I've returned and as promised, I've included an excerpt of a romantic suspense I've been working on. I hope you all enjoy it.
Also, please keep your fingers crossed and prayers lifted for a successful submission and acceptance of Whispered Promises in the coming months. Have a great week!
NIGHT SECRETS
By
Naomi James
Copyright 2009
Prologue
Thunder boomed loudly, rattling the windows of The Whistle and startling the patrons inside. A torrent of rain sluiced against the glass followed by several lengthy flashes of lightening.
The man cursed under his breath and took a deep breath, trying to bring his pounding heartbeat under control.
He’d come to The Whistle to relax, get a little peace.
Another clap of thunder
“Shit! I hate this damned weather,” he muttered feeling as if he should have stayed home. But what was there for him? Nothing, save endless silence, and terrible thoughts that followed him everywhere, intensifying when he was alone, as he usually was at home. Stifling another curse, he pushed a hand through his thinning brown hair. The whispers wouldn’t leave him alone, and the subject was always the same. That thing. That one horrible horrible thing that plagued his dreams and every waking moment of every day. He’d been cautious at the onset and especially diligent when the situation had ballooned out of control. But no one knew what had happened. He was sure of it. Or was he? Had someone learned his awful secret?
At times he thought he saw shadows following him, waiting to corner him. Trap him. But he’d never seen anything or anyone. On nights like tonight he was so on edge he was sure he was close to cracking up but each time he’d drown the memories in alcohol until oblivion or a warm wet body calmed him. Tonight, he couldn’t seem to get drunk enough to quell his fears, and there was no one in the bar worth looking at twice.
Was someone pursuing him? Toying with him? Waiting to snake up behind him on his way to his car and whisper his secret to him?
No! It wasn’t possible. He’d been careful and thorough.
It had happened years ago yet something had him so paranoid as of late that the slightest sound, the slightest hint of movement that was a little off, made him go on instant alert. Made him edgy.
Constant eyes appeared to observe his every move, waiting for him to slip up, to reveal that which he’d long ago pledged to keep until the day he drew his last breath, then and only then would he utter it to a priest in order to seek absolution before going to meet his maker.
He wasn’t a religious man, not by any stretch of the imagination. Hell, he didn’t even believe in God. But he knew he’d make the confession with his final breath, just in case. A shudder coursed through him and he swore, forcibly turning his mind from his morbid thoughts. If he had his way about it, his death wouldn’t be for a very long time.
A glass shattered and he started violently, spilling his scotch. He glanced over his shoulder, regarding the clumsy bartender with disdain. Hands shaking, he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his coat pocket, retrieved one and lifted it to his lips.
A long, slender hand with cotton candy pink nails appeared under his nose, gripping a lighter.
He reared back, his slightly blurred vision clearing for just a moment to take in a face that was mostly concealed by long silky looking auburn hair. The woman wore tinted glasses, blood red lipstick, and a smile that made the crotch of his pants tighten. She was tall for a woman, nearly six feet he would guess, and slender. Her raincoat did nothing hide the fact that she was stacked.
The rainstorm slowed to a sprinkle and he felt himself begin to relax. Releasing a breath, his attention returned to the woman, wondering what she wanted. Though he wasn’t exactly the kind of man the opposite sex fell all over themselves to get close to, he knew he was passably attractive. On top of that, he thought smugly, he made up for it in the only way that mattered to a woman other than money.
The woman’s thumb flicked the light and a long slender flame shot up.
Even though his vision had once again gone blurry, he kept his eyes on her face.
Leaning forward, he puffed on the cigarette, nodded his appreciation, and sat back against the cushions, awaiting her next move.
The woman slid into the booth next to him without waiting for an invitation.
“I’m Heather and you’re my date for the evening,” she announced her voice low and seductive.
Its husky quality reminded him of a young Kathleen Turner, and he nearly smiled, knowing he’d hear that sexy voice wailing in pleasure before the end of the night, guaranteed. His crotch tightened, and he shifted to relieve some of the pressure.
How long had it been since he’d been affected like this? Damned if he could remember. His wife had lost interest long ago, preferring her ‘girlfriend getaways’ to time with him. Not that he could blame her. He hadn’t touched her in years, not after she’d started eating everything in sight. He suppressed a disgusted shudder.
Squashing all thoughts of Jana, he turned his attention fully on the woman at his side.
Heather, if that was her real name, was sexy and willing. He wasn’t about to screw this up by thinking about his fat wife.
His gaze dipped to the milky white skin partially exposed at the opening of Heather’s coat. He glanced down and saw that her legs were crossed under the table, the bottom of the coat having fallen open to expose one long shapely leg. He couldn’t see any clothes underneath. She was either wearing a skirt or nothing at all. Right now, he didn’t give a damn, he just wanted inside her.
“I’m…John,” he lied.
With a knowing smirk, she extended a hand. As he reached for it, she lowered her to his lap to caress the bulge there.
“It’s ummm,” she sighed. “Sooo nice to meet you.” Leaning forward she swiped his ear with the tip of her tongue, and his erection leaped. His hand flew down to cover hers, squeezing her fingers around him. He closed his eyes and groaned.
Heather glanced over her shoulder then back. “Isn’t there somewhere nearby we could go?”
He needed no further prompting. Flinging several dollars on the table, he began scooting out of the booth, forcing Heather to do the same. Taking her by the upper arm, he hurried them out of the building, walked several doors down the deserted street and steered her into an alley, maneuvering her under a low hanging roof where there was a measure of protection from the elements.
Shoving her against the wall, he kissed her hard and sloppy. But he didn’t care. He was too damned hard to care. Yanking open her coat, he tore it from her body and dropped it at her feet.
She was wearing a black mini skirt with a slit up the thigh and a blood red top.
He reached for her but she stopped him. Before he could react, she slammed him against the wall, dropped to her knees and opened his pants.
“Shhhhit,” he growled, burying his hands in her hair.
*****
Few of the remaining patrons inside The Whistle, spared the couple so much as a glance as they made their hasty exit. Such occurrences were common in this part of town where anonymity was a person’s most highly valued and sometimes only asset. Yet none would ever forget the agonized scream that echoed around them moments later, nor its abrupt end.
Both would haunt them the rest of their lives.
I hope you enjoyed the beginning of Night Secrets but either way, I'd love to hear from you, so comment away!
~Naomi.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Contrary to reports, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.
Good Afternoon all, just a quick note before I get to running again to let you know I'm still around. I (like everyone else, I'm sure) have been juggling a bazillion things and for the longest it was taking up a lot of my writing time. However, I am pleased to announce that I have written the end of Whispered Promises and am in the process of tightening it up to send it to a print publisher. It's been a long time in the making and I am truly excited about it.
Also, Rachel's Wolf is one chapter from being completed and then it too will be tightened and sent out.
Oops, I've got to get going but I will post some of my newest work (new story) tonight for your reading pleasure. For those of you who are new, WELCOME! And please visit again as often as you please.
~~Naomi
Also, Rachel's Wolf is one chapter from being completed and then it too will be tightened and sent out.
Oops, I've got to get going but I will post some of my newest work (new story) tonight for your reading pleasure. For those of you who are new, WELCOME! And please visit again as often as you please.
~~Naomi
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sick People...Argh!
I am on a pure rant today so I ask for your indulgence and forgiveness in advance. I will, however return to posting and updating about my work after this.
Today was my first day back to work after being out ill since Monday. You see, one week ago a co-worker (who also happens to be one of my best friends) came to within 3 feet of me and proceeded to tell me she'd been diagnosed with a sinus infection. She goes further to reveal that she'd had a fever but supposedly wasn't contagious. All the while I'm staring at her as if she's grown a head out of her armpit. I asked her to take several giant steps backward but it was too late, I was exposed.
Wouldn't you know it? By Sunday my nose is running, my head is aching, I can't stop coughing, and my throat is swollen, dry, and raw. AND I couldn't sleep because every time I tried, my swollen throat would cover my windpipe and I would awaken gasping for air. Sooooo not fun.
Anyway, I was diagnosed with a sinus infection with a bronchitis possible. You know I was not happy.
Suffice it to say, she now knows that if she has so much as an eye twitch, she'd better keep her distance or I'll have to go all 'Misery' on her. LOL
Have you ever had a similar experience?
~~Naomi
Today was my first day back to work after being out ill since Monday. You see, one week ago a co-worker (who also happens to be one of my best friends) came to within 3 feet of me and proceeded to tell me she'd been diagnosed with a sinus infection. She goes further to reveal that she'd had a fever but supposedly wasn't contagious. All the while I'm staring at her as if she's grown a head out of her armpit. I asked her to take several giant steps backward but it was too late, I was exposed.
Wouldn't you know it? By Sunday my nose is running, my head is aching, I can't stop coughing, and my throat is swollen, dry, and raw. AND I couldn't sleep because every time I tried, my swollen throat would cover my windpipe and I would awaken gasping for air. Sooooo not fun.
Anyway, I was diagnosed with a sinus infection with a bronchitis possible. You know I was not happy.
Suffice it to say, she now knows that if she has so much as an eye twitch, she'd better keep her distance or I'll have to go all 'Misery' on her. LOL
Have you ever had a similar experience?
~~Naomi
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I have emerged!
It's been so long since I last blogged that I'm almost ashamed to do so now. Nevertheless, I wanted to confirm that I haven't been sucked into the black hole of cyberspace as it was once believed. lol
I must admit however, that I've been having serious balance issues with everything going in my life, and (unfortunately) all of my writing suffered serious cases of neglect.
HOWEVER, I'm back now and have begun editing and writing much more, especially on Whispered Promises. In fact, I just sent a chapter to one of my crit partners today. It was wayyy (as in like months) past time for my update, and there were enough pages to it to make up another three chapters. :-o
I'm not certain how much longer it will be but I'm determined to have at least the first full draft completed and ready for editing by July 15, my birthday.
Also, I have several other stories (some short and some not so short), that are clamoring to be told, plus a fantasy/romance trilogy that's plotted itself out in my brain. Now THAT's going to be a challenge. The good news is that I've written two notebooks full of notes on two of the three stories already.
My mind is all over the board when it comes to my novels. For instance, I had a story idea that popped into my head (the beginning is posted below, by the way), that is definitely a contemporary romance and will contain a degree of sensuality yet it's a sweet story that, I believe, will leave the reader with a 'happy happy, joy joy' feeling after reading the last page.
On the other hand, the fantasy/romance trilogy I mentioned? Oh boy! The scenes are at times funny, at other times smokin hot, and at others will make the reader want to cheer out loud, at least it did me as I wrote out some of the parts. Yet that series, tentatively entitled, "What You Wish For', is on the backburner until I get some of the others completed and out of the way.
Saying that, I'm getting a burst of inspiration right now. So, without further ado, please allow me to introduce Dylan and Nakeya's story to you, tentatively entitled, 'Again.'
Again
by Naomi James
copyright 2009
Little Smiles and Dimples Daycare
August 1988
Mrs. Dunstan was in the back, changing one of the babies.
Good!
Dylan Holt tiptoed into the kitchen and eased open the snack drawer. He was pretty sure where his favorite treat would be hidden, and he was right. Under variety packs of cheese and crackers, graham crackers, and boxes of raisins, lay the best snack of all.
He grinned as his fingers curled around it. Silently, he closed the drawer and hurried out of the kitchen.
Licking his lips in anticipation, he opened the sliding glass door that led to the enclosed back yard and raced over to where his best friend, Nakeya Mitchell sat busily making mud pies for their ‘dinner.’
Dylan slid a twisted strand of chocolate flavored licorice from within the cellophane wrapper and took a seat beside her. He frowned, eyeing her brown skin thoughtfully as she worked. He then studied his own skin, so pale in comparison to hers yet just as good as anyone else’s or so his parents had taught him.
“Better,” his Great Aunt Karen had insisted at the time.
Dylan glanced down at the ‘pie’ which was nearly finished as far as he could tell. He knew he was the only one who actually ate a bite of the pies Nekeya always made, while she just pretended to try her piece. But he didn’t mind. He figured as long as she took the good time and trouble to make them for him, the least he could do was eat a little of it.
Wasn’t that what his Daddy always taught him about the shepherd’s pies his mother often made?
Dylan hated shepherd’s pie, but he always ate a ‘thank you’ bite to show he appreciated her efforts.
Daddy took more than a ‘thank you’ bite. He ate three full helpings, even though he’d once whispered to Great Uncle Wally how godawful it tasted.
Well, if daddy could do it for Mama, he could do it for Keya.
It just seemed right.
After all, he was gonna marry her someday, once he got bigger and got himself a good work ethic, whatever that was.
“Keya?”
“What?” she asked, glancing up from her chore.
“Gimme your hand.”
She complied without question, thrusting her arm out to the side with her hand flattened, chubby fingers held stiffly straight. With her free hand, she continued to put the finishing touches on the ‘pie’, smoothing the edges with the tip of an index finger.
Dylan slid the chocolate licorice in his mouth.
After a moment he pulled it out, savored the flavor then, poking out his tongue, he swiped it across the back of Nakeya’s hand.
“Ewww!” she wailed, snatching her hand back. “I’m tellin!”
Yet as she stared at her wet hand, she made no move to do. Instead, she plucked up Dylan’s free hand, stuck out her tongue and with a grimace, swiped it across the back of his hand.
He made a face but said nothing.
Nakeya, having expected a different response, frowned at him. “Why’d you do that?” She asked, wiping her hand on the side of her lavender shorts.
“You don’t taste like chocolate lick rich,” he said, clearly confused.
“Of course not, silly. I taste like people.”
Dylan thought about that for a moment. “Then why are you brown?”
“Cause God made me that way, and he loves me.” she said, echoing the very words her mother had spoken to her just two nights earlier, and effectively ending the discussion.
Nakeya scooped up Dylan’s piece of pie and handed it to him.
**I hope you enjoyed the beginning of 'Again.' I know it's a small excerpt and for that I apologize but 'Again' is going to be a fairly short story.
As in the past, let me know what you think. Good, bad, or indifferent I look forward to your comments. Be blessed!
~~Naomi
I must admit however, that I've been having serious balance issues with everything going in my life, and (unfortunately) all of my writing suffered serious cases of neglect.
HOWEVER, I'm back now and have begun editing and writing much more, especially on Whispered Promises. In fact, I just sent a chapter to one of my crit partners today. It was wayyy (as in like months) past time for my update, and there were enough pages to it to make up another three chapters. :-o
I'm not certain how much longer it will be but I'm determined to have at least the first full draft completed and ready for editing by July 15, my birthday.
Also, I have several other stories (some short and some not so short), that are clamoring to be told, plus a fantasy/romance trilogy that's plotted itself out in my brain. Now THAT's going to be a challenge. The good news is that I've written two notebooks full of notes on two of the three stories already.
My mind is all over the board when it comes to my novels. For instance, I had a story idea that popped into my head (the beginning is posted below, by the way), that is definitely a contemporary romance and will contain a degree of sensuality yet it's a sweet story that, I believe, will leave the reader with a 'happy happy, joy joy' feeling after reading the last page.
On the other hand, the fantasy/romance trilogy I mentioned? Oh boy! The scenes are at times funny, at other times smokin hot, and at others will make the reader want to cheer out loud, at least it did me as I wrote out some of the parts. Yet that series, tentatively entitled, "What You Wish For', is on the backburner until I get some of the others completed and out of the way.
Saying that, I'm getting a burst of inspiration right now. So, without further ado, please allow me to introduce Dylan and Nakeya's story to you, tentatively entitled, 'Again.'
Again
by Naomi James
copyright 2009
Little Smiles and Dimples Daycare
August 1988
Mrs. Dunstan was in the back, changing one of the babies.
Good!
Dylan Holt tiptoed into the kitchen and eased open the snack drawer. He was pretty sure where his favorite treat would be hidden, and he was right. Under variety packs of cheese and crackers, graham crackers, and boxes of raisins, lay the best snack of all.
He grinned as his fingers curled around it. Silently, he closed the drawer and hurried out of the kitchen.
Licking his lips in anticipation, he opened the sliding glass door that led to the enclosed back yard and raced over to where his best friend, Nakeya Mitchell sat busily making mud pies for their ‘dinner.’
Dylan slid a twisted strand of chocolate flavored licorice from within the cellophane wrapper and took a seat beside her. He frowned, eyeing her brown skin thoughtfully as she worked. He then studied his own skin, so pale in comparison to hers yet just as good as anyone else’s or so his parents had taught him.
“Better,” his Great Aunt Karen had insisted at the time.
Dylan glanced down at the ‘pie’ which was nearly finished as far as he could tell. He knew he was the only one who actually ate a bite of the pies Nekeya always made, while she just pretended to try her piece. But he didn’t mind. He figured as long as she took the good time and trouble to make them for him, the least he could do was eat a little of it.
Wasn’t that what his Daddy always taught him about the shepherd’s pies his mother often made?
Dylan hated shepherd’s pie, but he always ate a ‘thank you’ bite to show he appreciated her efforts.
Daddy took more than a ‘thank you’ bite. He ate three full helpings, even though he’d once whispered to Great Uncle Wally how godawful it tasted.
Well, if daddy could do it for Mama, he could do it for Keya.
It just seemed right.
After all, he was gonna marry her someday, once he got bigger and got himself a good work ethic, whatever that was.
“Keya?”
“What?” she asked, glancing up from her chore.
“Gimme your hand.”
She complied without question, thrusting her arm out to the side with her hand flattened, chubby fingers held stiffly straight. With her free hand, she continued to put the finishing touches on the ‘pie’, smoothing the edges with the tip of an index finger.
Dylan slid the chocolate licorice in his mouth.
After a moment he pulled it out, savored the flavor then, poking out his tongue, he swiped it across the back of Nakeya’s hand.
“Ewww!” she wailed, snatching her hand back. “I’m tellin!”
Yet as she stared at her wet hand, she made no move to do. Instead, she plucked up Dylan’s free hand, stuck out her tongue and with a grimace, swiped it across the back of his hand.
He made a face but said nothing.
Nakeya, having expected a different response, frowned at him. “Why’d you do that?” She asked, wiping her hand on the side of her lavender shorts.
“You don’t taste like chocolate lick rich,” he said, clearly confused.
“Of course not, silly. I taste like people.”
Dylan thought about that for a moment. “Then why are you brown?”
“Cause God made me that way, and he loves me.” she said, echoing the very words her mother had spoken to her just two nights earlier, and effectively ending the discussion.
Nakeya scooped up Dylan’s piece of pie and handed it to him.
**I hope you enjoyed the beginning of 'Again.' I know it's a small excerpt and for that I apologize but 'Again' is going to be a fairly short story.
As in the past, let me know what you think. Good, bad, or indifferent I look forward to your comments. Be blessed!
~~Naomi
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Day to Day life
Hello everyone!
I wanted to let you know that I'm working as diligently as I can on Whispered Promises in order to meet my self imposed deadline, without rushing it. I will keep you updated as to its progress, as well as submission info and whether or not it gets picked up.
Rest assured, the next time I post (which will be soon), I will be posting excerpts of another novel I have in the works tentatively entitled, A Pirate in Her Past. It's a time-travel romantic adventure about a woman of today who, through a series of mishaps, finds adventure, romance, and herself in 17th century Caribbean being auctioned off to the highest bidding Pirate.
I sincerely hope you all will enjoy the excerpts. For now, I need to hit the sheets. The morning, (and work) comes early. Until we meet again, my friends.
Naomi~~
I wanted to let you know that I'm working as diligently as I can on Whispered Promises in order to meet my self imposed deadline, without rushing it. I will keep you updated as to its progress, as well as submission info and whether or not it gets picked up.
Rest assured, the next time I post (which will be soon), I will be posting excerpts of another novel I have in the works tentatively entitled, A Pirate in Her Past. It's a time-travel romantic adventure about a woman of today who, through a series of mishaps, finds adventure, romance, and herself in 17th century Caribbean being auctioned off to the highest bidding Pirate.
I sincerely hope you all will enjoy the excerpts. For now, I need to hit the sheets. The morning, (and work) comes early. Until we meet again, my friends.
Naomi~~
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
I'm not slacking, I promise! :-)
Just a quick note to say hi to all and to let you know that I'm not slacking on Whispered Promises. Overall, I'll post the first three chapters of it. I've been working a little everyday (and quite a bit last week) to give chapter 2 a bit more depth. As I read and reread chapter 2, I felt as though certain aspects of it were rushed so I've added a little more here and there and hope you'll enjoy the results. I will have the first 2 chapters (with the additions) posted by the weekend and most likely chapter 3 by Sunday night.
Thank you for being patient as I attempt to make Whispered Promises the best it can be!
~~Naomi
PS: Though I'll only be posting the first 3 chapters, I will update you on its progress as I finish and submit it. Also, I'll post excerpts of other works I'm working on as well. Thanks again for your patience and support.
Thank you for being patient as I attempt to make Whispered Promises the best it can be!
~~Naomi
PS: Though I'll only be posting the first 3 chapters, I will update you on its progress as I finish and submit it. Also, I'll post excerpts of other works I'm working on as well. Thanks again for your patience and support.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Thanks to everyone!!!
I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have inquired and/or sent well wishes concerning my father. He is out of the hospital and physically seems to be doing better. Please keep he and my mother in your prayers and thoughts.
I have been tightening up chapter 1 and 2 of Whispered Promises. I have two days off work this week so I will be doing some serious writing those days. I hope you all have a wonderful 'rest of the weekend' and a blessed week!!
~~Naomi
I have been tightening up chapter 1 and 2 of Whispered Promises. I have two days off work this week so I will be doing some serious writing those days. I hope you all have a wonderful 'rest of the weekend' and a blessed week!!
~~Naomi
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