Resolutions!

A few years ago I decided to change the way I made resolutions.  I used to make the usual ones like “Eat healthier, exercise, bla bla bla”.  No longer.  I make them different now, and this new way has worked for me. 

In 2013, I chose to “Be honest”.  It was WAY harder than I thought it would be.  Sure, we all think we’re pretty honest all the time, right?  But, think about it, how many times do you lie every day?  If someone asks you how you’re doing, how often do you say you’re fine when you aren’t?  I chose to be honest that year, and sometimes I screwed up, but I felt very empowered.  I drew lines in the sand for some people whom I felt took advantage of me.  I also found out that in being honest with others, I gained more true friends.  About halfway through the year, I realized that my resolution of “Being Honest” meant that I needed to be honest with myself as well.  That was very hard, perhaps the toughest part of that one!  Try it, you’ll see.  I really picked a tough resolution for my first year of going about them in my new way. 

For 2014, I chose one a bit easier… “To strengthen my friendships”.  And, I’ve got to say that 2014 was a stellar year for friendships!  I was able to help out a few friends in need with no strings attached.  I randomly ran into my first best friend from childhood and we’ve rekindled our friendship.  I met up with old coworkers several times and it was as if no time had passed at all.  I bonded with a new critique group of like minded writers whom I completely adore.  I also became a part of an artist’s group, and I am humbled to see my name alongside theirs at our gallery shows.  Like I said, it was a stellar year for friendships! 

    

So, what will I do for 2015?  What will the big resolution be?  I’ve thought about this for awhile and I’ve decided “To pay more attention to my body.”  Hmm, does that sound odd?  Well, there is something that I’ve noticed about myself; when I am upset about something it’s usually my body that clues me in before my brain does.   Often, I find myself awake in the middle of the night, brain spinning, searching Pinterest or some other dumb thing because I don’t want to get up.  And, if I do get up, I might organize my filing cabinet, or some other nonsense.  But, when I think about it, I usually figure out what is bothering me.  And it’s usually something that I need to settle myself upon, which might involve a phone call or an in person talk.  After I’ve had that discussion, I’ll have some kind of crazy dream to symbolize the purging of the negativity.  I’ve realized MY BODY KNOWS ME BETTER THAN MY BRAIN DOES.  I’ve been experiencing some sort of disconnect.  My mission for 2015 is to unite that connection once again!  I need to find the laces and pull my mind and body back together.  Actually, I think this is a problem common with women; we’re so used to being accommodating to everyone that we forget about ourselves.  NO MORE!  

You’re welcome to join me on this journey.  You can share with me, or not.  But, know that I truly wish everyone the best of themselves in 2015!

My Sexy Saturday #66

This week’s “My Sexy Saturday” theme is Date Night.  Well, a date could take place anywhere, even in a hospital recovery room.  Such is the case with David and Lauren in my novella “Borealis Ardor”…

We danced stiffly in awkward silence for awhile until our bodies relaxed against each other.  I laid my head on his shoulder as he smoothed my hair down with his hand.

“I’m so glad that you don’t hate me.”

That surprised me.  I leaned back to face him. “Why would I hate you?”

“Because I kept everything from you.”

“You had to.  I understand that now.”

Buy it HERE

Lauren Madison’s life started unraveling at a speed too fast for her to keep up with.  Every truth was torn away, and the pieces that were left painted no clear pictures at all…only more confusion. 

The only pillar of strength in her fragile life was David Wagner, her bodyguard who was placed in witness protection, and she was to have no more contact with him.  But, what had he seen that day, and why couldn’t she remember?

She had no choice but to run.  And if her life was threatened again, who would be there to protect her?

My Sexy Saturday ( http://www.mysexysaturday.blogspot.com/ ) is a place for authors to showcase snippets of their sexy works with 7 words, 7 sentences, or 7 paragraphs.

My Sexy Saturday #65 Halloween!

This week, it's my favorite holiday...HALLOWEEN!  I love it!  Here is a selection of 7 sentences from my work-in-progress "Mountains and Skyscrapers".  And, they're at a Halloween party!

Elle turned to face him.  He was dressed as a Doctor with a white lab coat, crazy wild-haired wig and a stethoscope around his neck. 

He bit his lip and looked at her neck with mock concern.  “That’s a terrible looking wound.  You might need stitches.  I should examine it closer in some better light.”  He ran his finger down the side of her neck.  “Yes, I think you’ll need a thorough examination.”

“I don’t think my date would appreciate that,” Elle answered, suddenly feeling warm despite the chill outside.  She focused on the embroidered name across the breast pocket of the lab coat.  “Dr. Phil Good?”  She couldn’t help but snicker when she read it out loud. 

“I know, goofy huh.  But it’s all I could find,” he shrugged.  “And what’s this about a date?”

My Sexy Saturday ( http://www.mysexysaturday.blogspot.com/ ) is a place for authors to showcase snippets of their sexy works with 7 words, 7 sentences, or 7 paragraphs.

My Sexy Saturday #64

  My Sexy Saturday ( http://www.mysexysaturday.blogspot.com/ ) is a place for authors to showcase snippets of their sexy works with 7 words, 7 sentences, or 7 paragraphs.

The theme this week is “Thrillers”.  My selection is 7 sentences from my work-in-progress called “The Zookeeper”:

“I don’t think so,” Alec said as he snatched her cell phone from her hand and cancelled the call.  He put it in his left jacket pocket as they drove down the dark Phoenix street.

“What the hell did you do that for?"

“They saw your car.  I have to figure out what to do with you now.”

“And, of course that includes stealing my phone and basically kidnapping me.  Makes perfect sense. Some detective you are. Where are we going?”  

Butterfly

Here's a poem I wrote awhile back...

Butterfly

A dainty string around my ankle

Keeps me from freedom’s flight

I cannot stray to far away

Neither by day or night.

I struggle and strain against the reign

But all my efforts are wasted

I’m pulled back down, back to the ground

Away from flight only tasted.

Into a jar I’m trapped and jailed

The lid screwed on ever tight.

Small air holes supply some sense of love

But I’m placed on a shelf every night.

Bewitching Book Tour

My Virtual Book Tour Schedule

"Borealis Ardor" by Kay Phoenix

October 6- 13, 2014

 

October 6 Guest blog

A Writer's Mind

www.skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com

October 6 Interview

Roxanne’s Realm

www.roxannerhoads.com

 

October 7 Interview

Pembroke Sinclair.  

www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com

October 7 Spotlight

Buried Under Books 

Http://www.buriedunderbooks.com

 

October 7 Spotlight

Jodie Pierce's Ink Slinger's Blog

jodiepierceauthor.blogspot.com/

 

October 8 Guest Blog

Fang-tastic Books

www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com

October 8 Review

Deb Sanders

http://DebSanders.com

October 9 Spotlight

Books and Tales

http://booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/

October 9 Review

Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock

www.pratr.wordpress.com

October 10 Spotlight

Sizzling Book Blog    

http://chelssizzle.blogspot.com/

October 10 Interview

The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom

www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com

 

October 13 Spotlight

Emma Weylin

http://emmaweylin.com/

 

October 13 Spotlight

CBY Book Club

http://cbybookclub.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Hot Mojave Knights 2014

I just got back from Hot Mojave Knights 2014.  It was a blast!  I attended as a reader last year and was honored to attend as a featured author this year.  If you've never been to a reader event with authors...GO!  You get one on one time to hang out and get crazy with the authors, and you might find a new favorite. 

See you next year?

www.HotMojaveKnights.com

Virtual Book Tour

Virtual Book Tour

October 6-13, 2014

David

Every writer has a muse.  Some writers I know have male ones, some have females, and some have muses that aren't even human.

 

I've known my muse my whole life, but I met him when I was 34 years old.  So, that’s how old he is to me, and always will be.  Yes, I met him in person.   I walked past a stranger and we did double and triple takes; a bizarre recognition of sorts, I’d like to believe.

My muse’s name is David. I don’t know how I know this, I just know.  He has short sandy blonde hair and piercing green eyes.  He’s my champion.  If I haven’t written anything for awhile, he doesn’t hound me like some other writer’s muses do.  He’s understanding. Whenever I sit to write, he’s there offering me coffee (with sugar and milk), and supportive words.  He has a good sense of humor, and can easily laugh at himself.  He gently reminds me not to take myself, or life, too seriously.

 

David’s hobby is cars.  He collects classic cars and rebuilds them.  How do I know this?  I have no idea, I just do.  His current project has been a 1967 red Corvair convertible.  He isn’t the type of guy that takes his regular driver to the shop either.  He knows what to do and does it without complaining, although he may goof up and laugh at himself. 

