Sunday's Hunk of the Day!

Almost looks afraid of it, doesn't he? 

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

I could be wrong, but I believe today is Noelle's birthday. Since I've been so bad about keeping up with the dates, I'm going to take a chance and say...

Happy Birthday, Noelle!

And since I missed Nan's birthday on Wednesday...

Happy Belated Birthday, Nan! 

I know you both like your hunks hairy and a bit more mature, so here's one for each of you.

Hairy

And Hairier! 

Of course, you can always share...

Friday Fun!

Okay, gang! Here's the hot stuff from A Tale of Two Knights!

Adult Excerpt

Arthur blinked back tears. His first sexual experience had been with Morgause, his wicked, scheming half sister. The act had contained no tenderness, no joy. Only lust. The memory of it filled him with loathing. At the time, he’d had no idea who his father was, but she’d known it—or at least suspected the truth—and had sought to use him any way she could to gain power.

His first bedding of Gwen had been wonderful and exciting, but he had barely known her then. They weren’t in love. Not like this—nothing like this.

At least I have witnessed it once.

Where he ought to have felt jealousy, he felt only gratitude—thankful that such a love existed in this world. Pleased that he had been generous enough to permit it. Wishing that it might continue.

But of course it couldn’t. Not here in Camelot. He’d spoken the truth when he’d told Gwen it was impossible, no matter how much he might wish otherwise. He could never have imagined a scenario that would allow them this precious time together, nor could he imagine that this stoppage of time would continue or even recur.

It was a miracle. And miracles didn’t happen every day.

Unless, of course, one happened to know a man like Merlin.

He’d seen the old enchanter perform feats of magic before. Granted, they’d been nothing of this magnitude, but still…

He put those thoughts aside. He couldn’t deny that he had wished for this possibility. Apparently Lance and Gwen had done the same. If this was indeed a miracle, he needed to make the most of it.

“Gwen,” he whispered. “Would you like to have both of us together?”

“I would, indeed,” she replied.

“How would you like—”

She put up a hand. “However you wish. I am a beggar, therefore I cannot choose.”

“You are anything but that,” he said. “You are my queen, and we are your humble servants. Tell us what you wish for.”

“I leave that to you,” she said. “I am open to any suggestions you might offer.”

Though Lance had already spilled his seed, he remained hilted in her pussy, leading Arthur to suspect that his friend was far from finished. “I believe you made a suggestion earlier. Would it please you to begin with that?”

She smiled. “Oh, yes.”

Arthur crawled up behind her. Straddling her head, he pushed down on his cock and she let him in without hesitation. This was an act he’d never done with anyone else—something she’d once offered to do while in the flux of her menses. Oddly enough, she’d seemed to enjoy it, and his pleasure had been exquisite. As his cock slid into the warm recesses of her mouth, her tongue danced around his shaft, sending sensuous tingles sweeping out from his groin.

Lance watched with undisguised fascination. “And I thought she’d spoken in jest.”

Arthur’s eyelids drifted blissfully downward as his lips curled into a grin. “She would never jest about a thing such as this. It is pure delight.”

She sucked harder, his cue to accompany her efforts with a gentle rocking of his hips. When he complied with her unspoken request, she hummed her enjoyment, setting her own hips in motion.

“Lance, I believe she is asking you for something.”

“But I have already—”

“Makes no difference,” Arthur insisted. “Her pleasure is our only concern. If your cock is still hard, use it.”

Lance’s subsequent thrusts rendered Arthur’s movements unnecessary. Gwen arched her neck, allowing Arthur to glide in deeper.

“Faster, Lance,” Arthur urged. “She is nearly there.”

Arthur’s own ascent to the ultimate joy had just begun when a guttural growl erupted from Lance’s throat, sounding as though it had its origin in his ballocks.

“I cannot help… Ohh…” With one final thrust, Lance seemed to collapse, and then he rolled sideways to land in a crumpled heap beside Gwen.

“We must work to improve your stamina, my friend,” Arthur said, grinning. “Allow me to finish her for you.”

Lance appeared barely conscious as Arthur mounted his wife. Her passage was wide open and filled with his friend’s cream, allowing a nearly frictionless glide into her body. “Ah, Gwen. You feel more like heaven than ever.”

Her lips curved into a provocative smile as she wrapped her legs around him. “I would say the same of you, but I fear it would reflect poorly on dear Lance.”

“Go ahead and say it,” Lance mumbled. “After all, he is the king.”

Arthur laughed. “Not at present. You see, that is the beauty of these stolen moments. No one is king, no one is queen. We are only Arthur, Gwen, and Lance.”

“Then fuck me, Arthur. Make me scream with rapture.” With a sly wink, she added, “As you so often do.”

Thursday Thoughts

LOL! Still catching my breath from Alicia's BD bash yesterday. That was a lot of eye candy for one day. Whew!

In other news,  A Tale of Two Knights went on preorder yesterday. Yay! Guess I'd better post the excerpts, huh?

Here's the story excerpt. I'll give you the hot stuff tomorrow!

Story Excerpt

“Oh, Merlin,” Guinevere cried. “Whatever shall I do?”

Confiding in the ancient sorcerer was a desperate move at best. Trusting him with her deepest desires was even more so, but the young queen found herself on the horns of a dilemma with no notion of how to solve it.

As always, Merlin spoke in riddles. “That which we most desire is often the most difficult to attain, my queen.”

No offer of assistance seemed forthcoming. Perhaps greater encouragement was required. “And frequently comes at a high price.”

Merlin merely nodded his agreement, seeming content to wait for her to continue. Guinevere had seldom engaged in verbal sparring with the old wizard, who in her eyes was devious, subtle, and too clever by half. However, she was no simpleton. Nonetheless, she allowed herself a wistful sigh, knowing that its effect would most likely be wasted on him. “Even with all that a queen has to offer, I know not what to ask in return.”

“Such a delicate matter would require sorcery of the highest order.”

So the price would be double, perhaps triple, what she expected. True, she was a queen, but her resources were limited to that which her husband wouldn’t notice missing from the royal coffers. Not that he would deny her anything. Except, perhaps, this…

The constant battle within her heart had already taken its toll. She was exhausted, listless—even Arthur had advised her to seek a remedy from Merlin. Although she had done as he bade her, she doubted that this was the sort of potion he’d had in mind.

She required a love potion—though surely of a different kind than anyone had ever requested from Merlin before—that would allow her to enjoy the love of two men. The question was, to whom should she give it?

To Arthur, to gain his acceptance of Lancelot as her lover, or to Lancelot to break through his reluctance to betray his king? Or, sadly, to herself, to banish the longing she felt for both men? She was greedy and she knew it. No woman should require two lovers. It was fickle, depraved, and quite wicked, indeed.

Still, Merlin hadn’t condemned her outright. He was crafty and wise, and although his means were sometimes questionable, the ends usually justified them. He’d risked much to bring Uther Pendragon and Ygraine, the wife of Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall together—and had accepted the blame as well as Uther’s fury when Gorlois died in battle a few days later. Merlin’s reasons were clear, though they’d cost him dearly, for on a different night, Uther would have begat a different child, and Arthur Pendragon would never have been born.

That Guinevere loved her lord and husband was a given. Arthur was handsome and just, a strong leader in a time when such a man was needed to hold the kingdom of Britain secure against the Saxon hordes. She worshipped him with the same fervor as did his other subjects.

But Lancelot was equally brave and true, his friendship with the king dating back to their childhood. They’d been trained to fight by the same swordmaster, and Merlin himself had schooled them in the ways of politics and the mysteries of science. Neither man had been adept at magic, nor did they wish to be. Theirs was a different sort of power, and with Merlin to provide visions, potions, and the means to ward off Arthur’s half-sister, Morgause, the evil Queen of Orkney, no further magic was required.

