Sha Renée's Blog

Recently, I realized that like many others, I’d been placing very little focus on self-care. Not to be confused with self-indulgence, self-care is a conscious act a person takes in order to promote their own physical, mental, and emotional health. Once I’d made a decision to prioritize caring for myself, I purchased a self-care journal for ideas, and so I could plan and actually remember to put these ideas into practice. 

One of the activities suggested in the book is “try a new activity”. So I did. On a whim, I picked up some paintbrushes, a bunch of purty paint colors and some canvases. My plan was to just apply the paint to the canvas and see what happens. 

Now mind you, up until this point in my life, my artistic ability had consisted of stick figures and weird-looking trees. So I decided to really try something new. Instead of painting a tree from an image in my mind of how I thought trees generally looked, I took the time to examine images of trees – photos on the internet, photos that I had taken and stored on my phone and trees right outside my window. Then I painted what I saw – with the image literally right next to my work area. The result wasn’t beautiful. But after doing it a few times, the images I painted looked less and less hideous – at least to me.

Over time, I found that not only do I really enjoy painting but that my creations weren’t too bad. I kept at it for several months – painting almost every day, and my results have gone from creating paintings that I hate (some of which I have literally tossed into the trash) – to creating paintings that are pretty darn amazing (hell yeah, they are).  

I’m far from a professional artist at this point, but who knows? someday I might have my work hanging in a fancy-schmancy gallery with some sophisticated wealthy folks standing around saying, things like, “Daaahrling, I simply must have this piece in my sitting room.” Hey, you never know, right?

If you’ve been neglecting self-care, here are some activities you can try. Or simply spend some time looking at my art. Not only have studies shown that viewing art decreases stress levels and helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, but it also triggers the same pleasurable physical response as when we fall in love.

so go ahead. Click here to make your eyes, your mind and your heart happy.

Do me a solid and “like” this post, leave a comment and share it. It’ll make my eyes happy!

“Hey, guys! Today I’m gonna show you how to make a perfect cup of coffee.”

I’m not really going to explain how to get great tasting coffee, today. You can read about that here. That was actually – Layla the lead female of my work-in-progress, Off Base, pretending to make a YouTube video. I’m excited because I’ve just completed another chapter. Just a few more chapters and I’ll be done… with the first draft. I’m trying to have it finished super quickly because I may be having surgery on my wrist soon. I recently shared this update… Oh right, you probably want more of this scene first. It’s the first draft, so it’s unedited. That means A- it’s not perfect, and B- it may change.

Here you go:

[image error]“Hey, guys! Today I’m gonna show you how to make a perfect cup of coffee.” You can make it for yourself to enjoy by the fireplace. Or make it for your Boo to butter him up so he can do that thing you love for him to do. But before we get started, please like, subscribe and comment below.” In a fake southern accent, Layla addresses a pretend video audience. I crack up when she exaggerates a wink at me at the mention of buttering up one’s Boo. Even though she’s being goofy, her natural teaching skills are evident as she speaks with confidence and injects personality and humor. I wonder if she misses teaching at NAS Training, where she was an instructor when we first met. Of course, I didn’t know that when I fell in love with her. It was a difficult time for us, being forced to end our relationship because of military regulations, but we’re together now, and that’s what counts.

“So in order to get great-tasting coffee, you need to start with a clean coffee machine. She holds up a bottle of vinegar in front of a make-believe camera. “Use a mix of vinegar and water to remove the gunk that’s been festering inside. Deep inside. Deep, deep inside. Mmm.” She closes her eyes and flashes a sensuous smile, followed by winks, nods and smoochy lip puckers as if she’s on one of our sexy video chats.

I burst into laughter. “That ought to get you a million followers.”

She laughs with me, then lowers one shoulder of the oversized tee-shirt she swiped from my drawer.

“Whoa, you just got another million followers.”

She lifts the tee-shirt to reveal brightly multicolored lace panties and gyrates her hips seductively.

“I don’t believe it. Did you tie-dye your panties?”

She laughs again. “Why, yes. Yes, I did.”

“Oh my God. You just broke the internet.”

I could watch Layla all day and never grow tired of her silly antics or her seductive moves. I know every inch of her body and she knows mine. I know what makes her laugh, what makes her afraid and I definitely know what makes her angry. She’s getting better at communicating with me and sharing her feelings. We’ve had some conversations during which she’s really opened up and shared her feelings, but the one topic she doesn’t like discussing is her past. Well, any past. She enjoys hearing stories of my childhood, my teen years and the like. But when I bring up any of our past relationships, it’s Can we just focus on us and worry about all that past later?

And of course, I give her what she wants. After all, she gives me what I want. Herself. Here, with me. She’s all I want. All I need. All I crave.

“Do you want some, Lieutenant?” Her sweet voice brings me to the here and now.

“Yes. I definitely want some.” I move close, stand directly behind her. With my hands on the countertop on either side of her, pinning her in place, I kiss the back of her neck. “But I’m not referring to coffee.” She tilts her head forward and then to the side, granting me access to explore as I please.

“So what exactly do you want?”

“You.”

“Could you be a little more specific?”

“I want to touch you.” I continue the kisses along her neck, lifting her hair up and to one side.

“Well, I’m in charge today. We play by my rules.”

“Oh Really? And what does that mean? Do I have to ask permission?”

“Ya damn skippy.”

I laugh. “But I outrank you.”

“We’re off base, Lieutenant. The rules are different here.”

“Is that right?”

“Yep.”

“Whatever you say, Ensign.” I place one hand gently on her waist while my other teases the hem of her tee-shirt, without making contact with her skin. My body is aching for her, and when she pushes her ass against the erection she knows is craving her attention, she confirms her longing for my touch as well.

“Can I touch you?”

“Where’s your military courtesy?”

“Forgive me. Respectfully request permission to touch you, Ensign Matthews.”

“Permission granted.”

I grab her waist with both hands and guide her to the kitchen table, pushing gently on her back, so she’s leaning forward and supporting her weight with her hands. Reaching under her tee-shirt, I slowly pull her panties down, letting them fall to her ankles before lowering the front of my sweats enough to release my cock. Positioning myself near her entrance, I rub against her, back and forth. Teasing.

She turns her head slightly, revealing one side of a sly grin. “I only gave you permission to touch me, Lieutenant. Nothing else.”

“You’re right. I should stop.”

“Don’t you dare.” By now she’s moaning softly and pushing her ass against me, begging me with her body.

I laugh and kiss the small of her back, caress her cheeks and give each one a squeeze before reaching up to grab a fistful of her hair. “Request permission to fuck you, Ma’am.”

She answers immediately. Breathless. “Permission granted.”

“Hold on tight.”

I try to ignore the sound of the doorbell fighting for my attention, but it rings again. And again. And again. Shit. I pull my pants up and go to the front door ready to blast whoever it is who’s ruined what promised to be an amazing fuck on the kitchen table. Layla follows, adjusting her clothes behind me as I open the door.

Dread, anger and resentment immediately cause bile to rise from my gut and form a lump in my throat. The blood in my veins runs hot and my chest heaves with each breath of fury. My suspicions swell as I stare in disbelief at the woman in my doorway – the star of my personal nightmare.

Now back to me… So I had my MRI today – for my wrist, but my whole body was in the thing…at least I think so… my eyes were closed the entire time. The technician said not to move at all, so I figured blinking would be moving. It was not fun. I was in the machine for about half an hour, and even though I had earplugs in and headphones on playing Sirrius satellite radio (provided by the technician), it still sounded like someone dropped me in the middle of a construction site. I meet with the hand specialist again on Wednesday, so I guess that’s when I’ll find out if and when my hand will be immobilized. Bring on the royal bathers! (can you guess the movie?)

Can I finish my book by then? I’ve got 5 or 6 more chapters to complete my first draft. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Wish me luck.

More details about Off Base
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Read about the start of Layla and Ethan’s relationship in book 1, Forbidden Kisses

Uniforms & Lingerie features interviews with military service members and veterans who share their relationship experiences while serving our country. Some of these stories have happy endings. Some of them don’t. But they’re real. Make sure you’re following my blog to hear all the stories our service members and veterans have agreed to share. Today, we’ll hear from Kayelle Allen, US Navy Veteran who is now a romance author.

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Your military service

[image error]What did you do?

I was an Avionics Technician (AT) in the US Navy, a “tweet”. I fixed TACAN (tactical air navigation), which is the equipment pilots use to get from point A to B. For the first half of my tour, I removed non-working black boxes from the plane and replaced them with working ones. During the second half, I worked in the facility where the Navy sent those boxes. We followed a script to troubleshoot and fix, then ship back. If we couldn’t fix them, we forwarded them to a more advanced facility.

Describe your typical day.

During the first half of my tour, I worked in a squadron. I’d go in at 0700 and get off at 1500 (7 am to 3 pm), five days a week. Occasionally an inspection or event occurred outside those hours. Most of the day consisted of waiting for something to break. Believe me, that gets boring. In my shop, we kept busy with training or cleaning, but the days were long. The advantage was I got to know people I worked with. We had plenty of time to talk. In my time, women did not go aboard ship, so although I visited the one my husband was assigned to, I never served at sea.

Your military romance

Tell us about that special guy.

When I was assigned to my first duty station in Memphis, I was told there were 400 men to every woman on the base. I dated one person and had a nice time, but then I meant the man I eventually married and never had an interest in anyone else.

We met in training right after boot camp. He had noticed me, and told me much later that when he saw me, he knew instantly I was “the one.”

By chance, we joined the Navy on the same day, which meant we got out the same day too. He was from Alaska and I was from Nevada, so not sure we’d have ever met otherwise. We were born three days apart and had a great deal in common.

What was his job?

He was an aviation hydraulics repair tech (AH) a “bubble chaser”. He worked on anything having to do with hydraulics and frequently came home smelling of gear lube and hydraulic fluid.

How did you two meet?

We had both been assigned to NAS Millington just outside Memphis, TN. We had an on-base orientation class together. He was sitting all the way in the back, but I was in the front row. I had been issued Navy glasses and had broken them the day before. I sat up front so I could see. I had no idea who else was in the room. It was about half the day, and I was in and out of there fast. He saw me walking on the base that weekend, and said, “Hello, Beautiful.” I was not impressed, and responded, “What did you call me?” as if he’d said something unkind. LOL He restated it to something less “pick-up” and started walking beside me. I was thinking, “Who is this guy?” but when he asked where I was headed, I told him I was going to the Navy Exchange, and if he wanted to go with me, I’d buy him a Coke.

He had no idea this was a test. If he’d responded that he’d buy me one instead and been macho about it, I’d have dropped him without a second thought. I was on my own, excited and proud to be in the military, at my first duty station, and I was not going to have anything to do with a man who didn’t respect me. But he gave me a measuring look, and then said, “Sure.” I can still picture us sitting in that little café, talking, drinking soda out of paper cups. I never dated anyone else. He finished training a few months before I did and was sent to San Diego. I was fortunate to be stationed in the same city.

What attracted you to him?

Two things. He respected and listened to me, and he had a great sense of humor. He found ways to do things for me that were small but meaningful. Like bringing me a handful of daisies he’d picked. He could have gotten roses and been all dashing about it, but instead, he offered me simple things in a way that was just charming.

What was it like when you first started dating?

Once, he was supposed to pick up a rental car so we could drive into Memphis. He was late picking me up, and I was starting to get irritated, but I noticed he was walking across a big field toward me. He had his hands in front of him and was turning them back and forth. I had no idea what this crazy man was doing, but I waited for him. When he reached me, he was making “vroom vroom” noises, and he was miming driving a car. He told me the cars had been sold out, so he was picking me up in his “foot car.” I pretended to go around, get in, and off we went, walking, making new plans for the evening.

What was your married life like in the military?

We were like any married, working couple. We got up, got dressed, kissed, and went out the door to separate duty stations. We lived in San Diego, CA. He was stationed at NAS Coronado, and I was at NAS Miramar. I had gone to see a counselor about a situation at work and liked his style. One time when hubby and I argued, I mentioned it, and the counselor suggested that next time, I bring my spouse. What that man taught us was how to fight. We learned we would always disagree. That was natural. But, if you know how to express disagreement without resorting to yelling at one another, it’s far more peaceful. That’s true in any relationship. Knowing how to express what you’re feeling and being willing to listen to how the other person feels can keep you in step, both in and out of military life. It’s kept ours going strong for forty-six years. I’m sure that counselor would be proud. And knowing us, more than a little surprised.

In what ways is a relationship in the military different from one in civilian life?

We had no choice about quitting. If you didn’t like where you were assigned, it was just tough. You went where you were ordered. You could leave a civilian job if you didn’t want a transfer, but we were stuck. Which is why we both left the service after the first tour. One of us was going to Japan and the other to the Bahamas, and neither of us could go with the other if one of us got out. We felt that was no way to raise a family. Being married in the military is more of a sacrifice than most people realize.

Are there benefits in military relationships that may not apply to those in civilian life?

We understand each other in ways a civilian or military/civilian partnership can’t. During events where veterans are asked to identify themselves (Veteran’s Day, etc.). I’m always proud to stand. I love that my husband is beside me. Another plus is we both have medical benefits through the VA. My husband has a service-connected disability and receives a pension. But more than that, we’re proud we served together. It’s an honor neither of us takes lightly.

What challenges do you face in military relationships that may not apply to those in civilian life?

You can’t change jobs to be with a spouse who gets a job in a new city. You do what’s good for the military, not you.

Was there a time during your relationship when you had to be separated?

We hated the thought of being separated. We got married to be together. We did our duty, but we decided we’d rather be together than end up serving apart. Because we’d joined the same day (not knowing each other) we were getting out the same time. To be together, we ended our enlistment.

Any regrets?

No. As my husband often counsels, “Don’t look back. You’re not headed in that direction.” Full speed ahead.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your relationship?

We met in Memphis in July and married in December. A whirlwind courtship that spun into a lifelong partnership.

I was released from the service one month early because I was pregnant. When hubby got out, we transitioned into civilian life expecting a new baby. Not easy, but oh so worth it.

Your writing
A Stolen Heart

Release date May 11, 2020

[image error]An abandoned half-human child. An immortal warrior whose villainous past keeps him in hiding. Two monsters in need of a family…

A Stolen Heart transports science fiction fans to the fantastic Tarthian Empire in the distant future; a wealthy but deliciously seedy corner of the galaxy. Here, powerful immortals comingle with genetically-enhanced humans and animals, aliens and androids, conspiracies abound, and secret societies are commonplace.

After rescuing a half-alien / half-human child who’s running for his life on the planet Kelthia, a glorified space pirate turned entrepreneur named Luc Saint-Cyr stumbles onto a conspiracy at the highest levels of the powerful Thieves’ Guild.

Complicating matters, the king–Luc’s immortal ex–might be involved.

As if that’s not enough, an unseen enemy is undoing every good thing Luc accomplishes.

But, when it comes time to give up the child to a family who can adopt him, how will Luc bear to part with the adorable little boy who has stolen his heart?

A standalone novel in the Antonello Brothers series.

Watch the Antonello Brothers Series Video

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Preorder A Stolen Heart on Amazon (Free on Kindle Unlimited)
Can’t wait? Review now on Story Origin or BookSprout.
Kayelle Allen: Art, Sci-Fi, Space Opera, Romance
Kayelle Allen writes science fiction and space opera with larger than life, unforgettable characters. Come walk in her worlds and meet her misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, immortal gamers, and warriors who purr.
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Thank you for sharing your story with us, Kayelle, and thank you for your service!

With the recent mandates to stay at home and maintain social distancing, you may be wondering what the Coronavirus pandemic means for your sex lives. Here are the answers to some of the questions you may have regarding sex and COVID-19.*

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Is COVID-19 sexually transmissible?

There hasn’t been evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted via intercourse.  It’s primarily spread through respiratory droplets. Touching contaminated surfaces is believed to be the secondary mode of transmission. However, it’s common for couples to kiss during sex. So since the virus can be transmitted via saliva, if either of you is experiencing symptoms, you should steer clear of each other as much as possible – unless you’re planning on wearing a mask during sex.

Is it safe to have sex during the coronavirus outbreak?

If you’re married or live with a regular sexual partner and you don’t have any symptoms or likely exposure, then you have the green light. Since you should be staying home anyway, sex is a great way to have fun, stay connected and relieve anxiety during this potentially stressful time. However if one of you is displaying symptoms of coronavirus then you should maintain your social-distancing and isolate, even within your home.

What if we don’t live in the same house?

Then stay home. Drop off groceries, supplies, or meds to your sweetie if necessary and keep it moving – no matter how hot he or she looks in those flannel working-from-home pajamas. If you choose to stay for a little nookie, know that you could potentially be putting yourself, your partner or others at risk.

Best bet is to video chat.** Try a little video sex or phone sex. Send steamy emails.** Take turns reading a scene from a steamy novel*** or make up a sexy story together.

What about new partners?

Right now we’re encouraged to stay home as much as possible and only interact with people for things that are essential, like groceries or medicine. When we do, we’re to try to keep a physical distance of about 6 feet from other people. So now is not the time to start dating someone new or have sex with new partners.

*I’m not a doctor, don’t work for CDC or WHO and I’m not a sex expert. I’m a Romance author and I share what I know and what I find via research. Check these out:

Sexy info

More sexy info

**Play at your own risk. I’m no techie so I don’t know how safe it is to send graphic emails or be naked on camera doing happy-naughty-sexy-fun. If you feel comfortable doing it and trust that these won’t end up in the wrong hands or before the wrong eyes, or you’re confident you’ll never run for public office or enter the Miss Universe pageant, then go for it.

***Steamy read-together

“You sound like some religious, holier-than-thou, curb-your-sexual-appetite, know-it-all.” Layla picked up her overnight bag and began grabbing her belongings.

“I’m not speaking from a religious point of view. I’m speaking as an officer in the Navy.”

“Whatever.” She stuffed items into her bag.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re an officer in the Navy. Figure it out.” She stomped to the door.

“You can’t leave now. It’s late and you’ve had a lot to drink.” In a few long strides, I was behind her.

“I can do whatever I damn well please.” She reached for the knob and pulled the door open, but I threw my hand onto the cool steel and slammed it shut. “You’re not driving. Not at this hour.”

“You don’t outrank me in our relationship, Ethan. You can’t tell me what to do.” Indignation soaked her words.

“Actually, I can.”

“What, you’re pulling rank?”

I tried to maintain composure. “This is not about rank. This is about safety. You’re acting out of emotion and behaving irresponsibly—”

“So now I’m irresponsible? Don’t treat me like a child!”

“Then don’t act like one!”

The sting of her hand striking my face caught me by surprise. “You gonna write me up for that, Lieutenant?”

“Not this time.” I wiped the tears that were streaming down her cheeks. Whether they were tears of anger or pain, it hurt me to see them, especially since I’d caused them.

She leaned her face into the palm of my hand, and the familiar heat flowed through me. I wanted to comfort her. I wanted to make love to her. But I also wanted to get away, so I wouldn’t be tempted to taste her. All my talk of being strong fell flat, however. I was weak.

At the same moment I gave in to my desire, she claimed it. She kissed me so soft and sweet, I could swear that I was floating, flying, drowning. She was mine, and I loved her.

I returned her kiss with all the passion I had, but it was mixed with pain. Aching, searing agony—it was ripping me apart. Being in her arms was the only thing holding me together. Fuck being strong. I lifted her, carried her to the bed, and lay her down gently. After peeling off our clothes, I lost myself in her sweetness. I sank deeper as if I was melting into her and a throaty moan escaped. “Shit, Layla. You feel like Heaven.”

In a desperate attempt to extinguish my sorrow and hers with each bittersweet thrust, I clung to her tightly. She returned the act of desperation. Her silky heat surrounded me, causing the most exquisite pleasure to consume my body. She ground her softness into my hardness matching my rhythm as if trying to become one physically with me. Her slow, rhythmic undulations milked and squeezed repeatedly, until every fiber of my being ached for release.

Heavy breathing and melodic sighs echoed around us, increasing in fervor with each desperate stroke.

“Right there, Baby. Right there.” Her eyes locked on mine as her body tensed and she clutched me tightly. Her muscles contracted around me, and sweet moans became loud cries. I thrust even deeper, grunting between clenched teeth. “Oh, God.” My pace increased, and with each stroke, I pushed deeper, rocking, grinding my hips. I couldn’t get enough. Drenched in her sweetness, I fucked her with a frenzy meant to purge the pain and sorrow that consumed me. Agony and pleasure coexisted as wave after wave tore through my body. With uncontrollable grunts and groans, I whispered her name as I resolved to let her go. Read more!

Real-life Military Romance

Uniforms & Lingerie features interviews with military service members and veterans who share their relationship experiences while serving our country. Some of these stories have happy endings. Some of them don’t. But they’re real. Click here to read some of the stories our service members and veterans have agreed to share.

 

Don’t forget to follow this blog for more romantic and racy reading!

Uniforms & Lingerie features interviews with military service members and veterans who share their relationship experiences while serving our country. Some of these stories have happy endings. Some of them don’t. But they’re real. Make sure you’re following my blog to hear all the stories our service members and veterans have agreed to share. Today, we’ll hear from author Sherry Terry who served in the US Navy as an Aviation Storekeeper.

Sherry’s Story
[image error]Let’s talk Military

In which branch did you serve?

I served in the US Navy from 1980 to 1984 with an honorable discharge. I spent my whole enlistment at the same base. Miramar in San Diego, California. Back then it was a Naval Aviation Base, and the Marines guarded the front gate. Now, it’s a Marine Corps base.

What did you do?

I was an Aviation Storekeeper. I ordered supplies for personnel and parts for the jets in an F-14 (fighter jet) squadron and an E-2 (radar plane) squadron.

I would teletype an order for a tool or a plane part to the supply squadron. I inventoried incoming and outgoing jets, kept up with what parts were being switched to which jet, and coordinated the acquisition of day-to-day office supplies needed for 5,000 people.

 

Let’s talk Romance

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Which of you was in the military, you, your partner or both?

Both. I was in the Navy, and he was in the Marines.

How did you meet?

I went out drinking with friends, and we ended up spending the night at a civilian friend’s house. The following morning, I met Mark. He had also spent the night, but with the girl’s roommate, whom he’d been dating. We talked for a while and he ended up giving me a ride back to the base. Along the way, we stopped at Taco Bell where we talked some more and he bought me something to eat. He never went back to the civilian girl he’d been dating.

When did you see him next?

We were stationed on the same base. His assignment was guard duty at the front gate, checking ID’s of everyone who came on and off the base. One day as I was entering the base, he was on duty. He asked me to pull over, so we could talk, which I did. He had to keep running back to check ID’s as cars approached the gate. It was exciting because he was breaking the rules by talking to me while on duty. Eventually, he asked me out.

What attracted you to him?

He was nice looking and he treated me well. He had a truck – which meant freedom from the base. And the fact that he carried a gun was hot. This was in the early 1980’s – a lot different than today.

How did you become close?

We started spending a lot of time together. He snuck me into his barracks, which was off-limits to females back then. I thought it was cool, but we panicked, so I ended up only staying a few minutes.

We never really had much money, so we didn’t do a whole lot. We spent time with my friends. We went out to dinner or spent time hanging out in my barracks, which allowed male and female visitors. We drank. A lot. Everyone did.

I worked days, and he worked nights which didn’t leave a lot of time to be together. He would come to see me before he had to go to work. We did get to spend weekends together, so sometimes we’d get a hotel room, get something to eat, watch TV and just spend time alone together, which was a treat.

About a year later, he looked at me one day and asked, “Do you want to get married?” I said yes and I think we were married 3 days later. I almost forgot to inform my parents. It wasn’t a big affair – just a few of our friends and that was it. I wore a borrowed dress. The best part was that we had our own place off base.

What was it like being married to another service member?

It made things easier when it was time to go to work or when one of us had to leave on a detachment for a few days or weeks. We both knew, when it’s time to go, you have to go.

In what ways was your relationship different than one in civilian life?

The military had total control of our lives – when we worked, how much money we made and where we could live.

Were there benefits to a military relationship that you may not have experienced as a civilian?

Job security. We knew we both had jobs we couldn’t lose.

What are some of the challenges you faced that you may not have experienced as a civilian?

The forced separation. The military separated us pretty soon after we got married. Mark got orders to North Carolina while I had to stay in San Diego. We had to give up our apartment. We put everything into storage, and I moved back onto the base.

He dropped me off at the last moment so we could spend as much time together as possible.  My heart broke watching his taillights disappear as he drove away. It felt like I would never see him again.

How long was this separation?

I think 6 months. We were not back together very long when he was sent to Germany for 2-years.

How did you keep in touch while he was away?

We didn’t have cell-phones back then. We didn’t have email, computers, or any of that stuff. It was expensive to talk long-distance on the phone, so we only spoke to each other about once a week.

How did the separation affect your relationship?

It’s difficult for a marriage to survive separation in its crucial early stages. Our marriage suffered since we hardly spent any time together and had limited communication.  As a result, we ended up divorcing when we got out of the military.

Thank you for your service and for sharing your story.

Sherry Terry lives on Red Bulls and sarcasm. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, she put herself through college and worked as a Radiology Technologist for almost twenty years before giving it all up to become a bum. After raising two kids, a few dogs, a cat or two, and a goose all by herself, she now resides in a tiny town in Texas with her hermaphroditic cat named Hermy. Her blog is dedicated to helping aspiring writers become successful authors, and she spends most of her time writing the next greatest romantic novel to hit the market.

Books by Sherry Terry

Voyeur in the Mist

Release Date: 2017

Some women dream of flowers, of romance. Susan isn’t one of those women. Her secret dream is to be watched through her bedroom window. She tries her best to hide her desire, but her inner exhibitionist wants out. A chance encounter at the Dentist’s office might just be what Susan needs to finally get what she has always dreamed about. Now all she has to do is to convince the mysterious man to help her.

Justin’s life as a molecular biologist is on the fast-track to a promising future. He enjoys his quiet life, dating no one in particular, but that all changes when he bumps into a pretty young woman with kinky sexual ideas, that skirt the law. Her exciting inclinations arouse him, filling him with an undeniable urge to join in her escapades.

Will they risk everything for an exciting sex life or play it safe?

Get your copy here

The Cocky Stranger

Release Date: 2019

Sharon isn’t sure she can move on once the divorce papers are signed until the cocky stranger with an umbrella saves her.

Get your copy here
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As you probably know, I write Military Romance. So I thought it’d be interesting to get a look at some real-life military romances. My new blog feature From Uniforms to Lingerie will feature interviews with actual military service members and veterans who’ll share their relationship experiences while serving our country. Some of these stories have happy endings. Some of them don’t. But they are real. Make sure you’re following my blog to hear all the stories our service members and veterans have agreed to share.

Today, we’ll hear from a US Army Counterintelligence Officer.

Regan’s Story
Tell us about your military life…
[image error]At Command & General Staff College, Sep 1990

In which branch did you serve?

US Army. I was one of the first one hundred fourteen women commissioned from ROTC in 1976, and as a Distinguished Military Graduate, was one of the few ROTC grads who actually received our first choice of specialty. We were not placed in the Women’s Army Corps, but directly into the various branches, as WAC was being gradually disbanded.

What did you do?

I was a Counterintelligence (CI) Special Agent officer.

My job entailed a lot of interviews. For me, that meant getting a conversation going, then just listening. I found that people will tell you anything if you don’t emotionally react to it, and I mean very, very personal information.

Over the years, both as a CI agent and in general conversation, I’ve had people feel so comfortable that they told me some truly hair-raising stuff, all because I stayed so calm. It did mean I never, ever got a simple, clean personnel security investigation–everyone decided I was Ann Landers and fessed up to all sorts of stuff. Same thing when running investigative interviews — even when I had to stop people and read them their rights, they still wanted to tell me everything.

One did mention once that I must have been surprised by something he said because my left eyebrow “went all Mr. Spock,” but apparently just letting them talk as though we were just chatting and then drawing out the salient details really works.

It sure made for long interview reports, though.

Describe your typical day.

Military Intelligence (MI) officers didn’t have “typical” days, and CI officers in particular could rarely predict what the next day would bring. For example, as a CI Field Office Commander, I could expect to come in before the rest of the office to ensure nothing from the previous day had fallen through the cracks.

After that I Consulted with my Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) on the day’s duty assignments, if a new issue needed a more experienced CI agent reassigned to it, fielded any phone calls from higher (to keep them off my agents’ backs), read through and signed off on daily reports, reports of Investigation, status reports, etc.

Then I headed out to meet/schmooze/brief the units for whom I was responsible. Every agent in my office had covering agent responsibilities, including me and the NCOIC.

Sometimes I had to track down the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) agents to share information. As I came in their front door, they’d run out the back, in case I was bringing classified info or otherwise sharing some “icky, gray area puzzle stuff.” CID liked their cases simple and straightforward, and Counterintelligence is never, ever simple or straight forward. We learned to put me in the front door and my NCOIC (the faster runner) at their back door to intercept. With terrorism the big thing in Europe at the time, they finally got better.

Tell us about your romantic relationship in the military

Which of you was in the military, you, your partner or both?

Both.

Did you meet while serving or was one of you already in the military when you met?

We were both serving.

How did you two meet?

Upon arrival at Fort Huachuca, AZ, I ran into a Second Lieutenant who promptly informed me I was out of uniform.

He was correct; my ROTC-provided uniform hat did not have the gold officer’s band on it, which I bought and sewed on that evening. Turns out he was in the Officer Basic Course ahead of me, and also from Texas, being trained as an Imagery Interpreter officer.

Rodney and I lived a few doors apart in the Bachelor Officer Quarters (BOQ) and occasionally hung out with a group of lieutenants. He knew how to cook about four good dishes, so he’d invite the female officers on our BOQ floor to dinner, then not have to cook for at least a week, as he’d get fed in return. When I showed up, I joined the foodie group, and we all got to know each other fairly well.

At this point had he shown interest in hanging out with just you?

Not just me separately. But that changed the day he got a special package in the mail. Being all excited about it, he wanted to share with someone, but there was literally no one else in the building and he heard me playing my piano. (Yes, I had a baby grand piano in my BOQ room, which was more than big enough for it.) When I answered the door, he excitedly said, “Wanna go shoot my Freon-powered BB machine gun?”

“Oh, hell, yes!” And off we went into the Huachuca Mountains, where we laid waste to paper bags and weeds until we ran out of Freon and BBs.

How did you feel about him at this time? Had there been any romantic interest or was it still just platonic?

All summer, we hung out as good buddies, spending time hiking the Huachuca Mountains, going to Tucson for movies, followed by nachos at the Chelsea Street Pub, and sitting around chatting. But things changed on Labor Day weekend. As we watched the Jerry Lewis marathon, he leaned over and kissed me… softly, gently, a little exploratory. I was surprised at first but returned the kiss. Things progressed from there rather intensely right until the day he graduated and he left for Fort Hood.

How did you feel about this?

I was bummed — discovered real fast I really missed him. Our relationship soon consisted of very expensive long-distance phone calls.

Check out one of our songs: Oh How I Miss You Tonight 

One evening, he said the phone calls were killing us both financially, and maybe we should arrange to be posted to the same location — maybe we should get married. I thought that was a very good idea, so instead of moving forward with my upcoming posting to Fort Bragg, NC, I started the process of changing over to Fort Hood.

After a lot of phone calls to MI Branch, I made it to Hood. As officers in the first Combat Electronic Warfare Intelligence (CEWI) Battalion, I was the division Special Security Officer and battalion S-2. He was a platoon leader in the Ground Surveillance Radar and Unattended Ground Sensor company.

How did you feel upon reuniting with Rodney at Fort Hood? Were there butterflies? Was it awkward being together again?

We felt relieved that we were back together and no longer having such huge long-distance phone bills. No butterflies, just passion, and never a speck of awkwardness.

We got married on 19 Feb 1977, one of the first married officer couples in the 2nd Armored Division.

What was your marriage like as service members?

As newlyweds, we were as hot and passionate as any other newlyweds.

Sometimes we were stationed in the same place, and sometimes we were not. On the upside, we had different specialties, so we did not compete for assignments. On the downside, that meant we sometimes had geographically separate assignments, but they rarely lasted all that long.

As time went on, we got thoroughly comfortable with each other, to the point of finishing each other’s sentences, laughing uncontrollably over the tiniest little bit of inside humor, and holding entire conversations using only movie quotes, or a blend of all the languages we both spoke. Other military personnel thought we were speaking in “MI code.” We never told them otherwise.

In what ways is a relationship in the military different than one in civilian life?

How many civilian marriages are subject to sudden deployments into combat zones? That’s a major difference. One or both of us could find ourselves on the tarmac, waiting for transport into one of the world’s more unpleasant locales, on a few hours’ notice. So we had to have plans in place at all times for someone to care for our cats, someone to secure our belongings, which national/veterans’ cemetery we wanted to lie in, which survivors got what, etc. Those plans had to be updated with every change in our lives. It means we have no sympathy for people who think they can wait to write a will. Seen the ugly results too many times, both in military and civilian life.

Are there advantages to military relationships that may not apply to those in civilian life?

We got to travel a lot that we would likely never have done as civilians. By living in overseas locales, we could take trips we could not have afforded from the US. We met government officials and private civilians from other nations we likely would never have met, had we not been in the military.

Because the military posted us to interesting locations, we were able to scuba dive in Italy, sail the Caribbean, ski in six countries, take boat trips up and down several rivers, visit active and dormant volcanoes, visit castles, mansions and Roman fortifications, explore a giant salt mine and several gold mines, see concerts, plays and musicals in classic theaters, attend Renaissance festivals and walk historic battlegrounds.

With both of us serving, Rodney and I understood unit dynamics and personnel relationships that civilian spouses may not, which ensured neither of us was jealous of the time spent with other military personnel, male or female. To this day, my best friend is a guy I met after I was engaged. We clicked as buddies. (My husband is not my best friend – he’s far closer and more intimate than a friend and always shall be.) Both of us have military buddies of the opposite sex, and frankly, they are closer to us than family or any of our civilian friends.

What challenges did you face in your marriage that may not apply to those in civilian life?

The Army did not care if you were married – the needs of the Army superseded everything. When the Army needed one of us in a certain location/assignment, the other might not get an assignment there, so we had a separation. We had a very healthy letter writing thing going, and regular phone calls, so we did okay. Keeping the finances sorted was a bit of effort, but we cooperated on that and never encountered a serious issue.

He’d been taught to cook and clean growing up, so he had no weird notions about what was “women’s work.” We split the household, lawn & garden, and preventive maintenance/repair duties fairly evenly over time.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

After proposing, Rodney invited me to meet his folks at Thanksgiving. I flew into Austin, where he met me. We went to Zale’s and picked out engagement and wedding bands, then went to dinner at a steakhouse. We were even dressed up—me in a dress (I really hate dresses) and he in a new suede jacket, an early Christmas present from his mom.

After a lovely meal, we were the only couple left in that immediate area. Only a woman bussing the adjacent table was in the section.

Rodney reached across the table, took my hand, and looked directly into my eyes. He formally asked me to marry him, even though we already had the understanding (thank you, Ma Bell) and the rings. Of course, I said yes, and he placed the engagement ring on my finger.

Then he smiled and said, “Wow. Isn’t this romantic? We’ve had a nice meal and a lovely bottle of wine, I just proposed, put the ring on your finger, and my elbow’s in the butter.”

Yep. His brand new suede jacket elbow was firmly planted in a butter pat. I broke up laughing, the lady bussing the table almost fell over it laughing, and people peeked around the corner to see what all the hilarity was about.

His mom wasn’t so amused about the permanent stain in that jacket elbow. But for us, butter has become a running joke and part of our romance.

[image error]We celebrated our 43rd anniversary on 19 Feb 2020. That’s one long romantic relationship, ranging from military to retired old farts.

And we still think butter is romantic.

Is there a song that has special significance for the two of you?

Home Free’s cover of Helplessly Hoping 

Oh How I Miss You Tonight

Regan Smith is a native Texan from the Panhandle, where her warped sense of humor developed, along with a love for the open sky, music, reading, writing, language and history.

After graduating from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M) with a Bachelor of Music Education, she was one of the first one hundred fourteen women commissioned into the Army through the Reserve Officer Training Corps.

She’s now an editor and proofreader – aka Conan the Grammarian – a musician and avid reader, who loves traveling in her RV and doing all the driving.

Regan is a member of Canyon Lake Area Writers which has published a small anthology of short stories focused on Canyon Lake.

Title: Check It Out: Tales of Canyon Lake

Click here to purchase your copy

 

 

[image error]Let’s face it, although the holiday season is generally a time of joy, it can be quite stressful.  Stress is a normal part of life and is the body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses.

Not all holiday-related stress is negative, of course. Preparing for a visit from a relative you enjoy spending time with can produce a certain degree of positive stress. But the holiday season is famous for producing the negative kind of stress, even in individuals who generally live stress-free lives.

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This negative stress can be brought on by several factors including

–  An overwhelming amount of shopping

–  Worrying about spending too much money

–  Being around challenging relatives

–  Getting your home ready for entertaining/hosting

–  Missing a loved one

–  Traveling

–  Worrying about being on the naughty list

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While everyone is different, here are some common signs you may be suffering from too much stress

–  Trouble concentrating

–  Memory problems

–  Irritability

–  Changes in appetite

–  Trouble sleeping

–  Headaches

–  Anger (more than usual)

 

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So how do we conquer this negative holiday stress?  Here are some suggestions. Why not try a different one for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas!

1. Soak in a relaxing bath

2. Listen to relaxing music

3. Treat yourself to a spa visit

4. Read

5. Work on a hobby

6. Have sex

7. Exercise

8. Meditate/pray

9. Yoga/Tai chi

10. Go caroling

11. Volunteer

12. Watch a holiday movie (Here’s one of my faves)

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More suggestions for relieving stress

As per suggestion number 4, here’s an excerpt from my upcoming book, Off Base, for your holiday stress-reducing pleasure.

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CHRISTMAS DAY

Glistening water droplets cling to Ethan’s chiseled muscles as he steps out of the bathroom wearing only a towel. I ignore my desire to press my lips against his damp skin. Last night he proved he doesn’t have a problem with us having sex while my mother is in the house, but I certainly do.

Fighting the impulse to yank the towel away and wrap myself around his sculpted body, I lean against the dresser and hold out the small box wrapped in shiny, red foil. I took pleasure not only in choosing the gift for him but in wrapping it as well. The gold curling ribbon tied in the center accented the box with hand-curled ends.

“What’s this?” His puzzled expression confirms my success in surprising him.

“Open it.”

“Babe… I thought we said no gifts.”

“Actually, we said exchanging gifts is not required.” I move toward him, looking up into his eyes as I plead my case. “You do so much to make me feel special – picking up my uniforms from the dry cleaner, taking my car for an oil change and that’s in addition to bending over backward to make me feel comfortable in your home. You’ve been amazing and I’m so in love with you, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give you this small token of my appreciation. Please don’t be angry.” I give him the puppy dog eyes, knowing full well there’s no way he’s angry with me.

His full lips turn up into a gentle smile and for a moment, it appears that his previous look of surprise was feigned. Did he know I planned to give him the gift? I had it hidden in my car, in an ordinary bag from the supermarket, secured with a knot.

He rips the paper, opens the box and pulls out the smartwatch. “Oh my God, Layla. Thank you.” His face lights up with excitement as he adjusts the settings – which in and of itself is the perfect gift for me.

I had a tough time trying to find the right gift for him. He seems to have everything. But when his traditional wristwatch broke and he started using his cell phone to check the time, I figured a smartwatch might be what he needed.

“It’s okay if you don’t like it.”

He wraps one wet arm around me, pulling me close and making me wish I’d waited until he’d at least dried off and gotten dressed before presenting his gift. “Are you kidding me? I love it. And you know I’m not angry, Love, but you gotta admit, you’ve put me in an awkward position.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, now I feel like I have to run out and get you a last-minute gift.”

“You’ll do no such thing. I told you I don’t need anything as long as I have you.” I stand on my toes to kiss him and a surge of electricity rushes through me as he slips his tongue between my hungry lips.

My mother’s knock on the bedroom door startles me. “You two decent?”

“Mostly.” Ethan winks at me and smiles.

I slap his arm playfully.

“The timer went off on the oven,” Mom continues. “I took the foil off the mac and cheese and put the dish back into the oven to brown.”

“Thanks, Miss Becky. I’ll be right down.”

I take the watch from Ethan and place it on the dresser. “You have two hungry women to feed. We can finish setting this up later.”

“Aye Aye, Ma’am.” He dries off and quickly pulls on a pair of boxers, jeans and a tee-shirt before heading downstairs.

By the time I finish getting dressed and go down to the living room, my mother has boxes of Christmas decorations open and lined up, ready for the two of us to tackle, although she’s gotten a good head start.

One of my favorite holiday tunes, This Christmas by Donny Hathaway flows throughout the house as Mom and I sing, dance and hang brightly colored ornaments on the tree.

“You look happy.” My mother looks at me in that way she does when she’s proud of my accomplishments.

“Well, they say it’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

“Cute, but you’re being evasive. You know good and well what I mean. Aside from your holiday spirit, I take it things are better between you and Ethan?”

“Yes. We worked out our issues and we’re in a good place.” I walk around the tree wrapping it with silver garland.

“I’m so glad.”

“What about you?” Later tonight, I’d be dropping my mother at the house of a man I’ve never met, and she has yet to provide sufficient details about him.

“What about me?”

“Now who’s being evasive? Tell me about your beau. How are things between you two?”

“We’re in what one might call a good place too. We’re taking things slowly, you know.” She took the excess garland from me and put it in the large bin Ethan picked up to store the excess decorations.

“So, when I drop you off at his place later, will you be taking an overnight bag?”

“Well, I’m going straight from here, and I’ve had my bags with me since last night… yeah. Now pass me the lights so we can get this tree lit up.” She smiles and I have more questions, but before I can ask her more about the man she’s been spending time with, Ethan calls her to the kitchen.

“Sorry, sweetie. Duty calls.”

“Aren’t you lucky? Don’t worry. I’ll get details from you eventually.” More than likely, it’ll be Ethan who finally gets her to open up, though. I’m glad they’ve formed a good relationship, but it would be nice if she weren’t so stubborn.

She returns a moment later, smiling suspiciously. “Ethan needs you in the kitchen.” She takes the lights from me.

“ What f or?” 

“Didn’t say,” she shrugs. “He just asked me to send you in.”

Savory aromas waft through the air before I even enter the kitchen. Ethan is singing along with the holiday tunes as his hands move skillfully from one pot to the next. All four burners on the stove are in use, but he appears to have everything under control. I watch silently, wondering if this is indicative of how competently he operates the controls in a cockpit. I imagine him flipping switches, turning dials, reading gauges, ensuring everything on his plane is as it should be. Skillful, confident and in control. A memory flashes of our lovemaking last night and I realize those qualities describe every area of his life — a total turn-on.

“Hellooo? Earth to Lay… Can you do me a huge favor?”

“A small favor? Absolutely. A medium favor – maybe. A huge favor, though… I don’t know.”

“You wanna eat?” He teases back.

“Okay, Babe, what do you need?”

“Sugar. Can you run out and get some for me?” He moves from the counter to the stove, adding onions to a pot of boiling something.

“You have sugar, I used some this morning.”

“It’s not enough for the pie. I had a little mishap and spilled most of it.”

“Ugh.”

“I could go out and get it if you keep an eye on the food. Just drain the potatoes when they’re soft. Stir the gravy so it doesn’t boil over. The stuffing’s in the oven, so when the timer goes off, remove the foil and-”

“Alright. Fine. I’ll go.”

He kisses my cheek. “Thanks, Love.”

“Can I at least take your car so I can listen to music? I’m not in the mood to fight with my crappy radio.”

“Oh… um. Sure.”

As I look through one of the drawers for Ethan’s keys, I call to my mother. “Ma, you wanna ride to the store with–?”

She enters the kitchen before I even finish the question. “I’m actually a little tired. I’m gonna lie down for a bit before dinner.”

“Okay. I kiss her cheek, choosing to ignore the brief, suspicious look she exchanges with Ethan. Those two are definitely up to something, but I’ll let them have their fun. “Hon, where are your keys?”

“I’m… not sure. Sorry.”

“Really?”

“I could stop and look for them if you watch the food.”

“Forget it. You take care of the food. I’ll go get your sugar… sans holiday music.”

“I appreciate it.”

“You can appreciate it later tonight after my mother leaves.” My heart flutters when he winks and flashes those gorgeous dimples, in essence, agreeing to give me whatever I want tonight. Of course, the subject is moot. Ethan gives me what I want, whether or not I do him a favor.

When I get to my car, I immediately notice a big red bow on my dash. Just above the radio is a small note card. Merry Christmas, Lay. I love you.

The spot where my old crappy radio used to be now has a shiny black receiver. Purple and blue lines glow along the perimeter, and the date and time are displayed in large purple and blue LED. When I turn on the power, the screen reads, Hello, Layla. There’s blue tooth connectivity, which I immediately pair to my cell phone. All my contacts display on the screen, and when I touch Ethan’s name, the sound of his phone rings through my speakers.

He picks up on the first ring, and before he says anything, I gush, “I love you.”

“I love you, too, but did you get the sugar?”

His laughter follows mine.

“Thank you, Ethan. This is the best present ever!”

“So, you like it?”

“I love it! But when did you do this? How?”

“I have my ways.”

“Do you really need me to get sugar?”

“Nah. Just needed to get you out there.

“I think I’ll go for a drive around the block. See how this baby sounds.”

“Take your time. Dinner won’t be ready for about half an hour.”

“Okay. I’ll see you in a little while. And Ethan?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re the best thing that’s happened to me.”

“The feeling is mutual, Love.”

 

What causes you stress during the holiday season? What’s your favorite way to reduce stress? Leave a comment below and let me know.

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[image error]You met Ethan Parker in Forbidden Kisses, book one of the Anchored Hearts series. Book two – Off Base – is in the works, and Ethan is just as confident and sexy as ever (maybe a little overconfident). But he’s not our guest today. We’ve actually interviewed his love interest, Layla and she gives us the scoop on what Ethan’s really like.

 

What is Ethan’s full name?

Ethan Alexander Parker.

Does he have a nickname?

His crew and coworkers call him by his Call Sign – Nomad.

What are Ethan’s hair color and eye color?

He has dark brown hair, curly on top if he lets it grow a little. Close-cut on the sides. His eyes are a very intense blue – the color of faded blue jeans.

Does he have any distinguishing facial features?

He has a beautiful set of dimples. Sometimes I just can’t stop staring at him and wondering how I got so lucky.

Where was he born?

Brooklyn, NY.

What are his parents’ occupations?

His mom’s a physical therapist. His dad is a professor at NYU.

Does he have any siblings?

No. Wait… yes. His older brother passed away around the time Ethan finished high school. He doesn’t talk about it much.

How close is Ethan to his family?

I don’t think they’re close. He doesn’t talk about his family at all.

Does he have a best friend?

His best friend, RJ, died about a year ago. These days he spends a lot of time with Lieutenant Torres and his wife, Rachel. And me, of course.

How did you and Ethan meet?

We met in a coffee shop. I’d been studying for my final exams and my mom was in the hospital, so I was pretty stressed. I made the innocent mistake of picking up the wrong cup of coffee from the counter. He found me so we could switch cups, but then he starting flirted and the rest is history. He’ll tell you I took the wrong cup on purpose because I wanted to meet him, but it really was just a mistake I’m happy I made.

What’s Ethan’s occupation?

He’s a pilot in the US Navy. Right now he’s serving as Training Director.

What’s his favorite color?

Cerulean

What’s his favorite food?

He likes anything edible. He wants to try new foods when we go out to eat, and when he’s at home, he’ll often try new recipes.

What are some of his favorite activities?

Anything that’ll give him an adrenaline rush. Flying is at the top of the list. He also enjoys jet-skiing, dirt biking and other fast modes of transportation. But he also likes to chill by a fire pit with beer and friends.

What’s on Ethan’s nightstand?

Seriously, just a lamp, his cell phone and a photo of him and me. He’s pretty neat and organized. Everything’s always in its place.

Is there anything non-sexual Ethan does that turns you on?

Almost everything. But if I had to narrow it down, I’d say it’s while he’s eating, and his eyes are on me instead of on his food. Not so much when he’s using a fork or a spoon, but if it’s something he’s taking a bite of, like pizza or a hotdog… he’ll focus on me as he bites into it.  It’s kind of weird but also pretty hot.

Does he trust anyone to protect him? If so, who?

I would hope anyone he works with. His crew, if he’s flying. The maintenance team, the line crew. There’s a level of trust between a pilot and the crew chief who’s directing his or her plane.

Is Ethan spontaneous, or does he prefer to have a plan?

He’s extremely spontaneous. He may have a general plan, but if something catches his eye, tickles his fancy or makes him horny, that plan goes right out the window.

[image error]What are his views on sex?

As much as possible; as often as possible. But seriously, Ethan’s very big on consent. I don’t know if it’s got something to do with all the ‘me too’ talk, but even though we’re in a relationship and there’s implied consent, he’ll often find some way to ask my permission. Sometimes he’ll make it military style. Everything in the Navy has to be requested. You request permission to go on leave. You request permission to come aboard a ship. Even when a senior officer summons you to his or her office, you still have to knock and then request permission to enter. In the bedroom, Ethan might say, “Request permission to f*uck you.” Sometimes I’ll grant his request, but sometimes, just for fun, I’ll deny it.

What is Ethan like when he’s angry?

I’ve only seen him angry a handful of times, and it’s actually kind of hot… at least when I’m the one he’s angry with. Maybe it’s because he’ll be angry and yelling, but I know he loves me and if I were to nonchalantly take off my clothes, his anger would subside. I’ll have to try that sometime.

Do you know when Ethan had his first kiss and with whom?

I believe he was around fourteen and it was with the sister of one of his friends.

What is Ethan afraid of?

Ethan’s a badass. I don’t think he’s afraid of anything. He’s not afraid to express his feelings. He doesn’t hesitate when it comes to any physical challenge. Skiing, rock climbing, anything. I mentioned earlier, he likes the adrenaline rush. Bugs, rodents, snakes… nope. I can’t think of anything he’s afraid of.

What is the most adventurous thing you and Ethan have done in the bedroom?

We role-play sometimes. Although I don’t know if that could be considered adventurous. Playful, maybe. Recently I stripped down and joined him in the shower. I said something like, “Oh, I’m sorry, Sir. I didn’t realize this shower was occupied.” His response was something like, “That’s okay, Sweet Thang. Why don’t you stay awhile?” Some playful banter followed and then the real fun began. We also have a game called Who’s In Charge Tonight? It involves handcuffs. Lots of fun.

My thanks to Layla for sharing with us. In our next segment, Ethan will be answering questions about her.

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Recently I attended the annual Conference organized by Liberty States Fiction Writers. LSFW is a multi-genre organization dedicated to the education and support of fiction writers – both published and yet-to-be published.

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The conference was held at the beautiful Renaissance Hotel in Woodbridge, NJ, a luxury hotel with several amenities in addition to modern and attractive rooms. There was no vomit-colored carpet, drapes or bedspreads, which was a big plus in my book! The friendly and courteous staff helped make my visit pleasant from check-in to check out.

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This was my third year attending the conference and as in past years, I had a blast. Here are some reasons why I love attending writing conferences, why I’ll go to as many as I can and why you should too.

1. Meet new author friends

[image error]When I go to a writing conference, I’m surrounded by people who do what I do and love it almost as much as I do. As authors, we get each other. We understand the plight of serving our family cold cereal for dinner in a less than immaculate living space, amidst piles of laundry while we create magic via the written word. We talk shop, commiserate with one another and bounce ideas off each other. It happens so naturally. I sit next to someone during lunch or one of the workshops and bam… we just start talking and laughing like we’ve known each other for ages. This year I met a number of new author friends including Liwayway Piano, Karen Kenney Smith and Carol Gyzander.

2. See old friends

Not friends who are old, (although there’s nothing wrong with that) but friends I’ve already met either in person or via social media. I love catching up with authors and others in the writing community with whom I’ve already lamented about the cold dinner, the dirty house and the piles of laundry. Some of the familiar faces I saw this year are Linda J. Parisi, Irene Peterson, Caridad Pineiro and Patt Mihailoff to name a few. I have several friends that I’ve connected with online but have never met in person. At this year’s conference I met Pascale Kavanagh and Jodi Payne for the first time. We hugged, laughed and jumped right into fun conversation.

 

3. Connect with fans and readers

During some conferences, authors have the opportunity to set up tables to display their books. I might sell a few copies which I autograph for the reader or meet a fan who’s already purchased and read my book and just wants to say hello. But even if I don’t make any sales, there are attendees who might sign up for my newsletter or even just pick up pens and other goodies, which of course, have my name and contact info.

4. Great food and drink

Meals were included in the price of this conference. We were served breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts and coffee (all delish). There was also a cash bar and since the event was held at the Renaissance hotel, there was also the option purchase from the hotel dining room and bar.

5. Entertainment[image error]

At this year’s conference we had game night… with prizes. One year there was a dance party with a DJ. The highlight was watching Damon Suede kill it on the dance floor. Oh and of course, door prizes! Check out this beautiful basket I won!

6. Information-packed workshops

This is the real meat of the conference and 50% of why I attend. There’s so much valuable information on writing, editing, publishing, marketing, building your platform, establishing your brand, using social media, finding your life balance, and this is just to name a few. The workshops are presented by amazing speakers who are willing to share their knowledge.

7. Pitch your manuscript

During the conference, authors who wanted to pitch their manuscripts were assigned scheduled time slots to meet face-to-face with editors and agents.

8. Find service providers

Attending a conference is the perfect opportunity for networking. It’s likely you’ll meet editors, cover designers and others who can help get your book ready to publish. But keep in mind, many authors have day jobs, so you May bet likely to mingle with authors who are also lawyers, accountants, hair stylists, realtors and math tutors. Or you could be the one who meets a new potential client for your own business. Bring your business cards and prepare to network.

9. Writing time

[image error]Who wouldn’t love a full weekend away from the usual chores and activities which scream for attention when you’d rather be writing? I carry my laptop with me whenever there’s a chance I could have some downtime, AKA writing time. But even when I don’t have my laptop with me, I can work on my writing projects by making notes in any number of phone apps. I have my current WIP, Off Base, on Google Docs which I can access via the phone app as well as on my laptop. During this year’s conference, I stayed at the hotel, so I had plenty of opportunity for late-night writing.

10. Road trip

Who doesn’t love a good road trip?! This depends of course, on how far you travel to the event. But even if it’s a short ride, you can pack some snacks, pick up your writing buddies, put on your driving playlist and get hyped knowing you’re en route to a helluva good time.

Now that you know some of the many reasons you should attend a writing conference, perhaps I’ll see you at next year’s Liberty States Fiction Writers conference.

Have you attended a writing conference, either as an author, speaker or reader? Comment below and let us know what you enjoyed the most.

 

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