Happy Halloween!

I did not get a chance to read That 3rd Book, so come back next week:)

Here's a deleted Halloween scene from Forbidden Love.  This takes place in the earlier part of Kyle and Keri's dating period, so assumptions are made and tempers flare.  Enjoy!

Warning:  Unedited Material.
Set up:  The girls are at a Halloween party thrown by Kyle's cousin Sid, whom he lives with.  Gretchen is dressed as a Punk Rocker; Stephanie is a flasher, wearing a rain coat over her swim suit; Keri is dressed in her coveralls and carries her automotive tool box.  When they arrive, Gretchen sits down to play a game of Euchre; Steph hits the dance floor; and Keri finds a seat near the bar.  Kyle is not present.

"Where's Kyle?" she shouted over the noise.

               

  "Don't know," he shrugged.  "He'll be here soon, don't worry!  Have a beer!"

            

"No thanks." she declined, then swiveled around in her seat to watch the dancers.  Bob Seeger was belting out "Old-Time Rock-n-Roll", and realized she must have been moving her body in time to the music, when a guy dressed as Dracula asked her to dance.  "Why not?" she accepted, and one dance led to another, and soon they were back at the bar, talking. 

            

Dracula turned out to be a rather nice-looking boy named Tony, who had been in Keri’s English class the previous semester.  She had mentioned she was waiting for her date to show up, not wanting to encourage him.

            

"Well, I'll keep you company until the lucky one shows," he decided.

            

Keri was starting to get a little worried and irritated when eleven o'clock rolled around, and there was still no sign of Kyle.  Where could he be?  Suddenly, Sid grabbed her arm and pulled her off the dance floor.

            

"Just a minute," he told Tony.

            

"What are you doing?" Keri demanded.

            

"I've got to tell you," Sid said.  "Kyle and Lisa just arrived."

            

"Lisa's here?" she squeaked.  "Why?"

                

"Don't ask me," he answered.  "I just thought you should hear it from me instead of seeing her first.  There they are," he pointed.

            

Just coming around the partition was Keri’s boyfriend, dressed in karate clothes, and an attractive blonde woman in surgical scrubs.  Kyle obviously had not spotted Keri yet, and he whispered something in the other woman’s ear.  She laughed, then patted him on the back as Kyle made his way through the crowd.

            

Keri was devastated.  She wasn't sure of what to do, so she stood her ground when he came closer.

            

"Keri!  Thank God...Here you are," he smiled and touched her arm.

            

"Hi Kyle," she answered stiffly.  "I thought we had a date tonight."

            

"I'm sorry...Lisa got word of the party and arranged to have the night off.  I didn't find out until it was too late to call you."  He looked around to make sure she wasn't around.

            

"She's pretty," Keri commented.

            

"So are you."  He bent down to kiss her, but she pulled away.  "I'm going home."

            

Keri retrieved her toolbox and went upstairs to the bathroom, letting the tears fall for a few minutes before composing herself and locating her coat.  She felt humiliated, hurt, and extremely angry.  She wanted desperately to take apart a car.

                

"Kurt!" Keri called.  "Tell Steph I've gone home, will you?  Headache..." She continued through the house.  

Dracula caught up with her and offered to walk her back.

            

"No, I need to be alone," she answered hotly.  "My date's wife showed up, and I need to break something."

            

"Whoa!"  He swung around to face me on the sidewalk.  "Your boyfriend's married?"

            

Keri closed her eyes.  "Not exactly.  They're in the process of getting a divorce.  I'm not sure why she's here, and I don't want to talk about it!"

Forbidden Love is available at Sweet Cravings, Amazon, B&N, and wherever other E-books can be bought:)

HDH #27: Halloween 'Trick'?

Since tomorrow is Halloween, I decided to give you a break from Hunter and Kayla, and post a Halloween scene.  But first, click here for more Hump Day Fun. 

This is one of my favorite scenes from Book #5, Endless Love.  After Caitlyn temporarily breaks up with Bryan, she gains the attention of Peter Criswell.  He attempts to woo her by taking Caty and her bff Amy to a Haunted House on Halloween.  Enjoy!

When everyone was dressed, all makeup in place, they went to the lobby where Gretchen’s boyfriend, Troy Anderson, waited. Dressed in a black suit and tie and carrying a tinfoil microphone, he whistled with appreciation at the sight of the three girls, identically dressed in black miniskirts, black turtlenecks, black hose, and matching pumps. In stark contrast, Amy wore a pink hoop skirted formal and wide brimmed straw hat. Caitlyn sported a white blouse, denim jumper, red pumps, and carried a picnic basket.

Troy shook his head. “What are you two supposed to be? I thought I’d be surrounded by five backup singers.”

“She’s Dorothy, and I’m Glinda, the Good Witch.” Amy pirouetted. “Shall we go?”

Troy bowed and gestured with his microphone for the girls to precede him out the door. The group trooped over to Berkely Hall and spent the next hour going door to door on all three floors. Afterward, plastic sacks bulging, they returned to the lobby to find Peter outside, waiting beside his car. Caty made the introductions then Amy and Caty climbed inside Peter’s car and drove to the Sigma Pi fraternity house. Peter paid their admission and they toured the haunted house. All went well until the end when Caty was collecting her bag of candy from one of the fraternity members and overheard Amy ask for an ice pack.

“My God, are you all right?” Caty noticed her swelling nose.

“It’s okay, nothing’s broken. Did you see the idiot in the Frankenstein costume? He popped me when he jumped out.” Amy wiped her eyes.

“I’m a med student, let me take a look.” One of the Pi’s handed her a baggie full of ice.

“Thank you. Just tell the guy behind the door to watch what he’s doing. Come on, guys.” Skirts swishing and holding the plastic baggie to her face, Amy turned and went out the door before a crowd could form.

For more of this party, head over to Kenzie's Place:) 

Belated Birthday Party:)

Arbor University is now 2 years old!  

Okay; so technically Love On The Rocks turned two last week, but I had other things on my mind.  To make up for it  celebrate, I'm giving away some books!  And since you seem to like Kenzie's books better than my Arbor U series (hey, I see the sales reports, you know!),  you can even win one of those.  Are you ready?  I've posted Elicia's birthday celebration with Brent, then asked a question for you to answer.  Don't worry if you haven't read it; it's an easy quiz.

Sleeping with him at the fraternity house was one thing; renting a motel room seemed exciting and forbidden. Why didn’t I buy a teddy or something sexy over Break? Now I wish I’d talked to Steph; she’s got one of those lacy things.

She dropped the backpack on the double bed then moved to the window.

“It’s just the back parking lot.” She heard Brent clear his throat. “I checked it out earlier.”

Elicia turned as she removed her coat and gloves. “I wasn’t expecting this. Now I wish I’d brought my swim suit, so we could sit in the hot tub.”

“Oh, but for what I’ve got planned, there won’t be any time.” Brent took her coat from her and draped it over the nearest chair. He gathered her in his arms and kissed her. “I’ve missed you so much, baby." His tongue traced her ear as his teeth nipped around her earring. His hands traveled down to her buttocks and squeezed through the denim jeans. “God, you feel good.”

“Oh, Brent...” Elicia closed her eyes and gave herself to him, savoring the smell of his cologne and the pressure of his hands as they crept inside her sweater. She maneuvered her hands inside his jacket and began to unfasten the buttons on his shirt.

Brent shrugged out of both jacket and shirt then pulled her sweater over her head, along with the polo shirt she wore and buried his face in her cleavage.

“I wondered what you did with the pin." He spread kisses on both breasts while unhooking her bra and pushing the straps down her arms. “Keeping it close to your heart?”

“Always.” She tried to get his belt buckle unfastened. “How do you undo this damn thing?”

Brent’s eyes grew dark with desire as he unfastened his belt and jeans, slid them off, and helped Elicia out of hers.

“I already kicked off my shoes." She ran her fingers up his chest, loving the texture of his furry chest.

He threw back his head. “You would remember that." He bent down and scooped her up, carrying her to the bed. 

In the morning, Brent refastens his fraternity pin on Elicia, while asking her a question.  What was that question?  Hint:  Planning ahead.

Comment to answer, and I'll award a winner tomorrow with a book of your choice from my website.  But here's the catch:  If you choose from Kenzie's back list, you have to get one of Arbor U's as well.  Have fun and Happy Birthday to Elicia, Amy, Keri, and Gretchen!

It's Beginning To Look Like Halloween!

Our house:)  Now if we can find the giant spider; we put it up where it wouldn't get torn up, and now can't remember where we hid it!

Me as a shipwrecked pirate:)  I wanted the RenFair costume, but the pirate one was $20 less.

KJ Mark and Jackie, singing 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around' at Halloween Karaoke Party

Kelly as 'Long Dong Silver' and playing air guitar with his fake schlong during a music break.  Even funnier, that's his cousin Sally in the Playboy Bunny costume!

Lining up for costume contest:  The pirate standing next to the Samurai warrior won 1st prize.

Alexandria, our 'Queen Bee'.

Sunday Night Programs:
Amazing Race:  I was soooo hoping Marie and what's-his-name would get penalized for not having their clue, but thankfully they gave Team ER Docs the other Express Pass!  And cannot believe 'Pinky and the Brain' used their pass!  There. Was. No. Need!!!  What's Pinky going to do now when she's up against a difficult challenge?  Demand the ER Docs give it back?

I'm sooooooo disappointed the Team Hippie Dudes were eliminated last night!!!!  Noooooooo......who am I going to root for now???

The Good Wife:  WOW!  Every time you think this show is getting stagnant and predictable, they prove you wrong.  At the end of last season, I was hoping she was calling Will.  Nope, she called Carey.  Then, they were doing a great job of being on the down-low as they prepared to start their own firm.  Nope, last week, Diane got suspicious.  This week, all hell broke loose within the first ten minutes!  Talk about staying-on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense!  Can hardly wait to see what's brewing for next week!

Karaoke Update:
ET (Katy Perry):  Did better than I thought!  Going to have to catch this on on video:)
Edge of 17 (Stevie Nicks):  I wasn't sure if Mark had Eye of the Tiger, so put this one in.  Did well:)
Dream On (Aerosmith):  Got a nice round of applause at the end:)


Important Announcement Tomorrow!

Flashback Friday: Feeding The Rumor Mill

Oct 2003:
Story thus far:  After the spouse's two heart surgeries and having to take meds for a positive TB test, I found myself unexpectedly pregnant, and had to resign from my job as bus monitor, since I wasn't allowed to lift more than 10lbs.  I forgot to mention I was NOT happy with Dr. S, who informed he wasn't delivering babies anymore, and referred me to his colleague, Dr. L.  

I was craving caesar salad and fettucini, and fortunately there was a Fazolli's across the street from the dr's office:)  The spouse had gotten laid off from work by now, and was able to accompany me.  I was really concerned about all the medications he was taking and would it affect his half of the child's DNA?

Dr. L looked at his med list, then looked at him, then me, then back at him.  "Molly, how on earth did you manage to get pregnant?  He's on at least three meds which should have lowered his sperm count."

Spouse sat straight up.  "Ah HA!"

"No; I've not been with anyone BUT you!"

Then we told her about the other anomalies, like certain blood pressure meds which made him excessively hungry, which was NOT a side effect, and him being so sensitive to the blood thinner.

At the school carnival, I worked a low-stress game, where all I had to do was stand and supervise the kids as they played.  Previously, I'd worked the football toss, which involved running after footballs and making sure the goalpost stayed up.  The kids had a great time!

The next day, my friend S called me with the news a lot of people had asked her if I was pregnant or just gaining weight, lol!  Those who knew about the pregnancy thought I'd miscarried, since I wasn't showing too much yet.  So the rumor mill was back in full force, since the community knew my spouse had been through major surgery, and wondered if I'd 'stepped out' on him.  No, I hadn't.

Next Month:  Another Diagnosis For The Spouse

********
Tomorrow is the Costume Party at karaoke:)  At this time, I'm either going as Minnie Mouse (provided ears can be located or bought) or as Betsy Ross (provided I find a tiny flag to carry).  We're also making a trip to Evansville, for the NaNoWriMo Meet-n-Greet, so I'm hoping the spouse agrees to a trip to Party City.  The daughter wants a new costume, and so do I.  I fell in love with two costumes at Walmart last night, when we went to get Youngling's and Miss Itsy-Bitsy's costumes, but they didn't have any in my size.  I'll post pictures next week.

Here's my planned singing list for tomorrow night:
Everybody (Back Street Boys) I'll sing this with Melissa:)
ET (Katy Perry) Heard someone sing this a few months back, and think I can do better, lol!
Eye of the Tiger (Survivor) I may scrap this one if there are too many singers)
Dream On (Aerosmith) Redemption song, lol!

Have a great weekend!  I'll try to get pictures and video tomorrow night.

TSWSNBN Pt 3

Currently Reading:  Finished Sweet Salvation and enjoyed it:)  Did NOT see the plot twist coming; I thought it was someone else.  Good job!  Now I'm on The Biker Next Door by Jamallah Bergman.

I think I left off with the beginning of Ch. 5, and I'm happy to say the complaints are few and far between, with the exception of this chapter.  There's not much which is pulling me out of the story, but what does are minor things:

1)  Why is she so concerned about his ability to read her?  I'd love for my man to 'get' me; it saves a lot of mis-communication.  And when he swats her, why does she seem startled and 'yelp'?  She's had her ass spanked with a belt and flogger; maybe she wasn't expecting a playful swat to the behind?  

2)  I've seen no evidence of this 'tell me' expression she's supposedly been perfecting.

3)  The last time I checked, the subconscious mind couldn't read on its own, let alone tell the conscious mind the title....

4)  He's clearly joking about beating her if she dents the car, so why does she first feel fear, then anger about it?  Or is this more of her victimization

5)  Pg 107:  Her emotions swing all over the place; why the suspicion his do too?  Isn't it possible for him to change his mind?

6)  "Makes me feel like a wayward child..."  And you call this a healthy relationship?

Ch. 6:

1)  Why is she embarrassed this woman arrived with her blouse unbuttoned as far as her own, due to hastily dressing?  Oh, that's right....it's only been a few months since being de-flowered.  Modesty prevails...and what IS it with every other female drooling over C?

2)  Compassion for the bodyguard?  Why does she not stick up for him?  It wasn't his fault traffic was heavy.

Ch. 7:

OMG....he's giving her the company after only one freaking year on the job and after college?  Not making her gain experience first?

Ch. 8:

1)  G arrives, I may have mixed up the scenes in this chapter and in Ch. 6....why is A fuming about G's neckline?

2)  Why is A exasperated about C's trust in her instincts all of a sudden?  All she's said in the first two books is 'trust me'.   Ok, he does....and now you roll your eyes?

3)  As soon as C leaves, the confrontation 'Leave my hubby alone; he's mine!'.  I N S E C U R I T Y.

I'll read another few chapters this week and report back next Thursday.  Come back tomorrow for the events which took place Halloween 2003:)

HDH #26

It's Wednesday again, and you know what that means:)  Yes, your next look at my latest wip:)  For more HDH fun, click here.

Again, this is day #2 after Hunter and Kayla's breakup.  If you remember from 2 weeks ago, she woke up and 'heard' Hunter in her head while she went through her morning routine.  Here is Hunter, having 2nd thoughts about his decision.  Sorry; this is slightly long.

“Do we have to go to dinner?  I was hoping to go home and relax with a beer while watching the Cardinals game.”

           

Gail twisted her pretty face into a pout.  “I was hoping for that new seafood place.  Don mentioned it at lunch today; he and Drew are meeting a client tonight.  You know what they say; surround yourself with like-minded people in order get ahead.”  She slid into his lap and twined her arms around his neck.

            

Crap.  The last thing I feel like doing is watching Don schmooze a client.  But Gail’s right.  I’ve got to start acting like I deserve that promotion.

            

“Okay.  What time are we supposed to be there?”

            

A slow smile spread across her face.  “Are we all alone in the office?”  Her fingers unbuttoned his shirt and slipped beneath his undershirt.

           

“Not exactly.”

            

“We could go to my office and close the door.”  Gail’s fingers found his nipple and lightly stroked.

            

Oh boy.  “Gail, your office is a glass cube.  And if Drew’s still up there….what do you suggest, we do this under your desk?”

            

“Where’s your sense of adventure?”  She withdrew her hands and stood up, smoothing her skirt.  “Fine, we’ll table this for another time.  Maybe we can both stay late on Friday, and christen your cubical?  Or maybe after you get that promotion we’ll have some fun in your new office upstairs.”

            

A flashback of Kayla spread out on the conference table in the afterglow assaulted Hunter’s brain.  Can’t think of that now.  He swallowed.  “One step at a time, Gail.  It hasn’t been offered yet.”

Kenzie is also participating this week with another installment of Anatomy of an Affair.  Don't forget to stop by and see her!

Where Is It Written......

Currently Reading:  I'm up to Ch 3 of Nicole Morgan's Sweet Salvation and loving it!


“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.” ― Voltaire

"If you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all."- Thumper, Bambi

Common courtesy used to mean respecting others opinions.  If you disagreed, by all means, state your own opinions and have a friendly debate, or at least try to.  There will always be those who cannot tolerate a difference of opinion, and they usually lead unhappy lives.

With the availability of the internet, opinions flow on social media.  Your friends may not share the same opinions of our current government, religious views, or lifestyles.  But where is it written that if we don't agree, the liberal view must prevail?

In the past two years, I've friended people with rock-solid beliefs in Christ; same-sex marriage; pro-Obama; anti-Obama; pro-guns; anti-guns; and welfare reform.  Do I agree with everyone?  Of course not!  Do I slam those I don't agree with?  No.  But dare I post my own view anymore?  It depends.

Two years ago, one of my friends posted a picture advocating tighter immigration laws.  They seemed pretty good to me, so I shared it.  To my utter surprise, one acquaintance blasted me for it and the discussion blew up.  I even had one person 'un-friend' me until tempers calmed down.  I wasn't the one complaining; I was trying to smooth things over by remaining silent.  And yes, the comments hurt, so eventually I took it down.

In 2007, when I began this blog, I posted some Adam Sandler lyrics.  It happened to be a day where I posted, then didn't get online again for several hours.  But when I did, I found several angry emails urging me to take my 'slanderous' 'anti-Semetic' post down.  Being a newbie, I caved at the time, and posted an apology.  But later stewed and fumed over it, especially since a) the song played on public radio and b) the person who was the angriest posted some questionable short stories about Santa, the elves, Mrs. Claus, and the reindeer.  I was offended, but exercised my right not to read any further than the 1st paragraph.  And later, via emails with others, agreed I was too hasty to take down my post.  I didn't understand how blogs portraying blatant sexual content were okay, but an innocent song wasn't.

More recently, I've accidentally managed to anger some friends over the issues of same-sex marriage and gun control.  Apparently, my liberal friends out-number my conservative ones, so in order to 'balance' my feed, I shared two quiet posts.  The same-sex issue sparked a heated debate and again, one of my friends chose to 'un-friend' me.

Again I ask, where is it written if I don't agree with you, then you have the right to shove your views down my throat?  I do not have to defend my views; it's my right to have them.  If they're wrong, I'll change my mind farther down the road, and I'll admit I was wrong.  If you don't like anything I happen to post, do what I do and skip over it.  There's no law that says you HAVE to read my posts.  Just use the little 'scroll' feature on your mouse pad and  move on.

It's not my intention to alienate people.  If we all agreed on everything, the world would be a dull place.  Remember the Stepford series?  Utopia does not exist.  We were given the right of free speech for a reason.  Just don't abuse it?  Let's agree to disagree on some subjects, shake hands, and go on with our lives.

“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.” ― Voltaire

Remember this:  "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."-Golden Rule

Plus, Karma can be a bitch.

Weekend Recap

Currently Reading:  Champagne and Lemon Drops was okay.  I loved, loved, LOVED Motor City Mage by Cindy Spencer Pape!  Definite Recommended Read, esp if you've read the others in this series.  Enjoyed the Cougars and Cubs antho from Total-E-Bound, with stories written by Ashley Ladd, Mia Watts, and Imari Jade, to name a few.  Recommended Read:)  Now onto Sweet Salvation by Nicole Morgan.


I did something on Saturday.  I applied for a job.

We were all set to travel north to Mr. Energy's football game, but the spouse had a sleepless night and didn't want to go.  A new sporting goods store is opening in our area, and the daughter wanted to attend.  With time on my hands now, I decided to go over.

I found one of my old resume's and filled out the application, then answered the questions as best as I could.  Thirty minutes later, I sat down to an interview, and he seemed impressed with my customer service attitude.  We had a few laughs over others pre-judging relatives, and the fact I told him I'm more coherent after 10am (the store opens at 9am, and occasionally I'd have to be there by 8:30), but since I've worked craft fairs where I had to be set up by 8am, it was doable.  He also seemed impressed I attended church and was in the choir.  I forgot to tell him about my Saturday issues, such as 'roke and sometimes singing on Saturday evening services.  Oh well; if he hires me, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

My daughter had her interview later, and it turned out we had the same interviewer.  So for right now, I'm leaving this in God's hands.  If it's time for me to re-enter the workforce, then I'll get the call.  If they only hire the daughter, then I'll continue what I'm doing.

My parents enjoyed an evening out with friends, and hopefully pictures will be sent soon.

Karaoke Update:
I was thrilled when it was 11pm and I was already singing my 3rd song!  But more singers arrived, and I had to remind Mark to squeeze me in at 12;30 for song #4.

Every Breath You Take: Waaaayyy too low.  The only part I did well on was the bridge, which is my favorite part  anyway.  But otherwise, ugh.
Endless Love:  Mark and I did well on this, but I probably won't do it again, unless someone's getting married or engaged, or celebrating an anniversary.
Blaze of Glory:  Mark didn't have my Amy Grant song, so redeemed myself and rocked the bar with this one:)
High Enough:  Rocked this one, and had Kelly shoot video.  Hoping it turns out okay!

My chuckle of the evening came when I ran into a woman I knew from scouts.  She asked if Kelly was my new man!

"Oh god no!  He's got a girlfriend!"

"I didn't know if you were stepping out on your husband or not; I know he can be an ass at times."

"If I were going to 'step out' on him, it would definitely be someone taller and better looking."

We both laughed, and even Kelly got a kick out of it when I told him:)  He's Mark's (KJ) and has a girlfriend of two or three years.  I've met her, and she doesn't mind Mel and I sitting at his table every week.  We began sitting at 'the cool kids' table back in June, after getting to know him a little better.  Which is nice; we have a guaranteed seat every week, instead of fighting for a table.  Which is another reason I like to get there around 10pm.

My Little Construction Worker

Halloween 1993:
Since we couldn't trick or treat in the apartment complex, and Halloween fell on the weekend, we decided to make the hour long drive to my parents' house and take little K around the neighborhood.  He had acquired a tiny tool belt, child-size hard hat, and safety vest.  So he wore that; plus I wore a flannel shirt, my hubby's hard hat, and carried his little pumpkin for the candy.  He was a big hit in our old neighborhood, plus I quickly realized the pumpkin wasn't going to hold all the candy.  I made a quick stop back to the house for a larger bag.

After we'd made the rounds, oh what a feast we had!  Being the good mommy that I am, I ate all the caramel, candy bars with nuts, and let him have only a few things, that he wouldn't choke on.   We spent the night, and went home the next morning.

Next Month:  Could it be....Was I....Or was there something else going on???

***********
My little one is on Fall Break today, so I was able to sleep blissfully late:)  We plan to head to Indy tomorrow, for Mr. Energy's football game.  I know he and Miss Drama Queen will be happy to see us!

Also, tomorrow is my parents official 50th Wedding Anniversary!!!!

Congratulations Mom and Dad!!!!!

Tomorrow Night's Planned Karaoke:
Every Breath You Take (Police)
Endless Love (Lionel Richie/Diana Ross)
Every Heartbeat (Amy Grant)
Blaze of Glory (Jon Bon Jovi)

Have a great weekend and see you next week!

Have You 'Met' Liz Crowe?

I had the pleasure of interviewing Liz last year, and here is how she described her books:

"I write my books in pretty unique settings—breweries, beer festivals, real estate offices and in the case of another series, Istanbul, Turkey. I like to think that my style, voice and characters are just as unique and to that end I’ve coined (and copyrighted) a phrase: Romance for Real Life. My books are unpredictable in many cases, and the characters act so real at times readers get frustrated with them as you would a friend or family member who does something you consider crazy, or stupid. But I like it that way—and while not all readers connect with me, in the last 3 months alone I have sold a TON of books based on this concept. The books contain smoking hot sexy scenes of course, but as part of the story, and do not always end the way many more traditional romance readers like.

I began my Stewart Realty series (five) years ago, a little at a time as  I was still selling real estate. It got plenty of rejections and learned a lot about what I was doing wrong with it. I had a brewery side story attached to it that I sold first. The Brewing Passion series has been released from its original publisher and I am thrilled to be able to put it back alongside the realty series where it belongs.

It took about 3 years total to see my name on the cover of an ebook (September 2009), but during those years I was only writing about 15% of my time and didn’t start submitting until probably a year and a half into it."

Liz's Bio:

Amazon best-selling author, beer blogger and beer marketing expert, mom of three, and soccer fan, Liz lives in the great Midwest, in a major college town.  She has decades of experience in sales and fund raising, plus an eight-year stint as a three-continent, ex-pat trailing spouse. While working as a successful Realtor, Liz made the leap into writing novels about the same time she agreed to take on marketing and sales for the Wolverine State Brewing Company.   

Most days find her sweating inventory and sales figures for the brewery, unless she’s writing, editing or sweating promotional efforts for her latest publications. 

Her early forays into the publishing world led to a groundbreaking fiction subgenre, “Romance for Real Life,” which has gained thousands of fans and followers interested less in the “HEA” and more in the “WHA” (“What Happens After?”).  More recently she is garnering even more fans across genres with her latest novels, which are more character-driven fiction, while remaining very much “real life.”

With stories set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch, in successful real estate offices and many times in exotic locales like Istanbul, Turkey, her books are unique and told with a fresh voice. The Liz Crowe backlist has something for any reader seeking complex storylines with humor and complete casts of characters that will delight, frustrate, and linger in the imagination long after the book is finished.

If you are in the Ann Arbor area, be sure and stop into the Wolverine State Brewing Co. Tap Room—but don’t ask her for anything “like” a Bud Light, or risk serious injury.

www.lizcrowe.com

www.brewingpasssion.com

www.a2beerwench.com

www.facebook.com/lizcroweauthor

www.twitter.com/beerwencha2

www.facebook.com/groups/lizcrowefans

This is the final day to enter the Good Faith contest!  Liz is awarding some wonderful prizes, so get your entries in by 5pm!  And if you find yourself in the Ann Arbor area tomorrow and want a beer, she's also hosting a party/book signing/scavenger hunt at her Tap Room!  Check the details on the picture below:

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Are You A Stewart Realty Fan?

Then you're in luck!  Or weeping, since the final book in the series has been released.....

Yesterday you got the synopsis; here's a brief recap:

Brandis, Gabriel, Blair and Lillian emerge from the entanglement of their parents’ longstanding emotional connections, but one’s star will burn brighter – and hotter – than the others.

With a personality that consumes everyone and everything in its path, Brandis Gordon struggles to maintain control as he ricochets between wild success and miserable failure. His life proves how even the strongest relationships can be strangled by the ties that bind.

Brandis and Gabe Frietag are as close as any brothers, bound by both loyalty and fierce rivalry. The strength of their ultimate alliance is tested time and again by Brandis’ choices.

Companions from birth, Blair Frietag and Lillian Robinson share loner tendencies, but come to rely on each other through adolescence. As they mature, both are forced to confront their feelings for the men they knew as boys.

Somewhere between the tangle of good memories and bad, independence and addiction, optimism and despair, the intertwined destinies of the new generation finally collide, leaving some stronger, others broken, but none unscathed.

As a chronicle of three families navigating the minefields of teen years into the turbulence of young adulthood, Good Faith holds up a literary mirror to contemporary life with joys and temptations unflinchingly reflected. Its fresh, real-life voice portrays the sheer volatility of human nature, complete with the hopes, dreams, and unexpected setbacks of marriage, parenthood and “coming of age.”

Special Excerpt:

Good Faith (Advanced Excerpt)

by

Liz Crowe

© 2013 Tri Destiny Publishing – All rights reserved.  Limited duplication allowed for pre-approved promotional purposes only.  This content may not be shared or distributed in any capacity at any time outside the scope of the original intent without express written consent of Tri Destiny Publishing or their representative.

 

That morning his father had roused him from a sound sleep. He’d blinked, confused, by the angle of the sunlight. He rarely slept much past eight since he usually had some sort of training or the other.

“Let’s go son. Time for lunch.”

Brandis had dragged himself up, his limbs feeling like they weighed a thousand pounds each. His brain buzzed with a strange sort of energy, his typical state, and not at all welcome considering it normally didn’t hit him until later in the day. The conversation his father began as soon as they were seated at their usual diner did not help.

“So, listen, Brandis. These girls…Katie’s friends from college….”

Brandis sipped his ice water, waiting for his father to finish the thought. His heart pounded, and his face flushed hot with embarrassment.

Jack sighed, as if exasperated that Brandis didn’t pick up the thread on his own, leaving him to carry on with the awkwardness about to ensue. Then he leveled his gaze, his face open, not angry or judgmental. “I think that you may be in for some…I mean, they’re…shit.”

“If you are gonna tell me where babies come from again,” Brandis said, after deciding to ease his father’s obvious distress. He cocked an eyebrow and half a smile. Jack seemed to relax somewhat as Brandis continued. “Don’t bother. I already know.”

He flashed his brightest smile up at the middle-aged woman who stood at their table, coffee pot in hand. She blinked rapidly at him, and at that precise moment, Brandis got his first flash of…something…about his power. Up until now he’d merely been “Brandis the trouble maker, the causer of strife.” Suddenly, he felt strong, amazingly so, stronger than even the man sitting across from him, a taller, older version of himself. His body tingled all over, as he tested the smile out again on the woman, making her slop some coffee out onto the table. His father frowned, but then chuckled as the woman walked away after they gave their orders.

“Son,” he said, leaning back and cradling the coffee mug to his chest. “Your adventure has only just begun.”

“Huh?” Brandis picked up his cup but didn’t drink any. He hated coffee, but had ordered it in a burst of need to be more like Jack. As he sipped the bitter stuff, he was transported back years before when he and his dad would spend every single Saturday morning together, eating breakfast at this very diner. He had adored the man, he remembered distinctly. His chest hurt at the simplicity of their relationship then. He looked away from Jack’s deep blue, knowing gaze.

The subject changed of its own accord, and Brandis let it. Although part of him wanted to ask for advice, a much bigger part would not allow the words past his lips.

They ate, discussing the upcoming football season and Brandis’ part in it. The recruiting company Jack had contracted last year to video his every move would start up with the first game. He’d made varsity again, technically as backup quarterback to a senior boy. Brandis didn’t see this as a setback and had every intention of starting under center by the second or third game.

Finally, when they pushed their empty plates back and sat looking at each other, Brandis felt more comfortable in his father’s presence than he had been in a long time. Jack said, “I am pretty sure at least one of those girls sleeping in the basement is determined to change the status of your virginity for you probably as soon as tonight.”

Brandis choked on the last sip of lukewarm coffee. His face burned, and his body tingled again. “I’m…it’s…uh….” He clutched the napkin in his lap unable to meet his father’s eyes.

“No need to say anything. Let’s just say your mother is an astute reader of female intent. While I was busy admiring your sister’s friend’s ass, she apparently read the girl’s mind or something.” Brandis’ face flushed even hotter.

He resisted the urge to protest, to proclaim his innocence of such things. Because he wanted it back—those mornings between them, father and son, man and boy, not this awkward, man and almost-man bullshit. Because while the thought of one of his sister’s college friends popping his cherry remained a pleasant fantasy, it also made him feel older than he wanted to be right then.

“So, I bought a box of condoms this morning,” Jack went on. “Put some downstairs in the side table drawer and the rest in your room. Use them please.” He sipped the last of his coffee, looked as if he were about to get up, then leaned forward, touching Brandis’ wrist. “Have fun. Don’t be an asshole to women. Let every experience teach you…something. Because you are nothing as a man if you don’t learn from every woman you…love.” Jack looked out the window onto the nearly empty parking lot. Then he turned back, tightened his grip on his son’s arm. “God, you are so…young.” His face fell a moment, then he perked up again, his eyes twinkling. “Okay, so, your mother told me to tell you not to let them corrupt you. But all I’m gonna say is this: always wear protection, no matter what, no matter how much you don’t want to. And don’t let your mom catch you in the act. I’ll handle her otherwise.”

Then he let go, stood and smiled, draping a friendly arm around Brandis’ shoulders as they exited the restaurant.

“You really didn’t tell me you were admiring Katie’s friend’s ass, did you, Dad?”

“No, son. I most certainly did not. You obviously misheard me.” Jack winked as he stood by the passenger’s side of his classic Corvette convertible and tossed the keys to Brandis. “Remember what I told you. Don’t ride my clutch.”

Visit these other fine blogs for more Liz:

.

Romance Books 4 Us     Midwest Galley Girl      Harlie's Books
Nicole Morgan               Lacey Wolf                   Rose Anderson
Exquisite Quills               Melissa Keir                 Adria's Romance Reviews              
Ginger Ring                    Hesperia Loves Books   Sheri Fredericks 
Reviews by Crystal         Ryder Islington              Berengaria Brown
La-Tessa Montgomery   Cocktails and Books     Drue's Random Chatter
Rose's Book Blog          Book Addict                 Liberty Ann
Liz Crowe                     Eskimoo Princess           Romance on a Budget

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Something to 'Crowe' About:)

Welcome to the beginning of a three-day blog hop!  Friend and fellow author Liz Crowe has written an amazing series of not-your-typical-romance books, what she has coined Romance For The Real World, or Reality-based romance (Liz, I hope I got that correct!).

I've read 4 of the Stewart Reality series, and while I would love to jump into the books and smack some of the characters silly, this is a test of a well written book, in my opinion.  If you simply read a book and don't give it another thought, then what's the point?  But if the characters stay with you, and elicit an emotional response, then the author's done her job.

Visit these other fine blogs for more Liz:

.

Romance Books 4 Us     Midwest Galley Girl      Harlie's Books
Nicole Morgan               Lacey Wolf                   Rose Anderson
Exquisite Quills               Melissa Keir                 Adria's Romance Reviews             
Ginger Ring                    Hesperia Loves Books   Sheri Fredericks 
Reviews by Crystal         Ryder Islington              Berengaria Brown
La-Tessa Montgomery   Cocktails and Books     Drue's Random Chatter
Rose's Book Blog          Book Addict                 Liberty Ann
Liz Crowe                     Eskimoo Princess           Romance on a Budget
       

Good Faith

by

Liz Crowe

© 2013 Tri Destiny Publishing – All rights reserved.  Limited duplication allowed for pre-approved promotional purposes only.  This content may not be shared or distributed in any capacity at any time outside the scope of the original intent without express written consent of Tri Destiny Publishing or their representative.

 

Back cover blurb: 

Strong personalities—volatile marriages—stressful careers—conflicting goals—difficult children.

