Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 10

TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT - THE HOUSE-SITTER'S CHRISTMAS - EPISODE 2

This is a picture prompt week. We're limited to 300 words. It's time for episode 2 of  The House-sitter's Christmas. Thank you for coming. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales.



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Laura climbed the stairs to a small room facing the street. It was only big enough for a leather loveseat, wing chair, and small, round table. Mr. Banley had a little Christmas tree in the corner. There were two more trees, a large one in the living room and a small one in her bedroom. C.W. Banley expected her to decorate each tree. A tub of ornaments and lights sat next to a box of candles. He had left New York early in December and delighted in returning to a home decorated for the holiday. Laura loved the task, having the freedom to place exquisite pieces wherever she wanted. After heating the flue and lighting the fire, she eased back in the seat and opened the envelope with her instructions. As she read, she sipped on the fine chocolate to warm her bones and nibbled on the scone. While thinking about which tree to tackle first, her gaze rested on a photograph. It was of C.W. and his nephew. The white-haired gentleman was handsome, distinguished might better describe his looks. The strong family resemblance in his nephew struck her. Two good-looking men. She wonJdered if she’d ever meet C.W. and guessed probably not.Opening her phone, she played holiday music, starting with Carol of the Bells. She surveyed the tree and opened the tub, then fished out the strings of lights. Humming along with Nat King Cole, she listened for the crackle of the logs and breathed in the strong, fresh scent of pine.  This was a traditional Christmas, her traditional Christmas, even if she celebrated it alone. Actually, not quite alone, Jasper, a male, orange tabby cat, scampered into the room. He rubbed against her legs, in greeting, then hopped up on the loveseat and curled up to watch her work.

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Come back Wednesday. There will be a new episode of this story every day until 2017. I hope you will return and enjoy this holiday tale. If you missed the first episode, find it HERE

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TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT - THE HTOUSE-SITTER'S CHRISTMAS - EPISODE 2

This is a picture prompt week. We're limited to 300 words. It's time for episode 2 of  The House-sitter's Christmas. Thank you for coming. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales.



*****************************  

Laura climbed the stairs to a small room facing the street. It was only big enough for a leather loveseat, wing chair, and small, round table. Mr. Banley had a little Christmas tree in the corner. There were two more trees, a large one in the living room and a small one in her bedroom. C.W. Banley expected her to decorate each tree. A tub of ornaments and lights sat next to a box of candles. He had left New York early in December and delighted in returning to a home decorated for the holiday. Laura loved the task, having the freedom to place exquisite pieces wherever she wanted. After heating the flue and lighting the fire, she eased back in the seat and opened the envelope with her instructions. As she read, she sipped on the fine chocolate to warm her bones and nibbled on the scone. While thinking about which tree to tackle first, her gaze rested on a photograph. It was of C.W. and his nephew. The white-haired gentleman was handsome, distinguished might better describe his looks. The strong family resemblance in his nephew struck her. Two good-looking men. She wonJdered if she’d ever meet C.W. and guessed probably not.Opening her phone, she played holiday music, starting with Carol of the Bells. She surveyed the tree and opened the tub, then fished out the strings of lights. Humming along with Nat King Cole, she listened for the crackle of the logs and breathed in the strong, fresh scent of pine.  This was a traditional Christmas, her traditional Christmas, even if she celebrated it alone. Actually, not quite alone, Jasper, a male, orange tabby cat, scampered into the room. He rubbed against her legs, in greeting, then hopped up on the loveseat and curled up to watch her work.

****
Come back Wednesday. There will be a new episode of this story every day until 2017. I hope you will return and enjoy this holiday tale. If you missed the first episode, find it HERE

BACK TO TUESDAY TALES GO TO MY WEBSITE

SATURDAY SNIPPETS - TUFFER'S CHRISTMAS WISH

I will be posting snippets from my holiday books this month. This one, TUFFER'S CHRISTMAS WISH, is the first. This book is NOT a romance. It's a literary short story. 
The main character, Tuffer Demson, is from my First & Ten football romance series. His life story whirled around in my head until I had to tell it. I love Tuffer. He's touched my heart. I hope he will touch yours, as well. 
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It all started when Tuffer Demson, defensive linebacker for the Connecticut Kings, met his biological mother on Christmas Eve. They broke bread once a year, during the holidays. Tuffer met her at the diner at  ten for breakfast. He called her by her given name, since he didn’t remember her ever being his mom. He had someone else he had called that for the past twenty-three years, and he liked it that way.“Hi, Shayna,” he said, easing his six-foot-three-inch, linebacker body into the booth.“Hi, yourself,” the blonde said. She eyed him up and down. “You’re looking good. Kings must be agreeing with you.”“Yep.” These meetings were at her insistence. He could’ve cared less if he never saw her again. But his folks had taught him respect. Besides, it was only once a year.“What’ll ya have?” the server asked.Shayna always ordered a huge amount of food—the most expensive dishes too. A side of bacon and sausage with eggs Benedict. A large, fresh-squeezed orange juice. Maybe a sweet bun. She knew Tuffer’d pick up the check, and he always did. She didn’t make much as a waitress, and no one gets residuals on porno flicks, so he understood her need for a splurge—even if it was at her son’s expense.In the beginning, he’d met with her hoping to find out who his father was. But Shayna had vowed never to reveal the man’s name.“Think you’re going to the Super Bowl?” She added cream to her coffee.“We’ve got a good shot.”“You get a nice, fat bonus for winning, don’t you?”He nodded and sipped his juice.“A hundred grand?”“Not quite that much.”“Buy yourself a fancy car with that kind of money.”“I don’t need a fancy car. My SUV is fine.”“Sometimes, it’s hard to believe you’re my kid,” she said with a chuckle, shaking her head.“My real mother and father don’t give a shit about stuff.”Her eyes widened as if she’d been hit. “Got that right. They’re better ’an me. I know. That’s why I left you with them. I knew it’d be better for you.”“Dumped me with them, you mean.”“We’ve been over this a hundred times. Do we have to go over it again?”The server brought their food. There was hardly enough room on the table for all that Shayna had ordered.“Just be honest. You dumped me because it was good for you, not for me,” said Tuffer.“I coulda left you at the police station. I picked a nice couple. Ran a preschool. Good with kids. You liked them. They liked you. Seemed like a good bet.”“Good bet for who?”“I was twenty. I wasn’t ready to be a mom.”“And Bev Demson was?”“Yeah. She told me about the car accident. That she couldn’t have kids. She was jealous I had you.”“Mom has never been jealous of anyone a day in her life.”“Yeah? Well, she was jealous of me. She wanted you.” Shayna cut a piece of the Benedict with her fork and put it in her mouth.Tuffer pushed around the scrambled eggs on his plate. He hated going over this again, but he refused to let her weasel out of the truth.“They used the lawsuit money to start the school. But she wanted one of her own. And you were it. It was perfect.”“Perfect for everyone except me.”
“Haven’t you been happy? Bev and Ralph are great parents. A shitload better than I could’ve been.” She picked up a piece of bacon.

If you wish to read the whole story, you can find it in ebook for $.99 here:
AMAZON
iTUNES/APPLE BOOKS
BARNES & NOBLE

Curious about my other works? Find my books HERE.

TUESDAY TALES - PROMPT "ISLAND" House-sitter's Christmas Episode 1 #Christmas #romance

Since A Kings' Christmas has been published, I'm starting something new.  A Christmas story, taking place in New York City.  I will be posting a segment here, every week until the story is done or I make another plan. 

Please feel free to leave comments. It's not written yet. I look forward to your feedback to help me direct it. I hope you enjoy this first, introductory post. Thank you for coming. Scroll down for the link to return to Tuesday Tales and read all the wonderful writers there.  Oh, this story is called, "The House-Sitter's Christmas". 


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Episode 1
Laura Fleming’s pulse kicked up as the bus approached the Lincoln Tunnel. Something magical happened whenever she crossed over from upstate onto Manhattan island. And it being a week before Christmas only made it more fantastic. The Port Authority Bus Terminal was as bloated with people as usual at Christmas. Mr. C. W. Banley had arranged for a car to pick her up. She was the hired help, the housesitter paid to keep his majestic townhouse occupied and to care for his cat while he traveled on business over the holidays.
This was Laura’s third year housesitting for C.W., as she affectionately referred to him –but never to his face. In fact, she’d never met him. What mattered was her chance to step into the ultimate Christmas fantasy, occupying a grand townhouse on West 81st Street for three delicious weeks.A man in a livery outfit stood on the crowded sidewalk, holding a sign that read Laura Fleming. She approached him, vouched for her identity and slid into the comfortable vehicle. He closed the door and they were off, wending their way through the dense, holiday traffic. “First time in the City?” He asked, while they waited at a stop light.“Oh, no. I’ve been coming at the holidays for several years.”“It’s a beautiful, if crowded, time to be here.”“I love it. I live in the country. During the winter, I get cabin fever with all the snow and ice.”“You own a place here, too?”She laughed, her light brown hair swinging with the motion. “Oh, no. I could never afford that. I’m the house-sitter.”“Now that’s a great gig!”“You bet it is,” she agreed. The chauffeur maneuvered his way through the congested avenue. Laura looked out the window. All the restaurants and even the delis had strings of Christmas lights. She raised her gaze to the apartment buildings and spied many with Christmas lights in the windows, or elaborately decorated trees, visible from the street.
He pulled up to the gorgeous, Neo-Renaissance townhouse. The driver set her small suitcase on the sidewalk. He refused a tip, saying he’d already been paid. Laura gazed at the beautiful cream colored building with windows lined in black. A large, circular, black, wrought iron staircase beckoned her. The winter sky was turning teal blue as the sun began to set. She climbed the steps to the large, carved wooden door. A wreath of evergreens, red berries and pine cones hung there, welcoming her. The sharp wind penetrated her coat, making her shiver. She retrieved the key from under the mat and unlocked the door. Anxious to get to the antique pot of hot chocolate Maeve, the housekeeper, always left for her on the little wooden table by the fireplace in the study, Laura wondered if there would be a chocolate croissant or a scone waiting, too. She licked her lips as she crossed the threshold into a luxury she could only dream about. 
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TUESDAY TALES - PROMPT "ISLAND"

Since A Kings' Christmas has been published, I'm starting something new.  A Christmas story, taking place in New York City.  I will be posting a segment here, every week until the story is done or I make another plan. 

Please feel free to leave comments. It's not written yet. I look forward to your feedback to help me direct it. I hope you enjoy this first, introductory post. Thank you for coming. Scroll down for the link to return to Tuesday Tales and read all the wonderful writers there.  Oh, this story is called, "The House-Sitter's Christmas". 


************************ 
Laura Fleming’s pulse kicked up as the bus approached the Lincoln Tunnel. Something magical happened whenever she crossed over from upstate onto Manhattan island. And it being a week before Christmas only made it more fantastic. The Port Authority Bus Terminal was as bloated with people as usual at Christmas. Mr. C. W. Banley had arranged for a car to pick her up. She was the hired help, the housesitter paid to keep his majestic townhouse occupied and to care for his cat while he traveled on business over the holidays.
This was Laura’s third year housesitting for C.W., as she affectionately referred to him –but never to his face. In fact, she’d never met him. What mattered was her chance to step into the ultimate Christmas fantasy, occupying a grand townhouse on West 81st Street for three delicious weeks.A man in a livery outfit stood on the crowded sidewalk, holding a sign that read Laura Fleming. She approached him, vouched for her identity and slid into the comfortable vehicle. He closed the door and they were off, wending their way through the dense, holiday traffic. “First time in the City?” He asked, while they waited at a stop light.“Oh, no. I’ve been coming at the holidays for several years.”“It’s a beautiful, if crowded, time to be here.”“I love it. I live in the country. During the winter, I get cabin fever with all the snow and ice.”“You own a place here, too?”She laughed, her light brown hair swinging with the motion. “Oh, no. I could never afford that. I’m the house-sitter.”“Now that’s a great gig!”“You bet it is,” she agreed. The chauffeur maneuvered his way through the congested avenue. Laura looked out the window. All the restaurants and even the delis had strings of Christmas lights. She raised her gaze to the apartment buildings and spied many with Christmas lights in the windows, or elaborately decorated trees, visible from the street.
He pulled up to the gorgeous, Neo-Renaissance townhouse. The driver set her small suitcase on the sidewalk. He refused a tip, saying he’d already been paid. Laura gazed at the beautiful cream colored building with windows lined in black. A large, circular, black, wrought iron staircase beckoned her. The winter sky was turning teal blue as the sun began to set. She climbed the steps to the large, carved wooden door. A wreath of evergreens, red berries and pine cones hung there, welcoming her. The sharp wind penetrated her coat, making her shiver. She retrieved the key from under the mat and unlocked the door. Anxious to get to the antique pot of hot chocolate Maeve, the housekeeper, always left for her on the little wooden table by the fireplace in the study, Laura wondered if there would be a chocolate croissant or a scone waiting, too. She licked her lips as she crossed the threshold into a luxury she could only dream about. 
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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "BREAD" #bread #tuesdaytale #romance #holiday #thanksgiving #christmas

Welcome! This week's word prompt is "bread". Again we have a snippet from A KINGS' CHRISTMAS, which will be published within a week. 

Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales and some great writers work. 


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The table was decorated and set for the Montgomery and Carruthers clans to break bread for Thanksgiving. Buddy Carruthers, wide receiver and Griff Montgomery, quarterback were best friends. Now that their widowed parents had married, the holidays would be simple –getting together at “the big house”, which is what Chip had dubbed his grandfather’s new digs. Verna sat at her kitchen table and plucked a piece of paper out of the pocket of her apron. She took a sip of lukewarm coffee then smoothed out the list and lay it on the table. She took a pen from behind her hear. Hank Montgomery, her new husband, his wrist in a cast, came up behind her, leaned over and kissed her neck. “How you doin’, Mrs. Montgomery?”She smiled up at him. “Hangin’ in there. Plenty left on my list.”Her husband sat down across from her. “Tell me what to do.”Before she could open her mouth, a little dynamo came roaring into the room. Chip, Hank’s grandson had a small football tucked under his arm as he ran into the room. A pretty little brunette girl toddled after him. “Grandma is the goal! Touchdown! I win!” He spiked the little ball and did a little dance. Gracie, his little sister, clapped her hands and shrieked with laughter. Imitating her brother, she hopped up and down. “You scored, eh?” Hank cocked an eyebrow.“Gracie can’t catch me,” Chip said with pride. The little girl threw her arms around her brother in a hug. He squirmed away.“Let her hug you, Chip. Gracie loves you. Be happy. What if she didn’t like you. What if she threw things at you and screamed every time you came into the room?” Hank asked.The little boy stood still. His face went blank as he considered what Hank said. “Don’t think you’d like that much, would you?” Verna put in.The little boy shook his head. He turned to face the toddler. “Sorry, Gracie. You can hug me.” Her face broke into a big smile as she came to him with arms outstretched. “If you can catch me!” Chip yelled, taking off at top speed. Gracie smiled and took off after her brother. Hank shook his head. “Someday that boy is going to appreciate his sister.”“When she has a hot girlfriend he wants to date,” Verna said, chuckling. 
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5 FAST FACTS ABOUT FOOTBALL

This week, our 5 facts are about football. No surprise there as I'm a big fan. 

1.  Regardless of the fact it's called a "pigskin", professional footballs are made from cowhide. In fact it takes about 600 cows to make enough for one season of pro ball. 

2.  Where did American football come from? You probably already know this, but it was born out of rugby and soccer and came from England. Football took hold in the late 1800's on college campuses. 

3. Walter Camp, a college coach, is considered the "Father" of American football. He's credited with inventing the first rules in 1876 that included changes to line scrimmages, downs and distance. 

4. Here's an odd mix of literature and football. The Baltimore Ravens are named for Edgar Allan Poe's poem, "The Raven." Even the team mascots get into the act.  They are named "Edgar", "Allan", and "Poe". Baltimore lays claim to this poem because it was written in that city sometime in the 1830's. 

5. You can probably guess this one, too. The most watched event on American television is the Super Bowl. 




If you love football, as I do, you might like my foootball romance books.  Find them HERE
The First & Ten series had 8 books plus a brand new holiday novella, coming soon:



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What People Are Saying... #reviews #romance #books #favorite #football

Welcome! This week, I'm sharing the wonderful reviews for one of my favorite books (shhh, don't tell the others) - it's Al "Trunk" Mahoney, Defensive Line from the First & Ten series. Although the books are connected, each can stand alone, including this one. 


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"Trunk and Carla’s story has been my favorite so far. I know I say that with each book, but each one keeps getting better and better. Carla is a strong woman who can handle Trunk and keep him in line. And when the two of them get together it makes for a “can’t put down” book. Learning about Trunk’s past allowed you to connect with him, which I thought in previous books would be impossible. They just have so much insight into each other that you can feel their connection. Kudos on another great book! " SM
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"The First and Ten series is amazing as a whole, but Trunk's story is one that really stands out to me. Trunk has regularly appeared in the previous stories in the series and really he never shines in a positive light. His story really changed how I viewed him. In the other stories he really comes off as a womanizer and the story lines infer that he's a cheat, but it didn't take long to see that there was another side to him.
I loved the vulnerable side of Trunk that we see in this story. The pain, insecurity and the desire to be loved really bought Trunk to a different level. As we read more about his relationship with Mary it helps to ease the opinion the reader forms of him in previous books. I very easily fell in love with the big man that was hurting so much. I loved watching him find his way and find a woman who could be everything he needed.

Carla is probably one of my favorite women in the series. She's tough and sassy, determined to make it on her own, be her own woman, even it means that she has to walk away from her family and the one man who she loves. I just adored her spirit. She was everything Trunk needed, sympathetic, a friend, a lover, and a caretaker. I definitely felt the chemistry between the two of them.

I loved getting caught up with the team. At this point the series is getting too big to read about all the previous characters, so I like how Jean included them all at different parts, but only went in depth in a couple of chapters on focused couples, like Griff and Lauren. I hope there are more stories coming! I want to see more of where these stories go and I feel like there are several more players that need their stories told!"  SC

********************** "Absolutely the sweetest, most heartfelt book in the First & Ten series. I never thought that Trunk would be the one of my favorites." JMTM 
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Find  Al "Trunk" Mahoney, Defensive Line  here in ebook and paperback:
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
ITUNES
KOBO
GOOGLE PLAY
AMAZON U.K.
PAPERBACK
SMASHWORDS

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SATURDAY SNIPPETS!! "R" RATED #sexy #romance #hollywood

Welcome! This week I'm posting a sexy snippet from the first book in my Hollywood Hearts series - IF I LOVED YOU. 


A walk in the park isn't simply a walk in the park for Chas and Meg. He takes her to that enigma, the stone arch, in Central Park. 
Things get a little out of hand in the quiet when their mutual desire takes over. 


