Monday Man Candies for Halloween

Yes, I know I'm a day early but it's to make up for not posting last Monday. I doubt any of you will complain:)

What better way to celebrate Halloween then with 3 hunks who aren't afraid to dress up in a costume. First we have the Sexy Cowboy Costume. I bet he has spurs on, too:)

Next we have the Spartan Gladiator! Looks a little dangerous, doesn't he?

And lastly we have the Moon Shine Costume. For the guy with a tight budget. LOL...I just made myself chuckle:)

Why Parents Drink

The boss wondered why one of his most valued employees was absent but had not phoned in sick. So he dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whisper. ' Hello ? ' 'Is your daddy home?' ' Yes, he's out in the garden,' whispered the small voice. 'May I talk with him?' The child whispered, ' No .' ; So the boss asked, 'Well, is your Mommy there?' ' Yes, she's out in the garden too '& The boss asked; 'May I talk with her?' Again the small voice whispered, ' No .' Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, 'Is anybody else there?' ' Yes ,' whispered the child, ' a policeman. ' Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, 'May I speak with the policeman?' ' No, he's busy , ' whispered the child. 'Busy doing what?' ' Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the police dog men. ' Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background, the boss asked, 'What is that noise?' ' It's a helicopter ' answered the whispering voice. 'What is going on there?' demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive. ' The search team just landed a helicopter ' 'A search team?' said the boss. 'What are they searching for?' Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle.... ' ME '

BLOG HOP

This could very well be the event of the year folks! Four hundred and twenty-three (423) prizes are being offered up by four hundred and twenty-three (423) blogs. The link list can be found on the I'm a Reader, not a Writer Blog. So head on over, start at the top, work your way down and keep your fingers crossed. This blog hop runs for 8 days and you could possibly win more than once. Each blog host will have their own giveaway rules. Mine is below.

My mom and I used to get together every once in a while for a special meal that no one else in the family liked. What was it?

Choices:

Beef liver and onions

Blood sausage and onions

Venison stew

Rabbit

Beef tongue and cabbage

Every one who guesses correctly will have their name put into a drawing for a download of one of my books, their choice.

GOOD LUCK!!!



Good morning all! I'm hosting another Goddess Fish Tour and this time we have Vanessa Devereaux with us. Please welcome her and leave a comment because as you an see at the end of this post, there be a prize to be had:)

Author Bio-

Bestselling author Vanessa Devereaux was born in London, England but now resides in the US. She writes erotic romances and erotica. A freelance writer during the day, her work has appeared in both US and UK magazines. When she’s not writing, she can be found pursuing some of her hobbies which include cooking, gardening, photography and biking. Prior to a writing career she worked in PR and was a book publicist for three years. Then Came You is Vanessa’s first title published with Total-E-Bound. Her other titles include, Mistaken Identity, The Man Next Door, Who’s The Boss and her Regency Trilogy, Brazen Ladies including What the Lady Wants, Caught in the Act and Double Her Pleasure, and the contemporary erotic romance, One Night With You. Her next release will be Forbidden which will be released in 2012 with Total E Bound.

Links- http://www.vanessadevereaux.com and http://www.twitter.com/vandevereaux

Sometimes being given a topic or choice of topics for a blog is tough. This time it was easy: “How do you get out of writer’s block”.

I’m not sure if I had writer’s block or what happened to me but I didn’t write any fiction (other than some short stories) for a decade. It was after my father passed away. He’d been ill for sometime and then was diagnosed with cancer. The last nine months of his life were very traumatic. He suffered from depression and I slowly spent less time writing and more time with him.

I had many attempts to get back on track after his passing but every time I sat down to write I’d look at a blank page or screen for hours and nothing would happen. Believing it was grief and would pass I attempted to get some sample chapters written so I’d at least have something to prove I was still a writer. I thought a request for a full manuscript might even be the kick in the butt I needed. However, when a couple of editors did ask to see the rest of the stories I couldn’t produce a single page and finally gave up. At this point I really believed that my writing days were behind me. Since then I’ve produced more work in three years than I had prior to my writer’s block. So how did I finally get back on track and what advice can I give to you? Here are my five tips-

Tip #1- No matter what, write. Even if it’s one word, don’t go a day without writing. I used to think okay, I don’t feel like writing today but I probably will tomorrow so no big deal if nothing gets done today. It never happens the following day either so don’t kid yourself. Even if just means sitting on the couch while you’re watching TV and making notes for future stories, do something writing related each day.

Tip #2-set a routine and don’t break it. Before my ten year dry spell I’d write any time of the day and had no problem with stopping and starting a story. However, I discovered I couldn’t do that any more and therefore needed a schedule. Make an appointment with yourself every day. It could be when you first get up in the morning or maybe you have to wake up an hour earlier but make it a daily habit. I used to like watching cooking shows on the Food Network in the evening but decided I needed to give that up so that time could be just for writing and nothing else. You might need to make some sacrifices but if you want to be a writer or achieve your goal that’s what you have to do

Tip #3-reward yourself. Just like anything else you’ve got to give yourself something in return for sticking with your goal. For me, the chocoholic, it was a bar of chocolate at the end of the week. It could be renting a DVD every weekend or even going to see a movie every month.

Tip #4-write in the same place…remember the old Batman series, tune in same time, same channel? Same goes for writing. I have a spot on the couch where I sit with my laptop. I know when I’m there and the laptop is turned on, it’s writing time and nothing else gets down. The phone doesn’t even get answered.

Tip #5-Listen to some music. I used to play CDs from my collection but discovered after my ten year writing drought that was too distracting because I’d start listening to the lyrics. Now it’s New Age and world music and some relaxation CDs thrown in. Find what music inspires you and have it playing softly in the background.

I hope your writer’s block never lasts a decade but should you find yourself looking at a blank screen follow these tips and I can assure you if they worked for me, there can work for you too.

Blurb-

Connor O’Riordan had his heart set on Gillian Matthews the first day she stepped onto his ranch but the only problem was she had a boyfriend. He’d made her promise that if the two of them ever broke up she’d tell him. Gillian is a woman of her word and when Connor finds out she’s now available he’ll do anything to woo and romance the lady of his dreams. The best way to start…invite her to spend Thanksgiving at his ranch.

 

The author is giving away the winner's choice of one of her backlisted eBooks! The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/08/virtual-book-tour-then-came-you-by.html

Good luck!

AROUND THE WORLD WITH VIRGINIA CAMPBELL

''A Flavorful Adventure Awaits!"      

For my first epicurean expedition, I could not have chosen a more culturally complex and diverse destination than the continent of Africa, which is really a "world within a world". The indigenous foods of each of the numerous regions have been blended through time with the input of the many colonizers to the vast lands of Africa. With over 50 countries, and many hundreds of millions of people, Africa can not be summed up with a few words. It is the second largest continent, surrounded on all sides by water, and it comprises one-fifth of our world's landmass.

 Some of the produce raised includes: peanuts, coffee, tea, sugarcane, bananas, oranges, grapes, pineapples, olives, coconut oil, tomatoes, and cacao. They also raise the following crops: corn, wheat, rice, millet, sorghum, cassava, plantains, sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions, barley, dry beans and watermelon. African food recipes are as varied as the thousands of tribes and cultures found in this amazing continent. A visit to a local food market will astound and delight true foodies with the variety and unique flavors of the many offerings.

No trip to the market would be complete without the traditional hand-woven market baskets. The making of these baskets is a skill passed down from generation to generation. The baskets are also exported as a Fair Trade item to benefit the economy in lower income areas which produce the baskets.

 

Traditionally, the various cuisines of Africa use a combination of locally available fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, and meat products. Most African foods are based on common foodstuffs like: cassava, yam, rice, beans, maize, sorghum, groundnut, coconut, plantain, millet, melons, seafood, poultry, beef, goat meat, bush meat, palm oil, potatoes, lentil, beans, cowpeas, vegetables, vegetable oils, and a wide selection of tantalizing of spices and chilies. You will also find influences from other countries such as France, Portugal, Great Britain, Arabia, North America, and many more. Popular exports from Africa include richly sweet honeys, varietal teas such as Red Rooibos, darkly delicious Ghanaian cocoa and chocolates, South African wines, tangy exotic fruits, and the flavor and heat of spices and chilies.

Have you ever been to Africa or thought about visiting there? What are some of the exotic foods and locations you long to experience? What are your most memorable food and travel adventures? I'd love to hear your thoughts, so please share!

Moroccan Lemon Cake

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

zest from 1 or 2 lemons

1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat your oven to 350° F (180° C). Grease and flour a small bundt or tube pan. Zest and juice your lemon. With an electric mixer or by hand, beat together the eggs and sugar until thick. Gradually beat in the oil. Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt, and then the milk. Beat until smooth, and then mix in the lemon juice, zest and vanilla. Pour the batter into your prepared pan, and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the cake tests done. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 7 to 10 minutes. Loosen the cake from the sides of the pan with a spatula, and turn out the cake onto a rack to finish cooling.

 

  Jollof Rice

500 g (1 lb) lean beef or chicken

Salt and ground white pepper, to taste

Vegetable oil for frying

1L (1-3/4 pt) stock or water with 3 crushed stock cubes

3 large onions, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2-3 chillies (hot peppers), finely chopped

4 large tomatoes, blanched, peeled and blended or mashed

45 g (3 tablespoons) tomato paste

250 g (8 oz) each of assorted chopped vegetables, e.g. carrots, green beans, mushrooms and capsicums (sweet or bell peppers)

500 g (1 lb) long-grain rice
Lettuce, parsley or fresh coriander (cilantro) and hard-boiled eggs to garnish

Cut meat or chicken into 5 cm (2 in) cubes or small pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cover and allow to stand for 1-2 hours. Heat oil in fry-pan and fry the meat or chicken pieces until brown. Remove meat from oil and add to the stock in a large, heavy-based saucepan. Simmer on low heat until meat begins to soften, then remove from heat. Drain excess oil from fry pan leaving enough oil to fry onions, garlic and chillies (hot peppers) until golden. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, half the combined vegetables and 250 mL (8 fl oz) of stock from the meat mixture. Stir well, adjust seasoning and simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes. Add this vegetable sauce to the meat mixture in the saucepan and simmer gently. Finally, stir in the uncooked, long-grain rice. Adjust the seasoning again, cover and simmer slowly on low heat for about 15 minutes. Arrange the remaining vegetables on top of the rice and continue to simmer until the rice absorbs all the stock, softens and cooks, and the meat is tender. It may be necessary to sprinkle additional water mix to help the rice cook. If so use small amounts at a time of approximately 250 mL (8 fl oz) lightly salted water. Serve hot, garnished with chopped lettuce, parsley or fresh coriander (cilantro) and hard-boiled eggs.

 

Banana Fritters

1½ cups all-purpose flour

4 or 5 medium-sized ripe bananas
3 eggs

1 cup milk

6 Tbsp sugar

vegetable oil, as needed for deep-frying
confectioners sugar

Stir the flour and sugar together, in a deep mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs one at a time with a wire whisk. Whisking constantly, add the milk approximately 1/3 cup at a time. Continue to beat until the batter is smooth and elastic enough to stretch like a ribbon from the beater when the beater is lifted out of the bowl. Peel the bananas, chop or slice them coarsely, and place them in a shallow bowl. Mash the bananas to a smooth purée, using the tines of a table fork. Stir the purée into the batter and allow the mixture to rest at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes before frying. Pour oil into a deep fryer or large, heavy saucepan to a depth of 2-3 “. Heat the oil until it shimmers with the heat. For each fritter, ladle approximately ¼ cup of the banana batter into the hot oil. Deep-fry 2 or 3 banana fritters at a time, taking care to leave enough space between them to allow them to spread into 4 “ rounds or oblongs. Turning once or twice with a slotted spoon, fry for approximately 3 minutes or until the fritters are a rich golden color on all sides. As they brown, transfer the banana fritters to paper towels and allow them to drain. While the fritters are still warm, sprinkle lightly with confectioners' sugar and serve immediately.
 
 

Spicy African Yam Soup

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced

1 clove garlic, minced

4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 cup chunky salsa
1 (15.5 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 cup diced zucchini

1/2 cup cooked rice

2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

Heat the oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Saute onion, sweet potato, and garlic until onion is soft. Turn down heat if necessary to prevent burning. Stir in the chicken broth, thyme and cumin. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir in salsa, garbanzo beans and zucchini. Simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the cooked rice and peanut butter until the peanut butter has dissolved.

