* Jacquelyn Frank: Author Override | UTC Reviews
* Skye Warren: Author Override
* Narrator Lorelei King: Interview
* Stephanie Tyler: Interview
* Carolyn Crane: Author Override | UTC Review
* J.T. Geissinger: Interview | UTC Review
* Men and Women of the Military Giveaway Hop
* Keri Arthur: Interview | UTC Reviews

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Author Override: Dee J Adams

Fictional Candy


Under the Covers is very excited to participate in the Feelin' Lucky Hop, 
This giveaway hop will run March 7 - March 13.

Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.

Today on UTC we have Dee J Adams with us! Adams has recently released DANGER ZONE, the second book in her Adrenaline Highs series with Carina Press. You can find more about her and her books on her website here.

So without further ado, please help us welcome Dee J Adams!

 
Dee J Adams

It’s been an exciting couple of weeks with the release of my second book in the Adrenaline High series. Danger Zone and I are excited to celebrate our continued blog tour here at Under The Covers.

I wondered what I could talk about today since I’ve hit so many different topics in the last two weeks… My hero and heroine face huge life changes and discover a lot about themselves and just what they are capable of. They’ve had to deal with some serious growing pains during their childhood that have affected the way they live their lives now. I always tell myself that everything happens for a reason and you’ll see that theme a lot in probably all of my books. Honestly it’s the only way I can make sense of the bad things that happen. Because from everything that changes the course of our life, we head down a path we may not have traveled beforehand. It’s that path that can lead us to – maybe – the thing that will bring us the most joy, or possibly even the most pain. I always tell myself that something else is around the corner and you just never know what it’s going to be.

What about you? Can you pinpoint something in your life that happened because of something unexpected or tragic? Or something that came from a GOOD thing? Life is full of surprises… it’s up to us to roll with them. Speaking of rolling… I’ve rolled out one of my favorite excerpts from Danger Zone. Hope you enjoy it. <G>


Excerpt:


Way to go, Ellie. She’d sure as hell walked right into that one. Quinn had baited her perfectly and she had no way out. Of course, she could slam the door in his face. But that seemed exceptionally rude. It wasn’t as though he could really win this contest. And he didn’t have that many places to touch. “Fine. Three touches. Only on skin you can see. Go.”

He laughed and the relaxed playboy in him seemed to take over. “It’s three and a half touches,” he clarified.

“What’s with the half?”


“Sometimes the half isn’t necessary.”


So he’d done this before. Which meant she was just another in a long line of women. But hadn’t she expected that? Still, it sort of...made her mad. And also made resisting him easier.

“Then why bother with it?”

“It’s my prerogative.” He studied her for a second and his eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong? A little nervous?”

She leveled him with her best bored stare. “No.” But she was. Only the skin showing. If she kept telling herself that, she’d be fine. All of the important parts were covered so he couldn’t do that much damage.

Victory already lurked in his eyes. Man, this guy was cocky. And so damn cute.

Crap. Why did he have to be so damn good- looking? She wanted a guy for the long haul. All the handsome ones wanted was a quick screw on the spread.

“Put your arm out,” he ordered quietly. “Bend it at the elbow. Like this.” He showed her what he meant. Then with his left hand, he gently supported her right arm while keeping it bent in front of her with his thumb just above the bend in her elbow, the other fingers behind her arm.

“Now what?”

“Now...I touch you.” His words were so soft, so confident, that a wave of uncertainty swelled over her. His light gray eyes burned into hers. A stupid flutter of anticipation washed through her. She pushed it back with iron will.

Never taking his gaze from hers, Quinn moved his right thumb down, so slowly, so tenderly, to the hollow of her elbow. It wouldn’t have been that bad except that he stayed in the same place and circled maddeningly slow. Around and around the rough pad of his thumb circled the sensitive area. Goose bumps rose on her flesh, the hair stood up on her arms and nape.

The tiniest of grins curved his lips, but he didn’t stop eye contact...as if he knew without seeing what effect he had on her. His thumb continued down her arm. Slowly, inch by inch. All the way to her wrist where he circled again.

