Hey Ditty Ditty – A Request From Jenny Hansen

My friend, Jenny Hansen, posted an Undie Chronicle on More Cowbell yesterday regarding Panty-O and kegel panties. Yes. They DO exist.

As usually happens on Jenny’s blogs, funny, quirky conversation ensued… Of course I participated. Here’s what I said and Jenny’s response. :

Kitt Crescendo says:

June 24, 2013 at 7:26 pm

So how strange is it that these kegel panties had me thinking Night Court and Dan Fielding? This sort of thing seemed right up his alley. LOL!

As there are people that walk around with plugs in even more delicate places down south, I’m pretty sure you’d be able to survive the Panty-O fitness regime if you chose to create one for you. I’m also positive that there are a bunch of us on here who would be happy to create little reminder ditties for you…;-)

Reply

• Jenny Hansen says:

  June 24, 2013 at 10:57 pm

  ROFLMAO!!! Do create a reminder ditty. Please, please do.

  I’m a little frightened by this Night Court analogy, but I guess, it’s better Dan than the bailiff…

  Reply

So of course, when she challenged me to write a ditty, I couldn’t resist. Here are a couple songs I made to encourage Jenny to put on these panties.

The first one goes to the tune of Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini. For those of you unfamiliar with the song, I’ve included the original.

Itsy Bitsy Plastic Thingie

She was afraid to come out of the bathroom,
She was as nervous as she could be.
She was afraid to come out of the bathroom
She was afraid of the work out panty.

1 – 2- 3- 4
Tell the people what she wore!

It was an itsy bitsy plastic thingie
Tucked inside her brief bikini
She had to squeeze
As she went through her day.
An itsy bitsy plastic thingie
Tucked inside her brief bikini
So in the bathroom
She wanted to stay.

1 – 2 – 3 – 4
Stick around, we’ll tell you more!

She was afraid it would feel very awkward,
So she almost put it in a drawer.
She was afraid it would feel very awkward
But she wore them and went for the door.

1 – 2 – 3 -4
Tell the people what she wore!

It was an itsy bitsy plastic thingie
Tucked inside her brief bikini
She had to squeeze
As she went through her day.
An itsy bitsy plastic thingie
Tucked inside her brief bikini
Her lady bits
Would get stronger each day.

1 – 2 – 3 – 4
Stick around we’ll tell you more!

Now she’s afraid to be seen out in public
And I wonder what she’s gonna do.
She’s afraid to be seen out in public
But maybe others are wearing them, too.

1 – 2 – 3 – 4
Tell the people what she wore!

It was an itsy bitsy plastic thingie
Tucked inside her brief bikini
She had to squeeze
As she went through her day
An itsy bitsy plastic thingie
Tucked inside her brief bikini
I cheered her on
With a hip hip hooray!

From the bathroom to the drawer,
From the drawer to the door,
From the door to out in public
And now her girl bits are sore.

But wait! I’m not done! Just in case she didn’t like this one, I created another one….to the tune of  YMCA… and since Natalie was so kind as to point out to Jenny that she’d already “gone there” with a post, I thought it only right I include her in the song, too. 😉

Now everyone’s familiar with this song, but it’s fun, so I’m posting it anyway….

Kegels Each Day

Jenny,
Don’t let your girl parts down.
I said Jenny,
Uterus off the ground.
I said Jenny,
There are panties around
That can help you fix this problem.
Jenny,
There’s a place you can go
I said Jenny,
If you’ve got enough dough.
You can buy them
And I’m sure you will find
Use them
They’ll be worth ev’ry dime.

Chorus:
It’s always fun to do
Kegels each day.
It’s always fun to do
Kegels each day.
They will strengthen your “P”
You might even enjoy
The side benefits with your boy.
It’s always fun to do
Kegels each day.
It’s always fun to do
Kegels each day.
You can squeeze yourself strong
While you’re having a meal.
You can squeeze whenever you feel.

Jenny,
Are you list’ning to me?
I said Jenny,
What do you want to see?
I said Jenny,
You can buy some with bling
But you’ve go to wear this one thing.
Jenny,
You’re not all by yourself
I said Jenny,
Nat’s got some on her shelf
So just order
From the Panty-O Store
I’m sure they would love to help more.

Back up to Chorus

Jenny,
This is better than shoes
I said, don’t be
Down and out with the blues.
You can fix this,
Bring your girl parts to life
Wear them when you go for a drive.
That’s how
You will start to believe
I said Jenny,
You will no longer grieve
You’ll be thankful
You found something to do
Made your lady bits feel brand new.

