Cherie Noel's Blog, page 49
June 12, 2011
Sweet Sunday Excerpt: A Challenge
So, I'm still working on the vewy, vewy secret short for Goodreads.
Nearly there.
Heh.
I still can't reveal it though.
So, I thought that for this week, I'd take the first challenge that one of y'all post, and write a little scene for you. If you post something up by 8pm EST, I'll do my best to have a scene written for you before midnight.
Tag.
You're it.
Oh, and everyone who enters a challenge will get an answer and a scene by the end of the month.
The most intriguing challenge will get to be a guest character in whatever story springs from their challenge. :)
Nearly there.
Heh.
I still can't reveal it though.
So, I thought that for this week, I'd take the first challenge that one of y'all post, and write a little scene for you. If you post something up by 8pm EST, I'll do my best to have a scene written for you before midnight.
Tag.
You're it.
Oh, and everyone who enters a challenge will get an answer and a scene by the end of the month.
The most intriguing challenge will get to be a guest character in whatever story springs from their challenge. :)
June 3, 2011
June 1, 2011
Work in Progress Wednesday-An Unedited Excerpt from: When in Rome
I don't think I posted this one before...I can't actually post what I worked on for the last week, because...I can't dammit. Not til after it comes out on Goodreads.
So here's some more Carol and Alessandro:
Once the bags were stowed in the trunk and Marcello had very sheepishly ensconced them in the rear of the limousine Carol considered what she wanted to do with her new found knowledge.The gorgeous Mr. Alessandro Feliano wants me…me, ordinary little Carol Caruso! Holy shit Batman, this caper is getting very tricky!Alessandro shot her a look up from under his lashes as he lounged elegantly back against the leather seats of the limo. His nostrils flared again, and he swallowed hard before he spoke."Well piccolina, you are assured now, si? I think you need still to set your brother's mind at ease though, do you not? Will you call him from your phone or would you prefer to use the car phone?"Alessandro shifted in his seat as he spoke, stretching his legs until they nearly touched the opposite seat and twisting his torso to face Carol. The motion brought him close enough that once again she could smell that scent which was so uniquely him.Like the bite of wind through a winter forest…She was wrapped in the cool green scent, completely enmeshed in snow and pine and freedom. It took a moment to register that Alessandro was still speaking to her. It was even longer before she remembered that she should answer. By the time all this filtered through Carol's deliciously overloaded senses and processed through her brain Alessandro was watching her with a bemused smile sitting crookedly on his face. "I'll just call him from my phone…he, sometimes B doesn't answer strange numbers."As she dialed Brendan's number and explained that her alarm had been patently a false one she felt Alessandro's eyes moving across her face, and down along her throat to her shoulders. They lingered on her breasts like caressing hands before sliding sinuously along her belly. By the time she finished talking with Brendan it felt as if Alessandro had carefully and slowly stripped each piece of clothing she wore from her flushed and trembling body. She raised her eyes to Alessandro's to find him watching her with an expression of such intense hunger she flinched back against the side of the car furthest from him. His pupils narrowed, and he leaned toward her with deliberation. His voice came with the same measured pace, all bass delight rolled in the hard candy coating of his lovely accent."Forgive me, cara. I cannot…perdonatemi, ah, forgive…you understand, si? I find I cannot help myself."As he spoke his big hands were reaching out and laying hold of Carol, pulling her across the seat and into his lap. The rasp of the leather against her soft cotton lounging pants sensitized the skin of the backs of her thighs and ass. He gripped on hip, his thumb resting along the crest of her hipbone while his broad palm curled warmly over the firm rounded flesh at the side of her hip. His long fingers lay on the upper curve of her ass pressing inward as he sought to pull her closer. Alessandro's other arm was braced diagonally along the length of her back with his remaining hand fisted in her hair. He was careful to tug gently as he positioned her head with that handful of hair. Carol meant to give him a piece of her mind. She did. What came out instead when she opened her mouth was a hungry moan. She meant to brace her hands on his shoulders and briskly push herself off his lap while she told him exactly how unprofessional he was being. She did. In contrast, her arms somehow ended up curled over the tops of his broad shoulders, twining around his neck as she carded her fingers through the rough silk of his midnight black hair.He nibbled at her lips like they were the first rare and succulent fruits available after a decade of winter. Carol moaned, pressing herself more fully against his firm, thickly muscled body. Alessandro released her hip, sliding that hand up along her side until his hand reached her face. With his long fingers cradling her cheek he pressed lightly down on her chin with the pad of his thumb easing Carol's mouth open in slow increments. Alessandro made a low pleased sound at the back of his throat as he pushed past her lips, exploring the shape of her teeth and testing the warmth inside her mouth.Carol lost all sense of time as she suckled his tongue. Learning the taste of him was wintergreen and something indefinable, Carol tightened her arms around his neck. She bit at his lips, wiggling around until she was straddling his lap, gripping his hips with her thighs. Wintergreen was her new favorite flavor.I have to have more…*Whir, shush, whir*The sound of the privacy partition being lowered between the driver and the back of the limo didn't register until Alessandro lifted her carefully away and set her back in her own seat. Marcello's voice came quietly through the half open window space."Mi scusi Signore Feliano…we have arrived."Alessandro nodded, turning his eyes back to Carol as the privacy partition slid shut. His crooked smile appeared again. His eyes were briefly screened from her perusal as the thick black lashes above them meshed with those below. Then his dark gaze was on her again."Come, piccolina, we must hurry to catch our flight."
