Books on a Park Bench

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Living in the city, sometimes you find the most unexpected things in unexpected places. Today was one of those times.

Every morning, I go to the park to exercise. At that time of day, the majority of the world is still asleep. It’s nice and peaceful. I see squirrels busy foraging for food. I see pigeons and other types of birds doing the same. I see early rising owners with their dogs, and joggers who pass me by.

As I reached the spot where I was about to turn around and head back, I spotted something on a bench that enticed me to stop and walk over. To my surprise, I found about 20 old romance books, mainly Harlequins, neatly lined up. They seemed to wait patiently for someone to discover them and take them to good home.

I perused the covers of these old books, published between the 1980 and 2002, with great interest.

Some of the titles included:
This Precious Moment
What if We Fall in Love
The House of Seven Fountains
Hunter’s Snare
Forever
Summer Lightening
Moon Showers
Face value
The Third Mrs. Mitchel
Spitting Image
The One Who Almost Got Away
Without a Trace
Moon Flowers
Home for Christmas
Tall, Dark, and Irresistible
My Very Own Millionaire

I was so tempted to pick them up, although returning with an armful of books would have been uncomfortable. And while I would normally jump at the chance to take a book, especially a free one, I hesitated.

The last things I need are more books. Currently, several To-Be-Read piles are positioned all over the floor in my room. Each hold up the ceiling. Quite honestly, I knew I wouldn’t have time to read these books. Neither would I have space for them.

A quick scan of the books showed me that there were no Betty Neels books. If there were, I would have snatched them without hesitation. I looked at the books longingly but decided to leave them behind.

I moved away a few feet and then returned for one last look. Remembering I had my camera with me, I decided to take photos instead. What am I doing with a camera while I’m exercising? Lately, I’ve been taking photos of different scenes and subjects of my surrounding. I’ve become an amateur photographer and am never without my camera.

Taking photos was a much easier way to take the books back with me. Tomorrow, I’m sure I’ll find all the books gone.

What other unusual discovery will I make in the park, next time, I wonder? I’m reminded of the time I saw a humongous sized turkey-like looking bird. It clearly did not belong in the park – but that’s another story for another time…

Paz

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And the winner was...

My Mannekin Pis corkscrew souvenir from Belgium

Sometime ago, we had a Vacation Souvenir Contest. I announced the winner on my newsletter, but I'd also intended to post it on my blog. Except that I forgot. *Tee hee.* So here it is now.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. I had lots of fun reading the stories of unusual and memorable vacation souvenirs. Here's a recap.

1- Nicole wrote about the personalized plastic license plate (with misspelled name) her mom gave her.

2- Jenny wrote about the snap shot she took with her favorite author.

3- Catt wrote about how she returned home from vacation, pregnant.

4- Jennifer wrote about how she married the man with whom she returned from abroad.

5- Lisa wrote about the gag gift, carved wooden statue with p*nis showing.

6- Cathie wrote about artwork a co-worker brought her from Poland.

7- Chris wrote about the time she took home cactus needles -- embedded in her skin.

8- Maria wrote about the time her friend mailed a large coconut from Hawaii (without a box or covering, just stamps slapped on the coconut!) and she actually received it!

9- Beth wrote about her daughter bringing her peacock feathers after visiting a peacock farm.

10- Kolby wrote about a stunning jade dildo (8"2') from Greece.

11- CJ wrote about a penis shaped burner that she bought with her husband.

All the stories were great and I had a hard time choosing one as the winner. So, I put everyone's name on a piece of paper, placed it in a bowl, and had a friend arbirarily pull out one of the pieces of paper.

AND THE WINNER WAS MARIA.

Congratulations, Maria!

Thanks also to those who have purchased Vacation Souvenir and posted such nice comments on the Groups, left kind messages here, and e-mailed me.

Currently, I'm working on a number of stories. One involves a birthday surprise, the other a special delivery, and the third, a music lesson.

Many of you have suggested a sequel to Vacation Souvenir. Stay tuned for news on whether that happens or not.

Have a great week!

