How do you like your Regency?

Recently Georgette Heyer's books have been made available in e-Book format. I've downloaded several of them. I recall my mom reading them when I was young, and while she knows better than to read what I write, I asked her about Ms. Heyer's titles.

A true writer of the Regency era, Ms. Heyer invokes details I'll never put into my books. Why? For the simple matter of space. Her details are beautiful and invoke 2 separate eras--that of the Regency and that of mid-20th century writing. My details may be a tad sparser, but I hope they adequately convey a sense of time and place.

I won't even get into the obvious differences between us. I doubt very much Ms. Heyer thought about writing a Regency Ménage Tale series. Could be wrong but I doubt it.

Seduction of a Proper Lady: A Regency Ménage Tale now available!

Changes

I had to put Flowers in the Tower on hold indefinitely. It's not that I don't like the story, but it's not going in the direction I wanted it to. Plus, it's taking me too long to get through individual chapters, and I know it's because I don't like the direction of the story.

That said, I'm now working on a new Regency Ménage, Risqué. A woman who knows what she wants in a lover, and the rake with his eye set on her. An innocent who wants both of them, gossips (and his mother) be damned.

This story is entirely plotted with the first scene of chapter one completed. I'm really excited about this one, and am already thinking about the next in the series. I've updated the 2011 projects on the sidebar-moving to the Victorian era with some fun things planned for this, then back to the Regency. 2011 may be busy but it'll full of fun, sex, and sexy fun. With a contest or 2 tossed in as well.

Hurricane Irene

Everyone survive?

I have to say, no one warned me that living in the North East USA would allow me to experience an Earthquake, Hurricane, AND Tornado all in one damn week.

To be fair, the earthquake was barely a 3.0 on the scale by the time I felt it, but it was my first earthquake and kinda cool for all that. And I had lived through hurricanes before, and it was only a tornado warning/watch but nothing really touched down near me.

All that aside, it's been an interesting week nature wise.

Friday Recipe

Flat Iron Steak with Three Pepper Rub, and with peppers from my own (rather sad) garden!

Prep Time:  Cook Time:  Ready In:
5 Min           10 Min           2 Hrs 15 Min

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 pounds flat iron steaks

Directions

1. Stir together the paprika, salt, sugar, chili powder, chipotle powder, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin in a small bowl until blended. Rub the seasoning mix all over the flat iron steaks, then wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Marinate in the refrigerator 2 to 8 hours (the longer the better).
2. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil grate.
3. Cook the steaks on the preheated grill until cooked to your desired degree of doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium. Allow the steaks to rest for 5 minutes in a warm location before slicing.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 295 | Total Fat: 17.8g | Cholesterol: 103mg

New series idea!

Ok, it's still an historical menage, but it's set in Paris 1878 over the course of seven months. Toying with one book per month, and already have an idea for the first.

Of course, I need to finish Flowers in the Tower and start Sinful, but I love the idea!

Does Sex Sell?

What would you rather read?

A story dripping with sex and sexual content with just the hint of a plot?
A story with a complicated plot that revolves around sex?
A story with a complicated plot that just contains sex but the sex is not integral to the story?
A story with a fast paced plot but non graphic sexual content?
A story with a complicated fast paced plot with no sex?

Friday Recipe: Ginger Glazed Mahi Mahi

Ginger Glazed Mahi Mahi...not a big fan of ginger but this was really good!

Prep Time:     Cook Time:     Ready In:
5 Min               12 Min              37 Min

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
• 1 clove garlic, crushed or to taste
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 4 (6 ounce) mahi mahi fillets
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

1. In a shallow glass dish, stir together the honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, ginger, garlic and olive oil. Season fish fillets with salt and pepper, and place them into the dish. If the fillets have skin on them, place them skin side down. Cover, and refrigerate for 20 minutes to marinate.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove fish from the dish, and reserve marinade. Fry fish for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, turning only once, until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove fillets to a serving platter and keep warm.
3. Pour reserved marinade into the skillet, and heat over medium heat until the mixture reduces to a glaze consistently. Spoon glaze over fish, and serve immediately.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving  Calories: 259 | Total Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 124mg

What I'm reading

The Help cause the movie looks great. I've just started it but am enjoying it so far. What about you? What are you reading?

Forgot where I was going

In all the excitement with the release of Seduction of a Proper Lady, I've forgotten where I was going with Flowers in the Tower.

So this week I plan to read over the 7,000 words I have and remind myself before delving back into the story this weekend. My goal is to double the word count this weekend.

Friday recipe: Fruit salad

If you can't have fruit salad in the summer, when can you? Sure, come January it sounds delicious but those fruit prices are astronomical. I think I need to invest in a greenhouse or hydroponics or something.

This is a Tangy Poppy Seed Fruit Salad. I admit, I was skeptical at first--poppy seeds on a fruit salad? Are they good for you or just tasty? I still don't know but it was good!

