Kristabel Reed

Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T07:00:00.004-05:00

Who loves ya, baby? I hope this day is filled with whatever you want it to be. If you want chocolate and flowers and a night out, then my wish for you is that you get it. If you want all the cards and pink hearts to disappear into the deepest darkest ditch...let me know how you manage it!

Today's the last day of the huge Valentine's Day event with 265 authors! The prizes for this week's blog hop from me are:

The Masque: A Hellfire Club Erotique
2 $10 gift cards to either Barnes and Noble or Amazon, whichever the winner prefers

What do you need to do? Leave a comment about why you love menage romances and what you'd like to see in the stories.

Cupid has surely hit this hop with a golden arrow!

So here’s how the hop goes each of the participating author below is going to run a contest on their blog for the readers to enjoy! So make sure you stop by all the stops on the hop. I know you won’t be disappointed!

Contest starts February 11, 2012 and ends February 14, 2012 at midnight.

Weekly Goals #7

2012-02-13T07:00:00.002-05:00

Now that I'm into February and week 7 on the calender, I'm wondering if I shouldn't have used a better method numbering my goals. I've never counted the calender by weeks, only days. It's messing me up but I hate to change now.

Last week my sole goal was to write Covet. I accomplished this in spades (what the hell does that mean anyway? I accomplished this so well I now have dozens of shovels? Or a really great hand in poker? So odd.)

So...Covet. This is definitely more plot heavy than my other Regency Ménage Tales and includes a murder mystery that took up more of the story than I'd intended. But then it is a murder and to toss it in the background seemed stupid when it's a significant part of the plot.

This week:

Make sure murder plot works without plot holes

Make sure the murder plot doesn't overtake the romance

Day 3 of the huge Valentine's Day event with 265 authors! The prizes for this week's blog hop from me are:

The Masque: A Hellfire Club Erotique
2 $10 gift cards to either Barnes and Noble or Amazon, whichever the winner prefers.

What do you need to do? Leave a comment about why you love menage romances and what you'd like to see in the stories.

Cupid has surely hit this hop with a golden arrow!

So here’s how the hop goes each of the participating author below is going to run a contest on their blog for the readers to enjoy! So make sure you stop by all the stops on the hop. I know you won’t be disappointed!

Contest starts February 11, 2012 and ends February 14, 2012 at midnight.

This day in History: Napoleon and the Metric System

2012-02-12T07:00:00.002-05:00

February 12, 1812, Napoleon introduced a system known as mesures usuelles which used the names of pre-metric units of measure, but defined them in terms of metric units. He implimented this in all areas occupied by his army.

After the Congress of Vienna in 1815, France lost the territories that she had annexed; some, such as the Papal States reverted to their pre-revolutionary units of measure, others such as Baden adopted a modified version of the mesures usuelles, but France kept her system of measurement intact.

Day 2 of the huge Valentine's Day event with 265 authors! The prizes for this week's blog hop from me are:

The Masque: A Hellfire Club Erotique
2 $10 gift cards to either Barnes and Noble or Amazon, whichever the winner prefers.

What do you need to do? Leave a comment about why you love menage romances and what you'd like to see in the stories.

Cupid has surely hit this hop with a golden arrow!

Contest starts February 11, 2012 and ends February 14, 2012 at midnight.

Valentine's Day Event

2012-02-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

So today's the start of a huge Valentine's Day event with 265 authors! Wow, that's a gigantic number, but the prizes are fantiastic. (I'm number 163 if you're looking.) The prizes for this week's blog hop from me are:

The Masque: A Hellfire Club Erotique
2 $10 gift cards to either Barnes and Noble or Amazon, whichever the winner prefers.

What do you need to do? Leave a comment about why you love menage romances and what you'd like to see in the stories.

Cupid has surely hit this hop with a golden arrow!

Contest starts February 11, 2012 and ends February 14, 2012 at midnight.

Friday Recipe: Potato and Cheddar Soup

2012-02-10T07:00:00.005-05:00

This fall I did a post on one of my favorite soups, potato soup. I usually add cheese, since cheese makes everything taste better. So here's the revises recipe I love, cheddar cheese included! Potato and Cheddar Soup...as always thier photo, not mine.

Ingredients
2 cups water
2 cups peeled and cubed red potatoes
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 small onion, chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
3 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup diced ham

Directions
Using a medium sized stock pot bring water to a boil, add potatoes and cook until tender. Drain reserving 1 cup liquid.

Stir in butter, onion and flour. Season with salt and pepper. Gradually stir in potatoes, reserved liquid, milk, sugar, cheese, and ham. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring frequently.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 169 Total Fat: 9.9g Cholesterol: 34mg

And don't forget my in honor of the 200th anniversary of the Regency Era officially beginning contest! I'm giving away random copies of my Regenc y Ménage Tale series. Simply leave a comment about why you like reading Regency romances to be entered! Any comment left between February 5 and Saturday February 11 will count towards the giveaways.

Thursday Thoughts

2012-02-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

Don't forget my in honor of the 200th anniversary of the Regency Era officially beginning contest! I'm giving away random copies of my Regenc y Ménage Tale series. Simply leave a comment about why you like reading Regency romances to be entered! Any comment left between February 5 and Saturday February 11 will count towards the giveaways.

I think I'm already tired of election season. But on the other hand, I think instead of complaining, I need to do more myself in my community to change what I see.

There were several political cartoons I could have added, all rather humorous and apropos, but I decided on this one.

Wednesday Regency: Dowton Abby (again)

2012-02-08T07:00:00.002-05:00

I know, I know, not Regency. What was I supposed to call my Wednesday post? Wednesday Non-Regency? Well, perhaps. I suppose I can change it but still. Thematic and all.

Still, after watching a couple episodes (I'll write them up in a later post) I know why Downton Abby is so darn popular. That and I read this article a friend sent me from the BBC on The US Cult of Downton Abby.

Nothing's changed in terms of mannerism or social interaction since the ever-popular Regency period.

The drama is as real today as it was 100 years ago as it was 200 years ago. Let's face it, human interaction is always fascenating especially if done right and Downton Abby does it right!

The clothes are gorgeous and worn very well. Not everyone can pull off period dress!

More when I start writing up my thoughts on this series.

And don't forget my in honor of the 200th anniversary of the Regency Era officially beginning contest! I'm giving away random copies of my Regenc y Ménage Tale series. Simply leave a comment about why you like reading Regency romances to be entered! Any comment left between February 5 and Saturday February 11 will count towards the giveaways.

Miranda Lake's The Initiate

2012-02-07T04:00:00.004-05:00

The Initiate by Miranda Lake

Blurb:
The Lady Hysena Macarydias, teenage daughter of the most noble house of Qalle, finds her illusion of how life will be as an Initiate at the formidable Citadel utterly shattered.

The excesses of Father Tarrip, High Priest of the Holy Prophet , would be beyond the endurance of the terrified girls in his charge were it not for the efforts of Sister Maria, who as an Adept of the secretive and forbidden Society of T’arn, is able to control him – but only to a degree.
But Maria has concerns beyond the fate of the pampered young ladies of Qalle aristocracy; the delicately balanced peace between the warring nations is under threat, and the very future of the planet may be in her hands.

The struggle for control of Qalle is a secret one, known to only a few. Caught between the opposing factions are the innocent Initiates: Hysena, the beautiful, intelligent yet naive Lady; Jagdig, the formidable warrior girl of Kallinia; plump Princess Leel of Calith; tiny, demure Silka of Sis Narash and the others.

And, somewhere within the sprawling walls and forbidding towers of the ancient Citadel, are the Acolytes, male counterparts to the Initiates, who in the timeless manner of young men everywhere will undertake any risk if it may result in the chance to meet young women, even if that risk may result in disaster...

The world of Qalle is a world of cruelty, of pain, of punishment. A world of plot, counter-plot and intrigue, but which still allows time enough for love, tenderness and yearning desire.

First published some years ago, The Initiate by Miranda Lake is now available in downloadable form for the first time – one of the most erotic novels to be published this century.

Buy links:
All Romance eBooks
Amazon UK
Amazon

Excerpt:

Xarrith was right, he reflected. Risk did make the blood sing, but what risk! He did not know what punishment would follow discovery on such an adventure, but had not been joking when he suggested to Xarrith that he feared for their very survival. His researches into the Citadel had offered hints of people entering the forbidding walls never to be seen or heard of again. Was a few hours of ecstasy worth possible death? As he watched the taller of the two naked girls, now lying on her back with her legs held high and wide by the one with the magnificent breasts and the holy sister bringing the tokan down directly on her spread vagina, he almost thought that it was.

As she plied the tokan between the open legs of Nephraan and heard her shrill scream as the whippy leather bit into her swollen labia, Sister Colya was wondering whether to order one (or both!) of the Initiates to lick her soaking cunt. With a grimace, she decided against this, knowing from experience that, while all of them would do this delightful service for each other, they hated to do it for their sister elder. Or at least this sister elder. She suspected that they showed no such reticence with Maria and felt a bitter pang of envy at the thought, bringing the tokan down with all her strength in her frustration.

Nephraan screamed even louder as the cruel device once again bit into her exposed sex.
The sound of the scream came clearly through the wall to the ears of the fascinated Tasnar. Unlike Xarrith who had seen punishments carried out on his people at home, in Sis Narash the though of treating another person in such a barbaric manner was anathema. He found the sight deeply shocking but even more exciting. Once again he applied his eye to the small hole in the ancient wall.

And don't forget my in honor of the 200th anniversary of the Regency Era officially beginning contest! I'm giving away random copies of my Regenc y Ménage Tale series. Simply leave a comment about why you like reading Regency romances to be entered! Any comment left between February 5 and Saturday February 11 will count towards the giveaways.

Weekly Goals #6

2012-02-06T07:00:00.004-05:00

I spent the majority of last week cleaning. I admit it, but it was so beautiful outside with near 70 degree days, that I opened my windows and aired out the house. I then cleaned. All that little stuff that accumulates around during the winter when you'd rather toss the mail on the table then eat at the table. It's dark and cold, no need to do anything else but eat and find your way back to the couch!

But not last week! Last week I went to town! My house is now free from clutter and even the blankets have been washed. Early spring cleaning. I did not, however, scrub the floors even if they desperately need it. I hate doing floors.

This week I will:

Continue on with Covet. I'm spending so much time on it because I want it to work and work well. I had planned it one way but it's taken a completely different direction and I'm enjoying the journey so will continue on. Unfortunately, it means it's late, but I hope for a better story because of this.

Regency Era began 200 years ago today

2012-02-05T07:00:00.005-05:00

It was 200 years ago today that the Regency Period began. It truly was a short era, 1811-1820, but according to the copious amount of books published, this time period can go from 1800-1820, though technically 1714-1811 was the Georgian Era.

In honor of this prestigious day, I'll be giving away random copies of my Regency Ménage Tale series. Simply leave a comment about why you like reading Regency romances to be entered! Any comment left between today (February 5) and Saturday (February 11) will count towards the giveaways.

Loathed by just about everyone, George Augustus Frederick was appointed Prince Regent to his father King George III on February 5th, 1811. He was a heavy drinker and a compulsive gambler.

In November 1810 the illness took possession of the king again, probably triggered by the death at the age of 27 of his youngest and favourite daughter Princess Amelia. She was a long time dying and she had a mourning ring containing a lock of her hair made for her father, which was thought to have sent him finally over the edge. He had to be put in a straitjacket and his medicine was administered by force. The royal doctors were optimistic, but it seemed clear to everyone in politics, including the Whig Prime Minister Spencer Perceval and his Cabinet, that a regency was inevitable. The prince behaved with what the Whig society hostess Lady Holland described as ‘very unusual discretion’. He kept well clear of the Whigs and told Cabinet ministers that they were the best judges of what to do, while making it plain that he had no quarrel with them and that if he was regent his treatment of them would depend entirely on their treatment of him.

In December a Regency Bill was introduced into Parliament. The Whigs wanted the Prince of Wales to be declared regent by hereditary right, but the bill passed on February 5th, 1811 was modelled on the one prepared in the crisis of 1788. The impossibility of procuring the king’s assent was got round by requiring the lord chancellor to affix the Great Seal of the Realm to letters patent naming lords commissioners who would grant the royal assent. This was an obvious dodge and the distinguished lawyer Sir Samuel Romilly described it as ‘a fraudulent trick’, but it was difficult to see a practical alternative and both houses of Parliament approved it.

Friday Recipe: Catherine's Spicy Chicken Soup

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

I have no idea how this will make me healthier or get me through this aweful cold season, but I have to say, once I could stand to be upright & functional for longer than 30 min at a time, this was a delicious soup!

Catherine's Spicy Chicken Soup from AllRecipes.com...photo from there, too. One day I'll take my own but they never look as nice as the ones from the site.

Prep Time:15 Min
Cook Time:30 Min
Ready In:45 Min

Ingredients
2 quarts water
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon onion powder
5 cubes chicken bouillon
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (16 ounce) jar chunky salsa
2 (14.5 ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes
1 (14.5 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
2 (16 ounce) cans chili beans, undrained
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

Directions
In a large pot over medium heat, combine water, chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, onion powder and bouillon cubes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 1 hour, or until chicken juices run clear. Remove chicken, reserve broth. Shred chicken.

