A Time to Write

by Dominique Eastwick

So many people ask me when I have the time to write. To be honest, I don’t. I wish I could set aside time to write, but life seems to get in the way. Always a kid to be toted somewhere, or an email to answer, or worse, a load of laundry to be done.

So how do my books get written? Honestly, my muse bitch-slaps me and says “it’s time, girl. Write.” And when that happens all I can think about it that story. Those characters in my head screaming to be let out and put into words will no longer be silenced.  Sometimes I can’t hear above their chatter.  And sometimes I just need to get a story written so I can make room in my head for more couples to fall in love.

I am one of those people who can’t wait for the storms that shut down everything, even electricity because then all I can do is focus on the story. Even if I write it old school in the ole notebook, at least it’s on paper and for a bit, out of my head.

Mia and Gavin’s story came upon finishing up another story and it came fast and furious. There was no stopping me once I sat down to write. In one weekend it was typed and ready to go. That is a record for me. Usually it takes weeks or months for me to finish a story. But theirs was crystal clear in my head and they were loud enough for me to hear, that I had to listen.

So I guess with all my rambling all I wanted to say was listen to your characters, let them tell you their story and for all of us readers out there, get it written so the rest of us can enjoy it.

Strawberry Kisses

Are they ready to gamble on a 1Night Stand?

Mia hides behind her computer, designing popular computer games. And though she knows just what to do to keep men coming back for more on the other end of the modem, she doesn’t seem to have the same knack in person.

Gavin hides behind numbers. Since his wife left him, the only thing he cares about is his son and his job. One failed relationship was enough, but if the right curvaceous woman came into the picture he just might manipulate the numbers a bit.

Can two meddling sisters enlist Madame Eve to bring Mia and Gavin together and show them two is always better than one?

***

     “Do you want the next strawberry with chocolate, or champagne?” He popped the cork.

     “I, um....” She slowed her breathing, trying hard to concentrate on his words. “I’ve never had champagne and strawberries.”

     “Really?” As he smiled, the first real smile she’d seen on his face was breathtaking, She could only nod since somewhere between her mouth and her brain she’d lost the ability to form simple words.

     Pouring one glass of the bubbly wine, he took a sip, smiled then grabbed another plump berry. He rubbed it slightly on her lower lip. “Take a bite.”

     He didn’t have to tell her twice. She bit, then savored, as he raised the flute and tilted it just enough for her to get a swallow of the liquid. Her eyes widened as the tastes of the fruit and champagne fused in her mouth.

     “Another bite then?” He didn’t wait for her answer, giving her another piece and let her enjoy the fruit for what it was, savoring and treasuring as some of the best she’d ever had.

     She opened her eyes just in time to see his close, and his mouth settle over hers. Her lips parted and a rush of champagne from his mouth filled her own. The fizzy liquid overwhelmed her senses. If she could have let out an ooh, she would have. But all she could think about was his tongue dancing with hers. His left hand still holding the flute, he wrapped it around her waist, pulling her closer. She felt the heat of his erection at the same time his rigid cock pressed against her belly.

     Pulling away enough to wind her arms around his neck, she prevented any escape on his part. She had him where she wanted him no matter how good the strawberries or the champagne, wanted him right there, kissing her. He didn’t fight her, instead deepening the kiss. She breathed in, his scent acting like an aphrodisiac on her already hyper libido, bringing her to the brink of ripping his clothes off and jumping his cock right then.

     His arm left her waist for a minute—she heard the clink of the flute on the table, but his lips never left hers. She melted into him as his warm palms cupped her heated cheeks, forcing her mind back to the kiss.

     “Tell me what you want?” His breath was warm against her lips.

     “I want you.”

     “How? Give me permission, tell me it’s okay to strip you naked, kiss you wherever the need takes me.”

     “Yes, yes, please, all of that.”

Find Dominique:  DominiqueEastwick.com

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Dominique Eastwick's 10 Q Tuesday

Tell us about your current release. Strawberry Kisses is a 1NS story that takes place in Las Vegas between Gavin, middle aged Accountant, and Mia, a self-proclaimed rubenesque geek. Both have sisters who just knew they needed to find someone and Madame Eve was the person to do it.
 
Has someone helped or mentored you in your writing career? Honestly I think we all have to help each other, Valerie Mann has always been a huge Supporter and Help for me.

If you could spend the night anywhere, where would it be? Good lord that question could get me into serious trouble with my hubby you know.  But I would love to spend the night with my DH on a private Greek Island overlooking the sea.

What does your significant other and family think of your writing career? They are all excited, though Hubby does thinks it’s more of a hobby then a career.  Even my Grandmother buys my books, she hasn’t figured out how to read them on the computer yet though…Thank goodness.

Does your significant other read your stuff? Nope he read the first three pages once and it made me nuts and he was nuts having me watch over his shoulders we are both quite content this way.

What songs are most played on your mp3 player? At the moment it would be Can You Here Me by Enrique Iglesias, And anything by Adele.

What do you do to unwind and relax? Unwind who has time to Unwind lol. Ok if I did have time I would take a hot bubble bath and read a book or I go to a park with my camera and just start shooting.

