Gems of Romantic Fiction

July's Thunder Moon...

2011-07-17T00:27:00.001-07:00

It's funny. I love living on the west coast, but there's one thing I miss more than anything else...thunderstorms. One of my favourite things to do is sit on the porch and watch the lightning flash across the sky as the thunder booms overhead. You can actually see the line of clouds as it rolls across the landscape, the varying shades of grey and black playing off the wisps of white.

But out here on Vancouver Island, we rarely get thunderstorms... just the way our lovely island sits, I suppose. Don't get me wrong, we get lots of rain, but as we're on the west side of the mountains, we just don't get the majestic storms forming out here. However, while it might not be the thunder moon out here, July is definitely turning out to be the rain moon... which is close enough for me. I've never seen it rain so much in the summer as it has this year. And I mean all-day only stops for about twenty minutes kind of rain. Even the dog gives up after a while and comes inside... yeah, puddles, we got 'em.

While it's a pain in the butt, it's a great backdrop for my new story out with Resplendence... Snare: Thunder Moon. It's book seven in the Phases collection, and my second contribution to the series. I have to admit, it's been a blast writing the stories for this theme...nobel animals, feisty heroines and lip-smaking heros... who wouldn't love giving their leading lady two drool-worthy men to adore her and see to her every need...and I mean every need.

Unlike my first book... Coyote Savage... the lovely lady is the shifter in this novella, and to say she's a wildcat isn't an understatement. Here's the blurb and a quick excerpt...

July’s thunder moon is holding true to its name. But will the rash of lightning reveal more than just the landscape?

Veterinarian and bobcat shifter Tayen Locke has devoted her life to saving animals, but a rise in poaching has spurred her down another path. She’s been spending her free time in her animal form, searching the nearby forest for illegal traps. She’s well aware of the risks—she just never thought she’d end up snared by her potential mates.

Rangers Quinn Harrington and Rogan James know exactly what they want...they just don’t know how to convince Tayen it’s her. Ever since they moved to town two years ago, they’ve had their sights set on the sexy vet, who for the last six months has turned down every offer they’ve made. Though they know she’s interested, they’re losing hope she’ll ever change her mind. But an unexpected storm changes the nature of the game. It seems Tayen’s been keeping a secret, and now that the cat’s out of the bag, literally, there’s no where left for Tayen to run—except straight into their arms.

“Come on, Tayen. We’ve been asking you out for six months straight. Surely you know we’re serious.” Rogan James crossed his arms over his chest, hoping to use his height to his advantage. Hell, he’d use any trick in the book if it meant Tayen would finally say yes. “You’re running out of excuses. Either you’ll have to go to dinner with us, or move.”

Tayen laughed, her lilting voice sending shivers down his spine. God, all she had to do was smile or talk, and his heart jackhammered in his chest followed closely by a tight feeling in his groin. Thank God his ranger jacket hid the bulge in his pants that seemed to be a constant companion whenever the woman was in the same room.

Tayen stopped shifting papers and turned to look at him. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer, it’s just—”

“Just what?” Rogan stepped forward, halting a couple of steps away. “You’ve got an animal in need of your assistance? You have some lab results that will go up in flames if you don’t read them in the next hour?” He fisted one hand at his side. “You’re washing your hair?”

Indecision flickered in her eyes, and Rogan nearly jumped for joy.

Tayen sighed and leaned back against the counter, her fingers twitching nervously. God, she was beautiful. With flowing, chestnut hair that cascaded down her back, and delicate features set in a perfectly shaped face, she was more than tempting. Her petite frame was accentuated by lean muscles and girlish curves, which gave the impression of tightly coiled strength just waiting to pounce. The entire imagery made him feel as if he was looking at a wild animal, whose beauty and grace hid lethal claws hidden beneath a tranquil façade.

She cleared her throat, swallowing uneasily. “You both know I’m technically on call until midnight. If there’s an emergency, I’d have to come back immediately. And I just got back the results from the blood samples I sent in regarding what kind of poison nearly killed the Mayor’s dog.” A smile tugged at her lips as she looked at him. “But if it’s any consolation, I washed my hair this morning.”

Rogan heard Quinn curse under his breath as the man joined them near the back of the clinic. His eyes were narrowed and Rogan sensed the man’s impatience.

Quinn stuffed his hands in his pockets, his gaze never leaving Tayen’s. “Okay, let’s cut through all the bullshit and get to the bare facts. Do you really think we thrive on asking the same woman out, month after month, only to get turned down? Do you think we’d keep asking if we didn’t believe there was something special going on?” He strode forward, trapping her between his arms as he palmed the counter on either side of her waist. “You can joke about this and hide from it if you like, but you can’t deny there’s a connection between us that doesn’t come along every day.”

Rogan watched as Quinn sighed and rested his forehead on Tayen’s, his breath fluttering the wisps of hair around her face. She closed her eyes, and for a moment, Rogan thought Quinn had finally broken through, but she snagged her lip instead and crossed her arms over her chest.

Quinn eased back, giving Rogan a pleading look as he moved beside him. Rogan didn’t need to say anything. He already knew what the other man was thinking. After years of fighting their desire to share women, they’d finally come to terms with their unique situation and had thought Tayen might be the one woman to fulfill both their needs. But her continual avoidance had just about destroyed any hope of convincing her they were worth the risk.

Tayen looked away before taking a deep breath and meeting Quinn’s gaze. She attempted a smile as she pushed herself off the counter and took a step toward them. “It’s not as simple as you think it is.”

Quinn motioned to Rogan. “Is it because there are two of us? Are you too freaked out to consider something others might consider…unorthodox?”

Tayen shook her head. “It’s not that.”

Quinn threw his hands up. “Then what?”

Tayen snorted in seeming annoyance and stomped one foot on the floor. “Let’s just say that things aren’t always what they appear to be.”

Rogan stepped forward, knowing it was now or never. “Then let’s make it perfectly clear. Quinn and I want to take you out to dinner. After that, we’re hoping that things will follow the natural progression. But make no mistake. We aren’t looking for a quick threesome—fuck you one night then forget your name the next. We want you…in our lives. Hell, after two years as friends, I’d like to think we’ve earned a bit more respect than thinking we’re out for a one-night stand.”

Something akin to pain flashed in her eyes, and an inkling of fear raised the hairs on the back of his neck. He eased forward and reached for her hand, relieved when she closed her fingers over his.

He smiled and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “We’ll take it slow, if that’s what you need. We’re talking dinner…you know, a burger and fries. Maybe some cheesecake for dessert. Then we’ll walk you back here, where we’ll see you safely inside before we go home. No pressure, no expectations.”

Tayen pursed her lips together, and he had to will his body to stay rooted to the spot and not leap forward to take those perfectly pouted lips with his. She must have performed some kind of surgery on an animal this afternoon because he could still smell the light scent of soap along her arms.

He gave her his best smile. “Come on, doc. Even a vet needs to eat.”

She cocked her head, glancing at Quinn over his shoulder. A long sigh filled the room and she shook her head, rolling her eyes in the process. “I suppose I could go for a burger and fries.” She squeezed his hand. “Just let me get—”

Her words were cut off by a blast of static from Quinn’s radio. Rogan cursed and turned to his friend, but Quinn’s face already spoke volumes. The man grunted then palmed the radio, speaking into the mic with a grating tone that was impossible to miss.

Another wave of static filled the room before a voice reverberated through the device. “Sorry to bug you boys, Quinn, but we just got a report of some explosions going off at Faller Creek. A recreational rider out on his ATV said he saw a couple of men down at the river. He thinks they’re setting off dynamite…in the river.”

“Oh for the love of God.” said Quinn. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“It could be those poachers you two have been trying to track down.”

Quinn sighed and looked at Rogan. Rogan could only laugh. They finally get Tayen to say yes, and they have to ditch her to track down a couple of wayward hunters. He gazed over at her, unsure if it was relief or disappointment in her eyes.

She gave them a sympathetic smile and motioned toward the door with her hand. “Go. You know your minds will be dwelling on the job if you think about doing anything else. I’ll take a rain check.”

Quinn slammed his free hand down on the counter as he pressed the button on the mic. “We’re on our way. Send the coordinates to the truck’s GPS and we’ll see if we can finally catch these creeps.” He was still mumbling under his breath as he stalked toward the door, pausing when he reached the threshold. He turned back, his gaze narrowed on Tayen. “Don’t think for one second this changes your decision. You said ‘yes’ and we’re holding you to that…dinner for three.”

Tayen nodded, though Rogan could see the apprehension in her eyes. He knew she was attracted to them, it was the one reason they’d kept asking her out, but there was something keeping her from jumping in. And he’d bet a month’s worth of pay it wasn’t her fear over a threesome. It was something much deeper…

He joined Quinn at the door, smiling back at her as he opened it. He’d already walked through when her voice stopped him.

“Be careful.”

Quinn nudged him in the ribs as they both stared at her.

“We will,” said Rogan before adding, “is that really what you wanted to say?”

She toed the floor, looking as if she couldn’t decide whether to say more or just dart away. Finally, her gaze met theirs again. “I’m not what you think I am.”

“Right. You’re not smart, funny, beautiful, charming, compassionate…you’re a complete mystery.”

“Not that, Rogan. I mean…I’m different.”

Rogan smiled. “Then I guess we’ll just have to discover all your secrets for ourselves.” He saluted as he turned to leave. “Stay dry, darling. Looks like there’s another storm on the way…guess this month is living up to its name of Thunder Moon. We’ll be by tomorrow.” He blew her a kiss as he closed the door, the distant rumble of thunder mirroring his displeasure. He glanced at Quinn, knowing his friend was thinking the same thing—God help the poachers if they got anywhere near them tonight.

As much as I love the rain, I'm hoping for a few days without the wet stuff... but at least my grass is green. I just can't mow it. I hope you enjoyed a peak at my new story. Have a great summer.

Our Summer Solstice Contest is Here!

2011-06-16T23:46:00.002-07:00

Hi all. I know I missed last month, but this month, I've got some exciting news.

Six sexy authors (including me... yeah, let me dream) have decided to do a Summer Solstice giveaway. Now without spoiling it all, here's the banner I made for the special event, and all the info you need to know to enter.

And now that I've got your attention... here are the fine-line details.

Six sexy authors of erotic romance are coming together with a fabulous giveaway this summer solstice! And entering couldn't be simpler. Just visit each of our blogs beginning June 14th, and leave a comment on the contest post with:

* your name (or user name) and contact email, and

* your top two (2) choices from the author's backlist to kick-start your E-Reader library should you win.

Contest will close at Noon ET on Tuesday, June 21st, 2011, and a winner will be drawn at 1:16pm ET from all the readers who commented on all six blogs:

Gwendolyn Cease at Gwendolyn Cease's Blog

Suzanne Graham at Suzanne Graham's Blog

Bronwyn Green at Bronwyn Green's Blog

Jessica Jarman at Jessica Jarman's Blog

Kris Norris at Kris Norris' Blog

Devon Rhodes at Devon Rhodes' Blog

The Grand Prize winner will receive their choice of a brand new Nook Wi Fi 3G or a Kindle 3G with Wi Fi plus two ebooks of their choice from each author!

Second Prize will be winner's choice of two ebooks from each author's backlist...that's 12 new books!

Third Prize will be winner's choice of one ebook from each author's backlist for a total of 6 books!

More surprises and prizes at each blog, so what are you waiting for? When summer hits its height, you could be the winner!!

Details:

* In order to be eligible for the drawing, you must leave a comment at each of the six blogs with your email address and choice of two books. We're sorry, but anyone who misses a blog or forgets to leave their contact info will be disqualified.

* All comments must be posted by 12:00 Noon, ET, on June 21st.

* Valid entry comments must be in response to the official Contest post on each blog, although we also welcome comments on other posts, so feel free to poke around!

* The E-Reader will be shipped to the winner's house. Ebooks will be emailed separately to the winner.

* Winner must respond to Jessica within three days or an alternate winner will be announced.

*******

So here we go! Check out my books and decide which two you want! There are links by genre just below my blog header, which will take you to a page with all the blurbs. You can also click on the covers along my left sidebar to go to the publishers' websites for blurbs, excerpts and reviews. I'll also be drawing a few random non-winners for extra prizes after the contest is over. :D

To enter, just comment below with your name and contact email and which two of my books you would like to win! Optional to add, do you have anything you are really looking forward to this summer?? Then visit the other five blogs and cross your fingers!

GOOD LUCK!!

2011-06-16T23:46:00.001-07:00

Tongue Tied

2011-04-17T15:56:00.000-07:00

Well, you'd think that with a life that seems to go forward at mach 5, I'd have endless things to chat about. But alas, I'm finding it hard to pinpoint a subject to discuss. No one wants to hear authors go on and on about the same releases, and since I don't have a new one for a couple of months, well...I'm not going to keep beating the same book.

So... I suppose you're stuck with a non-writing post. More of an update in the life and times of, well, me!

I've come to the conclusion that getting older sucks. I thought I was in pretty good shape until I started ramping up my workouts for a race I'm doing this summer. It's a seven day, multi-stage mountain bike race across the continental divid of Canada... it's pretty hard core, and I thought I had a decent base already...yeah right. That was until I started adding the kilometres to my ride and decided to take a core/step class from hell. It was quite an eye-opener to discover, I have a lot of work ahead of me... tons, really. I can only hope I have enough time to kick my sorry butt into some serious shape.

Another reason getting old sucks... I swear I'm tired all the time. I remember being able to stay up for four days and bounce back on some caffeine and chocolate. Now, these only put me to sleep and add inches to my waistline. Whatever happened to being able to pull an all-nighter without needing a week to recover? Where did that endless energy of youth go? I suppose it disappeared with the birth of my kids, along with other things I used to have...a memory, spare time, a house that didn't look as if a hurricane just blew through. And how is it all the stuff your kids do takes ten times more of your time up than anything you do? I swear school isn't half as long as it used to be for us. By the time I cart them off and return, go for a ride and have a shower, they're practically coming back in the door! I need 30 hours each day and 10 days in a week just to keep up, let alone make any headway on all my to-do list. Sigh...

On a positive note, school is nearing an end and summer will soon be upon us. I love summer...no lunches to pack to rushing all over the place trying to make practices and games on time... I'm quite time challenged, so this is a daily feat... However next year will be even worse. Kyle got into a great academy, but it's the farthest school from where we live... looks like my driving time is getting longer.

Well, that's about it for me. I do have some nice news...I got two great reviews for Coyote Savage: Hunger Moon... one of them being a top pick from Night Owl Romance. As you can imagine, I'm thrilled...always nice to get a good review. Anyway, here's hoping there are more to come. I hope you look forward to the other books in the Moon Phases collection... there are so many good ones out already and more talented authors yet to release a book...so keep looking.

Hope you all have a great Easter next weekend and I'll see you again soon.

Kris Norris

Romancing life, one adventure at a time.

The Year of the...Coyote?

2011-02-16T23:14:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it's really the year of the rabbit. Unfortunately, rabbits are part of my new shifter book, but coyotes are. And not just one...two handsome, ripped men who are just as mischievous out of their fur, as in it.

Yes, I have a new release: Coyote Savage: Hunger Moon, which is book two in the Phases collection. Phases is a fabulous concept. Imagine six writers, all creating shifter books centered around the different full moons throughout the year... and you're almost there. Add to it, multiple partners and wham... you've got the Phases collection.

Last year I was fortunate enough to be invited to be part of this idea with five other rock-star authors... yeah, I'm not quite sure who let me backstage, but I'm running with it. Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Mia Watts, Abigail Barnette and Cheryl Dragon are the amazing ladies who tip the celebrity scales, and I'm in there for good measure, lol. And each month, one of us will add a new story to the mix, whether it be M/F/M or M/F/M/M or M/M/M, you're sure to find something that catches your eye, and your other senses.

Now keep in mind. These babies are hot! Definitely not for those looking for soft romance. The Phases books heat up the pages, so don't be surprised if your fire alarm goes off. But it's all in the best ways possible.

So, on to my addition to the series. Coyote Savage. I picked coyotes because I wanted an animal that didn't get a lot of screen time and one that was really misunderstood. Yes, they can be a problem for farmers if their food supply is put in jeopardy, but they're survivors, and that's what really drew me to them. Despite numerous efforts to exterminate them, they're thriving... and their population is growing. This is partially do to the decimation of many wolf packs, but also because they are intelligent and adaptable. Definitely a Darwin animal.

So here's the blurb and a quick excerpt. I hope you enjoy...

February's full moon is rising, only this year, it's bringing a new brand of hunger...

For coyote shifters Caden and Talon Brady, the upcoming hunger moon has ignited a different kind of appetite. They've been waiting several years for a chance to court their intended mate, and now that she's finally in their sights, they'll stop at nothing to win her over. But when local livestock start disappearing, their coyote refuge is put in the hot seat, and more than just their way of life is suddenly in jeopardy.

Sheriff Rebecca Savage never planned on returning to Beckit Falls, or for falling for two handsome men. But fate seems to have different plans for her. Unfortunately not all of them are sexy and look fantastic in jeans. The local mayor is trying to run the Brady boys and their coyote refuge out of town. Nothing seems to make sense, but when she starts digging deeper, a new danger rises with the full moon—one that just might get them all killed.

Excerpt: Chapter Two

Caden Brady skidded the truck backwards then headed down the driveway, slamming his hand on the steering wheel. He saw his brother wince out of the corner of his eye, but it didn’t matter. He knew Talon was just as pissed as he was, the only difference was that Talon was still thinking about getting into Rebecca’s pants, instead of worrying about how they were going to stop good, old Mayor Carson from stealing their ranch out from underneath them. The man had been hounding them for nearly two years, and if this latest stunt got enough public support, he might just succeed in getting their refuge permits revoked and their ranch closed down.

“You know, Caden, if you don’t stop frowning like that, your mouth might stay that way. And you’d look pretty stupid in your coyote form with that look stuck on your snout.”

Caden huffed and gave Talon a hardened stare. “Perhaps you should spend more time thinking about how we’re going to stop Mayor Carson from stealing our land and a bit less about how you’re going to convince Rebecca to join us in bed.”

Talon shrugged, glancing at her Jeep following close behind. “Go ahead and brush it off, but I know you feel the pull of the moon as much as I do. Hell, it was all I could do to scent the kill site over Rebecca’s pheromones, and even then I was too distracted to decipher anything remotely useful. It’s mid-February—the height of mating season—and it’s been forever since we even had sex, let alone thought about taking a mate.” He nodded at the slight tremble in Caden’s hands. “It’s time to face facts, bro. Either we find a way to get Rebecca to see us as more than just a couple of awkward teens she used to know and accept us as her mates, or what happens to the ranch won’t really matter...we’re dying inside without her.”

Caden sighed at the hurt expression on Talon’s face, looking back at the endless white road. They’d known years ago, when Rebecca had first moved to town with her father, that shewas their intended mate. But being eighteen with their shifting abilities still new, they hadn’t been able to do more than watch her from afar before she’d headed off to university.

He grunted, choosing not to meet Talon’s gaze. “Well, if you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them. Otherwise, it’d serve us better to get our heads out of her pants and on the task at hand.”

Talon growled. “I swear, if Darrin puts one finger on her—”

“We’re not about to let anything happen to her. But if we want to keep her safe, we need to know why Carson and his son are so hell-bent on getting our ranch. I just can’t see his hatred toward coyotes being his only motivation. I think he’s using it as an excuse—one the town council will believe.” He gave Talon a sly smile. “You know how much folks here distrust coyotes.”

Talon nodded toward Rebecca’s Jeep. “From the way Darrin was talking, it doesn’t sound as if Rebecca shares those views.”

“Well, we’d better hope she fucking loves them, or there’s not a hope in hell she’ll agree to sleep with us.” He shook his head. “Damn, I don’t even know if she’d be into two normal guys at once, let alone a couple of misfits like us.”

“Only one way to find out.”

Caden chuckled. “You always did have more luck than sense. But perhaps instead of blindsiding her for a threesome, we can get an idea of her feelings while she’s looking around the compound. She can’t hide from us forever.”

Caden prayed he was right as he turned up the dirt road that led to their ranch. Even with the windows up, he could hear the high-pitched yips of the animals residing within their compound. Though it was rare to see coyotes in their natural habitat, the animals pranced along the fence edging their land, as the truck rolled to a stop.

He jumped out and took a deep, soothing breath. The smell of pine and winter infused his senses, but they weren’t enough to mask the scent of each coyote in their pack. The animals whined at the fence, and he finally managed a smile. Their unconditional love and respect always humbled him and he found himself standing at the enclosure, down on one knee as he greeted his native brothers.

“Wow. I didn’t realize they were so tame.”

Rebecca’s voice snapped his focus back, and he quickly pushed to his feet, taking two steps back. He stared as she neared the fence, her eyes wide, but unafraid, her attention on the dark-brown male watching her from behind the wire. The animal pawed at the ground, but didn’t move, looking at her with the same intensity it did him and Talon. Caden eased his fingers around her arm, keeping her from getting too close.

“They aren’t usually that good with others. They recognize Talon and me, but generally growl at strangers.”

Rebecca raised her eyebrow at him, looking back at the coyote still standing by the fence. A slow smile spread across her face, and she brushed off his hand, bending down on one knee as she eased closer to the animal. “Guess he doesn’t see me as a stranger.”

Caden chuckled, eyeing the animal, but it simply tilted its head and sat on its hunches, wagging its tail. “Looks like you’ve made a friend.” Caden knelt beside her, jabbing her playfully in the ribs. “Or should we be worried that you’ve been sneaking around here at night, playing with our coyotes?”

Rebecca laughed, following his lead when he stood up and joined Talon by the truck. Caden moved so they formed a triangle, allowing her just enough space that she wouldn’t feel smothered.

Talon motioned toward the large male coyote still waiting nearby. “Is it just me, or are you part coyote?”

Rebecca glanced at the animal. “Well, they are cunning hunters with exceptional adaptability, so I’ll gladly be half coyote.” She snorted and crossed her arms on her chest. “Not all of us share Darrin’s perspective...or his father’s. If they had their way, there wouldn’t be any predators left in the wild.”

Caden merely nodded, too overwhelmed by the simple beauty of her to care where the conversation was headed. He drank in her features, starting with the cascading waves of chestnut hair, loosely tied at the sides. He hadn’t seen it fully down since she’d returned, and he longed to run his hands through the silky tresses, wrapping the strands around his fingers as his brother peppered kisses along her shoulders and back, skimming her skin until she moaned for more and finally took his aching cock deep into her velvety mouth.

Pressure built inside his crotch, and he cursed under his breath for allowing his thoughts to get him hard...as if he hadn’t been hard for her for the past several years, the last one being

the toughest. Having her in town, but not at their side, had taken a toll on both men, and he realized Talon was right. If they didn’t get Rebecca to accept them for who, and what they were, what happened to the land, and the refuge, wouldn’t matter. They’d fade into nothing without her.

Thanks for checking the blog out and see you next month.

Another Year Over...

2010-12-17T12:07:00.000-08:00

And a new one just begun...

Okay, so I was going to do a post reflecting on the year's accomplishments, but hey, it's Christmas, so I decided to do a more fun-filled tribute to my 'favourite' memories of Christmases past.

Snoopy and Woodstock... who doesn't love those fabulous Charlie Brown cartoons where Snoopy and Woodstock decorate Snoopy's doghouse or a tree...with Snoopy standing on Woodstock's head. And let's not forget the famous, Charlie Brown tree...a true meaning of Christmas.

The Home Alone series...okay, so it's not as touching as Charlie Brown, but nothing says Christmas quite like Kevin getting himself into trouble. I love those two movies and my kids and I watch them ever year.

Finding the perfect tree...this year we managed to select one in less than thirty minutes! Usually we spend over a hour tramping around the tree farm moving from one tree to the next, only to end up back at the first one we'd looked at. But it's time well spent.

Johnny Mathis...isn't it funny how we seem to still listen to the same Christmas carols we grew up on? I never listen to some artists the rest of the year (much more of a Nickelback and Daughty kind of girl) but when it comes to Christmas songs, it's got to be Johnny Mathis, the Carpenters and all those TV classic songs.

Gingerbread cookies...awww the smell of gingerbread baking in the oven. Several years back I was fortunate enough to come across a fabulous recipe that uses honey instead of molasses...these are the best cookies I've ever tasted. No bitter aftertaste and a nice golden colour. Strange how I only ever make them before Christmas, though I'm sure the kids would love to have them throughout the year. But it's just one of those 'traditions' we seem to save for a certain time of the year.

Opening one present of Christmas Eve. This is a tradition my parents did and I've continued. Not sure why it's so special for the kids, but getting to pick one present to open when they're just dying to open them all is a special treat and one I love to watch... unless of course they get the all dreaded 'socks' parcel... yeah, nothing quite kills the moment like a box full of socks...

And finally... how nearly everyone you meet is just a bit nicer this time of year. How the snow is more of a treasure than a burden and how everything just glimmers and shines.

Christmas has always been my favourite holiday. I love seeing the kids get all excited... how decorating a tree and cutting out cookies seems to hold more interest than the xbox. How a simple snowball fight can make your other worries melt away and how a cup of hot chocolate can soothe any soul.

So this is my wish...a very happy holiday to all, no matter what you celebrate or how you do it. May the stars shine just a bit brighter and your heart soar with them.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Kris

Something HAWT on this cold, cold day

2010-12-01T05:43:00.001-08:00

Hello. Jennifer Johnson here welcoming December with you. And Brrr, it's snowing right now. What better way to warm up than with a few hot pictures of some good looking men.

First up. Hugh Jackman. He didn't turn me on so much in the X Men movies, but he does the best Curly I've ever seen in Oklahoma. And I've seen lots of versions of that play in both movie and live form.

This is Jamie Durie. I think he's Australian, and he does landscaping. Who cares what he does? Isn't he cute? Hey, Jamie, come on ovah and talk to me, why don't ya while you're planting my flowers (insert lecherous laughter here).

This is a local guy who obviously paid a photographer a lot of money to make some hawt pictures of him. Money well spent, I think, as it made me want to be his Facebook friend and also got me to put him up here at Resplendence. Who knows? Maybe one day he'll be on the cover of a book.

Next up? Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame.

Why do I love to look at Mike? Because he's funny, and he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. He can also sing very well though you don't see that side of him very often on the show. Oh, Mikey! If I had a dirty job, I sure would want you by my side doing it with me.

Want to know more about me?
http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com

My book, Holding Out for a Hero, is available HERE.

What are the Chances...

2010-11-16T22:24:00.001-08:00

For those of you with kids... and I'm sometimes convinced I'm the only one... if you love disney/pixar films you might recognize that saying from the Emperor's New Grove, when Kronk says it at the end... What were the chances that trap door would lead me out here...

Of course he helps save the day, and so on.. but I digress. I'm also convinced I'm the only person (other than those in my family because we share the same deranged DNA) that like to quote from movies... and since I have kids... well, hopefully you see the connection.

Okay, so what does any of that have to do with my post? Technically nothing, but I love that saying and it does tie into my post.... wow, that was a long way to get here.

What are the chances that I'd have a blog day on...well... a release day?! Yes, it's true. I'm thrilled to say that my fourth book with Resplendence, entitled Hard Target, is out today!!!

Now before I get into the blurb and an excerpt and the like, I have to say a bit about this book, because it's the first book I ever wrote. True, it resembles that original book very little, in the sense I've reworked it more times than you-know-who's nose, but the basics are there. The plot line is the same and the characters are still the way I envisioned them. But thanks to my fabulous editor, it's far more than I ever imagined. All I can say is... Chris... you rock!!!!! It was strange to go back over something I'd written a few years back and to see how far I'd come as a writer... or perhaps a better word is matured. To be able to see the story in a new light...something I hadn't been able to do before. I'm not sure if it was because I was too narrow-minded, or maybe, just not experienced enough to recognize that there were other ways to take the storyline that still got the job done, but that made it that much more exciting and engaging. Either way, I'm extremely happy with the end result, and I hope you will be too.

Okay, so... my new book. Hard Target is an action adventure story with some sexual interaction sure to make you squirm, lol. Here's the blurb and a quick excerpt...

A promise worth dying for…a woman determined to save him. All that stands between them and success is ten thousand feet and a mile of ice.

Ex-Federal agent Kyle Sullivan can’t afford any distractions. He’s in the middle of a highly volatile mission and the last thing he needs is to fall for the woman he’s entrusted his life to. But his heart has other plans.

Taylor Austin isn’t sure what to think of her new client, the not so bookish “professor” Kyle Sullivan. Everything about him screams sexy, and she can’t help but wonder if he’s hiding something. But just her luck, all he seems interested in is trekking his ass half-way across a glacier to a deserted cave. And in October, the Rocky Mountains couldn’t be more treacherous. If they can just make it across the ice sheet, perhaps she can convince him that she’s more interesting than his ancient artifacts.

Taylor is everything Kyle ever wanted in a woman…smart, strong and a whole lot of trouble. But he needs her, and not just to fill the emptiness inside him. She’s the only guide capable of getting him to a remote hideout alive, and that’s worth risking everything…even his heart.

Excerpt:

Kyle woke to the sound of the wind gusting against the window. It seemed distant and hazy, hardly worth noting. His body was hot and strangely heavy. He blinked, shifting his gaze when Taylor sighed. He tensed, suddenly aware of every inch of her lithe body against him. How the curve of her breast grazed his ribs, rubbing her hardened nipple across his skin. Or how her breath caressed his neck, making the small hairs tingle in response. He shifted, but only succeeded in rolling her thigh against his erection.

Damn! Surely he hadn’t spent all night with his cock tented against his briefs? He prided himself in having complete control, and yet, this was the second time he’d reacted to her. It was like having a hidden addiction he couldn’t fight. He shook his head and looked around, searching for a way out until he realized he’d wrapped his arms around her. Even if she’d wanted to roll away, his embrace would have kept her trapped against him. He took a deep breath, calming the sudden pounding in his chest. This wasn’t exactly what he’d had in mind when he’d offered to share the bed. Though he had to admit, it felt dangerously good, or should he say…right.

No, not right. Wrong. Definitely wrong.

He needed to stay focused. And somehow falling for her didn’t seem to fit the bill. But she felt so good next to him, like she belonged there. He tightened his grip on her.

“Mmm.”

Her voice broke his concentration. He went to move, but stopped when she drew her hand across his chest, squeezing him as she repositioned her head. Her fingers grazed over his nipple and his erection hardened. He clenched his jaw, trying to will the damn thing away. What would she think if she found herself cradled in his arms, his cock hard against her thigh? He looked down at her, studying the fine lines on her face as he traced his finger up her side and along her arm. Her skin was soft and warm, and she moaned as he drew small circles on it. He swallowed, trying hard to quell the burning sensation in his stomach. If he didn’t stop now, he wouldn’t be able to.

“Good morning, Taylor.” He caressed her shoulder until she opened her eyes. “Sleep well?”

Taylor tensed, dampening her lips with a slow swipe of her tongue. “Great. You?”

Kyle groaned, wanting nothing more than to feel her tongue against his. He gave her a quick smile, before rolling her over, trapping her body between his arms. He knew she could feel his cock hard against her stomach, and he smiled at her breathy whimper.

He lowered his lips, brushing them enticingly against hers. “Seems you couldn’t be trusted after all.”

Taylor stared up at him, studying his face before her lips kicked into a playful smile. “Guess you should’ve let me sleep on the floor by the fire.”

He shook his head, repeating the soft caress. “There’re a number of things we could do on the floor by the fire, but sleeping isn’t one of them.”

“I thought you said if you were going to behave poorly, you would have done so already?”

“I lied.”

Her eyes widened for only a moment as her fingers fisted his shirt against his chest. He waited for her to push him away, but she didn’t, finally relaxing her grip until her hands palmed his ribcage. Her breathing sounded loud in his head, and he was certain he could feel her heart pounding against his.

Kyle stared at her, knowing if he crossed the line and took her as his lover, he’d never be able to step back. It’d change more than just their sleeping arrangements. It’d change him. He’d known the instant he’d met her, she wasn’t like the women he’d taken to his bed before. She was spirited with an enthusiasm for life that was catching. He sensed she wouldn’t accept anything less than his soul, and he wasn’t certain he had anything left to give her.

A loud beep broke the sensuous atmosphere and he jumped when he realized the alarm on his watch had chimed. He looked at his wrist then back at her, his feelings divided. It wasn’t until Jennifer’s face flashed in his mind that he was able to pull back. He’d already failed her once, he couldn’t afford to make the same mistake again.

He took a deep breath, mustering his best smile. “Looks like you’ve been saved by the bell.”

He waited one more heartbeat before rolling off the bed and stumbling over to the chair where he’d stacked his clothes. His body protested the act, his cock throbbing against his stomach as if begging him to reconsider.

He heard Taylor curse, a moment before her feet padded across the room. He glanced back at her across his shoulder, feeling his erection swell, as he watched her shimmy into her pants.

Lord have mercy.

He was in more danger than he’d thought. And Jack Conrad had nothing to do with it.

Well, that's my post for this month. I hope you get a chance to check out my new story. Hard Target hits the shelves... right now...

Cheers,

Kris Norris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

Reflecting on mortality

2010-11-01T05:53:00.000-07:00

About two months ago I went to the doctor because I had this place on my back that drove me crazy itching all the time. "Take it off," I told her. And to my frustration, she didn't do it. Instead she took off another spot. She didn't even get it right! Grrr. When I went back to get the stitches out and fuss at her for taking off the wrong spot, she informed me the piece she had cut out and sent to Cincinnati had come back as positive for melanoma.

What??

It seems that having fair skin and probably too many sunburns as a kid has come back to haunt me.

I was reminded of a scene from my book Holding Out for a Hero in which the heroine, Abigail, has a close call and reflects on her own life. She decides she's going to enjoy each day as it comes because who knows? It might be her last!

For me, the word and diagnosis of melanoma has given me the opportunity to decide, yes, my life is pretty good, and I'm not ready to check out of it yet. I'll go forward with the treatment and wear sunscreen every time I'm in the sun.

It also gives me the opportunity to be thankful for so many great things in my life--such as having Holding Out for a Hero published by Resplendence. That's definitely a dream come true.

Come by and visit me some time.
Here's my hanging out place:
http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com

See ya,
Jennifer

Halloween and Hard Candy Kisses?

2010-10-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I'm gearing up for Trick or Treat this weekend but wanted to stop in for a quick minute. I think I'm posting out of turn and I missed my normal posting for the past couple of months, so I hope you will forgive! (Please feel free to post over me!) I'll make this short and sweet (hard candy kisses sweet!). So excited to share with you that Hard Candy Kisses was voted the 5 Heart Sweetheart Review of the week from The Romance Studio! Just had to share or bust a gut. LOL

Have a great Halloween! Save some Reece's Cups for me, 'kay?

This week's 5 Heart Sweetheart...
"Ms. Maddie James has, once again, carried her readers through the area of Legend, Tennessee, and made us want to read non-stop. This quick-paced book is another in the series of this small town I have, personally, grown to love. James has a unique ability of telling the new story while revisiting old friends from previous books. It’s almost like a family reunion—we meet the new folks in the group while reacquainting ourselves with the others."
Her characters are dynamic, vibrant people that become great friends as you read through the series. She has the capability of weaving her subordinate characters along with each of the others which tells an incredible story. She is a great author and this book is one of the best. I highly recommend it." - Brenda Talley
Order it today!

Scotland's top haunted castles

2010-10-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

Only five more days to Halloween. I'm so excited. Since I write about witches, warlocks and sorcerers finding themselves in very sexy situations in Scotland, I am blogging this week about Scotland's most haunted castles.

The castles have incredible history along with spooky legends. I will be giving away Witchy prizes as well.

So come join me this week at http://www.LynArmstrong.com/blog.

Haunts and kisses

Lyn Armstrong

http://www.lynarmstrong.com/

Friday 56

2010-10-01T12:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Fall Friday everyone,

Jennifer Johnson here with some fun in the form of what my friend Rene Vincent calls (drum roll please)

That's right.

Friday 56

What you do is look at the book closest to you and find page 56. Then you post whatever is on there.

Well, I just thought this was a nifty exercise, so I scrolled down to that page on my book Holding Out for a Hero to see what was there.

And it happens to be a scene in which the heroine is trying to impress some girls in her charge by demonstrating a dance routine she performed in college.

So, here it is, page 56 from Holding Out for a Hero

I liked the dance and hadn’t done it in years until today. I wasn’t quite as limber as I should be and had been, but I did a pretty awesome job. At the end of the song this time, loud claps came from the doorway. I turned to see all of the staff whooping it up for me. I bowed. Even if those tweens didn’t appreciate me, the adults seemed to.
Enya was discarded and the boom, boom started up. Adult repellent. Mr. Harvey and the rest disappeared from the doorway. I started after them, but Erica grabbed my arm.
“Uh huh, Miss Abigail, if you won’t let us do our thrusts, you have to help us redo the routine.”
I studied the fourteen year old before me. She looked so serious. “Erica, you don’t need my help. You girls know a thousand moves. I’ve seen you.”
“If you don’t want us doing the thrusts, you’ve got to stay and help us.” She was adamant.
“I don’t think my ears can take that long enough to work out a dance,” I grumbled.
Erica turned and nodded to some of the other girls who had stood up and were forming their lines.
I walked over to the other side of the room where Angel was painting, tore off part of a paper towel, and stuffed bits in my ears. Now I was ready.

