Does your Hero Smell? He Smells like a Memory #poetry

Ironically, this wasn't a cologne worn by anyone I ever knew, but I remember finding a sample scent in a magazine and I tore it out and slept with it under my pillow for a while and then placed it in my underwear drawer. It just smelled so good!

I guess, if I really get down to the nitty gritty of the matter, all the heroes in my novels probably smell like Safari or some equally raw earthy aroma that reminds me of my youth, of young love and the way your heart expands and your stomach pitches when you see that guy who makes your palms sweaty...who you'd recognize simply by the fragrance of him. The thing that makes him "smell like a memory." Our sensory perception lays the foundation for what we're attracted to, what we love, and the type of hero/heroine we're drawn to.

I don't often share my poetry here and I'm honestly not sure if I've shared this poem before or not, but I thought today I would because for me, scent does set off the most vivid of memories, and therefore it opens the door to the things we carry with us, no matter how far we've coming from where we once were to where we are now.

He Smells Like A Memory

HE smells like a memory
A hint of the past

Wrapping itself around my senses 

Jerking me back to a time I had forgotten
I feel the quickening of pulse
The deep vibrations in my core
Rising to roar in my ears
Drawing me to him

He smells like a memory
That makes my mouth water and my palms go damp
My heart aches and my loins tremble
As the visions of a life I once had
Flash through my mind
I catch my breath…

He smells like a memory…
Where has time gone?
It seems I forgot him so easily…
But I haven’t…
Not really
He has always been there
Ever-present in my heart
Waiting for some small detail
To set off the rushing river of emotions
That still tie me to him forever-
Be it an object or a feeling
Or even a scent
Yes, that’s it!

He smells like a memory
Like sensuality and sex
He smells of urgent need
And burning passion
And a love I tried so desperately to release
Still desire flickers and smolders beneath the surface
Yes, he left me…
Left me to face the days and years that came
Without him
Left me to reminisce of what once was
What should have been
What could never be
Yes…
He left me to pick up the pieces of my heart
Each time HE smells like a memory…

(copyright 2009 Taryn Raye)

I'll leave you with a few songs from one of my favorites- Ben Taylor.

#SCENTsational Saturdays- Favorite Number 9- Cool Water Woman by Davidoff

I'd have to say that this is probably one of the most sensual fragrances on my favorites list. I discovered it from one of those magazine inserts and my husband got it for me for Christmas several years ago. Perhaps it's the fact that I'm an Aquarius, the "water bearer" or because I'm drawn to the blue bottle that shimmers like a tropical ocean that I'd love to dip my toes in, but this one makes me feel warm and soft and sexy in a different way than the others.

It could also have to do with the fact that it was a new fragrance I added to my list and I only associate it with my husband. It makes it special. Some of my other favorites that I've had for the majority of my life bring to mind other times in my life before I met my husband, when I was in other relationships, but this one I associate solely with him and that makes it all the more special.

It reminds me of a warm house on a cold winter night and Christmas decorations and time snuggling on the couch. Marriage isn't always an easy dynamic for two people and there have been plenty of times I didn't see my husband as my "hero" but he truly is. He loves me with a sometimes unconditional love that I always hoped to have but never believed possible. He takes care of my needs and the kids needs before his own more often than he should and his favorite place to be is here with us. I couldn't ask for better.

A little poetical love song for my hubby today- One of "our" songs-

Hope you have a SCENTsational Saturday!

#SCENTsational Saturdays- Does Your #Hero Smell? #Horizon

Horizon by Guy Laroche is a subtle, yet powerful scent for men. This fragrance is perfect for any time of day. Horizon combines citrus and lavender scents with tones of wood and sweet spices to create a cologne perfect for any occasion. First introduced in 1993, this cologne has been widely used by men for day-to-day activities. Lightly apply this subtle scent to your neck or wrists and feel ready to take on whatever the day throws at you.

****

I don't normally post about my past, at least not in regard to relationships because I'm married and I've moved on, but when I pulled up the calendar post for today and remembered I'd endeavored to post about heroes and what they smell like and my favorites, I forgot momentarily that I would kind of have to travel down memory lane to describe the reasons this is probably still a favorite men's cologne, though I haven't smelled it in years.

From 1995 until around this time of year in 1999, I was in an on again, off again relationship, thrice (count 'em- 3 times) engaged to a man who once told me that on his first day on the job where we met- I was 20 at the time, that he went home that night and lay down to go to bed and he KNEW I was the woman he wanted to marry, that I was the woman he could see himself growing old with.

Of course, he told me that only after we officially started dating at the beginning of 1996 (I was seeing someone else when we met). We'd gone to school together but he didn't remember me, so I couldn't imagine someone could feel that deeply about me without even knowing me, but it was clear he was love-struck from the start and after spending more time with him, I really started to like him, too. Horizon was his signature cologne and for those few years of my life, that scent was a comfort, it turned me on because it smelled so good and I associated it with him and his love. He was, after all, the man I loved, the one I intended to marry someday.

In his arms, I felt like the most beautiful woman in the world and his nickname for me was "Pretty Eyes." We went through a LOT together, deaths of family, health scares with our parents, job changes, life changes. Things were not always easy, but for the first time in my life I knew what it was like to care about someone who actually told me and showed me that he cared about me, too. I know I took that for granted, I didn't always appreciate it. I was young and wondered if there were more out there in the world. I worried I didn't love him and at one point, a very low point for me when I gained a lot of weight and was depressed, I ended it. I wasn't happy and he wasn't happy and we weren't making each other happy.

He didn't want it to end though. He still loved me, at least, at that point he did and when I was supposed to start a new job on my birthday in February, we ended up with one of the biggest snowfalls to hit Central Kentucky in a long time- 2 foot of snow lay on the ground outside our front door and since I would have to walk to work, I didn't end up having to go that day. This man, who loved me so much, walked across town from where he lived with his parents, to the flower shop in the shopping center, and then through the park and the long way around my neighborhood in 2 FOOT OF SNOW to bring me a stuffed Ty cat for my birthday—while we were broken up.

Now, after we got back together, it was all down hill from there...the fights, the differences of opinion and ideas for what we each wanted for our life together. It seemed that what we once shared as like-minded individuals, the things we believed in and valued- something shifted and I don't really know what. But those things collided and ricocheted off each other and the vile words we said to each other wounded deeply and couldn't be taken back. 

I was told NOTHING anyone said could change his love for me and then within a few breaths he told me that his love came with conditions that had to be met or he "couldn't" love me. I still don't understand and sometimes, it does still hurt because I've never figured out what happened or how we fell apart.

What I try to remember though, is that people come into our lives for reasons beyond our comprehension. Some are there to love us always, but sometimes love isn't enough to make it work. We might not understand why things don't work out the way we plan, but I do believe there is a bigger picture that we can't see because we're just too close. I believe EVERY relationship teaches us about love, about ourselves, about loss and about strength to see beyond and continue traveling toward the "horizon." (Nice how I worked that in there, isn't it?) There's still life out there, even when one story comes to an end- there is still road to travel and you can't always see what's up ahead. You just have to keep going.

And so, now that I've had a good cry and pulled myself together (and in some ways hope I never catch a whiff of this cologne again) I'll leave you with this- it was just one of "our" many songs-

Don't forget to live in those moments....it's all very precious, even when the memories are hard to bear.

Hope you have a SCENTsational Saturday!
Enjoy it to the fullest!

#SCENTsational Saturdays- Favorite Number 8- Jovan Musk, Original

Experience the sexy feeling of Jōvan Musk for Women. A delicate floral accord of jasmine, neroli, and bergamot blends with the earthy, seductive scent of musk. This mysterious fragrance unleashes your own natural powers of seduction. It's what attracts.

Again, here I go with another Jovan fragrance. They apparently know what I like. This is a heavier, more sensual perfume that is best for an evening out with that special someone.

On account of the events of this past week, I think that's about all I have to say on the fragrance, but I will leave you with this video which always reminds me of my grandparents.

My grandfather passed in 1991, my grandmother, not until 1997. In the years after my grandpa died, she dreamed of him often. The dreams were always the same- she met up with him, across a field of flowers, at the creek to go fishing. She missed him so much and those dreams made her so happy- as though she stole from death for a moment what death had taken from her far too soon.

When she passed away in 1997, all I could think was that she and grandpa were reunited and they were somewhere fishing together, for always. Maybe it's sounds silly, but I like to think my aunt's sitting on the bank with them now, reunited with her momma and daddy.

Have a SCENTsational Saturday!

#SCENTsational Saturdays- Dry Hair & Scalp Needs Moisture

A while back I posted about how every shampoo and conditioner I use breaks my scalp out and I couldn't seem to find a combination that worked and yet still made me feel "like the heroine" of my love story. Well, I think I've discovered the secret.

For years, I've had very think, coarse, oily hair, so I normally bought shampoo for normal to oily hair types. That's all well and good, but I do believe that as we age, things about us must age and change as well. My hair has, as I've discovered. Yes, the "dandruff" shampoo works to keep my scalp from breaking out in sores, but I found that wasn't always helpful either.

And then one day it occurred to me as I was looking through shelf after shelf of shampoos and conditioners and treatments, what if I've used the ones that "strip" the oils and moisture from my hair and scalp all these years, in fact creating the need for something specifically aimed at people with DRY hair.

I mean, after all, my hair was no longer limp and greasy a day after shampooing. No, it was wild and frizzy and utterly out of my control. I really had become Rosanne Rosannadanna, as I'd been teased by my parents in my childhood. What if I had misdiagnosed my hair type all these years?

So instead of grabbing the next normal to oily product, I reached instead for Suave Professionals Almond & Shea Butter- for moisturizing the dryness away. And guess what? It worked. I've almost used up both bottles and have yet to have any sores break out in my head. Granted, my ears are dry, but not sure I can blame that on the shampoo and conditioner or just this hot hot dry weather we've had this summer.

Regardless, I've found that switching my type of shampoo needs has made a drastic improvement to my hair. Not only do I not have sores, but my hair is smoother and more manageable and I know I sound like a commercial, but I'm actually just tickled that I figured what the issues was with my shampoo. Here's hoping that this continues to be a good solution to the problem and it was a cheaper solution than I had thought it would be.

Have a SCENTsational Saturday!

Please welcome @EvelynJules, #author of the new release #BlindFaith from #TMPress @turquoisemorn

Impromptu Thursday with Taryn

Evelyn Jules

Help me in welcoming debut author Evelyn Jules to a Thursdays with Taryn! Please feel free to share your thought or simply say hello!

What book(s) most influenced you as a writer? To be perfectly honest, I’ve read a lot of books, but it wasn’t until I met Margaret Ethridge and read her work that I felt inspired. She’s entirely responsible for renewing my love of reading, and with her guidance and encouragement I managed to break into the author scene too. 

What book do you read over and over again? Um, I’ve read Inamorata by Margaret Ethridge three times now. So I’ll say that. And I’ll stop talking about her now. Or at least I’ll try. :D

Thursday Trio-

1)      Movie- It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!

2)      Music- Jann Arden – funniest broad I know. If you want to pee your pants laughing every night, follow her on twitter.

3)      Decadent Dessert- Cheesecake with quadruple thick graham cracker crust.

What’s the most interesting or bizarre bit of trivia you’ve learned from researching for a novel? I learned that snakes have two penises. *nods* In fact, most reptiles do. Who knew?

Novel on your Nightstand:

Who/what are you currently reading? I’m currently reading Double Dog Dare by Jennifer Johnson and loving every minute of it. It’s hilarious, heart-warming, and magical.

Whom would you cast as your Hero & Heroine if your book became a movie? One of my good friends once told me that Adrian, my hero, reminded her of Dean Cain. So I’ll say Dean Cain and . . . myself? No? Okay, how about Rachel Weisz? Think of her character in The Mummy—bookish, quirky, sweet, with an underlying dirty side.

Click Cover Image to Left to Purchase on Amazon Kindle. 99 CENTS!

Blind Faith Blurb:

Warning: Graphic language and adult situations; intended for age 18 and over.

Faith Lawson is just your average, wholesome librarian with a dirty mind…until a chance encounter with a handsome stranger brings her fantasies to life in a frantic night of passion. But when he walks out her door, he leaves a piece of his past behind that changes everything.

Also available at-

Smashwords

All Romance eBooks

Turquoise Morning Press

Bookstrand

Author Bio: Hailing from the Great White North, Evelyn Jules loves curling up on the couch with a hot toddy and a steamy book. Nothing warms a girl up faster than a little hanky-panky. When she’s not reading deliciously erotic tales, she’s weaving her own in hopes of warming her readers’ hearts and other parts!

You can find out more about Evelyn Jules at her

Website

#Writerly Wednesday- Looking at Handsome Men Gives Me a Headache

My Hero is No Grisly Adams

As I endeavor to find stock images and figure up what I'd need for cover art images that I like or think might suit my purposes, I find that staring at handsome men can give one a headache. There, I said it. It's not so much the men, as the hours of eyestrain spent staring at the computer screen, but still....It's a time intensive search that reminds me why I normally write instead of work with computer graphics and it gives me a deep respect for all those cover artists who do spend many more hours than I have, scouring images across the net to make the perfect book cover for us writers.

I'm also reminded that terms like "sexy" and "handsome" are very subjective. I looked up "sexy cowboy" on one site and it came back with more pictures of women than men. What images of male cowboys I did find were sparse, older than I needed, or much too young, and one guy looked too much like Ricky Martin. Love you Ricky, but totally NOT the image I have in mind for a heterosexual hero who's supposed to favor Tim McGraw with a mustache and cowboy hat.

I have also seen, guys who look no more mature than 15, some "handsome" men are images of little boys in suits, like the ring bearer at a wedding. Some are much much older men- not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's not what I'm looking for. One guy looks like Michael T. Weiss who once played Mike on Days of Our Lives when I was a kid and was later the lead on The Pretender. Unfortunately none of my heroes favor him. I saw one guy who looked a LOT like Liam Helmsworth- Chris (a.k.a. Thor) Helmsworth's brother. Another sort of reminded me of Chris Evans, a.k.a. Captain America. Some reminded me of ex-boyfriends, so I have no inclination to use them AT ALL.

Mind you, there are some good looking guys on these stock photo sites, but not all fit the "image" I want and some just don't plain work for me at all. Maybe it's because I originally modeled my characters after actors and actresses, I'm making it harder on myself to pin down "new" images of them, but I have found a few female model images that do fit my leading ladies. The guys are a little harder to fit the mold I'm looking for.

I told my husband that I need one who favors Matthew McConaughey, but you can't search Mr. McConaughey-hey-hey because photos of him actually come up, so I can't even do a "look-alike" search. Later I pointed out a picture of this guy to my husband and said, "See what I mean? Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder."

He laughed and said, "Well, that guy looks a little bit like McConaughey." I scoffed, staring at this pale scrawny guy with a bright orange curly 'fro and said, "No, this guy looks like Carrot Top, before he buffed up." (and I'm still not sure which is scarier.)

It also became increasingly, painfully apparent that husbands don't understand romance novels or their covers, when I grumbled that the guys who could fit my characters had too much facial hair and vice versa. The majority of my heroes don't sport facial hair at all and it's really rare in the business to see heroes on romance novel covers who have facial hair, which led to this discussion between myself and my husband—

"I don't want guys with a lot of facial hair."

Hubby, who has a mustache and goatee asks me, as though he's been offended, "What's wrong with facial hair?"

I said, "Nothing necessarily, it wasn't anything against you or to make you feel inferior, but most book covers don't have men with facial hair."

He asked why, so I told him, "I don't know. Guess most women just don't want a lot of facial hair on their heroes, at least on the cover of romance novels. Maybe a mustache or a 5 o'clock shadow or a pencil line beard, but nothing like those guys on Duck Dynasty."

That elicited a good laugh.

Yeah, hubby's my hero, but in my fictional world- my hero is no Grisly Adams.

#SCENTsational (Sexy) Saturdays- Favorite No. 6- Frederick's of Hollywood Signature Fragrance

The Signature Fragrance by Frederick’s of Hollywood is our most popular scent ever--and for some very alluring reasons. Both intoxicating and soothing, flirty and seductive, it's a fragrance like no other. Notes include:

• Lush Egyptian Jasmine and Mandarin
• Warm Patchouli and hints of Oriental Spice
• Sandalwood, Sensual Suede and Cashmere Musk

As you can tell, I've used this bottle nearly up and I'm going to need a new one at some point. The tones of this perfume are very subtle and warm. Again I have to have my musk and sandalwood and oriental notes.

This IS one of my all-time favorites. It's sexy and intriguing, but also reminds me of romantic times with my husband, the holidays with family and friends, and it's not so loud and overpowering that you couldn't wear it on a daily basis, though I love so many, I have to mix it up depending on my mood.

And a little bit of sexy for your Saturday- 3 of my Favorite Sexy Men...

Hope you have a SCENTsational and Sexy Saturday!

#SCENTsational Saturdays- #Fave #5- #Jovan #WhiteMusk

Unpredictable in spirit, pure in its essence. Exquisite in its delicacy. Alluring Jasmine, ylang-ylang, and honeysuckle blend with sensual musk, soft woods, and amber. The result is a warm and purely feminine fragrance.

Every time I wear this, I'm transported back to my early-20s. I was living on my own, working at a factory where I printed keys for laptops, ironically. When I wasn't working, I hung out in my apartment with friends, went to the movies or out to eat. Sometimes I went to the local American Legion to listen to live music and maybe get up and dance a slow song if the right guy asked me. That wasn't often and usually it was a handsome stranger who shared one slow dance rather than the current guy in my life.

My biggest concerns were paying the bills, buying groceries and finding a way to get to the laundromat when I didn't have work so I would have clean clothes in my closet and dresser. Honestly though, life seemed more carefree back then...even with bills to pay and work everyday.

Of course, I wanted to get married and worried about whether my current relationship would amount to a hill of beans. I knew I was wanted, needed, desired, but needless to say, it didn't work out and neither did a few others after that, but I was having fun and living life. Even with all the heartache I also associate with that time, I also have a lot of great memories, too. I guess that's what those early years were for though- growing and learning. I sometimes think I took the freedom of my early 20s for granted, but I wouldn't trade that time in my life for the world.

I think that's what Jovan's White Musk represents for me- a more youthful side of me- the side that doesn't feel like a "mom" or a "wife" even, but that young woman who was spontaneous and carefree and enjoying life in the moment. I guess that's why I still wear it- because it reminds me that I am a woman, I am beautiful and desirable and wanted. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Ladies, find that thing today that reminds you that YOU are a woman, your own heroine!

Men, don't let your women forget that you know this fact!

Hope you have a SCENTsational Saturday!

#SCENTsational Saturdays- Does Your #Hero Smell? 2nd #Favorite- #Eternity

• distinctive. romantic. timeless. the spirit of today's man: sensitive yet masculine, refined yet strong with a modern vitality and confidence. refreshing and exhilarating with a cool, crisp edge and a warm, woodsy trail. iconic crystal bottle with silver-tone cap designed by Pierre Dinand.
• 
  
• top notes: mandarin, lavender, green botanicals
• mid notes: jasmine, basil, geranium, sage
• base notes: sandalwood, vetiver, rosewood, amber

Eternity has always been a favorite of mine. I've known a few men in my time who wore this cologne and I just wanted to eat them up. It's sensual, romantic and masculine- drawing attention to the male wearing it. For me it speaks of comfort- that the man wearing it could pull you into his arms and you'd feel the warmth of comfort wash over you when you needed a hug or a shoulder to cry on, but at the same time, he could sweep you off your feet with a sweet single kiss.