In a large pot over medium heat, cook onion and garlic in olive oil until slightly browned. Stir in salsa, diced tomatoes, whole tomatoes, tomato soup, chili powder, corn, chili beans, sour cream, shredded chicken and 5 cups broth. Simmer 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 473 Total Fat: 15.3g Cholesterol: 82mg

Wednesday Regency

2012-02-01T07:00:00.002-05:00

What fascinates us with the time period? With the Bon Ton? Is it the societal rules? Or simply the allure of privilege? Privilege then and now has usually been alluring and fascinating to most people. How to they acquire it? How do they live within it?

Just like today with the rich and famous, fascination with their lives is endless. How many websites and TV shows are devoted to gossip about celebrities and would-be celebrities?

We want to know if Brad Pitt has white couches (with 6 kids, probably not). Or if George Clooney has a Bentley in his garage (we know he has a motorcycle license at least). But during the Regency, it was all about who acquired the most coveted invitation to Almanacks or jostled for position during presentation at court or purchased a necklace from the royal jewelers.

The difference--or similarity depending on how you look at it--everyone know what you did and what you had, and when you acquired it.

What objects of gossip would you like to see in a book? Because scandal makes the best stories.

Downton Abby

2012-01-31T07:00:00.000-05:00

Season 2 is coming out on DVD in America soon and I feel the need to watch it. Since I haven't watched season 1 of Downton Abby, I need to catch up. It's set 100 years after the time I usually write in, but it's still a scandalously epic show.

Has anyone watched it? Thoughts?

Weekly Goal #5

2012-01-30T07:00:00.003-05:00

I may complain about this weekly goal thing, but it's really helped in keeping things moving. Between this nasty cold that won't go away and life in general it's been a month.

Last week I wanted to post 2 reviews on Goodreads for books I've read while on the couch with the worst of this cold. I managed one. This week I want to do 2. Don't want to push myself (I know myself all too well) but definitely 2 reviews posted this week.

I'm also going to finish Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale. I'm so close I can taste it! But I want to make it good, I want to make it worthy of its title. I don't want to cheat either my readers or characters.

Friday Recipe: Crispy Garlic-Sage Potatoes

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

This is from the Food Network's winter veggie site. I'm a sucker for all things potatoe and this is a delicious side. The garlic does help!

Directions
Put a baking sheet on the bottom oven rack and preheat to 375 degrees F. Peel 4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes and cut into wedges. Toss with 1/2 cup olive oil, 6 chopped sage leaves, 2 sprigs sage, 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Spread on the hot baking sheet and roast 30 minutes. Stir, then add 8 smashed garlic cloves; continue roasting until golden, about 30 minutes. Increase the temperature to 400 degrees F and cook until crisp, 15 more minutes. Season with salt.

Thursday Thoughts

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

What if. I love that game. Not just the what if I won a million dollars, but more, like imagining what the world would be like if...playing it with history is always fun.

Today's what if:

What if Russia landed on the moon first...would it now be colonized? Would we be visiting the moon on a regular basis like we fly to England? What would our technology be like?

It's an interesting premise and I love playing around with ideas like that. Because who knows what could've happen or what might happen? It's the great thing about fiction.

Tell me, what are some of your what ifs?

Wednesday Sexy Regency: Excerpt

2012-01-25T07:00:00.002-05:00

The Masque: A Hellfire Club Erotique:

Warning: explicit m/m scene.

Sebastian, le Comte de Courville, pounded into his lover. Anger unabated at the news of Louise’s death, he tried to block out the last time he saw her, mere weeks ago when she told him of her foolhardy plan. Sebastian moved faster, pounding into Julien, hands digging into the other man’s lean hips as he took his sorrow and rage out on his lover.

Julien shuddered beneath him, hips thrusting back to meet Sebastian’s punishing pace, and he knew the younger man was close to losing his prized control. Sebastian moved faster, harder, determined to break Julien’s control, to hear his lover’s groans of release, to feel him break beneath him. He growled, unable to restrain the sound that escaped him.

Shaking the hair from his face, he felt his own need wind tighter and tighter. Something from the doorway of his private rooms caught his attention and he looked in that direction.

What made him do so, Sebastian couldn’t have said. Through the haze of passion he saw Olivia standing there. She watched them with wide eyes; a flush stained her cheeks and Sebastian could see her chest heaving with every breath.

She watched Julien with rapt attention, brown eyes widening as she stared at his body. Sebastian continued to move within Julien, his own orgasm coiling tighter as Olivia watched him thrust in and out of his lover. Then her gaze moved, and he saw the reluctance with which it did so.

Olivia met his gaze, her hand raised to her décolletage and rested lightly on the swell of her breasts.

He wanted her.

Seeing her there, riveted to he and Julien enjoying each other, Sebastian wanted her. Desire for her slammed through him. Her eyes continued to hold his and Sebastian saw a myriad of emotions.

Sebastian faltered his movements, though his body screamed for release. Olivia stood there, beautiful, naïve in the ways of sex, and utterly enchanting because of it. He wanted to beckon her in, invite, entice, her to join them.

Her look wasn’t the normal lust-filled gaze of so many in the Club and he hadn’t expected it to be. Olivia’s gaze held a surprised curiosity, an innocence he couldn’t seem to resist.

Beneath him, Julien shifted and Sebastian glanced down to see his lover also looking at Olivia. She met his gaze, then Julien’s. Without a word, turned and fled the room. Sebastian had the strangest need to follow her.

Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Barnes and Noble
Bookstrand

5 Star Review

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

Just Erotic Romance Reviews gave my new story, The Masque: A Hellfire Club Erotique, 5 stars!

You can read the whole review here, but this is my favorite:

The gorgeous storyline of The Masque combined incredibly erotic encounters between the three with an ongoing element of danger that had me on the edge of my seat....If you like historical romance novels but are tired of reading about the ton, don't miss out on this awesomely unique book by a very talented author!

Weekly Goal #4

2012-01-23T07:00:00.004-05:00

Am now over the hump of hating this weekly goal thing. It was a small bump in my road. Course so was this cold. (It's not bronchitis!) I can barely concentrate on typing in my password in, let alone word count.

1. Finish act of Covet: A Regency Menage Tale. I separate all my stories into 5 acts, no matter the length, and am nearing the end of Act 3. I so wanted to have this story finished and out by now, but I've been sick and it's not so easy to write when you can't breathe.

2. Review stories I've read while sick. I understand the value of reader reviews and would like to offer reviews for the books I've read. I'm not so good at this, but my goal this week is to write reviews for at least 2 of the stories I've read and post them on GoodReads.

Friday Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

Always a good winter recipe, the crockpot pot roast is so tender and juicy it's hard not to go back for seconds. Geez, I sound like a commerical! Well, yes. I suppose I am, but I've made variations of this recipe for a while now and it never disappoints.

Prep Time: 15 Min
Cook Time: 8 Hrs
Ready In: 8 Hrs 15 Min

Ingredients
1 onion, sliced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (I use unbleached King Arthur cause it's made in America and I don't need to worry about extranious poison in it)
1 (2 1/2 pound) boneless beef chuck roast
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 (1.2 ounce) package dry beef gravy mix
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix
1/2 cup water, or as needed
5 whole peeled carrots (optional but what's a good roast without veggies?)

Directions
Spray the inside of a slow cooker with cooking spray. Spread the onion slices out into the bottom of the cooker.
Spread the flour out onto a work surface. Sprinkle the chuck roast with salt and black pepper, and roll the roast in the flour to coat all sides. Using the edge of a small, sturdy plate, pound the flour into the meat. Place the floured roast into the cooker on top of the onions. Whisk together beef gravy mix, ranch dressing mix, and Italian dressing mix in a bowl, and whisk the mixes with water until smooth. Pour over the chuck roast. Distribute carrots around the meat.
Cover the cooker, set to Low, and cook until the roast is tender and the gravy has thickened, about 8 hours.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 385 Total Fat: 22g Cholesterol: 87mg

Thursday Thoughts: SOPA and Wiki

2012-01-19T07:00:00.002-05:00

So now that everyone survived a day without Wikipedia, what do you think? Can it be done? Curious minds want to know. Because remember...the library has information for free, too!

That and your take on SOPA.

Mine? Great in theory, will never be executed well. Who's to say what's censorship? One person's interest is another's nightmare. That's why we have the First Amendment.

Photo from groomforsuccess.com

Wednesday Sexy Regency: Men

2012-01-18T07:30:00.003-05:00

What different kinds of men in the Regency era were there? Loads, but just the obligatory rogue/rake. Those are fun, don't get me wrong, but there are plenty of others out there.

The Buck: The man's man, spirited and sexual. Think Errol Flynn, the handsome debonair man who men wanted to be and women just wanted.

The Beau: Didn't have to be handsome, but did have to be fashionable. Which meant more then than it does now. He needed a certain something-something...think Brad Pitt, a certain swagger and desire for attention.

The Corinthian: Fashionably sporty. Because every man needed fashion, let's face it. Think Iron Man competitors or Johnny Weismuller (of Tarzan fame). Athletic and dashing.

The Dandy: Leader of fashion who spoke of it ad nausea. Yeah, like Beau Brummell. In fact, he was the Dandy's king. Clean clothes, exquisite tailoring, and leaders of fashion, not followers.

The Nonsuch: The epitome of the well-rounded man. Fashion, sports, a leader among men. People defer to him in all things. George Clooney. Nuff Said.

Pinks and Tulips: I do not make these up. They did! Honest. A Pink showed the height of fashion and a Tulip dressed exceptionally well. Georgio Armani.

The Fop: Almost exactly like the Dandy, but loved to talk and talk and talk, and had ostentatious adornments like Elton John and Liberace.

The Fribble: Not the milkshake, but more like an effeminate fop.

Bartholomew Baby: Tawdry or gaudy clothes. Maybe Steven Tyler from Aerosmith? Possibly yes.

Coxcomb: Foolish and concerted. Or foolishly conceded fop. Take your pick of any politician or ego-centric actor.

All information came from Georgette Heyer's Regency World by Jennifer Kloester

Guest: Lucy Felthouse

2012-01-17T07:30:00.001-05:00

A wedding, an evil plan, a love story and a sacrifice are the order of the day in this modern retelling of Snow White and the Huntsman.

Susie White and her stepmother-to-be have never seen eye to eye, despite all of Susie’s best efforts to be friendly. Eager not to spoil her father’s happiness, Susie still agrees to be bridesmaid at their wedding. When the big day comes, she meets Louise’s right hand man, Scott. Susie had never believed in love at first sight until that moment. The pair hit it off, sharing a mutual dislike of Louise and her wicked ways. Their camaraderie quickly develops into something more, and they date in secret until it’s time for Susie to leave for University – and freedom. Unfortunately, Scott has an earth-shattering revelation, which means the two of them of them must work together to unravel Louise’s evil plan, before it’s too late.

More info and buy links

Excerpt:
I should have known my stepmother was up to something when she offered to help me move all my stuff to my University digs. It wasn’t like her to be civil, much less helpful, but I figured that she was happy I was moving hundreds of miles away, and therefore would do anything to make sure it happened as quickly as possible.

As my father’s only child, I’m the sole heir to White’s Bites, a massively profitable confectionary company based in Wiltshire, England. My stepmother had made no secret of the fact she resented that she wouldn’t get a stake in the business, should anything happen to my father. Of course, the reason for this was that my father knew the first thing the witch would do was put the business on the market to get her greedy little hands on the cash. I, on the other hand, loved White’s Bites and would continue to run it to the best of my ability.

We’d never seen eye to eye, my stepmother and I. However, it wasn’t the usual ‘child resents someone trying to replace their parent’ syndrome, it was her that resented me.

My mom had died of cancer when I was fifteen. My father and I were devastated, as you’d expect, but I’d always urged him to get on with his life. After all, it’s what mom would have wanted, and I certainly didn’t want my dad to be lonely when I got married and left home.

So, a couple of years later, when dad met Louise and they started dating, I was thrilled. He was happy, therefore so was I. Soon it became more serious and dad wanted me to meet her. I was excited, but nervous.

When the time came and Louise had walked into our house, I’d been in awe. Don’t get me wrong, my mom had been beautiful, but in a natural way, as if she didn’t realise, or care. But Louise clearly did. Her gorgeous hair was perfectly quaffed, and her attractive features were enhanced by expertly applied makeup. Her outfit looked like something from a fashion magazine. I managed to pull myself together before she saw me standing there, all slack-jawed and stupid-looking. Walking towards her, I’d held out a hand.

“Louise!” I’d said, beaming, “I’m so pleased to finally meet you. Dad’s told me so much about you.”
She’d smiled thinly and without any real emotion. “Charmed, I’m sure, Susan.” She’d shaken my hand gingerly, as though she was afraid she’d catch something. I’d half expected her to wipe her hand on her clothes afterwards.

“Oh please, call me Susie.” I’d said, ignoring her odd behaviour. I’d been eager to get on with the woman, knowing it would please my father. “Everyone does.”

