Highway Nights has been reviewed by The Romance Studio

September 15, 2011

**updated 5/17/2016, 4/1/21**

Having compared notes with many other writers, it seems to be a fact of life that the longer one writes the less often one gets reviewed. I'm not complaining, honest. It's not a negative reflection on the established author who continually produces work that garners 4 and 5 point reviews. It's more that the reviewers are already familiar with our work, and they're looking at the *new* writers. What can be done?

Well, I could be a reviewer hound if it really mattered, and annoy the living crap out of all the review sites begging for reviews, but that's not me. I prefer to have reviews happen organically, without any intervention from me. They mean a lot more that way.

I was very pleased to learn that my new release, Highway Nights, has already been reviewed by The Romance Studio. It's only been out since September third. That's pretty darn fast!

With thanks to the reviewer and TRS, here's a snippet from the review with a link for those who want to read the whole thing.

... I liked the realistic feel to this story. It's an honest portrayal of hard working men making their way in life, just like men we know in our own lives. When love catches them unaware, their reaction to it is the crux of the story. ... The sex scenes are good and steamy, these two really like each other. An unforeseen occurrence adds to the drama and kicks it up a notch. Highway Nights is a nicely paced story with a satisfying ending. I liked it a lot.

Here's the link to read the entire Highway Nights review at TRS.

About Highway Nights:

Garrett Webb has a five-point plan for starting his own business. To keep it on track, he takes a second job and settles into the evening delivery run between Owensville and Mt. Franklin. The solitude of being on the road clears his head and enables him to chart a better future for himself. When a foggy night sends him to the safety of The Downshift Diner and its owner, Oliver Sanderson, that future takes an unforeseen turn.

Oliver Sanderson enjoys a quiet life along the lonely stretch of highway that’s home to his diner. The road brings all manner of interesting souls to his door. When Garrett Webb steps out of the fog seeking shelter, his openness and honesty draw Oliver’s interest. He’s ready to take the next step but needs to be cautious. Trouble is coming to the diner, and Oliver wants Garrett clear of it.

Good intentions can’t hold out against their budding attraction. Garrett makes the diner a regular stop during his nightly run, and the men get better acquainted. But Garrett’s past isn’t done with him. In a single heart-stopping moment, Garrett is forced to a decision that risks Oliver’s life – one that could forever end their highway nights.

HIGHWAY NIGHTS

Available at:

 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F4F7GX4

 Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01F4F7GX4

 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01F4F7GX4

 iTunes/Apple: itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1107349490

 Barnes and Noble/NOOK:  www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highway-nights-kc-kendricks/1109557517?ean=2940153170350

 Rakuten/KOBO: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/highway-nights-1

 Universal link to additional booksellers: https://books2read.com/u/4NYRNm

 Highway Nights webpage: https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/highway-nights-by-kc-kendricks.html

  

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

twitter.com/kckendricks

facebook.com/kckendricks

pinterest.com/kckendricks/boards

instagram.com/kc_kendricks

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

Remember

September 11, 2011

Is there any among us who do not remember when they first learned a plane had struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center?

I was at my place of employment, blissfully planning and plotting my first trip to Myrtle Beach instead of working. A friend from a sister agency strolled in and told me the news.

Did we think for one nanosecond The United States of America had just been attacked? Of course not. Who would? We thought it was a terrible accident. We quickly learned how wrong we were.

Is there any among us whose life was not changed that day?

In my world, we still seek understanding and personal healing.

We seek.

We remember.

Highway Nights is now available

September 4, 2011

**updated 5/17/2016 and April 1, 2021**

Just released! Highway Nights!

Highway Nights goes way back in my stack of idea folders and stems from one of my youthful adventures. I used to keep company with a fellow a few years my junior, and we liked to trip down the Interstate to a little place by the river for a late-night snack and a few rounds of pool. I was quite fond of that little out-of-the-way place with its welcoming proprietor and friendly bartender. (At least they were to me, but I always smiled and never gave them any grief.) So The Downshift Diner is a little nod to that time in my life.

Here's the blurb and excerpts from HIGHWAY NIGHTS, now available. Thanks for reading!

