My guest today is Shelli Stevens. She writes in a variety of genres for Cobblestone Press and Samhain Publishing. Her upcoming release is called Dangerous Grounds. With the tagline, “Something’s hot in Seattle, and it’s not just the espresso.”, I know I’m looking forward to release day on 1 Jan 2008.
And, I just had to mention this, since it fascinated me when I explored her website earlier - A couple of interesting facts about Shelli you may not know: She’s auditioned for American Idol, and she’s a second degree purple belt in Tae Kwon Do (Though she says she’s currently on a hiatus.)
Today Shelli is talking about crushes. She’s also giving away a download from her backlist to one lucky commenter. As usual all you need to do to go into the draw is post a comment. (Don’t forget to check back the following day to see if you’re a winner.)
Hi, Shelley! A very Happy Birthday to you, and thanks for having me over to your blog!
So let me just say off right off the cuff, I don’t get crushes. I just don’t. I make it a point not to because they’re bothersome, annoying, and time consuming. So I avoid getting one at all costs…usually. But sometimes, life has other plans.
Some years back I was new to Tae Kwon Do. Determined to prove myself and show that being raised with three brothers had turned me into an expert at sparring. And for the most part, I think I did pretty well. And then one black belt man knocked me on my butt; literally and figuratively. (And I’ll be so mortified if someone from class reads this!)
There were probably several factors of why this crush started. He was younger than most black belts, and yet probably one of the best–if not the best at the sport in the region. He was funny and humble, and yet you knew a bit emotionally vulnerable. That he’d been dealt a few crap cards in the love life department. And he was great with children. Bottom line: he could easily be the hero in a book.
Now here’s why I shouldn’t have developed the crush. He’s not my usual tall dark and handsome type. And then he was super fit, where I prefer a guy with a little extra meat on his bones. The big kicker? He was the guy every girl wanted…and, sadly, that included me. I make it a point to never, NEVER want that guy. So why this guy?
Every time he came within inches of me I’d turn red; especially since you have to maintain eye contact during sparing. I knew he could read my thoughts. You’re hot. You’d probably be awesome in bed. You could take out a posse of wild giraffes with your bare hands to protect me. I was so completely obvious, so tongue tied, and he knew it. The amusement would be blatant in his gaze and maybe even sympathy. The minute he came near, I was 100% debilitated. Any skills I’d developed in sparring were forgotten until I’d switch partners after getting my ass humiliated–and kicked.
But that’s the last BIG crush I can remember going through (it’s been a few years). And I love using that excitement, that freshness in my books. I think it’s good to remember, to experience that kind of ‘crush emotions’ every now and then.
So now that I’ve shared mine, how about you? Do you remember your last crush? Maybe you’re almost eighty and have been happily married for sixty years. And I say, so? That doesn’t mean you can’t have a crush. A completely random–where the hell did this come from?–crush. So share! Tell me, please, that I’m not alone and share.
Hugs and Happy Holidays, everyone!
Shelli 
You can visit Shelli at her website or find her over at Naughty and Spicy where Shelli and her writing buddies discuss some very interesting topics.
When I was a teenager(many years ago) I had a crush on the boy down the road. He was 3 or 4 years older then me and didn’t acknowledge that I existed.
by Estella December 15th, 2007 at 5:59 amI still have leftover feelings for my first crush. I think I started to like the boy across the street (seriously quite literally) when I was in third grade. We were the same age and I know I always “volunteered” to take his homework home when he was sick! Many of the girls had crushes on him- he was that hot!! The little s…t knew it, too and would make fun of me. Whenever I think of him today I get nostalgic. I wouldn’t touch him now with a ten foot pole- my brother told me to stay away from him because he’s “trouble” and not in a good sense! Maybe that’s why I love those crush stories. Wow! I’ve saved myself countless hours of psychotherapy coming to that realization, huh?
by Laura K December 15th, 2007 at 6:22 amWhen I was a teenager (I’m amazed I can remember that far back - LOL!), I had a crush on my slightly older neighbor. He drove a red ‘69 mustang that was hot! To this day, I’m not sure if I liked him or his car better!
Rhonda :0)
by Rhonda Barnes December 15th, 2007 at 7:08 amlol way back when iwas a teenager I was best friends with my crush and we actually dated for a while. I decided right quick he made a better friend than boyfriend.
by Pamk December 15th, 2007 at 7:12 amI was the nerdy girl in high school that boys never noticed, so my love life was all about crushes. Definitely left me feeling flushed, had me writing their names on my notebooks and turning into a little spy to see who they talked to and what they did. No stalker chick stuff, though. lol Never lasted long, but it felt kind of exciting at the time.
by Cathy M December 15th, 2007 at 9:23 amWow everyone goes back to high school and childhood! This was my mid-twenties about. LOL!
Although I did have plenty of crushes back then, too!
by Shelli Stevens December 15th, 2007 at 9:35 amAh ok Shell I’ll make you feel better. Years ago I worked at a place that was nearly all men and I had a crush on one of my coworkers. He was hot, he was naughty, he even had his pic in Playgirl! I crushed on him big time though I told myself it was foolish.
He was a big flirt and we had fun, became friends but nothing ever really happened. And that was fine cos really, he was a bad boy. I fell in love with his good friend and married him instead! Ha!
I was in my mid-20s when this happened. Though I still get crushes - now on my heroes I create. LOL
by Karen Erickson December 15th, 2007 at 9:43 amMy most memorable crush was on a boy in seventh / eighth grade. He was the inspiration for my next book actually.
Most recent crush? James Denton, “Mike” on Desperate Housewives. Juicy!!
by Jenyfer Matthews December 15th, 2007 at 9:50 amI had a crush on a co-worker too. Worked at the airport down in baggage sort - worked side by side with a hotty - bulging muscles and everything. However, I was quite older than him - but a girl can dream can’t she??? LOL
by Kara December 15th, 2007 at 9:52 amKaren, a guy in playgirl?! Wowsers!
Jenyfer, oh that guy is HOT. I only watched a few episodes but every time…mmmm.
Kara, I love the younger man fantasy. Readers seem to love it too! It’s hot stuff!
by Shelli Stevens December 15th, 2007 at 9:58 amGee, Shelli. I have a crush on that guy, too, now.
by Lillian Feisty December 15th, 2007 at 10:16 amI had a huge crush on my boss a few years back… It was bad, I would wear “hoochie-mama” shirts w/ lots of cleavage lol… Just to get his attention…. If he needed errands run, or anything like that, I would chime in… I would do anything he asked… I still do… I ended up marrying him
He was my biggest crush… still is… love him w/ all my heart :)
Although I will say I kinda have a crush on House now :) What a Dr!!
by Alicia December 15th, 2007 at 10:31 amAlicia that is so sweet! *Sigh*
And, Lillian, you hussy.
by Shelli Stevens December 15th, 2007 at 10:34 amShortly after I graduated college as I was searching for a job in “degree area”, I found myself waiting tables. One night around 3 am in this all night diner I worked in, this man came in. I turned looked at that guy and nearly fainted. I don’t know what it was about him in that moment– I just felt like something had just clicked into place in my world.
I didn’t wait on him. I couldn’t. It was like it was hard to breathe when ever I even looked his way. He came back in diner for five nights in a row and on the fifth night as I was trying to sit him in the other waitresses section without tripping over my own feet and killing myself- he reached out touched my arm and said - “I’m here to see you. Don’t make me sit at a table in that old woman’s section again.” I remember it like it was yesterday because all of my nervousness disappeared in that moment. It was such a wow thing.
Eventually, he asked me out and I accepted and we dated and did very delicious things to each other but in the end he had committment issues and I had to let go. But, you know what? I don’t regret him at all. It was an instant crush, the sex was climb the wall amazing, and I’m sitting here with a BIG grin on my face just thinking about him.
by D. December 15th, 2007 at 10:42 amAaah, D, I get tingles just thinking about it. To have that kind of chemistry and raw attraction. Yummy!
by Shelli Stevens December 15th, 2007 at 10:46 amMy biggest crush was a guy that I worked with and was really good friends with. I’m not sure if he ever knew how I felt about him, because he was always acting like the big brother chasing my boyfriends off. What made it even worse was that our moms were friends and they were always trying to get us to date.
by Jodi December 15th, 2007 at 11:21 amI guess my last “crush” would have to be on my old dance instructor. He and I danced almost identically and we wrote a lot of partner routines and such together. He was married and had a kid so I knew nothing would ever come of it, but I went as far as to tell him one New Year’s Eve that I was in love with him. Not sure why I ever admitted it to him, but I did. Nothing ever became of it however, but I haven’t seen him in many years now as he quit dancing (not because of me… LOL!!!) and I just started up my own group elsewhere.
by Rhonda aka SandDanz December 15th, 2007 at 11:38 amMy first crush was a boy in elementary school. When a new campus was built he was moved to it so I was devastated. But his MOM was a substitute in my class. I sucked up to her in a most pathetic manner and actually asked her to deliver a note to him!! Then I became too embarrassed to give them to her so I’d slip them in the side pockets of her purse, she caught me one day but was so cool to pretend like she didn’t see me. I have no clue what I said in them after all these years. gawd!
by Peggy December 15th, 2007 at 11:38 amAh the first crush…since Shelli and I have known each other since we were Brownies together, I’m sure the name of my first crush will remind of elementary school. Mike Ordona…I had a crush on him from 4th-6th grade but we were never more than friends and he went “steady” with the other Danielle in 6th grade which broke my heart but I wouldn’t trade my first crush for anything!
by Danielle December 15th, 2007 at 12:01 pmOh, yeah. Crushes. I remember those well. The stuttering and bright pink face on my behalf.
But today I thought I’d spill the details on someone who had a crush on me. I think I was about 18. Anyway my sister came home from school one day and told me this guy had a crush on me. I went, “No way!” and I wasn’t that impressed. Actually horrified was more like it. My sister goes, “Yeah, he really does. He’s named his chicken after you.”
I had to put up with weeks of people calling out, “Here, Shelley. Chook, chook, chook! Here, Shelley.”
Now that was embarrassing.
by Shelley Munro December 15th, 2007 at 12:33 pmMy last crush was on my older sister’s boyfriend. Oh, he was a baaad boy! Much older than my sister so my parent’s made me go with them on dates. I didn’t know I was a chaperone. I just went along for the ride. They’d ditch me at the snack bar of the drive-in and stuff like that. I knew what they were up to, but I didn’t care. He always bought me stuff and treated me so well. He didn’t mind having little sister with him. He got it. Gawd, I loved him. When my sister broke up with him–I cried and he held me and told me it would be all right.
by Nina Pierce December 15th, 2007 at 1:00 pmDanielle, I remember Mike!! Ha! That’s right. And I remember the other Danielle. She was like a porcelain Barbie. Sigh.
Shelley, OMG that’s too funny! His chicken? He named his CHICKEN after you?! Did you ever give in and date him :)
Nina, OMG that’s so sweet. It’s like a romance novel in the making. Hmmm.
by Shelli Stevens December 15th, 2007 at 1:06 pmMy biggest Crush? Wow, long time ago! I was in my late 20’s and newly divorced. I had sworn off men but then I met this guy. Just like ‘D’ in the story above, when I looked at him my heart started to pound. Turns out he was interested in me too and the first time we kissed, I though I would faint! iterally…my knees felt weak and I trembled all over. (don’t tell my husband but this is the kiss I always think of when I write about first kisses!) Turned out he was a jerk and a loser, but since I was only interested in a bit of fun, that was not a problem for me at that stage in my life. Awesome…..I still think about him occasionally, but only in terms of a fond memory of times past.
Judy
by Judy Wiebe December 15th, 2007 at 1:12 pmUmmmm my first crush was on a friend of my brothers. I was five. I think i still have a photo of him around here–only because i took a bunch of photos after my mom died.
The last one….I had to exorcise him by making him the villian in a book
by Amie Stuart December 15th, 2007 at 1:18 pmHi Judy! I think I’ve only had that kind of kiss once, and I had forgotten about it! (As crazy as that sounds) but it was a young, too much too drink moment outside a bar with a coworker. Oh yeah. Gosh, just thinking about it makes me tingle.
