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From Cupid's Arrow

1. Emma’s throaty laugh sounded deep and sensual.
2. “Believe me, it’s not your technique, detective.”
3. Her hands released the death grip she had on the robe, slipping inside to touch his bare chest.
4. “I can’t get what you look like in my robe out of my head.”
5. She lightly raked her nails across his nipples, getting the response she wanted when his big body shuddered.
6. Mike pulled back, his eyes smoldering with desire, “Then maybe it’s time to take it off.”

I'm here in Maine folks! Chilly but I'm loving it. Made a mistake and only brought sandals but there's always socks. Socks look good with sandals, right? LOL I always gave Earl a hard time when he wanted to wear them with sandals. We like to sit on the porch and watch the birds at the feeder, the cars go bye, the cats across the street. Just peace and quiet here.

The flight from Orlando to NY was good. Comfortable seats, breakfast, a chance to snooze. NO hot water for coffee though. That should be a crime! It was 6:30 in the morning. Water does absolutely nothing to keep you awake. Everyone kept their window shades down anyway so it was dark.

The flight from NY to Bangor was the worst. No first class seat, and they put me in the very back of the small plane, right next to the bathroom. I started to have a panic attack (little claustrophobic) but the one and only stewardess thought treating it with cookies would help. After a while I calmed myself down and curled up into a little ball. Not really. The kind lady in front of me checked on me every so often. Thank goodness it was only an hour flight. I tried to follow Nancy's mind set about if it's my time to go...well, you know the rest.

Last night for the first night in a long time I had a great sleep. Went to bed at 9:00 and woke at 8:00. Shared my bed with a ladybug. She didn't take up much room. Had a nice day with my cousins Mary and Sharon, tomorrow will spend the day with my step-sister and her crazy hubby. We're going to go to the coast one day. I'll take pictures to post later.

Tootles!

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

13 facts about The Mercenary Way

it's full of adventure and suspense
the hero is a soldier-of-fortune
it's a full length erotic romance
the heroine owns and runs a florist shop with her best friend
most of the story takes place on an island paradise
the heroine is kidnapped because of mistaken identity
the hero used to be a Navy Seal
the kidnapper is a gem smuggler
the book was originally released as Against the Odds with New Concepts Publishing
the manuscript was sexed up and more content added for re-release with The Wild Rose Press
the hero's name is Clint
the heroine's name is Sarah
the story is full of explicit sex scenes

The Mercenary Way Excerpt

Clint Becker knew he was in serious trouble the first minute his eyes fell on feisty Sarah Reynolds, a dynamite little package with too many curves, a sassy mouth, and an explosive temper. And right now, she was showing about as much common sense as it took to fill a thimble. Her indignant screeching as she was dragged down the long, winding staircase could probably be heard around the coast of Florida, and echoed throughout the house with enough force to break someone’s eardrums. She was apparently too dense to realize the two goons pulling her along were probably the same two who were going to kill her when the time came. Shaking his head with disgust, he ducked behind a door.

How come his cousin hadn’t warned him he’d be dealing with a little spitfire? There was nothing he could do but wait for the right time before making his move. The less he had to deal with her, the better their chances were of getting out of here alive. And besides, maybe if they roughed her up a little, she’d be more subdued by the time he got to her. It would certainly make her a hell of a lot easier to manage if she was submissive enough to appreciate the situation she was in.

He leaned against the wall, not for the first time wondering what the hell he’d gotten himself into.

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I found a recipe that only called for six ingridients.

Easy Almond Cake

1. 1 2/3 cups flour
2. 1 1/2 cups sugar
3. 1 cup unsalted butter melted
4. 2 eggs lightly beaten
5. 2 tablespoons almond extract
6. 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, butter, eggs, almond extract, and salt. Spray two 9-in. pie pans with cooking oil. Divide batter evenly between pans and sprinkle each with half of the almonds. Bake until light brown around edges, about 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
2. The Twist: Layer Them. To quickly transform these modest cakes into showpieces, use a serrated knife to carefully slice each cake horizontally into 2 even layers. Whip 4 cups heavy cream with 1 cup sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread each bottom layer with 1 cup of the whipped cream and sprinkle with fresh raspberries. Add top layers and spread with remaining whipped cream; top with more raspberries. (If you only want to layer 1 of the cakes, just halve the amounts here.)

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

13 ICE CREAM TOPPINGS

1. cherries
2. nuts
3. whip cream
4. marshmallow
5. chocolate syrup
6. caramel syrup
7. m&ms
8. pineapple syrup
9. butterscotch syrup
10. skittles
11. peanut butter
12. blueberries
13. chocolate chips

Did I miss any?

New Review!

Tory Richards’ skill in creating suspense and scenes of sexual encounters that sizzle and throb with life is phenomenal. Her description, especially those of the waterfall and its cave scene, takes the reader right into the action. She hijacks the reader’s attention and holds it from the beginning to the end of The Mercenary Way.


