Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! May you get lots of candy. I forgot to get myself some candy corn and caramel which are my fav. Will have to go out and get some later.

Proud Aunty Moment

I got an almost incoherent voicemail from my nephew. All I heard is "I won" then babbling, screaming and what I am sure was dancing. I grinned at the message since I knew he had written an essay and entered a contest. He won.

I called him back and then more screaming ensued. LOL. He was so excited. He won for his grade in his school.

The prize a laptop with all the bells and whistles. I'm so proud.

Fall Start and Stop

Fall is here and the weather has been up and down. Some days are nice and warmer than usual while others are below seasonal temps. It has been unpredictable.

Similar to what I have been going through with my writing. I’ve been a fall cleaning mood. Been organizing what I want to write for the rest of the year and making plans for next year. I would be further along but when I read through some files I get caught up in the story and have to jot down some ideas. While it is a good thing it makes my fall organization go in starts and stops. I am making some headway with my organization although it is slow.

So I’m working on my fall start and stop of organization. It’s been fun revisiting old stories and seeing then since time has passed with fresh eyes. More stories are popping up as I go along. I am tempted to start writing but I am not just taking notes as I go along. My fall start and stop so far has been very fruitful.

Snippet Saturday – Emotional

Today’s snippet theme is Emotional. Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from Golden Seduction…

The man looked at her his expression shifting to curiosity. “Who’s Sonya?”

Confused Laila looked at him. “She sent you as my gift.”

The man shook his head.” I don’t know anyone named Sonya. I came out of the card.”

Dread filled her. Laila felt his hands drop away. A glance over her shoulder at the table showed the empty tarot card and next to it was the crown and scepter. Turning back to the man her eyes dropped and she noted for the first time the necklace with a fish on it around his neck. Looking closer she realized it was of a dolphin and in the place of its eye there was a cordierite. Her knowledge of rare gems helped her recognize what it was. Looking back at the man she saw he watched her patiently unmoving.

“Thane combat mode now.” Laila screamed as she jumped off the man’s lap and ran around the couch away from him.

“Combat mode armed,” a male voice stated.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Thane take form and go after the man. Knowing she had only seconds to get to her office before the man realized Thane couldn’t touch him Laila ran down the hall. Reaching the door of her office she saw Gertrude and Renaldo racing toward her from the other end of the hall. Rushing into her office she waited from them to enter. They shot past the office. Swearing Laila wondered why they would pick now to not follow the command that she and Sonya had trained them to do in case they ever were attacked.

Glancing frantically around her office for something to fight with Laila cursed again. It wouldn’t matter what she got she didn’t know how to fight anyway. Seeing a stapler and a letter opener on the desk she snatched them up. Grimacing she knew she looked stupid and it wouldn’t protect her but maybe she could catch him off guard and rescue Gertrude and Renaldo. Turning she faced the door and waited for him to come after her. After a few minutes her arms started to ache. Lowering them she crept to the door and peeked around it. The hall was empty and the house strangely silent. A lump formed in her throat. He had to have killed Gertrude and Renaldo. They hated strangers and attacked them. Furious Laila stepped into the hall brandishing her stapler and letter opener. She would kill him for that.

Stomping down the hall she went into the living room and said. “I’m going to kill you mother fuc—”

She trailed off in shock at the sight before her. Renaldo and Gertrude were lying at the man’s feet looking up at him silently. The man’s back was to her as he waved his hand in the air cutting through the holographic image of Thane.

“Amazing,” the man said doing it again.

Thane looked at him a sardonic look on his holographic face. “Stop doing that.”

The man looked startled then stepped back. “You speak. What are you?”

Thane replied in a St Thomian accent, his preferred tone, “Thane. A fully free thinking LB3000.”

The man frowned. “What is that?”

Thane looked at the man exasperation clear on his caramel toned holographic face. “Ask her.”

He waved long tapered fingers toward her. The man turned to look at her as if just realizing she was there.

Looking away form his intense gaze Laila looked at Thane. “Disengage combat mode.”

Thane nodded his head and winked out. Walking over to where the man stood Laila took a seat on the couch and looked at him.

“Who are you?”

The man looked at her and cocked his head. “You’re no longer afraid of me. Why?”

Shrugging Laila gestured. “Them.”

The man looked down at Gertrude and Renaldo then back at her. “The shifters make you trust me.”

“No they are pets. Not shifters.”

The man looked at her then back at Gertrude and Renaldo horror on his face. “Pets? You keep them contained.”

Looking back at her there was fury on his face. “Release them at once.”

Laila, having dealt with men who thought they could control her before, sighed. “No they cannot change from one form to another.”

The man looked back at them again then knelt on the floor beside them. They clamored up to him. Reaching out he stroked first Gertrude’s head then Renaldo’s.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2007.
All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

Jaci Burton
Eliza Gayle
Michelle Pillow
Mandy Roth
Juliana Stone
Lacey Savage
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Sasha White
Ashley Ladd
Victoria Janssen
Shelli Stevens
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Lauren Dane
Beth Kery
Leah Braemel

Fall Changes

Ah fall is upon us. The trees are a changing and the weather is a coming. There is crispness in the air a fresh feel if you will.

Fall leading into the end of the year is the time when I start organizing my house to get ready for a new year. I take clean everything from my curtains, organize my linen closet, cabinets, clothing and the list goes on and on. It is a time of renewal in my household and I get into cleaning and organization frenzy. It is just something about the scent of fall that gets me moving. Maybe it is because of winter coming and I spend more times indoors to get away from the cold. A form of hibernation. LOL. So I want everything warm and comfortable.

With these fall changes I have felt revitalized. It has also gotten me into the mood to evaluate what is in my writing plans. So I’ve organized the books I want to write for the rest of this year and the time frame I want to complete them in. Also have a tentative schedule for some projects for next year. Plan to use the time inside from the cold to get something done.

Fall a wonderful change of season. A great time to get a cup of hot chocolate put it next to my computer and get to writing. Write On.

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Snippet Saturday – Holiday

Today’s snippet theme is Holiday. Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from Veils Rising…

Clenching her fist, Dilana thumped the glass again. “I hate Christmas. When will it be over?”

“In ten days, on December 26 at midnight.”

Dilana stiffened at the sound of the unfamiliar male voice that rolled over her like a silken caress. Turning away from the window, Dilana locked eyes with warm whiskey amber eyes with flecks of green. Her first impression was of restrained power. The stranger had to be at least six inches taller than her own height of five-eleven, making him six-five. His face was a sensual array of panels and sharp angles. He surpassed being handsome into the devastating category. His full lips quirked with a hint of laughter while his dark brown hair was slicked away from his face. The end of a braid rested over his shoulder, curling against his chest.

With a glance down, she took in his light brown shirt and dark brown slacks that complimented his light sienna skin while fitting his body impeccably. Despite his clothing she could see he was rippling with muscles.

“However, the holiday season doesn’t officially end until January 2 at midnight.” His voice reminded her of Cajun gumbo—hot, thick and spicy.

The hint of mischief on his face was at odds with the intensity she felt coming off him in waves. A flash of desire seemed to go over his face but was quickly suppressed. When he moved forward closer to the desk with sensuous grace, she felt the raw animal magnetism surrounding him race up her arm along her skin. Stifling her gasp, Dilana continued to watch him. He came around the desk and lifted his hand. Without any conscious thought, her hand flashed up to stop him from touching her. She felt the strength of the muscle in his arm before a vision crashed over her.

The man was talking in the flowing patois of Cajun French. Not the one she had been taught in school. The dialect was different, more earthy. She was able to interpret a few words. Heritage, lost and danger were the predominant ones. She couldn’t see whom he was speaking to.

Time rushed forward.

The man smiled with an intense look of a hunter. The look of lust on his face made her quiver in desire and a little fear. He circled a woman. She saw the woman’s face was turned away, her breathing was harsh and shuddering. Glancing down, she saw the woman wore a delicate necklace she couldn’t make it out completely. It seemed to be just out of sight. Looking lower, she saw the woman was bare except for jewelry. The brilliance of the gold, white gold and precious stones shone against the woman’s rich, dark caramel skin.

A diamond and ruby lay side by side as they covered each nipple clamp while one chain of white gold offset with flecks of diamonds and another gold chain offset with flecks of rubies fell down on one side. A glance showed her the other side was the same. The chains led down to attach to various chains intersecting around the woman’s waist. The chains alternated between one row of chains made of white gold with miniature diamonds hanging from them and a row of gold chains with miniature rubies hanging down. The chains stopped just above her hips with a diamond and ruby fused together covering her mound. The woman moaned, drawing her attention.

Glancing up, she locked eyes with dark grey. She gulped, realizing she was looking at herself. A vibrating feeling hit her clit and as she looked on she and her future image shuddered and moaned simultaneously. An orgasm started to build from deep within, ripping outward. The woman bowed as she bowed.

Wrenching herself out of the vision, Dilana jerked her hand off his arm. She watched as the man stepped back. She tried to control her breathing as the feel of the golden chains against her skin slowly faded.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to crowd you,” the man said stiffly. “I’ll just leave this with you.” He put down the folder he held and the card. He turned and left before she could get her wits about her to say a word.

Dilana took a deep breath cursing herself and reached for the folder. Pulling out her chair, she took a seat as she opened the folder. Her breath stalled. “Shit.”

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2007.
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

Michelle Pillow
Mandy Roth
Anya Bast
Lacey Savage
Jaci Burton
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
TJ Michaels
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Jody Wallace
Ashley Ladd
Shelli Stevens
Shelley Munro

Familiar faces with no names

Going to and from work, walking down the street in my neighborhood or even at work I have lots of people I converse with yet I do not know their names. Strange but true. It wasn't until the other day I realized it. And I though about it and started to chuckle.

First lets start with my going to and from work. I'm sure many of you see the same faces each day in your travels as you go to and from work. In my case it is on my subway ride. Since I leave to go to work around the same time each day and go home around the same time. The faces I see become familiar to me. As I've gotten used to seeing theses faces I nod hello and smile and they return it. I've even had a few long conversations with some of these familiar faces. And even with all our conversations we have never once exchanged names.

When I walk through my neighborhood I see familiar faces. The owner of the mini mart, hair dressers and other shops. Or my neighbor down the street who I stop and say hello to. We chat about things happening in the neighborhood then go on our way. A few I know their names yet there is a couple I do not. Yet I have conversation and we go on our way without exchanging names. LOL.

At my day job I get on the elevator, walk down the hall or so on and say hi and chat with a variety of people. Again some I know names of but others I don't. Yet those familiar faces with no names we talk to each other and part without ever once asking each others names.

When I realized this a few days ago I at first was going to tell my familiar faces with no names what my name was but then I changed my mind. I like the mystery of not knowing their names. Maybe someday when they realize we don't know each others name they will mention it and we can have a laugh about it. LOL. So for now I continue my greeting, chatting and so on with those familiar faces with no name.

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Snippet Saturday – Character in Danger

Today’s snippet theme is Character in Danger. Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from Onyx Moon Rising…

The woman who had spoken before shook her head, got to her knees, and slapped the man next to her. “Continue, you fool.”

She turned and sprung across the clearing heading for Tashana. Spinning out of the way, Tashana felt claws rake her arm. Hissing, she turned and punched out. The woman flew across the clearing, seemed to catch herself and then flew back at her. Spinning in the air, Tashana back-kicked her in the chest. The woman screamed in rage and caught her foot. She dragged Tashana and flung her across the clearing. Hitting the ground hard, Tashana rolled to get out of the way as the woman punched down, breaking the earth. A loud screech rent the air. Tashana looked up and saw a spear buried in Sanjay’s dragon chest. She gasped but didn’t worry, it couldn’t kill him. The woman punched down again and Tashana grabbed her fist.

Using her as leverage, Tashana kicked up with her legs while pushing out with her palm. The woman flew backward, her feet raking the ground. The woman caught herself and smiled. A sound of anguish rent the air. Glancing up, Tashana’s heart stopped as Sanjay plummeted out of the sky. Calling back the power from the clones, Tashana threw her hand open in Sanjay’s direction . A golden net caught him and lowered him to the floor. He shifted back to human form, gasping. Tashana stumbled back as the woman punched her in her chest. Tashana grabbed her hand, twisted it and pushed out with her fist hitting the woman in the chest. She poured all her power into her. The woman screamed, shuddered and dropped. Stepping over her, Tashana stumbled and fell to her knees, too weak to walk. Dragging herself to Sanjay, she touched him and felt the coolness of his skin.

“Sanjay, what’s wrong?” Tashana was frantic.

He gurgled.” Poison.”

She was confused. ”Poison can’t kill a dragon.”

Sanjay gasped. “It is the same that killed my father.”

Tashana’s heart stopped. He hadn’t told her how his father died. Dragging herself over him, she touched his chest trying to pull it out of him. She was too weak.

“No!” Tashana screamed.

A backwash of power swept over her. Looking up she saw more Deathwalkers fill the clearing. They advanced. She was too weak to duplicate help. Using her last burst of energy, she brought her swords to her. Using them as leverage, she stood slowly and painfully. Bringing them up in front of her, she prepared to fight until her last breath. The Deathwalkers screamed and rushed her.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2007.
All Rights Reserved, Liquid Silver Books.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

Anya Bast
Jaci Burton
Eliza Gayle
Michelle Pillow
Mandy Roth
Juliana Stone
Lacey Savage
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Kelly Maher
Sasha White
Ashley Ladd
Victoria Janssen
Shelli Stevens
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Lauren Dane

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Go by and check out my post.

Contemplation

For sometime now I've been thinking on some things. Working my way to some decisions I need to make.

My friends and family will tell you before I make any important decisions I think it through. I might already have an instinctive response on what I want to do but before I leap I weigh the pro and cons. I have to have it all clear in my mind before I make a decision. After I do all my thinking and then I make a choice if I agree then I am full steam ahead. And I get intensely focused to make whatever I'm doing work.

For example when I write a book based on a theme for one of my publishers I work out how this would work and if it is something I want to do. If I decided to then I get into my research frame of mind. Then I get down and ready to write. On the other hand if I don't then I let it go as not for me. Another example is various joint authored projects I've done. I've been on both spectrums of partnerships. Ones that work and others where you have to let go. Working with a writing partner is interesting and when it works it can be an adrenaline rush. Ideas coming on fast. You and your writing partner melding is a dynamic mind blowing thing. I love working of those sort of projects.  Then there can be those times when it just doesn't work and you need to walk away before it gets to the point of no return. In both my examples I thought of what I would or would not do. Made decisions that shaped something else.

Each step causes an effect. Good, bad or indifferent something happens based on choices you make. Of course there is no way to know which way the effect will go. That is beyond anyone control but at least when I make a clear decision I can accept whatever may come of what I decided.

I'm at the stage of weigh the pros and cons. Have been for sometime. I'm not rushing it because it is to important too. So back to my contemplation.

Snippet Saturday - Dialog

Today’s snippet theme is Dialog. Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from God Style Temptation…

Frustrated Aurora screamed. “What the fuck are you?”

He smiled, a nasty little twist of his lips. “Besides the man who saved you pretty little ass from being a popsicle? A god.”

Hearing that Aurora felt fury flash through her. Not stopping to think she headed straight for him. The man’s eyes dropped and he grinned, a devilish quirk of his lips. Realizing she was still naked and he was ogling her Aurora was even angrier. Slowing she added more sway in her hips and watched his eyes light in appreciation. She looked at him and saw his smile widen. Returning his smile she let her hand flash up to deck him. He caught it.

“Uh-huh not that again. You’re such a violent little thing.” The man’s tone was calm.

Ignoring his comment she swung with her other hand. He sighed and caught it too. He raised an eyebrow as if saying “now what”. From how they were standing she estimated he was about six three to her six feet. Jerking her head forward she hit him with it. She felt his nose break, as was her intention. A grim smile curved her lips. He let her go and stepped back. Swinging at him again Aurora found her hand caught. Instinctively she swung with the other. He again caught it then turned her around and pulled them behind her back. Jerking her head back she tried to hit him with her head.

“Shit. Will you calm down?” the man growled.

Straining against his hold Aurora gritted out, “Fuck you, Cupid or Claude or whatever the hell your name is. I have eighty-seven more of those to give you. You mother fu—”

The man sighed and said softly. “I’m not Cupid.”

She stilled and gasped realizing she was plastered against his body. His next word distracted her.

“Although I can relate, why do you want to kick Cupid’s ass?” His tone was matter of fact.

“You’re hurting me. Let me go first.” Aurora demanded although he wasn’t.

He scoffed. “Liar.”

“Let me go.”

“Only if you promise not to hit me again.”

“Fine I won’t hit you again. I only connected twice.” Although it galled her to say it out loud.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2008.
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

Kelly Maher
Jody Wallace
Shelli Stevens
Michelle Pillow
Lauren Dane
Leah Braemel
Jaci Burton
Elisabeth Naughton
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Juliana Stone
Anya Bast
Lacey Savage
Shelley Munro
Sasha White
Ashley Ladd
Victoria Janssen
Eliza Gayle

A Jell-O day

Jell-O take me away. Today has been one of those days and I need me some Jell-O one of my comfort things. Those who know me know the quickest way to get me out of a pissy mood or just to make me smile is to give me some Jell-O. And if you want me to get really happy and maybe do a shimmy for you put some whipped cream on it. So I’m about to get me some Jell-O.