Vivienne Diane Neal's Blog, page 65

He is looking for Someone Special

Mr. Ben Evans
Submissive Black male, age 55, 5’9” tall, and 210 lbs. seek a dominant lady friend for intimate relationship. Interests are chess, movies, spanking, and role-playing. Please, no inmates. Contact Mr. Ben Evans, PO Box 423931, San Francisco, CA  94142-3931  USA.

If You Are In A Sticky Relationship By Miss Know It All

Miss Know It  AllRecently, I was watching a popular daytime talk show. There is a segment where a member of the audience can ask the host a question about dating, love, and relationships.
A young woman got up and asked a question regarding her mate. She has been living with this man for five years and emphasized he was a great man, good-looking, everything you would want in a mate. The subject of marriage came up, but there was a problem: The sex was not that great.
Why anyone would expose something so personal on national TV is unbelievable. If the sex was not satisfactory and is the most important part of the relationship, she should have talk about it with her mate, right from the start and not five years later.
Maybe things were okay until the word marriage came up. You can imagine how the man felt when he saw this event on his television. Better yet, think of the humiliation he would face on the job or the chitchat from friends or family members.
Sex between two people is an intimate act. If there is a problem, it is not something you want to share with millions of viewers. You should be discussing this with your mate behind closed doors and certainly before the word marriage pops up.
The host did say, and I am paraphrasing, “Maybe you can teach him or explain how you want him to please you.”
My question is, “What took this woman so long to realize that the sparks were not there in the bedroom? If it took five years for her to see the light, becoming a teacher now is probably too late. The genie is already out of the bottle.”
####
What do you think? Please leave your comments.

Miss Know It All Answers Your Questions

Miss Know It AllDoes online dating work? If yes, which online dating site have you had the most success with? FYI: I tried eHarmony and Match.com and been disappointed by both. Thank you beforehand for sharing your thoughts about this.
WS  
It is very hard to pinpoint which on-line dating service is the best. It will depend on your wishes and needs, namely, membership price, or if you can join free and upgrade when you wish to contact someone.
Does the site have a chat room, have a variety of members who fit your requirements or are you looking for a niche-dating site.
One WorldSingles is a great all-inclusive dating site. It is the coolest place to meet the nicest singles from around the world. All colors, ages (18+) religions, ethnicities and lifestyles. You can browse through thousands of profiles, upload your own photo and personal details, see who is on-line, meet your soul mate, instant messaging and begin having fun! If you are seeking marriage, love, dating, companionship, a soul mate, friendship, on-line romance or just a pen pal, then this site is for you.  

Wishing you every success in your endeavors.
* * *
If you have a question about dating, romance, love, or relationships send it to hmcsromanceinternational@juno.com. 

Meet Paul DeBlassie III, Author of THE UNHOLY

BLURB 
A young curandera, a medicine woman, intent on uncovering the secrets of her past is forced into a life-and-death battle against an evil Archbishop. Set in the mystic land of Aztlan, The Unholy is a novel of destiny as healer and slayer. Native lore of dreams and visions, shape changing, and natural magic work to spin a neo-gothic web in which sadness and mystery lure the unsuspecting into a twilight realm of discovery and decision.     Excerpt

