K.C. Kendricks's Blog, page 94
May 31, 2013
Hitting the Wine Trail on vacation
May 31, 2013
Vacations are marvelous and precious things. A week away from the day job has passed in the blink of an eye, and while I value my employment, I find I'm in no hurry to return. Doing good in the world one person at a time can be rewarding, but it does take an emotional toll. So does dealing with the politically-minded who don't realize they sound like brainless magpies, but I digress. For my last official day of this week of vacation, we went in search of local wine.
I live within easy driving distance of West Virginia, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Which way to go first was the hardest decision. We chose....poorly. The idea was to go far and work our way back home so we headed out to a new winery, Red Heifer, in the Cascade/Smithsburg area of Maryland. We didn't get to the wine part because...we drove right by the place. Their sign sits back off the road and, yes, I drive a little fast. My honey's nav program on his so-called smart phone was then activated and we turned around and went back.
I hope Red Heifer does well, but it will have to do well without me. We traversed a dangerously rutted and pot-holed gravel lane to a facility that is NOT handicapped accessible. #1 - My car sits a mere six inches off the ground and dragging bottom isn't in the playbook. I had to keep going to the top as there wasn't any way to turn around and go back down the mountain. #2 - My partner scared me to death when he got out of the car on the severely sloped parking area. And once he got down to the side of the parking area, no way in hell could he get back up under his own steam, even with his cane. Yes, I backed my car over their yard to get it to him.
Seriously, I hope you go and support them because I think small businesses are the backbone of this country but be warned - take a four-wheel drive and only people who can walk normally without assistance.
Our spirits somewhat dampened (okay, mine were soaking wet because my partner felt so bad he thought he was about to ruin my whole day out and it was NOT his fault) we decided to head straight to the place we really wanted to visit - Knob Hall in Clear Spring, Maryland.
Knob Hall sits out in the middle of nowhere, which is a plus for a vineyard. Once again, parking the car was a problem - NO handicap parking. Of course, by this point, I didn't give a damn if I ran over things to get him to the front door in any manner necessary to avoid him risking a fall. (Note: this is why handicap parking is so vital - people like ME get PISSED OFF if their loved ones don't have ingress and egress and WE are the ones y'all have to worry about because we're determined enough to take matters under our own four tires. Again, I digress.)
Once we were inside the rustic barn, this lovely blond chickie greeted us and invited us to have a little wine tasting, which we both thoroughly enjoyed although one of us more than the other - please refer back to the mention of a young blond. And I've digressed yet again....
We tried six different wines and ended up buying one bottle each of three of them. It was very instructional as to why we like the wines we do. We were well pleased with the staff and wine, and if the selections are as good with a meal as they were just sipping them on a hot spring day, I know we'll go back and stock up. Their prices weren't bad at all, and once again, I'm all about supporting small, local business. And the little four-bottle carry-all is pretty cool. I'll take that along whenever and wherever I get the next round of wine. I'm not bashful.
The one thing we do regret is not splurging on a bottle of their "port" wine. We'd never tasted "port" before and it had a wonderfully unique aroma and flavor, and had we been dogs, our ears would have pricked up. Another reason to go back to Knob Hall Winery.
We didn't make it to the three places in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, but we will some future day when I'm not stuck at the day job. It's good to have something to look forward to.
So now we've come to the last hours of a Friday afternoon. We're rested from the hours spent driving around some of the most beautiful countryside you'll find anywhere and it's time for us to relax on the patio until the bugs drive us back inside. It was a good vacation.
KC
http://www.kckendricks.com
Vacations are marvelous and precious things. A week away from the day job has passed in the blink of an eye, and while I value my employment, I find I'm in no hurry to return. Doing good in the world one person at a time can be rewarding, but it does take an emotional toll. So does dealing with the politically-minded who don't realize they sound like brainless magpies, but I digress. For my last official day of this week of vacation, we went in search of local wine.
I live within easy driving distance of West Virginia, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Which way to go first was the hardest decision. We chose....poorly. The idea was to go far and work our way back home so we headed out to a new winery, Red Heifer, in the Cascade/Smithsburg area of Maryland. We didn't get to the wine part because...we drove right by the place. Their sign sits back off the road and, yes, I drive a little fast. My honey's nav program on his so-called smart phone was then activated and we turned around and went back.
I hope Red Heifer does well, but it will have to do well without me. We traversed a dangerously rutted and pot-holed gravel lane to a facility that is NOT handicapped accessible. #1 - My car sits a mere six inches off the ground and dragging bottom isn't in the playbook. I had to keep going to the top as there wasn't any way to turn around and go back down the mountain. #2 - My partner scared me to death when he got out of the car on the severely sloped parking area. And once he got down to the side of the parking area, no way in hell could he get back up under his own steam, even with his cane. Yes, I backed my car over their yard to get it to him.
Seriously, I hope you go and support them because I think small businesses are the backbone of this country but be warned - take a four-wheel drive and only people who can walk normally without assistance.
Our spirits somewhat dampened (okay, mine were soaking wet because my partner felt so bad he thought he was about to ruin my whole day out and it was NOT his fault) we decided to head straight to the place we really wanted to visit - Knob Hall in Clear Spring, Maryland.
Knob Hall sits out in the middle of nowhere, which is a plus for a vineyard. Once again, parking the car was a problem - NO handicap parking. Of course, by this point, I didn't give a damn if I ran over things to get him to the front door in any manner necessary to avoid him risking a fall. (Note: this is why handicap parking is so vital - people like ME get PISSED OFF if their loved ones don't have ingress and egress and WE are the ones y'all have to worry about because we're determined enough to take matters under our own four tires. Again, I digress.)Once we were inside the rustic barn, this lovely blond chickie greeted us and invited us to have a little wine tasting, which we both thoroughly enjoyed although one of us more than the other - please refer back to the mention of a young blond. And I've digressed yet again....
