Tory Richards's Blog, page 166
December 9, 2012
I'm on day #3 of cat-sitting my niece's 4 felines while s...
I'm on day #3 of cat-sitting my niece's 4 felines while she's on a cruise. I didn't realize I'd be spending the weekend with little thieves! First my nail file disappears, then my hair thing. If they break into my bag of m&m's they're in serious trouble.
I hope everyone is having a nice Sunday.
I hope everyone is having a nice Sunday.
December 6, 2012
Question.If you have a pot luck and everyone brings somet...
Question.
If you have a pot luck and everyone brings something, is it okay to take what's left home with them, or should they leave it?
If you have a pot luck and everyone brings something, is it okay to take what's left home with them, or should they leave it?
Yippee! Edits are done for Instant Attraction. I don't th...
Yippee! Edits are done for
Instant Attraction
. I don't think I'll have to worry about
Yield to Me
until after the holidays.
Gonna be cat-sitting the next two weekends for my niece while she, poor thing, goes on two back to back cruises with her other half. Must be nice! Another family member is staying during the week.
I'm hoping to get some serious writing done, since I will be surrounded by peace and quiet, and 4 cats. At least get the edits done for A Perfect Fit . Did I tell you? The release date is Jan 5, at Amazon.
Gonna be cat-sitting the next two weekends for my niece while she, poor thing, goes on two back to back cruises with her other half. Must be nice! Another family member is staying during the week.
I'm hoping to get some serious writing done, since I will be surrounded by peace and quiet, and 4 cats. At least get the edits done for A Perfect Fit . Did I tell you? The release date is Jan 5, at Amazon.
December 3, 2012
The Walking Dead
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Where have I been? This series started in 2010! I just happened to catch the 24-hour marathon yesterday and couldn't pull myself away from the TV. Anyone here watch it? They're having another marathon beginning with the first episode on New Year's Day and I plan to watch it. Gotta catch up!
Don't hate me because I'm a syfy freak:)
December 1, 2012
GO HERE!CONGRATULATIONS TO BRANDI SLATER FOR WINNING A DO...
GO HERE!CONGRATULATIONS TO BRANDI SLATER FOR WINNING A DOWNLOAD OF THE PROMISE!GRAND PRIZES!
$50 Amazon Gift Card
$10 Bookstrand Bucks
eBook prize package
Now I bet you're all wondering how you can win, right? Well it's easy! Leave a comment below telling me what you do to warm yourself up on those HOT winter nights! For you shy types, don't worry. You can keep it tame if you absolutely have to! But, don't be shy! We love the naughty too! Then, hop on over to the other blogs on this hop and leave a comment at their blog as well. Every chance you comment increases your chance of winning!
Winners for the Grand Prize drawing will be drawn on December 6th and announced on Nicole Morgan's blog!
MY GIVEAWAY IS A COPY OF THE PROMISE - a holiday romance. Make sure you leave your email addy with your responses!
GO HERE!GRAND PRIZES!$50 Amazon Gift Card$10 Bookstrand B...
GO HERE!GRAND PRIZES!
$50 Amazon Gift Card
$10 Bookstrand Bucks
eBook prize package
Now I bet you're all wondering how you can win, right? Well it's easy! Leave a comment below telling me what you do to warm yourself up on those HOT winter nights! For you shy types, don't worry. You can keep it tame if you absolutely have to! But, don't be shy! We love the naughty too! Then, hop on over to the other blogs on this hop and leave a comment at their blog as well. Every chance you comment increases your chance of winning!
Winners for the Grand Prize drawing will be drawn on December 6th and announced on Nicole Morgan's blog!
MY GIVEAWAY IS A COPY OF THE PROMISE - a holiday romance. Make sure you leave your email addy with your responses!
November 29, 2012
Hot Spot Excerpt
Blurb - Family reunions are best avoided, especially if you’re the ex. Sammy was just going to say hi to a few people and leave early. When her ex-brother-in-law, John shows up looking successful and sexy, passion burns hot and anything goes, except love . . . Or is she wrong?
Excerpt -
Wow! Sammy was surprised at the number of vehicles in the parking lot at Moss Park. Surely they weren’t all there for the reunion. But then again, this had been a year in the making. Cassie and Olivia’s aunts had told them they wanted to make sure all siblings—including their spouses, their children, and their children’s families—had enough time to plan to attend the weekend-long event. As far as Sammy knew, everyone was going to be here.
Sammy laughed softly to herself, wondering if she was the only ex that had been invited. She found a spot beneath a tree, ignoring the NO PARKING sign. Spending the day wasn’t in her plans. She just wanted to say hi, see a few people she hadn’t seen in a while, and then leave. John’s face flashed before her eyes but she shook it away. Out of everyone, he would be the one not to show up. He’d never been much into family stuff.
Sammy followed a small trail that led to the lake and picnic area where the family was to meet. When she came to the end of the path, it opened up to reveal several cabins scattered around the lake, which Sammy knew had been booked for the reunion. They were small, rustic buildings tucked into clusters of trees that offered a sort of privacy barrier for each cabin.
As she strolled toward the first picnic table, her gaze landed on a huge motorcycle parked in front of one of the cabins. She vaguely wondered who it belonged to. Laughter and screaming pulled her attention to the lake, where children and adults were swimming and playing. There was a tire on a rope hanging from a tree and they were taking turns swinging out over the water.
Sammy opened a bright red cooler, grabbed a bottle of water, and continued toward the edge of the lake. She scanned the area, seeing some familiar faces, some not so familiar. Pat and his new wife were relaxing on inner tubes, holding hands to keep from drifting apart no doubt. At least one of them was getting some. She was actually glad her ex was happy. Taking a drink of water, she turned and froze.
John O’Malley was standing in the open doorway of his cabin, his tall body braced by one arm against the jamb, while he took a sip from a brown bottle. As he lowered the bottle their eyes met, and the crooked smile Sammy remembered slowly spread across his rugged features. The years had been good to him. There didn’t seem to be an ounce of spare flesh anywhere on his forty-four-year-old frame, but there was gray in his black hair, which was shorter than she remembered.
She smiled at that. It was hard to believe it had been almost twenty years since she’d seen him last. He was far removed from the lanky, cocky teenage boy with long hair and a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. And he was probably thinking something similar about her. Back then, Sammy had been short and a tad heavier than she would have liked. And she’d lacked the self-confidence to accept that a boy like him could really be interested in her.
She realized she was staring at him. God, I hope I’m not drooling! He looked simply delicious, and a heat began spreading over Sammy at this awareness. What was he thinking? He had yet to take his brown eyes off her.
He finally acknowledged her with a slight nod of his head, and Sammy was undecided on whether to ignore him or approach him. After all, he was family. But, in spite of the changes in his appearance over the years, he still reeked of a dangerous attraction that spelled trouble. On the other hand, they were adults now and she was suddenly curious beyond belief to know what he had been up to since the last time they saw one another. Had he remarried? Did he have children? What did he do for a living? Before she knew what she was going to say, she found herself walking in his direction.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t good-little-girl Samantha O’Malley.”
John called her Samantha because he knew she didn’t like her name.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t bad-boy Johnny O’Malley. And you know I don’t like Samantha.”
“Sam.” He took another sip of his beer.
He knew she didn’t like that any better, but she decided to ignore it. “Come home for the reunion?” She stopped at the bottom of the steps and smiled up at him. She caught a whiff of something mild and pleasant, manly. “I’m surprised.”
He shrugged. “Figured it was time.”
His gaze slid over Sammy like warm chocolate, making her squirm inside.
“You’ve changed.”
Oh my God! The same exact thing he’d said in her dream the night before. “I’ve lost a pound or two.” More like forty.
“You look damn good.” He took a swig of his beer. “Guess the single life agrees with you.”
Excerpt -
Wow! Sammy was surprised at the number of vehicles in the parking lot at Moss Park. Surely they weren’t all there for the reunion. But then again, this had been a year in the making. Cassie and Olivia’s aunts had told them they wanted to make sure all siblings—including their spouses, their children, and their children’s families—had enough time to plan to attend the weekend-long event. As far as Sammy knew, everyone was going to be here.
