Showing posts with label Brynn Paulin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brynn Paulin. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Eye of the Beholder

Isn't it amazing how two or three people see exactly the same thing and get something totally different out of it?

Last week I joined Monday Minute Fiction. The leader posted a picture and our mission was to write a short story about it.

Last week she wrote about a shiek and I wrote about an erotic movie. This week she wrote about a ravenous vampire and I wrote a cougar (older woman-younger man)/reunion story.

This really makes me worry about the using eye-witness testimony in court. Just because someone saw something, did they see what was really happening? For God's sake Brynn saw vampires! I saw a fireman calendar model wanna-be.

I just joined a new blog (Lilah Pierce - author) and she has a writing challenge. She's challenged authors to pick one of four pictures, write a short story, and submit it to her. She'll post the stories once a month. Pretty cool. Click here to participate Lilah's writing challenge. Let Brynn Paulin know if you want to join in Monday Minute Fiction here.

Recent posts you might like to read:


What Do You Want in a Romance Hero & What Do You Want in a Real Life Husband?

Rejection: Where Do You Go Next?

Procrastination

Cliche or Coincidence?

What Prompts Me To "Follow" A Blog

Make Sure Pretentious Words Don't Turn Off Your Readers

Dedicating Books

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Monday, March 02, 2009

Brit Party - Winner of Best Anthology of 2008 Rites of Romance Reviews

Whoa! I just found out that this anthology BRIT PARTY published by Total-E-Bound.com, won Best Anthology at Rites of Romance reviews. I had no clue. And my story "Best Mates" is in it. What planet have I been on? Planet Borders? Planet American Idol? Planet Softball Field? Planet Day Job? Sick with bronchitis? Still, I don't remember seeing this in email. I might've left the planet but I've not left the universe. Anyway, I'm so happy!!! I want to congratulate my fellow anthology authors. Good job mates! Here goes: REVIEWER TOP PICK!! All six of these writers are clearly talented, having written several stand-alone books throughout their careers. They don’t disappoint this time around by giving expertly compiled stories of romance filled with erotic pleasure that leave us breathless and wanting more... If you’re looking for an enticing and exhilarating read to keep on your bookshelf, this is the one. ~~Night Owl Romance 'Best Mates' by Ashley Ladd Lovers Alec Russert and Kevin Cosby feel horrible for their best mate, Jennica Chapman, when her current beau dumps her. And yet, they're glad he's out of her life. Unfortunately, thirty-six year old Jennica thought this was her last chance to have a baby, and she's much more upset about this than losing the boyfriend. As Alec is feeling his biological clock also, he suggests to Kevin that they help her out of her predicament. But, they're the ones in for a shock when Jennica tells them they may be too tame for her sexual likes. It turns out that Jennica is a submissive and she loves to be bound and spanked by her master. The shock wears off quickly when Alec and Kevin decide that Jennica will like two Dom masters much better than one. Soon they realize their best mate really is their best mate, and that she's always owned their hearts.

Excerpt:

'Best Mates' by Ashley Ladd

Jennica Chapman felt so low she didn’t think she could sink any further. Hurt and angry, she ripped up all the pictures she had of her ex, Thad, threw them in the sink and lit a match to them. As she watched the flames devour Thad’s handsome but sleazy face, she gritted out between her teeth, “Up in flames with you. Kev and Alec had you pegged. Why didn’t I listen?”

Afraid the smoke was getting too thick and would set off the fire alarm, she turned on the tap and doused the flames. Catching her blurry reflection in the tap’s chrome, she stared at her distorted reflection. “Because you’re a blithering idiot. Because you wanted a baby so badly, you would’ve settled for the wanker.”

Mad at herself for letting the last two years tick away as her eggs grew stale, she scoured the sink and threw Thad’s ashes into the rubbish.

Unfortunately that didn’t make her feel much better. Neither did cranking up her music, soaking in the tub, or digging into a quart of Ben and Jerry’s.

Her door shook with a sudden pounding and she rolled her eyes. Not in the mood to fend off a door-to-door salesman, and in particular hoping never to lay eyes on Thad again, she ignored it.

The hammering increased and Alec called out, “I’m not going away. I know you’re in there, Chapman.”

A rush of affection for her best chum washed out some of her raging anger. She raced for the door and flung it wide. Ecstatic to see friendly faces, she threw herself first into Alec’s arms and then Kevin’s.

She didn’t know which was more handsome. They were both heartthrobs. Alec was the ultimate bad boy rocker with unruly hair that grazed his shoulders and a perpetual roguish smile that would melt her heart if he were straight—sometimes it did anyway. Bohemian, he always wore ragged jeans, a shirt that lay half-unbuttoned exposing a matt of very sexy chest hair, and gold earrings. Also like usual, he wore a sexy five o’clock shadow on his lean cheeks. She thought it the sexiest thing on earth. Well, maybe the second sexiest… She had a hard time suppressing a naughty grin and keeping her gaze from drifting south to the sexiest thing between his legs.

Kevin on the other hand was the clean-cut, London book editor who always wore preppy clothes. His blond good looks and clear blue eyes had broken more than a few hearts, male and female. He kept his hair tapered short and well-groomed. Often she wondered how the two had hooked up, but she’d shrugged it off as opposites attracting.

Available at: Total-E-Bound.com You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Sunday, August 31, 2008

What makes you want to read a blog?

I have a question: What makes you want to read a blog? I don't mean just once, but to frequently visit? Like returning to a favorite vacation spot, such as Miami Beach? Sometimes I blog hop - when I'm blocked from writing or just want see what everybody's doing. If I find a new blog I really like, even if I've never met the blog's author, even if we have no friends in common, I'll add it to my blog roll. My requirements for this is: 1) There are frequent recent blog posts. If the last post was a month ago, or worse, monthS ago, I probably won't bother to check it out again much less add it to my blog roll. 2) The posts have to be interesting. They don't have to be earth-shattering, just pleasant or fun to read. One thing I'm not thrilled with even if there are frequent and recent posts, is if the blog is only promotional. For instance, some authors only post excerpts and reviews of their books. There's no other meat to the blog. I might as well visit a book review site or a publishers' for sale pages and read them. I don't mind, and even like to read excerpts and reviews - IF there's more than ONLY that. That's pretty much my only requirements. I don't think that's being too hard on anyone. Or do you? I don't only read mommy blogs, or author/writing blogs, or how to blog better blogs. I like some variety. Heck, I even (sometimes very much) enjoy reading blogs about the gay lifestyle even though I'm not gay. So, what do you like to read/see in blogs and on the flip side, what don't you like to see or read on a blog? Does something annoy you? Is there something you'd like to see but don't see enough of? Or that you require to return? Do you ever lucky enough to find a blog where you can't wait for more? Where the entries are so enticing, you get addicted and go back for more and more? After I wrote this post (I usually pre-schedule my posts as I'm a big believer in being prepared and with the day job demanding lots of overtime, often without warning, and with being the Mom Taxi to several kids, there are some nights I can't blog or do anything I planned) I found this really cool blog that's talking about the same subject. In fact, it offers a valuable service: critiquing your blog. The name is: Critique My Blog You don't have to ask - yes, I put my blog in the queue and hope to receive a critique. And I hope he'll like my blog or at least not find much that needs to be fixed. Inquiring minds want to know :) You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, and Sandra Cox are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :) You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Monday, August 11, 2008

I don't care who started it...

I can sooooooooooooo relate.

So very often I feel just like this parent.
DD1 and DD2 fight with DS3 all the time. At least it feels like it.
Everybody except my kids think I'm pretty easy going. But my kids can really get me going when they're yelling and fussing at one another. It can ruin the best day when I come home from this. If it's already been a crappy day, then the kids had better watch out. I probably look and sound just as bad as this lion when they get me going. You'll want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, and Sandra Cox are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Sunday, August 10, 2008

TV remotes and DVD players

This looks sooooo like our house. Hubby's always complaining that the remote is missing and it's always close by like in the couch cushions or on his nightstand or on the floor by his side of the bed (never by my side of the bed, um...) The hubby's really mad this week. The new DVD player is broken. he blames DS#3 but as I keep telling him, there's 6 people in the house, he can't just assume without proof. Plus electronic things sometimes break on their own. It's not always human doing. Anyway, the DVD player is on its way to Pennsylvania to be repaired so we'll have to rough it without. Now we only have the choice of 500+ satellite stations until it returns. Poor, poor us. Like I watch that much TV anyway. Hubby usually monopolizes it anyway plus I'm usually writing or reading and I need to get back into my nightly walking. You'll want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, and Sandra Cox are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Saturday, August 09, 2008

I not has a PMS!!!!

Um, this lioness pales in comparison to DD#2 when she's PMSing. Hint, the poor lion should throw chocolate at the lioness. That's the only thing that helps my daughter. I don't think I suffer from PMS, at least not often and not nearly as bad. I feel for DD#2, though. Poor lion. Poor lioness. Yikes! I thought I scheduled this to post at 7 AM this morning. But I see it was onlhy saved as a "draft". Good thing I checked. Not that this is any world-enlightening wisdom but I like to have a daily post. It also gives me the chance to add something else on my mind. Why are the gay and menage romances so popular right now? Why are women eating up gay (or as we call them in the industry "M/M") romances? I came out of the closet a few months ago for those of you that remember. I admitted I was once engaged to a man, "D", who came out to me as being gay and how shocked and hurt I was. That experience, that individual, tainted my view of this group of people for years. It wasn't until I met my friend M at my current day job that I got a better, hopefully more acurate glimpse, of gay men as people like everybody else. M is a great person. He's loving and caring to everybody. He's funny and smart and a good friend. He's in a committed and loving long-term relationship, probably one of the strongest I know. When he talks about his SO "K" it's always with love and adoration. When I'm with them, I can feel the love and respect between them and for others. M and K are universes apart from D. So after all these years I finally realize that it was just D's personality, to me he was sleazy - sleep around, lying and cheating, that was the real issue. I feel terrible for judging other people on the basis of him. I can only say I was very young, 17, and that that situation with D set off a horrible chain reaction in the rest of my life that also added to my bad feelings. Anyway, getting back to the topic in general, one of my writers' groups is discussing why they think women like M/M and menage romance. I think they're off base and so I'd like other opinions. At least one of them think it's because the women who read them (or any romance) is because they're too old and too scared to go after a real man for themselves, so they fantasize with our books. I don't buy this. When my mom found herself single in her fifties, she dated a lot. She joined groups of other singles her age and they all dated a lot. I also know a lot of married women who like to read and write romance books and watch romantic movies. Just because I'm married doesn't mean I don't melt at the prospect of a good romance. I still adore them. I don't like to peg people anymore. I feel badlyl I ever did. I'd like to think I've finally grown up. What do you think? Why are M/M and menage romances so popular presently? You'll want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, and Sandra Cox are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Thursday Thirteen: edition 16 - 13 funny cartoons and pics

Thirteen Funny Cartoons & Pictures
I'm not feeling very well today so I'm going to do this the easy way. Following are 13 cartoons and pictures I think are funny. Enjoy!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
At least I've not had a donor do this to me...yet.
That's all 13, but here's one more bonus picture, just because I love it. :)
Next is the picture of a man with mere seconds to live.
You'll want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, and Sandra Cox are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Author pics - to glam or not to glam

You may (or may not) have noticed that I changed my author pic on blogger a few days ago. Heck, you may never have noticed my author pic even if you visited every day. Not that you needed to. But IF you did, you'd see that my glamor shot photo has gone bye bye. Oh, it's still saved on my hard drive and still on one of my many web pages somewhere. However, it's not here, on my main web page (www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com). Why not? A famous author has been giving me some suggestions and one is to lose the glamor shot. Supposedly it's not professional and isn't something the bigger name authors do. Is this really so? I'm not sure. Usually, I'd research by going web page to web page of the best selling authors at the big publishing houses and do a survey. I probably will soon and post the results here. But I've been a bit busy between overtime at the day job and edits out the ying yang. Anyway, I changed it. I was tired of that pic anyway and personally I do prefer pictures showing us as our normal selves in our every day attire and make-up. I didn't hop to change it right away. I wasn't being reluctant or obstinate any more than I was rushing to comply. But I didn't have any good recent shots of me. Then I finally (duh!) remembered I had my MySpace pic I could use for blogger. So, I've finally done it. I hope this is more acceptable. Let me ask you, other authors and readers: Does it matter to you what kind of picture an author posts of herself (as long as it's not criminal or immoral?) Would it affect sales to readers or getting a contract with a publisher? Does it bespeak of professionalism? Opinions are welcome. If you're an author, what kind of picture do you have posted of yourself? Or do you post your pic and if not, why not? I see that a lot of authors don't post any picture but instead, they post one of their book covers. You'll want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirsch, Molly Daniels, and Sandra Cox are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