My job is to write.  His job is to encourage and inspire.   

Thank you for coming into my life, David, and for being my muse.   As you reveal more of your personality to me, you make your way into every hero that I write. 

 photo of Ewan McGregor, representative :-)

Dear Mr. Sun

Last Saturday was Summer Solstice, so I decided to a write a little letter to the sun.  As you can tell, the 105 degree heat in Las Vegas was getting to me.  But, I'm sure the Sun can forgive me. 

Dear Mr. Sun,

     I wrote your brother, the Moon, a letter not so long ago.  I like him better than I like you, by the way.  You aren’t as gentle as he is. 

     We’re always told not to look at you directly.  Why so shy, Mr. Sun?  What have you to hide?  Certainly, you don’t help us hide anything.  No, you point out our faults for all to see, garish and loud.  There’s no mistaking something when you point it out, nothing is lost in the shadows.  You bring full attention to every detail, as if it were your business.  You’re nosier than your brother.  You’re a tattletale!  We can look at the moon without fear.

     You see, the problem with you, Mr. Sun, is that you think that you are the one with all the power.  Sure, you give us warmth, you help the plants grow.  But, without your brother, the one that I like better, you would be useless.  Your brother casts a lighter, gentler glow on everything.  He doesn’t burn his friends, like you do.  His light reveals the same things that your does, but he makes them beautiful whereas you just make them …lit.  He pulls the oceans, he guides us.

     So, Mr. Sun, I’m sure I’ve gotten on your bad side…which is the same as your good side, isn’t it?  I’m not afraid of you, you’ve burned me before and you will again.  You’ve blinded me too.  You’re a pompous jerk. 

Sincerely,

A Moon Fangirl.

Where have I been?

     Hello world!  I'm alive!  I've been absent from my blog a few months wading through life.  My son started kindergarten in fall and he's had a challenging year, which in turn means I've had a challenging year as well.  He will always come first in my life and my writing can sit on the backburner. 

     I have found time to work on my new story though and it's been fun.  Here's a blurb...

The Zookeeper

(Full Length - contemporary single title)

Elizabeth Tanner was raised in a Zoo.  Literally.  But now that Zoo is in danger, not only from falling ticket sales, but also from a mysterious illness afflicting the animals. 

Frank Adams, the newest Animal Care attendant, spent time behind bars himself. 

But, in this Zoo, even the strongest bars can’t hold back the truth. 

And the truth will be set free.

Challenging Yourself

     Life often presents us with choices.  Well, to be honest, every day we are presented with a myriad of choices.  What to have for breakfast, what to wear, etc.  But, I’m talking about the major, life changing choices, or so they seem to be to us at the time.  In reality, they aren’t that dramatic.  Life goes on no matter what choices we make.  The clock keeps ticking, the rooster still crows (might be a different rooster though), and the tides still rise and fall with precision.
    
     So, why are these choices so difficult?  It’s our own fault that we make them difficult.  But, in the end, no one has to live with the choices that you make except for you.  So be gentle with yourself, contemplate, allow yourself to make mistakes, even HUGE mistakes.  In the grand scheme of things, it will all even out.  In the mean time, just breathe. 

Publishing - The Myths and Facts

It seems as if everyone and their mom are publishing books lately.  Wow, there are a lot of authors out there and that’s a good thing.  But, there is some confusion over different types of publishing and what is entailed in each.  I’ll try to be as concise as possible. 

Traditional Publishing –

• A “New York” style publisher (not necessarily based out of New York).  This would be the Harper Collins, the Bantam, the Harlequin, the Random House type giants.  This is the BIG LEAGUE, and is every writer’s dream.  They PAY YOU to edit and publish your book.
• Small press publishers.  These publishers are every bit as legitimate as their big brothers, but they lack the financial strength to publish more than a couple physical books per year (it takes a lot of bucks to print books).  These publishers usually e-publish an author first (much cheaper than printing) to see if there is a market for their work and may print their books later.  They pay their authors royalties on the amount of books sold, and may or may not offer advances. 

E-publishing –

• All this means is that the book/work is available for download to an e-device such as a Kindle or a Nook.  Even big “New York” publishers do this for their authors. 

Self-Publishing –

• Sometimes an author has no luck with traditional publishing because they are unable to find a publisher or an agent that can take their work (regardless if it’s good or not – sometimes the best writing gets rejected over and over again).  OR, they may choose to self-publish for other reasons.  Self-publishing means that the work has not been accepted by a traditional publisher and the author has decided to make a go of publishing it on their own.  There are many free and low-cost ways to do this.

Vanity Publishers –

• Vanity publishers ALWAYS take a fee (usually a substantial one) to publish your book for you.  What do you get?  Depending on how much you pay, you will get copies of your book in print for you to market, sell, distribute, etc.  Some of the vanity presses have editing services (for a fee), marketing services (for a fee), and cover design services (for a fee).  It is rare for an author to be successful when using a Vanity publisher because the initial investment is very high and it's unlikely that they will make a return on their investment. 

 

In conclusion, a Traditional Publisher will NEVER ask you for money.  It is their privilege to publish your book because they believe in you and are willing to take a financial risk on your product.  Self-Publishing is also a viable way of publishing provided you are willing to do the legwork to make sure that your best product is produced, and are ready to make the necessary time/monetary investment to make this possible. 

Ok, I think I covered everything here.  If I made a mistake please let me know.

My Sexy Saturday

This week's snippet is very simple and to the point.  Yesterday was Valentines' Day, and the story this snippet came from takes place around Valentine's Day.  Are you ready for it?  Here it is...

 

“I guess you liked your Valentine’s present."

 

 

Yes, that's it!  That's the snippet.  Who said it?  What was the present?  How do they know the recipient liked it?  These questions that can all be answered within my story. 

The idea behind My Sexy Saturday is to post 7 words, sentences or paragraphs.  And, since my snippet this week was such a major tease, I'll also include my teaser...

Lauren Madison’s life started unraveling at a speed too fast for her to keep up with.  Every truth was torn away, and the pieces that were left painted no clear pictures at all…only more confusion. 

 

The only pillar of strength in her fragile life was David Wagner, her bodyguard who was placed in witness protection, and she was to have no more contact with him.  But, what had he seen that day, and why couldn’t she remember?

 

She had no choice but to run.  And if her life was threatened again, who would be there to protect her?

Find out at:  https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/coming-soon/borealis-ardor-detail
 
BUT, I can't just leave you hanging like this!  Here's a free Valentine's gift from me to you...  Use code: JB57B for a FREE DOWNLOAD of my short story "The Plane Truth" at: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/214003

My Sexy Saturday ( http://www.mysexysaturday.blogspot.com/ ) is a place for authors to showcase snippets of their sexy works with 7 words, 7 sentences, or 7 paragraphs.

My Sexy Saturday

This week's snippet is from my novella "Borealis Ardor" which was released on February 7, 2014.  You can find it at:  https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/coming-soon/borealis-ardor-detail

     Scent.

     I pulled a strand of my hair forward and smelled it.  I couldn’t smell anything but shampoo.  But, I knew that when I smelled other people, they had specific scents.  I knew my mother’s scent, and I had been so happy to smell it.  And confused.  I knew David’s scent.   Maybe I just couldn’t smell my own.  Perhaps no one could smell their own.

     I knew the smell of my house.  I knew the smell of the ocean.  I knew the smell of chocolate chip cookies, and of horses.  Perhaps there was something to this idea of scent.  Dad was a Chemist after all.  Madison Pharmaceuticals was one of the best companies in the world, supplying vaccines to poor countries, and making breakthrough studies on leukemia treatments.

     I walked back to my bed, picked up the vial and sat down again.

     Should I?

     My life had been so whacky lately that the only thing that made sense was to go ahead and try something crazy.

     I unscrewed the top of the vial, brought it up to my nose and inhaled.  It was sweet, the scent of roses and cinnamon.  Hmm…nothing.  This is all bullshit.

 

"She had no choice but to run.  And if her life was threatened again, who would be there to protect her?"  https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/coming-soon/borealis-ardor-detail

My Sexy Saturday ( http://www.mysexysaturday.blogspot.com/ ) is a place for authors to showcase snippets of their sexy works with 7 words, 7 sentences, or 7 paragraphs.

My Sexy Saturday

Hmmm, what would you do if this happened? 

