Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 58
February 6, 2012
EVERYDAY HEROES
Although we sometimes berate men for not communicating more, most men share their love by doing, not talking. Today I honor those men, the ones who help for the sake of helping...the men who do small unselfish acts everyday.
Today is your day guys as I dedicate this blog to my everyday heroes, men I know and don't know who have touched my life in positive ways...you know who you are:
1) To the two gentlemen who stopped, briefly, to pick me up, one guy on each arm, when I slipped and fell at the bottom of the wet subway stairs on a rainy day.
2) To the man who stopped in the parking lot of Peck's grocery store in Narrowsburg. The second I put my hands under the hood of my car, he was there, asking me what was wrong and if I needed help. Then he proceeded to show me where to put in the wiper fluid, unscrewed the cap to the little tank and left before I even made eye contact!
3) To all the men on the streets of New York who have stopped to pick up whatever I dropped before I even bent my knees. Klutz that I am, that number is huge.
4) To my friend in the community who came down to the lake because I told him I was going there to swim by myself and he felt it was unsafe.
5) To all the men on airplanes who, when seeing me with a large carry-on bag, stood up and put it in the overhead rack for me without even being asked.
6) To the thousands upon thousands of men who have held doors open for me, allowing me to pass through first.
7) To the two young men on line in the grocery store who offered their frequent buyer cards to me so I could get the discounts, too.
8) To the man who took the dead mouse out of my mousetrap and disposed of it for me. Yucky!
9) To all the young men in high school and college who politely took "no" for an answer and either still continued to date me or became my friend.
10) To all the men who got up to give me a seat on the bus or subway when I was pregnant.
11) To my male writer friends in NRW who encourage me every day and still flirt with me.
12) To the men I met on countless vacations who danced with me, bought me a drink at the bar and didn't hit on me.
13) To the man who came to the emergency room with me on a first date, waited forever and held my hand while I got a tetanus shot.
14) To my writing partner, Ben, who encourages me every day, never tells me my ideas are dumb or gives me a hard time about my typos or lack of punctuation and listens, patiently, to me rant about life.
15) To the man who took two hours out of his day to show me how to do my website for the price of a bagel.
16) To the two men who took my pictures and designed book covers for me just because they are my friends.
17) To the man who walked me home after dark when I ducked into a bar because someone was following me...and took "no" for an answer with charm and grace.
18) To the man who drove me through a blinding snowstorm and back so I could bring a stray cat with an infected paw to the vet.
19) To Doug, our guest, who surprised me with a Tiramisu cake just because I had admired it in the bakery window.
20) To the man who jumped into a Facebook group to defend me when several people attacked my opinion.
21) To all the men who let me go first...from the check out counter at the grocery store to the bread counter at Zabar's... simply because I'm a woman.
22) To the unknown young man who gave me a lift 60 blocks up Madison Avenue to Mt. Sinai Hospital when the subway wasn't running and my father was in surgery.
23) To the men in IRM who are never stingy with hugs or encouragement.
24) To DH who sometimes fixes things before I ask.
To all you everyday heroes, thank you. Thank you for all you've done and continue to do quietly without fanfare...and for the shy smile you give me when I acknowledge your help. Love you all!
Who are the everyday heroes in your life?
If you're interested, check out my books on my website, CLICK HERE!
Today is your day guys as I dedicate this blog to my everyday heroes, men I know and don't know who have touched my life in positive ways...you know who you are:
1) To the two gentlemen who stopped, briefly, to pick me up, one guy on each arm, when I slipped and fell at the bottom of the wet subway stairs on a rainy day.
2) To the man who stopped in the parking lot of Peck's grocery store in Narrowsburg. The second I put my hands under the hood of my car, he was there, asking me what was wrong and if I needed help. Then he proceeded to show me where to put in the wiper fluid, unscrewed the cap to the little tank and left before I even made eye contact!
3) To all the men on the streets of New York who have stopped to pick up whatever I dropped before I even bent my knees. Klutz that I am, that number is huge.
4) To my friend in the community who came down to the lake because I told him I was going there to swim by myself and he felt it was unsafe.
5) To all the men on airplanes who, when seeing me with a large carry-on bag, stood up and put it in the overhead rack for me without even being asked.
6) To the thousands upon thousands of men who have held doors open for me, allowing me to pass through first.
7) To the two young men on line in the grocery store who offered their frequent buyer cards to me so I could get the discounts, too.
8) To the man who took the dead mouse out of my mousetrap and disposed of it for me. Yucky!
9) To all the young men in high school and college who politely took "no" for an answer and either still continued to date me or became my friend.
10) To all the men who got up to give me a seat on the bus or subway when I was pregnant.
11) To my male writer friends in NRW who encourage me every day and still flirt with me.
12) To the men I met on countless vacations who danced with me, bought me a drink at the bar and didn't hit on me.
13) To the man who came to the emergency room with me on a first date, waited forever and held my hand while I got a tetanus shot.
14) To my writing partner, Ben, who encourages me every day, never tells me my ideas are dumb or gives me a hard time about my typos or lack of punctuation and listens, patiently, to me rant about life.
15) To the man who took two hours out of his day to show me how to do my website for the price of a bagel.
16) To the two men who took my pictures and designed book covers for me just because they are my friends.
17) To the man who walked me home after dark when I ducked into a bar because someone was following me...and took "no" for an answer with charm and grace.
18) To the man who drove me through a blinding snowstorm and back so I could bring a stray cat with an infected paw to the vet.
19) To Doug, our guest, who surprised me with a Tiramisu cake just because I had admired it in the bakery window.
20) To the man who jumped into a Facebook group to defend me when several people attacked my opinion.
21) To all the men who let me go first...from the check out counter at the grocery store to the bread counter at Zabar's... simply because I'm a woman.
22) To the unknown young man who gave me a lift 60 blocks up Madison Avenue to Mt. Sinai Hospital when the subway wasn't running and my father was in surgery.
23) To the men in IRM who are never stingy with hugs or encouragement.
24) To DH who sometimes fixes things before I ask.
To all you everyday heroes, thank you. Thank you for all you've done and continue to do quietly without fanfare...and for the shy smile you give me when I acknowledge your help. Love you all!
Who are the everyday heroes in your life?
If you're interested, check out my books on my website, CLICK HERE!
February 3, 2012
Sweet Saturday Sample of "The Love List"
Thank you for stopping by today. My Sweet Saturday Sample is from "The Love List" my brand-new novella, sequel to "The Marriage List" just released last weekend. Grey and Carrie awaken at his family's old Victorian house in upstate New York. It's the day after Thanksgiving.
Carrie stared at her left hand. The brand-new, three-carat diamond
resting on her fourth finger twinkled its brilliance and clarity at her,
reminding her of her engagement, now three days old. Grey sat on the
window seat in front of a bird feeder and pulled her onto his lap.
There's food in the feeder. Are there still birds this far north in
November? Haven't they all migrated by now?
Neither one spoke but Grey slipped his arm around her waist,
steadying her and she rested her head against his shoulder.
"Come on," he said, easing her off his lap, taking her hand and
leading her to the back door.
They pulled on down parkas and gloves, Carrie tucked her
shoulder-length streaked blonde hair under a knitted hat. The early risers trudged out into the cold where their shoes crunched on the thin layer of hard snow. Their breath hung suspended in the frigid air. Grey took her hand again and she followed him down a well-worn path to the lake. The bright sunshine bouncing off the frozen water peeked through gaps in the trees, blinding her temporarily. She could see the thick ice on the lake and a smile came to her lips.
"Let's go," she said, pulling on Grey's hand to increase their speed
and moving out onto the frozen surface.
A sudden sharp tug on her hand pulled her back with a jerk.
"No!" Grey hollered at her, folding his arms around her so she
couldn't move.
Carrie looked up at him and raised her eyebrows. "Grey? What
the…"
"Don't go there." He tightened his grip, his mouth set in a grim
line.
"But it's frozen solid. And it's so much fun to walk on."
"It isn't frozen solid."
"It is. Look," she said, squirming to get away but unable to shake
off his firm grip.
"No, no, no Carrie." His eyes shone as he held her still, and she
watched him blink back tears.
"What?"
"The ice, it's wrong. It looks frozen but it isn't. When I was eight,
my best friend, Tom, dared me to go out on the ice. I refused and tried to keep him from going but he wouldn't listen. He fell through and died before I could get help."
Carrie hugged him, her cheek on his chest. She moved back a step
and looked into his eyes, catching a glimpse of the frightened little boy he was on that horrible day. What a terrifying experience! Her heart melted.
"I'm so sorry. I won't go there. I promise."
He leaned his head on hers and closed his eyes. "I couldn't stand to
lose you, too. I love you so much," he whispered.
"I love you, too." She snuggled more tightly into the comfort of his
embrace.
They held onto each other while the sun melted the ice coating the
tree branches and the air began to warm up. Cold water dripping down on them from trees above forced the lovers to move.
A little bit about the book
Can the swinging bachelor change his ways and become a devoted, selfless and faithful man overnight? Grey's marriage list brought them together. But when Carrie starts her own list, can Grey incorporate her ideas about love into his life? Family issues, jealousy and an icy lake threaten to destroy the happiness Carrie and Grey have found together. An argument, a holiday trip to visit family and confronting an old fear test the lovers who have pledged their love and now must learn to make it stronger every day. Buy Links Only $1.99 AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE
Carrie stared at her left hand. The brand-new, three-carat diamondresting on her fourth finger twinkled its brilliance and clarity at her,
reminding her of her engagement, now three days old. Grey sat on the
window seat in front of a bird feeder and pulled her onto his lap.
There's food in the feeder. Are there still birds this far north in
November? Haven't they all migrated by now?
Neither one spoke but Grey slipped his arm around her waist,
steadying her and she rested her head against his shoulder.
"Come on," he said, easing her off his lap, taking her hand and
leading her to the back door.
They pulled on down parkas and gloves, Carrie tucked her
shoulder-length streaked blonde hair under a knitted hat. The early risers trudged out into the cold where their shoes crunched on the thin layer of hard snow. Their breath hung suspended in the frigid air. Grey took her hand again and she followed him down a well-worn path to the lake. The bright sunshine bouncing off the frozen water peeked through gaps in the trees, blinding her temporarily. She could see the thick ice on the lake and a smile came to her lips.
"Let's go," she said, pulling on Grey's hand to increase their speed
and moving out onto the frozen surface.
A sudden sharp tug on her hand pulled her back with a jerk.
"No!" Grey hollered at her, folding his arms around her so she
couldn't move.
Carrie looked up at him and raised her eyebrows. "Grey? What
the…"
"Don't go there." He tightened his grip, his mouth set in a grim
line.
"But it's frozen solid. And it's so much fun to walk on."
"It isn't frozen solid."
"It is. Look," she said, squirming to get away but unable to shake
off his firm grip.
"No, no, no Carrie." His eyes shone as he held her still, and she
watched him blink back tears.
"What?"
"The ice, it's wrong. It looks frozen but it isn't. When I was eight,
my best friend, Tom, dared me to go out on the ice. I refused and tried to keep him from going but he wouldn't listen. He fell through and died before I could get help."
Carrie hugged him, her cheek on his chest. She moved back a step
and looked into his eyes, catching a glimpse of the frightened little boy he was on that horrible day. What a terrifying experience! Her heart melted.
"I'm so sorry. I won't go there. I promise."
He leaned his head on hers and closed his eyes. "I couldn't stand to
lose you, too. I love you so much," he whispered.
"I love you, too." She snuggled more tightly into the comfort of his
embrace.
They held onto each other while the sun melted the ice coating the
tree branches and the air began to warm up. Cold water dripping down on them from trees above forced the lovers to move.
A little bit about the book
Can the swinging bachelor change his ways and become a devoted, selfless and faithful man overnight? Grey's marriage list brought them together. But when Carrie starts her own list, can Grey incorporate her ideas about love into his life? Family issues, jealousy and an icy lake threaten to destroy the happiness Carrie and Grey have found together. An argument, a holiday trip to visit family and confronting an old fear test the lovers who have pledged their love and now must learn to make it stronger every day. Buy Links Only $1.99 AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE
February 1, 2012
INTERVIEW WITH LEE ANN SONTHEIMER MURPHY
We are privileged today to interview Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy, a very talented writer and one of my favorites. First the cover of her brand-new release, The Patient Heart.
Relax, Lee...refreshments are on the side table. Help yourself. Here we go: 1) How old were you when you knew you wanted to become a writer?I remember dictating a story to my mother before I could read or write – and by the age of nine or ten, I told everyone who would listen I wanted to grow up to be a writer.2) What did you do for a living in your "previous" life? I worked in broadcast radio straight out of college and did a little bit of everything. I began as an advertising copywriter and worked up to doing on-air work including commercial production, news, interviews, and weather. I took time out when my kids were very small and when I returned to the working mother world I worked for the local school district as a substitute teacher until I gave that up to write full-time beginning with this school year.3) Do you have a family? Yes, I've been married for seventeen years and we have three children, fifteen year old twin daughters and a ten year old son.4) What do your closest relatives thinking of your writing career? My dad – who passed away three years ago – was one of my biggest supporters. My husband and kids think it's wonderful I've made the leap to becoming an author. And I have several amazing cousins who are there with support and help. 5) What genre do you write? At this point romance in almost all flavors, from sweet to heat. 6) Are you a plotter or a pantser? When I start a novel, I know where it begins and how it ends. For everything in between, I am a total pantser.7) Do your characters ever take over when you're writing? They do – they often do things I didn't anticipate and then I have to roll with it.8) Do you get inspiration from real people or places? Yes, I do. My novels and stories are set in real places, most of them places I've lived or visited so I'm familiar. Real people do inspire some of my characters but they're also so altered the character really is not any one person.9) Have you ever gotten a story idea from a news story? 10) Would you like to be any of your heroines? They're all a little bit me but I wouldn't mind being Cara Riley Brennan, my heroine from my paranormal romance series from Evernight. She's talented, she's brash, she's strong, and she's amazing.11) Would you marry any of your heroes? I love them all. I'd have to become a bigamist but I'd love to marry any or all of them!12) Do you do a lot of editing before you submit a manuscript? I do. These days, I even edit as I write. I write slower now than I did when I first starting writing novels and much more deliberate. Before I submit, I go over the MS several times.
Now some personal questions (please feel free to elaborate) :
1) Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla2) Do you listen to music when you write? What do you listen to? Almost always. I have eclectic music tastes but I often listen to something fitting the theme of my work – i.e. when I was writing my WWII historical, I listened to a lot of Glenn Miller and Andrews Sisters, writing A Patient Heart I listened to rock and roll.3) Favorite color? Green4) Black, white or gray? Black5) Favorite ice cream flavor? Pralines and cream.6) Favorite.line of description from one of your books: After we spent our emotions, poured them into one another, we sat down on the sand, wrapped together and listened to the wondrous night music of God.7) Favorite dialogue from one of your books.From "In The Shadow of War" coming May 17 from Rebel Ink Press:Something shifted within Bette and her tears ceased. She lifted her head up with pride and said, "I'm Mrs. Levy, Mr. Brown and yes, there was a soldier here. He's my husband, Private Ben Levy and he's shipping out tonight. I'm not 'Miss Sullivan' anymore and if it's a problem, I'll leave now."
