Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year's Eve


So, anyone have any New Year's resolutions they want to share???
Mine usually are:

1. Stop smoking

2. Eat better

3. Exercise 



Well, I'm doing those lol. Didn't have much of a choice. Guess that means I really don't have any this year, they're already met!

* * * * 

My writing goals for this year are:

1. Get five novel length books out. (Wrapped in Leather is included in that, so is The Harvest: Journey's End, and Be My Human from the Moonlit Skies series. So, that really leaves just two books to do lol.)

2. Get at least three novella's out. I have a couple of idea's on that. (Nighttime Promises is included.)



Hope everyone has a great 2014. Hard to believe it's here already.
~M


Monday, December 30, 2013

Welcome Dawn Kimberly Johnson - Button Down

Thank you for having me today at Decadent Delights.

Button Down is my third novel, and it’s been a long time coming. My first novel, Broken and its sequel Home, were published in 2009 and 2010, respectively. After that I focused on short stories and novellas, submitting work to collections and anthologies. But I just couldn’t find another story that spoke to me long enough to become a full-blown novel.
And then Ford and Gus came to me, and I saw their love blossom in front of me like magic. I immediately knew who they were, where they were going, and why. And I just had to be the one who told their story.
For the longest time, it was exciting, but now it’s a bit sad because they're out in the world now, where they’ll be either embraced or pulled apart by the public. It has been a journey of extremes. In solitude I nursed Gus and Ford along, playing with the words, trying to paint a vivid picture of them and tell a solid tale, but on Dec. 23 my fellas were suddenly swamped by light, noise, expectations, and judgment.
I asked for it, didn’t I?
I remember Oprah discussing her project Beloved once. It wasn’t well received critically, and she said it was like someone had told her that her baby was ugly. I thought that was funny at the time, but not now, oh, not now.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Listen….” Gus ushered him toward Loretta’s porch and encouraged him to take a seat on the steps. They sat side by side, and Gus continued. “That night with you was amazing. I woke up the next morning feeling better than I had in months, feeling… hopeful.”
“But?”
“No ‘but.’ I fully intended to see you for lunch. Hell, I even called Lin and bowed out of the meeting with Reilly’s… well, with you, I guess, because I just wanted to keep feeling good. I didn’t want any fighting over this contract to spoil my buzz.”
“Are you saying you were high on me?” Ford smiled, putting a hand on Gus’s knee, but the look on the architect’s face prompted him to remove it with a sigh. “Now here comes the ‘but.’”
“Sorry, Ford. My ex left to find a cure for ‘the gay,’ and he thinks he found it with Family Strong.” Gus clutched the cylinder tightly. “And believe me… it twists my gut to turn these designs over knowing that organization has a hand in this community center,” he growled. Then his expression and voice softened as he looked at Ford. “But, about us… I just… I can’t go there again. I won’t get involved again with someone who hates himself.”
What? “I don’t hate myself!” Ford said, standing up. “Just because I’m not marching in a parade or don’t have a rainbow stuck to my bumper, doesn’t mean I hate myself, Gus!”
“It’s not about parades and bumper stickers, Ford. I don’t have one on my car, either.” Gus got to his feet. “It’s about being comfortable in your own skin, knowing that you’re okay just as you are. And even though few people ever accomplish it”—Gus reached out and placed his hand over Ford’s heart—“it’s about knowing it strongly enough in here that no one can ever make you feel not okay.”
Looking into each other’s eyes, Ford could feel the heat from Gus’s hand as if it were seeping through the cotton of his shirt and beneath his skin, reaching his heart. Ford could feel his heart beating stronger, faster, and he was sure Gus felt it too. They leaned in, coming so close they could sense the other’s breath through slightly parted lips. Their eyes closed, but at the last second Ford stiffened and pushed Gus’s hand away.
“It’s not that easy,” he said, looking nervously around the darkened street and up at the curtained windows of the neighboring homes. “My family….”
Gus stared at him for several moments, nodded, and leaned over to pick up his things. “Thanks for walking me over.”
Ford watched him walk up the steps, fish a set of keys out of the blue planter by the door, and, tucking the cylinder under one arm, unlock Loretta’s front door. He didn’t look at Ford again before closing and locking it behind him.

*****

Thanks for having me, M.A.



Blurb: When he finds himself captivated by a movie-star handsome stranger he meets in a bar, lawyer Ford Reilly watches a simple one-night stand develop into a taste of what living honestly might bring him.

Out and proud Gus Hansen has built a small architectural firm from nothing, but could lose it all as he tries to break a contract he signed before knowing about the project’s antigay ties.
After Ford discovers he spent a passionate night with the man on the other side of the dispute he’s handling, he finds himself in more than one quandary. He can either maintain the status quo, enforcing the contract to the letter, or he can defy his overbearing father and break free of the closeted life he's built for himself in order to be with Gus.

Gus has his own choices to make. He knows the sting of loving a man who hides himself, but the longer he lingers in Ford's presence, the more difficult it becomes to deny their attraction.






Bio: A native of West Virginia, Dawn Kimberly Johnson earned a BA from the Marshall University W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and worked as a copy editor at The Charleston Daily Mail for eight years.




Twitter: @Dawn_KJ | https://twitter.com/Dawn_KJ



Thursday, December 26, 2013

For the Love of Home and Hearth



For the Love of Home and Hearth
Part II 
Jason held the mug, letting the heat warm his hands. He blew gently at the rising steam while eyeing his mate… his very aroused mate. Jason discreetly sniffed the air, enjoying the results of his words on Chip. Carefully hiding his grin, he sipped his hot chocolate. The marshmallows had melted, adding to the taste.
The fire roared at his back, he held his favorite drink in his hand, and the love of his life sat across from him on the black, furry rug. The smell of burning wood, melted chocolate, and the sharp, aroused scent of Chip lay heavy in the air.
“You have…” Chip frowned, gesturing at Jason.
“Huh?” Jason looked down at his naked chest. “What?”
Chip licked his lips. “You got some… The marshmallows melted and… Aw, hell...”
Jason eyed hooded as Chip leaned forward. One of Chip’s hands tangled in Jason’s long hair, pulling him closer. Gently Chip brushed his mouth over Jason’s, his tongue creeping out to rub against Jason’s lips. He licked the white gooey stuff from Jason’s mouth. Jason heard Chip’s happy humming and his cock stiffened.
Suddenly Chip scooted even closer, tightening his hold on Jason’s hair. He pulled Jason’s head farther back, exposing his neck. Taken aback, Jason allowed the action, surprised at the groan from Chip. Jason’s lips were pried open and Chip’s tongue plunged inside, seeking. Tongues dueling, Jason lost himself in the kiss until the need for air forced them apart.
Jason, slightly stunned at Chip’s sudden aggressiveness, leaned back and nipped Chip’s bottom lip. “Hungry, huh?”
Inches apart, Chip chewed at the lip Jason nipped. He slowly eased his hand from Jason’s hair. “Oh man… I, ah… oh jeez, you, um, had marshmallow mustache. But I took care of it. God, Jason, hope your cougar didn’t think I was challenging him. Seriously, I know who the alpha is here. I… ah, got carried away. You’re just so damn sexy sitting here in front of the fire, all that long hair everywhere…”
How cute his mate looked. Not so much the aggressor now. “No worries, babe. You just surprised him, and me.”
Jason didn’t add that his cougar wasn’t threatened, more curious as to where the unexpected aggression came from. He was aware Chip was going to be incredibly strong when he fully came into his cougar. Jason knew Chip worried that he and his cougar couldn’t yet communicate. Jason’s cougar wasn’t worried, so neither was Jason. When Chip’s cougar was ready, he’d make his present know. Indeed, Jason wondered if that kiss wasn’t a warning shot, so to speak, from Chip’s cougar. Chip might not be content to be the just the sweet bottom he’d been for much longer.
Jason reached out to his cougar in him mind. So, how do you feel about bottoming, O Wise One? Think you can handle it?
By the Great Spirit, I’ve never thought about it. I’m not sure, Jason. I’ve always been the one in control, as have you. How do you feel?
I don’t think Chip is really challenging you for position. I think Chip’s cougar just wants a little control. Can’t blame him for that with what happened with the inheritance and the speed at which I forced him to mate me.
True. As long as we can see him, I think it’ll be okay. I don’t think I can handle him taking us from behind.
I agree.
Chip continued to gnaw on his bottom lip. “Okay, what are you two talking about? I’m feeling a little left out. Jason, I really wasn’t trying to
Jason winked. “Hush. It’s all okay. So… you sure you got it all? All the marshmallow, that is? Better come back here and make damn sure.”
Chip’s eyes widened. “But, but… What are you saying, Jason? I thought… You’ve never hinted that you were… I really, really wasn’t trying to… God!”
Jason ran his thumb over Chip’s lips. He wished he could freeze that expression on Chip’s face. Such innocence, such hope… such lust. “Let me ask you a question, and I expect you to answer honestly. Do you want to top me?”
Chip swallowed, mouth abruptly dry. “Usually I like bottoming, you know that. But, here in the last few days, I’ve… Okay, yeah, I’ve thought about it. I can’t get the idea out of my head. But, I didn’t figure… Both you and your cougar are more dominant. You are the Alpha, and I know that… my cougar knows that.”
Jason raised an eyebrow. “Is that a yes?”
Chip blew out a breath. “God, it is, yes. Are you mad? Is that going to be a problem? Look, I’ll try to not to… Um, what are you doing? Jason?”
Jason moved until he was flat on his back. He had his answer. The throw Chip had covered him with earlier ended up pushed down around his hips. The fur from the rug rubbed against him, and the firelight gave the room a soft, gentle look…. romantic, even. Almost as romantic as when he turned Chip. Jason raised one knee and held out his hand to Chip.
“Though you wanted to top me.”
Chip’s mouth fell open, his eyes blinking in shock. Jason sprawled the fur rug, hair spread out around him, one leg raised. The bulge under the blanket clearly showed Jason was hard. “Holy Mother of God… and thank you too, Wha-tay.” Chip still hadn’t moved. “Are you sure, Jason? Both of you sure?”
“We are. Just… we need to be facing, Chip, when you enter me. That way, my animal spirit won’t feel challenged. Keep in mind I’ve never bottomed, either.”
Chip’s eyes stung. “Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? I’ll be the first one ever inside you… the only one ever inside you. This gift… I feel… Jesus, I love you.”
“I love you too. Merry Christmas, love.”
Chip snorted as he leaned closer. “You’re not a Christian.”
Jason cupped Chips face as a shower of sparks lit the surrounding area. By the Great Spirit, his mate’s deep red hair glowed in the firelight. Chip was simply gorgeous. “No, but I know this holiday means something to you. I can celebrate it regardless of my beliefs. I mean, you didn’t manage to overlook the tree and the massive amount of gifts under it, did you? No, I know you haven’t. I’ve caught you under it shaking gifts more than once.”
Chip pouted. “I can’t help it. They’re just so… pretty and shiny.”
Jason snorted. “You are such a kitty.”
“Oh, really? Want to talk about the laser pointer?”
Jason squirmed on the furry rug, his cock resting against his thigh. “Um, aren’t you supposed to be doing something other than harassing me about that damn laser pointer?”
Chip bent over his mate, eyes locked with Jason. “You’re sure this won’t change anything?”
Jason threaded his hand through Chip’s hair. Such concern. How could he not give this to Chip? “My manhood isn’t tie to whether or not my ass gets fucked. I know some men feel different. But babe, I’ve been alive for a long time, seen things that are better left to the hazy fog of memories, and… I’ve bathed in the blood of my enemies. Getting my ass reamed isn’t going to shake my identity.”
“Okay. I just don’t want… problems.”
“I can’t promise I’m going to love it like you do. I don’t know since I’ve never done it. Let’s just see what happens, okay? You seem to feel such things… I hope I feel the same things.” Jason’s hand released Chips hair and dropped back onto the rug, leaving his body opened.
“I’m damn sure going to try and blow your mind, I promise you that.” Chip slanted his mouth over Jason’s again. He didn’t linger, but moved down Jason’s body quickly.
Unable to speak, Jason’s hands fisted the furry rug as Chip left sloppy kisses on his way down Jason’s chest. He moaned deep in his throat when Chip licked across a hard nipple. Jason’s cock jumped, pointing straight towards his stomach. His body flushed and suddenly he couldn’t wait to get that blanket off him. Where he’d been cold earlier, now he was burning up.