We tried six different wines and ended up buying one bottle each of three of them. It was very instructional as to why we like the wines we do. We were well pleased with the staff and wine, and if the selections are as good with a meal as they were just sipping them on a hot spring day, I know we'll go back and stock up. Their prices weren't bad at all, and once again, I'm all about supporting small, local business. And the little four-bottle carry-all is pretty cool. I'll take that along whenever and wherever I get the next round of wine. I'm not bashful.
The one thing we do regret is not splurging on a bottle of their "port" wine. We'd never tasted "port" before and it had a wonderfully unique aroma and flavor, and had we been dogs, our ears would have pricked up. Another reason to go back to Knob Hall Winery.
We didn't make it to the three places in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, but we will some future day when I'm not stuck at the day job. It's good to have something to look forward to.
So now we've come to the last hours of a Friday afternoon. We're rested from the hours spent driving around some of the most beautiful countryside you'll find anywhere and it's time for us to relax on the patio until the bugs drive us back inside. It was a good vacation.
KC
http://www.kckendricks.com
May 29, 2013
Cicada - it's all about the bug
May 29, 2013
I'm still waiting to see the first
cicada
of 2013. If you live on the east coast of the United States, you've been hearing about Brood II for a while now. If you live in
western Maryland
, you're likely still waiting for the big event. I *think* I heard one yesterday, but no visual contact yet, and I'm sort of disappointed.
Call me crazy but I think this is fascinating stuff. Mother Nature in one of her more unique moods. A seventeen year life cycle is some sort of poetry for a insect.
I've lived on this hillside all my life. In 1996, the last year Brood II was active, I swept cicada shells off the patio every day. I rarely saw the live critters because they were in the trees, feeding, but something drew them to the patio to shed their skin, perhaps heat. The noise, and they are noisy little critters, wasn't too bad unless a person walked up the mountain into the deeper woods, but I did keep the windows closed. It becomes "white noise." There in the background and hardly noticed. Then it's gone and a person spends a few days wondering what's missing.
There are several "cookbooks" available online for those who want to try cicada, even one from the University of Maryland, but I'm happy just to watch and listen to them. I don't find the idea of being overrun with these "locusts" the least bit annoying. I may not be here in another seventeen years and this might be my last chance to enjoy one of my world's stranger events - even if it is all about the bug.
The weather forecast is for a ninety degree day so maybe I'll get lucky and see the first one today. And maybe I need to be more careful what I wish for. Who knows? It's one of those things that keep country life interesting!
PS. If you're in or about western Maryland this weekend - it's Bluesfest time! Slip on down to Hagerstown and join the party. Maybe they'll have improved parking this year to match those ticket prices. After all, the Bluesfest first emerged in 1996 with the cicada.
I'm still waiting to see the first
cicada
of 2013. If you live on the east coast of the United States, you've been hearing about Brood II for a while now. If you live in
western Maryland
, you're likely still waiting for the big event. I *think* I heard one yesterday, but no visual contact yet, and I'm sort of disappointed. Call me crazy but I think this is fascinating stuff. Mother Nature in one of her more unique moods. A seventeen year life cycle is some sort of poetry for a insect.
I've lived on this hillside all my life. In 1996, the last year Brood II was active, I swept cicada shells off the patio every day. I rarely saw the live critters because they were in the trees, feeding, but something drew them to the patio to shed their skin, perhaps heat. The noise, and they are noisy little critters, wasn't too bad unless a person walked up the mountain into the deeper woods, but I did keep the windows closed. It becomes "white noise." There in the background and hardly noticed. Then it's gone and a person spends a few days wondering what's missing.
There are several "cookbooks" available online for those who want to try cicada, even one from the University of Maryland, but I'm happy just to watch and listen to them. I don't find the idea of being overrun with these "locusts" the least bit annoying. I may not be here in another seventeen years and this might be my last chance to enjoy one of my world's stranger events - even if it is all about the bug.
The weather forecast is for a ninety degree day so maybe I'll get lucky and see the first one today. And maybe I need to be more careful what I wish for. Who knows? It's one of those things that keep country life interesting!
PS. If you're in or about western Maryland this weekend - it's Bluesfest time! Slip on down to Hagerstown and join the party. Maybe they'll have improved parking this year to match those ticket prices. After all, the Bluesfest first emerged in 1996 with the cicada.
May 27, 2013
Holidays and horoscopes
May 27, 2013
Happy Memorial Day to you! If I seem a little perky on a day where we remember and honor those who have sacrificed so we have our freedoms, it's that I have something big to celebrate this year. This Memorial day, one of my own is home from his second tour in Afghanistan. God is good to return him to us safe and sound.
We're back from a fast trip south to my brother-in-laws home to celebrate his birthday. We hopped in my trusty Charger at daybreak Saturday and headed out. I was behind the wheel for most of the five hour drive and let me tell you - people on I95 are nuts. The stretch between just below Fredericksburg all the way to the King's Dominion exit was NASCAR at its best. I stayed with traffic, well above the speed limit, and people still passed me!
(To the guy in the black Charger with the big Hemi who slowed down, pulled up beside me, waved, and took off like a rocket from an 85mph start- funny dude. I get it. Those 400 horses needed a run. You're still an idiot to do that in traffic.
Bet that baby wouldn't be pretty as scrap metal.)
The birthday party was nice. It's always good to be with my partner's family and especially nice when all five siblings are in the same place telling the same old stories about each other again. It would be annoying to hear the tales over and over except that I understand the love they share and that the distance between them sometimes weighs heavy. The instant sharing of texts and photos are great, but I see it on their faces - nothing beats a real hug.
On the way we learned something else. We hit the highway before seven a.m. and there were Virginia state troopers with radar guns everywhere on Rt.64. Didn't see any on the way down, but I counted eleven with someone pulled over and another eight lurking with radar guns. Moral to the story - the next time we go south, we're not heading home until noon. My honey is very careful when he drives my car (yeah, it's the one time he's afraid of me because if he puts a scratch on my car........). He set the cruise control and we were fine.
I hate to use the word "obligation" when speaking of family, but the language is what it is. With the family obligations over, I'm now on vacation for the next week. So I get this as my horoscope today: Your head is swimming -- but it's not an intellectual failure! Your energy is just out of sync with the ideas you have to confront, but you should be back in the game in a couple of days at the most. Really? This is news? No, this is vacation brain. I shall embrace it. I busted my arse to beat a June 1 deadline so I could enjoy my home and play for the entire week. I still have more than a few years until I can retire, but this week is a practice run!
So that's my news from the mountain this morning.
Peace to us all.
KC http://www.kckendricks.com http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks http://www.pinterest.com/kckendricks
Happy Memorial Day to you! If I seem a little perky on a day where we remember and honor those who have sacrificed so we have our freedoms, it's that I have something big to celebrate this year. This Memorial day, one of my own is home from his second tour in Afghanistan. God is good to return him to us safe and sound.
We're back from a fast trip south to my brother-in-laws home to celebrate his birthday. We hopped in my trusty Charger at daybreak Saturday and headed out. I was behind the wheel for most of the five hour drive and let me tell you - people on I95 are nuts. The stretch between just below Fredericksburg all the way to the King's Dominion exit was NASCAR at its best. I stayed with traffic, well above the speed limit, and people still passed me!
(To the guy in the black Charger with the big Hemi who slowed down, pulled up beside me, waved, and took off like a rocket from an 85mph start- funny dude. I get it. Those 400 horses needed a run. You're still an idiot to do that in traffic.
Bet that baby wouldn't be pretty as scrap metal.)
The birthday party was nice. It's always good to be with my partner's family and especially nice when all five siblings are in the same place telling the same old stories about each other again. It would be annoying to hear the tales over and over except that I understand the love they share and that the distance between them sometimes weighs heavy. The instant sharing of texts and photos are great, but I see it on their faces - nothing beats a real hug.
On the way we learned something else. We hit the highway before seven a.m. and there were Virginia state troopers with radar guns everywhere on Rt.64. Didn't see any on the way down, but I counted eleven with someone pulled over and another eight lurking with radar guns. Moral to the story - the next time we go south, we're not heading home until noon. My honey is very careful when he drives my car (yeah, it's the one time he's afraid of me because if he puts a scratch on my car........). He set the cruise control and we were fine.
I hate to use the word "obligation" when speaking of family, but the language is what it is. With the family obligations over, I'm now on vacation for the next week. So I get this as my horoscope today: Your head is swimming -- but it's not an intellectual failure! Your energy is just out of sync with the ideas you have to confront, but you should be back in the game in a couple of days at the most. Really? This is news? No, this is vacation brain. I shall embrace it. I busted my arse to beat a June 1 deadline so I could enjoy my home and play for the entire week. I still have more than a few years until I can retire, but this week is a practice run!
So that's my news from the mountain this morning.
Peace to us all.
KC http://www.kckendricks.com http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks http://www.pinterest.com/kckendricks
May 12, 2013
It's a QR code for your smartphone
May 12, 2013
Happy Mother's Day to everyone! I've got to start dinner prep soon, but I'm procrastinating. It's true - I let an article on the Internet distract me from my To Do list. And it doesn't matter that I know better because it was fun and easy.
What was fun and easy? A little QR block that will take your smartphone to my website. Best of all - it worked!
Now what I do with it from here is something I haven't figured out yet, but I feel so 2013!
KC
Happy Mother's Day to everyone! I've got to start dinner prep soon, but I'm procrastinating. It's true - I let an article on the Internet distract me from my To Do list. And it doesn't matter that I know better because it was fun and easy.
What was fun and easy? A little QR block that will take your smartphone to my website. Best of all - it worked!
Now what I do with it from here is something I haven't figured out yet, but I feel so 2013!
KC
May 6, 2013
Deuce of Diamonds, a new book by KC Kendricks
May 6, 2013
It's been a long time coming! Deuce of Diamonds is finally available! I wanted to have this ready to go months ago, but the timing didn't work out, I'm sorry to say. I love writing Ian and Rick. These guys are honest characters. They screw up and read each other wrong. They make decisions the other isn't comfortable with and yet they love each other enough to be mature and understanding. Yep. I like these guys and I hope you will, too. - KC
Deuce of Diamonds
The sequel to Double Deuce
contemporary gay romance now available at
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/DeuceDiamonds.html
Private investigator Ian Coulter has a knack for finding trouble even when he’s minding his own business. Ian’s in the midst of a routine weekly job for movie star client Saylor Blackwood when the man confides he thinks he has a fan turned stalker. Ian stays close to Saylor to observe the people around him and gets an unwelcome shock when FBI agent Rick Mohr contacts him.
Rick Mohr has a problem. Ian’s name just popped up on an FBI watch list. Rick knows it’s guilt by association where Ian is concerned, but what about Blackwood? Rick won’t allow Ian to get dragged into the mix when he’s not involved. For Ian he’ll break whatever confidentiality rule necessary.
It doesn’t take long for Ian and Rick to join forces to clear Ian’s name and get to the bottom of what’s going on in Amethyst Cove, because on or off the case, together is how they work best.
INTRO:
“I think you need to explain that to me, Rick.”
“I can’t. I logged on to run a weekly update. I…I have your name on a private watch so I can, um, sort of see if anything exciting happens in your world. So when it popped, I backtracked it. I don’t have details yet.”
“Local law enforcement personnel get a mention anywhere? If Foxy or Bunson got my name added, I need to know.”
“I thought of that and checked. No mention of them. Listen, Ian, I’m not in a position to have any right to judge you for anything you do, but be careful with him.”
“Damn, I wish…Rick, I had a really hinkey feeling last night. Like something was off kilter and I can’t bring it into focus. I can’t say it’s Saylor himself, but something is bugging me and I need to figure it out.”
This time Rick’s silence didn’t disturb me because I knew he was thinking. He sighed audibly. “I don’t like the sound of that. Your instincts are really good.”
“Thanks for the compliment, but I’d appreciate ideas more.”
He laughed softly. “You are an action kind of guy. Seriously, give me a day or two to dig around, and I’ll get back to you.”
“Don’t do anything stupid, Rick. I can back away from Blackwood, no harm, no foul, and he won’t know why. I can tell him we stepped over the line last night, so I can no longer have him as a client.”
“Ian.”
The quiet pain in his voice brought me up short. Did he regret his choices? I refused to say anything that would sway him one way or the other.
“I’ll be careful, Rick. I promise. Since you’ve given me a tidbit of intel, I need to go check a few things on my end. Thanks for letting me know. You didn’t have to.”
“Yes, I did. I don’t want you caught up in whatever he may be doing, if he’s doing. Now I can tell the task force looking at him you’re not involved.”
“Thanks for having my back, man.”
“I’ll always have your back. I’ll call you soon.”
“Okay. Later.”
“Ian…”
I disconnected before he could say more and the three thousand miles between us became an impenetrable wall of silence again. It hurt. I took a few deep breaths to ease the ache in my chest, but it didn’t work. It never did.
EXCERPT:
His gaze slammed into mine, hot with anger that didn’t touch me. “I was a fool to walk away from you. ‘One more try’ he said. What a joke.”
“I’m sorry.” And I was sorry he’d been hurt.
“Jesus, Ian. I knew when I left you standing there on the street, leaning on your car tipping your hat at Frank Bunson, it was a mistake to give Johnavan a last chance.”
He’d seen my little act of defiance at Frankie-boy? Huh.
“Why was it a mistake?”
His mouth dropped open. “Why? Why? Why the fuck do you think?”
“I think all sorts of things, Rick. I’d like for you to tell me the truth so I can make sense of some it.”
“It was a mistake because I’d met you.” He sighed heavily. “I didn’t …my heart wasn’t really in giving him another try.”
“And yet you did.”
“I wish I could lie to you, Ian, but I can’t. I’m not that big a bastard. You know what I thought? I thought I’d get him moved back east where he’d be happy and I’d be free to move on.”
I winced inwardly. Rick wasn’t a cold or calculating man in his personal life. “So how’d that work out for you?”
“How the fuck do you think?” He scrubbed his palms over his face. “I’m not good doing things to deliberately hurt people. He didn’t find a job right away, so I couldn’t just say ‘bye’ and leave him without rent money, now could I?”
That sounded more like him. “No, you couldn’t. Did he get a job or find someone else?”
Rick looked at me, a mix of emotions on his handsome face. He shook his head and rolled his eyes at the ceiling. “I came home from a day at the office and he was all packed and ready to go. It seems he used me as his ticket back to New York.”
“Oh, jeez. Hoist with your own petard.”
“Yeah, Shakespeare. I was. So I said it was fine and decided to enjoy a couple of weeks of solitude to make sure my head was out of my ass. Then you fucking call me and you’re going the fuck out with movie star Saylor Blackwood and I’m a fucking idiot!”
My joints went to jelly as the realization he was jealous I’d tricked Saylor sank into my brain. I grinned at him. “You’re not too fucking stupid. You are here now.”
And you want to sleep on the couch!”
I echoed his tone. “Well maybe not!”
We stared at each other.
_*_*_*_
Deuce of Diamonds
The sequel to Double Deuce
ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-423-6
contemporary gay romance now available at
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/DeuceDiamonds.html
Also available - Double Deuce
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/DoubleDeuce.html
KC Kendricks
website at: http://www.kckendricks.com
blog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
mailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kckendricks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1989106.K_C_Kendricks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Kc-Kendricks/1439574042
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kckendricks
It's been a long time coming! Deuce of Diamonds is finally available! I wanted to have this ready to go months ago, but the timing didn't work out, I'm sorry to say. I love writing Ian and Rick. These guys are honest characters. They screw up and read each other wrong. They make decisions the other isn't comfortable with and yet they love each other enough to be mature and understanding. Yep. I like these guys and I hope you will, too. - KC
Deuce of Diamonds
The sequel to Double Deuce
contemporary gay romance now available at
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/DeuceDiamonds.html
Private investigator Ian Coulter has a knack for finding trouble even when he’s minding his own business. Ian’s in the midst of a routine weekly job for movie star client Saylor Blackwood when the man confides he thinks he has a fan turned stalker. Ian stays close to Saylor to observe the people around him and gets an unwelcome shock when FBI agent Rick Mohr contacts him.
Rick Mohr has a problem. Ian’s name just popped up on an FBI watch list. Rick knows it’s guilt by association where Ian is concerned, but what about Blackwood? Rick won’t allow Ian to get dragged into the mix when he’s not involved. For Ian he’ll break whatever confidentiality rule necessary.
It doesn’t take long for Ian and Rick to join forces to clear Ian’s name and get to the bottom of what’s going on in Amethyst Cove, because on or off the case, together is how they work best.
INTRO:
“I think you need to explain that to me, Rick.”
“I can’t. I logged on to run a weekly update. I…I have your name on a private watch so I can, um, sort of see if anything exciting happens in your world. So when it popped, I backtracked it. I don’t have details yet.”
“Local law enforcement personnel get a mention anywhere? If Foxy or Bunson got my name added, I need to know.”
“I thought of that and checked. No mention of them. Listen, Ian, I’m not in a position to have any right to judge you for anything you do, but be careful with him.”
“Damn, I wish…Rick, I had a really hinkey feeling last night. Like something was off kilter and I can’t bring it into focus. I can’t say it’s Saylor himself, but something is bugging me and I need to figure it out.”
This time Rick’s silence didn’t disturb me because I knew he was thinking. He sighed audibly. “I don’t like the sound of that. Your instincts are really good.”
“Thanks for the compliment, but I’d appreciate ideas more.”
He laughed softly. “You are an action kind of guy. Seriously, give me a day or two to dig around, and I’ll get back to you.”
“Don’t do anything stupid, Rick. I can back away from Blackwood, no harm, no foul, and he won’t know why. I can tell him we stepped over the line last night, so I can no longer have him as a client.”
“Ian.”
The quiet pain in his voice brought me up short. Did he regret his choices? I refused to say anything that would sway him one way or the other.
“I’ll be careful, Rick. I promise. Since you’ve given me a tidbit of intel, I need to go check a few things on my end. Thanks for letting me know. You didn’t have to.”
“Yes, I did. I don’t want you caught up in whatever he may be doing, if he’s doing. Now I can tell the task force looking at him you’re not involved.”
“Thanks for having my back, man.”
“I’ll always have your back. I’ll call you soon.”
“Okay. Later.”
“Ian…”
I disconnected before he could say more and the three thousand miles between us became an impenetrable wall of silence again. It hurt. I took a few deep breaths to ease the ache in my chest, but it didn’t work. It never did.
EXCERPT:
His gaze slammed into mine, hot with anger that didn’t touch me. “I was a fool to walk away from you. ‘One more try’ he said. What a joke.”
“I’m sorry.” And I was sorry he’d been hurt.
“Jesus, Ian. I knew when I left you standing there on the street, leaning on your car tipping your hat at Frank Bunson, it was a mistake to give Johnavan a last chance.”
He’d seen my little act of defiance at Frankie-boy? Huh.
“Why was it a mistake?”
His mouth dropped open. “Why? Why? Why the fuck do you think?”
“I think all sorts of things, Rick. I’d like for you to tell me the truth so I can make sense of some it.”
“It was a mistake because I’d met you.” He sighed heavily. “I didn’t …my heart wasn’t really in giving him another try.”
“And yet you did.”
“I wish I could lie to you, Ian, but I can’t. I’m not that big a bastard. You know what I thought? I thought I’d get him moved back east where he’d be happy and I’d be free to move on.”
I winced inwardly. Rick wasn’t a cold or calculating man in his personal life. “So how’d that work out for you?”
“How the fuck do you think?” He scrubbed his palms over his face. “I’m not good doing things to deliberately hurt people. He didn’t find a job right away, so I couldn’t just say ‘bye’ and leave him without rent money, now could I?”
That sounded more like him. “No, you couldn’t. Did he get a job or find someone else?”
Rick looked at me, a mix of emotions on his handsome face. He shook his head and rolled his eyes at the ceiling. “I came home from a day at the office and he was all packed and ready to go. It seems he used me as his ticket back to New York.”
“Oh, jeez. Hoist with your own petard.”
“Yeah, Shakespeare. I was. So I said it was fine and decided to enjoy a couple of weeks of solitude to make sure my head was out of my ass. Then you fucking call me and you’re going the fuck out with movie star Saylor Blackwood and I’m a fucking idiot!”
My joints went to jelly as the realization he was jealous I’d tricked Saylor sank into my brain. I grinned at him. “You’re not too fucking stupid. You are here now.”
And you want to sleep on the couch!”
I echoed his tone. “Well maybe not!”
We stared at each other.
_*_*_*_
Deuce of Diamonds
The sequel to Double Deuce
ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-423-6
contemporary gay romance now available at
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/DeuceDiamonds.html
Also available - Double Deuce
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/DoubleDeuce.html
KC Kendricks
website at: http://www.kckendricks.com
blog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
mailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kckendricks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1989106.K_C_Kendricks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Kc-Kendricks/1439574042
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kckendricks
May 3, 2013
Reflections on the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge
May 3, 2013
So you’d think I’d be all blogged out by now, wouldn’t you? You’d be correct and I am, but not so much so I can’t finish the challenge out with a ‘reflections’ post. Hmm. The bad grammar in that last sentence - I should be ashamed (but I’m not).
If you followed along at Between the Keys you already know I chose the theme “It’s All About the Books” for the 2013 A to Z. Between the Keys is both a personal and a promotion blog, so the theme fit. Here at my blog is where you can get to know me. I post all sorts of things depending on my mood of the day. So far in 2013, I happen to be in full author mode.
In 2011 I did the A to Z Challenge by the seat of my pants. It was fun, I enjoyed it, but I’m a planner by nature. I like organization in major undertakings, which the challenge is. Last year I created a calendar and worked out the daily topics, but didn’t have a theme. This year it all came together - a calendar and a theme. Good thing, too, because I have a lot of writing projects in various stages of completion so doing some promo on the backlist was very helpful as a timesaving device.
Following the calendar, which was truly the foundation of my plan, I began in January to compose the opening statements. By February I was pre-scheduling the posts, and by March 31st, I was looking forward to the 2014 A to Z Challenge. (Yep, you read that correctly. I mentioned 2014.) Each Sunday evening I checked the pre-scheduled posts to make sure they were good to go and could rest easy I was prepared for the week.
Once the month started, I tried to get around to various blogs, leave a comment, and join as a follower if they were on blogger. I’m not well versed on wordpress or other blog hosts. A lot of blogs didn’t have a “followers” list, which made me question if Between the Keys needed to have one showing, but I think it does so I left it in place.
I even got in the spirit of the cute individual letters someone created and made 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge board for them over at my Pinterest page. The one thing that did happen was Between the Keys became the target of a spammer. It’s not the first time this has happened but it did force me to turn on the word verification. I know we’re not supposed to do that because it annoys folks and discourages comments, but I simply couldn’t risk some of those comments getting through. Call it my Executive Order privilege. Did I enjoy the challenge? Of course! Would I have mentioned 2014 if I’d had enough? My hat’s off to Arlee Bird, the organizer, and his support posse. They do a great job and I’m sure each of them spends a lot of time on this project annually. The bottom line is the A to Z Challenge is a mechanism to build a community of bloggers and gives people a way to get a glimpse into the lives of fascinatingly normal people. And there it is. Another challenge met and conquered. From here it’s on to 2014 and whatever theme, or non-theme, strikes my fancy when the time to create my calendar rolls around. Peace to us all.
KC
So you’d think I’d be all blogged out by now, wouldn’t you? You’d be correct and I am, but not so much so I can’t finish the challenge out with a ‘reflections’ post. Hmm. The bad grammar in that last sentence - I should be ashamed (but I’m not).