Contemporary challenges facing close-knit families form the crucible that forges a new generation.

Brandis, Gabriel, Blair and Lillian emerge from the entanglement of their parents’ longstanding emotional connections, but one’s star will burn brighter – and hotter – than the others.

With a personality that consumes everyone and everything in its path, Brandis Gordon struggles to maintain control as he ricochets between wild success and miserable failure. His life proves how even the strongest relationships can be strangled by the ties that bind.

Brandis and Gabe Frietag are as close as any brothers, bound by both loyalty and fierce rivalry. The strength of their ultimate alliance is tested time and again by Brandis’ choices.

Companions from birth, Blair Frietag and Lillian Robinson share loner tendencies, but come to rely on each other through adolescence. As they mature, both are forced to confront their feelings for the men they knew as boys.

Somewhere between the tangle of good memories and bad, independence and addiction, optimism and despair, the intertwined destinies of the new generation finally collide, leaving some stronger, others broken, but none unscathed.

As a chronicle of three families navigating the minefields of teen years into the turbulence of young adulthood, Good Faith holds up a literary mirror to contemporary life with joys and temptations unflinchingly reflected. Its fresh, real-life voice portrays the sheer volatility of human nature, complete with the hopes, dreams, and unexpected setbacks of marriage, parenthood and “coming of age.”

Synopsis: 

Three families—Gordon, Frietag, and Robinson—share complex connections previously established in the best-selling Stewart Realty series. This stand-alone, final novel explores the characters coping with mature marriages and challenging, adolescent children. Through shared experiences, their inherent strengths and fragilities as individuals and as couples are revealed forming the basis of relationships for the next generation.

Brandis Robert Gordon emerges as the golden boy from the crowd of children that have grown up together, the apple of his family’s eye, the kid the other kids follow — even when he heads over a cliff.  He is being raised by fiercely focused parents who are determined to succeed at everything they do, even if it means unconscious neglect of their children’s emotional needs. Brandis’ star shines bright, blinding family and friends to his inner weaknesses until it’s too late.

Good Faith is, at its core, the story of this young man’s all-consuming struggles with success and failure. It is also a saga of his personal odyssey—his ultimate quest for normalcy, when everything around him seems destined to thwart that goal.

The intertwining relationships amongst Brandis, his best friend Gabe Frietag, Gabe’s younger sister, Blair, and her friend, Lillian Robinson, bracketed by the equally compelling lives of their parents and siblings, form the framework of this complex novel.

By the time Brandis fully grasps what Blair, the girl he’s known his whole life, means to him, he has embarked on a life journey plagued by multiple addictions. Recruited to play Division I football as a freshman starting quarterback, after years of dedicated effort towards that very goal, he attempts to focus and be the man his parents and girlfriend expect him to be. But his personal demons already have a firm grip on him, and his downward spiral threatens to drag everyone he loves into the vortex with him.

Blair Frietag has never considered herself strong or independent—she’s just “Gabe’s nerdy sister” and “Lillian Grace’s best friend.” But she is harboring a life-long obsession with Brandis Gordon. When he finally comes to her, she welcomes everything about him—the good and the bad—nearly destroying herself in the process. Because Brandis’ love is conditional and anchored in dependence, she must accept or reject her role as enabler. By the time she acknowledges the fact that her desire to help him overpowers her inability to do so, it’s nearly too late.

After being told that the man he considers his father is actually not, Gabriel Frietag’s final years of high school devolve into angry confusion. The fact that he has started to question his sexuality only compounds his misery and frustration. The love/hate relationship with Brandis, which began while the boys were small, is sorely tested by Brandis’ increasingly bad choices and is finally severed, thanks to what Gabe considers Brandis’ unhealthy dependence on Blair. In an uncharacteristic move, Gabe rejects everything he knows and loves, and accepts a scholarship to play soccer for a college on the West Coast, hoping he can break from the painful confines of his childhood home. But his connection to Lillian Grace Robinson, another instrument in their life-long quartet of friendship, remains seemingly unbreakable.

Lillian is Blair’s companion from birth. A shy girl at first, “Lilly-G” seems destined to live forever in Blair’s shadow. But as she observes her friend’s descent into emotional turmoil with Brandis, Lillian comes to terms with her powerful feelings for Gabe. This realization of her own inner strength molds her into the touchstone everyone reaches for: their anchor in the storm, the friend they are all lucky to have, while remaining the one who will forever hold Gabe’s heart in her hands — no matter how far he goes seeking escape.

The Gordon, Frietag and Robinson ties are born of circumstance, necessity and emotion. Yet the choices of the second generation seem destined to destroy all they have built together. When the shocking loss of one of their strongest members comes at the precise moment when healing seems within reach, it threatens their tenuously rebuilt bonds. The tragedy forces everyone to open their eyes to the fickleness of fate and to rely on each other once more.

Good Faith holds up a literary mirror to contemporary life with all its temptations, joys, and sorrows. The plot’s twists and turns are designed to reflect the volatility of human nature, with all its hopes, dreams, and unexpected setbacks.

More than just another coming-of-age tale, this compelling new novel from best-selling author Liz Crowe is told with sympathy, humor and a real-life voice that will not easily be forgotten.

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