Prep Time:      Cook Time:
15 Min              15 Min

Ingredients

• 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks - drained with juice reserved
• 1 orange, peeled and segmented
• 1 kiwi -- peeled, halved and sliced
• 1 cup seedless grapes
• 1 cup quartered strawberries
• 1/4 teaspoon grated lime zest
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Directions

1. In a large bowl, toss pineapple, orange, kiwi, grapes and strawberries. In a small cup or bowl, combine lime zest, lime juice, honey, poppy seeds and 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice. Stir well and toss with fruit.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 178 | Total Fat: 0.9g | Cholesterol: 0mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

Nutritional Information

Tangy Poppy Seed Fruit Salad

Servings Per Recipe: 4

New Release!

I missed it earlier, was in and out all day, but Seduction of a Proper Lady: A Regency Ménage Tale was released! And did I mention I love the cover?

New cover!

This is my new cover for Seduction of a Proper Lady. I love it. No release date yet.

August's goal

Note the singular usage of goal. My only goal for August is to finish Flowers in the Tower: A Ménage. OK, that and keep up with the blog, but that's my writing goal. I refuse to overburden myself during the beautiful summer month of August.

How are you spending August?

Vacation day

I'm off to the beach! Who else is up for a little relaxing time? A little fun in the sun with a great book time? Currently reading: The Army and the Sex Experiment by Dee Crouse because the blurb sounded interesting, despite the 3 star ratings for spelling/editing mistakes.

Taken to an unknown destination, stripped naked and left in a room with a fellow women comrad. What is exactly is the Army up to and why are they locked in a room together naked. How will they handle the attraction that they have for each other especially when they're naked.


His job was to watch them. They were his experiment. He was documenting their every move. This was better then porn. He loved the Army and his job.

Friday Recipe: Spinach and Tortellini Salad

I'm not a big spinach eater, but it's incredibly healthy for you and so once in a while, I force myself. But I love tortellinis! And this salad is pretty good.

Prep Time:      Cook Time:        Ready In:
15 Min             15 Min                 30 Min

Ingredients

• 1 (9 ounce) package cheese-filled tortellini
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives
• 1 (8 ounce) bottle Italian-style salad dressing

Directions

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, rinse under cold water and drain.
2. In a large bowl, combine the tortellini, spinach, cheese, tomatoes and olives. Add enough salad dressing to coat. Toss and season with salt and pepper.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 377 | Total Fat: 23.2g | Cholesterol: 17mg

Seduction of a Proper Lady

The opening from Seduction of a Proper Lady.

London
April, 1816

“Miss Harrington seems pliable enough,” Camila Sutton said.

Major Braedon Sinclair looked at his matchmaker in bored amusement. Seems pliable enough? He wasn’t after pliable—unless she meant physically supple and willing to learn a great many erotic positions. In which case Braedon would seriously consider the woman.

          However, while Camila held a superior and quite discreet reputation, in the weeks since he’d hired her, none of her schemes had come to fruition. She acknowledged his wryness with a slight shrug and a put-upon sigh.

          “Your standards,” she said dryly, “aren’t ones I can shout to the ton.”

          No. No they weren’t. But that didn’t stop Braedon from searching. He needed a wife. Wanted was probably more apt. He wanted a woman, a wife, not only for his bed, though definitely for that, but in his household to lend it an air of respectability. And to put an end to any rumors or questions that might spring up due to his living arrangements.

          Thus far it had not been an easy search.

          Tonight he’d forced himself to go to Lord Bartholomew’s ball, the widowed matchmaker Camila in tow, with her promise of securing an introduction to at least one or two suitable maidens. But now, as he looked at the sea of women, he wasn’t quite as amused with the husband-hunting season as he thought he’d be.

          The girls Camila recommended were no more than receding shadows. Each one Camila introduced him to possessed about as much personality as a lump of coal. Each vied for one of the many eligible bachelors of the season. But they all did so with as much behind-the-chaperone flirting as their prim upbringing, or their large dowry, allowed.

          Braedon wondered if a widow, a woman with more experience both in society and in the bedroom, might be better. At least, or so he hoped, a widow wouldn’t prattle on about the latest fashions, but rather, would be able to hold a decent conversation.

          Apparently, he had high hopes.

First chapters

Why are they always the hardest? i've spent all weekend on the first 4 chapters of my new story, Flowers in the Tower, and I'm still not happy with Chapter One. I know what the problem is-I don't know my characters well enough in the first chapter to really do them justice. Starting about mid way through the opening arc, I geta seeper feel for them.

Still, I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time refining that opeing chapter.

Is it just me?

The waiting game

I'm eagerly awaiting my cover for Seduction of a Proper Lady: A Regency Ménage Tale. I loved the one for Wickedly Wanton, it completely captures the theme of the book. I can't wait to see what this cover is!

Sex in history

This weekend I watched (and DVR'ed) Sex in the Civil War and The History of Sex. Both probably could have been longer but they were interesting for what they were.

People had sex, in far more risque and interesting places than modern day people think!

And were pretty crude about it, too. Some of the letters they read from the Civil War used f*ck like it was and. And the Puritans! So much for how we think of them today. Court records showed not only incredibly nosey neighbors, but random sexual encounters on the roadside, some nasty things with farm animals, and bold indescretions literally beneath their neighbor's noses (and windows).