Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 44

LEFT-HANDED, EVIL OR GIFTED? WEIRD OR CREATIVE?

I am left-handed. Years ago I looked up the word sinister, from the French sinistre or LEFT-HANDED! That's right, the definition of left-handed comes from the French for evil. That did not do much to make me feel good.
In public schools, left-handers all had to deal with modern desks created for right-handed students. And we were taught to bat rightie, golf rightie and play tennis rightie. Wasn't being leftie ever going to be good? 
I am in good company because lots of famous people are left-handed. Here are a few:
Left handed presidents Left-Handed James A. Garfield  20th
Herbert Hoover   31st
Harry S. Truman   33rd
Gerald Ford  38th
Ronald Reagan  40th
George H.W. Bush  41st
Bill Clinton  42nd
Barack Obama  44th Left Handed Characters from my booksCallie Richards, Now and Forever series  Captain Danny Maine, Now and Forever 2                     Chaz Duncan, If I Loved You                     Mindy Winslow - Under the Midnight Moon.  




 Left handed AuthorsJames Baldwin, novelist
Bet Bowen, horror novelist
Peter Benchley, novelist
Lewis Carroll
Richard Condon, novelist
Jean Genet
Marshall McLuhan
Diane Paul
Helen Hooven Santmyer, novelist
Viktoria Stefanov
Samuel C. Warner (?), poet
H.G. Wells
Jessamyn West
Eudora Welty
Left-Handed Dan Aykroyd
Tim Allen
Matthew Broderick
Bruce Boxleitner
Carol Burnett
Keith CarradineCharlie Chaplin
George Gobel, comedian
Chuck ConnersTom Cruise
Quinn CummingsMatt DillonRobert DeNiro
Fran Drescher, comedian
Richard DreyfussPeter Fonda
Greta Garbo Whoopie Goldberg
Betty Grable
Cary Grant
Peter Graves
Mark Hamill
Rex Harrison
Goldie HawnKermit the Frog
Rock Hudson
Angelina JolieDiane KeatonNicole Kidman
Lisa Kudrow Howie Mandel, comedian Marilyn MonroeSarah Jessica Parker
Anthony Perkins
Ron Perlman
Luke PerryRobert Redford
Keanu Reeves
Don Rickles, comedian
Julia Roberts
Mickey RourkeJerry Seinfeld, comedian
Slyvester Stallone ? Emma Thompson
Rip TornWil Wheaton
Bruce Willis
Oprah Winfrey

ARE YOU LEFT HANDED?MY WEBSITE

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMOT: LIGHT

Welcome! Thanks for visiting today. This story is be part of a Christmas 2013 book called, FINDING LOVE IN SANTA'S THRIFT SHOP:
She knew that being in the same small town with Will Benson wasn’t going to be easy. He had moved on but had she? The mask of anger his face became when she was around made her sad. His cold rejection of even polite conversation with her hurt deeply. Where’s the Will I knew and loved?     His obvious dislike of her hardened her resolve to sell the little house she had bought and go back to New York City.
Gotta change the sign while it's still light out.She dragged the heavy wooden sign, Santa's Thrift Shop, outside then the step ladder. There were two big hooks on the building and two heavy duty loops on the sign. She tried to lift it and felt a pull. Shit! Her hand instinctively went to rub her back.The sound of a car door slamming caught her attention.
“Gimme that,” Will said, grabbing the sign.  
“I can do it.”
“No you can’t.” He shoved her away gently. The touch of his gloved hand on her arm made her tingle. I haven’t moved on. She bumped up against him for a moment and his arm went around her waist to steady her. For a second she closed her eyes and imagined this was a real embrace. A smile stole across her face.
When she opened her eyes, Will stood staring at her, the angry mask melted away. A small smile played at the corners of his mouth. She recognized the man who had once loved her. Neither spoke or moved.
Nervously, Giselle ran her tongue over her bottom lip drawing his gaze to her mouth. A hungry look flashed in his eyes, but was quickly replaced by the return of the angry mask. He dropped his hand as if she were on fire.
“People are counting on this,” he mumbled as he lifted the sign easily then stepped up on the ladder. She moved toward the ladder, but backed away when he barked, “I don’t need your help.”
Will hooked the sign on the proper hooks and came down the ladder.
“Thank you,” she said, awkwardly offering her hand.
“I didn’t do it for you. Did it for the kids.” Ignoring her hand, he turned and was off before she could answer.  Pain welled up in her chest. Tears stung her eyes until they blinded her. There was no place to run, no strong shoulder to lean on or lap to hide in. With her back up against the door, she slid down to the floor, her head in her hands and sobbed.

Snippets from my two new books: IF I LOVED YOU (spicy contemporary)
“You’re having dinner with him? Oh my God. I’m stuck in Delaware while you’re going out with Chaz Duncan!” Her sister-in-law, Penny, moaned on the other end of the phone Thursday night.
Mark grabbed the phone. “No hanky-panky with Dunc, Meg.”
“It’s business, Mark.”
“Yeah, right, business…” he snickered.
Buy Links:
Secret Cravings (all formats)
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
All Romance eBooks

UNDER THE MIDNIGHT MOON  (sweet contemporary)
“How’s the single life up here…or is that too personal?” Embarrassment at her bold question brought pink to her cheeks. Even more beautiful when she blushes.
“It stinks. We sure don’t have women up here who look like you,” he blurted out. Idiot! Shut the hell up. Smooth, real smooth. Why don’t you just ask her to take off her clothes and lie on the floor? Jerk! 
Buy Link 
Secret Cravings (all formats)
RETURN TO TUESDAY TALES HERE
My website

UNDER THE MIDNIGHT MOON - NEW SNIPPETS!

Welcome! Thank you for stopping by. UNDER THE MIDNIGHT MOON has been released! This is the fourth in my sweet romance series and picks up right where APRIL'S KISS IN THE MOONLIGHT leaves off.  Read NEW snippets today!
For those who have read April's Kiss, the book ends with Thanksgiving approaching. This book begins with Mindy Winslow, April's college roommate, arriving in Pine Grove to attend a funeral and have Thanksgiving with April, Gavin and their families.
     For readers who love to hate Martin McKenna, he has his own chapter in this book and he will make you laugh this time. Here's a bit about the book:     Can attending a wedding and a funeral on the same day change your life? Mindy Winslow’s life was altered forever when she met gorgeous lawyer, Drew Armstrong, and found out about her inheritance from her mentor, Lou. Embraced by the townsfolk at the wedding of her college roommate, Mindy sought to make her goal a reality in tiny Pine Grove, New York. But the exposure of a promise made then broken secretly, destroyed her dream. Will she be forced to face “I told you so” from her father or will love find a way to resurrect hope from the ashes? 

      Return to Pine Grove and Cedar Lake for another romantic adventure. Revisit your favorite characters from my sweet books. There is even a cameo appearance by a character from The Marriage List. 
Here are some NEW snippets: She shifted in her seat. Small waist, generous hips. Hate a tiny-hipped woman in bed. Nothing to grab onto. He leaned slightly to the left, hoping she didn’t notice him checking out her rear end. Can’t see much while she’s in the chair, but from here it looks perfect.
Mindy dug a lipstick out of her purse, drawing his eyes to her lips as she slowly reapplied the pink color. His mouth went dry as he followed the trail over her sensuous lower lip. He wondered what it would feel like to have them pressed against his.
                                              *******“I live in Pine Grove, but work in Oak Bend.”
“How come? I’d think the benefit of being out here in the boonies is that you can live and work in the same town.”
“I found a small house here real cheap. I’m fixing it up with Gavin’s help.” He unfolded his napkin and put it in his lap.
“You own a house? So great to own a house.” She sat back, a smile lighting up her face.
“Be careful what you wish for…”
She cocked her head slightly. “What do you mean?”
“You’ll know soon enough.” A Cheshire Cat grin stretched his lips.
Mindy cocked an eyebrow at him.
                                             ******
UNDER THE MIDNIGHT MOON is available this week from the Secret Cravings Website and will be up on Amazon, etc., next Tuesday. Buy Link: Sweet Cravings Publishing
(Sweet means two flames, no consummated sex scenes.But plenty of sexual tension. )

UNDER THE MIDNIGHT MOON - RELEASED!

