K.C. Kendricks's Blog, page 52
December 11, 2016
Gene Simmons
December 11, 2016
I begin this post with a bit of trepidation. If you're a regular here, you know I rarely dip into the political. Today looks to be a bit different - on many levels. It's a result of my utter surprise after viewing an interview granted to AXS by Gene Simmons of KISS.
I like KISS. Four guys having fun making music and spectacle. I saw them perform live circa 1978 at the old Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. It could have been 1977 or 1979, hence the use of the word circa. The exact year hardly matters now. It was a great show and I have fond memories of a having a good time with friends.
Gene Simmon's onstage persona has always baffled me, but I'm not into demons. Baffled, I said. Not bothered. It's his gig and he runs with it. Good for him. But what I never knew until this past week is the persona hides an intelligent and articulate man.
Now to the point.
The man has made some mistakes in his life. Who hasn't? What blew me away is the fact he didn't make excuses for himself. He didn't blame anyone else. He OWNED his mistakes. He unapologetically said, to condense and paraphrase, he did what he did and like all of us, he's matured and now does better. Yes, I'm impressed. Not that he needs me to be.
Then he went on to touch on his political views. I probably looked stupid sitting there in front of the television with my mouth hanging open. Of the topics he addressed, the man articulated everything I also believe. Social issues - live and let live. Fiscal issues - we need to be more accountable. Giving back - the man does it quietly and out of the spotlight with programs he himself funds and oversees.
And then he delivered impassioned words about the music industry and piracy. Artists and writers spend a lot of time creating without proper recompense. In our culture, in our digital age, people have come to believe music and prose should be free. The artists and writers suffer to the point the best talents drop out because they can't make a living doing what they do best. It's a lack of structure that has fostered an environment that is stacked against those with talent. Anyone who obtains a work without paying the creator of the work is a thief. Yes, he put the name right on them. Thieves. Gene Simmons does not mince words.
As a LEGAL immigrant to America, he spoke on his position on immigration. Everyone should hear what he has to say because he's lived it which makes him an authority on it. Gene Simmons loves America.
I don't want to paste the link to the video of the interview because I don't want YouTube popping it up here on my blog, but go to YouTube and search "AXS Gene Simmons." The entire interview is about forty-five minutes because they've clipped out the commercials. I found it because I wanted to see the interview a second time. I may have to watch it a third time.
A question often asked, in a philosophical vein, is if you could pick anyone in the world to have dinner with, who would you choose? I never had a satisfying answer for that one. Now I do. Gene Simmons.
Who the hell knew...
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
www.facebook.com/kckendricks
I begin this post with a bit of trepidation. If you're a regular here, you know I rarely dip into the political. Today looks to be a bit different - on many levels. It's a result of my utter surprise after viewing an interview granted to AXS by Gene Simmons of KISS.
I like KISS. Four guys having fun making music and spectacle. I saw them perform live circa 1978 at the old Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. It could have been 1977 or 1979, hence the use of the word circa. The exact year hardly matters now. It was a great show and I have fond memories of a having a good time with friends.
Gene Simmon's onstage persona has always baffled me, but I'm not into demons. Baffled, I said. Not bothered. It's his gig and he runs with it. Good for him. But what I never knew until this past week is the persona hides an intelligent and articulate man.
Now to the point.
The man has made some mistakes in his life. Who hasn't? What blew me away is the fact he didn't make excuses for himself. He didn't blame anyone else. He OWNED his mistakes. He unapologetically said, to condense and paraphrase, he did what he did and like all of us, he's matured and now does better. Yes, I'm impressed. Not that he needs me to be.
Then he went on to touch on his political views. I probably looked stupid sitting there in front of the television with my mouth hanging open. Of the topics he addressed, the man articulated everything I also believe. Social issues - live and let live. Fiscal issues - we need to be more accountable. Giving back - the man does it quietly and out of the spotlight with programs he himself funds and oversees.
And then he delivered impassioned words about the music industry and piracy. Artists and writers spend a lot of time creating without proper recompense. In our culture, in our digital age, people have come to believe music and prose should be free. The artists and writers suffer to the point the best talents drop out because they can't make a living doing what they do best. It's a lack of structure that has fostered an environment that is stacked against those with talent. Anyone who obtains a work without paying the creator of the work is a thief. Yes, he put the name right on them. Thieves. Gene Simmons does not mince words.
As a LEGAL immigrant to America, he spoke on his position on immigration. Everyone should hear what he has to say because he's lived it which makes him an authority on it. Gene Simmons loves America.
I don't want to paste the link to the video of the interview because I don't want YouTube popping it up here on my blog, but go to YouTube and search "AXS Gene Simmons." The entire interview is about forty-five minutes because they've clipped out the commercials. I found it because I wanted to see the interview a second time. I may have to watch it a third time.
A question often asked, in a philosophical vein, is if you could pick anyone in the world to have dinner with, who would you choose? I never had a satisfying answer for that one. Now I do. Gene Simmons.
Who the hell knew...
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
www.facebook.com/kckendricks
December 6, 2016
IWSG - Silver Bells
December 7, 2016
The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. - Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States of America
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
ring- a- ling, hear them ring,
soon it will be Christmas day.
