For reasons that elude me, the only time the story fills my head is when I’m not at the computer.
Taking a shower, trying to go to sleep, or walking the dog–that’s when the characters start talking and the story starts running like a newsflash in my mind. As soon as I can grab pen and paper, I scribble indecipherable notes. Sometimes this works. And next session I type furiously. Other times I squint at the scratch marks, turning the scrap of paper this way and that and still draw a complete blank.
I’ve got the cure–step into the shower, walk down the hill, or start scrubbing something. Once I’m thoroughly engaged away from the office the words flow like a Spring flood.
Actually, I shouldn’t complain–this way the dog gets walked, I get clean, and chores get done. If the stories ran steadily I’d get carpel tunnel syndrome or computer eye or some other affliction that strikes down obsessed writers.
Tomorrow Dangerous Rescue should be available for purchase–don’t worry I’ll double check!
In the meantime, just for Dangerously Sexy readers–an excerpt.
The motorcycle escorts peeled off as Regan exited the limo.Ian watched as she and her security guards–a pair of over-sized blonde jocks, whom he’d mentally, nicknamed dumb and dumber–entered the hotel lobby.He hung back, losing sight of the trio after a few seconds.Telling himself it was past time for him to leave.
An overly honed protective instinct impelled him get out of the SUV.Deciding he’d bluff it out if she spotted him, he rushed through the entrance.Rapidly scanning the room for Regan, he caught a glimpse of pink moving toward the elevators.Then a loaded-to-the-hilt luggage cart blocked his view.
Once he’d cleared the obstruction, the pink suit had vanished.
Ignoring the fear chilling the back of his neck, he dropped all pretense of being casual and sprinted for the elevators.The door to number five was almost closed.An extra burst of speed, and his long arm, kept it open.A jab of the call button reversed the direction of the mechanical doors.
His jaw hardened at the sight of Regan alone with an assistant manager, if he were naïve enough to believe the man’s breast pocket pin.
“Seven please.”Ian bared his teeth and pulled up the corners of his mouth in what he hoped looked like a friendly grin for the man standing next to the elevator’s control panel.
“Afternoon ma’am.” He nodded toward Regan.
Her eyes flickered over him so quickly he might have missed it if he hadn’t been glued on hers.
“Good afternoon sir, Mr. Hitman isn’t it?” Her voice retained the phony upper-class accent, her tone was low and even, giving no indication she was upset.
“No, ma’am. I’m afraid you’ve got me confused with someone else.Killzone’s the name.”
So she wasn’t running away with the assistant manager.Ian wondered what the hell had happened to dumb and dumber.
The suspected terrorist punched the button for seven without saying a word.The movement revealed an underarm bulge that hadn’t been visible earlier, ratcheting Ian’s tension even further.He had a gun of his own, but he never drew it unless he was prepared to use it.
He shuddered thinking of the damage a shooting match in the small steel cage could do.He wouldn’t chance it–not with Regan there.He could use his knife, but bloodstains were so hard to get out.He really liked the tie he had on, and the shirt was good–practically new.
He’d have to take him out the old-fashioned way.
He fumbled through his pockets giving an imitation of man looking for something.The elevator doors opened on the seventh floor.
“Damn plastic cards.They never work for me anyway.” Ian opened his wallet, and then extracted his gas card, dropping it into his jacket pocket, hopefully simulating a room key.
On his way out the elevator’s door, Ian deliberately stumbled, bumping into the man.Quickly, he slammed the phony assistant manager’s face into the elevator wall.He followed up with a locked two-handed blow to the back of his neck, putting the bad guy out of commission.He caught the guy’s limp body as he crumpled.While disarming him, and then extracting his wallet, Ian paused to flash Regan a reassuring grin.
The wallet held a high quality fake driver’s license, and a couple of twenties.Ian dropped the billfold and pocketed the gun.
“Killzone’s the name?” Regan arched a questioning eyebrow at him.
“Hey, it worked.It seemed like the simplest way to say message received, princess,” he defended his choice of code name.
“You’re such a guy.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.You wouldn’t happen to have cuffs?”
“No.”
“Damn.Me neither,” he admitted regretfully.
Ian stripped off his tie and bound the man’s wrists behind his back.“Good tie,” he muttered.
“I’ll buy you a new one.”The dry tone was vintage Regan, not a trace of princess.It made him grin.