*************
“Take many girls to the Arch?” Megan peered at him in the fading light.“You’re the first.”She slipped her arm around his waist and moved up against his side.He stopped suddenly to point. Megan raised her gaze. “How do the stones stay together like that?” She stepped nearer, staring at the structure.He shrugged. “No idea.”“It’s a work of art.”Chaz led her to a bench facing the arch where they could eat. He opened the basket and popped the cork on the wine before pouring two glasses. Megan took a sip. “Mmm…delicious.”He handed her a plastic container. She opened it to reveal a dozen giant strawberries half coated in dark chocolate. Taking one in between her fingers, she slowly raised it to his lips. Their gazes locked as his lips surrounded the succulent berry. A bite sent a copious amount of juice flowing down his chin. Megan leaned forward slightly, but caught herself before she licked his face clean. Instead, she plucked a napkin out of the basket.“Were you going to…?”She nodded before putting her finger over his lips as she wiped off the juice. Picking up a berry, he mirrored her movements, except this time, Chaz licked the strawberry juice off her chin. His lips slipped over hers effortlessly. She finished chewing and swallowed as his tongue swept across her lower lip, setting off a spark in her belly and igniting her passion.He pulled her closer until their chests barely touched and kissed her in earnest—his lips working hers until she opened for him. Megan placed her hands on his broad shoulders, feeling the taut muscles of his upper back through the thin fabric of his windbreaker. The taste of strawberry mixed with the feel of his tongue gliding over hers excited her. Her nipples hardened, aching for his touch.Moving his hands to her back, he closed the gap between them so that her breasts were touching his chest. He moved his hands up and his fingers played with the ends of her hair. She didn’t resist, yielding to her desire to be close to him.He angled his head and took the kiss deeper. Meg floated, her mind turned off. All she could do was feel his hands on her, feel his lips on hers, soft yet demanding. She breathed in his intoxicating scent mixed with his after-shave. The ache inside her stoked the fire so hot it seemed to scorch her insides. She clamped her thighs together but that only made her desire increase. Before she could stop herself, she purred into his mouth.Encouraged by her response, Chaz ripped his mouth from hers and moved it to her neck. His lips and tongue burned a trail down the column. He deftly unzipped her jacket and slipped it off one shoulder, allowing his lips to continue down to her shoulder. His hands were on her waist, holding her steady. Her nipples stung, needing to be touched. As if he could read her mind, Chaz slid his hand up her ribcage until it covered her breast. She gasped at the sharp tingle that shot straight to her core when his fingers closed on her nipple. Chaz raised his head.“Sorry. Got carried away.”Her eyes were wide, dark green with passion. Two words tumbled out of her mouth without her brain’s knowledge.“Don’t stop.” It was almost a moan.

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Want to read more? Find it in ebook (only $2.99) and paperback here:
AMAZON
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ITUNES
GOOGLE PLAY
AMAZON U.K.
PAPERBACK
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NEWS! DOUBLE COVER REVEAL! #coverreveal #romance #lovestory #chirstmas #holiday

Howdy! Friday is news day on my blog. What's new? Covers! Yes, that's plural! First, the cover for my new Christmas book from the First & Ten series.


A KINGS' CHRISTMAS

Enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas with the Connecticut Kings' football team. Laugh, cry and sigh along with the sexy men and the women who love them. 


COMING SOON -- Book 2 from the BOTTOM OF THE NINTH series:



MATT JACKSON, CATCHER


A bit about the book


Clutch hitter, fielder extraordinaire, and the team captain, Matt Jackson is dynamite on the baseball field, but a bust with women. He makes a show of coming on to chicks in bars, but always strikes out.

A secret he hides keeps Matt dateless. Does a solo life make living with emotional pain easier? Everything he believes in is challenged the day he walks in on a beautiful woman in the locker room. The sharp-tongued spitfire gives as good as she gets.

Getting close to Dusty is dangerous. Can his risk his well-protected heart? Matt faces a difficult choice -- will he make the right decision? 

Share your feelings about these covers. Your comments are welcome.
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