Monday, December 24, 2012

Hurry down my chimney tonight! Santa, cutie!

http://tinyurl.com/bt6z5tb
Think of all the fun I'd miss,
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed.
Santa, baby.
Hurry down my chimney tonight!

Everywhere tonight, let there be love and peace.

And if you need a bit of it for your reading pleasure, do read my version of fun and love, SANTA CUTIE!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Wanna get NAILED? You should....


Get this one by Desiree Holt.
Not exactly an oldie, but wow, what a goodie!
Here is what she has to say about it:

Wow. Well, the heroine, in her persona as Flame, is a willowy exotic redhead with green cat’s eyes so either Bryce Dallas Howard The Help) or Julianne Moore (Magnolia). Dakota Fanning looks like Sarah’s eighteen-year-old confidant. I’d love to have Thure Reifenstein of Dark Blue World. He’s Tyler McMann come to life.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? 
Tyler McMann wants a permanent relationship with the perfect sub, but Flame is hiding secrets the restrict their relationship to one hour at a time.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? 
Neither. It’s  being released by Ellora’s Cave who took a chance on me six years ago. It’s been a truly happy marriage since then.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 
Nailed is a novella, so three weeks for the first draft then another to revise, fix, revise. I write about six hours a day so the words come pretty fast. 
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? 
I like to think I have the same emotional punch and impact as Joey Hill, especially her Natural Law and Knights of the Boardroom series.  Cherise Sinclair is another author who is outstanding in this genre. And of course, Sylvia Day with her new series.
Who or what inspired you to write this book? 
I have to say Joey Hill first inspired me not only to write erotic romance but to explore the world of BDSM. She write truly the most emotional, the most beautiful erotic love stories on the market today. Her books are the ones that made me understand the complexities of such relationships and why they are so intense and long-lasting.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? 
I hope people will be interested‑curious‑enough to test the waters of erotic romance, if they haven’t already, and the world of BDSM. It’s a misunderstood lifestyle and I think people will be really surprised if they take a chance on reading about it.


Saturday, December 15, 2012

SEALs on FIRE! January from SASSY 7! Look at these covers!


SEALs On Fire - Coming in January

A new Sassy Seven book series, coming in January from The Wild Rose Press SEALs on Fire - SEAL team Arapahoe

Conquering ZeusConquering Zeus by Cerise Deland 

Getting in the party mood for a weekend away with his SEAL teammates is no easy deal for “Zeus” Calderon. He’s hung up on a woman he saved from terrorists months ago, but he should be able to forget a gutsy blonde reporter who showed resilience and humor under fire. Shouldn’t he?


Kim Stansfield got the instant hots for the hunky Navy SEAL who led her out of harm’s way—and she’s got proof Zeus feels the same about her. He’s stubborn, but she’s devised a plan to conquer him.

When she shows up in Key West and surprises him on the beach, Zeus learns that once in a lifetime a man meets a woman he can’t forget—and every day without her is no easy day.

Coyote HeatCoyote Heat by Desiree Holt 

Miguel "Coyote" Cruz is happy to join his SEAL Team Arapaho teammates for a wild weekend at Key West. After all, they just came off a particularly tough mission and Coyote is ready to let it all hang out. The love 'em and leave 'em Cruz sees the female population of the tourist town as a veritable banquet for him. The last thing he expects is to meet a woman who gives new meaning to hot sex but who also singes his heart. What's a no-commitment SEAL to do?

Dagger's EdgeDagger's Edge by Brenna Zinn

Though well hidden, deep scars from Dean "Dagger" Gregory's troubled past have influenced each important decision he's ever made, including joining the military and keeping his distance from his best friend's sister, Mia Benson, the only woman he's ever loved. But after Dagger's friend strong-arms him into checking on the feisty redhead during his leave in Key West, he finds himself under sexual attack and with no desire--or willpower--to retreat.

Jagger's Moves by Allie Standifer

Jagger’s ready to cast off the weight of his SEALs responsibility, if only for a few days. Except his mom’s a pro with guilt which has him standing in the airport waiting for his childhood friend. Maybe a quick lunch, a fast game of catch up and he’d be out the door and on his way to the bar where his teammates were waiting.


Alexa’s eager to see Ty again if only to prove her silly girlhood crush was just that, a crush. Except when she finally sees him all those old feelings come rushing back combined with a woman’s needs that leave her trembling with desire.

A few days is all they have, but will it be enough for Lexa to finally put her fantasy hero in her past or will she permanently succumb to Jagger’s moves?

Jonesin' For ActionJonesin' For Action by Samantha Cayto 

Losing half a leg hasn't slowed down Aiden Jones. He can't deploy as a SEAL anymore, but that doesn't stop him from enjoying life as he always has. The one challenge left is to take a woman to bed. It's not his ability he questions, but his appeal. Can a woman overlook his damaged leg?


Marissa Nelson tends bar while working on her dissertation. Cautious by nature, hooking up with customers isn't her style, but Aiden tempts her to break the rules. More than the sum of his parts, he's a man who can rock her world.

Melting Ice by Nicole Austin 

Syndra Banks should be thrilled by an invitation to join SEAL team Arapahoe in Key West for a wild good time. Instead the text summons from Ice pisses her off. Why? Because he calls and she goes running, without fail, every damn time. And now she doesn’t have a choice. If Syn wants to get her personal life moving forward she has to see him again in person to break it off.


Thanks to his smokin’ hot lover, Master Chief Sam Westervelt is losing his edge. Syn is melting the ice that runs in his veins, turning it into a river of molten lust. His discipline is shot and he’s daydreaming about intense, steamy sex while on missions, putting his entire team at risk. But he has a surefire plan all figured out if he can just toe the line a little longer.

Sometimes getting what you want is as simple as reaching out, grabbing hold and not letting go.

Touching GhostTouching Ghost by Regina Carlysle

What a sweet little blast from his past! Ren “Ghost” Ramsey hadn’t planned on taking a trip back in time while Stateside with SEAL Team Arapaho but that’s what he gets when sweet Sadie Ballew buys a plane ticket to Key West and makes an offer he can’t refuse. Back in small town Oklahoma, he’d been the local bad boy complete with a chip on his shoulder and she’d been the only person who’d loved him despite it all. She’d been a girl then but things are a hell of a lot different now and Ren wants nothing more than to burn up the sheets with the sassy lady.


Ren was a man now. And what a man! Now a SEAL known as Ghost, a complete badass, infiltrator and spy, Sadie sees only the boy she’d loved and lost all those many years ago. His little R & R is just the excuse she needs to see if she’s woman enough to heat things up between them and claim him for her own…once and for all. Is she up for the challenge? Hoorah! Sadie is a woman who exactly what she wants… Ren in her bed and in her life. 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Naomi Bellina takes us into her bath and Out of the Ordinary!


http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1865

In my latest book, Out of the Ordinary, I have two scenes with a bathtub and one in a hot tub. My editor questioned one of them, asking why it was necessary for my heroine to bathe just then. Hmmm. It wasn't crucial to the plot at that point, yet there she was, climbing into a tub. Why was I so obsessed with baths? Maybe it's this cool and somewhat stressful time of year, making my bones ache and my muscles tighten. Nothing brings on instant relaxation like a hot soak. 

My ideal bathing spot would be a garden tub, so I could immerse my whole body while sitting. Unfortunately, I only have a standard bathtub, which doesn't allow for full body immersion, unless you're very short. Who came up with that design? Not a woman! Since I don't have the budget to remodel the bathroom, I work with what I've got. Here are the steps I follow to take the perfect bath.