Amie, I’ve so had the crush on the older brother’s friends thing. Maybe that’s where I got inspired to write Dangerous Grounds
by Shelli Stevens December 15th, 2007 at 2:38 pmHow long does it have to last to become a crush?
My memory goes back almost forty years to an instant one night–and it was an instant– when a stranger’s smile captured me.
I was with three friends, coming out of a night school class, and laughing at some joke I’ve long forgotten when a passerby smiled at me.
We never spoke, never saw each other again, but I’ve carried the memory of that moment in the place where I keep all my treasures.
Amy
by Amy Gallow December 15th, 2007 at 3:47 pmShelli, thanks for the birthday wishes BTW.
No…no dating. I didn’t look at younger men then
Amy - it’s funny how these stolen moments stay with you for a long time. They happen so quickly but leave an intense impression.
Amie - ah, yes! the villian in the book thing. I confess to the same
by Shelley Munro December 15th, 2007 at 4:48 pmWho has not had at least one crush in their lifetime. My last one was before I met my hubby when I was in college. I was crazy about a guy I worked with in the summer. Nothing ever came of it though. I was just too shy.
by Cherie J December 15th, 2007 at 5:05 pmAmy, that really is magical when that happens. Some deep emotion or signal transfers without words. I’ve only had that happen a couple times. And I think both there was no smile, even, just eye contact.
Cherie, I hear ya on the shy part. I’m fine making friends, but the moment you want me to flirt or date…eek!
Shelley, I’m thinking younger sounds good now :) Then again, I’ve always been looking at the older guys! Habit.
by Shelli Stevens December 15th, 2007 at 5:09 pmI guess my most memorable crush was when I was in middle school.
Everytime I have a crush on someone, my heart would race. And the thought of thinking of what will happen the next time of seeing him again. And plus I am very shy.
by Amelia December 15th, 2007 at 5:45 pmMy biggest and most memorable crush was just out of high school. I’d graduated early, just after my 17th birthday and was painfully shy and nerdy. My parents wanted me to go right to college but I wanted to ‘experience the world first’…if that could be done in the small southern town I lived in….but anyway, I got a job a our local discount retailer (sort of like Walmart before there was a Walmart) and there he was. This ‘GOD’ who drove a ‘75 mustang, wore his hair just a little longer than all the guys I knew from the military bases I’d grown up on, and had the cutest little butt I’d ever seen. Instead of being a rebel, he was the store’s golden child…the one all the management went to for advice since he’d been there longer and knew the layout. Even the district management hung on his every word when it came to marketing and what would work and what wouldn’t work. Me…I couldn’t form two words around him without stuttering like Mel Tillis, but he was my supervisor and I wanted to make him proud (or wanted him to notice me…couldn’t really decide which), so I did everything I could to learn marketing, merchandise layout, customer service, etc.
I was told he saw potential in me because he started spending time in my department helping….but long story short…it wasn’t potential as a sales clerk he saw as 5 years later the two of us got married and next March will be celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary. :D
Needless to say, he’s been my only crush since. :)
by Kristal S December 15th, 2007 at 6:16 pmAaah Kristal that’s sweet! Just look at all these great stories! Many people married their crushes!
Amelia, I had a couple big crushes in middle school. It’s such a transition age!
by Shelli Stevens December 15th, 2007 at 6:20 pmWell, I’m actually back in the dating market after 32 years. My husband moved out to move in with his %^$*$^*%% other woman July ‘06. It’s really only been the past 6 months that I have felt ready to date. But, for a brief time after he moved out, I had a crush on a man I met at a special interest group meeting at my local bookstore. I felt an instant magnetic attraction to him - a literal one. Each time he picked up his coffee, I picked up my beverage, I noticed after about the 5th time it happened. I had my first tarot reading done about 3 days later, and she told me that I had just met my soul mate, that he was married (he is) but unhappy in his marriage and should leave even if I weren’t around. He DOES seem to be unhappy, but meanwhile, I have gotten to know him and his wife better (they both go to these meetings), and I know he isn’t the one for me, at least now. I still think he is attractive, but it stays at that.
Other than that, I still have a bit of a crush on the OB-GYN that delivered my kids, who is still my GYN (my kids are 22 and 25). I love his voice, and he has GREAT hands, LOL!
by Amy T December 15th, 2007 at 7:16 pmI’ve had a couple of crushes. It’s been fun.
Happy Birthday month, Shelley!
Paz xxoo
by Paz December 15th, 2007 at 9:01 pmI have to admit to a couple of crushes in grade school & middle school but with the guy I have now I could ask for more. He spoils me and loves me. And to tell the truth I adore him.
I am so happy with what I have now that I really don’t have crushes now.
by Larena Wirum December 15th, 2007 at 10:12 pmMr. Rodriguez, my Spanish teacher in junior high (insert estrous sigh here :)
by Gracie McKeever December 15th, 2007 at 10:42 pmI’m happily married and this year had a crush on someone. I just wanted the inappropriate feelings to go away but it was helpful for romance writing..
by L December 15th, 2007 at 11:00 pmShelli - I hear you, but at that stage younger men weren’t as interesting as the older ones. Times change
Hey Paz! How are you? Thanks for the birthday wishes.
Gracie - oh, yes. Another good source for crushes.
I love how so many of you have ended up with your crushes.
by Shelley Munro December 16th, 2007 at 1:08 amWell….The crush I remember the most was on a guy I didn’t even know his name. Yearsssss ago in college, Boulder CO, in the quad at lunch (spingtime) this guy would come out every day to eat lunch. He would take off his shirt (OMG) and sit down,stretch out his legs and lean back….That was the first time I had (& continued) oogled a guy. Needless to say there were a lot of girls eating lunch in the quad !!!!
by Kimberley December 16th, 2007 at 8:13 amYummy, Kimberley! I wonder if he did it because he wanted to be oggled? :)
L, yes sometimes (like I said) crushes can be darn inconvenient!
Amy, best of luck on the dating scene! I’m in a similar boat! Not divorced, but trying to be a single mom and date. Ouch that’s hard.
Larena, you’re a lucky girl!
Paz, hey girl!!
Shelley, thanks again for having me yesterday! I had so much fun! And have a great fabulous birthday month!!
by Shelli Stevens December 16th, 2007 at 9:05 amTotally true, crushes can be really inconvenient sometimes, I’ll explain one that happened last week (whew not to long ago…)
I’ll quickly summarize my situation first, I’m living in Canada and there’s a guy in college who came here on a student exchange. His name is Jens, he’s a tall, blond haired and blue eyed german guy, most of all he’s my boyfriend so I love him a lot.
Last week I did community service to help poor children with some of my friends and also my mom’s boss. (I know that sounds odd…) Afterward, my mom’s boss, Louis-Jacques, brought me back home but before that he had to give back some stuff that he borrowed from a friend so I went there and helped him out. Louis-Jacques’ friend has a 19 years old son named Friedrich who’s a really handsome guy still living at his parents home… I instantly loved him lol, I talked with him for about an hour and a half and I made the horrible mistake to give him my phone number. So basically, I love my boyfriend Jens and I like the other german guy too
I guess I should try to forget about Friedrich but that’s hard, hopefully staying with Jens for the holidays will help.
by Sarah Piché-Choquette December 16th, 2007 at 9:37 amOops, I forgot to mention another crush I had about german guys
I met a really nice man in Cuba named Lukas, I wasn’t too good at speaking german back then (two years and a half ago) I think he made a bad decision though, he went to Cuba with his girlfriend and he stayed with me most of the time, poor girl 
Seems like I’m a german guys’ magnet, my friends tell me that I’m obssessed with them, I must say that I was in heaven when I went to Germany and Switzerland though 
I guess it’s somehow true, plus I’m so lucky to be able to have any man I desire, so many men asked me out and I refused them all, the only time when I accept is when I’m the one asking, I know I’m weird lol.
by Sarah Piché-Choquette December 16th, 2007 at 9:46 amCongratulations to Alicia who has won a download from Shelli’s backlist. Alicia email me at shelley munro @ gmail .com and let me know which one of Shelli’s books you’d like and the format.
Congrats again!
by Shelley Munro December 16th, 2007 at 12:16 pm