Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Tuesday Tease...



"I‘m not going anywhere, Em." His thumb played over her lips, back and forth, teasing the tiny nerves beneath the plump flesh. A gentle nudge requested entrance into the soft, wet warmth of her mouth while his eyes blazed; reminding her of the many other times, he‘d sought solace there. "Not until we get a few things straight."


Friday, January 27, 2012

Fabulous Friday Fun....

Out in the theaters today is One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.  I can't wait to see it.  Normally, I rarely see a show in at the theater, but I'll definitely make and exception for this one!  :D

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Tuesday De-Stressor...

Now who couldn't use a sure fire cure for stress...I know I could.  Are the instructions below a cure?  Probably not, but they couldn't hurt to try.  Well, sticking a finger in your ear might not be the most comfortable thing, but smelling a yummy candle sounds lovely. 

Check out the steps below courtesy of Braingle.  And may you all find a trigger of your own!

~Similar to how Pavlov's dog had associated food with the sound of a bell, it's possible to program your mind to associate some stimuli with being in a relaxed and calm state. This can be a very effect way of coping with stress.

The first step is to find a trigger that you can use on yourself. It should be something that doesn't happen in a normal day. Maybe it could be sticking a finger in your ear, pinching the back of your hand, or taking a whiff from one of your scent canisters.

The second step is to associate this trigger with the state of being calm and relaxed. Try to conjure up a vivid memory of a time in the past when you were totally at peace. Try to recreate all the sounds, smells and images. Once you think you have a good visualization, program it into your mind by sticking your finger in your ear, or whatever else you have chosen to be your trigger. In the future, whenever you are naturally feeling calm and relaxed you should reinforce your trigger by doing it.

Now that you have programmed your mind to associate the trigger with a relaxed state, you can use it whenever you feel stressed. Simply activate your trigger and you will immediately start feeling more relaxed.~

Friday, January 20, 2012

Friday Retro...


Look, it's me!  Okay, maybe it's me from a past life, but I can definitely see myself in today's retro picture.  I adore the fashion of the time - hats, big coats, and sturdy, yet gorgeous, shoes.  Then throw in coffee time girl gabs and yeah, I'm right there!

Pictures like this bring me back to my grandmother's closet; to a place of warmth, of comfort, and with that wonderful Grams smell filling the small space.  Then, of course, there was all of the fabulous hats & shoes I would try on like a fiend, practicing my high-heel walk.  My Grandmother's Closet...there's a poem there somewhere.  :)



Thursday, January 19, 2012

Thursday Story Slam - The Lady in Red

Image Credit to Whitebook @ DeviantArt, titled A Christmas Story for Rezzan


The lady in red waits beneath the gnarled old tree, sure her love will return one day.
The lady in red listens for his voice on the wind, sure she will hear it in time.
The lady in red watches the sky for his graceful glide; sure she will see it on the horizon.

He’d vowed to love her beyond his very last breath. 
He would be her champion in this life and onward into death.

The lady in red worries upon her knees, troubling is his late arrival.
The lady in red weeps among the leaves, firmly entrenched—deep in denial.
The lady in red withers below the branches, fearful he is lost to her.

She vowed to love him beyond her very last breath.
She would be his haven in life and in death.

The lady in red acknowledges the swift setting sun, their timing long gone.
The lady in red feels the oncoming change, their places to switch with nary a hitch.
The lady in red resolves to accept her fate, the moon once again rearranged the mates.

They vowed to love beyond their very last breath.
Be they in fur, or in feathers—in life or in death.

~~
To view more story slams or join in the fun visit Bluebell Books.


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Tuesday Temptation


Have you ever wanted to write steampunk?  Check out the upcoming workshop on the Passionate Ink site...

