Guest post and Giveaway : Robin DeJarnett (Author of Whirlwind )

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Whirlwind by Robin DeJarnett
Goodreads:
Love at first sight is a myth to aspiring journalist Melissa Williams, but when she meets Jason McAlister at a friend's wedding, a Cinderella-like fantasy turns her no-nonsense world upside down. She sees in his penetrating blue eyes not just an evening, but a lifetime together that includes much more than a glass slipper and a kiss.

Realizing she shared a few salacious emails with Jason months ago, a humiliated Melissa loses herself in the crowd, thankful he doesn't know who she is. But he does know-and with a gentle touch and a steamy kiss, he soon picks up their flirtation right where it left off.

As midnight strikes, Melissa succumbs to Jason's sexy pull, unaware that a woman's body has been discovered in the wake of the party. When evidence points to Melissa as the killer's next target, the lines between fantasy and reality blur. She goes into hiding, charmed by one mysterious man and hunted by another.

Cinderella lost a shoe-Melissa could lose both her handsome prince and her life.

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 A Photo tour of Whirlwind 

(by  Robin DeJarnett)

Like many writers, I took the credo "write what you know" to heart, and based many of the settings in Whirlwind on real places. I've lived in California for over 30 years and spent a lot of time all along the coast, so using Central and Southern California as the backdrop of my romantic suspense was only natural.

The story begins in Southern California, on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. PV, as it's known, is a huge hill rising above the L.A. basin, not far from LAX. And since the views are great, it sports some of the most expensive houses outside of Beverly Hills. This is the area Jason, our hero, is from, and where his brother chose to get married.

On one of those barren points is where I imagine the fictional Pacifico Grande Hotel resides. There is a hotel there now, on the old Marineland site, but it wasn't finished when I wrote Whirlwind. As I mentioned, the views are stunning. Here's the sunset behind Catalina. Melissa might have been staring at this lovely sight when Jason found her during the reception in chapter 5.

Melissa's view included fog rolling in around the island (June Gloom), but as you can see, this photo was taken in the winter. Christmas lights and palm trees...welcome to California!

From Southern California, the story moves north to the fictional town of Santa Lucia. Heavily based on the real San Luis Obispo, I lifted several establishments directly out of reality. Yes, Frank's Famous Hot Dogs' motto really is "Big Weenies are Better"

The Olde Port Inn is also real, as is Sycamore Springs (see lots of pictures of the hot springs HERE). Melissa's apartment is on the outskirts of Santa Lucia, and is now a condo. Here it is, hidden behind the cars:



The climax of the suspense takes place on the Santa Lucia Polytechnic campus, which is remarkably similar to Cal Poly State U's campus. Why didn't I use the real names? Well, San Luis Obispo is quite a mouthful, and locals call it SLO (as in "slow") or San Luis (that's "Lewis" NOT "Louie") or use the full name. I didn't want you, the reader, to get confused by all the town's monikers. As for Cal Poly, well, I didn't want to offend any of the school's officials with some of the things I imagined happening on campus. It is my alma mater, after all.

That being said, the school definitely was my inspiration - but more the 1980's version of the school I attended. It's changed a lot since then! Here's the entrance to the  
Mission  Mustang Daily offices, and one lonely lone parking place available for staff.

And here's Buckeye's stable. Yes, it is an ag school and there's literally TONS of animals up on the back forty.





Sorry I couldn't resist! This might be Buckeye's little brother :-). And finally our tour ends next to the stable, on a quiet road with a drop-off on one side. It's slightly different in the book, but I think you get the picture, as it were.



What happens on this deserted road in the dead of night, you ask? Well, you'll just have to read the book to find out. Something neither Melissa nor Jason will ever forget, that's for sure!

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About the author: 

Whirlwind is Robin DeJarnett's debut novel. She's currently working on the sequel, tentatively entitled Quicksand. She'salso  happy to be part of Omnific Publishing's Summer Loving Anthology, with all profits benefitting Save the Ta-Tas. Her first short story will be published in the steamy edition of the anthology this July.

When not writing, Robin is a cook, chauffeur, housekeeper, maid, life coach, travel consultant, psychologist, roadie, financial advisor, and EMT -- for her loving children and husband, at least.

For more info about the anthology and other projects, be sure and visit her website.


Find Whirlwind on:  Amazon | Goodreads | Omnific Publishing





Ebook Giveaway:

- Leave a meaningful comment about the Guest post or the book with your email address.

-  International

- Ends June 23rd

- You don't have to be a follower.

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Don't forget to visit other stops as well!

Here's the schedule:

Tuesday, June 7: Geeky Blogger's Book Blog's/ Review and paperback giveaway.
Wednesday, June 8: A Trail of Books Left Behind/ Whirlwind outtakes and eBook giveaway.
Thursday, June 9: For What It's Worth/ Review and paperback giveaway.
Friday, June 10: Books and Things/ Review and eBook giveaway.
Monday, June 13: A Tale of Many Reviews/ Interview with Whirlwindheartthrob Jason McAlister and paperback giveaway.
Tuesday, June 14: The Bookish Brunette/ Review and paperback giveaway.
Wednesday, June 15: Supernatural Snark/ paranormal vs. contemporary romance guest post from Robin DeJarnett and paperback giveaway.
Thursday, June 16: My Love Affair with Books/ See the settings inWhirlwind and eBook giveaway.
Friday, June 17 (Double Stop Giveaway Day): Happily Ever After/ Staying contemporary guest post from Robin DeJarnett and paperback giveaway.
Cheeky Reads/ Review and eBook giveaway.

Saturday, June 18: LIVE Chat with Whirlwind author Robin DeJarnett, plus eBook giveaway! Bookmark the LIVE CHAT link:http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/99133