Do you have a milestone birthday coming up? If so, how are you approaching it? As a matter of fact I do, I turn 40 today and I am thrilled. I see it as the middle ground. I am the years behind me for people will listen, I still have some youth so I can follow the hip scene even if I am not hip, but I feel like I have life experiences behind me. 

As Martina Mcbride says in This Ones For The Girls

Every laugh, laugh line on your face
Made you who you are today

Morning Person? Or Night Person? How do you know? Oh Night person…how do I know? It’s after midnight and I am finally working.

Who is your Celebrity Crush?  Karl Urban GRRRRRRRRR(thud)

 

The Three T’s for Mia

Strawberry Kiss' heroine Mia has some thankful, thoughtful and thirsty things on her mind!

Thankful I am thankful for nosey meddlesome sisters who only have the best interest of the ones they love at heart. I’m also thankful that the gaming convention is over and I don’t’ have to speak in front of an audience for at least another year.

Thoughtful. As you can imagine with a long distance relationship I am ever thoughtful about Gavin these days. We see each other most weekends, he comes to see me on weekends where his son, Grady, is at his ex’s house and I go there when Grady is with Gavin, so it doesn’t interrupt Grady’s schedule. But the weeks are long and I miss Gavin dearly when he isn’t around.

Thirsty, its been 4 days and 4 longer nights since I’ve seen Gavin so I’m thirsty for him…oh you meant Drinks now that was embarrassing, can you delete that first past.  Well then at the moment I have a thing for anything Strawberry but I guess that’s not surprising.. My new favorite drink is Sex on Ice.

Here is the recipe:
Sex on Ice

1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz light rum
1/2 oz  Razzmatazz liqueur  (I just love that word Razzmatazz)

1/4 oz strawberry schnapps
1/2 oz melon liqueur
2 strawberries
1/4 oz Cheri-Beri Pucker schnapps

Blend all the ingredients above with crushed ice and blend until it reaches the desired consistency. Pour unstrained into a cocktail glass and garnish with whipped cream and a cherry. (or even a strawberry if you prefer)

3-Way Thursday with Gavin from Strawberry Kisses

Thankful---In this economy I am thankful to be working and making money. I am thankful that my son is normal teenager, with all the hell that come with it, but a normal teenager nonetheless.

Thoughtful---I have a big trip planned to Las Vegas next week, my son really wants to attend this gamers convention there, so I thought it would be a good time for me to take a few days off. My sister also signed me up for the Madame Evangeline's Dating Service 1NS, so we’ll see if that pans out. Though her reputation is excellent, I really doubt she can find the perfect woman for me. But my sister is so convinced I need it, I will do anything to get her to drop the subject. 

Thirsty---Right now, in this heat, I have been enjoying my Kentucky Colonel. It's more refreshing then bourbon straight up. And refreshing enough for the summer nights when I need something to help me unwind.  Not easy when you have a teenage boy rolling his eyes at you every time you open your mouth.  This is a much better choice then kicking him in the ass.

1 1/2 oz Bourbon 

1/2 oz Benedictine 

1 twist of Lemon peel

Instructions:

Stir bourbon and Benedictine add crushed ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Add the twist of lemon peel and serve.

Thankful, Thoughtful, Thirsty – talking with Mountain Claiming's Daniel and Jagger.

 

by LC Dean

LC Dean: I passed the opportunity for a blog spot on to two of my favorite men. They’re visiting with me on Skype from Las Vegas and I’m sending the video transcript directly to Decadent. Since they are used to a pretty laidback work environment, I should probably comment now and then to keep them on task, but I trust them explicitly…almost.

Jag (grins): Thanks for the vote of confidence. I have to say, when LC first told us that the adorable and somewhat devilish Decadent Publishing blog maven asked if we wanted to do 3-way on Thursday. I instantly thought, “Heck yeah!”

Daniel (chuckling): He thinks I’m the gullible one. When Val dropped the bomb that it was just a blog, I swear he pouted, but then she shot us that grin of hers and we forgave her.

Jag (Leaning close to bump his shoulder against the large man’s arm): Like you weren’t disappointed. Of course, now that we have met her tall, handsome husband, we will keep a respectful distance no matter how tempting her smile is. Madame Eve also called to warn me that Decadent is a good source of inspiration so Daniel and I had better be good.

Daniel: So, then I guess we should get to it. Let’s start with Thankful. I am thankful for Madame Eve and her invaluable service, which brought me to Grand Turk…and you.

Jag: There’s the grin I love. No, don’t get all shy, mi montaña. I’m thankful to Eve as well. (Lacing his fingers through Daniel’s, he smiles.) She gave me an unexpected gift that I have no desire to ever return.

Daniel (Studying the keyboard in front of him before looking up at the camera again): All right, on to thoughtful. Several things hold my thoughts these days, but my biggest focus, since leaving Georgia, is working with men and women trapped in an abusive relationship. Being with Jagger has taught me that there’s a huge difference between leaning on someone who loves and cares about you and being in a violent environment.

Jag: It took a great deal of courage to walk away, Daniel. I can’t tell you how proud I am of you and all that you do. I’m much more selfish than my partner. My thoughts are pretty much consumed by work and him these days.

Daniel: That’s not true. You have been very helpful with all of this.

Jag: But for a selfish reason—making you happy pleases me. You, a fine Cuban cigar, and a good glass of Scotch.

Daniel: You’ll have to refrain while we’re visiting Jackson and Leah. Cuban cigars are illegal here in the US.

Jag: Fortunately, neither of my other favorites are.

Daniel (shakes his head): Not sure what I should say to that so I’ll move on to thirsty. Jag already told you what he’s thirsting for—

Jag: Well, if you’re going to be literal…

Daniel: Which I am. So Jag likes Scotch, ten-year Glenmorangie to be exact, but I come from the South. I really miss sweet tea.

Jag: I don’t know how you can call that syrup you drink, tea.

Daniel: It’s delicious. I hear some Decadent authors and staff members have embraced a fondness for the term “mean tea” thanks to Dominique Eastwick, but I still prefer sweetness.

Jag: Me too. I’ll take a tall, dark swig of pure sweetness any day.

Daniel: Why do I get the feeling that you’re done being literal?

Jag (winks): Because you satisfy all my 3-way desires—you make me thankful, keep me thoughtful, and satisfy my deepest thirsts, mi montaña.

LC Dean: Jagger? Daniel? Well, I guess the interview’s over since it appears they have left the room. Thanks for letting the guys hang with you all. They usually have better manners, but they are in Sin City so…I guess they’re a little…distracted.

Strawberries never got hotter!

by Dominique Eastwick

  

Tell us about your next release.  Strawberry Kisses is an installment in the 1Night Stand Series. It’s about a Sexy Accountant and a rubenesque Game Designer and there need for some serious sex. J I am so very thrilled to be working with Decadent Publishing.

Do you believe in ghosts?  Hell yeah, I used to work in the Theatre and all Theatres have ghosts we even leave the ‘Ghost Light’ on so it’s never dark.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?  Honestly it’s the sex scenes I never think they are very hot. I always worry readers are going to fall asleep reading them.

Where do you research for your books?   If I can go to the place in person, I do.  If not on the internet or I talk with people who know the material.  Researching is one of my favorite things to do.

 

Do you play games? What kind?  Yes World of Warcraft, I am a level 85 Human Rogue…After all Rogues do it from behind… okay really I am a serious geek.

 
What was the scariest moment of your life?  There were two; the first was running my little Mazda hatchback under an 18 wheeler.  The second was when my son was born and I didn’t get to see him for 45 minutes while they were working on him across the room.

What books have most influenced your life?   To Kill a Mockingbird and Pride and Prejudice. Mockingbird because it was the book the made me love to read, I was so drawn in by the story and by the characters that I couldn’t put it down. Pride and Prejudice because it’s a classic and as a former costume designer I love Historical pieces and I just fell in love with Mr. Darcy.

What are you passionate about these days? Cord Blood Donations, it’s a life saving thing that we just throw out because people aren’t informed or hospitals can’t be bothered to have staff on hand who know how to collect it.

 Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?   If so, what are they? Don’t ever give up.  Listen to those around you who have become published, don’t say “But (insert name of famous author here) head hops or does this,” except the fact that as new writers we don’t enjoy the luxury of best selling been in the business forever authors. Far no but no one said this business was far. They also need to be open for critiques and changes, And most important join the Aspiring Romance Writers Group on FB, yahoo loops and webs
 
 What hobbies do you actively pursue? Photography would be the big one, I always wanted to be a photographer.

  Find Dominique at:  http://dominiqueeastwick.com

 
 
 
 

Dominique gets Thankful, Thoughtful & Thirsty Today

Thankful: What am I thankful for?  I am thankful that my family is healthy. It seems so many around me are themselves or have family members going through illnesses and I am thankful that for the moment, the ones closest to me are healthy and safe.

On a lighter side, or maybe its darker, I am also thankful that True Blood is coming back in just a few weeks, because the werewolf Alcide was seriously drool worthy last year…GRRRRRRRRR…did I mention the werewolf.

Thoughtful: I am thoughtful about the weather and what we are going to it. I mean granted some of the extreme weather is to be expected every now and then but this tornado season was/is crazy and we are moving into what I feel is going to be a crazier hurricane season. So I think a lot about how we can take care of our planet.

"Make mine MEAN, please"

Thirsty… Oh Girl I love me some MEAN TEA.  For those of your not familiar with MEAN TEA it’s unsweet iced tea which yes, I know is sacrilege here in the South.  But its how Love my iced tea and believe me I need me some MEAN tea.

Where did the term Mean Tea come from? A cute little waitress on the Outer Banks asked me once.

“Why you want it mean?”

“Excuse me?” I asked

“Well if it ain’t sweet, its mean.”

So from then on I order my tea Mean. I am on a campaign to get all unsweet tea drinkers to just call it Mean Tea. Its working here when I go through the drive thru at the local fast food joints in town they no longer even question me over it.