Writing Erotica Steampunk by Christine D'Abo
February 1-15th, 2012


WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Gears, gadgets and sex? The world of steampunk presents authors with a variety of opportunities to create fantastical worlds, while exploring the human condition through technology. Alternative histories, the bending of sexual identities, and the use of future technologies in a historical setting are all arenas authors can explore in the world of steampunk. This workshop will outline what the basics of steampunk, look at the used of politics, sex and technology, while weaving together a love story.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Multipublished author Christine d'Abo loves exploring the human condition through a romantic lens. She takes her characters on fantastical journeys that change their hearts and expand their minds. A self-professed sci-fi junkie, Christine can often be found chatting about her favorite shows and movies. When she's not writing, she can be found chasing after her children, dogs or husband.

Christine is published with Carina Press, Ellora's Cave, Samhain Publishing, Cleis Press and Berkley Heat.

WORKSHOP FEES:

$15 for Members
$20 for Non-Members

To pay via PayPal, please send payment to robinrotham@yahoo.com and make the subject line WORKSHOP: EROTIC STEAMPUNK. Please be sure the information field includes the name and email address you will be using for the workshop.

To pay via check, please include WORKSHOP: EROTIC STEAMPUNK in the memo area. Also, please include a note containing the name and email address you will be using for the workshop.

Mail checks to:

Robin L Rotham, Treasurer
P.O. Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68702

***Permission to forward granted and encouraged.***

Friday, January 13, 2012

Friday Retro... The 13th?


So you have to ask yourself...WTH?  How are Lemon/Limes associated with Friday the 13th and women's bodies?? I honestly have no idea. I searched the web, for a while, mixing and matching human/fruit/Friday the 13th and the only thing I found was that apparently Eve ate the fruit on a Friday. Really? If that's the case, then our lady above should be sporting an apple, not a citrus fruit.

Oh well, maybe one of you will enlighten me. ;-)

Enjoy the vintage pic and if you're the superstitious type—stay safe. If you're superstitious and a lady… Watch out for giant citrus fruit!



Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Wednesday Word of the Day



Cimmerian \si-MEER-ee-uhn\, adjective:
1. Very dark; gloomy; deep.
2. Classical Mythology. Of, pertaining to, or suggestive of a western people believed to dwell in perpetual darkness.

~I'd love to use this word in my writing, must consider what the best way would be...~

Like gasconade, cimmerian was originally a toponym. It referred to the Cimmerii, an ancient nomadic people who live in Crimea, according to Herodotus. ~~info found at Dictionary.com

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Tuesday Temptation - Shapeshifters


It's really no surprise that I'm tempted by all things shape shifters, lore, stories, movies and even jewelry. I mean, I do write about that particular paranormal creature quite often, or at least try to.  So when I do come across some bit of shape shifter paraphernalia that I've not seen before, the anticipation to spend more time with it is incredible. When  the new find happens to be a shape shifter series, well, can you say happy tingles!

Lydia Dare's werewolf series is just that, the trail of happy tingles across the swirls of my brain. Her characters are strong yet lighthearted and fun. This series is a temptation not to be missed.

A Certain Wolfish Charm - Book 1
Tall, Dark and Wolfish - Book 2
The Wolf Next Door - Book 3
The Taming of the Wolf - Book 4

Friday, January 6, 2012

Friday Retro...


Not sure how Retro this is, but I adore the saying!  Definitely Make Art Not War.  :)


Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Wednesday Word of the Day



solecism \SOL-uh-siz-uhm\, noun:
1. A breach of good manners or etiquette.
2. A nonstandard or ungrammatical usage, as unflammable and they was.
3. Any error, impropriety, or inconsistency.

~LOL, so many of the character's in the fictitious town of Talbot's Peak, found over on my group blog Shapeshifter Seductions, suffer from this affliction a time or two.  They are also a heck of a lot of fun...so bring on the solecism.  ;)~ 

Solecism was originally a toponym for people from the Greek city of Cilicia where a corrupt form of Greek was spoken. It came to mean "a mistake in speaking or writing" in Middle French in the 1500s. The sense of "a breach in manners" was recorded in the early 1600s.  ~info from dictionary.com~

Sunday, January 1, 2012

I Read How Many Books?


