K.C. Kendricks's Blog, page 65
September 17, 2015
Cover reveal - Ride Your Luck
September 17, 2105
Modern day cowboys - ya gotta love 'em. I said many, many bad words when A & E cancelled Longmire. Now I'm paying the Netflix fee just for Longmire. Cowboys. Just say yes.
Coming this weekend - Ride Your Luck!
He's not quite my vision of Wythe Carver but I know how hard it is for the cover artist to find just the right guy for ten bucks. I'll give him the pass because he tries to get it right.
Here's a bit about Ride Your Luck.
_*_*_*_
Inspiration for the characterof Wythe CarverRegan 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 LUCK
coming September 20, 2015 at Amber Allure.
For an excerpt, please visit my website at
http://www.kckendricks.com/RideYourLuck.html
KC Kendricks
September 13, 2015
Windows 10? Not impressed.
September 13, 2015So I downloaded the Windows 10 upgrade. Like a lot of folks, it's not that I really wanted to, but being that sooner or later we'll be forced into either taking Win 10 or going Mac, I bit the bullet. For the record, I'm not impressed.
Writing is the center of my internal world. I use my computer for writing and therein lies the problem. I don't game unless you count Freecell. I don't draw or design. I play music, sometimes even create playlists for a particular book, but I don't use Finale or any of those other music writing programs. I balance my checkbook. I write sticky notes to myself. Today's operating systems, with all the whistles and bells, aren't designed for those of us who view our computer first and foremost as a mega word processor.
Personally, XP did everything I needed. I think Microsoft forgot their mission when they designed XP. You know, the planned obsolescence model of doing business. It's not that I can't maneuver around the Windows 10 file manager (thanks, at least, for bringing that term back), it's just XP was more straightforward and didn't have that silly "ribbon." For some of us, XP and/or Windows 7 would have been enough for the rest of our days.
I'm sure lots of people are loving Windows 10. I don't hate it, you understand. I just don't love it.
Perhaps I'm just a little pissed off that the last Win10 update fucked up changed all my settings. Settings that I spent a lot of time, well, setting. It's like the designers are telling me not to bother, that I have no say in the matter. Like I'm not intelligent enough to decide for myself the way I like my computer to look and feel while I work.
And there's the crux of the problem. I have no say in the matter.
Like any good reader and writer of science fiction, I can see where this is headed.
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
September 10, 2015
ACBW - Brain Games
September 11, 2015
Have you tried doing mturk.com. It's owned by Amazon. My son does it for fun. The pay starts out small (pennies) but as you built up the amount of jobs you take, the pay increases. He did a 2 minute job for .86 cents. You'd have to read the instructions to understand the system, but there's money to be had there for an ambitious person. - Brenda Williamson
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I never heard of it before so I went and looked. It sounds more like a fun personal challenge than serious money but I can see where signing up and filling in the odd moments while at the day job would be beneficial to my state of mind. It would be better than playing Freecell or Mahjong. I should set up the account and tell Himself to have at it. :) - KC Kendricks
Have you tried doing mturk.com. It's owned by Amazon. My son does it for fun. The pay starts out small (pennies) but as you built up the amount of jobs you take, the pay increases. He did a 2 minute job for .86 cents. You'd have to read the instructions to understand the system, but there's money to be had there for an ambitious person. - Brenda Williamson
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I never heard of it before so I went and looked. It sounds more like a fun personal challenge than serious money but I can see where signing up and filling in the odd moments while at the day job would be beneficial to my state of mind. It would be better than playing Freecell or Mahjong. I should set up the account and tell Himself to have at it. :) - KC Kendricks
September 4, 2015
A Conversation Between Writers - What did I forget?
September 4, 2015
I used to laugh at my mother and grandmother for forgetting things but it's not amusing. Nor is it amusing my calendar didn't send me the alert on it.
Today I decided I needed a break from caffeine and I can barely keep my eyes open. Someone is going to stroll in here and find me snoring. - KC Kendricks
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Everyday I too seem to forget to do something. Nothing important, but it gets so annoying. And it's not like I totally forget, it's more like the thought gets pushed to the back of my brain and jumps forward every so often so I remember it at an inopportune time. - Brenda Williamson
I used to laugh at my mother and grandmother for forgetting things but it's not amusing. Nor is it amusing my calendar didn't send me the alert on it.
Today I decided I needed a break from caffeine and I can barely keep my eyes open. Someone is going to stroll in here and find me snoring. - KC Kendricks
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Everyday I too seem to forget to do something. Nothing important, but it gets so annoying. And it's not like I totally forget, it's more like the thought gets pushed to the back of my brain and jumps forward every so often so I remember it at an inopportune time. - Brenda Williamson
September 3, 2015
September Day Trip to the New River Gorge Bridge, WV
September 2, 2015
It may sound strange to those not living near, but West Virginia is a frequent destination for me when I leave home. The state slogan is "Wild and Wonderful" and the moment you begin the ascent into the time-worn Appalachian Mountains it's clear why. West Virginia is a stunningly beautiful chunk of planet Earth.
Eastern Continental Divde
Our day began with our filled travel mugs safely tucked into the holders and 721 songs on a jump drive plugged into the Charger's USB port. Our route was west Interstate 68, to south Interstate 79, to south US Route 19. First item of note was crossing the Eastern Continental Divide at Savage Mountain, elevation 2620 feet. We've done it many times before but this time Mr. Swifty managed to snag a picture of the sign, albeit not a good one even though I slowed down to a virtual crawl... read more about our day trip here.
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
It may sound strange to those not living near, but West Virginia is a frequent destination for me when I leave home. The state slogan is "Wild and Wonderful" and the moment you begin the ascent into the time-worn Appalachian Mountains it's clear why. West Virginia is a stunningly beautiful chunk of planet Earth.
Eastern Continental Divde
Our day began with our filled travel mugs safely tucked into the holders and 721 songs on a jump drive plugged into the Charger's USB port. Our route was west Interstate 68, to south Interstate 79, to south US Route 19. First item of note was crossing the Eastern Continental Divide at Savage Mountain, elevation 2620 feet. We've done it many times before but this time Mr. Swifty managed to snag a picture of the sign, albeit not a good one even though I slowed down to a virtual crawl... read more about our day trip here. KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
September 1, 2015
ISWG: The Most Important Thing I've Learned on Pinterest
September 2, 2015The Insecure Writer’s Support Group http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
I’m a Pinterest addict. There. I’ve admitted it. And I can do that because we all know I write fiction. But truly. I love Pinterest. All the pretty pictures and colors. The neat craft ideas. The cats! The puppies! The writing funnies…
So I found this bit of advice: Keep Calm - it's only a first draft. Oh, my goodness, are these words to take to heart.
So you’ve written the story and the hero’s name changed halfway through. Keep calm. It’s only the first draft. You can fix it.
So you’ve written the story and the hero started out with brown eyes and ended up with blue eyes. Keep calm. It’s only the first draft. You can fix it.
So you published the story and six months later it suddenly occurs to you how you could write it better. Keep calm. It’s only the first edition. You can fix it. I could go on and on, drawing from the vast pool of my past mistakes, but I’ll get to the point and move on for the day.
No mistake you make is an original mistake. It's been made before so don’t beat yourself up over it. Honestly. Someone, probably many someones, have accomplished the same feat.
When I started out a good piece of prevailing wisdom was to polish, polish, polish that manuscript before you submit it.
Okay, that’s good advice. You should have your manuscript as spic and span as humanly possible, but don’t get sidetracked when your beta reader/crit partner points out your hero started out with blond hair and now he has black hair. Don’t get insulted. Don’t argue. Don’t throw a temper tantrum.Keep calm and fix it. It’s only the first draft.
KC Kendricks http://www.kckendricks.com http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
August 31, 2015
The end of summer
August 31, 2015
The end of summer always brings mixed emotions. The lazy hazy days are gone for another year. Cooler mornings brisk nights move in to take their place. The lush dark green begins to fade, becoming paler. The occasional leaf drifts from the poplar trees to grace the fading grass. The grass isn't finished, though. It will be back. Cooler temps brings regrowth, regreening, and renewed mowing.
The big poplar on the edge of the backyard is always a forerunner in the race to lose summer foliage. Singularly and in pairs, yellowish brown leaves begin to drop off that tree around August first every year. I've paid attention. I know this for fact. The poplar is an impressive tree, but come fall it lacks the splendor of its counterpart in the front yard. That maple puts on a yearly display of vivid red orange. Every year I take pictures of it with the intent to eventually get the perfect one framed.
This summer, much like most, my writing slowed and for a bit actually stopped. I hear the writers out there gasping. The prevailing wisdom is you must write something every day. That makes a lot of sense. If you write something every day, just keep chipping away at it, before you know it, the story is complete. Early on in my career I understood that wasn't always going to be the case, for me. At least not yet. I do look forward to the day when my writing will be my only career, but it is not come yet.
But it's not like my writing suffered during those still times. There were ideas to formulate into stories and then to plot. My website got a few updates as I improved my photoshop skills. There were blogs to write and blogs to plan. The future needs a great deal of groundwork.
Today there is work to be done. I'm taking a few more vacation days at the end of this week and I want to be able to relax. I need to clear one To Do List before I create another. Seems like it's time to get crackin' on it, but not before I give a nod to the summer just past. Good days.
KC Kendricks http://www.kckendricks.com http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
The end of summer always brings mixed emotions. The lazy hazy days are gone for another year. Cooler mornings brisk nights move in to take their place. The lush dark green begins to fade, becoming paler. The occasional leaf drifts from the poplar trees to grace the fading grass. The grass isn't finished, though. It will be back. Cooler temps brings regrowth, regreening, and renewed mowing.
The big poplar on the edge of the backyard is always a forerunner in the race to lose summer foliage. Singularly and in pairs, yellowish brown leaves begin to drop off that tree around August first every year. I've paid attention. I know this for fact. The poplar is an impressive tree, but come fall it lacks the splendor of its counterpart in the front yard. That maple puts on a yearly display of vivid red orange. Every year I take pictures of it with the intent to eventually get the perfect one framed.
This summer, much like most, my writing slowed and for a bit actually stopped. I hear the writers out there gasping. The prevailing wisdom is you must write something every day. That makes a lot of sense. If you write something every day, just keep chipping away at it, before you know it, the story is complete. Early on in my career I understood that wasn't always going to be the case, for me. At least not yet. I do look forward to the day when my writing will be my only career, but it is not come yet.
But it's not like my writing suffered during those still times. There were ideas to formulate into stories and then to plot. My website got a few updates as I improved my photoshop skills. There were blogs to write and blogs to plan. The future needs a great deal of groundwork.
Today there is work to be done. I'm taking a few more vacation days at the end of this week and I want to be able to relax. I need to clear one To Do List before I create another. Seems like it's time to get crackin' on it, but not before I give a nod to the summer just past. Good days.
KC Kendricks http://www.kckendricks.com http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
August 28, 2015
A Cat Named Hercules by KC Kendricks - #MSS107
August 29, 2015
This past week most of my friends celebrated National Dog Appreciation Day. Having lost my beloved Jett earlier this year, I celebrated in private. I looked through thirteen years worth of photos and reminisced about the joy he brought to my life. And who sat on the desk and helped me? Why, the little black and white guy on the book cover! He, too, misses his buddy.
So this week I'm a little off the My Sexy Saturday topic but I'd still like to introduce you to Shiloh and Galen, and the real hero of their love affair, A Cat Named Hercules. Enjoy!
_*_*_*_*_
I gulped the last bit of liquid in my glass and followed him all the way to his Jeep. With his head lowered, I couldn’t tell if he realized I was behind him or not. When we got to his vehicle he must have seen my reflection in the darkened window glass. He turned, his eyes black and wild with a mix of fear and longing. I closed the distance between us. Galen’s arms snaked their way around my neck. We stumbled hard against the side of his ride. His hold tightened and I seized the opportunity and covered his mouth with mine.
I felt the shock go through him but I didn’t back off. I couldn’t. His lips slid over mine as he opened to me, a low moan rolling out of him and into me. He was alive under my hands as I caressed down his backside. His scent was in every rapid breath I managed to take. My cock filled in a few pounding beats. I gripped his hips and flexed my pelvis to his, eager to learn if he was equally hard. Galen sucked in a breath and tore his mouth from mine.
