Not too late to enter The Sizzling Summer Contest

4 more days in "The Sizzling Summer Contest"

The contest runs through July 31st.

Voting (by readers) opens July 30th at 1AM PST and runs through August 2nd 12 Midnight PST. You must be a follower to vote! (Scroll down for details.)

Winners will be posted here on August 4th.

You are invited to participate in sharing your best Sizzling Kiss.

1) Submit your "Sizzling Kiss" as an attachment to shassidy@comcast.net between today and July 31. (Yes, polish that kiss.)

2) Include "Sizzling Kiss" in the subject line of your email.

3) Your entry must be between 100 and 500 words.

4 )Sign your kiss with your first name and blog link.

Limit: one entry per blog link.

Erotica will be disqualified. Published work cannot be submitted for contest.

Good news, we have more than 10 Kisses entered! The grand prize winner will receive a romantic suspense E-book, Dark Days of Promise by yours truly, due to be released in September.

Now remember, we have several examples of kisses already posted here. You are welcome to go back and read them. (Click on Sizzling Kiss on the MENU to the left.)

Remember, the dead line is July 31st. Send your submission, limited to a single scene to shassidy@comcast.net as an attachment. All entries (except those that are erotic) will be posted here for voting July 30th through August 2nd. You must be a follower of this blog to vote and your vote/comment must be signed to match your follower tag.

Come chat with authors! Me too!

Friday. that's today at 3pm PST or 6pm EST at
http://coffeetimeromance.com/board/calendar.php
We'll be here for hours, sharing book blurbs and just chatting so come on over!

Sizzling Kiss Entry

(Please note: this is a second entry by an author so it is not elegible to win any prize.)

I reached up and traced the planes of his face, a face I’d seen a million times in my waking dreams. He leaned into my touch with a sigh and I knew the feeling was igniting the same burning desire in him as it was me, but I also knew he would not close the small distance to kiss me because he promised he wouldn’t, and I thought, Well, it’s a good thing I didn’t make the same promise. I kissed him.

It was full of passion and longing as all the feelings we had suppressed came bubbling to the surface. His strong arms pulled me closer, encircling me with his strength and warmth. It was different than our first kiss: Our first kiss was new and carefree. This was full of understanding and desperation, of knowing and need. It was also full of love; I loved him with every fiber of my being. I wanted him to know how much I loved him and that I would carry it with me forever.

Our souls, our bodies, were meant for each other and yet our time was limited.

He pulled away just long enough to whisper, “I love you so much.”

His lips were on mine again kissing fervently knowing we shouldn’t but at the moment not caring. I dug my nails into his back as my heart and body ached for more. He wrapped his strong hands around my waist and with one quick motion lifted me to his lap with no effort. I sat straddling him, his arms around my waist and mine around his neck. I knew I should leave before we went any further, yet I couldn’t bring myself to pull away. But eventually he did.

We sat there still intertwined breathing heavily, resting our foreheads on each other. I looked down, my hair a dark veil encircling our faces. He lifted his head and tucked my fallen hair behind my ear, letting his fingers run through it until it came down to my elbow. I watched his fingers as they traced down my arm to my hand; all the while, golden specs danced. He interlaced his fingers with mine. That’s what our souls were: interlaced—a bond, a connection that would always be there even when we let go. I felt a single tear fall down my cheek. It landed on our joined hands. He looked up with concern, then I saw understanding sweep his features along with pain, pain that mirrored mine.

“I know,” he said, slowly nodding. “I know this doesn’t change our world. Two people in love can’t change the way our society has been functioning for hundreds of years.”

“No, it can’t. We still have a duty. A purpose…”

Sizzling Entry rewrite

I saw the sneaky humor in his eyes and took off running, knowing full well he was about to get even. He ran after me, closing the distance in one second flat. He lifted me off my feet, carrying me to the water’s edge. I knew not to let go, so I held on tight. If I was going in—so was he. Of course, I didn’t take into consideration he didn’t really care since he was already wet, so into the waves we both went. I shrieked at the cool water, trying to struggle free of his vice like grip, to no avail.

“Mateo!”

Soon we were both laughing; I couldn’t remember the last time I had such abandoned silly fun; Interesting how fearing for your life will put a damper on things like that. After a minute I stopped laughing to find him staring at me with intense eyes. I could feel without looking the energy specs dancing around us, tingling an electric heat where our skin touched. My arm was around his neck, and his around my back and under my legs as he held me in a cradled position. His fast heartbeat was in rhythm with my own.

“Keira, you have no idea what you do to me,” he said, shaking his head slightly.

“You’re right, I don’t. All I know is you’ve been treating me like a sister for the past couple months.” But the way he was gazing at me was full of passion and longing, not brotherly affection. It was the way he used to look at me and I hadn’t realized just how much I missed it until I had it back.

“I thought if I did, things would be easier—We’re not supposed to be like this,” he said quietly.

I didn’t know what he meant, perhaps it was a protector thing; not wanting to let himself become distracted with affections. I saw in his eyes that he was battling with himself. I didn’t know if he would kiss me or walk away. I held my breath, wishing with all my heart for him to stay.

He let my legs go and brought his free hand up to softly caress my cheek. I sighed. His tender touch ignited a thousand pangs of want into my stomach. Want that had been building layer upon layer over the time I’d known him. I longed for his hands on me, his lips on mine, and his eyes to always hold me with the passion I saw in them.

“I don’t know what hang-ups you’re having, but I think you want me as much as I want you.” I said with a confidence I didn’t know was there. “Tell me I’m wrong, Mateo, and I’ll walk away, tell me you don’t want me.”

He slid his hand from my cheek to tangle his fingers through my hair and lowered his mouth to just a breath away, I held my breath.

“I want you, Keira. I want you so much it hurts,” he whispered and lightly brushed his lips across mine, teasing, testing. The tingling radiated throughout my whole body. His lips pressed against mine, parting, taking the kiss a little deeper. My head spun with pleasure. The waves gently swayed us as we stood, wrapped up in each other and in the moment. The kiss became more passionate as he pressed my body to his. My hands caressed his back muscles then balled up in his shirt as the need to get closer took me over. I had been kissed many times before but never had I experienced a kiss that filled me with so much emotion that I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I was filled with a warmth and happiness that swelled my heart. For the first time since my world was turned upside down I felt that everything would be okay, I felt home.

We pulled apart with labored breathing. I stared up in his amazing green eyes, which took me in with the look of wonder. I found myself not wanting the moment to end and was surprised by the affect a single kiss could have on me. He spoke first, breaking the silence.

“I should have kept treating you like a sister,” he said.

“What, why?” His words shocked me, and I wondered if he thought the kiss was a mistake. My heart dropped.

“Because after that,” He said pulling me even closer to him. “I won’t be able to give you up.”

I smiled, and felt weightless by the feeling his words put in my heart completely relieved he felt the same way.
“Well, that’s good, because I don’t want you to.”

Sizzling Kiss Contest Entry

The most amazing thing woke me. I was dreaming I was a baby and my mother was offering me a pacifier. I felt the rubber tip against my mouth and my lips parted, and suddenly I realized there really was something touching my mouth. It was Arianne’s. I opened my eyes and she froze. She was studying me as if she wasn’t sure of my reaction. My eyes shot over to the couch where her mother had been.


“She went to bed,” she said, still looking uncertain.

“Oh.”

She settled back against the couch. “I’m sorry I startled you.”

“No—I, uh…it’s okay,” I stumbled.

“That was sneaky, finding my hand under the blanket. I was wondering when you were going to do it.”

“You were?”

She looked at me knowingly.

“You just looked so peaceful right now. So restful. I’m sorry I—”

“It’s really okay,” I said, putting my hand on her arm. “I thought your mother was over there.”

“I just wanted to know what they felt like.”

I smiled. “And?”

Her face reddened and she smiled as if she knew a secret. She looked down at my hand and covered it with her own.

“I like the way your skin feels.”

I could barely breathe, but somehow it didn’t matter. Somehow I was still sitting there, still as a stone, unable to move, with my heart still beating and air moving in and out of my lungs. She was looking at me with that gaze—that intense, penetrating stare that meant a lot more than she might have intended. I glanced at her lips. They were full and soft and I wanted to taste them again. Before I knew it she had moved close to me again and I felt the warmth of her face. I was ready for her this time. Our mouths met at first with hesitancy, in exploration. I inhaled and felt her breath, and then my hand went up to the side of her face and all of a sudden I felt like I was being pulled into a vacuum. In the suffocating heat I opened my eyes and caught a glimpse of her soft eyelids, and the warm ecstasy on her face. We were enjoying each other, and yet I still imagined her mother tiptoeing down the hallway, leaning out and watching—watching as Arianne moved closer to me, her hand against my chest, kissing me with so much energy I thought I would burst.

And then she stopped. I was practically on my back against the couch cushions, and she was leaning over me, our eyes open and our gazes locked. She looked sleepy and content. And then she laid her head against my chest and snuggled against my body. She had no idea what frenzied exclamations the rest of me was experiencing. I closed my eyes and it was all I could do to control myself. I stroked her hair and willed myself to relax.

Could working with the Dead be Dangerous?