Sammy laughed softly to herself, wondering if she was the only ex that had been invited. She found a spot beneath a tree, ignoring the NO PARKING sign. Spending the day wasn’t in her plans. She just wanted to say hi, see a few people she hadn’t seen in a while, and then leave. John’s face flashed before her eyes but she shook it away. Out of everyone, he would be the one not to show up. He’d never been much into family stuff.
Sammy followed a small trail that led to the lake and picnic area where the family was to meet. When she came to the end of the path, it opened up to reveal several cabins scattered around the lake, which Sammy knew had been booked for the reunion. They were small, rustic buildings tucked into clusters of trees that offered a sort of privacy barrier for each cabin.
As she strolled toward the first picnic table, her gaze landed on a huge motorcycle parked in front of one of the cabins. She vaguely wondered who it belonged to. Laughter and screaming pulled her attention to the lake, where children and adults were swimming and playing. There was a tire on a rope hanging from a tree and they were taking turns swinging out over the water.
Sammy opened a bright red cooler, grabbed a bottle of water, and continued toward the edge of the lake. She scanned the area, seeing some familiar faces, some not so familiar. Pat and his new wife were relaxing on inner tubes, holding hands to keep from drifting apart no doubt. At least one of them was getting some. She was actually glad her ex was happy. Taking a drink of water, she turned and froze.
John O’Malley was standing in the open doorway of his cabin, his tall body braced by one arm against the jamb, while he took a sip from a brown bottle. As he lowered the bottle their eyes met, and the crooked smile Sammy remembered slowly spread across his rugged features. The years had been good to him. There didn’t seem to be an ounce of spare flesh anywhere on his forty-four-year-old frame, but there was gray in his black hair, which was shorter than she remembered.
She smiled at that. It was hard to believe it had been almost twenty years since she’d seen him last. He was far removed from the lanky, cocky teenage boy with long hair and a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. And he was probably thinking something similar about her. Back then, Sammy had been short and a tad heavier than she would have liked. And she’d lacked the self-confidence to accept that a boy like him could really be interested in her.
She realized she was staring at him. God, I hope I’m not drooling! He looked simply delicious, and a heat began spreading over Sammy at this awareness. What was he thinking? He had yet to take his brown eyes off her.
He finally acknowledged her with a slight nod of his head, and Sammy was undecided on whether to ignore him or approach him. After all, he was family. But, in spite of the changes in his appearance over the years, he still reeked of a dangerous attraction that spelled trouble. On the other hand, they were adults now and she was suddenly curious beyond belief to know what he had been up to since the last time they saw one another. Had he remarried? Did he have children? What did he do for a living? Before she knew what she was going to say, she found herself walking in his direction.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t good-little-girl Samantha O’Malley.”
John called her Samantha because he knew she didn’t like her name.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t bad-boy Johnny O’Malley. And you know I don’t like Samantha.”
“Sam.” He took another sip of his beer.
He knew she didn’t like that any better, but she decided to ignore it. “Come home for the reunion?” She stopped at the bottom of the steps and smiled up at him. She caught a whiff of something mild and pleasant, manly. “I’m surprised.”
He shrugged. “Figured it was time.”
His gaze slid over Sammy like warm chocolate, making her squirm inside.
“You’ve changed.”
Oh my God! The same exact thing he’d said in her dream the night before. “I’ve lost a pound or two.” More like forty.
“You look damn good.” He took a swig of his beer. “Guess the single life agrees with you.”
November 28, 2012
Left Over Night
I don't like waste, especially when it comes to food. It's bad enough we spend a fortune on it, and get so little in return. We're a family of five and tonight I tossed away a big package of boneless chicken thighs. It had been pushed way back in the fridge, then buried behind the countless left over dishes from Thanksgiving.
I guess it all started with my parents. They didn't believe in eating left overs, except for spaghetti. Over the years I wondered why they even saved the left overs, when they always ended up in the trash. I guess their thought process was someone would eat it later, or they would. But there was never enough for a whole meal. And I never questioned it.
