Christmas Winter Wonderland

Imagine snow-frosted boughs in a magical woodland, waving at you and swaying as you and your special someone begin a trek off the beaten path. Each breath brings the scent of pine and crisp, sweet air. The wind pats your cheeks and the guy beside you tightens his grip on your gloved hand. Sugar-powdery snow yields to your steps and softly whispers as your boots part a different pathway. You fling snow at each other and your laughter lofts skyward. A few snow angels later you’re brushing the season’s first snowfall from each other’s backs. Snowflakes swirl around you and tickle as they touch your lips. He pauses, pulls you into his arms in a close embrace and his lips warm yours in the most delicious way. The flame in your heart leaps higher as your bond deepens. He kisses a path down and back up your neck and nibbles just below your lobe. His softly-spoken promise teases the flame higher as it enters your ear—a hint of what lay ahead once the mountain retreat ends. Some cocoa or coffee. Sharing moments from Christmases past. Cuddling on the couch and finger-combing the windblown hair from each other’s brow. Toasting marshmallows and kissing the candied goodness from each other’s lips.

These are days that make life and love all the more worthwhile and certainly merry. How nice of nature to provide a backdrop for moments of bliss. A gift that keeps on giving fond memories long after the spring thaw.

Moments such as these don’t require jockeying for a parking place at a local mall. Or standing in a long line to complete your purchase. They chase away stress and don’t cost a dime.

But the time they take, and the love they make, are filled with a passion and fire guaranteed to melt the deepest snow before too many blinks.

As Christmas draws closer, I wish you and yours happiness and health for the holiday season and beyond. May your hearts and minds fill with memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Wishing you all many happy reading moments,

Shawna Moore
TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN -- Ellora's Cave
TORMENTED (Recommended Read) -- Ellora's Cave
ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave
HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora's Cave
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Who Needs a Fire?

A fresh snow blankets the ground. You and your special guy engage in a snowball battle and take turns combing the melting remnants from each other’s hair and coats. His playful swat finds you two chasing around the yard and steering around bushes and trees whose boughs are fat with snow. You turn the corner and make a break for the backyard, skirt a stout hedge and duck for cover. All remains silent. Success! He won’t find your hiding place. But as this thought crosses your mind, strong arms bundle you from behind and draw your teetering body closer to his. You wiggle free but not before a bit more snuggling—after all, winter clothes can only stave off so much of winter’s chill. His embrace holds an extra benefit—it also warms your heart. As a result of your morning yard run the snow lay heaped, and you’re inspired to build the season’s first snowman. The same gloved hands that earlier held yours while you and he navigated a slippery driveway are now sculpting a snow buddy beside which you’ll soon pose for some silly photographs. Once the camera is placed out of harm’s way, you and he fashion a few snow angels as your laughter lofts toward the cloudless sky.

He helps you to your feet and whispers a few romantic words. In a mad dash you head for the house. Once inside you shed your snow gear in the mud room or foyer and cut a path for the kitchen where a carafe of your favorite coffee or hot chocolate awaits you. You clink mug rims with him and sip some of the soothing beverage, but he has other plans. He places your mug beside his on the counter, takes you in his arms and carries you to the living room where a cozy fire crackles beyond the brick hearth. There’s nothing quite like the deliciousness of his warm lips skimming your cheek and chin and making contact with your mouth. His chest heaves beneath your hand. The embrace deepens, his next kiss leaves you breathless and silver bells peal. You gaze up at him, and his wink ignites you from head to heels. His nuzzles your neck. "Merry Christmas, Baby. Be mine forever." What a wonderful guy. Despite winter’s wrath and freezing temperatures, who needs a fire when you have love in your heart and romance in your life?

Wishing you all good health and much happiness for the holidays and beyond,

Shawna Moore

TORMENTED -- Available now at Ellora's Cave

ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave Exotika

HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora' s Cave Exotika

Shawna's Myspace

Helle's Myspace