Tawdra Kandle's Blog, page 38
May 19, 2015
The One Teaser
If you visit this site with any regularity, I hope you’ve heard of The One Trilogy. Heck, I hope you’ve read them all! But just in case, today’s Tuesday Teaser gives you a sampler of each book. Bon appetite.
“Thanks.” The light was changing as the sun rose fully, and I laid down my pencil. The sketch had turned out well, though not quite the same as I imagined it would look in paint.
I dropped my head back and let it roll, working out the kinks from thirty minutes of looking up. Without breaking the movement, I reached for Sam’s mug. “That smells heavenly. Can I have a taste?”
His brown eyes darkened as they wandered down my face to my lips and back up again. He held the mug to my mouth and tilted it until I tasted the hot sweet liquid on my tongue.
“Mmmmm.” I closed my eyes in appreciation and ran the tip of my tongue over my top lip.
Next to me, Sam made a noise deep in his throat. When I opened my eyes and turned my head to look at him, he was closer than I’d expected. He stared down at me before his gaze dropped lower to my body. I’d run outside in the same clothes I’d worn to bed, my favorite soft white tank, with no bra underneath, and an old pair of green cotton shorts that barely covered my ass. It wasn’t appropriate outside attire, clearly, but that wasn’t bothering Sam.
Or maybe it was. His throat worked as his eyes made their way back up to my face. I held my breath, and for the space of a few rapid heartbeats, he didn’t move. And then slowly, so slowly, he snaked the hand not holding the coffee cup around my shoulders and caught my chin between his thumb and forefinger. With just the slightest pressure, he coaxed it up, leaned forward an inch and touched his lips to mine.
I wanted to move my arms around his neck, open my mouth and deepen the kiss. But I held back, afraid of spooking him. Instead, I closed my eyes, waiting for the touch of his tongue to my bottom lip, and let him tug my chin to open my mouth.
His lips were firm but languorous, moving as though we had all morning to do nothing but sit here, connected only at our mouths. His tongue teased, first stroking the inside of my lips, then circling around my tongue, seeking and taking. His fingers splayed over my jaw, moving my face up a little to give him even more access.
He didn’t touch me anywhere else, but I felt the kiss in a line of fire down my body. I wanted to grip his shoulders and pull him down on top of me in the grass. I wanted the weight of him on me, to feel him against my breasts and between my legs.
But I didn’t move. At the same time that I wanted more, this kiss was enough, because it was Sam, and because he had initiated it. With his arm still around me, I felt cherished and protected in a way I’d never known I wanted. His chest pressed against my back and along my side, cocooning me.
I knew the minute he began to pull back. He moved away from me, and I felt the brush of his breath over my still-parted lips. When I opened my eyes, he was staring into them under brows that were drawn together. I didn’t look away, and for a few seconds, he didn’t either.
“I need to get to the fields.” Without warning, he dropped his hand from my face and stood up. I’d been leaning on him more than I’d realized, and I had to catch myself from tumbling off the boulder in his absence.
“Okay.” I looked up at him, waiting. I wanted to push him. God, how I wanted to rise up on my knees, even knowing how the rock would bite into my bare skin, wrap my arms around his waist and make him kiss me again. I craved the touch of his hands down my back and on my ass.
“I need to go.” He repeated the words, but still he didn’t move. I stayed silent this time. His hand reached out toward me, and for a dizzy second I thought he might draw me close again, but he only touched his fingertip to one of my red curls. I held my breath.
I laced my fingers into hers and squeezed, pressing our palms together. “Ali, don’t ever think I don’t want to touch you. God, right now, all I want is . . .” I took a deep breath. “I can’t even say it, because if I do, I’ll end up making it happen.”
“Why don’t you?” She smiled and raised our joined hands to her lips.
