Vallory Vance's Blog, page 15

Sad Song Tuesday – Jar of Hearts

Researchers have found, according to a NPR report on a random day, that Americans are most unhappy on Tuesdays. The happy effect from the previous weekend has passed and the upcoming weekend seems far away.

So from the Vallory V blog, I add artistic validity to this sad day:

How Do You Measure a Self-Publishing Journey?

That’s a good question, isn’t it?

Is it in sales? Is it in positive reviews? Is it in the joy you receive?

Unfortunately, I don’t know the answer and I’m a self-publisher as well as a published author with a small press.

Now here’s what I’ve read about indie authors:

1. They are not taking the time to hone their craft to a level acceptable to a mainstream publisher.

2. They are not using the advantages of peer groups, professional editors and literary agents to produce quality work.

And to this I cry – Bulllshit!.

Indie Authors are out there working as hard as any other independent artist to have their work shown. Is it all stellar? No, it is not.

And neither are all the books published by the giant publishing companies or the movies produced by the giant studios.

Indie film makers and indie musicians get some love. Why not the indie author?

Weekday Chat with Author Tracee Ford

I’m very excited to have Tracee Ford stop by the blog today. She has been a very busy person lately hosting an author a day in the Spring Fever Blog Tour, so I’m happy she took some time away to visit!

First I want to thank Vallory Vance for inviting me to be a guest.  Networking is so important in this business and helping one another is vital to survival.  So, thank you so much!

I should start out telling you a little about myself, I suppose.  My name is Tracee Ford and I’m a newly published author.  I am a member of the Paranormal Romance Guild and my work is published through Injected Ink Productions, an imprint of PDMI Direct Publishing. My goal is to bring to my readers inspiring tales of romance and characters who face insurmountable odds, yet emerge triumphant, sprinkled with the fantastical possibilities of the paranormal, of course.

I am also a playwright, director, and puppeteer. I have written scripts and directed plays for local churches as well as for local community activities to bring awareness to children about body safety.

I write paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and crime novels. When I am not writing, reading, or completing my supervisory duties for a local child protection agency, I enjoy quality time with friends and family.

I am an Ohio country girl turned author and began writing at the age of sixteen. Early works included poetry and nonfiction. My nonfictional writings focused on my areas of study as an undergraduate in social sciences and psychology at Shawnee State University. I completed more nonfictional research while working on a master’s degree in forensic psychology through The University of North Dakota.

My first book, The Fine Line, was originally self published through BookLocker.com.  However, in the search for a publisher for my second title, I found PDMI.  Well, rather, we found each other.  I fell in love with their honesty, integrity, team approach, and their vision for success.  PDMI is a group who thrives on the team approach to creativity, encourages their authors to reach for the stars, and provides their writers with the wings to do it!

PDMI read The Fine Line and fell in love with it.  So, the book was re-released by them on April 12, 2013 and I terminated the publication with BookLocker prior to that.  Here are some things I think are important to know about my book.  The book falls under several genres, including paranormal romance (minus the vampires and werewolves), horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and general fiction.  However, don’t let the “horror” label fool you.  This book is packed full of inspiration.  It is far from “hollywood horror.”

This book follows the lives of Robin and Matt Gregory as they fall in love and marry.  Matt finds a house, Pikeview Manor, in a quiet part of the county.  When the couple moves in, they find that the home is already occupied by… others.  The paranormal factor is fascinating, yes, but it’s Robin and Matt’s determination and faith that is the key to this story.

The Fine Line is about being open to possibilities and learning to trust in things that seem fantastical.  It’s not a religious book either.  It’s a look at how positive can beget positive, in spite of heartbreak and challenges.  The purpose of this book is to reach out to readers and say to them, “Nothing is too dark to overcome.”

With that being said, here’s the official synopsis:

Set in Southwestern Ohio, Dr. Matthew Gregory and Robin Hillard meet, fall passionately in love, marry, and settle into their newly restored historical dream home originally constructed in the 1800’s.  However, their dreams of a happy life together are challenged by misfortune surrounding the purchase of the home.  Soon, they realize that they have stepped into another world, filled with spirits, paranormal phenomenon, and unexplainable realities.  The stark realizations as well as other traumas challenge their personal beliefs, the stability of their marriage and, most of all, their sanity.  Matt’s logical, scientific certainties are defied when his daughter, Olivia, realizes she is a psychic medium and is able to communicate with the dead.  Robin recognizes that her dreams are actually visions of the past directly associate with the previous owners of the home.

The Gregory family soon learns that there is a fine line between the world they live in and the world they can’t see.  They seek direction through organized religion as well as through unconventional methods in an effort to understand the strange world of the paranormal.  Ultimately, the family grows stronger and the relationship between Robin and Matt becomes unbreakable.  They finally realize that they can face anything as long as they are together and have faith.

On the last Saturday of the month I present a “sneak peak” of the book on my blog and website.  Here’s an excerpt from the book:

The day wore on. Troubled by the conversation with her husband, Robin knew staying busy was her best option for keeping her mind off of things. So she continued with her laundry chores. Standing in the basement at the long table with towels scattered about, she listened to the music playing on her phone. Suddenly, the music faded out and then stopped. She grabbed the device and shook it. “Damn,” she whispered. She assumed the battery went dead.

Quickly, the room temperature dropped and the hair on her arms and neck stood up as the goose bumps peppered her skin. The fog from her lungs expelled from her mouth. She realized she was seeing her breath. An invisible strength wrapped around her neck unexpectedly and the gasps for air were futile. Terrified, she clutched her throat trying to remove whatever was choking her. Coughing and panting, the tears began falling down her face. Her feet felt as if they were lifting from the ground and the grip around her neck worsened. Unable to scream or even speak, she realized the urgency of the moment.

Finally, she felt the release and bent over the table trying desperately to catch her breath. When her ability to speak returned, she screamed for Matt and heard him running through the house. The basement door swung open so hard it shook the drywall at the top of the stairs. He thundered toward her as she continued resting her elbows and torso on the laundry table.

“Robin!” he shouted.

She still struggled to breathe. “I felt like I was being hung.”

“Hung?”

“Yes. My music on my phone completely stopped and the next thing I knew the room got cold. I felt like something was hanging me. I felt my feet lift off of the ground,” she cried.

She stood up and dropped into Matt’s chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

“I’m here now,” he said softly as he caressed her hair. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

The book has been reviewed by several individuals and everyone has said wonderful things!  Below you’ll find some quotes from the reviews.

“I urge you, dear reader, to immerse yourself in the world created by Tracee Ford. Get hold of ‘The Fine Line’. Lock the door, take the phone off the hook and fall in love with a book, as I did. I’ve only scratched the surface in this review and with good reason; you need to discover the work of this brilliant author for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.”

–Nathan de Ravin

*****************

“Tracee Ford has created a cute, fun and unique piece of ‘paranormal’ writing WITHOUT including vampires OR werewolves which is rare these days. I enjoyed the storyline, it was refreshing and different, even if it was a little jumpy at times.

The characters were believable and lovable. The dialogue flowed smoothly and there was no awkwardness.

I can’t wait to see what Tracee Ford brings out next!”

–Skyla Madi, Goodreads

*****************

“Just wanted to let you know I finished your book today and it was very very good, I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be looking forward to your next one.”

–Joe Collins, Facebook

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“Just finished your book and it was great . Loved the story line and exactly my beliefs of how we got here and where we go from here!!!!Started reading and did not want to put it down. Good job!”

–Jan Sturgill, Facebook

*****************

“I loved this book because it was the exact amount of fright for me. It made me think and be filled with angst, all without making me sleep with a night-light! This type of book I could devour everyday. The storyline and characters were excellent! The buildup with Robin Hillard, our main character, and Dr. Matthew Gregory was again perfect…  NOT going to say anything else except READ it NOW!! I can’t wait to read Undone which will be out soon!”

                        –Renee Giraldy, Reading Renee Blog

*****************

“There are just enough paranormal type occurrences to be interesting, and they flow through the storyline of their whole romance story without being dark and scary. She makes us remember that some dark could be out there without making it seem as scary. There are a lot of people that can relate to the characters and their individual beliefs.

I would certainly recommend this story to anyone that loves romance and a happy family ending. It is fun to join these characters in their journey and it is easy to read and follow along with what is happening in the story. It is filled with just the right details to keep it interesting.

–Lisa Lambson, Paranormal Romance Guild

*****************

“WOW. The Fine Line blew me away. From the synopsis I knew there is a paranormal twist and I couldn’t wait to dive into it. It is what drew me to read it in the first place…  I really enjoyed reading The Fine Line, such a beautiful story. It had everything that I would want love, angst, scars, spirits, paranormal twist. What more could I want?  My verdict? 4.5 brilliant stars.”

–Trisha Rai, Devoured Words

 Where you can purchase:

Smashwords, Amazon, PDMI Direct (available in paperback)

Where you can find Tracee Ford:

http://traceeford.com
http://authortraceeford.injectedinkmedia.com/
http://traceeford.wordpress.com
www.linkedin.com/pub/tracee-ford/63/56/753/
http://www.goodreads.com/httpgoodreadscomTracee_Ford
http://www.shelfari.com/traceeford
http://www.amazon.com/Tracee-Ford/e/B00AXL5538/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1361899330&sr=8-1
https://twitter.com/FordTracee
http://www.facebook.com/tracee.ford.75
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTraceeFord
http://www.facebook.com/tracee.ford.thefineline.2013

Hump Day Hook – Deja Vu (The Rose Gold Collection)

Welcome to the Hump Day Hook! This is a weekly blog hop in which authors give you a peek at their work. To check out the other authors participating in this event, click here. You may just discover your next read!

This week, my hook comes from Deja Vu. I’ve been thinking a lot about heroines lately. And Darcey is special – she isn’t in need of a knight in shining armor. In fact she’s dead set against the idea.

“You could work for me. I told you about the reception hall in the Northern Bluffs.”

Her head popped up, bright eyes and a seductive smile. “You just want me at your disposal.”

He did. He wanted her all the time. He hadn’t felt like this since Melissa three years ago; an attorney he’d met at some event. In the end, Melissa hadn’t been able to deal with his work schedule and he hadn’t been willing to deviate from it.

But for Darcey.

He had rescheduled meetings, delegated authority, actually taken a vacation to be close to her and have those bright eyes shining down on him.

“I love you.” The words were expelled by the crushing sensation in his chest and he waited.

What he wanted was for her to say that she loved him as well. What he expected was an argument about the nothing serious rule. What she did was startling.

Darcey backed away from him as if he had mutated into some sort of monster. “I’m tired. I think I’m going to take a shower and go to bed. I have to be up early.” She flew out of the room.

That was their end. The sinking feeling in his belly and the emptiness of the room told him he was right. Apparently, what lay beyond nothing serious was a deal breaker.

Dèjá Vu is available from All Romance, Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.

Sad Song Tuesday – Grillz

Researchers have found, according to a NPR report on a random day, that Americans are most unhappy on Tuesdays. The happy effect from the previous weekend has passed and the upcoming weekend seems far away.

Apparently, I’m not feeling  Sad Song Tuesday today and I give to you Grillz which contains one of the wrongest lines ever (That’s not a typo. They knew they weren’t right.) – Got a bill in my mouth like I’m Hillary Rodham.

Author Alexandria Infante Stops by for a Chat

Where are you from Alexandria? Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m from California, born and raised, however I have traveled a bit in my life. Most of my family resides back East ( NYC, Miami ect) but I’m a Cali girl . I do love the bright lights and the big city of New York though, and hope to one-day move there permanently. I started out as a chef, and held onto that career for 15-years. However, I knew it was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Although I love “cheffin” as we call it, writing has always been my first love. When I was a kid if ever mi Amá was searching for me all she had to do was check the closet, or under the bed; and there I was reading a book. Not to mention I developed bursitis in my right shoulder.  I have a master’s in English Literature/Art History; with a Minor in Mythology and History. I am a Professor of English Literature & Art History.

I have five amazing children; Matthew 26 St John’s University, Blazhia 24 Columbia, Soleil 21 Poly University, Micah 17 and Sora 11; so I spend most of my time with Micah and Sora when I’m not writing. I’ve always loved vampires, werewolves, witches, and the things that go bump in the night; and it just rocks my boat to be able to write about them.

What made me want to be an author is the fact that I love Paranormal, Contemporary, and Historical Romance, but I didn’t see myself reflected in the works that I read.  If I did, it was a side character, a supporting character, or a villain; so I thought I’d write my own. Being multi-racial (Puerto Rican, Cuban, Native American, Irish and African-American) I wanted to see a character like me, and the fact that this is rare spurred me on. There is a rich heritage, which comes from our Puerto Rican- Afro-Cuban roots, and just like our African ancestors, I wanted to immerse the reader in the Latin feel. Unfortunately, authors like me (Interracial Romance, or what is more commonly known as IR authors) tend to get pigeon holed into one specific genre like Minority literature, Latina, African-American, or Ethnic, who hardly ever move out of that; and I think this is completely unfair.

I hoped by writing what I believe the Paranormal, Historical and Contemporary Romance genres should encompass, people would see the book for the story and negate the race of the character; that being, anyone could place themselves in the shoes of the character, not just someone of a minority background.

I write in three different genres, and this can sometimes be hard. You have to remember where you are when you write so to speak, lol, because I don’t want a vamp rearing its head in a Historical romance set in the Deep South in 1808 lol. But then again, that could be a very interesting read lol. I may just have to do that.

So, the series Alexandria, what’s it all about?

Alie’s fine lol, Val, and I actually write two now. The Teaching Between Midnight & Dawn, the first book being Arieanna’s Legend; and A Lite Farie Tale, Midna’s Farie Tale being the first book in this series.  I actually have 11 books published to that particular series now.

IR Paranormal T.B.M.D :

Book 2: T.M.T.N; Kissing Cousins

Book 3: T.C.B.M; the Arvantes

Book 4: Dark Premonitions; the Seeker

Book 5: A Kiss Between Midnight & Dawn; Sephoroth’s Return

Book 6: The Gargoyle Keeper; Best Mates Forever

Book 7: Red Ryzin; Okuzo

Book 8: Blackwind’s Song; Love at First Sight

Book 9: Cycles of Change; Jade Council

Book 10: Loose Connections; Making Choices

Book 11: Carousel; Legacy

I loved writing this series. My love for mythology sparked it, and each book gets darker, and more sinister. I could say that I see myself in some of the characters, and I thought why not make a book where regular everyday teachers fight against the things that go bump in the night. I mean, you always read about the detective, ex-cop or private detective, but never the regular person minding his or her own business lol.

Therefore, I thought it would be fun to throw a bunch of teachers and professors in the mix. The first book is a bit tamed though; it was a sort of getting my feet wet so to speak lol. Each book in the series gets just a bit more sensual as well, and the erotic element is played up even more; especially books 9 & 11.

Why did you write it?

Well, like I said earlier I wanted a different feel to what I was reading out there, and felt like if I couldn’t get it out there, then I would just have to write it myself. There are very few Latina Paranormal authors, just like African- American, so I want to champion us both.

What’s your favorite character?

Hummm, that would be Arieanna. I could say that I see myself in the character of Arieanna, because she’s so like me in many ways. She holds my heart, because she was the first character concept I came up with. I wanted to show that love has no genre, race, creed or species lol. I believe the book is both sexy and romantic, because you can feel the intensity between Auron and Arieanna. The love is expressed, because Auron will do whatever he has to do to protect Arieanna, and vise versa.  As for my bad boys, that would be Sephoroth. I just love him through and through. He’s a vamp with special powers (can’t give them away, you have to read it lol), and the things he does with them, why its just down right beyond naughty.

How is that character in line with you as a person?

I’d say a fricken lot lol. Arieanna does things that I do, thinks the way I think sometimes, and one of my colleagues swears it’s me lol. The character’s name is Arie for short, mine is Alie lol. She has green-grey eyes, I have grey eyes.  I get endless rips from my friends on it. However, I also get that little knowin smile time and again from some of my male colleagues who’ve read the book. This can be a bit uncomfortable sometimes, because of what I write lol.

What do you want your readers to take from your writing?

I write IR Historical, Contemporary and Paranormal so it would be; Love is Love, as the marvelously talented Boy George once said; and I believe he is completely and totally on point. I feel like whether you’re a Caucasian guy who has a thang for Sustahs, a Japanese guy who has love for Latinas, a Mexican guy who just can’t get enough of Arab women, or an African- American guy who just loves him some Caucasian women.

Who cares, as long as “you do you” and you feel comfortable in your own skin. My mantra Val: True love sees no color lines, is pure in its truest form; and is only tainted when narrow-minded haters infiltrate it and make it something it is not.

My ideal of love, includes er’ body!

A Gorgeous Hot Yummy is just that, no matter his Race, Creed, or Sexual Orientation.

Tell me about your antagonist?

That would be the Councils.

This is where you have the progenitors, the heads of each house, true vamps, weres, witches ect. There are six sitting Councils.  Flameni, Amber, Pallid, Jade, Delineate, Exodus. Each one more ruthless then the last. Arieanna and her three cousins are human, imbued with the Egyptian Goddesses’ Asť’s and the Egyptian God Osiris’ power (Asť better known in the Western world as Isis), which is a pure source, and it came straight from the Gods themselves. The Council is out to kill Arieanna, her cousins, and anyone else in lined with Greyten Hall, Shallow, Crypt, or any of the twelve houses. Their aim is to take that power from her, and use it to their benefit. The only problem is, they weren’t ready for the massive amount of power Arieanna does have, and the fact that it continues to manifest; so they have no actual clue what actual level she is truly on.

Where can we find you?

My websites:  The Teaching Between Midnight & Dawn Series. www.poisonedpin.webs.com

A Lite Farie Tale Series: www.farietalewish.webs.com

A Different Side of Historical Romance: www.alieinfante.webs.com

Contemporary Love with some Flava: www.contemporarylove.webs.com

You can find chapter samples, book updates, and just all around info on each of my series and genres @ any of the websites.

Blog: www.poisonedpin.blogspot.com

Twitter: @lex6802

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/100897574868961031281

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teaching-Between-Midnight-and-Dawn/199915416719374?ref=hl

Tumblr: http://tbmd1.tumblr.com/

WordPress: http://aliekat.wordpress.com/

Book Blogs: http://bookblogs.ning.com/profile/AlexandriaInfante

Libroville: http://alexandriainfante.libroville.com/

Author’s.com: http://www.authors.com/group/fiction/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=2pf86clybgxlk

Amazon: Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Alexandria-Infant%C3%A9/e/B007VDEKIC/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1369765846&sr=1-2-ent

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/aliekatt1

Buy links: http://www.amazon.com/T-B-M-D-Arieannas-Teaching-Midnight-ebook/dp/B0091XRN3Y/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369766172&sr=1-2

http://www.manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=bookdetail&bookid=36238

What’s next for you?

Well, I’m working on book 12 now in the TBMD series, and book 4 in the Fae series. All together, I’ve written 21 so far. I have a new Historical Romance coining out in mid-Aug. Book 12 Hidden Shows will be out in mid- July, and the next installment to Grave Reviews, my newest Contemporary will be out in mid-June.

Thanks a bunch for having me Vallory, you’re always awesome!! J

Other Titles by Alexandria Infante

A Lite Farie Tale Series: IR Paranormal Fae

Midna’s Farie Tale

To Teach is Divine; Halleren’s Prophecy

Precede with Caution; Bekan’s Quest

Historical IR Romance:

Napoleon’s Gift

A Lad’s Trouser’s

A Slow Time to Love

Fire & Ice

Contemporary IR Romance:

Grave Reviews

Mendacity

Book Blurb: T.B.M.D; Arieanna’s Legend

Teaching Between Midnight & Dawn series

(Interracial Paranormal Romance; Multiracial Woman, White Man)

Book 1

Arieanna was pretty much happy with her life. Her students loved her, she loved teaching; life was simple and uncomplicated.

That’s until she met Auron.

Sent by an exclusive underground sect, Auron’s there to protect the descendant of Asť at all cost. His number one purpose is to keep the supposed volume of Asťs magick from entering the hands of the wrong people, in spite of the fact it might cause his death. Exiled nearly two centuries ago from his Företag for insubordination and murder, Auron knows if Jimmy Mann gets his hands on that book all hell will break loose.

Centuries of war will spill onto a human battleground, the causalities catastrophic.

The governing Council will do whatever it deems necessary to keep that from happening; even if it means taking out the descendant, Lycans, Warlocks, Witches, Shape-shifters and Vampires.

The hieroglyphs state she holds the key to the location of Asťs legendary book of magick; the only problem is, Arieanna doesn’t know it yet!

With the book comes massive power, and only Auron can help her control it, in order to keep her from wiping out paranormals and humans alike. 

Dragon Twins Cover Reveal

The Release Date:  June 30th, 2013

The Blurb:

Separated at birth…reunited by murder.

Behind the gates of an exclusive Lake City neighborhood, prominent businessman Don Chu’s housekeeper has been brutally murdered and his teenage daughter taken. The high-profile case has the Mayor himself sending the case across Detective Stan Brookshire’s desk. He barely has time to digest the details of the two sinister crimes before he’s called to yet another disturbing scene.

This time, at the other end of the city, another murder and attempted kidnapping ring out with a similarity too convenient for coincidence. As the clues fall into place and the evidence mounts, Stan starts to see a pattern emerge. A DNA match, and the two cases now become one. With the help of an unexpected young ally, Stan begins his search for a victim that may still be alive. It’s a race against the clock and across the globe that will test his skills to the absolute limit. Two murders. Two kidnappings. Twice the danger.

The Excerpt:

A loud noise startled Jade from her slight doze. As she straightened up in her chair, she glanced at the clock on her bedside table across the room that held her textbooks. Eleven thirty-five.

Leaning back at her desk, she reached over and felt the bowl of soup Wei-Lee, the family housekeeper, had brought. It had been piping hot but now it was tepid. She estimated she was out less than half an hour. 

  Another crash came from the direction of the kitchen. What on earth was Wei-Lee doing at this time of night to make that much noise?

  Jade started to get up when the door to her room flew open and two almost identical Asian men burst into her room. Grabbing her before she could make a sound, her feet lashed out and knocked the books to the floor as they dragged her toward the door.

  “You’re coming with us,” one of the men said in a thick, Chinese accent. “You can either come quietly or we’ll drag you out.”

  “There’s no way I’m letting you take me anywhere!” she yelled, struggling against them. Their grip loosened and this time she racked her nails across one man’s cheek. Crying out in pain, he released her arm to protect his face.

  She ran out of the bedroom and down the stairs hoping to find Wei-Lee or something to defend herself. Jade heard them running after her. Chancing a glance over her shoulder, she saw they were right behind her as she raced through the house trying to get to the kitchen.

  She was almost there when a man stepped out of the doorway, into her path. He was Asian but what caught her attention was the knife in his hand. Red liquid dripped from it onto the tile floor. She managed to duck around him and into the kitchen where she was halted at the sight of Wei-Lee. She lay dead in a slowly spreading pool of blood.

  A hand grabbed her shoulder and tried to spin her around. Her reflexes drove her forward, jumping over the housekeeper’s body she dove for the cordless phone to dial 911. She managed to dial two digits before the phone was knocked out of her hand and it went flying across the floor.

  Rough hands grabbed her and tore her clothing as she tried to get away. It was useless. They were too strong. It was too much for her. The sight of the dead housekeeper, the men in her house…the blood. There was so much blood.

  A hand reached up and put a cloth over her mouth, she fought against it but it was no use. She had no strength left. As her world faded to darkness the last thing she heard was, “Do not hurt her. Ling will not be happy if she is harmed.”

Hump Day Hook – Music For Her Soul

Welcome to the Hump Day Hook! This is a weekly blog hop in which authors give you a peek at their work. To check out the other authors participating in this event, click here. You may just discover your next read!

My hook this week comes from a previously published work, Music for Her Soul. It follows the story of Ethan, a working musician, and Lena, a music professor and his ex-girlfriend. In this scene, Lena has arranged for a group of her students to perform at Calliope’s Jazz Club and guess who also has a gig there? And he’s playing the song he wrote for her.

Her head swam and she sank back into her chair, unable to tear her eyes away from him. The memory of his caress kindled old flames of desire and ignited new ones. Shifting uncomfortably in the hard, wooden chair, she cursed him not for her desires, but for the painful choice she had to make where he was concerned. 

At last, the lights came up amid a series of claps and whistles. Ethan strode off stage and headed in her direction. Breathe, damn it. Her entire body tensed, bracing for the feel of his fingers heated by the vibrations of the trumpet’s keys to graze her skin. 

An amorous pang clamped her thighs shut and she pressed her lips tightly together lest the sound of unmistakable want emerge without her consent. 

“Did you enjoy that?” he whispered.

Don’t forget to check out the other Humpers and enjoy the rest of the week!

Sad Song Tuesday – True Colors

Researchers have found, according to a NPR report on a random day, that Americans are most unhappy on Tuesdays. The happy effect from the previous weekend has passed and the upcoming weekend seems far away.

So from the Vallory V blog, I add artistic validity to this sad day:

True Colors

Cyndi Lauper (Live)

May Update – Finished Pieces and What’s Next

This update thing isn’t working as well as I’d hoped, but I’ll try to remember to do this every month. Can’t promise a date!

Originally, I wanted to complete four long works this year – The three books in the Rose Gold Collection and the completion of Amber and Kevin’s story. I’m pretty sure that is not going to happen. My writing has slowed down quite a bit. In fact I’ve been quite sluggish lately. I think I have submission phobia.

I’ve been working on the conclusion for Amber and Kevin for months and think I’m finally ready to hand it over to beta readers after the holiday. I want one more look through. I’m hopeful that this will see the light of day this year as I’m decided to submit it to publishers instead of self-publishing.

As for the Rose Gold Collection, Deja Vu is done. The other two, well I just don’t know.  I am rethinking that idea all together.

But I’m still writing, I came up with an idea and a working title. I’m thinking of posting it on the blog with some cute pics like this.

We’ll see.

So that’s me.

Enjoy your holiday! ~Val