A Dream Come True

This is an update of a previous post called "Pinch Me Please!"  where I shared some extraordinary news. But it gets even better!

I am so excited to announce that my short screenplay is now in post-production! It was optioned almost a year ago by a wonderful producer who has filmed it and will enter the film in festivals. You can find it listed on IMBd.

This is the first step in getting my name on the big screen, a step that I took on a dare (from myself) and one of many that I look forward to taking.  As I wrote in another post, I took the leap and now I am soaring!

The one thing that I want to convey to everyone who does not believe that they can do something, that they have no talent, no drive, and no time to pursue your dreams: take that first step. Even if it is a baby step, take it.  And then take another and another until you are running full-speed off that cliff and you are flying high on your accomplishments.  Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams and never allow anyone (not even yourself) or anything to keep you from achieving your goals.

With tears in my joyful eyes, I quote my son's encouraging words as I had written in another post, "It will happen!"

Now that I've caught my breath, I'm off to continue chasing my dream! Will you?

Cliffhanger

Before I wrote L’Inked, I had always composed sweet romantic stories where I would take the reader up to the point of virtual bliss and then I transitioned to the next scene with prolific prose. To me, it was not unlike a portrait of a beautiful woman who was dressed in clothes that hid the most intimate parts and it was up to the readers, or the admirers of the portrait, to peel back the layers in their imaginative minds. And that was risqué enough for me.

But after seeing the attention that Fifty Shades of Grey received, my son asked me why I didn’t write a book like that. I told him that I would never write about BDSM but I that could attempt to write an erotic novel. I toyed with the idea, hovering for some time on that diving-board of doubt, before I finally made myself vault right into the deep end.

All I had to do was to take that proverbial step over the precipice of rising literary ecstasy and describe the scenes in full, provocative detail in which the characters triumphed in a wide range of exotic, erotic experiences. For me, it was simply one more summit to surpass.  But, it wasn’t as difficult as I’d thought it would be.

I wrote the book, complementing  it with as many carnal components as I could without compromising the plot, and I dedicated it to my son. If he had not encouraged me to write such an exhilarating example of the sensual relationship between a man and a woman, I may never have stepped over that cliff.

And after I finished the novel, I began to receive compliments about it. My readers said that they were “sucked into the story” and that the sex scenes only brought the characters closer together, binding them both physically and emotionally. You, too, will be ecstatically amazed that Marc and Cassie balance their challenging struggle to remove the curse that the Voodoo Queen placed on them with exciting love-making that will “blow your mind”.

Many of its readers also commented that the book would make a great movie. So, after lots of research (and plenty of procrastination), I adapted it into a screenplay. This was another new adventure that I postponed because of my lack of confidence in my ability. But this time, after revving myself up with reassurances, I hit the air running and had the first draft finished in a mere three days. Again, it was not as hard as I had thought it would be.

My next giant jump will be to pitch the screenplay to potential producers, directors and investors. Hopefully, I’ll have an agent to assist me. But first, I’ll have to pitch it to an agent. (Oh my!) I’ve put this off for months, still held back by both the fear of failure and the anxiety of success. I have stretched my leg out a few times, but have quickly retracted it. Now, I must take a deep breath and soar off that cliff, knowing that, whether it’s a crash dive or a smooth touchdown, landing is inevitable. And, I know that bolting forward is imperative because the bluff of uncertainty is even more terrifying than the leap of faith.

Read an exhilarating expert from L’Inked here 

Buy L’Inked here

A musical and visual link to "L'Inked"

Recently, I published "L'Inked" on Amazon.  I had an online book release party on Facebook where I posted pictures of the characters of the book and suggested music for you to enjoy while reading it.  I'll re-post it all here so that you can not only visualize the faces of the story but you can listen to the tunes that will take you into the scenes as well.

I will start off by showing you the characters of the story and telling you a little about them...

Marc and Cassie Matthews met in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.  They went back two years later for their honeymoon. It was a honeymoon that they would never forget...

They spent their days together, a blissful beginning to a happy marriage.

They spent their nights celebrating Mardi Gras among the other revelers.

Every day, they fell more and more in love.  They were oblivious to the fact that their lives will soon be turned upside down.

