Conspiracy Theory...

OMG!!!

Okay, I'm not one to believe in conspiracies and the such, but I swear there's one going on here that's determined that my children will not get to school on time, so help them God!!!

Here's a bit of background....

We live in a rural area and my kids take the school bus into school in the morning. Now it comes really damn early, like seven freaking thirty early, but for the first half of the year, we all drag our butts down to the bus stop, because it's the only way I know my kids will get to school on time. Yup, look at their report cards and all those "late" dates are the few times I actually drove them in.

Well, as it goes, winter sucks with it being so damn dark out that early in the morning, so usually the kids get a brief reprieve from said bus for December, and sometimes a few weeks in January... but this year, that reprieve stretched over about three months... care to guess how many "lates" we have? Yeah, I think we've set a new record at thirty and climbing...

Now, don't get me wrong. It's not like we don't get up, or ready, but I swear as the sun is round, there are greater factors at work preventing us from getting out of the house on time. Whether it's an emergency trip to the bathroom... I'm told when ya gotta go, ya gotta go... or someone suddenly can't find shoes or one of the damn cats gets out and hides under the car, we just can't get out that door on time.

Fast forward to today. My kids have just missed two weeks of school because of our emergency trip back to Toronto for my mom. Then they get yesterday off because, well hey, it's a PD Day. So this morning I was going to put their butts on the bus, but we had a boy staying with us who can't ride the bus (that is a blog all it's own, I assure you) and I had to go in and take hot lunch orders... yeah, I'm a lunch lady, I know... I know.

Anyway, I get up early and run the dog so she'll be happy and won't decide to eat my house when I leave her alone because I'm going grocery shopping after dropping off the kids. I put her outside, while the kids are grabbing their books and shoes, figuring she needs a few minutes of private time for bathroom duty (this dog won't go anywhere but my house...it's a curse and a gift) I get all the kids strapped in, and we're on time to arrive about fifteen minutes early. A new record for us, I assure you. Then I simply ask my eldest son to put the dog in the house and we're off... well this is where the Late Gods bless me with more shit...the dog has gotten out of the yard and is now roaming the neighbourhood.

Now I might have considered just saying 'screw the damn dog' but I'm an animal lover and can't stand the thought she might get hurt. A few streets over backs onto the highway, so.... You guessed it, I drag the kids out and tell them to start scouring the neighbourhood. Oh, yes, we find lovely Bandit.. yes that's her at the top looking oh so innocent, the little wrench... fine and more than happy to see us. She immediately comes to me, jumps in the car and all is well, except now the kids are already five minutes late, and we haven't even left the damn house!!!

It's a CONSPIRACY. I swear. The Late Gods have chosen to bless me with their power and I can't help but wonder if I'll ever be able to drive these kids to school without being late. Guess we'll find out tomorrow... more hot lunch stuff so another trip in. God help me.

hugs,

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

My Birthday and a Giveaway...

Typical me...yesterday was my birthday, but I never got the chance to post. Or maybe I avoided it on purpose because I'm still not sure how I feel about all that's happened this past week. One week...that's all it's been, yet it feels like an eternity since my mom died. Time sure plays funny tricks on a person.

As for the rest of life. I'm slowly trying to get back to some type of routine. Of course, as luck would have it, it was a PD Day for the kids... why not. They just missed two weeks of school, why not have a PD Day the first day they were supposed to go back. Perfectly logical...

But we'll start back in on life tomorrow...which is one of the reasons I'm posting...

Chris from Stumbling Over Chaos is graciously holding a give-away on her blog tomorrow. The prize will be one of my books, such as Deadly Obsession, my newest release! I'm absolutely tickled that she made room for me and can't wait to chit chat over at her blog tomorrow. I hope everyone will drop by. She's always got lots of funny stories to tell.

I'm also blogging today to announce my new resolutions... yes, watching someone you love die does play with your head, so I've decided to get fit. Yeah, I run and ride, but I mean way more kick-ass fit. Starting this week, I'm starting back old-school...weights, cross training, even some yoga. So I'm putting it out here because now I'll have to be accountable...no more excuses. Time to put up or shut up...and I do enjoy talking so...

So here's to making changes. More blogging, because I've been failing at this, miserably. More working out, and healthier choices. More writing to get more stories out there... Basically just MORE!

I'll check in tomorrow at Chris' blog and be back here later in the week.

Cheers,

Kris

KrisNorris.ca

I Will Remember You...

Hi all,

I usually don't piggy back posts with the other places I blog, but in leu of the occasion, I'm hoping you'll let me go this one time. I wrote a post about my mum on the Gem's blog today and wanted to share it here as well... thanks for tuning in...

As you may recall, last month I totally gimped out and did a lamer than lame post. I was going through some family issues at the time, and well, I just didn't have the time or energy to get creative. Wouldn't you know, my family problems escalated this month. Just last week, I lost my mum. While she'd be ill for a while, I can tell you, I never imagined she'd pass so quickly.

Now don't worry, this isn't going to be an endless blog about dying or my views on the afterlife, but it's brought about another significant change in my life. I'm now the oldest living female in my family. Me!!!! In literally the space of a breath, I've gone from being the next generation to being the last generation, and I'm not exactly sure what to make of it. I mean, I'm not old enough to be the wise woman of the family...

I think what's really hit home for me, is how the passing of a generation also means the passing of traditions. As luck would have it, it's my birthday tomorrow...and it's made me realize that this will be the first birthday I don't get a card in the mail. (yes a few friends will hand me one, but you know what I mean.) My mum was a huge card person. I mean she'd send me a card thanking me for my thank you card. She's probably haunting my butt right now because I haven't sent out proper 'thank you' cards yet for those that came to pay their respects. I can assure you, Hallmark is already feeling the pinch. But I realize that sending cards is a tradition that's gone with her. I'm an e-card kinda girl. I'll send plain one, custom ones, and ones that dance and sing, but I hate spending five dollars on a card people feel guilty about tossing away because they know you've spent five dollars on the damn thing. E-cards I can keep on my computer forever if I'd like. It just seems to make more sense. But it's strange to think an entire tradition just vanishes.

There's other traditions that will be lost as well. Those strange concoctions at holiday dinners... you know that green jello mould thingy that no one liked... gone because I sure as hell don't know how to make it. Now that my be a blessing in disguise, but now I kinda wish I'd learnt, if for no other reason to make my children suffer the same fate I did. (Yes, I am that evil at times:) Then there's the stories...the ones about when she was a kid...silenced forever. And the pictures that no longer make sense because only she knew who was in them.

It makes me wonder about my heritage. How entire cultures manage to pass their information on from one generation to the next, yet for many of us, we can't recall our cousins if someone's not there to tell us their names. I never put much stock in it before, but it makes me question that decision now. Don't get me wrong, Hallmark will have to suffer the loss, and I'm really not fond of green jello, so it looks like the kids are safe. But I'm sure there'll be many times over the next year when I'll stop and say...hey, mum would have known the answer to that one.

So, I'd like to ask the million dollar question...what traditions have or will go in your family? How do you feel about becoming the oldest generation? Any words of wisdom? Feel free to leave a comment if you've also made this auspicious rite of passage, or if you're wise beyond your years...me, not so much.

I'll leave you with the lyrics of a song that's been haunting my mind for the past week. It's by Sarah McLachlan, called I Will Remember You..

I will remember you, will you remember me?

Don't let your life pass you by,

Wait not for the memory.

Dedicated to my mum...Lee.

While fleeting in my hand, you're forever in my heart.

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

Release Day!!!

OMG! Here it is five o'clock pacific time and I haven't had a chance to blog about my new release today. The second book in my 'Til Death series, Deadly Obsession, is out today! I'm totally stoked because the hero in this one, Gage Matthews, is one of my favourite characters. It' also my first series add-on. I'm just about done writing the second book in the Dark Prophecy series, but Deadly Obsession means I'm officially on my way to a full series, lol.

In celebration of this, I'm also guest starring over at Melodee Aaron's blog in her author spotlight all week long. I really hope I can find time to post. It's just crazy here. I'll be making a book trailer for this story soon, so stay tuned. But for now, here's an excerpt...

Brooklyn smiled, pulling the covers aside as she laid her computer on the floor before standing up and walking over to him. She reached up and loosened his tie. “Sounds like fun. Do you think you can pull yourself away from your job long enough to go?”

“I’ll try,” he replied, moaning as she rubbed her body against his, tossing the tie to the floor.

She felt so small next to him, her body melding into his. She pressed her head against his chest, as she grazed her fingers across his stomach.

“Brooklyn…”

“You’re so tense.” She nuzzled her face against his neck, licking her way to his mouth. “Everything okay?”

He looked into her eyes, trying to remember how it felt to see her with him, that bastard, when she reached down and began undoing his pants. “Now’s not a good time.”

She smiled, running her tongue across his lower lip, nipping at it until he took her mouth. Her tongue grazed across his, softly stroking it into her mouth. He tightened his fingers around her shoulders, pressing his lips harder against hers. She pulled back.

“Easy, baby.” She licked his lips again as she popped the buttons of his shirt open, revealing the sleek muscles of his chest. “You look like you need to relax. Why don’t you let me help you out with that?”

“Brooklyn!”

“I know. It’s not a good time.” She slid her fingers down his chest, tweaking his nipples as she moved lower until she reached his pants. She paused, watching his face as she slowly finished opening them, and pushed them down across his thighs. “But I promise, if you just wait for a few moments, I’ll make it a good time.”

He opened his mouth in protest just as she released his erection, stroking his cock so damn slowly his breath caught in his chest, stilling the words still formed on his tongue. He moaned, watching her face as she knelt down, dropping kisses across his chest, his stomach, his thighs, as she seared a path to his groin. She hummed, her lips softly vibrating against his skin as she skirted past his engorged head and kissed his other thigh.

“You work too much,” she whispered, planting another kiss at the base of his shaft, brushing her cheek against his skin. “You need more time here…with me.” She looked up at him, meeting his heated gaze as she poked out her tongue and drew it down the length of his cock, flicking it over the crown.

“God damn.”

“Shhh. Don’t distract me.” She moved again, running her tongue down the other side, licking away a small drop of pre-cum from the tip. “Mmm. Rewarded already. How very generous of you.”

“Darling, please. We need to talk.”

“We can talk after I’m done. Unless we can find something else to do.”

He speared his hands through her hair, intending to pull her away, when she slipped her lips around him and took him deep into her mouth. “Oh, God.”

I hope you enjoyed the preview. For more excerpts, please hop over to my website or TEB.

Cheers,

Kris Norris

Romancing life one adventure at a time

KrisNorris.ca

Truth... nothing but the truth.

First off, I'm sorry this is late in posting. Between some family matters and a seemingly endless hockey tournament (I was at the arena for seven hours for three days!!!!) I wasn't able to get back to the fun little contest. But in the spirit of truth over lies, here's how it pans out.

1. I'm a history buff.... LIE! Actually, I much prefer the future. Give me some sci-fi anytime. I do like the medieval period, but certainly far from a buff, lol.

2. I'm a closet video game junkie.... TRUE!!! While I don't have much time to actually play, I won't even admit to the number of hours I spend watching others battle through those epic games... Halo, Gears of War, World at War, and don't forget Rockband!!

3. I was in the military.... TRUE!!! Yes, this is something I don't broadcast too often. Let's just say I was young and, well, yeah, I was young.

4. I've never broken a bone. FALSE!!! I've actually broken a few... ankle, foot, hand, thumb, finger.... no I'm not accident prone or uncoordinated, I'm just active.

5. I've been married twice. FALSE!!! OMG... once is still killing me, giggle. No really, honey, I love being married... really.

6. I've never travelled outside North America.... FALSE!!! Actually, it's nearly true. I've only been to Central America—Costa Rica— so it was a close third, lol.

7. I love shopping. FALSE with a capital F!!! I hate hate hate shopping, especially for clothes. Can't we all just go naked? Okay, that might not be a great idea, but that's how much I loathe shopping.

Thanks to those who played. Genella, you were the only right answer. I'll try to send off an email to you, but it you don't get it, when you visit back let me know which book you'd like from my list and I'll send it away.

Cheers,
Kris
Romancing life...one adventure at a time.
KrisNorris.ca

I Swear to Tell the Truth... well mostly.

Yes, I've been tagged, twice now. While I haven't had a chance to make my book boyfriend yet... and yes I will... I'm coming out from under my rock to see if you can tell what's true and what's fiction.

Here's how it works. I'll list seven facts about me. Two are true and the others, well, let's just say I wish they were true. And I'm not going to pick anything that's just been out in the author spotlight on TEB... way too easy. So no, 'I know how to fly helicopters' on this one, which would be true...You pick out which ones you think are true and leave me a comment. I'll give away a free copy of one of my books to the lucky winner, which I will have my trusty children draw on Friday. So here goes...

1. I'm a history buff... the older the better.

2. I'm a video game closet junkie... love me some Gears of War.

3. I was in the military.

4. I've never broken a bone.

5. I've been married twice.

6. I've never travelled outside North America.

7. I love shopping.

Sheesh, that was harder than I thought it'd be. Okay, go ahead and give it your best shot.

Thanks for dropping by and thanks to Bronwyn and Jude for tagging me.

If you'd like to get in on more action, visit some friends and you might get lucky and win some more books.

Bronwyn Green

Mia Watts

Jude Mason

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

I'm in the Spotlight...and I got new Cover Art!!

Hey all.

I'm thrilled to announce that I'm in TEB's Author Spotlight this month. You can find out all sorts of crazy tidbits about me and my writing style. Just jump on over to TEB's Author Spotlight page and have a gander. There are some pictures of my office (if you can call it that) and my visions of the perfect man. I hope to see you over there.

In other news, I got the final cover for my erotic thriller novel, Hard Target, coming out in November with Resplendence Publishing. I know it's a bit of a ways, away, but it's so perfect, I had to show it off. I just love the way Les designed all the little aspects of this cover. From the sexy couple right down to the bullseye on the front... and how he has the font changing colour... he Rocks!!!

I have to say, I've been so lucky with cover art. All my titles from TEB have been fabulous and the ones from RP totally blow me away. Thanks to Chel, Les, Lyn, Natalie. and April... you are all more talented than we mere authors deserve. Thanks for your patience and for making our covers look incredible. After all, a great cover is half the way to selling a book.

Cheers,

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca