Fun Filled Weekend Ideas

With the weekend approaching, I began thinking about super fun, super cool things to do with the free time. Do we squander our moments or live a little? Now for me, I have no choice. This morning I'm heading to the doc with my husband where he will have his tonsils removed. OWWWWW. I feel for him. I understand that it's much better to have them taken as a kid so we are expecting him to be in quite a bit of pain.

No fun for us this weekend. sniff sniff. Instead, I'll be toting and fetching and administering meds while he lays around and tries to forget for just a little while that he is in major pain. So please enjoy your weekend and I shall do my utmost to live vicariously through you. These guys offer some fairly, errr, stimulating ideas for weekend fun.

Enjoy!

Nature is good for the soul. How about a nice hike in the wilderness?

I've always loooved taking a nice long drive. How about you?

Hey! There's nothing better than just lounging around the house with the one you love.

Sleeping in? Now there's an idea.

A long, long leisurely breakfast? Hm. Maybe in bed. Sounds fiiiiine, doesn't it?

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy the moment and if you have a little adventure or three? All the better.

See you next week.

introvert...table for one?

Okay, I confess, I'm shy. Painfully, awkwardly shy. I don't do parites with lots of people that I don't know. I don't attend conventions because the very thought sends me into a panic. I don't like to be the center of attention, ever. I stay, for the most part, inside my comfort zone. I think the one time I strayed was when I set up a book signing. But I had family that came with me and that helped quite a bit. If I had had to go alone I probably would've backed out or found some excuse.

So, what does an introver do when the RT convention is a mere hour from her house? She stays home and hides. LOL Yes, I know. So close and I'm not attending. Am I nuts?! Well, no, but I'm shy. VERY VERY shy. Did I say that already?

However, I did bite the bullet and agree to meet a few people at the hotel. One is my Wild Rose Press editor and another my Samhain cover artist. And since I've never met either of these people in person I'm nervous as hell. Already been thinking about what I'm going to wear. What I'm going to say. What if I act like an idiot or say something rude? See what I mean? Even one-on-one I'm nervous as hell.

I think most authors are introverts. It's not like I'm the only one who feels sick to her stomach when contemplating conventions and book signings. What I'm trying desperately to figure out is how do other authors do it? There are TONS of authors at the RT event right now. I know most of them are probably shy like me. So, how do they talk themselves into attending, when deep down they'd rather be at home, at their computer, writing??

And a few hunks, just, ya know, because. :)

Under the weather

We've been under the weather a lot at my house the past couple weeks. It seems like as soon as one of us gets over something, another one gets sick and it starts all over again.


glitter-graphics.com

I'm taking that as a sign we need to slow down and take care of ourselves a little better. Rest more, eat better and pamper each other. Spend more time cuddling on couch rather than just running and running. Maybe taking the time to recoup will help us at the Scott household get on our feet again.

Today I'm not going to do any work. No writing, researching or even cleaning! I'm going to spend the day taking care of my kiddos and cuddled up on the couch with them and my copy of Lover Mine.

Are you in need of a day of relaxing?

Love My Nook!

I finally gave in to my raging lust for the Barnes and Noble Nook. For months, I've been pouring over the internet and writing letters to friends for recommendations. My major deal is that I like buying local. With an economy in crisis, I like to keep my dollars as home as often as possible so, living in a town where there is no Barnes and Noble (sniff sniff) sort of eliminated the wireless Nook from the competition. I'd pretty much decided to go for a Sony Touch which is available here, but what happens? I learn my local Best Buy is now carrying the Nook.

YAY! Oh happy day!

So yes, I picked up the Nook along with a beautiful leather cover (eggplant...lovely) at a price that is so nice. It was cheaper than both the Kindle and the Sony Touch by quite a bit and there was no need to shell out extra money for a charger. I like that too. Now I knew when I got this home I would be in big trouble due to my wanting to PLAY rather than finish my work in progress. I set it aside and told myself I would not open the package until I'd completed the story. Ummm....that didn't happen. After a particularly good writing day, I opened it up very late one night and found it was super easy to set up. Took me about ten minutes to set up my B&N account, watch a short video (which plays on the site and on the Nook itself). After that, I began loading my books. I had a huge collection, as most of us do, on my computer and in seconds, I had them all loaded and was ready to read.

I don't read until late in the evening and realized quickly that I needed to get a light. My Best Buy was out of them so I'll be heading back to pick one up. My verdict so far? Not expensive, easy to use, and pretty damn cool. So far I haven't made a purchase at B&N yet but I plan to do that soon. As to the Kindle? I know lots of readers love them and I learned recently that Target stores will soon have them. Looks like options are growing for those of us who love reading ebooks.

In other news: Jaguar Hunger was voted Book of the Week at Whipped Cream Reviews. How neat is that???? Also I'm guest blogging today with the fabulous Cerise DeLand. Stop by and give me a holler at http://cerisedeland.blogspot.com

When your WIP totally owns you!

Yes, it's Monday, ugh. But don't worry, I'm not going to make you think too hard. :) Here's the thing...

