Monday, March 26, 2012

Book Tour for Educating Ethan by Jennifer Lynne (Guest Post & GIVEAWAY)


What a way to start a new week!  Jennifer Lynne is paying a return visit today to talk about her new release Educating Ethan.  It's a sexy older woman/younger man story which is a favorite theme of mine.  Courtesy of Goddess Fish Promotions Jennifer is going to be talking about those kind of relationships as well as letting me offer you a giveaway.  So let's learn more about this great read....

What is the appeal of an older woman/younger man relationship for a reader?

Thank you to the Scarf Princess for having me here as today's guest author.

I've read countless books over the years where the hero is older than the heroine – a reflection, perhaps, of our society which sees an older man/younger woman relationship as the norm. I can count on one hand the number of books I've read where the heroine is older than the hero – and yet these so-called "cougar" stories stay in my mind long after I've put the book down. Why? Do they stand out just because they are different to the norm? Or do I remember them because, as an older woman myself (I'm now in my forties), there is something about the experience of dating a younger man that resonates on a personal level?

Yes, for me, it is personal. Do I date younger men? No – I'm happily in a relationship with a man significantly older than myself. But I love the idea of levelling the playing field. The appeal for me lies in the idea that all adults are equal when it comes to love, regardless of sex, regardless of age, and that we no longer have to fit into any preconceived stereotype about who we should – or shouldn't – fall in love with.

The fact is that women are more empowered these days than ever before to make choices for themselves. And part of that empowerment is the idea that a woman can still be sexy and desirable at any age. That a woman's experience and personality can be just as important as how they look in attracting a man – any man, young or old.

I'm not naïve enough to think this will be the norm any time in the near future. But certainly there are changes afoot, and as an author – and an older woman – I want to embrace them.

It is one of the reasons I wrote my older woman/younger man romance, Educating Ethan, and I used the "level playing field" idea for Ida and Ethan. My cougar story has a definite twist in the tale. It is not a story about a predatory older woman wanting to educate a young man in the ways of love, but rather about two people who are falling in love and trying to deal with all the prior emotional baggage that we all bring to a new and developing relationship. Regardless of our age.

I hope that readers find my take on the older woman/younger man scenario appealing!

What about you fine readers?  Is the idea of an older woman/younger man relationship appealing to you? If so, why? And if not, why not?  Thank you again for having me here, and I look forward to the cougar/cub discussion.

EDUCATING ETHAN by Jennifer Lynne

Ida Deloraine intends to build herself a new life and a new catering career after a painful divorce. When the much younger Ethan Holt moves in across the street, an innocent flirtation quickly becomes serious when the two realize their age difference is no barrier to all-consuming passion.

But Ethan is the exact opposite of what Ida is looking for in a sexual partner. In her eyes he is young and vibrant, with his life and his dreams still ahead of him, whereas hers are all in the past. Can Ethan, who is fighting his own demons in the form of a car accident, failed marriage, and forced career change, convince Ida to overcome the past and live for the moment?

And just who is educating who in this cougar encounter?

EXCERPT #1:

It was hard to maintain eye contact as she spoke, with his magnificent chest bare to the world, the pinkish brown nipples puckered slightly in the air-conditioned room, and the faint sprinkling of dark hair that led downwards in an enticing line like a persistent arrow directing her wayward gaze.

And her wayward gaze complied, whether she wanted it to or not, noting the curve of those thighs and the implicit strength in the coiled muscles as he moved forward to reach for another roll. She glanced only briefly this time but still he knew. She could tell in the amused curl of his lips as they lifted and the knowing way he slanted his eyes at her. God, what was wrong with her today?

He's too young, she reminded herself. And he sure as hell won't be thinking of me that way.

He probably misses his mother's cooking.

She took a deep, steadying breath. "Careful, Ethan. They're really hot."

There. A mother would say something like that. Wouldn't she?

"But delicious." His eyes crinkled at the corners as he chewed and swallowed. He looked adorably young. She moved around to the other side of the island and gripped its edges. Now she couldn't see anything below his hips. Much safer.

"What's it called?" He spoke around the food, and for a moment, she wasn't quite sure to what he was referring.

It's called lust, she thought. Or maybe cradle snatching? "Umm…"

"Your catering company. What's it called?"