“Thanks,” he said, inordinately pleased by her offer.
Regan reached for the penthouse button.Ian blocked her, shaking his head no.“There’s no way of knowing who’s waiting for us.We’re getting the hell out of here.”
He started to punch in the first floor, and then changed his mind, holding the door open button to keep them stopped.He scanned her prim suit.If they stepped into the lobby with her in that outfit she might as well be wearing a neon headpiece that flashed, Princess here–take me hostage.
“Can you do anything about the princess outfit?”
Regan raised an elegant eyebrow.“Not with the doors open.”
Ian released the button he’d been pressing.The elevator resumed its downward journey.He knew he should offer to turn away.But, he wasn’t about to miss a free strip show, starring Regan.
The other day, Sheila was blogging about great love songs by female artists. I love Mariah Carey’s One and Only, but the only video I could find was this one. The music is the real thing though–so just shut your eyes and enjoy romance.
A lady walks into a drug store and tells the pharmacist she needs some cyanide.
The pharmacist asks, “Why in the world do you need cyanide?”
The lady then explained, “I need it to poison my rotten husband.”
The pharmacist’s eyes got big and he said, “Lord, have mercy– I can’t give
you cyanide to kill your husband! That’s against the law! I’ll lose my license, they’ll throw both of us in jail and all hell will break loose.Absolutely not, you can’t have any cyanide!”
The lady reached into her purse and pulled out a picture of her husband in bed with the
pharmacist’s wife.
The pharmacist looked at the picture and replied, “Well now, that’s different.You should have told me that you had a prescription.”
1) The brilliant fall foliage–deciduous trees, shrubs, and plants that change into new vibrant hues–it’s a mood lifter as the days shorten and grow colder
2) Mums,asters, anemones, cyclamens–all of the autumn bloomers
3) Puddles, pulling on rainboots and splashing makes the daily walk more fun
Have I mentioned reading is one of my favorite things? There are a few authors that have been elevated to both the keeper shelves and the auto-buy list. Most of them write Regency romances. For those not entertained by that particular type of novel, it’s time to gently avert your gaze.
Queen of the regency is Georgette Heyer. No one does it better. Her dialogue sparkles, her plots twist, and her characters live on in the reader’s imagination long after the book has been closed. For those wanting more information, here’s a great fan site
There are no bad Heyer regency romances and having discovered them late in life, I have not yet read them all. Of those I have read, The Nonesuch is my current favorite. A spoiled beauty, a wise and virtuous woman, and a dashing hero of quality the nonesuch himself– it is simply perfect.
This is my favorite of the Japanese maples. There’s no cultivator name to go with it, because it grew from a volunteer seedling. I love volunteers.
Back to the maple, the small tree (ten to twelve feet high so far) has no drawbacks. It looks good all year round, but every autumn it puts on the show you see above. It brightens even rainy days–good thing–that’s what we have around here.
Dangerous Rescue is releasing November 19th, almost here! But, while we’re still waiting, just for Dangerously Sexy fans, here’s a scrap that didn’t make it into the finished version–it didn’t advance the story. But, I love to listen to the guys…hope you enjoy it!
“Hey Ian. How’re you doing?”
Ian McKnight heard Zach Longstreet’s voice and cringed inside. Guilt for avoiding his friend nipped his conscience. He liked the man, but he couldn’t look at him without seeing his sister, Regan. It’d been eighteen months since she’d shut him down cold. Eighteen months since he’d seen her face. He was over her completely. Even so, he didn’t need reminders of her humiliating rejection. But that wasn’t a good enough excuse for dodging his friend.
“Fine. I’ve been meaning to call you. It’s been too long. How about you? Still fighting morning sickness?” Ian cleared his throat to disguise a snort of laughter.
Focusing on listening to Zach’s answer. He did his best to sound sincere when he commiserated. The idea of his friend, a die-hard member of the macho brigade suffering from sympathetic morning sickness made him want to snicker. Better, it took his mind off Regan.
“Don’t even talk about it. I’m serious, the least thing makes me– hell, forget about that. Look, the reason I called–Regan isn’t picking up.”
All it took was the mention of her name and Ian’s pulse jolted into overdrive.
Oh shit. This was exactly what he didn’t need.
Zach rattled on, revealing his worry with every word. “Look, I know you two aren’t together. But I thought…if anything went wrong she’d call you.”
Yeah right.
Zach didn’t get it. Ian wasn’t going to tell Regan’s big brother that his sister was still driving him crazy. Zach had warned him years ago that Regan wasn’t interested in commitment. Too bad, he hadn’t listened.
Her unwillingness to reach out to him was a symptom of their whole non-relationship. Back in the day, when they’d been partners in patrol, and worked together like guns and bullets, she still would’ve never asked his help with anything personal.
“I’m sure she’s fine. Probably on some special assignment.” Ian heard the frosty edge to his own words and winced. Zach didn’t deserve the cold shoulder treatment.
Ian smiled at the receiver, managing to infuse a modicum of warmth back into his voice. “I’ll check around, try to get a line on what your sister’s up to. I’ll get back to you as soon as I know something. In the meantime, hang in there and say hi to Ciara for me.”
“Will do. Thanks Ian. I knew it’d pay to have a friend in the mayor’s office.” Zach gave an uncomfortable laugh. “Seriously, I appreciate the help.”
Ian made a mental note to pass Zach’s concerns on to Clyde. This was his operation let him lecture Regan.
The mech warrior triad is an irresistible combination of heavy metal bodies, strong minds, and true hearts. Each man has special talents vital to rescuing Minka. Now their mission is to win her love.
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Just for the Valentine's Day Dom 101 class, fiery Miranda agrees to play the sassy sub -- definite type casting. But since she’s crushed on Tey forever, can she resist giving him all that he demands?
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All Holly wants for Christmas is a dom to call her own. All Colin wants for Christmas is a sweet little slave and some red rope. It should have been so easy… Why the hell did she have to be human?
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When both Hunter and Tru bond with Amber their mating triangle threatens everything they hold dear.
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Determined to help rescue the princess, Cassandra agrees to act as the dragons’ sex slave, but can she guard her heart from the dominant males?
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Camille, a plump, sweet-natured breeder, is caught in New Eden’s endless war with Baldor. Her mates, Jaxon and Aegis, need cunning and courage to rescue her. They need a miracle to capture her heart.
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Werewolf-whisper Daniel is the only one who can heal Scarlet’s broken werewolf connection. If he succeeds then the pack’s needs will eclipse his claim on her heart. But if he fails, they'll both die.
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A lonely woman finds passion with a dominant much younger lover, when she tries to leave she learns her new master plays for keeps.
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One dangerous warrior woman plus two rogue demon males equals a love to threaten an empire.
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Getting paid to watch Eduardo is Desiree’s dream assignment, but when he reaches out to her, crossing the line, everything changes.
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Deep in her secret heart, she lusts for a sexy pirate who’d be her master and commander in the bedroom. But, this man may be too dangerous Read more >>>
She finds paradise in the arms of twin brothers, but their law demands she chose one warrior to mate and one to die.
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One woman, two men, three wounded hearts--though already mated their love is still forbidden.
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Summer, with the band of daisies, meadow rue, perennial geraniums, and white malva showing off against the greenery.
Fall with the confetti of falling leaves decorating the border and lawn.
Winter with a rare dusting of November snow. The birch bark gleaming white against the evergreen shrubs and the rocks that anchor the bed are visible.
When both Hunter and Tru bond with Amber their mating triangle threatens everything they hold dear.
Determined to help rescue the princess, Cassandra agrees to act as the dragons’ sex slave, but can she guard her heart from the dominant males?
Camille, a plump, sweet-natured breeder, is caught in New Eden’s endless war with Baldor. Her mates, Jaxon and Aegis, need cunning and courage to rescue her. They need a miracle to capture her heart.
Werewolf-whisper Daniel is the only one who can heal Scarlet’s broken werewolf connection. If he succeeds then the pack’s needs will eclipse his claim on her heart. But if he fails, they'll both die.
A lonely woman finds passion with a dominant much younger lover, when she tries to leave she learns her new master plays for keeps.
One dangerous warrior woman plus two rogue demon males equals a love to threaten an empire.
Getting paid to watch Eduardo is Desiree’s dream assignment, but when he reaches out to her, crossing the line, everything changes.
Deep in her secret heart, she lusts for a sexy pirate who’d be her master and commander in the bedroom. But, this man may be too dangerous
She finds paradise in the arms of twin brothers, but their law demands she chose one warrior to mate and one to die.
One woman, two men, three wounded hearts--though already mated their love is still forbidden.
