Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I am very happy to announce that Together for Christmas has been released today by and will available at all the otherÌý very soon.Authors will very seldom tell you that they liked one book more than any other, butÌýI have no such problem. This story was by far my favorite.ÌýI never wanted it to end, and hopefully, you'll feel the same. If you giggle and weep as I did while creating it, then I'm a very blessed and happy writer.



Abbie Taylor has a thousand things to do before the big day, help the vicar with his needy families, organize the Christmas nativity, and spare time for a distraught baby at the orphanage who only settles when she's near. Falling into a coma while her spirit resides inside a prickly, big shot businessman doesn't work for her at all …until she falls in love.
How could Marcus Chapman be so unlucky? First he's saddled with his newly widowed mum, and the
next thing he knows, he has an annoying spirit invader who's instantly aware that he isn't nearly as
tough as he makes out. Between these two manipulating women, and the orphans Abbie forces him to visit, the poor man doesn't stand a chance. The season is Christmas and love is all around.
Excerpt:
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "And where do you think your going?"ÌýÌýÌýÌý "To a hospital. I do believe I'm having some sort of a breakdown."ÌýÌýÌýÌý "You're having a breakdown? Now you listen ere, Mate. It ain't you lying in a heap in the snow. And it darn well ain't you imprisoned in another's body, is it? Don't you dare try and leave me here." ÌýÌýÌýÌý Even if he wanted to, there was an unseen force holding him back. Stopping him from moving. And however unlikely, the girl certainly sounded real. Considering she was a figment of his imagination that is.ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Would you stop that! I'm not a figment of anyone's imagination. I'm a real girl," she wailed. Then she added. "Cor, I sound like the female version of Pinocchio." When she giggled, hysteria became evident.ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Okay, stop that screeching. I'll take you with me." If this really was a dream, then he could play hero, even though he was far from hero material. Blast, how could a boring workaholic accountant such as himself get caught up in such a crazy nightmare? ÌýÌýÌýÌý Slight as she'd looked earlier, she felt solid to him now, and in his weakened condition he knew he couldn't go very far. Scooped in his arms, her body rolled towards him as if seeking protection. His arms cradled her against his chest, and she seemed to fit. Strange. He'd never carried anyone before. He kind of liked how it made him feel.ÌýÌýÌýÌý He looked down and then lowered his chin so he could blow the snow from her features. Light from the lamp above angled over her, and he saw a small heart-shaped face, pale and pretty with lips plump and turning slightly blue. ÌýÌý ÌýÌý"See? I'm a girl."ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Yes, I can see that now. Don't worry. I'll take care of you."ÌýÌýÌýÌý He stumbled out from behind the bench, stopped and turned in both directions. The snow, falling even harder now, seemed to have effectively cleared the roads from traffic, both vehicular and human. No buses or taxis, no police or helpful pedestrians.ÌýÌýÌýÌý Again the lights from the vicarage drew his attention. The path, only slightly visible, wound through the gardens and looked to be a mile when in truth he knew it to be only a couple hundred feet. Switching his romantic hold to that of firemen enabled him to keep one arm free as he headed in the right direction.Ìý ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I'm glad you've decided to go to the vicar. He's my boss you know, and a lovely chap. He'll know what to do, I'm sure."ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I don't believe we should talk to anyone about your—ahh—switching residences, so to speak. I mean, think about it. Would you accept such a thing? More than likely, they'll stick me in a rubber room and throw away the key."ÌýÌý ÌýÌý"So, what do you propose we say about my unconscious body?" Strange how he not only heard the irritation, he felt her worry.ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I'll tell him you stumbled and hit your head. We'll call an ambulance and get you taken to the hospital where the doctors can make an examination. That outta do it." Proud of his suggestion, he ignored her rude snort. Until she snorted the second time.ÌýÌýÌýÌý "What??"ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Have you looked around at all? There is no traffic. The roads look to be impassable. I'm afraid the storm is getting worse."ÌýÌýÌýÌý She had a point. The snow had intensified until visibility became almost non-existent. Without the foliage that had protected the biggest portion of this walkway from the blowing snow, he'd never be able to move so easily. ÌýÌýÌýÌý "This is an emergency, they have to make it."ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Pray God you're right." It was the sob that tore at the walls around his heart. A tiny sob, but with enough power to start the first fissure.

Thank you for visiting my blogsite and welcome to the Gratitude Giveaway Blog Hop!
If you leave me your E-mail address and a comment telling me what you want from Santa this year, two lucky winners will win an e-book copy of "Together for Christmas" my new release on November 25th





Today is a special day for me. Over the last while, I have been kept away from writing â€� the thing I love to do best â€� because two of my books recently released needed some promotion. Let's face it, how can anyone buy them, if no one knows they exist. But as time went on, all that mind-boggling work had exhausted my mental capabilities, and I'd decided to treat myself to a month of writing. And so I entered the NaNoWriMo. Happily working away on the newest story for the Vicarage Bench Series,ÌýI was informed that my promoting skills were needed elsewhere.


Now I don't want you think I'm whingeing, even though it's exactly what I'm doing, but publicity work can drive a challenged computer nerd like me around the bend. It's time consuming and mind blowing and takes over way too much of my precious writing hours.


The only positive thing about all that twittering and blogging is meeting wonderful people. The social media is chocker-block full of the nicest people in the world. And I mean that literally!

Now yesterday, that particular pleasure became very apparent to me when out of the blue I was approached by an absolute sweetie, , who wanted to help my bookÌý "My Cheeky Angel" get to first place in a contest. This self-pubbed endeavour had been chosen as one of five best paranormal books of the month at . Knowing how much it would tickle me to win the contest, and due to the fact that my blood ripples when I'm faced with a challenged, I have worked hard to get every one of my votes. Unfortunately, those endeavours only got me to third place.

But you know what? Even if I never get another vote, I've already won. Because a total stranger came to me, holding out a hand of friendship and made me feel like I mattered and so did my lovely little book. How lucky am I?

And how thankful!

I pray that all who read this post have the same great luck that's befallen me—I hope for you many wonderful friends and an overload of warm and fuzzy feelings.

Have a fantastically happy Thanksgiving!

~~~~~

Hello my friends�.I have great news!

For the first time since I've become an author, one of my books is up for an award!!!

i Book Buzz, a monthly club of writers and readers accepts submissions each month from a different genre and then choose five books as their finalists. These books are listed and must be voted on in order to pick the winner who will be honoured to be Book of the Month.

"My Cheeky Angel" has been chose as one of the five paranormal books for this month and I really need your vote. (I'm quite far behind the others! sob!)

So....if you'd like to see a cheeky angel get to first place,Ìý pleaseÌývote here atÌý
First sign in by clicking on the home button and leaving your e-mail address and then click the circle next to My Cheeky Angel.

Thank you so much....I really do appreciate the support!!


Thank you for visiting my blogsite and welcome to the Gratitude Giveaway Blog Hop!
If you leave me your E-mail address and a comment telling me what you want from Santa this year, two lucky winners will win an e-book copy of my new release on November 25th





ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



**Together for Christmas - paperback is now available at / / The e-book will be released November 25th.

Abbie Taylor has a thousand things to do before the big day, help the vicar with his needy families, organize the Christmas nativity, and spare time for a distraught baby at the orphanage who only settles when she's near. Falling into a coma while her spirit resides inside a prickly, big shot businessman doesn't work for her at all …until she falls in love.

How could Marcus Chapman be so unlucky? First he's saddled with his newly widowed mum, and the next thing he knows, he has an annoying spirit invader who's instantly aware that he isn't nearly as tough as he makes out. Between these two manipulating women, and the orphans Abbie forces him to visit, the poor man doesn't stand a chance. The season is Christmas, and love is all around.




Excerpt #2
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "You're having a breakdown? Now you listen ere, Mate. It ain't you lying in a heap in the snow. And it darn well ain't you imprisoned in another's body, is it? Don't you dare try and leave me here."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Even if he wanted to, there was an unseen force holding him back. Stopping him from moving. And however unlikely, the girl certainly sounded real. Considering she was a figment of his imagination that is.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Would you stop that! I'm not a figment of anyone's imagination. I'm a real girl," she wailed. Then she added. "Cor, I sound like the female version of Pinocchio." When she giggled, hysteria became evident.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Okay, stop that screeching. I'll take you with me." If this really was a dream, then he could play hero, even though he was far from hero material. Blast, how could a boring workaholic accountant such as himself get caught up in such a crazy nightmare?
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Slight as she'd looked earlier, she felt solid to him now, and in his weakened condition he knew he couldn't go very far. Scooped in his arms, her body rolled towards him as if seeking protection. His arms cradled her against his chest, and she seemed to fit. Strange. He'd never carried anyone before. He kind of liked how it made him feel.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý He looked down and then lowered his chin so he could blow the snow from her features. Light from the lamp above angled over her, and he saw a small heart-shaped face, pale and pretty with lips plump and turning slightly blue.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "See? I'm a girl."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Yes, I can see that now. Don't worry. I'll take care of you."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý He stumbled out from behind the bench, stopped and turned in both directions. The snow, falling even harder now, seemed to have effectively cleared the roads from traffic, both vehicular and human. No buses or taxis, no police or helpful pedestrians.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Again the lights from the vicarage drew his attention. The path, only slightly visible, wound through the gardens and looked to be a mile when in truth he knew it to be only a couple hundred feet. Switching his romantic hold to that of firemen enabled him to keep one arm free as he headed in the right direction.Ìý
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I'm glad you've decided to go to the vicar. He's my boss you know, and a lovely chap. He'll know what to do, I'm sure."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I don't believe we should talk to anyone about your—ahh—switching residences, so to speak. I mean, think about it. Would you accept such a thing? More than likely, they'll stick me in a rubber room and throw away the key."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "So, what do you propose we say about my unconscious body?" Strange how he not only heard the irritation, he felt her worry.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I'll tell him you stumbled and hit your head. We'll call an ambulance and get you taken to the hospital where the doctors can make an examination. That outta do it." Proud of his suggestion, he ignored her rude snort. Until she snorted the second time.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "What??"
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Have you looked around at all? There is no traffic. The roads look to be impassable. I'm afraid the storm is getting worse."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý She had a point. The snow had intensified until visibility became almost non-existent. Without the foliage that had protected the biggest portion of this walkway from the blowing snow, he'd never be able to move so easily.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "This is an emergency, they have to make it."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Pray God you're right." It was the sob that tore at the walls around his heart. A tiny sob, but with enough power to start the first fissure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
***If you are looking to read the 12 steps to Format your Manuscript for Kindle Publishing...please go to the October archives on the left hand side.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello my friends�.I have great news!


For the first time since I've become an author, one of my books is up for an award!!!
i Book Buzz, a monthly club of writers and readers accepts submissions each month from a different genre and then choose five books as their finalists. These books are listed and must be voted on in order to pick the winner who will be honoured to be Book of the Month.

"My Cheeky Angel" has been chose as one of the five paranormal books for this month and I really need your vote. (I'm quite far behind the others! sob!)


So....if you'd like to see a cheeky angel get to first place,Ìý pleaseÌývote here atÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý


Thank you for visiting my blogsite and welcome to the Gratitude Giveaway Blog Hop!
If you leave me your E-mail address and a comment telling me what you want from Santa this year, two lucky winners will win an e-book copy of my new release on November 25th



Abbie Taylor has a thousand things to do before the big day, help the vicar with his needy families, organize the Christmas nativity, and spare time for a distraught baby at the orphanage who only settles when she's near. Falling into a coma while her spirit resides inside a prickly, big shot businessman doesn't work for her at all …until she falls in love.

How could Marcus Chapman be so unlucky? First he's saddled with his newly widowed mum, and the next thing he knows, he has an annoying spirit invader who's instantly aware that he isn't nearly as tough as he makes out. Between these two manipulating women, and the orphans Abbie forces him to visit, the poor man doesn't stand a chance. The season is Christmas, and love is all around.
Excerpt:
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Maybe it was the eagerness in her voice, or maybe just her words, but whatever she said made him smile. Up till then, he'd seemed like a stranger looking back at her. Then his smile changed everything. Unfortunately, it didn't last too long. But she'd seen enough and decided right away that he had a dear face. Not what one would call handsome, more like interesting. She'd bet that his full head of messy hair cut short and worn close to his head normally didn't look so scruffy. That wouldn't be his style at all.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý His piercing green eyes didn't have the same sparkle as his mother's. They were ruthless and compelling, slightly haughty and intense, and the shrewdest stare she'd ever come across. She felt as if he were trying to find her inside of him by staring into his own eyes.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Can you see me?" She teased.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I do believe I can. I went slightly crossed-eyed for a moment, and I have no doubt that was you sneaking a peek."Ìý When he grinned, dimples appeared on both sides of his mouth and created a whole different impression. This man devastated with his attractiveness, his charisma.ÌýÌý
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Unequivocally, Abbie knew at that moment, not only had her spirit joined with his, but also her heart now faced a challenge. She'd never believed in love at first sight, more fool her. She shut down her corridor to him and curled up into a small ball lodged inside his body. This needed a great deal of thought. She had to talk herself out of this nonsense, and quickly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
***If you are looking to read the 12 steps to Format your Manuscript for Kindle Publishing...please go to the October archives on the left hand side.
~~~~~~~~~~~~



