Happy Winter Solstice

Late dawn. Early sunset. Short day. Long night.

For us in the northern hemisphere,

the December solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year.

Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most northern hemisphere cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time.

BURN A CANDLE ON WINTER SOLSTICEThis is a practice associated with nearly every winter holiday: Christmas and Hanukkah being two that come readily to mind. But did you know the lighting of candles on or around the Winter Solstice dates back to the belief that although daylight hours are short on Winter Solstice, it is time to celebrate the return of the light (we'll gain small amounts of sunlight after the Solstice, starting with one minute increments, daily) and to actually "call" and "hold" the light?

Something very cool and powerful happens when we observe this tradition. We capture a little solar light and magic for ourselves, in the process. We feel healed and and revived, enlivened and energized. Who doesn't want that?! Here's what to do.

Light a white candle on the morning of the Winter Solstice (I light mine at sunrise) and say these words aloud:

Solstice sun, rising in the sky
Power of light now draws nigh
Soon it will be the longest night
Solstice energy, bless my life

Traditional candle colors to use are white to symbolize light itself, green to symbolize enduring life even in the cold of winter (hence the evergreen tree at the holidays!) or a rich red for protection and health during the winter months. If you would like to, and it you can do so safely, you may keep a candle burning continuously all day long, from sunrise to sundown on the Winter Solstice. Older cultures would keep their candles and more specifically, their Yule Log burning from sunrise all through the Winter Solstice night.

Taken from the book A Tale for all Seasons: MAGICAL STORIES FOR HEART & SOUL by Jo Lynne Valerie

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Amber (VampedChik)

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Handcuffs & Silk

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Stuff Your Stockings Christmas Blog Hop 2011

Welcome to the Stuff Your Stocking Blog Hop.  You probably just hopped in from Romance Writers Behaving Badly.  I hope you had a Holiday beverage handy as you read those HOT posts from those naughty authors. Do you need a minute to catch your breath?

Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win a PDF download of my latest book Handcuffs & Silk.

Your next stop on the hop after here will be exciting as you dive into a writer's world with erotic author Louisa Bacio. 

"The mistletoe is hung up near a doorway or in the kitchen and young men have the privilege of kissing girls under it, plucking each time a berry from the bush. When the berries are all plucked the privilege ceases."

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The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is one of my favorites and I believe a lot of kissing under the mistletoe has been going on for ages.  In today's tradition the part about plucking the berries (which, incidentally, are poisonous), and then all kissing under the mistletoe ends when the berries run out!

As a little girl, my mother told me how a young lady standing under a ball of mistletoe, brightly trimmed with evergreens, ribbons, and ornaments, cannot refuse to be kissed. Such a kiss could mean deep romance or lasting friendship and goodwill. If the girl remained unkissed, she cannot expect not to marry the following year.

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I found references of "kissing under the mistletoe" in Celtic rituals and Norse mythology. In Gaul, the land of the Celts, for instance, the Druids considered it a sacred plant. It was believed to have medicinal qualities and mysterious supernatural powers.  (Hmm... I wonder what kind of "power" I would have if I wear a piece of mistletoe on my coat.  After all... I am Scandinavian.)

The Norse myth of Baldur. Baldur's death and resurrection is one of the most fascinating Norse myths and stands at the beginning of the history of mistletoe as a "kissing" plant.

Baldur's mother was the Norse goddess, Frigga. When Baldur was born, Frigga made each and every plant, animal and inanimate object promise not to harm Baldur. But Frigga overlooked the mistletoe plant -- and the mischievous god of the Norse myths, Loki, took advantage of this oversight.
Ever the prankster, Loki tricked one of the other gods into killing Baldur with a spear fashioned from mistletoe. The demise of Baldur, a vegetation deity in the Norse myths, brought winter into the world, although the gods did eventually restore Baldur to life. After which Frigga pronounced the mistletoe sacred, ordering that from now on it should bring love rather than death into the world.

Happily complying with Frigga's wishes, any two people passing under the plant from now on would celebrate Baldur's resurrection by kissing under the mistletoe.

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I have my mistletoe hanging.  Do you?

Leave a comment for a chance to win a PDF of Handcuffs and Silk

Decadent Publishing A 1 Night Stand Story Stephanie "Stiff" Johnson, is a tough Las Vegas cop who many men find too intimidating to date. Steph begins to wonder if something is wrong with her so she turns to Madame Eve to find a man who could be the yin to her yang, even if it's just for one night. Hunter Morgan left behind years of living as a sub to a female Domme in New York. Upon return to his hometown, he questions whether he wants to continue with the "lifestyle" or find something different. Turning to 1 Night Stand, he hopes to sample his options. A simple one-night stand opens a whole new sensuous world to both. Genre: Contemporary romance, erotic romance, BDSM

Your next stop on the hop after here will be exciting as you dive into a writer's world with erotic author Louisa Bacio.

