Happy Holidays

Take-Some-Peace-On-This-Day-

I love this time of year because it gives us great reasons to reflect. 2013 brought many exciting events for which I’m thankful. My first novel, My Body-His came out in November of 2012, so I started off 2013 being a newly published author with Fanny Press. I experienced book signings for the first time and I must say, that was definitely a highlight. My Body-His (Marcello) came out in March 2013 and My Body-Mine was released in July 2013.

In addition, my husband, Dana Bennett, and I self-published The Demarcation of Jack. There was a stiff learning curve getting all the formatting just so, but with the help of a great editor and cover artist, we are thrilled with the outcome. Continue reading

Bush or no Bush – To Hair is Human, but to Trim is Divine

http://ethnichealthcourt.com/

http://ethnichealthcourt.com/

As requested by an online friend, I’m parting the hairs of the nether regions to find out people’s preferences. As to my personal preference: I like smooth lips but hair on the mound for a woman. Something more than a thin landing strip. I most definitely DO NOT like men shaved, but trimmed is fine. Men devoid of pubic hair, reads effeminate to me, and I like my men manly. A female with a bald pussy reminds me of a prepubescent girl, but I certainly can understand the want of uncovering the lips and clit for better access. Continue reading

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Mikule Walsh

Please give a warm welcome to Mikule Walsh, author of short-stories Four Walls and Unhappy Holiday.

1397698_529730900445931_962552341_oTell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting
I’m Mikule Walsh, I’m 20 years old, and grew up in the Small town of Norwalk, Ohio. Right now I’m working on getting my Writing career up and going starting from the bottom and working my way up.

Who or what inspires you?
I find inspiration in just about anything, everything has a story to tell and I like trying to figure its story out. I also find a lot of my inspiration from music, the story behind them is what helps me keep going when I’m writing. Continue reading

Sneak Preview of Chapter One for Stuck In-Between

Below is the first chapter in Stuck In-Between, Copyright © 2014 by Blakely Bennett. (EROTIC CONTENT – please be at least 18 years of age) This is the first draft so it’s still a work in progress. I would love to know whether or not you feel compelled to read more. Please comment. Thanks!

stuck in between cover maybe

CHAPTER ONE

Help Me

by Joni Mitchell

My eyes swung to the left, and skimmed the rack to see if he had added any new devices for disciplining his wayward lovers. There, on the wall, hung a variety of whips, cuffs, and paddles. I had long ago vowed never to allow him to take such liberties with my body. At least I had upheld that promise to myself.amn, not again, I thought as I opened my eyes and scanned my surroundings. In one fell swoop, I had abandoned all my firmly held resolutions. I should have known better than to mix alcohol and my ex-boyfriend Bond.

As I sat up, I felt my head swim from the wine, the pot, and Bond. He was like a ticking time bomb, blowing my life to pieces each time I gave in to his gravitational pull. In my defense, he had that effect on all women, not just me. Unfortunately, I was the silly woman lying naked in his bed under the black-framed Octopussy movie poster he had hung above the headboard.

Bond leaned through the doorway wearing fitted white shorts and a short-sleeved shirt with a white collar and blue stripes. His long, brown hair appeared wet from the shower. Seeing him dressed like that reminded me he came from money. To me, he looked funny dressed like a man going to play tennis at the country club instead of the tattooed biker he liked to portray. Neither was really him in my opinion.

“Chop, chop,” he said.

“‘Chop, chop’? Have you turned into my mother all of a sudden?” I said, slowly pivoting my body to the side of the bed to stand.

“I have company arriving soon.”

The way he said company, it was clear it would be of the female persuasion.

“It’s not even 10 a.m.,” I almost whined but modulated my voice in time.

“They own a sailboat so we’re setting out early. Seriously, I need you to vacate.”

“Well, good morning and fuck you too.” I wanted to stick my tongue out, but instead behaved like an adult.

He moved toward me with that look on his face.

I held my palm out, to halt his progress. “Don’t,” I said.

“Look Jacqs, let’s talk later, okay? I don’t have to be at work until nine tonight. We can deal with this at Red’s before I head in.”

“Deal with what exactly?” I turned my back to him and threw on my dress from the previous night. My torn panties were nowhere to be found.

“Well, you know, last night.”

