Peace...

“The more you sweat in peacetime, the less you bleed during war.” --Chinese proverb

Do you think peace is possible? I’m not just talking on a world scale. I am very sceptical that will ever happen anyway. Why? Because there are too many people who think their race, colour, religion and beliefs are better then anyone else’s. I personally don’t care if you are black, white or brindle, who you love or who you worship. You do your thing and I’ll do mine. However cross the line and attack me and mine and I’m not peaceful. But I think most people are like that. When you look at that on a world scale – with so many personalities - then that’s why I am dubious about world peace.

“If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace.” –John Lennon

So, what is peace to you? To me, it’s being free to do as you want without interference by nitwits - because let’s face it, if you are allowed to do your own thing you are happy and generally calm. Peace is being able to come home, shut the door and soak in the quiet of your real life. In my eyes, work is not real life. It is a means to an end. Peace is turning off your email to concentrate on what you are writing. Peace is having a laugh with an old friend because you know each other and you have stopped thinking about trying to change the other years ago. Peace is sitting on my back stairs and having lunch – yes how glamorous – and looking at the trees and the garden and seeing lizards scoot across the grass. Peace is about kicking back and reading a good book. Peace is about walking away from those who annoy the crap out of you – I’m still working on that one.

“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it” --unknown

Peace comes through many forms…

Upheaval…Last Man Standing by Janet Davies

In the year 2008, two months after of the birth of the son of the scarred warrior, when evil has been thwarted and much blood is shed, the lands of Carronas and Melotia will unite as one. They will become one nation under one name, with one aim—peace.

After great personal upheaval, the brother warriors will lead the way to prosperity and harmony between all. Their children will carry on their legacy. The scarred warrior will never again doubt his way or question his destiny for there is no way it can be stopped. Pain and hatred will be the catalyst for greatness.

His woman will know no peace and there will be nowhere to hide.

The Prophecy of Llewellyn, Seer and Councilor, the Melotian Chronicles 1912


Reality….Kama Sutra Lovers by Anny Cook

Rubbing his forehead, the Chairman muttered, “I thought we left terrorism behind on Earth.”

“Terrorism is a by-product of humans. As long as we have humans around, there will eventually be terrorism, murder, war, violence, or some other type of mayhem. We’re not a very peaceful species,” Lee pointed out. “If we were, I wouldn’t have a job.”


War….Beltaine Bargain by Cindy Spencer Pape

He sighed. He was exhausted. They’d risen well before dawn to be on their way, Huw, in a rush to show off his new spurs to his family, and Rhodri who just ached to be home and at peace. Without the robbers, they would have been in Wales in a day or two, then home to Llyan in just a couple more. Who knew, now, how long it would be before Rhodri felt the comfort of his own castle walls?


Soul….Tempting Tess by Regina Carlysle

Everything she’d done for the past twenty-five years had been careful. Precise. She’d been everything to everyone. Nurturer, lover, supermom. Now it was just her and at forty-five it was time to ponder the great question of her personal universe.

What more was left?

Renting this rustic cabin in the mountains of Ruidoso, New Mexico, was a starting point for what Tess Garrity considered the beginning of her new life. She leaned against the window frame and stared out at nature laid out in all its glory.

Understanding …My Last Dark Day by Barbara Huffert

“Just wanted to prove that I am more than capable of keeping you coming hard for as long as it takes you add someone to your life who understands like we do and knows how to take care of you.” He cupped my cheek gently. “Got it?” I nodded, fighting back my tears. “Aw honey.” He kissed me lightly. “No reason to cry. Not anymore. You’re ours now and all you have to do is remember to come here to us, okay?”

“I will,” I promised without hesitation, stating the truth as it would be for many no-longer-dark days to come.

Yes – by all means click on the covers to buy these bloody good reads.

www.amarindajones.com
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Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Slow Sunday….

So, I wish had something exciting to tell you but it’s been a slow old Sunday in the burbs of Brizzie. The highlight was finding my old Promptel (code name for crap phone company) 10 year, long service, framed certificate shoved under a box when I was having a manic chuck-out-useless-stuff moment. I find these manic chuck out phases very cathartic because everything that I have not used in the last year or so gets sent off to goodwill, so someone else will buy it and then not use it themselves for a year. Anyway, I looked at the certificate and thought why have I kept this? There is also a really ugly pendant with my name engraved on it that went with the certificate but Murphy, my big, snail riding cement garden gnome has that around his neck. I think it makes him look jaunty. He can carry off the ugliness of the pendant. So, the certificate – why did I keep it? Was it pride in knowing that the company thought enough of me to give me the certificate and the pendant? Yeah, right. Was it because it reminds me of the crap times endured there? No, one moves on. Was it the really nice frame it was in? Bingo. Did I hang it up on the wall
feeling all nostalgic? No Idon’t even hang my Bachelor of Arts degree up on the wall because it’s just bit of paper. When I set out to do that degree many moons ago I thought it would be important. It’s not – not to me. Yes, education is always worthwhile but in my opinion all the fancy-arsed degrees in the world don’t make you any better than anyone else.

I have to write a synopsis after I finish this blog. Why? Well the good news is I got offered a contract from my editor for Tantalizing Tilly. Bad news is I have to sit down and summarize the highlights of the book. Yeah, maybe it doesn’t sound hard but many writers have trouble putting the essence of the book into a short, encapsulated form. I’ll be honest, I suck at it. I can write 50,000 words but a synopsis requires much more effort. Not only to you have to make it brief, to the point and make it understandable, you have to make sure there are no typos in it. I am the queen of typos. My mind works faster than my fingers and the two have trouble keeping it together. I once had a typing instructor say that I
had a really ‘ugly typing style.’ This wounded me deeply – not. Like I gave a rats if I type ‘ugly.’ The point is it gets done. I emailed my editor and promised the synopsis will be typo free when she receives it. Possibly that email lacked credibility as there was a nice big typo in it. Oh dear…I swear on a wine bottle it will be typo free.

Today, I realized I had not combed my hair in three days. I have a tendency when I am in a rush to go somewhere or do something to scrape my shoulder length up into a half arsed knot thing on my head. It actually looks pretty good as it has that untamed, wild look about it. Only problem is it gets as knotty as hell and I curse myself for being such a slack arse and yet I’ll continue to do it because I can. So tell me, what things to you skip doing when you’re in a rush or are you all too neat and tidy?





All the devoted Aussie Armitage Army people know Robin Hood is on tonight at 7:30pm on the ABC in OZ. I have put a picture of Richard Armitage on for the troops. I speak to no one during this period as I will be ogling Sir Guy. Ring me and one of my Grandma Elsie’s Irish curses will spring forth from my lips and it will not be my fault if you turn into a pumpkin. Most people understand this potential curse thing and wait until 8:30 to ring. On the whole most people who know me are very well trained. It’s taken me years to get them to that stage.

My Last Dark Day – Barbara Huffert

I am not a big fan of submissive type books. I generally want to slap the hero for the macho crap he is going on with and tell the heroine to wake up to herself. That’s just my personality, so although I did want to slap the hero in My Last Dark Day, I actually found the story impressive. Why? It’s a very deeply emotional and complex book on so many levels. No, I’m not going to tell you why because you should go and buy this book and find out yourself. All I will say is I went from wondering what the hell was wrong with the heroine to liking her because of and despite her flaws. Well done B. Click on the cover to buy.

Author and honorary Aussie Sandra Cox – I am teaching her to speak the lingo - has a great new contest http://sandracox.blogspot.com/ - check it out and enter to win a great prize.

Anny is talking about how dragons have difficulty buying condoms to fit on www.annycook.blogspot.com while Kelly is discussing either man’s inhumanity to man or how to balance a pen on her nose on www.kkirch.blogspot.com

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

My Last Dark Day

Six things you need to know about author Barbara Huffert
1. What is your star sign?
Leo
2. Favourite colour?
Pink
3. Favourite food?
Toss up between Ben & Jerry's ice cream, chocolate and black olives
4. Favourite person?
Future doctor, Courtney Schilling who very well may save the world one day
5. Favourite movie?
This alternates between Hudson Hawk and So I Married an Axe Murderer
6. If I could change one thing in the world it would be....
The overall lack of kindness people show each other.

From this we know the following - Barbara is a pussycat unless pushed, she has a strong sensual side, she believes in fine dining and she has an excellent sense of humour. And yes, let’s all try and do the kindness thing occasionally. My understanding is it won’t kill us.
My Last Dark Day is released Monday 8th on www.total-e-bound.com/. It is hot, hot and hot. Take a squiz at the excerpt below and then grab the fantastic plastic and buy the book. You will not regret it. Am I buying? Hell yes. I want it on the blurb alone

My Last Dark Day – The Blurb

Things are often not as they first appear…
What’s a woman to do when faced with yet another in a never-ending cycle of anniversaries guaranteed to ruin her day?
Step one, respond when contacted on-line by a friendly couple.
Step two, accept the wife’s claim of the husband’s empathic sensitivities as fact.
Step three, go along quietly when the husband miraculously comes to the rescue just when he’s needed most.
Step four, have the courage to put complete control in his more than capable hands.
Step five, don’t think. Go with the flow. Be open to all possibilities. Relax and enjoy.
Step six, repeat frequently.

