tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41246153120016634042024-03-13T12:20:14.707-04:00Got Romance MusingsBlogging, opinions and tales from romantics everywhere! COME FOLLOW OUR MUSE...GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-3308090333313445022011-09-30T23:38:00.000-04:002013-10-12T22:51:18.504-04:00Musa Publishing Opens Its Doors!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ebooks,Penumbra eMag, so much More</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Musa Publishing</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Opens its Electronic Doors</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After months of editing, designing, contracting, and formatting Musa Publishing launches on October 1, 2011. The E-publishing company opens with a large catalogue including Penumbra Speculative Fiction eMag, New works by three bestselling authors, and Aurora Regency’s</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkPfUOI6G9y_fXNfOuYqWfrc3m8enmksgnSYDUEYKROUF9GnEGj_TfqTYp_4FraFT4QKwo1RlB-SsMmuSWd9WJO1uuT-SVRTIwvMb1Gz-oC1uziaeWK-PIlxKJyWPg1OlhMagkypK18nX/s1600/logo-100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkPfUOI6G9y_fXNfOuYqWfrc3m8enmksgnSYDUEYKROUF9GnEGj_TfqTYp_4FraFT4QKwo1RlB-SsMmuSWd9WJO1uuT-SVRTIwvMb1Gz-oC1uziaeWK-PIlxKJyWPg1OlhMagkypK18nX/s200/logo-100.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=12"><span class="Heading1Char">Penumbra eMag</span></a></b></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Penumbra's inaugural issue is a collection of speculative fiction stories that encompass the arts--the arts we love and revere. Some of these stories deal with the arts we're familiar with. Some create arts we haven't thought of and some resurrect arts buried in the depths of the past. And yet, all of these offerings celebrate the creative process, which makes them a fitting theme to launch Penumbra--an enterprise that will showcase the creative work of speculative fiction authors each month with a new collection of works within the genre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The New Works by:</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gini Koch </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=13">The Martian Alliance 1: The Royal Scam</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Things aren’t what they seem to be when Princess Olivia of Andromeda jumps aboard a spaceship to escape a loveless marriage.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Join the crew of the Hummingbird as they take on the rich, famous and sleazy of the galaxy. They're also on a long-term secret mission, so it's a good thing they're the best con artists, spacers, and roughnecks in the Milky Way, because they need all their skills to pull off this particular Royal Scam.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfcghd55_EaKEET_N0Zo78prYP4ff9F9Q8pz2YSmGqz7Fayg6eg9LNdeRQYRPuoaVtZyP4aPbIsmheJjBqjIuxIhEMRpQ8P5P05QF5udC-zL-X9mRThUAMu9QGakDYUcrtyVSDXIAkQdY/s1600/12779837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfcghd55_EaKEET_N0Zo78prYP4ff9F9Q8pz2YSmGqz7Fayg6eg9LNdeRQYRPuoaVtZyP4aPbIsmheJjBqjIuxIhEMRpQ8P5P05QF5udC-zL-X9mRThUAMu9QGakDYUcrtyVSDXIAkQdY/s200/12779837.jpg" width="132" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Cindi Myers</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=19">West with the Wind</a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>More than gold awaits two lovers at the end of the trail.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mariah Tate and her dog, Worthy, persuade veteran guide Campbell Jefferson to let them join his expedition headed to California. Camp can't say no to the beautiful widow, but his need to protect her soon clashes with her need to keep secrets. Mariah left more than bad memories behind in Pennsylvania and her growing attraction to the stoic but surprisingly sensitive Camp forces her to face up to the consequences of the choices she's made. Camp doesn't know what Mariah's hiding, but he's determined not to let the only woman who ever made him want to settle down get away. He pursues her across the prairies, through stampedes, Indian raids, desert drought and mountain snows. In the gold camps of California, Camp will discover Mariah's secret, and prove the love she wants most isn't out of reach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>And the return to writing for USA Today Bestselling Author </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sharon De Vita</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=20"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Estrogen Posse </b></span></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>"The Estrogen Posse is a hoot! I laughed, I cried, I couldn't put it down! For every woman who needs a pick me up, this is the book for you!"<br />
Janet Evanovich, NYT bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum mystery series</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Once upon a time Ellie Briotti had a quiet life as a suburban housewife.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Until…she confronts her wealthy husband Nicky about doing the pecker polka with another woman, and Nicky tosses Ellie out of his life like some misbehaved household pet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Until…Gram Crackers, her dotty mother begins passing out house keys to homeless bums.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Until…Joey, her eleven-year old son starts on a new career path: breaking and entering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Until…Rina, her best friend, a single, successful, entrepreneur learns she's about to become a mother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Until…Candi, Nicky's 22-year-old mistress turns up murdered with traces of furniture polish on her bare backside!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A rip-roaring ribald mystery about a woman’s journey to discover what she really wants in life. Now, if Ellie can keep her son from becoming a second-story man, while trying to hide everything from the gorgeous cop who’s started sniffing around, Ellie might be able to get a new life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">That is—if she doesn’t go to jail for murder first!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><b>Aurora Regency</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Musa has acquired Aurora Regency. Within the next month over<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">forty</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>books in this line will be available to Regency and Historical Romance buffs to enjoy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Stop by <a href="http://www.musapublishing.com/">www.MusaPublishing.com</a> check out the books already for sale as well as those coming soon. Over the next few weeks there will be something available for everyone’s taste. Musa aims to offer well writing, interesting stories, all at a price that doesn’t bite into your check book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>“Hearts set upon song, spirits free from care”~</i><span style="color: black;"> </span><i>Hesiod</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you'd like more information about Musa Publishing, please contact Elspeth McClanahan at </span><a href="mailto:Promotions@Musapublishing.com" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Promotions@Musapublishing.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> or go to our blog </span><a href="http://musapublishing.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">http://musapublishing.blogspot.com/</a></span> </span></div>
GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-13629742140248987082011-02-16T23:02:00.000-05:002013-10-12T22:52:04.980-04:00The Shoe Thief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Shoe Thief</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">by Beth </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Caudill</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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Rixva’s scales brushed the top of the mushroom ceiling. Even as a member of the smallest Demon clan, he was taller than these Trades Elves. Squatting to give himself some head room, he surveyed the workroom. The she-elf had more cunning than he expected.</div>
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Set in the center of the table, the shoe-form looked like a tempting bit to swipe. Too tempting. His forked tongue sampled the air above the table, searching for a trap. </div>
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He smacked his lips on the caramel flavor: not a trap but a location spell. Something to lead the caster back to their lost item. So the she-elf was tired of him stealing her stuff. He grinned. A challenge made the mischief making all the sweeter.</div>
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Now what to do? The impish side of him wanted to steal everything <i>but</i> that shoe-form or better yet…steal the form and leave the beacon on the counter. But he promised to help his elf-friend win the woman. And she just might be the companion his friend needed.</div>
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The first rays of sunlight streamed through the workshop window. Itchy fingers demanded he make mischief while he waited for the she-elf to arrive. He chanted and a bit of wind lifted the lids off boxes of finished shoes. Another cast to devise a tower out of alternating horizontal and vertical boxes. Next he switched some of the shoes – putting two left shoes together, one red and one green. For the rights he mixed jewel-toned blues with creams. Other boxes, he changed the size on the outside, leaving the shoes alone. </div>
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He considered the flats of leather and velvet shoe coverings. From the top shelf, he rubbed a piece of leather between two of his three fingers. A soft buttery texture along with the gentle tingle of a protection shield met his exploration. So he wouldn’t be able to dump dye on it. Good of the she-elf to protect her most valuable items. Once he got lost in the joy of mischief he could not stop. </div>
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Rixva touched the material on each shelf until he got to the roughest material on the bottom shelf. The skins were tough, dry, and cracked. Used for making boots, not a commodity usually called for in the Amara-Tierra, the Faery Realm. These would soon be thrown out due to age. Perfect for a bit of coloring. Removing the lids from the powdered dyes, he magicked the sparkling red, orange, yellow, and blue powders into the air. A bit more casting and the colors were rubbed into the animal hide. </div>
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The muffled tinkle of the bell above the door followed by dainty footsteps on the wooden floor caught his attention. A last glance around the room and he vanished before the she-elf topped the stairs. </div>
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“I’m going to sic a sprite on the elf responsible for this mess.” The she-elf muttered as she unstacked boxes.</div>
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Strands of her straight auburn hair lifted from her head. For a moment, he thought her sea green eyes glowed but it had to be a reflection of the sunlight streaming through the windows. Still her bit of temper appealed. It showed there was more to her than her angelic appearance suggested.<br />
Satisfied with his bit of mischief, Rixva floated down the stairs and regained his appearance to let Stephan in. He placed a Mute spell around the bell so it wouldn’t jingle as the door opened. “It’s done. She’s upstairs cleaning up.” The irony of being quiet was not lost on him. In Eysteinn, noise was a hallmark of his kind.</div>
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Stephan handed him a rust red bottle. His food for the day. A spell kept the magic in the Fae blood fresh enough for him to survive the lower Faery Realm temperature. He made a face as he swallowed the thickened liquid. It kept him alive, but was quite distasteful when compared to the sulfur-rich lava rock he consumed at home. </div>
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“Are you sure you want to keep doing this?” He worded his question with care. </div>
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A magickal debt would prevent him from returning home. He could question his friend’s actions but never offer the words “Thank You” to show his appreciation for the sacrifice of Stephan’s blood. </div>
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The elf shrugged. “We have a deal. You do a bit of work for me and I give you the blood.”</div>
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“You! You’re behind these tricks?” the she-elf screeched from behind them.</div>
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“Emmalyn.” His friend’s skin turned an even paler white as he faced the woman he loved. “I…I’m not sure what to say.”</div>
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“How about I’m sorry for making more work for you? Some of the shoes you spirited away were for private commissions.”</div>
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“I’m sorry.” Stephan walked over to the she-elf and took her hand. “I wanted an excuse to spend more time with you.”</div>
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The she-elf pulled away, gave them an angry glare, and paced around the small entryway.</div>
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Rixva intoned the return of the absconded footwear. “Here are your precious shoes.” The impeccably crafted merchandise hung in the air a moment before he floated them upstairs to their proper placement. “Stephan thought if he showed an appreciation of your work, it would catch your attention. His idea had merit over those dimwitted elves who sent you Lily Bells.” Sharp pointed teeth showed as he gave her a devilish smile. “Hives are never attractive.”</div>
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Emmalyn’s expression softened and she turned to Stephan. “You want to spend time with me?” At his nod, she asked, “Will you trust me to deal fairly with the imp?”</div>
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His friend gave the she-elf’s hand a squeeze and whispered, “Be nice. He’s had a bad time of it.” Then he left them alone.</div>
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“What is your hold over him?”</div>
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Women, even tiny ones, could be dangerous when angry. He hopped in place from foot to foot as she regarded him. Trapped by her gaze, he eyed the nearest window as a means to escape.</div>
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As she stood there staring at him, he sank to his knees in defeat. He owed it to his friend to answer her. “Nothing. He saved my life. I thought helping him catch your attention would be fun.”</div>
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“Why are you here? In Amara-Tierra?”</div>
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“My teleportation powers were stripped from me by the new Demon Lord. Then he banished me from Eysteinn.” He bowed his head. “I cannot go home to see my wife. My kidlets.” His voice cracked. Even though it had only been three months, he considered it a lifetime.</div>
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The she-elf walked past decorative wall cabinets and brushed the palm of her hand over blank space. She whispered an incantation and the wall glowed yellow before two doors swung open. She pulled out a dark red shoebox before saying a few words to close the hidden vault.</div>
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“These Brogue shoes should solve your problem,” the she-elf said as she lifted a pair of glittery reddish-brown dress shoes from the box.</div>
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He almost laughed. The she-elf should know it is impossible to cross the Realms with a pair of shoes. </div>
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A tendril of magic skated along his scales. It wrapped around him to form a cocoon and drew him closer to the table. Hope and a touch of fear filled him as he stared at the shoes with holes punched in the tops to form delicate flowers. </div>
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“Go on. Put them on.” Not just magic but true Power infused the words Emmalyn commanded.</div>
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He hesitated. Emmalyn hid enormous magic in that tiny form – she possessed remnants of magick from the Aesir gods. The thought of crossing the Realms with a pair of shoes no longer seemed so absurd. </div>
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She stared at him, dared him to deny the gift she offered. He leaned against the table and waited as it creaked and groaned. When it didn’t break, he stuffed his three toes into the confining leather and stood.</div>
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“Now, imagine your wife and kids and say ‘I want to go home’ three times while thinking of them. And don’t worry when the shoes disappear after you get there.”</div>
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He imagined his wife, her ears poking out with a few stray scales stuck at odd angles. His kidlets with their expressions of innocent child and mischievous wonder at the world at her side. “I want to go home.” Everything around him swirled throwing off his senses. “I want to go home.” His stomach lurched as his body moved through space. “I want to go home.”</div>
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“Daddy’s home! Daddy’s home!”</div>
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His children threw themselves around his legs as he appeared in the center of their cave. The heat from the rock floor warmed his now bare toes. Last of all, his wife walked into the room. The smile she gave him warmed his cold heart. </div>
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Maybe faeries aren’t so bad after all.</div>
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-82316455679080206192011-01-11T21:00:00.000-05:002013-10-12T22:52:39.899-04:00The One-Night Diet by Maureen O. Betita<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--> <m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT6nbUETf0G50xaEzb5xjiFR3Sb2fxFboRJblsbF73NkGUo_lynww" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT6nbUETf0G50xaEzb5xjiFR3Sb2fxFboRJblsbF73NkGUo_lynww" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">She hauled her bright red suitcase behind her on the approach to the hotel check in. As usual, a perky and perfectly put together young woman smiled and took all the information to see Nadine able to retrieve the keycard and head to her room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Three days later, she was exhausted but also filled with exhilaration. A typical conference, full of goofing off, meeting the online friends she only saw once a year, and ending the day looking at her silhouette and wishing she’d managed to shed thirty pounds before attending. Then squeezing into the almost too tight outfit she’d bought just for the evening frivolity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Tonight was the last party and she was dreading coaxing her very tired feet into the bright pink little pumps. But this was the last and a chance to make sure she had all the contact information for the new friends she’d made as well as the professional contacts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Nadine brushed her tight curls and fastened one side up with a vivid green hair clip. Taking a deep breath, she just managed to fasten the top button of the split skirt. Good thing the shirt had started out slightly loose! Three days of conference challenged anyone’s diet. Especially when it came to drinking and picking up chocolate treats, left out by authors hoping to lure readers into pausing long enough at a display to be intrigued by the actual book, and not just the goodies scattered about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">She’d be there one day, and had to admit, she’d put out chocolate, too. It worked!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Last night had been a different sort of fun than the simple rock and roll event of tonight. The vampire ball always brought out the more decadent and curious of the convention goers. And if one stayed late enough, it was amazing what was seen. She shivered, remembering the slender man who had watched her dance with several of her friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">There were so few men at the conference; it was natural to notice the ones that did come. And this man was conspicuous. He wasn’t one of the muscle bound men vying for the book cover model prize. He was too old, for one. He had black hair liberally streaked with silver. She’d noticed him particularly. There was an aura about him, as if he was alone even at a table full of women, all babbling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">No one seemed to be with him. No one took his arm or leaned close to hear his words. Nadine wasn’t even sure the women at the table realized he was there. When the dancing began, he moved toward the edge of the stage, just out of the light and watched. She’d been tempted to shimmy over toward his vicinity, but a lack of self-confidence had squashed that impulse pretty quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">He wore black, but most men did at the vampire ball. In fact, most everyone wore black or shades of black. She’d been slightly different and gone for a deep blue velvet gown. That was probably what had drawn his attention. The four women she’d been with had swept from the ballroom as it grew late and taken her with them. And she hadn’t seen the man again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Well, she had dreamt about him. Shaking her head, she put those thoughts out of her mind. It had too long since she’d had a lover, that was all. And a man that slender and put together wouldn’t be interested in a zaftig woman with unruly hair and limited sexual experience. So she might as well think of something else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Forcing her feet into the shoes, she snatched up her key, tucked it into her badge holder and left the room. Four hours later, she somehow found herself alone in the bar. Two of her internet friend had to leave for red eye flights home and it seemed a very large number of attendees were opting for a last chance to visit the Magic Kingdom instead of the last party.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">And Janice had fought with Nell. Nadine was refusing to take sides, so that left her out in the cold. She actually didn’t mind. It was pleasant to just enjoy her margarita and think about the extra day she was spending before tackling the flight home on Monday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Until he sat down across from her. Thinking about it all several days later, she couldn’t recall what he’d said. But she’d been mesmerized. That, she remembered. He’d bought her another drink, stroking her fingers where they rested on the coaster. A chocolate martini. She’d never had one and the taste of it had melted any reservations she carried about why he’d taken the chair across from her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Who cared? He looked as rich and elegant as the beverage sliding down her throat. And she enjoyed looking at him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">She’d enjoyed a hell of a lot more than that. All night long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">It had been past noon when her eyes had cracked open. Her body had never felt so good. Reaching out a hand, she’d found herself alone. But when she pushed the curtains back, she saw the single red rose left on the <i>extra</i> pillow. It had been extra, for days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">She could just recall his saying something about “…plump as a fragrant red rose…” She picked up the rose and inhaled its scent. Heavenly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Her brain hadn’t fully registered what was different about her body for several hours. She’d showered, still dwelling in the sensual universe he’d spun about her. She languidly shampooed her hair, moisturized her face, and belted the robe about her waist… And ordered room service. She hadn’t left the room until dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">This was when she realized something had changed. Her pants fit. In fact, they were falling off of her. She’d been quite confused and pulled out the jeans she’d worn two days earlier. Same thing. Hell, her panties didn’t want to stay up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">She dropped her clothing and went to the full length mirror just outside the bathroom. She normally avoided full length mirrors like a plague. This time she studied her body. Where was her belly? Was that an actual waist? There were no dimples on her thighs! Her tits…she looked down and could see the nipples without pulling her shoulders back!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">What the fuck?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Nothing she’d brought fit her anymore. Gigging at the miracle, she pulled out a simple shift she’d brought and pulled it on. And went to the boutique at the hotel before going to dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">***<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4124615312001663404" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">She didn’t notice her dark companion, sitting near the fire, sipping a cup of coffee. One hand rested on a rounded belly as he smiled to himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">God, he loved these conventions!</span></div>