Get the tub ready. I don't know about you, but my tub usually needs to be cleaned. It's not in the main bathroom, so it ends up serving as a utility sink to fill my mop bucket, and a home for a few spiders. Since I don't want to soak in chemicals, I'm going to use hand soap to scrub it. Yep, regular old liquid hand soap. It will clean the porcelain just fine, and any remaining residue won't bother my super-sensitive skin.

Oil, salts, etc. Epsom and Dead Sea salts have many healthful properties. I add a handful with most baths. I'm also going to squirt in scented jojoba oil to keep the moisture in my skin. I only use pure essential oils in my favorite fragrance, which varies depending on my mood. Am I feeling frisky, and want to get a little romance cooking, or do I just need to relax and unwind? 

Light some candles. Soy or beeswax burn the cleanest. I place them around the room to achieve the perfect lighting. Hint: if you plan to shave your legs in the tub, make sure you have a fairly bright one nearby. Dim lighting and razors don't mix.

Relaxing music. Sometimes I just want quite, but if I'm in the mood for music, I choose a soothing sound, usually harp or some other instrumental selection.

A glass of wine and a glass of water. I love a sip or two of wine, but water is necessary to stay hydrated, especially since I like to take super hot and steamy baths.

I've got everything in place. Now, I fill up the tub, swirl the water to dissolve the salts, add the oil, place my beverages nearby, and climb in. Ahhh, bliss! If your tub is large enough, invite your partner to join you, or at least to wash your back and your other fun parts. When you're done, take a tepid shower, slather on lotion or more oil, wrap up in a fluffy robe, and fall into blissful slumber, or, if you've been dallying with your loved one, their arms. 

I hope you've enjoyed reading about my perfect bath. How about you? Do you have any special ways to make bathing enjoyable? Leave me a comment, and enter to win your choice of one of my back list Ebooks (anything except Out of the Ordinary), or a bookmark/note card goodie pack, if you're in the US. My contest ends December 31st.

Thank you for reading, and Happy Holidaze to you and yours.


Out of the Ordinary blurb and excerpt:

After a devastating fiasco on her wedding day, still-single Star Lite longs for peace and quiet to nurse her broken heart. Instead of the uneventful summer vacation she has planned, she's transported to a strange planet with even stranger inhabitants, and an irritating but sexy man named Adam who claims he's a magician. Star senses danger in this place, and her suspicions are confirmed, as the two humans witness a bizarre display of power from a mad king. They form an uneasy bond and work past their differences as they look for a way to escape, and attempt to reason with two sensuous pixies, who are trying to protect their ruler. When the king makes a foolish decision, danger threatens the entire planet. Not one to give up without a fight, Star reluctantly agrees to a sexual experiment, where she discovers her untapped power of magic, and opens her heart to the possibility of love. 

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

Suddenly, a clap of thunder filled the air and a man appeared in the same spot where Star had just arrived. He too landed on all fours. 

“What is this? We’re not supposed to have two deliveries at once. And why are these humans landing so hard? They’re going to be damaged. Heavens and goddess protect us,” Roven exclaimed. 

The new arrival leapt to his feet and turned to her. 

“What’s going on?” He looked much as Star imagined she did, shocked, confused and angry. He also, however, appeared entirely human and rather attractive, which gave Star a bit of comfort. 

The elf man went to him and grabbed his arm. 

“If you’ll come with me…” 

“I’m not going anywhere with you, and get your hands off me before I punch you.” 

“Guards!” Roven yelled. 

Vesta took Star’s arm but Star shook off the woman’s hand. “Lady, I might just punch you, too. Leave me alone.” 

Several elves appeared carrying spears. They surrounded the human man and pulled his arms behind his back, then marched him away. 

“Please don’t make me call more soldiers. We’re running short today and His Majesty will be most upset if we take his palace guards. Come along quietly with me,” the elf lady implored. 

Star quickly evaluated the situation and decided resistance might not be the best choice. They had weapons, she didn’t. 

“Where are you taking me? Would you please tell me what’s going on?” 

