiving Scene from The Journey](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-thanksgiving-excerpt-from-the-journey/) - Presenting a snippet from my contemporary romance novel, The Journey as Cassie and Jeremy's Thanksgiving celebration takes an unexpected, and frightening, turn.
- [My Favorite Passages to Write](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/my-favorite-passages-to-write/) - Writing contemporary romance novels is incredibly fun. I get to create interesting characters, put them in all kinds of precarious situations, and write action
- [Can Men and Women Simply Be Friends?](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/can-men-and-women-be-friends/) - I’m including a male/female platonic relationship in my next contemporary romance novel. Those of you who are familiar with my other contemporary romance novels
- [Conversations with "Imaginary Friends"](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/im-having-conversations/) - Everyone who writes fiction understands how our characters seem to come to life as we're writing. We start out with an idea of who we want them be, but before
- [Can I Be a Character in Your Book?](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/can-i-be-in-your-book/) - The say there are certain things you should never asked an an author, and one of them is, "Can I be a character in your book?
- [A Reading Sample from The Scandal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/sample-read-from-the-scandal/) - The Scandal is the story of soap opera star Lauren McAllen. For the past ten years Lauren has been playing Hayley Lancaster on The Seas of Destiny. Hayley is
- [A Sample from The Journey](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-sample-from-the-journey/) - The Journey is a contemporary romance novel about people who aren't as they appear to be, and the consequences are potentially deadly.
- [About Writing Love Scenes](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/about-writing-love-scenes/)
- [The Hidden Symbolic Meanings](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-hidden-symbolic-meanings/) - Some authors like to use fiction as a metaphor. However, not all fiction writers do this. What I find amusing, however, is people thinking there is a hidden
- [Why My Books are Religiously Neutral](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/why-my-books-are-religiously-neutral/) - Someone recently asked me an interesting question. Was my contemporary romance novel, The Reunion a Christian-oriented contemporary romance novel?
- [It Happens When I'm Doing Something Else](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/when-im-doing-something-else/) - Writing novels is an interesting profession, and I'm often asked how I come up with my ideas. Typically, happens when I'm doing something else.
- [Remembering my Dear Friend Bobby](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/remembering-bobby/) - This past fall has been brutal. I lost a very dear friend, and one of my favorite people on the planet. Bobby was a jazz musician in Tucson, who I first met in
- [Pondering Life's Meaning](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/pondering-lifes-meaning/) - The other day I learned that an old family friend had passed away. She and her husband were close friends with my parents, and she was the last one standing.
- [White Roses and Aquamarines](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/white-roses-and-aquamarines/)
- [Meet Tonya Claiborne from Aquamarine](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-tonya-claiborne/) - Tonya Claiborne was first introduced in my earlier contemporary romance novel, The Betrayal. She was the seventeen-year-old sister of Annette Claiborne, one of
- [Holiday Table Conversations](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/holiday-table-conversations/) - It's the time of year for gathering with friends and family, so I invited my good friend and fellow author, David Lee Summers, and his wife, over for dinner.
- [Meet Louise from The Deception](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-louise/) - Meet Louise Dickenson, one of the antagonists in my contemporary romance novel, The Deception. Louise is more than happy to be your friend, provided you have
- [Meet Alex Montoya from The Deception](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-alex-montoya/) - Alex Montoya, a lead character in my contemporary romance novel, The Deception, is likable and sexy. He's also strong, yet quirky and vulnerable, at the same time. The American-born son of a Spanish immigrant father, Alex is American in every way. His father, however, still clings to Old World customs and traditions. This creates plenty Alex Montoya, a lead character in my contemporary romance novel, The Deception, is likable and sexy. He's strong yet quirky and .
- [Meet Jeremy Palmer from The Journey](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-jeremy-palmer/) - Jeremy Palmer was intended to be a rogue character in my earlier contemporary romance novel, The Reunion. However, things don't always go as planned.
- [Meet Maggie Andrews from The Deception](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-maggie-andrews/) - Some of the villains I create in my contemporary romance novels are downright disturbing. Maggie Andrews certainly fits the description. She's the woman readers
- [Meet Ryan Knight from The Reunion](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-ryan-knight-the-despicable-villain-in-the-reunion/) - In fact, it's one my favorite parts of novel writing. These villains do all kinds of outrageous things, making them the characters readers love to hate.
- [Meet Gillian Matthews from The Reunion](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-gillian-matthews/) - Gillian Matthews, a lead character in my debut contemporary romance novel, The Reunion, has had a successful career as an artist. She's even had a little fame
- [It's a Good Cop Bad Cop Story](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/its-a-good-cop-bad-cop-story/) - There is more to my contemporary romance novel, The Betrayal, than just one betrayal. It's a good cop bad cop story.
- [Meet Annette from The Betrayal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-annette/) - There are two kinds of women who get involved with married men. Some are like Carrie, from my earlier contemporary romance novel, The Deception. They've been duped into believing the man in question is single and available. Then there is the other kind of woman. She knows he's married, but chooses to become involved with There are two kinds of women who get involved with married men. Some are like the female lead in my earlier contemporary romance novel, The Deception.
- [Meet Jesse St. Claire from The Betrayal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-jesse-st-claire/) - What would a contemporary romance novel of adultery and betrayal be without a cheating spouse? Jesse St. Claire, the unfaithful husband in The Betrayal, is a complicated and enigmatic antagonist. Unlike Scott Andrews, the cheating husband in my earlier contemporary romance novel, The Deception, Jesse isn't a player. In fact, he's never cheated before. Jesse What would a contemporary romance novel of betrayal and adultery be without a cheating spouse? Jesse St. Claire, the unfaithful
- [Meet Emily St. Claire from The Betrayal](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/meet-emily-st-claire/) - I wanted make Emily St. Claire, the female lead in my romance novel, The Betrayal, a loving, devoted wife. She's happily married to her college sweetheart
- [It's What I Wanted to Write](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/its-what-i-wanted-to-write/) - Aquamarine is, in some ways, the contemporary romance novel I wanted to write a few years ago. At the time, I'd been thinking about a cousin who once had a
- [The Funny Things Friends Do](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-funny-things-friends-do/) - Whenever possible, I use fictitious locations as it gives me more creative latitude. However, there are times when it's necessary to set a scene in a real place
- [So Which One is My Favorite?](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/so-which-one-is-my-favorite/) - The Reunion was my first full-fledged novel. Prior to that, I was writing children's books, as Gayle Martin, and The Luke and Jenny series did quite well.
- [It's Time to Say Goodbye to Hollywood](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/goodbye-hollywood/) - I had a lot of fun writing my two latest contemporary romance novels, The Scandal and Aquamarine. Both stories took place in Hollywood, so creating characters
- [So Why All the Artists and Photographers?](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/so-why-all-the-artists-and-photographers/) - We authors are told to write what me know, and so far nearly every lead character I've created is an artist of some kind. Gillian was a painter. Carrie was a
- [A Sample from The Reunion](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-sample-from-the-reunion/) - f all of my contemporary romance novels, The Reunion will always be my personal favorite. It's a story of hope and second chances. As the story begins,
- [Making Bad Romance Choices](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/making-bad-romance-choices/) - I've noticed a trend with my two most recent contemporary romance novels. My lead characters chose to get involved with the wrong man for the wrong reasons.
- [A May-December Romance](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/a-may-december-romance/) - When I wrote my debut contemporary romance novel, The Reunion, everyone seemed to agree their favorite part of the story was the quasi romance between...
- [An Eclipsing Illusion](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/an-eclipsing-illusion/) - The past few weeks have been rather interesting, to say the least. I live in north Texas, near the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, and a major event would unfold
- [The Beginning of My Journey as an Author](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/the-beginning-of-my-journey-as-an-author/) - My journey as an author began some twenty odd years ago, and it was the last thing I would have ever expected. I was a free-lance graphic designer who enjoyed
- [My Unglamorous Life as a Romance Author](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/my-unglamorous-life-as-a-romance-author/) - When you meet new people, the first question you hear is, "So, what to you do?" I get some interesting reactions when I tell people I'm a romance author.
- [It was Time for a Hawaiian Vacation](https://marinamartindalenovels.com/it-was-time-for-a-hawaiian-vacation/) - Sometimes we all need to take a break. Novel writers are no exception. As an artist, I seem to be more sensitive to the world around me, and we are living in

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