Ellie swallowed. And blinked. Damn it. Steeling herself against the sensations hitting her body, she clenched her jaw and worked to even out her breathing.

Almost done. He didn’t have anywhere else to go. One down, two and a—

Quinn’s thumb traveled to the middle of her palm and Ellie nearly jumped out of her skin. Her thumb grazed the inside of his hand and the urge to touch him shot through her like a cannon.

Thankfully, he pulled away. “That was one,” he breathed.

Mayday! Red Alert! She was in serious trouble.

“Next is number two.” His devastating right hand moved toward her chin, but he stopped and reconsidered. His fingers grazed her hairline and moved through her hair, against her scalp. Again, so slowly.

His pupils dilated, his breathing grew heavier. The man was definitely affected. If the bet had been the other way around, she would’ve won.

But...maybe not. Because the tingles running up and down her spine and radiating through her limbs all met at the same spot between her legs. Not a good sign. She desperately fought the urge to lean into his palm, feel more of his heat against her head. It was getting tougher to control her heartbeat and her breath came uneven.

“That was number two.” His low voice sent her heart pounding harder.

“One more,” she said. Only the words barely came out.

“One and a half,” he corrected. “This is the half.” With one hand still against her scalp, he lifted her chin a fraction. Using the pad of his thumb, he traced her bottom lip. From the middle to the end. Not a long way, but enough to send her through the roof. Enough to want to suck his thumb into her mouth and taste him.

Make him beg.

All this time, they kept eye contact. He never once looked down at the path his thumb had taken. But now, his intense gaze focused on her mouth before moving back to her eyes. He bent closer, his fingers still under her chin, his lips closing the gap with hers. “There’s just one more,” he whispered and moved even closer, his mouth just a fraction from hers, his breath warm over her lips.

Ellie could barely keep her eyes open. Desire left her lids heavy, her breath lodged somewhere in her throat. Somehow, someway, a fraction of her brain still worked. “I thought you only got to touch me with the pads of your fingers,” she murmured.

“I lied.”
His lips brushed hers and Ellie’s whole system went into meltdown. She should’ve been mad, but she really wanted to laugh. Really wanted to forget everything she’d ever thought about the man and jump him here and now in her trailer.

This was nothing like she expected. Not a blatant sexual assault, but the most tender and gentle kiss she’d ever experienced. So simple. Sweet. Absolutely innocent in the taking. Those lethal lips continued to caress hers. Smoothing across just as maddeningly slow as his thumb had done.

At some point, she’d grabbed his wrists. Not to push him away, but to keep him steady. Keep him connected to her. Not that he seemed to be going anywhere. And still he kissed her. Just lips. Softly. A nibble, a caress. Brushing so sweetly against her mouth she didn’t want it to end.

Ellie had no idea how long they stayed that way and Quinn pulled back a fraction, his lips still dangerously close to hers.

“I win,” he whispered. And kissed her again.

Ms. Adams is graciously giving away a copy of DANGER ZONE to lucky maiden!


In her ten-year career as a stuntwoman, Ellie Morgan has experienced her share of thrills. None compares to the rush of being behind the wheel of a race car for her latest movie shoot. Certain she was born to race, Ellie's ready to shift gears—but a secret from her past holds her back.

Quinn Reynolds is tired of being in the driver's seat of his family's company, Formula Racing Design. He's ready to sell—if he can get his co-owner and brother, Mac, to agree. Quinn's not sure what he wants to do with his future, but almost as soon as he meets Ellie, he knows he wants her to be part of it.

Though Ellie tries to resist her attraction to the charming businessman, she's quickly in danger of losing her heart. But after narrowly escaping "accidents" both on and off the set, it becomes clear that getting involved with Quinn could be downright deadly...

To enter, please:
1. Be a follower
2. Answer the author's question in the comments of this post.  Be sure to leave your email in the comment.  No email, we can't contact you!

Now keep hopping!

69 comments:

miki said...

