Tea Tag Time

Today's tea is Chamomile. This herb has been traditionally used to relieve occasional sleeplessness  and ease minor tummy troubles. My mom drank it to help her unwind and relax.

The Yogi Tea Tag says, "Travel in grace knowing that you are protected by love."

#Thursday13 - Favorite Lines from Handcuffs & Silk

Welcome to Thursday 13

Today is a Throwback to the first book I published with Decadent Publishing. 

I've listed my personal favorite lines from Handcuffs & Silk.

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1. Being a Las Vegas cop, Steph recognized the evil lurking in the shadows of the beautiful city, also known as Sin City.

2. Rubbing the smooth part of his neck where a collar had rested for over a year, he remembered the day Ericka removed the soft, blue, leather strap with her initials stamped on it.

3. Miss Stephanie Johnson is a lovely lady with the type of personality I’m sure you will find to your liking, and perfectly capable of fulfilling your current desires.

4. “Grow up, Hunter. Drop this damn beta act and be the alpha you were born to be.”

5. Nicely curved hips accented by shiny, black leather hot pants, high-heeled, thigh-high boots laced up her long legs, and a small leather bag hung on a silver chain snug against her hip.

6. Her mouth watered at the sight of his muscular chest peeking from the opening of a black Armani shirt with the sleeves rolled past his elbows, and one hand rested on his thigh while the other held a rose.

7. Stepping tighter between her legs, he grasped Steph around her nape with one hand and pulled her to him for a hard kiss.

8. Sex appeal coupled with willingness to satisfy equaled a very appealing combination in a one-night stand.

9. The room filled with heat, yet the only sounds were their breathing, the creak of the bed, and the rasp of her boots as they brushed against his legs.

10. She opened the drawer and found a couple of black silk scarves.

11. With a wicked grin, she paused to pick up the glass with the key resting under the melting ice cubes.

12.  “I win.” His deep voice wrapped seductively around her entire body.

13. “You have the right to remain silent.” She clamped a handcuff roughly onto a wrist and raised both arms over his head to hook around the headboard rails then attached the remaining cuff to his free wrist. “Anything you say can and will be used against you for my pleasure.” (Yeah, I know it's more than one line, but it's my all time favorite in the entire book!)

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New Metal Shows True Creativity

I love music. Like many writers I have playlists for each book. When I'm in the writing cave, I love to listen to new music and new artists.

I found music from a new band out of Ohio. Chemical Empire is impressive and there is definitely talent there.

The first time I heard Desire to Hate, my jaw hit the floor and I immediately listened to it several more times before sharing it with my music loving nephew. His head bobbed then his eyes flew open and he shouted, "This is the shit!" Which is his way of saying it was F-ing awesome.

I love the layers of the intro, the guitar-work is amazing. I'm not one big on unclean vocals but accepting how artists are using them. In Desire to Hate, the sound and placement of such were perfect. I love the unpretentious, refreshing approach of letting the music carry the song. The clean vocals were excellent, his control on point. However, I feel he has a wider range hidden in there and look forward to future work. The flow of vocals with the music is incredible. Chemical Empire shows lack of fear to explore a depth of atmosphere with a stupendous delivery. I totally dig the lyrics, inspiring one to be true to oneself.

Desire to Hate is going onto a playlist and Chemical Empire has gained a few new fans in my crew.

The emotionally charged Suffocating is Chemical Empire's second release. Guitars dominate this piece while rhythmic percussion pull the piece together, showcasing the level of talent. The intro is quite long but is a perfect lead in with the haunting sound easing the listener into the meat of the song. Musically, a lot is happening but is well developed, busy but not cluttered. The timing of each drive pulls the listener in. The vocals wrap around the listener and one will actually begin breathing in time with the words and rhythm. Crazy! The tune ends suddenly with a drift, referencing the haunting of the intro. Well done and worth a listen.

Suffocating will definitely work it's way onto a playlist...perhaps, first chapter of Hawk's Honor. I have a scene in mind for Painted Soul as I rework the book.

Chemical Empire has struck a chord with me in the sense the band seems to be true to their artistic and creative souls. The authenticity of expression is obvious in the way a thought or emotions is expressed through the music. Every note, every word, every pitch and sound made has a purpose and it moves me. Music from this new artist has filled my creative mind, filling it with images, emotion and story ideas. My mind is blown, leaving endless words flowing into my stories as a result. (Perhaps this will be the band who may be interested in collaborating with me for my Dark Soul project of creating a soundtrack for a book. #FutureWork.)

Support creative artists. Please visit Chemical Empire's social media, write a comment, and share.

www.chemicalempire.com

https://www.facebook.com/chemicalempireofficial

Another new Chemical Empire release, Cold Wave, is expected to drop Jan. 19. Stay tuned!

Tasty Tuesday - Cook up Some Fun

Break up the work week with a romantic meal. Don't have time? You have to eat, right? 

Grab a bottle of wine and push your honey into the kitchen. Be a little silly and wear matching aprons. Then get cooking. Get a little messy. Have fun.

Working together while cooking fosters a sense of togetherness, reinforces the idea of the two of you being a team. 

