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Saturday, May 21, 2011

SNEAK PEEK SATURDAY!

Today starts a new feature: Sneak Peek Saturday. Every Saturday I will publish a sneak peek at a work in progress. Today we peek at the sequel to "Sunny Days, Moonlit Nights" tentatively titled: 
 APRIL’S KISS IN THE MOONLIGHT

Chapter One
As April McKenna rounded the bend in her small car before passing through a tiny town, a good looking, big man with short, reddish brown hair stepped into the street and stuck out his thumb.
            “Yeah, right, Mr. Serial Killer, like I’m going to give you a ride,” she said aloud to herself, speeding up to pass him quickly but unable to direct her gaze away from his.
            She averted her eyes quickly, trying to concentrate on sorting out her life. Driving the back roads from Willow Falls, NY to San Francisco gave April time to think. She finished her MBA and was heading back for an internship in her father’s company, prelude to a staid, boring, corporate life. She was restless…restlessness quickly turned to unhappiness. April didn’t want to go back…didn’t want to live her father’s life. She wanted to break out, but didn’t know how, always been the good girl, doing the right thing, what was expected of her.
With her mind occupied, she was driving on automatic pilot and didn’t see the glass scattered in the road. Her tire lasted another half mile before it blew. She pulled onto a muddy shoulder and got out of the car. She rummaged around in the car trunk having no idea where the spare tire or the jack were or how to use them if she found them.  
You're supposed to hang something white on the door handle when you need help. April returned to the car, took off her white panties, the only white object she had and hung them on the door handle, closed the door and waited.
            The lonely country road had few houses but acre after acre of green fields, bursting with ripe crops. In the distance she could barely make out a farmhouse. The tall corn stalks of late July blocked her car from view by the house. After half an hour with no car coming by, April worried she would be spending the night in her car. Then she saw him in the rear view mirror. It was Mr. Serial Killer, coming around the bend, heading straight for her car. She felt panic rise in her chest as she locked all the doors and hunkered down, forgetting her panties blowing in the gentle breeze on the door handle.
             He walked up to the car and knocked on the window, startling April, who jumped. When she turned to look at him, he was smiling at her.
            “Flat?” He asked.
            She nodded.
            “Pop the trunk,” he said.
            Can’t you get inside the car through the trunk? He could attack me…
            “Take it easy. I’m not a serial killer. Want to help you change your tire,” he called to her.
            April popped the trunk as she realized she had no choice.
            “Are these yours?” he asked, plucking her panties off the door handle and holding them up to the car window.
            April turned several shades of red, opened the car window and grabbed the panties from him. He laughed, shook his head and headed for the trunk, while she struggled to put the panties back on while remaining in the front seat.
            “Easier to jack up the car if you’re not sitting there,” he called to her.
She got out of the car and perched on a large rock nearby to watch him, hugging her knees to her chest.
            “Rusty,” he said, extending his hand after taking off his backpack.
            “April,” she said nodding to him, looking at his hand with distaste.
            “Oh, yeah, sorry, greasy,” he said, wiping his hand on his jeans.

Come read an interview with Sunny Davis White at:
Sex Marks the G-Spot

Buy "Sunny Days, Moonlit Nights" here"
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Astraea Press

Six Sentence Sunday, a taste of "Sunny Days, Moonlit Nights"w

Harry, the chauffeur, calls Sunny to tell her that Brad, her philandering  husband, knows she has run away and he asks her if she is coming back:

“No, Harry, he’ll have to handcuff me and take me back by force,” 
she said with heat in her voice, color heating her cheeks, her free 
hand tightening into a fist.
“Oh, Miss, he isn’t going to like that at all! I wanted to warn you, Miss.”
“Thanks, Harry, please don’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t, ” said the chauffeur.
                                 ****
As soon as he hung up the phone, Harry pulled a slip of
paper out of his pocket and dialed the number on the paper.
“Is this American News tip line? Yes? How much do you pay 

for tips? Oh, well it’s about the impending divorce of two rich 
people…one a famous artist…yes. I see. Of course. You can 
make a check out to me, Harry…"

A little more about "Sunny Days, Moonlit Nights"
Will the tabloid be interested in the story of the runaway wife? You betcha! What will their nosing around do to Sunny's life, her relationship with Mike? What about Brad, he hates negative publicity. And after all this time building up Sunny's reputation, how does he feel about American News exposing his life?
Who will suffer the most from this "tip" Harry sold to the paper?


You'll have to read the book to find out.
Read reviews on my website:  website

Buy links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Astraea Press


BACK TO SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY



Thursday, May 19, 2011

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING...

READ WHAT THE REVIEWERS ARE SAYING ABOUT  DRAGONS SAGA: THE LEGEND OF THE OCEINA DRAGON BY J.F. JENKINS:


“I could not put the book down once I began reading….A fantastical world is being created and I believe, without a doubt, this world will become well-loved by fans everywhere.”
Laurie
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
* * * * *
“Jenkins is very creative with building her own view of dragons…It was a novel worth reading. All in all, it’s a series that I look forward to reading more of.”
Courtney Conant, author of “The Blood Moon of Winter”
* * * * * 
“I was engaged from the beginning and never felt the need to take a break from the book. The characters were amazing…It’s a fantastic and easy read.”
Bethzaida from the Book Kitty Blog
* * * * *
 “A story filled with mystery, fantasy, love, passion, murder and betrayal. Characters and plot show a huge amount of potential and area for growth and expansion to be a fantastic series. This story alone I found Unique!!!!! And incredibly intriguing. I assume for myself this alone, as there is nothing on the shelves like this and alone the world that J K Jenkins created is amazing and full of fantasy. …Full of lots of things to think about, a world you could never imagine and a storyline that will have you thinking way past the finish line…I had to go a friends and explain this book, as it really amazed me , we sat drank coffee and discussed how someone could think to create this world of the Oceina Dragons. !!!…I found myself mesmerized by the plot of this story, it’s always nice to read something new and refreshing and I eagerly await book 2. “
K.M. Whittaker
* * * * *
“I look forward to reading the rest of the series and learning more about this family of dragons. There are so many different things that could happen with them that it will be a lot of fun to see what actually does happen! If you enjoy this genre I would definitely recommend checking this book out.”
* * * * *
“Books featuring dragons are one of my favorite kinds of book to read and The Dragon Saga: Legend of the Oceina Dragon was a joy to read.I was happy that the main dragon character who’s name was Darien was portrayed to be a kind and gentle dragon especially when it came to Tai,the girl he was in love with and wanted to marry.Even though Tai and Darien did end up married her family was led to believe that she had been a sacrifice of the dragons and Tai was far from happy about being married.Even though things were far from smooth sailing for Tai and Darien I cheered a little when Tai fell in love with Darien.I give Legend of the Oceina Dragon 9 stars and I’m looking forward to reading what J.F. Jenkins writes next.”
From “All Things Books”
* * * * *
“All in all, J.F. Jenkins created a world straight out of fantasy.  Innocent maidens and gorgeous dragons… Legend of the Oceina Dragon is a pleasant start to a series with a few kinks but worth a read.  I will be keeping up with Tai and Dariens’s future journey.  I’m especially curious to learn more of the ending.” 
From Lov Liv Life Reviews.

A BIT ABOUT THE BOOK:
Darien Oceina is the youngest son of the Great Dragon Lord of the Water. For years he¹s loved and cherished Tai Dawson from afar. Tai is a simple, ordinary girl who doesn¹t even know Darien exists. On his eighteenth birthday, he chooses her as his wife. But there’s one problem: She thinks his choice means she¹s going to be offered as a sacrifice to the Dragon Lord, but instead, she’s forced to move to his home, far away, to give up her life and be his bride.
When she first sees Darien after the ceremony, she doesn’t expect to feel anything but hatred toward him. The two are struggling with the complications of a new marriage when their nation is attacked by a rival dragon species. Together they learn to love one another while they struggle to stay one step ahead in a game where the prize is their survival.

Gotta have this one? Here's where you can get it:
Amazon
Astraea Press  (all formats)
IS WITHHOLDING THE TRUTH THE SAME AS LYING?


Not telling the truth can come back to bite you as viciously as telling a lie. Especially when it concerns your children.

    I remember this like it was yesterday. My brother, mother, father and I were sitting around the kitchen table eating dinner. My brother must have been eighteen or nineteen and in college but home for the summer. 
   
      Some discussion had disintegrated into a disagreement, verging on an argument between my father and my brother. One didn't usually argue voluntarily with my father, who was a litigator, a trial lawyer, because he could beat everyone. Although he was only  five foot six, he was brilliant, a masterful and gifted debater, famous for out-thinking opponents of all sizes and intellects in the courtroom. 
    
      On his feet, no one could beat him. So I was surprised Jimmy persisted to fight with him, the timbor of the voices rising slightly with every point made on either side. I guess Dad's stubborn streak was handed down to us. I was in junior high school at the time, quietly trying to eat, my eyes getting bigger and bigger as each round continued...watching the verbal battle get nastier and nastier as it went along.

      The subject of the argument was my brother's friend. I'll call him Stan. Stan was an  unusual boy, bright but a little wild. He had serious problems at home with his family. Once I remember he came home after curfew and his father had locked him out of his house. He came over to our house and threw pebbles at the windows until Jimmy and I both woke up.

      Stan was rebellious and had a penchant for getting into trouble. But I found him to be a kind boy, always nice to me, often nicer than my brother was. Jimmy was not a rule breaker like Stan and I don't quite understand the basis of their friendship but it was a fast one until Stan's family moved away to Chicago just before senior year of high school.

       Anyway, the argument proceeded and I think my brother was actually winning. That was a dangerous thing to do. If you showed any signs of winning an argument with Dad, it forced him to pull out bigger guns because Dad never lost...no matter what the cost. Except for tonight, when Dad lost bigger than he ever lost before.
    
     I sat there watching them, silently, wishing it would stop, knowing it wouldn't until something terrible happened and that night it did. I don't remember exactly what Jimmy said, but my father blurted out,
     "Yeah? Well, if he was so smart why did he commit suicide?"

      There was silence in the room. Forks stopped in mid-air. I could hardly breathe, watching, seeing my father's face show unfamiliar signs of regret the minute the sentence was out of his mouth. Jimmy's face paled, my mother watched quietly like I did.
      
      Then my brother questioned my father who admitted they found out about Stan's suicide six months earlier and purposely didn't tell Jimmy. I don't remember the reason why they didn't tell him, maybe they thought they had a good reason at the time. Whatever. They didn't tell him and it was a huge mistake.
      
      My brother went ballistic. There was screaming and yelling. Tears gathered in Jimmy's eyes. My father backpedaled, but he was finally out of winning arguments, resorting to the old standby, "because we didn't." 

      Jim got up from the table, grabbed his car keys and disappeared. He was gone for hours. I was asleep when he got home.

         My father and brother didn't speak for a while. I know Jimmy never forgave him...and, what's worse, never trusted him or completely believed him again. After being a witness to one of the most incredible scenes of my young life, I never trusted or completely believed him again either.
      
      So when a dear friend of mine called me to tell me her son, a close friend of my younger son since kindergarten, was addicted to heroin and was in a psychiatric hospital, I debated calling him at college to tell him. We called and told him some of the truth and a week or two later, called and told him the complete truth. 
   
       Did I want to tell him? No, final exams were coming up. But I never want to see the look in my son's eyes I saw in Jimmy's eyes on the day Dad used all his ammo to win a battle and inadvertently lost the war.  

Six Sentences, a taste of "Sunny Days, Moonlit Nights"

 Harry, the chauffeur, calls Sunny to tell her that Brad, her philandering  husband, knows she has run away and he asks her if she is coming back:
 
“No, Harry, he’ll have to handcuff me and take me back by force,” 
she said with heat in her voice, color heating her cheeks, her free 
hand tightening into a fist.
“Oh, Miss, he isn’t going to like that at all! I wanted to warn you, Miss.”
“Thanks, Harry, please don’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t, ” said the chauffeur.
                                 ****
As soon as he hung up the phone, Harry pulled a slip of
paper out of his pocket and dialed the number on the paper.
“Is this American News tip line? Yes? How much do you pay 

for tips? Oh, well it’s about the impending divorce of two rich 
people…one a famous artist…yes. I see. Of course. You can 
make a check out to me, Harry…"

A little more about "Sunny Days, Moonlit Nights"
Will the tabloid be interested in the story of the runaway wife? You betcha! What will their nosing around do to Sunny's life, her relationship with Mike? What about Brad, he hates negative publicity. And after all this time building up Sunny's reputation, how does he feel about American News exposing his life?
Who will suffer the most from this "tip" Harry sold to the paper?


You'll have to read the book to find out.
Read reviews on my website:  website

Buy links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Astraea Press


BACK TO SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY



Tuesday, May 17, 2011

CONFESSION AND LIES WEDNESDAY!

IS WITHHOLDING THE TRUTH THE SAME AS LYING?


Not telling the truth can come back to bite you as viciously as telling a lie. Especially when it concerns your children.

    I remember this like it was yesterday. My brother, mother, father and I were sitting around the kitchen table eating dinner. My brother must have been eighteen or nineteen and in college but home for the summer. 
   
      Some discussion had disintegrated into a disagreement, verging on an argument between my father and my brother. One didn't usually argue voluntarily with my father, who was a litigator, a trial lawyer, because he could beat everyone. Although he was only  five foot six, he was brilliant, a masterful and gifted debater, famous for out-thinking opponents of all sizes and intellects in the courtroom. 
    
      On his feet, no one could beat him. So I was surprised Jimmy persisted to fight with him, the timbor of the voices rising slightly with every point made on either side. I guess Dad's stubborn streak was handed down to us. I was in junior high school at the time, quietly trying to eat, my eyes getting bigger and bigger as each round continued...watching the verbal battle get nastier and nastier as it went along.

      The subject of the argument was my brother's friend. I'll call him Stan. Stan was an  unusual boy, bright but a little wild. He had serious problems at home with his family. Once I remember he came home after curfew and his father had locked him out of his house. He came over to our house and threw pebbles at the windows until Jimmy and I both woke up.

      Stan was rebellious and had a penchant for getting into trouble. But I found him to be a kind boy, always nice to me, often nicer than my brother was. Jimmy was not a rule breaker like Stan and I don't quite understand the basis of their friendship but it was a fast one until Stan's family moved away to Chicago just before senior year of high school.

       Anyway, the argument proceeded and I think my brother was actually winning. That was a dangerous thing to do. If you showed any signs of winning an argument with Dad, it forced him to pull out bigger guns because Dad never lost...no matter what the cost. Except for tonight, when Dad lost bigger than he ever lost before.
    
     I sat there watching them, silently, wishing it would stop, knowing it wouldn't until something terrible happened and that night it did. I don't remember exactly what Jimmy said, but my father blurted out,
     "Yeah? Well, if he was so smart why did he commit suicide?"

      There was silence in the room. Forks stopped in mid-air. I could hardly breathe, watching, seeing my father's face show unfamiliar signs of regret the minute the sentence was out of his mouth. Jimmy's face paled, my mother watched quietly like I did.
      
      Then my brother questioned my father who admitted they found out about Stan's suicide six months earlier and purposely didn't tell Jimmy. I don't remember the reason why they didn't tell him, maybe they thought they had a good reason at the time. Whatever. They didn't tell him and it was a huge mistake.
      
      My brother went ballistic. There was screaming and yelling. Tears gathered in Jimmy's eyes. My father backpedaled, but he was finally out of winning arguments, resorting to the old standby, "because we didn't." 

      Jim got up from the table, grabbed his car keys and disappeared. He was gone for hours. I was asleep when he got home.

         My father and brother didn't speak for a while. I know Jimmy never forgave him...and, what's worse, never trusted him or completely believed him again. After being a witness to one of the most incredible scenes of my young life, I never trusted or completely believed him again either.
      
      So when a dear friend of mine called me to tell me her son, a close friend of my younger son since kindergarten, was addicted to heroin and was in a psychiatric hospital, I debated calling him at college to tell him. We called and told him some of the truth and a week or two later, called and told him the complete truth. 
   
       Did I want to tell him? No, final exams were coming up. But I never want to see the look in my son's eyes I saw in Jimmy's eyes on the day Dad used all his ammo to win a battle and inadvertently lost the war.  

PREQUEL TO "SUNNY DAYS, MOONLIT NIGHTS" Installment #5

From installment #4

“You’re something in the moonlight,” he murmured.
She moved up the sidewalk next to him, running her tongue over her lower lip, tasting him there and slowing her pace.
“Don’t do that,” he said.
She cocked an eyebrow at him.
“I’m only human and if you do that again…I don’t know, I might have to marry you.”
She burst out laughing and he pulled her into an embrace, seizing the opportunity to kiss her again, more deeply. She melted against him.
“It might take a long time to get you home at this pace,” he said.
“Ask me if I care,” she said, staring into his eyes.
Case took her hand and they walked along in silence for a while. 
"Do you work?"
"I'm an artist."
"I'll bet that pays the bills," he said, laughing.
"How'd you guess? How about you?"
"I'm a lawyer."
Bingo! Case might make mom happy.
"Don't confuse me with the rich, successful lawyer types. I work for mostly non-profit organizations."
"You're a poor lawyer?" She said, laughing.
"Not poor exactly, but far from rich."
They walked across 59th Street, stopping to pet one of the horses attached to an open-air carriage. 
"There's a nice path through the park that parallels Central Park West. I think it's safe, even at this hour. Want to take a chance?"
"Sure, let's live dangerously."
At Columbus Circle, Case tugged on her hand and led her into the park, which was dark and shadowy as the leaves rustled in the light summer breeze, playing peekaboo with the moonlight. 
Sunny looked at Case's profile. His strong jaw and longer nose gave him a decidedly masculine look. He drew her closer and put his arm around her shoulders. She saw several horse-drawn carriages clip-clop on the street that wound through the park. There were couples making out or families looking out in the black or white carriages passing by.
Case pulled her into the shadow of a tree and kissed her again. She felt uncomfortable as his kiss grew more urgent. He angled his mouth over hers to deepen the kiss, his arms vice-like around her.
She tried to move away but he tightened his grip. A feeling of panic rose in her chest. A mistake, coming into the park at night alone with...with...a man I don't know!
Fear rose in her mind as his hand moved up over her breast. She pushed it down and shoved against him with all her might. He let go and stepped back.
"Let go of me!" She shouted.
Case looked at her with surprise on his face.
"What? What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? You were attacking me!"
"Attacking? Is that what you call it when a man throws some moves on a chick who consents to walk through the dark park with him. Why do you think I brought you here? For a stroll?"
She nodded.
He laughed.
"You are pretty naive. How old are you?"
"Old enough to know better than to come into the park after dark with a man I hardly know," she said.
"That's right. You came in here willingly. I thought you wanted to make love. Guess I was wrong. I'm sorry," he said, stepping closer to Sunny.
She jumped back, feeling a tremble of fear go through her.
"Aw, come on. I'm not going to attack you. This is ridiculous."
She moved closer to him, he took her hand.
"Let's get you home, little girl," he said.
She walked next to him, relaxing as his warm, dry hand held hers firmly but safely. Her breathing slowed down and she relaxed.
"Do you often make love in the park after a charity function."
"Not unless I get lucky. And you were giving me all the right signals."
"I liked you..."
"Liked?"
"After someone won't let me go, I tend to move him into the dislike category."
"Ooh. Sarcastic and immature. What a combination!"
"Hey!"
"Okay, okay. Sorry. That was pretty nasty. You're a beautiful woman, can't blame a guy for being mad...getting 'no'."
"I suppose."
"When he thought he already had 'yes', eh?"
"I suppose I should apologize for being naive, not reading your mind, but I'm not. I took you at your word about a nice stroll through the park in the moonlight."
"Well...maybe. I said I was sorry."
"Yeah, sorry I'm not going to sleep with you."
"That...and sorry if I upset you. Now I've ruined my chances, haven't I?"
"You could say that."
"Crap. Do I still get a kiss goodnight?"
"We'll see."
They walked up through the park in silence. Sunny felt foolish she didn't know what he had in mind and annoyed at him for being so...insistent. When they got to her door, she could see the light was still on in her apartment. She turned to say goodnight.
Case took her in his arms and gave her a gentle kiss. She let him, then moved away.
"Any chance I can see you again?"
"Why would you want to date such a...a...child?"
"Maybe because she's the most beautiful child I've ever seen."
She laughed.
"Trust issues, Case. I have trust issues with you."
"Okay. Give me your number and I promise to take you somewhere with lots of people...so that you'll feel safe."
She wavered. He was nice looking and fun up until the park.
"Okay. One more chance."
He kissed her hand, wrote down her number and left her to go inside.
"No, Ma, I'm not engaged to a rich man yet," she called out as she entered the apartment. Not raped by one, either, thank God.
 Read the rest of  Sunny's adventures in "Sunny Days, Moonlit Nights "
  
Amazon 
Barnes & Noble