“Help me? Help yourself! Face what is yours to face,” Elizabeth hissed. She yanked the door open then forced it to slam behind her.
Claire stood still for a moment, feeling as if a tornado had swept through the room. Elizabeth’s demand had left her shaken. She drew a deep breath, then went to her desk and picked up her tea, noticing her trembling hands.
Turning toward the window, Claire saw a muscular orderly accompanying Elizabeth to the locked ward at the far end of the hospital compound. A flock of crows circled high overhead, seeming to follow the two receding figures. As they arrived at the outer doors of the locked unit, the orderly reached for his keys. The crows circled while the two crossed the threshold of the unit, Elizabeth suddenly pausing, turning, and looking outside, her gaze riveted on the flock of birds.
All but two flew off, disappearing into the piñon-covered hills. The two that remained came to rest on the red brick wall adjacent to the locked unit, their black eyes boring into Elizabeth. She looked panicked then enraged and, shaking a finger at the creatures, yelled something. Her frantic gestures told Claire that she was screeching curses to ward off evil.
Claire took a step back from the window, from the impact of Elizabeth’s rage.
The orderly grabbed Elizabeth roughly by the arm and pulled her inside.
The crows waited, watched, then flew away.
About The Author
Paul DeBlassie III, AuthorPaul DeBlassie III, Ph.D., is a psychologist and writer living in Albuquerque who has treated survivors of the dark side of religion for more than 30 years. His professional consultation practice — SoulCare — is devoted to the tending of the soul. Dr. DeBlassie writes fiction with a healing emphasis. He has been deeply influenced by the mestizo myth of Aztlan, its surreal beauty and natural magic.  He is a member of the Depth Psychology Alliance, the Transpersonal Psychology Association and the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.
* * * *
One randomly drawn commenter will receive the choice of a $50 Amazon/BN gift card. Raffle Copter.

New Harmony Children’s Book Series Explores Issue of Multi-racial Families

Newly launched The Adventures of Harmonychildren’s book series, written by author Edward Rea with illustrations by famed Dora the Explorer cartoon illustrator Curt Wallstead, explores the issue of growing up in a multi-racial household.
The first book of the series introduces Harmony and her diverse family reflecting the racial diversity that exists in many children’s lives in their homes, at their schools and in their communities. Readers have the opportunity to follow Harmony as she explores different parts of the world and learns those essential human elements that connect us all.
“I was inspired to create this book series by observing my community and noticing that multi-racial families are a reality for a large number of families in the US and are grossly underrepresented in children’s literature.,” said author Edward Rea. “I want to provide something for children that reflects their reality and the changing face of America.”
About Harmony
Harmony is a young multiracial little girl with 2 loving parents just trying to fit in the world. She may look different that a lot of boys and girls but on the inside she is just the same. She is a little girl full of wonder and adventure; she loves to explore the world learning all about people, places and things. She travels all across the globe introducing children to new cultures teaching inclusion and cohesiveness.
The first book in the series is available for purchase at

Harmony's World
Amazon 

p.m. Terrell, AuthorUSA Weekend recently reported that 57...

p.m. Terrell, AuthorUSA Weekend recently reported that 57% of the people they surveyed believed in the idea of The One; that very special person who was meant just for them.
It was the concept of a soul mate that led me to write The Tempest Murders, about two lovers who found and then lost one another in 1839 and two lovers in 2011 that bear striking similarities to them. It raises the intriguing question of whether there really is That Special Someone meant for each of us. It also raises the possibility of reincarnation and whether we are destined to find our soul mate in multiple lifetimes.
The book is written from a male point of view. Detective Ryan O’Clery is an Irish immigrant investigating a serial murder case in North Carolina when he meets Cathleen Reilly, a television reporter who bears a striking resemblance to a woman he has dreamed about his entire life. Their relationship unfolds rapidly but things won’t be easy for them—Cathleen fits the profile of every victim and Ryan suspects she could be the killer’s next target.
Ryan describes his feelings to his sister Claire, “I’ve always had this feeling, like I had a twin in the womb with me. And somehow, coming into the world, that twin was lost. I’ve always lived with this emptiness, as if someone ought to be there who isn’t.”
“I know you have, Re. I’ve always known you have.”
“When she was here, when we were together, it—it was as though I’d found my twin. The other part of myself. She made me whole somehow.”
“Your twin soul.”
“She is my twin soul, Claire. I know we’ve been together before. I know we have.”
The concept of a twin soul is that when the soul is conceived, there is a male and a female aspect. These are split apart with each going his or her own way. Each soul is complete, but when they meet each other, they have an instant connection. It’s as if each is a powerful magnet that the other can’t resist—nor would they want to. It happens only once, and only with The One.
A soul mate is actually someone from our soul family. The soul family is a group of souls that remain extremely close, whether it’s in a parent-child, sibling, or best friends scenario. Soul mates can be two females, two males—or, as the majority of singles believe—a male and a female destined to be together. The bond goes deeper and stronger with a soul mate than with someone you’re dating and don’t feel more than a superficial connection with.
Finding your twin soul or soul mate doesn’t guarantee that everything will be rosy, just as Ryan and Cathleen find in The Tempest Murders. But once the bond is established, there is no denying it.
* * * *
One World Singles would like to welcome p.m. Terrell, author of The Tempest Murders . The author will be awarding a Celtic bracelet (US only) to a randomly drawn commenter during her tour.
Celtic Bracelet
* * * *
The Tempest Murders by p.m. Terrell