When people ask the question, are you a pantser or a plotter? I usually answer that I'm a plotter. It's mostly true. I do plan stories ahead of time. I like to work up a synopsis first to get my characters figured out, the plot worked up, the conflict down pat. It keeps me on track and focused. Still, there are times I just sort of sit down and start writing. So, really, I'm somewhere between a pantser and plotter. I don't fit snugly into either category.

My latest WIP is a good example of what happens when I choose to be a pantser. The story started pretty much by itself. The characters were just...there. The opening scene was crystal clear. Each chapter has been this way. On Friday when I finished for the day I sat and stared at the screen, not really reading the words, but pondering what I'd written. And I realized something interesting. The story has taken a road I never expected. It's odd when that happens, isn't it? I almost always know where I'm headed and what's going to happen. Sure, things can go off track, but never do I go into a story blind. And the truth is I've had more fun writing this story than any of my stories to date! I think it's because each day I open that document I'm going to be surprised by what comes out of me and by where the characters take me.

I should finish this particular WIP over the next day or so. And then I'll be turning my attention to editing it and getting it ready for my beta readers. I'm mega curious if it'll be obvious to readers that I didn't plot it out ahead of time, or if it'll just be something I'm aware of.

What about you all? Do you find that going into a story blind is more exciting? Do you enjoy the mystery of not knowing ahead of time what's going to happen? Do you find it becomes a problem because the plot doesn't work? I need opinions here! LOL

And a few Monday Hunks...

not gonna lie, I'd rather be there

or there...
or there...

or, oh my, there...

General Weirdness

Personally, I don't think I want to know anyone who doesn't have a little quirk or two. After all those are the things that make us 'different' and yeah, maybe a little weird...but in a totally good way. These little eccentricities stamp us as unique individuals, don't they? I certainly have a quirk or ten and my family knows them well.

I have a funny thing about my dishwasher. When my kids were little, their job was to clear off the table and do dishes. I didn't have a problem with anything they did until it came to loading the dishwasher. I ALWAYS rearranged things after they'd left the kitchen. Don't know what it is but I like certain things in certain places in the dishwasher and it drives me nuts if they aren't loaded JUST RIGHT.

I also have a thing about shoes. They need to be lined up in a certain way in my closet and in the right order. By that I mean the left shoe should never be on the right side. Make sense? It makes perfect sense to me. Everyone in my family shakes their head at me when they grocery shop with me. I buy two of almost everything. I never buy only one box of cereal. I always buy two. Two tomatoes. Two cucumbers. Two heads of lettuce. Two cans of green beans. The only exception is with meats, milk, and other things that already come in very large sizes anyway. Need some potato chips? That's fine. I have two bags.

Do you have quirks that drive your friends and family crazy? Come on and share them.

In other news:
Author Amber Skyze, a great author and very good friend has a new release today at Ellora's Cave. The weekend is heavy duty reading time for most of us so head over to EC today and pick this one up! This one sounds YUMMY!


Buy it HERE!

Blurb:

After threatening divorce, Paige gives up her fantasy of hot sex with two men, especially when Tommy, the other man she wants to have sex with, is the reason for her divorce threats. When Paige confesses she’s considering leaving Jed to her best friend and owner of Freedom Fantasies sex club, life takes an unexpected turn. Paige finds herself pretending she’s having a hot, sordid affair.

Paige appreciates all the pleasures she’s unable to find at home. Being spanked in the corner, tied to the bed or getting it on in the shower, Paige experiences more orgasms than she thought possible. To heighten the excitement, her pretend lover brings in a friend…

It's Earth Day!

So, as it states on Wickipedia...

Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in held on April 22, 1970.

In my own way I hop to inspire you all to take care of our wonderful planet by showing you a few lovely pictures of our beaches, trees, sunsets, oceans, forests, and farms.

So, now that you're inspired. Don't forget to plant a tree today! And as always reduce, reuse, and recycle!!

Crawling in bed with Zsadist...

Yesterday, I was having one of those blah days. Nothing specific was really wrong, but as the day went on, I just didn't feel good. It was one of those bummer days where you just feel like crawling in bed, with a book and locking the rest of the world out. Sometimes nothing will make you feel better than that. At least not for me.

I had a couple new books I could read, but none of them were jumping out at me. I needed a comfort read. One of those books I always go to on those blah days. Yesterday, nothing else would do it for me than crawling in bed with Zsadist. LOL. I don't know what it is about that book, but nine times out of ten, it's my go to book. It's not like Z is the most cuddly fellow, but I just love his story so much. It breaks my heart, but gives me hope too. I LOVE the ending and though we know Z will never be perfect, I really think he touches my heart like no other character in a book.

On those days where I just feel bummed, nothing helps like snuggling with my copy of Lover Awakened.

Who do you like to crawl into bed with on those blah days?

Welcome EC Author Adele Dubois

The hero of DO ME GOOD is my first otherworldly protagonist based on Norse mythology, and I admit I’ve developed a tiny crush on him. Gunnar is a fearless Nordic warrior cast into eternal servitude during a time when mortals answered to gods and goddesses. He becomes a celestial in the pre-Christian period before those who interacted with both gods and mortals were called angels. Gunnar is a Nordic Light Elf and so handsome he is “fairer to look upon than the sun.”

I hope you enjoy DO ME GOOD as much as I enjoyed creating this story. Here’s a sample of the book with a summary and excerpt. Thanks for reading.


DO ME GOOD by Adele Dubois

Summary:

Penny throws her hot, but worthless mooch of a boyfriend out on her front lawn with his clothes, and vows never again to be a bum magnet. Exhausted by overwork and mountainous debt, Penny pleads for divine intervention.

Gunnar, a rebellious Nordic warrior cast into servitude by an angry god to learn humility, answers. While Penny sleeps, the celestial arrives to complete her chores, but she awakens and finds him. The handsome immortal kisses her, sparking a passionate, forbidden sexual encounter.

Dark forces seeking vengeance for Gunnar’s past misdeeds mark Penny as a target. To protect his lover, Gunnar tests immortality in a death battle using a god’s magical sword. But the strength of Penny’s love might be what saves them both.

Excerpt:

He smoothed the hair at her temple and then rubbed a thick tendril between his thumb and forefinger. “I am Gunnar.” He pronounced the name “Goo-nar”.

A coarse brand of the sun, surrounded by a circle on the back of his hand, and covering the areas between his thumb, index knuckle and wrist caught her eye. His hand looked muscular and powerful beneath her gaze.

She touched the scarred skin with the tips of her fingers while he held a length of her hair, recognizing Freyr’s sacred insignia from her textbooks. “The pain must have been excruciating.” Without thinking, she lifted the old wound to her mouth and laid four kisses against its perimeter before pressing a fifth to the emblem inside.

A low tremor vibrated across her lips as they touched the ancient symbol on the white, extended hand. The brand grew warm and then hot on her mouth, though it did not burn. Her lips tingled and her body hummed with the pleasant sensations. She ran her tongue over the thick scars to erase the heat and then licked the center with the tip of her tongue in a tiny swirl before lifting her head.

His gasp of surprise was the last thing she expected as he released her hair and leaned away.

“Have I offended you? I’m sorry.” She searched his face for clues as to what to do next. Behind his shocked expression she found desire and longing and something completely unexpected.

Thankfulness.

Penny waited for his reply without letting go of his disfigured hand. She could tell his next words didn’t come easily.

“Kindness isn’t something I’m used to finding. Perhaps you’d be less inclined toward compassion if you knew what I’d done to deserve this brand of servitude.”

She reached out and hooked her arm around his neck to bring his face closer to hers. “I am Penelope. And if you are from Alfheim, I know who and what you are. I just don’t understand why you’ve come.” How could she deserve his rare, benevolent gifts? She was just an ordinary woman, barely scraping by.

“Sometimes we get what we need, simply because we ask. That’s the beauty and power of the unexpected.” His warm breath grazed her cheek in shallow rushes, lifting goose bumps across her skin. His wide, firm mouth smelled of sweet ground parsley and fresh-picked mint.

Their gazes locked and held, assessing, appraising.

Searching.

Gunnar’s eyes were like pools of deep blue water speckled with light that pulled her in and down. Down. Her breathing slowed as the sound of her heartbeat intensified in her ears and the inside of her mouth moistened. She licked her lips and became intensely aware of every nerve ending shimmering along her body. Her muscles tensed as if waiting for something unexpected to happen.

As if meeting a Nordic Light Elf in the flesh wasn’t amazing enough.

Just when she wondered how his mouth would taste, he brought his lips to hers and kissed her. An explosion of kinetic energy shot vibrations through her body that prickled every fiber and muscle, held her taut and then released, leaving her breathless.
**

Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8301-50-do-me-good.aspx

www.adeledubois.com
www.adeledubois.com/blog

dieting and exercise...sucks!

I'm not going to come on here and tell you I love to workout and eat healthy. It's Monday and I'm in the mood to get a few things off my chest. To put it simply, I hate to diet. I hate having to eat healthy. I hate that I can't sit down and watch a movie and much on Doritos or cookies or pizza. All my favorite foods are B.A.R.F.--Beyond Anne's Reach Forever

What makes it worse is seeing these commercials that promise weight loss if you try their diet or their exercise machine. I swear it seems like I've had the new SlimFast commercial shoved down my throat. I even have the tagline in my head: SlimFast, because who has time to slim slow?

Yes, by all means you should drink a shake for breakfast and lunch, then eat a sensible dinner. That's definitely the way to long term weight loss. *rolls eyes* Then there's the commercial for the BowFlex Treadclimber. Okay, now this is a machine that clearly works. I love the concept of having a stairclimber and treadmill combined into one workout. However, the price will have you choking. At $2,500 you too can be slim and trim and beach ready. Yeah, okay, I've got nearly $3,000 to drop...not!

And if the above isn't enough to make you nuts, you have the diet pills that promise a fabulous new body with one little pill. I love the before and after pictures that come with these commercials. Before, the woman is always wearing something totally shapeless, she's pale, and her hair looks really drab. In the after picture she's tan, has on a gorgeous, flattering outfit and has highlighted, shiny hair. So, one little pill did ALL that, huh? Wow, can't wait to get me some of that!

So, what do I do instead? What's the answer to losing weight and keeping it off? To feeling fit, healthy, having more energy, treating my body like it's a well oiled machine? The answer is different for everyone. For me, I went back to the old method that always seems to be the RIGHT way to go. Eating food that's good for me, eating in moderation, and exercising daily. Also, using weights, building muscle, staying out of the cookie jar, and watching the alcohol consumption doesn't hurt either. A piece of chocolate now and then is even okay, as long that piece isn't the size of a dinner plate. LOL

So, the quesiton...is it working? Yes, but it's sloooow. And the scales don't budge much, if at all. It's enough to have me sitting in a corner and crying, it really is. Oh, I have up days for sure. I do feel like things are coming along nicely. Then I have days where I'm wondering to myself 'why am I doing this?' Where's the payoff?! I see my husband doing the same things as me, but his results are actually showing up on the scales, while mine aren't. And while I tell myself, and my friends, that the number doesn't matter, deep down, I admit, it sorta does. When I look in the mirror I can see changes, but then I can see what still needs work. Logically I can tell myself that this is simple. Eat less, exercise, you burn calories and lose weight. It's not rocket science. But, here it is Monday and I'm just...discouraged.

Where does that leave me? In the words of Joe Dirt, I'm going to keep on keeping on.

The alternative is to give up and I'm too stubborn for that. Just ask my husband. LOL

So, that's my Monday vent. You may now go back to your regularly scheduled programming. :)

Going Book Shopping?

I survived release day and now it's back to my wip Trouble in a Stetson. So far so good and I should be finished up with it soon. It's strange to me how, despite some stress and general upheaval, I've managed to write FUNNY. Always just blows me away when that happens. Just when I think a scene will be serious and intense, humor takes over.

Think it's a defense mechanism or something? My mind saying it's time to lighten up? Maybe so.

Anyway, we are heading into the weekend. If you haven't picked up a copy of Drilled, my new release, I hope you do and while you're over at Ellora's Cave hunting out some reading for the weekend please pick up a copy of Laurann Dohner's Kissing Steel. She's a hot new writer at Ellora's Cave and is making quite a splash with her series Zorn Warrior's and Cyborg Seduction. Kissing Steel is book two in the Cyboy Collection. So whip out your credit card and enjoy!


Buy it HERE!

Blurb:

Book 2 in the Cyborg Seduction series.

All Rena wanted was to steal back a spaceship and earn enough money to buy her freedom from her travesty of a life. Her mission to recover stolen property from pirates backfired and she became a possession when she encountered cyborgs instead. Now, one of them will own her. Rena is a survivor…and she wants the very tall, big, brutally sexy cyborg who doesn’t like to share anything that belongs to him.

Steel is beyond irritated when he is maneuvered into ownership of a fragile human female. She’s not nearly big enough to handle his size or strength, yet she’s determined to get him into bed—into her. Steel realizes just what this little female is capable of when he awakens, chained to his bed, with her riding his very turned-on body. For a man who prides himself on his unyielding control, Steel soon finds Rena stripping him of it an inch at a time.

Excerpt:

Her knees went weak and her heart nearly stopped before it started to pound in anxiety. It just couldn’t be. She blinked a few times, her focus jerking from one large male to the next to stare at all seven of them. Someone softly whimpered, and she realized she’d made that sound.

The man at the front frowned. He had light, nickel-colored skin and his full lips twisted downward. She couldn’t look away from his intense dark blue eyes as he stared back. His gaze scanned the room then returned to sweep her from head to foot with a cold look before locking with hers once again. He did not look happy.

“I’m Flint.” The man had a deep voice. “Explain yourself for attacking my ship.”

She was mute. She had to be seeing things but she knew there wasn’t a damn thing wrong with her eyesight. All seven men in the room with her were cyborgs. But they didn’t exist anymore. Earth had eradicated them decades before. Her father had told her horrible stories about the brutal, vicious, and cunning manmade species. They had genetically enhanced bodies with enough hardware inside them to make them virtual weapons and ultimate warriors.

One of the men to Flint’s left cleared his throat, drawing her attention to him. He was a light-gray-skinned cyborg with dark eyes and black hair. None of the seven males were less than six feet tall and all were probably at least two hundred twenty-five pounds. Muscled, human-looking males, except for their sleek metallic skin tones and their larger bodies. The man’s eyes looked black as he studied her.

“I heard some humans keep an onboard pleasure worker with them. You noticed the men’s expensive clothing and it’s a topnotch ship. Hiring a woman to see to their sexual needs stands to reason, and she isn’t in their crew uniform.”