Christmas is for many the most wonderful time of the year. All the lights, the sparkle, the music (old and new), the hustle and bustle of shopping. All the glitter can be visually pleasing if, that is, I don't think about how the time I have for myself gets squeezed down to minutes a week. I understand it, but I don’t always like it much.
Time was, I tried to force everything into a day. The old adage is “write something every day.” That really doesn’t work for me, but oh, I did try. I thought I was the queen of multi-tasking. It didn’t work and I gave up on the idea of extreme multi-tasking. I don’t have to work, take care of my partner, parents, friends, and write every day. Do I compartmentalize my life? Yes, I do. Is that a good thing? Perhaps not, but it keeps me sane.
With the Christmas season upon us, I know it’s time to concentrate on family and friends. Some of those friends are other writers and readers so I don’t totally abandon the Internet to be with family, but I do deliberately divide out my time.
When I first deliberately didn’t write, it was mentally difficult. I’d made plans with a friend to go Christmas shopping for the day. It started to snow so we cut our day short. I suddenly had time to write. The thing was, I was tired. I flopped in front of the television. And that’s when the guilt started to pick at me. I was wasting precious time, and for what? Television? The tv was a waste, and so was beating myself up over it.
Long story short, I overcame the guilty feelings and continued to relax. It occurred to me a rested writer is a productive writer.
And you know what? The sky didn’t fall and I learned this lesson - I don’t have to cram multiple activities into one short day, especially at this busy time of the year. There really is time for me to try to enjoy the holiday season and that’s what I plan to do.
I plan to be deliberate with seeing family and friends. I’ve planned time for baking cookies, decorating, a little shopping, and yes, a little writing - just not all at once. With any luck, by the time Epiphany rolls around, my house and life will be all squared away for the New Year, all without driving myself crazy.
And you know what? Come January, I can jump back into my regular routine of attending to the business of writing every day renewed and ready to kick 2017's ass. - - - -
To all the participants of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group - A very merry Christmas and holiday season! May your traditions bring you comfort and joy.
KC Kendricks
The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. - Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States of America
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
ring- a- ling, hear them ring,
soon it will be Christmas day.
Christmas is for many the most wonderful time of the year. All the lights, the sparkle, the music (old and new), the hustle and bustle of shopping. All the glitter can be visually pleasing if, that is, I don't think about how the time I have for myself gets squeezed down to minutes a week. I understand it, but I don’t always like it much.
Time was, I tried to force everything into a day. The old adage is “write something every day.” That really doesn’t work for me, but oh, I did try. I thought I was the queen of multi-tasking. It didn’t work and I gave up on the idea of extreme multi-tasking. I don’t have to work, take care of my partner, parents, friends, and write every day. Do I compartmentalize my life? Yes, I do. Is that a good thing? Perhaps not, but it keeps me sane.
With the Christmas season upon us, I know it’s time to concentrate on family and friends. Some of those friends are other writers and readers so I don’t totally abandon the Internet to be with family, but I do deliberately divide out my time.
When I first deliberately didn’t write, it was mentally difficult. I’d made plans with a friend to go Christmas shopping for the day. It started to snow so we cut our day short. I suddenly had time to write. The thing was, I was tired. I flopped in front of the television. And that’s when the guilt started to pick at me. I was wasting precious time, and for what? Television? The tv was a waste, and so was beating myself up over it.
Long story short, I overcame the guilty feelings and continued to relax. It occurred to me a rested writer is a productive writer.
And you know what? The sky didn’t fall and I learned this lesson - I don’t have to cram multiple activities into one short day, especially at this busy time of the year. There really is time for me to try to enjoy the holiday season and that’s what I plan to do.
I plan to be deliberate with seeing family and friends. I’ve planned time for baking cookies, decorating, a little shopping, and yes, a little writing - just not all at once. With any luck, by the time Epiphany rolls around, my house and life will be all squared away for the New Year, all without driving myself crazy.
And you know what? Come January, I can jump back into my regular routine of attending to the business of writing every day renewed and ready to kick 2017's ass. - - - -
To all the participants of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group - A very merry Christmas and holiday season! May your traditions bring you comfort and joy.
KC Kendricks
December 2, 2016
Catching Fireflies for MSS 169
December 3, 2016
Welcome to the first Saturday in December and another My Sexy Saturday blog hop. My Sexy Saturday connects authors and readers with excerpts from current and upcoming romance fiction.
Be sure to check out the list at the bottom of this post for the complete list of those authors participating today.
For my part in today's blog hop, here are seven sexy paragraphs from Catching Fireflies, part of the Southern Cross collection. Enjoy!
_*_*_*_*_
No one even glanced in our direction so I leaned toward him. “Um, sure. A walk would be nice. If I try to hold your hand are you going to stop me?”
“That’s all you can hold tonight, sugar. I don’t know anything about you, and I have to make sure you don’t bite before we get to know each other better.” He looked down then slowly lifted his beautiful gaze back to mine. “And you’re hiding something.”
I shivered as the memories of the vicious blows I’d received at the hands of strangers taunted me.
“I only nibble the occasional earlobe, and my secrets are my own, Aubrey. There’s nothing in them to hurt anyone else.”