“Later. I must get you to your room and prepare you for the banquet tonight. His Majesty insists all new arrivals be on time and properly attired.” 

The elf woman led Star down another stone path, through a huge, arched doorway and into an enormous open room. Star gazed around in wonder, feeling like she was in the middle of a Discovery Channel show touring an ancient palace. Large, ornate furniture filled the space and the stone walls were decorated with bright paintings. The woman walked too briskly for Star to have a chance to view the artwork up close, but she didn’t recognise any of the pictures. 

They climbed a winding staircase and arrived in a room that contained a bed, a dressing table, a couch and a few other pieces of mismatched furniture. There were no windows, Star noted to her dismay. She felt claustrophobia creeping in. 

“Here is a gown for you to wear. There’s a pitcher on your nightstand with water that is safe for you to drink. There’s a tub over there—the water should still be warm. I’ll help you undress and bathe.” 

“I don’t need help undressing and I certainly don’t need help bathing,” Star told her, wrapping her arms around her body. She would strike this woman if she tried to take her clothes off. Naked was not something Star did with just anybody. 

“We must hurry—His Majesty will be upset if we’re late.” 

“Yes, I get the picture, he doesn’t like tardies. If you won’t tell me where I am, at least tell me about this banquet, why I have to take a bath and who this Majesty person is. You drag me from my home, and expect me to follow your orders without giving me any information. What happens if I don’t want to obey you? Are you going to hurt me?” 

“Please, just do what I ask for now. We’ll have a lovely meal and then we can talk, I promise. We don’t want to hurt you. Now, let me assist you.” 

“I think I can handle bathing and dressing by myself. Really.” 

“Fine, I’ll leave you alone. Don’t try to leave, there will be a guard outside your door.” 

“And just where the hell would I go?” 

The woman winced. “You humans curse far too much. It’s not ladylike. I’ll come back for you shortly. Be ready.” 

Ladylike my ass. Wait till I get good and mad, I’ll show you guys ladylike. Star knew her language tended to get rough when she was scared and angry, and right now she was plenty of both. 

She took a quick look around the room but didn’t dawdle. She had no doubt the strange woman would return soon and would hustle her off to ‘His Majesty’, whatever her state of readiness. The elf woman was obviously rushed and stressed, and Star had noticed a glimmer of fear in her eyes. 

Taking a few breaths, she calmed herself. This whole thing was either a hallucination or a dream, and in either scenario there was no reason to panic because she would stop seeing things or wake up soon. 

The horrible notion that she had been abducted lurked in the back of her mind, but she pushed the thought aside lest she succumb to full-blown panic. Why would anyone kidnap her? And really, elf costumes? No, this was all the product of her overactive imagination, or maybe one of those delayed drug flashbacks she’d been warned about as a teenager. 

Prowling around the room, she discovered a small closet and what appeared to be a chamber pot hidden behind a curtain. Relieved, Star made use of the strange contraption then took a sniff of the water in the pitcher on the table. It smelt okay, and a small sip tasted fine, so she gulped down a cup. She then removed her clothes, dipped a toe to test the bath water and climbed into the tub. Using the sponge she found, she quickly scrubbed herself and had just towelled off and put on the gown when the elf woman walked in. 

“Oh good, a perfect fit. You look presentable. Sit here, I’ll do your hair,” Vesta said, pointing to the dressing table. 

Star moved hesitantly in the dress. She seldom wore long skirts and worried she would trip over her feet in this floor-length dress. This garment, however, was made of a light, airy material. The fabric moved with her, and after a few trial spins and turns, she had no concerns about stumbling. I can probably run in this if I have to. 
***
Out of the Ordinary




Naomi Bellina 
Adventurous erotic romance to tickle your fancy and unleash your libido
http://www.naomibellina.com/

Monday, December 10, 2012

Cuz you need more chocolate, FAST! My fudge sauce for your skin, your ice cream, your Honey.


CHOCOLATE SAUCE
For
Ice Cream, brownies and decadence!
A great gift, too!
By Cerise DeLand

Prep time: 10 minutes to unwrap the caramels!
Other? 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips (try the dark chocolate, too! Yummy!)
1 12 oz. bag of caramels
1 sticks butter (1/2 cup)
1 can evaporated milk

Mix in a bowl suitable for microwaving

Heat on high at 2 minutes or less per time*. For a total of 10-12 minutes. (Do not heat all at once, it will boil over.)

*Stir at each interval to mix the chips and caramel.

Remove from micro and stir to ensure all caramels are melted and butter is thoroughly integrated. 

Cool.

Refrigerate in mason jar or other ceramic. (If sauce is still hot when you transfer to a jar, be certain to put a long metal spoon in the jar so it does not crack form the heat!)

A great gift everyone loves!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

I COOK, babe! My newest! YUM! Fast! Anchovy lovers, unite!

So, yeah, I do more than cherries!
You know I love to cook! In more ways than one.
But here is my newest recipe that makes hubbie very happy.
Hope your Special Someone likes it too!

ANCHOVY AND CAPER SAUCE FOR PASTA


2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 (2 oz.) can Anchovy fillets, drained
    garlic, as many cloves as you like, minced
2 Tablespoons capers
2 fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 c. Parmesan, grated finely

This works well for 2 people over 10-12 oz. of capellini, vermicelli, spaghetti.

Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat.
Add anchovies, stir until they start to dissolve
Add garlic.
Add capers, tomatoes.
Saute for approx. 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
To your cooked, drained pasta, add one ladle (1/2 c. or so) of pasta water.
Add 1 c. Parmesan to your pasta, stir quickly, add 1-4 T. more pasta water if you wish.
Serve anchovy sauce over pasta!

Add a salad.
Serve with a pinot grigio or a red Brunello de Montepulciano. 

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Chocolate truffles, fast, at home? You have got to be kidding!

NOPE. No kidding.
At our house, here we nibble like mad on these. You should too!

Chocolate Truffles

10 oz. chocolate of your choice

1 c. heavy cream

4 T. butter, room temp.

1 T. light corn syrup

For coating:
Cocoa powder
Coconut
Nuts


1. Heat chocolate in microwave safe pot, stirring every minute until melted
2. Bring cream to a boil. Remove from heat. Add to chocolate.
3. Stir butter in slowly, stirring, until shiny.
4. Stir in corn syrup
5. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Pour mix in and refrigerate for 2 hours.
6. Remove from refrigerator and cut chocolate into uniform squares.
7. Form small round balls.
8. Roll in coating/s
Place each in small paper serving cups.
9. Return to refrigerator to remain cool.

EAT, SHARE and LICK each others' fingers!

Monday, December 3, 2012

THE RUT! At our house, see what's happening, baby!

Fresh from southwest Texas, 'tis the SEASON, baby, for the rut!
Here, for your viewing pleasure are a few pix of just a few of the happenings in my back yard. LITERALLY.
These are some BIG BOYS and we hardly ever see them come out from cover. This dude is a hefty 8 pointer!
We do see 10 and 12 pointers eager for action.
This next guy does not like the fact that I seem to be in HIS territory. He and our dog love to do the Mexican Stand-off thingie and our puppy is too young and too smart to challenge him. Thank god.
Here we have THREE BIG BOYS who cruise together. And two of them have a contest in mind. What you do not see are all the females to the right of this pix who, one might imagine, are having a girls' day out...looking for action?
Now we are getting down to BIZ, baby. BIZ. This horn-rattling went on for over an hour. Winner?
Who knows?
Do they rut in the open? Nope.
But they do...um...show the effects of having Done It. Dragging...you know what...around with them. AHEM. From this pix, you cannot tell what I mean but you do KNOW what I refer to.
riiiight.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

He Came Upon a Midnight Clear! Yeah, baby! Desiree Holt does Santa!

