Say Thank You

I know we're all so busy. We have jobs and families and homes and all the other things life throws at us. And on most days we can carry on with all those things in our life without worrying about more than getting someplace on time or forgetting to pick up the milk.

If you didn't do it yesterday, and you know, even if you did, say Thank You to a veteran. If those brave individuals weren't willing to put their lives on the line for us, we might be worrying about a whole lot more.

Natasha
Silken Canvas - coming Dec 25th
www.natashamoore.com

Decadent Chocolate Pizza

With the Holidays just around the corner, I thought I’d share a quick-and-easy treat that’s sure to please everyone with a sweet tooth. This super-simple (and totally decadent!) chocolate pizza recipe is featured in my erotic romance Snow White And Her Seven Lovers.

In my story, the chocolate pizza is a project worked on in the kitchen by the sweet baker Dopey – er, I mean Paul – and Snow White – er, I mean the heroine of the story, Blanche.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

-          one package brownie mix

-          one container cake frosting (chocolate)

-          one bag (bite-sized or regular) peanut butter cups (optional)

-          one bag chocolate chips (milk or dark chocolate)

-          one 8 oz. jar hot fudge sauce

Directions

-          Follow directions to make brownie mixture, then spread brownie mixture in round, flat pizza pan. Bake in oven until done (as per brownie directions). Let cool. (This acts as the pizza “crust.”)

 

-          When brownie is cool, spread chocolate frosting in thin layer over entire brownie pizza base (Frosting signifies the pizza “sauce.”)

-          Cut peanut butter cups into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle chocolate chips and/or peanut butter cup pieces generously over pizza. (These are your pizza “toppings.”)

-          Warm hot fudge sauce in microwave. Drizzle over pizza in cross-hatch design (or any design of your choice)

What do you think? Sound yummy? Who needs sex when a girl can have an oral orgasm like this, right? How about you? Have any super-simple yet to-die-for dessert recipes to recommend?

Jenna

Sexy...Politicians Redux

In light of the recent VIE (Very Important Election), I’m re-posting part of a post I did about politicians being sexy. What do you think? Whether you voted for Romney or Obama, who do you think is sexier? Could either have been the hero of a romance? They each carried millions of votes, but could either carry a novel?

Here’s the post:

Yes, there's romance in politics, and I'm not referring to sex scandals. George and Laura Bush, Barack and Michelle Obama, Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter, John and Abigail Adams, George and Martha Washington--all these couples have carried an aura of romance throughout their tenure as first couples.

However, we also have JFK and Jackie, Bill and Hillary, and other couples whose relationships have been tabloid fodder for years. Needless to say, having a relationship in politics looks anything but easy...or sexy. Throughout the ages, we've had politicians whom many considered attractive or blessed with sex appeal, including our last and current presidents, some governors, and even some senators. However, I think if we did a poll, most people would probably say they like to think of a politician, especially a president, as focused on leading the country and working for his/her constituents as opposed to being like the hero/heroine of a romance or erotic novel. Therein lies my problem.

As I bemoaned when I posted about the Super Bowl, there aren't too many heroes in romances who are athletes, and there are even fewer who are politicians, if any. Most of the time, politicians are the bad guys, or, even if they're the good guys, the hero is usually working to serve and protect the heroine (like a bodyguard or secret agent). While intellectual power is sexy and physical power is sexy, a man with both intellect and physical power is even sexier.

For some reason, romance and politics just don't mesh. That's not too say that politicians can't or don't have good marriages or love relationships; they just have realistic ones. Real relationships are tough gigs and take a lot of work, even when two people are desperately in love. While that can be subtext in a romance, I think many readers, like me, don't want it to be blatant.

As ever, writing this post got me to thinking. Besides politicians and athletes, who else should I probably not use as a hero in a novel?

1. Cannibals (whether fine and young or not)--Big no-no. While the potential for conflict here is exciting--should I propose or make her into a nice souffle?--I don't think this would be believable.
2. Zombies--While vampires sucking your blood during an encounter can be tre sexy, having a zombie chomping your fingertips off instead of kissing them would just kill the mood.
3. Writers--I just added this to see if anyone was reading, but now that I think about it...
4. Lemur shape-shifters--I do have a lemur shifter who appears in one book, which is about to be reprinted, but he's not the lead. The lead shifter was a tiger...grrrr!

So, a politician be a hero in a romance novel--have you seen it? Do you want to see it? I think there's a phrase, "Politics makes for strange bedfellows." Hmmmm...

I am Cameo Brown, and I approve of this blog post.

All Finished

On Saturday at 5:12 P.M. I sent the second book of my Awakenings Series to my editor, thus ending a whirlwind 33 days. Now I'm taking  a break from writing for a few days to just enjoy the aftermath of finishing a book. And I'm stress-free for the first time in weeks, lol.

So what have I done since Saturday?

Mostly tried to stay away from the computer as much as possible. Over the last month, if I wasn't at my day job, my computer was on my lap. It's feels good to be detached from it for a bit:) It won't be long and I have to start the third book.

I've also caught on my shows that I got behind on. I still have two episodes of Dexter to watch, but I'm completely caught up on Homeland, and all I can say is WOW! I seriously, seriously love this show. IMHO, its the best series on TV. Now a friend of mine completely disagrees with that, saying The Walking Dead is.

I can see that. I also love The Walking Dead. In fact, this last episode totally blew me away. No spoilers. I promise. 

I also had The Last Resort, Elementary, and Revolution to catch up on.

Is anyone else as amazed as I am that Miles from Revolutions was also Bella's dad on Twilight? Talk about total transformation into total hotness.
 
But that's what I've been up to.

What shows do you have to put on hold when you're under deadline?

Abby

Stirling Castle, Scotland Part 1: The Front

After a good night’s sleep in Glasgow, our first day in Scotland this year we drove to Stirling Castle and arrived just before it opened. Even though I’d been to Scotland before, I’d never visited Stirling. I remember on my first trip that my friend and I saw the Wallace Monument in the distance as our tour bus sped by the town several miles away. I decided then that I’d visit Stirling one day. :)

 When we arrived, it was a misty morning. Very Scottish.  I was afraid I’d meet another car and have a difficult time passing on the very narrow street, Upper Castlehill, that led up to the castle. Stirling Castle is situated on top of a long extinct volcano. But we had no problems. The view from the top out over the valley was spectacular, as was the Wallace Monument in the distance and the statue of Robert the Bruce which stands just in front of Stirling Castle. He was King of Scots 1306 to 1329.

The Wallace Monument (below) is a 220 feet high sandstone tower on the summit of Abbey Craig and commemorates Sir William Wallace. It was completed in 1869 and is of the Victorian Gothic style. Abbey Craig is another volcanic crag. Some say William Wallace watched the gathering English army from this hilltop just before the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Since we were early, we walked around the perimeter of the parking area, where a lot of history can be seen. One of the first things that drew our attention was this pyramid. The Star Pyramid sits outside the Church of the Holy Rude (Holy Rude means Holy Cross) next to the Valley Cemetery. William Drummond commissioned William Barclay to build the pyramid in 1863 out of sandstone. A Bible and Confession of Faith were sealed inside the inner chamber.  It is dedicated to those who suffered martyrdom in the cause of civil and religious liberty in Scotland. A garden surrounds the structure. The Star Pyramid contains texts and emblems such as: Union Banner, Rock of Ages, Covenant Rest, Thrown of Right, a marble Bible, a carved circular rosette, a thistle and a crown with references to verses from the Psalms.

We saw the Church of the Holy Rude (below) but I didn't get a photo of the front of it. The first church which sat on this site was built in the 1100s. The oldest part of the current church is from the 1400s. The infant King James VI was baptized here in 1567. And he was also crowned here when he was 13 months old. The catholic Mary Queen of Scots worshiped here and the protestant John Knox preached here. In 1656, when a lot of the country was divided by religion, the church was divided into two parts by a wall. This wall wasn’t removed until 1936.

 The plaque below this sculpture above reads: Erected by the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers & Men of the XCI [or 1^st Battalion] Princess Louise’s [Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders] to the memory of these comrades who lost their lives in the service of their country during the South African War October 1899 to May 1902.

The Outer Defenses of Stirling Castle. Today’s entry gate was created between 1708 and 1714. It is a functional barrier that would have absorbed cannon fire. It has low but massive walls, pepper-pot sentry boxes and a deep ditch. Originally there was a drawbridge over this. Now it is a regular wooden bridge. Cannons were aimed at this spot to fire on any enemies during a siege. There were two firing galleries beyond the bridge where muskets would’ve been fired on attackers.

 The Forework was erected by King James IV and completed sometime around 1500 to 1506. It now appears to be a concealed inner entrance but was originally built as a highly visible and impressive façade. Hundreds of years ago it was five stories high with pointed conical roofs. The triplet gatehouse (a gatehouse with three doorways, a large one in the middle and two smaller ones on each side) was originally more than twice as high, topped with a wall walk.

Next time, I'll share more photos and we'll go inside the various buildings and rooms of Stirling Castle and also see more great views.
Thanks for checking it out!
Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com

Battle-hardened warrior Dirk MacLerie isn't who everyone thinks he is. He's Dirk MacKay, heir apparent to the MacKay chiefdom and Dunnakeil Castle on the far north coast of Scotland. When he returns home after a long absence, will his clan know him and will the duplicitous enemy who tried to murder him twelve years ago kill him in truth this time? 

Lady Isobel MacKenzie is a beautiful young widow betrothed to yet another Highland chief by her brother's order. But when her future brother-in-law accosts her and threatens to kill her, she is forced to flee into a Highland snowstorm. When she runs into a rugged and imposing man she thought dead, she wonders if he will turn her over to her enemy or take her to safety. 

Dirk remembers the enchanting, dark-eyed Isobel from when he was a lad, but now she is bound to another man by legal contract—an important detail she would prefer to forget. She wishes to choose her own husband and has her sights set on Dirk. But he would never steal another man's bride… would he? The tantalizing lady fires up his passions, testing his willpower and honor at every turn, even as some of his own treacherous clansmen plot his downfall.
My Brave Highlander is available in ebook from various booksellers such as Amazon and in paperback.

Guest Post: Miranda Baker & Giveaway

My good friend, Miranda Baker, is my guest today at Fierce Romance. She has a new release from Samhain and I'm so glad she stopped by to answer some questions and share an excerpt with us! And don't miss out on a chance at the cool contest prize she's offering!

Q: Miranda – congrats on the release of HOOK UP your latest Come Again story. Tell us about it!

A: Thanks! I’m really excited to get Crystal’s story out into the world! A one-night-stand in college blew her mind – literally. Here’s the blurb:

A blast from the past can be hell on the heart.

“Spend the night with me, Crystal.”

One college hook-up with Ryan Anderson ripped Crystal LaRusso’s emotions wide open and hot-wired her to the world around her. After gaining control of her new abilities, she rebuilt her life and started a business as a sensual psychic. She’s bold, fearless and, admittedly, a little freaky. Black leather, exotic makeup and a reputation for only dating women keeps the world at a necessary distance—distance she can’t maintain when Ryan reappears in her life.

Ryan has spent the last ten years wondering what went wrong between them, and now that she’s back in his life, Crystal has a lot of explaining to do. The chemistry is just as potent as it was ten years ago, so why does she keep running away? One night won’t be enough to satisfy Ryan’s need for her, but it might take the edge off. At the very least, he can ask her why she broke his heart—and this time he’s not leaving without an answer.

Product Warnings
This book contains an unforgettable one-night stand, a heroine with a taste for beautiful women, a quest that begins in a sex shop and ends in a sex club, and enough mind-blowing psychic sex to change one lucky man’s life forever.

Hook Up Excerpt:

The door to Come Again opened just as he reached it and a pink-cheeked redhead stepped outside and held the door for him.

“Thanks,” he said, glad to be spared the awkwardness of trying to open the door while holding two hot coffees and a bag of goodies.

He spotted Crystal behind the counter.

“Be right with you,” she called. Her back was turned as she reached to hang a pair of fur-lined handcuffs on the wall behind her. He wasn’t exactly sure what she was wearing, but it was black and made out of leather and something shiny. There were an ungodly number of hooks and laces across the back. It reminded him of a Chinese puzzle box he’d had as a kid. It had kept him busy for hours unhooking latches and bolts to get inside. When he had discovered the trick, it had been fiendishly simple. One button and the lid had popped open like magic. He wondered if Crystal’s complicated getup had a simple catch too. Maybe a hidden zipper?

She turned around and her welcoming smile disappeared. The heavy black lines around her eyes made them look huge and deep, and her lipstick was so dark it looked like it had been applied with a black Sharpie marker. It should have looked garish, but it suited her.

She crossed her arms and the movement plumped her breasts above the neckline of her top. What the hell is that thing? How does it stay up? How does it come off? He itched to get his hands on the closures.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Bringing you coffee.” As he set her mocha on the counter, he saw an empty cup with chocolate residue on the bottom. “But I see you’ve had your fix today. My instincts were right on, but I guess I’m a little late.”

“I’d say that about covers our situation.” She slid onto the stool behind the counter and crossed her legs. The band of smooth white skin between the top of her fishnet stocking and her miniscule skirt made him dizzy.

He swallowed hard, forcing his eyes back to her face. “What’s with all the black and leather? I don’t remember you as a goth girl.”

She smiled, tilting her head back to gaze at him through half-shut eyes. The long line of her neck made his mouth water. “People change, Ryan.” The way she said his name sang through him. “I’m more comfortable this way. It fits the whole psychic image, and frees me up to do what I do best.”

“What do you do best?” he asked, even though he already knew—make love like an angel, haunt a man’s dreams, set the standard so high that no other woman would ever measure up.

She shrugged. “I help people. I know what my clients want, what they need. I give them the good advice they would give themselves, if they only knew what to say.”

“How do you do it? I don’t remember you being psychic.”

She laughed. “We spent one night together, Ryan. I didn’t tell you all my secrets. Did you tell me all yours?” Her voice held no more than mild curiosity, but something about her blasé attitude didn’t ring true. Maybe it was the faint sheen of sweat on her forehead and upper lip. The tightness in her jaw. The way her heel twitched against the leg of the stool.

He leaned on the counter. “You tell me.” They were eye to eye, her sitting on the stool, him leaning forward. “Even if I did, I have more secrets now. Better secrets. Want to try to guess them?”

She shook her head. “I can’t read minds. Only emotions.”

She could read his emotions? Did she know he wanted to walk around the counter and stand behind her, brace her body with his and drop his face into the long, pale curve of her neck? From this distance, he could just catch the edge of her spicy perfume. It wasn’t enough. Couldn’t they drop the bull and have this conversation naked? Somewhere comfortable? Where she couldn’t run away for at least a week?

She swayed on the stool. “And I don’t have to guess how you feel right now. I can’t get away from it.” She took a deep breath and blew it out loudly. “Enough with the lust, Ryan. You’re giving me a headache.”

Surprise jerked him upright. “That is certainly not my intention.”

“Yes, I understand that. But we aren’t teenagers anymore.” Her indulgent smile made his hackles rise. She had moved on. She’d made that clear, but he still felt like she owed him an explanation.

“I have some questions for you.” He crossed his arms. He had assumed she was cleverly tapping a niche market with the whole sensual psychic gig. Was it possible she was telling the truth? If so, he had nothing to hide.

She jumped to her feet. “I’m sorry, but I have a client at four-thirty. I don’t have time to chat.”

“Actually, you do.” He pointed at the appointment book on the counter. “I booked your last slot.”

She grabbed the book and flipped it open. “Marvin Gaye?” Her voice held disbelief and fury.

“I couldn’t resist.” He took a sip of his cappuccino, now cool enough to drink.

“Isn’t that what you peddle? Sexual healing? I’ve needed a dose of that for ten years. Bring it on, Crystal. I’m waiting.”

Q What made you write this story? What influenced your ideas/characters?

A: Crystal inspired the entire Come Again series. I walked into a sex shop in Toronto, and there she was. We had a long chat about breastfeeding and silicone-based lubricants, and I walked out of the shop with a bottle of Gun Oil lube and the idea for the Come Again series. In fact, Crystal’s story was originally titled Come Again, but my genius editor loved the title so much, she stole it for the series. Man, my brain almost exploded coming up with another title for Crystal’s story! Although she was the first character to walk into my head, Hook UP took time to develop. It was built from hints and dialogue in the first two books of the series, Bottoms Up and SoloPlay. If sexy, smart-ass, relentless Ryan hadn’t walked on scene in SoloPlay, Crystal probably would have gotten her happy ending with a woman!

