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I hope everyone's had a great extended weekend, and a fantastic Labor Day!
Doing a little celebrating with a little Maxine!
And, for all those kick-ass heroines out there (both real and fictional)...
Give em hell ladies!
Romance Reviews
Crimson Romance
For the best in romance, from sweet to naughty!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 57
Good Monday Morning Flash Ficionados!
I hope everyone had a great weekend and will have a great Labor Day!
Since it's Monday (even if it is holiday here in the states), it time for....
Today's image comes from our friend Ana! Thanks Ana for searching the interwebs far and wide, finding several fascinating images. The one for today reminds ever so slightly of Alice in Wonderland...
I hope everyone had a great weekend and will have a great Labor Day!
Since it's Monday (even if it is holiday here in the states), it time for....
Today's image comes from our friend Ana! Thanks Ana for searching the interwebs far and wide, finding several fascinating images. The one for today reminds ever so slightly of Alice in Wonderland...
(I made it extra large, so you can get the full impact of the image, it's so great!)
The rules remain the same, 350 words (or somewhere around there) and come back Friday to post your response.
Have a great day and a fantabulous week!
Ciao!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Sassy Sunday Story Starter.... Several Weeks Late.....
Sassy Brit @Alternative Reads offers a Sunday Story Starter. This one is several weeks late!
Though this story starter is several weeks old, I started it, I never finished it. But, it keep calling me, begging to be completed. Anyway, here's my offering to her prompt, The Last Time....
This wouldn't be the last time, I was addicted. It would never be enough. Not even when I was dead. So, I hid from the truth, but it grew harder with each breath.
My body burned with need, possessed with a fever, from which there wasn't any cure.
I rubbed my arms, chasing away the gooseflesh, and I shivered. If I didn't know better, I'd think it was the first signs of withdrawal, but to go through withdrawal, you first had give up what you knew was bad. I wasn't there yet, I never would be. I wanted to be done with this, but I couldn't. Gods, why is this happening to me? Was I so different from his other conquests?
My fevered eyes looked back into his. “Please,” I trembled, “I can't stop now, I don't want to.” I pushed back into the pillows, pulling him toward me, sighing as he touched me. He made it my decision.
His eyes shimmered, and he smiled showing his neat white teeth. Unnaturally straight, unnaturally white, and amazingly sharp. He leaned down, capturing my lips with his. Quickly, he sank down onto the bed, gathering my body. He longed for me as much as I longed for life. Only for him, would I give it up. What you may ask? Life I would reply.
My head swam, and I pushed away, far enough to catch my breath. Then, I dove back in for more. His kisses were like honey on my tongue, and I gulped to catch every drop. His tongue tickled the seam of my lips, demanding entrance, and I gladly obliged, eager to partake, to drink my fill. Our tongues began the mad dance, twining together as a moan escaped my raw throat.
His hands threaded through my hair, snapping my head back, and at the same time, his lips left mine, sliding down to linger on my pulse point. “Gods, you taste so good.” He inhaled sharply, memorizing my scent. “Mine.” His bristled chin rasped against tender flesh, abrading and marking me. I was his. There was no denying it, no going back. I gloried in my damnation.
His lips found their way along the length of my neck, then lower and deeper, sipping sweetly from hardening rosettes, ruby red from his ministrations. I groaned in pleasure. “Please more, don't stop.” I twisted as I whispered. “Not ever.”
Before his fangs pierced my flesh for the last time, for it would be for the last time, survival was forgone, I brought his lips back to mine, demanding his kisses.
“Tell me again,” I shook with need, “tell me how we'll be together. You'll love me forever. Tell me again.” I demanded.
His eyes swam into focus, I was slowly slipping away. But his voice came to me from the gathering fog. “You will be mine forever, as I take, so shall I give.” He nuzzled my neck, inhaling deeply, and I gave him greater access, almost forgetting myself.