"Traveler's Treat" Hot Chocolate

1 pint whole milk

1 (6 to 8 oz) dark chocolate bar, finely chopped

1 tablespoon honey

3 tablespoons brown sugar

pinch of ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon real vanilla extract

2 tablespoons dark rum

 

Pour the milk into a small saucepan then add the chocolate. Over low heat, stir gently just until the chocolate melts. Stir in the honey and brown sugar until smooth. Add in the cinnamon and vanilla, stirring until mixed. Remove from heat and stir in the rum. Makes two large mugs of awesome hot chocolate for two lucky travelers. 

This book has been out for a while but how thrilled and exciting it was to receive a new review for it. Rated 5 Ravens and a Recommended Read by Lena, at Blackraven's Reviews! Below are some of the comments that really stood out for me:)




Chase Saunders is sex on a stick, plain and simple.

There is only one word for Tory Richards’ The Cowboy Way and that is WOW. Ms. Richards, from the beginning you had this reviewer hooked with a man like Chase. Brooding, dark and handsome, this cowboy tells it like it his. He wants Lacey and he makes his intentions known, so all I can say is WOW.

Once again Tory Richards knows how to create a story that will linger in your head days after you’ve read the story.  I highly recommend The Cowboy Way and keep up the awesome work Ms. Richards.

There's nothing we can't build if there's a demand for it. I'm sure there are lots of people who can afford a $3 million dollar luxury camper. But if you had that kind of money, would you want to drive somewhere? And as campers go, what happened to roughing it out in the wilderness? Sleeping beneath the stars, or in a tent, and peeing behind a tree?

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't turn this down if someone offered me one. I don't like roughing it and a hike along a well marked trail is about as far as I will go.

LOL...the post below about texting made me think of the first time my daughter texted me those 3 letters. Lots of love to you, too, I texted back. She cracked up. How was I supposed to know? I mean, didn't LOL mean lots of love before texting came along?

Texting for Seniors

Since more and more Seniors are testing and tweeting there appears to be a need for a STC (Senior Texting Code). If you qualify for Senior Discounts this is the code for you.


ATD:
At The Doctor's

BFF:
Best Friend Fainted

BTW:
Bring The Wheelchair

BYOT:
Bring Your Own Teeth

CBM:
Covered By Medicare

CGU:
Can't get up

CUATSC:
See You At The Senior Center

DWI:

Driving While Incontinent

FWB:
Friend With Beta Blockers

FWIW:
Forgot Where I Was

FYI:
Found Your Insulin

GGPBL:
Ota Go Pacemaker Battery Low!

GHA:
Got Heartburn Again

HGBM:
Had Good Bowel Movement

IMHO:
Is My Hearing-Aid On?

LMDO:
Laughing My Dentures Out

LOL:
Living On Lipitor

LWO:
Lawrence Welk's On

OMMR:
On My Massage Recliner

OMSG:
Oh My! Sorry Gas.

ROFL... CGU:
Rolling On The Floor Laughing... And Can't Get Up

TTYL:
Talk To You Louder

WAITT:
Who Am I Talking To?

WTFA:
Wet The Furniture Again

WTP:
Where's The Prunes?

WWNO:
Walker Wheels Need Oil

GGLKI:
(Gotta Go Laxative Kicking In)

Monday Man Candy

Wouldn't you just like to reach out and run your hand over those abs?

That's right baby, I still got it.

You know, life is about sacrifices, and doing what's right. This post is meant for my soul mate's son, who won't see it. He won't talk to us, he won't return our calls. He uses his wife as a go between because he can't "deal" with it. Not because he doesn't care. Because he doesn't want to think about his dad passing away. Doesn't want to see him sick.

We all have to deal with unpleasant things in life. It helps us grow and become strong, it's part of living. Doesn't mean we have to like it. And no one wants to see their parent sick and possibly dying. But it happens. I went through it with my dad and mom and I know I'll go through it again when my step-father passes. Right now though, it's about my soul mate.

We've been together 17 years. A few weeks ago he was diagnosed with a bone infection. We were warned with his low immunity and other health issues, coupled with his age, that this was a very serious time. The intravenous antibiotic they have Earl on is very toxic. He was supposed to receive a dose once a day, but because it started building up in his system they come out every other day. The nurse.

The bottom line is he's not doing well right now. He needs someone with him round the clock, at least until the treatment is over in another 3 weeks. After that we will have to make a decision none of us wants to think about. But it's about doing what's right for Earl.

