April 7, 2012

Sizzling Saturday

No winner posted today with no contest so how does one make your day sizzle?


Let's face it. Most of us read because we enjoy living vicariously. For the romance reader this is especially true. What's better than your own romance? The one you can read and reread as often as you like. For many, that is what drives the romance market. There is plenty of erotic romance at the physical and cyber bookstores. But what is there available for the reader who prefers a Clean romance or a Sweet or Warm Romance. Plenty, if you know where to look.

What makes a Clean, Sweet or Warm Romance really sizzle? Well, first of all remember that to this author and reader alike, the bedroom door is firmly shut. But where's the romance in that? Glad you asked. In the kiss. Not just any kiss, in the masterfully written kiss. We all recognize it when we read it, but have we ever taken the time to dissect this pleasurable experience? For those in the dating scene, you have probably dated, if only once that gorgeous individual that had no clue how to kiss. And yet you have also dated that less than sexy individual that with one kiss, that very first kiss, KNOCKED YOUR SOCKS OFF! Yeah, you remember that one.

Remembering is key here. Without spilling all of an authors secrets, let's explore that sizzling kiss. There have been a few here and there have been a few that had no idea…

On the written page there is an art to that first kiss that melts us in our tracks, compelling us to dog-ear the corner so we can come back and experience it again. And again. And again for evermore or at least until you return the book to its owner (the library).

Let the dissection begin. Notice that above I used "again" how many times? Three. Plus the original mention or that one kiss, and add to that the evermore. Five times . Five is a magic number in this case. We have five senses, hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch. A skilled author will use at least three of these, and I personally try to use all five, to describe that hot kiss. Not always, but the best out there will tell you that the senses, preferably at least three make for an awesomely hot kiss.

Let me share a kiss that I remember. A real kiss some ut-hum years ago.

What did I hear? The pounding of my own heart thundering in my ears.

What did I see? The darkness of the long shadow where we stood between his car and my condo.

What did I smell? The sensuous musk of the cologne he wore.

What did I taste? Him, the sweet masculine taste that was all his own, hinting of coconut and macadamia.

What did I touch? The solid mass of his chiseled body, the body of a weight lifter.

I could go on, but for this exercise, let's keep the number to five. There are as many visions of that kiss now, as there are readers so let's narrow the vision. This is off the cuff so let's see how I do.

The darkness of the long shadow enveloped us in cool and comforting privacy. He backed me against the brick wall with the solid mass of his chest, his strong arms shielding me from the cool temperature. I knew what was coming and yet I had no idea of the rapture that was about to send my heart racing, pounding in my ears. I stole a breath, inhaling the sensuous musk of the cologne he wore, a sent I was not soon to forget. His kiss was soft, experienced and yet noninvasive as I tasted the masculine hint of coconut and macadamia.

Five sentences - five senses.

Feel free to share your own kiss (Not your favorite from a book.) You are even welcome to follow or dog-ear the page to share or come back and read again and again.

April 6, 2012

April 5, 2012

Let's see what Jean Kinsey is up to.

I just recently met Jean. Wonderful woman. Jean this is a beautiful book cover, I love the lighthouse and the lightning in the background.

So, when did you discover you are a writer? I mean did that one novel, article, etc. serve as your catalyst?
JEAN: I wrote a story and submitted it to Chicken Soup for the Soul. To my amazement, they published it. Thirteen Chicken Soup stories later, I decided to try a novel. Thus, THE LIGHT KEEPER'S DAUGHTER was born.

How did it feel to write this story?
JEAN: I feel like God is smiling on me.

So is this your favorite genre, and why?
JEAN: I don't really have a favorite as long as it is clean.

I agree, I totally enjoy a clean read. History is intimidating to me. What made you decide to write these amazing historical fiction pieces?
JEAN: Lighthouses have intrigued me since I saw my first one in Alaska. My grandmother used to tell me stories of her life in the early 1900s. I put the two together and came up with THE LIGHT KEEPER'S DAUGHTER.

I love the “behind the scenes” that you've captured. What can we expect from you in the near future?
JEAN: I move forward to the 1970s and show life on Willow Shade Farm in Logan County, Kentucky.

Both sound intriguing. I loved Kentucky when I visited. But for those fascinated with your lighthouse novel, will there be a sequel?
JEAN: I'm not sure, but I'm contemplating it, when I finish my Willow Shade Trilogy. I'm contracted for a Willow Shade Farm trilogy. I think SECRETS OF WILLOW SHADE will be my favorite because I write about the place where I grew up and I couldn't keep the home-town characters from poking their heads into my book.

Don't they always. (Me smiling.) Tell us about your all time favorite character (of your creating.) Is he/she modeled after a real person?
JEAN: Oh yes, my dad lives in and rules Willow Shade. I originally planned to let him die, but couldn't bring myself to kill off my dad.

Anything else you want to share . . .
JEAN:  I have a short story contracted with "Harpstring," --"What the Blind Man Saw," a story about sex slavery.

Sounds spicey. Whatever you do, I’m sure it’ll be awesome. Keep us posted and thank you for taking the time to answer these impromptu questions.
JEAN: Thank you for letting me visit your blog.

So where can we find out more about you?
http://www.http//kystorywriter.blogspot.com

Coming soon through Desert Breeze Publishing: SECRETS OF WILLOW SHADE, FORECLOSURE AT WILLOW SHADE and MURDER AT WILLOW SHADE a suspense series.

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-276/The-Light-Keeper's-Daughter/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/The-Light-Keepers-Daughter-ebook/dp/B007K1ODKK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331917415&sr=8-3

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-light-keepers-daughter?store=ALLPRODUCTS&keyword=the+light+keepers+daughter

April 4, 2012

The Light Keeper's Daughter - Trailer

I just have to gush about this for Jean. This trailer was built by teens at Shelby County East Middle School , gifted teans at that! Click on the link below and ... Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3to43B7J9w

April 3, 2012

The Light Keepers Daughter -Blurb-

A broken heart and trouble with the law washes Belle's dreams of a beautiful life with wealthy Lawrence Rinehart out into the sea. Branded a thief by Lawrence's mother, Belle seeks refuge in a lighthouse on the shore of a secluded little seaport.

Captain Fred Logan, penetrates her wall of defense and persuades Belle to come out of isolation. Together they face WWl, rescue a baby from the sea, and battle the deadly flu epidemic. Will Belle choose Fred or the wealthy ex-boyfriend when Lawrence's boat capsizes and she braves a vicious storm to save him? Will Divine Guidance give Belle courage to do what she must in order to truly be free?

April 2, 2012

The Light Keepers Daughter -Excerpt-

Her heartbeat drummed through her temples as Lawrence slipped his hand into his pocket. "Belle, I love you. I want you to be with me forever. Will you--"


With the urgency of a tempest blowing in from the sea, Mrs. Rinehart swept onto the terrace and grabbed her son by his arm. "Lawrence, I've been looking everywhere for you. There's an emergency. You must come with me, now." The band stopped to change the tempo of the music.

"What, Mother? What's wrong?"

"Just come. I'll tell you." She took Lawrence by the arm and dragged him off the terrace, leaving Belle standing alone in a semi-trance. Was he about to propose marriage?

Lawrence was gone. His mother led the way, and he followed. Belle waited, fidgeted with her gloves, and tapped her foot on the soft carpet to keep her knees from trembling. Maybe Papa had been right. Maybe she didn't belong here.

Oh My!

Oh my, it's been a long, long time since I posted anything here. Really, I do this now because I recently got a note, if you can call it...