Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 15

GRIFF MONTGOMERY, QUARTERBACK COMES ALIVE ON AUDIO!

I can't believe I'm such a starry-eyed fan of audio books. Yes, this is my first one. I roped my husband into listening to the auditions with me because I've never listened to an audio book and didn't know what to expect, or how to judge. 

We heard 11 auditions. The last two were close, real close. Great voice, but I still wasn't sure. Then I heard audition #12. His narration made me laugh at a funny part I'd already heard eleven times before. Number 12 was it, the one. 

His name is Jim Roberts. When I received the first 15 minute recording he sent, according to the ACX process, the book came alive. The little taste made me hunger for more. Not long after, the full  seven hour recorded book arrived for my approval. 

 In addition to being a narrator, Jim is also an actor, and a talented one. I cleared my schedule and prepared to meet Griff Montgomery, Lauren and the men of the Connecticut Kings football team, in person (almost). 

I was riveted, mesmerized by his recording. The story ceased to be simply a book, but became a life, two lives, seven lives or more. Real people, with voices created by Jim, were speaking my words, now their words. 

 The experience was transformative for me. I'm now an audio book junkie, eagerly awaiting my next fix: Jim's rendition of Buddy Carruthers, Wide Receiver, book 2 in the First & Ten series.

If you want to take a trip into a book, into the world of football, I invite you to pick up the audio book version of Griff Montgomery, Quarterback. 

You can get it here:   AUDIBLE      OR  here:     AMAZON

                              



                               

TUESDAY TALES - "MIXED" - HARLEY'S STORY CONTINUES...

“Uh oh. That doesn’t sound like the confident, I’m-gonna-kick-their-asses guy I know.”“I’m okay. It’ll get done.”“Be happy, buddy.”“Thanks, Trunk. How are the guys? What’s going on?”
Harley sank down into an overstuffed chair, kicked back, toed off his shoes, and gazed out at the sea while he listened to Trunk bring him up-to-date on this teammates’ antics. His shoulder muscles relaxed as he laughed with his friend.A knock on the door interrupted Harley’s trip down memory lane with the linebacker. It was Greg Carson. Harley said goodbye to Trunk and hung up.“Time for the cocktail party. Are you ready?” the MC asked.“Ready as I’ll ever be.”Greg lounged against the doorjamb. “Are you okay? How are you doing? Feeling all right?”“The pressure’s a little hard.” Harley bent to tie his shoes.Greg cocked an eyebrow. “Pressure? From a man who’s played in two Super Bowls?”“Are you kidding? The Super Bowl is a walk in the park compared to ten women trying to get your attention at the same time.”Greg laughed. “Getting a bit difficult?”“You might say that. Geez. I don’t want them to hate each other.”“They’re all vying for you. I get it. This isn’t as easy as people think. And right about now, it ramps up to a lot tougher.”
“Yeah. I’ve got to send two women home tonight, and I have no clue who.”Greg clapped Harley on the back. “Let’s go downstairs. You can get started making that decision. A drink might help.”
“A drink? A dozen maybe.” Harley chuckled as he walked down the hall next to Greg. Excitement mixed with dread in his veins. Was the love of his life waiting in the lounge, or would he come up empty-handed again?
Back to Tuesday Tales My website

COMING SOON TO AUDIOBOOK! SNEAK PEEK AT GRIFF MONTGOMERY, QUARTERBACK

Welcome! Take a taste of Griff Montgomery, Quarterback, an Amazon bestseller, and the first book in the football romance series,  First & Ten. Coming to audio book in two weeks!

**********She raced into the street. A car making its way to the south end of town screeched on its brakes. The man holding the dog dropped the lead and leapt in front of her. He snatched her arm and yanked her out of the way. She fell to her knees on the pavement, but didn’t feel the pain because the pug was licking her face. She kept repeating his name as tears flowed.“You okay, lady?” the man asked, grasping her elbow and easing her to her feet.
Lauren clutched his arm while her knees trembled. She narrowed her eyes. “You stole my dog,” she said, before bending over to pet the pooch.
*********         "What else are you good at, besides grilling and throwing a football?”“Do you want the PG version or X-rated?” He snickered, his dark eyes dancing with mischief as they skimmed over her skimpy robe, making her shiver.She laughed.Griff slipped his hand over her free one. “Or should I show you?” His gaze settled on her lips.
She finished chewing and sat back, checking him out again. His muscles were nicely defined, and the sprinkling of dark chest hair tempted her fingers. She ached to touch him, but resisted. He’s a womanizer. He’ll leave you. He’ll hurt you. “Don’t think so.” She removed her hand to cut another piece of meat.
***********His friend shook his head. “I don’t know if you’re a man of great willpower, or an idiot.”“Neither do I,” said the quarterback. Griff wasn’t ready to face the fact that he was giving up good, steady road trip sex for a woman who didn’t want to get married.
*********** “Do you want me to stay with you?”“Please. I don’t want to be alone.”He got in beside her and tucked her against his chest. She snuggled down.“Look there,” he said, pointing. “See the moon? It’s full.”She nodded. He was lying behind her, his arm around her middle, holding her fast. Lauren laid her hand on top of his.“I’m here. You’re safe. Close your eyes. I’ll be right here if you need me.”
“Thank you,” she whispered and brushed her lips against his arm. Griff kissed her hair and tucked his knees up under hers. The warmth from his body soothed her. Her muscles relaxed as she stared at the moon for a moment before falling back to sleep.
*************
A bit about the book Two people, two tragedies, two deep, devastating secrets….  Griff Montgomery is the headline-making, heart-breaking star quarterback of the Kings – a  6’4”, 33 year old womanizer. Lauren Farraday is a beautiful young interior designer, bitterly scarred by divorce, whose life is falling apart. Though they violently oppose one another in court over her beloved pug (she thinks he’s arrogant and  conceited, and he thinks she’s a bitch on wheels), something happens....  These are the bare bones of this sizzling romance, riddled with passion -- the first in a brand new series that’ll tantalize football fans and have readers glued to every page and on the edge of their seats!
Griff looks like a super hero with his tousled, mahogany hair, dazzling smile, dark, sexy eyes, and a body  that does something indescribable to a tight pair of jeans. Though Lauren’s sworn off men forever, one look sends shivers down her spine, making her feel lonelier than ever before. Her lustrous, long hair, sparkling green eyes, and nonstop curves make his fingers tingle at the thought of touching her.  How do they deal with their cataclysmic attraction? Will they be able to drop their protective facades – his to camouflage his grief over his sister and her family, for whom he was a surrogate father, moving 3000 miles away…. And hers’ to shield her from the incalculable loss of her husband and hoped for child?

For Griff, the thought of falling in love is as foreign as toe shoes and a tutu. For Lauren, it’s like putting on cleats and a helmet and running 50 yards…. Can they, will they, risk it? 

Buy it here in ebook or paperback:
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
KOBO
ITUNES/APPLE
AMAZON PAPERBACK
SMASHWORDS
ALL ROMANCE eBOOKS