“I think . . .” This wasn’t going to be easy. Not when part of me—the part that was a distance south of my cerebral cortex— was screaming that I was an idiot. “I want you, Ali. I want to kiss you all the time. I want to touch you all over. I want to peel off all 
your clothes, and let you take off mine, and lay out there on the blanket, skin to skin, nothing between us but the night air.” God, I was a fool. “But I like you a lot. You’re more than just my girlfriend, you’re my best friend.” I reached across and tucked a strand of her silky hair behind her ear. “I want to make love to you.” Saying the words made it so real, the throbbing under my zipper became almost unbearable. “But I want us to be ready. Both of us. I want us to make the decision together, so we have no regrets. When we’re together, really together, I want it to be the best moment of our lives. Something we never forget. Something we think about for the rest of our lives.”
When I dared to look into Ali’s eyes, I was half-afraid I’d see incredulity and maybe even scorn. What I was saying wasn’t exactly popular philosophy among high school students. But instead, I saw the sheen of tears and the unmistakable glow of love.
I recognized that expression. I’d seen it in my mother’s eyes when she looked at my father, and in Iona’s when she talked about Mark. I’d known for a while it was how I looked at Ali. Love was more than just the girlfriend/boyfriend stuff that went on all around us at school. It was a big deal, life-changing and forever. It was Ali and me, together against the world for the rest of our lives.
That was exactly what I wanted. And why I was willing to wait for sex. Getting it right was more important than getting it right away.
Ten minutes later, Rilla was back in the kitchen. I sat at the table with Piper on my lap, and the island counter between us meant I only saw Rilla’s upper half. She’d pulled her hair back in a low ponytail, which made her eyes look even bigger. But what caught my attention was her shirt. It was deep blue and sleeveless, showing her toned arms. The top few buttons were undone; there was nothing revealing about the blouse at all, but it actually fit her, molding to her curves just enough that I wanted to investigate closer.
And then she stepped closer to us, and I couldn’t hide my grin. “Rilla Grant, are you wearing jeans?”
She flushed, but I could tell by the way her eyes shone that she was pleased I’d noticed. “Yes. I thought tonight would be a good time to give them a try.”
Rilla and Meghan had gone shopping together just the weekend past, and while I hadn’t seen any of her new clothes until now, I knew she was excited about what she’d bought.
“Come in here and let me see!” Mom called from her room. “Dang, I always miss out on the good stuff.”
Rilla grinned and turned toward my mother’s room, giving me a tantalizing view of the way the denim hugged her ass. God almighty. Who knew shy little Rilla Grant was rocking a body like this under all that material?
I knew I had to rein myself in. I hadn’t been blowing smoke when I’d told Rocky that Rilla and I were only friends, that she worked for me, that she was far too young for me. I meant it all. But just for now, just for tonight, it was fun to let my mind down paths of possibilities. It felt right to pretend that we were a little family, that I was going to enjoy a night out with my girl and my daughter.
Mom ooohed and ahhhed, and once Rilla was satisfied that she was settled for the evening and would be all right while we were out, the three of us got into my truck. I buckled Piper into the backseat and then stood back to help Rilla climb in, clasping her small hand tight in mine for a little longer than necessary and holding back from giving her a boost. My fingers itched to cup her backside, just to cop a feel over the jeans. I lectured myself sternly as I walked around to the driver’s side. Cool it, buddy.
May 18, 2015
The One Song
Every now and then, after I’ve finished writing a book, a song will come on the radio and just blow me away with how absolutely right it is for one of my books.
In this case, I heard the song The One right around the time that The Only One went live, and I realized how well it captured all of the books: Meghan and Sam, Ali and Flynn, Rilla and Mason.
So I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
May 15, 2015
Summer of Lovin’ Starts Now!
The smooth heat of the sand. The cool saltiness of the ocean. The intense warmth of the blazing sun.
It’s summer at the beach. The enticing scent of sunscreen lingers in the air, bringing to mind silky skin waiting to be caressed.
And of course, we can’t forget the sizzling men and fiery women who live out the romances we all love to read.
In this one box set, fifteen best-selling and award-winning authors offer you stories of love, passion and sigh-inducing happily-ever-afters.
No summer will be complete without this beach read!
Preorder now–release day is June 28th.
***
15 contemporary romance stories by best-selling and award-winning authors. Each book has a beach setting, an irresistible love story and high sizzle factor.
ECSTASY BY THE SEA-Chris Almeida & Cecilia Aubrey – When it’s pointed out that a key point for a new marriage has been overlooked, Trevor Bauer plans the perfect honeymoon getaway down to the daintiest swatch of lace. His detail-obsessed bride won’t know what hit her when he sweeps her away for a weekend filled with pure ecstasy by the sea. . .
BURN ME-Éirinn Brennan-Emma Clark has made a decision that will impact the rest of her life. But a chance encounter with the handsome windsurfer Kevin Nash can change a woman’s mind about a lot of things. In the end, it’ll be up to you to determine her fate.
FINDING JOY-EmKay Connor-When Landon Wells is left standing at the altar with no bride and no explanation, there’s only one logical place to find her: Hideaway Bay. Can this desperate groom convince his runaway bride to reveal her secrets and give them another chance to say I do?
KISSING DRAKE-Jenna Dales – Paige Owens’ bookshop is ready for another summer tourist season on quaint, quiet Butterfly Island. But sometimes her naughty beach books leave Paige feeling a little…lonely. When a late storm blows in a sexy, by-the-numbers, venture capitalist Drake Dorsey, she figures a one-night mini vacation is all she needs, but Drake is counting on so much more…
MADRONA SUNSET-Jami Davenport-Welcome to Madrona Island, where the main entertainment on Friday nights is a high school football game, the pace is slow, and the residents wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Meet a wounded warrior suffering from paralyzing guilt and a woman pining for her dead husband–both damaged souls craving comfort for a moment or a lifetime.
THE GOOD ENOUGH HUSBAND-Sylvie Fox-Hannah Morrison Keesling hops into her SUV and drives away from the man she’d thought was good enough. When her dog gets sick on the way, she turns to local veterinarian Ben Cooper. Stranded with a sick dog on the black sands of California’s Lost Coast things quickly heat up.
TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE-Suzanne Rock – Is the shy, straight-laced Hannah open to a three-way relationship? Two handsome Irish exchange students will have to do everything they can to convince her that two men are better than one.
THE POSSE-Tawdra Kandle-Being a young widow was never in Jude Hawthorne’s plans. After her husband’s death, the last thing she’s looking for is another chance at love. But if her husband’s best friends, the Posse, have anything to say about it, love is just what she’s going to get.
HOW TO SAY GOODBYE-Amber Lin-Dane lives for the salty breeze and a sweet wave, because that’s all he has. He lives on the streets. Then he meets Amy—smart and accomplished, she’s everything he’s not. He wants to be the sort of man who deserves her, except that means facing down his past.
LAST CALL-Alannah Lynne-For the first time in years, Sunny Black puts herself first and takes a trip on the wild side with a customer whose raw sexuality is too strong to deny. The next morning, however, she learns that in addition to rocking her world, the stranger might destroy everything and everyone she’s worked so hard to protect.
MIAMI DREAMS-Layla Wilcox-Recent widow Deena Montgomery answers a model call for a new lingerie line, thinking she is leaving a life built on lies behind her. Photographer Ben “Hottie” Hoddi wants to help her get the job, but doing so might reveal a secret in his past, and Deena has made it very clear that her new life demands transparency.
MIDNIGHT SHADOWS-Lisa Marie Rice-Gifted harpist Allegra Kowalski has had risky surgery to restore her sight. Her husband, former SEAL Douglas Kowalski, has been loving and protective, but he treats her like a fragile piece of glass. On vacation in a luxury resort on a gorgeous Greek isle, Allegra vows to bring their marriage back to what it was before. When danger strikes, Allegra learns just how much her husband loves her and how strong she can be when the shadows that haunted her are banished forever.
SUN KISSED- Nancy Warren-Cameron Crane’s a bad boy billionaire, a guy who quit school to surf and ended up founding a surfing empire in his native Australia. Cam’s got big plans for Crane Enterprises. To break into the California surfing market he hires marketing genius Jennifer Talbot from San Francisco, a cool blonde who’s brilliant at what she does. But, from the second they meet sparks fly — and not only in the boardroom.
SUNNY and 75-Scarlett Metal
The BILLIONAIRE’S ASSASSIN-Margaret Taylor
Five From Terry Spear
Each week, I’ll share with you five quick and quirky questions and answers
from some of my favorite author friends.
I think you’ll see some familiar faces in here, too.
Quickies from Terry Spear
Last February, I was in Daytona Beach at the Coastal Magic con. The first event was an author/blogger speed dating session. I found a place to sit and settled down, just as a pretty but slightly flustered woman joined me at the table. She introduced herself as Terry Spear and dumped out some swag to work on while we chatted and waited for bloggers. I learned that she’d had a stressful trip to Florida from Texas, as well as an anxious week leading up to the trip. What really sealed the deal for me about Terry, though, was that she gave me chocolate. Friends for life!
Q: You have two sweet pups in your life—if they were given the gift of speech, what would their conversation be like?
A: Oh, how much they love each other and me. I think that’s always the desire. That your fur babies feel as needed and loved as much as you need and love them in return.
Q: You’re a Texas gal. If you were forced to relocate one day, what would be your number one choice of a new home state?
A: I’ve lived all over, and loved so many places. I’m actually from California, the redwoods and lakes and ocean I loved best. But Oregon, oh how I dearly love Oregon–the ocean, the trees, the mountains, the beauty. And Florida, the ocean, the palms, the warmer winters. And Wisconsin, the frozen lakes and mountains of snow, the fall colors that set the world on fire. And New Jersey, the ocean, the fall colors, the beauty of so much of the areas where I lived or traveled through. Colorado for the uniqueness and mountains, the old west feel, and wildflowers. Maryland, for the ocean, the Baltimore Inner Harbor, Annapolis, the tall ships and the quaint towns. New Hampshire for the cool summer nights and mountains and trees and lakes and fall. Texas, for all its diversity, but living near the Gulf would be the best. Do you see a pattern? Trees, water sources, fall colors, cool summer nights, mountains–I think I’m a wolf at heart.
Q: You write awesome shifter books. If your fairy godmother appeared and offered you the chance to shift into any creature, what would it be?
A: Thanks so much, Tawdra! I love all animals, and so I’d ask if I could shift into anything I wanted whenever I needed to so that I could write my books even more accurately and get the animals right. They deserve to be loved for who they are. Don’t you think that would be great?
Q: What food is your guilty pleasure when you’re deep in writing?
A: Chocolate!
Q: We’re kicking of the Summer of Lovin’ with lots of sizzling beach romance reads. What’s your favorite part of the summer months?
A: It’s WAY TOO hot here. If I lived at the ocean, I’d be walking the beach, looking out to sea, enjoying the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, swimming, wading, watching the hermit crabs burrowing and the seagulls flying overhead. Since I don’t, I watch the birds and bunnies in my own little sanctuary surrounded by wheat and cornfields, listening to the songbirds, watching for the road runner and the shintail hawk, observing ladybugs and dragonflies and butterflies. Photographing them and the wildflowers too. Listening to the wind blowing through the corn, which makes it sound like the ocean waves, and imagining I’m at the beach.
***
HOTTEST OF THE HOT ON THE NAVY SEAL WOLF TEAM
Paul Cunningham has eluded many traps in his long career as a Navy SEAL, but there’s no way out of this one. On a rare visit home, he gets “volunteered” for a local charity bachelor auction, and the community is counting on him. Then he discovers that the sexy she-wolf with the winning ticket is Lori Greypaw-the one woman he could never resist. And she has plans for Paul that go way beyond a simple date. For the first time in his bachelor life, this alpha wolf SEAL is going to have to prove his worth…
A SEAL Wolf Hunting (Book 16)
(July, 2015)
Bestselling and award-winning author Terry Spear has written over fifty paranormal romance novels and four medieval Highland historical romances. Her first werewolf romance, Heart of the Wolf, was named a 2008 Publishers Weekly’s Best 
Book of the Year, and her subsequent titles have garnered high praise and hit the USA Today bestseller list. A retired officer of the U.S. Army Reserves, Terry lives in Crawford, Texas, where she is working on her next werewolf romance, continuing her new series about shapeshifting jaguars, having fun with her young adult novels, and playing with her two Havanese puppies, Max and Tanner.
Follow Terry here:
May 14, 2015
Using the Pain
I’m veering away from bookly goodness this week to talk a little about my life beyond the page.
This weekend, I’m leaving the Sunshine State to drive north–a little further than normal. Next week I’ll be at the United States Military Academy at West Point as a guest at my father’s 50th class reunion.
When the planners of the reunion contacted me a few years ago, inviting my sister and me to attend in place of our father, I was glad to say I’d be there. After all, 2015 seemed a very long time away. But as the time has crept up on us, and the reunion is more reality than it was, I have to admit to a little emotional panic.
I was close to my dad, and our bonds were built around books, a love for history and nostalgia, a passion for popular music and a shared enjoyment of football and baseball. Army football was the pinnacle for us; I can’t remember a time when I didn’t fully understand and fervently believe the phrase “Go Army, Beat Navy!” My father was a ’65 grad (Strength and Drive!), and for me, West Point, the old gray home in the mountains of New York, was always a touchpoint, no matter where we lived.
My mother and father dated all through his years at the Academy, so she always claimed to be part of the class, too. And she was.
We watched the Army-Navy game every year, mostly together, but sometimes only together in spirit, depending on travels and 
where we lived. I remember the last game we watched together; I’d stopped to drop something off at my parents’ house, and the game was just beginning. We sat in the dwindling light of a December afternoon, glum witnesses to the Army loss.
The following June, my father left this life on the 41st anniversary of his USMA commencement. That was not a coincidental date. It was a different sort of graduation.
The next year, my mother was fighting leukemia and about to go into the hospital for a stem cell transplant. My father’s class invited both my mother and me to be their guests at the game. My mother was thrilled, even though it was a bittersweet day for us both.
The following June, her funeral was held on the first anniversary of my father’s death, 42 years after his West Point graduation.
Next week will be the first time I’ll be at West Point since losing my parents. I’m looking forward to being there, to seeing places that are memorable to my husband (class of ’87 grad) and to meeting my parents’ friends. But I’m also dreading it. In a very real, I’ll be saying goodbye again.
We use our pain as writers. We use the grief, and we channel it into our stories. Even now, as I’m growing anxious about next week, what am I doing? I’m writing about it.
I had more than one person tell me that they thought I’d modeled Michael from The King Series after my dad. I didn’t do it consciously, but perhaps. There have been goodbye scenes that have come from painful days. And the dialogue between Ava and her mother, before her brother’s wedding, was directly from my own experience.
With everyone pitching in, clean up didn’t take long. My mother and I were leaving the restaurant, heading home, before I knew it.
“I thought Daddy was coming with us.” I climbed in as my mother turned the ignition.
“He’s riding home with your brothers. I wanted to have this time with just us.”
My heart flipped over. “Oh.” I struggled for something to say, anything to keep her from talking about Liam and me. “I’m sorry the rehearsal was such a disaster.”
“Not me! Bad rehearsal, good wedding. Trust me, it never fails.”
She backed out of the parking lot and turned onto the road. “I’m happy for your brother. I love Angela like she’s one of my own. She practically is, as long as she and Carl have been a couple. This is a happy day. Tomorrow will be even better. But you know. . .” Her voice trailed off, and a sob caught in her throat. “Every happy day from now until forever will always have some sadness, because our Antonia should be here with us.”
Tears blinded me, and I put my fist to my mouth. My sister had been on my mind all day: she should have been cutting onions with me at the table, making faces at the rehearsal, fussing over her daughter’s dress for tomorrow. But she wasn’t. All the places she should have been were empty.
“I miss her every day.” My mother dashed at the tears running down her face. “Every day, I talk to her while I’m getting up, getting ready. When I go over to open the restaurant. When I drop Frankie at pre-school. But it’s worse on days like this, when everyone’s together.”
“I miss her too, Ma.” I sniffed. “So much.”
“I know you do. That’s why I wanted this time with you. My sisters, my mother, of course your father and the boys, they miss her. But not like us. And I needed to just be with you, and cry a little. Remember.”
I reached across the seat and gripped my mother’s hand. “Wouldn’t she have loved all the family together today?”
“She would have. But I’ll tell you something, she would have hated those pink dresses Angela picked out for all of you. Can you just hear her now?”
And so we drove home, laughing through our tears, remembering, and somehow it brought Antonia closer to us again. I could almost hear her giggle and smell her perfume.
When I climbed out of the car, still wiping away tears, my mother gripped me and pulled me to her for a hug.
“I’m proud of you, Ava. Proud of your hard work and what you’re doing.” She stood back and patted my cheek. “Don’t think I don’t know things are hot and heavy with you and Liam. I don’t like it. . .but I like him. And I understand. I remember what it was like to be young. It makes me lighter to know you have someone who loves you like that.”
“Ma, it’s not like that. Not yet. It’s new.” I glanced up to the light in my bedroom, where Liam was probably getting ready for bed.
“Don’t tell me what I don’t know. He looks at you with love. When you know, you know.” She took my hand. “All right now, let’s go in, and watch your father and the boys pretend they don’t see our wet faces. Because don’t think they weren’t doing the same thing all the way home.”
Next week, while I’m getting through this time of remembering, part of me will be tucking away the sadness and feelings. They’ll show up in one book or another. They always do.
May 13, 2015
I’m Reading The Mistake by Elle Kennedy and The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan
I was trolling the ‘Zon last week when lo and behold, I saw that The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan had been released! I gobbled it up–you might remember that Kristen wrote The Hook Up which I’d found earlier this year. I was so excited to read this book, and it didn’t disappoint. I absolutely loved the relationship between Ivy and Gray and the easy way it developed. Both were well-rounded, believable characters, likable and real. I was thrilled with the bumps along their way and how they were resolved. It was a story worthy of the huge hangover it gave me.
I sighed as I finished, flipping back onto the home screen of my Kindle, and I blinked in surprise and then glee–because there was The Mistake by Elle Kennedy, the follow up book to The Deal. It was like a miracle . . . a reader’s miracle.
While I was enjoying it, though, I was surprised to come across a familiar name from another book. Drew Baylor? But he was a character in The Hook Up. I loved it, though–characters crossing worlds. How cool! So imagine how giddy I was when I reached the end of the book and found out about a very cool Facebook group that lets fans of some of my favorite authors hang out and chat!
The Locker Room celebrates the books and characters of Cora Carmack, Elle Kennedy, Kristen Callihan, Monica Murphy and Sarina Bowen. It’s a dream come true.
So to recap: this week’s books were both excellent follow-ups to the fabulous first books. Both were deep and sassy love stories, deep and realistic characters, men who make us all go ga-ga and women who are more than capable of kicking a little ass.
What could be better? So glad you asked. All Played Out, the Rusk University book I’ve been waiting for over the last months, finally hit my Kindle last night. You know what we’ll be discussing next Wednesday.
Sigh.
Signed,
One Really Happy Reader
May 12, 2015
A Little Posse Tease
Since we’re kicking off the Summer of Beach Lovin’, I thought we’d have a little Posse tease today. If you haven’t read this sizzling beach romance, grab it now, before the next book in the Crystal Cove series comes out in late June!
The Posse
The apartment over the restaurant was tiny. When she and Daniel had moved in after their wedding, it had been romantic and fun, finding used furniture, using mismatched dishes and pots and pans handed down from their families. Close quarters hadn’t been a problem. And even after Meggie was born, she had taken up so little space, and it had been handy to leave her sleeping upstairs while Jude worked in the restaurant, baby monitor hooked to her belt.
