Cait O'Sullivan's Blog, page 5
February 14, 2013
On Kissing...
So hey, I have a confession to make. I do not like writing about a kiss, be it their first kiss, last kiss or in between kiss. Sex? No problem, my couples can go at it hammer and tongs, for all I care. But kissing? That wonderful first kiss where finally my couple actually give in to their attraction to each other...darn hard to do.
Perhaps it's because there's a huge weight of anticipation (both on the pages and off) for that first kiss. Maybe there are hundreds of ways to adequately describe a kiss. But I haven't found them. I try, heck knows I try.
Just to highlight my point, I've copied three kisses in here for you to look at, one from each of my books, working chronologically.
This is the first kissing scene I ever wrote, from Romancing the Seas:
“Well … ” he reached out a hand and pulled on a curl, watched it bounce back into place. She looked at him and watched his lips, entrancing him. “I think … ” he shifted closer, then sat up fluidly. Her eyes grew heavy and she looked hypnotised. “It’s all about pure … ” he took her face in his hands, “physical,” his lips descended on hers in a feather like kiss and he breathed the final word on the corner of her mouth, “attraction.” His heart beat uncontrollably. The tantalising kiss he had dropped on her warm lips had only served to bring him teetering on the knife-edge of wanting to drag her into his arms and he trembled in the effort of pulling back a fraction to see her reaction.
In other words, you could say I copped out :).
This is from my second book, The Tango Champion's Secret Love Child:
His eyes scavenged her face as desire lifted her chin, an offer to him. Muttering a curse, he brought both hands up to her face and, lowering his head, dropped his mouth to hers. Fire exploded from the nerves in her lips as his mounted pressure and drew a deep tugging from within her, rendering her a mass of molten ore, desperate to melt into him. His tongue plundered hers, drawing a moan from her and she had to place her hands on his broad shoulders to steady herself. This one is from my third book, Sefton Manor:
His guttural words unleashed her wanting and putting her hands behind his neck, she pulled his head down. His lips swooped in on hers, their pressure soft and hard, restlessly moving, demanding a response from her. A response she gave herself in to, desire shutting out everything else except him, the feel of his glorious long leanness against her soft curves, his taste and his dark amber scent filling her senses.
Now you may notice something here -- the intensity of the kiss increases throughout my writing. Romancing the Seas is 'behind closed doors', The Tango Champion sure as hell ain't and as for Sefton Manor, it packs a lot into it's 15k words.
So do they do as they're supposed to do? And for the sheer hell of it, which one do you prefer?
For more scenes, stories and thoughts on kissing -- check out the Indelible's Indie Kissing Blog Fest ...have a whole heap of fun this Valentine's Day!
Perhaps it's because there's a huge weight of anticipation (both on the pages and off) for that first kiss. Maybe there are hundreds of ways to adequately describe a kiss. But I haven't found them. I try, heck knows I try.
Just to highlight my point, I've copied three kisses in here for you to look at, one from each of my books, working chronologically.
This is the first kissing scene I ever wrote, from Romancing the Seas:
“Well … ” he reached out a hand and pulled on a curl, watched it bounce back into place. She looked at him and watched his lips, entrancing him. “I think … ” he shifted closer, then sat up fluidly. Her eyes grew heavy and she looked hypnotised. “It’s all about pure … ” he took her face in his hands, “physical,” his lips descended on hers in a feather like kiss and he breathed the final word on the corner of her mouth, “attraction.” His heart beat uncontrollably. The tantalising kiss he had dropped on her warm lips had only served to bring him teetering on the knife-edge of wanting to drag her into his arms and he trembled in the effort of pulling back a fraction to see her reaction.
In other words, you could say I copped out :).
This is from my second book, The Tango Champion's Secret Love Child:
His eyes scavenged her face as desire lifted her chin, an offer to him. Muttering a curse, he brought both hands up to her face and, lowering his head, dropped his mouth to hers. Fire exploded from the nerves in her lips as his mounted pressure and drew a deep tugging from within her, rendering her a mass of molten ore, desperate to melt into him. His tongue plundered hers, drawing a moan from her and she had to place her hands on his broad shoulders to steady herself. This one is from my third book, Sefton Manor:
His guttural words unleashed her wanting and putting her hands behind his neck, she pulled his head down. His lips swooped in on hers, their pressure soft and hard, restlessly moving, demanding a response from her. A response she gave herself in to, desire shutting out everything else except him, the feel of his glorious long leanness against her soft curves, his taste and his dark amber scent filling her senses.
Now you may notice something here -- the intensity of the kiss increases throughout my writing. Romancing the Seas is 'behind closed doors', The Tango Champion sure as hell ain't and as for Sefton Manor, it packs a lot into it's 15k words.
So do they do as they're supposed to do? And for the sheer hell of it, which one do you prefer?
For more scenes, stories and thoughts on kissing -- check out the Indelible's Indie Kissing Blog Fest ...have a whole heap of fun this Valentine's Day!
February 12, 2013
Come along and guess the song!
I'm so happy to have 'come along and guess the song' back up and running, having neglected it in favour of Romancing the Seas. It's where I tell a story based on the lyrics of a love song.
Today's is a Grammy award winning, very beautiful, love song and a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Do you recognise it? It would also be fun to hear whether you thought this was the story that inspired the lyrics or if there was something totally different in your imagination.
If you know the answer, please just enter the initials in your comment...that way you'll be giving a clue to the next reader but not giving the game away :). Have fun. Next week, I'll post the YouTube clip.
He hears his neighbour carry on talking, despite the sound within him of his heart thudding to a halt then racketing an unsteady beat through him.
She’s back from her trip, finally.
He picks up his ‘phone, dialling a number branded into his mind.
At first, he doesn’t recognise her, wherever she’s been she’s learnt to listen with hope in her heart and talk with warmth emanating from her tone. It feels like summer. Changes strike him, leaving tiny welts on his soul.
Before he can stop himself, they are arranging to meet. But not in their favourite bar, the one they used to frequent when they were the golden couple.
Instead they walk in the park.
He can't stop his mind lingering on her, clocking the differences in her. Each one another lash. She acts like bright sunshine on a unexpected blue skied day, breezy and brisk. Hell, even the way she walks has changed, sudden and with a purpose -- like the rain.
Can he change too?
Since she returned from wherever in the Universe she happened to float into, she listens with hope in her heart and talks with warmth in her tone.
Thoughts stumble through his mind, thick, grey and unwieldy. She had experienced things she had always wanted to, transcending worlds even. But were those worlds overrated?
And the last train of thoughts, those turned to black, sat outside his mind, waiting impatiently to be allowed in. Had she found someone else? One, unlike him, she could believe in. Or was it herself she had found? And if so, why didn’t she want him by her side whilst she was looking?
He finds himself looking at her now as though he didn’t know her -- she's gone platinum. Can he grow too so he can complement her, make them a complete couple once more? He could be too small town after her Universal experience. After all, he hadn't had the courage to fly with her then.
Perhaps her new experiences may cement the rift between them.
She’s talking now, animation lifting her face from attractive to simply beautiful. Eyes shining bright, she endeavours to answer his red rapid fire questions: was it fantastic out there? Were the winds of change exactly what she thought they would be? Had all her new experiences change her forever? Was it everything she wanted to find?
But most importantly, for him, did she miss him?
Her answers drop like hot bricks inside him and he reluctantly acknowledges that theirs is now a different world. No love, pride or even deep fried chicken. Would he still stick up for her, even though he knew she was wrong – who knows. No more first dances, long romantic talks on the telephone.
No more him.
Tell me…
Today's is a Grammy award winning, very beautiful, love song and a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Do you recognise it? It would also be fun to hear whether you thought this was the story that inspired the lyrics or if there was something totally different in your imagination.
If you know the answer, please just enter the initials in your comment...that way you'll be giving a clue to the next reader but not giving the game away :). Have fun. Next week, I'll post the YouTube clip.
He hears his neighbour carry on talking, despite the sound within him of his heart thudding to a halt then racketing an unsteady beat through him.
She’s back from her trip, finally.
He picks up his ‘phone, dialling a number branded into his mind.
At first, he doesn’t recognise her, wherever she’s been she’s learnt to listen with hope in her heart and talk with warmth emanating from her tone. It feels like summer. Changes strike him, leaving tiny welts on his soul.
Before he can stop himself, they are arranging to meet. But not in their favourite bar, the one they used to frequent when they were the golden couple.
Instead they walk in the park.
He can't stop his mind lingering on her, clocking the differences in her. Each one another lash. She acts like bright sunshine on a unexpected blue skied day, breezy and brisk. Hell, even the way she walks has changed, sudden and with a purpose -- like the rain.
Can he change too?
Since she returned from wherever in the Universe she happened to float into, she listens with hope in her heart and talks with warmth in her tone.
Thoughts stumble through his mind, thick, grey and unwieldy. She had experienced things she had always wanted to, transcending worlds even. But were those worlds overrated?
And the last train of thoughts, those turned to black, sat outside his mind, waiting impatiently to be allowed in. Had she found someone else? One, unlike him, she could believe in. Or was it herself she had found? And if so, why didn’t she want him by her side whilst she was looking?
He finds himself looking at her now as though he didn’t know her -- she's gone platinum. Can he grow too so he can complement her, make them a complete couple once more? He could be too small town after her Universal experience. After all, he hadn't had the courage to fly with her then.
Perhaps her new experiences may cement the rift between them.
She’s talking now, animation lifting her face from attractive to simply beautiful. Eyes shining bright, she endeavours to answer his red rapid fire questions: was it fantastic out there? Were the winds of change exactly what she thought they would be? Had all her new experiences change her forever? Was it everything she wanted to find?
But most importantly, for him, did she miss him?
Her answers drop like hot bricks inside him and he reluctantly acknowledges that theirs is now a different world. No love, pride or even deep fried chicken. Would he still stick up for her, even though he knew she was wrong – who knows. No more first dances, long romantic talks on the telephone.
No more him.
Tell me…
February 11, 2013
Please welcome Christine Warner :)
Good morning everyone, I’m thrilled to have my wonderful friend, critique partner and main motivator/encourager/cheer leader, the multi-pubbed, Christine Warner, here today. I have to tell you, folks, that I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Christine. So I’m especially happy that she is at Cait’s Place this morning.
So, Christine honey, have a hot chocolate and tell us a bit about your latest release.
Mmm, I love hot chocolate! Thanks for having me Cait :)
Well I know you've recently given up the evil coffee...sorry for interuption -- carry on lol.
Two-Timing the Boss is a contemporary office romance with a bit of fun and humor :) Check out my blurb:
Farah Smith is on a mission: secure the funds for her twin sister’s surgery. She’ll do whatever it takes to succeed. Even if that means putting her values aside to work for a man she finds morally bankrupt. But when the real Farah meets her new boss, she wonders if she’ll be able to resist his sexy advances long enough to help her sister.From the blonde wig, to the stilettos strapped around her ankles, Farah’s a clone of Keller Donovan’s harem of past assistants. She can’t believe she’s let herself be talked into the disguise, let alone working for the man planning to demolish the hospital her sister so desperately needs, but the salary he offers is the only way she’ll be able to afford her sister’s surgery. The moment Farah meets Keller she realizes her most daunting task isn’t typing, spreadsheets or organizing travel arrangements, but fighting the growing attraction toward a man whose ruthlessness is legendary in the boardroom as well as the bedroom.Determined not to end up in a disastrous marriage like his divorced parents, Keller believes all relationships should have a shelf life of sixth months or less. But when he meets Farah, all bets are off. He not only wants her to continue as his personal assistant, but his own private bed warmer. Unfortunately, his offer of an affair doesn’t sit well with her fairytale dreams or the strangled hold gripping his heart.
I’ve been lucky enough to read this baby and it’s fantastic! Christine, you handle your characters with such integrity and fun that makes your books such great page turners. Despite the fact that I’ve known you for some time now, there are some questions I’d like to ask…
Writing:
Which of the five senses do you find hardest to write about, and why? I’m going to go with SMELL for the win! Teehee. There are times it’s just so hard to get that sense of smell across with the written word, especially when it’s a foul smell. lol I mean, you can say something smelled like vanilla, or smelled like a sewer, but that just seems so basic. I feel like I should give something more, but it’s hard to describe.I’m totally with you on this one. Smell is so hard – how do you describe lavender for example? Light purple lol. (not that I like lavender, btw!)
Finish this off for me: For me, Christine Warner, sex is to love as laptop is to writing.a-ha – good one, I like it. So essential really! Although, you could use pen and paper nah, I’m not going down this route :).
If you were told that you couldn’t write anymore otherwise the world would blow up, what would you do? I’d make sure to never write long hand and only use my computer LOL *wink*…I’m tricky like that :)Hmm you wriggled out of this question alright J (Note to self, revise this questions to not allow any wriggling)
If you were told you could either read or write, but not do both, which would you choose, and why? That’s a tough one. Since writing is such a huge part of my life and makes me happy, I’d choose writing. Then maybe I’d cheat and start buying more audio books. LolNice answer…like the thinking!
What is your favourite word, and why? I work in the medical field and I love some of the words they use, not that they’re words I want associated with my health. I have a fondness for ischemic cardiomyopathy. Maybe someday I’ll work it into a book. :)Do – twould make a catchy title LOL.
You as a person:
How would you like to be remembered? As a good friend :)I can attest to that alright!
When and why was the last time you giggled uncontrollably?I can’t name what made me giggle uncontrollably, but I’m sure it had something to do with my sister. We seem to play off each other and get going until I’m about ready to pee my pants. Is that TMI? Lol We practically read each others minds and can just laugh because we know what the other is thinking. It used to drive my mom crazy! lolHow funny, that would be my answer too…there’s just something about sisters, isn’t there? Once you start, it’s hard to stop. I think we annoyed the beejeebers out of my mother too!
What's your favourite photo on display? OMG, I have a picture of my 3 kids that I just love. When they were 7, 5 and 7 months old. They were all lying on the floor cuddled together and I took their picture. I love it and treasure it so much that they all got together and for Christmas this year they re-enacted it. I never laughed so hard (hmmm…maybe that was my uncontrolled laughter moment) anyway…my youngest played his baby part so well, he even stuck his tongue out in the updated photo just like he had it in the original. Both pictures are displayed on the curio cabinet in my dining room :)Aw sounds fab, I’d love to see them both!
If you could have chosen your parents, who would you have picked? The ones I got. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. They balanced each other out perfectly and I think my brother, sister and I are the better for it :)Lovely answer.
And just for pure, adolescent fun, which superpower would you choose? Hmm, I wouldn’t want to fly because I’m afraid of heights, I wouldn’t want the power to read minds because I might not like what I hear…another tough one, Cait! I guess I’d go with the power of Speed. Can you imagine how awesome it’d be to whip through housework in a matter of minutes and then have the rest of the day to write or do whatever you want? Sounds kind of awesome to me!Wow, you've sold it to me too. Could you imagine how productive you’d be? Although I do like flying LOL.I can fly in an airplane, I just wouldn’t want to do it without that metal between my butt and the air! Lol Oh, and I normally have to slide a few drinks back to make my boarding a bit easier!hehehe
Nowt wrong with a few drinks to make the flight easier! Fabulous chatting to you, Christine, I’ve really enjoyed having you over. Thanks for all your lovely comments, and please give us an excerpt to tantalise!
These damn shoes would be the death of her. She could read the headlines now: Penniless P.A. Fallsto her Death while on Job Interview.Almost to her destination, with no more mishaps, her confidence surfaced. Okay, maybe mastering this heel thing wouldn’t be such a big deal. Her steps became light, almost bouncy. Although she sensed Keller Donovan behind her, she didn’t let it deter her feeling of success. She stepped onto the large black and red area rug, less than ten feet from her target. The leather chairs. “Oh!” Farah’s spiky heel caught on the edge of the expensive rug. Her legs shook and she shot her arms out from her sides, circling them like a bird about to take flight. She fought to regain balance inside the ridiculous stilts strapped to her feet. A brawl to the death. Over when she looked down to see the rug coming up to kiss her face. She threw out her hands, sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, scrunching her face as she prepared for impact.But nothing happened. There were stars all right, and a blazing jolt of electricity shot from her toes, up her legs, through her body and exited with the small gasp which escaped her lips. Somehow Keller Donovan had grabbed her around the waist before she met the floor. Heat burned her cheeks. He may have saved her body from bruises, but her ego, and whatever confidence she’d walked in with had shattered.“Let’s not have an accident before your health benefits kick in.” His breath tickled her ear from behind. Chills hugged her backbone.His touch released an unsettling flutter in her abdomen. She sucked in her stomach from the pressure of his strong arms wrapped around her middle, afraid to breathe.
LOL, she just had to fall, didn’t she! Your poor characters, you don’t believe in giving them a break, do you Ms. Hard Core Christine? :). I love the humour that pervades your words, I start reading, a smile appears and stays there until The End. Your books end that is. Although twould be nice if I could just smile for the rest of my life…
Two-Timing the Boss as well as Some Like it in Handcuffs are both available in print and digital format at:The Wild Rose PressBarnes and Noblehttp://www.amazon.com/And you can find me at:My blog/website Twitter under ChristinesWordsFacebookpage…stop by and give it a LIKE to stay informed of what I have in the works: GoodreadsI love to hear from readers and other authors J
So, Christine honey, have a hot chocolate and tell us a bit about your latest release.
Mmm, I love hot chocolate! Thanks for having me Cait :)
Well I know you've recently given up the evil coffee...sorry for interuption -- carry on lol.
Two-Timing the Boss is a contemporary office romance with a bit of fun and humor :) Check out my blurb:
Farah Smith is on a mission: secure the funds for her twin sister’s surgery. She’ll do whatever it takes to succeed. Even if that means putting her values aside to work for a man she finds morally bankrupt. But when the real Farah meets her new boss, she wonders if she’ll be able to resist his sexy advances long enough to help her sister.From the blonde wig, to the stilettos strapped around her ankles, Farah’s a clone of Keller Donovan’s harem of past assistants. She can’t believe she’s let herself be talked into the disguise, let alone working for the man planning to demolish the hospital her sister so desperately needs, but the salary he offers is the only way she’ll be able to afford her sister’s surgery. The moment Farah meets Keller she realizes her most daunting task isn’t typing, spreadsheets or organizing travel arrangements, but fighting the growing attraction toward a man whose ruthlessness is legendary in the boardroom as well as the bedroom.Determined not to end up in a disastrous marriage like his divorced parents, Keller believes all relationships should have a shelf life of sixth months or less. But when he meets Farah, all bets are off. He not only wants her to continue as his personal assistant, but his own private bed warmer. Unfortunately, his offer of an affair doesn’t sit well with her fairytale dreams or the strangled hold gripping his heart.
I’ve been lucky enough to read this baby and it’s fantastic! Christine, you handle your characters with such integrity and fun that makes your books such great page turners. Despite the fact that I’ve known you for some time now, there are some questions I’d like to ask…
Writing:
Which of the five senses do you find hardest to write about, and why? I’m going to go with SMELL for the win! Teehee. There are times it’s just so hard to get that sense of smell across with the written word, especially when it’s a foul smell. lol I mean, you can say something smelled like vanilla, or smelled like a sewer, but that just seems so basic. I feel like I should give something more, but it’s hard to describe.I’m totally with you on this one. Smell is so hard – how do you describe lavender for example? Light purple lol. (not that I like lavender, btw!)
Finish this off for me: For me, Christine Warner, sex is to love as laptop is to writing.a-ha – good one, I like it. So essential really! Although, you could use pen and paper nah, I’m not going down this route :).
If you were told that you couldn’t write anymore otherwise the world would blow up, what would you do? I’d make sure to never write long hand and only use my computer LOL *wink*…I’m tricky like that :)Hmm you wriggled out of this question alright J (Note to self, revise this questions to not allow any wriggling)
If you were told you could either read or write, but not do both, which would you choose, and why? That’s a tough one. Since writing is such a huge part of my life and makes me happy, I’d choose writing. Then maybe I’d cheat and start buying more audio books. LolNice answer…like the thinking!
What is your favourite word, and why? I work in the medical field and I love some of the words they use, not that they’re words I want associated with my health. I have a fondness for ischemic cardiomyopathy. Maybe someday I’ll work it into a book. :)Do – twould make a catchy title LOL.
You as a person:
How would you like to be remembered? As a good friend :)I can attest to that alright!
When and why was the last time you giggled uncontrollably?I can’t name what made me giggle uncontrollably, but I’m sure it had something to do with my sister. We seem to play off each other and get going until I’m about ready to pee my pants. Is that TMI? Lol We practically read each others minds and can just laugh because we know what the other is thinking. It used to drive my mom crazy! lolHow funny, that would be my answer too…there’s just something about sisters, isn’t there? Once you start, it’s hard to stop. I think we annoyed the beejeebers out of my mother too!
What's your favourite photo on display? OMG, I have a picture of my 3 kids that I just love. When they were 7, 5 and 7 months old. They were all lying on the floor cuddled together and I took their picture. I love it and treasure it so much that they all got together and for Christmas this year they re-enacted it. I never laughed so hard (hmmm…maybe that was my uncontrolled laughter moment) anyway…my youngest played his baby part so well, he even stuck his tongue out in the updated photo just like he had it in the original. Both pictures are displayed on the curio cabinet in my dining room :)Aw sounds fab, I’d love to see them both!
If you could have chosen your parents, who would you have picked? The ones I got. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. They balanced each other out perfectly and I think my brother, sister and I are the better for it :)Lovely answer.
And just for pure, adolescent fun, which superpower would you choose? Hmm, I wouldn’t want to fly because I’m afraid of heights, I wouldn’t want the power to read minds because I might not like what I hear…another tough one, Cait! I guess I’d go with the power of Speed. Can you imagine how awesome it’d be to whip through housework in a matter of minutes and then have the rest of the day to write or do whatever you want? Sounds kind of awesome to me!Wow, you've sold it to me too. Could you imagine how productive you’d be? Although I do like flying LOL.I can fly in an airplane, I just wouldn’t want to do it without that metal between my butt and the air! Lol Oh, and I normally have to slide a few drinks back to make my boarding a bit easier!hehehe
Nowt wrong with a few drinks to make the flight easier! Fabulous chatting to you, Christine, I’ve really enjoyed having you over. Thanks for all your lovely comments, and please give us an excerpt to tantalise!
These damn shoes would be the death of her. She could read the headlines now: Penniless P.A. Fallsto her Death while on Job Interview.Almost to her destination, with no more mishaps, her confidence surfaced. Okay, maybe mastering this heel thing wouldn’t be such a big deal. Her steps became light, almost bouncy. Although she sensed Keller Donovan behind her, she didn’t let it deter her feeling of success. She stepped onto the large black and red area rug, less than ten feet from her target. The leather chairs. “Oh!” Farah’s spiky heel caught on the edge of the expensive rug. Her legs shook and she shot her arms out from her sides, circling them like a bird about to take flight. She fought to regain balance inside the ridiculous stilts strapped to her feet. A brawl to the death. Over when she looked down to see the rug coming up to kiss her face. She threw out her hands, sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, scrunching her face as she prepared for impact.But nothing happened. There were stars all right, and a blazing jolt of electricity shot from her toes, up her legs, through her body and exited with the small gasp which escaped her lips. Somehow Keller Donovan had grabbed her around the waist before she met the floor. Heat burned her cheeks. He may have saved her body from bruises, but her ego, and whatever confidence she’d walked in with had shattered.“Let’s not have an accident before your health benefits kick in.” His breath tickled her ear from behind. Chills hugged her backbone.His touch released an unsettling flutter in her abdomen. She sucked in her stomach from the pressure of his strong arms wrapped around her middle, afraid to breathe.
LOL, she just had to fall, didn’t she! Your poor characters, you don’t believe in giving them a break, do you Ms. Hard Core Christine? :). I love the humour that pervades your words, I start reading, a smile appears and stays there until The End. Your books end that is. Although twould be nice if I could just smile for the rest of my life…
Two-Timing the Boss as well as Some Like it in Handcuffs are both available in print and digital format at:The Wild Rose PressBarnes and Noblehttp://www.amazon.com/And you can find me at:My blog/website Twitter under ChristinesWordsFacebookpage…stop by and give it a LIKE to stay informed of what I have in the works: GoodreadsI love to hear from readers and other authors J
February 10, 2013
Sneak Peek Sunday
...so these six paragraphs carry on from last Sunday (post just down below) and a clip from Romancing the Seas. Realisation has dawned and Pippa has just run like the clappers upstairs to see if there's any way she can stop Jonathon eating the chili laced sauce. Jonathon has bemused her by complimenting her on the first course. Is she too late?
****
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Pippa managed to get the words out from a tight throat. “I hope you enjoy the rest too. Can I get you anything else?” But out of her peripheral vision, she saw him take a mouthful of his main course. She turned to look fully at him as he hesitantly swallowed and coughed, tears coming to his eyes.
Juliet’s voice sounded sweet as sugar. “Oh, darling, did it go down the wrong way? Here, have some of my water.” Taking advantage of the situation, she draped her arm around his shoulder as he quietly coughed some more. She glared at Pippa. “Or maybe it’s poisonous. Perhaps your wonderful chef isn’t so wonderful. Here, let me take a taste.”
She raised a fork.
Pippa’s stomach twisted. Jonathon’s eyes met hers, and she was sure he could see her plea. Don’t let her try it!
“Juliet!” Her mother’s voice rang out through the room. “Your behaviour is appalling. What is the matter with you?”
Pippa gently blew out a long breath of air. Her future on board wasn’t looking good as it was, never mind the disaster that would ensue if Juliet had tried the hot sauce. The sweet, caring look that had been predominant on Juliet’s face turned into a pettish, childish snarl.
****
Come back next week to see what Jonathon does. And later on in Romancing the Seas, Juliet throws more than a few spanners in the works, stay tuned :). But for now, hop on over to the Sneak Peek Sunday blog to read yet more great paragraphs. Have a great week!
****
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Pippa managed to get the words out from a tight throat. “I hope you enjoy the rest too. Can I get you anything else?” But out of her peripheral vision, she saw him take a mouthful of his main course. She turned to look fully at him as he hesitantly swallowed and coughed, tears coming to his eyes.
Juliet’s voice sounded sweet as sugar. “Oh, darling, did it go down the wrong way? Here, have some of my water.” Taking advantage of the situation, she draped her arm around his shoulder as he quietly coughed some more. She glared at Pippa. “Or maybe it’s poisonous. Perhaps your wonderful chef isn’t so wonderful. Here, let me take a taste.”
She raised a fork.
Pippa’s stomach twisted. Jonathon’s eyes met hers, and she was sure he could see her plea. Don’t let her try it!
“Juliet!” Her mother’s voice rang out through the room. “Your behaviour is appalling. What is the matter with you?”
Pippa gently blew out a long breath of air. Her future on board wasn’t looking good as it was, never mind the disaster that would ensue if Juliet had tried the hot sauce. The sweet, caring look that had been predominant on Juliet’s face turned into a pettish, childish snarl.
****
Come back next week to see what Jonathon does. And later on in Romancing the Seas, Juliet throws more than a few spanners in the works, stay tuned :). But for now, hop on over to the Sneak Peek Sunday blog to read yet more great paragraphs. Have a great week!
February 3, 2013
Sneak Peek Sunday
The wonderful Sara Walter Ellwood is to be commended for coming up with this great idea -- Sneak Peak Sunday, where we showcase six paragraphs of our work. Today, I've posted six paragraphs from Romancing the Seas. Pippa is cooking for Jonathon and his guests. He has very much annoyed her and this is her rather headstrong reaction!
****
The goddamn cheek of the man, sticking his finger in her work. Urgh. She placed the sauce pot in the sink and ran water into it to disperse it down the plug hole. Starting from scratch, because there was absolutely no way she would serve that now.
“Rob?” Pippa raised her voice, looking for her helper. She stalked into the cold room and gathered the ingredients anew, mind working furiously. A bit spicier, hey. She’d give him spicy. Her hands flew whilst chopping the ginger and she moved onto the chili, glancing at her watch.
She had to work fast.
Without stopping to think, she chopped more chili and, after placing most of the ingredients into a main pot for all of the other guests, started a small pot. Especially for Jonathon. A little bit spicier indeed. Take that! There. Done.
No turning back now, although a remote part of her stood apart with crossed arms saying, What the hell are you doing?
“I’m here, chef.” Rob materialized beside her, looking over at her with bemusement. Pippa straightened her face with an effort.****
What a giggle, hey. Next Sunday, I shall post what happens next -- it's fun!
Pop on over to the Sneak Peak Hop now to discover more great new authors.
****
The goddamn cheek of the man, sticking his finger in her work. Urgh. She placed the sauce pot in the sink and ran water into it to disperse it down the plug hole. Starting from scratch, because there was absolutely no way she would serve that now.
“Rob?” Pippa raised her voice, looking for her helper. She stalked into the cold room and gathered the ingredients anew, mind working furiously. A bit spicier, hey. She’d give him spicy. Her hands flew whilst chopping the ginger and she moved onto the chili, glancing at her watch.
She had to work fast.
Without stopping to think, she chopped more chili and, after placing most of the ingredients into a main pot for all of the other guests, started a small pot. Especially for Jonathon. A little bit spicier indeed. Take that! There. Done.
No turning back now, although a remote part of her stood apart with crossed arms saying, What the hell are you doing?
“I’m here, chef.” Rob materialized beside her, looking over at her with bemusement. Pippa straightened her face with an effort.****
What a giggle, hey. Next Sunday, I shall post what happens next -- it's fun!
Pop on over to the Sneak Peak Hop now to discover more great new authors.
January 30, 2013
Inspiration...
...and the search for it is the debate at Nancy Jardine's wonderful site. Pop in for a cuppa :)
ETA 1st February
Inspiration – strike me…NOW!
And I sit and write happily.
Doesn’t quite work like that, does it? Nancy gave me a little nudge on Monday about my guest appearance here (thanks so much, both for the nudge and the blog spot, Nancy!).
What was I going to write about? I’ve been marketing my debut novel, ‘Romancing the Seas’ for three weeks now and so have become a frequent blogger. (I wonder do I get points?)
I ran though the themes in my book:
Travel: Pippa travels to New Zealand to start a new life as head chef aboard a cruise liner, cruising the coast of New Zealand. Tick – I blogged about the joy of travelling. Dance: Not really a theme, but a Maori dance that Pippa does is one of my favourite scenes in the book, so I wrote about how I had been dancing myself and danced the same dance she did.
Changes: quite a popular theme this one. Pippa changed her life totally around in pursuit of happiness. Tick – post about changes went up.
What was a girl to do? I didn’t really fancy writing about love, to be honest.
Explore the internet. In the meantime, I told Nancy that my brain was creative mush and she very kindly sent me some questions. Big thanks, Nancy. But I had said that I would do a guest blog.
So I kept searching.
What else could tie me back into my first book. A-ha thinks I, and go searching for a quote about a first book. Here I should be offering many sage quotes about debut novels but sadly, nothing appealed. Until, I came across one (nothing to do with debut novels) from Stephen King. It just coloured me pink.
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
I can now say that, based on Stephen King’s criteria, I am a professional. I got up and looked for inspiration. Now I know I didn’t actually get up out of my seat but heck, I figured that Mr King said this a good while ago, before the Internet was such a source of possible inspiration.
Now, both Jonathon and Pippa are professionals …nah don’t worry, I won’t go there :).
But do share -- where do you find your inspiration for the many posts we professionals have to write?
Whilst you’re thinking, have a wee look at the blurb and cover for Romancing the Seas! Sous-chef Pippa Renshaw thinks a change of scene will mend a bruised heart, so she swaps her job in a prestigious London restaurant to head-chef on a cruise ship sailing around New Zealand. A great plan until she meets her new CEO, the delectable Jonathon Eagleton, and discovers she has to share a suite with him.Even though sparks fly whenever they are together, Jonathon steadfastly keeps her at arm’s length, which suits Pippa just fine because she’s still getting over the betrayal of the last time she had a relationship with the boss.The situation is starting to feel like solitary confinement until a thunderstorm traps them in a tramper’s hut while hiking. Suddenly a different kind of storm unleashes inside the hut.But will they be able to go back to their previous status now the line has been crossed?Now pop on over to Cait’s Placeto read the first chapter of Romancing the Seas.Buy Romancing the SeasCrimson RomanceBook StrandRomancing the Seas from Amazon.comRomancing the Seas from Amazon in the UKStay in touch too on Facebookand Twitter.
ETA 1st February
Inspiration – strike me…NOW!
And I sit and write happily.
Doesn’t quite work like that, does it? Nancy gave me a little nudge on Monday about my guest appearance here (thanks so much, both for the nudge and the blog spot, Nancy!).
What was I going to write about? I’ve been marketing my debut novel, ‘Romancing the Seas’ for three weeks now and so have become a frequent blogger. (I wonder do I get points?)
I ran though the themes in my book:
Travel: Pippa travels to New Zealand to start a new life as head chef aboard a cruise liner, cruising the coast of New Zealand. Tick – I blogged about the joy of travelling. Dance: Not really a theme, but a Maori dance that Pippa does is one of my favourite scenes in the book, so I wrote about how I had been dancing myself and danced the same dance she did.
Changes: quite a popular theme this one. Pippa changed her life totally around in pursuit of happiness. Tick – post about changes went up.
What was a girl to do? I didn’t really fancy writing about love, to be honest.
Explore the internet. In the meantime, I told Nancy that my brain was creative mush and she very kindly sent me some questions. Big thanks, Nancy. But I had said that I would do a guest blog.
So I kept searching.
What else could tie me back into my first book. A-ha thinks I, and go searching for a quote about a first book. Here I should be offering many sage quotes about debut novels but sadly, nothing appealed. Until, I came across one (nothing to do with debut novels) from Stephen King. It just coloured me pink.
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
I can now say that, based on Stephen King’s criteria, I am a professional. I got up and looked for inspiration. Now I know I didn’t actually get up out of my seat but heck, I figured that Mr King said this a good while ago, before the Internet was such a source of possible inspiration.
Now, both Jonathon and Pippa are professionals …nah don’t worry, I won’t go there :).
But do share -- where do you find your inspiration for the many posts we professionals have to write?
Whilst you’re thinking, have a wee look at the blurb and cover for Romancing the Seas! Sous-chef Pippa Renshaw thinks a change of scene will mend a bruised heart, so she swaps her job in a prestigious London restaurant to head-chef on a cruise ship sailing around New Zealand. A great plan until she meets her new CEO, the delectable Jonathon Eagleton, and discovers she has to share a suite with him.Even though sparks fly whenever they are together, Jonathon steadfastly keeps her at arm’s length, which suits Pippa just fine because she’s still getting over the betrayal of the last time she had a relationship with the boss.The situation is starting to feel like solitary confinement until a thunderstorm traps them in a tramper’s hut while hiking. Suddenly a different kind of storm unleashes inside the hut.But will they be able to go back to their previous status now the line has been crossed?Now pop on over to Cait’s Placeto read the first chapter of Romancing the Seas.Buy Romancing the SeasCrimson RomanceBook StrandRomancing the Seas from Amazon.comRomancing the Seas from Amazon in the UKStay in touch too on Facebookand Twitter.
January 29, 2013
Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes...
Like or loathe Change? My good friend and CP, Calisa Rhose, has invited me over to her page to hang out for the day, and this is what I'm talking about -- come and join the discussion!
****
ETA 1st Feb.
I got to thinking the other day when my sister said in an offhand comment ‘everyone hates change’.
I don’t.
Quite the opposite in fact. I love change.
My favourite season is when they change: winter to spring is inspirational, spring to summer joyful, summer to autumn brings appreciation for the beauty of the changing world and on to winter, when the bright, brisk days exhilarate me.
My favourite weather is when it changes, sun being eclipsed by billowing, purple clouds, the first fat raindrop falling. Vice versa, sunshine through the rain and rainbows arcing through the sky.
Dawn when the moon gives way to the sun, dusk when the sun starts to leave. All wonderful times to be alive with the very air seeming to dissolve in the changing light.
Then there’s the life changing thing. Not quite so easy, or so enjoyable, but heck, when you’ve survived it, nothing beats that feeling. Change scoops you up to tumble in its force, cursing it, helpless but emerging the other side brand spanking new, with a different, more mature outlook on life, and one step closer to peace.
So I scooped up Pippa, my heroine in Romancing the Seas, and put her through the change wringer.
She leaves a settled life in London behind for a new life in New Zealand. How exciting for her, and the first three chapters were hard for her. But hey she settled and now loves it there, in her brand spanking new life. Here she is at the start, wondering whether she’s done the right thing:
There were several top-of-the-range treadmills and she chose one, slowly working her stride. But her mind refused to let up. Why had she come out here to New Zealand? She should have stayed in London, working for Marcus. Okay, maybe she would have moved to a different restaurant, but even then she would have been surrounded by the familiar, not the unknown — and the downright scary. Now she was a prisoner of her own design: new country — heck, new continent — new job, new boss, no friends, and not even any space to call her own.
Maybe she had done the right thing. How could she have stayed in London after what Marcus had done? An up and coming celebrity chef, she had supported him all the way. Until his publicist had said to him, “Lose the sous chef; she’s too ordinary a look for you. You need an it girl on your arm, so all the paparazzi will be snapping you for the celebrity magazines.”
“Look, Pippa,” Marcus had pleaded. “Just give me a couple of years to get to the top of my career and then we can be together properly. We can still be together, but just keep our relationship under cover.”
Pippa had wanted to cry, but instead picked up her bag and walked out of the flat she had never quite moved into.
She had been right to leave. But whether she had been right to leave so drastically, swapping everything she had ever known for the unknown, was very questionable.
Her heart pounded rapidly and she pressed the treadmill button to lower the speed, concentrating on breathing deeply to slow her heart rate down. A light cough from the treadmill beside her nearly threw her off her treadmill in surprise.
Her new roomie.
In an attempt not to let the machine sweep her off, she pumped her legs and finally caught back up with the pace. Great. Glances at the monitor, proudly proclaiming a heart rate of 190, made her want to curl up and die. Mr. Eagleton, on the other hand, appeared very relaxed and loose limbed beside her as he lengthened into his pace, despite a faint sheen of sweat — clearly he had been in the gym for a while.
Breathe.
****
ETA 1st Feb.
I got to thinking the other day when my sister said in an offhand comment ‘everyone hates change’.
I don’t.
Quite the opposite in fact. I love change.
My favourite season is when they change: winter to spring is inspirational, spring to summer joyful, summer to autumn brings appreciation for the beauty of the changing world and on to winter, when the bright, brisk days exhilarate me.
My favourite weather is when it changes, sun being eclipsed by billowing, purple clouds, the first fat raindrop falling. Vice versa, sunshine through the rain and rainbows arcing through the sky.
Dawn when the moon gives way to the sun, dusk when the sun starts to leave. All wonderful times to be alive with the very air seeming to dissolve in the changing light.
Then there’s the life changing thing. Not quite so easy, or so enjoyable, but heck, when you’ve survived it, nothing beats that feeling. Change scoops you up to tumble in its force, cursing it, helpless but emerging the other side brand spanking new, with a different, more mature outlook on life, and one step closer to peace.
So I scooped up Pippa, my heroine in Romancing the Seas, and put her through the change wringer.
She leaves a settled life in London behind for a new life in New Zealand. How exciting for her, and the first three chapters were hard for her. But hey she settled and now loves it there, in her brand spanking new life. Here she is at the start, wondering whether she’s done the right thing:
There were several top-of-the-range treadmills and she chose one, slowly working her stride. But her mind refused to let up. Why had she come out here to New Zealand? She should have stayed in London, working for Marcus. Okay, maybe she would have moved to a different restaurant, but even then she would have been surrounded by the familiar, not the unknown — and the downright scary. Now she was a prisoner of her own design: new country — heck, new continent — new job, new boss, no friends, and not even any space to call her own.
Maybe she had done the right thing. How could she have stayed in London after what Marcus had done? An up and coming celebrity chef, she had supported him all the way. Until his publicist had said to him, “Lose the sous chef; she’s too ordinary a look for you. You need an it girl on your arm, so all the paparazzi will be snapping you for the celebrity magazines.”
