Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 59

MY LIST OF "DON'TS" FOR THE NEW YEAR

Forget that damn "to do" list for 2012. While making that list, I feel like a school teacher is standing over my shoulder, wagging her finger in my face. 

So let's make a list of ten "don'ts" for the new year, instead.


1. DON'T stop writing, outlining new stories and losing myself in my own world.
2. DON'T let someone's negative opinion affect the way I feel about myself and my work.
3. DON'T argue with a reviewer, ever.
4. DON'T forget to appreciate those who love me.
5. DON'T stop laughing no matter how bad things might get.
6. DON'T lose sight of my goals, keep moving forward.
7. DON'T trust false friends.
8. DON'T speak without thinking in person or on the Internet.
9. DON'T let exercise disappear from my life on some thin excuse.
10. DON'T stop facing each new day with hope and great expectations that something wonderful will happen.

What's on your list of "don'ts" Please share by leaving a comment.



A touch of spring to remind us what's on the other side of March.

To check out my books on my website, click here.

LOVE TALK WITH ADORA SMUTZ

            Welcome and thank you for stopping by! We are joined by my gorgeous, sexy cousin, Ima Slutz, today. She'll be subbing for me when I go on vacation with one of Jean's sexy heroes. She's here to learn the ropes. Today we will be interviewing that devastating man, hero of "The Marriage List", Grey Andrews!
Adora: Good morning, Grey, how are you?Grey:   Fine, Adora. You're looking good for such an early hour. *gaze sweeps over her body*Adora: Thank you, Grey. *bats eyes*, hey, are you free for a week in February to go to one of those "bathing suit" optional beaches with me?Grey:   I don't think Carrie would approve, Adora, do you?Adora: Who cares what she thinks? All right, Ima, on to the interview. So, I hear you've been screwing everything in sight, supposedly looking for a wife. *guffaws behind hand*, yeah right. Grey: *blushes* I don't know about the screwing around thing, but I have been looking for a wife.Adora: Why would a gorgeous rich guy like you want to get married when you could make it with any woman you want?Grey: Adora! I thought I was supposed to talk about the book, The Marriage List.Adora: We are…but doing it my way. So give, Grey. What's up with this stupid list thing, anyway?Grey: Well, I saw how unhappy my buddies were and so I…Adora: BORING! Come on, Grey, you're deep-sixing the whole interview here. Get to the good stuff. How many woman do you think you've actually slept with on your marriage "quest."Grey: *turns redder*, I've lost count, I think…Adora: Come on! We all know every guy keeps a tally. Is it in the hundreds? The thousands?Grey: WHAT? Hey, what's going on here? Where's Jean.Adora: She's off working on a new book with your brother, Colin. So tell me…are you as good in bed as they say?Grey: *face turning almost purple*, JEEEAAAANNNN!!!!Adora: Do you scream like that in bed. God, you're a good-looking guy, Grey. Why settle for Carrie when you can have me and maybe Ima, here?Grey: Where is Jean? I'm going to kill her.Adora: A "quickie" with Grey Andrews is all we have time for today. Hope you all have a happy and healthy New Year and come back every week for more "Love Talk," with me, Adora Smutz!Grey: Wait! Adora! Let me talk about the book…about Carrie, how beautiful and smart she is…Adora: Let's continue here in my dressing room, Grey. Now what were you saying…Ima: This is Ima Slutz, signing off for LOVE TALK!
The Marriage List, still only $.99! AmazonBarnes & Noble Check out my other books on my website: www.jeanjoachimbooks.com.Thanks for stopping by. Have a happy and healthy New Year and thank you for reading my books!

