Maria's Journal

https://mariacox.net

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels Hello Friends, My www.mariacox.net website will be revamped. I'm excited to share my newly improved site on February 21st. Stay tuned for details! Maria Cox

Photo by  Kristina Paukshtite  from  Pexels The gifts have all been wrapped and now all there's to do is wait, and wait and...wait. In New York City the weather is getting cooler and cooler, almost feel like December :) Wherever you spend Christmas I wish for you and yours to be safe; please exercise precautions, Covid is still here folks. And if you're into traditional things, read all about the 12 Days of Christmas, here . Happy Holidays to all! Maria Cox

Photo by  Vlada Karpovich  from  Pexels Hello friends, New York City is trying desperately to go back to normal, but in a city of 10 million people back to normal isn't an easy feat. The transmission rate has decreased and if more people get vaccinated - particularly NYC - the governor will lift all remaining restrictions, and how wonderful it'd be to have our city back? To see Broadway lit up again? To see Times Square bustling with tourists (yeah, I did just say that)?  I am encouraged to know that soon New York will be back to its formal glory, though to be honest, I'll miss the quieter streets and subways, lol! I hope that wherever you call home, you feel safe and encouraged, as well. Be well!

Photo by Artem Podrez Friends, Climate change, pollution, water scarcity; these are just a few issues we face today as a society.  Below is a list of simple things we can do to celebrate Earth Day on a daily basis: Swap light bulbs Plant a tree Carry your own water bottle Switch to eco-friendly cleaning materials Bike-to-work or carpool For more ideas, please visit:  http://www.earthday.org/takeaction/campaigns.html Happy Earth Day! Maria Cox

https://www.internationalwomensday.com Hello friends,  On International Women’s Day we celebrate women who have made notable contributions to the betterment of society, locally and globally.   On a personal note, I want to pay tribute to the women in my life who helped shape who I am as an individual and who I am as a professional person. Take my mother, a strong-willed, proud woman, she always instilled in us (my sisters and I), good work ethics: be present, work hard, and do the best job you can, whatever your trade. My daughter – an ambitious and successful young woman – has in recent years served as a professional coach (what a proud moment!). And of course my youngest sister, a senior manager, herself, has been a mentor in many ways.  I'm not only fortunate, but blessed to have had strong female role models in my life. Who do you honor today? Maria Cox Source: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Virtual #Romance Readings! Come join @RWANYC as we host a Romantic Happy Hour on February 26th. Line up: @JeanJoachim @TeeOFallon @Ursula_Renee @Anna_DePalo For more information, please visit: http://www.rwanyc.com/romantic-happy-hour1.html . RWA/NYC is a diverse and multicultural romance writers group made up of published, pre-published, and new writers. Thank you, Maria Cox

Photo by  alleksana  from  Pexels It's early February but most drug stores here in New York City have been displaying Valentine’s Day paraphernalia since the first of January. For most of my adult life I have considered Valentine’s Day a holiday romantic in nature, but in recent years with the inclusion of friendship, I’ve come to appreciate Valentine’s Day as a general day of Love and Friendship. What is Galentine’s Day all about? Well, the terminology was introduced a few years back by Leslie Knope - a fictional character from the popular sitcom Parks and Recreation . Leslie declared, “Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies.” What a great concept! So, in the spirit of Galentine’s Day here are three simple suggestions: Schedule a brunch date with g-pals (my own spin on the term) -  men and/or women :) Exchange gifts - who doesn’t want gift...

  Photo by  Olya Kobruseva  from  Pexels Hello friends, As pledged on Goodreads (GR), this year my goal is to read at least 12 books. And for anyone who follows my reviews , note that this year I won't be writing in-depth book reviews, I will only give book ratings.  In addition to my GRs goal, I will serve on the RWA/NYC Executive Board as Secretary  As I renew my commitment to being more involved with the chapter, I will also be in charge of coordinating RWA/NYC mid-month panels. Here's to a productive and healthy new year! Maria  

  Photo by Louis from  Pexels Hello,   It's Christmas! As my previous blogposts indicated, the holiday season provided me an opportunity to do some self-reflection. Below are topics that I wish to share with you -- my readers. December 4 th What does the holiday season mean to me? December 11 th What is the driving force in my writer's life? December 18 th In what area/s do I need to improve self-discipline? December 25 th What do I wish for today? After a long year when we've endured so much despair, I think it's only befitting to wish for the Coronavirus vaccine to reach as many people  as possible.  There's a rising concern about the U.S. receiving adequate dosages for all 50 states and surely, with the worldwide demand for the medicine, this is just cause for alarm. However, I trust that local and state governments are taking the necessary steps to ensure everyone who wants a vaccine gets it. As the vaccine continues to be rolled out cross country I can't he...

Photo by Louis from  Pexels Hello,   7 days till Christmas folks!  As my previous blogpost indicated, now that  the holiday season is officially here, I see this as an opportunity to do some self-reflection. Below are topics that I wish to share with you -- my readers. December 4 th What does the holiday season mean to me? December 11 th What is the driving force in my writer's life? December 18 th In what area/s do I need to improve self-discipline? This year I have really struggled with writing. In fact, I found inventive ways to avoid writing altogether: my car's trunk is a mess, I seriously need to re-arrange it, and my bathroom, well I just got it remodeled, surely I need to find the most perfect bathroom accessories, and what about my dear friend in Colorado, for pete's sake, I haven't talked to her in over a month, must call her tonight. Argh..so many excuses! So, in what area do I need to improve self-discipline? In the 'butt in chair' routine....

Photo by Louis from  Pexels Hello,   Fourteen days till Christmas folks!  As my previous blogpost indicated, now that  the holiday season is officially here, I see this as an opportunity to do some self-reflection. Below are topics that I wish to share with you -- my readers. December 4 th What does the holiday season mean to me? December 11 th What is the driving force in my writer's life? I remember when I first knew I wanted to be a writer, I was 11 years old, and I had just read about a dozen of Barbara Cartland's romance novels (my grandmother’s stash). At the time, I'd fallen in love with the genre and the art of story writing.  Since the early days of writing, my driving force has been introducing sassy and unique characters into my stories. Not only are unique characters engaging, but they're also fun to write. In fact, it was several years into my writing that my 'driving force' was validated when I began receiving 'fan' mail, what an honor! J...

Photo by Louis from Pexels Hello friends,   I can’t believe Christmas is only three weeks away!   Even after this turbulent year of Covid19 I still think we all have many reasons to rejoice. A vaccine for Coronavirus is just weeks away from being introduced in the U.S., the weather in New York City has been mild so far, and well, the lighting of the Rockefeller Plaza Tree went without a hitch; albeit the celebration was much different than other years.   Now that the holiday season is officially here, I see an opportunity to do a bit of self-reflection and wanted to share with you – my readers – my thoughts.   December 4 th What does the holiday season mean to me? I know this is a cliché statement, but to me, the holiday season is a magical time and for more reasons than simply giving and receiving gifts. The holiday season is a magical time because it seems like we all just hit the pause button to reflect on our blessings.  The holiday season is als...

The Elevator Rid e - a short story which was originally published in 2014 - has been converted it into a 7-part series. Today's installment is the last in this 7-part series. Thanks for reading! Maria **Disclaimer: This blog post contains adult language and content. It is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 and may not be suitable for all adult readers. View at your own discretion.** Rex didn’t respond. This was dangerous territory. “I don’t have a condom.” “Rex, honey, I’m past baby-making years, so don’t worry.” Rex knew that in addition to the threat of unwanted pregnancy, STDs were also a risk, but at that moment all he wanted to do was fuck her brains out and bust a nut like no other. Consequences be damned. Mona raised one foot to the railing, opening herself to him. With her small hand, she guided his cock to her pussy, urging him to take her. Rex shoved her thong out of the way and slid his throbbing dick inside with one violent thrust, stretching her. “Oh” “Is that...

The Elevator Rid e - a short story which was originally published in 2014 - has been converted it into a 7-part series. The 7-part series will be shared as daily blog post each day of this week. Enjoy! Maria **Disclaimer: This blog post contains adult language and content. It is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 and may not be suitable for all adult readers. View at your own discretion.** Mona plastered her body against his and ran her hands up his chest to join her fingers behind his neck. “How about you let me have that cock of yours?” Her lips trailed upwards and the tip of her tongue worked a sensitive spot near his ear. Girlfriend or not, Rex was no saint, never would be. What was more, he was horny as shit. So when Mona unzipped his pants, it was all he could do not to push her against the paneling and shove his dick inside her with a forceful thrust. Rex held himself in check, kept it cool. “You really want my cock, don’t you?” His lips brushed her earlobe and Mona shi...

