How to write a Sizzling Kiss

Okay, the first kiss is the one we want to nail as authors. So how do you write a Sizzling one? Remember the five don'ts and the six do's. We'll start with the don'ts.

Don't spring the kiss on the reader without just cause.

Don't expect your reader to fall in love if you haven't.

Don't neglect your senses.

Don't let it be just a "They kissed."

Don't tell us, the readers that it was sensuous, show us.

The Do's don't list isn't like the Don'ts (Don't you hate me now!) lol

They run more like: Stay in one character's head (or body in this case).

Show us what your character sees.

Describe the smells that surround this moment.

What sounds reverberate around the couple?

How does the kiss taste?

What does the character feel or how does he/she feel?

Notice the underlined words. These are our senses. These are your tools to create that Sizzle. A truly Sizzling kiss uses at least three of the five at least five times. (Yes, when I'm drawing my scenes I count them… the key here is that the reader wants to experience that kiss so you want it to last. Think at least a good paragraph and when you get really good two pages… (I'm not at that point yet.)

Let's use a generic kiss.

Kate kissed Jeremy.

…….Boring….

Note that we said Kate first, so it is her point of view, not Jeremy's.

What does Kate see? The golden flecks in Jeremy's brown eyes.

What does Kate smell? Jeremy's musky cologne.

What does Kate hear (this goes with sounds)? The birds gentle lilt in the trees overhead.

What does Kate taste? Maybe the beer on his breath---ick. Jeremy tastes smooth, like special dark chocolate.

What does Kate feel? Most commonly ? Jeremy's hard muscles.

What about the emotion Kate feels? Kate feels her desire.

Before you scroll down, I encourage you to write these five things into your scene. I promise that there will be as many unique scenes written as there are individuals that write them. Our job as writers/authors is to draw one scene, colored though it may be by the reader's personal experience.

Now, before we see what yours truly draws for Kate's scene, let's find out what Jeremy's scene might look like.

Remember: Jeremy kissed Kate.

For a guy that might be enough, but not the romance reader… they want more and the more you give them, the more they will want to come back for more.

What did Jeremy see? Careful, guys attention is not always the same as a woman's. Be sure you stay true to the character - male in this case. Jeremy saw her curves and the firm plumpness of her lips.

What did Jeremy smell? Jeremy smelled her perfume, the clean freshness washed by the rain, the tantalizing scent of his Harley's leather.

What did Jeremy hear? The roaring of Harleys in the distance, her breathing and soft sighs.

What did Jeremy taste? Okay here is where we need what the character says in Golden Eye (James Bond)? She tastes like sweet strawberries.-- Jeremy tastes the sweet strawberries on her lips.

What does Jeremy feel? Remember external and internal. External - The warmth of the sun's rays. Internal - his heart beat speed up and if you feel real daring the pressure below his belt. Be careful on that last one! It can throw your kiss to the erotica real fast.

Now, we have left Kate long enough but remember you can only submit this, or write it from one point of view. For your writing, there is only this rule.

Use at least three senses, five times. Easy. I personally like to start with what surrounds the character and focus the reader's lens tighter as the scene evolves. So to do that, let's shuffle the senses to: sounds, smell, external feeling, sight, taste, Internal feeling. Notice that I separated what the character feels.

Kate Kissed Jeremy.

The birds continued their gentle lilt in the trees overhead. ---sound---

Kate breathed deep, trying to catch her breath, catching the gentle musky aroma of Jeremy's cologne, unique and all male. ---smell---with a touch of feeling in her breath.

She leaned into him, feeling the solid muscle of his chest. ---external feeling---

He lifted her chin and her gaze focused on the golden flecks in his brown eyes, so warm and inviting. The message in them tilted from the humor of the previous moment to the heat of this one. ---sight--- with a touch of more feeling and a bit of background.

He smiled as if daring her to make good on her threat. ---more sight---

Unwilling to back down to this dangerous man, she skittered her hands to his broad shoulders and reached for his lips with her own. She only intended to give him a quick peck, but one taste of the smooth dark chocolate of his mouth and her knees buckled. ---taste--- feeling, both external and internal as we draw the reader's lens tighter.

Her desire bolted to new heights, his challenge winning over her own. ---inner feeling---

We learned a whole lot about this scene with the showing. Let's see what we can learn if the scene is written from Jeremy's point of view. Again, let's start with the setting somewhat and focus the lens tighter with each sentence.

The other Harley's roared in the distance, leaving them alone as the sun broke through the clouds, warming the small forest clearing. ---sound---and sight--

Jeremy smiled, letting his eyes linger over her curves. Appreciating each one, he focused on the plump, scarlet firmness of her lips. --sight---we added a bit, didn't we?

The rain had stopped, and for the first time he noticed the delicate bouquet of her perfume, floral yet hinting of berries. Rather than distracting from the warm animalistic smell of leather, her scent danced and entwined with it. --smell--

Her chest rose and fell as if she might dart away. Instead of bolting, she leaned into him, lacing her hands to his shoulders. She paused, driving him wild with anticipation. His heart pounded in his chest. He stepped closer, pinning her against his Harley. --sight, internal feeling, touch--

She'd cave. It was only a joke to her, but not to him. If she didn't make good on her challenge, he would be sure to make good on his own. Her kiss started soft, but he couldn't let it stop there. Her lips tasted like strawberries from the lip-gloss she wore. He devoured it and her mouth. She answered with kisses of her own and infuriatingly sensual sighs. ---touch, taste, sound--

His own body's reaction caught him off-guard, she leaned into him so innocent, so trusting. He let her, sensing his heart pound, skip, an engine in need of tuning all the while feeling his pressure build below his belt. --internal feeling--

The wise writer will walk away here unless they intend to step over the erotic lines.

Which one is better? That depends on the detail needed for the story. Maybe you, the writer need to remind the reader of Kate's challenge to Jeremy or maybe you, the writer, need to tell us that the other characters have left the scene. The key goes back to the Don’t's. Don't spring the kiss on the reader without just cause. Don't expect your reader to fall in love if you haven't. Don't neglect your senses. Don't let it be just a "They kissed." Don't tell us, the readers, that it was sensuous, show us.

Stay in one character's head (or body in this case). Show us what your character sees. Describe the smells that surround this moment. What sounds reverberate around the couple? How does the kiss taste? What does the character feel or how does he/she feel?

You can master the Sizzling Kiss! Now I expect awesome kisses for July…

Announcing - The Sizzling Summer Contest

Sending out a personal invite to readers everywhere.

Announcing "The Sizzling Summer Contest".
The contest will run July 1st through July 31st.
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, I'm giving you time to polish that kiss.)
2) Include "Sizzling Kiss" in the subject line of your email.
3) Your kiss must be between 100 and 500 words.
4) Sign your kiss with your first name and your blog address/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. I will also be posting several more as well as helps to writing a kiss that SIZZLES.

Remember, the dead line is July 31st. Send your submission, limited to a single scene to 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.

Note to published authors-- Maybe one of our esteemed published authors, whose Sizzling Kisses will be shared over the next two months will volunteer a copy of their book from which the kiss is from --- (hint, hint).

Historical Romance Kiss

Excerpt from Daughters of Jared by H.B. Moore, published by Covenant Communications, 2012



Levi moved closer until I could look nowhere else but into his eyes. “I told you how I feel about you.”

“You asked me to marry you.” I tried to keep my voice steady, despite his nearness and despite my erratic pulse. “Then you asked me to give up my gods.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “You never told me how you felt.”

