Merry Christmas!

By Courtney Sheets

I've been doing a bit of research for a new story I've been working on. My hero is a Thunderbird Pilot in the US Airforce. The Thunderbirds are stationed here in Las Vegas at Nellis Air Force Base. The team performs high flying stunts and feats of skilled flying much like the Blue Angels.  Everyone loves a cocksure pilot who gets tamed by a sassy lady. In my research I ran across this pretty amazing poem called the G.I.'s Christmas Carol. It was written by Lt. Col. Darrell Rathburn during the Korean War. The poem was printed in several newspapers at the time and read on air by Bing Crosby during one of his radio hours. I decided to share it with you all.  I know Christmas was yesterday but I thought you all still might enjoy it. It was hard to find a copy online so I simply transcribed it from a recorded version I have.

T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the tent

Was the odor of fuel oil (the stovepipe was bent).

The shoepacs were hung by the oil stove with care,

In hopes that they'd issue each man a new pair.

The weary GI's were sacked out in their beds,

And visions of sugar-babes danced through their heads,

When up on the ridgeline there rose such a clatter

(A Chinese machine gun had started to chatter)

I rushed to my rifle and threw back the bolt.

The rest of my tent-mates awoke with a jolt.

Outside, we could hear our platoon Sergeant Kelly,

A hard little man with a little pot belly.

"Come Yancey, come Clancey, come Conners and Watson,

"Up Miller, up Shiller, up Baker and Dodson!"

We tumbled outside in a swirl of confusion,

So cold that each man could have used a transfusion.

"Get up on that hilltop and silence that Red,

"And don't you come back till you're sure that he's dead."

Then putting his thumb up in front of his nose,

Sergeant Kelly took leave of us shivering Joe's

But we heard him say in a voice soft and light:

"Merry Christmas to all-may you live through the night."

What is it about military men that lights our fires as romance readers? Why do we love Navy Seals, Air Force Pilots, and Marines? Tell me what makes you love military romances. 

Kill Me Tomorrow 3-Way

Hello, I’m Diane Alberts, and I’m here to tell you what I’m here for 3-Way Thursday. No—not that kind of 3-way. Get your minds out of the gutter! I’m going to tell you what I’m Thankful, Thoughtful and Thirsty for. And I’m focusing directly on my book Kill Me Tomorrow, a 1Night Stand paranormal book.

I’m Thankful: That Jasmine faltered enough in her attraction to Gavin, and didn’t immediately skewer him through as she should have. Jinns, after all, are supposed to kill demons. Even though he’s only half demon, otherwise known as a demi-sanguine, she still needs to rid the world of him.  But, what should she do about her pesky desire to have her way with him first?

I’m Thoughtful: When I wonder what would have happened if Gavin had given up on Jasmine, and left her alone in the hotel room. What if he’d stormed out, leaving her alone to sulk in her shameful virginal state? How often do we let anger rule us, and act before thinking?

I’m Thirsty: For more of Jasmine and Gavin! What happens after he walks in to the hotel room…and into the arms of his enemy? I know, but do you?

Want to find out? I guess you’ll just have to read it!

A Thoughtful, Thankful and Thirsty Thursday

I was thinking about how I was going to work my latest contracted book with Decadent Publishing into Thoughtful, Thankful and Thirsty Thursday, (this list may be out of order!)

but then again, the 3-Ts kind of lent themselves to the topic without any real struggle.

Scotland=inspiring scenery!

HASTE YE BACK is my third work with Decadent. This 1NightStand story is number four of six with overlapping characters that fellow-DPer, Deanna Wadsworth and I are penning. So, if you've been keeping score on that front, although the stories stand alone in their own right, Deanna's BEAR IT ALL started the half-dozen, followed by my THE ONE HE CHOSE. You'll be able to read her ACCIDENTALLY BEAUTIFUL soon, to be followed by HASTE YE BACK. You're going to have to wait a bit to find out what the last two titles are (because we don't even know them yet!)

So, without further delay---the 3Ts and HASTE YE BACK.

Loch Lomond, I do miss you!

I was THOUGHTFUL about this story the moment I sat down on a fallen log along Loch Lomond in late July 2007. It was a lovely afternoon and I was with my 'Scottish family,' visiting them after 30 years of mail correspondence with Shelagh--wife to George and mum to Jamie and Grant. A full-length version of HASTE YE BACK formed in my head--it's since been shaved down to a 1NightStand length story, but the tale presented itself insistently and immediately. 

My Scottish family-Shelagh, Jamie, Grant and George.

 I'm THANKFUL, of course, for all those years of friendship. Shelagh was a bit concerned, wondering if we'd 'get on well' during our vacation. We'd never met in person, but had corresponded for 30+ years. But, we fit right in! Some of the best times were our hosts 'correcting' us when it came to verbiage: we stowed stuff in the boot, got in a queue at bus stop, ordered aubergine instead of eggplant, and NEVER poured ANYTHING into Scotch!  That whole 'left side of the road' being 'right,' really threw me off, however!

Now I'm THIRSTY for a return trip--complete with another fine Scottish meal of haggis, neeps and tatties, accompanied by some Famous Grouse. Or some tasty fish and chips with an ice cold Irn-Bru!

So, I hold my Scottish family responsible for this story--in a good way, of course.  I'm honored for all those years of friendship, finally being able to meet them, hug them, and enjoy their company. I'm sincerely hoping to HASTE YE BACK soon!

Wendy currently has two works on the Decadent Publishing shelves, is working on a third (Haste Ye Back) and is in the process of writing 274 more stories which she hopes DP will be interested in! Find her on Facebook, Twitter and lurking about the internet. You could send her a nasty email-wendyburke1994@bex.net. When not playing with the people in her head, she has silly life with her way-too-cute chef husband and two furry feline kids in the Great Lakes area of the Midwest.

3Three-Way with Maria MoonStar

I’m thankful for the many friends I have who stand beside me and support me in all that I do. I’m very thankful that these same friends who hold my hands, and tape my mouth shut, as those nasty gremlins attack me, or someone I consider a friend, for no good reason.

I’m thoughtful about:

How I can make this blog into something hot and spicy, or so funny you are spitting your coffee or Pepsi at the screen right now. I mean, when I saw the theme, Three Way Thursday, I thought ‘this had to be a joke?’ Me and my alter ego are perfect for the three way when this is my favorite thing to write: ménages! J But sigh, I saw the guidelines and have to be good, following the rules. Where the hell is Azura? She’s the one that follows the rules, not me.

Where is that naked man picture?

What am I thirsty for?

What else? A ménage! And with two hot, gorgeous men who don’t care about the extra poundage, who can’t wait to taste me as much as I want to taste them. What woman does not thirst to have two men? Two hands, two set of lips, and two… Well, you know.  Maybe one day my thirst will be quenched, but like all women I take care of my own and put away those dreams until the day my children don’t need their mom twenty-four-seven. But when that day comes and they are in college, watch out hunky men! The thirst will consume me and you might be the one I choose to suck on all night.

3 – Way Thursday with Emily Cale!

Okay, it's Three-Way-Thursday around these parts and I'm sharing what I'm thankful, thoughtful, and thirsty for.

I'm Thankful For:

I'm thankful for all the wonderful author friends I have. No matter what is going on in my life, whether it is author writing, family, or real job related, they are always there and full of advice. They also give me a good kick in the behind when I deserve it for not meeting word count or editing goals. Honestly, I can't imagine what my life would be like without them.

I'm Thoughtful about:

How I spend my time. I've been thinking about this a lot lately and deciding what things in my life are important to me and which ones need to go. I think a lot of us are stretched very thin with our writing, work, and family and all the little things start to add up very quickly. I've found that I'm having trouble getting the stuff I want to done and spending the majority of time on the things that don't make me happy anymore. I haven't quite figured it all yet, but I'm working on it.

I'm Thirsty For:

Hot apple cider. Preferably with lots of caramel and cinnamon. This is my go-to winter drink, but I won't start hoarding it in the house until the weather turns a little colder. In another couple weeks, I'll probably be discussing it a lot on Twitter.

Thanks so much for reading!

Emily Cale

Visit my blog (www.emilycale.blogspot.com) or find me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/emilycale)

My first release from Decadent Publishing is Dessert First, a sexy short story.

Here's the blurb:

Playing perfect daughter at her mother's parties isn't Alexis Arnette's idea of a good time. She always leaves grumpy and hungry. Unimpressed with the spread laid out in the living room, she sneaks off to the kitchen to find something a little more satisfying. What she discovers is chef Morgan Crane, a man who is even more delicious than his baked goods. When one taste of his creations leads to more and her good girl demeanor dissolves, would the boring evening turn into one she'll never forget?

