Vivienne Diane Neal's Blog, page 68

Attention Blogging Authors by Vivienne Diane Neal

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Making a Good Impression on Your First Date by Miss Know It All

When you invest time, energy, and money into preparing for your first date, you want to make the best impression. Non-verbal and vocal communication say more about you than you might imagine and can either make or break your chances of getting a second date. Remember first impressions are long lasting.
Following are four simple points to consider when you are going on that first date. Think of it as going on an important job interview.
If you are going to pick up a date or meet that person at a specific location, be on time. Punctuality is a sign of respect. There is never any excuse for being fashionably late. Of course, there are exceptions such as an unexpected occurrence that is out of your control.
Your apparel should look presentable. If you are taking your date to a fancy restaurant for dinner, you do not want to show up in a tee shirt with the message, “Eat Me,” and wearing worn to shreds jeans.
Your posture is very important. Approach your date as though you are interested in that individual.
Make direct eye contact when talking to your date. Keep in mind that the eyes are the windows to the world.

A Love Worthy of You by Urenna Sander

Recently, Valentine’s Day rolled around once more. Is Valentine’s Day about love and loving someone? Of course and nobody loves Valentine’s Day more than the diamond industry, chocolatiers, the sugar industry, wine companies, card companies, flower growers, lingerie shops, restauranteurs, and of course you.
Let’s face it, everybody benefits from that special day, but some more than others.
Your funny, sweet, comic Valentine was with you 365 days before this day came around again. But, there were days when romance was lacking, and you didn’t feel so special.
After the 2012 Valentine’s Day glow was over, life went on. In that year, there were days when you disliked your valentine and their bad habits. Maybe they didn’t pick up after themselves; their sweaty socks and undies lay on the floor for you to collect. Maybe they snored. Maybe their loud chewing annoyed you. Maybe they are too frank, abrasive, and tactless. Maybe they act as if life revolves around him/her. Maybe they are cheaters, liars and manipulators. Maybe they are too hard to please.
There are so many variables when it comes to someone’s valentine. Yet even the ones with negative behaviors are loved. But are they worthy of your love?
There are more enduring, indelible qualities that made you fall in love with your valentine. I hope it was emotional intimacy—a rich, strong, intense relationship. A relationship where you were open, with the lid removed, said anything, and expressed everything, and it was accepted and understood. A relationship full-flavored with unconditional love, one worthy of survival. Some of the above bad habits can be dealt with and overcome, others cannot unless your mate is willing to make drastic changes.
If your valentine thinks life revolves around him/her, don’t entertain illusions of give and take in your relationship. It won’t happen.
The hard to please can be as charming as a banana peel. Life can be stressful enough. You have to decide if this will be your valentine forever.As for the cheaters, liars, and manipulators, I suggest you give up the dream that they will one day be the person you wish they’d be.
This Valentine’s Day is special, your day, a time to express your feelings to your sweetheart. To show love and gratitude for that special one who is worthy of your love, on February 14 and every day of the year.
I hope you gave yourself the best Valentine’s Day gift ever this year: loving yourself first.
* * *
Bio: Urenna Sander is the author of “True Season of Love,” a love story with many surprises concerning the characters, Olivia and Ptolemy. For more information on her novel, and other works, please visit her site at http://www.urennasander.com  

Introducing Eliza Daly, Author of Identity Crisis

Eliza Daly, AuthorEliza Daly’s first attempt at creative writing was in fourth grade. She and her friends were huge Charlie’s Angels fans and she would sit in her bedroom at night writing scripts for them to act out at recess the following day. She was Kelly Garrett. Fast forward to the present, she’s still writing stories about beautiful women who always get their men. The journey from fourth grade scriptwriter to published author wasn’t an easy one, but it was always an adventure and the final destination was well worth it.
When Eliza isn’t traveling for her job as an event planner, or tracing her ancestry roots through Ireland, she’s at home in Milwaukee working on her next novel, bouncing ideas off her husband Mark, and her cats Quigley, Frankie, and Sammy.