He smiled down at me, gazing into my eyes with his midnight ones, and I saw the lie. Almost too late, I broke away, pushing from the comfort of his bed. One would never be enough, I would never be enough. From somewhere else, lonely cords greeted my ears, “someone to watch o-ver me...”
Stumbling from the bed, I dragged my blouse back around my shoulders, making my way from his embrace. Fumbling with stubborn buttons, my fingers were too cold to work. Finally, I gave up and glanced down, three haphazardly closed buttons held the fragile fabric to my thin body. When I arrived in the kitchen, I held my face beneath the facet, greedily sucking in the cold liquid, splashing my face, trying to recovery my senses.
As I stood in the kitchen, staring out into the black night, I felt him presence behind me. I'd had my chance to leave, and I'd discarded it. Escaping his arms a second time would be impossible.
He growled into my ear, “Where are you going? Come back to bed, I'll give you what you need.”
His reflection glowed in the window, and I knew I was lost. He picked up my hand and brought it his lips. Then, flipping it over, he licked the inside of my wrist. I whimpered, knees melting. My pulse pounded harder. His other arm curled around my waist, guiding me back the way I'd come, my willpower evaporated.
He didn't bother with the buttons as the fabric split beneath his demanding fingers. He pushed me back into the pillows, and said the lies my mind needed to hear. “I'll love you for as long as time will allow. Give to me, my love, and we'll be together. There will be no other.” It was the final lie, even as my brian recognized it, my heart gave in as it thudded.
With my sighed consent, victory shown in his greedy eyes. His lips once again began their exploration, seeking the soft flesh where my pulse throbbed the hardest. Almost gently, he made love to my body, bringing me to the edge of ecstasy, then pushing me over, crashing against pleasure's shore. He thrust one last time as he pierced the tenderest of places. I felt myself pouring into him, as he hungrily groaned out his delight. My eyes lost their focus, and before I knew it, I was gone.
Now, we truly are together, forever. Cursed, some would say, to a lonely existence. But, we dance and make love. We laugh as we hunt, feast as we need. I've become the monster I was always afraid of. When he slips away, I try not to notice. He's never gone for long.
Somedays, I miss the sunshine and rainbows. But, not for long, and it doesn't really matter. The nights are mine. And they are wondrous.
So, there you have it. Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Caio, my lovelies!!
Though this story starter is several weeks old, I started it, I never finished it. But, it keep calling me, begging to be completed. Anyway, here's my offering to her prompt, The Last Time....
The Last Time
by: Dottie Taylor
word count: 1000
“This is the last time,” I thought, my throat tight. But I knew I was lying to myself.
This wouldn't be the last time, I was addicted. It would never be enough. Not even when I was dead. So, I hid from the truth, but it grew harder with each breath.
My body burned with need, possessed with a fever, from which there wasn't any cure.
I rubbed my arms, chasing away the gooseflesh, and I shivered. If I didn't know better, I'd think it was the first signs of withdrawal, but to go through withdrawal, you first had give up what you knew was bad. I wasn't there yet, I never would be. I wanted to be done with this, but I couldn't. Gods, why is this happening to me? Was I so different from his other conquests?
My fevered eyes looked back into his. “Please,” I trembled, “I can't stop now, I don't want to.” I pushed back into the pillows, pulling him toward me, sighing as he touched me. He made it my decision.
His eyes shimmered, and he smiled showing his neat white teeth. Unnaturally straight, unnaturally white, and amazingly sharp. He leaned down, capturing my lips with his. Quickly, he sank down onto the bed, gathering my body. He longed for me as much as I longed for life. Only for him, would I give it up. What you may ask? Life I would reply.
My head swam, and I pushed away, far enough to catch my breath. Then, I dove back in for more. His kisses were like honey on my tongue, and I gulped to catch every drop. His tongue tickled the seam of my lips, demanding entrance, and I gladly obliged, eager to partake, to drink my fill. Our tongues began the mad dance, twining together as a moan escaped my raw throat.
