Balance

Trying to get things done in a timely manner is a major balancing act. I’ve learned to prioritize what I need to get done.

I’ve learned to prioritize the most important. Sometimes it is hard when you have so many things pulling at you. Everything seems as if it is a now when in reality there are a few that really now’s. Yeah it sounds weird but it’s just as if someone calls you and yells fire and when you run there isn’t actually any fire. You look at them and wonder why you almost broke you neck getting there.

So I’ve learned to balance what is my priority. In the past I have let some of my important things be pushed aside. Now I know how to balance those things. I need them. So my writing, personal life, friends, me time and so many other things are all done on levels of priority. Some are higher up on the list than others and instead of trying to be everywhere at the same time I work by priorities one at a time. I find now that I have more balance for everything.

Prioritizing is a wonderful thing. Now I am off to do one of my top priorities some much deserved me time.

Uno… memories of the game

From the first time I saw it was intrigued. My first Uno game was when I was a kid. It was a Christmas gift and one that I to this day feel was the best gift ever. When I opened the deck, read the directions, explained to my family and then all my family present at Christmas sat down to play it was magical. It was fun, loud and exciting. When I won my first game and shouted “Uno” I was hooked. After that we played often. There was laughter, fun and teasing. I took my Uno game wherever I could and played with whoever was willing.

As the years went on I still played but not as often. In college I bought a new Uno deck so I could have some fun on those nights I had night duty as a RA for my college. And I found others who loved the game. During my night duty I would put out the word that an Uno game was on. People would come and we would have some cut throat games. Some with as high as 20 people with others waiting to take the place of the losers. It was a fun rotation of people to match Uno wit’s with. It was a great time. I even bought an Uno handheld game so I could play wherever I went.

But atlas time passed and I lost track of my Uno. At least until the last year or so. I noticed in the café at the day job there was a set of people playing Uno and my love of the Uno started to come back. Each time I passed the Uno players in the café I watched as they played and longed to join them. I didn’t but my Uno love continued to grow. Finally I asked to take part in a game and was accepted in. When I won my first game and shouted “Uno” it brought back memories of that first game. I was hooked all over again. Ahh Uno brought back so many memories or time spent with family and friends.

And since I love gadgets I am now in search of an Uno handheld game (grin). I love me some Uno. Now loud and clear. Come on and shout it with me “Uno”.

Snippet Saturday - Vacations/Exotic Locales

Today’s snippet theme is Vacations/Exotic Locales. Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from Carnal Awakening…

Glancing at the flower she saw it fold into itself then open again as if shooing her to him. Glancing back at him she cocked her head to the side and watched him.

“I don’t want to.”

He frowned then started to mutter too low for her to hear. As if reaching a decision he turned to face her, his face went blank and his eyes cold. “You don’t have a choice.”

At the challenge in his voice her blood heated. She liked nothing better than a challenge. Watching him under her lashes she waited for his next words.

“It is my duty to save you from yourself,” he stated as he held out his hand.

At the cold touch of metal she looked down, surprised to see the gold handcuffs on her wrists. Looking back at him she jumped. He was standing directly in front of her. She hadn’t even heard him move. Grabbing her arm in a firm grip he pulled her into him. Looking up into his face Shay raised herself on tiptoes and licked across his lips. He groaned. Using the opportunity, Shay stroked her tongue into his mouth. Lazily she savored him and he tasted as she expected—raw and male. His tongue dueled with hers playfully then he sucked her deeper into his mouth. Whimpering she leaned in closer.

Suddenly he wrenched his lips away with a mutter. “I am honor bound to protect you even from yourself.”

His eyes blazed and a green mist started to swirl around him. It encircled her and suddenly the floor disappeared from beneath her feet. Before she could even think about screaming the mist cleared and her feet hit ground. With a fleeting glance around at the lush plants in every color of the rainbow and the sounds of various animals calling out to each other Shay smiled. It was perfect.

Looking back at Mikhail standing a few feet ahead with his back to her, Shay could see the rigid way he held himself. He turned to face her and stated in a soft tone. “We have been taken off course Shay by the will of the Immortal Blossom. I need you to think clearly and control yourself, for both of our sakes.”

She didn’t know what he was talking about. Her mind was clear and she knew exactly what she needed to do. Holding her cuffed hands in front of her, she whispered, “Sericanas”.

His eyes widened as the cuffs started to heat on her wrist then disappeared. His arms jerked in front of him and the cuffs reappeared on his wrists. Seeing them Shay smiled then took off in a run straight for him.

Mikhail took a step back then stopped. The cool determined look in his eyes made her stop a few steps before she reached him. He licked his lips in a slow and deliberate manner. Following his movements Shay felt a ripple of heat go down her spine. From a distant part of her mind she knew she was in an elaborate fantasy but she didn’t care. She wanted this and nothing would stop her from having him.

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:
Jody Wallace
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Emma Petersen
HelenKay Dimon
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Ashley Ladd

Blogging at Cynthia Eden’s

I’m blogging at Cynthia Eden’s. Check me out here.

Blogging at Romance Studio

I’m blogging at Romance Studio. Check me out here.

Blogging at Hitting the Hot Spot

Blogging for my monthly blog day at Hitting the Hot Spot – Total E Bound. Check me out here.

Snippet Saturday - Playlists

Today’s snippet theme is Playlists. I love music. It’s a big part of my creative process and my every day life.

I have a Writing Playlist that I created which I write to. Sometimes a certain book would call for a specific album or a variety of songs. Here is a some of the songs in my Writing Playlist.

Bleeding love by Leona Lewis
For my Broken Heart by Reba McEntire
If I Were a Boy by Beyonce
One by Mary J. Blige and U2
Maria Maria by Santana
We Gon' Fight by Jennifer Hudson
Purple Rain by Prince
No Air by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown
Killing me Softly by Fugees
Fallin' by Alicia Keys
I Nominate U by Fantasia

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Emma Petersen
Shelley Munro
Eliza Gayle
Ashley Ladd
Lauren Dane

Idea Spark –Candy Craving

I’ve been having a strong craving for candy. I’m not a bug candy eater. I can go years without eating any. Also I’m not into chocolate. Shocking. I do eat chocolate ever so often but when I crave it is for something else. I know you chocoholics out there are wondering what candy I am craving if not the all-wonderful chocolate.

Okay I will admit it. I am a caramelolics. Yes caramel is one of my fav candy. That nice sweet caramel is calling me. It is a siren call that I have been resisting but I am longing. Badly. Of course because of how much I am craving I have an idea come to me. A candy idea. An idea of someone who makes sweets for a candy shop and what happens when there craving takes on the sweetest temptation. LOL.

My craving has morphed into a story idea. Now I am off to fulfill my craving and get me some caramel. Yummy. So what is you fav candy that you crave?

Blogging at Romance Junkies

Blogging for my monthly blog day at Romance Junkies. Check me out here.

Movies that make you go hmmmm….

There are so many interesting movies being released this year. From the action packed, drama, animated, horror, and to the comedies there is something for everyone. I have noticed a pattern to many of the movies – love. They all seem to have some underlying theme of love. Love of friends or family, intimate love or even the obsessive “if I can’t have you no one else will” or “I will have what you have or be you”.

It is interesting that the exploration of love can be done in so many ways. As an author I find this so fascinating. This exploration of love in so many vastly different ways. This is why my TBR pile is so large and my book library even larger. This is why there are so many writers with so many stories to tell. Stories that one reader may love while another may hate or be ambivalent to.

The same goes for movies. If you different movie viewer's how was a movie you get a different response. The gush that is was great and then the details of why. The shrugs that it was okay then a vague description of movie. The it was sucky and then the lament of all that was wrong with the movie. No matter which opinion the moviegoer has they have one. The same as readers do.

I listen to the thoughts on the movie but then I make my own decision on whether to see it or not. I’ve had movie critics or people who have seen a certain movie say it was the best thing ever. Yet when I saw it if I decided to go it was fantastically sucktastic. In my own humble opinion. The like or not of anything goes by the person. That persons taste or what they like. It even goes by the mood you might be in when you see it.

Movies have evolved year after year. Getting more great, weird, fantastical, special effecty, animated, worst or on and on of what you think. So the next time you go to the movies think of what your hmmmm reaction was and share it with someone.

There are lots of more movies releasing this year and each year forward. I’m going to enjoy going to see various movies and seeing no matter good, bad or indifferent what kind of hmmmm reaction I will have. After all a movie at least for me it’s all about the hmmmmm….

Blogging at Raven

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Snippet Saturday - Dancing

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

An snippet from Lay me Down…



Rotating her hips, Syn let the music sweep her away. Raising her hands over her head, she grooved by herself, people a little distance away. When she had arrived at the club, she had been taken aback by some of the people in costume. Until Jian had reminded her it was Halloween, she’d forgotten what day it was. Some of the costumes were elaborate. Syn was in awe at the detailing of some of the costumes. She watched as the Boogie Man twirled the Faery he was holding.

Across the room, Jian danced against some guy dressed as a Weretiger. The man was breathing hard and having a difficult time keeping up. Other men elbowed each other, trying to get close to her. Jian ignored them and continued to dance with the partner she’d chosen. Shaking her head, Syn reinforced her stay-away spell. Suddenly, she stopped arrested by the man across the room.

From where Syn stood she scanned his long locks. He’d pulled them into a ponytail that fell down his back. His sun-kissed features were chiselled masculine perfection. He wasn’t in costume. His slim muscular frame was covered in a dark purple almost black shirt and tight slacks made her mouth water for a bite. It wasn’t his face or body that caught her. It was his eyes.

With her keen sight she saw they were rich lavender offset by curling lashes. They should have made him seem feminine but they only enhanced his maleness as he leaned against the wall. He continued to stare, his intense gaze never wavering.

Intrigued, Syn started to dance again. Rolling her hips gently, she watched his eyes. They remained locked to hers. He smiled, a seductive twist of his luscious lips. Syn felt a delicious tightening of her body she hadn’t felt in a long time. Continuing to watch him she moved seductively waiting to see what he would do.

 

I knew she’d come.

Micah had been restless earlier and come to the main floor of the club. After checking with the managers, he had circulated among the diners, making sure they were having a good time. Everything was going well. Normally, he would have returned to his office. Instead, he’d continued to the dancing area in the back.

When he’d opened the door he’d been blasted by the music blaring through the open doors leading into the soundproofed area. He’d stopped, pleased at the turn out to Club Immortality’s annual Halloween Party, then gone inside to check around. He’d spoken with Zayne, the club’s manager, who’d assured Micah everything was under control. Micah had a lot of work to do, but still he lingered, helping out behind the bar.

He’d sensed her as soon as she came in, although he hadn’t seen her. She’d swept over his consciousness with a heated touch of fire. Leaving the bar, he’d gone to the far side of the room and waited for her to appear. Bodies swayed on the floor in time with the throbbing music provided by the live band. It had taken a while before she was revealed. Thankfully, he was a patient man. When he finally saw her, she’d taken his breath away.

Now, he looked across the room at woman dancing so enticingly. She was a tall sensual goddess.

Her honey-toned skin glistened with a light sheen of sweat while her high sculptured cheeks beckoned him to cross the room and take a nibble. Her luscious lips tantalised him to get a taste. His mouth watered as he took in the way her bountiful breasts rose in her snug, black T-shirt. Her lush, jean-clad hips hypnotized him. Micah wet his suddenly dry lips and looked at her long legs, imagining how they’d feel wrapped around him as he drove deep within her hot, wet canal.

He’d enjoyed watching her dance. With his connection to the club it gave him a better ability to view all she or any of his patrons did. When she’d turned and looked at him he had been captured by her amber gaze. She’d stilled when she saw him before dancing in a way that enticed him.

Her confidence intoxicated him.

Her sensuality was an aphrodisiac.

Though she didn’t know it yet, she belonged to him. Their meeting had been preordained yet he hadn’t known when she would come. Moving from the wall, he walked purposefully across the floor. He ignored everything around him. He had one goal—her. Her chest rose and fell as he drew closer. Finally standing before her, he raised his hands and met hers with his, twining their fingers together.

He undulated his hips in time with hers and let her feel his hardened shaft. They hissed simultaneously at the first touch. Bringing up her arms and placing them around his neck, he put his face close to her neck and inhaled her scent. She smelled like sin and sex. The scent of her arousal gripped him. His cock hardened and lengthened even more. Running his hands along her forearms, then down her sides, he felt her quiver. He continued the path to her waist and cupped her lush hips.

She sighed and moved her body closer. Squeezing her firm butt, he dragged her against his raging erection. A growl echoed from her making her breasts rub against his chest. Her nipples beaded against his chest, feeling wonderful. In her low heeled boots she perfectly matched his height of six-four. Taking another deep breath, he drew back his head and looked into her compelling amber gaze.

She smiled.

The heat in her gaze made his cock pulse. He wanted to bury it deep inside of her. Keeping his gaze locked with hers, he leaned in and kissed her.

Soft and slow.

Once.

Twice.

Then a third time.

She blinked then her arms tightened around his neck and she dragged him to her. She suckled his lips and their tongues clashed. Micah murmured and drew her closer, letting her hunger sweep him away.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2007.
All Rights Reserved, Total-e-bound.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Emma Petersen
HelenKay Dimon
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Ashley Ladd
Lauren Dane

Snippet Saturday - Is this a date?