If you followed along at Between the Keys you already know I chose the theme “It’s All About the Books” for the 2013 A to Z. Between the Keys is both a personal and a promotion blog, so the theme fit. Here at my blog is where you can get to know me. I post all sorts of things depending on my mood of the day. So far in 2013, I happen to be in full author mode.
In 2011 I did the A to Z Challenge by the seat of my pants. It was fun, I enjoyed it, but I’m a planner by nature. I like organization in major undertakings, which the challenge is. Last year I created a calendar and worked out the daily topics, but didn’t have a theme. This year it all came together - a calendar and a theme. Good thing, too, because I have a lot of writing projects in various stages of completion so doing some promo on the backlist was very helpful as a timesaving device.
Following the calendar, which was truly the foundation of my plan, I began in January to compose the opening statements. By February I was pre-scheduling the posts, and by March 31st, I was looking forward to the 2014 A to Z Challenge. (Yep, you read that correctly. I mentioned 2014.) Each Sunday evening I checked the pre-scheduled posts to make sure they were good to go and could rest easy I was prepared for the week.
Once the month started, I tried to get around to various blogs, leave a comment, and join as a follower if they were on blogger. I’m not well versed on wordpress or other blog hosts. A lot of blogs didn’t have a “followers” list, which made me question if Between the Keys needed to have one showing, but I think it does so I left it in place.
I even got in the spirit of the cute individual letters someone created and made 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge board for them over at my Pinterest page. The one thing that did happen was Between the Keys became the target of a spammer. It’s not the first time this has happened but it did force me to turn on the word verification. I know we’re not supposed to do that because it annoys folks and discourages comments, but I simply couldn’t risk some of those comments getting through. Call it my Executive Order privilege. Did I enjoy the challenge? Of course! Would I have mentioned 2014 if I’d had enough? My hat’s off to Arlee Bird, the organizer, and his support posse. They do a great job and I’m sure each of them spends a lot of time on this project annually. The bottom line is the A to Z Challenge is a mechanism to build a community of bloggers and gives people a way to get a glimpse into the lives of fascinatingly normal people. And there it is. Another challenge met and conquered. From here it’s on to 2014 and whatever theme, or non-theme, strikes my fancy when the time to create my calendar rolls around. Peace to us all.
KC
April 30, 2013
Z is for Zion on the last day of the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge
2013 A to Z Blogging ChallengeIt's All About the Books
Day 26April 30, 2013
We’re done for another year, at least on the surface. So are we finished? I doubt it! There are a lot of days left between now and 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge. (And having said that I sure hope it happens again next year!) The blogging challenge is about more than 30 blogs in April. It’s about online communities, and I hope some of you have found one and perhaps made me part of yours. I’d be honored if you have. Now, on to Z.
I don’t know why when I sat down to write the blog for “Z” that Zion came to mind. All my life, Zion has been this mystical, magical place. As steeped in religious rhetoric as Zion is, you’d think someone who believes the spiritual state of Zion would have some problems writing gay romance, wouldn’t you? Obviously that's not the case at all. It's more likely to be at the root of the reason I do write gay romance.
Leaning back in my chair to ponder why the word Zion came to mind provided no insights. The religious connotations aside, it’s not a word one often hears. So I googled it. Well, actually I used Alta Vista just to be different but I’m sure the results were similar. What popped up?
1) The historic land of Israel as a symbol of the Jewish people. (knew it)
2) A place or religious community regarded as sacredly devoted to God. (knew it)3) An idealized, harmonious community; utopia. (knew it)
I suspect the reason I thought of Zion was the third - the idea of a harmonious community. The notion of living in harmony has a lot of appeal, doesn’t it? What could be better than a world where we’re all free to live and love as we please as long as we do not harm, cause to be harmed, or burden one another? It’s been on my mind lately as I listen to the news. If we can’t get along, we lose the potential for personal greatness.
Smiling at a stranger on the street, holding a door for our elders, and returning the empty shopping cart might not seem to be the building blocks for a personal happy space, but it works for me. I always feel better if I’ve done something that potentially adds to another person’s day. Maybe my personal path to a utopian world of Zion lies in doing little things and not grand sweeping gestures. Those grand sweeping gestures sound exhausting to me and I need to save some energy for writing.
You know, maybe I should blame all this contemplation of Zion on Gene Roddenberry. I did grow up with Star Trek, after all. Life in the Federation had its problems, but it also presented a view of a future where it seemed people understood they had to work together and make nice with one another to make the universe a better place.
I like that idea. I really do.
Make it so.
KC Kendricks
http://www.kckendricks.com
April 29, 2013
Y is for Your Whisper in the Dark by KC Kendricks
2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge It's All About the Books
Day 25April 29, 2013
Today is the next to the last day of the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge. It’s a relief to be so close to the finish line and it's exhilarating at the same time. I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know me a little better and reading the promos about the books. Yes, with me, it IS always all about the books. No matter what else I do in my life, I’m a writer first.
Finding the perfect title for a book is fraught with unrecognized peril. I thought “Your Whisper in the Dark” was a great title, but I might have been…misguided...by my inspiration. Suffice it to say as many future titles as possible will begin with A, B, C, D or E. Gotcha curious about why?
I learned that some third party vendors rank their titles alphabetically. And where does “Your Whisper in the Dark” end up? Last. I could have every other book on my backlist in the top 100, but this book will still be last. Yep. I wasn’t too smart when I settled on this title. It’s a major disservice to this book. Sooooo, I hope you’ll ignore its spot in the rankings and take a chance on it. It's only there because people can't find it! Live and learn something new every day!
_*_*_*_*_
Your Whisper in the Dark
Contemporary erotic gay romanceAvailable now at http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/YourWhisperDark.html(book four of the Men of Marionville series)
Kenzie Zahn is starting over as a single man. Left with few immediate options, he accepts a friend’s invitation to visit and house sit. It’s the perfect opportunity for Kenzie to put a little space between the past and present while figuring out the best path for his future.
Mason Hall enjoys the carefree single life. He works hard, plays a little harder, and doesn’t think much about settling down. The right man will come along – or not – and he’s content to wait. A night out to enjoy a little dancing leads to a hook-up with Kenzie, the kind of man Mason has only ever fantasized about. Mason can’t let him get away.