Ìý

Hello my friends�.I have great news!


For the first time since I've become an author, one of my books is up for an award!!!

i Book Buzz, a monthly club of writers and readers accepts submissions each month from a different genre and then choose five books as their finalists. These books are listed and must be voted on in order to pick the winner who will be honoured to be Book of the Month.


"My Cheeky Angel" has been chose as one of the five paranormal books for this month and I really need your vote.




Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
XO Mimi

Avaiable at - - for $.99


Excerpt:

Every time he closed his eyes, a strange image of Annie in trouble took on such realistic tendencies it seemed surreal. Sick of his own company, Tyler decided a walk would do him a world of good, clear his head, and help to get his mind off his tomboy gone rogue.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Once the idea appeared, it became a fixation. No choice, no dragging his feet, he had to get out of his apartment. Either he needed hallucination treatments or a curt, gravelly female had taken up residence in his brain and urged him to hurry and get his butt moving.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý The elevator, not ever on his floor, awaited him with the door open and no one else inside. He shivered. Strange and stranger! The ride down lasted only seconds. When it slowly opened, a nightmare unfolded. One look at his Annie clinging to her evening's escort and his rage superseded common sense. Without thought, he ripped her from the scumbag's groping fingers and shoved the conceited-looking, puffed-up character against the wall. All Tyler's six feet two inches of anger intimidated. He watched the coward evaluate, then shrink back.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Within seconds the smooth prick spoke. "Anna had a bit too much to drink. I was seeing her safely home."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Not a problem. I'll take her up," he growled. By this time, Tyler had a supportive arm around the wobbly woman. He looked down at her. "Say bye-bye to your date...Anna." His spitting out her newly chosen name would have set worry bells ringing, if she'd been in her normal state of mind. Blitzed out of her head, she just jiggled her fingers and said, "Bye-bye, date."ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ÌýÌýÌýÌý With everything happening so fast, Tyler knew Annie hadn't had a chance to fully appreciate the change in her situation. One minute she was leaning drunkenly against the slimy character whose hands were all over her body, while her unfocused eyes gazed at him adoringly. The next minute, Tyler had taken over.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý As the elevator doors closed, leaving Sergio shrugging off his disappointment, a fuming Tyler lifted Annie into his arms.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý At ease, Annie wrapped her arms around him, snuggled her face into his neck, and then sighed. His familiar expensive cologne, one of her gifts that he regularly used, seemed to soothe her. "I love how you smell."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý His anger fled the moment he became aware that she sniffed at him like a small kitten. His legs almost buckled when he felt the tip of her tongue lick him, and then press a tiny kiss over the wet spot.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý The groan started deep, frustration forcing it out, chasing away his righteous snit. At her door, he lowered her to her unsteady feet, but she refused to unwind her arms from around his neck. They clung, her body glued to his.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý He reached up for the hidden key she kept stashed above her door, while balancing her with one arm. The lock took forever to get opened. Not that she noticed. Busy familiarizing his ear with her lips kept her amused. Swinging her back up and into his arms, he kicked the door closed behind them and carried her carefully into her bedroom, a room which seemed to have undergone huge changes since the day he'd helped her paint the ivory walls.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Pillows of all shapes, in all shades of turquoise, some beaded, some embroidered, were strewn helter-skelter over a new satiny brown duvet. He swiped at them one-handed, clearing a space as he lowered her body to the side of the bed, letting her flip backwards. Trouble was, she had his neck imprisoned by her strong, clinging arms, and she wasn't about to let go. He fell over her, half covering her body.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Please," she whispered. "Kiss me. I have to be kissed at least once tonight, I just—have to." She pushed upwards, thrusting her breasts against his chest.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Her desire sparked his, and her admission that she hadn't yet been kissed assuaged most of the gut-wrenching rage he'd felt at seeing her in the arms of another man. Besides, he couldn't resist her pushy invitation. Drunk or not, his name on her lips would go a long way to restoring his humor.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Honey, do you know who's with you? I need to hear you say my name."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Of course I know, silly." She giggled inanely.Ìý "It's Dick."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý He stiffened and tried to pull away, but she held fast. Her grip couldn't be broken without hurting her, and that was out of the question.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Tyler, I'm kidding." She stared up into his eyes, dewy softness mixed with sultry invitation. Her needs were clear; she wanted him. But his needs were just as clear. Not this way.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý God knew how long it had been since he'd had a woman, and here she was offering him every man's dream. But taking advantage of her drunken state didn't sit well with him. It wouldn't sit well with her, either, in the morning. He knew it, even if right now she didn't.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý He slowly began to rise, halted again by her gripping arms. Tired of waiting for him to take the initiative, Annie shocked him by lifting herself, twining her arms tighter around his back, and fusing her lips onto his.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý She was sweet. So sweet! Her inexperienced mouth caressed like a little girl. Small puckered kisses zeroed in on his hunger. She struck at his nose, cheeks, lips, wherever she could reach. And her wiggling body reached zones he'd forgotten were so quickly aroused. He closed his eyes, savoring her attempts at seduction.Ìý
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Obviously frustrated by his lack of co-operation, Annie became more inventive. He guessed she'd sensed him stalling, and so she doubled her efforts to get him involved in her love play.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Arching her body fully, she pressed herself into him, and sinuously rubbed her breasts against his chest. Without breaking this rhythm, she secured her one leg over his and thrust her heat up to rub his hardness.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Like a Venus flytrap, she'd engulfed him. Good intentions flew out the window. His hoarse voice whispered her name over and over as his restraint dwindled, then disappeared completely.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý When his lips captured her wandering mouth, he drained her passion, then felt it refill and overflow. She panted. She groaned. And she whimpered his name in tune to his litany of hers.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý She grabbed his hand, placed it over her breast, then with her guiding his fingers she forced him to surround the swollen mound. His lips soon followed his hands, and he breathed deeply through the flimsy material over the exact spot that stood hard at attention. Her inexperience, overcome by the alcohol, disappeared. With both hands, she held his head to her and whispered in his ear. "Oh, God! Tyler, that feels so good. Touch me."
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Her throaty voice ramped up his ardor, but he had to slow down or explode. He backed away and looked down at her beautiful, perky nipples pushing against the silk of her dress, and then he searched her face. Sensing his eyes on her, her eyelashes swept upwards a fraction at a time, and he combusted from the fervent expression her smoky blues reflected.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Tyler, pleeasse! Don't stop. Kiss me again. I love your kisses." Caught in the throes of passion, her body undulated with each word. He watched as her mouth opened a fraction in order to suck in her bottom lip so her teeth could bite down on the plump pinkish mound. Small hands rubbed his upper body but were not quite adventurous enough to slide lower. Still, instincts buried deep propelled her to again mash her hips against his.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý They'd fit together in the same way a well-oiled gun fits into its holster. No doubt whatsoever. When the moment came for him to slip inside her, into her wetness, it would be like coming home at last.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Fast losing control of the situation, and of his convictions, he tried to think.Ìý Heaven and hell's advocates sounded in his head.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I need her." From his bad side!
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I can't." Good side just had to get his two cents in there.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I bloody want her more than my next breath." Come on, bad side!
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "It's not right." Gravelly-voiced idiot side? Where did she come from?
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Devil and angel warred with each other while he awaited the outcome—totally in support of his hell-bent buddy.

