Blog Tour: THE STARLIGHT MOTEL by Amy Craig

 

THE STARLIGHT MOTEL

Amy Craig

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE:  Contemporary Romance

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Experienced muralist Kada took charge of her family's Palm Springs motel to give her mother time to grieve. As a grant deadline approaches, Kada must convince her mother to manage the motel so she can return to her art. Late in December, Kada encounters a horseman approaching the property. Dane, the reserved son of a local farming family, is a loyal workaholic with limited spare time or experience outside the valley. When lightning startles his horse, he lingers at the motel and stirs up Kada's emotions about leaving the desert oasis. Wary of mixing business with pleasure, she struggles with her attraction. As New Year's Eve approaches, will the cowboy convince her to chart a new course?

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Excerpt Three:

 

Kada’s cry of delight bounced off the casita walls. Looking up from the desert pavers, he watched her launch herself into an older woman’s arms. The pair grinned, and their smiles shone brighter than the swaying patio lights. Staying back, he leaned against an adobe wall and watched Kada and Mrs. Ritchie greet each other. The pair did the hug-shake mother-daughter thing he never understood. In twenty years, Kada would be just as beautiful as her mother. She soaked up her mother’s presence like a drought-stricken plant. He envied their connection. His mother gripped him hard, examined him, and spun him back into the world to do good work.

 

“Just look at you, runnin’ around the desert like Pops.” Ms. Ritchie gripped Kada’s long, black hair and rubbed it between her fingers. “If I hadn’t seen you for myself, I wouldn’t have believed it. I thought you would stay in Los Angeles, but here you are, the queen of the desert!”


 

He cocked his head and imagined Kada tearing into a sourdough loaf over drip coffee. She would look at home on the winding streets wearing a wrap-tie dress, but he preferred her stained jeans.

 

“I thought I would stay in Los Angeles, too, but you needed me.” Reaching to the side, Kada shifted into her father’s arms.

 

Lean by most standards, he sported the small belly that developed from a desk-bound lifestyle.

 

“Hi, Daddy.”

 

He kissed her forehead. “Princess. Good to see you.”

 

Easing off the wall, Dane figured he could slip back into the cantina, take his salad to go, and sink into one of Walter’s tales. The old cowboy had plenty of stories about what went wrong when a man took his gaze off the land.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 GUEST POST

How do your characters evolve in the story?

 

Character evolution is a central element in any compelling narrative. It's what transforms a good story into a memorable one, as readers connect with the characters' journeys, struggles, and growth. In my latest novel, THE STARLIGHT MOTEL, the evolution of the characters is integral to the plot, reflecting their internal and external challenges and triumphs.

 

Character Journey: Kada and Dane

At the heart of the story are Kada and Dane, a muralist and a farmer who should never meet. They’re two characters whose development mirrors the essence of the novel. Kada begins her journey feeling uncertain about her future and her place in the world. Her relationship with her family and her deep connection to the Starlight Motel shape her character. She also had a career setback, and she needs courage to regroup.

 

Throughout the narrative, Kada grapples with the tension between her love for the desert and the opportunities that lie beyond it. She faces difficult choices, influenced by the memories and guidance of her parents and her grandparents. Her evolution is marked by her growing confidence and clarity about what truly matters. She balances her aspirations with her deep-rooted love for the desert and grows into a confident and self-assured woman.

 

Dane, on the other hand, evolves from being a mysterious, locatin-defined figure to someone who openly wants to expand his horizons. His evolution from a silent supporter to a vocal partner reflects his own inner growth.

 

Excerpt

 

Kada’s cry of delight bounced off the casita walls. Looking up from the desert pavers, he watched her launch herself into an older woman’s arms. The pair grinned, and their smiles shone brighter than the swaying patio lights. Staying back, he leaned against an adobe wall and watched Kada and Mrs. Ritchie greet each other. The pair did the hug-shake mother-daughter thing he never understood. In twenty years, Kada would be just as beautiful as her mother. She soaked up her mother’s presence like a drought-stricken plant. He envied their connection. His mother gripped him hard, examined him, and spun him back into the world to do good work.

“Just look at you, runnin’ around the desert like Pops.” Ms. Ritchie gripped Kada’s long, black hair and rubbed it between her fingers. “If I hadn’t seen you for myself, I wouldn’t have believed it. I thought you would stay in Los Angeles, but here you are, the queen of the desert!”


He cocked his head and imagined Kada tearing into a sourdough loaf over drip coffee. She would look at home on the winding streets wearing a wrap-tie dress, but he preferred her stained jeans.

“I thought I would stay in Los Angeles, too, but you needed me.” Reaching to the side, Kada shifted into her father’s arms.

Lean by most standards, he sported the small belly that developed from a desk-bound lifestyle.

“Hi, Daddy.”

He kissed her forehead. “Princess. Good to see you.”

Easing off the wall, Dane figured he could slip back into the cantina, take his salad to go, and sink into one of Walter’s tales. The old cowboy had plenty of stories about what went wrong when a man took his gaze off the land.

 

Character evolution is a dance between internal desires and external influences. In "The Starlight Motel," Kada and Dane exemplify this dance, growing individually and together. By the end of the story, they are not only in love but also in sync with their goals and dreams. Their journey is a reminder that true evolution often involves embracing who we are, where we come from, and who we choose to share our lives with.

 

So, how do my characters evolve? Through love, challenges, and the unwavering influence of their roots, they find themselves and each other, ready to face a future filled with hope and joy.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Amy Craig lives in Louisiana with her family and a small menagerie of pets. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense featuring intelligent heroines. In her spare time, she plays tennis and expands her husband’s honey-do list. Before writing, she worked as an oilfield engineer, project manager, and incompetent waitress. For more information and giveaways, visit www.amy-craig.com or follow her on social media channels.

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/amycraig

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@authoramycraig

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_amy_craig/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmyCraig/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18011214

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-craig

Website: https://www.amy-craig.com/

 

https://linktr.ee/authoramycraig

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY 

Amy Craig will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway