A challenge has been issued by S.C. Mitchell: create a flash fiction of a romantic scene.

I love the beach, I love the woods, I love anything that means I get to spend time away from distractions to connect with nature. So here's my take on this challenge.

Salty air stung her eyes and the wind whipped her hair against her face. Though the sun was high overhead, the cold crept up the sleeves of her jacket, slapped her cheeks. From the bluffs, the limestone stacks rose like guardians protecting the land from the encroaching seas. Isolated and severe, what kind of man brings a woman here for a first date?
A thoughtful, attentive kind. Shauna smiled and squeezed Giovanni's hand tighter. The philosophy professor had brought her coffee, then lunches for two solid weeks before asking her out. She hadn't been surprised when he'd asked her for lunch but had felt a bit put out when he'd refused to tell her where he was taking her but it was oh so worth it. Her rock hound colleagues at William and Mary would be so jealous. Nothing excited geologists quite like huge rock formations. Add in a sexy Italian and it was going to be a memorable day.

Time to meet Leslie Hachtel who I can guarantee will have a fantastic romantic scene!

Welcome, visitors hopping from Leslie Hachtel's blog.

This week our questions comes from Jenna Da Sie:
"Would you rather?" questions.
I wonder if her kids have the same game/books mine do because this game can make for a long (and I mean interminable) road trip! Especially if your answer is followed up with "Why?"

3) Would you rather talk like Yoda or breathe like Darth Vador?
Talk like Yoda! (A secret? My kids and I do that sometimes anyway.)

4) Would you rather have the ability to fly or read minds? 
Oh, for sure to read minds. Imagine how much drama you could avoid if you knew what was on someone's mind. Wouldn't have to wonder if the kids were telling the whole truth. (Thankfully my kids are terrible liars, but everyone has the capacity to lie by omission!)

So, how about you? Would you rather live on a tropical island or NY penthouse suite? Leave me a comment and tell me why if you wish. No pressure!
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Time to mosey on to the next author, the amazing A. S. Fenichel. 

Thanks if you've hopped over from A.S. Fenichel's blog. And no pun intended, one year I was a Playboy Bunny. Yes, that is quite funny because I am the one person who would never, ever, in a million years work as a Playboy Bunny nor pose as one. I am strong, opinionated, do what I want, when I want and was raised that way. I do not think of myself as a sex symbol or sexy or any of the adjectives that generally describe a woman who dresses herself up in a costume like that. 

For this one time though, in college, some wild hair (or is that hare?) got into me and I decided to do it. At the time, I had the hourglass figure and God-given bust most girls would die for. It was an easy costume and it was only for one night. 

For most of the evening, I enjoyed the male attention. I had a date so no one was overly aggressive. I felt sexy and grown up and desired. Something every woman wants and needs. But as the night went on, I grew tired of the "Are those really yours?" referring to my breasts. We called it a night early and my patient and steady boyfriend got the benefit of my newfound sexiness. 

For one night, it was worth playing the game. But I only want to play on my own terms. I found a new respect for women who must wear clothing that is tight or form fitting for their careers. Even the high heels were a pain and I couldn't wait to get out of those.

Time to hop over to Brenda Margriet's blog. All pun intended this time!

Photos courtesy of:

By Per Ola Wiberg [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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#amwriting @RWA @coastal_writers #pitching #writing

​Librarian Rebecca Jones has always found solace in books. The death of her grandmother leaves her alone in the world. An inherited old Welsh scroll renews her desire to find the father she never knew. She hopes fairytale Wiccan Haus will yield the answers she needs.
 
Descendent of the inspiration for the Merlin legend, Ian Branson lives with the responsibility of protecting humans and paranormal beings. He takes an impromptu vacation with the Rowans of Wiccan Haus, seeking healing for his out of control psychic abilities.
 
As soon as Ian meets Becca, he feels the pull of his soulmate. Love has no place in his life but he cannot deny the peace only she can provide. Becca finds her Welsh knight in shining armor to translate her scroll but passion tempts her from her quest to find her father.
 
As their relationship blooms, Ian fears putting another loved one in jeopardy. A tryst isn’t enough but Ian’s charmed solution goes awry.  With his emotions into a tailspin, he is forced to sacrifice his pride and ask the formidable eldest Rowan for help.
 
Will Sarka’s magic reverse the sorcerer’s spell and will Becca accept Ian’s legacy and her own?
 
 
Excerpt:
 
From his Richard Gere hair to his stern clean-shaven jaw, he was model material. His eyes, soft green like a mist-covered glade, penetrated straight to her soul. Ian posed a danger to her heart, no matter how he charged her body.

Remember what Grandma always said. “Think with your logical brain, not with your romantic heart. Love does not put food in your mouth or a roof over your head.”

Or decipher an ancient Welsh text.

“What can I do?” she asked as she stood, having nothing to do.

He rose from where he’d prepared the fire pit and walked to her, extending his hand. After a moment, she took it and stood beside him.

“Nothing. It’s done. Are you ready?”

“For what?” Truly, the limits of reality had been shattered and anything seemed possible.

“For magick.”
 
About the author:
Welcome to Wiccan Haus. I know you’ll love this series as much as I do. It is a world of possibilities, an escape from our daily realities. An island with shifters, witches, and all manner of paranormal beings, there’s mystery and magic around every bend, in each encounter.

I’m Carolyn Spear, mother of two sweet girls and wife of one fabulous husband. Reading, gardening and exploring are my passions. I don’t really “write” but rather channel my characters' stories to share with others. A strange combination of small town girl, travel enthusiast and geek, I am thrilled to be a part of the shared world of the Wiccan Haus.

For Becca’s personality, I channeled by inner child. I still believe in magic and knights in shining armor. She gets a little more than she bargains for at Wiccan Haus. Wizards and werewolves and vampires, oh my!

Ian Branson is an older than usual hero, but I like my heroes a little more experienced. A little uptight and a little supercilious, he is surprised at the feral passion Becca unlocks in him. He has to deal with all the emotions he keeps under lock and key to function. I think he exemplifies many of us who function more than live. And it’s a Merlin inspired tale, who I’ve always felt got a raw deal at the end of his life so I wrote him a different ending.

​Contact info/buy links:
Email: http://www.carolynspearromance.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolynSpearRom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolynSpearAuthor/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cspearauthor/
Newsletter: http://goo.gl/forms/M9ReQ9hBnt
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AMSYC6W/ref=cm_sw_su_dp