Another tight-lipped smile. I’d tried hard to make conversation with her and make her feel comfortable in our home. But I never felt like I was succeeding. At first, I put it down to her being nervous or shy, but as weeks and months passed, I still never felt as though Louise warmed to me. I never bothered my father with my concerns. After all, as long as she liked him, what did it matter?
While Louise and my father were just dating, things weren’t too bad. They went to restaurants, the theatre, the cinema, and so on. I didn’t see her very often, and therefore didn’t have to put up with her frosty behaviour towards me.

Naturally, everything changed when dad told me he was going to ask Louise to marry him. He’d sat me down to break the news – fortunately – and I’d done my best to act delighted. Luckily, dad hadn’t noticed anything was amiss, and as he’d chatted about ceremonies, honeymoons and Louise moving in, a cold shiver had run up my back. This could not end well.

About the Author:

Lucy is a graduate of the University of Derby, where she studied Creative Writing. During her first year, she was dared to write an erotic story - so she did. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Constable and Robinson, House of Erotica, Noble Romance, Ravenous Romance, Summerhouse Publishing, Sweetmeats Press and Xcite Books. She is also the editor of Uniform Behaviour and Seducing the Myth. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter. You can also subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9

Weekly Goals #3

2012-01-16T07:30:00.001-05:00

I know exactly why I never make resolutions and why something like 80% of resolution makers never follow through with them.

Good God, this goal thing is HARD! It's bad enough keeping up with it but what more do I need to say? I write I work I don't get enough sleep. I wake in the morning and do the whole thing again. Family, friends, keeping in touch.

But I'm going to try, after all this is only week THREE. I'm not even out of January yet!

I did manage to watch cute baby animal videos because they're all over the web. What? It's a good way to de-stress after aggravation at work. And I have almost 15,000 words in Covet, a story I absolutely adore.

Weekly goals:
1. Covet. I need to get this story finished. I'm finally in the heads of my characters and I'm so close to where I want to be.
2. The Escape...polish it and send it off to the editor.
3. Get out of this rut I'm in. Winter Blues? Not really but early darkness doesn't help.

Friday Recipe: Chicken and Ginger Soup

2012-01-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

I read this recipe in the January 2012 Bon Appétit magazine. It was in a section on how to cleanse and restore yourself after the overindulgance of the holidays. (Their photo, not mine.) I altered this recipe because I don't like ginger and when you eat it as is it's hot.

Ingredients:
1 onion, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
8 ounces unpeeled scrubbed ginger, cut into 1/2"-thick slices (I recommend less. Far, far less unless you absolutely adore ginger and don't mind the overpowering flavor of it!)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
10 whole black peppercorns
1 3-pound whole organic chicken, cut into 7 pieces (2 breasts, 2 legs with thighs attached, 2 wings, 1 back) (I used Perdue. Were they organic? Nope. But they were delicious!)
Kosher salt
Cilantro leaves (optional--which I didn't add)

Preparation:

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large heavy pot. Add chicken, placing breasts on top. Add 6 quarts water (preferably filtered or spring water--my water isn't so bad that boiling it won't kill whatever I need to); bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Cover with lid slightly ajar. Reduce heat to low; simmer until chicken breasts are just cooked through, about 30 minutes. Transfer chicken breasts to a plate; let cool, then cover and chill. Continue to simmer soup, uncovered, until broth is fully flavored, about 2 1/2 hours longer. Return breasts to soup to rewarm, about 5 minutes.

Remove chicken from broth. When cool enough to handle, coarsely shred meat; discard skin and bones. Place a fine-mesh sieve over another large pot; strain broth, discarding solids in strainer (you should have about 8 cups broth). Season with salt.

Rewarm soup. Divide chicken among bowls. Pour hot broth over, dividing equally. Garnish soup with cilantro leaves, if desired.

Thursday Thoughts

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

So this week has been all screwy for me. I posted my Wednesday Sexy Regency on Tuesday and I'm fairly certain I deleted the post I had for Tuesday. It's been hellacious at work! Like running around non-stop crazy.

Every have days like that? Yeah, all the time, huh. Rather than dwell, because we all have them and they can happen on a regular basis, I'm going to put it behind me. Today's funnies are brought to you by Week #2 of 2012 (it's gonna get better!) and Funny Pictures 24.

Wednesday Sexy Regency

2012-01-10T07:30:00.004-05:00

Gentleman's Club

Mostly found on St. James Street, a street where women were not allowed on unescorted. Very racy street. The original Red Light District.

Why go there? Gambling, drinking, sex.

What kind of sex? The discreet kind. Sure, meeting a prostitute or having an affair is fine, but homosexual sex as well. Discretion was the key to these clubs, but even homosexual sex needed to be kept quiet.

The servants were key to this, and it was imperative to have ones that could keep their mouths shut!

More if you're interested:

Jane Austen's World
Everything of Interest to a Romance Writer
Historical Hussies

Weekly Goal #2

2012-01-09T07:00:00.003-05:00

Las week's recap: I did write every day. WOOT! And I have the finished product of The Escape to prove it. Well, finished as in done, not finished as in edited...still. Done!

Week #2:
1. Continue work on Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale, which I started over the weekend.
2. Watch cute baby animal videos. What? I think they're adorable! Like this one of Siku a baby polar bear from a few weeks ago.

Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale
The truest torment is wanting something you know you can never have. Charlotte Tremaine knew this feeling all too well. She covets the freedom to do as she pleases, but has never let herself dream of being with the man she loves. The problem is, she loves two men.

For the last three years, Charlotte has survived her stifling home life by living through correspondence with two childhood friends now off at war. Once they return, will she be able to summon the courage to tell them of her feelings? Or will she let the convenience of mourning an aunt she despised keep her hidden and isolated?

Fear lurks in the shadows and threatens to keep her cloistered. When William Stanton and Grayson, Lord Warrington return from war, she teeters on the brink of having what she’s always wanted. Torn between William and Grayson, Charlotte must first learn to trust herself before she can trust her heart and body to them.

I'm at Raine Delight's today

2012-01-06T05:00:00.001-05:00

Today I'm thrilled to be over at Raine Delight's today talking about, well, pretty much anything! She interviewed me with questions ranging from new years resolutions to my latest book. I hope you'll join me!

Thursdays

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

Is there anything ever really happening on Thursdays? I remember in college the party started on Thursdays and went until you woke up (totally hung over) on Sundays and realized you have work to do. As well, that was a long time ago.

Now I look at Thursdays and wonder. It's not the start of the week, not even the hump day where you can do fun middle of the week things. It's Thursday. Or maybe I'm underappreciating the day.

What is there to do on Thursdays?

Thursday night football

Hockey (it's an any day of the week game)

Bowling (I add this because friends and I plan to do that tonight. First time any of us have been in, oh, a decade at least!)

When I searched "What to do on a Thursday" I got hits from sites like Yelp.com and Yahoo Answers on various things in different cities. Apparently I'm not the only one with the questions on What is there to do on a Thursday night?

Wednesday Sexy Regency: Passing the time

2012-01-04T07:00:00.002-05:00

Think all Regency past times were cards, balls, carriage rides in Hyde Park, or picnics? Think again. Oh, those were definitely the highlights of the era, but there were also outdoor sports men and women enjoyed.

And no, I'm not just talking about a quickie in the woods! Mind+gutter people...Ok, I'm not just talking about that! I'm also talking about how simple pleasures such as the above mentioned can also be enjoyed much like today. Card gambling, secret looks between illicit lovers across a crowded ballroom. Secret rendezvous in Hyde Park, the to-be place to see and be seen.

The question is, how to take a seemingly innocent activity, such as a returning soldier and a ball to welcome his return home, and make it so very different from Georgette Heyer's idea of Regency?

Guilt.

Our dear soldier, Grayson, has returned from France and Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. He's returned to his title, his estate, his childhood love, Charlotte. And carries with him the secret affair he had with his best male friend, William.

New year new you

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

I hear that all the time! But I like the me I already am. It's a crazy saying, and sure there are things I'd like to change about myself but I don't think I want to be a new me.

Actually that has nothing to do with what I'm talking about today.

Nope.

Today I'm talking about horoscopes. Do you read them or not? Sun sigh, moon sign, Chinese horoscope...why?

Just curious. It IS a new year!

2012? Weekly goals

2012-01-02T07:00:00.003-05:00

Tis the season for resolutions, goals, and promises meant to be kept. FOR A WHOLE YEAR!

Really? I have no idea what I resolved to do last year, and I'm darn sure I didn't keep it much beyond January. If I wrote it down, it's gone. If I blogged about it, I'm not going back to look at it. It's over, it's done with, it's in the past. Must look to the future now!

Weekly goal #1:
1. Write every day. No really! This week I plan on writing every day. Whether it's a blog, 500 words in my latest ménage, or a plot. This week I shall write every day.
2. Promise to keep this up even by Friday when I don't want to. After all, it's week 1!

Friday Recipe: New Years

2011-12-30T07:00:00.001-05:00

Plans? Party? Quiet night at home? Whatever you're doing this New Year's Eve, don't drink and drive, bring a small discrete roll of tums (just in case) and hope nothing you do ends up on YouTube or Facebook.

From All Recipes top New Year's recipes!

Honey-Garlic Glazed Meatballs:
Prep Time:25 Min
Cook Time:15 Min
Ready In:40 Min

Ingredients
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons salt
2 pounds ground beef
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup honey
3 tablespoons soy sauce

Directions
In a large bowl combine eggs and milk. Add the bread crumbs, onion and salt. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls. Place in two greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pans. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, saute garlic in butter until tender. Stir in the ketchup, honey and soy sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain meatballs; add to sauce. Carefully stir to evenly coat. Cook for 5-10 minutes.

Cocktails:
Hot Buttered Rum Batter (because Baby it's Cold Outside!)
Prep Time:10 Min
Cook Time:10 Min
Ready In:40 Min

Ingredients
1 pound butter
1 pound brown sugar
1 pound confectioners' sugar
1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Blend in brown sugar and confectioners' sugar. Remove from heat, and whisk in the ice cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour mixture into a plastic container, seal, and freeze.

In a coffee mug, measure 1 tablespoon Hot Buttered Rum Batter and 1 fluid ounce of rum, then fill cup with boiling water. Stir, and sprinkle top of drink with nutmeg.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 78 Total Fat: 4.3g Cholesterol: 12mg

The Escape: A Hellfire Club Erotique

2011-12-29T07:00:00.003-05:00

This is the second in my new Hellfire Club series. Which really should have been the first, as I'm planning on giving away this one. Why? The better question is...why not?

Why shouldn't I give this story away? It is Christmas after all...or the season at least!

And just because this one won't be ready for public consumption for another week or two (don't worry, I'll let you know when it's up!) doesn't mean it can't be billed as:

After Christmas Sale!

My way of saying thanks, happy happy, and stay warm during the bitter winter that begins with January. Unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case how about a nice tall cool drink instead?

Blurb:
Gabrielle Bertrand believed the men she loved had been beheaded during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Now promised in marriage to a general of the revolution, she still fears for her life and has resigned herself to the union.

And then fate intervenes and she sees Eric LeClaire and André St. Germaine again.
Eric and André have spent the last two years searching for Gabrielle, terrified she’d been killed during one of the revolution’s roundups. Now that they’ve found her again, neither will let her go.

But with National Police after them, and years spent apart, will Gabrielle return to her lovers? Or will all three of them face the wrath of Madame Guillotine?

Wednesday Regency at Sweet N Sexy Divas

2011-12-28T07:00:00.003-05:00

Today I'm at Sweet 'N Sexy Divas talking Regency, menage, books, and more. What's your favorite bit about the Regency--do you even LIKE the Regency Era? Are you so over it you won't even watch Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? (With hopefully more zombies than were included in the book.)

I'm giving away a download of Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale and a $5 gift card to Barnes and Noble.

What do you expect from a series?

2011-12-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

Continuity and yet new and exciting plots? Recurring characters? An overall plot? Do you read specific series for the world an author has created or the ever changing plots? The big end game? The good vs evil?

Continuity. By this I'm talking about the world. It's the little things that matter, right? But what if a hint of those little things had been introduced in previous stories? Would that be acceptable? Little clues to mysteries and such.

But what about the characters? Do you like to see characters from previous books make cameo appearances? Or do you prefer more substantial roles? Or do you even prefer a series of books following a couple?

Now personally, I like a good over-arcing plot. I like to ferret out details, the mystery, the whodunit of a longer story. My problem is when an author elongates the mystery for the sake of sales. Now, as an author myself, sales are important. But as a reader, don't cheat me.

What are your favorite series? What do you like to see included in one?

How was your Christmas?

2011-12-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

Everyone get what you wanted for Christmas? Or at least the gift cards to get what you want during this week's after-Christmas sales?

What are your favorite Christmas traditions? What do you have to do every year? What do you wish you didn't have to?

Favs:
Christmas tunes
Christmas movies
Christmas cookies (which are just cookies but I don't make them any other time of the year!)
Christmas presentes
Christmas decorations
Christmas trees

Not so favs:
Crowds at the malls

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T07:16:00.001-05:00

To one and all.

Friday Recipe: Roast Leg of Lamb with Rosemary

2011-12-23T07:00:00.001-05:00

In my family this is usually an Easter meal but this year we switched it up a bit. And it's always so delicious I wonder why we don't have it all the time! So this is the recipe I'm making this year for Christmas dinner. You?