*****
So here's some more Carol and Alessandro:
Once the bags were stowed in the trunk and Marcello had very sheepishly ensconced them in the rear of the limousine Carol considered what she wanted to do with her new found knowledge.The gorgeous Mr. Alessandro Feliano wants me…me, ordinary little Carol Caruso! Holy shit Batman, this caper is getting very tricky!Alessandro shot her a look up from under his lashes as he lounged elegantly back against the leather seats of the limo. His nostrils flared again, and he swallowed hard before he spoke."Well piccolina, you are assured now, si? I think you need still to set your brother's mind at ease though, do you not? Will you call him from your phone or would you prefer to use the car phone?"Alessandro shifted in his seat as he spoke, stretching his legs until they nearly touched the opposite seat and twisting his torso to face Carol. The motion brought him close enough that once again she could smell that scent which was so uniquely him.Like the bite of wind through a winter forest…She was wrapped in the cool green scent, completely enmeshed in snow and pine and freedom. It took a moment to register that Alessandro was still speaking to her. It was even longer before she remembered that she should answer. By the time all this filtered through Carol's deliciously overloaded senses and processed through her brain Alessandro was watching her with a bemused smile sitting crookedly on his face. "I'll just call him from my phone…he, sometimes B doesn't answer strange numbers."As she dialed Brendan's number and explained that her alarm had been patently a false one she felt Alessandro's eyes moving across her face, and down along her throat to her shoulders. They lingered on her breasts like caressing hands before sliding sinuously along her belly. By the time she finished talking with Brendan it felt as if Alessandro had carefully and slowly stripped each piece of clothing she wore from her flushed and trembling body. She raised her eyes to Alessandro's to find him watching her with an expression of such intense hunger she flinched back against the side of the car furthest from him. His pupils narrowed, and he leaned toward her with deliberation. His voice came with the same measured pace, all bass delight rolled in the hard candy coating of his lovely accent."Forgive me, cara. I cannot…perdonatemi, ah, forgive…you understand, si? I find I cannot help myself."As he spoke his big hands were reaching out and laying hold of Carol, pulling her across the seat and into his lap. The rasp of the leather against her soft cotton lounging pants sensitized the skin of the backs of her thighs and ass. He gripped on hip, his thumb resting along the crest of her hipbone while his broad palm curled warmly over the firm rounded flesh at the side of her hip. His long fingers lay on the upper curve of her ass pressing inward as he sought to pull her closer. Alessandro's other arm was braced diagonally along the length of her back with his remaining hand fisted in her hair. He was careful to tug gently as he positioned her head with that handful of hair. Carol meant to give him a piece of her mind. She did. What came out instead when she opened her mouth was a hungry moan. She meant to brace her hands on his shoulders and briskly push herself off his lap while she told him exactly how unprofessional he was being. She did. In contrast, her arms somehow ended up curled over the tops of his broad shoulders, twining around his neck as she carded her fingers through the rough silk of his midnight black hair.He nibbled at her lips like they were the first rare and succulent fruits available after a decade of winter. Carol moaned, pressing herself more fully against his firm, thickly muscled body. Alessandro released her hip, sliding that hand up along her side until his hand reached her face. With his long fingers cradling her cheek he pressed lightly down on her chin with the pad of his thumb easing Carol's mouth open in slow increments. Alessandro made a low pleased sound at the back of his throat as he pushed past her lips, exploring the shape of her teeth and testing the warmth inside her mouth.Carol lost all sense of time as she suckled his tongue. Learning the taste of him was wintergreen and something indefinable, Carol tightened her arms around his neck. She bit at his lips, wiggling around until she was straddling his lap, gripping his hips with her thighs. Wintergreen was her new favorite flavor.I have to have more…*Whir, shush, whir*The sound of the privacy partition being lowered between the driver and the back of the limo didn't register until Alessandro lifted her carefully away and set her back in her own seat. Marcello's voice came quietly through the half open window space."Mi scusi Signore Feliano…we have arrived."Alessandro nodded, turning his eyes back to Carol as the privacy partition slid shut. His crooked smile appeared again. His eyes were briefly screened from her perusal as the thick black lashes above them meshed with those below. Then his dark gaze was on her again."Come, piccolina, we must hurry to catch our flight."
*****
May 31, 2011
Tuesday Triumph
Finished a pre-edit job for a friend today. 67,283 words in the finished edit. Started with just over 76k. The story is brilliant, and I am looking forward to the day when my friend Jamie gets her first contract. It's coming soon.
There's tons more I'd like to post, but I'm way behind on my own writing, and have to get hopping if I want to get everything done on time.
Er, back to work, me!
There's tons more I'd like to post, but I'm way behind on my own writing, and have to get hopping if I want to get everything done on time.
Er, back to work, me!
May 29, 2011
Sweet Sunday Excerpt: A Word about Today's Post
Due to an emergency editing task, today's Sweet Sunday Excerpt has been postponed. We'll get a double post on Monday, the excerpt, as well as a Manic Monday update. :)
May 27, 2011
Fabulous Friday Five: Five Reasons Why Friday Is Fabulous
1)Somebody gave me two cannisters of good coffee today. For free. O_o
2) I so got to sleep in
3) John Mayer is singing on my computer...*sigh*
4) My second round of edits are done and sent back to my brilliant story editor
5) Did you see the amazing cover Lex Valentine did for The Soldier & the State Trooper once I stopped mouth-breathing over her shoulder? Oh, and when I said the first mock-up was hideous, that had nothing to do with her mad skills or artistic ability...that was all me trying to mirco-manage in an area I knew NOTHING about. And she's one of my favorite authors. You can find her stuff here. Don't miss her Darkworld series. Seriously, folks are gonna be reading her books a hundred years from now and talking about how she was ahead of her time. I love Lex's work.
2) I so got to sleep in
3) John Mayer is singing on my computer...*sigh*
4) My second round of edits are done and sent back to my brilliant story editor
5) Did you see the amazing cover Lex Valentine did for The Soldier & the State Trooper once I stopped mouth-breathing over her shoulder? Oh, and when I said the first mock-up was hideous, that had nothing to do with her mad skills or artistic ability...that was all me trying to mirco-manage in an area I knew NOTHING about. And she's one of my favorite authors. You can find her stuff here. Don't miss her Darkworld series. Seriously, folks are gonna be reading her books a hundred years from now and talking about how she was ahead of her time. I love Lex's work.
May 26, 2011
Thursday Think Tank: Why Lex Valentine is Amazing
Today I want you to think about using resources wisely. I'm a writer. I know from creative doodling. The rest can be learned, or delegated to subject matter experts. What I know about the publishing process, however, might fill a thimble. If it happened to be a very small thimble.
So, my first attempt at writing a cover art request was a flop. Don't bust out the hankies for a sob fest yet though. This is the part where --*thank you mum for teaching me it's okay to be wrong or ignorant as long as I'm working to change that*-- I get to show my intelligence by admitting I was out there flapping in the wind...
The very talented Lex Valentine of Winterheart Design tried to follow my very exacting *read as ridiculous* cover art request, and the result was hideous.
But glory and hallelujah, I'm not too proud to say I've mucked things up, and Lex is...well, amazing at what she does. I shot off a bunch of rapid *read as half crocked* ideas about how to fix it at her in a flurry of emails.
Lex outlasted my bit of panic. She didn't get petulant when I told her I didn't like the cover, opting instead for the wholly professional route of explaining some of the perimeters of the medium she works with so I could have a better grasp of what was possible. Then she gave me some suggestions.
I listened, cause Lex knows way more than I do about cover art, and how to put it together. Then she selected about a hundred photos for me to look at as possibilities. Let me tell you, it was a blast to be able to tell a friend who called last night that I was working when I was cruising through pics of yummy pretties.
Looking at pictures of beautiful boys as part of my job is so not a hardship, lol. Just nice work if you can get it.
I picked one of the ones she'd given me to chose from as my favorite, and told her I loved it. In fact, I think I told her I thought it was smoking hot, and reminiscent of Christie & Robert's "Sex at Symphony" scene. She agreed it was hot, and then within a matter of hours had cooked up the beauty of a cover now on display.
Lex is truly a joy to work with, patient and accommodating without being afraid to tell an author what she really thinks. She was the one who told me what I was originally asking for was just too busy visually to be hot. Smart, smart lady.
Not unlike my story editor, another resource I am learning to use wisely. But that's a different story. Today is dedicated to the wonder of my lovely cover, and the brilliance of Lex Valentine the cover artist who created it.
And a little bit about how she gracefully taught me something new about publishing.
Thanks Lex. You really do rock.
May 25, 2011
Wednesday Whip
Work on new stuff is at a standstill until my second round of edits are finished. Got them tonight, and am awaiting a clarification from my editor about Chapter Seventeen.
So, Eight more chapters to go.
*very tired grin*
I've been at it since 9am. Work in general, not the edits. Just got those at 7:30pm (that's 1930 for all you military cats out there) ...I really wanted to finish my first run through of them tonight. Meh.
Eh, I'll get them polished up tomorrow so I can get back to writing new stuff.
Night all, I'm off like a dirty shirt. :)
So, Eight more chapters to go.
*very tired grin*
I've been at it since 9am. Work in general, not the edits. Just got those at 7:30pm (that's 1930 for all you military cats out there) ...I really wanted to finish my first run through of them tonight. Meh.
Eh, I'll get them polished up tomorrow so I can get back to writing new stuff.
Night all, I'm off like a dirty shirt. :)
Work in Progress Wednesday-An Unedited Excerpt from: When in Rome
Carol paused beside the car, pulling her cell phone from her pants pocket."Excuse me for just a moment…I, ah, need to make sure my big brother knows I got off to the airport okay."Alessandro nodded calmly and stepped back, presumably to give her privacy. Carol hastily called Brendan. After four rings, Brendan's deep, sleep riddled voice washed over the line."Carol, this better be good little girl!""Um, yeah B, I—ah I just thought I should let you know I got picked up by Mr. Alessandro Feliano from the law office's branch office in Dallas."Brendan's voice came back hesitantly."Ah…Carol? This is news because?"Carol could see him in her mind's eye, rolling his hand in that annoying 'get to the point' motion he had perfected. She lowered her voice and took another step away from Alessandro."Um, B, I know I was supposed to meet with him this morning…but something strange is going on. He and the driver were just talking in Italian, and they both seem to agree that I belong to Mr. Feliano!"Silence greeted her declaration. Then Alessandro and Brendan began speaking at the same time."What?!?""Ah, piccolina, forgive our rudeness. Marcello overstepped by commenting about you, and I only sought to reprimand him for this. We have made you uncomfortable, si? Would it help you to see our employee identification cards from Signore Jacobsen's firm?"Carol gulped and whipped her head around. She could hear Brendan demanding she answer him, but all her attention was riveted on the stunning man leaning insouciantly against the side of the limousine. Alessandro had one arm outstretched, holding what was clearly his id card balanced on his big palm. She put her cell back up to her ear and spoke without ever removing her eyes from Alessandro's face."It was a misunderstanding B…I'll call you when I get to Italy, okay? Bye."Brendan was still sputtering when she flipped her phone shut. Carol eyed Alessandro, noting the way he appeared so relaxed…and yet not. He reminded her of a big cat lazily sunning itself on a branch while it waited patiently for its prey to come within striking distance. He let the card slide down his hand until it rested on his fingertips. Pinning it in place with his thumb he gestured