Both his hands cradled my face.

He closed the distance before I could take a breath. His lips pressed against mine lightly, hesitantly. My hands went to his chest; warmth radiated from his skin through his shirt. My touch encouraged him, and his kiss became more possessive as he pulled me into his arms, wrapping me in his security. For a moment, I believed that nothing could touch us, nothing could harm either of us. He slowly kissed my cheek, my eyelids, my neck. A torture of a new kind.

Then he pulled away, his hands resting on my shoulders. He stared at me with an intensity I’d not seen before. “I love you, Naiva. You must know you’re in my every thought, my every breath.”

It took everything I had to not fall into his arms and be swept away into our own world. I tentatively ran my hands along his chest, down his arms, absorbing his words.

I wanted to tell him the same thing—to confess my heart—but I was afraid I wasn’t who he thought I was. Nor could I ever be.

“If your brother finds out, he’ll kill both of us.”

*************

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Daughters-Jared-H-B-Moore/dp/160861395X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336483382&sr=8-2

Author Website: http://www.hbmoore.com/

Sizzling Kiss

Phoenix Rising Book One: Janus
By: Gail Delaney

Her eyes pinched and her lips drew together in concentration.

The rod tilted, angling sharply toward her hand and she pulled back.

"No, you've got it," he urged. "Don't let go."

She steadied her hand again and the rod leveled, the pull away from him growing stronger. John slowly let go his hold, and the rod held its position. John smiled and withdrew his hand. Her eyes only shifted for a second, noting his withdrawal, before she focused again on the metal.

"Yes," John proclaimed, trying not to let his pride overwhelm his voice and break her concentration. "You've done it, Jenifer. You've done it!"

She looked up and dropped her hand, the rod clattering to the floor, and the smile on her lips was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He'd thought the smile when she saw the wormhole had been amazing, but this smile... this smile topped it with ease. John threw out his arms and laughed. He lifted her feet off the ground and turned them one-hundred-eighty degrees, her arms wrapped around his neck.

"I knew you could do it!"

She wobbled a bit when he set her down, so he kept his hands at her sides. He knew he grinned like a fool, but despite the destruction around them and the bruises he knew he'd have tomorrow, he couldn't have been more proud of her. Of anyone.

"My head is killing me," she said softly, and John winced.

"I'm sorry. It might for a bit, but it'll get better. I promise."

Jenifer lifted her head and looked at him, her cheeks a little too pale for his liking but her eyes no longer looked haunted. "If you say so."

John took his hands from her sides to hold his palms against her cheeks and kissed her brow. She curled her hands around his wrists in a weak hold and leaned into him. John rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closed.

"I am so proud of you."

She leaned back, breaking the contact, but didn't move away, her gaze shifting in tiny degrees as she stared up at him. John opened his eyes and looked down at her, his chest hitching at the shine in her eyes. He swallowed and took in the fine details of her face.

"You amaze me, Jenifer," he said softly, his voice needing to carry no further than her ears.

He intended for the kiss to just be a touch to her lips, a symbol to her how precious she was to him despite the bruises and split lip she'd left him with. She'd fought through more than he wanted or could imagine. He held his lips to hers, not asking for anything more than to allow him the chance to somehow show her, and when he pulled away he smiled.

Her light eyes shifted from meeting his gaze, to what he knew was a split lip, and back to his eyes. The air shifted, and his heart immediately pounded hard and needy in his chest. Jenifer released his wrists and laced her fingers into his damp hair, pulling him down to her again.

She kissed him hard, stealing whatever moment he had to prepare for the demanding intensity. His lip stung, and the salty taste of dried tears mingled with the slight copper tinge of blood but he could no more stop the kiss than he could push her away. Open mouths fought for dominance in the kiss, her deep, throaty purr mingling with his groan. Need flashed hard and hot through him, fueled by her own wrapping around them both. His traitorous body wanted her, demanding, pounding, pushing him to take more.

They turned together, neither leading, neither following, until her back hit the wall and he lifted the back of her knees to draw her legs around his waist. The position minutes before had driven her to break through her walls, had been vicious and hard, but now his only thought was the feel of her body wrapped around him.

John pressed his palms to the wall on either side of her body, holding her in place with the pressure of his hips. Her pulse throbbed against his lips when he nipped and kissed the salty skin along her throat, her head tossed back against the wall. Eager hands tugged at his clothes, and with a flash of clarity, John groaned in frustration and dropped his forehead to her shoulder, sucking in deep, hard breaths.

"No' here," John said against her skin, letting his lips brush the warmth. He still kissed her throat to her ear, unwilling yet to give up the contact. "No' in this chaos."

"One place is as good as another," she said in a throaty voice, taking his face in her hands. "Come on, Ambassador. I know you want it."

A bucket of ice water couldn't have quelled his desire any faster than the rasped sound of his title, not his name. She tried to draw him in for another kiss, and he allowed the contact, but refused to deepen it. Passion turned to a dull ache when he stepped back and eased her to the floor again.

"I want you," he said, swallowing hard as her feet met the floor again. "There's a difference."

She scowled, the light he thought he might have awakened in her eyes gone in a blink. John fought to temper his breathing again and looked down. Her hands hung at her side, no longer reaching for him. He inhaled slowly and reached for her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. She didn't comply, but didn't pull away either.

"Come on," he said, hearing the weight in his own voice. "You should rest, and I have some explainin' to do to the captain."

Jenifer tried to pull her hand free, but he tightened his hold a tiny degree and she stopped. She could have easily stepped free and he wouldn't have stopped her, but he wanted her to know he wished she didn't. "I can clean up my own messes, Ambassador."

John raised his head and looked into her eyes. "Perhaps you can, but you don't have to."

He stepped away and started for the door, thankful Jenifer followed, her hand still in his.

Release date is today, May 21st!

Here’s the DBP site link.

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-297/Phoenix-Rising-Book-One-cln-/Detail.bok

Sunday Sizzle

First Impressions
Excerpt published by permission of the author, Michelle Sutton. http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/


Licking her lips as she watched him, she then closed her eyes and swallowed.

That action was all he needed to push him over the edge. He needed to taste her again or he'd go mad just thinking about doing it. Setting his bowl on the counter, he gently grabbed her arms and lowered his mouth to hers. She responded more fervently than he'd anticipated as their cool, sweet tongues engaged. The sensual kiss made his head swim with pleasure.

He moaned. Everything in him tensed and heated as they explored each other like two hungry singles deprived of affection for far too long. He sensed her arm moving and wondered what she intended to do with her hand. He was eager to find out and made a move of his own.

A crash made him jump back.

"Oops. I missed the counter." She giggled.


You can buy First Impressions HERE http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-53/%3Ci%3ETombstone-Treasures-Book-One-cln-%3C-fdsh-i%3E/Detail.bok

(paperback also available on this page. Click the purchase on CreateSpace link to get a hard copy of this book)

Bus Stop

The winner who gets to choose their prize is:

Today, just for kicks, Shawna Williams gets to share about embarrassing moments. I'm hoping that you guys will put us at ease and post about yours too.

Let me start by saying that I'm a bit of a klutz and embarrassment seems to be a daily occurrence. By my age I've sort of built up a tolerance to it so that I brush if off with a shrug and an "Oh well." In my teenage years though, that wasn't so much the case. Hence, I'm going to draw on those impressionable years for an experience to share.