His hands threaded through my hair, snapping my head back, and at the same time, his lips left mine, sliding down to linger on my pulse point. “Gods, you taste so good.” He inhaled sharply, memorizing my scent. “Mine.” His bristled chin rasped against tender flesh, abrading and marking me. I was his. There was no denying it, no going back. I gloried in my damnation.
His lips found their way along the length of my neck, then lower and deeper, sipping sweetly from hardening rosettes, ruby red from his ministrations. I groaned in pleasure. “Please more, don't stop.” I twisted as I whispered. “Not ever.”
Before his fangs pierced my flesh for the last time, for it would be for the last time, survival was forgone, I brought his lips back to mine, demanding his kisses.
“Tell me again,” I shook with need, “tell me how we'll be together. You'll love me forever. Tell me again.” I demanded.
His eyes swam into focus, I was slowly slipping away. But his voice came to me from the gathering fog. “You will be mine forever, as I take, so shall I give.” He nuzzled my neck, inhaling deeply, and I gave him greater access, almost forgetting myself.
He smiled down at me, gazing into my eyes with his midnight ones, and I saw the lie. Almost too late, I broke away, pushing from the comfort of his bed. One would never be enough, I would never be enough. From somewhere else, lonely cords greeted my ears, “someone to watch o-ver me...”
Stumbling from the bed, I dragged my blouse back around my shoulders, making my way from his embrace. Fumbling with stubborn buttons, my fingers were too cold to work. Finally, I gave up and glanced down, three haphazardly closed buttons held the fragile fabric to my thin body. When I arrived in the kitchen, I held my face beneath the facet, greedily sucking in the cold liquid, splashing my face, trying to recovery my senses.
As I stood in the kitchen, staring out into the black night, I felt him presence behind me. I'd had my chance to leave, and I'd discarded it. Escaping his arms a second time would be impossible.
He growled into my ear, “Where are you going? Come back to bed, I'll give you what you need.”
His reflection glowed in the window, and I knew I was lost. He picked up my hand and brought it his lips. Then, flipping it over, he licked the inside of my wrist. I whimpered, knees melting. My pulse pounded harder. His other arm curled around my waist, guiding me back the way I'd come, my willpower evaporated.
He didn't bother with the buttons as the fabric split beneath his demanding fingers. He pushed me back into the pillows, and said the lies my mind needed to hear. “I'll love you for as long as time will allow. Give to me, my love, and we'll be together. There will be no other.” It was the final lie, even as my brian recognized it, my heart gave in as it thudded.
With my sighed consent, victory shown in his greedy eyes. His lips once again began their exploration, seeking the soft flesh where my pulse throbbed the hardest. Almost gently, he made love to my body, bringing me to the edge of ecstasy, then pushing me over, crashing against pleasure's shore. He thrust one last time as he pierced the tenderest of places. I felt myself pouring into him, as he hungrily groaned out his delight. My eyes lost their focus, and before I knew it, I was gone.
Now, we truly are together, forever. Cursed, some would say, to a lonely existence. But, we dance and make love. We laugh as we hunt, feast as we need. I've become the monster I was always afraid of. When he slips away, I try not to notice. He's never gone for long.
Somedays, I miss the sunshine and rainbows. But, not for long, and it doesn't really matter. The nights are mine. And they are wondrous.
So, there you have it. Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Caio, my lovelies!!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
The Dickens with Love by Josh Lanyon
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Pages: 119
From the Cover:
I picked up The Dickens with Love for my own enjoyment. All opinions expressed are my own.
Pages: 119
From the Cover:
A quirky holiday romance about Faith, Hope, and…er…glow-in-the-dark condoms!