Q: Will Bonita’s story be next? Any hints you can give us while we’re waiting?

A: I’m working on Bonita’s story right now. Her childhood sweetheart is a mega-famous Hollywood movie star with a sexy dungeon in her walk-in closet. I got some great ideas for plot and setting while I was visiting my high school BFF in LA last summer, and I can’t wait for my favorite lesbian submissive to get her happy ending!

Q: I understand you may have a new series in the works. What can you tell us about that?

A: Superhero kink! Power Trip, the first book in the Double Helix series, will release in January. The hero is super-charged with electricity, and the heroine is the only woman who can touch him. I’m in love with every character in this book, and I wish I could clone myself to write faster.

Q: How do you fit your writing in around family and your work outside the home?

A: That is the ten-zillion dollar question in my life, especially now when I’m working full-time teaching pastry arts classes at a community college. I’m lucky to have a very understanding husband who supports my writing and also loves to cook and play with the kids. He is my superhero! He brings me coffee and sandwiches and is more than happy to help me brainstorm. *wink*

Q: Do you make 5 year/10 year goals? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A: Oh, Natasha…oh my God. I wish! I have daily goals, weekly goal and an epic to-do list. I dream about getting ahead of life, but it hasn’t happened yet. Since I have four days left of my current class and then a week off before the next one starts, I just want to survive until Christmas. In 5 years, I imagine I’ll be doing exactly what I’m doing now. Writing. Teaching pastry arts. Trying to set a good example for my kids. At least, I hope so! It’s a very good life, and I can’t complain.

Q: Where can we find you on the web?

A: My den of iniquity: http://www.mirandabaker.com
My home away from home: https://www.facebook.com/MirandaBakerfans
Or my favorite hangout: https://twitter.com/Miranda_Baker

Thanks so much for having me on the blog today, Natasha. You are a huge inspiration to me. I think of the writer’s journey as a path with many light posts, and you were holding up the first one. Hook Up is dedicated to you because it was the first story I wrote where you didn’t have to remind me that the emotions are as important as the sex in erotic romance! Woot!

And thank YOU for stopping by Fierce Romance today. Do you have a hero or mentor who inspires you? Who is it? How does s/he challenge you to grow? Leave a comment and I’ll enter your name in a giveaway for a Hook Up Survival Kit. The Hook Up Kit includes:

Orchid temporary tattoo (just like Crystal’s!)
Mini Magic 8-Ball (to check the auspices for a hook up)
E-copy of Bottoms Up, the first book in the Come Again series (because I can’t actually hook you up, but I can offer you a few hours of reading pleasure. If you already have it, you can re-gift it!)
Two STUDDED condoms (Safety first! In Hook Up, Ryan buys condoms at Come Again and discovers there is more to life than ribbed.)
Romance Trading Cards for Bottoms Up and SoloPlay (I love e-books, but I do miss actual book covers!)

Giveaway ends at midnight on 11/11/12! Let’s talk inspiration!

Cover reveal for My Tye

As I mentioned in the post I wrote when I returned to Fierce Romance last month, I have a new upcoming release! My Tye is a story I started writing way back in early 2011. I wrote it along with another book, flipping back and forth between the two for most of that year. I was about halfway done writing it when I received my breast cancer diagnosis. Needless to say, at that point my life kinda came to a screeching halt. The book--the books--were put on the back burner as I concentrated on my health and treatment.

As the months moved on, though, the itch to write returned. The desire would come sporadically, hitting me during the "good" weeks of chemo, again when chemo was over, and then more forcefully after I recovered from surgery.

Come September, My Tye was a "go" once again! And as soon as writing "the end" was within my grasp, the words just started pouring out of me. I smiled ear to ear when I hit the send button and turned that book in to my editor. It was a relief, a huge accomplishment and a moment I won't soon forget. My Tye is quite frankly the book that bisects my life, and for that reason--among others--it will always be very special to me.

Up close with My Tye cover model David.

And the cover! Whoa, Syneca knocked it out of the park. Tye is portrayed on the cover by model David Nieves. I couldn't be more thrilled that My Tye is his first cover. I know for certain that it won't be his last. Thanks, David!

I don't have a release date for My Tye yet, but as soon as I have one I'll post it. In the meantime, here's the tentative blurb and a quick excerpt. Enjoy!

Blurb: 

For years, Laine Morgan has fantasized about being bound and taken. After a night of testing the waters, all her erotic dreams shatter. Tossed into a hell she never expected, she’s forced to succumb to the protection of Sheriff Tye Carter—the star of her most vivid bondage fantasies.

Tye’s hidden his desires from Laine for over a year, but not anymore. She’s hurt and scared, which throws the Dom inside him into a rage. He’ll do anything to protect her, even move her to his ranch. But having her all to himself sends his control into a tailspin. And when Laine finally reveals her sexy secrets? All bets are off. Deep down, he knows he’s the only man who can give her everything she needs.

But there’s an enemy on the loose, one whose personal brand of hatred has been unleashed before. Laine’s life is on the line. In the span of a heartbeat, Tye’s is too. To save them both, he’ll have to surrender control to the one woman who might not be ready to accept it.

Excerpt: 

As he looked at her, his insides burst in a powder-keg of protectiveness and need. Of all those times he’d held back with her… Shit, he’d been kidding himself to think it was just because of his position in town, or even because of hers. Tye could’ve—hell, probably even should’ve—been up front from the beginning. With the gentlest of touches, with the simplest smile and an honest word of sincerity, she could’ve been his by now. But he hadn’t said anything—and Christ, he regretted it now. Finally touching her, finally soaking in the warmth of her skin, he knew. He knew he’d wasted so much time.

He cautiously held her face in his palms and stroked her skin. Her battered cheek, her quivering chin. Her full bottom lip, moist and soft against his thumb. He wanted to kiss her. Ah God, he was going to kiss her.

Leaning forward, he brushed her lips with his. Careful not to hurt her—or Lord forbid freak her out—he pressed a little more. Her hands moved up his forearms until she held onto his wrists, but she didn’t move or push him away. She kissed him back lightly, maybe a little unsure. But then her lips parted, and he had to bite back a groan.

Oh hell, she tasted so good. The salt from her tears mixed with a flavor he instinctively knew was pure Laine. He wanted more, needed more…

But instead he pulled away and cautiously rested his forehead against hers. She met his gaze, and the tears welling in her beautiful brown eyes nearly broke him. She burst into tears at that point. Tye held her, rocked her. Tried to ease a bit of the anguish she held inside.

But he failed at that, he knew it. Whatever it was that had Laine so scared was bigger than anything a hug and gentle rocking could take care of. She’d cried only a few minutes, just enough to let a little of it out, then drifted off again.

Two hours later, the sun began to rise as Tye stared out her hospital room window, listening to her strong, even breaths. She thought she was going to leave this morning, just take off to who-knew-where, but he knew better. After he got a glimpse of her fear, there was only one place he’d be comfortable with her going.

His ranch.

He’d told himself a dozen times over the last hour that the idea of bringing her there had nothing to do with him kissing her, and had even less to do with the way she kissed him back. He’d put up a good front, even in his own mind. But in his gut he knew he’d been lying to himself.

He wanted her. And not in just a I want to lay you down and take you in a hundred different ways want. No, this was an I’ll protect you. Please God, let me protect you and keep you safe want.

Deep down he was conscious of his need to do that, even though he had very little time to process the desire. As he looked at her now, curled up underneath the stark white institutional sheets and blanket, a head-banging revelation shot straight through his heart.

If there was ever an award for cluelessness, he’d win it. Hands down, with no contest. He’d been an idiot. A certifiable, no-holds-barred fricking idiot. To not tell her how he felt in the first place… Damn it.

But the past was the past, and there was no going back to fix any mistakes. He had to look to the future now and do what he needed to do to ease her fears and set things right, all the while doing everything in his power to force her to see him as something other than a just a colleague or friend. He needed her to see him as something more. He needed her to see him as the man who would place his life on the line for her. As the man who would protect her, care for her and be there for her.

As the man who would do anything—anything—in order for her to have everything she ever wanted or needed.

Kristin

www.kristindaniels.com

www.facebook.com/authorkristindaniels

http://twitter.com/Kristin_Daniels