     I don’t know how much time was passing, but what felt like minutes, I knew, were much longer. I was lost in his kisses.  And, I felt relaxed.  He kissed my face, all over, then back to my lips again, running his hands up and down my body above my clothes.

     I started to pull the bottom of his shirt up over his back but he stopped me.  He sat up so I did as well.

     “I’m different now,” he said.

Find out what happened...  you can pre-order my novella "Borealis Ardor" until February 6 at: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/66-our-authors/authors-p/411-kay-phoenix

 

"She had no choice but to run.  And if her life was threatened again, who would be there to protect her?"

My Sexy Saturday ( http://www.mysexysaturday.blogspot.com/ ) is a place for authors to showcase snippets of their sexy works with 7 words, 7 sentences, or 7 paragraphs.

My Sexy Saturday

Have you ever visited a graveyard to see the stone where someone you loved was buried?  Of course, we all have.  But, what if you knew that the person wasn't dead, and that their death had been faked while they were placed in witness protection?  Would you still go even if doing so might place you in danger?

Here is a snippet from my soon to be released novella "Borealis Ardor" which will be available February 7 at  https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/66-our-authors/authors-p/411-kay-phoenix. 


     “You shouldn’t be here, Lauren.  Leave quickly.” The voice stopped me in my tracks.  It was David’s voice, in my head.  But, I shrugged it off and walked forward until I saw the new stone and the rectangle of earth in front of it that had noticeably less pine needles than the surrounding area.

     I knelt beside it.

     “David Alan Wagner.  Beloved Son, Brother and Friend.”  The lines of the letters were etched deep and black, contrasting heavily against the light grey stone.  I gently lay the roses down and traced the letters with my finger.  There was a cross carved below the words.  I ran my hand along the entire edge of the top of the stone, feeling the rough edges in contrast to the freshly polished front and back.  I wondered how long the stone had been there.  Dad assured me he had taken care of the funeral expenses, and he must have made sure there was a rush order on the headstone.  There was a fresh bouquet of white roses lying at the base of the stone and it made me feel deeply saddened for his family, as well as for him.  As much as dad irritated the living hell out of me with his overprotective gestures, if I had to disappear forever and have him think I was dead, it would break my heart.  After we lost mom, we were all the family we had.

     I loved David with my whole heart.  Even though we had only been together for two of the six months that he was assigned to me, I knew that he was the “one”.  I just knew it.  There was no explanation.  And, I was the “one” for him as well.  But, now he was gone, and it was unlikely that I would see him again, at least not any time soon.

     I reached up to trace the “D” again and saw a strange light flash across the polished surface of the stone, which I realized with horror to be a set of headlights.

     Who would be coming to a graveyard at this hour? Besides me of course? Teenagers with a Ouija board and bottle of Strawberry Hill wine in tow, perhaps.

     I could take no chances.  I could have been followed.

 

My Sexy Saturday ( http://www.mysexysaturday.blogspot.com/ ) is a place for authors to showcase snippets of their sexy works with 7 words, 7 sentences, or 7 paragraphs.

COVER REVEAL and "My Sexy Saturday"

 I have great news!  My novella "Borealis Ardor" will be released on February 7, 2014, with www.MuseitUppublishing.com as part of their "Four Seasons of Passion" series.  My cover designer, Suzannah Safi of www.design.suzannahsafi.com did a great job on the cover!

Here is a sexy snippet...

I had no business driving all the way from Laguna Hills, California to Arizona to see his grave in the state that I was in.  I didn’t know what was wrong with me but I was more forgetful and flighty that I’d ever been. It had only been two months since the accident, most of which I couldn’t remember.

I headed toward the grocery store’s fresh flower department, which was inundated with Valentine displays, but something on the bookstand caught my eye.  A man that looked alarmingly like David stared back at me from a book cover and I couldn’t help but walk over to it, so mesmerized that I didn’t notice the odd lady also browsing the bookstand.

 “Who really buys this crap?” the brightly dressed woman asked in an overly loud voice.  “I mean, seriously?”  She turned the cover of the book she held toward me, and staring back at me from amid hues of blacks, purples and greens, was the blue eyed, blond haired man with fangs and angel wings whose gaze had drawn me to the book stand to begin with. 

 

My Sexy Saturday ( http://www.mysexysaturday.blogspot.com/ ) is a place for authors to showcase snippets of their sexy works with 7 words, 7 sentences, or 7 paragraphs.