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-37554056591955677982010-12-25T00:01:00.001-05:002013-10-12T22:53:52.407-04:00Christmas in Chains<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAScY2Pf8C_Op-nZEDh95LRCLWo4REWA09ww7hrqNXMU-bVlEMQ3doO5GuiYNd74gzd7KAcpmDYjTl6vTtqjEDVdS4wO2Xd37Ip8JBUAm6xA2fb-L4ui26Mn5j-bFNn_YALm8gw4olxvC/s1600/The+Ghost+of+Vampire+Present.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554320958350411890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAScY2Pf8C_Op-nZEDh95LRCLWo4REWA09ww7hrqNXMU-bVlEMQ3doO5GuiYNd74gzd7KAcpmDYjTl6vTtqjEDVdS4wO2Xd37Ip8JBUAm6xA2fb-L4ui26Mn5j-bFNn_YALm8gw4olxvC/s320/The+Ghost+of+Vampire+Present.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="216" /></a><b><span style="font-family: ";">by </span></b><span style="font-family: ";">Seleste deLaney</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: ";">Since becoming a vampire, especially since I was brought here, time has little meaning. Christmas, however, always brings a special surprise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">The first year of my imprisonment, hot pokers were driven into my flesh so I would understand what my victims felt if I didn’t glamour them when I fed. The lesson repeated the next year, along with my first bath in holy water—in case the first time didn’t convince me to be kind unless there was cause to be cruel. The next year, I spent Christmas day chained in the garden, just within the shadow of its walls, where the sun could sear my flesh without destroying it so I would remember that no matter how strong I think I am, there’s always something stronger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">It was by those memories I counted the years here. A dozen so far, and judging by the decorations draped luridly about the place, number thirteen was fast approaching. I gave up begging for release after the first five years. Now I alternated between hoping to survive and praying for death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">Today, I leaned toward the former. I wanted to live…just not here. Not anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">There were no more lessons I could learn. Even if there were, I didn’t want those answers. I had enough nightmares to last me several centuries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">The stones of the hearth bit into my bare knees as I scrubbed at the marble inside the fireplace. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixByWRPXZVOSHL2UgEDnFebPIXhaEJP1zt0PYYvPJhc8E4_7QSHe7n5xgpvoXO_Vc44JW-GOc8lV2lOEc3FoNGriHc1hSmJkdSMne3YUdqYgyhNFVlhD9fRBtU_YQtqi-m0-Z3ksdi2kun/s1600/Of+Course+I+try.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554321040526121938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixByWRPXZVOSHL2UgEDnFebPIXhaEJP1zt0PYYvPJhc8E4_7QSHe7n5xgpvoXO_Vc44JW-GOc8lV2lOEc3FoNGriHc1hSmJkdSMne3YUdqYgyhNFVlhD9fRBtU_YQtqi-m0-Z3ksdi2kun/s320/Of+Course+I+try.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: ";">Silver chains clinked at my wrists and ankles. Resting on my heels, I wiped the back of my hand across my forehead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">“You missed a spot.” Remus’s voice grated on the last of my frayed nerves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">Snapping would do no good though, especially not with Christmas and my annual “gift” right around the corner. So I choked on the retort and clenched my shackled hands into fists, trying to calm myself. “Where?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">“Don’t growl at me, Maxmillian. To your left.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">A faint smudge of soot marred the very edge of the marble. Movements rough, I scrubbed at the spot until it disappeared. “Is that all, Remus?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">“I’m tired of talking to your back. Turn around.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">As always, the order, issued with complete calm, made me bristle. Part of me wanted to defy him, but my back still stung from the last time he’d reminded me who was in charge. So I turned and stared brazenly at him. I’d tried playing the whipped puppy; it didn’t get me anything, so I didn’t bother anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">Remus lounged on a red velvet couch, his robe gaping open to reveal flawless pale skin. I knew he thought it made him look irresistible. I resisted anyway. And I never found it all that difficult. He twirled a finger in his hair, looking almost coy for a moment. I must not have responded the way he planned, because he sighed and lay back on the couch. “I’m chilled. Start a fire, would you?” He turned toward me, his gaze even.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">I tried to stay calm, but my muscles bunched. And my captor simply smiled at me. Of course he would notice. He always noticed. “You just had me clean the fireplace, Remus.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">He waved a hand lazily. “Yes, and now I want a fire. Build it and you can be free for the evening.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">All I wanted to do was race across the room and sever his head from his shoulders, but I knew better than to try that again. The next time I tried to kill Remus, he couldn’t see it coming or I’d fail. “Right away.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">I built the fire and had it blazing in minutes. Then he had his guards take me below ground and chain me to the ceiling. “Enjoy your Christmas Eve,” one of them growled as he yanked the chains over my head and stalked out, slamming the door and leaving me with only the light of the moon filtering through the barred window.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">This was my reward. Not freedom by any standards I used to know, but I was away from Remus for a few blessed hours. Sometimes that was enough. Straining against my bonds, I could just see the moon outside my cell. A connection to the outside world—tenuous though it was—like a cruel lover, disappearing when I needed her touch most.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">My muscles taut and trembling with the agony, I muttered prayers as I did every moment I spent alone—for life, for the lives I’d taken, for release, for death, for the death of Remus, and for the ability to kill him myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">“I cannot help you with the killing, but I can get you out of here.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">The tiny voice in my right ear jerked me from my meditation, my arms screaming as I stood upright. “Who? What?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">The voice by my ear laughed and in a flurry of wings revealed itself as a shadow in the moonlight. “I am Janiqua, and I can spring you from this prison, Vampire, but you will owe me a favor in return.” She fluttered back to land on my arm, barely five inches tall, with brown hair and dragonfly wings that glittered in the pale light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">As much as I wanted to jump at the offer, I had a hard time believing I wasn’t hallucinating from pain and exhaustion. “What sort of favor?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">She shrugged, more a movement of wings than shoulders. “I don’t know. That’s why you’ll have to owe me. Do we have an accord?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">I’d long since given up hope of Christmas miracles, but I nodded. In an instant, the shackles opened and my arms fell heavily by my sides, forcing me to stifle a groan of exquisite pain. She darted under the door, and soon enough it swung wide. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">“Quickly, Vampire. The guards won’t stay asleep for long.” She flitted up the stairs. I raced after her, rubbing my wrists. The guards were indeed asleep at their posts, and I dashed out the front door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">I didn’t question my good fortune until I stood shivering at the gates of the estate. “Janiqua?” I called as she fluttered into the night. “How did you find me? And why the hell did you help me?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">Her pointy teeth flashed in the light of the moon as she darted close to my ear. “I like people being in my debt, Vampire.” She flitted away and called back over her shoulder, “As to who sent me? Consider it a Christmas present from your Fairy Godmother.” Her laughter echoed in the night as she flew away.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">After that, I did the only reasonable thing—put as much distance between myself and Remus’s estate as I could before dawn lit the sky, savoring my Christmas miracle and plotting my vengeance with every step.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0wkiTM_UC6MAp8f5LzV6ZZHXw3qZdDKHrK7d20TUOBMtR9QsGRBqzIAgmufJIhyNFxfW-8cBJXapxi7rCcM6coz5evToW44cjww7a88TxB_NWas6GGXBXXJdZs_bnsFV-s4FzJPkmdQF/s1600/Seleste+Delaney+picture+II.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554320558767748690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0wkiTM_UC6MAp8f5LzV6ZZHXw3qZdDKHrK7d20TUOBMtR9QsGRBqzIAgmufJIhyNFxfW-8cBJXapxi7rCcM6coz5evToW44cjww7a88TxB_NWas6GGXBXXJdZs_bnsFV-s4FzJPkmdQF/s320/Seleste+Delaney+picture+II.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="212" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Find Seleste deLaney</span></div>
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Valerie Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11761558020418265338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-52095768548109118832010-12-25T00:01:00.000-05:002013-10-12T22:54:30.337-04:00Owen's Christmas Boot by Stephanie Beck<m:smallfrac val="off"><m:dispdef><m:lmargin val="0"><m:rmargin val="0"><m:defjc val="centerGroup"><m:wrapindent val="1440"><m:intlim val="subSup"><m:narylim val="undOvr"></m:narylim></m:intlim></m:wrapindent></m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT1O_PZe62DwXvOxF259Jm7JfS_XRwnXnpMRwDDJpuTDdAeyIVV" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT1O_PZe62DwXvOxF259Jm7JfS_XRwnXnpMRwDDJpuTDdAeyIVV" width="240" /></a><br />
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The pups were sleeping. Was there a better sound? If there was, Owen hadn’t heard it yet. His aunts had kicked him out of Mona and Chris’ house hours before, so the new family could get some rest, but there was no damn way he was leaving his alphas unprotected with new pups in the house. Chris and Mona needed to be parents for the night, not worry about assholes. That’s where Owen, as head enforcer for the Haven Pack came in. He not only enjoyed dealing with assholes, he also took great pleasure in ripping said assholes new ones.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He turned over on the sofa, watching the fire as it burned down. He was going to have to grab more wood before long. The house didn’t rely solely on the blaze’s heat, but it sure as hell took the edge off on nights like this. It was bitter outside, but he wasn’t going to let his new nieces feel that cold. No sir. There might not be a whole lot he could do for them at the moment, but safe and warm, those were things he could do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Owen perked up to attention. One of the babies had sighed. Maybe they needed him. He jumped to his feet and headed to the bedroom. From the door, he could see Chris and Mona beneath their blanket with the babies between them. He crept out of the room. The last thing he wanted to do was fluster either new parent. They knew he was there—there was no question of that—but knowing he was there and actually having to acknowledge his presence were different things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Checking the fire again and turning on the Christmas tree lights for fun, Owen headed past the kitchen and toward the porch. The woodpile on the porch was half depleted, and with a whole night ahead of him, Owen decided a good Christmas gift for the family would be to replenish the wood. He could keep an eye on things and still be useful. He grabbed Chris’ work coat and headed out into the cold. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> It was freezing, but when Owen took a deep breath, he enjoyed the bite. Winter in Pennsylvania was supposed to be cold, and this year was living up to expectations. In the dead of night the blankets of snow made the surroundings relatively silent. It was nearly eery how quiet the surrounding space was, but Owen liked it. Peace and quiet wasn’t usually his thing. In fact, he had a pile of new, loud and violent video games waiting for him at his house. They would wait, though, until Mona was feeling better and Chris had a chance to bond with his daughters. Then Owen would hole up with a couple of cousins and play games until their eyes burned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He was on his third trip when he heard it. The sound was nearly tinkling, but that didn’t make it any less of a threat. He tossed aside the wood and tried to pinpoint exactly where the sound was coming from. There were other Weres in the area, he knew, but none of them were sending up any alerts. He wasn’t about to cause a stir and chance alerting Mona or Chris until he knew what the threat was. The sound came again, just a whisper of a tinkle and this time, he knew where it was coming from.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The roof.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “No fucking way,” he muttered. Visions of baddies trying to come down through the chimney filled his head, and Owen ran inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He kept his feet silent upon approach. After the last few weeks of added surveillance and the actual fight with Mona’s family, he was more than ready to kick ass again. Fighting was like sex: the more a guy had, the more he wanted. When he turned the corner, the scent of the spices Mona used baking the day before messing with his nose, he was ready to attack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The red suit was odd, but the bent over ass made a target Owen wasn’t about to pass up. He couldn’t risk changing and alerting the intruder to his presence so Owen jumped instead, crossing the distance of the living room with a single bound. If he’d have been a wolf, Owen would have bit the guy in the ass—instead he booted him straight in the backside, knocking the intruder into the mantle of the fireplace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “What the hell? Owen Myters, don’t you have enough sense not to attack Santa Clause on Christmas Eve?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Owen froze, getting a full look and finally smell of the intruder lying on the floor. He wasn’t human, not wolf, and sure as hell wasn’t anything else Owen had ever encountered. The guy actually smelled like gingerbread and the tinkle Owen thought he’d heard before actually came directly from the man. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Santa?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The red covered man pushed to his feet, holding his hand up toward the bedroom as he moved. “Shut up, will ya? I’ve got Mona and Chris in a sleep, but with new pups they could break my magic pretty easily.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Oh yeah.” That made sense. “Sure, no problem. What are you doing here?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Santa rolled his eyes and gathered a sack Owen hadn’t noticed. “There are two children in this house. What do you think I’m doing here?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Cool. What did you bring the girls? I got them dollies and stuffed squirrels. Beat that.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Santa chuckled, and Owen felt momentarily drawn in by the sound. The man in red wasn’t exactly like the books and songs said. He was younger, slimmer and didn’t have a beard either. Those things could have been off putting, but there was something about Santa that brought out all the feelings Owen had always expected if he ever met Santa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Don’t worry. The little ones are going to adore you much more than they ever will the likes of me,” Santa said. “And the trinkets I brought are only the start of teaching goodwill and selfless love. I only have one night to show those things, but you and the rest of the pack will reinforce the lessons for the other three hundred and sixty four days a year.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Owen watched the not-chubby man place two small packages under the Christmas tree. The first time he remembered a gift from Santa, he’d been maybe four. It had been a hard year for all the Weres, the crops failing and no one doing well, but there had been blocks and other little toys under the tree for all the pups. In the years following, the simple, but usually most fun toys always came without a ‘from’ tag. He’d always known the man in red had something to do with it. The gifts stopped when he was seventeen and he’d missed them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “You didn’t need them anymore, Owen,” Santa said, tossing the now empty sack over his shoulder. “Some kids need gifts for years, others not so much. I was happy to bring you the toys you asked for. Visiting pack pups has always been one of my very favorite things. I look forward to years of visiting these two little ones and their brothers and sisters to come. Now, if you’d get busy finding a mate, I could visit your place again too. I hear you’ve got some good video games.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “You could always bring me a mate,” Owen offered with a grin. “You know, like the old days.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The soft red glow from the fireplace partially lit Santa’s face as he added a few treats to the stockings hanging there. A quiet change overtook him, and Owen froze, not only sensing the difference, but understanding that it was important. “She’s out there for you, Owen Myters, looking for you every day. She won’t find you in Haven. You’ll find her in the West—not what you expect, but exactly who you need.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The air in the room dropped in temperature, and the fire flickered before Santa came back to himself. His words had been prophetic and interesting, but the whole ambiance had made them excessively creepy. The mystery girl could wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “She will wait,” Santa said, the clandestine aura gone, replaced with the affable elf once more. “I’d say she’s a bit young now, anyway, but what the hell do I know about love? I’m head over heels for a succubus stripper librarian so I sure as heck know better than to cast stones. But maybe wait a year or two, and take a long road trip to the West Coast. It wouldn’t hurt anything.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Owen nodded. He could do that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “But in the meantime, do me a favor and don’t mention kicking me in the ass,” Santa said, standing directly in front of the fire. “I get enough shit from my friends in New York, adding a booting from a werewolf isn’t something I’d like to do at this point.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Sure Santa,” Owen replied. “No problem.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Santa sighed, and Owen figured the sainted guy had seen through the lie. Of course Owen was going to tell everyone he knew and probably a few strangers about getting the drop on Santa and booting him in the ass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “At least I tried.” Santa shrugged. “Take care of those little nieces of yours. See you next year—or rather, I hope I don’t see you next year—sneaky, damn Weres.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In a blink, Santa was gone, and Owen was left in the living room surrounded by the scent of cinnamon and gingerbread. He opened and closed his eyes a few times, trying to get his bearings, and when he did, he noticed a third gift under the tree. It was smaller than the other two he’d seen Santa deposit, and when he crouched closer, he saw his name was scrawled in perfect script across the tag.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The clock struck midnight, announcing the beginning moments of a new Christmas. The tinkling was gone and Owen knew Santa had passed by, probably off to the neighbor’s house where several pups were waiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Owen sat beside the tree and pulled out the little gift. In the morning he’d go to his mom’s place and exchange a few gifts with his siblings, but this was something different, something completely special he’d never thought he’d get again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He opened the sides of the gift carefully, the thick paper holding its shape even after Owen pulled the small box out of its confines. His hands quivered a little, and he shook his head. A mighty werewolf, brought low by a little paper and a bow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Inside the box was tissue paper, but below that was a picture. The woman in it was small to the point of being impish. Even her ears were slightly pointed, but her eyes were all werewolf. Was this the one who was already looking for him? He tilted the picture toward the fire to get a better look. Santa was right about the age thing. If the picture was recent, she was pretty young. Still, she was mighty cute. He tucked the picture in the breast pocket of his shirt, and smiled when he realized he’d put her close to his heart. She could stay there until he was good and ready to find her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Find Stephanie Beck at her website, <a href="http://stephaniebeck.net/">StephanieBeck.net</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9I71-9jgDD5xEKYd3Ncz3u7K8OyePn94M8Raj8-Sd9OZX6noNVBSbqvggRA4V9VBpbjjBhyphenhyphenO8oIvu6ILtE8lSzL-pm2t-k27mlZEJRdg9ssC62Y3Tnv7_df0mrDJ99PCZZDmZHzptR8XG/s1600/A+Winter+Tale+with+Marshmallows.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9I71-9jgDD5xEKYd3Ncz3u7K8OyePn94M8Raj8-Sd9OZX6noNVBSbqvggRA4V9VBpbjjBhyphenhyphenO8oIvu6ILtE8lSzL-pm2t-k27mlZEJRdg9ssC62Y3Tnv7_df0mrDJ99PCZZDmZHzptR8XG/s320/A+Winter+Tale+with+Marshmallows.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Mona is an assassin. Since her fifteenth birthday her life has been nothing but hunting and killing. That changes when she realizes she needs more to her life and decides to start her family. In quitting her job, Mona finds herself also fleeing from her pack mates, dead set on keeping her at her post.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Her journey leads her to Pennsylvania where another pack of werewolves resides. Pregnant and due soon, Mona is out of places to run, and Haven Pack Alpha, Chris Myters, is all too happy to to have her land in the comfort and support of his pack.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Between baking, surveillance and falling in love, Mona and Chris get ready for the approaching holiday with the Pack. When Mona's past comes back to haunt her, she will have to trust her new pack. </b></span></div>
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-10311324189463655812010-12-24T00:01:00.001-05:002013-10-12T22:55:02.393-04:00Siaak's Christmas by A.D. Steward<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3630RVjTRMjRGlqBMbIRMRulcZzF6vg17cf2qoWC1lRI2WgqyVb2wgpC85owPGzCEkLd1erh70fx_hNjWU3bGFn3J7iiXQ3W2slu1eGdHtHE8rlME5YJrKd8l24GsydOoeQ8uf_0Ev27_/s1600/Siaak%2527s+Christmas+cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551392908428491282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3630RVjTRMjRGlqBMbIRMRulcZzF6vg17cf2qoWC1lRI2WgqyVb2wgpC85owPGzCEkLd1erh70fx_hNjWU3bGFn3J7iiXQ3W2slu1eGdHtHE8rlME5YJrKd8l24GsydOoeQ8uf_0Ev27_/s320/Siaak%2527s+Christmas+cover.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="220" /></a>by <span style="font-weight: bold;">A.D. Stewart</span><br />
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mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><br /><br /> Siaak glanced up at the star-filled night sky. Wrapping his heavy cloak around his shoulders, he questioned his mentality at following humans across the desert. They normally got him into trouble with their insatiable thirst for knowledge. But the rumors spreading like wildfire about the Christ child spurred his curiosity, so who was he to argue? Besides, it might come in handy with his fight against the BloodSeekers.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Swaying in his saddle, Siaak kept the bright, flashing star to the north in his sights at all times. Each night, he spoke into the minds of the wandering kings, making sure to warn them against King Herod. Something told him the three magi were nothing like that vile ruler. Siaak’s hatred for the evil king had grown after Herod killed his own wife and sons. Other rumors spoke of Herod wanting to kill the King of the Jews. So perhaps he could be of help. And if he posed as another magus, he could protect the babe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">***</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">A fortnight later, Siaak found his suspicions were correct. Using his skills as a warrior, he spent every waking moment defending Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar from Herod’s men from all manner of dangers. And when they happened upon a band of soldiers sent to kill the babe, Siaak used his powers to create a sandstorm. Careful of detection, he made sure the storm killed the men. This way they could not report back to Herod.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Within a few measures, the travelers reached the walls of Bethlehem. Siaak sensed a power nearby and kept close to the magi. Pulling his sword free, he dismounted and walked beside the men. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">“Stranger, will thou not speak this night?” King Melchior asked as he chewed a length of seasoned meat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Siaak glanced up at the man dressed in the finest blue robes he’d ever seen. Silver threads spun a turban that covered the King’s head like a glowing crown in the moonlight. “It is my desire to set eyes upon the child, and nothing will keep me from achieving it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Melchior bowed his head in agreement before glancing skyward from the bright star down to a small stable. All the men noticed the strange glow that emanated from the structure not more than a furlong distant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Siaak ushered the holy and wise kings onward while he stayed back to take in the sleeping village. He felt tonight was more important than these mortal men could comprehend. And when the camels came to a stop and the men dismounted and began removing small bundles, Siaak forgot his oath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">“What are you doing?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">King Gaspar turned slowly, his face hidden in the shadows. “They are but small gifts, to show our humble servitude…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Siaak turned to take in the other men’s nods of agreement and watched in silence as each man strode across the sandy ground into the bright light that flooded the wooden stable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">, Siaak waved his hands and made his sword disappear. Tonight was different. He could feel warmth spreading across his limbs. And before he realized it, Siaak was stood within the small shelter, witnessing Melchior, King of Arabia hand over bags of gold. Gaspar, King of Tarsus, in robes of the deepest red, brought myrrh and, Balthazar, King of Ethiopia, displayed his gift of frankincense. Once the men were happy with the blessing of the babe, they stood back and swept open their arms, imploring Siaak to enter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Siaak the SandWalker unwound his turban from across his head. The father and mother stood to the side of the manger. Both of them graced Siaak with their names before displaying the pleasant, proud smiles all new parents wear, urging him to look. Siaak bowed before the kings, and to Mary and Joseph. The moment his eyes took in the small bundle, he lost all thought and reached out his hand with one finger extended. The very second baby Jesus touched Siaak’s index finger, he felt the power from the small baby transfer up to him, and suddenly his mind was crowded with images of this child’s life. Tears formed the moment the baby locked eyes with him. Siaak felt a shockwave through his body. This beautiful child would lead a short life, but would gain many followers, even after his death. Siaak bowed his head, reached inside his white robes, pulled out a chalice and handed it to Mary. “This is my offering to your son. Watch over him—he is a precious gift who many will fight to the death over.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Siaak bowed once more to the wise kings and left without a backward glance. Unable to stop the tears, he walked until he could walk no more. Would the humans never see that they need not fear the things they could not understand? He knew the answer, but for now, he would relish knowing he had touched something far greater. The understanding of the human’s God, their creator, their almighty Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">Siaak is a character from A.D. Stewart’s exciting novel of romance and adventure in Egypt – Black Pyramid soon to be available from kNight Romance Publishing </span><span style="font-family: ";"><a href="http://www.knightromancepublishing.com/">www.knightromancepublishing.com </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ";">You can visit A.D. Stewart at </span><span style="font-family: ";"><a href="http://www.ancientbreeds.co.uk/">http://www.ancientbreeds.co.uk/</a> She loves to hear from readers and discuss all manner of things Egyptian!</span></div>