coaxingly with the small square of plastic. Carol's breath grew shallow."Come, piccolina. Look at the card. If you would like, I will give you Signore Jacobsen's direct line. He won't be in the office yet, but you can reach him in his car. It pleases me that you are cautious, piccolina. Anyone could say they were from the firm. You are wise."Blood pounding in her ears, Carol stepped forward to pluck the id card from Alessandro's hand. He captured her wrist, holding it with lazy strength. Before she could do more that drop her mouth open in preparation to scream, Alessandro had pulled a small silver case from inside his suit jacket. He extracted a business card from it and put in Carol's hand with his id."There you go piccolina. Signore Jacobsen's private line is on the bottom right of that card."He released her, and Carol stepped back on trembling legs. She dialed the number on the card, taking her eyes from Alessandro only to check that she entered the correct digits. The chauffer came down the stairs with her bags and started to walk toward where she stood. Alessandro barked out an order."Stop—Arrestare! Marcello, you have frightened la signorina with your talk. Stay where you are until la bella piccolina is assured we are not trying to kidnap her!"The chauffer froze in his tracks, and a wash of red colored his bronze skin. He cautiously set Carol's bags on the ground. Once his hands were free, he fumbled a pack of cigarettes out of a pocket, absently patting himself and looking to Carol as he spoke."Mi scusi signorina, va bene se fumo?" Carol shook her head. Alessandro snorted. Turning her head to look over at him, Carol found him with his head buried in his enormous hands."Bene, molto bene! Stupido! Speak English to her!! Uomo idiota! You talk about her like cattle, and then ask permission to smoke?"Alessandro dropped his head back into his hands with a loud huffing sound. Carol couldn't repress a tense giggle at his theatrics. Alessandro looked up, a crooked smile stealing across his face. Carol felt the tension melting away from her shoulders under the influence of that crooked grin. The hand holding the phone to her ear started to descend."Ah-ah-ah, piccolina! You still need to check with Signore Jacobsen, and call your brother back! You mustn't become careless with your safety just as you are leaving for a strange country!!"His crooked smiled tipped just a bit farther to one side, and he arched a well delineated brow at her. Carol's heart pumped harder, her breath stuttered, and a zing of electricity seemed to jump right from his wild forest eyes to race across every inch of her skin. She pressed her thighs together to suppress the sudden aching emptiness she felt between them. A slow blooming warmth slid sinuously along her veins and her panties grew damp. The phone stopped ringing. Mr. Jacobsen's familiar voice came over the line."Hello? Miles Jacobsen here."Carol startled at the sound of his voice, nearly dropping her phone. She gripped it tightly, raising it completely to her ear. "Mr. Jacobsen? This is Carol Caruso—"The senior lawyer cut across her apologetically."Miss Caruso I'm coming up on my destination and I'm afraid I won't be able to talk once I get there until after my meeting is over. The client is very particular about security. Is there something I can do for you before Alessandro and you catch your flight to Italy?""I—oh! You sent him to take me all the way to Italy?"Mr. Jacobsen's voice came back sounding completely perplexed."Of course Miss Caruso. Your case is quite complex and we would be doing you an injustice if we sent you over to Italy without adequate representation. Did I not make it clear that Mr. Feliano would be accompanying you?"Carol shook her head, and then realized there was no way the lawyer could know what she was doing."I…no Mr. Jacobsen, I'm afraid I didn't understand."Jacobsen spoke rapidly."I'm afraid I've arrived Miss Caruso. Is there anything else I can help you with? You really are in very good hands with Alessandro. He's one of my best young lawyers, and the only one I have who is licensed to practice in both Italy and the United States."Carol's eyes shot to Alessandro. He was looking down, appearing fascinated by the state of his cuticles. Reminded of how acute his hearing had proved during her conversation with Brendan, she narrowed her eyes at him speculatively. "No, no Mr. Jacobsen, that's all I needed to clarify. I will…put myself firmly in Mr. Feliano's capable hands on your recommendation."Watching as closely as she was Carol couldn't miss the flaring of Alessandro's nostrils, nor the way he shifted slightly as though seeking to ease a sudden constriction in his pants. Carol smiled, a sensation of power sweeping through her. She bit down on her bottom lip. It looked like the trip to Italy just got a lot more interesting.
*****
*****