Kenzie’s smitten. Mason is irresistible, but home is a thousand miles away and a long-distance romance isn’t workable. A strange twist of identity brings a linked past to light. Kenzie and Mason are brought to the realization that even when Fate arranges a man’s destiny, he still has to take a leap of faith, or lose out on love.
INTRO:
I scampered off to the parlor like a love struck teenager, snatched the receiver off the hook, and fell breathlessly onto the sofa.
“Hey, Mason.”
“Hey. I had this number on the service ticket from last fall. Um, is it okay I called?”
I heard the ‘click’ as Tyler hung the phone upstairs. “Yeah, sure. I guess I should give you my cell phone number, though.”
“Yeah. Do it tonight.”
My stomach plunged. The weather wasn’t conducive to going out. I appreciated Tyler’s offer of his truck, but it would be foolish to go out on unfamiliar icy roads when I didn’t really need to.
“It’s snowing, Mason.”
There was a clattering crash in my ear.
“Fuck. Dropped my screwdriver. Dropped my wrench. Hold on.”
I grinned as I listened to more noise and additional foul language. Was he nervous over calling me? His smooth voice flowed back into my ear. “Sorry about that. I know it’s snowing, damn it. So you’re not coming into town?”
“I’d better not. I don’t know the roads around here that well.” I held my breath, dreading his next words. What if he hung up and we never connected again?
But wouldn’t that be best? My head and my heart weren’t in agreement.
“I guess you’re right.” He cleared his throat. I heard him take a deep breath. “Kenzie, will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”
I failed to remember I was thirty-six, and a mature man. I ignored how bad of an idea it was to get involved with anyone a thousand miles away from home.
We’d already had each other in the most physically intimate ways possible, and now he wanted to take me dinner. I pumped my fist in the air in a gesture of victory.
“I would love to have dinner with you, Mason.”
EXCERPT:
“Kenzie, please. We need to go someplace private so I can tell you everything.”
I couldn’t think about anything except getting the hell away from him. “I’m leaving, and neither one of us is going to make a scene. Goodbye, Mason.”
I stood, turned on my heel, and left him sitting there. I needed fresh air, to somehow manage to breathe again. If I could get out the door, I could quiet the pounding ‘why, why, why’ beating inside my skull. Was this what people meant by a surreal experience? I fumbled my car keys, dropping them. I bent over to retrieve them without paying attention to how close to the car I was and whacked my head on the car door.
“Fucking hell!” I plopped down on the frozen tundra of blacktop and grabbed the right side of my head to make sure my brains weren’t spilling out.
Just fucking great. I’d sport a bruise for sure come morning, not to mention the fucking headache already eating through bone.
Every time I went queen-out, something nasty happened and it was usually my own fucking fault. Like now. I welcomed Mason’s body heat as he knelt beside me. “Kenzie? Are you okay?”
I kept my right palm pressed to my forehead and glared at him.
“What the fuck to you think?” I moved my hand. “Just tell me if I’m bleeding.”
Mason hesitated, then stroked my face with cold fingertips. “The skin isn’t broken, but I think you’re going to have a bump.” He eased down beside me and I hoped his balls would freeze fast to the macadam through his jeans and stick when he got up. “Please talk to me, Kenzie.”
I suspected there was no way to avoid a conversation with him. Self-induced concussion aside, I seemed to have regained some composure. Maybe. I had one burning question for him.
“Mason, why the fuck even tell me? Why not let me live in blissful ignorance?”
He reached for my hand but stopped short of taking it. I sighed and held it out to him. His chilly fingers closed around my equally cold ones. My gloves were in the car instead of my pocket. Score another point for the home team.
“I had to tell you, Kenzie. It was the only right thing to do once I realized who you were.” He started to put his arm around me but I froze him with a look.
Yes, it was. I had to agree with him on that point. He could have kept it from me. How would I ever learn of it? Dennis and I weren’t in touch, and as far as I was concerned, we never would be. It was all in the past, his and mine, and it couldn’t be changed. Generally, I held with the belief that if there was one thing gay men had no right to judge, it was another gay man’s past sexual history – casting the first stone and all that crap.
My immediate thought was he’d blown that out of the water, but maybe not. He’d taken a big risk by telling me about knowing my ex-partner. Lord, my head hurt.
“So you told me. Now you can fuck me guilt free.”
Mason blew out a short, tired breath. “Kenzie.”
“Sorry. I’m not at my best when my head is splitting and my balls are freezing.”
This time, I didn’t stop him when he moved to put his arm around my shoulders. “I told you because you deserved to know my side of it, okay? If I could take back that day, I would.”
That day? One day? Had Dennis wrecked our life together over one lousy fuck? I certainly saw why he’d be attracted to Mason. The man was smoking hot and, heaven help us all, principled.
“I’m going home, Mason. I need to think about a few things.”
“Will you come to my place so we can talk? And I mean talk. No sex unless you say so.”
The man’s sincerity rang clear and true in his low voice. I hated to turn him down, but I had to.
YOUR WHISPER IN THE DARK
ISBN 978-1-61124-129-7
Available now at http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/YourWhisperDark.html
KC Kendricks
website at: http://www.kckendricks.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kckendricks
mailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys
personal blog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Kc-Kendricks/1439574042
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kckendricks
April 27, 2013
X is for What, X-actly, Do I Want?
It's All About the BooksDay 24
2013 A to Z Blogging ChallengeApril 27, 2013
How do you like the title for today’s entry in the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge? Do you know that X is even more difficult the U to write a blog about????? At least it is for me.
Exactly what I want. It’s not about having my own way everyday of my life, although it would be nice to have that happen every once in a while. It’s not about shopping either. (Here again I wouldn’t say no to finding the perfect pair of boots and I know all you fellow boot lovers understand that very well.) It’s a lot deeper than the superficial day-to-day things in life.
