Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 45

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT - GIFT

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. This story is evolving to be published next holiday season as a New York Nights novel. I hope you like this snippet. Please let me know what you think in a comment.  
FINDING LOVE IN SANTA’S THRIFT SHOP  
Giselle squatted down to be on eye-level with little Bobby.  She looked into a pair of young, gray eyes just like his father’s. His hair was almost as black, too. She recognized Will Benson’s son almost the minute he walked into the shop.  “That’s right, Bobby, you can take anything here you want as a Christmas gift for your mom or dad.”
“I don’t have a mom,” the little boy replied, looking around at all the merchandise.
Giselle was stunned into silence.“Can I take something for Grandma, Grandpa and Daddy?”
“Of course,” she said, finding her voice. “Do you want to look around or should I help you?”
“I want to look.” He set off down the aisle to the back of the store.
“Call me when you find something,” she called after him. No mother? Will was married. What happened?  She returned to the stool by the cash register, wondering about Will Benson’s wife. Her pulse kicked up. Will’s single? Can’t be. A seed of hope was planted in her guts. Leaving Will behind five years earlier when she left for an exciting job had been hard to do. She had hoped he’d wait for her but he hadn’t. He’d married and fathered a child. When her mother told her, she had cried every day for weeks and weeks. Do I get a second chance?

The tinkling of the bell when the front door opened and a gust of frigid air sweeping through the small store stole her attention. Will Benson stood, filling the doorway. A smile played with her lips as her gaze settled on his handsome face. The expression in his eyes was colder than the air outside, freezing the air around him. The chill reached Giselle and made her shiver. Nope. No second chance there. “Hi, Will.” She raised a hand.
“Where’s my son?” Frozen words fell from his lips and broke into tiny pieces on the floor. 
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SECRET CRAVINGS ANNIVERSARY CRUISE! WELCOME ABOARD

Welcome aboard the Secret Cravings Blog Hop. Here are the BIG prizes:
Grand Prize- iPad2First place- Kindle FireSecond Place- $50 SCP gift cardThird place- $25 SCP gift cardGather 25 "locations" of authors by going to their blogs. Scroll down for details. 3 lucky winners drawn at random will win their choice of my books. Here are a few teasers from my contemporary military romance, written with Ben Tanner, LOVE LOST AND FOUND.
"Betcha my story’s worse than yours!" A small smile played at the corners of her lips. "Ooh, sounds like a challenge. Sure you're up to it?" He shot her a one-sided grin.
“Bring it on.”
"First, what are the stakes? Dinner? A walk on the beach?"
**************** Halfway to the shoreline, he raised his gaze searching for Tara. He recoiled in horror at the sight that met his eyes. **************** 
Tara moaned softly as his arms tightened around her. Desire flowed through his veins, his hands itched to touch her breasts, to strip away her sexy dress and feel the softness of her skin against his. Making Love on the beach in the moonlight crossed his mind…his pulse kicked up.    ****
She wasn’t prepared for the sensation created by the brush of his warm fingers on her skin when he moved her hair aside. Mick took his time with the zipper, the lightness of his touch sent a shiver up her spine.

                                           HOW TO WIN My location is: ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands. Don't forget to leave a comment with your email address to be entered to win your choice of one of my books. Now back to the main blog:  SECRET CRAVINGS BLOG so you can gather the locations from other authors and enter for the big prize! Once you have the answers, email them to Dawne at this email address to be entered for the big prizes: reviewcoordinator@secretcravingspublishing.com.
My website  

NEW BOOK RELEASE AND NEW YEAR'S THOUGHTS

IF I LOVED YOU is now available on Amazon, All Romance eBooks and Bookstrand, soon on Barnes & Noble, too. Here are four snippets to whet your appetite:



The rapid clicking of cameras and popping of flashes was enough to blind Megan. Her mouth hung open, and she looked around for a place to run.

His mouth came down hard on hers, his hands pulling her hips up against his. Desire blazed a path to her belly. Instinctively, she ground her hips against his. Her fingers detected the increased pace of his breathing. 
 Grady barked, and Meg stiffened when she spied a figure moving in the shadows. She stopped dead in the middle of the path. Uh oh. Time to get the hell out of here. Before she could flee, a man stepped out of the shadows. (Background shot for the book cover.) 
“Harley has always wanted to sleep with me. Harley wants to sleep with anything wearing a skirt…except maybe a Scotsman.” Meg laughed and looked up into his eyes.
Buy links:
AMAZON       ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS      BOOKSTRAND
SECRET CRAVINGS (ALL FORMATS) 
  MUSINGS ON THE NEW YEAR     Starting the new year is like opening a fresh notebook, all the pages are blank, waiting for you to fill them with thoughts, ideas, plots and characters. I love the start of a new year. I haven't had time to screw anything up yet. I look with anticipation toward the winding road of creativity ahead, wondering where the stories I plan to write will take me.