If only Arthur had dispatched any other knight to bring his bride safely to the wedding, perhaps this dilemma might have been avoided. But the die was cast, the deed done. During the course of their journey, she’d fallen for Lancelot. She had tried—heaven knew she’d tried—and had she been convinced that her love was not returned, she might have remained with Arthur and been happy.

But she could see the longing in Lancelot’s eyes when she caught him watching her—longing for a forbidden love that could not have been traced even if she were to bear his child instead of Arthur’s. The king was as dark as Lancelot was fair, but since Gwen herself was a blue-eyed blonde, no one would be the wiser should she give birth to a child that resembled her lover.

In that respect, the gods had been both cruel and merciful, for Gwen was barren. There would be no heir to the kingdom, but likewise no bastards of Lancelot’s siring. Nothing kept them apart but honor, and honor was an unforgiving master—a master that wouldn’t allow her to engage in secret trysts with any of the king’s chosen knights.

No. If she were to be Lancelot’s lover in the physical sense, it must be with Arthur’s full knowledge and consent. Gwen allowed herself to dream of taking both men to her bed, loving them each with every breath in her body until the final beat of her heart. She had it in her to give them each a love that was equal and enduring. But how to make them see the rightness of it?

Merlin smiled, his wise eyes crinkling at the corners. Gwen had rarely seen that smile—not as cold or calculating as one might expect, but filled with warmth, understanding, and benevolence. She knew that he also held the best interests of the kingdom dear, not wishing to see the nation he had helped to unite fall apart through petty bickering. There were enough external enemies to fight without having to deal with those within the walls of Camelot.

“My dear child,” he began. “Do you think to pay me for my services? If so, you needn’t bother—though I would ask a favor of you.”

“Name it,” Gwen begged. “Anything.”

I believe I'd ask for this guy. 
Just sayin'...

Whopping Weasel Birthday Wishes!

Happy Belated Birthday, Alicia! Once again, the Cat Master failed to consult her all-knowing calendar and missed yet another birthday. But never fear, sometimes the best things come to those who wait.



























Since this is how you'd prefer to celebrate,

I figured I'd give you an assortment. Here's one that's been nicely manscaped.

This one isn't too hairy.

This one isn't too bad.

This one should get you warmed up.

Derrick is anxiously awaiting your attention.

So, go for it, Alicia! Blow out those candles!

Tasty Tuesday Okra and Eggplant Casserole!

Since my okra was going bad faster than I could eat it, I figured I needed to create a new recipe to use it up quicker. Budley and I had been to the farmer's market on Saturday, and I'd gotten this lovely eggplant that I was planning to slice and bake (basically, what I do is spread pesto and butter on it and top it with mozzarella cheese) but after I found a pepper that had been hiding from me in the garden, I decided to revise my intentions. This is what I came up with. Might be better with some hamburger or sausage in it, but it wasn't bad. Amounts, as always, are approximate because I hardly ever measure anything. 

Okra and Eggplant Casserole

1 medium eggplant, peeled and cubed (about 2 cups)
1 1/2 cups chopped okra
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can cream of chicken soup (undiluted)
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp pesto
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp poultry rub
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

Beat eggs together with milk and pesto and soup, then mix all ingredients together and place in casserole dish. Bake  at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

And since anything made with eggplant makes me think of Greece, here's a hunk that looks like he might have a little Greek in him.



























At least, I'm getting that Greek god vibe from him.
What are your thoughts?

And Alicia, I'm so sorry I missed your birthday on Monday, but I don't think you'll mind too much if I throw a belated party for you on Wednesday, with all the associated whoppers!

Monday Moons!

Today is the last day to get 10% off when you order The Lady Takes a Pair from Siren/Bookstrand! LOL! Get yours while it's cheap!

Didn't get much writing done this weekend. Not sure what I was doing, but that 3000 words a day didn't happen. More like 1000 words a day, which is more doable anyway.

Part of my weekend was spent looking for more of those furry hunks you Yah Yahs enjoy so much, and let me tell you, if you type in "hairy butts" on a Google Images search, you get some pretty scary stuff.
This one, however, was billed as the best ass on earth.

I tend to agree. Be sure to click on him for the "Full Moon" effect!

Note to Susan! Please send your mailing address to cheryl.brooks52@yahoo.com. The Wildcat ARC is a real book. I have to send it via snail mail!

Sunday's Hunk of the Day!

First off, the winner of a free ARC of Wildcat is Susan! I'll email you soon to get your snail mail address and get that out to you tomorrow!

And now for today's hunk!
This fellow is next up to ride a horse bareback and naked.




Looks a little worried about the chafing issue, doesn't he?

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

In case you missed this on Facebook yesterday, the advance copies of Wildcat arrived right after I finished the final edits to the manuscript. I swear, I closed the file, and heard the door close on the Fed Ex truck a few seconds later. Honest.

Anyway, I took this picture, posted it on Facebook and Twitter, then sent the completed file off to Sourcebooks.

A little while after that, I was looking at  that five o'clock shadow on the cover model's chin when it hit me that I hadn't made any mention of the lack of facial hair on a male Zetithian in the entire book. I thought I'd covered all of their alien characteristics, but I'd forgotten that one. Oh, well. Too late now. But for the record, Zetithians don't grow beards. Just sayin'...

So, now that I have these little beauties, I guess I should give one away. In order to win, post a comment telling me how much you'd love to have a Zetithian of your very own, along with your email address, and I'll choose the winner at random!

Oh, and here's a little eye candy for you to enjoy while you wait for the results.

That's Channing Tatum from the opening scene of Magic Mike. *sigh* It looked a lot better on the big screen.

But then, most things do.

Friday Fun!

I spotted this pic on Facebook a couple of days ago and felt like sending it to one of the ladies who edited Wildcat and didn't think a man could ride a horse bareback and naked.

I rest my case.

Thursday Thoughts

No time for many thoughts. Can't even think of the adjective I wanted to add to that first sentence. Deep, maybe? You see, I've been trying to write a chapter a day in an effort to get my contemporary trilogy and Rascal done ASAP. That's stringing together three thousand words a day in ways that make sense. I've also been a judge in a couple of my RWA chapter's writing contests. I think my brain is fried. The only thing saving me is Season 3 of The Voice. 

Doncha just love Adam Levine and Blake Shelton? They crack me up during every episode. I truly wish it was on for two hours every night of the week. I keep waiting for some contestant to pick Adam as their coach simply because of his sweet smile. Watching that show is about the only time I allow myself to take a break unless I'm asleep. I've even been waking up from dreams that give me new ideas.

I'll get a bit of a break from writing today because I'm planning to mow the yard this afternoon, which takes 2-3 hours if I do all of it. I won't, of course, because I'll probably run out of gas before I'm finished. And, yes,  the brain will be plotting as I mow. I also have to do another read-through of Wildcat this week. *sigh*

Since I quit my nursing job, I've been economizing by trying to avoid getting in my car and going anywhere near a store. It seems to be working fairly well, mainly because I don't buy groceries online--although I know you can. I've been using up stuff that's been sitting in my pantry for years. Old boxes of oatmeal that were leftover from Boy Scout camping trips, spices that I bought and never used much, tea that I don't particularly like, etc. If nothing else, I'm gaining shelf space. My husband keeps telling me I don't have to worry, but I can't help it. I've been an equal contributor to the family finances from the very beginning. It's a hard habit to break.

I was pleased to see The Lady Takes a Pair made it onto Siren's 14 day bestseller list, but that royalty check is still about six weeks away. This one should be very interesting. Small, Medium, and Large has been holding steady in the Amazon rankings, presumably riding the 50 Shades wave because of its BDSM tag. Guess I should write more in that genre. I have an early manuscript that would be perfect, but it needs so much work I might as well start from scratch.

But enough about all that. While I was hunting for Suzy's Birthday Hunk, I found several more fellows you Yah Yahs might like. Here's one of them.

I can't help wondering what he's looking at.

What are your thoughts?

Happy Whopping Weasel Birthday, Suzy!

Would you believe I actually looked at my calendar for once???? Happy Birthday, Suzy! I'd be willing to bet you've already got a cake, so I brought out the buns to help you celebrate.

And since your birthday falls on a Wednesday this year (lucky you!), with your preferences in mind, I went searching for the perfect hunk.


I think I found him.

Don't worry. I'm pretty sure there's more where that came from!

And now, the winner of a PDF copy of The Lady Takes a Pair is 
*drum roll*
Cory! Although Donna gets major kudos for remembering (and being very subtle about it) that Tychar's (Rogue) roguishness was inspired by Jack Davenport. Congrats!

Tasty Tuesday Cheesy Broccoli Sausage Casserole!

Okay. So we ate it all before I thought to take a picture of it. That just tells you how good it was. But I went to Google images and found this picture, which is about what mine looked like when it was done.

Cheesy Broccoli Sausage Casserole

Ingredients

1 lb country sausage, browned
3 tbsp butter
1 rib celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large bunch of broccoli, sliced
1 cup water
1 1/3 cup cream
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3 Tbsp cornstarch
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

Brown the sausage and set aside to drain on paper towels. Heat butter in a large skillet. Saute onion, green pepper, and celery for 2-3 minutes. Add broccoli and 1 cup water. Cover and reduce heat. Cook until broccoli is tender, but still firm. Mix cornstarch with cream and salt and pepper. Add to skillet and cook until thickened. Add sausage and mix gently. Pour mixture into a baking dish. Top with grated cheese. Bake in 400 degree oven until the cheese browns.

Now, that's what I call a sausage!

The Lady Takes a Pair Launch Day!

It's finally here! I hope you all enjoy my first venture into the world of Regency romance. Considering the number of Regencies I've read in my life, it's a wonder that this is my first. I had a blast writing it, and although the fellow on the cover doesn't look a bit like him, the character of Viscount Rotherford is based on one of my favorite actors, Jack Davenport.

You may remember him as Commodore Norrington in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

But lately, he has been absolutely fabulous as Derek Wills in the NBC TV series, Smash. He makes you either want to kiss him or strangle him, and then he makes you laugh and turns right around and says the nicest things--all in that incredible voice!


That sense of humor and the voice that turns my bones to jelly are just a few of the traits I bestowed upon Viscount Rotherford in The Lady Takes a Pair. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Lady Juliet Nordsworth may be the daughter of an earl, but even her rank cannot save her reputation following a scandalous tryst with a stable lad. Nicholas Pennington, the Viscount Rotherford, however, is in need of a lady who will not only provide him with an heir, but will also accept his current lover, William Davenport, who is also his footman and valet.

The Earl of Clarenhurst thinks he can secure Rotherford’s vote for the repressive laws he has proposed by giving the viscount his only daughter’s hand in marriage. Little does he know that his future son-in-law has both a mind and a will of his own.

Attracted to both men, Juliet is aroused and intrigued by a demonstration of their love in a secluded spot on Rotherford’s estate. Rotherford’s offer of marriage will free her from her father’s tyranny, but can she trust her heart to two men? 

I'm giving away a PDF of The Lady Takes a Pair to one lucky commenter today. Post your email address in your comment, and I'll choose a winner at random, but you get an extra entry if you can correctly name the other character of mine who was inspired by Jack Davenport! 

*sigh* Still haven't gotten the ARC's for this one yet, but I promise to send it out to the winner as soon as I get it! Winner to be announced on Wednesday! 

Sunday's Hunk of the Day!

Sometimes I'm just in the mood for a cute one.

Today is one of those days!

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

Okay, Suzy! You had me at Froggy style! I'll send you the PDF of The Lady Takes a Pair as soon as I get it.

In the meantime, I got the revised cover for A Tale of Two Knights yesterday. They replaced Arthur and gave Lancelot longer hair. Still not crazy about it, but, hey, it's what's inside that counts, isn't it?

Which makes you wonder what he's reading...

Friday Fun!

Okay, gang. I think we need to play WRITE YOUR OWN CAPTION with this one. I can't think of a thing to say about him that doesn't involve something about sitting on rocks.

The one that makes me laugh the most wins a free PDF of The Lady Takes a Pair!

Thursday Thoughts

I finished the first read-through of the final edits to Wildcat yesterday morning. I'd obviously been in too much of a hurry when I sent the copyedited version back in after only checking the editor's changes, because I hadn't noticed they'd taken out my double spaces where there were changes in point of view (POV). I've never understood why they can't keep it the way I wrote it. I put an asterisk between scenes, and a double space when the point of view changes. To me, it's distracting to have the little symbol stuck in the middle of a scene. I know the purists will say I should never change POV within a scene, but I seldom do it more than once.

I should've remembered having this same problem with Stud. I opted not to put the POV breaks back in that book, and I'm sure someone somewhere is accusing me of head-hopping because of it. Right now, I've only added them in where it isn't as obvious that there's been a change. I'm still debating whether or not to request the breaks to be put back in. I wish I knew whether the copyeditors think those double spaces are a mistake or if they don't feel a break is necessary or if they're just wanting to save paper. Probably the latter.

What are your thoughts? Does switching POV without a break throw you for a loop, or can you go with the flow?

Speaking of point of view... Here's an interesting angle!

Whopping Weasel Wednesday!

Ah... Another Wednesday. What to post, what to say? This fellow has been in my WWW file FOREVER! I haven't used him because I know what some of you will say. Yes, he's ridiculously young, but he's also ridiculously long. Long legs, long feet, long dick...

Just imagine him twenty years older and enjoy your Wednesday!

Patriot Day Remembered

Eleven years ago today, I arrived at the stable where I used to take riding lessons only to learn of the attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the, thankfully, aborted attack on the White House.

So much has happened since then. The World Trade Center is being rebuilt, and I visited the site when I was in NYC for the RWA national conference last June.

I expected a memorial of sorts to be there, but the real shrine was in the church across the street. 

Since we were there last summer, the tower has grown considerably, and the memorial is now open. 

 

The NYC skyline will never look the same as it did before the tragedy took place. Just as New York was changed on that day, so were the lives of everyone in this country. It left a wound on our collective souls that may never be healed in our lifetime.

I remember my father saying he could never forgive Japan for the attack on Pearl Harbor. I could understand why he felt that way, but I never truly experienced the same feelings until 9/11. It is my sincere wish and greatest hope that those who have been born since 9/11/01 never have a similar experience.

Where were you on 9/11/01?

Monday Moons!

You can sure tell this boy doesn't normally take off his pants!

Better smack those bare buns while you can!

Sunday's Hunk of the Day!

Had a great time at the IRWA meeting yesterday. We came up with a new theme for another Sextet story. We're calling this one Preferences. I don't have any ideas for it yet, but I'm sure you Yah Yahs can help me out with that. What sort of "preference" would you like to read about? I'm pretty sure I know what Alicia will say, but feel free to throw some ideas out there for me. Whoever comes up with the one I use will get a free PDF of it whenever it becomes available!

So, what are your "Preferences?" Here are a few pics to stimulate your imagination.

Guys in suits?

Guys with piercings?

Tattoos?

Men in uniform?

Or maybe men in kilts?

Let your imagination run wild and post your ideas!