Today we are happy to have with us debut author Dianne Venetta. You know how much we love debut authors here at The Romance Dish! Dianne's debut release, JENNIFER'S GARDEN, is (in her own words) "a contemporary romantic women’s fiction that epitomizes the showdown between a career woman’s criteria for the perfect husband and what true love means". When Dianne is not typing away on her next romance novel, she can be found playing in the dirt in her garden. Please give a warm welcome to Dianne Venetta!
It's great to join you today, dishing up the romance and what better way than to talk handsome hunky heroes? And speaking of handsome and yummy, my debut novel Jennifer's Garden has got a heckuva hero for you!
First a quick summary:
In a race against time, Cardiologist Jennifer Hamilton is caught between her mother's dying wish and taking the risk of a lifetime with Jackson Montgomery. He's the man hired to complete the landscaping for her new home; the venue for her upcoming wedding. Jackson's everything she never wanted in a man, but as the job progresses, his lure pulls strong. It's an attraction she cannot deny.And one that puts her career on the line.
Jennifer has some decisions to make, choices that pull her in opposite directions. Her best friend Samantha Rawlings is pulling her toward new horizons yet her traditional mindset resists. And then there's Jackson.Personally, I'd follow him anywhere! Jax—as he's known to his friends—is laid back, easy on the eyes and quick to smile, the kind of man who listens from the heart. No over the top Alpha a*s or squishy soft Beta, he's the perfect combination of sweet and strong, sexy and spice. He knows how to please yet he knows how to tease. (I do love that in a man!)
So why doesn't Jennifer jump behind the hedges with him the minute she realizes what she has on her hands?
Ah, the plot thickens… She has a tiny itty-bitty problem with appearances. A successful cardiologist in her own right, she's having a hard time imagining herself with the landscaper. A pillar of the community, she saves lives. He works with dirt. She travels in sophisticated circles, enjoying the finer tastes of life. He's content to live on his sailboat. How would they ever reconcile such differences?
Really now… If she's so uncomfortable with their differences, then why does she keep returning to her backyard for another glimpse of him? Another "friendly" conversation, another compliment to his amazing talent with plants and flowers... Could it be that warm smile and sympathetic ear of his is drawing her out of her comfort zone? Perhaps it's the sheer strength she feels emanating from his person when he's near...
Hmmm. Seems to me someone can't control her own carnal desire! Can't say as I blame her—Jax is a tough one to resist. So why is she? Should she?
You tell me. Should a man's job description matter when choosing a partner? Should the relationship be based on friendship? And while we love reading about delectably handsome heroes, should this be reserved for fantasy? How important is physical attraction in the long run? Do share!
First a quick summary:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLszIpyJcaE02PXxSGPIr4GTX5MkapAPN-jRYiYrtztVPstZztmZo0hchboqi6sI4BXU8wowBhAqE3PZ0mZ8Oft7zbq50qjfW6v5Y4F1eaTP9eoSbNdFdyWdt1PZJwsA5cJW0YIik2rNE/s320/Jennifers_Garden.jpg)
Jennifer has some decisions to make, choices that pull her in opposite directions. Her best friend Samantha Rawlings is pulling her toward new horizons yet her traditional mindset resists. And then there's Jackson.Personally, I'd follow him anywhere! Jax—as he's known to his friends—is laid back, easy on the eyes and quick to smile, the kind of man who listens from the heart. No over the top Alpha a*s or squishy soft Beta, he's the perfect combination of sweet and strong, sexy and spice. He knows how to please yet he knows how to tease. (I do love that in a man!)
So why doesn't Jennifer jump behind the hedges with him the minute she realizes what she has on her hands?
Ah, the plot thickens… She has a tiny itty-bitty problem with appearances. A successful cardiologist in her own right, she's having a hard time imagining herself with the landscaper. A pillar of the community, she saves lives. He works with dirt. She travels in sophisticated circles, enjoying the finer tastes of life. He's content to live on his sailboat. How would they ever reconcile such differences?
Really now… If she's so uncomfortable with their differences, then why does she keep returning to her backyard for another glimpse of him? Another "friendly" conversation, another compliment to his amazing talent with plants and flowers... Could it be that warm smile and sympathetic ear of his is drawing her out of her comfort zone? Perhaps it's the sheer strength she feels emanating from his person when he's near...
