SNIPPET #2

Ready for another snippet of my book? I know I shouldn't be showing too much but I guess you all liked the last snippet so I've decided to post another one. Please be honest ..Let me know if this is too corny ok? I am my own worst critic LOL... In my story I also have the Males POV(point of view)..I think sometimes I like to get the fill of both people...
Ok..so here goes....CONTINUATION OF "NOVEMBER RAINS"

Chapter 2

Matt

Yes I still think about her. I still think about her smile, her big green eyes, long blonde hair that smelled like the rain. Her skin, so soft. Her lips. How I longed for those lips. To kiss them. I melted every time we kissed. Just to feel her body curled up against mine. How that has never left my mind. So yes, I still think about her. I sound like a sick love puppy over a girl. But this was just no girl. She was my best friend. She knew me like no other person. She was always smiling. She was never one to play games with me. Never fucked around the truth. Always honest. Her passion was taking pictures. She was always eager to take pictures of her surroundings. We would go along the beach and she would start snapping her camera like there was never gonna be another wave crashing or a seagull flying by. I'd be playing my guitar and she would be taking pictures of me. That camera was her window.

I miss those innocent days. Our innocent touchings. Innocent kisses.. Those days out by the Gumbo, Limbo Tree are gone. The day I was sent away for the Air Force was the last day I ever saw her.. The last innocent day.

My Father was a big time General. He refused to let me live my life outside the Air Force. I knew I had no other option but to do what he wanted for me. It really felt like the end of my life. All I ever wanted to do was hand craft guitars and become a musician.. I loved the feel of my fingers on the strings of my guitar. I loved how the music came and I could get lost in the sounds. My dad couldn't understand my dreams. He couldn't understand my love for music. It “wasn't reality”, he would say to me. I was pretty much the dark horse in the family. All my brothers were in the service so he expected the same out of me. Did I hate my dad for pushing me into this? For making me leave my girl? For not supporting my dreams? Yes. I guess at that time I thought I hated him. I was pissed for many years. Resentment towards him was tough to get over.

During the many months of boot camp and training I got many letters from Marty. I tried so hard to get her out of my mind. I thought by not writing her back it would make things easier on me..Easier on her. She needed to let me go. It was torture. The letters kept coming. I could feel her weeping as I read her words. I had broken her world. I had broken her spirit. What an asshole I was. Over time the letters stopped coming. I was devastated. But I fucked things up on my own. I finally had to move on. I had to try to erase her from my mind. The picture she gave me, the one of us together, I had to tuck that away and move on.. Man, who the fuck was I kidding? I still thought of her... I still dreamed of her. I still loved her. I DO still Love her. I do still dream of her. I do still think of her.

The Air Force was actually a good thing for me. At the time I was just a pissed off SOB because of my Dad. But as time went on I learned I needed that structure to get me through my young adult life. I needed to get kicked in the ass to make a man out of me. And believe me, being 18 with an attitude, I needed some butt kicking. Four years into the air force I was taken into deep action. After 911 happened I was sent over seas. I was there for about a year. There were too may close calls with being shot or exploded to death. I saw many of my buddies killed. Those were the darkest days of my life. But I don't think I would ever change my experience. I'm a better man because of it. I don't take my life or others for granted anymore. I still wear my dog tags just so I can remember who I was and who was left behind.

I left the Air Force after 10yrs. I felt I had put myself out there as long as I could. Unlike me, my brothers are still in the service. They are all married with kids, living in different parts of the country. I

decided to stay in San Diego where I was stationed. I love the City. I love the ocean and the weather. It's a perfect place for who I am today. I was able to save money and finally start my life by opening a hand crafted guitar shop. Finally living my dream. It's a surreal feeling because I've wanted this for so long. My dad made his peace with me. He accepted my decision. I was a grown man and worked hard for our country. He was proud. For him to be proud of me is something I can't describe. That's all I have ever wanted from him. No matter if it was music, or being in the Air Force. It meant everything. He passed away the year I left. Died of a heart attack. Just knowing he was proud of me before he died was a gift. I wish we had more time together. I wish he had seen how my life turned out. I would like to think he would have been happy with my new life.. Proud of my life. The resentment I had towards him faded after I opened my shop. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be where I am today. But because of him I never found out what it would have been like if I had stayed with Marty..