Do any of us know what we really want? Deep down inside, what do we want? We all want to be healthy and happy, to have a loving spouse and family support, a weather-tight dwelling to call home and a job that brings satisfaction. But what else do we want? Tough question, isn’t it?
Think fast and remember the first thing that pops into your mind when you answer to this question I pose: What, exactly, do I want for my life?
Did the answer surprise you? Did it take sudden root within you? Are you brave enough to listen to that voice? Because if you are, your life will change and you’ll love it.
When I was in high school (in the way back time) a question frequently asked by faculty members was “What do you want to do with your life?” I never responded by saying I wanted to be a writer, but now I know a writer is X-actly what I want to be and who I am.
KC Kendricks http://www.kckendricks.com
April 26, 2013
W is for What You Don't Confess
April 26, 2013It's All About the Books
Day 23
2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge
We’ve made it all the way to W. That’s means three days to go, after today, in the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge. Whew. Deep breath. Thanks to everyone who has come along for the ride!
“Every man has a secret past and an unwritten future. What he won’t confess lies between the two.”
When the powers that be at Amber Allure decided to do a coming out themed PAX, those words just popped into my head. And since I was ready to do the third story in the Men of Marionville series, the two came together.
I hope you’ll enjoy reading What You Don’t Confess as much as I enjoyed my writing time with the characters of Dylan and Cass.
*_*_*_*_* What You Don't Confess
Contemporary gay romance
available at http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/WhatYouDontConfess.html
(book three of the Men of Marionville series)
Bright and beautiful, Cassidy Barlow is one of Marionville’s new breed of movers and shakers. Outspoken on political and social issues, Cass draws a lot of media attention, and knows how to us it. Out and proud, Cass makes no apologies for who he is, or who he wants – and he wants Dylan Donoghy. The only thing is, from where Cass stands, Dylan seems to be involved with two different men.
Coming out. The most difficult phrase in Dylan Donoghy’s vocabulary. Handsome, successful, wealthy, he’s made it this far in life with only his closest friends knowing he’s gay. Dylan has a good reason for that to change – his deepening attraction to Cassidy Barlow. It doesn’t come easy, but Dylan takes a few first steps out of the closet. It’s his only choice if he wants to be with Cass, even though he knows Cass has some secrets of his own.
Every man has a private past, and an unwritten future. What he won’t confess stands between the two.
EXCERPT
“You do know those four watchdogs of yours were there the entire evening, don’t you?”
I nodded. “They like to keep an eye on me. Obviously, it didn’t discourage you at all.”
His hand gripped my shoulders again. His amber gaze drilled into mine. “Just so I don’t step in it, Dylan, how many of them have you slept with? And don’t lie to me.”
I fought back against of wave of anger. How dare he imply I’d not tell him the truth? Being astute, he knew he’d pissed me off. I saw the apology in his eyes as he touched his fingertips to my lips.
“That didn’t come out right, Dylan.”
“ Apology accepted. Before today, I might have told you it was none of your business, but now I think you should know. We’re no longer intimate, but I have a very close, special relationship with both Travis and Tyler. I’m very happy for them that they both found a partner.”
“That’s what I figured out Friday night when they spent all that time running in and out of an area marked ‘private’. Especially Templeton.”
“Don’t test me too often, Cass. I don’t like it.” I spoke sharper than intended, but he needed to know my boundaries. “There’s a lot of space between your age and mine. Be careful not to judge until you get to where I am.”
Those restless hands of his skimmed along my sides. “I’m not being judgmental, I swear. I just needed to know what the dynamics are between you and them so I don’t put both feet in my mouth.”
“Okay. I get it. And for what it’s worth, all four of them, especially Travis, are rooting for you.”
"Really? He’s in my corner, is he?” Cass tucked his fingers under my belt and tugged. I levered my weight off the door and stepped past him, capturing his hand to pull him into the casual space I used for informal gatherings.
“He’s using tough love on me when it comes to you, so don’t be shocked, or surprised, at his little quips. Have a seat.”
Cass eased down on the love seat and patted the spot beside him. I ignored him, and went to the bar. “What would you like to drink?”
“Ginger ale?”
I nodded and poured two, handing his to him with an apology it didn’t come in a brandy snifter as I settled in beside him. I stopped him when he moved to put his arm around me.
“You’re killing me here, Dylan.”
“No, I’m not.” I sipped my drink. “Cass, I don’t want to make a misstep with you. I know what you want tonight, but what do you want next week? Or next month? Christ, what do I want next week?”
He leaned back and watched me with those amber eyes. His cool, even regard gave little indication of his thoughts. Cass downed his drink in three fast swallows, then swirled the ice around in the bottom of the empty glass.
“Do you always think everything to death, Dylan?”
“It’s a hazard one encounters in middle age.”
“I’m not some mistake you’ll regret when you’re ninety.”
I laid my hand on his thigh. The heat of his skin penetrated his jeans, and snaked up my arm. “You’re right, you know. I won’t regret meeting you, whether dinner is all we share, or we become friends, or if we become lovers.”
“Or? If? I don’t appreciate being jerked around.”
"Well, poor little you that I haven’t figured this out yet.”
Cass’s mouth dropped open, then snapped closed. He stared at me, blinked, and stared again. I reveled in private glee that I’d seen him speechless twice in one day, but that amusement was strongly tempered by the knowledge I had him too far off balance. I squeezed his knee.
“Look, Cass. I’m not jerking you around. Getting involved with someone isn’t easy for me. I’ve never been someone who gets a hard-on for a guy and loses my mind until I fuck him. I have to think things through, and consider the impact it may have on my life.”
He shook his head. “Babe, you’ve got to start living in the moment, and stop living in fear.” Cass set his empty glass down on the end table and stood. With angry, disappointed eyes, he met my gaze. A muscle moved in his clenched jaw.
My heart beat painfully. I knew what he was going to say...
WHAT YOU DON'T CONFESS
ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-020-7
Contemporary gay romance
available at http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/WhatYouDontConfess.html
KC Kendricks
Visit my website at: http://www.kckendricks.com
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Join my mailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys
Read my personal blog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.com
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