Sunday, September 30, 2012

Tuesday Tales – Dog


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Welcome to this weeks edition of Tuesday Tales.  This week the word prompt is Dog.  Thank you for stopping by and reading Lorenzo and Pia's journey.
   
                       
            Lorenzo pulled up in front of Peter Luger’s.  The valet opened her door and Pia stepped out onto a black carpet.  After giving the valet explicit instructions on where to park his car, Lorenzo joined her.

            “I hope you didn’t take my conversation with the valet the wrong way, but last time I came here, he parked my car on the edge of the block, and someone must have sideswiped me when they made the turn.” He placed his arms around her waist leading her to the front door.

            A tall thin middle-aged man greeted them in a black three piece suit. “Good evening, Mr. Marcus.  Your table is ready in the New Corner Room.”

            “Thank you Abe.  Good to see you again.”

            They followed able to the center of the room to a table by the window.  He pulled out Pia’s chair, waited for her to sit before opening her napkin and placing it on her lap.

            “Thank you,” Pia smiled, keeping her eyes on Lorenzo.

            Lorenzo slid a folded twenty dollar bill in Abe’s pocket behind the purple hankie.  “Thanks Abe for squeezing me in.”

            “Never a problem for you Mr. Marcus.  I’ll send the waiter over with a bottle of our best champagne.”

            Pia loved the simplicity of the room, which made it elegant.  The espresso three quarter hand carved wood walls had a wooden shelf all around the room.  Butcher block tables for four lined the room with espresso wooden chairs with dark brown seat padding.

            A bottle of champagne arrived at their table.  The waiter popped it open and poured the cold bubbly champagne into their glasses.

 Lorenzo lifted his glass.  “To us and to what the future holds.  Cheers.”

“Cheers.”  Pia lifted her glass and clicked glasses with his before taking a sip.

“This is one of my favorite places to come for dinner.  You can’t get a steak like this any other place.”

“Interesting.”  Pia placed her glass down and leaned on her elbows on the table.  “Do you come here often?”

Without hesitation he answered.  “I’m not going to lie.  Yes.  I come here all the time.”

“With the guys?”  she asked, giving him a gentle nudge.

“Sometimes with the guys, other times alone or with a date.”

Pia bit her tongue.  She didn’t want him to see or hear the disappointment in her voice.   But why should she be disappointed?  They were only out on a date.  It wasn’t like she was his girlfriend and he was cheating on her. Hello.  What the hell are you thinking?

Looking up, she caught Lorenzo’s gaze.  She hoped he hadn’t figured out the blow she felt when he said he took other women here all the time.  Wait.  He didn’t say that.  Why am I putting words in his mouth and misinterpreting what he just said?

“There’s only one difference between those dates and you,” he said reaching across the table, leaning his hand on hers, “you’re here for me.  Not for who’s seeing you with me.”

Pia felt her face heat up.  She dropped her eyes to her lap.  “I never gave a thought to who saw me with you.  I like being in your company.  What I’d like is to get to know you better.”

“That’s why we’re here.”  Lorenzo squeezed her hand before releasing it to take a pumpernickel roll out of the breadbasket. “I don’t know much about you except that you live in Staten Island and have a best friend who is away on a business trip, missing out on the great seats.”

Pia grinned.  “Yeah, that just about wraps it up.”

Lorenzo folded his arms against his chest and rocked in his seat. “And I’m just a Cy Young Award Pitcher who grew up in downtown Brooklyn.”

“That doesn’t tell me anything about you.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”  He pointed at Pia.  “I want to know what makes Pia Tallisico tick.  What you love to do and what gets under your skin.  Do you curse? Do you say oh geez instead of oh shit? Lorenzo sat back in his chair, not taking his eyes off of her. “Do you get up in the morning and get dressed even is you’re not going to work?  And what kind of work do you do?  Are you an undercover detective or are you a dog walker?”

            “You’re asking a lot of questions,” she giggled.  Taking a mini Italian bread shaped roll out of the basket, she broke it in half and dipped it in the dish of olive oil.  “I’m a Real Estate Broker.  I own my own company.  Can I interest you in a new residence?”  Pia tried to keep a straight face but couldn’t help but burst out laughing.  “I also love trying to be a comedian.”

            Lorenzo grinned, showing off his white pearly teeth. “That I can see.  Another quality I like.  I also love your playful way, keeping an upbeat approach on life.”

            “I do my best to keep a positive attitude.  Look how I met you.  A negative experience, being stranded in Queens alone with no way to get home turned into something wonderful when you offered to have your brother fix my car and take me home.”

            “One of the smarter things I’ve done in my life, taking a few minutes to help a beautiful lady.”   Lorenzo lifted his hand.  “Now to order my girlfriend the best steak she has ever tasted.”

            Girlfriend? Now that’s a first.




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Sunday, September 23, 2012

Tuesday Tales – Finger

Welcome to this weeks edition of Tuesday Tales to the word prompt finger. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you are all enjoying my new tale.

 Pia placed her bottle of beer and hotdog on top of the dugout. Looking at Lorenzo out on the field warming up his pitching arm, she couldn’t believe she was sitting in these seats, so close to the action on the field. She couldn’t resist taking a picture and texting it over to Lisa. Lifting her hand she counting on each finger: four, three, two, one.

 Her phone rang. “Hello.” Pia heard Lisa laughing. “Bitch.”

 “Thank you. I’m sorry, I just couldn’t resist taking the picture.”

“How did you manage that seat?”

 “Lorenzo.”

 “I can’t believe I am still stuck up here in the freaken mountains, and you’re sitting there in the best seats in the house using the dugout as your snack table.”

Pia could still hear her friend giggling on the other end of the phone. “When are you coming home?”

 “I have to tie up a couple of things. Hopefully I’ll be home in a few days.”

 “Hurry up.”

 Pia slid her phone back into her pocketbook, and turned her attention back to the playing field. Batting practice was over. Lorenzo stood by the right field fence working his way toward her signing autographs for the fans.

The stadium quickly filled up. Tonight’s game would be crucial for the team to win in order to stay in the wild card position. Lorenzo finished signing autographs and jogged back to the dugout, stopping in front of her.

 “Can I have a good luck kiss?”

 Before she could answer, he brushed a kiss along her lips, and then walked the dugout steps.

 Three hours later, Pia waited in the private restaurant for Lorenzo along with other players’ family and friends. The game had turned into a living nightmare. By the end of the third inning, they were losing eight – nothing and Lorenzo was taken out of the game.

Her heart went out for him. She knew he wanted to make a good appearance, especially with this being the first time she saw him pitch in person. When he was taken out of the game, he glanced over at Pia with a long face. Pia gave him the thumbs up and blew him a kiss. His lips slightly curled up with a smile while he walked down the steps into the dugout.

“Hi Pia.” He kissed her cheek and sat on the bar stool next to her. He waved the bartender over. “I’ll have a glass of Pellegrino water with a twist of lemon and lime.”

 “No cocktail?” her voice rose in surprise.

 “Nope. Never after a bad game.” The bartender placed the glass on the bar and poured the water in. He took a sip. “I got a cortisone shot in my shoulder after the game. Believe me, I’d love to be taking a few shots of tequila after s horrifying game like tonight’s.”

Pia thought for a moment. There was really nothing she could say, but knew she had to say something. She sighed. “It happens.”

“Yes it does, but I don’t want to ruin tonight.” He slid his chair closer to hers.

 “I loved the seats,” she giggled. “I’ve never sat that close to the field. I hope I can visit those seats again.
Lorenzo leaned his arm behind her chair. “I’d like that. I promise you next time it will be a better game.”

 “I enjoyed the game.” Pia leaned back in her chair, feeling his arm against her shoulder. “I love that I was able to see the sweat droplets on your forehead.”

 Lorenzo’s eyebrow flew up. “Are you flirting?”

 Pia shook her shoulders up and down. “Maybe.”

 He chuckled, stood and reached his hand out to her. “You like steak?”

 “Yes I do.”

 “Perfect. Then Peter Luger’s here we come.”


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Both Roses and The Boardwalk are available at: SECRET CRAVINGS PUBLISHING, AMAZON AND BARNES AND NOBLES

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Tuesday Tales – Picture Prompt Champagne Glasses


Welcome to this weeks Tuesday Tales - Picture Prompt. I'm sharing with you a scene that didn't make the cut in my novel "The Boardwalk."





Mario held a bottle of Dom Perignon and two champagne glasses. He set them down on the glass picnic table before embracing Brooklyn. Turning the night into a special occasion had been his top priority.

The first time he spotted her in her Nike shorts and tank top with sweat dripping down her forehead, he knew he had met the love of his life. She was different from the other spectators who stopped to listen to his horrific signing and guitar playing.
Their first kiss was still embedded on his lips. Whenever she was around he couldn’t stop smiling.

Brooklyn lifted the bottle of champagne and smiled. “What’s the occasion?”

“You.”

“Me?” she point to herself.

He lifted the bottle and popped it open with the champagne running down the side. “Yes you. Only the best for you.”

Brooklyn dropped her eyes down to the floor and blushed. He loved when he made her blush. It always put her into a sensuous mood.

While he poured the champagne into the glasses, Brooklyn worked fast cleaning the champagne, which had fallen onto the glass table.

Lifting both glasses he handed her one and raised his up. Brooklyn followed the lead with her glass only inches from his.

“I’d like to make a toast to thank you for taking a chance with me.”

“Sometimes all it takes is an open hear and an open heart.”

They clicked champagne glasses. “To us.”



After an accident at work, Brooklyn DeMelli walks every day down at the boardwalk as a way to keep active and have a semi normal social life. She meets up with the regular morning walkers, while enjoying the beauty of the beach and the scent of the ocean. To keep busy she started her own company, making beaded jewelry for parties and flea markets.

Mario Morales is the hippy that plays acoustic guitar every morning at different ends of the boardwalk. The music captivates Brooklyn. Following the muse, she meets Mario who turns out to be a narcotics detective working undercover on a huge investigation. When Mario finds out Brooklyn is inadvertently involved in a drug trafficking ring, it leads to a series of events, which puts Brooklyn’s life in jeopardy, while forming a romantic bond between them.

You can pick up at copy at: SECRET CRAVINGS PUBLISHING AMAZON BARNES AND NOBLES

VISIT MY WEBSITE HERE


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Friday, September 14, 2012

Indulgent Blog Hop



Welcome to the Guilty Indulgence Blog Hop. Thank you for stopping by and for your support.

Everyone has a guilty indulgence and this is the place to share that. I'm going to expose to my readers my true indulgence. I try my best to control myself, but when I pass a lingerie store I get out of control. In my novel The Boardwalk, Brooklyn DeMelli has the same obsession. She loves lingerie. Not your usual silk nighty, but the lace, garter belt, thigh highs and black stilettos kind of outfit.

She visits her friend Linda at Linda Lingerie Boutique.
who owns Linda Lingerie Boutique, which houses some of the most sexiest outfits in all of Staten Island, New York.



Since Brooklyn hadn't been in a relationship or had particular man in in her life, she stopped buying lingerie. The fun part about wearing lingerie is to model it in front of the man you love. She had lost her interest in lingerie, but now, she wants to buy something special just in the event, they took their dating a little more seriously.



From September 16th through 22nd during the Guilty Indulgence Blog Hop enter to receive a copy of "The Boardwalk.


To enter, become a follower of my blog. Leave a comment telling your secret indulgence along with your email address.





The Boardwalk



After an accident at work, Brooklyn DeMelli walks every day down at the boardwalk as a way to keep active and have a semi normal social life. She meets up with the regular morning walkers, while enjoying the beauty of the beach and the scent of the ocean. To keep busy she started her own company, making beaded jewelry for parties and flea markets.

Mario Morales is the hippy that plays acoustic guitar every morning at different ends of the boardwalk. The music captivates Brooklyn. Following the muse, she meets Mario who turns out to be a narcotics detective working undercover on a huge investigation. When Mario finds out Brooklyn is inadvertently involved in a drug trafficking ring, it leads to a series of events, which puts Brooklyn’s life in jeopardy, while forming a romantic bond between them.


Available at: Secret Cravings Publishing, Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles

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Go to the following site and enter to win a chance on the Grand Prize of a $ 100 GF from Winner's Choice at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

For Rafflecopter Code Click here



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Monday, September 10, 2012

Tuesday Tales – Mountain


Welcome to this weeks edition of Tuesday Tale's where authors write to a word prompt. This week word prompt is Mountain. Make sure you check out the other wonderful tales at: Tuesday Tales


Pia laid out all her purchases onto the bed. Tonight she wanted to look perfect. She had spent the past two hours in and out of the dressing room trying on different outfits. After getting undressed and dressed for close to an hour, she had to take a step back and think about what she was doing. She was going to a baseball game, not a formal affair.

Her usual attire of jeans, t-shirt and hair in a ponytail just wouldn’t suffice. So she choose a pair of black skinny jeans, a white poet’s shirt and a pair of two inch black suede boots which tied up the back.


On the way home she spoke to Lisa who couldn’t believe what had taken place the past two days. “Of all time for me to be on a business trip up here in the mountains in the middle of no where missing all the fun. Bitch,” she said laughing on the other end of the phone.

Pia missed her friend and could have used her help in the mall. It sucked having to walk around the store with no thought or direction in mind. But she did it. She found an outfit that Lisa probably would have hated but suited Pia’s personality.

After getting dressed, she sprayed herself with Angel by Thierry Mugler and applied a thin layer of cocoa lipsticks on her thin lips. To top off the outfit, she reached into the bag on her chair and took out a small black quilted Chanel pocketbook. Well, not exactly a real one, but no one would be able to tell the difference.

Her biggest challenge was her hair. The humidity kept her shoulder length dark brown hair from being frizz free. Not good. She added some hair gel to her hair and threw her hair tie into her bag. If her hair got too out of control, she’d tie it back.

True to Lorenzo’s word, her doorbell rang at quarter to three. She opened the door and sitting at the curb was a white stretch limousine. She had expected a yellow cab, not a fancy limo.

The driver opened the door and she slid in. On the white leather sat a bouquet of multicolored lilies. “There’s a bottle of champagne, diet soda and water in the mini frig. Help yourself.” The divider closed. Pia grabbed a bottle of diet coke out of the frig and leaned back. Listing up the flowers she smelled them before setting back down beside her.

The faint sound of music came from the speakers’ overhead. On the armrest she found the control for the radio. She raised the volume to a Beatle song on 104.3.

The ride to the stadium went quickly. Usually the ride on the BQE was a long one between the construction and traffic, but today, the traffic moved along. The limo pulled into the players’ parking lot where it came to a halt. The driver opened the door and Pia stepped out.

Lorenzo stood by the gate waving. “I see you made it in plenty of time,” he said walking toward here.

“Yes. There was no traffic. We flew here.”

“Perfect.” Lorenzo kissed her, taking her hand in his. “Thanks Harvey,” he called over his shoulder to the limo driver.

Pia opened and closed her eyes. Lorenzo looked sexy in his uniform pants with the team’s t-shirt over them. “Thanks for the lilies. They’re beautiful. You are full of surprises.”

“No, I just wanted to make sure I made a good impression so you would go out to dinner with me after the game.” He squeezed her hand while leading her onto the field.

“All you had to do is ask.”

“That would be too easy.” He opened the gate next to the dugout so she could sit in the stands. “The best seat in the stadium for you.” He chuckled. “And by the way, you look fabulous.” He gave her a quick kiss on the lips before grabbing his glove off the grass and running onto the field.



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