Monday, December 12, 2016

Keep It Together During Holidays

Work. Shopping. Parties. Travel. Special Events.

During the month of December, there will be many demands on your time. 
Stress levels may rise. At the end of the day, exhaustion sets in. 

Even Santa and Mrs. Claus make time for alone time.

Here a few tips to "keep it together" during the holiday season.

* Try not to schedule to many events right after each other. Give yourself time between each one.

* Take time to sit with your honey and make a list of things you enjoy the most about the holiday.
This will not only give you quality time together, but also help keep you in the Christmas spirit.

*Schedule certain things from your list to do together. Yes... write it down! Make a date of it.

*Speak with family members in advance. Schedule family meals, parties and limit gift giving.

*Help each other. Help a friend make cookies. Help a relative wrap gifts. Spending time together and taking care of a "chore" at the same time.

*As a couple make a new family tradition.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Monday Mistletoe



"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." 
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. 

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. 
I have my mistletoe hanging. 
Do you?
 

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Coming Soon...Taming Rachel

She knows what she wants. He recognizes what she needs. With the help of Madame Eve and a silk scarf, they set the sheets on fire. Will a rekindled flame die in the morning or blaze even higher?


Rachael Willis signed up for a 1Night Stand with hopes of finding something  missing in her life. Is it a coincidence her date is scheduled during a class reunion? Why did the one person she’s avoided for years have to show up?

Dusty Stiles never recovered from the one that got away. Madame Eve is his last hope to get her back.

Will one night be enough to erase the pain of the past and rekindle the passion they once shared?

Monday, April 4, 2016

Great Gift Ideas - Candles = Romance, Love & Meditation

I love candles. I often use them on my porch or around the bonfire for soft lighting. A candle lit during meditation or while soaking in the bath is soothing and lifts a tired spirit. Candles are a great way to pamper yourself, add a bit of ambiance to a room as well as make a perfect gift.

Attention gals... I'm hosting a PartyLite Party.

Attention writer pals...
there are some awesome items perfect for author contests and give-aways.

Forbidden Fantasy
Indulge your fantasies with provocative fragrances that seduce the senses.


Forbidden Fruits
There is a tempting fragrance for every mood

Forbidden Sensations with Fig Fatale, a sensual massage candle. 
Set a romantic mood with the candle's soft flicker and the rich scent of Fig Fatale. Burn for at least 10min to create a luxurious pool of natural wax, coconut oil and almond oil. Snuff out the candle, then drizzle warm oil onto skin and massage in for a silky sensation. 

For a lighter touch and gift ideas check out the new fragrances and exclusive decor.


Check out the link, shop online!!! www.partylite.biz/sherriebrown2 
Just type in Mary Quast as your host.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Tuesday Teaser - New Audio Books from Historical Romance Author Nancy Fraser

Nancy Fraser has an amazing 2-book tour happening RIGHT NOW! 
Wanna know the best part? 
They are now offered as AUDIO BOOKS!!!  
Squeeeeee... check them out!
In the Roaring Twenties…

 The Mysterious Mrs. Pennybaker
A former Hello Girl during WWI, widowed Ariel Pennybaker served her country proudly. She now carries on her late husband’s legacy…a home for the many returning, injured soldiers.

With her year of mourning nearly at an end, she’s had enough of her self-imposed celibacy. It’s time to get back in the game.

A chance meeting with a handsome WWI aviator has her imagining thoroughly naughty thoughts. When a second man walks into her life, her naughty thoughts turn downright decadent. What better way to fulfil her fantasies than by sharing both men’s beds.

As tempting as the idea is, Ariel has a huge secret, one she must protect at all costs. And, it’s possible one or both of her lovers is not what he seems.



The Muse:
Decadence, freedom and illegal activities…

Everything a sheltered debutante in the mid-1920s could want. When Hyde Park socialite Susan Leland meets up with Evan Forrester for the second time, she makes no excuses for their first meeting—an auto accident in which she broke the young artist’s wrist. She finds the handsome Evan both infuriating and intriguing, yet not quite as intriguing as sultry torch singer Holly Winters, a performer at Susan’s favorite supper club.

A chance to make amends…

By posing nude for Evan to paint. When Susan balks, Evan, not wanting to deal with an innocent, sends her away but not before the arrival of his next model, Holly Winters. As Susan’s preparing to leave, the beautiful and talented singer convinces her to come back the next day—so they can pose together.

Will Susan find happiness in the arms of Evan Forrester—or another?


The Mysterious Mrs. Pennybaker
Digital:

Audio:

The Muse
Digital:


Author Bio
Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

Published in multiple genres, Nancy currently writes for four publishers. She has published twenty-two books in both full-length and novella format. Nancy is currently working on a Valentine’s story for 2016, her next Rock and Roll novella, and a steamy contemporary featuring a sexy, kilt-wearing Scot.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy loves spending time with her five grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

Author Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor  @nfraserauthor