If you haven't already, you should go sign up for the Coffee Time Romance Forum because they are having a really cool event for the month of September called Alphabet Authors! You seriously don't want to miss this one. I'm participating and running a scavenger hunt from my group on the forum. Lots and lots of authors are participating and there are a lot of prizes, including book packages that Coffee Time is giving away so it's well worth visiting and participating. You can check out my group on the forum for daily clues here: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=219 or you can click on the gif on my My Space page.

If you haven't visited before when you sign up for the forum be sure and say Regina referred you! :-)

My prize is a pair of my beaded Native American earrings!

Check out Sensual!I'm helping to spread the word about the newly redesigned website Sensual. If you like your romance novels on the steamy side, you'll love this site. It's full of reviews, interviews, excerpts, information on the newest print and ebooks and lots more. You can even win books and other goodies. So check it out. http://sensual.ecataromance.com
Authors, you can spread the word too! If you'd like a chance to win one of 20 Cover Ads and get a shot at a fabulous grand prize (a 3 Pack of their huge billboard ads - a $100 value!) just repost this blurb on your blog or website. Then stop by Sensual and leave a link to your post. All authors are eligible to enter and win so why in the world wouldn't you? See their site for more information and official rules: sensual.ecataromance.com/?p=688I..'ll see you at Sensual!

I'll be participating in the June Jubilee over at Coffee Time Romance this month. There is going to be something there for everyone and the discussion boards are already hopping!

I've posted my monthly contest there instead of on my website because I think it will be great to have the two events coincide. I'll be giving away a copy of my latest release Destiny's Choices from Amira Press. The instructions are there on the boards, and I fully expect that those participating will have a wonderful time!

Just visit www.coffeetimeromance.com to come and participate with me! :-)

Tiana Slickpoo bent down and lifted another box from the storage room floor. When she opened it, she discovered a small collection of pots from a Hopi artist in Arizona. Fortunately, the woman had packed the items carefully in bubble wrap and peanuts; nothing was broken. The hand-fired pots were black and a few had polished stones embedded in the clay, a nice added touch to the asymmetrical Pueblo designs. Tiana was sure she could sell them quickly and for a good price. Both she and her friend would make a good profit.

The door opened, and the cool spring air picked up the bells fastened to the front door. On the breeze, she smelled something else: men's cologne, and one she recognized. She had only known one man who wore the expensive cologne the son of a Tribal Chairman, James Waters.

Tiana refused to turn around and look at him. Instead, she stayed in her crouched position, holding one of the pots. Even though her legs were cramping, she knew she would not move, would not look at him. It was bad enough she had to smell the scent of his cologne and remember what loving him was like.

"No kind words for a weary traveler come home to the rez?" He leaned up against the counter and looked down at her bent head.

"James," she said through clenched teeth.

"Yes?"

She looked up at him then, her black eyes shooting sparks. "Get lost."

He sighed. "I can't, Tiana. I'm here to help investigate the thefts, both the ones from the tribal museum and your art gallery. Are you going to help me or not?"

Tiana wondered how he could have heard about the thefts with all the traveling he did. The last she had heard, he had been in Australia investigating the loss of some Aboriginal lands. She did not think the Indian grapevine was that good, but what did she know. There was no way she could handle him being in her space, no way at all.

"No," she whispered.

"What?"

She still refused to look at him as she got up from her crouched position. Tiana headed for the back room for the pictures she had taken of the items. Returning to the showroom, she handed them to him. "Here, these are the items that were stolen. We don't have to see each other again. Just let me know when you've caught the culprit." She handed him her business card, then opened the door. "Goodbye."

"So that's it, just here's the photographs and get lost?" James asked as he took hold of her arm.

"That about covers it." Tiana knew she was being rude but did not care. Too much time had passed. He took a deep breath as she jerked her arm free.

"Right, I'll call you when I know something more."

"Yeah, you do that." She turned her back on him and resumed unpacking the day's shipment.

The bells on the door rang again and a cold wind, a sadness for what could have been, moved through her. Breathing deeply through her nose, she did what she had always done; she hardened her heart to him. There was no way he was going to get past her guard again. She had let him close once, and he had betrayed her trust by not answering her letters, by being unwilling to live near to the reservation so they could maintain their relationship. Tiana shook her head in anger. She should have seen it coming at the time.

Tiana's breath caught in her throat with the memories of their time together. She would not think about him anymore. What was done was done. Tiana's stomach churned. Why does he have to come back now, just when I was starting to get a handle on my life?

* * * *

In the six years he had been gone, she had not changed at all. She still had the same slender build and the same long, black hair. God, he thought, she was even wearing the same beaded barrettes with the white background and red roses that she was wearing the last time I saw her. He settled into the driver's seat and rested his forehead on the steering wheel for a moment. The thefts were not the only reason he had returned to the reservation; they merely provided the opening he had been looking for. This is going to be much harder than I originally thought.

Lifting his head, he turned the key in the ignition, fired the engine up, and then eased his way into traffic. James knew that Tiana might not be willing to allow him back into her life again. He should not have pushed her in the studio; clearly, she was holding a grudge. I wanted a reaction, any sort of reaction, that might tell me where I stand and if Tiana still feels anything for me, and boy, did I get it, he thought ruefully.

When he had left the reservation, he had known in some small part of his spirit that it was a mistake. Six years out in the world of the soyaps had made the point even clearer to him. He knew he still loved Tiana, and wanted her for his wife. However, based on her reaction to him just now, he was going to have to be very patient and go slow, if he wanted to earn her trust and love again.

Fifteen minutes later, he pulled into a parking slot in front of the tribal museum and turned off the truck. His mind was made up; he would do whatever was necessary to win her back.

Some of you may be wondering why my romantic suspense novella seems to have disappeared. Well, it's good news actually, really good news! I'm very excited to report that Destiny's Choices won 3rd place in the Around the World contest at Amira Press. I received a cash award as well as a book contract.

So...the long and short of it is, Destiny's Choices will again be available in the near future in what I hope is an even better incarnation of the original story!

I've already been contact by the artist who is doing the cover and my editor who has sent me the first round of edits which I am working on presently.

Keep your eyes on the bulletins as I will be posting there when Destiny's Choices is again available!

I'm running a contest for an Illara's First Christmas coffee or tea mug. There are exactly 7 days left to enter. All you have to do is post a comprehensive comment of at least 2 sentences on any of my blog postings on any of my 4 blogs. You can find a list of links to my different blogs at my website www.reginapaul.com

 

 

          Darek was seated at the comm unit reading what appeared to be part of the translation of one of the scrolls she'd been working on the night before. He turned and smiled at Illara before saying, "Here's two of my girls." He held one hand out to Angel who took it and seated herself on one leg. When he held another arm out for Illara and patted his other leg questioningly, her eyes got big for a moment, but then she smiled shyly and shook her head, instead going and sitting on one of the chairs at the table.

            Darek sighed and a look of uncertainty crossed his handsome features before he turned his head to Angel's. "Don't take it personally, she let me hug her today, and she smiled a couple of times too, that's a big step for her. You know that up until now she wouldn't let anyone but Kell near her. I know she'll let Troya help her pick out clothes, and put her to bed, but that's about it until today." Angel murmured. "She's still afraid, and lord only knows what that child has been through. If it's even half of what I was experiencing at her age, she's very well adjusted."

            "I know, I just hate to see a child her age traumatized. Every time I see her I have to check the need to pick her up and cuddle her like I would Luta or Leela." He sighed. "I'd give anything to take those memories away from her and give her a normal childhood."

            Angel took hold of his chin and turned his face back to hers, then kissed his nose lightly. "We all would, but just like the rest of us who have experienced abduction by the Greys, she will have to learn and grow from the experiences she's had so far. She's young, in time the memories will fade, and with luck she will speak again. We'll help her." Angel grinned impishly then. "And I've got just the thing to pull us all out of the doldrums while we wait, we're going to have Christmas!"

            "Christmas?"

            "It's a holiday on Earth that we celebrate once a year on December 25^th." She explained. "We bring a tree indoors and decorate it with lights and ornaments, oh, and there are presents too. We purchase or make gifts and wrap them in colorful paper and put them beneath the tree all during the month of December, then on the morning of the 25^th we open the presents, and spend the day together. It's fun, and I think Illara will enjoy it." Angel ended pointedly.

            "You really want to do this?" Darek asked, one eyebrow lifted, and a smile playing around his mouth.

            "We are doing it." Angel pointed out. "I've already picked out the tree from the hydroponics bay and a tech has put it in a pot and will be delivering it soon."

            Darek grinned. "I'll bet the techs loved that."

            "Actually, the tech didn't love it. It was that young one, you remember, the bigot, that thinks I should've been executed. I'm still not sure why he came with us feeling the way he does." Angel shook her head.

            Darek shrugged. "I don't know why he did either, I even asked him if he was sure when there was still time to leave the ship. Don't worry I'll keep an eye on him, as will security in the event he hopes to cause trouble."

            Angel's eyes glittered dangerously. "I can handle anything that whelp can dish out!" She grumbled.

            With those words the light above the door flashed. "That must be the tree." Angel said, then went and to let the tech in. However, instead of the young hydroponics tech, Lara stood on the other side grinning sheepishly. "When I saw the tech struggling with this pot, I offered to bring it the rest of the way."

            Angel smiled back, she liked Lara. The tall woman still hadn't told her about her family history that gave her the amber colored eyes, but now that the truth was out, Angel had high hopes that she someday would.

            "Just put it over there if you would, Lara." Angel waved her over towards an empty corner of the room.

            "How come you wanted this tree from the hydroponics bay?" Lara asked, before setting it down where Angel had indicated.

            Grinning and wondering how many times she was going to have to explain what Christmas was, Angel went over it again for Lara.

            "Sounds like fun. Well, I'd better get back to engineering, Guylar's been having us check all the systems and such so we'll be ready when the Creadites try their next move." She turned to go.

            Angel had seen the longing in the woman's eyes, and called out impulsively. "Lara, come join us on the 25^th, it's a week from now."

            Lara turned before leaving, smiled shyly and said, "I'd like that."

            "I'll comm you about what time exactly." Angel called out before the doors slid shut. She saw Lara's hand come up in a wave signaling she'd heard her.

            Darek hugged her tightly, before placing a kiss on her lips. "That was kind of you." He remarked.

            Angel shrugged. "That's what the holiday is all about, giving and sharing. Besides, the more people we have, the more fun it will be, and Lara could use a break. She's had a tough time."

            Darek nodded then whispered in her ear, "Look at Illara."

            Illara had left the bed she'd been sitting on and crept up to the tree her hand softly brushing the purplish spines that had reminded Angel of a pine tree's.

            "We need lights for it, and ornaments." Angel whispered back.

            "Lights, ornaments?" Darek's brow scrunched up.

            "Yes, small lights will do, surely your culture has strings of small colored lights?"

            When Darek looked at her blankly, she sighed. "Don't you all celebrate your own holidays? Don't you decorate your homes and offices, that sort of thing?"

            "Well…yes, but as you know we don't use electricity the way you do, we use plasma packs to power our lights."

            "So, don't you have some equivalent of small lights?"

            "Maybe." He lifted one shoulder.  "That's something you'll have to ask Guylar though, as he is the one who would know if we have extras and if we have lights small enough to decorate your tree."

            "Ok, I'll comm him in a bit. What about ornaments? Do Larindons ever decorate their trees by hanging things in the branches?"

            "No, is that what you do on Earth?"

            "Yes, and we'll need ornaments too, it wouldn't be Christmas without them." Angel slipped off of Darek's lap and stood regarding the tree, her arms crossed over her middle. We'll also need wrapping paper, and ribbons."

            Darek laughed. "We'll think of something to replace it Imnana, as you know we don't use 'paper.'"

            He stood, and after kissing the top of her head, he waved to Illara. "I need to get back to the bridge. I'll be back around the evening meal."

            "Ok." Angel said distractedly, not even hearing the swish of the doors as Darek left the room.

            Illara had moved away from the tree and was looking at the food dispenser longingly.

            "Didn't you get any breakfast, honey?" Angel immediately snapped into mama bear mode.

            Illara shook her head. "Did you show Troya you were leaving her rooms?" Illara had been sleeping in Troya's quarters for propriety's sake.

            Illara bit her lip, hung her head and looked down at her gold sandals before peeking up hopefully from beneath long purple lashes. "You didn't, did you?" Angel tried hard to keep to keep the exasperation out of her voice as she knelt in front of the girl, lifting her chin with one hand. "Honey, I know you're not speaking to us yet, but you have to at least make sure that Troya knows where you are at all times. Even if all you do is point to the door of Troya's quarters walk out and then point where you are going so she knows. This is a starship, and the Creadites are close by. If they were to invade our ship and we didn't know where you were, they could get you again. Do you understand?"

            A tear slipped down Illara's cheek as she nodded.

            Angel pulled the child into her arms for a hug, unable to keep her distance, though she knew Illara was not comfortable with touching yet. "None of that now. We'll call Troya on the comm and let her know where you are."

            As she went to stand up, little arms tightened around her neck and Angel remained in her crouched position. Illara buried her face against Angel's neck and she could feel more of Illara's tears on her skin.

            Rocking Illara she crooned. "It's ok, honey, we're not going to let them get you. I just wanted you to understand how important it is that Troya know where you are at all times."

            With no prompting this time, Illara nodded against her neck before pulling back and wiping her face with little hands.

            Taking one of Illara's hands Angel sat down and pulled Illara onto her lap before cueing the comm to contact Troya's quarters.

            Troya's face appeared on the small screen, though she wasn't looking directly at it. "What? Have you seen Illara? She left when I was in the bathing chamber this morning." Troya's hair was grass green like Kell's, and Angel wondered if she'd used that strange device to color her hair that she'd showed her before they'd escaped Laren.

            "You can relax Troya, she's right here."

            Troya turned and faced the comm screen. "Thank the Goddess! I was about ready to lose it when I realized she wasn't with Kell. Where did you find her?" Troya pushed grass green strands out of a face that had matching make-up in different shades of green, along with face jewels; a golden chain linked between an earring and small golden dot at her mouth corner.

            "I was in the hydroponics bay picking out a Christmas tree when she showed up with Wolf. Since I know I left him in Darek's quarters she must've come here first and gotten him and then he followed me, and she followed him." Angel finished dryly.

            "I'll be right there to get her, unless you want to keep her for a bit?"

            "That's fine, we were just about to call Guylar and see if we can get him to rig some lights for the tree."

            "All right. Illara, you stay with Angel now, don't go wandering around the ship anymore." She said sternly, finally looking at the little face filling the bottom of her comm screen.

            Angel saw Illara's bottom lip tremble, and not wanting another storm of tears she said. "It's ok, I already read her the riot act about letting you know where she was going before she left your quarters."

            "Good. I'll see you in a little while. Be good Illara."

            Illara nodded, biting her lip as though words were trying to escape as the screen went blank again.

(c) 2006 by Regina Paul. All Rights Reserved.

Purchase Your copy of Illara's First Christmas here: http://www.lulu.com/content/577106 or purchase a copy of Getting Out Alive or Destiny's Choices and get your copy free! Special ends on February 15, 2007.

 

Angel Whitedove stood at one end of the hydroponics bay staring at the different trees. These Larindons had some really wacky looking species; there were ones with purple leaves and green trunks, some that had long vines with soft green fuzz that made them look like women with long trailing hair, and others with more bizarre color configurations like the one with puce leaves and an orange trunk.

            She tilted her head to one side, one finger propped on her chin, her long dark hair falling forward onto her shoulder. Which tree will do? While her eyes scanned the possibilities, she finally saw one way off in a corner that somewhat resembled a pine tree, the only difference was its spines were a kind of reddish purple color. Marching over to one of the hydroponics techs she pointed it out. "I want that one." She said forcefully.

            The tech was younger than her, barely out of his teens if she had to guess. "Wha?" He started to ask.

            Begin as you mean to go on. "I want that tree over there in the corner uprooted and put in a pot and delivered to the Commander's rooms."

            The tech's eyes widened, before he gave her a look which clearly stated he thought she had a screw loose somewhere. As if suddenly finding his backbone and remembering who she was, he straightened up. "Why?"

            Angel crossed her arms over her chest and began tapping her foot while giving the young man a considering look. "Look, I know what a lot of you think of me, and quite frankly I couldn't care less. Now, you can either uproot that tree and put it in a pot and have it delivered as I requested, or I can go to the Commander and have him order you to do it. I don't want to do that but hey…" Angel paused, then shrugged. "it's your funeral." She ended ominously.

            The tech's eyes narrowed, and there was a glitter of malice in them before he answered. "Fine."

            Angel smiled behind the hand she had covered her mouth with seconds before as she watched him stomp around gathering a pot, and a small shovel like instrument to dig the tree out of the dirt it was lodged in on the floor. He looked like a little boy who'd been sent to his room without any supper, but she wasn't stupid enough to think this would be the end of it. She'd seen him on nearly all of her and Wolf's daily trips to the hydroponics bay, and he'd made it pretty clear he didn't like her. He obviously felt that she should have been executed. Too young to know any better or learn to think for himself, his mind was still full of the non-interference laws and all that Laren past history entailed. He had the typical blue black hair and cobalt eyes of a Larindon, but his skin tone tended towards the fair side. The green jacket over his silver uniform highlighted his features favorably, but the feelings he held inside tarnished his image.

            Suddenly there was a commotion at the sliding doors and Wolf came bounding in followed by Illara who skidded to a stop in front of Angel. Today Troya had dressed her in an emerald tunic and pants with gold piping and golden sandals to match; she looked like a little fairy who'd decided to come out and play.

            Illara still hadn't spoken to any of them, but she'd clearly warmed up to Kell. Most likely because Kell was able to communicate with her mentally at times, although not always, and not in any kind of clear fashion. That was how they'd discovered the child's name. Considering the fact that the Greys had probably done experiments on her, and she'd lost everything and everyone she'd ever loved, her reaction was not surprising.

            Angel held an arm out offering solace if Illara wanted it. She'd done so before, and Illara had so far not taken her up on it. This time however she sidled up to Angel sideways, all the while keeping a watchful eye on her. Angel gently laid her hand on the child's left shoulder, and for the first time Illara leaned into her watching with interest as the tech dug up the tree.

            Wolf ran up to the tech, sat on his haunches, tipped his head to one side and then barked, "Aroooofffff!"

            The tech jumped nearly a foot, his eyes wild and glued on Wolf.

            Angel grinned, she just loved it when Wolf spooked the bigots!  "He's just excited, don't worry he won't hurt you." Angel told him.

            The tech licked his lips nervously. "Does he have to be so close?" Then he made shooing motions with one hand. "Go on now, go back to…" He hesitated as though saying Angel's name left a bad taste in his mouth. "Angel."

            As if sensing the young man's hostility, Wolf growled low in his throat.        

            Shaking her head, Angel knew she had to call Wolf back, and had just opened her mouth to do so when Illara bent over a bit disengaging her arm and slapped her thighs twice. Amazement made her mouth drop as Wolf upon hearing the sound turned around and trotted up to Illara rubbing against her legs and licking her hand.

            The girl dropped to her knees and threw her arms around Wolf's neck hugging him tightly. She rubbed her face against his fur before turning and giving Angel a questioning look from turquoise eyes.

            "You want to go back to Darek's quarters, Illara?" Angel asked, hoping the child would speak her answer but despairing that it would happen this quickly. She'd only been with them for a few weeks, and during that time they'd been hiding out behind the fourth moon that orbited Kell's home planet Kellara while they carefully planned their next move.

            Illara continued to stare at Angel from her crouched position then she nodded slowly before turning and curling her lip at the tech who was struggling to get the small tree's roots into the large pot.

            Angel laughed then leaned down conspiratorially, "I don't like him either, honey." She said in too low a voice for the tech to hear.

I was really excited the other day to discover that my writers/readers e-zine Regina's Universe is featured on BestEzines! It's so much fun to get the little award icons to add to my list, and makes me feel pretty darned great today!

Just wanted to share!

 

Like the cover art for GETTING OUT ALIVE? Then here's your chance to get an ultra cool tote bag with the artwork! Just send me an e-mail at tiwatz@yahoo.com with the words "tote bag" in the subject line and you're entered, it's that easy! This contest ends August 31, 2006.

Want other chances to win cool prizes, things like t-shirts, book bags, signed bookmarks and postcards, coffee mugs, and many others? Then participate in my two ongoing random contests, called "Ask Regina", and "Ask Angel" respectively.

"Ask Regina" is your opportunity to ask me a question, it can be about me, my books, both currrent and upcoming, writing, POD publishing, marketing a book, really anything to do with writing or publishing. At random times I will pick a question to answer during one of my online chats, or in my blog. If your question gets picked you win a prize!

"Ask Angel" is your opportunity to find out what is happening with Angel Whitedove, the heroine of GETTING OUT ALIVE, while waiting for the sequel. Don't worry if you haven't read the book, you can read 2 different exerpts, one on my official website www.reginapaul.com and one here in this blog. Also, you can read Angel's blog at www.angelwhitedoveonalienabductions.blogspot.com to get ideas. If your question is picked to be answered on Angel's blog, you win a prize!

Just e-mail me your questions at the above e-mail with either "Ask Angel", or "Ask Regina" in the subject line, and your question in the body of the e-mail. I will pick questions periodically to answer.

You can enter both these contests as often as you can think of questions!

Good Luck!