Coming Soon

Neil's Fire will be available on Smashwords and a few other retailers. Will keep you posted.

Self-Published and Loving it!!

Well, as I have already said, I have decided to go the self-publishing route. And I must tell you it's a lot of work.

But....

There is always a but...LOL

I'm loving it.  I feel empowered. I'm in control of every aspect of my book: writing, publication, graphics. And it's a great feeling.

I sold my first book on Amazon within the first two hours that it was published. I was jumping for the ceiling, I must tell you.

*Sigh*

Back to work then. Promoting is a b*tch. But loving it. Learning a lot.

Neil's Fire (Island Heat) Excerpt

I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

 “Of course not. I’m gonna stay until the storm dies down. Don’t worry.” He reached over and awkwardly patted her arm in a reassuring gesture.

She sighed. It looked like she was going to have to be a little more direct.

Sandwich forgotten she stood and he followed suit. She walked to his side of the table.  “Hey, you ok-oomph.”

His sentence ended abruptly as she pushed him back down onto his chair. She knew she was only able to accomplish the task because he was surprised by her action.

“Fire,-“

She placed a finger on his lip.

“Ssshhh.”

He grabbed her hand but made no effort to move it away.

His eyes blazed. That was the only way she could explain it. An inner fire lit his eyes up and they glowed. She remembered that look. The candles did not offer sufficient light but she was sure if she looked closer she would see his pupils expanded leaving only a faint green brown ring around them.

He wanted this too.

She pulled her hand away. He let her go. Grabbing the bottom of his t-shirt she pulled it up and up. Inch by inch of gorgeous chest was exposed. Abs, obliques, pecs. His golden skin, covering those perfect muscles, glittered in the candle light. A fine sheen of sweat sparkled over his skin even though the room was chilly. The shirt covered his face briefly then it was lying carelessly on the floor.

Yum yum!

He was even more gorgeous than before. He was more ripped, more defined. More…just more. And she intended to get reacquainted with every inch of skin tonight.

She put one leg on either side of his thighs. Her breasts were level with his eyes. He stared straight at them. Her nipples had already hardened and she was sure that they were poking against her top. He swallowed before meeting her gaze.

Slowly she grabbed the bottom of her own top and his gaze jumped to the action. Her fingers ate up more and more of the cotton material. His tongue moved over his lips as if they were suddenly dry. She pulled the top higher and higher and then felt the cool air brushed her nipples. She shivered. A strangled sound came from his throat. Moving it over her head she dropped it on the floor also.

His eyes were stuck on her breasts and he licked his lips again.

“I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

BUY IT NOW  

Neil's Fire (Island Heat)

Hi Everyone!!!

I am soooo excited. I have decided to go the self-publishing route and my first book, Neil's Fire is available.

Ahhh... It's a good feeling. I'm soo happy.

But moving on. Let me tell you a little about the book.

First off, it's set in St. Lucia and if you've never heard of it, it's a small island in the Caribbean, tropical and beautiful.

The main characters, Neil and Safire have a long history; some of it good, some bad. A bad break-up loomed in their past but one thing's sure; the intense sexual attract they share will never go away.




BOOK SYNOPSIS

Under the St. Lucian sun, Fate throws Safire Robins and Neil Ryan back together after a painful breakup four years before.

Moving into her new apartment, Safire is shocked to find out that Neil is her downstairs neighbor and is determined to ignore his presence despite the attraction that still stirs her heart and her pants.

Neil, seeing the chance to win back the love of the woman his heart refuses to forget, is determined to snatch up the opportunity.

As a terrible hurricane threatens the beautiful island the one-time lovers let passion rule and enjoy hours of unforgettable fun.

But as the storm clears and they both come to terms with the past, will their blooming relationship survive? Or crumble under the weight of past transgressions?

______________________________________________________________________________

Character Profiles

 Fun-loving and easy-going, Neil Ryan is a Civil Engineer by trade. The son of a single mother, he was raised without a silver spoon in his mouth or hand. However the love apparent in his home was always a comfort.
From humble beginnings, he now has a respectable and rewarding career.
But before  all his success one person had stood by him. The one woman he loved more than life itself.

Chartered accountant, Safire Robins, also raised by a single mother had quite a different childhood. Resented by a mother scorned by men, she had been had been dead set against relations of any kind. She saw men as an unnecessary hindrance and sex unworthy of the possible heartache.
The night she met Neil, all that changed. Suddenly the appeal of love and lust were very apparent.

Read an excerpt here.
Neil's Fire is part of a five part series. Look out for the following covers.

How to be a GREAT French Kisser

Here are a few tips to make you a winner at the tongue Olympics.

-          Proper hygiene. No one wants to have a dirty tongue thrust into their mouth.

-          Hold your partner close. This allows greater intimacy with your bodies pressed close to each other. Touch the special person’s back, shoulders, neck, hair, etc..  Know the boundaries. You do not want to overstep and ruin the moment. Be gentle; at least until you get to know your partner better and know what he/she like.

-          Tilt your head to the side to gain proper access and forgo any awkward positions.

-          Close your eyes. With your eyes close, your other senses heighten and make the kiss more intense.

-          Gently touch your lips to your partner’s. Savor the moment. Do not rush. Starting slow allows you to figure out what your partner likes.

-          Lightly move your tongue against your partner’s lips, pressing softly.

-          If and when their lips part, lightly touch your tongue to theirs in a soft sweeping or licking motion.

-          When you are both comfortable with that, sucking and “wrestling” of the tongue is allowed.

-          Spice it up. Explore your partner’s mouth. Don’t get too creepy. Slowly and gently.

-          Biting. Some people like light biting of the lower lip. Very sexy and erotic.

-          So not forget to breathe through your nose. Air will be in short supply in such moments!

-          Swallow your spit. No need to slobber your partner.

-          Vocalize your pleasure (moaning, heavy breathing, etc.). Let your partner know that you are enjoying the kiss. They will too if you are doing it right.

-          Continue holding your partner close and listen to body language. There are many signs that your partner is enjoying your technique. Pressing the body closer, engaging in your tongue play and moaning are some.

-          Do not overthink the situation. Do not try to anticipate your partner’s moves. Go with the flow and allow your body to speak for itself.

Hope this helps.

Let me know.

Writing Challenges-Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

For a few weeks now, I’ve been contemplating which way to go. So I’ve decided to weigh the pros and cons and share them with you.

First, let’s distinguish between the two. “Self-publishing is the publication of any book or other media by the author of the work, without the involvement of an established third-party publisher.” With traditional publishing, the third-party publisher is involved as the author submits the manuscript for consideration by a publishing house.

Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

	Self-Publishing	Traditional Publishing
First-time authors	No fear of rejection. This however leaves the task of being highly critical of your work. It is highly recommended that you obtain an editor or a reading group to preview your work before publication.	The majority of first-time authors are rejected by publishing house.
Time	With self-publishing, an author can have a published book in a matter of weeks. With the publication of an e-book, the time maybe as short as a few days.	After being accepted by a publishing house, an author may need to wait week, months or even years before the book is published.
Money	The author may need to contribute upfront costs but has more control over the payout and royalties. You reap all the profits.	The author often gets paid an advance but has little control of the royalty percentage which is much less than with self-publishing.
Control	The author has control over the content, appearance, design, etc. You’re in charge	The publisher controls the content, appearance, design, etc.
Work Load	The author does all the work: writing, promoting, designing, etc.	The publishing house does all the work. All the author has to do is provide the material.
Publishing Success	Your chances of success are far greater. If your book is highly successful, you may be approached by a traditional publisher with a great deal.	Rejection is common, especially for first-time authors.
Book Prices	The author controls the price and while it may be lower than that of traditional publishing, it may sell more copies.	Books are commonly overpriced with traditional publishing.

You decide which option works best for you, but while self-publishing may yield greater profit long-term, you need to put in a lot of extra work, effort and gain some expertise in the publishing industry. If you’re looking for the big advance check, traditional publishing is the way to go.

Pan Fried Chicken

This is what I'm eating today. Thought I'd share it with you.

It was only after I made it did it occured to me to share, otherwise I'd have added pictures.

It’s a great healthier alternative to deep fried chicken.

Ingredient List

3 lb marinated chicken legs, skins removed

2/3 cup flour

1 ½ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

½ tsp poultry seasoning

1/3 cup each, oil and margarine

Method

Combine flour, seasoning, salt and pepper.

Coat chicken in flour mixture.

Heat the oil and margarine in a frying pan on medium heat. To test the oil mixture for readiness, sprinkle some flour in. If it sizzles, the oil mixture is good for frying. If it does not, allow the oil mixture to heat up some more.

Lay in chicken.

Brown chicken on one side for 12-15 minutes.

Do the same for other side.

Reduce heat and allow the chicken to cook on low heat for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

Writing Challenges 2-Writing A Synopsis

*Shudder*

For me, this is way, way harder than writing the book. It's right up there with giving speeches.

First, let's begin with what a synopsis really is. A synopsis is simply a summary of your book or manuscript. Its purpose is to give an accurate portrayal of your work in a condensed version. It reinforces the author's main point, the plot, main characters and their motivations, conflicts and resolutions. It should NOT be confused with the blurb.

The dos and don'ts of synopsis writing

DOS
-write in the present tense.
-write in the 3rd person even if your book isn't written this way.
-write the synopsis in the same style and tone that the book is written in. If your book is written with a dark tone, let your synopsis reflect that.
-write your synopsis in the same format that your manuscript is written. Double space your synopsis, use one-inch margins, left justification and a font like Arial or Times New Roman (these two fonts are generally accepted by editors).
- it must include the main characters of your work. Please do not list them. Incorporate them into the narrative.
-ensure that the paragraphs of your synopsis "flow" into each other and do not appear disjointed.
-include a "hook". This is 25 words or less describing your work. Its purpose is to capture the attention of your editor.
-include the conclusion of your work in your synopsis.
-arrange your information in the same order that it appears in your original work.
-when you think you're done, you're really not. The golden rule is edit, edit, edit, edit. Just as you would do with your manuscript, a synopsis needs revision.
-limit the number of pages you use for your synopsis. Generally, editors ask that it stays below 5 pages.

DON'TS
-do not include information that is not included in your work.
-do not include your opinion, or that of your best friends, family, spouse, the imaginary voice in your head, etc. NO personal opinions.
-do not include secondary characters or minor events.
-do not include rhetorical questions.

Here is an Example of a synopsis format:

Please ensure that there are no grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors. Do not forget that this is a representation of you. If it is riddled with errors, publishers will assume that your work is the same.

Some persons find it helpful to writing a draft synopsis before writing the book. Try it, see if it works for you. Writing is a world filled with trial and error.

I sincerely hope this was helpful.

Funny Famous Quotes

Found these and wanted to share.

1)    

1)      Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
Bill Gates

2)      A good sermon should be like a woman's skirt: short enough to rouse the interest, but long enough to cover the essentials. (not a clue!)

3)       If you die in an elevator, be sure to push the Up button. Sam Levenson

4)       God gave us a penis and a brain, but not enough blood to use both at the same time. Robin Williams

5)      In my country we go to prison first and then become President. Nelson Mandela

6)      When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other.  Eric Hoffer

7)      My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I'm right.  Ashleigh Brilliant

8)      The only fool bigger than the person who knows it all is the person who argues with him. Stanislaw Jerszy Lec

9)      The most difficult thing in the world is to know how to do a thing and to watch somebody else doing it wrong, without comment. T. H. White

10)   I can't understand why people are frightened by new ideas. I'm frightened of old ones. John Cage

11)   Imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality. Jules de Gaultier

12)   If you want to make enemies, try to change something. Woodrow Wilson

13)   You must believe in free will; there is no choice. Isaac Bashevis Singer

14)   I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work. Thomas Edison

15)   You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality. Ayn Rand

16)   When one person suffers from a delusion it is called insanity; when many people suffer from a delusion it is called religion. Robert Pirsig

17)   Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

18)   I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. Thomas Jefferson

19)   Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford

20)   Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. Martin Luther King Jr.

21)   Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws. Plato

22)   The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don't have it.  George Bernard Shaw

23)   Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake. Napoleon Bonaparte

24)   Women might be able to fake orgasms. But men can fake a whole relationship. Sharon Stone

25)   Many wealthy people are little more than janitors of their possessions. Frank Lloyd Wright

26)   Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go. Oscar Wilde

27)   I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter. Sir Winston Churchill

28)   How wrong it is for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself. Anais Nin

29)   Maybe this world is another planet's Hell. Aldous Huxley

30)   All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusion is called a philosopher. Ambrose Bierce

31)   Be nice to people on your way up because you meet them on your way down. Jimmy Durante

32)   If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. Carl Sagan

33)   My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher. Socrates

34)   Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't. Erica Jong

35)   Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names. John F. Kennedy

36)   The nice thing about egotists is that they don't talk about other people. Lucille S. Harper

37)   If women didn't exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning. Aristotle Onassis

38)   I am not young enough to know everything. Oscar Wilde

39)   The covers of this book are too far apart. Ambrose Bierce

40)   Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you. Carl Gustav Jung

Writing Challenges 1- Time Management

As a new writer, I have becoming well aware of the challenges of writing a book, a good one that is. Therefore, I decided why not help my fellow writers. This is my Writing Challenges Series on as the names says and how to overcome these challenges.

Today's discussion is on time management and how to accomplish your writing goals without pulling your hair out in frustration. My biggest issue was scheduling my writng time around all the aspects of my life- family, work, recreation-without neglecting any of my responsiblities but giving my writng the time it deserves. With a few hits and falls, I came up with some tips to help me and hopefully they will help you too.


Time Management Tips
1) Create a schedule

     I think that most time management issues, writing or not, stem from lack of structure. With a schedule set, the hours in the day don't seem so limiting. Everything will have a time and place and conflicts for your time will be limited also. Using timers can help you stick to you schedule.

2) Stop Procrastinating
     I know, I leave stuff for the last minute too but we are now free to break the shackles of this bad habit. A good way to combat this self-sabotaging behavior is to writng everyday, even if its only for a few minutes.

3) Set Goals
    Seeing where you're going always helps you get there faster.

4) Don't Overwrite
    Binge-writing, as its called, is unhealthy. It takes away the pleasure of your craft. Never work for hours on end without taking sufficient breaks. A timer works well here also. Stopping for a breather at least every 20 minutes is a good idea. The break itself does not have to be very long. 5 minutes is sufficient.

5) Prioritize
     Completing the hardest parts of your projest first prevents you from hitting road blocks in the future. Making lists is a good way to help with this. With prioritizing, you will learn the value of organizational skills.

6) Develop you own system
    This is basically self explanatory. What might work for me might not work for you. Time and lots of trial and error will help you develop your own writing system.

7) Stick with your system.

While this make the perfect solution, its better than jumping in blindly. Trust me.

For the mean time between time, here's an inspirational quote to keep you going.

http://rishikajain.com/2010/11/18/nothing-in-this-world-can-take-the-place-of-persistence/

I hope this has been helpful . Let me know.

Rainy Day Drink

Hi all!!

Its been a rainy day. A tropical wave has sent a few thunderstorms my way but I am in no way disappointed. I love a rainy day. Makes me wanna stuggle underneath a warm blanket and watch a chick flick or read a good book. And drink a warm cup of cocoa tea. So I decided to share my recipe with you'll.

If anyone tries it, let me know how it turns out.:-)

This is cocoa stick.

Cocoa Tea Recipe

Ingredient List

½ cup of grated cocoa stick

2 cups of water

1 cup of milk

Sugar to sweeten

½ teaspoon Vanilla

Bay leaf

Cinnamon and nutmeg

1 table spoon of flour

Method

Boil water with cinnamon, nutmeg and bay leaf for 15 minutes on medium heat.

Add the cocoa and let boil for 10 minutes.

All the milk and boil on low heat.

Sweeten to taste.

Spoon a small amount of cocoa mixture into a small bowl and add flour, stirring to combine thoroughly.

Add flour mixture to cocoa mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes.

Add vanilla and serve.

Serves 2.