Marry me? Fun Proposals!

I am a surfer. Not that kind! I surf the net ALL the time. One of my favorite places is Pinterest. Have you been there? If not, check out my page and see what it's all about.  On Pinterest, I often see brides planning their weddings. Since I've already been there done that, I just look at the pics to dream and possibly use in a future story.

Doing research for future stories is a lot of fun. One thing I researched in the past week was different ways to propose. Every girl dreams of it. So, I thought I'd share some cute proposals. Which are your faves?

I think I would eat it before noticing the ring! 

At least I'd have my coffee first!

Perfect for a Potter nerd, like me.

Possibly using this idea!

I just love this picture! Pure romance!

Takes some planning.

Sweet!

And my latest fave: I saw this on the news. The most frightening proposal ever!

Do you have a proposal idea? What story do you have? 

Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

Superheroes Hump Day Hunks

Welcome back to my weekly Hump Day Hunks. Get your cold shower going, ladies, today's hunks are sure to heat you up. :)

Who is YOUR favorite hero? Sweet dreams,

Melinda

Guest Author: Christina McKnight - Only In Her Dreams & Giveaway

Christina McKnight, Author

Only In Her Dreams, The Oneiroi Book 1 - Available on Amazon

Book Blurb - Only In Her Dreams, The Oneiroi Book 1

When Lucessa Sarcona awakes from a recurring dream, she has no idea her life is about to be turned upside down. A stranger, familiar to her dreams, shows up in the flesh, and Lucessa knows she’s either crazy or experiencing something not of this world.

A war ensues between three demigod brothers. One, trained to rule Erebos, is violently replaced. One forced to return to his homeland and lead the dream-gods of the Oneiroi. And one is charged with the impossible task of protecting Lucessa. How is she linked to the Oneiroi? Why do two brothers seek to keep her hidden and protected? And how does another plan to use her against the two demigods who love her?

Will Lucessa’s dream man have the courage to claim her as his own or will he bow to the command of another, forsaking the one he loves?

Only in Her Dreams is a modern spin on a Greek legend--the new direction of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance, moving from angels, demons, vampires, and witches and toward the realm of demigods.

Excerpt: Chapter One

Lucessa stared at her bed. It was time to sleep again, but it was getting harder to succumb to it. She started to think the day would never come when she could abandon herself to sleep without the feeling of being watched. He was always there--haunting her dreams. Her dreams hadn’t been her own in such a long time.

He was always there. Never talking but always watching. Intently. As if he knew her. Security, even in sleep, eluded her.

She’d lost her father and her husband. Her mother was slipping away, battling a memory loss that was progressing daily. Her dreams were the only place she could remember a family, someone who cared. But he insisted on intruding. Every happy memory and every nightmare included his presence. Why did he always show up? How could she get rid of him?

Lucessa tried for the millionth time to find a solution as she climbed under the covers. Who am I kidding? There was nothing she could do. He was a dream! A figment of her imagination. She sighed and resigned herself to another restless night.

Lucessa was a child again. The cold, pine-scented wind tangled her hair as she descended the mountain path in front of her parents. Her family’s annual summer camping trip to Yosemite National Parkwas in its third day, and that meant they’d conquered Half Dome for the third year straight. Ever since her parents deemed her old and skilled enough for the challenge, they hiked it together. As a family.

She looked back at her smiling parents as they held hands and strolled down the path after her. Her mother, Marie, looked casual in her jeans and the blue“Keep Lake Tahoe Blue” shirt that hugged her frame. Her father wore a San Francisco Giants baseball cap, a wisp of salt and pepper hair showing through. They looked like a couple out of the travel magazine that Lucessa had seen in her father’s study weeks ago.

“Dear, watch where you’re going!”

Lucessa turned back to the trail, nearly colliding with a man lounging against a tree just off the path. Dressed in a thigh-hugging pair of dark pants and a billowy tunic that had to be from at least a century ago, he pushed off the tree trunk and tipped his hat. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief in the evening twilight, letting off a faint glow. The man looked eerily recognizable.

She looked back to reassure her mother that she was okay. Lucessa scanned the woods behind her.

But they were gone. Only the familiar stranger remained.

Christina McKnight

You can find Christina on the following social media networks: 

 Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/CMcKnightWriter

Blog: www.christina-mcknight.blogspot.com

Email: christinamcknight.author@yahoo.com

Facebook

Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will win an ecopy of Only in Her Dreams. Enter with the Rafflecopter below.

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Busted for Reading Romance!

Monday Funny 10/1/12                     HAPPY OCTOBER!

My publisher's Marketing Director, awesome Eden Plantz, has asked the new Entranced Publishing authors to create a video to upload to the upcoming Youtube Entranced site. My first thought was.....AAAAAHHHHH! Me? On video? Woah! One of the fabulous reasons I love being a writer is that I can be solitary and work in the privacy of my own home. So, of course, getting my face out there in front of a potentially large group of people, frightens me. I know it has to happen and I will do it, but I still shiver at the thought.

Similar to how I looked at thinking I needed to be filmed!

So, part of the "research" of what I will do in the video is looking at some favorite author's videos on Youtube to get an idea what is out there and what would interest readers. I found Kristin Higgins whose contemporary funny romances have enthralled me for a while now. Snooping around some more, I found these hilarious vidoes she created about romance readers. Of course, I had to share one with you. It is MONDAY FUNNY afterall. So, without further ado, please enjoy the video below... 

Now, my question for you is.... what would you want your favorite author to answer on video? I'm greatful for any input and maybe your questions will be answered! Stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

Sensational Secondary Characters Giveaway

In honor of this blog hop, I will share a scene from  my newest WIP, Frequent Flyer. Colin and Hope cannot have a relationship, since she's his son's principal and he's her doctor. However, they seem to have a problem staying away from each other. In this scene, they face their friends who just found out they kissed.

Read the excerpt below and tell me what you think:


     Taking a deep breath, Colin followed Hope out the laundry room door. He knew Tim would have a lot to say, but he had to deal with Hope first. Although she wanted him to forget the kiss, he couldn’t. No way. No how. It was too damn good and it had been way too long since he felt the sparks fly. Sure, he’d dated a little since Beth, but he never felt that connection.  And of course it had to be with someone who didn’t want it. 
     They walked to the table and all eyes ogled them. 
     Tim beamed, wiggling his eyebrows at them both . “There’s the two lovebirds.”  
     Hope turned around and walked to Kelly in the kitchen, ignoring her friend’s questioning eyes. 
     With a shrug, Colin sat and knocked back his 1/2 cup of Coke. “Sure could use a beer about now.”
     “So -” Scott leaned forward and whispered. “What’s going on, bro?”
     Colin shook his head. “Nothing. Can it.” From the corner of his eye, he saw Kelly and Hope make their way to the table, whispering to each other. Kelly carried a loaded platter of nachos. He didn’t have much of an appetite anymore. He tried to eye Hope, to see if she would talk to him, but she stood behind Kelly wiping the chair off with the Coke-drenched towel from earlier. 
     Before he could say anything, Tim butted in with his non-chalant self. “So, how long have you two been sucking face?”
      Hope stood with her mouth open. She held the rag up as if she was going to throw it at him. “Now wait just a minute, Mister. You’re going on like a twelve year old reading Playboys in the dugout. You don’t even know what we were doing. If I were you, I’d keep my mouth shut and my head out of the gutter.” Hope threw the rag, and stormed out to the back patio. 
     Kelly held up her hands and slapped them back down on her legs. “Now you’ve done it. She’s furious. Tim, really.” She stomped off to the kitchen.
     Holding his arms up, Tim asked, “What?”
     Scott shook his head. “You done blown it this time, Tim-O. Now everyone’s pissed at you. When’s the last time you saw Colin kiss anyone? Geez.” Scott leaned forward and started in on the nachos. 
     Colin stood and faced his friend. He didn’t know what to do. It had been a while since he had to deal with an angry woman, plus his best friend being a jerk.
    Tim quirked his head to the side. “I was just having a little fun.”
     “You’re being a  prick.” He headed toward the patio. First, he had to face the woman who he needed to convince that they had something. Later, he’d deal with Tim.

In honor of secondary characters, I will be giving away an Ebook copy Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey. Shannon's characters are hilarious and real. Her secondary characters are so loved, that she often creates new stories about them. Exclusively Yours starts the whole Kowalski series off! Enter with the Rafflecopter below.



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Be sure to visit the other blogs participating in this blog hop! You could win other great prizes! Follow the linky below:

Author Interview: Chantel Rhondeau, Always and Forever

WELCOME to Chantel Rhondeau! Her new novel, Always and Forever, has been released this month and she took her time out of her busy schedule to be interviewed by me. Hope you enjoy!

1.  What sparked your interest in becoming a writer?

I started out as a reader. That’s always been my great passion. However, I’m also a BIG daydreamer - LOL. I used to lie awake for hours at bedtime, just coming up with imaginary stories in my head and then getting so excited about the story, I wouldn’t go to sleep until really late!

I don’t even know why I decided I might be able to write a novel. Mostly, I was looking for more books about dragons portrayed in a certain manner, and I couldn’t find any. The idea for that story took a hold of me, and thus a writer was born. Well, almost. Honestly, that was probably the biggest piece of junk ever written, but it got me started. When I found out about romantic suspense, there was no turning back and no stopping me from writing Always & Forever.

  

2.  How did you come up with your ideas for Always & Forever?

I was reading a romance novel, and the hero said something sweet and romantic to the heroine. I set the book aside, and the phrase, “I’ll love you always and forever,” went through my mind. Immediately following that, I wondered what would happen if that wasn’t really used as a term of endearment. Lilly’s life and horrible past flooded my thoughts, demanding hers was a story I tell.

3. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Oddly enough, what I learned wasn’t from the book itself, but from the people associated with helping me make my dream a reality. I have met so many amazing people. Critique partners, beta readers, other authors from Facebook groups. Everyone has been so supportive and helpful, and I’ve been amazed. I’ve been called gullible and too trusting in the past, because I generally think most people are basically good. Being involved in the writing community has help prove I’ve been right all along about that. There are a tremendous amount of wonderful people out there!

4. Any advice for indie authors?

Wow - so much advice. My first piece would be to join a critique group like www.critiquecircle.com Get honest opinions about your work so you can improve your craft. After that, you must hire an editor before publishing if you want to build a brand and make a good name for yourself.

Also, never give up.  No matter what your skill level is at now, I believe writing is teachable, something anyone can learn. It takes years to master the craft, and even then you will keep learning more. The important thing is to always follow your dreams. Surround yourself with people who support you and want you to reach your goals.

5. What are your future plans as an author?

Right now, I’m working on my second novel. It’s still in the genre of romantic suspense, but this one is a murder mystery. My characters are more sarcastic than Zach and Lilly and I’m having a great time writing them. Donovan has been quite the ladies’ man in his life, and that is not okay with Madeline. Lots of misunderstandings going on, and it is a joy to write.  

Thank you so much for inviting me over for a chat, Melinda. I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule, and also that you’re reading Always & Forever. I hope you truly enjoy it.  Oh, and congratulations on getting signed with a publisher! I cannot wait for your book to be released! 

Thank you, Chantel, for stopping by!

Melinda

More information about Always and Forever can be found at these links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Goodreads

Website: http://www.chantelrhondeau.com

Twitter http://twitter.com/ChantelRhondeau

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChantelRhondeau

Please continue on Chantel's blog tour by visiting J.A. Beard on September 27. 

Sexy Celebrity Couples - Hump Day Hunks

Nothing is sexier than a man standing by his woman! With this in mind, I've decided to focus Hump Day Hunks on sexy famous couples!

Beyonce and Jay Z

Ian and Nina

David and Victoria....love the possesive hand!

Tom Brady and Giselle

John Krasinski (love The Office) and Emily Blunt

Josh Duhamel and Fergie

Who am I missing?

Thanks for stopping by!
Melinda

Marriage and Romance?

Monday Funny, September 24, 2012

I've been married for 16 years. It's hard to believe really. I met my husband when I was 19 years old. NINETEEN! I was just a baby. We dated throughout college and then I moved to his home country when we graduated. We married and have lived a wonderful life so far. Rafael is my best friend, my go-to person, my funny-man, my dreamer, my soul mate.

Why am I sharing this? I think the cartoon says it all. Many people think that as a marriage moves on, the romance dies. I have to say that our marriage is stronger than it was 16 years ago. I feel so lucky!

I'm going to sound even more corny now. Being a romance writer and reader has a lot to do with why my marriage is even better.  Romance is always alive in me! Always. When I am reading a sweet romance, I feel all squishy inside. It makes me appreciate all that I have. When I am writing romance, I feel the same. The butterflies form in my belly as if I am really living through my scene. Then I look over and see my husband.... Wow! I'm so lucky. I actually have that!

So, today's funny is dedicated to marriage and romance. We romance writers have to keep it alive. If we can help a couple feel and dream about romance, then I think we've done part of our job.

Here's to romance in our lives! 

And since this is a Monday funny, I will share some cute cartoons related to Romance and Marriage. Enjoy!

Melinda

I'm in the Spotlight - Visit Chantel Rhondeau's Website!

Take a look at Chantel Rhondeau's blog. I'm in the author spotlight! Learn a little about my upcoming novel, Time Changes Everything.

Chantel Rhondeau - Journey of a Romance Writer 

Thanks, Chantel, for the love!

Melinda

Football Hotties - Hump Day Hunks

Football has started again! Woop Woop! Actually, I've never been a die-hard football fan, but last year the football bug hit. I couldn't help it. My New Orlean Saints went to the Superbowl and LSU made it to the final top two. Hey! What can I say?

So, in honor of football season, I'd like to share some of my favorite players. Happy Hunk Day!

Geaux Drew Brees from New Orleans Saints!

Sexy little papa!

Next up..... Tim Tebow! 

Joke all you want, but I find this sexy! A praying man!

A few others who I don't really follow, but I think they are pretty hot! 

Tom Brady

Sam Anderson, Houston Texans

Tony Gonzalez, 

Which football stars do you think are the sexiest? Please share!

Thanks for stopping by,
Melinda

Best Movie Kisses

I think it's a given since I write and read romances that I love romantic movies. My favorite parts, of course, are the romantic kisses. Since I'm in the middle of writing my "first kiss" scene between two new MCs,  I thought I'd share my favorite movie kisses.

Sixteen Candles

The Notebook

Dear John

Pride and Prejudice

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Titanic

Bridget Jones Diary

The Last Song

I could go on forever! What kiss is your favorite? Which movie has the best kiss scene?

Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

Book Spotlight & Giveaway - Always and Forever

Now available! 

I am happy to present Chantel Rhondeau's new release, Always and Forever. If you like romance and suspense, this is the book for you!

Always & Forever Book Blurb

A suspected murderess flees her former life in search of tranquility, but ghosts she left behind refuse to die, threatening to destroy her happiness.

Lilly Price is desperate to escape public scrutiny once released from her incarceration. She moves to a lakeside community in hopes of remaining anonymous while rebuilding her tattered life.

Widowed Zach Woodbridge is in no hurry to find a new bride. He longs for a peaceful summer, writing at his lakeside cottage. Things change after an introduction to his grandmother’s new assistant, Lilly.

When Lilly’s secrets are revealed, can their fragile relationship weather the storm?  And when a man from the past returns to reclaim Lilly, using any force necessary, can she and Zach protect the people they love?

CONTENT WARNING: Violence, language, sizzling love scenes

Enter for a chance to win a free Ebook copy of Always and Forever!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can find Chantel Rhondeau at the following links:

Website: http://www.chantelrhondeau.com

Twitter http://twitter.com/ChantelRhondeau

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChantelRhondeau

Find information about Always and Forever at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Goodreads

Please follow Chantel Rhondeau's blog hop by visiting  Jennifer Donohoe on September 18th. http://www.jenniferdonohoe.com/wordpress/

My Adopted Home - Guatemala

Happy Independence Day to my adopted country, Guatemala!

Find some favorite pictures and a 40-second clip below and ENJOY!

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Typical clothing - love all the colors

Monterrico Beach, Pacific Coast

Volcan de Fuego, currently erupting

The city I live - Guatemala City