1/2/09 my first book, 'Tripping Through Time', is scheduled to be released today, in digital format, by The Wild Rose Press, it is scheduled for print release on 3/27/09. My story is a time travel romance novel about a young girl who travels back one hundred years to the year, 1869, when she finds a Celtic ring in Lake Champlain, Vt. It couldn't have happened at a better time.
It's the story of her journey from fear to fulfillment, and as she makes her journey, she learns that love is truly timeless.

Here is a new excerpt:

Keealyn wake up, you’re fine, it’s just a

nightmare.” It took some time for her to realize

where she was and shiver off the visions.

Then it hit her.

“Alyssa! How is Alyssa?’ she turned to the

soundly sleeping child. Alyssa was cool to the touch,

and resting normally.

Ryan placed his finger over his lips, and took

Keealyn’s hand. He led her from the room, and

closed the door behind them.

“Let’s sit by the fire.” He added another log and

poked at the fire to catch the new wood. “What were

you dreaming about?” He settled his arm around her

as they sat on the rug close to the fireplace. The

flicker of the fire cast a warm glow on them. Keealyn

hesitated, and then she began to tell him about the

nightmares.

He listened intently, not quite understanding

how her father could feel the need for that kind of

discipline. Deprecating treatment only stole your

child’s self worth.

“Let go of those dreams, Keealyn, that’s all over

now. Your father is a different kind of man than I

am. Maybe it’s because of my parents. They never

ruled with an iron hand, but rather with a firm

voice. It worked for me. I do understand how the

treatment you got from the main man in your

childhood could make you fear all men. I’m asking

you to let it go. Realize once and for all what a good

and worthwhile person you are. Life is too short to

live over and over the hurts of your youth.” Then he

kissed her.

MORE, MORE, MORE!

By Sammie Jo Moresca, Leigh Ellwood, Victoria Blisse and Meg Winston

Phaze Publishing

ISBN 978-1-60659-057-7

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Featuring Sammie Jo Moresca's erotic romantic comedy, DIET ANOTHER DAY.

How do you like it? Some men like it super-sized, and readers will love this print collection of big, beautiful heroines who prove love has no size limit!

Excerpt from Diet Another Day
By Sammie Jo Moresca

Fontainebleau Resort and Spa, Miami Beach, Florida

"Remember, this is a team effort. Your roommate will be your lifeline when the chocolate calls. Don't let her fail you. The team that loses the most on the Body Mass Index at the end of the month will be awarded the spokesperson's contract worth upwards of forty thousand dollars," said the trim boot camp diva of ceremonies with legs of steel. She had her audience riveted.

Crystal couldn't have cared less about becoming an infomercial diva. She wanted a new life. As she looked around at controlled applause in the sea of pink skirt suits in subtle shades from cloud to fuchsia, she finger-combed her long, mousy brown hair and squirmed, tugging on her size 1X stretch jeans, to make her thighs and crotch comfortable. Giving up, she flicked a tiny dandruff flake off her black ribbed tank top and tucked her errant white bra strap back underneath.

One other soul stood out. Seated in the rigid conference chair next to her was her Scottish e-pal Rosaleen Dalrymple, who'd talked her into this retreat. Bespectacled, frizzy redheaded Rosaleen wore an ankle length, blue plaid jumper, dingy grey tee shirt with armpit stains, and plastic flip flops. Crystal shook her head. Had she any idea how Roslaeen dressed, perhaps she would have treated her to a new outfit or two.

"As you'll see on page forty-one, along with a strict ten carbohydrates per day diet, the exercise component is straightforward. Activity, ladies. The best and safest way for you Sofa Sherries to begin is walking. The valet will not release your Mercedes until after graduation. Cabs will not carry you, the busses will not shuttle. Don't even think of renting one of those cute little motorized scooters you see models zipping around on. Use your large muscles, ladies. Build endurance. Increase your aerobic capacity."

The women applauded again.

Crystal was on board. Yes. I can walk. Yes, if my meals are prepared, I can adjust to a restricted carbohydrate diet. All of the support will be fun. Just like college. Or what my impression of college is like from books. A wave of shame tried to overtake Crystal. Everybody here probably has at least a bachelor's degree. And a fabulous career.

"You will be assigned a canteen. Keep it filled and with you at all times. Optimum water intake is twelve eight-ounce servings per day. Strive to hit that target exactly. No more, no less. And subsequently, ladies, you need to feel free to pee. With two hundred women on the same schedule, the designated restrooms at this conference center will prove inadequate. Do not waste time in line. Guard the door of the men's room and take turns. A body waiting in line for a toilet is not a body in motion burning fat. If you stand in line for five minutes every time nature calls this month, you will be two pounds heavier. It's not worth it, ladies."

Uproarious laughter and nods filled the room.

No wonder I'm fat. Wow. I had no idea. Yes, absolutely I'll use the men's room. All right then, two pounds guaranteed weight loss. Check.

"Turn to page forty-eight. Tomorrow's itinerary: Breakfast in the Palm ballroom from five-fifteen to five thirty-five. Feel free to mingle and meet the other ladies. Most of you are sales consultants with the Patty Unger Cosmetics Company. Enjoy chatting with your counterparts from other states and territories. After breakfast, you all have a rigid list of activities to achieve before lunch at high noon, back in the Palm ballroom. You and your roommate are responsible for each other's successful completion. Don't be a weak link."

The ladies applauded yet again. Crystal turned to Rosaleen. The friends smiled and nodded in unison.

Crystal skimmed the activities. This sounded fun. A sunrise stretching period on the beach. Power walking in the saltwater pool. A four-minute restroom break. Thirty-six minutes on the cardio machines. Sweat a few pounds off in the sauna. Power Pilates. Thirty minutes to shower and dress for lunch.

"Our afternoons are for spiritual growth. We will meet for a prayer session on the beach, in front of the first lifeguard stand to the left of the steps. We will rotate through the world's great religions. Deeply contemplate the messages. Open your heart to your maker. Accept Him in different forms through the hearts of your peers."

Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. At least we'll get to relax.

"At one PM, you will break off into groups for barefoot beach walking. Please arrive in a suitable bathing suit with ample sunscreen, SPF 50 or higher, sunglasses, and sun bonnets. Each group will receive a unique novel to read while walking. Yes, ladies. We will learn to integrate exercise seamlessly into our lives. You can, and will, walk and read a book. Be prepared for a pop quiz at breakfast each morning, on the previous day's book."

Is she kidding? I'm supposed to read and walk and finish the book in one day? And not collapse of heat exhaustion? Miami in July. What was I thinking, signing on for this? Crystal turned to Rosaleen, who had an alarmed expression on her blotchy face.

The boot camp commander continued, "For our first week's reward, we have arranged to have a mixer with the Homeland Security First Responders Conference. Cocktail dresses are required. Don't forget hose, a minimum three-inch heel, and full make up."

Cocktail dress? Sausage casings and lip balm? Great. Homeland Security First Responders? Oh, don't they sound like a fun bunch? Crystal envisioned a group of fat, balding fifty-somethings so uptight they dance you suspiciously through metal detectors.

"All right, ladies. Retrieve your luggage from the holding area. Please form a line, two across with your roommate. Heads up, breasts high. Walk proudly through the hotel and out into the night to our dormitories at the Jesuit school."

Dormitories? Jesuit school? "Rosaleen, what's she talking about? I thought we were booked here at the hotel."

"Only for the meetings, meals, and spa services. We are rooming in the dorms to keep us away from temptation."

"In other words, they want to keep us from ordering room service."

"Exactly."

©2007, 2008 Sammie Jo Moresca

For Adults Only! Complete novella contains graphic love scenes.

Visit Sammie Jo's Website

“Sherry Morris has written an easy reading short story that you’ll enjoy. Christina’s Fear is a book that will let all those who are afraid of swimming understandably nod their heads.” Euro-Reviews

Download Complete Story at Chippewa Publishing

Excerpt from Christina’s Fear

The first short story written by Sherry Morris

Summer, 1978

Christina lay on her back in the freshly mowed fescue surrounding the historic house. She happily inhaled the scent of cut grass. Her attention fixated across the river at the sunset. Slowly moving her eyes up through the clouds, she saw the color of a ripe peach, evolving into hot pink, then light aquamarine, and finally dark crayon blue.

Delaine immediately headed to the pool. “Come on, Chrissy! The water is so warm! Jump in!”

The teenager rolled over and put her hands under her chin. She laughed at Delaine goofing around in the water, watching her handstands and bubble blowing.

“I don’t know how to swim. You have fun and I’ll watch you.”

Christina opened her Tiger Beat magazine and flipped past the Leif Garrett dream date contest, Noxzema ad, and Bay City Rollers news. She creased the magazine open at the Andy Gibb photo spread and dramatically sighed. His peach vest and pants looked softer than the sunset.

“Come on, Chrissy! You’re missing out on all the fun!”

Christina removed her shoes and socks. She gingerly stuck her toes in and delightedly kicked her legs in the heavily chlorinated water. She knew they really shouldn’t be swimming with out any adults present. Not that Christina was going to swim, but still, she felt like they were taking a stupid chance.

Delaine swam over. “Jump in!”

“No, I’ll watch you. I can’t swim.”

Delaine grabbed her hand. “Yeah, right, Chrissy.” She yanked her into the water.

Disoriented, Christina found herself standing on the bottom of the pool. Desperately climbing, she somehow managed to propel herself up to the surface and grabbed onto Delaine’s head. Delaine immediately pushed her off. Down, down, down Christina sank.

Her thoughts muddled. She knew better than to go near water with no lifeguard. Maybe Mr. Charles would come home early. Maybe Andy Gibb would jump in and save her. He was a champion swimmer in Australia. She had read that about him last month.

Flailing to the surface the second time, she grabbed wildly for Delaine. When she found her, Christina shoved Delaine underwater again, as she tried to climb onto her back. Delaine threw her off. Down, down, down Christina sank.

©2006-2007 Sherry Morris

Download Complete Story at Chippewa Publishing

Visit my website for more free excerpts

Enroll in one of my online short story workshops