Tory Richards's Blog, page 193

Monday Man Candy

I have winners!

Congratulations! Catherine Lee won the $20 egift certificate to Bath and Body. Her name was drawn from The Mercenary Way Tour. As the Pages Turns wins the one year ad space at Sex Between the Covers Blog.

6 SENTENCE SUNDAY

The 6 sentences below are all from my newest release, THE MERCENARY WAY.
1) She wondered how much longer they'd walk before stopping to rest, how much longer before shecollapsed and he was forced to stop.

2) "If you think I'm satisfied, you have a lot to learn about men."
3) There was nothing dainty or fragile about Sarah but Clint found he liked her full curves.
4) As the material clung to her breasts, he was suddenly reminded of what she looked like in just her underwear.
5) Suddenly, she felt alive.

6) It would be damn hard not giving in to his primitive urges.

I'm unemployed. For the first time in 40 years! It's been...

I'm unemployed. For the first time in 40 years! It's been a couple weeks and at first I liked it. Sleeping in late in the morning, staying up late because I could sleep in, lazing around. On no one's schedule but my own. It didn't take long before I started to feel like I need something more. I still have a few good working years left. No wonder so many folks retire from their career jobs and then find something else, even part time, to do.

I didn't ask to be unemployed. I retired from Disney to take an executive position at a hotel in Plant City. The money was fantastic but the ever changing economy hit them hard. The financial consultant the owners hired thought some of us higher paid employees weren't necessary any more. So I find myself with some free time.

I can use the next few weeks to clean out the house I shared with my soul mate, now that it's listed for sale. I can visit Earl more often in Astoria. Watch my grandson in the mornings so that my son-in-law can get some sleep from his night job. Visit with my step-dad and sister when they come down next month. And I can write. I have plenty of projects going in that department.

Maybe I'll take a few months off and try to enjoy those unemployment checks that will start coming in soon. I think I'm due. One thing is for sure, I don't miss that hour and a half ride to work and back five days a week. If and when I find another job it's going to be a lot closer.

Have a great weekend everyone!

First Review in for The Mercenary Way!

Here's some of what Molly had to say over at Reviews by Molly.

Tory Richards is one of my favorite authors when it comes to right sexy, intriguing romance, and once again, she's hit a home-run with this amazing new book.

This story is rich in sexiness, complex with suspense and page turning adrenaline. This is definitely a keeper and one
that I recommend with a high 5 Books rating and two thumbs up. I can't wait to read more of Tory's greatastic work!

You can read the whole review here .

Did any of you know about this?

On Wednesday, Dr. Oz had a show on the fastest growing cancer in women, thyroid cancer. It was a very interesting program and he mentioned that the increase could possibly be related to the use of dental x-rays and mammograms. He demonstrated that on the apron the dentist puts on you for your dental x-rays there is a little flap that can be lifted up and wrapped around your neck. Many dentists don't bother to use it. Also, there is something called a "thyroid guard" for use during mammograms.

By coincidence, I had my yearly mammogram yesterday. I felt a little silly, but I asked about the guard and sure enough, the technician had one in a drawer. I asked why it wasn't routinely used. Answer: "I don't know. You have to ask for it." Well, if I hadn't seen the show, how would I have known to ask?

Gee, I just had my mammogram. Wish I'd known.

Few more tour days left folks! Link here will take you to...

Few more tour days left folks! Link here will take you to the list of links to follow. Leave a comment at each post for a chance to win a download.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is in the air. It's that time of year when sweethearts go out on the town, the theatre, give each other small trinkets and heart shaped boxes of candy. Some even get engaged on Valentine's Day. And some don't celebrate at all. The last Valentine's Day gift I received from Earl was a stuffed panda bear holding a heart in 2004. This year I bought him one of those giant cards at Wal-Mart. Good for a smile, and I'd like to see him smile.

For years my daughter would ask, where's my valentine? And I would remind her, the holiday is really for sweethearts. But is it? After reading some of the Valentine's Day stories on the blog hop I participated in this past weekend I began to wonder. So I did a little (gasp!) research.

Below is a link that will take you to a page that explains it all. And while you're there check out some of the other interesting links at the bottom of that page.

The History of Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day ICONS and their meaning:

Heart It was formerly believed that the heart was the seat of all human emotions. Accordingly, the gifting of a heart signified the selfless act of giving everything to someone you love. Though the ancients were not aware that the heart was responsible for pumping blood though the circulatory system, yet they knew one thing for sure that the heart was the center of all feelings. This ancient belief has lingered on through the ages.

Cupid The love and attraction that a man and a lady feels for one another is traditionally ascribed to the mythological god,Cupid.In Latin, the word Cupid means "desire." Cupid is represented as a naked, chubby boy with wings and possessing a mischievous smile. He carries a bow with a quiver of arrows which he uses to transfix the hearts of youths and maidens.

The RoseFrom time immemorial, beloveds have been compared to roses. If we juggle the letters of the word ROSE we get EROS, who is the God of Love. Rose has thus been the traditional choice of lovers around the world. The colour red is associated with strong emotions and below are listed sentiments expressed by different hues of rose:-
Lavender -- Enchantment and Uniqueness
Orange -- Fascination
Pink (Dark) -- Thankfulness, Friendship and Admiration
Red -- Love, Respect and Courage
Peach -- Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Pink (Pale) -- Grace, Joy and Happiness
Deep Red -- Beauty and Passion
White -- Innocence, Purity, Secrecy, Silence, Reverence, Humility and (according to some sources) True Love
Yellow -- Joy, Friendship, Jealousy, Hope and Freedom
Black -- Farewell
Red/White -- Unity or Engagement
Yellow/Orange -- Passionate Thoughts
Peach -- Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Pink (Pale) -- Grace, Joy and Happiness
Yellow/Red -- Congratulations
Rosebud -- Beauty, Youth and a Heart Innocent of Love
Red Rosebud -- Purity and Loveliness
White Rosebud -- Girlhood
One Dozen Red Roses -- "I Love You"
Single Red Rose in Full Bloom -- "I Love You"
Tea Roses -- "I'll Remember Always"

Doves and Love BirdsIt was the popular belief that birds chose their mate for the year on February 14.Since doves and pigeons mate for life ,they symbolize loyalty, fidelity and love. Lovebirds, the small birds with colorful plumage, commonly found in Africa, are so called because they tend to get cozy with each other and can't survive without each other. pairs. Doves...common urban birds, shy and gentle by nature, with a distinctive "cooing" call...symbolize loyalty, fidelity and love .


HandsThe hands of a lady has been a favorite decoration for Valentine's Day for many years and is suppose to depict "femininity". To add to its beauty, the hand is often decorated with frilly cuff and a jeweled ring on the third finger. A lady's hands was a favorite decoration that depicted "femininity." Its beauty was enhanced by adding a frilly cuff and a jeweled ring on the third finger. Clasped hands are said to represent those of Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert...the symbol of friendship between their respective countries of England and Germany.


How much can one person love another?
A universe exists in time and space,
Placed within the boundaries of one place,
Pressed into a point far from forever.
Yet love comes to us from some quite other,
Visiting our sorrow with its grace,
Answering our rage with its embrace,
Lending us the wisdom of its wonder.
Even as I say this, you are there,
Nestling in where need undoes the day,
Taking up your small infinity.
Inside my window, you are everywhere,
Nor could I tell how much such love might weigh,
Even were it salient as the sea.

The first picture shows a model who swears the size of he...

The first picture shows a model who swears the size of her waist is natural. That she's done nothing to cause it to be that small. The second picture is the wife of a doctor. The result of her waist size was caused on purpose and took years to get it that way.

Either way, neither one is attractive in my opinion. It can't be healthy either. What do y'all think?

Monday Man Candy

He looks like a hero that can handle anything life throws his way, doesn't he? His expression says, don't mess with me!