For the Love of Home and Hearth
Part III 
Chip jerked the blanket off Jason’s body. “You’re so fucking sexy. God, you make me crazy, I just want to eat you up.” Chip surged to his knees with the intention of crawling between Jason’s legs.
Jason’s hand on Chip’s cock stopped him. “How about you leave this up here by me?”
Chip shuddered in Jason’s grasp. “You want to sixty-nine?”
Jason stroked the cock that leaked in his hand. “Stop asking questions, please, and leave this where I can get to it.”
“Not a problem.”
Chip didn’t know what Jason planned, but he didn’t care. He was a man on a mission. Not far from his face was a cock he was just itching to get in his mouth. Still on his hands and knees, he nuzzled Jason’s dick. He was going to cram that piece of meat down his throat and choke on it until Jason yelled. Yeah, he totally dug that idea. He’d make Jason wiggle all over this fur rug and scream his name… like Jason often did to him.
Just love him, Chip. This is a big deal for them.
Chip froze. That was his cougar. Oh freaking God, that was his cougar! Can you hear me too?
We can talk later. Right now something needs our attention.
“Um… Chip?” Jason patted Chip’s ass.
A slightly hysterical laugh threatened to break loose. “Sorry. My, ah… Good Lord. You’re not going to believe this, but my cougar finally decided to speak to me.”
Jason raised his head, staring down at Chip. “Just as you’re getting ready to suck me?”
Chip broke eye contact and rested his head on Jason’s hip, a giggle fighting to escape. “Yeah, what timing, huh?”
Jason snorted. He shifted his hips, his cock bumping Chip’s chin. “Sounds like he shares your sense of humor. And… hint, hint.”
“Heaven help us, then. And it’s kind of hard, ha-ha, to miss your hints.”
Chip smirked at his joke then closed his mouth over Jason’s cock, tongue caressing that long, hard shaft. Jason’s smell alone made Chip’s cock strain. That clean manly scent and a hint of something wild, a musky scent that made Chip’s dick twitch. He bobbed his head up and down while rolling Jason’s balls. He pulled back and closed his lips over the dome of Jason’s shaft, sucking the crown.
He sighed in pleasure as, taking an inch at a time, he went back down, driving his mate completely insane. A harsh groan behind him made Chip smirk mentally. Jason was groaning now? Oh, his mate had no idea. He relaxed his throat, closed his eyes, and lodged that thick cock deep, lips pressed against Jason’s groin. The strangled sounds Jason made pleased him.
Then he made his own strangled sounds when a finger brushed down the crease of his ass. Now he understood why Jason wanted him to stay at his side and move down between his legs. It was all about access. Jason’s finger teased Chips hungry hole. He moaned encouragement as that finger entered him, the usual tightness slowing Jason’s entry.
Chip pulled off Jason’s cock. “Oh fuck, Jason.” He pushed back as Jason hunted for his hot spot. “Aren’t I’m supposed to be doing that to you?”
Jason spread his legs. He gently removed his finger and pushed the lube down toward Chip.
Chip got the message loud and clear. “Oh yeah, my turn. I’m going to make you feel so good, mate.”
At a gentle tap, Chip moved between Jason’s legs. A small puddle of precome pooled on that toned belly. He heard the slight moan from his mate as he ran his fingers through the liquid on Jason’s stomach and licked his fingers. “You taste good.”
Jason’s arms jerked forward, reaching for Chip before Jason caught himself. He fisted his hands on the bedding.
Chip stoked Jason’s cock. “I want this to be good for you, you know, just in case you never let me do this again. Try to relax, okay? I’m not going to hurt you.”
“I know, babe. I trust you.”
Chip held Jason’s shaft upright. He kissed the head, then closed his lips over the dome of Jason’s shaft again. He knew how much Jason like that. He sucked on the crown, running his tongue over the head and teasing the slit. Precome flooded Chip’s mouth. Maybe that was the trick. Keep Jason focused on his dick and off his ass. Good thing the lube Jason pushed down was within reach.
Chip used his tongue to keep Jason’s attention on his cock and flipped the top of the lube opened. He released Jason’s cock and quickly poured some into his hand, warming it. Panting, Jason pulled his legs higher, giving Chip access. His finger teased Jason’s hole, a barely-there touch that had Jason twisting on the bed. He played there, massaging that hot little hole no one had ever entered until Jason finally moaned.
“Chip... do it. I want to feel you in me.”
Chip had lubed Jason’s hole well. He pressed his finger in slowly and twisted, hunting for Jason’s hot spot.
“Burns.”
“I know, but it’s about to get better.”
Chip lowered his head and sucked Jason’s cock back into his mouth. He smiled at a startled yelp from above and ruthlessly attacked that bundle of nerves. He gently worked two fingers in, scissoring them open as he prepared his mate. Jason leaked precome from the constant attention to his prostate.
 “Fuck. Do it.” Jason pulled his legs higher. “Just get in me, please.
Chip let Jason’s cock pop out then stuffed a pillow under Jason, raising his hips. Frantically, he slathered more lube on his aching dick and rested his cock against Jason’s hole. There was so much more he wanted to do, but he was as desperate as his mate. Slowly, he pushed in as Jason fought his body, straining to relax. The guardian muscle resisted, then gave way. Chip entered in one motion, not stopping until he was deep inside. Leaning over Jason, Chip waited for the tightness to ease.
“Damn, you’re thick.” Jason panted as he locked his legs around Chip’s hips.
“I’m not nearly as big as you. Breathe for me, Jason, and try not to fight.” Resting on his hands above Jason, Chip kissed the tip of his nose. “Oh thank God, you’re loosening. Ready for me to move?”
“Yes.”
A little slide in, a little slide out. When Jason’s breath caught, Chip moved a little faster… a little hard thrust, a little quicker withdrawal… making sure to constantly nail that sensitive bundle of nerves. Jason moaned. Chip was damn certain it wasn’t from pain—Jason was rock hard.
“More,” Jason gasped.
Oh hell yeah, he’d give Jason more. Chip drove in and out, hard, as Jason tightened his legs around Chip. He pounded Jason, going faster as Jason moved with him. Chip stared at his mate, watching the stunned pleasure that crossed Jason’s face. Beautiful.
One final hard push and tingling started at the base of his spine. “Gonna come. You ready?”
“Fuck, yeah. Fill me up.”
“Oh Jesus, I… love…” Chip grunted, his orgasm barreling down. “You….”
He’d never forget the smile on Jason’s face as he came.