Three years ago, a scandal cost antiquarian “book hunter” James Winter everything that mattered to him: his job, his lover and his self-respect. But now the rich and unscrupulous Mr. Stephanopoulos has a proposition. A previously unpublished Christmas book by Charles Dickens has turned up in the hands of an English chemistry professor by the name of Sedgwick Crisparkle. Mr. S. wants that book at any price, and he needs James to get it for him. There’s just one catch. James can’t tell the nutty professor who the buyer is.
Actually, two catches. The nutty Professor Crisparkle turns out to be totally gorgeous—and on the prowl. Faster than you can say, “Old Saint Nick,” James is mixing business with pleasure…and in real danger of forgetting that this is just a holiday romance.
Just as they’re well on the way to having their peppermint sticks and eating them too, Sedgwick discovers the truth. James has been a very bad boy. And any chance Santa will bring him what he wants most is disappearing quicker than the Jolly Old Elf’s sleigh.
Product Warning:
This book contains an ocelot, songs by America, Stardust martinis, tinsel, long-lost manuscripts, Faith, Hope and…Love.
James Winters is just about as down on your luck as a book antiquarian can be. His life has been left in ruins, a scandal with his former employer and mentor has left his career almost defunct. Once renown for his prowess as a book authenticator, he has been reduced to working at his local Barnes & Noble, selling books at minimum wage pay. A long fall from his other life, but oh, how far the mighty have fallen.
The one employer who will chance his ability is Mr. Stephanopoulos, and he's a far cry from those who trusted him before, but can you blame them? James had been taken in as well as those for whom he guaranteed authenticity. But, Mr. S. sees a prize, and long lost copy of a Dicken's Christmas book is going up for action. If Mr. S. has his way, his grubby hands will hold the treasure even if it's owner doesn't want it to be. It's up to James to convince the wily Professor Crisparkle that he will bring him the highest bid. The one thing James wasn't counting on was the stuffy chemistry professor who turned out to be one of the sexiest and gorgeous men his eyes had beheld in a while, and it's been a long long while.
The Dickens with Love by Josh Lanyon is a story of love and redemption. A perfect tale for the Christmas season, or any other season for that matter. When I first met James, he was being cajoled by the bulbous Mr. S. into doing something from the very start didn't feel right to him. If Mr. S. was so mad to get the Dickens, why not tell the seller who the buyer was, and exact his own amount of payment and reward. Instead, it was supposed to be a game of misdirection, veiled lies. But, almost at once, James starts to have misgivings. Almost at once, he's drawn to Sedgwick Crisparkle, the chemistry professor from the UK who grudgingly agrees to let James see and appraise the book. But, the prof isn't as innocent as he appears either, and he's investigated James, knows his past. And still, he feels the tug of desire as well. When the two come to an understanding, and agree to spend the night together, sparks fly and love flames. But, can either accept the other's short fallings? Can James get past the stern professor, wriggling his way into his heart? Can Sedge get past the lies and misdirection to see the real person behind the tough exterior, the lost man waiting for kindness and love?
The Dickens with Love turned out to be a heart warming tale, and I found myself hoping for more of this love story. James has been forced by circumstances to become a little bit of a con man, and Sedge jumps to conclusions, and feelings of betrayal before the relationship as time to become real. It takes understanding on both their parts to find the one thing both want and need....love. As I was reading, I came to understand James, even though I wanted him to come clean immediately, and I started to like him despite myself. He was misunderstood and abused by life. Sedge was quick to judge, to make assumptions, especially when he didn't know James, listening to rumors and innuendo. Then, I really started to like this strong professor type who needed to reign in those judgments of his. I really wanted more to this story, I wanted to see James and Sedge, cozy back in the UK, fulfilling life dreams and commitments, growing old together. It's not what either man excepted which makes it all that much better. I guess I'll have to settle for what I got, a love story told with wit, cringing sarcasm, and emotion. I'm not normally a contemporary romance reader, and I tend to shy away from M/M romance all together (not all of it is good). But, Josh Lanyon has won me over (this isn't his first book I've read). I think I'd try anything he put his hand to, love his humor and sarcasm as well as his ability to create a sensual moment or two in so few pages. I highly recommend this to the romance lover or the newbie M/M reader, it's not one to miss. 5 out of 5 fairy kisses for this reader.
James Winters is just about as down on your luck as a book antiquarian can be. His life has been left in ruins, a scandal with his former employer and mentor has left his career almost defunct. Once renown for his prowess as a book authenticator, he has been reduced to working at his local Barnes & Noble, selling books at minimum wage pay. A long fall from his other life, but oh, how far the mighty have fallen.
The one employer who will chance his ability is Mr. Stephanopoulos, and he's a far cry from those who trusted him before, but can you blame them? James had been taken in as well as those for whom he guaranteed authenticity. But, Mr. S. sees a prize, and long lost copy of a Dicken's Christmas book is going up for action. If Mr. S. has his way, his grubby hands will hold the treasure even if it's owner doesn't want it to be. It's up to James to convince the wily Professor Crisparkle that he will bring him the highest bid. The one thing James wasn't counting on was the stuffy chemistry professor who turned out to be one of the sexiest and gorgeous men his eyes had beheld in a while, and it's been a long long while.
The Dickens with Love by Josh Lanyon is a story of love and redemption. A perfect tale for the Christmas season, or any other season for that matter. When I first met James, he was being cajoled by the bulbous Mr. S. into doing something from the very start didn't feel right to him. If Mr. S. was so mad to get the Dickens, why not tell the seller who the buyer was, and exact his own amount of payment and reward. Instead, it was supposed to be a game of misdirection, veiled lies. But, almost at once, James starts to have misgivings. Almost at once, he's drawn to Sedgwick Crisparkle, the chemistry professor from the UK who grudgingly agrees to let James see and appraise the book. But, the prof isn't as innocent as he appears either, and he's investigated James, knows his past. And still, he feels the tug of desire as well. When the two come to an understanding, and agree to spend the night together, sparks fly and love flames. But, can either accept the other's short fallings? Can James get past the stern professor, wriggling his way into his heart? Can Sedge get past the lies and misdirection to see the real person behind the tough exterior, the lost man waiting for kindness and love?
The Dickens with Love turned out to be a heart warming tale, and I found myself hoping for more of this love story. James has been forced by circumstances to become a little bit of a con man, and Sedge jumps to conclusions, and feelings of betrayal before the relationship as time to become real. It takes understanding on both their parts to find the one thing both want and need....love. As I was reading, I came to understand James, even though I wanted him to come clean immediately, and I started to like him despite myself. He was misunderstood and abused by life. Sedge was quick to judge, to make assumptions, especially when he didn't know James, listening to rumors and innuendo. Then, I really started to like this strong professor type who needed to reign in those judgments of his. I really wanted more to this story, I wanted to see James and Sedge, cozy back in the UK, fulfilling life dreams and commitments, growing old together. It's not what either man excepted which makes it all that much better. I guess I'll have to settle for what I got, a love story told with wit, cringing sarcasm, and emotion. I'm not normally a contemporary romance reader, and I tend to shy away from M/M romance all together (not all of it is good). But, Josh Lanyon has won me over (this isn't his first book I've read). I think I'd try anything he put his hand to, love his humor and sarcasm as well as his ability to create a sensual moment or two in so few pages. I highly recommend this to the romance lover or the newbie M/M reader, it's not one to miss. 5 out of 5 fairy kisses for this reader.
I picked up The Dickens with Love for my own enjoyment. All opinions expressed are my own.