Share a bit of wine while cutting veggies and talking about the day or whatever. Maybe share three things you like about each other. Be sure to add sexy glances and sweet touches.

If kids are underfoot, keep things PG-13. However, it is healthy for children to see their parents working together and flirting with each other. Feel free to include them or shoe them out of the kitchen with the idea of you preparing the meal and they can set the table.

The collaborative effort will result in a delectable meal and perhaps a little foreplay.

Ask the Author: Strangest Google Search

 

What is the strangest thing you’ve Googled while working on a story?

Penis Tattoos

I love throwing curves to my characters and surprises to my readers so while reworking the previously published Soul Series, I came up with an idea to give one of the heroes a very unique tat. I'm not telling which fella, readers will have to wait to find out. For those who've read the books, I'd love to see some guesses.

Who is getting a special tattoo?

Puzzola, Erick, Michael, or maybe Duncan?

Wintery Naughty Game Night

 The wind is icy, the snow is blowing, or it's simply a yucky night and going out isn't in the cards. What to do? Have an indoor Date Night.

One of the finest kinds of dates is one when you both put down your phones and enjoy some tech-free time apart. A simple way to do this is with a couple's game night. You'll be surprised by how much you enjoy each other's company with just a deck of cards or a pile of board games, whether you want to keep it private or have a number of people around.

If it's just the two of you, play a sexy game. Keep a bedroom board game or a deck of naughty cards on hand. Check out stores such as Lover's Lane for some fun couple games.

Get Outdoors for a Healthy Libido

 

Between weather and work, everyone spends too much time inside. It's probably time for you and your honey to get back outside in the fresh air if you both feel the consequences of a sedentary winter lifestyle. Toss on your warm gear and hit nature. Get your pulse circulating while admiring the incredibly lovely backdrop of a winter wonderland by going for a trek in the woods or a nearby park.

Walking in cold weather is beneficial to your health.

> Burn more calories

> Sleep better

> Cooler temps boost brain power

> Boost your immune system to fight infections

> Reduces stress

The bleakness of winter often brings about depression and can be responsible for a low libido. Head outdoors for a bit of fun with your honey. A little bit of winter sunshine can do wonders as well. Afterwards, warm up with a hot beverage or snuggle time for an improved libido.

Eagle Dance EXCERPT

She brushed the gray tips and white strands of hair that gave him such untamed nobility. With a finger, she traced his face from his temple to his jaw, across his lips, then scraping her nails along the fine hair under his chin. A man of his enormous size would be capable of great strength, and a gal could easily lose herself in his arms for more than one night. His gaze intensified under her scrutiny.

 

“What do you see when you look at me?” he asked and lowered his eyes. Sinfully long lashes brushed his cheeks.

 

She considered him to be the most gorgeous man alive. His eyes mesmerized her. Some would consider the unusual color to be eerie, but she saw a whirlwind of emotions, from pain to hope, drawing her into his soul. Did his unusual appearance cause issues and uncertainty in his life? Despite his intimidating frame, he exhibited control and gentle qualities in the tender way he’d held her when they danced and the way he’d admitted his soft spot for animals. In arms like his, a woman could find paradise in many ways.

 

She cupped his face and forced him to meet her gaze. “I see a handsome, mystical warrior from another world.”

 

“Handsome, huh? I think you need your vision checked. I am nothing more than a simple Chippewa from Michigan.” His mouth was inches from hers. “However, I can be magical and take you wherever you want to go.”

 

“Then dance with me,” she whispered.

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Ask the Author: "How did you become a writer?"

As a child, I was a daydreamer. I loved creative play and listening to my grandmother tell tales of her youth. As I grew older, I fell in love with books and learned to put words together to create my own stories. In high school I wrote silly love stories for friends and poetry. In college I learned from a wonderful professor the skills and freedom of how to use the words I knew rather than fancy words not in my everyday vocabulary. With such tools and the creativity in my mind, I became a writer.

Ironically, my first book "Painted Soul" published in 2004 was based on a short story I wrote in a notebook when I was 16 years old, visiting friends in England. "Painted Soul" became the first book in a series of five, three of which were published by Vanilla Heart Publishing.

The Soul Series has been pulled out of publishing and I've received the rights back. I am currently reworking the books and completing the series for future publishing.

I recommend to those who wish to write, to do so often. Keep notebooks full of stories and poetry. You never know when years later, one of those little tales will inspire something much larger. 😉

A Cozy Date Night

It's doggone cold out.

Here in Michigan, the temps are dropping and baby, it's freezing! Who wants to go out?

Is there anything better than watching a wonderful movie while cuddling with someone special?

Make Don't simply put on the same old boring movie, make it Date Night. Have some yummy snacks, mull some wine or spike that cocoa. then grab a clean snuggly blanket. *Clothing optional under the blanket.

For a bigger event, pick a movie in advance and plan dinner with a theme similar to the movie. Enjoy your dessert during the film. Be sure to save some whipping cream for afterwards.

If a night without the kids isn't an option, involve the whole family to plan the night. With a little extra effort, Netflix and chill will actually feel special again.