Prep Time:15 Min
Cook Time:1 Hr 20 Min
Ready In:1 Day 1 Hr 35 Min

Ingredients
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 pounds whole leg of lamb
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Directions
In a small bowl, combine the honey, mustard, rosemary, ground black pepper, lemon zest and garlic. Mix well and apply to the lamb. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
Place lamb on a rack in a roasting pan and sprinkle with salt to taste.
Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and roast for 55 to 60 more minutes for medium rare. The internal temperature should be at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer. Let the roast rest for about 10 minutes before carving.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 790 Total Fat: 55.4g Cholesterol: 224mg

Excerpt: The Masque: A Hellfire Club Erotique

2011-12-22T13:00:00.001-05:00

This is an excerpt from the start of chapter 2 for The Masque, the first in my Hellfire Club Erotique series.

“Comtesse.”

The short man held a ledger and greeted her with a cordial nod and a slight bow. He held himself as if he owned these catacombs, the tilt of his head, the sharp look in his eye. Still, Olivia detected a hint of relief in his voice, as if he worried about her. Or Louise in this case. It had been hours since Olivia returned to the apartment, she’d long missed the final ball. Clearly he had expected her long before now.

“Good evening,” he said warmly. Your usual accommodations are ready for you. If you require anything else please do not hesitate to ask, Madame.”

The dichotomy of it all jarred her. One moment Olivia made her way through cold, dark alleyways and down ancient steps as the race of her heart echoed in her ears. Fear of discovery combined with the scuffling of rats and whatever other unknown creatures lurked in such places had her all but sprinting away. Then this massive door opened and the whole world changed.
Before her lay a world of the King’s court in manner and dress.

“Merci, Bernard.” Olivia’s words stumbled out as she placed him. Her aunt’s description had been most detailed, down to the mole near Bernard’s left ear.

With masque securely in place, Olivia walked by Bernard and his baroque desk, which would have been better suited in a Marquis’s estate rather than this dark and dank stone chamber. She held her head high as she sidestepped several members, wearing intricately painted masques also firmly in place, and walked through the arch of the entrance room into the main corridor.

People walked by her and nodded, some as formally dressed as if they did, indeed, attend the king’s court; others, Olivia noted, ate sumptuous pastries and meats the likes of which she hadn’t enjoyed in far too long. Tapestries covered stone walls and tall wrought iron candelabra illuminated the many passages leading in every direction.

Olivia tentatively walked down the corridor then stopped and took a moment to study the tapestries. Shocked, she blinked and leaned closer. Each beautifully weaved tapestry, well-preserved and still vibrant even in the candlelight, depicted a variety of sexual acts that left her awestruck. Heart racing anew, not with fear but with scandalous fascination, Olivia stared.
It took her several minutes to tear her eyes from the images, and even when she did they stayed with her, causing her breath to shorten.

As she made her way further down the path, careful not to look at any more tapestries, she heard unusual sounds from several antechambers. Her curiosity bade her to investigate. At a juncture, Olivia paused, glancing down the corridor she was supposed to take then in the direction of the anteroom. If she diverted from this path she might lose her way. Louise had only told her how to find her room from the entrance and had warned of the labyrinthine and endless corridors of Paris’s Hellfire Club.

Now available at Amazon and All Romance eBooks

New Release! The Masque: A Hellfire Club Erotique

2011-12-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

And here it is! I'm pretty excited it's available before Christmas (eek--Christmas is next week!) Here's the blurb and cover, I'll post an excerpt later today.

Olivia Reynard must leave Paris tonight. It's the height of the French Revolution's Reign of Terror and as a nobleman's daughter, she knows it's a matter of time before she's sent to the guillotine. Fleeing to the notorious Hellfire Club, she soon finds a world of sexual pleasure she's never imagined.

Comte Sebastian de Courville has promised to help Olivia get out of Paris, but he didn't expect such instant attraction to the beautiful maiden. He wants to show her every pleasure known, but time is short and their lives are in ever increasing danger. And then there's his lover...

Julien Laruent has survived the treacherous streets of a Paris in turmoil. Now permanently ensconced in the Hellfire Club, he hasn't look back on that time. A dangerous man to have in one's bed, he took one look at Olivia and vowed to keep her safe.

But when old enemies exact vengeance and Madame Guillotine an ever present threat, will the three of them survive long enough to find love?

Amazon

All Romance eBooks

Wednesday Sexy Regency

2011-12-21T07:00:00.003-05:00

Or why writing menage stories in the Regency era is so much fun. I'm not the only one. I once heard a comment that went something like The lack of the death of the Regency. It's too true. Even big mystery writer P.D. James has a new release (at 91 years of age!) called Death Comes to Pemberley.

But what attracts readers and writers to this time? And if it has so many more social restrictions, why is the Regency sexy? Amelia Grey, author of An Earl to Enchant, did a post on this for Love Romance Passion. In it she states in #7:

The love scene in a Regency is like silk and satin, a falling of clothes
so gentle and grand, it's like the reader is a part of the fabric that ties the scene together. There is a definite feeling in a Regency when the hero and heroine succumb to the moment they know they must be together. There is no greater element of sensuality and romance. Now, that moment we've been waiting for as our hero finally touches our heroine, we let out our breath and savor the feelings we get as we read onward.

This is very true, but on a deeper level, I think that it's also the eroticism of fooling society. The thumbing one's nose at the old gossiping biddies and having everything (and everyone!) you want without being ostracised from society. Or worse, put to death. Because same-sex sexual relations was punishable by death.

Photo from Regency Revisited header. I absolutely adore it! And it's so true. If you get the chance to take a peek around their site, please do so, they have gorgeous fabrics there.

Another Great Review

2011-12-20T19:12:00.003-05:00

From Booked Up. 4 stars from RedHibiscus for Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale:

I could feel the attraction between Alix and Kane from the first moment they met...While Brent and Kane's relationship became closer and more loving everyday, their relationship with Alix became more distance...When the three of them finally begin their relationship, I could feel the love they had for each other, even as they prepared for the consequences.

Gold Star Review!

2011-12-19T14:54:00.003-05:00

A wonderful review from Just Erotic Romance Reviews for Risqué: A Regenc Menage Tale

Gold Star Review:

Holy smokes, Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale is an incredible book! Not usually one for historical romance novels, I was immediately transfixed by the characters in Risqué....Ms. Reed has a real talent for seduction of the senses, making the reader feel both involved in the outcome and highly aroused at her erotic prose. For all these reasons Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale gets the highest rating, a JERR Gold Star Award!

The Hellfire Club

2011-12-19T07:00:00.002-05:00

Or as it was spelled in the day, The Hell-Fire Club. I like my way better. More 21st century than 18th.

What was the Hellfire Club? If you guessed a place for like-minded individuals to gather and indulge in all manner of sexual exploits, you'd be right. Half right. Because despite that, or because of it, the Club was also a place for political intrigue.

This is from The Victorian Web. No--I don't know why the Victorians have an article on the mid 1700s Hell-Fire Club, but their information condenses much of what I've found.

West Wycombe, a village in the Chiltern Hills, was where the Dashwood family owned its landed estate. Sir Francis Dashwood founded the "Order of the Knights of St. Francis of Wycombe" — better known as the Hellfire Club.

Below the mausoleum is the entrance to the West Wycombe caves, carved to look like the entrance to a Gothic church. The caves were enlarged by Sir Francis Dashwood in the 1750s in order to create work for the local men who were unemployed because of a succession of harvest failures. (As an aside, he couldn't have been all debauched if he willingly did this for his workers. He could have ignored their plight, after all.)

The chalk from the caves was used for building part of the road to London but Sir Francis also had the caves cut in intricate patterns. The caves crossed a stream of water known as the 'River Styx', a reference to the Greek mythological river of Hades, over which the souls of the dead were ferried by Charon.

Medmenham Abbey is situated on the River Thames between Hambleden and Hurley Locks. It was founded as a monastery by the Cistercians in 1200 but at the Dissolution of the Monasteries it passed into the hands of the Duffield Family. In the late eighteenth century, Francis Duffield granted a lease of Medmenham to Sir Francis Dashwood where he and his wealthy friends held the infamous 'Hell Fire Club' meetings and lived up to its motto Fay ce que voudres Do whatever you will.

The Hell Fire Club initially was based at Medmenham Abbey, which Sir Francis bought and converted into an erotic garden. The members of the Hell-Fire club took part in mock religious ceremonies and used masks and costumes to allow them to indulge in varying degrees of debauchery. Medmenham gained some notoriety so the Hell Fire club moved to a more secluded site at West Wycombe caves. Members of the club included Sir Francis Dashwood, the Earl of Sandwich, Thomas Potter (the son of the Archbishop of Canterbury), John Wilkes, William Hogarth, the Earl of Bute, the Marquis of Granby, the Prince of Wales, and possibly Benjamin Franklin and Horace Walpole.

It was alleged that the 'monks' took prostitutes down the Thames from London in barges to act as masked 'nuns'. The members of the Club also were accused of celebrating the Black Mass over the naked bodies of aristocratic ladies, one of whom was Lady Mary Montagu Wortley, the mother-in-law of the Earl of Bute.

Friday Recipe: Chocolate-Filled Crescents

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

Because who doesn't love chocolate-filled Crescent rolls?

Prep Time:5 Min
Ready In:25 Min

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) can Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Powdered sugar, if desired

Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Separate dough into 8 triangles.
Place tablespoon of chocolate chips on wide end of each triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side of triangle, rolling to opposite point. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees F. for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 164 Total Fat: 9.3g Cholesterol: 0mg

Thinking of others during Christmas

2011-12-15T07:00:00.002-05:00

I'm not talking about buying gifts for friends and family, but in the true sense of it's better to give than receive. There's a photo going around on facebook about necessity. I think it speaks very well for itself.

During this time, when stores are mobbed and tempers are short and shelves are nearing empty, remember our unemployeed and underemployed. Remember all those who can't afford a Christmas dinner or gifts for their children.

There are lots of excellent charities in need of donations and there's Toys for Tots donation dropoff locations run by the US Marines. If you want something more local, try your neighborhood Boys & Girls Club. If you're not in America, the UK has lots of local organizations such as Miller Homes and Everyday Hero UK.

Wednesday Regency

2011-12-14T07:00:00.002-05:00

Georgette Heyer's Regency World.

The blurb says:
Georgette Heyer fans will delight in Jennifer Kloester’s definitive guide to her Regency world: the people, the shops, clubs and towns they frequented, the parties and seasons they celebrated, how they ate, drank, dressed, socialized, voted, shopped and drove. A fun read for any Heyer fan.

Well, I'm partly a Heyer fan. Mostly because I adore taking her Regency cliches (which she may have invented mind you) and twisting them. Because I'm sure a menage never occurred to Ms. Heyer, which is fine, but I do so love them.

I own this title both in eBook and print. It's got loads of history with Heyer novels as references tossed in. I enjoy reading about both--the history and the books. Included in this are fascinating tidbits about the period that are both obscure enough to enjoy and enjoyable enough to put in Regency books as extra background information.

Highly recommended for all Regency fans.

eBook pricing 2

2011-12-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I talked about publisher set pricing, what I would and wouldn't pay and a bit about the way royalties work. I got comments that talked about what people would pay, wouldn't, and what as an author, they would charge.

So today let's talk about what's worth the price. All being subjective, naturally, I think anything around $5.99 to $7.99 is reasonable, depending on length, quality of writing, how I enjoy the author's work, etc.

For instance, I'm not paying $5.99 for a story that's only 12,000 words. That seems excessive. But I will pay $5.99 for a story over 50,000 words. I'll even pay $7.99 for a 100,000 word story.

What do you think? Are you a self-pubbed author--what are you willing to set your prices at?

eBook pricing

2011-12-12T10:07:00.003-05:00

I've recently read a lot about eBook pricing and whether publisher set prices are too high. Now I guess that depends on whether you're the taking a bigger chunk from the price publisher or the getting the lesser percentage author. I don't think publishers think about readers, though they really should considering without readers, the whole thing crumbles.

Being a reader, I like the lower priced eBooks. If a publisher thinks I'm going to pay $9.99 or higher for an eBook they're crazy. There are lovely brick and mortar places called libraries where I can borrow the book for free and return it for someone else to read and enjoy (or not as the case may be).

I'm not so attached to my Nook that I need to read everything this instant. Though that's a convenience I absolutely adore. Still, if I can show restraint for my physical book purchases then I can show that same restraint for my Nook purchases. Even if there are loads more eBooks I enjoy than print.

Over the summer there was a brouhaha over Harlequin's pricing and the measly percentage their authors get for their eBooks. Now most e-only publishers give between 35% and 40% (give or take a percentage) for sales. Harlequin offers the same rate as on their print books, about 5-8%. This is from Bob Mayer's blog, which I also read reguraly and enjoy. Harlequin, author royalty rates, non-compete: Business reality but is it smart?

Anyone else see the discrepancy there? Plus I've read on Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog, The Business Rusch, a rather informative bit (April 2011) on Royalty Statements Update. This is her personal experience, but read it, read the comments, and laugh over major publisher's wonderment at the changing world of publishing. There are major gaps in the Big Publishers royalty statements.