Life takes you in so many directions. I've had my fair share of many beautiful women. There were a couple I thought I could settle down with but timing was never right. Or maybe because they weren't Marty. I have always been wishing that I could find that one special woman that was just like her. Hasn't happened yet. I tried looking her up on Facebook but found out through some friends that she had gotten married and was living in Europe. I was disappointed to learn this information. I gave up and continued to live my life without her. Five years later and having a successful business you would think I had everything I had ever wanted. Good money, women, sex, a nice beach house, being a bachelor. You'd think that I was living every mans fantasy. But fantasies are just that: Fantasies. Don't get me wrong I love my life. Hell, I paid a lot for it and wouldn't trade it for anything. But there is this hole that is empty. Who knows when I will ever feel complete? 

-OUTINTHEOPEN 

WRITING A BOOK. WHO? ME?

I'm not sure if this will even be a great thing or a disaster, but the writing bug has gotten to me. I've decided to give at writing a little book a chance. It's really kinda scary. I don't have any clue as what is going to happen. I'm thinking of things as I go along. When I have an idea I write it down and hopefully am able to put it down into a story. That's the hardest part. Making sure the words look and sound good. I shouldn't even worry about that right now, but I just don't want to write a corny book like I did back in High School (I've lost my digital copy from my old lap top). I have more experience with life, love, sex, ideas, but to write a book is like trying to grow my finger nails. ( i have no finger nails because I bite them) You see what I'm saying? 

I've been trying to write a little bit each day. I get stuck a lot. I wonder if it's like that with every writer? Sometimes it doesn't come that easy. I have the pictures, and characters in my head but how do I make them sound interesting on my screen? I have to think of dialogue, actions, feelings, surroundings.. It never ends. 

I know it doesn't happen over night. It might take me a long time to finish this but I'm willing to do it. It may be just a story for me and my friends to read.. I may never do publishing. That sounds silly right now. Anyways, here is a little snippet of my book "November Rain".. I'm only giving the prologue and first chapter. That's it! Enjoy...

Prologue

I see flashes of light. As bright as day. I see him. Smiling back at me. “One more picture!” I say. Flash. He's gone. The flashes are still there. But he is gone. I don't hear our song anymore. I don't see him with his guitar anymore. The sweet sound of his music is no longer there. “November Rain” is over. Another Flash appears but he still missing. I feel pain. I feel loss. I feel broken. What am I hearing? I hear murmurs of voices talking above me. Where am I? What's happened to me? I feel more pain. I hear myself whisper “My baby. Save my baby”.. It's dark. Flashes are gone. He is gone. I feel no more pain.. Maybe I am gone?

Chapter 1

1998

15 yrs ago I, Marty Mayfield, was deeply in love.. As deeply in love as a 16yr old could be. Swept away from a boy who was my entire life. Matt Cooper was a senior in High School. Graduating and leaving my life to go into the Air Force. He didn't want to leave me. He didn't have a choice. It was either “be on your own with no money, no help from me, or make a life in the family business.” as his Father put it. An 18yr old who couldn't say no to his Father made that choice. He had to leave me. As a 16yr old girl my whole world was filled with Matt. He was my everything..

We knew each other for a couple years before we actually became involved. His family moved to Tampa Bay, Florida from California because of his Dad being in the Air Force. He had 3 older brothers which had already left for the service. I, on the other hand, was an only child. My parents were into Real Estate. They had one of the most successful Real Estate businesses in our city. We had this huge property with a pond in our back yard. In that back yard was a massive Gumbo, Limbo Tree. Branches that weaved in and out from every direction. Matt and I spent many hours, every week under that tree. My dad hung a swing from one of the branches when I was a little girl. The swing was still there so Matt would push me in the wind. Other times he would play his guitar. He would sing to me while I took pictures of him. I couldn't get enough of looking at his perfect face. The most gorgeous blue/gray eyes and lush dark brown hair. If his hair got a little long it would start to curl.. His smile was to die for. He lifted my spirits whenever he looked at me. His voice was breathtaking. I loved hearing him sing.. I Just Loved Him.

I knew he loved me too. He was the first to say those three words to me.. As a gushy girl that I was, I cried and repeated what he said to me .. “I love you too”. Under our Tree, on top of a blanket, under the stars we held each other. We had many moments of almost having sex, but his parents were very strict. We couldn't be in a room without one of them being there. They even discussed things with my parents about “Their Rules”.. My parents worked a lot. They didn't have time to baby sit us. That's why we hung out by the tree so much.. Our private sanctuary. It was away from the house.. Away from “the real world” as I called it.

The night before he left we made love under our tree. It was our first time together. Our first time of feeling each other completely. Lost in each others bodies.. I want to say that it didn't hurt because it did. But Matt was so gentle. So loving. I couldn't believe he was going away. Leaving me. Leaving me behind with the memories we created underneath our tree.. He gave me a gift. It was a gorgeous Sterling Silver necklace with a tree engraved on a round silver coin.. I wore that necklace until I could no longer accept he was ever coming back to me. Loving someone that strongly, as young as I was, It was devastating for me to see him go. To stop believing that he was ever coming back. Through dozens of letters that I mailed to him, I never received one back.. I thought my life was over. Our dreams of getting married and having kids was over. What would I do next?

-OUTINTHEOPEN

"TAKING THE HEAT"

Sylvia Day is on a role with her new books! I'm in "Release Mode" Again!!! Love my authors and their books!

From Sylvia Day, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Crossfire novels, comes TAKING THE HEAT, a novella of the Shadow Stalkers—where men in uniform are trained to enforce the rules. Out of uniform, those rules are made to be broken.

He had three days to fix everything. Three days to remind her of how good they were together. She was a captive audience…

Layla Creed and Deputy US Marshal Brian Simmons have a history that is as hot and heartbreaking as it is unforgettable. Now their paths have crossed once again. This time things are twice as hot. Layla—a protected witness—has to come out of hiding and testify in a sensational murder trial. But as far as Brian’s concerned, there’s an even more pressing problem.

Once Layla testifies she’ll get sucked back into the Witness Protection Program. A new identity, a new location, a new occupation—and a new inspector to check up on her. In other words, out of his life forever. There is one more option—take Layla and go on the run. Rekindling what they once had should be easy. But a stranger in their shadow has plans of his own, forcing Brian and Layla to risk everything in the name of love.

DOWNLOADING September 24, 2013. Read an excerpt:http://www.sylviaday.com/books/taking-the-heat/#excerpt

-OUTINTHEOPEN

ALL YOU NEED IS: MARIE FORCE!

I'm getting my groove on by revealing new covers/books for my favorite authors..Here is another one..Remember I mentioned Marie Force? Her HOT GANSETT ISLAND MEN? Well here is her new series coming out in February! Cannot Wait!

All You Need Is Love Cover Revealed!

Check out the cover and pre-order Book 1 in the new Green Mountain Series, coming Feb. 4, 2014!

The family-run Green Mountain Country Store is cherished by locals as a reminder of simpler times. The Abbott children are determined to keep it that way—but their father has different plans...

When Cameron Murphy heads to Vermont to build a website for a new client, she imagines a more relaxing trip than she gets. After wrecking her car by colliding with the town moose, she meets the most handsome hero she's ever seen. Unfortunately, her savior, Will Abbott, is also the son of her client—and he wants nothing to do with the new website or the city girl creating it.

For all Will cares, Cameron can march her fancy boots right out of town and out of his family's business. But he can't seem to get her out of his head. As his family's dispute heats up, so does the chemistry between the two, leaving them wondering if simple is better after all—especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

Pre-order ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE now!

Kindle  |  Kindle UK  |  Kindle Canada  |  iBookstore  |  Nook

 Purchase Signed Copies of Marie's Books

 Official Facebook Page

 Marie Force

 Mailing List

 Blog

 Reader Groups

 Pinterest

McCarthys of Gansett Island Store

-OUTINTHEOPEN

J. KENNER'S "WANTED"

NEW BOOK FROM  J. KENNER! She asked those with Blogs to help out to spread the word about her book cover/series.. I of course wanted to participate..So here we are!.. She's the author who wrote the "Damian Stark" Series... I loved that series...

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey, Bared to You, and Release Me comes an all-new erotic series of three enigmatic and powerful men, and the striking women who can bring them to their knees.

He is everything I crave, all I desperately want—and he is everything I can’t have.

Evan Black embodies my every fantasy. He is brilliant, fierce, and devastatingly handsome. But he is also headstrong, dangerous, and burdened with secrets.

My family warned me to stay away, that I could never handle Evan’s dark dealings or scarred past. Maybe I should have listened. Maybe I should have run. But our desire is undeniable, and some temptations you just can’t fight.

And from the moment we touch—the passion between us consuming us both—I know that I will never be the same.

About the Author:
J. Kenner is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Release Me, Claim Me, and Complete Me. She spent more than ten years as a litigator in Southern California and central Texas, using her rare free time to indulge in her passion of writing. She lives in Texas with her husband and daughters.

Buy Julie’s books here http://www.randomhouse.com/book/234806/wanted- by-j-kenner#abouttheauthor

-OUTINTHEOPEN

ANOTHER AMY HARMON FAVORITE

Another rich, unique story by Amy Harmon: Running Barefoot   ... This Author writes with such deepness, and such beauty that it's hard to put her books down.. She has a way with putting nature and love into one story to draw your attention... This story has a lot of heartfelt faith and love.. Her two main characters are so passionate about what matters to them .. They are put together at a time when they needed each other the most.. Age makes a huge difference because Samuel is 18 and Josie is 13... They bring the best out of each other and connect like no other... I don't want to say anything more about the story because you need to read it yourself.. I could go on and on about these two people.. You'll find a lot of Native American stories within this book.. It's very interesting to learn through Samuel about how much his "people" mean to him.. He may be half Native/White, but his heritage means everything to him.. Music is also a big part of the book. Classical music may not be my favorite music to listen to but I can appreciate the characters feelings towards it.. 

RUNNING BAREFOOT

Amy Harmon... She's way up on my top Favorite Authors.. 

I just bought another one of her books: 

Slow Dance in Purgatory

If only I could write a book as deep and loving as this author.. It makes me want to try to write..HA! we will see.. I tried writing a book in High School.. I edited it like a thousand times over the last 20yrs.. I lost my computer edits which makes me sad.. But over time I may try again.. I see a lot of self publishing these days.. It's seems like the way to go if you are driven to write..  Happy Reading!

-OUTINTHEOPEN

BOOK CLUB WITH A BOMB!

Last night I got together with some of my favorite girlfriends for our Book Club meeting.. Our Meetings don't really consist of talking about the latest book we read together, but instead we eat, drink and mingle.. We talk about our book for like 5 min and then go onto another topic .. It's really so much fun to hang out with great people and to relax and enjoy the time we have together..I love catching up with these ladies..Every single one of them is dear to my heart.. (Don't worry, i won't make this blog entry too sappy LOL)..
.

Anyways we discussed (for 5 min) 

our book "A Different Blue" by Amy Harmon 

During our many discussions of many topics, we ate some fantastic dishes! I have never tried Kale before and one of my friends made a Kale salad..OMG it was simply Delish! I had to go for seconds!.. It's amazing how something you never thought you would like and then taking a simple bite can change your opinion on it.. That's also how I felt about the pizza another friend made.. I forget the ingredients but I know it had red grapes on it..Wow it was out of this world.. We also had Shrimp Cocktail (YUM) and Cherry Bombs..Holy Crap it was the strongest thing I've ever tasted hahaha! My friend soaked these babies for a month and let me tell ya it was DA BOMB! (yes that was cheesy but what can I say?).. 

I'm not a huge cook but I do like to try new things if I can..Not having a kitchen with counters, at the moment, make it quite hard to accomplish a new dish. But the dish I made was so simple a 3yr old can do it.. I got it off of Pinterest that another good friend posted.. I had to make something because a dessert was NEEDED for our group.. I'm a big one on dessert ;-)  I made Rolo Ritz .. Rolos candy and Ritz Crackers.. And to me these were like CRACK themselves.. It had the right amount of sweet and salty to get your mouth watering.. They looked a little cheap but the gooyness was perfection.. They are also kid approved because my kids and their friends loved them...  

Rolo Ritz

 Place crackers face down on cookie sheet.

 Place a rolo on each cracker. Put in 350 preheated oven for 3-4 min. 

Cook until rolo is Semi melted..

 Once done place another ritz face side up and lightly press on rolo..

So that, my friends, was a great night!

-OUTINTHEOPEN