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?

Tuesday Teaser - The Real Saint Nic & Drea Becraft

Let's give a warm RWBB welcome to our guest today, Drea Becraft!  Yay!

Thank you so much for having me on your blog.

Tis the season…yes that’s right the Christmas season. I have most of my outside family already bought for but my children only a few things so far. I am so looking forward to seeing all the faces of my loved ones as they open their gifts.

Below is the info on my newest release The Real Saint Nic…ONLY $0.99...I hope it strikes your fancy.

Blurb:

Aimee’s life changed one night, not long ago, when she staked a vampire to save another. Still reeling from that life changing night, Aimee decides to go home with Brenda, her best friend, for the holidays. She never expected Brenda’s brother, who comes off more like the Grinch then Santa, to have so many saint like qualities. Years spent alone, with no family or friends, plays heavy on her mind but Nic could possible be the one who changes it all.

Christma has always been a sore spot for Nicolai. He’s the real saint Nic, but society has him all wrong. He’s no saint. In truth, he’s a vampire. Over the centuries, Nic has spent the holidays fighting off the ridicule from his younger brother and giving to those less fortune, not seeing his own worth. Until one mortal, brought home by his sister Brenda, changes the holiday and his outlook on life for eternity.

Is it possible that Nic has finally found his Mrs. Clause? When worlds meld, can Aimee find the happy ever after she once asked Santa for so many years ago, or is she doomed to spend forever lonely on Christmas?



Excerpt:

With a flick of his hand, the lights next to the bed turned on as did a few lamps across the room. Once my eyes adjusted, I got a better look at the amount of presents. Hundreds, littered the room. The only space not filled was around the bed and a path to two doors in opposite directions. Red, green, and golds splattered the room in a festive show of color.

“You really are Saint Nic.” Astonished I tried desperately to keep my mouth closed.

“Please don’t call me that.”

“Why not?” Turning away from the presents I turned my gaze to Nic’s in question.

“Because I’m nowhere near a saint.” Brows furrowing Nic stared intently at the computer screen.

“Then how did you get the name?”

“That would be Jaysen’s doing. One day, not to long after I started giving the gifts, we got into an argument. I don’t remember most of what was said, after all, it was quite a while ago, but I do remember the comment was rather snide. To this day neither of us knows how it ended up outside our argument, but it still reminds me of that comment. Besides saints are deemed so because of the greatness they do for mankind all I do is give a few toys to some kids.”

Moved by the noticeable hurt in his eyes, a relentless knot twisted in my stomach. Though I still didn’t know him, the connection between us grew with each passing moment.

Whether it was hormones or the fact that we were supposed to be mates, I didn’t know, but I couldn’t stand to see him sad.

I scooted out of the bed and made my way to him, wrapping paper shuffling under my feet. Then, as if it were the most natural thing to do, I lowered myself into his lap and hugged him close. “To those kids you are the world.”

“That’s why I do it every year. Though not in the grand scale that everyone thinks. I try to help at least a few orphanages and hospitals each year.”

“See, you are a saint. Every year you create the biggest rush of hope and joy to the children across the world. Though you can‘t help them all, the small sacrifices you have made over the centuries have helped to shape our world and helps friends and families learn the true meaning of giving. Without you there would be no hope of a perfect

Christmas. If that isn‘t the act of a saint, I don‘t know what is.”

With a grunt in my ear, Nic’s arms tightened around me as he buried his head in the hair between my shoulder blade and ear.

Pulling away slightly, I raised my hands and held of each side of his head. My fingers ran though the silken strands of his hair using that leverage I brought his head up until our eyes met. Leaning down I kissed his full lips with a slight brush of mine.

You are the best mate anyone could ask for. Speaking while our mouths were still fused, Nic sipped from my lips slowly.

The Real Saint Nic Buy Links

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

ARe

Free Read

My Wish For Christmas Is You

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Growing up Drea Becraft wanted to save the world one dead body at a time as a homicide detective. After high school her dreams turned to the wayside when she found out she was going to be a mother. Eight years later she is now the mother of three beautiful girls, who are a handful, and married to her high school sweetheart. When she is not frantically getting two kids to and from school, to cheer practice, or cleaning up the after a full household she enjoys reading anything and everything she can get her hands on. After a few years of simply reading for enjoyment she began to get excellent ideas for stories of her very own and began to write them as much as time will allow. Watching as her dreams and characters become solid on paper has been exciting to say the least. Drea can't wait to share every dream one story at a time. Until then she enjoys tons of conversation and laughs on twitter, facebook, and yahoo loops and would love to hear from you on any or all of them.

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