Then there's this from the Wall Street Journal...and how little it surprised me that 1) it barely made a bleep in the publishing news I read and 2) that it exists at all.

Justice Department Confirms E-Book Pricing Probe
The publishing companies named in the EU investigation included Hachette Livre, owned by Lagardère SCA; News Corp.'s HarperCollins Publishers Inc.; Simon & Schuster of CBS Corp.; Pearson PLC's Penguin; and Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holzbrinck.

What are your thoughts? How much would you pay for an eBook. Now granted, I know there are always exceptions. That favorite author, the best bestseller this year, etc. But for all us voracious readers, what's the eBook pricing limit?

Friday recipe: Slow Cooker Mexican Style Meat

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

Charley's Slow Cooker Mexican Style Meat
I used ground beef (because I had it) and cooked it on low for 5 hours and it came out just fine. It was also frozen when I started, though I'm not sure if that had anything to do with anything.

Prep Time: Cook Time: Ready In:
30 Min 10 Hrs 10 Hrs 30 Min

Ingredients
1 (4 pound) chuck roast (I used frozen lean ground beef)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/4 cups diced green chile pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 (5 ounce) bottle hot pepper sauce (I used medium salsa)
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions
Trim the roast of any excess fat, and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place meat in hot skillet, and brown meat quickly on all sides.

Transfer the roast to a slow cooker, and sprinkle onion over meat. Season with chile peppers, chili powder, cayenne pepper, hot pepper sauce, and garlic powder. Add enough water to cover 1/3 of the roast.

Cover, and cook on High for 6 hours, checking to make sure there is always at least a small amount of liquid in the bottom. Reduce heat to Low, and continue cooking for 2 to 4 hours, or until meat is totally tender and falls apart.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 260 Total Fat: 19.1g Cholesterol: 69mg

I've joined a new social networking site

2011-12-08T16:44:00.000-05:00

And I have very little clue how to work it. It's called Triberr. TWO Rs for those counting.

This was yesterday. I've barely looked around it, have no real idea what is involved, and have seemingly been locked out of the account.

For clarification, I don't blame Tribber. The developer emailed me a couple times to help me through this, but since I tried to log in at exactly the wrong time (during that one key second of the final install of an upgrade) it messed everything up.

I'm excited to start using Tribber, but will patiently wait for everything to be sorted out. I have every confidence it will happen shortly. But until then, I'll use twitter as I always have. Or have for the last month + I've been on Twitter.

Until then, if you want to know more, try here and here. One warning: There's a lot of white space between the top banner and the content. Don't know why, it took me a while to realize the page loaded correctly.

The Masque: A Hellfire Club Erotique

2011-12-06T07:00:00.002-05:00

Finished editing The Masque: A Hellfire Club Erotique and have sent it off. I'm excited for this one, it's the start of a new series, it's set in a different time and place than I normally write. Here's the blurb, what do you think? I'll post an excerpt later in the week.

Olivia Reynard must leave Paris tonight. It's the height of the French Revolution's Reign of Terror and as a nobleman's daughter, she knows it's a matter of time before she's sent to the guillotine. Fleeing to the notorious Hellfire Club, she soon finds a world of sexual pleasure she's never imagined.

Comte Sebastian de Courville has promised to help Olivia get of Paris, but he didn't expect such instant attraction to the beautiful maiden. He wants to show her every pleasure known, but time is short and their lives are in ever increasing danger. And then there's his lover...

Julien Laruent has survived the treacherous streets of a Paris in turmoil. Now permanently ensconced in the Hellfire Club, he hasn't look back on that time. A dangerous man to have in one's bed, he took one look at Olivia and vowed to keep her safe.

But when old enemies exact vengeance and Madame Guillotine an ever present threat, will the three of them survive long enough to find love?

Surviving?

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's the first full week of December. And yes, I know not everyone celebrates Christmas, but with all the hoopla, it's hard not getting caught up in the season.

So...what are you all doing to stay alive? I mean sane. Yes, that's what I mean!

First review for Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale

2011-12-02T14:22:00.002-05:00

This is from Coffee Beans & Love Scenes, a site I frequent. It's a truly wonderful review from Susan, a winner from last weekend's Black Friday Blog Hop. She won a copy of Risqué, but I swear on every book I plan to write, that's where our relationship ended! Though I would like to thank her for not only reviewing the book, which takes time and effort, but for saying such lovely things about it.

You can read the review in its entirety here, but here's a snippet.

Living in Regency England wouldn't have been bad if delicious rogues like Kane Huntington and Brent Rowan were part of the picture. Widow Alexandria Prescott returned to the Ton a year after her husband died hoping to slide back into society as a respectful woman. But thanks to a wonderful writer, Kristabel Reed, the widow found happiness and kink in a time when sexual prowess would have been a huge no-no.

Friday Recipe: Veggie Chili

2011-12-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

Slow Cooker Veggie Chili
I don't use they're little brand names. Not these at least. I stick with what I like (all organic) and it tastes just fine. But this, as with most of my recipies, comes from AllRecipies.com and apparently this one likes these brandnames. *shrug* To each cook her own!

Prep Time: Cook Time: Ready In:
15 Min 4 Hrs 4 Hrs 30 Min

Ingredients
PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1 (14.5 ounce) can Hunt's® Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Garlic, undrained
1 (8 ounce) can Hunt's® Tomato Sauce-No Salt Added
1 (15 ounce) can Ranch Style® Beans, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can Van Camp's® Red Kidney Beans, drained, rinsed
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 tablespoon Gebhardt® Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

Directions
Spray inside of 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place remaining ingredients in slow cooker; stir to combine.
Cover; cook on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 hours or on LOW 3 to 4 hours. (As I was at work, I did low)

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 180 Total Fat: 0.3g Cholesterol: 0mg

Keeping up with the months

2011-12-01T07:00:00.003-05:00

In this case I feel the need to say What? It's December already?! When did that happen?

Then comes the panic: I have deadlines! I have Christmas shopping to do! I have baking to do! I have less than 25 days to do all this in!

Then comes reality: Just like every other year there are things that are going by the wayside. Whichever side that happens to be.

Christmas cards? Probably not

Christmas breads? Well, I'll have cookies. Isn't that enough?

Days spent strolling down sidewalks, window shopping? The sad reality is that no matter how I support buying local (which I wholeheartedly do) that, too, may fall to the wayside in favor of online shopping. Luckily, many of those stores also have sites. And I intend to shop there, first!

Good news? I'm motivated to start shopping earlier next year. And this year, I plan to substitute more gifts with more donations. Like to the National Parks Service.

Now about those deadlines...my first Hellfire Club Erotique story is soclose to being done! A good edit and a quick copy edit and it'll be set for publication. Then it's a 50,000 word Regency Ménage Tale tentatively titled Covet. That deadline is New Year's Eve. Gulp.

France and history

2011-11-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

I tend to write in England during the Regency, as opposed to other countries during the same time period. Would that still be considered the Regency Era even if it's not in England? Semantics, I'm sure.

Still, in this new series, The Hellfire Club spans the globe. As a real and semi-legitimate organization, it's entirely conceivable they truly did. After all, sex and politics is hardly unique to England, the Regency, or the modern era.

In writing these first two Hellfire Club Erotiques, I used my setting as France during the revolution. The Masque takes place during the height of the Reign of Terror, and The Escape just before that. I'm finding it incredibly interesting, and learning more French history than I ever knew.

It's what I love about writing historicals. No matter how well you think you know your subject, a little research and it's an entirely different world.

Weekend winners!

2011-11-28T07:00:00.002-05:00

The Blog Hop Black Friday winner is: Callie!

Friday's winner of Risque: A Regency Menage Tale is: J9 (comment #8)
Friday's winner of a $10 Amazon gift card: Armenia (comment #79)

Saturday's winner of Risque: A Regency Menage Tale is: Harley
Saturday's winner of a $10 Amazon gift card is: Laura

Sunday's winner of Risque: A Regency Menage Tale is: tammy ramey
Saturday's winner of a $10 Amazon gift card is: marybelle

I'll email everyone sometime today with their choices and gifts. Anyone know if I can send an Amazon gift card via email? Seems like I should be able to. (Done it thru B&N but not Amazon).

Favorite Things

2011-11-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

Your turn! What are some of your favorite gifts? That special memory that still makes you smile?

The Best Christmas Ever? Course, if you have kids, that might be every year!:)

If you could celebrate Christmas anywhere, where would it be?

Would you ever shop on Black Friday?

What do you think of all these big box stores opening Thanksgiving evening? For the record, I was home on my couch after eating entirely too much at Thanksgiving dinner. I feel sorry for those forced to work after stuffing themselves. I suppose a job is a job but where do we draw the line?

Seduction of a Proper Lady: A Regecy Ménage Tale 1/2 price this weekend at All Romance eBooks! Actually, all my books are 1/2 off so be sure to check them out!

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale (1 winner per day of 3-day weekend) and a chance for a $10 Amazon gift card (1 overall winner based on comments from 3-day weekend in addition to Frday's overall blog hop winner).

Gift giving

2011-11-26T05:00:00.004-05:00

I'm a big fan of speical gifts, homemade I suppose, mostly because a lot of people I know are instant gratification people: See, Want, Buy. Makes gift giving difficult. I'm not talking knitting a sweater no one will wear. I wouldn't know how to knit a scarf let alone anything more complicated.

*Plant cuttings from your favorite houseplant planted in a beautiful pot
*Tea/coffee in their favorite flavors from a 'green' business
*Donation to favorite charity or 'adopt' a wildlife animal
*A year's membership to the National Parks where they can see all 350+ wonders of America
*A service gift: year's worth of car washes, hair cuts, or massages (pst-I'd LOVE a year's worth of massages!)

Seduction of a Proper Lady: A Regecy Ménage Tale 1/2 price this weekend at All Romance eBooks! Actually I think all my books are 1/2 priced so check them out!

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale (1 winner per day of 3-day weekend) and a chance for a $10 Amazon gift card (1 overall winner based on comments from 3-day weekend in addition to the winner from yesterday).

Black Friday Tips, Tricks, and 1/2 priced books!

2011-11-25T05:00:00.017-05:00

If you can't or don't want to indulge in CyberMonday from the safety and warmth of our own computer (which I enjoy very much don't get me wrong!), my personal tips to survive the day are learned the old fashioned way. Where am I this morning? Out shopping. Yes. Yes I am. I'm out and about on this fine Black Friday.

Just remember the one simple rule for any holiday season: It's the spirit of the season! And no...that spirit isn't consumerism. It's giving.

Dos:
*Dress in layers and get there early!
*Do be respectful of others, because really, it's an item and frankly that item isn't worth beatings, jail time, or death.
*Do try to get the limited time only prices (the before noon stuff) but be polite about it. Sales people are more likely to say YES to a customer not arguing with them or calling them names.
*Do remember that it's not the cashier's fault you're a crazy person. This is only their job, be kind to them-they had to get there early, too, and those thousand people behind you? They're even crazier than you are. And this poor cashier has to deal with you AND them AND the other 999 people just like them.
*Do remember that there is an increasing number of people unable to afford the season: Toys for Tots and Feeding America are 2 of my favorites.

Don'ts:

*Don't expect to get that fabulous whatever at the unbelievably low price but try anyway.
*Don't circle for an hour trying to find a parking spot-not only is the walk good for you but you don't want to be that fool circling the parking lot for an hour when you could be getting those fabulous deals!
*Don't throw a fit if that sales person doesn't give you the sale price because you missed the time frame.
*Don't fight with your fellow shoppers. Sure, it'd be cool and all to get the 50" flat screen for $100 but fighting over the last one with someone who may be crazier than you? Please see above mentioned jail, death, and beatings...

Seduction of a Proper Lady: A Regecy Ménage Tale 1/2 price this weekend at All Romance eBooks!

4.5 Stars from Just Erotic Romance Reviews
The sexual chemistry between Braedon and Ethan is very subtle and on the surface you only see they are very good friends. When Laurel completes this triad the chemistry is smoking hot. The sexual action throughout the story is hot and spicy regardless if it was M/M, M/F, or M/F/M the sex was just awesome.

4 Cups of Coffee from Coffee Time Romance
Ms. Reed takes her characters to the height of passion, and as the reader you are allowed the opportunity to enjoy every moment of their journey.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale (1 winner per day of 3-day weekend) and a chance for a $10 Amazon gift card (1 overall winner based on comments from 3-day weekend).