Back up to Chorus

So now you’ve seen my little ditties. But I know you guys… You’re all a ton of fun and a bit quirky. I want to see what kind of ditties you come up with! Time to put those creative minds to action and join in the fun and silliness… Don’t leave me hangin’ guys! 😉

Black, White and the Gray

Has anyone else noticed the erosion of the middle ground?

While thinking about what I wanted to say today, my thoughts were initially on sex (I know, shocker, right?) and how there are moments when I feel like I’ve stepped back into the Victorian era. But the more I thought about it, the more it dawned on me. It’s not that we’ve gone back completely to the days where chastity belts were used (and not for kink) and sex was not done in polite society for any purpose but procreation. No. I have too many friends who know how to let their freak flag fly for that to be the case. The problem is that there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of middle ground anymore. Maybe E.L. James’ title, 50 Shades Of Grey, was more apropos than she realized…or maybe she’s a lot more savvy than we give her credit for.

A little while back a friend and I got to talking about how sex questions seem to find a way into my lap. Some of you may even remember that I did a blog post detailing a few of the questions that have floated my way over the years. Somehow we jumped from that to my penchant for pleasure parties. I casually mentioned that it had been a while since I’d hosted such an event and that it might be fun to revisit. Those parties tended to be a blast and the antics that often followed made for some hilarious storytelling amongst friends! Her reaction surprised me.

Me: It has been a while since I’ve hosted a toy party. Maybe I should do it again once I have some free time.
Her: Uh… If you have one of those parties, don’t bother inviting me, ok? Trust me, my feelings won’t be hurt.
Me: Huh?
Her: (Scrunches her nose) That’s not my kind of thing.
Me: Pleasure parties? They’re a ton of fun, but okay. No big deal. Have you ever been to one?
Her: No. I don’t need that kind of thing.
Me: What kind of thing?
Her: Sex toys. My man is all I need, right hon? (Rubbing his forearm)
Me: (blinking) Okay. Does that mean you’ve never used a sex toy?
Her: No. I don’t need to. They just seem unnatural.
Me: (biting tongue) Everybody’s different.

Yes, that was a big eye blink moment for me. It never occurred to me that I might have a friend who was completely closed minded about the topic of pleasure enhancers.

My friend is a sweetheart. She really is. It really surprised me that she bought into the misconceptions about sex toys. I dropped the conversation so she wouldn’t get uncomfortable, but I couldn’t help but notice her man’s face. He was kind of digging the idea of her going to a party and maybe bringing something home for them to play with. In fact, you could tell he thought it was a very cool concept (not that I would ever point that out to her–it’s just not my place).

Before you misunderstand, I’m not judging my friend. There’s no right or wrong. Her choices are her own. What did take me aback was that there is still the perception out there that adult toys were somehow designed to replace the need for a real, live partner. Considering how unhappy she’d been in her first marriage and our talks about her dissatisfaction with the physical aspect, it never occurred to me that she hadn’t forayed into the world of assisted self pleasure. It also never occurred to me that she’d be so adamantly opposed to the idea as to be mildly judgmental as to why their used. Thankfully, I’m past the point where I feel the need to defend my every choice or explain their purposes in my own bedroom. Our choices, our lives, our consequences.

So you may be thinking to yourself…those are sex toys. That’s not exactly a mild topic. Okay….let’s go a little more tame. How about erotic romance books? As many of you know, erotic romances are near and dear to my heart for obvious reasons… It’s the genre that holds my passion for writing. In fact, it wasn’t very long ago that Bring Back Desire asked me to write a post about why I enjoy erotic romance from a writer’s perspective and how I believe it can enhance a woman’s life.

It was while I prepared this piece that I remembered a chat I’d been involved in regarding love and marriage. The topic of erotic romances was introduced with the following question: “Do you feel that 50 Shades Of Grey and other erotic romances have changed the way women approach sex? If so, how?” It was a fair question. Personally, as many of you know, the book wasn’t my cup of tea, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s been very popular and has opened the doors for many very talented authors to finally get the attention they deserve. Most women said that such books have given them the courage to ask for what they want from their partners in the bedroom. Others said that it’s opened the doors to their imagination to exploration in areas they’ve never considered before. Still more mentioned opened their eyes to more than just “missionary” sex. All those things are great pluses for maintaining strong, healthy relationships.

What did surprise me? The responses of a few women. Some felt it necessary to criticize those who read such “garbage”. Others turned their noses down at the books and said things like “I don’t know how people can read books like that without laughing hilariously. That stuff isn’t real.” or “Those books are unrealistic and a waste of people’s hard earned money.” Okay, let’s be honest for a second. There are definitely some bad writers out there. That could be the cause of such condescending remarks, right? Were they just talking about the overall storyline? Because I can tell you from practical knowledge, most of those “dirty parts” are quite doable and usually pretty dead on. Was it wrong of me to wonder what their sex lives must be like?

The funny thing for those of us who’ve loved the genre for years (both as readers and writers)…we’ve heard it all…and have probably referred to our beloved books by those same nicknames. You know, trashy romance novels, smut books, that sort of thing. It doesn’t really offend us because we love it!

I also realize that reading erotic romances isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay. But to criticize other people because they derive pleasure from it? Come on.

So why did I mention “gray area” in the beginning? Maybe partially because I can be a person of intense emotions. I’ve been told that there isn’t much of a middle ground within my personal spectrum. But it’s more than that. When dealing with sex, it seems that somehow our society has created two sides. Those that are very open to exploration, new concepts, “alternative lifestyles”. They often have a “wild” side (even if it’s hidden way back in their closet, only to be taken out with their trusted partner). Or those that are practically puritanical in their beliefs. They believe that sex isn’t something that should be discussed openly and definitely not in mixed company…and you get the rest.

Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m way off base. What do you guys think? Are there other places where you’ve noticed the lack of gray area? Because I’ll be honest with you…I don’t think the lack of gray is limited to just sex…. I won’t even touch politics because that just gets downright nasty!

So, like Salt ‘n’ Pepa said… Let’s Talk About Sex. You know I love it when you share what you’re thinking!

Redemption

Sunrise

 

Now I lay me
Down to sleep.
Close my eyes,
Start to weep.
Gaze up at
A shining star,
Wonder how
I fell so far.

Where’s the girl
I used to be,
Filled with
Possibility?
Is she gone
Without a trace?
Would I even
Know her face?

When did she;
Forget to dream;
Trapped inside
A silent scream?

Close my eyes,
Contemplate.
Consider how
To change my fate
Reach out for
My destiny;
Be who I was
Meant to be.

Take a breath,
Dry my tears.
Greet the dawn,
Face my fears.
Whisper,
“Give it one more try.”
Look out world,
Watch me fly.

No more regrets.
Throw them away.
Step fearless to
The light of day.

The future’s mine
To shape and mold,
If I am willing
To be bold,
The endless
Possibility
Is waiting patiently
For me.

Hold tightly to
Life’s precious gift,
Enjoy life’s road,
Each bend and shift.
So if I die
Before I wake,
There’s no remorse
I have to take.

So What’s Under Your Kilt?

I’m a sucker for Highlanders. I admit it. In fact, Julie Garwood spoiled with characters like Alec Kinkaid and Ian Maitland. The Bride was probably my first ever “trashy” romance. So when my awesome blog buddy, Jessi Gage, came out with her first book entitled Wishing For A Highlander, I was stoked! There’s not a lot sexier than a man in a kilt….

Since I absolutely love Highlanders, I’ll kick this off by telling you a little bit about my favorite new Highlander, Darcy. He’s got a problem most modern day men would love to have. He’s young, handsome, in line to become the next laird of his clan…and he’s got an extremely large dirk. Unfortunately, a vengeful witch (well, okay…she’s really more of a bitch) convinced him that no woman would want him because he was too big. In this day of technology and internet, it sounds laughable, right? I mean, how often do we hear guys talking about the size of their daggers? If you’re female…and have spent any time on the internet…you hear it all too often. Unfortunately for him, windmills were about as advanced as their technology went, so he couldn’t exactly check with Google or WebMD. (Of course, then he might have been convinced that he had elephantitis or something even worse, but that’s a story for another day.) So here’s this hot warrior with a sexy Scottish brogue…and he’s a virgin. That ain’t right.

Fortunately, his answer comes to him from the future in the form of a museum worker named Melanie. As she prepares to head home, she sees this old artifact, a box with a mysterious past and mutters a wish for a sexy highlander. In my universe, the guy would magically appear in front of me. Thankfully, this book uses Jessi Gage’s imagination, because she transports Melanie back in time and lands her smack in the middle of a clan war and in need of rescue. Don’t get me wrong, this is a modern woman…she saves herself from the first skirmish, but being out of her time (and pregnant…did I forget to mention that?) has her a little out of sorts and needing a team assist. And in runs Darcy…literally.

