tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24529047477849966602024-03-08T02:29:59.730-08:00Gems of Romantic FictionThe Blogosphere where RP Authors and Readers connect...Resplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-24668129942861278902011-07-17T00:27:00.001-07:002011-07-17T00:47:34.035-07:00July's Thunder Moon...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHINvzk0X5oz0qr-8NB1EYXCRfDVIitkdCsAqjIj4aCJoSCvAhsG020GQG8sk5DAgwueFcYkVzBQ3qzTdeyecHSDj0uA8tp9fKgb8UR858mq324tJiSiBqVzwTCQQC7qEjvGle0mshS4/s1600/Phases-+Snared.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHINvzk0X5oz0qr-8NB1EYXCRfDVIitkdCsAqjIj4aCJoSCvAhsG020GQG8sk5DAgwueFcYkVzBQ3qzTdeyecHSDj0uA8tp9fKgb8UR858mq324tJiSiBqVzwTCQQC7qEjvGle0mshS4/s320/Phases-+Snared.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630222484932399250" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's funny. I love living on the west coast, but there's one thing I m</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">iss 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.</span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family:Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><div style="text-align: justify;background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; text-indent: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-style: normal; font-size: medium; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; "><p class="paragraph_style_6" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: CenturyGothic-Italic, 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 45px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; ">July’s thunder moon is holding true to its name. But will the rash of lightning reveal more than just the landscape?<br /></p><p class="paragraph_style_6" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: CenturyGothic-Italic, 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 45px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><br /></p><p class="paragraph_style_6" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: CenturyGothic-Italic, 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 45px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; ">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.<br /></p><p class="paragraph_style_6" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: CenturyGothic-Italic, 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 45px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><br /></p><p class="paragraph_style_6" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: CenturyGothic-Italic, 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 45px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; ">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.</p></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; text-indent: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; text-indent: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:initial;"><span style=" ;font-size:12pt;"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family:'Trebuchet MS';font-size:medium;"><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“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.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tayen stopped shifting papers and turned to look at him. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer, it’s just—”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“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?”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Indecision flickered in her eyes, and Rogan nearly jumped for joy.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Quinn motioned to Rogan. “Is it because there are two of us? Are you too freaked out to consider something others might consider…unorthodox?”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tayen shook her head. “It’s not that.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Quinn threw his hands up. “Then what?”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He gave her his best smile. “Come on, doc. Even a vet needs to eat.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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—”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Oh for the love of God.” said Quinn. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“It could be those poachers you two have been trying to track down.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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…<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He joined Quinn at the door, smiling back at her as he opened it. He’d already walked through when her voice stopped him.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Be careful.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Quinn nudged him in the ribs as they both stared at her.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“We will,” said Rogan before adding, “is that really what you wanted to say?”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Right. You’re not smart, funny, beautiful, charming, compassionate…you’re a complete mystery.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Not that, Rogan. I mean…I’m different.”<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 18.05px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p></span></span></span></span></div></span></div>Kris Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11993030557412044608noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-364004555975596692011-06-16T23:46:00.002-07:002011-06-16T23:49:03.229-07:00Our Summer Solstice Contest is Here!<div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hi all. I know I missed last month, but this month, I've got some exciting news. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></div><div><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="400" id="BZC128ADD8DADD4BC2A51C" data="http://web.me.com/krisnorris/shared/Contest Banner/bzAnimation.swf?swfId=BZC128ADD8DADD4BC2A51C&xmlPath=http://web.me.com/krisnorris/shared/Contest Banner/bz.xml&imgPath=http://web.me.com/krisnorris/shared/Contest Banner/img&soundPath=false&urlType=_top&showInfo=0&themeMode=2"><param name="movie" value="http://web.me.com/krisnorris/shared/Contest Banner/bzAnimation.swf?swfId=BZC128ADD8DADD4BC2A51C&xmlPath=http://web.me.com/krisnorris/shared/Contest Banner/bz.xml&imgPath=http://web.me.com/krisnorris/shared/Contest Banner/img&soundPath=false&urlType=_top&showInfo=0&themeMode=2"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And now that I've got your attention... here are the fine-line details. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div class="gmail_quote" style="font-family: Helvetica; ">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:</div><div><br /></div><div>* your name (or user name) and contact email, and</div><div>* your top two (2) choices from the author's backlist to kick-start your E-Reader library should you win.