Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 26

TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT

Welcome to Tuesday Tales. This week we have a picture prompt. Here's the photo and the continuation of Buddy's story in First & Ten. Today we see things from Emmie's perspective.

“Pull over,” Emmie said, rising from her comfy seat on the tour bus.
“It’s bad enough you had us take this stupid road. Now you wanna stop?” Her manager, Stash, blocked her way. The bus slowed.“Yeah. In front of that barn.” Emmie grinned.
“You call that a barn? It looks more like a group outhouse.”
“Be quiet, Stash.”
The bus pulled into a nearby driveway. The driver opened the door
“Here you go, Miss Emerald.”
“Five minutes! You’ve got five minutes!” Emmie was on the ground heading for the building before Stash could utter another word. She tramped through the tall weeds, running her hand along the rough side where paint peeled.
It hasn’t changed. Her mind drifted back to college days at Kensington State. In those days she was just “Emmie, Buddy’s girl.” She and Buddy would steal away sometimes when he didn’t have football practice. His wheezy, old car took them here. Emmie packed a picnic. They’d eat and share their dreams by the banks of the river.
The first time it rained, they took shelter in the old barn. Buddy made love to her there. She sighed at the memory of his tender touch. 
“No one makes love like Buddy,” she mumbled to no one. One peek inside and she spied their initials, where Buddy had scratched them into the wood. The barn became their secret place to be alone. 
The crunching of someone pushing through dried brush took her attention.
“What’s so great about this dump, anyway?” Stash asked, a freshly lit cigarette dangling from his mouth.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
"It’s Buddy, isn’t it?”
"You don't get it."
"Puppy love," he snorted.
She raised her hand to slap him, but Stash was too quick. He clutched her wrist and squeezed. 
"You're hurting me."
"Tough."
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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "CURLY"

 Welcome! This week's prompt "curly" fits into Buddy Carruthers story in the First & Ten series. Take a look. Don't forget to return to Tuesday Tales and read the wonderful other stories there. ****** The cheerleaders, referred to as The Connecticut Queens, were practicing on the field while the team was warming up. Buddy was dating Christy Mather, a cheerleader for the past three years. Blonde, with long, curly hair, she was gorgeous.
They had been going out for three months. But it was a “no strings” relationship. Buddy insisted on that. He’d never gotten his heart back from Emmie. How could he give what he no longer owned? Christy had seemed content in the beginning, but he noticed her shift, trying to get closer to him.
The two teams broke for lunch. Christy found Buddy before he hit the locker room.“My folks are coming for the weekend. Dad’s gonna take us out to Manny’s Steakhouse. Wanna come?” She batted her eyes at him and wagged her adorable rear end, like a puppy, anxious to be petted. Hey, Buddy’d pet her, but not in public.
“Can’t this weekend.”
“Oh? We don’t go on the road until next weekend.”
“Yeah. But I’ve got plans. Tell ‘em thanks, and I’m sorry.” Buddy headed for the safety of the locker room.
“You said the same thing last time.” Christy tugged on his arm.
Buddy pulled her aside, walking out of earshot of the others.
“I told you, this isn’t serious. I don’t meet family unless I’m serious.”
“It’s been three months, Buddy.”
“I guess you didn’t believe me.”
“I thought you just needed time.”
“Space. I need space. I like you a lot, Christy. We have fun together. But I’m not looking to settle down.”
She made a face. “When will you be?”

When Emerald becomes Emmie again. “I don’t know. Maybe never.
Don’t wait for me. You’re a beautiful girl. Find someone who wants what you want. It isn’t me.” He cupped her cheek, staring into her eyes. “Buddy…you’ve been...”
“Don’t go there.”
“But I thought…”
“I told you. Flat out. No commitment.”
She frowned at him. “I can’t help it, Buddy. I’m in love with you.”
“Gotta go.” Buddy brushed her cheek with his lips. Are you in love with me or the millions I’m making? One knee blow-out and it could all be over. Would you still be in love with me?
Buddy trotted to the locker room and stripped off his uniform.

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TUESDAY TALES - FOOTBALL ROMANCE

 Welcome! Tuesday Tales are back! Here's a snippet from my new football romance series, coming in 2015, called First & Ten. This is the story of Aloyisius "Buddy" Carruthers.*****    Buddy turned to his favorite page in the scrapbook. The one with the picture of Emmie and him at the junior prom. She wore a green ribbon in her long dark hair. He rubbed his fingers together, remembering the feel of the ribbon. The color matched her eyes. “Emerald” was his nickname for her because her eyes were the color of the fine gem. She was the funniest, sweetest, most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. And she could sing like an angel. 

