Vivian Arend's Blog, page 70

12 Days of Giving #2

The challenge today is to Give someone else a break.

This is an easy one to do for people with small children. Watching someone else's kids for a couple hours to allow them to have kid free time to shop can be a huge huge help. But everyone can use a little hand once in a while. When you head to the post office, are there packages you could take for a neighbor? If you live in an area that has snow on the ground, can you shovel one more section of sidewalk for someone you know?

It's opening up our eyes to see what's actually happening around us that's the challenge, especially when our to-do list and shopping list seems overloaded already. One small thing can make a big difference in another person's life.

Give it a shot–make someone's day!

I've got a 15$ Starbucks gift card for one person to take their own break after the holidays. Add any comment today to be entered to win. And make sure you've placed your name on the first of the

 

12 Days of Giving #1

Day one, and the challenge is: Give yourself a break.

Some of these challenges will be familiar if you participated last year, and there's a reason for that. No, I'm not too lazy to come up with new ones, It's that these are the things I remind myself of every year, and when I start talking with people as we travel, it seems they are the things that others need to be reminded of as well.

This challenge doesn't require any money. As the holiday approaches we all have lists of things to do. Family dinners, shopping for presents, annual Christmas family update letters, children's concerts, staff parties, white elephant gifts…

Is your blood pressure higher now than when you started reading? Sorry. The idea behind behind today's challenge is for you think for just a moment about that to-do list. Are you doing some of these things simply out of habit? Are there things you used to do before you had babies/ toddlers/ teenagers eating you out of house and home?

There are seasons for everything, even the fun things like Christmas cards. Give yourself permission to do the REALLY important things, and let one of the less important ones slide.

If there is one thing you could stop, even for this year, what would it be? You can leave a comment about that if you'd like.

Make sure you've for a chance to have  me Gift your choice of Charity. Tomorrow I'll have a chance for you to win a gift as well as another challenge.

12 Days of Giving 2011-Add your name here

I did this last year and really, really enjoyed the results, so we're back for version deux. If some of the post sounds familiar, it is. Why fix something that wasn't broken.

In the spirit of the holidays, I want to give something back. To you, my readers, but also to others.

Here's the deal. Every day for the next 12 days, I'm going to challenge you to 'give'. Not necessarily financially, because, yeah, I know that's tough at times. But we really are fortunate to enjoy many things. I'm going to finish 2011 as strong as I can, and I encourage you to join me.

There will be a few gifts up for grabs along the way but the BIG gift is this: $100 donated in your name to the charity of your choice. At the end of the 12 days time I'll randomly pick 5 commenters from this thread and their suggested organization will get $100. If you want to add a link to your organization in the comments, please feel free to do that.

In order to qualify for the $100 donation, you don't have to meet the challenge for the 12 coming days– those are strictly for fun and encouragement, although I hope you do join in and share some love. To be entered, simply add your name to this comment list along with the name of the organization you would like the money to go to if you are one of the five selected. Basically consider this me asking you for suggestions for great places to support.

This is an international opportunity- I don't care where you live (if it's legal for you to participate yada yada yada…) as long as I can somehow support the organization you suggest.

I hope you will join me in this celebration of giving.

And come back tomorrow for the first challenge.

Snippet Saturday- Family

Family- so important whether they are yours by birth or by choice. Celebrate them in this snippet.

Turn It Up

Turner Twins, Book 2

She wants it. He's got it…and a whole lot more.

Maxwell Turner considers his stubborn and resourceful attitude a plus. After all, it usually gets him what he wants—except for Natasha Bellingham. The long-time family friend may be ten years older than he, but so what? He's plenty old enough to know they belong together. Now all he has to do is convince her.

Over the past few years Natasha's love life has degenerated into a series of bad clichés. Her biological clock is ticking—loudly. As a proven architect with her own house-design company, she's financially ready for a baby. Who says she needs a permanent man in her life for that? She just needs a "donation".

When Max discovers Natasha's future plans include artificial insemination, he's outraged. She wants to get pregnant? No problem. He's more than willing to volunteer—no turkey basters involved.

But there's one non-negotiable clause: He wants forever. And he intends to do everything in his power—fair and unfair—to make it happen.

Warning: This title contains one younger man ready, aimed and hell bent on giving one woman everything she wants. Includes interludes against the wall, in a Jacuzzi, on a car hood and even—shockingly enough—on a bed or two. Oh, and about that porch swing? Yup…

~~**~~

Tasha turned and found herself looking into a pair of big brown eyes. Maxwell smiled warmly as he led her to a chair, but he didn't say a word other than to make sure she was comfortable before he left. Tasha twisted her head to watch him as he took his place at the children's table with three of the other guys.