Buy here: http://tinyurl.com/9w9xgcf
Desiree Holt does Santa...proud. In this fab.u.lous holiday novella, Desiree shows us all what a great time you can have by flying at CHRISTMAS...alone (?)...to Alaska (?)...and going on a...blind date!
You gotta read this one.
I loved it.
Why? It is fun and realistic, but a great escape!
Blurb:
Cody Alvarez needed to find a wife by Christmas or he would lose the ranch his uncle left to him. Libby Morris just needed, for once in her life, to feel desired. Sensual. Appealing. Especially after an intense reshaping at a high-end spa. Invited to Christmas Week at the Castillo Lodge in Alaska by Madame Eve of 1Night Stand, Cody and Libby were not given the names of the partners chosen for them. As they were forced to wait until they learned who their one-night stands were, they discovered an incredible spark of chemistry and a connection stronger than either had experienced before. Would spending a very erotic night together ruin their arrangements or give them another option?

Want a taste?

Of course you do.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. COPYRIGHT 2012, DESIREE HOLT.


“I’m not very good at this,” she said slowly.
He squeezed her hand gently. “At eating dinner?”
She shook her head, still not looking at him. “At…small talk. Dating. Things like this.” Her cheeks felt so hot she thought they must match her lipstick.
“Libby?” Cody’s voice barely penetrated the fog of embarrassment. And he still had hold of her hand.  “Libby, look at me.”
Reluctantly she raised her eyes.
“I’m going to order us each another drink and then I’d be interested to find out why someone as beautiful and sexy as you has trouble in a social situation like this. Surely you must be beating the men off with a stick.”
She made herself breath evenly. She might as well tell him. They’d never see each other again and maybe he could give her some moral support. Besides, he made her feel comfortable, something her assigned date night not do.
The waiter cleared their dessert dishes, brought another glass of wine for her and bourbon on the rocks for Cody. He touched his glass to hers.
“To us. Two people enjoying a nice dinner.”
She laughed at that and swallowed some wine.
“Now. Let’s have it. What’s got you skittish as a newborn calf?”
“You’ll laugh at me.”
He smiled. “Darlin’, the last thing I’ll do is laugh. I promise.”
She took another gulp of wine. “Well, they say it’s easier to tell things to a stranger.”
“Oh, but we’re not strangers,” he protested. “Are we? We spent all that time on the plane together, right? But Libby? It’s still all right to talk to me. Tell me.” 
She drained her wine glass and held it out. “C-Could I have another drink? Please?”
Cody laughed. “Yes, but then I’m cutting you off. I don’t want anyone to accuse me of getting you drunk and taking advantage of you.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “I…You…”
He signaled for the waiter then picked up her hand again. She wished he’d never drop it. It felt so good and secure.
“Breathe,” he teased gently. “It’s okay. Just relax. If you don’t want to say anything you don’t have to. Really.”
“I’ve been fat and frumpy and boring all my life,” she blurted out then wished she could dive under the table. When he didn’t say anything she made herself look up and saw him staring at her. “What?”
He cleared his throat. “Libby. I have to say that those are three words I would never associate with you.”
The waiter brought their drinks and she paused long enough to sip some of hers. “That’s because you didn’t know me. Even now I have a long ways to go.”
“For what?” He sounded astonished.
“For, you know. To look like everyone else.”
“Why the hell would you want that? You’re perfect the way you are.”
She snorted. “Oh, sure. That’s nice of you to say but you don’t have to be polite. I just spent two months at a spa to get to this point.” He hadn’t stopped staring at her. “That’s why I booked this thing through 1 Night Stand. A woman at the spa told me about them.” Her face heated again. “I wanted an exciting, erotic night like my girl friends talk about. An adventure. You know. Hot sex.”
Oh, god, maybe the floor would just open up and swallow her.
Cody downed his bourbon in two swallows and signaled the waiter for the check.
“Finish your wine. We’re getting out of here.”
www.desireeholt.com