For a few, that would be enough conflict to make the story interesting, but Jessi Gage is no average story teller. She takes it up a notch with action that keeps you on your toes and enough plot twists to make you feel like you’ve just hit the corkscrew on a roller coaster ride! The best part? The heroine is no wilting violet, but a strong, capable woman. And the hero? Whoa, baby! Hot, smart and brave…in a kilt! And a nice strong sword to sheathe in the right woman. Just the way I like ’em.

If you haven’t found your lifetime love(s) yet, this book will definitely have you wondering if maybe you’re just in the wrong century…and if you’ve got a Highlander waiting somewhere for you.

Have you read Jessi’s book yet? If not, what are you waiting for? She’s fantastic! If so, what did you think of Darcy and Melanie?

On a final note, it is incredibly hard to insert foreign accents, brogues and other languages into books and still sound utterly natural…and she does a stellar job! Jessi is an awesome writer with unlimited potential….and she’s a wonderful person, too. I strongly encourage you to check out her blog, follow her on Facebook or Twitter, or buy her book. You won’t regret it!

Senses Of Happiness

Life isn’t always easy. In fact, one of the few guarantees we have is that there will be hardships. The trick is in overcoming. Every once in a while I’ll find self doubt creeping into my head. Like you, I’m human…unless, of course you’re a machine sent by the upcoming Robot Apocalypse my buddy Austin is constantly warning us about…so, despite my usually sunny outlook, even I occasionally falter.

Well, recently another new friend wrote a post where he talked about the 5 Senses and feeling more alive. I do something similar…except I think about what makes me feel good. Usually I stick to one or two senses, but today I’ll explore them all…When I’m done, I’d love to hear what things tickle your happy senses (aka send you to your happy place).

Sight: There are a few things that do it for me, but the ones that bring on the senses of inner happiness are almost always natural.

My Dogs keeping me company while I write

My pups can always put a smile on my face. They love to keep me company when I’m working. So when I get stuck or frustrated, a quick look at them lying behind me will put a smile on my face.

A bird tucked into my windshield

Who doesn’t appreciate sweet surprises like this when you head back to your car? How can you not smile at the utter cuteness?

Watching the sun set (this one’s at Turtle Beach)

Yeah, there’s something about the natural beauties…especially when coupled with spontaneity that do it for me.

Sound: There are several things that makes my heart smile. Laughing babies…High on that list.

Music, as you all know, is always big on my list… Even more so when singing with my sister. Here’s a little clip of us goofing off on my wedding day.

Smell: I’m not so complicated. There’s something about that new car smell…It’s reeks of accomplishment. Vanilla makes me feel warm and fuzzy because it makes me think of baking and family. Freshly mown grass…speaks to new beginnings.

The Jasmine at my walk up

As I’ve gotten older I’ve really come to adore the smell of jasmine… Having my own home means I can grow it right at my front walkway to greet me as I head out or come in.

My two favorite Coffee mugs

My ultimate favorite smell in the world, though? Coffee. In fact, it’s also up there with my favorite tastes… (Don’t you love the segue?)

Taste: Party in my mouth you say? Hmmm…. Hubby makes some great desserts that make me feel good and put a smile on my face.

Hubby’s Blueberry Stuffed French Toast Casserole

Sure, combine my love for breakfast and my love for dessert. It’s bound to be a HUGE hit!

Italian Beef from Portillo’s

Or going back home and biting into an awesome Italian Beef (and I blame Katie from Sass & Balderdash for putting this in my head today).

But my all time favorite happy food? Cheesecake…and hubby makes an amazing Pumpkin swirl (that swirl is chocolate!).

Hubby’s Pumpkin Swirl Cheescake

Touch:Well, you all know I’m a sensualist… Yes, I love exactly where your minds all went. Yes, great sex makes me smile. But it’s some of those little things that lead up to that “Crescendo” (Heh!) that just warm me from the inside out:

• The soft brush of velvety soft lips at the curve of my neck
• Strong, loving arms wrapped around me to make me feel safe and keep the world at bay
• Hard body pressed to mine, dancing me across a room (often with no music playing)
• A sweet kiss dropped absently on my lips just because he felt like it
• A no holds barred tickle fight (Yeah, who can resist that laughter)

So what makes you feel good? What helps you remember all the little things that go wrong don’t really matter? What helps put you in your happy place?