Lila passed the water pitcher down and nudged her, bringing her focus back to what was happening in front of her. "Got any plans for the rest of the weekend? You want to get together?"

"I've got a few projects I need to finish up, and I have to stop by the house to check the builder's progress, but other than that, I'm free." Tasha hid a smile as one of the children tried to escape from the children's table. Junior caught him easily, pulled the boy into his lap and enticed him with a few tidbits of food, all the while maintaining his conversation with the other older men guarding the children.

Lila followed her gaze and laughed. "Best. Tradition. Ever."

"Having the older Turner boys watch the little ones during dinner?"

"Hell, yeah. It almost makes up for having to have the Max in our names."

Tasha smiled. "I have to say I've always loved seeing that. None of the guys seem to mind, either. In fact if anything it's like they compete for the right to sit at the kids table."

"That's because sometimes it's funny as shit."

Tasha wasn't just watching the humor in the situation, although it did seem there was more food-wearing than food-consuming happening at moments. The half-dozen Turner males in charge, aged from late teens to late twenties, had their hands full, but there were no screaming children complaining about the situation. There was laughter, and joking, and a heavy dose of camaraderie.

"I wonder if it's like a test of knighthood—survive your family children's table duty and you are now one of us. I've never noticed the girls having to do it."

"They get enough watching time during the rest of the evening when the rugrats are free and on the run." Lila snickered and pointed to the side. "I think they should include dates in the tradition. Maxy's new beau looks horrified. I wonder how he'd handle the mashed-potatoes-in-the-hair trick?"

Tasha managed to keep eating, and chatting, but through it all that list of pros and cons she'd labored so hard over kept coming back to her again and again. And with every fleeting glance to see what Junior was up to, another one of her doubts slipped away. Across the room, laughter burst from a dozen throats at a time. Steady low conversations created a backdrop for the most erratic outbreaks of mirth. Gramma Turner's aged tones carried through the room, her wisdom and patience a kind of binder twine—a bright ribbon of love weaving through them all, and Natasha had to wipe away tears.

There was no way she could deny this to her child. No way that she could be all and everything to them. Having been offered a chance to join into such openly offered love, she would be a fool to turn it down.

She peeked again in Junior's direction, and this time caught him looking at her. There was hunger in his eyes, and a determination that switched immediately to a slightly cocky smile. He leaned back, acknowledging her, his hands holding firmly to the young child in his arms. Even as she watched, the little one wiggled around to plant a big kiss on his cheek, and suddenly Max's attention turned, the delight on his face clear. It wasn't a show for her sake, something to impress her with his goodwill. He was actually enjoying his time with the toddlers, and her final resistance stripped away.

He was a good man, and he had offered to make her dream come true. The fact he wanted to get married? It wasn't her first choice, but considering everything, surely that was the one thing she could give in return.

Somehow, she had to find the courage to tell him she would be willing to go ahead, at least with part of his proposal.

 Buy Links

~~**~~

Lauren Dane , Rhian Cahill ,Eliza Gayle , Selena Robins, Anne Rainey, Jody Wallace, Lissa Matthew, Mari Carr, McKenna Jeffries, Myla Jackson, Taige Crenshaw, Vivian Arend, Alison Kent, Delilah Devlin, HelenKay Dimon, Shelli Stevens, Shiloh Walker, Leah Braemel

Travel Update

Hello from Quito, Ecuador.

1. Life lessons I already knew but needed to be reminded of? The equator sun is strong. Yes, day one out exploring and I didn't wear my hat. It was cloudy all morning, but when the sun did pop out? Oh. Boy.

Hope my bright colourfades to a tan like usual.

2. Hilly. Quito is very hilly. Plus add in we climbed to the top of the Basillica bell tower and clock tower? I got a workout in!

There was a hopping party in the park last night with salsa music– enjoyed it from our hotel room and relaxed after the three days of traveling to get here. Adventure so far? Lovely!

Smutketeer X-mas Party

I'm blogging today at The Smutketeers along with two other Vivi-ans. Come read about holiday traditions and see the opportunities to win gift cards and books. Go here===> Smutketeers

 

Snippet Saturday- Who's on Second?

Secondary characters- the people who act as the side kick or the support for the main hero and heroine. Is it any wonder that we often fall a little bit in love with them as well and want to know their stories?

I'm going to do a two part snippet- this week's secondary charcter will be the feature of next week's theme… Enjoy, and then you can visit the other snippets offerings.