When I was sixteen I was in my high school's drill team. Every week during football season we preformed halftime routines. Usually the away games were close enough that we just took a school bus over, but one year we ended up in the playoffs, and one of the teams we played against was three hours away. Because of the long drive, the school decided to pony up and charter buses to take us over.

I had never ridden in a charter bus before so needless to say, the bathroom experience was something totally foreign to me. But... after holding my bladder for the trip there, throughout the game, and for the first hour of the trip home, I could no longer stand it. So I braved my way to the back of the bus to relieve myself.

Upon opening the door to the bathroom, an awful smell assaulted my senses. How could anyone stand to breathe long enough o use the bathroom? I really had to go though, so I turned away, inhaled a deep breath, stepped inside and shut the door.

It was pitch black. I didn't dare attempt to use this bathroom in the dark.

I opened the door and called out, "How do you turn on the light?"

The girls closest to the bathroom answered back, "Shut the door and lock it."

Yes... I understood that the bathroom smelled horrible and with the door open that smell was escaping into the cab of the bus, but I needed to know how to turn on the light. So again I asked, "I know, but how do you turn on the light?"

"Shut the door and lock it!"

This was no help. I desperately had to pee and could barely stand to breathe. I was sorry that the smell was bad for them too, but I really needed an answer. And fast. "But, how do you turn on the light?"

"SHUT THE DOOR AND LOCK IT!"

Fine. I'd just have to figure this out by myself. So, I shut the door and fiddled with the handle. How was a person supposed to figure out how to lock the door in the dark? There had to be a light switch somewhere. I began to feel around on the walls, beginning nearest to the door and extending outwards.

And there it was, a button protruding from the wall. Had to be it! So I punched it.

Nothing happened.

I punched it again.

Still dark.

I punched it several times in quick succession.

Nope!

Okay, either the lights were burnt out or that wasn't the light switch. I thought again about what the girls had yelled at me. Shut the door and lock it!

Maybe they weren't just offended by the bathroom smell. I found the door handle again and began to fiddle. There was a lever, what if I pushed it... Whala! On came the lights. Thank goodness. I was turning blue from oxygen deprivation.

Uhgt - Oh! You don't read what you write...

When I think about my journey to becoming a published author I always feel a tad overwhelmed with astonishment. Sometimes I'm not even sure if it's something I chose or stumbled into. I'm not complaining though, because now that I'm here I can't imagine it any other way.


So here's why my story is a little strange. First of all, I never intended to become a writer. My journey began with an obsession over making sense of a dream I had over the Thanksgiving holidays in 2002. I woke up feeling like I had experienced pieces of someone else's life, and for the next six months I pondered continuously over how it all fit together. Eventually it became too big to keep straight in my head, so I began to write in secret -- because, really... who tries to work out a story from a dream merely because it fascinates them? As I wrote though something transformed within me. I fell in love with these characters in my head, I fell in love with their plight to be together, and I felt this strange sense of honor at being the one to convey their story through the written word. I fell in love with the ability to create.

I toyed for several years more, putting the book away, pulling it out, considering the idea of trying to get published and then convincing myself that I'd written the story solely for my own satisfaction.

Around 2007 I began to feel a gentle nudge in the direction of publication. That's when I faced a couple of new challenges. I knew nothing about the industry, and even less about the genres of the book I had written. You see, I read a fair amount. Tom Clancy and Tess Gerritson were and still are two of my favorite authors, but neither of them write romance. So here I was, a non-romance reader who had written a romance. To add to that conundrum, my romance had strong elements of faith in it. It was Christian fiction romance. Guess what? Not only did I not read romance, I didn't read Christian fiction, and certainly had never so much as picked up a Christian fiction romance. Was there even such a thing?

So that's when I began to study. To my horror, one of the first things I learned was that a.) authors are supposed to read what they write, and b.) the kind of things I wanted to include in my book/s were the sort of things that most publishers of Christian fiction ask authors to edit out. The author of one book I read about getting published in the Christian fiction market flat out stated that if you were a new author, and your book contained a,b or c (you know, the "big sins") then you should put it away and write something else. If you were lucky and made it big, then maybe one day you could publish the story you really wanted to tell.

At that point, I remember closing that book and thinking the advice seemed a tad disingenuous. Wouldn't readers feel duped if they'd come to expect one thing from a beloved author only to find out that was never who the author really was. Wouldn't that be a little like learning Tom Clancy really was a communist, and the true reason for getting his character Jack Ryan into the White House was to make that known. I had to ask myself: Did I want to write for the purpose of being published, or did I want to write for the purpose of telling a story from my heart? For me, it was never really a question.

So here I am, an unintentional writer of Christian fiction/romance for readers who don't read either. And something rather amazing has come of it. I've discovered that there's a whole audience out there.

Blessings,

Shawna K. Williamshttp://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/

Thirsting for more

No Other by Shawna K. Williams
http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/

In the aftermath of WWII all Jakob Wilheimer wants is to get over his pain, get on with life, and if at all possible, forgive those who've wronged his family -- including himself. But it's hard to do when there are constant reminders. One of them being his former schoolmate, now teacher, Meri Parker -- Miss Port Delamar Pearl, Mayor's daughter, Belle of the town -- Meri Parker.

After enduring the stigma and isolation associated with the internment camp, the awkwardness of going back to school should've been a cake walk. But Jakob didn't expect to find himself inexplicably drawn to Meri. Or to discover that the pain and loneliness of her life surpassed his own. She needed to be rescued from the wretched people seeking to control her life. And more than anything, he needed to be the one to save her.

Author Bio:

Having never considered becoming a writer, Shawna K. Williams' path changed in a single night all because of a dream. Her early writings were a mere attempt to fill in gaps within the dream and satisfy her curiosity, but later became the inspiration for her first two novels. She is an editor for Desert Breeze Publishing and Solstice Publishing, speaker and teacher on writing techniques, homeschooling mom and multi-published author of historical fiction. Shawna enjoys books in almost any genre as long as they contain strong characters tackling real-life grit -- even if the book is sci-fi/fantasy. She also has a thing for dogs and pygmy goats, and believes the world would be a better place if people aspired to be the person their pet believes them to be.

First Kiss Romantic Scene by Shawna Williams

The engine idled smoothly and Jakob could feel the vibration through the seat. He reached for the keys and the rumbling motor suddenly went silent.

"What's wrong," said Meri.

Jakob looked over at her. Moonlight poured in through the window, haloing her hair, and her widened eyes sparkled in the darkness. She was so beautiful.

"There's something I need to tell you, but I don't know how." He sighed heavily and then whispered. "Crud, I don't even know if I should."

Meri turned her body toward him and scooted against the car door. "It sounds important."

Jakob pressed his lips together. "It's just, if I don't say something, I'm afraid I'll regret it. And things might... change between us."

She shook her head. "Change how?"

"You'll find someone else."

Meri covered her mouth and turned away, hiding her face from him.

Her reaction startled Jakob. It wasn't what he'd expected -- not that he knew what to expect. He had no idea what she was thinking, but he'd started this and he had to finish it -- even if it ended up breaking his heart. With Meri cowering in the seat beside him, that seemed likely.

Get it over with.

Jakob stared straight ahead and forced himself to continue. "I know this is crazy, and we can't do anything about it -- not that you'd even want to." He bit his lip, and then let out a sigh, puffing his cheeks.

Say it.

"I'm in love with you, Meri. I'm a hundred percent in love with you." He looked over to see if his words made any difference. Meri stayed hunkered down, covering her face with her hands.