Last night, I sighed.

 

It was actually 3:30 a.m. when I had heard the first text chime, and I didn’t have to look to see who it might be. I ignored the sound, rolled over and started drifting back to sleep. Bond, however, proved relentless and texted me seven more times. After the first five texts, I started to worry. I had considered turning off the sound on my cell phone overnight since knowing Bond, but I feared my sister wouldn’t be able to reach me in an emergency. She frequently called at off hours, but found texting too much of a bother so, at least, I knew I wouldn’t be dealing with her latest drama.

I finally gave in, snatched my phone away from its charging cord, and headed into the bathroom. I scrolled through my newly received texts:

 

Bond: Jacqs, are you up?

Bond: Come on, sleepyhead, I need you!

Bond: My father threatened to cut off my money again.

Bond: He and I really had it out this time. I don’t think he plans to speak to me again.

Bond: I just need you to come by and bring me a bottle of wine. That will calm me down so I can sleep. Please!

Bond: Now I know you’re just being stubborn. Are you lying in bed trying to get back to sleep?

Bond: It’s not going to work. I need you, and you know you are my only real friend. Pretty please?

Bond: Baby, I promise to behave, okay? I’m asking you over as my friend only.

 

“Yeah, right,” I said to the bathroom door. I gave in and typed:

 

Me: What kind?

Bond: Merlot and thank you, thank you, thank you, you’re a godsend.

Me: You owe me.

 

Bond and I had been friends for over eight years, and he had always been there for me. I knew a lot about his family dynamic and what it cost him on an ongoing basis. I would always respond to him, even though I fought it.

I stood in front of my closet, looking for something half-decent to wear. After putting on a light sundress, I grabbed my purple hoodie. Winter weather in Hollywood, Florida, could be unpredictable. After freshening up in the bathroom, I stared in the mirror. You’d better behave yourself tonight, I said to my body and then rolled my eyes at myself.

As I pulled my messy, long, wavy brown hair back into a ponytail, I thought of putting on some makeup but nixed the idea. My eyes, green around my pupil and blue filling the rest of the iris, were red-rimmed from lack of sleep, and makeup couldn’t fix that.

On my way to Bond’s apartment, the only movement on the street was a stray cat and a section of a newspaper blowing in the wind. It was warm enough outside to let me crack the driver’s side window. I drew in a deep breath of ocean air coming from a few blocks away. The surrounding silence made the volume on the stereo seem louder, so I turned it down. After pulling into Bond’s parking spot, I bumbled up to his place toting the bottle of merlot.

“Here you go,” I said, after unlocking the door with my own key and handing him the wine that I kept for such occasions. “Do you ever plan to get your own car?”

“No,” he said, taking the bottle into the kitchen.

“Are you ready yet to tell me why?” I asked as I followed him.

“No,” he repeated, uncorking the bottle.

Even with his body angled away from me, I felt the ungodly pull on my being. It had been months since I’d sex and far longer since I had received a really amazing orgasm at the hands of another. Simply, I was crazy horny, and hanging out with a past lover, specifically the one with the most magnificent cock I ever had the pleasure of experiencing, did not help matters.

My nipples tightened as Bond glanced over at me. He seemed very tall at five feet ten, but then again, at merely five feet two, almost everyone dwarfed me. He was a decent-looking man, with masculine arms and legs, who, against convention, wore his glossy, brown hair long. His face would qualify as above average, I suppose, but he wouldn’t be considered exceptionally attractive. His light brown eyes, however, seemed to mesmerize us simple mortals. I had never given much thought to pheromones before I met him, but he had them in abundance. His unique scent melted the defenses of women in his presence, which, trust me, can be quite intimidating when you are the one dating him.

His low-slung, black jeans, black T-shirt and black boots made him look as dangerous as he truly was.

“Do you want a glass?” he asked.

“Sure, why not,” I replied. I leaned against the counter, took the goblet from his hand, and asked, “What happened this time?”

“Honestly, the usual argument. They want me at their next event so I can play the black sheep and make them feel superior. I told my father I can’t get time off, which is partly true.”

“Is there some big event at the CroBar club? Do you have to be at work that night?”

“Yeah, but there are plenty of newbies who could fill in for me.”

“How much longer does your father have control over your inheritance?”