"Oh!" Tension released from her shoulders as they ventured into a familiar topic of conversation. Work she could deal with. "Simply Delicious."

"How very…appropriate." The look he was sending her had her breath catching in her throat and had nothing to do with food.

EXCERPT #2:

Possibility, she thought. He represents the possibility of excitement. Of passion. The transient headiness of lust about to be fulfilled. All the things that most women wanted and rarely got. All the things that she wanted and had never truly had before.

"Ethan, do you mind if I ask how old you are?" She strove for dispassionate interest, took a careful sip of her wine, then sat where he indicated— on a bench seat in a little breakfast nook. But her glass clattered hard on the windowsill when she put it down.

"No, I don't mind," he answered. "I'm twenty-five. And you're…what? Thirtyish?"

"Thirty-six."

"Wow, you don't look that old."

"Oh—kay."

Her tone was flat, and he flushed in response. "Shit! Sorry, that didn't come out right. I meant—"

"It's okay, Ethan. I think maybe I should—"

"Don't go! Hell!" He reached out to stop her as she began to rise, and then exhaled noisily. "I'm an idiot, Ida. I didn't mean it that way. I meant it…as a compliment, believe it or not. You look a lot younger than thirty-six. That's what I meant."

She saw genuine dismay in the depths of his eyes, and something in her relaxed.

"It's okay," she said again, but this time she meant it. "Thanks."

He sat heavily beside her and leaned close. That warm male scent enveloped her, elusive and yet tangible enough to send her heart rate into overdrive. But he was still frowning. She reached out to trace his jawline, and a hint of stubble rasped against her fingertip. A firm jaw; stubborn-looking. Manly.

"Relax, Ethan," she said. "I won't bite. Unless you want me to, that is."

AUTHOR BIO:

Jennifer Lynne is a multi-published author who writes sensual and erotic romance from her home in Melbourne, Australia. She has two novellas published with Red Sage, including Seducing Serena in Secrets Volume 28 Sensual Cravings, and Pandora's Gift. Her first sensual romance with Breathless Press, Educating Ethan, will be out in February. Jen lives in hope that readers will continue to enjoy her novella-length tales of love and lust!

Find Jennifer on the web at:

http://www.jenniferlynne.com.au/blog
http://twitter.com/#!/JenniLynnAuthor
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Lynne-Romance-Author/297504180262670
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3228070.Jennifer_Lynne

Buy Link:  http://www.breathlesspress.com/educating-ethan

**********GIVEAWAY**********

Prize is a $20 Amazon GC

-Giveaway is OPEN TO EVERYONE!
-To be entered, MUST leave a comment answering Jennifer's question (it's in bold at the end of her guest post), along with your email addy.
-One commenter will be chosen randomly from all comments made throughout the tour, so the more tour stops you make a comment on the greater your chances of winning.  A list of all participating blogs can be found here.
-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 3/30.

25 comments:

  1. Thanks so much - very excited to be back here again, this time discussing Educating Ethan and the older woman/younger man relationship.

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    1. I love Ida's internal dialogue. We all have those naughty thoughts (well I do anyway) then try to talk 'sense' to oursselves so we wont be disappointed. Glad to know Ida wont be.

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    2. Thank you! I think we all have an internal voice going pretty much all the time, don't we? Thanks for your comment :)

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    3. You're welcome at my site any time, Jennifer! The new book is awesome and I love the theme. Why shouldn't a woman go after what she wants no matter her age?

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  2. What really stood out for me was your use of the word PREDATORY. That is exactly the thinking the word cougar (I do NOT like the way this word is mis-used) generates. I applaud you for story and your thinking.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Hi Marybelle, thank you for stopping by today, and for your comments. Yes, I think there is a negative connotation attached to that word cougar, that would not necessarily be applied if it were an older man/younger woman scenario. Hopefully things will equalize even more as time goes on, though I don't think we are there yet!

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  3. I find it interesting to have the woman older than the boyfriend. But then, why not. As you stated, there are plenty of stories where the man is older. It's about time that the tables are turned. Men can't have all the fun.

    Lynn
    lareynolds0316@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Lynn, I agree. Why let men have all the fun? :) Thanks for stopping by to comment.

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  4. I think this story shows that women have become stronger, and more able to be the person they really are. Not letting anything or anyone change their opinions. Go for it.

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    1. Hi Mom Jane, thanks for dropping by to comment today! I suspect women have always been strong, but haven't had as much opportunity to show it in the past. I love that my teenage girls will have the chance to go out into adult life with more choices about career, life and love, than perhaps my mother or grandmother had. I love that sentiment...go for it!

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  5. At my age, the idea of an older woman/younger man is VERY appealing, LOL. And with icons like Madonna showing us that 50 plus brings more confidence and can look pretty darned good too, it's not so much of a fantasy any more.

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    1. Hi Roxy, thanks for commenting! LOL, I know what you mean :) I saw an advertisement yesterday for a new CD Madonna is putting out, and she looks fantastic! It has a lot to do with self-confidence, I think.

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  6. I like the idea of older woman/younger man romance. As previous commenter, Lynn, said, man can't have all the fun:)
    But there are two issues in my opinion. First it is more often that a younger man, entering into relations with olfder woman, is just looking for motherfigure to take care of him (and not for a woman with whom he will act as equal). And secondly, older women in relations with younger men tend to feel more insecure than older man in relations with youngr woman. I think it will take a lot of confidence from an older woman not to worry too much about age difference, wrinkles and possible younger rivals.
    Thank you excerts. They are wonderful!:)

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    1. Hi Oloore, thanks for stopping by and commenting today! You are right, there is the possibility that a younger man might be looking for someone to take care of him, just as I guess with an older man, some younger women might be looking for the same. That could well be an issue if the older partner doesn't want to have that 'role' in the relationship. And yes, it has a lot to do with confidence, I believe. If the woman feels confident in herself, then my guess is the relationship is more likely to succeed.

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  7. Since I turned the big 5-0 very recently, I simply ADORE the idea of older women/younger men. Of course, I love my slightly older hubby, but that doesn't mean I can't fantasize about a younger man! LOL. I think that as more women delay marriage to continue their education or pursue a career, we'll see more older single, professional women dating younger men. It's a good thing!

    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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    1. LOL, Catherine, I know exactly what you mean :) We all have our fantasies, right? And the fact that women are putting more effort and time into higher education and building a career probably does have an impact on the emergence of older women/younger men relationships - perhaps in building women's confidence and awareness of what it is they want - and don't want - from a relationship. Thanks for commenting!

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  8. Great interview and I like the excerpts! As to the idea of an older woman/younger man, I like it. I see nothing wrong with it as long as both parties are fine with it. I've read quite a few novels with older men/younger women so why the heck not? There aren't as many stories with the reverse pairing, but the few I've read, I've loved.

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    1. Hi Tamara, thanks for stopping by, today. Yes, the ones that I've read that have had an older heroine have been few and far between, but they have stuck in my mind, so obviously they had a powerful impact on me. Perhaps because of their scarcity? And exactly...why the heck not? Glad you liked the excerpts :)

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  9. It is in a way. I don't think at my age I would be looking at a younger man.....let me rephrase that...I don't think at my age I would be seriously considering a younger man. All I can think of is Elizabeth Taylor at the age of 59 married to Larry Fortensky, 20 years her junior. That just seemed wrong to me.

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    1. Hi Karen, thanks for your honesty. I suspect there are age differences between couples that the people around them find easier to accept than others. Maybe 10 years or less, at a guess? And that probably goes for older men/younger women relationships as well as older women/younger men. I'm in a relationship with a man almost 11 years older than me, and we do get the occasional comment, even from family. Thanks for dropping by :)

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  10. I don't really have a preference about it. As long as the couple is happy.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi bn100, that sounds pretty good to me, too! Thanks for stopping by the tour :)

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  11. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the book tour for Educating Ethan. I’ve had a wonderful time chatting over the past three weeks - meeting fellow book lovers and engaging in some really in-depth discussions about love and relationships. I hope we can keep in touch via Twitter, Facebook or at my own blog.

    The giveaway draw is now closed and I’ll be announcing the WINNERS on my blog in a few hours' time: http://www.jenniferlynne.com.au/blog

    You can find me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/JenniLynnAuthor or FB at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Lynne-Romance-Author/297504180262670

    Once again, thank you everyone!

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