His heart toppled from a cliff -- falling... falling. What have I done?

"Meri, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

She didn't move.

"I'm an idiot, okay. A complete fool!" He swallowed away his humiliation, and reached for the keys in the ignition. "I'll take you home, and I won't bother you again."

Her hand covered his as he started to turn the keys. Jakob looked at her and was shocked to see tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh, Meri." The pain in her eyes tore at him. "I didn't mean to make you cry." He touched her cheek and gently wiped her tears. They fell faster. Jakob reached with his other hand, cupping her face and tried to catch them as they spilled over the rims of her eyes. Her bottom lip trembled, drawing his gaze as she mouthed the words, 'I love you'.

His heart stilled. She loved him.

Jakob drew her to him and found himself overcome by the feel of her lips beneath his, tasting the saltiness of her tears, inhaling the sweetness of her skin. There was so much that he wanted to tell her, show her...give her. He had no words to express, so he used his kisses to convey all that he dreamed.

She responded with equal passion, telling him what she felt but couldn't say.

When their need for breath overcame their need for each other, they rested their heads together. Meri's tears still flowed, and Jakob stroked her hair.

"What are we going to do, Jakob? I can't be without you."

Jakob kissed her forehead. "It's okay," he said, running his fingers through her hair. "It's gonna be okay. We'll find a way to make this work." He tipped her chin to look into her eyes. "I can't be without you, either."

The night became deafeningly quiet, as if all life had abandoned -- except his and Meri's. In his heart Jakob understood that the price of being together was to be cut off from everyone else. To keep this secret he must erect a wall. He'd been there before. He could do it again.



Which do you think is more romantic, today's scene or the one posted yesterday?

Intimate Rain Storm Scene by Shawna Williams

Jakob headed for the living room, holding the chandelier by its chain. "Hey Meri," he called to her over the rain. "Come in here."
Meri walked toward the living room, but paused at its entrance as a gust of wind hit her. "The window is broken," she said.

"I know. The wind is blowing south though and the porch is keeping most of the rain out."

Meri took slow steps toward him, crossing her arms and rubbing them as the chill from the storm hit her. Jakob stood in the center of the room with his hair blowing wildly.

"What are you doing?"

He closed his eyes and tilted his head back slightly. "It feels nice. Kinda like standing in the rain without getting wet."

He laid the chandelier on the floor and marched over to the wall. Meri watched as he used his foot to clear pine needles and dirt from an area of the floor. He stood over the spot, inspecting it, and then unbuttoned his plaid shirt and took it off, revealing the white tee shirt he wore underneath.

Her heart jumped into her throat.

Jakob laid the shirt on the ground, then turned and sat next to it with his back leaning against the wall. "Come on," he said. "I saved ya a seat."

She furrowed her brow. Her teeth clattered with a sudden chill but she did as he asked. "This is crazy," she said, taking a seat on his shirt.

"Nah." He stretched out his legs, leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

"Jakob, what are you doing?"

"Just takin' it all in." He let out a relaxed sigh. "You should give it a try."

Meri folded her arms. Then unfolded them. She hated feeling self-conscious. "I don't know how."

He cracked one eye at her. "Be still."

"What?"

"Copy me," he said. "Lean back, close your eyes."

She did as he said. "Now what?" This was nuts.

"Quiet your mind, and just listen and feel."

Meri took a deep breath and tried to relax. It wasn't working. She sneaked a glance at Jakob. His face seemed beautifully serene amidst the swirling bits of debris flying through the room. It was so... him. Somehow, realizing that made her want to give herself over to the experience. She took another deep breath and let it out slowly.

The first thing she noticed was the musty scent had been cleansed from the air. The smell of rain, clean and fresh, took its place. Droplets rhythmically pattered against the roof. And the sound changed with the wind -- becoming soft, like a whisper -- then building into a crescendo with the howling gale. At its peak, rumbling thunder. It was music.

Her body relaxed fully and her shivers subsided. She surrendered to the moment, allowing the wild breeze and cool mist to touch her, tickle her. Tiny goose-bumps rose all over her skin. With her eyes closed it felt as if she were elsewhere -- suspended and floating. Free.

"It's beautiful," escaped her lips.

"Glad you could join me," Jakob whispered.

She felt the warmth of his hand slip around hers, his touch joining them in the experience. Their own private symphony.



Compare this scene with the one from tomorrow and tell me which is more romantic.

Contest with Shawna Williams

This weeks contest is a bit different, but there is a book to be won!
In order to win a chance to choose which book you win the rules are: Read Shawna's posts this week and vote for which excerpt you think is more romantic by leaving a comment on either one or both. --We (Shawna and I) are romance writers after all. But...Shawna is looking for your input so don't let her down. (Look at that face...How can anyone turn her down?)  If you have entered before, this is a new contest and you could win again or for the first time here on this blog!
You don't have to be a follower, but you better leave us an email addy so we can notify you and get you your book!

Website - http://shawnakwilliams.com/

Blog - http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shawna-K-Williams/236629884245

Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/shawnakwilliams

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/shawnakwilliams/

Most of my author activity is through facebook and twitter and I'm very active on Pinterest as well.

Purchase Links

Desert Breeze

Ebook - http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-86/No-Other/Detail.bok

Print - https://www.createspace.com/3762193

Amazon -

Kindle edition - http://www.amazon.com/No-Other-ebook/dp/B003K15MY0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1336172788&sr=1-1

Print - http://www.amazon.com/No-Other-Shawna-K-Williams/dp/1468164937/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1336172788&sr=1-1

Barnes&Noble

Nookbook - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-other-shawna-k-williams/1022584299?ean=9781936000531

Print - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-other-shawna-k-williams/1022584299?ean=9781468164930&format=paperback

Sunday Sizzle

In Plain Sight
Excerpt published by permission of the author, Michelle Sutton. http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/


"Good." Randy rested his large hands on her waist and said, "I'm proud of you."

Her heart swelled and she blinked back tears. When was the last time a man had told her he was proud of her? She couldn't recall, but if anyone had, it was most likely her brother.

Randy stepped back and peered down at her. The tender expression he wore as he brushed the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs made her heart throb. She didn't know it was possible for a heart to do that until she felt it for the first time. Was this what love was supposed to feel like? Was it even possible to know real love after all that had happened in her short life?

She hoped so, but couldn't help being skeptical. "When you look at me like this, my heart makes funny feelings. I like them."

He grinned. "That's good to know. Have you ever felt that way before?"

Biting the inside of her cheek, she searched her memory. This throbbing was definitely a new thing. "I do not believe so. This feels like strange throb, but I do like this feeling."

"Good."

He studied her for a moment, then slowly bent down to bakni, kiss her. The sensation of his lips on hers was so soft and gentle that it took her breath away. No man had ever kissed her before with such tenderness that she felt cherished. And while this gentleness scared her because it was so unfamiliar, she decided she wanted to feel it again and again.



You can buy In Plain Sight HERE (sequel to Danger at the Door - above) http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-71/In-Plain-Sight/Detail.bok

Excerpt from DRY RAIN - unpublished. By M. Gardner

Thanks!

McKenna Gardner

Here is the excerpt from DRY RAIN:

Mr. Morgan said nothing as he held the majority of Annabelle's thick long hair in his left hand and pulled the little branches out with his right.

Finally, he was done. “That should do it,” he whispered softly as he slowly released her hair, gently brushing his fingers against the back of her neck as he let go. “You’re free.”