8) Favorite minor character from your book: I liked Ross Ramsay, the main character's older brother from Love Never Fails so much I gave him his own story in an upcoming Rebel Ink Press Single Dad anthology.9) Dog or cat? Dog10) Country or city? Both – depends on the mood I'm in and what I'm doing11) Beach or mountains? Beach12) Skirts or pants? Pants13) Early morning or late night? In my life they tend to segue into each other but I probably do my best work early mornings.14) Cruise in the Caribbean or camping in Yellowstone National Park? Caribbean!
A bit about the book A Patient HeartContemporary romance, Valentine's Day theme, second chance at loveRebel Ink Press (Feb 2, 2012)
Summary: As a little girl, Catherine dreamed she'd marry Connor Donavan one day and as teenagers, that dream seemed within reach. Until Connor ended their relationship, leaving town and breaking Catherine's heart. Ten years later, far from the old hometown, Catherine reports for work as a nurse one snowy January evening and learns that her new patient is none other than her old love, Connor. When he recognizes her, all the old feelings stir but a few sparks fly, too. As Connor recovers from an accident, Catherine realizes she loves him more than ever and he seems to love her as well. But after he leaves the hospital and convalesces at her home, his real life intrudes into their quiet time together. Then Connor leaves Catherine behind and she stays until a message sends her speeding to Kansas City, to Connor's club... On Valentine's Day.
EXCERPT:
"Kiss me," he said, those dark eyes steady like a star in the night sky. Their pull drew her in like the tide on a beach, irresistible and powerful. Catherine couldn't resist so she maneuvered in and put her mouth over his. As if weighted with magnets her lips attached to his and he kissed her back, strong for a man in the hospital. The deep mouth caress made her tingle and her body revved, answering the intensity with the same. She broke away first, still skittish about being caught."Is that better?" she asked."A lot," Connor said, "I'll be here when you get back but hurry or I might starve."Catherine laughed. "I doubt it."When she returned with a bag from one of the fast food places out on Neosho Boulevard in hand, she found him back in the chair. He sniffed at the aroma wafting out of the sack when she opened it and sighed with happiness when she handed him his double cheeseburger."Thank you," he said, appreciative. "It smells so good."She opened her single burger. "Go slow, Connor. You haven't eaten much yet and I don't want to make you sick.""I'll be fine," he said as he bit into the thick burger. He devoured it but with such slow precision Catherine found no fault. She finished hers at the same pace and removed the trash then sat back on the edge of the bed since he had the sole chair."That was awesome," Connor said, looking somnolent after his meal. "I think it made me sleepy, though."Always a nurse, she asked, "Would you like to go back to bed?"He turned his head so he could face her. "I don't unless you want to climb in with me."All of sudden, he evoked the past, revived memories that sent a fever racing through her blood with warp speed. Whether he kidded or meant it, Catherine's heart race increased, so much she was glad she wasn't hooked to any monitors. Her breath caught somewhere between lungs and throat and then he winked."Scared you, didn't I?" Connor said, laughter enriching his voice. "I'd love to just cuddle with you but somehow I figure they wouldn't like it here.""No, I don't think they would. You got my attention, though.""Did I really?" One minute he seemed tough, the next vulnerable and she couldn't read him, decide which was real or if both were."Oh, you do," Catherine said. "But you might want to lose the Foley first, heal a bit more and get some strength back before you invite me into bed, here or anywhere."He shifted in the chair, winced and with a wry smile replied, "Point taken, lady. So if we can't go to bed, what are we going to do?" Somehow she doubted they were going to play checkers but she laughed. "Tell me what'd you be doing right now if you were back home and not in the hospital.""What time is it?"She checked her watch. "It's almost seven."Connor sighed. "I'd be at my club and the early crowd would be there. We'd be serving drinks half price right up until seven and then we'd have an hour before the band, if we had one tonight. If not, I'd tend a little bar, keep an eye on everything, stroll through the place doing a meet and greet and keep everything rolling.""You do all that?""Yeah, I do most of the time.""Don't you have any employees? You make it sound like a one-man operation."He chuckled. "It was when I started the place but I've got a couple, a guy named Larry who tends bar, Lupe, who works in the kitchen, and King, my bouncer. They handle a lot. Then I have three waitresses, Trixie, Lisa, and Jen."Catherine counted six, four of which were women. Green jealousy reared up, ugly and potent but in a mild tone she asked, "Are they running things while you're gone?""I hope the hell they are," he said, and then dismay clouded his face. "I hadn't thought about it. How many days have I been here? Two?""This is the evening of the third full day," she told him. "If you feel up to calling, I'll loan you my cell phone."He wrinkled his nose. "Maybe I should call up there tomorrow. Tonight, they'll be busy or they should be. What day of the week is it, anyway?""This is Tuesday."Connor nodded. "They should be able to handle it. I bet they wonder why I haven't called by now – I planned to check in every day. Did you cancel my reservation or did I just dream you were going to do that?""I haven't," she said, "It slipped my mind but I can do it whenever you want."His eyelids drooped to half mast. "I'm tired tonight. Maybe you can take care of it tomorrow.""Okay. Now, seriously, do you want to lie back down? I can help you crawl back in bed without tangling the IV lines and the Foley cath.""Maybe in a few minutes," he said. "I want to get my strength back and get out of here as soon as I can."Fatigue touched his face but under it she saw determination and stubborn will. On impulse Catherine rose from her seat on the bed and came behind the chair. She plucked a comb from her purse and fluffed out his shoulder length hair. "Then will you let me comb your hair? It's a mess.""Yeah," he said soft-voiced. "I'd like it."She laughed. "It may hurt – some of it is tangled. I'll try to be gentle."She ran the comb through his hair, lank now from his hospital stay but she thought under normal circumstances it would be just as soft and thick as she remembered. Catherine worked the knots out of his locks with careful hands and he grunted with pleasure more than once."Don't quit," he said, eyes shut. "That feels nice.""Good." Catherine teased the comb through his hair again. "Tomorrow maybe you can get a shave.""Maybe I should just let you shave it all," he said.A frisson rippled down her spine, delicious and cold as she imagined how he might look without facial hair. Curiosity warred with an inner appreciation of his moustache and beard which gave him an exotic flair and desire to restore him to the clean shaven look she recalled."It's your call," Catherine said and he grinned."My people at the club would crap," Connor laughed, "It itches so I think I'll let you shave it all. They won't recognize me."But I did whiskers and all. BUY LINKS
ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS
AMAZON
January 30, 2012
TUESDAY TALES - THE DATING LIST
Here is a continuation of "The Dating List," a WIP, sequel to "The Marriage List" and "The Love List" written to the word prompt, "save". One significant change. Delia has been changed to Leah, a different character altogether! Here is Part Two:
"Save some for me, first…I have some good news.""Do tell," Carrie said as she put the top down on the coffeemaker and turned to face her.Leah got up and retrieved a small portfolio from the outside pocket of her suitcase. Colin's gaze followed her. He noticed her leggings hugging her slim legs. When she bent slightly to unzip the pocket his eyes traced the outline of her firm behind, nicely rounded but not big, not out of proportion to the rest of her small frame. His tongue felt thick and his fingers twitched slightly at the idea of running them along the smooth skin of her bare rear end.
"Remember I told you I did some drawings of lingerie…" she began, flopping the portfolio on the counter top. Colin left the sofa and moved toward the kitchen. He placed his empty beer bottle in the kitchen sink, then wandered over to see what the women were fussing over."This is our cue to leave, Colin. Two women, the word lingerie…""Stayin'."
"Your funeral. I'm going to see if there is a game on, any game," Grey said, disappearing through the den door that opened onto the kitchen.Leah flashed Colin a warm smile before unbuckling the small case."Hurry! I'm dying to see these," Carrie said.Leah took out three single sheets of drawing paper with sketches on them."I took these from the historical romance I was reading. What do you think?"Leah chewed her lip as she watched Carrie pick up and examine the first sheet. Colin moved back so he could look over Carrie's shoulder. He saw a stylized drawing of a woman, long legs, willowy, wearing a lacy confection that looked like a corset."The material is soft…it just looks like a corset but it isn't hard, no whalebone. Silk and lace and it hangs down a whisker below her…" Leah looked over at Colin, then back at Carrie."Low enough," Carrie put in.Leah nodded, licking her lower lip, her eyebrows knitted."Do you like it?" She asked Carrie. "Do you think it's sexy?" She looked at Colin."I think it's amazing…so original, Leah. It's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it. But as for sexy, let's get a man's opinion."
Carrie turned to face Colin and raised her eyebrows.
Heat pooled in his chest as the two women trained their eyes on him. Suddenly his throat went dry. His gaze dropped down to the picture. The model had hair the color of Leah's. In the drawing, the soft bustier-type garment draped gently around the model's curves. Colin narrowed his eyes and pictured it on Leah. He stole a glance at Leah's hips and legs outlined perfectly in the leggings. He could see the edge of the lace on the garment Leah designed barely covering her luscious-looking rear end. For the neckline, again he stole a peek. With quick mental calculation, he figured Leah's breasts would more than fill his hands. Her long-sleeved aqua tank top was cut low enough to reveal a nice helping of inviting cleavage, especially as she leaned slightly in his direction awaiting his opinion. Mentally he made the switch from the tank top to the bustier top. His breathing snagged for a moment.
The heat of the mental image of Leah in the skimpy garment brought warmth to his cheeks. Not only could he see her in the garment but he'd have given his right arm to have her in it at that very moment."So…what's the verdict? Sexy?" Leah asked, running her tongue over her lower lip."That's an understatement." Colin said when he managed to control his breath.
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"Save some for me, first…I have some good news.""Do tell," Carrie said as she put the top down on the coffeemaker and turned to face her.Leah got up and retrieved a small portfolio from the outside pocket of her suitcase. Colin's gaze followed her. He noticed her leggings hugging her slim legs. When she bent slightly to unzip the pocket his eyes traced the outline of her firm behind, nicely rounded but not big, not out of proportion to the rest of her small frame. His tongue felt thick and his fingers twitched slightly at the idea of running them along the smooth skin of her bare rear end.
"Remember I told you I did some drawings of lingerie…" she began, flopping the portfolio on the counter top. Colin left the sofa and moved toward the kitchen. He placed his empty beer bottle in the kitchen sink, then wandered over to see what the women were fussing over."This is our cue to leave, Colin. Two women, the word lingerie…""Stayin'."
"Your funeral. I'm going to see if there is a game on, any game," Grey said, disappearing through the den door that opened onto the kitchen.Leah flashed Colin a warm smile before unbuckling the small case."Hurry! I'm dying to see these," Carrie said.Leah took out three single sheets of drawing paper with sketches on them."I took these from the historical romance I was reading. What do you think?"Leah chewed her lip as she watched Carrie pick up and examine the first sheet. Colin moved back so he could look over Carrie's shoulder. He saw a stylized drawing of a woman, long legs, willowy, wearing a lacy confection that looked like a corset."The material is soft…it just looks like a corset but it isn't hard, no whalebone. Silk and lace and it hangs down a whisker below her…" Leah looked over at Colin, then back at Carrie."Low enough," Carrie put in.Leah nodded, licking her lower lip, her eyebrows knitted."Do you like it?" She asked Carrie. "Do you think it's sexy?" She looked at Colin."I think it's amazing…so original, Leah. It's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it. But as for sexy, let's get a man's opinion."
Carrie turned to face Colin and raised her eyebrows.
Heat pooled in his chest as the two women trained their eyes on him. Suddenly his throat went dry. His gaze dropped down to the picture. The model had hair the color of Leah's. In the drawing, the soft bustier-type garment draped gently around the model's curves. Colin narrowed his eyes and pictured it on Leah. He stole a glance at Leah's hips and legs outlined perfectly in the leggings. He could see the edge of the lace on the garment Leah designed barely covering her luscious-looking rear end. For the neckline, again he stole a peek. With quick mental calculation, he figured Leah's breasts would more than fill his hands. Her long-sleeved aqua tank top was cut low enough to reveal a nice helping of inviting cleavage, especially as she leaned slightly in his direction awaiting his opinion. Mentally he made the switch from the tank top to the bustier top. His breathing snagged for a moment.
The heat of the mental image of Leah in the skimpy garment brought warmth to his cheeks. Not only could he see her in the garment but he'd have given his right arm to have her in it at that very moment."So…what's the verdict? Sexy?" Leah asked, running her tongue over her lower lip."That's an understatement." Colin said when he managed to control his breath.
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January 27, 2012
IMA SLUTZ INTERVIEW WITH CARRIE TUCKER FROM THE MARRIAGE LIST
Good morning, Ima Slutz here, sitting in for my cousin, Adora Smutz, who is on vacation. She's in the Caribbean this week, trying to find a man. *Sighs*, some people don't know when to quit.
I am interviewing the lovely and charming Carrie Tucker, heroine from "The Marriage List". Yes, that's her on the cover:
Ima: Welcome, Carrie. Tell me, Carrie, how does it feel to be the heroine in Jean's best selling book, The Marriage List?
Carrie: It feels great, Ima. Grey Andrews, my boyfriend, and I are thrilled. And she's got two more books with us in them, too. Did you know that?
Ima: Oh, really? Adora didn't tell me that! Hmm. And I suppose you want to tell me the titles for those also *under her breath* shameless,self-promoting slut.
Carrie: If you don't mind, Jean asked me to mention them: The Love List, which is out now and The Dating List, which she is currently writing. Of course in that last one we are supporting characters.
Ima: You can't be the princess ALL the time, you know! And you are sleeping with one of the most attractive heroes Jean has written, aren't you.
Carrie (blushes): You could say that.
Ima (leans in closer): So how is Grey in bed?
Carrie (blushes deeper red): Ima! How can you ask me that?
Ima: That's what everyone wants to know, dearie. So give...and don't leave out any details.
Carrie (flustered): I'm not going to...Grey would kill...Jean! Jean! This was not part of the deal.
Ima: I bet he's a dreamy kisser...
Carrie: You wouldn't believe...hey! Wait a minute.
Ima: Come on, Carrie, share a little with us. You know we're all panting to be with Grey. He's so...so...sexy!
Carrie: Yes, he is. I suppose one little detail...but I shouldn't...
Ima: Awww go on, girl. *leans closer to Carrie*.
Carrie: You know what he loves...what he really loves...most of all...in the bedroom?
Ima (wipes drool from chin): No, no...tell me...we're all anxious to hear.
Carrie: WOMEN WHO DON'T KISS AND TELL! *clamps her mouth shut*.
Ima: Adora said you'd be a hard nut to crack. I guess if you want to know about Grey in the bedroom, you're going to have to read The Marriage List to find out. This is Ima Slutz, thanking our guest, Carrie Tucker -- sort of -- and signing off...Carrie, you can unclamp your lips now...yes...breathe, girl, breathe.
A bit about the book
Can happily ever after start with a list? Grey Andrews thinks so. After ten years of working, saving and investing, Grey finally achieved a level of wealth that allows him to do what he wants with his life. He needs a woman to share it with, but not any woman, the perfect woman. A woman who has the three essential qualities on his marriage list. But after three years of searching he isn't any closer to finding her than he was when he started out.