Hi,

a surprise: after the illness and death of my father i had teh surprise to discover how many people were two faced, hypocryte and such.... it made me very sad and still now but in the same time i tresure more the real friend i have even if they are few

gfc: miki

isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

thanks you for this international giveaway

Miss Vain's Paranormal Fantasy said...

Hi Ann :) and her co-bloggers :))

Okay so, when I was 23 years old I was my senior year of college and I developed an autoimmune disease, quickly and the next thing I know I'm in the hospital on the liver transplant list, not expected to live 72 hours without the new liver (this is weird I rarely share this, and now I'm blasting it online lol) but anyways 9 months later I'm released from the hospital on the road to recovery, 30 pounds heavier due to liver and completely bald. My sorority sisters (I partied with every night) have long forgotten me, I'm ugly, fat and bald.....of course I had special wigs made for me but it didn't matter because I was shallow and vain as hell. People treated me differently. I was no longer the cute blonde, with the hot ride, and designer clothes, I was the fat, bald chick that everyone pitted and treated me like I was disgusting.....So now 7 years later I still suffer with my disease but I've learned to love and accept people regardless of their circumstances. I'm still pretty vain but only in what pertains to myself. I love life, I love all my friends in real life and ALL my blogger buddies! I'm happy to be alive, and a near death experience has taught me to be grateful for all I have and to treat people the way I wish to be treated.

Thank you for the giveaway girls!!;)
Loved the excerpt too!;)
MissVainsParanormalFantasy@gmail.com

Reading Mind / The Loyal Book said...

I haven't really had anything like that. I had my fair share of bad things but it tourned out I knew how hypocryte people can ben, so...

GFC reading mind

aliasgirl at libero dot it

GingerRing said...

I haven't had anything really tragic happen which I am very thankful for. I did end up in the hospital with food poisoning once and ended up falling in love with and later marrying the male nurse that took care of me. So I guess I had something good come out of something bad! rings@wwt.net

DBookWhore said...

Someone close to me committed suicide. I blamed myself even though it had nothing to do to me, sometimes a human reaction we carry guilt in the wake of a death. I ended up becoming really depressed & reading became my outlet for escape. Through that escape I ended up finding a passion so I started Bookwhoreblog.com. I went back to college because I realize life is to short to wait for tomorrow. Now my life is on track, I have a ton of great friends through blogging, and when i feel sad the book store is my safest haven. I'll graduate in 2014 with a degree in Nuclear Medicine. enough of this sad story great giveaway!! *tears*


Dprissypunk(at)gmail(dot)com

sienny said...

well.. it'll take some thinking.. cause i'm a go-with-the-flow kind of girl, i never pay attention to this kind of thing.

smile_1773@yahoo.com

Fictional Candy said...

Thank you so much for joining the hop! I love this post :) Good luck everyone!

C.S. Maxwell said...

WOW---what a question. AND a stumper, lol.
I would have tgo say that one of my best friends was murdered. She was such a loving, gentle soul and her death taught me to never take my friendship for granted. We are never guaranteed tomorrow and YES, bad s**t can happen to you.
trish.dechant@gmail.com

Sharon Stogner said...

thanks for being part of our blog hop! :)

Joanne said...

I'd have to say when my husband passed away suddenly. It made me realize how strong I was and how many good people there are in my life. This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.

e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

Dee J. said...

Hi Miki,
Oh no, that is a surprise. I went through something similar when my mom died. You learn alot about the people around you when dealing with death. Sorry for your loss, but glad you have close friends to lean on. Thank you for commenting!

Hi Miss Vain,
Wow! What a journey you've taken! Thank you for sharing with us one of the most important lessons in life: Treat people the way you want to be treated, always. Sorry you still suffer from the disease, but it seems you have a handle on it, so that's good. It is so important to be grateful for what we have and I think we sometimes forget that along the way. It takes these curve balls to show us what really matters sometimes. Thanks for your heartfelt comment!

Hi Reading Mind,
Yes, I guess we all deal with bad things at some point. It's the roller coaster of life. It can't always be happy and great no matter how much we'd like it to be. Thanks for stopping by.

Hi Jackie,
That is the exact thing I'm talking about! Food poisoning and a hospital stay led you to the love of your life! You probably never saw that one coming! Thanks for commenting!

Hi DBookWhore,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I totally understand those feelings of guilt and sadness. Ultimately we have to know that we have no control over what someone else does with their life. That includes when they take their own life. It's absolutely devastating, but people have the choice to seek help or do what they feel they must. I think some people live with such unbearable pain - be it physical or emotional - that they just can't deal with it. And sometimes, I think no matter how hard we try or what we say just won't make a difference and that's what really hurts, I think. So glad that you got your life back on track! Good for you! I'm a huge believer in escaping in a book. Especially romance! They cheer me up. Life won't always bring a happily ever after, but a good romance will. Thank you for commenting.

Hi Sieny,
I'm a big believer in going with the flow. I think it's a great way to deal with life. Thanks for stopping by!

Hi Liz,
Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for stopping by!

Hi C.S. Maxwell,
Wow. I'm so sorry for your loss. How devastating. You are so right. We shouldn't take our friends, family or life for granted. You just never know what's going to happen. It's important to remember to hug the ones you love and make sure they know how you feel. Thank you for sharing and for stopping in.

Hi Sharon,
I'm thrilled to be part of the blog hop! And really happy to be at Under The Covers! I love this bunch!

Dee J. said...

Hi Joanne,
I'm so sorry for your loss. (I couldn't imagine losing my husband.) But I'm so glad you have great friends and most importantly that you found such strength in yourself! That is so important because ultimately life does go on and our job is to make the most of it. Glad the book sounds good to you! I loved writing it. Thanks for stopping by!

Kitty's Book Spot! said...

I had a loss of friend while in 2nd grade. My friend was kidnapped and killed and I am not sure I understood what that meant, since I was only 7. What made me sadder was her mom was in a coma from fainting when she heard and did not come out for about 11 years. She is back and doing well now. I think it taught me that each moment is precious and being careful with our kids is a must - not a suggestion!

Thanks!

2kasmom(at)gmail.com

Dee J. said...

Hi 2kasmom,
OMG. So very sorry. How devastating. So many lives were affected because of that double tragedy. The family not only lost their daughter but their mother as well - for 11 years. So glad she came out of her coma. At least that is happy news. Each moment IS precious and we DO have to watch out for our kids! It's so important! Thanks for commenting!

Rhonda D said...

Hello! First thanks for the awesome interview, excerpt and giveaway. Now, on to the question. I found out how many true friends I had when another of my friends were shot and killed.

Dee J. said...

Hi Rhonda,
OMG, so sorry for your loss! It seems as if tragedy seems to be the main factor in turning points today. That kind of instant loss (and shock) seems to bring out people's true side, I guess, and I don't know why. Thank you for commenting and glad you enjoyed the excerpt!

Anne said...

My apt. was destroyed in a fire in Jan. 2001, but my cats were rescued. I then lost my travel industry job later in the year because of 9/11. I luckily found a job a month later, my salary has gone up 50% since I started and I've just past my 10th anniversary. I never would have left my previous job to start one in another industry without the harsh kick.

GFC Anne38 & e-mail subscriber
acm05atjuno.com

Dee J. said...

Hi Anne,
Wow! So glad your cats were rescued and you were all right. It's got to be so hard losing your apt, but ultimately, you won because you survived with your pets. Sounds like 01 was a rough year, but you made it out on top so congrats! Glad to hear you had a reversal of fortune! Thanks for commenting!

Drmgrl99 - Dawn said...

When I was very young my boyfriend committed suicide and left me a note, this was a very trying time for me since I was so young and very much in love, but I was lucky to have a wonderful man around then and he is now and has been my husband for the past 19 years. So out of that sadness can happiness.


Drmgrl99atyahoodotcom

erin said...

Thanks for a great post and excerpt! This book sounds awesome!

