V.L. Locey's Blog, page 85
September 14, 2014
A New Mug
Sometimes you just have to splurge. I saw this mug at Wal-Mart when I was buying groceries. It called to me so I grabbed it. I am enjoying sipping coffee out of it. Over the past week, having this pretty little mug to cradle has been a real blessing at times.
I try not to dwell on bad topics because who wants to read about depressing things on a blog? We all have enough hardship in our lives, which is why I generally don`t post about difficulties in my life. Let`s just say that my dad had a very bad spell last week. It resulted in him entering renal failure and being rushed to a hospital about 45 minutes away. Thankfully he is doing much better now, the urinary blockage has been attended to, and he's on the road to recovery. He'll be spending a few weeks in a local rehab center. The tricky part is going to come when his stint at the rehab center (we don't use the term "nursing home" within earshot of Pop) is over.
I think we, and that includes all the kids, may have to make a tough decision. But, I`m not one for putting the cart before the horse. We'll see what the social workers have to say. For now, I'm taking his time away from home to get in and clean, something he adamantly refuses to let anyone do but needs done terribly. I suspect a few fits will be pitched if/when he returns to his apartment. So be it. At least it will be clean. My new kitty mug was in heavy use during those tense four or five days after Pop`s tumble.
We also had to contend with a sickly calf during this time. Frankie, our new Jersey calf, bloated over the weekend. Nothing unusual with a baby being switched from milk to calf replacer, but a worrisome condition that can kill a young ruminant. Mister got some mineral oil into him pronto and that seemed to fix him up. We have also cut back on his feedings. Thankfully he made a fast recovery. Again, I was sipping steadily from the new kitty mug as we balanced tending to my dad while keeping a close eye on a potentially life-threatening situation with our calf.
I guess it may seem funny to some people that a person can get comfort from a mug with cats on it. And maybe it is kind of goofy to cradle that warm cup in your hands trying to pull succor from it. All I know is that my new mug sure has been a welcome presence in my hands the past ten days.
Do you have something that you turn to for comfort when life gets a bit too much for you?
I try not to dwell on bad topics because who wants to read about depressing things on a blog? We all have enough hardship in our lives, which is why I generally don`t post about difficulties in my life. Let`s just say that my dad had a very bad spell last week. It resulted in him entering renal failure and being rushed to a hospital about 45 minutes away. Thankfully he is doing much better now, the urinary blockage has been attended to, and he's on the road to recovery. He'll be spending a few weeks in a local rehab center. The tricky part is going to come when his stint at the rehab center (we don't use the term "nursing home" within earshot of Pop) is over.
I think we, and that includes all the kids, may have to make a tough decision. But, I`m not one for putting the cart before the horse. We'll see what the social workers have to say. For now, I'm taking his time away from home to get in and clean, something he adamantly refuses to let anyone do but needs done terribly. I suspect a few fits will be pitched if/when he returns to his apartment. So be it. At least it will be clean. My new kitty mug was in heavy use during those tense four or five days after Pop`s tumble.
We also had to contend with a sickly calf during this time. Frankie, our new Jersey calf, bloated over the weekend. Nothing unusual with a baby being switched from milk to calf replacer, but a worrisome condition that can kill a young ruminant. Mister got some mineral oil into him pronto and that seemed to fix him up. We have also cut back on his feedings. Thankfully he made a fast recovery. Again, I was sipping steadily from the new kitty mug as we balanced tending to my dad while keeping a close eye on a potentially life-threatening situation with our calf.
I guess it may seem funny to some people that a person can get comfort from a mug with cats on it. And maybe it is kind of goofy to cradle that warm cup in your hands trying to pull succor from it. All I know is that my new mug sure has been a welcome presence in my hands the past ten days.
Do you have something that you turn to for comfort when life gets a bit too much for you?
September 12, 2014
Please Welcome Erin McRae & Racheline Maltese!
I hope you enjoy meeting these two wonderful authors. Their book looks fantabulous!
*~*~*
When Erin & I encounter skepticism from people about the romance genre, once of the main things we hear is that the relationships are unrealistic.
While we're big defenders -- and writers -- of romantic fantasies, we're also really interested in realism in our books. Starling, for example, is more about how fame is a hassle than it is about how fame is really cool and glamorous.
One of the other things that became important to us in writing Starling -- and will be important throughout the Love in Los Angeles series -- is that we wanted to showcase a lot of secondary relationships of different orientations and styles, to hopefully provide a point of connection for a range of readers.
The central point of many of those secondary relationships is Liam, the polyamorous co-star of the novel's protagonist, Alex. But Liam's commitments, which we can't detail here without spoiling you significantly for Starling, are far from the only relationships that help drive the plot. Close friendships, in some cases with ex-lovers, as well as mentorships, help to further entangle the book's characters with each other.
These relationship webs, and the struggle to find labels for them, are a critical piece of the background environment of Starling. We often find ourselves in them, and we hope that our readers can find themselves there as well.
When J. Alex Cook, a production assistant on The Fourth Estate (one of network TV’s hottest shows), is accidentally catapulted to stardom, he finds himself struggling to navigate both fame and a relationship with Paul, one of Fourth’s key writers. Despite their incendiary chemistry, Alex’s inexperience and the baggage they’re both carrying quickly lead to an ugly break-up.
Reeling from their broken hearts, Alex has an affair with a polyamorous co-star and Paul has an ill-advised reunion with an old flame. Meanwhile, the meddling of their colleagues, friends -- and even the paparazzi! -- quickly make Alex and Paul’s real life romance troubles the soap opera of the television season.
But while the entertainment value may be high, no one knows better than Alex and Paul that there are no guarantees when it comes to love in Los Angeles.
Author bios:
Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese’s gay romance series Love in Los Angeles, set in the film and television industry, is published by Torquere Press. The first novel, Starling, was released September 2014; its sequel, Doves, is scheduled for January 2015. Racheline is a NYC-based performer and storyteller focused on themes of sex, gender, desire and mourning. Erin McRae is a writer and blogger based in Washington, D.C. You can find them on the web at http://www.Avian30.com.
Our various social media links:
Erin’s Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8323893.Erin_McRaeRacheline’s Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1015335.Racheline_MalteseErin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/erincmcraeRacheline’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/racheline_mJoint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Erin.and.RachelineJoint Blog: http://Avian30.com
Buy links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Starling-Racheline-Maltese-ebook/dp/B00NH0MFOO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1410387761&sr=1-1
AllRomance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-starling-1618877-149.html
Torquere bookstore: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=4269
Please Welcome Erin & Racheline!
I hope you enjoy meeting these two wonderful authors!
*~*~*
When Erin & I encounter skepticism from people about the romance genre, once of the main things we hear is that the relationships are unrealistic.
While we're big defenders -- and writers -- of romantic fantasies, we're also really interested in realism in our books. Starling, for example, is more about how fame is a hassle than it is about how fame is really cool and glamorous.
One of the other things that became important to us in writing Starling -- and will be important throughout the Love in Los Angeles series -- is that we wanted to showcase a lot of secondary relationships of different orientations and styles, to hopefully provide a point of connection for a range of readers.
The central point of many of those secondary relationships is Liam, the polyamorous co-star of the novel's protagonist, Alex. But Liam's commitments, which we can't detail here without spoiling you significantly for Starling, are far from the only relationships that help drive the plot. Close friendships, in some cases with ex-lovers, as well as mentorships, help to further entangle the book's characters with each other.
These relationship webs, and the struggle to find labels for them, are a critical piece of the background environment of Starling. We often find ourselves in them, and we hope that our readers can find themselves there as well.
When J. Alex Cook, a production assistant on The Fourth Estate (one of network TV’s hottest shows), is accidentally catapulted to stardom, he finds himself struggling to navigate both fame and a relationship with Paul, one of Fourth’s key writers. Despite their incendiary chemistry, Alex’s inexperience and the baggage they’re both carrying quickly lead to an ugly break-up.
Reeling from their broken hearts, Alex has an affair with a polyamorous co-star and Paul has an ill-advised reunion with an old flame. Meanwhile, the meddling of their colleagues, friends -- and even the paparazzi! -- quickly make Alex and Paul’s real life romance troubles the soap opera of the television season.
But while the entertainment value may be high, no one knows better than Alex and Paul that there are no guarantees when it comes to love in Los Angeles.
Author bios:
Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese’s gay romance series Love in Los Angeles, set in the film and television industry, is published by Torquere Press. The first novel, Starling, was released September 2014; its sequel, Doves, is scheduled for January 2015. Racheline is a NYC-based performer and storyteller focused on themes of sex, gender, desire and mourning. Erin McRae is a writer and blogger based in Washington, D.C. You can find them on the web at http://www.Avian30.com.
Our various social media links:
Erin’s Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8323893.Erin_McRaeRacheline’s Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1015335.Racheline_MalteseErin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/erincmcraeRacheline’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/racheline_mJoint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Erin.and.RachelineJoint Blog: http://Avian30.com
Buy links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Starling-Racheline-Maltese-ebook/dp/B00NH0MFOO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1410387761&sr=1-1
AllRomance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-starling-1618877-149.html
Torquere bookstore: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=4269
*~*~*
When Erin & I encounter skepticism from people about the romance genre, once of the main things we hear is that the relationships are unrealistic.
While we're big defenders -- and writers -- of romantic fantasies, we're also really interested in realism in our books. Starling, for example, is more about how fame is a hassle than it is about how fame is really cool and glamorous.
One of the other things that became important to us in writing Starling -- and will be important throughout the Love in Los Angeles series -- is that we wanted to showcase a lot of secondary relationships of different orientations and styles, to hopefully provide a point of connection for a range of readers.
The central point of many of those secondary relationships is Liam, the polyamorous co-star of the novel's protagonist, Alex. But Liam's commitments, which we can't detail here without spoiling you significantly for Starling, are far from the only relationships that help drive the plot. Close friendships, in some cases with ex-lovers, as well as mentorships, help to further entangle the book's characters with each other.
These relationship webs, and the struggle to find labels for them, are a critical piece of the background environment of Starling. We often find ourselves in them, and we hope that our readers can find themselves there as well.
When J. Alex Cook, a production assistant on The Fourth Estate (one of network TV’s hottest shows), is accidentally catapulted to stardom, he finds himself struggling to navigate both fame and a relationship with Paul, one of Fourth’s key writers. Despite their incendiary chemistry, Alex’s inexperience and the baggage they’re both carrying quickly lead to an ugly break-up.
Reeling from their broken hearts, Alex has an affair with a polyamorous co-star and Paul has an ill-advised reunion with an old flame. Meanwhile, the meddling of their colleagues, friends -- and even the paparazzi! -- quickly make Alex and Paul’s real life romance troubles the soap opera of the television season.
But while the entertainment value may be high, no one knows better than Alex and Paul that there are no guarantees when it comes to love in Los Angeles.
Author bios:
Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese’s gay romance series Love in Los Angeles, set in the film and television industry, is published by Torquere Press. The first novel, Starling, was released September 2014; its sequel, Doves, is scheduled for January 2015. Racheline is a NYC-based performer and storyteller focused on themes of sex, gender, desire and mourning. Erin McRae is a writer and blogger based in Washington, D.C. You can find them on the web at http://www.Avian30.com.
Our various social media links:
Erin’s Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8323893.Erin_McRaeRacheline’s Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1015335.Racheline_MalteseErin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/erincmcraeRacheline’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/racheline_mJoint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Erin.and.RachelineJoint Blog: http://Avian30.com
Buy links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Starling-Racheline-Maltese-ebook/dp/B00NH0MFOO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1410387761&sr=1-1
AllRomance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-starling-1618877-149.html
Torquere bookstore: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=4269
September 11, 2014
Lynn Townsend Sommertime Blues ARC Giveaway!
I am beyond excited to have one of my favorite people here to visit today. Not only is Lynn an all-around great human being, she is a fantastic author.
Today you`ll get a chance to win an Advance Reader Copy of her upcoming M/M erotic romance, Blues, the follow-up to Roll. I am absolutely crazy over this series. March 2015 can not come quickly enough.
Enjoy catching up with Lynn, her boys from Roll, and a very worthy cause.
*~*~*
Snog for Sommer
Sommer Times Blues
Hey Vix, thanks so much for having me here, I appreciate it.
I'm participating in the Snogs for Sommer fund-raising drive and blog hop, and as a fan of both Sommer's work and my own, I thought I'd give you - and your readers - a head's up.
In support of Sommer Marsden, who's one of my personal erotica writing heroes - check out here <Anyway, Sommer is a dear friend and you can read all about the Snog hop and what we hope to do for Sommer....
I'm currently working on the third book of the Rainbow Connections series (Blues, book two, will be published in late March, 2015, which seems just about forever and a day away, doesn't it?) so I decided that I'd give out a little snippet of Blues for my fans to read while we raised support for Sommer, and what better to do as a give away, but to let people have a chance to read Blues early?
So, come on over to my blog <http://paidbytheweird.blogspot.com/> and read the current kiss... and enter for a chance to win an Advanced Reader Copy of Blues.
In the meanwhile, here's a little kiss from Roll, book one.
* * * *
"I thought I heard you get up," Vin said, sliding up behind him and wrapping warm arms around Beau's stomach. "Hungry?"
Beau suppressed the urge to leap out of his own skin.
"Don't you people believe in leftovers?" Beau gestured at the industrial-sized appliance in annoyance, trying to calm his heart. He was certain that Vin could feel his heart throbbing erratically in his chest and not entirely certain what emotion it could be attributed to. Was he startled, guilty, or just excited to be up, in the dark of night, with a handsome man's arms around him?
Vin dropped a kiss lightly on Beau's shoulder, eliciting shivers. Beau let the door to the fridge slip shut and turned in Vin's embrace.
"Camilla takes it over to the homeless shelter, after dinner," Vin explained. "We always have more than we need."
Great. Add a heaping helping of feeling greedy to his already full plate of less than pleasant emotions. "You've missed out, babe," he said, "if you've never raided the fridge for a leftover turkey sandwich."
"I'm not missing out right now," Vin said. He nipped at Beau's ear. All of their own accord, Beau's arms went around his boyfriend, pulling him closer. Vin backed him up, braced against the cool steel of the fridge and gently, slowly, traced a line of kisses from Beau's ear to the corner of his mouth. The faint rasp of Vin's stubble against his upper lip drove Beau crazy.
Two thin layers -- Beau's sweatpants and Vin's silk pajamas -- weren't nearly enough to disguise the feel of Vin's erection pressed firmly against Beau's thigh. Beau slid his hands down Vin's naked back, relishing the satin flesh under his fingertips. Vin continued to tease Beau's mouth, delicate licks and nuzzles that didn't come close to slaking the growing need.
"Oh, would you kiss me already, for Christ's sake?" Beau demanded, grabbing a handful of Vin's unruly hair and pulling his mouth down.
Beau's stomach let out a gurgling complaint.
"How about I get you some pie before you wake up the house," Vin said, laughing. "I know where Camilla keeps her stash."
Beau warred with his two hungers. "Kiss, first," he said.
"Now there's a deal."
--
Lynn Townsend
http://paidbytheweird.blogspot.com/https://www.facebook.com/LynnTownsendwriter
Today you`ll get a chance to win an Advance Reader Copy of her upcoming M/M erotic romance, Blues, the follow-up to Roll. I am absolutely crazy over this series. March 2015 can not come quickly enough.
Enjoy catching up with Lynn, her boys from Roll, and a very worthy cause.
*~*~*
.jpg)
Snog for Sommer
Sommer Times Blues
Hey Vix, thanks so much for having me here, I appreciate it.
I'm participating in the Snogs for Sommer fund-raising drive and blog hop, and as a fan of both Sommer's work and my own, I thought I'd give you - and your readers - a head's up.
In support of Sommer Marsden, who's one of my personal erotica writing heroes - check out here <Anyway, Sommer is a dear friend and you can read all about the Snog hop and what we hope to do for Sommer....
I'm currently working on the third book of the Rainbow Connections series (Blues, book two, will be published in late March, 2015, which seems just about forever and a day away, doesn't it?) so I decided that I'd give out a little snippet of Blues for my fans to read while we raised support for Sommer, and what better to do as a give away, but to let people have a chance to read Blues early?
So, come on over to my blog <http://paidbytheweird.blogspot.com/> and read the current kiss... and enter for a chance to win an Advanced Reader Copy of Blues.
In the meanwhile, here's a little kiss from Roll, book one.
* * * *
"I thought I heard you get up," Vin said, sliding up behind him and wrapping warm arms around Beau's stomach. "Hungry?"
Beau suppressed the urge to leap out of his own skin.
"Don't you people believe in leftovers?" Beau gestured at the industrial-sized appliance in annoyance, trying to calm his heart. He was certain that Vin could feel his heart throbbing erratically in his chest and not entirely certain what emotion it could be attributed to. Was he startled, guilty, or just excited to be up, in the dark of night, with a handsome man's arms around him?
Vin dropped a kiss lightly on Beau's shoulder, eliciting shivers. Beau let the door to the fridge slip shut and turned in Vin's embrace.
"Camilla takes it over to the homeless shelter, after dinner," Vin explained. "We always have more than we need."
Great. Add a heaping helping of feeling greedy to his already full plate of less than pleasant emotions. "You've missed out, babe," he said, "if you've never raided the fridge for a leftover turkey sandwich."
"I'm not missing out right now," Vin said. He nipped at Beau's ear. All of their own accord, Beau's arms went around his boyfriend, pulling him closer. Vin backed him up, braced against the cool steel of the fridge and gently, slowly, traced a line of kisses from Beau's ear to the corner of his mouth. The faint rasp of Vin's stubble against his upper lip drove Beau crazy.
Two thin layers -- Beau's sweatpants and Vin's silk pajamas -- weren't nearly enough to disguise the feel of Vin's erection pressed firmly against Beau's thigh. Beau slid his hands down Vin's naked back, relishing the satin flesh under his fingertips. Vin continued to tease Beau's mouth, delicate licks and nuzzles that didn't come close to slaking the growing need.
"Oh, would you kiss me already, for Christ's sake?" Beau demanded, grabbing a handful of Vin's unruly hair and pulling his mouth down.
Beau's stomach let out a gurgling complaint.
"How about I get you some pie before you wake up the house," Vin said, laughing. "I know where Camilla keeps her stash."
Beau warred with his two hungers. "Kiss, first," he said.
"Now there's a deal."
--
Lynn Townsend
http://paidbytheweird.blogspot.com/https://www.facebook.com/LynnTownsendwriter
September 10, 2014
September 8, 2014
Tuesday Tales - Ribbon
Welcome back to Tuesday Tales! I missed you all terribly over our hiatus. I hope you enjoyed the last month of summer vacation as much as the Tuesday Tales authors did. Now it's time to get back into the romance! When last we left Dana and Jonah they had taken a long walk with her son. Jonah made a rather bold move by grabbing Dana's hand then announcing that he was more than willing to date an older woman. After the hike, Dana's son had invited Jonah and his grandfather to Thanksgiving dinner, which Dana, after some internal stewing, finally backed up.
So, let`s see how things are going, shall we? Our word prompt this week is 'Ribbon'. Please do check out the other wonderful writers after you`re done reading by clicking on the Tuesday Tales link at the bottom. Thanks for stopping in!
White Moon, Yellow Leaves
*~*~*
Over the next two days we saw little of Jonah Big Deer. Not that I was looking for him or anything, of course. I just happened to notice his absence as I was washing windows, or sweeping the front porch, or raking leaves away from the bungalow`s foundation, or carrying in wood that he had split. I hoped my wandering eye and thoughts weren`t stalker-like in any way. The two day separation was doing weird things to me. I would peek out hoping to catch a glimpse one moment, a flush of heat pooling in my belly when I would recall how he looked at me. In the following breath I would begin to feel a mild freak-out brewing over inviting him to our holiday meal. One minute I was breathless with anticipation over spotting him, the next I was positive I had made a first-class ass out of myself.
I was sliding into the first-class ass mode early Thursday morning when Aunt Jo brought her mug of coffee out onto the front porch. Dawn had just broken. The sky was purple and pink. I was staring through ribbons of steam from my coffee cup at a loon moving across the water. It had been his call at first light that had woke me up.
“I see you got the stuffing made,” Jo-Jo mentioned, her coffee and breath steaming. I nodded silently. “So you want to tell me what`s eating at you?”
Leopold was at the door. I was reluctant to let him out. His whining won though and I cracked the door wide enough for a dachshund. He bolted out then dashed to the lake. The loon took to wing.
“Nothing`s eating at me. I was just enjoying the lake,” I responded, pulling the door closed.
“Uh-huh,” the woman said placing her backside on the glider we had covered with a plastic tablecloth just yesterday. The cold plastic crinkled. “You worried about this thing with Jonah?”
My head spun to the right. Aunt Jo was staring at me over her black coffee. “There is no ‘thing’ with Jonah,” I denied in a rush. She sat back and gave me a look that said she knew I was full of bullshit.
“Honey, I may be pushing ninety and have cataracts, but even I could see the sparks flying between you and him. Is it because he`s Seneca?”
“That has nothing to do with it,” I quickly clarified. She smiled smugly and sipped. “Damn, you`re a clever old bitty,” I grumbled sitting down beside her. The tablecloth was bitter cold through the thin sleep pants I had on. “Okay, yes, Jonah and I flirted a bit.”
“Flirt schmirt, get to the juicy stuff! I might fall over dead any minute.” She waved her hand in the air to hurry me along. Herr Poopbottom was approaching, done with his morning constitutional. “Did he kiss you? Did you kiss him back? Did you two take a hot roll in the leaves?”
I stared at the woman openly. “You have a dirty, dirty mind,” I scolded. “We didn`t kiss or roll around in the leaves. Rhett was with us for goodness sake! He just…made it clear he was interested.”
“Well that ain`t a bad thing, sweetie,” she cooed patting her lap. Her dog leaped up and draped himself over her left shoulder like a furry sash. “It`s been a year since that shit-bag run off on you. You must be wanting a man beside you in bed.”
“Sure, I want a man but should it be Jonah Big Deer? He`s younger than me.” I began ticking off reasons why we shouldn`t pursue this flirtation. “I don`t know what he does for a living. He lives up here and we live in Pittsburgh. He`s younger than me….”
“Yeah, you said that one already.” Jo-Jo wriggled about beside me. I took a sip of my coffee. “So he`s younger. What`s the big deal? That just means he has more stamina in the sack.”
It took all I had not to spew coffee all over my great aunt and her wiener-dog bandolero.
“I worry over you at times,” I coughed. The woman chuckled wickedly before growing solemn.
“Dana, take the advice of a very old woman, don`t ever find excuses not to love. Life is too damned short. Would you go freshen my cup?” She handed me a mug that was half-full yet. I nodded and stood up, leaving her to sit in the cold air and visit with Hans as I knew she wished to. Closing the door gently I leaned my back against it.
Don`t find excuses not to love.
It really is true what they say about wisdom coming with age.
Copyright 2013 ©by V.L. Locey
*~*~*
Click on the link below to return to the Tuesday Tales main blog for more great reads from the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
Tuesday Tales
So, let`s see how things are going, shall we? Our word prompt this week is 'Ribbon'. Please do check out the other wonderful writers after you`re done reading by clicking on the Tuesday Tales link at the bottom. Thanks for stopping in!
White Moon, Yellow Leaves
*~*~*
Over the next two days we saw little of Jonah Big Deer. Not that I was looking for him or anything, of course. I just happened to notice his absence as I was washing windows, or sweeping the front porch, or raking leaves away from the bungalow`s foundation, or carrying in wood that he had split. I hoped my wandering eye and thoughts weren`t stalker-like in any way. The two day separation was doing weird things to me. I would peek out hoping to catch a glimpse one moment, a flush of heat pooling in my belly when I would recall how he looked at me. In the following breath I would begin to feel a mild freak-out brewing over inviting him to our holiday meal. One minute I was breathless with anticipation over spotting him, the next I was positive I had made a first-class ass out of myself.
I was sliding into the first-class ass mode early Thursday morning when Aunt Jo brought her mug of coffee out onto the front porch. Dawn had just broken. The sky was purple and pink. I was staring through ribbons of steam from my coffee cup at a loon moving across the water. It had been his call at first light that had woke me up.
“I see you got the stuffing made,” Jo-Jo mentioned, her coffee and breath steaming. I nodded silently. “So you want to tell me what`s eating at you?”
Leopold was at the door. I was reluctant to let him out. His whining won though and I cracked the door wide enough for a dachshund. He bolted out then dashed to the lake. The loon took to wing.
“Nothing`s eating at me. I was just enjoying the lake,” I responded, pulling the door closed.
“Uh-huh,” the woman said placing her backside on the glider we had covered with a plastic tablecloth just yesterday. The cold plastic crinkled. “You worried about this thing with Jonah?”
My head spun to the right. Aunt Jo was staring at me over her black coffee. “There is no ‘thing’ with Jonah,” I denied in a rush. She sat back and gave me a look that said she knew I was full of bullshit.
“Honey, I may be pushing ninety and have cataracts, but even I could see the sparks flying between you and him. Is it because he`s Seneca?”
“That has nothing to do with it,” I quickly clarified. She smiled smugly and sipped. “Damn, you`re a clever old bitty,” I grumbled sitting down beside her. The tablecloth was bitter cold through the thin sleep pants I had on. “Okay, yes, Jonah and I flirted a bit.”
“Flirt schmirt, get to the juicy stuff! I might fall over dead any minute.” She waved her hand in the air to hurry me along. Herr Poopbottom was approaching, done with his morning constitutional. “Did he kiss you? Did you kiss him back? Did you two take a hot roll in the leaves?”
I stared at the woman openly. “You have a dirty, dirty mind,” I scolded. “We didn`t kiss or roll around in the leaves. Rhett was with us for goodness sake! He just…made it clear he was interested.”
“Well that ain`t a bad thing, sweetie,” she cooed patting her lap. Her dog leaped up and draped himself over her left shoulder like a furry sash. “It`s been a year since that shit-bag run off on you. You must be wanting a man beside you in bed.”
“Sure, I want a man but should it be Jonah Big Deer? He`s younger than me.” I began ticking off reasons why we shouldn`t pursue this flirtation. “I don`t know what he does for a living. He lives up here and we live in Pittsburgh. He`s younger than me….”
“Yeah, you said that one already.” Jo-Jo wriggled about beside me. I took a sip of my coffee. “So he`s younger. What`s the big deal? That just means he has more stamina in the sack.”
It took all I had not to spew coffee all over my great aunt and her wiener-dog bandolero.
“I worry over you at times,” I coughed. The woman chuckled wickedly before growing solemn.
“Dana, take the advice of a very old woman, don`t ever find excuses not to love. Life is too damned short. Would you go freshen my cup?” She handed me a mug that was half-full yet. I nodded and stood up, leaving her to sit in the cold air and visit with Hans as I knew she wished to. Closing the door gently I leaned my back against it.
Don`t find excuses not to love.
It really is true what they say about wisdom coming with age.
Copyright 2013 ©by V.L. Locey
*~*~*
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Tuesday Tales
September 7, 2014
Please Welcome Jamie Salisbury
Jamie has dropped by today to share a little info about herself as well as her book, Choice Matters. It sounds like a great read, and just look at that sexy cover!
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BioIn the three short years since Jamie Salisbury began publishing her Romance stories, she has seen her books soar to #1 on Amazon. Her novella Tudor Rubato was a finalist in the 2012 RONE (Reward of Novel Excellence) award, and the cover won for Best Contemporary Cover. Now in 2014, her novel Life and Lies has been nominated for a RONE in the Erotica category. She has expanded her audience to include several now published by Secret Cravings Publishing.Her previous career in public relations has afforded her with a treasure trove of endless story ideas.
Contact LinksBlog: http://www.romanceauthorjamiesalisbury.blogspot.comWebsite: http://www.jamiesalisbury.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jamie-Salisbury-Womans-Fiction-Author/202978499741542Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/hrhjamierae/... @JamieRSalisbury
Choice Matters - Blurbs Apolo Choice...self-made billionaire before the age of thirty. At a time when most men are still trying to figure out what direction to take their careers, Apolo Choice is enjoying luxuries they are still dreaming about. But behind every powerful man come secrets, and Apolo is no exception. Confident, intimidating, arrogant and handsome, Apolo Choice is a man who gets whatever he wants. At least in the boardroom. Away from the power deals, he has a dark side. One he allows few to enter. Until he meets Caitlyn White.Caitlyn White...smart and self-assured, she has quietly worked at Choice Enterprises for four years. Until one day her world is turned upside down by the man at the top. Taking her from the cubical to executive suite faster than you can blink an eye.Together they become a power couple both in the boardroom and the bedroom.
Choice Matters - Excerpts Excerpt #1I was standing with a small group of senator's wives. They were giving me tips about life in Washington, where to shop, the best neighborhoods. Though I was listening attentively, suddenly something in my head told me to glance over to Apolo.There she was…again. Engaged in conversation with him. He appeared to be polite and engaged, but the muscle ticking in his cheek gave it all away to me. That one subtle feature meant he was unhappy. Of course, my glance did not go unnoticed."It appears as though you have competition," one of the senator's wives joked. "Whoever she is she's stunning.""Yes, she is," I replied. "But she's certainly not competition. She's merely an old friend.""Well, you certainly wouldn't know by the way she's acting," another chided.She was right. Delpheine was in what Apolo considered his personal space. He allowed no one remotely close to him unless he initiated the move. She had committed one of the big Apolo Choice no-no's, not that she seemed to care."Oh, that's just Delpheine. She's French, and they’re much more personally engaged with people they talk with."Then we locked eyes, Apolo and I. Knowing him as well as I do, I knew this woman was exasperating him. But ever the cool businessman and now politician, he was tolerating her openly flirtatious ways. The moment she placed a hand on his arm in an attempt to lure him in, I saw him quietly remove her offending, well-manicured hand.He backed away, putting more space between them. I didn't know what he was saying to her right then, but from the expression on her face, I'd say it was not what she wanted to hear.Excusing myself, I found my way to the ladies’ room. I needed to regain my composure. Whoever this woman was, I intended to find out more. If she thought she could simply reappear in Apolo's life after leaving him in his hour of need, she was sadly mistaken.Making my way to the line of sinks, I wasn't too surprised to find Delpheine standing there, a smirk on her face as she pretended to reapply her siren red lipstick."You do know that he can’t have children because of his accident?""Yes, I do," I replied. "Let's quit the bullshit and niceties, Ms. Bouvier. What the hell do you want? You left screaming in horror out of Apolo's life years ago. Now, he's a newly minted senator, and poof, you magically reappear. What's with that?""I merely want what was once mine. I intend to have him back, and trust me, it won't take long for him to find his way back to my bed. I will be Mrs. Apolo Choice.""Good luck with that pipe dream," I spat as I threw the towel on the counter and spun past her. "I don't know what you're smokin', but lady, you don't stand a chance in hell with him. He didn't forgive you then, and he's damn sure not going to forgive you now."I marched past her and out the door, not leaving myself open for any further comments. As I stepped into the corridor, I noted Jacob casually standing there."Ms. White, Mr. Choice wanted me to make sure everything was alright and asked me to escort you back to the ballroom." He was glancing over my shoulder towards the ladies’ room. That meant both he and Apolo knew what was going on. The woman was so transparent."Thanks, Jacob.""Don't worry about Ms. Bouvier. I'll deal with her. If she bothers you again, please let me know.""I will. I think I got my point across just now. So, Jacob, are you going to enjoy Washington?""Yes, ma'am. It's one of best cities around."We arrived in the ballroom, where he escorted me over to Apolo, who was speaking with a small group. I slid in next to him."Thanks for sending Jacob," I whispered."I'm sorry. I don't know how she gained entrance, but I'm having it checked out.""Don't worry, I think I handled her."He cocked an eyebrow at me with a sly smile on his face before turning to his admirers and guests.
Excerpt #2He maneuvered the Ferrari onto the main road leading back into the small town. He sat at the stop sign Buy Links: Secret Craving Publishing: http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=916Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Choice-Matters-Southern-Heat-Book-ebook/dp/B00MU30ON8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1410095205&sr=1-1&keywords=choice+matters+by+jamie+salisburyAll Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-choicematters-1599615-149.htmlBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/choice-matters-jamie-salisbury/1120160863?ean=29401507
Keeping It Real
As a writer I can tell you that we authors love reviews. Really we do. Each and every one, be they good or bad. Sometimes something that is said in a review from a reader will hit you like a shoulder-check from that sexy Bruin, Milan Lucic.
Damn. I hope I`m not booted out of Rangerstown for saying that Luce is sexy. Here`s a picture of Hank to appease, and simply because The King is dreamy.
Okay. Sexy hockey players aside, I recently had a reader gift me with a wonderful compliment, and I`d like to pass it on then chat about it a bit. Lori at Amazon made this comment in a lovely review about Pink Pucks & Power Plays:
"The portrayal of Alain Lessard as a French-Canadian hockey player was so on the money. It took me back to when I worked for Stan Fischer and the NY Islanders."
You can find the rest of Lori`s review here:
Amazon Review of Pink Pucks & Power Plays
Wow. I mean just . . . wow. To hear someone that worked with an NHL team say that Alain was spot on is incredible. And yes, it makes all those long hours spent researching seem less terrible. I know that quite a few people tend to think that romance novels are silly bits of rose-scented foo-foo that can say anything the author wishes because, you know, it`s just a romance book. I can cite one recent conversation to help nudge my point home a bit.
A couple months ago, when I was working on Final Shifts, the last Wildcats book, I was having a terrible time finding what I needed on the internet, so I turned to one of my Rangers groups. Now bear in mind that these guys, and a few gals as well, know what I do for living. When I asked if anyone knew of any sites where I could get detailed information on what powers the NHL Commissioner has in terms of sanctions against head coaches, one my buddies replied that he thought it would be fine to just put what I wanted because, after all, it was fiction.
I didn`t wish to pick at the floating undercurrent of his reply. And I honestly do not think that he meant it to sound disrespectful. I`m sure there are thousands of people out there that would think the same way.' It`s a romance book about a fictional team that women who don`t know about the game will be reading to satisfy an itch, Vicki. Fluff over the details.'
I respectfully disagree. Lori`s comment is one reason why I do all that research. It`s why I spend hours sifting through NHL by-laws, coaching techniques, stats,looking up French/ Finnish/Take your pick of foreign languages, international recipes, nutritional demands of hockey players, NHL training videos—Okay, watching Kris LeTang exercise is not taxing in the least. I`ll come clean about that one—and the scores of other things that I, and every other author out there, does to make our fiction work as realistic as we possibly can. I cannot imagine the hours historical romance authors put in just to ensure they're using the proper term for a fork in 14th century Scotland.
Just because it`s romance does not mean you can fluff the research because, somewhere along the line, a reader who knows is going to read your work. And while there are some things that readers will give you leeway on there are other things that they will nail you on, and rightfully so.
Sure, romance is escapist fantasy to some extent, but even fantasy has to be grounded in reality a wee bit. And we romance writers are always working our backsides off to ensure that delicate mix that readers deserve. So here is a huge 'Thank you!' to every reader who has taken the time to let an author know that they`re doing a good job keeping it real.
Damn. I hope I`m not booted out of Rangerstown for saying that Luce is sexy. Here`s a picture of Hank to appease, and simply because The King is dreamy.
Okay. Sexy hockey players aside, I recently had a reader gift me with a wonderful compliment, and I`d like to pass it on then chat about it a bit. Lori at Amazon made this comment in a lovely review about Pink Pucks & Power Plays:
"The portrayal of Alain Lessard as a French-Canadian hockey player was so on the money. It took me back to when I worked for Stan Fischer and the NY Islanders."
You can find the rest of Lori`s review here:
Amazon Review of Pink Pucks & Power Plays
Wow. I mean just . . . wow. To hear someone that worked with an NHL team say that Alain was spot on is incredible. And yes, it makes all those long hours spent researching seem less terrible. I know that quite a few people tend to think that romance novels are silly bits of rose-scented foo-foo that can say anything the author wishes because, you know, it`s just a romance book. I can cite one recent conversation to help nudge my point home a bit.
A couple months ago, when I was working on Final Shifts, the last Wildcats book, I was having a terrible time finding what I needed on the internet, so I turned to one of my Rangers groups. Now bear in mind that these guys, and a few gals as well, know what I do for living. When I asked if anyone knew of any sites where I could get detailed information on what powers the NHL Commissioner has in terms of sanctions against head coaches, one my buddies replied that he thought it would be fine to just put what I wanted because, after all, it was fiction.
I didn`t wish to pick at the floating undercurrent of his reply. And I honestly do not think that he meant it to sound disrespectful. I`m sure there are thousands of people out there that would think the same way.' It`s a romance book about a fictional team that women who don`t know about the game will be reading to satisfy an itch, Vicki. Fluff over the details.'
I respectfully disagree. Lori`s comment is one reason why I do all that research. It`s why I spend hours sifting through NHL by-laws, coaching techniques, stats,looking up French/ Finnish/Take your pick of foreign languages, international recipes, nutritional demands of hockey players, NHL training videos—Okay, watching Kris LeTang exercise is not taxing in the least. I`ll come clean about that one—and the scores of other things that I, and every other author out there, does to make our fiction work as realistic as we possibly can. I cannot imagine the hours historical romance authors put in just to ensure they're using the proper term for a fork in 14th century Scotland.
Just because it`s romance does not mean you can fluff the research because, somewhere along the line, a reader who knows is going to read your work. And while there are some things that readers will give you leeway on there are other things that they will nail you on, and rightfully so.
Sure, romance is escapist fantasy to some extent, but even fantasy has to be grounded in reality a wee bit. And we romance writers are always working our backsides off to ensure that delicate mix that readers deserve. So here is a huge 'Thank you!' to every reader who has taken the time to let an author know that they`re doing a good job keeping it real.
September 4, 2014
Throwback Thursday Tune
One of my favorite performers of the time. I always loved his voice, and this song especially moved me.
What songs by Jim Croce do you enjoy?
What songs by Jim Croce do you enjoy?
September 2, 2014
M.S. Spencer Pays a Visit
Please welcome fellow Secret Cravings author M.S. Spencer. She's here to tell us about how Whirlwind Romance, her upcoming release, was born.
Would you look at this gorgeous cover!
What do pirates, princes, Puritans, and propaganda have in common? Lacey Delahaye, forager and jelly maker, finds out in this romantic suspense set in the western Caribbean.
Whirlwind Romance
Secret Cravings Publishing, released 9/2/201489,000 words; M/F; 3 flames; Adventure/Romance
I didn't mean to write this story. I meant to write a nice romantic interlude set on Longboat Key, a lovely barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Even before I'd reached Chapter Two, however, things had taken a geographical turn and veered off into the western Caribbean. Even now I'm not sure how it happened, but everything started to go awry when Lacey Delahaye, my heroine, finds a bedraggled castaway in her mangrove swamp. Fine. Not a problem. He's handsome, injured, and clearly has a secret. Could he be a lost tourist? A real estate agent caught up in a Florida land scam? An environmentalist who's discovered that whales have become man-eaters? No, sir. With his exotic, dark looks (flashing black eyes, shimmering ebony hair, etc.), he hardly seemed the real estate agent type. And he has an accent. Therefore he comes from elsewhere. He eventually confesses to Lacey that…well, I certainly won't divulge his secret. I will say that he and Lacey find themselves in a remote, tiny, tropical paradise, which would be very romantic, except for the vicious serpent lurking there.
Blurb:
In the aftermath of a hurricane, Lacey Delahaye finds herself marooned on the Gulf coast of Florida with a mysterious man. They are immediately drawn to each other, but before Armand can confess his identity, they are kidnapped and taken far from civilization to a tiny, remarkable island in the western Caribbean. With the help of her son Crispin, a small, but proud young boy named Inigo, and a cadre of extraordinary characters, Lacey and Armand must confront pirates, power-mad ideologues, and palace intrigue if they are to restore the once idyllic tropical paradise to its former serenity and find lasting happiness.
Excerpt (R): Bath Fun
She turned on the taps and poured a few drops of rose water from a small flagon into the tub. Slipping off her shorts and shirt, she sank blissfully into the water. Armand came to the door. “You look happy.”“At this point it’s the little things.”“Yes. I have a feeling tomorrow will not bring good news. I wish you weren’t here, Lacey.”“Well, thanks a lot.” She batted her eyelashes at him.“You know what I mean. This is a very precarious situation.” He sat on the edge of the bath. “I never should have let you help me.”“You didn’t have much choice, Armand. Besides, I couldn’t leave you in the mangrove swamp. It’s not done in my family.”He shook his head. “And then I seduced you in the first five minutes of our acquaintance. I am a wicked man.”Lacey thought back to that night—to the smells of sulphur, mud, and sex. She’d felt guilty then, believing it was her fault, that she’d thrown herself at him. Not the other way around. She looked up into Armand’s face. Black stubble covered his chin. His unruly hair, a little long now, matched his glistening black eyes. Might as well let him wallow in his ignorance. She reached an arm around his neck and drew him toward her. Just as their lips touched his eyes went wide, and he fell on top of her. Bathwater spilled out, leaving Lacey half exposed and shivering. “Ack! What are you doing?”He struggled out of the tub, his clothes dripping. “It’s your fault. You pulled at me and I slipped.”“Well, I never. You leaned in and lost your balance.” She turned the tap on again. As the bath refilled, an idea crossed her mind. Her eyes danced. “Now you’re wet, you might as well get in. You could use a wash.”He cast her a look from under the thick eyebrows. “Might as well.”She moved over and he squeezed in beside her, then rolled her over on top of him. She felt gloriously sensual and rubbed her body over his, massaging the hard parts. He found the soap and lathering up his hand, inserted two fingers into her pussy. The scent of rosewater filled the room. She slowly rotated her hips while his fingers kept up their pressure. When she pulled away, his fingers slipped out. Locking her eyes on his, Lacey lowered her vagina onto his cock. The soap lubricated her opening, and he slid in to the hilt. She began to rock, slowly, then faster, as he kept his hands on the tub’s sides to steady himself. She concentrated on the thick penis scraping the sides of her vagina, nicking the tip of her clitoris, nudging her orgasm into flower. “Oh God, Lacey, don’t stop.” He closed his eyes, and she redoubled her efforts until she came to the tipping point. Shuddering, she collapsed on top of him. They lay in each other’s arms, water bubbling and sloshing around them.Someone knocked on the outer door.<***>Buy Links:Secret Cravings:http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=934Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Whirlwind-Romance-M-S-Spencer-ebook/dp/B00N105I4E/ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-whirlwindromance-1605591-153.htmlBookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/whirlwind-romance
About the AuthorAlthough she has lived or traveled in every continent except Antarctica and Australia (bucket list), M. S. Spencer has spent the last thirty years mostly in Washington, D.C. as a librarian, Congressional staff assistant, speechwriter, editor, birdwatcher, kayaker, policy wonk, non-profit director and parent. She has two fabulous grown children, and currently divides her time between the Gulf coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.
Ms. Spencer has published nine romance novels. The first two, Lost in His Arms and Lost and Found, were published by Red Rose Publishing. The other six—Losers Keepers, Triptych, Artful Dodging: The Torpedo Factory Murders, Mai Tais and Mayhem: Murder at Mote Marine (a Sarasota Romance, Lapses of Memory, and the Mason's Mark —were published by Secret Cravings. Whirlwind Romance, her ninth, was released September 2014.
Contacts:
Blog: http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.comORhttp://bit.ly/1aBzraTFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/msspencertalespinnerTwitter: www.twitter.com/msspencerauthor
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/msspencer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/msspencerauthor/
