November Heat 

Romance was the furthest thing from Jill’s mind on that snowy, November evening. She had just piled the groceries into the back of her Suburban when she felt a presence behind her.

“May I take your cart, Madame?” He was dressed in a camel-colored wool overcoat and had eyes to match, they twinkled at her in the harsh parking lot lighting.

“Yes, thank you,” she said, thinking that he would walk away with her cart and out of her life. Instead, he took it to the cart corral and then returned. She should have been in her car driving back to her 2.3 children and dog in suburbia but instead she was standing in the wet snowflakes, getting damp and watching him walk back to her.

“It’s cold tonight, would you like to get a cup of coffee?” It was probably his brazenness that breached her defenses. Or his eyes perhaps, those probing pools of light brown that left her breathing like a teenager again even though she had teenagers of her own. The coffee shop was a short walk away and before she knew what was happening, she was ordering her usual and finding an out-of-the-way table.

He followed her with the steaming mugs and his eyes never strayed from her. When she looked back over her shoulder, she smiled shyly at the unusual attention. For awhile they simply looked at each other over the rim of their cups but eventually the conversation started to flow. He was in sales, she was a soccer mom, and fate had placed them together in the Walmart parking lot on a cold, November evening.

She could say nothing wrong, he hung on every word and offered precious few of his own, mostly encouragements to continue. He laughed at the funny bits and frowned at the parts where life had been less fair. She found herself responding to his subtle flirtations. Her hand found its way to her hair and she wrapped a wisp around her finger without knowing she was doing it.

He left the table for a moment on some errand and when he returned, he sat not across from her but conspiratorially next to her, their arms touched while they drained the last drops of the over-priced brew. She was fascinated by his lips, she found herself wondering what it would be like to kiss them and touch them and be kissed by them. Soon enough she found out; they sat kissing until they had the coffee shop to themselves.

He detached himself from their kiss long enough to whisper into her ear “Your place or mine?” Jill again found herself responding to his brazen assumption that she would capitulate. She did.

“Luckily for you, they’re one in the same” she giggled as she led him out to the parking lot by the hand. He opened the door of the Suburban for his wife, and then got into the driver’s seat.

The End

If you’re a LinkedIn member, feel free to connect to me and join the Aspiring Writer’s group.  This story will be available in “A Change of Briefs” coming in November from Marvcorp Publishing.  Watch for it!  Meanwhile, you can pick up a copy of “Briefs for the Reading Room” through this site or Amazon.

Proof the Kentucky Loves Me

When Forrest Gump came out, I was regularly referred to as “Lieutenant Dan.”  On Monday the 22nd, 2010 I got promoted to… Colonel Dan!   The honorable order of Kentucky Colonels was formed in the 1930′s as a charitable organization.  Members must be nominated by an active ‘Colonel’ and approved by the Governor. 

I was very honored to be considered and accepted into the organization.  I now have proof that I’m Honorable, it says so right on the certificate!

Guest Blog: Tile Tech Notes – Editor’s Blog – Ceramic Industry.

On Tuesday, my 10th review went live.  I’ve also done a couple of reviews on my own at my New Media Reviews site.  Reviewing other people’s books is rewarding but challenging.  I see in their successes ways to improve my writing.  I see in their shortcomings things to avoid to improve my writing.  At first I was reviewing books from PDFs but I just don’t read that way.  Getting on the computer for a couple of hours to read a book just doesn’t work into my lifestyle.  Once I started requesting a hard copy of the books I was reading, it became much easier and more fun. 

Writing can be a selfish, solitary pursuit.  Writers tend to get wrapped up in their own writing.  It’s a natural thing, you’re pouring your time and energy and soul into it, you want other people to enjoy it and you want to talk about it.  By doing these reviews, I’ve gotten to ‘meet’ some really good writers and give back a little.  I encourage you to explore the work of independent writers.  Find books that aren’t on the aisles at Walmart.  Take a chance, gamble a few bucks on a book that may or may not suck.  Read the reviews.  If you like it, take a minute to say so on the author’s web site or Amazon page or parole board.  You’ll be glad you did!

Discussing "Briefs" at the local library

Today I had the benefit book signing for the Anderson Humane Society.  Although the ladies from the library and the humane society were both apologetic that more people didn’t come out, I was personally happy with how it went.  Unlike two weeks ago when I didn’t sell a single book, I sold quite a few this time out.  I was able to donate $50 to the Humane Society and had my single biggest book sales day to date.  I definitely think having some one on one interaction is a must, people were able to ask questions, chit chat about whatever they wanted, and it didn’t feel like I was ‘selling’ as much as getting to know some nice people.  We talked about dogs and the library and writing and reading and burgoo.  Thanks Anderson Humane Society and Anderson Public Library!

The Anderson Library

I’d like to invite everyone to my second book signing.  This one will be held at the Anderson Public Library in Lawrenceburg, KY on June 21st from 2 to 4 PM.  I know it’s Father’s Day but really… what better gift for dad than a bathroom book?  It’s just what every dad needs.  This book signing will benefit the Anderson Humane Society.  They will play host, providing food and drinks and $1 from every book sold will go to them.   I will do some readings, talk about the process of publishing, and sign books.

In other news on July 30th I will be interviewed by the LEX18 News at 12:30.  This is a pretty widely watched channel in Lexington and the interview should be a nice boost for the book.  Tune in!

Joseph-Beth Book Signing

Dateline Lexington – June 7th, 2009… Police responded to a call due to overcrowding at the Joseph-Beth bookstore as Dan Marvin and 3 fellow Kentuckians signed their books.  Tear gas and pepper spray failed to suppress the enthusiasm of the crowd and the event had to be cancelled after all the books were sold in the first 10 minutes…

Well, that’s not QUITE how it went.  The four regional authors featured at June’s book signing at Joseph-Beth had a tranquil two hours of it.  It was interesting to get out and meet other authors and share ideas though.  I also got a contact for the LEX18 news producer, so I sent her an email to see if she wanted to feature my book on an upcoming segment.  Here’s hoping my signing on the 21st will go better! 

Speaking of interviews, there is now a link to my interview from last week on the right hand side of each page, feel free to check it out and let me know how I did.  Unless I did poorly, then just check it out…

Regional Author Day

Mary Beth Hall, Daniel Marvin, James Claypool, and Hope Cundiff
Sunday, June 7
2:00-4:00 pm
- Mary Beth Hall signs Lessons From a Bald Chick
- Daniel Marvin signs Briefs for the Reading Room
- James Claypool signs Our Fellow Kentuckians
- Hope Cundiff signs Angel Took My Hand

Hope to see you there!