Ummm... I was diagnosed with luekemia when I was 17. Not a fun thing for a junior in HS. But... it made me realize that I had a lot more inner strength than I realized and that my mom is amazing!!!! Definitely put things into perspective for me. And now that I'm in my 30's I realize that life's too short and fleeting and to live each day to it's fullest... and to always speak your mind and live with no regrets :)

Dee J. said...

Hi daydrmzzz,

Oh wow... How devastating that must have been. I'm so glad you had a such a great friend who turned into your great love! I love the silver lining to your story. Suicide is so brutal, to everyone involved. Congratulations on 19 years with your man! That's awesome! Thanks for posting!

Hi Erin,
I am (honestly) in tears now. Everyone's posts have left me very emotional, but yours has tipped me over the edge. I love your philosophy on life and agree with it 100%! Congrats to you for taking on the biggest fight of your life and coming out ahead! You are an inspiration! Thanks for sharing your story!

Timitra said...

I also believe everything happens for a reason, you may not understand the reason then but in time all is revealed.

taccb_1981@yahoo.com

Taryn @MySecretRomance said...

This sounds like a great book...thanks for the giveaway!

I knew very young that the one thing I didn't want to be when I grew up was like my parents. My mother was heavily addicted to drugs while me, my sister and my brother were growing up. Unfortunately she still is. The memories she left me with will forever be seared into my brain. Like the time she parked the car in the garage and ran it with me and my sister in it, or the time her friend held a knife to my neck over some dispute with drugs. My father was and still is an alcoholic. I'll never forget the time he put me and my sister in the front seat of his car and sped down the road going 90 mph saying that we deserve it. Deserve what? I'll never know. These memories are what made me make realize that I didn't want be like them at such a young age, and I'm not. I like to joke that I was adopted because I'm nothing like anyone in my family. Sadly, my sister ended up like both of them.

I will always love my parents and be so appreciative for everything that they've done for me, because they have in so many ways as much as they could. There are good memories too, but these ones were big for me. I guess they were turning points in my life that has defined the rest of my days....and my sons days.

Dawn said...

oh WOW!!! this looks hot! Running to add it to my TBR =)

fishgirl182 said...

i guess it's kind of boring but nothing really tragic has ever happened in my life. my dad's been ill recently which has been hard but i don't think i've changed too much. i guess a good thing to come out of it is that i think i appreciate my family more.
twee66 at gmail dot com

Dee J. said...

Hi Timitra,

Yes, I think certain situations make us stronger and/or more aware of how fragile life is. Thanks for dropping by!

Dee J. said...

Hi Taryn,

Those sound like some very scary moments! Kudos to you for making the decision to be different than what you were shown. We all have the capability to make the right choices, it's whether we do or not that decides our life. I think your sons are lucky boys.

Hi Didi,
Yay!! Thank you! You said my favorite words, "Running to add it to my TBR." LOL. Thanks for stopping in!

Hi Fishgirl182,
Sorry to hear about your father. Hope he gets better soon. And I say congrats on not going through anything too tragic! That's great! (I think I'm jealous. ) Thanks for dropping by!

bas1chs said...

Hi I follow via twitter: @ggjunk

My change came after 9/11. I remember exactly where I was that day and the time and the feelings I had. I ran the battery down on my cell phone calling all of my friends and close family members. You really learn who is worth it at times like that. Thankfully I still have the important ones in my life today.

Dee J. said...

Hi bas1chs,
That day was so scary for so many. Glad your important people are still with you today. I know we were frantic at my house since my BIL is a NYC firefighter. He had gone off duty the night before, but came back in immediately as it all happened. We didn't hear from him until late that night (and worried all day long). Times like those really make us appreciate the ones we love. Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly said...

Great excerpt. I really want to read the rest of the story. Enjoyed the interview. My husband and I were in a serious car accident several years ago. We were hit by a drunk driver. Car was totaled and we were very lucky to survive the accident. It makes you realize how precious life is and to not waste a moment. Thank you for the giveaway.

Dee J. said...

Hi Shelly,

That's pretty damn scary! Glad you two are okay. It's so freaky to think that anything could happen at anytime and completely change our lives. Glad you liked the excerpt and thanks for commenting!

Foretta said...

I was 14 on that line where I could have gone either way. I went to a job interview at a CHRISTIAN camp! dressed in a home made above the knee strapless summer dress, teased hair, tons of makeup. I was nice and professional but so not dressed correctly. She looked at me said welcome, we have a dress poicy and that's not it, with a nice smile. When I left the job at 18 I asked the lady that hired me "why?" She told me that she seen the potential and knew I was worth the chance. She changed my life!!!! I see where my friends and cousins are now and where I am and I give a lot of credit to the people that I worked with at that camp. They accepted me without trying to change me. I was a Christian camp but I never once felt like they treated me differently when I chose not to go to church with them on Sunday's. I never felt pressure to be anything but who I was. I am thankful always for them.

Foretta said...

opps forgot email

forettarose@yahoo.com

Foretta said...

opps forgot email

forettarose@yahoo.com

Dee J. said...

Hi Foretta,
What a great story! I wish everyone could accept people for who they are. We're all equal but certainly not the same. It takes all kinds for the world to go round and why some people feel the need to make others exactly like themselves, I'll never know. Thanks for commenting!

Mary Preston said...

Stuff happens, but I picked myself up, & my two children, & we have made a great new life for ourselves.

GFC: Mary Preston

Email Subscriber:

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Unknown said...

Great excerpt!
vanessa (at) thejeepdiva (dot) com

I don't know many of the hows, but my husband had little contact with most of his family growing up. Just his parents. His grandmother passed away last April. After 10 years of marriage I've got to meet some of them. He is also taking the time to travel when he is home from work to get reacquainted to them.

I've enjoyed meeting them, they are wonderful people. They live all over the country so we get to travel to new places to see his wonderful family.

Dee J. said...

Hi Marybelle,
I agree. Stuff happens. Good for you for handling it and moving on. That's really all anyone can do. Thanks for stopping by!

Hi Vanessa,
Glad you liked the excerpt! Sounds like fun being able to travel and meet new family members. I'll bet that's bringing all kinds of new relationships into your life! Thanks for commenting!

Filia Oktarina said...

I haven't had anything really tragic happen which I am very thankful for. I hope in the future, nothing will happen to my family and I'm.

GFC : Filia Oktarina

filiafantasy at gmail dot com

Dee J. said...

Hi Filia,
Glad you've been free of tragedy! I hope life continues smoothly for you and I hope everyone that has seen tragedy has an easier life from here on out. Thanks for stopping by!

Unknown said...

One of the most difficult moments in my life that later became a blessing was an unexpected pregnancy. I was still in college and my boyfriend of 5 years had left me. About 2 weeks later I found out I was pregnant. I postponed college for a semester. My family rallied around me and I had a wonderful baby boy. He is now 19 and life couldn't be better.
Mel
bournmelissa@hotmail.com

Gwen LTP said...

One one of my more unhappy nights, I thought I would go home, but at the last minute decided to go hang out with my best friend (more out of obligation - a quick hello and home I would go!). Lucky for me, I met my husband that night. Needless to say, I stayed longer than just a hello.
GFC: Gwen LTP
ghtough(at)gmail(dot)com

Katie Dalton said...

Under the covers has it going on! baaaa! thanks for being part of the tour the sheep love it!

Unknown said...

Hmmph.. Good things can come out of good... I haven't had my own experience on this but my friend have,,,

They were going to have a vacation in England but then he got into an accident..just a minor one, but enough so his family canceled the vacation.. A day after their supposed-to-be-date of flight.. the news broke out that the airplane they're supposed to ride... had an accident..and no one survived...

Life is full of surprises!

Unknown said...

my email: darkworld_cutie@yahoo.com

Criss said...

I saw a gunman killed by another gunman right in front of me when I was a child. I stood there and watched until he stopped moving. I have hated funerals ever since, I only will go to a funerals when its family are close friends.

Criss said...

Sorry my email is rshereifa(at)yahoo(dot)com

Melissa said...

