Are you an author?

"Do I have a marketing plan? Are you kidding? I'm buried with writing, editing, fighting with a website, trying to balance a job, family, and all the other demands of life. If I think about taking on more, I start to stress out. But I'll listen to suggestions. I need all the help I can get."

Is this you? Are you a writer who fights constantly to find better ways not only to write, but also to promote? Need help? Like to offer solutions?

A writer pal, Kayelle Allen, told me about an awesome online group for writers. Check out  Marketing For Romance Writers. It's a self-help and mentoring group for writers dedicated to helping authors.

They will host a free online conference in July; so mark your calendars.

Tuesday Teaser - Love Knot

Today's teaser is from my latest soon-to-be-released book.

BLURB:

Long Description: Mimi Cates is an artist who lives over the coffee shop she owns.  Content with her life, she won't allow herself to become to close with her sexy, wanderlust neighbor, despite what her heart tells her.

Robbie MacDonnell never wanted to stay in one place very long.  His job as a scientist allowed him to travel the world without ever making permanent ties to anyone.  However, when he finds the perfect person and the perfect place to settle down, he's not sure if she'll believe him.

 ************************************************

Not a sweet kiss of friendship but an obvious promise of decadent pleasure. With a tilt of his head, Robbie took the kiss deeper. The scent of milled soap and masculinity made her heady. Robbie slowly pulled away, tugging at her lip with his teeth as he did.

"Ah... welcome home?" She choked on the words.

"Aye, I'm happy to be home." The deep sultry voice slid down her body to her feet.

"Easy big boy. What's with the kiss? Sheesh!"

"What's with the kiss?  You're brutal, woman." He grabbed his heart and faked feigned a heart attack.  " You didn't like it?" 

"You are such a goofball.   It's just... you've never done that before."

"I've kissed you before.  Many times actually."

"But not like that."

"That?  Was something wrong with my kiss?"

"No, not at all.  Just different."

" I want to do it more often." He stepped in front of her and again pulled her against his hard body.  "If that is okay."

 "Ah... no complaints here."

 The breath from her words bounced off his lips back onto her. His lips were so close she heat radiated from them.  Her arms locked around his neck as she stood on her tip toes. His mouth set fire to her body as he placed soft kisses along her jaw.  Wonderful sensations swirled in her body as he enveloped her in his embrace.  Soft lips brushed over hers then he gazed at her with a smirk on his face.

Robbie MacDonnell

Monday Mojo - Fun Sex Fact

Fascinating Fact: Sexual acts lead to weight loss

The average human loses 26 calories when kissing for a minute. Furthermore, vigorous sex for half an hour burns 150 calories (you can lose three pounds in a year – if you have sex 7 to 8 times a month). Kissing is also very good for your teeth: the extra saliva released during the act helps to keep the mouth clean – reducing the risk of decay.


Somewhere in my files I actually have the break down of how many calories are used up during different kinds of kissing. 

And..
Psssttt....
I  have the breakdown of calories lost during common and ... unique sexual positions.  *wink, wink* 

Stay tuned.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Thursday 13 - St.Pat's Sweet Treats

1.  Shamrock Cookies.

2. Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake.  Get the recipe.

3. Irish Black Bun Shamrock Cookies.   Get the recipe. 

4. Irish Chocolate Ice Cream (You add a cup of Irish whiskey to chocolate ice cream.  Yeah, baby!)

5. Shamrock Milkshake Cupcakes.

6. Black & White Irish Cream Cupcakes.  Get the recipe. 

7. Chocolate Stout Shake.  (Chocolate stout beer + choc. fudge + vanilla bean ice cream + milk = YUMMY!)

8. Toffee-Coffee Brownies.  Get the recipe.

9.  St. Patty Cupcakes with green M&Ms

10. Dublin Eggnog.  (Eggnog + double-strength coffee + 6oz of Irish whiskey= wide awake fun)

11. Green beer.  I don't usually drink beer but thought I'd better put it on my list any ways.

12.  Rainbow Cupcakes. This recipe is so cool.  Check it out.

13. Toffee Shortbread.  Ah... buttery shortbread, a layer of toffee with chocolate topping.  Sigh.  A favorite sweet among families in Ireland.  Get the recipe. 

 

Time to curl up with a hot St. Patrick's Day romance from my good friend, Mari Freeman. 

But it now.

My Dog Maggie

March 13 is not only St. Patrick's Day but also the anniversary of when I adopted my dog Maggie.

 Shortly after my lab, Ruby was killed in a freak accident; I knew I had a heart full of love to give to another dog. So I went onto PetFinder.com and looked for a new lab. I came across Maggie's picture. She was called Rhonda at the time and because she wasn't spayed, I passed on her. However, a week later I came across her photo again, this time she was spayed so after a short discussion with hubby, we made an appointment to see her.

Actual photo from PetFinder.com

We drove a couple hours to where her rescue center was located.  We met several potential dogs before "Rhonda" was brought out.  They were lovely dogs, but I was too anxious to meet the one who caught my eye. 

When "Rhonda" came out, she trotted directly to me, sat on my feet and began licking my hand.  I knew we were meant to be together.

About a year and a half old, she had been dumped with her five puppies in December.  A farmer named Ron found her eating rotten corn in his field to stay alive for her babies during the bitter Michigan winter.  He took her and the pups to the rescue center.  The pups were weaned and mama got her health back.

She jumped into our truck without hesitation as if to say, "Let's go home."

We named her Maggie on the way home.  (Yes, the Rod Stewart song, Maggie May was playing.)  She's been an amazing member of our family.

First photo of Maggie in her new home.

My middle son even wrote and published about book about her when he was in 2nd grade. 
Feel free to check it out. 

It's available for purchase.
Print Format
Ebook Format
iTunes Book Format
Barnes & Noble Nook

Please consider adopting a rescue pet.

Visit PetFinder.com or you local animal rescues and shelters.

Adopt or be a foster parent to a shelter animal.

1ST CHAPTER & COVER CONTEST

Handcuffs & Silk is my story but it's Fiona Jayde's sensual cover art featuring the delicious Jimmy Thomas.

The 1st Chapter is in a contest as well as the cover over on
D. Rennee Bagby Presents  
 Please take a moment and zip over to vote.

Poll is open until Feb. 29.

Here's my shameless begging...please vote for Handcuffs & Silk....pretty please. Thank you.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Vote for Handcuffs & Silk in Cover Contest

Handcuffs & Silk is my story but it's Fiona Jayde's sensual cover art featuring the delicious Jimmy Thomas that's in the February Cover Contest over on You Gotta Read Reviews. 

 
 Please take a moment and zip over to vote.

Poll is open until Feb. 27.

Here's my shameless begging...please vote for Handcuffs & Silk....pretty please. Thank you.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW 

Slow It Down, Baby

Why slowing down in bed could help your sex life.

If you want to make sex a more sensual experience, slow down. Take your time. Banning the quickie from your sex life will have a startling and sensual effect, taking your lovemaking to the next level.
Slow sex isn't about endurance, marathon sessions or complicated positions. It's about really being there in the moment, enjoying one another fully. It's about taking the time to touch and to kiss. The point isn't just to have sex, but rather to feel real sensual joy.

"It's mutual pleasuring, not purposeful foreplay," Barry McCarthy, a clinical psychologist and coauthor of Rekindling Desire, explained to Ladies' Home Journal. Sex is not a commodity. It is not supposed to be time-efficient.

Create a bedroom that is a sanctuary for slow sex. Move the television to another room. Turn off the telephone. Shut down the computer. Give full attention to your lover. Install low-level romantic lighting, even if it's just a carefully-placed nightlight.

So what do you do when you slow down for "mutual pleasuring"?

Try the following:

• Massage
• Deep, lingering kisses
• Teasing with your fingers and mouth
• Touch that is by turns tender and erotic

While these may include orgasm, that is not the point. Instead, it's about building desire and intimacy.
Slow sex means learning how to give one another great pleasure. It is a soulful, intimate expression of your love that will make sex far more sensual. It will deepen your emotional, psychological and even spiritual bond with your lover. A quickie can't compete with that!

As Mae West said,

"Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly."