Wednesday, January 8, 2014

IWSG-Starting Over


The purpose of IWSG is to go forth encouraging and supporting each other in our writing journeys. We post the first Wednesday of each month. Whether you would like to support or you have your own insecurities in this large writing world, we would love to have you come on board. Please go here and sign up.

 My insecurity this month is starting over. Yes, back at the beginning of writing a new book. All the seeds of doubt are there. Not as strong as with the first book I wrote, but still present. You wouldn't think that after writing four stories, the doubt would linger.

All the same questions: Can I actually make a story out of this? Will it sustain itself throughout the entire process? Will others like it? Will my publisher like it? What if no one does?

All the same hair-pulling questions. I force myself to tune them out. But, lo and behold, a couple pages later and they creep back up for me to pound them down back into their rightful place.

And as if I couldn't possibly complicate it more, I go and decide to write a series. Am I crazy???

Maybe I am, but I love to write so much more than allowing those seeds of doubt to overcome me.

How about you? With each book you begin, does the same nagging questions pop up?

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Dilys J. Carnie: Dancing With Temptation




     Please welcome Dilys J. Carnie and Dancing with Temptation.



    Her trust in men is sorely blighted by past experience.
    But when Bronwyn and Jessie meet, the chemistry between them is electrifying. The barriers come up and she refuses to acknowledge any kind of relationship between them.
    He can’t understand what’s holding her back.
    Jesse is confused by her resistance, yet he knows she is attracted to him. When an old boyfriend turns up determined to hurt her he fights to give their love the chance it deserves.


     Amazon | Barnes & Noble





    Dilys has generously provided an excerpt:

    She knew he was going to kiss her, making every coherent thought vanish from her mind. She didn’t seem to be able to focus on anything except those sexy lips coming toward hers. When they reached hers it was like a whisper, just the smallest touch feathering on her lips. Pulling away from him his warm breath caressed her skin and his unguarded gaze sent a shiver down her spine.
    Bronwyn’s heart did a cataclysmic shift as she stood on tiptoes grasping his soft leather jacket as he returned his lips to hers with a passion not denied by either of them. His hand cupped the back of her neck as his fingers threaded through her short hair.
    His lips made small firm strokes setting her skin on fire. She leaned in wanting to feel more. His other hand massaged the small of her back pulling her even closer. His hands moved, she sighed when he reached for her waist lifting her so they were together, shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip.
    The tight pressure of his hands as he gripped her excited her, then he maneuvered her body against his. She could feel his arousal causing her to elicit a little mew of pleasure. The impact was…pleasurable
    she’d completely forgotten where she was letting her body move against his. She opened her mouth even more to his tongue, hot and wet as it tantalized hers. It felt amazing, like a duel of pleasure.
    She tasted the rawness, the magnetism was powerful enough to completely clear her mind of all the reasons why this was wrong. The tightening of her breasts made her shiver as her nipples tingled. She
    absorbed the pure maleness of him with all of her senses gripping the hair at his neck with her fingers as an unexpected hot wave of pleasure hit her like a wave of molten lava.
    “Can you feel it?” he breathed into her mouth. “Can you?” His voice throbbed against her lips.
    She moaned against his mouth as chaotic sensations cascaded down her body to the tips of her toes. Her body tingled with the expectations she didn’t understand.
    Her fingers gripped his shoulders. His lean warm hands created a path of intense heat as they slid beneath the hem of her dress. The surprised roughness of his skin came into contact with her lacy black
    stockings, his groan was deep as his fingertips tentatively touched the bare skin at the top of her thighs. His deep growl permeated the air and a warning bell imbued on her senses.
    Hell fire, didn’t she ever learn her lesson…what was she doing?
    With those thoughts she pushed him away only to realize her feet were not touching the ground, he was leaning against the car holding her up.
    “Put me down.” Her voice was a whisper; the truth was she was out of breath leaving her voice cracked. “Now.”
    Her heart was racing; the thumping reverberated in her ears. She was shocked by her behavior; the ferocity of the passion between them was frightening. He put her down allowing her to step away. He didn’t say a word as he watched her through narrowed eyes. His chest was heaving but she ignored the movement.
    She was having enough problems breathing herself.
    God what kind of a kiss was that?
    It had been earth shattering; however, she had been more than willing to accept the way it had been given. But it could only lead to one conclusion and she didn’t do one night stands. He was a fantastic kisser which could only mean he’d had plenty of experience. Her passion turned to anger at the way she had betrayed herself her dignity was in tatters.
    Would she never learn her lesson?
    “Goodnight,” she muttered before opening the gate slamming it shut behind her as she searched in her purse for her key. Putting it in the lock she looked back. He was where she had left him, leaning on the
    car, his feet spread wide apart his arms folded across his chest. In the lamplight she could see him smile, giving her a casual wave before he put his hand into his jacket pocket. Agitated she opened the door
    and without another look closed it behind her. Dropping her purse on the floor she went to sit in the rocking chair toeing off her shoes, bringing her legs to curl beneath her.
    Oh boy, big mistake, humongous!


    About Dilys J. Carnie:

    As a young child I loved to write. I always carried a notebook and pen around with me and wrote about everything. It was a dream to become a published author. However sometimes in life our dreams get pushed to one side as mine did. So, dare I say at the young age of fifty I think it is time for me to see if those dreams are everything I hoped they would be…and hey it’s never too late to go and grab that dream!
    I have been through many major changes in my working life ranging from a Diana nurse, running my own skin care business, helping with the family run bus company and even hairdressing but my heart as always belonged to putting words on paper and making them come to life.
    Recently I managed to get in contact with my best friend from Scotland who I hadn’t seen for over forty years. She lives in America and every year without fail I make the trip over to North Carolina and visit with her and her gorgeous family. This is where I have gained a lot of inspiration for many of my stories. I am lucky that my mum and two sisters live close by and I can say that we are all best friends. I lost my dad four years ago and if it wasn’t for the story I wrote after his death where I came second in a competition I probably wouldn’t have started writing with a view to publication.
    I am living my lifelong dream of becoming an author something which I never imagined happening. If I had to give any advice to an un-published author it would be ‘Never give up the dream’ because I never did…




    You can find Dilys:  Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

    Sunday, January 5, 2014

    Sexy Snippets

    It's Sunday. And what does that mean? Yes, it's time for Sexy Snippets! What's that you ask? Every Sunday, some of us girls post up 7 sentences (and at times quite steamy) either from one of our published works or from a WIP we're currently working on. To sign up or to check out other great snippets, click here. 

    Last week in the snippet from The Wishing Wreath (All I Want For Christmas Is A Soul Mate), Antoine told Vivian he would follow her around the world until she gave in. And she would never ask him to give up his homeland for her. She tells him she wants to stay on the island. Let's find out what happens next ...

    He gathered her as close as he could within the car's confines and looked into her eyes. "And have babies?"

    "Lots of them," she smiled through the tears.

    "We can begin practicing immediately."

    She arched a brow. "We're not going to have a proper courtship, are we?"

    "You can bet not."