How to train your Dragon software--step one

Hi my name is Hiccup and I'm a viking...oh wait. Not that kind Dragon training, lol. For my birthday my mother got me the Dragon speak naturally software. I was so excited because it seems like these days I have plenty to do and not enough time to do it so I thought while I'm working out or cleaning the kitchen Dragon would be a great tool to help me get some writing done. Thus far it has not proven so. Granted, I composing this blog entry while making blueberry muffins, however, I've discovered my writing style for fiction is very different from my speaking style. Also while composing that last sentence I had to correct the Dragon software several times. Instead of the phrase "for fiction" I got the words:  "protection",  "perfection" and another phrase "from fiction". Very frustrating. I also have to speak the punctuation marks though I have it set to intuitively insert punctuation. I'm told that this thing will learn my speaking style the more I use it and maybe it will. Perhaps there's a learning curve for both me and my Dragon software. I will keep experimenting with it and let everyone know how those experiments go but thus far there's no way in heck (it also doesn't know bad words, but I assure you it will very soon) I can fathom writing a full manuscript this way, however I shall reserved judgment until I am a little better at using this device.

Does anyone else out there own Dragon software and if so do you find it useful for writing a book? Is it something you had to practice doing to get good at or is it maybe I'm just so in the habit of typing that this seems awkward to me? Wish me luck as I try to train my dragon.

Please welcome JJ Massa!

I was so knocked out by Cindy’s interview, it took me a day or two to recover. That woman wants to know ALL! LOL

Still, I’m thrilled to be here, so I’m going to share the love--

I’ve got goodies! 7 Winners!!

The prizes are(1)$5GC & (1)  copy of Metamorphose, (5) $2.00Amazon GC's –so Seven separate winners, all you have to do is comment. Easy Peasy, right?  RIGHT!

Thanks again for having me here, Cindy.

Thank you so much for being my guest today, JJ. I’m so thrilled to have a chance to sit and chat!

· You were first published in 2004, eight years later how do you keep your creativity flowing?

A) I always have a story in my head. Most of us do, I suppose.

To an author, especially a fiction author, inspiration can come from anywhere. Most of us find a second, wildly different story in every book we read, movie or television show, or even from overheard conversations. I have often thought that, for fiction writers, the air we breathe should be tax deductible. 

· What’s typical day like for you?

A) Lately, a typical day starts in bursts. I usually don't go to bed until five in the morning, sometimes six, so I wake up repeatedly as the rest of the world gets going. My daughter's Nanday lives with me for now, and he likes a little attention around nine most mornings. I make sure he has food and all that, then play a song for him before begging off and going back to sleep. I get up for real between noon and one. I make my cup of coffee and Pop-Tart (unfrosted strawberry), then book up the computer. 

I'm still in search of the perfect organizational system, so I use Hotmail and Outlook calendars and tasks. That's the first thing I check after my blood starts flowing--the email and calendar(s). In a perfect world, I've gotten time/dated things done in advance. Given that my world is not that idea, perfect world, I scramble to dash out things I have to do but haven't. 

After meeting those immediate tasks, I alternate between writing and managing email or social media responses. There are, of course, a million interruptions. People call or come by, a leaf might blow past, the dog might bark...you get the idea. Most of my writing gets done after midnight or in those snatched hours between-time. But those are my days. 

You can see why I'm in search of organizational help, can't you?

· Of all the sub-genres of erotic romance (such as paranormal, m/m, thrillers, etc), what’s your favorite genre to write and why?

A) I vacillate between them, to be honest.

In general, though, I'd have to say paranormal. There are no rules in paranormal fiction. While there are generally accepted traits for various entities, nothing is set in stone. You can build a world any way that you want. The sky's the limit--in fact, there's no limit at all. I don't do much with sci-fi, but mentally, I lump them together in the Who-Can-Say-Otherwise category.

· I read on your website (http://www.jjmassa.com/) that you taught adaptive technology to blind and visually impaired people. Do those experiences ever find their way into your books?

