Book Description:

Monica Lampton's family has developed a habit, one they can't seem to break.  They take her for granted.  Whatever they need -- babysitting, running errands, playing taxi cab driver for her niece and nephew.  After all, her sister Barbie has the glamorous life, married to a politician and mother to two beautiful children.  According to their mother, Monica needs to help out whenever she can.

Monica decides to pursue a couple dreams of her own:  first, she needs to have a life outside her family.  So, she volunteers to be a Big Sister, and she's assigned to seven year old Luisa Garcia.  Second, she dreams of being an actress.  She's long volunteered at the local theater, but it's always for backstage work.  Now, she's determined to somehow overcome her shyness and be center stage.

The little girl is precious, and Monica is a terrific role model for her.  She's enjoying this new mission in her life.  In fact, there's just one problem with the whole arrangement:  Luisa's much older brother, Carlos.  The minute she meets him she notices several things:  a) he's hot as all get-out, b) he makes her heart race every time she sees him, and c) he does not look at all pleased that she's there.  

Carlos Garcia resents Monica's presence in his sister's life.  She reminds him just a little too much of a past love who inserted herself firmly into his heart and his sister's affection; his life was blown to bits when she chose her career over him.  Why, oh why, would he set himself up for that again by getting involved with a career woman?  And why doesn't his mother see the potential for Luisa getting too attached to this woman?  As much as he goes into a slow smolder each time this woman comes to their house, he has to admit he admires her.  She's great with kids and Luisa is blossoming under her attention.  Not to mention her undeniable beauty, and the fact that he becomes more attracted to her every time he sees her.

Despite the unlikely pairing, they give in to their mutual attraction and develop feelings for each other.  Can they help each other grow to achieve their dreams? 

Author's Notes:

This was a really fun book to write.  I loved introducing a dark, brooding hero such as Carlos, and then figuring out how the right woman (good-girl Monica) could bring out the best in him, despite his rocky past. 

This was the first book I wrote with a particular publisher in mind.  I tried to target Harlequin/Silhouette as a publishing home, thinking Inner Diva would be perfect for their Special Edition line.  I did research by reading 10 Silhouette Special Editions, paying particular attention to the conflict, the black moment, how the conflict resolves, the level of sensuality and the tone.  THEN, I wrote this book.  Although the book caught the attention of an editor who read it not only once, but twice (after revisions) it didn't result in a contract with H/S.  That's okay.  I still really believe in this book and I'm thrilled that e-book readers will be able to finally meet Carlos and Monica!

I fashioned Carlos after Mario Lopez after watching him dance in a season of Dancing with the Stars.  Talk about HOT.  It took awhile to write this book -- I started it in November of 2006, and I didn't officially finish it till April, 2008 -- so 18 months in all for the first draft.  Then it sat for three years in the Harlequin editorial offices before I finally decided to pursue other publishing opportunities.  Don'tcha just love the publishing business?  <<smile>>

Submission tally:  Inner Diva was rejected by one agent and two publishers, and ignored by a third publisher before finding its publishing home with Amazon.com and BN.com as an e-book for download to Kindle and Nook.

If you love theater like Monica (and Laurie) do, take a look at this trip report of my recent Broadway Extravaganza where I review all five Broadway shows I saw. 

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