Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Tunnel of Love Week Guest Blogger: Maria Geraci

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congrats to Estela! Please email your physical address to mariageraci1(at)gmail(dot)com.
Got Bunco?
When I first came up with my idea for a story involving a group of women who played Bunco, I really had no notion where I was going to take it. Romance? Women's fiction? (For those of you who might not know what Bunco is, let me quote one of the characters from my book. As Shea says, "It's a dice game. A REALLY fun dice game.") Writing about a group of women who meet regularly to roll the dice, drink frozen margaritas, and gossip, seemed like a natural recipe for women's fiction. But I knew I wanted a strong romance in the stories. The kind of romance that I enjoyed reading- fun and sexy with a mouth watering hero and a happily-ever-after ending. The kind that left you feeling upbeat and happy. Sort of like the feeling I get when I play Bunco.
Bunco has been a part of my life since I first began playing it back in 1992 when I lived in Austin, Texas. It was a way to socialize with other women, laugh, and let your hair down. And there were also prizes. Think of a guy's poker night, except with the occasional exchange of recipes.
Over the years, I've played in several Bunco groups. None more near and dear to me than my current group, The Bunco Broads of Tallahassee. We've been together now for 10 years. We meet on the first Wednesday of every month and most times there is a "theme." February's theme is usually Valentine's Day or Mardi Gras, depending on who hosts. In years past, February prizes have included "couples" gifts- like gift certificates to restaurants or movies or Victoria's Secret.Last Wednesday, my group met at Cheryl's house. Cheryl is from New Orleans, so whenever we do February Bunco at her house, there is no question of the theme. It's Mardi Gras all the way!
But I digress... Back to that romance. I'm a firm believer that women need other women in their lives. They need to laugh and engage in the kind of mindless socialization that takes them away from the pressures of everyday living- If only for a few hours every month. For me, playing Bunco is like reading a good romance novel. There's nothing like pure escapism to warm the soul. Or the love life.
Finding romance for Kitty Burke, the main character in my first Bunco book BUNCO BABES TELL ALL hasn't been easy. Kitty's convinced that all she needs is her friends to make her happy. It's going to take a little shaking up (and a hot new guy in town) for Kitty to realize that woman cannot live by Bunco alone. To celebrate my new web site I'm running a contest. Go to www.mariageraci.com and take a sneak peak at the excerpt to BUNCO BABES TELL ALL. Tell me who Kitty's idea of the perfect man is and you can win a $25 gift certificate to Victoria's Secret. Leave your answer in the comment section right here. I'll close it off on midnight, Friday and randomly select from the correct answers. Good Luck and Happy Bunco-ing!
Maria Geraci

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40 Comments:

Blogger Suzette said...

Your book sounds like a fun read.


Crash Davis played by Kevin Costner is her Kitty's ideal man.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 9:02:00 AM EST  
Blogger Louisa Edwards said...

You're so right, Maria, there's nothing like friendship between women. So valuable! As much as I love romance, I love when novels showcase the heroine's friends the best.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 9:40:00 AM EST  
Blogger Maria Geraci said...

Thanks, Suzette! My goal was do just that- write a fun read.

Good luck in the contest!

Louisa, friends are what makes the world go round. Thanks for being mine!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 9:49:00 AM EST  
Blogger Marley Gibson said...

Hugs Maria!!! = )

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 9:58:00 AM EST  
Blogger KimAmburn said...

Sounds like a great read. I can't wait until it comes out.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 10:41:00 AM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mel has been bragging on your books FOREVER. Can't wait to read it!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 10:48:00 AM EST  
Blogger Maria Geraci said...

Hi Marley, Kim and Cyndi! Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 11:39:00 AM EST  
Blogger Lucy said...

Kevin Costner's character from Bull Durham.

I used to be part of a bunco group and I agree with you, it's nice to get out with your female friends. I can't wait to read your book. :)

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 11:55:00 AM EST  
Blogger The Girl You Used to Know said...

I love Maria Geraci.

That is all.

Oh wait, I love her books, too.

Now, that is all. :D

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 12:33:00 PM EST  
Blogger Erika Powell said...

Kevin Costner in Bull Durham! Are you kidding you had me hooked there, I love Crash, I love that movie and I love Kevin Costner. I HAVE to read this book now!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 12:38:00 PM EST  
Blogger Maureen McGowan said...

You need to teach me how to play Bunco, Maria!

I so agree about great female friends. My friends are my rock.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 12:46:00 PM EST  
Blogger Maria Geraci said...

Hey Lucy, thanks for stopping by and entering! You should start playing Bunco again:)

Mel, I love you too...

Erika, what wonderful taste you have! Crash/Kevin is absolutely the sexiest man on earth;) I have a secret fantasy that he finds out about my book and has to come meet me. Hey, it could happen!

Maureen- would love to teach you to play Bunco anytime. Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 12:54:00 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

kevin coster in bull durham that was a cute movie

i love colinfirth in bridget jones
count me in

congrats on your books

kh

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 1:23:00 PM EST  
Blogger @GeekWillow said...

Her ideal man is Kevin Costner’s character in Bull Durham.

Sounds like a fun book!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 1:28:00 PM EST  
Blogger donnas said...

Your book sounds great and I loved the excerpt.

Crash Davis played by Kevin Costner is her ideal man.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 2:08:00 PM EST  
Blogger Unknown said...

I can't wait to read the whole thing! There is a bunco group where I live but so far I've avoided it-maybe your book will inspire me to join LOL

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 3:30:00 PM EST  
Blogger Mariee said...

Great excerpt!

Kitty's idea of the perfect man is Kevin Costner's character in Bull Durham.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 4:17:00 PM EST  
Blogger Karin said...

I've heard of bunco but never played it. Seems like I need to give it a try. Your book sounds like it will be a lot of fun.

Kitty's ideal man is Crash Davis, the character in Bull Durham played by Kevin Costner.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 5:09:00 PM EST  
Blogger Maria Geraci said...

Kh- Colin Firth is another personal fave of mine;)

Willow, Donna, Marie and Karin- thank you for your kind words!

Kate- what's stopping you from Bunco? Give in, baby. You won't be sorry;)

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 5:17:00 PM EST  
Blogger Estela said...

Crash Davis (played by Kevin Costner) in the movie Bull Durham.

Sounds like a great book. Please enter me!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 5:23:00 PM EST  
Blogger Marnie said...

Kevin Costner - Bill Durham (Ihaven't seen it - I know bad me.)

I must say now I have to go and figure out what Bunco is.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 5:25:00 PM EST  
Blogger Teresa Bodwell said...

Right on, Maria. I just re-read my favorite book of all times--Hot Shot, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I realized once again that as great as the romance was in that book, my favorite part is the relationship between the two sisters. That's something I relate to at a deep level even though I've never had a sister. I think it's that female to female bonding thing.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 5:55:00 PM EST  
Blogger Minx Malone said...

Crash Davis, the character Kevin Costner played in the movie "Bill Durham" is Kitty's idea of the perfect man.

I have heard of Bunco before and someone told me it was fun because you get to yell "BUNCO" really loudly and dance around!

Minx

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 6:09:00 PM EST  
Blogger Deb's Book Nook said...

I played Bunco for the first time last month as a sub and it was a ton of fun. I already knew several of the ladies so didn't feel out of place and believe me they pulled me into their circle of fun in a hurry.

I look forward to reading your book. It sounds wonderful!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 7:32:00 PM EST  
Blogger Judy said...

Kevin Costner's character, Crash Davis, in Bull Durham...and are you coming to the retreat? Maybe we can take some time to learn to play Bunco :-)

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 7:48:00 PM EST  
Blogger Kammie said...

Love the excerpt! Sounds like a neat story. I've never played Bunco. Going to have to try that game and have the margaritas, too.

Kevin Costner aka Crash Davis, in Bull Durham

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 8:52:00 PM EST  
Blogger Tanashia said...

Crash Davis in "Bull Durham"...played by Kevin Costner. Maria, You rock! Can't waith to read the rest. Tanashia

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 8:54:00 PM EST  
Blogger Unknown said...

kevin coster in bull durham



susan saradon and tim (drawing a blank on his last name) been together ever since, and couple of kids togther

lol im a trivia nut

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 9:25:00 PM EST  
Blogger Maria Geraci said...

Estela- You're entered! Best of luck:)

Marnie- Bull Durham is a fantastic movie. If you love romantic comedy, then I highly recommend it:)

Teresa, I haven't that particular SEP novel. I'm listening to "What I did for Love" on my IPOD right now. Fantastic!

Minx- you not only get to yell Bunco! you get to jump up and down too (at least in my group!)

Leah, so glad you enjoyed Bunco. I hope you keep playing!

Judy, I'll be at the retreat. I'm really looking forward to it:)

Kammie, thanks for commenting. And you're right on about those margaritas!

Tanashia, you rock right back!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 9:36:00 PM EST  
Blogger Maria Geraci said...

Blackroze, Crash/Kevin gives me the shivers, but it's the Tim Robbins character that cracks me up! And Susan Sarandan is her absolute best in the film.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 9:39:00 PM EST  
Blogger Marilyn Brant said...

Maria, I love the premise of your novel and can't wait to read it! I've played Bunco a few times with good friends and had a blast :).

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 12:06:00 AM EST  
Blogger Kytaira said...

Kitty's idea of the perfect man is Kevin Costner's character, Crash Davis, in Bull Durham.

I have to admit, I've never played Bunco. Sounds like fun though. So does the book!

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 12:12:00 AM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just got in from a fun night of bunco and found your guest blog. I'm going to email your website to our group. Can't wait to read the book.

I think Kitty's ideal man is not the man she's going to fall in love with. Sounds like she's a perfect candidate for the Pilot Light Lover ....

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 1:07:00 AM EST  
Blogger Maria Geraci said...

Hi Marilyn and Kytaira, Thanks for commenting!

Mandy, your pilot light lover blog made me smile:)

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 8:16:00 AM EST  
Blogger Gerri Russell said...

Maria,

Congratulations on the new book, the new website, and all the fun coming your way!

I've never played Bunco . . . perhaps you'll teach me how?!

--Gerri

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 10:31:00 AM EST  
Blogger Asylumgirl said...

Crash Davis, Kevin Costner's character from Bull Durham is Kitty's ideal man.

Deidre

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 11:35:00 AM EST  
Blogger Maria Geraci said...

Hi Gerri, I'd love to teach you how to play Bunco. If you're going to RT this year, I'll be hosting a Bunco party, so drop on by. Should be a lot of fun!

Deidre, thanks for commenting!

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 11:46:00 AM EST  
Blogger Lori Ann said...

Your books sounds great.

Crash Davis played by Kevin Costner in Bull Durham is Kitty's idea of the perfect man.

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 11:54:00 AM EST  
Blogger Maria Geraci said...

thanks, raven99!

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 2:39:00 PM EST  
Blogger Maria Geraci said...

And the winner is... Estela!
Congratulations! To receive your gift certificate, please send your email address to :
mariageraci1@gmail.com

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 1:03:00 PM EST  

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