The fire still burned and the snow still fell. The Christmas tee lights glowed. Held securely in Jason’s arm, Chip turned to look at his mate. “Merry Christmas, love.”
“Merry Christmas to you too. Ready to go to bed?”
Chip yawned. “Can’t we stay where we are? I like it here. The fire and a couple of blankets will keep us warm. I want to lie here, stare out the window at the snow, and enjoy the lights on the tree.”
“If you want to stay here, then here we’ll stay.” Jason ran his hand through Chip’s hair as they cuddled closer. “Anything for you, my mate, anything at all.”

The End

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Wednesday Briefs Christmas brief

Welcome to the Wednesday Briefers flash group. The short stories have a maximum of a 1000 word count plus links at the bottom to the other flashers. The prompts for this week are:


I’m using a picture prompt this week~



For the love of Home and Hearth

“Come on, come on…”

He loved snow, but God, the damn stuff was freaking cold when you didn’t have fur covering you any longer. He’d wished for a white Christmas down here in what he now affectionately called Freaksville, but he hadn’t really thought he’d get it. Didn’t snow here often. Not only had he gotten his wish for snow, he’d gotten nearly a foot of the stuff. Merry Christmas to him!

But now he was freezing. With chills chasing across his skin, Chip fed more kindling onto the fire, slowly nursing the flames. Desperate for heat, but determined not to rush things, he leaned closer and blew gently on the growing flame. A sudden pop sounded then an explosion of sparks raced up a piece of wood, igniting one of the bigger logs. 
Chip sighed, relieved. “There we go.”
He tended the flames, coaxing forth a nice roaring fire. He loved that the fireplace was real, not gas. They were a mess, sure, but nothing beat them. And the bricks were old, very old, and hand-laid by his grandfather. A burst of heat engulfed him, warming his chilled skin. He moved back slightly, rearranging his body. Soft fur suddenly tickled his foot, making him grin. In front of the fireplace was a huge, furry black rug. Jason had brought it with him when he moved in months ago. Chip loved the damn thingit was so soft. And okay, yes, it reminded him of something…or rather, someone.
From the kitchen the microwave beeped, drawing Chip’s attention. “Oh, thank you, God.”
Chip hurried into the kitchen, jeans still unbuttoned at the top, no shirt, and no shoes. That was all he’d bothered to throw on when they came inside. His toes curled on the new tile floor. He and Jason had laid every square of that tile themselves, and he was damn proud of their work, but damn it was cold. He and Jason were updating the house he’d inherited upon his granny’s death not long ago.
Little did he know the place came with a Native American shifter who planned on claiming him. They’d had a rocky start, but things were settling now into normalcy. Chip snorted. As normal as things could be, considering he’d mated a black cougar shifter. And oh yeah, he was now a shifter too. Normal had a new meaning.
He opened the microwave door and removed the mugs of heated milk. Shivering slightly, he mixed in the homemade hot chocolate mix he’d prepared earlier. “Damn, damn, damn, please tell me there are marshmallows left from the bonfire last night.”
Chip opened the pantry door, shoving things around as he hunted the needed ingredient. “Ah-ha, there they are! And shoved toward the back, of course.”
Bending at the waist, he reached into the pantry. They really needed to widen this thing. His fingers just brushed across the package when a heavy weight leaned against his legs. The smell of crushed grass, wild animal, and something more pronounced—a woodsy musk—enveloped him. Breathing deeply, he inhaled the scent. God, he loved that smell. A low purr greeted him and, damn, something nudged his ass.
“Jesus, behave.”
Backing out of the pantry, he straightened quickly. At his feet was one of the biggest cougars he’d ever seen. But that wasn’t the most intriguing thing about the cat. No, what was unique, besides the fact the cat could shift into a human, was the color of the cat’s coal black coat. There were no authenticated cases of truly melanistic cougars. The animal didn’t exist, except for the one currently purring and rubbing its head against his thigh, scent-marking him.
“Kitty want some milk?”
Greenish-yellow eyes narrowed and a fang flashed. A rolling growl floated through the kitchen. A long black tail skittered across the tile floor. Then the cougar once again head-butted Chip, only this time harder.
Chip stumbled back, laughing aloud. He rattled the back of marshmallows at the cougar. “Hey! I have the marshmallows for the hot chocolate. Be nice or I’ll put’em up the top shelf.”
The cougar turned up its nose and stalked out of the kitchen. Chip watched as the cougar flopped down on the black furry rug by the fireplace. It was hard to tell where the rug ended and the cat started, especially since there was only light from the fireplace. Amused at his thoughts, Chip fixed the hot chocolate and carried the mugs to the fireplace. He left the mugs on the bricks and sat. The big cat rested a paw on his leg, staring at Chip.
“It’s supposed to snow tonight. Tomorrow I’ll shift, and you guys can go play in the snow… all day, if you want. Does that sound good?”
The cougar purred loudly.
Jason and his cougar were separate identities, with the ability to speak internally, so Chip treated them as such. Chip still hadn’t developed the ability to speak to his cougar, but the animal spirit was there. Chip felt him. “Well then, in that case, come back to me, babe. I have hot chocolate.”
 Chip cringed at the screeching of bones popping, rearranging. The tearing sounds that filled the room made his body hurt. Finally, a low groan sounded from the rug. “Fuck, Jason, I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to those sounds.”
“But it’s worth it, right?” Jason trembled, shivers racing across his body. “It’s kind of cold in here now without the fur.”
Chip jerked a throw off the couch and threw it over Jason. As much as he hated covering that hunky body, it was cool in the den. No problem, though. After Jason warmed up, Chip planned to remove that covering… with his teeth, if needed. The mere thought of long, black hair spread out and—Chip gulped—all that toned, naked skin just waiting to be loved on, had his cock pushing against the fly of his jeans.
“Yeah, we should’ve turned the heat up before we left this morning.”
He retrieved the hot chocolate and held it out to Jason. “Drink up. I even added the little marshmallows you like so much.”
“Thanks, babe. And just as soon as I warm up, I’m going to remove you from those jeans. Thought I’d throw that out there.”
The blood flowing to his cock so suddenly made Chip dizzy. “Well, then, drink up.”

Merry Christmas, everyone! May your day be filled with things that make you happy. Best wishes for a safe holiday. :) Try not to eat too much... which I probably will do. 
Chip and Jason are the characters from the novel Shadows in the Night. The rest will post on the 26th.

~M


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Christmas Eve



Um... yeah.








HA! There's my other string of lights!!!!








Message? What message??? OH, that one!








Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night...




Monday, December 23, 2013

Fun and interesting things about Christmas


Want to know some fun and interesting things about Christmas? Check out the facts below!






§ Christmas is an annual Christian holiday held on December 25th celebrating the birth of Jesus.









 Christmas trees are also known as the Yule-tree.


§ Christmas trees are evergreen trees, usually either a fir tree, pine tree or spruce tree.


§ It is believed that decorating Christmas trees originated in 16th century Germany when Christians would bring decorated trees into their homes.




§ Some people say the Christmas season officially begins when Santa arrives at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. 


§ Did you ever wonder where X-Mas came from? X means Christ in Greek so to shorten the word Christmas we sometimes use X-Mas.


§ In 1836 Alabama became the first state in the US to declare Christmas a legal holiday.


§ Oklahoma became the last state to declare Christmas a legal holiday in 1907.


§ In June of 1970 Christmas became a federal holiday in the US.


§ Christmas trees were first decorated with foods such as apples, nuts and dates.


§ In the 18th century Christmas trees began being decorated with candles.





§ Electric Christmas tree lights were first used in 1895.












§ Did you know that giving presents were once banned by the Catholic Church? It was believed that gift giving was connected to paganism.


§ If you received all the gifts from the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” you would have 364 presents.


§ Do you know why we say the Twelve Days of Christmas? It is believed that it took the 3 kings 12 days to find baby Jesus.


§ The song Jingle Bells was written by James Pierpont in 1857. It was originally called “One Horse Open Sleigh” and was made for Thanksgiving.


§ Many years ago in England a traditional Christmas dinner included a pig head served with mustard.


§ The tradition of naughty children getting a lump of coal in their stocking comes from Italy.


§ Did you know that tinsel was once made of real silver! It was invented in Germany in 1610.


§ There are two islands named Christmas. Christmas Island (formerly Kiritimati) in the Pacific Ocean and Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.


§ The tallest Christmas tree ever displayed was in Seattle Washington in 1950. The Christmas tree was 221 feet tall!






§ It is said that candy canes were invented by a candy maker in Indiana. He wanted to use them to spread the name Jesus around the world.

§ Santa Claus is also known as St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, Grandfather Frost and Kris Kringle.


§ Santa is believed to bring gifts to good girls and boys on the night before Christmas (December 24th).


§ There are three towns in the Us that are named Santa Claus. One in Georgia, one in Arizona, and one in Indiana.

§ Santa Claus eight reindeer are named: Comet, Cupid, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donder, Blitzen.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Traditions… then and now


One of my favorite traditions has been trimming the tree. *laugh* Okay, yes, it’s a pain getting the tree down from the attic, setting it, and so on. When the kids were young, I’d haul it down a day or so after Thanksgiving. They were off for Thanksgiving break and that Saturday we’d get started on the tree.
That was *always* the first thing done. And man, I had boxes of ornaments. Ornaments from the very old, the very expensive… to things made by the kids in school. Our tradition was the kids helped me dress the tree—it was naked when it came from the attic, so it was up to us to dress it. That’s what the kids called it, lol.
When they were young, they couldn’t wait to get at all the shiny, twinkly things, lol. The delight in their eyes when they saw all the cool stuff… man—such sweet innocence and wonder.
But as time passed, they grew up. They had things to do, or so they told me. There were friends to meet up with, riding up and down the streets, and much hanging out to be done in the Walmart parking lot. *rolls eyes* It was my pleasure to tell them fine… as soon as the tree was dressed. *wink* Of course, they had to get the prerequisite gripping in, but the tree got done, lol.
Now the kids are no longer kids. They’ve grown up and moved out. And the past few years have been rough with the passing of my Mom. The kids were close to her too. Christmas hasn’t been the same, and we just went through the motions. Christmas was a chore.
Well, for those who know me, you know I had a serious health scare in early October. My life got turned upside down, and I’m still struggling to cope. But, know what? That scare brought us back together. We have plans for that Saturday after Thanksgiving, lol. My son’s bringing the tree from work for us to dress. My daughter knows she’s going to have drag all the boxes of ornaments out since I can’t.
They’re both so excited, like they used to be… and so am I. As I type this, I’m listening to Christmas music on my laptop. I’ve finally found my holiday spirit. There’s something to be said for traditions, lol. They bring peace and comfort. I’m really looking forward to this one again.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
~M




Saturday, December 21, 2013

Welcome Sharita Lira

Hey everyone! Today I have author Sharita Lira visiting Decadent Delights! So come on in, grab something hot to drink, and lets get to it, lol!










~ You’re marooned on a small island with one person and one item of your choice—who is that person and what item do you have? 
SL: I better say my husband. *laughs* Other than the essentials, something that played music. An IPod dock, a record player, CD player, doesn’t matter.



~How do you come up with a title?
SL: The characters usually pick the title, or the muse. Believe me I’m just the fugure head. I let the muses play as they want.



~When do you do your best writing… morning, afternoon, evening, night?
SL: Night into early morning because the house is asleep. I have 2 small children.



~Out of all the stories you’ve written which one are you most proud of?
SL: This changes daily but it’s my m/m I just finished called Something Like Jayden. I was really happy with how it turned out and I love my character Jayden DeMario. He is a sweet kid!



~Do you plan your stories and, if so, to what extent?
SL: I have tried chapter outlines (with Jayden), writing character arcs which I still do. I can’t do full outlines. They don’t work for me. Really its better when I let the muses take over and I add details as I go along. I have set scenes in my head and write those down.



~ Take one of your stories and tell us what you would change about it if you would do it over again.
SL: Only one? *laughs* I’ll have the opportunity to do Michael’s Second Chance story over again. I’ll be getting my rights back from the publisher soon. I’d like to make it longer, delve deeper into the characters. When I first started, I didn’t do that enough. Now I know better so I’d like to go back into that one.



~ Where do you get your best ideas?
SL: From everyday life and looking at hot men. *laughs*



~What do you do to relax?
SL: Reading a good book with music in the background!



~Do you listen to music when you're writing?
SL: Yes I do. All kinds and it really depends on the story I’m doing at the time.


* * * *


My two latest releases. One under BLMorticia, the other under Rawiya



Blurb: Bryant is still trying to convince his lover how great the holidays could be but Nathan isn’t buying into the holiday cheer. However, the Lieutenant has some tricks up his sleeve to show his husband to be the true meaning of Christmas.

ARe Smashwords Amazon
















Blurb: Denny Brothers is upset about being alone. After spending it with the man he’d been gushing over for years, he’s wishing for his sad existence to be change and little does he know witch Shelba Marrisco already has plans in the works. Enter Paul Alexander, a charming and sexy package handler with a special after Christmas gift they both can enjoy for the rest of their lives but in order to have a chance, Denny has to let go of his beloved chocolate lab, Preston, in exchange for everlasting love.










Author Sharita Lira: In one word, crazy. Just crazy enough to have 3 different muses running around in her head, driving her to sheer exhaustion with new plot bunnies and complex characters.

This happily married mother of two beautiful children loves music, computers, reading, and still enjoys reading and writing fanfiction. She’s a proud member of the Erotica Readers & Writers Association, as well as an advocate for rights of LGBT citizens. She’s also a contributor to the heavy metal ezine Fourteeng.net.

For more information, please visit http://www.thelitriad.com as well as her Facebook fanpage, The Literary Triad.

The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com/#!

Michael Mandrake – http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com

BLMorticia – http://blmorticia.wordpress.com

Rawiya - http://rawiyaerotica.wordpress.com

TriadPromo – http://triadliteraryworks.blogspot.com/

Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikembl

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/TheLiteraryTriad

AuthorGraph – http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/rawiyamikembl


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Friday, December 20, 2013

Winner of The Harvest giveaway!

Psss... make sure to the read the WHOLE post guys. There's a surprise at the end...




 And the winner is



Jim D

I've emailed the winner! 

* * * *


That's not all!!! Since there were so many comments I picked another winner. So...

Misty Luh

You are a winner too. Email has been sent. :)

Sunday, December 15, 2013

The Harvest: Taken giveaway



Or, are we?
Grab a group of people and ask if they believe aliens have visited Earth. Then sit back and watch what happens, lol. If all you end up with is a heated discussion, you’re lucky. No matter what people believe, they defend their opinion vigorously.
Ever watch those TV shows that talk about the pyramids and how they were built? Or Stonehenge? What about Aztec temples? It does get you to thinking, does it not? How did they move those stones, carry that stuff… and do it without modern technology? Even if you don’t believe in alien visitation, it still leaves huge questions. Hate to say it, but some of the theories of how ancient man accomplished those things are lame.
Or hey, let’s talk Area 51 and the secrecy which surrounds that facility.
So, are we alone in our little corner of the universe? And that begs the question: What if we aren’t alone? Then, what else is out there, watching… waiting? Are they friends or foe? Or worse yet, what if they are neither? What if we just happen to have something they want? What then? And what happens when they no longer wait?
This brings me to the basics of The Harvest: Taken. Aliens come to Earth and yes, we have something they want: DNA, the building blocks of life. And that’s very important to my aliens, the Tah’Narians. You see, they can’t reproduce anymore and they need DNA. They also are looking for mates to reproduce with.
Welcome to Earth, a lotto system, and young males that are harvested between ages twenty-three and twenty-eight. A scary concept, is it not? But it gets even scarier when a Tah’Narian starship captain is given permission to harvest a young male who is under the age limit.

Dale Michael thought he was safe since he was under the legal age limit. He was wrong.




Blurb:
In the year 2050, humanity finds out they are indeed not alone.

Massive space ships appear without warning above the capital cities of all major nations. The planet Tah'Nar is dying. Chemical warfare has reduced the once-intersexed warrior race to sterility. They need fresh DNA in order to reproduce and have an idea for a harvesting program... and so they turn to Earth.

Earth governments negotiate a lottery, and Dale Michael assumes he's safe since he's under the Harvest age limit. How wrong he is. He's illegally harvested and claimed by Tah'Narian starship captain Keyno Shou. From the moment Keyno sees Dale, he knows he must claim the spirited human male for his own. What he doesn’t expect is a spitfire with a mind of his own—and a deadly disease that will require a risky procedure to cure.

~ ~ ~

Open to US folks only. 
So, to enter the giveaway, comment with an email addy, and tell me if you think aliens have visited Earth. The giveaway runs from now to Friday, December 20th. I'll email the winner for their home address. 
You get a signed print copy and a notebook I had made. The notebook has the cover of Harvest on it. It's pretty cool lol. There's also a few surprises I plan to throw in lol. Just some swag I have. ;)
 After Christmas I'll do an  eBook giveaway for everyone inside and outside the US. Then in Jan I have another book coming out and more giveaways planned for that.