Carrie Tucker, an aspiring mystery writer and divorcée struggling to make it in the world of advertising, turned her focus from men to her career after dating too many creeps and losers. She's finally earned her big break, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the first female creative director in a hot New York ad agency. So what if it means working nights and weekends? It's not like she has a social life anyway.
Is the marriage list a failure or will a chance meeting at a fiction-writing conference prove the list to be the key to Grey's happiness after all?
Short Excerpt
"Miss Tucker…Carrie, I'm sorry but we're going to have to reschedule this pitch. I have a meeting with an investor I can't put off," he said, looking down at the papers in his hand, "I have your contact info here. I'll get in touch to reschedule."
With that, Paul marched out of the room with the man he called "Grey" right behind him. Carrie stood up and put her hand on Grey's arm.
"Hey! You ruined my opportunity to get my novel published! I've been waiting six months for the chance to see Paul Marcel," she shot at him.
Grey turned. His gaze swept over her hair, eyes and figure making her feel slightly naked and yet warm at the same time. She stared back boldly at the handsome man with a dazzling smile and an impeccable gray suit, noticing how snugly his suit fitted his trim physique
"Give it to me," he said, reaching for her manuscript, "I'll make sure he reads it."
Before she could move, snatched the manuscript out of her hand and walked quickly out of the room. She trailed along behind him, trying to speak, but soon he was lost in the crowd.
What happened here? Where's my manuscript and who was that guy?
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I am interviewing the lovely and charming Carrie Tucker, heroine from "The Marriage List". Yes, that's her on the cover:
Ima: Welcome, Carrie. Tell me, Carrie, how does it feel to be the heroine in Jean's best selling book, The Marriage List?Carrie: It feels great, Ima. Grey Andrews, my boyfriend, and I are thrilled. And she's got two more books with us in them, too. Did you know that?
Ima: Oh, really? Adora didn't tell me that! Hmm. And I suppose you want to tell me the titles for those also *under her breath* shameless,self-promoting slut.
Carrie: If you don't mind, Jean asked me to mention them: The Love List, which is out now and The Dating List, which she is currently writing. Of course in that last one we are supporting characters.
Ima: You can't be the princess ALL the time, you know! And you are sleeping with one of the most attractive heroes Jean has written, aren't you.
Carrie (blushes): You could say that.
Ima (leans in closer): So how is Grey in bed?
Carrie (blushes deeper red): Ima! How can you ask me that?
Ima: That's what everyone wants to know, dearie. So give...and don't leave out any details.
Carrie (flustered): I'm not going to...Grey would kill...Jean! Jean! This was not part of the deal.
Ima: I bet he's a dreamy kisser...
Carrie: You wouldn't believe...hey! Wait a minute.
Ima: Come on, Carrie, share a little with us. You know we're all panting to be with Grey. He's so...so...sexy!
Carrie: Yes, he is. I suppose one little detail...but I shouldn't...
Ima: Awww go on, girl. *leans closer to Carrie*.
Carrie: You know what he loves...what he really loves...most of all...in the bedroom?
Ima (wipes drool from chin): No, no...tell me...we're all anxious to hear.
Carrie: WOMEN WHO DON'T KISS AND TELL! *clamps her mouth shut*.
Ima: Adora said you'd be a hard nut to crack. I guess if you want to know about Grey in the bedroom, you're going to have to read The Marriage List to find out. This is Ima Slutz, thanking our guest, Carrie Tucker -- sort of -- and signing off...Carrie, you can unclamp your lips now...yes...breathe, girl, breathe.
A bit about the book
Can happily ever after start with a list? Grey Andrews thinks so. After ten years of working, saving and investing, Grey finally achieved a level of wealth that allows him to do what he wants with his life. He needs a woman to share it with, but not any woman, the perfect woman. A woman who has the three essential qualities on his marriage list. But after three years of searching he isn't any closer to finding her than he was when he started out.
Carrie Tucker, an aspiring mystery writer and divorcée struggling to make it in the world of advertising, turned her focus from men to her career after dating too many creeps and losers. She's finally earned her big break, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the first female creative director in a hot New York ad agency. So what if it means working nights and weekends? It's not like she has a social life anyway.
Is the marriage list a failure or will a chance meeting at a fiction-writing conference prove the list to be the key to Grey's happiness after all?
Short Excerpt
"Miss Tucker…Carrie, I'm sorry but we're going to have to reschedule this pitch. I have a meeting with an investor I can't put off," he said, looking down at the papers in his hand, "I have your contact info here. I'll get in touch to reschedule."
With that, Paul marched out of the room with the man he called "Grey" right behind him. Carrie stood up and put her hand on Grey's arm.
"Hey! You ruined my opportunity to get my novel published! I've been waiting six months for the chance to see Paul Marcel," she shot at him.
Grey turned. His gaze swept over her hair, eyes and figure making her feel slightly naked and yet warm at the same time. She stared back boldly at the handsome man with a dazzling smile and an impeccable gray suit, noticing how snugly his suit fitted his trim physique
"Give it to me," he said, reaching for her manuscript, "I'll make sure he reads it."
Before she could move, snatched the manuscript out of her hand and walked quickly out of the room. She trailed along behind him, trying to speak, but soon he was lost in the crowd.
What happened here? Where's my manuscript and who was that guy?
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January 25, 2012
Interview with Sherry Gloag, author of "From Now Until Forever"
Hello, Sherry, don't be nervous now, this is easy as pie.
1) How old were you when you knew you wanted to become a writer?I was in my teens the first time I tied writing a story. Unfortunately I was in school at the time and the teacher confiscated it and I never saw it again. Her comment about it? "Why can't you write as clearly when you do your homework?" 2) What did you do for a living in your "previous" life?
Many things. I have worked in the dress department of a large retail department store. I qualified as a social worker for the blind and loved every moment of that job. My son's arrival ended that job. J I have been a school secretary, classroom assistant, and owned our own retail business. 3) Do you have a family?
Yes, my son currently works for the BBC 4) What genre do you write?
I thought I wrote mainstream contemporary romances, but have been told they are also suspenseful. I am experimenting with a regency story which I keep putting to one side, mainly because I didn't know the ending, now I have that I hope to finish it sometime soon. 5) Are you a plotter or a pantser?
For my sins, I am a 'panster' which is why it has taken so long to discover the ending of my regency romance! 6) Do your characters ever take over when you're writing?
From start to finish, is the short answer! If I try to deviate, it usually 'ends up in tears'!! 7) Do you get inspiration from real people or places?
Sometimes, but mostly one or both of my main characters turn up pretty well fully formed and with opinions to match! 8) Have you ever gotten a story idea from a news story?
Not in the sense you ask, but I have turned news clips round and turned them into scenes in a story. For instance, there was a story about a family coming home from holiday to find their house had been burgled. I turned that round and had my heroine discover a stalker had infiltrated her security and gained access to her garden when she returned home after returning from a business trip. 9) Would you like to be any of your heroines?
Since a lot of my heroines seem to have endured fairly dark pasts, no, I don't think so. 10) Would you marry any of your heroes?
Difficult decision, but if I had to choose one, it would have to be Ben Kouvaris from Duty Calls. He has massive lessons to learn, but when he 'gets it' he's amazing. 11) Do you do a lot of editing before you submit a manuscript?
(My editor may not believe me. LOL) But yes, I do. I used to write several chapters without going back and editing, now I have to edit almost as I go along. Sometimes it does my head in, as I find it breaks the 'flow' or writing. I'm not sure how the changes came about! Now some personal questions 1) Chocolate or vanilla?
Vanilla in ice cream 2) Do you listen to music when you write? What do you listen to?