Turn It On

Turner Twins, Book 1

Pushing the sensual limits can set off all kinds of alarms…

Inheriting her grandmother's home is a dream come true for web designer Maxine Turner. She's looking forward to a little freedom from the constant demands of her beloved, crazy mob of a family. When vandals expose just how vulnerable she is living alone, she seeks help.

Ryan Claymore's well-thought-out life was wrenched out from under him when responsibility for his special-needs stepbrother landed on his shoulders. Going from military man to business man hasn't been easy. He counts himself lucky he's found Maxine to trade his security-system knowledge for her website expertise.

The red-hot chemistry that sizzles between them comes from out of the blue, and they both fight a losing battle to resist. Even the secret Ryan hides isn't enough to keep Maxine from working her way into his heart—and his bed.

But something else might tear them apart. Whoever seems determined to destroy her home, and her sanity along with it.

Warning: Realistic multiple orgasm sex scenes, men getting in touch with their emotions, brothers being—well—brothers, and a very tempting back-porch swing…you have been warned.

~~**~~

Maxine squirmed under him, pushing at his chest until he sat back, his body hard and aching. "It's my brother." She scrambled to button her blouse. "I'm sorry, I don't know why he's—"

"Maxy? Where are you? Are you okay?"

This was not fucking happening. Ryan dragged a hand through his hair and tried to calm his body down before he did something stupid, like pick Maxine up and carry her into the house under her brother's nose.

"We're over on the swing." She turned her wide eyes on Ryan, her lips swollen from his kisses, her breathing erratic. "I have no idea what he's doing here," she whispered.

Maxwell rounded the corner. "Why are you…?" He spotted Ryan and his forward momentum ceased, his gaze snapping back and forth between them. Ryan guessed their disheveled condition encouraged Maxine's brother to assume the worst.

Of course, if he'd been half an hour later, he might have been right.

He glared at them, his disapproval clear. "I tried calling, but got no answer. I was worried when I didn't hear from you."

Beside him on the swing, Maxine tensed. "I'm not twelve anymore, Junior. I'm fine. Ryan and I went out for dinner."

"Ryan? With Claymore Security?"

There was no way around it. Ryan stood and held out his hand. "That's me. I take it you're Maxwell."

Maxwell shook his hand, his body language relaxing off high alert. "Call me Junior. You'll find everyone in our family has a nickname."

Ryan nodded politely then turned back to Maxine. She stood beside the swing, her fingers twisting together, her bottom lip tight between her teeth. Her hair jumbled around her shoulders, all the gentle curves of her body calling to him as his cock throbbed. "You want to—"

"Come on, I'll take you home," Maxwell announced.

She sighed and shook her head. "This is my home. I'm staying here, you know I've moved back in."

"It's not ready yet."

"I'm not having this conversation with you again. The house is fine and I live here. What are you doing anyway? Shouldn't you be with Natasha and the baby?"

"I had to drop off some boxes with Uncle Maxum, and when I called home, Tasha said you weren't there. So I thought I'd stop by on my way and check to see you were all right."

"I'm fine. So…good night."

The air crackled with tension. Maxine's eyes shone brightly, her skin flushed with embarrassment. While both embarrassment and arousal suited her, personally he enjoyed the arousal better.

Maxwell looked pointedly at Ryan, his gaze steady. "I'll walk you to your car."

"Junior. What are you doing?" Maxine demanded. She stepped closer to Ryan, taking him by the hand.

Ryan laughed as he heard a growl rise from her brother. There was no way on earth Junior would leave his sister alone with Ryan tonight. Protective mode was written all over the man.

Maxine tugged his fingers. "I need to…" She glared at Maxwell, who stood like a bump on a log, eyeing them both. She gave a frustrated groan before pulling Ryan around the corner, away from Maxwell's view.

Ryan caught her against him and kissed her thoroughly, his hands holding her close as their lips and tongues tangled together. She twisted, her body rubbing desperately against his. Already aching, he separated them. Things were going no further tonight, and he'd reached the limit of his tolerance.

She rested her head against his chest and let out a huge sigh. "I'm so embarrassed. You must think I'm sixteen."

He laughed again. "You've got a brother who cares for you. That's nothing to be embarrassed about." He breathed out, low and slow, to try to force his dick to relax enough he could walk back to his car without pain.

The window behind them cranked open an inch and Maxine jerked. "I'm going to have a beer. You want one, Ryan?" Maxwell asked from within the house.

Ryan snorted. The man was unbelievable. "No thanks, I think I'll be going." He lifted Maxine's chin to gaze into her eyes. Maybe it was for the best. His body thought it sucked big time, but there would be another night. The chemistry between them wasn't going away anytime soon. "I'll call you tomorrow."

She nodded, the rosy hue of her skin muted in the porch light's dusky illumination. He dropped a kiss on her nose before walking her to the front door.

He was still chuckling when he pulled away. Maxine stood in the open doorway, while a grinning Maxwell waved from behind the living room window.

Buy Links

~~**~~

Lauren Dane , Rhian Cahill ,Eliza Gayle , Selena Robins, Anne Rainey, Jody Wallace, Lissa Matthew, Mari Carr, McKenna Jeffries, Myla Jackson, Taige Crenshaw, Vivian Arend, Alison Kent, Delilah Devlin, HelenKay Dimon, Shelli Stevens, Shiloh Walker, Leah Braemel

Where in the World is Wolfie?

Way back when Wolf Flight came out, I gave away the first Wolfie to a lovely reader, Lisa. Since then, Wolfie has been all over the place, and Lisa continues to take him on trips. Then she sends me pictures of the lovely things he's getting to do with her family.

I

In fact, when we get back from the trip I'm planning on setting up a Wolfie Gallery so everyone who has a Wolfie from me can send pictures of them reading, playing or whatever. I'm also trying to find a good supplier so I can make the pack grow by leaps and bounds this coming year as well.

But today for fun? Here's the latest picture of Wolfie being a good explorer in North Carolina and studying his location.

Cool new books- into the Apocalypse!

The future's so…well, even in an apocalypse the future is bright, but that's because there are fabulous books like these. My good friends Bree and Donna who make up Moira Rogers have a release today. The first in a new world that is a future world. And last week was the release of Awakening Eden: Vivi Andrews' vision of a near future change in the world's fortunes.

Apocalyptic stories make the parts of me that love sci-fi and fantasy happy, because the world is familiar and yet not. And in the middle of bleak or unforgiving futures, the heroes and heroines are so unendingly determined to find a happily ever after–it reminds me to do the same.

To fight to be happy.

His mark could bind her forever—or finally set her free.

Children of the Undying, Book 1

Fifty years after a demon apocalypse devastated the world, summoners still bear the bulk of the blame. Marci lives in secret, hiding the gifts that could cost her a secure spot in one of humanity's underground cities, and access to their virtual world. After all, her chances of avoiding the genetic-testing lotto are better than her chances of surviving topside.

The bastard son of a terrifying incubus, lust heats Gabe's blood and sex fuels his magic. Innate charm and charisma help him navigate the cultural gap between the outcast town he calls home and the human settlements he infiltrates for trade. His latest mission nets him an unexpected asset—a summoner strong enough to soothe his darkest needs.

Trust a half demon, especially one who uses a lockdown to trap them together? Not in this lifetime. Yet Marci can't resist Gabe's offer to see her safely to a selective outcast settlement where she can live without fear. The journey alone is as dangerous as the way Gabe makes her heart race, but it could be her one hope of a real life.

If only she could be sure Gabe's telling her the whole truth…

Product Warnings

Contains a virtual world where humans flee to escape the demon-infested earth, a dangerously seductive half demon with sex magic to burn and a network-hacking summoner brave enough to make herself vulnerable to him.

~~** Samhain | Amazon**~~

When life is a struggle, love is the ultimate luxury.

Librarian Eden Fairfax knows exactly where to find books about survival. None of them mentioned how to manage in the aftermath of a worldwide epidemic—with two young orphans in tow.

On a journey south to warmer climes, she finds sanctuary for all three of them among a community of survivors in Seattle. Until she realizes the children are the centerpiece of their bizarre new religion. There's no choice but to run as far and as fast as her stolen car will go.

Former Army Ranger Connor Reed had planned to live out the end of the world in peace. Yet he can't stand by and do nothing while a lone woman defends two children from an armed thug. Even if doing something means taking the trio in.

Eden's not sure if the armed hermit is her salvation or an even more dangerous threat. A blizzard forces her to trust him with their lives, and in Connor's arms she remembers what it's like to live.

Just beyond the edge of the storm, though, the cult leader awaits his chance to get his hands on the children—and make Eden his next sexual sacrifice.

Product Warnings

This book contains a strong, silent action-hero, a tough, tenacious heroine, a pair of steal-your-heart kids, and a pony-sized dog named Precious.

~~** Samhain | Amazon**~~

Snippet Saturday- Holiday

 

Holiday snippets today, mine is a ski getaway for three best friends. Ready to cool off in the snow?

Falling Freestyle

Xtreme Adventures, Book 1

Never venture out of bounds without a buddy—preferably two.

Dara's past four incredible years have been lived to the fullest. Along with her best friends, Kane and Jack, she's left no local wilderness unexplored, no ski slope unchallenged. Yet lately she wonders why they've never seen her as more than a buddy with breasts. When—or if—either man will cross that unspoken line.

It's a line Kane eyes harder every day. Since high school, he and Jack have shared everything. A condo, vacations—and their best girl. Kane's ready to get serious about his wilderness school and outfitter business, and that includes putting down roots. Preferably with Dara.

Wary of the men who've recently been sniffing around Dara, Jack has a growing sense that he or Kane better make a move soon, or they're going to lose out on their perfect match. Question is, who does she prefer…and who's going to bring their easygoing trio to an end?

Overhearing the boys arguing over her, Dara's floored—and torn. Choose between them? No way. Drastic measures are called for, a plan for their annual holiday getaway that will clarify her feelings once and for all—or lose everything in a sexual storm of whiteout proportions.

~~**~~

It was time to add a little fun to their day, Kane-style. "So, you enjoying your trip to Big White?"

Dara smiled at him. "Very much."

"How long you here for?" A furrow appeared between her brows. He hurried on, knowing she'd catch on soon enough. "I'm here until Sunday. Sure hope the ski conditions hold."

Her eyes widened as she figured out what he was doing and he fought to hide his grin. "Oh, I got here a few days ago myself. Yeah, the conditions are great."

"Have you found a favourite run yet?"

"There's a super one to the right of the chair, if you like them hard."

Kane took a deliberate ogle down her body before looking her in the eye. "I know how I like them. Do you like them hard?"

Someone behind them snickered as they slipped into position for the chair to pick them up. Dara spoke softly. "You're such a perv."

"You wanna play some more?" he whispered back.

The look she turned on him was pure Dara. "Come here often?"

The entire ride up they exchanged sexually loaded innuendo until she was squirming in place. "Shit, Kane, you need to stop. I'm already hanging out the front of my ski pants, I don't need to have a wet crotch as well."

"People will just think you fall down a lot."

She hit him on the arm. "How dare you insult me? I don't fall down."

"Well, there was that one time I seem to remember you doing a few spectacular wipeouts. Your first day on a snowboard."

She laughed. "Oh my God, I'd forgotten you were there to see that. Good thing I'm flexible, or I would have snapped something for sure."

He caught her eye and let the heat he felt for her simmer to the surface. "I think I'd like to see just how flexible you can be."

Dara stared at his mouth, her pink tongue slipping out to peek between her lips and leave behind a shimmer of moisture. "Hmmm, that sounds—intriguing. But that would require you to catch me first, and I somehow don't think you're fast enough."

They'd reached the top of the lift, slipping off the chair and heading toward the run they'd done earlier. Kane had to stop to fasten on his second boot. As he fumbled for the buckles, she stuck out her tongue and saucily wiggled her ass before poling hard and heading for the trees.

By the time he caught up to her, they were already a third of the way down the hill. He cut her off and laughed as she shouted, pulling out of his path. He herded her closer and closer to the trees, keeping an eye out for other skiers. The run was fairly empty—only expert skiers would take this route in the first place and the closer it got to lunch the fewer bodies remained.

She turned to the right and he paced her, coming in low on her side and forcing her back to the left. Small trails disappeared into the bush, and he saw the moment she made her break, turning sharply and disappearing from the main run. He followed her, staying on a higher trail so he could track her direction. They descended farther, Dara laughing the entire time until she pulled to a stop on top of a small rise hidden in the trees. She leaned over her poles, panting hard.

"Okay, I give up. You win."

Kane glanced around quickly as he released one foot from his board. He maneuvered her back toward the nearest birch tree tucked in amidst all the fir and spruce.

"What are you doing? Kane, are you insane?" She was still laughing as he crowded her body with his. Her skis extended backward on either side of the tree, and he braced himself between her legs, rocking his groin against her core. Dara grinned her approval. "Oh hello, not insane."

Samhain | Amazon |Barnes & Noble | Sony | All Romance Ebooks

~~**~~

Lauren Dane , Anne Rainey, Mari Carr, McKenna Jeffries, Myla Jackson, Selena Blake, Taige Crenshaw, Vivian Arend, Delilah Devlin, HelenKay Dimon, Lacey Savage