Avaiable at - - for $.99
Excerpt:

ÌýÌýÌýÌý Every time he closed his eyes, a strange image of Annie in trouble took on such realistic tendencies it seemed surreal. Sick of his own company, Tyler decided a walk would do him a world of good, clear his head, and help to get his mind off his tomboy gone rogue.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Once the idea appeared, it became a fixation. No choice, no dragging his feet, he had to get out of his apartment. Either he needed hallucination treatments or a curt, gravelly female had taken up residence in his brain and urged him to hurry and get his butt moving.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý The elevator, not ever on his floor, awaited him with the door open and no one else inside. He shivered. Strange and stranger! The ride down lasted only seconds. When it slowly opened, a nightmare unfolded. One look at his Annie clinging to her evening's escort and his rage superseded common sense. Without thought, he ripped her from the scumbag's groping fingers and shoved the conceited-looking, puffed-up character against the wall. All Tyler's six feet two inches of anger intimidated. He watched the coward evaluate, then shrink back.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Within seconds the smooth prick spoke. "Anna had a bit too much to drink. I was seeing her safely home."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Not a problem. I'll take her up," he growled. By this time, Tyler had a supportive arm around the wobbly woman. He looked down at her. "Say bye-bye to your date...Anna." His spitting out her newly chosen name would have set worry bells ringing, if she'd been in her normal state of mind. Blitzed out of her head, she just jiggled her fingers and said, "Bye-bye, date."ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ÌýÌýÌýÌý With everything happening so fast, Tyler knew Annie hadn't had a chance to fully appreciate the change in her situation. One minute she was leaning drunkenly against the slimy character whose hands were all over her body, while her unfocused eyes gazed at him adoringly. The next minute, Tyler had taken over.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý As the elevator doors closed, leaving Sergio shrugging off his disappointment, a fuming Tyler lifted Annie into his arms.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý At ease, Annie wrapped her arms around him, snuggled her face into his neck, and then sighed. His familiar expensive cologne, one of her gifts that he regularly used, seemed to soothe her. "I love how you smell."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý His anger fled the moment he became aware that she sniffed at him like a small kitten. His legs almost buckled when he felt the tip of her tongue lick him, and then press a tiny kiss over the wet spot.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý The groan started deep, frustration forcing it out, chasing away his righteous snit. At her door, he lowered her to her unsteady feet, but she refused to unwind her arms from around his neck. They clung, her body glued to his.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý He reached up for the hidden key she kept stashed above her door, while balancing her with one arm. The lock took forever to get opened. Not that she noticed. Busy familiarizing his ear with her lips kept her amused. Swinging her back up and into his arms, he kicked the door closed behind them and carried her carefully into her bedroom, a room which seemed to have undergone huge changes since the day he'd helped her paint the ivory walls.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Pillows of all shapes, in all shades of turquoise, some beaded, some embroidered, were strewn helter-skelter over a new satiny brown duvet. He swiped at them one-handed, clearing a space as he lowered her body to the side of the bed, letting her flip backwards. Trouble was, she had his neck imprisoned by her strong, clinging arms, and she wasn't about to let go. He fell over her, half covering her body.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Please," she whispered. "Kiss me. I have to be kissed at least once tonight, I just—have to." She pushed upwards, thrusting her breasts against his chest.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Her desire sparked his, and her admission that she hadn't yet been kissed assuaged most of the gut-wrenching rage he'd felt at seeing her in the arms of another man. Besides, he couldn't resist her pushy invitation. Drunk or not, his name on her lips would go a long way to restoring his humor.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Honey, do you know who's with you? I need to hear you say my name."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Of course I know, silly." She giggled inanely.Ìý "It's Dick."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý He stiffened and tried to pull away, but she held fast. Her grip couldn't be broken without hurting her, and that was out of the question.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Tyler, I'm kidding." She stared up into his eyes, dewy softness mixed with sultry invitation. Her needs were clear; she wanted him. But his needs were just as clear. Not this way.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý God knew how long it had been since he'd had a woman, and here she was offering him every man's dream. But taking advantage of her drunken state didn't sit well with him. It wouldn't sit well with her, either, in the morning. He knew it, even if right now she didn't.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý He slowly began to rise, halted again by her gripping arms. Tired of waiting for him to take the initiative, Annie shocked him by lifting herself, twining her arms tighter around his back, and fusing her lips onto his.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý She was sweet. So sweet! Her inexperienced mouth caressed like a little girl. Small puckered kisses zeroed in on his hunger. She struck at his nose, cheeks, lips, wherever she could reach. And her wiggling body reached zones he'd forgotten were so quickly aroused. He closed his eyes, savoring her attempts at seduction.Ìý
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Obviously frustrated by his lack of co-operation, Annie became more inventive. He guessed she'd sensed him stalling, and so she doubled her efforts to get him involved in her love play.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Arching her body fully, she pressed herself into him, and sinuously rubbed her breasts against his chest. Without breaking this rhythm, she secured her one leg over his and thrust her heat up to rub his hardness.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Like a Venus flytrap, she'd engulfed him. Good intentions flew out the window. His hoarse voice whispered her name over and over as his restraint dwindled, then disappeared completely.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý When his lips captured her wandering mouth, he drained her passion, then felt it refill and overflow. She panted. She groaned. And she whimpered his name in tune to his litany of hers.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý She grabbed his hand, placed it over her breast, then with her guiding his fingers she forced him to surround the swollen mound. His lips soon followed his hands, and he breathed deeply through the flimsy material over the exact spot that stood hard at attention. Her inexperience, overcome by the alcohol, disappeared. With both hands, she held his head to her and whispered in his ear. "Oh, God! Tyler, that feels so good. Touch me."
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Her throaty voice ramped up his ardor, but he had to slow down or explode. He backed away and looked down at her beautiful, perky nipples pushing against the silk of her dress, and then he searched her face. Sensing his eyes on her, her eyelashes swept upwards a fraction at a time, and he combusted from the fervent expression her smoky blues reflected.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Tyler, pleeasse! Don't stop. Kiss me again. I love your kisses." Caught in the throes of passion, her body undulated with each word. He watched as her mouth opened a fraction in order to suck in her bottom lip so her teeth could bite down on the plump pinkish mound. Small hands rubbed his upper body but were not quite adventurous enough to slide lower. Still, instincts buried deep propelled her to again mash her hips against his.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý They'd fit together in the same way a well-oiled gun fits into its holster. No doubt whatsoever. When the moment came for him to slip inside her, into her wetness, it would be like coming home at last.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Fast losing control of the situation, and of his convictions, he tried to think.Ìý Heaven and hell's advocates sounded in his head.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I need her." From his bad side!
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I can't." Good side just had to get his two cents in there.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "I bloody want her more than my next breath." Come on, bad side!
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "It's not right." Gravelly-voiced idiot side? Where did she come from? ÌýÌýÌýÌý Devil and angel warred with each other while he awaited the outcome—totally in support of his hell-bent buddy. ~~~~~~~~~~The buttons just below here will let you tweet this link and put a blurb on facebook for this blog - if you want to go ahead and use them - I'd really appreciate it!!
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ÌýÌýÌýÌý

<><><><><><><><> </>Avaiable at for $.99
Available at for $.99

Excerpt:


ÌýTyler stared down into her luminous baby-blues, and as her words filtered through,

they took him from stunned to angry. She'd ruin everything! She wanted boyfriends, this

girl who under most circumstances couldn't even look a man in the eye. Hurt is what she'd get, and that thought brought more waves of anger pummeling his defenses. His rage seemed out of proportion to the circumstances, but it festered.
ÌýHe tried again. "Have you considered your decision from all angles? There's so much at stake here." Tyler fretted. Everything he knew about the tiny sprite in front of him said she'd regret this choice. Her huge heart, easily taken advantage of, left her vulnerable. He'd seen it over and over again. She'd been safe, employed with children. Every bit she'd given them had been returned tenfold, but adults were different. The toxic world of big business scared him silly. To think she'd be forced to compete in that environment had his head throbbing.
ÌýPrior to asking Annie for her help with some of the homeless girls he counseled, Tyler always pondered long and hard. Protecting Annie had to be his main concern. He knew when his pal cared she gave her all, and once she took the street kids in, she never wanted to let them go. As it was, many of the girls still visited her periodically, keeping in touch, because they knew Annie worried about them. She had a unique way of making them feel special.
ÌýUnder normal circumstances, he'd arrange a group home or a foster place to shelter the adolescents, but there were many days when the system failed. Helping out the fellows with a bed for a night or two at his place accomplished a short-term solution, but the under-aged street girls, the ones who searched him out for help, were altogether a different matter. Hanging out in his apartment wouldn't be kosher or tolerated.



During those times he'd discovered he could count on Annie for assistance. Mind you, if the bosses ever found out about this personal involvement, it could mean the end of his career. But occasionally a kid was special enough for him to put himself out there, and he had the rare ability to single them from the rest. Those were the teens he took a chance for. "The Keepers" he called them.
Annie approached him again and interrupted his musings. "Tyler, trust me. For years I've coasted, letting life drag me where it wanted. Growing up has to happen to us all, it's nature's way, and now it's happening to me. I'm perched on the edge of my nest, and I just need you to give me a little push, to—to let me fly."
"I never realized you were this unhappy. How did I miss it?" His hands rose to slide through his hair, fingers combing it from front to back. He grasped the mass on his neck and yanked, liking the pain. It went with this situation.
"You did help me, Tyler. A lot. But frankly, I need more. I have so many plans." She tilted her head and stared at him in a manner she never had before. Her beautiful eyes fixed on his with such intensity that he bit down hard on his molars and proceeded to grind. Silence settled loudly over the room.


Finally, he probed. "What kind of plans, Smidge?"
ÌýWispy, fringe-like tendrils framed a petite face where her eyes reigned supreme. Eyes a makeup manufacturer dreamed of discovering, and hers were purely nature's design. Dark blue, no paleness there at all. Deep, dark sapphire, with sparks of tiny lights bringing them to life. He looked intently into them, and a chill crept over him. Annie had begun to change already. A stranger stared back.
Ìý"First of all, quit calling me Smidge and Midget and—and Runt all the time. From now on I want you to call me by my real name, Anna—no more Annie. If I'm going to change myself, I might as well dump that childish nickname, too. Right?"
Ìý"What? Give me a break! I happen to like your name. It's endearing." Stunned, the word 'no' reverberated through him. What the hell was going on? He clung desperately to the essence of his familiar and much loved pal. He repeated, "I like Annie."
Ìý"Anna will better suit the woman I want to become."
ÌýShe looked directly into his eyes. Her expression was not compliant. A slight coldness could be seen in her gaze, a sight never observed there before . "Butâ€�?"
"Not negotiable." She stared him down.
"Fine, if it's that important to you, but don't get mad at me if I forget once in a while. It'll take some getting used to."
ÌýHating the animosity between them, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and side-hugged her to him, not something he did very often. But it felt like he was losing her, and it scared the hell out of him. This time, her soft and curvy body unexpectedly lit up his sensory circuits. What theâ€�? This was Annie. His body should know better. A thought entered and wouldn't be extinguished. Seems some of my male circuits have a mind of their own.
Before he could stop her, she moved. No! She jerked away. And she hurt his feelings. He dropped his hands and stuck them into his pockets to cover up any embarrassment.


"Don't try to stop me, Tyler. The choice has been made. No hashing it over. My life, my decision."
"Annie�" Her frown stopped him, but he refused to use her new title. It would be like supporting her in this madness. "What instigated this—this situation today? What happened?"
Ìý"I woke up this morning hating myself, and I decided it was the last day I wanted to feel like that without doing something about it."
Ìý"Good Lord, everyone has those days."
Ìý"Not years full of them! Tyler, your enthusiasm is under-whelming. Be happy for me, please. Don't try to analyze me; I have more qualifications along those lines than you do."


Silence reigned until he ended it. "Nice shot—Anna!" In a matter of minutes, she'd altered into a strange creature he didn't even recognize. Never had he heard Annie speak with so little thought to the hurt her words could produce.
"You'd prefer I didn't change. You want me to stay the same. Admit it." Her husky voice broke into his irritation.
"What's wrong with that? I happen to like you exactly the way you are. Spending our weekends together is something I look forward to. I enjoy our walks, and lunches, and especially going to the movies, and—and shopping." His eyes flashed indignation, and his hand emphasized each point by slashing through the air. "If you'd just let me explain something to you, Annie�"
Ìý"Anna!"
Ìý"No! Annie! I need to tell you about how painful it can be out there."
Ìý"I know you've had bad experiences, Ty. That you've shut down your expectations, your future, but I need to try to live mine. Give me a chance, my friend. That's all I ask. Support me, please."
ÌýHis professional instincts overrode his personal needs and stopped his tirade. He sighed deeply. Walking away, he thought about what she'd said. Maybe the best thing he could do for her was to let her grow up, as she so succinctly put it. Let her learn the lessons romance had taught him. He'd stay on the sidelines. He'd keep his predictions and warnings to himself, and he'd watch and wait.
ÌýBut every red-blooded male hormone in his taut body urged him on. He went back to her and stopped. "Annie, I'm your best buddy, and I adore you and your overly large caring heart. Please don't change too much."
ÌýHe scooped her close, picking her right up off the floor. When he perused her features, his eyes were unusually serious. Dangling, she would have fallen if not for his arms. He hesitated, waiting to see if she'd pull away, which left her body wriggling against his for far too long, and calling "hello" to every cell in his over-sensitized skin. His trembling surprised him. He hadn't experienced that kind of reaction to a female since being a horny teenager. He stared at her mouth and growled. He'd intended his caress to be a lighthearted expression of his affections. It changed the minute their bodies touched.
ÌýIntent must have flashed in his eyes. When she froze, he kissed her, not in the brotherly or friendly way he'd meant to, but the way a man kisses the woman he wants. While she gasped with surprise, he thrust his tongue between her soft lips, prying them open wider, and then he invaded. Her response lifted his spirits and gave him hope. She tasted him, her tongue darting forward, caressing his with a tiny, affectionate lick. Then, her body melted into him, clinging for long seconds. His groan must have scared her. She broke away and pushed on his shoulders.
Ìý"Tyler, stop it. Why are you doing this?" Her trembling hand covered her lips.
ÌýHis eyes narrowed. He stared at the little lady in front of him, into those big, worried eyes, and felt the lust die. Damn, she was right. He had no business upsetting her. What the hell had gotten into him? He loosened his grip and gently lowered her to the floor. From the first day he'd met her, he'd sensed an emotional changeling in flux. His own past experiences had soured him on the whole love-relationship thing, and he no more wanted to have another girlfriend than to get a skin-eating disease. Being buddies with Annie had fitted perfectly into his chosen lifestyle. He didn't want anything to change. But that was his problem, not hers. His demons were his own to fight. Besides, his last relationship still had him questioning his abilities as a mate and a lover for any woman. Best not push his luck.
Ìý"Okay, Anna, how can I help?" He stood in front of her with his hands on his hips and his feet spread. He smiled. Not his unique smile, but tender nonetheless. Her eyes misted. "Thank you, Ty. I couldn't bear to lose you."
ÌýTyler recognized that their friendship had passed a huge hurdle. "Listen, we're buds, aren't we?"
ÌýShe beamed her relief. Such a little worrywart. Then she nodded her head.
ÌýHe chuckled. "Anything I can help you with, it's yours. Car rides, advice—friendly sex?"

Chapter Four

ÌýÌý Monday morning, getting ready for the daycare became a major battle with a mocking, unseen presence. Every one of the outfits she normally wore got vetoed. Her overly casual clothes, strewn in every direction, indicated how few items in her closet would be appropriate for when she eventually became employed in a sophisticated office. The baggy style she'd stuck to for years concealed her body, and when a person strives to go unnoticed in the world, the tomboy look does the job. It isn't chic, but it is safe.
ÌýÌýÌý Ìý"Didn't anyone ever explain to you that a body such as yours warrants feminine attire?"
ÌýÌýÌý Ìý"A compliment? You must be in a good mood." Annie had given up talking to Celi out loud when it was simpler and a lot less weird communicating with her mind.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Don't push it. I'm just sayin."
Ìý"You must be the strangest angel in heaven. Just my luck to get a maverick."
ÌýÌýÌý Ìý"Hey! I'm an Angel first class. Count yourself lucky."
ÌýÌýÌý Ìý"Now I know you're kidding. I watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' every Christmas, as I'm sure you're aware of."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Finally, settling on a pair of snug jeans she seldom wore, Annie wrestled over the choice of her top. A new white blouse hung from one hand, and the safer, often worn t-shirt fluttered from the other.Ìý She faced the mirror and waffled.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Why did I ever buy this silly ruffled thing?" she grumbled.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Because it's pretty and modern, so wear the darn thing already." Celi popped to life in her favorite yoga stance at the end of the unmade bed.Ìý
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Why don't you have any wings? I've often wondered about that."
ÌýÌýÌý "They're at the drycleaners. Look, quit stalling and get dressed."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Why don't you talk like other people? I can hear your words in my mind, but your lips don't move."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Why, why, why. You're worse than a child."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Annie stopped what she was doing, stuck her hand on her hip, and glared at the diaphanous form.
ÌýÌýÌý Ìý"Fine. It takes enough energy to appear, why waste more speaking when I don't have to?"
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "It's very disconcerting."
ÌýÌýÌý "Quit stalling and put the blouse on."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "You're a bully!"
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "And you're beautiful. Look!" Magically, the garment draped her form. The white emphasized her tanned skin, and she had to admit that the new fashion suited her. She buttoned it and stepped back.
ÌýÌýÌý Ìý"It's supposed to be worn with the top few buttons undone."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý ÌýShe undid the first one.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "One more."
ÌýÌýÌý Ìý"One button, okay! Two? That's indecent."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý "Indecent? Give me a break. You look very much the way any twenty-nine-year old city girl in this century looks."
ÌýÌýÌýÌý It would be easier just to follow directions, she supposed. If she didn't the button would unexplainably fall open all day long anyway.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Before she could change her mind, she put on the earrings she'd bought to go with the blouse and slipped her feet into the fancy sandals that lay hidden in her closet after a shopping trip months earlier. She checked out her shiny cap of black hair, which had stiffened from the setting lotion applied earlier, and now stood up in a perky 'do'. The darkness highlighted her unblemished skin, and brought her face to life.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý Annie turned to Celi for final approval, but the angel had disappeared. "Thanks, Celi." Only a faint fragrance of perfume answered. A scent Annie instantly fell in love with permeated the air around her hair. She'd have to ask Celi for the name of the product and wear it everywhere. It could be her personal smell for success.
ÌýÌýÌý A tinkling sound drew her attention to her dresser and there sat a tiny, rhinestone studded blue bottle.
ÌýÌýÌý Ìý"You're the best Celi, you really are."Ìý

TBR will be choosing 13 winners who will be announced on November 1st. To connect with the contest click

I remember (in ancient times - ahem!) when I was a child in Winnipeg, Halloween was the day us kids would hurry home from school in a panic to get our costumes organized. Back in "the good old days" my mom used to get a bunch of old clothes out from the closet and my sister and I would fight and scramble to get the pieces that would best fit our vision of whatever witch or old man our mom had dictated as our choices for that year. The money was never there to buy costumes like most folks do today, never thought it was necessary when there was always cardboard, old clothes and paint or whatever else we needed to make up something that would ensure us our ultimate goal - that of getting as much candy as possible.

As the light waned, we'd watch out the window, prancing from foot to foot, praying that the streetlights would come on soon. It was our sign - now was time. Mom would give us each a pillow-slip and some gloves (Winnipeg right??) and we'd be off to join hordes of other goblins all racing to and fro to get their anticipated cache.

Up and down the streets childish voice yelled Halloween Apples??!! Little ones in the care of older brothers and sisters were dragged along, forced to keep up because there were only so many houses in the neighbourhood that would give away candy apples as reimbursement for singing a song. And everyone on our street had practised their song knowing that the reward far outstripped the effort.

Soon we'd have to drop off the first load at the house because the pillowcases half full of apples would be heavier than we could manage, and mom would have warned us that she would be running out and would need reinforcements from our precious supply before the night was over. At first, we always begrudged this necessity, but after stuffing our faces with as much junk as we could force down, it didn't seem to be so painful to let her pass some of it back out again.

Finally by the end of the evening—we'd stick it out as long as there were lights on in front doors and our frozen fingers and toes could stand the cold—we'd head home to peruse our catch and gloat about the candy we'd stuffed into pockets, hoping that sharp motherly eyes wouldn't see the bulges.

Because we so seldom had candy, parents in those days knew that the best way to handle this bounty was to pass out daily treats in order to make it last. Funny thing is, by the end of the week, we'd run out. Always wondered how that could happen. Of course, today I know exactly where the stuff went. Darn sneaky parents!!

An excerpt from My Cheeky Angel isavailable .
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I wrote this story because I wanted to share a favourite memory of Africa with you that I'll never forget. Myself, and a carload of women were driving back to our homes from a marketplace in Kamsar, Guinea when I spotted a small boychild—totally naked—running through a downpour while kicking a semi-inflated soccer ball. He was laughing. Not chuckling - he laughed so hard his small frame shook all over as the rain drenched him. His baby-like body moved fluidly this way and that, trying to control the crooked, half-filled toy, and the joy in his face brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't reach for my camera even though the image was priceless. I didn't want to miss one second as we drove slowly past.


Run for Joy started to fester in my brain at that moment and it wasn't until years later that I actually had the story published in a multicultural magazine called Skipping Stones.

I'd like to share it with you now, because if you believe in the human spirit being filled with love and joy when we are children, then you'll understand the overwhelming need I felt to write a story for this boy.

Run for Joy!

Keita is unhappy and listless. For the last few days all he has done is sit and clutch the old soccer ball, his only possession. In the straw-covered "piute," he prays for a little breeze through the open sides, but it doesn't happen. He looks over the red, clay-like, sun-bleached dirt and the greying weeds, and he waits. He knows any day now the rains will come.

His keepers, people he is forced to live with since he lost his own family, yell at him and force him outside.

"Go and run, boy," they say, wanting their space. "Play with the other children, don't hide in here."

Curled up like a lazy kitten, he tries to make his thin, lanky body vanish, but it doesn't help. Swats on his backside convince him to leave the spot. He takes up the same position on the outer walls where the shade not only keeps the sun from his body, but also keeps him hidden. Limply, he settles like a mound of old cloth.

Hearing his name called by the voice of the only person who has ever shown him any respect or affection brings him instantly to his feet. His Madame, the giver of the cherished ball has need of him. She is his only experience of love. Sometime she pats his head, holds his hand and even hugs and kisses him hello.
For the small jobs he does for her there is always water and food at her gate. He knows that her treats of bread, jam, fruit and occasionally cookies are what keep him strong. Once, for a special occasion, she even gave him a soda. He almost choked from drinking it so fast. Afterwards, he spent so much time bragging about it that the other boys in the village started to tease him and call him Keita-cola. He didn't care. They had never tasted one and he had.

He runs toward her voice and finds her at the edge of the village. She is calling him to come and help her take her dog for a walk. She has told him that she feels very safe with him and Oma, her big black African dog. Keita hides his fear of this huge monster, but the animal senses it anyway. With a snarling grin on his snout, he stares at Keita. Clearly a warning! Madame shushes her pet with a pat on his side and in an instant the animal changes from fierceness to loving silliness. Both boy and dog have a shared affection for this woman, which binds them as long as she is there.

It has been a long time since she's touched Keita, he notices as she touches her dog. He knows why. Everyone knows. The "Fotays," meaning white people, dislike the smell of the African body. Why that is he doesn't understand, but everyone knows it to be true.

Anyone who is hired to work with the Fotays, such as a houseboy or guard, is made to shower before he can start his work. All the white people have showers both inside and outside their houses. The outside showers, of course, are built specially for "their boys."

The river is so far away that he cannot go there and back without having his body become so sweaty that it defeats the purpose. Using well water for anything but the greatest necessities would bring him a beating. He just goes about as everyone else in his village.


Keita's Madame hasn't hugged him for a very long time and he yearns for her gentle embrace. Soon, when the rains come, he knows he will be clean again.

Praise be to God! The very next day his wish is granted. The rains are back. His joy is huge. Grinning, brimming over with happiness, he strips off his tattered faded shorts and his grubby torn T-shirt and he runs.

Naked, kicking the ball through the rain and feeling the mud oozing between his toes makes him laugh out loud. Running, leaping, white teeth gleaming, happy face raised to the heavens, water flowing down his black, slick, now clean little body, the six-year-old knows joy. Soon he'll be hugged again…very soon!

Thank goodness for memories such as these. If you have any you'd like to share, please do.
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Because it took me hours of 'How-to' video watching, bombarding my friends who helped me get started with questions and more questions, and then multiple times to finally get my work uploaded cleanly, I decided to write these steps for myself in case I ever decide to self-pub again. Then I wondered if these steps wouldn't save others the frustration and desk pounding that I suffered when I tried to do it without the proper knowledge. Now, having said that, I have no idea if a professional would agree with this guide as I've written it. Maybe there's a better way to describe the procedure, or I might have missed something that didn't affect my work, and if so I apologize. But I wanted to write it in such a way that, if months go by and my memory dims, (more than likely) these 12 steps will remind me clearly and concisely.




1 - Take a copy of your manuscript and clearly rename it so you know which copy you're working on.

2 - If you've gotten the word doc from your Editor, and there are red edits showing, once you have finished making all the changes, go to 'Tools/Track Changes/Highlight Changes' and unclick the box at the top that says 'Track Changes While Editing'. This should clear your document of editing suggestions and changes.

3 - Check for spelling errors…even if you've done this before, it's best to go over it one last time.

4 - Go to 'View' and click off the 'Ruler'.

5 - Go to 'Edit/Select all' so that your document is highlighted, and then go to the toolbar above and make sure that you are using the 'Normal/Times New Roman/ 12 Font'.

6 - Now you will put on the 'Show/Hide' paragraph option that's on your toolbar and looks like a backwards-P. Once you do this, your spaces, new paragraphs, line breaks and all the inner workings of your document will be visible.

7 - In case you tab the 5 spaces in to begin a new paragraph, (as I do) these must all be cleared. Go to 'Edit/Find/Replace' and on the top line that says 'Find What' hit the space bar five times (nothing will be visible). Then leave the 'Replace With' line empty and go to 'Replace All'. Then do the same thing again for 4 spaces, 3 spaces and 2 spaces. DO NOT do this for 1 space.

8 - Now clear any spaces before the paragraph mark by going to 'Edit/Find/Replace/More/Special/Paragraph Mark' and then hit the space bar once. Then click on the next line 'Replace With' and go to 'Special/Paragraph Mark'. This will clear away the extra spaces once you click on 'replace all'. I would do this same routine again in case there were two spaces.

If you tab in for new paragraphs, do this same manoeuvre for 'tab characters' and clear them.
And once again for 'manual line breaks' only clear each one of these manually instead of using the 'replace all' feature.

9 - Formatting paragraphs � you will go to the toolbar and click on 'Format/Paragraph/Alignment' and click on left. Then on the same page go to 'Special' and click on First line, and then go to 'By' and set in 0.5" and last go to 'Line spacing' and click on Double.

10 - Now go to 'Edit/Find' and type in the word Chapter. Starting at the top of your document, make sure that each of the chapter headings are either centered by clicking on the center function on your toolbar, or if you prefer the chapter headings to be on the left, reposition them now so they are no longer indented.
At the same time check to be sure there is a page break before each new chapter. To do this, position your cursor just before the 'C' of the word Chapter and go to 'Insert/Break/Page Break.

11 - Fix any scene breaks (***) by centering them.

12 - Next, go to 'File' and then to 'Properties/Summary' where you should fill in the information—especially the line that asks for the key words for your manuscript such as Romance, Paranormal, etc.


At this point add your cover and centre it, then the copywrite page, and if you want, a dedication page it can be put here at the beginning of your document. Make sure to keep the lines spaced so the writing will fit on one page. Put in page breaks where you wish to have a new page. Remember, if you leave too many empty lines (more than 5) Kindle will automatically leave an empty page.

Now it's time to go to and get started!

***If you feel that this information will assist you or a friend, and you want to show your appreciation, just buy my book for a buck, read and enjoy and that'll make me really happy!~~


"My Cheeky Angel" is available at both and