Friday, August 31, 2012

Romance Blog Hop

I'm very excited to participate in Romancing the Hop . The hop includes a wide range of writers and bloggers and lasts from August 31 to Sept 3, so you'll have plenty of time to visit all the different blogs.

Each blog will have a post about romance.
And...there will be prizes. Lots of prizes. Every time you leave a comment on one of the participating blogs (and include your email address in the body of the comment too) you'll be entered to win one of these three great prizes.  You can enter as many times as there are blogs to visit.
 

First Grand Prize: Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
Second Grand Prize: $130 Amazon or B&N gift card
Third Grand Prize: This Swag Pack

In addition, many of the blogs, including this one, will be giving away prizes too. I'll be selecting one commenter to receive a $10 Amazon or B&N gift card. Please include your email address in the comment. So, if you've been paying attention, that means that each comment you leave on this blog post will enter you in the grand prize drawing and also in my own drawing.

It's going to be an exciting, and romantic, weekend!

Whew. Now that we've gotten all of that out of the way, let's talk about romance.

When I was a child, my mother had a friend named Mabel who was a widow. When I was about ten, Mabel met a man and fell in love. The two of them, both in their early seventies, came to visit. They cuddled up on the couch like a couple of  lovebirds and looked so happy. When it was nearly time to leave, Mabel's fiance went out in the snow to start the car so his true love would be warm and cozy. 

I had never seen anything so romantic or chivalrous and I vowed that I when I met a man who did that, I'd marry him.

Fast forward several decades. I had met someone new and on our first date he took me to a New Year's Party. When it got late, we agreed to leave in about fifteen minutes. A couple minutes later I saw him digging through his coat pockets. I thought "I didn't say we needed to leave right away. What's he doing?"

He pulled the car keys from his coat pocket and head for the door. A jolt went throught me and I remembered the senior citizen lovebirds sitting on my parents' couch...and I remembered my promise to myself...Of course I kept that promise and we were married a few months later. And someday we'll be senior citizen lovebirds sitting on the couch too.

Why is this gesture so romantic? I think it's because women like to feel cared for and cherished...even if the way their man shows it is to warm their backside instead of their carseat.

Here's an excerpt from my new release, Underwear Probation, which I think shows the care a man should take of the woman he loves:

In the shiny finish of the desktop Daisy saw Reece’s reflection as he reared back for another swing---a wooden ruler in his hand. She’d be sure to throw that thing away the first chance she got.

She could not believe that he was making such a game out of this when just a few feet away, anyone, including her boss, could come to her door and see this little domestic scene playing out across her desk. She’d never work in this city again.

She stiffened her resolve knowing that the quickest way to end a spanking was to keep quiet and hold still.

Daisy’s fingers clung to the edge of the desk for support and Reece continued to redden her bottom. The flat wood of the ruler made concentrated stripes of heat across her butt. He moved rhythmically up and down one cheek and then the other. Daisy wriggled her toes in her shoes and bit her lip, but she didn’t cry out.

A couple more smacks to the tops of her thighs and he was finished. He covered her stinging backside with her skirt.

Silence filled the office but Daisy kept her face pressed to the desk.

“You can get up now.”

Daisy quickly stood and through sheer force of will, looked at Reece instead of the door.

“Come stand here.” Reece beckoned her with his outstretched hand. Knowing the penalty for disobedience, she complied.
 
     Reece positioned her in front of himself and pointed to the framed photograph on the wall perpendicular to the office door. Realization caused her jaw to drop. From this position, Reece could monitor traffic outside her office door as it was reflected in the glass of the photo. “You deserved to be punished for not trusting me and you should know that I would never want to cause you public embarrassment, especially not at work. I respect you too much.”
His words rasped in her ear and Daisy was sure she could hear disappointment in his voice.

He turned Daisy to face him but her eyes were downcast. “I’m sorry. I should have known you wouldn’t do anything like that.”

“How could you not trust me, Daisy? Haven’t I always done my best to protect you?”

Even though it had been a short spanking, Daisy’s butt burned. However, the pain disappeared and was replaced with shame over hurting her husband. Reece valued trust above all else in their relationship and she had fallen short.

Unsure of what to say, Daisy raised her eyes and looked to Reece for guidance. Disappointment washed over her and a tear trickled down her cheek.

Reece gathered her in his arms. “I know you’re sorry.” His hands stroked her hair. “But we’re in this together. You need to remember that we’re a team.” Daisy nodded her head and snuffled into her husband’s neck.

Underwear Probation, as well as my other books, is avaiable on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to leave a comment with your email address in it to be entered in the drawings.

Check out the other participating blogs.

65 comments:

  1. Don't leave me out! askpookyanything@gmail.com

    OOO I can't wait to check out more of these.

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    1. It's going to be a rainy weekend here in the midwest so I'll be hopping from blog to blog too. Maybe I'll see you there, Pooky. :)

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  2. Replies
    1. oops - reneeroseauthor at gmail.com

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    2. Thanks, Renee. And thanks for following the instructions and including your email. :)

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  3. Underwear Probation was just added to my wishlist!! The excerpt was fantastic!

    susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

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  4. I love spanking stories. I've read a few of yours and will definitely have to check out Underwear Probation. Loved the excerpt!

    kesummer69 at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Kelsey. I hope you'll come back often.

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  5. Hi, just getting started! That is soooo romantic. My husband does that for me too.
    minellesbreath264@gmail.com

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  6. Who could resist a book called UNDERWEAR PROBATION? Great post!

    vitajex(at)aol(Dot)com

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    1. Thanks! I'm usually not great with titles, but I think that one is a winner so I'm glad you liked it too. Hope you'll come back often.

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  7. Thanks for the excerpt, fun title

    fencingromein at hotmail dot com

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  8. How fun, Celeste. Thanks for passing along the info. Thanks for the excerpt, too. Have a great weekend.
    marriedamusicman@gmail.com

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  9. I love that title!
    lyric_james@sbcglobal.net

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    Replies
    1. Thanks everyone. It's Saturday morning. Can't wait to see who visits (and comments) today.

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  10. I love escaping into a book. What a fun hop! delphinareadstoomuch at yahoo

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  11. Thanks for sharing your excerpt!

    ~Krista
    pinkbonanza{ AT }gmail{ DOT }com

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  12. Sexy excerpt. I enjoyed it.

    j.carey.martin(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. Enjoyed the excerpt and love the title.

    skpetal at hotmail dot com

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  14. My gran always said that if he would make sure I was comfortable.. that was the man to keep.. she was right.
    thank you for sharing and participating
    glhince@gmail.com

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  15. Thanks for being part of the hop and the great excerpt!
    Jesse
    jesse.kimmelfreeman@gmail.com

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  16. Thanks for stopping by everyone. There are a ton of great blogs (and prizes) out there so I hope you're all visiting as many as you can.

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  17. Great post, thanks! Enjoy the hop :)

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  18. My fiancee does this all the time for me! I remember a few winters ago when we had a foot of snow, he went outside with a broom and an ice scraper, and cleaned off my car... even managing to clear a path for me to walk as well. When I walked outside to a warm, clean car, I felt so much love for that man. It's the little things that make all the difference in the world, isn't it? :)

    Thanks for the post and for the giveaway!

    songbird1613 at yahoo dot com

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  19. Great post!!! I love romance books but they must have HEA’s! My favorite are series because I love seeing the characters again in other books!!

    thanks for the contest!!
    forettarose@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. It's a sign of a good book that once you finish you wonder what happened next or when they pop up in another book you're glad to see them like they are old friends.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  20. Thanks for the chance!

    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

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  21. What you describe as "romance," really cuts to the heart of it. I think women like the "showy" romance stuff - flowers, love notes, candlelight -- but the way most "ordinary" men show they care is in the ordinary, little things they do -- letting you wait under the overhang and getting the car when its raining, being the one to pump the gas, warming up the car when it's cold.

    One of the most romantic things my husband did for me was drive an hour to my workplace and change all the tires on my car in the parking lot when it was snowing (he put on the snow tires).

    carabristol50 at yahoo dot com

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    1. I think you're right. Anybody and go and buy flowers and make a big show, but a real man will make sure your car is safe. I know it's not sexy, but I think it's the real test.

      I bet all the women in your office were jealous when your husband did that.

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    2. Ooops. That's supposed to say Anybody can go and buy...

      I also noticed that I had written "let's talk but romance" instead of "let's talk about romance." I suppose the first one was pretty close to accurate since I write spanking stories.

      Delete
  22. What a great title! Thanks for the giveaway

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

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  23. Thanks for participating! Really like the hop so far!! I love reading, especially romance. I love reading contemporary, historical and erotic romance. I love the happy ending that is garenteed at the end. My favorite book is Lover Mine by JR Ward! I love John Matthew and Xhex. My favorite romantic moment was when my fiancé asked me to marry him! We meant two years ago right around when summer was ending! I think it is romantic when he brings me flowers because no one else has ever done it! My friend and I went out for our last big night out before classes started again. Thanks so much! Hope everyone else is having a great long weekend!!

    prettyunicorn78@yahoo.com

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  24. Thanks for the awesome & amazing giveaway!
    cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

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  25. Thanks for the great excerpt and thanks so much for the chance to win!
    sqwalker2@hotmail.com

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  26. I love your post and the excerpt! Thanks for sharing!
    verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

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  27. I adore romances. My favorite part is the growing chemistry and intimacy {being able to know what the other wants/needs without words} between man and woman. :)
    Thanks for participating in the hop and giving us all a chance to win, and share our stories.
    bidelia78@yahoo.com

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  28. That is extremely romantic. I am glad you found your car warmer upper! lol My hubby warms up the car in the winter but I think it is more for him because he is from Arizona. Underwear Probation sounds great. Thank you for the giveaway.
    kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com

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  29. Your post was great and your excerpt was fantastic, thank you ofr the chance to win..

    ronnkelly3@aol.com

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  30. Thanks tons for the hop! I only read romance. My fav is Lora Leigh! Going to parade Monday with brothers and sisters! Should be FUN!
    swkimbell@yahoo.com

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  31. Great excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway.

    mythic021@gmail.com

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  32. Thanks for participating!

    Samantha Jane
    samantha12jane@gmail.com

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  33. Thanks for the awesome hop and giveaways! This is so much fun! Thank you! My favorite thing about romance is the romance. lol I love the characters, the plots, the HEA's, the love. I love it all!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. Loved the excerpt and the cute story about how you met your husband! Thanks for being part of the blog hop!
    flava_sava_chick@yahoo.com

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  35. Thanks a bunch for joining this hop..
    lasherjodi@yahoo.com
    jodi lasher

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  36. For me, romance is all about the trust and respect built between the characters. Since I write BDSM, these elements are very important.
    Thank you for participating in the blog hop!
    qwilliarain(at)gmail(dot)com

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  37. I love your personal romance story - very sweet!
    shermie40 at yahoo dot com

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  38. Whew! It might've been too early in the morning to read that excerpt! Sounds like a good story... whether I win a free copy or not, its on my TBR list. beck.paloma@gmail.com.

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  39. That was a great post; I enjoyed it. I look forward in checking out your works.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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  40. This blog hop---4 days and over 200 blogs to visit---is sort of like a marathon of romance. Thanks so much to those of you who keep stopping by and leaving your kind comments. If you started at #1 and just got here, you're almost to the finish line!

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  41. Thanks for joining the hop.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

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  42. What a great story about the elderly couple. That is love. Good for you to find the man who does the same. I am fortunate enough to have one too! Thanks for being on the hop!

    mel
    bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

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  43. Thanks for the great post and giveaway.
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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  44. Nice. Very,very nice. Trust is what romance is about.

    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

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  45. Thank you for being part of the blog hop. :)

    yazmin.z.rangel(at)gmail(dot)com

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  46. What a great hop! Grand prizes, old friends to visit and new ones to meet… and chances to win at each stop too. I’m in Blog heaven! :-}
    That was a beautiful story and a true example of real love.
    I’m a sucker for the HEA. All my favorite authors give me a great story line, characters I can identify with, HOT love scenes and a perfect HEA! <^_^>

    Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win.
    reneebennett35(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  47. Thank you for taking part in this great blog hop!
    tishajean@ charter.net

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  48. Thanks for the excerpt and for participating!

    tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  49. Good excerpt. I'm enjoying the hop and discovering lots of new authors!
    mcv111 at hotmail dot com

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  50. Why I like Romance Novels….The reason I like Romance Novels so much is because it is one place where I can be anywhere like England, Scotland, Rome, Ireland, or anywhere in the US. I can also be in any time like 1200’s Scotland, 1500’s England, 1900’s Chicago. I can be anyone like a princess, a servant, a werewolf, a duchess, a vampire, or a lost soul. But no matter what I get the privilege and the experience to overcome many different obstacles and find love. I am a mother of three teenagers as well and there are many days when I need an escape and my heart needs a rest from the trials of being a parent and trying to do what is best for everyone but yourself. I have overcome cancer, loss, and financial problems and Romance Books let my heart soar and feel free. Let me tell you in this world, and during this time where life can have so many struggles it is great that you can be, have, and do so many things to find love and romance and still be yourself!

    angelheart618@gmail.com

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  51. Thanks for being a part of this FUN blog hop. I love reading romance because all of my problems/stress disappear when I read a good romance novel.

    jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com

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  52. Thx for hopping.

    blinkysthebest at aol dot com

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  53. enjoyed reading the excerpt. Thanks for being a part of the hop. I hope that you had a great Labor day weekend!
    jessangil at gmail dot com

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I love getting feedback. Thank you for taking the time to comment!