“At forty, I’ll get the money my grandparents left for me. Five very long years. It wouldn’t be such a big deal, but you know me, I love to party and those monthly trust payments help.”

I knew his emceeing job kept him busy, but it certainly didn’t keep him out of trouble. He was like a spider sitting in the middle of his web, ready to capture his latest prey.

“Help pay for dates, right?” I hadn’t forgotten how he liked to wine and dine. “You can’t mean you spend it on living here,” I said, glancing around the apartment.

His place was above the club where he worked, and it could get loud in the little abode, so I didn’t imagine he paid much rent. He did have expensive tastes though. The kitchen was completely outfitted, although I’d never known him to cook. The black leather couch with plush matching recliners sat atop an oriental rug. I knew he spent some of his funds on those ridiculous toys hanging on the wall in his bedroom. His king-sized bed filled most of the space, and he used the wall of closets for his clothes and a collection of leather jackets and boots.

“Is your family thing another one of those company functions?” I asked.

“My family is a company function.”

“The one you dragged me to was dreadful. For Democrats, they surely looked, acted, and talked like their Republican brethren. I’m pretty sure I was the only woman or man there not wearing a business suit.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” he said and shrugged his shoulders.

“What does Lily say about it?”

Bond took a big gulp of wine. “Lily wants me to come because she hasn’t seen me in ages, and she says she doesn’t have any fun without me. They’re making my brother Donny a partner, so it’s going to be black tie.”

“So what are you planning to do?”

“Talk you into going with me, of course,” he said with a cheeky smile.

“Oh, hell no. You have years of experience dealing with hundreds of people looking down on you and asking awkward questions. I, for one, don’t have the stomach for it. Plus, do you really want to encourage Lily’s idea that we’re the perfect match?”

“Aren’t we?”

I decided not to dignify his question with a response. His need for multiple women, domination, and his general fucked up nature didn’t suit me well at all. And yet, he was my best friend. My body would staunchly argue he was entirely and exactly what she needed, including the length of his cock and his aggressive sex. Fortunately for me, at least most of the time, my mind ruled my collective being.

“You didn’t answer,” Bond said as he led me into the front room.

“You noticed that all by yourself?” I sat down on the soft leather sofa, leaving some distance between us and took a sip of wine.

“Am I going to have to spank you, Jacqs?” He held out his big hand, and my heart beat a little faster. “Because you know, not much else would give me as much pleasure as putting you into your rightful place, over my knee.”

“So what do you plan to do?” I said out loud, while my body flamed in silence over his suggestion. I could already feel my pussy throbbing, and he had yet to touch me. I swallowed a larger gulp of wine, trying to distract myself.

“I already told you,” he said as he refilled his glass and topped mine off. “But since you are so inclined to change the subject, how’s your sister doing?”

“Samantha is a train wreck, although—and it seems wrong as hell—she is as gorgeous as ever.”

“And the baby?”

“My mother is taking care of Sarah, who is a love. I just don’t understand why Samantha wouldn’t give her up for adoption when she seems to have no interest in raising her.”

“Where is she staying these days? Is she still seeing the same therapist?” He shifted closer to me, nonchalantly laying his hand on my thigh.

I stared at his fingers, feeling the energy radiating from his palm. His touch caused wetness to gather in my panties. “Uh ummm,” I said, abruptly pushing his hand off me. “She’s living in an apartment with her latest criminal boyfriend. As horrible as it sounds, I’m just grateful she’s not at my place. And no, she stopped seeing the therapist when he insisted she needed to grieve our father’s death. She ranted on about it to me. She said, ‘I’m twenty-fucking-five years old, and they want me to grieve something that happened when I was nine.’ She told him to get a life and to fuck off. She never went back.”

“Sorry, babe. She’s a good kid, deep down,” he said, shaking his head.

“Let’s hope it surfaces soon … for her sake and Sarah’s.”

“What about your boss? Is work any better?”

“He’s still a huge asshole. I long for the days when he was still on his best behavior. Now he’s just a bull in a china shop, running over everyone. But really, I’d rather not talk about work on my day off.”

He threw his arm around my shoulders and said, “I’ve got some great dope. Want a hit?”

“I’m exhausted because some crazy man got me out of bed at three thirty in the morning.”