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Valerie Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11761558020418265338noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-34918052182364350962010-12-23T00:01:00.000-05:002013-10-12T22:56:15.355-04:00More Holiday Headlines<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">by <b>R.M. Gilbert </b> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrDTF4wc16Xm1qwdO-OmFlEXLHiLtaURLLbz58ZjqJPpwsEWbjjdw1Bwc6TeLOPAbeq2qyAUYVklFxVX2Fso1kEMa3woTknrUgwMLCVHhg33ozOvGzq_DPsDAQVNXDCVoUDuIFiVC3RFH/s1600/Holiday+Headlines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrDTF4wc16Xm1qwdO-OmFlEXLHiLtaURLLbz58ZjqJPpwsEWbjjdw1Bwc6TeLOPAbeq2qyAUYVklFxVX2Fso1kEMa3woTknrUgwMLCVHhg33ozOvGzq_DPsDAQVNXDCVoUDuIFiVC3RFH/s320/Holiday+Headlines.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></u><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i> A holiday short to accompany <a href="http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=194&osCsid=vov36mdh65d5r4fkv7aam9iu06%20">Holiday Headlines </a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Available now! </i></span></div>
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<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=194&osCsid=vov36mdh65d5r4fkv7aam9iu06"></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Come here.” Smith smiled as he darted between the end table and chair, laughing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Paige halted at the back of the couch. Smith stopped opposite her. They breathed heavy. Her fingers dug into the cloth. Eyes narrowed on Smith as she waited for him to make a move. His dark hair shielded the view of his gaze. His mouth curved into a mischievous grin when, rather than going around the furniture, he lunged over it and grabbed hold of her. She toppled into him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Your friends will be here soon, and I need to finish getting ready.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “No you don’t, you’re perfect,” he whispered against her hair. “Besides Ty’s never on time.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> After a year together, she hadn’t tired of the deep rumble in his voice. “Do you think he’ll like me?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “They’re <i>both</i> going to love you.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> She drew back slightly and gave a weak smile. It wasn’t every year she spent her holiday with paranormal beings, this from the same woman who recently returned from tracking a demon. Going on the road with Smith to track the supernatural seemed altogether different than befriending them. What would they talk about, blood?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i>God, what am I thinking? Maybe it wouldn’t be too late to call it off.</i> In that same second, the doorbell rang. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “They’re here!” her voice squeaked. “I’m not dressed, the table’s not set—”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “You get dressed, I’ll let them in.” He kissed her forehead then moved toward the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Paige raced to the bedroom, her heart thudded beneath her rib cage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “It’s just a vampire and a witch. No big deal,” she muttered as she sifted through an array of shirts in her closet. She tried on multiple tops. Short sleeved, long sleeved, a wool sweater, a silk button down, one with a plunging neckline. <i>Crap, crap, crap.</i> Paige tossed aside several others until she held in her hands the ideal piece of clothing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Slipping the shirt on, she looked in the mirror. The forest green turtleneck was perfect—considering the company. Paige smoothed out her hair with her fingers then turned her attention to a pair of black dress pants. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “About ready in there?” Smith called quietly through the door. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ready as I’ll ever be, she thought as she went to greet their guests. Paige turned the corner and made her way into the living room. Blood pounded in her ears, her palms became slick with sweat, when she spotted a tall man in a black trench standing near the door. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “You must be Ty,” she began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> He turned slowly. Long lashes accentuated his dark eyes, making them look even more wild and ravenous. His upper lip curled back to expose fanged teeth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Paige stumbled back. Colliding hard into Smith, whose grip tightened on her upper arms, she steadied herself against him. “His teeth…” A slight, slender woman with enormous gray eyes and short choppy red hair emerged from behind Ty. She donned a black witch’s hat, which came to a sharp point. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “She’s got a…a…” Paige stuttered again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Smith and Ty burst out laughing. The woman immediately looked apologetic and slipped the hat from her head. “I’m sorry, it was a joke, an ice breaker. I’m Dina.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Paige stared between them. Ty yanked a pair of plastic fangs out of his mouth. His tongue ran over perfect non-fanged teeth. The twinkle in his dark eyes reminded her of Smith, who was probably behind the whole creepy introduction. Her heart beat a million times faster than normal, but looking at them now she knew they didn’t mean any harm. Weaving her fingers through Smith’s, she crossed the short distance and extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> It may have seemed like a cruel joke. Yet, after the initial introductions, Paige didn’t seem to have any trouble warming up to Dina, or Dina to her. They talked about Five Oaks and the previous winter and England, where Dina and Ty lived now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “So what brought you back?” Smith asked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ty paused with his glass of red wine mid-way to his mouth. Dina’s fingers dug into his thigh and Smith knew there was trouble. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I wondered if I might ask another favor of you.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “What’s that?” Smith kept a smile on his face, but worried over his friend’s serious tone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Silence stretched throughout the room, Smith’s unease grew. Ty only ever got serious about two things Conclave business and Dina. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> His friend started slow. “You know the Conclave needs good scouts?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Smith nodded. Their lack of scouts was the reason he took on missions for the Vampire Conclave to begin with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “They sent me here to ask you to join us,” Ty said sounding uneasy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Paige’s brows furrowed. “Join them?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ty was asking Smith for it all, to become like him. He looked at Paige, her beautiful hazel eyes glazed over in disbelief. He whispered, “I’ll have to think about it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “About what?” Paige’s voice came out broken. Pain and anger washed over her features. “What is there to think about?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ty stood. “We’ll stick around a few days and wait for your decision. I’m willing to change you both, if it’s what you want.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Change us both?” Paige shoved off the couch. “I think you should leave.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Give it some thought. Together you’ll save lives,” Dina said as she and Ty stood.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “We’ll be in touch.” Ty gave a curt nod and as fast as they came, they left.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Smith had never expected this. He’d definitely never asked for it, but he knew to dismiss Ty would be a big mistake. There was Paige to think about. If he refused the Conclave he might put her in harm’s way. He would never risk that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “You know, I may not have a choice?” he said going to the door to look outside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Paige came behind him and wrapped her arms around his chest. Her breasts pressed against his back, he felt the wild beating of her heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “There’s always a choice,” she said softly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “You’re right.” His hand covered hers. <i>And it’s being made for me.</i> </span></div>
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-32761700326512883312010-12-22T00:01:00.003-05:002013-10-12T22:56:40.165-04:00Caught Naked by Sarah Masters<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: large;">Got Romance Reviews </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">presents</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: x-large;">Caught NAKED</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">~by Sarah Masters~</span> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNg5AXpHYPT4cU7pc11EtSDfqAKN0L65YIOhQSibQMFrVl76R7o4TQMBJuVRQMN2BFSOFx39d1Mr7W0-PJgcdgrwVy8ehytC29jzaxHYfBxxNXCr-mhtJe5iGIIBanCHCCIJhRylmCvWE/s1600/Caught+Naked+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNg5AXpHYPT4cU7pc11EtSDfqAKN0L65YIOhQSibQMFrVl76R7o4TQMBJuVRQMN2BFSOFx39d1Mr7W0-PJgcdgrwVy8ehytC29jzaxHYfBxxNXCr-mhtJe5iGIIBanCHCCIJhRylmCvWE/s320/Caught+Naked+cover.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> </span> <m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The bright swathe of a flashlight cut through the darkness, the beam arcing across the concrete floor of the warehouse. Naked, Marc stood behind a pallet of boxes that stretched to twice his height. He held his breath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Jesus fucking Christ. Go away. Don’t find me.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He peered between his pallet and the next, the aisle barely wide enough for a body to walk through without their shoulders brushing the polythene covering the boxes. He’d hear whoever was coming, despite their barely perceptible footsteps—the polythene would rustle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Unless they walk sideways. Shit!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Why the hell Jake thought it would be fun to meet and fuck here, Marc didn’t know. He was all for having sex in unusual places, but the warehouse where they worked? Okay, they knew the layout, knew where all the cameras were outside so they’d avoid detection coming in, but come on!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Seems someone’s detected me anyway.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Jake had texted five minutes ago to say he would be late. Stuck in traffic—what a damn cliché! Reckoned he’d be here in about half an hour, but that was no good to Marc at the moment. He’d left his clothes in his locker and made his way here to their meeting spot, not expecting security to be working on Christmas Eve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He thought about his options. If he was caught he <i>could</i> say he’d forgotten his phone, had come back using his keys to get in. Had heard a noise in the warehouse himself and was just checking it out when he saw the flashlight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Sounds plausible…if I wasn’t naked. </i></span></div>
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<b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Like what you've read so far? We'll email you the entire story as a free gift from Sarah Masters and Got Romance Reviews! Leave your email in a comment and we'll send it right out! </span></span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span>GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-21697088013963425562010-12-21T21:04:00.000-05:002013-10-12T22:58:09.526-04:00On the Naughty List by Mahalia Levey<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Author>Windows User</o:Author> <o:Version>12.00</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--> <m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtQY5MR_eIX_1IuWRm0tS88pdx90Cb0OMlhm1IjcFKDp2CdC3hUDnTYhapR48tiyfrnVskA7kJ0hXd6QIGubRw6ysP_v3oD51ERi6MdwIxQf35Y_kjd1XAXz9rFV30abAFaPfAS2zE6pV/s1600/OnTheNaughty200x300%255B1%255D.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtQY5MR_eIX_1IuWRm0tS88pdx90Cb0OMlhm1IjcFKDp2CdC3hUDnTYhapR48tiyfrnVskA7kJ0hXd6QIGubRw6ysP_v3oD51ERi6MdwIxQf35Y_kjd1XAXz9rFV30abAFaPfAS2zE6pV/s320/OnTheNaughty200x300%255B1%255D.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jericha</span> blew on her cup of coffee. Her cursor blipped across the screen. Dare she? Her heartbeat accelerated and her palms grew damp. She flicked a glance toward the door separating her from her crush and chewed on her bottom lip. Dane Savage had become gossip for the office. Not only did he have a “no playing” policy, he hadn’t looked at any woman in the office—no tit glances, no ass glances. Nothing. Tall, lean, bronze, eyes the color of a turbulent storm. Chiseled face, broad shoulders, cleft in his chin. His parents sure got it right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> With a name like Savage, a girl had to wonder if he indeed was as his name implied. Or was he a gentle lover who knew how to milk every response out of a woman’s body? His door opened, and she sipped from her cup and turned away. The male associate who left his office looked pale. Into the lion’s den and out alive, which was more than she could say for a few other employees. Damn if she wouldn’t love to be in their shoes, pleading for a second chance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The only problem was, Jericha didn’t know how to be deviant, not in a professional sense. Her shorthand was fabulous, and knowledge about the company and its assets, including the boss’, dripped off her tongue when asked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> In a perfect world she was the perfect assistant—who wanted her fine-ass boss to drool over her busty chest, slap the globes of her ass and fuck her mercilessly. She wanted to be noticed. Hell, she’d give up her toys, the whole box of them, for one night of pleasure with Dane. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Dane…” She let his name fall softly off her lips and sighed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Desperate times called for desperate measures. Her naughty poem stared back at her. When she’d written it at home, she imagined him as her “Santa”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The issue at hand—how to make him realize she sent it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i> I’m a genius.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">To: Execbosssavage@globalsrt.org </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">From: Santasnaughtynymph@yourpole.com </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the condo </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">everyone was fucking, even the mice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">cocks aplenty all wrapped up with care </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">hoping Viagra wouldn’t be needed there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There was Jemma and Jessa </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">and Kelly, all locked up together </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Squeals and moans rang from their room </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And he with his flogger and I with my gag </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">had just started playing with hopes of getting tagged. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The noises were aplenty. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Complaints less than a few. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When Santa Dane touched down </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Saliva started to pool. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He blew down the chimney </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He came into my room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I said, “Santa, Sir, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">you’re finally here!” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He looked at me smirking </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And kicked out my date </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He took hold of a strap </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And said, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Where’s my naughtiest girl at?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After lifting my skirt, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">he stood there in awe, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">his cock straining in front of me </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">from the red welts he saw. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ran his hands in my garters, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">crotchless panties of blue silk </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He took out his camera, </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">he put on his flash. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He proceeded to snap pictures </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">for his own private stash. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As things got hotter </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Santa started to sweat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He took off his red suit </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">to show me a glimpse of what I’d get. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">His meat, it was gigantic </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">just like his reindeer pets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He said, “Don’t be worried, it’ll be </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A perfect fit.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He then plowed and spanked me </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And slapped at my tits </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And I begged for more </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When he got through with me, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I’d never been so sore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He said it was reindeer dust </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">that gave him his speed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And naughty girls like me </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">help satisfy his need. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Jericha stopped reading, deciding what to do. Under mistletoe she’d reveal who she was, up close and personal. Elation surged through her as she hit send to his office email. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Her senses told her he’d find the poem arousing. She’d studied him shyly, of course, none-too-blatant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The switchboard rang. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Global SRT, this is Jericha. How can I direct your call? Mr. Savage is in meetings; I’ll direct you to his voicemail. Have a good day.” She answered forty more calls with the same outcome and reached for her bottle of spring water. Just as she recapped it, Mr. Savage came out looking a bit red in the face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Yes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Is there something you need, sir?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “No. Need to go for a walk, get some water.” He rapped on the edge of her desk and walked out of the office. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> An invitation posted on the bulletin board invited all employees and their dates to the company bash, complete with alcohol and finger foods. Associates were encouraged to bring a secret Santa present and to participate in the grand prize drawings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Tonight she’d snag the big one. She’d haul out the big guns and go for what she wanted. Take no prisoners. Game set. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> ***** </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Hours later, in the comfort of his home, Dane Savage still reeled over the email he’d received. He dressed for the party with care. Instead of a top designer suit, he put on slacks and a form-fitting, charcoal grey shirt. At first he thought the email was spam, until he looked at it again, thinking it was the actual poem. Thank God his office was private and his groans remained unheard. Reading the naughty email aroused him in ways he hadn’t been in ages. Made him think of old times. He loved a dirty woman, and whoever the sender was, he could only hope she’d be as hot as her naughty mind showed. Plowing took on a new meaning. He could add pummeling, thrusting and pumping right into the mix. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Twenty single women worked for him. His direct email was listed on the company roster. He hoped he’d narrow it down by the party. Singling out the one might prove difficult. Ninety percent had hit on him until he’d rebuffed their offers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Paddles, toys and hard-fast sex. The activities he’d forsaken. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> <i>Jericha</i>. He held a fondness for her more than any of the others. Her voice sounded like rich velvet when he called her desk. He’d noticed her breasts the first time he’d met her. Her distraction gave him time to pull his act together. She had hips to die for. The scent she wore must’ve been created just for her and added to his fantasies. Him being ten years her senior was the first thing that had stopped him from acting on his lust drive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The unexpected death of his fiancée was the second. Instead of returning to the dating world, he’d found women had changed—or he had. Meaningless sex didn’t dull the pain, and the memory of his first love haunted him from moving forward. If not for his personal issues he’d have gladly dated an intelligent, sexy woman with a sense of humor like Jericha’s any day. Her capabilities as an assistant were on point, but there were also little things; his favorite coffee waiting for him on his desk every morning along with a bagel or frosted donut; notes left to remind him of due dates for clients; her ability to gauge his mood and alleviate it by providing stupid jokes that made no sense. Little things he’d forget if he didn’t have someone to back him up. Without trying, she knew his cravings. Well, not his craving for her… </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dane very much wanted to participate in carnal sins, to bend the sender of said email over his knee. A gentle rub and then a hard whack, feeling the flesh quiver and the heat under his hand. A little kink never hurt anyone. He ached to hear her moans of pleasure, but most of all he needed the same release she’d gifted Dear Ole Nick. He prayed there was a shot in hell that his gorgeous personal assistant sent it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He gathered his wallet and keys, set his alarm, and entered his parking lot. Moments later, he headed through streets filled with festive decorations. Houses blinking in red, green, and white hues, a huge, blown-up Santa’s sleigh with reindeers. Every station played the classic Christmas songs by new and old artists alike. Being alone for the holidays served as a reminder that it didn’t have to be that way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Missing the street posts with decorative banners hanging was impossible. In the heavy snow, those banners served as landmarks. He came to the intersection leading to the hotel hosting the company Christmas Party and turned. Snow crunched under his wheels, and thicker flakes melted on his windshield. He found himself singing <i>Jingle Bells</i>, thankful no one could hear his off-tone tenor. After four left turns and a slow right, he pulled into the parking lot of the hotel, parked, grabbed his gift for the tree, and headed inside. Cold had bitten his fingers, and he yanked his coat tighter around his neck to fend off the chill it brought. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Joyful laughter filled his ears as he entered the establishment. Glad to have a reprieve from the frosty weather, he shrugged off his coat and made his way through the crowd of employees. Stopping to chat, he wished them happy holidays and headed over to the ceiling-high tree. His gaze honed in on Jericha and Tiffany standing off to the side as he placed his gift under the tree with the rest of the presents. Others from the corporate office and field offices were scattered with family members. With a warm smile, he greeted each and every one of his employees and felt a sense of pleasure watching them enjoying themselves. The Santa he’d hired hadn’t shown yet, but he didn’t think it cause to worry. Instead, he roamed the room making idle talk and drinking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Tables filled with meats, cheeses, desserts and other candied items lined a far section of the room. A elf, decked out in green, headed his way. He began to make a drink order when a soulful, bluesy voice resonated in the room. He craned his head to find the object that triggered automatic lust and honed his gaze in on Jericha with a mic in her hand singing <i>I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Last Night</i>. Her red fuzzy sweater hugged her breasts to perfection. His throat constricted and his mouth went dry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Spellbound, he watched her thrust her hip to the side and angle her head, giving the desired effect to the song’s line. Hell, damn and shit. Red gloss wet her lips…yeah, he was in trouble. He no longer cared who sent the damn poem; he’d take Jericha the Siren, who’d awoken his beast. There was no way he could ignore her call. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Can I get your order?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Dane tore his gaze from Jericha. “Rum and Coke.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Sure thing, boss.” The tall elfin female, a.k.a. Cassandra, went to retrieve his drink. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Disappointment hit him when they closed the karaoke bar. He downed his drink in a few gulps and ordered a plain Coke. Santa needed to arrive and hand out everyone’s Secret Santa gifts and bonus checks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Cassandra appeared with his drink. “Boss. Santa isn’t coming. He got stuck in bad weather. There’s a costume in the back, though.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Thanks, Cassandra, and I think it’s safe to call me Dane here.” A grin lit his face. Jericha always planned for the worst. He tipped her and left to don the costume. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">***** </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Under the suit his skin itched. The silver lining to his volunteer position was the close proximity he’d have to check Jericha out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The best part of his evening was watching his handy helper elf dole out gifts to the adults. Three hours, and only a few small gifts were left. Damn, he’d miss watching her bend over in her tight green and red dress. Cassandra wasn’t the only sexy elf. Jericha and the brief glimpses of mocha smooth skin made his mouth water, and his imagination began a new list of fun-filled fantasies. The hat on her head was a cute addition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Only his box remained. He called each staff member up individually and gave them their gift, an envelope with their bonus check and a gift card for their hard work and dedication to making the goals of his company a success. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Has Santa been a good man?” Jericha gifted him a small red box with a bow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Santa’s always a good man.” He began to unravel the bow—her touch forestalling him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Save it for in private.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The twinkle in her eye piqued his curiosity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He tucked the box in his pocket. “Why don’t we go get a drink?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He stood from the chair and put a hand on her lower back, not at all fazed by the current racing up his arm. Together they passed under an archway heading toward the refreshment stand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “A couple has finally stepped under the mistletoe,” a booming voice spoke through the mic, the sound system echoing in the room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “He’s my boss,” Jericha joked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i> Kiss her. Kiss her. </i>The chant grew louder as they were surrounded by merry wishers. Dane found the situation charming. Uncertain eyes stared up at him. Two years of longing hit him in the gut. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Let’s give ’em what they want.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Tugging her to him, he brought her flush against his body, her breasts to his chest. She fit perfectly in his arms. Brown sugar and vanilla teased him. Light and sweet, her soft choice of scent had an effect on him. With his lips pressed on the hollow of her neck, he traveled up at the same time, bringing his cupped palm toward the nape of her neck. He pulled away and tilted her head back. Felt her frantic heart beating and brushed his lips gently to hers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “The sexiest part of a kiss is the moment right before, the hesitation, the way your breath quickens, indrawn, anticipating how it’ll be, the first kiss,” he murmured to her and crushed his lips to hers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Full, soft lips met his, melted and parted, giving him total access to her sweet cavern. He slid into home, devouring her, dueling with her tongue, chuckling when her nails dug into his ass. Withdrawing and entering, thrusting into her mouth, he savored the taste of her, ignoring how his cock pulsated against her taut stomach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Behind him, he distinctly heard, “That lucky bitch.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He broke off the hottest kiss of his life to put the woman in her place but was stopped. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “No worries, Santa.” Jericha licked her lips and winked at him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Irritation turned to amusement. Her cool resolve was a definite turn on. He watched her give a scathing glance toward the offender and then slip her hand into his, leading them away from the center of attention to the food and drink stand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Once out of hearing distance, he tugged her to a stop a few feet from the destined table. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Why don’t we get out of here and out of these duds?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Where to?” Jericha pressed her body closer to him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “My workshop,” he whispered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Mmm, what kinda workshop?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Santa’s best.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He linked his fingers with hers and led them toward the door near the reception desk where he purchased a room for the night and paid the lobby assistant an obscene bonus to retrieve his bag from the trunk of his car. Situation well in hand, he took the card key and escorted Jericha to the elevators. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “What… No North Pole?” She pouted and crossed her arms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Santa has a pole all right. Put a grin on those tempting lips. Good things come to good girls who wait.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “What if I’ve been a naughty girl?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “We’ll have to see that list.” He ushered her into the elevator and pressed her into the corner, his hands above her head, his body invading her personal space. “Santa likes naughty.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Open your box,” she said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Dane lifted the small box out of his pocket, pulled the bow off with his teeth and flicked the corner open, looking at the scrap of blue silk inside. He plucked it out and groaned. He couldn’t believe what was before his eyes. A slip of paper caught his attention. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “You see I’ve wanted you for so very long. You make a girl work to get a grain of notice.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Jericha took the paper and unfolded it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Dane fingered the soft silk and brought it to his nose, inhaling her musk scent. He dropped a hand, bringing it down her back to cup her ass. He squeezed the globe and let his fingers dip underneath the hem of her dress, up and over finding not a stitch. An animalistic urge hit him to fuck her there, in the elevator pressed against the steel wall, cool steel chilling her lower back, his hot steel thick and surging tightly in her cunt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “You’re playing with fire, Jericha.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Then burn me.” Jericha slid her palms up his chest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The elevator doors opened to their floor. She backed out, crooking a finger at him. He stalked her, slow, intent knowing their destination was only two doors down and then she’d be all his. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> With each step she took backward, she recited the beginning of her naughty poem. His gaze locked on her aroused nipples visible through the soft material, leaving a perfect molding. Totally aroused, he relieved her of the paper and finished reciting her erotic words</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “But it gets far better!” he said with a grin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Give me a disobedient woman. I'll red up her cheeks.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He chuckled. “Now the next part is mighty interesting.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “The twins out back</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> send them in right quick.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Strapping on a mouth cock </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> he said, “This outta be a neat trick.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Voyeurs at the window</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> looked on without a care,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> desperate to join in </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> jealous Santa’s cock wasn’t theirs </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> One spoke to the other, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “This is the fifth house this street. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> When is it our turn, I’m getting all peeved!” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> All of a sudden, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> with a growl and a roar, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Santa pulled from my mouth </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Jizzed on my breasts </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> and said, “Naughty girls really do it best.” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Giving Jericha a hungry glance, he jerked his finger to the door. His cock throbbed hot and heavy against the confines of his pants. With a groan, he backed her to the door and bent to whisper, “Who knew?” Dane placed the paper in his pocket and then slid the key and heard the automatic click of it unlocking. “Ladies first.” He stepped aside, allowing her to enter, following half a step behind, closing the door with his foot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “What?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Such an innocent sound from a naughty woman.” He tsked. “If my memory serves, I didn’t see you on the nice list. I might have to deny you your reward now.” He unbuttoned the suit and slipped into the bathroom, leaving her questioning his next move.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Dane took his time in the shower, washing the sweat from his body. Jericha had purposely teased him during half of the party. So much so that he’d half dragged her out, leaving a hasty, almost bad mannered goodbye as a host. With the grime off his body, he stepped out, dried and wrapped the towel around his waist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> No sound came from the room. He hoped she hadn’t bolted, and opened the door to find her sitting quietly, legs crossed on the king-size bed. “Come here.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He stood at the end of the bed watching her move onto her hands and knees, crawling to him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “God, you look good enough to eat.” He dropped the towel. “Look at what you’ve caused.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Ummm. I do good work.” She leaned over the side and licked his tip with her pretty tongue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Tease.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Never.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Jericha closed her mouth around his head and sucked him down her throat. Wet silk surrounded his pulsating flesh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Damn.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He watched her move over and off his cock, releasing a strangled sound when her hands cupped his scrotum, tugging, rolling, squeezing, bringing his cock to a painful hardness. Soft mewls akin to purring vibrated around him, and her tongue traced along the length of him to the crowned tip, licking clean the salty liquid pooling there. He thrust forward, lodging his cock deep in her mouth and swatted her ass. The soft cheek warmed under his hand. He placed a soothing rub across it, spreading his fingers and then gripping. He pulled out and pumped into her mouth again, delivering a slap to her other cheek. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Her startled sigh pleased him. No doubt her pussy throbbed as much as he did. Indecision warred. He pushed her off his cock, gripped her chin and kissed her roughly. When she was breathless, he spun her around and angled her over the side of the bed, his thighs trapping her in front of him. Hand pressed on the small of her back, he took a half step backward, tilted his head and nipped her ass cheek. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “I’m going to spank you.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Okay,” she said on a breathy moan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “I wasn’t looking for permission.” He stood there admiring her laid out in front of him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i> Whack. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “That was for the poem in my inbox.” He ran his hand over her bottom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i> Whack. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> A blow landed on her other cheek, hard enough to sting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “For the glimpse of skin during the present-giving.” Instead of smoothing her heated flesh, he cupped her ass in his hand. “Breathe. Let’s see how wet your pussy is for my cock.” He let his finger trail down the crack of her ass and forward. Wetness coated his fingertips. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Please.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i> Whack</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Dane,” Jericha screamed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Hmmm.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “What was that one for?” She turned her head to look at him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Two wasted years of not trying to get my attention.” He slid two fingers into her soaking core and fucked her tortuously slow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “I—that wasn’t my fault.” She wiggled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He chuckled. <i>Whack. </i>He eased another finger in, withdrew them and sucked her juices off his fingertips. “Condom?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “In my handbag.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Get it.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He had to admit she moved fast. He took it from her, ripped off the corner and sheathed himself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “How do you want me?” she asked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Dane pointed to the center of the bed. “On your back. I want to see your face as I stroke into you the first time.” He swatted her thigh and crawled onto the bed with her. On his knees, he leaned in, getting his first look at her shaved mons. “Very sexy.” He spread the outer lips and rubbed his palm across her nub. “Bring your sexy ass onto my thighs.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Her breasts jiggled as she complied, legs spreading over his. He cupped the back of her knees into the groove of his elbows and shoved hard into her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The response of her body pleased him. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Do you want more, Jericha?” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Yes, please.” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Hard and fast?” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> He took her, like the fantasies he hadn’t put into motion. Friction drove him mad, the way she moved with him, surging her hips up as he thrust down. Dane drew out a choked growl. Her eyes closed in passion, hands searching for something to hold onto. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> He spasmed, waiting for her response that didn’t come. She was so damn sexy from her painted red toes to her baby-brown eyes. Angling his body, he surged harder, pulled out to her clit and grazed her entrance with his cock head. Just as he thought, she eased her eyes open and a look of irritation crossed her face. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “I know you were close.” He pushed back in, refueling her passion, reading her finely tuned body responding to his touch. “I can hardly wait to see you come for me.” He struck deeper, skimming her nub with his pelvis. Thinking of her kept him on guard at work. The last thing he wanted to be considered was a lecherous old man. His kink wasn’t for everyone. Now that he knew she liked his style, a whole new playing field opened. Tremors traveled up his cock. Her satin sheath gripped him, pulled him in deeper, and clutched, refusing to let go. He had to work his way out through her impending climax to hit her spot just right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He watched her jerk off the bed, her eyes barely open, lower lip digging into her bottom teeth, head thrashing. Nothing had ever looked so tempting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Come for me, baby.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He let go of her legs, slipped out and rolled her flat onto her stomach, pressed back into her welcoming warmth and took her. Her mewls and sighs were music to his ears. He pictured her nipples brushing against the textured fabric and groaned. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> So good, so tight, so right. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Look at me,” he said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He knew she was on the precipice of coming hard. She turned her pretty head and gazed at him. His hand placed on her shoulder kept her riveted, nowhere to move, nowhere to run. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> She shuddered under him, and warmth saturated the barrier between them. A strangled moan fell from her lips. Wrenching every drop of release from her, he took satisfaction in fulfilling her needs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “You come so beautifully.” His body jerked as he stilled within her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “What about you?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Thoughtful too?” he teased. “We have plenty of time for me. Now then.” He slid out. “On your back. I want to suck those beautiful tits.” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Still in a trance from coming, it took her a moment to get her body in motion. He liked that, limbs and legs of jelly. He ran his hands down her sides and helped her roll. His hands kneading, toggling on each nipple. He took a breath and sucked one into his mouth, savoring the distended texture and her excited, hitched breath. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Toys as in the poem?” He nipped one breast and then the other. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Her response was a quick nod. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Do you want me to fuck your ass and fill your pussy with my fingers, play with one of those silicon cocks you love so much?” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Her hands gripped the bedding as he surged within her. Juices streamed from her pussy, hitting his balls. Her breasts heaved with her shallow breaths. Paying homage to her breasts, he released his hold on her spread thighs to caress her soft skin, cupping the full melons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “I didn’t hear you, love,” he said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Hmm. Yes, to all of it, yes.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> A knock on the door interrupted his questioning. Dane raked his teeth over her nipple and pulled out of her. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Don’t move one inch.” He left to answer the door. “Took them long enough.” A cool off wouldn’t kill her. The plans he had for her tonight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Naked, he retrieved his belongings and slid the Do Not Disturb sign on the doorknob. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">**** </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Jericha watched Dane stroll back to her nude. Her breath caught. Just when she thought he couldn’t get any sexier he changed up. The absence of his cock left her body empty. She needed the invasion, the deep penetration of his thick girth stretching her wide and pummeling her deep. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> He held a black bag. Her anticipation level rose. His kiss rocked her world. His dirty words and commands made her shiver, and the spanking he’d delivered kept her on the edge of succumbing to his every demand. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Just for you.” He pulled out a new silicon dildo and a bottle of lube. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “No strap-on mouth cock?” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> He smirked at the inside joke. “That poem was very naughty, a whole-length spoof, hmmm. I’m not into that kind of trick. When I want your pussy on my face, I’ll be fucking you with my tongue, not some fake material.” He winked and flipped the lid to the lube, wetting his fingertips, smoothing it over his latex-covered cock and the toy. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> She watched him. “You look like you’ve used those before.”“No… Really?” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Jericha bit her lower lip then sucked it in. “I’m so lonely over here.” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">She slid her fingers into her sex, her hips undulating, anxious for him to move to her to restart things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Nice. Slower. Take your time fucking what’s mine for the night.” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Only the night?” She moaned and worked her body like he wanted. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Depends on your negotiation skills. Flip over.” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Dane didn’t need to tell her twice. She wanted, needed him hard and fast. When he pressed his lubricated fingers against her tiny rosette, she reached back and spread her ass cheeks wide for him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Very good.</span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> His tone encouraged her. His fingers entered, Dane testing her ability to accept him. He gently slid the digits knuckle deep and spread her further. His guttural sound of appreciation excited her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Fill me.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He pressed his cock against her hole, pushing past the ring of muscle, slow and steady while teasing her clit with the thick vibrator. She screamed in pleasure, widening her stance over the bed, ass as wide as she could. She dug her hands into the bedding and rocked back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Stop.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> His command halted her trembling body. “I need you.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “I’m comin’, baby, give it a second to give.” He pushed fully into her and held her still. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Damn it’s tight. So good.” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Fuck me.” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> And he did. She almost passed out from the sensations washing over her. His cock pounding in her ass, his balls hitting her wet labia, and God, the cock he shoved in her pussy…she’d never been so full. She’d never had that kink, the fantasy lived out. Only in her dreams and the books she’d read online. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Ohh, yesss.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> He pumped faster, harder, in sync with both, and she buckled, his free hand anchoring her to the bed. Over her right shoulder, she looked at him. The sweat dripping from his forehead landed on her back, cooling her for a nanosecond. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The contrast of the in-and-out repetitions brought her to a pinnacle quickly. She fought it, screaming, not wanting to let go, for it to be over. His hand came crashing down on her ass, and she succumbed, her passion arcing. Panting, she rocked back, taking more, deeper, seizing when the pleasure rendered her stiff. His cock pulsated in her rectum as she gripped him; she felt the surge of his need and the heat of his seed filling the thin barrier between them. Sobs left her mouth and tears threatened to spill, so great was the sated feeling that washed over her. When he withdrew his cock from her quivering muscles, she came again, crying his name, and collapsed on the bed. Summoning the strength to move didn’t happen. Fists curled into the comforter, she sighed and closed her eyes. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> When she opened them again, Dane was next to her, wiping her gently with a warm wet cloth. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “You’re all wet,” she said. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “I tossed the condom and took a quick shower.” He sat on the edge of the bed and petted her hair. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> How did he know her favorite form of intimacy was afterward? The sweet touches. Warm bodies tangled together. A look of tenderness on his handsome face. She tried to talk, but he placed a finger to her lips. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “We’re going to do this right. After Christmas, I’ll take you on a proper date before fucking you senseless, and when we wake up, I’ll make slow, passionate love to you.” He pressed a kiss on the top of her head. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Jericha couldn’t formulate a response to his declaration of dating her. When he joined her on the bed and brought her flush against his body, she laid her head on his shoulder and slid her leg in between his. He lived up to his last name in spades. Dane Savage was worth every </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: small;">moment of her two-year longing and much more. His words, the gentle way he regarded her, made him her best Christmas present. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “What are you thinking?” he asked. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “How worth waiting for you were.” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> His laughter filled her ears. “We could’ve been doing this sooner.” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “We’re doing it now. Merry Christmas early, Dane.” </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Merry Christmas early back, Jericha. </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Leave a comment with your email address. Mahalia will pick a winner to receive any book from her booklist at <a href="http://mahalialevey.com/">MahaliaLevey.com </a></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdutmCJwilLr1gjEEQAGlQPXENH0u_FFl69g7_pvyYVZEhdqrQ8X2lMlZQDJYL7hYyQzXvKvHcZ_EC1mfddpnsHFRY_PGuK24n6QlqQn1mnUYY9S8iYaft26vYWL0xrkWvhN5vc2cEL-1V/s1600/Smitten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdutmCJwilLr1gjEEQAGlQPXENH0u_FFl69g7_pvyYVZEhdqrQ8X2lMlZQDJYL7hYyQzXvKvHcZ_EC1mfddpnsHFRY_PGuK24n6QlqQn1mnUYY9S8iYaft26vYWL0xrkWvhN5vc2cEL-1V/s320/Smitten.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">by <b>Silke Juppenlatz</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Ashriel stood in the hallway, bathed in the serene light shining down on him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> He’d screwed up. Big time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Michael came walking out of a room to the left and jerked his head at him. “Walk with me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> There wasn’t really any choice, so Ash fell into step beside him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “What happened down there?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> As if he didn’t already know. “I went after a mischief demon. Things went a little...wrong.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “A <i>little</i>? Those oaks were important, the town is named after them. Now all they have left are five stumps, and you say it went a <i>little </i>wrong?” Michael grimaced. “Why did you burn them?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> He hadn’t done it on purpose. “I miscalculated the air density and my landing wasn’t...well, soft.” No, he’d hit the ground like a bomb, leaving an angel-shaped imprint behind, as well as enough feathers to stuff a duvet. “The demon laughed at me, so I tried to smite him.” Ash cringed. His aim could have been better. “I hit one of the oaks, instead.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “You smited the oak, instead of the demon?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Well. When he put it <i>that</i> way... “I guess so.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Nothing betrayed Michael’s thoughts. The angel just kept walking. “Then what?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “I tried to put it out, but I flapped my wings to keep from singeing them, and the second tree went up. The third was the demon’s fault, he burned it.” Laughing like a loon. Ash could have sworn the beast nearly had an aneurism, he’d laughed so hard. “You know how it is. Fight fire with fire.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “Yes. That’s three. What about the fourth?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Ash wanted to sink into the ground. “I missed,” he muttered under his breath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “Speak up. You did what?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “Missed.” God save him. Michael’s expression couldn’t possibly get any more thunderous. “My aim isn’t great.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “What about the fifth oak?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “Demon burned it. Taunted me from the remains of the first two oaks, so I blasted him to Hell.” And it had felt so good. But angelic rage tended to manifest itself in rather destructive ways, and instead of sending the minion to Hell, he’d disintegrated him in the center of the burning oaks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Michael’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not what I heard.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “I might have blasted him a bit too hard. He soaked into the ground,” Ash admitted. He was so going to do duty in Purgatory for the rest of his existence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “You <i>poisoned</i> the ground, on top of burning the oaks?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Yeah, he had. Nothing would grow there, ever again. Ash shrugged, not sure how to answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “Are you remorseful?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “Of course I am! I didn’t mean to destroy the trees, or the ground they stand on.” How could Michael think he’d purposely wreaked havoc in the little town? “I couldn’t fix it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “I know. Well, you can make up for it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Ash perked up. “I can?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “Yes. There is another demon in town. Destroy it, and report back.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “Ashriel!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Ash ducked his head, waiting for Michael to strike him down with his sword.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “What possessed you to burn down the <i>church</i>?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> An obsessive need to end a demon? Somehow he didn’t think Michael would like that answer. “It was an accident.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Something dark and angry flashed across Michael’s face. “We don’t <i>have</i> accidents.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Maybe Michael didn’t. It wasn’t so simple where he was concerned. “Apparently I do.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “As I understand, someone came to harm?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Remorse, guilt and sadness warred inside Ash. He’d tried to get the human out of the church, but nothing he’d done got through to him and he’d perished in the flames. A nod was all Ash could muster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “I’m stripping you off your rank as vengeance angel. I think you’ve inflicted quite enough harm on that place.” Michael looked as if he’d bitten into a lemon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> He’d expected nothing less. He wasn’t worthy of the position, but still dreaded the next assignment. Ash would do whatever it took to atone for his mistakes, no matter what Michael chose as punishment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “Last chance. I’m assigning you as a guardian for a young girl. Not even you could screw this one up.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">***</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Ash sat on the bench outside Michael’s domain, his arms clasped atop his head. So much for not screwing up again. But it was <i>her</i> fault this time, not his.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Instead of hearing a booming call of his name, Michael appeared in front of him, in the hallway. His superior stared down at him, with eyes colder than a Siberian winter. A sharp pain ripped into Ash’s back and he cried out, confused and in agony. His wings! He reached around, fighting the immense pain, and found nothing. Where once his wings had extended from his back, there now was nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Along with the pain came a creeping, bone-numbing cold and he could only assume he’d been stripped off his celestial light. The halo, as humans called it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “Nothing to say?” Michael crossed his arms in front of his chest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> No, he didn’t dare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “I realize you are still young. I realize you might have lacked training.” Michael sat on the bench next to him. “But Ashriel, you let her throw her life away. I cannot forgive that.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> He’d turned his attention from the girl for mere seconds. <i>Seconds</i>. And when he’d looked back, it was too late. Ash closed his eyes, not wanting to remember. He’d glanced to the side, watched a waitress cross the parking lot – next thing he knew Josephine had stood next to a police cruiser, naked, while the boy she’d been with boasted about how good she’d been.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> He’d never seen it coming. The stupid girl had given no indication she was about to fornicate when she’d come outside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “I’m sending you back. You get one chance to redeem yourself. Don’t screw it up, Ashriel.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Back? To Five Oaks? Again? “What about my wings?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “No wings.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Ash gave a jerky nod. He’d do everything in his power to fix what he’d done. Everything, except go anywhere near Josephine Button. Michael may resent him for screwing up, but it was nothing compared to Ash’s resentment toward Josephine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> No. He wasn’t about to jeopardize his redemption. Losing his wings because of her once was enough. He wouldn’t allow her to bring him down again.</span></div>
GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-71099281594812723442010-12-20T00:01:00.020-05:002013-10-12T22:59:28.514-04:00Wanton & Wicked by Natalie Dae - Free Gift for YOU!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">GOT ROMANCE REVIEWS</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">PRESENTS</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Wanton & Wicked</span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">by Natalie Dae</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ENuxQemXR7tA-Ilo-as12IVL096QgfEWQ3RiPUgMvKO15dkKEagO0C-f6PTFmHyuXbWPnS2NC3APBYSX92NDPHL7CkW_ZJgQuYtpowKv6Bl2Hx6_n9dSYJz1Vf3QRiuu4UTila-UloM7/s1600/Wanton_Wicked+cover.jpg"><br />
</a></div>
<span style="font-family: "; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 17pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-e_IgIr8-KR0NXX1KGwOlj0cVjpQVLCnwXZOVTyx14zTMGB-flyXxjKGjgfFR20lQq34b-Ue8vOLc329RtfJIyEhdJ4UkNswkmZt09ItYAk5pOMUDxI9JEBlNN2YSZfIl2vYuC8ObMhv/s1600/Wanton_Wicked+cover.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551728401955243458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-e_IgIr8-KR0NXX1KGwOlj0cVjpQVLCnwXZOVTyx14zTMGB-flyXxjKGjgfFR20lQq34b-Ue8vOLc329RtfJIyEhdJ4UkNswkmZt09ItYAk5pOMUDxI9JEBlNN2YSZfIl2vYuC8ObMhv/s320/Wanton_Wicked+cover.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Sara paced the living room, running a fingertip back and forth across the mantelshelf edge. Her </span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">knee</span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">-high, black suede boots fitted snugly, a surprise, since she’d expected them to pinch her toes. She was unused to wearing footwear like this, but tonight she was playin</span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">g a role, one she’d hankered for since meeting Caleb. Something about him made her want to dominate, to push his buttons and see how far he was willing to go. The typical Alpha male, all muscles and brawn, tall, dark and handsome, Caleb was the quintessential stereotype of what she looked for in a man. That he’d also had his eye on her for weeks before they hooked up both pleased and shocked Sara. Usually, she had to make the first move, but Caleb had approached h</span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">er, asking for a date.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">She strolled now, fingertip numb from so much friction on the shelf, and glanced down at her outfit. Her gold-colored corset matched her hair, and black sheer stockings, held in place by elasticized strips, gave a snapping sound every time she tweaked them. God, she felt wanton and wicked, knowing Caleb awaited her down in the basement. And that was how she <i>wanted</i> to feel tonight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Sara had instructed him to go downstairs, get butt naked, and lay on the bed. Far from being shocked she even had a bed down there, he’d opened the door casually and started down the steps. She waited at the top for his reaction to what else filled the room other than the bed—metal rings above the headboard, a gleaming silver rack… He stopped midway down the stairs, one hand braced on the wall, the other gripping the banister rail, and Sara expected him to glance back up at her, shock rippling his features. Instead, he’d continued walking, not missing a beat. As he’d approached the bed, Caleb lifted his T-shirt over his head and flung it to the floor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">A challenge to her if ever there was one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">He was up for the game, and despite Sara being sure he would be, a part of her sighed with relief. There had always been the chance Caleb would be appalled. After all, not everyone’s basement resembled a sex dungeon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">“Do you agree to do as you’re told?” she’d asked, adding a portion of ice to her tone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">With his back to her, Caleb paused in undressing. “Yes.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">“Are you sure?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">“Yes.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">“Then take off the rest of your clothes, get on the bed, and wait for me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">She smiled now at the memory. Caleb had been waiting for half an hour while she dressed herself up and brushed her hair, and a further half hour had passed as she’d paced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">That should be enough.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">She took in a deep breath and strode across the living room, past the Christmas tree with its twinkling lights and presents beneath. She sashayed down the short hallway to the kitchen and paused at the basement door. Would he have stayed on the bed? Would he have resisted the urge to explore her private toy cupboard? Knowing him, he’d have inspected everything with one ear tuned to the door opening. He may have agreed to relinquish control tonight, but Sara couldn’t imagine him fully doing it. No, he was usually the dominant one, leading the way in bed, and she’d allowed him to do so. But now, since they’d been together for over six months, she thought it was about time he learned the other side of her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Smiling, she opened the door and looked down. From here she could see all of him except his face. His chest rose and fell steadily, so if he’d been snooping, he’d done it a while back. It was clear he’d been resting, comfortable to wait, and that amazed her. She’d expected him to return upstairs after a while, bored and impatient, demanding in his quiet but strong way that she come join him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Maybe tonight won’t be a battle of wills after all.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">She thought she knew him already—evidently, she still had a lot to learn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">As does he.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Careful on the stairs, she stepped down, the thin heels of her boots tapping on the polished wood. She kept her gaze on Caleb, whose face came into view, and stopped at the bottom of the flight, one hand curved over the rounded newel post. His muscles tensed, although his features remained passive. He was good at that, disguising his emotions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">He has yet to tell me he loves me. He’s a wonderful man but so…distant sometimes.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">The excitement of the next hour or so bunched her stomach, and Sara walked to the foot of the bed. She parted her legs and rested her hands on her hips. Staring at him, she took a moment to digest how she felt. Her heart raced, pulse loud in her ears, and her head lightened, as though nothing filled it except her plans for this evening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Caleb eyed her from head to knees, then back up to her crotch. She wore no panties, and she’d shaved, leaving only a thin strip covering her slit. Sara imagined it damp and glistening now, her fiery libido wetting her folds, the thought of taking charge making her wetter than she’d been in a long time. What was it about being in control she loved so much?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">I want him to admit that no matter how much he thinks he calls the shots, it’s really me. That he’ll do anything I ask because he loves me, trusts me. God, I sound so insecure…</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Caleb lazily lifted his arms from his sides and settled his hands beneath his head. Sara held back a smile, knowing he’d made the move as his way of telling her he was just playing along, indulging her. That he lay there waiting for what she had in mind, that maybe she wasn’t playing the game fast enough. In your own time, Sara, there’s a good girl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Infuriating bastard! But fuck, I love him.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Again she held off that smile. He’d learn. <i>He’d </i>be the one begging <i>her</i> by the time she was finished. And she’d make him beg, no doubt about that. She wouldn’t give him what he thought he was getting so easily, not without him pleading for release.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">But will I really? He has the ability to make all my plans go wrong. Just a touch from him sets me off… I so want to own this night, but if he looks at me in a certain way, or runs his fingers up my thighs, I’ll be undone.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">“Are you ready to begin?” she asked, knowing what kind of answer he was going to give. </span><br />
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Valerie Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11761558020418265338noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-87131454736454465532010-12-19T00:01:00.005-05:002013-10-12T23:01:00.030-04:00Blame It On Mistletoe by Tess MacKall<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Samantha’s gaze nailed Caleb, who was receiving his usual slaps on the back for a job well done. All the employees loved Caleb and hated her. She made them work for their money, and Caleb threw parties! He glanced up, and his green-eyed stare locked with hers.<i> Why did he have to go and do that? </i>They’d been playing cat and mouse for a long time, and she knew what was behind that look. On more than a few occasions he’d said some things to go along with that baby-I-can-give-you-what-you-want gaze that inferred he could do just that. He only did it to ruffle her feathers. Caleb didn’t <i>really</i> want to fuck her, and she made damn sure he understood she didn’t want him to—or at least managed what she hoped was a good impersonation of disinterest. She’d be mortified if he knew the truth. </span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> Grinning, he motioned for her to come downstairs. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> Samantha mouthed, “No way.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> Caleb mouthed back, “It’s Christmas,” and shook a sprig of mistletoe over his head.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> Oh, God. The thought of his lips on hers sent her body into sensual overload. His bright green eyes darkened, and he opened his mouth to run the tip of his tongue back and forth across his bottom lip. Her hands tightened on the metal banister. <i>Get a grip, girl. </i>She and Caleb would never work—even for one night.<i> </i>Feigning indifference, she shrugged. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> Samantha thought he’d look away, but he didn’t, and as hard as she tried to stop staring, she couldn’t. Dressed in jeans and a dark blue thermal shirt, he had this way about him. Most people weren’t that comfortable in their own skin, but Caleb sure as hell was. His wavy black hair was a little too long but somehow suited him. He hadn’t shaved in a couple of days, and the dark stubble on his cheeks was sexy as hell. A big guy who didn’t need to work out to have muscles of steel, he simply took over a room and never gave it a second thought. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> But his laid back, let-the-chips-fall-where-they-may attitude really pissed her off. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> How could someone she disliked so much make her pussy so damn wet? She clenched her thighs. Oh, hell no. That only made the throbbing run the length of her body and spread the sex-hungry sensations to places she didn’t know could feel them. For a brief moment she had the fleeting thought of putting a stop to the orgy atmosphere below and sending everyone home. That would fix Caleb—and elevate her to the status of Tiny Tim killer! Samantha flexed her fingers, gave Caleb a go-to-hell look, turned and retreated to her office. She’d had enough of being on the outside looking in—enough of whatever kind of spell it was that Caleb had cast on her long years ago on prom night, too. It was Christmas Eve, and they’d be gone soon. In the meantime, she’d simply get back to work. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">What others are saying about Blame It On Mistletoe: </span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"Ms MacKall's </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Blame It On Mistletoe</span><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> reads like a forest fire flashover – quick, sizzling and irresistible. " ~author Becca Dale</span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"Hot from start to finish! I'm surprised the snow didn't melt with all the sparks they were throwing off each other!" ~ author Stephanie Beck</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"Tess McCall weaves a smoldering hot Christmas tale that will make everywoman wish they had a hot hero under the mistletoe." ~author Mahalia Levey</span></i></div>
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com103tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-62041673975518053862010-12-19T00:01:00.001-05:002013-10-12T23:01:30.300-04:00Not So Sweet by Nina Croft<m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>A passionate holiday tale with Ty and Dina</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Christmas Eve 1960</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ty fingered the velvet box in his pocket. Was now the right time to ask her—an early Christmas present? Or should he wait until after they’d met with his sire?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The truth was, Ty wanted to show Dina off to Severino. And maybe he could do that better with his ring firmly on her finger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sinking down onto the mattress beside her, he stroked the hair from her face. He’d thought she was asleep, but her eyes were half open, watching him from behind her lashes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Reaching out a hand, she stroked his cheek. “Come back to bed.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“We need to leave. Severino will be waiting.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Something dark flashed in her face and was gone. She came up on one elbow, and the sheet slipped revealing the slight curve of her breasts. “We don’t have to go. We could stay here. You could come back to bed.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">At her words, Ty’s gums ached, and heat uncoiled low down in his belly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dina whispered a spell, and a bunch of mistletoe appeared in the air above his head. “Did you know,” she murmured, “the berries of mistletoe can be used to cure love-sickness.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He leaned close, breathing in her delectable scent. “What if I don’t want to be cured?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">She wrapped her arms around his neck, dragged him to her for a long drugging kiss. Ty gave in then. Ripping off his shirt, he tossed it to the floor as he came down besides her. He licked the satin flesh of her throat, sank his fangs deep into her vein, and she went soft and boneless beneath him. The warm sweetness of her blood flooded his mouth, and he lost himself in the taste and feel of her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When he came back to himself, she was sitting up in bed, her long, dark red hair falling like blood around her shoulders. The softness had gone from her expression; her grey eyes were cold as slate and filled with an emotion he couldn’t identify. She glanced at him, saw he was watching, and the expression was gone. Her lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Come, we must go.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">She rose gracefully to her feet. For a moment, she stood before him, slender and naked, and he drank in the sight of her. Then she spoke a spell, and she was dressed in a black lace dress that left her shoulders bare. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ty got up and pulled on his pants. He felt the ring still in his pocket. It would have to wait now. He would ask her afterwards. They had the rest of eternity; there was no need to hurry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Severino was waiting for them. He looked up, his face filled with irritation. “You’re late,” he snapped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Behind him, Ty heard Dina catch her breath. He swung around; she was staring at Severino. This time he read her expression with ease. Loathing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“What is it?” he asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">She ignored his question. Pushing past him, she chanted the words of a spell under her breath. A moment later, a sword appeared gripped in one fist, a wooden stake in the other. She leapt across the room, before Ty could even think to stop her, and Severino’s decapitated body fell to the ground between them, the stake protruding from his heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Shock held Ty rigid. He stared at the body of his sire, then back at Dina. “Why?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The sword clattered to the floor at her feet, and she looked up at him. “I’m an assassin. It’s what I do.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">His mind reeled. It had happened so fast, and he was finding it hard to understand. He shook his head trying to clear his brain, searched her face for the woman he loved. “The two of us—was it all a lie?” He hated the pleading in his voice, but he needed to know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dina shrugged. “I used you. You were a means to get to Severino. Nothing more.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A red fog of rage swirled around him. He stalked towards her, his control unraveling. Dina held up a hand, palm facing him, and he hit an invisible wall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Goodbye,” she murmured. “You never know, maybe we’ll meet again, some other Christmas.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ty gritted his teeth. “I loved you. Now, if I ever see you again, I’ll kill you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">***</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dina heard the words and fought the grief that clouded her mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ty hadn’t really loved her. Vampires couldn’t love. She had to believe that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The body of Severino lay at her feet. She had worked so hard towards this moment She glanced down, waiting for elation to fill her, but all she felt was empty and sad. Revenge wasn’t so sweet after all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">She looked back at Ty. Fury and betrayal warred on his face. She could sense the darkness rising inside him, and any moment, the force of his rage would break down the wall that protected her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">She whispered another spell. Ty vanished, and a large toad squatted on the floor in his place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Scrubbing viciously at her face, she dashed away the tears that blinded her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Assassins didn’t cry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">She had to get out of there—the spell wouldn’t last. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">At the door, she paused, for one last look. “It wasn’t all lies,” she murmured, and turned away. </span><br />
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-73039049206634263772010-12-18T00:01:00.001-05:002013-10-12T23:01:57.921-04:00Kinship<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6HjLWnIGlryGaQTOku0e2ptWqd4L2C4h5r2pyzknDakyK9S3A75BHzwOXoAZGucShKlIxhCITnBMBrxaitB2PRnwNomcD41yIRjAZ2LKZ6sXMBwBgx-zKqd7IE8dSNbmEhQRGw1Q0wVh/s1600/Peacebreakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6HjLWnIGlryGaQTOku0e2ptWqd4L2C4h5r2pyzknDakyK9S3A75BHzwOXoAZGucShKlIxhCITnBMBrxaitB2PRnwNomcD41yIRjAZ2LKZ6sXMBwBgx-zKqd7IE8dSNbmEhQRGw1Q0wVh/s320/Peacebreakers.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> By <b>Mindy MacKay</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My best friend Cham Carson lived alone with her dad in exurban Montreal. The Christmas morning after my eighteenth birthday found me scaling the wall of her house and crawling through the guest room window. It's not as bad as it sounds.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I had been staying with the Carsons for a few months while things blew up at my own broken home, and by that point, my gracious saviors were used to my monthly departure every full moon for the lycan transformation. If Cham ever got caught coming home at dawn, she'd be in for a verbal lashing, but I had a good excuse. I didn't even have to sneak in like I was doing, but I didn't like to wake everyone up by clambering through the front door.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I closed the window behind me, pulled on a fresh set of clothes, and huddled next to the radiator to melt the snow out of my hair, shuddering and fighting the urge to vomit--with the taste of blood in the back of my throat, it was tempting.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I had my own phone in the guest room, and there was one voicemail waiting for me. I gave it a listen and immediately regretted it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "<i>Hey, Kiera, what's up? This is Dyllan Brooks, we have French Lit together fourth hour, remember? We were going to hang out last night, but you flaked out and never called me back. Anyway, give me a ring whenever you get the chance. If...y'know...if you want to.</i>"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Tabarnak.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I didn't <i>flake out</i> on Dyllan. When I promised to meet him, I'd forgotten about my prior obligation to Madame la Lune.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I tried to call him back and he didn't pick up.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Cham's dad came in then with a warm smile on his face and a mug of hot chocolate in his hands. "Merry Christmas, princess!" he said, and as I stood up to greet him, he handed me the hot chocolate and hugged me. I drained half the cup in one pull, not noticing as it burned my throat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I hadn't been living in his guest room for long, but Wilhelm Carson had taken to treating me like he did his own daughter; that is, like I was five. I never minded, though. It was a refreshing change from the rough life I was used to.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "Hey," said Wilhelm as the hug broke off, "I was thinking we could go for ice cream at that new place down the street. Sound good?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "Sure. Is Cham coming?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Wilhelm rolled his eyes. "She just left. Said she was going out for brunch with some boy, Dyllan Brooks."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Great. Just great.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I wasn't so much bothered by Cham stealing yet another guy from me as by the fact that she'd ditched her dad on Christmas. People with nice families always take them for granted, I've found, just like how pretty people don't realize they're pretty until they become disfigured and humans don't appreciate their humanity until they get bitten by werewolves.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "Puh-shah. Cham doesn't know what she's missing," I said, pulling on my jacket as I left the house with her dad.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> As we walked the few blocks to the ice cream parlor, I felt slightly overwhelmed by the crowds of people in the streets. One of the side effects of lycanthropy is withdrawal from society. For me to go among people so soon after scavenging the woods as a bloodthirsty animal--it was surreal.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "Think they'll have any meat-flavored ice cream?" Wilhelm joked as we entered the parlor.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I stifled a snicker. "Crude lycanthrope humor. Nice."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I ended up ordering only a coffee, to both of our disappointment, as I wasn't sure of my ability to keep anything else down. He started to say something as we left, but my attention was captured by a shout of "Ho ho ho!" from the middle of the square. I glanced in the direction of the fake Santa and said, "That's exactly the type of language towards women that's setting feminism back centuries."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "Huh?" said Wilhelm.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> It was a ho joke. I thought he'd get it. He's a pharmacist. Pharmacists are smart. Smart people get jokes, right?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "Nevermind."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "Want to go sit on Santa's lap, Kiera?" </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I looked at Wilhelm incredulously, but then decided, Hell, why not? I'd never had a chance to be a child, and in a semester's time, I'd be off to college and wouldn't get any more opportunities. So I sat in the costumed weirdo's lap.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "What do you want for Christmas, little girl?" the fake Santa asked me. In that moment, looking at the people passing by, I wanted nothing more but to start over, to live the uncursed life of an average human being, but I couldn't tell him that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "It's too embarrassing," I said, and he blushed as I scuttled off back to Wilhelm.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "He looked flustered. What'd you wish for?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I sighed. "Normalcy."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "Aww." Wilhelm put his arms around me and stroked my hair. "Don't say that. There's nothing wrong with your condition, princess. You're just special is all."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i>There he goes again treating me like a little girl,</i> I thought, but his words still brought tears to my eyes. "Thanks, Mr. Carson."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "You call me Dad, okay?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> As I nodded in compliance, I wished for that moment never to end. It was a tragedy, really, that I had to wait until I was a legal adult to experience a father's love.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The happiest moment of my young life embedded in a grand tragedy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> In the middle of the sidewalk, under a sprinkling of snow, in the secure embrace of my best friend's dad, I started crying in earnest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Peacemakers </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">by Mindy MacKay </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333399; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: #804000;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333399; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: #804000;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"><span style="color: #004080;">Some wounds never heal, especially when brutal genocide is involved. Hunted to the brink of extinction in the nineteenth century, the mutants are a staggering society, but they fight on.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333399; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: #804000;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"><span style="color: #004080;"> The time is now over a hundred years after the series of massacres that crippled mutantkind. The place is Montreal, Quebec. The rallying point is The Paralysis, a group of rebellious superhumans headed up by Isabella Sordeno, who has taken on and defeated even death in the name of mutant civil rights. The stage is set for revolution.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333399; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: #804000;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"><span style="color: #004080;"> Enter Kiera Graves, hired killer extraordinaire. With her chaotic nature and insurrectionary spirit, she seems like the perfect catalyst to get Isabella’s uprising on its feet. But when she takes the struggle too far by destroying an overseas death camp, she inadvertently unleashes a virus that threatens to smother the globe, and as if it wasn’t bad enough that she managed to break the world, a local prophetess soon predicts that her lover is fated to die at her hands.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333399; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: #804000;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333399; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: #804000;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"><span style="color: #004080;"><a href="http://roguephoenixpress.com/rogue_phoenix_press_060.htm">Buy Peacemakers from Rogue Phoenix Press </a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-7788695107707345162010-12-17T00:01:00.003-05:002013-10-12T23:03:21.960-04:00A Kraken Holiday story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"> by <b>Maureen O. Betita<br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">**Congratulations to CheekyGirl for winning the fun giveaways from Maureen O. Betita!**</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I climbed from the hammock as satisfied as <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4124615312001663404" name="_GoBack"></a>a cat sprawled in the sunshine. With a mouse between its paws. And a saucer of milk nearby, the dog tied to a tree just far enough away to be frustrated… Yes, Archer did that to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Glancing back at him, I very nearly giggled. But I stifled myself. I do not giggle. Tink, the Quartermaster of the Cursed Quill, pirate adventurer, master of the knife and extraordinary thief, does not giggle. I might chortle, but mostly I sneer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">True, that one winter ball, I did smile. Three years before Emily Pawes dropped into the Kraken’s Caribbean, all of us on the Cursed Quill were enjoying a winter of few storms and months of successful pirating. Captain Jezebel had used her spies to uncover a stash of the best fabrics we’d seen in decades. Some monarch in Italy had lost the shipment in the Mediterranean to Spanish pirates, who lost it to the Dutch. who brought it to the West Indies thinking to cash in for the Winter Balls in the Caribbean. But we took it from them and liberated the best pieces for ourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I’d pulled a blue so dark it appeared black, in a heavy silk. The tailor, Mr. Belvedere, was new to the Caribbean and on a dare I left the design of my gown to him. I’d heard good things about the man, he’d actually been banned from England. (That wasn’t saying much, the English approved of very little. Fortunate for him, he hadn’t tried his hand at making clothing in Spain, they’d have probably burnt him at the stake.) He’d examined me, taken detailed measurements and ignored my sniping. Janey giggled in the background.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Back on the ship, Janey told me that she’d be picking up the gown for me and I wouldn’t see until the night of the ball. I’d shrugged as I didn’t care. It worried me slightly, but it was important not to show any weakness. If she thought I cared, she’d never shut up about it and attempt to tease and taunt me endlessly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The night of the ball, I caught my current lover screwing the tiny brunette whore from Blessing’s House of Pleasure. Bastard. I wouldn’t have minded if he’d included me but he had to be all selfish about it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After kicking Kurt’s ass, I marched back to the ship, determined to see him regret losing me. Janey had hidden my gown, but nothing stayed hidden from me unless I allowed it. I snuck into her cabin and searched. Bitch had done well. It wasn’t there. It took me the better part of an hour to deduce the location and haul the wooden case out of the galley.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I locked the door of the spare cabin behind me and pulled the dress free of the paper Belvedere had wrapped it in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“What the fuck?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It was full length, how the hell would I show off my legs! And the sleeves, I could tell they’d run all the way to the knuckles on my hand! And no cleavage at all! In fact, how the hell would I fit my head through that opening? I was going to kill that idiot tailor!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Then I noticed the slit up the back…all the way up the back. And down. Ah! Interesting! Putting the dress up to me, I realized…this was tight. The midnight blue silk was really tight all the way to the hips, where it flared. I grinned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I wouldn’t be able to wear a thing under it, wonderful. I stripped before sliding it on. Damn, too long! I wondered if the heels on my boots would be tall enough, then I kicked the crate and realized it still held something I hadn’t unpacked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And there I found the tallest pair of heels I’d ever seen. The best whores of my world had shoes like these. Probably another gift of the portals to other worlds. I really didn’t care; it was fruitless to speculate on the vagaries of the portals. The shoes were black, and fit perfectly. I wound my long blond hair into a tight braid and pinned it to the top of my head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I remember waiting until the rest of the crew had left for the Tortuga Grotto. I wanted to make an entrance. Striding into the ball, the crowds parted before me. I’d stolen a sparkly mask from Janey’s cabin and with my hair up, I wasn’t immediately recognized.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yup, the crowd parted for me right up until a man with his back to me. I didn’t particularly mind, he had a fine ass. Ah. Yes. Wonderful ass, narrow waist and superb shoulders. I hoped his face didn’t disappoint. Then he turned and saw me. And I saw him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Shit. Absolute divine. Sure, he wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I felt my pussy clench and my tits literally throb. He had a dangerous face, with hooded eyes, a nose that had been broken at least once and a faint bit of scruff along his chin. A scar stood out above his left eye, a white line against lovely dark ebony skin. Eyes the color of emeralds locked on mine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He took two steps toward me and with a raised eyebrow, I turned and walked away. And yes, I knew I smiled. I couldn’t help it. He followed me out of the grotto, his boot heels music to my ears. And body. We spent the Solstice locked together, wandered into the Barmy Cock three days later and stole away Kurt’s new flame.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Archer joined the Quill and we’ve been sailing as lovers ever since. He’s good with the cannon and doesn’t talk much. Suits me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,";">The dress? Well, it didn’t survive the night.</span></span></span><br />
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-51890994114837872382010-12-16T00:01:00.001-05:002013-10-12T23:03:51.578-04:00Calliph's favorite holiday memory<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8itf2bj8UeEKZJywQcYKbUD_KIVvjZ0sZaHxUgucMJ8mM1qfaNi1eELi6bMb8HW9Z9wPqnKMiaIZU7taLNhK1Cl5Ok-4qLJOPRvZuiK_laWxZtECjIOgaRDC6qGDZwLc7w2EkPJ9kpZV8/s320/omerati.jpg" width="206" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">by <b>DC Juris</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We shifters don't celebrate Christmas as you humans know it—instead, we celebrate Alms. Alms has no religious connotation, it's simply a time of year when those who have share with those who don't. My most treasured memory of Alms is the first one I spent with my kitten, Mateo, and our son, Jonus. Mateo and I visited the local shops and vendors for gifts for Jonus and each other. I loved the simple pleasure of sharing such a mundane thing with Mateo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We gave Jonus a new bow and arrow, and his very first wooden practice sword. Mateo and I exchanged rings. I remember how my hands shook as I slid Mateo's on, how he held his hand up to the window to see the light glinting off the band, and how he cried happy tears. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We roasted and carved a bruta pig Jonus had managed to catch the day before—his first one!—and afterward, I watched as Mateo taught Jonus how to fight with his sword in the middle of our sitting room. We ended the day around a crackling fire in the hearth; Mateo lounging in my arms while we listened to Jonus read us a story he'd written. I suppose it sounds very simple by usual standards, but being with my kitten and my son, finally, as a family, was the most incredible gift I could've received. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Buy DC Juris' book, <a href="http://nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=198">Omarati from Noble Romance Publishing</a> and find out more about the werewolf Calliph! </span></div>
GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-21828077824964852452010-12-15T10:34:00.002-05:002013-10-12T23:04:33.104-04:00Carnivore Club Christmas Morning by Kate Richards<m:smallfrac val="off"><m:dispdef><m:lmargin val="0"><m:rmargin val="0"><m:defjc val="centerGroup"><m:wrapindent val="1440"><m:intlim val="subSup"><m:narylim val="undOvr"></m:narylim></m:intlim></m:wrapindent></m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Prequel to <a href="http://1placeforromance.com/dollar-romance/christmas-afternoon-delight/prod_2761.html">Christmas Afternoon Delight</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The little man came outside the Carnivore Club and patted his gray, uniform shirt pocket, then his pants, breathing a sigh of relief when he found what he was looking for and pulled out a hard pack of Marlboro Reds with a lighter handily stowed inside the box. The flick sounded loud in the pre-dawn stillness, and he drew in a deep lungful of the pungent smoke, coughing on the exhale. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Gotta give those up, one day, you know.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The voice made the old man jump and then turn to see a familiar face headed down the sidewalk toward him. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Barry.” He grinned, baring nicotine stained teeth in the light of the mini-mall’s flickering neon signs. <i>Bob’s Liquor and Tobacco, Granny’s Doughnuts, Nails-4-U. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“No, I couldn’t sleep, Sam. I decided to take a walk and watch the Christmas sunrise. Looks to be a pretty one.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sam shook his head. “I almost didn’t recognize you in ordinary clothes. It’s always either your uniform or your club clothes.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Barry leaned against the doorway at the still-closed Bob’s. “I’m off duty—in both cases—at the moment. But you’re still in uniform, buddy. Shouldn’t you be getting home to the missus for your Christmas soon? I don’t want Angelica mad at us again.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dropping the cigarette butt to the sidewalk, Sam ground it out under his low work boot heel and picked it up again. “Can’t be making a mess…I’d only have to pick it up.” He reached inside the open door behind him and flipped it into a sand filled ashtray to the right of the door. “No, I’m almost done. The party went on pretty late last night. You weren’t here, were you?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“No, I was called in. Somebody’s Christmas spirit got a little out of hand and, well, I had to go to their party instead.” He grimaced, standing straight again, as though he was in his SWAT uniform instead of his casual morning attire. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Hope everything turned out okay. Why do some people have to ruin the holidays for everyone else? “</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Yeah, in the end nobody got hurt, and finally the situation was straightened out, the two neighbors sobered up a little and when we left they had their arms around each other’s waists singing carols. The biggest danger was that their wives would kill them for upsetting the kiddies on Christmas Eve.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sam stared at him, tilting his head back to meet the big guy’s eyes. “For that they called SWAT? A neighbor’s misunderstanding?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Well, seems like the misunderstanding was much smaller than the old lady on the corner who called thought. She told the dispatcher there were weapons of mass destruction…and the desk sergeant didn’t want to take any chances.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Did they?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Did they what? Oh, the weapons?” Barry chuckled. “Seems they were brandishing giant candy canes from somebody’s lawn decorations. Just a case of misinformation. But we’re always glad when everybody goes home safe.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“You’re a better man than me,” Sam turned to go back into the building. “I’d have killed em, or let Angie do it. Ruining Christmas Eve for all you guys. I guess I’ll see ya.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Sam?” Barry followed him inside. “Can I buy you a Christmas doughnut before you go home? I’ll send a dozen to your wife, to make up for the time.” He looked around at the immaculate club. “You’d never know there was a party here. You do good work.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Thanks, Barry. But the Carnivore Club is a good place to work. Better than the other places I clean up after. Seems like everybody tries to leave it nice for me, even the bathrooms. I appreciate that.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“It probably doesn’t hurt that you’re a founding member.” Barry stepped out onto the polished dance floor with the iridescent disco ball hanging over his head. “Look at all the decorations, the tree, sure must have been pretty last night. Everybody here?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“All but you and a couple of people who have family out of town. It was nice. Me and Angie danced and partied until the last of ‘em went home. That nice Dave and Nancy gave her a ride. That way I could start cleaning up right away.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Angie is still a really nice looking woman. You’ve been together how long now?