TUESDAY TALES

This is part three from my continuation of Grey and Carrie's story from "The Marriage List". It's a WIP and hope to make it part of a Marriage List anthology. Thanks for stopping by. I wish you a joyous, healthy and happy New Year.
GREY AND CARRIE'S CHRISTMAS - PART 3
                The gentle push from two fingers into her shoulder roused Carrie from her slumber. She opened her eyes and yawned.            "We're almost there. Turning on Route 517 now," Grey said, maneuvering the car into the turn smoothly. The music was off and the heater whirred softly keeping Carrie's feet toasty.  She stretched as best she could in the small space and looked over at his profile. He turned to face her when the traffic light at 517 and Forest Avenue turned red. His eyes swept over her as his lips curled into a smile."Well, sleepyhead, ready to face the Andrews family?"She nodded and moved closer to him. His bent over and brushed her lips with his quickly before the light changed, then took his foot off the brake and drove the car slowly down the street. The car pulled to the curb and stopped in front of the three-story, white Victorian house with taupe shutters at the end. He shifted into park but didn't turn the car off. Carrie moved as close to him as the gear shift would allow and he inched toward her, lowering his head until his mouth covered hers. She wriggled her tongue between his lips, deepening the kiss, bending toward him, snaking her hands over his shoulders. He slipped his right hand over the back of the bucket seat and around her shoulders. His fingers played with the ends of her hair that spilled over her collar and down her back. Time seemed to stand still for Carrie as she lost herself in the delicious taste of Grey and the feel of his tongue caressing hers, coaxing her into intimacy.  She felt her pulse begin to climb and warmth that had nothing to do with the car heater travel through her body. Carrie reached blindly for the zipper of her jacket and lowered it, allowing some of her body heat to escape. He settled his left hand on her waist then, as if waiting for her to unzip, he slid it up inside her jacket to cover her breast. He squeezed and Carrie moaned as any resistance melted under the heat of his touch. She hadn't been able to resist him from the beginning. Once he touched her, she wanted him. Now she squirmed slightly as his hand continued to massage her breast. She felt warmth between her legs and clamped them together in the hopes of stopping her growing desire, but the maneuver had the opposite effect. His thumb found her peak through her thin cashmere sweater, pressed against and circled it at the same time as faint sounds of voices drifted to her ears. She groaned, lifting the fog of passion enough to discern people were coming toward the car, calling to them. The voices kept getting louder."Grey…"she muttered, attempting to control her breathing.At the sound of her voice, he withdrew from her, removing his hand, his lips and his tongue, leaving a sudden coolness on her skin. When her eyes met his she could see heat and knew he also wanted to take their make-out session to the next level."If we don't stop now, I won't be able to get out of the car…" he whispered.Carrie withdrew from him, moving back into her seat when she heard…"…making out like a couple of teenagers…never know they're engaged…"Carrie turned her head toward her window and spied Colin's face on the other side.  Instinctively she closed her jacket to hide her erect nipples the same way she'd have done in high school. Her cheeks colored at being discovered.  Right behind him was Jenna, Grey's jacketless younger sister, flapping her arms around her chest in an effort to ward off the cold, giggling as she came up behind Colin.  Carrie looked back at Grey one more time before putting her hand on the handle to open the car door.  He was grinning at her as he turned the ignition off, his eyes glistening with raw desire. He leaned over, took her chin in his hand and planted a final kiss on her nose. She touched her palm to his cheek then opened the car door."I wish we could have had fifteen more minutes alone," he whispered.Carrie chuckled as she placed one foot outside the door onto the frozen ground. Colin extended his hand to help Carrie out of the car. The trunk flew open and the four buzzed about the luggage. The gifts were wrapped and placed carefully in shopping bags sporting logos from Bergdorf Goodman, Paul Stuart, Tiffany and Sak's Fifth Avenue.  Two weekend bags, one in black and one in red were nestled snugly in the small trunk. Carrie took two bags of gifts and Jenna took the other two, leaving the heavier luggage for Colin and Grey."Not packing together in one suitcase yet, eh?"Carrie and Grey exchanged a glance."Is that in the vows, Jenna? For better, for worse and to share one suitcase?" Grey asked.Jenna shrugged and shook her head as they all walked briskly toward the front door. To the left in the open doorway stood Fran, wearing a red, green and gold apron fastened around her waist. Right behind her right shoulder stood her husband, John, raising one hand to wave. Barbara the oldest child stood to the right of the doorway, peeking around and smiling. Grey smiled broadly at the rest of his family and raised his hand in a return wave.

Visit a tiny Christmas Village with my friend, Joyce Lynn

Come along on a Christmas adventure to a tiny village that lives on 77th Street in a Manhattan apartment only at Christmas time.
My friend and neighbor, Joyce Lynn, built this little rural town, Bethlehem, located somewhere in your imagination. Over the years, Joyce has added scenes and built buildings. She collected people and tiny objects to give life and detail to her village. Some of the figures are over 100 years old.   Come tour this town with us and write your own story about life here. We start at the train station.