“This stuff will perk you up.”

I finished off the glass of wine and said, “Oh? Well, can I crash on your couch tonight?”

“Bed and of course.” He winked.

“Couch! And stop winking at me.”

“I guess we shall see?” His relentless stare penetrated my blue-green eyes.

“What about your promise to behave?”

“I’m incapable of behaving when I’m alone with you.”

With sheer will I pulled away from his gaze. I wanted to swipe that confident smile off his face. It had been six months and three days since I had succumbed to his charms, and like an addict attending AA, I had no intention of starting back on day one.

Lainie, my closest friend other than Bond, remind me often, most especially when I complained about Bond to her, how ill-conceived it was to be friends with an old lover. According to her, I’d never gotten over him.

Bond handed me the pipe, and I took a hit. I held in the smoke for a bit, and when I breathed out, I, at once, felt more relaxed and energized. It didn’t lessen the tug on my libido though.

“It’s been awhile since you and I spent any time alone together,” Bond said, pulling me back against him.

I sighed, feeling like I’d come home again. “Mmmhmm,” I muttered.

He took advantage of my relaxation and drew me in for a kiss.

“Wait!” I said, trying to hold him off.

“Don’t play games with me, Jacqs. I can already smell your cunt, and it’s driving me insane.” When his mouth descended on mine, my mind lost the fight, and my body started making all the decisions.

As I shifted my legs across his lap, I threw my arms around his neck, and took in his naturally appealing fragrance. I wanted more; I needed to be closer. My rational mind made one last attempt, trying to persuade me how much I would regret my decision to have sex with him. I mentally kicked her away, deciding to suffer the consequences later.

Bond groaned into my mouth as he schooled me with his tongue. No one had ever tasted so good; I just wanted to eat him alive. He shifted my body around so I straddled his lap, and I felt his profound interest. The forcefulness of his continued kiss compelled my submission. In those moments when my body ruled, the desire to give myself over to him resurfaced.

He grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked my head back. “You have the most gorgeous eyes I’ve ever seen,” he said, as he had before.

I figured he said similar things to his other women, but I didn’t care in the least. All I wanted was for him to take me roughly, so the rest of my world would fall away.

He lifted the hem of my dress off my thighs revealing my white bikini panties. He rubbed my pussy through the thin cloth.

“Jesus, Jacqs, already so wet for me? You’re good for my ego.” He continued circling the way he knew I liked.

“Your ego … oh … doesn’t need … any help!”

“Shh,” he said.

I almost lost control when he slipped the material to the side and plunged his middle finger into my wetness. “Ohhh,” I moaned.

Scooping up my juices, he lathered my bulging clit. “Look how hard and swollen you are already. You haven’t been using this enough,” he whispered into my ear as he lightly pinched my bud between his fingers. Then he laid his hand flat and made big circles, alternating between soft and slow and a hard frantic rhythm. He propelled me higher and higher.

“Stand,” he ordered as I hovered at the edge of a powerful orgasm.

I quickly obeyed.

He tore off my panties and let them fall to the floor. Repositioning me on his lap, he resumed his play and placed a finger from his free hand into my mouth. “Make it good and wet.”

Holding me right at the edge of release, he softened the pressure on my clit and inserted his saliva-wetted finger into my ass. As soon as he penetrated my anal opening, which had to have been his wicked intention, I screamed out my climax, “Oh, oh, oh, yes, oh Bond, you make me … ohhh!” I breathed erratically as my heart tried to beat its way out of my ribcage.

He held me tight against his chest as I recovered, slowly floating back down to earth. “I’ve missed you,” he muttered into my hair.

That lone comment began to thaw my heart and melt my resistance. I won’t make this into more than it is, I promised myself.

“A lot,” he continued, “and seeing your face as you come, there’s nothing else like it.”

“I’ve missed you, too,” I said, but could feel my mind shaking her finger at me.

“Please undress me,” he said in a domineering yet quiet voice.

I tilted upright and pulled up his shirt, revealing his smooth chest, taut stomach, and small silver nipple rings. He lifted up slightly so I could yank the top out from around him. On his right shoulder was an intricate Celtic knot surrounded by the flames of the sun, which covered an earlier tattoo I had once seen before he had it reworked. The underlying faded blue tat had one Celtic knot intertwined with a heart, and flames crowning the top. It was much smaller and poorly done, but I still wondered what it meant. Bond never liked talking about it.

My eyes shifted away from the tattoo and moved down his chest, following the trail of hair leading into his pants. Shifting my butt back towards his knees, I unzipped his jeans. I stepped down from his lap to sit at his feet in order to remove each black boot. I had to tug to get them free. I then slipped the denim down his legs easily.

He wore no underwear, leaving his magnificent cock standing at attention.

“Kneel,” he said, although he needn’t bother. The pearl of precum had already garnered my attention.

Obliging him, I settled between his knees and lifted his hard erection to my lips. He let me play for a few minutes, but it would be short lived. Before he took control of my mouth and his blowjob, I had time to take in his masculine scent of warm skin and sandalwood, and the musky taste of his cock, which had long been embedded in my psyche. I could have knelt there forever worshipping his phallus, but Bond didn’t have the patience for that. I knew where he planned to send his first ejaculation.

Once I had worked his cock halfway into my mouth, he tilted my head up and forced the rest of his engorged dick into my throat. My eyes watered as I struggled to maintain eye contact, wanting to see him as he took from me what he needed. He shifted himself to the edge of the couch and slowly pulled himself out of my mouth, allowing me to swallow and take a breath.

“I love that mouth of yours, Jacqs. My cock belongs there. It’s been way too long, don’t you think?”

Before I had a chance to respond, he soused past my lips, forcing himself in until I felt his balls on my chin. Back and forth he moved, never breaking eye contact and our connection. His cock swelled even more as his orgasm hovered close.

The last time he pulled out he said, “Take a deep breath for me honey.”

I nodded and did as he asked.

He immersed his shaft back into my throat and held it there as he bellowed his release. “Fuck Jacqs! Just as I remembered, oh fuuuck.”

My eyes continued to tear as I watched his climax through a blur. I felt both powerful—that I could give Bond such an intense orgasm when he could have anyone—and in awe of his sexuality and the spell he cast over me.

“Jesus,” he said, as he finally withdrew his cock.

I licked my lips and made a popping sound.

He chuckled as he reclined against the couch and closed his eyes.

Resting against his left leg, I snuggled close. I lifted his semi-hard cock and licked off the come oozing out of the tip.

“Do you know what will happen if you continue doing that?” he asked.

“Mmmhmm,” I muttered.

After he had recovered, he reached down and pulled me back into his lap. I couldn’t help but swivel my butt, making Bond laugh.

“You sure are a horny girl, Jacqs. I think you should visit me more often.”

“You have plenty of women to provide services for you.”

“First off, none are like you. And secondly, I was talking about you.”

“Let’s not talk,” I said. I would berate myself the next day for my current indiscretions, but I had no plans on stopping at one orgasm.

“As you wish. Let’s move this to the bedroom.”

He stood up with me in his arms, and I wrapped my legs around his fit waist. In quick, confident strides, he entered the bedroom and placed me down at the edge of the high mattress.

“I’m always amazed at how quickly I recover for you,” he said, staring down at me.

With my legs hanging off the end of the bed I leaned back on my hands and said, “Shall I believe it takes longer with the rest of your harem?”

“Believe what you want.” He folded his arms across his chest.

“Don’t get snarky, Bond.”

“You’re right, let’s not talk.”

Our brief conversation hadn’t dissuaded his cock. Clutching my thighs, he pulled my ass just over the edge of the bed and lowered himself, propping his upper body over mine. I held my knees back, opening myself to him. His hard-on penetrated my enflamed pussy, and after two strokes, he was fully immersed.

He groaned in ecstasy and I moaned in unison, making us both smile. Bond filled me in a way no other man had, and I enjoyed every second of it.

Our pace became frantic as we slammed our bodies together, and I could feel our perspiration building.

Bond slowed his thrusts and said, “Play with your clit, Jacqs. I want to feel you come with me.”

I hesitated, still feeling the discomfort that came along with touching myself around other people. Even with my history with Bond, I still felt self-conscious.

“Do you need some motivation?” he said, glancing at the rack that held his instruments of torture.

“No,” I said, letting go of my right knee and circling my clit. I placed my other hand down on the bed to propel myself against Bond’s delicious assault.

“Jacqs!” he grunted, and I knew what he meant. I had let my eyes drift shut, and he demanded eye contact during sex at all times.

“Yes sir!” I practically spat out.

“Good girl.”

I circled my nub in time with his lunges and grunted each time he crashed against me. It didn’t take long to get right to the very edge, sparking small orgasms leading up to the big one.

“Bond, I’m close.”

“So am I love. Take me over the brink with you.”

“Okay … okay … oh lord, oh yes, here we go! Ohhh.”

My pussy clutched and convulsed around Bond’s cock, causing his orgasm to fire along with mine. A roll of thunder that seemed to start in his chest escaped his mouth in a roar that deafened us both. His explosion filled me with his energy and come.

He collapsed on top of me, shifting slightly to the side. I just lay there, dead to the world, floating in the afterglow.

“Jesus, Jacqs. Do you have special powers in that pussy of yours?”

“Very funny,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“I think I have sex amnesia with you.”

“Sex amnesia? That’s a new one. Do tell.” I wondered where he came up with his bullshit.

“Well, if I remembered how great sex was with you, I’d be following you around all the time.”

I laughed at him. “Uh huh,” I said, scooting over to get around him.

“Where are you going?” He grabbed my waist to keep me in place.

“To clean up,” I said, gesturing to my saturated labia, “and to brush my teeth.”

“Okay, hurry back.”

Once I had finished up in the bathroom, I climbed into bed, and we got into our usual sleeping configuration. My right cheek lay on his left shoulder, and my left leg crossed over his stomach. His left arm cuddled me in close, and we both started drifting off. I would berate myself in the morning, most especially when Bond morphed back to his usual self, but in that moment, before sleep overtook me, I felt blissful.

õõõõõ

“Last night was a mistake and shouldn’t have happened. Next time call Red.”

“Come on, Jacqs, don’t pull away from me.”

“You’re kidding, right?” I said, throwing my hands out in front of me.

“I’m not.”

“Bond, I love you, but you’re delusional. You are kicking me out of your apartment so you can yacht with some rich chicks Red has drummed up, and yet, you’re acting like I’m shunning you after you have awakened me with kisses and a warm breakfast. Really, dude?”

“Oh, no,” Red said as he strolled into the apartment, “she’s calling you dude. That can’t be good.”

“Fuck off Red. I’m not in the mood,” I said, spinning around with my hands on my hips.

“Are you ever? I mean other than last night, obviously. And I had actually started growing some respect for you but now…” He swept his hand around as if the gesture said everything.

“You and the Neanderthal deserve each other,” I spewed at Bond.

I punched the big brute in the stomach, and he just laughed.

At six feet two, Red towered over me by a foot. Everything about him was big. He had a large head and huge hands, and even as much as I hated him, I wondered just how big his cock might be. He had small gauges in both earlobes and full lips. He kept his beard and hair shortly cropped, which highlighted the sharp planes of his face. Bond had dubbed him “Red” when they first met at their private high school. His hair fit the name; even the hair under his arms and on his chest was red.

He, like Bond, had one tattoo. His was much larger due to the sheer scale of his size and its location; the tattoo spread out across the top of his back between his shoulder blades. It was a green Celtic tree created by a complex series of knots that illustrated the trunk, roots, and branches.

I never understood the friendship between them, but they seemed to have a history that kept them close. Where Bond had flitted between different jobs and apartments over the years, Red seemed far more stable, owning a house and a successful investment firm.

“You’re still coming over to Red’s later, right?” Bond asked. “We can talk then.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. And when are you going to start hanging out somewhere else? Don’t you realize that your guard dog doesn’t like me?”

“How wrong you are about that, Jacqs,” Bond said.

I stared at both of them, absolutely sure they were just fucking with me, but I could have sworn Red’s ears went crimson.

“It’s time for you to leave, Little One,” Red said.

I hated when he called me that, but Neanderthal and Little One had become our snarky nicknames for each other.

“I’m going,” I said, grabbing my keys and purple hoodie off the entrance table on my way out.

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

Found at jennifersway.org

Found at jennifersway.org

We have so much to be thankful for and as my husband will readily tell you, it’s my favorite food holiday. I’m so grateful for my husband who is totally supportive of me chasing the dream and is the love of my life, my daughter who I’m convinced is the best teenager in the world, my step-daughters, my parents, my siblings and our abundant communities of friends. Being an author, I have made some stellar online friends that deserve a SO as well. Thanks to all of you who are part of this crazy journey I call my life. Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all my stateside friends. Continue reading

True Connection

www.redefiningthefaceofbeauty.com

www.redefiningthefaceofbeauty.com

I had an interesting conversation with a friend about disciplining children. I have always contended that violence to a child is completely unnecessary. In fact, I believe it sends the wrong message. However, I could see her point that growing up on a farm and all the dangers present there created a culture of expedient punishment.

I shared an example from a time where our daughter went through a violent stage. It makes completely no sense to me that I would hit her because she hit or bit me. What the hell would that teach? Because I’m bigger and in charge, it’s okay for me to use violence? Instead—and believe me, she gave us a run for our money between 2 ½ and 4—what I said was that she needed to learn to use her words to communicate how she was feeling and not her hands, feet or teeth (yes, she was a bitter.) I also said, “Do I hit you when I’m angry or upset?” She said, “No.” “Do I hit Daddy when I’m upset?” She said, “No.” I believe modeling is the most effective way to teach children. The motto, “Do what I say, not what I do,” is utter bullshit. We, as humans, learn by example. Fortunately for us, the violent stage past quickly.

I believe if you are connected with your children, it’s far easier to use other methods of discipline that do not include violence, because the child actually cares what you feel, and in turn you care what they feel. Continue reading

Bringing Yourself Along for the Ride

roller_coasterI never truly realized, until I became an author, how much readers bring of themselves to any story they read; their perceptions, life experiences, pet peeves and much more. It makes sense to me and reminds me of the literature classes I took in college. I always found myself wondering if the so-called “meaning” of the stories we read were really the author’s intentions or just that particular teacher’s interpretation or a school of thought. Continue reading

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Peggy Bechko

Please give a warm welcome to Peggy Bechko, author of Stormrider.

Cafe Press Stormrider Cover- - blueTell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
Hi Blakely and thanks for having me I’m a frequently published author with Doubleday, Harlequin, Pinnacle, Five Star, The Fiction Works, Manor and others in addition to being an optioned screenwriter. I’ve enjoyed writing in several genres: romance, western, SciFi/Fantasy and animated.

It seems I always have more than one project in the works. Right now I’ve pulled out a fantasy romance I began work on several years ago just as my mother fell very ill. I’ve done many projects since then but have just now pulled out the manuscript I loved and am continuing on with it. Hopefully it’ll be released by the end of the year or early in 2014. Tentatively titled Serpent’s Tail.

But what I’m promoting currently is my book in the SciFi/Fantasy genre, Stormrider. It’s a great adventure across an alien world ~ Plunge into adventure, meet the ancients, defeat the slavers and join with the unique and telepathically talented animals of Nashira ~ animals keyed to guiding the path of man. Animals thought to be myth only, but are so much more. It’s getting 5 star reviews and is available in Ebook and paperback editions. Continue reading

What’s it Like to Write with Your Husband?

DSC_0280resizeI’ve gotten this question often and it’s usually accompanied by, “I could never work with my husband. How do you do it?” The writing and creating process is rather easy when we work together. The writing goes a lot faster because if either of us is stuck on a scene, we can pass it off to the other. However, working with someone else requires an outline and a very different style of writing than when I’m working on my own.

On my own, I don’t plan, outline or figure out the end until I get there. I let my characters lead me through the story. When I write with my husband (Dana), I don’t have that same luxury because the story must have structure so we can both move forward with the storyline. However, we have lots of fun writing together. Continue reading

Blakely’s Friday Interview with A.L. Kessler

Please give a warm welcome to A.L. Kessler, author of In the Light of the Moon (Dark War Chronicles) (Volume 1).

alkesslerTell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting — I’m A.L. Kessler. I’m a stay at home mom and wife to a giant geek. I write primarily paranormal romance and I live in Colorado Springs, CO. I have two black cats who think they own the house. I’m addicted to chocolate and coffee. My current project is The Dark War Chronicles (DWC), a paranormal romance series that has all sorts of creatures fight a war against each other. It has adventure, romance (of course!) and amazing characters. Continue reading