I’m hosting a special author today – Kim Carmichael. I first met Kim
through one of my Online writing classes. She’s talented and driven, and has
turned into a real friend. (It’s wonderful when the people you meet online
actually live close!)
She’s giving away a few goodies to one lucky commenter. The
winner can have a choice of skin care or a vintage Harlequin romance. Kim also
is giving away signature bookmarks to the first five who requests them!
 |
| Enter to Win a Vintage Harlequin |
The story of the
Ugly Duckling is one of the most beloved and well-known fairy tales. The outcast Ugly Duckling is made fun
for his different looks. He hides away in a cave and reemerges as the beautiful
swan where he floats off into the sunset.
Over the years,
the story has been criticized for the Ugly Duckling did not really have to do
anything, or accomplish a goal of any kind to solve his problem. Time and DNA took care of him.
Still, we are
fascinated by this tale, it has been told time and again in different
incarnations, and so I had to ask myself why is it that we love the Ugly
Duckling and his dilemma?
We identify with
him and his plight – I think everyone at one point or another has felt like a
mess. No matter if you went
through a gawky phase in your youth, or just wore an inappropriate outfit to a
party, there are times we all think the spotlight is shining down on us and
highlighting our flaws.
We have an inner
need to fit in – Something about the Ugly Duckling reminds me of Dr. Seuss
story, The Sneetches, where everyone wants whatever is fashionable, either the
star on their belly or not. Even
if we try to be different, at the end of the day we want to fit in
somewhere. Everyone needs a place
to belong.
We all love the
concept of change – While the Ugly Duckling undergoes a natural metamorphosis,
we all love the idea of being able to change into something completely
different and beautiful. The Ugly
Duckling undergoes the ultimate makeover.
We love a
success story – Good genes aside, we love that the Ugly Duckling succeeds. He evolves into an elegant swan and is
taken into a group where he belongs leaving the other ducks at the edge of the
pond wondering what happened. He
now holds his head up high having achieved everything he ever wanted and we
smile with him.
It gives us hope
– Deep down in our hearts we want to believe that everyone has a chance to live
their dream, no matter how large or small it may be. Maybe you just want to take a swim in a pond and feel like a
part of the group, or maybe you want to travel to the moon, either way we want
to know that little bit of hope is out there and we can achieve our goals.
We love the Ugly
Duckling because at its core it is more than simply a story about outward
beauty, it is a story about life, and we can all relate.
Hands on Me
Kim Carmichael
Keith Publications
Agent Gwen Fredricks is a living
target. Captured after a failed
mission, the code to crack a safe has literally been permanently hidden on
her. To free herself, she must
retrieve a final key. All
Agent Colin
Alexander has to do to avoid a desk job is get a code said to be on an enemy
agent. He never dreamed it
would actually be on the agent, especially Gwen.
The simple
shoot-and-swoop mission takes a turn for these two sometime-lovers and
full-time rivals when they call a truce to give into their desire. Now with the promise to keep both hands
on each other at all times, they share a night together. Loyalties are tested when Gwen manages
to swipe the key away, and Colin discovers the code carefully embedded into
Gwen's tramp stamp tattoo in a glow of UV light. When morning comes they must decide if what they feel for
each other is worth betraying their agencies.
About the Author:
Kim Carmichael
began writing eight years ago when her love of happy endings inspired her to
create her own. She has a weakness
for bad boys and techno geeks, and married her own computer whiz after he
proved he could keep all her gadgets running. When not writing, she can usually be found slathered in
sunscreen trolling Los Angeles and helping top doctors build their practices.
Excerpt:
"Stop!"
A man yelled.
The barrel of
another gun met her inches from her face. She tensed, not from the gun, but
from the familiar inflection in his voice. The position of both their weapons
hid the man's face.
"Get in and
lower your gun, or we'll both lose."
"Back up
and lower yours, or you won't have a hand left." No one told her what to
do, not ever again.
The click of her cocking her weapon echoed around them.
He stepped back.
"Get in and close the door."
With her gun
still raised, she stepped and waited for her opponent to flinch first.
"Now."
He moved a fraction of an inch.
She did the
same, and with the silent acknowledgement they would both comply, they lowered
their guns in unison. She almost shot herself in the foot at the sight of the
man who greeted her. Before she made a mistake, she de-cocked her gun and shook
her head. "Colin?" Her body betrayed her by trembling. Was this her
punishment?
"Gwen."
He shoved the gun in his waistband. "You're the one. I would have never
guessed."
Think. She
screamed at herself to remember her training, and not allow him to best her or
distract her. She glanced around the room, giving her time to not look at him.
Agents were supposed to be everyday people and blend in, but Colin Alexander
stood out. From the moment she quite literally fell into his lap through a
two-story ceiling three years ago, she wasn't sure why his agency chose such a
standout. She supposed his combed-back black hair and golden eyes were some
bizarre form of female torture.
