Weekly Goal #12

Other than obsessively keeping up on twitter and blogs, and realizing that this publishing world is changing by the month not just year, I plotted last week.

The next 4 Hellfire Club Erotiques are all plotted for 25-35,000 words with an overarching theme to them. I mean an actual plot theme not just a sexual one. Scandal, sex (naturally), treason, anarchy, and sex...well it is an Erotique. Not all are going to be ménage stories, in fact the next one is a m/f story about the Earl of Aycliff, who I mentioned (very, very briefly) in The Masque.

I'll be posting several excerpts from Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale in the coming days, as well as giving away copies of the book during various guest blogs. Keep an eye out for that!

Friday Recipe: St. Patrick's Day

In honor of the holiday tomorrow I thought I'd post an Irish meal. Granted, I've made Irish stew, pretty tasty on a cold day, but not one with stout added. However I might after seeing this recipe! So I looked one up on my favorite recipe site and posted it here.

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

Ingredients
2 pounds lean beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper
2 large onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 cups Irish stout beer (such as Guinness®)
2 cups chopped carrot
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions
Toss the beef cubes with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Dredge the beef in this to coat.

Heat the remaining oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef, and brown on all sides. Add the onions, and garlic. Stir the tomato paste into a small amount of water to dilute; pour into the pan and stir to blend. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.

Pour 1/2 cup of the beer into the pan, and as it begins to boil, scrape any bits of food from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This adds a lot of flavor to the broth. Pour in the rest of the beer, and add the carrots and thyme. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 518 Total Fat: 36.1g Cholesterol: 101mg

Covet: A Regency Menage Tale #releaseday

It's been a long road getting to today, which is all my own doing and I blame no one else (unless you count an utter lack of time travel ability and the person who has yet to invent that).

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.



Now available!

Wednesday Regency: Battles and Romance

The Battle of Lissa...What? Never heard of it. It's true. As with most historical romances, very little is known about the little battles that go on around our main story.

Now if you've ever read Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series, or have seen the delectable Sean Bean in the movies, then you know those are not historical romances but historicals...historical war novels? Historical fiction? Not sure, but though there's a definite element of romance, it can never be classified as such.

However wars, or specific battles, often play an important part in a romance. For instance, in Seduction of a Proper Lady, I named several battles (that weren't Waterloo since most Regency readers have heard of that one). I used slightly more obscure battles because I could. No other reason than that.

In this instance, I used them to show where Ethan received his wounds but not much else about the specifics of the battle. Readers know what happens in war; in a romance, it's not really what we want to read about.

• Ethan's burns were so severe they scarred a good portion of his body


• Hence the reason he put about that he was not a fully functioning man


• Which led to the reason he lived with Major Braedon Sinclair, his commanding officer, who's life he saved


• Braedon is also his lover


• And Ethan's wounds (preventing him from being considered a serious match in the ton) allowed him to form a closeness with Lady Laurel Westfield the ton allowed because they believed nothing untoward could happen. Oh how wrong they were!

The Battle of Lissa (the March 13, 1811 one, not the July 20, 1866 one) was a naval battle that saw Captain Sir William Hoste...led four British frigates into action flying the signal 'Remember Nelson', and shattered a Franco-Italian frigate squadron nearly twice his own strength.

See? You still don't care about that battle. But that's the point isn't it.

Weekly Goal #11

Goal: To get rid of thie sinus headache! Does that count as a weekly goal?

I've finished The Escape and it's now being converted so that should be out within he next few weeks. Wanted the right tone for it, then lost steam and rushed the ending, so had to fix that. Am much happier with it now!

Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale will be released Thursday, so there's that.

My other writing name is coming along nicely with my first non-erotic Regency romance. Set in a world where a plague has wiped out 60% of the population, the survivors struggle with highwaymen, roving bands of outlaws, French spies, and famine.

I think I've earned a week off! Plus spring has sprung and it's going to be beautiful this week! I'll pick up again on Sunday. Really.

Guest Joane Kenrick

Sweet Irish Kiss is apart of Decadent Publishing's 1 Night Stand multi-author series.

1 Night Stand Blog Decadent Publishing

The series is based around Madame Evangeline's match-making skills. A woman to be reckoned with, and owner of a highly successful matchmaking service; put the right two people together for just one night and anything is possible. Especially when the dates take place at the fabulous Castillo Hotels and Resorts in some of the most exotic places in the world. For more on Madame Evangeline.

BLURB

Rachel Taylor has issues. Her father broke her mother's heart with his cheating and Rachel swore never to let that happen to her, but one ruined relationship after another and she's realized she's got to get over being closed off to men. Perhaps a one-night stand is just the baby step she needs to begin to build trust again.

Shaun Bell, a divorced workaholic, spends all his time tending bar in his Irish Pub. He's ready to love again, but the women who visit his bar are only after his infamous Irish cocktails. At the advice of his darts team, over a tanker or two of Beamish, he applies to 1Night Stand to get back into the swing of things and enjoy the company of a woman specially selected for him by Madame Evangeline.

A match seemingly made in heaven...until morning rolls around and Shaun can't bring himself to say good-bye. Can he win her over with his secret weapon, a Sweet Irish Kiss, or is Rachel still too scared to love?

"

Your Panties will be bunching and you will be sitting on the edge of your chair to wait and see what goodies Shaun has packed in his overnight bag ** grins **"-- Kat, Pageflipperz

GRAB YOUR COPY FOR FREE TODAY! LIMITED TIME OFFER TO CELEBRATE ST PATRICK'S DAY! AVAILABLE IN MOST EBOOK STORES...

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"Ms. Kenrick's writing style flows nicely throughout the story. Her attention stays more on the characters rather than the setting which is fitting for the genre of the novella. I like her ability to dig deep within the characters feelings allowing them to step up and tell their story. It is as if the author really took the back seat on this one. Very well written indeed! JoAnne Kenrick knows how to write unique, if not quirky, characters that stay with me long after I've finished reading their stories." -- Talina, Night Owl Reviews

This Sweet Irish Kiss excerpt has been edited to make it a PG-13. Please keep in mind that

the full story has a 4 flame rating and is therefore NOT suitable for minors.

I can’t believe I did that. What a great first impression. Not! And only I could top it off by going all defensive on his ass. Poor guy looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights. At least he was a gentleman about it, though. Had any of my exes seen me go down like a ton of bricks, all Nia Vilvados style, they’d have pissed themselves laughing and grabbed their cameras. I’m the character who gets caught up in headphone wire when she sees a hot guy in that movie...Fat Greek Wedding, Big Fat Greek...whatever. I know what I mean.

Rachel shuddered. She’d fallen flat on her face because the hunkiness of her one-night stand had taken her by surprise. She hadn’t expected it. Not in the least. Average, that’s what his profile had said. It’s why she picked him. She figured he wouldn’t be up himself. Most attractive men who know they’re hot behave like monkeys in heat because of it. She wanted a man who would be thanking his lucky stars to have her in his arms, and one who would be romantic and polite. And when he rushed to help her, he‘d surprised her again.

Drop dead gorgeous and caring? This could be dangerous.

“Ya feeling better now?” Thick Irish accent, smooth like Baileys, coated each word her one-night stand spoke.

“Uh-huh.” She glanced up at his welcoming expression and caught her stare in his. “So, you’re Irish?” You’re Irish?

He quirked his mouth into a grin as if she amused him. She reminded herself that she wanted this and backed up. She sat on the nearest thing to her, a dining chair from the breakfast for two set, and chewed at her freshly manicured nails. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this nervous. Her stomach flip- flopped around the butterflies dancing in her gut.

“Ya, that a problem?” God I love his Irish brogue.

“Listen, Shaun, I’m sorry about the way I came down on you. I mean, not came down on you. Hell, I...I’m sorry for losing it.” He raised an eyebrow. “For biting your head off when you tried to help.”

“Hey, I get it. I’m not what ya expected.” Shaun, hands firmly rooted in his pockets, shrugged his shoulders. “Ya definitely not what I expected, either, but here we are. We can call it a day if you prefer or we can enjoy the rest of the evening. What do ya say? I can leave if ya like. The hotel room’s been paid for, so ya can spend the night and make the most of it. I’ll leave ya be, so I will. But I’d rather stay here...with ya.”

Her stare locked on Shaun, and she watched him grab his bag from the foot of the bed and stride toward the exit. His muscular frame, dark features, and great sense of style had her knees knocking together. She couldn’t remember the last time she actually wanted a man. But it wasn’t like she’d chase after him. The day she did that would be the day she forgave her daddy, or rolled over dead. The latter was more likely to happen first.

The following excerpt has been edited to make it a PG-13 excerpt. Please keep in mind that the book does contain adult themes and language, and is not suitable for minors.

Pretentious, that’s how Rachel described the infamous Knightsbridge store where she worked. She loved her job, though. It meant she could let loose, make crazy-ass window displays, and stretch her imagination beyond the high street fashion trends. Usually.

“Effing yuppie fashion.” She stood, pin cushion in hand, staring out the huge plate glass window. The rain drizzled over passing shoppers who huddled and shared umbrellas with loved ones. She wished she could have someone she could trust to protect her when life pissed all over her, but she didn’t have anyone like that. The big brick wall she’d built had seen to it.

A flashback of running through a downpour with her father hit her hard. He’d thrown his coat over her, sheltering her and leaving himself open to the elements. They giggled all the way home, running late for a Mother’s Day dinner.

She closed her eyes to try and block out the past, but the darkness acted as a blank canvas for her memory to play out the scene until a rumble of thunder in the distance brought her back to the present.

She sniffled back her feelings and grasped a plastic body to steady herself. A teardrop trickled down her face, and she smeared it away. Time to buckle up and get over it. Once a fond memory, it now served as a bitter pill. He’d tricked her, tricked everyone with his gallant gestures. He could never again be the genuine, kind man she remembered from her childhood. At least not to her, anyway.

“Effing life.” She threw a knit over a male model’s shoulders and fluffed to give it a casual yet purposeful style. “What are they thinking, asking me to decorate the mannequins with this jumped up crap? Men don’t dress like Prince William. No man I know anyway.”

Her pocket buzzed. Rachel flipped her phone open. “Hello?” Nothing. “Hell-o?”

Still nothing. She pulled it from her ear and glanced at the digital display.

“Email, not a call. I’m never going to get used to this stupid, high tech phone.” She pressed a few buttons. Some wrong. Some right. Eventually, she managed to open up the message.

A last minute check, to make sure your 1NightStand goes as you desire. May I suggest you wear a corset, my dear, to flatter your curves. He’ll be there before you, and I picked a room especially with a double door entrance so you can have a Scarlet O’Hara moment. Please don’t wear green. He hates the color. A bottle of Jameson would make a wonderful gift, should you wish to bring something along to break the ice. And best of all, Rachel, remember why you wanted this and enjoy the experience. Good luck, dear, I hope he’s all you need.

Bien a toi, Evangeline

— Is he ALL she needs? There is only one way to find out…READ THE BOOK FOR FREE! St Patrick's Day Promotion, free offer for a limited time only.

This excerpt has been edited to make it suitable for a general, mature audience. Sweet Irish Kiss is not suitable for minors.

“Put this blindfold on,” he ordered, “if ya want a surprise.” He wanted to put it on her himself. But knowing she had trust issues, it didn’t feel right to do so. Instead, he went to the bathroom to clean the toys with warm, soapy water as the packet had said for him to do. He hoped she would be sightless and under his demand when he got back.

He wasn’t disappointed. Still on all fours, she had done as requested. He smeared lube over the beads and eased them into her. As an anal newbie, he had no idea how much it would turn him on and drive him insane. He wanted to rip them out and shove his cock inside her tight little hole instead. His hard on throbbed with need already, and it had only been minutes since he’d come. Sure he would be able to perform again, and probably too soon if he didn’t grab hold of himself, he grinned.

When the fifth and biggest bead was inside her, he whipped on a condom, slipped inside her bleep entrance from behind, and plunged all the way into her slick warmth . The bumpity-bump of the latex numbs rubbing against him through her thick layer massaged his length as he moved, and he couldn’t contain the growl that emerged from deep in his gut.

JoAnne Kenrick

JoAnne Kenrick, an ex-Ghost Tour Guide turned Romance Author, is a Welsh lass who has lived in various countries around the world. She now calls North Carolina her home, where she lives with her husband, two children and a lazy cat. When they aren't demanding her attention, she can most likely be found watching a vampire movie, reading or baking up a British favorite in her N.C. kitchen. That is, when she isn't writing or chatting up a storm on social networking sites.

Kindlegraphs available.

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Friday Recipe: Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes

I love au gratin potatoes! Delicious and reminds me of Sunday dinners. Course what they don't tell you is all that work in washing, peeling, and cutting the potatoes.

Prep Time:30 Min
Cook Time:1 Hr 30 Min
Ready In:2 Hrs

Ingredients
4 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
1 onion, sliced into rings (Didn't add, cheesy potatoes are great without the onions)
salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (Or more depending...cheese makes everything better!)

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a 1 quart casserole dish.

Layer 1/2 of the potatoes into bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top with the onion slices, and add the remaining potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

In a medium-size saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour and salt, and stir constantly with a whisk for one minute. Stir in milk. Cook until mixture has thickened. Stir in cheese all at once, and continue stirring until melted, about 30 to 60 seconds. Pour cheese over the potatoes, and cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Bake 1 1/2 hours in the preheated oven.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 499 Total Fat: 25.4g Cholesterol: 77mg

Wednesday Regency: The Chemise

Any Regency romance you read will at one point or another (be it an erotica or not) mention the all important chemise. I don't know why, it's like using bra in a contemporary. Women wear them, but unless the sentence reads She tossed her bra or she ran out of the house without her bra I can't imagine why contemporary readers would need to know that a modern day woman is wearing her bra.

Regency women knew they wore a chemise--there's no reason to actually mention such a thing. But we 21st century writers need to. And often.

So what is a chemise?

From Lord Scott's We Make History:

Chemise: The chemise was the only ladies' undergarment used during the era. (Panties would not be developed until the 20th century and pantalets were not in vogue until Victorian times.) The chemise was simply constructed of linen or cotton. In modern terms its appearance was similar to a long blouse or short nightgown.

Weekly Goals #10

Last week was busy. My brain is dead, my back aches from sitting hunched over the computer, and every other word I type I think of at least 3 synonyms for. The hazards of editing stories.

Last week I managed to completely 100% (I think...hope...am pretty certain) Dark Inheritance, the alternate reality Regency England story I'm doing under my alter ego K. Reed. Sexy, dark, and action packed, all it lacks is zombies. Whic I did on purpose.

This week looks to be equally swamped:

• Edit The Escape: A Hellfire Club Erotique (The Masque looks so lonely!)


• Edit Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale

Granted, this doesn't look like a lot, but editing any story takes time. Especially when editing 3 stories back to back to back.

New cover

I love all my Regency Ménage Tale covers. They're very thematic but more they're just plain lovely. My cover for Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale is just as wonderful. I don't have a release date yet, I haven't even finished edits for the story. But I'll be sure to post it when I do!

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, Earl Warrington return from war, she teeters on the brink of having what's she has always wanted. Torn between William and Grayson, Charlotte must first learn to trust herself before she can trust her heart and body to them.