   Now she was the famous rock star called “Emerald”. He hadn’t seen her since college graduation, five years ago. She’d shot to the top like a rocket. With her talent and looks, he wasn’t surprised. He glanced at his cell and closed the book. It was almost time for training camp. He placed it on a shelf and sat down at the computer.
   One look at Fb first. He went to the Buddy Carruthers page. Sure enough there were at least four more posts with sexy pictures of women he didn’t know attached. The ones that were too revealing, he deleted quickly, if reluctantly.      A star running back for the Connecticut Kings, he was in demand with the ladies.
And Buddy didn’t disappoint. He had a girlfriend in every town. But not the  one he wanted, Emmie. They spent every moment together in college. But it ended badly. She went her way and he went his. Now he lived with regret, he let her get away.
   He closed his computer, grabbed his car keys, fed his fish and his cat, Scruffy, before heading for his car. He put the Miata in gear and roared down the winding road to the stadium. Football was his first love. But it didn’t fill the space in his heart he had given to Emmie Baxter so long ago.
   “Carruthers, get your ass out here,” Coach Bass called.
   “Coming, Coach.” Buddy slammed his locker shut, hiding the picture of Emmie he’d taped to the back. With a sigh and a smile, he joined his teammates on the field. Back to Tuesday Tales                                      My website

FAMOUS LEFTIES - QUIZ!

                                 LEFTIES  -- GOOD OR EVIL? WEIRD OR CREATIVE?
 Yes, I admit it, I'm left-handed. When I was a kid, I looked up the word sinister, which comes from the French "sinistre" or LEFT-HANDED! That's right, the definition of sinister in French isn't evil, it's left-handed! In school, left-handers dealt with modern desks created for right-handed students. We were taught to bat rightie, golf rightie and play tennis rightie. Wasn't being leftie ever going to be good? Not according to myth. Did you know?
1. In India and Indonesia, eating with the left hand is considered impolite.
 2. Chinese characters prove extremely difficult to write with the left hand. 
3.Getting out of bed with the left foot first means that you will have a bad day and be bad tempered . i.e. getting out of bed on the wrong side. 4. An itchy right palm means that you will receive money. An itchy left palm means you will have to give money. Getting out of bed with the left foot first means that you will have a bad day and be bad tempered . i.e. getting out of bed the wrong side. - See more at: http://www.anythinglefthanded.co.uk/l... out of bed with the left foot first means that you will have a bad day and be bad tempered . i.e. getting out of bed the wrong side. - See more at: http://www.anythinglefthanded.co.uk/l... out of bed with the left foot first means that you will have a bad day and be bad tempered . i.e. getting out of bed the wrong side. - See more at: http://www.anythinglefthanded.co.uk/l... out of bed with the left foot first means that you will have a bad day and be bad tempered . i.e. getting out of bed the wrong side. - See more at: http://www.anythinglefthanded.co.uk/l... QUIZ! Lots of famous people are left-handed. Which one  in each of these trios is left-handed?1)  Presidents: Herbert Hoover, John Adams or Millard Fillmore?2) Novelists: W.H. Auden, Lewis Carroll or Mary Shelley?    3) Actors: Joaquin Phoenix, Dan Ackroyd or Paul Rudd?4) Actresses: Bette Midler, Kate Blanchett or Goldie Hawn?5) Comedians: Howie Mandel, Jay Leno or Jerry Seinfeld? Leave one "guess" + your email in a comment and I'll pick two people at random on Sunday to choose from any of my ebooks. Here are a couple of covers.

 

   A few morefamous, left-handed folks: Harry Truman, Bill Clinton, Diane Keaton, Matthew Broderick, Greta Garbo, H.G. Wells, Betty Grable, Cary Grant, Peter Graves, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert DeNiro, Peter Fonda, to name a few.

MEET MIRANDA!