While I was married I didn't do that. I can recall my grocery budget in the seventies was $30 a week. And everything was eaten. The fridge was empty by the end of the week. Even after my daughter was born it remained $30 for a long time until I told my husband I simply couldn't do it anymore. So we moved up to $45.00 a week.
After Earl passed in May I moved in with my daughter and her family full time. When I realized we were doing the same thing my parents had done I gradually began sneaking in left overs, or turning them into other dishes. After a while I said, let's have one left over night a week so we can stop being wasteful. And save some money.
Tonight was left over night. I emptied out the fridge and warmed everything up. We finished a bag of salad mix, mashed potatoes, and short ribs. Never made it to the chili I made last night but that's okay. Ever had chili over spaghetti? It's pretty good.
I've noticed we don't waste as much food as we used to. Tossing out that chicken tonight reminded me how much we used to waste, and made me all the more determined to eat up all the left overs we could tonight.
I guess it all started with my parents. They didn't believe in eating left overs, except for spaghetti. Over the years I wondered why they even saved the left overs, when they always ended up in the trash. I guess their thought process was someone would eat it later, or they would. But there was never enough for a whole meal. And I never questioned it.
While I was married I didn't do that. I can recall my grocery budget in the seventies was $30 a week. And everything was eaten. The fridge was empty by the end of the week. Even after my daughter was born it remained $30 for a long time until I told my husband I simply couldn't do it anymore. So we moved up to $45.00 a week.
After Earl passed in May I moved in with my daughter and her family full time. When I realized we were doing the same thing my parents had done I gradually began sneaking in left overs, or turning them into other dishes. After a while I said, let's have one left over night a week so we can stop being wasteful. And save some money.
Tonight was left over night. I emptied out the fridge and warmed everything up. We finished a bag of salad mix, mashed potatoes, and short ribs. Never made it to the chili I made last night but that's okay. Ever had chili over spaghetti? It's pretty good.
I've noticed we don't waste as much food as we used to. Tossing out that chicken tonight reminded me how much we used to waste, and made me all the more determined to eat up all the left overs we could tonight.
November 25, 2012
Okay, I don't do this very often but I would like to win ...
Okay, I don't do this very often but I would like to win 30 days of free advertisement. The only way to do that is for my book cover, Hot Spot, to win the contest. So if you don't mind, please head over to The Talent Cave and vote. Winner is announced on 11/30 so there aren't many days left. Thanks!
The Talent Cave
The Talent Cave
Up in Flames Excerpt
“How bad do you have it?”
His breath was warm against her face. Rachel swallowed. “I can overcome it most of the time, if I think of something else. But knowing that I can’t get out right this minute is the problem. I can’t breathe.”
“Yes you can. Just breathe in deep through your nose and release it slowly through your mouth.” He pulled the glasses off her face and tossed them away. “You’re tense. Try to relax.” His strong hands began to massage Rachel’s shoulders. She closed her eyes and tried to do what he suggested, then shook her head no and said fiercely, “I can’t breathe. There’s no air.”
“Think of something else.”
She felt his hands move from her shoulders to the buttons at her blazer. She could tell he was unbuttoning it, and the next thing Rachel knew he was slipping it off her shoulders.
“It might help loosening up some of your clothing.”
Rachel felt a scorching blast of heat envelop her when James’ hands began to pull her silk blouse out of the waistband of her skirt. When his knuckles brushed her skin at the top of her blouse, she realized he was undoing more buttons at her breast. Her eyes bolted open, and her hands encircled his wrists. His movements stopped.
“What are you doing Mr. White?” she whispered.
“Helping you, I thought.” There was amusement swimming in his eyes.
“By undressing me?” Under normal circumstances she would be thrilled but she was still stressed over her situation.
“You can relax, Miss Masters. Your virtue is safe with me.”
“I’m not a virgin.” Why had she said that? Rachel wanted the floor to open up and swallow her.
His soft laughter filled the elevator. “Well in that case, maybe you’re not safe with me.” He nudged her hands away and continued what he was doing. His gaze followed his hands while he unbuttoned her blouse, and when he was done he raised his eyes to hers.
She detected a slight difference in his breathing, and his features hardened with what she wanted to believe was growing desire.
