June 23, 2012

Polish your Kisses!

"The Sizzling Summer Contest" runs July 1st through July 31st. Looking for help to polish? See May 24ths post here for a short lesson...

Voting (by readers) will open July 29th and run through August 4th.
Have you got a kiss you'd like to share? Have you got what it takes to write a Sizzling Kiss?
You are invited to participate in sharing your best Sizzling Kiss.

1) Submit your "Sizzling Kiss" as an attachment to shassidy@comcast.net between July 1 and July 31. (Yes, polish that kiss.)
2) Include "Sizzling Kiss" in the subject line of your email.
3) Entrys are to be between 100 and 500 words.
4) Sign your kiss with your first name and blog link.
Limit: one entry per blog addy.

I am looking for at least ten (10) submissions/entries. If I get at least that many, there will be a prize awarded in addition to having your "Sizzling Kiss" posted here (with your name). The winner will receive a romantic suspense E-book, Dark Days of Promise by yours truly, due to be released in September.

Don't be shy. Now remember, this is just a kiss, not a bedroom scene. No erotica, I'm not allowed to post such so keep it sweetly warm and borderline sensual. Erotica will be disqualified. Published work cannot be submitted for contest.Now remember, we have several examples of kisses already posted here. You are welcome to go back and read them.

Remember, the dead line is July 31st. Send your submission, limited to a single scene to mailto:shassidy@comcast.net as an attachment. I must have at least 10 entries. All entries (except those that are erotic) will be posted here for voting the end of July and first of August. You must be a follower of this blog to vote and your vote/comment must be signed to match your follower tag.

June 22, 2012

Chatting with Dave Bond

Q:  Regular followers will notice that the scrolling books have disappeared. There is a reason for that... to accommodate my guest, Dave Bond. Dave, would you like to share with readers why you have requested this accommodation?


A: The complete answer is more technical than anyone, including me, wants to delve into, as a blind person, I use software on my "normal" computer known as "screen reading" software. It is very smart (and expensive), and simply reads what is on the screen. I have a tremendous amount of control over what it reads me, and how, including the speed and pitch of the voices, as well as the ability to change voices if I choose.

I use the standard voice pre-loaded with the software. The software is called JAWS (Job Access With Speech). You might derive from this name (first sold back in the early 90s I believe) how the focus of making computers accessible to blind persons has a connection to jobs. How well things have worked out is a topic for another discussion, but suffice it to say, because of JAWS, I can type using a regular computer and a regular word processing program (Word), and do most of what any other author is able to do concerning writing and editing a manuscript.

In recent years, with the Internet (and most other computer programs) becoming more and more graphical, screen readers struggle to interpret the screen properly, if at all. An image file of a building, for instance, has no data within itself to pass on to JAWS. "Hi, I'm a 50-story building. I am made out of mostly glass and gray stone. I'm facing east, with the rising sun giving all my glass a sparkling look. There are some high clouds, so the sky you see above me is a powdery blue."

Really? Anyway, graphics make things very tricky sometimes. The banners many blogs (and many web sites) display are not necessarily graphical (although they might be), but because they are moving (constantly changing), screen reading software is confused, as it tries to read the changing text, instead of other text I may be interested in reading. If the banner or scrolling displays are turned off, or don't exist, then my screen reader has a much easier time navigating and reading the page.

I hope this helps some understand the basics of using a screen reader!

Q: ...our disabilities are not limitations, but windows to new avenues in our lives. In my case, and I'm assuming in yours, our writing.

A: I am fairly confident I wouldn't be an author had I not lost my sight 24 years ago. I was 33 then, and working as a project manager for a construction company. I had a degree in technical illustration, and was a very "visual" person. It took some time after losing my sight, but when a window to write in fact opened, I did enter in and am glad I did!

Q: I also find it inspiring that you continue to enjoy the outdoors and would like to ask you about that.

A: Actually, my love of, and participation in the outdoors has lessened since losing my sight. I have years of memories of hunting and fishing, of hiking, of camping, and canoeing. I also did some skiing, I loved to play ice hockey on the ponds and lakes in the winter, and I loved playing church softball. I have tons of memories, and it's these memories more than any present day participation I interject into my stories.

Q: You know, I considered writing only after so many other avenues in my life where shut down, closed or pulled out from under me. I know I mourned over those things I lost. Did you go through a type of mourning, too?