A) Yes, sometimes those experiences make it into books. Anyone who has read Love Like Blood might see several parallels between Julianna Gold, the female protagonist of that story and me. Throughout all of my books, you'll find tidbits or hints of my experiences. Even if nobody in the story is in need of special equipment or considerations, being blind and using such technology is a big part of my life. With that in mind, I analyze every situation and consider it as if the reader can't see or be aware unless I draw a complete word picture. I don't always manage it, but I do try. 

Various bits of memorable students show up here and there. Usually, they're supporting characters, but they do add to the story. 

· If you had to pick one book as your favorite, which one would you pick and why?

A) Right now, my favorite book is Civil Liberties at Torquere Press. I loved those characters, and with the clarity of hindsight, I realize that I could have done so much with that story and those people. I'll have to use them as a prototype for another book someday, I suppose.

I enjoy the emotions in it. I like that Denny isn't all that loveable, but is very much loved in spite of it. That's how love works, isn't it? Christian realizes before they meet that Denny could mean something to him. He recognizes that love just is, in spite of everything. What can I say? I like stubborn characters, sometimes. I've found a lot in that story, in rereading it, that I could explore. And there you have it.

That's why it's my current favorite.

And now for the rapid fire portion of our interview. Ready...get...go!

Name your favorites:

· Author (besides yourself, lol)? Jules Verne, I mean, A. Conan Doyle, I mean…Earl Stanly

Gardener…okay, let's go with Lovecraft, for the win…for now

· Book? Currently--Sliding on the Snow Stone, by Andy Szpuk

· Music? I'm eclectic, but Smooth Jazz prevails, I think.

· Band/singer? Right now, I'm way into Thomas Anders. He has quite a range of work, and what a rich voice.

· Movie? The African Queen           

· Actor? Humphrey Bogart

· Actress? Dame Judith Anderson

· Memory? I have two--holding my daughters for the first time.

Okay, time to commit--you can only choose one:

· Summer or winter? Fall

· Candy or French fries? Candy

· Ketchup or mustard? Mustard

· Tall, dark and handsome or golden boy? Tall, dark, and handsome.

· Early to bed or night owl? Night Owl

· Strawberry or chocolate? Chocolate

· Chains or whips? Chains

· Alpha male or sensitive guy? Alpha all the way

Guilty pleasure: Name one thing you love that you’re ashamed of. I listen to (and sing along with) doo-wop music.

What new or upcoming release do we have to look forward to? 

International Worlds Museum I: Metamorphose by J.J. Massa

Book One: Metamorphose:

Rand Cooper had no idea how his life had become so complicated. Suddenly, Elwynn Ravensdale, who had been the consummate pain in Rand's arse, was extremely attractive--especially his arse. If that wasn't enough, his teenaged charges were acting cagey and secretive. Worse than all of that, Wynn had an attachment to some woman, a very pretty woman, but a woman nonetheless. And there was a baby involved.

Where were the days when hostile otherworldly visitors were all that he had to worry about?

Print

Ebook

Excerpt:

Once alone, Rand turned to Livia. She obviously had something else on her mind…or still had something on her mind. Either way, they needed to clear the air once and for all.

"Out with it," he demanded, struggling to keep his tone level.

"Out with what?" she gasped, appearing surprised.

"What has you all stirred up? I thought we had come to an accord, but all the way up in the lift, you've been like a kettle just off whistle."

Livia fixed her narrowed eyes on him for a long beat. After one ringing note of silence, she exhaled heavily, actually stomping her foot. Rand lifted one brow and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well?" he prodded.

"Okay, so you guys work for a museum, and you say it's dangerous?" Rand nodded, waiting. "Just how, exactly, is Wynn in danger every day. You're just trying to emphasize how well you know him and I don't! I've lived with him for nearly a year and with his sister for longer than that!"

Without a word, Rand reached into his jacket, pulling out a wallet. It was just marginally larger than most, not that size or space would ever be a problem when one had the gifts he and his colleagues were gifted with.

 Flipping the folded leather case open, he pulled out a photo. In the foreground, a creature straight out of a sci-fi action blockbuster had been caught mid-rage, bearing down on two men facing it. One man wore a look of horror, hand dangling at his side, his weapon dangling in the air just above the ground. Clearly, he'd been swamped with terror and dropped it, meaning to flee like any sensible person would.