I love that long, open road, ready for anything. It's clear, clean and uncluttered, inviting me to travel along weaving a new story on the way. I hope you face the new year with positive anticipation, looking for this year to rock your world in a good way. And I hope it does. I'm feeling the tautness of a new self-discipline and a renewed sense of vigor. Wishing this year is your best year yet. Please share your new year's thoughts. Leave a comment.

NAUGHTY NEW YEAR BLOG HOP!!

Welcome and thanks for stopping by.  In honor of the new year, here are 3 snippets from my brand-new release, IF I LOVED YOU, (#6 on the Secret Cravings bestseller list) the first in the Hollywood Hearts series. Please leave a comment (& your email addy) & you'll be entered to win any one of my books, including this new one. I'll select 3 winners on Sunday night. A comment also enters you for the grand prize, A Kindle Fire HD 7, awarded at 7 pm on Sunday!
He glanced at the white vest and figured she had to be wearing a white or beige bra or it would show through the light-colored fabric. That meant panties to match. Maybe white with lace…lots of lace. Stop! She’s a business associate. Her skirt slid further up her thigh for a few seconds as she got out of the car. Chaz didn’t miss a delectable inch. Three more inches and I’d know if they were white and lacy. Damn.



She recognized the pain that flickered deep inside his dark orbs. She caught a glimpse of the boy he once had been crouched there alone in darkness. 
“Not dressed, and yet not even expecting me. Expecting someone else or has he just left?”
“Do I detect a note of jealousy?” She raised her eyebrows.
“Why would I be jealous? You’re only my financial advisor…as you’ve told me again and again.” He stepped closer to her.

 A bit about the book 
Does love always mean total truth?  Successfully shunning the limelight, Megan Davis kept her family secret safe. Disrespectful of tabloid superstars, Meg was shocked when selected to launch a celebrity division in her investment firm. Gorgeous, magnetic movie star, Chaz Duncan valued privacy above all else. Drawn to Megan for more than financial advice, will he share a secret or continue his high profile but lonely existence? Jealousy, deceit and scandal threaten two careers and the quest for true love and trust in this roller-coaster-ride contemporary romance.         BUY LINK CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE BLOG HOP
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New Release! IF I LOVED YOU...A few snippets

Here are a few, choice snippets from my new release, IF I LOVED YOU, the first in the new Hollywood Hearts series.
 
Brielle strolled into Meg’s office. “Did you sleep with him?” Brielle lounged against the doorjamb. “Strictly business. He liked my investment plan.” “Yeah? I’ll bet that’s not all he liked.” Brielle stared at the neckline of Megan’s silk top, causing heat to rise in Meg’s cheeks.                                                                                             ******************Eyes the color of melted dark chocolate captured her gaze as she raised her eyes to his. She froze for a few seconds, like a deer in headlights.
  *****************
Mark! Shit! Mark! Meg’s hands went cold, the color drained from her face, and a shiver ran up her spine. If Chaz tells anyone... “I never should have told you…he’ll kill me if this comes out."
A bit about the book
Does love always mean total truth? Successfully shunning the limelight, Megan Davis kept her family secret safe. Disrespectful of tabloid superstars, Meg was shocked when selected to launch a celebrity division in her investment firm. Gorgeous, magnetic movie star, Chaz Duncan valued privacy above all else. Drawn to Megan for more than financial advice, will he share a secret or continue his high profile but lonely existence? Jealousy, deceit and scandal threaten two careers and the quest for true love and trust in this roller-coaster-ride contemporary romance.     To read a longer excerpt or buy the book, CLICK HERE.    
 
 
 

IF I LOVED YOU - a snippet and my Clam Dip Recipe

Here is a snippet of my newest book, IF I LOVED YOU, coming out TOMORROW, Dec. 27! It's the first book in a new series called Hollywood Hearts. There will be a new book every other month in this series for the entire next year. I'm very excited and busy writing as fast as I can. I hope you enjoy it. The book is up for pre-order on the Secret Cravings Publishing website.