Annabelle's heart pounded powerfully in her chest as she slowly turned around to face him. She was overwhelmed with their closeness and felt drained of all focus. He was motionless, expressionless, as he watched every little movement she made. His arms were spread out, his white-knuckled hands clutching the branches on either side of them.

Annabelle stared at him. Those unforgettable piercing blue-gray eyes had held such sorrow once upon a time. Now they seemed to appear crystal-like with their brilliance. The way they captured her attention made her welcome the imprisonment. Regardless of his unreadable countenance, Annabelle felt she could detect a hungry anticipation in those scorching eyes.

She knew she would regret her actions as soon as they entered her mind, but it was no use resisting them. Any attempt was futile.

She stepped forward onto her tip-toes, grabbed either side of his lapels, and pulled him roughly down to her, kissing him hard on the mouth. Without enough time to close her eyes, she saw his burst wide with surprise. His reaction frightened her, causing her to instinctively release him. She knew she could have just made the biggest mistake of her life.

She moved to back away, but before her heels could even touch the ground, his arms held her fast. For a fraction of a second, his eyes searched hers intently. Then, with one swift movement, he grasped a handful of material at her back and pulled her against him. His mouth greeted hers with urgency.

His lips may have been smooth as silk, but they pressed demandingly on her own, filling her body with an awakening heat. He moved one hand to her hair where he entangled his fingers and deepened the kiss. An involuntary noise squeaked out of Annabelle’s throat. Her legs gradually failed to support her weight and she weakened pleasantly in his arms.

He held her firmly. Kissed her perfectly.

After a moment, he softened his kiss. The first time his lips left hers, she experienced a sense of loss. He kissed her gently on the forehead and brought his hands to her arms in an effort to steady her. They trembled against her skin.

Legacy of Lies - Kiss

They were alone.


Her pulse quickened. He was close enough for her to smell his slightly salty, woodsy scent. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath.

His husky voice broke into her silent revere. "You worried me back there. I don't knowwhat I would've done if you'd been hurt."

Her gaze met and held his for a moment, but she quickly looked away. Sarah plucked atall blade of grass and rolled it between her fingers. The emotion in his voice stirred the butterflies in her stomach. She straightened her posture. "I made it out okay."

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but he remained silent.

Sarah lowered her head. "What I meant to say was thank you for saving me," shewhispered.

"You're welcome."

Sarah smiled. "That bull sure did give me a scare. I'm kinda surprised my heart didn'texplode from sheer terror."

He cleared his throat. "Well, now you know how I felt. When I heard you screaming, myheart nearly stopped." His eyes locked on the dancing flames.

Sarah swallowed hard, the tension thick enough to be palatable. She eased a little closerto him. Suddenly, he turned to her. His face was only inches away.

For a moment, she openly gazed into his eyes. They were deep brown with tiny flecks ofgold. Pools of mystery she longed to solve.

"I'm sorry, Jim. I just saw that baby get stuck and I didn't want to see it trampled." Herhands trembled now. She needed to look away. She needed to break this hold he had on her. She couldn't.

"I know. You're a sweet girl." He spoke so softly she nearly missed the words. Hisfingers traced her jaw and then lifted her chin.

To her surprise, her lips eagerly met his.

 
Desert Breeze Publishing: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-273/A-Legacy-of-Lies/Detail.bok

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/A-Legacy-of-Lies-ebook/dp/B007K1LS58/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332042156&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-legacy-of-lies-stephenia-mcgee/1107713261?ean=2940014338950

Also available for download from iBooks for the iPad

Legacy of Lies - Reviews

When I first started reading this novel, I fired off an email to the author (an online friend) and told her that this was a fantastic book. And I was serious. She starts with a murky mystery and it doesn’t let up until the very end. In fact, as I read the last few pages, I realized what this book was: this is an Inspirational Gothic novel. Think Castle of Otranto and The Turn of the Screw in a cowboy romance. Fan-TAS-tic.


The story follows Jim, a ranch hand with a history he refuses to discuss, Sarah, a frustrated student sinking in debt, Jonathan, a billionaire with a heart of steel and Elizabeth, a lost soul who can’t seem to remember who she is or why she keeps coming back to a strange little shop that is always open in the middle of New York City. They are all linked in one tragic tale of love, rejection, redemption and supernatural intervention.

This book has it all: a nice quick plot, a massive castle, cowboys, a dark mystery, a cold seductress and a story that leaves you thinking about it long after you’ve finished the book. If you’re looking for one good read, I definitely recommend this book.

Patty FroeseNtihemuka, Author

********************

I knew it was a Christian romance when I started reading. I didn't know it would have such unexpected twists and turns. Desperately needing to know what would happen next, I couldn't put it down until I reached the last page. I've been looking for something that isn't "formula," and found it here. "A Legacy of Lies" has put Stephenia H. McGee on my must-buy list.


Judy T – Amazon reader

Desert Breeze Publishing: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-273/A-Legacy-of-Lies/Detail.bok

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/A-Legacy-of-Lies-ebook/dp/B007K1LS58/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332042156&sr=8-1

Barns and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-legacy-of-lies-stephenia-mcgee/1107713261?ean=2940014338950

Also available for download from iBooks for the iPad

A Legacy of Lies

EXCERPT used by permission of Stephenia H. McGee
Excerpt is unedited.


Jim settled into the brushed leather of his ranching saddle. The saddle had a deep seat and the fenders turned the stirrups out perfectly. He was as comfortable here as most men were in a recliner in front of the television. He tried to keep his mind off Sarah's emerald eyes. No luck.

Focus on something else.

The deep indigos and golden streaks had faded from the sky, the sun now sat high enough over the white mountain peaks to start warming the air. A clear sky promised a peaceful day. It would be nice to spend the day--

What the...

A streak of color blurred past him. Ciervo lurched underneath him. Jim cursed under his breath, trying to steady his spooked mount. Up ahead he saw clods of soft earth flying up from behind galloping hooves. Panic set in.

Runaway horse.

Sarah.

Jim squeezed his legs as he leaned into the saddle and lowered his head. Ciervo dipped his haunches and rocketed forward. Within a stride his horse extended to a full gallop, his hooves barely hitting the ground. In mere seconds, they were gaining on the other horse. A sorrel.

Jim flung the reins around his body. The leather ends popped into Ciervo's thick hindquarters. The horse lowered his head and surged. Amazingly, the powerful buckskin found another gear. Jim's hat flew off, the leather strap catching hard against his neck. The wind buffeted his face. He squinted his eyes, leaned forward in the saddle, and gripped the reins with both hands. His body was now moving in rhythm with the horsepower beneath him.

Ciervo heaved in massive amounts of air. Pounding hooves and the horse's deep snorting breaths drowned the startled cries behind them. Ciervo's tail whipped through the air. Jim urged him on. Ten more feet. Five. He came even with the sorrel and reached for the reins, his fingers barely grazing the leather. He leaned further and Ciervo followed Jim's lead, nearly brushing against the other horse as the two animals raced across the valley. He reached out again and finally grabbed the runaway horse's rein.

"Hang on." Jim shouted above the deafening thunder of pounding hooves.

In one fluid motion, he planted his feet in the stirrups, rocked back in the saddle, and jerked Sarah's left rein down to his thigh. Sassy's head jerked, her neck curving until her muzzle met her shoulder. The mare's front feet planted into the soft earth, her massive weight tearing loose the grass underneath. As Sarah crashed into the saddle horn, a whoosh of air escaped her lips. Ciervo lowered his haunches and buried down to his hocks in the dirt. They came jerking to a halt. For a second no one moved. Jim let out his breath.