</div><div><br /></div><div>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:</div><div class="gmail_quote" style="font-family: Helvetica; "></div><div></div><div class="gmail_quote" style="font-family: Helvetica; "></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div>Gwendolyn Cease at <a href="http://gwendolyncease.blogspot.com/">Gwendolyn Cease's Blog</a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div>Suzanne Graham at <a href="http://suzannegraham.blogspot.com/">Suzanne Graham's Blog</a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div>Bronwyn Green at <a href="http://brownwyngreenblog.blogspot.com/">Bronwyn Green's Blog</a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div>Jessica Jarman at <a href="http://jessicajarman.blogspot.com/">Jessica Jarman's Blog</a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div>Kris Norris at <a href="http://krisnorris.blogspot.com/">Kris Norris' Blog</a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div>Devon Rhodes at <a href="http://devonrhodes.blogspot.com/">Devon Rhodes' Blog</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Grand Prize winner will receive their choice of a brand new Nook Wi Fi 3G <i>or</i> a Kindle 3G with Wi Fi <b>plus</b> two ebooks of their choice from each author!</div><div><br /></div><div>Second Prize will be winner's choice of two ebooks from each author's backlist...that's 12 new books!</div><div><br /></div><div>Third Prize will be winner's choice of one ebook from each author's backlist for a total of 6 books!</div><div><br /></div><div>More surprises and prizes at each blog, so what are you waiting for? When summer hits its height, you could be the winner!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Details:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>* 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.</div><div><br /></div><div>* All comments must be posted by 12:00 Noon, ET, on June 21st.</div><div><br /></div><div>* 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!</div><div><br /></div><div>* The E-Reader will be shipped to the winner's house. Ebooks will be emailed separately to the winner.</div><div><br /></div><div>* Winner must respond to Jessica within three days or an alternate winner will be announced.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">*******</div></div><div>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</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>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!</div><div><br /></div><div>GOOD LUCK!!</div><div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"></span></span></div><div></div></div>Kris Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11993030557412044608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-17153634461281903502011-06-16T23:46:00.001-07:002011-06-16T23:46:39.323-07:00Kris Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11993030557412044608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-31056427610103547012011-04-17T15:56:00.000-07:002011-04-17T16:13:26.179-07:00Tongue Tied<div style="text-align: justify;">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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So... I suppose you're stuck with a non-writing post. More of an update in the life and times of, well, me!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hope you all have a great Easter next weekend and I'll see you again soon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kris Norris</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Romancing life, one adventure at a time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Kris Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11993030557412044608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-23695321887663505072011-02-16T23:14:00.000-08:002011-02-16T23:27:43.427-08:00The Year of the...Coyote?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFGXpaEglOfQvhLQxPOI95g6QApe0_QDzv8R7qYr0XDJKFFBm6B9JCiWsJpzhJp6c_krFFtaO2Mjjksz8vROvR3NiVs6U2S9qvyXya2KTFEy74at0Efj-Wx4OOiNLcTAcIah_tgt6rVs/s1600/Phases-+Coyote+Savage.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFGXpaEglOfQvhLQxPOI95g6QApe0_QDzv8R7qYr0XDJKFFBm6B9JCiWsJpzhJp6c_krFFtaO2Mjjksz8vROvR3NiVs6U2S9qvyXya2KTFEy74at0Efj-Wx4OOiNLcTAcIah_tgt6rVs/s320/Phases-+Coyote+Savage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574556735637856706" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So here's the blurb and a quick excerpt. I hope you enjoy...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">February's full moon is rising, only this year, it's bringing a new brand of hunger...</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size:small;">Excerpt: Chapter Two</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span><span class="style_1" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 19px; opacity: 1; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“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.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Talon growled. “I swear, if Darrin puts one finger on her—”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“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.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Talon nodded toward Rebecca’s Jeep. “From the way Darrin was talking, it doesn’t sound as if Rebecca shares those views.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“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.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Only one way to find out.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Wow. I didn’t realize they were so tame.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“They aren’t usually that good with others. They recognize Talon and me, but generally growl at strangers.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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?”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Talon motioned toward the large male coyote still waiting nearby. “Is it just me, or are you part coyote?”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.”<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20.9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Thanks for checking the blog out and see you next month.</span></span></div>Kris Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11993030557412044608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-48891981437068071072010-12-17T12:07:00.000-08:002010-12-17T12:53:27.816-08:00Another Year Over...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And a new one just begun...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/snoopy and woodstock christmas/dvdhere/merrychristmassnoopyandwoodstock.jpg?o=7" target="_blank"><img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh84/dvdhere/merrychristmassnoopyandwoodstock.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/snoopy and woodstock christmas/woodstockforever/Christmas/big_1870727.gif?o=0" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb351/woodstockforever/Christmas/big_1870727.gif" border="0" /></a>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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/home alone/hitmesam/home_alone.jpg?o=25" target="_blank"><img src="http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/hitmesam/home_alone.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/christmas tree/llisallindsay/HOLIDAY GRAPHICS AND BACKGROUNDS/christmas_tree_06.jpg?o=10" target="_blank"><img src="http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo303/llisallindsay/HOLIDAY%20GRAPHICS%20AND%20BACKGROUNDS/christmas_tree_06.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/johnny mathis/TeddyPossum/test/album-merry-christmas.jpg?o=62" target="_blank"><img src="http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/TeddyPossum/test/album-merry-christmas.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/gingerbread cookies/meliss71302/gingerbread.jpg?o=11" target="_blank"><img src="http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr49/meliss71302/gingerbread.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/christmas present/bettyboop6896/Christmas/Tatty Bears Christmas/bear-in-present.gif?o=18" target="_blank"><img src="http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z316/bettyboop6896/Christmas/Tatty%20Bears%20Christmas/bear-in-present.gif" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kris</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Kris Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11993030557412044608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-42569183481182760492010-12-01T05:43:00.001-08:002010-12-01T06:04:15.878-08:00Something HAWT on this cold, cold dayHello. 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.<br /><br />First up. Hugh Jackman. He didn't turn me on so much in the <span style="font-style: italic;">X Men</span> movies, but he does the best Curly I've ever seen in <span style="font-style: italic;">Oklahoma</span>. And I've seen lots of versions of that play in both movie and live form.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIQuP2oDeIq-Tf9tcs4jBh4lg9N-wSUYhRxRma4Q7BVb7b6X0sr7iwk2cCKHg_cbZJopj64xput1e86heFIn09XZv5lzIuzdKoDhmCqA2cgtn6J1yDNJfMwnEDo1KRu2Q4FfVE0YRHGM/s1600/hugh_jackman.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIQuP2oDeIq-Tf9tcs4jBh4lg9N-wSUYhRxRma4Q7BVb7b6X0sr7iwk2cCKHg_cbZJopj64xput1e86heFIn09XZv5lzIuzdKoDhmCqA2cgtn6J1yDNJfMwnEDo1KRu2Q4FfVE0YRHGM/s200/hugh_jackman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545710523617202418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />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).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwlxOxyBCKcOpErKOf_mPWNR3MVdPgc7h-sFqMQ7PrbEtFSo1wO-1LGc_rHxUPX9FZ_ww9hmCNrzCQeKpcuxohJrBo0i2gquXWejNSdwU8_yTZJSQ_e-xHnyHdKcpi9mxdvyUpLLg7p0/s1600/jamie.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwlxOxyBCKcOpErKOf_mPWNR3MVdPgc7h-sFqMQ7PrbEtFSo1wO-1LGc_rHxUPX9FZ_ww9hmCNrzCQeKpcuxohJrBo0i2gquXWejNSdwU8_yTZJSQ_e-xHnyHdKcpi9mxdvyUpLLg7p0/s200/jamie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545712305190710018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />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.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwQbJRHED47ElaeJehIDJATWGg6Oht16P4KZJQG8SePDW-6VWbCdTARUWPmhMFXA_6YDE9_eAtCyqFpCTRxfYngPE9PuZtFlhwjX4buokRXU5tNlDIpbzAzI9m6MvZ-zd14E0Zy68v6g/s1600/19634_1238255231334_1077856653_30578736_6167569_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwQbJRHED47ElaeJehIDJATWGg6Oht16P4KZJQG8SePDW-6VWbCdTARUWPmhMFXA_6YDE9_eAtCyqFpCTRxfYngPE9PuZtFlhwjX4buokRXU5tNlDIpbzAzI9m6MvZ-zd14E0Zy68v6g/s200/19634_1238255231334_1077856653_30578736_6167569_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545710519837910658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next up? Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwwbnV9Gf1giLzPMp0UHzmDbRjGh1ymKYsf0YBMxFmCa9XpIstN_pvm54mjkdc3O_jQ1T6bAQrh698ylBlVjA3G4gQVyqfa-ZFj1JXS6kjlxwrS4xJ0-e_LwaUkPQeX-GmPC4zZ_sHLM/s1600/mike-rowe-2-1280.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwwbnV9Gf1giLzPMp0UHzmDbRjGh1ymKYsf0YBMxFmCa9XpIstN_pvm54mjkdc3O_jQ1T6bAQrh698ylBlVjA3G4gQVyqfa-ZFj1JXS6kjlxwrS4xJ0-e_LwaUkPQeX-GmPC4zZ_sHLM/s200/mike-rowe-2-1280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545713029509242402" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />Want to know more about me? <br /><a href="http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com">http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com</a><br /><br />My book, Holding Out for a Hero, is available <a href="http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/197-200-101-463-1--holding-out-for-a-hero-by-jennifer-johnson.html">HERE</a>.Resplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-71526573542647009882010-11-16T22:24:00.001-08:002010-11-16T23:32:15.148-08:00What are the Chances...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOJi3tX_S-gtZFYlBDrb-g-LcDICUGG9c8_4qvCoGtyfVQela5AECiwQ-DIHa7zcTtkHHmzHhEcNGD2Q3JwXpInqfdbM9-OHo2AVY1aKCeGWtmkPGLiR8iNj44saIniDz_O-kAvDNe_c/s1600/Hardtarget.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOJi3tX_S-gtZFYlBDrb-g-LcDICUGG9c8_4qvCoGtyfVQela5AECiwQ-DIHa7zcTtkHHmzHhEcNGD2Q3JwXpInqfdbM9-OHo2AVY1aKCeGWtmkPGLiR8iNj44saIniDz_O-kAvDNe_c/s320/Hardtarget.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540416378232815938" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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... </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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!!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; "><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_2" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_3" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_3" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_3" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_3" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_3" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 36px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Excerpt:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">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.</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">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. </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">No, not right. Wrong. Definitely wrong.</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">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.</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">“Mmm.” </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">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 </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">on</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"> 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. </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">“Good morning, Taylor.” He caressed her shoulder until she opened her eyes. “Sleep well?”</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">Taylor tensed, dampening her lips with a slow swipe of her tongue. “Great. You?”</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">Kyle groaned, wanting nothing more than to feel her tongue agai</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">ns</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">t 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. </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">He lowered his lips, brushing them enticingly against hers. “Seems you couldn’t be trusted after all.” </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">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.”</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">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.” </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">“I thought you said if you were going to behave poorly, you would have done so already?”</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">“I lied.”</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">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</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">,</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"> and he was certain he could feel her heart pounding against his. </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language: EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">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.</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">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 </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">feelings</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"> 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.</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">He took a deep breath, mustering his best smile. “Looks like you’ve been saved by the bell.” </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">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.</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">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. </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">Lord have mercy.</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";">He was in more danger than he’d thought. And Jack Conrad had nothing to do with it.</span><span style="mso-fareast-ヒラギノ明朝 Pro W3";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Cheers,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kris Norris</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Romancing life...one adventure at a time.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Kris Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11993030557412044608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-60695976128525193542010-11-01T05:53:00.000-07:002010-11-01T06:17:53.325-07:00Reflecting on mortality<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW25MKcTGlS9dnqm5uD7pz-YBSl_LZurTly-MDcHHpBM4USUIW36E65roX0bGMlkrHcd4Ijl8gN90W_ulYpb70ycN0ptc4StAZXQ9JQerb4y5k0Ea-MK_Os1BI-oQyHfEMV_AdZhpW17Q/s1600/1d61.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW25MKcTGlS9dnqm5uD7pz-YBSl_LZurTly-MDcHHpBM4USUIW36E65roX0bGMlkrHcd4Ijl8gN90W_ulYpb70ycN0ptc4StAZXQ9JQerb4y5k0Ea-MK_Os1BI-oQyHfEMV_AdZhpW17Q/s200/1d61.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534564408880568578" /></a><br /><br />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.<br /><br />What??<br /><br />It seems that having fair skin and probably too many sunburns as a kid has come back to haunt me. <br /><br />I was reminded of a scene from my book <span style="font-style:italic;">Holding Out for a Hero</span> 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!<br /><br />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. <br /><br />It also gives me the opportunity to be thankful for so many great things in my life--such as having <a href="http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/101.html?m8:search[keyword]=holding%20out%20for%20a%20hero;search[keywordSearchType]=phrase;search[matchWholeWords]=1;search[keywordFields]=string0;search[group]=240497;search[nested]=1;search[field_set]=1:0;search[fuzzy_sku]=1">Holding Out for a Hero</a> published by Resplendence. That's definitely a dream come true.<br /><br />Come by and visit me some time.<br />Here's my hanging out place:<br /><a href="http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com">http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com</a><br /><br />See ya,<br />JenniferResplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-11541510727700235392010-10-30T11:23:00.000-07:002010-10-30T11:26:22.860-07:00Halloween and Hard Candy Kisses?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<br />
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Have a great Halloween! Save some Reece's Cups for me, 'kay? <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Tahoma,Arial'; font-size: 12px;"><img align="left" border="0" src="http://theromancestudio.com/images/5hearts102510.jpg" vspace="5" /><img align="left" border="0" src="http://theromancestudio.com/images/5hsa.gif" vspace="5" /><center></center><span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma,Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>This week's<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: maroon;">5 Heart Sweetheart</span>...</b></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma,Arial; font-size: x-small;">"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."</span><br style="color: white;" /> <span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma,Arial; font-size: x-small;">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." -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Brenda Talley</b></span><br style="color: white;" /> <span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma,Arial; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/238-200-101-414-15--hard-candy-kisses-by-maddie-james.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Order it today!</b></a></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-45433655218199982802010-10-26T06:59:00.000-07:002010-10-26T07:06:28.771-07:00Scotland's top haunted castles<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1gdPZYL4E4VnEfFAHiRNKXkfH8hxkH0BGiwiNzMmvEFwO9aJJX7_kHEX7q8aXBSCjWjLuYjbztqOk2TdnHjzTtg2j_0gUOTjZyrBgrTem3JxzQqjdUJkhkaZn1a3DtNJ7Ic61DSVOkw3/s1600/haunted+castle.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 171px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532355669515323698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1gdPZYL4E4VnEfFAHiRNKXkfH8hxkH0BGiwiNzMmvEFwO9aJJX7_kHEX7q8aXBSCjWjLuYjbztqOk2TdnHjzTtg2j_0gUOTjZyrBgrTem3JxzQqjdUJkhkaZn1a3DtNJ7Ic61DSVOkw3/s320/haunted+castle.jpg" /></a><br /><div>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. <div> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532355473148163890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuXcYT0nkDbkMhX9WEkUcmtXkQ8-9-HomPDzvN6hPup70D58RyVb_JNEF_QsfRL-Bow4bky9v6rkZtLG8PFvyHQqtVjtgnCaJ4BKmfb3_W5a6795VH606LfNAy-EN4I7LdDdobjQtOxVJ/s320/haunted+c.jpg" /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The castles have incredible history along with spooky legends. I will be giving away Witchy prizes as well. </div><br /><div></div><div>So come join me this week at <a href="http://www.lynarmstrong.com/blog">http://www.LynArmstrong.com/blog</a>.