Joyce built most of the buildings & painted the background. 


Let's get our shoes shined while we're still at the train station. Tip little Johnny well because he works hard. And the police are watching you!






Uh, Oh, traffic jam! Two stubborn men are each claiming to be first across the bridge. Typical of guys, isn't it?  Might have to take a cable car! Let's take a stroll through town first.                                                                                           



Christmas is coming! Kids are building snow Santas and the farmers are bringing their vegetables to market. Bobby gives Jenny free veges, hoping she'll give him something on their next date!



Some people haven't bought their Christmas trees yet!
Ella waited until the last minute, hoping Titus would lower his prices. She's a stingy bitch! Titus raised his price when he saw her coming.





No cell phones needed here, there is an antique phone booth. Just hope Superman is finished changing in there. Drop your Christmas cards in the mailbox and a dollar in Santa's kettle. Then we'll hop in the taxi and visit the school.


Shhh! There's a puppet show going on in front of the school. Carl, the gym teacher makes puppets as a hobby. He and Mike the librarian are keeping company but nobody is supposed to know!













Let's drive past some of the nicer houses in town. I think the mayor lives in this grand place.
He's busy shaking hands and kissing babies, running for re-election! Just don't kiss any babies over six months old, Mayor!





There's a church and horses still pull vehicles down Main Street. Matt the pastor is thinking about having gay marriages in his church. His wife Ethel agrees and his brother Mike, the librarian urges him to do so. (Joyce wired all the lights herself. I couldn't do that!)






  I think this is Joyce's house. I believe she built it to be a showplace and it certainly is! Her little Christmas village is a legend in our building and with my sons.














Carolers are out already. They are drawing quite a crowd. Of course they are in front of one of the finer houses in town. The hot chocolate is probably better there. Ben the drummer has the hots for Sally, the soprano, but she only has eyes for Gus, the tuba player. Such drama for a small town.











This is the only town where the public library is bigger than the bank! Joyce knows what's important. Will you donate a book to the library? Mike is ready to take your books and he welcomes erotic romance! (Joyce painted this backgroun herself, it's stunning!)











After shopping at the Village Store, the guys stop at the Barber Shop. They want to look their best for the holidays and catch up on all the local gossip,hanging out front with their pals.



Fill stockings with candy and other confections from The Sweet Shop. Say, do I see the Coca Cola truck, making a delivery here? Hmmm. He's here to see Ada again, isn't he?












I was right, Ralph is making a delivery. The rumor from the guys at the Barber Shop is that Ralph is delivering more than just soft drinks to Ada who owns and runs the Sweet Shop. Carla,  school principal, scolds them for gossiping. Ada is a widow, so it's none of their business.

Carla's husband is the mayor. He owns the fanciest car in town. Carla has always had a crush on the fire chief, but he's a happily married man. OMG, I'm already writing a romance here!

 Jeb, the fire chief pulls up in front of the Sweet Shop to pick up a gift for Maidy, his pretty wife. (The Coca Cola truck, red car, taxis and this little truck are antiques.)







The pond between the farm and the school is frozen, making the perfect skating rink for the kids on Christmas vacation. Alice asks Jake to put on her skates. They are shy but have crushes on each other. 



Kids who don't own skates come to the sledding hill. I think a snowball fight is about to break out. There's Jack, that troublemaker. DUCK! Hey, you! Grab some snow, this is war!












Our taxi stops at the gas station before taking us to the farm. Tom the station owner, is the most eligible bachelor in town. He has his eye on the best girl around, too. He's smart! We grab a newspaper next door.


This is a farming community and this is the largest dairy farm in town. The farmer puts a wreath up over the barn. He's grateful to have healthy livestock. Notice the little lantern and milk cans.(Joyce is a stickler for detail.)











The mill creates jobs. Old Barnaby owns the mill. Mary, his daughter, is secretly dating Tom because her dad doesn't approve of the "grease monkey". Mary is the prettiest, richest girl in town. Tom's no dope!













The snow has stopped so Barbara and Hank take a ride through town. Are Barbara and Hank married to each other? I don't think so. What do you think?














Joe is the Chief of Police and Barbara's husband. Hank better watch out! (Did you notice the street signs? This one says "St. Nicholas Avenue")








We like it here in Bethlehem and have decided to stay. So we are dropping you at the bus station for your journey home. You'll have company. Nancy, our nurse is running away with Joy's husband,  Frank, who owns the Christmas tree farm! Another plot develops. Thanks for coming with us today.

Is this village amazing? If you agree, please leave a comment, Joyce would be so pleased. May you have a joyous holiday filled with love and laughter!!

Be an Elf to Yourself! Buy a Novella for $.99!

LOOKING FOR THE ORIGAMI TREE? TRY THIS ADDY, CLICK HERE


SORRY!!


Looking for a treat for yourself or an unusual, inexpensive gift? Here are two contemporary romance novellas sure to give you a lift through the holidays and provide a unique, low-cost gift for a friend or a last-minute, quickie gift for someone new to your list. 

Both books are available on Smashwords, so you can buy them in pdf format for friends and family who don't have ereaders.


THE MARRIAGE LIST

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
Chapter One
Envy burned in Grey's chest as he walked through the door at
Blondie‟s, the sports bar on West 79th Street. His three best buddies had it all, great jobs and great wives, while at 30 years old, Grey was still working night and day, saving every penny and sleeping alone…most nights. 
Tonight he faced the challenge of listening to them brag without letting the smile slip off his face.The bar was beginning to get noisy with baseball games on three TVs and rowdy laughter. Grey wondered when it'd be his turn for happiness. He got a table and downed a drink before his friends arrived, brushing a careless hand through his sandy hair.
His hazel eyes swept the room for eligible women. There were a
couple at the bar, talking to each other, looking pretty hot. Later, he'd try to drum up some action. One looked over at him, her gaze moving over his body slowly and her broadening smile indicated she approved of what she saw. Her blonde hair and ample chest made it hard for him to turn his gaze back to the door, where Will was entering, followed by Spence.
Grey raised his hand in greeting to his buddies as they made their
way to his table. This was their quarterly get-together for a couple of beers and dinner. Though they were eight years out of college, when they were together it was like old times hanging at the fraternity. Practically inseparable in college, they called themselves the "Four Horsemen".
When Bobby arrived, they motioned to the waitress for another pitcher of beer. After placing their food orders, the Horsemen settled back in their chairs. Grey opened the conversation.
"So how's married life treating you guys?"
"Thinking about tying the knot, Grey?" Bobby asked.
"That would be news," Will put in, before taking a swig of beer.
"Yeah, yeah, 'Grey Andrews, tired of screwing different women
every night sets the date'" Spence said, making quotation marks in the air with his hands.
"I‟ll drink to that," Will said, raising his mug in a mock toast.
"You‟ll drink to anything!" Bobby piped up.
"So who is she?" Spence asked, narrowing his eyes and gazing at
Grey.
"No one. There's no one," Grey said, his shirt collar feeling
suddenly tight. He reached up and unbuttoned his shirt then took a deep breath.
"Sure, sure. You don't have to tell us, but we‟ll find out
eventually," Will said.
"Come on, guys, I‟m serious," Grey continued.
"So you‟ve stopped working sixty hour weeks and sleeping with
whatever you could pick up at a bar?" Bobby asked.
"Maybe."
"Gonna kick out your roommate and squeeze a wife into that
overloaded place you live?" Will asked.
"I'm looking."
"So the nest egg is fat enough now, got enough cash and you're
ready for the next step? Grey, you plan like a girl," Spence chuckled and the other two laughed with him.
"So marriage isn't so great for you guys, huh? Is that what I‟m
hearing?" Grey said, smirking.
BUY LINKS - HEAT LEVEL - 3 FLAMES
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
SMASHWORDS