"Why the hell is whoever just standing there taking a picture? I can't believe…"

"Look at the other man, Livia," Rand instructed quietly.

Throwing Rand a scathing glance, she turned her attention back to the second man in the picture. His foot was in the air as if he was walking slowly toward the angry thing. He wore dark pants, a white shirt, torn and singed as if burnt. In his hands, he held what she realized were pistols, orange flares showing right at the tips. He must be firing them continuously. Another look at the monster showed that his angry stance was off just enough that he could be jerking away from a gunshot. He had patches of green along his torso and dripping from him, puddling on the ground.

Studying the second man more closely, she was arrested by the fixed, unemotional expression on his face. Brow furrowed in total concentration, he seemed oblivious to everything but his guns and the creature.

When she gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth, Rand knew she'd recognized Wynn. He gently pried the photo from her shaking hand, slipping an arm about her shoulders as she shook her head in denial.

"His job is dangerous. He's become quite a legend in our little world. Livia, Wynn is a big boy. A big, dangerous boy. But he is vulnerable--a fact that I never credited him with until it was nearly too late. He loves us both and we are now magically joined with him."

"Are you…" she cleared her throat and started again. "Are you in danger all the time, too?"

"Not like this," he assured her. "Sometimes trouble does come to the museum. I won't mislead you about that. Most of the time, however, my trouble comes from the querulous teenagers who work for me, or the tedious middlemen from the head office. For the most part, I'm very safe."

Livia sniffled, brushing her forearm across her eyes and smearing her mascara, though he'd never tell her that. It made her a little more human, and Rand found it endearing.

"Do you think we can convince him to do a different job? If he's that good…"

The negative shaking of Rand's head halted her line of thought. "Wynn feels he is making an important contribution to the museum and the world, come to that." Wide-eyed, she opened her mouth to speak, but Rand continued on. "In point of fact, he is. The job he does is something very few other people can do. I believe there is one other person among the museum's very large bank of employees who does what he does. Wynn needs to feel useful and needed. All we can do is make sure that he has plenty of reason to come home safe and sound every night."

While Livia appeared to be thinking it over, Rand led her into the bedroom, handing her a complimentary toweling robe. "I'm going to shower before bed," she informed him tentatively.

"Don't be surprised if I'm already asleep when you come out, luv," he murmured, turning his back to her. "I probably need a wash, as well, but I'm knackered."

She nodded and turned, taking the robe and made her way into the bathroom. Upon hearing the water come on, Rand pulled out his wallet, taking a look at the picture of Wynn again. He kept it to remind himself of just how lethal Wynn could be if roused. Not only that, the picture served to remind him that the other man was often in danger, therefore, every minute with him was precious.

J.J. Massa

www.jjmassa.com

Here are places that readers can find me:

http://www.facebook.com/Jjmassa

http://www.facebook.com/jjmassawriter

mailto:@JJMassa1

http://jjmassawriter.blogspot.com

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/j-j-massa/49/b19/715

http://jjmassawriter.wordpress.com

https://plus.google.com/113884644510943764075

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/211005.J_J_Massa

http://www.myspace.com/jjmassa

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Woo! That sounds like a good one :)  Thanks again for stopping by to play!

Cheers,

Cindy

Musings of a video game junkie

Okay, so yeah--I'm almost forty and I still love playing video games. I know it's silly and can be an expensive hobby and I know it's a waste of time...then again, is it really? I mean, playing video games is one of the ways my son and I bond. I also use it to wake my brain up after I've stared at the computer screen willing words to appear that just aren't flowing. And sometimes a rousing session of Mario Kart is just plain fun. I won't go into how much guilty pleasure I've derived from beating virtual prostitutes in Grand Theft Auto. Nor will I mention the gobs of virtual treasure I've spent upgrading my Skylanders...ahem, I mean DS Skylanders. A girl's gotta have a few secrets. But I will admit I find playing video games fulfilling in a way I don't completely understand. Perhaps they quench a thirst for the excitement and adventure missing from life nowadays. Or maybe part of me is still eight years old and thrilled to death by that newfangled Atari. Yes, I said Atari. We had Pong before that too. I know, I'm old.