What's one of your favorites?

Have a SCENTsational Saturday!

#TuesdayswithTaryn with @MadisonJEdwards #Author #readers #Excerpt

Tuesdays with Taryn
with a very sexy twist-

Please help me welcome Madison J. Edwards to my blog today as she shares with us how she became a writer and a very sexy excerpt from According To Plan.

About the Author

The Prairie dust is in my blood, but no longer on my shoes.

Having grown up around ranchers and farmers, I always assumed I’d become a farmer’s wife, raise the requisite four boys, and make sure there was always enough pie at community social functions. Imagine my surprise when I found myself married to an Air Force pilot, moving around the country every two years on the government’s ticket and my family of four boys was decreased by two.

With hubby deployed all over the world, I became father and mother. I soon discovered, with two active, thriving, can find trouble anywhere – did I mention active? – boys that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Boo yah. Ask my sons. Don’t mess with the Mama.

My sons and I survived. They’re now grown, with families of their own, and I finally had the chance to pursue my dream, which was to put fingers to keyboard and write a book. January 25, 2011 I sold my manuscript, According to Plan, to Turquoise Morning Press.

What have I discovered through all this? Choices make you who you are. More often than not, we find ourselves not at a crossroad, but a frickin’ freeway exchange. My crossroad decision was – should I take that job? I’m glad I did, because somehow I found myself living in a town, near an Air Force base….

---

According to Plan

What do you do when things don’t go According to Plan? For starters, you’d trick, deceive, and lie to the very person who’d ruined your best laid plans.

Welcome to the world of Shelby Stewart, P.I., who’s been hired to find Harrison Grant. To complicate matters further, her ex-partner, ex-lover, ex-everything Tank has shown up looking for Harrison as well, albeit for a very different reason. Harry is the prime suspect in the grisly murder of a call girl, Lulu, in L.A.

That wouldn’t be so bad, but Tank plans on staying at her house, and has made it obvious he’s quite willing to help her heat the sheets, again. Shelby knows that sex with Tank is dangerous, fast, and sometimes a little dirty. Now is not the time to become side tracked. Besides, this job could launch her company into a whole new stratosphere, so it’s imperative she remain focused on the job at hand.

Frustration becomes Shelby’s newest partner as she makes plans to out manoeuvre Tank in their parallel quest. Tank on the other hand, always seems to be one step ahead of the game, and is not what, or who Shelby thought.

Excerpt

He stood behind me and placed a hand on either side of my body, effectively boxing me in against the pool table.

"Loosen your shirt babe, I think you're time has come." He drawled against my heated cheek. Ripples of anticipation careened through my midsection as he dropped a kiss behind my ear.

In dumb horror I watched while Tank picked off all his remaining balls, making it look easy. With cocky confidence, he called and sank the eight ball in the side pocket.

Because Tank won, he’d get what he wanted. If the tight bulge in his jeans was anything to go by, he wanted me... now. I was so screwed; figuratively, and soon to be literally.

What went wrong? I have always played pool better than Tank. This was not supposed to happen. From nerveless fingers, he took my cue stick and leaned it against the wall.

"Come here." He pulled me against his chest, the ridge of his erection hard and implacable against my stomach.

Head lowered, my forehead touching his chest, I whispered. "How did this happen? I've always won at pool."

"Yes, because I always let you. It was more fun that way."

I couldn’t stop the shivering when his fingers blazed a trail down my back and warm hands grabbed my hips and bare cheeks, leaving a fiery imprint. Pushing one leg between mine, pressing against my sweet spot, there was no mistaking his intentions.

"Do you want it hard and fast, or soft and slow?" His deep voice, thick and heavy with desire, flowed over me.

"Yes." I whispered.

God help me. I wanted it all.

You can find out more about Madison at the following links-

Madison's Blog

Follow Madison on Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads