Monday, March 11, 2019

When an elephant takes over your story…

Many writers have had secondary characters try to take over a story. Sometimes they steal the best lines or endear themselves to the reader in ways the hero and heroine can’t because they’re too busy fighting against love. Often these secondary characters end up in a book (and a love battle) of their own. It happens to me all the time. However, when writing Thailand with the Tycoon, it was an elephant who stole the show and even made my editor cry.

The story was supposed to be about Caleb, a Canadian venture capitalist who reluctantly travels to Thailand at his brother’s request. He was just minding his own business, making tons of money, dating models and climbing mountains for fun. Then next thing he knows, he’s falling into mud puddles, showering in waterfalls, and dodging elephant droppings. Yup, elephant droppings. The scene-stealing secondary character had arrived.

It’s not Malee’s fault. She’s the astraphobic Thai translator who got stranded at the derelict resort with Caleb. All she wanted was to convince Caleb to reopen the resort so her family could get work and all live nearby. The elephant adopted her. After all, it’s hard to chase off a four-ton animal intent on denuding the trees and overgrown vegetation. Yes, she did name him Steve. But that was because Caleb was about to suggest Dumbo or Babar or something else stereotypical. And Malee did make a token attempt to convince Steve to find his mahout or herd. But the poor creature had clearly been trained then abandoned and she felt sorry for him so of course she’s going to treat him kindly.

So there they are, the three of them, stuck on the side of a mountain in northern Thailand. Caleb and Malee are enjoying a romantic evening, things start to get interesting…
He had all night, so he wasn’t going to rush this. He’d worship her body, learn her secrets and what pleased her most. Then he’d do it all over again. Their lips touched, and all his good intentions evaporated faster than a drop of water in the Sahara at noon. Their chemistry was too explosive to go slow. At least for the first time.

New plan: wild passion, then a slow exploration.

His hands were one step ahead and already caressed her back under her shirt, slipping to the side so he touched the swell of her breasts. Ever since this afternoon, he’d been dying for another taste of those decadent peaks.

Malee seemed to have the same idea, because suddenly her knees were on either side of his thighs and she’d undone the rest of the buttons on the shirt she wore. He reached out to caress her, but the skin he encountered was wrinkly and felt like an eraser.

“Steve! Not now,” Malee said, a sigh of frustration ending her sentence.

“You have got to be kidding me.” Caleb managed to leverage himself up without flipping them both off the hammock. His attempts to push Steve’s trunk out of the way, however, were futile. The elephant seemed to think they were playing a game, and every time Caleb tried to reach Malee, Steve would block the pass.

Yup, scene-stealing-elephant-intervention at its finest. Poor Caleb. But don’t worry, he eventually gets his alone time with the stunning translator who teaches him more than just Thai greetings.

Now, if only there was a market for elephant romance, I’d have my next lead character. In the meantime, please enjoy Thailand with the Tycoon.

Thailand with the Tycoon 

A reluctant traveler. A stunning translator. Will being trapped in a failing resort seduce more than his money?

Caleb Doyle has few regrets about leaving the family business to follow his dreams. But when a heart attack puts his brother out of action, he's forced to save the Doyle's virtually bankrupt hotel business. He reluctantly travels to Thailand to evaluate a last-chance resort, though getting stranded with an enchanting local wasn't part of the plan…

Malee Wattana yearns to reunite her family all under one roof. But her play-it-safe lifestyle has always hindered her ambitions. Ignoring her fear, she risks it all to convince the handsome Canadian that the property has potential. When a landslide forces them into close quarters, she sees a whole different potential emerge…

With secrets and surprises all around them, can Caleb and Malee overcome their baggage to claim a suite at love's best hotel?

Thailand with the Tycoon is a light-hearted contemporary romance. If you like sweet courtships, family dramas, and happily ever afters, then you’ll love Alexia Adams’ delightful tropical tale.

Buy Thailand with the Tycoon to invest in a lush love today!

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  1. Reminds me of a scene from the movie HATARI

    1. I wasn't aware of that movie. Now I'm going to have to try to find it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Mary. Happy reading!


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