TV and New Discoveries

I have a long and abiding love affair with music. In fact, music has been a part of my soul even longer than writing. In fact, it’s probably one of the biggest passions my sister and I share.

Me (in the navy blue) and my sister singing together

My tastes in music tends to be as varied as my personal interests, but recently I began to think about TV. We all know that the correct selection of music can enhance the telling of a story. As I sat there working on edits for Three For All, my mind went back to music and artists I’d discovered through tv shows. For me, there’s something fantastic about the right lyrics.

Don’t judge me, but I used to be a bit of a soap opera addict. It was actually through All My Children that I discovered Gloria Estefan. There was a couple, Cliff and Nina…they were one of those on-again, off-again couples with a terrible sense of timing. During one of those off-again moments, Nina was thinking of Cliff and a song with a memory montage played. I couldn’t find a video of that moment, but I thought I’d share the song that helped me discover my love of Gloria.

Thinking back to those songs had me wondering…if I could pick my Top 5 “Discovery” songs from TV shows…what would they be? Think about yours while I share mine…because I’d really love for you to share yours with me afterward.

Do you guys remember Family Ties? Since Alex P. Keaton was probably one of my first crushes, I do. I still remember when he fell in love for the first time. Why? Because Billy Vera and The Beaters immortalized it for me with this song… See if you remember this scene….

Of course sometimes the feelings were of the “tear your heart out” variety. Although I actually knew Janis Ian’s music…mostly from my mom, I didn’t realize I knew it. It wasn’t until I heard this song sung at the General Hospital Nurses Ball that I started to look her stuff up (only to discover, as I said, that I’d known her all along). The Nurses Ball was an AIDS awareness benefit and a much loved part of the show. They had just done a storyline where Stone, a much loved younger character on the show, died of AIDS. Stone is who you’ll see in the flashbacks toward the end…

So I’d been watching General Hospital since I was 3 years old. I saw Luke and Laura get married while we were stationed in Germany. It also helped me discover the music of Toni Braxton since I’d pretty much given up on mainstream radio by the ’90’s. One of my all time favorite characters was Brenda Barrett. Ever fall in love with a character you knew was toxic to you but couldn’t seem to help yourself? That was Brenda’s story back then. She’d fallen in love with a mobster named Sonny and he did nothing but break her heart. In my mind’s eye, she’ll always belong with Jax, the guy who loved and accepted her through pretty much everything. This particular song played as she was remembering her and Sonny together. Sonny had just married someone else.

The next song is from One Tree Hill. There have been a few artists (The Wreckers, Kate Voegele, Tyler Hilton) on the show that I fell in love with during the early years, but none quite like Haley Scott. This scene is the first time she shows the guy she loves her musical talents. It’s not her best song, but it had me hooked on Bethany Joy Galeotti’s music. It also made a great backdrop to the damage of lies between Lucas, Peyton & Brooke (my 3 favorite characters).

Finally there was Dido. Though many discovered her through Eminem, that’s not how I found her. It was back with a show called Roswell where I first heard the lovely, ethereal lilt of her voice. Like on Tree Hill, there was a ton of music to discover, but their opening theme song was done by her…and I loved it! In fact, here’s the song put together with parts of Max and Liz’s love story.

What songs have helped you discover artists you may not otherwise have become a fan of? Where did you discover them?

 

Talking Six Train To Wisconsin With Kourtney Heintz

As most of you know, I have a passion for books, writing and supporting authors. Today I get the opportunity to introduce you guys to a fellow blogging buddy and first time author. My friend, Kourtney Heintz, and I met through mutual blogging buddies and found a commonality in our love for the written word.

She has recently published her freshman novel, The Six Train To Wisconsin and has agreed to let me introduce her to you guys! She’s a wonderful lady, so I really hope you enjoy our interview as much as I did.

Me:

Kourtney, first I’d like to ask you a few questions about yourself so my followers can get to know the awesome lady you are!

Kourtney: 

Thanks, Kitt. I’d love that!

Me:

As a writer, if you’re like me, you’ve been a long time reader.

Kourtney:

Of course! Aren’t we all?

Me:

What is the first book you remember reading that had you saying “Wow! I want to do THAT!”?

Kourtney:

I think it was the Wizard of Oz series. I wrote my own fan fiction about Ozma in Oz as a kid. I wanted to be in the world Baum created, spending time with characters I adored.

Me:

Oooh! I loved the Wizard of Oz series as a kid. I think I was in 3rd grade when I discovered it! So what about outside the book universe? What do you like to do for fun? Hobbies?