Four-Way Thursday, Naturally

 So, normally, things around the Daily Dose of Decadence blog would be known as “Three-Way Thursday” today. But I just can’t make that work. Because, you see, my debut Decadent title, just released on September 30, is about a foursome. So, in the spirit of my contemporary erotic ménage JUST GOTTA SAY, it’s Four-Way Thursday, just for today! *winks*

This Four-Way Thursday…

Here’s what I’m thankful for:

I’m thankful that I get to be a writer. In my day job, I work as a college history professor. I’ve always liked my job. I’m good at it. I studied to be a professor for a long time. I receive good student evaluations, my scholarship has been well received, and I like my colleagues. Once I started writing fiction a little over three years ago, though, I realized the difference between doing something you “like” it and “are good at” it, and doing something you love because you simply can’t not do it. That’s what writing is like for me. Despite the fact that writing is hard work, it doesn’t feel like work to me. I look forward to doing it, sneak some time in for it whenever I can. I love the creativity and freedom of my writing life. And I’m absolutely thrilled about all the writer and reader friends I’ve made along the way. I’m very thankful to be a writer.

Here’s what I’m thoughtful about:

Writers live a life of the mind, so this one’s tricky! I would have to say I struggle to be thoughtful about maintaining balance in my life, in so many ways. Balance between the need to keep my butt in a chair and my fingers on a keyboard, and to make time to exercise and be healthy. Balance between my desire to play with my characters and my kids. Balance between my need to keep up with the million non-writing tasks a writer’s job entails and the million domestic tasks being a wife and mother involves. Balance between reading or writing Just. One. More. Chapter. and getting a decent night’s sleep. I don’t think these things are unique to me, by any means. But they are the challenges I’m always thinking about how to work out.

Here’s what I’m thirsty for:

This one’s easy. I’m most thirsty for the day when I can make writing a full-time job. I have four books releasing in 2011 and five more in 2012, and that’s just the ones I know for sure. Having sufficient time to meet my writing commitments—whether writing, revising, editing, or promoting—is my single biggest challenge. And working a full-time job and being a mother to two young children (ages 5 and 7) in addition to the very exciting developments in my writing career is sometimes a whole lot to juggle. I’m loving every minute, but that doesn’t keep me from thirsting for the day I make enough income from my writing to do it full-time.

And, a Four-Way extra, here’s what I’m thunderstruck by:

Two things have most surprised me about being a writer. First, I am in fact thunderstruck by how much my characters have become a part of my life. I think about them all the time. They talk to me. I see things in my real life that remind me of my characters. They’ve introduced me to new music interests and, when I’m writing them, do and say things I never expected—just as if they were separate people with independent needs, wants, and interests all their own. This is completely fascinating to me, and one of the things I love about writing. The second thing I’m absolutely awed about is hearing from readers that my stories mean something to them. Even if it’s just that they were having a bad day until they read your book, and your words made them forget it all. Recently, one reader told me that one of my books is her “happy book”—whenever she’s feeling down, she re-reads my story and it makes her feel better. A few months ago, a reader in ill health said my stories were the one thing that made her forget the pain that keeps her bedridden. There are no words to describe how deeply honored I am to impact someone’s life in this way, even if only for a few hours. Thunderstruck is not too strong a word, not in the least.

So, that’s Four-Way Thursday for ya! There’s more about JUST GOTTA SAY for you, down below!

Thanks for reading!

Laura Kaye

Buy Laura's Books

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

Here’s the blurb:

Callie Davis stumbles upon two of her three male roommates in a surprising, molten-hot midnight tryst and discovers a side of herself she never knew existed. Desire to play with them grips her, and she can’t stop fantasizing about having multiple men, particularly her three long-time best friends.

Callie is thrilled when a guys’ night out gives her the perfect opportunity to recreate her fantasy, with the help of a threesome porn video and a bag of sex toys. That is, until Lucas, Jack and Noah return early and catch her in the act. More than anything, the guys want to make her fantasy come true. But Callie has a secret, and she can’t help wondering if being with all three men will risk the future she’s always wanted with one of them.

As three strong sets of hands caress and undress her, Callie surrenders to desire, because sometimes you just gotta say...yes.

WANT TO WIN JUST GOTTA SAY? Come visit me during the remainder of the Just Gotta Blog Tour virtual book tour! Here’s where you can find me:

10/7: Author interview at Book Lovers, Inc.

10/12: Guest blog at Mare’s Place

10/29: Show and Tell Saturday at Daily Dose of Decadence

Ryssa Edwards' 3 Way Thursday

 

Hey! It’s me again, Ryssa Edwards, ready to bare my soul. Well. Kind of.

Thoughtful. Hmmm. . . I’ve been thoughtful about so many things lately, but mostly I’ve had the seasons on my mind. For most of my life, I lived up north. Fall is magical up there. I used to take the changing leaves on the trees for granted. I remember crunching through the leaves on the way home from school in second or third grade, knowing the snows would be coming soon. Around this time of year, I always used to secretly hope there would be a really, really big storm, because then I’d get a snow day. Maybe two! These days, lo these many years later, I still love the gentle shift from summer to fall. There’s something magical about moving from September into October, and knowing that in just two months, it’ll be Christmas. 

Thirsty. I’ve been way, way thirsty for a good cup of coffee. I don’t drink coffee at work, but on weekends I splurge on gourmet coffee, the kind that comes in individual bags. All week long, I look forward to that first cup of coffee that starts my Saturday. I sit down, crack my manuscript open, and settle in with Hazelnut Cream or Swiss Chocolate Almond and start the weekend off right. If I were on a desert island, seriously, I’d bring the coffee maker. I know, I know. I couldn’t plug it in. Details.Details.

Thankful.This is an easy one. For a couple of years now, I’ve been going back and forth. . . yes I want to move. . . no I don’t. But now, the decision’s been made for me. I live behind a biker bar. And apparently, the bikers are now using the parking lot under my window to park. And I’m here to tell you that a motorcycle is extremely loud when that roar wakes you up at two in the morning. So, I’m really thankful for the biker bar, because now. . . there’s no doubt in my mind. I’m moving! 

As soon as my lease is up. . .  

 

I am soooo outta here.

 

I’m Ryssa Edwards. . . and this has been Three Way Thursday!

Any funny moving stories out there? ‘Cause I’m dying to hear one . . .

You can find me here on the web:

Facebook: facebook.com/RyssaEdwards

My blog: http://www.ryssaedwards.net/blog/

Preview my upcoming release, Dreaming of a Kiss, here.

Three Way Thursday with Gracen Miller

   

What are you thankful for?

You might be sorry you asked this question! With my newly released Decadent book, Pandora's Box, and all the positive and five star reviews, I feel like I have won the Grammy. *grins* Do you really want me to thank all those people that got me here? LOL  I'll keep it somewhat short. I'm thankful for my supportive and amazing boys, which includes my husband of almost 20 years and my two sons.  Without them, I wouldn't be half the woman I am or half the writer.  They keep me smiling and grounded in reality…mostly anyway.  I'm thankful for my muse, who I've named DM.  DM is a slave driver and there are days when I wish he had an actual throat I could choke, but most of the time, I love and worship him. He prefers my love and worship. *winks*  I'm thankful I was given sons rather than daughters because boys are so much fun and aren't the least bit prissy…unless you ask them to do their rendition of a "girl".  *shakes head*  It is worth a laugh or two, but I hope they really don't think girls act like that!

I'm thankful Decadent gave my book, Pandora's Box, a home.  I'm extremely thankful the characters from Pandora's Box bombarded my imagination.  They're so alive and real in my head, it makes writing their adventures so much easier!  They keep me excited about writing! And I’m thankful for all the readers that encourage me with their love of my characters. They make writing worth all the long hours, sleepless night and hard work.

What've you been thinking about lately?

I’m trying not to think about my submission while I’m completing books that have been pushed to the side while I finished writing book two in the Road to Hell series. That’s hard when I have readers emailing me a couple of times a week asking when book two will be released.

What do you thirst/hunger for?

I'm a coffee addict, so coffee!! Otherwise, I thirst and hunger for the adventures of my characters. Living through them is so much fun even if I would never want to experience half of what they do in real life.

Pandora’s Box…once you open it, there’s no going back…

To read the first 3 chapter of my newest release Pandora’s Box, Book One in the Road to Hell series, go to my blog at http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com/p/pandoras-box-coming-8-19-2011.html.  If you’re still interested, pick up a copy of Pandora’s Box, available at the following retailers listed below.

Huggles,

Gracen

Where you can stalk me—not really!—but I would love to meet and interact with you:

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/gracen.miller

Road to Hell series FB Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Road-to-Hell-series/112564408814796?ref=ts

Website: www.gracenmiller.com

Blog: http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com/

BUY Pandora’s Box HERE!