Very rarely, but classical or alternative music if I do. Sometimes I may put on a Jazz disc. 3) Favorite color?
Depends on my mood. I love red because it is a 'cheerful' colour 4)Favorite line of description from one of your books.
"Liam Fitzwilliam Gasquet stared in amazement at the blooming patch of red milliseconds before the pain exploded in his arm."
This is the opening line of the first book, From Now Until Forever, in my series The Gasquet Lads. Published by Astraea Press in December 2011. Prince Liam Thought he'd managed to evade those who might want to harm him, and discovers his mistake the hard way.
5) Favorite dialogue from one of your books.
This is taken from my 2011 Valentine novella, The Wrong Target. The hero, business tycoon, Ryan Thomas, has had the heroine, headmistress, Tina Blackberry, dismissed from the job she loves, and discovering he was wrong follows her to Rome to try and make amends.
"Goddamit," he exploded, "Can't you stand still for one second? I have something to say, but I can't while you're jogging round the room."She halted toe to toe in front of him. "You have me dismissed from a job I loved, because I upheld the safety of my pupils, and still have the audacity to stalk me to my holiday destination and demand I listen to you because you have something to say?" Flapping her hands at her sides, she spun away and back again, planting her hands on the chair arms, she pinned him in his place and snarled, "Let me tell you something. I've come here to enjoy myself and your presence isn't part of my plan." "What is your plan?" he demanded."To get laid!" Astonishment pushed her away from the chair, her eyes wide, her lips curved up in a defiant sneer. "I intend to find myself a man and screw the living daylights out of him. And," she paused deliberately, "I don't need you for that." Favorite minor character from your book.
Liz, a special friend to my heroine, Gina, in my debut novel, The Brat, published by the Wild Rose Press, who knows almost all Gina's secrets, and will go out of her way to protect her friend when she is threatened on several fronts at once.
6) Dog or cat?
Both, but cats are special for me. 7) Country or city?
Country 8) Beach or mountains?
Both 9) Skirts or pants?
Pants 10) Early morning or late night?
Late night
A Little Bit About the Book For Prince Liam, families meant bad news, unwanted commitments, and the loss of his personal freedom. Love spawned white picket fences, slippers at the hearth with a wife and kids making demands, so why did those images disappear when he met Melanie Babcot?
Melanie Babcot fought hard to escape the horrors of her youth and vowed to remain single and free, so when paid to protect Prince Liam from insurgents why did her personal pledge fly out the window? Short Excerpt For Prince Liam, families meant bad news, unwanted commitments, and the loss of his personal freedom. Love spawned white picket fences, slippers at the hearth with a wife and kids making demands, so why did those images disappear when he met Melanie Babcot?
Melanie Babcot fought hard to escape the horrors of her youth and vowed to remain single and free, so when paid to protect Prince Liam from insurgents why did her personal pledge fly out the window?
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January 23, 2012
TUESDAY TALES - THE DATING LIST WIP
My Tuesday Tale comes from my WIP, "The Dating List", the next in the List series of New York Nights books. We are at Grey and Carrie's NYC townhouse. They are still engaged and Grey's brother, Colin, has come to visit for a week.
THE DATING LIST "Maybe we need a fire," Grey said approaching the fireplace in the living room. As Colin turned to head upstairs to change his pants as Grey knelt in front of the cold fireplace to lay a fire, the doorbell rang. "Get it, will ya, Col? Must be Delia. Carrie, Delia's here!" He called out as he crumpled newspaper and shoved it under the grate. "Who is Delia?" "You haven't met the famous…or should I say "infamous", Delia Tucker yet?. She's Carrie's aunt…" Colin unlocked the deadbolt lock and opened the door. His hazel eyes stared at a beautiful woman wearing a rose-colored, slim, quilted down jacket with the hood lined in white ermine. The white of the ermine emphasized the rich mahogany color of her hair and the subtle red highlights. The dark hair framing her delicate oval face made her light brown eyes turn the color of honey. They glowed as they looked up at him. His lips parted but no sound came out as he stood stock still. She stared into his eyes and smiled. "I'd know those eyes anywhere. You must be related to Grey." He squeaked out, "his brother," while his gaze wandered over the rest of her lovely face. He noted a delicate jaw with a full lower lip, perfect for pouting, led up past a small straight nose to those luminous eyes that were laughing at him now. Glowing skin with an attractive blush from either cosmetics or the cold, he couldn't tell which, on the apple of her cheeks and the hint of tiny laugh lines topped off her perfection. "Name?" She asked, her eyes, trimmed in artfully smudged black liner and fringed with black lashes, crinkled a bit at the corners.
"Game?" "Name?" She repeated. "Oh, oh...Colin."
"It's cold out here, Colin. Do you think I could come in?" She raised her eyebrows as she deepened her smile.
Her words snapped him out of his reverie and he looked down to see a large red suitcase standing next to the diminutive woman. By instinct, he picked up the suitcase, placed it inside next to the door and stepped back.
"Delia," she said, offering her small, white leather gloved hand to him after she stepped across the threshold of the house and closed the door behind her.
He took her hand, squeezed it a touch too hard, causing her to wince, then let go. He watched her gaze move down from his dark brown hair to his hazel eyes, and lower until it rested on his bare chest. The deepening of the blush on her cheeks made him aware he was half naked. He crossed his arms over his chest.
"Excuse me," he mumbled as he made a hasty exit, taking the stairs two at a time to the second floor landing. The last thing he heard before he closed the door to his room was Delia's tinkling laugh.
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THE DATING LIST "Maybe we need a fire," Grey said approaching the fireplace in the living room. As Colin turned to head upstairs to change his pants as Grey knelt in front of the cold fireplace to lay a fire, the doorbell rang. "Get it, will ya, Col? Must be Delia. Carrie, Delia's here!" He called out as he crumpled newspaper and shoved it under the grate. "Who is Delia?" "You haven't met the famous…or should I say "infamous", Delia Tucker yet?. She's Carrie's aunt…" Colin unlocked the deadbolt lock and opened the door. His hazel eyes stared at a beautiful woman wearing a rose-colored, slim, quilted down jacket with the hood lined in white ermine. The white of the ermine emphasized the rich mahogany color of her hair and the subtle red highlights. The dark hair framing her delicate oval face made her light brown eyes turn the color of honey. They glowed as they looked up at him. His lips parted but no sound came out as he stood stock still. She stared into his eyes and smiled. "I'd know those eyes anywhere. You must be related to Grey." He squeaked out, "his brother," while his gaze wandered over the rest of her lovely face. He noted a delicate jaw with a full lower lip, perfect for pouting, led up past a small straight nose to those luminous eyes that were laughing at him now. Glowing skin with an attractive blush from either cosmetics or the cold, he couldn't tell which, on the apple of her cheeks and the hint of tiny laugh lines topped off her perfection. "Name?" She asked, her eyes, trimmed in artfully smudged black liner and fringed with black lashes, crinkled a bit at the corners.
"Game?" "Name?" She repeated. "Oh, oh...Colin."
"It's cold out here, Colin. Do you think I could come in?" She raised her eyebrows as she deepened her smile.
Her words snapped him out of his reverie and he looked down to see a large red suitcase standing next to the diminutive woman. By instinct, he picked up the suitcase, placed it inside next to the door and stepped back.
"Delia," she said, offering her small, white leather gloved hand to him after she stepped across the threshold of the house and closed the door behind her.
He took her hand, squeezed it a touch too hard, causing her to wince, then let go. He watched her gaze move down from his dark brown hair to his hazel eyes, and lower until it rested on his bare chest. The deepening of the blush on her cheeks made him aware he was half naked. He crossed his arms over his chest.