CHAMPAGNE FOR CHRISTMAS

 Can a craving for mint chip ice cream and a passion for the theater turn a summer romance into everlasting love? Clint is a high school English teacher and a budding playwright. Nina is a former actress, now a beautiful and wealthy widow...who is more than a little lonely. A chance meeting over mint chip ice cream brings them together. Their love of the theater keeps them meeting while their love blossoms despitea gap in their ages. But ultimately, the theater may present the one hurdle they can't clear. Take the journey with Nina and Clint through their discovery of each other, their joy and the ultimate compromise they must make to live their dream of footlights, fame and love. SHORT EXCERPT CHAPTER ONE The sultry August air felt heavy around Nina Wells, and it quickly melted the ice cream in her sundae. Gazing up at the clear night sky to look for the Big Dipper, Nina dribbled fudge sauce on her white tee shirt. She reached for a napkin, realized she'd forgotten to take one, and doubled back to the ice cream stand before the stain set.
She rushed up to the tiny counter with the napkin holder right as a tall, good looking man holding a double mint chip cone turned. They collided. His ice cream fell onto her chest, causing her to gasp at the shock of cold against her skin. She looked up into his light brown eyes as she reached for the melting ball of ice cream. He grunted and slipped one arm around her to keep her from losing her footing. She stood wobbling, mesmerized by him; he was almost a whole foot taller than she with light brown hair and shoulders a mile wide. Nina shifted the ice cream ball from hand to hand, not knowing what to do with it.
"I don't think you can put that back on the cone. Maybe the garbage?" He suggested with a grin.
Nina jerked back to reality and stepped toward the garbage, tossing what was left of the melted ice cream ball in.
            "I'm so sorry. I'll buy you another one," she said, reaching for napkins to wipe her shirt and hands.
            "It was my fault…completely. You don't have to buy me another. I still have one scoop here and I'll just…" he said, approaching her with napkins in his hand, then stopped his hand in midair, color suffusing his face.
"It's okay. I've got this. Get your other scoop," she said, raising a hand to stop him from wiping her shirt.  The young woman behind the counter offered him a replacement scoop free. Nina sat down at the picnic table set up for people to eat outside. After a good look at her shirt she knew it was finished. The tall attractive man joined her.
"At least let me pay for a new shirt," he offered, sitting down next to her on the bench.
"It's okay. I had a spill on it already. That's why I was coming back and got in your way," she said, finishing the last of her sundae.
"What flavor?" He asked.
"Mint chip…is there any other?" She laughed.
"Not for me."
Nina's gaze was drawn to his mouth, then his tongue, as he licked the cold confection off the cone first, then off his lips. She ran her tongue over her bottom lip unconsciously in tandem with him.
Wonder what it would feel like to kiss him.

BUY LINKS - HEAT LEVEL - 3.5 FLAMES
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
SMASHWORDS

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MY OTHER BOOKS CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY WEBSITE

THANK YOU FRIENDS, READERS, FANS AND FAMILY FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS YEAR!

Stuff Your Stockings! Blog Hop! Dec. 16-18

WELCOME! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL! CONTEST: LEAVE A COMMENT & BE ENTERED TO WIN A COPY OF ANY OF MY BOOKS, YOUR CHOICE, 10 WINNERS, AND FOR EVERY COMMENT LEFT, 1.00 WILL GO TOWARD A CARE PACKAGE FOR SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY. THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY MY WORKSHOP TO VISIT!

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The Elves are fashioning new romance books to delight you next year. But take a look at the ones we have now so you can pick your prize! For those who don't know my books, here are a few lines others have said. 

 NOW AND FOREVER 1, A LOVE STORY "Joachim brings in the romance we all know and love. A romance where love conquers all and can withstand just about anything. I loved Mac and Callie's story about their hardship and their courage to continue. I loved the interaction between Callie and Mac's son. From start to finish you are rooting for these characters and don't want to put the book down. Joachim always writes great stories of love and passion. Stories like these teach us that love is stronger than anything else. Those who love contemporary romance will love this book!" The Pen & Muse

NOW AND FOREVER 2, THE BOOK OF DANNY Now and Forever 2 The book of "Danny wowed me. Jean Joachim is a sophisticated, witty author who has a way of letting her readers feel a vested interest in the romantic outcome. Each character has depth and personalities that suck the reader right in. The male pov impressed me. Jean really got into the male brain and each of Danny's thoughts, actions and emotions were realistic and fascinating. I love a book that takes me out of my life for a while and this one did. I loved all the emotion- I laughed and cried. To me that's a mark of great writing."  Kathleen Ball
   SUNNY DAYS, MOONLIT NIGHTS  "I absolutely suggest these books to every woman who is a romantic at heart and loves a good story to curl up with at night. Also the edge this book has to it is gut gripping I caught myself holding my breath more than once just waiting to see what would happen, how far can one person go to trap a love that is no longer his and how much can one woman take before she is pushed to far to keep running and submits? want to know then grab your copies today and fall in love with the story like I have. 5 out of 5 stars for Sunny Days & Moonlit Nights by Jean Joachim."  Anne Wallace 
  $1.00 per comment with email addy will be donated to Operation Gratitude (http://www.operationgratitude.com/) to pay for shipping care packages to our troops. 
  APRIL'S KISS IN THE MOONLIGHT "I stayed up past my usual bedtime to finish April's Kiss. Romance isn't my usual genre, but this was a very engaging story, and I found myself wanting to find out what was going to happen. So I just kept reading…and was rewarded with a happy ending! I am anxiously awaiting the sequel."  Lydia

THE MARRIAGE LIST "The Marriage List is one of those romance novels that makes you smile with that glowing, all is right with the world, feeling. I have to admit I instantly fell in love with Grey. He is a man on a romantic mission and I applauded him every step of the way. Carrie is a strong yet vulnerable woman that I related with. The romantic tension makes this novel a page turner- congrats on a wonderful novel!!"  K. Ball
CHAMPAGNE FOR CHRISTMAS Review:
"Joachim knows how to wrap a reader into a story line. The connection between Nina and Clint is done flawlessly, from the beginning with the Mint chip ice cream to the way Nina connects with Clint's son, Cory, I applaud this novel at every turn. I have to admit I was expecting a May-December (summer) romance and almost had that...but Joachim's twist of unconditional love prevails.
  The way Joachim honed in on the little idiosyncrasies, adding Norman Fallon (Nina's ex-lover) with a spin of jealousy on Clint's behalf to having Clint disappear from Nina's life for a short time, bestowed a fabulous change of events making me think, "Oh no, this can't be happening."
This holiday novel is highly recommended for believers of romance and true love triumphing over all other issues in life. Praise to Joachim for making an enchanting read as well as giving me hope for genuine love and chance meetings." Dawne
Don't forget your email addy when you leave a comment! It's possible that EVERYONE will win. I'll ask Santa. Check back on Sunday to see what he said. I'll post his decision then!
For more info about my books and buy links, go to my website.
TO HOP TO OTHER AUTHORS, CLICK HERE
$1.00 per comment with email addy will be donated to Operation Gratitude (http://www.operationgratitude.com/) to pay for shipping care packages to our troops.

Thank you for stopping by! May you and your family have a holiday filled with happiness, love and laughter.
                                       Hugs from,
                                       Jean

Happy Birthday, Kathleen! Birthday Blog Hop and Contest!!

 H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y , K A T H L E E N

 Welcome to the birthday blog hop! In honor of Kathleen Grieve's birthday, I'm running a contest! Unscramble one of my heroes' names, leave it in a comment with your email addy and you'll be entered to win your choice of one of my books. Two winners will be drawn. Good luck!



Hero Names


1. Cam  Claldwel
2. Nadny  Aimne
3. Vangi   Laidey
4. Kime Strofe
5. Regy  Drenaws
6. Tincl  Wayhorth

Unscramble first, last or both names. Don't forget to leave your email addy!!

Spotlight on the Now and Forever Series

Now and Forever 1, a Love Story
 Callie Richards was no stranger to heartache. Her parents were killed when she was sixteen. Left with her older sister, she fell into a romance with good-looking, Kyle Maine. They became engaged and Callie's future was set until he was killed in Iraq. Two years later, she pulls herself together to get her Master's degree and restart her life on her own.
Working and studying at Kensington State University, Callie meets Mac Caldwell, the handsome dean. Together they fall in love, then fight a deadly campus drug ring with heart-breaking results. This is an emotional story, not a cookie-cutter romance, that will make you laugh and cry as Callie struggles to make a new life, find love and her happy ending.
Only $3.99 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance eBooks
Now and Forever 2, the Book of Danny
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 reaches fights to free himself from war memories and dangerous men, hoping that a new love and a new Glock will bring him peace.
250+ pages for only $4.99 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance eBooks  Check out my books on my website
 To continue hopping, click on any of the links below!










Drea Beacraft
www.dreabecraft.wordpress.com Doris O'Connor
http://thetardisscribbles.blogspot.com/
 
Lee Ann Sontheimermurphy
http://leeannsontheimermurphywriterauthor.blogspot.com
 
 Lorraine Nelson
http://lorrainenelson.wordpress.com
 
Kathleen Grieve
http://kathleengrieve.blogspot.com
 
Kerrianne Coombs
http://kerriannecoombes.wordpress.com/blog-hop-fun/  
 
CR Moss
http://crmoss.blogspot.com/  
 
Sandra Sookoo http://sandrasookoo.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/birthday-bash-blog-hop-for-kathleen-grieve/



Stacey Espino
http://www.staceyespino.blogspot.com
  
Jennifer Labelle
http://labellebooks.blogspot.com

Sweet Saturday Sample of "Champagne for Christmas"

Here is a sample of my newest release for the holidays.

Nina returned home, arriving before Clint. She ducked into the bedroom to change. While she had her shirt off, she faced the full length mirror on the back of the closet door. She looked at herself with a critical eye, her gaze roving over her form from head to toe. Trying to be objective, she admitted she didn't look too bad. True, everything may have been a touch lower than it was ten years ago, but she still looked good.
Rummaging through her drawer, she found a raspberry tee shirt, rather low cut and slipped it on and faced the mirror again.
Don't be ridiculous! He's gotta be at least eight years younger than you! Grow up! Still, he's so handsome and sexy.
But she brushed her dark, straight hair, refreshed her make-up, emphasizing her large clear blue eyes and inched the neckline of the shirt a little lower, giving her cleavage more exposure. Nothing wrong with flirting. I need practice and he's perfect since he'll never be interested in me!
She descended the stairs quickly, a new lightness in her step and got busy in the kitchen. While she was rummaging through the refrigerator for something more than coffee to serve, she heard the buzz of the doorbell at the back door. It was Clint and all of a sudden her heart was racing and her mouth felt dry. About the Book  Can a craving for mint chip ice cream and a passion for the theater turn a summer romance into everlasting love? Clint is a high school English teacher and a budding playwright. Nina is a former actress, now a beautiful and wealthy widow...who is more than a little lonely. A chance meeting over mint chip ice cream brings them together. Their love of the theater keeps them meeting while their love blossoms despite a gap in their ages. But ultimately, the theater may present the one hurdle they can't clear. Take the journey with Nina and Clint through their discovery of each other, their joy and the ultimate compromise they must make to live their dream of footlights, fame and love. Buy Links - STEP INTO THE GLAMOROUS LIFE OF THE WEALTHY IN NYC FOR ONLY $.99!  AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE

Lynda Kaye Frazier Interviews Her Character, Mercedes Kingsley!

My name is Lynda Kaye Frazier and I write Suspense Romances. I've finished my first book, Rescued from the Dark, and I'm half way through my second. Yet to be published, but hopeful.
A little background on the story.

Rescued from the Dark:
     What if you woke up from a nightmare to find you're trapped in a world of darkness, with no memory of how you got there?  Rescued from the Dark is a passionate, gripping story about an FBI agent, Jason Michaels, who risks everything, even his life, to save Mercedes Kingsley, the FBI intern who stole his heart, then walked away.
      Mercedes finds herself caught up in and International nightmare, trying to remember who she can trust and who she can't. With the kidnappers vowing to get her back, no matter what the cost, for their secrets that are locked in her memory.  In a race against time Jason and Mercy struggle to fight their attraction, and put their differences aside, as they launch a manhunt with the FBI to save their country and each other.

       I am interviewing Mercedes (Mercy) Kingsley. She is an FBI intern waiting on a response from her application to the Academy. She's struggling with her need to be part of the FBI and her attraction to a fellow agent, Jason Michaels, while hiding a secret that will destroy everything she has worked so hard to build.


 Lynda:  "Welcome Ms. Kingsley. I've asked you here to go over a few items in your application for the Academy.  I've reviewed your paperwork and would like you to tell me about the incidents that caused your father's retirement 10 years ago."

Mercy;   Mercy swallowed hard and rubbed her sweaty palms together. "It was a botched kidnapping that ended my father's career."  They just don't need to know what else ended that night.

Lynda; "Could I have details please, I need it for the application. You failed to give information that we will need for the review board."