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Over thirty years,” Sam said, sinking into a chair by the door. “We met right here, you know. The first year the club was open.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“I don’t think I realized that you met here.” Barry leaned on the bar. Sam loved to tell the story and he wasn’t gonna stop him now. Not on Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Yep, right here. I was tending bar. We didn’t have any paid employees back in those days. Just took turns taking care of things ourselves, so we rotated duties.” He peered at Barry, his eyes misty with the past. “She was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen, a real disco queen. A natural redhead, you know? I was always a sucker for a redhead, and she come in with some guy in a white suit, real bossy type. No offense intended, Barry. He wasn’t a Dom, just a woman-abusing bastard.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“So, Angelica came in?” Barry knew he’d better move the story along, or Angelica herself would be at the door and it wouldn’t be pretty. Dom or not, he didn’t consider himself a match for that wild tempered vixen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Yeah, she did.” He drew a deep breath, looking across the room as though he could see the scene in front of his eyes. “She was wearing some kind of clingy black dress, not short or anything, not like the girls here wear now, but you could sure see what she had to offer.” A smile quirked his lips. “And I only wished she’d offer it to me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He straightened his shoulders, looking younger somehow. “I watched for a while. Her date dropped her at a table and went off to flirt with some other girl at the bar, and she looked so lost sitting there, nothing to drink or anything, just all alone. I wasn’t about to pass up that opportunity, so I mixed up a couple of tequila sunrises and just strolled over and dropped down in the empty chair across from her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“There she sat, all that bright red, long hair, and high too, way high up, like girls did it in those days. She was twenty-one, only just old enough to get in, and even then you had to have a member bring you. That guy wasn’t here long, but long enough to bring my Angie to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Anyway, I told her my name, and offered her one of my special tequila sunrises—I put five different tequilas in ’em, you know…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“That’s why we have bartenders, now, Sam. You almost got us sued a couple of times.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Heh, heh…anyway,” His chuckle shook his thin shoulders. “I was a bit older than her, but she had, well, still has, green eyes like a cat, with a dangerous sparkle in ’em. That dress was low enough in front to give me a look at what I wanted to see more of, and everything about her said sex. But she was kind of nervous. Well, pretty soon I had her laughing at those old corny jokes I like to tell, then she asked me to dance.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>“’Sam…umm…I’ve never been to a club before. I seem to have lost Gerard, but I would love to dance.’ </i>I can hear it in my mind, just like it was yesterday. We went out on the floor and I tried to Hustle—that made her laugh too. And just like that, we never looked back, either one of us.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Sam, I never sounded like that in my life. That high-pitched girly voice.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Barry didn’t doubt it. Angelica Brown had the deepest, most sultry voice he’d ever heard on a woman. Even in her fifties she had a presence that could make most men very aware of how their pants fit… More mature curves, the sparkling green cat’s eyes, and a sway to her hips that was sexier than almost any other woman in the club.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Her red sweater showed off the same famous cleavage that had won her husband, and he knew Sam didn’t mind if he admired it. The old guy was proud of his beautiful wife. “Nice to see you Angie. Merry Christmas.” Barry gave her a quick, friendly kiss, as he knew she expected, then she went over to stand in front of Sam.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Why are you still here? The kids expect us for breakfast and then I have your gift.” She winked at Barry then looked back at her husband. “It’s for later, after we do what social niceties require.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Angie, you know you love Christmas with the grandchildren.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Of course I do, dear, but I also like our own special celebrations.” She grinned and her eyes glittered with a passion that Barry envied. Whatever they had been when they were younger—and there were stories around the club—they kept their bedroom activities pretty much to the two of them these days. But it didn’t seem as if that was a problem—the fire between them was as hot now as ever, if the glazed look in Sam’s eyes as he gazed at his bride was any indication. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Barry sighed and Angelica turned to him. “You need to get going too, I believe?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“What?” he asked, startled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sam chuckled. “You can’t keep anything from my wife, so don’t even try.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Nope, there are no secrets from Angie.” She tilted her head and looked him tip to toe. “You need to get ready for Lily. She’s expecting our big, strong Dom—go rock her world, dear.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He shook his head. “Is it ridiculous that I’m kind of nervous? How many subs have I been with since you’ve known me? It’s what I do, how I’m made.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“You’ll be wonderful. Show her what the Carnivore Club is all about.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He nodded. “I have a little time, you two go on. I’ll lock up.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Watching them leave, Barry felt a bit of pain in his heart. Sam stopped her on the sidewalk and gave her a kiss as deep and thorough as any new couple might share. They were so good together, and it all started in the Carnivore Club, where kink was king and anything went. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He wondered what surprise Angie had for Sam. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">With a shrug, he dismissed the couple now driving away to visit with their grandchildren. They had their life and he had his. He turned off the lights and locked the door, walking away into his life, his celebration—his Lily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Kate Richards is a multi-published author who can be found at <a href="mailto:katerichards09@gmail.com">katerichards09@gmail.com</a> and loves to hear from readers. She’s planning a series of Carnivore Club stories showing how the denizens—members—spend their year, holidays and seasons, parties and darker moments. Find out more about Barry and his Lily! Buy the first book in the series, Christmas Afternoon Delight at <a href="http://1placeforromance.com/dollar-romance/christmas-afternoon-delight/prod_2761.html">1Place For Romance</a><a href="http://1placeforromance.com/dollar-romance/christmas-afternoon-delight/prod_2761.html"></a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Afternoon-Delight-Carnivore-ebook/dp/B004DI7MVU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1292340306&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></span></div>
GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-9140185539740325542010-12-14T00:01:00.002-05:002013-10-12T23:05:07.774-04:00Snowy Encounters teaser from Clarissa Yip<m:smallfrac val="off"><m:dispdef><m:lmargin val="0"><m:rmargin val="0"><m:defjc val="centerGroup"><m:wrapindent val="1440"><m:intlim val="subSup"><m:narylim val="undOvr"></m:narylim></m:intlim></m:wrapindent></m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMUhpJBhk2ltz1jTBKIF2cvXuJEbBa3V59DM0jK_Coi-aCJHc8SnzeZYwiXaK0-7QbSdKTVJh8Up0IAW7rlIeuuMvpKU3TXlvmlx2TKziXk_DIQG1Dash7dFw0xAOamVFmcRU5YKKTtH_/s1600/Snowy+Encounters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMUhpJBhk2ltz1jTBKIF2cvXuJEbBa3V59DM0jK_Coi-aCJHc8SnzeZYwiXaK0-7QbSdKTVJh8Up0IAW7rlIeuuMvpKU3TXlvmlx2TKziXk_DIQG1Dash7dFw0xAOamVFmcRU5YKKTtH_/s320/Snowy+Encounters.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Here’s a teaser of Cole and Maddy for all those who have read <a href="http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=185&osCsid=imjnvsqfb68f1ln94eb062te44"><i>Snowy Encounters</i></a> and are curious if Maddy’s crazy ideas ever work. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Just one time, I swear.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Cole eyed his wife, warily. As much as he loved her, the crazy ideas she came up with drove him nuts. If she wasn’t the hottest decorator in town and didn’t belong to <i>him</i>, he would have quickly turned tail and ran. But then, that wouldn’t be very manly of him. He glanced down the steep slope. They stood at the top of Death’s Peak. It was their spot—the one spot, she’d run to when she wasn’t happy, but also the one place she’d wreaked havoc on him. He’d ended up in the ambulance, after the many times she’d accidentally tripped him down the hill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He sighed. “Can’t we just do this at home?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Maddy settled her hands on her hips and glared at him. “No.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Cole pulled her into his arms and hid his irritation. “You remember what happened last time we tried this.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">She gazed at the night sky. “There are no trees above our heads this time. No snow will fall on us. Build the tent and let’s do <i>it</i>.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>It</i> as in fulfilling her fantasy to make love outdoors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Let’s just go back to the house where it’s warm and I’ll build us a fire.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">She shook her head, and pouted. “This is my Christmas wish. I want to do it here.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Damn. The lip.</i> She knew he couldn’t resist her pout. Shoving a hand through his hair, he looked around. “What if someone shows up?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Maddy snorted. “Everyone is home celebrating Christmas. Besides, we did our family duties already.” Her eyebrow lifted. “What? Are you chicken?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">His eyes narrowed. “I’m just worried about you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Don’t be. I’m pregnant, not disabled.” She patted her slightly rounded belly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He bit his inner cheek. The bigger her stomach grew, the stronger those hormones seem to hit. Trudging over to their belongings, he started to assemble the tent. Last time they’d tried this, snow had fallen from the branches and covered their naked bodies. Lovemaking suspended.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Who would have thought his spunky wife had such fantasies? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Once the tent was set up, he made sure the portable heater was on and lantern lit, before holding the flap open and turning to Maddy. “Done. Get in.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Maddy hopped up off the tree stump and grinned. “About time!” She took two steps and slid backward. Cole quickly closing the distance, but not before she’d already fallen. At least the ground was fluffy with a fresh layer of snow. She glared at him, and he bit his bottom lip to keep from laughing. Falling was natural to Maddy, but he worried about the baby. He helped her up and brushed the snow off her back. His hand lingered over her butt. He loved touching her ass. He wasn’t much of a butt man, but Maddy’s cute bottom always drew his attention, especially when she wore her black stiletto boots and sashayed around him like….</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He swung her up into his arms and strode to the tent. “Let’s do <i>it.</i>”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Maddy yanked the hair at his nape, and he grunted. “Now, you’re being vulgar.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“You wanted to make love out here, and you know I’d give you anything.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">She brushed her lips against his jaw as he allowed her to slide down the length of him. “I know.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He cupped her bottom, pulling her close against his groin. No matter how many times they’d made love, he’d never get enough of her. Keeping an arm around her waist, he lifted the flap of the tent. “Get in and show me your goods.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Maddy giggled. She bent and started to maneuver into their temporary sleeping quarters. He gave her butt two pats before she disappeared inside. Sticking his head in, he frowned. The space was smaller than he anticipated. He should have grabbed the bigger tent from the lodge, but in their haste, he’d taken whatever was available. All thoughts fled as Maddie smiled and slowly released the buttons on her coat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Inch by inch, silky pale skin was revealed along with the black satin of her camisole. She shrugged off her jacket and her jeans until she sat demurely in top and panties. She crooked one finger at him, and he was lost. Quickly shedding his oversized coat, he crawled into the tight space. His head hit the roof, but he managed to get his jacket off. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Maddy helped him with his shirt. His elbow struck a metal bar. He ignored it and kissed her the moment his shirt slipped over his head. Her fingers attacked his belt and unbuttoned his jeans as he searched for the hem of her camisole. Softness met his palms, and he slid his hand under, lovingly patting her stomach before closing over her breasts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Get these off. I want to see you.” Maddy tugged insistently at his jeans. He sat and Maddy climbed over him, settling her legs on either side of his thighs as he tried to push his boxers and jeans off. She dug her fingers in his hair and continued to kiss him. He loved the taste of her—fruity and sweet. Her strawberry scent wrapped around him, drugging him as always. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Once he kicked his clothes away, he settled his hands on her hips and worked the satin top over her skin. They parted for a split second when he’d pulled her camisole off and threw it over his shoulder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Maddy tugged at his hair, rocking against him as he kneaded her breasts, weighing them, loving them. They’d grown larger with pregnancy. Bending down to sample her sweetness, Cole frowned when Maddy pushed him away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Fire!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He reached for her. “Baby, you are hot. That won’t ever change.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“No, fire!” She pointed to the corner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Cole whipped around. <i>Damn.</i> Smoke rose over Maddy’s camisole. It had landed on top of the heater. He grabbed his jacket and started to beat the blasted thing. Cursing aloud, he glanced at Maddy to see her laughing, clutching her own coat to her chest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Once the heater was off and the destroyed satin tossed aside, he settled back in defeat, bumping his head against the metal bar holding up the tent. Maddy slid her arms into her coat and grappled around for her jeans. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“You’re right. We should go home.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He sighed. Lovemaking suspended. Again. He just couldn’t win. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Maddy leaned over and placed a kiss on his lips. “I know. My crazy idea. But I’ll make it up to you when we get home.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Stifling the urge to growl, he reached for his clothes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Next time, we’ll grab the bigger tent.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He smiled. She said “next time”.</span></div>
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-65331678907488184322010-12-13T00:01:00.003-05:002013-10-12T23:13:23.530-04:00The Christmas My Sister Blew the Head Off Malibu Barbie<a href="http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_32&products_id=175&osCsid=rm10he6be08bk05e8qu8401ti3" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542544931458119426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogqeUkrf1qXnwA6qhFEhXN61TlpMow9qKjBbXQglS7Iza4aasUR-Pw45dqSNopTa8hiMTo7du1DrieTVEVFb0FB7VGpptpqN9ia15YjqXgnhva9qdUmpVDC53SfW7n2a1vMYosI4Ptjk/s320/Sugar+Rush.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%;"></span><span style="font-family: "; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">by Bianca Dawson</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"; font-size: small;"><br />(As dictated to Kimber An)<br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"; font-size: small;">My sister’s a geek. Seriously. She has the original <i>Star Trek </i>ringtone on her cell. People don’t believe me when I tell them Ophelia’s always been a geek. She chucked her rattle for Mom’s iPod right out of the crib, I swear.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> But, the biggest early childhood geekness story is how she blew the head off Malibu Barbie. My Malibu Barbie! On Christmas morning! And everyone thinks she is so sweet and innocent. Ask the sister, people. The sister always knows!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> It started out like any Christmas. We were six and always wore matching clothes because we’re identical twins. I was wearing my fuzzy pink snowman jammies Grandma made for us. Of course, Ophelia had changed into her Buzz Lightyear jammies right after Dad tucked us in the night before. Why is it they never noticed what a rebel she was anyway? They still don’t!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> So, we came tumbling down the stairs, me first, of course, and squealing my little heart out at the mountain of presents under the tree all lit up with blue lights and a white satin angel on top. We weren’t allowed to rip into the presents until Mom and Dad got up, so we rounded the bottom rail and raced into their room. I leapt up onto the bed and started singing, ‘Joy to the World!’ Ophelia climbed up too and we jumped up and down like a couple of beans until they finally rolled out and staggered into the living room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I dove into the presents head-first and shredded open Malibu Barbie first thing. I’d been begging for her since the Fourth of July. She wore a mint-green swimsuit and I announced my intention to go blond just like her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dad told me to dream on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Meanwhile, Ophelia sat politely on the sofa and waited for Mom to hand her a box. You know, that’s the thing. It’s all an act! They see her sitting there, sweet and innocent, and they have no idea she’s quietly plotting world domination!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Ophelia carefully peeled back the Christmas wrapping paper, not ripping even the edges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I wanted to throw something at her. Instead, I shredded open another one of my own presents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “A chemistry set!” Ophelia announced a minute later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Robbie!” Horror filled Mom’s voice. “She’s only six!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “I’ll supervise her,” promised Dad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Mom glared at him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Meanwhile, Ophelia’s eyes lit up in what I now call her ‘Mad Scientist Look.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> And I was scared.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Dad clasped Mom’s hand and nudged her. He stood up and led her back to the bedroom for reasons my adolescent mind does not want to contemplate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> As soon as their door closed, Ophelia yanked an ornament off the Christmas tree and removed the hook thing. Then, she raced into the kitchen, pushed a chair against the frig, climbed on top, and used the hook to pick the lock on the cupboard above it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I swear to dog this is true!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> She picked the lock and got out a knife. A knife! She climbed down and put everything back exactly where it was before and used the knife to slice open her chemistry set.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I kinda just cowered against the sofa and watched, clutching Malibu Barbie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Pretty soon, she was mixing things from the set and the kitchen. I think she even grabbed something from the back porch. Finally, she grabbed Malibu Barbie right out of my arms and set her on top of a cardboard tube thing. Where she got the match, I don’t know. But, she lit it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> BOOM!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The black smoke blew into my face. I couldn’t see. Everything was hot. It cleared and Ophelia’s face was gray with ash, her hair stuck straight out, and the Christmas tree was on fire next to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Mom and Dad came flying out of their room with blankets wrapped around them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Mom scooped us both up and ran us out the front door while Dad grabbed the fire extinguisher and hosed everything down. We came back inside and Mom started yelling at Dad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I found Malibu Barbie, but her head was gone, nothing but little bits of singed hair scattered around. I remember gripping my doll, feeling like my own head would explode in rage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> And as I began to shriek expletives my parents were sure I shouldn’t have known, my sister sat on the sofa, hands clasped neatly in her lap, looking for all the world like the sweet innocent girl I know she is not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Took a month for my eyebrows to grow back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> So, there you have it, the dog-honest truth, the story of how my geek-sister blew the head off my Malibu Barbie and burned down the Christmas tree when we were six.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Happy freakin’ Holidays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">***</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Bianca is the identical twin sister of Ophelia Dawson, heroine of <i><a href="http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_32&products_id=175&osCsid=rm10he6be08bk05e8qu8401ti3"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sugar Rush</span></a>, </i>which is book one of the Ophelia Dawson Chronicles. If all goes well, Bianca will have her own short story in the New Year called <i>Bianca and the Blood Sucking Dead Guy. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Find Kimber An: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.kimberan.com/">Website</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://opheliadawsonchronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ophelia Dawson Chronicles Blog</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"; font-size: x-small;">Previously posted on Decadent Publishing's blog, <a href="http://30daysofdecadence.blogspot.com/">30 Days of Decadence</a>. Used with permission.</span></span><span style="font-family: "; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-70997153347547139102010-12-12T00:01:00.000-05:002013-10-12T23:13:53.647-04:00Christmas by the Book<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">By <b>Megan Hussey</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kVLbmSrhTC5ZcEVotfONz-4QrUH432Blr08EXeUJ8sLvlKN49WNFs43eYTy0DKCNP9E1nn4tqt4ZroZVIbzd59_sWSt688xSLT3gqMe-QDcNmtJ6vtddLmSH7ckssZ4tjCSGHVywdYFi/s1600/big_Grosshans-LHRomance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jXxEnTIC3s9-Jdt9KwL0waoz_aXjLrqspX2UFnP98nWv3gKWyXF4EPoJqb9AIGXypmW8rFzUzcpWPX8tv7n9s8_4DqnWC-2iv3jaFbqIZWgvkXR32DxhvMV0lP-RmyuWRaHh7AzY0g8Y/s1600/noelle.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jXxEnTIC3s9-Jdt9KwL0waoz_aXjLrqspX2UFnP98nWv3gKWyXF4EPoJqb9AIGXypmW8rFzUzcpWPX8tv7n9s8_4DqnWC-2iv3jaFbqIZWgvkXR32DxhvMV0lP-RmyuWRaHh7AzY0g8Y/s320/noelle.jpg" width="204" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> When I first got the idea for “Jingle Bell,” a light comedy romance suitable for the whole family (something I wrote, suitable for the whole family? I know, right?), while a member of Writer’s Jubilee; a group that featured romance author Linda White-Francis, and two other great friends and talented authors, Linda and Jessica. I thought it would be a great idea to write a round robin Christmas story in the group, and proceeded to post the first chapter of “Jingle Bell Romance;” the story of the hunky son of Santa Claus. Samuel Claus takes over when Dad <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kVLbmSrhTC5ZcEVotfONz-4QrUH432Blr08EXeUJ8sLvlKN49WNFs43eYTy0DKCNP9E1nn4tqt4ZroZVIbzd59_sWSt688xSLT3gqMe-QDcNmtJ6vtddLmSH7ckssZ4tjCSGHVywdYFi/s1600/big_Grosshans-LHRomance.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kVLbmSrhTC5ZcEVotfONz-4QrUH432Blr08EXeUJ8sLvlKN49WNFs43eYTy0DKCNP9E1nn4tqt4ZroZVIbzd59_sWSt688xSLT3gqMe-QDcNmtJ6vtddLmSH7ckssZ4tjCSGHVywdYFi/s320/big_Grosshans-LHRomance.jpg" width="240" /></a>retires; delivering gifts and finding romance on Christmas Eve, even as he crashes down fireplaces and incurs the occasional ire of his reindeer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> After posting the first chapter in our Internet group at Writers Jubilee, I waited for the other ladies to add their passages; the only problem was that their busy work schedules made it difficult for them to contribute. So I added a second chapter, just for the heck of it. Then a third. Then a fourth. Eventually I made a starting realization that shook me to the core (sheesh, don’t we writers get dramatic?!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> “Oh, no,” thought I. “I’ve written a book! What in the blazes should I do now?!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO_E2UupPA3syk3qgODx8NLWPJ8z9MDJYUnc5xoS8iQRxXjALE3U1PFXOLoK2102TdHkqUG8ao-HnvsGoeFIlD67lj_zdztOzDmlC_IVaTIy7cXhpVSIDpt-DxhyphenhyphenvDISCRfDS_EuoT9gd/s1600/Mauve.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO_E2UupPA3syk3qgODx8NLWPJ8z9MDJYUnc5xoS8iQRxXjALE3U1PFXOLoK2102TdHkqUG8ao-HnvsGoeFIlD67lj_zdztOzDmlC_IVaTIy7cXhpVSIDpt-DxhyphenhyphenvDISCRfDS_EuoT9gd/s320/Mauve.jpg" width="203" /></a> I submitted “Jingle Bell Romance” to the PublishAmerica company, which to my great shock accepted it; as they did its sequel, “Mauve Christmas.” This book told the story of the first female Santa Claus, showin’ the boys how it’s done and finding romance with a dashing Frenchman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> After writing these sweet holiday stories I decided to spice things up, embarking on a fun, exciting career as an erotica author. Having always enjoyed the holidays I have incorporated Christmas into several erotic stories, including “Moonlight and Mistletoe” in the “A Little Holiday Romance” digest from Midnight Showcase Fiction (soon to be Melange Books); the story of a beautiful plus-sized woman who plays Santa Claus (or, as she deems herself, Sheila Claus) at a local department store, all the while romancing the department store stock boy, a muscular gent who moonlights as a male stripper!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I also write a bit about the Yuletide holiday in “Wild Siren,” a novella that appears in the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVYp7WmAOpaRVXOEcwbW0yJ7EjzdvrOoFfpEcrXMKZYgipnQhG_YCuy-tVJuFuJtxeRmZPe29YEdG9093W6l_OmTPgj81ajGc8FC46ZSlQ5zDRnIpbQ70hsO4WF4HQBTxa26YJXGUEFGo/s1600/Wildsirenslghtfrt.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVYp7WmAOpaRVXOEcwbW0yJ7EjzdvrOoFfpEcrXMKZYgipnQhG_YCuy-tVJuFuJtxeRmZPe29YEdG9093W6l_OmTPgj81ajGc8FC46ZSlQ5zDRnIpbQ70hsO4WF4HQBTxa26YJXGUEFGo/s320/Wildsirenslghtfrt.jpg" width="201" /></a>two-story collection “Wild Sirens” from Class Act Books. In this story, the exotic merman Tristan discovers the magic of Christmas at the home of a good friend; a few years later he gets the ultimate gift in the form of a sizzling romance with Abigail, an environmental reporter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> And this year, I’m pleased and proud to offer my fans a vampire Christmas book, “Noelle’s Nocturne,” set to be released Dec. 20 through Noble Romance. This erotic novella is the story of a handsome Victorian vampire who also happens to be a gifted pianist; his music—and, for that matter, his stunning blond looks—serve to draw the attention of a spirited plus-sized seamstress named Noelle. The two spice up their holidays with music, laughter, and plenty of hot romance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I hope that my readers enjoy “Noelle’s Nocturne” and all of my Yuletide offerings; and I hope every lady out there finds a merman, vamp, stripper/stock boy, or even the son of Santa himself underneath the tree this year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Megan Hussey </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> For more about the spicy reads of Megan Hussey, please visit http://goldenmuse.tripod.com.</span></div>
GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-18793036499411444082010-12-01T15:56:00.005-05:002013-10-12T23:15:28.779-04:00Deena Remiel’s 8 Chanukah Wishes List 2010<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhz1jVOg5bg71zIvVK5ZVT-A4_SzeTevIS-LW8eB7KSg9in519Rjh4vNb_kPlkmB1ogqosUKGb7LLgX4D9hl37gA1DQ6Ag1rHqRtp08EiOUOMnznmCnLd4UmYS6HALvVsoJ6o_v2z1OWI/s1600/menorah.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: georgia;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543868081819227202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhz1jVOg5bg71zIvVK5ZVT-A4_SzeTevIS-LW8eB7KSg9in519Rjh4vNb_kPlkmB1ogqosUKGb7LLgX4D9hl37gA1DQ6Ag1rHqRtp08EiOUOMnznmCnLd4UmYS6HALvVsoJ6o_v2z1OWI/s320/menorah.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: 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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">(*This blog originally posted at Decadent Publishing blog, <a href="http://30daysofdecadence.blogspot.com/">30 Days of Decadence</a>)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">It’s the first night of Chanukah, and I’m so excited to share it with all of you! Contrary to popular opinion, Chanukah is not all about the presents. Its roots are based in a Jewish military victory during the reign of King Antiochus IV of the Seleucid Empire, so it is a joyous holiday. They say a miracle occurred when the Jews had retaken and rededicated their temple. Oil that was only supposed to last a day wound up lasting for eight. Hence, the eight days of Chanukah.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #ffcccc; font-family: georgia; font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #333333;">Many families hold a few traditions such as lighting candles each night, giving a</span> </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQwvEXf3lePqkV-FaHo2lxZBUY0d52QsscF_H4wbeD8eVS_hcKu"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQwvEXf3lePqkV-FaHo2lxZBUY0d52QsscF_H4wbeD8eVS_hcKu" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 102px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 102px;" /></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 100%;">gift every night, playing a spinning top game called Dreydel, giving Gelt, which is real OR chocolate money, and eating anything and everything fried like potato pancakes, donuts, and falafel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Right around Thanksgiving, in our home, list-making comes to </span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">the fo</span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">refront of my children’s minds. “Oh, I really want this, Mama…” and “I know it’s too expensive, but I’m dying to have…” are phrases heard all day long around the house. So what is my husband</span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">’s and my favorite response? “Make a list!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-family: georgia;">
<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Well, this year, I’VE made a list, and if I get anything from it, it truly will be a miracle! I’d love to share it with you. Maybe you’ll find something you want to put on your list, as well.</span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Deena Remiel’s 8 Chanukah Wishes List, 2010</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Membership</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"> <b>to a gym and a personal fitness instructor</b><br />(I may have a lot of determination in most things, but when it comes to exercising, I am the worst! I need someone there, next to me, telling me what to do.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Membership to a spa</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">(After I’m done working out, I’m going to need a full body massage for sure. And I could even get a sensuous chocolate spa treatment. At the </span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.chocolatespa.com/spa_treatments/everything_chocolate.php">Hotel Hershey, in Pennsylvania</a></span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">, they have every kind of treatment WITH chocolate!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">A </span></b></span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/Home-10551-10051"><b>Coach</b></a></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> bag, must be chocolate in color</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">(I must confess. The only purses I buy myself are the $15 ones at Ross. And why not? There are some awesome purses at cheap prices there. But, if I’m going to wish, I’m going to wish BIG and DECADENT. I’m wishing go for my favorite kind of bag – the Coach.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Gift card to </span></b></span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/"><b>Nordstrom</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">(If I’m going to get a Coach bag, then I must have a wardrobe to match, right? And with my new physique, courtesy of my hunky fitness instructor, I’m going to need new clothes. I like Nordstrom and how you can get a personal shopper to help you put outfits together, top to bottom.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">A year’s worth of nail salon appointments</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">(If I am to look like a successful author, when I reach out my hand to shake someone else’s, my nails should look beautiful, like little drops of chocolate kisses, rather than short stubby and child-like.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">A cleaning service for the house</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">(Let’s face it folks, my husband didn’t marry me because I’m a good maid. I’m busy, my husband’s busy. We need an Alice from the Brady Bunch, really, but I’ll settle for a cleaning service every week.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Round trip airline tickets to anywhere I want to go</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">(It’s sure been a long time since I’ve been back east. I’d love to do that – visit friends and family, go to NY, go to the beach that used to be only 45 minutes away from home. I could use the tickets and go to Hawaii, too. Ooh decisions, decisions!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">A </span></b></span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/ref=gno_logo"><b>KINDLE</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">(Please, oh please! I want to read my books and my friends’ books and not be shackled to my computer any longer!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"> Pretty lofty wishes, I know. But one can dream, can’t one? Well here’s something that is no dream – I’ve got a special treat for you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuY80C73evGRe6NcojvFaHRSsEa9guTi6UIaY2wzodFMYWlkoRTK7WVCbYrzMxlR61M2Tpsy80l5AtV414R7OdrYGCBgesTrf9Dl4dL1owqn5REIWKqh7piSQ7YVSSDkFYO741G0001c/s1600/Trinity.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543871705611971970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuY80C73evGRe6NcojvFaHRSsEa9guTi6UIaY2wzodFMYWlkoRTK7WVCbYrzMxlR61M2Tpsy80l5AtV414R7OdrYGCBgesTrf9Dl4dL1owqn5REIWKqh7piSQ7YVSSDkFYO741G0001c/s1600/Trinity.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Hugs and Happy Holidays to All!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbf3er8U5CK6Pi_MUfhInkU0r2E93FJC96CzHXhJZydAwGWJvKguVADHJqtKf-kSYfLeXvUFrYRcoC3fYTTZbs1ZcMn9TI4kwAnwtxawpqPM54Ric5F6ro9ymwBK4eNiyxEvxLWGy8sY/s1600/Deena+Remiel+pic+B-W.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543884351156688290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbf3er8U5CK6Pi_MUfhInkU0r2E93FJC96CzHXhJZydAwGWJvKguVADHJqtKf-kSYfLeXvUFrYRcoC3fYTTZbs1ZcMn9TI4kwAnwtxawpqPM54Ric5F6ro9ymwBK4eNiyxEvxLWGy8sY/s200/Deena+Remiel+pic+B-W.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="163" /></a></span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;">Deena Remiel</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><a href="mailto:deenaremiel@yahoo.com"><br /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><a href="mailto:deenaremiel@yahoo.com">deenaremiel@yahoo.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.deenaremiel.com/">www.deenaremiel.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://plotmamas.com/">http://plotmamas.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.decadentpublishing.com/">www.decadentpublishing.com</a></span></div>
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Valerie Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11761558020418265338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-53967453874935392482010-11-24T20:54:00.001-05:002013-10-12T23:16:10.422-04:00Zombies on ParadeHere's a little something from last year, to put us in the mood!<br />
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Hi there, arm-chair travellers, this is your globe-trotting reporter, Zanku Kitty,with an event that should be seen at least once in a lifetime. Since it’s November, you have all probably guessed! It’s the Graves Department Store Thanksgiving Day Parade in Zombietown, MA. You’ll want to arrive early to see all the little boy and girl zombies line the parade route to see the big show. It’s an event to share with your nearest and dearest, as all of the zombies who have it more or less together ride in open- top hearses down Main Street, showing off their nearly-perfect physiques. Everyone crowds to see the Mayor, the Honorable Bob C. Twin, and his life- er death-partner, Chompers, heading down the street with all the fanfare the high school band can provide. Last year Chompers lost his wedding ring hand, and a contest was held to find the right stray hand along the parade route.<br />
As you can imagine, the band also has a tendency to lose parts as they march, particularly the percussion section. There is always a pool on who would lose what and at which intersection, as in Bobby Jean at the corner of First and Cemetery. And the winner of the pool will get to be Grand Marshall in next year’s parade. <br />
No worries about being over the hill in this forward-thinking village! This is probably the only town in North America that celebrates Thanksgiving with the ancestors that founded their town in 1693. Due to their extrme age and fragility, these pillars of the community ride inside padded coffins, placed upright so that they can see their descendents as well as be seen by them. It’s jolly good fun! The Founder’s Floats are one of the most highly anticipated parts of this exciting exhibition. <br />
Everyone who is anyone is here , because after the parade passes, they all join to march along toward the village square and Town Hall, where the feast will be held. The kindlly inhabitants of this bucolic township are encouraging me to follow the parade with them, and share in the bounty that awaits. <br />
I’m told the schoolchildren and Guild of Dead Florists gets together to decorate the hall every Thanksgiving, and I can’t wait to see what they came up with this year. It’s said to be quite spectacular, with gorgeous china and silver that are dusted off and polished up each and every year, and floral displays unlike any ever seen at a Thanksgiving Dinner. We’re almost there now, and when we get inside I’ll try to describe what I expect to be a bounteous feast. <br />
Everyone looks very eager, and a little girl just grabbed my hand to pull me along. How sweet of her! She is hurrying me along, no doubt so that I won’t miss out on the festivities and yummy goodies that await. The lady to my left looks so excited, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear she was drooling. It’s all so exciting! I wonder what is on the menu?<br />
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~Kate RichardsKate Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266895320753860578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-10270499497747120722010-11-20T00:01:00.003-05:002013-10-12T23:16:50.944-04:00Which is Best - Book or Film?<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="text-decoration: none;">by Grace Elliott</span></span><u><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> Dusting down my book stash I came across two TBR books that have recently been made into movies and they set me thinking…. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsRugtb0xR5Ipcag3PMEj4HXbdG07mNICtxyASGU6p40Rs6RaeUqAiOxpl4cd3MlF3rKu0JGOKymYNe_qGG4Q2H6px0Wl8lECEeo5D-8hx6n97WFjCt13czIBEA9O-k3kOZuNJg_sMF0_/s1600/3+Muskateers..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsRugtb0xR5Ipcag3PMEj4HXbdG07mNICtxyASGU6p40Rs6RaeUqAiOxpl4cd3MlF3rKu0JGOKymYNe_qGG4Q2H6px0Wl8lECEeo5D-8hx6n97WFjCt13czIBEA9O-k3kOZuNJg_sMF0_/s320/3+Muskateers..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> As a teenager I vividly remember getting swept up by the 1973 film ‘The Three Musketeers – The Queen’s Diamonds.’ Starring Oliver Reed and a young Michael York. It transported me to a world of romance and adventure that I ached to be a part of. To prolong the experience I then read the novel by Alexandre Dumas – and loved every word and searched out his other books. I owe a debt of gratitude to that movie because through it I discovered a truly timeless author in Dumas. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_pdR5FcaarwgeyX1GXLRXqUwReY28pmBEWZUC3ynMtdzjlx0MzNcSemlPGV9imZqAklpAWn_UF2w0FJVsdncYbGz1HUiszI-LkPDNk1SDIvWeP_V3wtiEG9k3pPAFNVg-23q0mhAiEsm/s1600/Colonel+Brandon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_pdR5FcaarwgeyX1GXLRXqUwReY28pmBEWZUC3ynMtdzjlx0MzNcSemlPGV9imZqAklpAWn_UF2w0FJVsdncYbGz1HUiszI-LkPDNk1SDIvWeP_V3wtiEG9k3pPAFNVg-23q0mhAiEsm/s320/Colonel+Brandon.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> On the whole, I find film adaptations of Jane </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Austen novels disappointing. Her books are so engrossing, once you get past the slightly dated language, I find myself willing the characters on. However the only Jane Austen movie I managed to sit through was the 1995 version of ‘Sense and Sensibility’, mainly because Alan Rickman was just so perfect as the emotionally constipated Colonel Brandon… And there’s the rub. If the casting doesn’t match my visualization from the book – it’s over before it begins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> So does that mean it’s best to see the film first…? No. For the simple reason that some films as such poor adaptations, you’d never give the book a second thought. In my opinion ‘Dune,’ is a classic example. Loved the Frank Herbert book; <i>Quote ‘Fear is the real mind killer,</i>’ (shiver)<i>,</i> but the film was a total disaster, missing all the psychological tension.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The Harry Potter series can be argued both ways. I love the films, but in their own right. If you want the detail and beautiful nuance of the characters then it must be the books every time – just too much sheer crafting gone into those many pages to be translated onto the screen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">So what do you think? Do you cross pollinate between page and screen? What are your best and worst experiences? I’d love to know…</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Grace Elliot’s sensuous historical romance, </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">‘A Dead Man’s Debt,’</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> is now available from <a href="http://www.solsticepublishing.com/products/a-dead-man%27s-debt.html.">Solstice Publishing</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Or see <a href="http://www.graceelliot-webs.com/">www.graceelliot-webs.com</a> for more details.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A Dead Man's Debt</span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A story of blackmail, duty and an unexpected love…</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After deliberately humiliating a suitor, Celeste’s despairing parents exile her to the country. But once there she discovers a sketch book of daring nude studies and is shaken to find the artist is her hostess’s eldest son, Lord Ranulf Charing. This darkly cynical lord is exactly the sort of dissipated rogue she despises most…if only her blood didn’t heat at the thought of him… </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Nothing is as it seems. Lord Ranulf’s life is a façade. Only he can save the Charing’s from disgrace as a blackmailer tries to ruin his late brother’s reputation. But just as Ranulf dares to open his heart to Celeste, the fury of his nemesis is unleashed… facing him with the stark choice between true love and duty. However when Celeste guesses the truth behind his rejection, Ranulf underestimates her resolve to clear his name and places the woman he loves in mortal danger….</span></i></div>
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-88274627686728319012010-10-31T00:01:00.008-04:002013-10-12T23:17:10.967-04:00The Perfectly Frightful Halloween Movie Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Blackadder ITC"; font-size: 20pt;">by Olivia Starke</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What makes a movie really scary, something that leaves you looking over your shoulder for hours and flinching at every creak and groan in the house? Is it the blood, gore, and special affects dismemberment you find in today’s movies? Do you find yourself on the edge of your seat, holding your breath as well as the nearest loved one while watching these? I don’t know about you, but movies with lots of techno-spook such as The Grudge and Paranormal Activity, just to name a couple, don’t really do it for me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are my three picks for a perfectly frightful Halloween night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Number 3:</span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Halloween </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(the original 1978 version starring Jamie Lee Curtis)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Why does this movie have such an impact with the viewer? We all have those relatives we think are a little off kilter, but nothing compares to a six year old boy who murders his seventeen year old sister, only to return years later to finish off his other sister who’d been raised by another family. What Michael does, without the aid of high tech special affects, is terrify the watcher with his complete lack of emotion. There is no joy, no crazed blood lust in his actions. All the murders are done with methodical precision. It’s what he is, who he is, and that touches a place deep within us all. He is the darkness and ugliness that we all fear humans are capable of. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Number 2: </span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Blair Witch Project</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, I know it has a bit of a cultish following, but anyone who has watched it has to admit that it gets into your psyche. In the movie theater I watched wide-eyed, and as I lay in bed that night I swore I heard the screams of the friend who was lost deep in the woods. Its terror appeal is it represents what we all fear the most—the unknown—as well as that baser fear of the dark we all suffered as kids (and sometimes as adults.) You never see the Blair Witch nor any particular demon or ghost. All the action is off camera, and it leaves your imagination to go wild with what is actually happening, as with the man who screams all night in agony. What is really happening to him? I know I had horrible images that the movie would be hard pressed to out do. Sometimes what we can’t see, and <i>can </i>imagine, is the most terrifying of all, and this movie manipulates this to perfection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><i>And my Number 1 pick for the most terrifying movie of all time…</i></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Night of the Living Dead</span></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“They’re coming to get you Barbara.”</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This independent black and white cult film from 1968 scares the bujeebus out of me. Granted there is no real plot, and the actors are all no names, but it certainly packs a punch. Every time I watch this movie I feel creeped out for about two days. The fearful magic with this movie is that it </span><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">doesn’t </i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">have a plot; people are just going about their daily humdrum lives when all humanity goes to hell. Corpses are suddenly reanimated and we don’t have a real answer as to why—perhaps from radiation fall out, but the reasons are never clear. As the zombies attack people, those who aren’t torn apart and devoured right off become the undead as well. It’s a sickness and no one has a cure. This movie touches on the lack of control, how outside circumstances can change drastically and you are helpless to them. We all have a need to feel secure, that we have a say on the outside world affects us, but the terror of this movie comes when this is ripped away. And in the end, there is no happy ending, you are left feeling adrift and without closure. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So, dear readers, I challenge you to watch all three of these movies on Halloween—alone and in the dark—if you dare…</span></div>
GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124615312001663404.post-63619880540818225672010-10-30T00:01:00.014-04:002013-10-12T23:58:38.328-04:00When Jack met Sally by Clarissa Yip<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">When Jack met Sally…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It was love at first sight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I admit, I’m not a Halloween person, but this is my favorite time of the year. It’s fall. And that means pretty orange, yellow and green leaves, drives to Vermont, warm apple cider donuts, and hayrides around haunted houses. One other thing I do is watch <a href="http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/tim-burtons-the-nightmare-before-christmas-collectors-edition.html"><i>Nightmare Before Christmas</i></a> while I’m passing out candy or chasing kids down the street. (</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">ß</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">No, I really don’t do that. I’d be breathless after five steps.) But I love seeing the little kids, dressed up in their cute little outfits, going house to house, knocking on doors and saying, “Trick-or-Treat.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Except this year in Hawaii, I’m missing out since I get to stare at palm trees and funny little golfers in pink plaid outfits. Oh, how I miss the Northeast. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Wanna know a secret? Do you remember the last time you went out, dressed up as a witch or pretty princess? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was a witch for 15 years. Yup. My last trick-or-treating event was junior year in high school, but all kids were annoying around that age. You remember. Obnoxious, giggly and candy crazy. (Or was that just me?) But yes, I had my trusty witch hat until I graduated from high school, but those days were the best. Just hanging out with friends, Jack and Sally, and being carefree…and scared if a goblin or ghost will jump out at you. Now <i>that </i>door is closed, we move on to more fun things! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">So tell me, what are your favorites this time of the year? Share your Halloween secrets! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: large;"> ~Clarissa </span><br />
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GOT EROTIC ROMANCE?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01428175604955560260noreply@blogger.com2