HERE TO STAY!

I'm back and I won't be dropping off the grid again.

To those visiting for the first time, HELLO and WELCOME to my blog!! To those of you who've kept an eye out for me, HI ALL AND THANK YOU!!!

Please forgive my haitus during this season of my life. There's been such a whirlwind of events in the past year that I, at times, can hardly believe it hasn't all been one big dream. First, and most importantly, I married the man of my dreams. YAY! I've also been all but cross-eyed with all it takes to get my oldest prepared for graduation and college. Boy oh boy.

On the professional side, I have an anthology out in print entitled, 'RETURNED', that's been well received. So all in all it's been one heck of a year, and I'm more than ready to see what the next 12 months have in store. :-)

I'm uber excited about RT this year. There are numerous workshops to attend and countless other talented authors here. I'll also be promoting my books and signing my book postcards at the RT E-Book Expo tomorrow afternoon from 4 - 6pm at the Sheraton in Kansas City, Missouri. All who come by my table, will not only have a chance to learn more about my books, as well as what I have in the works, they'll also have a chance to register to win my basket of goodies!

It's going to be great!

Check back soon.








 

I'M BACK FROM RT!

GREETINGS!

Last week...well from last Tuesday up until yesterday I was in Chicago for the RT convention. The experience was INCREDIBLE! I met so many amazing authors, readers, and people in the business that it was unreal.
Most of the workshops I attended were extremely informative and I know the information I received will help me progress soooo much as a writer.
I'm sending a shout out and a wave (*waving*) to all of the fantastic new friends I made while we exchanged my 'Untamed' bookmarks for their postcards & business cards over those days. Every last one of you were great!!

**NERD ALERT MOMENT**

Now, here's something really cool that happened, at least to me it was because...well...it just was.

The following occurred last Saturday at the book fair signing.....After flashing my hot pink wristband that ensured I'd get J.R. Ward to sign my copy of Lover Awakened (and a couple others), and receiving said signatures and pictures of the lady herself, I had to make a...ahem, necessary run. As I stepped out of the bathroom, who should I see walking toward me with security in front of and behind her? Yep, J.R. freakin' Ward!  Of course I stopped and gawked, placing someone on hold I'd just called on my cell. So what does J.R. do? She stops right in front of me, smiles, and says, 'HI.' So I say, "Hi! Can I like, have a hug (or something very similar and equally/ridiculously nerdy) and she says, "Of course!" (probably to the chagrin of her security detail). She hugged me like a long lost relative at a family reunion.  I squealed like I'd just won a new car on The Price is Right. LOL!
J.R. Ward is one of my few FAVORITE authors. And not simply because of her BDB series but because of the anti-hero Zsadist in particular. LOVE HIM!

*shaking it off*

I just had to get that out. Whew. Now I'm back and here's my most important bit of personal news. I pitched Rachel's Wolf and Whispered Promises while at RT and will be sending BOTH to interested editors and agents in the next few days!! YAY!!!!!!!!!
I know you guys have been waiting a loooooong time for both novels and I appreciate your support and patience greatly!
As I enter this phase of the process, please keep prayers and positive thoughts lifted about the success of those stories. Goodness knows Trace & Simone and Running Wolf & Rachel have been waiting long enough.

Until next time, faithful friends!

Love and warm wishes

~Naomi
also writing as
Lydia Burton

I'M GOING TO RT!!

First off, RT!! WOOOHOOO I'm finally getting to go!! I am all extra geeked out about that.

...and, miracle of miracles I'll be pitching two full length novels that I've been working on off and on for years. I know some of you may have been tempted to give up on me ever finishing them. But don't. Because, God willing, they'll be picked up for publishing at RT and available for purchase this year.

Also, when I go to RT, I'll be pitching both novels under a different pen name. 
Why, you ask? Because my writing has changed a bit.
Historically speaking, when I write my stories, they tend to have a strong (erotic) heat level yet the stories are novellas so the characters connect quickly and what they go through is faster paced.

However, when I write under the other name, the novels are full length and the plots are quite a bit more involved. That's not to say that the heat level is gone. It isn't. But it's toned down a wee bit and when the hero and heroine are together, the scenes would be classified more as sensual than erotic.
I'm letting you guys know so that when you see, WP or RW for sale under a different name, I won't get reported for plagarizing my own work. LOL!

Well, it's back to task for me. I have tons to do before April 11th.  I'll update again as I get a chance.

~~Naomi

Thank you!!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who were such a wonderful source of support to me since the passing of my father. It has been a very challenging couple of months but your thoughts and prayers have kept me encouraged. Bless you all!
I'm on track again and diligently working on another novel (or two). Here's hoping each and every one of you are richly blessed in 2012.  Happy New Year!

 (((HUGS)))

~~Naomi

GREAT NEWS! SWORN IS OUT!!

I'm so excited to share Kayne and Asia's story with you! 

 

 

NEWLY RELEASED!!

 

Pick up your copy at www.whispershome.com, www.allromance.com, and in Kindle format at www.amazon.com!

 

Happy Reading!!

IT'S ALMOST TIME...

...to be SWORN!

I'm soooo excited! SWORN will be released tomorrow from Whispers (see www.whispershome.com). Then on March 2, 2012, it will be released in PRINT. WOOHOOO!!
Thanks to all of you who've emailed and sent me a shout out on multiply, twitter, and IMRR.  Here's a peak into Kayne and Asia's story....

The cacophony died down until only uneasy quiet

remained. Soft, dim waves of light streamed inside,

creating more shadows than not.

After a moment, Asia pushed back the tangled

mess that was her hair and stood. “Good Lord,” she

whispered, surveying the damage.

Absently smoothing her hands down her skirt,

she stepped over broken coffee mugs, ruined

paperwork, and scattered Rolodex cards. To her

right, a flickering light caught her eye.

Asia crossed the room toward it.

What she found was a

crystalline chunk of hail, nearly twice the size of

her fist, glowing from where it lay wedged under a

desk. Mesmerized, she knelt and extended a hand

to touch it.

The chunk moved.

She snatched her hand back, body tensing. She

swallowed, shook herself. “It didn’t move.” Almost

defiantly she touched the spiky object. It was cold,

very cold yet oddly pliable and definitely

not hail.

So what was it? She’d put both hands around the

object to dislodge it from under the desk, when

light blazed from within. It began to grow and

elongate. It doubled then tripled in size, taking

shape. The desk tilted backward precariously,

unable to contain it.

Asia scrambled to her feet and backed away.

She watched the thing grow a moment then, eyes

wide, bolted for the door. She’d seen enough sci'fi

to know when it was time to run. The door

slammed shut and locked the instant she reached

it, causing her to crash into it. Hot panic closed her

throat, making it impossible for her to even

scream.

She clutched the door handle jiggling it

frantically. It wouldn’t budge. “Open, damn it!”

She pounded her fists on the heavy wood, threw

her body against it, pounded some more. “Shit!”

Both the building and the parking lot had been

empty for hours, so there’d be no help coming from

that direction. Still she was tempted to try

screaming…as soon as she was able. She chanced a

glance over her shoulder but could no longer see

the thing pulsing on the floor. She yanked on the

handle again.

A tremendous crash and a brilliant flash of

white stilled her and sent her heart catapulting to

the back of her throat.

“Kai'let turat na, idy'ya dae.”

Asia froze. Her breath came in tiny hitches as

icy tendrils of fear skittered down her spine. Too

frightened to look, too frightened not to, she

stopped thinking and spun around.

This time she screamed.

*****

A man, tall and heavily muscled, stood at the

edge of the shadows sliding loose'fitting pants up

and over his bare hips. He pulled the strings taut,

tied them, then lowered his hands to his sides.

Glittering storm gray eyes regarded her from

behind a thick fall of white blond hair that stopped

at his chest. The man’s golden skin contrasted

sharply with the black scroll tattoo etched into the

right side of his neck.

The way the man stood there just staring at her

frightened Asia far more than the way

he’...formed out of an inanimate chunk of ice

and light.

Not human. Not human.

The words echoed in her mind like a mantra.



*****


I hope you enjoyed this excerpt of Sworn...

It will be available, October 7th at

www.whispershome.com

UPDATES AND GREAT NEWS!!

Hiya friends and fans! I'm thrilled to report that my novel SWORN is due to be released October 7th! YEAH!!!! It seems that every spare moment I have, I've been writing, editing and writing some more. I LOVE IT!! At this rate who knows what all I'll have ready to be released in the next few months. So keep your prayers lifted and your fingers crossed and as always, thanks for the support.  I love you guys!
:-)

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!! NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hey all!!

I was recently interviewed by the wonderful Mimi Tremont of IMRR for the imrrbookclub.com's website. I really had a good time and we laughed a lot. Check it out when you get a chance.

Also, I'm busily polishing the ending of my current novel, SWORN. It's a past lives story with an other worldly edge. I'm thinking it will be released in the next couple of months. I've posted an excerpt below. Enjoy!

.....excert from SWORN

As quickly as the storm began, it ended. The cacophony died down until only uneasy quiet remained. Dim waves of light streamed inside creating more shadows than not. After a moment, Asia pushed back the tangled mess that was her hair and stood.

“Good lord,” she breathed, surveying the damage.

To her right, a wall had been punctured in multiple places by pens and pencils that now formed an odd sort of design in the drywall. A stapler half hung out of the wall near the office door. Hail and bits of glass covered the floor in a sea of glimmering white. She shivered, knowing how lucky none of it had hit her.

Absently smoothing her hands down her skirt, she stepped over broken coffee mugs, ruined paperwork, and scattered rolodex cards.

A flickering light caught her eye and Asia crossed the room toward it. What she found was a crystalline chunk of hail, nearly twice the size of her fist, glowing from where it lay wedged under a desk. Mesmerized, she knelt and extended a hand to touch it.

The chunk moved and she snatched her hand back, body tensing. She swallowed, shook herself. “It didn’t move.” Almost defiantly she touched the spiky object. It was cold, very cold yet oddly pliable and definitely not hail. So what was it? She’d put both hands around the object to dislodge it from under the desk, when light blazed from within and it began to grow and elongate. It doubled then tripled in size, taking shape. The desk tilted backward precariously, unable to contain it.

Asia watched the thing grow a moment then scrambled to her feet and began backing away. She’d seen enough sci-fi to know when it was time run. She bolted. The office door slammed shut and locked the instant she reached it, causing her to crash bodily into it. Hot panic closed her throat, making it impossible for her to even scream.

She clutched the door handle jiggling it frantically. It wouldn’t budge. “Open, damn you!” She pounded her fists on the heavy wood, threw her body against it, pounded some more. “Shit!” She chanced a glance over her shoulder but could no longer see the thing pulsing on the floor. Eyes darting around the room she flattened her spine against the solid paneling and used the heel of her shoe to kick it as hard as she could. When nothing leaped out at her from the shadows, she turned back to the door and yanked on the handle again.

A tremendous crash and a brilliant flash of white sent her heart catapulting to the back of her throat.

“Kai-let turat na, idy-ya dae.”

Asia froze, breathing in tiny hitches as icy tendrils of fear skittered down her spine. Too frightened to look, too frightened not to, she stopped thinking and spun around.

She screamed.           

                                                                              Chapter 3

A man, tall and heavily muscled, stood at the edge of the shadows sliding loose fitting linen pants up and over his bare hips. He pulled the strings taut, tied them then lowered his hands to his sides at her scream. He went motionless, regarding her from behind a thick fall of white/blonde hair that fell to his chest. He wasn’t pale, yet his skin contrasted sharply with the black scroll tattoo etched into the right side of his neck.

The way the man stood there just staring at her, frightened Asia far more than the way he’d…formed out of an inanimate chunk of ice and light. Not human. Not human. The words echoed in her mind like a mantra. She told herself it wasn’t possible, that there was a perfectly logical explanation for what she’d just witnessed.

Everything about this defies logic and you know it. What happened, happened. Now figure out a way out of here.

As if completely unaware he’d scared the life out of her, the man padded barefoot around the room. He crouched and began lifting items from among the hail. A shirt resembling black netting. A dark knit hat. A pouch. Eyes on the ground, he went to the over turned desk and knelt. Pressing a fist against the floor, he lifted an end of the heavy oak desk with the other hand and scanned underneath it. Reaching in, he pulled out a pair of black boots.

Momentarily forgetting her fear, Asia became riveted by the rippling expanse of muscle in his broad back. The bunching and releasing of definition in his shoulders with the weight of the desk. He maneuvered and the fabric of his pants conformed to his heavy, sculpted thighs. Several inches higher the cloth molded to his incredibly tight...

 Flushing, she looked away. Had she lost her mind? Why the hell was she checking him out instead of trying to get out?

The man was huge, powerful in a way that, depending on his intentions, could either appeal to a woman or crush the life out of her and here she was gawking at him? Good grief, he wasn’t even human, just something that sort of…morphed like out of a sci-fi movie. She should be grabbing anything heavy within reach to use to defend herself.

Maybe, if she could get to the window, break the rest of the glass out and escape before the man could--No way. He’d have his hand clamped around her windpipe before she made it three steps and then what? Asia didn’t want to think about ‘then what’. Still, something about standing around waiting to be a victim didn’t sit well with her. “What are…I mean, who…are you?” she demanded.

The man stood to face her, black shirt hanging limply from a clenched fist. Lord, she wished she hadn’t said anything. His hair still partially concealed his face making him look downright menacing. Now that his attention was again on her, Asia felt her small bit of courage desert her.

I hope you've enjoyed this excerpt of SWORN.  It's due to be released in the next couple of months so keep an eye out for it.

Well, it's back to writing for me!  Have a very Happy 4th of July!

New goings on and unexpected awesomeness

Hello friends!

First off, for those of you who've never been to a chiropractor, I definitely recommend it. I went for the first time today and woo wee! Not only did he work out the kinks in the middle of my back, but he straightened out a few other problem areas as well. Now I feel sooooooooo much better!! *YEAH!*

Also I have great news! I am feverishly working on a novel that I MUST have completed by the end of May. I can't say exactly why just yet, though I'm sure you can figure it out. Wooo hooo!  I will keep you posted on that development. Once I finish it, I will be able to complete two others I've been working on for awhile.
I'll have the snowbound story ready for submission and hopefully published in time for next winter and since there have been so many demands for the completion of Whispered Promises, I will make completing it by summer, a top priority.
Speaking of writing, I'm going to get back to it. Until next time, my friends. Take care and be blessed!

Naomi~

RT and Updates

Good Morning!

I hope that wherever you are it's beautiful and promising. Here in the midwest, it's starting off to be a gorgeous day. The sun is shining, it's expected to get up to 90, and all I can think about is how much I wish I was at RT right about now. The pictures and info from friends who are there keep pouring in.  It looks like a blast! 

*SIGH OF LONGING*

I refuse to miss out next year. No matter what, I WILL be there.

I have just a couple of updates before I get out in the beauty of the day. First, I've been hybernating as I feverishly work on completing a fantasy that I'll submit for publishing in the next few weeks so keep an eye out for updates concerning it. In addition to that, I'm nearly finished with a contemporary novel I plan to submit this winter, AND I've been researching...researching...RESEARCHING so that I'll have all my notes to complete and submit my suspense novel, Night Secrets by late spring/early summer.  As you can tell, it's already been a busy spring. I'm keeping the momentum going now that I'm firmly in the 'zone'. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers ya'll, I need it.  :-)  Have a fantastic weekend!


Naomi~ 

SNOWNAMI!!!

If you were in the path of the snownami, I hope you are warm and safe and don't have to travel anywhere until the roads are clean!  I'm in the mid-west where the reported total snow accumulation for our area was 11".  Now that's not including how high the snow ended up being piled because of the high winds. Snow drifts were much MUCH higher than that.  I only shoveled one side of my driveway earlier today and I feel like I've been lifting weights. LOL. Please friends, be safe and stay indoors if you can. Peace and Love to all!

Naomi~

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND THANK YOU!

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your comments/feedback and support on The Bride and The Barbarian. For the fans of TB & TB, there WILL be a book two. Having said that, I hate to tease so I'll only say this: It will be Deena's story and quite a bit longer. However, Thedan and Zora's parts in her story are key. I am in the plotting stages of it while completeing two other novels so it will be awhile before it's finished. 
Again, thanks everyone and I'll update soon. :-)  

Naomi~

Sweeping Away the Cobwebs...

Hello to my faithful friends, fellow writers and readers all....

Every so often (more often than I care to admit) I have taken a sabbatical to sweep away the cobwebs blocking my creativity. Through life occurrences, dry spells, and periods of no internet (gasp!) I have finally managed to return, this time to stay and with some exciting news! My short entitled, The Bride and The Barbarian, will be released with Whispers Publishing on December 11th! :-)

I hope you enjoy the blurb I have included and check out TB & TB when it comes out. Happy reading!


THE BRIDE AND THE BARBARIAN

An unexpected gift

After a fire destroyed her home and her fiancé abandoned her, Zora Austin did all she could to piece her life back together and forget the Christmas wedding she’d always longed to have. More than a year later she is doing well. Then a day spent at a late Autumn festival takes a turn when a strange vendor lures her into accepting a gift. A crystal containing a tiny medieval warlord. Inexplicably compelled, Zora takes the figurine home with her. The moment her fingertips glide across the top, she is pulled into the crystal and into the barbarian’s very real embrace.



An awaited reprieve

Before the spirited beauty in the bridal gown tumbled into his arms and subsequently freed him, highland warlord, Thedan the Dark had known only a thirst for vengeance and a fierce longing for that which he’d been too long denied…his foretold bride. Convincing her that she is his might be difficult. Finding a way to keep the crystal from reclaiming him for all time may prove impossible. Still, if he can escape the power of the curse, will he choose long awaited vengeance or a new life with his bride in a world so different from all he’d known?


THE BRIDE AND THE BARBARIAN COMING SOON!!

http://www.whispershome.com/

As Promised!

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.

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

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

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

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'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.

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