The Mercenary Way by Tory RichardsPublisher: The Wild Rose Press

Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (180 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewed by Camellia

The Long and Short Reviews

I Caved

I'm gonna break down and fly. My daughter said I should just get over it and book a flight so I did. I've been going back and forth for over a week and the bottom line is: I don't want to make the long drive by myself, and the train fare was as much one way (with a room) as it costs to fly round trip first class with Delta. It's really a no brainer! Even though I'm already stressing the flying part so much that my stomach hurts. I can't help it. I'm scared to death of flying. But I guess not to the point that it's going to keep me from going home for a week.

The train fare floored me. I could have just gone with a regular ticket but I would have been in that one seat for almost 24 hours. No way! So I checked out getting a room. Add $500 plus on top of the $300 something ticket...one way! No way!

So, I leave the end of the month. I think, hope a change will do me good. I've been so emotional lately.

blog link that has a list of other participants

...from Breathless Surrender

1. She let out a whimper when he touched her face, her body stiffening.
2. It didn’t stop Reid from removing the tape over her mouth, exposing pouty lips that were meant to bring a man to his knees.
3. She parted them immediately and sucked in air.
4. Then her tongue came out to wet them.
5. His gaze roamed slowly over her features, drinking in her flushed beauty.
6. Fuck! The bastards had hurt her.

My daughter did the sweetest thing for me this morning. She thinks I don't know. A beautiful arrangement of flowers were delivered from her manager, with a sympathy card attached. My granddaughter came to get me saying my flowers had arrived. I figured it was something she made so went out expecting to see a home made flower or something. As you can see it wasn't.

My daughter said it was for me from her manager. I thought that was so nice, comng from someone I didn't even know. I saw the card was missing but didn't ask where it was because I was beginning to get an inkling what Michelle was doing. She knows I've been feeling down the last couple of days. So I was surprised when she said, the card is here. She pulled it out from beneath a plate.

The card wasn't addressed to anyone but it was signed in a way that I knew the flowers had been meant for her. She was so sweet to give them to me. And they smell wonderful! I left them in the living room so we could all enjoy them.

I'm a very lucky mom!

I was watching Live with Kelly and the conversation turned to remembering your favorite teacher while you were growing up. I absolutely hated school...all grades. The only teacher I remember is Mrs. Bean in Vermont. She was my 4th grade teacher and the only reason I remember her is that I was sitting in her classroom the day they announced President Kennedy had been shot.

I was never very good in school and often found myself lost in day dreams. I played hookie a lot, too, when I was in high school. Yes, I was a rebel:)

Book in the making...unedited

I've been tossing around an idea in my little brain the last few days. Something different and fresh to do here on my blog/website. Something for you all to look forward to like Around the World with Virginia Campbell on the 20th every  month. 

So my idea? I came up with Book in the Making...Unedited. Basically it boils down to posting a new page of a story I'm working on, at the same time every month until eventually a new book is born. At the end I'll even run a poll on title possibilities.

I think it might be a lot of fun! What do you think?

An Actual Craig's List Personals AD

To the Guy Who Tried to Mug Me in Downtown Savannah night before last.

Date: 2011-11-27, 1:43 am. E.S.T.

I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings. I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message.

First, I'd like to apologize for your embarrassment; I didn't expect you to actually crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket.. The evening was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason.. my girlfriend was happy that I just returned safely from my 2nd tour as a Combat Marine in Afghanistan .. She had just bought me that Kimber Custom Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head ... isn't it?!

I know it probably wasn't fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with crap in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse walking bare-footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. [That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again].

After I called your mother or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you'd done. Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as those of four other people in the gas station, -- on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 153 gallons and was extremely grateful!

I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all the cash in your wallet. [That made his day!]

I then threw your wallet into the big pink "pimp mobile" that was parked at the curb ..... after I broke the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver's side of the car.

Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI, while mentioning President Obama as my possible target. The FBI guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat (I guess while he traced your number etc.).

In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you ... but I feel this type of retribution is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career path you've chosen to pursue in life.. Remember, next time you might not be so lucky.

Have a good day!

Thoughtfully yours, Semper Fi,

Alex

My Titanic Experience!

For anyone who hasn't been to the museum when you first enter and pay for your ticket, you are given a card with the name of a passenger that was on the Titanic. At the end of the tour you're taken to a room that lists every person on that fateful voyage. You then find out if you were a survivor.

My name is Mrs. Dickinson E. Bishop. I married Dickinson in November 1911 and we are on an extended honeymoon that covered Egypt, Italy, Spain and France. My husband and I are staying in first class in cabin B-49. I brought with me $10,000 in jewelry and a little dog we picked up on our travels, Freu Freu. I am also pregnant.

Fortunately my husband and I survived.

