Rafael and Melinda: How We Met

Thanks for joining me on my first Bloghop - 

How We Met! 

Our wedding day - 16 years ago!

Nothing is more romantic than a story of how you met your significant other. We all have a story. Now is your time to share. I hope you enjoy my husband and I's story. Today we celebrate 16 years of marriage. Wow! 16 years! We actually have been together for 20. Wow! 20 years!  I am so lucky to have him in my life. Here it is...

In Taos, NM on a hiking trip

It was in between my freshman and sophomore year in college and I decided to take two classes in the summer. Little did I know History 101 would change my life forever. I always sat in the front row, directly in front of the professor and took notes profusely. However, one day, when I walked in the door something spoke to me…. “Sit in the back.” I scooted to the middle of a back row and ended up sitting next to a very handsome…Rafael. Rafael asked me to copy  notes and I had to ask him at least three times to repeat what he said since he had a strong accent. He later told me that he was from Guatemala which I pretended to know where it was. That night I went home to find it on a map. Now, here I am married to my college sweetheart living in Guatemala. 

In Albuquerque, NM - Where we met

If you would like to join us on this bloghop, please go HERE and sign up on the linky. The rules are below:

1. Sign up on the linky.
2. Share the story of how you met your significant other, be it your husband, boyfriend or partner, in 150 words or less.
3. Post a picture that was taken around the time you met.
4. Link back to my blog somewhere in your post. (http://melindadozier.blogspot.com) or add the blog button at the top.
5. Please consider adding the blog hop button to your blog somewhere, so others can find it easily and join in too! Spread the word!
6. Visit at least three other links on the day of the hop and leave comments.

Sexy at the Beach Hump Day Hunks

It's Hump Day! I love sharing these men with you. Today's theme is ... at the beach.

Teacher Appreciation Monday Funny

Monday Funny 6/25/12

Today, in Guatemala, it is Teacher Appreciation Day. I find this oddly ironic since we do not have school and are on summer break. No love coming my way. Oh well! So, I thought I would share some funny English teacher/writer funnies on this Monday Funny day. Enjoy!

Hope you have a great Monday!
Melinda

Marry Me...How We Met Reminder

Everytime I hear this song, I think of Amanda and Jake from Time Changes Everything. It is perfect for the end of my novel. It makes my insides all warm and gooey. Ahhhh. Sigh.....

The video below is awesome too! It includes stories of how people met. I love first meeting stories. Hence, my first bloghop How We Met. Check it out if you haven't already. The bloghop will take place on June 30, my 16th wedding anniversary.

"Marry Me" by Train

Forever can never be long enough for me

To feel like I've had long enough with you

Forget the world now we won't let them see

But there's one thing left to do

Now that the weight has lifted

Love has surely shifted my way

Marry Me

Today and every day

Marry Me

If I ever get the nerve to say "Hello" in this cafe

Say you will

Mm-hmm

Say you will

Mm-hmm

Together can never be close enough for me

Feel like I am close enough to you

You wear white and I'll wear out the words I love you

And you're beautiful

Now that the wait is over

And love and has finally shown her my way

Marry me

Today and every day

Marry me

If I ever get the nerve to say "Hello" in this cafe

Say you will

Mm-hmm

Say you will

Mm-hmm

Promise me

You'll always be

Happy by my side

I promise to

Sing to you

When all the music dies

And marry me

Today and everyday

Marry me

If I ever get the nerve to say "Hello" in this cafe

Say you will

Mm-hmm

Say you will

Marry me

Mm-hmm

Girl's Just Want to Have Fun

Victoria and Jaycee are at it again! Their "Oh, My Hero!" Blog Hop was such a huge hit; they have decided to grace us with yet another awesome bloghop! Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! Bloghop is today.

How it Works: Interview a heroine of your manuscript, novel, or WIP by a fellow female counterpart also from one of your written works.  Your featured heroine can be interviewed by her best friend, a heroine from another one of your written works, a sister, the opportunities are endless!

Amanda Larson

Interviewed by her super sassy best friend Chloe Nelson

Song played during the interview: Brown-Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

     "Where have you been, Mandy? I've been waiting like thirty minutes."  Chloe sat in the back booth of Manahatta's Bar and Grill.

     "You know I've been busy. Don't get all huffy." Amanda sat her purse to the side. "Plus, I had to finish what I started with Jake." She winked at her friend.

     "Oooooh. Spill the beans!" Chloe sat upright and leaned her chin on her hand. "This is an interview after all."

     "I thought you were kidding. This is a real interview?"

     "Yes and you're changing the subject." She wiggled her finger at Amanda.

