Sunday, November 3, 2013

Sneak Peek Sunday - WIP Eagle Dance

Today's Sneak Peek is from a work in progress I am writing for the Decadent Publishing 1 Night Stand Series. It is part of a four book Native American shifter collection I am working on, Crow Magic being the first. I hope you enjoy this sample.
Dyami Shaffer an Chippewa Eagle shifter

Over a few beers he confided in a friend who listened while he celebrated his own pity party. Reaching his limit and fed up of women staring at him with fear or disgust, he needed to vent. His large size and dark Native American features didn’t help him find dates in the past. Women of his tribe whispered of his attributes and feared him. On top of everything, his nesting instinct unfortunately kicked in recently. He wanted a good woman who would accept and love him for the rest of his life. The buddy told him about the elite dating service, 1 Night Stand, where one night often led to a love match.  His spirit nurtured the seed of hope planted in his thoughts and persuaded him to fill out the paperwork for a blind date.

After months of waiting, he stood on his porch drinking his morning coffee when he saw a hawk fly overhead. His people considered hawks to be messengers. With an impatient heart, he checked his emails and discovered a message from Madame Eve.  

Following a day of work, he drove almost 700 miles.  During the trip he fought poor weather and spent hours talking to himself to stay focused. He eventually gave in to weariness and spent the night in a cheap hotel along Interstate 80 planning to arrive at his destination with vim and vigor. Surely the lonely journey would not have been made in vain.

 A plow rumbled on the road behind him creating large mounds of snow. The world grew white and cleansed in purity. Evergreens supported heavy boughs much like the weight he carried. The trunks of the giant firs stood strong, bearing the spirits of the earth. The crisp air filled his lungs. His spirit fluttered with hope.

He clasped the totem pendant he wore around his neck and closed his eyes. The small eagle mounted on an arrowhead represented his linage. The rough edges dug into his palm yet gave him comfort. In his culture some legends were true; such as those who are born with a totem animal or a spirit guide. His ancestors were blessed by the Great Spirit. In every generation one man would not only be born with a spirit animal who resides within one’s soul but also the gift of shifting from man to that of his animal.

Drawing from the strength of tribe, he prayed he made the right decision. The spirit of the eagle fluttered against his heart telling him to continue his journey. Since countless moments make a lifetime, a particular chain of them brought him to the place he needed to be.  Madame Eve found a woman who would accept his secret and dance with him. With confidence he climbed the steps to the main building of the Castillo Poconos Resort.
 

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Copper & Love

Twenty-two years ago I married the love of my life. 

Years later with three boys and busy schedules we still manage to find time for fun and romance. Our relationship may have evolved over the years but is strong.
The gift suggestion for the 22nd wedding anniversary is copper. Copper is a lovely symbol for love and does not deteriorate over time. In fact, it withstands the test of time and actually has the highest recycling rate of any engineering metal in the world! Like the couple sharing a lifetime, this strong and hardy metal holds up against elements and only richens in patina and endurance.
Gift ideas include jewelry, sculpture and my favorite…. Copper foil wrapped chocolate. 

However, here are my thoughts…
I can light some spicy candles. Then I'll wrap myself in something copper colored and melt some copper-colored caramel? 
 
We could have some fun making a yummy dessert. 
 

Friday, November 1, 2013

New Military romance - No Flag by Liz Borino

I will quickly admit I am a sucker for military romance.  I found this new release that looks pretty good.  I haven't read anything from Liz Borino so I'm looking forward to curling up with this story over the rainy weekend.


For Mike and Will, “No Flag” meant “come home alive”, but will their love survive what happens next? Captain Mike Kelley does not ignore his intuition, so when sexy bartender Will Hayes captures his heart, Mike embarks on a mission to win him over to a Domestic Discipline relationship.  Will accepts with one caveat: Mike must promise not to renew his Army contract.  Mike agrees, and they spend a year building a life together, getting married, and starting a business.

Only days before their café’s grand opening, Mike receives news that threatens everything he and Will have built.  The Army invokes the Stop Loss military policy to involuntarily extend his commission and send him back overseas.  Will, left alone to cope with the café, must rely on the support of old friends who may be no longer be trustworthy.  Through emails and Skype calls, Mike and Will keep their love and structure alive…until the day a horrific terrorist attack occurs on Mike’s outpost.

Mike awakens in a hospital with a devastating injury and no his memory of the attack. As the only survivor, Mike’s memory may be the key to national security. Mike struggles to cope with his injury and Will struggles to support the man who always held him up.  Both fear they have lost their previous relationship.  Will has Mike back rather than a folded flag, but in the aftermath of war, can they rebuild the life they had before?  Especially when those closest to them may not have their best interests at heart?

Available on Amazon

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Sneak Peek Sunday - Queen of Hearts


I know this is the week of Halloween and the book I'm giving you a sneak peek from is actually a Valentine Story, but... the characters are at a costume party.  The theme is Alice in Wonderland.  The characters, dressed as Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter, have been best pals lusting after each other.
The story was inspired by this photo in a Lover's Lane Costume Edition Catalog.
*********************
 
Jenny turned to see what had caught her friend's eyes and saw Josh stepping with bold confidence into the penthouse looking around.  He moved with the elegance of a showman, slow and fluid.  Their eyes locked  the moment he spotted her.

With a wink, he struck a pose leaving her breathless.  Playing with her, he wanted her to look at him.  A red ribbon wrapped around his black top hat, resting at an angle over his right eye.  His brows arched, daring her to continue the inspection but she paused a the slight smirk of his lips.  As if he knew her focus, he blew her a kiss.  Heat spread through her body and pooled between her legs.

His tuxedo coat accented his broad shoulders.  Only Josh could pull off the sapphire blue bow tie which lay crooked at the base of his throat.  The blue matched his eyes.  The lapel opened to reveal a red vest, and black shirt.

Buttoned, the fitted garment gave him a commanding appearance.  Standing with his feet wide apart, black tails of his coat hung behind legs clad in black.  High polished black shoes added to the imposing stature. He wore fingerless red and black gloves with one hand resting on a carved rabbit head on his white cane.  His other hand fisted yet resting at his hip with determination.

Lifting her eyes back to his face, Josh's eyes bore into her soul with need and desire.  His jaw was taunt, until his lips slowly slide into a sexy smile.

"Two can play at this game." With a turn of her waist, she posed.
***********************
Queen of Hearts blurb :
 
Jenny has secretly lusted for her sexy next door neighbor for years but won't cross that invisible line dividing friendship and romance even if it is Valentine's Day.

Josh is done with his provocative life and ready to settle down. With a few tricks up his sleeve and the Valentine's Day costume party, he takes a chance on seducing his best girl pal.
Will the Queen of Hearts allow herself to be seduced by Madd Hatter's kiss and offer of more?                

Queen of Heart is available on Smashwords.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Relaxing Saturday - Sex & the Single Vamp

Everyone needs one sometimes. A simple Saturday when you don't have to do anything.
That is today for me.
Yesterday was the "game of the year" for my son's varsity football team. It was rather stressful for us football moms freezing our butts on the bleachers.  Oh... what we do for our kids.  Right?

Anyways... today is cold, rainy, snowy, windy, sunny... Michigan weather is weird. It's a good day to stay inside. So.....
 I washed my dog. My son can bathe his own pup.
I scheduled my blog posts for next week.
Chatted with Stevie MacFarlane - who you will see again in two weeks!
Drank mulled cider and lounged around in yoga pants.
The boys are making pizza tonight.  I will be lucky if I get a piece.

I think I'll make some more mulled cider.  Hmmm.... maybe some mulled wine. 
And curl up with a book a friend gave me.

 
An undying classic from Katie MacAlister, Sex and the Single Vampire is a paranormal romance lover’s delight, ideal for fans of Lynsay Sands and her Argeneau vampire family novels. This perennial New York Times bestselling author knows what readers are hungry for: sexy and funny tales of otherworldly passion featuring hot, dark, immortal alpha heroes searching for their happily forever afters. In Sex and the Single Vampire, MacAlister’s Dark One is an arrogant, studly romance novelist whom struggling “summoner” Alie mistakes for a specter…and recognizes as the fantasy man who has lately been invading her dreams!

 
So far it's pretty fun.  The vamp is drool worthy!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Friday Football _ The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

In honor of Friday Night Football
I'm sharing one of my favorite authors.
 
 
The last thing event planner Tara Lincoln needs is the jet-set lifestyle of a football pro like Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand proved that Mick is an all-star-both on the field and in the bedroom.

Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn't intend to put herself out there again, especially with a certified heartbreaker. But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind to catch this sultry vixen.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Halloween Treats (for Adults)


While purchasing candy for all the ghost and goblins I expect to visit me on Halloween Night, I thought how fun if Adults had their own version of the spooky night. 
Here is a list of treats I'd hand out.


1.       Edible underwear

2.       Chocolate lotion

3.       Gummy Boobs

4.       Whipping Cream

5.       Candy pouch

6.       Vanilla Ice Cream Bondage Kit

7.       Candy Nipple Tassels

8.       Candy Love Ring

9.       Candy Cuffs

10.   The Adult Version of Pop Rocks

11.   Licorice vines – long enough for tying

12.   For my special gal pals, I'd give a kit to make a milk chocolate copy of your honey’s penis. 

13.   More Whipping Cream

 


Happy Halloween Everyone!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Humpday Hottie - Woodcutter

It's autumn here in Michigan and we've been busy chopping wood for the fireplace.
Nothing is better than snuggling near the fire on a wintery night. 
Well...
except watching these lumberjacks in action.
 

Oh-oh... now I have a song stuck in my head.
 

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Tasty Tuesday - Beer Pizza Date Night

A night in making pizza can be fun, especially for a couple looking for a cheap date night. 
It has become a family event every Saturday. My teen boys love the homemade dough and creating their own pizza with too many toppings. Hubby and I remember the days when just he and I would pour some wine and enjoy the time in the kitchen with only each other.

Here is the recipe I used for my
Beer Pizza Dough.

 
Ingredients

    • 1 1/3 cups water ( Or 1 Cup Water and 1/3 Cup Flat Beer for better flavor)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
    • 2 tablespoons cornmeal
    • 3 1/2 cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast

Directions

1.   Add ingredients to machine in order.

2.   Set to “Dough” mode.

3.   Once completed, place in greased pan to rise about 20-30 min, and split in half.

4.   For easy storage, put in Ziploc bags, stack flat to be used as needed. Will be good for 2 days.

5.    When you are ready to make pie, slap the dough on a cornmeal/floured surface, roll flat, Hand spin if you are willing to trash the kitchen with flying pizza!  

6.   Add light layer of sauce and pre-bake at 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes.

7.   Remove from oven and add toppings of your choice.

8.   Bake in oven at 400 degrees until done (approx 20 min, depending upon topping thickness).