Intrigued? Just wait until you get to page 57 with the pelvic thrusts!

And later on there is the....Oh, but I better stop. I might be getting close to spoiler territory.

Want to learn more about Holding Out? Click HERE. And to learn more about me, visit my website HERE.

Hooray for small town women!

2010-09-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

I am a product of small towns ... and so is the heroine of my new romantic suspense, Dead Man Stalking. Tessa, our heroine, is the news reporter for the only radio station in greater Fortuna, Ohio, and her life is little outside the bounds of normal. Unless, of course, "normal" includes inheriting a dog with the ghost of a past boyfriend attached, learning that the dismembered body discovered in a local warehouse is the ex-wife of a different boyfriend and, oh, yeah, crushing big-time on the state cop sent in to investigate the murder.

Dead Man Stalking is funny, or at least meant to be. It's populated by a composite of all those people I've come to know in the small towns I've called home over the years, from the local police chief to the town busybody. Even the motel in Dead Man Stalking is based on the no-tell motel outside one of those towns. Important Note: The description is all made up -- I did NOT occupy any of our local dive's rooms!

My novels are set in small towns for a reason: I love small towns. I like knowing everybody I meet on the street. I like sitting on my porch with the dog and having folks just stop and say hello. I like the way everyone seems to be connected to everyone else, whether through family ties, church, school or work.

And I especially like small town festivals. I spent last weekend at the Quilt Festival in South Shore, Kentucky, meeting people and signing books, and felt very comfortable bringing along an 11-year-old (we'll call her The Kid) and letting her roam. Yeah, she checked in periodically but only for more money!

My favorite moment of the Quilt Festival is a simple one. As their final number, the bluegrass band on stage launched into a rousing version of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" Dorothy, who was working at the mayor's re-election campaign booth next to me, starting singing, and so did I.

The Kid began to ease back in her chair. Dorothy and I exchanged glances, leaned in and began to harmonize. As we hit the final notes, Dorothy moves in close to her ear and The Kid cringes and covers her eyes in complete and total embarrassment.

Yep, good times in a small town ... what could be better than that?

Cammie Eicher

A Day Late...

2010-09-18T07:36:00.000-07:00

OMG!!!

Yes, lameo here is a day late on the blog. What can I say, I'm in New York and well, I'm in New York.

As we speak I'm on the last twenty-four hours of the Authors After Dark conference and I can't remember the last time I've laughed so hard. I've met some of the best ladies on the face of the planet and am going to need a week to recover from the lack of sleep.

But all is well. We went into the city on Thursday. It was my first time in New York City and what an experience. We took a carriage ride around Central Park and saw the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry. We even got to go on the New York City subway for an hour and I can assure you it was a five senses experience.

All and all I've had the best time. I'd love to post a bunch of pictures, but have yet to download any. So hopefully for the next post. This afternoon, there's a book signing and three other ladies and I have a suite where we're giving away a bunch of books and an ereader. I'm thrilled to get a chance to see Worlds Apart in print. Thanks again to Les for the fabulous cover.

Okay, I know this is a short and somewhat cheated post, but my eyes are still bloodshot and well, I think I'm supposed to be somewhere.

Cheers,

Kris Norris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

Howdy from JJ

2010-09-07T00:28:00.000-07:00

Man it feels as if forever since I dropped in here and was able to do my scheduled blog day. Maybe not forever but at least a few months...LOL

My attendence has been spotty due to the fact that I was being primary full time care giver to my elderly grandmother, my husband lost his job so my writing focus was pretty much nil, as well as having my annual vacation and my semi annual cold/flu bug.

Life seems to be hovering on an even plateau right now. My grandmother seems to have stabilized although how long she can remain independant is anyone's guess. 18 months has been straining on my husband and our marriage but after months of nothing he's had some very promising interviews--one in Arkansas and one here in Missouri. The one in Arkansas morphed from a phone interview to one in which he was asked to come to Arkasnas and interview in person--they reimbursed the mileage and paid for the hotel for us to come down! WOOHOO!

He was also contacted by the state and informed that one of the postions he applied for had been filled but they wanted him to come in for a THIRD interview for another position! How awesome is that? hopefully it wont be long.

Speaking of short waits (nice segue huh? LOL) Next month sees the release of my long awaited next novel Demon's Fall! WOOHOO!!! we're finally all on the same page and are pretty pleased with the way it's turned out!

I dont have an exact date (would love to have 10/10/10 but since its a Sunday I won't hold my breath for THAT specific date LOL) but I do know it won't be much longer! WOOHOO!!!

I so love Andras and Tange and I can't wait for y'all to meet them as well!

What happens when a demon falls for an angel?

Tangela Teshua just recently buried her parents and has given up her city apartment to move back to the country house they left her. However, their deaths and her move are not the biggest changes coming to Tange’s life. Tange learns she is a guardian angel—or at least she will be when she over comes the challenges Satan will put in front of her.

Andras Belial’s father assigned him the task of destroying the newest being on the lighted path. But another battle looms on the horizon for Andras. His inner demon struggles against the strange formation of feelings, of a conscious growing to life. He falters even more when he meets Tange, the beautiful angel just might be able to save him.

Lucifer, infuriated that not only has Andras turned his back on his heritage but he has joined forces with an angel, sends an assassin demon after both Andras and Tange. Can they keep the demons at bay long enough to find happiness?

Unfortunately my concentration for writing new projects has been slightly nil lately...wonder why that is? LOL I hope and pray our personal lives soon slow down and get on a better plane so that i can return to doing what I love best: Writing tales that turn up the heat even as they go bump in the night!

See y'all next time
Hugz!
JJ

Empty Nesting

2010-09-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

When is a parent officially an empty-nester? Is it when they move out for good, find their own permanent residence, and leave behind a bedroom that can be turned into a sewing room or a den or a guest room? Or is it when the kids go off to college, so are living away from home more than at home? Well, regardless of the official definition, I certainly feel like my nest is pretty darn empty these days.

My one and only child left for college two weeks ago, and I'm still not used to it. The house is too quiet without the sound of his guitar drifting upstairs. It feels too empty without his friends showing up and raiding our fridge at all hours. My days feel purposeless without him making sudden, nonsensical requests, like, "Mom, I know it's 10:30 on a school night, but I just remembered that I need a shoe box full of sequins and a duck costume for Math class tomorrow."

Sure, I've been planning for this ever since he was born 18 years ago. That still doesn't make it any easier when I'm on my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night and peek into his room to see an empty bed and a floor devoid of dirty clothes. My husband and I have been discussing this for years, too. What are we going to talk about when he's not here to provide a common interest? Plus, we've relied on his school concerts and plays for entertainment dating back many years. My husband and I are going to have to find new common ground.

I miss my son and feel like this is really the end of a major part of my life: the part where I'm raising a child at home. On the other hand, it's also the beginning of a new part. My husband and I are starting to do more things together – just us. We've discovered a new Mexican restaurant within walking distance of our house that serves yummy margaritas. We can now pick up and go whenever we like. We're scheduling more activities with friends and family, which makes it feel like we're not quite so alone. Plus, it's not like our son is on the moon or anything. He's a couple hours away and we can talk to, text, or email him when we want. I love checking out his Facebook page to see what he's up to, but please don't tell him that's what I'm doing.

I realize this is a major transition that moms and dads across the country go through at this time of year. It helps that some of my friends are going through it, too. And the fact that I now have more time to write is a bonus. So I'm offering my best wishes to all the parents out there who are experiencing empty nest syndrome. Maybe I'll see some of you at a Mexican restaurant someday soon. I'll be the one holding the giant margarita.

Peace and painless transitions.

Kimberly Garland

The Journey Motif

2010-09-01T05:08:00.000-07:00

Hello. Jennifer Johnson here. I'm author to Holding Out for a Hero, and that picture is my feet on a hammock in a very restful place far away from my home.

Some of the greatest stories I know of are tales of discovery. Commonly known as the journey motif, these stories allow us to go with the main character to discover new and amazing places. On the journey, the protagonist makes discoveries about herself as well and grows into a better, stronger, and self-assured person or hobbit or (fill in species or life form here).

You know these stories. They are woven into the fabric of our culture. At least, I'd like to think they are. I'm probably showing my age here, but I'm afraid the under twenty crowd are culturally deprived. I was talking to someone who teaches at a college. Curious, he asked his students to raise their hands if they knew what, say, the Mona Lisa was. If I remember correctly, two thought they had heard of her. Another friend shared with me a story she had read from a high school student who wrote that the Sistine Chapel had been viewed in a museum. Let us take a moment here to shake our collective heads and say in our best old geezer voices, "What's the world coming to?" then I shall jump off this tangent.

Some great journey motif stories are Lord of the Rings, Narnia Chronicles (yes, the journey can even begin in one's closet or, if I remember from the first book, crawling through the neighbor's attic), Wizard of Oz, The Incredible Journey (one of my favorite kid books), Canterbury Tales, Heart of Darkness, The Iliad and the Odyssey.

I've noticed in my own stories there is often a journey taken which is significant in the relationship of the hero and heroine. Is this because I've been so influenced by the books mentioned above? Probably. Could it be that I see the metaphor of the physical journey in the internal growth of my characters? Perhaps. Or maybe it has to do with this quote by Caroline Gordon:

A well composed book is a magic carpet on which we are wafted to a world that we cannot enter in any other way

Yeah.

Want to take a journey with me to my website? Jump on the carpet, baby!

Ah, peace and ... jackhammers?

2010-08-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

My mother lives in a quiet small town in northwestern Ohio, where I escape to every six weeks or so to catch up and recharge. She lives in a big Victorian brick house where "my" bedroom waits for me, even though she and my late father bought the house long after I married.
Surrounded by tall shrubbery and drooping pines, it stays cool enough that air conditioning would be a waste. Even in the hottest weather, I slide off to dreamland with a fan to keep the air moving, nothing more.
I sleep well enough that most days, my mother has to wake up. Actually, she has to take her two dogs -- a beagle and a sheltie -- downstairs so the noise wakes me up.
I made my most recent visit as scheduled, even though she'd warned me there was street work going on. I didn't realize what she meant until the machinery started grinding at 6:30 A.M. in deference to the heat.
Why I was surprised by the commotion, I don't know. After all, I was greeted with a road-closed sign and a trackhoe in her driveway when I arrived. Yet knowing work would begin again on Monday wasn't quite like the reality.
Because I'm planning a book signing tea at her house, I decided to call the city powers-that-be and see how soon the work would be done. We'd picked Nov. 13 for the soiree; since it was only August, that seemed like a good bet.
The phone rang in the city hall. I posed my question.
I was transferred.
Someone new answered the phone. I posed my question again.
And, yes, I was transferred.
Finally, someone was willing to talk to someone else and find out what I needed to know. She came back, all chipper-voiced, and said, "The new pipes will all be in by the end of October, and the paving should be done by Thanksgiving."
Should be? Thanksgiving?
Yikes!
After politely thanking her, I relayed the information to Mommykins, who shrugged her shoulders and said, "If people can't park in front of the house, I guess they can walk."
See, that's why I love my mother. Even months of dirt, being forced out of her driveway and putting up with machines all day long isn't even to break her spirit.
However, if she has to keep driving her sedan over the alternative route, her axle may be broken long before that new paving is laid.

Watch out... it's going to be a Photo Finish...

2010-08-17T00:59:00.001-07:00

Okay, so it's a bit of a cliché to name the post, but hey, I gotta get your attention somehow. And well, I'm sure a few of you were thinking some naughty thoughts about what, exactly, is going to be the Photo Finish.

Well, it just so happens Photo Finish is the title of my upcoming release (tomorrow!). It's part of the Handcuffs and Lace Tales and I'm thrilled to be in the company of other great authors at Resplendence who've penned for this collection.

Here's the blurb and a sneak peek at what's inside...

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousands words, but this time, they all spell betrayal.

Photo journalist, Paige Sommers, is out to get digital proof to put longtime arms dealer, Jason Tate, away for good. After losing her fiancé, Brogan Johnson, during an undercover operation with the same dealer six months ago, she's finally ready to rejoin the world, and put an end to Jason’s rule. But when her zoom lens brings a familiar face into view, she's not sure what to believe.

Special Agent Brogan Johnson is just a night away from bringing down the largest weapon's dealer on the west coast. Having given up all connections from his previous life to go deep undercover, he's willing to do anything to see Jason Tate brought to justice... that is until his ex-fiancé enters the picture, literally. With photographic evidence of the deal, she's just placed her name at the top of Jason’s hit list. If Brogan can get just her to trust him one last time, they may have a chance at their elusive happily ever after.

Excerpt...

“Fuck!”

Paige killed the engine and glided into a driveway a few houses down from hers. She’d taken every back street home but still wasn’t convinced Tate hadn’t somehow had her followed. She should have gone straight to a hotel, but she needed to grab her laptop.

Tears mixed with anger as she swung her leg off her Honda and parked it beside the garage. Of all the stupid ass stunts to pull…

She cursed her impetuous nature as she darted through yards, hiding behind bushes and plants. She’d been set—had all the evidence she needed to hand Tate over on the proverbial silver platter, but apparently, that hadn’t been enough. She’d spent what had felt like forever staring at the image she’d taken with the camera, trying to decide if it really was Brogan. Then she’d caught up with their car and had all but kicked the door in to get the guy to lower the window. The resemblance was uncanny, though the cropped hair and haunting look in the guy’s eyes had made her think twice. But just the possibility that it could actually be him had pushed her over the edge. How she’d missed hitting that truck as she’d plowed through the intersection was a mystery.

Paige set her jaw and hopped the last fence, keeping her body cloaked in the shadows. The house looked deserted, but that didn’t mean anything. She crept toward the set of French doors on the left side. She’d left her computer on her desk. All she had to do was sneak in, grab it and leave.

She shook her head. She wouldn’t have to worry if she hadn’t been so damn determined to look into his eyes without the camera lens between them.

Pain flared again, but she pushed it away. She could break down at the hotel. Right now, she needed to stay focused. She sprinted across the grass and pressed her back against the wall as she inched her way toward the doors. She fumbled with her keys, cringing at the way they jingled in the still air, before slipping one into the lock, sighing when the bolt disengaged. Paige slowly rotated the handle, praying the door wouldn’t creak, and slipped inside. She groped her way across the floor, finally reaching the oak desk. A noise sounded from somewhere in the house, making her jump.

Shit.

More sounds echoed through the silent room as she moved her hands along the top of the desk, breathing a sigh of relief when the laptop’s smooth surface grazed her fingertips. She wrapped her fingers around the edge and dragged it back when a rough hand snaked around her mouth.

A scream caught in her throat but vanished with her breath when she slammed into her attacker’s hard body. White dots flitted across her vision as his other hand wrapped around her waist, his lips caressing her ear.

“If you want to live, you’ll grab that computer, keep your mouth shut and follow me.”

The voice was darker and deeper than Brogan’s, with a slight Irish accent she’d never heard before. Her stomach dropped when the hopes that she’d actually seen him vanished, replaced by the ever-present emptiness. Paige nodded, praying she’d have one moment when she could kick this guy in the crotch and make a run for it.

A gravelly chuckle sounded in her ear. “I know what you’re thinking, but anything you try will only slow me down, and I’m already angry enough to paddle your ass ‘til it glows red.” He blew a heated breath across her earlobe coiling a knot in her belly. “Now do as I say and let’s move. Tate’s men are already in the house.”

Paige thought about resisting until a boot scuffed on the hardwood floor outside the office. She grabbed the computer, shoved it in the backpack lying beside the desk and headed for the doors, her mystery man hot on her heels. She wanted to see his face, but when she twisted around, he plastered his chest to her back, holding her tight.

“Soon. Now go.”

The urgent quality in his voice had her darting out the door and across the lawn. She vaulted over the fence, the pack slung across her back and ran to the motorcycle, skidding to a halt when she found him already seated on it, helmet on, engine idling.

“How…?”

“Get on!” he said, tossing her another helmet.

Paige caught it and glanced back across her shoulder in the direction of the house, indecision weighing heavy in her chest. Her instincts told her she could trust the guy, but the situation screamed for her just to run. She looked over at him, wishing she could see through the dark visor, before slipping on the helmet and jumping on the bike behind him. The scent of wood and leather filtered through the air, stealing her breath. She reached behind her to grab the small bar when he revved the machine and took off, hurtling through the night air.

Paige muffled a scream and wrapped her arms around his waist, plastering her body against his. She thought she heard him moan, but the sound mixed with the howling of the wind.

“What the hell have I just done?” She squeezed tighter when he banked the Honda into a hard turn, nearly touching their knees to the pavement.

The guy was large, more muscular than Brogan had been, and another pang moved through her.

“Hold on. It’s going to get bumpy.”

His voice sounded irritated, and she couldn’t help but wonder why he’d bothered to help her when the prospect obviously angered him. She shifted back, determined to loosen her grip when he left the pavement behind and steered them onto an old gravel road. The cycle bounced around on the uneven ground and Paige had to squeeze his chest for balance. He made another groaning noise, but all she could do was close her eyes and hold on tight.

I hope you enjoyed a sample of my 'almost here' release. Please check it out, live here in one more day.

And next month, I'll be thick amidst the Author's After Dark Conference, so perhaps I'll have a few photos and stories to share. Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers,

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

AAD, Photo Finish and some 5-Star Reviews...

2010-07-17T17:18:00.000-07:00

OMG!!!! Sorry, this is going to be posting a a bit on the later side of the 17th. Yes, my computer sent me three messages reminding me that it was my turn to post, but somehow I managed to forget all of them. But...I'm here now so let's go with the "Better late than Never" line and call it even.

Okay, first off...AAD—Author's After Dark Convention, which shouldn't be confused with ADD, which, I seem to have this week. For those of you who aren't aware, the Author's After Dark Convention is happening Sept 17–19 at the Harmon Meadow Holiday Inn, Secaucus New Jersy Here's the official scoop on it...

AAD is coming sooner then you think! Are you a blogger? or an aspiring author? a Reader with a voracious love of books? Well AAD is the con for you! Designed by authors FOR readers, AAD is the only con that doesn't break your bank! Its the cheapest con around that FEEDS YOU 5 MEALS for no additional fee! And did we mention its FREE ALCOHOL all weekend!? That's right!

Attendees this year will be treated to over 2400 free books, over 125 door prizes, several parties, mini events, workshops, tons of swag (and the good kind too!) photo opps, and tons of surprises!

And Aspiring writers? Small press authors? How would YOU like to get in front of a NY editor without the hassle of a big con's appointment schedule? This year are are lucky to have several editors from Ballantine, Kensington, and Harlequin, as well as some of the small presses like MLR Press, Torquere, Tease Publishing, Phaze, Total E Bound and More. a Full list will be up on the AAD site soon and appointments will be taken starting August 15th! The Catch? You MUST be registered by August 1st to participate, and each editor is ONLY taking 10 appointments! Be remembered! get your MS into shape!

And Bloggers? We have some fantastic goodies for you. Special goodie bags FILLED with books (ARC's, signed copies and Ltd Edition US books!) as well as the ability to engage your favorite authors for interviews and Q and A!

I'll be attending along with fifty other amazing authors like, Bronwyn Green, Mia Watts, Brynn Paulin, Carol Lynne, Stella and Audra Price and... well, the list just keeps going. I can't wait to meet everyone there.

Okay, part 2... Photo Finish...

I'm thrilled to announce that my next release will be here in one month!!!! Yes, Photo Finish, a Handcuffs and Lace tale will be releasing August 18th and I couldn't be more stoked. Unfortunately, I don't have any awesome cover art to share yet, but here's the blurb...

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousands words, but this time, they all spell betrayal.

Now, I realize I've done some posts lately about shorter works and how I still love epic stories, but I couldn't help myself. This story just popped into my head and quite honestly, I wanted to be part of that fabulous series of books. I hope to have some awesome art and an excerpt to share next month.

Part 3...

Finally, I'm over the moon that my first release with Resplendence, Checkmate, has received two 5-Star Reviews this past month. Here's what Shelly of Dark Diva's had to say...

If you like romantic suspense, you're going to love this one. Kendall's brother, Trace, is kidnapped and FBI Special Agent, Dawson Cade is called in to protect Kendall and help find her brother.

Kris Norris weaves a very fine tale of mystery and romance with a persistent criminal who stays one step ahead of Dawson Cade. He leads them on a twisting path through the wilderness with an unrealistic time-frame to complete various tasks with a multitude of threats to keep them moving. Through all of this, Dawson comes to care for Kendall and fights his attraction to her, knowing he's there to protect her.

Forced into constant contact, Dawson and Kendall want to seek comfort from each other in a difficult situation, but know they have to keep each other out of harms way. Dawson is torn when he realizes he must use Kendall to lure the criminal out of hiding.

Kris Norris ties everything together in a fast-paced, detailed story that's very easy to get addicted to. Dawson is the perfect hero. In the end, he’s there to save the day and get the girl. The sexual tension between Dawson and Kendall, as well as the mystery of solving the crime kept me on the edge of my seat. Checkmate was a truly enjoyable read and I will definitely seek out more stories from Kris Norris!

Tigger9 from Night Owl Romance also gave Checkmate 5-Stars and picked it as a reviewer top pick. Here's just a peek at what she said...

Checkmate was an absolutely amazing story. I loved it. I loved the characters and their inner and outer strengths.

I'm trying to stay even-keeled about reviews, but it sure doesn't hurt to get a couple of great ones.

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

20 reasons why summer is better than winter

2010-07-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

1. Vacation!
2. Ducklings
3. Sandals are way easier to slip on than parkas and boots
4. Sundresses
5. Running through a sprinkler
6. Purple petunias that smell like heaven
7. No ice scraping on windshields
8. The smell of fresh-cut grass
9. Baby bunnies
10. Eating outside
11. Pina coladas
12. Fireworks
13. Thunderstorms
14. Going barefoot
15. Outdoor concerts
16. Want a tomato? Step out in the yard and pick one.
17. When you wake up early, it's already bright outside
18. Leisurely walks
19. Ponytails count as a stylish hairdo
20. Summer romances

I hope you're enjoying your summer!
Kimberly Garland

Four Cups for the Hero!

2010-07-02T08:26:00.000-07:00

Yippee! Holding Out for a Hero received four of these:

from Coffee Time Romance. What's this mean? That's it's an outstanding good read. Woo Hoo!

Hollie, the reviewer, wrote, "Holding out for a Hero is a heartwarming story showing that not only are there good people in this world but that the kids everyone has given up on can also be good if given a chance."

Want to read the entire review? Find it here:

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/holdingoutforaherjenniferjohnson.html

A real hero

2010-06-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

In one of those great ironic moments of life, the used tire I put on my car to replace a tire everyone said was going to go bad at any moment blew up. That's right -- and only three days after I bought it.

Naturally, this happened at night, and it happened about 15 miles from home. Luckily, my son lives about four miles from the small town where the big bang happened, and he immediately responded to my distress call. Since he had to go pick up a niece at vacation bible school first, I knew it would be 20 minutes or so, which made me decide that sitting in the car in 90-degree weather wasn't too smart.

In the 1/8th mile walk from my car to the little restaurant with air conditioning, two people I knew stopped to ask me if they could help. One wanted to change the tire for me even after I explained that my son was on his way.

As it turned out, a nice young guy stopped to help when he saw my son at work. He insisted on taking over and gave our 11-year-old who'd come from a great piece of advice:

"If you date a boy and he won't stop to help someone," the guy said, "make him take you straight home and never go out with him again."

Isn't that great advice?

The end of the story should be that I drove home on the spare and all was well. Alas, my life doesn't work like that. The spare went flat ... blew out after we bought a tiny compressor and pumped it up ... and my wonderful son grabbed the jack from the trunk of the disabled car, drove back to my house (where we just happened to have spare car with matching rims) and removed a tire. Then it was back to the Blue Bomb to replace the dead spare and THEN on home.

This took about three hours. Yet through it all, my son never complained. In fact, he was quick to remind me that we were lucky it hadn't happened when I was 40 miles away from home instead of 15, and that we could grab a tire instead of leaving the car by the road all night.

It was nearly midnight before we were done and, believe it or not, both a tow truck driver and a police officer stopped as we finished up to see if they could help.
; the guy who stopped to help a stranger even
So this is my shout out to quiet heroes -- the guy who helped though he was dressed up; the men who didn't let the midnight hour deter them from offering help if we needed it.

Most of all, though, here's to my Mark, who always helps when I call and who manages to smile all through it. He's proof that that old saying about a son being a son until he takes a wife isn't true in every case.

Cammie Eicher

2010-06-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

I don't usually double post, but I've had more than a few folks ask me to post this on the Gems' loop...and you know me. I aim to please. That and I have about a gazillion things to do. Did I mention I really hate the last month of school? Here in Canada, out kids in elementary go until June 29th! I know...what are the powers-at-be thinking?

Anyway, this subject is something I've been wondering about for a while. So, here are my thoughts about writing short...

So, I have a question, which may take a while to get to, but rest assured, it's in here. When I first started writing stories, I have to confess that I never really considered the length of said story. I had an idea and ran with it until it was done. Now remember, that at this point, I considered a novel, just that, a novel. Though I'd read a ton of ebooks, they were always novel length. I'd never ventured into the realm of shorts or novellas, always choosing stories that were just digital versions of the books I'd buy in the stores. I'm not sure if I equated shorts to stories I'd see only in collections or the kind of stuff you'd submit to magazines, but I hadn't considered short stories in their own right.

After a couple of books were contracted, I was informed (nicely, of course) that shorter stories sold better in e-form. Quite honestly, I was shocked. I mean, to me, I thought readers would want to read a full book. I didn't realize there were such tasty treats out there as the RP Glimmers or Novellas. Needless to say, I've since written a few of these (though not yet at this pub, lol), though my heart is still in the grand tales. I love epic adventures that allow me time to develop characters and weave intricacies into the plot line. It took me a while to figure out how to condense a thought into just a single event and build the plot around that event. You'll notice this as my new novel, Worlds Apart, is still just that, a novel. I tried to make it shorter, but the story needed a certain length to be as rich as I wanted it to be. But alas, I digress.

Okay, getting to the question part...really.

As I've been flipping through some different sites lately, some personal sites, some commercial, I've come across a number of reviews or ratings where the reviewer/rater has given a story a so-so review based mostly on the fact it was too short. There are common comments, such as...the characters weren't as developed as I wanted, and the plot wasn't as intricate as I'd hoped it be, I'd have liked more back-story...

Now everyone is allowed their opinion, and I'm truly not knocking reviews or ratings of books. We all get some great and some not-so-great ones. But I was puzzled by these comments. I mean...what is the reader expecting in a 15,000 word story? It's hardly enough time to introduce a plot, add some angst, get to the 'hot' stuff and resolve everything before one's time is up! So it made me wonder if readers are expecting a fully developed novel shrunk down into a pint-size offering?

Is this true? And if so, are authors falling short or are readers really expecting too much for the reality of the situation?

For me, as a reader, I look at the length of a book and adjust my expectations a bit. I know, if it's a short story that's part of a collection, that it's really going to be more of a snap-shot into the lives of the characters, not a full journey. I still expect a storyline, but I don't anticipate it'll be as involved as a story twice it's length, simply knowing there isn't enough time to get it all in. I want character development, but I don't expect it will be mind-altering in such a short space.

Perhaps it being a writer and knowing that 2000 words can be the difference in the plot being full rather than a bit sparse. That 2000 words can be the ending you've always wanted versus a quicker wrap up than intended. I think I give authors a bit of a break realizing they're working on restrictions imposed by the publisher and that they're trying to give you as rich an experience as they can within a very short space.

So...what is everyone's opinion on this? Do you expect a full novel in a short version? Do you take into account the length of a story before you make any expectations? If short sells better, but every comment is... I wish it was longer... how do authors please their readers if their shorter offerings are looked at as not quite complete, but folks won't buy the larger ones? (Yes, this is the selfish hint to go out and try the longer ones... like mine, lol) Now, I'm not saying you can't have a good story in a short package, but I don't think you can have a novel in a novella.

I'd also love to know why readers prefer short? Is it having to read on a computer, though with the iPad and e-readers now available, I think this argument will soon be a thing of the past? Is it the desire for instant gratification where you know you can sit down and finish a book in an evening? Does it come down to cost, though at five or six dollars, an ebook is still half the cost of a paperback?

Any insight is welcomed. And before I leave you, I wanted to announce that Worlds Apart is now available!!!! It is, of course, a long book at 62K, but I just couldn't make it any shorter. I hope folks will venture into the longer books, but I"m also curious to know how you feel about the shorts and what your expectations are.

Okay, here's a quick excerpt from Worlds Apart...

“Your turn.”

Sam turned to him, fear flickering in her eyes. “You first.” She glanced back at the sheer drop over her shoulder. “That way I can watch how you cross it so I won’t fall.”

Uncertainly flared, as he watched her snag her bottom lip. He tried searching her thoughts, but the connection was too weak. That, or she was shielding herself from him. He leaned closer, tracing the gentle curve of her jaw.

“There’s nothing to fear,” he assured her.

“I’d just feel better knowing you were on the other side to catch me if I stumble.”

Griffin nodded, moving over to the wood. “I could carry you,” he offered, but she shook her head, motioning him forward.

He climbed on, making his way across, landing on the other side in a cloud of dust. He turned back just as a streak of light flashed in his eyes, knocking him to the ground. A sharp hiss filled the air, followed by a loud crack. He squinted through the smoke as the log burst into flames, splitting near the center before plummeting into the empty space and crashing onto the rocks below.

Griffin pushed up, waving his hand to clear the air. Sam was standing on the other side, her blaster palmed in her hand. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Saving your life. You know the hovercraft can’t take all of us, and there’s no way you’ll let me back out, so…”

Her voice faded as she stared at the open space, her eyes glassy. Rainbow colored dots reflected off the tears gathering in her eyes, making her skin sparkle in the light. He fisted his hands, eyeing the drop, when her voice echoed down the rift.

“It’s too far, even for you,” she said, a smile touching the corner of her mouth. “Now go, before the second sun sets.”

“I’m not leaving you here,” he barked, brazing a glare at Sirena. “Get Jonah and Luca, and bring back the rope.”

“But Griffin—”

“Don’t challenge me. Just do as I ask.” He turned back to Sam as Sirena darted down the path, disappearing down a steep slope. “Damn it, Samantha. I swear, once I get my hands on you I’ll—”

He stopped when the tears he’d seen gathering in the light fell silently down her cheek. “Little one—”

“Don’t,” she interrupted, holding her hand up. “I’m not your little one, your mate or anything else.” Her head drooped toward her chest as her voice cracked. “I’m nothing but a link you can’t sever.”

“What are you talking about? You aren’t making any sense.” He huffed as he edged closer to the rift. “Is this because of our coupling? Did I hurt you?”

Her head lifted to meet his gaze. “Coupling? That wasn’t a coupling. It was you scratching an itch!” She shook her head as sobs wrenched from her chest. “I can’t live like this, Griffin. I can’t keep pretending there’s nothing wrong. That we’re the perfect pair.” She grabbed her stomach, bending over as if she were going to throw up. “The pain is killing me. Hell, even Cain could smell that you hadn’t touched in months. I can’t keep lying to everyone…it hurts too much.”

“What do you mean the pain is killing you?” Anger bubbled his blood as she simply shook her head. Damn but she was stubborn.

“I appreciate what you tried to do. But it didn’t work. Now you’re bound to someone you can’t even stand to be in the same room with.” She moved back until she was leaning against the side of the cliff. “It’s better this way. You know it is.”

“Samantha, listen to me.”

She stopped him with a raise of her hand. “There’s nothing left to say.” She motioned to the path behind him. “Go, before it’s too late. I’ll head to the caves, gather as many crystals as I can.” She held up a small device. “I brought a locator beacon. It’s set to go off at sunrise. I’ll try to get as close as I can, but either way, Caleb should be able to track it.”

“Samantha. No.”

“Please don’t make this any harder than it is.” She took a shuddering breath, wiping at the tears. “I knew the moment I saw you that I was in trouble.” She flashed him a genuine smile that made his heart clench. “No one had ever looked at me like that. Those first few months… It was the first time since I was a child that I ever felt safe. I’ll always cherish that.”

Griffin growled as she turned and walked up the path, ignoring his frantic calls. He looked at the gorge separating them, knowing he couldn’t jump the distance, but willing to die trying. He looked up, pinned by her pale eyes.

“It’s okay. I’ve made my choice. Just promise me you’ll keep our people safe.”

He nodded despite the numbing feeling constricting his chest, making it impossible to speak, to breathe.

“One last thing… I love you. I think I always have. And I know I always will.” She lifted her hand, waving at him as she bridged the bend. “Goodbye, beastman. Find happiness. You deserve that.”

Thanks for tuning in. See you all next month.

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

June Wedding

2010-06-01T03:32:00.000-07:00

Ah, the month of June, and the newspaper is full of wedding announcements. I've been invited to two weddings on the same Saturday this month, and my own anniversary is only days away.

Why do so many of us choose June as our wedding month?

I did a little research and found it has to do with the Roman goddess Juno, patroness of marriage and protector of the state. Juno is the daughter of Saturn and the sister (and wife-eww) of Jupiter.

Here's a picture I found on Wikipedia entitled 'Juno Sospita' which means 'Juno the Savior'. I find it interesting that this statue is at the Vatican. It's good to know the Pope appreciates good art even if it is Pagan. And the Romans did give us the aqueducts, too. Not to mention roads. Oh, dear. I think I've gone on a Monty Python Tangent.

Other titles for Juno are Lucetia (bringer of light), Pomona (goddess of fruit), Interduca (she who leads the bride into marriage), Domiduca (she who brings the bride to her new home), and Cinxia (she who looses the bride's girdle). I find these last three interesting because it demonstrates the belief that the blessing of the goddess was sought during the wedding as well as the wedding night. Related to that wedding night, perhaps is another epithet for Juno--Lucina (she who brings children into the light). I took most of this information from Wikipidia, by the way.

And you thought people married in June so all their teacher relatives could be there.

Here's something fun since I alluded to it earlier. A little piece of Monty Python about all the cool things those Romans did from the classic and very funny movie, The Life of Brian.

Happy June, everyone!

Jennifer Johnson
http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com

Romancing... Worlds Apart

2010-05-16T23:20:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone.

Well, it's Monday morning and what better way to welcome in the week than preparing for my new release on the 25th. I'm thrilled about this one. It's my first futuristic novel, and only my second release with Resplendence. I've got more with my other pub (she whispers), but I'm tickled about this one. I absolutely love my new hero, Griffin, and the heroine, Samantha, can kick butt with the best of them.

I think what I love most about this book is watching the characters try to adjust to having a different culture join with them. And it happens on both sides. Samantha's crew is techno-crazy and come from a world completely integrated with technology. Griffin's world has spent the past five-hundred years surviving on instinct, and their barbaric nature definitely takes some getting used to.

So to whet your appetite and get you as excited as I am (please, let me have my visions of grandeur) I'll leave you with the blurb and an enticing excerpt. but before I do, I just want to do a shout out to Les, the amazing cover artist who made what could easily be my favourite book cover. I don't know if it's the sexy hunk of a man, the awesome desolate landscape, the way the woman's eyes stare at you or the overall combination, but I absolutely LOVE this cover. So thank you Les, for capturing my vision so perfectly. You rock and I'm thrilled with the outcome. Okay, now on to the ...

Blurb:

Two cultures—one dusty planet. Intergalactic relations have never been so hot.

Starship Captain, Samantha Grier, has only two options—crash land her warship on an unknown planet inhabited by God knows what, or drift through space. She never counted on becoming part of a colony of barbarians, or becoming the center of attention for their illustrious leader…a man more than capable of claiming both her heart, and her body. Too bad not everyone is thrilled by the new sleeping arrangements.

Griffin can’t believe his good fortune. Not only did the humans arrive just as their power grid was failing, but their Captain is a vision of beauty. With blue eyes and fair skin, he knows instantly that she’s his intended mate. But claiming her is the easy part. When brutal attacks bring the two cultures to the brink of war, will he be able to keep the colony together, while maintaining his role as her mate? Or will the tension leave them worlds apart?

Excerpt:

She could only shake her head as his tongue trailed along her neck, stopping at the sweet spot behind her ear. She clenched her jaw, hoping he couldn’t tell she was all but dripping arousal on the floor, when she felt his lips lift into a smile, and cursed under her breath. “I’d like to know what’s happening to me,” she began, her voice cracking into another moan when his hands cupped her waist, accentuating how small she was compared to him. “What the hell has biting got to do with anything? And why have I got this incessant thrumming in my head?”

“All in good time, little one.” He dropped an open-mouthed kiss on the tip of her shoulder, backing up enough to open the door. “Now let’s have your Dr. Quinn take a look at Cain’s pathetic attempt to defeat you.”

Sam fought off the sudden need to rub against him like some bloody cat in heat and walked into the room, not sure why her hips seemed to rock back and forth as if moving to a distant rhythm.

Quinn huffed, and shook his head the moment he caught sight of her. “What in the bloody hell happened now?”

“I cut myself,” she answered, not meeting his gaze.

“Let me guess. You were shaving and things turned ugly.” He grabbed some bandages, staring at her until she finally looked at him. “Just tell me you used some of that martial arts crap of yours and kicked the bastard who did this to you on his ass.”

“Your Captain did a very fine job of kicking Cain on his ass,” said Griffin. “I’m afraid my warrior underestimated her.”

Quinn laughed, angling a laser across her laceration. “She’s quite a spitfire. A fact more than a few of the crew has found out the hard way.” He dismissed her huff of protest with a firm glare. “I thought I told you to take it slow?”

“I had something to prove,” she stated.

“You always have something to prove, Sam. You’re worse than the men when it comes to that pride of yours. But you need to give your body more time to heal. I’ll be damned if I have to go through another blood transfusion. It wasn’t that much fun the first time.” Quinn cursed when the laser flickered and died, tossing it aside. “I don’t have the resources to keep treating you for life-threatening injuries.”

“It’s only a cut,” she said. “I’d hardly say it’s life-threatening.”

“Only because you won. You might not be so lucky the next time.”

“Don’t worry,” said Griffin, stepping up behind her until his chest brushed across her back. “There won’t be a next time. I made it clear she’d more than fulfilled the challenge.”

“Does this mean we might actually be seen as something more than merely human among your people?” asked Quinn, raising an eyebrow at Griffin.

“Fear is never easy to overcome.” He looked down at Sam. “But I think your Captain secured your place among us.”

“Good, ‘cause I’m running out of Sam-sized bandages,” added Quinn, taping one in place. He patted her on the arm. “You’re good to go. Just keep that on for a few hours, and for God’s sake, stay out of trouble for a while.”

Griffin laughed as Quinn walked away, disappearing behind a set of cabinets. Sam tensed as Griffin smoothed his hands down her sides, splaying his fingers across her thighs. She closed her eyes, hoping the dizzy feeling was somehow connected to the laceration, only to curse when a spike of need shot through her as he lowered his lips to her skin.

“Perhaps I should see to your doctor’s wishes, myself,” he rasped, drawing his mouth across the back of her neck to the other side. “Though to adequately assure him of your safety, I’d have to stay close.” He drew a deep breath, humming as his breath washed across her flesh. “Would you do me the honor of having dinner with me? I’d be more than happy to answer all of your questions.”

Sam bit her bottom lip. While she wanted to know the truth, a part of her wasn’t certain she was ready to hear it. She tilted her head, intending to turn, but he fisted his hand through her hair, halting her with her neck completely exposed to him. He growled this time, scraping his canines along the sleek muscle threading into her shoulder. She gasped at the erotic sensation, pressing into his mouth, wanting him to increase the pressure, but unsure why. He chuckled at her tactic, laving the area thoroughly before pulling back.

“Is that a yes?” he asked, releasing her hair, but trailing his fingers down her spine before moving around to face her.

She looked up at him, knowing she’d give him anything just to feel his mouth on her skin again. “What time?”

He smiled at her husky reply, tracing the outline of her lips with his finger. “Come by whenever you get hungry. I’ll be waiting.”

Sam held her breath as he walked out of the room, his back flexing beneath the thin vest. She closed her eyes, not sure what the hell she’d just gotten herself into, but knowing she’d be standing at his doorstep long before the first sun dipped below the horizon.

Hope you enjoyed a sneak peek at Worlds Apart, coming to you live on May 25th. If you'd like to read another excerpt, I'll be posting one on my website today as well. Hope to see you there.

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

Hey O!

2010-05-07T01:11:00.000-07:00

By the time this entry will have posted itself automatically--don't you just love technology? But I'm not in my office. I needed to escape for a while. My mother wanted to head to the farm for the weekend to spend time with Daddy and work on their new house.

I decided to take off and go with her because I personally need a break. I need it for a couple of reasons.

One reason is I've been a VERY busy little woman lately. I FINALLY finished Morgan Creek. WOOHOO! YIPPEE! YEAH! Let me tell you, this little novel is AWESOME! I read it through a couple of times and have to say STEPHEN KING EAT YOUR HEART OUT! My story ROCKS!

I'm sorry, does that sound a little Diva? You've got to understand that while I know my books are pretty good, and I love each story, this is the first one that I have HONESTLY seen as a MAJOR contender against some of the greatest known names in horror!

I submitted the book to my editor on April 28th. I know there's going to be a bit of time before I hear any response and rather than sitting here chewing my nails and checking the inbox every five seconds, leaving town is a pretty great option. I'll be working with mom in the house, with dad in the fields and taking some time to sneak off on the ATV and maybe start the prep of opening up our summer place--Bug bombing the trailer, making sure the roof isn't missing shingles from the recent tornadoes, replacing the flooring, mopping, scrubbing, sweeping, etc. Yep, total relaxation...HEHEHEHEH

In personal issues, my DH is still in search for that elusive job. He's made a few connections and applied for a job that will require a major move. I'm praying he gets this one but by the same token I'm not really up for a move. I mean right now my babies live less than five minutes from me. This move would seperate us by a couple hundred miles and several hours. That would be sheer hell.

Of course I've already looked at homes for sale in the probable relocation city and have found three I absolutely LOVE. In a perfect world my babies would pack up and we'd all move together. Living in houses that connect with back yards, jobs near each other--the works.

Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world. Heart ache and tearful farewells are part and parcel of this world.

Then again the Big Man Upstairs could throw us a ringer and job will pop up here--all this sadness and searching will have been nothing but a test...

So what are YOU doing this weekend?

Need a Hero?

2010-05-01T03:35:00.000-07:00

Because I've got one for you-an unlikely one. He's definitely rough around the edges, but what a man!

Meet him in my new book Holding Out for a Hero.

First a set-up, then an excerpt:
Abigail Benton finds herself doing community service in inner-city Clavania when she meets Eli, a homeless man, who has a knack for showing up just when she needs him.

Here's an Excerpt:

“You just don’t get it, do you?” Eli’s eyes had been roving all over the room. His question surprised me because I wasn’t even sure he had been listening to what I was saying.

“I don’t get what?”

“That this isn’t Kansas, Abigail. And you don’t have any ruby slippers to protect you. Those men will cut you. They’ll do things to you I don’t even want to think about. If you have to go to the center, fine. If you have to work at the shelter, do it. But don’t stop anywhere on the way and don’t linger in your duties, or you could end up in a bad way. A very bad way.” Eli had yet to make eye contact with me. He finished off the first sandwich, took the napkin from the table and wrapped it around the second one.
“I’m scared enough without your lecture. I do get it, okay?”

A smile quirked his lips. Raising his face, he studied my ceiling for a few seconds. Then his eyes finally settled on me. Hunger swirled in their dark depths, and not for food, for me.My breath caught in my throat. The intense stare from his eyes struck me like lightning, and I felt tingling throughout my whole body. In a swift movement, he stood and the chair turned over. I stood as well. Stalking over to me, he stopped just shy of touching me. His breath warmed my cheek, the heat of his body radiated outward.

Was he going to kiss me? He moved so that his mouth was near my ear. The hair of his beard brushed my cheek. What was he waiting for? What was he going to do? What should I do? Little stars danced before my eyes, and I realized I was holding my breath. I willed myself to suck in some air, and when I did, my breasts touched his chest. There were barriers of clothing, but in that moment it didn’t matter. I knew the second he felt me, because his breath hissed.

“Good. I want you to be scared. I want you to get it. But I don’t think you do. The men at the shelter talk about you. They wonder what you taste like.” His low voice reverberated through me. He paused and let that bit of information sink in.

My heart skipped a few beats.

“You should stop making yourself so available,” he whispered before stepping away, picking up the paper wrapped food, shoving it in his pocket, and letting himself out of my apartment.

Holding Out for a Hero by Jennifer Johnson
from Resplendence Publishing , available now digitally
www.resplendencepublishing.com

http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com

Off to the big city!

2010-04-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

So here it is, time for the Romantic Times convention in Columbus, Ohio, and I'll be there -- but not for the whole thing.

I'll definitely be at the RP party on Sunday night. I write vampire romance ... the party is vampire-themed ... where else could I possibly be?

Well, one place would be at the citizens advisory meeting for a local university's public radio station. I'm chairman this year (talk about desperate!) but I had to advise that I was otherwise engaged. My tummy will be full when I head to Columbus on Sunday, since the church youth group is having a spaghetti dinner, which is always very yummy.

My trip on Saturday came up at the last minute and is very special. It's like this: About a year ago, my middle grandgirl announced she hated to read. She's 14 now, in eighth grade, and it's by her request that we're going to the literacy signing at RT.

Yes, she has fallen in love with books, these written by young adult author Heather Brewer. And yes, making her Nana proud, the books are paranormal. Ah, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree after all!

She's hitting up her daddy for money to buy the newest book, and is actually looking forward to rolling out of bed at 7 a.m. on a Saturday to start the trip. She is bringing all her "keeper" books by her favorite author to be signed, and is as excited as can be.

Her anticipation reminds me of why I became a writer: Because I love words. I love escaping into other worlds. Now I love creating other worlds, like my new mythology of vampires in my Shadow Ancient series. The first book, Out of the Shadows, was released in March; check it out and tell me what YOU think about my vampires and their world.

And tell me what got you started reading? A certain author, like my grandgirl? Other worlds, like I discovered? I'd love to know!

Cammie Eicher
Romance with a Bite

I Will Remember You...

2010-04-17T00:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

As you may recall, last month I totally gimped out and did a lamer than lame post. I was going through some family issues at the time, and well, I just didn't have the time or energy to get creative. Wouldn't you know, my family problems escalated this month. Just last week, I lost my mum. While she'd be ill for a while, I can tell you, I never imagined she'd pass so quickly.

Now don't worry, this isn't going to be an endless blog about dying or my views on the afterlife, but it's brought about another significant change in my life. I'm now the oldest living female in my family. Me!!!! In literally the space of a breath, I've gone from being the next generation to being the last generation, and I'm not exactly sure what to make of it. I mean, I'm not old enough to be the wise woman of the family...

I think what's really hit home for me, is how the passing of a generation also means the passing of traditions. As luck would have it, it's my birthday tomorrow...and it's made me realize that this will be the first birthday I don't get a card in the mail. (yes a few friends will hand me one, but you know what I mean.) My mum was a huge card person. I mean she'd send me a card thanking me for my thank you card. She's probably haunting my butt right now because I haven't sent out proper 'thank you' cards yet for those that came to pay their respects. I can assure you, Hallmark is already feeling the pinch. But I realize that sending cards is a tradition that's gone with her. I'm an e-card kinda girl. I'll send plain one, custom ones, and ones that dance and sing, but I hate spending five dollars on a card people feel guilty about tossing away because they know you've spent five dollars on the damn thing. E-cards I can keep on my computer forever if I'd like. It just seems to make more sense. But it's strange to think an entire tradition just vanishes.

There's other traditions that will be lost as well. Those strange concoctions at holiday dinners... you know that green jello mould thingy that no one liked... gone because I sure as hell don't know how to make it. Now that my be a blessing in disguise, but now I kinda wish I'd learnt, if for no other reason to make my children suffer the same fate I did. (Yes, I am that evil at times:) Then there's the stories...the ones about when she was a kid...silenced forever. And the pictures that no longer make sense because only she knew who was in them.

It makes me wonder about my heritage. How entire cultures manage to pass their information on from one generation to the next, yet for many of us, we can't recall our cousins if someone's not there to tell us their names. I never put much stock in it before, but it makes me question that decision now. Don't get me wrong, Hallmark will have to suffer the loss, and I'm really not fond of green jello, so it looks like the kids are safe. But I'm sure there'll be many times over the next year when I'll stop and say...hey, mum would have known the answer to that one.

So, I'd like to ask the million dollar question...what traditions have or will go in your family? How do you feel about becoming the oldest generation? Any words of wisdom? Feel free to leave a comment if you've also made this auspicious rite of passage, or if you're wise beyond your years...me, not so much.

I'll leave you with the lyrics of a song that's been haunting my mind for the past week. It's by Sarah McLachlan, called I Will Remember You..

I will remember you, will you remember me?

Don't let your life pass you by,

Wait not for the memory.

Dedicated to my mum...Lee.

While fleeting in my hand, you're forever in my heart.

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

At reader's request - they'll make a return visit

2010-04-08T06:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday everyone! It's starting out a bit gray but the weather guy said some sunshine today, so I'm going to hold him to that. Either way, it's a good writing day and maybe I can sneak in some reading time too.

Because so many readers have requested more sexy vamps and a certain beast...I've decided to get to work on revisiting my characters. I'll be writing sequels to both Immortally Theirs and Beauty's Beast. While I rarely do sequels, I've enjoyed these characters and well...I don't want to let the readers down.

Why haven't I written sequels in the past? I'm not sure I have a real good answer for that, other than I always have story ideas circulating around in my head. Often I'm working on a two or three at the same time, and often I write a contemporary just after writing a paranormal to get a change of scenery. I've realized though that I come to miss certain characters, and am not ready to be done with them. I'm excited to reunite with the characters of both these books. I hope you will enjoy them as well!

~Ann Cory

Spring Spring Spring!

2010-04-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

Oh, the barnyard is busy, in a regular tizzy, and the obvious reason is because of the season. Ma Nature's lyrical, with her yearly miracle Spring, Spring, Spring! All the hen-folk are hatchin' while their men-folk are scrathin' to ensure the survival of each brand new arrival. Each nest is twitterin', they're all baby-sitterin', Spring, Spring, Spring. It's a beehive of buddin' son and daughter life, every family has plans in view. Even down in the brook the underwater life Is forever blowin' bubbles too. Every field wears a bonnet with some spring daisies on it; even birds of a feather show their clothes off together. Sun's gettin' shinery, to spotlight the finery, Spring, Spring, Spring.

Yes, I am a HUGE 7 Brides for 7 Brothers fan! That is one of my favorite songs from the score and actually, whenever it becomes this time of year, I usually am humming or singing it throughout the day. After all, it seems a kind of magic is in the air this time of year.

One night we went to bed, the ground was dead and brown, the cold wind whipping the skeletons of the trees into a dance that filled the air with such horrible sounds. The the sun came up and suddenly there was color EVERYWHERE!

The tulip trees were heavily weighed down by their enormous mauve blooms, the brilliant green grass was dotted with shades of the rainbow blooming up filling the gently caressing warm breezes with perfumes no lab in the world could do justice to!

In the trees, chicks hatch, in burrows underground rabbits are born. And this year we had a new addition in time for Spring too!

Sterling Wayne Gordan was born on March 31 at 10:46 am. He's simply perfect, absolutely wonderful and I am totally in love with him. He and his big sister Alyx are the lights of my life and--if I DO say so myself--the BEST looking kids EVAH!

I've shared tons of pictures of Alyx with y'all over the years. Now I'm going to bore you with a few of Sterling:

Well, I had best get back to work. I'm so glad I'm able to spend a bit of time with y'all and I am so sorry my post was rather late. I've been easily distracted--in case you couldnt tell...LOL I'm hoping to avoid the siren call of my sweet angels long enough to get to work on some new material.

Demon's Fall still doesn't have an iron clad release date but I'm sure it won't be much longer!

In the meantime I'm busy with a few other projects--namely Alyx and Sterling--so I'm going to be hit and miss at the computer for a while. You know I have to admit being an Elisi is AWESOME! I love my kids but this is a whole new level. When the kids cry now--I have the option of passing them off back to their parents and going home! When dirty diapers needs changing, I just call on mommy and daddy and when I get them back they're fresh, clean and sweet smelling. All the fun and none of hte headache! Damn, I should've been an Elisi first! LOL

Hope y'all have a FABU April. I'm spending the rest of this month dividing my time between the little muppets and dealing with a daughter who's about to graduate. We're pouring over student loan applications, college brochures, pulling our hair out with financial concerns. I'm very excited to know my baby is going to be crossing that walk in a cap and gown...My job is almost done.

Suddenly I feel very VERY depressed. Better go and spend a little time with my babies.

See y'all next month!
Hugz and HAPPY READING!
JJ

April Joys

2010-04-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

I love the month of April. It's spring. The weather is warming up. Flowers are blooming. And the robins are back from their beach homes in Cancun or wherever it is that they go. Plus, today is my half-birthday, so I'm exactly six months into being 39 years old, and six months away from being 39 years old again for another whole year.

This year, I have something extra to look forward to in April. At the end of the month, I'll be attending the Romance Writers of America Spring Fling Conference in Deerfield, Illinois. Spring Fling is organized every other year by the Chicago chapter of RWA. I attended two years ago and had a blast. This year should be even better.

My cousin Annmarie Ortega is going to be there, as well as one of her close writer buddies, Marianne LaCroix. I also know some other great writers who will belly-up to the bar with me over the action-packed weekend.

Spring Fling includes everything you could want from a writing conference: opportunities to meet literary agents, editors, and other writers, lavish dinners, panel discussions, and a multi-author book signing, not to mention a chocolate reception. I'm especially excited because I'll be speaking on a panel with my cousin Annmarie and Marianne about how an author's work is just beginning when she finishes that first manuscript.

So this year, April brings even more promise than usual. I hope to see you in Deerfield!

Peace and springtime,
Kimberly Garland

Who's the Fool?

2010-04-01T05:05:00.000-07:00

Greetings! Jennifer Johnson here.

Here it is the first day of April which means (anticipatory drum roll here) it's April Fool's Day. Here's my little pancake bunny my friend Stew sent me one time after an apparently confusing email I sent him. I just love this bunny, and sometimes when you just don't get it-joke or otherwise-you just go with the bunny. You know what I mean?

So here's a few April Fool quotes I found amusing. Hope you like them, too.

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. ~Douglas Adams

It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor. ~Max Eastman

I have great faith in fools - self-confidence, my friends call it. ~Edgar Allan Poe

April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

April fool, n. The March fool with another month added to his folly. ~Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed. ~Mark Twain

If every fool wore a crown, we should all be kings. ~Welsh Proverb

I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it. ~Jack Handey
Men reach their sexual peak at eighteen. Women reach theirs at thirty-five. Do you get the feeling that God is playing a practical joke? ~Rita Rudner

Suppose the world were only one of God's jokes, would you work any the less to make it a good joke instead of a bad one? ~George Bernard Shaw

Well, not bad, huh? I love to laugh and to be around people with a great sense of humor. My book coming out this month with Resplendence has a strong comedic tone. There's mystery and suspense as well. I guess it has just about everything except a pig. The pig didn't make the edits. The book is called Holding Out for a Hero. It's on the coming soon page at Resplendence.