     "Okay, what do you want to know?" Giggling, Amanda leaned back in her seat, pushing her bangs back with her hand.

     Chloe lifted her beer and took a swig. "First, tell me what you were doing with Jake."

     Lifting an eyebrow, she answered. "I never kiss and tell."

     "Oh,  you party pooper." She eyed Jeff, the bartender. "Jeffy, can you bring Amanda her favorite martini?"

      "Sure thing, snookums." Jeff yelled back.

     "You two are still an item?" Amanda leaned her head to the side.

     "Yep, and if you'd been around, you would know that." Chloe leaned forward again. "Okay, tell me what attracts you to Jake."

     Amanda smiled to herself. "Well, I've been attracted to him since I was a teenager. I remember sitting in my bedroom window admiring his pecs as he worked out in his backyard. I loved having him as a neighbor." She giggled. "Once, I was alone at home and there was a huge lightning storm, which wasn't unusual in Louisiana. Well, I got scared and Jake came over and held my hand, in the dark."

     "Oooooh. I like the sound of that. In the dark." Chloe popped her eyes open and smiled.

     "Come on! We were good kids. Not like you. But that is something I love about Jake. He really cares. He didn't come over to take advantage of me, like other boys would have. He is gentle and understands me. Plus, he isn't too bad to look at." Amanda sighed. 

     Chloe leaned back. "Look at you. You're all red."

     "I know. He does it for me. What can I say?" 

     Jeff brought over her martini and sat it on the table. "Hey, Amanda." Then he looked at Chloe. "Hey sexy. I get off at 2. You gonna wait for me?"

    "You bet. Let me just finish this last interview question with Mandy."

     Jeff sauntered off.

     "What's the best date you ever had with Jake?" 

     Amanda bit her lip. "That's a hard one. We've had some great dates." She took a deep breath. "I would have to say my birthday last month. Remember? He surprised me with a trip to the mountains. A lonely cabin, just the two of us. Naked under the covers all weekend." 

     Chloe pretended to stick her finger in her mouth and gag. "You guys are so cute it's sickening."

     "I wouldn't have it any other way." 

     "Well, thanks for taking the time to meet me for the interview." She eyed Amanda's martini. "You gonna finish that?"

     "You know me. If I do, I may not make it home. Alcohol and I don't mix." 

     "Can I have it then?" Chloe grabbed the glass without her answer.

      "Sure, Chlo, go right ahead." 

     With that she heard a rumble behind her. "Hey Mandy."

     Surprised, she saw Jake standing beside the table with his hands in his pockets.

    "Jake, you followed me here." 

     He leaned toward her and enveloped her with his big arms. "I couldn't wait another minute. You took too long."

     Chloe pretended to choke. "See what I mean. It's Clark Gable and Vivienne Leigh. Too cute for words."

     "Better that than you and Desi Arnez. Or should I say Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio?"

     "Definately Maryilyn." Jake laughed. "And you're my Scarlet O Hara." He nuzzled her neck.

     "Let's get out of here and back to your apartment." She lowered her voice.

      With that, Jake jumped up and pulled Amanda over his shoulder, leaving the bar with Chloe laughing behind them.

Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

     

Summer is Here!

Summer is Here!

One of the greatest parts of being a teacher is that I have the summer "off."  Well, my summer is here and I have big plans. 

1. First, I will work on my newest WIP, Frequent Flyer. The story has been sitting in my head for months now and the characters are dying to make their appearance. I think they are tired of waiting to get their hands on each other. 
2. Second, I plan on READING, my favorite past time. My husband says I am literally attached to my kindle, and I think I am. But, that's okay. I usually can't be. I deserve it! 
3. Third, my summer plans include tutoring students at my tutoring school. Yep! Once a teacher, always a teacher. 
4. Lastly, but not least, I plan on traveling! In 9 days, my sister will come visit us here in Guatemala. Sadly she hasn't visited in more than 10 years. So, I will be showing her around. Expect pictures. Our favorite place will be in Antigua Guatemala:

So, I thought I would share my TBR list for this month. I cannot wait to get my paws on Jill Shalvis's upcoming releases. She has become my all-time favorite contemporary author. Did I mention she will be visiting my blog during her blog tour? 

A Book I am Rereading with Great Pleasure as I wait for tomorrow... release day for the next in the series:

Jill Shalvis is having a blog tour and will be visiting my blog on July 18.

My Current TBR list:

Still haven't finished this one.

Put it to the side, but have to finish!

And a summer funny:

Happy Summer to you all!
Melinda

Euro Cup Hump Day Hunks

It's already hump day! Woo hoo!