“Look, Pippa,” Marcus had pleaded. “Just give me a couple of years to get to the top of my career and then we can be together properly. We can still be together, but just keep our relationship under cover.”
Pippa had wanted to cry, but instead picked up her bag and walked out of the flat she had never quite moved into.
She had been right to leave. But whether she had been right to leave so drastically, swapping everything she had ever known for the unknown, was very questionable.
Her heart pounded rapidly and she pressed the treadmill button to lower the speed, concentrating on breathing deeply to slow her heart rate down. A light cough from the treadmill beside her nearly threw her off her treadmill in surprise.
Her new roomie.
In an attempt not to let the machine sweep her off, she pumped her legs and finally caught back up with the pace. Great. Glances at the monitor, proudly proclaiming a heart rate of 190, made her want to curl up and die. Mr. Eagleton, on the other hand, appeared very relaxed and loose limbed beside her as he lengthened into his pace, despite a faint sheen of sweat — clearly he had been in the gym for a while.
Breathe.
January 23, 2013
Come and find out what constitutes my perfect hero...
over at my wonderful friend, the multu talented writer and publisher, Cathie Dunn's site :)
See you there!
See you there!
January 21, 2013
January 19, 2013
The Liebster Blog Award
Woo-hoo, on the 10th January, I was lucky enough to be get a Liebster Blog Award {big smiles}. Thanks to Lynn Crain for the award and the lovely comments she made about Cait's Place...check it out. You put a big smile on my face, Lynn thank you!
The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.
Here are the rules for receiving this award:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post. Lynn's rules were for 5 so I'll stick with hers, if you don't mind.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. Remember, no tag backs!
Thanks to Intoruth for the above details. Since I wasn't asked 11 questions, I'll ask questions and answered them too.
First, 11 things about me:
1. I'm Irish
2. I love change, whether it be the weather or seasons changing, the light of the day changing or my life. Although the life changing thing can be hard.
3. I am the youngest of four children.
4. I have two daughters.
5. It's snowing where I live in London.
6. I love travelling.
7. I love dancing.
8. I love music.
9. I love writing.
10. I love looking at life as though through the bottom of a glass, so it's all recognisable but just a bit distorted. That way other things become more apparent than the norm.
11. I am thrilled to be an author.
(yes these have ended up being 11 things I love, haven't they!)
11 Questions about you and my answers:
1. Beach or mountain holiday? Me: Mountain
2. Where in the family do you come? Me: Last of 4
3. Dog or cat person? Me: Both
4. What's your favourite season and why?Me: Odd answer but it's when the seasons change. I love the feeling in the air.
5. What's the last book you read? Me: The Kashmir Shawl by Rosie Thomas
6. What's the last film you watched? Me: Jack Reacher
7. What's your favourite weather and why?Me: again when the weather changes, from rain to sun, vice versa kinda thing.
8. What would you like to be written on your tombstone? (happy I know!) Me: Mother, Daughter, Author, Lover (I know -- I'm laughing my ass off too)
9. How would you like to be remembered? (I know the tone is going down here.) Me: She followed her dreams and they followed her right back.(not on Twitter)
10. When and why was the last time you giggled uncontrollably? (picking it up) Me: With my sister last week when we said something backwards when talking to each other.We often make up words and are thinking about starting our own language. Heck it makes us laugh!
11. What's your favourite photo on display? Me: Toss up of walking in the mountains with friends or me with my two daughters, both very happy photographs that make me smile when I look at them.
So now to tag 5 other bloggers.
1. Cathie Dunn
2. Christy McKellan
3. Jane Dougherty
4. Serena Clarke
5.Mary Jean Schiller
The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.
Here are the rules for receiving this award:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post. Lynn's rules were for 5 so I'll stick with hers, if you don't mind.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. Remember, no tag backs!
Thanks to Intoruth for the above details. Since I wasn't asked 11 questions, I'll ask questions and answered them too.
First, 11 things about me:
1. I'm Irish
2. I love change, whether it be the weather or seasons changing, the light of the day changing or my life. Although the life changing thing can be hard.
3. I am the youngest of four children.
4. I have two daughters.
5. It's snowing where I live in London.
6. I love travelling.
7. I love dancing.
8. I love music.
9. I love writing.
10. I love looking at life as though through the bottom of a glass, so it's all recognisable but just a bit distorted. That way other things become more apparent than the norm.
11. I am thrilled to be an author.
(yes these have ended up being 11 things I love, haven't they!)
11 Questions about you and my answers:
1. Beach or mountain holiday? Me: Mountain
2. Where in the family do you come? Me: Last of 4
3. Dog or cat person? Me: Both
4. What's your favourite season and why?Me: Odd answer but it's when the seasons change. I love the feeling in the air.
5. What's the last book you read? Me: The Kashmir Shawl by Rosie Thomas
6. What's the last film you watched? Me: Jack Reacher
7. What's your favourite weather and why?Me: again when the weather changes, from rain to sun, vice versa kinda thing.
8. What would you like to be written on your tombstone? (happy I know!) Me: Mother, Daughter, Author, Lover (I know -- I'm laughing my ass off too)
9. How would you like to be remembered? (I know the tone is going down here.) Me: She followed her dreams and they followed her right back.(not on Twitter)
10. When and why was the last time you giggled uncontrollably? (picking it up) Me: With my sister last week when we said something backwards when talking to each other.We often make up words and are thinking about starting our own language. Heck it makes us laugh!
11. What's your favourite photo on display? Me: Toss up of walking in the mountains with friends or me with my two daughters, both very happy photographs that make me smile when I look at them.
So now to tag 5 other bloggers.
1. Cathie Dunn
2. Christy McKellan
3. Jane Dougherty
4. Serena Clarke
5.Mary Jean Schiller