Right now I can spend weekends with him, and nights, but I work full time during the day. So I asked his sons to come and help. I only asked them for one week each. The one from Boca Raton is coming Monday. The other, who lives in Oklahoma, won't talk to us.

I wish he could see his dad. Hear how he mumbles under his breath that he doesn't understand why his son won't call or come. It's so sad. Because this son used to call him faithfully every weekend. The medication makes Earl forgetful, very weak, and he sleeps most of the time. It doesn't appear he's reacting very well to the antibiotic. He's in terrible pain.

Is he dying? God  I hope not, but it's a good possibility he won't bounce back from this. And his son will have to "deal" with that. And any regrets he has for not doing the right thing. For not seeing his dad possibly one last time.

We have a release date!

February 1, 2012!

Monday Man Candy

Oh baby! Getting ready for work? Be careful zipping up!

Okay, I hope I don't offend anyone. This picture is what came up the other day when I googled - pictures of blue balls.

I was actually looking for a picture of a plain blue ball! You know, the kind you throw?

Good morning all! Just popping in to say happy Sunday. It's raining here. Has been all weekend. But you know I love it. It's the kind of steady rain that really soaks into the ground and leaves everything looking so new and green. Course, no one likes driving in it, including me. Makes the roads so dangerous and a couple of times I felt like my car was on skies.

I hope this means a change in the weather for us. For a while anyway. The last few days have been really nice. I haven't worked up a sweat in a week! LOL And that usually requires just opening up the front door in Florida:)

You've got to read this review!

The reviewer wrote up a great review for The Promise and there was no way I could just pick a snippet to share with you all. Please check it out at Two Lips. Thanks!

Thought this was cute!

TRUE STORY FROM A KANSAS STATE HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER

I made a traffic stop on an elderly lady the other day for speeding on U.S. 166 Eastbound at Mile Marker 73 just East of Sedan , KS . I asked for her driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. The lady took out the required information and handed it to me. In with the cards I was somewhat surprised (due to her advanced age) to see she had a conceal carry permit. I looked at her and ask if she had a weapon in her possession at this time.

She responded that she indeed had a .45 automatic in her glove box. Something---body language, or the way she said it---made me want to ask if she had any other firearms. She did admit to also having a 9mm Glock in her center console. Now I had to ask one more time if that was all. She responded once again that she did have just one more, a .38 special in her purse. I then asked her what was she so afraid of.

She looked me right in the eye and said, "Not a damn thing!"

I've Always Liked Spiders!

I don't know why. And I hate killing them. The only reason I do is because I'm afraid it might be a brown recluse or a black widow. I've heard horror stories about them! Or, I'm afraid they'll get on the kids. I read somewhere that every spider is poisonous. The other day at work there was a huge spider in a huge web. It was beautiful but very frightening because of the size. I mean, it was big enough that I could see the eyes. I made sure to stand back far enough because I was afraid it would jump on me. Then I saw the article below. Good to know. However, this particular spider was right next to an over grown wooded area, and could very well have been one of those jumping spiders!

That Nasty, Hairy Spider on the Wall is Going to Jump on You any Second Now

In the United States, there is only one family of spider, called Salticidae, that is capable of jumping, and these spiders are not commonly found in houses (they prefer forests). Generally, spiders do not seek people out and attack them. It's not in their nature. Spiders are only going to crawl across you if they're headed somewhere and you're in the way. As for the hairiness—what can I say? They are indeed hairy. But personally I find them to be quite darling.

We have a guest today!

Hi, everyone. I’m so happy to be at Romance with an Attitude today! My thanks to Tory Richards for inviting me to her house to play.


Every writer sets limitations on what they write, especially romance writers, because face it – we write about love, and sex is a big part of a healthy, loving relationship. I actually started out writing mainstream romance – the kind with little or no sex on the page. Since none of that stuff has been published, you can see how well that worked out for me. I hadn’t read much erotic romance, and I didn’t think I would ever be comfortable writing explicit sex scenes.

Then one day, I had an idea. It started out as a way to occupy my brain on family cruise. There’s lots of down time on a cruise, which is of course the point of cruising, but my brain isn’t used to all that inactivity. This idea took hold, and when I returned home to my computer, I began to write the story of a young dot com millionaire who owns a hedonistic cruise ship.

I’d never written anything like it in my life. I blushed and fanned myself as I wrote scene after scene of very explicit sex. I laughed at my own reaction, and kept writing. Whatever limits I’d put on my writing sank to the bottom of the ocean as THE LUST BOAT sailed out of dry dock and into publication. Since then, I’ve come to terms with my erotic writing.

As the Lothario (aka The Lust Boat) sailed again, and again, I broke through more of my self-imposed limits. I’ve explored a wide variety of sexual fantasies and fetishes, and tackled a few stereotypes along the way, among them the stereotypical dominatrix and her submissive man. For that one, I’ve stepped off the cruise ship onto dry land in STILL TAKING CHANCES.

I’m sure there may be people like Mary Beth Winters, but I’ve never seen anyone like her in romantic BDSM literature. She’s cute, petite, and could easily pass for the stereotypical girl next door. Only Mary Beth has a toy chest filled with the most wicked toys, and she knows how to use them. Then, there’s Elgin Huddleston, an alpha male by anyone’s standards. Until he met Mary Beth, he’s never served a dominatrix who demands his complete surrender, or one capable of earning it. It’s an epic struggle, with lives, hearts and reputations on the line.

So, what won’t you find in one of my books? Boring, narrow-minded, or stereotypical characters. I try to make my characters someone you would like to know in real life, then I give you a glimpse at what makes them unique, whether it’ s a kinky sex life, a heart of gold, or a first class brain. And if they have hot steamy sex often, then more power to them!

I’d love to hear what makes a character memorable for you. Leave a comment, or drop me a line via one of the links!


Author Bio –

Roz Lee has been married to her best friend, and high school sweetheart, for over three decades. These days she splits her time between their home in rural New Jersey, and Southern California, where her husband works. Even though she’s lived on both coasts, her heart lies in between, in Texas. A Texan by birth, she can trace her family back to the Republic of Texas. With roots that deep, she says, “You can’t ever really leave.”

Roz and her husband have two grown daughters they couldn’t be more proud of, and are currently raising a ten-year-old Labrador Retriever, Betty Boop, who isn’t aware of her canine heritage.

When Roz isn’t writing, she’s reading, or traipsing around the country on one adventure or another. No trip is too small, no tourist trap too cheesy, and no road unworthy of traveling.

Blog: http://www.authorrozlee.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.rozlee.net/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorrozlee

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Iwriteromance

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/rozlee

Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/rozlee

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dolores-maroney-roz-lee/21/650/8a0

Blurb –

After a mission in a South American jungle goes wrong, DEA Agent Elgin ‘Hud’ Huddleston returns to his boyhood home to lick his wounds. Despite his better judgment, Hud is drawn to the woman across the street, a petite Dominatrix with a freeze your balls off name.

Mary Beth Winters packed away her toys and put the BDSM lifestyle behind her years ago when she realized the men she dominated didn’t need her as much as she needed them. But when a troubled bad-boy, Elgin ‘Hud’ Huddleston, moves in across the street, she dusts off her toy box and risks her heart to help him heal.


Excerpt -

Her eyes raked over him and he had the impression she was mentally undressing him as thoroughly as he’d undressed her in his mind. Something about her perusal made him want to squirm, but he held still. “Do you always wear black?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Yeah, he could play this game. She jumped off the high stool she’d been sitting on, and walked around the worktable. He followed her with his eyes, admiring the curve of her legs and the fine bones in her feet and ankles. She stopped and dug around in a large pink canvas bag that sat on the end of the flower-print covered sofa along the long wall opposite the door. His heart almost stopped beating when she pulled out a serious looking set of leather handcuffs and a length of chain. Whoa there! Where the hell did she get those? All the fight went out of him.

“Hold out your hands.”

Hud allowed her to fasten the cuffs around his wrists. She hooked them together with a short length of chain that looked like it came from a hardware store. If he twisted his hands around, he’d be able to unfasten the cuffs, he reasoned, as panic threatened to set in. He was momentarily distracted by the sweet curves of her ass as she walked away from him. She picked up a step stool and dropped it next to his feet. “Take your shoes off.”

He toed his shoes off and kicked them to the side. When he looked up from his task, Mary Beth was on the step stool, a head above him. In one hand, she held an S hook attached to a chain and pulley, the other she reached down to him. “Give me your hands.”

Hud swallowed hard and lifted his shackled hands. For the first time, he thought he might have underestimated Mary Beth Winters. She looped the chain at his wrists through the hook, and with a hand on the pulley chain, she jumped off the stool. Hud watched in dawning horror as she pulled the chain tight enough to make his shoulders burn and secured the pulley chain to a hook on the wall, well out of his reach even if he had his hands free. He cursed under his breath. How had he missed the chain pulley overhead? If he’d been on a mission, a mistake like that would mean he’d be dead.

Make sure you leave a comment folks! The author is giving away a copy of the book KINKY CUPCAKES to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon GC to the blog host with the most comments.

Welcome Scarlett Scott

I'm pleased to announce Scarlett Scott will be spending the day with us here and sharing an excerpt and blurb on her new release. She'll also be talking about how she came up with the title! Something not always easy to do.

Scarlett Scott writes sexy historical and contemporary romances. She lives with her hero and their adorable but occasionally evil puppy.

Blog: http://scarscoromance.blogspot.com

Twitter: @scarscoromance

The feared art of the book title

I’m finally finished writing a book. I’ve worked hard on researching, writing, plotting, editing, and revising. I’ve read it and reread it. Now there is only one dreaded thing left to do. Give it a title. Ugh.

To be honest, one of my least favorite parts of writing a book is finding a title. It’s nerve-wracking. This is the title all my hard work will be known by forever. Giving your book a title is kind of like getting a tattoo. You better like what you chose because it’s not easily removed.

A title is really quite important, I’ve discovered. Readers like attention-grabbing titles and cover art. The cover art is out of my hands. The title? Not so much. It’s all up to me to create something clever. Something that fits the book. Something my publisher can happily live with. How on earth do I do that?

I’ve had different strategies for different books. For Reprieve, for instance, I wanted a title that embodied the entire premise of the book. Sophie is saved by Trevor in more than one way, so Reprieve seemed a good fit. The title for A Mad Passion was inspired by a quote by Oscar Wilde. I’ve also used character dialogue when coming up with titles. But all too often, my poor books are known as the name of a character until I finish writing them and finally decide on a real title. Reprieve went by Sophie and Trevor for quite some time!

Thanks for letting me drop in. I look forward to chatting.

Blurb -
It’s been a year since Sophie lost her husband and daughter in a car wreck but time hasn’t healed her wounds. A desperate choice leads her to Trevor, the handsome stranger who saves her life and leaves her wanting more than just a few steamy kisses.

Trevor is content living the fast-paced life of a successful NYC entrepreneur. The last kind of complication he needs is a troubled woman like Sophie. But he’s immediately drawn to her even if his bachelor instincts scream for him to run.

As Sophie struggles to fight her growing feelings for Trevor, she’s torn between her past and the future. Somehow, she has to find the strength to finally let go and move on with a man who is everything she never thought she wanted.


Excerpt -
“Sophie, I want to kiss you.”

His grip on her waist tightened, pulling her body into contact with his. Every inch of his muscled form pressed into her softness. Her breath left her lungs in a faint whoosh. The feel of him against her was so arousing, so right. His arousal pressed against her abdomen.

“Do you want me to kiss you, Sophie?” Trevor’s warm breath fanned her lips.

“No. Yes.” She blinked. “I don’t know.”

She couldn’t do this. Peter’s memory deserved better than this, her pawing some stranger in the kitchen. He had been such a good, kind man. He deserved better.

But even as the thoughts swirled through her mind, she was pressing closer to Trevor, basking in his heat and touch. She ran her hands up his arms, then down over his chest, enjoying the ripple of powerful muscles beneath her fingertips.

Trevor’s lips were half an inch from hers, on the brink of the kiss she so desperately craved. All she had to do was lean into him.

“Kiss me, Sophie.”

She hesitated for the briefest second, then leaned forward, brushing her lips hesitantly over his. He groaned, his hands roaming over the small of her back in a caress. The chaste kiss deepened as Trevor angled his lips over hers, applying just enough force to make her want more.

There's a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate offered up by the author folks so make sure you leave a comment and follow the tour. The more you comment the more chances you have of winning! The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/08/goddess-fish-promotions-is-organizing.html

 

Good luck!

Monday Man Candy

 I've never seen an iron and iron board look so good! Lucky iron board:)