In honor of this summer's Eurocup, I will share some European soccer eye-candy. Hope you enjoy the games!

Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal

Of course I have to have David Beckham!

David Beckham and Heath Pearce

Olivier Giroud - France

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY,

Melinda

Teaser Tuesday - Bringing Down Sam by Leslie Kelly

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. This meme is simple and fun, you just pick up your current read, flip to a random page, and choose 1 or 2 teaser sentences to share! Here are the guidelines:

• Grab Your Current Read
• Open to a random page
• Pick two “teaser” sentences from that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO SHARE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for other readers)
• INCLUDE the TITLE & AUTHOR too, so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR and wish-lists! If possible, add the page number.

Current Read: Bringing Down Sam by Leslie Kelly
Current Chapter: 1 (Just starting)
Random page on Kindle: 1


Since I am just starting this today.... I thought I'd share the first lines from the novel.

"A single woman´s number one goal is to get a ring on her finger.   A single mans number one goal is to steer clear of jewelry stores." From 101 Ways To Avoid Commitment.

Back Blurb: 

High school teacher Eve Barret has a secret--she was once a child modelingsuperstar. She's left that life far behind, and has no intention of returning to it. At least not until her best friends talk her into a crazyscheme to "bring down" Public Enemy Number 1: Sam Kenneman.

Sam Kenneman has every woman in the country up in arms about his new bestseller, 101 Ways To Avoid Commitment. The book's supposed to be a joke--but women aren't getting it. Now he just wants the frenzy to die down so life can go back to normal.

Her goal? Teach him a lesson.

His goal? Don't fall for the sexy blonde.

The problem? They can't resist each other!

Thanks for stopping by,
Melinda

Lovestruck Giveaway Hop - If You Were Mine by Bella Andre

 I love giveaways! How about you? Well, now is your chance to win one of my newest favorite ebooks. 

Blog hop runs from 12:01 AM June 15th through to 11:59 PM June 22th, 2012.

Love-struck: (adjective) having a passionate or overwhelming feeling of love; smitten

The book I've chosen is If You Were Mine by Bella Andre. If you haven't read the Sullivan series, you have to make a bee-line drive to the bookstore now! The Sullivan family series is full of hotness! 

Hot guys, 

Hot sex, 

Hot love,

Hot romance,

Hot passion

Get what I'm saying? It's hot! If You Were Mine is book #5 in the series, and even though I am already married, I have a HUGE crush on Zach, the main character. Zach is a good-looking, funny auto shop mogul who races on the side. He is used to getting what he wants with his charismatic attitude, but he is sweet at the same time. What girl could resist a man with a dog named Cuddles? 

     "Honestly, all the yelling does is make her more anxious.  Which makes her act out more, especially when she doesn't know the proper behaviors to replace the naughty ones with."

     "And here I used to think I liked my girls naughty."

     She groaned. "You're incorregible."

     She should be a whole lot more upset about it, but the truth was, she kind of liked his sense of humor.

     "Incorrigible enough to tell you how hot it is when you use big words?"

     She should have known better.

He meets Heather who is a dog trainer and unforgettable in Zach's eyes. What I love is that Andre describes Heather as just a simple woman with her hair pulled back and shorts. But, Zach sees her for who she really is... a woman who needs love and needs to be HIS.

 

Heather wasn't used to people surprising her.  It had taken her a while to learn how to read people, how to separate the honest from the deceitful, the real from the fake, but ever since the age of seventeen, she'd made sure not to let anyone slip through her filter.

 

Most of Andre's books are full of hot sex scenes. This book does not let you down. However, it did take some time for them to 'hit the sack' and I liked how their relationship built up to that point. Once they did make love, the passion went wild. An excellent, fast read that will keep you reading throughout the night.

Zach Sullivan was walking, living, breathing sex.  And she was a sensual woman who couldn't help but respond. A least on a physical level. 




If you would like to win an ecopy of this book, please complete the form below. The contest ends on June 22 and is open to all readers in the US, Canada or International. The winner will be randomly chosen by rafflecopter


Please view the other blogs included in this Giveaway Hop. The list can be found at Under The Covers.  Many amazing romance books will be given away! I know I will be visiting.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Father's Day Six Sunday

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

In honor of Father's Day, I've chosen six sentences that include Jake and Amanda's fathers from Time Changes Everything. Joe, Amanda's dad, is so much like my own father.

Jake and Amanda take a trip home to Louisiana for Christmas. This excerpt is taken from their arrival.

Again, I am reminded how hard choosing only six sentences can be, so I cheated a little, and didn't officially enter the #sixsunday bloghop this week. Hope you enjoy anyway!

        “Isn’t that something, you both living in New York? Libby had a fit when she found out.”  

        “What’s that Joe?” Libby jerked her head in his direction, since she always heard everything that went on around her, even if she was at the other side of the car. 

        “Nothing. Nothing.” Joe swung his hand in the air, as if there was a mosquito nagging at his neck. 

       “Well, anytime you need me to take care of her, you let me know.” Jake smiled at Amanda. 

       She clenched her teeth and turned her head. Jake knew she was pissed, but he loved her all riled up.

       “Don’t tell her mother that, or you’ll be sorry.” Joe slapped him on the shoulder and trudged off with Amanda’s luggage. “What’s in these jiggers?”

Thanks for stopping by!

Melinda
     

Magic Mike Dream Cast. Dirty Little Secret.

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by us at Under the Covers. Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and our readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets. We hope that you will all join us!

To participate in the meme all you need to do is:

1. Be a follower of Under the Covers.
2. Create a post in your blog taking the meme image (code above) and copy instructions.
3. Answer the question we propose! This can be done in any way you like, post a video, write a post etc.
4. Then add your link.


This week's question:

With the upcoming release of MAGIC MIKE where some of the hottest guys strip nekkid and shake their ummmm assets, we want to know YOUR fantasy cast!

If you could choose six of the hottest stars to shake their moneymakers for you, which guys would it be?

 

Well, it is a BIG excitement for me that Magic Mike is coming out at the end of the month. In case you haven't seen yesterday's Magic Mike Hump Day Hunks, check it out! Every week I choose some hotties to share and it so happens that I chose the men from Magic Mike!

My ideal cast for this HOT movie would be close to who they have already. Really, who could get better than Matt Bomer. I have a little crush on the man.

I love his eyes!

BUT since we are talking about showing off their bods... How about this one?

Other hotties for my ideal cast would include Ian Somerhalder....

And since this is my fantasy, I have to include David Beckham. I know he isn't an actor, but he is too hot not to have him!

I also crush on Josh Duhamel. I know he is gorgeous, but his voice does wonders to me as well!

Okay, Okay... I could go on forever. I cannot wait for the real movie!

Melinda

Merde! First Kiss Blogfest

The second day of the First Fight, First Kiss Blogfest is here! This is my favorite! I love first kisses. I love any kisses, actually.

In Time Changes Everything, Jake and Amanda are childhood friends. They meet up with eachother in New York and are attracted to eachother, but haven't done anything about it...until now.

     Jake wrapped one arm around Amanda’s waist. “Woah, there, Mr. – Paris -, Amanda said it was over.” Pointing his finger in Dominic’s chest, he added, “Take your hands off her.” 

      Dominic took a deep breath and removed his hands. 

      With a gentle touch, Jake rubbed Amanda’s hip with his hand. “She’s with me now.”
   
     Amanda still didn’t move, only staring back and forth, her cheeks red with rage. Why did Amanda stand frozen like a deer in a car’s head lights?

      “I don’t think so.” Dominic’s breath came hard and fast. He stared at Jake’s hand on Amanda’s side. “She is for me.”

      Finally Amanda spoke up. “Believe it.” She turned her body to Jake’s, reached for his face with both hands, and lowered his head to hers.

      It began with small, gentle caresses, Amanda’s lips teasing Jake’s. Jake was taken aback, but went along with the ‘game’.

     The kiss turned into a hunger. They moved faster and faster as Amanda placed her hands behind his neck and Jake placed his hand on the small of her back and pulled her body even closer to his. Every cell of his body buzzed in anticipation as Amanda squealed under his lips.

      Amanda opened her mouth and Jake inserted his tongue searching hers. She pressed every ounce of her body into his, and he moved his hands under her shirt and touched her soft flesh. She flinched and pressed harder against his body.

     Jake moved his other hand up to her hair. His fingers played in the swirls and he pulled her head closer. She moaned softly and he slid his tongue out of her mouth to run it along her upper lip.

    “Merde!” Dominic shouted. “This is not over, ma chérie. You will come to your senses.” He stomped out with a huff, slamming the door behind him.

      Amanda stopped kissing Jake, blinked at him and hurried to the back of the building. With her fingers on her lips, she cursed under her breath.

      Jake stood frozen, still as a statue, not sure of what his next move should be. His lips stung with her touch and his chest moved up and down rapidly, his breath still uneven. He felt certain Amanda wasn’t playing a game. She couldn’t with that kind of kiss.