Hmmm. Seems to me someone can't control her own carnal desire! Can't say as I blame her—Jax is a tough one to resist. So why is she? Should she?
You tell me. Should a man's job description matter when choosing a partner? Should the relationship be based on friendship? And while we love reading about delectably handsome heroes, should this be reserved for fantasy? How important is physical attraction in the long run? Do share!
And those leaving a comment today will be entered for a chance to win a copy of my debut novel, Jennifer's Garden.
~ Buffie
What an intriguing question and one that I'm sure many people face but would admit to it. Not long ago, a male executive marrying a secretary or a male physician marrying a nurse or even a man with a college degree marrying a high school graduate would not be looked down on. However, if the situation is reversed where the woman with the higher eduction/job marries a man with a lower education/job then that seems to be frowned upon. In my opinion, that "frowning" is being done by women. That leads me to wonder if we women are being too hard on ourselves in our lives. But, I digress. This book sounds wonderful. I love a delicious romance novel with some gardening thrown in - especially when a gorgeous hunk is doing the gardening! Thank you for the review. I look forward to reading "Jennifer's Garden."
ReplyDeleteConnie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
Welcome to the Romance Dish, Jennifer! We're happy to have you dishing with us today. Congratulations on your debut--it sounds wonderful! :)
ReplyDeleteShould a man's job description matter when choosing a partner? It didn't to me. When my husband and I met, he was a stock clerk at the grocery store we worked at. Since then, he's worked his way up and is now a store manager. *g*
How important is physical attraction in the long run? I won't lie, I was extremely attracted to my husband's looks when I first met him. But I also got to know how sweet, kind, honest, and FUNNY he is. He never fails to make me laugh! And I love that the most. :)
Congratulations on your debut novel and hope there will be many more to come!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion physical attraction is one of the first things that you notice, like a prelude towards a relationship, although I concede that someone can become more physically attractive because of his/her personality, even if at the beginnig you didn't find him/her attractive at all.
Natalija (Italy)
natalija (dot) shkomare (at) gmail (dot) com
The power for this one lies with the woman, doesn't it? Our attitude holds the key.
ReplyDeleteAnd I definitely agree: a man's personality makes all the difference in his looks. The gold in a man's heart can shine the light on his looks in no time! (Love a man that can make me laugh.)
Thanks for stopping by!
That’s a good question. Career snobbery certainly does exist. I think it all comes down to respecting your partner and your own self-confidence.
ReplyDeleteJennifer's Garden sounds like my kind of book. Congratulations on your debut.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of professor friends who married men with less than impressive academic credentials. Both marriages raised quite a few eyebrows, but since both brain & brawn pairings have outlasted a number of the eyebrow raisers' "acceptable marriages," the clever remarks are no longer heard in our particular halls of academe.
Dianne, contrats on your release.
ReplyDeleteI think that love starts with physical chemistry followed with a deep abiding friendship. People are drawn to people that attract them, and what attracts one person, might not attract someone else. Frienship is necessary if you are going to stay together. As far as being drawn to someone who doesn't make as much money as you do, I don't think it matters. It depends on each person.
I think friendship plays a key roll in any couple. You have to be friends and enjoy each other. Attraction is importnant but to me if your not friend and can confide in each other then the attraction doesn't mean anything at all. I can be attracted to someone but really not want to spend my life with them. Job title means nothing.
ReplyDeletelead[at]hotsheet[dot]com
I think chemistry is important in all relationships and as long as that is there it doesn't matter as much whether the man or woman is attractive (based on society's standards) because with chemistry, the man or woman is already attractive to their mate. Initially looks may be important but it is their personality that people will fall far and will be lasting. I know a sense of humour beats a 6-pac an day!
ReplyDeleteIt shouldn't matter but it does too many times. Women marry the job instead of the man.
ReplyDeleteNow a days a landscaper might have a design degree. They are smarter and very creative people. Around my area good landscapers make good money.
And in your story it is like the princess (the cardiologist) falling in love with a commoner and being happier than she ever thought possible.
I look forward to reading your book.
Gigi
gigihicks@windstream.net
Dianne, thanks for joining us today! Congrats on your debut release! I bet you are so excited :-) The book sounds delicious.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think physical attraction goes a long way, but the personality is what brings it home.
I might my hubby in high school. Since then we have both seen our fair share of jobs and have flipped flopped on who is the bread winner in our house.
Connie - the book does sound wonderful, doesn't it? And like you I love a book with a gorgeous hunk sweating the pages up ;-)
ReplyDeleteAndrea - laughter sure is a very important part of a relationship. I think everyone deserves to have fun with their special loved one.
Natalija - you are so right about personality!!!
Kat - well said!!!!
Janga - I'm with you. It's not about the job title, but how you are in the relationship.
Cathy - "deep abiding friendship" I think that is what we all want in a relationship, someone to talk with and laugh with.
I can be attracted to someone but really not want to spend my life with them. So true, Virginia!!!
Na, sounds like we are all thinking the same way -- personality counts the most.
And in your story it is like the princess (the cardiologist) falling in love with a commoner and being happier than she ever thought possible. Exactly, Gigi!!!
Love it -- Buffie's got the goods! Everything she said plus -- I think I'm going back to college, finding a seat next to the yummy fellow in chemistry class. I'll make friends, we'll talk for hours, I'll laugh at his jokes and he'll laugh at mine, then we'll sweat up the sheets all night long. And it won't matter that I make twice as much as he does -- though at that rate we'll be broke. Broke but happy! :)
ReplyDeleteDoes that about sum it up?
Thanks for stopping by and sharing -- this happens to be one of my favorite topics!
Dianne, Congratulations on your debut novel. It sounds like a must read.
ReplyDeleteI think a relationship should be based on friendship because being friends you will be able to overlook each others quirks and have a better understanding of your partner. Physical attraction is a must because it adds the sparks and sizzle to a relationship. It keeps the relationship young and fresh on many aspects.
Hi, Dianne! I won an e-copy of Jennifer's Garden a couple of weeks ago. So looking forward to reading it. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, attraction can go a long way in a relationship, but without commitment, honesty, humor and friendship, the relationship will eventually collapse.
I don't think it matters who the major breadwinner is in the relationship---as long as the couple is okay with it, that's all that matters.
Congrats on your debut novel. I bet it feels amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited!! I'm about halfway thru this right now. I love it so far!!
aliciahall0605(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
This book sounds really good Dianne I think that there should be a thread between two people if you can feel that then you will get over the hurdles of different social backgrounds if love and trust is there you will make the long haul
ReplyDeleteHave Fun
Helen
Personally, it is who the person is inside that counts the most. Jax may dig in the dirt, but he is an artist when it comes to designing gardens and landscapes. That may not take as much formal education, but it take talent and an artistic touch. I believe in accepting people for their abilities and worth as a person. Yes, Jennifer is in a tight social situation, but her friends should understand. If he is a good man, that is what counts the most.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your first book. I hope the release goes well for you.
Hi Jennifer, congratulations on your debut release; it really sounds like my kind of book. I love this type of conundrum in a novel. It is similar in some ways to the older woman/younger man scenario in that it parallels all of the previously mentioned "okay for a man to do, but moray for a woman.) Baloney!! I say if the love and attraction is there; lead with your heart (especially if you are a cardiologist!) and go for IT.
ReplyDeleteThe "moray" in my comment should read "No Way!"
ReplyDeleteYou need to be comfortable with what someone does for a living & also with how they look. There are other considerations far more important. As for friendship, I would say respect.
ReplyDeleteConnie--I refer to my marriage as a "sparking hot" friendship :)
ReplyDeleteAnd WTG Gannon!
Alicia--appreciate the kind words!
Helen, LibraryPat and MaryBelle -- we are opening our hearts to new ways of living and loving, aren't we?
Fsbuchler -- you will definitely LOVE my next book: LUST ON THE ROCKS -- it's Samantha's book and she loves younger men :) HOT, HOT, HOT!
Well, Dianne, I'm in!
ReplyDeleteNowadays there are many women who are the breadwinner, as well as have a carrer that compensates them extremely well so they are working and the man is either at home or just helping out. This happened during this economy so when they married things were different and now changed dramatically for them. Wonder how they adjust to this role. Your novel looks enticing. Best wishes.
ReplyDelete@traveler You are SO right. Best to marry a man based on something other than his breadwinner role because unfortunately that can change at the drop of a hat.
ReplyDelete