The Elevator Rid e - a short story which was originally published in 2014 - has been converted it into a 7-part series. The 7-part series will be shared as daily blog post each day of this week. Enjoy! Maria **Disclaimer: This blog post contains adult language and content. It is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 and may not be suitable for all adult readers. View at your own discretion.** Christ she’d been the best lay he’d ever had! Not that he would readily admit it, no way in hell would he give her that kind of power. “We screwed like a pair of sex-starved teens,” she interrupted his thoughts. “No point in being bashful about it now.” “I’m far from bashful,” Rex snapped “I’m just trying to figure out why you keep bringing up the Wichita incident.” “Why do you think?” Mona asked scathingly. Her abrasiveness was wearing him thin. Yes, they were both stuck in an ancient elevator, and yes, they were both hungry and tired, but her nasty attitude was unnecessary. “Why are you s...

The Elevator Rid e - a short story which was originally published in 2014 - has been converted it into a 7-part series. The 7-part series will be shared as daily blog post each day of this week. Enjoy! Maria **Disclaimer: This blog post contains adult language and content. It is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 and may not be suitable for all adult readers. View at your own discretion.** Rex remained silent. He would never admit it to Mona but he and his buddies had concluded: Aimee was clingy. Unfortunately for him, Aimee was nothing like the girlfriends he’d had before and not at all like self-assured Mona. Why he compared Mona and Aimee, Rex wasn’t sure, but he did and often. Rex followed Mona’s movements as she set her designer bag and briefcase on the floor. “Wha… what are you doing?” he croaked suddenly. “I’m taking off my blazer,” Mona replied. She dumped the jacket on the pile at her feet. “Do you mind?” I mind very much! he wanted to shout. He thought that after th...

The Elevator Rid e - a short story which was originally published in 2014 - has been converted it into a 7-part series. The 7-part series will be shared as daily blog post each day of this week. Enjoy! Maria **Disclaimer: This blog post contains adult language and content. It is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 and may not be suitable for all adult readers. View at your own discretion.** The one-night stand several months back had been more like an all night fuck fest , Rex recalled. That evening after three rounds of drinks at the hotel bar Rex offered to walk Mona to her suite. And not just because escorting her was the courteous thing to do, but also for selfish reasons. Mona was flirting all day and Rex had no doubt that Mona would be up for anything. Sure as shit minutes after they entered her suite Mona began to strip. Later inside the hot tub, she lowered her body onto the water opening her folds to the swirls of water. As the jets circulated and stroked her cunt she ...

The Elevator Rid e - a short story which was originally published in 2014 - has been converted it into a 7-part series. The 7-part series will be shared as daily blog post each day of this week. Enjoy! Maria **Disclaimer: This blog post contains adult language and content. It is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 and may not be suitable for all adult readers. View at your own discretion.** Mona rested her head against the padded wall and said nothing. Rex eyed her for a second then moved about the small confine. He loosened his tie. “Anxious to be off the clock, are you?” “I am,” he said flatly. Aimee’s insistent calls put Rex on edge or else he would never have suggested avoiding the crowded lobby by hopping on the freight elevator. “I do have a personal life, you know?” “Right, I almost forgot about your paranoid girlfriend.” Rex glared at her. “I noticed how often your cell phone buzzed,” Mona explained. Rex liked his job and the handsome salary. Mona was an excellent emplo...

The Elevator Rid e - a short story which was originally published in 2014 - has been converted it into a 7-part series. The 7-part series will be shared as daily blog post each day of this week. Enjoy! Maria **Disclaimer: This blog post contains adult language and content. It is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 and may not be suitable for all adult readers. View at your own discretion.** “I can’t believe we’re stuck in here,” Rex exclaimed. “Still no cell reception,” Mona studied her phone. “You?” “Nope.” Rex turned to face her. “This is great!” he shouted his voice dripped with disgust. “Don’t worry. Someone will come get us.” “Don’t worry?” he repeated mockingly. “I don’t think so. We’ve been stuck here for ten minutes.” Rex banged on the doors. No response. “Relax.” “It’s difficult to relax when we can’t even let the hotel staff know we’re stuck here.” Rex glanced at Mona. Her eyes were glued to her phone screen. “After that dull workshop I sure as hell ...