Hello, I had the greatest surprise 5 years ago! I had gotten food poisoning and was at the hospital then after all of the blood work the doctor said "I had good news and not so good news, you have food poisoning but we found out that you are pregnant!!" Imagine my surprise!! I was happy for having food poison!

Thanks for the giveaway!
I am a GFC follower and I follow by email.

melissalamb(at)musfiber.com

Dee J. said...

Hi Mel,
Wow! That must have been a scary time. So glad your family rallied around you and congrats on having a wonderful boy 19 years ago!

Hi Gwen,
Nice! Love that story. Good things happen when we least expect them, right?

Hi Katie,
Thanks for stopping by!

Hi Avry15,
That's scary. Truly makes you wonder what the big plan is for all of us. Where we're supposed to be and when and what happens when our plans change... Thanks for commenting!

Hi Criss,
That is hugely traumatic. I witnessed a stand off with police and a suspect, but no bullets were fired. I couldn't imagine actually watching what you did that close up. So scary. Thanks for dropping by.

Hi Melissa,
LOL. That is definitely "Good news and bad news!" LOL. Glad it all turned out all right. You were the second person to have something good come of food poisoning.

Barbara said...

Several years ago I woke up one morning and couldn't get it together. I couldn't seem to concentrate on getting ready for work and felt ill, couldn't catch my breath...hyperventilating. My husband took me to the Dr. and he put me on a 'stress leave' from work and gave me some anxiety and depression meds. WTF? I was always a VERY strong individual...taking care of everyone, doing whatever needed to be done...I was STRONG, independent, more than CAPABLE. I didn't have time for this...I was working 60+ hrs a week...I had stuff to do! Now wasn't the time to get sick! Work was already on my back...I didn't need to give them a reason to ride it even more. What was happening? I suffered a breakdown of course. I tried to be all things to everyone both at work and at home, friends and family too. All the while holding on to everything inside, good and bad. Doing this will cause a person to sooner or later...break. All it took was a few ill chosen words from an authority figure I sought advice from. I thought very highly of this person and was devastated when he told me I was a very negative person. It was suddenly all I heard. In everything I did...it was all I heard. Nothing I did was ever going to be good enough because...I was a negative person. I literally became ill and could not function. And eventually could not return back to work and so lost my job of 24 1/2 yrs. We had to sell our home we had just built and planned to retire in and move into a smaller home. Because it took two incomes to support it and we were now a one income family. Eight years later and I still suffer with anxiety to the point where it sometimes stops me at my front door with the stupid fear of my experiencing a panic attack beyond it. So, I stay inside. But I LOVE to read. Reading allows me to move beyond my front door to meet new people, travel to new places...where my anxiety can't touch me and panic attacks don't exist. And I don't have to work hard to please anyone. Or be sad because all the 'friends' I was there for during their moments of crisis over the years....turned out to be mere 'acquaintances' I never saw nor heard from again.

barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com

Dee J. said...

Hi Barbara,
Anxiety, stress and worry... They are the worst. I guess everyone suffers from them at different levels, but so sorry they affected you the way they did. I try not to worry unless I have to, meaning I don't think the worst until I know it's happened. I think that helps me deal with some things. I agree about books. They are the best escape, especially a romance when you know you're going to get a happily ever after. Thank you for commenting!

SiNn said...

honestly alot shaped who i am now and where i am now heart break turned in to the best thing that happened to me and my b etter half we grew up and learned from the betrayl of a friend death shaped who i am in the asspects of i aprpeciate things more when my bestfriend passed forma n over dose it was a wake up callthat came and i now apperciate life more


ty for the chance

i follow as SiNn

mortalsinn(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

mimirose41209 said...

Hi, I guess one of the biggest days that changed my life was at work. I was bartending at the time at a corporate hotel. It was 2 weeks after 9/11 and a local radio station was hosting a 'rap against terrorism tour' with some well know rap artists at the time. One of our other bartenders was very new and another employee decided that the new guy shouldn't work the night shift because we would have been too busy and asked that I switch and work that night instead of the day shift. Long story short, I met the man who would later become my husband. Without that schedule change I would have never met him and I wouldn't have been married to him for the last 9 years.

Now we have had our ups and downs (hubby has had 2 major open heart surgeries) but we have made it!

mimirose41209 at hotmail dot com

MeikkiBeibi said...

Let's see, I haven't really had much bad things happen to me, atleast not with good end results. Good thing out of good things, sure all the time!
GFC = Niina C
elvenspirit at gmail dot com

Dee J. said...

Hi SiNn,
Thanks for commenting! Sounds like more than one thing has shaped who you are.

Hi mimirose41209,
That's a great story! Love that you met your husband because of shift change! It was meant to be. Congrats and thanks for stopping by!

Hi Niina C,
Glad that you've constantly had good things come out of good. I always love happy news! Thanks for commenting!

IdentitySeeker said...

There have been a few instances when something good has come of a bad situation, but I cannot pinpoint any specific ones. However, I can say that most of the good things happened due to perceived missed opportunities. I turned out to have missed them for a good reason:) Thanks for this lovely giveaway!

Best wishes for 2012!:)

Sarah

sarah.setar@gmail.com

Dee J. said...

Hi Sarah,
Yes, sometimes by missing things, I think we open the door for other opportunities. Thanks for stopping by!

Di said...

Several years ago I was laid off from my job, but the silver lining was that I got to spend time with my father before he passed away. I didn't get to do that with my Mom & I'll always regret not knowing her time was short.
sallans d at yahoo dot com

Dee J. said...

Hi Di,
So sorry you lost your parents, but glad you got to spend time with your father. That is one thing we can't get back... time. We never know what life is going to throw at us so we should hug the ones we love now. Thanks for commenting!

donnas said...

Great excerpt.

I can pinpoint something that happened to me that was tragic. A completely unexpected death. But it did prompt me to change my life. I moved cities, found a job that is working out much better. None of that would have happened otherwise.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Dee J. said...

Hi Donnas,
Oh no, so sorry about the sudden death, but I'm glad life has worked out for the better since then with the new city and new job. Thank you for commenting!

Anonymous said...

Although everything turned out okay, the scariest thing that has happened to me was last Mother's Day when my 11 year old daughter fell out of the hayloft at my brother's house. We were out in the country and over an hour from the nearest decent hospital. It took 45 minutes for the ambulance to get there with my daughter lying on the ground saying she couldn't breathe. They had to fly her to the hospital in a helicopter. She had a broken wrist, broken collarbone, concussion, lung contusion, and a deep cut at the top of her ear and she had to spend 2 days in the hospital. She was very lucky because she could have been hurt a lot worse. It helped me remember how blessed I am to have healthy children and such a close family. Thanks for the giveaway.

E. Thompson
thompsonem3(at)aol(dot)com

Dee J. said...

Hi Ellen,
That sounds so scary! So glad your daughter is all right. I'm definitely hugging my daughter today after school. Thanks for the reminder to appreciate our healthy children. Thanks for commenting!

Texas Book Lover said...

Well i met my husband on a blind date that i really didn't want to go on.

Gfc follower

Mmafsmith at gmail dot com

Dee J. said...

Hi Maria,

Yay! I love to hear about a happy ending to a blind date story! (I think they are pretty rare. LOL) Congrats on finding Mr. Right! I think that's a major accomplishment.

Tami Brothers said...

HI! There have been several things that have come from both good and bad situations. One memorable thing was losing a job I loved because the company closed, but shortly thereafter receiving an opportunity to go back to school to do something I loved. That has paid of ten fold so far and I see some great things in the future.

Thanks for the chance to with the book.

Tami

tamibrothers at yahoo dot com

Dee J. said...

Hi Tami,
That's awesome! Glad to hear such good things are happening to you! Thanks for stopping by!

divavixenqueen said...

Nice interview.
Never had anything bad happen and no really big surprises either.

Dee J. said...

Hi divavixenqueen,

There's is absolutely nothing wrong with a smooth life! Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by!