Two of my very favorite things in the whole world are hot cocoa and biscotti. When combined, the experience of dipping the cookies in the thick, warm chocolate and munching on them relaxes me. And today – I needed to relax. Taking my cup to the desk, I settled myself in the chair and opened my laptop. Since my relationship with Stuart had ended, the computer had been something I avoided. I connected it with him, I guess. But no more – it was time to take the next step in my life.

So, I set up an online dating profile on Sizzling Singles to find what I needed. Most of the men on these sites only wanted one thing anyway, and since I was looking for the same thing, what did it matter where they came from?

Pushing a lock of hair from my eyes, I got down to business. “Let’s see, Amia Durant, forty years old, five foot six inches tall, red hair, green eyes and a professional career. There, that should do it.” I posted my picture and waited anxiously for the responses to start coming in.

During the evening, I made myself comfortable, watching a little TV and reading a romance on my e-reader. No matter how involved I was in my book or a show, I kept one ear open for that ‘ding’ which would tell me someone had taken notice of my post. It didn’t take long before I received my first reply. A smile crossed my face as I leapt from the couch, went to my desk, and pulled up the man’s profile to scan it. I thought it would be a good idea to take a test drive before I jumped into a caravan of conquests. Gary Morgan looked to be the perfect crash test dummy. He was forty-four years old, good looking without being playboy handsome, and had been on the site for over a year. I knew that would make him a bit desperate. I stared at his photo. He reminded me of an older Tony Danza with his graying temples, soulful brown eyes and those attractive dimples that framed his smile.

Retrieving my laptop, I nestled down in the couch and tucked my feet up under me. This was going to be fun. “Hey, Amia, I was perusing the new members and came across your picture and profile. I’m sure you hear this all the time, but you’re beautiful. If you’re interested in chatting, please feel free to message me back.” Gary’s message was so stereotypical I could’ve almost read it with my eyes closed.

“Well, hello there, Gary. I hadn’t expected a response to my profile so quickly. Thank you for your interest. Please, call me and let’s get to know each other. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.” I typed in my phone number, hit the send button, sat back and waited for the phone to ring. I know it was a bit reckless for me to give out my phone number so early, but I was ready to do this. Besides, I’d had enough of this online crap to last me a lifetime, and cell phone numbers were easy enough to change if necessary.

3… 2… 1…ring. As if it were a scene written in a screenplay, the phone rang on cue. This was going to be easy. We chatted for a bit and made plans to meet at a restaurant near his office for dinner the following night.

Dina Redmon is a novelist specializing in coming of age and romance/erotica books. She uses her life experiences for inspiration in her writing and has a unique style as she tends to write as though she is having a conversation with her readers.

She was born in Stockton, Ca in 1970 and relocated to Minnesota with her family when she was just four years old. Because of her time in foster care, she has lived in numerous cities throughout Northern Minnesota. At the age of seventeen, she moved back to Stockton, Ca to live with her aunt and uncle until her eighteenth birthday.

One of Dina’s greatest passions is art and she feels that beauty can be found everywhere. She has many hobbies to include cooking, baking, crocheting, sculpting, painting and tattooing. Though she has many hobbies, writing is her favorite.

Dina’s love of the written word goes back to her earliest memories. She cannot recall a time that she didn’t have a pen or pencil in her hand. This love has inspired her to keep journals throughout her lifetime and she keeps them close at hand for constant insight and motivation.

Her love of art is second only to that of children. She has been both a foster parent and a teacher. Dina taught art and life skill classes at the Boy’s and Girl’s club and maintains contact with not only her foster children but many of her students as well. Through the time spent with these children, they have become a large part of who she is and she loves each of them as though they were her own.

Her free-spirit and gypsy’s heart has carried her on countless adventures for many of her adult years. She has lived all over the United States but is now settled in Upstate New York and is enjoying the quieter side of life.

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