Many Sundry Things

Sunday
January 29, 2012

Some quipster once said, "It's not the speed of life that scares me...it's the sudden stop at the end."

Aye. Right. It's the speed of life! I swear I jinxed myself by declaring my intention to cut back on my workload. It's not happening and I feel like a hamster on a wheel. It might not be that bad in real life, but it FEELS that way.

Let's see. What's been going on in my world....

I'm on Brenda Williamson's An Eclectic Author blog today with A Cat Named Hercules. I'll be Brenda's guest blogger with a regular bi-monthly slot on the 29th of the month.

Have you signed up for the 2012 A to Z Blogging Challenge yet? I have. This is not the cakewalk you might think. Twenty-six blogs in thirty days on topics that follow the alphabet. Many will begin, few will finish. Are you one of the elite?

FINISHED!! The manuscript of Leather Jackets is finished. Now it gets a few passes to check for typos and continuity, then it will be time to fill out the publisher forms and send it all in. And let me just add it's done well ahead of my March 1, 2012 deadline, so I want an "atta girl," please. If you've read A Cat Named Hercules, you should be able to figure out who this story is about as this is number six in the Men of Marionville series. The series is going on hiatus after Leather Jackets so I can finish up some other projects, including the next Sundown story.

Work on my family tree is going well. I connected with a [distant] cousin and she's great. It's been fun. I've been turned on to a website called "Find A Grave." Lot's of info there. My partner and I have new destinations when we simply want to get out of the house for an hour or two - cemeteries.

Next weekend, Eye of the Beholder goes live. Yes, it's a little soon after A Cat Named Hercules, and it's my fault. I turned it in to the scheduling guru too soon. I should have waited until the day Herc went on sale. I mean, I don't even have the page on my website done so you can check it out. Bad KC. But you and check out what I have here. Eye of the Beholder is something different for me - a short piece of only 11K words. Short, smutty and fun to write.

It's Hammer time! I got a new blue urethane Hammer. That's a bowling ball for those of you who don't bowl. For those of you who do, I had to move my feet and my target five boards left. This ball can snap on the back end if you get the right speed on it. You've been warned.

So there it is. The last couple of weeks in a nutshell. One month of the New Year has [all but] passed. Amazing.

Until next time..


**Update**

Eye of the Beholder is now available at
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes/Apple, Kobo
and other online booksellers

KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: http://kckendricks.blogspot.com

twitter.com/kckendricks

facebook.com/kckendricks

pinterest.com/kckendricks/boards

instagram.com/kc_kendricks

My country life at Holly Tree Manor

Nathan's Angel by Melissa Bradley

There's no doubt writing is a solitary endeavor, but every once in a while you meet someone part pixie, part genius and all energy - a.k.a. Melissa Bradley. Here's an excerpt from her latest release, Nathan's Angel. -KC
- - - -

What could be sexier than a werewolf and an angel? Here's a little taste of my very first m/m erotic romance, Nathan's Angel. Enjoy!

Sometimes, the laws of Heaven were meant to be broken…

When his soul mate is stolen from Paradise and reincarnated, Ramiel, angel of death and transformation, defies Celestial Law to find out why. As punishment for his crime, he is banished to Earth in human form without his powers. His only hope lies in recovering the grace he lost in his fall from the Divine Realm…

Nathan, a beta werewolf, knows all too well what it’s like to be vulnerable and at the mercy of unfair people and situations. He is considered weak in the eyes of the alphas of his pack. Ramiel literally falling into his life changes him. Determined to help the sexy angel, he takes charge of the situation and to his surprise, begins to exhibit some rather alpha behavior…

As they search, a white hot, forbidden fire ignites between them, an inferno that sets them ablaze, fusing them body and mind. A passion that makes them question everything they’ve ever known. But when Ramiel’s grace is found, will they have the strength to let each other go?

Excerpt

The angel stiffened and bowed his head. “I do not know what overcame me. I am weakened and in a form I have not taken in millennia. I have no control, I…” He trailed off, exhaling sharply.

Nathan tugged at Ramiel until the angel turned to face him. “No matter what you are, you’re human now and close quarters plus attraction equals lust, desire, whatever you want to call it. Trust me. I’m half human and half animal, if anyone can understand, it’s me. ‘Your reaction was quite understandable.’” A half smile quirked the side of Ramiel’s mouth as Nathan repeated the angel’s own words back to him. Apparently not all humor was lost on the angel, then.

He stared at Nathan through the gold silk of his bangs and Nathan’s chest went tight. Without thought, he reached up to palm Ramiel’s cheeks. The lost look in his eyes hit Nathan deep and he was overwhelmed with the desire to kiss him, to ease the loneliness Ramiel must surely be feeling, exiled from his own kind. He raised up, tilting his head…

Ramiel’s mouth crashed onto his, a hungry, elemental force that caught him by surprise. Pent-up need emanated from Ramiel and Nathan speared his fingers through Ramiel’s hair, dragging the angel deeper into the kiss, letting him know it was all right, that he could take whatever Ramiel had to give.

With a low growl, Ramiel hauled Nathan tight against his big body, his hands grabbing Nathan’s ass. Ramiel’s tongue licked along Nathan’s lips, then plunged deep inside, stroking and twining with Nathan’s.

Ramiel’s taste was a wild kaleidoscope of flavor. Spicy and sweet with a hint of the meaty burger he had just eaten. It teased at the back of Nathan’s mind, a long forgotten treasure rediscovered. Pleasure overrode any more coherent thought like a tsunami and Nathan was swept up in its wake, drowning in sensation. His erection pulsed behind his zipper, a primitive, throbbing heat that tightened his balls.

Nathan wanted nothing more than to be skin to skin with Ramiel, exploring every plane and hollow of him. He needed to be closer, with no barrier between them.

Ramiel groaned, stumbled and the two of them nearly toppled over. Nathan clutched him, balanced on his feet and averted disaster. He locked eyes with Ramiel, their breath coming in rough gasps, and noted the pallor of the angel’s skin beneath the sex flush.

“Come on. I think we need to get you into bed for some serious rest.”

Ramiel stroked a finger along Nathan’s jaw, with a banked fire in the silvery depths of his eyes. Nathan regretted saying a thing.

"I have no desire to sleep. I prefer very much to continue what has begun.”

Nathan's Angel Links

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Just released! A Cat Named Hercules by KC Kendricks

January 14, 2012

A CAT NAMED HERCULES
Book five in the Men of Marionville series

Now available at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and other online book sellers

New in town, Shiloh Rudy joins a group of civic-minded volunteers to better acquaint himself with his recently adopted community. It’s a good way to make friends, network, and help make a difference, not to mention perhaps meet someone interesting—in a romantic sort of way. The one thing Shiloh didn’t expect was a love to rival all others to come with four white paws.

Gale Widmyer is on his feet and moving forward after piecing his life back together following a series of wrong choices. The one bright spot in his existence, even in his darkest moments, was the fulfillment of his dream to become a veterinarian. Gale’s making good on a promise to himself when an abandoned kitten leads him to Shiloh Rudy and a chance at the happiness he never hoped to have.

Laying the cornerstone for a developing relationship comes easy for Shiloh and Gale. But the wounds of the past often remain unhealed at their deepest point. A few careless words erect a wall of silence between the two men, one Shiloh has to breach if he hopes to win Gale back. But it will take more than apologies to win Gale’s forgiveness and put old fears to rest. It’ll take a cat named Hercules...

INTRO:

…The abrupt weaning I understood, but the other? Who would do that to such a helpless creature? “Then I’m keeping him.”

“In that case, your kitten has fleas, ear mites, and a touch of conjunctivitis. He’s also under nourished and almost surely has worms.”

My heart pounded as I snatched the kitten from Galen’s hands and tucked him safely against my chest. “Is he going to die?”

Galen pushed his sunglasses up to rest on top of his head and grinned at me. I fell into his gorgeous hazel eyes as he stared into my sky blue orbs with open curiosity. Damn, the man had long eyelashes.

“He’ll be fine. Do you think we can finish our chores here this morning, or do we need to go straight to my clinic so I can treat him and fix you up with what you need?” He poked the kitten’s paw and those tiny, wicked claws popped out again. “You’re in for a real treat with this little guy.”

I’d go anywhere he asked me to go, but I didn’t want to appear too eager. “Oh? Why is that?”

“They call cats with these black and white markings a ‘tuxedo’ because, obviously, they look like they’re wearing one. This fellow has the added bonus of white ‘gloves.’ Tuxedos tend to have a lot of personality.” Galen squeezed my elbow. I thought his hand lingered a moment too long, but perhaps it was just wishful thinking.

“C’mon. I’ll tell the other work crew they’ll have to finish pulling up these bricks and we’ll go to the clinic.”

“Thanks, man. I owe you.”

I knew I was in two kinds of trouble when he nodded and grinned. “I’m afraid you will…”


EXCERPT

...Gale opened his front door and moved back so I could step inside. Complimenting his choice of attire required breathing, and he’d knocked the air right out of me. Black slacks, a maroon-and-black long sleeved knit shirt in a classic argyle pattern, and loafers had never affected me like this before. I managed to speak the inane phrase.

“Wow. You look great.”

He smiled at me as he closed the door. “Thanks. So do you.”

Gale reached for me, then stopped. I hated to see his uncertainty. It was more proof he needed to do some living before he got serious about anyone, including me. I smiled and closed the distance between us, slipping my arms around his waist. Our lower bodies touched, then he leaned into me. His lips opened as my mouth covered his, and I tasted the cinnamon freshness of chewing gum recently disposed of. He pulled away.

“What? You’re grinning.”

“I am. I just learned what gum you like.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re a little nuts, aren’t you?”

I was nuts about him, but I couldn’t say the words aloud. “I’m no more crazy than the next guy.” I kissed him again, enjoying the connection between us.

Gale deepened the kiss and my body responded with a delicious jolt of arousal that sent heat all the way to my toes. My cock swelled, eager to convince to me to forget dinner and go hungry this evening. Gale rested his forehead on my shoulder.

“I could get all stupid and say we should forget dinner and just go to bed.”

I ran my hands over his back, feeling the lines and planes of the lean body under the soft shirt. Was he hard, too? I cupped his ass to steady him and pressed my pelvis tightly to his.

“We’re at the same level of ‘stupid,’ but we’ve got to eat.” I squeezed his butt. “Don’t we?”

His stomach rumbled, and we laughed. I loved being able to laugh with him. He kissed me with those cinnamon-flavored lips again, then released me. “I am hungry, Shiloh. Let me get a jacket.”

“We have time for a quickie, you know.” Damn. I shouldn’t have said that. The sharp interest in his shining gaze was total agreement. He grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the oak stairs.

“Nice place you have here.”

“Don’t try and change the subject. Remember, I’ve been deprived. I have to make up for lost time.”

I barely noticed his bedroom. We’d both dressed for each other with such care and now clothing flew in all directions. His hands brushed across my chest, cool with excitement, then he turned away. Gale yanked the bedspread down and jerked open a drawer in the large bookcase headboard and tossed condoms and lube onto the pale blue sheet. I grabbed his hips and bumped my pelvis to his ass.

“No time for that.” I planted my left knee on the bed, held on tight to him, and rolled us onto the mattress. “Hand job. Then we get some food into us so we can come back and do it better.”

He grunted as he broke free of my grasp and crawled up to the pillows. “I guess we can leave our socks on, huh?”

“Yep.” I knelt over him. Gale laughed and caressed the inside of my thighs. I shivered, but not with cold. My sac tingled and drew tight to my body as he cupped it.

“Tell me you don’t plan to shoot all over me again.”

I grinned and flopped down beside him. “Not tonight, at least.”

“What do you plan to do to me?” He shifted to face me.

I rolled onto my side and fisted his hard dick.

“Just this right now...”


A CAT NAMED HERCULES
Book Five in the Men of Marionville Series

Now available at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and other online book sellers

KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 

http://kckendricks.blogspot.com

Visit my bookshelf at: 

https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/the-bookshelf-of-kc-kendricks-and-rayne.html

Social media links:

twitter.com/kckendricks

facebook.com/kckendricks

pinterest.com/kckendricks/boards

instagram.com/kc_kendricks

My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

Life through the eyes of Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com

Starting the New Year by Tossing it Out A-Z with Arlee Bird

January 1, 2012

I like to attack the new year not as a time to take charge of life's little annoying foibles and vow to do better, but as the time to brush off the so-called "failures" and move forward on the successes. I'm off to a flying start with a guest blogger appearance on Arlee Bird's Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog. I completed the 2011 A-Z Challenge and I'm looking forward to 2012.

If you're a writer, and yes, bloggers are writers, too, then think about accepting the 2012 challenge. Meet the call.

* * * * *

This New Year finds me delving into my family tree. It's been interesting to gather confirmation of connections my grandmother spoke of so many years ago. I wonder why I waited so long to do this, but I know the answer. As with all things, the right season in my life had to arrive.

When I opened my calendar this morning, Nickelback greeted me with Bottom's Up. Ha! I behaved last night and didn't need the little jab at myself in case of morning after lethargy. We stayed home last night, sharing a bottle of wine over Cowboys and Aliens. And speaking of wine, I've added a page to my website about wine. I'm sure true wine connoisseurs will laugh like hyenas over my choices, but I need to keep track of what I like somehow. It's a work in progress.

But back to the calendar. January is blessedly - and purposefully - empty of a lot of activities. (I just had the thought I should fill this paragraph with a bunch of "ly" words in case my editor should read it - but I most assuredly won't.) I have a deadline to meet, and January is reserved for some serious writing time. January is finally "Justified" month, too. For all you fellow Raylan fans, January 17th is the season three blast off.

Growing up, my life didn't lack traditions, but one tradition my family missed the New Year's Day meal. Maybe after all the Christmas festivities, my grandmother, mother, and aunts were too tired to even think about another gathering. Who knows? It was different in my partner's family and to that end we're fixing dinner again today. Maybe I need a recipe page on my website, too. I've got a lot of extra space to use. I'll have to think about that (says the one who tries to avoid cooking).

It's time to wrap it up and get on with the day. Taking the Christmas tree down on New Year's Day is a family tradition I need to keep this year. I've often left my tree up through Epiphany, but this year it needs to come down today. I need to restore order in my home and get back to writing.

Darn...that almost sounds like a new year's resolution.

KC Kendricks
website at: http://www.kckendricks.com
blog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
mailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys
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