Since they’d moved, the apartment was more of a flophouse, Jude thought as she stripped off her shorts and T-shirt in the miniscule bathroom. It was a handy place to crash when the posse hung at the Tide and maybe had had a little too much to drink. The kids used it sporadically during their summers at home.
She’d considered selling the house and moving back here, right after Daniel died. The kids and her brother had talked her out of it, arguing that if she did that, she’d never get a break from work. They probably had a point.
Jude gave into the temptation of a quick shower, knowing her sister-in-law and friends were more than capable of running the show on their own for a few extra minutes. And it felt heavenly to let the water sluice over her, feel the grease and stress of the day slide down the drain.
Dressed again in a fresh shorts and a thin cotton tank top, she sprinted down the steps and ran smack into Logan.
She’d seen him that morning, of course, as she had opened up, but tonight he too was freshly showered, dressed in jeans and a white polo shirt that brought out a deep tan. His light brown hair was damp as it fell across his forehead.
He grabbed her arm to steady her. “Whoa, there. Where’s the fire?”
Jude felt that same disturbing skitter in her heartbeat that had been showing up whenever she saw him lately.
Logan, she reminded herself. This is just Logan, one of my best friends.
“The fire better be in my kitchen, under some burgers.” To prove to herself that she could, Jude tiptoed and kissed Logan’s cheek. “Glad you’re here. Ready to see my plan spring into action?”
Logan released her arm, frowning. Jude wondered if she’d upset him with the kiss.
“Seeing as neither of the necessary parties are here yet, I think I have a little while before show time.”
Now it was Jude’s brow that furrowed. “Matt’s not here yet? Or Sandra? Are you sure? I told them both five.” She scanned the room. “It’s twenty after.”
Logan shrugged. “I heard there was traffic on the bridge. Maybe that hung up your friend.” His eyes lingered on Jude’s damp hair, wandered down her neck, making her acutely aware of the small rise of her breasts visible at the top of the tank.
She shook her head to clear it. “Did you get a drink yet? Sam’s supposed to be making one for me.” She didn’t wait for an answer but turned to head for the bar.
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May 11, 2015
Songs That Tell a Story
Last week, we talked about songs that are part of our stories, that become woven into our family or personal mythology. But what about songs that tell a story in and of themselves?
I’ve always been intrigued with those. I remember hearing American Pie by Don McLean and wanting to know more about Buddy Holly and how it fit into that story. I was a big Helen Reddy fan when I was little, and I loved that her songs often told tales–like Angie Baby, which was actually pretty scary. And how about the oldies that broke our hearts: Tell Laura I Love Her, Teen Angel, or Last Kiss?
I’ve always been a sucker for a song story that makes me sob. Exhibit A: The Last Game of the Season, arguably one of the saddest story-songs ever. If you haven’t heard it, take a listen here. But it’s a tear-jerker–you’ve been warned!
What songs captured your heart with a story? Which ones made you laugh, made you cry, stayed in your mind?
May 8, 2015
Five From Kallypso Masters
Each week, I’ll share with you five quick and quirky questions and answers
from some of my favorite author friends.
I think you’ll see some familiar faces in here, too.
Quickies from Kallypso Masters
I’m a strong believer in paying it forward–and happily, so are most indie authors. I’ve been the fortunate recipient of more grace and favor than I’ve any right. One of the fabulous authors who’s been gracious and kind to me–helping to host a release party, letting me take part in hers–is the wonderful Kallypso Masters. I love her books, because they’re not your standard BDSM or military books; they’re a perfect blend of thoughtful exploration of a lifestyle that might be unfamiliar to many readers as well as sensitive handling of the unique qualities in military men and women. I’m thrilled that Kallypso is here today to share five quickies!
Q: Your character Adam is one of my favorites. He meets a guy who’s about to join the Marines. What advice would Adam give him?
A: Be aware of your surroundings at all time–seeing and listening with more than your eyes and ears. Stay focused. Remember to breathe. Remain calm under duress. Leave no Marine behind.