“Pleasure worker?” Her voice finally worked as she glared at the cyborg. She’d gone from fright to purely offended in a heartbeat. “I’m not a space hooker. How dare you.”

The man frowned. “Then who are you?”

Rena straightened her shoulders. “Who is in charge?”

Flint took a step forward. “I am. The Star is my ship. Why did you attack? You sure as hell aren’t pirates unless you’re a group of rich Earth assholes out here to alleviate boredom.”

“I’m Rena Gates and I work for Demco Insurance. This is definitely not your ship, Mr. Flint. By the authority of Earth Transit I have an order to retake the Star. She was stolen and I’m here to recover her. When the claim was paid out, the Star became the property of Demco Insurance and I represent them in this matter. I demand you release the men who boarded the Star and vacate my ship immediately so they can pilot her back to Earth for me.”

Okay, Rena knew that probably wouldn’t go over well but she had to try. She did have an order from Earth transit so everything she’d said was true and it sure beat dropping to her knees to beg them to not kill her. Her father had taught her when in doubt to never show fear so for good measure she glared at the large cyborg. She saw his eyes widen, the dark blue seemed to deepen in color before he barked out a laugh.

“Is this a joke?”

She managed to keep her shoulders from slumping. “No. I’m the primary lead investigator for Demco. The Star is a stolen vessel that now belongs to my company under Earth Transit laws. We paid the claim so I’m here to recover her.”

More of them laughed. Flint finally spoke, grinning, showing off perfect white teeth as he did. “As amusing as you are, there’s no way in hell I’m giving up the Star to you. You are far from Earth and we don’t give a damn about Earth Transit or Demco. Here’s how my law works. We took it from pirates, so it belongs to us now. You attacked my ship when you boarded without permission.” He scanned the shuttle and then he glowered at Rena, all humor gone. “Under space law that’s a death sentence and this shuttle now belongs to me along with everything in it, including you.”

A new man arrived, pushing his way forward to the front, shouldering past men so easily she couldn’t miss him. He was taller than the rest, at least six and a half feet in height with light silvery gray skin. His hair was beautiful, a light silver, looking almost illuminated, it was so pale. He was huge—thick chest, massive arms—his big body encased in tight black leather.

“They are all dealt with, Flint.” The man’s voice sounded rough and deep, giving Rena chills just hearing it. “We tried to reason with the two pinned down but they’ve heard that bullshit about us so they wouldn’t surrender.” The man turned his head and a really light blue gaze locked onto Rena and widened in shock.

Flint looked irritated. “I’m glad you arrived when you did. Thank you for the help. Who the hell started those damn rumors anyway? The worst we’ve ever done is take DNA samples so our scientists have something to work with. We don’t kill people unless we have to and we don’t steal their damn organs.”

The largest cyborg was still staring at Rena. “They refused to believe me. I heard you as I came in. You’re sentencing her to death? She’s a woman, Flint. She’s not even wearing weapons and as bitter as I am right now over women, I think killing her is far too harsh a punishment.”

Flint barked out another laugh. “Tired of the women you’ve dealt with, huh?”

The man tore his strange, light blue gaze away from Rena. “It’s not the females we rescued who have pissed me off. Vonlona believed I was dead so she voided me from our family unit to take another man into her bed.” He sounded angry. “If I’d known I was no longer taken then I would have had a much better few months since I haven’t touched a woman in a long time.”

“I’m sorry.” Flint sighed. “I’m sure you can get her back.”

“I don’t want her,” the man rumbled, clearly vehement. “She was resentful that I made that choice because she wants me, but I want no part of her anymore. She can keep her other male.”

“I am sorry, Steel. I know you were happy with her.” Flint turned his attention back to Rena. “I don’t kill women. I’ll have the single males take a look at her, and I’m sure many will want her, so we’ll hold a lottery to give her away.”

Revulsion washed over Rena, knowing they thought she was a pleasure worker and planned to draw numbers to see who got to sleep with her first. She experienced dizziness and her knees nearly collapsed under her weight. She wasn’t a hooker and she didn’t want to be passed around to a bunch of huge cyborg men. She wouldn’t survive long. Forced pleasure workers never did.

“Flint,” one of the shorter cyborgs said softly. “Give her to me. Volt and I are bored in our down time between shifts.” Dark green eyes scanned Rena’s body and his tongue came out to lick his lips. “She would definitely make me look forward to getting off my shifts and Volt will be thrilled as well to have her amuse us.”

Another one snorted. “Forget it, Nile. Teg and I would appreciate her more.” The black-haired cyborg winked at Rena. “Pick me. I could eat you alive.”

One of the cyborgs in the back shoved forward. “If she gets to pick who she belongs to then I want to be in the running.” He smiled at Rena. “I promise not to break you and you’d enjoy living with me and my brother much better than them.”

She tried to remember what her father had told her about cyborgs but just one story came to mind about a prisoner her father had guarded who had been damn possessive of his belongings. He was the biggest cyborg in lockup and he’d beaten anyone who had tried to touch his things. Her gaze flew to the silvery-skinned cyborg with the strange pale blue eyes and beautiful hair that flowed to his shoulders.

He was the biggest of the eight cyborgs, she’d just heard him say he hadn’t had a woman in a long time and he was no longer married because his wife had screwed another man. She stared at him, taking note of his handsome features, his attractive, muscled body, and those full, firm lips.

Something inside her was drawn to this cyborg, perhaps it was the fact that he’d been betrayed by his wife. Rena knew all about spousal betrayal, bitterness, and being lonely. She lived it every day of her life and had for years, trapped in her travesty of a marriage. She saw a kindred soul in those seconds. If she had to go to bed with a man, he was her first choice, as her gaze swept over him again, feeling attraction in ways she hadn’t experienced in years. The thought of having sex with the handsome cyborg made her feel warm and almost eager to explore the reality of how it would feel to be touched by him. She made a sudden decision. She stared at the big cyborg when he turned his head, maybe sensing her desperate focus on him. She barely hesitated.

“Give me to him.”

Got the fever!

Sometimes you just need a good laugh. Last night as I was tucking my youngest, Alisha, into bed and she said something so off the wall I can't even repeat it. We both started cracking up. For several seconds we just sat there laughing our butts off. I swear, my kids can always make me laugh. No matter how crazy or hectic my day, my girls make me forget all the stress. A child's sense of humor is wonderful. A teenager's sense of humor is downright insane! lol

Truthfully though, our lives get so busy sometimes that we forget to stop and enjoy the little things. We had an esp. busy weekend here. We were all in the mood to do some serious Spring cleaning. So, the girls and I cleaned out my closet. Ended up taking 7 large trash bags of clothes, shoes, and purses to goodwill. Um, wow. Then we cleaned out my car, which hadn't been done for like...a year? Okay, so I was a little behind. Wanna make something of it?! :-P After that I got on a laundry kick. Ended up washing ALL the clothes, blankets, rugs and even the dog beds. So, we went at it. I still have a few more closets to clean, and the floor to steam clean. But, let's not get crazy. LOL

To reward ourselves we grabbed the dogs and went to the park. There's a hill and trails we like to hike. We worked up a good sweat and had a blast. Love this spring weather!

Here's a few pix:

The first is my youngest, Alisha. We're just starting the trail up.


This is Kati, my oldest, and our puppy Nutmeg. After coming back down.


And this is the view from the top of the hill.


So, we worked, then we hiked. Afterwards, we all got ice cream, Nutmeg included, and came home and collapsed. I watched Alisha kill people on Call of Duty: Mondern Warfare the rest of the night. It wasn't long before I was yelling, "Get him! He's coming at you! Shoot! Shoot!" LOL We get really into our games around here.

Anyway, I'm not sure what the girls will have in store for me this weekend, but I hope I'm up for it!

So, anyone else have Spring fever? Surely I'm not the only one! :)

Drilled out Today at Ellora's Cave

Remember when you were in high school and there were plenty of young guys your age but you just couldn’t take your eyes off the good looking, athletic senior? He was mature (yeah right…big eye roll). He was smooth and, in our young eyes, sophisticated and waaaay cool. We couldn’t resist the appeal of this guy who seemed to have his act together. We even wrote Mr. and Mrs. Super Cool Guy all over our notebooks and made sure to include little hearts all around it. Ahhh, the good old days.
As we matured into young women we still hankered after the man who had his act together. He was smart, well-educated, and often made a very good living. No, there’s not a thing wrong with that. The older man is sophisticated, fun to talk to, and sexually experienced. You know, interesting. There is major appeal to be found with someone to whom you can really talk, who doesn’t get into weird and confusing head games, who doesn’t judge you etc.
Now who is to say that young guys don’t have the same thoughts and feelings about this? Do you think the high school underclassman didn’t secretly lust after the senior head cheerleader? Of course he did. It’s natural to find self confidence and experience attractive. Perhaps that’s the reason Cougar stories have become so popular. Some of the most beautiful, exciting and interesting women in the world are over forty. They are living life large, confident in what they want and, ahem, in WHOM they want. Many mature women who aren’t anxious for entanglements have been there and done that with ‘relationships’. They instead want the freedom to have some fun. Not a thing wrong with it. Let’s be realistic here, mature men have been doing it for years.
And why wouldn’t a young man not find a more mature woman completely refreshing? He doesn’t have to worry about head games, biological clocks, hints of setting up housekeeping and future babies. He isn’t ready for that yet and often finds a mature, attractive woman just the kind of romantic partner that appeals. And of course there’s that whole ‘sexual peak’ thing.
I’m not advocating being a cougar. Not at all. It’s certainly not something that appeals to everyone. Just saying, to each his own and why can’t a mature, totally grown up woman look where she wants for fun and sexual fulfillment? It’s a brave new world out there. Embrace your maturity, your wit and wisdom, and reach for what you want.

DRILLED, my contribution to the Cougar Challenge series is available today at Ellora's Cave. For more information visit the Tempt the Cougar blog and read about all the other great stories in the series.


Buy It HERE!
Blurb:

A standalone story in the Cougar Challenge series.

Lori Donovan accepts the Cougar Challenge and pledges to snag a hot young stud, knowing it’ll be tough once she moves back to her Texas hometown. She expects barren plains and rattlesnakes but finds hunky Jackson Blue drilling for oil on her property instead. A driller. Hmm. Lori has a few ideas about that and just about all of them involve her poor, needy, sex-starved body.

Jackson takes one look at the curvy, sexy, older woman and puts his expertise into action. After all, drilling is what he does best. Against the wall, on the floor or in the middle of her bed, he’s the right man for the job. It’s a hot time in Texas when a tough, sexy drillin’ man meets a sassy cougar, and playing it safe just isn’t an option.


Excerpt:

Chapter One

A bet was a bet!

Damn it!

Whatever had possessed her to jump on the Cougar Challenge bandwagon and pledge to snare a hot, young stud? Knowing she only had the alcohol and a lack of common sense to blame, Loralee Donovan, plain old Lori to her friends, looked around her grandparents’ old house and considered what her life would be like living out here in no man’s land. Not a hot, eligible young stud muffin within a twenty-mile radius, she figured. She’d only been here a few days and already the thought of the work facing her made her forty-one-year-old bones ache like hell. Boxes were stacked everywhere waiting for her to begin unpacking and then she faced the daunting challenge of getting on with her life after the divorce. Just thinking about what Grant had done to her made her want to cuss. Jackass!

Sighing deeply, she trudged into the old-fashioned kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee before heading into the dining room to boot up her laptop. Time to check in with the other cougars. They’d met a few short months ago at an erotic reader and writers convention and they’d instantly clicked, each vowing over drinks in the bar to stop wallowing in misery and reach out for the hot, younger man of her dreams. Seven of them had already taken the plunge and now it was her turn.

Shit!

Feeling none too confident, she signed into the cougar blog they shared to exchange news, confidences, and advice.


Hey, ya’ll! How are my fellow cougars and champion margarita drinkers? Wanted to let you know that I finally made it back to Sandy Creek and I’ve settled into my grandparents’ old place. Lordy! You should see it. The Permian basin in west Texas sure as hell wouldn’t be featured in any travel brochures let me tell ya! Remember that movie “Giant” when young Rock brings young Liz to her new Texas home? The look of fear and wonder on her face? Talk about a flashback. The old Victorian sets smack-dab in the middle of acres of nothing. Dirt everywhere and winds that blow like a storm from hell every day and every night. Think desolate. But hey, what can I say, I’m home. Siiiigh. When I was a teenager, I couldn’t wait to shake the dust of this place off and have a great adventure. Now a little over two decades and a nasty divorce later, here I am back where I started. Don’t know whether to laugh or bawl like a baby. Starting over is never easy and now, on top of it all, I promised to snare and seduce some young stud. Why did ya’ll let me drink so much and can I get OUT of THIS? LOL. I’ve already talked to Autumn and she says no way in hell am I allowed to back out at this point. Crap. Looks like I’m stuck. So once I get settled in, this cougar is going hunting. Wish me luck.


Lori hit the publish button, tempted to bang her forehead on the keyboard. What had she gotten herself into? Well, if nothing else, she was a woman of her word and a deal was a deal. If she was to fulfill her promise, take the challenge, she had to find a younger guy, screw him silly and rediscover that wicked, naughty woman she’d once been. Could she do it? Here? The very notion made her laugh and shake her head. No way. Sandy Creek was one of those lonely little towns populated by the geriatric crowd and young families who barely scratched out a living on these desolate plains. It was the epitome of small town Texas and she very much doubted there was a bevy of young hunky studs just waiting to jump her forty-one-year-old bones. Laughable.

Before she could turn off the computer an IM box popped up on her screen. Autumn. Perfect timing as always.


Autumn: Hey chick! Did you get moved in?

Lori: Barely. Lordy, this place needs work. I’ve been back a couple of days. Currently staring at a bunch of unpacked boxes. How are you?

Autumn: Great! Couldn’t be happier. Can’t wait for you to meet Mitch. HA. The man rings all my bells and then some. Think you can come for a visit in a few weeks?

Lori: Damn! Lucky you! I’d love to come for a weekend but I just don’t know. There is so much to do here. Grandpa kind of let the place get run down after Grandma died. God, I miss him. Both of them. Anyway, when they left me the place, I was touched but I knew it was a real fixer-upper.

Autumn: Good luck with that. Okay, gotta ask. Are you ready to do it? The challenge?

Lori: Well, about that, hmm, yeah, I reckon so but I have a lot on my plate right now. First there’s the place and then I have to get a handle on all the stuff Grandpa had going on before he died.

Autumn: What stuff?

Lori: Looks like I’m sitting on a whole boatload of crude. Grandpa leased the land to a petroleum company and pump jacks are all over the place. Damn things look like a bunch of skeletons stretching off into the horizon.

Autumn: Wow, lots of money in that black stuff.

Lori: Don’t I know it. Need to check things out with all of this. I stand to earn a percentage of every barrel of oil they bring in so I need to stay on top of things. Oops. Phone. Gotta run. Talk to you later.

Rushing to the phone, she grabbed it up and breathlessly said hello.

“Mrs. Donovan?”

“Yes.”

“This is Jackson Blue of Blue Petroleum and Drilling. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

Damn but the man had a voice like dark, melted chocolate. Rich, slow and with a bit of an edge. Kind of like good sex. She settled in on the couch and tucked the phone against her face. “No, I’m still up. Um, I’ve been meaning to get out to the site. I’m behind. Sorry.”

His laughter was low and deep. Dear sweet heaven! The sound moved through her center to settle in the pit of her belly. Her pussy quivered just a little. Um. What the hell was wrong with her? Was she so desperate for the touch of a man that even a voice on the phone could turn her on? Pathetic. Yes, she was pathetic. He sounded young but there was no way to know for sure. “Some of the fellas said you’d taken possession of the house and I just wanted to give you awhile to settle in. I have some papers for you to sign to transfer the royalties over. Think you or your husband could meet me sometime tomorrow?”

Lori closed her eyes wishing he’d just keep talking forever. “I’m not married. Divorced.”

There was a pause over the line. “Ah, okay, that’s fine, Ms. Donovan.”

“Lori, please.”

“Sure, Lori. Tomorrow then? Want me to come by the house?”

She thought about the mess, the boxes, and shook her head though she knew he couldn’t see. Jeez! Dumb. “No, let me come out there. I’m dying to get a look at everything.”

Oh yeah! She’d crawl through gravel to get a look at the man behind that sexy come-fuck-me voice.

Jackson Blue laughed again. “Not a hell of a lot to see but, yeah, come on by. We’re drilling about half a mile south of the house. Can’t miss us.”

“I’ll be there with bells on.”

“Better make that boots. This is rattlesnake heaven out here.”

“Damn! I didn’t think about that.” Lori laughed and shivered simultaneously. “Snakes. It’s been a long time since I’ve lived out here. How could I have forgotten?”

There was another short pause. “I didn’t know you used to live here.”

“A long time ago, yes. My grandparents raised me but then I moved to Dallas after I married.”

“Must feel pretty weird to be back,” he said. “Coming from the Metroplex to the boonies is a flat-out culture shock.”

Laughter bubbled up. “You couldn’t be more right about that but honestly? A little solitude right now won’t hurt me a bit.”

Jackson’s voice came low and soothing. “That can get pretty lonely though. You know, all that solitude.”

She sighed, enjoying the conversation, enjoying him. “Guess I’ll find out. Ah heck, maybe I’ll hit Smoky Joe’s one night and join the land of the living.”

“Hey, that’s not a bad little honky tonk. I’ve been there a time or two since we rolled into town.”

“Best dance floor east of Midland.”

“So they tell me. Maybe we could head out there for a drink one evening? There’s not a lot in the way of entertainment around here and I get sick of hanging with the guys all the time.” He chuckled. “Could use some civilized company.”

“Who says I’m civilized?”

Lori wanted to bite her damn tongue off. Where in the hell had that flirty comment come from? She didn’t know a damn thing about this guy. He was just a smokin’ hot and dead sexy voice on the other end of the line.

Jackson only laughed. “A real wild woman, huh? This is sounding better and better. I can’t wait to meet you, Lori. Tomorrow then?”

“Yeah, see you then.” When they’d disconnected, she groaned as embarrassed heat climbed over her body. She’d really stepped in it this time.

In the zone!

Don't you love it when you're in the zone? You know what I mean, that spot where no matter what it is you need to do: writing, housecleaning, applying for a promotion at work and you're just so focused that you're...well you're in the zone.

I've been like that with my writing lately. I don't know if its just my determination pushing through, if I'm just really feeling this book, or a combination of the two, but whatever it is, I'm in place where I feel like nothing can stop me. It's just the best feeling! I think we all go through these times. Some days I feel like I just can't do anything and then I get in these flows where I can hardly keep up with my fingers as they're dancing across the keyboard.

I wish I could bottle this energy up for those slow days. LOL. Or at least wish I knew how to channel it when I need to. For now, I'm just need to take advantage of it while I can!

Anything big going on in your life that you're pushing for? A deadline? New job? Diet?

Monday Hotness!!

I didn't want Monday to come. I stayed in bed later than I should have and I'm still wishing I'd tossed the alarm clock across the room. It was a great weekend. Ended up getting lots of things done. Cleaned out my closet with the help of my daughters, which was WAY the hell past due! Also, the girls and I cleaned out my car. Again, way past due! Got caught up on laundry and even managed to exercise!

Today, I'm sitting in my chair and writing and it feels goooood. LOL

So, I figured maybe some of you had busy weekends and could use a few hunks to liven ya up a bit.

This guy looks...capable. Very capable...lol

My personal fave...yum!


I seriously need to start watching baseball!

Meet Alex...