He looked at Sarah. She bent over the saddle horn, gasping for air. Her face splotchy red. When she caught her breath, she glared at him, her eyes nearly shooting daggers.

"What do you think you're doing? Are you crazy?" Sarah yelled at him and snatched her rein from his hand. Jim's jaw dropped. He could only stare at her. He'd just risked his life to save hers and she yelled at him? His fingers tightened on his reins, clenching into tight fists.

He knew it. Nothing but trouble.

Desert Breeze Publishing: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-273/A-Legacy-of-Lies/Detail.bok

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/A-Legacy-of-Lies-ebook/dp/B007K1LS58/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332042156&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-legacy-of-lies-stephenia-mcgee/1107713261?ean=2940014338950

Also available for download from iBooks for the iPad

Sharing Hidden Paths with author JoAnn Carter

Hidden Paths – Young Adult Inspirational Romance


Julie Hemmingway, a recent college graduate, is preparing to leave for the mission field. When she meets Adam Jacobs, her well-organized plans begin to go awry. Will she fight to hold onto her own agenda, or open her heart to a new – yet, Hidden Path?

Staying in Vermont on the family farm wasn’t what JULIE HEMMINGWAY had envisioned for her life. After all, she had just spent two years at the community college in preparation to join a mission agency to use her nursing skills overseas. However, those plans quickly change when her father suffers a massive heart attack and dies. Out of necessity, she stays at home to help her mom manage the farm.

To help make ends meet, Julie accepts a new job at a construction company where many unexpected things happen, including working with the handsome, ADAM JACOBS. Will Julie learn that she can trust in God and the path He has planned for her life – even when it looks totally different than what she expected?

Favorite Review:

Over on Amazon, there are only two reviews posted so far, but both are special to me. Let me share them with you and then my thoughts will follow...

Donna Basinow wrote the first. She said, "What a great story - and so true of how we serve God! How often do we serve Him by doing something we think He wants without seeking Him in prayer first? Usually it's only to find out it's OUR choice, not what He wants.

Julie finds that through prayer and listening for God's will that she can find the peace and comfort in knowing what God's will really is for her. But she still has doubts that her prayers are heard, that she's really following His will.

And Adam has a lot to more to learn than he lets on. As they help each other in different ways it's amazing how God teaches them both the lessons they need to draw closer to Him - as well as God's plan for the two of them.

It's amazing to see how God works in the lives of these two - just like He works in the background of our lives."

The second is, by Tanya Stowe... "In Hidden Paths, JoAnn Carter tackles two of Christianity's most difficult questions: Am I doing God's will or my own and why do bad things happen to good people? Ms. Carter sends main character, Julie Hemmingway, into life's most difficult situations. When Julie's life plans are abruptly changed, she leans on God...and her new found friend and employer, Adam. But when crisis strikes again, even Adam can't find his way and Julie has only her faith to guide her. During Julie's journey Ms. Carter takes us through tragedy, pain, romance and even a new born faith. It's a joy to see how Julie meets those challenges head-on with her courage and faith intact."

--

Why the reviews meant so much to me...

I think this reader's note that you'll find at the end of Hidden Paths will explain it all. J

Well, here we are at the close of another story... Hidden Paths. I have to chuckle a bit at the irony of the situation. You see, that's the perfect title for my own personal journey that the Lord has been guiding me through.

Although I have other books in circulation, this was the very first story I ever drafted fifteen years ago. I started writing on a whim. Don't ask me why. In fact, have you ever watched Night at the Museum? The first time we saw that movie I cracked up. I am so like that museum director. Some days it seems as if I can't put a complete thought -- let alone sentence -- together to save my life. Couple that with dyslexia and grammar and spelling that would make any English major cringe and... yup, that's me. Yet, here I find myself, walking down the path that once seemed so elusive and hidden to me.

Quite a few years after I wrote this book, I went to a writer's retreat. I prayed and prayed that God would show me what He wanted me to do and give me direction. I knew writing was something I enjoyed but was this what God wanted me to do? I struggled with that, and to be honest, still do on occasion.

I walked away from that weekend with as many questions as I arrived with. I was so discouraged. Didn't God hear me? I wanted to follow His will for my life, yet felt like He was far away and unwilling to give me the direction I so desperately craved.

He had heard my prayers, yet I was too close to the situation to see that He had been, was, and still is guiding me. I stand amazed as I think about this now... God has led me to friends who had a passion for the craft of writing and the gift of encouragement. I've been blessed with a family who supports my writing endeavors, and I've learned a ton of stuff along the way... I could go on, but I'm sure you get the gist.

What I've come to realize is I don't need to have everything figured out. I serve an awesome God who knows what's best for me. Sometimes I may not particularly care for what needs to be done. The road may seem long and hard and the mountains too big to scale. Yet, God loves me too much to let me settle for the easy road where I would forget where true strength is found.

Perhaps like me, you have been struggling with direction in your own life. I would like to challenge you to place your hand (and your life) in God's hands and allow Him to plot your course. You might find yourself in for a crazy ride -- on a path, like Julie, that you would have never imagined.

I'd love to hear what you think of this story too!

Purchase links ~

Desert Breeze Publishing: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-235/Hidden-Paths-JoAnne-Carter/Detail.bok

(On Sale for 20% off) CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/hidden-paths-ebook-joann-carter/9781612521190/pd/24497EB?item_code=WW&netp_id=979803&event=ESRCG&view=details

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006LTLUE4

Also available at B&N and other e-book retailers.

Thanks for having me, Shaunna!

~JoAnn

Momentous Moment

This Moment is shared by Donna Weaver.

Background:
Lyn has some emotional baggage and didn't expect to care for Braedon so quickly--and literally ran away and avoided him for days after he tried to move their relationship beyond friendship. This was their first meeting after she fled. Now, the reconciliation takes place later in the book and in an entirely different way. Ms. Practical and Miss Romance are battling voices she has in her head.


The moment:
I was on the floor in a full split, when Braedon tottered in. I ducked my head, my heart pounding, hoping he wouldn’t see me down on the floor, but he paused at the entrance next to the aerobics area. I didn’t hear him move on, and curiosity finally got to me; I looked up to see what he was doing and saw him studying me. I wasn’t sure what to think of his expression.

Flushing when our eyes met, I dropped my head back down on my leg. With my peripheral vision I saw that he continued to stand there for a moment before moving on. I glanced up when I heard him move away and saw him going to the treadmills.

I scooted farther away from the entrance, but I could still see him. If he turned around he would be able to see me. I hurried through the rest of my stretches, really sorry now for the four missed days.

When I was finished, facing away from the treadmill area, I hurriedly put my things back in my bag. It was hard to keep my footing, but I finally got everything packed and turned around.

Braedon stood directly before me, his feet slightly spread for stability.

I started and then staggered when the ship rolled. As I lost my balance, he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me close to help steady me. I believe it was a combination of all the stress I’d been under combined with the surprise of suddenly being in his arms. I lost my head and said the first thing that came to my mind.

“You are so hot,” I murmured.

His eyes opened wide, and my jaw dropped as I realized I’d said it aloud.

“I didn’t say that!” I exclaimed frantically, pulling away from him.

Braedon grabbed me back again. “Oh, no you don’t! You can’t say something like that and then just walk away.” He kissed me. It wasn’t forceful or pushy, but rather gentle and tentative.

There was now a war raging inside me. Ms Practical shrieked at me to run, to get away. Miss Romantic shouted that I should put my arms around him and kiss him and touch those incredible shoulders and arms. I was frozen with indecision.

When I didn’t pull away, he kissed me again with more confidence.

My heart was now beating so hard I wondered if I wasn’t in the throes of a panic attack. I felt like someone had linked me to an outlet that was sending electricity through the marrow of my bones. My fingers and toes even tingled. I needed air ...

“Stop,” I finally gasped.

He did instantly, studying me.

“I’m not interested in a shipboard romance,” I whispered.

“Neither am I.” He said firmly and kissed me again—thoroughly.

“Stop,” I pleaded, breathlessly.

Once more he quit immediately, shifting his legs to keep balance as the ship rolled again. “Have you had breakfast yet?” he asked.

Ms Practical, Miss Romantic, and I paused in confusion. “Is that a trick question?” I asked.

Braedon chuckled and kissed me again. “No. Let’s go get cleaned up and have something to eat. We need to talk.”

I’m sure my blood pressure went through the roof.

Ms Practical and Miss Romantic were duking it out again inside my head. It must have shown on my face.

“Really,” Braedon said firmly. “We need to talk ... and please promise me you won’t disappear again.”

Miss Romantic did a flying roundhouse kick to Ms Practical’s face and left her lying in the dust, throwing her arms up in victory.

I nodded.

Sunday Sizzle

Danger at the Door by: Michelle Sutton
Excerpt published by permission.

Her hands fisted. "I… know, but I can’t seem to shake this… terror I feel." Tears stung her eyes.


"I’m so tired of this--" Choking on a sob, she covered her face.

His warm hands covered hers, and he tugged her fingers away from her eyes. "You must. I help you. I pray strav not make you sick."

That made her cry harder, and she struggled against him, but he wouldn’t let go of her hands.

She shook her head.

"Laney, listen for my words. You must give God strav. Is not okay for carry burden on shoulders. Jesus ask for heavy load, want you give strav for Him." With a gentle smile, he dipped his head down. "So I must cheer. One…" he whispered, "two…"

His proximity made her feel wild inside. She shrugged off her fear, basking in his nearness instead. When he reached three, she forced thoughts of Jovana from her mind, and turned her face until her mouth met his. Salt from her own tears had wet her lips.

The kiss started out tentative, soft, and gentle… When she relaxed her mouth to indulge further, he pulled away.

"We must go now." He ruffled his wavy hair with both hands and exhaled. "Is not good kiss…"

The words pierced her heart. No doubt he’d remembered his feelings for Jovana, and he didn't want to muddy the waters. While she’d lapped up his affection, he’d found the contact unfulfilling. The idea of never kissing him again made her chest ache, but she wouldn't force herself on him, either. Not when he loved someone else. She bit her lip and glanced up, her cheeks heating.

"You’re right. No more kissing."

"Is not what--" Bojan closed his eyes, groaning low in his throat. He cradled her face, kissing her firmly. When he released her mouth, she drew in a shaky breath.

Wow.

Licking the salt from her lips, she stared. Had he changed his mind about her? Tossed his feelings for Jovana aside? Her throat tightened and she whispered, "Why’d you do that?"

A loud sigh escaped him. He spoke slowly as if to make sure she understood every word, "I say for many times. I want bakni, for kiss you." He cracked a broad grin and slid his hands into his back pockets. "Is also very nice. I must bakni. Is good for heart."

He paused and tapped his chest, swaggering like a rogue.

Strange fluttering gyrations moved her heart as she drank in the dusky hue in his eyes. Without commenting, she slid onto the leather seat of his Hummer. Pondering the depth of her response to kiss, she wondered if it would be wise to do that again. Especially with his old flame in the picture.



You can buy Danger at the Door HERE http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-29/Danger-at-the-Door/Detail.bok

Sizzling Saturday

Congratulations to Donna Weaver! Donna will receive an e-book of Kidnapped. Enjoy!

Now for some kisses...
Excerpt is unedited and used with author's permission.)

He turned around and stared at her, and she realized his eyes had changed since that first day when he arrested her. They had been dead, frightening, not caring, but now they were as filled with life and emotions as anyone's. Still, his voice was icy, "I'm a high ranking officer of the corps. I Do Not Like People."


She couldn't tell if the idea offended or scared him. Either way, she had never been good at keeping her mouth shut, so now she smiled and teased, "Really?" before adding, more seriously, "You know, that sounds very lonely to me."

Travis shook his head in frustration, and looked like he wanted to throw something at the wall. She wondered why she didn't just leave: staying out of his way for a while would probably be a good idea. He exclaimed heatedly, "I'm not supposed to be lonely. I'm not supposed to need people or care even for myself, so why do I care about you?"

He started pacing, but the room wasn't all that big, and the second time he passed he grabbed her arms, tugged her closer, and kissed her almost painfully hard. Releasing his grip immediately, he turned away, mumbling, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. Maybe you should go to your room for a bit."

Patricia hesitated, thinking he was insane and she was going crazy too. Maybe she really was sitting in a padded cell somewhere, wearing one of those shirts with very long arms tied to her back, and all this was happening in her mind.

Even while thinking these things, she took a couple of steps closer to him and said softly. "No. It's alright."

Wrapping her arms loosely around his neck, she added, "But be gentle, okay," and pressed her lips against his. Touching him seemed very wrong and forbidden, and she was surprised to find she wanted it very much.

Website: http://www.hammarblad.com/
Maria's blog link is: http://www.scifiromance.info/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariahammarblad
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mariahammarblad

Purchase link... It will be available here: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-292/Kidnapped-Maria-Hammarblad/Detail.bok
but not until May 11.

Fickle Friday

Maria isn't fickle when it comes to real life!

I do not have a bucket list, but I do have some quirky interests if you need extra stuff. I play the bass, and played in a few different rock bands “back home.” I like to drive off-road and have done parts of the Sweden Off-Road Tour. It is a yearly event featuring around 400 cars from all over Europe, and goes all through Sweden. It’s around 900 miles (I think) with stops for off-roading.


Hmm, what else… I volunteer at a dog rescue. Oh, I have a good one. I met my husband while roleplaying on Myspace. It was kind of… writing stories together online, in character, and we started talking out of character and really hit it off. After a few months, we decided I would fly over to the US and meet him, and everyone back home thought I would be murdered and dumped in a ditch somewhere, hahaha! I said, “C’mon, I’ve always wanted to go to Florida. I have a cell phone, credit card, and my passport. If it doesn’t work out I’ll rent a car and have a week’s nice vacation.” The custom’s guy on the airport shared my friends’ sentiment. He said, “Oh wow, I shouldn’t let you enter the country. You’ll be dead in a week.” It worked out, and I went over a few more times to see him, and I plunged in and moved late 2008. 

Book Blurb

It's a late winter night when Patricia Risden heads home in her car, on a road she's driven many times before. She doesn't have a care in the world, that is, until a man appears from nowhere, right in front of her.

The next thing she knows is being a prisoner of the unscrupulous Alliance Commander Travis 152; an intimidating man who demands information and complete cooperation. Travis soon realizes his mistake; Tricia doesn't know anything, and she is incapable of even getting a glass of water from the ship's computer.

Infamous for being a ruthless executioner, conditioned since childhood to feel nothing besides fear and pain, he still deems her harmless, and finds enough pity for the lost young woman to let her out of the cell; a decision that will change both their lives forever.

Website: http://www.hammarblad.com/
Maria's blog link is: http://www.scifiromance.info/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariahammarblad
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mariahammarblad

Purchase link... It will be available here: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-292/Kidnapped-Maria-Hammarblad/Detail.bok

but not until May 11.

Trailer and Talking with Maria Sadowski

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Today we are talking with Maria Sadowski, author of Kidnapped, a romantic science fiction due to be released May 11th thru Desert Breeze Publishing. So where's home for you?

I’m originally from Sweden and moved to Florida in late 2008. Today I live in the Tampa Bay area with my husband Mike and our three rescue dogs. I like it here, I like the weather and all the sunshine, but I do long for Sweden from time to time. I have always been writing and wanting to make books; when I was a little girl I made my mom staple bundles of colored papers together to resemble books. I was too little to be able to read or write, so I drew suns in them, and declared them to be the “Sun book.” They were all about the sun, and I bet she still has a box of them sitting in the basement. I guess it was the start of my fascination with space. (I also declared I wasn’t supposed to be on this planet. I told her it was all a giant mistake, and that my real family would come to bring me home to my own planet at any moment. Poor mom!)

I don't doubt that your mom is wonderful. So what do you do when you aren't creating "Sun books" or science fiction?

When I’m not writing I enjoy playing bass. I used to play in a couple of rock bands back home, but I haven’t made an effort to find a band since I moved to the US – I don’t have the time to rehearse on a regular basis. I still play, but nowadays it’s mostly for the dogs.

It seems a lot of authors have other creative talents. I've always dreamed (okay when I was young) of being in a band. Tell us more about growing up overseas.

I learned British English in school as a little girl, and one of my biggest challenges when it comes to writing for an American audience is the spelling. I write colour, labour, harbour, realise, defence, and a number of words like those with British spelling.

Thank goodness for the red underlining in Microsoft Word! I get a lot of red in my writing but I think is from my ffatt ffingers! Tell me, what do you love about your latest book?

“Kidnapped” is romantic science fiction. I enjoy the setting of space, and I love the characters. Travis is a very reluctant hero, and even when he decides to try to do the right thing it takes him a while to get the hang of it. I’m also very fond of the bad guy – or gal – Veronica; she’s the epitome of determination and will stop at nothing to get things her way.

I love the name Travis for a hero. Actually I think that is because I left my Travis in quite a bind in one of my upcoming novels. Funny, he doesn't think he's much of a hero either … Tell us about your all time favorite character (of your creating.) Is he/she modeled after a real person?

My all-time favorite character is Stephan Forks in the Goddess’s Saga. He’s not modeled after a real person, but he’s a big personality. He has his flaws, some of them rather big, but he always comes through for the heroine and makes things right. I know exactly what all the characters in those books look like in my head, and to me, writing about them is revisiting old friends.

(Me smiling reminiscently) friends that we sometimes miss. How does it feel when you write?

I am so happy when I write, it becomes an obsession. I enter my own little world populated by my characters, and I don’t want to do anything else. Everything in normal life becomes unwelcome distractions keeping me away from my imaginary friends… I am very fortunate to have an understanding husband; he knows I’ll snap out of it eventually.

Ahh. That is why they are friends, they make you happy, just as mine do me. Do you get ideas for your stories from places you visit, or do you visit places to flesh out your stories?

I get ideas for my stories from everything I see around me. I have an old SUV, and recently when I drove to the supermarket I heard a weird rumbling noise. Looking around I couldn’t see anything outside the car, and the only explanation I could think of was my muffler springing a sudden leak, or why not the entire engine deciding to fall out of the car. It turned out to be a big motorbike sneaking around in my blind spot – I couldn’t even see the guy from my window until I got a red light and he came up next to me. We were going in the same direction and it stirred my imagination, so when I came home I started typing away on a new story where this happens, but the guy on the bike follows the girl in the car… Mwuahahaha!

You are so deliciously wicked … What heat rating would you give your novel?

I would rate “Kidnapped” as Warm –it's cute, but doesn’t contain any explicit love scenes.

Is that how you would classify your life?

Yes, my life is warm too. I am very fortunate to have a romantic husband who impromptu brings me flowers and presents when I least expect it.

Yum! Does he give lessons? Oh we better ask him instead of you. Where can we find you?

Website: http://www.hammarblad.com/
Blog: http://www.hammarblad.blogspot.com/
Maria's blog link is: http://www.scifiromance.info/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariahammarblad
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mariahammarblad

Purchase link... It will be available here: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-292/Kidnapped-Maria-Hammarblad/Detail.bok
 but not until May 11.

Tickle Tease Tuesday

(Excerpt is unedited and used by permission of the author.)

Kidnapped

Everyone chosen for the corps was taught at young ages never to feel bored, and never to be lonely. Travis could spend years alone in his craft without anything to do or anyone to talk to. And still, here he was, chatting with a prisoner from a planet so remote most people had forgotten about it.


Giving the young woman a thoughtful glance, he decided he knew all he needed to, more than he had ever wanted to, and it was time to go. He rose up agilely and was surprised to hear her voice call out, "No, wait, please don't leave me alone!"

It was tempting to look back, but he didn't; he marched out into the corridor with its endless rows of cells. A voice from his memory echoed in his head. It was his commanding officer snarling, "Such a pathetic little creature."

He heard a woman's scream, one of many imprints in his brain that would never go away, and his commander's quiet laugh. Through the commotion in his mind, he could also hear the real but muffled sound of Patricia crying on the other side of the wall. Shaking his head made the imagined noises go away, but the weeping was still there. He turned abruptly and entered the cell again. "Don't do that."

Patricia lifted her face up and sniffled, "Don't do what?"

He felt a frown forming, "The thing with your eyes."

She was trying to shout at him, but her voice cracked, and he felt an unfamiliar twinge of sympathy when he heard the forlorn, "I'll stop if you take me home. I didn't do anything."

Shrugging slightly, he answered amiably, "I know. You're really useless, aren't you?"

Website: http://www.hammarblad.com/
Maria's blog link is: http://www.scifiromance.info/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariahammarblad
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mariahammarblad

Purchase link... It will be available here: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-292/Kidnapped-Maria-Hammarblad/Detail.bok

but not until May 11.

Contesting Monday

This week the spotlight is on Maria Sadowski and her new release Kidnapped.
Being the awesomely wonderful person Maria is, she is offering a e-copy of her book as a prize this week. Don't mistake this one for the classic! They are not the same.

How to win:

1) Become a follower here if you haven't already. If you are already a follower, leave a comment.
2) Become a follower of Maria's
3) If you would like an additional chance to win, leave a comment !
4) Tweet, Tell a friend on Facebook or email.
5) Maria's links are below let us know where you have shared for extra entries!
Website: http://www.hammarblad.com/
Blog: http://www.hammarblad.blogspot.com/
Maria's blog link is: http://www.scifiromance.info/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariahammarblad
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mariahammarblad

Purchase link... It will be available here: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-292/Kidnapped-Maria-Hammarblad/Detail.bok
but not until May 11.

My inspiration for this week!

http://www.wimp.com/casanovaprank/

I just love this little guy! How many amores did you pick up at his age?

A glimpse at what's coming.

You'll never think of being kidnapped quite the same way again.