"Excuse me," he mumbled as he made a hasty exit, taking the stairs two at a time to the second floor landing. The last thing he heard before he closed the door to his room was Delia's tinkling laugh.
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January 22, 2012
You want to be a romance writer? What are you, nuts?
Do you really want to be a romance writer? Here's a checklist of possible hurdles you'll have to face:1) Own a laptop so you can leave the house when writing or editing. Folks at home don't think twice about interrupting you and your "hobby" whenever they damn well feel like it.2) You family may either disown you or sign you up for a course in auto mechanics so you can earn a living.3) Be prepared for questions like, "so you write those trashy novels," said to me by a friend, who's never read my books.4) Be prepared to say "no" when friends ask you to take in their deliveries, run their errands, take care of their kids after school…lord knows, you're not doing anything important and you're home, right?5) Be prepared to leave the phone unanswered because your friends will call to unload their problems, looking for a sympathetic ear, because…lord knows, you're not doing anything important, right? STILL WANT TO BE A ROMANCE WRITER?6) Be prepared to have male colleagues, family friends and total strangers sidle up to you asking about sex, because, after all, you write about it, that makes you an expert.7) Be ready for men asking you for sex, texting, PM'ing, or emailing you for sex. Especially men from love-starved places like Iran.8) Don't get rattled if you hear dear old dad lean over and say to a friend, "I have no idea what the hell she does."9) You'll hear "Hey, what do you really do for a living?"10) Be prepared to have any idiot on the Internet who's having a bad day rip you and your book to shreds in front of hundreds of thousands of people. 11) Take it (#11) in total silence. Grind your teeth, but don't dare open your mouth…or the whole world will bash you in the biggest pile on you've ever seen, making a professional sports pile on looking like a kid's game.12) Promoting – are you ready to do all the promotion for your book yourself and then get slammed by Nasty Nancy's for self-promoting? Haven't they heard of Catch-22?STILL WANT TO BE A ROMANCE WRITER?13) Then…welcome to the club! NOW YOU WILL…. 14) Bask in the glow of rave reviews from readers who "get" your book and love your writing.
15) Spend your days immersed in a world of love, romance, conflicts, resolutions…and yes, sex!
16) Work harder than you thought possible to obtain a fabulous book you're proud of and readers love.
17) Sign a contract with a publisher, someone who believes in you and your work as much as you do.
18) Feel the giddy excitement when you receive a beautiful, new book cover created by your loving publisher.
19) Feel the thrill of the release of your new book.
20) Be the envy of others who slave away at jobs they hate.
21) Be the envy of women whose men think you're super sexy because you write about sex. (Even if they're wrong!)
22) Receive email from readers who were touched by your work or fell in love with your heroes or read all your books.
23) Be doing the one thing in the world you want to do more than anything else.
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Contemporary romance, 3 flames.
January 21, 2012
Sweet Saturday Sample of "The Love List"
Here is a sample of my newest release that came out yesterday, "The Love List". Carrie stared at her left hand. The brand-new, three-carat diamond resting on her fourth finger twinkled its brilliance and clarity at her, reminding her of her engagement, now three days old. Grey sat on the window seat in front of a bird feeder and pulled her onto his lap.There's food in the feeder. Are there still birds this far north in November? Haven't they all migrated by now?Neither one spoke but Grey slipped his arm around her waist, steadying her and she rested her head against his shoulder."Come on," he said, easing her off his lap, taking her hand and leading her to the back door.They pulled on down parkas and gloves, Carrie tucked her shoulder-length streaked blonde hair under a knitted hat. The early risers trudged out into the cold where their shoes crunched on the thin layer of frozen snow. Their breath hung suspended in the frigid air. Grey took her hand again and she followed him down a well-worn path to the lake. The bright sunshine bouncing off the frozen water peeked through gaps in the trees, blinding her temporarily. She could see the thick ice on the lake and a smile came to her lips."Let's go," she said, pulling on Grey's hand to increase their speed and moving out onto the frozen surface.A sudden sharp tug on her hand pulled her back with a jerk."No!" Grey hollered at her, folding his arms around her so she couldn't move.Carrie looked up at him and raised her eyebrows. "Grey? What the…""Don't go there." He tightened his grip, his mouth set in a grim line."But it's frozen solid. And it's so much fun to walk on a frozen lake.""It isn't frozen solid.""It is. Look," she said, squirming to get away but unable to shake off his firm grip."No, no, no Carrie." His eyes shone as he held her still, and she watched him blink back tears."What?""The ice, it's wrong. It looks frozen but it isn't. When I was eight, my best friend, Tom, dared me to go out on the ice. I refused and tried to keep him from going but he wouldn't listen. He fell through and died before I could get help."Carrie hugged him, her cheek on his chest. She moved back a step and looked into his eyes, catching a glimpse of the frightened little boy he was on that horrible day. What a terrifying experience! Her heart melted. "I'm so sorry. I won't go there. I promise."He leaned his head on hers and closed his eyes. "I couldn't stand to lose you, too. I love you so much," he whispered.
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January 15, 2012
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, SECRET CRAVINGS PUBLISHING BLOG HOP
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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SECRET CRAVINGS!WINA FREE BOOK OR A KINDLE FIRE!
I am fortunate to have two books published by Secret Cravings and a third one under contract. They are a great company with awesome authors. Here is my contest:
Unscramble ONE name of four of the characters in my books and you are eligible to win! Two winners will be selected to pick their choice of either, Now and Forever 1, a Love Story or Now and Forever 2, the Book of Danny! Leave your answer in a comment with your email. You will also be automatically entered for the grand prize of the bloghop, KINDLE FIRE to be given by Secret Cravings Publishing just by leaving a comment. Even if you can't unscramble a name, leave your name and email addy in a comment anyway.
Scramble names from Now and Forever 1 are:
1. Cam
2. Laclie
One of my favorite excerpts from the book is: Mac enjoyed talking to Callie. She listened carefully, showing sympathy for him when called for and asking pertinent questions. Her lovely face took on a new glow of animation when she talked about Jason. The evening ended pleasantly. He paid her, thanked her and they lingered at the door. Mac wanted to kiss her, but how can you kiss someone who you just paid? Callie stood dangerously close to him, looking up into his eyes, making him feel like she wanted him to kiss her too but then stepped away from him, toward the door. They said an awkward goodnight, with both standing too long at the door, unsure of what to do.
Callie turned, slipped under his arm holding the door open, glided through the doorway and waved goodbye as she went down the walk. Mac gazed at her walking down the path, noticing the gentle sway of her skirt, the slim outline of her hips. He remembered the soft pink of her lips—he wanted to scoop her up into his arms and kiss her. He didn't know what to make of this young woman, at once so shy and remote-then so competent and caring. He knew there was more to her than met the eye and he'd enjoy finding out what made her tick.
****
Callie felt happy for the first time in ages, smiling as she walked the ten blocks to her small room. She got undressed and pulled out a textbook to get some reading in before bed, though it was hard to concentrate. When she finally turned out the light, she couldn't stop grinning. Callie couldn't deny her attraction to Mac any longer. His presence made her tingle. Tonight she stared at his lips, sure he was going to kiss her then unsure if she should, she quickly slipped out the door before he got the hint.
Scrambled names from Now and Forever 2 are:
3. Nadny
4. Ziela
One of my favorite excerpts from Now and Forever 2 is: "What about your parents?"
"After my parents went to prison, Kyle became my guardian. We were only kids ourselves, nineteen and thirteen years old. He worked at a garage fixing cars and rented a trailer for us. Callie came over all the time, she acted like my sister. When I went to college, Kyle joined the Army, like he always wanted. But he died before he could marry Callie or see me graduate…with honors," Danny said, looking down at his hands, struggling to control his voice.