So exciting!

Come visit me on my website:

http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com

A Matter of Opinion

2010-03-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Kentucky!

I was so excited by the beautiful cover art for my newly-released vampire romantic suspense, "Out of the Shadows," that I made my nephew take a color copy of it to my mom when he headed back to Ohio after visiting us. I could hardly wait to see what she'd have to say.

Before I had a chance to call and ask, my sister e-mailed me. Here were my mother's exact words: "It must be racy."

Personally, I think the cover is absolutely stunning and quite modest by today's standards -- rather like me, in fact. (She says with a wide grin.) It portrays the story while still letting the reader know there's an attraction between the main characters, and yes, it is acted upon!

That remark of my mother's has led to some interesting discussions with my friends and fellow writers. I have discovered that, as with all art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Some hate cartoony covers. Others prefer people on the cover rather than scenic views ... as long as the covers actually look like the characters! That, I think, is where I heard the most rabid opinions, from people who buy a book expecting the hero and heroine to look like the cover depiction and discover they don't.

So what kind of covers do you like? Reality, fantasy, people, places? I'd love to know!

And check out my cover and see if you think Mother knows best!

Cammie Eicher

St. Patty's Day

2010-03-16T21:41:00.001-07:00

Well, top o'the morning to ya.

Okay, it's obvious I'm not Irish, but like many, I love the charm of Ireland and dream of travelling there and being whisked away into a quaint thatch-roofed cottage but a hot Irish man....

Well, that's not really what St. Patrick's Day is about either. As a matter of fact, I really don't know what it stands for. Here in Canada, it's an excuse to drink green beer and talk in an Irish accent, whether you can do it or not. I, unfortunately, don't have the gift of the brogue, so I'll spare everyone and not do a very bad impersonation of Liam Neison.

I'm not one to celebrate many holidays. I enjoy them, I just don't take the time to get all worked up about them. Yes, some of my kids will agree to wear green tomorrow, though I discovered the original colour associated with St. Patty's Day was blue, not green, but it's more because it's fun than because they're celebrating the heritage of the day. I think it's that way with most holidays today. We go through the motions but don't really stop to consider the real values of the day.

So what does St. Patrick's Day mean to you? Are you up on your history, or like me, and toast the occasion with a green brew thick enough to stop a bullet? I'd love to know. Unfortunately, I'm also on the road and that's all the time I have this month. I promise to woo you next month.

Kris
KrisNorris.ca

Flying by with a hi!

2010-03-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

I'm so sorry I've been out of touch. Life has gotten way out of hand around here. Back in the end of January my grandmother had a nasty accident and her injury required 24 hour care. She's a wonderful woman but she can't tolerate strangers so the family decided that we'd do a rotation schedule that would allow one of us to always be there. Simply, right?

RIIIGHHHT...I move into her house on Sunday afternoons and I live there until Friday mornings. My mother and three aunts take turns coming in after work during the week to spend the night so that I can sleep and devote my daytime hours to her care. Unfortunately since the accident, I've had aunts and cousins with flu, work trips that could NOT be missed, and other last minute emergencies that have left me alone with her for two and three day stretches. Needless to say I'm exhuasted, and my writing time/socializing time have been compromised.

However, now that we're all in a routine, it's easier. Plus my grandmother is healing--slowly but she IS healing YAY! The doctor says we only have another four months of this...But we THINK (wish, hope, pray) that in another couple of weeks the round the clock care won't be neccessary.

Of course in a couple of weeks I'll have another distraction to swallow up my time. Our newest arrival is due on April 5th! That's right! Our little Alyx is going to have a baby brother! WOOOHOOHOO!!! We're counting down the days until little Sterling Gordan (I'm not sure if I've spelled that correctly. My son has a thing for odd spellings...i.e. Alyxzandreia is Alyx's full name so....HEHEHEH) arrives! I cannot WAIT to hold my new wee one in my arms! My DIL can't wait for ANYONE else to take over the carrying part--hehehe....

Well, I've had my batteries recharged and I'm getting ready to head out the door to start my shift with Nanny again in just an hour or so but I've missed all of you so much I wanted to pop in and assure y'all I'm not dead, just feeling that way...LOL

I look forward to getting back into my real life before long.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank ALL of you! I've received emails with words of encouragement, get well soon wishes, and support for our family like you wouldn't beleive! My readers, the staff and authors at RP and the RP readers are the GREATEST bunch of people on the planet! Thank you all for offering exactly what I've been needing--support and patience! Y'ALL ARE THE BEST!!!!

Better take off. DD wants to see me before I take off again.

Hugz!
JJ

Knights on White Paper

2010-03-04T13:15:00.000-08:00

Good news! Resplendence just released the print anthology Medieval Ménage! This book contains three thrilling historical romance novellas by three different authors. My story, "A Liar's Truth," blends adventure and romance with a touch of humor to create a compelling story that readers won't be able to put down.

This anthology is especially important to me because it's the first time I've ever been in print with my cousin Annmarie Ortega. Growing up in Chicago together, we shared a lot of things, but is new territory for us. I'm so happy that Resplendence was willing to publish our novellas in the same anthology. It got even better when they added an erotic medieval story by our friend Marianne LaCroix. When Annmarie suggested taking advantage of the three story theme by calling the anthology Medieval Ménage, everything fell into place.

I met Marianne a few years ago when I shared a room with her and Annmarie at the Romantic Times Romance Lover's Convention in Houston. We had a fantastic time and laughed like fools for an entire weekend. This year, we'll all be together again in April at the RWA Spring Fling conference in Deerfield, Illinois. We'll present a panel called "Now that the Manuscript's Done, the Work's Just Begun," as well as participate in the conference's book signing. It will be cool for all three of us to sign copies of the Medieval Ménage.

Happy reading to everyone, and I hope to see you at the conference in April!

Kimberly Garland

Holding Out for a Hero

2010-03-03T05:24:00.000-08:00

Do you judge a book by its cover? If so, wouldn't you think favorably of this one? Holding Out for a Hero will be digitally released April 15th. Instead of crying over your tax woes, download this baby and lose yourself between the covers of this romance.

See you next month!
Jennifer

Interview and Contest

2010-02-22T11:08:00.001-08:00

Please check out my interview and leave a comment to be entered in the contest to win an autographed copy of Summer Solstice Scorchers. My interview is at Annmarie Interview

Branching out...

2010-02-17T00:05:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that this time last year, I hadn't signed my first contract yet. And now I'm ready to branch out into another facet of writing... book trailers and websites.

I know... what do trailers and websites have to do with writing?

In this day of virtual life, you can't be an author without having book trailers, a stunning website, blogs, tweets and more facebook friends than you can count. It's all part of the dreaded "promotion," and most authors will tell you, it's far more intimidating than writing that first book.

When I received my first contract, I was stunned to see that the company wanted to know my website address and fan email. Sheesh, I hadn't stopped squealing about getting a contract long enough to think about fan email. But as I stared at the lines on the information page, I realized that being an author involved much more than simply pumping out books. Authors need to be seen. To get their names out in as many places as possible. Part of that means having an attractive website folks will want to come back to time and again.

Faced with such a daunting task, I did the only thing I could... I opened up iWeb and jumped in. It took a few days of figuring out how to use the program and searching sites to find images I wanted to base my website on, but after a lot of hard work, and even more luck, I launched my first website. Little did I know, that was just the beginning...

When my first book came out, I was then faced with the idea that I should make a book trailer to put up on youtube, to help get my name out there like only youtube can do. I'd watched other authors make trailers or hire folks to do so, and I remember thinking... I can do that. Can't I? With images in hand I spooled up my trusty iMovie and set out to master the ins and outs of creating my first book trailer. After a lot of mistakes and learning many of the simple tricks the hard way, a book trailer was born... and I discovered... I LOVE doing this stuff.

Since then, I've made several trailers and have now branched out to making some for friends. Then this past week, I got the chance to help a great friend, and fellow author Bronwyn Green, make a brand new website. Of course, being the geek I am, I jumped at the chance and I'm proud to announce that just yesterday, her site went live. You can find it here. I'm thrilled with the outcome and even happier that she's just as tickled as I am.

So what does this all mean?

I think I've found another passion in my life... one that never would have come to light without that first contract. Funny how life changed direction when you least expect it. Now I'm dividing my time between writing and making trailers and websites for friends... and I couldn't be happier.

Never knew I had such an enthusiastic geek inside me, lol.

Thanks for tuning in and see you next month.

Cheers,

Kris

Romanicing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

It takes a strong woman to love a beast

2010-02-08T08:12:00.000-08:00

My novella Beauty’s Beast is available now from Resplendence Publishing

Blurb

It takes a strong woman to love a beast.

After a planned week away goes bust, Mercedes Black takes to the road. Years of unexplained memory lapses have ruined her relationships with men and left her future uncertain. That is until a good-looking stranger appears along the desolate highway, and she offers him a ride. The moment he enters her car, an internal switch is turned on and her body craves his touch. Figuring she has nothing left to lose, besides her memory, she gives in to her impulses.

Nox Messina has never been the same after volunteering for what he thought was advanced medical research. For years he has been on the run. Tired of being hunted, he decides to take down the doctor who ruined his life, and to insure that no one will stand in his way again. His plan for vengeance gets sidelined when an exquisite beauty offers him much more than a ride, and he can’t refuse.

As their feelings deepen for one another, they discover the man Nox plans to kill plays a crucial role in their future. Not only does he want the beauty for himself, but he wants beauty’s beast out of the way for good.

Excerpt

For what seemed like an eternity, she waited in the car, her blinkers casting a faint red glow amid the fog. Her breath slowed. Why did he wait? Maybe it had been a mistake to stop and she should drive on. No telling what crazies walked around out there. Scenes from the horror movie replayed in her head.

A procession of heavy knocks against her window made her gasp. Hand to her chest she waited for her pulse to resume and rolled down the window. She almost convulsed at the deep green eyes staring back.

He squatted to eye-level. “Evening, miss. Are you lost?”

Her throat went all raw and cottony. She forced down several swallows before she could speak. “Um, no. I wondered if you needed help.”

“Nope, I’m good.”

“Are you sure? Because I can offer you a ride if you’d like.”

He shrugged. “I don’t mind the walk. It’s a peaceful night.”

The whiskey rough lilt in his voice sent thrills throughout her body and made her pulse speed up.

“It’s not very safe, with the fog and all,” she reasoned. “I read it gets really thick around here.”

His chuckle filled her with warmth. “I’m somewhat of a risk-taker. But I appreciate you stopping.”

“Wait. I-I’d like to give you a ride. Please?” Mercedes heard her own voice beg and wondered why it mattered so much to her that he got in the car. She’d never given a strange man a ride before. Why did this one make a difference?

He smiled and fine lines bracketed his eyes. “Okay, you convinced me. It couldn’t hurt to give my legs a rest. By the way, nice wheels.”

“Thank you.” She resumed breathing while he walked to the other side of the car.
He opened the door and ducked down. “Hope you don’t have a problem with me sitting up front. I find I get lonely in the back.”

She stopped herself from saying he could do anything he liked. “No, of course not. Up front is great.”

As the stranger situated himself in the seat she took in his rugged, handsome face. If a menu were drawn up for her to order the perfect man from, then she was looking at the ultimate feast. He was the epitome of every man she ever wanted. The man she’d dreamed up and never expected to find. Good-looking, strong, built like a steel truck. Powerful hands. Dark hair that hung to the peak of his shoulders, and a full mouth she wanted to be devoured by. There was more, though. Traits that went beyond the visual ones she could see. She was drawn to the signals he sent out. They were dangerous, hypnotic, and erotic all rolled into one with an energy that reeled her in and zapped away her inhibitions.

She moistened her lips. “How far did you want to go?”

He turned in the seat to face her, his eyes smoldering. “As far as you’ll take me.”

A shiver passed through her. An internal switch had been thrown and suddenly she was a cat in heat. Just bam. Soaked and ready to go.

(copyright 2010)

~Ann Cory

Officially Old

2010-02-04T19:27:00.000-08:00

I'll admit it. I'm old. No, it's not the wrinkles on my face or the sagginess of my…um…chin. It's the fact that with every passing year I've seen fewer of the movies that are nominated for Academy Awards, and now this year for the first time I haven't seen ANY of them. Ten films nominated for best picture, and I haven't got a clue. That's the best way I know to gauge a person's advancing age: Is the person aware of popular culture? In my case, the answer seems to be a resounding NO!

Years ago, I used to get a kick out of my grandmother because she was completely out of touch when it came to current TV shows, new movies, and books. Oh, she could tell you about old stuff like "I Love Lucy" and "Gone with the Wind," but anything that happened since the Cuban Missile Crisis was a mystery. This year's Academy Award nominees prove that I'm becoming my grandmother. Only in my case, I could tell you all you'd want to know about the original "Star Wars" movies, but I can't tell you who the current James Bond is.

I haven't seen any of the newest films yet because my husband and I rarely go to the movies any more. We used to, but now we prefer to wait until movies are on video or HBO. That way we don't have to 1) leave the house and 2) sit in a dark theater surrounded by annoying strangers. Who wouldn't rather stay home wearing sweatpants than get dressed up and go out in the cold? Like I said, we're very, very, very old. Going out and engaging in social interactions is a young person's game. Comfy sofas, cups of herbal tea, and roomy flannel pants are way more up my alley these days.

I'm not completely detached from all current culture quite yet. I saw "Sherlock Holmes" at the theater, which was nominated for best art direction this year. My husband and I almost went to see "Avatar" a couple of weeks ago, but we talked ourselves out of it because it's pretty long and we didn't want to sit in those theater chairs for more than two hours. Do I sound like your grandmother yet?

I'm actually only a couple of years behind the rest of the world when it comes to movies. On Christmas, I finally saw "Slumdog Millionaire," which was awesome. Next on the agenda: either "Gran Turino" or "No Country for Old Men," depending on which one pops up on cable first. And maybe next year, I'll get around to seeing "Avatar." I hear "Up" is pretty good, too. There's a cranky old man in it. Finally, a movie character I can identify with!

Peace and good movies!
Kimberly Garland

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

2010-02-02T10:25:00.001-08:00

Keep Warm, keep happy and KEEP SMILING!

Happy reading,

Snow Reflections

2010-02-01T05:26:00.000-08:00

Good February to you. This is Jennifer Johnson, and my first book with Resplendence, Holding Out for a Hero, is due out in April.

Saturday morning we woke up to a winter wonderland-another one. The temperature was in the single digits in the morning and hovered in the teens throughout the day. Here we are at the park Saturday afternoon. Can you believe there was no one else there? We've never had the park to ourselves before!! What a treat.

You'd think for a southern girl like me these days would be traumatic, but you know, once I figured out what that white stuff was (and especially what wool socks were) I've come to enjoy the snow.

When it falls on the weekend, of course.

Working women find snow week days troublesome because most of the time taking your kids to work with you does not work out so well.

But these Saturday snow days, now they I like.

For the first time my kids ate snow ice cream. You know, it tasted almost as bad as it did when I made it and ate it with my best friend Lane Cook when it snowed one of the few times in Alabama back in the 1970s. My childhood ice cream had bugs and such in it. I guess the snow was a light dusting and so when we gathered the snow, we got more than just the snow.

It tasted horrible, and it crunched.

Terrible snow ice cream.

Now these thirty-something years later it was time to try again with the fresh snow, the clean-on-the-top snow.

It still tasted like dirt. I guess that is because you gotta have a little dust to make your snow flake. Oh, well. I guess when Nero Claudius Caesar sent his slaves to the mountains to get ice and snow for his drinks, he cared more about the cool drink than the dirt in the bottom. They didn't have machine dish washers back then either, so he probably tasted dirt a lot.

When snow stays around for a while, you have to get creative. We've made snow people, snow furniture, snow soccer fields. We've gotten the food coloring out and made rainbow snow. We haven't made igloos yet, but that's next on the list. However, seeing as how this is February, we may be looking at next winter (sniff, sniff).

Come visit me anytime at my website http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com/

Writers Retreat to Mexico

2010-01-20T06:09:00.000-08:00

After waiting all year long, the day has finally come that I get to pack for my cruise trip to Mexico for a writers retreat with FRW (Florida Romance Writers). Tomorrow, myself and 40 other writers leave the port of Miami with a notepad and pen in hand. Along with sunscreen, bathers, a wicked cocktail. LOL.

We are set to learn from the collective experience of the pros like Heather Graham, Erin McCarthy, Lyn Armstrong (I had to throw that last name in...tee hee). Workshops are planned throughout the whole trip with a little bit of karaoke and a psychic night with tarot readings. I'm so excited, I can't wait to sail away on the Caribbean blue seas.

The only decision left is whether to track through the jungles of Mexico or visit the Mayan caves. Hmmm. Which to do...

Bon voyage!

Lyn

I Love Technology...

2010-01-16T23:10:00.000-08:00

I know what you're thinking... everyone loves technology, but I really love it. I jump at any chance to embrace new gadgets and toys.(And yes, you may read into that whatever you like:D) When it comes to travelling, I'm the kind of girl who doesn't venture from the house without every time-wasting invention known to man to help keep my kids occupied. I have friends, who've been dedicated to teaching their children the art of scenery passing by the window. Not me. I say pop in that DVD, play on your nintendo's and for God's sake, charge your ipods!

My mentality is, anything to prevent chaos and blood from erupting in the back seat is worth both my money, and my sanity. With three kids and a dog to keep happy, I'll gladly allow my kids to embrace the newest gadgets and happily listen to the Transformers over and over as we drive across the country. But it doesn't stop there...

With my vault into the published life, I've discovered that authors have to be profoundly knowledgeable in most aspects of Internet life. Since signing that first contract, I've made my own website (yes, I made it... all by my little self and I update it regularly), started a blog, and learned how to make book trailers. Now while this seems straight forward enough, the tricky stuff is turning all of these things from a simple template into something to call your own. And for some, it's meant learning basic HTML. Four letters that can make any adult cry...

But if you want a background image on your blog and videos embedded in your web, then sooner or later you've got to bite the almighty bullet, and scour the web to decipher the intricacies of modern technology.

Funny thing is... I LOVE it. I love spending a weekend making a book trailer, and recently, I ventured onto photobucket and started making slideshows to incorporate into my blog and website. Now I have my book covers floating across space in front of fancy backgrounds and it looks fabulous. At least I think it does. Here's one of the slideshows I made today...

So what do you think? Not only that, but I've discovered how to embed all my book trailers onto the sidebar of my blog so they're always there to play... I know, some of you blogger types had that figured out long ago, but I swear, I'm like a kid in a candy shop... of a hot momma in a sex shop, lol. I love tinkering with this stuff to see what I can create. And since I didn't have it ready for my last post, here's my book trailer for Checkmate, my erotic thriller that was released December 8th...

Now I know some readers don't bother with book trailers, and there are some that probably think the only true selling feature is a great blurb and a great cover, followed by an even greater excerpt. I agree, of course. No amount of fancy looking propaganda will get a reader to buy your book if they read an excerpt and aren't intrigued to read more. But the value of these items, especially trailers, goes far beyond the obvious.

I'm amazed at where my trailers end up... when I google to see what's up with my books (yes, we authors must do this to keep a vigilance on piracy, but I promised I wouldn't get into that here... I have a bit of an issue at the moment) I'm stunned at who has grabbed my trailer and posted it on another site. There were a few that I couldn't even read because it was in some kind of cryptic language I thought belonged in Egypt. But there it was, for all the world to see. And that my friends, is exposure.

Now I don't claim that this kind of promotional material increases my sales any... heck I haven't been at this long enough to know... but I'm hoping it can't hurt. And the best part is... most of it's free. Well, making the trailers does cost a bit—for music and photos. But if you purchase them at the right places, it's really only a few bucks a trailer. And making them yourself is a huge savings factor. As for the slideshows... well, yeah, I broke down and upgraded to the pro package so I could get unlimited space and ad-free slideshows, but it works out to $20.00 per year, or about $1.70 per month. Now that's the kind of expense I can afford. And in the end, if I'm happy with the results—or absolutely ticked pink with them—then it's worth it, regardless of the cost.

So there you have it. My leap into the world of HTML tags and youtube movies. I'd love to know what you think of my experiments. Do you have any kind of "wow" factor if you visit a blog or website that has this kind of stuff, or do you consider it flashy? (You can see more of my handiwork on My Website) Of course, I'll probably keep dabbling, either way, but feedback is crucial. If nothing else, I strive to improve, in every aspect of my career. And in the new millennium, that means conquering technology as well.

Thanks for dropping by...

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-07T02:25:00.000-08:00

Hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The release of Demon's Fall has been postponed for a time. I LOVED writing this book! After all, when one is writing about a demon, one can be just as wicked as your heart desires and not have to worry...or should I...I absolutely LOVE my hero and heroine. However, I decided to make some changes to the manuscript and the folks here at RP are SO WONDERFUL and AUTHOR friendly they agreed to give me the time to make those changes. Can you say THANK YOU? I know I can! So, as soon as the changes have been made and the new release date revealed, I'll be shouting out loud and long.

Meanwhile, I'd like to share a little about this book with you.

In looks, Andras resembles a wonderfully talented musician named Tuomas Holopainen--most notably known for his work with the Finnish operatic metal band Nightwish. He's sin-ply adorable.

As I wrote the heroine I kept envisioning her as a lovely, petite auburn with a strong personality and great conviction. When filling out my cover art form I wanted to give the artists a visual reference and there was only one person who could have done Tange justice: Alicia Silverstone.

There are obvious differences in my characters: Tangela has a heart shaped freckle on her eyeball, her eyes are a lighter shade and her hair has copper accents to it. Andras is 6 feet tall when in his human form and Tuomas is not quite that tall. Plus, Andras has broader shoulders, a wider chest and his eyes have a glint of amber in their black depths. And, there's the whole demon form issue...

Anyway...As soon as the cover art is approved I'll be popping in to share it.

I need to take off and get some work done. It's the first week back in my office after a nearly three week holiday hiatus plus I'm in the middle of a cheesecake. Baking it, not eating it--yet. My little Alyx turns two today and on her first birthday she loved my cheesecake so much I promised her every year for her birthday I'd bake a cheesecake. It's going to be fun getting Dora the Explorer and candles in to decorate the darn thing but an Elisi can't break her promise!

As my father said in his New Years Eve toast May the best days of 2009 be the worst days of 2010...yeah it had a few people scratching their heads, LOL So here is my wish for you: May 2010 bring only happiness and health, properity and joy.

Hugz!
JJ

I Hate This Part

2010-01-04T15:29:00.000-08:00

I took my Christmas decorations down yesterday, so the holidays are officially over. Now all there is to look forward to is bone-chilling cold for the next two months. OK, if you live in Australia or something, this is your summer. I'll try not to hate you. Even people who like to ski and live in Vail, Colorado or the Swiss Alps are probably pretty happy right now. But for those of us who foolishly live in Northern Illinois, the months of January and February are brutally cold, dark, and bleak. I always feel like I'm taking a big breath at the beginning of January and holding it until March when my world starts to thaw.

Mental health experts say that depression hits hardest during the holidays, but I think that's only because people know January and February are on their way. At this time of year, all the good stuff is a whole year away: holiday gatherings with family and friends, time off of work and school, receiving presents, and rich food. Now we're slapped in the face with the bad stuff: Christmas snow turned gray, bills coming due for all those gifts, 10 pounds of holiday flab hanging around our butts, and work piled up on our desks while we were away. Is it any wonder this is my least favorite time of year?

So what should I do about it this year to avoid getting sucked into a pit of self pity and stale Christmas brownies? Write! It's been months since I've done any serious work on my newest manuscript, and it occurred to me that there's no better time to curl up on the sofa with my notebook than right now. I mean, it's not like I want to set foot outside. Did I mention it's 5 degrees Fahrenheit? I figure if I can just write a couple of pages a day from now until I can actually see grass again, I'll be close to finishing the new thriller I started way back when the robins were still in town. Then something good will come out of this foray into the Arctic Circle.

Right now I'm pulling on my wool socks and firing up the teakettle to keep me going as I dive back into this manuscript. Maybe I'll come up for air around Groundhog's Day. Or, more likely, Easter.

Peace and a mild winter,
Kimberly Garland

Hello 2010

2010-01-01T05:08:00.001-08:00

Hello to a new year and a new decade! This is Jennifer Johnson, and 2010 is going to be a big year. Those years that end in zero feel like milestones. I should know. I'm turning 40 in April. Before I forget, you're invited to my party. My husband's not big into surprises, so I'm going to throw myself a surprise party. I'm still scouting locations, but I'll keep you informed!

Since today is New Year's Day, I'm participating in some traditions to celebrate the occasion. Like:

*Eating cabbage and black-eyed peas. This is to bring prosperity in the new year, but you have to remember to stick a few coins in the cabbage while it's cooking. My friend Mary puts dimes in her cabbage. But I say put some dollar coins in there! I'm going for BIG prosperity here. My friend Candi put a recipe on her Facebook last night for black eyed peas. She puts salsa in hers (along with the traditional pork and onions for flavor)and lets them simmer a few hours. Our peas have been soaking since last night so we're almost ready to get those babies started.

*No laundry on New Year's Day. Why not? My mom always told me it's bad luck. Fine with me! I'm glad for a reason to let the washer rest. However, I did stay up late last night getting one last load done. (Yes, that's right. I was NOT out partying last night with merry makers on the street watching the ball drop downtown. I stayed home, ate shrimp and pizza with my family, and did laundry in between Wii games. Actually a pretty awesome way to spend New Year's Eve!)

*Looking for a visitor. Some folks believe your first visitor of the year will either bring good luck or bad luck. I'm pretty sure our first visitor will be our neighbor Travis, this 13 year old kid from across the street. He's a cool kid, and my kids adore him so I'm putting the good luck emblem on him.

*And how am I feeling today? Great! I've also heard how you feel today will demonstrate how you feel throughout the new year. This is good enough reason for me not to overindulge the night before. There's nothing worse than a hangover when you can't do laundry. Anyone agree with me?? I'm kidding, of course. I think a hangover and laundry would definitely be worse.

Well, this about wraps this blog up except to say 2010 is going to be an awesome year for me because my first book from Resplendence is set to be released. The digital release is in April so maybe I'll combine my surprise birthday with a release party. Holding Out for a Hero will make its debut April 13.

Happy New Year!

Do you prefer Ebooks or Printed books?

2009-12-20T11:40:00.000-08:00

As ebooks become the new wave of reading with awesome new technology like the new nook, sony and kindle eReaders, there are still die-hard readers who prefer the traditional printed books.

So are you someone who loves the convenience of downloading an ebook? Does the instant gratification give you a junkie-shot or "retail therapy"? Does the thought of helping the environment, knowing you are making a difference by saving paper and ink make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? Or maybe you love the thought of buying a book cheaper, so you can get more bang for your buck. Who wouldn't love to read more romance stories?

Or are you a person who loves to roam colorful bookstore aisles. The smell of newly printed- paper filling your senses. Or when you reach the last page of the book, you can lovingly run your fingers of the embossed romantic cover and sigh with gratification.

So which do you prefer when reading a romance novel? Ebooks or printed books?

Electronic format or paper, a good novel is worth its weight in gold.

For your choice, my erotic Celtic series is available in both ebook and print. For more info check out my website on http://www.lynarmstrong.com/ or http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/

May you all have a magical day!

Lyn Armstrong

Wishes and Resolutions

2009-12-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe it's only eight days until Christmas. I'm still trying to figure out where the time has gone. It's definitely been one of those years where you look back and can't quite remember summer fading into fall. And now, with the winter solstice only a few days away, we're ready to bring in a new year. It seems like the perfect time to reflect.

For me, 2009 has been a year of firsts. My first contract, my first publication, my first website, my first book trailer, my first... well you get the point. In terms of writing, 2009 was a benchmark year. Just last week, my first release with Resplendence came out. Checkmate, a spicy thriller, is now on the electronic bookshelves, and I can't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. After all, at the beginning of this year, it was still just a file sitting on my computer. Now it has a sexy cover page, a dedication and a place on my virtual bookshelf. The only thing better will be when I can hold the print copy in my hand and put the physical book on my real bookshelf. Now don't get me wrong, I read more ebooks than print, but as us authors tend to be a bit... ah shall we say vain... we like having something to accidentally leave on the coffee table when neighbours and in-laws come over to visit. Yeah, there's nothing quite like flaunting a book at an old friend who lovingly called you the "least likely to amount to anything" back in high school.

But I digress. I've learned a lot this year and I look forward to putting much of that into good use next year, as I strive to write more books. And what's a book without a book trailer. Yup, lately I've gotten into making these tasty tidbits on my computer. I'm currently working on Checkmate's one, and had hoped to have it finished for today's post. But other deadlines have me slaving away at the keyboard. I like to use iMovie to make mine. It's a nifty little program from apple that allows you to virtually click and drag your way into a full-fledged movie. With lots of different text options and really cool transitions, it's nothing to take a few images and a great sound clip and turn it into something you're proud to post on youtube... yeah, I'm on youtube, who ever thought.

But I wonder if stuff like that makes a difference. Do readers like watching trailers to get a visual glimpse of a book, or do they shake their head at the lengths we authors go to reach them. I have to admit, I quite enjoy watching them. But I'd love to know what you all think. If you'd like to see any of mine, please hop on over to My Website and have a gander. I'll be sure to post the one for Checkmate once it's finished. But there are a few others you can watch if the feeling strikes you. As for Checkmate, well I wouldn't want to leave you without a small Christmas gift. Here's a warm excerpt to keep you toasty on these cold winter nights...

“Good morning,” he replied, stifling the moan building in his chest. “Sleep well?” he asked, moving his hands back to her arms.

“Better. Thanks to you.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Kendall. Holding you isn’t a sacrifice.”

“Don’t be too sure. Not many people have risen to the challenge.”

“That’s because you don’t give them a chance,” he noted.

She paused, moving her body closer as she replied, “I’m giving you a chance.”

Dawson held his breath. Her tone had changed, and she’d raised her face even with his. His heart raced. If she asked him to make love to her, he wouldn’t be able to refuse. “Kendall…”

She pressed her finger to his lips, silencing him. “Don’t,” she said, bending down to brush her lips against his. “Don’t talk… don’t think… just act.” She moved her finger and slanted her mouth over his.

Dawson felt her tongue sweep into his mouth, tasting, exploring, melding with his before retreating and then probing again. Her pursuit was forceful, but hinted with just a touch of hesitation. The mixture extinguished any reservations holding him back. He tightened his embrace, palming her back as he rolled her over, pressing his weight onto her. Her breasts were firm against his chest, her nipples hard pinpoints that raked across his body. He could feel them through her thin tank, begging him to touch them, devour them with his mouth.

He listened.

In one fluid motion he fisted the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, tossing it to the floor. Her skin was pale, like rich cream, and he couldn’t halt his tongue from darting out, teasing her peaked bud. She shuddered beneath him, tightening her grip on his shoulders. He smiled, lowering his mouth to her breast, curling his tongue around her nipple, sipping it into his mouth.

“Oh, Kendall. Your skin is so soft, darling. So damn soft.”

She whispered his name as he caressed her with his hands, suckling her other nipple, laving it with his tongue. Her chest was rising and falling against his lips, her head thrown back against the pillow. She was panting, digging her nails into his back, moaning at every flick of his tongue as he teased each nipple until she cried out in protest, straining her hips against his thigh. He could feel the soft brush of silk against his leg, the only scrap of clothing she still had on. It was smooth, like her skin, but damp with the essence of her arousal. He groaned, remembering how sweet she tasted in his dream. Dammit, if he wasn’t going to drink every drop of honey from between her legs.

Thanks for stopping by. I wish everyone a safe and spicy Holiday Season. I'll see you all in the new year.

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-07T00:30:00.000-08:00

I’m not much of a Christmas person. I’m far from a traditionalist in the holiday. My kids always knew it would soon be Christmas when the Cryptkeeper belted out We Wish You’d Bury the Mrs., Juggle Bills, or Deck the Halls with Parts of Charlie.

Actually, my children were not aware of the actual lyrics to “Up on the housetop”. My poor son kept confusing “Up on the housetop reindeer pause, out jumps good ole Santa Clause” with “Up on the rooftop with nails and saws, I’m gonna catch old Santa Claus…” During his third grade performance he actually sang nails and saws line HEHEHEHE. (I know, I know, bad Mommy! BAD! BAD! BAD!)

This Christmas is a little different. Our little Alyx is almost 2 so this is her first official Christmas. Yes, she was here last year but this is the first one she’s actually going to be able to get into it. That makes it something to look forward to. My son and daughter in law already have the Christmas tree up and whenever they come in from being gone anywhere the first thing Alyx does is pick up the remote for the Christmas tree lights and commands “lights!” Followed promptly by grabbing the TV remotes and shouting “Sponge Bob!”

It’s almost time to say good-bye old year… hello new.

At this time of year, I always look back on the past year and review what I accomplished, what I missed (sometimes by >Demon’s Fall in January
Getting more books written and submitted—that’s a big one!
Our little Alyx turning 2.
Welcoming my son and daughter-in-law’s new baby in April—I’ve said all along it’s a boy and according to the latest ultrasound I AM RIGHT-hehehe
Writing more.
Watching my baby girl cross the stage in May to receive her high school diploma—THAT’S depressing! And of course, planning the graduation party…I’ll be hitting up friends and family for ideas on this.
My annual girls week in July.
Did I mention writing more?
Oh yeah, and writing more...

So what’s on the agenda for YOU in 2010?

I’ll see y’all in January! May your Christmas be joyous and bright! Be safe and Merry!

Hugz
JJ

Jinger Jackson is a forty-something author from St. Louis who loves writing erotic paranormal and erotic horror tales to thrill and chill readers. You can follow her daily blog at http://jingerjackson.blogspot.com

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

I try to write a blog on the fourth of every month. The fourth because that's the date of my birthday, so it helps me remember. Anyway, some months it's easier to find time to write the blog than others. Take December, for instance. Here it is 4 o'clock in the afternoon and I havent' even started my monthly blog yet.

Maybe I shouldn't feel too bad. At this time of year, aren't we all ridiculously busy? The holidays are breathing down my neck. (Has anyone seen all those cards I bought at last year's after-Christmas sale?) I'm a college instructor, so I'm swamped with grading final exams and term papers. (No dog ever in canine history has eaten homework. Peed on it maybe, but even that's a stretch.) The weather has taken a turn for the arctic, so the only thing I want to do is cuddle on the couch with a cup of hot tea and a good book. (How did the human race survive before the Snuggie was invented?) And perhaps worst of all, 2009 is coming to an end, and I find myself wondering what I've done with this past year. (I resolved to lose how many pounds?)

So, I might be busy and lazy and disorganized this month, but I still want to take a minute to stop and wish everyone reading these words happy holidays and a wonderful new year. I hope Santa is generous, Old Man Winter is merciful, and these dark winter months soon bloom into a warm spring.

Peace and happy holidays with friends and family.
Kimberly Garland

Paper or Screen?

2009-12-01T04:18:00.000-08:00

Good December morning to you. This is Jennifer Johnson, and my first book with Resplendence, Holding Out for a Hero, has its release in April of 2010.
I've been doing some pre-edits of Holding Out before I send it to the editor for the editing proper to begin. I thought to print out the story because I can catch errors on paper that for some reason are invisible on the screen. Amazing. As many times as I've been through this manuscript, I still have mistakes.
It makes me appreciate those writers who created their stories with typewriter. Can you imagine how much time it must have taken to present one's story with no errors whatsoever? Or the frustration to have typed the page down to the last line then hit the wrong key? How did they ever do it without picking up the typewriter and throwing it out the window? Or how did books ever get published with little to no errors? Can you imagine the time invested in the finished product when there were only manual typewriters?
I was sharing my thoughts on this with someone, and his comment was that we don't necessarily save time with computers.
What?! Surely you jest.
So, this someone did what he usually does when I give him my look of disbelief. He gave me an example.
The SR 71. This was the last airplane designed with a slide rule. It also was the last plane designed on time and under budget. With computers we have the capability to work and rework and redo until the product is shiny and brilliant, the best possible of all the models of computer simulations. However, before computers the product could just be "good enough". And that was good enough.
Here's another tidbit he threw at me. With computers we are generating more printed paper copies than ever before. I find that interesting even though I've heard tell of offices that are "paperless" in theory, but in reality have delivery of reams of paper on a regular basis.
Would I want to go back to the good old days before computers, Microsoft tracking, and spellcheck? Heck no.
And I bet my editor wouldn't want to go back either.
Want to know more about me? Come visit my website at http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com

The Merry Month of December

2009-11-30T16:59:00.000-08:00

As I write this, I hear music floating in the air from our community tree lighting and holiday celebration. A carriage is taking people on rides, and Santa has already arrived to listen to the wishes of the little ones.

Now I'm ready to go home and start decorating my house. My lone tree in the front yard. The metal shed we put up after we demolished the garage.

Halloween is my favorite holiday to decorate, which doesn't surprise many people. After all, I do write paranormal romance. And even if my vampires and ghosts aren't real, I like to pretend they are.

Christmas comes in second. Maybe it's because I grew up in northwestern Ohio, where the frigid, snow-laden wind sweeping off Lake Erie can freeze you in thirty seconds, but I adore every bit of the lights and festive atmosphere that Christmas brings. I love Christmas music (which is no surprise, considering I'm a church choir director) and can't hear "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" too many times.

My decorating begins tomorrow night and this is my plan: Lots of everything. Red plastic ribbon and gold garland on my porch columns. Big, bright, multi-colored bulbs on the dogwood tree in front of the house. As gaudy a tree as I can manage, and wrapping paper in every hue on the gifts.

My spirits are so buoyed by the season, in fact, that nothing can burst my bubble ... not even the booze-inspired rendition of "I'll be home for Christmas" that will inevitably drift over from the neighbor's as I sit down to write late at night. Actually, as the slurred lyrics reach me, I make the same mental note all writers do from time to time.

You know .... "Hey, that will be great in a book someday."

Cammie Eicher

Shhh... It's a secret! (cross-post from Magdalenaville)

2009-11-28T16:31:00.000-08:00

Since I just remembered it is my day to blog, and since I have no creative thoughts, I'm cross-posting this one time. Sorry, but you're truly better off this way.

On the morning of Thanksgiving Day, I took a walk. This isn't unusual for me. What was unusual was that I saw two city police vehicles in the first few blocks. I met the first one and waved; the officer waved with more animation than I expected. The second police vehicle was following me. (Did I mention I was walking?) I heard the sound of an engine running, and when it didn't go by me after fifty yards or so, I looked around and saw the second cruiser. This one had its lights on.

Usually one pulls over when a police vehicle has its lights on and is following... But. Did I mention I was walking? The officer's window was down and I asked, "Are you looking for something?"

"Oh, no." He kept up with his very slow progress, finally passing me and then pulling off to the side.

The thoughts that went through my mind were that perhaps there was a desperado, or a rogue white tail deer, terrorizing our town, and these guys were looking...

But the officer said he wasn't looking for something. Huh.

As I trudged up a hill, two teenage girls in running gear trotted past me. Well, this never happens. I seldom see even one walker when I'm out, let alone a runner. Another half mile and I headed toward home the same way I had passed originally. I met dozens of walkers and a few runners. Some greeted me by name, others said Happy Thanksgiving.

That's when I realized I had thrown off the police escort for the YMCA walk. Those officers thought I was the leader of the pack! And guess what! It'll just be a secret between you and me that such was not the case.

Magdalena Scott
http://magdalenascott.com/
http://www.magdalenascott.blogspot.com/

RP Author Chat

2009-11-20T10:41:00.000-08:00

We had an awesome RP author chat last night on Coffee Times Romance. I would like to thank the authors who attended along with me:

Tina Holland - http://www.tinaholland.com/

Anna Mayle - http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/

Ann Cory - http://www.anncory.com/

Demi Alex - www.myspace.com/readDemiAlex

Kris Norris - http://www.krisnorris.ca/

Midnyte Dupree - http://www.midnyte-dupree.com/

Magdalena Scott - http://www.magdalenascott.com/

These ladies were so much fun to chat with. If you get a chance, check out their websites. The blurbs they posted were incredible. Some were so hot, I had to get a iced-water. LOL.

Oh yeah, don't forget to check out my website at: www.LynArmstrong.com

I blogged today about Harlequin - are they the new big bad wolf?

Come on over and find out what I wrote. You may be surprised.

Lyn

Oh...My First Self Promo...

2009-11-17T00:18:00.000-08:00

I know, I know. It seems like the easy way out. Using my spot on the Gems to promote my book, but... It's my FIRST release with Resplendence, and it seems like I've been waiting forever to get a chance to plaster my blog time with some fabulous cover art and a juicy excerpt.

So I hope you'll forgive me if I indulge, just a bit. After all, you're only a virgin once, so to speak, and I'm absolutely thrilled about my upcoming release. Writing this book was the whole reason I got into adventure racing, myself. I wanted to have the experience so I could be true to the characters. But I fell in love with the sport and now try to get out to a couple of races every year.

Okay, so here it is.

Checkmate

For years he’s hidden in the shadows... watching... hunting. His attempts have never been successful, until now. And his game is just beginning.

Kendall Walker and her brother, Trace, share a passion for adventure racing. But when Trace is kidnapped by a psychotic figure from their past, Kendall finds herself immersed in an adventure race beyond anything she’s ever known. And if she doesn’t reach each checkpoint in time, Trace will die. She’ll do anything to get her brother back, even surrendering to a man intent on becoming her lover. Luckily for her, Dawson has other plans.

Special Agent Dawson Cade doesn’t know how his life went from complacent to complicated in what feels like a heartbeat. He has absolutely no leads on the bastard terrorizing Kendall, and he can’t stop himself from wanting to take her into his bed. He knows he needs to keep distant, but when circumstances force him to succumb to the desires of a man intent on possessing Kendall, Dawson must face the truth. He’s going to be Kendall’s next lover, even if she doesn’t know it yet. And as the race begins, he can only hope he’s able to save Trace, and keep Kendall from sacrificing herself, in a game where even victory has a price.

Excerpt...

Dawson stood on top of the first peak, his chest heaving. They’d run for ninety minutes, climbing higher, and they were both winded. Kendall was standing beside him, her hands resting on her knees.

“I will never—drink whiskey—again.” She’d stopped twice along the path, brought to her knees as she heaved the remnants of her drinking spree across the ground.

“There’s always a price to pay.” He flashed her a sly smile. “Did it numb the pain last night?”

She could hear the knowing tone in his voice, mixed with a hint of satisfaction. He’d been more than hurt by her reaction, and she had a feeling he was enjoying the payback, perhaps a bit too much. “Not enough to justify the punishment.” She looked away, not wanting to stare at the self-righteous smile on his face. She motioned to the far side of the ridge. “Why do I have the feeling I know what’s next?”

“Because you do. The path jumps from this peak to the next. That can only mean he expects us to cross it on a rope.” He picked his way over to the edge. “You aren’t afraid of heights, are you, Kendall?”

“Not really, why?”

“Because it’s a long way down.”

Kendall peered over the edge. “Damn!”

“I’m sure it looks worse than it is,” he teased, climbing down a few feet to where the rope was anchored in the rocks. “I suppose we’ll have to trust him.”

“Why does that thought make me feel worse than the whiskey?” She jumped down and tugged on the line. “The anchoring looks secure, but there’s no way to tell about the other side.” She looked across the ravine. The rope was anchored well past the edge around a large tree, raising it several feet off the rocky terrain.

“Well, they say every true quest involves at least one leap of faith.” He picked up another box strapped to the rocks. “At least he was kind enough to give us each a harness and some gear.” He handed a set to Kendall. “I’ll go first.”

His voice was strong and she knew there’d be no debating his decision. It’d been an order, not a request. “As you wish.”

Dawson smiled and grazed his fingers across her cheek. “Every wish desired, isn’t that what you promised?” His eyes darkened and his breathing roughened. He moved closer, pressing his body against hers. Without thinking, she placed her hands on his chest, fisting the smooth material in her fingers. His heartbeat thrummed beneath her touch, as he hovered his lips next to her ear. “Too bad we didn’t get to finish what I truly desired.”

A punch of lust contracted her womb as Dawson smoothed his hands down her back and across the curve of her ass. His touch was firm and possessive, and she couldn’t stop a hungry moan from feathering across her lips. Had he really desired her? She’d tried to convince herself it’d just been a mutual impulse. But judging by the sudden bulge pressing against her stomach, it was clear his feelings ran much deeper.

She forced herself to swallow, feeling the saliva burn a path down her parched throat. She leaned into his embrace, rubbing her hips across his erection, smiling at the low growl that rumbled from his chest. He pulled her tighter, his lips feather soft against her ear.

“Dammit, woman. What is it about you that makes me forget about duty? Hell, I can’t even think straight when you’re around.” He eased forward and licked the skin behind her ear. She drew in a sharp breath, feeling his shaft harden further. “Can you feel what you do to me?” he asked, rubbing his erection against her stomach. “All I can think about is stripping you down and plunging inside before your clothes hit the ground.” He kissed her neck this time. “I swear you’re going to drive me crazy.” Kendall gasped as he cupped her mound in his hand as he pulled back, a wicked smile on his face. “Next time, Kendall. You won’t get away from me so easily.”

I hope you've enjoyed a taste of my sensual thriller. I absolutely love writing suspense, and I hope you'll join me on December 8th, when Checkmate hits the virtual shelves.

Until then, happy reading.

Cheers, Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

My Memory is Just a Tweet Away

2009-11-14T16:29:00.000-08:00

Today is November 14, 2009. There is nothing significant about that, really, other than it is my day to blog here on Gems of Romantic Fiction. I picked the 14th day of the month to blog because I thought it would be easy for me to remember. You see, my birthday is on the 14th of the month. October 14, to be exact. And last month on October 14 guess what I forgot to do?

Yes. You're right. I forgot to blog.

In fact, almost an entire month passed me by before I realized I had not blogged here. Shot that "easy to remember" theory right out of the window, didn't it?

Makes me wonder what else I forgot.

Have you ever had those moments of panic when you suddenly stop in your tracks, glance off into space, and run through the mental lists in your brain because you are absolutely, positively certain that you have forgotten something? Something really important like your mother's birthday, or to deposit the check, or to shut down the coffee maker before leaving the house?

I'm getting older. Yeah, sad but true, and it seems I've had A LOT of these panicked moments of late. Like, two weeks ago when I was on a plane to Phoenix and I swear I could not remember if I pushed the remote in my car to close the garage door. I wracked my brain. Couldn't remember doing it. Thought about calling my neighbor to have him glance out the window and check. But surely, I told myself, I closed it. Right?

Right?

Finally I let it go and eventually, I did get home and, of course, the garage door was closed. Thank. Goodness.

I don't think this has a thing to do with age, though, because even my 26 year old daughter says she does the same thing. I think it has everything to do with all of us being so darned busy. You know? We rush from here to there, we multi-task, we drive while we eat and text (no! please don't do that!) and we check Facebook while watching a movie.

I'm guilty of the later. Seems I can't sit down to just watch the news. I have to sit down, watch the news, and pull the laptop onto my lap and update my websites at the same time. Why? Because there is a lot to do. Because we are busy. Because I have a lot to do. Because I am so busy. Because, because, because....

Sigh.

Book promotion is one of those busy, busy tasks. Social Media helps, I think. I've spent quite a bit of time recently updating and connecting sites, in the hopes that it will streamline (somewhat) my social networking promo efforts. I've even gotten my cell phone in on the act, too. Now, (fingers crossed) I can update Twitter from my phone (or Tweetdeck) and it hits my Facebook wall, my Myspace page, and my Web site. And vice versa. I can post a blog and it feeds to my Amazon Author Page, MySpace, Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter. I can post my newsletter online and link them all again. Etc., etc., etc....

Ah, one post, one click (okay, maybe two), a single effort, and multiple sites. And if I forget, well, hopefully I will remember at least one of them.

Now, if only I could Tweet from my Smart Phone while on the plane and make sure my garage door is closed.

Maddie James
The Matchmaking Chef series

Romantic Heroes

2009-11-12T13:22:00.000-08:00

Why do cops and soldiers make such popular romantic heroes?
Is it because men look good in uniform? Are we attracted to rugged camouflage, navy whites, assault black?
Does the sense of danger and strength linked to those occupations hold special appeal to us?
Perhaps the attraction is the toned bodies – a career in law enforcement usually requires physical fitness.
Or, is it the sense of being protected, kept safe from harm that draws us to these men?
Whatever the explanation, law enforcement officers are some of our most popular romantic heroes. Below is the blurb for my new release, a sexy romantic novella featuring a rugged sheriff in a small town in Pennsylvania.

Trouble with the Law

Arrested for soliciting during a wedding in rural Pennsylvania, Justine Whitmore spends a steamy night with the local sheriff who clears up the misunderstanding and releases her. She never expects to see him again, but when an interfering busybody makes a complaint, Justine agrees to pretend a whirlwind romance in order to protect her reputation and the sheriff’s job.

Embittered by a divorce from a scheming city woman, Sheriff Mark Taylor has sworn to avoid her kind. No amount of cursing will change the fact that he fell for the wedding guest hauled into his office dressed in nothing but expensive underwear.

A country hick and a high maintenance PR executive – can they tolerate each other long enough to make it look real? But sometimes people are not what you believe them to be….

Available on Tuesday 17 November from Resplendence Publishing…

Primed Suspect by Ann Cory - available now

2009-11-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately I ended up getting the flu, so instead of some witty post that I'd hoped to write, I'm going to leave you with my newest release from RP - Primed Suspect. This is a sexy short BDSM/light paranormal story that is part of the Handcuffs and Lace series.

Blurb

Cassidy Valance is one part woman, one part Kitsune – a rare shape-shifting fox. She finds solace inside an estate, away from the hunters who have invaded her home in the forest. As a woman she finds the nights unsatisfying with her insatiable appetite for sex. Tired of prowling for men to slake her relentless desires, Cassidy yearns for one man who can tame her wild ways, and love her despite what she is.

Officer Ian Valenti is assigned to investigate an abandoned estate after reports of unusual activity are called into the station. Since the death of his wife, he has fully devoted himself to his job. When he goes to inspect the house, he finds the suspect inside, naked and alluring.

Ian’s instincts and years serving on the force tell him to cuff Cassidy and haul her in for breaking and entering. But she would rather he cuff her and treat her like the submissive she longs to be. With her restrained and primed, Ian brings Cassidy’s fantasies of a Master to life. And willingly lets down the guard around his heart.

Excerpt

Cassidy stretched the kinks out her fox form and shivered. Another minute outside and she’d never warm up. The new moon made it dark enough for her to change into her human form by. She nudged her nose against the special rock with its hidden key and with her tongue slid the black piece open. Between her teeth she gripped the key and allowed the transformation into a woman happen.

Naked, she hurried to the doorway and thrust the key into the lock. With a quick turn of the knob she entered. To get the blood circulating in her legs, she ran up the luxurious staircase and straight into the study. She raised the tasseled cushion of the window seat and grasped the lace robe. Though sheer and lightweight it offered a covering while she lit a fire.

She’d never bothered with a fire in the house before, but tonight she had little choice. Nothing short of an embrace from strong, powerful arms would temper her inner chill. While the flames crackled in the stone fireplace, Cassidy admired the familiar items inside the old trunk in the corner she’d discovered from an earlier visit. She considered it a treasure chest with its handheld mirror, jeweled hair combs, elbow-length satin gloves, and her favorite¾a lace choker that she fastened around her throat. It made her think of a collar. Something she never wanted as a fox. But with the right Master, she would dutifully wear and oblige to all his demands.

Many wintry nights she stole inside and sat with a book on her lap, envisioning what she would do if this were her home. She’d work out in the garden. Let her fingers sink into the cool earth and grow everything from fruits to vegetables to herbs and wildflowers. She would laze in the sun on a tree-strung hammock. Read a book by the water fountain. And always have a fresh bouquet of daisies on the dining room table.

Most of her ideas came from pictures found in magazines left inside the old walnut desk drawers. The ones that depicted how domesticated women lived and the homes they kept. Showed how they dressed. Some wore elegant gowns that swept along the floor. Others dressed in outfits that exposed miles of skin. Both styles appealed to her. The pictures were a glimpse into a life she longed to be part of, but feared.

Cassidy closed up the trunk and took a seat in the velvet chair. She loved its lush material against her skin. It fit her body well, as if made for her. She let the robe fall open so the heat from the fire bathed her skin. The soft texture against her bare sex sent tiny thrills along her spine. All the pictures and magazines couldn’t distract her from the gnawing need coiling deep inside her core. The insistent need for sex worsened at the onslaught of spring. Relief would have to come by her own hand tonight.

She had long since given up on being satisfied by strangers who thought only of their needs. Her cravings went further and more risqué than anything they could accomplish. She needed a man who could tame the wild beast inside her. Until then she’d forever be at the mercy of an insatiable libido. Unsatisfied and sex-starved.

She shifted forward and draped a thigh over the armrest. Her fingers moved down the triangular patch of hair along her mound and traced the smooth skin of her labia. She sighed in ecstasy against the first flicker of her fingertips along her clit. The sensitive pearl demanded more. Cassidy pushed her fingers inside her slick channel and her inner muscles clutched tight. What she wouldn’t give for a hard, thick cock to slake her carnal desires. She leaned her head back and let her eyes fall shut while thoughts of a Master filled her mind.

(copyright 2009)

~Ann Cory http://www.anncory.com/
Author of contemporary and paranormal romance – seduction style

Damn I feel old!

2009-11-07T00:07:00.000-08:00

A friend tuned me into a place called Pandora.com (It’s AWESOME! Internet radio that you create your own play list on!) I was looking for classic country music and apparently, we (Pandora.com and I) have differing opinions on classic country.

I intended Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Horton, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, George Jones, and Hank Snow, just to list a few. The suggested list was Alabama, George Straight, Randy Travis, & Clint Black. Now WAIT just a minute. That IS good music but it’s NOT classic. I listened to that during high school--when I wasn't rocking out to Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Ozzy, Guns and Roses, etc. Does that mean I’m a classic? (When I asked my husband he nearly lost his teeth for saying No honey, not a classic…a clunker…:P)

When my son came home engaged I felt my age slightly. At the wedding, I felt a bit older. When his wife had their first baby I felt MUCH older—but until the last week, I’ve never felt THIS old.

I would tease my husband—who is ten years my senior—about being in bed by 9 or 10. Laughing at his being an old fart and needing extra sleep. It’s not so funny any more. Not when at 10:30 I’m unable to keep my eyes open.

This morning I was brushing my hair and a pudgy, wrinkled, old woman stared back at me from the mirror. Scared the hell out of me, I’m telling you! I blinked and blinked again trying to clear the image away only to realize it wasn’t going to disappear. It was me.

I used to think people who spent money on wrinkle creams and diet pills were just throwing it away. I was going to grow old gracefully without hair dyes, home wax kits, creams and various sundries. As I pondered over the quandary to wax, bleach or pluck I decided their thoughts did suddenly have merit. While piling on the Spackle and flesh tone dent filler, I mentally listed what items I was going to have to add to my shopping cart this time around. Time marches on or as in my case right over the top of me.

I guess it could get worse—I could’ve read my name in the obits this morning.

Geriatric hugz and Dentucare kisses
JJ

Jinger Jackson is a forty-something author from St. Louis who loves writing erotic paranormal and erotic horror tales to thrill and chill readers. You can follow her daily blog at http://jingerjackson.blogspot.com