Paz

Ed. Note:
Hey! The contest may be over but I'd still love to continue reading stories about your unusual or memorable souvenirs that you brought back or someone sent you from a vacation. So, go ahead and post them here! ;-)

10 Top Romantic Escapes

Santorini
Photo by David Quintelier, TrekEarth.com

In Vacation Souvenir, Jenna and Marcos retreat to a romantic Mediterranean island, where they meet and end up falling in love.

An MSN Travel Article lists Top 10 Romantic Escapes as:

1- Buenos Aires

2- Bora Bora

3- Dubrovnik

4- Halong Bay

5- Nevis

6- Paris

7- Quebec City

8- Santa Barbara

9- Santorini

10- Venice

Travel + Leisure has also compiled a list of 50 Most Romantic Spots on Earth. It mentions special spots, hotels, islands, cruises, restaurants, and spas.

Check out both links -- they really are interesting! Then come back and share with us the places you consider romantic or you’d like to go on vacation? It could be where you live, another state, region, or a different country. It could be a special restaurant, a spot in the park or even your backyard.

Paz

Meet Jenna McIntosh, Heroine of VACATION SOUVENIR

Hi: My name is Jenna McIntosh and my story is in VACATION SOUVENIR by Paz Edwards. After my jerk of a boyfriend dumped me for a thinner woman, I’ve decided to stay away from men for a while. I mean it! No more men. However, on my first day of vacation on this dreamy island, I met a tall, dark and handsome hunk on the beach in a most unexpected way. Now, I’m having trouble sticking to my decision. My head says, "no" but my body is screaming, “Yes, spend time with him!” He’s such a temptation. I’m not sure if I can resist him.

Excerpt Two

After Jenna had left the stranger on the beach, she didn’t want to risk bumping into him. It would be so easy to give into her urges to sleep with him if she saw him again. She decided to spend the rest of the day, trying to enjoy the balmy weather and beach view from her room’s balcony.

She even picked up her romance novel and tried to get some reading done, but this time, neither the story nor the book cover held any appeal for her. She must have spent an hour reading the same page. Her mind kept going to the stranger when he took over the role of her dream lover.

Not daring to go out in the evening for dinner, she chose to order from room service. Playing with her food instead of eating it, she decided to stop and go to bed early. A fitful sleep finally engulfed her.

The next morning, she woke up feeling braver. “This is ridiculous. I can’t hide in my hotel room for the rest of my vacation! What a coward,” she spoke to herself as she stared in the mirror at her reflection.

She’d do some sightseeing today, she determined. I’ll make a day trip to visit another island. This way, I’m sure not to bump into him.

* * * * *

On the return trip to her hotel that evening, Jenna felt relaxed. Earlier, as she explored the archaeological sites and ruins, she half expected to see the handsome sun-tanned face of the stranger from the beach. A sense of relief washed over her when she didn’t run into him, but at the same time she felt disappointed. She couldn’t deny the tiny hidden part in her that wanted to see him again. Squashing those feelings, she walked down the pebbled street path that led to her hotel.

A corner shop that displayed postcards caught her eye and she decided to stop and buy some. She rifled through the revolving rack and studied each card carefully, making mental notes of which one she’d send to friends and family back home. She became engrossed in picking the cards until she felt as if someone watched her.

Even before raising her head to look around, she had a strong suspicion of the cause. She turned just in time to see the stranger from the beach walking in long determined strides towards her.

* * * * *

Buy it now from triskelionpublishing.com

To read more, go to the Excerpts page on www.PazEdwardsBooks.com

Meet Marco Romano, Hero from VACATION SOUVENIR

Hello, I'm Marco Romano. You can read more about me in VACATION SOUVENIR by Paz Edwards. I have to tell you this: You never know what may happen when you go on vacation. You plan one thing and something else happens. I planned on enjoying my vacation alone, but then I've found myself attracted to a woman I saw on the beach. We met under unusual circumstances. I know I should walk away from her but I can’t. This is how it happened:

Excerpt One
Marco Romano strolled along the shoreline. He loved the feeling of the tide waves washing over his feet before returning to the ocean. The atmosphere on this Mediterranean island felt very peaceful and he realized that he was glad that he came.