Blur:
When Olivia Doyle’s father dies under suspicious circumstances, rather than inheriting a family fortune, she inherits a new identity. She learns they were placed in the Federal Witness Protection Program when she was five years old. Her father was involved in an art forgery ring and testified against the mob. Brought up not to trust anyone, Olivia has a difficult time relying on U.S. Marshal Ethan Ryder to protect her, and to keep her secret. She fears her father may have continued his life of crime through her art gallery. She has little choice but to depend on Ethan when she realizes someone is now after her. Olivia’s search for the truth leads her and Ethan across country to a family and past she doesn’t remember.
At the age of ten, Ethan witnessed a brutal murder. He vowed when he grew up, he’d protect people in danger. Protecting Olivia is difficult when she won’t trust him. He soon realizes his desire to protect her goes beyond doing his job, but if his judgment becomes clouded by emotions, her safety could be jeopardized.
Can Ethan and Olivia learn to trust each other when they uncover secrets that will change their lives forever?
* * *Excerpt:
The footsteps drew closer. Her breathing quickened. The intruder paused outside the door and she held her breath, a death grip on the pepper spray. The barrel of a gun appeared through the doorway, followed by a man. In that split second, she blasted him with a steady stream. 
“Shit!” he yelled, snapping his head away from the line of fire.
Unsure if she’d made a direct hit, she flew past him, still spraying the air behind her. Although it wasn’t a blanket mist, she couldn’t help but inhale some of the toxic vapors in the air. Her eyes burned slightly and she coughed, racing down the hallway and across the open foyer.
She was almost to the door when the guy yelled out in a raspy voice, “Touch that door handle and I’ll shoot it off.”
She came to a screeching halt, unsure if he planned on aiming for the handle or her hand. The blood pulsating in her ears muffled the roar of the lawn mower as it passed by near a window. Nobody would hear her scream. She eyed the security alarm keypad on the wall by the door. Two quick steps and she could hit the panic button. Two quick steps and she might get shot. She slowly turned around, her gaze locking on the gun pointed at her from the opposite side of the foyer. Sheer panic pressed against her chest, and she sucked in a deep breath. 
The guy cleared his throat. “I’m not gonna hurt you.” He cautiously lowered the gun, but didn’t holster it. “Unless you spray that crap again.” He blinked rapidly and ran a hand up over the top of his head, sweeping back a clump of wet hair. Her aim had obviously been off. It was impossible to spray straight when her body was shaking uncontrollably.
The guy’s dark hair was just shy of touching his shoulders and he had a five o’clock shadow. A black T-shirt covered his broad chest and faded, relaxed fitting jeans contradicted his rigid stance. A scar across his cheekbone, and a thin one slashing his eyebrow, added to his don’t mess with me look.
“I’m Ethan Ryder with the U.S. Marshals.” The man flashed a badge, then slipped it back in his pants’ pocket.
If the mob had hunted down her dad, who was to say it hadn’t been through a U.S. Marshal snitch? He’d trusted Roy Howard, not Ethan Ryder. Maybe he wasn’t even with the U.S. Marshals. Rather coincidental that he showed up right after a robbery.
“I assume you’re Olivia Doyle?”
At the back of her mind she heard her dad’s voice. Don’t trust him, Livvy. Be leery of people you know and certainly don’t trust someone you don’t know.
* * *Eliza will be awarding a one $20 Amazon or B & N Gift Certificates to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon or B & N Gift Certificate, winner's choice, to four (4) randomly drawn commenters during the tour. A $10 Amazon or B & N Gift Certificate, winner's choice, will be awarded to a randomly drawn host.* * *
Author’s Links:
WebsiteFacebookTwitterGoodreads
Identity Crisis is available at
AmazonBarnes& Noble iTunesAllRomanceeBooks.comKobo

How to Recognize a Momma’s Boy by Miss Know It All

What would you call a grown man who steals his mother’s clothes and then gives them to his girlfriend? Does this sound creepy, or is this a warning sign that the worst is yet to come if this couple is contemplating a relationship or marriage?
I know many mothers receive a bad rap when it comes to meddling into their son’s affairs. However, some moms will always feel that no woman will ever be good enough for their precious lad.
Be forewarned, the signs are always there that will tell you where you will stand when it comes to your mate’s mother. Please understand that I am generalizing here when I say, “If a man is attached to his mother’s apron strings, that relationship may run into trouble. Even if you plan to move to another city, state, or country, there will be no escape from a mother whose only role in life is to make your life a living hell, because you had the audacity to marry her son.
So, before you take that big important step, look for the six codes that will say, “My mom will always come first, or you will never make my son happy.”
If a grown man still lives with his mother, and she has no physical, mental, or financial problems and is not in dire need of assistance, it is time to say farewell.
 
If he always has to seek his mother’s advice when it comes to the handling of your relationship, it is time to hit the road.
 
If his mother is constantly finding fault with you, with no probable cause, then your relationship with her son is doomed.
 
If his mom insists on accompanying you and her son on trips or events, she will eternally be a thorn in your side.
 
If she blames you for everything that goes wrong in the relationship, run, do not walk.
 
Finally, yet importantly, if he is an only child, need I say more?

Meet Normandie Alleman, Author of Venetian Love Knots

A former psychologist, Normandie has always been fascinated by human behavior. She was surprised when that interest turned her into a writer of erotic romance.
If there were another 5 hours in the day, Normandie would spend more time needle-pointing and playing with photography. Instead, she’s a Pinterest addict and sports junkie who’s crazy for Twitter and the color pink.

BLURB:
In Venice, Allison Fox will find love in the arms of two men. Her past collides with her future in a battle for her heart. Which one will win?
Travelling to Venice to be the maid of honour in her best friend’s wedding sounds like a great vacation, and a romantic way to spend Valentine’s Day. But when Allison Fox discovers who the best man is, she is torn between duty and self-preservation.
It has taken Allison four years to put her tumultuous relationship with the rodeo cowboy behind her after a violent incident ripped them apart. Now Allison must find a way to face her past and find closure with her old flame. But will she be able to put the past behind her?
Cole is the Texas cowboy who has never got over his love for Allison. But when he declares his love for her after all this time, is she strong enough to walk away from the intense passion they share?
For years Nico, a handsome Italian, was committed to nothing but his work. Nico never expected he would meet an American beauty who would awaken in him a desire to love again. Once he finds her, Nico vows to never let Allison go.
It will be a Valentine’s Day to remember, but who will win Allison’s heart?
~*~

Excerpt
Allison held her plastic cup in a death grip as she absently rattled the ice cubes in it. She stared out of the bubble-shaped window on her flight to Rome. The vodka had done little to calm her nerves. Neither People, Cosmo, nor Vogue had been any help distracting her. Allison’s mind was determined to go back to the one man who had caused her more pain and heartache than she had ever known. The man whom she would soon see for the first time in four years.
She bit her lip and shut her eyes tightly. Allison remembered the day her best friend Marcia had told her that she was getting married in Venicethe week of Valentine’s Day. Marcia had asked her to be her maid of honour and Allison had immediately jumped at the chance. She loved to travel, and she wanted to be there for Marcia.         A couple of weeks later, Allison had just walked into her apartment when she’d got a call from Marcia. “Allie, honey, it’s me, Marsh. Are you sitting down? I need you to sit down.”
Allison had set her groceries down on the floor and sat.
“Honey, Alfonso has gotten Cole to agree to be his best man,” she’d said.
Marcia’s announcement had been met with complete silence.
“Allison? You still there?” Marcia had asked.
Cole. For years Allison had prayed for indifference towards Cole. She had hated him for years. What she felt for Cole was either unmitigated passion or hate. She didn’t know any in between. And what she had wound up craving was indifference. The last time she’d seen him, four years ago, what she had prayed for, what she had begged God for, was to feel indifference towards him. He had almost ruined her life.
~*~
AUTHOR Links:
WebsiteTwitterPinterest


Buy Links
Total-e-BoundAmazonBarnes& Noble AllRomance
Book Video  


Normandie will award a "Venetian Love Knots” gift pack which includes a Tote Bag and T-Shirt (winner's size) with the cover graphic and a $30 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (international giveaway.) 

Writing Outside My Race by Ashlynne Laynne

My life is an eclectic mesh of bi-racial, same sex and mixed gender relationships. This rich tapestry of cultures, ideas and people grounds me, letting me know what's truly important in life. These unique relationships were a catalyst in my creating an interracial couple for my Progeny Series.
As a gifted youngster, I experienced racism on its most elemental and basic level. This taught me to love everyone and gave me intolerance for prejudice. My late mother challenged me to be more than my surroundings, encouraging me to remember my past but never let it dictate who I wanted to be. When I was a teenager, being different got me picked on and made me unpopular. This gave me a thick skin and the attitude that it was better to be myself than to be someone else just to fit in.

Writing outside of my race has its challenges. Those who support black authors don't necessarily take me seriously, because my characters aren't black. I'm accustomed to being different and am too much of a rebel to conform. Being different gives me an unusual insight and a deep respect for those who are different from myself. I have a close circle of friends who support and encourage me, listen to my whining about my writing and love me to my core. I think of my friendships in terms of quality, not quantity. Those in my life, I trust and are there for a reason.
So to the subject of this article...Why do I write outside of my race when it makes things more difficult for me?
1. I do it to be different. Sure, I could fill twenty books with all the drama I've experienced, but there are already other black authors doing that (and doing a great job at it too, I might add).
My heart just isn't there.
2. I do it to be rebellious. I love the look on someone's face when they realize that the person behind the story isn't who they expected.
Most importantly...
3. I do it because writing interracial romance is where my heart is. I've always read that an author should write what they love. For me, writing edgy, erotic, paranormal tales appeals to the misfit in me. I feel it's important to push the envelope, shake things up and stretch myself beyond what is familiar. When I finish a novel, I need to feel like I've grown both as a writer and as a human being.

About the Author:
AshlynneLaynne  is the author of The Progeny Series .  In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her family. She juggles the hats of wife, mother, full time employee and part-time writer, hoping to write exclusively one day soon. Find and follow her online on Twitter . Check out her Manic Readers page, Blog and Website , or leave her a note in her  Reader Email .  Ashlynne lives in North Carolina with her husband and teenage son.

Letting Go of Expectations

“Expectation is the root of all heartache” – William Shakespeare

When it comes to relationships, expectations can ruin everything. You see, what happens is that we all have different expectations. I expect roses for my birthday, you expect a cake. I want a kiss when you get home, you want to relax. Our expectations make us resentful when they are not met and unsatisfied even when they are. The thing that works is to have no expectations.
Now, that does not mean you ‘lower your standards’. What it means is that you learn to communicate your wants and desires with another person and listen to theirs. When you share what you are expecting it is no longer an expectation it is now a request. Communication is the only way we can know what another person is thinking or needing. We are not mind readers, after all. By communicating your needs you can learn more about your partner and what they can and cannot do. Maybe he or she can’t be affectionate every morning, but they can kiss you before they leave for work. Through communicating they understand that affection is important for you and you understand that it is hard for them. You are both making an effort to be what the other one needs, and through that you are both satisfied.
When you let go of the idea of having expectations it open~*~
Author Bio:
Amanda Carlson, a blogger as well as a former newborn care nurse contributed this post. To stay connected to her previous career and share the knowledge she gained, she began writing for www.newborncare.com. You can reach her at amanda.newborncare@gmail.com.

Personal Profiles: Reading between the Lies by Miss Know It All

Sometime ago, I saw a court case on television involving a couple. The male plaintiff was suing his ex-girlfriend for half the payment of a car, which he had rented for the both of them to take a trip.
The two met on an online dating site. The defendant came across the plaintiff's personal profile. She became very interested in his bio, which indicated that he was divorced. She decided to contact him. For several weeks, they emailed each other. Eventually they exchanged phone numbers and decided to meet in person. The two became smitten with each other; within a short period, the couple began dating. However, the relationship was doomed before it got started.
During the courtship, the defendant discovered that the plaintiff was married and but was not legally separated from this wife. The Judge asked him if he was divorced, and his reply was no. When the Judge brought up the fact that he had lied about his marital status in his personal profile, the plaintiff’s reply was that he was divorced from his first wife but was still married to his second wife while he was seeing the defendant.
There is a moral to this story. When a person describes himself or herself as divorced, ask from which spouse. Is it spouse number one, two, or three? Before you become involved with someone you meet online, take the time to make certain the person is truthful about his or her marital status.
To avoid being embarrassed on national TV, do a thorough background check before committing yourself to anyone. Get to know the individual before becoming emotionally and physically attached. Forming a relationship is easy. Getting out of a relationship built on lies can be costly.

Great Holiday Destinations for Romantic Weekends by Elle-Rose Williams

When you first start dating, heading away for a romantic weekend is the things dreams are made of. As Bridget Jones once said, a weekend away together is when you first know the relationship is going somewhere!
Of course, because of all of this, it’s important to get the destination spot on! Pick the wrong place and you might end up with a disaster weekend, rather than a passionate romantic weekend – which is no doubt what you’re aiming for!
Here we’ve put together our best selection of romantic weekend getaway locations… so enjoy!
Paris - Paris is one of the first locations that pops into anyone’s head when you mention romance – after all – this is the city of love! The famous love story Moulin Rouge was set here – and you can even explore Moulin Rouge whilst you’re in Paris. A great way t get there is on the EuroStar – as it’ll take you straight into the city – so you can start exploring right away. Enjoying walking along the romantic Paris streets, take in the atmosphere and even enjoy a coffee overlooking the Eiffel Tower. It really is hat dreams are made of. The Eiffel Tower is hugely romantic if you want to score romantic brownie points on this trip though – so make sure you don’t miss this off your itinerary!
London - London is a great city to spend the weekend in – and has just about everything you could hope for. There is world-class shopping for those who love browsing the rails, but there are always lots of historical monuments, museums, galleries and tourist attractions. For something super romantic, try taking a walk along the embankment at sunset, and then taking a ride on the London Eye in the evening where you can look over the glittering lights of the city. You can even get champagne packages on the London Eye, which is really something special and something you’ll never forget!
Venice - They say that you should never take a Gondola ride, unless it’s with the person you love – so where else could be more romantic for your first vacation together. Venice is small enough to enjoy in a weekend too – as it’s a very small city and the joy of visiting is more about the experience, than cramming in tourist attractions and sights. Enjoy the lifestyle during your time here and take in the different way of life here. Sip a coffee whilst watching the world go by, or have a candle-lit dinner overlooking the ocean.
Dubai - If you fancy something a little bit more flash, and have a long-weekend to waste, then Dubai is a great choice. It is home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, so spend your weekend soaking in the luxury and soaking up the sunshine whilst lying by the pool! For something extra special try taking a t
About the Writer
Elle works for No1 Traveller, who provides romantic airport lounges around the UK. A perfect way to start any romantic getaway.