She put the paper down on her desk. “Look, I know you’re famous. My brother is famous…”
“Mark Davis. Star quarterback for the Delaware Demons, right?”
“He’s my twin.”
“You don’t look at all alike. Can you toss a football?” A smile curled his lips.
“Like I haven’t heard that one before. I don’t give a damn you’re famous, okay. Can we get that straight? I’m not impressed, not going to grovel at your feet. You’re simply a potential client whose money I may be managing. No more and no less. I’m not going to swoon and ask for an autograph or throw myself at you. Of course, I’ll do my best to take care of your money as if it was my own, but that’s as far as it goes.”
“Way to use your charm on me to win my business.” Chaz leaned forward.   “I don’t need charm; I have brains.” A smug smile crossed Meg’s lips.
“Whoa! Oh, yes…Harvard M.B.A., right? Harvey told me.” Chaz sat back in his chair again.
“Right.” Meg leaned back, too, folding her arms across her chest.
“Yale School of Drama here. So don’t condescend to me. I’m not a ‘dumb’ actor in love with himself. And you’re dressed pretty hot for a financial advisor with only dollars and cents on her mind. Not that I’m objecting. I love eye candy…great rack, too…” He grinned at her then pulled out his cell phone.
“Eye candy? Rack? Did you say rack? Why the nerve! Is that yourcell phone? Turn it off…” She rose up out of her seat.



LINK TO PRE-ORDER
As a few of you have requested, here's my recipe for yummy clam dip:CLAM DIPIngredients: 1 can of whole baby clams (Do not use the clam pieces, only whole baby clams and they only come in one size can) 1 small tin of anchovies (any brand) 1 brick of cream cheese 16 oz . (can use low fat) 16 oz. sour cream, low or no fat Greek yogurt or sour cream 1 lemon    Instructions Pulverize the anchovies in a Cuisineart with the cream cheese until no large pieces of anchovies are left. Add some of the yogurt/sour cream to soften and blend well until smooth. Add the rest of the sour cream/yogurt to the anchovy mixture and blend until well mixed, either in the Cuisineart or in a large bowl by hand. Drain the baby clams and reserve the juice.  Fold in the baby clams with a rubber spatula. Mix with a wooden spoon carefully so as not to break up the clams. Add a healthy squeeze of  lemon juice. Taste. Add more lemon juice or some of the clam juice until the flavor blend is exactly to your taste and the concoction is the right consistency for dip. Refrigerate for at least an hour, allowing the flavors to blend into one. Serve with celery, carrots, crackers or whatever. 

Christmas Memories - Molasses Cookies

 I love holiday traditions. There's something reassuring about doing the same things and eating the same foods at holiday times. Ever since I found a couple of good recipes for cookies, I have baked the same ones year after year at Christmas time: lemon bars, molasses cookies and chocolate pixies. Some years I've also done gingerbread. As my sons got older, I included them in these traditions.
Yesterday, Steve, my younger son who is 21, and I baked our hearts out. We now have a tin full of cookies. The recipes came from the Land O' Lakes Cookie Cookbook, which I received years ago for a buck and a proof of purchase. You can't get this cookbook anymore, so I'm sharing two of my favorite recipes. One today and the other tomorrow.

SPICED MOLASSES COOKIES
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour                                                1 egg1 cup sugar                                                                         1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 cup butter, softened                                                     1/2 teaspoon ground ginger  1/2 cup light molasses                                                         1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 cup milk                                                                         1/8 teaspoon salt                                                                                               Sugar for rolling

_________________________________________________________________________________
In a large mixer bowl, combine flour, 1 cup sugar, butter, molasses, milk, egg, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed, 2 to 3 minutes. Cover; refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until slightly firm to the touch.  Remove immediately.  Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies.
NOTE: I used dark molasses because I can't find the light and it makes no difference. I also don't roll the cookies in sugar and we're fine with that.   

