Vivienne Diane Neal's Blog, page 72

August 5, 2012

Body Language



FreeDigitalPhotos.netSometimes what people say and what they do are two different things. I find this especially true with men. I think of myself as a pretty good body language reader. I may not always be able to tell you what, exactly, they are doing, but I can tell you what they are thinking. Their eyes, their hand motions, even the way they are standing tell me what they are thinking.
Now, there are some extreme examples. One man I dated had a huge disconnect between his body language and his higher thinking. He was very smart, but very unaware of what his body was saying. Take, for example, his flirting. The man flirted unconsciously! He leaned forward as he spoke, touched my hand or my arm, and brushed my knee with his, all while talking about something completely unrelated. Then, when I laughed and brought it up, he looked shocked.
“I did?” he asked, looking down to find his hand on mine. 
Of course, neither of us protested, but I found it amusing. Eventually, however, I had to confront him about it. It caused him a lot of problems, in his dating and his business life. After all, if you can’t control your body broadcasting what you are thinking, you are going to end up offending or aggravating a lot of people. Everyone could tell when he was annoyed, thought you were dumb, or just plain impatient. He came off rude, not matter what he said, because of his body language.
You wouldn’t think something so simple would be so hard, but it can be. Be aware of what signals your body is sending, especially when you date.

Author  Byline:
Monta, the mother of three children serves as an Expert Advisor on multiple household help issues to many Organizations and groups, and is a mentor for other “Mom-preneurs” seeking guidance.  She is a regular contributor of “gonannies.com”. You can get in touch with her at montafleming6@gmail.com.
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Published on August 05, 2012 22:00

July 29, 2012

The Changing Face of Romance by Deneice Tarbox



  Flowers?  Candy? Candlelight Dinners perhaps.  These things are nice and every girl or guy who wants them should have them.  However, after nearly twenty years with the same person, I have come to value a whole different kind of romance.  For me it’s the ability to joke about technically not being legally married—South Carolina didn’t rescind the law against interracial marriage until 1996.  We wed there in 1993.  That might be why the Justice of the Peace was smiling so broadly.  It’s acknowledging the fact that we have little in common, yet use our differences to explore and grow together.  Most of all, it’s the ability that this one person has to bring me back to sanity when I start to drift off in the wrong direction.
   One of my most romantic moments with my spouse took place over the phone.  No, there was no heavy breathing involved, although that might have been nice.  Being the work-a-holic that I am, I was wrapped up in work when my cell phone rang.  It was hubby calling to tell me that he had just spotted a bald eagle.  My first thought was to get after him for driving and talking on his cell phone.  My second thought was to give him hell for interrupting me at work.  But then something occurred to me, halting all prior thoughts.  Out of all the people in the world, he had chosen me to share that moment with.
   So keep in mind, anyone can give you flowers, candy, or a candlelight dinner.  But developing and maintaining a deep bond that only the two of you can comprehend is truly the epiphany of romance.
* * * * * *
About the Author:Deneice Tarbox, the author of Healing Inc., resides in Maine with her husband and adult son. She currently works in healthcare but decided it was time to delve back into her passion for writing. Her mottos: Normal is boring and Laugh or wear a straightjacket.  Visit her on Facebook.
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Published on July 29, 2012 22:00

July 23, 2012

How Not to be “That Guy” on an Online Dating Site


Online dating’s great…with so many different sites and so many available singles it’s nearly impossible not to make a connection. Well, impossible if you’re not That Guy. Ladies, you know who we’re talking about (and gentlemen, take notes.) There’s always one suitor on every dating site who gets avoided like the plague and the sad thing is most of them don’t even seem to realize it! Do yourself and everyone else a favor and follow these simple rules.
Don’t Be Creepy:

Yeah, it’s open ended and sure, creepiness is “subjective” and all but you know what we mean. DON’T use cheesy pickup lines and DON’T comment on a woman’s physique right off the bat…it’s all common sense. When starting a conversation with a potential mate try to imagine she’s standing next to her mother. Does your opening line sound creepy? Then don’t use it.
Don’t Be Desperate:

It’s something every That Guy has in common: they’re desperate for love and companionship. That desperation reeks of insecurity and if we’ve learned anything from “He’s Just Not That Into You,” it’s that insecurity is the polar opposite of sexy. Be confident online – it’s cool if you cry yourself to sleep in the fetal position every night, just don’t let everyone know.
Don’t Be Pushy:

Some guys seem to think borderline harassment is not only acceptable but, we don’t know, hot? They’re wrong. It’s fine to contact a lovely lady then try once more if you don’t get a response but in the online world being ignored more than one time usually means you should move on. Remember though, there’s a difference between pushiness and persistence: if you’re getting any kind of positive feedback from your online crush feel free to try and see it through.
Don’t Be Ridiculous:

The internet is a weird place so try not to make it weirder with your online dating profile. The goal is to be the best version of yourself while giving your online dating persona broad appeal – if you take pictures of yourself covered in your pet pigeons you’re only going to attract…yeah you’re not going to attract anyone with that kind of stuff. Keep your out-there quirks off your profile but feel free to let your freak flag fly after you’ve really made a connection. Being yourself is great, just ease into it.
There’s nothing wrong with being different – your uniqueness is part of your draw! Just remember to play it cool initially and don’t overstep your bounds; sometime the Internet can feel so anonymous you don’t act like yourself. Dating websites come with its own set of rules and boundaries and every situation has some new hurdle to manage…use your best judgment and try your hardest not to be That Guy.
~*~
This post was written by Lior who is an expert in dating websites and online manners.
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Published on July 23, 2012 07:43

July 15, 2012

The Break Up Test: How to Know When to Call it a Day


All relationships have their ups and downs, but sometimes the downs become too frequent and the best answer for both parties is to cut their losses and end the relationship. This can be a difficult decision but when there is a trouble in the air there are certainly signs you can look out for to determine whether or not the relationship has run its course:
Desiring
Independence
When the relationship is new, your independence takes a back seat and you genuinely want to spend every waking minute with your other half. If you find yourself wanting to be alone, fantasising about a time when your other half wasn’t around or subconsciously planning a future that doesn’t involve them, then the relationship is doomed.
Arguing
Everyone has rows, but if your disagreements are becoming nastier or more regular then it could be a sign of trouble looming. Similarly if you find yourself picking a fight for no reason or arguing in public, it is a clear sign that you’ve lost respect for each other.
Lack of Effort
Remember back in the early days how you’d go on dates or arrange romantic surprises? If those feelings have gone and you no longer feel the need to make an effort in the relationship then it’s probably time to call it a day. Indifference and apathy are clear signs that your heart's not in it anymore and the relationship has run its course.
Having Feelings for Someone Else
We’re all entitled to appreciate the beauty of the opposite sex, but if being with someone else becomes a real desire then there are clearly problems in the existing relationship. Some relationships can recover from affairs but be aware that it will require a lot of time, effort and genuine remorse.
No More Sex
Physical intimacy is a huge part of a relationship and if you find that there is no longer any enjoyment in your sex life then it can be a sign that the intimacy and love between you has gone. If everything else in the relationship is OK then this can be worked upon, but if it is the latest in a long list of problems then it’s probably time to cut your losses.


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Francine Westbrook is a freelance writer from England who covers literature and textbooks for a number of student blogs and education websites.
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Published on July 15, 2012 22:00

July 8, 2012

Mark Your Calendar for the Upcoming Events


Black Writers and Book Clubs Literacy Festival, Hosted by Author Shelia Lipsey will take place from September 14-15, 2012 at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee. For information, click here.
The Atlanta Black Theater Festival has accepted “Secrets of a Kept Woman.” This huge theater event is popular in Maryland and Carolina and is now coming to Atlanta.  Join them and make history, from October 4-7, 2012. The 40 Plays in 4 Days is A Theatre Lover's Paradise. For more information, click here.
The 10th Annual Collingswood Book Festival will take place on Saturday, October 6, 2012, from 8:30 AM until 5 PM. This award-winning, all-volunteer book festival is a big literary event with a small-town, and friendly ambience.
Festival attendees will have an opportunity to stroll more than six blocks of the main street filled with nationally recognized authors/speakers for adults and children, as well as booksellers, storytellers, poetry readings, workshops, exhibitors, kid-friendly activities, and entertainment for all ages. All events are free.
The location of the festival will be on 771 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, New Jersey. For more details, please click here.
~*~
To have your events posted on our Blog, email information at least six months prior to the date of event and in the subject area, type Upcoming Events. 
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Published on July 08, 2012 22:00

