A different twist on a hot old fave...a real hit in my family, and so easy to make!

When my kids were little and hated "spicy" stuff, I omitted the chili powder and substituted a can of diced green chiles, or nothing at all. My favorite ways to serve this dish is either wrapped in a warm buttered tortilla burrito style, or served with tortilla chips and topped with grated cheese and sour cream.

EZ CHILI


You'll need:

2 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, diced
1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced
2 16 oz cans beans (I use 1 can kidney and 1 can black, but you can select your own combo)
1 can chili beans
2 large cans whole tomatoes, snipped
1 can tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce
1 can corn
1 8oz (approx) can sliced black olives
Chili powder, seasoning salt, and pepper to taste


Brown ground beef in skillet; pour into large pot or slow cooker. Saute onions and garlic until soft; add to pot. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Cook at low heat, simmering on stove top for up to 1 hour until flavors blended or start in slow cooker on low heat up to 4 hours before. Serves 8.

Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon this year and got an iPhone. I figured it was just a fancy phone-slash-music/media-player, but I was shocked to find that there are tons of applications for those with a passion for reading or writing as well. Here are a half dozen favorites, available from the iTunes store. They also work with the iPod Touch. Best of all, most are free!

Story Tracker
Awesome database app for keeping track of your submissions, markets, monies earned on each title sold, etc. View data like turnaround time on subs, statistics on who has taken or rejected work, genres, and much more. A definite must-have for the serious writer! At $4.99 it's one of the most "costly" apps, but well worth it. Plus, there's a free "lite" version you can get to try it out before you buy.

Saisuke Free (Google Calendar Sync)
Do you use Google Calendar? It's a great tool for organizing all your author events, submission and editing deadlines, book release dates, etc. And iPhone has an app that lets you consult and edit your calendar wherever you go, then sync it with your desktop when you get home. Great for those on-the-fly times when you stop in at a bookseller and set up a book signing, etc.

Stanza
My favorite eBook reader for the iPhone. Download books, sort by author, titles, genres, etc. And you can even use it to read text files in just about any format on your computer, using the optional desktop transfer application. I use this not only to read downloads from places like Fictionwise or AllRomanceeBooks, but also to look over my own manuscripts as well.

Kindle for iPhone
Yep, no need to buy Amazon's $$$ reader when you've got an iPhone or iPod Touch. The Kindle app is free and allows you to search and download books right from Amazon. While I prefer Stanza for most reading needs, I have this as well in case there's a particular title I can only find on Amazon.

Documents To Go
Stick your latest Work-in-Progress on your iPhone/iPod and edit or work on it while you're out. Sync with the desktop when you get home, and the computer version of your book manuscript will be updated with the changes. While I won't pretend typing is easy as pie on the phone's keyboard, it's a great option when I don't want to use pen and paper, then retype later. You can also create a new document when that idea for your next book strikes.

Awesome Note
This is a great little folder-and-stickynotes-based app that lets you organize your book project--or several. Customizable folders you can put notations inside work great for brainstorming characters, plot arc, timelines, world building, etc.

iPlotWheel Lite
In need of ideas? Writer's block? Or just want a break from the latest plot for some wacky fun? Give this app a spin and over 1,000 combinations of plot motivations.

Do you have any favorite iPhone apps? I'd love to hear about it. Post in the comments!

I had a blast over at Roxanne Rhoads' Fang-Tastic books blog the other day, and enjoyed the comments everyone left about THEIR SECRET PARADISE!

And now without further ado, the winner of my holiday gift pack is...

Tracey D, aka booklover0226! Thank you for posting, and to everyone else who enjoyed my excerpt from PARADISE.

I'm the guest blogger at Fang-Tastic Books today, as part of Roxanne's 25 days promo!

Come find out about THEIR SECRET PARADISE and post a comment there for a chance to win a fun little holiday gift pack!

http://www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/

This is my favorite fudge recipe, perfected by accident one year when my DH brought home a wrong ingredient. The results were creamy and sweet, and tasted exactly like the fudge I bought at Disneyland's candy shop every year!

Fantastic Fudge

You'll need:

24 oz (1 1/2 bags) milk chocolate chips
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
a dash salt
1 tsp vanilla

Lightly grease a 9" square baking pan, or use nonstick and line with waxed paper. Pour chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan; melt slowly over very low heat (or double boiler, careful not to let steam/water get into chocolate or it will seize up and ruin). Stir constantly. Just before chips finish melting, stir in salt and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan; let cool (I like to chill it in the fridge) and cut into squares. Makes about 25 squares, depending on the size you like to cut!

For fun alternatives, try these:

--substitute peanut butter chips for 1/2 of the chocolate chips
--add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
--use semisweet chocolate instead
--add crushed candy canes right before pouring into pan
--double fun: melt one batch with all peanut butter OR all white chocolate pieces, and another with semisweet chocolate. Use a 13x9 pan and spread one layer on top of the other OR use a butter knife to make a swirl effect as soon as you pour your batches into the pan. If you make these simultaneously, have a friend help stir a batch or your mixture may scorch.

Enjoy!

I'm being interviewed today over on Karenna Colcroft's blog, talking about THEIR SECRET PARADISE, my advice to new authors, and who my favorite character is among all that I've written. I hope you'll swing by and leave a comment!

http://karennacolcroft.com/?page_id=18

Okay, hunky Santa not included. LOL

In honor of the holiday season I've got a very special offer! Give the gift of an eBook and earn a gift for yourself--or for your recipient!

eBooks make a great eco-friendly AND eco-nomical gift, and the recipient needn't have a special eReader device to enjoy them. eBooks can be read on a regular computer, laptop, netbook, or even on smartphones like the iPhone or Blackberry!


Order a J. Rose Allister title during December (Kata Sutra or Their Secret Paradise) in any eBook format and I'll send a small Thank You holiday pack featuring fun little goodies to the address of your choice. The pack is holiday wrapped and perfect for tucking into your favorite romance reader's stocking--or enjoying yourself on a winter afternoon!


To qualify for a gift pack, Email me at jroseallister@verizon.net with your name, date of purchase, title purchased, location of purchase, and receipt number (where applicable). Include the name and address of the recipient for the gift pack. One pack per verifiable title purchase.

Happy reading...and happy holidays!

I'm blogging today over on Brigit's World about secrets! Do you keep them? Do I? And what about my latest book characters?

Find out more here: http://brigitsworld.blogspot.com/

Color me shocked...Dark Divas reviews emailed me to say that KATA SUTRA is up for their Book of the Month award. Voting goes on all this week. I hope you'll stop by and put your two cents in on the poll!

Vote Now

About Kata Sutra:

Evan and Makoto are masters of their bodies in the art of karate. Powerful fighters and skilled lovers, they are about to become masters of their student Desiree's body as well.

When Desiree signs up for eight weeks of self-defense classes, the last thing she expects is hands-on, two-on-one training in erotic arts from a pair of muscled and breathtakingly gorgeous karate instructors. But can the passion of this ménage survive the secrets each of them is hiding?

I'm excited to report that KATA SUTRA received five divas and a "recommended read" from Dark Diva Reviews!

"...All in all, this is one kick “ass” book, pardon my French..."--Review by Dakota of Dark Diva Reviews

See the entire review HERE.

I'm blogging over at Kayden McLeod's World of Paranormal about THEIR SECRET PARADISE, where the natural magic of an island getaway setting turns paranormal.

I hope you'll stop by and leave a comment about the natural-and supernatural-magic of romance!

World of Romance

What are YOU grateful for this Thanksgiving? This year, I'm very grateful for my November release, THEIR SECRET PARADISE. In honor of the luscious Bahamas resort on which this and other upcoming
IMMORTAL PARADISE stories are set, here's a Thanksgiving appetizer that would be
served at my resort's posh five-star restaurant, the Mira del Sol:

Tropical Mango/Cranberry salsa:

1 cup finely chopped cranberries
1/4 cup minced red onion
1 clove finely minced garlic
1 cup chopped mango (or papaya)
1 teaspoon minced seeded jalapeño pepper
2 tablespoons minced cilantro (fresh)
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. Chill. Serve with a dollop of sour
cream on top, with regular or blue corn tortilla chips. Makes about 2 1/2 cups
salsa.

Visit THEIR SECRET PARADISE...order a copy today!
http://eternalpress.ca/theirsecretparadise.html
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b98694/?si=0

Thanks to all those who entered my special giveaway for members of the Love Romance Cafe's Yahoo Group! We shared some interesting questions, reader info, recipes, and hot excerpts. Great fun.

For those of you who haven't heard of it, Love Romance Cafe is a great group to enjoy chatting with authors, readers, and finding out about romance and erotic titles. Check it out here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveRomancesCafe/

And now, the WINNER! (Drum roll please!)

Congratulations to Beverly Gordon!

I've got two videos up for a trailer award at You Gotta Read videos!!

#17 Kata Sutra


#18 Their Secret Paradise


If you enjoyed these videos, I hope you'll click HERE and cast your vote in the poll between now and November 26!!

Rated four flames from Eternal Press
http://eternalpress.ca/theirsecretparadise.html

Woo hoo! I've got a second video up for a book trailer award over on YOU GOTTA READ videos! Gotta hand it to the folks over at Dragonfyre Entertainment--they make dazzling trailers!

Take a moment to pop on over and check out my entry:

You Gotta Read Videos: THEIR SECRET PARADISE/

Rated SCORCHING from Siren-Bookstrand's Menage Amour Line
http://www.bookstrand.com/product-katasutra-15770-201.html

I am excited to announce that the video for my title KATA SUTRA is up for a book trailer award over on YOU GOTTA READ videos!

Take a moment to pop on over and check out my entry:
You Gotta Read Videos: KATA SUTRA

Okay, it's day 15 of November's annual National Novel Writing Challenge, and like more than 100,000 other authors worldwide, I've been frantically tapping keys in hopes of making the goal.

If you've never heard of this challenge, the goal is to write a 50,000-word novel in thirty days during the month of November. The prize? A handsome web graphic and printable certificate...and the feeling of a job well done. And, quite possibly, a piece of fiction you can then go on to polish and see reach publication.

So, how's it going for old Jade here? As of this writing, I have crossed the 40k mark, putting me a bit ahead of the game for now, but anything can happen. What am I writing? Another title in my IMMORTAL PARADISE series, called IMMORTAL HEAT. In this story, Lexie goes to the island featured in THEIR SECRET PARADISE to find the man of her dreams--literally. Convinced that the hunk who has possessed her dreams for nearly a year will be waiting at the resort, Lexie instead meets two intriguing, disturbingly sensual gods: Love and Lust. They reveal that she has been chosen to become the mate of a powerful god, Grayel, and that the only way for her to join him outside of dreams is to undergo an erotic ritual that will transform her...into a goddess.

If you're busy typing up your NaNoWriMo word count, congratulations to you! If you haven't signed up yet, why not give it a try? You don't need to be an author, and it isn't too late! All you need is the desire to write a story, and off you go.

For more info, visit http://nanowrimo.org. You still have half the month left to get rockin, and there are people who have already crossed the 50k goal in two weeks. So can you! Even if you don't, just think that two weeks from now, you could be well on your way to a novel.

Happy writing!

Thanks to all those who entered my special giveaway for members of the Manic Readers Yahoo Group! We had great fun and I hosted a contest to give away a Sudoku puzzle book, some bookmarks, and little candy treats.

For those of you who haven't heard of it, Manic Readers is a great site for authors and readers to hook up. Check it out here: http://manicreaders.com.

And now, the WINNER! (Drum roll please!)

Congratulations to MARTHA E!!

THEIR SECRET PARADISE by J. Rose Allister
A 4-flame sensual fantasy, coming November 7 from Eternal Press
Where the gods Love and Lust reside, no one will leave untouched
http://eternalpress.ca/theirsecretparadise.html

Come to a live chat SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7 from 7-11 pm EST, where I will be joining other EP authors for excerpts, fun, and giveaways! I will be giving away a fun reader survival kit, with a few little goodies I selected to pull out during one of those need-to-relax moments!

WARNING: EXPLICIT EXCERPT RATED XX

Parapsychology graduate Gina Munson knows better than to fall victim to the special “charms” at her uncle's resort, where the siren call of a glittering sea couples with the energy of supernatural eroticism to stir guests’ most sensual fantasies. Then a muscled building contractor stumbles across her private sunbathing nook and heats up Gina’s summer Bahamas paradise. For where the gods Love and Lust reside, none will leave untouched.

Excerpt:


Their lips met before David realized he'd reached for her, and the room around them imploded until there was no reality left outside the utter perfection of their joining. He felt her stiffen for a couple of heart-pounding beats, then melt against him. Her hair smelled off tropical secrets he sought to unleash by running his fingers through the silken tresses as he devoured her. The moan he elicited when his tongue found hers drove his already hard cock to near immolation. Gods, she tasted good—better than he'd remembered.

Gina had been a cool flame during their times together, reserved and aloof but with glimpses of burning desire hidden within her depths. Now he saw the door to her need fling wide open, revealing more than a stoked furnace of arousal. She was a virtual goddess of passion. He whispered her name against her lips as her hands went exploring, running down the breadth of his shoulders and along his back to just above his ass. She slid those delicious hands around to stroke the sides of his hips, her bold and dangerous proximity to the bulging ache against his fly shooting a fierce need through him. He was overcome by a powerful yearning to possess this woman, in a way no other male ever had—or would again. The electric wake left from her touch made him shiver and sent a groan rumbling up from deep within his core.

Her tongue stroked and teased his mouth until he had to restrain himself from giving over to animalistic groans, and he released her hair to embark on an expedition of his own. As his caress slid along her upper arms he allowed lazy thumbs to graze the rounded perfection of full breasts. Her gasp was immediate, a tortured ecstasy that tightened his abdomen and brought the hips her hands rested on forward to press against her. His intoxication with this woman was potent and complete, and as his hands went to her breasts, he heard the thought incurable.



~~~~~~~~~~
Order THEIR SECRET PARADISE today! Satisfaction Supernaturally Guaranteed

Thanks to all those who entered my special giveaway for members of Brenda Williamson's Romance Party Yahoo Group! We had gods and hunks, sushi rolling and contests. Great fun.

For those of you who haven't heard of it, Brenda's got one of the biggest groups around for romance and erotic titles. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BrendaWilliamsonRomanceParty/

And now, the WINNER! (Drum roll please!)

Congratulations to RENEE CRYER!!

WARNING: EXCERPT CONTAINS MATURE SUBJECT MATTER

Rated SCORCHING from Siren-Bookstrand's Menage Amour Line
http://www.bookstrand.com/product-katasutra-15770-201.html

I was absolutely shocked when I set up a Google Alert for KATA SUTRA and an alert popped up--right from the bestseller page of my publisher, Siren-Bookstrand!

KATA SUTRA is currently #6, and I couldn't be more pleased. Here's a teaser for you:

Excerpt:

Shaking herself loose from the grip of shock, Desiree launched herself into the room and inserted herself between the two men before either could make another move.

“Stop,” she said, taking on Evan's usual commanding tone. “Stop it, both of you.” Adrenaline fed her in gasps that matched the ragged breathing of the two winded opponents.

“Desiree.” Mak shook sweaty locks from widened eyes. “You're still here.”

She knelt between them, placing a hand on both their superheated, hardened chests to keep them in place. “What the hell is going on? First you're peeing over each other to see who can squirt a stream of sparring instructions the highest—all of which failed, in case you hadn't noticed. Now you're going Bruce Lee on each other to see who gets a shot at me?”

The two flicked accusing glances at the other, but other than forceful whooshes of breath, they kept silent. “Or is pretending to fight over a female standard practice in Upper Belt Sparring?”

Mak pulled his torso upward, but she pushed him back. “Uh-uh. Not until I get an answer.”

He complied with a sigh and folded his arms behind his head. “How about it, Desiree? I've seen the way you look at me. I felt a connection. Tell our teacher here that you and I have a date with Tiger Balm.”

Evan ignored her attempt to hold him on his back and pushed up to lean on one hand while shoving back a sheen of his dampened blond waves with the other. “And when you're letting him down easy, don't forget the part where you almost kissed me after the last class.”

Her eyes flew wide. “I almost kissed you?

“Don't deny it.” His voice, still breathless from the match, dropped to a low growl that shuddered through her. “Your nipples were so hard I thought they'd rip right through your top.” His eyes dipped. “Like they are right now.”

The parts in question tightened even harder. What the hell did he expect? She had her hands on two muscled, panting, gorgeous men. Men who wanted her.

“And I say it's because of our pre-class warm up.”

“Enough!” She tossed her head back, shaking hair from her face and trying to keep composure. “I'm not a wishbone, guys. You can't tear me in two and get what you want.”

The whole thing was unbelievable. What the hell should she do? Evan, godlike and powerful, yet intimidating. Mak, personable and charming, yet with a hint of danger of his own. She hadn't had a date in months, sex in even longer. Now two of the hottest guys she ever imagined inside of her were fighting over her like snarling wolves. Just like a dream—a truly wild, out-of-this-world fantasy. Sculpted bodies all hers for the taking. She merely had to choose which one.

A rush of pleasure flooded her abdomen through the thought of being so desired, along with the tingling contact of her palms against two hot, male bodies. How could she pick between them?

The answer snapped into place against this thought. Something she'd never dreamed, let alone considered possible outside a fairly wild fantasy life. Did she dare?

She fought to keep her voice calm. “You've shared a lot of things in this dojo. You share a passion for karate. A voice here among the students. A friendship. A friendship I'd like to share.” She skimmed her hands over both their chests until she grazed their nipples. “With both of you.”

Before the logical side of her brain could convince the rest of her to chicken out, she reached down to peel her shirt up over her head, her hair spilling back out in long strands around full, bare breasts.




~~~~~~~~~~
Master Your Passion--order your copy of KATA SUTRA today!

Hi all!

I'll be chatting over on Brenda Williamson's Romance Party tomorrow, Tuesday November 3, from about 12-2pm PST to talk about my new Siren release, KATA SUTRA, and my November 7 Eternal Press release, THEIR SECRET PARADISE!

Come find out more about the island where the gods Love and Lust come out to play and the passionate trio who trains just as hard in erotic arts as they do martial arts! Among fun topics like a sushi rolling lesson (and you've NEVER rolled sushi until you've learned how by the erotic, muscled hottie from my book), I'll be giving away a special Reader's Survival Kit! I've tossed several little goodies into a grab bag for you to pull out next time you need time away for a reader's escape!

Come join the fun tomorrow:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BrendaWilliamsonRomanceParty/

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Jade
Fiction With a Passion http://jroseallister.awardspace.us

Thanks to all those who entered my special giveaway for members of the Alpha Males and Their Authors Yahoo Group! It was great fun being there to share some steamy excerpts and host my contest.

For those of you who haven't discovered this place, be sure to check it out for the hottest info on romance/erotic titles featuring those gotta-love-em alpha hunks! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/alpha_males_and_their_authors

And now, the WINNER! (Drum roll please!)

Congratulations to Lisa Smith, aka Afshan. Hooray!

Tickle your sweet tooth with my prize-winning two-layer fudge!

Spooky Graveyard Fudge

Ingredients:

1 ½ bags (16 oz each ) peanut butter chips
1 ½ bags (16 oz each ) milk chocolate chips
2 (14 oz) cans sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
2 cups Oreos thin crisps cookies (regular Oreos can work with middle icing scraped off)
Plastic Halloween décor—skeletons, spider rings, pumpkins, etc (optional)

Directions:

Crush cookies into fine crumbs by whirring in blender or inside a Ziploc bag using a wooden mallet, rolling pin, or hands; set aside. Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking pan. In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt peanut butter chips together with 1 can sweetened condensed milk, stirring constantly. As soon as chips are melted, spread into prepared pan, pushing out evenly to edges with fingers or rubber spatula. In another heavy saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips with 2nd can of sweetened condensed milk, stirring constantly. As soon as chips are melted, spoon mixture over peanut butter layer in pan, spreading chocolate over it evenly. Sprinkle cookie crumbs over top to resemble “dirt;” press into fudge with hands. Place in refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.

To serve:

Slice layered bars into small rectangles. Arrange on serving dish and top each with a plastic Halloween topper. Makes 3-4 dozen pieces of fudge, depending on the size of your slices.

Rated SCORCHING from Siren-Bookstrand's Menage Amour Line
http://www.bookstrand.com/kata-sutra

WARNING: EXPLICIT EXCERPT RATED XX

When Desiree signs up for eight weeks of self-defense classes, the last thing she expects is hands-on, two-on-one training in erotic arts from a pair of muscled and breathtakingly gorgeous karate instructors. But can the passion of this ménage survive the secrets each of them is hiding?

Excerpt:

Desiree squeezed his cock and Evan appeared to unhinge. His hands found her breasts just as Mak's lips found hers. With her other hand she sought the gap in Mak's gi top and slid it inside to stroke magnificent bare chest. Senses crashed over her in a tidal wave of lust and shock. She could hardly believe what was happening to her.

Two men. Together. She could have both.

“Mak,” Evan said through gritted teeth a moment later.

The other man froze, and Desiree jerked back from their kiss, her eyes flying to Evan's looking for a scowl and command to send the other man away. Perhaps he wasn't ready to play her game, after all.

Instead, steely gray had darkened to ebony fire that sent a tingle all the way down between her thighs. His gaze flicked to Mak. “Go lock the damned door.”

His number one student leapt up and half ran to do this bidding, lest any lost and needy karate souls stumble onto their triangle. Without missing a beat, Evan pulled Desiree around to lay her half on his lap and cradled her with one arm while the other lavished maddening feather-like strokes over her nipples. His erection was firm beneath her back, and he thrust his pelvis upward with a groan to grind it against her. His mouth finally, gratefully descended over hers, and a wave of pleasure jolted from his lips straight through to her clit. Wet heat spread between her thighs when those lips prodded hers apart, his hot tongue seeking sexual delights he found with practiced ease.

Mak returned with a snort of irritation. “Hey. Still in the room here, you know.”
Still working tortuous circles around her nipples and lips, Evan drew far back enough to speak—barely. “Perhaps I was right about younger men needing more training. Or have you forgotten there's a whole other half to a woman's body?”

Desiree caught Mak's gaze in time to see it light up with wicked possibility, which set the half of her in question pulsing with warm, slick anticipation. His pants throbbed with a heat and bulk of their own, but not for long. Just before Evan claimed her mouth again and robbed her view of proceedings, her Asian god dropped his karate trousers to reveal a thick shaft that promised delight to the end of her bargain he was getting. The thought prompted her to squeeze her thighs tight together on her clit, and she moaned in response to the sharp surge of desire.


~~~~~~~~~~
Master Your Passion--order your copy of KATA SUTRA today!

I'm terribly excited to have not one, but TWO book covers to share with you! My cover art for both THEIR SECRET PARADISE and KATA SUTRA were delivered to my inbox the same week, and here they are in all their hot, hunky glory:


I've also got an updated version of my THEIR SECRET PARADISE preview trailer:




THEIR SECRET PARADISE is confirmed as a November 7 release; KATA SUTRA is still in post-edits and tentatively scheduled for November or later. Stay tuned!

Great news! I've just signed on with the awesome Siren-Bookstrand family of books for KATA SUTRA, my action-packed martial arts/menage-au-trois romance tale. No official word yet on a release date, so more on that when the time comes!

About KATA SUTRA:

Just your average tale of a boy, a girl, and a boy...all of whom have secrets that threaten to blow their steamy love affair out of the dojo where erotic arts are studied as fervently as martial arts.

I was reading Debra Kayn's Tuesday Catch Up and it spurred a random childhood memory. One that made me remember the power of imagination and risk taking, and how both combined can help us soar as writers.

Debra was reflecting on kite flying, asking readers whether we recall the last time we flew a kite. I don't remember the last time, but I remember the most important. I was eleven, and Bank of America was sponsoring a kite making contest. Kites were judged on beauty as well as flying performance. The grand prize was a ten-speed bike and a $100 savings account, darn major stuff when you're eleven! Tons of kids at my school entered for a shot at that prize, and set about constructing the "perfect" kite. Fathers and sons measured and calculated; girls selected the prettiest tissue papers.

And me? I'd never built a kite, had only flown one a couple of times. This was no deterrent, as I had a vision. I determined that my kite would be like no other. Mine would be a god's eye kite.

Remember god's eyes? You crossed two sticks together, then wove yarn over and under in different colors to form a diamond shape. That, I decided, would be my kite.

Oh, how other kids laughed at me! "A yarn kite?? You can't make a kite out of YARN!" My parents, on the other hand, never told me I couldn't, never expressed any concern that it might not fly. So I worked to weave a giant god's eye in all colors, braiding long yarn strands to form the tail. All kites went on display in the bank as soon as they were entered, and that god's eye was truly a jaw-dropper that stood out from the rest. Kids grudgingly had to admit the kite looked pretty amazing, but they were still confident it would never fly and I would lose.

When the day came to take those kites into the parking lot, I felt the first real flutterings of trepidation. My kite was so much heavier, so different. It was nothing like the others, and I felt foolish standing there with my weird yarn contraption. What had intrigued me as inspirational now seemed a ridiculous flight of fancy, and I wished I'd made my kite like everyone else's. Still, I grit my teeth and decided to give it my best shot...and when that god's eye soared higher than any of the others, my heart went right along with it.

That bike is long gone as is the hundred dollar prize, but the lesson I learned that day remained ever since. To truly be free with our creations, we must risk taking chances on our own vision--and believe in ourselves even when others don't. Otherwise, we'll never truly know how far we might have flown.

So fly free, and don't let the whispers of "you can't" keep your kite from soaring!

From time to time I'll be posting for you some of the nifty sites I happen to run across during my travels around the web. (You know, those times when we probably should be working, but find ourselves procrastinating by clicking links at mad random!)

I ran across today's site courtesy of fellow author Regina Paul:

http://freeromancefiction.com

Free Romance Fiction offers all free reads of varying lengths by previously published authors. While the site appears newer and does not yet have a great deal of selection, this is a nifty concept for both readers and authors alike. Readers satisfy their need for read, and authors can gain exposure and attract new readers. What's not to love about FREE?

...Your Wish-granting genie here, because I just knew you wanted a hot photo to ogle to get those 4th of July fireworks sizzling.