K.C. Kendricks's Blog, page 46

Eclipse 2017

August 22, 2017

Then you flew your Lear jet up to Nova Scotia to see the total eclipse of the sun...Carly Simon

No, yesterday I didn't board the jet and go anywhere to see the total solar eclipse. I only went as far as the sunroom porch. I didn't even get a good photo. I, ehem, appropriated this image. 

That's not to say I didn't enjoy the eclipse. I did. I took the afternoon off work to spend this "once in a lifetime event" with my honey. That made it a pleasant afternoon. We had lunch, complete with an early cocktail, on the porch and then kicked back to relax. 

The time rolled around - between 2:38 and 2:42 PM - and we observed the world around us. The light changed but in no way would I be able to claim it got dark. Deuce sacked out and took a nap. All, and I do mean ALL was quiet. No birds singing, no leaves rustling, no squirrels running amok, and absolutely no wind. The only sound was the rooster down the road and he's a stupid bird not long for this world. 

We held a colander up to create little crescents on the deck, which was interesting, but our photos really are a bust. It doesn't matter, at least not to us. 

The important thing was we were able to enjoy some time together doing nothing. That's a real treat in my schedule these days. I spent the afternoon with the most important person in my world, and of course, Deuce. For that, the eclipse of 2017 will be memorable.

KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckenricks
www.facebook.com/kckendricks

Words I don't want to say

August 20, 2017

August has not been a productive month. It's been unseasonably cool, too. Not once in this month have I been brave enough to jump in my little pool and soak in seventy-degree water. I'm paying the price for that at the moment. The PH levels are all wonky. To keep them stabilized, you need to get in the pool and move the water. I dropped two cups of baking soda in this morning in the hope that the water temp will reach eighty today. 

Like the weather, I've been unseasonably quiet. The people around me have demanded my time leaving the people in my head unable to tell their stories. I've seriously considered running away from home. I think about how great it would be to take my laptop to a motel room for a weekend. I doubt I would actually write anything but just getting away from the constant barrage of phone calls and the subsequent time-sucking acts of dealing with problems not my own would be wonderful.

Do I sound selfish? Too bad. 

It's time for me to put my foot down. 

Time is critical for a writer to actually write. If one is at the nursing home visiting one's mother for thirty minutes every day, on the phone with one's stepfather thirty minutes every day, and on the phone with a different chatty friend for thirty minutes every day, that's an hour and a half. Walking the dog adds another half hour. Cooking and other household chores add up to at least an hour. So we're up to three hours. Full-time job? I get up at six a.m. to prepare and don't get home until five p.m. That's eleven hours which puts us at fourteen hours a day, Monday through Thursday.  Friday evening is bowling. When I finally get the computer around eight or eight-thirty p.m., I'm too exhausted to focus. 

I spend my days doing things for everyone else. Even my day job is all about aiding people in crisis. If I'm to continue being a writer, it's time for me to go back to basics. It's time to write first and allow the people around me to stop being lazy. Because that's what it is. They're too lazy to solve their own problems. It's too easy to call me. I'm too available. That's ends today.

It has to end today. It has to because the last thing I ever want to say to anyone is, "I used to be a writer."

KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks

Shine A Light for the MidWeek Tease

August 9, 2017

Welcome to my contribution to the MidWeek Tease blog hop. Be sure to check out all the participating authors using the linky-list at the end of this entry. The MidWeek Tease presents excerpts from both new and established authors. I've found a few new favorites - perhaps you will as well! 

This week, I've got an excerpt from Shine A Light you won't find anywhere else. Van's ex-lover posted nudes of him on a blog, and Shane, whom Van just met, has seen them. Enjoy!
_*_*_*_


Shane didn’t waste time with a grand tour, but led me straight to the stage. I failed miserably at not staring at his ass as he walked. Lord, he had a nice butt. Tight. Muscled. I just knew it was a perfect fit for my hands.
He pulled a lever and the maroon velvet curtains parted, gliding silently on their tracks to swing heavily at the ends. I stood there, center stage, and looked out across the rows of empty seats.
Smart fellow, Shane Hollister. He knew this was the view that would nail me for the job. I sensed him at my left side as his body heat blended with mine in the cool night air.
“The first time I came to The Globe in the Grove, I was twelve. My dad brought me.” He pointed to a spot about twenty rows back, center. “We sat there, only in those days, it was the last row. That was before the theater was enclosed, too.”
“Really? They’ve expanded, then. It’s more than double that now. Do I remember correctly that I read during the summer, almost all of the walls are panels that slide open?”
“Yep. When it’s really warm, we turn on the roof fans and create a draft. They are amazingly quiet. Phil has done wonders here. I should warn you, they hope to get you to come every summer.”
Well, crap. I shoved my hands in my pockets and turned to face him. “I guess they don’t read the tabloid press.”
Amusement lit in his sparkling eyes, and it struck me again how easy it would be to turn fool over this young man. His gaze never left mine as he shook his head.  “No, they don’t, but even straight guys read the gay press. It’s more informative on some matters.”
“Shit.”
He laughed softly. “It’s not that bad, Van. You’re not the first man to have his closet door thrown open by a vindictive ex-lover.”
“Yeah, everyone has a blog these days.” I’d known Lynn had one, and that he dropped little tidbits about me from time-to-time from the angle of a fan lucky enough to be in my orbit.
The little chatty things, like where I’d had dinner or which designer duds I’d worn to an event were harmless and kept my fan base entertained. I’d never expected Lynn to get down and dirty with details about our sex life, complete with color snapshots. I dared to meet Shane’s amused, knowing gaze.
Well, crap! He’d seen the photos. My face heated.
Shane grinned. “Personally, I don’t think you have anything to be embarrassed about, and Phil and Bob agree. We were rather…impressed.”
_*_*_*_

About Shine A Light:


After being viciously outed by his spiteful ex-lover, Van MacKenzie, fallen Hollywood and Broadway star, lands on stage in a small town community theatre - and in the arms of set designer Shane Hollister. Van knows his attraction to the talented young man could seal the fate of his career, but he can’t resist having a ‘summer thing’ while performing at The Globe. When an act of violence catches them unaware, Van recognizes the message was really meant for him. Walking away from Shane might be the smart thing to do to keep him safe.
Shane Hollister had established himself as a Broadway set designer before his father’s accident forced him to move home to St. Charles. Needing work, Shane accepts a job at The Globe. To his surprise, the small operation equals any big city production. When Donovan “Van” MacKenzie signs on for the new show, Shane grabs the chance to have a summer fling with his big screen idol, refusing to allow Van’s past to intrude. 
Shane knows he has only one chance to catch a fallen star, and keep him for his own. 



SHINE A LIGHTAvailable at:
Amazon www.amazon.com/Shine-Light-KC-Kendricks-ebook/dp/B01E89DJLA
ITunes/Apple itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1098679955
Barnes & Noble/Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shine-a-light-k-c-kendricks/1028729180?ean=2940153164472
Kobo store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/shine-a-light-2   KC Kendricks www.kckendricks.com www.twitter.com/kckendricks blog: http://kckendricks.blogspot.com mailing list subscribe email: betweenthekeys-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

An evening rainbow

August 2, 2017

I've been blessed to have a beautiful little piece of this planet to call home. I have three acres, two of which are wooded. My house is surrounded by mature trees. We mow beneath those trees closest to the house and have created a park-like back yard. It's quiet, peaceful, and very green. 

In the thirty-six years I've lived here, I've not seen many rainbows here at home. The trees block the view. But last night I got lucky. I stepped out my office door with the intention of throwing the Frisbee for Deuce and spied a lovely rainbow! 

I was excited. Deuce - not so much. When it comes to having his play time interrupted to take a moment to enjoy something rare, Deuce is very sure in his opinions. It took a few Griller treats, and a marathon Frisbee session, to get back in his good graces.

The next time I get lucky and spot a rainbow, I'll take the photo before I tell the dog. It'll go better for me.

KC Kendricks

A Hard Habit to Break for the Book Hook Blog Hop

August 2, 2017

Blog hops are a lot of fun. I've come in contact with a lot of new-to-me authors through blog hops. Yes, they're good promo, but I like that they build a community within a community.

The Book Hook hop is hosted through Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. The deal is to post a snippet from a story, the story blurb and the buy links. Include the code to the linky list and then go have fun!

For my first time participating in this one, here is a snippet from A Hard Habit to Break, book one in the Men of Marionville series. Be sure to check out the list at the bottom of this entry for more excerpts from participating authors.  Enjoy!