Kourtney:

There are other things besides writing? Just kidding!

I do archery, belly dance, read, paint, cook, swim, and travel (as time and money permits). I’m a bit rusty on my Mandarin Chinese, but I spent over a decade learning to speak and write the language. I can also crochet and most of my friends and family have a scarf from me.

Me:

You wild woman! You belly dance? How cool is that? The writer version of Shakira right here, folks! 😉 And Mandarin isn’t exactly an easy language to learn! Those are some awesome hobbies. So you surprised me with the belly dancing. Any other things people would be surprised to learn about you?

Kourtney: 

I have a terrible time with right and left. If you are ever giving me directions, point in the direction instead of using the words and give me landmarks. That way I might actually get where I’m going.

Me:

Truth? Sometimes I have trouble, too. I feel for my writing callus on my right hand when I get confuzzled. 😉
So who’s been the biggest cheerleader in your camp? You know…the person that pushes you or encourages you when doubt decides to sit on your shoulder and whisper in your ear?

Kourtney:

My mom. She read early drafts and told me when they needed work, but she always believed I could get there. She let me move into her living room so I could write full time.

Me:

That’s awesome! Although my mom’s supportive, there’s no way in Hades I’d let her read my stuff. The content is not exactly conducive to parent/child sharing…especially when the parent is very religious. 🙂 Since we’re talking books, your book takes place in a small town in Wisconsin, the hero’s home town. Your characters prove that home towns can be complicated places to go back to… What’s your home town like?

Kourtney:

I think most places are pretty simple. It’s the relationships and the emotions that complicate everything. My hometown is a special place. Most of my family still resides here. I moved back a few years ago from New York. The biggest thing I noticed is the greenery. It’s everywhere. And people are friendly. I’m so used to being another face in a crowd it was kind of weird to have people recognize me and know me.

Me:

Pretty soon everyone in town’s going to know you as the cool author lady! It’s great that you were able to go back home after you left New York. There’s nothing like being around family when you start a new chapter of your life.
So your characters…Kai and Oliver. Tell me about them….

Kourtney:

I don’t believe love is a destination. I think it’s a journey we take with someone. And sometimes it’s messy and unpredictable. Oliver and Kai are two people who desperately need each other and want to save each other. But neither realizes they need to save themselves too.

Me:

I’d agree about love being a destination….it’s definitely an adventure or, as you put it, a journey. And it’s definitely got it’s fair share of complications along the way. Now your title is an unusual one. How did you come up with The Six Train To Wisconsin?

Kourtney:

It came to my while I was riding the subway in New York during the commute between my apartment and my office. I was staring at the subway map on the wall across from me. My eyes traced the route of the 6 Train from the Bronx to Manhattan. It passed 51 St where Oliver worked, hit Bleeker where they lived, and went down to City Hall where Kai worked.

The characters move from New York to Wisconsin. It is not an easy journey emotionally or physically for them. I thought about how the 6 Train doesn’t run to Wisconsin but for them it has to. I wanted the title to hint at the conflict of their journey.

Me: How cool is that? Obviously a lot of depth and thought went into the writing of your freshman effort. What do you hope your readers take away from Six Train?

Kourtney:

That we are all beautifully imperfect. People do bad things for good reasons. Does that mean they are bad? I think each of us had to answer that question for ourselves.

Me:

That’s a beautiful lesson, Kourtney, and an important one… So what about YOU? What lesson did your characters teach you on this journey?

Kourtney:

Relationships can be repaired. No matter how shattered trust or love seem, the crystals can be regrown.

Me: Wow. That’s lovely! Guys, isn’t this lady awesome? Kourtney would love some feedback and support from you guys. What did you guys think of her interview? Any questions of your own?

Here’s a little more sharing from our wonderful friend, Kourtney. Thanks again for spending time with us today!

The Six Train to Wisconsin Back Cover:

Sometimes saving the person you love can cost you everything.

There is one person that ties Oliver Richter to this world: his wife Kai. For Kai, Oliver is the keeper of her secrets.

When her telepathy spirals out of control and inundates her mind with the thoughts and emotions of everyone within a half-mile radius, the life they built together in Manhattan is threatened.

To save her, Oliver brings her to the hometown he abandoned—Butternut, Wisconsin—where the secrets of his past remain buried. But the past has a way of refusing to stay dead. Can Kai save Oliver before his secrets claim their future?

An emotionally powerful debut, The Six Train to Wisconsin pushes the bounds of love as it explores devotion, forgiveness and acceptance.

Author Bio:

Kourtney Heintz writes emotionally evocative speculative fiction that captures the deepest truths of being human. For her characters, love is a journey never a destination.

She resides in Connecticut with her warrior lapdog, Emerson, her supportive parents and three quirky golden retrievers. Years of working on Wall Street provided the perfect backdrop for her imagination to run amuck at night, imagining a world where out-of-control telepathy and buried secrets collide.

Her debut novel, The Six Train to Wisconsin, was a 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Semifinalist.

Connecting with Kourtney

Website: http://kourtneyheintz.com

Blog: http://kourtneyheintz.wordpress.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/kourtneyheintzwriter

Buy Links

Paperback available from:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Ebook available from:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

Kobo

iTunes

A Father’s Love

As easy as Mother’s Day is for me to celebrate…such strong feelings of love and laughter…the opposite is true for me with Father’s Day. There are some who might say I have “Daddy Issues”. Not in the sense of being sexually drawn to men to fulfill a father type role in my life, but in that complicated, unsettled way. He wasn’t there as a parent both physically and emotionally. His choice. Thankfully, my mom was.

Me, my little sis and my bio dad

What does that mean?

Although my parents divorced when I was 10, my dad had been slowly becoming a nonentity in our household much further back. In fact, this picture taken in Germany was probably one of the last times we were really just being close and hanging out… Once we moved back to the Philippines he got caught up in wanting to go out and party with his friends and would forget to come home except every once in a while…and usually just to sleep.

When my youngest brother died, it was the last straw, both for my parents’ marriage and my father’s coping abilities. I suspect that it was easier for him to pretend we didn’t exist than to be there for us. If it weren’t for my grandparents and the rest of his family, I suspect we would have lost contact completely.

For a long time I was hurt, angry….yes, even a bit bitter. It made me careful in my own relationships. I didn’t want to take the chance of bringing a child into this world and making him feel the way I did. I didn’t want them to cry with bittersweet disappointment over songs written about Fathers and their kids…knowing that they’d been robbed of such a special, unique bond. That hurt…Jimmy Wayne get’s it right in his song…along with a sense of hope once you finally let go of your anger and hurt (one of the hardest parts).

I doubt my relationship with my biological father will ever be easy or simple. Too much water under that bridge. But I’m not angry anymore. The better word to describe my emotions? Wistful. There’s a part of me that understands that there’s a bond most fathers have with their children, not just their daughters. I’ll always feel a tug at my heart when I hear one of those awesome songs that describes what a loving father/child relationship can be like.

But you know what? I did the next best thing. I found a person to share my life who values family. Believe me, I tested him. There’s a reason it took 16 years before we finally decided to get married. Thank goodness for patience (his, that is). Any children I may have will never wonder if they mattered. That won’t be a question in their vocabulary.

As for my father? Over the years of trials and heartaches I’ve remembered I have a Father who’s loved me all along. Like Amy Grant sings… When the world looks at me, I want them to say I have my Father’s Eyes. There’s a peace in realizing he’s loved, protected me and accepted me unconditionally all along.

Having said all this…Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there who take the time to be parents to their children. For me, there’s not much cooler than a man who absolutely adores his kids.

Passion’s Flame

Passion_by_Sparticous on DeviantART

 

Wash away this heartache,
Mine-
Cleanse me with your fire.

Breathe me in for you
alone;
Feed me your desire.

Punish me with searing
touch,
Brand me with each kiss.

Bind my body with your
Love,
Burn me with your bliss.

Help me soar beyond
the flame,
Guide me to your soul.

Hold me till I scream your
Name,
Fill me till I’m whole.

Take this trust gave
Willingly,
Hold it safe and sound.

My gift, I lay before
your feet,
The treasure you have found.

There are several levels and undercurrents to this poem. I feel that’s part of the beauty of life and experiences. I’d love to hear your interpretations/impressions of what you feel or see when you read it.

Spotlight on Malia Mallory & Her New Book #HerWishHisCommand

Hey everyone! Today I’ve invited the wonderful erotic romance author, Malia Mallory, to be my special guest as she tells you a bit about herself and her new book Her Wish, His Command. Sounds hot, right? Take it away, Malia!

Her Wish, His Command

Her Wish, His Command

 

Thank you so much for having me as a guest today!

