Fierce Romance: Bittersweet Obsessions

Annie Rayburn is no stranger to the oddities of the writing life. Perhaps it was the hot Texas sun, or the long, lazy days of summer that fueled her vivid imagination. Whatever the muse, she grew up with scenes playing in her head and imaginary playmates taking over the show while she patted out mud cookies dotted with Chinaberries.

The stories she crafts today are decidedly more adult than the ones that involved Ken and Barbie. The scenes still play in her head, the characters argue with her right to craft their very existence, but she’s learned to harness their energies, showing them the way through the sensual haze to a love that will endure.

These days, Annie writes for Red Sage Publishing. Her first release with them is Bittersweet Obsessions, an erotic romance with sci-fi and paranormal elements.

When I heard that the Fierce Romance topic for this week was ‘eye candy’, I couldn’t resist showing off my inspiration for the guys in Bittersweet Obsessions. Yes, I said guys (plural) because Teriza, my heroine in Bittersweet Obsessions, is surrounded by hunky guys. (lucky girl!)

The first man we meet in Bittersweet Obsessions is Teriza’s ill-matched life-mate, Deacon. An ambitious landscape designer, Deacon was inspired by model Brett Hollands. Maybe it was simply the plaid shirt Brett’s wearing in this picture, but I knew immediately he was Deacon.

The next hunk to show up in Teriza’s life is her cousin, Brekke, who acts more like a big brother. For Brekke, I found the perfect likeness in Dean Cain. Are you jealous of Teriza yet?

Teriza’s theraputic lover at a posh Swiss clinic is Klaus. Their first encounter involves a pool and a shower so when I saw this picture of Marcus Schenkenberg, I knew I’d found my Klaus. Yes, I like to think of him as a little bit of mine. (wink, wink)

And finally, Teriza’s love interest shows up. Paul is a Texan who describes himself as a “Clydesdale in a paddock full of racehorses.” I found my likeness for Paul in movie star, Clive Owen. He’s a bit more rugged than the pretty boys in her life, but he appeals to Teriza like no one else.