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When London was fifteen, a fortune teller told her she would meet her soul mate on June 23rd. The only problem is, which June 23rd? The woman wasn’t specific and only called him her dreamer. Desperate to find her mystery man eleven years later, London sets out to search for him but is waylaid by a mugger instead.

Elliot has had his eye on the woman who jogs past the park where he coaches his nephew’s baseball team for the past month. When he’s the first responder for a mugging victim on June 23rd, she’s barely conscious. She’s the woman tattooed on his chest. He’s seen her in his dreams and has been drawing her for years.

They’ll both sound crazy if they reveal their secrets, but they can’t stay away from each other. Elliot has priorities, promises made to his late sister. London’s trying to live a more intentional existence instead of waiting for everything to fall in her lap.


Can they fulfill the destiny predicted by the fortune teller? Or will fate be undone?
You can find ALL the #MeetCute books in the collaboration here:  http://meetcutebooks.com/
Boy meets girl. It's the way romances usually begin . . . and while we all love a happy ending, it's the #MeetCute that wins our hearts.


Grab your copy of Fortune's Kiss!




How did you two meet?

The #MeetCute Books each have a unique answer to that query. Some might make you swoon, others might make you giggle . . . and some may make you blush.

Twelve authors. Twelve stand-alone contemporary romance novels. Twelve stories that will make your heart beat a little faster.

Because it's all about the #MeetCute.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2CPkdB3

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/2D1gaF6

iBooks:  https://apple.co/2Fp7eHA

Nook:  http://bit.ly/2Fn95Nj

KOBO:  http://bit.ly/2FneiEF

Excerpt from Fortune's Kiss: 

He lowered his mouth to hers in a tender touch of their lips. She could feel the warmth of his lips on hers, and they explored in a leisurely kiss as if they had all the time in the world. Sounds of the carnival faded away as they rose higher into the sky.

Elliot surprised her by not getting handsy. He only touched her neck, wrapping his hand around it while his other hand went to her waist. He seemed content to just kiss her and not do anything else.

She returned his kisses, luxuriously running her tongue across his teeth, exploring the recesses of his mouth with a whimper. The kiss was perfect; it didn’t ask for anything or make demands. London relished the feeling of rightness in this moment with Elliot.

London suddenly understood a fundamental truth about couples in general. She kissed Elliot because the setting was perfect. It wasn’t a claiming thing or an interest in going further, it was a kiss. She kissed him because the intimacy of the gesture showed her desire to be close to him, and not in a sexual way.

She’d always thought holding hands and kissing in public were signs of possessiveness, but they weren’t. Instead of possessiveness, she realized it showed a desire to be close—to maintain contact in a way that was acceptable to others.

And this kiss was perfect.

The leisurely contact, as she wrapped her arms around Elliot’s waist to pull him closer, was amazing. There was absolutely no other place in the world she wanted to be right now. She was in her thirties and had never kissed a man like this.

A throat clearing had them pulling apart reluctantly to find the Ferris wheel had stopped and the tattooed, toothless attendant was standing there with a giant grin on his face. “Magic in the air, tonight! Want another go?” Bushy eyebrows waggled at them.

London couldn’t have told him her name after that kiss, much less the story behind it. She was afraid if she went on another turn with Elliot, he’d have her kissed into brain mush.

Elliot got out, a small smile on his face, and turned to hold out his hand to London. Shetook it and, weak-kneed, managed to stumble out of the Ferris wheel carriage before another couple got on.

Leading Elliot down the midway, they were silent as she digested the way she felt right now. She wanted more with Elliot, and he was the first man to ever make her feel that way. He held her hand as they walked, and London’s traced her swollen lips with her fingers as she stared at the ground in front of her.

His hand was massive, wrapped around hers, and spoke of safety, protection, and belonging. Their hands swung absently between them as they weaved in and around people. The lights flashing, bells ringing, and people laughing all faded into the distance as London was just present with Elliot.

“That woman is waving you over, London.” Elliot’s soft voice spoke the first words since they’d gotten off the Ferris wheel.

London’s head snapped up, her eyes focusing on the woman he pointed to. It was her.

The fortune-teller.

The dimly lit tent at the end of the midway looked so familiar, even twenty years later. The woman looked the same—old and wizened, with a wild array of dark curls spilling around her face.

“I know her.” Not really, but she’d dreamed of this woman so many times, remembering her, wondering about her. They walked over to the fortune-teller, ignoring all else. “Hi,” London said stupidly. “How’ve you been?”

The woman’s dark eyes went from London to Elliot before her face broke into a smile. “I see you found your dreamer. Do you feel it?” London wasn’t sure what she felt, but she felt something, so she nodded.

Part of London wanted to go inside the tent and see if it had changed, but another part of her didn’t think this was real. She looked up at Elliot, who was watching the woman with a bemused expression on his face. Okay, so he saw her, maybe she was real.

The woman turned her attention to Elliot, who stiffened under her scrutiny. “Destiny is difficult … Very difficult …” Her attention back on London, she said, “You’ve found him, now keep him.”

She went back into her tent, and London tugged Elliot away.

“Friend of yours?” he asked, laughing nervously.

“Not exactly. More of an acquaintance.” London turned to look back at the tent, and as before, it was engulfed in darkness, as if there was no one there. “Take me home.” Elliot’s eyes darkened under the lights of the carnival, and he wrapped his hand around her waist, his fingers lingering just above her butt.

“With pleasure,” he spoke with a promise that took her breath away.

New Release, and what made it happen in the first place #MeetCute

Have you ever had a moment that couldn't be explained?  Something someone predicted that eventually came true?  I'm not talking about stock predictions, or who's going to win the Superbowl.  I'm talking something specific, like the exact date your life would change forever?

I have.

Of course, I didn't know when I was twelve, that I hadn't totally wasted my precious $10 on the fortune teller that told me June 23rd would be an important date for me.  I was at Astroworld (A Six Flags theme park in Houston a looooooong time ago) for their Halloween festivities.  The entire park was decked out in spooky skeletons, witches hung around every corner, and zombies mingled with the crowd.  The entire mood was spooky, with cobwebs hanging everywhere and people jumping out to scare ridiculous pre-teens like myself.

So when my friend dared me to follow the ancient fortune teller into her tent to have my palm read, I was so into everything I did it, just to show her I wasn't scared of anything.  Caught up in the mood, I willingly forked over ten bucks.

A bunch of mumbo-jumbo later, the only thing I got out of it was that June 23rd would change my life.  I was twelve and innocent.  I could only imagine the woman had predicted my first kiss in a little more than six months.  Or better yet, a boyfriend.

I went home and wrote about the experience in my diary, making a note of the date on my brand-new calendar for the next year with a giant pink heart.  My insides fluttered when I imagined the possibilities.  Finally, June 23rd came and went.

And nothing happened.

My Mama always told me not to waste my money on junk like that, and I chalked it up to a lesson learned.

Until 11 years later.

I was living with my mom, a college drop out, floating until I figured out my life.  Mom had gone out of town, and my brother needed a designated driver for one of his buddy's birthday parties at this bar in Houston.  So I hopped in his car and we went to Houston.  My brother, always the protector, warned me against picking up guys in this particular bar, and for good reason.  It was a dump, the clientele eclectic, and rampant drug use.  I sipped my coke and people-watched, one of my favorite things to do.

And then my life changed.

While my brother was getting spanked at the pool table, this guy sauntered over to the bar to order a drink, and noticed me.  I was probably staring, but whatever.  That's sort of my thing--awkward staring and stuff.

He struck up a conversation, and put the effort in to making it two sided.  I have always been shy in situations I'm not comfortable in, so picking up guys has never been a strong suit of mine.  The longer we talked, the more comfortable I got.

My brother ended up taking the birthday boy (who was running around this nasty-ass bar barefoot to show off his painted toenails) home because he'd puked all over the patio.  This left me to take the one remaining guy in our party home at the end of the night.

Which was challenging.  Have you ever been tasked with taking home a grown ass man who's had too much to drink?

He had too much to drink and decided he was going to this chick's house, inviting me to come along.  Well, I didn't even know how to get home from the bar, so I agreed.  Future hub-meister took one look at the situation and offered to come too.

Yes.  Please.

We all went to this chick's house and she broke out the cocaine, a very awkward moment for me, since that was a complete and total no-go for me.  So me and this guy I just met sat in the corner and watched everyone else do lines and then get really loud and talk super fast.  We watched a movie (Bruce Almighty, in case you're curious) and we talked.

It was one of those things where I wanted to do something, but didn't know what.  Sex wasn't in the equation, because I was not in a comfortable situation, at someone else's house, all the things were bizarre, so that never occurred to me.  And he never once touched me.  He was just this guy that made me comfortable and I didn't want to ever stop talking to him.

At the end of the night, Future Hub-meister convinced my brother's friend to let me drive him home, before getting my number (yay!) and kissing me on the cheek (boo!).  It was a good thing I drove, because I'm pretty sure brother's drunk friend crawled out of his car when he got home and passed out in the yard.

It was a great night, but judging by the good night kiss, I honestly thought (based on previous experience) that I had made yet another nice, hot, gay friend.

But he called me 3 days later, drove up to visit me, and by the time my mom came into town, he still hadn't left.

And he never did.  A year and a half later, we were married.  The summer after our wedding, I was cleaning out my old closet at my mom's house and ran across my diary.  Yup.  That night I met Hub-meister was June 23rd.  Now, eighteen years of marriage and two kids later, I can honestly say nothing changed my life as much as that night.

Which leads me to this book.  Sorry for the ramble, I just love telling that story.

But when I got the opportunity to write in this #MeetCute collaboration, I jumped on it.  MeetCutes are my favorite part of almost any story.  And I've been wanting to write about my Fortune Teller forever.

So I did.  Fortune's Kiss is a bit more magical than my real life, and occupations and events were changed to add interest, but I love this story, because it tells about hub-meister and me.  *Swoon*

When London was fifteen, a fortune teller told her she would meet her soul mate on June 23rd. The only problem is, which June 23rd? The woman wasn’t specific and only called him her dreamer. Desperate to find her mystery man eleven years later, London sets out to search for him but is waylaid by a mugger instead.

Elliot has had his eye on the woman who jogs past the park where he coaches his nephew’s baseball team for the past month. When he’s the first responder for a mugging victim on June 23rd, she’s barely conscious. She’s the woman tattooed on his chest. He’s seen her in his dreams and has been drawing her for years.

They’ll both sound crazy if they reveal their secrets, but they can’t stay away from each other. Elliot has priorities, promises made to his late sister. London’s trying to live a more intentional existence instead of waiting for everything to fall in her lap.

Can they fulfill the destiny predicted by the fortune teller? Or will fate be undone?

You can find ALL the #MeetCute books in the collaboration here:  http://meetcutebooks.com/

Boy meets girl. It's the way romances usually begin . . . and while we all love a happy ending, it's the #MeetCute that wins our hearts.

How did you two meet?

The #MeetCute Books each have a unique answer to that query. Some might make you swoon, others might make you giggle . . . and some may make you blush.

Twelve authors. Twelve stand-alone contemporary romance novels. Twelve stories that will make your heart beat a little faster.

Because it's all about the #MeetCute.

Grab your copy of Fortune's Kiss!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2CPkdB3

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/2D1gaF6

iBooks:  https://apple.co/2Fp7eHA

Nook:  http://bit.ly/2Fn95Nj

KOBO:  http://bit.ly/2FneiEF

Time Management Sucks... or Time Suck Management

Either one works, right?

There are so many aspects to authoring it's not even funny, but the worst one is deciding the priorities and how to best manage them, right?

Number one priority should be the actual writing, yes?  But what do you do when you've written yourself into a corner and you need to re-think what you're writing?  The answer to that is a myriad of things.

Marketing and promotion should be the second priority of any writer, right?  But what is a good use of time?  Is it updating your pinterest board to reflect all your muses and inspirations?  Getting that playlist up-to-date on Youtube so people can listen to the songs that inspired the book while they're reading it?  Getting the word out about the book on social media like facebook and instagram?  Re-doing your website so people can find you easier?  Figuring out that new platform so you can find NEW readers?  Networking and making friends in the hopes they can help you out in the future or answer questions you have?  That requires actually being there for them, as well.  Oh yeah!  There's also that new cross-promo giveaway that you're involved in that needs pimping so you're pulling your weight.  And the blog-hop, Bookstagrammers, bloggers, paid promo, ad nauseum.  Oh and don't forget to change your keywords periodically so you can stay on top of all the searches and lists at the various sales outlets.  I still haven't figured out what that falls under.

It's overwhelming, to say the least.

And on top of it all, it's a new year, and everyone is talking about the things they are changing for 2018.  The NEW you for the new year.

Everyone is also talking about words for 2018.  Success, drive, and Publish are all words I've heard bandied about for the WORD TO DESCRIBE 2918.  By my own definition of success (2016) I am successful, so that can't be my word this year.  I'm definitely already driven, since I've tasted my own success and it's very validating and I want more of it.  Publish is a word that isn't special to me in particular, as it's what I do.  It's not a milestone, it's just a thing that happens when the rest of my world is falling into place.

So that leaves me to the word I've decided is mine for this year:  Focus.  Focus for these moments when I'm at a standstill with my writing and need other stuff to do besides mindlessly surfing facebook.

That means I need a schedule and a plan so I won't just be wandering aimlessly through the internet looking for something productive to do.  This is going to take some time for me to develop the right habits of productivity.  I'd like to do a series of blog posts about this, as well as my progress, but I'm not sure it will last beyond January fifteenth, the date that kills most of my goals for the new year.

So in an effort to make this a more focused post, here's some info about my release coming in January.  It's only up for preorder on Amazon and iBooks.

Boy meets girl. It’s the way romances usually begin . . . and while we all love a happy ending, it’s the #MeetCute that wins our hearts.

How did you two meet?

The #MeetCute Books each have a unique answer to that query. Some might make you swoon, others might make you giggle . . . and some may make you blush.

Twelve authors. Twelve stand-alone contemporary romance novels. Twelve stories that will make your heart beat a little faster.

Because it’s all about the #MeetCute.  Check out all the books here:  https://tawdrakandle.com/books-2/meetcute-books/

My contribution to this is Fortune's Kiss and it started out a bit autobiographical.  I had to change a bit for the sake of interest, but it's a fun story about fate with a little magic.

When London was fifteen, a fortune teller told her she would meet her soul mate on June 23^rd. The only problem is, which June 23^rd? The woman wasn’t specific and only called him her dreamer. Desperate to find her mystery man eleven years later, London sets out to search for him but is waylaid by a mugger instead.

Elliot has had his eye on the woman who jogs past the park where he coaches his nephew’s baseball team for the past month. When he’s the first responder for a mugging victim on June 23^rd, she’s barely conscious. She’s the woman tattooed on his chest. He’s seen her in his dreams and has been drawing her for years.

They’ll both sound crazy if they reveal their secrets, but they can’t stay away from each other. Elliot has priorities, promises made to his late sister. London’s trying to live a more intentional existence instead of waiting for everything to fall in her lap.

Can they fulfill the destiny predicted by the fortune teller? Or will fate be undone?