Adding To My List Of Things To Do....

I've decided to join our church choir.

Why?

For one thing, the choir director has asked me several times in the past two years; plus my daily QT has been about using our gifts/talents to glorify God and encouraging people to be active in Church life.  And so I slid into my pew yesterday and opened my weekly bulletin:

"We need help....our choir is looking for new members...."

Ok, Lord....I get the hint....

My previous objections were,
1) I'm not Catholic, so would I be comfortable staying by myself while the rest filed up to the front?  I already do it, and the choir doesn't perform that often at the front of the church anyway, so who cares if I don't partake?

2) The spouse isn't happy with the two nights I'm already gone; is he going to object to this?  I asked him.  He said he didn't mind.  I reminded him this would be every Wednesday, after the youngling's practice.  Again, he said he didn't care.  The big test will be when the choir starts singing at various Masses....

3) I'm on a perpetual sinus alert.  But I already sing karaoke, despite my stuffiness or having diminished hearing in my right ear, so what's stopping me from the choir?  I love to sing; Becky needs members; I'm going.

Again, just wait until Lent, and I have to attend a different service.  Will the spouse start griping then?  We'll see!

"I'd Like To Thank The Academy..."

Oops...that should be READERS....Seriously, I feel as if I've won an Oscar.  Last weekend, I received an email:

"Kenzie, did you know Teacher's Pet was nominated in the P&E Best Romance Book category?"

No, I didn't.  I'd been voting every day for Carol Preflatish's book, Saved By The Sheriff, and had noticed TP wasn't there on the first day.  Apparently, somebody penciled me in; I didn't know we could do that!  This was Sunday afternoon; the poll closed Tuesday evening.  I promptly went on a wild 'vote for me' spree, since I was currently in a 13-way tie for 22nd place.  I wanted to make the top 20, at least!

Imagine my surprise when I checked back (usually 3-4 times a day...okay, maybe more often than that, lol!) and watched my name rise into the teens....approaching the top 15....and then challenging Carol for the 10th spot.  And when the official results were in, Teacher's Pet ended up in a 2-way tie for 11th; Carol's book was 9th, and another SCP author was in the 10th spot.

So thank you, whoever nominated my book in the first place!  Either I've got great friends, or someone out there really likes that book!

And speaking of my first 'baby', I received this in the mail on the 10th:


"OMG!  This book is hilarious!  They are like bunnies but it's also very sweet..."





And today....


"Teacher's Pet was one of the best books that I have read so far this year.  I would also put it up against everything I read in the last two years in fact.  The only thing I could fault with is that it ended."






Thank you!!!!!  As soon as I get the link to her full review, I'll post it.


Not a bad Friday the 13th after all!


Also, earlier this week, my editor contacted me about Class Reunion, so it looks as if that book will be releasing this year!  And, managed to sell one copy of Appetite For Desire last month, so hey....people are starting to notice me:)  Right now, we're in the cover stage; trying to match up pictures a friend sent me and trying to see if one of her poses can be used in the cover.  Since B happened to be one of the people responsible for the brainstorming which led to Class Reunion, she and I thought it would be neat to use her as the model.  And thankfully, Marci agrees.  B and K (the other person responsible for coming up with details in CR) are tickled beyond belief.

Online Overload Or Just Catching Up?

First of all, in order to win a Kindle Fire, see details here.  Molly's got all the links on her blog.

I don't know if I'm still in catch-up mode from the holidays, or just experiencing internet addiction, but it seems my computer time needs adjusting.

Do you remember the Daughtry song "Home"?  The bridge of the song says, "Be careful what you wish for; you just might get it all; and some that you don't want..."

Since 1985, I've dreamed of being published.  And it came true first in 2003, then again in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, and it looks as if I'll have four more released this year.

Since joining a local crit group, I've lamented the need for a laptop, and was finally rewarded one last year.

And since experiencing wifi, we purchased a router but it was several months until we figured out why it wasn't working properly.  And now three people can be online at the same time, in different rooms of the house.

So why am I complaining?  Maybe it's online overload.  I find myself getting stressed if I realize it's 10am and I still haven't checked my twitter account.  Or that it's noon and I'm still in my jammies, catching up on face book.  The SU asked me the other day who were all these people I was telling him about, and suddenly I couldn't remember where I'd actually 'met' some of them.  Was it on an author loop?  Face book?  Or through another Face Book friend?  In other words, they are people he's never 'met'.  And rolls his eyes.  Just like when I 'forget' he's not as invested in my characters as I am.  

Ever have conversations like this?

Spouse:  What are you thinking about?

Me:  Wondering if Natalie's hair is shoulder-length or longer....and if she's got a perm.

Spouse:  Who the hell is Natalie and why do you care about her hair?

Me:  Well, I'm about to write the dance scene and wonder if she'd want her hair up in  bun or loose-

Spouse:  Oh, you're talking about the damn book again.  I thought it was a real person!

Remember when the only thing you had to do when you sat down at the computer was check your email, then bring up your document and write?  Now it's check email, social media, chat digests, chat loops, blogs, email account again (or even a different one!), then get up and stretch or force yourself to eat lunch or even close down the computer for a while.  But then later you're back....and go through the list again...and suddenly it's two hours later and you STILL haven't opened your document.

Or maybe my current disillusionment is because I've been swamped with edits the past six months, and have barely been able to put down new words?  Yes; the thrill of having a new release is still with me; I'm not so jaded that it's 'just another day'.  No; I celebrate; I make the family take me out to lunch or dinner; I drink wine; I give treats to my crit group and karaoke peeps.

But something's going to have to give, if I want this to continue.  I'm either going to have to not be so nosy about my 300+ friends statuses, or only clean out my spam twice a day instead of every other hour (lol!) and get back to the business of writing; else I'm going to have a very long dry spell between books, considering five of them are still swirling around in my brain and due to be released around the year 2014, if I can buckle down.  I really prefer not to keep you hanging any longer than necessary!

Anyway, Happy Birthday/Anniversary Secret Cravings:)  And good luck to whomever wins that Kindle Fire!

Catching Up

Where did the past week go?  I'm so disoriented about time/day/dates it's a good thing we have one of those daily calendar things in the bathroom!  Forget the actual calendar; if I don't know what day it is, what good will that tell me?

Sigh....it's hard to believe this time last week I was packing in a fog, not knowing what clothing to take or even knowing how long we were staying at my parents' house.  I think I cried every day last week.

But now it's a new year; a new week, and new challenges to face.  If you stopped by my post yesterday (today IS Monday, right?) over at The Writer's Evo blog, you saw my goals for the coming year.  Some are rather ambitious (de-clutter my house?  Move us into a better house?), while other are dependent on outside forces (IF my spouse is awarded his disability, and IF it comes in time for that trip in August and IF the spouse agrees to either take us or let me go down there) and sales (did you notice Teacher's Pet was finally released three weeks ago?  Spread the word; I need a nice fat royalty check in April, lol!).

Seriously, I'm thinking of making some changes around here.  Since my campaign to join the TWE was successful, where does that leave my blog?  Maybe I'll begin posting twice a week here, instead of once a week or hit-and-miss.  Would you like that?

I'm also catching up on stuff which happened while I was busy baking/editing/celebrating/grieving.  For instance, my publisher's 1st anniversary Blog Hop.  I'm due to post on the 7th and am just now getting around to posting the details.  Why is it everything in my life happens at once?  I guess it keeps me on my toes, lol!

Anyway, go here for the blog hop details and good luck!  I'd like to win a Kindle Fire also; I think my Sony bit the dust the other day.  I'll find out when I charge it back up.

CBLS 12 Days of Christmas:)

I'm over at Coffee Beans and Love Scenes today, participating in their 12 Days of Christmas giveaway party.  So come by and enter to win a copy of Teacher's Pet:)

See you over there:)  Happy Friday!

And The Winner Is....

(drum roll).....

Amber!

And since I had such an overwhelming response, I picked another one.

Janice!

Congratulations ladies:)  I'll be emailing your book shortly.

Thanks to all who participated and have a Merry Christmas!

Molly's 2nd book will be re-released hopefully next week, so check her blog for details:)

It's Here! It's Here! It's Here!

I was beginning to think this day would NEVER arrive!  But today's the day and one lucky commenter will win their own hot-off-the-conversion-file pdf copy:)

Enjoy!


Taking a firm grip on her courage, she drove to his driveway and walked up to the porch. Her resolve weakened after she knocked on the door. This is stupid. You haven’t acted this way in over fourteen years. What’s he going to think about you showing up at his house and demanding he take you to bed? Is that how a grown woman with two children acts? Grow up, Tammy! Besides, the man should do the pursuing, not the other way around! Oh really…and what about equal rights? Don’t I have the right to demand sex just like men do?

Her internal war vanished when Kevin opened the door and swept her into his arms, closing the door behind them.

“You have driven me crazy for three days. The problem can wait. I’ve been wanting to kiss you ever since Saturday.” His tongue swept across the corners of her mouth, and, with a sigh, Tammy melted against him, answering his hunger with her own.

She tugged at his sweatshirt, wanting to run her hands up his hairy chest and over his rippling muscles. He worked it over his head, looking surprised when she threw off her own sweatshirt and pressed his naked torso to hers. He groaned and lifted her up, carried her to the bedroom, and left a trail of clothing behind.

“What brought this on?”

She peeled his athletic pants to his ankles. “I’m horny and pressed for time. And it’s all your fault.” She sank to her knees to take his length in her mouth.

                                            * * * *

“Horny and pressed…” his thoughts went out the window; the suction caused him to forget everything but her delectable mouth and tongue.

He buried his fingers in her loose hair, gathered it up, and massaged her scalp.  “Tammy…sweetheart…”

He tugged her head back and lifted her, positioning her on the bed. He kissed her, tasting himself on her tongue and reciprocated, spreading her legs wide. Her naked pussy glistened with moisture; he slipped a finger into her slick entrance, hearing a faint cry of pleasure. He added two more digits, and her muscles clenched. He leaned forward, stroked her petals with his tongue, and lapped at her clit.  She came in a rush and cried out his name. When the initial tremors faded, he removed his fingers and snaked his tongue inside. Her moans increased. Kevin eased upwards and slid his cock inside. He intended to tease her and take it slow, but she grabbed him, and his dick slammed inside her to the hilt. She screamed. He backed off and plunged again. She obviously wanted it hard and fast. Kevin bucked himself forward several times, certain he was hurting her, but she either didn’t care or didn’t notice it. Finally, Kevin’s own passion peaked, and he emptied himself inside her, feeling as though her contractions would snap his cock in two. He collapsed beside her, cupped her generous breasts, and kissed her, loving the damp warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“Why is it all my fault?” He rolled her nipples between his fingers.

“Because…you’ve unleashed something inside me. Something that’s been lying dormant for the past several years. Oh, God,” she sighed as his fingers glided down to her clit again. She shifted onto her back and spread her legs wide. “Oh, God, Kevin…I’ve felt like something was missing all weekend.”

“Something missing?” He propped himself up on an elbow and continued to watch her reaction to his easy exploration between her thighs. “Like what?”

“Your cock.” She reached up and kissed him, throwing her leg over his hip. “Make love to me again?”


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