</div><div></div><br /><div>Haunts and kisses</div><br /><div>Lyn Armstrong</div><div><a href="http://www.lynarmstrong.com/">http://www.lynarmstrong.com/</a></div></div>Lyn Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567154651683281287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-15619781160709019482010-10-01T12:31:00.000-07:002010-10-01T12:47:38.567-07:00Friday 56<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNuxjOv7gZTQiIeYCFnEwQdviEwol617SEdVqw5D2ZS3PoFqZ5BUEFcIMBjpOpLpT4NFczMxi8epLxH9jWDoQLKCkUMCdkH12SyuGHPrK_YxrMbrjApsQzzZwqeNik2RCbztPO29sb70/s1600/resplendencePublishingGems.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNuxjOv7gZTQiIeYCFnEwQdviEwol617SEdVqw5D2ZS3PoFqZ5BUEFcIMBjpOpLpT4NFczMxi8epLxH9jWDoQLKCkUMCdkH12SyuGHPrK_YxrMbrjApsQzzZwqeNik2RCbztPO29sb70/s200/resplendencePublishingGems.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523163035958909394" /></a><br /><br />Happy Fall Friday everyone,<br /><br />Jennifer Johnson here with some fun in the form of what my friend Rene Vincent calls (drum roll please)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81XchmV8mO6lnsBE9tMdoWpJaynSAqzeROP1zuZvwsAl8JJuKZVxSw0-q4q9G3yEm0JnmJLxSjqOxCT_JpYvx5lrOXTTMC8TSyNVuqcSGLB6kiWN8lhLeA4w1sUTTbln3olx3DZODCjk/s1600/Friday56.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81XchmV8mO6lnsBE9tMdoWpJaynSAqzeROP1zuZvwsAl8JJuKZVxSw0-q4q9G3yEm0JnmJLxSjqOxCT_JpYvx5lrOXTTMC8TSyNVuqcSGLB6kiWN8lhLeA4w1sUTTbln3olx3DZODCjk/s200/Friday56.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523164062548258722" /></a><br />That's right.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Friday 56</span><br /><br />What you do is look at the book closest to you and find page 56. Then you post whatever is on there. <br /><br />Well, I just thought this was a nifty exercise, so I scrolled down to that page on my book <span style="font-style:italic;">Holding Out for a Hero</span> to see what was there. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />So, here it is, page 56 from <a href="http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8_view_item.html?m8:item=197-200-101-463-1"><span style="font-style:italic;">Holding Out for a Hero</span></a><br /><br /> 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.<br /> 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.<br /> “Uh huh, Miss Abigail, if you won’t let us do our thrusts, you have to help us redo the routine.”<br /> 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.”<br /> “If you don’t want us doing the thrusts, you’ve got to stay and help us.” She was adamant.<br /> “I don’t think my ears can take that long enough to work out a dance,” I grumbled.<br />Erica turned and nodded to some of the other girls who had stood up and were forming their lines.<br /> 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. <span style="font-style:italic;">Now I was ready.</span><br /><br />Intrigued? Just wait until you get to page 57 with the pelvic thrusts!<br /><br />And later on there is the....Oh, but I better stop. I might be getting close to spoiler territory.<br /><br />Want to learn more about Holding Out? Click <a href="http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8_view_item.html?m8:item=197-200-101-463-1">HERE</a>. And to learn more about me, visit my website <a href="http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com">HERE</a>.Resplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-70774629099860148972010-09-30T09:32:00.000-07:002010-09-30T09:56:14.299-07:00Hooray for small town women!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWwktUtA6A-7MhGx9JpmXRszrrWXSj2_No88fYnVoVmEkjzy4K8ODCfD-EQzwpFX2VmOMRpr78v_5BKZxuS1CiTFkb9UB9AQChraMt2cqQhh7xb-nJL8wZjoZOK8eMAKhz8agDM893RM/s1600/DeadManStalkingV2-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWwktUtA6A-7MhGx9JpmXRszrrWXSj2_No88fYnVoVmEkjzy4K8ODCfD-EQzwpFX2VmOMRpr78v_5BKZxuS1CiTFkb9UB9AQChraMt2cqQhh7xb-nJL8wZjoZOK8eMAKhz8agDM893RM/s200/DeadManStalkingV2-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522751283503803458" border="0" /></a><br />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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Fortuna</span>, 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.<br /><br />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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dive's</span> rooms!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Yep, good times in a small town ... what could be better than that?<br /><br />Cammie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Eicher</span>Resplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-64030678698924020772010-09-18T07:36:00.000-07:002010-09-18T07:56:35.206-07:00A Day Late...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt9o1YM8Gac9QDgMvnLbTk-GzY1XEO7uH_zk2DcqzCm5rPxp_ZNTtvvA0X75m2Uuyz-N191cXR1jAf2YiE7hGCGfkYSAtMRacBpOVGjEaAObbOCGij877h7KH8c7afC0otL1AEy6Q5u8/s1600/worldsapartv2.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt9o1YM8Gac9QDgMvnLbTk-GzY1XEO7uH_zk2DcqzCm5rPxp_ZNTtvvA0X75m2Uuyz-N191cXR1jAf2YiE7hGCGfkYSAtMRacBpOVGjEaAObbOCGij877h7KH8c7afC0otL1AEy6Q5u8/s320/worldsapartv2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518267400256015410" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: justify;">OMG!!!</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">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. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cheers,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kris Norris</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Romancing life...one adventure at a time.</span></div>Kris Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11993030557412044608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-7295112284699134732010-09-07T00:28:00.000-07:002010-09-07T00:28:00.239-07:00Howdy from JJMan 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 <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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! <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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! <br /><br />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!!!<br /><br />I so love Andras and Tange and I can't wait for y'all to meet them as well!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWilJyXJV7MMeR1BXMmswFAaSwfRw955Lfntngt9iIWp8AODZsKS0P_hOoYjFtzC106Xeov9WC3ZnCLh8gJ9kmgth0z8FYE8RLCjzzxSW8s6kYJi6mKMXh7yrheX2o0FsrKB1gFbNs3Q/s1600/Copy+of+DemonsFall.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWilJyXJV7MMeR1BXMmswFAaSwfRw955Lfntngt9iIWp8AODZsKS0P_hOoYjFtzC106Xeov9WC3ZnCLh8gJ9kmgth0z8FYE8RLCjzzxSW8s6kYJi6mKMXh7yrheX2o0FsrKB1gFbNs3Q/s320/Copy+of+DemonsFall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513902506625516978" /></a><br /><br /><strong>What happens when a demon falls for an angel?</strong><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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?<br /><br />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! <br /><br />See y'all next time<br />Hugz!<br />JJjingersnapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836810862850360071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-18965188502000949392010-09-04T20:23:00.000-07:002010-09-04T20:29:19.035-07:00Empty Nesting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNY4M6yxX6RNEB7QMSMqEgc_uUkW0zyvWsazhX8t1L40ijTe9V29n8zf77g1Y4WD6mn9TO2YBzmyU-8UO63joVF7xiFlunFt230L-iS51Y8hI7OqxqV5fEc13QJxQwRmNnY8BoFAxC8M/s1600/small+pub.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 184px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513265609505451746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNY4M6yxX6RNEB7QMSMqEgc_uUkW0zyvWsazhX8t1L40ijTe9V29n8zf77g1Y4WD6mn9TO2YBzmyU-8UO63joVF7xiFlunFt230L-iS51Y8hI7OqxqV5fEc13QJxQwRmNnY8BoFAxC8M/s200/small+pub.jpg" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />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."<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Peace and painless transitions.<br /><br />Kimberly GarlandResplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-44733238722960426102010-09-01T05:08:00.000-07:002010-09-01T05:26:33.193-07:00The Journey Motif<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3lwfe7DJuYvYASfqwHA7Xcd8bHhov7XnuziMJQxnPIz6-5G3XI59n1wYhs7R44d9geKlJQYOEewh3PnCLXPYzETPuoUCrv05l10j2AGXdMD2DeFRh6MIiHniOhKOgWCCOIFQCRMRCPs/s1600/my+feet.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3lwfe7DJuYvYASfqwHA7Xcd8bHhov7XnuziMJQxnPIz6-5G3XI59n1wYhs7R44d9geKlJQYOEewh3PnCLXPYzETPuoUCrv05l10j2AGXdMD2DeFRh6MIiHniOhKOgWCCOIFQCRMRCPs/s200/my+feet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511919031095328258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hello. Jennifer Johnson here. I'm author to <a href="http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8_view_item.html?m8:item=197-200-101-463-1">Holding Out for a Hero</a>, and that picture is my feet on a hammock in a very restful place far away from my home.<br /><br />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).<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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:<br /><br />A well composed book is a magic carpet on which we are wafted to a world that we cannot enter in any other way<br /><br />Yeah.<br /><br />Want to take a journey with me to my website?<a href="http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com"> Jump on the carpet, baby!</a>Resplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-22961042045353265322010-08-30T13:09:00.000-07:002010-08-30T13:21:29.689-07:00Ah, peace and ... jackhammers?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPCENQbkKXjBiTyTkUAWTatke-1bN8iRBUU9U0PSbE7PYs-Hd5ggMlqeWntn2ckfV1tPnGv-_ZBgertVcN6LQ2GfJ_0gzsBKfHeeF4g_fqInsLAEsudaeUpkKuJVecUrSGh8FThp4N8s/s1600/house1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPCENQbkKXjBiTyTkUAWTatke-1bN8iRBUU9U0PSbE7PYs-Hd5ggMlqeWntn2ckfV1tPnGv-_ZBgertVcN6LQ2GfJ_0gzsBKfHeeF4g_fqInsLAEsudaeUpkKuJVecUrSGh8FThp4N8s/s200/house1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511300477786723826" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br />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.<br />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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sheltie</span> -- downstairs so the noise wakes me up.<br />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.<br />Why I was surprised by the commotion, I don't know. After all, I was greeted with a road-closed sign and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">trackhoe</span> in her driveway when I arrived. Yet knowing work would begin again on Monday wasn't quite like the reality.<br />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.<br />The phone rang in the city hall. I posed my question.<br />I was transferred.<br />Someone new answered the phone. I posed my question again.<br />And, yes, I was transferred.<br />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."<br />Should be? Thanksgiving?<br />Yikes!<br />After politely thanking her, I relayed the information to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mommykins</span>, who shrugged her shoulders and said, "If people can't park in front of the house, I guess they can walk."<br />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.<br />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.Resplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-11024728331944610692010-08-17T00:59:00.001-07:002010-08-17T17:07:53.974-07:00Watch out... it's going to be a Photo Finish...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfH2lpwchOOvOI1Mb82GJwjUgbS1CgjNTUg64kw-chKVwnfmktTlQxTo1UcAd6IMidRcwJYe7zQNS751hiKYGlRwjGtVUUeZv6jFxNbKlr6TBGo9t50zEbi8gDOElM-GOawSQu-Mk3dw/s1600/PhotoFinsh.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfH2lpwchOOvOI1Mb82GJwjUgbS1CgjNTUg64kw-chKVwnfmktTlQxTo1UcAd6IMidRcwJYe7zQNS751hiKYGlRwjGtVUUeZv6jFxNbKlr6TBGo9t50zEbi8gDOElM-GOawSQu-Mk3dw/s320/PhotoFinsh.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506534882683558418" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here's the blurb and a sneak peek at what's inside...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sometimes a picture is worth a thousands words, but this time, they all spell betrayal.</span></i></span></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: 0mm; "><span style="Book Antiqua"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: 0mm; "><span style="Book Antiqua"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Book Antiqua';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Excerpt...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Fuck!”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Shit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“If you want to live, you’ll grab that computer, keep your mouth shut and follow me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Soon. Now go.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“How…?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Get on!” he said, tossing her another helmet.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“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. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The guy was large, more muscular than Brogan had been, and another pang moved through her.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Hold on. It’s going to get bumpy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I hope you enjoyed a sample of my 'almost here' release. Please check it out, live here in one more day. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cheers,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kris</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Romancing life...one adventure at a time.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.krisnorris.ca/">KrisNorris.ca</a></span></div>Kris Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11993030557412044608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-41970989157165262642010-07-17T17:18:00.000-07:002010-07-17T18:49:33.893-07:00AAD, Photo Finish and some 5-Star Reviews...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDRblp-kPEQzWV6WzO3eL0wQZBey91vKtIXP1hLQI89qmVrFLhI6SilNC7JbD8_m2Lz1MwUXMn3Xe5Fnv0ceukWJZ97CFBw6O3n8n3b8-RZz8wacSyx8SGcx8ZJvdBXCnf8y8l0mD2Xg/s1600/Checkmate.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDRblp-kPEQzWV6WzO3eL0wQZBey91vKtIXP1hLQI89qmVrFLhI6SilNC7JbD8_m2Lz1MwUXMn3Xe5Fnv0ceukWJZ97CFBw6O3n8n3b8-RZz8wacSyx8SGcx8ZJvdBXCnf8y8l0mD2Xg/s320/Checkmate.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495056857053980914" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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 i</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">s </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">happening Sept 17–19 at the Harmon Meadow Holiday Inn, Secaucus New Jersy</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> Here's the official scoop on it...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Okay, part 2... Photo Finish...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Sometimes a picture is worth a thousands words, but this time, they all spell betrayal.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Part 3...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; "><div class="paragraph paragraph_style_1" style="overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; position: relative; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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.<br /></span></span></div><p class="paragraph_style_1" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_1" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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.<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_1" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_1" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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.<br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_1" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_1" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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!</span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_1" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_1" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">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...</span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_1" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph_style_1" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 1; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Checkmate was an absolutely amazing story. I loved it. I loved the characters and their inner and outer strengths. </span></span></p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'm trying to stay even-keeled about reviews, but it sure doesn't hurt to get a couple of great ones.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Kris</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Romancing life...one adventure at a time. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.krisnorris.ca/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">KrisNorris.ca</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div>Kris Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11993030557412044608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-52780825707594307662010-07-04T13:13:00.000-07:002010-07-04T13:16:05.025-07:0020 reasons why summer is better than winter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PZ9fBxwMvBWcxkOtctUi-MlJm1JFOG9NvIErwh5HIT_M0ZHkiAXWRP1AvE6hyphenhyphenF3GnLyolRKcWh0bvlMIk4A1DJE5WmShQdi57bktel7pAcvJ8kXvH0IEc2tzR7VQoKItfABvmWBkhcg/s1600/small+pub.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 184px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490147090502873778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PZ9fBxwMvBWcxkOtctUi-MlJm1JFOG9NvIErwh5HIT_M0ZHkiAXWRP1AvE6hyphenhyphenF3GnLyolRKcWh0bvlMIk4A1DJE5WmShQdi57bktel7pAcvJ8kXvH0IEc2tzR7VQoKItfABvmWBkhcg/s200/small+pub.jpg" /></a><br /><div>1. Vacation!<br />2. Ducklings<br />3. Sandals are way easier to slip on than parkas and boots<br />4. Sundresses<br />5. Running through a sprinkler<br />6. Purple petunias that smell like heaven<br />7. No ice scraping on windshields<br />8. The smell of fresh-cut grass<br />9. Baby bunnies<br />10. Eating outside<br />11. Pina coladas<br />12. Fireworks<br />13. Thunderstorms<br />14. Going barefoot<br />15. Outdoor concerts<br />16. Want a tomato? Step out in the yard and pick one.<br />17. When you wake up early, it's already bright outside<br />18. Leisurely walks<br />19. Ponytails count as a stylish hairdo<br />20. Summer romances<br /><br />I hope you're enjoying your summer!<br />Kimberly Garland </div>Resplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-91589741990680896562010-07-02T08:26:00.000-07:002010-07-02T08:26:00.082-07:00Four Cups for the Hero!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2yeyh-6CMhsJ5CsxfqOkCahyphenhypheneeRwaeDLvF7Xf2GM1lQuPT-6OOMmFKVRcFmxkbLyYxuEV3uIiw1LPooiOUL_eqP1LNK3lEDb0nF6xD-HxtdG28g7sG-B2VWEk6x1mnzvAThv5iihigs/s1600/Holding+Out+-+final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2yeyh-6CMhsJ5CsxfqOkCahyphenhypheneeRwaeDLvF7Xf2GM1lQuPT-6OOMmFKVRcFmxkbLyYxuEV3uIiw1LPooiOUL_eqP1LNK3lEDb0nF6xD-HxtdG28g7sG-B2VWEk6x1mnzvAThv5iihigs/s200/Holding+Out+-+final.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489146983615831650" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yippee! <span style="font-style:italic;">Holding Out for a Hero</span> received four of these:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTErwLhD_mZmWFMYtp40C3nLUr2XozgIyhK4SmI_5YoC1W1fWG7r9VsAnOBQ0-1-84sOLnSgP_sIEm7G_TAUlQwlNTEucqwIXYmdhiHc6rt-n3EJTm9upToIOqEyIcWDVN76Ruudw3QFY/s1600/steamingcup.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 50px; height: 50px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTErwLhD_mZmWFMYtp40C3nLUr2XozgIyhK4SmI_5YoC1W1fWG7r9VsAnOBQ0-1-84sOLnSgP_sIEm7G_TAUlQwlNTEucqwIXYmdhiHc6rt-n3EJTm9upToIOqEyIcWDVN76Ruudw3QFY/s200/steamingcup.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489146990167398498" /></a><br /><br />from <span style="font-style:italic;">Coffee Time Romance</span>. What's this mean? That's it's an outstanding good read. Woo Hoo!