July 1, 2012

One Day by David Nicholls: A Modern Day Love Story


If you haven’t heard of David Nicholls’ award winning One Day, the chances are you may have been living under a rock for the last three years. Not only has it been made into a motion picture but it has been translated into 31 languages, appearing on best seller lists throughout the world and becoming the highest selling novel of 2010.
The beauty of the novel is its unique format. The story opens on July 15th 1988 as two students, Emma and Dexter, wake up together on their last day of university. This encounter marks the beginning of a special friendship which the reader revisits on this date for the next twenty years. Amidst births, deaths, relationships, careers and the various other twists and turns their respective lives take, Em and Dex maintain a ‘will-they-won’t-they’ relationship that keeps the reader guessing throughout.
But aside from the clever structure, Nicholls presents us with two characters that are intrinsically loveable, relatable and impossible not to care about. Dexter is good looking and charismatic but arrogant and lazy whereas Emma is ambitious and hardworking but stroppy and full of self doubt. Nicholls achieves the difficult task of making them feel real to us and many readers will probably find they know an Emma or a Dexter in their lives.
Their bumbling romance is as flawed and complex as their personalities and Nicholls plays on this in order to present the reader with a realistic, complicated love story. Comedy and honesty replaces over-the-top, gushy sentiment but this somehow makes their romance all the more touching and has enabled Nicholls to write a novel that appeals to the masses.
Both men and women love this novel because ultimately it is a believable account of a modern day love story that is told in heart-warming yet funny way. Nicholls, therefore, has succeeded in creating a romantic novel that has hit the mainstream market without abandoning creditability or intelligence.
~*~
Francine Westbrook is a freelance writer from England who covers literature and textbooks for a number of student blogs and education websites.
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Published on July 01, 2012 22:00

June 24, 2012

Watching Your Finances While Dating By Miss Know It All



Miss Know It AllA woman meets a man on an online dating site, and it is love at first sight. Before you know it, he is asking to borrow money. How many women lend or give money to men who are forever broke, unemployed, or behind in their child support payments.
This is not to say that men do not suffer from throwing your money after bad syndrome. However, this scenario seems to be more common among women who are willing to take over a grown man’s financial obligations. Suddenly, the man is gone with the cash; the woman is in a financial bind and has to chase him down like a bounty hunter or end up in small claims court to try to recoup her money.
Why so many women put themselves in this type of predicament is unknown. Maybe it is the need to be a nurturer or the fear of being alone. When you lend or give money to anyone, you are doing a disservice to yourself, by putting that individual first and you last.  
A man of integrity and good character will never ask you for money to help pay his debts or to buy him a big-ticket item. If he is financially sound and responsible, he will not need your money to make ends meet. On the other hand, if he is looking for a cash withdrawal machine, or is out to be a moocher, he will let you know right from the start. There will be no beating around the bush on his end.
When you meet a man and decide to date him, and within seconds, he is asking you for a loan to help purchase a car, because he has bad credit, it means, he does not pay his bills. In all likelihood, you will never see your money.
No one is saying you should never help the love of your life. If he were going through a financial crisis, you would be there for him, but only if he has given as much as you have. 
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Published on June 24, 2012 22:00

June 17, 2012

3 Reasons Falling in Love Feels So Good By Elizabeth Nelson

People love to be in love. But why? Well, it feels good, that’s why. But what makes love so addictive? Why does it feel so good? Here are three reasons behind our love of love.


1. Touch – Everyone needs to be touched. It is a part of how we are built. But society has very strict rules on who, how, and where you can touch. Those rules are broken, however, in a romantic relationship. When two people fall in love, touch norms go out the window. Touch is one of the strongest ways to form an attachment to a person. So, the more you touch, the more you love.
2. Endorphins – With touch comes endorphins. That feel-good buzz that comes along with love? Yeah, you can blame these guys. A natural ‘love high’ is formed when you receive and give affection, attention and care. These activate other hormones in your body that can strengthen these feeling and make it last, to a lesser degree, for the long term.
3. Attention – Everyone wants to feel special. And what can make you feel more special than someone’s undivided attention. When you are falling in love, you can think of nothing else but that person. Any time they are in the room, your eyes, thoughts, and probably hands are on them. When they are away, you immediately~*~
Elizabeth’s Bio:
Liz’s hope that many more people can live out that dream through reading her articles and thoughts about the good AND the bad of the online dating scene through top dating sites. Get in touch with her at liznelson17@gmail.com.
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Published on June 17, 2012 22:00

June 10, 2012

Meet Liz Grace Davis, Young Adult and Romantic Women’s Fiction Author



Liz Grace Davis, Author
Liz Grace Davis is a Namibian author. She grew up in Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Germany. She now lives with her husband in Vienna, Austria. Growing up, Liz spent most of her days in school libraries, diving into the world of books. In her spare time, she loves to travel as well as creating jewelry and digital scrapbooks. She is in her element when she is doing anything that requires creativity. Liz is the author of a young adult fantasy novel, Tangi's Teardrops and a romantic women's fiction novel, Chocolate Aftertaste.
Following is a synopsis of Chocolate Aftertaste
At her pre-wedding dinner, Nora Darkin, the daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur, discovers her fiancé is not the man she thought he was. As her father hoists his glass to toast them, she makes an announcement: there will be no wedding to her father's right-hand man.
Due to the fresh rift driven between her and her father, Nora escapes to the quaint town of Dreara.
Determined to live her life her own way, she makes new friends and pursues her lifelong desire of becoming a chef. Ethan Danes, a neighbour with his own broken heart, helps soothe hers. 
Just as Nora discovers what it means to be happy, and she begins to fall in love with Ethan, a woman from his past re-enters his life…

Short Excerpt
Nora turned her attention back to the reality in front of her. She hated arguments; sometimes she wished she could hide somewhere, just wait them out. Unfortunately, life was not like that.
She lifted her eyes to meet Liam’s. The ice in his eyes had not melted. She dropped her gaze.
Instead of flirting with her appetite, the large marinated tiger prawns made her stomach queasy, and the oriental noodles looked like neglected yarn left out in the rain. From the way he dissected his steak, Liam’s appetite was just fine. She gritted her teeth as his knife scraped the porcelain plate.
Unable to bear the silence between them, she leaned forward and whispered, “I hate it when you ignore me.”
“What do you want me to say?” He chewed the last of his food and waved for the waiter. “We’re done.”
The waiter nodded and scuttled over to remove their plates.
When the waiter was out of earshot, Nora hissed through clenched teeth, “I wasn’t done.”
Liam took a swig of water, probably wishing it was something stronger. “You didn’t look like you were hungry.”
“Stop treating me like a child,” she snapped.
“Stop acting like one.”
Nora’s cheeks heated. She contained her anger with difficulty. “That’s really insensitive.”
“What do you want from me, Nora?” A vein pulsed in his neck. “What exactly do you want me to say?”
“Say you want me to be happy.” Her eyes brimmed. “Don’t ask me to get rid of my best friend.”
He loosened his tie—and then slammed his fist on the table, knocking over Nora’s glass of water. The silver stream raced straight for her lap.
The waiter appeared as if from nowhere to replace the white tablecloth with a new one. Nora forced a smile and whispered an apology. The waiter nodded, and a minute later he left.
Ignoring the curious looks they got from the other diners, she dabbed at the moisture on her black jeans. “You can’t always explode every time I refuse to do what you want.”
Liam ignored her. “Ask to pay. I want to leave.”
Nora flinched, but abided. Paying wasn’t so bad—so long as it was fair. On their first and second date, he paid. On their third and a few more after that, they went Dutch. After one year, he asked her to pay for an occasional meal until it became an unspoken arrangement between them. The only thing Liam had paid for himself in three years was her engagement ring.

Some Goodreads Reviews:
Debbie Brown rated it «««««
I loved how real everything in this book felt. The characters came to life and easily pulled me into their story. The writing of this talented author paints intense emotions in a way that you can’t help but experience it all along with Nora as she learns to stand on her own and eventually spread her wings. There were times where I was so sure of the decisions Nora was to take, only to be surprised by the creative path the author chose for her instead.
Liz describes the settings so well that you can see, feel and smell everything around Nora. By the end of the novel you will have experienced every emotion possible and watched Nora grow through her trials all while visiting the wonderful places created by the author.
This is not a sappy romance novel, but a book of life...Nora's life, with real feelings and all.



Naynay rated it  «««««
Nora Darkin is the daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur, about to marry his right-hand man, Liam Connolly. Her father could not think of a better son-in-law. But at her wedding dinner she announces there will be no wedding, Liam is not the man she thought he was. This decision puts a strain between Nora and her father, as Nora always lived up to his controlling ways just can not do it anymore. So Nora leaves and goes to a small town called Dreara. Here she makes new friends, she starts living her dream to be a chef, she is now living her own life. She meets Ethan Danes, her neighbor who has his own problems, he is there to help Nora. While their relationship grows Nora thinks she finally knows what it is to be happy. But then a woman from Ethan's past comes back into his life.
This is a story that starts off with the main character dealing with forgotten dreams, secrets, and broken promises. As the story continues it is a woman who decides to find herself and stand on her own. A search for new beginnings, learning to forgive, and finding real love. Liz Grace Davis penned such emotion into this story and created characters you easily fell in love with. It is a emotional and an inspiring read, and I want to tell you to BUY THIS BOOK!
I recieved this book from the author for an honest review....Thank-you Liz Davis for a wonderful story.

Contact Information:
Facebook Page Goodreads Author Page Blog Book Trailer Twitter Author Page
Buy Links:
Amazon
For additional information, comments and reviews, click here.
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Published on June 10, 2012 22:00

June 3, 2012

Some Humorous Tactics Men Use to Get a Woman’s Attention - Part 2 by Vivienne Diane Neal


If there is any behavior that will turn off most women, it is the woofing howling syndrome. These gestures usually occur among groups of men trying to outdo each other, to see if women will respond. Their main objective is to draw a female audience and make idiots of themselves. If a man really wants to get your attention, he will do it when he is alone and not openly share his objective with other men. What would be the point?
This next approach makes about as much sense as a mosquito traveling to Mars. If a man is in his vehicle and sees a woman crossing, sometimes, he will start pumping the gas peddle to get her attention.  This ploy alone is enough to make any woman become horror-struck and take flight. She might think your aim is to run her over.
Lately, the method used to get a woman’s consideration seems to be evolving.  In many cases, when a man sees a woman coming down the street, he will start to hum or sing a song. Do not get egotistical and assume he is singing to get your attention. He may be gearing himself for a record deal or thinking about auditioning for a spot on American Idol. However, the last thing a woman wants to hear is some man making a complete fool of him, especially if that individual cannot carry a tune, or the melody is unfamiliar. Yet, nothing can be more humorous than a man who approaches a woman at a bus stop and then ask, “Are you lost.” Is this anyway to get a woman’s attention?
What ever happened to a plain old “Hello,” “Good Morning," "Good Afternoon," or "Good Evening," with a smile and serious eye contact? This is not to say the woman would be in awed of, attracted to or responsive to a man, but these words and a sincere glance will certainly leave a lasting impression and may even be a great lead in to a possible dialogue, but only if the woman reciprocates.
About the Author:
Born in 1946, Vivienne Diane Neal is a storyteller with a wicked sense of humor. Vivienne has been writing articles for over twenty years and started writing fictional short stories in 2007. She gets her dark romance story ideas from observing people, places and things and watching true TV court cases.
Vivienne is the author of Making Dollar$ And Cent$ Out Of Online Dating, Shades of Deception, Malicious Acts and Wicked Intent. Her fourth book, Retribution Unleashed will go to press in the winter of 2012.
Links to Author’s Sites:
AmazonLulu
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Published on June 03, 2012 22:00