TUESDAY TALES - HARLEY'S STORY CONTINUES

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. The word prompt this week is "beat." Harley's story continues, but will be stopping very soon as the book is due to be released in early March. Return to Tuesday Tales with the link below.
*******************************
“Where’s your keeper?” Trunk Mahoney asked, sliding onto the stool next to him.“California.”“Good. She’s a piece of work. How did you end up with her?”“She’s not so bad.”
“Not so bad? Doesn’t sound like a great match. But, hey, my first marriage wasn’t exactly perfect, either.”“I’m not aiming for a first marriage. This will be my one and only.”“Maybe she’s not the right girl? Don’t get me wrong. She’s hot, beautiful. But she doesn’t like us and we’re your team.”“She’ll get used to you.”“These guys? Doubt it.”“Come. Five bucks says I beat your sorry ass,” Harley said, pushing to his feet and grabbing a handful of darts.
“You’re on.”The two men moved to the side where the new dart board hung on the wall. It wasn’t long before they were joined by Buddy Carruthers and Bullhorn Brodsky. Bull and Buddy had a couple of beers while Trunk and Harley stayed sober. After the game, Trunk drove Buddy and Bull home. It was ten and the bar was empty. Harley ordered a piece of cheesecake and a cup of coffee. Carla joined him. “Aren’t you usually home in bed by now?” She asked.“During training camp? Yeah. Not so great going home alone.”“Hot for your new girl?”“You could say that.” Although she didn’t provide a lot of companionship, he missed what she did add to his life.  “You and Trunk look good. This place is coming along.”“By the season opener, it should be finished. Like it?”“It looks amazing.”“My only worry is that someone’s gonna get into a fight and throw a dart at someone.”Harley laughed. “Might happen.”“I wanted to get safe darts. The Velcro kind? But Trunk talked me out of it.”“He’ll be here to sit on anyone’s face who gets out of hand.”“Yeah, he’s my security team.” She grinned.
Harley’s gaze perused her. He’d never seen Carla look so good. Everything about her glowed. That’s what love looks like. He knew it was the look of love, because he had seen it before, on Shyla’s face when she gazed at him. He frowned to think he’d never seen that on Vanessa’s face, even the day he proposed.
RETUR TO TUESDAY TALES MY WEBSITE

HARLEY BRENNAN, RUNNING BACK FINALLY MAKES HIS APPEARANCE!

Inspired by a certain reality TV program where a man is looking for a wife, Harley's story is one that came to me when I was writing the Hollywood Hearts series. His story was supposed to be book six, but Gunther Quill pushed him out of the way and took over book 6 for his own story. 

I didn't want to have a 7 book series, so Harley's story went on the shelf.  But the story lived and grew in my head. When I started the football series, I got the idea that Harley's story would fit here perfectly. So here it is: 
************Harley Brennan and Shyla Hollings agreed to part company to follow their careers. It was a mutual decision. The star running back had no problem getting dates, but never the right dates. After one year spent trying to replace the only woman he’d ever loved, he declared defeat. Until the reality TV show, Marriage Minded, approached him.      Harley flew to L.A. after the Super Bowl, ready to find his new soul mate. Bumping into Shyla at the airport didn’t give him a clue that she’d be behind the scenes, designing the sets for the program. And she didn’t tell him.  Was Fate playing a hand, bringing them together? If so, Harley had to admit, Fate had lousy timing.Convinced his life was heading for a touchdown, Harley’s confidence was high, until his luck ran out. Would the running back get knocked out of the game or sprint to victory?    A unique combination of reality TV show surprises, football action, humor, and steamy love scenes, HARLEY BRENNAN, RUNNING BACK, will keep you guessing until the last scene.             ****************
It's up for pre-order on Amazon. Here It will be out in paperback within two weeks. And an audio book is planned. 
The book is still with the editor, so I have to share an unedited snippet: 
“So you won the Super Bowl, now you’re looking for a wife?”He nodded. “That’s about it.”“I can’t believe you can’t find one on your own.”“All those groupies in bars aren’t exactly the girls I want to take home to mother.”“That would be quite a trip, since your mom’s been gone five years now.”He almost spit out champagne. She laughed and handed him a napkin. “Nice way to talk about my mother.”“None of your teammates can fix you up with the perfect girl?” She arched an eyebrow.“If they could, would I be sitting here?”She shrugged. “Guess not. Well, they can’t all be me.” Mischief twinkled in her eyes.He grinned. “You got that right.”The steward brought out caviar on toast, which they gobbled down. They dined on filet mignon, cooked medium. Harley thought he’d lose it when she pulled out the same book that he had finished the month before. “Damn it, Shy. Why do you have to be so much like me?”“A man-whore?”“You know what I mean. I read Grafton’s latest book last month.”She laughed. “My male twin. Oops, that would make us incest.”He smiled before replying, “Is there an ‘us’?”Color crept up to her cheeks. She turned away, peering out into the blackness of night. “I guess not. Not if you’re on the quest for connubial bliss with someone else.” 
Come on board for a wild ride through reality TV twists and turns, football action with unexpected consequences and a happy ending you'll never see coming. Pre-order your copy now, here .
HARLEY BRENNAN, RUNNING BACK.

TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT - HARLEY'S STORY CONTINUES

Welcome! This week we have our choice of any one of four pictures of windows. This one is my choice as I continue Harley's story. We are restricted to 300 words only. Return to Tuesday Tales at the bottom of the page. 


*****************
     Shyla wrapped a towel around her freshly-showered body and sat by the window. The crew was lucky to have rooms facing the beach. Off season? She smiled and rested her chin in her hands. Memories of playing on the desert beach at six a.m. with Harley in Costa Rica danced through her brain.
At his suggestion, they’d shucked their suits to skinny dip in the warm, clear water. Floating on her belly, Shyla had rested her face on the surface, her eyes open, staring at the multitude of tiny, colorful fish.  She’d never seen anything like them. She grabbed him and pointed to her find. He held his breath and watched with her.      The cook, a true romantic, whipped up a small breakfast delight and packed it up with two café frío drinks – coffee with chocolate and whipped cream. They dried off, spread out a blanket under the shade of a palm tree, and dined on scrambled eggs and fresh fruit.

Feeding strawberries and kiwi to each other had led to lovemaking. She sighed remembering the passion, mixed with the naughtiness of being so intimate on the sand. Their physical chemistry always led them there. She had missed that with other men. And now it was over. She lingered, kneeling on a chair, letting the soft, damp Caribbean breeze caress her face one more time. After all, her suitcase was packed. Nothing left to do but dress.     The knock on her door brought her back to reality.     “You’re not dressed yet? Let’s go,” Dan said, returning to the hall.
     Unable to tear her gaze from the scenery, she dressed by rote. It had been too short, this island visit. And it had ended badly. But she wouldn’t think about that until she got stateside. Plenty of time for a pity party then.

     Thanks for stopping by.

RETURN TO TUESDAY TALES
MY WEBSITE

TUESDAY TALES - HARLEY' STORY - WORD PROMPT - STOLEN

   Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. The word prompt this week is "stolen". We continue with Harley's story, but today it's from Shyla's point of view. 
    
**************
   As she stood at her window, looking out on the island paradise, Shyla wondered how she and Harley could have built such a strong relationship on the handful of stolen hours they'd shared.    She crept quietly out of the room she shared with Biana, her intern, and walked along the deserted beach. At six a.m. she was the only one. She leaned back against a palm tree, enjoying a moment of shade.
   What started at the wedding in Costa Rica continued when they returned stateside. She had been between gigs, so she bunked in with him in his gorgeous, modern house in little Monroe, New York. 
   Two weeks of total bliss. They were never out of sight or touch with each other. Nights were spent making love and talking until three. She'd swore they would never run out of things to say. The snatches of time together continued for a year. Then they agreed that their work needed to come first and they parted.    Now here she was, advising him on the women vying for his attention and his hand in marriage. Her stomach clenched. This was not a place she wanted to be, yet she had only herself to blame. 
   "Penny for your thoughts," a deep behind her said. 
   Harley was there, grinning. She smiled. 
   "So who's the bad girl today? And who should I be pursuing?"
   Me.
   One stab of pain shot through her heart. "Ruth is too timid for you. And Clara has other things on her mind. She's texting constantly with someone. Vanessa's still the best."
   "Really? I might have other ideas about that." He said stepping too close to her. They were alone. 
   She knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't stop herself as she leaned into his arms. 
The kiss was sweet, succulent and familiar. He came to his senses first. 
"I've got to stop doing that."
"I suppose."
"You're not helping."
"What did I do?"
"You just stood there."


*********************** 
Thanks for coming. Don't forget to read the others and you can find them HERE MY WEBSITE

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "WOOD"

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. The word prompt is "wood". Harley's story continues. Don't forget to zip back and read all the stories on Tuesday Tales. Link below. 