A: I can't say I experienced a clearly defined period of mourning. Interestingly, now that I've been blind for about 24 years, I find I have "down" moments when I experience a kind of mourning. If you can call frustration and a little anger, mourning. I also tried a number of career avenues after the job I landed in after graduating college (as a blind person) was eliminated. This was in 2000. I initially sent out some resumes for non-profit organizations looking for a program director (my previous position) but soon gave up on that. I tried everything from web site design/maintenance, to becoming a certified nutritionist, to going back to college to begin masters working marriage and family counseling. But, writing eventually became something I quickly developed an interest in, and as they say, the rest is history!

Q: So, I hope I'm not spoiling anything from "The Attache", do you think the cable up the mountain is feasible? I mean it sounded totally possible to me, except that maybe if the mountain is public land there might be issues there. Obviously an author must pretend those political challenges don't exist.

A: Zach Brenner (the blinded male protagonist) inherited 300 acres, on which the mountain was located. So, it was not public land. I am fairly mechanically minded, and I "invented" the cable system based on what I considered a feasible concept. From a mechanical point of view. Because in reality, it really wasn't practical. But when Zach first thinks up the system, yes, it was entirely plausible IMO. Not that there wasn't any other way, but the cable system is what he thought up. FYI, in book 3 (Out Of The Desert), Zach's brother, Joel, returns to the Rocky Glen homestead, and, without giving too much away, Joel will end up with some of the 300 acres. You'll have to read the novel to see what he wants to do with it!

Q: Since you brought it up... Book 3. How many books are you planning in this series?


A: I've got 2 3-book contracts with DBP. Two trilogies, to put it another way. The Attaché was book 1 in the series entitled, 'All Things Are Possible,' and A Time To Build is book 1 in the series entitled, 'A Time For Everything' series. I hope to have my web site updated shortly where visitors can read more about these books/series, as well as see the cover art for both book 1's.

http://www.authordavidbond.com/newest.php

Q: Can you give us a blurb for 'A Time to Build'?

The short blurb which may appear on the Desert Breeze page follows:

Thirteen years is a long time. But not long enough for Brian Marshall to forget the face of the woman who stepped inside his office one July morning. Has the one mistake he made in his life finally come back to exact its toll?

Q: Can you share a link to your website?

http://www.authordavidbond.com/

June 21, 2012

Tickle Tease on Thursday

Tickling your interest with Dave Bond's new release, Just out today - A Time To Build.

Brian took his time making his way to The Corner Café shortly after five. The front door stood wide open at one of the vacant spaces half-way between the Donahue Brothers office and Hallie's place. He paused and peered into the darkened interior. He heard voices, but saw no one. He looked for a sign announcing what might be coming, but couldn't find one.


In front of the café, sure enough, a large butcher-block island stood on the sidewalk, as if the previous owners wanted to dump it and get away as fast as possible. He went up to it and gave it a tentative push. It barely rocked. A closer inspection showed him the block was probably eighteen inches thick, with massive legs. He wasn't so sure Joe would be strong enough to help him.

"You're here. Thank goodness."

Hallie spoke to someone inside then walked toward where he stood. He repeated his earlier push on the massive piece of wood. "This thing weighs a ton."

"I know. Wanda and I tried to move it." She lifted her eyebrows at his expression. "I'm tougher than I look."

A middle-aged man approached Hallie, and she turned and spoke to him for a minute. He stood, his hand resting on the oily, knife riddled butcher-block top. Brian's gaze stole a glance at this woman whose mysteries drew him to her like a magnet. She had a pair of work gloves on, and he detected the sharp smell of varnish. A dark brown speck sat on the tip of her nose as if she'd dipped it toward the open can to smell it.

He jumped when a finger jabbed his side. Joe smirked and nodded toward Hallie, still engrossed in a conversation. "Man. I was hoping you would have had this thing in there by now."

Brian repeated his pushing action for the third time. "Did you eat your Wheaties today?"

"Gees. Just leave it here. She can serve outdoor stuff."

"We're going to put this inside, exactly where she wants it."

"Rock climbing later?"

"I told you. No."

Had he subconsciously wanted to allow free time to be around Hallie? He looked at Joe, dressed in his sport shorts and woven athletic shirt. The guy had the look of a man with supreme confidence in himself, especially in the area of coaxing a pretty girl into some liaison. A glint in his eye wasn't hard to translate.

"Sorry, gentlemen. Hello, Joe?"

Joe attempted a clumsy bow. "At your service."

Joe stepped around the hunk of wood separating him from Hallie and held her hand. "I've come by a few times during my lunch hour these last few weeks. Fantastic coffee."

"You look familiar. I'm glad you approve."

Hallie's expression lacked its usual save-the-world glow. She extracted her hand from Joe's and blew air through her lips which funneled up toward a few rebellious tendrils of hair sliding across her forehead.

"We'll get this inside so you can get back to whatever you're doing. You must have a million things to do."

"We've been working all hours, but it's coming along. Actually, I had a good day today. Three women from the church I attend volunteered to help me stain and hang wall coverings. The place is really looking good, if I do say so. You'll have to let me know what you think."

Her words might have been meant for both males standing near her, but her gaze never left Brian's face. She all but ignored Joe. Brian nodded involuntarily. A reflex action she had control of whenever she was near.

Hallie darted inside the café and returned with a heavy-duty dolly. The men wrestled the butcher-block onto it, then eased the solid mass inside. It took all of fifteen minutes to move it and deposit it where she indicated.

"Man. It's probably a good thing we're not rock climbing tonight. I think I used up my vitamins for the day."



June 20, 2012

Guilty Hearts Book Blurb

Dee Adams has done everything for the love of her adolescent son including lying to protect him from pain. When her old flame returns, her wall of secrets starts to crumble.

After thirteen years of running from the past, Matt Black returns to the only place he called home intent on making peace with his family and Dee. When he forms a tight bond with Dee's son Jared, Matt falls for her again and he wants to be a family. When Dee's secret is revealed, the only way to become a family is to forgive and rebuild their trust for one another.


Where to buy:


http://www.amazon.com/Guilty-Hearts-ebook/dp/B007K1OCQA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1332552126&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guilty-hearts-susan-jaymes/1107712025

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-guiltyhearts-751695-149.html

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-274/Guilty-Hearts-Susan-Jaymes/Detail.bok



June 19, 2012

Guilty Hearts Tease



http://www.susanjaymes.com/

"Give your mom a hug and a kiss goodbye." He resisted at first, but relented. "You be good. I'll see you tomorrow."


"Okay." He pushed away from her, looking around the room hoping no one important had seen them.

"Come on, crew." Sandra led the boys out with Nate following behind them.

"He'll be fine, you know. My sister is a wonderful mother, and Nate isn't so bad himself."

Tears pricked Dee's eyes and she blinked hard. If Matt had stayed in Pine Crest afterSteve's funeral, it could have been them walking out as a family, arm in arm. She wouldn't have to be alone. Why am I so emotional tonight? Did Sandra get to her that badly? She just sent her son into the lion's den, and he'd rather be there than with her. Every time Jared opted to spend his time with friends or Matt, she felt like he was slipping away. Dee shoved her hands into her back pockets.

"Yeah, I know. I just have such a hard time letting him go. Man, when he goes off to college, I will have to be locked away for a week!"

Matt shoved his arms into his jacket and zipped it up. He grabbed her jacket and held it open for her to slide into. "Come on. Put on your jacket and walk out with me before you embarrass the kid more by crying. If anyone he knows from school sees it, he'll never be able to hold his head high again."

Dee shook her head. "Gee, thanks. That helps a lot." He chuckled. She turned around and let him help her with her jacket. His arms slid around her as he pulled her close to whisper in her ear. "He'll always be your little boy. Just maybe not in public." He squeezed her tight, and she heard him inhale deeply as he breathed in her scent, tickling her neck. A warm sensation shot though her body, and she closed her eyes for a moment, savoring it. Then she recalled Sandra'swords, which chased away the comfort of being held. With all the force she could muster she pulled away and he let his arms fall.

"This probably isn't a good place for this, either, with Jared's friends here and all."

"Okay. I'll walk you out." He grabbed her hand and held tight. There was no way she could shake loose without making a scene, so she relaxed and let him lead her out. Gradually, for some reason, she lost the strength and the need to push him away. Instead she found the need to not let him go. All rational thought slipped away from her mind.

The air, cold but no longer frigid, didn't cool her desire. Warmer temperatures and the bright sun had caused the snow to melt, and the smell of wet earth tickled her nose, reminding her spring was near. Maybe it was cabin fever that made her want to jump Matt. No, that's just an excuse. She never stopped wanting Matt, and at the moment, she had no desire to resist him.

Jared had gone to Matt's sister's, and she was feeling weak after being attacked. There didn't seem to be a good reason to deny herself the comfort Matt could give her.He held her hand as they walked to her car in silence. There were no words needed, they both knew what was about to happen. Maybe Matt had planned it from the moment she sat down at his table. Although she still believed it wasn't right, she knew she wouldn't put up a fight tonight.

"Here we are, my dear." Matt stopped in front of her car.

"Where are you parked?"

"Over there." He pointed to his car.

"No more rusted Mustang?"

"Hey, I loved that car."

"Did it get you far enough away from me?"

Matt rubbed the back of his hand gently down her cheek. Dee leaned into it as her eyes closed. "Not tonight, Dee. Let's not discuss it right now. Tonight it's all about you and me and what we never finished."

Dee opened her eyes. "I don't want to finish anything. I just want to feel good with no guilt, just once."


Where to buy:


http://www.amazon.com/Guilty-Hearts-ebook/dp/B007K1OCQA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1332552126&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guilty-hearts-susan-jaymes/1107712025

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-guiltyhearts-751695-149.html

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-274/Guilty-Hearts-Susan-Jaymes/Detail.bok




June 18, 2012

Guilty Hearts Sizzle

This kiss runs on the heated side--sensuous. 

Dee hesitated for a moment, as if she was going to protest. To his disappointment, she didn't. "I agree. I don't think it would do either of us any good to try again now. We had our chance, and I guess we both blew it." She still sounded like she blamed him.


Matt nodded. "Fine." He nudged himself closer to her and studied her frightened eyes.When she didn't pull away, he leaned in and nibbled her lips. They tasted like chocolate chip cookies. She moaned and ran her hands up his back to pull him closer and turned the nibble into a deeper kiss as she devoured him with her tongue. This was not a girl ready to let anything go.Matt pulled away and scooted back. Her eyes, dulled with passion, begged him to continue. He rubbed the back of his hand down her cheek, and she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. His fingers traveled down her neck to her breasts, and she thrust them forward.

Wait. Now is not the time for this. The kids are here. Matt reluctantly decided to bide his time. One day soon, he'd make sure they were alone, so he could take this further and change her mind about them.

"Cody, we better hit the road." Dee's eyes popped open, and Matt let his hand drop. She ran her hand up to her throat as she came back to the present. "You may say we are over, Dee,but your body tells a different story. We do have something going on here. Think about it."

http://www.susanjaymes.com/

 Where to buy:


http://www.amazon.com/Guilty-Hearts-ebook/dp/B007K1OCQA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1332552126&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guilty-hearts-susan-jaymes/1107712025

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-guiltyhearts-751695-149.html

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-274/Guilty-Hearts-Susan-Jaymes/Detail.bok






June 17, 2012

Sunday Sizzle


When Love Collides

Excerpt used by permission of the author, Michelle Sutton.

He coughed into his hand and rubbed his eyes. "I wish I had known. I never would've let you go. I would have loved you the way you deserved, so you wouldn't have gone back to him."

She touched his damp cheek, turning his face toward her so she could look him in the eyes. "I'm sorry I hurt you."

"The thing is..." His voice thickened, "I never stopped loving you."

He said he still loved her?

Cradling her face with his hands, he drew closer. "I still love you."

His lips gently pressed against hers. She expected it to remain chaste and end there, but he deepened his kiss, exploring her mouth as he caressed her tongue. With a low moan deep in her throat, she plunged her fingers into his hair and drank as much sweetness as he poured into her. If she'd known his kisses would be so sensual and intense, she might have persuaded him to kiss her a long time ago.

He eased away from her, his breathing ragged. "I need to catch my breath."

Still amazed at her intense physical response, she trembled, afraid to look at him. Where did he learn to kiss like that?

"I... I need to take you home."

She'd never known such depth of emotion in her life. Or such heated passion. She'd never felt this way about Carl. Not even close. Scott had opened the door to his heart and offered her entrance. Now she wanted so much more.

But could she give him her heart in return?



You can buy When Love Collides 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...