“Shiloh. Shiloh, I have to leave.”
Hot frustration burned inside me, but quickly cooled. He wasn’t playing with me. The man shook violently in my arms. An uneasy realization dawned. I cradled the back of his head and pulled him closer.
“Shh. Lean on me, Gale. Just let me hold you for a second. It’s okay.” I rubbed his back. “Talk to me.”
He eased away from me. “I have to go. I thought I was ready for this, but I’m not.”
“If you want me, know this. I definitely want you.” I reached for him but he planted his hand in the middle of my chest and kept me at arm’s length.
_*_*_*_
A CAT NAMED HERCULES
available now at Amber Quill Press
About the book:
New in town, Shiloh Rudy joins a group of civic-minded volunteers to better acquaint himself with his recently adopted community. It’s a good way to make friends, network, and help make a difference, not to mention perhaps meet someone interesting—in a romantic sort of way. The one thing Shiloh didn’t expect was a love to rival all others to come with four white paws.
Gale Widmyer is on his feet and moving forward after piecing his life back together following a series of wrong choices. The one bright spot in his existence, even in his darkest moments, was the fulfillment of his dream to become a veterinarian. Gale’s making good on a promise to himself when an abandoned kitten leads him to Shiloh Rudy and a chance at the happiness he never hoped to have.
Laying the cornerstone for a developing relationship comes easy for Shiloh and Gale. But the wounds of the past often remain unhealed at their deepest point. A few careless words erect a wall of silence between the two men, one Shiloh has to breach if he hopes to win Gale back. But it will take more than apologies to win Gale’s forgiveness and put old fears to rest. It’ll take a cat named Hercules.
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Be sure to visit the My Sexy Saturday blogs below for more great excerpts!
This past week most of my friends celebrated National Dog Appreciation Day. Having lost my beloved Jett earlier this year, I celebrated in private. I looked through thirteen years worth of photos and reminisced about the joy he brought to my life. And who sat on the desk and helped me? Why, the little black and white guy on the book cover! He, too, misses his buddy.
So this week I'm a little off the My Sexy Saturday topic but I'd still like to introduce you to Shiloh and Galen, and the real hero of their love affair, A Cat Named Hercules. Enjoy!
_*_*_*_*_
I gulped the last bit of liquid in my glass and followed him all the way to his Jeep. With his head lowered, I couldn’t tell if he realized I was behind him or not. When we got to his vehicle he must have seen my reflection in the darkened window glass. He turned, his eyes black and wild with a mix of fear and longing. I closed the distance between us. Galen’s arms snaked their way around my neck. We stumbled hard against the side of his ride. His hold tightened and I seized the opportunity and covered his mouth with mine.
I felt the shock go through him but I didn’t back off. I couldn’t. His lips slid over mine as he opened to me, a low moan rolling out of him and into me. He was alive under my hands as I caressed down his backside. His scent was in every rapid breath I managed to take. My cock filled in a few pounding beats. I gripped his hips and flexed my pelvis to his, eager to learn if he was equally hard. Galen sucked in a breath and tore his mouth from mine.
“Shiloh. Shiloh, I have to leave.”
Hot frustration burned inside me, but quickly cooled. He wasn’t playing with me. The man shook violently in my arms. An uneasy realization dawned. I cradled the back of his head and pulled him closer.
“Shh. Lean on me, Gale. Just let me hold you for a second. It’s okay.” I rubbed his back. “Talk to me.”
He eased away from me. “I have to go. I thought I was ready for this, but I’m not.”
“If you want me, know this. I definitely want you.” I reached for him but he planted his hand in the middle of my chest and kept me at arm’s length.
_*_*_*_
A CAT NAMED HERCULES
available now at Amber Quill Press
About the book:
New in town, Shiloh Rudy joins a group of civic-minded volunteers to better acquaint himself with his recently adopted community. It’s a good way to make friends, network, and help make a difference, not to mention perhaps meet someone interesting—in a romantic sort of way. The one thing Shiloh didn’t expect was a love to rival all others to come with four white paws.