Earning a living as an investigative reporter left little time for relaxation and it wasn’t surprising that he’d developed ulcers. His boss, also a friend, finally forced him to take some time off. No longer reluctant, he decided to make the most of his vacation.

In the mood to enjoy his own company, he intended to spend the morning exploring a section of the beach the concierge had recommended. He continued to walk its length till he spotted something that stopped him abruptly.

“Damn!” There was someone else on his part of the beach. Given the far distance from the hotel, it was apparent that person also wanted privacy. He started forward again, looking with disdain at the unmoving body lying on the beach. It was only one person, probably sleeping and wouldn’t even bother him. If he kept walking, neither of them would be bothered by the other's presence. As he drew closer, he realized the dark-skinned woman lying on her back was—naked.

"Hot damn!” Although he’d seen his share of nude woman, there was something that instinctively drew him like a lodestone to this particular unclothed one. He didn’t understand the attraction, but it compelled him to walk closer. When he stopped a foot away from her, he simply stared at the curvaceous sleeping form.

Under the sun, her skin, the color of dark chocolate, glistened. His gaze slowly traveled up her uncovered body. Slightly spread apart, her thighs were full and her legs long. He wondered how they’d feel wrapped around his waist as he made love to her. His groin stirred.

His eyes continued to enjoy the pleasing feast before him and he shifted from one foot to another, fixating on the abundant tuft of black hair that sprouted from the triangle shape between her legs. His cock moved again, letting him know that he wanted to do more than look.

He wanted to spread her legs apart to get a better look, move the folds of her pussy aside to look at the tender, succulent flesh inside. Next, he wanted to take his tongue to it, stroke, nip, suck, lap, and taste it. He wanted to whirl his tongue around her clit, driving her into a frenzy until she came for him.

She had a slightly rounded stomach, and he imagined its soft feeling under his as he lay between her legs, about to plunge into her pussy.

He wanted to hold on to her wide hips as he thrust into her over and over again till they both came several times in bliss.

Her breasts, soft looking, plump and full, like ripe melons, claimed his attention when they rose slightly and fell back as she breathed. His mouth watered and he wet his lips as he imagined the feel of her breasts in his mouth.

She had a heart-shaped face with dark curly hair, the same color as her vaginal area, carelessly put in a ponytail on top of her head. He imagined taking her hair down and curling his fingers in it as he slid his hungry cock into her.

He found himself drawn more to this full-sized woman. His gaze returned to her pussy and lingered there. He wanted to take a bite of this dark chocolate. He needed a taste.

He knew that he should stop staring at her and continue walking. He didn’t think she’d appreciate waking up to find a stranger salivating over her. Yet, unable to move, he couldn’t stop looking at her and lusting after her. The only part of his body that moved was his growing cock, as evidenced by the tented motion in the middle of his swimming shorts. “Down boy! Easy!”

Within a few seconds, he had grown hard. And heavy. “Damn!” he whispered. He would take one last look and then walk away. His shoulders and chest rose as he took a deep breath. At that moment the woman opened her eyes.

Shit, he was in trouble now! She would accuse him of being some kind of peeping pervert, or worse! He tried to swallow as his throat went dry.

Buy Vacation Souvenir now from triskelionpublishing.com
To read more go to the Excerpts Page at www.PazEdwardsBooks.com

Vacation Souvenir is now available!

I'm pleased to announce that my first release Vacation Souvenir is now available from Triskelion Publishing. (www.triskelionpublishing.com)

Paz

VACATION SOUVENIR CONTEST

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What is the most unusual or memorable souvenir that you’ve brought back or someone has given you from a vacation trip?

Share your story.

The winner will receive a free e-book copy of Vacation Souvenir by Paz Edwards.

E-mail your response to paz_edwards@yahoo.com by Monday, May 15, 2006.

Write VACATION SOUVENIR CONTEST in the subject heading.

I will announce the winner on my newsletter Monday, May 22, 2006.

Best,

Paz