_*_*_*_


We’d veered into very murky waters, the potential for disaster suddenly and exponentially increasing. We’d just reconnected, and the only thing that kept me from throwing my arms around him and never letting go was fear he’d bolt again.
As for blowjobs, I’d go to my knees for him anytime he snapped his fingers and pointed at the spot, but I didn’t dare tell him that for the exact same reason.
“Lord, Travis. Let’s not talk about sex just yet.”
To my surprise, he chuckled. “Heath Kelley, backpedaling. I’m amazed I lived long enough to see it happen.”
“Laugh all you like. We can talk sex over lunch.”
Travis turned to me, arms crossed over his chest, his hip against the car.
“No, Heath. We won’t talk sex. You’ll always be my best friend. Hell, you’re more than that. I’ve missed you so much.” He paused and took a deep breath. “Sex is off limits. I don’t want to talk about it with you, and as friends, we’re not going to do it.”
He might think that, but I knew better.
_*_*_*_

ABOUT A Hard Habit to Break


As the reigning stud of the local gay club scene, every guy in the county knows Travis Templeton and vies for his attention. Travis wears his crown lightly, careful not to break any hearts. He knows what it’s like to really love someone who doesn’t love you back-at least, not in the way you want.
Heath Kelley made the biggest mistake of his life the night before his best friend Travis left for college. One small action snowballed into years of silent misunderstanding and empty distance. When Heath accepts a transfer that sends him to his hometown, he doesn’t know Travis has moved back home, too. It doesn’t take long for the men to reconnect.
Admitting they never stopped thinking of each other as “best friends” is easy. Forgiveness of past sins is easy, but confessing their secrets comes harder. When Heath discovers the truth about Travis’ private life, the newly repaired bonds of friendship are stretched taut.
It’s time for Travis to choose – the love of his best friend or a life spent settling for second best. 
_*_*_*_
A Hard Habit to Break is available at
Available now at Amazon     iTunes   Barnes and Noble      KOBO


KC Kendrickswebsite at: http://www.kckendricks.comblog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.comTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricksmailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeysfacebook: www.facebook.com/kckendricks

Wisdom at 66

July 26, 2017

Every once in a while, cyberspace, namely Google, throws me a bone. I ran a search on Easter Island and up popped a story about Wisdom the Laysan albatross. 

Having followed Wisdom for several years, I must confess I didn't check on her this past spring. She's at least 66 years old now, and I suppose I fear that one day there will be bad news. 

This year's little fluffball hatched on February 16th. It's estimated this chick is number 30 to 35 for Wisdom. At the time, both appeared to be in good health. Proud pappa Akeakamai is not Wisdom's first mate. She's had several in the course of her life, outliving them all. The chick has already been banded and I wish for it as long a life as its mother's. 

Wisdom was first banded December 10, 1956, as an adult, so we do have a close approximation of her age. It's wonderful to have such a history on her, except we don't. Wisdom is a bit sneaky. After they managed to put a band on her, she evaded being spotted until 2002! Can you imagine the surprise when the scientists realized who they'd found? 

I enjoy a good success story. Long may Wisdom prosper. 

KC

MidWeek Tease - Ride Your Luck

July 19, 2017

Before we launch into today's MidWeek Tease, I need to take a moment and say "Happy Birthday" to my wonderful partner of twenty-three years. He's a two-time cancer survivor so we don't take birthdays for granted. You're still the one, hon.

The MidWeek Tease is a blog hop where you can find excerpts from the works of your favorite authors and be introduced to new authors. Please visit participating blogs by using the Linky List at the end of this post.

_*_*_


[image error] I found him, riding bareback on Argo, at the top of the canyon path. Wilting with relief had a lot of appeal but I refrained. The better move was to glare at him, so I did.

“Damn it, Wythe! You scared me to death sending Ben back alone.”
He patted Argo’s neck. “I didn’t send the motherfucker anywhere. I unhobbled him and for whatever the fuck horse reason, Argo nipped his ass. Ben lit out like the hounds of hell were after him.”
I took off my hat and wiped my sweaty forehead with my sleeve. Thank God he was okay.
“So what’s the plan? Ride Argo back to the barn and get him in a stall?”
Wythe tilted his hat to block the sun from his eyes. “I would’ve but since you’re here I’d rather ride back with you.”
“What makes you think I’m offering to share anything with you, including a ride on my horse?”
“Technically, he’s my horse, but okay. So I was pissy. Okay, so I blew what should have been a really good day with you. Bite me.”
I’d like to bite him—right after I gave him the spanking of his life.
“Don’t tempt me or I’ll show you what kind of a dog I really am.”
We stared at each other, neither of us blinking, for many long seconds. Wythe looked away, so I moved the conversation back to Argo.
“So you’re just going to let Argo go again? You’re risking a lot, you know.”
“I know, but his blood will boost the wild herd some. He’s already covered six of the wild mares.”
Not everyone would agree that was a good plan. Some might say it would dilute Mustang blood, but I didn’t know how pure the wild herd on Bar RC land was and Wythe likely did. I tapped my boot to Shorty to get him to move sideways.
“If that’s the plan, swing on over here.” I held out my arm as he moved to hop over, but it didn’t work. Argo either took exception to the maneuver or seized the opening to show his rider who was the boss because Wythe landed on his ass. I looked down and laughed.
“Any more good ideas?” I slipped my foot out of the stirrup so he could use it.
Wythe got to his feet, dusting off his butt. “Nope. The nag bested me again. Go!”
He smacked Argo’s rump, and the stallion trotted back to the canyon trail and disappeared over the rim. Wythe planted his foot in the stirrup, grabbed the hand I offered, and swung up behind me. Shorty took a little hop, then stood still. I straightened as Wythe wrapped an arm around my waist. I patted his hand.
“So does this mean you’re over your snit?”

“Nope. It means I don’t want to hit the ground again.”
“Shorty and I make no promises.” I turned the horse and eased my grip on the reins. Shorty would head for the barn and his food trough without any urging from me. 

Hell, I didn’t want to make him move any faster, not with Wythe all warm and relaxed against my back. Little prickling waves of awareness washed over me every time he made the slightest move. How I kept from squirming in the saddle was a mystery. 

"For a cowboy, you sure smell good.”



I resisted the urge to turn around to look at him. “If you weren’t sniffing the back of my neck, you wouldn’t know that.”

Wythe wrapped his other arm around my waist. 
I snorted at him. “If I say the w-h-o-a word, your balls are going to take a hit on the saddle.”
He reached down and cupped mine. Well, sorta cupped. He couldn’t really get to them, the way I sat in the saddle. 
I moved his hand. “Now’s not the time to go copping a feel. You had your chance earlier.”
_*_*_

ABOUT RIDE YOUR LUCK 


Regan Oakley’s luck ran out. After a stint in rehab, he’s putting his life back together without the booze. What he thinks is an old friend’s charity is really a plea for help. There’s trouble at the Bar RC Ranch and the friend’s son is in the middle of it. Regan takes one look at Wythe Carver and knows that young man isn’t the only one with his world turned upside down.


Wythe Carver’s life took a strange turn. Suspected of murdering the ranch foreman, he’s hanging on, one day at a time. The person who could alibi him has disappeared and Wythe can’t find him. To make matters worse, his prize stallion is loose on the range. Complicating his life even more, his father called an old friend to come help out at the ranch. One look at Regan Oakley is all Wythe needs to know it’s going to get hot at night. 
Regan sets out to find the truth of what happened that night at the Bar RC. He’s sure Wythe is innocent, and he’s just as sure he has no business getting involved with the boss’s son. With no solid proof to clear Wythe, Regan needs to ride his luck to get to the truth and keep Wythe by his side. 


RIDE YOUR LUCKContemporary gay cowboy available at:

Amazon      


Apple/iTunes     

Barnes and Noble     

Kobo 

(Obviously, Blogger had some fun refusing to allow me to fix the formatting issues this week. It's an imperfect world.)


KC Kendricks website at: http://www.kckendricks.comblog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.comTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricksmailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys

The math doesn't work for me

July 14, 2017
A few years ago I hopped on the Fitbit bandwagon. I started with a Fitbit Flex but I like techie toys and now have a Charge2. I enjoy getting out for a walk so it's a good match, or so I thought, but as with all things, I now have questions.
The Fitbit and MyFitnessPal apps sync. If you’re tracking your daily calories on MyFitnessPal, you’ll get “credit” for calories burned while counting steps and distance through Fitbit. For example, I logged 10,975 steps through Fitbit, and MyFitnessPal gave me an additional 812 calories for the day. For me, that’s 1200 base calories right now plus 812 calories for a grand total of 2012 calories allowed for that day.
Here’s the rub. The math doesn’t work for me.
I checked about a dozen online activity calorie calculators and walking for 51 minutes, the total minutes Fitbit says I walked fast enough to count as exercise, doesn’t equal 812. All the online calculators say I burned approximately 297 calories in those 51 minutes. That’s based on walking speed, etc., and I gave myself the benefit of the doubt that I averaged a 3mph pace, which I doubt. Any way you look at it, it’s a 515 calorie (or more) difference between the online health site calculators and Fitbit & MyFitnessPal.
The other thing that happens between those two apps is you get calorie credit on the Fitbit for simply breathing.
Clearly, there are some very sophisticated formulas at work here. The variables are endless when dealing with human physiology. But I know what works for me and 2012 calories a day doesn’t work. I’m a normal working girl with a desk job, a dog to walk, a spot in the bowling league, and a partner to feed. Those 812 extra calories would go straight to my ass.
So there it is. I’ll never lose all those pesky little pounds if I rely solely on Fitbit and MyFitnessPal to light the way. The math doesn’t work and my bathroom scale has already proved it to me.
Are they valuable tools to use? Sure - as long as you use your own brain and pay attention.
You know, for on those special days like last Wednesday. Days when you “earn” 1047 extra calories from walking, eat half a large Digorno pizza supreme (990) AND a Klondike bar (250), and then MyFitnessPal says you didn’t consume enough calories.
Oh, I think I really did…

KC Kendricks

Daylily time, anticipation time

July 11, 2017

This is the time of the year when the daylilies are in full bloom.  If I had to pick my favorite of all the summer flowers, it would be the daylily.  I don’t know how many thousands of hybrids have been developed and I don't want to know.  I don't have money to buy all of them.  I tend to get a new one every few years and that suffices.
I've been working on a new story set in Marionville and it feels wonderful to anticipate its completion, even if that's a few weeks away. I've been so focused on republishing my backlist and caring for my mother and her husband, time to write every day has vanished. 
I know. If you're a writer you say I can find the time. Sure, I can - if I want to fall down the rabbit hole of writing crap because I'm not taking care of myself. 
Anyway, now that the mercury is finally predicted to top 90F, I'm more than happy to hole up in my office and just write. While I'm eager to complete this book, I'm also anticipating another new story, one that blindsided me. And I'm so so so happy it did! My muse had been uncomfortably silent, I suspect resting while I dealt with crisis after crisis, none of which were of my making. That it seems to be waking is both a relief and a joy. 
Will it ever return to the level of 2009 through 2011? All I can do is enjoy the feeling of anticipation. 
KC Kendricks www.kckendricks.com kckendricks.blogspot.com twitter.com/kckendricks

Shining Victory for this WWW blog hop

July 8, 2017




I'm participating today in the Weekend Writing Warriors blog hop! WWW is a weekly blog hop where authors post eight to ten sentences from a published work or a work in progress. Blog posts are to go live between noon Saturday and 9:00 AM Sunday. It's a great way to meet new authors and expand networks. Be sure to visit the WEWRIWA page to check out all the Weekend Writing Warriors blogs. Click here to go to the home page.  It's good stuff. Don't miss out.

This week, I have a short excerpt from Shining Victory, which was made available this past week. Enjoy!
*_*_*_*

“Call me old again, and I’ll show you what old can do.”
Levi licked his lips, taunting me. “So show me…old man.”
I pulled his lips to mine, until they almost touched. “You’re too eager,” I whispered.
His hand cupped my aching balls as his thumb ran across my bulging zipper.
“Eager? Me? You’ve got some nerve calling me eager.”
Quick as lightning, his hand snaked down the front of my jeans…

_*_*_*_

About SHINING VICTORY

Stacy James survived a life-shattering accusation to become a successful businessman with a lot to offer a partner. He's finally put his ghosts to rest, and is ready for someone in his life, if the right man comes along.
Young and wild, ace mechanic Levi Wright builds engines made for speed. When Levi's volatile temper lands him nose-to-nose with trouble, Stacy ignores his own rules and steps in to save Levi from making a big mistake. But Stacy can't ignore Levi's smoldering sexuality as the younger man then pursues him.
And Levi has made it clear he's out to get his man.


SHINING VICTORYAvailable at:
iTunes/Apple - itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1254933511Amazon: www.amazon.com/Shining-Victory-Levi-Stacy-1-ebook/dp/B073Q8GBXDBarnes and Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shining-victory-kc-kendricks/1017484514?ean=2940154758304KOBO: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/shining-victory-1

KC Kendricks http://www.kckendricks.com http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.com http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys