Caridad Pineiro® Romance Author
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Romance Author
Milo has been a favorite in our family since he was on Gilmore Girls and then in Heroes. Milo also played Rocky’s son in Rocky #6 – Rocky Balboa – and can now be seen in This is Us. Believe it our not, I’ve never watched This is Us and probably should given all the buzz, but right now my TV viewing time is limited. Thanks to Kristin Dos Santos for this photo of Milo at a 2008 Heroes event.
It’s International Woman’s Day and what better way to honor that day than to tell you about the two remarkable women who helped shape me into who I am today: my mother Carmen and my grandmother Nieves.
When I think of my grandmother Nieves I think about all the changes she experienced going from a small aldea in Galicia, Spain to Cuba and then to the United States. It must have taken a lot of courage to leave her family behind and follow her husband to a new country. To find work in that country and build a comfortable life for her family. My grandmother had one child that died as a baby, but then had my mother. She encouraged and supported my mother as she went college. My grandmother also had another very important task: to take care of my sister and myself after my parents were forced to flee Cuba, but had to leave us behind. It would take nearly two years before our family was reunited in the United States. During that time, my grandmother (and grandfather) protected us against Castro’s men in Cuba and then as we traveled through Mexico and various countries in Central America until we were able to come to the United States.
Once we were here, my grandmother was the one who kept our home and watched over us while my mother worked to provide for our family. Nieves was a fabulous cook and a tireless worker. She was always there for us and her strong presence provided comfort and support.
What can I say about a woman who was not only my mother, but my mentor. She always encouraged my sister and me to believe that anything we wanted was possible if we worked hard to achieve our dreams.
In Cuba, my mother worked to bring a better future for her country only to find that dream perverted by a dictator. Realizing that, and knowing her life was in jeopardy in Cuba, she fought to reach the United States and bring her family there because she knew what America represented: Freedom.
Through two years of struggle Carmen managed to reunite her family. After, she supported that family and helped it achieve the American Dream. She believed in that dream and instilled that belief in her daughters. We thrived because of her sacrifices and her determination to see us be independent and successful women.
My mother and grandmother were role models to me, but they also gave me one other amazing gift: a love of reading and books. Both of them were always reading and instilled in me my love of reading which would eventually lead me to my love of writing. It was an amazing gift that I will forever cherish.
Thank you, mom and grandma.
The cooler temperature this morning was a sure reminder that fall is just days away. I love this time of the year at the beach. I think it’s one of the best times to go! Saturday I plan on going into Ocean Grove for their British Car Show. I love looking at all the beautiful automobiles, especially the MGs. I always wanted one as a kid.
Today I’ve got a free read of JUST ONE NIGHT for you today! JUST ONE NIGHT is the first book in the Take a Chance Military Romance series.
Here is a little blurb for the story! You can download the free read here: http://www.instafreebie.com/free/mpx6b
He has just one night to prove to her that anything is possible…
Jason Hart, Jase to his friends, has just graduated college and earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. It’s the night of the graduation party and she’ll be there. His best friend’s slightly older sister, Nickie. Nickie is the only woman he’s really wanted for a long time. He has just one night to make it happen.
She has just one night before the man of her dreams leaves, maybe forever, but can she find the courage to take a chance…
Nicole de Salvo has been in love – and lust – for her little brother’s best friend for years. For years she’s watched from afar and done nothing about her attraction for Jason Hart only now their time together is almost at an end. On their last night together will she find the courage to do something about her feelings, or will she live with regret for the rest of her life?
If you’ve read JUST ONE NIGHT, please take a moment to leave a review on Amazon, especially at the box set with the story since Amazon won’t cross post reviews to the box set. Reviews really do help us. Click here for the TAKE A CHANCE Box Set!
Thank you and have a lovely weekend!
FIGHT THE SHADOWS is part of the Shadow Ops Kindle World by CJ Lyons. CJ has created an amazing concept around the Special Threats Response Team, a group of heroes who go in when no other agency can or will go in. The head of this unique team is Rose Prospero and she is an absolutely fascinating woman. Her second-in-command is Billy Price and he couldn’t be more different from Rose. The one thing they have in common: Their desire to protect their country from harm.
This teaser is from the start of FIGHT THE SHADOWS and you meet Rose and Billy. I loved exploring what’s happening with these characters, but also introducing my own two characters, National Guardsman Patricia Morales and former Marine Rick Sanchez, as new members of the STR team.
Click here if you cannot see the FIGHT THE SHADOWS excerpt below.
You can purchase FIGHT THE SHADOWS and the other releases in the Shadow Ops World here:
FIGHT THE SHADOWS by Caridad Pineiro
EMBRACING THE SHADOWS by Steven Savile
FROM THE SHADOWS by Jade Eby
DANGER’S DESIRE by LS Silverii
DANGER’S PASSION by LS Silverii
DANGER’S HEAT by LS Silverii
ALIGNING THE SHADOWS by Jamie Lee Scott
Please note that these are all standalone stories and do not have to be read together (except for the books by LS Silverii).
Copyright 2015 Shadow Ops World CJ Lyons Kindle Worlds & Text by Caridad Pineiro Scordato – All Rights Reserved
I’m in the midst of writing ONE NIGHT OF PLEASURE which features sexy retired Navy Captain Mark Smith and veteran Army Staff Sergeant Bridget Sullivan. If the Sullivan name is familiar, it’s because you met Bridget’s younger sister Maggie in ONE LAST NIGHT. It’s also familiar because you meet both Mark and Bridget in STAY THE NIGHT, Rafe and Elena’s story.
One thing I always think about while writing one of these novellas is how I can give you a quick intro to some of the characters you might see in a future book. In ONE NIGHT OF PLEASURE you’ll get to meet Lieutenant Commander Samantha Whittaker who is now in the Coast Guard and veteran Seabee Zack Rodriguez.
Why the Coast Guard (and I promise you’ll see more about the Seabees in another Write Wednesday post)? Well, I happened to be rescued by a very charming Coast Guard vet when I was stranded on a hotel balcony during an RT Convention in Orlando. To this day we both smile whenever we see each other and recall that very interesting (and embarassing) incident. You see, my friends and I had gone out there to have a glass of wine on a beautiful day. As we powershut a very recalcitrant sliding glass door, the security bar came loose and came down perfectly, trapping us on the balcony.
Luckily our hero walked by and seeing our dilemma, called for hotel security to come free us. He then graciously offered to get us some more wine as well. LOL!
So in his honor and to honor the service of our Coast Guard veterans, I thought it was time to highlight that branch of the military in one of the upcoming TAKE A CHANCE series novellas.
So here’s a little bit more about the Coast Guard, my Write Wednesday inspiration for EMBRACE THE NIGHT (late spring 2015), my story with Samantha and Zack.
Did you know the Coast Guard just celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the act to create the Coast Guard? You can click here to read more about the Coast Guard Act. However, the Coast Guard has been around since 1790. The 1915 Act was really more of a change of name of the service.
During times of peace, the Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security (as of 2003). During times of war, the Coast Guard is part of the Navy. Coast Guard heroes like Douglas Munro, a Medal of Honor winner, have saved countless lives during both peace time and war.
The Coast Guard is one of five military branches. Its motto is “Semper Paratus” in Latin which means “Always Ready.”
The Coast Guard does have an academy which is located in New London, CT. You can get more facts by clicking here.
And now here’s a look at the Coast Guard in action! If you can’t see the video below, click here to see the Coast Guard in action in Texas!
Coast Guard Emblem Photo Credit: By U.S. Government [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Before we get started with today’s Thursday Thirteen, don’t forget to drop by the Wicked Wednesday blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Hope Tarr’s VANQUISHED and to learn more about her re-release, A ROGUE’S PLEASURE.
On to today’s Thursday Thirteen – Hot Cars for Heroes!
If you’ve visited before, you know that I love cars! There is just something about them that is totally amazing and at times, downright sexy. I mean, what would Batman be without the Batmobile? (Ok-muscles in a tight black outfit are totally sexy as well.)
So here’s a list of my top hot cars for heroes. I’m basing this not just on how sexy the car is, but how the hero or his kick-butt lady would look driving it.
1. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro – GM hit it out of the ballpark with this one!
Photo Credit: Nick [email protected]
2. 1968 Chevrolet Camaro – All the Bad Boys back in high school were always fixing these up while us Good Girls watched and dreamed.
Photo Credit:Rich Niewiroski [email protected]
3. 2010 Jeep Wranger Sport – Only in a Jeep! for making those fast getaways over rocky terrain.
4. 2010 Aston Martin – Bond. James Bond. ‘Nuf Said.
Photo Credit: [email protected]
5. 1953 MG – A classic Roadster
6. 2009 Chevrolet Corvette C6 – Sleek, sexy and fast, just like our heroes.
Photo Credit: [email protected]
7. 1960 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible – Nothing better than driving with the top down and seeing the stars at night.
8. Delorean DMC – Best known for being Michael Fox’s ride in the Back to the Future franchise
Photo Credit: en:user:[email protected]
9. Bentley Contintental GTC – Classy and yet sporty. For those getaways along the roads of Monaco beside a prince.
Photo Credit: Bobak Ha’[email protected]
10. Plymouth Prowler – Yummy!
11. Saturn Sky – Saturn will truly be missed.
Photo Credit: [email protected]
12. 2011 Ford Mustang with Performance Package – Save a Cowboy, Ride a Mustang.
Photo Credit: [email protected]
13. Chrysler Sebring – My own personal ride!
Photo Credit: S 400 [email protected]
Hope you enjoyed today’s Thursday Thirteen. Feel free to let me know what are your top choices for sexiest cars.
There’s a body switch going on today since I have with me fellow author V.K. Sykes while I’ll be over later at the Writerspace blog. Please drop by for a visit to find out why I wanted to hate Jesse Bradford, the hero of my upcoming November 2010 paranormal romance release STRONGER THAN SIN.
But for now…..drum roll please….
Please welcome V.K. Sykes. V.K. Sykes is actually the pseudonym for a wife/husband team that writes sexy contemporary romance for Carina Press. Vanessa and Randy can be found on the web at: http://www.vksykes.com. Vanessa also writes Regency-set historical romance under her own name, Vanessa Kelly. You can visit her on the web at: http://www.vanessakellyauthor.com.
CADDYGIRLS is their new release from Carina Press.
Torrey Green once had a promising golf career, but now she’s stuck caddying for butt-pinching businessmen. She doesn’t mind playing dumb while hauling clubs if it means she can get her golf career back on track, and she’s going to need an influx of cash to focus on the pro circuit. A booking from video game mogul Julian Grant could be Torrey’s cash-flow solution.
In Las Vegas for a business deal, Julian’s partners plan for a little action on the greens. They’re looking for some fun with their rent-a-caddy girls, and have a lot riding on who can score, on the course and off. This type of gamble isn’t Julian’s style, but he’ll do whatever it takes to keep his partners happy – even if that includes breaking a few hearts along the way.
Julian soon discovers that Torrey is more than just a caddy girl and they spark an intriguing attraction – but if Torrey discovers the truth behind his idiotic wager, all bets are off…
On their first date together, Julian takes Torrey to a black light, mini-putt golf course…
Julian had never been to Pirate’s Cove, but he’d walked and driven past it dozens of times. Cheesy was the first word that had sprung to mind whenever he’d noticed the popular Strip attraction. The entrance to the course was a pirate ship’s prow that looked like it had been molded from a dingy chunk of Styrofoam. Precariously balanced on the edge of the prow stood a twenty-foot statue of Pirate Pete, saber pointing defiantly skyward. Too bad the tip of Pete’s nose had broken off, spoiling the ferocious effect.
Pirate’s Cove actually had two mini-golf courses—one regular and one black light.
“Which one should we try?†he asked, leaving the decision up to her.
She didn’t hesitate. “The black light sounds like more fun.â€
Julian paid, grabbed the putters and balls and led her through into the black light course. A flood of lurid colors washed over them—bizarre shades of blue, purple, pink, red and green. Even the putters and balls glowed in the dark. Garish, pirate-themed props—some hanging in mid-air—popped out of the darkness.
He turned to Torrey, intending to rip on the tackiness of it all, but the sarcastic remark died on his lips. Her black dress had essentially vanished under the black light, leaving her white underwear clearly visible, almost as if she were in an x-ray machine. She took the putter from his hand, obviously unaware of the rather spectacular display of her lush body.
His throat felt suddenly dry and prickly. One minute she’d been in a severe black dress—the next, her feminine undergarments and what they covered were in full, glorious view. Actually, her lacy bra and panties seemed quite demure, not like the scraps of fabric some of his dates had sported. Still, the glowing white shapes of her full breasts and deliciously curvy ass were the sexiest things he’d seen in a long time. He was getting an embarrassing hard-on in the middle of a family amusement center.
“Torrey?†He handed her a radioactive-looking ball as he dragged his eyes level with her face.
“This is going to be fun, Julian. You want me to go first?â€
“I was thinking that maybe this isn’t such a great idea after all. I’m afraid everybody can see your underwear in this crazy light.â€
She cast her gaze down and let out a tiny gasp. “Oh, my God, you’re right.†She looked up at him, her eyes even bigger than usual. “But why can’t I see yours?†She glanced across the room and pointed at a woman a couple of holes ahead. “I can see that woman’s panties, too!â€
“It looks like the light picks up white things under dark outerwear,†Julian said, mentally kicking himself for his lame idea. The last thing he wanted was to embarrass her. “Why don’t we try the regular course instead? Or we could just leave, if you want.â€
She grinned, her teeth glowing an unnatural shade of white. “No, let’s stay here. I can handle it, Julian,†she said with a little laugh. “I’ve worn bikinis that reveal a lot more.â€
He smiled back. I’d like to see those.
“Okay,†he replied. “Just don’t be surprised if I can’t keep my eyes on the game.â€
“Oh, you’re too much of a gentleman for such sexist behavior.â€
“Tell that to my hormones.â€
She tilted her head and feigned exasperation. “Are we going to play some golf or stand around here jawing all night?â€
He laughed, so turned on by her easy self-confidence that he wanted nothing more than to haul her back to his hotel room and make love to her for the rest of the night.
Later, he promised himself.