<br /><br />Hollie, the reviewer, wrote, "<span style="font-style:italic;">Holding out for a Hero</span> 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." <br /><br />Want to read the entire review? Find it here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/holdingoutforaherjenniferjohnson.html">http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/holdingoutforaherjenniferjohnson.html</a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"></span>Resplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-42030963038798903512010-06-30T13:24:00.000-07:002010-06-30T13:39:30.108-07:00A real hero<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpGr0TEgAWw5z9DfeA4cqv3C7WRix2Qh9IPwVb0PZYZlnKh2eE-xVi-775xmWhYRgSzCUCJC3UopNXiAm0bWiZ3G47OxIxHorE2detcH5G3Lgy18b1Fxt-NuuPRsO25pO9G-W8vdfufY/s1600/DSCF1461.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpGr0TEgAWw5z9DfeA4cqv3C7WRix2Qh9IPwVb0PZYZlnKh2eE-xVi-775xmWhYRgSzCUCJC3UopNXiAm0bWiZ3G47OxIxHorE2detcH5G3Lgy18b1Fxt-NuuPRsO25pO9G-W8vdfufY/s200/DSCF1461.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488668127269684274" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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:<br /><br />"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."<br /><br />Isn't that great advice?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br />; the guy who stopped to help a stranger even<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Cammie EicherResplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-748478831465297002010-06-17T06:13:00.000-07:002010-06-17T06:40:52.274-07:00<div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Anyway, this subject is something I've been wondering about for a while. So, here are my thoughts about writing short...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvwn0_9x_yyZORjhHongBm5U76XGf6su5XgJVuFwZEBu9OiiJUDJSonFDtbqoZbqCGhCjCtEBiQe-XzjbVX7MHh38bt-lkr9IaCQcXDPwp9u3nVbu0hrp9CcTeTrRTNQiuU-pBc4oSwo/s320/worldsapartv2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483735658252259634" /><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Okay, getting to the question part...really.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Is this true? And if so, are authors falling short or are readers really expecting too much for the reality of the situation?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Okay, here's a quick excerpt from Worlds Apart...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Your turn.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“There’s nothing to fear,” he assured her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“I’d just feel better knowing you were on the other side to catch me if I stumble.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Griffin nodded, moving over to the wood. “I could carry you,” he offered, but she shook her head, motioning him forward.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“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…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“It’s too far, even for you,” she said, a smile touching the corner of her mouth. “Now go, before the second sun sets.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“I’m not leaving you here,” he barked, brazing a glare at Sirena. “Get Jonah and Luca, and bring back the rope.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“But Griffin—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“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—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He stopped when the tears he’d seen gathering in the light fell silently down her cheek. “Little one—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“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.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“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?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“What do you mean the pain is killing you?” Anger bubbled his blood as she simply shook her head. Damn but she was stubborn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“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.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Samantha, listen to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Samantha. No.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“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.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“It’s okay. I’ve made my choice. Just promise me you’ll keep our people safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He nodded despite the numbing feeling constricting his chest, making it impossible to speak, to breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“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.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Thanks for tuning in. See you all next month.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kris</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Romancing life...one adventure at a time.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.krisnorris.ca"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">KrisNorris.ca</span></span></span></a></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Kris Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11993030557412044608noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452904747784996660.post-66304113901715525162010-06-01T03:32:00.000-07:002010-06-01T05:16:02.744-07:00June Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5oojPIUbjnaGbI0kEmaFl_hsVKlLc5MTWwBxbYB2Pfk_7JCgN7HQagITNdO-ImRfdzibfeWMta0p-mtnaCLy8J2pFlcGAImBv_KpuIayapdJyXI3bgb_jJQYKc2-PZTG4DAk95Q3O0w/s1600/Holding+Out+-+final.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5oojPIUbjnaGbI0kEmaFl_hsVKlLc5MTWwBxbYB2Pfk_7JCgN7HQagITNdO-ImRfdzibfeWMta0p-mtnaCLy8J2pFlcGAImBv_KpuIayapdJyXI3bgb_jJQYKc2-PZTG4DAk95Q3O0w/s320/Holding+Out+-+final.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477751469018871426" /></a><br /><br />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. <br /><br />Why do so many of us choose June as our wedding month? <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8Zz_1vdZUlthKVlPQgsbWkRB72vzG8HjSDrPQ8z_ED6bmM0xlsFVIJQuXUSNlMTjygnTTvHc1aEL7CA2JOsjL5BuFc2H6n313RSumFpFCNhwoGoKHm97VVYhI2UZkemZg42z5tez13c/s1600/250px-Juno_sospita_pushkin.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8Zz_1vdZUlthKVlPQgsbWkRB72vzG8HjSDrPQ8z_ED6bmM0xlsFVIJQuXUSNlMTjygnTTvHc1aEL7CA2JOsjL5BuFc2H6n313RSumFpFCNhwoGoKHm97VVYhI2UZkemZg42z5tez13c/s320/250px-Juno_sospita_pushkin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477772290101831426" /></a><br /><br />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.<br /><br />And you thought people married in June so all their teacher relatives could be there. <br /><br />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. <br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ExWfh6sGyso&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ExWfh6sGyso&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Happy June, everyone!<br /><br />Jennifer Johnson<br /><a href="http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com">http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com</a>Resplendence Publishinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298027316855126324noreply@blogger.com0