Prizes:
- Cassandra Carr: copy of either of my two current releases, Talk to Me or Head Games
- Kristabel Reed: back list copy of one of her stories and then on her own blog a $10 GC plus a copy of her newest release, Risque: A Regency Menage Tale
- Lucy Felthouse: back list copy of any of her single-title books
- Cari Quinn: back list copy of one of her books
- Leigh Elwood: two back list copies of her books
- Natasha Blackthorne: copies of her two Regency era novellas: Grey's Lady and Waltz of Seduction
- Amber Kallyn: e-copy of Dragos 1
- Camryn Rhys: Kindle copies of The Barn Dance and Off the Record-Foodie Erotic Romances
- Lissa Matthews: two of her back list books
- Misa Buckley: an e-copy of Ironhaven and To Reach the Dawn
- Lacey Wolfe: a copy of Amber's Muse
- Courtney Sheets: a $25 GC to Ravenous Romance and a copy of Kona Warrior-PDF
- Sara Brookes: an e-copy of one of my back list books
- Cynthia Arsuaga: a copy of an e-book, and on her own blog five book charm book tethers
- Louisa Bacio: .pdf copy of my first book in The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf series, and on her own blog a $10 certificate to Ravenous Romance, and each commenter will also be entered to win a Goody Bag of new Orleans treats
- Malia Mallory: one copy each of The ABC's of Erotica and Santa's Back Door Baby
- Cynthia Eden: a copy of Angel of Darkness (either print or digital)
- Carrie Ann Ryan: an e-copy of The Alpha's Path
- Jacquie Rogers: a Smashwords coupon for Faery Merry Christmas, plus on her own blog, a free copy of Much Ado About Marshals
- KT Grant a print copy of Sweet and Sinful and an ebook copy of her next release, Xavier's Loving Arms

So what are the rules? Simple: visit as many of the blogs as you can and leave a comment for the blog owner. For every comment, you'll get one entry into the grand-prize drawing. Be sure to leave your e-mail address with every comment so we can find you if you win! And don't forget that several blog owners are giving away prizes specific to their blog, too!

One winner will be chosen on Saturday morning using random.org. I will contact that person about the Kindle Fire and then each blog owner with a prize will contact the winner themselves to arrange delivery of said prize. Questions? Contact me at AuthorCassandraCarr AT gmail DOT com.

Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Friday Recipes: Thanksgiving Desserts

2011-11-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sure, I can post the cheesecake recipe I made for Thanksgiving, but everyone makes cheesecake. Or pumpkin pie, which we also had but which I didn't make. Instead I'm posting Boston Cream Dessert Cups, which I didn't make for Thanksgiving, but which are delicious! (If you've noticed, I only post the delicious things I make. There are plenty things I do make which I wouldn't make again.)

Prep Time:30 Min
Cook Time:40 Min
Ready In:2 Hrs 40 Min

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup white sugar (non-bleached)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon milk (organic)
2 eggs
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (16 ounce) container prepared chocolate frosting

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 24 muffin cups with paper muffin liners. Divide sugar cookie dough into each muffin cup.

Bake in the preheated oven until the cookie dough softens and spreads across the bottom of each muffin cup, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

Beat the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, flour, and milk with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Beat the first egg into the cream cheese mixture until completely blended, then beat in the last egg. Mix in the instant pudding mix until just incorporated. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese filling into each muffin cup. Return muffin cups to the oven and bake until the filling is set, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes then remove the desserts.

Remove the foil cover of the prepared frosting and microwave until softened, about 30 seconds. Stir frosting until smooth, then spread about one tablespoon of frosting onto each dessert cup. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 270 Total Fat: 15.2g Cholesterol: 46mg

Thanksgiving Dinner

2011-11-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

I'm in the countdown mode now. Luckily, I'm not hosting Thanksgiving in my house this year but I am responsible for soup, cheesecake, and one other appetiser I haven't decided on yet.

Saturday I did a marathon shopping trip to the grocery store where I tried not to deal with other crazed people shopping for Thanksgiving dinner. it mostly went over well. Mostly. The sad fact was that I had many of the items I needed but there are always those few that either you never realize you finished off (and didn't replace!) or don't carry at all to begin with.

Not sure about what other appetiser I'm going to make. Must be traditional (or at lease semi) and must be delicious.

Friday Recipes: Sausage Barley Soup

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

And this is why I have a crockpot. Because remembering to stir this occassionally for 4 hours? So not happening!

Prep Time:15 Min
Cook Time:4 Hrs
Ready In:4 Hrs 15 Min

Ingredients
1 pound Italian sausage (Again bought at the local butcher's shop!)
1/2 cup diced onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 (48 fluid ounce) can chicken broth
1 large carrot, sliced
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
1/4 cup uncooked pearl barley

Directions
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, onion, and garlic until the sausage is evenly brown. Season with Italian seasoning. Remove from heat, and drain.

In a slow cooker, mix the sausage mixture, chicken broth, carrot, spinach, and barley.
Cover, and cook 4 hours on High or 6 to 8 hours on Low.

Christmas!

2011-11-17T08:43:00.003-05:00

OK, yes. I may grumble that stores put up their Christmas decorations entirely too early, and seriously--Santa the weekend after Halloween? Come on, we're in an economic downturn (commonly know as much worse but I won't get into that here) not stupid. Besides, some traditions need to remain the same during the ever increasing commercialization of a season of giving.

But Christmas music has started! I'm overjoyed. I love Christmas music and look forward every year to hearing it on the radio. Let the caroling begin!

This year's TV crop

2011-11-16T07:00:00.001-05:00

I started watching several new shows this season, and had really looked forward to the return on others.

Pan Am: showed promise but seemed more of an historical rehash of the 60s. I stopped watching after 4 episodes.

Terra Nova (after the first episode): picked up but seems off somehow. I'm not sure how, it's like I've seen this scifi show before in a great many science fiction shows I used to watch. Nothing new there. Off the DVR record list.

Person of Interest: One episode. One episode and I couldn't take it. Seriously, with all that technology anyone could stalk another person and save and/or arrest them.

Grimm: Is it just me or is the heir to the Grimm legacy a petulant child? Seriously, you're not 16 year old Buffy trying to have a normal date and not die at the hands of the Master. You're a grown-up cop. Shut up and deal. Plus I can't stand the lying-to his cop partner, to his nearly fiancee. Ugh.

Once Upon a Time: Far different from Grimm, this still hold my attention.

Hell on Wheels: I have a secret love for the Wild West. Adored Deadwood and will give this more than one (pretty good) episode before passing judgement.

Hawaii Five-O: What happened? Honestly, what happened between the end of last season and the start of this one? Did the writers forget the rapport between the characters? Did they toss out all character growth? And please, please I beg you-get rid of nameless blonde chick. She's one-dimensional and adds nothing to the show.

Excerpt Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale

2011-11-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale

From Chapter 2:

Stretching languidly in bed, Alix finally decided to open her eyes and face the day. Not that she was in any rush to leave the bed.

Kane’s scent still faintly surrounded her, even though it had been a full day and night since their encounter. She shivered in remembered pleasure, fingers drifting over her breasts. He hadn’t left immediately after she’d collapsed in his arms. She didn’t recall him moving, but Alix did recall waking to his fingers doing delicious things to her body.

He hadn’t teased then, but had built her orgasm so swiftly she climaxed from his mouth and fingers alone. They hadn’t the time to indulge in all she’d wished to, and Alix frowned now as she thought of Kane.

She still wanted him. Wanted to tie him to the bed and be tied by him. Wondered if he would take her from behind, teach her that particular pleasure she longed to experience.

Sighing, she turned her head into the pillow and breathed deeply, annoyed with her foolishness. She’d told her maid, Marguerite, not to bother with the bed linens. Alix sighed again, and shrugged it all off. In the privacy of her bedroom, she could be just as young and sentimental as she wanted.

Not that she’d ever let anyone other than Marguerite see that side of her. Emily might suspect her sentimental streak, but her closest friend would never tell a soul.

Kane had left just before the break of dawn, striding arrogantly through the servants’ entrance in the rear of her St. James townhouse. A practiced rake, without doubt. Alix could appreciate his skill in stealth as well as his skill in a great many other things.

With one final stretch, Alix rose and walked naked across her room to the looking glass. Her vibrant auburn hair framed her face in a riot of curls, and the wanton look about her lingered. But the red love bites adorning her rose-tinted skin caught her attention.

Yesterday she’d received friends in her own parlor, but today she had several places to visit. She’d have to wear a higher neckline than usual if she intended to engage socially these next few nights. A bother, certainly, but not without its most pleasurable cause.

Dismissing her reflection, Alix tugged her robe on and went about her morning rituals. It was another two hours before Marguerite had her dressed and presentable for Emily’s political gathering. And she wondered if Mr. Huntington would be in attendance.

As she descended the stairs, mind still on the delectable Mr. Huntington, Beckett extended a silver tray topped by a sealed missive.

“Good day, madam,” he said with a slight bow. “A messenger delivered this note an hour ago, and the carriage is waiting for you just outside, as you requested.”

Alix took the note with a nod and a smile. “Thank you, Beckett. I’ll be out momentarily.” She dismissed the servant with another smile and diverted from her intended destination into her parlor. She closed the pocket doors behind her and stared at the linen paper, folded precisely down the center. There was no indication as to the sender and a simple wax rose sealed the note.

Opening the missive, Alix sat on the settee. She had no idea why she wanted privacy to read a simple letter, but instinct drove her to the parlor where none would disturb her.

I remember the feel of you; my tongue remembers the exquisite taste of you. Your moans and sighs were the sweetest of sounds, the most intoxicating.
Do not neglect this servant of yours.

It wasn’t signed, but Alix had no need for a signature. Kane. Heart racing both in need and excitement, Alix hurried from the parlor to her study. She quickly inked a reply and sealed it. Instructing Beckett to find a street urchin and have the note delivered immediately, Alix exited the house, the thrum of anticipation humming through her body.

I imagine your next visit, perhaps tied to my bed with a silken scarf. Under my control, my power, so I may devour every delicious inch of you.

Now available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks, and Ravenous Romance.

Thoughts on Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale

2011-11-14T07:00:00.004-05:00

With it out now, I've been thinking about the story. It's not my normal ménage tale--there's a lot of coupleness (m/f, m/m, m/f) but I believe the emotional plot that drives the story stands.

It's taken me a long time to get this story just right, but I feel the end product reflects the story that needed to be told with these characters. Underneath it all is a layer of trust that doesn't come easily to any of them, Alix, Kane, or Brent. They want pleasure, they want fun, but anything more than that is dangerously scary territory.

I'll post some exerpts this week, but for now here's the blurb:
Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale

The young widow Mrs. Alexandria Prescott enjoys her untainted reputation. In private, however, her sexual appetites know no bounds. An encounter with Kane Huntington changes that. Alix finds she can't help herself or her desire to test his notorious reputation and invites him to prove his mettle in her bedroom.

They enjoy their pleasurable games until jealousy's green eyes come between them in the form of Brent, the young Earl of Rowan. Unwilling to let themselves be bested in this game of passions, Alix and Kane use Brent as a pawn in their maneuvers against each other.

However, Brent has other ideas about his future and what—and who—it'll involve. He skillfully turns the tables on them and, despite the games they play, creates an image of the perfect ménage. But things never go as planned and when their secret is threatened will the three of them run? Or will they be clever and strong enough, to hide their love in plain sight?

Friday Recipe:Vegetable Soup with Black-Eyed Peas and Grilled Chicken

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, it'w winter and yes that means more crockpot & soup recipes. This week is a delicious veggie soup. Delicious! It's a little hard to remember to stir it occassionally but alas, not much burned :) Now this recipe was sponsored by Campbell's Soup but I'm sure whether you use their products or not I'm sure it doesn't matter.

Prep Time:15 Min
Cook Time:55 Min
Ready In:1 Hr 10 Min

Ingredients
3/4 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast (bought fresh at the local butcher!)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large onions, diced
3 large carrots, diced
2 medium parsnips, diced
1 bulb fennel, trimmed and diced
4 cups Swanson® Chicken Broth (regular, Natural Goodness™ or Certified Organic)
1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions
Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the chicken for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, turning the chicken halfway through cooking. Remove the chicken to a cutting surface. Let cool for 5 minutes. Cut into strips. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a 6-quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, parsnips and fennel. Cook for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Add the broth and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are very tender.

Stir in the chicken, peas and parsley and heat through. Season to taste. Divide the soup mixture among 8 serving bowls.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 183 Total Fat: 4.8g Cholesterol: 22mg

Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

Thank you to all those who served, who are serving, and who will serve.

Got the cover!

2011-11-10T18:46:00.003-05:00

Isn't it gorgeous?? I love it! And I love the fact that it mirrors the theme of Seduction of a Proper Lady cover.
Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale

The young widow Mrs. Alexandria Prescott enjoys her untainted reputation. In private, however, her sexual appetites know no bounds. She finds a fitting partner in the notorious Kane Huntington, but when the jealous young Earl of Rowan discovers their game, will he expose them, or join them?

Encouragement: Pass it on

2011-11-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

I think that's a commercial but alas. It's true. In trying to find a cool picture for my post the other day (couldn't find one that sized correctly which annoys me-stupid new blogger) I found this.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not the kind of person who thinks sitting back and letting the universe do all the work will give you anything but bedsores, but I do believe that positive thinking helps.

It helps get you through the day, it helps put things in perspective, and it definitely helps with goal setting.

So think positively today!

2nd Tuesday of November

2011-11-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Traditionally voting day in America. No, it's not a presidental election year. But does that really matter? No matter where you are (even if it's not in America and you don't vote today) you should vote whenever an election is held.

It's your vote that counts for change. Use it. It's your strongest voice.

November goals

2011-11-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

Sure, it's the 7th...and yeah, there was nearly an entire week last week worth of November. What's your point?

My goals for the month of November:

Finish The Escape: A Hellfire Club Erotique

Finish The Masque: A Hellfire Club Erotique

Completely plot Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale

Survive Thanksgiving

What do you plan for this month?

Friday Recipe: Potato Soup

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

Tis the season to break out the crock pot and make some delicious soups and stews! I wasn't going to, after all October had been rather nice...until Halloween weekend that is. And then I decided it was time. From AllRecipes.com where I get the majority of my recipes.

Prep Time: Cook Time: Ready In:
30 Min 3 Hrs 10 Min 3 Hrs 40 Min

Ingredients
3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (you can try turkey bacon but I prefer the taste of real bacon)
4 red potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
1/4 cup butter
1/2 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup milk (I use 2% organic)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (non-bleached cause who needs bleach in their food?)
3 cups milk
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons seasoned salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes (I use black pepper)
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
chives for garnish (optional-I don't do this, not a fan of chives)

Directions
Preheat a large slow cooker by turning it to the High setting and covering with the lid.
Place the cut-up potatoes in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave on High for about 8 minutes, until the potatoes are cooked and steaming hot.

While the potatoes are cooking, place the butter in the preheated slow cooker, and cook and stir the onions and garlic for about 5 minutes, until the onions turn golden. Stir in 1/2 cup of milk, and whisk in the flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in the remaining 3 cups of milk, and let the mixture come to a simmer in the slow cooker. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until the soup begins to thicken.

Stir in the hot cooked potatoes, crumbled bacon, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, parsley, red pepper flakes, celery salt, and dried basil. Stir to mix the soup well, reduce the slow cooker setting to Low, cover, and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 429 Total Fat: 23.5g Cholesterol: 61mg

Listening to readers

2011-11-03T07:00:00.001-04:00

I do-listen that is.

Often I hear how authors refuse to read reader reviews because they only like the good ones & refuse to read the bad ones. OK, total agreement there!

But the irony there is that as a reader the first reviews I go to are the bad ones--are they simply complaining about the price? Was there a problem with delivery? Basically, are these complaints not about the book but something else? Is the bad review: This book sucks but with no backup to it?
Those are ignorable reviews. Nothing you can do about them and any reader scrolling through the reviews can see what they are for themselves.

Now the constructive criticism reviews: Those I love!

And those are the ones I listen to. In the year I've been seriously writing (concentrating on writing as opposed to letting other things interfere) I've found that no matter the level of erotica, the details, the description, that what I'm writing is still a romance. And people who read romances, be them sweet, sensual, or ménage, want the connection between characters. They want that love match-m/m, f/f, m/f/f, m/f/m, m/f, it doesn’t matter.

Love is love and let's face it. I'm writing romance. an erotic romance, a ménage romance, but a romance.

Now just because I feel that a critque is constructive it doesn't mean I'll alter my writing style to accomodate that one critique. It does mean I'll take it into consideration. I certainly hope that as time progresses my writing simply gets stronger and stronger. While I write erotica, it doesn't mean that the story aspect of the erotica is any less engaging than the sexual aspect.

So yes, I listen to my readers. And that's the reason it's taken me over a week to go through copy edits for Risqué my new Regency Ménage Tale. Because I want to make sure the level of emotional connection between characters is present, believable, and deep enough to show their love for each other.

Social networking

2011-11-02T07:00:00.001-04:00

I did it. Broke down and made a Twitter account. @kristabelreed for those looking. It's hard keeping up with blog, facebook, AND twitter, but the social networks have made it easier. They've connected each other, or made it possible to connect my networks. Whatever.

So my Twitter posts show up on my Facebook account, my Blog posts pop up on both Twitter and Facebook (I think...) Did I miss a connection? Probably but it doesn't matter, they're all everywhere. As far as I know.

Is this a good thing or a bad one? I can't tell, but I've met some great people on all three of these outlets, have found wonderful authors and their stories, and have made myself known. And isn't that the point of it all?

Editing and Coldness

2011-11-01T07:00:00.001-04:00

Spent the weekend doing edits on Risque, my new Regency ménage. In reading through (and changing back deleted words from the copy editor that really made the sentence work) I realized a few crutial things:

1: Not enough character development in the opening chapters
2: I should do this all in one sitting-my eyes cross
3: Sex in the opening chapters is great but without emotion it's nothing more than porn.
4: I LIKE plot with my sex. I like reading about characters and why they sleep with one character over another, why they fall in love with one man or two and whay makes it all work
5: Writing a love match ménage where 3 people fall in love with each other as well as want each other

But it's all finished and sent out. Hopefully I'll have a cover this week!

New review

2011-10-31T07:00:00.001-04:00

A lovely review from Coffee Time Romance Reviews for Seduction of a Proper Lady-4 steaming cups of coffee!

You can read the whole review here, but here's the gist of it. :)

Ms. Reed takes her characters to the height of passion, and as the reader you are allowed the opportunity to enjoy every moment of their journey.

And Happy Halloween! What's your favorite horror movie? And I'm not talking gratuitous blood/slash like Saw 1-100.

Friday Recipe: Pulled Chicken Crescents

2011-10-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

Yes it was posted on allrecipes.com by Pillsbury. Do I care? No. Is it delicious? Yes. Would I recommend it? Absolutely!

Prep Time: 10 Min
Cook Time: 20 Min
Ready In: 30 Min

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) can Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 cup shredded cooked chicken
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 egg, beaten
Directions
Separate dough into 8 triangles.
In bowl, mix chicken and barbecue sauce. Spoon chicken mixture onto short end of each triangle; sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon of the cheese. Roll up loosely as directed on can. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Brush with egg; sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Bake at 375 degrees F 12 to 15 minutes.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 187 Total Fat: 9.9g Cholesterol: 46mg

And it's flu season

2011-10-20T07:00:00.001-04:00

Seriously? Already? I'm barely over allergy season.

So who's had a flu shot (me), who refuses (several coworkers which means I'll probably end up sick anyway), and who already has the flu (an aunt of mine who did get the shot-but she was laid low for only 24 hours)?

Hellfire Club series

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

It's not like this is a new thing, but I'm currently in the process of plotting a shorter Hellfire Club story, set just before Masque, in Paris during the revolution. This one, however, will be free. Marketing strategy? Yes, but I also think it's a good idea.

I like free! Who doesn't?

This will allow readers to sample my work in a complete story and then decide if I'm worth the price. I certainly hope the answer is yes, but I understand everyone is different and likes different things. It really is in the hands of the reader!

I'll post the second it's available for download!

Romantic cliches

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

It's true, there are plenty of them. What are your favorites and least "If I see this again I'll scream" ones?

I'll start:

Favorite:

You didn't come after me

Absolute Least:

I didn't realize I was really having sex but thought it was all a dream.

French Revolution

2011-10-17T07:00:00.003-04:00

My newest story is set during the height of the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution. It lasted from September 5, 1793 to July 2, 1794 and saw anywhere between 16,000 and 40,000 killed.

The most notable story about the revolution (La Grande Révolution) is The Scarlet Pimpernel Baroness Emmuska Orczy. Sir Percy Blakeney, baronet, and the "League of the Scarlet Pimpernel". Percy risks life, limb, and head to rescue French nobles destined for Madame Guillotine.

It's romantic, it's adventurous, and it's theatrical--all hallmarks of a great story. I prefer the 1934 version with Leslie Howard, Merle Oberon, and Raymond Massey rather than the TV series from the 2000s.

Does Masque have anything to do with The Scarlet Pimpernel? Yes and no...it takes place during the same era, but there are no dashing English noblemen riding to the rescue across The English Channel to whisk away doomed Frenchmen.

What it does have is sex, menage goodness, love, protection, and terror in escaping Paris before the mob can find them and guillotine.

2011-10-14T04:00:00.001-04:00

Today Lucy Felthouse has a new release, Weekend at Wilderhope Manor. Here's a bit about it!

Blurb:

When Stephanie and Jenny go to a Murder Mystery Halloween weekend at Wilderhope Manor, they’re expecting fun and games. But following creaky floorboards, spooky noises and an alarming encounter in the Manor’s grounds, the girls begin to wonder if there’s more to Wilderhope Manor than meets the eye. As they find frequent comfort in one another’s arms – and their bed – will the girls discover what’s causing the bumps in the night, or will they run scared?

Excerpt:

The car trundled up the long driveway, the crunching of gravel beneath tyres the only sound as Stephanie and her girlfriend, Jenny, peered out of the windows at their surroundings.

Even at dusk the tree-lined driveway was impressive with perfectly maintained parkland, spanning for acres on either side of it. As Stephanie steered the Fiesta around a bend in the track, they both gasped. Their destination, Wilderhope Manor, had come into view and it was stunning. The Tudor style property was huge, with no less than three frontages visible from where they were. Chimneys with intricately built patterns jutted into the darkening sky, with tangles of ivy climbing parts of the manor, giving the place an appearance that was both beautiful and foreboding.

Presently, the driveway opened out into a gravelled area, which as far as Stephanie could tell, doubled as a car park for the weekend. Stephanie manoeuvred into a spot between two vehicles and killed the engine. As she turned to Jenny, she jumped, startled. Her girlfriend had leaned in close, making a scary face with her hands mimicking claws.

“Are you ready to be scared out of your wits, young lady?” Jenny rasped, wiggling her eyebrows and fingers theatrically.

Stephanie shoved her playfully, laughing. “Come on, you silly cow. It’s a murder mystery weekend, not a monster hunt. There will be no ghosts, ghouls or vampires involved.”

Stephanie got out of the car and closed the door. She’d already popped open the boot and started unloading their bags before Jenny appeared alongside her, pouting petulantly.

“But it’s Halloween tomorrow,” Jenny insisted. “Anything could happen. The veil between the living and dead will be at its thinnest, and this place is meant to be swarming with ghosts.”

“If you say so, sweetheart,” she replied, rolling her eyes. She was used to Jenny’s crazy beliefs by now. “Grab your bags and let’s get inside. It’s cold. You got the tickets?”

Jenny nodded, brandishing her handbag in response. Jenny picked up her overnight bag as Stephanie slammed the boot lid before locking the car, then followed her toward the grand entrance to Wilderhope Manor.

* * *

A little while later, they were installed in their room. They’d each been handed a “Welcome Pack” by the staff member who had attended to them at Reception, which consisted of their itinerary and instructions for the weekend.

As they unpacked, she voiced one of the thoughts that had run through her head. “Have you ever noticed how places never bat an eye at two girls sharing a room, and yet, if it’s two guys, they automatically assume they’re gay?”

“They’ll soon change their tune when they see your outfit for tonight!” Jenny replied, grinning cheekily at her. “It screams ‘lesbian’ with every stitch!”

“Whatever do you mean, you saucy wench? Someone with girl parts dressing as a distinguished gentleman does not a lesbian make.”

“True, but I wonder what it’ll do to you? Perhaps it’ll work in reverse and turn you straight!”

Buy Links:

http://summerhousepublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_book_info&cPath=23&products_id=84

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-weekendatwilderhopemanor-607598-140.html

http://www.bookstrand.com/weekend-at-wilderhope-manor

*****

Lucy is a graduate of the University of Derby, where she studied Creative Writing. During her first year, she was dared to write an erotic story - so she did. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Noble Romance, Ravenous Romance, Summerhouse Publishing, Sweetmeats Press and Xcite Books. She is also the editor of Uniform Behaviour and Seducing the Myth. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Guest: K D Grace

2011-10-13T04:00:00.006-04:00

KD Grace has a new release out today and has asked me to post her blurb and an excerpt to help her promote it.

Blurb

An erotic novel by best-selling author K D Grace.

In appreciation for a job well done, STELLA JAMES 's boss sends her a pet – a human pet. The mischievous TINO comes straight from THE PET SHOP complete with a collar, a leash, and an erection. Stella soon discovers the pleasure of keeping Pets, especially this one, is extremely addicting.

Obsessed with Tino and with the reclusive philanthropist, VINCENT EVANSTON, who looks like Tino, but couldn’t be more different, Stella is drawn into the secret world of The Pet Shop. As her animal lust awakens, Stella must walk the thin line that separates the business of pleasure from the more dangerous business of the heart or suffer the consequences.

Excerpt

"YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS," O'Kelly said, nearly dropping the phone. "You can't really mean to give Stella James Tino for the whole weekend. Wouldn't a nice gift voucher from Selfridges be more appropriate?"

The Boss offered her a tolerant chuckle on the other end of the phone. "Didn't she tell you she thought an occasional shag wasn't too much to ask for doing such a demanding job?"

"Yes, but she was joking. I'm sure she never expected–"

"Well, she's right. It isn't too much to ask, is it? She's a very dedicated employee, and we've always done our best to reward dedicated employees, especially one with such promise, one that we have such plans for."

"Yes but–"

"Hasn't she met and surpassed our expectations since she's joined Strigida, and didn't we both agree she's exactly what we're looking for?"

"Yes, but–"

"She's not in a relationship, right?"

She rolled her eyes and glanced down at her watch. He was on a roll. Nothing for it now but to hear him out.