**********************
It was the hardest thing Shyla had ever done –putting Harley’s best interest before her own wants and desires. She remained hidden week after week as he squired different women to the glamorous settings she crafted. Harley deserves to find true love.  Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that that love should come from her. She had taken to eavesdropping on the girls when Harley was away on dates. The young women hung out at the pool, some in the enormous, wood hot tub, drinking, gossiping and getting to know each other. Alliances were formed and enemies were made.

Shy gulped when she overheard them talking about him like he was a prize, the brass ring on the carousel. She had to snicker to see him objectified by the young ladies. They discussed his looks, especially his body, in detail. Does this happen in his locker room? Is this the way men talk about women? Men are probably cruder. Yet she was surprised at how crude some of the contestants vying for his hand in marriage could be. Sitting in the shade, a redhead named Cathy, raised a pina colada to her lips. “He’s on another date with Vanessa,” the blonde, Amber said, taking the lounge chair next to Cathy.  

“I know. That bitch. She’s not here for the right reasons.”“You can say that again.” The attractive woman flagged down a waiter and ordered a drink. Shyla sat sipping iced coffee on the other side of the foliage that separated the pool from the hot tub. 

Her producer, Sarah, joined her.“Listening to them, it’s amazing any of them get chosen,” she said, shaking her head.
“They can be a bit vicious,” Shy agreed.

BACK TO TUESDAY TALES
MY WEBSITE

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "PAINT"

Welcome! The word prompt this week is "paint". We are still on Harley and Shyla's story. Last week we learned that Shyla has been hired to do the set decoration on the TV show Marriage Minded where Harley is a contestant, looking for a wife. Their story continues...
Don't forget to click below to go to the other Tuesday Tales. 


************
Helen, huh? Using Harley. What if he picks her, thinking she’s in love with him? I’ve got to warn him. But how? He doesn’t want to talk to me.Shyla’s ability to focus on a book evaporated, pushed out of her head by a new obsession –save Harley from the grasping Helen. She got his room number from Sarah. After slipping a note under his door, she waited by the phone. She flipped the news on the television, stretched out, and fell asleep. At one, the phone woke her. She yawned.“Harley?” She yawned.“I told you to leave me alone.”“I need to talk to you.”“About what?”“About one of the women.”“Oh?” The annoyance left his voice, replaced by curiosity. “And what do you know about them? Have you been meddling?”“I overheard stuff. I was in the gift shop, getting world’s most over-priced bathing suit.”“What did you overhear?”Shyla sat up and crossed her legs as she recreated Helen's story about launching an acting career after she hooked Harley. He was silent, listening.“Hmm. Helen, huh? Yeah, I know her. She keeps coming around. I think the other girls are beginning to get annoyed.”“I just thought you should know what her motive is. Why she’s here. What she’s after.”“I get it.”There was silence. “Thanks. Thanks for telling me,” he said.“I don’t want you to get taken for a ride, Harley.”“No one could give me a ride like you did.”“It wasn’t a ride. I meant everything.”“I know, I know. Forget it. Thanks again. Gotta go.”“Good night,” she said. The set designer pushed up from her bed and padded to the bathroom where she washed up. After stripping off her clothes, she got into bed. She wasn't sleepy, so she turned to peek out the window. Moonlight painted the palm leaves silver. St. Thomas is the most romantic place outside of Paris. The idea of the City of Light brought her obligations to her father and brother to mind. She closed her eyes and let her thoughts wander to the secluded condo where Harley would be having dinner with his next date on the morrow. Colors, fabrics, candles and scents swirled through her brain.  I’ll pretend he’s having dinner there with me. She drifted off to sleep.  

RAMBLINGS OF A ROAD TRIPPER - #2 - Adventuring in NYC, Sugar Hill, City College.