BLURB:
A provocative story of a love that spans centuries, of soul mates found, lost and reunited… and the lengths to which one man will go to change their destiny.
Irish Detective Ryan O’Clery is working a series of homicides in America when he discovers a journal written by an uncle, Constable Rian Kelly, five generations earlier. The journal detailed the same type of murders as the worst storm in Ireland’s history slammed into the island in 1839.
As Hurricane Irene barrels toward the North Carolina coastline, Ryan discovers even the killer’s description matches his cases exactly. And as he falls in love with television reporter Cathleen Reilly, he begins to wonder if she is the reincarnation of Caitlin O’Conor, Rian Kelly’s lover—the woman who was lost to the killer as the storm raged in Ireland—and if he is the reincarnation of Constable Rian Kelly.
Now he’s in a race to rescue Cathleen before the killer finds her—or is history destined to repeat itself?Excerpt:
“I know you too well,” Claire said. “You’re wanting the story of Caitlín O’Conor, aren’t you?”
“Who?”
She smiled. “Her name was Caitlín O’Conor. She was supposedly the great love of Ríán Kelly’s life. It was a star-crossed love story. Her father was a prominent man in the village and Ríán was a ‘lowly county inspector’ and though they were deeply in love, her father would not permit Ríán to ask for her hand in marriage.”
He felt his chest tighten and he sipped his coffee to avoid Claire’s piercing eyes.
“The tale is that they sneaked around for years; everybody knew it. Everybody except Caitlín’s father, that is. They were madly in love.” She sighed wistfully.
“What happened?” He kept his eyes on his coffee. “Did she marry someone else?”
“Her father died. Quite unexpectedly. Heart simply stopped. And without him in the way, they were clear to be married.” She brushed non-existent crumbs from the countertop before continuing. “He asked for her hand in marriage on New Year’s Eve. Let’s see, I believe it was 1838. Yes, that’s right. December 31, 1838.”

“How can you be so certain of the date?”
“Because seven days later, Caitlín was dead.”
His head jerked up and he stared into Claire’s eyes. They were as green as the fields of Ireland and now she cocked her head and eyed him curiously.
“He’d gone to Dublin, so the story goes,” she continued slowly.
“Ríán Kelly.”
“Aye. He’d been called away on business. And as Fate would have it, the great flood came while he was gone and Caitlín was swept away. It was January 6, 1839—Epiphany.” Her voice took on a whispered note as though she was telling a ghost story. “There were those in the faith who had forecast the end of the world would occur on January 6, 1839—the day of Epiphany. So when the air grew completely still, so still they could hear the voices of neighbors miles apart, there were some who thought the end was near.”
He waited for her to continue. His cheeks were growing flush and he could feel beads of sweat beginning to pop out across his brow. “What happened then?”
“By nightfall, there were gale force winds. They moved from the western coast of Ireland all the way to Dublin, where Ríán Kelly had traveled. Some said the winds were accompanied by an eerie moan, a rumbling of sorts. But not thunder; it was a sound never heard before nor since. It increased as the winds grew. And then the northern sky turned a shade of red that had never been seen before.
“Well, so the myth goes, Ríán Kelly left Dublin immediately. It was a miracle he made it back to the village at all. He traveled through the night, in the rain and the hail, with the winds all about him. Bridges had been washed away; the wind had been so strong—stronger than anything Ireland had experienced in more than three hundred years—so strong that it whipped the Atlanticinto a fury and pushed it all the way across the island. Streams and creeks became raging rivers. Whole villages were wiped out. Even some of the castles were beyond repair.”
He rested his elbows on the counter and put his head in his hands.
“You’re sure you don’t want to lie down, Re? You look as if you might faint.”
“I’m fine,” he said. “What happened when Ríán Kelly reached his village?”
“It was gone. Oh, there were a few buildings still intact. The church, for one. But Caitlín O’Conor’s home had been washed away. There was no sign of Caitlín.”
“So that’s where the story ends, does it?”
“Oh, no. I suppose it’s where it just begins.”
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
p.m. terrell is the pen name for Patricia McClelland Terrell, the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of more than eighteen books in four genres: contemporary suspense, historical suspense, computer how-to and non-fiction.
Prior to writing full-time, she founded two computer companies in the Washington, DCMetropolitan Area: McClelland Enterprises, Inc. and Continental Software Development Corporation. Among her clients were the Central Intelligence Agency, United States Secret Service, U.S.Information Agency, and Department of Defense. Her specialties were in white-collar computer crimes and computer intelligence.
Vicki’s Key was a top five finalist in the 2012 International Book Awards and 2012 USA Book Awards nominee and her historical suspense, River Passage, was a 2010 Best Fiction and Drama Winner. It was determined to be so historically accurate that a copy of the book resides at the Nashville Government Metropolitan Archives in Nashville, Tennessee.
She is also the co-founder of The Book ‘Em Foundation, an organization committed to raising public awareness of the correlation between high crime rates and high illiteracy rates. She is the organizer of Book ‘Em North Carolina, an annual event held in Lumberton, North Carolina, to raise funds to increase literacy and reduce crime. For more information on this event and the literacy campaigns funded by it, visit www.bookemnc.org. 
She sits on the boards of the Friends of the Robeson County Public Library and the Robeson County Arts Council. She has also served on the boards of Crime Stoppers and Crime Solvers and became the first female president of the Chesterfield County-Colonial Heights Crime Solvers in Virginia.
For more information visit the author’s Website, follow her on Twitter and Facebook, and visit her Blog.
Buy Links:
Amazon

Just in Time for Halloween - Valentina and the Haunted Mansion by Majanka Verstraete | Illustrator Noelle Giffin

Book Details
Title: Valentina and the Haunted Mansion
Series: Valentina’s Spooky Adventures #1)
Author: Majanka Verstraete
Genre: Picture Book, Vampires, Paranormal, Kids, Children’s Book
Release Date: May 20, 2013
Publisher: Evolved Publishing
Price: $2.99 (eBook), $10.95 (Paperback), $21.95 (Hardcover)

Synopsis :
Valentina isn’t thrilled with her parents’ decision to move into an ancient, gigantic mansion in the middle of nowhere—filled with dark, unsettling rooms, and far away from civilization, where they don’t have to worry about hiding who they are. Sure, it may be perfect for a vampire family like hers, but moving here meant leaving her best friends behind.

The new house has some perks, though. Valentina gets to choose her own room, and when she explores the mansion on her own, she discovers a trophy room, a museum room, a music room, and much more.

From the moment Valentina started exploring, however, she’s felt someone watching her. Strange things start to happen all around her: footprints appear in the dust, a disembodied voice sneezes....

...and just because Valentina is a vampire, doesn’t mean she doesn't get scared like any other little girl.
Book Excerpt

This bedroom was perfect for her—not girly and pink, like most girls would want it, but dark and mysterious. That was more Valentina's style.
"Wow!" She smiled and rushed toward the bed, and did the first thing every kid did when she got a new bed.
She jumped up and down on it.

Author Bio
Majanka Verstraete, AuthorMajanka Verstraete begged her Mom to teach her how to read while she was still in kindergarten. By the time she finished fifth grade, she had read through the entire children’s section of her hometown library.
She wrote her first story when she was seven years old, and hasn’t stopped writing since. With an imagination that never sleeps, and hundreds of possible book characters screaming for her attention, writing is more than a passion for her.
She writes about all things supernatural for children of all ages. She’s tried to write contemporary novels before, but something paranormal always manages to crawl in.
Majanka is currently studying for her Master of Laws degree, and hopes one day to be able to combine her passions for law and writing. When she’s not writing, reading or studying, she likes watching “The Vampire Diaries” and “Game of Thrones,” spending time with her friends, or playing “World of Warcraft.”
Her debut picture book, “Valentina and the Haunted Mansion” released in May 2013, and was published by Evolved Publishing. She is now working on her second picture book, “Valentina and the Whackadoodle Witch”, which will be published in December 2013.
She has a lower grade chapter book, “The Doll Maker” coming out in September 2013. This is the first book in the Weirdville series, a series of scary books for kids. The second and third book will be released in December 2013, along with an audio book for “The Doll Maker”.
Her debut young adult novel, “Fractured”, the first book in the Mirrorland series, will release in September 2013 by InkSpell Publishing. You can now pre-order your copy.
Links:
Author Website
Picture Books Website
Goodreads Book Show
Goodreads Author Show
Facebook
Twitter
Preorder your copy of Fractured here.
Purchase your copy of Valentina and the Haunted Mansion here.

Illustrator Bio
Noelle Giffin, IllustratorNoelle Giffin is an alumna of the Savannah College of Art and Design, equipped with a BFA in Sequential Art. She enjoys a good story and believes that it should always be accompanied by art that complements it, instead of overshadowing it. Her favorite part of creating artwork is working towards that feeling of “being in the zone,” where everything just fits together seamlessly and is difficult to distract from.
She likes to listen to music while she draws and, as a result, comes up with silly music video ideas for her characters. Her medium tends to be digital, but nothing beats drawing with pencil and paper. Lastly, she loves fat little birds like nothing else in the world (and now no one is surprised as to why she’s drawing Bird Brain Books).
Website
Facebook 

Additional Sites to Purchase Your Copy
Evolved Pub
Amazon (US)  B&N 
Smashwords  Sony  iTunes  Kobo
Amazon (UK)

Miss Know It All Answers Your Questions

Miss Know It All
Does Speed dating work? If yes, how much to pay?
I have never used a speed dating service. Whether speed dating is right for you or not, is a decision, you will have to make. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages to joining this type of service. The question to ask, are you looking for someone to date on a casual basis, seeking a long-term relationship or marriage? The right price is what you are willing to pay. Good luck in finding that special someone.
AP  Do social sites really protect privacy?
I always say, “There is no such thing as privacy when it comes to the World Wide Web.” When you submit information about yourself, it is there for the whole world to see. Remember, no matter how secure you think a site might be, there is always someone monitoring your details, and you would not be the wiser. If you are worrying about privacy, do not go on the Internet.
RS
* * *
If you have a question about dating, romance, love, or relationships send it to hmcsromanceinternational@juno.com.

For Your Reading Pleasure - Husband to Rent by Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

About The Book
Trapped in wealthy bondage with her siblings legally married, parental and societal pressure mounting daily, successful banker and cynic, Otasowie Idah knew she was fast running out of excuses. How long was she going to pretend that being single at twenty-nine didn't carry a stigma?
HUSBAND to RENT is a dramatic story about an unmarried woman forced to live at home. Her inheritance is at stake. She's pushed to marrying the man her father chooses for her...until she stumbles across an escape route out of her bonds. And then, she plans the unthinkable! To rent a husband for a week!  Will Otasowie’s carefully woven scheme unravel their locked infatuation? Will he be her husband for a week?
With his parents and friends’ reservations ringing in his head, Gambian born and bred hotelier, Fara Damba shoves his recently broken engagement behind him to trace his grandfather in a country he knows nothing about. His only purpose in Nigeria is to quickly find his grandfather, and return to his homeland. A chance meeting with Otasowie at the Registry office is all it takes to kick start a chain of events that will test their values. Is Fara willing to get help at any cost? And will he grant her absurd wish to be her husband for one week?
About the Author
Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku grew up in a lovely bustling place in South West Nigeria called Benin City. She is second in a family of six and has a B.Sc in Microbiology and an MBA.
She loves and enjoys writing romance novels with a fine blend of intense sensual romance, intrigue and conflict. Her characters are larger-than-life, feisty and have a heart and soul. The storylines are detailed with heart-stopping romantic twists that come alive.
In 2010, she created Flirty & Feisty Romance Novel. Her collection of contemporary romance novels includes, LOITERING SHADOWS, STORMY DEFENSE, BEYOND the LADY, the National Novel Writing Month 2010 winning novel, THE GARDENER’s ICE MAIDEN, SPARKLING DAWN and HUSBAND to RENT.
Stella is now working on her first Nigerian historical romance. It's a series of three books set in Ancient Benin City. The three titles are set in three eras: the 18th, 19th & 20th Century respectively. She is thrilled for the opportunity to research her ancestors of the ancient Benin Empire. She is keen to throw in the reign of Oba Ovoranmwen Nogbaisi (1888-1914) who was exiled to Calabar in 1897 by the British. She is determined to bring the bustling Benin Empire to her readers.
The author takes care of her handsome, life-size hero of a husband and two vibrant & loving ‘near teenagers.’ She is a Quality Assurance Professional with over sixteen years food industry experience. She loves to read romance novels, swim and watch TV, including Nollywood.
Excerpt/Review Links
Book Excerpt
Goodreads Book Review
Smashwords Book Review
Buy links
Paperback
eBook@Amazon
eBook@Amazon UK
eBook@Smashwords
Amazon Author's Page
Author’s Website
Email

How Long is Too Long to Wait for a Marriage Proposal? By Miss Know It All

Miss Know It AllRecently, I was watching a TV talk show, and a guest had asked the host to help her boyfriend propose to her.
She described how she cooks, cleans, and meets all of his needs, believes he is the one and wants to spend the rest of her life with him, as his wife.
He claimed that he loves this woman with all of his heart, but the explanations he made as to why he had not propose to her will provide you with a clue that marriage for him is not really in the cards. Some of the reasons he gave were as follows:
     1.    I see myself with her but not married to her right now.
     2.    I am afraid it will not work.

     3.    I like our relationship just the way it is.

     4.    Since both of us have been married before, I want to make certain this is what we really want.

     5.    She is a fine woman who motivates and believes in me, except there are some financial problems that she will have to deal with first before considering marriage.
She has heard these rationalizations for over five years, and up until now, he has not proposed to her, and she very much wants to get married.
One may ask, “How long is too long to wait for a marriage proposal.” The answer is simple. “Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free?”
You may think I am being facetious, but it does not take a clairvoyant to see the outcome of this relationship.
If a man likes the present relationship just the way it is and you do not, there will be no proposal.
Going on national TV and begging a man to put a ring on your finger, after five years living together, will not be sufficient. If you want that ring, you must demand it. Moreover, if he refuses to commit to marriage, then it is time to say good-bye.
Newsflash: He did propose to her on the show, but I did not see him put a RING on her finger. Do you believe this couple will get married? Let us know by leaving your remarks in the comment box.