So as we begin 2012 I like to post my read list from 2011.  Why?  Well primarily so I can keep track of it somewhere, but also so everyone can see it and maybe find something they would like to read.  The other thing is, seeing what I've read...do you have any suggestions for additional stories I might like?  I love getting book recommendations.  With so many options out there, I love hearing what you enjoy or enjoyed.

Drop me a line and let me know.  I'd hate to miss something! :)

Now for 2012, I've challenged myself to read 175...can I do it?

  • 151. Changing the Game by Jaci Burton
  • 150. Reaper's Justice by Charlotte Boyett-Compo
  • 149. Tall, Dark and Deadly by Suzanne Brockmann
  • 148. Door Prize by Lynn Lafleur
  • 147. Revenge at Bella Terra by Christina Dodd
  • 146. Santa Baby, Several Stars Away by Savanna Kougar
  • 145. Wild Orchids by Karen Robards
  • 144. Werewolf in the North Woods by Vicki Lewis Thompson
  • 143. Saying Yes by Barbara Elsborg
  • 142. Against the Wind by Kat Martin
  • 141. Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis
  • 140. Take Me by Grace Samuels
  • 139. bound, branded, & brazen by Jaci Burton
  • 138. The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton
  • 137. In the Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare
  • 136. Night Watch by Suzanne Brockmann
  • 135. Ecstasy Untamed by Pamela Palmer
  • 134. Discovering Sofia by Mel Teshco
  • 133. Blood and Fire by Shannon McKenna
  • 132. The Greek's Pregnant Lover by Lucy Monroe
  • 131. The Pursuit of Pleasure by Elizabeth Essex
  • 130. One Scream Away by Kate Brady
  • 129. Colters' Wife by Maya Banks
  • 128. The Shy Bride by Lucy Monroe
  • 127. The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter
  • 126. Untamed by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast
  • 125. Dance of the Seven Veils by Cris Anson
  • 124. First Taste by Paisley Smith
  • 123. It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare
  • 122. Secrets of Bella Terra by Christina Dodd
  • 121. Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh
  • 120. Black Heart Loa by Adrian Phoenix
  • 119. Ice by Linda Howard
  • 118. Chosen by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast
  • 117. Notorious by Vicki Lewis Thompson
  • 116. English Vice by Lolita Lopez
  • 115. Veil of Night by Linda Howard
  • 114. A Werewolf in Manhattan: A Wild About You Novel by Vicki Lewis Thompson
  • 113. Envy by J.R. Ward
  • 112. Breaking the Rules by Suzanne Brockmann
  • 111. Black Dust Mambo by Adrian Phoenix
  • 110. Devil Without a Cause by Terri Garey
  • 109. Burn by Bree Younger
  • 108. Death Angel by Linda Howard
  • 107. Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton
  • 106. The Rebel by J.R. Ward
  • 105. Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
  • 104. Betrayed by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
  • 103. Dark Predator by Christine Feehan
  • 102. Play of Passion by Nalini Singh
  • 101. Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh
  • 100. Midnight Sins by Lora Leigh
  • 99. Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich
  • 98. Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh
  • 97. Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh
  • 96. The Dangerous Protector by Janet Chapman
  • 95. Marked by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
  • 94. Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
  • 93. Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon
  • 92. Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
  • 91. My Immortal by Erin McCarthy
  • 90. Savor the Danger by Lori Foster
  • 89. Trace of Fever by Lori Foster
  • 88. Spellbound by Kelley Armstrong
  • 87. Angels' Judgment by Nalini Singh
  • 86. Mystical Warrior by Janet Chapman
  • 85. A Highlander Christmas by Janet Chapman
  • 84. Kandy Apple and Her Hellhounds by Savanna Kougar
  • 83. The Werewolf Upstairs by Ashlyn Chase
  • 82. Secrets of the Hightlander by Janet Chapman
  • 81. Deeper Than Midnight by Lara Adrian
  • 80. Darkfire Kiss by Deborah Cooke
  • 79. Only With A Highlander by Janet Chapman
  • 78. When You Dare by Lori Foster
  • 77. Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh
  • 76. Storm Kissed by Jessica Andersen
  • 75. Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh
  • 74. Hit List by Laurell K Hamilton
  • 73. Tempt Me If You Can by Janet Chapman
  • 72. Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
  • 71. Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh
  • 70. The Seductive Impostor by Janet Chapman
  • 69. Tempting the Highlander by Janet Chapman
  • 68. Wedding the Highlander by Janet Chapman
  • 67. The Man Must Marry by Janet Chapman
  • 66. Quincy's Woman by Gem Sivad
  • 65. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
  • 64. Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward
  • 63. Savage Nature by Christine Feehan
  • 62. A Staged Affair by Gem Sivad
  • 61. Charming the Highlander by Janet Chapman
  • 60. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
  • 59. Red Mortal by Deidre Knight
  • 58. The Chase by Erin McCarthy
  • 57. Invincible by Sherrilyn Kenyon
  • 56. Truly Scrumptious by R.G. Alexander
  • 55. The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis
  • 54. The Darkest Secret by Gena Showalter
  • 53. Dragon Warrior by Janet Chapman
  • 52. Moonlight Warrior by Janet Chapman
  • 51. The Collector by Shannon K. Butcher
  • 50. Red Angel by Deidre Knight
  • 49. Ever Night by Gena Showalter
  • 48. Crystal Skull by Jessica Andersen
  • 47. Navarro's Promise by Lora Leigh
  • 46. Hunger Untamed by Pamela Palmer
  • 45. Bleeding Heart by Michelle Rowen
  • 44. Skin & Bone by Ava Gray
  • 43. Angel-claimed by Jory Strong
  • 42. Primal Kiss by Lora Leigh
  • 41. Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy
  • 40. Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy
  • 39. Sixteen Decades by Trish Jensen
  • 38. The Drowning Sea by Veronica Wolff
  • 37. Tomorrow Is Another Day by Sandra Hill
  • 36. Man from the Moon by Janet Chapman
  • 35. Dead Right by Cate Noble
  • 34. Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy
  • 33. waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong
  • 32. Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis
  • 31. Belonging by Pat Cunningham
  • 30. Unstoppable by Laura Griffin
  • 29. Leave No Trace by Cindy Gerard
  • 28. Just Bad Enough by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
  • 27. One Woman One Ranger by Phyliss Miranda
  • 26. Undertaking Texas by Linda Broday
  • 25. The Ranger's Angel by Jodi Thomas
  • 24. Her Wolf by Rebecca Royce
  • 23. Live Wire by Lora Leigh
  • 22. Coyote Moon by Pat Cunningham
  • 21. Reno's Chance: A Navy Seals Story by Lora Leigh
  • 20. The Breed Next Door: A Novella of the Breeds by Lora Leigh
  • 19. Three for Me? by R.G. Alexander
  • 18. Branded by the Texans by Savanna Kougar
  • 17. Master of the Mountain by Cherise Sinclair
  • 16. Caleb by Sarah McCarty
  • 15. Bad Boys by Pat Cunningham
  • 14. Surrender to Darkness by Annette McCleave
  • 13. Undertow by Cherry Adair
  • 12. Aiden's Charity by Lora Leigh
  • 11. Impetuous by Lori Foster
  • 10. Ruthless Game by Christine Feehan
  • 9. Augest Heat by Lora Leigh
  • 8. Elizabeth's Wolf by Lora Leigh
  • 7. Sapphire Dream by Pamela Montgomerie
  • 6. Sarah's Seduction by Lora Leigh
  • 5. Crossing Borders by Cora Zane
  • 4. Summers Caress by Tielle St. Clare
  • 3. Forbidden Fruit by Mackenzie McKade
  • 2. Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase
  • 1. Murder by Hair Spray In Gardenia, New Atlantis by Savanna Kougar