"No relationship, no family. Stella can afford to live in London because she has no life outside of work, all factors we took into account when we hired her. There's no arguing she doesn't have time for sex." He paused long enough for a quick breath. "Sorry to say that's the way of the world these days. All work and no play. Very sad. Very sad indeed."

"Yes, sir. It is sad, but, sir, Tino?"

"Yes. Tino."

"OK, maybe for a couple of hours, maybe. But surely not for the whole weekend."

"Yes, for the whole weekend, O'Kelly, from Friday night till Sunday evening. Every last second of it."

O"Kelly rubbed her forehead impatiently then rolled her shoulders to loosen the knots, which she could always count on the Boss to tighten. "It's not that the woman doesn't deserve a weekend of blow-your-brains-out sex. God knows she does, but ..."

"But what, O'Kelly? Get to the point."

O"Kelly squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. She found the whole thing a bit embarrassing, actually. "Well, sir, she's just so ..."

"So what?"

"She's just so tight laced, so prim and proper. I don't know – all business. I can't help but wonder if we've made a mistake, and even if we haven't, a weekend with Tino is just so hardcore at this stage, don't you think?" She straightened in her chair and brushed her skirt free of the few remaining crumbs from the sandwich she had wolfed for lunch. "I can't picture her being the kind who could appreciate or even be able to handle a weekend with Tino."

"Prim and proper? Really? You just told me she was joking about the company providing sex as a fringe benefit for its overworked employees. Doesn't sound very prim and proper to me. In fact she sounds like exactly the woman we've been looking for."

Buy Links

Paperback:

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Pet-Shop-Grace/9781908006790/?a_aid=creativewriter1985

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/190800679X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelthouse-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=190800679X

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/190800679X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelt-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=190800679X

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/k-+d-+grace/the+pet+shop/8396849/

eBook:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004Z9A5Q6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelthouse-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B004Z9A5Q6

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Z9A5Q6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelt-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004Z9A5Q6

http://www.erotica-romance-ebooks.com/the-pet-shop.html

Bio

K D Grace was born with a writing obsession. It got worse once she actually learned HOW to write. There's no treatment for it. It's progressive and chronic and quite often interferes with normal, everyday functioning. She might actually be concerned if it wasn't so damned much fun most of the time.

K D's erotic romance novels, The Initiation of Ms Holly and The Pet Shop, both published by Xcite Books, are available from all good paperback and eBook retailers.

Her erotica has been published with Xcite Books, Mammoth, Cleis Press, Black Lace, Erotic Review, Ravenous Romance, Sweetmeats Press and Scarlet Magazine.

Find out more about K D Grace on her website, http://kdgrace.co.uk. She's also on Facebook and Twitter.

Hellfire Club Erotique

2011-10-12T13:41:00.000-04:00

That's the subtitle to my new series of novellas. (What's the word count difference between a full length, a novella, and a short? A question for a different time.) Still menage, still Regency, just a shorter and cheaper story set in the world of the Hellfire Club. These stories are a bit later than the 'traditional' time, but the club has been around, in many incarnations, since Sir Francis Dashwood founded it.

They're set in the late 1790s, the first one during the Reign of Terror in Paris. I've just tweaked the outline and will look it over a couple more times before writing. Never use the first outline! Something always changes.

Finished!

2011-10-10T07:00:00.006-04:00

It's with great relief that I sent off my latest Regency Ménage Tale this past weekend! I'm taking this week to rest the brain (and the typing fingers!) before starting my new series, Hellfire Club. Right now it's up to my publisher over the title: Risque, Games of Pleasure, Rakes' Games.

What do you think?

Here's the final blurb:

They enjoy their pleasurable games until jealousy's green eyes come between them in the form of Brent, the young Earl of Rowan. Unwilling to let themselves be bested in this game of passions, Alix and Kane use Brent as a pawn in their maneuvers against each other.

However, Brent has other ideas about his future and what—and who—it'll involve. He skillfully turns the tables on them and, despite the games they play, creates an image of the perfect ménage. But things never go as planned and when their secret is threatened will the three of them run? Or will they be clever and strong enough, to hide their love in plain sight?

Titles, blurbs, and more

2011-10-08T17:13:00.000-04:00

Titles--I had Risque, then changed it to Games of Pleasure, which my publisher didn't want so I changed it back. But now the title doesn't really go with the story, so have decided on A Rake's Game. What do you think?

Here's the blurb:

Friday Recipes: Caramel-Apple Crisp

2011-10-07T07:00:00.001-04:00

Because what's better than carmal apple? Yum

Prep Time: Cook Time: Ready In:
20 Min 45 Min 1 Hr 5 Min

Ingredients

1/2 cup caramel topping
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 large baking apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
2/3 cup quick cooking oats

Directions

Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Stir the caramel topping and cinnamon together in a bowl. Toss in the apples, mixing until evenly coated. Spread apple mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish.
Mix flour and brown sugar into the same bowl used to mix the apples. Cut in the butter with a knife or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the oats, then crumble over the apples.
Bake in the preheated oven until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 469 | Total Fat: 16.5g | Cholesterol: 41mg

Missing something

2011-10-06T12:14:00.001-04:00

I've read this story over. Twice. And I swear I'm still missing something! Just can't put my finger on it. I suspect it has to do with gossip and the fact that that scene isn't strong enough.

Tonight--Regency gossip and the famage it can do.
Tomorrow--fixing the blurb. That last line is still really weak.

The young widow Mrs. Alexandria Prescott enjoys her untainted reputation. In private, however, her sexual appetites know no bounds. An encounter with Kane Huntington changes that. Alix finds she can't help herself or her desire to test his notorious reputation and invites him to prove his mettle in her bedroom. They enjoy their pleasurable games until jealousy's green eyes comes between them in the form of the Brent, the young Earl of Rowan.

Unwilling to let themselves be bested in this game of passions, Alix and Kane use Brent as a pawn in their manuevers against each other. However, Brent has other ideas about his future and what--and who--it'll involve. He skillfully turns the tables on them and, despite the scandal, creates an image of the perfect menage. But things never go as planned and when their secret is threatened will the three of them run? Or will they discover a love they've never known.

Crashed & burned

2011-10-03T10:48:00.000-04:00

Well maybe not quite burned. But I definitely crashed! Tried to do too much at once and ended up sick. Physically as well as internet-wise. A combination of allergies and tiredness and I was out. Gone. Crashed.

So much so that I had to delete several thousand words. They weren't horrible words, they were just not the best to go in the story.

Scrapped.

Am now going over once more and struggling with the blurb. So difficult and yet so important.

Friday Recipe: Garden Zucchini Enchiladas

2011-09-30T07:00:00.014-04:00

Granted, my garden is gone and I had to buy these ingredients at the grocery store. But I did try for organic, despite the absolutely ridiculous price hike that using less on means. These were really messy to make, so be forewarned! And no, it didn't take me 25 minutes to prep them. HA! Closer to an hour, and that was without distractions.

As always, I copied and pasted this from AllRecipes.com. A great many people post a wide variety of delicious recipies that I enjoy so wish to share myself-this is only one of them.

Prep Time: Cook Time: Ready In:
25 Min 25 Min 50 Min

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups diced zucchini
1/4 cup canned diced green chiles (used less than that but that was for my taste alone)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (Uused whole wheat instead-if I'm going healthy it should be all round!)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup milk
1/4 cup canned diced green chiles
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes

Directions

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion and garlic in the oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in zucchini, 1/4 cup diced chiles, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove zucchini mixture from skillet and reserve.
Melt butter in the skillet over medium low heat. Stir in flour, salt, remaining 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Pour in milk; whisk until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of diced chiles and 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese.
Stir 1/2 cup of cheese sauce into the zucchini mixture. Spoon 1/3 cup squash mixture down the center of each tortilla; roll up. Place filled tortillas in prepared baking dish, pour remaining cheese sauce over. Cover and bake in preheated oven until hot, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese and the chopped tomatoes.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 662 | Total Fat: 30.8g | Cholesterol: 58mg

Friday Recipe: Grilled Lamb with Brown Sugar Glaze

2011-09-23T07:00:00.009-04:00

Strangely, this was listed on All Recipe (where I get the majority of the things I cook) under Football tailgating. I don't know how you'd tailgate lamb with this glaze, I'd think it too messy to transport but what do I know?

And it was delicious. Probably higher in calories than lamb with mint sauce but I didn't really care.

Prep Time: Cook Time: Ready In:
15 Min 10 Min 1 Hr 25 Min

Ingredients

1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons dried tarragon
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 lamb chops

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix brown sugar, ginger, tarragon, cinnamon, pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Rub lamb chops with the seasonings, and place on a plate. Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Preheat grill for high heat.
Brush grill grate lightly with oil, and arrange lamb chops on grill. Cook 5 minutes on each side, or to desired doneness.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 241 | Total Fat: 13.1g | Cholesterol: 56mg

What to talk about

2011-09-19T07:00:00.019-04:00

Last week I read a post by Bob Mayer (a man who seems to have his plate overly full but still manages to find time to share with the rest of us). In his article, he offered several tips on writing, reading, and other related things.

If you're interested, his blog is full of great stuff. But one of the things he mentioned was: 99.5% of indie/self-published authors will be gone in two years. Other will take their place. And be gone in two years.

Huh. Really? Does this mean I have only one more year before I'm gone? Nope. I'm going to be in that 0.5% that lasts longer and have a plan to do so. To be fair, I never expected to be a bestseller able to retire with my first book. Or first 20 for that matter. Best seller lists don't exactly like what I write and I'm okay with that.

I'll continue to write what I enjoy, making sure each story is well researched, tightly written, and thoroughly edited.

Reading now: We Are Not Alone The Writer's Guide to Social Media eBook

Titles reduex

2011-09-15T07:00:00.011-04:00

Risqué had been retitled Games of Pleasure and is now retitled Risqué. When your publisher likes Risqué better, you go with it. I suppose you could fight it, but if I'm going to argue a point with my publisher, it's not going to be about a title. Nope.

Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale...more than 1/2 finished (I do love that counter at the top of the page!) and going smoothly. There's one sticking point that's driving me crazy but I think I may have figured it out. Emotional ressonance between 3 characters rather than 2.

Now I've seen menanges where it's not a three-way love match but mine are, and in this story I've noticed a little skimping between the two male characters.

My goal this week is to flesh out (no pun intended) the emotional relationship between Kane and Brent before moving forward into the black moment and ultimate resolution.

Blog Hop Day 10

2011-09-14T04:00:00.014-04:00

Today's the final day of the hop. This has just proven what I've suspected all along-finding readers who will enjoy your stories is just as difficult as finding new authors. I hope you've all enjoyed your time here and won't be strangers, and I promise to keep you updated, entertained, and informed.

Granted, my information may be as simple as: Did you hear about that British study where people actually said they'd rather give up having a flushing toilet than Facebook? I mean seriously, people! Let's think about this for a moment (and I won't even go into the whole bit about other countries where it's impossible to find enough clean water to drink let alone bathe or flush a toilet with!)Here's the full list--what order would you put this in? I won't go through all of them but I can damn well tell you that a washing machine, vacuum cleaner, flushing toilet, fresh water, shower, fresh veggies, a/c, lightbulbs, and okay I admit it, chocolate, would come before ANY Facebook, email, google, internet connection or what have you. I do like the sunshine as #1.

Sunshine
Internet connection
Clean drinking water
Fridge
Facebook
NHS
Cooker
Email
Flushing toilet
Mobile phone / smartphone
Tea and Coffee
Washing machine
Shower
Central heating
Painkillers
Fresh vegetables
Vacuum Cleaner
Kettle
Sofa
Shoes
Fresh fruit
Google
Car
Hair straighteners
Public transport
Laptop
Chocolate
DVD Player
Wristwatch
Make-up
Flat screen TV
Wedding ring
Tumble dryer
Bottled water
Ebay
Bicycle
Ipod
Air conditioning
Disposable nappies
Light bulbs
Spell-check
Sat Nav
Push-up bra
Nintendo Wii
iPad
Gym Membership
Season ticket to your football club
Freezer
Xbox
Twitter

You're part: follow my blog and comment on each post to enter the daily drawing for a free download of one of my stories. (You must do both to enter, but following once is perfectly acceptable.)
My part: Post short fun little blogs for you to comment on and give away one free download, winner's choice, of any of my stories.

Want to follow along during the 10 Days of Giveaways? Find each blog stop here.

Blog Hop Day 9

2011-09-13T04:00:00.010-04:00

Winner Day 8: Nikki!

This hop is winding down and I have to say it's been interesting: exciting, informative, and challenging. I've followed new blogs, have had new readers follow mine, have learned more about people's TV preferences and discovered I'm not so strange in my watching habits as I often think.

I've also discovered that what I enjoy most about blogging is the interaction. Not me talking about me but talking to others about writing, reading, tv, websites, food, whatever.

What do you like to see on a blog? What gets you commenting?

You're part: follow my blog and comment on each post to enter the daily drawing for a free download of one of my stories. (You must do both to enter, but following once is perfectly acceptable.)
My part: Post short fun little blogs for you to comment on and give away one free download, winner's choice, of any of my stories.

Want to follow along during the 10 Days of Giveaways? Find each blog stop here.