* * *
HIGHWAY NIGHTS
Contemporary gay romance

Garrett Webb has a five-point plan for starting his own business. To keep it on track, he takes a second job and settles into the evening delivery run between Owensville and Mt. Franklin. The solitude of being on the road clears his head and enables him to chart a better future for himself. When a foggy night sends him to the safety of The Downshift Diner and its owner, Oliver Sanderson, that future takes an unforeseen turn.

Oliver Sanderson enjoys a quiet life along the lonely stretch of highway that’s home to his diner. The road brings all manner of interesting souls to his door. When Garrett Webb steps out of the fog seeking shelter, his openness and honesty draw Oliver’s interest. He’s ready to take the next step but needs to be cautious. Trouble is coming to the diner, and Oliver wants Garrett clear of it.

Good intentions can’t hold out against their budding attraction. Garrett makes the diner a regular stop during his nightly run, and the men get better acquainted. But Garrett’s past isn’t done with him. In a single heart-stopping moment, Garrett is forced to a decision that risks Oliver’s life – one that could forever end their highway nights.


INTRO:

Oliver settled in the booth and stared across the table. “You gonna tell me why you’re really here?”

“I told you. Food and conversation.”

The young man didn’t bat an eye. Oliver had a good sense about men, and it said Garrett was interested in a lot more than talk. He saw no point in calling the fellow on it, not yet. It could be Garrett didn’t consciously realize what he wanted. Life handed you moments like that, and Oliver had had his fair share of them. But if the lad wanted talk, he’d be glad to get the ball rolling.

“All right, then. I’ll be nosey and start our chat. So why are you working two jobs? A young fellow like you should be out clubbing every night.”

“My five-point plan suffered a setback. I’m working to recoup some losses.”

“Boyfriend?”

Garrett sighed. “Not any longer.”

And, no doubt, the ex-boyfriend was the reason the five-point plan had been derailed. It usually was. Oliver could say he’d been there and done that, too, but he’d wait to see if Garrett asked first. He didn’t, so Oliver tried another topic.

“Nice jeans.”

“Thanks. I got a great deal on them. Twenty bucks at a yard sale.”

Yard sale? No wonder Garrett dressed like a prince. Oliver could, too, if he had the patience to treasure hunt, because that’s what a yard sale really was.

“Good looking, hard working and frugal. You don’t find that combination every day.”
Garrett sipped his cola, his blue gaze fastened on Oliver’s. “That’s me. Do you like the back pockets of my pants?”

“Ah, a flaw. Vanity.” Oliver leaned back, unable to refrain from grinning at Garrett. “I noticed. I’ll say it since your ego appears to need it.” He leaned forward and kept his voice down. “Nice ass.”


EXCERPT:

Oliver grinned and stopped in front of him.

“Happy to see me?”

Garrett glanced down. “As happy as you appear to be. Can a guy get a soda to go in this joint?”

Oliver shook his head. “I’ve better at the house. Let me tell Shirl and Billy not to call me unless it’s an emergency.” He disappeared into the kitchen, and sauntered back out in less than thirty seconds. Oliver motioned at the front entrance. “Let’s go.”

Garrett turned and held the door open for Oliver. “What constitutes an emergency?”

“Someone is bleeding, choking, or keels over all the way to the floor.” He placed his hand on the small of Garrett’s back and guided him around the corner of the building.

Garrett leaned closer to the warmth of Oliver’s body. “Not fire?”

“That’s what the firemen are for. Call ‘em. Besides, I like firemen. Don’t you?”

“Sure. Big, burly men turn me on.” Garrett stroked Oliver’s well-formed bicep. Oliver laughed softly and backed Garrett against the rear wall of the diner, out of sight from the clientele and staff.

“To each, their own.”

Garrett grasped Oliver’s hips and yanked him against him. He held him there and soaked up the heat from Oliver’s body. The corner of his mouth quirked in a small smile.

“So, am I going to have to beg you to kiss me again?”

Oliver ran his thumb over Garrett’s lower lip. He swallowed, the muscles in his throat moving. “Garrett. Be sure you want this. Don’t lead me on then tell me to stop.”

“I came for this, Oliver.”

Something dark and unsettled sparked in Oliver’s eyes. “Don’t get too attached to me, either, boy.”

“I’m horny. I want to fuck you, not marry you.”

Oliver leaned in, his breath warm on Garrett’s moist lips. In the back of his mind, Garrett registered surprise at Oliver’s reticence but he’d ponder it later. He shifted forward and touched his lips to Oliver’s.

Need burst through him, a siren song in his blood that built as Oliver’s tongue licked into his in a bold stroke. The larger man pressed his body to the sun-warmed bricks, pinning him, his pelvis grinding against Garrett’s in a mock taking. Garrett thrust his tongue into the heat of Oliver’s mouth. Back and forth they tested, well matched, as the world spun behind his closed eyes. Suddenly breathless, Garrett tore his lips from Oliver’s. Oliver rested his forehead to his, breathing hard.

“You should go home, Garrett.”

“I don’t think so. Why are you afraid of me?” He ran his fingers through Oliver’s short hair.

Oliver brushed a kiss to his lips. “I’m too old for someone in his twenties, Garrett.”

“I’m going to surprise you. I’m thirty-two.” He laughed as the man’s eyebrows shot up. “Told you I was older than I look.”

Oliver’s eyes darkened. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am, but I still feel like a dirty old pervert chasing chickens.” He levered off the wall, grabbed Garrett’s hand, and pulled him along the flagstone path to the bungalow-style house.

Garrett fell into step beside him and slipped their linked hands behind Oliver’s back. There was one sure way he knew to find out Oliver’s age—give him a little dig.

“You can’t be that old. What are you? Fifty?”

“Fifty! No, smart-ass, I’m forty-four. Happy to know that?” Oliver eased his hand free as they climbed the steps to the wide veranda. He pulled keys out of his pocket and unlocked the front door. “I should spank you for that.”

Garrett stepped into the foyer and patted his butt. “A spanking might be fun sometime, but not tonight...”

HIGHWAY NIGHTS

Available at:

 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F4F7GX4

 Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01F4F7GX4

 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01F4F7GX4

 iTunes/Apple: itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1107349490

 Barnes and Noble/NOOK:  www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highway-nights-kc-kendricks/1109557517?ean=2940153170350

 Rakuten/KOBO: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/highway-nights-1

 Universal link to additional booksellers: https://books2read.com/u/4NYRNm

 Highway Nights webpage: https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/highway-nights-by-kc-kendricks.html

 

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

twitter.com/kckendricks

facebook.com/kckendricks

pinterest.com/kckendricks/boards

instagram.com/kc_kendricks

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

Amber Allure August Top Ten List - and the prerequisite mention for Highway Nights

September 2, 2011

**updated 5/16/2016, and April 1, 2021**

Congratulations to everyone at Amber Allure who had the joy of an August 2011 release. Try as I certainly did, I couldn't get Highway Nights ready in time for a slot in the August schedule. 

The good news - and the bad news - is Highway Nights is set to release this Labor Day weekend. Good news because it's a new release and bad news because it's a holiday weekend. Well, it will be as it will be, eh?

Stay tuned to Between the Keys. Highway Nights will be available September 4, 2011 (or whenever the head guru at Amber Allure pushes the button this weekend). I've got an excerpt posted on my website, but still need to do all the other links. Website work never ends. Can you hear me sigh?

So if you're needing some new reading material, check out any of the books listed above. Just reserve a few dollars for Highway Night, okay?

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

HIGHWAY NIGHTS

Available at:

 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F4F7GX4

 Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01F4F7GX4

 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01F4F7GX4

 iTunes/Apple: itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1107349490

 Barnes and Noble/NOOK:  www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highway-nights-kc-kendricks/1109557517?ean=2940153170350

 Rakuten/KOBO: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/highway-nights-1

 Universal link to additional booksellers: https://books2read.com/u/4NYRNm

 Highway Nights webpage: https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/highway-nights-by-kc-kendricks.html

  _*_*_*_*_

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

twitter.com/kckendricks

facebook.com/kckendricks

pinterest.com/kckendricks/boards

instagram.com/kc_kendricks

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

Hiding from Hurricane Irene

August 28, 2011

I in no way, shape or form wish to imply Hurricane Irene hasn't been serious business for the residents of the east coast. It has been. All the alarmists and thrill seekers on the Weather Channel aside, most folks knew without being told it was time to run or hunker down. My brother-in-law fled Norfolk, putting a mountain between his family and Irene. But where me and mine live, we already have several mountains for protection, and protect us they did.

So far we've had about seventeen hours of a steady, soft rain with no wind to speak of. The ground was a little damp to begin with, so the rain has soaked in, replenishing the good earth. It could have been very different, and indeed it was back in 2003 when Hurricane Isabel leveled an eighty-five foot tall oak within twenty feet of my house. Comparatively, Irene has been a non-event, which is a blessing for us.

America will do what she always does and rally to help those hardest hit. It's in those moments we can all be proud of who we are. Prayer and helping hands sustain us all.

Waiting for Irene to "arrive" proved productive. All the gas cans are full. New candles are in all the votive cups. The hurricane lamps are filled with oil and the wicks trimmed. The gutters got swept and the basement window well covers checked. Extra ice was collected and wine chilled in the proper sized cooler for late evening consumption. We rolled out the generator and gave it a test run.

The power stayed on but we turned off the lamps and shared the wine by candlelight anyway, grateful our cozy home remained dry and comfortable. And we turned our thoughts and conversation to what we had we could give and what we could do should our brother have severe damage to his home. If he needs us, we're ready to go lend a hand.

The sky is lighter at this hour. I think it's all over for us but the drying out. We'll get on with the day, putting the generator away and spending way too much time deciding what's for dinner.

But we won't forget not everyone was so blessed.

KC

Call me chicken

August 16, 2011

When I started writing in 2003, you know, in the Way Back Time, if an author had a website, blog and a Yahoo group, people wondered when she or he had time to write. These days, a website, blog and mailing list isn’t considered to even be a bare minimum.

Then came RSS feeds, MySpace, YouTube, NING (now defunct), Twitter, widgets, book trailers, Facebook, Goodreads – I don’t even know what else.

Seriously. I do not know what else. And I’m afraid to go find out for fear I won't have time to write. Or my brain will fry.

Amber Allure Top Ten for July 2011

August 4, 2011

I've been remiss posting last month's Amber Allure Top Ten as often happens when I don't have a new book come out during the month. Not having a release occasionally sends me into "kick back" mode in regards to my online activities. Sometimes that's a good thing - and sometimes not.

The list came out a few days ago, and maybe you've already seen it. Before we get to it, allow me to give an Honorary Mention to a few other books that were new in July.

Keep in mind that what day of the month a book is released on can affect its placement on the top ten list. It's hard to rack up a month's worth of sales on July 31st. So while these books aren't on the top ten, it's no reflection of their quality.

Naked in Hong Kong by AJ Llewellyn
Hitting it Big by Shawn Lane
Kissing Sherlock Holmes by TD McKinney & Terry Wylis
Double Feature by Aislinn Kerry
Between Hell & El Paso by Derek Adams
Newblood Initiate by Adrianna Dane

And now for the July 2011 Amber Allure Top Ten Best Sellers:

1. Clay's Challenge - Cassandra Gold (Gay / Contemporary)
2. Lucky - K. M. Mahoney (Gay / Shapeshifter)
3. The Truth About Al - M. L. Rhodes (Gay / Contemporary)
4. Under My Bed - T. A. Chase (Gay / Paranormal)
5. Trust Me - B. G. Thomas (Gay / Contemp. / Western)
6. Cemeteries - Lynn Lorenz (Gay / Paranormal)
7. Lost Between - Shawn Lane (Gay / Paranormal)
8. Hellish Twist In Tinseltown - Lee Avalone (Gay / Paranormal)
9. Echoes - Rick R. Reed (Gay / Paranormal)
10. For One Night Only - Anne Brooke (Gay / Contemp. / BDSM)

Congratulations all around!

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

A Warm July Sunday

July 31, 2011

I'm done with hot weather. It's already 82F/28C here in western Maryland and it's only nine a.m. Yeah, yeah, I know. It's the Mid-Atlantic region and triple H is the norm for this time of year. I'm still done with it. Can't we move on to October?

Instead of spending my morning bicycling along the C&O Canal with the Potomac River for company, I'm holed up inside on the computer. Not a bad thing - for November. But this is the end of July. I crave sunshine! Fresh [breathable] air! A bike rides gets the blood flowing. Feel the breeze in your hair!

(It also gets you lots and lots of bugs honing their blood sucking skills on you, but for the purposes of this blog, let's ignore that.)

Since it's too hot to go outside without melting, and I'm not, repeat, not doing any housework whatsoever, today is a good day to check into all the corners of my Internet world. One of the Yahoo groups is having an open excerpt day, and I'm playing along. My goal is to post an excerpt from every book I have out. If you like, you can cut to the chase and just visit my website and read them all now :)

In addition to the groups on Yahoo, there are blogs to read. There are a lot of good blogs out there. Scroll down through the blogroll and check out a few. I confess one of my faves is Melissa's Imaginarium. I love Mel's sense of humor.

The groups and the blogosphere are just the surface. After that we get to Twitter, Myspace, Facebook, Goodreads, and now even something new at All Romance eBooks. Where will it end? When will I have time to write?

To be honest, every once in a while I need to let the stories "rest." Quite often I benefit by taking a mental break. But I can never abandon the entire world of my writing, so here I am - about my business on the Internet.

When it's all said and done, I'll be happy I did the promo thing today. It's necessary. It may be time consuming, but it's not difficult. And if inspiration regarding any of the stories I have in progress strikes, it's easy to say "enough Internet" and get down to work.

I hope everyone will enjoy this last day of July. It doesn't seem that long ago we passed the last day of June, does it?

KC Kendricks
Visit my website at: http://www.kckendricks.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Kc-Kendricks/1439574042
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Join my mailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys
Read my personal blog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.com
Check out the MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/kckendricks

Highway Nights - new cover update

July 28, 2011
**updated April 1, 2021**

It's that time again - new cover time!
Highway Nights!

HIGHWAY NIGHTS
Available at:
 
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F4F7GX4
 
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01F4F7GX4
 
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01F4F7GX4
 
iTunes/Apple: itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1107349490
 
Barnes and Noble/NOOK:  www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highway-nights-kc-kendricks/1109557517?ean=2940153170350
 
Rakuten/KOBO: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/highway-nights-1
 
Universal link to additional booksellers: https://books2read.com/u/4NYRNm
 
Highway Nights webpage: https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/highway-nights-by-kc-kendricks.html
 
 

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

twitter.com/kckendricks

facebook.com/kckendricks

pinterest.com/kckendricks/boards

instagram.com/kc_kendricks

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

 

Give, get, and give again

July 26, 2011

For these past many months I’ve suffered with insomnia. It’s not the first time this has happened, and it probably won’t be the last. I put up with it because I must, but if it doesn’t resolve on its own, sooner or later, I’ll resort to the Tylenol PM to snap my biorhythm back into shape.

The inability to sleep often has hidden causes, but I’m pretty sure the root cause of it this time is an overloaded schedule. Too much going on at work, too much going on in my personal life, and not enough time for my passion – writing. Through a stroke of genius, I wrote about a thousand words today.

Okay, it was pure selfish bullheadedness, but who cares? Sometimes I just need to tell everyone and everything to take a number until I’ve banged out a part of the story that has suddenly become clear. I had to get it down while the scene was fresh in my mind. And guess what? The sky didn’t fall on anyone!

My mood started early this morning. Emphasis on early, please. Last evening, I was tired enough to resort to fixing myself a hot toddy in the hope it would knock me out and help me sleep all night straight through. It had every indication of doing just that until 5:16 AM.

What, you ask, does 5:16 AM have to do with it? Promise you won’t call the ASPCA or PETA, or charge me with spousal abuse, and I’ll tell you.

I love my cat. He’s a black and white with tuxedo markings. Quite the handsome boy if I must say so myself, with personality plus. He’s also not allowed to sleep in the bedroom when I’m sleeping in the bedroom. The RETIRED spousal unit knows this. I don’t care if the cat sleeps on the bed all day long because I’m not in bed with him. The cat is NOT a polite bed partner. He pounces on anything that moves.

This morning the brush of whiskers on my cheek and the sinking of not-so-tiny claws into my bosom got my instant attention at the ungodly hour of 5:16 AM. I think I may have mentioned the time earlier in this post, but I’m running short on sleep which can affect the memory. I was sound asleep, and then I was wide-awake. It took, oh…. .000001 seconds.

In .001 seconds, the spousal unit was awake and diving for cover. He’s in charge of not allowing the cat into the bedroom if he comes to bed later than I do, which he did last night. In .1 seconds, the cat was off the bed clawing at the door in the vain attempt to make a clean escape. By this time, all the commotion had the dog barking, and my hope of a solid eight hours of sleep had been whittled down to settling for six and a quarter hours. Unacceptable.

I threw the cat out into the heat and made the dog go down to the den in the basement. The man was more problematic. Locking him in the bathroom doesn’t work. I gave him the bed and took up residence on the daybed in the sunroom where I remained until my alarm went off at six.

And woke the spousal unit again.
And he doesn’t know how to shut it off my alarm.
He had to get out of bed and pull the plug.

I’m still laughing.

Bad KC.

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

Score!

July 19, 2011

I got a 4 out of 5 [stars, bars, hearts, avatars, whatevers] review this week for Your Whisper in the Dark. In the text of the review, the comment was made that Kenzie turning a trick at a bar shocked the reviewer.

I must be doing something right!!

KC




Your Whisper in the Dark is now available at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and other online book sellers.

Book four of the Men of Marionville series. 

Obsessions and Old Friends

July 15, 2011

**updated 4/14/21**

There’s something about typing the words, “OLD friend” that makes me want to cringe. I’m still young, so that makes all my friends YOUNG friends, right?

I got a phone call from an old friend today. She’d just seen another old friend and learned I’ve been published. (Yeah, back in 2003!). We’ve been out of touch, obviously.

Anyway, she called with congratulations and we chatted for quite a while. It took an hour out of my day, and at first I was mildly worried about spending that much time at work on a personal call. I had a pile of papers to file, some correspondences to handle, and most importantly, I needed to get out of the office on time on a Friday afternoon. But it worked out fine.

It was good to talk with her and catch up. The years dropped away and we laughed over how mundane our lives truly are. On the drive home, it struck me that she is the second person to call me out of the blue in as many weeks. Must be planetary alignment, or something – something like I spend all my spare time writing. Fast on the heels of that realization was one more indisputable and undeniable truth.

I’m obsessed with all things writing.

Is this a good thing, or a bad thing?

It’s a good thing, at least for me. I spent a lot of my life drifting, unsure of what I wanted to be when I grew up. When I sat down and wrote the very first story, I knew this thing called writing was my passion.

Don’t get me wrong. My “day” career involves helping people and it can be very rewarding. It’s nice to know you’ve made some small difference in a person’s life. This is my job.

What I live for are those moments when the words of a story flow onto the page. This is who I am – a writer.

Obsession or passion - call it what you wish. It will still be a good thing for me. But I think I will look at my calendar and make more time to reconnect with old friends and have some fun. Maybe visit some new restaurants, or take in some local culture. I think it will be good for the writing.

 _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 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:

Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com

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

twitter.com/kckendricks

pinterest.com/kckendricks/boards

instagram.com/kc_kendricks

facebook.com/kckendricks

Western Maryland Rail Trail

July 10, 2011

I'm up early, ready to blog and eager to write prose. The only hitch in the plan is the weather. It's a balmy 64F/18C - the perfect bicycle riding temperature. It's been awhile since we made the trip to the Western Maryland Rail Trail, so today's the day.

My usual ride is on the C&O Canal towpath. If you ever come to Maryland, make time to visit the C&O Canal and spend an hour walking along the Potomac River. The canal was built in the 1800's as a way to facilitate moving goods up and down the Potomac River. I know you wonder why not just float your barge on the river itself, but the Potomac River has a lot of secret rock ledges beneath the surface.

These days, it's easy to ride along and imagine what it must have been like when mules pulled the barges through the canal. The towpath is like some green-leafed time tunnel, lined by mature trees with a full canopy overhead. A ride on the towpath is private and quiet, unlike the rail trail which runs beside Interstate 70.

Even with the road noise, the rail trail provides a nice change of pace. The towpath is gravel with a lot of bumps, sticks, rocks and roots to dodge. The rail trail is paved with lots of people to dodge. And snakes. Let's not forget snakes.

They like the blacktop. It holds the heat. Be very careful about running over "sticks" on the rail trail.

On the towpath, you have to watch out for deer and squirrels - and even the occasional bald eagle. The snakes are all down by the water sunbathing.

But road noise, people and snakes aside, a ride down the rail trail has the one perk the towpath doesn't - my honey will ride with me. To protect me from snakes. Just kidding. He has nerve damage from chemotherapy in his legs, and the towpath is a bit too rugged for him. I have to slow down to his pace, but it's worth it to ride beside him. He even allows me to call him a slowpoke. How's that for true love?

It's time to finish my coffee, step away from the computer, and load the bikes. Honey is at the door, keys in hand, ready to be underway, and I suppose I shouldn't keep the man waiting.

May your day find you riding a happy trail.

KC Kendricks
Website at: http://www.kckendricks.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Join mailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys
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When all else fails, try humor

July 9, 2011

Last night. Words fail me. The memory needs to be blotted out of my brain.

It was one of the saddest things I've ever witnessed. The hometown team needed a mercy killing in the first inning. I'm actually glad my grandfather, who was an AVID fan of the Baltimore Orioles all his life, was not alive to see it.

I dug this old joke out of the archives to share this morning, because after last night, all us Oriole fans need a laugh more than the team needs prayer. Lots and lots of prayer............

* * *

Baseball in Heaven


Two ninety-one year old men, Moe and Sam, have been friends all their lives. It seems that Sam is dying of cancer, and Moe comes to visit him every day.

"Sam," says Moe, "You know how we have both loved baseball all our lives, and how we played minor league ball together for so many years. Sam, you have to do me one favor. When you get to Heaven, and I know you will go to Heaven, somehow you've got to let me know if there's baseball in Heaven."

Sam looks up at Moe from his death bed, and says, "Moe, you've been my best friend many years. This favor, if it is at all possible, I'll do for you."


And shortly after that, Sam passes on.


It is midnight a couple of nights later. Moe is sound asleep when he is awakened by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calls out to him, "Moe.... Moe...."


"Who is it?" says Moe sitting up suddenly. "Who is it?"


"Moe, it's me, Sam."


"Come on. You're not Sam. Sam just died."

"I'm telling you," insists the voice. "It's me, Sam!"


"Sam? Is that you? Where are you?"


"I'm in heaven," says Sam, "and I've got to tell you, I've got really good news and a little bad news."

"So, tell me the good news first," says Moe.


"The good news," says Sam "is that there is baseball in heaven. Better yet, all our old buddies who've gone before us are there. Better yet, we're all young men again. Better yet, it's always spring time and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play baseball all we want, and we never get tired!"

"Really?" says Moe, "That is fantastic, wonderful beyond my wildest dreams! But, what’s the bad news?"

"You're pitching next Tuesday!"


* * *
 
Have a great weekend, everyone!
 
KC

Borders back in the news

I'm proud to be an epublished author.

So if you think it's odd I hate to think of a world without brick and mortar book stores, please chalk it up to one of the contradictions that make up each one of us and define who we are.

Publisher's Lunch keeps up to date with the happenings in the publishing world, and today included an article on Borders. The article states if the $215M offer to buy doesn't work out, Borders will have to liquidate. That would be a shame for my little town, but a possible boon for the epublishing industry.

Maybe I can take a mason jar to Borders and capture a bit of that new-book fragrance before it's too late. Sort of a homage to my younger years.

Read the article here:
http://news.yahoo.com/borders-book-stores-considers-215-million-sale-bid-173100288.html