Q: You’ve just won a week-long vacation in Paris. The only caveat is that you have five minutes to pack and you can only bring five items of clothes. What would get tossed into your backpack?
A: I hope the shoes aren’t included as clothing, but here are my clothing items: comfortable slacks, two t-shirts, bra, panties, and a cocktail dress. (But I SO would never go to Paris or anywhere that light!)
Q: Plain or peanut M&M’s?
A: Peanut!
Q: Summer’s around the corner! What’s your go-to adult beverage for the warm months?
A: Anything with rum and fruit juice(s)! (It’s also my favorite winter adult beverage! I just go up to the bartender wherever I am and ask for his or her rum and fruity specialty.)
Q: At a library one day, you meet a 20 year-old girl who’s never read any books for pleasure. What novel, other than any of your own, would you suggest for her first ‘real’ book?
A: Just one? Wow. I’m going to say “Archer’s Voice,” by Mia Sheridan. A hero unlike any I’ve ever read in a poignant, emotional Romance that will have her falling in love with reading again.
***
USA Today Bestseller NOBODY’S DREAM
One broken heart.
One battered soul.
No one said life would be fair or easy. Quiet, Peruvian-born artist Cassie Lopez learned this the hard way. Betrayed by the man she planned to marry, she shut herself off as far away from all but her closest friend from college…
Until the night Luke Denton came crashing into her Colorado mountain sanctuary with a vengeance. Confused by her heart’s response to this kind and gentle man, Cassie pushes herself to help the cowboy recover quickly so she can send him on his way. But Luke’s patience and understanding threaten to break down the very defenses she needs to survive in this world after he’s gone.
Search-and-Rescue worker Luke, who lost his wife and unborn child in a tragic accident, also knows firsthand of the unfairness of life. He keeps his own nightmares at bay by focusing on his rescue activities, most recently adopting and working with abused and neglected horses.
Can two wounded people find trust and love together? Do nightmares end where dreams come true?
Amazon/Amazon UK/Amazon Australia/iBooks/NOOK/Kobo/Google Play/All Romance eBooks
USA Today bestselling author Kallypso Masters writes emotional, realistic Romance novels with an emphasis on healing using sometimes unconventional methods. Her alpha males are dominant and attracted to strong women who can bring them to their
knees. Kally also has brought many readers to their knees—having them experience the stories along with her characters in the Rescue Me Saga. Kally knows that Happily Ever After takes maintenance, so her couples don’t solve all their problems and disappear at “the end” of “their” novel, but will continue to work on real problems in their relationships in later books in the saga.
Kally has been writing full-time since May 2011. She lives in rural Kentucky and has been married almost 32 years to the man who provided her own Happily Ever After. They have two adult children, one adorable grandson, and a rescued dog and cat.
Kally enjoys meeting readers. Check out the Appearances page on her web site to see if she’ll be near you!
Follow Kally here:
May 7, 2015
Life Beyond the Laptop
Most writers tend to be a tad introverted. Even those of us who like to hang out with other people on a regular basis often find ourselves in the midst of a shrinking world with the computer at its center.
And that’s not odd. When you consider that we write our stories, promote our books and interact with our fans there, it stands to reason that most of our hours are spent with fingers on the keyboard and eyes on the screen.
But every now and again, something happens to pull me away from my desk and out of my office chair, and I’m reminded that life does not revolve around the words.
For the past few weeks, my other life has been taking precedent over my writing life. I’ve had opportunities to socialize, meet new people from around the world and enjoy long conversations about topics that don’t cross my mind every day. Or any day.
It’s been both eye-opening and healthy. And while there’s always that itch at the back of mind to get back to the writing, I know that these brief interludes only make me a better and more well-rounded author.
So my lesson for today: no matter what you do on a regular basis, consider stepping outside that box today and doing something different. Go for a walk. Choose a new spot for lunch. Turn off the TV and listen to music. Opt to visit a friend instead of working that extra hour.
Embrace life wherever it leads you.