Meet Miranda Bradford, heroine of TO LOVE OR NOT TO LOVE.  
    She works two jobs: walking dogs to put food on the table and writing plays, her first love. Miranda is the daughter of Shaw Bradford, the late, famous Shakespearean actor, and his wife, Susan, a nurse. 
   Miranda, or Mira, to her friends and family, is a strong woman. Life has not been easy for them, since her father died. She was seventeen at the time. He had been her idol and she had been devastated. When her mother went back to work, Miranda had to turn down a scholarship and go to college in NYC, so she could look out for her little sister, who was twelve.
   Miranda is a beautiful woman, with raven hair and bright blue/green eyes. Her mother suffers from emphysema. Since her sister is in design school, Mira takes care of her mother after the dog walking duties are over. They are close, but also drive each other a little crazy at times. 
   Miranda can't stay overnight at a guy's house as she's afraid to leave her mom alone, so men frequently wander away when they see her family "baggage." Then Miranda meets Penn. 
He's handsome, wealthy and attentive. She finds him sweet. He appears taken with her, and understands about her life. In fact he comments on how much he admires her devotion to her family and that she's such a giving person. 
All goes well until a secret is revealed, blowing the couple apart. What happens next? You'll have to read the book to find out. Here's a snippet to whet your appetite.


“You’ve shaved and even used aftershave. Running into me was no accident.” He blushed bright red. “Caught.” “I think it’s cute.” “Cute? Ouch. You really know how to hurt a guy.” “Sorry.” “See if you think this is cute,” he said, engulfing her in a strong embrace while he kissed her silly, his tongue demanding entrance, his arms holding her tight. When he broke, she gasped for air. A slow, sensuous grin crossed his lips. “Cute?” “Earth shattering.” “You might say,” he said, chuckling. Miranda licked her lips. “Remind me to call you cute again real soon.” Find all buy link for To Love or Not to Love HERE . Thank you for stopping by!    My website

MEET MIRANDA, PENN AND ROMEO AND JULIET! TO LOVE OR NOT TO LOVE -- NEW RELEASE

I'd like to share my new release with you. If you like love, romance and pugs, this series is for you.
TO LOVE OR NOT TO LOVE

A varied and rich story about a young, hard-working woman and the wealthy, lonely, young man she meets. 
Drawn together by dogs and laughter, Miranda and Penn fall in love. Until they each discover the true identity of the other. Then love sours. Or does it? 

Here are a few excerpts.


She held the dogs while he knelt down and cleaned her wound. His long fingers gently washed off the lather with a wet towel and then dried the gash. Bruising and swelling had already begun. He tried to keep his attention focused on her knee, but managed to steal a peek at her chest when she leaned forward.  ****
Maggie, John’s wife and Penn’s cook and housekeeper, came in to clear out the dishes.
“Looks like Penn has a new girlfriend,” John said, training the binoculars on the park.
“And you’re spying on him?” Maggie asked him, reaching for them.
“Just to get a glimpse of her.” John moved out of her range.
“Now, now, give me those. The poor lad is entitled to privacy.”
“Hope he doesn’t muck it up this time.”
“You have no faith in our boy.” Maggie put Penn’s empty mug inside the small bowl.
“Wish I did,” John said, still searching. Maggie pulled on his arm. “Come in now. You’ll meet her soon enough if he takes her out.”“I suppose,” John said, putting down the glasses and helping his wife remove the dishes.“I’m praying Uncle Alfred doesn’t stick his nose in.” Maggie turned on the water in the kitchen sink.“Everyone’s a fortune hunter in his eyes, unless she’s got millions of her own.” Maggie chuckled. “And if she does, she’s boring as dirt.”
 **** She took a sip and looked up as Penn brought his mouth to hers. His hand on her waist pulled her closer to him. She put the glass down on a table, almost upsetting it to put her arms around his neck. His fingers stroked the soft silk of the back of her camisole as his tongue invaded her mouth, exploring, coaxing, seducing, creating heat. Then, she took a deep breath and stepped away.
“Do you always start with dessert?” she teased, moving back to the railing, running her tongue over her bottom lip, watching him.
He laughed. “Is that a promise?”
“No promises,” she shot back, turning her eyes to the view again.
He walked over to stand behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. His touch on her cool flesh warmed more than her skin. He gently slid the delicate camisole strap down and bent, kissing her where it had lain. His cupped her shoulder while he inched his fingers down her chest until they rested on the exposed top of her breast. Desire raced through her veins, pooling between her legs. Want to read more? You can find the ebook here:
AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE ALL ROMANCE eBOOKS SMASHWORDS   SECRET CRAVINGS PUBLISHING
THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY.  MY WEBSITE MY FREE BOOKS

