I  don't know about you but I love a little romance outdoors, especially when there's a chance of getting seen by someone. Extra naughty! Enjoy my excerpt from Awaken the Fire, then hop on over to the next name on the list for more yummy posts. Me, I'm off to my local romance writer's group meeting, the STARS. I can't wait to meet Leslie Kelley! 


She leaned against the side of the building, the rough wood biting into her skin. Sweat ran down the small of her back and she could smell her musky fragrance, combined with Adam’s scent. He dug his hands into her thighs and her thrusts intensified. She buried her fingers in his hair, pulling hard, harder as his tempo increased. 

What if someone saw them? Star was not a fan of public displays of extreme affection, and this was about as extreme as one could get. She knew they should stop and go back to their room, but it was too late.

Buy links for Awaken the Fire

Amazon

Total-E-Bound

All Romance

Kobo

Barnes and Noble

I've put off exercising using every excuse imaginable. I don't have time, I'll hurt my knee and hip. It's too expensive, too hot, too boring. I don't like to sweat. I wish I could be like the people I know who actually look forward to working out. Not me! There are soooo many things I'd rather be doing. Like shoveling coal in the sweltering engine of a train. Or battling giant, blood-sucking mosquitoes in a desolate swamp. Or...you get the idea.

BUT. I need exercise. Like many people, I'm too sedentary. My heart needs to beat faster for longer periods of time. Sure, sex is great for that but it doesn't happen enough to really qualify as an exercise program. My muscles and bones need to be stronger because a healthy body means less injuries, a higher rate of fat burning, better posture, better stamina, and the strength to do what I want to do. I need to maintain a certain level of fitness to be able to do my day job. Heck, any job.

When a twenty-four hour gym opened minutes from my house, I checked it out and attempted to join. Sadly, the contract ended up being on the shady side, when the price I was originally quoted turned into a higher number. I don't like sneaky business practices, so I visited my local YMCA instead. You started singing the Y song, didn't you? Did you get really carried away and make the letters with your body? Good! That's exercise!

As you can see, my Y has a fabulous pool. Great exercise, no impact to the knees or hips, no sweat. I'm gradually getting my sh*t together enough so I can swim more often. We'll see how dedicated I am when the weather gets cooler, but for now, this is a wonderful workout that I enjoy immensely. I've learned a few tricks to make this adventure even better, like using a swim cap so my hair doesn't turn to straw. I hope to avoid goggles and ear plugs but if I have to use them I will. 

My heart, bones and muscles thank me. 

Last week I got the best phone message, the one all of us writers want to hear. It was an editor at Harlequin telling me they wanted my book. I laughed, I danced, I sang. I tried to call her back. Curses! My cell phone plan does not let me dial international and Harlequin is in Canada. 

I use a Straight Talk phone and I normally love my little old simple, inexpensive smart phone. I opted not to get the international add-on because I just don't call other countries. Since Canada is in North America, should it really be considered international? Apparently the folks at Straight Talk think so. 

There I sat, dying to talk to this editor, with no way to reach her. My honey and his phone would not be home for hours. The laughing and singing turned to growling and cursing. Then I remembered, there is a way to use my computer for phone calls. Would this work? I quickly dived into research mode and found Google Voice. It was easy to set up and after I completed all the steps I dialed the Canadian number. Success! I reached the editor and had a great call. It's so nice when a product does what it says and does it well. Thank you, Google, for coming to my rescue.

My winner from my website is Robin H. and from TRS party is Cheryl L. Thanks so much for visiting, everyone!


Who couldn't use a little dragon whispering in their ear now and then? To help commemorate The Romance Studio's tenth anniversary and to celebrate my latest book, I'm offering this gorgeous dragon earring/cuff. Enter my contest using the easy Rafflecopter form below. 





I'll be at TRR posting excerpts all through the party with a bunch of other fabulous authors, so stop by.  Lots of prizes including a $170 Amazon gift card.   http://trsparties.com/

                                  Awaken the Fire 

Along with rewards, magic breeds danger.  Star, Adam and Tristan submit to study with the secret authoritarian group, the Vigilar, in preparation to reveal the existence of magical beings to the world. But will this knowledge be used for good or evil? Doubts creep in when Star is assigned to work with Lucas, a man from Adam’s past, a man known to have dangerous ideas. Bigger problems arise during a sensual ménage when they discover a shape changer dragon in their midst. Lucas claims the Vigilar plan to use shifters, especially powerful beings like dragons, for malevolent purposes, which puts Star and her special abilities in danger. Adam must devise a strategy to thwart the Vigilar and learn more about this controlling entity. While implementing their plans, Star struggles with the fear of unleashing and learning to control all the powers within her. She struggles, too, with her feelings for Adam. Should she fight against her deepening love for a man who could desire power more than he loves her? The combustion of a potent sexual ritual forces Adam to face the question of their love and for Star to awaken the fire within.

 
PS   If you don't win this prize and just have to have one of these gorgeous ear dragons, here is the fabulous Etsy store where I purchased this. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Mintloftcom?ref=l2-shopheader-name

I thought I would try something short and sweet this week. Enjoy these seven lines from Awaken the Fire. 

“What do we do now?”

She nearly shone with joy and Adam felt their connection, a live current that danced between them, strong and pure.

No, he couldn’t do it. He wouldn't give up Star. There was nothing more precious than love—not money, not even power. Now that he’d found true love, he wasn't letting it go. Lucas was right, she was his destiny and he would do whatever he had to do to keep her.

This is my birthday month (that's right, I celebrate all month, as everyone should) and my honey made me two beautiful flower arrangements to kick things off.  I know a lot of love went into them. He thought about me when he bought the flowers, when he hid them in a five-gallon bucket in the bathtub, and when he got up extra early to make these lovely designs. 

I'm not the biggest flower lover, preferring chocolate, books, or something else fun as a gift, but my honey has made me a fan with his thoughtful creations. Flower on, baby!

I know, I'm the last woman on Earth to see all the Twilight movies. My honey is not fond of them (surprise) and we try to find flicks we both enjoy for Saturday movie night. I finally got Breaking Dawn Part Two and enjoyed watching it last weekend when my honey was out of town. Bring on the sparkly, bed-breaking vampires! 

Most of the casting in this movie is superb. Dakota Fanning did a great job as an evil pain-throwing bitch and Michael Sheen is outstanding as the psychotic Aro. All the boy and girl vamps and shape shifters are gorgeous, lethal and wonderful. 

Then we have Edward.  Robert Pattison just doesn't do it for me as a sexy male vampire. I can't put my finger on it but he does not look good in pale face. Maybe it's the eyebrows. I'm scrolling through pictures of him right now and he's kind of cute, but I dunno know. He's not a vampire. Everyone razzed Kristen Stewart for her lack of expression but Edward's facial contortions remind me of someone continually trying not to laugh or cry. 

Don't throw rotten fruit at me, Twilight lovers. Obviously someone likes the Edward character because the movies burned up the box office. I'm not sure who I would have cast in that role but would love to hear from anyone who thinks another actor could have done better.