He studied me for a few moments, his fascinating blue gaze enigmatic. “Fair enough, Dale.” He sighed. “I do have my own. What?”
“I could stare into your eyes forever.”
Aubrey didn’t blink. “If I had a dollar for every time some tomcat said that to me, I’d be rich." *_*_*_*_*
About CATCHING FIREFLIES:
Dale Langley longs for some triple R time - rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. He accepts his cousin’s invitation to winter over on Ocracoke Island, far away from the hustle and bustle of life on the mainland. He’s always loved being a rolling stone, traveling for his job without the worry of a place to call home, but it’s time for something different. Now Dale anticipates several blissful months to learn how to be still with no demands on his time while he prepares for the next phase of his life.
Aubrey Zimmerman came to Ocracoke to attend a friend’s commitment ceremony. Never one to settle down, Aubrey’s had enough of involvements that took him from man to man without a place to call home. He needs a break - and a little solitude. House sitting while his friend is on his honeymoon is the perfect way to clear his head and catch up on his sleep. At least it seemed that way until Dale arrived and Aubrey realized sleep is the last thing he needs.
Fate has changes in store for Dale and Aubrey, the sort neither one knew they wanted. Sometimes the more you wander the closer to home you get.
Catching Fireflies is available at:
All Romance eBooks
Amazon
iTunes
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com/CatchingFireflies.html
Welcome to the first Saturday in December and another My Sexy Saturday blog hop. My Sexy Saturday connects authors and readers with excerpts from current and upcoming romance fiction.
Be sure to check out the list at the bottom of this post for the complete list of those authors participating today.
For my part in today's blog hop, here are seven sexy paragraphs from Catching Fireflies, part of the Southern Cross collection. Enjoy!
_*_*_*_*_
No one even glanced in our direction so I leaned toward him. “Um, sure. A walk would be nice. If I try to hold your hand are you going to stop me?”
“That’s all you can hold tonight, sugar. I don’t know anything about you, and I have to make sure you don’t bite before we get to know each other better.” He looked down then slowly lifted his beautiful gaze back to mine. “And you’re hiding something.”
I shivered as the memories of the vicious blows I’d received at the hands of strangers taunted me.
“I only nibble the occasional earlobe, and my secrets are my own, Aubrey. There’s nothing in them to hurt anyone else.”
He studied me for a few moments, his fascinating blue gaze enigmatic. “Fair enough, Dale.” He sighed. “I do have my own. What?”
“I could stare into your eyes forever.”
Aubrey didn’t blink. “If I had a dollar for every time some tomcat said that to me, I’d be rich." *_*_*_*_*
About CATCHING FIREFLIES:
Dale Langley longs for some triple R time - rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. He accepts his cousin’s invitation to winter over on Ocracoke Island, far away from the hustle and bustle of life on the mainland. He’s always loved being a rolling stone, traveling for his job without the worry of a place to call home, but it’s time for something different. Now Dale anticipates several blissful months to learn how to be still with no demands on his time while he prepares for the next phase of his life.
Aubrey Zimmerman came to Ocracoke to attend a friend’s commitment ceremony. Never one to settle down, Aubrey’s had enough of involvements that took him from man to man without a place to call home. He needs a break - and a little solitude. House sitting while his friend is on his honeymoon is the perfect way to clear his head and catch up on his sleep. At least it seemed that way until Dale arrived and Aubrey realized sleep is the last thing he needs.
Fate has changes in store for Dale and Aubrey, the sort neither one knew they wanted. Sometimes the more you wander the closer to home you get.
Catching Fireflies is available at:
All Romance eBooks
Amazon
iTunes
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com/CatchingFireflies.html
November 24, 2016
Thanksgiving changes
November 24, 2016
The "holidays" bring a set of expectations to the door. We all get the yearly visit. While the particulars vary, the overall similarities are part of the American culture. We celebrate and give thanks with family, friends, and food.
The gatherings of my youth are but fond memories. The older generations, those people who passed the family name down, are gone. What remains of my parent's generation is fractured by death and ill health. My generation is equally scattered on holidays, busy with the younger generations of children and grandchildren. I have no biological children. My father has been gone for many years. My mother has Alzheimer's. The sister of my heart moved away. I am, for all intents and purposes, alone on this day, without blood relatives who share my memories.
That's not to say I don't have people around me. My online posse is far-flung but wishes for a happy day arrived. My partner is the oldest of his siblings and we have an unconditional welcome at his youngest sister's house all days.
Life goes on in different directions. We had a traditional Thanksgiving meal at the care facility with my mother. Afterward, we had traditional Thanksgiving dessert at his sister's house.
So while the day didn't unfold as in year's past, it was nonetheless a good day. I could be morose that the beautiful memories of yesteryear will not be re-lived, but I'm not. This is what I have now, today, and I count my many blessings.
Now that my partner and I are finally home again and into our comfortable old clothes, it's time to call a few of my cousins. It's time to embrace a new normal and make it my own as I go forward in life. I'm sure it will provide a new set of Thanksgiving memories, and Thanksgiving opportunities to enjoy and to be thankful for.