Welcome! Thank you for stopping by. UNDER THE MIDNIGHT MOON is being released today! This is the fourth in my sweet romance series and picks up right where APRIL'S KISS IN THE MOONLIGHT leaves off.
For those who have read April's Kiss, the book ends with Thanksgiving approaching. This book begins with Mindy Winslow, April's college roommate, arriving in Pine Grove to attend a funeral and have Thanksgiving with April, Gavin and their families.
     For readers who love to hate Martin McKenna, he has his own chapter in this book and he will make you laugh this time. Here's a bit about the book:     Can attending a wedding and a funeral on the same day change your life? Mindy Winslow’s life was altered forever when she met gorgeous lawyer, Drew Armstrong, and found out about her inheritance from her mentor, Lou. Embraced by the townsfolk at the wedding of her college roommate, Mindy sought to make her goal a reality in tiny Pine Grove, New York. But the exposure of a promise made then broken secretly, destroyed her dream. Will she be forced to face “I told you so” from her father or will love find a way to resurrect hope from the ashes? 
      Come back to Pine Grove and Cedar Lake for another romantic adventure. Revisit your favorite characters from my sweet books. There is even a cameo appearance by a character from The Marriage List. 
Here are a few snippets: Mindy Winslow awoke to a hand shaking her shoulder. She rubbed her eyes then opened them to peer into a pair of gorgeous, masculine, blue greens. Her gaze traveled down to his shoulders. Maybe as wide as the Delaware River? Then to his left hand. No ring. Unmarried or gay?                                               *******“You’re going to be here for the wedding?” He put the car in gear and pulled out of the bus station parking lot.
“April is my college roommate. I’m…uh, a bridesmaid.” She laughed.
A funeral and a wedding on the same day. What do you wear? Black? White? Black and white? Change in the car? If it wasn’t so sad, it would be funny. Lou is probably laughing wherever he is.“I’m going to the wedding, too.”
“Small world.”
“In Pine Grove, it’s always a small world.” He chuckled as he turned the car into the parking lot at Homer’s, the only restaurant in town.
                                             ******
UNDER THE MIDNIGHT MOON is available this week from the Secret Cravings Website and will be up on Amazon, etc., next Tuesday. Buy Link: Sweet Cravings Publishing
(Sweet means two flames, no consummated sex scenes.But plenty of sexual tension. )

FIRST CHAPTER FRIDAY! IF I LOVED YOU

Better than simply posting the first chapter of my new book, is a link to me reading the first chapter to you! So I've posted the link to the WebbWeaver radio program where I read most of the first chapter of IF I LOVED YOU, first in the Hollywood Hearts series. I hope you enjoy it.
     CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE FIRST CHAPTER

A bit about the book:  
Does love always mean total truth? Successfully shunning the limelight was one way for Megan Davis to keep her family secret. The press intruded on her life when her twin brother, Mark, became the star quarterback for the Delaware Demons. Disrespectful of tabloid superstars, financial advisor, Meg, was shocked when she was tapped to launch a celebrity division in the prestigious investment firm, Dillon & Weed. The biggest surprise: the charisma of her first client.
            Gorgeous, magnetic movie star, Chaz Duncan, wary of women who wanted to bask in his fame or sell his secrets to the media, valued privacy above all else. Would attractive Megan Davis, his new financial advisor charm the truth from him or would he continue his high profile but lonely existence to keep his secret safe? Jealousy, deceit and scandal threaten two careers and the quest for true love and trust in this roller-coaster-ride contemporary romance.          Buy Links SECRET CRAVINGS PUBLISHING (ALL FORMATS) AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE ALL ROMANCE eBOOKS
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TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY. WE'RE WRITING TO A PICTURE PROMPT THIS WEEK. THE STORY CAN ONLY BE 300 WORDS. HERE IS THE PICTURE. I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE STORY.
     Giselle looked out the big picture window in the dining room of her tiny new home in Pine Grove. Surely not a grand Victorian like the one she grew up in but it would have to do. Two snug bedrooms, a roomy kitchen and living room with this small dining room tacked on. 
     She was relieved to give up the view of Will Benson's house she’d had. Now she wouldn't have to run into him every day. His hostile glances and cold demeanor stung her like lemon juice squirted in a paper cut. 
     She sat on the window seat, sipping tea. The vast, snowy, uncluttered view of the Catskill Mountains calmed her. While she rested her gaze on the amazing vista, she tried to ignore the dozens of boxes stacked up behind her. The boxes contained what remained of the lives of her parents and her early years. She was still working up the courage to tackle that project. Any distraction to postpone the odious task was welcome, including an unexpected knock on the door. Muriel Benson stood on her doorstep.
     “Mrs. Benson! How nice to see you. Come in,” she pulled gently on the older woman’s arm.
     “Muriel. I wasn’t sure you’d see me.”
     “Because of Will?”
     “Yep.” Muriel glanced at her galoshes.
     “He’s pretty mad at me.” Hates me's more like it.
     “Stupid man doesn’t know his own heart,” Muriel muttered.
     “But you and I’ve been friends for ages. Please come in.” Giselle stepped aside.
     “Here. Anyone can tell looking at you, you’re not eating.” She handed the young woman a casserole dish. Tears clouded Giselle’s eyes.
     “Can’t stay.” Muriel said after hugging her. She departed as quickly as she had arrived. Giselle wiped her eyes with her hand and closed the door against the cold wind. 
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO TUESDAY TALES
CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY WEBSITE

BULL RIDING IN NEW YORK CITY!