Mercy:  "My parents are partners in a software firm. There were threats made to the company and I was kidnapped because of them. My Father, and his partner Ron Daily, found out where I was. My Dad did not follow protocol and he came in without back-up. But because he did, I was saved. His career died that night and so did my dream to be an agent. I could not apply for the Academy as long as my dad struggled to get his life back.  But, as you have read, it's been 10 years and I realized that being an agent was the only think I wanted to do. So I pursued the internship and applied to the Academy."  Mercy's heart was racing, stay in control, this will be over soon.

Lynda:  "Are your parents fine with the decision? You know your father will be interviewed, and I know him. His opinion will be taken into account."

Mercy:  "I know how this will affect my parents but they will back my decision.  I didn't want to tell them until I had my acceptance letter."  Mercy swallowed past the lump of fear that swelled in her throat. I don't want to tell them until I'm in the Academy. Ron said they weren't going to talk to my dad. What changed?

Lynda: "I see that you had counseling after the kidnapping and treatment for anxiety. You also suffer from claustrophobia.  Those are issues that need to be resolved before the board review. It will affect your ability to be an agent."

Mercy: Mercy clenched her fists so tight her nails dug into the palms of her hands. How did they find out? Ron said no one would know, and I would have time to figure a way around it. What else can go wrong? "My counseling was complete and I was released. I attached my past medical records in my application. My issue with claustrophobia is in the past. That should also be stated in my medical papers."

Lynda: "It is. I just wanted to hear you say it, and make me believe it.  During the Academy you will be working closely with Ron Daily and his team. Will that be a problem for you? I see you have a close relationship with them, and a personal one with Jason Michaels. Have you read the rules Mercy? We have guidelines, and if this is an issue I want to know now."

Mercy; Mercy's chest tightened and her hands shook under the table. Her throat burned as she struggeled to catch her breath. She had to stop the panic attack before it ruined everything. It will kill her application quicker than that kiss. The memory still warmed her lips but she knew the rules, and the pain she saw in his eyes as she walked away will always haunt her.  "It will not be an issue. Agent Daily and his team have helped me during my internship, and that's all. We have a close working relationship only. Mr. Michaels and I do not have any kind of relationship, nor do we plan on having one. We both are aware of the rules and what is at stake if any are broken."

Lynda: "Ok as long as you are aware that they will also be interview"

Mercy: Mercy took a deep breath as the phone rang.

Lynda: "I need to take this. I believe I have everything I need. I will contact you when the board reviews your application. Make sure you discuss this with your family. We will be contacting them soon"

Mercy quickly left room as her heart pounded in her ears. She had to find her parents and talk to them, but she had to see Jason first, if he'll see her.  Mercy swallowed past the fear in her throat. She has told so many lies to hide the truth, and hid a few secrets she's not ready for anyone to know, and it's all closing in on her fast.
      Follow my steps to publishing 'Rescued from the Dark' on my website and blog.
http://www.lyndakayefrazier.comhttp://www.lyndafrazier.blogspot.com

WORD SCRAMBLE CONTEST!

Unscramble the name of characters in my new release, Champagne for Christmas, a hot contemporary romance novella and leave in a comment with your email addy. I will award 1 copy at the end of the day. You only have to unscramble one name to enter:

Uncramble these names:

1) Anin

2) Tlicn

3) Rocy

4) Rafn

5) Marnon

6) Xam

7) Nela

8) Slelw   (last name)

9) Wrayhoth (last name)

10) Lafnol  (last name)
 
A bit about the book:

Can a craving for mint chip ice cream and a passion for the theater turn a summer romance into everlasting love? Clint is a high school English teacher and a budding playwright. Nina is a former actress, now a beautiful and wealthy widow...who is more than a little lonely. A chance meeting over mint chip ice cream brings them together. Their love of the theater keeps them meeting while their love blossoms despite a gap in their ages. But ultimately, the theater may present the one hurdle they can't clear. Take the journey with Nina and Clint through their discovery of each other, their joy and the ultimate compromise they must make to live their dream of footlights, fame and love. Or buy a copy for only $.99: Amazon Barnes & Noble
Another sexy novella, "The Marriage List"
 also only $.99.
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? 
Only $.99 at: 
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
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