KC Kendricks www.kckendricks.com
The "holidays" bring a set of expectations to the door. We all get the yearly visit. While the particulars vary, the overall similarities are part of the American culture. We celebrate and give thanks with family, friends, and food.
The gatherings of my youth are but fond memories. The older generations, those people who passed the family name down, are gone. What remains of my parent's generation is fractured by death and ill health. My generation is equally scattered on holidays, busy with the younger generations of children and grandchildren. I have no biological children. My father has been gone for many years. My mother has Alzheimer's. The sister of my heart moved away. I am, for all intents and purposes, alone on this day, without blood relatives who share my memories.
That's not to say I don't have people around me. My online posse is far-flung but wishes for a happy day arrived. My partner is the oldest of his siblings and we have an unconditional welcome at his youngest sister's house all days.
Life goes on in different directions. We had a traditional Thanksgiving meal at the care facility with my mother. Afterward, we had traditional Thanksgiving dessert at his sister's house.
So while the day didn't unfold as in year's past, it was nonetheless a good day. I could be morose that the beautiful memories of yesteryear will not be re-lived, but I'm not. This is what I have now, today, and I count my many blessings.
Now that my partner and I are finally home again and into our comfortable old clothes, it's time to call a few of my cousins. It's time to embrace a new normal and make it my own as I go forward in life. I'm sure it will provide a new set of Thanksgiving memories, and Thanksgiving opportunities to enjoy and to be thankful for.
KC Kendricks www.kckendricks.com
November 16, 2016
Hump day day off
November 16, 2016I have a cold. I think. I might be having a reaction to leaf mold. There are plenty of leaves on the ground and I did use a blower to clear the rain gutters Monday evening. I think it's a cold because my throat was sore last Saturday. Cleaning the gutters just didn't help. I not really whining because I don't feel all that sick. My voice is a nasty croak so I took a sick day.
Deuce is excited about having his Mommy home. I can't say the same for his daddy. The man of the house is fixing food for us - eggs and toast - and he's the one whose routine is blown for the day.
A day off in the middle of the week, for whatever reason, is a rare occurrence. I've been gainfully employed all of my adult life. Retirement approaches and I'll have many more Wednesdays at my disposal. The closer I get to the earliest possible day to retire, the more options become available. I ponder that sort of thing when I have a day off. I also think about the things I didn't accomplish in the summer recently passed - like having porch railings installed. Next summer.
Typical of every day, this one includes writing and/or the business of writing. So far today I've recorded a sales report, worked on the promo blurb for an upcoming book, zipped over to LRC and dropped a couple of excerpts for the group members, and I'm blogging.
This afternoon I'll settle down and work on a story. There's time. After all, this day off is all about staying warm and cozy, resting, and doing what will speed my recovery, and writing always makes me feel better.
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
November 11, 2016
Ace, Deuce, Trey - who has the bigger....
November 12, 2016
Welcome to My Sexy Saturday, the weekly blog hop that brings you excerpts from the varied worlds of the romance genre. Check out the list at the bottom of this post to visit participating blogs.
Here are seven sexy paragraphs from Ace, Deuce, Trey. Enjoy!
*_*_*_*
“What the fuck are you doing, Rick?”
He swaggered into my office. His hot green gaze slammed into mine. “Making sure the blinds are closed.”
I leaned back and put my feet up on my desk. “I have a gun, bucko. What are your intentions?”
“Mine’s bigger than yours.” Rick reached behind his back, pulled out his Glock .9mm and laid it beside my pistol. He leaned over and kissed me before he grasped my ankles and lifted them off my desk. I set my feet on the floor and he went to his knees in front of me. I spread my knees and he slid his big, warm hands up the inside of my thighs to my balls.
He yanked my pants down and all but dragged me out of the chair to the floor. “I’m going to do you in your office, Ian darling. It’ll be a fantasy come true.”
“I’ll scream.” I wiggled my ass to aid him in getting my jeans down and out of the way.
“Yes, you will before I’m done with you.”
_*_*_*_
ACE, DEUCE, TREYthe sequel to Deuce of Diamonds
Available now atAmazon: http://tinyurl.com/AceDeuceTrey All Romance eBooks: www.allromanceebooks.com/product-acedeucetrey-2004581-145.html
Ian Coulter has his hands full with a sexy office assistant, a favorite movie star client and a drag queen determined to save the world one lost runaway at a time. He can juggle all of it because he and his lover, FBI agent Rick Mohr, are finally together.
Rick’s transfer to Amethyst Cove puts him in charge of multiple operations. When one of Ian’s clients is targeted, it doesn’t take long for Ian to suspect the con artist is on an FBI watch list. With their cases overlapping, Ian and Rick are short on time. Together they set a trap and spring it before their suspect escapes.
Doing the job is easy but figuring out the relationship is tougher. Fitting their lives together isn’t without obstacles, but one thing is certain. On or off the case, Ian and Rick always get their man.
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Welcome to My Sexy Saturday, the weekly blog hop that brings you excerpts from the varied worlds of the romance genre. Check out the list at the bottom of this post to visit participating blogs.
Here are seven sexy paragraphs from Ace, Deuce, Trey. Enjoy!
*_*_*_*
“What the fuck are you doing, Rick?”He swaggered into my office. His hot green gaze slammed into mine. “Making sure the blinds are closed.”
I leaned back and put my feet up on my desk. “I have a gun, bucko. What are your intentions?”
“Mine’s bigger than yours.” Rick reached behind his back, pulled out his Glock .9mm and laid it beside my pistol. He leaned over and kissed me before he grasped my ankles and lifted them off my desk. I set my feet on the floor and he went to his knees in front of me. I spread my knees and he slid his big, warm hands up the inside of my thighs to my balls.
He yanked my pants down and all but dragged me out of the chair to the floor. “I’m going to do you in your office, Ian darling. It’ll be a fantasy come true.”
“I’ll scream.” I wiggled my ass to aid him in getting my jeans down and out of the way.
“Yes, you will before I’m done with you.”
_*_*_*_
ACE, DEUCE, TREYthe sequel to Deuce of Diamonds
Available now atAmazon: http://tinyurl.com/AceDeuceTrey All Romance eBooks: www.allromanceebooks.com/product-acedeucetrey-2004581-145.html
Ian Coulter has his hands full with a sexy office assistant, a favorite movie star client and a drag queen determined to save the world one lost runaway at a time. He can juggle all of it because he and his lover, FBI agent Rick Mohr, are finally together.
Rick’s transfer to Amethyst Cove puts him in charge of multiple operations. When one of Ian’s clients is targeted, it doesn’t take long for Ian to suspect the con artist is on an FBI watch list. With their cases overlapping, Ian and Rick are short on time. Together they set a trap and spring it before their suspect escapes.
Doing the job is easy but figuring out the relationship is tougher. Fitting their lives together isn’t without obstacles, but one thing is certain. On or off the case, Ian and Rick always get their man.
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
November 12, 2016 Welcome to My Sexy Saturday, the weekly...
November 12, 2016
Welcome to My Sexy Saturday, the weekly blog hop that brings you excerpts from the varied worlds of the romance genre. Check out the list at the bottom of this post to visit participating blogs.
Here are seven sexy paragraphs from Ace, Deuce, Trey. Enjoy!
*_*_*_*
“What the fuck are you doing, Rick?”
He swaggered into my office. His hot green gaze slammed into mine. “Making sure the blinds are closed.”
I leaned back and put my feet up on my desk. “I have a gun, bucko. What are your intentions?”
“Mine’s bigger than yours.” Rick reached behind his back, pulled out his Glock .9mm and laid it beside my pistol. He leaned over and kissed me before he grasped my ankles and lifted them off my desk. I set my feet on the floor and he went to his knees in front of me. I spread my knees and he slid his big, warm hands up the inside of my thighs to my balls.
He yanked my pants down and all but dragged me out of the chair to the floor. “I’m going to do you in your office, Ian darling. It’ll be a fantasy come true.”
“I’ll scream.” I wiggled my ass to aid him in getting my jeans down and out of the way.
“Yes, you will before I’m done with you.”
_*_*_*_
ACE, DEUCE, TREYthe sequel to Deuce of Diamonds
Available now atAmazon: http://tinyurl.com/AceDeuceTrey All Romance eBooks: www.allromanceebooks.com/product-acedeucetrey-2004581-145.html
Ian Coulter has his hands full with a sexy office assistant, a favorite movie star client and a drag queen determined to save the world one lost runaway at a time. He can juggle all of it because he and his lover, FBI agent Rick Mohr, are finally together.
Rick’s transfer to Amethyst Cove puts him in charge of multiple operations. When one of Ian’s clients is targeted, it doesn’t take long for Ian to suspect the con artist is on an FBI watch list. With their cases overlapping, Ian and Rick are short on time. Together they set a trap and spring it before their suspect escapes.
Doing the job is easy but figuring out the relationship is tougher. Fitting their lives together isn’t without obstacles, but one thing is certain. On or off the case, Ian and Rick always get their man.
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Welcome to My Sexy Saturday, the weekly blog hop that brings you excerpts from the varied worlds of the romance genre. Check out the list at the bottom of this post to visit participating blogs.
Here are seven sexy paragraphs from Ace, Deuce, Trey. Enjoy!
*_*_*_*
“What the fuck are you doing, Rick?”He swaggered into my office. His hot green gaze slammed into mine. “Making sure the blinds are closed.”
I leaned back and put my feet up on my desk. “I have a gun, bucko. What are your intentions?”
“Mine’s bigger than yours.” Rick reached behind his back, pulled out his Glock .9mm and laid it beside my pistol. He leaned over and kissed me before he grasped my ankles and lifted them off my desk. I set my feet on the floor and he went to his knees in front of me. I spread my knees and he slid his big, warm hands up the inside of my thighs to my balls.
He yanked my pants down and all but dragged me out of the chair to the floor. “I’m going to do you in your office, Ian darling. It’ll be a fantasy come true.”
“I’ll scream.” I wiggled my ass to aid him in getting my jeans down and out of the way.
“Yes, you will before I’m done with you.”
_*_*_*_
ACE, DEUCE, TREYthe sequel to Deuce of Diamonds
Available now atAmazon: http://tinyurl.com/AceDeuceTrey All Romance eBooks: www.allromanceebooks.com/product-acedeucetrey-2004581-145.html
Ian Coulter has his hands full with a sexy office assistant, a favorite movie star client and a drag queen determined to save the world one lost runaway at a time. He can juggle all of it because he and his lover, FBI agent Rick Mohr, are finally together.
Rick’s transfer to Amethyst Cove puts him in charge of multiple operations. When one of Ian’s clients is targeted, it doesn’t take long for Ian to suspect the con artist is on an FBI watch list. With their cases overlapping, Ian and Rick are short on time. Together they set a trap and spring it before their suspect escapes.
Doing the job is easy but figuring out the relationship is tougher. Fitting their lives together isn’t without obstacles, but one thing is certain. On or off the case, Ian and Rick always get their man.
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
November 6, 2016
Either/Or Choices
November 6, 2016
Opinions on what a writer *should* do are as many, and as varied, as there are writers. Even editors and publishers have opinions about what writers should do. It's annoying as hell. "Follow your heart," they say. Then in the next breath, they tell you what your heart should be telling you to do. Did I mention it's annoying as hell?
I'm in the last year of my membership with the Romance Writers of America (RWA). I joined way back in 2003 when the prevailing opinion was that if you wanted to be taken seriously as a writer, you joined. There was a time I read the monthly magazine, Romance Writers Report (RWR), from cover-to-cover. Times change. Career directions and aspirations change. Life happens. Organizations want too much money for too small a return. They send nasty-toned letters saying you owe them postage for the letter they just sent you because you haven't renewed your membership. (I guess I'll get another in 2017 when I really don't renew.)
I've alluded to them but I don't know if I've ever directly addressed an RWR article before, but I want to do so now. In the November 2016 issue, there's a good article by Adrienne deWolfe, "Beware the Manuscript Under the Bed." In it, she cautions writers to think carefully before they spend a lot of time reworking old manuscripts. Her advice, her good advice, is to write forward. That is to say, forget your old work and concentrate on the new. I agree, with one caveat.
As writers, we all have that one special story that is never left in the past. Those characters are with us, lurking, waiting to come out and play during our quiet times. They live in that one story we wrote and loved, and have since envisioned in countless new ways. For some of us, that story is no longer in print. Mine hasn't been in print for a decade.
Having years of experience, I look back at that special story and recognize how much I've improved in the craft of writing. I agree with Ms. deWolfe that pulling that particular manuscript out and dusting it off would be ill-advised - if I'm rewriting entirely for the market, i.e., the money.
Advice frequently given to both new and experienced authors is to write what you know, write what you love. Sometimes you get lucky and it plays well to current markets. Other times, not so much. You are your very first reader so read with watchful, informed eyes.
Publishing today is vastly changed from the historical view. There's a glut of books available. Getting read often means giving away for free the work one spent months creating. Is that writing to the market?
The characters in that old story of mine are ones I know well. They've lived with me for twenty years. I don't want to leave them tucked away in the recesses of my mind. Nor do I want to spend months reworking an old manuscript. I like that old manuscript just the way it is. It's the first story I contracted for publication. It's a keepsake.
The solution, for me, and one Ms. deWolfe doesn't mention is to awaken those characters that I know so well into a new adventure. Dream a new beginning for them and write it forward. Isn't that the best of both worlds? I think it is, for me.
KC www.kckendricks.com www.twitter.com/kckendricks www.facebook.com/kckendricks
Opinions on what a writer *should* do are as many, and as varied, as there are writers. Even editors and publishers have opinions about what writers should do. It's annoying as hell. "Follow your heart," they say. Then in the next breath, they tell you what your heart should be telling you to do. Did I mention it's annoying as hell?
I'm in the last year of my membership with the Romance Writers of America (RWA). I joined way back in 2003 when the prevailing opinion was that if you wanted to be taken seriously as a writer, you joined. There was a time I read the monthly magazine, Romance Writers Report (RWR), from cover-to-cover. Times change. Career directions and aspirations change. Life happens. Organizations want too much money for too small a return. They send nasty-toned letters saying you owe them postage for the letter they just sent you because you haven't renewed your membership. (I guess I'll get another in 2017 when I really don't renew.)
I've alluded to them but I don't know if I've ever directly addressed an RWR article before, but I want to do so now. In the November 2016 issue, there's a good article by Adrienne deWolfe, "Beware the Manuscript Under the Bed." In it, she cautions writers to think carefully before they spend a lot of time reworking old manuscripts. Her advice, her good advice, is to write forward. That is to say, forget your old work and concentrate on the new. I agree, with one caveat.
As writers, we all have that one special story that is never left in the past. Those characters are with us, lurking, waiting to come out and play during our quiet times. They live in that one story we wrote and loved, and have since envisioned in countless new ways. For some of us, that story is no longer in print. Mine hasn't been in print for a decade.
Having years of experience, I look back at that special story and recognize how much I've improved in the craft of writing. I agree with Ms. deWolfe that pulling that particular manuscript out and dusting it off would be ill-advised - if I'm rewriting entirely for the market, i.e., the money.
Advice frequently given to both new and experienced authors is to write what you know, write what you love. Sometimes you get lucky and it plays well to current markets. Other times, not so much. You are your very first reader so read with watchful, informed eyes.
Publishing today is vastly changed from the historical view. There's a glut of books available. Getting read often means giving away for free the work one spent months creating. Is that writing to the market?
The characters in that old story of mine are ones I know well. They've lived with me for twenty years. I don't want to leave them tucked away in the recesses of my mind. Nor do I want to spend months reworking an old manuscript. I like that old manuscript just the way it is. It's the first story I contracted for publication. It's a keepsake.
The solution, for me, and one Ms. deWolfe doesn't mention is to awaken those characters that I know so well into a new adventure. Dream a new beginning for them and write it forward. Isn't that the best of both worlds? I think it is, for me.
KC www.kckendricks.com www.twitter.com/kckendricks www.facebook.com/kckendricks
November 1, 2016
Insecure Writer's Support Group: Are you a Luddite?
November 2, 2016
Disclaimer: Welcome to the holiday season! This is a recycle of an article I wrote, but never posted at Between the Keys.
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
Luddite:On who fears technology (or new technology, as they seem pleased with how things currently are (why can't everything just be the same?)
Social Media Maven:An individual who identifies interesting or trending content and shares it with a large online network. The term social media maven is sometimes applied to people who are adept at using social media for commercial purposes, such as spreading a particular message about a product or service. As with mavens in other areas, social media mavens are seen as being more advanced in their understanding of social media than the average population.
*+*+*+*+*
I'm not the least bit sure where I fall in between the Luddite and the Social Media Maven but I know I'm between the two. Some new tech I love and some I hate. Some social media, especially blogging, I like. Others, such as facebook, not so much.
For many years I've belonged to the Romance Writers of America. Its monthly magazine is full of social media "must do" items. I read them. They usually don't impress me much, but some things have sort of stuck with me - right along with the guilt.
Yep. Guilt. Guilt that I'm not doing enough on social media. Guilt that if I were serious about writing I'd do more. I'd stay up-to-date and never have time to do any writing. Or sleeping.
Guilt over social media is counterproductive. Social media is a tool to be used, not a lifestyle. Okay, so I'm a lazy blogger and tweeter. I do know why, and it's where the Luddite comes into play.
When I started out, the Yahoo and MSN groups were the thing. I learned them and they're basically deadwood now. Same thing for MySpace. I spent a lot of time learning how to maneuver those systems, and for what? The next best thing came along and I had to decide if I drove myself crazy learning it, or not. More importantly, do I have TIME to learn every blasted thing?
Once upon a year, I picked up a copy of "Marketing for Dummies" at the used bookstore. It didn't take me long to figure out why it was at the UBS. Paper, two-inches thick, and only one basic point: pick something and just do it. You can't control the outcome.
It's often been said the best advertising you can have for your book is the next book. I do believe that. (Another reason to keep my butt in gear.) It's also true that if no one hears about your book, they can't read it.
Bottom line: I think it's okay to carefully pick and choose where you spend your time, energy and money on social media. I also think the choice should be guilt-free. Be a Luddite with some things. Pick one social media such as twitter and become a twitter maven. Whatever you choose for yourself, because it's your choice, will be the right thing to do.
KC Kendricks www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
www.facebook.com/kckendricks
Disclaimer: Welcome to the holiday season! This is a recycle of an article I wrote, but never posted at Between the Keys.
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
Luddite:On who fears technology (or new technology, as they seem pleased with how things currently are (why can't everything just be the same?)
Social Media Maven:An individual who identifies interesting or trending content and shares it with a large online network. The term social media maven is sometimes applied to people who are adept at using social media for commercial purposes, such as spreading a particular message about a product or service. As with mavens in other areas, social media mavens are seen as being more advanced in their understanding of social media than the average population.
*+*+*+*+*
I'm not the least bit sure where I fall in between the Luddite and the Social Media Maven but I know I'm between the two. Some new tech I love and some I hate. Some social media, especially blogging, I like. Others, such as facebook, not so much.
For many years I've belonged to the Romance Writers of America. Its monthly magazine is full of social media "must do" items. I read them. They usually don't impress me much, but some things have sort of stuck with me - right along with the guilt.
Yep. Guilt. Guilt that I'm not doing enough on social media. Guilt that if I were serious about writing I'd do more. I'd stay up-to-date and never have time to do any writing. Or sleeping.
Guilt over social media is counterproductive. Social media is a tool to be used, not a lifestyle. Okay, so I'm a lazy blogger and tweeter. I do know why, and it's where the Luddite comes into play.
When I started out, the Yahoo and MSN groups were the thing. I learned them and they're basically deadwood now. Same thing for MySpace. I spent a lot of time learning how to maneuver those systems, and for what? The next best thing came along and I had to decide if I drove myself crazy learning it, or not. More importantly, do I have TIME to learn every blasted thing?
Once upon a year, I picked up a copy of "Marketing for Dummies" at the used bookstore. It didn't take me long to figure out why it was at the UBS. Paper, two-inches thick, and only one basic point: pick something and just do it. You can't control the outcome.
It's often been said the best advertising you can have for your book is the next book. I do believe that. (Another reason to keep my butt in gear.) It's also true that if no one hears about your book, they can't read it.
Bottom line: I think it's okay to carefully pick and choose where you spend your time, energy and money on social media. I also think the choice should be guilt-free. Be a Luddite with some things. Pick one social media such as twitter and become a twitter maven. Whatever you choose for yourself, because it's your choice, will be the right thing to do.
KC Kendricks www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
www.facebook.com/kckendricks
October 30, 2016
Sunday somethings (ramblings, actually)
October 30, 2016
I'm procrastinating. It's October 30th, and I'm waiting for the mercury to hit 70F. On October 30th. And it's going to. I do love Indian summer. Can I still call it that? Deuce knows there's a walk in his immediate future. He's watching my every move. It might be a good day to set up his tunnel, too. He'll like that.
Deuce and I have to leave soon because there's fucking football coming on at 9:30 AM this morning.
Good news! Where There's Smoke is up to #5 on the All Romance eBook best seller list. I think the highest I'd ever made it, before today, was #7 with SABRE. ARE is having a Halloween sale. Maybe that'll drive it on up the list. That would be cool.
We went out to dinner with the cousins yesterday. It was good to see them, but the venue was far too noisy for conversation. Either we can't seem to pick a quick place or the public at large has taken to shouting. The food was good, though. Hickory Bridge, Fairfield PA. Reservations are a must.
A good witch, Spiderman, and Thor knocked on my door last night after we returned home. Poor Deuce! This is his first Halloween. He didn't know what the heck was going on at first. Then I'm sure he recognized Spiderman as part of our youngest generation from across the creek.
I'm pondering what to do about Thanksgiving. With my mother in a care facility, it feels a bit tricky. She's not a prisoner there - my stepfather takes her somewhere every day. It's the taking her back for the night that's the problem. The place is nice, like a very expensive hotel with night time care, which we learned the hard way my eighty-year-old stepfather can't provide. Mom's taken to refusing to get out of the car. One of the staffers picks her up with ease and puts her in a wheelchair. She doesn't like either.
I love it when my cell phone plays Lovely Linda by Paul McCartney. I need to call my cousin back about the Maryland Christmas Show, a big craft fair that will be in Frederick, Maryland the last two weekends in November. Admission is up to $8. Parking is $2. Do you think they realize this is why a lot of people are looking and not buying? Apparently not. I don't buy. I get ideas and make things myself. My honey and I are very handy that way.
I bowled a 238 game Friday night. I had a dollar in the pot, too. I might get lucky and win the money on that game. I won't know until this coming Friday.
Social commentary? Figure this one out. I keep hearing Jimi Hendrix sing part of the last verse of All Along the Watchtower:
Outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl.
And a thought to stop on: I really must get better about doing stretching exercises.
Happy Sunday!
KC
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
www.facebook.com/kckendricks
I'm procrastinating. It's October 30th, and I'm waiting for the mercury to hit 70F. On October 30th. And it's going to. I do love Indian summer. Can I still call it that? Deuce knows there's a walk in his immediate future. He's watching my every move. It might be a good day to set up his tunnel, too. He'll like that.
Deuce and I have to leave soon because there's fucking football coming on at 9:30 AM this morning.
Good news! Where There's Smoke is up to #5 on the All Romance eBook best seller list. I think the highest I'd ever made it, before today, was #7 with SABRE. ARE is having a Halloween sale. Maybe that'll drive it on up the list. That would be cool. We went out to dinner with the cousins yesterday. It was good to see them, but the venue was far too noisy for conversation. Either we can't seem to pick a quick place or the public at large has taken to shouting. The food was good, though. Hickory Bridge, Fairfield PA. Reservations are a must.
A good witch, Spiderman, and Thor knocked on my door last night after we returned home. Poor Deuce! This is his first Halloween. He didn't know what the heck was going on at first. Then I'm sure he recognized Spiderman as part of our youngest generation from across the creek.
I'm pondering what to do about Thanksgiving. With my mother in a care facility, it feels a bit tricky. She's not a prisoner there - my stepfather takes her somewhere every day. It's the taking her back for the night that's the problem. The place is nice, like a very expensive hotel with night time care, which we learned the hard way my eighty-year-old stepfather can't provide. Mom's taken to refusing to get out of the car. One of the staffers picks her up with ease and puts her in a wheelchair. She doesn't like either.
I love it when my cell phone plays Lovely Linda by Paul McCartney. I need to call my cousin back about the Maryland Christmas Show, a big craft fair that will be in Frederick, Maryland the last two weekends in November. Admission is up to $8. Parking is $2. Do you think they realize this is why a lot of people are looking and not buying? Apparently not. I don't buy. I get ideas and make things myself. My honey and I are very handy that way.
I bowled a 238 game Friday night. I had a dollar in the pot, too. I might get lucky and win the money on that game. I won't know until this coming Friday.
Social commentary? Figure this one out. I keep hearing Jimi Hendrix sing part of the last verse of All Along the Watchtower:
Outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl.
And a thought to stop on: I really must get better about doing stretching exercises.
Happy Sunday!
KC
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
www.facebook.com/kckendricks