Anyhoo, I'm not sure why I can spend hours upon hours glued to the Wii when I should be spending hours and hours writing or scrubbing the toilets or taming the now sentient pile of laundry from DS's room. Maybe it's because escaping reality is something we all need from time to time. Whatever the reason, I love video games and I'm not ashamed to admit it. But alas, now it is time to get some work done in the real world, but I've promised myself a video game break around noon...I mean those Skylanders aren't going to upgrade themselves, right?

Cheers,
Cindy

Hot, cold and all NFL

Though I'm suffering from my first cold of the school year (thanks, DS--poor thing, he's down and out too), it's also the first NFL Football Sunday of the year. As many of you know, this is a sacred holiday in my household. Along with games on the TV, everyone in their jerseys and general merriment, there must be football food! Usually I cook up a storm, but said cold makes that idea rather unappealing (sniffle). So I scoured the pantry and fridge for a quick and dirty football food idea. Here's what I came up with!

Hot, Sweet and Savory Garlic Bread Pizza

Presliced, frozen garlic bread, 8 slices
Bottle barbecue sauce, 1 cup
Shredded cheddar jack, 2 cups
Smoked honey ham lunch meat, 8 slices cut into quarters
Sweet onion, 1/4 thinly sliced
Fresh pineapple chunks, 8 chunks cut into thirds
Serrano peppers, 2 diced

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Bake garlic bread slices for 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Top with 1 tablespoon of barbecue sauce. 1/4 cup cheddar jack,  one slice of ham (all four slices), one pineapple chunk (all three slices), a few slices of onion, sprinkle of Serrano peppers on each piece of bread. Bake again 5-7 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Cool a few minutes then serve with your favorite football beverage.

A milder version can be made with sweet peppers instead of Serranos.

Quick and easy and the guys are loving it :)

Go Pats!
Cindy

Fall cleaning...

It's that time of year again. My son is back in school, the crazy whirlwind of summer is fading into shorter and shorter days and I can finally sit back and take a deep breath. Problem with the whole deep breath thing is that I realized the condo could use a good hosing down. So that's my project for today--I've got out my toothbrush to scrub the base boards, I'm laundering draperies as I type this and I've got my bottle of Fabuloso ready to wipe away the grime from corners that well, in all honestly, rarely get wiped. I truly hate cleaning, but it's a necessary evil. I'm going to put on some tune-age and get to work. Tomorrow, I'll be back at the laptop since I have some manuscripts that need some fall cleaning as well. Wish me luck...and if you don't hear from me in a few hours, send out a search party :D

Cheers,
Cindy

Please welcome Desiree Holt!

Please welcome my guest, Desiree Holt. I'm so excited to have her here today and please feel free to comment! Desiree is offering a $10 Amazon or B&N gift card to one lucky commenter. And now without further ado, the incredible Desiree Holt!
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First, I’d like to thank you, Desiree, for taking the time to visit my blog. I know you have a busy schedule and I definitely appreciate the opportunity to chat with an author of your caliber.

You have led an incredible life, from being a summer fishing guide to representing musicians to your own PR agency. How do all these experiences inform your writing?

I’ve used practically all of them at one time or another, as well as many of the people I met. My novel, Downstroke, was based on my experiences in the music business and one of the opening chapters was taken straight from a concert where one of my bands was the opening act. Having it All also called on the experiences of those years. Some of my heroines have been in public relations and Cassie, the heroine of On de Burned, is a sports reporter, one of the things I also did.

Last year you achieved an amazing milestone―100 books. How did it feel to release that hundredth book? How do you keep the ideas and the writing as fresh as you do? Do you have one book that is your favorite?

Yes, hitting the Big 100 was amazing for me. When I wrote my first book eight years ago I never foresaw this kind of success. At the time I was just hoping to sell one book. But a lot of people advised once I submitted a book not to sit around and wait for an answer but to start on the next one and then the next one. So while I was waiting for that first sale I just kept on writing. My ideas come from everywhere. I have an overactive imagination (just ask my family!) and almost everything I see and hear generates a story idea. Keeping everything fresh is work, but I never want my readers to think I’m just phoning it in, so I make sure I love everything I write. As far as favorites, that would be so hard to say. I love them all, some more than others, but they’re like my kids—all of them my favorites!

I’m sure this is a question you are asked a lot, but what advice do you have for an aspiring author of erotic romance? How does a writer get from her first novel to her hundredth?

Well, as I said in the previous question, don’t wait around for a sale, start on the next project. Write something every single day, even if it’s only one page. I read somewhere that Karen Robards writes every day, even the day of her son’s wedding. Make notes of ideas. Watch people and play the What If game-what if they aren’t a couple on vacation but two spies, for example. Join a critique group and soak up their comments. No writer is capable of fully editing his or her own work. And never, ever quit.

You also write as Judith Rochelle. How does a Judith Rochelle book differ from a Desiree Holt title?

Basically the Judith Rochelle books were sensuous but Desiree writes full out erotic romance. Otherwise, same plots, same hot characters, same plot twists.

In June of this year, Mature Times® dubbed you the world’s oldest author of erotic romance. Again, just an awe-inspiring accomplishment. How does your family feel about the genre you write? What got you started writing this genre? Who are some of your writing influences?

My family thinks it’s a hoot! My kids of course refuse to read anything I write but they love to tell people about it. They’re my best P.R. people. My late husband was the one who really pushed me to get stated and who believed in me. When I was considering answering a call for submissions from Ellora’s Cave he asked me if I thought I’d try it. I told him I’d never written erotic before. He just said, Buy a few books, read them and see if it’s something you’d like to pursue. He really, really encouraged me. And once I got into it, I found I really enjoyed the writing and kept challenging myself to keep it fresh and new and interesting. And hot! But I think the final push came from Joey Hill. I read her two-book set, The Ice Queen and Mirror of My Soul and fell in love with the stories and her characters. She writes the most beautiful erotic romance ever. She inspired me and continues to do so. Anyone who wants to write erotic should really read her Nature of Desire and Knights of the Boardroom series. Also check out Deep in the Woods by Annabel Joseph and Beyond Eden by Kele Moon.

As a part of and a witness to the evolution of women’s sexual freedom in the 20th and 21st centuries, how do you feel about the role you play in helping women embrace their sensuality?

I feel really good about it. I think it’s time for women to come out of the closet, so to speak, and not have to hide their sexual fantasies and desires. I think women should be able to express their sexual needs as freely as men and not feel they are committing a social no-no. If reading my books taps into women’s fantasies and gives their sex lives a boost, that makes me feel really good. I hope that my books give them hours of pleasure. wink

Though attitudes have changed, especially with the popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James, there is still a stigma attached to writing erotica. How do you handle people who disapprove of your current career choice?

I tell them that every genre has its detractors. They are certainly free to dislike mine but I ask them not to disrespect it. They are free to disapprove but not disrespect. Besides, my guess is that most of the people who disapprove don’t actually know what erotic romance is all about. There is nothing wrong with writing about sex or reading it as long as the characters are treated with respect, something I work hard attached to writing erotica and erotic romance.

What keeps you dedicated to writing scorching hot, sexually explicit books?

I find erotic romances to be the most honest, believe it or not. All the curtains are pulled aside and people are out there, bare naked, so to speak, with no way to hide who they are. That kind of relationship is then based on trust and respect. Besides **wink** I like to live out my own fantasies, too!

What are you goals for the future? Is there a two-hundredth book planned?

Not on paper, but I expect to get there. I currently have 15 different books and novellas in different stages of development with notes on several others. I wish my fingers worked as fast as my brain.

What upcoming release do Desiree Holt addicts (myself included!) have to look forward to?

Training Amber, the sequel to Teaching Molly, is out September 9 from Ellora’s Cave.

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10246-training-amber.aspx

Amber McCloud is taking a two-week timeout with her friend Molly to heal the wounds from a bitter divorce. The last thing she expects is to meet a sexy man like Cesario “Rio” Negron. But the attraction is instant and hot. Not only does he teach her how good sex can really be, he also introduces her to the world of BDSM, a world she takes to like a kid with candy. It helps when she learns Molly and her husband are also advocates of the lifestyle. But when the two weeks are up Amber has to decide if what’s developed between her and Rio is real or if she will turn her back on it, afraid to risk her heart again. 

Excerpt:

“Man, is it always this hot in Texas?”

Amber McCloud stowed her suitcase in the trunk of Molly Trajan’s candy-apple-red Mustang and slid into the front seat, positioning the air-conditioning vents so they blew directly on her damp skin.

Molly laughed as she pulled out into the flow of exiting traffic. “Honey, you’re spoiled by all that chilled air up north. If you’re going to be here for a couple of weeks you need to toughen up.”

Amber fanned herself. “Maybe I should have planned this visit for the winter.” She glanced sideways at her friend. “Molly, I want to be very clear about something. I really, really appreciate you letting me dump myself on you while I try to put myself back together. I need the distance from New York and…and…everything else.”

Molly reached over and squeezed her arm. “What are friends for? Sweetie, we’ve known each other for twenty-seven years, ever since freshman year in college. I would be highly offended if you chose someone else.” She paused. “Besides, been there, done that. So it’s all good.”

“Does Nick… Did you tell him what’s going on?”

Amber was totally aware of how ecstatic Molly was in her second marriage, with the man of her dreams. A younger man who adored her. All the things that were missing in her first marriage, she’d found with Nick, and more.

“Only the basics,” Molly said.

Amber bit her lip. “I just don’t want him to look at me with the awful, pitying look I was getting from our so-called friends in New York.”

Molly snorted. “Let me tell you, pity is the last thing you’ll see. If I let him off the leash he’d be on the next plane east to beat the shit out of Dennis McCloud. Believe me, he thinks men like that are scum.”

Amber wouldn’t have minded getting in a few licks herself. After fifteen years of marriage Dennis had somehow woken up one day and decided she was too flawed, too shopworn, too—whatever. He needed a re-engineered model to present the right image to his high-profile clients and the moneyed crowd they ran with.

Oh, he didn’t want much. A boob job. A butt lift. A facelift. Her teeth capped. Something that would take twenty years off her age.

“Nearly all your friends have done it,” he pointed out in a reasonable voice. “They understand what’s important.”

At first she’d been so shocked she hadn’t known what to say. She hadn’t even pointed out to him that the women in their crowd were hardly her friends. In fact, if she was truthful, she couldn’t think of one real friend she’d made since moving to the city. Most of her girl talk was via telephone with Molly.

Eventually she sank into a fit of depression until anger finally took over.

“Maybe you should get yourself someone already young enough for your specifications,” she spat at him.

Which was exactly what he did after a thoroughly nasty divorce.

Now Amber was trying to pick up the pieces of her life and stitch back together her shattered self-esteem. Not only was Molly her oldest and closest friend but she’d been through the same thing herself. And come out of it a real winner. She needed Molly’s humor and common sense and cheerleading. And the isolation of her home to hide from the world while she got her act together.

“I don’t want to make any kind of plans,” she said now. “Just take it day by day. All right?”

“Sure, honey. But you know Nick and I both work from home, right?”

Nick was a highly sought-after architect and Molly had found a new career in interior design. They often worked together on projects.

“Yes, but you meet clients in the office space you share in downtown San Antonio. Right?” She didn’t think she could handle strangers being around all the time.

“Yes, of course. It’s all good. Except…” She paused.

Amber’s stomach tightened. “Except what? What’s going on, Molly?”

“I know I told you about the cocktail party we’re having, right? Tomorrow night?”

Damn! She’d forgotten all about that.

“No problem. I’ll just take myself off to the movies. Or something.” The very last thing she needed was a bunch of people staring at her with curiosity and asking questions she didn’t want to answer.

“Up to you,” Molly said, “but I’ll stick my two cents in here. It might do you some good to mingle with people who don’t know your history. People you can just be yourself with. You can’t hide from the world forever.”

“I know, I know.” Amber sighed. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes behind the big sunglasses. “I just don’t think I’m ready to face anyone yet. You can’t imagine what it was like in the city, running into people who knew the story. Or worse, those who didn’t know and asked rude questions.”

“Oh,” Molly scoffed, “I do know. Believe me.” Then her voice turned sly. “But you know, Amber, I forced myself to go to a Fourth of July picnic when I didn’t even want to leave the house. If I hadn’t I would never have met Nick.”

Amber shook her head. “I’m not interested and not looking. Can we just leave it at that?”

“Sure, sweetie.” Then she chuckled. “For now, anyway.”

Before long they exited the Interstate Highway and rode in comfortable silence along the two-lane country road. They passed through the tiny commercial section of Limerock, an exclusive Hill Country community, then they were navigating the long driveway that led to the Trajans’ magnificent glass and limestone house.

“Wow!” Amber stared, drinking in the gorgeous structure before Molly hit a button and they pulled into the wide garage.

“Exactly the way I felt the first time I saw it.” She laughed softly. “But here’s the best part of it.” She pointed through the windshield.

Standing in an open doorway that led to the house was a man Amber could only call sex on a stick. Nick Trajan was well over six feet, lean and dark with thick, wavy black hair. His soft linen shirt and jeans outlined a graceful, athletic body. He opened Amber’s door, helped her out of the car and greeted her with a warm smile.

“Welcome to Casa Trajan,” he said, giving her a light kiss on the cheek.

Amber couldn’t help but smile back at him. “Thank you. And thanks for letting me intrude on you this way.”

“Not a problem. I’m happy to have one of Molly’s friends here for a visit. She’s been really looking forward to this.”

“Well, I appreciate it. I just want you to know.”

Molly had exited the car and come to stand next to her husband. “Only the guest gets a kiss?” she teased.

Nick’s voice deepened. “You know better than that.”

He pulled his wife close to him. Watching the kiss he gave her made heat surge through Amber’s body. An unfamiliar pulse throbbed deep in her cunt and her nipples tingled. Holy cow! And she wasn’t even the one being kissed!

Nick laughed softly when he finally broke the kiss. “You’ll have to forgive us, Amber. I have a feeling when I’m ninety my wife will still have this incendiary effect on me.”

A sharp bolt of jealousy speared through Amber, one she immediately tried to suppress. She was happy for her friend, delighted that her life was so on track. But somehow it only underscored the disaster that was her own life at the moment.

She turned away and went to retrieve her suitcase, but Nick was there before she could press the trunk release.

“I’ll get that. You go on inside with Molly. I’ll bet you could use a nice chilled glass of wine about now.”

Amber forced a polite smile. “That sounds nice.”

“Come on.” Molly linked her arm through Amber’s. “It’s a good thing I have my husband to remind me of my manners. Let me show you to your room. You can take a quick shower while I get the wine and some cheese and crackers. Don’t worry. All is good.”




Thank you again for being my guest today. I’m honored to count you among my colleagues and I can’t wait to see what your brilliant mind has in store for us next!

Thank you, Cindy. And it’s my honor. I’ve enjoyed being here today and hopefully giving some people insight into the world of erotic romance.

All Good News

This weekend I was bummed--had a headache for most of the Labor Day festivities--but today is looking bright and sunny! I just found out I'll be included in All Romance Ebooks Passionate Cooks cookbook, I finished a tough self-edit and tomorrow I have the incomparable Desiree Holt as my guest. YAY! All good news :)

and don't forget to drop by the Night Owl Reviews Halloween Scavenger Hunt!

Happy Tuesday-that's-technically-Monday :)

Cheers,
Cindy

Full Moon Halloween Scavenger Hunt!

Today is the first day of the Night Owl Reviews Full Moon Halloween Scavenger Hunt. Yours truly is one of the many sponsors.

Follow the link below for all the deets! Happy hunting :)

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/pages/FullMoonDetails.aspx