***Warning the following excerpt is very much adult

“Stop thinking. Concentrate on your body instead.” One hand returned to my bare pussy, petting, rubbing, stroking. “You’re aroused. Look at your nipples,” he paused until I did, seeing the truth in their puckered state. “Your pussy is already wet just from that little bit of attention. It wants more. You want more. I’m here, hon. I know what you need. And I will give it to you. Oh yeah, I can give you exactly what you need. I can help you. I want to help you. I can make you feel what you’ve been missing all these years. I know how.” His thumb traced my slit but didn’t part it. “But not until you say it. Not until you tell me this is what you want. Not unless you ask me to help you.” A fraction deeper but no where near deep enough. I moaned. “It’s up to you. You have to say it or nothing more will happen tonight. You have to tell me you’re putting yourself in my hands, that you want me to teach you how to find pleasure.” The movement ceased, his palm resting on my mound, poised to continue if I actually found the courage to do what we both knew I desired.
“Please,” I said in a small voice.
“Please what?”
“Please. P-please help me. Show me what it’s like,” I pleaded. I waited but he didn’t respond. He merely stared with one eyebrow raised, silently demanding that I continue. “Please teach me to feel. Teach me about pleasure and passion. Do whatever it takes so I can finally get it. Give me what I need. Please help me. Oh please,” I practically sobbed.
“You’re sure? You’re turning yourself over to me willingly, knowing that if you do, I will be intimately acquainted with your entire body by the time we’re finished here?”
“Yes, I understand all that. Yes, I’m giving myself to you completely,” I said, hearing myself, wanting what I was asking for yet not quite believing I was about to do what I was about to do. “I’m putting myself in your hands because, I trust you to take care of me.”
His expression was pure satisfaction. I responded correctly and he was pleased. Until then, I hadn’t realised how important that had become, but apparently it was. Very much so. And, my actually having done so made me feel proud of myself. So proud I would have giggled with glee had he not chosen that second to curl his fingers, cupping my mound firmly. I gasped, my eyes blinking between his hand and his face.
“Flat on your back now,” he said. “You’ll be able to feel what I’m doing so there’s no need to watch.”
I hesitated, glancing over his shoulder at his wife. For a moment, I let myself get so caught up in everything that I all but forgot she was there, that she even existed at all. Now that I was on the brink of having sex with her husband I was suddenly panicked at what she must think of me. Surely, she thought me a real tramp, a total slut, begging for it, offering myself up for anything and everything right in front of her.
“I told you to stop thinking,” he snapped. “If you want my attention then keep yours on me.”
“But,” I sputtered nervously.
“Tell her, girl,” he spoke to his wife/slave.
“Please don’t back out because of me,” she began, meeting my confused gaze. “I’m fine with whatever happens here. I know he loves me and always will. I also know that it’s in his nature to help others when he can. And I want him to, however he has to. If he didn’t step in, he’d end up hurting and I don’t want that. Please, make us both happy. Let him do this. He needs to, just like you need him to.”
“Okay,” I finally said, stretching out as instructed.
I could practically feel the emotionally charged atmosphere swirling around us while I waited for him to do something. It seemed like forever before his hand flexed ever so slightly. The pressure increased. He rubbed his palm over me as he had before only now his thumb was extended, stroking my slit with every pass. I struggled not to move. I bit my lip to hold in my moans.
He suddenly gripped me so hard it bordered on pain. “Do not ever hold back with me.” He squeezed tighter. “Never, do you understand?”
“Yes,” I squeaked.
One more pulse for emphasis. “Good girl. I need to see all your reactions or I won’t be able to do what’s best for you.” I took a deep breath and nodded, forcing my body to relax as much as I could. “Very good,” he acknowledged my effort.
His vice-like hand unclenched and his caresses resumed. Again, I waited breathlessly. I moaned. Eventually, my hips began to lift, seeking more. He no longer needed to hold my thighs apart. I had them spread wide open, as far as possible yet I could still feel myself trying to stretch even further. When his thumb finally dipped between my outer lips, I cried out in surprised even though it had been inevitable. My back arched, pushing more of my flesh around the intruder.
He chuckled, teasing me mercilessly. The tip of his thumb parted my folds over and over again while the rest of his hand continued to knead my freshly shorn skin. My moans became needy whimpers. What little of my mind that remained functional was in awe. He was barely touching me and already had me feeling more than in the past. I was about ready to beg and he knew it. He knew exactly what he was doing to me and clearly enjoyed it. I couldn’t make out his mumbled words, but I didn’t need to in order to hear the amusement that laced his tone. Good thing I heard the encouragement he offered too, or I would have been thoroughly embarrassed for making such a spectacle of myself at this early stage. I may have been almost lost but the one thought that did manage to penetrate the fog clouding my brain was how severely lacking my former partners had been. All this time I believed it was me. And in a way it was, just not the way I had thought. No, my deficiency wasn’t physical. It was my inability to select anyone capable of coaxing this sort of reaction from my severely deprived body.

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?s=2p9hy229458&strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=169

Click on the cover and buy the book

Check out Anny's words of wisdom on www.annycook.blogspot.com - then check out what quote of the week Kelly has for us on www.kkirch.blogspot.com. Wisdom abounds....

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/

Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?