Gale Widmyer is on his feet and moving forward after piecing his life back together following a series of wrong choices. The one bright spot in his existence, even in his darkest moments, was the fulfillment of his dream to become a veterinarian. Gale’s making good on a promise to himself when an abandoned kitten leads him to Shiloh Rudy and a chance at the happiness he never hoped to have.
Laying the cornerstone for a developing relationship comes easy for Shiloh and Gale. But the wounds of the past often remain unhealed at their deepest point. A few careless words erect a wall of silence between the two men, one Shiloh has to breach if he hopes to win Gale back. But it will take more than apologies to win Gale’s forgiveness and put old fears to rest. It’ll take a cat named Hercules.
KC Kendricks
www.kckendricks.com
www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Be sure to visit the My Sexy Saturday blogs below for more great excerpts!
August 27, 2015
ACBW - Who has fleas??
August 28, 2015
I'm working hard today. I had a big shipment come in yesterday, so today is see how much I can get listed. I need some $$$. I want to go to the fleamarket this weekend and I won't go unless I have some cash. I'm not into browsing. - Brenda Williamson~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I haven't been to a real flea market in ages. Mostly because I don't have any money either :( . I blew my wad of cash on the John Deere. - KC Kendricks
I'm working hard today. I had a big shipment come in yesterday, so today is see how much I can get listed. I need some $$$. I want to go to the fleamarket this weekend and I won't go unless I have some cash. I'm not into browsing. - Brenda Williamson~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I haven't been to a real flea market in ages. Mostly because I don't have any money either :( . I blew my wad of cash on the John Deere. - KC Kendricks
August 24, 2015
Drilling holes
August 24, 2015
I'm quite sure there's something wrong with getting excited about composite deck boards. There must be.
And now you're saying, "that's what the hcck that picture is." (It's the 12'x 8' sunroom porch sans new railing.)
I've been so very blessed in my life. I had grandparents who were a huge influence on my life. In 1980, when I was barely into my twenties, they gave me three acres of ground adjacent to their home. Now I know they had some ulterior motives - how better to keep their only granddaughter close and share in her life? But their gift has made all the difference in my world.
It also means the wooden deck boards on my front porches went down in 1982. That's a lot of wear and tear and painting. Every other summer, I've painted the deck. In the heat. In the sun. Sweating. Sweat burning my eyes. In the freakin' heat.
New composite decking means I'll never, ever, NEVER have to paint the deck boards EVER, NEVER, NEVER again!!!!!!!!
So when my private carpenter/electrician/mechanic/chef/plumber/husband handed me a drill and told me to get busy pre-drilling the holes so he could follow along behind me and insert the screws, I got right to work.
I've never been so happy to work in the middle of an August afternoon with the sweat pouring into my eyes, the sun beating down on my head and my back feeling like it was going to break. And next weekend I'm going to cheerfully do it again on the deck at the other end of the house.
Who knew drilling holes could be so rewarding?
KC
I'm quite sure there's something wrong with getting excited about composite deck boards. There must be.
And now you're saying, "that's what the hcck that picture is." (It's the 12'x 8' sunroom porch sans new railing.)
I've been so very blessed in my life. I had grandparents who were a huge influence on my life. In 1980, when I was barely into my twenties, they gave me three acres of ground adjacent to their home. Now I know they had some ulterior motives - how better to keep their only granddaughter close and share in her life? But their gift has made all the difference in my world.
It also means the wooden deck boards on my front porches went down in 1982. That's a lot of wear and tear and painting. Every other summer, I've painted the deck. In the heat. In the sun. Sweating. Sweat burning my eyes. In the freakin' heat.
New composite decking means I'll never, ever, NEVER have to paint the deck boards EVER, NEVER, NEVER again!!!!!!!!
So when my private carpenter/electrician/mechanic/chef/plumber/husband handed me a drill and told me to get busy pre-drilling the holes so he could follow along behind me and insert the screws, I got right to work.
I've never been so happy to work in the middle of an August afternoon with the sweat pouring into my eyes, the sun beating down on my head and my back feeling like it was going to break. And next weekend I'm going to cheerfully do it again on the deck at the other end of the house.
Who knew drilling holes could be so rewarding?
KC