In researching (yes, I did some!) the Dickinson's I found a link that lead to the United States Senate Inquiry testimony given by them after the sinking of the Titanic.
http://www.titanicinquiry.org/USInq/AmInq11BishopD01.php
http://www.titanicinquiry.org/USInq/AmInq11BishopH01.php

Name: Mrs Helen Bishop (née Walton)
Born: Thursday 19th May 1892
Age: 19 years
Married to Dickinson H. Bishop.
Last Residence: in DowagiacMichiganUnited States
1st Class passenger
First Embarked: Cherbourg on Wednesday 10th April 1912
Ticket No. 11967 , £91 1s 7d
Cabin No.: B49
Rescued (boat 7)
Disembarked Carpathia: New York City on Thursday 18th April 1912
Died: Wednesday 15th March 1916
Cause of Death: Jacksonian Epilepsy
Buried: SturgisMichiganUnited States
Read more - http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/helen-bishop.html

Name: Mr Dickinson H. Bishop
Born: Thursday 24th March 1887
Age: 25 years
Last Residence: in DowagiacMichiganUnited States
1st Class passenger
First Embarked: Cherbourg on Wednesday 10th April 1912
Ticket No. 11967 , £91 1s 7d
Cabin No.: B49
Rescued (boat 7)
Disembarked Carpathia: New York City on Thursday 18th April 1912
Died: Thursday 16th February 1961
Cause of Death: Cerebral Vascular Accident (Stroke)
Buried: Ottawa Avenue Cemetery LaSalle CountyIllinoisUnited States
Read more - http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/dickinson-bishop.html

I know it's only been a week since I lost Earl but it seems I'm feeling more down with each day. As I realize I can't just pick up the phone to talk to him, or drive to Astoria to visit, the impact of his being gone is numbing. Little by little I've been going through his files, and personal stuff. Deciding what needs to be kept, what I should send his son, what I can throw away. That doesn't help.

My family have done their darnedest to keep me occupied. We had a family barbecue one day, and two birthdays this week. I've been roped into going to the Titanic Museum with them tomorrow, and then dinner.

During this past week i've been applying for jobs, too. Though just half-heartedly. Not really ready to go back to work, but it's a requirement for collecting unemployment, something I've never done before. I had an interview for a work at home job today. Sounds interesting. I wonder if you can really earn money that way. Anyone here ever tried?

When helmets don't make any sense

http://www.sixsunday.com/

The six sentences below are from a work in progress. The link above will take you to the home page where you can access other 6 Sentence Sunday participants.

1. In spite of her mild protest he cupped her other breast and did the same thing.

2. Sighing, Sammy closed her eyes to savor the forbidden moment.

3. The tingling from her nipples traveled downward to her clit.

4. Feeling his strong erection she arched into it slightly.

5. John lost control and began to squeeze and caress her breasts with more vigor.

6. Growling low, he lowered his head and kissed the side of her neck before moving to her mouth.

Did you hear?

The new book about "Understanding Women" is out!

I Can't Believe He's Gone

My soul mate of 17 years passed away quietly in his sleep yesterday morning. I thought I'd prepared myself for it, but had no way of knowing what a big hole it would leave. Earl had been such a big part of my life. He was full of life. Always looked out for me, worried over me, protected me. Even in ill health he often thought of me first. He taught me so much and was so good to me. I can't imagine life without him, even now that he's gone.

No more suffering for him. During the week I remained in the hospital with him his grandson, Father Jason, was also there. Praying over Earl daily, making sure Earl had his ticket to heaven. We also played his favorite song, My Way, by Frank Sinatra. The first time I hummed the tune in his ear he responded with a squeeze of my hand, and a hint of a smile because I'm tone deaf. But I could tell he appreciated my efforts. Later, Father Jason played the Frank Sinatra version from his Ipod.

He never really gained full consciousness but he could respond with a nod of his head, a squeeze of my hand. Once he patted me on the head, his way of saying it was going to be okay. That tore me up. But it also gave me peace because he knew he wasn't alone. That was important to me. No one should die alone in some sterile hospital room if it can be helped. The hospital staff was so helpful and accommodating to us. They moved a cot into the room so I could spend the nights there.

The only comfort I have is knowing that he's not suffering anymore. The last year he has been through so much, and been in so much pain. We often prayed for God to take him in his sleep, to end the suffering. One morning before Father Jason arrived from Colorade I saw Earl make the sign of the cross. I asked him if he wanted to pray. He nodded, so I gave it my best try.

I took his hand and began, "Please, God, look out for Earl, and end his pain. Please welcome him into heaven. Please don't let him haunt me (as he threatened to do many times), and give him back his voice so he can sing again. His legs so he can golf again. And okay, he can haunt me just a little." To which Earl smiled.

Earl had a beautiful smile. I'm going to miss so much about him.