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-301/Keller-County-Cops-Book/Detail.bok
Suspense excerpt from Deliverance from Evil:

"Are you enjoying school, dear?" Dr. Madeline's seemingly innocuous question rattled Tessa. The therapist smiled. "I assume you must like it, since you went back voluntarily."

"Yes," Tessa finally croaked. "I'm looking forward to graduating next year."

"So you can work with the dead."

"Yes." She fixed her gaze on the gun in the doctor's hand and gulped back the urge to flee. Trying something while Dr. Madeline stared at her would be suicide.

The therapist cocked her head. "Why'd you choose mortuary science, Tessa? Why do you want to work with dead people?"

"Because the dead can't hurt me," she answered, unable to stop the flow of words. And live people, especially gun toting nuts like you and perverts like Dempsey and Stuart, have the ability to mortally wound me. She fisted her hands and glared at her captor. "It's safer that way."

"Oh, I see." The therapist made a note on her pad. "Well... I suspect that must be a residual affect from your stepfather's abuse."

"Probably so," Tessa answered, her mind whirring. This session was far from normal, but for some reason she couldn't stop answering the woman's questions. Was she that starved for attention? That desperate to be heard?

Dr. Madeline sent her a sideways glance. "Are you seeing anyone?"

"Yes. No." She shook her head. I can't say anything about Cash, especially since he's a detective. That might send the doctor into a tailspin.

The therapist lifted her brows. "Yes and no? Please... go on."

"Well..." Tessa swallowed and eyed the umbrella she'd pegged as a weapon, then jerked her gaze off it. She didn't want to give her plan away. "I-I almost went out with someone not long ago, but decided against it. I'm... I'm just too busy with school and work."

"You need to marry and settle down. Start a family."

"I'll do that later." She squirmed in her seat "Once I've finished school."

"We often think we have all the time in the world, when we really don't," Dr. Madeline said, pinning Tessa to the chaise with a bitter gaze. She lifted the gun. "Isn't that right, dear?"

"I-I guess so." Tessa went rigid. The therapist's persona had changed yet again, switching from curious doctor to angry villain in the blink of an eye. Who would she be next?

The doctor got up and paced back and forth, the pistol glinting each time she passed the window. "I've done my best to help you, Tessa."

"I-I know you have." Afraid not to give the woman affirmation, Tessa slid forward on the chaise, inch by inch, and prepared to drop her feet to the floor. "You've helped me be happy."

"Not lately." Dr. Madeline spun. "You've ignored me."

"That's not true." Tessa halted, afraid to move, not wanting to draw any more attention to herself. She had to get to that umbrella, and keeping the doctor pacing and calm was the only way. The more agitated the woman became, the more likely she'd shoot. "I readily took your call last week, when you told me you'd moved your practice here."

"You were just being nice." The therapist wagged the gun, then marched back across the room.

Tessa signed in relief and slid a little farther toward the edge of the chaise. "Wasn't your goal to rescue me from a terrible situation and help me grow up healthy and strong?"

"Of course it was," Dr. Madeline snapped, her eyes riveted to the plush carpet.

Tessa took advantage of the woman's temporary lapse to put her feet on the floor and transfer her weight to her heels. The desk was only a few feet away. If she could make a big enough leap...

The doctor whirled and shouted, "You work with dead people! How is that normal?"

"It's a job. Someone's got to do it."

"Not my Tessa." Dr. Madeline stalked toward her. "What are you doing?"

"I-I have a cramp." Tessa clutched at the back of her thigh, took a step to her right, and pushed herself to her full height. So much for subterfuge. "I need to stand up."

"Get back on the chaise," the woman cried. She raised the pistol and aimed it at Tessa. "Right now! Move."

"No!" Tessa shouted, diving for the umbrella. Her fingers hit it and sent it tumbling to the floor. She went after it.

A shot rang out...
--
Melanie Atkins
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EMILY'S NIGHTMARE--Coming August 1--Desert Breeze Publishing
DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL--Available now!--Desert Breeze Publishing
BLOOD RITE--Available now!--Whiskey Creek Press

Sizzling Kiss Contest Entry

Emma walks toward the front door, her feet brushing along the dusty concrete walkway. She focuses on staying just a step or two behind Jace. As they near the front door, he turns and looks her right in the eyes. Her abs tighten, though her stomach feels like vanilla pudding—goopy and dropping off in globs. Is he gonna to try to kiss her? She can’t let him kiss her, but why? She can’t remember.


His eyes. So blue. Blue like a perfectly calm lake at five in the morning. No. No kissing. Boys hurt girls, they always do. Avoid him just like every other guy who has tried. The scene runs through Emma’s mind, step by step, boy by boy.

• Step one: He gives that look.

• Step two: She smiles. She can’t help it.

• Step three. She stops flattering herself. He’s just playing some dumb game.

• Step four: He leans in.

• Step five: She pulls back and makes a random comment, pretending she didn’t notice the lean-in.

• Step six: Repeat as necessary.

It works every time. This time will be no different. “I had a really good time tonight,” Jace says, stepping closer to her.

“That’s just because my grandma didn’t try to figure out how we’re related. That scared the last boy off.”

He laughs and runs his fingers through his golden brown hair. Then he looks down at Emma—eyebrows raised, lips parted. Her red-stained lips pull up at the corners. And then…no lean in.

“Can I kiss you?”

Silence. This has never happened before. She thinks of what to say, how to get out of this one. Then, before she can speak, she feels his lips upon hers, soft at first then firmer. For one short second, she freezes. She tastes the subtle hint of powdered sugar from the donuts they ate on the way to her house. And then she relaxes, her lips moving against his. His arms slide across her back, pulling her closer until she can feel his chest moving in and out with each breath. Her fingers curl around bunches of his soft hair. She opens her lips, just slightly, and he nibbles on her lower lip just enough to wake her up.

Emma pushes back away from him. His eyes droop, hurt. “I…I’m sorry. I can’t…” She looks away.

He moves toward the bench by her front door and sits down. “You know, I don’t really want to go home yet. How about you tell more about your grandma?”

Her heart beats faster than normal, but she isn’t scared. She’s excited. “In a minute.” She sits down next to him, hearing nothing but the crickets and her own breathing.“How about one more kiss?”

The Sixth Key

will be released by Desert Breeze Publishing. "The Sixth Key" is a fantasy romance set in an alternate world.

Knocked down by a truck Riley wakes on another world. Her ex boyfriend Jothur has transported her there to help his people learn to shield their telepathic minds, although he doesn't tell Riley this. She dreams of two Jothurs, the blond boyfriend and a dark mysterious man. Danger threatens Riley and she flees to the Mutes. The non-psychic Mutes, led by Tynan, will be destroyed if Jothur's people learn to mind shield. Riley must use the Riddle of the Keys to learn the truth of Sacral's past and decide who to support in the battle for the future.

Publisher's Link for further information: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-324/The-Sixth-Key-Sue/Detail.bok

(Repost) Complete Sizzling Kiss Entry

“How’s the water?”I asked as he approached.


“Warm,” he said, smoothing the hair away from his face with both hands and positioning himself gracefully onto his stomach beside me on the blanket.“You should go for a swim.It feels great.”

I said nothing.He was facing the water, his chin propped on his crossed wrists.His body, glistening in the moonlight, was beautiful and distracting.He seemed to sense I was watching him and rolled to his side to face me.A shock of dark hair had fallen into his eyes.

“You seem anxious about something.”

“I know.”We sat looking at each other.I hadn’t taken my eyes off of his body since he came out of the water, and I suddenly remembered this and looked down at my hands, clasped around my legs.“Why did you agree to come?”I ventured.

“I don’t know.I guess I just felt like it tonight.”

“Felt like what?” I asked, unable to keep from watching him again.

“Swimming, being around people… being with you.”

“With me?” I chuckled.“Since when?”

He didn’t smile, and I couldn’t read his expression.

“Since tonight,” he said, more softly.“Why not?”

He sat up, leaning back on one arm.I felt foolish for laughing.I knew he was sincere, but that didn’t make it any easier to believe.

“Do you want anything more to eat?” I asked, very quietly, reaching into the basket that separated us.He stopped my hand, moving the basket away.I knew this look, and I had wanted it from him, but now that I had it I didn’t know what to do.I felt his other hand cup the side of my face, and I sensed him moving closer to me.I closed my eyes, stiffening slightly.

“Christine,” he said.I opened my eyes again.He was much nearer, his breath warm and sweet against my face.“Do you want this?” he asked.

I remember nodding involuntarily, the muscles of my neck jerking.

“Then relax.”

Then his lips were soft against my cheek, my forehead, my eyelids, and finally my mouth.It seemed to last forever. I felt the muscles in my body begin to melt, and become limp and watery, and my free hand reached for his chest, finding the wet skin and sliding slowly around his waist.He continued to kiss me, his fingers lost in the mass of hair at the back of my neck, and as his body began to fall away I followed it without realizing.When I opened my eyes again he was lying on his back, looking up at me, grinning. I found myself hovering over him, our faces close, one hand sliding over the chest I had only been looking at moments before.I smiled back after a moment, leaning to let our mouths meet once more.

“Christine,” he said softly.“Why didn’t I do that a long time ago?”

“I forgot to tell you how good a kisser I was.”