Join me for some bull riding excitement from Madison Square Garden in NYC. Some of these pictures are blurry as they are live action shots. My apologies.
In addition to hunky cowboy, here is the real star of bull riding...THE BULL!                                                                               This cowboy gets ready to lasso the bull if he gets out of land. One of the safety measures.






 One of four clowns to entertain the audience and, if necessary, distract the bull from stomping and killing the rider. He was hokey, not too funny but he tried.





 And HERE WE GO!



 They've trying to stay on for  8 seconds. The LONGEST 8 seconds in the world!










One of the stars. He doesn't wear a helmet -- some do. Is he extra brave or stupid? Love his outfit!
















The "star" doesn't want to go back to the corral. He likes the roar of the crowd! Even the lure of the clown isn't working.















Ride 'em, Cowboy!





























It's blurry but the rider is falling off and the clown is on the move to distract the bull. It looks like the rider may be caught in the rope. A very dangerous situation.





Two clowns on the move to distract the bull.











This bull is no dumb blond.



















A close call for this clown!











He's taking his time, soaking up the cheers from the crowd!











Blondie had his moment in the sun, too.














Bull out of control!









 The guys who risk their lives to save the riders, the clowns who distract the bull after the rider falls.
















One cowboy substituted a helmet for a soft cowboy hat.
















A heart-stopping moment!











A brave rider.



















Trying to get the bull out of the ring. Good luck, guys!









The scoreboard.








  Go, Go, Go!


















Down he goes, watch for that bull!










All right, all right, I'll go back inside.
Thanks for joining me. We had a blast at the bull riding competition and look forward to attending the rodeo when it comes to town. Adios!Curious about my books? Click HERE to go to my website. 

SNIPPETS AND SPRINGTIME - NOW AND FOREVER 3, BLIND LOVE

Come enjoy some pictures to ward off the winter blues and read a few fun snippets from the first in this series series:
  NOW AND FOREVER 3, BLIND LOVE He stopped when he heard the soft purr of Peter’s voice.
Mac inched his way to the arch leading to the living room and peered into the room, moving
back to remain unseen.
“You’ve been married awhile, Callie. Isn’t it time you took a lover?” Peter asked, sidling up
to her.
Mac held his breath but couldn’t stop watching.
“Oh, but I have a lover, Peter,” she said, holding his gaze.
Mac froze. His stomach knotted.              **** “Hey, you with the piano! I’m talking to you. Keep playing!”
Peter stopped and started again. Again the voice.
“You’re driving me crazy playing the same thing over and over! Finish it!”
Peter got up and went to the window. About twelve feet away was the window of the house next door. The shade was drawn, but Peter knew the screaming woman was on the other side. “I’m practicing! This isn’t a concert, lady,” Peter hollered back. He sat down again and purposely played the beginning over and over until he heard the window next door shut with a bang. That will shut her up.    **** When his drink came, he drank it quickly and ordered another, hoping the alcohol would
make Lara disappear. But his fantasies continued…a vision of her naked in his bed, the tops of
her breasts peeking out slightly from the sheet swam in his head. He had it bad.




              ****
At the touch of his tongue, Pat opened her lips to him. His tongue caressed hers while he massaged her breast. Feelings long dormant in Pat leapt to life. Desire grew where it had been lacking for years.
           ****
“I want to make love to you…” he whispered.
“I want you,” she breathed in his ear, holding his hand to her breast, surrendering to her longing for him. He ripped his T-shirt off over his head. Lara ran her hands through his soft chest hair. She spread her fingers out over his chest, studying his muscles with her fingertips. She smiled.
A bit about the book
BLIND LOVE is a stand-alone book. You don't have to have read the earlier books to understand it.

Can a handsome, charming, womanizing professor win the heart of a temporarily blind ballerina? Love and desire, blackmail and secrets come to Kensington State University. This full length novel is three parts love and passion mixed with one part intrigue, stirred up with a twist of mystery and heated up to three flames.  BUY LINKS AMAZON BANES & NOBLE ARe BOOKSTRAND SECRET CRAVINGS (ALL FORMATS) PAPERBACK  

SNIPPETS AND SPRINGTIME - NOW AND FOREVER 2, THE BOOK OF DANNY

Come enjoy some pictures to ward off the winter blues and read a few fun snippets from the second in this series series:
 NOW AND FOREVER 2, THE BOOK OF DANNY Unfortunately, when his lovely bed partners discovered he planned to fight in the Middle East, they dropped him. Overseas, he got to know only prostitutes, a group of desperate women doing whatever they needed to for survival. He turned to alcohol and women to deal with the pressure, to dull his senses and escape the horror of reality.



                   ****
 “What are you teaching?” she asked.
“Freshman English,” he said. “You’re the dean?”
“I split the undergraduate students with Mac Caldwell. My field is biology,” she said, stealing an admiring glance at his chest and shoulders.
Danny thought he would like to study a little biology with her as his gaze traveled over the
length of her...again.
                      **** 
The floodgates on her pent up feelings opened. His hand cradled
her breast. When his fingers closed around it and squeezed gently, she felt a sexual charge flash through her body like lightning.
“I’ll stop whenever you want to,” he whispered in her ear, but Eliza knew she couldn’t stop...didn’t want to.



                   ****
Danny pushed her down on the bed, kissing her hungrily, before his mouth traveled from her moist lips to her neck and to her breast. His hand moved slowly down over the softness of her belly, then lower.







             ****
Together they finished the bottle.
“There was a young girl from France…” Danny said.
“I know that one!” Mac said, picking his head up.
“You do? Good, because I can’t remember the rest.” Danny ran his hand over the stubble on
his jaw.
“Uh, something about ‘pants’ or ‘no pants’…I can’t remember.”
“If she was hot the next line must be ‘no pants’.”
                ****
Eliza took Danny’s free hand and they walked out of the hospital so she could take him
home. They arrived to the urgent greetings of Rocky and Blue. She helped him out of his blood soaked robe, and then washed the blood off his chest and back.
A bit about the book - "Danny" is a free-standing book. You don't have to have read the first one to enjoy it. Can the newest professor at Kensington State escape his previous life as a killer? Leaving the Army didn't mean the war left him so Capt. Danny Maine, now teaching English, must find a way to lead a normal life. Finding love and rekindling an old friendship are not enough to defeat old demons. Danny Maine fights to free himself from war memories and dangerous men, hoping that a new love and a new Glock will bring him peace. Now and Forever 2, the Book of Danny is a heartfelt story of love, loss and ultimate triumph that will touch your heart. BUY LINKS AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE
ARe
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SNIPPETS AND SPRINGTIME NOW AND FOREVER 1, A LOVE STORY

Come enjoy some pictures to ward off the winter blues and read a few fun snippets from the first in this series series:

From Now and Forever 1, a Love Story


Callie awoke at four
a.m. Kyle was scheduled to leave at eight. She put her shyness aside and turned to him, waking him with a passionate kiss, making it clear she wanted one last chance to make love. Kyle rubbed sleep out of his eyes, turned to her and raised his eyebrows."Now?" He asked her. She nodded, running her hand down from his strong chest, her eyes gazing at his body.



             ****
Mac got closer to the window. He couldn‘t see her perfectly, but enough to know she wasn‘t familiar. The other students rushing around were in groups, or at least pairs. This young woman was alone. He watched her as she walked toward the administration building, his gaze drawn to the graceful motion of her body, the gentle sway of her hips.
             ****
 "Thought you‘d be hungry," Callie said, putting the last of the silver on the kitchen table.
"It‘s only set for one?" Mac questioned. 
"After a long day you probably want to be alone."
"I can‘t let you walk out on such a great meal. Won‘t you join me?" he asked holding out a chair for her at the kitchen table. Callie smiled then blushed, the soft pink making her face even more beautiful.
             ****
 Mac pulled her to him for another kiss then reached down for her breast. She moaned at his touch. He unfastened her buttons, opened her blouse and looked at her. Her breasts were perfect,exactly as he imagined.
 
* A bit about the book :

Can Callie Richards turn her life of tragedy and heartache around on the campus of Kensington State University? Braving the school on her own, Callie meets the handsome dean, Mac Caldwell. As she and Mac draw closer and she makes new friends, a deadly campus drug ring sets their sights on her with heart-breaking results.  An emotional story, this is not a cookie-cutter romance. You’ll laugh and cry as Callie struggles to make a new life, find love and her satisfying, happy ending.
BUY LINKS AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE ARe BOOKSTRAND SECRET CRAVINGS (ALL FORMATS) PAPERBACK