The many uses of an ordinary brick

I'm continuing this discussion from Brynn Paulin's Litergasm chat last Friday night, when the chatters got a little creative and a whole lot raunchy. LOL, it was fun. Brynn asked the question: "Give me five uses for a brick." Sooooooo, what were some of the answers? 1. pillow 2. foot warmer (if it could be heated) 3. weapon 4. birth control ??? (one said to threaten her hubby away with it) 5. sleep aid (as in hit yourself in the head and knock yourself out so you can sleep) 6. tie it around a man's balls??? (what the??? MAJOR OUCH!!!) 7. decoration 8. hold up tv 9. book mark 10. hat 11. door stop 12. paper weight 13. spider killer 14. extra chair (why not an entire couch or table? throw a cloth over it and use gingerly) 15. husband and teenager motivator (sadistic???) I'll add a couple. How about: artwork? you could do tole painting on them or build statues build an entire couch or table (my idea) build a tower and see how many bricks it takes till they fall? an outdoor oven (let food cook on them in the sun???) shoulder pads shoulder straighteners (to make them even if you're hunchbacked) shoes (tie them on with string - they'd look like wedgies, be all the rage) sound effects door knockers musical instruments (percussion of course) Okay, it's your turn. What other uses can you think of for bricks that's out of the ordinary? You'll want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirsch, Molly Daniels, and Sandra Cox are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Saturday, August 02, 2008

What my names mean - according to an Internet blogthing

What Elaine Means
You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.
What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?
Elaine is the name my mama gave me. So here's Ashley, the name I gave me.
What Ashley Means
You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.
What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?
Um... I see a lot of similarities between the meanings of "Elaine" and "Ashley". So does this mean the quiz says basically the same thing about every name, just moved around? (probably - like in horoscopes). Or if I were to test a few other names would I truly find others to be a lot different?

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Brit Party, David Cook - American Idol, Florida Fires

Woohoo! Brit Party is #4 on the top 10 list at Total-e-Bound. I read the book last night and I have to congratulate my fellow authors. You rock! I loved the stories and I'm honored to be part of this anthology.

You know me. I had to watch American Idol and it just ended. I won't lie. I voted for David Cook - more than once. He is soooo good. And he's soooo cute. He's like a mix of Constantine and Chris Daughtry. I couldn't ask for better. My fingers and toes are crossed. Of course, he's a winner whether he gets the crown or not. I predict huge things for him. He's awesome.



By the way, the fires in my part of Florida are out - for the moment and we're safe. It's so dry and so hot down here, though... It was 97 degrees Saturday and I got really sun burned. I hear the fires are still raging in Central Florida - where I was last weekend. (Hubby still has NOT sent me the pics - I'm getting really really pissed now and am about to raid his computer and send them to myself. If only I remembered his password...)

Here's more about our new book.

Brit Party

by Ashley Ladd | Lisabet Sarai | Brynn Paulin | Lacey Thorn | Dakota Rebel | Desiree Holt |

'Maggie's Menage' by Lacey Thorn

Maggie had spent a lifetime trying to win the love and affection of her father, but nothing seemed to work. Now he was asking her to seduce and marry one of two men that he had selected for her...for the good of the family name and company. But Maggie has other plans. Plans that will leave both men thinking of her as something other than a wife, and leave her father's plans for marriage in ashes.

Alex and Patrick were there to investigate Dom Houston and through the carelessness of his assistant managed to get in to see the man himself. But it was the blonde haired beauty that commanded their attention from the get go. And when she arrived at their hotel room later in the day, neither was willing to walk away. If Maggie wanted a ménage then they were more than willing to give it to her.

But for two of them it would be more than they could have ever imagined.

'Boy Toys' by Brynn Paulin

Dana's job title is scientist not babysitter. She's irritated when her boss slates her to accompany department bad boys, Christopher and Jason, to a meeting in London on her weekend off. Since her job transfer to England, she's hidden her attraction to the much younger men. Unfortunately, the attraction seems to be growing every day and every night she fantasises about them. Three days virtually alone with them will be no fantasy and might instead be an embarrassing disaster. But...

Jason and Christopher have had their eyes on Dana since she joined their department. Through a little finagling they've arranged for her to be part of this trip. They're sure her project is a spot on compliment to theirs and her presence will be an ideal addition to their bed. Now all they have to do is convince her that the bad boys will make her perfect boy toys. Forever.

'Best Mates' by Ashley Ladd

Lovers Alec Russert and Kevin Cosby feel horrible for their best mate, Jennica Chapman, when her current beau dumps her. And yet, they're glad he's out of her life.

Unfortunately, thirty-six year old Jennica thought this was her last chance to have a baby, and she's much more upset about this than losing the boyfriend. As Alec is feeling his biological clock also, he suggests to Kevin that they help her out of her predicament.

But, they're the ones in for a shock when Jennica tells them they may be too tame for her sexual likes. It turns out that Jennica is a submissive and she loves to be bound and spanked by her master. The shock wears off quickly when Alec and Kevin decide that Jennica will like two Dom masters much better than one.

Soon they realise their best mate really is their best mate, and that she's always owned their hearts.

'The Wager' by Dakota Rebel

Menage-a-Trios with a twist, and a vampire bite.

A weekly game of Billiards between a couple becomes interesting when the stakes get raised to include a pair of friends in the payoff.

Sadie and Will are vampires who have a wager based on a weekly billiards game they play. Their stakes are always sexual and this week will be no different. But for this week's wager they decide to include a couple of their friends, Dave and Tony, in the payoff. If Will wins, he gets to watch Sadie have sex with their friends while he watches and gives instructions as to what he wants to see. But if Sadie wins, she wants to instruct their friends on what to do to Will.

The the game begin!

'Four Play' by Desiree Holt

How many is too many, or is it not enough?

She loved the ménage that her lover Michael Collins had introduced her to, but now here they were, spending a week at Duncan MacLaughlin's cottage in Scotland and Holly Martin wasn't sure she was ready for the surprise he promised her.

No details, just a wide grin. The surprise turned out to be Jim Grainger, a friend of Michael and Duncan's, who was as much into a foursome as the other men. With all that testosterone flowing around her, and three very gorgeous and sexy men to play games with, Holly suddenly realises she loves a sexy numbers game.

'Monsoon Fever' by Lisabet Sarai

Divine temptation lies in wait in an ancient and mysterious land.

In their first years together, Priscilla and Jonathan enjoyed a marriage based as much on physical passion as on love. However, the travails of business and the tribulations of the Great War have taken their toll. When Jon's father dies in faraway India, the couple travels to the father's isolated Assamese tea plantation to settle his affairs. Far from the bustle and distraction of London, left alone to endure the monsoon rains while Jon struggles to complete the final harvest, Priscilla realises how much she misses Jon's touch.

Anil Kumar arrives with business documents for Jon to examine. The charismatic native enchants both Priscilla and Jon with his god-like beauty and charm. In separate incidents, each of them succumbs to Anil's lustful attentions. Will the illicit desires excited by the handsome Indian be the final stroke that destroys their marriage? Or the route to saving it?


Here's an excerpt from my story "Best Mates":

'Best Mates' by Ashley Ladd

Jennica Chapman felt so low she didn’t think she could sink any further. Hurt and angry, she ripped up all the pictures she had of her ex, Thad, threw them in the sink and lit a match to them. As she watched the flames devour Thad’s handsome but sleazy face, she gritted out between her teeth, “Up in flames with you. Kev and Alec had you pegged. Why didn’t I listen?”

Afraid the smoke was getting too thick and would set off the fire alarm, she turned on the tap and doused the flames. Catching her blurry reflection in the tap’s chrome, she stared at her distorted reflection. “Because you’re a blithering idiot. Because you wanted a baby so badly, you would’ve settled for the wanker.”

Mad at herself for letting the last two years tick away as her eggs grew stale, she scoured the sink and threw Thad’s ashes into the rubbish.

Unfortunately that didn’t make her feel much better. Neither did cranking up her music, soaking in the tub, or digging into a quart of Ben and Jerry’s.

Her door shook with a sudden pounding and she rolled her eyes. Not in the mood to fend off a door-to-door salesman, and in particular hoping never to lay eyes on Thad again, she ignored it.

The hammering increased and Alec called out, “I’m not going away. I know you’re in there, Chapman.”

A rush of affection for her best chum washed out some of her raging anger. She raced for the door and flung it wide. Ecstatic to see friendly faces, she threw herself first into Alec’s arms and then Kevin’s.

She didn’t know which was more handsome. They were both heartthrobs. Alec was the ultimate bad boy rocker with unruly hair that grazed his shoulders and a perpetual roguish smile that would melt her heart if he were straight—sometimes it did anyway. Bohemian, he always wore ragged jeans, a shirt that lay half-unbuttoned exposing a matt of very sexy chest hair, and gold earrings. Also like usual, he wore a sexy five o’clock shadow on his lean cheeks. She thought it the sexiest thing on earth. Well, maybe the second sexiest… She had a hard time suppressing a naughty grin and keeping her gaze from drifting south to the sexiest thing between his legs.

Kevin on the other hand was the clean-cut, London book editor who always wore preppy clothes. His blond good looks and clear blue eyes had broken more than a few hearts, male and female. He kept his hair tapered short and well-groomed. Often she wondered how the two had hooked up, but she’d shrugged it off as opposites attracting.


Well, I'm off to prepare for work tomorrow and get some writing done. I wanted to finish a book I started a few years ago. I love the idea. But rereading it I HATE what I wrote.

Oy!

So instead of trying to fix it, I'm just going to start from scratch. If you're a writer, have you ever done that?

There's an even older book I want to fix, but I've changed it so many times, it's all out of order and it's a pain. But on the whole, it's pretty good so I'm not going to scrap it and start from scratch. But it'll take longer to fix than I'd hoped. I'm not exactly the patient sort but I'm trying to reign myself in and take the time it requires to do it right.



Friday, April 04, 2008

Book Reviews - Wedding Jitters and The Prince of Love

I just finished two great books so I thought I'd share my reviews. I'm always looking for a good book, so in case you are, I give both of these high recommendations.


Review: Wedding Jitters

By Brynn Paulin

http://brynnpaulin.blogspot.com/

Published by Ellora’s Cave

http://www.ellorascave.com

I was the lucky recipient of Brynn Paulin’s prize, erotic short story “Wedding Jitters”. When I say ‘lucky’, I was much more.

This is one hot short story, the eroticism pouring forth on almost every page.

In this story, Dara Farine has a secret. She is a wing-sprouting, pointy-eared, magic-wielding fairy which is the bane of her existence. She wants to be normal like her sisters and to achieve her goal she is preparing to marry very normal, a.k.a boring, Tom Smith, fellow accountant. That is until the very sexy fairy prince, Merritt Fae, is sent to bring her home to his people and recognizes her as his soul mate.

What can I say? If you love fairies, if you love hot romance, you’ll love this story. Don’t deny yourself pleasure as Dara Farine. Click over to Ellora’s Cave and tune into pleasure.


The Royal Chronicles Book Three: Prince of Love

by Donna Grant

http://www.donnagrant.com/blog/

Reviewed by Ashley Ladd

Published by Total-e-Bound

www.total-e-bound.com

The Royal Chronicles Book Three: Prince of Love by Donna Grant is a truly magical romance set in the land of the Fae, mystical creatures, curses, and fated love. Prince Sorin Sinclair and his brothers must not only find and marry their true mates but return home safely before the end of the fifth moon or their entire kingdom of Drahcir will vanish. Prince Sorin’s been searching for some time for his mate when he hears a most beautiful, golden laugh and knows he has finally found her. Convincing Lady Katrina she is his true love and to marry him if only part of his challenge. They must survive the evil Tnarg who is out to murder all of them and who will stop at nothing. Nor will she be able to see her beloved family again should she follow her heart’s desire. Sorin knows if he fails his mission, not only will he and Katrina die horrible deaths, but everybody in Drahcir will cease to exist. Erotic romance heats the pages of this beautiful story until its feverish, magical end. Sorin is truly a prince among men while Katrina is more than worthy of being his princess. I thoroughly enjoyed the romance and devoured it in one sitting. I’m hungry to read the rest of The Royal Chronicles and everything else this extremely talented author has penned.

What books have you read lately? Which ones have you enjoyed?


Saturday, February 23, 2008

Graphic Reading Challenge

Real quick, I'm going to post the five novels I will be reading and reviewing before the end of 2008 for a new review site I just found. I imagine I'll do more than five if allowed, but here's the first five. This is for the Graphic Reading Challenge at: http://gnchallenge.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge%20policies Rawsilk by Lisabet Sarai The Rock of Realm by Lea Schizas Wedding Jitters by Brynn Paulin Hello by Dakota Rebel Maid for Death by Amarinda Jones **Blogger friends - Please see my other new post just beneath this. I really shouldn't post twice in a day, but I found this right after I made my other post.

Website Content and Copy: Ashley Ladd, 2008.|Blog Design by JudithShakes Designs.
Graphics hosted by Flickr.