They found a quaint little tattoo shop.

They decided to get matching tattoo wedding rings.

Voodoo Queen Madame Cloutier cursed their tattoos, binding Marc and Cassie together forever.  Literally.  With the 'Unity Bond', the couple must be faithful and trusting or they would suffer great agony and then certain death.

A voodoo zombie seduced Marc and broke the bond between husband and wife.  Pain would be their constant companion in this life and the next unless they found a way to reverse the hex.

The first person to offer them assistance was Dodger LaRue, a jazz musician who had also been cursed by the powerful Voodoo Queen.

Then, they sought help from the Voodoo Museum, where Dominique Delacroix was very firm in her belief that the couple's lives would never be the same unless they perform an Uncrossing.

They met Mariah, the proprietress of a voodoo gris-gris shop where they obtained the necessary items for the Uncrossing.

They performed the Uncrossing Spell but they soon learned that a curse still lingered, one that kept them bound to the city of New Orleans forever.  They realized that the only way that they could leave was to enlist the help of another couple.

Greg Walsh

Gwen Walsh

But the curse still lingered...

Cassie was seduced by a voodoo zombie.

Would they finally be released from the curse or would their Mardi Gras honeymoon become a Voodoo nightmare?

Buy the book in the U.S. HERE or in the U.K. HERE

An excerpt from the book:

“Come, my goddess.  Your chariot awaits.”

Almost true to his words, there was a horse-drawn carriage waiting by the curb.  Cassie’s heart quivered when Marc took her hand and helped her step into the buggy.  She was so completely enchanted by the fairy-tale encounter that Marc had planned for their last evening together that she hugged him while the carriage moved forward.

Not wanting to break the embrace, yet yearning to feel her lips upon his, Marc pulled far enough away from Cassie to stare into her eyes while the street lights illuminated them with sparks of visible bliss.  He memorized her face, a face bathed in pure splendor while she stared back at him, clearly filled with adoring emotion.  He moved his head closer to her until his breath was upon her upturned lips as he whispered, “I want this night to last forever!”

Against her will, a tear slipped from Cassie’s lashes and melted into the heat of the skin on her breast that the fabric failed to cover.  She dared not move in order to wipe away the evidence of her passionate response to Marc’s romantic gesture.  Instead, she concentrated on his lips that moved as if in slow motion toward hers.  Her heart pounded erratically while her mind reeled with ecstatic anticipation until the warmth of his kiss sent her into a whirlwind of elation, and electrifying sensation of pure, dizzying desire.

Her arms encircled his neck, pulling him closer so that she could merge her body to his as if they were one entity, as she was certain they were meant to be.  With her breasts pressed against his muscular chest, Cassie clung to Marc while wrapped in his powerful yet tender arms.  Entranced by the way his lips gently caressed hers, undulating against the sensitive skin of her hungry lips until she increased the intensity of their kiss. 

As if he’d been waiting for that very moment, that not-so-subtle invitation to take the encounter one step further, Marc groaned with yearning as he moved a heated hand toward her breast.  Pausing while covering that perfect mound with his palm, he allowed her ample time to protest.  When she responded with roving fingers that ascended, urgently searching for the ripples of muscles on his shoulders, he parted her lips with his tongue.  Passing her teeth, seeking its mate within her mouth and upon finding its partner, his tongue frolicked with hers while simulating the very intimate dance that their bodies longed to enjoy. 

Just when they thought their kiss would last until their lives ceased, the driver announced, “Brennan’s Restaurant!”

A collection of songs that will take you to New Orleans...

Marc and Cassie danced to this song in their hotel room



This song describes Cassie's struggle with accepting love


One of Marc's favorite songs

One of Cassie's favorite songs


A little bit of zydeco, straight from Louisiana


I call this the tattoo girl song



Here are a few videos about New Orleans, voodoo, and Mardi Gras...









Sadly, Six Flags New Orleans, which I mentioned in the book, was abandoned after Hurricane Katrina swept through the city



Just for grins...




I hope that you enjoyed this video and musical tour through New Orleans.  Now, all you have to do is buy the book and then come back here to fully experience the sensual thriller that is "L'Inked".

For U.S. purchase, click HERE or for U.K., click HERE