You Will Be Missed Kate Duffy

An amazing editor has passed away.

A few years ago, when I was suspecting my agent was skimming from me, a wonderful editor by the name of Kate Duffy from Kensington, helped me. I was star stuck that this legend in the romance writing industry was willing to take time out to help me find out if my agent actually submitted my work to Kensington and it's other companies. (My agent had not, despite statements that submissions had been made.)

Through emails she gave me encouragement and connected me to the right people to help me through the difficult time.

Kate even told me to send my manuscript to her and another editor, despite being unagented. I felt honored that she took such time with me.

I always looked up to this woman with admiration.

"In addition, the romance world would probably look very different without two of her other major accomplishments – the launch of Kensington’s Brava line of erotic romances and her stint as the first editor-in-chief of Silhouette Books. Ms. Duffy was a strong advocate for authors and for romance, and will be greatly missed." - All About Romance

“She’s the Julia Child of romance,” - Sarah from SB Love Trashy Books blog


Kate passed away, on Monday. Please keep her family in your prayers.

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Ways to Feel Sexy

Busy schedules and unsuccessful diets are the primary reasons many of us don’t feel sexy. Who can feel sexy when they feel tired and frumpy? Women are beautiful creatures; we just need to remind ourselves of it periodically. Now put the chocolate away (well, maybe not) for this one and take notes.

1. Do your make up and/or hair. Have you ever noticed how good you feel after a visit to the beauty shop or when you get all dressed up? You can capture that same feeling by paying a bit of attention to your self for a simply dinner at home.




2. Visit a spa, take a long bath, or give yourself a facial. Take a break to enjoy your own skin. Touch it, caress it… then let your honey touch it and caress it.

3. Work out. Go to a gym, join Curves, or just get a couple of girlfriends to walk with daily. The effort not only makes you healthy (may or may not lose weight), but you’ll notice little things about yourself that make you feel sexy. Sometimes, just actually working out fires you up.

4. Wear sexy clothing. I don’t me movie star red carpet stuff or even hooker style. A nice tight silk t-shirt that feels good when you wear it. Or an old worn pair of jeans that really flatter your assets. Look in your closet, take a close look at your favorites and think about how you feel when you wear them. If they all make you want to take a nap… go shopping.

5. Find a material that makes you feel good. I don’t mean flannel because it makes you cozy; I’m talking about silk or cotton and how it feels against your skin. When you find yourself feeling sexy in a particular fabric, purchase more items made with it. Instead of your old blend button down shirts, try an inexpensive machine washable silk blouse. It will go with everything from jeans to dress pants.

6. Wear lingerie that flatters you.Don’t buy something and wear it because it looks good on the mannequin or honey’s eyes bug out. Wear it because it feels good and looks good on you. Uncomfortable lingerie will not make you feel sexy.



7. Don’t worry about your appearance. Everyone has flaws; just no one else cares about them as much as you do. So what that you have a scar from a surgery or a little pouch from having kids.

8. Dance seductively with your partner. Turn on the music just for the two of you. Have fun and do some dirty dancing.


9. Plan at least one sensual experience a week for you love. Planning a sensual escapade can be very arousing. Add a little teasing in there to build confidence.

10. Take a shower together.
Hmmm… water, wet, skin, slippery… oh, ah…





11. Try being the dominant one in the next love-making session. Being in control can be a rush and very sexy.

12. Accept compliments regarding you looks and abilities. This can be a simple lesson in building confidence; and confidence is very sexy.

13. Allow yourself to feel sexy. Take time to reconnect with yourself. Try to find things that work for you, that make you feel good about you and sexy… and then do them.


What makes you feel sexy?

Thursday Thirteen - Sensual Touch

Something as simple as a touch can arouse a person. Unfortunately in today’s world the act of slow, sensitive, exploring touches is often forgotten when it comes to romance and love making. Humans from early on are affected and nurtured through touching. As adults, we still crave to touch and be touched; an act relevant to initiate us into the mysteries of sex. Touching each other is a form of communication showing trust, love, desire, as well as an opportunity to learn about each other.

Here is a list of 13 erogenous zones that are most likely to provoke sensual responses.

1. Scalp and Hair. The scalp is very sensitive to touch and who doesn’t enjoy having someone run fingers through their hair?

2. Ears and Neck. Possibly amount the most sensitive parts of the body. Being stroked, nibbled, or licked or even feeling a lover’s hot breath in this area can be very arousing.

3. The Waist.
Not often thought of as an erogenous zone, but a bit of kissing, licking, squeezing, and stroking can have an erotic effect. Personally, I like to feel my honey’s hands on my waist. Try it.
4. The Torso. The sides of the torso can be surprisingly responsive to touch, especially light brushing of fingertips or gentle nibbling.
5. The Spine. Very sensitive area you may need to discuss with your partner to see what is preferred. Try a warm touch with lotion or a cold touch with an ice cube.

6. The Chest. Although not as sensitive as the breasts, try light, teasing strokes and slow lingering caresses to create a pleasurable sensual touch.
7. Breasts. Duh. But did you know a man’s nipples are actually more sensitive than a woman’s?


8. The Thighs. The inside of the thighs is highly sensitive. The closer the touch is to the groin, the more exquisite and arousing will be the sensations.
9. The Backs of the Legs. The hollows at the backs of the knees are especially sensitive to touch; try soft touches with fingertips or gentle kisses.
10. The Butt. I love a tight ass. Hmm… there are numerous ways of touching the butt. Try ranging from feather light caresses to squeezing and even spanking.

11. The Face. Yes, cheeks and lips but try placing a kiss on the eyelids. Hmmm…. Feels great giving and receiving.
12. The Neck and Throat. This area responds wonderfully to gentle kisses and delicate fingertip caresses.

13. The Feet. Another area you may need to discuss with your partner. While some people enjoy feet others may be turned off by them. This area is very sensitive to touch from the tips of the toes to the ankle. A foot massage is a great form of relaxing as well.

What is your favorite erogenous zone and how do you like to be touched?

Don't worry. I'll be back tomorrow with this week's Thursday 13.

Can somebody let me sleep and then wake me when September is over? Ack!!! Where's my chocolate?