Today’s snippet theme is Is this a date? Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from Body Cravings…

Jacques pulled back and put his forehead against hers. “Want to play hooky?” He said it in a singsong voice.

“Let me get my bag,” Amara replied in the same tone.

She got her bag and coat. Jacques helped her into it. He pulled her hair from below the collar, trailing his finger from the edge of her hairline down until the coat stopped him.

Moaning, Amara asked, “What did my sister say to you?” Amara groaned as he kissed the top of her head. She viewed him expectantly.

“She threatened to unman me if I hurt you.” Jacques chuckled.

Amara glanced at the door, then back at him. “What’s funny about that?”

Jacques made a rude noise. “The idea she could do such a thing.”

Amara reached down and put her hand inside his jacket, stroking his cock through his slacks. Jacques’ eyes heated. She leaned against him and kissed him thoroughly.

Pulling away, she raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t underestimate my sister if I were you. But you don’t have to worry about her.” She released him and walked away.

“Why?”

Amara looked at him over her shoulder. “If you hurt me, the pleasure of unmanning you will be all mine.”

Jacques mouth fell open in shock before amusement filled his gaze. He walked over to her and put his hand around her waist. “You don’t have to worry about that. I won’t hurt you.” He kissed her briefly before leading her out the door.

Fifteen minutes later, Amara stood in front of the store at 18 Lauioe Square and studied the display. She glared playfully at Jacques. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this. I’ve lived in this area, been in this area many times and never seen this place. How the heck did you find out about it?”

“A friend.” Jacques pulled her toward the door.

Standing her ground, she asked. “What friend?” Amara winced as she heard the jealousy in her tone.

Jacques was amused. He kissed her on the nose. “No need to be jealous.” He pulled her into him and kissed her thoroughly before drawing back to met her gaze. “Although I like you being possessive, it was a male friend. He said they had some beautiful pieces.”

Amara glanced past him at the window again. The female mannequin was draped in a see-through, short magenta camisole and tap pants. There was fine gold embroidery detailing on the outfit, making it shimmer and tantalize. It aptly went with Tantalize, the name of the store that was in discreet gold script. Usually she bought her lingerie from Unveiled—a bigger store that had some beautiful things as well—as it wasn’t too far from where her offices were on Caspain Avenue. Unveiled had various in-house designers who made what they sold. You could get custom pieces or buy off the rack.

She focused back on him. “I’ve heard of them and always meant to check them out but never found the time. If I’d known they were so close to my house I would have been here sooner.” Amara rubbed her hands together as she stared back at the window of Tantalize. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

She laced fingers with his, pulling him into the store. Amara stopped inside the doorway, taking in the plush chairs and wide array of lingerie. From what she had heard of Tantalize, they had an in-house designer who made everything. All the pieces were unique and the quality was superb. With brisk steps, she walked over to a floor-length peignoir. Amara touched the fine silk. She loved sexy things.

Jacques’ voice came from behind her. “You would be sexy in that.”

She smiled seductively. “So would you.”

Jacques laughed. Amara picked it up in burnt orange and continued to look around. Jacques took it and, as she picked up more things, she handed them to him. He followed behind her patiently. When she asked him his opinion, he nodded or shook his head.

Amara reached for another piece, turning to hand it to him. When she saw the pile of things in his hands, she grinned sheepishly. “Umm … sorry.”

Jacques laughed. “I love to see you shop. Don’t you want anything else?”

Amara stared longingly at the two-piece pajama set across the room. She shook her head. “No. Let’s check out and go.” She put her hand around his waist, walking with him to the front of the store. “Thanks for being so patient.”

Jacques gazed at her, his expression sizzling. “My pleasure.”

Amara laughed. “Most men would have run screaming by now.”

Jacques dumped the items on the counter. He put his hands around her waist. “I’m not most men.”

He kissed her softly. Amara shifted and glanced at the man behind the counter.

Reaching into her bag for her purse, she was stopped by Jacques’ hand on her arm. She looked up at him. He was handing the man a credit card.

“Jacques—” she started to protest, but he put his finger over her lips.

“Shh… I’m paying. Now say, thank you, Jacques.”

She glared at him. He leaned down and she snapped her teeth at him. He jerked back, laughing. His other arm came up to encircle her. “Now is that any way to say thank you?”

Amara chuckled. “I’ll thank you later.”

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2008.
All Rights Reserved, Liquid Silver Books.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Jody Wallace
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Emma Petersen
HelenKay Dimon
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Ashley Ladd