"How awful to lose Kyle, when you needed him most," she said, sympathetically, looking up into his eyes, curling her fingers around his hand and squeezing.
"I can't remember not needing him. The same must be true for you," he said.
"I was so lost, I disappeared into bed…"
"Bed? You were sleeping around?" Danny asked as his eyebrows shot up.
"I spent too much time sleeping. Being tired all the time, I could barely move. Jonesy and Mac forced me to get up in the morning, pushed me out of the house. Still, I had to learn to put one foot in front of the other by myself."
"You seem to be doing well."
"I worked hard, which paid off. I still have hard days…lonely days," she said and their eyes connected.
Danny took her hand, kissed it and threaded his fingers through hers.
"I got angry after Kyle died. I decided to go to Iraq myself…to even the score."
"Weren't you scared?"
"Terrified. But don't tell anyone," he confessed, smiling, staring into the candle.
"Being so alone terrified me. And nights at home alone in bed…"
"…you missed that, too," he finished for her, as a beautiful pink blush stained her cheeks.
"Yes," she admitted, looking directly into the candle's flame.
"What about Simon?" he probed, studying her face.
"He's a poor replacement. He's pleasant enough…"
"Doesn't sound like a love match."
"When you're lonely…and a man comes along," she said, shrugging her shoulders.
"Are you in love with him?" Danny asked, holding his breath, waiting for her reaction, a queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"Simon? No. Absolutely not. He's…you know…someone to go to the movies with, to take to school functions so I don't have to go alone."
"What about the…uh…sleeping arrangements with him?" he asked, embarrassed but unable to deny his curiosity.
"Oh!" Eliza turned beet red this time and looked down at her hands.
"I don't mean to pry, but…"
"I wouldn't miss him like I miss Bill. I don't know how I should explain."
"I get the idea. He's not much in the sack," he said, bluntly, his gaze seeking hers.
"Not exactly," she said, her hands twisting the cloth napkin.
"A beautiful woman like you deserves more." He saw her eyes widen as he rested his hand over hers, calming her.
Her hands stopped, he closed his fingers around hers and she lifted her eyes to his.
"You're right," she said, hunger evident in her gaze.
"You deserve a man who can send you to the moon," he murmured. He gazed at her face, lovely in the candle glow.
Both books are available on the SCP website(www.secretcravingspublishing.com) and on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks and Bookstrand.
Check them out for review and such on my website:www.jeanjoachimbooks.com
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SECRET CRAVINGS!WINA FREE BOOK OR A KINDLE FIRE!
I am fortunate to have two books published by Secret Cravings and a third one under contract. They are a great company with awesome authors. Here is my contest:
Unscramble ONE name of four of the characters in my books and you are eligible to win! Two winners will be selected to pick their choice of either, Now and Forever 1, a Love Story or Now and Forever 2, the Book of Danny! Leave your answer in a comment with your email. You will also be automatically entered for the grand prize of the bloghop, KINDLE FIRE to be given by Secret Cravings Publishing just by leaving a comment. Even if you can't unscramble a name, leave your name and email addy in a comment anyway.
Scramble names from Now and Forever 1 are:
1. Cam
2. Laclie
One of my favorite excerpts from the book is: Mac enjoyed talking to Callie. She listened carefully, showing sympathy for him when called for and asking pertinent questions. Her lovely face took on a new glow of animation when she talked about Jason. The evening ended pleasantly. He paid her, thanked her and they lingered at the door. Mac wanted to kiss her, but how can you kiss someone who you just paid? Callie stood dangerously close to him, looking up into his eyes, making him feel like she wanted him to kiss her too but then stepped away from him, toward the door. They said an awkward goodnight, with both standing too long at the door, unsure of what to do.
Callie turned, slipped under his arm holding the door open, glided through the doorway and waved goodbye as she went down the walk. Mac gazed at her walking down the path, noticing the gentle sway of her skirt, the slim outline of her hips. He remembered the soft pink of her lips—he wanted to scoop her up into his arms and kiss her. He didn't know what to make of this young woman, at once so shy and remote-then so competent and caring. He knew there was more to her than met the eye and he'd enjoy finding out what made her tick.
****
Callie felt happy for the first time in ages, smiling as she walked the ten blocks to her small room. She got undressed and pulled out a textbook to get some reading in before bed, though it was hard to concentrate. When she finally turned out the light, she couldn't stop grinning. Callie couldn't deny her attraction to Mac any longer. His presence made her tingle. Tonight she stared at his lips, sure he was going to kiss her then unsure if she should, she quickly slipped out the door before he got the hint.
Scrambled names from Now and Forever 2 are:
3. Nadny
4. Ziela
One of my favorite excerpts from Now and Forever 2 is: "What about your parents?"
"After my parents went to prison, Kyle became my guardian. We were only kids ourselves, nineteen and thirteen years old. He worked at a garage fixing cars and rented a trailer for us. Callie came over all the time, she acted like my sister. When I went to college, Kyle joined the Army, like he always wanted. But he died before he could marry Callie or see me graduate…with honors," Danny said, looking down at his hands, struggling to control his voice.
"How awful to lose Kyle, when you needed him most," she said, sympathetically, looking up into his eyes, curling her fingers around his hand and squeezing.
"I can't remember not needing him. The same must be true for you," he said.
"I was so lost, I disappeared into bed…"
"Bed? You were sleeping around?" Danny asked as his eyebrows shot up.
"I spent too much time sleeping. Being tired all the time, I could barely move. Jonesy and Mac forced me to get up in the morning, pushed me out of the house. Still, I had to learn to put one foot in front of the other by myself."
"You seem to be doing well."
"I worked hard, which paid off. I still have hard days…lonely days," she said and their eyes connected.
Danny took her hand, kissed it and threaded his fingers through hers.
"I got angry after Kyle died. I decided to go to Iraq myself…to even the score."
"Weren't you scared?"
"Terrified. But don't tell anyone," he confessed, smiling, staring into the candle.
"Being so alone terrified me. And nights at home alone in bed…"
"…you missed that, too," he finished for her, as a beautiful pink blush stained her cheeks.
"Yes," she admitted, looking directly into the candle's flame.
"What about Simon?" he probed, studying her face.
"He's a poor replacement. He's pleasant enough…"
"Doesn't sound like a love match."
"When you're lonely…and a man comes along," she said, shrugging her shoulders.
"Are you in love with him?" Danny asked, holding his breath, waiting for her reaction, a queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"Simon? No. Absolutely not. He's…you know…someone to go to the movies with, to take to school functions so I don't have to go alone."
"What about the…uh…sleeping arrangements with him?" he asked, embarrassed but unable to deny his curiosity.
"Oh!" Eliza turned beet red this time and looked down at her hands.
"I don't mean to pry, but…"
"I wouldn't miss him like I miss Bill. I don't know how I should explain."
"I get the idea. He's not much in the sack," he said, bluntly, his gaze seeking hers.
"Not exactly," she said, her hands twisting the cloth napkin.
"A beautiful woman like you deserves more." He saw her eyes widen as he rested his hand over hers, calming her.
Her hands stopped, he closed his fingers around hers and she lifted her eyes to his.
"You're right," she said, hunger evident in her gaze.
"You deserve a man who can send you to the moon," he murmured. He gazed at her face, lovely in the candle glow.
Both books are available on the SCP website(www.secretcravingspublishing.com) and on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks and Bookstrand.
Check them out for review and such on my website:www.jeanjoachimbooks.com
Stories of Love and Passion
I am a writer of contemporary romance series, some sweet and some spicy. I love to write and do it fulltime. I'm married, live in New York City with my husband, two sons and a rescued pug named Homer.
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