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY COOKIE? HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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Christmas Memories - Packy

Thought I'd share some of Christmas memories with y'all. PACKY COMES FOR CHRISTMAS I’ve always been a sucker for my boys when they wanted something. One summer, while we were window shopping at thepet store on vacation upstate, Stevie, my younger son, fell in love with an Ornate Horned Frog, also known as a “Pacman” Frog.
This exotic frog cost a fortune, $15 about 12 years ago. But he turned big eyes on me and I caved. We brought “Packy”, Stevie’s name for him, home with us. Stevie was ecstatic, picking up the frog often – Packy tolerated this well – and talking to him. Trips to the pet store to buy crickets to feed Packy were a regular event, not for Stevie, who was only six but for me and my husband. I admit I enjoyed the beauty of the frog’s exotic coloring and his cute frowning face.  Packy thrived until October. Being a tropical frog, he couldn’t withstand the northern cold overnight in our New York City apartment. The pet store man didn’t advise us to buy a heat rock. Our ignorance brought about Packy’s early demise. Stevie was crushed. Though only in second grade, he fully understood what it meant to lose someone you loved intensely – even if that someone was only a small frog. He cried like his heart was breaking and was despondent for weeks. Christmas rolled around. With a growing family, I often cut corners, including trips to the local remainder or dollar store, as some call it. I never knew what would turn up at Weber’s. I was hoping to find a small gift or two for the kids. Strolling down one aisle, I turned the corner and BLAM! There it was! A whole bin full of stuffed “Packy’s”! Yup, they all looked like Packy, too. Not the mild, funny, smiling face frog of cartoons. Nope, these frogs had the same wide-mouth, frowning, serious look as Packy did. The soft treasure lifted my spirits about twenty feet. What a Christmas surprise! That Christmas, it wasn’t the boxes of Lego sets that excited me with anticipation, but the stuffed Packy hiding under the tree. Stevie was overjoyed to find him. They became inseparable. He slept with the new Packy every night. Stevie is now Steve – 21 years old. Packy still lives in the bedroom, one leg dangling, one eye missing, but otherwiseintact. Finding stuffed Packy was our Christmas miracle that year.  

Please leave a comment, share a funny or touching present you gave or received for Christmas.
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TUESDAY TALES, PICTURE PROMPT

Brand new story this week from a book idea that has been edging its way into my head. Hope you enjoy the 300-word piece.



Beck Langley’s feet and hands tingled from the frigid temperature. Frostbite? He approached the house and hesitated for a moment, before knocking quickly while he still had the courage. The door whipped open as if Lark had been waiting for his arrival. She pulled him inside and quickly shut the door against the subzero temperature.   “Come, sit by the fire.”
She wore a long, white flannel gown, with a tiny flower print in shades of pink. Her honey hair was flowing down just past her shoulders. She looked like a goddess from the ‘60’s.
“Nice an' warm in here,” he said, removing his gloves and kneeling down by the fireplace.
“I love a big fire on days like this. I’m so glad you decided to come.” She touched his shoulder.
“You have a lovely home.” Just like you. The golden color of the wood walls blended perfectly with the peaches and light reds in the fabrics and curtains. A sectional sofa facing the fire looked inviting. Lark sat down and patted the cushion next to her. Beck joined her, enchanted by her sweet lilac scent and relaxed by heat from the fire. My place is always so damn cold.
“Puts my place to shame.”
“You should do something with your house. I’ll help.”
“I would but I never know when Carol and the kids’ll…”
“You keep saying that. Your sister has a new life now, a husband. She doesn’t need you.”
“She’ll always…”
“I didn’t mean it like that. It’s time to have your own life.”
“It’s too late.”
“It’s never too late for love.” She practically whispered the words.
Beck heard her loud and clear.
“You’re not over the hill at forty-two, Beck.”
He gazed at her lovely face and a tiny glimmer of hope began to grow in his chest.
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PURRRFECTLY GIFTASTIC CHRISTMAS BLOG HOP - TO BENEFIT OPERATION: GRATITUDE

Welcome! I'm feeling like Santa today, so let me give you a gift. 













 

IT'S AN EVERYONE WINS DAY!
Every commenter who leaves an email address will win a copy of my book CHAMPAGNE FOR CHRISTMAS. Please leave your preferred format, too.  A little bit about the book: Can a craving for mint chip ice cream and a passion for the theater spark romance? Hunky Clint is younger than Nina. He’s a high school English teacher and a budding playwright. Nina, an actress, is a beautiful, lonely, wealthy widow. What can they possibly have in common? Mint chip ice cream brings them together but there is more to life than ice cream and steamy romance. Can their love of the theater keep them together or will it ultimately drive them apart? 
ANOTHER GIFT! For every comment, I will donate $1.00 to Operation: Gratitude, an outfit that sends care packages to the military. (Up to $100.)  So please leave a comment. Holiday time is about giving. Come on...speak up...help me raise money for a great charity. Don't forget your email address and preferred format for your free book. 
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