Embracing My Weirdness... or Things That Baffle Me
It has been a weird kind of week for me. I've discovered a couple of new authors, and rediscovered a few familiar friends that I'd forgotten about. Currently, I'm reading three books (which isn't weird for me, lol, nor is finding new authors or familiar friends.). I'm reading Ruined by Kinley Baker, Bride of Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta (which is actually a re-read, but oddly enough, I didn't post a review and that is weird), and The Dickens with Love by Josh Lanyon (I've had this book on my reader since Christmas, and after my weirdness this week, I thought, why the hell not? I could use a little Christmas joy, lol. I enjoy Josh Lanyon's books... see what I meant by familiar friends or maybe I should say acquaintances) :))
So, I can see you scratching your head, wondering what's so weird then.
Well.... It seems when I search for my blog, my name just pops up, lol, and it's kind of freaking me out. If I google my blog's name, Tink's Place, and the first entry is Dottie (and the description is my blog address). The funny thing is, I didn't google my name, I googled my blog name, and Dottie (which I've never googled, why would I?) pops up. I do a double take, and read the tiny script, peering through my spectacles, and yes, it's my blog! Baffling... LOL Who would have thunk it? But, I digress...
Weirdness comes in all shapes and sizes...apparently... and it's been one of those weeks. And I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall, because it will and when I least expect it. It's probably getting ready to kick me right in the backside. I've been spending a LOT of time on facebook... it's become my home away from my blog. It's a time suck... I go on expecting to spend 10 or 15 minutes, and look up to discover four HOURS have vanished. Poof. I'm never going to get those four hours back, lol.
Not only do I spend a lot of time on facebook, but I received a message there asking me if I was a racist.... Really, me, a racist? You don't know me very well. I'm one of the most liberal, freedom and equality seeking people I've met. Need I say, I live in a small rural community which frowns upon same sex marriage, legalizing MaryJane and prostitution for that matter? And I would be drummed out of the village? No, I'm not for legalizing all drugs, my husband works in law enforcement (so this is on the q-t, okay?) and my father is retired from working for the State Police. I'm only for legalizing the much misunderstood medicinal marijuana (okay, I'm giving everyone who partakes the benefit of a doubt... I'm sure you're medicating something). My neighbor actually uses it, medicinally, for MS, and I would never begrudge her an occasional joint now and then. But, to make her jump through hoop after hoop, well, that's silly. As for prostitution, I'm all for disease control, and what better way to regulate and clean up the world's oldest occupation? Asking me if I'm a racist, well, it freaked me out! Maybe because I didn't return his friend request? But, seriously, if you're going to friend me, at least friend me in a language that I understand, which is, British English, American English (of all types, lol, because American English is regional and ethnic) and some Spanish (poco solomente... only a little bit). If you friend me in a language I don't know and can't figure out with Google translation, then I'm not going to friend you back, because I obviously don't know you. And, no, I don't need to see your lingerie, believe me, you're not my type, no matter how flimsy it looks. My name is gymmom... I'm a mom who spends time at my kid's gym... I'm not doing nude calisthenics or lingerie modeling... (my eyes are bleeding just thinking about it...not even before I had kids...)
I've had a few weird experiences on Twitter too... glad it's only 140 characters at a time, lol. You can only insult me in brief spurts, with tweets in between, I block those critters. And I'm sorry, but I don't auto follow back, sometimes I'm just not interested in the daily deal in Syracuse, I live a long way from Syracuse. I can't afford to shop there anyway. Sorry. And again, if you tweet me a picture of porno-you or nightie/extreme underwear-you (I hope everyone gets my drift, because, geesh that's embarrassing), I'm not gonna follow back. That's both creepy and weird, the ewwww factor extreme. Twitter usually blocks those types in a few days anyway.
Well, glad I got all that off my chest... I can breathe easier now (not that I can really breathe, there's too much freaking pollen or farm debris in the air). Everyone can return to their previously schedule broadcast. Silly me.
(LOL, my dog is afraid of a moth, keeps jumping every time it gets near. I'm gonna have to chase down the moth, or he'll be jumping all night long. Well, back to The Dickens with Love, I'm really enjoying it.)
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