TUESDAY TALES - BLOOM

Welcome! This week Tuesday Tales word prompt is "bloom". I'm taking you back to Griff Montgomery's story in the First & Ten series. Seems as if Griff has found a woman he wants who doesn't want him. So he's asking his sister, who moved to San Francisco, for help.
*****“I’ve met someone,” Griff said into the phone to his sister, Kathy.“Fantastic! Who is she?”
“She’s not exactly interested in me. In fact, she’s barely speaking to me.”“What did you do?” The irritation in her voice was palpable.
“Nothing. She said pro football guys are man-whores.”“That’s kinda true, isn’t it?”
“Maybe. At one time. Okay, it was. Back in the day. But not now.”“You’ll have to prove it.”
“How the hell do I do that? Become a monk?”Kathy laughed. “Like that’s even possible.”
“Looking for some suggestions here.”“You’ve got to build her trust. Be nice to her.” 
“I am.”“Without expecting something back. Trust doesn’t happen in five minutes after one good deed. You’ve got to sew the seeds.”“Sew the seeds? Have you become a writer?”
“Do you want my advice or do you want to smart-mouth me?”“Okay, okay. Sew the seeds.”
“Then shine on them, surround them with warmth. And they’ll bloom.”“You’ve taken up gardening?”
“I’m hanging up, asshole.”“No, no. Wait, Kathy. I’m sorry.”
“Kill her with kindness with no expectations.”“And love will bloom?”
“Love, eh? You’re interested in love?”Griff realized he’d admitted too much. “Thanks for the help. Gotta go.” He hung up his cell and sank down on a bench in the park. He wiped off the sweat on his face from running and sat back.
 He’d never hung around long enough to let anything bloom with the women he’d bedded. The closest he came was the chick in Los Angeles. Because of the time difference, the team always arrived early. He’d spend two nights with Angela instead of one. He found her talk of celebrities and clothes totally boring, and always left, glad to return home. His sister, a stay-at-home-mom was more interesting than sexy Angela who could give a good blow job, but never read a newspaper. Sew the seeds. Where do I start? He opened his phone as he headed back.
“Lauren, how would you like Kathy’s season box seats? Yeah. Two. You can bring your brother, too. What? How much? Nothing. A gift. You’re welcome.”He placed the phone in the back pocket of his shorts and grinned. Seed one, sown. He broke into a loping gait and ran home. BACK TO TUESDAY TALES MY WEBSITE

TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT

Welcome! This week's picture prompt continues the story of Pete "Coach Bass" Sebastian, head coach for the Connecticut Kings. 
***** Pete Sebastian worked late more nights than not. Viewing tapes of his players and other teams, some over and over again. He had no reason to go home. It was late on Thursday, ten days before training camp. He rubbed the back of his neck and stepped outside to get some air. He was surprised to find Jo Parker there, staring up at the moon until he startled her.
“Sorry. Didn’t expect to find you here,” he said, standing beside her.
“Writing releases. Seems days are nothing but phone calls.”  He smiled down at her beautiful face, kissed by the moonlight. Her hair glowed. Jo moistened her lips, drawing his gaze. The Coach’s body reacted. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. The gentle touch was quick, but delicious. Heat flooded his face. What are you doing?“I didn’t mean to take advantage.
Sorry.” He shifted his weight, and looked down.
Jo stayed close. “No offense taken. Seemed kind of right, with that gorgeous moon and the warm night.”“I know you’re Devon Drake’s girl.”“Girl?” She laughed. “I’m nobody’s girl.”“Oh? Damn...I mean. I hope I didn’t insult you by calling you a girl.” He raised his eyebrows. “Nope. Not at all. I expect that from guys like you.”“Guys like me?”“Yep, chauvinists, athletes, all the same, isn’t it?”Pete straightened up. “I’m no chauvinist. I have two daughters.”She cocked her head. “Really?”They stood in awkward silence for a moment. Jo cleared her throat.“I don’t belong to anyone. I play the field. I have no intention of settling down,” Jo said.  Pete narrowed his eyes.  “You sure about that?”“You gonna change my mind?” She shot him a skeptical look.“I just might surprise you,” he chuckled. Jo slipped her hand in his. “Might be fun if you tried.”
Thank you for coming. Please leave a comment. I love feedback. Back to Tuesday Tales
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SECRET CRAVINGS BACKLIST BLOG HOP!

Welcome! My Now and Forever series is the backlist I'm showcasing It's an "everyone wins day" because the first book in the series, NOW AND FOREVER 1, A LOVE STORY, is up for FREE DOWNLOAD! (scroll down for links)
Here are a few sexy snippets:

As she was about to look away, he turned toward her and their eyes met again. This time he smiled warmly at her.  She blushed, looked away and left quickly mortified for him to see her showing an interest.

   He knew he shouldn’t stare at her chest and he tried, but when she came into his office wearing a low-cut blouse and bent over to put papers on his desk, he was mesmerized. He looked away before she noticed, he thought, but sometimes it was a close call. Still he felt she had a painful secret. While her beauty drew him, her quiet pain made him cautious.  
A bit about the book   Callie Richards was no stranger to heartache. Her parents were killed when she was sixteen. Left with her older sister, she fell into a romance with good-looking, Kyle Maine. They became engaged and Callie’s future was set until he was killed in Iraq. Two years later, she pulls herself together to get her Master’s degree at Kensington State University. Broke, and alone, she restarts her life on her own.
   Mac Caldwell, Dean of Students at Kensington State, has made plenty of mistakes. But his toddler son, Jason, wasn’t one of them. Divorced, alone, and unhappy, Mac is surprised when shy Callie Richards turns up as the new office assistant. Drawn to her sweetness, but cautious, he befriends her. Drugs on campus threaten her life as love creeps into her heart. Can their relationship survive a conniving ex-wife and a drug ring bent on revenge?  Download it free here, now: Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Smashwords LEAVE A COMMENT & YOUR EMAIL AND I'LL DRAW 2 WINNERS WHO CAN HAVE THEIR CHOICE OF ANY 1 OF THE OTHER eBOOKS IN THE SERIES:Now and Forever 2, The Book of DannyNow and Forever 3, Blind LoveNow and Forever 4, The Renovated Heart (winner, 2012 Best Book of the Year -Love Romance Cafe)Now and Forever 5, Love's JourneyThank you for coming, now... Back to the hop HERE
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TUESDAY TALES -SUMMER

Welcome! This week the word prompt is "summer". We're back with Pete "Coach Bass" Sebastian from First & Ten --my new football romance series. 
******** Restless on the warm summer night, Pete Sebastian wandered in to The Savage Beast. Saturday night was karaoke night at the bar. He knew Jo Parker had a date with Devon Drake and that they were headed there. His temper burned when he thought about Drake beating his time with the hot, new P.R. woman. He slipped into a seat in a dark corner in the back, ordered a beer, and checked his watch. 
Right on time. Why’s he always late for practice? Pete tried to separate his personal feelings about Jo from his professional attitude toward Devon Drake, an excellent running back and necessary to the team. Don’t piss him off, but don’t let him make time with her, either.Pete took his time looking her over, unseen from his out-of-the-way spot. Her golden hair was freed from the bun she had worn at the office. It fell loose and free around her shoulders, the ends curling a little. His fingers itched to comb through the silken strands. She had shed her severe business suit for a soft, dark pink dress with a frilly ruffle at the sexy neckline. Her laugh carried across the room and her thousand-watt smile was trained on the young football player. Stop drooling. You’re over forty. Get a grip.
Pete cringed. The first singer was terrible. Then Devon took the mic and did This Guy’s In Love with You. He sang it to Jo, staring at her with lusty eyes. The back of Pete’s neck began to burn. At ten o’clock, the couple stumbled out of the bar, arm-in-arm. Anger and jealousy bubbled up in Pete’s chest when he imagined their next destination –Drake’s bedroom. Pete headed home. Tomorrow it’s my turn. Look out, Drake. The master is about to make his play.On Sunday, Pete dressed in his best casual clothes and slapped on Seduction, aftershave recommended by his daughter. He got behind the wheel of his car. Jo was ready when he rang her bell. She wore a tailored dress and her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Pete stuffed his disappointment down. What did you expect, asshole? The same sexy, low cut dress? The Maitre d’ showed them to a quiet table near a big window facing the ocean. Pete tipped him handsomely. While he was perusing the menu, Jo opened her bag. He put it down, ready to suggest the lobster, when she pulled out a small pad and a pen. “What exactly is this meeting about?” She asked, picking up the pen.
******** Thank you for coming.  RETURN TO TUESDAY TALES MY WEBSITE