My friend, Jane Gerard, accompanied me on my first foray into adventures in Manhattan. We picked 135th Street as the place to start. It is the stop for City College...which brings me to a couple of interesting facts about the school. Did you know...
Was founded as the Free Academy of the City of New York in 1847? It was created to offer higher education to immigrants and children of the poor. Even today the tuition is still amazingly low - for resident students, only $3,165 per semester! 
   It was renamed The College of the City of New York (CCNY) in 1866. It was and still remains one of the most successful democratic experiments in the United States.
   Located in Harlem, CCNY's neo gothic buildings were designed by George Browne Post, the man who did the NY Stock Exchange. 
These stunning, imposing buildings rise out of the city streets like giant, majestic animals, larger than anything nearby, claiming the attention of anyone passing by. 
The history and learning happening inside these grand structures seeps out and into your bones as  you walk. You can't help but be affected by their size and beauty.
  




Huge, decorative arches call your attention to the fact that you are entering this mammoth center for study, leaving the outside world behind. The structures are perfectly preserved. Showing no signs of wear, the intricate details add to their artistic beauty. I was in awe. And it if hadn't been so cold, I would have sat on one of the benches and simply stared at it, taking in all the intricacies I missed passing by.
Each side has grand scale that simply dwarfed anything nearby. 









Spires and towers sparked my imagination, wondering what was housed in those circular structures. Although nowhere near the height of a skyscraper, these buildings commanded your attention and rose up to  dominate the neighborhood with ease.










The symmetry of the construction and the beauty of the dark gray stone contrasted with the white was striking. 
I felt like I was time-traveling, back to a more majestic time where neo gothic buildings ruled.











I was thankful we had chosen to visit during winter, when there were  no leaves on the trees to obstruct our view of these awe-inspiring creations. Just the idea of taking classes in such a place made me want to enroll and get another degree, just so that I could hang around here and feel part of the story that is CCNY.


************************
   I started the story backwards, so let me begin at the beginning here. We exited the subway and meandered up Broadway from about 137th Street, looking for a diner or coffee shop.    I was disappointed to see how run down that part of town still is. I guess gentrification hadn't arrived there yet. Most of the buildings were townhouses, grubby, needing a power wash. My sense of safety was rattled a bit. I don't know why crime is so linked with poverty in my head. Most people here wouldn't have much worth stealing, not like the folks in the tonier parts of town.    Jane consulted her phone and tracked down a cafe, not far from where we were. She directed us East and we left the questionable neighborhood behind. The area took a noticeable step up as we approached Convent Avenue.     The townhouses went from run down to spruced up. We were impressed with the signs of gentrification creeping in. Here are a few we found especially unusual and attractive.

I've always been a sucker for rounded rooms, turrets and towers like this. New  York City has some of the most interesting architecture and such individual creations. 











 I love how everything isn't the same, although here some of the architectural features are repeated on three houses in a row. 











Too bad they "modernized" the front door. This building has some charming details.














   Some are colorful, too. And look at that roof? It needs work, but how lovely. The tiny windows on the top of the turret make me wonder what that room looks like. 
   Unusual homes like this always make me want to go in and poke around. I never get the chance, but my imagination gets fueled by the prospects, strangers and unusual things to be found inside.




Jane's ability and phone led us to a delightful spot downstairs in the basement of a townhouse, The Sugar Hill Cafe. 

We plopped down for a brief rest and refueling. We had fabulous, home-made tomato bisque soup and sandwich halves. Mine was egg salad. The food was excellent and they didn't mind if we sat there and kibbitzed, which we did. So much to catch up on as we hadn't seen each other for several months.
The cafe was charming, the service good and the staff low-key and cheerful. 
   I'm already planning a return trip. I called my son and told him about the place as he and his girlfriend live only a block away. 













  Jane and I walked and chatted after lunch, stopping to enjoy the CCNY campus and the neighborhood. I spied this church and had to snap it's front door. So beautiful!
   At two o'clock, the giant bell in the school bell tower chimed. We headed back to the subway to return home. 
   This was an enjoyable trip, despite the fact the temperature was below what I'd usually venture out in. 
   Jane is planning our next NYC Rambling outing, to take place next month. 
   I am contemplating a trip to Delaware for the day as well as another car trip to Pittsburgh to visit my son. I'll let you know when future plans are solidified.  Thank you for stopping by and joining us on our subway and foot road trip in Manhatta. Please leave a comment. I love feedback.