Her Wish, His Command is the third book in the Dominating BDSM Billionaires Series. His Need, Her Desire (Book 1) is currently free at most online retailers. His Desire, Her Surrender (Book 2) hit bestseller lists in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Look for His Passion, Her Temptation (Book 4) in July 2013.

Her Wish, His Command Blurb

Doctor Anna Foster may just get what she wants: sexy fellow researcher Jonah Granger. She’s been in love with him for years, but Jonah has always been more interested in work at his family’s business, Granger Pharma, than romance. Now that they’ve admitted their attraction, Anna may even be able to tell him what she really wants: to submit to him.

But Granger Pharma faces a hostile takeover. Sensitive data and samples are missing from Anna and Jonah’s lab; it may be corporate espionage. Everyone is under suspicion and, and they’re even beginning to question each other. Anna must discover the truth if she’s going to save both her job and her relationship with the man she dreams of serving.

*****

Her Wish, His Command Excerpt

Jonah sipped from his cup. “This coffee is better than usual. What did you do?”

“I washed out the pot and filter?” Anna laughed and threw her braid back over her shoulder. Wasn’t playing with hair supposed to be a flirty thing to do? She glanced into Jonah’s eyes and saw his pupils dilate ever so slightly.

Jonah placed his cup on the counter. “I usually just dump the old coffee.”

Anna reached to top him off, making sure she grazed him again. She turned and put the coffee pot back in its place. Her hip bumped him.

“Anna?” he asked in a deep, questioning tone.

“Yes?” She paused. “Jonah?” She drew his name out on her tongue.

His eyes locked with hers. “What’s this about?”

Anna broke eye contact as his scrutiny became too intense. “What’s what about?”

“This.” He gestured toward her. “Is this about yesterday?”

Anna wasn’t sure where to go with her plan. “Yesterday?” She feared her manner gave the impression of stupid instead of coy.

“Yes, yesterday. We had a moment, for lack of a better term. Is this some game?”

Anna straightened. “Game? What is that supposed to mean?” Her voice lost its teasing edge.

“It means that either you are trying to needle me or maybe … maybe you want something?”

Anna frowned. “Those are the only two explanations?”

Jonah considered for an instant. “Anna, you’re not interested in me, are you?”

Anna thumped her mug on the counter. “Of course not.” Color rose in her face.

“Anna, about yesterday. I didn’t mean to be unprofessional.” His apologetic manner unnerved her.

“You were not unprofessional,” Anna bit out. What a disaster. Was he going to say something kind? Anna didn’t think she could bear the embarrassment.

Jonah took her hand lightly in his. Her hand trembled, and Anna was sure he felt it. “Are you afraid?” He looked into her eyes. “Or aroused?”

Anna swayed as his calloused thumb stroked her palm. The lab seemed to shrink, the walls gathering close around them.

He tugged on her hand, bringing to his lips. He nipped her fingertip.

Anna struggled to remain impassive as her blood surged. She sensed she hadn’t fooled Jonah with her imperfect façade of calm.

A predatory masculine smile crossed his face. “I see.” He sucked her fingertip into his mouth.

*****

Malia Mallory

Malia Mallory Biography

Malia Mallory lives in Hawaii with her husband and daughter. She’s been working with words since alphabet blocks rolled into her crib, not only writing her own work but copy editing and proofreading the work of others. She has loved to read about relationships since she first sneaked off with her mother’s Harlequin.

Malia Mallory is the best-selling author of The ABCs of Erotica series, which covers the erotic spectrum from BDSM to ménage and everything in between. More releases in the series are on the way. She has also released the Mia’s Cop Craving series and Santa’s Backdoor Baby. Malia’s books have hit the bestselling erotica lists at both Amazon and iTunes. Her books are available in electronic format at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo, Sony, Diesel, Smashwords and AllRomance Books.

For a free copy of B is for Beach from The ABCs of Erotica, head to her website and sign up for the newsletter at http://www.maliamallory.com/Join_My_Mailing_List.php.

*****

Connect with Malia Mallory

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/@MaliaMallory

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/MaliaMallory

Blog – http://abcsoferotica.wordpress.com/

Web Page – http://www.maliamallory.com

*****

Buy Links –

Amazon – http://amzn.to/10OHcoZ

 

Amazon UK – http://amzn.to/10OHiNk

 

Barnes & Noble – http://bit.ly/10OFW5e

 

Smashwords – http://bit.ly/10OGXdL

 

All Romance – http://bit.ly/10OGisy

 

Bookstrand – http://bit.ly/10OGwjs

 

Kobo – http://bit.ly/10OGNTH